Chapter 161
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: A New Title and an Old Tradition
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“Next.”
At Director Woo Jeonghan’s word, the next actor entered. He bowed deeply, then made eye contact with each person one by one.
“Hello. I’m Kim Hoyoung.”
“Yes. Mr. Kim Hoyoung. Let’s see your acting first.”
Bowing his head deeply once more, Kim Hoyoung took a breath and opened his mouth.
A warm light filled his seemingly stiff face.
The audition was for the role of Eunuch Kim, a loyal subject who served from King Sejong and King Munjong through to King Danjong. He was a man who had cared for Danjong like a grandson since he was a baby.
He had served King Sejong in his twenties, King Munjong in his late thirties, and King Danjong in his forties.
Kim Hoyoung began to speak.
“Your Majesty. It is time to retire to your chambers.”
His voice was gentle as he spoke with a slight bow. It was the way one would look at a grandson, yet he never forgot that this was his superior. His gaze and posture held both that love and that distance.
“Oho.”
Director Woo Jeonghan reviewed Kim Hoyoung’s resume. He had filmed several independent films in his youth, followed by a long hiatus. Yet his acting skills were still this sharp.
After finishing his performance, Kim Hoyoung straightened his back.
“Is there a reason you took a break from acting?”
“I needed money.”
Everyone nodded at Kim Hoyoung’s words. They were all well aware that many people left this world for financial reasons. And they also knew why those who had left eventually returned.
In the end, they just couldn't let go of acting.
Regret lingered, and their gaze would have unknowingly drifted back to this world. That was why Director Woo Jeonghan didn't ask for any more reasons. He simply made a light checkmark on the application.
A potential candidate.
Now, he would have to review Kim Hoyoung's past works and evaluate them.
And sitting next to Director Woo Jeonghan was an actor who, because of that same regret, had lived through a distant past life and returned.
Seojun’s eyes sparkled. He thought he finally understood what Director Woo Jeonghan meant by an actor he wanted to work with. The actors he had considered good until now hadn't drawn him in this much.
He had looked at several decent scripts and thought any of them would be fine, but now, a script that he loved had just appeared before him.
‘There might be better actors out there, but…’
There had been times when better projects were available, but Seojun always chose the ones that captured his heart.
As always, Seojun wanted to act out the script he loved the most.
He wanted to act with that actor.
‘He passed!’
Seojun drew a large circle on Kim Hoyoung’s application.
* * *
[December 20th, Brown Black’s 12th Anniversary Fan Meeting!]
[Actor Lee Seojun Appears at Brown Black’s Fan Meeting!]
-The fan meeting was a blast! I felt Brown Black and Lee Seojun’s insane chemistry once again lol
=Even when they get older, they just turn into kids when they meet their best friends… I have one more thing in common with BB now hehe
-Hwang Yejun lol. He made eye contact with Seojun during a charismatic song and missed his lyrics hehe
=The other BB members were cursing him out with their eyes lol. It was so much fun hehe
-I even watched the 48-hour show, and to think that little kid… has grown up so much!
=I loved that Seojun shared stories about BB!
[December 25th, Actor Lee Seojun’s Fan Meeting!]
[This time, it’s our turn! Cheers erupt as Brown Black and White make an appearance!]
-It was an amazing fan meeting! Worth the bloody ticketing battle!
-I can’t believe I got to see Seojun act right in front of my eyes!! It was a totally different feeling.
=FR FR. I hope he does a play!! I swear I’d watch every single show from the first to the last!
=So jealous! So, so jealous!
=Same here. Went to a PC bang and still failed… Why is getting tickets so hard!
-Brown Black lol. They got their revenge by telling stories about Seojun hehe
-Never been more jealous of Brown Black and White.
=IKR. They must hang out with Seojun oftenㅠ I want to go too!
[December 29th, SBC Entertainment Awards, Actor Lee Seojun Invited!]
[Actor Lee Seojun Wins Best Guest Award at SBC Entertainment Awards!]
[December 30th, MBS Drama Awards, Actor Lee Seojun Invited!]
[December 31st, KBC Drama Awards, Actor Lee Seojun Invited!]
-SBC lol. Lee Seojun at the Entertainment Awards lol
=I burst out laughing when I saw the article lol. The Entertainment Awards lol
=For real lol. Look at them creating a new award just to give it to Lee Seojun lol
=But it was 100% based on netizen votes. It was a new award that wasn't even well-known, but the number of votes was like something you'd see for the WTV Film Festival hehe
=Lee Seojun’s fan cafe and the Working Man fans all voted and promoted it hard!
