Chapter 91
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Ripple Effect
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A few days later, a video was uploaded to N-tube.
[Title: I Showed My Foreign Friend the Drama ‘Naeuiwon’.]
“Hello, this is Jo Jo. Today, I showed my friend Emma, whom I met while traveling in the UK, the currently trending drama, ‘Naeuiwon.’ Of course, it’s too long to watch the whole thing, so I showed her only the most important parts first!”
Jo Minyoung and Emma appeared on screen, waving and greeting the viewers.
“I edited the scenes featuring Grand Prince Seongnyeong together so they would make sense! Aren’t you curious to see my friend’s reaction to the adorable and lovely Grand Prince Seongnyeong! Plus, Emma is a huge fan of Jin Natra, so she’s really looking forward to it! She’s even studying Korean hard to watch Lee Seojun’s Korean works!”
As Jo Minyoung spoke, subtitles appeared.
‘Emma can understand Korean, but she’s currently studying Korean history. She’s still on the Goryeo Dynasty ;)’
“I’m so excited!”
Emma’s eyes sparkled at the thought of seeing the cute and lovely Seojun Lee. Her anticipation was so palpable through the screen that people watching the N-tube video shed tears. Even though it was a recorded video, not a live stream, and she would have already seen it, they still felt sorry for her.
-She’s a devil! There’s a devil right here!
-That cute and lovely Grand Prince, His Highness is, His Highness is! T_T
The screen showed Emma and Jo Minyoung watching, with the title of ‘Naeuiwon’ appearing in a corner of the frame.
*Thump-thump-* The sound of a drum echoed.
Heo Yuseon entered Grand Prince Seongnyeong’s chambers. The camera panned across the yellow floor, then slowly tilted up.
A wooden table, a closed book, a purple official robe embroidered with a qilin, and then Grand Prince Seongnyeong. Emma’s eyes widened. Her mouth fell open on its own.
-Man, that entrance scene is the best.
-The drum sound fits so perfectly.
-This is the very definition of ‘I am the next king.’ Such presence.
The rest of the video was peaceful. Just as Jo Minyoung had said, it was filled with the daily life of the cute, lovely, and energetic Grand Prince Seongnyeong.
Emma’s expression softened. The people watching the video smiled fondly at Emma’s face, reminiscing about the past.
-Just like me three weeks ago. I thought they’d save him since it’s a fusion historical drama.
-Don’t get emotionally invested. NO. Don’t get immersed. Just watch with blurry eyes.
-The emotional fallout is gonna be intense.
-It’s time for ‘that part’.
=That part lol T_T
[It is Changjin!]
Royal Physician Yang Hongdal’s voice echoed through the main hall. Changjin? Emma tilted her head, and Jo Minyoung explained it was a disease. A disease? Jane's expression changed subtly.
The situation escalated rapidly. People were running around, and Grand Prince Seongnyeong was bedridden. A sense of dread washed over Emma. She clasped her hands tightly as she watched the video. Episode 14 was shown almost in its entirety. Not a single moment could be missed.
[Jong!]
“Ah…”
Covering her mouth, Emma couldn’t tear her eyes from the screen. The grief-stricken voices of his parents pierced her ears. The corners of Emma’s eyes turned red. The physician who had spent his days laughing with Seojun fell to his knees, prostrating himself. Snow began to fall.
[Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Lee Jong, deceased. Dead]
Kindly, Jo Minyoung added a subtitle. Dead. The word pressed down on her chest with a heavy weight.
“...*Sniff*.”
Jo Minyoung, whose own heart ached while watching alongside her, handed Emma a tissue. The N-tube video ended with Emma and Jo Minyoung, now armed with a pile of tissues, tenderly starting ‘Naeuiwon’ from episode 1.
-Ah, I should rewatch it too.
-If I rewatch from episode 1, I feel like I'll get sad every time Seongnyeong appears, thinking of that day.
-Tsk tsk. I’m already on my third rewatch.
=You handling the emotional fallout okay?
=Nope. That’s why I took a half-day off and went to Gwanghwamun. Got my treatment by seeing the living Grand Prince Seongnyeong.
While many reaction videos to Korean dramas or music videos by foreigners had been uploaded before, Jo Minyoung’s was the first for ‘Naeuiwon.’
As the view count skyrocketed, foreign N-tubers who were desperate for views began to take notice.
Some watched an edited version like Jo Minyoung’s, while others started from episode 1.
Unlike the Koreans who had been spoiled beforehand, the foreign viewers couldn’t understand why Grand Prince Seongnyeong, who had made such a spectacular entrance (some even claimed to have seen a halo), had to die.
-Why does he die? Wasn’t this story about this kid becoming king?
-He totally gives off the vibe of a future king.
=The kid’s older brother is King Sejong. The one from the games.
=Ah, I see.
=And the kid is Jin Natra ;)
=????!
