Chapter 82
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The First Script Reading
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Lee Jiseok walked toward the conference room for the *Naeuiwon* script reading with his manager, Yoon Sungoh.
In the empty hallway, Yoon Sungoh checked the time.
“Hyung. Aren't we a bit too early?”
“I had nothing else to do, and I heard Seojun was coming early too. It's the first reading, so it's more comfortable if there's someone I know.”
Yoon Sungoh smiled at Lee Jiseok's words. It seemed to be the first time he'd seen Jiseok this excited while working with him. Lee Jiseok flung open the conference room door.
“I'm the first one here—huh? Jongho-hyung?”
It looked like the film crew had prepared in advance; paper nameplates with the characters' and actors' names were set up on the conference room table.
Kim Jongho, whose name had been called, flinched and turned around. In his hands were two paper nameplates.
[Heo Yuseon, Lee Jiseok]
[King Taejong, Kim Jongho]
Lee Jiseok tilted his head at the large print. *Ahem.* After a dry cough, Kim Jongho placed the two nameplates on the table. Then he went to his own seat and opened his script.
“Hyung, aren't you coming in?”
“Ah, yeah.”
Still tilting his head, Lee Jiseok sat down in his spot at Yoon Sungoh's prompting.
*What's going on?* While Yoon Sungoh greeted Kim Jongho, took the script out of his bag, and pulled out some barley tea to drink, Lee Jiseok crossed his arms and stared at Kim Jongho.
“Jongho-hyung. Got a guilty conscience?”
“Wha-what? What about me?”
“Hyung, you're not even in the first episode's script, but you're reading it.”
“So what? I can still read it even if I'm not in it.”
Kim Jongho cleared his throat and closed the script.
*'This punk, there's still time until the reading. Why is he here so early?'*
As a quiet silence flowed between the inwardly sighing Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok, the conference room door opened.
“You're here already?”
It was Producer Choi Minseong and Writer So Eunjin. And behind them was one more person.
“Hello!”
It was Seojun. He was excited because it was his first script reading, so he had come early with Daho-hyung. He'd met the producer and writer just outside, received some snacks, and came to the conference room with them.
*Heehee.* It was his first time filming in a year, and even though it was just a script reading, he was so happy.
“Hey, Seojun.”
“It's been a while.”
Lee Jiseok and Yoon Sungoh greeted Seojun warmly. As Seojun smiled brightly and waved to them, Producer Choi Minseong pointed out his seat.
“See how there's a name at each seat? You can sit there.”
“Okay!”
Seojun found his nameplate and walked to his seat. It was next to Kim Jongho.
Seojun bowed his head deeply. The age gap between Seojun and Kim Jongho was over thirty years.
“Hello! Mr. Kim Jongho. I'm Lee Seojun.”
The middle-aged actor, Kim Jongho, was indispensable when it came to historical dramas. When he wore a *durumagi* and a fake beard, he looked so natural it was as if he were a true nobleman from the Joseon Dynasty.
His stern face and deep voice were a perfect match for villains in positions of power, so whenever he appeared in a production, he was almost always cast as a powerful figure.
Thanks to that, the public came to expect that nine times out of ten, if Kim Jongho was in something, he was the villain.
*'This is his first time playing a king, isn't it?'*
Having researched King Taejong while reading the *Naeuiwon* script, Seojun thought Kim Jongho was a perfect fit for the role of Taejong Yi Bangwon.
“You know who I am?”
“Of course! I've even seen the historical dramas you were in!”
“Is that so? Ah, have a seat.”
“Okay!”
Kim Jongho listened intently to Seojun with a smile on his lips, looking like a cool 'teacher,' so Seojun enthusiastically talked about the historical dramas and other shows Kim Jongho had been in.
Though he was just on the opposite side of the table, Lee Jiseok felt somehow left out and wore a disgruntled expression.
Producer Choi and Writer So, who were rummaging for a cushion and snacks to give Seojun, tilted their heads and muttered.
“I thought we said to put Seojun's seat next to Jiseok's?”
“I know. Did someone forget?”
“What?”
Lee Jiseok, who had managed to overhear them, felt his mind race. Kim Jongho arriving unusually early, Kim Jongho holding the nameplates. And the switched seats.
“Jongho-hyung, don't tell me that's my seat!”
“Wha-what? What are you talking about?”
His flustered reaction showed that Jiseok had hit the nail on the head. Seojun, who had just received some citron tea from An Daho, sipped it while watching Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok bicker.
The teacher-like demeanor he had shown Seojun had vanished, and his true personality was showing.
“Hyung, sit in your own seat!”
“I want to talk to Seojun too. That spot is too far away! You filmed *Evil Spirit* and *Re-Investigation* with him, and you have his contact info, so just let me have this for today.”
