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Goong S: Episode 20 (FINAL)

And here it is. The last episode!

I have to say, for a series I was only half-interested in for the first half of its run, this was a pretty good finale. I was simultaneously surprised that I liked it, and sad that the rest of the series couldn’t be as solid. If I had to put it to a phrase, I’d say it was quietly moving. Which isn’t to suggest it’s boring or uneventful, but you see people dealing with their choices and consequences in a thoughtful way. And the end, in case you were worried, is happy enough for me!

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SONG OF THE DAY

Infinity of Sound – “Spring.” (This song was played in Episode 5. New pop group composed of triplet sisters making eclectic music with traditional musical instruments.) [ zShare download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Also, if you thought Episode 19’s recap was long, this one’s a real mother! Seriously, it’s monstrous. You have been forewarned.

Joon resigns himself to the fire, recalling events of the recent past. He remembers the scene from last episode which I left out of the recap (the summary was getting long), when Joon and Shi-yeon reminisce on how they met. But since Shi-yeon has earned it:

(From Episode 19)

Joon remembers meeting young Shi-yeon when they were 7. She was so sad at being separated from her parents that she cried, and barely spoke. One day, they went out to play and he remembers the first time she laughed; they fell into the river and got in so much trouble. Joon likes how simple things were back then, before they knew anything, just happily playing.

Anyway, back to the fire. Joon is drowning (and burning) in his sorrows when Shi-yeon finally finds him, slumped over, and rescues him…

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…and Joon wakes up in the hospital. Hyo-jang coldly tells him he must get his act together in front of the royals when they name him Hwang Taeja. But Joon’s a little more sad over the fact that — wait, what? — Shi-yeon died?!?!?! While rescuing Joon?!

Yeah. Exactly.

It’s sad, because despite all the wildly inconsistent character portrayals that have driven me crazy (Hwang Tae-hu foremost among them), Shi-yeon has never wavered. Sure, she did some awful things for the Evil One, but she was in service of her master. She once told Joon she would die for his father if he needed it. I guess she fulfilled that duty, but perhaps she got a small victory in death, in that she was serving her love just as much as she was serving her master. *Tear*

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Hoo introduces Yang Soon-yi to his uncle, the Hyo-sung Dae-gong. Hoo wonders if he has to leave the Palace once Joon is named Hwang Taeja, and he probably will, since that’s the royal law.

On some score, Hoo’s disappointed — he tried hard and truly wanted to do well. “But on the other hand, I do feel free. Because if I leave the Palace, I want to marry her.”

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Soon-yi: “It feels odd… I thought you’d always live in the prince’s quarters in the Palace.”
Hoo: “It doesn’t feel real for me, either. I’ll have to go to where my parents once lived… But since I can be with you, I feel fortunate. Let’s try and live happily.”


“Yang Soon. I don’t want to be selfish anymore. Let’s just act like we’re not royal… People who know how to be happy.”

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The Queen Mother comes to Hoo, upset (yet again) that he introduced Soon-yi to his uncle. If he continues to be stubborn, she’ll consider that to mean he’s disrespecting her. She asks if he’s doing this to get revenge for her role in his mother’s banishment. (Which… isn’t a bad idea, really. Seriously, using your happiness to make someone unhappy? Best revenge ever.)

But Hoo asks if she can’t be more open-minded now that he won’t become the Hwang Taeja: “Yang Soon-yi and I may both be young, but we just want to be together, that’s it.”

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Han Sang Gung (Yang Soon-yi’s strict boss) approaches the Queen Mother and speaks up for Soon-yi. She has also noticed that the relationship between Hoo and Soon-yi is similar to the fate of Hoo’s parents. But cutting off Hoo’s mother from the royalty was an act of cowardice. She remembers that the Queen Mother had been a strong supporter of Hoo’s parents’ marriage. She had strongly persuaded the elders, who opposed the match, into accepting. True love isn’t something that status can divide. If status is taken too seriously, in the wrong way, it can bring many people misfortune. (Go, Han Sang Gung! I take back every unforgiving thought I’ve ever had of your character.)

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Joon asks his mother if she believes he has the qualifications and eligibility to be Crown Prince. After all, he’s not of the royal bloodline. Evil Mom asks if Joon’s spoken to Jo Sang-ki — because Ajusshi is mistaken, Joon is absolutely his father’s son. But Joon doesn’t believe her — he didn’t hear the news from Jo Sang-ki, he heard it from his father.

