strictlysupreme Chapter 390: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (1)
Chapter 390: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (1)
Chapter 390: Hwaranjeon Script Reading (1)
MBS' drama Hwaranjeon was set in an alternate Silla period where Queen Seondeok met a mysterious death, unlike in actual history.
After her husband King Eumgalmun ascended as Silla's new ruler, he took three queens, setting the story in motion.
Each of the three queens gave birth to a princess and they were named Jeong-Hwa, Yu-Hwa, and Do-Hwa. The drama's main plot was the rivalry and war among these six women, queens and princesses alike, for the future throne.
Thus, the title Hwaranjeon was chosen, symbolizing a "war of flowers."
Oh Bok-Hee reached out with news that S-class stars had been cast for major roles including the princesses, queens, king, and the king's prophet.
The role of the first queen went to TK Entertainment's S-class actress, Lee Tae-Yeon.
Lee Tae-Yeon, the mother of Yang Yi-Ji, was an actress in her forties renowned for her exceptional acting skills and recognition. She had always taken on only lead roles, but accepted a supporting role this time.
The role of the third queen went to Ace Entertainment's thirty-two-year-old S-class actress, Yoon Joo-Yeon. She had recently drawn five million viewers to the theaters with her thriller movie, Coastal Road.
Additionally, the role of the king's prophet, Mu-Mu, was given to Bless Entertainment's S-class actor Lee Soo-Han.
Oh Bok Hee had said this was all thanks to me.
Confused, I asked, "What do you mean they were cast thanks to me? What does that even mean?"
I could hear Oh Bok-Hee's laughter through the speaker.
-Hahaha. Everyone insisted they would take any role if Star Jung the Fortuneteller was involved. They even agreed to reduce their fees.
Even TK Entertainment's President Kim Tae-Kwon visited the set personally and pushed his list of actors, saying he didn't mind a big pay cut.
The fact they were following my picks was baffling, but something else caught my interest.
"Then who's playing Princess Jeong-Hwa and Princess Do-Hwa?"
-Princess Jeong-Hwa will be played by TK Entertainment's Han Sang-Hee, and Princess Do-Hwa by TNT Entertainment's Min Gyu-Ri.
Han Sang-Hee was the main model for the soju brand True Dew. She had recently received an A-class title for her acting skills and was a hot twenty-eight-year-old icon balancing both acting and modeling.
Nonetheless, what surprised me more was the casting of Min Gyu-Ri as Princess Do-Hwa.
Min Gyu-Ri, who was twenty-four years old, was the actress who had won the Best Actress award in my past life at the Hwangryong Film Festival on the very day I collapsed.
"Wait a minute. Min Gyu-Ri?"
-Do you know her, Mr. Jung?
"Oh, no. I just... got a bit confused for a moment."
"Hmm~ is that so? Anyway, Min Gyu-Ri is a charming and talented rookie. I bet you'll be impressed too when you meet her.
'There's no way,' I thought.
Half of the reason for my collapse in my past life was the stress Min Gyu-Ri had caused me. With the countless incidents she caused from sponsorships and beyond, my lifespan must have been reduced by years from cleaning up after her.
Yet I had no choice but to acknowledge her talent.
By next June, Min Gyu-Ri would even secure the lead in the weekend drama, Sound of Morning Sea, by beating 2000-to-1 odds despite never having taken a single lesson. As such, talent agents used to call Min Gyu-Ri the "Devil's Talent."
The news that Min Gyu-Ri would be appearing in our drama stirred complicated emotions within me. However, the Min Gyu-Ri of the present was a rookie actress without any sponsorship ties. I could delay my judgment of her till after we met.
In any case, Hwaranjeon had achieved the best lineup with the skills of the cast assembled.
Oh Bok-Hee spoke cheerfully.
-Thanks to you, we have the perfect cast. And make sure Miss Yoo-Jin is well-prepared. The lead role can't be overshadowed.
"You can leave it to me."
-I'm counting on you.
Click.
Upon hanging up, I immediately called for a Team Jung meeting to give instructions on the publicity strategy for Hwaranjeon.
After the meeting, I headed straight home to check on Yoo-Jin's preparations.
***
As I arrived at the Cheonho-dong house and opened the door on the second floor, I saw Yoo-Jin and Miso deeply engrossed in their script practice.
The roles they had were of young Princess Yu-Hwa and the adult Princess Yu-Hwa.
Princess Yu-Hwa was a complex character who despised power but had to tread a path of brutality to fight against it. She had always struggled to decide whether to claim power or face her demise.
I was concerned that they might be too stressed as they had to act out a life-or-death situation.
However, the moment I watched their practice, I realized my concerns were unfounded. They were not overthinking things like I was. Instead, they were mixing play with practice.
Lying flat on the living room floor, Yoo-Jin stretched her hands toward Miso. "Princess... um, I-I am so hungry."
