After finishing all the house cleaning, Olivia planned to enjoy a relaxing weekend by watching dramas on the paid streaming site [Plus+]. She munched on snacks while searching for a good drama to watch.
She was willing to watch foreign dramas if they had subtitles, but there was nothing particularly appealing.
"This one isn't great either…"
Eventually, Olivia's eyes landed on the [Actor of the Week] banner on the homepage.
The [Actor of the Week] category on the paid streaming site [Plus+] featured a selection of works by a chosen actor each week. Sometimes it was a famous Hollywood actor, and other times it was someone famous only in their own country.
"Still, if they're famous in their country, there must be a reason."
Olivia knew about actors from around the world who had gained overseas fans thanks to the [Actor of the Week] feature.
"I wonder who's up this week."
When she clicked the banner, a screen full of actors' photos appeared. They were from diverse nationalities, including India, China, France, and Italy. Among them, one photo stood out: a child with a bright smile.
[Seo Jun Lee]
"Jun, you're already a star. I've seen them all, but they're still fun, so should I watch one more time?"
Olivia, who had already watched the Korean film 'Akhling' on Plus+, smiled and clicked on Seo Jun's photo.
Shadowman 1, Shadowman 2, Akhling. As Olivia was trying to decide which of the three movies to watch, her expression stiffened.
"Huh?"
[Theater / 'Spring' Episodes 1-8] NEW!
[Drama / Royal Physician Episodes 1-8] NEW!
Seo Jun Lee's new works had been released.
* * *
"So it's a huge mess."
KBC, the production company, and the paid streaming site [Plus+] were all in turmoil.
While they had all expected Seo Jun's name to draw attention, the results exceeded their expectations. The number of views increased daily, and the number of people subscribing to Plus+ to watch Seo Jun Lee's new works also grew.
"There are a lot of comments saying the young prince is cute."
"If Episode 14 is uploaded, it'll be a big deal."
Seo Jun's words made Lee Ji-seok laugh. He placed a large bone from the potato stew on Seo Jun's plate and one on his own.
"We upload two episodes each week, so there's still some time. By the way, I heard there's a plan to release a special episode of 'Royal Physician' on Plus+."
At this, Seo Jun let out a bitter laugh. His head turned toward the TV installed in one corner of the restaurant. A rerun of the 'Royal Physician' special was on.
[As you may have seen in the historical drama, we must first quarantine the village where the patients with Chajin appear. Then, we call the physicians to start the treatment. Although it's not the perfect cure, I will make a decoction that can help today. If I were in charge, I would prescribe this decoction to Prince Seongnyeong first.]
KBC, thrilled by the enthusiastic response from 'Royal Physician' viewers, broadcast the special episode.
They even demonstrated how to make a decoction that could help treat Chajin using medicinal herbs from the Joseon era.
On the TV screen, a doctor was diligently boiling the decoction in a studio.
"Is that really going to be uploaded?"
"Of course. Thanks to 'Royal Physician,' there's a lot of interest in Korean medicine overseas. There are more customers at Korean medicine clinics abroad. I don't know what will happen if Prince Seongnyeong dies, but right now, it's a hot topic. I heard they'll also show how to treat Chajin with Western medicine in the 'Royal Physician' special. Since Plus+ is widely watched globally, that's not a bad thing."
"Why would anyone watch that?"
"Useless stories are often the most interesting. People wonder if Prince Seongnyeong could have been saved if this medicine existed, and what would have happened if he had lived."
"I see."
She replied, but she didn't understand what was so interesting.
Seo Jun took a spoonful of the broth. The hot potato stew was delicious.
* * *
Episode 23 of 'Royal Physician' aired.
Upon hearing the news of Chajin in Gyeonggi Province, King Sejong immediately summoned a man without hesitation. Heo Yuseon, who was prostrate, lifted his head at Sejong's call.
"I have a task for you, Heo Euiwan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Chajin has broken out in Muwuri. I want you to go there."
Heo Yuseon, who had been listening to Sejong's words without much thought, shuddered. Sejong knew. If other physicians had shuddered at his words, it would have been out of fear of Chajin, but this man was different.
"…Chajin?"
Heo Yuseon blurted out, seemingly forgetting he was in the king's presence.
Chajin?
"Hah…"
Heo Yuseon bowed his head, his body shrinking. His back trembled as it had on that day, but this time it was different.
"Ah, ahahaha!!!"
Heo Yuseon laughed maniacally. The guards outside burst into the room at the sound of his deranged laughter. Sejong silently waved his hand. The laughter that echoed through the palace, urging Heo Yuseon to leave, stopped.
"Your Majesty."
Heo Yuseon lifted his head. The viewers were shocked by the distorted face of Heo Yuseon, captured on screen.
"Your grace is boundless!!"
- Wow, that could have been the end of Episode 23.
- Yeah, but there's still half left.
Heo Yuseon packed his bags. He gathered the research materials King Sejong had prepared and his own notes. The other physicians shook their heads at the sight of Heo Yuseon packing frantically.
"Has he gone mad, being sent to a dangerous place?"
"Didn't you hear? He said the king's grace was boundless. He must be crazy."
Before heading to Muwuri, Heo Yuseon visited Prince Seongnyeong's tomb. He bowed at the neatly maintained tomb and then headed to Muwuri with a stern face.
Smoke rose. It was a typical village ravaged by a contagious disease. Heo Yuseon, with a white cloth tied around his mouth, entered the village.
Dead bodies were scattered everywhere. Heo Yuseon, who didn't even glance at the corpses, asked a soldier.
"Where are the patients?"
"This way, sir."
The soldier led the way. The patients were sitting around haphazardly.