Evil Mom is, understandably, shaken, and tells her husband that Joon believes Hyo-jang isn’t his father. And Hyo-jang matter-of-factly agrees; after all, he’s not. All these years, Joon’s mother thought she was fooling him, but he knew. He knew she had another man. She admits to being unfaithful, but is certain Joon is definitely his son. But Hyo-jang reveals another shocking truth — he can’t father children. He was told by the hospital that he’s sterile, so there’s no use insisting on the matter. Joon’s mother says if he’s really doesn’t believe it, they can perform a test to find out.

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Joon gives the evidence to Hoo, who then goes to see Hyo-jang and his wife. He tells them, “It’s time for you to confess.” Hoo doesn’t intend to expose them to the outside world. But he wants them to apologize for what they did to his parents. But the couple are dismissive — they think he’s bluffing, and say they had nothing to do with his mother.

So Hoo resolutely says: “I understand. Then for the sake of the truth, I will settle the score for what you did to my parents, trampling over their lives.”

He leaves. Hyo-jang thinks Hoo seems different — the look in his eyes is stronger, different. But they brush it aside as empty threats.

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Joon goes to see Soon-yi. But unlike his last few visits, this time, he seems calm and at peace.

“I’ve always lived according to what my father told me to do. But after meeting you, that changed little by little. I had such a hard wall around me. Only concerned for my own feelings, I made things hard for others. Because I was hurting, I disregarded your feelings too. There were so many things I wanted to do for you, but I couldn’t do anything. I’ll stop here. I won’t continue. And this time, it’s for my sake. I won’t forget what you’ve taught me.”

Now, THIS! Is the gentle prince Joon we should have seen more! If we had, I might actually care about him as a character.

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Likewise, Sae-ryung and Hoo talk as well.

Hoo: “I’m always thankful to you, and sorry.”
Sae-ryung: “We’re too different, aren’t we? If you’d lived as royalty from the start, or if I was your schoolmate like Soon-yi… would I have had a chance?”

Hoo gives her a ticket to New York, and tells her: “If there’s a place you wanted to go most in the world, I thought it would be there. I’ve felt you’ve always longed for your mother. Don’t hide it any longer, and tell her in person, that you missed her.”

Sae-ryung is touched at the gesture — and it’s a pretty damn good gesture. Hoo’s the only person in the world whom she allowed herself to be vulnerable with, and although he couldn’t accept her love, he still cared for her and remembered something this deeply important to her.

(Dude, I know Seven’s a major star, and he’s the main character, and this is the last episode, and Hoo is supposed to be a strong, wonderful person… but any more of this hero edit and I’m going to melt into a gooey puddle on the floor and you’ll have to scrape me off with a spatula. I can’t take it; he’s too lovely.)

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Soon-yi takes off her necklace…

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At the announcement of the royal successor, they tally the scores of the challenges, which Joon has won. However, before they can officially announce him the Hwang Taeja, Joon interrupts. He announces he isn’t fit for the Crown Prince. During the challenges, he cheated and acted dishonorably. Everyone’s shocked and in disbelief, particularly the Hyo-jang (who looks like he’s swallowed a goat), but Joon tells them that Hoo is the rightful successor; Joon cannot be the Hwang Taeja.

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As for the matter of Hoo’s mother… The Pye-ha calls Joon’s parents to her chambers, and ask if they remember the incident 20 years ago. Hoo presents an audiotape of Joon’s parents saying that the crime couldn’t be traced back to them. Luckily for them, blame fell to Hoo’s mother. They threaten the subordinate with his life and his family’s safety if he tells.

Apparently Joon handed over the evidence to Hoo under the condition that they don’t prosecute his parents. Hoo says he’ll keep their promise; all he wants is to clear his mother’s name.

Hoo asks why Joon gave up. Joon: “Because from the start, it was not my road to take. But you’re different. You may not know it yourself, but your fate with the Palace goes back a long while.”

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At the river, Hoo and Soon-yi talk.

Soon-yi: “If you look at it one way, it’s like it was originally your place to begin with. Without being greedy or ambitious, it came back around to you, simply.”
Hoo: “We met again like that, too. Nothing will change because of me being Hwang Taeja. If we just keep our hearts as one, we’ll be fine. I’ll try hard. Whatever happens, just trust me and follow, no matter what, okay?”
Soon-yi: “With such a refined man telling me so, how can I not trust you?”
Hoo: “I am a bit refined, aren’t I? You must’ve fallen for me somehow.”

