[Drama 2017] Saimdang, Light's Diary 사임당, 빛의 일기

[0ly40]

preview april 27

 

[lusciousgy]

So there won't be the reunion of saimdang & lg in the modern time then if the husband returns

[andy78]

thanks for updates @gerrytan8063 and @jayGatsby...i'm glad the two women souls met and talked...i'm glad SS knows he will survive!!!

[Jay Gatsby]

One more question.

SID could read Hangul? What? It was 1500s. It's impossible.

[andy78]

1 hour ago, Jay Gatsby said:

One more question.

SID could read Hangul? What? It was 1500s. It's impossible.

she could ...King Sejong the Great (15 May 1397 - 8 April 1450) profoundly affected Korean history with his introduction of hangul, the native phonetic alphabet system for the Korean language.

Read more here :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great

[Farah Ayuni]

My thoughts:

These two lovebirds would really die for each other and the heaven opens a way for them. Beautiful.

So, SJY is not Saimdang's reincarnation, I suppose? They are just bound to meet each other for support.

Looks like they really disregard the time difference between Rubens' and Lee Gyeom's existence.

I have a feeling Saimdang and Lee Gyeom will have a sad ending, they are not reincarnated, they just stay true to themselves. But please give us a good closure!! Make them meet in Italy please somehow, physically (don't feel like it is an option now), spiritually perhaps, in the mansion's hallway, and run to heaven together.

[gerrytan8063]

GTV Taiwan Preview on Episode 28

 

 

[liddi]

Ep27 international version continues to deliver as it gradually bridges the gap with its SBS counterpart in its historical narration, while lagging a little in the modern timeline. 

 

We continue with Saimdang's capture and Gyeom's rescue, his volatile confrontation with King Jungjong, and their respective journeys to Mt Geumgang, ending with Gyeom asking for 3 days with her. All these are familiar scenes, but again, we are privy to greater detail and different edits, some of which work better than others. Saimdang's journey to Mt. Geumgang and her time there is far better depicted than SBS', with much greater cohesion and care given to the portrayal of her artistic brilliance as she creates masterpiece after masterpiece in the solitude of the mountain. Likewise, the sequence of Gyeom's journey to find her makes sense, with him riding furiously to the foot of the mountain before continuing on foot, unlike SBS' which had him climbing, then riding, then climbing once more  The overall effect is an incredibly moving one, as we see their respective journeys, hers in her passion, and his in his need to be with her, culminating in their meeting at the place they once promised they would visit together.

 

The scene when Hwieumdang sends a secret message to Gyeom is far better depicted as well, as we get to hear all she wrote - MCH's collusion with the Japanese, the stolen warship blueprints and the plan to kill them both. This in turn explains far better, the shock and urgency with which the Crown Prince responds, since this is now also a matter of national security, with proof that MCH has betrayed his country. The SBS version never clearly shows why MCH was branded a traitor, and even his working with the Japanese to kidnap Gyeom would not have been that great a crime, seeing he was operating on King Jungjong's orders. However, the selling of the warship blueprints to the Japanese is a different matter altogether, and this is the reason his family would be made into government slaves. 

 

Other scenes, while strong, pale in comparison with SBS'. Saimdang looking back at Hwieumdang hiding in the shadows is a powerful powerful moment, and one that would have been far more effective with Saimdang's internal monologue that they must meet as friends in another lifetime. Similarly, Gyeom assuring Saimdang that he was fine, and asking for 3 days, is better depicted in the SBS version, with the perfect use of Lyn's Whenever, Wherever in the background. 

 

Meanwhile, the modern timeline is also slightly more measured, ending with SJY mulling over the John Donne poem. Time is of the essence as we now know that the fake Mt. Geumgang painting will be designated as national treasure immediately after the summit. Likewise, we are privy to more of Director Sun's inner conflict as she questions the ethical aspect of presenting the painting as genuine, which I believe, will make her future actions far more understandable. Small details, but painting a far more vivid picture than what we are given by SBS.

