Free Web NovelYoomyeong delved deeply into the inner world of Lee Bang-won.
When he was seven years old, fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
a story from the capital, Kaesong, left a profound impression on the exceptionally bright child.
It was a heroic tale, almost like a fairy tale.
“There is a man named Jeong Mong-ju in Kaesong. On his way back from Beijing, where he had gone as Chief Envoy to the Ming dynasty, his ship was wrecked by a typhoon. Including the official record keeper, twelve people died. And yet he survived for thirteen days on a rocky island without food. Even in that extreme situation, he kept the Emperor of Ming’s letter dry by /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ holding it close inside his clothes.”
“Wow, really?” freewēbnoveℓ.com
“It’s impressive, isn’t it? When the Emperor of Ming heard about it, he sent a ship to rescue him. Despite being emaciated from prolonged starvation, he calmly carried out all the proper rituals. The Emperor of Ming greatly praised the loyalty of the Goryeo people after witnessing this.”
How thrilled must a clever child from the northeastern frontier town of Hwaryeong have been by stories of such heroism, along with tales of the dazzling capital Kaesong and its extraordinary figures?
But that was not all.
When he was twelve, Jeong Mong-ju added yet another glorious diplomatic achievement to his name.
After criticizing Lee In-Im’s pro-Yuan policies, Jeong Mong-ju was dismissed and exiled. Even after his release, he did not return to the center of power.
That September, he volunteered to serve as an envoy and crossed over to Japan as a Bobingsa diplomatic emissary.
At the time, Japan was regarded as a den of barbarians where envoys were often captured or executed. His political enemies rejoiced when he volunteered, hoping he would never return.
Yet the following year, he came back aboard a ship carrying thousands of captives and slaves.
Stories of his exploits spread throughout the country.
Rumors circulated that he had sat face to face with the tandai, Imagawa Ryoshun, in Kyushu and explained the principles of loyalty and mutual interest between the two nations. Ryoshun was said to have been deeply impressed by Jeong Mong-ju’s character and learning.
It was also said that Japanese monks flocked to hear his poetry every day, turning him into a legend.
The incident elevated his reputation even further and marked his return to the center of politics.
He was a man of immense learning and diplomacy, unmatched in his era.
Naturally, Bang-won could not help idolizing such a figure as the years passed.
When Bang-won moved to the capital, Kaesong, in his early teens, he expressed to his cultured and elegant stepmother, Lady Kang, his desire to study under Jeong Mong-ju.
“Bang-won wishes for it.”
“Even if he has known me since the days of Seondeokrang, that is still a difficult favor to ask...”
“The teacher currently instructing the children says Bang-won’s intelligence is exceptional. Wouldn’t he accomplish great things under a good mentor?”
“Well, it seems our family may produce its first top scholar in the civil service examinations. If my wife says so, then I shall make the request.”
Thanks to Lady Kang’s support and Lee Seong-gye’s request, a meeting with Jeong Mong-ju was arranged.
How excited must the young Lee Bang-won have been at his first meeting with the greatest scholar of the era?
And his expectations were not disappointed by the piercing logic and rhetoric of Kaesong’s finest scholar.
Eager and intelligent, Bang-won was showered with expectations and guidance, as though something extraordinary was expected of him.
Admiring him as a scholar, politician, and human being, Bang-won came to regard Jeong Mong-ju as his role model.
Then one day, their meetings abruptly ended.
He disappeared without even saying goodbye.
Suppressing his growing resentment, the fourteen-year-old boy must have struggled to assess the situation objectively, just as his teacher had taught him.
And after some time...
he realized that even personal relationships could change according to political positions.
It was a cruel logic.
Today was the day Lee Bang-won would meet Jeong Mong-ju again for the first time in two years, the man who had left such a profound mark on his life.
Burying all his resentment, longing, expectations, and disappointment deep within his heart,
he placed a diplomat’s smile upon his face,
and a politician’s logic upon his tongue.
Just as his teacher had taught him.
“In Great Learning, it is assumed that capable rulers do not emerge consistently. Looking at the royal families of the Song and Yuan dynasties, emperors remembered as benevolent rulers or tyrants appear only every few generations. It discusses the danger of the people suffering whenever an emperor lacks ability or virtue.”
The arguments found in Jin Deoksu’s Meaning of Great Learning and Ho An-guk’s Meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals could easily be interpreted as dangerous ideas, depending on how they were read.
Aware of this, Jeong Mong-ju cautiously presented his opinions while shielding himself behind examples from foreign nations and the perspectives of the original authors.
But Lee Bang-won, having already been exposed to his way of thinking, could not possibly fail to notice this.
With a faint smile, he countered.
“Then instead of hereditary succession, why not create a system that selects a proven royal heir and strengthens the education of the chosen crown prince? And what if the officials of the current age themselves lack ability, or become divided and consumed by factional conflict?”
“A supplementary system should be established to prevent that,” Jeong Mong-ju replied.
“Then would it not also be possible to establish a systematic method for cultivating royal heirs?”
