Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Long Live the Grand Prince
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[‘Naeuiwon,’ The Death of Grand Prince Seongnyeong, A New Beginning!]
[The Death of Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Expressed Through Those Left Behind!]
-Wow.
-Wow…
-I'm speechless.
-My Naeuiwon didn't end yesterday ㅠㅠ
-Throughout this episode, I kept remembering Lee Seojun's acting.
=I know, right? There were few flashback scenes, but he just popped into my head. Grand Prince Seongnyeong playing so innocently. When Heo Yuseon was reminiscing, it was so vivid it gave me goosebumps.
=I need to start working out. Royal Physician Heo ㅠㅠ
“It’s a shame.”
“A shame?”
“Yeah.”
Seojun was watching Naeuiwon with Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun. His own death scene, one in which he didn't appear. It was a shame. If I had acted out the death scene less convincingly, would I have been in it? Would it have been an even better scene?
“But I like this too.”
Naeuiwon wasn't a drama that ended with Grand Prince Seongnyeong's death. To be continued next time. From now on, it was the story of those left behind after the Grand Prince's death.
‘If it had ended with my death, wouldn't everyone have thought it was completely over?’
The sight of Heo Yuseon's trembling back and Grand Prince Chungnyeong throwing his research materials to the floor would draw viewers into the next episode.
“No, this is better.”
It can't be helped! My acting is important, but so is the work itself!
As Seojun spoke with a smile, Seo Eunhye and Lee Minjun were relieved. They had heard from Seo Eunchan that Seojun's scene had been cut.
They'd heard the reason, too. Cut because his death scene was too realistic? To the couple who hadn't seen Seojun's acting in person and had received his clean bill of health from a check-up, it sounded like a distant, unbelievable story.
Eating fruit, Seojun pondered how he should approach death scenes in the future.
It couldn't be too realistic, nor could it look too much like acting. Hmm. This is difficult. Come to think of it, he had to consider his parents and fans, who would worry seeing him act out a death scene. Hmm. This is really difficult!
[Naeuiwon Episode 14 Average Viewership, 38%!]
[KBC's Naeuiwon, What's Next for the Ratings?]
[The Void Left by Lee Seojun?]
-I started watching Naeuiwon for Lee Seojun, but now I'm curious how it'll end, so I'll keep watching.
-I was going to stop watching if Lee Seojun wasn't in it anymore. Me too.
-There's no way I can stop watching ㅠ I have to see how Royal Physician Heo lives ㅠㅠ
[Title: Is it just me?]
I found myself wishing Grand Prince Seongnyeong would become king.
His entrance was so impressive that I kept comparing him to the other grand princes.
Of course, I know Grand Prince Chungnyeong is King Sejong, and I love King Sejong, and I know Park Dohun is a great actor, but... I think Lee Seojun's acting had a huge impact. It's like he's royalty to the bone, with the aura of a king sent from the heavens lol. The rumors about his halo, Lee Seojun's aura did it all.
Watching Heo Yuseon and Grand Prince Seongnyeong, they feel like family, but also like a lord and his subject. The feeling of "The only lord who recognized me!" I think I understand why people in the old days pledged loyalty to their superiors lol.
-lol Are you rewriting history? lol
-But I thought they seemed like a lord and subject too. If Grand Prince Seongnyeong had grown up well without dying, Heo Yuseon would have probably poisoned everyone and handed him the throne.
=...Wouldn't Grand Prince Seongnyeong hate him for doing that?
=If he'd grown up with that aura, his brothers probably would have stepped aside for him, just like in the original history. Seongnyeong would rule the country with charisma, and Chungnyeong would invent all sorts of things instead of getting into politics lol.
-Heo Yuseon would become the Royal Physician and defeat Minister Heo.
-But you can't entrust the nation's affairs to someone just because of their aura!
Episode 15 of Naeuiwon showed people grieving the death of Grand Prince Seongnyeong.
The Ministry of Punishments and the Office of the Censor-General demanded that Royal Physician Yang Hongdal and the other physicians be held accountable, and they pleaded with King Taejong, who had refused his meals due to the Grand Prince's illness, to eat.
