Gaksital: Episode 6
by girlfriday
You’d think it’s an exaggeration to say that this is the episode in which EVERYTHING happens ever, but it’s not. Greatly in need of hugs. Also a new heart. Anyone got a spare?
EPISODE 6 RECAP
Kenji shoots Mom, who crumples to the ground. And then as soon as he gets word that Gaksital is currently committing crimes elsewhere, he turns tail, not caring that he then shot a woman FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Hate you.
Kang-san falls apart, wailing and pleading for Mom to wake up.
Baek Gun is on his way to the house when he sees Kenji and his troops march past. He rushes to Kang-san, worried. Kang-san sits, cradling Mom in the yard.
Kang-san: Wake up, Mother. The ground is cold. That your son isn’t an idiot… and for Kang-to to know that his hyung isn’t an idiot, to stop being a foreign stoolpigeon so that Mother can live a long, long life… after I avenged Father, I was going to tell you everything… everything. Mother, wake up. Wake up. It’s cold here. It’s cold. It’s cold. Let’s get up, Mom.
Mrrrrmph. *tears* He looks over at the mask that Mom had hidden in her skirt to protect him. He glares at it now with hurt, angry tears. I think it’s this moment when I really connect with Kang-san as Gaksital. It brings him down to earth to see him resent the mask for what it cost him.
He moves her inside and lays her down, as Baek Gun comes running in. He asks frantically if it was Kenji, and why?
Kang-san tucks Mom into bed and admits, “I let go of her hand. Ajusshi, even when he held a gun to Mother… to hide the fact that I am Gaksital… even when she ran into him… I measured and calculated: what if I were discovered like this, what about Father’s revenge, and Kang-to? Can I still be called her child? Am I still a human being?”
He tamps down his tears and gets up in a furious rage, clasping his mask. Baek Gun stops him—she will have died in vain. But he screams that this is the guy who killed Mother, and goes running out. Oh crap.
At the sight of the robbery, the bank workers wait for the police. But it’s Jun who arrives first, dressed in police uniform. He slashes their throats in two seconds flat. Huh. What’s that about?
Kenji’s lackey tells us what—they believe that Gaksital stole the money AND killed the innocent bank workers. Double crap.
Kimura visits Rie to tell her that the police and the newspaper (the reporter she strip-pokered) have been sent to the scene and by press time, the world will think that Gaksital murdered those men to steal the banknotes.
It turns out this is her idea, to make things difficult for Kono. Kimura lavishes praise, that is, until she tells him to refill the bank’s funds. He doesn’t so much like that idea, but bankrupting the bank isn’t part of the plan. He complies because he really has no choice. I do love watching him squirm.
Rie makes one thing clear: “Gaksital can no longer be a hero to the Joseon people.”
Kenji and Reporter Park stand around the crime scene going over the story that is to appear in tomorrow’s headlines. Why even bother going to the crime scene if you’re just going to invent the story anyway?
Kang-to arrives just in time to see the bodies before they get hauled away, and figures out with one look that this is the work of a skilled swordsman, which doesn’t fit Gaksital’s M.O.
He gives Reporter Park a quick reminder of his temper, if such details were to be ignored in the press. Park gives a hilarious attempt at saying something like “the pen is mightier than the sword,” but even he knows that’s a dumb thing to say to Lee Kang-to, and trails off.
Kenji fumes and sends Lackey to kill Kang-san after all, just to see if Kang-to will stay loyal to the government that killed his mother and brother. Just to see?! You sick son of a bitch.
But Gaksital arrives on the scene to attack first, and gets Kenji beaten down and cornered. He raises his stick, screaming in furious rage…
…when Kang-to attacks. OH NOES.
Kang-san says to himself in voiceover for Kang-to not to do this, as they fight. Fists go flying, and Kenji sees the opportunity to run away. Kang-san can’t let him go, so he beats Kang-to down and stops Kenji.
He raises his stick again, and Kenji shuts his eyes in terror…
A shot rings out.
FUCK. Nononononononono! Kang-san bleeds, shot right through the torso, and turns around to see Kang-to with his gun aimed right at him. Kang-to smiles like he’s finally caught the white whale. Damn, that smile is haunting.
He runs to capture Gaksital, when Baek Gun flies down from the shadows and knocks Kang-to out. They run off before the two cops can get back up. Auuuugh, Kang-san is bleeding profusely from the gut.
Kang-to gets up like the dogged cop that he is and quickly finds the blood trail. “Bingo.” Stop that! This is horrible. And awesome. Our hero is hunting down his own brother!
The trail leads… to home. Kang-san has collapsed in the yard. Baek Gun pleads with him to run away, but Kang-san says he can’t leave Mother. He asks Baek Gun to tell Kang-to about how their father died, and why he put on the mask.
They hear Kang-to arrive outside, and Kang-san tells Baek Gun to run.
Kang-to comes in with that smile on his face, laughing that Gaksital’s big plan was to run right into the lion’s lair. He goes to remove the mask, and Kang-san puts his hand up—he’ll do it himself.
He starts to untie the strings. Even in this moment, I’m half expecting Baek Gun to come flying back and knock Kang-to unconscious. But he doesn’t. Kang-san lowers the mask…
His head is bowed, but Kang-to sees enough that the smile disappears from his face. Kang-san starts to raise his head, as Kang-to teeters backward in shock. “Hyung?”
Hyung says yes, it’s him. Kang-to looks down at the mask and back up at Hyung, back and forth, back and forth, as he starts to breathe again. “It makes no sense. It was you? You’re… Gaksital?”
Hyung: “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you everything. I didn’t want to burden you. I wanted to take care of it myself.”
Kang-to kneels down and clutches Hyung by the collar, “How can you—how can you be Gaksital? How? HOW?!” Now crying and pleading in desperation, he screams, “You were an idiot! A fool! A retard!”
Hyung just raises his hand to Kang-to’s face. He caresses his cheek. Hyung starts to cry, as Kang-to trembles. Hyung: “Our Kang-to is very handsome. My little brother… your hyung… missed you. What do we do?”
And those are his last words, as his head sinks down. Kang-to lets go of Hyung’s collar in terror, falling backward as Hyung’s limp body drops to the ground.
He inches backward, the tears tumbling out. He looks down at the mask again. Flashback to his fights with Gaksital, the time he was saved by him, and watching Hyung break down, playing the fool to keep his cover.
Kang-to starts to shake his head no, as the flashbacks turn to happy childhood memories of Hyung, and then that breakfast where Hyung had given him all the fish. And ohgod, the time he beat Hyung to a pulp in the street. Oof.
Finally, words come out, “Mom… Mom…” OH NO. Just kill me now.
He screams through his tears for Mom to come out, breaking down as he says the words, “Hyung is dead.” He starts to get angry that there’s no answer, and goes tearing inside…
He yells, “Can’t you hear me?” and yanks on the covers, to find her covered in blood, long dead. He falls to the floor with a thud. He lets out this silent wail of horror, and his voice belatedly catches up, in a piercing cry.
