The Meaning of Rock Bottom (1)
During the mid-episode ad break for Haegeuk, Oh So-hee and Kim Da-hye hurriedly got up and headed to the bathroom.
While they were at it, they grabbed fresh cold cans of beer from the fridge.
"It feels like this storm-before-the-calm tension keeps building, making it all nail-biting like waiting for the killer in a horror flick."
"Tell me about it."
"Are historical dramas always like this? Feels more like a thriller."
"The way the Grand Prince—er, the scholar—eyes the Crown Prince is straight-up chilling."
"That gaze, the acting behind it, and the direction capturing it just right."
"Yeah, if it weren't the scholar or some other actor, this would've bombed."
"Totally. It screams 'Kim Sang-hee's ode to Jeong Seo-hoon'."
Neither of them had watched a ton of historical dramas.
Just a couple of trendy ones aimed at young audiences—that was it.
But Haegeuk had a different texture from anything they'd seen.
Now that the Grand Prince knew the cure for leprosy, he no longer hid his killing intent.
Every glance that brushed past the Crown Prince screamed murder.
It evoked Lee Jin-wook and Kim Chan, but it was a different breed of malice altogether.
"You can express that 'I wanna kill you' vibe in so many shades. The scholar must be born for this."
"Seriously, if he hadn't become an actor with that physique, it'd be a massive loss. PD Song saved drama and film."
"Han Seo-hee's about to exit soon, right? Wish we could see more. Not hyped for Lee Seo-hyeon—better if they stuck with Han Seo-hee the whole way."
"Heard they're extending her by two episodes?"
"No way, really?"
"Yeah, but that means bearded Grand Prince gets delayed two episodes too."
"Ugh, wanna see bearded Grand Prince ASAP. Wonder how they'll age up the scholar."
"Can't picture it. Mid-thirties scholar? How hot will he be?"
The drama's overall tone was subdued.
No explosive reactions like during Illegal or Su-jang-go, where they couldn't contain themselves watching Jeong Seo-hoon.
Maybe the production was intentionally holding back early on, or maybe topping the charts made them numb to lesser thrills...
"It's quiet, but there's this subtle heart-pounding vibe. Nothing like the hyper King Taejong in Taejong's Garden."
"Heard that's already messing up the pacing."
"Really?"
"All the hype early on about surpassing Haegeuk threw off the rhythm. Like sprinting in a marathon without pacing yourself."
"Wanna check it out? Rerun soon?"
"Taejong's Garden rerun right after Haegeuk ends. They timed it on purpose."
"Scraping for every last viewer, huh."
The ads ended, and the second half began.
After watching it through, they switched channels to the Taejong's Garden rerun.
They shared the same reaction afterward.
"Why the hell do we watch this crap?"
***
What was treason?
Was this vicious sentiment brewing in him now treason?
Or, as the shaman said, did the will to survive fall outside defying heaven?
After the assassination attempt on Dae-ho, the Crown Prince showed even deeper trust in the Grand Prince.
In the Crown Prince's eyes, the Grand Prince had thrown himself in harm's way, disregarding his own life.
The King, while scolding the Crown Prince for reckless hunting, lavishly praised the Grand Prince's brotherly love.
"With such harmony among the princes, this is the royal house's great fortune. I shall reward the Grand Prince."
Perhaps scarred by memories of his father, the late King, purging bloodlines to consolidate power, the King especially cherished the Grand Prince's fraternal bond.
"Yuya, henceforth, you need no paternal permission to tour the eight provinces."
"Father?"
"I well know your earnest desire to seek those words yourself. I grant it now. But raise no private forces. Understood?"
"Your benevolence overwhelms me, Father."
Grand Princes, as fierce rivals to the throne, normally needed the King's leave even to leave the capital.
But the Grand Prince, proving loyalty and brotherhood with his life, had his chains loosened.
That day, in high spirits, the Grand Prince summoned the Han shaman alone for drinks.
"My lord, with wounds so grave, liquor will only aggravate them. Please abstain."
"How could I not share a cup on such a joyous day? Han-ga, as you foretold, the Crown Prince was not fated to die that day."
Had the Han shaman tipped him off to protect the Crown Prince, the outcome might have differed.
He wouldn't have braced for danger or leaped in at the critical moment.
And he'd have drawn the Royal Father's suspicion, facing harsh interrogation.
But by concealing the divination, everything unfolded as planned.
"You knew all that would transpire that day? Telling me everything would disrupt heaven's will—that too, you said."
"My lord, this servant knew only that the Crown Prince's fate endured. Nothing more."
"No need for such humility. I no longer doubt your sight into heaven's secrets."
The Grand Prince grew even fonder of the Han shaman's steadfastness.
Too fine to scorn as lowly.
If he became king, he'd keep her close and wield her greatly for the realm.
"His Highness has loosened the chains upon me."
The Han shaman responded flatly to his boast.
"Forgive me for dousing your joy, but ponder His Majesty's intentions more deeply."
"What do you mean?"