 

No crossovers that I can make out... I kept staring at the Crown Prince's guard since we see so many closeups of the man, but nope. Don't recognise him in any modern incarnation  

 

As always... some additional footage:

Spoiler

A more detailed scene of Hwieumdang warning Gyeom about MCH's actions. As Gyeom looks out the balcony, Hoo approaches, asks why he looks so lonely and says they should have a drink on a night like this, to which Gyeom acquieses. Just then an arrow with a note flew to the wall, which we see is shot by Hwieumdang. Gyeom reads the letter, which informs that MCH has kidnapped Saimdang. This is a trap that has been set for him, after which both of them will be killed. The Japanese are involved in the matter, and the warship blueprints that were stolen will fall into their hands. He is given directions to an old warehouse at the first intersection at Mt. Cheonan (?). Hoo wonders who could have sent them the intel.

CEO Heo excitedly informs Prof. Min that the government has agreed to designate the fake Mt. Geumgang painting as a national treasure after the summit, to which Prof. Min praises him for having pulled off an incredible feat. The older man brags that he had said there is no need to act with undue haste, since everything will come together in its time. When Director Sun wonders whether there really won't be any issues, Prof. Min reminds that as he once pointed out, the painting he has is no different from the genuine article. There are no problems with the painting in itself. However, Director Sun is not referring to the painting, but to his way of thinking. Once the painting is designated as a national treasure, the painting will forever be known as the real Mt. Geumgang painting for generations to come. As such, they would have left a legacy of lies for the present and the future. CEO Heo barks out in annoyance that she is not thinking clearly and talking nonsense, and orders her not to say anything about it. He then invites Prof. Min to join him for a drink. Stung, Prof. Min tells Director Sun that the matter of whether the painting is genuine or not, is not for them to determine. If the person looking at it is able to feel its spectacular beauty, that is real, and as such, is equivalent to the painting being genuine.

A longer scene of Asst. Nam as he drowns himself in alcohol, and is asked by Asst. Moon why he is drinking in the daytime. Asst. Nam invites him to join him, after which he asks him to estimate the amount of money that would fit into a beverage box of a particular size. He bitterly laughs when he hears the answer of 100million won, and continues drinking, as Asst. Moon asks if he needs money.

Sequence of Gyeom going to Mt. Geumgang finally makes sense. SBS version shows him climbing, then riding, then walking again, while here, we see him first riding furiously by horse to the foot of the mountain, then making the rest of the journey on foot.

A far more detailed and vivid scene of Saimdang painting, as Gyeom makes his way to the peak and to her.

 

[pixiebelle]

6 hours ago, Farah Ayuni said:

Looks like they really disregard the time difference between Rubens' and Lee Gyeom's existence.

 

 

That's one thing that kept bugging me. Is Lee Gyeom immortal ??!! How could he live so long ? 

[Farah Ayuni]

3 minutes ago, pixiebelle said:

 

That's one thing that kept bugging me. Is Lee Gyeom immortal ??!! How could he live so long ? 

Right? Scholar who walks the night now? Hehe. And one more thing I was thinking. SJY copied the John Donne poem on a modern paper right? And this is the copy she gives to Saimdang, how come the age (and the type) of the paper is the same as the rest of the Sujinbang diaries? Can somebody explain? That part is a bit off for me. 

[lusciousgy]

@liddi may I know what is international broadcast? Is it the one shown on oh!k? It's quite funny how this drama gives me that deja vu vibe as I am watching it both online & on oh!k..same but not exactly the same due to editing work done . 

[lusciousgy]

But I have to credit SSh on his acting.. main reason I managed to stay on is because he managed to show that big undying love of LEE Gyeom towards saimdang.. this drama comes with heavy sack on them..it is based on a historical female n married figure..I don't think it will boil down well with historian if saimdang chose to be with her first love ...I'm trying to pacify myself here I guess

[gerrytan8063]

@Farah Ayuni

"And this is the copy she gives to Saimdang, how come the age (and the type) of the paper is the same as the rest of the Sujinbang diaries? Can somebody explain? That part is a bit off for me. "

Paper will turn yellow with age due to lignin found in paper & oxidised lignin turning a yellow-brown colour, even how high grade the paper is, it will turn yellow in due process time

