Peninsula: Starting with Hijacking Yoona

73, Filming in progress 1

The days on set weren't as fresh and interesting as Li Jingcheng had imagined; instead, they were filled with a sense of oppressive dullness.

His naturally gifted appearance makes makeup and styling a breeze for him; he doesn't need to make repeated adjustments and can complete the entire makeup and styling process in just over twenty minutes.

However, the other members of the crew were completely different; they spent more time applying foundation, makeup, and tidying up their ancient costumes and hair.

In the huge shooting studio, everyone was busy running around. The dressing room was bustling with noise, and staff members were shuttling back and forth. The props, costumes, and lighting teams were all doing their jobs. The excitement was for others.

Only Li Jingcheng wandered around the film set, but after a while, he started to get bored.

Moreover, he didn't know anyone in the crew. His phone had already been handed over to Luo Yonghao for safekeeping, and without any entertainment, the long wait became exceptionally agonizing.

"Jingcheng, you're in such great shape." Screenwriter Chen Xiuwan walked up to him at some point, her gaze fixed on him, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement, her tone full of admiration, "Your temperament and figure, just standing here, you don't need to act at all, you are exactly what a king should look like."

When praised by the editor in public, Li Jingcheng snapped out of his daze and said humbly, "You flatter me. I still have a lot to learn in order to play the role of Li Xuan well."

Donning Li Xuan's imperial robes, the attire accentuated his commanding presence, completely shedding his youthful naiveté. His cold expression truly gave him the air of an emperor.

The production team had a substantial budget, and the costumes perfectly matched the noble royal character and ancient style of the drama. The main body of the costumes was red, with a solemn and dignified tone.

The embroidery throughout the garment is all meticulously hand-embroidered, brimming with detail. The collar, cuffs, and hem edges are delicately outlined with dark gold cloud and dragon patterns.

The wide, cross-collar design is neat and elegant, making his shoulders and back appear even more upright and broad, and his neck lines neat and straight. A wide brocade belt of the same color is tied around his waist, with a piece of matte black jade inlaid in the center of the belt, which weighs down the flowing feel of the whole outfit, making his posture even more elegant and upright.

Chen Xiuwan looked at the young man before her, becoming more and more satisfied, and was already looking forward to seeing how he would look on camera.

Han Ga-in had also finished her makeup, but she wore a classic, elegant court dress. Her long, black hair was styled into a simple court updo, secured with only a single translucent white jade hairpin. Delicate pearl earrings dangled from her ears, swaying gently with the slightest movement.

Her makeup was light and elegant, with a clean and natural base. Her eyebrows and eyes were delicately drawn, making her features appear gentle and clear, and her temperament both cool and soft.

Li Jingcheng's eyes lit up. Although he had seen her in the promotional photos, seeing her again after a few days still made him think she was very beautiful.

As expected, the old A8 is still the A8.

Before long, all preparations on set were complete.

With the lights, camera positions, and props all adjusted and ready, the crew quickly cleared the set, and all staff members took their positions, waiting for filming to begin.

This scene serves as a prelude to the confrontation between the adult Li Xuan and Yan Yu upon their reunion. It doesn't involve intense dialogue conflicts, but rather subtle emotional tugs, making it a classic transitional scene with a strong sense of atmosphere throughout the entire drama.

"Jingcheng, Jiaren-xi, you two should be mindful of your distance during this scene," Chen Xiuwan said patiently, pointing to the lines in the script. "Li Xuan is currently half-testing and half-doubting. He feels that the shaman in front of him resembles Yan Yu, but he doesn't dare to recognize her. His imperial pride and concerns are suppressing his emotions. Yan Yu recognizes the shadow but doesn't dare to admit it. She is timid, evasive, and has to hide her emotions."

Han Ga-in nodded gently, turned to look at Lee Kyung-sung beside her, and took the initiative to start a conversation about the scene. Her voice was gentle and light, "Let's go through the emotions briefly, and find the right eye contact first."

Despite having worked in the industry for many years, she showed absolutely no airs of a senior.

Although Li Jingcheng had a cheat code, he still needed to understand the character thoroughly. He nodded in agreement, "Yes, Jiarennuna."