At that moment, Miso pretended to be a dignified princess and scolded Yoo-Jin. "That's nonsense! With our father's reign at peace, how could anyone be starving?"
As Miso lowered her voice, Yoo-Jin looked around with shifty eyes and grinned wickedly like a villain.
"Our father's reign? Hehehe. So you're the princess?"
"Ah, no. That slipped out!"
After the fans had left, I brought the excited Cherry Blossom members back to their dorm.
When we arrived, I handed Sae-Ri a shopping bag. "Sae-Ri, here's a present."
"Thank you!"
Sae-Ri opened the shopping bag and took out the gifts one by one.
"This is..."
Out came frames, each decorated with cherry blossom designs along the edges.
Each frame held a photo full of meaning:
A picture from when she first met me during hard times, one from when she received her first song from Bang Seon-Woo, a photo from when Park Seon-Nyeo taught them the moves for 'Hurry Up!,' a shot from when Cherry Blossom took the stage for 'Hurry Up!,' another from when they won first place with 'Hurry Up!,' a comeback photo, and finally, a picture from the encore at the Busan World Pop Festival.
The moment she saw the precious memories in those photos, tears began to flow down Sae-Ri's cheeks. "Oppa..."
"Happy birthday, Sae-Ri."
I thought about giving her a bag or shoes, but I wanted to give her memories instead. If she didn't like it, I had planned to take her shopping at the department store over the weekend.
Sae-Ri hugged the frames tightly and threw herself into my arms. Then she began to cry with a sniffle. "No, this is perfect. I don't need anything else. Sniff."
I handed her a handkerchief and patted her small head as she cried with tears and snot flowing.
Woo Yeon-Hee approached us and patted Sae-Ri on the back to comfort her while also tearing up. "Stop crying, Sae-Ri. You have a music show tomorrow."
"Yes, it's nice... so why are you crying so much? Sniff."
When Yoo Eun-Ah came over to console Sae-Ri with teary eyes, the ever-rational Yang Eun-Bi shook her head in disbelief. "I swear, you guys are impossible! Stop crying, you crybabies!"
Sae-Ri pouted as she sniffled. "I'm not... a c-crybaby. Sniff."
Yang Eun-Bi feigned exasperation and pulled a tissue from her pocket, holding it to Sae-Ri's nose. "Yes, you are! Now, blow right here—big breath!"
Sae-Ri blew her nose with a loud honk. "Puuueeeng~"
Yang Eun-Bi wiped Sae-Ri's nose as she smiled warmly with crescent-shaped eyes.
But a tear welled up in Yang Eun-Bi's eye as well. "Our main vocalist, you've worked so hard. Let's keep doing even better. Happy birthday again."
"T-thank you, unnie."
Though they often bickered, the two were always as close as sisters.
With Sae-Ri proudly displaying the frame I gave her in the center of the living room, she ended one of the happiest birthdays of her life.
***
The day of the script reading arrived.
After a good night's sleep following a late return from Choi Ji-Yung's house, Yoo-Jin and Miso showed up well-rested at the reading site.
As we got out of the car, the reporters swarmed to snap photos as expected. Nearly blinded by the flashing cameras, we finally made it inside with the help of MBS security staff.
Hwaranjeon's script reading was held in Room 911 of the MBS headquarters.
Upon opening the door, we saw a long rectangular table spacious enough for fifty with rows of chairs for the staff behind it.
Since we had arrived early, only Song Ji-Hwan, an actor from Hoop Entertainment's Actor Division 2, and a few supporting cast members were present.
Song Ji-Hwan greeted me with a wave. "Hey there, Team Lead Jung!"
"Hello, Mr. Song!"
As I bowed to Song Ji-Hwan, Yoo-Jin and Miso followed suit.
"Hello, sir!"
"Hello, Your Majesty!"
Song Ji-Hwan laughed heartily at Miso's playful greeting. After all, he was known for playing kings in numerous productions. "Hahaha! Your Majesty, huh? That works!"
While we exchanged cheerful greetings, the other actors began arriving.
'She's here,' I remarked silently.
Min Gyu-Ri entered, dressed in a soft pink jacket, a white T-shirt, and jeans.
Petite with a cute appearance, her round face featured a high nose bridge and large eyes. With a blend of adorable and pretty features, Min Gyu-Ri was adored by her male fans.
To me, however, she was merely a persistent, stress-inducing figure—like a lingering Helicobacter bacterium.
Min Gyu-Ri greeted her sunbaes with a laugh full of charm. "Haha. Hello! I'm rookie actress Min Gyu-Ri. I look forward to working with you~!"
Her friendly demeanor won everyone over immediately and they readily returned her greeting.
"Oh, what a polite kid she is."
"Thank you, sunbae-nim! I'll work hard!"
Everyone chuckled at the cute and lively rookie actress. As expected, no one seemed to see through Min Gyu-Ri's facade.
Then, Min Gyu-Ri finished her greetings and unexpectedly walked toward us.