Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 53 Production Conference

"Bible, I'm going out—"

"stop."

Just as Jiang Zaixun's fingertips touched the door handle, the sound of slippers rubbing against the wooden floor suddenly came from behind him.

"what happened?"

He turned around while still pushing the door, and ran into Lee Sung-kyung running towards him in the morning light.

"Neckline."

She pointed to the center of Jiang Zaixun's collarbone:

"Are you going to the press conference or the bathhouse social?"

Jiang Zaixun lowered his head——

The collar of his linen shirt was tilted like a coconut tree after a typhoon, and his wheat-colored chest muscles were faintly visible under his collarbone.

"Isn't this how you wear clothes?"

“Can a fashion show be the same as a press conference?”

Lee Sung-kyung moved closer, shaking an obsidian collar pin that appeared out of nowhere.

The scent of lime mint from her fingertips mixed with the lavender from her wrist flowed into Jiang Zaixun's nostrils, and evaporated into a strange sense of security at the entrance.

"Swallowing saliva can puncture an artery."

Jiang Jae-hoon's silly smile suddenly froze at the corner of his mouth.

"pat-"

"All right."

The metal snaps snapped together with a crisp sound, and Lee Sung-kyung took a step back to examine the work:

"If you lose it, you will have to pay three times the price."

Jiang Zaixun turned his head and looked at the entrance mirror:

"Is this business style or hipster style?"

"Retarded style."

"..."

Kim Dae-won stepped on the accelerator of the nanny car like an F1, and the collar pin on Kang Jae-hoon's collar still retained the warmth of Lee Sung-kyung's fingers.

The cables of the Han River Bridge cut light and dark stripes on the car windows.

The glass curtain wall of Nonhyeon-dong reflects the lingering heat of autumn.

In the distance, writer Kim Eun-sook is reviewing the press conference schedule with the director.

Jiang Zaixun was just about to step forward to say hello when he was suddenly hit on the shoulder by a bear paw.

"Brother, are you going for a country holiday look today?"

Park Hyung-sik circles around him:
"Last week he was dressed like the dean of studies, and today he was directly promoted to the manager of the coffee shop in Gangnam District?"

"Doesn't it look good?"

“It’s beautiful…”

Park Hyung-sik pinched his chin in thought:

"But it would be more appropriate to change from that old-money suit you wore to the show. You should wear formal clothes to the press conference."

"Teacher Jiang looks quite presentable today."

The sound of Krystal's high heels suddenly interrupted the conversation.

Kim Ji-won also came over to look at Kang Jae-hoon:

"Like the male protagonist in Twilight, a refined vampire."

Jiang Zaixun smiled foolishly and scratched his head:
“Thank you, this is a birthday gift from the Bible.”

"Hey, how can this be a birthday present? It's clearly human body modeling data—"

Park Hyung-sik raised his eyebrows so high that they could poke through his hairline, and elbowed Kang Jae-hoon in the ribs, teasing:
"Have you figured out my muscle latitude?"

Feeling the temperature around him suddenly turn cold, Park Hyung-sik suddenly realized that the joke was a bit inappropriate.

After three seconds of suffocating silence.

Krystal Jung walked quickly backstage in her high heels.

The rhythm of the heels hitting the ground seemed to be beating the beat for Jiang Jae-hoon's wooden head.

Jin Zhiyuan glanced at Jiang Zaixun with an expression that said "this idiot is hopeless" and sighed:
"Bona, wait for me."

……

The press conference for the new drama "The Heirs" was held at Patio 9 in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District——

This modern building constructed with glass curtain walls and geometric lines has always been a focal landmark in the Korean entertainment industry.

As the new masterpiece of gold medal screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, it is also a key project promoted by SBS in the second half of the year.

This production conference has long been listed as a must-see in the media circle.

The twenty rows of folding seats were filled with microphones holding up the logos of various TV stations, and the aisles were filled with photography assistants carrying tripods and shuttling back and forth.

The press conference has not yet begun, but there is already a restless electric current in the air.

Nearly a hundred reporters, clutching interview notebooks filled with sharp questions, looked from time to time at the dark red curtain hanging at the entrance.

In front of the photo wall.

Lee Min Ho tilted his head slightly in a textbook business manner.

The sound of shutter clicks came one after another like the waves hitting the shore.

Jiang Zaixun looked at the silver-white flashes interweaving into a web in front of him, and the memory of his retina being burned at the preview of "Despicable Me 2" suddenly came to his mind.

Thinking of this, he silently took out the eye drops that Yoona gave him from his pocket and put a few drops in.

A cool touch spreads.

When it was his turn to take the photo.

Although the bright lights from the audience were equally dazzling.

But the burning sensation in Jiang Zaixun's retina was no longer as intense as last time—

Those flickering flashes seemed to be separated by a soft-focus filter, no longer a dizzying expanse of white.

The individual shooting session is over, and the next step is the CP photo session.

While waiting on the side stage.

Krystal Jung increasingly feels that Lee Sung-kyung's taste in choosing gifts is the same as Kim Ji-won's character in the drama - infuriating.