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Soon-yi excuses herself to go to the restroom, but of course she’s really using that as an excuse to LEAVE! And she takes a cab to the AIRPORT!

Hoo anxiously waits for her, and finally finds a letter she slipped into his pocket. It reads (and if you don’t tear up reading/watching this, you are made of stone. Stone, I say!):

“Do you know? I’ve liked you for a really long time. The first day we met, we ran into each other and I fell down, and my skirt flipped over. You were surprised, but I thought to myself, ‘When I grow up, I’m definitely going to marry you.’ Maybe that’s why, but whatever you did, I liked you. I wanted to make you pretty things, or share my lunch with you. When we had homework, I wanted to do it all for you. It was like that. I thought that’s just how our feelings were back then… but those feelings have brought us this far.”

As we see a flashback of all the sweet moments between Hoo and Soon-yi, her letter continues:

“But, they say first loves don’t come true. So, I think I’ll stop here. I don’t want to be more selfish. Because… I was really happy.”

Hoo tries to find her, and finally learns from Young-Nam that Soon-yi’s going abroad to study. It’s too late to catch her, because she’s already boarded the plane and is probably gone.

Hoo, shocked and crushed, goes back to his room, alone, as Soon-yi finishes her letter:

“Thanks for becoming someone I can see, wherever you are. I’ll always be cheering you on.”

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The Queen and the Prime Minister still want to push through with Sae-ryung marrying Hoo, but she surprises them by asking them to forget about those intentions. She sees now that she lacks many things befitting Hoo’s wife. Her father is angry that she ruined a done deal, but Sae-ryung says that (kind of marriage) is the same self-sacrifice her mother made. She’d always resented her mother, but now she feels she can understand her.

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Paternity results are in! Joon still believes he’s Jo Sang-ki’s son, and asks his father to forgive his mother for deceiving him. But Hyo-jang grabs Joon into a crushing hug, wracked with tears.

Joon truly IS Hyo-jang’s son.

Wow, this is so sad. So beautifully ironic.

Even though Hyo-jang was so violently insistent that Joon was his son, and that he didn’t care if he wasn’t, you get the sense that he didn’t truly think of him as his own. He thought he did, but once he realized Joon really is his blood, he realizes how much it means that it’s true — and feels the pain of everything he’d lost and wasted by believing otherwise.

Joon’s mother explains that she’d lied to Jo Sang-ki, so he would keep the evidence safe. “It was to protect you. If it’s to save my son from harm, I can do anything.”

Meanwhile, Jo Sang-ki sends Hoo a letter, acknowledging that he’d let Hoo down by falling for one woman’s lies. He feels he must leave the country and start afresh to atone.

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……..AND THREE YEARS LATER…….. (I know!!)

Hoo has been made Jeonha, having officially assumed the successorship to Pye-ha (who is still Pye-ha). Hoo has become quite busy attending to his royal obligations.

In all this time, he hasn’t seen Soon-yi at all, until she ends up as a foreign delegate’s attendant.

Hoo is unsettled at seeing her, and when he goes back to his office, he wonders to Han Sung Gung: “Though time has passed, why have my memories grown stronger?”

Han Sang Gung wisely replies: “Though time passes, your mind may not allow it to forget. In those times, follow the path of your heart, Jeonha.” (How awesome is she?)

Hoo is startled to realize her meaning. She was always the stiff Sang Gung who used to always tell him personal feelings should stay out of things. Why the change? Han Sang Gung tells him, “Because you are a person before you are a prince.” She also tells him that it’ll be difficult persuading Hwang Tae-hu. Also, in order to succeed, he must be sure to do something — and then whispers a secret tip into his ear.

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On an official trip to Jeju Island, Hoo and Soon-yi are brought together, but things are awkward. They’ve also gone back to speaking polite (joen-dae) speech, and Soon-yi keeps her distance There, they run into Sae-ryung, who’s watching over of a bunch of kids as their teacher.

Sae-ryung and Soon-yi are genuinely glad to see each other again. Soon-yi also notes that Sae-ryung and Hoo have become closer over the years, and even speak in informal (banmal) speech. It appears that while Soon-yi has been away, Hoo, Joon and Sae-ryung have all become close friends.