"When the late King severed his daughter-in-law's house for royal power, the present King tacitly approved."
"..."
"That day's peril arose only because you ventured hunting."
The words hit like cold water, snapping him alert.
"Does Father suspect me?"
"You lack skill to command Dae-ho, so no deep suspicion."
"Then..."
"Yet he won't dismiss luring you to tiger-haunted grounds lightly."
It stung like a blow to the head.
The Han shaman gazed calmly, then bowed slightly.
"You've earned the present King's faint doubt but the future sovereign's thick trust. A profitable trade, my lord. Be content."
"Profitable... So wait for the right moment? But if I sicken and die first, it's all for naught."
"My lord."
The Han shaman lifted her face, her emotionless gray eyes fixed on him.
"Treason is just that. Wager all you have, desperately awaiting heaven's momentary lapse."
***
"It's really the end now."
Han Seo-hee looked especially wistful today.
Her joy at two more episodes extending her screen time was short-lived; with reshoots done, no pretext to visit the studio remained.
"Even post-wrap, you're still Haegeuk cast. Come to the wrap party."
"You'll be there too, oppa? Lead actor, obviously."
"I'll come. Probably stay till the end."
"But I can't drink. Bummer. Man, wish I was born a year earlier."
From afar, Han Seo-hee's manager fidgeted anxiously.
Worried the young actress might slip in front of everyone.
"Can't visit set, but I'll text often."
"Your agency lets you use your phone freely?"
"Duh. I'm no rookie—veteran in girl groups now."
A girl just turned 19 calling herself a vet? What kind of idol world was this?
Jeong Seo-hoon wanted no part of it.
Come to think of it, ViLab fandom had plenty of ex-idol fans too?
That's when it happened.
A murmur rippled among actors and staff.
Glancing over, veteran actor Park Jun-ho—playing the enigmatic high monk—chatted and laughed with Lee Min-soo.
"Teacher Park Jun-ho."
"What's he doing here?"
"High monk comeback? Not MacGuffin after all?"
"Nah, flashback scene."
"What's going on?"
Depending on the high monk's lines today, the drama's direction could shift massively—actors and staff watched with keen interest.
Sensing their gazes mid-chat with Lee Min-soo, Park Jun-ho approached calmly.
"Watched your acting live from start to finish, junior. As rumored, deeply impressive."
"Please speak comfortably."
"Shall I?"
A few years Lee Min-soo's senior, Park Jun-ho switched to casual speech right away.
Han Seo-hee seized the moment for greetings.
"Hello, teacher. Han Seo-hee, playing the Grand Prince's wife."
"Ah, our young Grand Prince's wife—your acting moved me deeply. Hard to believe it's your debut."
"Thank you so much. I gave it my all. Um, teacher, why are you...?"
Han Seo-hee looked eager to ask; Park Jun-ho smiled kindly.
"Wondering if it's added flashback shooting?"
"Yes, so curious. Rewatching lately, that early high monk didn't feel like a one-off healer."
"Should've asked your husband sooner—he'd have told you. Marital harmony lacking?"
Meant as a joke, but Han Seo-hee blushed visibly.
"What do you mean?"
"Jeong Seo-hoon here knows the entire script from start to finish. Only actor who does."
"Oh, really? Had no idea."
As Park Jun-ho said, Jeong Seo-hoon was the sole actor with the full script from day one.
The story's origin, pillar, endpoint—and half the production team to boot.
"Was wondering when you'd show your face. Shame no scenes with Han Seo-hee."
"Ah... so you'll appear ongoing?"
"That's the plan. Didn't know myself till a few days ago."
"Oof, seriously?"
Hard for Han Seo-hee to fathom.
Not telling actors if they'd return, then notifying days prior?
"Thought I was just flashbacks till then."
"...Ah, I just thought something silly."
"Got the script days ago—realized it's active role, not passing flashback."
Park Jun-ho's eyes turned to Jeong Seo-hoon.
"Heard plenty about you from Min-soo. Let's do well ahead."
"Likewise, teacher."
A key connection for his acting career ahead, Jeong Seo-hoon bowed politely.
***
The moment Park Jun-ho and Jeong Seo-hoon stepped before the camera side by side, actors and staff realized.
The high monk wasn't a one-and-done vanishing act.
He wasn't even meeting the Queen Mother—he'd come seeking the Grand Prince himself, now matured.
The Grand Prince had never met the high monk in person.
He knew nothing of his face or bearing.
Yet the instant he faced the high monk visiting for donations at his residence, a convulsion deep within screamed.
This man. This one.
"Master, why come only now? Do you know how Mother and I scoured the land seeking those words?"
Jeong Seo-hoon clearly watched the lens's power invade Park Jun-ho's mind.
Wondering his reaction had become its own pleasure.
Park Jun-ho startled slightly, but held his gaze steady.
Yet his breath delivering the line seemed labored, rough.
That subtle flaw made the high monk's sincerity more desperate.
"Grand Prince, will you truly tread the path defying heaven? You must not betray the devotion I offered Buddha."