[Drama 2016] Moon Lovers ❤ Scarlet Heart Ryeo, 달의 연인-보보경심 려 \^0^/ Soompi Kdrama 2016 Winner

[aryugabriel]

I feel lost and heartbroken..depressed.. angry..sad after watching this episode..It's just a drama and i'm 40years old ahjumma who just been through and watched a lot of kdrama since winter sonata era.Never been affected like this before.. Poor my heart

[superkoala]

credit: 

credit: dramabeans

Our hwangjanim totally turns to the dark side... 

Who is this ruthless king?!

Where is my sweet cinnamon rolls Wang So?! BRING HIM BACK, SHOW!

And why is his eyeliner game getting stronger?

It seems the more evil he gets, the thicker his eyeliner becomes...

Let me lie down for a moment to cry... 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2016 by superkoala

[hellostargazers57]

I have little hate feeling to Wang So since last night episode, but i can't....for this man!! 

 

[riuenu]

7 minutes ago, MiNo88 said:

if i'm one of the translator, i might be pissed too. 

Spoiler

So u will send SO to JAIL as well?? hahahhahahahahahahahahaha, this totally crack me up

 

[Para12012]

1 minute ago, superkoala said:

 

Our hwangjanim totally turns to the dark side... 

Who is this ruthless king?!

Where is my sweet cinnamon rolls Wang So?! BRING HIM BACK, SHOW!

And why is his eyeliner game getting stronger?

It seems the more evil he gets, the thicker his eyeliner becomes...

Let me lie down for a moment to cry... 

 

 

Lol. This is exactly what i was thinking. 

[vwj1]

40somethingahjumma, coming from you, it is a such a compliment. Thank you. 

[antiherofans]

10 minutes ago, MAROSA_JIN said:

Simple But Romantic ....

 

 

 

I see Gong Gil's smile here . The same smile when Gong Gil play shadow puppets (butterfly) with the king

As I watch FMV about Wang So & Hae Soo with King & the Clown Ost, suddenly realize how much MLSHR and King & the Clown similarity

 

- Crazy king with mommy issues

- Shadow puppets

- Can't escape from the palace

- Possibly sad ending

- Both bring massive popularity to LJG

- The King & the Clown OST (Fate) lyrics is all about MLSHR

 

Promise me that when this moment’s over and we meet again

That we can put everything in the past and stand by each other

This is what we call fate, it’s something we can’t deny

Will I ever experience another day as glorious as today?

You’re a gift upon this exhausting path of life

I’ll continuously wash and shine our love so it won’t rust away

Our meeting was short like a drunken affair, but it was real

Even though this cannot last, I won’t resent it because nothing is forever

This is what we call fate, it’s something we can’t deny

Will I ever experience another day as glorious as today?

There’s so much i want to say, but you probably already know

When we meet again some time in the future

Please don’t let go again

The love we couldn’t have in this life

The fate we couldn’t live in this life
 

When we meet again some time in the future

Please don’t let go of me

 

[violet90]

24 minutes ago, riuenu said:

that is what I rooting for too, Soo will meet So for the last time before she passed on and back to 21st century ....

I am not upset about the separation we will be seeing in episode 19, I totally agree the separation is a must now..but I am upset that So tell Soo, from today onward, he will not want to see her again...like 4th telling Rouxi in BBJX...Soo will leave the palace heart broken and So will be seeing her leaving heart broken as well...this damn misunderstanding is sticking too close to BBJX...my hope for Soo dying in So arm is getting slimmer and slimmer...and So...getting the whole damn box of "行到水窮處 坐看雲起時", I notice that, Soo had asked So to write many copies of that as well..she mentioned that it will be of a use later..but that use that she was saying...doesnt come true, end up I guess, he will get it back in the end...and the hairpin + the arrow...Soo had keep the arrow as well...

I believe wook confess to so will not be as touching as 8th confess 4th in BBJX, wook is confessing in the bad way, yet 8th is confessing to let Rouxi go...and I hope, Baek Ah will send Soo off like 13th send Rouxi off too..at least, Soo will not be too lonely...Rouxi have the QiaoHui with her, but CR in k version have double identity of Qiao Hui and Yutang, so there is no Qiao Hui accompanying Soo at her last day..or will Woo Hee be the one who is accompanying Soo? 

 

this misunderstanding is one of thing that i hoping won't happen in here but based on preview they are going to BBJX road as for their separation... when So tell Soo that he will never see her again for me its a death sentenced for Su in so many way.. yes she is leaving but now she leave because she THINK that there is no place anymore in So heart and this one will make her suffer much more than she already are...

the letter and box will happen but i hoping that at least So will read it BEFORE Su dies and he managed to see her and resolve the whole understanding before its too late.. i just can't imagine if he did't make it and what waiting for him its just the ash of Su and that damn box proving in the end she love him but for what? he can't change anything and will be destroy cause the guilt and regret...

i wonder who will play the role of QiaoHui too.... maybe it will be Jung who going to explain everything but its make me scared if its Jung.. Jung for me will said the harsh truth about how Su suffer throughout this time and the one thing that she want before she dies is to meet him but even that he can't do that after making she gone through so much loving him.... oh the sentence where RX did't leave the last word to 4th cause she think he will meet her??? that line make me cry so much.... So will be totally broken if its play this way... 

[zi4r]

BTS is adorable! I guess they realize the fans need some healing after the intense episode last night.

I haven't watched the episode with subs, even though (unlike Ep17) it was a visual-enough episode for me to almost fully understand what's going on. My US VPN is down (they promise to get it back up in the next 6 hours) and my China server is also going through maintenance, so I can't watch DF or Youku versions. DarkSmurfSubs aren't out yet either. So, for now, with the limited understanding of the episode, let me give a general opinion on its quality.....

 

 

IMO, Ep18 is very well done despite all the limitations/difficulties imposed on it by the plot setup to this point and the large ground it had to cover, given we have only 2 episodes left. Yes, they could've tightened up the editing a bit, but (well, I might be being extra-forgiving, after the abysmal editing quality of the previous episode but) they did it well enough for the editing to not detract from the plot and the tension it delivered. And deliver, it did!

To talk about the quality of the episode, I need to address the difficulties the episode had to overcome, and how I felt it sufficiently (actually, quite brilliantly at some points) overcame them. It is, IMO, one of the strongest episodes, because many things could have gone so wrong and yet they managed to make it work. Here's what I mean:

 

1) How they handled the progression of Hae Soo's character

I have given harsh criticism to how Hae Soo's character was painted in Ep14-16... and I felt it was intentional, and not a f-up by the writer or IU's acting. I was right. And I am so saddened by what the kind of role this drama has made this character fulfill.

