Senior-like Junior, Junior-like Senior (1)
With the casting of the young Grand Prince Consort, the lineup setup surged forward at full speed.
For the role of the 30s Grand Prince Consort, top star Lee Seo-hyeon was finally confirmed.
She's one of the big three among Korea's 20s actresses, alongside Yoo Jeong-ah and Chae Ji-hyun.
Jeong Seo-hoon's fandom 'BiLab', which had grown from baby fandom to kindergarten level, had even launched an official homepage and was proudly hanging out its shingle.
The fandom BiLab (非Lab) calls Jeong Seo-hoon "Haksa."
It's an affectionate nickname loaded with the earnest wish that his degree stops at bachelor's.
The BiLab fandom diligently gathered info, spread it far and wide, and counted down the days to the drama premiere.
Even among people uninterested in dramas or movies, the name Jeong Seo-hoon was steadily worming its way in.
Finally, the full cast was locked in.
Jeong Seo-hoon as the Grand Prince, Lee Seo-hyeon as the Grand Prince Consort, veteran actor Lee Min-soo as the Left State Councillor, Lee Do-geun as the Grand Prince's father and the sage king, and so on.
Major roles were filled with actors boasting solid skills and experience, while promising rookies were thrown in without hesitation to boost freshness.
"Among existing historical drama viewers, Jeong Seo-hoon and Han Seo-hee will especially get fresh reactions. We're planning to really lean into the young couple's romance vibe."
At those words, the production team and staff all turned to writer Kim Sang-hee in unison.
"Even the devil loves his own kids, y'know? That's what we're going for—no, we're not beautifying the Grand Prince image. I get the worries, but..."
"It's not that, writer-nim. Romance has us worried."
"Not romance. Just a touch of 'even demons love family' vibe."
"No romance? Whew, relieved."
"Ugh, wounding my pride here. Want me to show you Kim Sang-hee-style historical romance? The tender love of a young royal couple crushed under a merciless uncle's boot—a heartbreaking tragic romance ending?"
"Huh, that sounds kinda fun? How about writing one like that next time?"
"It's not that I can't write romance. I could crush the pure romance genre if I buckled down, but then every network would beg for rom-coms, so I hide it."
Light banter flowed, keeping the production mood relaxed.
Filming locations, set scale and concepts, prop sourcing, schedule tweaks—the concrete production framework was taking shape bit by bit.
Among the production team, Jeong Seo-hoon—the only lead actor—was participating.
No one found it odd.
Having pulled in 300 billion won via personal connections, Jeong Seo-hoon had every right to claim a spot on the production credits.
Third project in, and already lead plus producer. At 21...
No career like this'll pop up in Korea again.
End of year, Cable TV Arts Awards, Baeksang—he's sweeping newbie awards for sure...
Everyone figured Jeong Seo-hoon had cable newbie award and film newbie award in the bag.
Plus at least one acting nod each.
With that momentum into airing, 30%+ for a cable historical wasn't a pipe dream.
CV Cable was pushing it hardest anyway.
During a break, Jang Seung-won casually brought up what he'd been mulling.
"Seo-hoon, what about reenrolling next year?"
"Gotta. Prof invested 300 billion won."
Not a condition, but reenrolling made sense to save face with his advisor who'd shelled out big.
"Early grad then master's? Could slide into fall admission via late recruitment."
"Master's sounds good, but acting's got me hooked now."
"Even in grad school, prof'd cut you slack on time. I asked around."
"PD-nim wants me in grad school?"
"Historical with Korea U engineering top student as lead? Middle-aged viewers'd tune in out of curiosity. Grad school keeps the buzz steady."
Jang Seung-won was openly pushing for grad school—maybe 'cause he knew zilch about engineering grad life.
"I'd have it easier than other grad students, sure."
"Right? Top of the tops, and prof's your dad's bestie."
"Still, grad school's grad school."
Laden with meaning, but Jang Seung-won didn't catch it.
Kim Sang-hee lightly chided from the side.
"Not just chasing ratings? Managing 'slaves' ain't easy. Seo-hoon'd end up half-managing other grads from prof's view—tough with acting."
"Slaves?"
"You think Seo-hoon'd enter as a slave? More like a bailiff. Nah, maybe a baron? First-year baron fits."
"Actually, thinking marketing tweaks based on whether he does grad school next year. Just confirming."
Jeong Seo-hoon met Kim Sang-hee's eyes briefly, then fixed on Jang Seung-won.
"Got study itch, might do grad someday. But not now. Youngest titles? Over it."
"Right, yeah. Finish last undergrad semester next year, early grad at 22—post-military, master's mid-20s is fine. Why push grad now, PD-nim? Fans'd mob you with pitchforks."
"Airs March next year—grad school extends Korea U buff, right? Pure ratings play."
Jang Seung-won spun excuses.
"One grad semester then leave of absence—no sweat for Seo-hoon, drama wraps by then, milk that Korea U hype sweet."
"PD-nim, ratings-obsessed. One-semester leave? Absurd... Anyway, I'll consider."
"No pressure, just food for thought. Haegeuk hits big, we all win—especially you."