*curls up in fetal position, rocks back and forth* It’s gonna be okay… It’s gonna be okay…
We cut to a restaurant, where the locals toast to Gaksital. The guy who beat Kang-san up in the marketplace eyes his buddies with Evil Plan Face, likely plotting something against Kang-to.
Back to Kang-to, lying down to hold Mom’s head to his, crying and crying, and breaking my heart. His tears turn angry and then he storms back out to Hyung. (Could this BE any more horrifying, to go back and forth from dead body to dead body?)
He grabs Hyung’s limp body by the collar, screaming, “You’re Gakstital? You couldn’t even protect Mom, and you call yourself the protector of the Joseon people?! Don’t kid yourself! Don’t kid yourself, you bastard!” Ouch. Hurts because it’s true.
“It’s because of you isn’t it? She was shot because of you?! BECAUSE YOU’RE GAKSITAL?!” He starts to drag him across the yard, intent on taking him down to the station. Omg, the denial is killing me. He’d dead!
But Baek Gun arrives just in time to stop him. He introduces himself, and Kang-to has to search his memory to recognize him. He grabs Baek Gun, accusing him of turning his innocent hyung into Gaksital, twisting him for his own purposes.
It’s like he hasn’t fully processed yet that Hyung was never the sweet idiot. He asks who killed Mom, and Baek Gun says he can’t, not with Kang-san lying there like this. But Kang-to’s no dummy—if Hyung had discovered who killed Mom, he’d have done the same… and when Kang-to found him, he was tearing into Kenji, thirsty for blood.
He lets out his own blood-curdling cry, “KIMURA KENJI!” He picks up his gun and goes running. Oh no. My heart can’t take this!
Baek Gun sees the mask on the ground and picks it up, and goes running after Kang-to. He flies across rooftops and cuts him off with ease. Kang-to raises his gun to order him out of the way. He complies, only to knock him out with one swift move. Ha. Okay, thank goodness for you.
But while they’re gone, the scheming guys from the restaurant show up at the house, intent on getting their petty revenge on Traitor Kang-to. They light bottles on fire, and throw them into the house and the yard. Holy… are you freaking kidding me? I need new words for: Worst Day Ever.
The fire engulfs both Mom and Hyung, and by the time Baek Gun arrives carrying Kang-to on his back, the house is up in flames.
Neighbors run around, throwing futile buckets of water at the house, and Kang-to comes to from the commotion. He freaks out and lurches forward to run into the flames to save Mom and Hyung, but Baek Gun holds him back as he screams and flails.
And then finally, the most horrible night ever comes to an end.
Shunji shows up at the hospital in the morning and laughs at sleeping guard Abe. He doesn’t wake up, so Shunji does his best Kang-to impression, and Abe darts to attention. That’s some fear.
Shunji gives him a lunch he packed for Kang-to, but Abe tells him that he hasn’t returned since going out last night to catch Gaksital. Shunji asks Abe to go fetch him a newspaper, and Abe tells him not to let anyone else into Mok Dan’s room. Ha. Nevermind that you’ve let the one person that Kang-to didn’t want inside, inside.
Shunji presents Mok Dan with lunch, only she’s got one hand cuffed to the bed and the other hooked up to an IV. He offers to feed her, smiling from ear to ear.
Abe comes running in with today’s news sheet with the headline: “Gaksital kills bank employees, shot by Lee Kang-to while trying to escape.”
Mok Dan grabs the paper to see for herself, trembling. She starts to ask Shunji for a favor but stops, and he knows what she’s asking—whether Gaksital survived. He tells her he’ll find out.
She says that Gaksital is probably someone who knows her. She thinks to herself that it’s the young master.
Kang-to and Baek Gun bury Mom and Hyung on a hilltop, and Kang-to kneels by the graves, looking hollowed out. Baek Gun explains that Kang-san had to avenge their father’s death, and got released from prison by pretending to be crazy. He had to maintain that cover from then on.
He tells Kang-to that his hyung was always heartbroken over his little brother, knowing he was after Gaksital, but never able to tell him the truth. Kang-to asks to be alone, not ready to hear it all.
More painful flashbacks, of how horribly he treated Mom and Hyung, and how each time, they still showed him love. Now the memories of the sweet idiot brother take on a new light, as he thinks of all the times Hyung had taken all of his hateful vitriol and pretended to be an oblivious fool who knew nothing but love for Little Bro.
He cries as thoughts turn to their last night together as a family: Mom’s prayer for him, crying into Hyung’s shoulder, and then that breakfast that made me cry the first time, and now it’s just The Breakfast of Pain.
His cries ring out from the hilltop: “Hyung. Hyung! HYUUUUUUUUUNG!”
Police Director Kono worries after Kang-to, who’s been MIA for over twelve hours. Kimura scoffs—shouldn’t their worry be about whether or not Gaksital survived?
Public Enemy Number One is missing, and the guy who shot him is also missing—does the Director really think that Kang-to should still be heading the investigation? Kimura declares that he’s taking over the case himself, and Kono can’t argue this time.
Kono goes directly to see Wada Ryo, the governor-general of Joseon. He’s an interesting character—our introduction to him is watching him inhale his lunch and then pick up every last grain of rice with a toothpick. So… cheap and greedy?
Kono is surprisingly casual with him. Behind closed doors they talk in banmal and Kono calls him hyung, griping about Kimura and nagging the governor about his gambling habit. He’s desperate to get rid of that thorn Kimura, but doesn’t have enough to oust him yet.
Kishokai meets, and the council flutters about with worry that Gaksital is still out there and passing along information about their organization to Lee Kang-to. But Kimura shuts them up in annoyance and declares that he’s in charge of catching Gaksital now, so they needn’t worry.
Only, what he really does is hand the investigation over to Kenji of course, which just makes me laugh. This is you Big Plan? Tell Kenji to kill Kang-to and Gaksital… again? For realsies this time? No, really really? And Kenji, is your arm seriously broken AGAIN?
Kenji struts down the hospital corridor and bursts into Mok Dan’s room… and finds a gagged and naked Abe, cuffed to the bed. HA.
Mok Dan doesn’t make it far in the police uniform before the alarm sounds, so she quickly changes into a nurse’s uniform. She’s juuuuust about to make it out right under Kenji’s nose, when that weasel Kye-soon sees her and calls out her name. Drat!
Cut to the torture room, where Kenji has Mok Dan strung up and pokes at her gunshot wound. He asks where Gaksital is, and she in turn breathes a sigh of relief to hear that he’s still alive.
Kye-soon comes running back to the circus to tell them she “happened to see” Mok Dan try to escape and get hauled away. She breaks down in fake tears. URG. I hate you most of all!
Shunji stops to look at a bride’s mask from a collection of old masks donated for his charity. He ponders it as he thinks back to Mok Dan’s guess that Gaksital was someone who knew her.
