Peninsula: I'm the Top Streamer

Chapter 692 Grapefruit Noodles...A Big Hit!

The following day, NewJeans' official TikTok account was quietly updated.

A short video titled "Hype Boy Challenge with Kwon Heonhyuk!" was quickly pushed to the homepages of fans worldwide.

In the video, Kwon Heonhyuk has taken off his suit and is wearing only a dark casual T-shirt. He stands side by side with the NewJeans members, who are wearing matching sportswear, dancing lightly and smoothly in the practice room mirror.

Quan Xuanhe is tall and strong, and there is quite a contrast between him and the few young girls.

The moment the video was released, the comment section exploded.

[Breaking News! Kwon Heon-hyuk and NewJeans' Hype Boy Challenge! Is this real?]

OP: I saw this as soon as I refreshed my homepage, and my hand slipped so much I almost dropped my phone into my instant noodle bowl! How did Kwon Actor end up on HYBE? And dancing Hype Boy with the Bunnies? This collaboration is just too unbelievable! Anyone understand my shock?!
[Wow...did he drop by HYBE during a break from filming? Whatever it is, let me kowtow to him first.]

[Am I the only one who noticed Haerin's furtive glances at his senior? The cat's shocked expression is so cute! The kids all look so nervous yet excited.]

[Trending on Instiz] Kwon Heonhyuk's NewJeans Challenge video surpasses 10 million views.

[The NewJeans kids are so lucky! To debut with the opportunity to work with top-tier actors of this caliber in a challenge—their starting point... I'm tired of saying "I'm envious." HYBE's resources are truly exceptional.]

Both are very popular figures, so their collaboration naturally attracted a lot of attention.

It is still quite eye-catching.

...

...

...

In the VIP room of a high-end beauty salon in Seoul, the air is filled with the warm fragrance of essential oils and hot towels.

Liu Zhimin lay on her back on the nursing bed, her face covered with a thick moisturizing mask, only her closed eyes and smooth forehead were visible.

The beautician was gently massaging her scalp, the soothing pressure almost making her fall asleep.

She really hasn't been that busy lately.

There are still ten to fifteen days left before things really get busy at the end of the year. These past few days have been filled with intermittent schedules, and she has been taking care of her skin according to her usual routine.

The phone vibrated on the nearby shelf, and the beautician took it out and held it up to her face. The screen lit up, displaying a name that made her heart skip a beat.

It’s Zhao Meiyan.

Liu Zhimin's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Ever since they were caught by Zhao Meiyan on set, and the two of them awkwardly ate at the same table under the matchmaking of Quan Xuanhe, and even went back to Seoul in the same car, they have maintained a state of superficial politeness but subtle distance.

After all, she still needed to think carefully about what Zhao Meiyan had said.

We can't just believe everything we're told, can we?

She hesitated for a few seconds, then gestured for the beautician to pause. She reached for her phone, carefully avoiding the edge of the face mask, and answered the call.

"Annyeonghaseyo, Miyeon-senpai?" Yoo Ji-min's voice sounded a little awkward because her mouth couldn't move naturally while her face was covered by a mask.

A gentle and lively voice came from the other end of the phone: "Annyeonghaseyo, Jimin? Are you busy?"

"Ani-yo, senior. You're getting a skin treatment."

Liu Zhimin gave a simple answer, her mind racing as she tried to guess the other party's purpose.

They couldn't possibly be here to reminisce or to check on her skin.

"That's it."

Zhao Meiyan paused, seemingly considering her words.

"Um... here's the thing. Our (G)I-DLE comeback stage is Music Bank tomorrow. I was thinking... inviting you to come and check it out, and while we're at it... how about we film a Challenge together?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimin froze for a moment.

Invitation to shoot a Challenge together?

What does Zhao Meiyan mean by this?
court?

Test?

what is this else?
After the initial shock came intense hesitation and an instinctive reluctance.

The awkwardness of being in the same room as Zhao Meiyan on set last time is still fresh in my mind.

No matter what, Zhao Meiyan is the official wife. If she wants to do something to her, such as telling others that she is a third party who interfered in other people's relationships, it will be difficult for her to deal with it. Otherwise, why would she be a bit timid?

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, as if waiting for her response.

Liu Zhimin opened her mouth, the words of refusal almost bursting out.

"I'm sorry, senior, I might not be able to make it tomorrow..."

But professional ethics and a deeper competitive spirit—a reluctance to show weakness in front of Zhao Meiyan—forced him to keep talking.

