Chapter 81:
"I heard this is his first time in a historical drama."
There was no awkwardness in the tone or manner of speaking. Yooil adeptly handled the unique rhythm and intonation of the historical genre.
Impressive.
The reporter nodded, observing Yooil. Among the three lead actors, it was true that Yooil was relatively lacking in fame and experience.
However, judging solely from this script reading, there seemed to be no need to compare him to others in terms of acting prowess.
The reporter described Han Yooil's passionate performance as follows:
"He must have received intense training from the company."
The reporter continued to focus on Han Yooil.
Without intending to, the gaze naturally drifted his way. Above all, it was entertaining to watch the changing expressions of the surrounding actors as they delivered their lines. By the time the reading was about to conclude, the reporter had already marked the premiere date on the calendar.
* * *
The Sun and the Moon' A heartwarming script reading session, driving away the summer heat
The Sun and the Moon' Behind the scenes of the script reading
The Sun and the Moon' A tense acting showdown between Kang Hyesung and Han Yooil
Oh
They have better chemistry than I thought.
Looking at him this way, Han Yooil has quite a cool face He matches well with Yoo Kwon.
I'm excited.
"Yooil Are you okay?"
Yooil turned his head to Min Woojin's concerned voice while reading the article.
The shooting started with the onset of the summer heat.
Actors in thick traditional Hanbok were holding portable fans and ice packs.
"It feels even hotter looking at you, really."
"I'm fine."
The heat was bearable. Rather, he felt sorry for the staff members, drenched in sweat, running around the set.
Of course, the production team had different thoughts.
"There's still time before shooting, so please rest in the van."
Yooil was ushered toward the van by the directing team, concerned about the condition of the actors.
That's when he heard a man's voice from behind.
"Actor! Yooil actor!"
Yooil turned around to the touch on his shoulder.
A familiar face.
"Shinwoo?"
It was Yoon Shinwoo, whom he had met as a lead and a minor role in Sing in High School.' After the shooting, they followed each other on social media and occasionally kept in touch, but this was the first face-to-face meeting since then.
"It's really nice to meet you like this."
Yoon Shinwoo's words trailed off slightly. Unbeknownst to Yooil, Shinwoo was genuinely moved. He couldn't acknowledge him during the script reading due to the hectic schedule, but he was relieved to meet him like this.
Having filmed numerous student films, he always thought, "What's the harm in getting a minor role in commercial projects?" But he always aspired to land more significant roles.
He never expected such an opportunity to come like this.
Although his role had only a few lines, it was the first time his character was introduced with more than two sentences in a drama.
Even after Sing in High School' ended, he often reminisced about those times whenever he went to a shooting set.
Feel free to take it easy.
Had the actor he was shooting with been someone other than Han Yooil, the memory of that day might have taken a different turn. Perhaps, it would have been difficult for him to step foot on a commercial set for a while.
"You're known for your acting skills, Shinwoo. I knew you'd do well."
At Yooil's words, Yoon Shinwoo gave an embarrassed smile.
This time, his role in The Sun and the Moon' was as the fourth prince's bodyguard.
The fourth prince was a character not originally in the source material, created to rival the protagonist Lee Bin.
It was then an unexpected voice was heard.
"Are you two close?"
Both Yooil and Shinwoo's heads turned simultaneously. At the end of their gaze was Kang Hyesung. Yoon Shinwoo looked at Kang Hyesung's sturdy build and distinct facial features with surprised eyes.
Kang Hyesung initially gained attention for his looks but gradually secured leading roles with his acting prowess. Among male actors in their 20s, he was a rare case of a military veteran, filling the void left by younger male actors and seeing his stock rise steadily.
With a robust and respectable image, and favorable reviews from colleagues, the public's response to him was also positive.
"That may be true, but"
Yoon Shinwoo recalled a story he had heard from a fellow actor he became friends with during filming.
Hyesung is nice from a distance. Only from a distance.
Whispering and looking around cautiously, the actor insisted that their comment should never be traced back to them.
This made Yoon Shinwoo a bit nervous.
Kang Hyesung acted as if Yoon Shinwoo was invisible. His attention was solely on Yooil.
"Yooil, right?"
Kang Hyesung lifted his chin slightly and smiled.
"Haha, I'm bad with names. Sorry~"
His tone seemed caring but carried an oddly arrogant undertone.
