Chapter 83

From 0 years old, Superstar 83rd Episode

The fusion historical drama, "The Royal Physician," was produced in a semi-preproduction format. The B team was responsible for filming minor scenes, while the A team handled large-scale scenes that could not be filmed during regular broadcasts due to the massive number of people involved.

“Wow.”

It was still winter at the end of February. A cold wind was blowing.

Seo Jun, who was enjoying his winter vacation by skating hard at the ice rink, visited the filming site at Lee Ji-seok's suggestion.

Since it was an outdoor shoot, he wore a thick jacket and a small mimetic bag over his shoulder, with a hand warmer inside to keep him warm.

“How is it? Isn’t it cool?”

“Yes!”

Seo Jun nodded in response to Lee Ji-seok’s words.

The palace, beautifully decorated with colorful fabrics, the people in official robes, and the numerous staff. This was the first time he had seen so many people filming.

Today was the day they were filming the scene of King Sejong’s ascension to the throne.

“Seeing this in person is better than watching it on TV. You can learn a lot, too.”

Lee Ji-seok said with a proud look. Seo Jun and An Da-ho nodded.

The actors with lines were rehearsing under the direction of the assistant director, while the extras were assigned their positions by the staff.

Honestly, his eyes were more drawn to the extras, who were all dressed the same and hard to distinguish, rather than the actors in their elaborate costumes.

He saw people who looked like they had come to work part-time, chatting and laughing with their friends, and others who were watching the actors with serious expressions.

Seo Jun felt a bit envious looking at their faces, which were full of admiration.

As time passed, everyone completed their preparations for the shoot. Since it was a large-scale production, a single mistake could cause significant problems, so everyone focused to avoid making any errors.

The actors who needed to move around confirmed their routes one last time. The staff, who had been running around, all headed to the perimeter of the set.

Seo Jun and Lee Ji-seok stood in a place where they wouldn’t be in the shot, a bit further away, to watch the filming.

With nothing in the frame, PD Choi Min-sung shouted loudly.

“Ready, action!”

The officials appeared one by one. Not only the extras in official robes but also people in various costumes found their positions. Lee Ji-seok whispered to Seo Jun.

“King Sejong’s ascension ceremony was attended by students from the Seonggyungwan, foreigners, the elderly, and monks.”

“Really?”

Music played. Although the sound would be dubbed later, PD Choi Min-sung had a traditional music ensemble perform live to create a vivid atmosphere on set.

King Sejong, riding in a palanquin, appeared. Sejong took his seat, and the ascension ceremony began. A solemn atmosphere filled the set.

Fortunately, the ceremony was completed without any NGs. Everyone sighed in relief and quickly put on their padded jackets.

While the staff prepared for close-up shots, the extras warmed up.

The way so many people moved in unison was truly impressive. It felt as if they had fallen into the Joseon era and were watching King Sejong’s ascension ceremony.

Seo Jun asked Lee Ji-seok. He thought other large-scale shoots would be incredibly fun.

“Are there more shoots like this?”

“Hmm. Should we ask PD?”

In response to their question, PD Choi Min-sung scratched his head and said.

“Yes. The funeral of Prince Sungnyeong, the funeral of Queen Wongyeong, and the funeral of King Taejong.”

“All funerals?”

“This period is a bit like that. People get sick and die. If you’re curious, feel free to come and watch. Even though it’s a fusion historical drama, we did thorough research on events like this!”

“Yes!”

More large-scale shoots continued afterward. Seo Jun called a coffee truck for the filming of Prince Sungnyeong’s funeral. Several food trucks were set up outside the set so that even the extras could enjoy them comfortably.

A banner reading “Prince Sungnyeong is treating everyone!” hung on the food trucks. Everyone laughed, saying, “Prince Sungnyeong is giving us coffee at his own funeral,” and enjoyed warm tea and coffee.

After filming the scenes that required a large number of people, the filming of "The Royal Physician" Episode 1 began.

Episodes 1, 2, and 3. The smooth filming quickly brought Seo Jun’s shooting day closer.

“It’s still a bit cold.”

An Da-ho, who had finished applying makeup, helped Seo Jun put on his outer jacket as he waited for the shoot.

Wearing a padded jacket over his hanbok made him look a bit funny. The hand warmers he had attached inside were still warm.

Seo Jun’s first scene was filmed on the set. Although it was March and the flowers were blooming, the set was chilly.

During this time, the protagonist, Heo Yuseon, had entered the royal physician’s office and became the disciple of the royal physician, Yang Hongdal.

Today was the scene where Heo Yuseon and Prince Sungnyeong meet for the first time. Lee Ji-seok, wearing the uniform of a royal physician, approached Seo Jun with a smile.

“Oh, Prince! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you!”

“Heo Yuseon, it’s been a while!”

“Hahaha. Seo Jun is doing pretty well, too.”

Seo Jun responded playfully to Lee Ji-seok’s words. Lee Ji-seok, who laughed happily, sat down next to Seo Jun.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine!”

Lee Ji-seok took out a hand warmer, and Seo Jun pointed to the side of his chair. Everyone who saw him asked if he wasn’t cold and gave him hand warmers. He already had a box full of them.

It seemed that Yoon Sung-oh had also visited, as Lee Ji-seok had several hand warmers similar to the ones he was holding.

“You’re popular. We won’t be able to use all these hand warmers during this shoot.”

“I feel a bit warmer now.”

Still, he kept them because everyone had given them to him. As he chatted with Lee Ji-seok, time quickly passed.

“We’re starting the shoot!”

At the assistant director’s voice, everyone found their positions. Seo Jun, feeling his heart race, headed to the shooting location.

Soh Eun-jin, the writer, who was waiting in front of the set, cheered him on. Seo Jun smiled and waved.

Looking around, he saw many people who had come to watch his shoot. Kim Jong-ho and Lee Ji-hye waved to Seo Jun. Park Do-hoon, who played King Sejong and whom he had seen at every large-scale shoot, was also there.

Park Do-hoon, who met Seo Jun’s eyes, nodded slightly. Although they had exchanged many greetings over the past few days, they hadn’t become as close as Uncle Jong-ho and Aunt Ji-hye. However, the persistence had paid off, and now they greeted each other.

‘I have to become friends today!’

Seo Jun clenched his fist and headed to the set.

Seo Jun stepped into Prince Sungnyeong’s well-decorated room. His appearance, sitting on a cushion as he crossed the room, was like a painting. The staff whispered to each other, impressed by how well Seo Jun fit the background.

“I thought he wouldn’t fit a historical drama, but he really looks like a prince from the Joseon era.”

“Yeah, this drama is going to be a hit.”

As everyone whispered, the assistant director, who had seen PD Choi Min-sung nod, raised his voice.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Okay.”

In response to the assistant director’s words, Seo Jun and Lee Ji-seok answered. The staff, who had been whispering, also fell silent.

PD Choi Min-sung, pleased with the quiet set, looked at the camera screens set up in various places. He checked for any flaws and the positions of the two actors.

With a satisfied smile, PD Choi Min-sung raised his voice.

“We’re starting the shoot.”

Seo Jun straightened his shoulders and back. He exhaled and recalled the ability he had found in the Library of Life. The pattern of a roaring baby lion on the back of his right hand shimmered.

[(Passive) Young Lion King’s Dignity - Low]

At a young age, he ascended to the throne of the Lion King.

To lead the pride, only the ability of 'dignity' increased among many abilities.

Activation: Tap the fingers twice.

Also known as the