Seo Ji Yun gave John Donne written poem to Shin Saimdang in which she will carry that piece of paper into her timeline

[gerrytan8063]

Episode 27

Shin Saimdang sends Yi Gyeom off to Italy

[Farah Ayuni]

12 minutes ago, lusciousgy said:

But I have to credit SSh on his acting.. main reason I managed to stay on is because he managed to show that big undying love of LEE Gyeom towards saimdang.. this drama comes with heavy sack on them..it is based on a historical female n married figure..I don't think it will boil down well with historian if saimdang chose to be with her first love ...I'm trying to pacify myself here I guess

 

I totally agreed. His acting is first class. I cry and laugh with him. Such a great portrayal of Lee Gyeom. He even admitted that it is difficult to play his part on the drama because Saimdang is a married historical figure but he did so perfectly well! I really look up to him now. This is the first work of his that I watch and I'm impressed. 

[liddi]

I come away from Ep26 SBS version with a lot of conflicting emotions, unable to fully love it as I want to, despite it hitting so many right notes.

 

The highs are many, with brilliant performances all around that wrench my heart or chill my soul again and again. My tears began to fall the moment Gyeom stands up and sobs, bereft of any pretence, at the aunt whom he has terrorised since his youth. Similarly, the helpless entreaties of one who is more a mother than aunt to him, as she, who has always been stern and crotchety, cries in desperation, willing to give her all to save him. And I wept with them as they clung to each other, aunt-mother and son, for what is perhaps the first, but surely the last time, finally allowing their love to show. At this final juncture, Gyeom's tears is child-like before the woman who raised him and loved him as her own, and SSH nailed every single nuance of the prodigal son who has repented far too late.

 

Likewise, Saimdang's desperation as she begs to see Gyeom outside the prison and her plaintive pleas for his life tore at my heart, despite thinking I was prepared for the scene, having watched and wept over the extended preview previously. LYA gives us a heartbreaking portrayal of a woman who finally cast everything to the wind in her blind terror and despair, seeing the man she loves facing certain death. How reminiscent this scene is of her younger self, as she pleads with her father to save Gyeom's life that fateful night, willing to do anything as long as he was spared. Gone was the well-controlled woman who never allowed her carefully placed mask to slip, in her place one who openly cries for the man she loves, defeated in her very helplessness. And I wept with her once more as she returns and pours out her heart into the memoirs we would know as the Soojinbang Diary, the opening lines of which now take on a new, poignant meaning as we finally understand the circumstances that gave birth to them:

至哀至悲極天                        The wretchedness reaches the heavens
恨深而斷腸                            Deep hatred and agony
不捨晝夜                               wrack me day and night
流逝的嵗月                           The passing days
不停催促著無辜之人之命        unceasingly hurry an innocent person to his death
這悲切上達蒼天                     I pour out my grief to the heavens
故作此文                               This manuscript is written
記錄往日的回憶                     to document past memories

 

On the other spectrum, but just as powerful, is every scene King Jungjong is in. CJH owns every single scene with his chilling performance and dead, dead eyes as he wields his power over them and manipulates them as only he can. I will never forget the moment he coldly corrects Gyeom that it is his place to give the poison, and not for Gyeom to presume to receive it. King Jungjong has certainly not guarded his throne for 40 years for naught, honing craftiness alongside paranoia, even outright confronting his bodyguard about not catching Gyeom on purpose. I believe he is right on the money, knowing how the bodyguard has protected Gyeom time and again with his warnings and advice, and if Gyeom had not surrendered himself, he could very well have gone on eluding capture indefinitely. Still, the preview shows that King Jungjong has alternate instructions as Gyeom is escorted to Tamra Island, so I wonder whether the brutal king would relent in the end and set Gyeom free secretly, or his bodyguard would take it upon himself to let him go. We shall see.