Han Jiaren softened her gaze slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke softly, as if she carried Xu Yanyu's restraint, "When you look at me later, your gaze can be a little more serious. Don't be gentle; look like an emperor scrutinizing me. I will avoid your gaze. This sense of distance is the barrier between us now."

As she spoke, she subtly raised her eyes, demonstrating a delicate avoidance; her long eyelashes drooped slightly, and her eyes instantly showed timidity and restraint.

Lee Kyung-sung was watching intently, actually observing Han Ga-in up close. He hadn't been able to keep a close eye on her during the last makeup test, but now that it was the actual shoot, he could look at her freely.

He responded in a low voice, "Replace emotions with doubt and probing."

"Yes." Han Jiaren smiled slightly and nodded in affirmation. "Your appearance is too upright and gentle. If you tone down the boyishness a little and add more of the tension and repression of a monarch, it will be just right."

In just a few lines of dialogue, the two actors perfectly coordinated their rhythm, eye contact, and physical distance.

After confirming everything was in order, Kim Do-hoon stepped back behind the monitor and said in a deep voice, "All departments, prepare! Power on!"

Director Kim Do-hoon's deep voice, tinged with anticipation, rang out steadily in the quiet film set.

The crisp sound of the clapperboard suddenly rang out, and filming officially began for the adult main storyline of "The Moon Embracing the Sun".

Warm, soft yellow light from the antique-style ceiling lamps spills down in layers, set against the simple and elegant palace setting. The vermilion pillars, carved windows, and retro furnishings are all bathed in warm, soft light, instantly drawing everyone into the solemn and profound atmosphere of the ancient palace.

The moment the clapper fell, Li Jingcheng instantly abandoned his relaxed and casual demeanor while waiting on set, his entire state suddenly becoming calm and focused, seamlessly entering the role.

The youthful, gentle gaze vanished completely, replaced by the aloofness and profoundness befitting someone in a high position. His crimson imperial robes accentuated his imposing aura.

He didn't speak immediately, but stood quietly, a sense of oppression involuntarily emanating from him. His heavy gaze fell on the person opposite him.

Across from her, Han Jiaren, dressed in a simple and elegant white gown, exuded a gentle and graceful aura. She glanced at Li Xuan, then subconsciously lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her subtle panic was barely concealed, yet it fell perfectly within the camera's field of vision.

Han Jiaren took a slow, deliberate step forward, her movements light and hesitant.

Li Jingcheng's gaze locked onto her, his eyes slowly tracing her features, as if comparing something.

After a few seconds of silence, he slowly delivered his deep voice, speaking at a very slow pace, carrying the unique oppressive aura of a monarch, yet concealing an almost imperceptible expectation: "Raise your head."

Han Jiaren's shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly. She kept her eyes down and her head lowered. Her voice was soft and weak, yet it carried a sense of detachment. "With my humble status, I dare not look directly at the emperor's face."

The moment that line was spoken, the sense of propriety was instantly heightened. The more respectful and aloof she was, the more it highlighted the vast distance between them.

A slight emotion flickered in Li Jingcheng's eyes. He didn't press for answers; the empathy replication had already begun, and he was Li Xuan at this moment.

He gazed at her silently, his gaze heavy and intense. All his doubts, longing, and resentment were suppressed in their silent eye contact; his eyes were fixed solely on this woman.

The entire room was silent. Everyone was drawn into the story by the tension in the camera's lens, and no one dared to break the tense atmosphere.

The two actors filmed the entire scene in one continuous take, with a smooth and natural transition in their emotions, making it a very successful production.

"Cut! Perfect! One take!"

Director Kim Do-hoon's loud praise instantly warmed up the atmosphere on set, and the tense atmosphere completely relaxed.

Li Jingcheng immediately stopped acting, the deep emotions in his eyes quickly fading away, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

Han Ga-in smiled and turned to look at him, her eyes sincere and gentle. She took the initiative to comment, "Kyung-sung is very comfortable filming with you. He gets into character very quickly."

It was so fast it felt strange...

Li Jingcheng naturally knew that it was her skills that had helped her, and they praised each other, "That was also because Jiaren Nuna helped me get into it first, Li Xuan. We are helping each other."

Han Ga-in gently shook her head, her tone friendly and without any sense of distance, "It's rare to have such great chemistry on our first time acting together."