Chapter 18
Yoon Jong-hyuk, who played the main antagonist Prince Jo Young-dae in The Moon Hidden by the Sun, cast a quick glance. He was slightly concerned about Jung Eun-sun, who played the role of the Empress Dowager.
Even though Yoon Jong-hyuk was a veteran actor who had participated in various dramas for a long time, his experience was shorter compared to Jung Eun-sun’s.
That said, they had shared a few dramas together, and after years of friendship, he could tell she was currently in a bad mood.
“I’ve never seen you so worked up before, sis.”
His attempt to lighten the mood backfired as Jung Eun-sun shot him a piercing glare.
“No, let’s keep this civil for once. She’s still a child actress, for crying out loud… Honestly, can you tone it down? The way you talk has me worried. These days, who knows, you might end up on the evening news.”
“…I know.”
Yoon Jong-hyuk’s lips twitched as he considered saying more but decided against it.
After all, there was no point since the person he’d be talking to wouldn’t listen anyway.
‘Not a bad person, but still.’
He glanced at Jung Eun-sun, who had a rather self-righteous attitude.
Hearing about an incident that had occurred previously made him slap his forehead in realization.
No need for visual confirmation; the atmosphere on set back then screamed disaster.
Being an experienced actor, he knew how one word from a senior actor could turn a filming set upside down.
But to say something like that in front of a six-year-old child actor…
‘I find it hard to believe if she was genuinely worried or just felt like saying it.’
It was the stubbornness of an older person.
Back in the old days, this sort of drama was quite common.
Speaking in front of others always added extra pressure.
While he understood there was concern, the approach was rather brutal.
“She really needs to fix that obnoxious personality; tsk.”
Muttering to himself, he naturally caught Jung Eun-sun’s attention as she glared at him fiercely.
Yoon Jong-hyuk couldn’t help but feel relieved that his wife didn’t share a similar temperament to Jung Eun-sun.
“Alright, we’ll start shooting soon.”
Came the voice of Gong Jung-tae.
Today’s scene was S#24.
The one where Prince Jo Young-dae initiates a coup, deposing the current king and taking the throne for himself.
Afterward, the deposed king would be exiled, and his daughter, Princess Yeonhwa, would also have to leave for faraway lands.
Princess Yeonhwa would come to the Empress Dowager, revealing her father’s innocence while expressing anger at Prince Jo Young-dae’s rebellion.
But just as she was delivering her words, Prince Jo Young-dae barges into the Empress Dowager’s chamber and drags Princess Yeonhwa out.
Following that, she leaves the palace along with a few associates.
“The Empress Dowager’s chamber can be a bit dark, so the positioning of the reflectors is crucial. Please move them around a bit!”
The scene featuring Prince Jo Young-dae walking into the Empress Dowager’s chamber was to be shot in one long take to ensure maximum impact as the main antagonist of The Moon Hidden by the Sun.
Moreover, with the invasion of the chamber, they needed to pay close attention to the lighting.
“Actor Yoon Jong-hyuk, as previously mentioned, you must stare daggers at Princess Yeonhwa as viciously as possible.”
“Well, I guess that’s doable, but are you sure? My face is a bit intimidating, and I doubt the child will be able to handle it.”
His cheeky remark drew laughter from several crew members.
As he said, Yoon Jong-hyuk did have quite a fearsome appearance.
His eyes were sharp, and the wrinkles and angular jawline certainly indicated a rugged charm.
Yet once he got into character, his expression, gaze, and firm lip line projected an incredibly intimidating presence.
Having thrived in many dramas and films as an antagonist, he could even unsettle seasoned actors.
“It’s fine. In fact, you really have to pull it off. We need to establish clearly what kind of character Prince Jo Young-dae is in this episode. If you don’t…”
“If I don’t…?”
“You might risk undermining Prince Jo Young-dae’s character if you belittle a child.”
At those words from Director Gong Jung-tae, Yoon Jong-hyuk’s expression shifted slightly, as though saying, ‘See?’