Sun-hwa comes bursting in with the news of Mok Dan’s capture, and Shunji bicycles to the station in a panic. Can we get him a motorcycle or something slightly more badass?
Kenji asks his lackey for an update on Kang-to, and smirks to find out that his house burned to the ground last night, taking Mom and Hyung with it. They figure he’s MIA because he’s at their funeral, and Kenji smiles at the convenience of having Kang-san die and Mom’s death covered up, all without lifting a finger.
Suddenly a crash from above as an officer is sent flying. And then another. They look up.
Gaksitaaaaal!
He comes flying down and quickly disarms everyone, and knocks Kenji into rail behind him.
I’m cheering, but as he attacks and then keeps wailing on Kenji, it starts to dawn on me that he’s not here to rescue Mok Dan or be the hero at all. He’s here for bloodthirsty revenge.
He hits Kenji over and over and over again, with a rage and a force so strong that he literally BREAKS HIS NECK with his bare hands. Holy crap!
Kenji spits a mouthful of blood with his last breath and falls dead. Whoa, I hated him, but that was traumatizing.
At the same time, Shunji comes running in to save Mok Dan, and instead finds Gaksital in the act of dealing the deathblow to his brother. And here I thought the worst day ended yesterday. Shit.
Shunji: “Hyuuuuuuuung!”
He runs at Gaksital full-speed ahead, drawing his sword. Kang-to panics at Shunji’s sudden arrival and defends himself, barely dodging being skewered alive.
Their arms lock as they growl and charge at each other. Two best friends, turned mortal enemies in one instant.
COMMENTS
Wow. Just… wow. Did we really kill off all those people and set up the epic rivalry of Shunji vs. Kang-to? All in one episode? And how scary is Shunji when he’s not the gentle loverboy?
Man, I totally fell for the heroic fakeout. Mok Dan gets captured, heroic music plays as Kang-to arrives in the mask… but then you realize that you never actually saw him become the hero. Because he hasn’t. He’s not Gaksital. He’s Kang-to, using Hyung’s disguise to avenge Mom’s murder. And they pulled no punches to glorify it—Kenji’s death was gruesome. And he was clearly begging for his life, which Kang-to squarely ignored.
There’s such a darkness to this character and the show that I love. I had a feeling that with a character so far gone to the dark side, Kang-to would have to suffer immense trauma in order to ever transform into Gaksital. I thought that the gutsiest thing to do would be to have him kill Hyung by his own hand, but I honestly didn’t think the drama would go there. I’m impressed. (And in pain.) But mostly impressed.
I would’ve played along, if for instance Kenji killed Kang-san and Kang-to were to avenge his death. But for Kang-to to take up the mantle of a hero requires a profound sense of responsibility that he doesn’t have otherwise, so I’m grateful for the proper motivation that’s as dark and twisted as it needs to be. It was horrible and I’m gutted, but it feels right, and therefore really satisfying.
And there are certainly weak moments in Joo-won’s acting, but nobody cries that from-the-pit-of-his-soul wail like he does. I thought he was gut-wrenching in Ojakkyo, but this time he ripped my heart out and nailed it to the wall. At least I know where to send my therapy bill?
I can’t wait to see every moment of Kang-to’s development from here on out. And why does he look like such a little kid in that mask? I guess it’s because we’ve gotten so used to Hyung’s grizzled chin underneath (when it wasn’t a stunt double, hello confusing!) so now Kang-to seems like he doesn’t fit the mask yet, like his face hasn’t grown into it. I rather like that it’s ill-fitting now, because I want to feel that rush when he does it right—when we feel like he’s really become Gaksital.
I knew Hyung had to go, but taking Mom too, all at once—leaving Kang-to all alone in the world!— was harrowing. But Mom had to die for Kang-san to express his regrets and question his choices, and at least for me, make him seem more human. I had struggled with how cold and calculating he’d have to be to lie for so long, knowing how much Kang-to struggled with what he had to become to support his family. I know that ultimately Kang-san would still have chosen the cause over his loved ones, just as Mom did, but it still gave me that connection I needed, to see him wonder if that made him less than human. But his defining characteristic will always be his love for Kang-to, which I hope will save Little Bro from himself.
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Tags: featured, Gaksital, Han Chae-ah, Jin Sae-yeon, Joo-won, Park Ki-woong, Shin Hyun-joon
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51 dls
June 14, 2012 at 10:41 PM
I can't believe that Mom and Kang-san died in this ep. A bad day for Kang-to to have so many tragedies happen in one ep. Kang-to is still in a rage, it will takes time for him to become a real Gaksital.
Hmmm, looking forward.
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52 Oliveg
June 14, 2012 at 10:48 PM
I think I have some nerves broken in my brain while I was watching this episode, I kept on no-sound-laughing while they cried...
It's an emotion of 'wow' 'unbelievable' 'wth?!' and the most awesome one is 'how did they act that?!'
seems so true... especially kang to's crying with his desperate emotions...
well, i fell pity though while kenji was beaten, always beaten, and beaten by these brothers...
oh, i love the gloomy side of the story... hope to see something more tragic, like Mok dan's death or whatever... kakaka...
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53 lhainee
June 14, 2012 at 10:56 PM
100 kudos to joo woon for his acting here!!like seriously he is doing a great acting here!!!looooove
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54 lilly
June 14, 2012 at 11:03 PM
too much pain and tears, but like it
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55 angie602
June 14, 2012 at 11:06 PM
I need my 1n2d therapy of Joo Won now. :'(
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56 Ani
June 14, 2012 at 11:10 PM
One final hoorah (as in good bye) for Shin Hyun-joon. Sharing some Shin Hyun-joon love. X(
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mojobobo
June 15, 2012 at 12:03 AM
SHJ needs to do a drama again soon!
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Mas
June 15, 2012 at 2:54 AM
.... and that guy Kimura Kenji.
Ha. I think that his acting is good and entertaining!
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57 danni
June 14, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Despite all the tears, this episode was still EPIC! I'm sad that there's no more Mom, Kang-san, and even Kenji (I didn't hate him as much as just find him totally useless), but I'm way too excited to see what happens next. Talk about cliffhangers, I need the next episode NOW!
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58 ck1Oz
June 14, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Thanks for the recap.I already watched it and then think I am sadistic for reading the recap and traumatizing myself further.Can I not rewatch it again for editing? My whole Friday is wrecked. But that episode wrung so much tears and horror out of me.How did Joo Won even coped ? Even though it was acting. Actually how could the writer do such a thing? Made everyone have to undergo such pain all in one episode?
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59 Dennis Quiad
June 14, 2012 at 11:31 PM
WHY SHOW!? WHY KILL MOM AND HYUNG!?!?
I'M HERE AT WORK CRYING MY ASS OFF.
all snot and tears aside, I'm glad we can finally see Kang To become gaksital.
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60 Jeonsa_nim
June 14, 2012 at 11:49 PM
Great episode!
Kang To..,you have a lot of making up to do for killing your own brother, and shooting your first love. You should forever carry the burden and grief of your traitorous heart. Weasel!
