As the broadcast date of "The Royal Physician" approached, KBC Channel began its promotion. They promoted it more enthusiastically than any other drama.
The public's response was overwhelmingly positive, making it more rewarding than ever.
Park Sejin, a solo singer from BrownBlack, sang the OST for "The Royal Physician."
Dong-dongβ the heavy drumbeat resonated in the heart.
A pitch-black brush, stained with ink, wrote "The Royal Physician" on the screen.
Starting with Lee Jiseok, who treated patients with a cold expression, followed by Taejong, who drew his sword with a terrifying face, Yangnyeong drinking alcohol, Hyoryeong and Wonkyeong Queen praying to Buddha, and Chungnyeong reading a book, their images appeared. Then,
it ended. After announcing the broadcast date, the next advertisement immediately followed.
- What about Seongnyeong?
- Hey! It seems someone was left out!
- I was waiting for the preview, and they just cut it off like that?!
- Seojoon isn't in any of the other promotional videos either!
* * *
"An Daeho, is today the last day?"
"Yeah."
An Daeho nodded in response to Seojoon's question. Today was the last day of filming before the broadcast. Even though An Daeho knew Seojoon's schedule by heart, he still took out his phone to double-check.
"There's a press conference on Monday, and the broadcasts are on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 PM. You can rest well and then start filming again the following week."
"Finally, it's going to air!"
"Indeed. Everyone has been waiting with tears in their eyes."
"Ahahaha."
Seojoon also saw the posts on the fan cafe. Many fans were crying because the promotion started too early, making them wait from February to April for two whole months, and Seojoon wasn't even in the promotional videos. However, the occasional photos of Seojoon provided some comfort.
"Seong! Let's start filming!"
"Sure!"
During the filming of "The Royal Physician," Seojoon often shot scenes with Chungnyeong and Taejong, as well as the Queen. The lead actor, Lee Jiseok, was always around.
Kim Jongho, who was kind to those he liked, sometimes called Seojoon 'Seong' after Seongnyeong's name. Seojoon smiled at Kim Jongho and said,
"Doesn't it sound like a dog's name when you call me 'Seong' a bit strongly?"
"Chong?"
"Yes."
"Then, should I call you 'Chong' from now on?"
"No!?"
Everyone burst into laughter at Seojoon's frightened expression. Park Do-hoon, who came to watch Seojoon's filming, also smiled.
Cheerfully laughing, PD Choi Min-sung raised his voice. The laughter subsided at his voice.
"Let's start the final filming before the broadcast. Let's do a great job until the end, rest well, and then start running again next week!"
Applause erupted from all around. Seojoon also clapped enthusiastically.
"Let's start filming!"
At the assistant director's voice, everyone found their positions.
Seojoon headed to the filming location. A staff member waiting at the entrance of the set sprayed a few drops of water on Seojoon's face.
"Keep this and spray a little when it dries."
Holding the small spray bottle given by the staff, Seojoon went inside. The filming location was Seongnyeong's quarters.
Seojoon lay down on the soft bedding in the room and covered himself with a warm blanket. He hid the spray bottle where it wouldn't be seen on camera and checked his face with the hand mirror given by An Daeho. People smiled at his carefulness.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Sure."
In response to the assistant director's question, Seojoon and Lee Jiseok answered. After checking the cameras, PD Choi Min-sung raised his voice.
"Ready, action!"
Taejong and the Queen visited Seongnyeong's quarters upon hearing that he had a fever. The physician, Heo Yuseon, stood in a corner to avoid the approaching Taejong and Queen.
Seongnyeong, lying on the bedding and moaning, greeted the two. Seeing his pale face and forced smile, Taejong and the Queen felt a pang of pain and quickly sat beside him.
"Seongnyeong, your mother is here."
"Seongnyeong, are you very sick?"
"I'm... fine."
Seeing the earnest and sickly son, Taejong and the Queen silently stroked his small hand. His hand was hot, and his face was flushed.
