Chapter 162
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: The King Appears
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On the set of *Yeok (Reverse)*.
In preparation for the first shoot, which was scheduled to begin shortly, the staff were busy moving lights, cameras, and props.
Director Woo Jeonghan was known for being easy to work with, as he always stuck to the script, but that was only if you did your job properly.
The staff, well aware of his habit of being extra meticulous on the first day, were on high alert.
Despite this, there was a subtle buzz in the air. The staff members moving equipment were itching to talk.
“I never thought I’d get to film with Lee Seojun.”
“I know, right? I’ve met other actors while working with Director Woo, but this is the first time I’ve been this excited. It’s my first time filming with a Hollywood actor!”
“It’s my first time, too. Who here isn’t? But… do you think we could get an autograph?”
“The shoot is pretty long, so maybe we can? I heard he signed for the staff of *Naeuiwon*…”
“Don’t you go bothering Seojun, you hear?”
The two whispering staff members jumped in surprise at the deep voice that cut in. It was the cinematographer.
The staff members nodded repeatedly under his intense gaze.
“Yes, of course!”
“My lips are sealed!”
Other staff members, who had been glancing at the trio, quickly averted their eyes as the cinematographer slowly scanned the set, trying to suppress their own guilty feelings as they returned to their tasks.
The assistant director, watching this, approached the cinematographer, who spoke first.
“He may look young, but actor Lee Seojun is a pro. Keeping too much distance isn’t good, but looking down on him and treating him casually is even worse. You make sure to manage the staff well.”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
The assistant director smiled.
“Once they see actor Lee Seojun’s acting, they’ll all forget he’s just a kid.”
The cinematographer nodded in agreement.
* * *
A short while later, actor Lee Seojun arrived.
“Hello!”
The set warmed up at Seojun’s bright greeting. The staff paused what they were doing to look at the brightly smiling young actor.
“It’s really Lee Seojun.”
“He’s handsome, but he looks more ordinary than I expected.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Seojun, who had his superstar aura turned OFF for the shoot, greeted the cinematographer and the assistant director before making his rounds to the other staff members.
“Hello!”
“I look forward to working with you!”
The staff smiled and returned his greetings. After circling the set, Seojun approached Kim Hoyoung, who had arrived earlier and was meticulously poring over his script.
“Hello.”
“Ah, hello.”
“Please, speak comfortably with me. We have a lot of scenes together.”
The king and his eunuch had many scenes together. One could almost say they were ‘always’ together.
Kim Hoyoung nodded awkwardly at Seojun’s words.
“Seojun… you can speak comfortably too.”
“Okay. Uncle Hoyoung…”
Seojun smiled. Kim Hoyoung’s face relaxed a bit as he smiled back. A short time later, Director Woo Jeonghan arrived with Park Unyeol.
Kim Hoyoung was overcome with emotion at the thought of acting alongside such wonderful actors after his long hiatus. With an overwhelmed expression, he bowed deeply.
“I’m looking forward to working with you today, sir.”
Seojun quickly bowed as well.
“I look forward to working with you!”
“Likewise. Let’s do a great job.”
With all three actors for the day’s shoot present, the set bustled with activity once more. Director Woo Jeonghan checked the set and cameras while speaking with the cinematographer.
Seojun beamed. The practice room was nice, but nothing beat the vibrant energy of a film set. As Park Unyeol watched Seojun’s eyes sparkle, he turned and saw Kim Hoyoung gazing at the set with a similar expression.
Park Unyeol smiled at the sight of his two junior actors who loved their craft. He had a feeling this film would be a truly magnificent work.
“The dressing rooms are this way!”
At the art team staffer’s call, the actors headed to their dressing rooms.
The first one to emerge was Seojun. He was wearing the king’s crown and a red dragon robe.
Since he was playing a young king, there was no need for a beard, so he came out after only some light makeup.
Seojun brushed off his clothes and asked An Daho.
“How do I look, Hyung? Does it suit me?”
“It suits you perfectly.”
An Daho smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. Seojun giggled. An Daho raised his camera and took a picture. When Seojun tilted his head, An Daho explained.
“I’m going to post it on the fan cafe later.”
