Peninsula: The Best Actor Starts from an Idol Battleground

Chapter 39 Zhi Xing, spread your fame throughout the world!

August 2009, 8, night.

Inside a private room of a high-end seafood restaurant in Shanghai, China.

The cast and crew of "Haeundae" are sitting together enjoying a sumptuous crab feast as a reward for their intense promotional schedule in a foreign country over the past two days.

Just as everyone was toasting and exchanging drinks, director Yoon Je-kyun's phone suddenly rang.

After the call was connected, the private room gradually quieted down.

Everyone was staring at the director's face, which was gradually turning red.

"It's broken..." Yin Jijun put down his phone, his voice trembling violently. "Just now, data from CJ showed that the total number of moviegoers nationwide has exceeded 10.07 million..."

"ah--!"

After a brief silence, Ha Ji-won suddenly jumped up from her chair, letting out a scream that almost lifted the roof off, and stomped her feet excitedly.

Meanwhile, Xue Jingqiu, the "emotional uncle," held a beer glass, his eyes red-rimmed, and wiped away tears in front of everyone, so emotional that he couldn't even finish his sentence.

After 33 days, "Haeundae" has officially entered the hall of fame for 10 million viewers!

This is not only the first time in three years since "The Host" that a film has achieved a box office of over 10 million, but it also completely fills the historical gap that the giant CJ Entertainment has "never had a film with a box office of over 10 million".

Sol Kyung-gu became the first South Korean actor to have two films grossing over 10 million won each.

Ha Ji-won became the first truly "ten-million-dollar leading lady" in Korean film history.

Lee Ji-hyeong, who was sitting in the corner laughing foolishly, also quietly created a record - the first new actor in Korean film history to debut in a major supporting role at a box office of tens of millions.

This trip to China was an unprecedented victory for the entire production team.

As one of the very few South Korean blockbusters to be released in Chinese cinemas on a revenue-sharing basis, "Haeundae" enjoyed the same distribution treatment as "Transformers 2".

During several promotional events in Shanghai, Ha Ji-won demonstrated overwhelming popularity.

The reason is simple: the pirated DVDs of "Sex Is Zero" were incredibly popular in mainland China back then.

That movie practically swept through the dormitories of countless male university students in China, becoming the enlightenment of an entire generation's youth.

However, besides this "box office queen", the person who received the second loudest cheers at the scene was actually Li Zhixing, a complete newcomer.

During these two days, Li Zhixing not only acted but also temporarily served as the crew's translator.

On the red carpet and at the preview screening, he communicated with fans in fluent and standard Mandarin without any barriers.

What's even more amazing is that because he's spent so much time with Uncle Li at the Chinese restaurant, his accent has been influenced by him, and he occasionally blurts out a couple of extremely authentic "Northeastern" phrases.

His strong Northeastern accent completely surprised the Chinese fans and media present, with many even genuinely believing that the production team had found a handsome local actor from Northeast China to act in the film.

With his approachable personality that made communication effortless, many Chinese viewers remembered this handsome newcomer who could speak fluent Mandarin.

……

May 24th, 8:00 AM.

After a two-hour early morning flight, the exhausted crew finally arrived at Seoul Incheon Airport.

After saying goodbye to each other at the airport, everyone went their separate ways.

As a leading lady with millions of fans, Ha Ji-won doesn't even have time to go home and get some sleep.

At 11 a.m., she had to rush to Apgujeong to attend the press conference for her new film, "My Love Is By My Side".

Li Zhixing, exhausted, returned to his home in Fangbei Cave.

When I opened the door, Grandma was wearing her reading glasses and sitting on the sofa watching the MBC morning drama "Can't Stop".

Hearing the door open, Grandma turned around with a smile, and then noticed the heavy bloodshot in her eldest grandson's eyes.

"Aigoo, Zhixing is back!"

Grandma went up to him with heartache and took the suitcase from his hands.

Li Zhixing changed into slippers and smiled wearily, "You're back, Grandma."