(Read inside spoiler tag for character trajectory from Ep1-13):

Spoiler

Ep 1-8: HS was an innocent, fish-out-of-water, trusting and giving girl. That made her a cute damsel-in-distress for her scenes with Wang So, and I had no problem with that. Because what else can we expect out of a girl trapped in a 16yo body due to a timeslip?

Ep 9-10: She had to deal with the visions. Yes, she fumbled along the way but at least for me, held herself admirably well, against the onslaught of confusion and fear imposed by the visions.

Ep 11-12: Here comes the breaking of her spirit. So much tragedy, so much heartbreak, so much pain..... yet, her quiet resilience and strength of character took my breath away and made me fall in love with her. There she was, a crippled laundry-maid, and yet she kept her heart true to the man she loved (WW) and also strove to protect the man who is madly in love with her (WS).

Ep 13: The true calling has come, for her time in Goryeo. I believed that she would play a pivotal role in the war over the throne. And there she was. This tiny figure, limping away..... yet so strong, making all the right decisions, taking on the weight of responsibilities no one in her station should have to bear.

Look at her character trajectory... Beautiful, isn't it? We were witnessing the true making of a person. So how did I expect that character to go from there? Up and up, of course... at least until GJ becomes King and breaks her heart, I thought. Here's what I was hoping for (inside spoiler tag):

Spoiler

I was hoping that WS's love would begin to heal her... that she would become trusting and loving very few people, yet doing so more fully to those few people; that she would become wisened and hardened by time, and yet still retaining a warm heart... one that she only allows WS (and maybe a few close friends) to see. In later episodes, I had hopes that she could become his strength, not just as a lover but as a partner. Because being a courtlady means having the eyes-and-ears in every nook and crevice of the palace. Can you imagine how much of an asset that would have been to WS (let's say, as Chae-ryung was to WWon)?

It's not that I wanted WS to use her; but I was hoping she would still play a bigger role than just a dumb girlfriend to WS. Because someone as burdened as WS needs a strong partner... and the character trajectory of Ep1-13 proves that HS could have become that! Just imagine..... HS managing to uncover some conspiracy in the palace, and helping WS protect Mu... how nice it could have been!

Then, when GJ becomes King, I was hoping she could remain his confidante --- yes, he would marry YH, but HS would remain to be his strength, his love, his core of existence..... until one day, he goes too far and she cannot bear to embrace the man he has become. Then, the heartbreak would come for both parties, then HS dies/disappears, then modern era...... THE END.

Tragic or happy ending, it wouldn't have mattered much to me. If Hae Soo and Wang So have fully lived their time together, then it would have been worth it. I would have embraced that plot fully.

But rather than that, what did we get? We didn't get to see HS's "healing" because of the timeskip. Rather than as I have hoped, she has become the total opposite: (inside spoiler tag)

Spoiler

A hardened woman that seems to be especially suspicious of and tough in judging WS. A woman efficient in menial labour of tending to the King (mercury poisoning notwithstanding) and the princes, but seems to have no other purpose or role in the palace life. (She, BA and WH could have been great source of strength and support for WS, but all three seem to have lost interest in serving any purpose other than to just exist.) And worse, once the events turned turbulent in Ep14, she was totally unprepared for it all, and she seems to not know at all where she stands in WS's life. (Well, she's right in feeling that she matters little in practical sense to him, because as I've said, she doesn't play any essential role in his life at all!)

So, since she doesn't have any other role in Ep14-17 than to be WS's love (and to make her visions not come true), her focus was entirely on that. And amidst all the death and tragedy and conspiracies, she becomes this woman focused on his feelings towards her, and nothing else. And oh how I LOATHED that. How dare they!!! They built a female character with such potential to be strong and wise and resilient... and then destroyed her mid-series and made her into this pathetic woman who just waits around for her man, one whose insecurities and emotions overrule logic at every turn.

Now that I've watched Ep18, I realize this is exactly how cruelly the writer wishes to paint this story. HS has never mattered much as a courtlady... and without those responsibilities, only as the King's lover, she matters even less now. Unlike YH or Queen Yoo or Woo-hee or even Chae-ryung, in the courtly game, she is utterly useless. Even if she could become a Concubine/Queen, she would still be just an accessory, the pretty girl on the King's arms. She has direct access to the King's ears, but the headstrong WS has never truly respected her enough when it comes to her opinions (Oh, he loves her and respects her feelings; but her thoughts and her advice? Not much.) and the full-efficiency-mode GJ respects it even less.

This makes for a very logical break in their relationship. There was no need for a real turning point. Even CR's punishment and death was not really a turning point, because the relationship between HS and GJ (unlike that of HS and WS) has never really worked. Since he stepped on the throne, she already has no place in his life, even though she undoubtedly still occupies almost the whole of his heart.

 

So why do I feel Ep18 has done well about this character? HS's handling of WS's marriage to YH, his treatment of Queen Yoo & Jung, punishment & death of CR..... She handled them all with the maturity that I find so refreshing to see.

From her loving reassurance when they discussed the marriage...

Spoiler

To her offer of comfort and acceptance despite her own misgivings about his treatment of Jung...

(Just a side note here: This mirrors the first "makeup" scene. That was the last time he prevented her from touching the scar/face, right? IMO, he stopped her this time, because her touch would've undone him as always... and he was worried it would soften his resolve.)

And finally to the utterly betrayed and shattered look in her eyes when confronting him about CR...

Spoiler

Each of those developments feels very well-earned. Unlike her almost-tantrums in Ep14-16, I feel her pain here EVERY step of the way. By the way, I am not hating on WS/GJ at all in this episode either (In fact, I love who he has become too; I will talk about it below), but I feel HS is finally back to being a true character, rather than just a shell of it. I know there are many in this thread that feel HS is too naive or asking for too much or whatever in this episode... but this is the most logical progression this character can go through after the mess of Ep14-17... and she herself is the most logical she has ever been in a very very long time!

I fully stand by her decision to leave the palace. WS/GJ needs to feel her void keenly so that he can do some soul-searching of his own; the palace life is killing her inside out, and if there's any salvation she can find in that world, it is not in GJ anymore by this point. Yes, I am saddened and angered by all the opportunities lost in the previous episodes. But I hope her character find some peace and happiness... because HS/Go Ha-jin, you have suffered enough at the hands of this writer.

 

 

2) How Gwangjong turned "evil"

Now, here comes the fun part. 

