Chapter 83
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: The Young Prince's Dignity
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The fusion historical drama, *Naeuiwon*, was semi-pre-produced. The B-team was in charge of filming minor scenes for the show, while the A-team filmed large-scale scenes that couldn't be shot while the drama was airing.
"Whoa."
It was late February, but still winter. A biting cold wind blew.
Seojun, who had been enjoying his winter break skating diligently at the ice rink, visited the film set at Lee Jiseok's suggestion.
Since it was an outdoor shoot, he was wearing a thick jumper and had a hot pack in the small, Mimic-shaped bag slung over his shoulder, keeping him warm.
"What do you think? Cool, right?"
"Yes!"
Seojun nodded at Lee Jiseok's words.
The palace was magnificently decorated with colorful fabrics. People bustled about in official robes. And there were so many staff members. It was the first time he had seen so many people filming at once.
Today was the day they were filming the scene of King Sejong's coronation.
"This kind of thing is better to see in person than on television. It's educational, too."
Lee Jiseok said with a proud look on his face. Seojun and An Daho nodded.
The actors with lines rehearsed together under the assistant director's supervision, while the extras who would serve as the background were assigned their positions by the staff.
Honestly, his eyes were drawn more to the extras, all in identical clothing and indistinguishable from one another, than to the lavishly dressed main actors.
He saw people who seemed to be there for part-time work, laughing and joking with friends, and others with serious expressions, watching the actors with lines.
Seeing the envy-filled faces of the latter stirred a strange feeling within Seojun.
As time passed, everyone finished their preparations for filming. Since it was a large-scale shoot, a single person's mistake could become a major problem, so everyone focused on not making any errors.
The actors, who had to move around, did a final check of their blocking. The staff, who had been running about, all moved off the set.
Seojun and Lee Jiseok stood at a distance, in a spot that wouldn't be in the frame, and watched the filming.
Once the frame was clear, PD Choi Minsung shouted loudly.
"Ready, action!"
The officials entered in sequence. Not only the minor actors in official robes but also people in a variety of other costumes found their places. Lee Jiseok whispered to Seojun.
"They say that students from Seonggyungwan, foreigners, the elderly, and monks also attended King Sejong's coronation."
"I see."
Music began to play. Although they would do post-recording for the audio, PD Choi Minsung had brought in a traditional Korean music ensemble to fill the set with live music.
From the side, King Sejong appeared, riding in a palanquin. The King took his seat, and the coronation began. A solemn atmosphere filled the set.
Fortunately, King Sejong's coronation scene was completed in a single take without any NGs. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and quickly put on their padded jackets.
While the staff prepared for the close-up shots, the extras warmed themselves up.
The sight of so many people moving in perfect unison was truly amazing. It really felt as if he had been transported back to the Joseon Dynasty, watching King Sejong's coronation.
Seojun asked Lee Jiseok. It seemed like it would be a lot of fun if there were other large-scale shoots.
"Are there more shoots like this?"
"Hmm. Should I ask the PD?"
In response to their question, PD Choi Minsung scratched his head and spoke.
"There are. Grand Prince Seongnyeong's funeral, Queen Wongyeong's funeral, King Taejong's funeral."
"They're all funerals."
"It was that kind of era. People getting sick and dying. If you're curious, you can come and watch. It's a fusion historical drama, but we did a lot of research for things like ceremonies!"
"Okay!"
After that, the large-scale filming continued. Seojun sent a coffee truck to the set during the filming of Grand Prince Seongnyeong's funeral. Several food trucks were parked outside the set so that even the extras could eat and drink comfortably.
A banner on the food truck read, 'A treat from Grand Prince Seongnyeong!' Everyone laughed, saying, "Grand Prince Seongnyeong is giving out coffee at his own funeral," as they drank their warm tea and coffee.
Once the scenes requiring a large number of people were all filmed, shooting for the first episode of *Naeuiwon* began.
Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3. With filming proceeding smoothly, Seojun's first day on set quickly arrived.
"It's still a bit chilly."
An Daho helped Seojun, who had finished with his makeup and was sitting in a chair waiting for filming to start, put on an overcoat.
