Shim Eunggyu

Every face hung in this hall is quiet, without exception. If only the living wore their faces this quietly.

• Queen Consort JoYour words are always short, Minister, which is exactly why they linger.
  Shim EunggyuYour words linger longer still, Your Majesty, for being so warm.
• Oh SeryangMind the damp, Minister. Once the silk spoils, the face is the first thing to blur.

A royal portrait isn't about resemblance. It's about deciding what gets left behind. It's a problem if the one holding the brush doesn't understand that.

• Queen Consort JoMinister, you always say difficult things with such an easy face.
  Shim EunggyuBetter than Your Majesty saying easy things with a difficult one.
• Lee HeunMinister. Funny, I was never in the room when they decided my face.
  Shim EunggyuIf Your Highness were there, your ministers would lose the words to say.
• Oh SeryangWhat gets left behind isn't decided by the brush. It's decided by that day's light.