Chapter 173
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: A King is Born
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As June approached, South Korea was abuzz.
-But isn't this Lee Seojun's first time as the lead in a Korean production?
=What about *Naeuiwon*?
=To be precise, Royal Physician Heo was the lead in that.
-*Yeok* has Danjong and Sejo as a two-top, but since Danjong is the focus, he's the lead.
-Whoa. It's really his first lead role?
-lol That's pretty funny. He won Best Actor at the Academy Awards, but this is his first lead role in Korea. lol
-His first lead role! As a Seojun fan, I have to watch it N times!
=N times? You should be watching it 2N times!
=Is this a math problem now?
The entertainment reporters were not about to miss such an interesting story.
[Actor Lee Seojun, First Lead Role in a Korean Film!]
[His First Leading Film, Will It Be a Box Office Hit?]
[Tomorrow, the Press Screening for *Yeok (Reverse)*!]
[LA Premiere Confirmed! Simultaneous Release in the US and Korea!]
[Next Week, Advance Ticket Sales for *Yeok (Reverse)* Begin!]
-It feels a bit strange to say this to an Oscar-winning actor, but congratulations on your first leading film!
=22 lol Seriously, I never would've thought. His first lead role lol Congrats lol
=He really doesn't take the ordinary path, does he? Forging a different road from everyone else, haha.
-You can feel the excitement from the press screening reporters all the way over here. lol
=So jealous… Getting to see it before the release…
-Oh. A simultaneous release!
=thx thx I came here as an exchange student this year and was wondering if I’d have to go back to Korea.
=You in LA?
=Nah, have to drive, but we're planning to go as a group. Better than a flight lol.
-Advance tickets! Good seats! Advance tickets!
=22 I want to see it on the first day. No spoilers!
=Just read a history book, haha.
The press screening for *Yeok (Reverse)* was held.
Director Woo Jeonghan and the lead actors, Lee Seojun, Lee Jiseok, and Park Unyeol, all accustomed to such events, sat leisurely in their seats. Beside them, Kim Hoyoung sat alone with an awkward expression.
A barrage of camera flashes rained down on the director and actors who had captured the public's interest until this June. Cries of their names echoed from all directions, and Seojun, smiling with practiced ease, turned his head from side to side.
Before the film began, Director Woo Jeonghan took the microphone.
"The first time I questioned the life of King Danjong was because of the *Nosangun Ilgi*."
Seojun was also familiar with the *Nosangun Ilgi*. He knew that in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, only the diaries of King Yeonsan and King Gwanghae were officially titled 'Ilgi' (diary), but the *Danjong Sillok* had originally been the *Nosangun Ilgi* before Danjong’s title was posthumously restored.
"Because the *Nosangun Ilgi* is a diary, unlike the *Sillok* which required strict security, I believed there was a high possibility of it being altered. In particular, I was bothered by the way it glorified and exaggerated Sejo to justify his treason, while slandering his enemies."
Director Woo Jeonghan continued.
"In every adaptation, Danjong has been portrayed with a weak character, always living as a foil to Sejo. It will likely continue to be that way. But was Danjong's personality truly like that? Did he not try to overcome the circumstances, even if they were not in his favor? I don't believe so. Through this film, I want to show you the efforts of Danjong that were hidden behind Sejo's lies."
The reporters and industry insiders were completely engrossed in Director Woo Jeonghan's words.
"This film might be entirely fiction, or it might be entirely truth. We will never know the truth of those old days. I just hope you will watch it with the thought that, among the hidden truths, a Danjong like this could have existed."
Clap, clap, clap—
Applause erupted.
[Director Woo Jeonghan, "I wanted to show a Danjong who strives."]
[*Nosangun Ilgi*? *Danjong Sillok*?]
[The Distorted *Danjong Sillok*, How Much of It Can We Believe?]
[Lee Jiseok, "I worked hard to shed my Royal Physician Heo image."]
[Lee Seojun, "I practiced together with Jiseok-hyung."]
[Park Unyeol, "They are both wonderful actors."]
[What kind of Danjong is this? The upcoming release of *Yeok (Reverse)* has us curious!]
[Tomorrow, *Yeok (Reverse)* finally premieres!]
* * *
Looking at the bustling movie theater, Lee Miyeon spoke.
"It feels like just yesterday we saw the trailer… and it's already opening day…"
"? You watched it yesterday, too. And again today."
Lee Miyeon laughed at Park Sunga's comment.
"Can't you take a joke?"
"Never mind the nonsense, let's go print our tickets."
"Alright."
Lee Miyeon got the tickets while Park Sunga handled the posters. Seeing the posters, Park Sunga quickly grabbed two of each. It seemed they had prepared a sufficient quantity in advance, as staff members promptly refilled the posters as soon as they dwindled.