Wearing a padded jacket over his hanbok looked a little funny. The hot pack stuck to the clothes underneath was still warm.
Seojun's first scene was filmed on a set. Although it was March, when flowers bloom, the set was chilly.
In the story so far, the protagonist Heo Yuseon had entered the Naeuiwon and, through one thing and another, had become the disciple of the Royal Physician, Yang Hongdal.
Today was the scene where Heo Yuseon and Grand Prince Seongnyeong meet for the first time. Lee Jiseok, dressed in the Naeuiwon's official uniform, approached Seojun with a smile.
"Aigoo, Your Highness! It's been a long time!"
"Physician Heo, it's been a while!"
"Hahahaha. Seojun, you're pretty good at this."
Seojun skillfully played along with Lee Jiseok's words. Laughing cheerfully, Lee Jiseok sat down next to him.
"Aren't you cold?"
"I'm okay!"
When Lee Jiseok took out a hot pack, Seojun pointed to the side of his chair. Everyone who saw him asked if he was cold and handed him a hot pack. He had already collected a whole box of them.
It seemed Yoon Sungoh had also stopped by, as there were several hot packs identical to the one Lee Jiseok was holding.
"You're popular. You won't be able to use all these for the rest of the shoot."
"I think I'm starting to feel a little hot now."
Still, he kept them all, as they were given to him out of kindness. As he chatted with Lee Jiseok, time flew by.
"We will begin filming!"
At the assistant director's voice, everyone moved to their positions. Seojun felt his heart pound as he headed toward the set.
Writer So Eunjin, who was waiting in front of the set, gave him a "Fighting!" sign of encouragement. Seojun smiled and waved his hand.
Looking around, he saw that many people had come to watch him film. Kim Jongho and Lee Jihye waved at him. Park Dohun, the actor playing King Sejong whom he had seen at every large-scale shoot, was also there.
Park Dohun's eyes met Seojun's, and he gave a slight nod. They had exchanged many greetings back and forth, but he hadn't gotten as close to him as he had with Jongho Samchon and Jihye Imo. Still, his persistence seemed to have paid off, as he now returned his greetings.
'I'll definitely get closer to him today!'
Seojun clenched his fists and headed for the set.
He stepped into the well-decorated room of Grand Prince Seongnyeong. Seojun crossed the room and sat on a cushion, looking like a figure from a painting. The staff whispered to each other about how perfectly Seojun fit the background.
"I didn't think he'd suit a historical drama, but this is... he looks like a real Joseon prince."
"I know, right? I think this drama is going to be a huge hit."
As everyone was murmuring, the assistant director, seeing PD Choi Minsung's nod, raised his voice.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Yes."
Seojun and Lee Jiseok replied to the assistant director. The staff, who had been whispering, also fell silent.
Pleased with the quiet set, PD Choi Minsung checked the monitors for the various cameras. He scanned for any flaws and checked the two actors' positions.
With a satisfied smile, PD Choi Minsung raised his voice.
"We will begin filming."
Seojun straightened his shoulders and back. *Hoo.* He exhaled and recalled the ability he had found in the Library of Life. The pattern of a roaring baby lion on the back of his right hand glowed.
[(Good) Dignity of the Young Lion King - Low Grade]
Ascended to the throne of the Lion King at a young age.
Of many abilities, only 'Dignity' was enhanced to lead the pride.
Activation: Tap twice with a finger.
Also known as, the Young Lion King's Bluff.
Its stats were worse than a regular lion's, but its unimaginable 'Dignity' alone allowed the young Lion King to lead its pride for a time. Of course, it was soon found out and killed.
'There were other abilities, but...'
There were more outstanding and easier-to-activate abilities, but Seojun chose this one. He wasn't a king who needed to overwhelm his subjects, but a young prince. He thought a moderate amount of dignity would be sufficient.
Seojun placed his hand on the table and opened a book.
"Ready, action!"
Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Yi Jong, was the apple of King Taejong and the Queen's eye. As the son they had in their forties, they doted on him, as if he might blow away in the wind or break if they held him too tight.