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61 calgary
June 14, 2012 at 11:51 PM
So dark and so emotional. This episode has set up everything.
Also the new song Goodbye Day really enhances the emotion in those flashback moments. Such a fitting song.
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62 ladida
June 14, 2012 at 11:58 PM
I think my watching/reading incomprehension is showing: Kang San didn't become Gaksital for the Joseon people, did he? He became him to avenge his father's death. So for revenge. So, while his motivation may be noble, it was still selfish. And the last act he was performing--killing Kenji--is the first act Kang To finishes. Hmmm...I'm looking forward to seeing the difference in how the two operate as Gaksital. I can already see Kang To's going to be even more violent. And what connection did Kang San have to Mok Dan other than that she was his little brother's first love?
It's interesting that the people in the city took his actions as something he was doing for them, when in fact he was doing it for himself and his family. He kind of inadvertently became a symbol of the resistance, a hero for them, when really he was just seeking retribution for himself. Guess the personal really is political. But the difference between the personal and the communal is already showing--those guys burnt down Gaksital's home. Both Gaksitals. They hate Kang To so much they wanted his family--a family that was active in the resistance!--to pay for it! (They even hated Kang San who as far as they knew became mentally disabled because of his work for the resistance.) So now Kang To is stepping in to be the Gaksital that stands up for the people (when Gaksital wasn't created specifically for that purpose) when it's those very people who hate him and burned down his home. It's like that look Kang San gives the mask: look at how much it--and they--make you give. A pretty classic superhero conflict. How much of yourself do you give to the people you protect, and what do you do when those very people start to turn on you/hate who you are in "real" life? I like it! And yes, Joo Won really can cry, although I have to say, even though I was more taken aback by that guttural sound he made in this episode, I was more moved by his crying in OB because we'd already gone through so much with that character and he hadn't, you know, become an imperialist jerkwad who shot his brother.
And I'm really looking forward to the conflict between Rie/Gakistal and Hong Joo/Kang To (/Mok Dan).
Again, thanks for the recap!
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SS
June 15, 2012 at 12:23 AM
I think KS motives as Gaksital is a mix of both. Perhaps revenge for his father comes first then living out his father's ideals. Or he would have just killed those responsible and not do things like the Robin Hood stunt he pulled in episode 5. About his connection to MD, I wonder too. Unless it's as mundane a reason as this is the only girl that keeps getting into trouble and needs saving.
Joowon always does a great job in crying. He can go all out like last night or real subtle but equally gut wrenching ones. He will not just shed tears but you can see are his entire face and body working. The turn of the eyebrows, flaring of the nose, the trembling of the chin. Not to mention other sounds like the hoarseness of voice and stifling a sob. You won't think he is acting and that's what makes it so so good.
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ladida
June 15, 2012 at 1:03 AM
His crying is so good it made me uncomfortable, lol. I forgot I was watching a show and just wanted someone to go in and hug him/give him a Xanex so he could pass out and not have to deal with all that all at once.
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Jn
June 15, 2012 at 5:40 AM
I agree with SS that KS's motive is a mix of both. The first and foremost motivation for him is to revenge for his father, but as the same time, he also wants to bring some justice to Joseon people. Otherwise, why would he need to rob the bank's money? Well, you could say that he want to take the money away from those greedy evils. But he also gave the money back to the citizens (I wondered how he would know who he would give back hmm).
I think in most K-drama Robin-hood story, there is always one stronger motivation than merely protecting normal people. City Hunter, Iljimae and now Gaksital. Well, I think it's what makes the hero more human, isn't it?
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63 sweetspring
June 15, 2012 at 12:03 AM
that Kang To wailing scene by his dead mother's side & reading the comments on Joo Won's impressive acting made me think how such a young, seemingly well-adjusted guy (from what we see on 1n2d anyway) has the ability to wail with such pain. ok so he's got theatrical singing background so that helps with voice projection & he's tall, with a long lean torso so maybe his lungs can hold in lotsa air for all that extended wailing & screaming but to contort his face to project all those complex emotions, deliver lines & do it maybe several takes over & over again, wow the boy has mad talent... or maybe he was imagining being alone in a dark room with a swarm of king bees...
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Musings
June 15, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Omg. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Nice deductions XD
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SS
June 15, 2012 at 12:26 AM
LOL....I was like "great! finally someone who is analysing the physics part of it" and then the bees? What a stinger!
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Alysanne
June 15, 2012 at 1:21 AM
Alone in a dark room with king bees and with no Hyung to rescue him! LOL
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princessman
June 15, 2012 at 2:17 AM
Or more like the hyung that was supposed to rescue him from the bees died. He has nobody to protect him from the bees WAAAAAAAAA
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 9:53 AM
LOL: "or maybe he was imagining being alone in a dark room with a swarm of king bees…"
I'm laughing so much right now. Your analysis....lol...GREAT!
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64 DEE
June 15, 2012 at 12:10 AM
this show is really heartbreaking....
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65 enytsirk028
June 15, 2012 at 12:24 AM
ouch! my heart still thumping violently.. tears kept falling as i saw kang to fall apart like that *sob *sob.. but this show really impress the hell out of me.. how can this make me mad sad happy tear jerk at one time..? thanks for this awesome recap gf !!
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66 Arawn
June 15, 2012 at 1:08 AM
Ok, I think I'm sold for this show now... I've been reading recaps but at the point where it was clear that Mok Dan was everybodys favourite little flower, first love and what the heck, I contemplated on giving up. I HATE that trope where hero and heroine have met as kids, fell in love (clid puppy love, of course, but still) or made some deeeep connection and now they are fated etc. I so wish that somebody would reverse this by putting hero/heroine to end up with complitely different person after all the set up but I'm pretty sure it will not be this drama... And now she's not only Shunji's first love, she's also Kang-To's first love! Double-wham! And ad to that she's such a purity Sue it annoys the hell out of me.
Luckily other female characters have been a lot better. Mom was great, Ueno Rie is interesting (if Kang-To has to end up with somebody I would gladly see that somebody be her... yeah, I know, not gonna happen) and I'm actually 100 times more interested and invested in the story of that girl who Kenji tortured even though I don't even remember her name.
However, Shunji and Kang-To are both interesting characters with lot of dephtness and their relationship is very encaging. So I might just watch this series because of those two and try to ignore Mok-Dan. :D
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Ashylin
June 15, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Totally agree with everything you wrote!
Her character is seriously putting a crimp on my enjoyment of the show. She just doesn't fit into the show with her extreme case of the mary sue... I'd rather see Kang To with Ueno Rie.
And don't get me started on the whole fated love ting...
Still, hopefully I can continue to ignore the few things that drives me crazy. Just focus on the shows many strong points ^^,
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Sohe
June 18, 2012 at 7:59 PM
i absolutely agree with U
personaly..i dont like actress who play Mokdan...
she is not into her character...the way she slept in the hospital just.....she really care about her looks when she slept or she fainted!!i noticed she was smiled when she slept and when she fainted in the forest!!!
i dont know..i just can't fell the chemistry between her and KT...