 

Now for the lows, which is mainly to do with SJY's meeting with Saimdang. My worst fears are realised in this awkwardly done scene, and the CGI does nothing for it. However, what really irks me is the superfluous explanation of Gyeom as Rubens' Man in Korean Costume, which totally disregards the timeline in which Rubens did the painting 80 years later. How is that even justified, unless we are meant to forget the year in which the painting was done, which incidentally was also stated in the drama itself (1617). There are some scene continuation issues as well, with SJY putting the poem she copied into her left pocket, but removing it from her right when she shows it to Saimdang. In addition, considering the fact that the study and use of Hangul was banned by Yeonsangun in 1504, and the Ministry of Eonmun dedicated to its research abolished by King Jungjong in 1506, Saimdang's ability to read the poem is inexplicable, unless the ban was already lifted by then. Last but certainly not least, is the stretch of imagination required to believe that Rubens' Man in Korean Costume strongly resembles Gyeom, which is one that I find hard to swallow.

 

Whatever my complaints, I still hold out hope that the international version will give us a better explanation, or that the continuation in the SBS version tonight will sweep away my gripes. I truly hope so, as I would be extremely disappointed to see this drama falter here, after consistently presenting us with two vividly drawn timelines that has captivated us for so long. Please don't let us down!

[liddi]

@lusciousgy Yes, the international version is airing on Oh!K channel, GTV, TVB among others. And yup! Ditto here... having to sometimes remind myself what has transpired in the version I am watching. In some ways, I wish I could have watched each version (especially the international) with fresh eyes, not having been spoiled by already knowing what is to come. Nonetheless, I am unable to stay away and still find myself voraciously devouring every new episode once it airs. Actually, I find it best when I marathon in a stretch, which I did previously with the international version, covering 10 episodes. The lyricism and fluidity of the narration is so much more pronounced during the viewing experience, as opposed to the unavoidable choppiness of 2 episodes a week. Will certainly revisit and watch both versions all over again once it ends... assuming the drama does not let me down with a poorly crafted ending.

@gerrytan8063 I noticed the pouch of seeds with Gyeom on the ship as he sails for Italy as well. In keeping with the recurring motif, I won't be surprised if we find out those are Dianthus Chinensis 石竹 seeds  

[plainenglish]

Listen to great recitations or watch videos of John Donne's "A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning"

MP3

1. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/4413 (my favorite recitation)

2. https://media.sas.upenn.edu/pennsound/authors/Richetti/3-9-12/Donne/Richetti-John_11_A-Valediction-Forbidding-Mourning_Studio-111_UPenn_3-9-12.mp3

Videos

1. Recited by famous actor Richard Burton

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEwAnO1rhK0

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KT8rHZQYkY (set to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata)

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDgqY4S-qIw

[Jay Gatsby]

8 minutes ago, liddi said:

Now for the lows, which is mainly to do with SJY's meeting with Saimdang. My worst fears are realised in this awkwardly done scene, and the CGI does nothing for it. However, what really irks me is the superfluous explanation of Gyeom as Rubens' Man in Korean Costume, which totally disregards the timeline in which Rubens did the painting 80 years later. How is that even justified, unless we are meant to forget the year in which the painting was done, which incidentally was also stated in the drama itself (1617). There are some scene continuation issues as well, with SJY putting the poem she copied into her left pocket, but removing it from her right when she shows it to Saimdang. In addition, considering the fact that the study and use of Hangul was banned by Yeonsangun in 1504, and the Ministry of Eonmun dedicated to its research abolished by King Jungjong in 1506, Saimdang's ability to read the poem is inexplicable, unless the ban was already lifted by then. Last but certainly not least, is the stretch of imagination required to believe that Rubens' Man in Korean Costume strongly resembles Gyeom, which is one that I find hard to swallow.

Whatever my complaints, I still hold out hope that the international version will give us a better explanation, or that the continuation in the SBS version tonight will sweep away my gripes. I truly hope so, as I would be extremely disappointed to see this drama falter here, after consistently presenting us with two vividly drawn timelines that has captivated us for so long. Please don't let us down!

I totally agree with you. And SJY's role just told SID about LG didn't die? That's all?

I didn't know what was the writer thinking

[gerrytan8063]

@liddi

"I won't be surprised if we find out those are Dianthus Chinensis 石竹 seeds "

Yes...it is definitely Pae Raeng-i emboidery pouch...for him to plant at the slopes of Tuscany, although Italian species is Dianthus balbisii