(Read inside spoiler tag for criticism of this drama regarding justice)

Spoiler

If there's anything this drama is lacking, it's justice... some sweet sweet justice. Time has been the only one that has been giving us any semblance of justice in this story. Taejo, the bad husband, the bad lover and the bad father? Well, he died of old age and yes, he yearned for Lady Oh at the end and it's oh so sad. But that's it; no other punishment for his tacit cruelty towards WS and his mismanagement of many wives. Wang Yo, the puppet turned borderline-interesting villain? The guy who murdered his own innocent brother in cold blood? Gone. Died just on his own. Yes, he was barking mad by the end, but he didn't get to suffer a poetic end in the hands of someone out for revenge/justice. And sigh... what a waste.

So, to say the truth, I wasn't sure whether we're getting any satisfaction on this front. Before Ep18, the baddies left were: Queen Yoo, Yeon-hwa, Wang Wook and Wang Won. (Jung is just a stupid kid, so as much as I want to strangle him half the time, he's no evil.) I couldn't imagine WS killing his own mother; I know he's marrying YH so I was not sure how the show can deliver any good justice regarding her. So I was expecting WWon to fry this episode, and then WWook to fry the next episode. But I was not sure how well the show would handle either one of those frying, because WS has been saying over and over again about no more bloodshed between brothers.

Okay, first, let me talk about my disappointment: the WWon part. Aish!!! He deserves so much worse than just that grilling he received. I hope we're gonna see some more of what happened to him, but I think the show will disappoint me on this front.

But OMG!!! How I love the part with Queen Yoo! (Okay, just to warn you, I have serious mommy issues, so I'm sorry if I come across as insensitive.) The punishment for a woman who wouldn't look upon his face? She has to die looking at that face, with only him as her company. Part of me really really wants his scar to be more visible, and that to be the last thing she sees. But I guess, it might have made WS/GJ look weaker, I don't know. But as it is, it's already brilliant. Especially because they employed the flashback of his blood-splattered face from Ep4 soooo well. BAM! The impact.

Spoiler

(Another side note: Who says we need guyliner to make someone evil? LJG is wearing the least eyeliner in this scene compared to his earlier WS scenes but look at that! A good actor doesn't just use sweat and tears for his acting..... snort and drool too!  Gosh, he always gives it ALL to his performance, doesn't he?)

And from the direction the plot is heading, the punishment of YH and WWook will be very nicely intertwined, I am hoping. I will talk about YH character in the next section.

But most importantly, it's about how they handled the "turning into evil" that earned my applause. Because there's no real "turning" here. All the pain in WS has always been there, waiting to break through. The state of the nation, the court and its politics when he comes into power is a total mess. The nation has been festering; "evil" has been prospering and the innocents have been suffering.

Thus, as a newly crowned King, a house-cleaning --- a total purge, really --- becomes absolutely necessary. And that's all he's been doing. He can hardly be called ruthless at this point. Meeting with each individual, letting them know he knows of their crimes/their weakened position..... if they have something to offer in return --- something to bolster his power, something to prove their allegiance, something to trade --- they will have a position in his reign. Anyone else has to step aside. And of course, swift punishment to anyone who has ever committed crimes against the throne.

It seems, unlike HS, the timeskip has made WS a lot wiser in terms of politics. And I am happy to see some political intrigue bleed into this drama, because we've gotten so precious little of it in the previous 17 episodes.

Of course, there's still a chance that GJ will spiral totally out of control and become truly evil. But actually, it's no longer necessary. Now, he can just remain a King who is strict and swift in his dealings with his subjects --- one that is just and efficient, yet merciless against betrayal. (I suspect, that's who the real Gwangjong in history truly is.)

Why is truly-evil GJ not necessary anymore? Because the part about HS leaving him has nothing to do with him becoming evil. She is leaving him because even though she can forgive and understand him (and maybe even support the general direction of his decisions), she cannot stomach the reality of what is necessary to be King. And as I've said, she doesn't have a place in his life any longer, because she cannot fulfill the role of a cunning woman..... a worthy partner and right-hand woman to a monarch.

So now I understand why they butchered HS's character in Ep14-17. (At least, this is how I take it to be.) They did it to eliminate the need to make WS/GJ truly ruthless. In order to salvage WS/GJ's character, they had to weaken HS's character. It is so so sad to see it happen. But I guess, given how well the show handled the progression of both characters in Ep18, I am willing to roll with it, my feminist side be darned.

 

 

3) How to deal with Yeon-hwa

We know that nothing visibly bad will happen to Yeon-hwa. According to history, she will be Queen and will provide him with an heir and spares. So we were all preparing ourselves for the inevitable... YH's rise to power.

(Read inside spoiler tag for my defense for Yeon-hwa)

Spoiler

Firstly, I'd like to say, as a person who loves strong female characters, I don't hate YH. I feel that she'd make a worthy Queen, given how wise she is to political maneuvering in court.

I feel many people pile hate on her unjustly, despite the fact that all she has done is to ensure her own safety and her place in the palace. Just as WS hated being sent away, YH does too. And as a woman, being married off as a hostage is a fate that she has to fear each day. So what do you expect her to do? Curl up into a ball and cry?

I, for one, love her strength. Her cunning in Ep10-11 is absolutely brilliant. She never gives up, no matter the obstacle. If there's a female character to admire in this show, she's definitely one of them!

I'm not saying she's worthy of WS's love. She and WS were not a good match. But she and GJ though? Together, they can be quite a pair to be reckon with. (Inside spoiler tag: Look at their mirroring cunning expressions... Took my breath away.)

Spoiler

But well, she might be a worthy queen in my eyes, but she's also responsible for destroying the epic love of WS and HS (Actually, I feel as if they were doing the destroying all on their own, but I am sure many romantic viewers of this drama would disagree with me). So of course, her marrying WS/GJ and having a happily-ever-after is not something even I can stomach.

This is where I feel the show has outdone itself!

First, why marry Yeon-hwa? I thought they would go the cheap way of "Well, HS is scarred, GJ can't marry her, end of story, move on". But no, we get to see GJ steadfast in his decision to marry HS; after all, he himself has a scar! This allows for a true and noble sacrifice from HS's part... because here, she is given a CHOICE. Theoretically, she can still marry him, but she sets him free of that promise so that he can make a good political marriage and be a strong King. Do I like that it's necessary? No. But you have to admit, the script has given much more respect to this to-marry-or-not-to-marry saga than we expected. And I'm so happy for it.

Next, consummation of marriage. Well, they will have kids. So of course, that must happen too. I was SCREAMING on top of my lungs (while in office) at my screen when GJ came in drunk and approached YH. I was worried that the show is going to pull another cheap "Oh he didn't know what he was doing, he was drunk" stunt. THANK GOD!!! They didn't.