Perhaps because of his parents' advanced age, he was born weaker than their other sons, making him all the more pitiful.
Adding to their worries was the death of King Taejong's fourth daughter, Princess Gyeongan, from an unknown illness. Worried for his children, King Taejong assigned royal physicians to each of them.
The physicians were to take care of the king's children in three rotating shifts.
And today, the previous physician had left, and a new one had appeared. He was said to be a disciple of Yang Hongdal, the royal physician who attended to His Majesty the King.
As Grand Prince Seongnyeong was maturely reading a book, Eunuch Kim, who was standing outside, announced the physician's arrival. Closing his book, the Grand Prince summoned the physician.
With his gaze lowered, Heo Yuseon entered the room and prostrated himself. Seojun tapped the table twice.
[(Good) Dignity of the Young Lion King is activated.]
"You may raise your head."
Heo Yuseon slowly lifted his head to see the Grand Prince for the fourth time. His eyes met the gently smiling Grand Prince, and after a moment's hesitation, he lowered his head again.
"I am Heo Yuseon, a physician of the Naeuiwon."
Grand Prince Seongnyeong smiled kindly.
"Cut! OK!"
PD Choi Minsung's voice rang out loudly. Lee Jiseok rubbed the back of his neck as he stood up. Just a moment ago, when he had looked at Seojun, he felt as if he had been bewitched by something. It was a feeling that made him bow his head instinctively.
'What was that?'
Unable to shake the strange feeling, Lee Jiseok headed towards the monitor with Seojun. An Daho and Yoon Sungoh, who had approached at some point, handed hot packs to the two actors.
The scene they had just filmed appeared on the monitor. Everyone watched it in silence.
The aura emanating from his small body was simply marvelous. The smiling Grand Prince exuded a dignity befitting a prince. While everyone was satisfied, only Lee Jiseok tilted his head.
"Somehow, it feels a bit weak, doesn't it?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind. The close-up shot will be different."
Lee Jiseok shook his head at Seojun's question.
PD Choi Minsung prepared for the next shot. The direction for the close-up was an idea he had come up with after racking his brain. He wanted to leave a stronger impression of Grand Prince Seongnyeong on the viewers. To make him unforgettable, even after the drama ended.
Seojun went onto the set alone, and the camera director took the position where Lee Jiseok had been.
Lee Jiseok smiled as he watched PD Choi Minsung giving directions here and there. The occasional instructions he overheard were exactly to his liking.
The filming of the close-up shot began.
Seojun acted just as he had before, and it was reflected on the monitor.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the screen.
Grand Prince Seongnyeong was visible. He had been a perfect prince just moments before, but the direction of the close-up shot was incredible. Even those unaffected by the ability were left speechless.
Could this be the kind of atmosphere one would have if they were truly born and lived as royalty? It felt as if one should instinctively bow their head. It gave him goosebumps.
In particular, Kim Jongho and Lee Jihye, who played King Taejong and the Queen, and Park Dohun, who played King Sejong and would remain king until the end of the drama, swallowed hard.
With serious expressions, they watched the gently smiling face of Grand Prince Seongnyeong. The actors recalled the scenes they had previously filmed. They wondered how their own acting had been in those scenes. Even if it wasn't as good as this, had it been kingly enough? Their minds grew complicated.
Lee Jiseok smiled. This was it. This was what he had felt. The atmosphere he had experienced while acting opposite Seojun was perfectly captured on the screen.
He knew why he had felt that strange unease. It was because it hadn't been acting. As if he had truly become Heo Yuseon, he had instinctively bowed his head at the sight of Seojun.
This was what it felt like to act with Seojun. Both with *The Evil Spirit* and now, it felt like he was experiencing method acting by leaning on Seojun's performance.
In any case, the indirect effect wasn't as strong, but it was a strange feeling.
As the silence stretched on, Lee Jiseok, having come to his senses sooner since he'd seen it before, gently shook PD Choi Minsung, who was staring blankly despite having directed the scene himself. Coming to his senses, PD Choi Minsung shouted loudly.
"Cut! OK!"
The synergy between Seojun's ability and the outstanding direction was incredible.
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