JW's acting is too good for her acting!!
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Lyla
June 18, 2012 at 8:05 PM
mee too
for some reasons i dont like MD..
maybe because the actress who play MD is not quite beautiful..but i think it was because her acting is below my expectations
yes..you are right JW is great with his natural acting!!it was too bad his costar didn't matched him with looks & actings
i would rather saw KT with Rie..they are a perpect combinations
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67 Moonlight
June 15, 2012 at 1:13 AM
Kenji was just hilarious. He just came up with the stupidest theories...and I seriously had mad affection for that triangle diagram. I feel like his death was necessary though..because not only to spur Shunji's dark side, but more that Shunji is more of a competent opponent for Kang-To. Kenji was more reckless and rash, but Shunji is definitely the brains and skills. They made that point back in episode 1 when they showed Shunji and Kangto fighting; they were equals in skill and talent. Shunji is more interesting as a villian, because there is darkness in him, and now it will slowly unfold. It will be heartbreaking for the bromance, and the guilt and the pain will torture me, but it is always the quiet ones that make the best villains. I love this show to pieces, but I bet everybody agrees that this drama needs a competent villian. I mean Gaksital was beating these people left and right. They are frankly too lazy, and take their powers for granted. I mean I love how Kenji's dad says that he's going to take care of it all seriously and then hands the assignment YET AGAIN to his incompetent son. And his son and basically all the evil people are so stupid that they don't even consider Gaksital's M.O. when trying to frame him. I mean..HELLO..hasn't this happened before? When you tried to frame Gaksital for Kang To's attempted murder. You would think they would have that part down by now. You would think they would at least think before fabricating false stories. They seriously suck at framing others.
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68 Felix
June 15, 2012 at 1:36 AM
Oh my God! This is heartbreaking episode. Lee Kang To hearts must be in very much pain. So our heart. I wonder where he is lives now? I don't think he can lives in Shunji house after 'you know'?
Heartbreaking, fulfilling and dark in one episode.
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69 Moonlight
June 15, 2012 at 1:46 AM
Kangto has an ironic hatred towards Gaksital in that Gaksital represents all that the independence movement took away from him. The Kangto as a child, and even in that particular happy flashback with his hyung, struck me as idealistic. If you remember his confrontation in episode 3, he expresses his anger on those who call themselves as "patriotic" and then rob people of their lives and bring pain to their families in their so called selfish "patriotism." Maybe he feels as if he was a fool to be idealistic, and that in all his efforts (supporting the cause, sacrificing his family) his hyung became mentally insane as a result of the cause, and his mother pitiful. It's important to remember that those in power are not the only ones who cause harm, but even those members of the independence movement have gone crazy in their mission to exact revenge and claim back the country that was once theirs. They have no reservations in causing harm as well, seeing that they didn't even seem to mind burning the house of their enemy, and not considering the casualties i.e. the mother and the "mentally-insane" hyung. The writer is genius portraying that accidental evil, which is not meant, but carries out, in that they meant to kill that enemy, but in reality they burned their hero's house as well. The writer almost mocks them in their act of violence. Same way Kangto gets mocked, for picking his family over the cause, and then sacrificing his family in picking his family over the cause...OMG so much confusion. Even with all selfishness, Kangto is sacrificing himself, and in his hatred he is still too innocent.The main thing that ran through my mind as Kangto was breaking was how in his head it might have been put so innocently as "I will let my mother hate me now, but I will make it up to her later," and then realizing that there was going to be no "later" for him. And how he focused and threw all his hatred of the world and their perception of him on this one object..Gaksital..and then later realizing that his object of his hatred was who he loved the most. This irony is a running theme of the show, the irony of believing and convincing yourself that you are fighting the evil and protecting the good, only to realize that the lines of evil and good cross, obscuring your ideals, even darkening them.
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jasmine
June 15, 2012 at 2:13 AM
I LOVE this. This theme resonates with Kang-san as well, because ironically he became the cause to exact revenge on his father, only to have his brother Kangto as a hindrance in his mission, or dare-I-say his brother's innocence a casualty? Oh and it applies to Rie as well. The people as you say fight selfishly for the cause, willing to take casualties down with their cause, one of which was Rie's father, who died because of the independence movement. I couldn't blame her when she said she didn't want Gaksital to be a hero, because like Kangto she hates the cause which has taken everything from her. And Gaksital, to her, represents this false patriotism which is willing to sacrifice some for the bigger picture. That's why you even see her cherishing the life/honor of the waiter in the train, because those seemingly worthless lives, are worthy of living..and the price of a suit cannot measure their worth. Her father's worth was not measured because of the cause nor was Kangto's families worth. She chose to side with the evil, just like Kangto, yet instead of for her family (the people robbed hers) she does it to provide for herself comfortably. Drama, I love you so, but please PLEASE give me a Kangto/Rie scene pronto. I can see the dynamic chemistry a mile away. They are so alike as well, in their thinking and ideals.
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ladida
June 15, 2012 at 9:25 AM
I know, so much so that I kind of want a real romance between them, first loves be damned. Like I want the romantic conflict to be between Rie and Kang To, and not in the love triangle that we have now. There's a slight difference between Rie and Kang To's situations, though. Rie's father was literally taken away from her: the resistance killed him because he wouldn't support them monetarily. (And I just find it fascinating that this woman who used to be part of the nobility feels such a connection to a waiter who's essentially told that he's worthless. What were her years of service like?) But Kang To's family was part of the resistance. I feel the resistance more metaphorically took them away from him, in that they willingly gave themselves up for the resistance.
I also really want Rie and Mok Dan to meet, because Rie's father was killed by the resistance and it's inevitable (I think?) that Mok Dan's father is going to die *for* the resistance. Here's to hoping the writers will allow her the doubt and confusion that usually comes with that, so that maybe she'll understand Kang To a little better (although in my mind that still won't override the fact that he tortured her).
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beauty0fparting
June 15, 2012 at 12:58 PM
The whole show pretty much personifies the saying, "Everyone is a hero in their own story." Nobody sets out in the world truly thinking, "Hey, you know what I'm going to be the villain and I'm going to cause everyone pain and suffering to all those around me." They make rash decisions without as much of a spare thought and they only realize it at the fallout. And that's what makes the show authentic. You've got these people fueled by their own emotional turmoil making choices they think is right and/or convenient at that time. Which then brings me to Rie/Kangto. Oh god, I want them to happen so bad but they won't, simply because of what you and ohgodgaksital have mentioned - irony is a running theme. Rie and Kangto so alike in terms of their pragmatic way of thinking that you'd think they would be perfect for each other but they're two positives (or negatives, take your pick) and they won't fit. Even if they do fall in love with each other they would be forever doomed like Heathcliff and Catherine. (OMG did I just reference Wuthering Heights? Holy cow, show what are you doing to me?!?!?!)