The true genius of the script comes from how GJ is using not just YH's present situation but her whole future as a mere transaction. Betray her brother, throw away her birth family, be his puppet... in return, he'd let her have his heir. There's no security in her future either way -- he can take more wives and the war of the concubines is almost inevitable whether her son is made crown prince or not. Yet, she has to throw away her present attachments for that uncertain promise of a future. That move wouldn't have been so masterfully cruel if YH doesn't love WS/GJ. But in her own way, she does! GJ seems intent on reminding her each and every day that his heart is something she can't own or even hope to sway.

All in all, I hope GJ wreaks havoc on WW and YH's whole family..... but I hope the script will give a good conspiracy to base that on. (Let's say, if the old poisoning plot of Mu/WS can be unearthed, but I guess that's too much to ask?) Because I do wish for YH to feel the raw pain of that transaction. Her family being destroyed by her own hands. And getting to see WW on a frying pan..... Well, that thought alone has whet my appetite for the rest of the week.

 

 

After this episode, (I know many people here might disagree but) I am very satisfied with where this drama is headed. We now have an inkling of where each character will end up, and given the countless F-ups that the plot has made from episodes 14-17, the position each character stands after this episode is the best we could hope for each of them. Really, I am so pleasantly surprised by how much clean-up the plot has made in just Ep18.

I hope the show retains this quality and this pacing (well, I hope they can do better, but don't ask for miracles) in the next two episodes. So, show, please don't let me down.

Edited October 29, 2016 by zi4r
grammar, and formatting for easier read

[Rose3]

11 hours ago, violet90 said:

agree!! they loved each other too much in a wrong time and place... the only thing that will happen if they stay together is that they going to hurt each other cause they are different.. So can't make Su understand what he'd doing simply because Su don't accept it.. its against her life values and thinking... 

nothing good will come out if they stay together as right now... maybe a 1000 years later???

11 hours ago, violet90 said:

the only thing that scared me is not So anger in eps 18 that Su and WW have an affair.. he never hurt Su no matter how mad he is and he will grant the permission to marry Jung out of his anger BUT in a way he did give what Su want.. to get away from palace and that's is why 4th crying when he watch RX gone.. no matter how mad or angry he is the love of his life is gone and he know it nothing can bring her back... So will do this out of anger just like 4th but he will be devastated seeing one person that can ease his problem and heart is gone.. the one that he loves to death is gone and his PERSON is gone...

but his reaction when she gone..... Su is the only thing that keep So on the ground and when she gone nothing held him back.. he will be ruthless cause nothing matter now.. at least when Su is in palace he minimize anything that he do cause he did't want Su to see the harsh reality of throne.. but now he don't have to protect anyone and did't care anymore... So yahhhhh...

also when he knew that Soo dies ...imagine knowing the women that you push away and knowing how much she loves you later on make me scared his reaction... when queen Yoo dies we all cried seeing that So still want her mother loves after what she done.. now Soo is the one who gives him love and happiness is dying and she truly loves him despite what he think... i tearing up thinking how So will react... 

On 10/25/2016 at 9:41 AM, ruizaio said:

The early Goryeo records were burned and reconstructed later on. The records we have now were compiled 500 years later from the events of MLSHR. So you have to take things with a grain of salt.

Then, for seven years, he just goes about his business without much fuss, but slowly but surely, starts to introduce changes in the court to cut off the powers of the clans. For example, he suggested freeing some slaves so that they could become tax-paying citizens while also no longer being part of the private army of the clans. Queen Daemok (the Hwangbo princess, named Yeon Hwa in MLSHR) opposed this because she was more interested in protecting the privileges of her mother's clan.

Gwangjong also introduced a national exam for appointing court officials instead of the aristocrats deciding things by their connections. He openly embraced foreigners in his court, too, as long as they were talented enough. He also introduced a dress code that defined. You can imagine that Gwangjong's decisions were not popular with the powerful clans. When they started to raise their voices against him, he killed many of them. Somebody lamented that out of the 3,000 people that had supported Taejo found Goryeo, there were only 40 some left towards the end of Gwangjong's rule.

The tragedy of Gwangjong is that his own son didn't understand his father's vision in strengthening the power of the throne and reversed many of his work later on. Towards the end of his life, Gwangjong became suspicious of his own son and probably would have killed him if he had another heir. It is also speculated that Queen Daemok died before Gwangjong, but it is not clear how. At any rate, we can at least tell that they were not a happy family as Gwangjong fought a lonely war to make Goryeo a strong monarchy when his own wife and son worked against him.  (Sorry, i quote only some part to shorten the post.) 

@violet90 Agree!! I have exact sentiments, I understand both of their actions/decisions. If I remember correctly, I have heard from a user here (maybe ruizaio?) said that some Koreans suggest this story should be named as 1000 years love story. 

We have seen that this drama follows major points in history and based on ruizaio's elaboration on the history of Gwangjong, I guess Wang So will turn all-out berserk, ruthless and pained when Hae Soo is gone, thus he will kill/imprison/remove many of the court's people/powerful families or clans leaving only a few. Then once he let all the pent-up anger and pain for years, he will cooled down and repent for losing Hae Soo. Or a sudden incident that occur that snap him out to reality. If you read Gwangjong's history in Wikipedia, Gwangjong at his later life repent for his ruthless actions and build many Buddhist temples. So like how he said he will built the grandest temple for his mother, he will built more for Hae Soo and repent. So the reincarnation theory might work that during his repentance or dying wish etc, he ask to be reborn as a normal human to be with Hae Soo. I am inclined to think that there will be a satisfying modern scene because of the private screening lol, don't think it will be all bloody and sad for the audience lol and also about the Korean's tourism promoting that tower which looks like arrows (posted before) which have not yet occur in the drama. 

Thank you so much! @ruizaio for the elaborate explanation upon my request. I wish I have learnt more about Korean history. So interesting! I agree with you on the part that episode 17 didn't show Wang So reign normally for his first 7 years before going ruthless. If they had showed that, I think the progression and flow will be better for episode 17. 

Edit: This drama unleashes so many thoughts. See this page is filled with full-blown essays! I enjoy reading them all. 

Edited October 26, 2016 by Rose34

[pixiebelle]

2 hours ago, violet90 said:

..

in BBJX the royal decree means nothing and 4th will find a way to make it invalid... this one RX know it and 14th know it.. this is where 8th step in and spill the beans making 4th grant the permission to RX get out from palace...

....

in BBJX when RX is gone that she start to love 4th without thinking of anything or anyone and just loving him every single day... her days is calm and peaceful so i think Su also will have that... living far away from that awful palace and just loving So as much as she can... and if fate have mercy on So and Soo they will meet the last time before she die..

 

 

Spoiler

The royal decree was important as it was the only official way to force the then-emperor-4th to give his permission for RX to leave the palace. However, even when 14th showed the royal decree to 4th in royal court (not in private), 4th stalled for time and did not immediately agree. (This shows his depth of love for RX.)

