i watched this ep at my computer in broad daylight at home with my noisy family laughing and shouting around me. Tears rolling down my cheeks, my heart shattered into tiny pieces.
“No I would not give you false hope,
for that strange and mournful day.
Cause the mother and child reunion is only a motion a-way”

How can you do this to me, drama?!!!!

As Iljimae agonizes over the death of his mother, unsure of where to go, or what to do next, a tremendous emptiness storms upon him. In the past, the greatest driving force behind his actions was the thought of reuniting with his mother, making her proud. Since that hope diminished, he must find a new purpose in life that is both self-fulfilling and meaningful.

This latest tragedy, however, serves as a turning point for our young hero. He takes upon Minister Choi’s proposition, and heads to Qing to help the undercover agents to fight the Qing Invasion. In doing so, he must leave Wol-hee, his girlfriend, behind.

I love the way in which this historical drama builds the attention. When things fall to an inevitable end, a glimmer of hope is provided (We almost believe the solution to the problem or hardship is near at hand). As the hope blossoms, we are, again, brutally thrown back into a turbulent abyss.

After watching this episode, I was so worried over Iljimae’s fate, and all night long, I tossed and turned, could not fall asleep. (This is what a great drama does to me.)

Thank you so much for the recaps and the beautiful pictures. I just simply love this drama.

I saw Wol-hee plea for Iljimae to take him with her to the ends of the earth like Ruth’s plea with her mother-in-law Naomi. Very poignant.

Thanks for continuing with this series. I still love it. Even though I have found out most of the plot points from Soompi, these recaps are still awesome.

http://i26.tinypic.com/24d1wr7.jpg

*sigh* ….was fearing too that they’ll kill him off….

thanks javaB….

btw, love the IS music….

“Cohesive” and “organic” – perfect descriptors. Everything flows naturally, and nothing’s superfluous. The characters and plot points just belong.
Even the minor details (like the Jin-Sun-Mi nod to BOF) add something to the overall production.

I love the way Baek Mae’s death was handled (a departure from the manhwa).
Yeah, I suffered from waterworks, too.

Although this is fiction, it still cleverly weaves history into its narrative. The Qing succeeded in invading Joseon, so it makes sense that Kim Ja Jeom is the one to receive and burn the letter. (But I got a great chuckle from your, “What fresh hell is this?” and all the OH NOES! because I did the same.)

Btw, Iljimae’s a great name for a cat! But I’d rather have Jung Il Woo.