=Haha, I was one of them.
-It was funny seeing Seojun sitting at the Working Man table hehe
=The Working Man cast even posted pictures on their social media hehe. It was their second time meeting, but it felt as awkward as the first lol. Seojun was so good at the missions that he only had a passing greeting with the cast after it was all over.
=I bet the production team didn't plan for that either lol
=IKR. They probably thought he’d get caught somewhere in the middle hehe
-At MBS, they played the Golden Globes ceremony clip at the start of Part 2 hehe. And congratulated Seojun hehe
=The applause was incredible.
-At KBC, Seojun was the presenter for the Best New Actor award. To receive an award from Seojun! So jealous!
=The winner’s arm was shaking. Looked like he was about to cry.
=I think he did cry lol
=Yeah, he did. During his acceptance speech, he said getting the award from actor Lee Seojun made it feel even more unreal, and he was like, is this a dream? hehe. He cried.
=I’d be the same. You’re receiving the Best New Actor award, and the presenter is an Oscar-winning actor. He’s incredibly famous. A total superstar. This has to be a dream, right?
[January 1st, Lee Seojun’s New Year’s Greeting on N-tube! “Happy New Year!”]
[January 5th, Danjong (Working Title) Begins Filming!]
-Happy New Year!
-Stay healthy this year too! Looking forward to another great movie!
-Filming has finally started! Danjong!
-But how long is it gonna have a temporary title? Let's get a real title first!
=Yeah, at this rate, the movie will actually be discontinued (*danjong*).
* * *
“We have a title.”
At Director Woo Jeonghan’s words, everyone in the conference room turned their attention to him.
Many were pleased that a title had been decided, but none more so than the head of the PR team, who was in charge of promotions.
Director Woo Jeonghan took a black marker and wrote in large letters on the whiteboard in the conference room.
[Yeok (逆)]
“It’s Yeok.”
“Yeok. As in, the *yeok* from rebellion?”
“Yes. The character that means to go against.”
People nodded.
“It’s a good title.”
While two-syllable movie titles were trendy, this wasn't a film that would fail over something as trivial as its title, so everyone nodded in agreement.
‘It’s a name that just needs to please the director making the film.’
As long as Lee Seojun, the pillar of this film, didn't object, no one else would.
“I like it, too!” Seojun said, his eyes shining.
With that, there were no objections.
“We can finally drop the ‘working title’ label.”
The head of the PR team, who had been truly bothered by those words in the article headlines, smiled and picked up his phone to call his staff back in the office.
“We have a title! It’s Yeok. Y-E-O-K! The one that means to go against!”
After getting the press release checked by his boss, a member of the PR team distributed it to the reporters.
Upon receiving the press release from the film production company, Danhong, reporters hastily began writing their articles.
[Lee Seojun’s Next Film, Yeok (逆)!]
[The Name is Finally Decided, Yeok (逆)]
-Isn’t Lee Seojun’s next movie Danjong?
-It’s Yeok. Danjong was the working title.
-A fake title?
-A temporary title!
-Yeok… like in rebellion, right?
-From Danjong’s perspective, it was a rebellion.
-Now we can call it by its real name. It’s starting to feel like it’s really coming together lol
“The timing is great!”
“It is. The title was decided right when we’re holding the gosa.”
The people gathered in the conference room laughed and chatted cheerfully.
Today was the day of the gosa, a ritual held before the filming of the movie, *Yeok*.
Unlike its usual setup with a long table, the conference room was empty, with a ritual table set up on one side.
Colorful foods were arranged on the table, and in the center sat a smiling pig's head. In front of the table, a straw mat was laid out, perfect for bowing.
Seojun stared at the pig’s head in the center of the table with a look of wonder. The pig, which resembled an orc, was smiling.
“Is that where you’re supposed to stick the money?”
“Oh? Is this your first gosa, Seojun?”
Seojun nodded at the cinematographer's question. The art director counted on his fingers, recalling the movies Seojun had appeared in.
“*Shadowman* and *Over the Rainbow* were filmed in the US, so they wouldn’t have had a gosa, and *Naeuiwon* was a drama, so they probably skipped it.”
“It’s not uncommon to skip it these days.”
“But they must have done one for *The Devil*. Director Choi Daeman is a firm believer in those kinds of superstitions. Right, Jiseok?”