RX and 14th were sure that 4th will not be able to overturn this royal decree from his late father as it would be 抗旨 (disobeying royal command) and it conflicts with his action of ascending the throne by obeying royal command (as orchestrated by 4th). 8th (like Wook) was a more thinking man. Hence, he used emotional pressure by telling 4th about his love relationship with RX. 

Indeed 4th did manipulate by his power not to include RX's name in 14th family book. This only serves recording purposes for historical records and inheritance/punishment etc This is a good twist by the author of BBJX to explain why RX was not found in history. However, it was clear as daylight to everyone that RX is 14th's concubine. She lived with him and his wives. 14th also spent one night in her room but the gentleman that he was, they never consummated their marriage (14th of course knew RX's love for 4th). 4th had spies at 14th residences as he still loves and yearns for RX (despite all that happened between them). The spies carried all these news to 4th.

I think the royal decree given to 14th by late emperor was another good twist which tells the viewers :
* the late emperor's affection for RX by bestowing her to his son despite her disobeying his command initially
* 14th's love and faithfulness to RX by keeping it and using it to help her when she so wish
* RX's despair when she finally agreed to use it so 14th can take her out of the palace (she rather disobey the emperor {punishment by death} and suffer as watermaid then to marry him when she was first ordered to do so)
* 4th deep love for RX for not agreeing immediately to honour the decree when he was shown it in royal court.

RX's had happy days with 4th and he was her one true love but her days were filled with much tears and heartaches as she struggled between (1) supporting her man in his ruthless decisions in securing his throne (2) her loyalty and friendship for the other princes and their wives. RX died in sadness and regret (not seeing 4th one last time)

 

[kdramawriter]

4 hours ago, 40somethingahjumma said:

All these complaints are why week after week I keep thinking that I must be watching a show that’s completely different to everyone else. There must be some 4^th or 5^th version floating out there that’s created from Vogon poetry that I haven’t yet seen.

This is what I meant about Uk needing to be very careful about pushing So. With all his so-called smarts he still hasn’t got So figured out – So is a fighter… a different kind of beast to him. When So thought Su was his happily ever after, he was a cute trained puppy on a leash but now when things are threatening to pull them apart, the wolf will come to the fore. It’s exactly what Yo said, Wolves mate for life. It works both ways: defensively and offensively. Used as a leverage once too many times, the wolf will bite and come out swinging. The schemers forgot that and they will pay, pay, pay. One at a time.

Honestly, I don’t see anything inconsistent at all. Frankly I don't see that So needs to apologize for cleaning up when his brothers were doing all kinds of things to undermine the throne and those protecting it for their own purposes.

Judging from how she’s written Su and So, I’d venture to guess that the writer probably believes people don’t really change all that much and it doesn’t take much for them to revert back to what they know when the trigger’s right. They both have things to do and if Su can't be the comfort that So needs then I support her leaving the castle and live out the final days peacefully (although the thought of her taking off with Jeong makes me a bit queasy).

See why I don’t take sides.

(Well, maybe the writer’s side)

For some reason I always agree with you 40somethingahjumma. I was really surprised by all the negative reaction because I've been really enjoying the ride. I think the show did a service to itself by starting the relationships so slowly, it was extremely careful in how it showed how each character developed feelings for each other and that's exactly the reason we're having SUCH a tumultuous/heated reaction to all the action that's happening now. I don't think of this show as any Korean Drama, it seems to be heavily influenced by American television: these last four episodes are essentially a long Season Finale. In the season finale, all the action that has been simmering finally COMES TO HEAD and that's why these episodes feels so incredibly fast paced. Because they are, and because we're finally paying off everything that we've learned in episode 1-17. The Chae Ryeun flashback feels like it's stuffed in, but if you remember, almost every character death has had a similar flashback (Lady Hae, King Taejo) The show has not deviated from it's pre-existing style. How you feel about it is up to you. 

I still love the emotional journey of the characters; I still feel like show stays really true to it's roots.

ON WANG SO

Wang So has always said to Hae Su that he would protect her, but there are two things that he can't protect her from: death, and himself. These are to the two things that are inevitable and it's going to be Wang So who hurts her the most. What's also incredibly tragic is all the things that Wang So said in the beginning when Hae Su entered the palace BECAME TRUE. He told her to trust no one in the palace (she trusted Chae Ryung, Wook, both whom betrayed her) and he told her everyone in the palace is alone. Her optimism rebutted at first, but look at where we are. Wang So is alone. Hae Su is alone. That is a true tragedy, to be told your fate, to buck against it, and to ultimately fail. Ugh, right in the gut man. 

I don't know why people are disappointed that Wang So is not a good king. We've been told and shown over and over again that the King's seat is an incredible precarious position. Both Yo and Mu were easily killed by usurpers, no wonder they were paranoid. So now that Wang So sits on the throne, he loses the power of the Yoos and the Hwangbos, and now has to consolidate that power. He's not as powerful as Wook because Wook has been acting as a minister for all these years, working with people and getting them on his side. It's just like in Game of Thrones how Robert Baratheon was a great general, but a terrible King. I think Wang So will be a good king, but this initial hardship is refreshing! I always appreciate this about the show, that it takes unexpected direction for us. The things we think will happen definitely do not. 

ON HAE SU

Okay, what happened to all those Hae Su haters that were angry at her for not wanting to Wang So to become king at the end of 16?? Where are your loud complaints now? Because literally everything that Hae Su has feared that Wang So would do, that the Kingship would force him to do, the separation, the cruelty, etc, he had to do it ALL this episode. I didn't think Hae Su was stupid at all for stating her doubts for Wang So. She has personally seen the death of two kings at the throne. She's personally served both. I think she was completely cognizant of all the machinations, the paranoia, the greed of the power who are around the king. She didn't want it for Wang So. Now do you get why?? She's accepted that Wang So would become King because of her great love for him. She even made him King because that's what he wanted. And now, who's paying the price? Hae Su. God girl, I want you to get out of there no matter how much you love Wang So. Her love is such a double edged sword. On the one hand, who she is allowed her to love Wang So, despite GIGANTIC RED FLAGS (um, temple of death much) BUT it's also the reasons that she also loved Chae Ryung. Like 40somethingahjumma said, she would not shuttle these characteristics just because it's more convenient to do so. Hae Su is the definition of inconvenient. 