Of course, he wasn’t exactly thinking that, but his looks painted the vibe.
“Oh, come on, Director. But she’s only six…”
“She’s actually seven now.”
“Ah, is that so?”
A crew member near them shot a light jest towards Director Gong Jung-tae.
It seemed he had gone too far with those words.
To clarify, Director Gong Jung-tae’s insinuation was something like this:
‘Hey, if you don’t act well enough, it’ll affect your performance, got it?’
The existence being overshadowed by another actor.
Such a situation is an actor’s biggest humiliation.
A defeat in acknowledging that one’s acting skills were lacking compared to another.
But, to a mere six-year-old child?
Perhaps this was Yoon Jong-hyuk’s cheeky provocation, fearing he might not play his part well.
Especially after what had happened with Jung Eun-sun recently; it was understandable he would want to show some consideration.
Besides…
‘Director Gong Jung-tae isn’t the kind of person to say empty words.’
He was still a young director.
Barely in his mid-thirties.
It could have been seen as somewhat young to be in charge of a large-scale historical drama.
However, since The Moon Hidden by the Sun was a fictional historical series targeting a younger crowd, that was likely to work in his favor.
Nonetheless, Gong Jung-tae’s career proved he was capable.
He also had a good reputation among actors, so they knew he was attentive to those around him.
‘Ah, this kid really has it together.’
Yoon Jong-hyuk caught on to the vibe.
He also recalled Jung Eun-sun but thought, “What’s the harm?”
“Well, let’s do it; just know if the kid cries, I’m not responsible.”
Acting is how an actor communicates.
*
Scene number S#24.
It was the closing scene for the pivotal second episode of this drama.
For reference, in the life that Seo-yeon knew, this scene appeared at the beginning of the second episode.
To be precise, this was due to the part where the young actor’s scenes were cut down from three episodes to two, hence the rearrangement.
This must mean that Jo Seo-hee’s acting did not impress Gong Jung-tae.
‘So, the performance I knew from the original… isn’t an option anymore.’
Jo Seo-hee’s performance would not be taken into account.
Truthfully, Seo-yeon didn’t perceive scene number S#24 as particularly crucial.
That S#24, which had appeared at the beginning of episode two she watched in her past life, wasn’t bad but lacked any remarkable impact.
All she remembered was how striking the entrance of Prince Jo Young-dae was in that long take.
So, she considered it an unimportant scene.
At least, for Princess Yeonhwa.
‘But this, this scene is a pivotal moment for Princess Yeonhwa.’
In episode one, Princess Yeonhwa was a carefree child.
She, as a princess, sneakily left the palace to mingle with commoners.
But in episode two, she must be ‘the princess.’
With her father’s regime falling apart due to the rebellion, her family would be suffering.
The emotions of hatred needed to be prominently displayed.
It had to be shown that this was a life-changing shock for a child.
In some regards, more crucial than the scene where the young actor portions concluded in episode three.
“Seo-yeon.”
Before the filming began, Su-a held Seo-yeon’s hand tightly.
Su-a was aware that Seo-yeon had been practicing her acting diligently.
The two scenes that Seo-yeon had been rehearsing included this one.
“…Just don’t overdo it.”
“Okay.”
Picking her words carefully, Su-a hugged her daughter tightly.
She had a lot to worry about, but this was what her daughter wanted.
All Su-a could do as a mother was to support her.
“Fighting!”
As Su-a patted her back, Seo-yeon beamed.
After momentarily staring at her daughter’s rare confident smile, she couldn’t help but return the grin.
“Everyone knows how important this scene is.”
Gong Jung-tae began, positioning himself beside the camera while scanning the surroundings.
The crew members had more serious expressions than usual.
“The lighting is crucial. When I give the signal, please be quick to adjust.”
Instructing what was likely to occur, he continued.
“Camera operator, rather than filming a wide shot, focus on capturing the emotions as best as possible.”