Kim Jongho and Lee Jihye were concerned about Seojoon's hot hand, wondering if he was really sick. The filming continued, and they wondered if he was really sick. Just then, PD Choi Min-sung called out,
"Cut, OK!"
As soon as they heard the call, Seojoon's complexion returned to normal. The previously gloomy atmosphere suddenly became lively like a blooming flower. Kim Jongho and Lee Jihye were speechless at the transformation.
The temperature of the hand they were holding was just right, surprisingly warm. They were already impressed by his acting skills, but they were even more amazed.
"Seojoon, do you act with your body temperature too?"
Although she knew her words sounded silly, Lee Jihye couldn't help but ask. Seojoon flinched at the question. How did she know?
[(Advanced) Red Slime Core]
This is the core of a red slime.
The core of a slime that uses fire as an attack method is hot.
While holding the core, you gain resistance to fire (high temperatures).
You can control the intensity of the fire (temperature).
The red slime core was used as a heating item. Although it was low-level and couldn't emit flames outside the body, it could regulate body temperature. Additionally, the resistance prevented any harm to the body.
Seojoon could only laugh it off in response to Lee Jihye's question. Thus, the final filming before the broadcast ended.
The cast of "The Royal Physician" decided to have dinner together. Kim Jongho called Park Do-hoon. During filming, Park Do-hoon always held the script in one hand, but today he put it in his bag and came to the restaurant.
Seeing Park Do-hoon's more relaxed appearance, Kim Jongho and Lee Jiseok smiled contentedly.
"Hello! Do-hoon-ssi!"
"Hi, Seojoon. Did the filming go well?"
"Yes. How was your interview?"
Seojoon waved to Park Do-hoon, who then sat next to him. The young lion emblem on Park Do-hoon's head caught everyone's attention, indicating that he belonged to Seojoon's group.
'Since he's still in the group, he must be improving slowly.'
Seojoon anticipated that Park Do-hoon would regain some confidence after all the filming of "The Royal Physician" was done and would eventually leave the group. Knowing when a member should leave the group was also a part of the young lion king's sense.
Soon, samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) was served. The managers sat at a different table in the same room. While eating the hot samgyetang, Lee Jiseok, who had been listening to the conversation about Seojoon's body temperature from Lee Jihye and Kim Jongho, said,
"That would be perfect for faking an illness."
The actors and managers burst into laughter. Seojoon, who was diligently separating the bones and meat, laughed and shook his head.
"I don't fake illnesses."
"At your age, you should fake an illness once or twice to avoid going to school."
"My parents would be shocked. I've never been to the hospital because I was sick."
"Really?"
The actors and managers eating samgyetang behind them were surprised and looked at Seojoon. An Daeho nodded, understanding why he hadn't heard Seojoon complain about being sick since they met.
Seojoon laughed. It was all thanks to his ability.
He had never had a fever or a cold, which everyone usually gets at least once as a child. Not only that, he had never fallen while playing, and he had never been cut or had minor injuries.
"I've been so healthy that I've only gone to the hospital for health check-ups and vaccinations, but never because I was sick."
"Really?"
"Yes. So if I fake an illness, my parents will be very surprised."
It wouldn't just be a surprise. If he had been a normal child who got sick and went to the hospital, it would be one thing, but for Seojoon, who had been very healthy until now, saying he was sick would cause a commotion.
"So I don't fake illnesses. My parents would worry."
"Wow, Seojoon is a filial son."
While eating samgyetang, the four actors and Seojoon chatted. Among the many topics, the most interesting to the five actors was the discussion about acting. Kim Jongho nodded.
"Method acting. That's why it was easy to get into character when acting with Seojoon. When one person is so immersed, it makes it easier to focus on the role."
"You too, right? I also wanted to act more with Seojoon. He really felt like a real prince. I was just a physician."
While filming with Seojoon, Lee Jiseok found it easier to get into the role of physician Heo Yuseon. He tried to maintain that feeling even in scenes without Seojoon.