After that, reaction videos titled ‘feat. Jin Natra’ started popping up, and video streaming sites that had been showing interest in ‘Naeuiwon’ began to take more aggressive action.
***
11th day of the 8th month, the year of King Sejong’s accession (1418). The 22-year-old Grand Prince Chungnyeong ascended to the throne.
The grand coronation ceremony was somber, as Grand Prince Chungnyeong’s expression was heavy with the memory of the deceased Grand Prince Seongnyeong.
[KBC’s ‘Naeuiwon’ Viewership Rating! 34%!]
[The Two Actors Who Must Carry ‘Naeuiwon’ Forward! Park Dohun, Lee Jiseok!]
-I had no idea. I didn’t realize Grand Prince Seongnyeong’s death would have such an impact. Seongnyeong dies in February, he becomes Crown Prince in June, and ascends the throne in August. 1418 was a turbulent year.
-34% lol. Is this a ratings monster? lol
=The other broadcast stations were completely crushed in that time slot.
The sorrows did not end there.
“Sangwibok!”
Just two years after Queen Wongyeong’s death, King Taejong passed away. A eunuch, holding the king’s upper garment, went up to the eastern eaves of the roof and shouted toward the north. King Sejong stared at his deceased father’s face with a vacant expression.
“Sangwibok!”
Memories of Princess Gyeongan and Grand Prince Seongnyeong, with whom he had shared such affection, flashed through the king’s mind. Memories of his mother and father, and their deaths, swept past.
“Sangwibok!”
King Sejong silently buried his face in his hands.
The news of King Taejong’s death reached Heo Yuseon’s ears as well. Stepping out for a moment from his research, Heo Yuseon looked up at the sky.
The cloudless blue sky was so clear that he hated it.
“Your Highness. I trust you are well with Her Majesty the Queen? I heard that His Majesty the King Emeritus has passed away. The King Emeritus committed many sins, so I do not know if he will be able to meet you, Your Highness.”
At the end of the road, a man could be seen running frantically. He was carrying an old man on his back. Watching this, a faint smile appeared on Heo Yuseon’s lips.
“I, too, must do good deeds so that I may go to where you are, Your Highness. I suppose I must do a few more.”
“Physician! Physician!”
[KBC’s ‘Naeuiwon’ Maintains 30% Viewership!]
[The Third Funeral Already!]
-Wow. Not long after Grand Prince Seongnyeong died, Queen Wongyeong and King Taejong died too.
-That’s the third funeral already T_T Is King Sejong’s mental state okay?
-Seongnyeong—two years later, the Queen—two years later, Taejong… Who dies in another two years?
-Heo Yuseon dissing him even then lol. Said Taejong committed many sins lol. Said he can’t go to heaven lol.
***
“Hello!”
As Seojun appeared with a bright smile, the staff, who were busy preparing for the shoot, greeted him warmly. The assistant director guided Seojun to the makeup artist. Sitting in the chair, Seojun hummed happily.
The makeup artist’s brush swept across Seojun’s cheek.
He thought the last shoot was his final one, but a few days ago, he received a call from PD Choi Minsung. When asked if he would be willing to appear in a different role, Seojun tilted his head in confusion before nodding.
‘I did like the changed scene, but it was a bit disappointing that it was cut since it was my last shoot. The filming just kind of fizzled out.’
He was sad that he didn't get to hear "Cut, OK!" on his last day.
Seojun opened his script. Although it was a different role, he had a feeling he knew why PD Choi had called him.
Rereading the script, Seojun giggled. Lee Jiseok, who had stopped by the dressing room upon hearing Seojun had arrived, smiled at the sight.
“You’re that happy?”
“Yes!”
“Seojun, you’re truly a born actor.”
“Hee hee hee.”
“Seojun, let’s get you changed.”
“Okay!”
At An Daho’s call, Seojun quickly ran over. PD Choi Minsung, who was surveying the set, watched with a smile as Seojun changed into a dirt-stained hanbok. The assistant director rubbed the back of his neck and spoke.
“But will this be okay?”
“Who knows. We’ll probably get called out for being too over-the-top, right?”
“You’re aware of that?”
“But this makes it much easier for viewers to focus. When I just read the script, I thought we could just cast someone of a similar age. But the more we filmed, the more Grand Prince Seongnyeong became ingrained in my mind. Just being ‘similar’ wasn’t going to cut it. Fortunately or unfortunately, we couldn’t cast an actor because of that, so we just decided to cast him again.”
The assistant director nodded in agreement at PD Choi Minsung’s words.
“Well, I like the change better, too. It makes Heo Yuseon’s feelings more understandable.”
“Right? Well then, shall we start filming?”
“Yes! Let’s start filming!”
Lying on the bedding, Seojun took a deep breath in and out. Seeing Seojun so nervous, a stark contrast to his excited entrance onto the set, Lee Jiseok asked.
“Seojun, what’s wrong? You were so excited just a moment ago.”
“Um. I’m a little nervous.”
