Chapter 81
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: A Shocking Alliance and a Tragic Prince
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“Here we are.”
Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun checked their tickets and sat down. Seojun, who had been following his parents, undid his tightly wrapped scarf and took off his hat.
To see *Assemble*, Seojun and his parents had chosen a less crowded theater, even if it was a bit more expensive.
Unlike a regular theater where seats were right next to each other, this premium screening room had seats spaced far apart with partitions, making it difficult to even see the person next to you.
They had watched *Green Wing 2* here last year.
“They really have everything these days.”
Lee Minjun remarked with a smile, settling into a seat that was plusher and wider than those in a regular theater. Seo Eunhye nodded, munching on popcorn.
“The seats are spacious, and the people in front and to the side are far away. There’s no chance our son will be recognized.”
“I’d prefer a bigger crowd if it were one of my movies, but since it's not, this is fine.”
Still, they couldn't give up the giant screen, which was why they had come to the theater. They chatted during the commercials until the lights in the theater soon dimmed.
*Boom—*
A new score began to play. It was the OST for *Assemble*. Seojun’s eyes sparkled as he stared at the glowing screen.
The movie was as humorous as a Redbone film and as serious as a Shadowman film. Director George Roberts’s skill was incredible.
Even with a gathering of such distinct heroes, not a single one was overshadowed; each showcased their unique charm.
The enemy was defeated thanks to the heroes' efforts, and the end of the movie was approaching. Just when everyone thought it would conclude on a refreshing and cheerful note…
Redbone.
Collapsed.
“What?!”
The man who had been the heart of *Assemble* fell, unconscious.
[Redbone!?]
The heroes cried out in shock as he plummeted from the airship toward the sea. They dove in after him.
The jaws of Seojun and his parents dropped at the completely unpredictable turn of events. The delicious popcorn had long been forgotten.
Just as Shadowman’s desperately outstretched fingers touched the nape of the unconscious Redbone’s neck, the movie ended.
*Boom—*
The *Assemble* OST swelled.
The theater lights came up. Director George Roberts’s name appeared on the screen, followed by the names of the cast and crew.
It seemed everyone was now used to Marine Company’s post-credits scenes, as they all remained seated, discussing the film's ending.
“Wow. Why did he suddenly collapse?”
“Maybe he was hit by the enemy during the fight without realizing it?”
“That could be it.”
Seojun and his parents joined the discussion, but no one could come up with a definitive reason. It would likely depend on what the post-credits scene revealed. Seojun looked at the screen.
*Boom—*
It was the *Assemble* OST.
The screen showed Redbone’s pale face as he lay in a bed. Then, a door opened. It was Shadowman, Mac. And…
“Huh?”
It was Belle Natra.
Richel Hill!
Seojun, his parents, and the rest of the audience stared, dumbfounded.
*What are you doing here?* Belle Natra, a character whose allegiance was uncertain—was she on Shadowman's side or Jin Natra's?—had appeared in the *Assemble* base.
Belle Natra smiled cheerfully and opened her mouth.
[Alright. A temporary alliance, then.]
[You get what you want, and I get what I want.]
With a reluctant expression, Mac extended his hand.
Just like in the post-credits scene of *Shadowman 2*, just as Shadowman and Redbone had shaken hands, Mac and Belle Natra clasped hands.
“What is this?”
Everyone was at a loss for words.
***
A film critic started a live stream with a serious expression.
“It’s a complete mess, isn’t it?”
His first words were intense.
- yessss lololol
- I never thought Belle Natra would show up there lol
- So is it Shadowman 3? Or Assemble 2?
It was clear that Shadowman and Belle Natra would appear. If they were both in it, would it be *Shadowman 3*?
Or would it be *Assemble 2*, featuring the other heroes as well, even though they didn't appear in the post-credits scene?
It was just a movie title, but it was important.
“Yes, that’s the important part. If it’s *Shadowman 3*, actor Lee Seojun will be in it. If it’s *Assemble 2*, well, he might not be. For now, if you go to the Marine Company website, you’ll see this.”
[*Assemble 2*]
“Yes. It’s *Assemble 2*.”