There were two versions of the poster, for a total of four, with two of each. One was split top and bottom, just like the trailer.
The posters, divided into [Danjong/Sejo] and [Sejo/Danjong], featured the upper bodies of the two actors in their royal dragon robes.
The other set featured photos of [Danjong] and [Sejo] seated on the throne. The contrast between Danjong, sitting upright and proper, and Sejo, lounging languidly, made it seem even cooler.
Lee Miyeon applauded as Park Sunga returned with all the posters. As they waited, admiring the posters for a moment, a theater employee called out.
"Theater 1, Theater 1, the screening for *Yeok* will begin shortly! All ticket holders, please make your way inside!"
Lee Miyeon and Park Sunga, after carefully rolling up the posters to avoid creasing them, moved with the crowd heading toward Theater 1.
* * *
A dark night.
Snowflakes scattered in the wind.
The camera, focused on Gwanghwamun Gate, slowly moved through its opening doors.
It panned across the royal guards on duty, then the officials scurrying about. Drifting here and there, the camera offered a glimpse of the palace grounds before settling on a single palace building.
Unable to tell which palace it was from the outside, Lee Miyeon blinked. Just then, a subtitle appeared.
[Gangnyeongjeon (The King's Bedchamber)]
'The king? Does that mean Danjong?'
The audience focused more intently, anticipating Lee Seojun's appearance.
The camera remained outside Gangnyeongjeon, only showing its exterior. The surroundings were dark, but candlelight flickered from within the palace.
The candlelight inside Gangnyeongjeon wavered. Its glow cast shadows on the paper-paned window.
A shadow that seemed to be sitting, and another one crouched before it. The sitting shadow appeared smaller than the one crouching.
'Danjong and… who?'
Without revealing who it was, the camera rewound, as if in reverse, moving back through the palace until it arrived before Gwanghwamun Gate.
*Thud!*
The wide-open Gwanghwamun Gate slammed shut.
* * *
With somber background music, Gwanghwamun Gate opened. Unlike before, the inside of the gate was bright. In the sunlit palace, people were bowing their heads or prostrated on the ground.
"Attend the King!"
A voice called out.
"Attend the King!"
Amidst the loud cries, the sound of a child's weeping could be heard.
"Father!"
Lee Hongwi knelt before his deceased father and burst into tears. Seeing Lee Hongwi sobbing uncontrollably, Lady Hyebin Yang, a concubine of King Sejong, also wiped away her tears.
But Lee Hongwi, who was to become king, could not remain lost in grief like a common child. It was the heavy duty on his shoulders that forced him to rise from his sorrow.
The regent ministers appointed by King Munjong, including Kim Jongseo, assisted Lee Hongwi.
While preparing for Munjong's funeral, Lee Hongwi prepared for his own coronation.
Geunjeongjeon.
Lee Hongwi sat on the throne that King Sejong and King Munjong had once occupied. The civil and military officials bowed their heads and shouted.
"Ten thousand years!"
Wearing the ceremonial crown, Lee Hongwi clenched his trembling hands and stared ahead.
"Ten thousand, thousand years!"
The camera focused on the faces of Grand Prince Suyang and Kim Jongseo as they shouted their praise.
The first thing Lee Hongwi did upon ascending the throne was, on the advice of his regent ministers, to prohibit *bungyeong*—private meetings between grand princes and officials. The news reached Grand Prince Suyang.
"Prohibit *bungyeong*?"
At his growl, the audience pressed themselves back into their seats.
"Forbidding us grand princes from holding private meetings is to suspect us. For His Majesty to doubt his closest kin upon his ascension, this cannot be his own will. Perhaps, His Majesty is isolated and in need of help."
Were the regent ministers trying to drive a wedge between the king and his relatives? Grand Prince Suyang's words made Hwangbo In and the other ministers start in surprise.
Looking at the ministers, Grand Prince Suyang spoke with a sorrowful expression. It was a look of truly genuine sorrow.
"We grand princes are trying to overcome this perilous situation with all our hearts and strength, alongside you ministers. How can you instead be jealous and suspicious, Lord Right State Councilor?"
In the end, the ban on *bungyeong* was lifted. People began to frequent Grand Prince Suyang's residence again, and it was the beginning of a dark future.
Days passed one by one after Lee Hongwi ascended the throne.
The audience wore subtle expressions as Kim Jongseo presented a scroll related to personnel appointments.
While he might know more about capable individuals than Lee Hongwi, the one-sided way he pushed forward his recommendations didn't sit well.
Lee Hongwi worked hard. He attended the morning assembly to listen to his officials' opinions and never missed the royal lectures. At night, he read petitions, studied, and strived.
'He's admirable, but…'
Lee Miyeon and Park Sunga watched Lee Hongwi with mixed feelings. To the audience's eyes, he still seemed too young. Perhaps that was why he was pushed aside by Grand Prince Suyang, they thought.