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They accompany Sae-ryung and her kids to the beach, where they sit, not talking, but both remembering the same conversation from when they were kids:


Young Hoo: “Hey, is this the first time you’re seeing the ocean?”
Young Soon-yi: “It’s my first time here. It’s so pretty, huh? When I’m older, gotta come here for my honeymoon, right?”
Young Hoo: “Who says I’ll marry you?”
Young Soon-yi: “Who says I’LL marry you? And I’m already claimed anyway.”
Young Hoo: “What? By who?”
Young Soon-yi: “I have my worry bear, Manito. I’m going to marry Manito.”

Sorry to be shallow, but Hoo and Soon-yi make such an attractive couple. I like them even better together as adults.

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These days, Hoo even calls Joon “Joon hyung,” which is weird because he used to only ever call him “Moon Sung Gong.” Joon’s become a successful indie musician — still a prince, but mostly living a private life.


Soon-yi and Joon catch up, and Joon tells her Hoo was very lonely these past years.

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Hoo: “I was curious, why you had to go to such lengths to leave me.”
Soon-yi: “If I didn’t, you wouldn’t have let me go.”
Hoo: “All right, fine. ‘I’m a commoner, you’re royalty, so we don’t suit and there would be a lot of problems” — let’s not say those things. In the past three years, I tried really hard to forget you. I thought I’d forgotten, but the moment I saw you, I knew. That hating you, forgetting you — for me, that’s impossible. Yang Soon. Let’s start again.”
Soon-yi: “It’s not that easy. You know it too. And also…”
Hoo: “Also what?”
Soon-yi: “My work. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m doing a good job now. There are people depending on me, and I want to do well for this work I like.”

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Soon-yi was planning on leaving Korea to go back abroad in a few days, but Hoo is surprised when his new attendant is brought in. (The former male attendant to the Pye-ha is retiring, and so the female Shi Jong Gwan has been promoted. So to take her place…)

Soon-yi received a particular recommendation from the Pye-ha to be the new Shi Jong Gwan.

Soon-yi: “I worried a lot, but you look good. You look like you belong in this place. I thought a lot about whether this was the right decision. But then I received Pye-ha’s recommendation. But I still have a lot of worries… I worry that I might ruin things for you.”
Hoo: “Follow me. I have something I want to show to the girl with lots of worries.”

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And he brings her to the room he’s filled with worry bears…

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Hoo explains about all how there are so many things to worry about in the world… Soon-yi says he’s simple so he won’t have many worries, and Hoo agrees: “You’re right. Except for one thing. My worry over lost love. But now, I have a feeling that’ll work out well, too.”

“Because, I got a secret tip from Han Sang Gung.”

“Men… are all about 19+!” (i.e., risque, mature situations)



(Note: Literally, he says, “Men are all about the 19+ restriction!” If you’re American, it’s similar to an NC-17 concept. So, they’re about the risque. :D)

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FINAL GOONG S THOUGHTS

This post is already insanely long, if you’ll indulge me:

I usually groan at the “__ years later” trick pulled in many kdrama finales, but I was good with this one. In Delightful Girl Choon Hyang, for instance, I liked the time lapse because both characters needed to grow up — particularly Mong-ryong, who’d always been supported by Choon-hyang. In My Girl, on the other hand, I thought it was unnecessary and melodramatic.

For Goong S, it worked for me because Hoo and Soon-yi needed time to grow up, to experience life, and find themselves before coming back together. Life experience and struggle makes you stronger, and Hoo matured nicely in the intervening time. Also, Soon-yi has always been buffeted around by the whims of people more powerful than her — she needed to take charge of her life and realize her own potential. She’s become the capable, intelligent woman of the world she promised Hoo she’d become in Episode 19. And now, no one can accuse them of being thoughtless teenagers operating on fleeting feelings, because their connection goes so much deeper.

Unlike most Goong S fans, or more likely what I think the perception is of most Goong S fans, I was not a Seven (or Se7en) fan, and didn’t start watching the drama for him. In fact, when I heard he was cast, I was disappointed because I wasn’t optimistic about his acting skills (I didn’t hate him; I just didn’t care about him). And although I enjoyed watching the original Goong, I wasn’t a diehard fan. So I started watching Goong S out of curiosity.

Initially, I was disappointed that the show didn’t seem to live up to its potential. But for some reason, I kept watching… No matter how you criticize the show, I feel like it’s got a certain X-factor that hooks you in, that allows you to overlook objective weaknesses because of its overall charm. I even grew to like Seven, whose acting is still raw, but the guy’s got presence. I still don’t care for his music, but I respect him and think he did a good job with his role. I don’t know if someone else would’ve played Hoo so pure-hearted, eager, noble and yet vulnerable all at once, and that would have been a loss.

