Since the script work for up to twenty-four episodes was all finished, “Byeonghwa” immediately adjusted its schedule and began the filming process.
Indoor set construction, securing outdoor filming locations, equipment rental, and sponsorship contracts were already completed, so there wasn’t much new to prepare for filming.
All that was left was to hold the full script reading and then immediately proceed with the filming schedule.
Of course, Jo Joong-hoon’s contribution was significant in setting up this perfect situation.
Clearly, perhaps because Jo Joong-hoon had a lot of experience directing historical dramas, his ability to prioritize tasks and follow procedures was exceptional.
These were aspects difficult to master without sufficient experience.
Thanks to that, Taeha was able to schedule the full script reading almost immediately after finishing the final draft of the twenty-four episodes.
And he was extremely satisfied with the full script reading that began.
That’s because among the actors who joined this time, not a single one fell short of Taeha’s expectations.
The veteran middle-aged actors, of course, went without saying.
These were actors from whom even Taeha had a lot to learn.
It was nonsensical to even discuss acting skill at Taeha’s level from the start.
Apart from the difference in innate star quality, all of them displayed acting skills either superior to or on par with Taeha’s.
Therefore, naturally, Taeha’s concern lay with all the lead actors, including the sub-roles and sub-sub-roles.
He wasn’t too worried about rookie-level actors.
Their roles were minor, so their influence was low, and the number of participants in the full script reading was so large that rookie actors couldn’t even participate in that day’s schedule.
Ultimately, the acting Taeha paid close attention to during the full script reading was that of Song Ji-eun, Park Hyeon-je, Han Ji-hee, Im Geon-won, and Im Bo-ram.
And their acting was satisfying, perhaps because they had prepared diligently while Taeha was writing the script.
They acted as if they were using their Immersion Ability, even though they weren’t.
It was almost at the level of the “Fight School” footage.
That meant if Taeha properly utilized his Immersion Ability, the results could be even better.
‘That’s a relief. It’ll be difficult for me to participate in every filming session for this project like I did with “Fight School.”‘
The scale of a historical drama was, of course, immense.
If he showed his face at every filming location for this schedule like he did with “Fight School,” it was clear his body wouldn’t hold up.
He would definitely burn out and wither by the later stages of filming.
For that reason, Taeha planned to selectively appear only at the important scenes he had in mind.
He estimated it would be about sixty-five percent.
So, inevitably, there would be filming sessions where he couldn’t utilize his Immersion Ability.
Taeha’s interest in the lead actors’ performances was to prepare for this.
‘But since they’re acting this well, I have less to worry about.’
Especially Song Ji-eun’s acting was incredible, befitting a global star.
It was acting that made him wonder if he had ever felt this way about an actress before.
It was acting that felt like that of a master, and even the senior actors didn’t hold back their praise for Song Ji-eun.
Im Mi-hee, an actress he was meeting again in a project for the first time since “The Scattered People,” was exactly like that.
“How is it that this kid’s acting keeps getting better and better? Are you eating something good alone abroad? What is it? Let me have some too.”
It was praise tinged with Im Mi-hee’s unique way of speaking.
It was that good of a performance, and Taeha also felt a bit nervous.
He thought that as the male lead, he shouldn’t be completely overshadowed by Song Ji-eun.
But as a result,
“What’s with this guy? Did you already give him something too?”
As he whispered sweetly, a genuine cheer of “Aaaah!” erupted from everyone on set.
But it was no problem at all.
Because the key point of this scene was for all the women in the marketplace to melt at Kim Seong-wol’s voice and cheer.
Rather than acting, it became non-acting, making the scene feel more real.
In that way, Taeha perfectly explained what kind of person Kim Seong-wol was with just one scene.
Unfortunately, however,
“Cut!”
The NG signal came from Jo Joong-hoon.
For Taeha, who usually got an okay sign in one take for most scenes, it was a disconcerting result.
That was because there was no reason for an NG in Taeha’s acting just now.
“You’re the one eating? Look at these guys. Being sneaky just among themselves. Am I not even a person? Let me act well too.”
Thanks to perfectly executing the script reading, Taeha also received such praise from Im Mi-hee.
The overall reaction from the actors was so dramatic, even more so than when Song Ji-eun acted, showing how impressive Taeha’s performance was.
What especially surprised Taeha was Song Ji-eun’s reaction; even after Taeha finished his act, Song Ji-eun stood motionless for a while with her mouth agape.
Then, belatedly coming to her senses, she kept blushing and glancing at Taeha.
For that reason, Taeha could only tilt his head and think this.
‘Is there something on my face?’
It wasn’t easy to immerse himself in the scene.
But that was only for a moment.
Taeha quickly adapted and focused on filming.
Using his Immersion Ability, the filming set, which felt unfamiliar for a moment, became as comfortable as his own home.
Thanks to that, Taeha was able to showcase on set the acting skills that had amazed everyone during the full script reading.
Adding to that the actual expressions and movements he couldn’t show during the full script reading, he seemed to completely become Kim Seong-wol himself.
That very Kim Seong-wol who made all the women of the eight provinces of Joseon restless with excitement.
“How could I forget you? Your name descended lightly like a flower seed and completely melted my heart.”
As Taeha sent a sweet gaze and whispered sweetly in the marketplace, another sigh of admiration flowed from everyone on set.
Fortunately, he checked the mirror, but there was nothing on his face.
Reassured by this fact, Taeha finished the full script reading.
***
The following week, after successfully completing the full script reading like this.
After safely finishing the test shoot, they began filming in earnest on the historical drama set.
