Chapter 161: Blade’s Path
Alcohol
[Cha Eun-seong X Ha Muyoung Confirmed for Final Casting in Blade’s Path]
[A Combination of a Trusted Actor and a Trending Actor, Anticipation Rising↑]
[When is the Premiere of Blade’s Path?]
[Ha Muyoung, Nervous but Confident for His First Historical Drama Challenge]
As soon as the contract was stamped, articles poured in.
Everything was under fantastic conditions.
A renowned writer and PD who always deliver hits, Cha Eun-seong, considered a top-tier actor, and Ha Muyoung, the hottest star in the industry right now. And what about their agencies?
One has been established for almost fifteen years, while the other is backed by the SJ conglomerate.
With various synergy effects, casting articles about the two flooded the main portals in South Korea daily.
-Oh my God,, Jesus,, Muyoung in a historical drama? And as a king, too?
-Should I offer my neck?
-No, it’s been three years since Eun-seong’s last historical dramaㅠㅠㅠ I’ve been waiting so long, seriously, thank you to the production team, thank you for the casting
-Ha Muyoung as a king? ㅋㅋㅋHe’ll be so cute
-ㅇㅈ From his image, he suits a scholar better than a king
-There’s not much talk about Jungjong and Jo Gwang-jo, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m cheering for you. Please, no historical distortions, okay?
-Ha Muyoung is really on a roll; <You are a Star, I am a Star> and now his drama comeback is with Cha Eun-seong;; And as a lead;; Damn
-Time to drop the ‘rookie actor’ label for Ha Muyoung, huh?
-So, when’s the premiere? Hurry up and tell me, I’m getting dizzy…
“Ah. In two weeks?”
Muyoung asked again as he got out of the car.
He had arrived at a historical drama set in Yongin. It even had a small-scale palace modeled after Gyeongbokgung. Since many tourists visited, the parking lot was packed with cars.
“Yeah. Originally, we were only going to shoot three episodes and leave, but now it’s extended to five. Isn’t that more convenient?”
“It is for us.”
They would shoot a certain amount and then air the first episode.
This way, there would be no rushed production on-site, and it would be easier to manage the actors’ conditions.
“Hello.”
“Ah! Hi, Muyoung.”
Muyoung entered the set with Ko Gyeongmin, carrying his bag.
There were several areas, but of course, the palace was where the king needed to be.
At the entrance to the palace, a sign read, ‘Thank you for your cooperation during the filming of Blade’s Path.’’
“Whoa. This place is really cool.”
“Right? It’s been around for a while, but they did some renovation after the new mayor took office. Lucky for us, this place got fixed up first. And we’re the first ones in.”
The assistant director smiled as he explained.
The freshly painted exterior of the building was impressive, and the palace gardens were breathtaking.
A gently flowing artificial stream and pond, surrounded by tall trees.
Every time the wind passed, the green leaves rustled pleasantly.
“It feels like I’m really a king. So cool.”
“You are a king, Muyoung. Your Majesty, go get your makeup done.”
“Oh. Yep. Right, where’s Senior Cha Eun-seong?”
“He’s not here yet. He’s coming from Jeju Island, so he’ll be a bit late. We’ll shoot your solo scenes first.”
“Got it. I’ll get ready right away.”
Following the staff’s guidance, Muyoung headed to a small room inside, which seemed more like a storage room for miscellaneous items than a waiting room, but it appeared to be a favor from the theme park.
“Never thought the first hanbok I’d wear would be a dragon robe.”
The production budget was generous, so even the costumes were of high quality.
The intricate golden embroidery was so delicate that it drew his gaze.
“No beard, right?”
“He’s 19, I told you.”
“But they had beards back then.”
“If we get too picky, viewers will hate it. A beard on Muyoung’s face? No way. Here, open your mouth. The PD said to make it a bit moist.”
A vulnerable and melancholy young king. That was the order for his first appearance.