Kim Jongho, who was about to shout, became conscious of Seojun and lowered his voice.
Seeing him speak through gritted teeth, Lee Jiseok remembered how Kim Jongho had asked him to teach him how to vote for the WTV Film Festival.
He'd just said he was giving a vote to a praiseworthy child actor, but it seemed he was a fan of Seojun.
“Are Jiseok-hyung and Mr. Kim Jongho on bad terms?”
“No, not bad terms. They're actually very close. They were in Jiseok's debut drama together. They're close enough to joke around comfortably. He even made a special appearance during the filming of *Re-Investigation*, just like you, Seojun.”
“Oh, I saw that. So he appeared because of Jiseok-hyung.”
Seojun nodded. *Is their relationship like mine and Eunchan-samchon's?* In the end, Lee Jiseok gave up the seat and grumbled at Kim Jongho.
“Then you sit over here too!”
“I'm not petty like you, hyung.”
Just as round two between Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok was about to begin, the conference room door opened. It was a staff member, carrying an armful of water bottles to distribute to the actors.
A glance at the clock showed it was almost time for the reading. After that, actors and their managers started filing into the conference room. Everyone had the same reaction.
They'd walk into the room without much thought, then be startled by the sight of senior actors Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok already seated, and quickly bow in greeting.
Then they would sit in their own seats and cautiously gauge the room's atmosphere. They were shocked to see Lee Seojun chatting affectionately with Kim Jongho, their mouths agape.
“Didn't they say Mr. Kim Jongho dislikes junior actors? I heard he didn't say a single word to the actor he co-starred with in his last drama.”
“He dislikes actors who can't act. That guy was a parachute hire and his acting was terrible. He likes you even if you're a parachute, as long as you can act well.”
“Still, I've never seen him look so gentle.”
While everyone was whispering amongst themselves, Kim Jongho and Seojun also grew much closer.
“This is your first drama reading, right?”
“Yes!”
“We don't have any lines in the first episode, so if there's anything you don't understand, just ask.”
“Thank you.”
Seojun replied, his eyes sparkling.
The scheduled time arrived. Fortunately, all the actors who said they would attend arrived on time.
Seojun looked around at the actors sitting at the table and those sitting in the back.
King Taejong, Queen Wongyeong, Prince Yangnyeong, Prince Hyoryeong, Prince Chungnyeong, and the physicians.
The script reading was only for the first episode, but everyone who could attend came, even if they had no lines, to see each other's faces.
With the actors, managers, film crew, and public relations staff, the conference room was bustling.
“Alright, let's begin the script reading for *Naeuiwon*.”
Everyone took their seats, and Director Choi Minseong announced the start of the reading. It was Lee Jiseok's first historical drama, but he delivered his lines with a naturalness that belied his inexperience.
His acting was so impressive that it was easy to see why Kim Jongho, known as an acting purist, would get along with him despite their bickering and ten-year age gap.
The venue may have been a conference room and it was only called a script reading, but Lee Jiseok didn't just casually recite his lines. He acted as if he were on a real set, his gestures and expressions changing with the dialogue.
If you closed your eyes and just listened to his voice, it felt like you were transported to the Joseon Dynasty. Seojun's eyes sparkled as he compared the modern way of speaking with the historical drama's dialogue. It was even more interesting because it was a way of speaking no longer used today.
The *Naeuiwon* script reading passed in a flash. The first episode was about the physician Heo Yuseon building his reputation in order to enter the *Naeuiwon*.
Not only did King Taejong and the princes not appear, but neither did the *Naeuiwon*—the royal medical office responsible for the royal family's health, which would become Heo Yuseon's workplace.
Because of that, King Taejong, Queen Wongyeong, and the princes had to sit there awkwardly, watching Lee Jiseok and the other actors deliver their lines.
No, actually, everyone had to stifle their reactions as they watched Seojun fidgeting, taking notes in his script, and nodding along.
Producer Choi Minseong and Writer So Eunjin were already resting their chins on their hands, gazing at Seojun with eyes dripping honey. Kim Jongho was peeking at what Seojun, sitting next to him, was writing.
[Stronger? Weaker?]
[Pause a bit]
[Jiseok-hyung is so good!]
The reason the reading could continue despite all these distractions was all thanks to Kim Jongho.
Kim Jongho wasn't particularly kind to actors who couldn't act. He had even spat sharp words at a junior who asked for advice.
Although Kim Jongho had a difficult personality, the actors who were close to him didn't think too badly of it.
Contrary to the popular belief that Kim Jongho liked actors who were good at acting, what he actually liked were actors who *loved* acting.
Even if they weren't very skilled because they had only recently started learning, as long as they loved acting, Kim Jongho would open his heart to them.
Of course, that was only if they knew their own skill level and took on suitable roles. If they loved acting but took a role beyond their capabilities, he would immediately turn his back on them.