Yoon Shinwoo's expression hardened, but Han Yooil continued to smile unfazedly at his counterpart.
"Is this your first historical drama?"
"Yes, it is."
"Don't worry too much about what people say~ If the drama does well, all those comments will disappear."
Kang Hyesung shrugged and continued.
"I wouldn't have done this project if it weren't for Director Do Junhwan. The original fans are a bit intimidating~ It'd be less pressure if they said I didn't fit the role, but the expectations are so high~"
Hearing this from someone who was the top choice for the role?
Listening to his talk, Yoon Shinwoo was sure. Kang Hyesung was subtly trying to belittle Yooil.
"Well, I think it's good that people have high expectations."
"Really?"
Hyesung smirked and casually remarked,
"You're full of passion. That's good~"
Then, after murmuring a few words, Kang Hyesung slipped into his van.
Yoon Shinwoo, fiddling with the ice pack Yooil had given him, tilted his head in the direction Kang Hyesung had gone.
It seems like a serious rivalry, doesn't it?'
But Han Yooil seemed oblivious.
* * *
As the setting was nearing completion, Director Do Junhwan shouted loudly.
"Alright, let's get the shot~ Today's schedule is tight, so let's do our best!"
And the actual shooting began.
As the shooting locations for The Sun and the Moon' were spread across the country, the first shoot started with part 2.
After part 1, where Yoo Dohwa and Lee Bin meet, part 2 revolves around the rumors that the Crown Prince has fallen ill during his secret travels.
"The Crown Prince's illness has worsened?"
Upon secretly learning about the Crown Prince's illness, Lee Bin walks through the palace with a heavy heart. Then, the fourth prince, Prince Im Yeon, appears.
"The weather is fine today, brother."
"How can you say such a thing?"
"With the sun gradually setting in the mid-heaven and the sky being so clear, how can it not be fine?"
Considering the current severity of the Crown Prince's illness, these words sounded profoundly significant.
Lee Bin's brows furrowed as he looked at Prince Im Yeon.
Excluding the eldest son, the Crown Prince, and the second prince who died long ago, Prince Im Yeon and Lee Bin were the closest brothers.
Once a younger brother he played with, Lee Bin looked at Prince Im Yeon with eyes filled with regret.
"I recently made a friend. I'll introduce him to you soon."
A friend?'
Bin did not trust his younger brother. Since he was about thirteen, Prince Im Yeon had started surrounding himself with people through meticulous calculation. Lee Bin was not unaware of this fact.
"Does this friend' know you're a prince?"
"No. He believes I'm just an idler with nothing better to do."
As expected.'
The speech had the seasoned touch of someone experienced in historical dramas. Director Do Junhwan nodded and called out "Okay."
The next scene was to be shot at a nearby set.
The scene where Lee Bin meets Prince Im Yeon's friend.' The very first meeting between Lee Bin and Yoo Kwon.
As usual, Yoo Kwon was seen swinging a wooden sword at a straw dummy. After skillfully decapitating the dummy, Yoo Kwon sensed someone approaching and slowly changed his stance.
Unbeknownst to anyone, he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"Hey, Kwon."
Prince Im Yeon greets with a languid smile, raising his hand. Just then, Yoo Kwon turns his head.
Meeting his gaze, Lee Bin is momentarily startled.
!'
The fierce look in Yoo Kwon's eyes quickly dissipates. Suddenly, Yoo Kwon's eyes are empty, devoid of any emotion, as he looks at Lee Bin.
Prince Im Yeon speaks,
"Here's the brother I mentioned before."
Instead of responding, Yoo Kwon points to a wooden sword on the ground.
"If you don't mind, why don't you try holding it?"
"What?"
As Lee Bin looks at his brother in confusion, the younger prince grins delightfully.
"This man insists that to become friends, one must cross swords. Quite an unusual stubbornness, don't you think?"
Hearing his brother's words and seeing Yoo Kwon's calm face again, Lee Bin realizes.
This man has no idea that he is a prince.
In that case.'
Lee Bin slowly picks up the wooden sword.
He was among the princes who had practiced martial arts for a long time.
The desire to correct that arrogant and disrespectful attitude took over Lee Bin.
With a fierce yell, he lunged forward.
The wooden swords collided, creating a loud noise. With similar height, build, and strength, the outcome seemed unpredictable. Prince Im Yeon watched their sparring with a relaxed demeanor.
