Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 89

Seo-jun wanted to protest. Why did they have to change the scene just because he acted well in his death scene? But he nodded along with the words of PD Choi Min-seong and writer So Eun-jin.

Everyone is so immersed in Seo-juns acting as Prince Seong-nyeong. They dont want to see his death scene. They say it would be too sad. The staff are like this, but what about the viewers who are hooked on the drama right now? If we broadcast Seo-juns death scene here, it might cause a commotion.

Its just a death scene, isnt it?

It would be different if it was another actors acting. But its Actor, Lee Seo-juns acting.

Are you worried about the Werther effect?

At An Da-hos words, Seo-jun tilted his head and PD Choi and writer So nodded.

Were not thinking about people following his death. Were just worried that the people who enjoyed watching it would be shocked. They must be prepared, but still.

What is the Werther effect?

An Da-ho explained to Seo-jun.

It was a story about how some readers of a novel attempted suicide after the protagonist killed himself. Not only the novels protagonist, but also some people followed the death of a famous person. Seo-jun was stunned by the unimaginable story.

Writer So said.

Its not that serious. Its just that the video didnt come out last time. Seo-juns acting was fine, but Jong-hos acting was too realistic and made it look more dangerous.

As writer So said, Seo-juns acting was fine. The camera wouldnt capture Seo-juns lowering body temperature or the smell of the skeleton mouse. The problem was from the moment when Kim Jong-hos passionate expression became reality.

When his expression and Seo-juns acting were combined, it was too much of a plus.

PD Choi and writer So shivered as they watched the video again. They saw Kim Jong-hos desperate expression and Seo-juns limp figure. An Da-ho and Seo Eun-chan, who ran over in surprise at the news of deleting Seo-juns scene, agreed with the two and immediately collected and erased the video.

If my sister and brother-in-law saw it, I would be dead already.

Years later, as an adult, his nephew, Lee Seo-jun, and his uncle, Seo Eun-chan, who confided in him over a drink, Seo-jun laughed as he remembered his younger self who acted with all his might.

Seo-jun realized that acting that looked real was not that good. No matter how great the acting was, it had to be acting.

Acting that could laugh, enjoy, and talk. Acting that could make people think, Thats acting even if it was sad.

People could enjoy watching thrillers or horror movies because they knew it wasnt real.

Where was the line between acting that looked real and acting that could be called acting? Everyone said Seo-jun was good at acting, but Seo-jun still had a lot to learn.

Is it okay to change it?

Seo-jun nodded his head at the cautious question of PD Choi and writer So.

Yes! Its okay!

Seo-jun hoped that the people who watched the drama wouldnt be sad. It was a sad story, but he hoped they would be only a little sad.

Thats how Seo-juns first drama, The Royal Physician, ended its last shooting, and the last scene disappeared.

***

Wednesdays The Royal Physician, episode 13, aired.

Your Majesty, please forgive me

The physician Yang Hong-dal bowed down. His words crushed King Taejongs heart.

It was the most horrible sound he had ever heard. His hand, gripping the armrest, trembled.

Its smallpox.

Smallpox!

At the physicians words, King Taejong and Queen Won-gyeong were speechless. They could only stare at the back of Yang Hong-dals head, who bowed down with a crestfallen face.

Smallpox? Smallpox!?

Prince Seong-nyeong had been feverish and breathing heavily for a few days. He sometimes complained of insomnia with a tired face.

The physicians said it was a cold. Just take the medicine and rest well!

But smallpox, the plague?

How is the treatment Physician, how is the treatment?

Queen Won-gyeong managed to calm herself and asked. Yang Hong-dal pressed his head harder against the floor. His heavy silence made King Taejong and Queen Won-gyeong lose their minds.

The palace was engulfed in a chilly silence. King Taejong scolded Prince Yang-nyeong, who was having fun while his brother was sick, and couldnt eat a spoonful of rice.

