The Face Genius Actor

Episode 139

The atmosphere on the set improved again after the team dinner at the whole chicken restaurant.

The high expectations for “Toema Hwan Ya Dam” that had risen due to “Escape” and “Let’s Live Together, Princess” also somewhat decreased.

This was because the media had continuously reported new issues in the meantime.

Various scandals, political problems, social issues, heinous crimes, etc….

In fact, it was rare for a single issue to last more than a month in modern society.

It was unavoidable.

‘Should I say it’s fortunate that the expectations for “Toema Hwan Ya Dam” haven’t completely disappeared?’

Anyway, people’s expectations were no longer at a burdensome level.

Thanks to this, “Toema Hwan Ya Dam” was able to proceed with filming in a good atmosphere.

There was a feeling of being closer to each other than before, and filming had already entered the early part of Part 3.

Part 3 of “Toema Hwan Ya Dam” dealt with a new episode after dealing with the window ghost.

Yeon, who had eliminated both the window ghost and the tiger using the Choyeol-geukdo, tried to leave abruptly as always, but couldn’t.

It was because Seo-hee and Yi-hyun blocked his way.

The reason why the two stood in front of Yeon was simple.

They thought Yeon would know the whole story of this incident.

“It’s the work of window ghosts. And window ghosts refer to people who died from tiger attacks and turned into evil spirits due to resentment.”

“I’ve heard rumors about the existence of window ghosts, but this is the first time I’ve heard of so many appearing. Do you know why this happened?”

“I don’t know.”

“But how were you able to deal with the window ghosts so skillfully like that?”

“That’s because I’m an exorcist who specializes in banishing evil spirits.”

“An exorcist who specializes in banishing evil spirits? Are you perhaps a shaman?”

“I don’t serve gods. I just banish evil spirits as a human.”

“An exorcist…. It’s the first time I’ve heard of such a being.”

“Actually, it’s better not to know. The fact that an exorcist needs to come to the forefront is evidence that great misfortune has befallen the country.”

“Misfortune….”

“Nothing good will come to you by getting involved with me. So don’t block my way anymore.”

With those final words, Yeon disappeared, and Seo-hee and Yi-hyun also dispersed.

This was the early part of Part 3 that had been filmed so far.

‘Now we need to film the scene where Seo-hee and Yi-hyun start searching for Yeon again.’

It was Yi-hyun’s turn first.

Just then, my brother finished his makeup and was walking towards the camera.

After confirming this, I raised my voice.

“Standby! Cue!”

* * *

Yi-hyun, who had returned to the palace after a long period of secret travel, was flipping through a book.

It was a book related to exorcists that Yi-hyun had separately ordered an eunuch to obtain.

The book titled “Twilight Chronicles” contained the following passage:

[On the day the exorcist appears again, the world will be close to its end.]

A passage reminiscent of Yeon’s last words before leaving.

Yi-hyun had an ominous feeling about this passage.

But that feeling didn’t last long.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, and a loud voice rang out.

“His Majesty the King is arriving!”

The king’s procession.

Yi-hyun realized that the situation was turning unusual.

As expected, soldiers from the State Tribunal dragged Yi-hyun out and made him kneel on the dirt ground outside the East Palace.

The person standing in front of Yi-hyun was none other than the king.

“How dare you disobey my orders and leave the palace!”

The king severely rebuked him.

But Yi-hyun said nothing.

He couldn’t find any words of excuse.

It was an undeniable fact that Yi-hyun had gone on a secret journey without asking for permission.

After fuming for a while, the king extended the period of confinement and further strengthened the security around.

He also didn’t forget to warn that this would be the last time he showed mercy.

But even while receiving the king’s rebuke, Yi-hyun was lost in other thoughts.

‘That passage bothers me.’

It was a passage written in a book that merely compiled unofficial histories.

Yet, it kept lingering in Yi-hyun’s mind.

It felt as if some premonition was sending a strong warning to Yi-hyun.

‘What’s the hidden meaning of the passage? Does it mean that the exorcist appears to prevent the end? Or…’

Does it mean that the exorcist brings about the end?

Meanwhile, he recalled what had happened in Majae Village recently.

Five tigers controlled by window ghosts and an unknown power opposing them.

In Yi-hyun’s mind, a five-foot-tall flaming sword was being wielded fiercely.

After that, he couldn’t just sit still.

It felt like something was about to happen at any moment.

So Yi-hyun decided to go on another secret journey.

‘If I’m caught this time, I’ll be deposed as crown prince. But more important than that is… the safety of the people!’

With that, Yi-hyun once again stepped outside the palace, breaking through the strict security.

Yi-hyun’s eyes were filled with determination.

* * *

“Cut! Okay!”

My brother perfectly expressed all the emotions of Yi-hyun, a character with a strong sense of responsibility as the crown prince.

I thought once again that it was fortunate to have cast my brother as the crown prince.

It seemed like no one else could have portrayed Yi-hyun’s emotions so perfectly.

It was such an excellent performance.

Director Kang Han-sung, who was watching my brother’s acting with me, didn’t hold back his praise.