They also called for the punishment of the blind fortune teller who had predicted the Grand Prince's future and the shamaness who had performed rituals to the gods to extend his life.
-One grand prince dies, and all hell breaks loose.
-Whoa, then what happens to Heo Yuseon?
Naeuiwon's viewership ratings remained stable. Viewers were curious about the stories of those who remained.
Watching Grand Prince Chungnyeong grieve at Grand Prince Seongnyeong's funeral, they marveled at the fact that this man would become King Sejong.
Heo Yuseon, using the connections he had built, involved himself in every detail of Grand Prince Seongnyeong's funeral. He chose the finest, softest things for every aspect. Despite Heo Yuseon overstepping his authority, Grand Prince Chungnyeong and King Taejong turned a blind eye, moved by his devotion.
Grand Prince Seongnyeong's funeral concluded in heavy silence.
“We beseech you to punish Royal Physician Yang Hongdal for failing to recognize the illnesses of Princess Gyeongan and Grand Prince Seongnyeong!”
In response to the officials' demands to punish Royal Physician Yang Hongdal, King Taejong sent him and the other physicians away on a leave that was essentially an exile, as if to let them lie low for a while.
Heo Yuseon also followed his master, Yang Hongdal, down to the place of exile. His luggage was filled with the papers from his research on Grand Prince Seongnyeong's illness.
From that moment, the two began their research. Heo Yuseon conducted his research while caring for people in his place of exile, and on June 3, 1418, Grand Prince Chungnyeong, now the Crown Prince, studied the Grand Prince's illness in the palace.
The highest place and the lowest place.
The image of the two men became a hot topic.
* * *
Having finished his preparations, Seojun was watching KBC on his phone.
Since the day Episode 6 of Naeuiwon aired, KBC had been broadcasting a program called [Naeuiwon Special], which introduced events and locations from the drama and explained the differences and similarities with actual history.
Since Naeuiwon was a fusion historical drama, it had many differences from real history for dramatic effect, and viewers reacted positively to this program that conveniently compared them.
A man with a name tag that read "Oriental Medicine Doctor" began to speak.
[To treat changjin, you must first build up the patient's stamina. The foundation of all treatment is the patient's physical strength. The next step is...]
“I never thought they’d broadcast a segment on how to treat changjin on TV. Does anyone even watch this stuff?”
Seojun asked with a puzzled expression. Lee Jiseok, who was reading the script for the next shoot beside him, spoke up.
“You think it's just about treating changjin? They’re going crazy over everything from the funeral procession order to King Sejong’s coronation ceremony. They even broadcasted about royal children's games. Other networks might air one or two special features, but KBC is having a field day, practically dissecting the Taejong section of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty for their broadcasts.”
“The problem is that it all gets good ratings.”
If only Seojun made an appearance, the ratings would explode! An Daho, reminded of the film festival a year ago by the flood of casting calls, sent chicken gift coupons to Cocoa Entertainment's Lee Seojun-dedicated Team 2.
“Are you all ready?”
The producer of 'Naeuiwon Special' peeked his head into the waiting room and asked.
Behind him was a cameraman from KBC. Today's event was going to be broadcast on Naeuiwon Special and the entertainment news.
“Yes!”
“Ahahaha. To think I’d live to see the day I participate in the Gwanghwamun Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony.”
“To be precise, it’s the Grand Prince’s procession.”
The Naeuiwon team had expected the ratings to drop after the episode of Grand Prince Seongnyeong's death aired. However, with the ratings holding up better than expected, they decided to hold a special event to thank the viewers, instead of the usual ratings promise.
Initially, the plan was just for Seojun and Lee Jiseok to participate in the Gwanghwamun Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony, but they added more people and, with the venue’s permission, changed it to a full-blown grand prince's procession.
“The people around you are all security guards, so you can move around comfortably. The rest are actors who also appeared in Naeuiwon.”
At the producer's words, Seojun and Lee Jiseok, now changed into their costumes, left the waiting room. The security guards assigned to protect them were awkwardly adjusting their own outfits and hats.