There were a few episodes in the middle there that nearly made my eyes bleed in boredom, but the latter half of the series picked up. I’ve had such fun translating and recapping this show. Okay, I’m (finally) shutting up now.

Gomawo-yo for reading along!

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Thanks so much for the summary (and previous ones too!) I love reading your commentary~ xD

I'm always glad to hear non-Se7en fans that take an interest in the show because their opinions are usually have more genuine and unbiased. People tend to blame his fanbase for supporting the drama (ie. saying Goong S is overrated because of him).

;__; Shi-yeon died?! ;-; I wished she could have stayed til the end (I wanted to see more of a happy ending for Joon too). One thing still hasn't been covered.. the cafe shop owned by Hoo's mother. I had hoped that would include that in the last episode to tie up the loose ends in the series. Other than that and wanting more Hoo & Soon Yi moments, I am fairly satisfied with the ending as well after reading your summary.

Out of curiosity, which Goong series do you prefer more? ^^; (Haha.. you don't have to answer though)

I'll be looking forward to rest of the Goong S subs. Thanks javabeans & WITH S2!

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I have always enjoyed your summaries as you injected your comments and humour in the most interesting manner. You made it possible for us to want to continue watching the drama as we were able to understand what was happening and feel the emotions that were running through the characters.

Thanks again

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you're welcome!

@ StarCrystal: That's an interesting question... I enjoyed Goong but wasn't a rabid fan. And while in my opinion, Goong is the better-executed show (plot and acting, mostly), I feel an affection to Goong S that I don't feel with Goong. I felt much more for Hoo and Soon-yi because, as characters, they were built with depth and layers. And even though I don't think Seven's a *great* actor, I'm a little amazed at how he changed from episode 1 to 20. Quite a huge difference, and it was fairly gradual. I don't feel like the characters developed as much in Goong.

Of course, it's also colored by the fact that it's been a while since I saw Goong. But I remember I had to remind myself to finish Goong and didn't really care how it ended, whereas I clearly was excited to watch the ending of Goong S. If Hoo and Soon-yi didn't end up together, I would have had to hurt something. Hopefully not myself.

so... that's not really a straight answer, is it? lol. but hopefully it answered your question anyway.

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Thank you so much for what you did!! I really enjoy reading it..with you summary it make the drama more fun

Goodbye GoongS ^___^

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YOU'RE GOOD!

Love.Love.Love

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Thank you so much for the summaries. I really enojoy reading them.

But I didn't like the ending much. I think they've could have done better or as least zoom in a bit.

Hopefully, there'll be a Goong S special episode to fully wrap things up.

Thanks again v(^_^)

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Thanks a lot AGAIN!!! =)

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And one thing.... as I love your eps 20 review... can I put this on my journal? I give you the link after I put in my journal, of course...

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@ myownsecretmind: sure, no problem! link away.

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Dear Javabeans. I've been encouraged to write these after I read your comments. And I'm totally agree with you. I didn't watch this show because of se7en and I started after this series is on episode 14. When I first start, I think it's kinda boring but as you said it had X-factor that keeps you continuing. After half of the series, I really think the drama gets better. And also se7en's act beginning improved as well even not that good. And I'm beginning to like her character as the drama goes by. And also the other characters too. This is sure one of good dramas that give you lots of thought about what life is.

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Hye Javabeans..thank you for these wonderful efforts.

Yesterday I watched the final?(c) without understanding what is said n I was dissapointed with the ending.Now that I have read ur transalation, I feel better. This drama after all didn't dissapoint me..

Permit me to quote what u said..

"Dude, I know Seven's a major star, and he's the main character, and this is the last episode, and Hoo is supposed to be a strong, wonderful person… but any more of this hero edit and I'm going to melt into a gooey puddle on the floor and you'll have to scrape me off with a spatula. I can't take it; he's too lovely."

I feel the same as you. I knew Se7en from his early days but never a fan of him..So my judgement over him can be considered unbiased. Throughout the 2? eps, I got to love him. He's the perfect prince. I always thought my fairytale prince is someone cold like Shin but Hoo gave me a new light to this prince thing.

by the by, thanks again..n thanks ur subbing team for me...u guys are the best

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Thanks so much for this summary. I didn't mind the length, I always like details.