“As expected, actor Lee Si-joon is an excellent actor. The final eye acting was impressive.”

I thought the same, but I didn’t voice it out.

It wasn’t appropriate for me to directly praise my brother on set.

Although I didn’t hold back praise and encouragement for the staff and actors for the atmosphere of the set, it was unavoidable.

My brother was the only exception in this matter.

As I kept my mouth shut, Director Kang Han-sung smiled as if he understood my feelings and changed the subject.

“The next shoot is scene 22 of Part 3, actor.”

“Everyone, please prepare for the next shoot!”

As I shouted loudly, the staff started moving busily to prepare for the next shoot.

Scene 22 of Part 3 was about the reason why Seo-hee starts chasing after Yeon.

‘This is a scene where her acting skills will inevitably be directly compared to Yi-hyun’s. I wonder if Im Seung-hee can pull it off well?’

Fortunately, from the scene where she recalls Yeon while receiving a commission fee from a merchant,

to the scene where she decides to chase after Yeon, remembering her past when her younger sibling lost their life due to a strange incident,

Im Seung-hee performed without much difficulty.

Although it wasn’t as nuanced as my brother’s acting, she excelled at accurately hitting the key points in each scene.

It felt like this strength was even more prominent than during the first shoot.

“Ms. Im Seung-hee’s acting is good too. The timing of silently shedding tears while reminiscing about the past was perfect,” Director Kang Han-sung didn’t hold back his praise this time either.

I also thought Im Seung-hee’s acting was excellent, so I raised my voice.

“That was great, Seung-hee!”

Director Kang Han-sung made a deflating sound as if he found it funny that I only praised Im Seung-hee.

But I didn’t mind and gave a few more words of praise to Im Seung-hee.

My brother’s expression seemed to harden slightly as he watched this, but I pretended not to notice.

It was unavoidable to raise the mood on set.

“Now it’s your turn, actor. Shall we prepare for the shoot right away?”

I looked around the set after receiving Director Kang Han-sung’s question.

“Everyone seems a bit tired, so let’s take a 30-minute break before starting the shoot.”

“Alright. Then we’ll resume shooting after a 30-minute break!”

As the actors and staff dispersed, I looked over the shooting script in the meantime.

It wasn’t because I had forgotten my lines or couldn’t recall the shooting scenes.

I realized that briefly looking over the script like this was useful for getting into actor mode.

As I was about to start looking at the script in earnest, someone approached and spoke to me.

“Hey.”

When I turned my head, it was my brother standing there.

His expression was the same as usual, but I could sense some sort of dissatisfaction.

It was an emotion only I could recognize.

“What? Are you upset again?”

“…I’m not upset.”

I checked if anyone was around for a moment before speaking.

“Your acting earlier was really good. I was impressed that all the stage directions I wrote in the script were expressed through your facial expressions. Especially the acting at the end where you expressed determination with just your eyes was perfect.”

There was a brief silence between us, and after a while, my brother asked back.

“…Really?”

“Of course. It was really good.”

“Okay. Good luck with your shooting too.”

My brother left with a gruff expression, and I was relieved.

To others, his expression might look the same, but I could easily tell that his mood had improved.

I suddenly thought that fulfilling the role of a director wasn’t easy.

But I couldn’t dwell too deeply on these thoughts.

Now 20 minutes left.

I needed to read the script diligently to enter actor mode.

And finally, after 20 minutes, my shooting as an actor began.

* * *

I’m also surprised.

It’s been nineteen years since window ghosts appeared in Joseon like this.

I briefly check the pouch containing the magic charms and sigh.

I used too many magic charms at once to use the Choyeol-geukdo.

“How am I going to replenish this?”

As I mutter to myself, Wi-rang quietly approaches and puts a hand on my shoulder.

This is how Wi-rang comforts me when in human form.

I smile at Wi-rang.

“Okay. I’ll cheer up.”

With that, I take out the spirit compass from my chest and set the direction again.

And Wi-rang and I start walking northeast.

How long have we walked?

Wi-rang and I stop at the same time.

Because what appears to be a public cemetery has come into view.

‘Is it a wild goose chase?’

Contrary to popular belief, there are usually no significant evil spirits in public cemeteries.

The act of burying the dead and holding memorial services itself washes away resentment, so it’s natural.

Even more so in a well-managed place like this.

‘It seems the spirit compass pointed to a soul that hasn’t ascended yet this time.’

This happens sometimes.

The spirit compass, true to its name, points to wherever there are souls.

As I’m about to move on without thinking much of it, I suddenly stop.

I’ve noticed something suspicious in the cemetery I believed was well-managed.

‘Why is the soil of the graves moist and not firm as if it was just plowed?’

If it was just one grave, I could understand.

I could think that someone was newly buried recently.

But it’s not just one mound where the soil is not firm and moist.

‘At least thirty.’

I estimate the number and am shocked.

At the same time, an ominous name comes to mind.

“Red Flame Ghost…”

As I unconsciously utter that name, Wi-rang turns sharply towards me.