It was acceptable for a minor role actor to be lacking. One improves by gaining experience, one or two lines at a time. Kim Jongho himself had learned to act that way.
But these days, people who couldn't even handle the basics were too easily landing lead and supporting roles just by claiming to have "ticket power."
*'There are actors like Seojun who are good from the start, but they're a tiny minority.'*
Kim Jongho smiled as he watched Seojun diligently taking notes. Just as Lee Jiseok had said, you could feel his love for acting despite his young age. He really liked his attitude of working hard even though he was already so talented.
Seeing the friendly interaction between Seojun and Kim Jongho made Lee Jiseok feel proud as well.
Kim Jongho, who loved acting and actors who loved acting, also had a knack for teaching.
There had been times when he taught a promising junior, who then went on to become a star.
But the ending wasn't always a happy one. Juniors who had once loved acting would sometimes push it to the back burner and become actors who only enjoyed their fame.
As such experiences piled up, Kim Jongho's already foul temper grew even worse, and he rarely taught anyone anymore. Even Lee Jiseok only started receiving blunt, short pieces of advice after several years.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Whenever an actor delivered a line and Seojun tilted his head in confusion, Kim Jongho would speak up in a low voice, his gaze still fixed on Seojun.
“You need to say that part a little faster, more desperately. You've come looking for a physician to save your dying mother, haven't you?”
“Yes, yes!”
When the actor delivered the line again after his comment, Seojun would nod and jot down Kim Jongho's advice in his script.
[Faster and more desperate]
Kim Jongho smiled at the sight. He had no intention of advising the other actors. He just hoped this admirable child would learn a lot, even if indirectly.
The actors appearing in the first episode, thinking they might never get another chance to receive advice from someone like Kim Jongho, continued the script reading diligently, hoping to hear even one more piece of advice.
The pride he felt at seeing the two of them was fleeting; Kim Jongho's uncharacteristically gentle voice gave Lee Jiseok goosebumps, almost making him stumble over his lines.
The fidgeting actor Lee Seojun, the mentoring Kim Jongho, the diligently participating actors.
With interesting tidbits popping up everywhere, the public relations manager grinned and eagerly pointed the camera lens.
“Good work, everyone!”
The script reading for the first episode was over. When Seojun closed his script, everyone else closed theirs with disappointed expressions.
The managers began packing their actors' belongings, and An Daho, who had been standing behind Seojun, also started gathering his things one by one.
In the atmosphere of everyone packing up, Kim Jongho grew anxious. It had been a long time since he'd met an actor who not only loved acting but was also incredibly good at it. He wanted to talk with him for even just a moment longer.
As Kim Jongho wondered what elementary schoolers liked these days and what he should talk about, Lee Jiseok chimed in.
“Seojun, you know Jongho-hyung? He really likes you. He even voted for you at the film festival. It's a bit much to call him 'hyung,' so you should call him 'samchon'.”
“Um... is it okay if I call you 'Jongho-samchon'?”
“Of course! Anytime!”
“Ehehehe.”
There was one person brave enough to interrupt the three actors' friendly conversation. Lee Jihye, who played Queen Wongyeong, spoke with a smile.
“Seojun. Can you give your imo an autograph? My name is Lee Jihye.”
“I know! I saw your movie. You were in it with Dajin-nuna, right?”
Seojun expertly signed the blank piece of paper Lee Jihye handed him. Taking the autograph, Lee Jihye smiled.
“Dajin also said you're incredibly talented.”
“Hehe.”
While Seojun was smiling, people started gathering one by one, holding out paper. They avoided An Daho's cold gaze and formed a line in front of Seojun.
Kim Jongho didn't show it, but he wanted Seojun's autograph too. Lee Jiseok, noticing this, said teasingly.
“Seojun, give Jongho-hyung an autograph too. Looks like he really wants one.”
“Okay!”
*It would have been better if he hadn't said that last part.* Kim Jongho and Seojun thought the exact same thing.
A small autograph session opened up in the conference room. There were too many people to get to everyone, so those who had scenes to film with Seojun decided to get theirs later.
Kim Jongho was among them. To the disappointed Kim Jongho, Seojun gave his phone number.
***
A video of the script reading for KBC's new drama, *Naeuiwon*, was uploaded to the internet.
KBC seemed to have gone all out, uploading separate videos: a reading version, a Lee Seojun version, and an actors' version.
The Lee Seojun version, in particular, was like watching a variety show, complete with cute yellow subtitles and charming music.
-So cute lol He's fidgetingㅠ
-Honey is dripping from Kim Jongho's eyes. But seeing it on that face is a little scary lol
-Every time Seojun hesitates, Kim Jongho coaches him lol
=And if they do well, he nods nods
-Seojun doesn't even notice, he's just looking at his scriptㅋㅋ