Chapter 158: Cha Eun-seong
Hwayangyeonhwa. What a pretty name.
Muyoung fiddled with his fingers as he looked at the production company name on the cover. Gyeongmin, sitting beside him, was also slightly tense.
“Just a moment. The director and the team leaders are coming up soon.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
It had been a week since he received the script and sent his opinion that he wanted to do it.
Muyoung was there for what was ostensibly a meeting with the production staff but was actually an audition.
Gyeongmin gulped down the water in front of him and muttered with a sour voice.
“Is Cha Eun-seong coming today too?”
“Is it fixed?”
“I heard so.”
“Oh. I see.”
It was a drama with two leads. The roles of Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo were perfectly balanced, with not even a slight tilt between the two protagonists.
“Actually, I heard that this role also went to Daniel and Park Han-ram.”
“They would have suited it well. Both of them, image-wise.”
“But they got rejected because Cha Eun-seong was doing it. They said it absolutely didn’t suit his personality.”
Wow. That much?
Come to think of it, Daniel had a hot-blooded young man vibe, and Park Han-ram also seemed polite and upright. At least, going purely by their images.
“Well, that’s good for me.”
“……Even if this doesn’t work out, don’t be too disappointed. We have a mountain of good scripts waiting.”
Since Muyoung said he wanted to do it, it was the first choice. Even if, somehow, he slipped up, it was meant to be a consolation.
“Yes. It’s okay.”
Muyoung said that and fiddled with the corner of the script again. It had already been over two years since he first saw the pollen. Now, he kind of understood what their silence was saying.
‘The work is a hit, but the colleagues are crappy, right?’
With smog added in, it might not even be satisfied with just ‘crappy.’ All sorts of worst-case scenarios flashed through Muyoung’s mind.
A major scandal leading to mid-production dropout? No, dropout would be fortunate. Public image deteriorating leading to boycotts? Hmm. Or maybe……
Squeak.
“Hello.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting. The meeting ran long.”
“Oh my. Nice to meet you, Ha Muyoung-ssi.”
At that moment, the door opened, and the drama’s production staff poured in. The PD and writer were also among them. Muyoung quickly pushed his stray thoughts aside and stood up.
“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Ha Muyoung. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Hello. I’m Manager Ko Gyeongmin.”
“Yes, yes. Please sit comfortably. Would you like some coffee?”
“I’ve already had a cup, thanks to your staff.”
The atmosphere was warm and friendly.
Muyoung and the others exchanged casual conversation, opening the way for more serious discussion.
“What do you think of the script?”
The PD asked first, exchanging a smile with the writer.
“It’s amazing. I’m honored to be offered the role. I checked, and there was only one drama centered on Jo Gwang-jo about 20 years ago.”
“Right. Muyoung-ssi must have been a baby then.”
“I wanted to check it out, but there was no material available.”
“Jo Gwang-jo is such a charming character, but there haven’t been many works featuring him as the lead. He was mostly a supporting character. Jungjong also didn’t have much in the way of achievements, and he’s not well-known to the public.”
He had mostly appeared as a supporting character. There was a reason for his lack of recognition……
“Still, I found him charming.”
“What about him?”
Unaware of the writer’s sparkling eyes, Muyoung just looked down at the script. Then, he smiled and answered.
“Well, I basically think that every life has meaning. Historical evaluations can be disappointing, but that’s not everything. What really drew me in was the writer’s interpretation.”
“My interpretation?”
“A personality that could cut off anyone, even someone he had given his whole heart to, if it was for the throne.”
The cruelty of raising Jo Gwang-jo to check power, only to eliminate him with his own hands.
“A weak king, swayed by his ministers, yet determined to survive no matter what.”
The tragedy of that noble bloodline, weighed down by the weakened royal authority, being swayed by the ministers.
“I liked that the writer didn’t divide Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo into good and evil. They’re all people moving for their own ideals, so that’s actually right.”
If I had to find the right word, it would be split personality.
Like a reed, swaying and seemingly weak, yet ruthless enough to end things without blood or tears for the sake of checks and balances.
The writer focused on this part to bring the character to life.
“A bit pathetic yet nasty—I wanted to try a role like this.”
As soon as Muyoung finished speaking, the writer folded her hands and murmured. Her face was truly satisfied.
“PD-nim. I told you, right? We’ll get along really well with Muyoung-ssi…… Sigh. You read it perfectly. Really. The character analysis is perfect. That’s exactly it.”
“And even if the public appeal of the characters is low, the events and conflicts are definite, given the turbulent times. The charm of the background is also something we can’t miss.”
It was a bloody era.
The work starts with the Jungjong coup that overthrew Yeonsangun and ends with the Literati Purge and Jo Gwang-jo’s death. It truly begins and ends with blood.
“Right. When I first said I was writing about Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo, there were some concerns. Why this, when there are good kings and good eras? But among the purges, the Literati Purge is the real bloody storm.”
The writer was a history buff.
Her excitement was evident as soon as history was mentioned.
When they said good kings and good eras, they meant Yeongjo, Jeongjo, or Sejong, who were guaranteed hits and had good public perception.
“It’s so nice that Muyoung-ssi gets it.”
“You must be really into history.”