ON PATRIARCHY

Overthinking kdrama talks about how this is a story of a monstrous patriarchy that feeds on women and destroys them in the process. These women love these men despite their absolute power to destroy them. And this is such a fine read for me. Because if you look at every single female character, they die when they fall in love with a Prince. It's too precarious of a position to be in if you are not also yourself a Royal surrounded by power. Even being the daughter of a general is not enough. Seon Deok, Hae Su, Cha Ryeun, are all going to die DIRECTLY as a result of their love for the princes. This is the great overarching sadness of the show: that theses women are doomed as soon as they fall in love with a prince, but that they struggle on anyways. Aish, my heart hurts writing this. There are NO sides to blame for this. There are no ships sinking or whatever - this I've always maintained because I've not been watching the show for this. Just the mere fact that women have ALWAYS suffered at the hands of the men who love them. That's the great tragedy for me.

ON FUTURE SADNESS

My theory is that all those poems that Hae Su made Wang So write over and over again are going to come back and it's gonna bite Wang So so hard in the richard simmons. If we thought LJK did a great job with the Queen Yoo death scene, wait until the Hae Su death scene. We're all gonna need to take leave from work for a week. 

I also suspect that her diary written in Hangul will somehow be in a museum in the future. Maybe she sees it when she goes back to the future and maybe that's the moment she meets next-Gen Wang So. 

***Sorry I haven't able to update Escape From the Palace, I'm like too emotional right now. 

 

[bebebisous33]

I agree with @40somethingahjumma that Hae Soo loves Wang So as much as So loves her. First of all, Hae Soo was really angry about CR's death, but as soon as she hears his explanations, she calms down and accepts his touch later. Sure, she adds that CR's only crime was to be born as a slave. Yet, she is not mad any more, just hurt. 

The reason of her distance to Wang So is her guilt again. CR could spy on her because Hae Soo trusted her. She believed in CR and never thought that CR was able to betray her. For Hae Soo, she feels again responsible and guilty. She should have realised that. Sure, she is mad at So for CR's punishment... Hae Soo comes from the 21st century and her sense of justice is different. Striking is that CR wrote a letter in order to explain herself. And by reading the letter, she realises how wrong she was. Even if CR was a slave, she was never forced to do it. She did it out of love for Won. The bitter irony are CR's words:  

It is as if CR was saying that Hae Soo would do anything for the loved one too!! If she had been CR, she would have done the same. Her words have a terrible impact on her. Yet CR is really wrong: Hae Soo valued family and friendship a lot but not to the extent to kill and manipulate people.

 

She discovers that CR doesn't feel guilty at all. She regrets nothing so that her relationship with Hae Soo was based on a lie. CR would have kept betraying her over and over again. Hae Soo said that she considered CR as her little sister but in the end, the letter proves her wrong. Everything was a lie. She is in pain again. In the past, CR was only afraid of getting caught. Behind her kindness and her pretty face, she acted against Hae Soo. CR knew about it, she was not blind or stupid. Hae Soo gets aware that if she could turn back the time, CR would have betrayed her anyway. And this makes Hae Soo realise that her friend from the 21st century would have said exactly the same to her. She fell in love with her boyfriend and because of that, she acted beyond morals and ethics. CR doesn't mention Eun and Mu's death at all... for her, they meant nothing, just like Hae Soo meant nothing to her.

Hae Soo who valued friendship so much is devastated with this letter. There was no real friendship. CR was nice and well-mannered but behind her manners, she was cruel and ruthless. She knew what was happening to Mu, but she doesn't express any remorse or regret at all.

In the end, Hae Soo is blaming herself because she made a mistake again. She misjudged CR and because of that, she made a lot of people suffer and get killed. Hae Soo is blaming herself, especially after reading the letter because CR doesn't feel responsible at all. She justifies her actions with love!! So someone needs to take the blame. Wook will never do it, as he will blame everybody else. 

Edited December 25, 2018 by bebebisous33
empty my attachment account

[andy78]

Lee Joon Gi’s drama ‘Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ tops Monday-Tuesday viewership rating race

• Spoiler

  

   

Lee Joon Gi arrives at the opening ceremony of the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) on October 12, 2006 in Pusan, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Chung Sung Jun)

After nearly two months, "Scarlet Heart Ryeo" finally claimed the top spot in the Monday and Tuesday primetime drama TV rating competition. Lee Joon Gi's SBS historical series' recent viewership share bested other dramas such as "Woman with a Suitcase" and "Sweet Stranger and Me."

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"Scarlet Heart Ryeo" has overtaken its competitor dramas in the Monday and Tuesday primetime broadcast schedule. Aired on Oct. 24, Monday, the SBS drama's episode 17 posted TV ratings of 9.8 percent, according to Nielsen Korea, as cited by Korea Herald.

Lee's historical series beat MBC's "Woman with a Suitcase" and the new KBS drama "Sweet Stranger and Me." Having replaced Park Bo Gum's hit series "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds," KBS' new drama debuted with a TV rating of 9 percent while "Woman with a Suitcase" posted a viewership share of 8.3 percent.

Despite the SBS drama's new top spot in the viewership rating race, "Scarlet Heart Ryeo" was unable to match the popularity of Park's drama "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds." The said KBS series ended its 18-episode run during the week of Oct. 17 with TV ratings of more than 22 percent.

With the SBS historical series' upcoming finale week, the drama may not be able to surpass the 15 percent TV rating mark. Lee's drama only recently broke through the 10 percent rating mark with its episode 18 that was released on Oct. 25, Tuesday.

In an interview with Singles magazine, as cited by All Kpop, Lee confessed his disappointment over the SBS drama's TV ratings. Given the success of the drama's original Chinese version, the actor felt saddened that its Korean remake posted low viewership shares since it aired its first episode in August.

The said series may have registered disappointing TV ratings, however, the SBS drama received positive feedback given Lee's performance. Close monitoring of acting scenes and watching live broadcasts were some of the techniques that the actor employed to see problem areas that he can further improve on, according to Lee.

Read more: http://en.yibada.com/articles/169669/20161026/lee-joon-gi-scarlet-heart-ryeo-sbs.htm#ixzz4OAh9WuI9

ALL I CAN SAY IS :FINALLY!!!CONGRATULATIONS!

[ilovecoffeeandbooks]

Okay, so this is my take on episode 18... full disclosure, I've been drinking a bit (because what has this drama done to me) but I will try to be as succinct as possible.

I have the dubious pleasure of having the live stream at 6 am my time... that means I can live stream it on my phone as I get ready for work.  It's actually a great motivator to be up on time (my alarm goes off at 5:45 but I tend to snooze a bit).. I am glued to my phone as I brush my teeth, get dressed, put on my makeup... all the while not understanding a single word of what's going on. That's turned into a bit of a double edged sword for me these past few weeks... I love waking up to the drama, but then my whole day is ruined because I can only think about what has happened and what will happen! Keep in mind I'm a  4th grade teacher, so when I'm at work, I have to be *on* all day.. can't space out with the kids, but while I'm teaching long division and fractions, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking about the drama. Its pretty distracting, actually. (though I've gotten good at faking how "okay" I am when I'm secretly dying inside). I have to wait until after school to catch the dramafever version (I know, right) and then wait for the recap on Dramabeans, catch up on the MANY pages I missed on Soompi and then finally watch the SBS version on Kissasian whenever it comes up. My husband is very understanding of my Monday and Tuesday evenings, though he doesn't understand my need for quiet contemplation and processing time after an episode (he's never loved a show the way I love MLSHR. In fact, *I've* never loved a show the way I love this one....)