He walked into the living room, plopped down on the sofa, leaned back lazily, and asked curiously, "Grandma, aren't the two younger ones home?"

Grandma skillfully helped him organize the items in his suitcase, and casually replied:

"Zhong Xun went to his parents' place. As for Zhi En, I don't know what's wrong with her these past few days. She suddenly has a lot of schedules and hasn't been home much for several days. She said she's been sleeping in the company dormitory."

Li Zhixing paused for a moment, then a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

It seems that the effects of LOEN's "sibling clarification statement" have begun to take hold.

The huge surge in popularity brought about by the reversal of public opinion has completely filled the schedule of the newcomer, Ji-eun.

"For that girl, having a schedule to run is a great thing," Li Zhixing said with a smile. Then, seeing his busy grandmother, he quickly straightened up. "Oh, Grandma, I'll leave it here and pack it myself later."

"It's nothing, just something I did. I've finished cleaning it up."

Grandma quickly tidied everything up, then sat down on the sofa and carefully observed Li Zhixing's expression.

Seeing his slightly squinted eyes and the unconcealable weariness emanating from him, Grandma asked with some concern, "Zhixing, have you been sleeping poorly again these past few days?"

Li Zhixing paused for a moment, neither denying nor denying, but simply nodding slightly.

But then he quickly rallied his spirits and reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry, Grandma, I guess I've just been working non-stop these past few days and have too many things on my mind. But I'm feeling sleepy now, I'll lie down in a bit, and I'm sure I'll fall asleep this time!"

"It's good that you can fall asleep, it's good that you can fall asleep." Grandma was slightly relieved, and picked up the remote control from the coffee table to turn off the TV.

"Zhixing, you should go back to your room and get some sleep. Grandma is going to the market to chat with her old friends. She'll be back this afternoon."

Li Zhixing sat up straight: "Why do you want to go out, Grandma? You can just stay at home, you won't bother me."

"Oh dear, I was going out anyway. Aunt Park, who sells lantern pants, just had a baby boy born to her daughter-in-law. I had to go along and share in the joy."

As we reached the entrance, Grandma turned back and said, "When you come back this afternoon, Grandma will buy you your favorite brown sugar cakes."

Li Zhixing's eyes lit up, and he smiled, holding up two fingers: "Grandma, I want two!"

"Okay, okay, I'll buy two."

As the door closed gently, the room fell silent.

Li Zhixing's smile vanished instantly.

He sighed, rubbed his stiff cheeks vigorously, and got up to walk towards his bedroom.

The curtains were drawn, plunging the room into darkness.

Li Zhixing threw himself heavily onto the bed and closed his eyes.

However, even though his body was exhausted to the extreme, his brain was still like a machine that could not be shut down, running wildly in the dark.

Turn over, lie flat, then turn over again.

Insomnia returned as expected.

……

In the afternoon, when Grandma returned from the market carrying paper bags, she found Li Zhixing sitting on the sofa in the living room.

The TV was on, playing a boring shopping program where the host was promoting a juicer in an extremely exaggerated tone.

Grandma, thinking he had just woken up, chuckled and held up the paper bag in her hand: "Zhixing, come and eat some brown sugar cakes, they're still warm!"

But Li Zhixing did not react, as if he had not heard at all.

Grandma's heart sank slightly, and she quickly walked over.

She noticed that Li Zhixing was staring blankly at the TV screen, his eyes unfocused, like a lifeless shell, seemingly lost in thought, or perhaps not thinking at all.

Grandma sighed inwardly, reached out, and gently nudged his shoulder.

"Knowledge and action."

Li Zhixing seemed to wake from a dream, and his body trembled violently.

Turning around and seeing it was his grandmother, he managed a forced smile: "Grandma, you're back! I was daydreaming and didn't hear you."

Grandma looked at his face with concern: "Still...not asleep?"

Li Zhixing forced a smile: "I slept for a little while."

He took the brown sugar cake wrapped in greaseproof paper from his grandmother, took a big bite, and mumbled a praise, "Mmm! Aunt Jin's brown sugar cakes are definitely the best!"