"Hits big, that Lee Se-jong prof wins most? Investment balloons, 'cause of me,' boasts 'grad school now.' Prof's no ordinary guy."
"Huh, true?"
"Our prof doesn't scheme like that."
At Jeong Seo-hoon's measured defense, Kim Sang-hee and Jang Seung-won exchanged identical looks.
Premiere set for first Wednesday in March next year.
30 episodes, weekly, wrapping in October.
Cast meet-and-greet and script reading scheduled at last.
"Future uncle to my son. Y'know? Thanks to you, I'm holding my head high lately."
"Specifically?"
"Say 'Jeong Seo-hoon's sister' and coworkers turn sweet. Guys were decent before 'cause of my face, now girls flutter too? Was lowkey jealous."
"So you'll renounce inheritance later?"
"One slip and you strike. Korea U teach that?"
"Prof dropped 300 bil. Tell him straight?"
"Tell him I respect and love him. You know, punk."
First full cast script reading.
Script complete to finale—bunch filming to save costs.
Like shooting episode 1 plus overlapping scenes from 9 and 15 same day.
Thanks to script machine Kim Sang-hee.
"No wonder networks drool over Kim Sang-hee. Full script from go—no plot wobbles, big budget savings."
"Saved budget boosts quality, ratings soar."
Ha Tae-soo, driving the van, jumped right in.
"Hey hey, ratings ceiling this time? Tae-soo oppa, what's your bet?"
"Me? 35%? Feels stronger than Illegal."
"Illegal overdid the edge but hit near 30%. This? 30% easy."
"Jinxing it early?"
"Writer-nim said last drama's caution tanked past 30%—go wild this time."
"Writer-nim's got fire."
"But Seo-hoon, reading site's gonna be hilarious."
Jeong Su-ryeon giggled from shotgun, twisting back.
"Rookie still green, two mega-hits in a row. Top seniors trembling before you."
"Yep. Seniority bows to fame here."
"Money rules everywhere."
"Who dares call you rookie or junior to the lead who solo'd 300 bil budget? Step up."
"You two hyped."
Jeong Seo-hoon lightly scolded, popping in noise-cancelling earbuds.
Closed eyes, envisioned the Grand Prince from bygone eras.
Possessed Grand Prince self, born Grand Prince self, Grand Prince ignorant of Jeong Seo-hoon, ruthless uncle pure greed for throne...
Myriad Grand Princes flickered in his mind, vanishing—ultimately one.
Just one person, facets shifting by angle and light.
Forgotten van vibrations, fully isolated, honing emotions—till shoulder shaken.
After repeated shakes, Jeong Seo-hoon snapped out.
"Not asleep, but why so deep? Studio's here."
"Nailing Grand Prince feels."
"Oops, interrupted?"
"Nah. Can't be late. Good wake-up."
"Wasn't sleeping."
Stepping out, fangirl screams pierced.
Dozens of high school girls stomped beyond barricades, placards high, chanting Jeong Seo-hoon.
"Smile hold. Wave."
Ha Tae-soo whispered low; Jeong Seo-hoon mirrored practiced grin, waved.
Screams sharpened to howls.
Half seats filled already, 20 minutes early.
Script readers, chatters, ponderers—all snapped eyes to Jeong Seo-hoon.
First reading, but vibe toward him worlds from Illegal.
"Ah, Jeong Seo-hoon here."
Veteran Lee Min-soo rose first, welcoming.
Jeong Seo-hoon clasped hands politely, smiling.
"Teacher-nim early too."
"Gotta hustle to shine before our lead-producer."
"Not producer."
"Brought the cash? You're producer."
Actors gauging timing lost flow as Lee Min-soo led.
Veterans pondered approach to the junior.
Lee Min-soo's ease cleared it: treat as equal actor, despite rookie gap.
"Lee Do-geun teacher-nim, hello. Rookie Jeong Seo-hoon."
"Yeah, good to meet. Loved Illegal. High hopes."
"Speak easy, teacher-nim."
"Hm, alright?"
Lead actor bowed humbly to veterans, mids, youths, rookies, child actors.
Zero arrogance—actors felt weighty authority instead.
Historical demands projection—genius rookie handle Grand Prince? Or crushed by pressure?
Even wary actors shifted post-meet.
Weight beyond years.
True prince's son aura. This'll work...
No worries.
Grand Prince's rebellion at late 30s.
Age makeup covers, but 21 rookie nail it? Lingering doubt.
Yet his seamless blend, magnetic pull—erased doubts for cast and staff.
Jeong Su-ryeon, beside manager Ha Tae-soo, murmured watching.
"Sudden flashback: picking him up from lab his junior year."
"How was it?"
"Exactly like that—owning seniors. At 19. Even 1-2 year seniors treated him senior. Undergrad owning grads."
"Now I see prof vibes. This the lab? Script lab?"
"Ruled school like that—no friends. Age gap didn't help."
"Sorry. I'm super late, right?"
Last arrival PD Jang Seung-won scratched head, flustered by the serene full house.
"This ain't some academic conference I stumbled into? Why so calm. Unsettling."
Kim Sang-hee, who'd watched early, stifled bursting laugh.
"Sit quick, Dean-nim."
"Dean?"
"It's a thing. Shoulda come early."