Chapter 172
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The Trailer for Yeok
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The final scene for *Yeok (Reverse)* was filmed at Gangnyeongjeon Hall.
“Seojun won’t be on screen, but he’ll be acting alongside you. It’ll feel more real than acting as if something is there when it isn’t.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Lee Jiseok nodded at Director Woo Jung-han’s words.
“Seojun, when you act, I want you to give off an otherworldly aura. Remember when you filmed *The Devil*?”
As he said this, Director Woo Jung-han scratched his cheek. Seojun had filmed *The Devil* when he was six; seven years had already passed.
*Could he really not remember?* Contrary to the director’s concern, Seojun remembered it vividly.
“I remember!”
Impressed, Director Woo Jung-han continued.
“I want you to create a strange atmosphere, just like your acting back then.”
“Okay!”
Seojun nodded. He had read the script and chosen a suitable ability.
“Alright, let’s start filming!”
[(Evil) Wing Feather of the Fallen Avian King - Lowest Grade]
Allows the use of wind power.
The aura of the last king who witnessed his nation's fall manifests.
How could he have felt not a shred of fear or resentment? Even the Avian King, who remained in his castle until the very end, had hesitated and agonized.
The dregs of that Avian King's resentment remained as an ability. Though it was of the lowest grade for being mere residue, it was more than enough.
Dressed in the royal dragon robe, Seojun sat on the bedding in the royal bedchamber.
“Ready…”
Director Woo Jung-han’s voice rang out.
Seojun took a deep breath. He had to be cautious when handling evil abilities, so he focused more than when he used good-aligned ones.
Now,
[(Evil) Wing Feather of the Fallen Avian King is activated.]
It was time to play the part of King Danjong, a spirit who would forever cling to King Sejo.
“Action!”
At that moment, an ominous energy, like a divine punishment, began to spread through the bedchamber of the traitor who dared to defy the heavens.
***
“There it is again.”
Flipping through the television channels, Park Seongwon sighed at the trailer for *Walking Man!*, which he had already seen several times.
[Park Youngjin, left behind! Who is the savior he meets!?]
“Fine. Let’s just see who this savior is. It better not be a letdown.”
Park Seongwon wasn’t the only one tired of SBC’s relentless promotion. Many posts appeared online.
-If it's nothing special, I'm terrorizing the forums. I'm serious.
=This. I've memorized the entire ad by now. Give it a rest.
-How special does it have to be for you not to terrorize them?
=Like, Lee Seojun-level?
=?? Just say you want to terrorize them. Even if they say it's a 'chance encounter,' do you really think it was? It's all scripted.
=This. If it's Lee Seojun-level, it's more than enough.
And then, the day the *Walking Man!* episode aired finally arrived.
As Park Youngjin scrambled around on a country road, a large tour bus appeared before him. The viewers, who had expected at least a passenger car, were left speechless.
-?? A tour bus?? A. Tour. Busss?
-I'm just gonna go terrorize them now.
=This. I’m coming with you.
But there was another car behind the bus. Even on screen, the car at the very back looked a cut above the rest.
-???
Bathed in the brilliant sunlight, a person stepped out. The camera shook as if genuinely surprised. Seeing the emerging face, Park Youngjin shouted. The viewers screamed with genuine shock.
-Lee Seojun!?!
-Is that really Lee Seojun!?
-Lee Seojun showed up? Where?!
-So that's why they advertised it so much...
Lee Seojun’s appearance on *Walking Man!* was brief, but Park Youngjin promoted him tirelessly. He bragged to the other members at every opportunity and even shouted during games.
“Watch *Yeok*! *Yeok*!”
“…That sounds a lot like a curse word.”
“Hahaha. Have you ever ridden in the same car as Seojun? Well, I have!”
“Ugh.”
Genuinely envious and annoyed, Choi Sohee and Jung Hoon targeted only Park Youngjin. Park Youngjin cackled and ran away, diligently promoting the movie as he had promised Seojun.
“Watch *Yeok*! *Yeok*!”
[Who is the star that the stranded Park Youngjin met?!]
[Why are you here? A superstar no one could have imagined!]
[Filmed in Yeongwol, the site of King Danjong’s exile!]
[Watch *Yeok*! *Yeok*! The reason behind Park Youngjin’s cry!]
-Seriously, why was Seojun there of all places…
-I saw the tour bus and thought it was a group trip. I figured whoever it was would be underwhelming, but I didn't expect there to be a car behind the bus lol.
-It was Lee Seojun haha Lee Seojun haha Lee Seojun haha
-Park Youngjin is so lucky. Of all people to run into, it had to be Lee Seojun… I want to meet him too!