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ladida
June 15, 2012 at 9:16 AM
I don't know so much about Kang To being innocent, but I LOVE the points you make about irony, and how the easy it is for the difference between good and evil to be(come) murky.
"Kangto gets mocked, for picking his family over the cause, and then sacrificing his family in picking his family over the cause...This irony is a running theme of the show, the irony of believing and convincing yourself that you are fighting the evil and protecting the good, only to realize that the lines of evil and good cross, obscuring your ideals, even darkening them."
Slow clap of perfection.
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ladida
June 15, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Ooo, and another thing about the irony, how cruel was it when he shot his brother--and then smiled??? And kept on smiling until Kang San pulled off that mask and then his face literally just fell. Cruel irony.
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 9:57 AM
This is do well put. ^^ Good analysis.
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 9:58 AM
*so well put* argh
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70 ilikemangos
June 15, 2012 at 1:49 AM
Holy crap.
This show exceeds my expectations. Like everyone else i thought that they'd just kill off hyung and Kang to would go off avenging him. And yet.. so much more happened.
I think that even though it's just so sad they killed off hyung AND mother AND have him carry the guilt of killing his brother, that really is what will make his transformation into gaksital even more emotional/climatic.
He really has no one now. And to top it all off, his best friend is now an enemy. I have yet to fall IN LOVE with our hero, mainly because as GF pointed out that he's assuming his brothers identity for now because of revenge, not for the cause of the people. But I know he'll be one of those heroes i just fall madly in love with, simply because i have a thing for orphaned heroes who fight justice.
Our hero's gonna need LOTS of lovin' guys in next episodes to come... And i'll be RIGHT here ready&waiting.
Joo Won killed me in this episode. Although his acting isn't the best out there, he reaaaaally nails it with his crying&emotional outburst. I was really stunned. I was so completely immersed with his pain that i couldn't even help myself. Such top notch acting THERE. So appreciative to see an actor put their all into a scene, not caring what they look/sound like. Bravo.
Btw, excited for joo won to slick back his hair, as seen in previews.
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Yeah...I'm totally digging the new hairstyle.
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71 MD
June 15, 2012 at 2:19 AM
I don't know if I can watch this episode. Thanks for the recap. I read it and it scares me to watch.
Watch Gaksital first and then 1N2D or watch 1N2D first and then only watch Gaksital. Argh.
Seems that Kang To is not as good as Kang San hyung in fighting skills, that guy Baek Gun can easily knocks him down. Kang To seriously need to master some skills from him before he can totally turn into Gaksitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal.
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72 princessman
June 15, 2012 at 3:01 AM
Yup after that episode, hello dorky 1n2d Joo Won. It's not fair KBS how can we process all these different Joo Won's? I mean look at the picture Uhm Tae Woong posted...all this cuteness...
http://joowonenglish.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/1-night-2-days-filming-joo-wons-sleeping-pic-taken-by-uhm-tae-woong/
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 10:04 AM
LOL. That pic is win.
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queenofhearts
June 15, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Oh poor Joo Won...Kangto must be exhausted after facing that emotional trauma. Let the hyungs comfort you.
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73 subject
June 15, 2012 at 3:04 AM
I have no idea how you could recap it, GF. Yesterday, while I segmented at viki the part that Kang To shot his own brother, I stopped cause I couldn't control my tears. Then, I got another part to segment, and when Kang San took his mask off I found myself whining like a little girl. From now on, Bingo has a new meaning and necessarily ominous, so I really hope not to hear any BINGOs in the future!
Thanks for the recap, you really did great job to capture all in.
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74 Sandrou
June 15, 2012 at 3:09 AM
"Can we get him a motorcycle or something slightly more badass?" LOL
This episode was awesome, and so real. jo won acting wow... I really had a hard time watchin him crying in pain. Can't wait to see him become Gakistal for real.
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Elise
June 15, 2012 at 4:57 AM
lols but i think hes gonna keep the bicycle, all part of the gentle teacher look (but damn! av never seen a scarier human being when they r pissed off!)
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75 SS
June 15, 2012 at 3:38 AM
Is it the fangirl in me or am I right to say that Joowon is also doing a great job conveying his emotions behind the mask.
One of Joowon's greatest assets are his eyes. This is one guy who can convey the deepest love or hatred with his stare Those who watched OB will understand what I mean. In OB, he speaks little but those eyes were what got fans crazy and shipping him and Uee. Then, here in Gaksital, he is shooting flames of hatred from this same pair.
Now that the mask is covering the upper part of his face, he can only convey his acting with his mouth and body movements. And from that short scene where he killed Kenji, I thought he managed to do it. I could see the rage in his mouth, and I don't mean that yell. The way he ran towards Kenji and leapt at him showed how crazy and angry he was. Then the part where he locked eyes with Shunji, the realisation and horror.
To top it all, Joowon seems to be doing most of the stunts himself. Bravo to him for being on the task. We won't have to suffer that confusion we had earlier when KS was Gaksital.
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76 hipployta
June 15, 2012 at 3:39 AM
I was on a live recap and by the end I wanted to drop the show...just the horror of what Kangto was dealing with...
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77 Jay W
June 15, 2012 at 4:12 AM
give props to hyeonjun. everybody's been talking about joowon that i think hyeonjun's excellent portrayal of the idiot son and also as gaksital were overlooked.
the Lee brothers are both awesome!
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78 J
June 15, 2012 at 4:50 AM
I never watch Kdrama RAW before but this is the one that finally pushes my curiosity against my better judgement. And I'm glad I did because even without fully understanding what they're talking about, I am already traumatised beyond word. I literally kept screaming to my screen, HE SHOT KANG SAN! Writer-nim, you are too f***ing cruel, omg omg *tears* and he died in his arms, and then HE STARTS WAILING FOR MOM and I remembered MOM WAS DEAD~holy f***ing cow~and then he came into the room and see mom, HOLY COW *my brains are destroyed* and he started bawling like crazy and from then on, I got so numb I can't even cry anymore. Traumatised!
This episode proves that this drama knows no boundary in wrecking its lead character - which means we all need to brace ourselves from bloody, bloody finale >< The most intense hour in television EVER EVER EVER. Arrrrrggghh...
OTOH, the preview shows that KT finally embraces his Gaksital persona. I wonder what makes him decide to go full-time on it. Sense more heartbreak storm coming our way, especially Shunji going Harry Osborn on his bestie.
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79 Elise
June 15, 2012 at 4:54 AM
am glad Kenji's been killed off. Not even as retribution for his acts its just that seeing what an evil twisted character he portrayed i was honestly traumatized. (coming from Afrika and knowing our history). Even the council of 5 didn't come close with their portrayal of all thats inhuman, i think Kenji personified evil in all its glory, and then some!
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80 Jn
June 15, 2012 at 5:25 AM
Personally I love the love story between Kang-to and Mok Dan. How interesting and heartbreaking it is, at the same time? I bet things will be even more exciting between them in upcoming episodes, where our hero will become both the Gaksital that Mok Dan admires and the Lee Kang Too that she despises.
