The filming of <Clouds Parting Moonlight>, consisting of 16 episodes, had no insignificant scenes.
The filming of the first episode is especially crucial.
‘First Impression.’
The moment when the two main characters, Prince Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol, are introduced for the first time.
At the same time, it is the moment when the first impression of the drama is decided.
Not only in episode 1 but also in episodes 2 and 3, and beyond, the drama needs to continue making the viewers sit in front of the TV.
– Squeak!
“Hi, hiick!”
It was more important than anything else to create interest and excitement from the very beginning of episode 1 of the drama.
Scenes that break people’s ‘preconceptions’ were placed in episode 1 of Clouds Parting Moonlight, continuing that sentiment.
“Y-You! Who do you think you’re going to chop?”
“I haven’t really thought of chopping you. You tripped over my sword.”
“What, what did you say?!”
The Prince, of all people, was chased by a wild boar and fell to the ground.
Because of that, he almost got cut by Yeom Wol’s fierce sword.
Despite clearly being of a high status, Yeom Wol couldn’t recognize him at all and ended up getting scolded.
Nothing was cliché or obvious.
The bright red face of Yu Sung-jae contrasted sharply with Ha Eun’s almost expressionless, calm face.
Thus, the first meeting between the two main characters, Prince Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol, was far from a romantic encounter.
In a way, it was the worst first meeting imaginable.
However, this was an element that made the viewers curious about the developments that follow.
While it was easy to expect the ‘result’ of the two main characters getting together, the ‘process’ of how Lee Hyun and Yeom Wol would come together was something that could not be predicted at this moment.
“Even if it’s Sung-jae, I get that. But Ha Eun’s expression control is amazing.”
“You can’t tell at all that he’s holding back a laugh.”
It was a atmosphere that could be described as ridiculous.
It was light to the point where it was hard to find any of the weight or seriousness that historical dramas traditionally had.
It made the viewers feel something familiar yet distinctively different.
“Anyway, let’s go our separate ways. I’ll consider it that my debt for saving your life doesn’t exist.”
“W-Wait a minute!”
Finally, even the developments after their first meeting didn’t flow as the viewers expected.
Just moments prior, the prince had scolded the one who was rude, yet he was now asking for help.
Such a scene would likely be nowhere to be found.
Nevertheless, it was not completely inconceivable.
No matter how high the status of the prince, he was still just a person.
With the wild boar chasing him and running in a panic, he had no idea where he was.
In other words, the chances of Prince Lee Hyun escaping the forest on his own were exceedingly low.
– Grab!
“If you saved me, you must take responsibility till the end!”
Ultimately, he had to survive.
Hence, he could do nothing but cling to Yeom Wol’s pant leg and plead.
What Lee Hyun faced then was Yeom Wol’s cold, indifferent gaze.
That gaze, which unwittingly contained a sense of pity, contrasted with Lee Hyun’s desperate eyes, creating an effect that rendered Lee Hyun as the subordinate and Yeom Wol as the superior.
And thus, cut.
“Wow, the chemistry is really spot on.”
“You both handled your gazes incredibly well. Alright, let’s take a short break and start S#2 filming~!”
Thanks to the fact that the first shoot ended in one take, the staff’s expressions were bright.
It was truly a pleasant sight.
If there had been countless NGs right from the first shoot, the atmosphere on set would have surely plummeted.
As staff members of the KBC drama department, who had been experiencing a slump for three years, having the first shoot end in one take provided a definite motivation.
This time is different.
Despite uttering the clichéd lines every time a new drama airs, this time it was genuinely different.
It had to be different.
Thus.
“We really did well with the casting.”
“Please let it stay this way!”
They prayed to the various gods they only knew by name for the success of the drama.
Only Yu Sung-jae exhibited a different kind of emotion amid the fervent urgency of the filming.
“Um, Ha Eun, did I do something wrong…?”
Maybe it was because Ha Eun’s sword had narrowly passed by him earlier.
He couldn’t help but ask if he had done something to make Ha Eun dislike him.
Nevertheless, the response he received from Ha Eun, who continued to maintain his indifferent expression, was,
“No.”
It was a negation that couldn’t have been clearer.
Yu Sung-jae added on that this was Ha Eun’s way of supporting him.
Of course, the recipient of such unexpected support was simply filled with confusion.
After all, the tension Yu Sung-jae had felt moments ago was genuine.