Queen Won-gyeong went to the temple with Prince Hyo-ryeong and prayed to Buddha and offered sacrifices to the gods and spirits.

The wise Prince Chung-nyeong studied Prince Seong-nyeongs disease with the physicians.

In those days when medicine was not advanced, they did their best. They searched for the unknown god and the miracle cures that were rumored to cure all diseases.

Even if they didnt understand the treatment method, the viewers who saw their expressions and appearances understood their hearts.

Among them, Heo Yu-seon was the busiest. Prince Seong-nyeong, who was sick, didnt bother his family. Heo Yu-seon was the only one who could act spoiled with him, who he could confide in.

The dignified Prince Seong-nyeong acted a little childish with Heo Yu-seon and always apologized.

Im sorry.

No, its okay.

Physician Heo. Thank you very much.

Really, its really okay.

Heo Yu-seon smiled, hiding his reddened eyes. He had no time to cry. Heo Yu-seon took care of Prince Seong-nyeong, fed him the medicine, and studied the disease at the place that Prince Chung-nyeong prepared when he had time.

But despite everyones efforts, Prince Seong-nyeongs disease worsened.

The preview came out.

It snowed.

[The Royal Physician Episode 13, 37% ratings!]

[KBC Thursday 10 p.m., the day is coming!]

[The level of medicine in the Joseon era!]

[Lets learn about smallpox!]

[Fortune-teller, shaman, ritual. They prayed to the gods to cure the disease.]

-Why are they performing a ritual for the prince who looks like hes dying?

=That was the treatment back then. They believed that if they cast a divination, got a good day, and performed a ritual, the grateful gods would drive away the disease.

-Wow, hes really doomed.

-Honestly, Im annoyed by many things in this fusion historical drama, but I cant judge the death of Grand Prince Seongnyeong.

-One side prays to the gods, the other side does research. The contrast is impressive. Doing anything for their family, theyre no different from us.

-My parents also prayed at the temple because of my illness.

=Are you okay now?

=Yeah, Im much better.

Seo Jun, are you feeling sick?

No! Im very healthy. Teacher!

Thursday was a weekday and on weekdays, he had to go to school. Seo Jun answered cheerfully to his friends and teachers who asked about his health. Then they all turned away with relieved faces.

Cheer up, Seo Jun.

Seo Jun smiled bitterly and sat down at the comfort of his baby friends who had seen the same situation several times.

And finally, that day came.

[Finally, that day. The day of history has come!]

[KBC Naewiwon! Will they make a decision?]

[Fusion historical drama, stories in history, how far can they be tolerated?]

[Our Daegun Mama, please let him live happily!]

-My Naewiwon ended yesterday. Ha. Ha. Ha.

-Im a history major, so I dont like fusion historical dramas, but I sincerely wish Grand Prince Seongnyeong had survived!

-Cant they just run away?! Send him to recuperate!

-Damn Changjin! I dont care if its history destruction, just save him!

But still, everyone turned on the TV and started watching KBC as 10 oclock approached.

The ads that were sold at a high price ran for a long time, but everyone waited without complaint. They were still ads that seemed to gather the top 10 companies in terms of ranking.

-Im going to die anyway, but Ill live a little longer while the ads are on.

- The ads are so sad

-I wish the ads would end soon, or not end

Contrary to everyones wishes, the ads ended early today. No, it was the same as usual, but everyone felt that way.

When the ads ended and the heavy drum sound that sounded sad today started, the people who were watching TV closed their mouths.

Naewiwon began.

Grand Prince Seongnyeong, who was full of rashes, breathed heavily. The people of Naewiwon, who were covering their mouths with white cloth and working hard, were seen.

Among the people, Heo Yu Seon, who was moving the busiest, was seen. Following the order of his teacher, Yang Hong Dal, he boiled the medicine, wiped Grand Prince Seongnyeongs sweat, and massaged his arms and legs.

A few days ago, he would open his eyes slightly, but now there was no sign of that. His condition was serious.

Mama. Mama.