I love how it ended. I admit I was a bit apprehensive to continue watching the drama, but I had good hopes for it.

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Thanks so much for the ep20 summaries and the other summaries you have provided, I especially enjoy reading your side comments along the way. I cried reading the summary because Hoo was just so moving to me!!!

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THANK'S A LOT...
Here's the link! Again, thank you!
http://ssusita.livejournal.com/114768.html

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hi sarah! thanks for doing a summary! im glad to know you post this here. ill visit often that alright? as always, great job with the summary. i actually really felt the emotions involved in the scenes. similar to you, i havent watched this all the way. i cut in the middle, because the way things where going it had me going in circles. lol. but the last two were very nicely done. and yes, the years after scenarios bug me to pieces, so cliche. this one though nicely done and had a very meaningful impact as well. i have said on DJS thread, at first i couldnt accept the route it went but after watching oh my. i couldnt bet any better. i love ur writing style by the way. the humor and the remarks couldnt have been placed better. honestly, you could write something. could i link ur DJS summaries to my blog to though? i just started having one. did you like the ending of DJS too? send u the link later. im curious about ur thoughts about goong too. im liking more after and understanding after watching more. anyway, to more wonderful insights and detailed summaries :) cheers!

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I'm really in love with the last 30 mins.
I tried not to spoil myself before the subs are released, but I can't. lol

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Thanks a lot for your in-depth review of Goong S. I'm non-Asian and I also do not understand Korean, so your review was very helpful. Thanks again.

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Hot diggity! Thanks to everyone's interest in Goong S, this is one of Wordpress's top posts of the day (28th, to be exact). So suck on that, subpar-MBC-ratings-in-Korea!

@ lavendarmist0218, WITH S2 has released subs up to Episode 13, which you can find at d-addicts.com's Goong S thread. You can also track the status of subs-in-progress at WITH S2's wiki page, with the progress bar toward the bottom.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFULLY DETAILED SUMMARY!!!!! I am still trying to find an English subbed version of Goong S Ep. 10-20, any idea where I may find one???

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As always, your summary was awesome! I loved ep. 20 before I read this and now I love it even more after! So thank you thank you thank you. I hope you don't mind me quoting a part of your summary in my post in soompi.

And the funny thing is that I've started reading other sections of your blog. Summaries for other dramas. Think I'm gonna get hooked into watching them coz of your summaries. Hehehe~

Out of curiosity, do you write fanfics?? I would love to read if you do!

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hey Ms. javabeans thank you so much! i am gonna MiSS GOONG S, my wed & thur would never be same days again starting next week! like what i've said i am inlove with this series at first i didn't even know who seven was i dnt hav idea that he sings! but now i like him bec. of GOONG S!i like seven &YSN a lot they made me sad & happy at the same time! again thank you very much, God Bless you!!!!!!!

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Oh my buddha !! THX U so much for the translation... I cried so much .. and I understand all the primodial scene !! thx to you !! I also have the same final thoughts as you xD... Like episode end 13 15.. were a little bit .. WTF.. you want to make me died of boredom or what? lol but you know when you had waited for it every week and that you watch 16 17 18 19 20 ... it's wowwwwww that's so good !! I'm so addicted now .. It's kinda sad that's finish now ...XD I'll missed Goong S... Really people should stop comparing Goong and Goong S... two totally different story ! and beautiful story !! Anyways Thanks !!!

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javabeans,
you took the words out of my mouth. I can't simply thank you for taking the time to watch and recap for everyone.
i think if everyone was open minded (regardless if you're a se7en fan or not) this drama had the special IT factor that drew everyone in.
I mean for me, i wasn't too pleased to hear that se7en took the role as Prince Hoo, either, and wasn't going to watch it until it ended. but those girls on soompi had me going, so i watched a few clips here and there and in one night downloaded 1-17, and watched it twice beginning to end, and end to beginning, so yeah it's gets you.
for a bunch of newbie actors and actress, i give them all thumbs up. they worked their butts off and it only shows that it doesn't matter if others don't like it, as long as the actors/actress enjoyed the experience and made one or few people happy in the end it's all worth it.
okay enough of me, i think i'm boring myself already hehehe. thanks for all your summarizes.