Grandma didn't say anything, but just sighed softly and sat down next to him.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the background noise of the TV shopping channel and the soft sound of Li Zhixing chewing on the brown sugar cake.

After a long pause, Li Zhixing swallowed the food in his mouth and suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Grandma, our movie has surpassed ten million."

Grandma's face immediately lit up with surprise: "Really? Oh my god, that's wonderful! This is a very difficult achievement!"

Li Zhixing fell silent again.

He turned his head and looked at his grandmother's wrinkled face, his voice revealing a rare vulnerability and bewilderment.

"But Grandma...why is no one coming to find me?"

Grandma was stunned, looking at her beloved grandson who tugged at her heartstrings, and was speechless for a moment.

"Grandma, the box office has already surpassed ten million, which means that one-fifth of the population in South Korea has seen this movie. Now, when I walk down the street, many people recognize me..."

Li Zhixing's voice trembled slightly: "I'm already so famous, but why is it that no one is coming to find me? Is it... that no one will ever come to find me...?"

Seeing the helplessness in Li Zhixing's eyes, Grandma's eyes welled up with tears.

She gently stroked Li Zhixing's forehead, revealing a loving smile.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Who would abandon such virtuous conduct as ours?"

Grandma's voice was soft yet firm: "We are sensible, filial, and intelligent, and so beautiful. Who in this world would bear to abandon you?"

Seeing Li Zhixing's still dim eyes, Grandma changed the subject, her tone suddenly becoming somewhat "disdainful".

"Besides, it's only ten million."

"Huh?" Li Zhixing was taken aback and looked at his grandmother in confusion.

"Zhixing, think about it, only ten million people have seen it. In South Korea alone, forty million people don't even know you, let alone people in other countries."

Grandma carefully analyzed the situation for him: "Could it be that that person hasn't actually seen you yet? Zhixing speaks Mandarin so well, could it be that your family is actually in China? Or another country?"

Grandma held his hand: "Zhixing, ten million is just the beginning. You must continue to work hard to increase your fame! Make your name known throughout Korea, even throughout the world! Let people all over the world know you!"

"At that time, the people who are meant to look for you will definitely see you and come back to find you!"

At this point, Grandma deliberately put on a stern face to provoke him: "What? Doesn't Zhixing have confidence in becoming famous?"

These words instantly dispelled the gloom that had been weighing on Li Zhixing's heart.

He immediately straightened his back, stiffened his neck, and loudly retorted, "How could that be! I'm so good-looking, such a good actor, and I have so many friends in the industry. Becoming famous is the easiest thing for me! Grandma, don't underestimate me!"

Grandma smiled, her eyes crinkling as she looked at her grandson, who had regained his energy.

"That's right! Grandma believes in you even more than you believe in yourself! Zhixing, you'll definitely become a world-renowned superstar in the future!"

Li Zhixing's eyes lit up again. His previous grievances, helplessness, and self-doubt were swept away by his grandmother's words of comfort.

Although his grandmother's words were simple and unpretentious, they always managed to soothe the wounds in his heart.

Because in this world, the person Li Zhixing trusted most was his grandmother.

"However, Zhixing..."

Grandma held his hand, her tone suddenly becoming incredibly solemn and full of heartache: "Promise Grandma you won't force yourself to recall the past."

"Just like Grandma said, we should focus on making good films, become famous, stand in the highest and brightest spot, and wait for them to come looking for us, okay?"

Li Zhixing nodded and squeezed his grandmother's hand in return: "Don't worry, Grandma, I can control myself from thinking about it now. Really, I haven't had a headache in a long time."

Grandma was finally relieved.

Just then, the phone on the coffee table suddenly vibrated.

Li Zhixing picked it up and glanced at it, then stood up and said, "Grandma, I have to go to the Chinese restaurant. A friend is coming to visit me."

Grandma nodded, smiling as she reminded her, "Okay, remember to come back to bed early."

......