In just a few seconds, Liu Zhimin's mind was racing. Her cheeks under the face mask felt slightly warm, and she could even feel the curious gaze from the beautician.

Finally, she took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound steady and natural, even with a touch of just the right amount of flattered surprise.

"Oh...really? My senior invited me to film Challenge together?"

She paused for a moment, as if processing this unexpected surprise, and responded softly.

"Nye...Kamsamita, I will be there on time."

“Okay.” Zhao Meiyan’s voice sounded quite happy. “Then I’ll send you the time and backstage location. See you tomorrow, Jimin.”

"Yes, senior. See you tomorrow." Liu Zhimin hung up the phone, put it back where it belonged, and lay back down.

The beautician continued the gentle massage, but Liu Zhimin's heart could no longer find peace.

Underneath the face mask, Liu Zhimin's face showed a resolute determination, as if she were bracing herself for a challenge.

After much deliberation, Liu Zhimin decided that she should still call Quan Xuanhe.

She sat up abruptly, startling the beautician.

"I'm going to the restroom, I'll be right back."

Liu Zhimin hurriedly entered the beauty salon's private restroom, locked the door behind her, took out her phone, hovered her fingertip over the screen for a moment, and finally pressed the number she knew by heart.

The phone wait timer went off.

"Beep...beep...beep..."

The call rang for a long time, and just when Liu Zhimin thought it wouldn't be answered and was about to hang up, the call finally went through.

"Hello?" Quan Xuanhe's voice came through.

“Oppa…”

When Liu Zhimin opened her mouth, she realized that her voice was a little dry. She cleared her throat and tried to make her tone sound calmer.

"What's wrong? Why are you calling at this hour?" Quan Xuanhe's voice was gentle.

Liu Zhimin tightened her grip on her phone and got straight to the point: "Zhao Meiyan just called me."

The relationship has not improved, so they address each other by their first names, showing no intimacy whatsoever.

Upon hearing this, Quan Xuanhe's voice carried a hint of inquiry: "What did she say?"

"She...invited me to Music Bank tomorrow."

Liu Zhimin spoke a little too quickly, and said it all in a hurry.

"She said she wanted to film Challenge with me."

After she finished speaking, she breathed softly, listened carefully to the voice on the other end of the phone, and waited for Quan Xuanhe's reaction.

She wanted to know if he knew about it, and even more so, what his opinion was on it, and... what Zhao Meiyan really meant by this.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk hesitated for a moment on the other end of the phone, then his tone became light. "Oh, is that so? That's great, isn't it? Mi-yeon invited you."

"Okay?" Liu Zhimin's voice involuntarily rose a little, but then she realized she had overreacted and lowered her voice, sounding a bit aggrieved and confused.

“Oppa, what’s so good about this? Don’t you think it’s… strange? Why would she suddenly think of asking me to film a Challenge? Wasn’t it awkward enough on set last time? What is she trying to do?”

She poured out all her doubts and anxieties.

The more peaceful and friendly Zhao Meiyan appeared, the more her little schemes became apparent, making Zhao Meiyan feel embarrassed that she had been seen through.

Quan Xuanhe listened patiently to her finish speaking, and then spoke to comfort her.

"Zhimin."

His voice calmed down, carrying a reassuring tone.

"Don't overthink it. Meiyan isn't the kind of person who would scheme or deliberately embarrass you. Since she invited you, she genuinely wants to get closer to you."

"Closeness?"

Liu Zhimin couldn't help but repeat the word, her tone filled with disbelief.

"Me and her? How is that possible, Oppa? Did you say something to her?"

She suspected that Kwon Seonhyuk was behind it all.

"I didn't say anything special."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk quickly denied it, his tone frank, "I just feel that there's no need for things to stay so tense between you two. Mi-yeon is actually very kind and tolerant. The fact that she's willing to take this step shows her gentleness."

And gentle...

Liu Zhimin's lingering resentment resurfaced. He had said the same thing on set last time.

It seems that everything Zhao Meiyan does is right and generous, while she is the petty person who needs to be tolerated and managed.

"But…"

Liu Zhimin was about to say something when Quan Xuanhe interrupted her.

"There's no 'buts,' Jimin." Kwon Hyun-hyuk stopped her from making wild guesses and directly confirmed her thoughts, leaving her no room for hesitation.

"Since you've agreed, just go ahead and do it openly. It's just a Challenge shoot, nothing serious."