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wow! you have such patience! i only started reading your blog in ep 19 because i couldn't wait for the subtitled episode so i decided to read the summary for the next episode! thanks for your blog which proves to be more than a summary! i enjoyed reading it for the humour too! great stuff! keep it up! i'll be reading your blogs in the future! ^_^

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Geez thanks for your summaries! It has helped me a lot in understanding this series! Gamsahamnida! :)

That was really like so cool of you to have such kind of thoughts about GOONG S.

We have to give this series a chance. Though it may have failed in the middle part, the latter episodes did well in capturing my attention. :) The ending was unexpectedly moving that I never thought it would be as what they have showed. For my last point for this series, they could have made the royal wedding a lil bit more flambouyant than having it just in bears haha. I was kinda expecting a big royal wedding crowd with all the tradition stuff haha. :) Nonetheless, overall Goong S was great. :)

Gamsahamnida! Keep up the good work! I'll be reading more of your entries! :) What's your nationality btw? Gawd am learnin korean badly! haha. rarr. :)

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i love it !!!

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Just FYI, i'm working on the final ep subs now so they should be released soon.

And billabongstig, I'm Korean (American), born & raised in the States.

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And now Goong S Episode 20 subtitles are out! Project complete! Go to d-addicts to get them...

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Wow cool I wanted to be korean this past few days haha basically because of watching too much of kdramas haha. yet im still a proud filipino deep inside. thanks

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Awesome, thanks for recapping. Watching the last episode though, it did feel a little bit like they were rushing to create hasty resolutions to the plot threads they set up. But at least they had resolutions. The time-skip was also well done. It's just a reminder that no matter how dramatic your life seems as a teen, once you grow up you gain perspective. I think actually Sae-ryung and Joon showed that the most. It was great finally seeing them move on.

My only wish is that the show put some of the awesomeness the last few episodes had into the beginning of the series. Especially when it came to the political intrigue. But ah well. I've been hearing rumours about a sequel - do you know if that's true? I don't know why they would when the first series (unfairly) experienced such low ratings...

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thank you so much for ur blog and I was totally smiling to myslef when I saw 3 years later on the screen for Goong S because it's like an easy way out to a happy ending but then again like you said the 3 year later lapse was needed in order to make the drama more realistic

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Thank You for the summary!!I loved it..Even if it wasn't in video cool!!I just don't like the part she had to leave Lee Hoo...=(...It was kind of very heart breaking and if it was in real maybe that person would have been kinda crazy 'cause he loves the girl and when it was the last scene well it kinda went find...hehe...i just wanted to see it in video...i think now the level of goong and goong s are equal...ehehe...thank you soooo much!!!
=)

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thanks for you summary,,,to be honest i did find Goong S entertaining but found that it dragged on too much...i prefered Goong

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thanks for making the summary of the final episode it made me understand the conclusion of the story, for in you tube video's are not complete, arrange and no English subtitle too! so thank you arigato(Japanese) saramida,kumaho(Korean)

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wow you really went through so much effort to put this all up.
THANKS YEAH?

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Thanks 4 the nice summary n it is soooooooooo cool

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goong s is such an intresting n cool drama

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I started to watch this show because I had heard that Se7en might be the current boyfriend of Ku Hyesun...I just wanted to be sure he was good enough for her. I ended up falling for Se7en myself! I went to Youtube to find out more about him and came to love his singing and dancing, too. He was so charming and sweet in Goong S, I liked it much better than Goong! Thanks for all of your comments.

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I hope you don't think I'm too forward for approaching you like this but I have been wanting to say thank you for all your posts. A friend of mine highly recommended that I check your posts and I've been very glad that I did. The reason that I am contacting you that in my love for the first Goong, I bought the comic books set from hanbooks.com. My Korean insn't so good and I barely looked at it. Would you like it? I'm one of those people that hates to see things wasted. I thought you would be able to enjoy it. I don't mind sending it to you unless you are uncomfortable with it. Just a thought... :)

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loved it! Se7en is hot.

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hi javabeans.

i was currently hooked up to your site because of coffee prince. :) and was entirely thankful for you have a lot of blogs to most of the korean drama series -- in ENGLISH!

i was jst wondering.. you have been part of the fansubber team for goong s (i believe.. not sure though), but for the first 'goong' drama i couldn't find any post about it.. just curious.. ;)

do u go to korea often to visit? u mentioned that your of korean origin but born,raised, & living in US but still u get a hold of your korean language pretty firm..

amazinggg.. ;)

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thank u so much javabeans, whoever u r. I'm from Indonesia, and the they've just played this drama since last month, which means I became a fan just recently. Anyway I've bought the dvd now. But do u think there'll be any sequel for it? I'm really eager to find out, since I think the ending doesn't explain much about the continuation of Hoo and Soon Yi's relationship. Anyway, I could still enjoy it, except that I prefer Soon Yi with her long wavy hair, than her short, straight one. the crews must've chosen the wrong wig....