Kim Jongho and Lee Jihye also felt that the cheerful Seongnyeong, played by Seojoon, was like a real son when they were filming. Park Do-hoon, although a bit complicated due to his ability, felt that Seojoon was a very reliable younger brother.
"Ah, is the rise in body temperature also due to method acting?"
Everyone nodded, thinking it was possible.
* * *
"Now, we will begin the press conference for KBC's Wednesday-Thursday drama, 'The Royal Physician.' We would like to express our gratitude to all the attendees, journalists, and those watching the live broadcast online."
As the MC spoke, people watching online left comments. The comments selected by the staff appeared on the screen behind the stage.
- I've been waiting! The press conference! I've been waiting! This week's Wednesday-Thursday!
- Two months felt like two years.
"Then, for the two months that felt like two years, we will invite the PD and actors of KBC's Wednesday-Thursday drama, 'The Royal Physician,' to the stage."
As the MC spoke, the side door of the stage opened, and PD Choi Min-sung appeared. Journalists in the audience snapped photos. Each time an actor appeared, the flashes went off.
Comments flooded in. The staff's eyes moved quickly, trying to find witty comments while filtering out profanity, insults, and hate comments.
"Let's start with an introduction of the roles each actor will play."
First, Lee Jiseok, who played the lead role of Heo Yuseon, took the microphone and looked at the camera.
"Hello, I am Lee Jiseok, playing the lead role of Heo Yuseon in 'The Royal Physician.' Heo Yuseon is a character who grew up lonely, being a bastard son of a noble family and losing his mother at a young age. He became a physician solely for success and entered the Royal Physician's office to become the highest-ranking physician, the royal physician. However..."
- It won't be that easy, right?
- For the protagonist, hardships and trials are a must!
The actors burst into laughter at the comments on the monitor in front of the stage. When Seojoon laughed, the comments exploded.
- Seojoon! So cute!
- He laughed at my comment!
"Yes, as the audience said, it won't be that easy. Please support Heo Yuseon as he overcomes hardships and trials."
Lee Jiseok sat down and passed the microphone to Seojoon. Everyone smiled proudly at his composed and unafraid demeanor despite the many journalists.
- The actors' collective parent smile π
- We're doing the same.
"Hello, I am Lee Seojoon, playing the role of Seongnyeong."
- Seongnyeong π’
- Prince Seongnyeong π’
"Seongnyeong is a very happy character, loved by his affectionate parents and wonderful older brothers. He loves playing and studying. He is a character who loves his family very much. Please give him lots of support and love."
Seojoon sat down, and Taejong, played by Kim Jongho, took the microphone. Comments flooded in, as if everyone had been waiting for this moment.
- After all those rebellions, he finally became king!
- Congratulations! Prime Minister! No, Your Majesty!
- Taejong, the man of blood and wind, really suits you!
"Ahem. I am Kim Jongho, playing the role of Taejong. Yes, after all the rebellions, I finally succeeded."
Everyone laughed at his words. Kim Jongho continued,
"However, I think Taejong in 'The Royal Physician' will be quite different from before. While he governs the country with a cold demeanor, he also loves his youngest son and wishes for his children's health. You will see a lot of his love for his family as a father."
The introductions continued, and finally, PD Choi Min-sung took the microphone.
"Hello, I am PD Choi Min-sung of 'The Royal Physician.' The drama focuses more on the daily lives of the royal family, from morning to night, including their meals and rest, rather than politics and rebellions. Through the eyes of physician Heo Yuseon, we explore Taejong's life as a king and a father, the life of the royal family, and the life of a person. And the death of a person."
Death. The word brought back memories of the articles they had seen for two months. Death, which even royalty cannot escape.
The comments, which had been flooding in, paused for a moment as everyone listened to PD Choi Min-sung's words.
"I hope this drama will leave a lasting impression in the hearts of the audience, even without the flashy scenes of battles or wars."
Applause broke out in response to PD Choi Min-sung's words.