"It's our turn."

"Ah."

Krystal Jung put her arm through his and smiled at Park Shin Hye and Lee Min Ho who were leaving the stage.

"Crystal, look here—"

"Please come a little closer!"

The reporters' shutter clicks rang out like a life-threatening sound, and flashes poured down like a waterfall.

The dimples on Zheng Xiujing's face gradually deepened with the sound of the shutter, but her nails dug into Jiang Zaixun's biceps through the linen fabric.

"Please make a heart shape with your hands."

The photographer was making a heart sign in the audience, completely unaware of the actor's gradually distorted business smile.

"Why are you pinching me?"

"Practice your acting skills."

"?"

The flash just happened to freeze in this frame——

Krystal Jung's sweet smile and Kang Jae Hoon's stiff business smile form a wonderful contrast.

After the group photo session.

The staff brought tables and chairs onto the stage to set up the interview area.

The actors' seats are arranged in order according to their roles in the play.

Kang Jae-hoon sat in the middle, with Krystal Jung on the left and Park Hyung-sik on the right.

After the host took control of the scene, he first asked the lead actor Lee Min Ho:

"I heard that you turned down many scripts before finally deciding to star in this drama. Was it because of your trust in screenwriter Jin, or was it because of market considerations?"

Lee Min Ho picked up the microphone and paused for a moment, a flawless smile plastered on his face:

"If I must interpret this with a trading mindset... then I'd like to call this choice—using the last bit of youthfulness before turning thirty to exchange for the everlasting youthfulness depicted in the screenwriter's lines."

The reporters in the audience immediately booed in a friendly manner.

Screenwriter Jin Enshu's eyes twitched slightly——

The cheesy scenes played out by the actors themselves are even more creepy than Kim Ji-won's scenes of acting coquettishly.

Amid the sound of shutter clicks, Park Hyung-sik lowered his voice and whispered to Kang Jae-hoon:

"I bet you fifty thousand won that this guy has memorized the PR script."

"Cherish life and stay away from gambling." "???"

After Lee Min Ho's interview, the host turned to Park Shin Hye:

"Park Shin Hye, you two are in a love triangle in the drama, but in real life, who is closer to your ideal type, Lee Min Ho or Kim Woo Bin?"

Park Shin Hye fluttered her long eyelashes twice, glanced at the two male actors, and suddenly covered her face with her hands in distress:
"Oh my god, if I have to choose——"

She pointed at Kang Jae-hoon who was exchanging glances with Park Hyung-sik:
"I prefer the gentle and kind Jiang Jaehoonxi!"

"Mo???"

Jiang Zaixun pointed at himself in surprise.

Jin Yubin cooperated by grabbing his suit on his chest and stumbled into Jiang Hena's shoulder:

"So I wasn't even on the waiting list?"

"Hahaha--"

The laughter made the glass curtain wall buzz.

Only Krystal Jung gave Park Shin Hye a blank look when she covered her lips and chuckled.

"It seems Park Shin Hyexi has good adaptability."

The host then turned the topic to Jiang Zaixun:
"So, what special preparations did Kang Jae-hoon-xi make for the role of Yoon Chan-young?"

Jiang Zaixun picked up the microphone and said with a silly smile:

"My agent said that this role is very similar to me, so I just need to play it as myself."

The moment the words were barely finished.

Lee Min Ho's fist was pressed against the corner of his twitching mouth, and Kim Woo Bin laughed so hard that he leaned on Choi Jin Hyuk's shoulder and shook like a sieve.

Kim Ji-won whispered in Zheng Xiujing's ear:
"What misunderstandings does he have about himself?"

Krystal glanced at his confused and stupid look as he scratched his head, and rubbed his temples with such force that it seemed as if she wanted to dig out his brain circuits with her bare hands and make a specimen.

The host raised an eyebrow and looked at the actors who were laughing together:
"Is it really okay for Jiang Jaehoonxi to praise himself like this?"

"Yun Chan-young's character is [the extraordinary in the ordinary], he is a genius who can maintain the first place without any extra classes."

Jiang Zaixun held the microphone tightly and said seriously:

"I was the top student in my major during college and received scholarships for three consecutive years. Should that be considered in line with the requirements?"

Although the crew was divided into factions due to the two directors, the personal relationships between the members were relatively harmonious.

Jiang Zaixun's professionalism is obvious to all:

His acting skills, learned from Hwang Jung-min, are impeccable. He can accurately guide the emotions of his opponent actors when directing a scene, and his control of micro-expressions is textbook-level.

There is nothing wrong with how you treat others in your daily life—

He took the initiative to assist the props team in carrying equipment, smoothed things over when the assistant director scolded the extras, and often stayed behind to tidy up the shooting scene after work.

These small acts of kindness may not make for breaking news, but they keep coming up in casual conversations in the tea room.

Compared to the character "Yin Chan-young".

Jiang Zaixun is highly compatible in terms of personality charm, but there is a clear gap in emotional intelligence.

All the actors in the crew knew that Krystal had feelings for him, except for the person involved who never realized it - that's why they were laughing.