“It’s a rare sight to see you nervous, Seojun.”
Lying on the bedding, Seojun turned his head to look at Lee Jiseok, who was sitting beside him.
Seojun opened his mouth, hesitating slightly. The [(Good) Red Slime’s Core] inside him felt like it was rolling around.
“Jiseok hyung. How sick should I act?”
Seojun still hadn’t found the right balance. The image of Kim Jongho’s shocked face and Lee Jihye’s worried expression as she held his hot hand were still vivid in his mind. *Hmm.* Lee Jiseok fell into thought.
“I’m not sure either. An performance that one person praises might not sit well with another. When people are incredibly sad, some wail loudly, while others cry silently. Since people express themselves differently based on their personalities, the acting they empathize with also differs.”
“I see.”
“There’s no other way but to film many projects, see people’s reactions, and figure out for yourself what level is appropriate.”
“What about before I’ve built up that experience?”
*What should I do right now?* Seojun’s eyes were fixed on Lee Jiseok. For some reason, Lee Jiseok felt like he could understand how Jongho hyung felt, cherishing an actor who loved the craft.
“You have no choice but to borrow someone else’s strength.”
“Someone else?”
“Just like during the last shoot. If your acting is too much, the PD will stop you, right? It’s not that common for scenes to be deleted, so usually, you’d just get an NG. If there’s an NG, the PD will tell you what was wrong, and you can listen and act again.”
“Again…”
“You can adjust it that way.”
“I see.”
Seojun nodded. He had rarely ever made a mistake, but there was one time he had been relentlessly criticized for months on end.
‘That’s right. I received feedback from Director Ryan for eight months. Of course, I shouldn’t make that many mistakes during an actual shoot, but a few NGs should be fine, right?’
The memory put Seojun at ease. PD Choi Minsung, who had been waiting for the two actors to finish their conversation, smiled and announced the start of filming. The other staff members also began the shoot with warm expressions.
“Ready, action!”
[The (Good) Red Slime’s Core is activating.]
Seojun’s body temperature began to rise. He panted, breathing shallowly as he regulated his temperature.
‘Weaker than last time. Weaker.’
Lee Jiseok checked Seojun’s pulse with a serious face. Seojun’s breaths came out in short gasps. Seeing this, Lee Jiseok, who vividly remembered Seojun’s performance, bit his tongue.
“Cut, NG!”
At Director Choi Minsung’s voice, Seojun’s eyes shot open in surprise. NG. An NG! Seojun’s pupils trembled. He turned his head to look at PD Choi Minsung.
“Uh, did I do something wrong?”
“No, Seojun. Your acting was good, but for this scene, you need to act exactly like you did when Grand Prince Seongnyeong was sick. This time, it was a bit too weak.”
“Ah, ah. I see.”
Remembering the script at PD Choi Minsung’s words, Seojun nodded awkwardly. It seemed that in his attempt to not startle everyone, he had toned it down too much. Lee Jiseok patted Seojun’s shoulder.
“Just act comfortably. Comfortably. Seojun, you’re an amazing actor.”
“Ugh. Yes. Acting is really difficult.”
*Sigh.* At the sight of Seojun sighing as he spoke, the people who had been impressed by the works this young actor had been in couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
***
[Yang Hongdal and Heo Yuseon Return from Exile!]
[KBC’s ‘Naeuiwon,’ How Many Episodes?]
[‘Naeuiwon’ is Racing Towards its Finale! What Will the Ending Be?!]
-Just don’t let it start strong and end weak!
-So how many episodes does Naeuiwon have?
=24 episodes. Today is episode 22, so next week is the finale.
-Wow… it’s ending already?
-Felt like I waited two years for it, but it’s going by so fast!
Royal Physician Yang Hongdal and Heo Yuseon, having returned from exile, were reinstated to their original positions.
Heo Yuseon continued his research after finishing his duties. Occasionally, no, often, he would walk around Grand Prince Seongnyeong’s former residence, lost in memories.
In this way, both King Sejong and Heo Yuseon felt a sense of peace, as if a corner of their hearts was empty.
Then, urgent news arrived.
Seeing the pale face of the messenger, King Sejong had a premonition. A chilling wind blew, just as it had when his brother, his mother, and his father had passed away.
The messenger shouted loudly, very loudly.
“It is Changjin!”
[‘Naeuiwon’ Episode 22! An Outbreak of Changjin in Gyeonggi Province!]
[Stop the Epidemic, Changjin!]
[King Sejong and Heo Yuseon! Can They Succeed in Treating It This Time!?]
-Whoa, damn. When he shouted, “It is Changjin!” I got goosebumps.
-Heo Yuseon is definitely going to stop it! You have to cure it this time!!
=But Grand Prince Seongnyeong is gone now T_T
‘Naeuiwon,’ now in its final stretch, was reignited. For the viewers who had been trying to forget Grand Prince Seongnyeong’s death, a new objective had appeared.