-Watch *Yeok*! *Yeok*!
After the *Walking Man!* episode aired, Yeoul Arts Middle School was also abuzz. Everyone who passed by asked if it was truly a chance encounter. With so many friends in the entertainment industry, they thought it couldn't possibly be a coincidence.
*Well, I guess I wouldn't believe it either.*
After all, Cocoa Entertainment often received proposals for "chance encounter" segments. In response to his friends' questions, Seojun just shrugged.
“I ran into him on my way to the film set. I was so surprised, too.”
“So you can meet people like that. That’s amazing.”
As the bustling month of March passed, the other students began to treat Seojun as just one of them.
It was partly due to the ability Seojun had painstakingly found in the Library of Life and carved into the school wall, but also because they had simply grown used to him, seeing him five days a week.
“I want to see Park Youngjin, too.”
Seojun laughed at Jookyung’s comment.
“Most people say they want to see me more.”
“We’re too used to you. It’s already May. March, April, May. We’ve known each other for three months, so sometimes I even forget you’re a Hollywood star.”
Joohee and Jaehan nodded in agreement with Jookyung’s words.
“Of course, whenever I watch you act, I’m always like, ‘Wow, a Hollywood star!’ I’m amazed every time.”
“I know, right? I want to stop being surprised, but my body reacts first. Sometimes I want to study your acting, but I end up just admiring it.”
“Agreed. Same here.”
“I feel like if I keep watching you act, my standards will get too high.”
The kids burst into laughter at Jaehan’s remark.
Seojun smiled, too. It was something Daho-hyung always said.
Daho-hyung claimed his standards were already so high that he’d lost all objectivity. He said that when he watched dramas or movies, he found himself subconsciously evaluating the actors’ performances.
*He said it was a good thing that watching movies and dramas wasn't his hobby.*
Seojun felt a pang of guilt for no reason.
“We have a joint class with the music department today.”
“The joint classes with the art department are fun too.”
Yeoul Arts Middle School held joint classes for all its departments: music, acting, and art.
Since there were various ways to express emotions, students learned instruments like the piano and violin, and also sang.
During joint classes with the art department, they would draw or sculpt. The music and art students learned acting as well.
“Aren't you playing ‘Over the Rainbow’ today?”
At Joohee’s words, who was enjoying her piano lessons, the other kids’ eyes sparkled.
“Yeah. I brought my violin, too.”
“To think I’d get to hear Lee Seojun play ‘Over the Rainbow’… I’m so glad I applied to this school.”
The other students nodded eagerly.
And so, during the first-year, first-class joint music lesson.
Not only students from the first-year, second-class, but also second and third-year students, and even teachers from every department.
After receiving requests from all over, Seojun ended up performing “Over the Rainbow” in Yeoul Hall, the same place where the entrance ceremony was held.
*It’s been a while since I played this.*
He had removed all his violin-related abilities while filming the movie, but the skill ingrained in his body hadn't gone anywhere.
As Seojun’s brilliant and vivid performance concluded, the students and teachers shouted, “Bravo!”
***
After the editing for *Yeok (Reverse)* was complete, a private screening was held for the cast and crew. Director Woo Jung-han, sitting next to Seojun, spoke.
“We’re planning to release it in the US as well.”
“The US?”
Seojun and An Daho’s eyes widened. Director Woo Jung-han smiled brightly and nodded.
“That’s right. It’ll only be showing in theaters in areas with large Korean populations, but still.”
“I see. Do you think many people will come to watch?”
“Even if they don’t, there’s significance in a simultaneous release with the US. Honestly, I think people will come to see it at least once.”
*I see. If it’s a simultaneous release, Aunt Nara, Richel, and Evan can watch it soon.*
He thought of his acquaintances who had considered coming to Korea because the Plus+ uploads were too slow. Aunt Nara and Evan would watch it without a problem, but a historical drama would be difficult for Richel, who was still learning Korean.
“Has a US distributor been decided?”
“Plus+ offered to help.”
Seojun and An Daho, who had been thinking of introducing Marine Company, nodded at Woo Jung-han’s words. Plus+ was also an investor.
“Director, when is the trailer coming out?”
“We finished editing it yesterday. It’ll probably be uploaded at midnight tomorrow.”
After the successful private screening, the film's production company, Danhong, sent out a press release.
[*Yeok (Reverse)*, Grand Release in June!]
[Simultaneous Release in the US? Negotiations Underway!]
[The Story of King Danjong and King Sejo, *Yeok*, to be Released!]
[Another Historical Drama from Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok! *Naeuiwon* Fans Gather Once More!]
[*Yeok* Trailer to be Uploaded to N-tube and Plus+ Tonight at Midnight!]