- lol what a shame lol
“But after *Assemble 2*, I’m sure *Shadowman 3* will be next! There has to be a reason Belle Natra showed up!”
- Why did Redbone collapse?
“There are a few different opinions on that, but it seems likely he was struck by the enemy during the fight, and neither the Assemble members nor Redbone himself realized it.”
- Is that possible?
“The heroes of Marine Company aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, and they can’t save everyone. They take hits from the enemy over and over before finally winning. We can laugh while watching because it's a movie, but if it were real, it would be absolute chaos. There would be more than just one or two victims like William.”
- That's true.
“So, what this means is that Redbone isn’t always invincible. If *Assemble 1* was about Shadowman's growth, then *Assemble 2* will likely be about Redbone's recovery and growth.”
- I was so shocked when Redbone collapsed.
- I thought Redbone was the one who would never fall.
- Why did Belle Natra show up?
“I think it’s a hint that Redbone’s cure is an alien substance. Just like the line in the post-credits scene, Shadowman and Belle Natra each have something to find. For Shadowman, it’s Redbone's cure. For Belle Natra, it’s probably something related to Jin Natra. I can’t even imagine what that might be.”
The film critic pondered for a moment before speaking.
“But one thing is for sure.”
- For sure?
“Now that Belle Natra and Shadowman have met, I think we’ll get to see their backstory. From our omniscient viewer perspective, and with our sharp instincts honed by over-the-top dramas, we can guess they’re family, but Shadowman doesn't know that yet. It will probably be revealed in *Assemble 2*.”
- Omniscient viewer perspective lol
- Over-the-top dramas lol. Don't tell me it's, "You're my long-lost sister?!"
- Last time it was multiple personalities, this time it's siblings? lol
“*Assemble 2* will be about Redbone’s recovery and growth, and will serve as a setup for *Shadowman 3*.”
Belle Natra's appearance and the announcement of *Assemble 2* came as a huge shock to those who had been waiting solely for Lee Seojun's next project.
[Where is Shadowman 3?!]
[Post-Credits Scene Announces Assemble 2!]
[Belle Natra is here, but Jin Natra is not!]
[Find the missing Jin Natra!]
- Who wants to go blow up Marine Company with me?
- I waited for Shadowman 3 to come out after Assemble, and they throw Assemble 2 at us?!
- So Seojun isn’t in this one either ㅠ
- Ah, I really wish he’d be active, even under a stage name. I want to see Seojun act, even if it’s just on VOD ㅜ
- I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched his stuff lately…
While everyone was reeling from the blow of *Assemble 2*, the drama production company ‘Pado’ was in an uproar for a different reason.
Producer Choi Minseong and writer So Eunjin, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, were speechless.
*Really? Is it for real?* To the question that was clear in their eyes, the head of the planning team, who was in charge of producing and planning this drama, nodded.
“For real?”
“Yes!”
“Really! For real?!”
“Yes! Yes!”
At the team leader's confirmation, writer So Eunjin and producer Choi Minseong cheered triumphantly.
How many dramas and movies had Lee Seojun turned down in the past year! Some of them had even been box office hits, making everyone wonder what criteria a script had to meet to catch Lee Seojun's eye.
Everyone would be trying to meet that standard for their next project, and Lee Seojun's next work would undoubtedly set that new standard.
“And to think it’s ours!”
They felt ecstatic, yet dazed. It was also a little frightening.
“Why do you think he chose our drama?”
“I wonder. Maybe because it’s a historical drama?”
“There was already that one historical movie, the one starring Lee Dajin. And it was a huge success.”
The two tilted their heads in confusion. The team leader, uninterested in such deliberations, quickly got to the point.
For a historical drama, a genre that was slowly fading, Pado had been worried about casting, costs, investors, and profitability. But now was the time to move toward a blockbuster hit, backed by a flood of investors and countless new possibilities.
Even though no articles had been released, investors began to appear one by one, despite product placement being nearly impossible in a historical drama.
They were all well-known corporations with products completely unrelated to historical dramas. The production company staff was astounded by the investors' information network.
And the one with the fastest network, a broadcast station, made the call.
“We’ve secured a broadcaster.”
