Chapter 86:
What?
Yooil's brow furrowed at the unexpected term.
A nickname, The doom-bringer,' has emerged for Kang Hyesung as several male actors who worked with him saw their image plummet due to controversies.
While digesting the overly informative explanation, Yooil slowly nodded.
Its all Kang Hyesungs doing.
Yooil blinked at Lee Bohees statement.
Seeing Han Yooils confused look, Lee Bohee elaborated,
Those male actors who fell from grace, it was all Kang Hyesungs doing. Its been that way for a while. Since we did a drama together 9 years ago.
!
'Kim Dohyun', the lead of <Noble One>, took a few years off due to school violence controversies.
It wasnt like that at first but it got weirder. Maybe something got into him at the agency Anyway, the article about you, thats Kang Hyesungs doing too.
Are you certain?
98.9% certain. I overheard him talking to someone.
Lee Bohee explained that she hadnt heard everything from start to finish.
I think he said something like, Make a big deal out of a juicy item. Probably talking to a reporter.
Sighing, he added,
I wanted to believe it wasnt him. I thought hed lay low this time.
I see.
Yooil hadnt even considered that possibility.
Certainly, Chairman Jang Jaehyun would want to know about this.
Thank you for telling me, senior.
It's nothing. Im just beating the drum after the battle is over
Just then, the assistant director's voice chimed in.
Were about to take the shot~
* * *
Meanwhile, as Han Yooil and Lee Bohee were busy filming, Kang Hyesung arrived late and was getting his makeup done.
With a sour expression, he grabbed her phone as soon as the makeup team left.
No, thats not what we agreed on!
Kang Hyesung kept her voice low while on the call.
You promised to find a solid angle to explode this What is this, huh?
Listen Its not a joke over here either. JJ is making a fuss about suing us.
Ha, and youre blaming this prank on us?
Kang Hyesung pressured, but the other party was not easily swayed.
You said youd cover for us, so I pushed it but this is not what we agreed on.
So this is how you play?
Kang Hyesung bit his lip.
Listen. Putting everything else aside Can you really assure us that T.O. Entertainment will handle everything?
Oh, dont worry about that. You know weve handled things like this before.
Irritatedly ending the call, Kang Hyesung sighed heavily.
Tsk.
Annoying.
He muttered to himself while taking a sip of his Americano.
Uh, sir.
Yeah.
Its a call from the manager
Tell them Im busy right now.
Normally, such a response would suffice to end the conversation. However, unusually, his manager stood firm, phone in hand.
But it seems the manager is busier than you are right now.
What now?
Kang Hyesung grimaced as he took the phone. As soon as the manager handed it over, he quickly left the waiting room.
Hello~?
Kang Hyesung answered the call with his usual nonchalant demeanor.
However, what came back was a voice sharp enough to sting the ears.
Hey! Kang Hyesung, you jerk!
Kang Hyesung involuntarily flinched at the managers voice.
Manager~?
Yeah, its me, you bastard.
The manager didnt waste any time and started berating.
Is this mess with Han Yooil your doing? Are you out of your mind? Getting pampered all the time made you think youre the king or something?! Huh?!
Caught off guard by the unexpected outburst, Kang Hyesung quickly regained her composure and put on a calculated smile.
No Manager, didnt we wrap up these discussions a long time ago?
Ha Sure. But why did you have to mess with JJ of all companies, you XXX?!
JJ?
Momentarily furrowing her brow in thought, Kang Hyesung realized it was Han Yooils agency.
Whys that?
That companys boss is a total nutjob. A real madman!
What do you mean
You remember Park Younghyun, right? You pulled him out of there. Do you know how much they harassed our company back then?
He hadnt considered the specifics of the agency, only thinking about removing an obstacle.
Kang Hyesung stood holding the phone, his face blank.
* * *
Even after leaving the waiting room, Kang Hyesung was still in a daze.
His mind was completely blank.
This isnt right.
Things had gotten tangled up worse than he could have imagined.
Male actors his age usually had something come up clubbing, rough high school years, liking women, etc.
But just that one thing comes out?
And it ended up garnering sympathy solely for Han Yooil.