Heo Yuseon first divided the patients based on their condition. He entrusted those with less severe symptoms to the physicians who had come with him and began to care for the more serious cases, which no one wanted to handle.
"Hmm, this isn't it either."
Heo Yuseon didn't treat anyone carelessly. However, the treatment methods he had researched didn't work on the patients. One person died, then another. Sejong, who shared Heo Yuseon's determination, sent ample medicinal supplies.
While Heo Yuseon was trying to improve the failed treatment methods, a voice called out.
"Sir! Sir!"
"What is it!"
A voice from outside called for Heo Yuseon. When he opened the door, he saw a soldier carrying someone.
"It's a herb gatherer's child who lives in the mountains. I went to check on him because he hadn't come down recently, and he was infected with Chajin!"
"Put him on the bed."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier carefully laid the child down.
Dong!
The drum that had been silent for several episodes sounded. The viewers, who had been watching 'Royal Physician' intently, shuddered at the sound. Their hearts raced like Pavlov's dogs.
Dong!
The dark shadow of the soldier gradually disappeared, revealing the child's face. Heo Yuseon's expression, which had been calm as he prepared to examine the patient, suddenly wavered. His mouth opened involuntarily.
The people watching on TV also opened their mouths in surprise.
"He's a very kind child. He gave us good herbs when my mother was sick. Sir, please cure him."
The soldier's words went unheard.
Dong! Dong!
Heo Yuseon, whose legs had gone weak, collapsed onto the dirt floor. The soldier called out, "Sir! Sir!" but Heo Yuseon's senses were focused on the child.
Mama.
Looking at the child, who was breathing heavily, Heo Yuseon finally blurted out, his voice hoarse and choked.
"Prince Seongnyeong Mama!"
[Prince Seongnyeong reappears?!]
[Episode 23 of 'Royal Physician' reaches a peak rating of 37%!]
- What? Really? It's him!? Prince Seongnyeong was here!?
- No, it's been 7 years, and he hasn't grown at all! It's someone else!
- Wow, Heo Yuseon must be going crazy. The child looks exactly like Prince Seongnyeong and is also infected with Chajin.
=...Wow! Really?!
- But isn't this Seo Jun?
=Yeah, I thought he wasn't going to appear anymore! He's here!
=Shining appearance even in herb gatherer's clothes!
[KBC 'Royal Physician' final episode!]
[Prince Seongnyeong reappears?]
[Failed treatment methods so far! Can it be cured?]
- Ah... The final episode. I want to watch it, but I don't want to.
- It'll be a happy ending, right? He'll be cured!
=Isn't a happy ending impossible at the point where Prince Seongnyeong died?
=😭 Then it's a normal ending? Please, not a bad ending! 😭
Heo Yuseon brought the child to an empty room. Although he had momentarily mistaken the child for Prince Seongnyeong, he quickly realized it was a different child.
"It's been 7 years..."
If it were Prince Seongnyeong, he would have grown into a fine young man by now. He couldn't be such a small child. Heo Yuseon, who had been staring blankly at the herb gatherer's child, quickly composed himself and wrote a letter to Sejong.
"Does he resemble Seongnyeong?"
Sejong jumped up from his seat. Resembling Seongnyeong? Sejong sighed and sat back down, gazing wistfully in the direction of Muwuri.
"Seungseon."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Prepare all the medicinal supplies Heo Euiwan requested and send them to him."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
After Seungseon left with the letter, Sejong let out a deep sigh and wiped his face.
"Please, this time, please..."
Sejong, who was nearly 30, couldn't help but feel weak as the memories resurfaced. He could hear Seongnyeong's bright voice calling out, "Brother! Brother!" from a distance.
Heo Yuseon immediately began the treatment. The more he looked, the more the child resembled Prince Seongnyeong.
Not only in height and appearance but also in the symptoms of the disease, the child's condition was similar to the dozens of times Heo Yuseon had examined Prince Seongnyeong. This made Heo Yuseon even more determined to treat the child.
When he wasn't treating the child, he observed other patients to see the effects of the medicine. Some medicines worked, and some didn't.
"Sir, you need to rest!"
Heo Yuseon was so focused on the child's treatment that the soldier had to urge him to rest. When the medicine that worked for other patients didn't work for the child, he would cry alone.
The child's condition worsened.
Just like that day. Heo Yuseon could only watch helplessly.
Mama. Mama.
He couldn't cry then, but this time was different. Heo Yuseon burst into tears, pouring out everything. Everyone shook their heads at the sight of Heo Yuseon sobbing like a child.
Then, something warm touched Heo Yuseon's hand. It was the child's hand. The child, with great effort, smiled and muttered something.
"Thank you."
Heo Yuseon snapped to attention at the slow movement of the child's lips. "Thank you, Heo Euiwan." He heard Prince Seongnyeong's voice. He couldn't let this happen again.
Everyone watching TV held their breath. Although the clothes and setting were different, the child with the same face as Prince Seongnyeong reminded Heo Yuseon and the viewers of that day. Heo Yuseon's face, his hand on the pulse, and the child's face contorted in pain.
Everyone watched intently, holding their breath.
The sun set, the moon rose, and the sun set again. The fever that had burned the child's body gradually subsided. The red rash faded, and the rapid breathing returned to normal.
Heo Yuseon, whose hands trembled as he examined the child, finally wrapped the small hand in his own and bowed his head.
In the end, Heo Yuseon succeeded.
Ah, Prince Mama.
Sejong, who received the letter that the child had been cured, couldn't help but shed tears. Although it wasn't a perfect cure for Chajin, the fact that one child had been cured made him feel as if a heavy burden had been lifted.