Chapter 65

Villain Only Acting 065

The Lady of the Grand Prince (2)

As soon as the production and investment for "Hageuk" were confirmed, the production team immediately set about forming the crew.

Jang Seung-won first brought in Jeong Soo-ryeon as a staff member.

"Since my older sister will be in the team, it will help with Seohoon's mental care and be good for everyone. Let's work together."

"Please take care of me."

Song Jeong-woo, who had no immediate filming projects, readily sent Jeong Soo-ryeon.

He didn't forget to give her a parting message.

"I'm sending you to take good care of Seohoon. Got it?"

"Of course, of course. I'll take good care of my brother, who the PD cherishes, and make sure he doesn't get a scratch."

"Be careful. We don't know where the traitor is."

The sibling scandal was clearly caused by someone inside the production team leaking information to the paparazzi.

The culprit who dared to stab a colleague in the back has yet to be identified.

That's why Song Jeong-woo willingly sent Jeong Soo-ryeon.

Jang Seung-won also gradually gathered a capable team, including a skilled director of photography and art director, to form the production crew.

Once the leaders of each team were in place, the production team was properly set up.

***

Jang Seung-won officially held the first production meeting.

Although the script needs to be expanded, the overall framework is complete.

Various preparatory works, such as scheduling, location scouting, and prop preparation, are necessary, but the most important thing is casting.

"Here is our lead actor, Jeong Seohoon, who will lead our drama. Everyone, give him a round of applause."

At the planning meeting, Jang Seung-won formally introduced Jeong Seohoon to the production team.

Everyone clapped enthusiastically.

While some people knew Jeong Seohoon from "Illegals," more were working with him for the first time.

A young staff member whispered to a colleague.

"Is a rookie actor attending the production meeting? Even Mr. Lee Min-soo wasn't invited."

"Mr. Lee doesn't like these kinds of events."

Although Lee Min-soo was invited, he declined, saying that an old man like him wouldn't be of much help at a production meeting.

"Also, I heard that a friend of Jeong Seohoon's made a significant personal investment in this drama. Over 50 billion won, they say?"

"Really? Wow, that's impressive."

The actual investment was 300 billion won, but the preconception that 'an individual couldn't possibly invest that much' couldn't be ignored.

"Writer Kim Sang-hee insisted that Jeong Seohoon must be the lead, and an actor friend made a huge investment. This isn't just a simple rookie actor."

"His position is almost like a co-producer."

"Moreover, he showed incredible acting in 'Illegals' and 'Storage.' I think they believe that involving him in the production meetings from the beginning will help the drama's success."

Top-tier actors often participate in the early stages of drama production, influencing casting and planning.

However, a rookie who debuted this year enjoying such a position was unprecedented in the history of Korean dramas and would likely remain so.

"Our drama is a fusion historical drama about Grand Prince Suyang. We'll aim for as thorough historical accuracy as possible, but we'll omit all specific names like Joseon, Suyang, and Danjong in the script."

The production team members immediately understood the PD's point.

"PD, you're aiming to avoid controversy, right?"

"Yes. That doesn't mean we'll hide behind creative freedom and distort history. We're not going to rewrite history to represent the American perspective just because we received American funding."

"Back then, there wasn't even an America, let alone an American grandfather."

"Anyway, we'll also avoid overly glorifying Grand Prince Suyang. While Seohoon will play a charming villain, Suyang won't be portrayed that way."

"Understood, PD. We get the core concept."

"From now on, we'll avoid using terms like Joseon, Munjong, Suyang, and Danjong. Please refer to them as the royal family, the grand prince, the young king, the nephew, and the uncle, as written in the script. We need to be cautious from the start."

"Understood, PD."

Jang Seung-won took control of the meeting from the beginning.

His charisma was different from Song Jeong-woo's, and he showed the seasoned expertise of a PD.

"Some roles have actors that the writer has in mind, but many are still undecided. We'll start selecting candidates today."

"PD, since Actor Jeong Seohoon is here today, how about we start with Lady Jeonghee?"

"Calling her Lady Jeonghee is not appropriate. Just call her the grand prince's wife."

"Ah, sorry."

"Seohoon, do you have any actresses in mind for the lead female role? The writer hasn't thought that far yet, but you'll be working closely with her as a couple."

Jeong Seohoon, appreciating the serious attitude, thought about the actresses he had seen in movies.

"I don't have an eye for casting. I think it's best if the production team decides."

"Hmm, but if we select a few candidates, could you give it some serious thought?"

Jang Seohoon's attitude was more like that of a top star than a rookie.

"PD, how about we hold auditions to generate buzz? Preferably for newcomers. If Jeong Seohoon personally selects his on-screen partner, it could be quite a sensation."

"Hmm, that's not a bad idea. A fresh face might be better than a well-known actress. After all, Seohoon has already made a name for himself."

The tone suggested that he saw Jeong Seohoon as a star who had been in the industry for over a decade.

Kim Sang-hee chuckled and interjected.

"Then Seohoon will have to choose two partners? One for his younger days and one for his later years."

"Ah, that's right. Seohoon, you're lucky."

In the script, the grand prince's age is divided into three periods: childhood, his 20s, and his late 30s.

Jeong Seohoon will play the 20s period in his true form and the late 30s period with makeup.

Different actresses will play the grand prince's wife in the 20s and 30s periods.