Moreover, he just heard that his agency was like a rabid dog on the chase.
Senior, are you okay?
Han Yooil looked as calm as ever. That just annoyed Kang Hyesung even more.
It's all because of this guy.
If only Han Yooil hadnt taken the role of Yoo Kwon, if the role hadnt been strong enough to push the lead aside
Kang Hyesung gritted her teeth and spoke.
Lets just get it over with. Im not feeling well.
Understood.
The camera started rolling, and Director Do Junhwan shouted, Action!
Why make such a choice?
The scene began and ended with Lee Bins line.
The action and lines flowed seamlessly.
Cut!
Director Do Junhwan began monitoring with a serious expression.
But Yooil was tilting his head in thought.
Somethings missing.
It was a similar sense of dissatisfaction he felt while practicing at the action school.
The quality is different.
The difference was that he felt it not from himself, but from his co-actor.
It was unpleasant to know the other party had not liked him from the start, and even attempted to send him to doom.'
But what was most unpleasant was that the other party wasnt acting properly.
Director.
Hmm? What is it, Yooil?
Id like to go for another take.
Director Do Junhwan was puzzled.
This take was fine though.
But as soon as the new take started, the director revised his thoughts. Han Yooils acting was fiercer than before.
Oh?
Director. Im really sorry. Can we go for one more time?
Kang Hyesung, glaring at Han Yooil as if to kill him, complied with the directors question of Is it okay with you too, Hyesung?'
Action!
And so the third, fourth takes began.
Whats this, theres still this much energy left?
Given the weight of the swords used in the action scene, it was bound to be physically taxing.
But Yoo Kwons sword was sharper and more menacing.
It wasnt just about swinging the sword.
Hes completely devouring the scene.
Completely exhausted, Kang Hyesung seemed like a plaything in Han Yooil's hands. Director Do Junhwan narrowed his eyes, focusing on the monitoring.
Better than I thought.
Even though it had slightly deviated from the script, the picture on the camera looked quite impressive.
Now even the director was curious about the next take.
However, Han Yooils endless takes soon came to an abrupt end.
Damn it, are you insane? Are you trying to kill someone?!
Unable to hold back anymore, Kang Hyesung stormed off the set.
What just happened?
Why, whats going on?
Kang Hyesung staggered off the set, his legs barely supporting him. Whispers from around pierced his ears.
But what mattered to him at the moment wasnt the gossip.
Damn it.
Kang Hyesung was more afraid of what was to come.
Maybe it was because of that fear.
He didnt even notice one of the staff recording her with a phone.
* * *
Amidst the unsettled atmosphere among the production crew after the last shoot, the viewers, oblivious to the behind-the-scenes drama, were just eagerly awaiting the final episode.
Cant wait
Feels like my heart's going to leap out of my mouth
Im so nervous thinking about watching The Sun and the Moon, but also sad it's the final episode..
Why cant it just go on forever
Finally, the evening of the last episode of <The Sun and the Moon> arrived.
HM was among those waiting for the final episode. After successfully passing her exams and quitting her job studying for the civil service, HM was enjoying the best unemployed life.
This is life.
HM sat in front of the television with her parents, watching the opening.
Her parents, who loved historical dramas, had been watching every episode of <The Sun and the Moon> since its first airing.
The last episode started with a close-up of Yoo Kwons face.
Wow~ So handsome.
Hes a bad guy, whats the use of being handsome?
If hes handsome, hes a good guy!
While her parents discussed Yoo Kwons looks, HM focused all her attention on the screen.
After it was revealed that Yoo Dohwa had immunity to the plague midway through, she concentrated on using her blood to create a cure.
After hundreds, thousands of attempts, Yoo Dohwa finally succeeded in creating a cure.
A medicine made by boiling the bark of the willow tree, fruit of the ratbane tree, and leaves of the miles away, then dropping a drop of her own blood in the final stage. It was the most effective cure that used the least amount of her blood.
But as more people were cured, rumors of a living medicine' spread, and even assassins targeting Yoo Dohwa appeared.
Yoo Kwon, who had been away from Yoo Dohwa for a while, helping Prince Im Yeon, rushed to her aid when she was in danger.