“The number of royals with succession rights is small, while thousands compete for official positions. The latter is safer because there are always alternatives.”
Jeong Mong-ju smoothly countered the argument, then paused briefly before continuing.
“That is merely the author’s assertion that it would be the safer method.”
“So that was the author’s opinion?”
The atmosphere between them tightened, as though even the languid sunlight hesitated to enter.
“It was the author’s opinion.”
“I see.”
Bang-won respectfully lowered his eyes once more.
“Discussing right and wrong is valuable, but we are in the middle of a reading. Debating every line is something for gatherings of scholars. Let us continue with the lesson.”
“Yes, Master.”
The way Bang-won pronounced the word “Master” slightly unsettled Jeong Mong-ju, prompting him to refocus on Bang-won, who boldly returned his gaze.
That marked the end of the scene.
“Cut!”
Director Son called the cut and reviewed the footage alongside the director of photography.
“OK!”
The moment he shouted it with emotion, astonishment swept across the set.
Director Son’s hands trembled uncontrollably.
The Lee Bang-won he had envisioned was a young man overflowing with ambition and vigor, yet wrapped in sophistication beyond his years.
He possessed a raw youthful spirit that did not falter even before Jeong Mong-ju, a man at the pinnacle of politics.
Trying to steady his trembling hands, the director approached Yoomyeong.
“Well done. Very well done.”
“Thank you, Director.”
“I never imagined you would pull this off so perfectly after only a month of preparation. I thought I had seen enough of the world, but you continue to exceed all my expectations.”
“Thank you.”
Yoomyeong bowed modestly.
To be honest, this portrayal of Lee Bang-won would not have been possible without his increased presence.
And there was nothing shameful about that. Yoomyeong believed he had earned it.
Besides, it was only natural that the director could never have anticipated such a rise in presence.
“I thought I had seen enough, but the world still manages to surprise me...”
The director looked at him with shining eyes.
“We discussed Lee Bang-won’s character together, but I never expected this interpretation. And I mean that in the best possible way. What was your concept for the role?”
“Uh... something like an elegantly wrapped time bomb?”
The director raised his brows, silently asking him to elaborate.
“For the first time in his life, Bang-won is facing both the person he admired and longed for and the person who abandoned him. I wrapped all of those explosive emotions beneath a thin but durable layer.”
“What kind of layer?”
“The wrapping and facade of social decorum.”
A social attitude.
A sociable smile.
A politician never reveals his true nature unless doing so serves a purpose.
That was what his teacher had taught him.
So he grew up following those teachings, only to one day stand against his teacher as an enemy.
Watching the rookie actor dig even deeper into the role, the director began to feel excited about what kind of film this would ultimately become.
“Yeah...”
“Wow... I just got chills.”
The trio from yesterday’s soju gathering had witnessed the entire scene.
Bae Geohyeong had come to watch the rookie’s first shoot while getting his makeup done, while Min Gyeong Guk and Kim Jin Beom did not have scenes scheduled that day.
The rookie actor had calmly arrived for his first shoot and politely greeted them whenever they crossed paths. They had patted him on the back and told him not to be too nervous.
But to their utter shock, he completed his first scene in a single take.
All three were speechless.
“Prepare for the waist-up shot!”
As the cameras were adjusted for another angle of the same scene, Director Son approached Shin Yoomyeong and happily patted him on the shoulder while talking with him.
The three actors stared blankly at the sight.
“How many takes did your first shoot with Director Son take, actor Min?”
“Uh... no comment.”
“What about you, actor Kim?”
“I-I think seven or eight takes... I was nervous, alright? You know how terrifying Director Son’s sets are. How could anyone not be nervous during their first shoot?”
“Right... But this isn’t just about nerves...”
Bae Geohyeong blinked in amazement.
“I can’t take my eyes off him. Has there ever been an actor with that kind of presence at his age?”
“Even without considering his age, there aren’t many like that. Now I understand why Hansung was so excited about him.”
“His manner is extremely polite, but his eyes feel like they’re trying to overpower the other person. That’s exactly the kind of feeling Lee Bang-won gives off.”
“He was good during the reading, but during the actual shoot, it’s like he becomes a completely different person. We’d better step up our game, or we might get overshadowed by our junior.”
“But who’s buying the drinks?”
“Isn’t it Geohyeong hyung? How many NGs did he bet on again? Ten?”
“Hey, you little... Fine, I’ll buy the drinks. But neither of you are exactly innocent either. Didn’t you bet on five and eight NGs? That’s hardly any better.”
“True. But let’s drink another day. Suddenly I feel like practicing.”
The older actors, who resembled friendly neighborhood uncles more than celebrities, cheerfully applauded the young actor’s performance.
But deep down, they were not nearly as relaxed as they appeared.
Before being someone’s seniors, they were actors who hated losing to anyone when it came to acting.
As they dispersed, filming continued.
And during the very next scene, Director Son finally understood the true meaning behind Yoomyeong’s words about social decorum after witnessing Lee Bang-won’s expression once the facade disappeared.