During one of the exchanges,
Yoo Kwon steps back to dodge Lee Bin's sword aimed at his waist. In that instant, Lee Bin swiftly moves to target Yoo Kwon's neck.
Suddenly, Lee Bin extends his arm, losing his balance.
What?!'
Min Woojin, who had been watching with bated breath, is shocked.
That's not the right angle!'
The wooden sword, meant to pass beside the neck, is now rapidly heading towards Yooil's collarbone.
It could lead to a serious injury.
Just before Min Woojin can scream, a loud noise, loud enough to drown out all other sounds, echoes through the set.
Crack!
Lee Bin's extended wooden sword flies off, cleanly broken in half.
""
Stunned and covered in dust, Lee Bin looks at the broken wooden sword.
His face shows he has no idea what just happened.
"Are the actors okay?!"
The assistant director and other staff members examine the actors with trembling eyes.
It was a moment that could have led to a major accident. Fortunately, both actors seemed to be unharmed at first glance.
Well done, Yooil.
That was close.'
In a split second, Yooil had grabbed the end of the wooden sword with both hands and pushed Lee Bin's sword away, causing it to snap in half.
The rigorous training at the action school had paid off, preparing him for various scenarios.
At the same time,
Director Do Junhwan, rather than considering the actors' shaken state, was first thinking about the utility of the scene they had just shot.
We'll have to take it one more time.'
But after reviewing the footage, his expression changes subtly.
Huh?'
The scene was originally meant to show Lee Bin realizing the exceptional skill of Yoo Kwon's swordsmanship.
This is'
Though unintended, the broken wooden sword, Lee Bin's flustered face because of it, and Yoo Kwon's cold gaze were unbelievably effective.
"Maybe we can call this one okay?"
Kang Hyesung was flustered.
From the misstep to the broken wooden sword, nothing had gone as he expected.
Especially the expression Lee Bin had worn when the wooden sword broke it was, in fact, the expression of Kang Hyesung'.
There could have been a more impressive expression and angle, and the fact that Director Do Junhwan seemed to like that particular take only irritated him further.
"Damn, that really startled me."
Brushing the dust off his body, Kang Hyesung muttered irritably, loud enough for Han Yooil to hear. At his words, Min Woojin glared at Kang Hyesung. Even if it was a mistake, it could have caused a major accident due to him.
And the first words out of his mouth were about how he was startled.
Is that really something to say?'
However, instead of showing anger, the actor under Min Woojin's charge lowered his eyebrows and gave a faint smile.
"I apologize for startling you, senior."
Kang Hyesung expected Han Yooil to show some anger or at least a hint of displeasure. However, he couldn't find any confusion in Yooil. Only a trace of pity was evident.
As if he didn't care about someone like him.
"I still have a lot to learn. I hope for your understanding in the future."
Moreover, understanding' as if hinting that similar incidents might occur again.
Look at this?'
Kang Hyesung's eyebrows slightly rose. His manager, observing this, anxiously averted his gaze.
Here comes another storm.'
The manager swallowed a sigh and forced a neutral expression, saddened by the fact that the shooting was just starting.
* * *
Meanwhile, time at the set of The Sun and the Moon' was bustling.
And as Yooil was preparing for the new semester's course registration, the broadcast of the first episode was approaching.
Motivated by his classmates insisting, "We must watch the first episode together," Yooil had invited them to his place.
Kim Jinwoo, who had conveniently taken a leave, was also able to join.
"Yooil, can I use this to brew some coffee?"
"Wow, how many inches is this? It's like a cinema, a cinema."
Stepping into the clean, newly built studio apartment, the classmates were visibly excited. Kim Jinwoo, bouncing on the sofa, turned his gaze to Hwang Riu, who was eating chocolate.
"Hey, this is good. Did you bring this?"
"It's the chocolate that was on the table."
Yooil watched his friends enjoying themselves in his home as if it were their own.
"Yooil, come sit down!"
"Okay."
Still, he wasn't in a bad mood.
Soon, the ordered spicy rice cakes arrived. As the spicy scent filled the living room, Kim Jinwoo's loud voice echoed through the house.
"Here it goes, here it goes!"
[The Sun and the Moon]
The title, written in an elegant font, appeared and then disappeared.
And with the nostalgic yet poignant opening music, the drama began.
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