I was pretty nervous going into episode 18 because well, the preview did me dirty and showed me all the bits I'd hoped not to see (I've watched to the C-Ver and I reallllly hoped that the K-ver would be different). I actually shed tears during the lantern festival scene and the talk afterwards... I had managed to NOT cry (even during Eun's death) the whole drama, but this is what got me. It was just so sad, knowing it was their last bit of happiness.  All I could focus on was how happy So looked and how I knew he wouldn't be that happy again like, ever (unless they meet again in the 21st century, yes please. And thank you).

The wedding to YH was awful, it had me sitting in my closet (trying to focus on what to wear but too busy looking at my phone) swearing up a storm. Oh HELL no.  Even if he denied her  on her wedding night (HA! in your face), he still got MARRIED to her. I didn't know inter-species marriage was allowed (she's such a snake).

To wrap this up because I know there's a lot of long posts on here and this is just one of many (however therapeutic it is to write it), I think in the end HS did know that WS killed CR out of love and not cruelty. When he explained things to her she believed him and then when she was reading the letter, she even thought how much of it was all a lie. And then when she was talking to BA, she mentioned how the one she loved killed her "younger sister". She can still think CR is a traitor but still love her. If Hae Soo has been anything, it's loyal to a fault (except of course when it comes to WS ) Remember Wook... it took until episode 13 before she was ready to move on, and even then it was only because HE chose the throne over her. Now,  I think she's mostly just worried about the direction that WS is going in (making these bloody decisions when he said he wanted to put an end to all the absurdity. But then again, WE know that he is doing is best, its everyone against him though) and of course, she's been subjected to the worst the palace can offer. Torture, servitude, seeing her loved ones die... Hell, I have a bad Tuesday and I'm ready to throw in the towel. I really don't blame her for wanting to leave the palace. I only wish it was under better terms, not with Jung (shave, PLEASE), and there were no misunderstandings with WS. Wishful thinking, I know. I really believe that she loves WS completely, she just can't stay.

 

All I can hope for at this point is a happy ending in present times. PD-nim PROMISED US. I will revolt and storm his house with my army (General Park is out of retirement) otherwise. 

 

...I need my LJG therapy tape. 

[Kasmic]

I just watch the sub ep and I have a question... 

After his marriage, WS or more like JM announce the name of WS reign as" Gwangdeok" even in Chinese writing it is not Gwangjeong. Did he just change the name from what history plus HS knows him by therefore will this drama have some more twists?? or is it just bad translation or did I understood wrong. Maybe someone here can clarify for me

 

Another thing, Queen HB says this about HS writing with present time Hangeul writing... though I know she intends to rip into HS for not having any higher socio-status to be Queen

 

Spoiler

 

 

Omo will HS tell him that she's from a diff time period as the cversion...please be so or will he somehow figure it out earlier and NOT after she dies. 

Spoiler

 

 

And I also notice that WS (yeah Im calling him WS cos Im not sure of his new King title) might know of HS poor heart condition and that she's dying. Oh I do hope he digs into it.... maybe he will be more considerate (though he lost that feeling since he became King so indeed a far stretch idea for WS) and if she does leave him he will somehow still watch over her 

Spoiler

 

AISH!!! am I being too hopeful? wishful thinking that he will be there before she pasts or will karma bite him back and let him feel the same pain that Jung felt when he couldnt be there to see his Mother die.  

This drama is teaching me so much and one thing for sure that KARMA is a richard simmons.  DAMN Im flipping tables again 

 

[andy78]

‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ episode 19 spoilers, promo revealed: Wang Wook is exposed, Wang So gives Wook death sentence, ends relationship with Hae Soo

Read more: http://en.yibada.com/articles/169711/20161026/moon-lovers-scarlet-heart-ryeo-episode-19-spoilers-promo-revealed.htm#ixzz4OAiFQw3K

I HOPE HE WILL PAY FOR WHAT HE DID TO OUR OTP!ONE MORE THING I THINK THAT WHEN HE WILL REALISE HS IS SICK WW WILL BLAME THE SNAKE AND THE KING WILL HEAR THEIR TALK!I WANT TO SEE THAT SNAKE WITH WOMAN FACE ALONE AND UNHAPPY!

[riuenu]

2 minutes ago, violet90 said:

 

this misunderstanding is one of thing that i hoping won't happen in here but based on preview they are going to BBJX road as for their separation... when So tell Soo that he will never see her again for me its a death sentenced for Su in so many way.. yes she is leaving but now she leave because she THINK that there is no place anymore in So heart and this one will make her suffer much more than she already wish...

the letter and box will happen but i hoping that at least So will read it BEFORE Su dies and he managed to see her and resolve the whole understanding before its too late.. i just can't imagine if he did't make it and what waiting for him its just the ash of Su and that damn box proving in the end she love him but for what? he can't change anything and will be destroy cause the guilt and regret...

i wonder who will play the role of QiaoHui too.... maybe it will be Jung who going to explain everything but its make me scared if its Jung.. Jung for me will said the harsh truth about how Su suffer throughout this time and the one thing that she want before she dies is to meet him but even that he can't do that after making she gone through so much loving him.... oh the sentence where RX did't leave the last word to 4th cause she think he will meet her??? that line make me cry so much.... So will be totally broken if its play this way... 

my BBJX chingu yahhhh, yes, I was hoping the writer didnt stick too much to the original BBJX as well, but the writer is sticking to it in the bad way...she took away the purpose of 8th confessing to 4th in order let Rouxi to leave the palace, and she took away QiaoHui, that will accompanying Rouxi till the end of her journey in Goryeo, yet...she stick to the misunderstanding part..with So pushing Soo away and told her, he never want to see her again...and yet, she is missing out the part below in the spoiler tag....and I think Soo is leaving the palace too fast already...I know we only left with 2 episode..yet..its just too fast...

Spoiler

The part where Rouxi told 4th she is from the future...credit to @AuroraRain

 

I think, the letter Soo to So will be more heart breaking IF he never manage to see Soo for the last time..I dun think Jung will be in the right mind to explain everything to So, and So will not be in the right mind to listen to Jung as well, they will be fighting off like 4th and 14th, screaming at each other on their late crazy mother and now Soo. Remember So told Soo that he wish that Jung is always in his way of getting his mother love, now, if Soo die in Jung arm...or just at Jung place...will make So rip off Jung throat to be frank. The stubborn Jung will not give So Soo ashes so easily as well, I guess Baek Ah will be there to stop the fight...but who will tell Jung that, Soo is willing to leave with So..