At first, even Taeha, who prided himself on adapting well anywhere, found it difficult to get used to the “Byeonghwa” filming set.
There were so many actors and staff, making it several times more chaotic than a normal shoot, and the background itself, being a period drama, felt even more unfamiliar.
The staff conducting the shoot with modern equipment amidst the period setting also felt incongruous, making it impossible not to feel awkward.
Even the supporting actors showed a realism beyond just acting, so an okay sign should have been normal.
However, Jo Joong-hoon wasn’t the type to get greedier with directing when the actors’ performances were good, like Lee Hae-ik.
Nor was he a completely minimalist style like Yun Taeseong, but he knew when to apply force and when not to.
And this scene was a time when he shouldn’t apply force.
‘But why?’
While Taeha was thinking this, the reason for the NG was revealed through Jo Joong-hoon’s mouth.
“Seung-hye, you shouldn’t look at him wistfully here.”
“Seung-hye, you shouldn’t fall for Seong-wol here.”
That was it.
Song Ji-eun, acting as Han Seung-hye, just like the others, had unknowingly blushed and cheered.
It was acting different from the script.
Originally, Han Seung-hye should have frowned upon seeing the cheering here.
Receiving Jo Joong-hoon’s pointed remark, Song Ji-eun belatedly realized her mistake and kept bowing her head.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Let’s just re-shoot Han Seung-hye’s expression.”
In the filming that began like that, Song Ji-eun was fortunately able to finish her acting without any further issues.
It was even a perfect performance.
***
For several weeks after that.
The filming of “Byeonghwa” progressed smoothly.
Episode 1 dealt with the scenes up to Kim Seong-wol and Han Seung-hye becoming aware of and first meeting each other.
Like a typical first episode, its main purpose was to introduce the characters and convey the overall concept.
Episode 2 unfolded scenes of Kim Seong-wol actively approaching Han Seung-hye.
Of course, Han Seung-hye, who had a negative perception of Kim Seong-wol, pushed him away.
She even told him not to bother her and uttered harsh words, but Kim Seong-wol was greatly shocked by Han Seung-hye’s reaction.
Because he had never imagined he would face rejection.
“Me? Are you talking to me right now? I’m Kim Seong-wol, you know?”
“So what if you’re Kim Seong-wol? I have no interest in a gentleman who sits still in his room like porcelain, just reading books. I actually think it’s pathetic. If you read books like that, when do you shoot arrows and swing swords?”
“When do I do it? After finishing the book, of course. Are you saying you’ve seen me shoot arrows and swing a sword?”
“I don’t need to see it to know.”
“Know? I may look like this, but I seriously considered the military exams! If you don’t believe me, shall we make a bet?”
“Now you want to have a bet with a woman? Fine. What shall we wager?”
“Granting a wish!”
Thus began the bet.
Kim Seong-wol shows unexpected archery and swordsmanship skills.
But even so, he can’t match Han Seung-hye.
Kim Seong-wol ultimately loses the bet.
He asks Han Seung-hye.
“What is your wish?”
“Please don’t approach me anymore. I am a woman who cannot give you what you want anyway.”
And Han Seung-hye’s clear expression of refusal, leading to a crisis in their relationship, was the conclusion of Episode 2.
Episode 3 shows Kim Seong-wol trying to give up.
Han Seung-hye, feeling relieved that the annoyingly persistent Kim Seong-wol has disappeared, gradually discovers her own feelings of regret.
Meanwhile, Han Seung-hye’s marriage partner is forcibly decided due to her father’s pressure.
He was worried that his daughter, whose marriageable age was fully ripe, might be delayed further.
Surprisingly, the marriage prospect Han Seung-hye’s father is interested in is from Kim Seong-wol’s family.
If things go this way, she might end up with Kim Seong-wol.
Belatedly learning this fact, Han Seung-hye goes straight to her father to protest but instead gets severely scolded.
While sitting by the river in despair like that.
Someone’s shadow falls over her.
“Is it so unpleasant to form a marital bond with me?”
The person who appears is Kim Seong-wol.
Han Seung-hye is flustered by the sudden meeting.
Unexpectedly, Han Seung-hye realizes there is a sense of gladness in her heart and is even more surprised.
While Han Seung-hye, in her fluster and surprise, is unable to continue speaking.
Kim Seong-wol, who had been quietly watching Han Seung-hye’s expression, opens his mouth.
“At the very least, I will not go against your will. I haven’t forgotten that I lost the bet.”
Kim Seong-wol shows a smile as if to reassure Han Seung-hye.
And the next day, Kim Seong-wol’s family politely expresses their refusal to Han Seung-hye’s family.
Considering Kim Seong-wol’s family is a scholarly yangban family, this is truly an unusual event.
For that reason, Han Seung-hye’s father also accepts the refusal from Kim Seong-wol’s family without taking great offense.
Simultaneously, he decides to stop looking for a marriage prospect for Han Seung-hye for a while.
He was worried that if he faced more rejection, his prestige would greatly diminish.
Thus, Han Seung-hye escapes the crisis of marriage thanks to Kim Seong-wol and unknowingly nurtures feelings for him.
And the two people meet again by chance.
This was the content up to Episode 3.
***
In this way, from Episode 1 to 3 of “Byeonghwa,” the focus was on the relationship between Kim Seong-wol and Han Seung-hye before the Imjin War.
For that reason, of course, the acting of the two was inevitably important.
But no one worried about this part.
It was only natural, given Taeha and Song Ji-eun’s outstanding acting skills.
However, an unexpected problem arose, which was…
“Cut. Let’s go again.”
Contrary to expectations, it was Song Ji-eun’s acting, which had frequent NGs.