The host then turned the topic to Krystal Jung:
"As the 'cute couple' in the drama, Shui Jingxi should have more say in this, right?"

Zheng Xiujing picked up the microphone and showed an extremely sweet business smile:

"Jaehoon oppa is indeed a perfect match for Yoon Chanyoung."

She glanced sideways at Jiang Zaixun:

"Because this is my first time on a serious drama, the pressure is as intense as the morning rush hour subway in Gangnam District."

There were sporadic laughs from the audience, and she softened her voice:

"Thankfully, with Jaehoon Oppa's patient guidance, I was able to transform Lee Bo Na from a two-dimensional character into a living person."

Jiang Zaixun turned his head blankly after hearing this——

He did give Krystal some acting guidance, but definitely not as much as she said.

Kim Ji-won held her chin and looked at Krystal, a motherly look of relief on her lips.

"So, you two maintain the same relationship as in the drama off-screen?"

The host leaned forward and asked.

Krystal pushed the microphone ten centimeters towards Kang Jae-hoon.

Jiang Zaixun stared at the microphone and thought for three seconds, then shook his head sincerely:

"Krystal's private personality is very different from Bona's. She's actually very shy."

Kang Jae-hoon pointed at Park Hyung-sik:

"One time, Hyung Sik said we looked like newlyweds, and she hid in the dressing room and ate two packets of gummy candies before coming out."

"Arnie!"

Krystal's exclamation was drowned out by good-natured laughter.

At this moment, she finally understood what it meant to hit her own foot with a dumbbell.

"So our way of getting along off-screen is just normal communication."

After Kang Jae-hoon finished his summary, he added his signature silly smile, completely unaware that Krystal Jung had silently moved the distance between their microphones back to 20 centimeters.

Seeing that no interesting topics were found, the host asked questions to Kim Woo Bin according to the procedure.

Krystal took the opportunity to grab the mineral water and took two big gulps, then took the opportunity to fix her bangs to glare at Kim Ji-won who was secretly wiping away tears of smile.

……

Jiang Hena was the last one to answer the host's questions.

The two-hour production conference ended here.

There will also be a media interview session afterwards.

This shows the difference in popularity among the actors.

Lee Min Ho and Park Shin Hye were surrounded by several mainstream media outlets, with questions focusing on their character creation and interesting stories on the set.

Secondary media outlets that were unable to get a chance to interview the leading actors turned to asking probing questions to the new actors.

Secondary media is not as good as mainstream media.

They need catchy topics to attract public attention and gain traffic.

Therefore, the questions raised are extremely sharp.

Kang Jae-hoon receives reporters from Seoul Entertainment Express.

He threw out two preset traps at the beginning:

1. Did he get the opportunity to perform because of his status as Hwang Jung-min’s disciple?

2. What do you think about Krystal Jung frequently stealing glances at you during the press conference?

The moment I heard these two questions.

Kang Jae-hoon feels that being ignored by the media like Kang Ha-neul might be a blessing.

"My teacher always said that actors need to prove their worth through their roles, so I should be most grateful to the director and screenwriter for their trust in me being able to stand here."

"As for the second question..."

"Lin's Public Relations Rule" suddenly flashed through his mind - if you can't answer, just smile foolishly.

A silly smile spread evenly across Jiang Zaixun's face.

It wasn't until his smile lasted for 8 seconds that he slowly spoke:
"It seems that the CP line between Chanyoung and Bona has worked? Please support our lovely CP..."

The reporter rolled his eyes and closed the interview notebook, the corners of his mouth twitching as if he had been stuffed with ten mustard peanuts.

——I didn’t find any explosive points during the whole process, but my mouth was filled with official press releases.

After the interview session ended.

Jiang Jae-hoon gave a brief review of the impromptu Q&A session.

Although his words were not as perfect as the ones he had prepared in advance, he thought he had still given a passing grade in his on-the-spot reaction.

the other side.

Kim Ji-won waited for Krystal Jung to finish the interview and then took her arm:
"Calling Teacher Jiang Oppa at the press conference was pretty easy, wasn't it?"

She deliberately imitated Krystal's intonation and dragged out the last word: "Tell me, how many times have you practiced privately?"

"It was just a slip of the tongue, it was too hot."

"Then why haven't I heard you call Lee Min Ho senior oppa?"

Jin Zhiyuan bumped into her teasingly and said, "Are you saying that the central air conditioning temperature is too low and your tongue is frozen?"

"It's obviously you who froze your tongue."

Krystal shook off the other person's arm and strode forward, but at the corner she ran into Kang Jae-hoon who was surrounded by three fans, and her pace unconsciously slowed down by three beats.

The overhead light reflected a diamond-shaped spot of light on the metal clip of the pen, and the fingertips where Jiang Jae-hoon signed his signature were coated with a layer of warm yellow.

Krystal's gaze followed the [KK] mark on the end of the pen. The corners of her lips rose almost imperceptibly by half a centimeter, and then the tip of her tongue pressed against her palate, flattening them into a proud straight line.

(End of this chapter)