A rumor began to circulate in the entertainment industry.
A massive drama was coming to KBC.
***
*Ring-ring-*
Seojun, who was peeling a sweet hallabong orange while watching television, answered the phone. It was Lee Jiseok.
“Jiseok hyung!”
- Seojun! I heard you’re doing a drama!
“How did you know?”
It had only been a few days since he told Daho hyung he would do it. Since Seojun had agreed, he wasn't going to back out, but only Cocoa Entertainment knew about it.
The production company and the broadcast station wanted to sign the contract as soon as possible. They would have agreed to whatever fee was written for Lee Seojun, but Cocoa Entertainment drafted a reasonable contract.
Cocoa Entertainment, the production company, and the broadcast station—everyone involved in the drama now knew of Lee Seojun's participation.
Everyone was itching to spill the beans, but they had to keep it a secret until a proper promotional plan was established.
And yet, some people already knew. Lee Jiseok was one of them.
- I’m in it too!
“Really?”
Seojun’s mouth fell open at the unexpected news. Lee Jiseok laughed cheerfully. He was delighted by this coincidence.
- I’ve been wanting to try a historical drama. I got a great script and decided to do it, and when I was signing the contract, they told me you were in it too!
“Wow! Really? I’m so happy I’ll be filming with you, hyung!”
It was Seojun's first drama, and both he and the adults had been worried, but having Lee Jiseok there was a great relief.
- Me too! It feels like it’s been ages since we filmed together, right?
*The Evil Spirit* was four years ago, and *Re-Investigation* was two years ago. Besides, his part in *Re-Investigation* was too short to really count as filming together.
“Yeah! I’m so excited.”
Seojun nodded eagerly.
***
February.
An article appeared online.
[(Exclusive) Actor Lee Seojun Confirmed to Star in Drama!]
- ??? Lee Seojun in a drama!?
- Finally!! But which station, what drama, what role!
- This reporter is fast with the news but short on details.
- Wait for it. More will pop up soon.
[Actor Lee Seojun Confirmed to Star in KBC Drama!]
[Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok! The Two Actors Unite!]
[KBC’s ‘Naeuiwon’ to Premiere in April!]
[A Fusion Historical Drama Set in the Royal Infirmary!]
[The Prince of Joseon! Actor Lee Seojun as Grand Prince Seongnyeong!]
[Let’s Learn About Grand Prince Seongnyeong!]
“I’m curious, but this feels like a spoiler for the drama!”
Park Seongwon tore at his hair. He was browsing through the articles after hearing the news of Seojun's casting.
Most of them had similar content, but one headline stood out. Park Seongwon couldn't take his eyes off it.
His mouse hovered over the article: [Let’s Learn About Grand Prince Seongnyeong!].
This was the problem with historical dramas. There was a predetermined ending, a history that had already been written. No matter how much of a "fusion" drama it was, it wasn't likely to change the major historical outcomes.
Was this a spoiler or not? The mouse cursor trembled. After agonizing over it, clutching his head, Park Seongwon finally…
“Arghhh!”
He couldn't overcome his curiosity and clicked the mouse.
[Let’s Learn About Grand Prince Seongnyeong!]
Let's learn about Grand Prince Seongnyeong, the role to be played by actor Lee Seojun (10).
Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Lee Jong.
1405 (5th year of King Taejong's reign) ~ 1418 (18th year of King Taejong's reign)
The fourth son of Joseon's third king, Taejong. His name was Jong. From a young age, he was dignified and intelligent, receiving the deep affection of his father, the king.
His brothers were Grand Prince Yangnyeong, 11 years his senior; Grand Prince Hyoryeong, 9 years his senior; and Grand Prince Chungnyeong, 8 years his senior, who would later become King Sejong the Great.
As King Taejong's youngest son, Grand Prince Seongnyeong contracted smallpox at the age of 14 and passed away.
“What?!”
Park Seongwon cried out involuntarily as he read through the article.
[…contracted smallpox at the age of 14 and passed away.]
That single sentence sent the internet into an uproar.
- He dies!?
- He's King Sejong's brother and he dies!?
- This is gonna be a tearjerker ㅠ