After swiftly dispatching the assassins targeting her, Yoo Kwon looked down at Yoo Dohwa with a serene face.
Youre in danger again. As usual.
Again, you say.
You were always like this. If you were out of sight, you were surely stirring up some trouble.
That was what he found amusing, though.
Yoo Kwon whispered quietly. Yoo Dohwa avoided his piercing gaze.
Do you harbor affection for that man?
Yoo Kwon asked abruptly.
He knew Yoo Dohwa. She was someone who would choose frolicking in the meadows over being confined in a luxurious room.
So, if she had a choice, it would naturally be by his side, not Lee Bins
Thats what he thought.
You said you disliked a position that binds you, that doesnt allow you to be yourself.
His Highness is not that kind of person.
Ha!
Yoo Kwon genuinely laughed.
Crown Princess Was it truly that position you coveted!
I have never coveted any position.
Then why!
Yoo Kwons eyes quivered.
Why dont you see me?
Is it really that I don't exist in your heart?
Am I someone you can't have?
All those questions were entangled in the gaze that Yoo Kwon directed at Yoo Dohwa.
Gasp!
HM, forgetting her parents were right beside her, started to curse in awe.
Wow, XX, this is insane
Mind your language.
As viewers frantically typed comments while watching the drama live, the chat was exploding with rapid messages.
This is insane
(Comment from someone who's already dead)
The poison tastes sweet
Dohwa is badass I would have followed Yoo Kwon out of fear
Im seriously getting butterflies Is this abnormal?
Beep, you're normal
Yoo Kwon's attempts to win Dohwas heart faced yet another setback.
Prince Im Yeon's rebellion to seize the throne also ends in failure.
The highlight was the final showdown between Lee Bin and Yoo Kwon.
And in that scene, Han Yooil acted as if he was truly out of his mind.
Does His Highness harbor feelings for my sister?
Yoo Kwon's lips twisted into a smirk.
Then he started swinging his sword with a look that could devour Lee Bin.
It was a fierce performance that overshadowed his co-actor.
The moment that broke Yoo Kwon, after toying with Lee Bin who chased him with all his might, was a single line from Lee Bin.
How could such a thing be the eyes of a brother!
And then, bloodied, Lee Bin delivered the final blow. Yoo Kwon fell slowly, his body impaled by the sword.
Blood flowed from Yoo Kwon's mouth and eyes. The added sound of blood in the editing process sent shivers down the spine of everyone watching in their cozy living rooms.
You will never understand.
Yoo Kwon's eyes were filled with rage, frustration and madness.
Nor will you.
Lee Bin, who had been watching him with cold eyes, finally spoke.
Do you even know what color Dohwa likes? Which season she prefers to walk in? Isn't your mind occupied only by yourself?
Yoo Kwons empty eyes filled the screen
And the scene shifted.
Wow, held my breath while watching.
Why am I crying?
Yoo Kwon dont die
Dont kill, and dont die
Han Yooils acting, what's going on?
Its a fight scene but I only see Yoo Kwon, is this right?
In The Sun and the Moon,' the moon is Yoo Kwon, right?
Is Kang Hyesung not feeling well? Why does he seem so powerless?
Agree
Prince Seongwon, with the robust support of Lee Bin, ensures that Dohwas cure spreads across the nation.
Lee Bin is smoothly appointed as the Crown Prince, and Dohwa, having played a crucial role in eradicating the plague, is honored with the title of Chaste and Respectful Lady'. It was a title usually given to the wives of civil/military officials but was awarded considering her heroic role in a crisis that could have led to the nations downfall.
Years later, the drama ends with a scene of Lee Bin, now a wise king, strolling through the palace with Dohwa by his side.
It was a beautiful story
As long as Dohwa is happy
Kwon-ah
I wonder is our Kwon lying in a place bathed in sunlight..?
Maybe he was disgracefully discarded somewhere
DamnThat's too cruel
HM closed the door and quietly swallowed her tears.
She never knew the pain of rooting for a secondary male lead could be this tormenting.
HM began furiously uploading her tearful BlueChat posts.
Thats when she saw it.
What?
HM stumbled upon an unexpected post.
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