"What is that, Eunuch Kim?"
Lee Hongwi's eyes landed on something Eunuch Kim had been fiddling with. At his king's words, the hesitating eunuch presented a yellowish piece of cloth. Eunuch Kim bowed his head and said.
"It is a letter brought by another eunuch, Your Majesty."
"A letter?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lee Hongwi unfolded the cloth. On the yellowish scrap, black letters, as if written with charcoal, were inscribed.
[Please save our village.]
Lee Hongwi swallowed hard at the crookedly written Hunminjeongeum.
"What has happened?"
"…They say a plague has broken out in the village, Your Majesty. The officials have already fled, and no proper petition was submitted, so the other officials are unaware of the situation. A man who came out of the village alone arrived in Hanyang yesterday and…"
"And?"
"He was caught… loitering in front of the palace, Your Majesty. A soldier who felt pity after hearing his story passed his letter to a eunuch, and I received that letter."
Lee Hongwi looked down at the letter and said.
"Where is that man now?"
"He was released shortly after, but they say he is still wandering around the palace."
"I wish to meet him."
At Lee Hongwi's command, a meeting was arranged.
The man, who never imagined he would meet the king, prostrated himself as soon as someone appeared. His trembling was so severe it was obvious at a glance.
Lee Hongwi observed the prostrated man. His worn clothes were torn in several places, and his visible skin was covered in scratches. He must have endured considerable hardship rushing to the capital to save his village as quickly as possible.
"You say there is a plague in your village?"
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Please, save our village."
The 'commoner,' seen up close, was different from the ministers. Unlike the officials who muddled his mind with stern expressions and silver tongues, he seemed simple and frail.
But he was not entirely frail.
This man had run all that way in an instant to save his village. He had loitered around the palace, knowing how frightening it was, hoping for even a little help. Even now, terrified before the king, he pleaded to save his village.
Lee Hongwi came face to face with the duty of a king, something he had only heard about in words.
It was the first time he had seen one of his people, a person of Joseon. This was the person his grandfather and father had tried to protect, and the person he now had to protect.
Lee Hongwi,
[(Virtuous) The Wings of the Fallen Avian King activates.]
No, Danjong, spoke in a gentle voice.
"I will send a physician and medicine at once. Thanks to you, we have a chance to save everyone. You have done well. You have done very well indeed."
At the benevolent king's voice, at the warm touch of the king's hand grasping his, the man burst into tears. He had wandered to many places to save his village, but this was the first person to say they would help. We're saved now. We're saved. Relieved, the man wept like a child.
Danjong watched the sobbing man with a smile. At that sight, Eunuch Kim and the guards bowed their heads without realizing it.
This was the day the young heir truly became a king, the day he came to understand the 'heart of a king'—something he had not grasped even at his grand coronation, where all the civil, military, and royal officials had bowed to him.
A few days later, Danjong read a letter of thanks from the man, Kangdol, delivered by Eunuch Kim, a benevolent smile on his face. The crooked Hunminjeongeum, the letters his grandfather had created, resonated more deeply with him now. It felt as if his grandfather was praising him for a job well done.
A glow of longing and pride enveloped Danjong's face.
A warm breeze seemed to blow through the theater. The audience's hearts pounded at the sight of Danjong, who looked more like a benevolent king than anyone.
The insecure young monarch from moments ago was completely forgotten. Everyone was moved by the sight of Danjong, who had met his people and truly assumed the mantle of a king.
Lee Miyeon's eyes sparkled. Was this the kind of aura a wise king who loved his people exuded? Even though he was a young king, the light emanating from him made her heart ache with emotion.
'He's a real king. Anyone can see he's a king. If he doesn't rule, who will?'
"Your Majesty."
Grand Prince Suyang appeared.
…!
Lee Miyeon, who almost let out a curse, composed herself. Knowing the story's outcome, her blood pressure seemed to rise every time Suyang appeared. It seemed the other audience members felt the same, as faint curses could be heard.
"Welcome, Uncle."
Danjong greeted Grand Prince Suyang.
If Kim Jongseo was the official Danjong could rely on, Grand Prince Suyang and Grand Prince Anpyeong were the royal kinsmen he could lean on.
At Danjong's gentle smile, Grand Prince Suyang's eyebrow twitched slightly. The quick-witted Suyang had keenly noticed the change in Danjong.
After laughing and chatting with Danjong, Grand Prince Suyang left the palace. Each step he took away from the palace was heavy.
The audience's breathing grew shallow in time with his footsteps. A silence fell over the theater. Though it wasn't a horror movie, a tension crept up from their toes.
The camera, which had been showing only Suyang's back, slowly moved to his front.
"Gasp!"
The audience flinched, sinking into their chairs.
Grand Prince Suyang's face was twisted into the demonic visage of a Yaksha.