Aura of a Genius Actor

༺ Teacher-Student Relationship ༻

“Hi, Yoomyeong~” 

Lee Seon-ha reintroduced herself to the other actors.

“Hello. I’m Lee Seon-ha, a theater actress from the theater troupe <Comet>. This is my first film, so I’m approaching it with a rookie’s mindset and will work hard. Please teach me a lot~”

Kim Jin-Beom and Min Gyeong-Guk stood up to warmly return her greeting.

“We’ve heard a lot about you. The director mentioned how perfectly you were cast for the role of Queen Sindeok, so we’re probably the ones who’ll be learning from you.”

“I’m a fan. I often went to see Comet’s performances. Seeing you in person feels like meeting a celebrity, haha.”

Indeed. As Hansung said, they all seemed like kind-hearted people.

Although it might be different once the acting started.

After exchanging greetings, Seon-ha came over to Hansung and Yoomyeong and nodded.

“How are you doing, seniors?”

“Ah… please don’t call me like that, senior…”

“Right. Please do your best, Ms. Lee Seon-ha.”

Seon-ha bowed politely, causing Yoomyeong to awkwardly bow in return, while Hansung chuckled and played along with her joke. 

“What happened?”

“The director asked if I could recommend someone for the role of Queen Sindeok, and I immediately thought of her. He was instantly satisfied upon meeting her.”

“Queen Sindeok…”

Queen Sindeok of the Kang clan, the second wife of Lee Seong-Gye.

She ascended to the queen’s position after Lee Seong-Gye’s first wife died before his coronation. Despite their 21-year age gap, she was his beloved consort throughout his life.

She was also known for a famous story that recounted how, when passing by a well, Lee Seong-Gye asked a local maiden for water, and she served it with willow leaves to prevent him from choking.

She must have been a wise and charming figure.

However, she was also known as a strategist and tactician for having successfully placed her son as the crown prince, superseding the five sons of the first wife.

In the script, she was portrayed as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The warmth she exuded, which contrasted with her ambition and cunning when she turned her back, was something everyone looked forward to seeing.

“You’re a perfect fit for the role, senior. I’m very excited.”

“But Seon-ha, what’s your age now…? It’s one thing to play as someone in their 30s, but 20s…”

“Yoon Hansung… You only appeared as an extra when you were in your 20s, right? It’s been so long that you must have forgotten.”

Lee Seon-ha, known for her youthful appearance, predominantly portrayed roles of ages early to late 30s. However, there were scenes in the script where she encountered a 16-year-old Lee Bang-won as the 27-year-old Queen Sindeok.

Hansung playfully pointed this out.

“Hello.”

Then, actor Bae Geohyeong appeared. Yoomyeong excitedly bowed to the actor he admired.

“So you’re my son. Let’s get along.”

He firmly shook Yoomyeong’s hand.

Finally, Director Son entered.

*

“Hello.”

“Hello, Director!” 

“Hello.” 

“Please take care of us.”

As Director Son entered, all the actors stood up to greet him. After exchanging handshakes and warm greetings with each familiar face, he sat in the seat of honor.

“Let’s all relax since today is a casual gathering.”

Today wasn’t the official script reading but a casual meeting for the main actors to greet each other and get a sense of their chemistry.

Director Son, pleased to see his favorite actors gathered, smiled broadly.

“Since you all seem to know each other already, let’s skip the introductions and talk about the script.”

The actors pulled their chairs closer and sat up straight.

“As you know from the script, the crux of this story is ‘Jeong Mong-ju.’ Lee Bang-won plays a pivotal role in advancing the narrative as his disciple, comrade, and eventual adversary.”

“Yes, Director.”

“While Lee Seong-Gye, Jeong Do-jeon, and others are the main historical figures in the history of the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasties, they don’t carry the main narrative in this film. Still, I appreciate actors Bae and Min for accepting their roles.”

Both actors modestly bowed their heads.

“Let’s briefly touch on the historical backdrop of this script. In the late Goryeo era, Lee Song-Gye, an undefeated military commander from the northeastern region, and Jeong Do-jeon, who believed Goryeo was doomed and wanted to create a new dynasty based on Neo-Confucianism, joined forces to found Joseon.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“However, Jeong Mong-ju, unlike them, wished to realize a Confucian world within the Goryeo dynasty. After the Wihwado Retreat led to King U’s dethronement and through the reigns of King Chang and King Gongyang, Lee Seong-Gye awaited the ‘right moment’ to ascend to the throne. But Jeong Mong-ju never sided with him.”

“Lee Seong-Gye and Jeong Mong-ju were war comrades in their youth. Lee Seong-Gye highly valued Jeong Mong-ju’s scholarly, political, and diplomatic skills. He tried to persuade him until the very end, but Jeong Mong-ju dreamt of expelling Lee Seong-Gye’s faction.”

“Unlike his father, who couldn’t let go, Lee Bang-won, at just 26, deemed Jeong Mong-ju irreconcilable and decided to eliminate him.”

Hansung, playing Jeong Mong-ju, and Yoomyeong, portraying Lee Bang-won, briefly exchanged glances. 

“I focused on two things. First is the similarity in the actions of these two characters. Both are elegant and sophisticated, yet decisive when necessary.”

The director briefly explained his view on the two characters.

“Jeong Mong-ju was an outstanding diplomat, arguably one of the greatest in our history. He achieved remarkable successes as an envoy even in dire situations where his life was at risk. He frequently hosted feasts with opposing political factions and overlooked their misconduct. 