Heo Yu Seon showed his sad feelings with his eyes without opening his mouth.

In a world where there was no one to rely on, he was the first child he opened his heart to. Although he was a concubines son, he dared to call him his family.

Seongnyeong, who shared the medicine with him, Seongnyeong, who shot the bow coolly, Seongnyeong, who smiled and played pranks. And the unforgettable first meeting of Grand Prince Seongnyeong.

Where did that spirited appearance go, Daegun Mama.

Heo Yu Seon clenched his fist so hard that his nails dug into his flesh, as he looked at Grand Prince Seongnyeong, who was only breathing heavily.

The camera zoomed out and showed the scene of Chungnyeong Daegun looking at the place where Grand Prince Seongnyeong was from afar.

Jong Ah, Jong Ah. He prayed without making a sound, and under his feet, the pile of papers he had been studying with his doctor and Won Hak scattered like snow.

Among the doctors who were running around, the one who was moving his feet the fastest was seen.

Heo Yu Seon, who took care of Seongnyeong in the morning and evening, and studied with Chungnyeong Daegun when he had time.

Neither I, the Daegun, nor him, the doctor, nor these many papers could save my brother. He remembered the dying face of his brother, and Chungnyeong Daegun shed tears.

That scene came heavily to the viewers.

-Park Do Hoons tears It seems like acting.

-Ah! This! It must be that scene!

Everyone clenched their chests and looked at the TV. It was quiet everywhere, as if everyone in Korea was watching Naewiwon.

Above the scene of Grand Prince Seongnyeong breathing heavily, Heo Yu Seon, who was running somewhere, was seen.

He threw away the white cloth that was hindering his running, and ran with all his strength to send them to the child who wanted to see his parents.

I need to exercise more, Heo doctor.

He remembered the bright smile of Grand Prince Seongnyeong. Thats right. I should have exercised more as Mama said.

Heo Yu Seon, who was jumping around without caring about his aching lungs, reached the place where Sang Seon, who had sensed the end of Grand Prince Seongnyeong, was standing.

What is 3 shifts, he followed Grand Prince Seongnyeong every day, Sang Seon, who recognized Heo Yu Seon, opened his mouth hard.

Your Highness. Heo doctor

Before the words were finished, the door opened with a bang and Taejong and the Queen appeared. The expressions of the two people who sensed the death of their youngest son made the viewers hearts ache.

The furrowed brow, the lips bitten to the point of pain, the shaking eyes. There was no acting that was not impressive.

-Wow, Kim Jong Ho, Lee Ji Hye are no joke.

-I dont care if its history destruction!?

Lets go!

Taejong and the Queen moved their feet quickly. To the place where their young son was waiting for them.

They couldnt even go there because of the opposition of the officials, fearing that Changjin would spread. No one said anything to the footsteps of the two heavens that were disrespectful.

Heo Yu Seon followed them. The palace ladies and the guards also moved their footsteps quietly.

Grand Prince Seongnyeong, who brought laughter to the palace. There was no one who was not sad.

When Taejong and the Queen entered the place where Grand Prince Seongnyeong was, the officials who were next to them couldnt stop them.

The place where Grand Prince Seongnyeong had been closed since the onset of the disease opened wide.

Heo Yu Seon saw the backs of Taejong and the Queen disappearing into the place where Grand Prince Seongnyeong was in his sight.

The wooden door closed heavily.

It was winter. Snow-like fluff began to fall with the cold wind.

Jong Ah!

Heo Yu Seon looked at the door of Grand Prince Seongnyeongs place with the voice of Taejong and the Queen that seemed to tear apart, and knelt down on the ground and bowed his head.

Ah.

Jong Ah! No! Jong Ah!

Heo Yu Seons back shook. He couldnt utter a single cry of despair and frustration that enveloped his whole body.

Ah,

The master who came in winter left in winter.

[Taejong 18th year (1418) February 4th. Grand Prince Seongnyeong, Lee Jong died.]