“Hyung. What scenes are we shooting today?”
“Ah. Hold on. From Scene 4 in Episode 1 and all the way through. Then from Scene 23 in Episode 3 to 34. And from Scene 1 in Episode 4 to 19…….”
Muyoung listened carefully to Ko Gyeongmin and met his own eyes in the mirror. The stylist tilted her head and asked,
“You don’t need to write it down?”
“Huh? No, no. Hyung’s got it.”
Besides, he already had all the mentioned scenes memorized.
He had studied the script like it was for a civil service exam, even memorizing the supporting roles’ lines.
“Alright. All done.”
“Thank you.”
The makeup emphasized his pale skin.
It looked especially good today. As he checked his outfit while chatting with the stylist,
“Cha Eun-seong is here!”
The sound of bustling staff came from beyond the door. Then, the door swung open, and Cha Eun-seong appeared, wearing sunglasses.
“Hello, Senior.”
Muyoung smiled and bowed. He had come right on time, despite coming all the way from Jeju.
Unlike the slightly stiff Ko Gyeongmin and the coordinator, Muyoung adjusted his attire in the mirror.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
He seemed even more irritable today.
Apart from the script reading, this was the first time they were working together since their individual shoots.
“Get out.”
“Yeah?”
Despite his cold words, Muyoung simply smiled and nodded in understanding. No matter how much the other person acted out, if you didn’t take it as such, there wouldn’t be a fight.
Thud-
“Sheesh. Why’s he like that in broad daylight?”
“Haha. Maybe he’s hungry?”
Muyoung entered the set, hearing Ko Gyeongmin muttering.
He didn’t expect a warm greeting, but at least some minimal interaction would be nice… What worried him was whether it would affect their acting chemistry.
‘I wonder what’s really going on.’
He had thought Cha Eun-seong was the source of the smoke.
But apart from his personal outbursts, the production was going smoothly, and externally, everything seemed almost perfect.
A great script, production company, actors, and even high viewer expectations.
“Hmm.”
Muyoung lightly shook his well-worn script. It was so marked up and folded that the pages seemed about to fall out.
But instead, there were scattered flower petals. And a faint smoke.
“Ugh, I don’t get it!”
“What?”
“Oh, PD-nim.”
“Finally, the first scene. I really wanted to shoot this one first.”
Due to production constraints, they couldn’t shoot in chronological order. Muyoung nodded in agreement.
“Then let’s check the camera. Go sit down.”
“Yes. Oh, Teacher!”
“Muyoung, the dragon robe suits you well.”
“A young person can pull off anything.”
They must have just returned from a coffee break. Veteran actors, part of the group that dethroned Yeonsangun and enthroned Jungjong, greeted Muyoung warmly.
“Standby, everyone! Muyoung!”
“Yes!”
At the assistant director’s call, Muyoung sat on the dragon throne. He leaned slightly against the back, just as the script and PD instructed.
Through the lens, the PD couldn’t contain his excitement and clapped.
“So pretty. Right?”
The red robe made his pale skin stand out even more.
The lavish embroidery and the beautiful palace—it was exactly as he had imagined.
“Shall I read the narration?”
“Yes. It’ll be easier for editing, too.”
“Sangmun! Come over here!”
The PD called the youngest staff member. Then, he sat right next to the camera, flipping through the script.
“Ready?”
“Yes. All set.”
“Rolling! Everyone, hold on a sec. Ready!”
The camera captured Muyoung sitting calmly.
Then, it slowly zoomed in on his face. The youngest staff member read Jungjong’s narration.
“Action!”
“……On a day when autumn was in full bloom, I became king.”
As he spoke, Muyoung began his emotional eye acting. His eyes glistened slightly with melancholy. Ko Gyeongmin instinctively clenched his fists at the sight.
‘Oh my. Peach, peach.’
The narration lasted about 15 seconds.