“Of course.”
Next, Gong Jung-tae’s gaze shifted to the actors.
“Actress Jung Eun-sun, we need those complex emotions of yours to shine through. The feelings of both your son, Prince Jo Young-dae, and your granddaughter, Yeonhwa.”
“I understand.”
“And… no, that’s fine. I trust you will do wonderfully.”
“…?”
Jung Eun-sun gave him a puzzled look, but Gong Jung-tae didn’t elaborate further.
Having had previous conflicts with the actress, he knew she was a professional.
An acting powerhouse.
So, if he saw her in action, he wouldn’t utter the same words as before.
“Alright, cue up!”
The sound of the camera moving echoed.
The eyes of everyone shifted between Yoon Jong-hyuk and Seo-yeon.
These were the two most crucial individuals for this scene.
Neither of them received separate acting instructions.
This meant that discussions had already taken place beforehand.
“Now, action!!”
With Director Gong Jung-tae’s shout, the acting commenced.
*
==
Late at night.
The once quiet palace was now in chaos.
Flames leaped up.
Those holding torches were shouting loudly as they roamed about.
The sound of swords clashing echoed, accompanied by heavy footsteps.
Screams pierced through the air.
Whether they belonged to the palace maids or someone else, they were unrecognizable.
Princess Yeonhwa, Lee Hye-wol, ran, dodging their gazes.
If she were seen now, she would be dragged away without a moment’s hesitation.
She would be thrown out of her home, her sanctuary within the palace.
Thus, she sought someone who could stop this madness.
In her young mind, one person came to mind.
With small feet hurriedly moving, she barely reached the place.
“Empress Dowager!!”
Her scream, almost akin to a wail, drew the Empress Dowager’s gaze, quietly seated in her small lantern light.
Those eyes held a whirlwind of emotions.
Mother of the current king, and also the mother of Prince Jo Young-dae, the one leading the uprising.
“Please, stop Jo Young-dae!”
It was, in fact, an impossible request.
The Empress Dowager had no power.
All she had was the fact that she was the progenitor of Jo Young-dae.
By the time she learned about the uprising, it was already too late.
In an irreversible situation, her role was merely to stand by helplessly.
“This is treason. Those are rebels! How dare you! How could someone indebted to my father’s grace do this?”
Screaming as if her life depended on it, Yeonhwa encountered only the silent gaze of the Empress Dowager.
Lee Hye-wol was always the granddaughter who affectionately called her ‘grandmother.’
“Something has gone wrong! Please, respond, Empress Dowager!!”
However, in this moment, she was no longer just Lee Hye-wol.
Rage and hatred poured out from her small frame.
Consequently, the Empress Dowager couldn’t bear to witness her granddaughter like this and shut her eyes.
==
All the while, everyone held their breath as they gazed at the scene.
The camera rolled, and reflectors adjusted, ensuring the faces of the Empress Dowager and Yeonhwa didn’t get lost in the shadows.
The camera pulled back momentarily to capture both of their emotions simultaneously.
‘Something…’
The crew watching them began to feel a strange sensation.
‘Something seems different today…’
Young actress Lee Hye-wol, aka Seo-yeon, often had a knack for pulling everyone in.
But right now, there was something else in the air.
Tension filled the atmosphere.
It felt like emotions were bubbling over, ready to explode.
With the Empress Dowager’s eyes slowly closing,
Yeonhwa followed suit and squeezed her own shut.
It signified something.
The Empress Dowager had no desire to halt the rebellion, nor could she.
And then…
Kaboom!!
With a bang, the door burst open, and a man leading soldiers stormed into the Empress Dowager’s chamber.
With hawk-like eyes and tightly pressed lips.
The dark gaze sparkled with madness, and everyone held their breath.
His lips curled into a twisted smile.
It was none other than the arrival of Prince Jo Young-dae.
In reality, there wasn’t a particularly grand reason for this… he just overslept…
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