So they need a third party, which I think it is Woo Hee that will tell Jung that, and hand So...the remaining items of Soo..I cant believe I am typing that..and tell So, Soo tot that So had never forgiven her, that is why, there is no last word to So...only those items that bring back sweet yet painful memories, that will be the regretted for life...for So...

And the dead bird in the preview...it came far too late right?

[ilovecoffeeandbooks]

9 minutes ago, kdramawriter said:

For some reason I always agree with you 40somethingahjumma. I was really surprised by all the negative reaction because I've been really enjoying the ride. I think the show did a service to itself by starting the relationships so slowly, it was extremely careful in how it showed how each character developed feelings for each other and that's exactly the reason we're having SUCH a tumultuous/heated reaction to all the action that's happening now. I don't think of this show as any Korean Drama, it seems to be heavily influenced by American television: these last four episodes are essentially a long Season Finale. In the season finale, all the action that has been simmering finally COMES TO HEAD and that's why these episodes feels so incredibly fast paced. Because they are, and because we're finally paying off everything that we've learned in episode 1-17. The Chae Ryeun flashback feels like it's stuffed in, but if you remember, almost every character death has had a similar flashback (Lady Hae, King Taejo) The show has not deviated from it's pre-existing style. How you feel about it is up to you. 

I still love the emotional journey of the characters; I still feel like show stays really true to it's roots.

ON WANG SO

Wang So has always said to Hae Su that he would protect her, but there are two things that he can't protect her from: death, and himself. These are to the two things that are inevitable and it's going to be Wang So who hurts her the most. What's also incredibly tragic is all the things that Wang So said in the beginning when Hae Su entered the palace BECAME TRUE. He told her to trust no one in the palace (she trusted Chae Ryung, Wook, both whom betrayed her) and he told her everyone in the palace is alone. Her optimism rebutted at first, but look at where we are. Wang So is alone. Hae Su is alone. That is a true tragedy, to be told your fate, to buck against it, and to ultimately fail. Ugh, right in the gut man. 

I don't know why people are disappointed that Wang So is not a good king. We've been told and shown over and over again that the King's seat is an incredible precarious position. Both Yo and Mu were easily killed by usurpers, no wonder they were paranoid. So now that Wang So sits on the throne, he loses the power of the Yoos and the Hwangbos, and now has to consolidate that power. He's not as powerful as Wook because Wook has been acting as a minister for all these years, working with people and getting them on his side. It's just like in Game of Thrones how Robert Baratheon was a great general, but a terrible King. I think Wang So will be a good king, but this initial hardship is refreshing! I always appreciate this about the show, that it takes unexpected direction for us. The things we think will happen definitely do not. 

ON HAE SU

Okay, what happened to all those Hae Su haters that were angry at her for not wanting to Wang So to become king at the end of 16?? Where are your loud complaints now? Because literally everything that Hae Su has feared that Wang So would do, that the Kingship would force him to do, the separation, the cruelty, etc, he had to do it ALL this episode. I didn't think Hae Su was stupid at all for stating her doubts for Wang So. She has personally seen the death of two kings at the throne. She's personally served both. I think she was completely cognizant of all the machinations, the paranoia, the greed of the power who are around the king. She didn't want it for Wang So. Now do you get why?? She's accepted that Wang So would become King because of her great love for him. She even made him King because that's what he wanted. And now, who's paying the price? Hae Su. God girl, I want you to get out of there no matter how much you love Wang So. Her love is such a double edged sword. On the one hand, who she is allowed her to love Wang So, despite GIGANTIC RED FLAGS (um, temple of death much) BUT it's also the reasons that she also loved Chae Ryung. Like 40somethingahjumma said, she would not shuttle these characteristics just because it's more convenient to do so. Hae Su is the definition of inconvenient. 

ON PATRIARCHY

Overthinking kdrama talks about how this is a story of a monstrous patriarchy that feeds on women and destroys them in the process. These women love these men despite their absolute power to destroy them. And this is such a fine read for me. Because if you look at every single female character, they die when they fall in love with a Prince. It's too precarious of a position to be in if you are not also yourself a Royal surrounded by power. Even being the daughter of a general is not enough. Seon Deok, Hae Su, Cha Ryeun, are all going to die DIRECTLY as a result of their love for the princes. This is the great overarching sadness of the show: that theses women are doomed as soon as they fall in love with a prince, but that they struggle on anyways. Aish, my heart hurts writing this. There are NO sides to blame for this. There are no ships sinking or whatever - this I've always maintained because I've not been watching the show for this. Just the mere fact that women have ALWAYS suffered at the hands of the men who love them. That's the great tragedy for me.

ON FUTURE SADNESS

My theory is that all those poems that Hae Su made Wang So write over and over again are going to come back and it's gonna bite Wang So so hard in the richard simmons. If we thought LJK did a great job with the Queen Yoo death scene, wait until the Hae Su death scene. We're all gonna need to take leave from work for a week. 

I also suspect that her diary written in Hangul will somehow be in a museum in the future. Maybe she sees it when she goes back to the future and maybe that's the moment she meets next-Gen Wang So. 

***Sorry I haven't able to update Escape From the Palace, I'm like too emotional right now. 

 

So I pretty much highlighted the parts that made me chuckle or nod my head like "Yup." 

 

The last bit is the part I am looking forward to dreading. I know it's going to be amazing but also HEARTBREAKING. I watch the show before work and I'm seriously considering taking the day off to sort out my emotions. I know I'm going to need to. 

[imaginary24]

9 hours ago, hiluna said:

I hope it will be a happy ending in the future. Maybe he will find her looking at the stars and he approaches her and points out Pegasus to her, only he mispronounces it as he did 1000 yrs ago. She turns around and looks at him wide eyed in surprise and he pulls out a boxed ring and says to her "Is this the right way to propose this time? I won't accept anymore rejections", he pulls her towards him with his signature pull and hug and slowly lowers his head towards her expecting her to stop him but this time she lifts her face to meet his in a passionate kiss that was meant to be 1000 years ago. This is what I will be thinking of while I watch the next few heartbreaking episodes

Wow! You really had a very nice imagination capturing good moments for last episode. I secretly hoping that your imagination will come true. Really need a happy ending after I have invested my total 18 hours for this drama! Plus... all the time that I've keep replaying the episodes all over again and having to wreck my head just to comprehend over the damn storyline. Fuhh!