The screen only showed Muyoung’s flawless face. The directing team worried it might be too long, but the PD was adamant.
What could be more entertaining than watching a handsome face?
Moreover, Muyoung subtly moved his facial muscles, showcasing a range of expressions.
“Your Majesty.”
A veteran actor squatting next to the staff delivered his line. Then, Muyoung’s eyes lit up, as if snapping out of a reverie.
“Okay! Cut!”
“Great. Let’s move on, everyone.”
“Alright.”
The minister who had called for Muyoung bowed before him. And the shooting continued. Soon, Cha Eun-seong, now in full costume, rustled in with his hanbok.
Jo Gwang-jo knelt at the king’s feet.
Weak royal authority naturally led to social chaos. Rebellions by Park Yeong-mun and Shin Yun-mu, along with ominous thunder and lightning during the day, added to the turmoil.
“Raise your head.”
At Jungjong’s command, Jo Gwang-jo slowly lifted his face. His expression was that of a steadfast scholar. Jungjong, intrigued, questioned him.
“I’ve read your memorial. Did I misunderstand it?”
Due to the unsettling events, there was talk of reinstating the king’s first wife, whom he had deposed.
This had reignited power struggles among the officials, and Jo Gwang-jo, newly passed the exam, had just submitted a memorial on the matter.
“No, Your Majesty. What is written cannot be undone. The memorial I submitted reflects my true intentions.”
But that memorial was quite bold.
In modern terms, it was like a sharp new hire telling the executives they were incompetent and should all be fired.
Jungjong let out an incredulous laugh as he looked down at him.
“Words carry responsibility, something you know well. No regrets?”
“As a subject, how could I regret stating what I believe is right? That’s absurd, Your Majesty.”
Jungjong silently stroked his chin, staring intently. He needed a force to counterbalance the meritorious subjects. Someone from the scholar-officials with some backbone… Like this madman who charges ahead without thinking…
“Your words have all the officials at each other’s throats. The court is in such disarray that my head aches.”
“I apologize.”
“So, you take responsibility.”
“……What?”
“Take responsibility.”
At Jungjong’s informal tone, Jo Gwang-jo furrowed his brow. He couldn’t grasp what his king wanted. Their eyes locked in mid-air.
“Ah, okay! Cut! Great job, everyone!”
Applause and the PD’s cut sign came simultaneously.
It was the last shoot of the day, and everyone’s faces were beaming with satisfaction.
Of course, the results were highly satisfying, too.
“Good work.”
“Yeah. Good job.”
While Muyoung chatted with the staff, Cha Eun-seong sat quietly, plucking at his beard.
He was definitely a pro—his aura in front of and behind the camera was completely different.
Look, as soon as the shoot ended, the irritation kicked in.
“Ugh…”
“Aigo, Eun-sang. You’ll hurt your skin. Wet it with water before plucking.”
“Then get the water ready. It’s so itchy.”
“S-Sorry.”
The poor manager was the only one suffering.
While his manager tidied his chin, Cha Eun-seong checked his phone and muttered,
“You know about the dinner next week, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I know.”
“Call me when you’re here.”
“Who are you meeting?”
“Director Im and his people.”
As he spoke, a faint smoke curled from his lips. Muyoung, who was chatting with the staff, paused and stared at him.
“Muyoung?”
“Just a sec.”
Unaware that Muyoung was eavesdropping, Cha Eun-seong continued to complain.
“And go easy on the drinks……”
“Handle it yourself. You’re so annoying with all the nagging.”
“……Shut up.”
“Yeah.”
As soon as Cha Eun-seong mentioned drinking, the smoke from the script began to rise slightly. Muyoung reflexively rushed over and called out,
“Uh, Senior!”
“……?”
Why so friendly all of a sudden? Cha Eun-seong glared at him like he was crazy.
But Muyoung just smiled, though his words came out awkwardly.
“You don’t have to drink, right?”
“……What?”