“Is that okay?”
“Director Woo said it’s fine as long as I show him first.”
“Then, just a moment.”
If the fans were going to see this picture, he wanted to look a bit cooler.
Seojun took a deep breath.
[(Good) Wing of the Fallen Bird-Folk King - Intermediate is activated.]
[(Good) Wing of the Fallen Bird-Folk King - Intermediate]
You can use the power of wind.
The presence of the last king who witnessed his nation’s fall manifests.
The king of the bird-folk who ruled the skies.
However, he was defeated by another race and fell into ruin. While all the other royals fled, a bastard child who remained in the palace until the end inherited the throne.
Though he lacked ability, his heart was greater than any royal’s. This bastard king protected his people and the palace to the very end.
And.
Here.
The king had appeared.
He was a king for all his people.
He was the king of the sky.
A wind blew through the tightly sealed set, which had been closed to block the cold air from outside. The gently stirring breeze flowed toward one spot.
Like an invisible vortex, the wind mingled with the king’s aura and enveloped Seojun.
From head to toe, Seojun was covered in the shimmering wings of a king.
The staff, who had been watching Seojun since he came out of the dressing room, widened their eyes at the change in his atmosphere.
It was a good thing they had finished their tasks; otherwise, the shock would have been great enough to make them drop whatever they were holding.
Director Woo Jeonghan, who was talking with the cinematographer and assistant director, turned around at the palpable pressure. The cinematographer and AD were already staring at Seojun, mesmerized.
Director Woo’s eyes widened.
This was different from when Seojun had acted with Lee Jiseok. It was different from his audition video, too. This was not the king who cowered under the pressure of his uncle due to his young age.
He was a complete,
one-of-a-kind king.
While everyone was stunned, An Daho, who had grown accustomed to this during practice, diligently took photos. The only sound that echoed through the large set was the click of the camera shutter.
*Click.*
When the shutter sound stopped and Seojun ceased his acting, the onlookers’ minds began to work again. The staff let out a collective gasp.
The lighting staff member who had called Seojun "more ordinary than expected" when he first entered the set slapped his own mouth. That was ordinary? So much for ordinary!
“You know that saying.”
“What saying?”
“‘Is there a separate seed for kings and nobles?’”
An art team staffer nodded at the art director’s words.
“Actually… maybe there is.”
The staff within earshot of the art director all nodded vigorously. They all knew it wasn't true, but Seojun’s performance was so impressive that it made them wonder.
* * *
“Filming will now begin.”
The buzzing atmosphere on set calmed at the assistant director’s loud call.
Seojun tensed his body as he sat on the plush cushion. Park Unyeol, sitting opposite him, and Kim Hoyoung, standing near the door, also focused.
“Ready, action!”
Lee Hongwi had lost his father only a short time ago. What roused him from his tears was the proud throne that his grandfather and father had fought to protect.
His father’s loyal subject, Kim Jongseo, suppressed his own grief and bowed his head before the composed young king.
“Your Majesty. From this day forward, you are the sky of this nation. I shall serve you with all my might, so please, find strength.”
“Thank you, Left State Councilor.”
Wiping away a tear, Lee Hongwi forced a smile and spoke.
“I am still young and have much to learn. I will need you to teach me a great deal, Left State Councilor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Perhaps because he had also served his grandfather, Kim Jongseo felt like a grandfather himself, and his presence helped Lee Hongwi feel the heavy burden on his shoulders lighten just a little.
Eunuch Kim watched the two of them with a warm, pleased smile.
“Cut. Okay!”
As soon as the call was made, Seojun’s atmosphere changed. Park Unyeol chuckled at the distinct transformation.
He had already thought Seojun was incredible for his age just based on his body of work, but seeing his acting in person was even more amazing.
Director Woo Jeonghan, smiling fondly at Seojun's performance, turned his gaze to Kim Hoyoung in his eunuch attire. His acting in independent films hadn’t been at this level; it seemed his time away from the industry and life experiences had greatly influenced his skills.
It was a good thing he was finally able to blossom.
‘He’ll be very active from now on.’
A fine actor had emerged. Director Woo called out loudly.
“Alright, let’s move on to the close-up shots.”