[The Wait is Over! *Yeok*, Anticipated Since the Auditions, is Being Released!]
[Will the Scene from the Audition Video Appear?!]
[TV Commercials to Begin Tomorrow!]
-Ooooh. N-tube? Plus+? Which one should I watch it on?
-It's already May! We've been waiting 7 months since November!
-But it was great because we got little teasers in between lol
=Yep. The audition video in November, the food truck photos in January, the unexpected encounter in February lol, Lee Seojun's school entrance ceremony in March, and the trailer in May!
-The filming photos were so good. I can't believe I got to see Seojun in a dragon robe!
=This. He was wearing a padded jacket, so it was strangely modern, though lol.
-Think the audition scene will be in it?
=Even if it's not, the vibe will probably be similar.
-Time is moving so slowly.
=It's only 9 o'clock.
=It's 10!
=11!
=12!!
As soon as it struck midnight, Park Seongwon refreshed the N-tube channel [Yeok逆], which he had waiting.
“It’s up!”
He quickly clicked on the video at the top, titled: [Title: Yeok逆 Trailer].
Many people seemed to be doing the same, as the view count shot up instantly, but Park Seongwon, already engrossed in the trailer, didn’t notice.
The screen filled with gray stone.
It was a stone path. The camera slowly panned across it, moving forward. *Why are they only showing the ground?* As Park Seongwon tilted his head in confusion, he recalled seeing a similar stone path before.
When news broke that Lee Seojun was filming a historical drama, people who smelled money began to appear one by one.
Travel packages related to King Danjong were created, character merchandise was made, and novels and history books translating the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty into modern language were published.
Officials at Gyeongbok Palace also seized the opportunity, holding reenactments of the king's coronation ceremony. Sometimes a young king ascended the throne, other times a bearded king—clearly representing King Danjong and King Sejo.
Park Seongwon had also read the most popular history book, ‘The Life of Danjong,’ and had toured palaces like Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbok Palace, watching the coronation ceremony.
“This is the front of Geunjeongjeon Hall, isn’t it?”
The place paved with large stones. A familiar setting for historical dramas. It was Geunjeongjeon Hall, where King Sejong’s coronation in *Naeuiwon* had taken place.
The screen changed. It split into two, top and bottom. The feet of two people walking on two stone paths were shown. They wore the same style of shoes, but their sizes were different.
The feet on top were small, while the feet on the bottom were large.
The steps were hesitant.
The steps were confident and unhindered.
*Thump!*
With a loud drumbeat, a song that seemed to be the OST for *Yeok* began to play. The two screens slowly panned up from the feet.
The hands fidgeted anxiously.
Power emanated from the tightly clenched fist.
The lower halves of their faces were shown.
The lips were set firm with tension.
The corners of the mouth were turned up in satisfaction.
The beads on their ceremonial crowns swayed.
The tense eyes stared straight ahead.
The relaxed gaze swept across the surroundings.
The camera, which had been close up, pulled back. It moved far enough to show all of Geunjeongjeon Hall, revealing the two kings ascending the throne.
The camera, focused on the two kings, turned to show the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon Hall, filled with court officials. A massive shout was heard.
“Cheonse!!” (*Long live the King!*)
“Cheoncheonse!!” (*Long, long live the King!*)
With that cry, the screen flipped upside down.
Through the beads of their ceremonial crowns, the two kings' faces were visible.
An uninhibited, confident gaze.
A small spark of resolve flickering amidst fear.
The screen, which had been focused on the two kings’ shining eyes, turned black. Upon it, a brush dipped in white ink wrote out a coarse character.
[역 (逆)] (*Reverse*)
[Grand Release in June!]
Park Seongwon, who had been watching the trailer, completely mesmerized, let out a sound of admiration.
From the footsteps to the hand movements and the gazes, the clear contrast between the top and bottom screens seemed to further highlight the differences between King Danjong and King Sejo.
“And at the end, the one on top was definitely Sejo, right?”
True to the title, ‘Reverse,’ even the trailer was steeped in the feeling of rebellion.
“Should I watch it again?”
Park Seongwon clicked replay. The others watching the trailer did the same.
-The trailer itself has that 'reverse' feeling.
-Before the officials appeared, the top was Danjong and the bottom was Sejo, but after they showed up, the top was Sejo and the bottom was Danjong.
-Got chills when they shouted "Cheonse." Sejo lived a long life, fitting for the cheer, while Danjong died young.
-What is this trailer… The directing is incredible.
-But it doesn't have as much of a *Naeuiwon* feel as I was worried about.
=This. What *Naeuiwon*? They're just Danjong and Sejo lol.
-I wish it were June already