It was a royal guard uniform, different from their usual attire. Thanks to their fit, well-built bodies, they looked as dependable as real guards.
A broadcast staff member, who had gone to check if the fences at the event venue were properly installed, rushed back in, out of breath.
“There’s a huge crowd! And, ah, never mind. I think it’s better if you see it for yourselves!”
“It’s not anything bad, is it?”
At Seojun's question, the staff member smiled brightly and nodded. The producer showed them a large map and explained again, pointing out the locations of the cameras.
“Just follow the people in front as you go around like this. Please look at the cameras every now and then. Any questions?”
“No!”
At Seojun’s cheerful reply, everyone left the waiting room with smiles on their faces. Outside, the extras, who were already comfortably seated in their familiar costumes, began to rise one by one.
* * *
“Gwanghwamun is this way…?”
“Emma? What is it?”
“Uh, is there some kind of dress code here?”
Jo Minyoung, who was rummaging through her bag for a water bottle, looked up at the words of her British friend, Emma, whom she’d met while traveling abroad. "What?" she asked.
The words slipped out before she could even think.
“Well, you can get into Gyeongbok Palace for free if you wear a hanbok... but why is everyone in official robes?”
It wasn't just red, blue, and green official robes. There were people dressed as court ladies, a staple in historical dramas, physicians with white cloths draped over their robes, and others in hanboks that looked like they had come straight off a historical drama set.
“And why are there so many people?”
The crowd was much larger than the usual number of tourists she saw when passing by on the bus. Just then, Jo Minyoung overheard someone's voice.
“Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok are having an event right now!”
“Really? Let's go see.”
Lee Seojun! Lee Jiseok!
The names stuck in Jo Minyoung's mind.
“Emma.”
“Yeah?”
“Let's go watch that before we leave.”
“Huh? Okay.”
Emma scratched her cheek. Weren't she and Jo Minyoung here to see the guard-changing ceremony anyway? She didn't think it needed to be said.
“But, do you think we’ll be able to see?”
“...Good point. Should we try to get closer to the front?”
Jo Minyoung and Emma started looking for a less crowded spot.
* * *
The time had come.
First, the veteran royal guard who would lead the procession stepped out. The crowd was huge. And their attire... it wasn't the modernized hanboks with their glittering gold leaf and bright pastel colors.
“Official robes?”
Regardless of his bewildered state, the guard's feet moved forward on their own. Music began to play. From the speakers KBC had set up in advance, boom-boom-! The soundtrack of Naeuiwon flowed out.
Waaaaah-!!
Thanks to the advance notice on social media, fan cafes, and the KBC website, a large crowd had gathered.
Between the security guards dressed as royal escorts, Grand Prince Seongnyeong and Heo Yuseon could be seen.
Seojun's eyes widened. He never imagined he would see people wearing official robes here.
“Your Highness! Grand Prince!”
At the sound of those voices, Lee Jiseok and Seojun burst out laughing.
“I thought they would call me Seojun.”
“Right?”
If they were calling for the Grand Prince, he had to respond! Seojun tapped the back of his hand twice with his finger.
[The Dignity of the (Good) Young Lion King activates.]
[The (Good) Elf's Basic Breathing activates.]
Lee Jiseok and Seojun waved to the crowd. With their every movement, the people cheered. The handsome guards and the splendid procession of the Grand Prince, looking as if they'd stepped right out of the drama. Added to that was the dignity emanating from Seojun. Everyone was reminded of Grand Prince Seongnyeong's first appearance.
“Whoa. Is this the aura of royalty!”
“Grand Prince Seongnyeong is alive!”
“Just grow up healthy!”
“Royal Physician Heo! Treat him properly!”
The people shouted, as if to shake off the sad developments of Naeuiwon. The foreign tourists could only wonder, what is this?
“Ahaha. Your Highness, Grand Prince!”
“Your Highness?”
Seeing her friend shouting her head off, Emma tilted her head in confusion. Emma, who had studied Korean history and watched historical dramas, knew it was a term for royalty. Everyone here was shouting "Your Highness" at the little boy.
“What's with those people? Didn't you say Korea doesn't have a royal family?”