At his words, the cameras were moved onto the set.
Once again, the same scene unfolded.
* * *
“Ready, action!”
Late at night.
A candle flame flickered.
Lee Hongwi rubbed his sleepy eyes, relying on the candlelight to read through the memorials submitted that day. Eunuch Kim, fidgeting anxiously, finally spoke.
“Your Majesty, it is time to retire to your chambers.”
“Just a little. A little more.”
Understand the problem and find the correct solution.
That was the duty of a king.
But for the twelve-year-old Lee Hongwi, simply understanding the problem was all he could manage. He groaned as he read the memorials, rubbing his strained eyes.
Eunuch Kim, growing more anxious, spoke again.
“Your Majesty, you must retire now to be able to wake on time tomorrow.”
“Mmm. I understand.”
Lee Hongwi knew he couldn’t change overnight. At his nod, Eunuch Kim’s face brightened.
In the flickering candlelight, the images of the diligent young king and his loyal subject wavered.
“Cut! Okay.”
Both scenes were completed without a single NG.
Director Woo Jeonghan checked the time and said something to the assistant director. The AD nodded and shouted.
“We’ll be taking our lunch break now! The food trucks were sent by actor Lee Seojun’s fan cafe. Let’s all eat well and power through the rest of the shoot!”
“Thank you for the meal!”
Applause broke out among the staff. Seojun giggled and bowed his head.
There was pizza with stretching cheese, refreshing sprout pasta, crispy geotjeori kimchi, hearty soybean paste stew, and fluffy rice. There was also sweet and spicy chili shrimp, sweet and sour pork, and delicious-looking braised pork belly.
Food trucks serving Western, Korean, and Chinese cuisine stood side by side.
The faces of the staff lit up as they returned with their food. Spreading out whatever they craved on the tables, it was a feast fit for a king. Everyone quickly dug in.
The staff’s expressions instantly softened. Delicious food that stimulated their sense of smell and taste. It was hard to believe this was just lunch during a film shoot.
“This is so good! It’s from a hotel, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a famous one. I’ve always wanted to go, but I never thought I’d get to eat their food like this!”
“Even the food trucks from Seojun’s fans are on another level.”
“Well, the sheer number of members is insane.”
Though there were international fan cafes, the Korean fan cafe, Seojun’s primary base of activity, was the most famous.
Upon hearing news of the filming for *Yeok*, [From the Sprout] rolled up its sleeves.
-We couldn’t do it for the drama, but we’re definitely doing it this time!
-With so many members, even small donations will let us send some really good food.
-The international fan cafes said they’re sending support too, so we should be able to send trucks multiple times.
-It would be good to send hot packs and other warming items, too.
Too many cooks could spoil the broth, but there were no disputes among the fans, who all shared the same wish for Seojun to finish filming safely, well-fed, and comfortably.
[Notice: Food Truck Support for the Movie Set.]
We are planning to send food trucks to Seojun’s movie set.
The donation account will open on Thursday at 8 PM. The account will automatically close once the target amount is reached.
To gather the hearts of as many fans as possible, donations are capped at 10,000 won per person.
Thank you.
-…Am I the only one getting flashbacks to last year’s fan meeting ticketing?
-I never knew it would be this hard just to give away my money.
-Should I go to a PC bang for this too?
-Seojun doesn’t accept gifts ㅠ so I want to support him like this at least ㅠㅠ
-If we combine forces with the international fans, we could probably send trucks for the entire shoot ㅠ I’m just worried he’ll tell us to stop if we send them too often.
=The admins will handle that well ㅠ
Although he had heard about it, Seojun’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the three magnificent food trucks. He also loved the fan messages written all over them.
Seojun’s cheeks flushed red as he read each one, as if to sear them into his memory. He was so happy.
“Seojun. Let’s take a proof shot.”
“Okay!”
At An Daho’s words, Seojun, still in his dragon robe, stood in front of the food trucks. An Daho photographed him as he carefully selected his dishes.
After placing his chosen food on a table, Seojun posted the photos to the fan cafe with a thank you message.
[This is Lee Seojun! Thank you, everyone! I’ll enjoy the meal!]