Somehow, they remind me of Gadfly and Gemma. Wonder when will she really find out his identity (as the new Gaksital and as Lee Young :) )
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81 JuDa
June 15, 2012 at 5:47 AM
this drama truly great and different..
BM standard was too far high than CH..
when i watch CH there are many point that cann't catch up my eyes compare with this one..LMH acting just too control.,really look suck..while PMY so annoying..It's so different with BM even they are the same genre..
BM cast really show amazing acting..powerful..good job!!
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Elise
June 15, 2012 at 6:28 AM
i know some people r annoyed with the comparisons but am not cuz i love both leads portrayals. while KT is nothing but a 'Korean' who's equal to a nobody at that time CH is this smart, rich and sophisticated kid out for revenge but he's a somebody, he's got more people respecting and idolizing him (in real life and as CH) than KT ever will even when he becomes Gaksital. so KT basically acts dirty and ugly cuz nobody gives a sh*t abt him anyways but CH just stands there and goes about his revenge like a boss, cuz he can! i sound like a silly fangirl i know i'll stop!
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82 JuDa
June 15, 2012 at 6:03 AM
even i still use to think Kim Soo Hyun & So Ji Sub as the best cryer actor until this moment..but last night.,Joo Won crying acting skill also was amazing..he prove he can stole the show last night with his crying..aaaggghhhrr..he absolutely no.3 best in my list..hahaha...BM hwaiting!!!!!!!!!!!
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83 Ahjumma
June 15, 2012 at 6:16 AM
This entire time I've been thinking it was Kang Dong Won acting Kang-to. MASSIVE BIMBO MOMENT.
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red
June 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM
haha..common mistake, but imagine when Kang Dong Won is out of the army and we have two tall dark handsome men on our screens!!
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84 Kitchy
June 15, 2012 at 7:16 AM
This ep made me cry so much, don't think I have cried this much watching a kdrama before.
Thanks for the recap.
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85 soojin08
June 15, 2012 at 7:28 AM
Kangto has lost both of his major reasons for supporting the Japanese empire - IN ONE NIGHT.
He has no one else to feed now but himself. :'(
Kangto, I hope you get through all of this and become the best person I know you can be....
Augh, tears. ;_____________________;
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86 Pitch
June 15, 2012 at 7:52 AM
O M G
Brain: Broken.
Heart: Broken.
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87 MsB
June 15, 2012 at 7:58 AM
"Kenji spits a mouthful of blood with his last breath and falls dead. Whoa, I hated him, but that was traumatizing."- I have to say I have a dark side too. I, who watch and love shows like Game of Thrones, True Blood; this episode was fan-freaking-tastic! It had all of the elements that I had wished City Hunter had went that Killer Girl K did.
But in all seriousness, who did not cry with Kang To and Kang San's anxious moments! Even re-playing it, the tears fell. Sad to see that the relationship between Shunji and Kang To will take a turn. It was already going to because of Esther/Boon Yi/Mok Dan (man, too many aliases!). Can I be the only one to say that Kenji's death was a mercy killing?! Sorry, that's the morbid side of me talking. I was glad it died but surprised it happened so soon. Rie's story is definitely going to get interesting as she continues to pit herself against Gaksital but at the same time probably gravitate to Kang To as she already has based on the flash back.
I still cannot believe all that happened in this one episode. You basically had no time to recover from one scene to another. If it was not for the lunch scene, there would not have been any lull at all. As a lover of action, this show is DAEBAK! And what a cliff-hanger!! Ok, show, you can't do that every week!! :-D
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reeen
June 16, 2012 at 8:00 AM
sounds like the perfect setup for two-timing - a love story with Mok Dan as Gaksital and a love story with Rie as Kang To? I wouldn't be surprised if the drama went there, after all this...
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88 dany
June 15, 2012 at 7:58 AM
Sun-hwa comes bursting in with the news of Mok Dan’s capture, and Shunji bicycles to the station in a panic. Can we get him a motorcycle or something slightly more badass?
Ok, that was hilarious!
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89 anabella
June 15, 2012 at 8:12 AM
I watched YT for this ep 3x now but still i can't hold back my tears. Although my head hurts & my eye all swollen but i want to watch it again for 4x. I feel in love with this drama. Kudos to JW & SHJ.
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90 Lena S.
June 15, 2012 at 9:04 AM
i will miss Kang San :(
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91 J
June 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Hey fellow Brides (lol! I think it's high time us fans have our own moniker, no?)
In its recap, soulsrebel has dug up the ending of the source manhwa that BM is based on. Turns out BM is a mash of two different manhwas by the same author. If you're really really curious about the *possible* ending of the drama,click the link below and scroll until the end of the recap!
http://soulsrebel.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/bridal-mask-e5-coming-up/#comments
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ilikemangos
June 15, 2012 at 12:34 PM
i was wondering when someone would bring up that clever moniker.
the brides it is :)
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Hearties/Brides aka MsB
June 15, 2012 at 1:55 PM
Yeah, like it better than MaskFan
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queenofhearts
June 15, 2012 at 5:24 PM
And when we agree with something we have to say BINGO.
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SS
June 15, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Yaaay! I love it
Why do I get images of overcrowded altar and aisle?
Interestingly, Joowon has walked down the aisle in all his dramas(ok, it's just 2, not counting this one), but I don't see it happening in this one. Imagine a tot screaming "GaksitAAAAAAL!" as his first word and Daddy goes "Bingo!"
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Arhazivory
June 15, 2012 at 9:39 PM
lol. Yeah,, that'd never happen.
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92 bee
June 15, 2012 at 10:54 AM
Thanks for the recap!! Such an intense ep & I'm so happy the drama doesn't place that much focus on the romance (yet?). I'm much more interested in the Joseon - Japan occupation conflict actually haha.
So the part where kangto was crying seeing his mom dead.. this may be bad.. but the first thing that popped into my mind was the grudge kid screaming.. couldn't help it but to laugh XD
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93 Rita
June 15, 2012 at 3:20 PM
I describe this drama with one word that tells all: SUPERB!
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94 Ashylin
June 15, 2012 at 5:32 PM
Just 1 word: Heartbreaking!
Waiting anxiously for next week.
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95 Aliiiiiiiice
June 15, 2012 at 6:45 PM
King 2 Hearts meet City Hunter. City Hunter, meet King 2 Hearts.
Like the morally slippery Jae Ha had to eventually become an even stronger king than the lovely big brother who loved him soooo, the amoral Kang To must eventually out-Gaksital the OG Gaksital.
Add in an athletic, supremely capably kick-arse leading lady and we've got one beautiful mashup of a drama.
I'm interested in seeing the morally-upright, earnest Eun Shi Kyung/Daddy Long Legs Ajusshi archetype in Shunji threaten to crack in his code of ethics.