“Oh my. Writer-nim. Muyoung-ssi is from Seoyeon University. I heard you need good Korean history scores to get in there.”
“Really? You’d have to graduate from Seoyeon to know.”
The conversation naturally shifted from the script to Muyoung’s academic background.
Actually, I just looked it up online……
Well, whatever works.
“Jungjong ascended the throne at 19. And the Literati Purge happened in the 14th year of Jungjong’s reign, so we needed a younger actor. But you’re still too young, Muyoung-ssi.”
Since the drama starts from the beginning of his reign, they needed an actor of the right age group. Early thirties, that’s manageable. Besides, this is a ‘fusion historical drama.’
“There will be some adaptations to suit the direction and visuals. Anyway, I really like your acting—”
“Thank you.”
“It seems like a good fit in many ways. How’s your schedule?”
At their words, Muyoung glanced at his manager. Gyeongmin smiled and answered instead.
“We’ll have to make some adjustments.”
“Of course. Of course!”
It was a roundabout way of saying they’d have to discuss the pay and appearance fee. Since both sides were already positive, it seemed like it would work out.
With Muyoung’s skyrocketing value after the mega-hit movie Street Sunlight, his price would be high.
“Definitely a high production cost this time.”
The PD muttered absentmindedly. With the Korean Wave gaining momentum, they planned to put a lot of effort into the hanbok and sets. And then there were the fees for the heavyweight and semi-heavyweight actors.
“Oh. About the Jo Gwang-jo role……”
As Muyoung trailed off, the production staff looked flustered.
The only sticking point. The co-star.
“Um, do you know Actor Cha Eun-seong?”
Not the person himself, but his personality.
Muyoung smiled and answered.
“I’ve never met him in person.”
“I see. Well, Cha Eun-seong is set to play Jo Gwang-jo. He’s got great visuals, and his acting is amazing. He’s also got brand power, and he’s huge in Southeast Asia and Japan these days.”
Everything he touches turns to gold.
He was a top star with enormous recognition, called a box office guarantee. That also meant his nose was sky-high.
“Writer-nim. Why leave out China?”
Then, a unfamiliar voice came from the side. A pleasant baritone. Muyoung jumped in surprise and turned to see the man he had only seen on TV standing there.
“Uh, Eunseong-ssi?”
“What brings you here?”
Everyone reflexively stood up to greet him. Muyoung did the same.
He flashed a neat smile and held up a coffee carrier.
“I was passing by and heard there was a partner meeting.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”
The production staff took the coffee from him. Cha Eunseong crossed his arms and looked down at Muyoung. He was incredibly tall, and his aura was denser than any actor Muyoung had ever met.
‘Wow. Really.’
He seemed like someone born to be a celebrity.
As his eyebrows furrowed slightly, Muyoung snapped back to attention and greeted him.
“Hello, senior. I’m Ha Muyoung. It’s an honor to meet you. I’m a huge fan.”
“……”
But there was no response.
He just scanned Muyoung up and down with a dissatisfied expression. The production staff froze, coffee cups in hand, at the oddly tense silence.
“Eunseong-ssi?”
“This kid is playing Jungjong?”
“It’s not confirmed yet—”
“Oh, come on, PD-nim. That’s too much.”
His narrow eyes curved into a smile. Just looking at his smile, he seemed incredibly cool……
“What are you going to do with a kid like this? Will you even be able to exchange lines? I’m not sure if you can handle a verbal spar, being so pale and weak.”
The confrontation between Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo was the highlight of the drama.
As Muyoung stood there blankly, Cha Eunseong openly mocked him.
“And I specifically asked for someone with experience in historical dramas. Modern dramas are one thing, but historical language isn’t easy. You need some experience. You know that, right?”
“Still, Muyoung-ssi is young, so he’ll pick it up quickly. His acting sense is good, and he’s proven himself in many ways.”
The PD responded, taking Muyoung’s side.
Cha Eunseong sat down in the opposite chair, crossed his legs casually, and wiggled his toes as he looked Muyoung over again.
“Hmm. I don’t know. You said your name was Muyoung-ssi?”
“Yes, senior.”
“Do you think you can handle it?”
Muyoung sat back down and smiled. Gyeongmin, who had been standing awkwardly, did the same.
This guy, Cha Eunseong, has a talent for making polite speech sound like banter. Muyoung nodded.
“I’ll do my best.”
“That’s not enough. This isn’t child’s play.”
“Oh. Then I’ll make sure to do well.”
Muyoung responded without a change in expression.
The production staff subtly glanced at Cha Eunseong, looking surprised.
‘In reality, Cha Eunseong is the senior and the adult, but in the drama, it’s the opposite……’
Even in the tense atmosphere, the writer noticed the amusing contrast.
“……Wow. Sassy.”
It had a hint of backtalk, so Cha Eunseong muttered, sounding exasperated. The production staff quickly tried to shift the mood.
“Oh, hahaha!”
“Right? Muyoung-ssi is kind of cute. Yeah.”
The surrounding noise seemed not to reach their ears. Cha Eunseong’s sharp gaze locked onto Muyoung, who smiled brightly and took it all in.
Sizzle—
Where their eyes met, invisible sparks seemed to fly.