Director Choi Daeman. Seojun and Lee Jiseok smiled at the mention of the familiar name.
“Yes. We held a gosa for *The Devil*, but Seojun didn't film from the beginning. He only joined for the last few days.”
Everyone nodded at Lee Jiseok’s explanation.
“So this is really your first gosa, Seojun.”
“Yes!”
“His first gosa. This would make a good news story, right?”
The PR manager’s eyes gleamed. When An Daho nodded, the PR manager took out his phone, then stuffed it back into his pocket and shouted as he headed for the door.
“Camera! Camera! Wait just a moment! We’re going to film this!”
Then he ran off toward the PR office.
Everyone burst into laughter at the sight of the PR manager dashing away.
“Should we wait a little longer then?”
“Well then, it seems I’m not late after all.”
A low voice came from the conference room doorway. Seojun and the others turned their gazes toward the door. Everyone shot up from their seats in surprise.
“Mr. Park Unyeol!”
It was Park Unyeol, who was playing the role of Kim Jongseo. The neat, gentlemanly actor lifted his hat in greeting.
“You’re not going to scold me for being late, are you?”
“Not at all! Please, come in!”
“Hello!”
Loud greetings came from all around. Startled by the arrival of the veteran actor, Seojun and Lee Jiseok also bowed deeply.
“Hello. I’m Lee Seojun!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your acting is truly remarkable. Jiseok, it’s been a while. I haven’t heard from you at all. You’ve been keeping this wonderful actor all to yourself.”
“Ahaha. My apologies. I’ll be in touch more often, sir. Please, have a seat here.”
Lee Jiseok quickly brought over a chair. A seat for Park Unyeol was made next to Seojun and Lee Jiseok.
“I enjoyed your movie very much. The violin performance was especially wonderful; I still listen to it often these days.”
“Thank you!”
Seojun’s eyes sparkled at Park Unyeol’s praise.
“My granddaughter is also a huge fan. If you have time later, would you mind giving me an autograph for her?”
“Of course!”
Seojun smiled and nodded. More than just his acting, Seojun was incredibly envious and impressed by his long career. He wanted to act for a very, very long time, just like Park Unyeol.
Park Unyeol looked at Lee Jiseok. Feeling the weight of his gaze, Jiseok flinched.
“You should keep in touch. Jongho was also complaining that he never hears from you.”
“Jongho Hyung, really. Why would he tell you something like that, sir?”
“I rather like that he’s so open with me. Seojun, you should feel free to contact me as well.”
“Yes! I will.”
The three lead actors of the movie *Yeok (逆)* were all gathered. Director Woo Jeonghan pictured the three of them in a single frame.
Lee Jiseok, Lee Seojun, and Park Unyeol.
Just looking at the three actors chatting warmly, it was impossible to imagine them as Grand Prince Suyang, King Danjong, and Kim Jongseo.
“But that’s the thing. Once they start acting, it’ll all change completely.”
“Right?”
Just then, the conference room door burst open. It was the PR manager, holding a camera high. Thrilled by the unexpected promotional material, he opened his mouth with a bright face, but his eyes darted around at the calm atmosphere of the room. Then his gaze met Park Unyeol’s, who was smiling benevolently.
“I brought the camera… and Mr. Park Unyeol is here… Hello!”
Everyone in the conference room burst into laughter.
“Alright, let’s begin the gosa!”
At the cinematographer’s words, everyone rose from their seats.
* * *
[Movie ‘Yeok (逆)’ Releases Video of Good Luck Gosa Ceremony!]
[Actor Lee Seojun’s First-Ever Gosa!]
[Actor Lee Seojun: “Please let the movie do well!”]
[Park Unyeol, Lee Seojun, Lee Jiseok! High Hopes for Movie ‘Yeok (逆)’, a Gathering of Master Actors!]
-So it was Seojun’s first gosa!
-Well, it’s not like they’d do a gosa overseas lol
-Is it just me or does Seojun look a little nervous?
=Same here. He seems awkward since it’s his first time hehe
=He’s watching the other actors so carefully.
=How cute!
-There are a lot of comments in foreign languages too. They’re asking what it is hehe
-They’re asking if it’s for his next project. And they keep asking what the pig’s head is lol
=That scene won’t be in the movie though lol
-Phew. I did my best to explain it to them.
=…Did you explain it properly?
=Yup yup. I told them it’s a Korean ritual to wish for the movie’s success.
=You’re not wrong… but your choice of words is a bit…
=lol Korean ritual lol