"If we're aiming for buzz, how about casting an idol for the young grand prince's wife?"

"Are you kidding me! Even if it's a fusion historical drama, we can't risk casting a bad actor and getting torn apart!"

"I'm against casting an idol too. If they show up for the audition, we'll consider them, but we'll only select based on their acting ability."

Kim Sang-hee also chimed in, and the staff member who suggested it shrank back.

The members gradually recommended actors with suitable images for the roles, and the PD and writer listened attentively, taking notes.

Jeong Seohoon searched for the actors' filmographies on his laptop whenever their names were mentioned.

He even put on an earphone and watched compilations of their key acting scenes on YouTube.

"By the way, how about product placements and sponsorships?"

"Since it's a historical drama, there will be limitations, but we should accept what we can. There's no need to force it."

"Actually, we've already received a flurry of inquiries about product placements."

"Are there any items that could fit in the drama?"

"To be honest, I've racked my brain, but there's nothing that really fits the Joseon era, or the era in the drama. Here's the list."

The staff member eagerly handed a summary to the PD and writer.

After reviewing the list of product placement inquiries, Jang Seung-won let out a small sigh.

"Hmm... Do these people think our drama is an SF series? A story about traveling to the past in a time machine?"

"Still, a few items seem feasible. Porcelain plates and bowls, and silver spoons."

"Oh, right. Let's include those."

Despite securing a huge production budget, the PD and writer didn't forget to meticulously manage revenue.

Seeing this, Jeong Seohoon was reminded of something Song Jeong-woo had said before.

"Sometimes, the scenery off-screen is more important. A solid foundation behind the scenes makes the on-screen content come alive."

Not only were they focusing on the drama's direction and content, but they were also meticulously managing the external factors that could support the drama.

After a few hours of the production meeting, Jang Seung-won was drenched in sweat.

But his eyes still gleamed with unyielding energy.

"PD, how about we wrap up for today? Everyone looks tired, and it's hard to come up with ideas."

Kim Sang-hee suggested, and Jang Seung-won nodded after looking around.

"Alright. Everyone, before we end, I have one last thing to say. It'll be short and to the point, so don't worry."

Everyone, exhausted and hungry, focused on Jang Seung-won.

"As some of you may know, 'Hageuk' has been criticized by a major terrestrial channel."

"..."

Although he didn't mention the name, everyone knew he was referring to KBC.

"I'm going to show them what a real 'Hageuk' looks like."

This statement had a dual meaning.

His ambition was to use the drama "Hageuk" to decisively outperform terrestrial channels with cable.

Some people were quietly impressed by the title, thinking it was a fitting choice.

'This drama will really do well.'

'With Kim Sang-hee and Jeong Seohoon working together again...'

'Could this really be the one to break 30% ratings?'

CV Cable had never achieved a 30% rating in its history.

If "Hageuk" could do it, it would set a new record since the channel's founding.

"Let's all do our best in this long-distance marathon."

***

[Jeong Seohoon's New Work is a Historical Drama?]

[CV Cable's Lively 'Hageuk' Begins!]

[The 'Hageuk' Production Team Announces a Grand Public Audition! Plans to Discover Many New Talents.]

[Shooting to Begin by Early January at the Latest.]

CV Cable decided to hold its largest-scale audition in its history.

Instead of casting all major roles internally, some would be selected through public auditions.

"There are no pre-determined candidates. All roles will be filled through auditions."

Auditions are often held for publicity when the cast is already decided internally.

However, Jang Seung-won emphasized in interviews that there would be no such tricks.

"If we can't find a satisfactory actor through auditions and have to cast someone, we'll announce the process transparently. I encourage anyone with dreams of becoming an actor to audition."

With a great script, a great PD, and a substantial production budget, the production team was relaxed.

The large-scale public audition alone firmly established "Hageuk" in the public's mind.

At this rate, it seemed they would start with at least 20% ratings.

"KBC must be flipping out right now. Just thinking about it makes me feel good."

On the first day of auditions, Jang Seung-won, Jeong Seohoon, and Kim Sang-hee were laughing and joking.

"It's still a long way to go. We need to maintain a 30% rating until the end to really give KBC a blow."

"It's about building momentum. A fight you're supposed to win is easier when you start with the right momentum."

"Seohoon, you know you have to choose your partner today, right? Take it seriously. Your opinion carries a lot of weight."

"Seohoon, you've seen the applications. Did anyone catch your eye?"

"A few, but I'm not sure. Oh, but I thought Rina might be a good fit."

"Rina... Do you mean Rina from the girl group Serubia?"

Jang Seung-won quickly checked the application.

Rina from Serubia. Real name: Han Seo-hee.

In her third year since debut, she is a consistently popular, top-tier visual member of the girl group.

She debuted at 15 and is now a vibrant high school sophomore, known for her tall 168 cm height and superior figure.

"I found a video of her acting on a variety show, and she seemed to have a good feel for it."

"But even if she did well in a brief acting role, she's still an idol with no acting experience..."

"From a visual standpoint, she would fit the role of the young grand prince's wife. Acting is something you can't really judge until they're in front of the camera."

Kim Sang-hee nodded in agreement.

"True, even the worst actor might shine when paired with Seohoon. But I didn't know you liked that style?"

"I was just looking at the synergy as a partner."

"I understand, I understand."