What's interesting here, is that unlike Eun Shi Kyung, who way later in the drama felt he had to atone for his father's sins, and Daddy Long Legs Ajusshi from the get-go felt he had to atone for the sins of his father, Gaksital/Bridal Mask flips it with an opportunity for the darker, more shadowing and avenge-y side of morally clean/pure character to be lured out.
On a side note... it's hard. I mean, Kenji's clearly an arsehole and had no redeeming qualities or characteristics. So it was a bit unsatisfying to see Shunji go ballistic and into I-shall-avenge-his-death mode upon witnessing his brother's demise. I LOVE me my Shunji, but it didn't quite hit the right note for me, as Kenji never showed an ounce of humanity towards anybody, much less his brother.
His father? For sure, it would make sense for Shunji to go ballistic then, because in his ooey gooey center, he absolutely craves for his father's acceptance. With Kenji, there was just... nothing really there.
Even though they're blood, I couldn't quite buy it -- especially after his heart made the decision to support Gaksital, having saved his lady love Mok Dan several times.
I would have liked even a moment of torn angst, like Kang To the moment he found out Gaksital was his LOVING, SUPPORTIVE, ADORABLE big brother.
I hope the drama's writers work a little harder on creating more depth and interesting layers to the villains. Is it masochistic of me to desire to feel a little sadness or sympathy upon their inevitable demises? Perhaps that's what Rie is for, but even then, she's more of a morally-gray area character than a clear-cut villain.
Villains -- I love to hate hating them. Couldn't we get a side of that, please???
I'm totaly loving the anti-hero bit, though.
One of the things I super admired about King 2 Hearts is that yeah, Kim Bong Gu/John Mayer's friggin diabolical and crazy. But he had emotional vulnerabilities and insecurities as well. Even with Bon Bon, there was at least a hint of a past trauma that shaped the way in which she turned out.
Despite her bad acting, she was an interesting foil to watch.
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jyyjc
June 16, 2012 at 4:33 PM
Oh I totally agree with you about Shunji's reaction towards his brother's death. I just couldn't buy it. I even thought, would he have a change of heart if he finds out that kenji killed kangto's mother and tortured mok dan? Cuz sure yeah it's traumatizing to see your arsehole brother getting killed but if that serves as the point that turns shunji to the dark side then I..just don't..buy it.
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Aliiiiiiiice
June 16, 2012 at 6:42 PM
EXACTLY!
It's inevitable that Shunji's going to find out. I just hope they don't drag it out with "misunderstandings" for another 2 episodes or so for the sole purpose of solidifying them as mortal enemies.
Though it would be interesting to see if, for some reason, this becomes some weird tangential catalyst wherein Shunji develops a legitimate reason for a sudden change of heart regarding his sense of nationalism.
(This is why I just find Rie so darn fascinating!)
Anyway, it just seems much more powerful and heartwrenching that way, in lieu of him turning against Gaksital solely because he killed his spineless, piece of sh*t brother who's never shown an ounce of humanity or even intelligence.
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ladida
June 17, 2012 at 8:55 AM
The thing about Shunji is that he tries to balance everything out. He doesn't want to be for anyone or against anyone. That's why he tries to reconcile the circus folk with Kang To. This is after torture and attempted homicide has gone down. But as long as no one actually dies, then he can maintian that pseudo objective position. So when Kang To-Gaksital kills his brother, the same brother whose rescue he came to when Kang San-Gaksital was beating him up, he can no longer remain in that center postion. And we'll probably be getting some flashbacks about what their childhoods were like, so maybe we'll get some humanity from Kenji yet.
What I want to see is Kang To feeling some remorse for the people he's killed, pro-resistance and anti alike.
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96 nabithoj
June 15, 2012 at 10:43 PM
I looove this show and Joo won...but is there somethig wrong with me when I just bust out laughing when he did that heartbreakigng wail? It was so out of the blue...I was all sad and in horror and then that wail and i just llaughed out loud....lol
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SS
June 15, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Hmmm.....unless you do that in real life when someone wails like that, I suppose there is nothing wrong with you.
So, I guess it's his acting in this particular scene that didn't go down well with you. Well, like medicine, it cures most but has adverse effect on a very small minority. But then, I haven't heard of death by laughter so guess you are quite safe.
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97 Butter
June 16, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Joo Won is just simply perfect. His wailing was ugly yet real! Which is what i look for in an actor, one who does not care about how they look in front of cameras. Which is why i do not watch Pretty boy Lee Min Ho's City Hunter. (No Offense)
As for the love line, I think that Kang To would be faithful to Mok Dan throughout the show because he will be busy taking revenge and saving people. Where in the world would he find time and the mood to fall for another women whom i think he did not remember saving in the first place?
Although I think that MD does not deserve our KT's love, I guess it's going to happen anyway. Just hope that she would quickly recognise him and give him some warmth and comfort...
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98 prilili
June 16, 2012 at 12:30 AM
.. and i thought equator man and city hunter was suspenseful! gaksital simply pass my expectation.. it's one of d best and packed drama i've seen..
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99 solee
June 16, 2012 at 2:56 AM
I'm speechless...no words. This episode definitely was the peak in this drama, at least for me it was.
It was pretty predictable that the OG gaksital had to die or that kangto would find out the truth about his family soon...
but the way the directors/writers/actors presented it was truly breathtaking. they were able to take a plot that was relatively predictable and show it to us in a fresh-ish way that more importantly tugged at many emotions. I don't think i've rooted for or felt bad for or hated so many fictional characters ever in my life haha. also the dark side of this drama that has become apparent (as girlfriday as pointed out) is even more appealing. props to the PD for not shying away from the gritty and twisted reality/consequences of death and revenge. Kangsan was avenging his father's demise and Joseon's demise, Kangto will now avenge his mother's/brother's demise, and Shunji will avenge his brother's demise as well. Not to mention Rie's desire to avenge her own father's demise by sticking it to Joseon by going after gasksital. It's going to be so interesting to see how this huge messy circle of revenge will play out. if i say so myself koreans are pros at portraying revenge on screen. (Old Boy and Kind Geumja Shi anyone?! ) Anyways i'm straying from the point, but some of the exaggerated characters and cliché parts of the plot made this drama slightly unappealing to me (yeah, i'm a snob that doesn't care for comic relief and whatnot, and i'm not that big a fan of Mok dan but whatever - deal with it) but i'm truly glad i stuck around. i shall eagerly but tenatively await more twists and heartbreaking moments. i'm looking forward to see how this drama progresses and i pray to god that this drama stays fabulous~
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100 skyes
June 16, 2012 at 3:32 AM
seriously joowon seriously nailed that wail when he saw his mother's dead body. just in epe 5 i was saying, oh mom is dead... dun tell me hyung will die for kangto to become gaksital... and i was right!! but i didn't expect kangto to kill his own hyung instead....
seriously i felt so much craziness has been going on in ep 5 and 6 but sooo good!! and getting better too!!! but joowon really has some major good acting in this new drama! (goes off to watch 1n2d for cute joowon moments)
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