“Oh, it doesn't. A drama that's airing these days is really popular, so they're holding a special event today. I'll show it to you later. It's really good.”
Though it's incredibly sad. But telling her beforehand would spoil the fun. Jo Minyoung smiled brightly at the thought of surprising her friend.
“Really? So that kid is a child actor.”
“You probably know him, Emma.”
“Huh?”
“He's the reason you got interested in Korea. Jin Natra. You're so lucky. You get to see him on your second day of touring Korea…”
“That's Jin Natra!? Seojun Lee!?”
At that voice, the foreigners who had been trying to get away from the noisy event, wondering what all the chaos was about, turned their heads. Emma, who still cherished the photo of the angel, grabbed Jo Minyoung's shoulders and shook her.
“Really, that's Jin Natra?! Seojun Lee, I mean, Lee Seojun!?”
“Y-yeah. I think I'm going to be sick. Let go.”
“Where? I couldn't see his face!”
Other foreigners also began to ask the Koreans standing next to them. When asked if the child was Seojun Lee, who played Jin Natra, they all proudly nodded in response.
The grand prince's procession came to a temporary halt. Seojun and Lee Jiseok went up onto a pre-prepared stage.
The sight of Grand Prince Seongnyeong in his purple official robes and Heo Yuseon in his physician's uniform made everyone's hearts pound, as if they had stepped right out of the drama.
“Hello! I’m Lee Seojun!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Jiseok.”
The two actors bowed deeply, and applause erupted. The cameras of the fans and KBC's large camera lenses were all focused on the two of them.
“To repay all of you who have continued to watch Naeuiwon even after ‘that day,’ we have come here to Gwanghwamun.”
“There are still people who haven’t seen it, so no spoilers!”
“Okayyy!”
“Is everyone enjoying Naeuiwon?”
Amidst the replies of ‘Yes!’ and ‘Yeah!’ to Seojun’s question, someone shouted.
“It’s too sad to rewatch!”
“Thank you so much for loving it that much.”
“Be honest! Royal Physician Heo! You wanted to make Grand Prince Seongnyeong king, didn't you?!”
The question, coming from somewhere in the crowd, made people burst into laughter. Seojun and Lee Jiseok also broke out in loud laughter.
“The ‘Royal Physician Heo the Kingmaker’ theory, right? I know that one!”
“Ahahaha. No comment!”
After a short time for conversation, it was time to leave. They had to clear the area quickly, for the sake of the tourists who wanted to see Gyeongbok Palace.
As Seojun and Lee Jiseok waved goodbye, the people in the front row, dressed in physician's uniforms and official robes, shouted loudly.
Their voices were full of playfulness, yet they held a certain resonance.
“Grand Prince Seongnyeong!”
“We pray for your long and healthy life!”
Startled by the loud voices, Lee Jiseok and Seojun looked at the crowd. They raised something above their heads. A large sign on white paper.
[Lee Seojun Fan Cafe, From the Sprouts!]
They were people from Lee Seojun's fan cafe. When the news of the special event was announced, the fans who could attend decided to deliver a message on behalf of the others.
Among the phrases decided by a vote in the fan cafe, ‘Grand Prince Seongnyeong, we pray for your long and healthy life!’ was chosen by an overwhelming margin.
Since that was the message they were delivering, they decided to coordinate their outfits as well. They were looking at various rental shops when Cocoa Entertainment's CEO, Seo Eunchan, who had been monitoring the fan cafe, sent them the costumes.
“You have to stay healthy!”
“Take it easy with acting, too!”
“You were too good at acting sick!”
“We’ll be cheering for you!”
In response to the fans' cheers, Seojun smiled brightly and waved. And that very image made the news.
[Grand Prince Seongnyeong, We Pray for Your Long and Healthy Life!]
[Gwanghwamun, the Living Grand Prince Seongnyeong Appears!]
[Lee Seojun and Lee Jiseok, Naeuiwon Special Event!]
-The fans lol so funny lol
-Foreigners were asking if Korea still had a royal family.
-I think Lee Seojun is the nation's Grand Prince.
=Not the nation's little brother lol
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