It turned out that he could portray Lee Hyun’s fear of Yeom Wol even more convincingly due to that tension.
The fear emanating from the depths of Yu Sung-jae’s heart belonged to a type that could never be faked.
However, from Ha Eun’s perspective, it was simply acting as usual.
As of now, Yu Sung-jae hadn’t done anything to earn Ha Eun’s dislike.
‘…He’s a good person.’
In the entertainment industry, where incidents abound, Yu Sung-jae was one of the few who was free from scandal.
It was the same in Ha Eun’s memory of the entertainment industry as well.
That was why she didn’t feel any distance from Yu Sung-jae.
As someone who had already proven his kindness, he was fine to befriend.
Thanks to that, she could act without reservation while looking down on Prince Lee Hyun.
No matter how much one says acting and reality are separate, being apprehensive towards one’s co-actor inevitably affects the performance.
“Alright, if you’re ready, we’ll start. 3, 2, 1… Action!”
Thus, after the filming of S#2, where Lee Hyun is taken to Yeom Wol’s residence started,
time flowed on and they completed filming S#6, which involved cooking the wild boar Yeom Wol caught during the day.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Ah, yes… you too, Ha Eun.”
She was just focused on syncing well with Yu Sung-jae.
Meanwhile, Yu Sung-jae felt slightly burdened by Ha Eun’s unreserved performance.
In any case, the first day’s filming soon came to an end.
To watch the <Illusory Realm PV>, which she had forgotten for a moment while concentrating on filming Clouds Parting Moonlight, she hurried to the costume room.
About 15 minutes later, she held the phone that had been in Ha Eun’s school uniform pocket.
However, she couldn’t watch the Illusory Realm PV right away because.
“<Illusory Realm: Mile> Debut Broadcast!”
“3312 viewers online”
One of the members from the Illusory Realm, who debuted today, was still conducting the debut live broadcast.
No matter how important the Illusory Realm PV was, it wasn’t as vital as watching a debut broadcast of a fellow Illusory Realm member.
Therefore.
– Isn’t JPOP fundamentally not Yoyasobi?
– How can someone who debuted less than 10 years ago even know what ‘fundamental’ is?
– If you’re going to talk about fundamentals, you should bring in Yonezu Kenshi.
– Ah, it smells old-fashioned.
– Amagazara is below par — —
After logging into Mile’s live broadcast, which was currently airing <JPOP Ideal World Cup>, just like how she had done in the past whenever she watched Da Ramji’s broadcast, she typed in the chat using Ha Eun’s trademark manner: “<Diah: Starting to watch~.”
Afterward, she continued watching Mile's live broadcast until she got on Ju Jung-yun's van headed home.
The issue was that the logged-in ID was not D.A, the manager of Da Ramji’s broadcast, but rather Diah of the Illusory Realm.
However, the bigger problem was.
“Oh, it’s the maknae!”
“…!!”
It was the fact that Mile, who had been doing her best in her broadcast, had mentioned Ha Eun’s nickname.
Then, just seconds after that.
“Hmm, it’s about time to sign off, so we’ll watch our maknae’s debut PV briefly and wrap it up~.”
The biggest problem was that a brief PV for Diah's debut broadcast, scheduled for Tuesday, began to play.
As a result, the volume of Ha Eun's phone decreased at lightning speed.
However, after arriving home and finally watching the Illusory Realm PV from start to finish, she eventually fell asleep, and as time flowed once more.
At last, when Diah's debut broadcast was about to begin.
“Phew…”
A deep breath escaped her as the number of waiting viewers crawled past the single digit and headed toward double digits.
After adjusting the position of the microphone slightly.
She spread open the old notebooks she had been using since childhood on her desk, taking in the various contents written within.
Ultimately, she has to act to the fullest to avoid any regret or lingering thoughts.
- Click.
Finally, after bringing Diah's PV video onto the broadcast screen, all that was left was a deep breath.
Afterward.
- Is a big one coming? Is a big one coming? Is a big one coming?
- Cream or Mile or the maknae is said to be the best.
- The avatar is indeed the prettiest.
Alternating her gaze between the messages from many viewers eagerly waiting for Diah's debut and the story of Diah being played on the broadcast screen.
[ …the spirit has finally obtained what they have long dreamed of. Now, all that remains is to simply enjoy the "illusion." ]
Only when the last line of the PV was recited did she finally open her long-closed mouth.