While his steadfast loyalty paints him as a paragon of fidelity, in reality, he was a sophisticated diplomat and politician who didn’t hesitate to compromise for his goals.”

Jeong Mong-ju and Jeong Do-jeon were close friends and classmates. However, as their political stances diverged, Jeong Mong-ju began to attack Jeong Do-jeon, exploiting his complex about his maternal grandmother’s lowly status as a slave. 

Mong-ju was a tactician unafraid to employ unscrupulous means when necessary.

“Lee Bang-won was also an exceptional figure. At the age of 17, he passed the civil service exam as the youngest candidate of his time. Lee Seong-Gye, his father and a military officer from the borders, was overjoyed, as recorded in the annals. 

Bang-won was known for his political acumen from a young age, adept at manipulating people and appeasing or eliminating them as necessary. The Veritable Records of King Taejong, the annals of King Taejong, often record his cunning and manipulative behavior.”

Taejong, one of the most powerful monarchs, was said to have only ever lost a battle to his son, Lee Bang-won (*According to some interpretations, Lee Seong-Gye was the one behind the *Jo Sahui Rebellion and was then defeated by his son, Lee Bang-won).

“Those are the temperamental similarities between these two men, and Lee Bang-won’s quick grasp of the political situation and bold decision-making led me to an interesting hypothesis. What if they had a ‘teacher-student’ relationship? If Jeong Mong-ju had been the one to foster Bang-won’s insight and decisiveness, how dramatic would that be?”

This was the starting point for the screenplay <The Late Goryeo Dynasty & the Early Joseon Dynasty>. 

*

“Now, shall we start the reading? The assistant director can read for the absent roles.”

“Yes, Director.”

The distinguished actors skimmed their scripts and cleared their throats.

Yoomyeong felt a surge of excitement. 

The atmosphere was unlike the lively family-like vibe of ‘Ballerina High’ or the trendy feel of ‘Showbiz Studies’ with young stars; the actors in this production were all respected veterans. 

Only now did Yoomyeong fully realize the significance of sitting among them as the second lead. 

“Don’t be nervous. Just be yourself, and they’ll all be impressed.”

Hansung whispered, nudging Yoomyeong’s side. 

Across the seat, Lee Seon-ha smiled at Yoomyeong encouragingly. 

Taking a deep breath, Yoomyeong steadied himself.

“March 1392, early spring. Ministers prostrate themselves in the courtyard of the palace, Jeong Mong-ju at their forefront. ‘He must be killed!’ After the ministers’ third chorus, Mong-ju raises his head and shouts with passion.”

The assistant director’s reading transported them back to the Gyeongju of 613 years ago.

Hansung, taking a deep breath, began with the first line. His voice resonated powerfully.

“Jeong Do-jeon, of lowly origin, has caused great chaos in our nation and must be punished severely. His associates, Jo Jun, Nam Eun, Yoon So-jong, Nam Jae, Jo Bak, and others, should all be executed.” 

Hansung’s voice, which sounded older than usual, filled the room with its authoritative tone. The director nodded in approval.

“He must be killed!”

The assistant director read the repeated cry of the ministers before moving to the next scene.

“Cut to Lee Bang-won, who was wearing mourning clothes and galloping fast to Byeokran Island. Then to Lee Seong-Gye, who’s lying sick in his room. Bang-won kneels beside his father, trying to persuade him.”

This was the first scene featuring Lee Bang-won and Lee Seong-Gye.

Yoomyeong glanced across at actor Bae Geohyeong, whose imposing stature and deep eyes truly embodied Lee Seong-Gye.

Yoomyeong visualized the scene.

He needed to persuade his ailing father to move to Gyeongju. Any delay could lead to the elimination of their forces, and the failure of their great cause. 

“Father.”

“Is that you, Bang-won? Why did you leave your mother’s tomb? I am fine.”

“It’s not the time to be lying down. Do you know that your supporters are being exiled and that petitions are being submitted daily, calling for their execution?” 

“What can I do about my injury? Nothing immediate will happen. Po Eun (Jeong Mong-ju) is a close friend of both Sambong (Jeong Do-jeon) and me. This is just politics.”

“Do you remember that you arranged for me to be personally tutored by Po Eun when I was young?”

“Of course. He graciously accepted our request.”

Yoomyeong’s eyes intensified as he added weight to his lines.

“Do you know what the first thing Master taught me back then was?” 

“What was it?”

Yoomyeong paused for a moment then delivered his line sharply, like a well-aimed arrow. 

“From Sun Tzu’s Art of War, Chapter 5, ‘Energy’.”

“…”

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night. And when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

This quote from a military text struck a particularly resonant chord, given Lee Seong-Gye’s background as a warrior.

“And to induce complacency, act gracefully and elegantly in normal times, as if you are not that kind of person at all…” 

Actor Bae Geohyeong faced Yoomyeong, who was delivering his lines with a piercing intensity. 

The ambition burning beneath a calm and rational tone, like fire wrapped in ice, challenged his decades of acting experience. 

“…This is what we call ‘politics’.” 

It felt as if his heart had dropped with a thud. 

Just like Lee Seong-Gye’s heart, which was filled with disbelief and growing anxiety. 

FOOTNOTES

(*) Jo Sahui Rebellion

    — Although Jo Sahui was best known for starting the rebellion, the actual contents of the rebellion was the ‘Second Strife of Princes’.

(*) Second Strife of Princes

    — An all-out conflict which broke out due to the tension between Lee Bang-won’s faction and his brother’s.

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