"Just treat it as a normal senior-junior interaction. Relax and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Miyeon won't make things difficult for you, trust me."

He paused, then added, "Besides, it doesn't do you any harm, does it? Show off your intelligence and friendliness."

Liu Zhimin fell silent.

Although the awkwardness and confusion still lingered, he was right. Things had come to this point, and dwelling on Zhao Meiyan's intentions would be pointless.

She did agree, and backing down now would seem petty and make her look even worse.

"knew…"

She responded sullenly, her voice lowered, carrying a hint of resignation.

"I'll be there."

"Well, that's right."

Quan Xuanhe's voice sounded satisfied, "Don't overthink it. If you trust me, then relax."

"Alaso..."

Liu Zhimin agreed. Although her unease hadn't completely disappeared, Quan Xuanhe's confident attitude had indeed calmed her down considerably.

He was always like that, as if everything was under his control, giving her a temporary sense of security even if she had many doubts.

"I'll hang up now, I have some things to take care of here," Quan Xuanhe said.

"Okay, goodbye Oppa." Liu Zhimin hung up the phone, looked at the ended call screen, and let out a long sigh of relief.

She leaned against the door and unconsciously touched the cool face mask to her face.

Tomorrow…Music Bank backstage…Cho Mi-yeon…Challenge…

Quan Xuanhe told her not to worry too much, but how could she not worry about this situation?
Liu Zhimin tidied her slightly messy hair in front of the mirror, and looked at her face with a face mask on, only her eyes showing, and her eyes flickered with a complicated expression.

...

...

...

Kwon Hyun-hyuk put down his phone, and Yoo Ji-min's name went dark on the screen. He let out a soft breath, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold edge of the phone.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, shook his head, turned around and went back into the meeting room, putting aside these disturbances for the time being; now was not the time to be distracted.

He was currently in a conference room inside the YG Entertainment building.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the afternoon sunlight of Seoul shines through the blinds, cutting out stripes of light and dark on the floor.

At the conference table, besides Park Jung-jung, sat key figures from YG's production department, as well as music consultants brought by Kwon Heon-hyuk.

"Xuanhe-xi, we'd like to hear your thoughts on the album concept and song style."

A producer wearing black-rimmed glasses and with slightly curly hair pushed up his glasses and turned the tablet in front of him toward Kwon Seonhyuk.

YG has many famous music producers, such as Teddy, who needs no introduction, as well as many other well-known K-pop producers, and has produced quite a few hit songs.

The Black label was specifically responsible for producing the music for his album.

"We think either the Urban R&B-oriented version or the version with a retro Synthwave feel has great potential to highlight your tonal characteristics..."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk listened very attentively, after all, he was a complete novice.

His requirements were actually quite clear: the music itself had to be music, and being able to listen to it and sound good was the most important thing. The production had to be excellent, and he was willing to spend more money, since there was no upper limit to the production cost.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk is not short of money right now, and since it is likely his only solo album, he is willing to spend some money to make something good.

The discussion deepened, extending from the details of the arrangement to the possibilities of visually representing the overall album concept.

There was a gentle knock on the conference room door, which was then pushed open.

A manager from YG's artist management department walked in with a professional smile on his face, followed by a young man dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans, with a quiet and reserved demeanor.

"Excuse me, everyone." The room leader bowed slightly.

"This is Lee Chanhyuk from Akdong Musician. He happens to be at the company today handling some matters. I heard that Chanhyuk is here discussing a solo album, so we can all exchange ideas."

All eyes turned to the doorway and looked over there.

Akdong Musician is a well-known music streaming group, so it's quite fitting that the siblings are in charge.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk stood up, a gentle smile on his face, and returned the greeting, saying, "Annyeonghaseyo, Chanhyuk-ssi, I've always followed Akdong Musician's music; it's very inspired and full of ideas."

He took the initiative to extend his hand.

Lee Chan-hyuk nodded, stepped forward and shook hands, saying "Annyeonghaseyo" as a greeting.

The moment the two shook hands, it was as if a small pebble had been thrown into a lake, causing a clear ripple to spread out from the depths of Quan Xuanhe's mind.

It's a hint from my sixth sense.

The melody of a certain song immediately came to mind.

The melody is beautiful; once you hear it, you won't forget it.

This song...

It's going to explode!

Moreover, it was a phenomenal hit, dominating the charts for a considerable period during the era when girl group songs were all the rage.

However, this song...

Is it a duet?
(End of this chapter)