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OMG!!!!!!!! I love goong.
it's my favortite so far show ever.

I am such a big fan of goong, super juniro and dong bang shingi.........
kim young woong jae joong as hero, he's soooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!
we are gonna look so cute together, of course he doesn't know me, but i have his posters on my bedroom wall all the time.

JAE JOONG'S MY HOE!!!!!

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thanks so much! i couldnt find the last episode but thanks 2 ur post now i have finally finished goong s!

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i totally agree with the comments here. I like goong s more than goong. and reading the reviews with javabeans' own take about certain scenes makes it more interesting It's written in a witty and apt manner = )

I stumbled on ur site via popseoul.

One thing that kind of "blemishes" the happy ending - did the queen mother eventually relent and accept soon-yi ? I'm sure the queen will readily do so but i am not sure about her mum. That woman seems to have a vengeance agst soon-yi. It wld be perfect if they had addressed that.

So yeah, they predictably redeemed sae ryung's initially meanie and detestable character by making her give lee hoo up and walk away. There were times i wished i could wring her neck for the mean and condescending things she said to soon yi when they were alone. It reminds me of the kang hye-won character in full house. If she didnt give rain up ( i mean young-jae up) he and ji-eun may not have worked out> Kudos on that!

For me the best summarised sentence of the review has got to be this one, it's so apt and easy to understand but summarises the love between soon-yi and lee hoo perfectly

it worked for me because Hoo and Soon-yi needed time to grow up, to experience life, and find themselves before coming back together. Life experience and struggle makes you stronger, and Hoo matured nicely in the intervening time. Also, Soon-yi has always been buffeted around by the whims of people more powerful than her — she needed to take charge of her life and realize her own potential. She’s become the capable, intelligent woman of the world she promised Hoo she’d become in Episode 19. And now, no one can accuse them of being thoughtless teenagers operating on fleeting feelings, because their connection goes so much deeper."

Congrats on a great job !!

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glad that another person like goong s too. same as u, i started to watch goong s out of curiosity and end up addicted. haha..

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I was not a fan of Goong S in the beginning, having watched Goong and believing no sequel will ever come close. I didn't think Goong S had half the charm that the original had. So when I started watching Goong S, I gave up after the second episode.

But recently, for want of other kdramas to watch, I decided to give Goong S a second chance. And boy, I don't regret this! I think it stands among my favourites - up there with the original Goong, Delightful Girl Choon Hyang, Full House, SamSoon and Coffee Prince.

The series got better and better as it went. I liked Hoo's development and while he did seem very much over-the-top in the first couple of episodes, he got A LOT better as time went by. For me, Seven held the character together and really made Goong S worth watching.

I did comment to my daughters that the actress playing Soon Yi looked a lot like Gu Hye Sun in BOF and would have made a better Geum Jan Di. So it was interesting to read one of the posts here that Seven was rumoured to be dating Gu Hye Sun!

Overall, I think Goong S was highly under-rated and suffered because people like me could not look past the Goong comparisons. Yet, having watched Goong S now, I think it even surpassed the original in several ways - better costumes (loved the court ladie's uniforms and thank God, no pink jackets on the men - my eyes popped at Shin's fancy-dandy duds in Goong but I loved the quieter, understated elegance of the prince's suits in Goong S - that, to me, was more like how royalty would dress.) and equally, if not better, set design and art direction.

Thanks for the recaps JB! Excellently written and great insight! I enjoyed reading them, as I do all your recaps - they bring the series to life and bring back nice memories as I read them after watching the episodes. Only wished you had recapped every single episode instead of the last four or five!

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OMG.. i think i know what Han San Gung's idea is...

Is anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

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lol as long as it works out for them, anything goes ^^ Love the teddy bear hiding his eyes..not to see what they;.re up to :D I really liked the two main leads, as much as I li9ked the fiurst goong Thank you! ^^

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I think Han Sang gung's idea would have been to get Soonyi pregnant so the court would be forced to accept her. But it was sad to see that they did not show Hwang Tae Hu accepting Soonyi. For me, how I wish the show was longer. Koreans dont seem to make dramas that were as good as this now.

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