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Hwarang: Episode 13

A dangerous political wind is beginning to blow, leaving our Hwarang boys little time to worry about personal disagreements. When the future of the country is at stake and the king is effectively missing, who do you turn to that can run the country? The time is fast approaching for Ji-dwi to step up and take his rightful place, ready or not — because if he doesn’t do something, and soon, he could lose everything.

 
EPISODE 13 RECAP

After Sun-woo wins his fight with Minister Park’s man, Ji-dwi finds him sitting alone and asks if he’s okay. Sun-woo smirks, asking why he cares, and suddenly draws his sword to Ji-dwi’s throat. In a dark voice, he asks, “Is it you? Are you… the king?”

Ah Ro happens to see Sun-woo with his sword drawn against Ji-dwi, and she jumps in front of Ji-dwi defensively. She asks if Sun-woo really believes the banner saying the king is in Hwarang, and says it would be stupid for the king to be here among his enemies. She swears that Ji-dwi isn’t the king, and reaches for Sun-woo.

He roars at her to move, and accidentally slices her arm with his sword. He looks horrified, but Ah Ro doesn’t even pause in her defense of Ji-dwi, and Sun-woo can only run away without a word.

Ah Ro crouches in relief, and Ji-dwi asks why she did that. She says she just had to because she doesn’t know why Sun-woo hates the king so badly, but she’s sure that Sun-woo will believe her if she tells him Ji-dwi isn’t the king.

Ah Ro puts ointment on her cut arm while Ji-dwi watches her with sad eyes. He insists on helping when she fumbles one-handed with the bandage, and says that he’s angry with himself for repeatedly putting her in danger. She tells him not to be, that she’s capable of taking care of herself and believing in herself, even if she’s the only one.

As Sun-woo replays the confrontation with Ah Ro in his mind, Princess Sookmyung approaches him to say that he’s still rough, but that he has a lot of talent. Glaring, Sun-woo asks if all members of the royal family are this shameless, referring to the fact that she doesn’t even seem sorry that she shot him with an arrow not long ago.

He starts to walk away, but Sookmyung orders him to stop, and she offers to teach him swordsmanship. Sun-woo says she doesn’t know who he may kill if she does, and this time, she lets him go.

Ah Ro goes looking for Sun-woo, worried about his injuries from the fight with Minister Park’s man. Merchant Joo-ki startles her and offers to walk her out, and he asks why she keeps looking around. Ah Ro just vaguely says that she’s hoping to see something. She doesn’t see Sun-woo watching her from a window nearby.

Ji-dwi confronts his mother about Princess Sookmyung’s behavior in Hwarang, such as ordering the fights, but the queen regent is just happy that everyone thinks another Hwarang is the king. She tells him to keep quiet about it, unconcerned that he’s upset, since she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get him safely on the throne.

Ji-dwi lies awake that night, unable to sleep easily. Just as he drifts off, a pair of hands circle his throat, and he sees Sun-woo crouching over him with fury written on his face. As Sun-woo throttles Ji-dwi, he accuses him of killing his friend — then Ji-dwi wakes from the nightmare, gasping for air.

Sun-woo isn’t even in their room — he’s wandering outside, thinking about the dragon-head bracelet he lost, and how its image showed up on the banner. Hwa-gong joins him, and Sun-woo asks if he thinks it’s true that the king is in Hwarang. When Hwa-gong asks him the question in return, Sun-woo boldly says, “Ji-dwi.”

But he’s asking if Ji-dwi is really Hwa-gong’s nephew, and Hwa-gong says that he is — though distant, to be sure. He asks why Sun-woo wants to find the king, and Sun-woo says that they have an ill-fated connection. Hwa-gong asks jokingly if he’ll kill the king or something, and Sun-woo is all, Can’t I?

Hwa-gong points out the pond, which looks still on the surface but is teeming with life underneath. He explains that you can’t know everything about a pond just by looking at the surface, warning Sun-woo not to make such a mistake.

Minister Park is furious with his man for not killing Sun-woo during their fight, convinced that Sun-woo is the hidden king in Hwarang. Now that everyone is watching Sun-woo, he can’t send in an assassin to do the job. Still, he tells Ho Gong that an opportunity will present itself eventually.

A riderless horse approaches a pair of guards, and they shrink back when they see several human heads tied to its saddle. A banner drapes the horse’s back, stating that anyone who covets Baekje land (Silla’s political ally at the time) will get the same treatment.

The officials argue over what’s to be done, half of them demanding action be taken against Baekje, the other half concerned that breaking their alliance with Baekje will give Goguryeo (the third kingdom) the chance to take over.

Minister Park finally speaks up to say they should declare war. When the officials speak out against it, he suggests they send the princess to make peace, which was his true plan all along. Faced with a choice between war and peace, the queen regent’s hands are tied, so says that she’ll send the princess with the Hwarang.

Later, Ho Gong says that the council are worried their sons will be chosen to go with the princess. He wonders if their assumption that Sun-woo is the king is correct, since the queen regent was awfully quick to offer to send the Hwarang to Baekje, where they could be captured or killed.

Hwa-gong thinks about a conversation he’d had with Ji-dwi after realizing that he was the king. Ji-dwi had asked if he could even become king, since his mother won’t give him the throne. Hwa-gong had said that Silla needs a real king, not a queen regent, but Ji-dwi had worried if he could ever be that king.

Hwa-gong had assured him that if he truly wants a nation where the people don’t worry, but one where the king worries about the nation, then he’ll be fine. Ji-dwi had said that he wants to be strong, but that he worries that a king who spent his life in hiding can’t be a source of strength.

So when Queen Regent Jiso informs Hwa-gong that she’s sending some of the Hwarang to Baekje with the princess, Hwa-gong tells her that that’s a decision the king should make. She reminds him that she’s in charge for now, and he obediently agrees — though he insists on choosing which Hwarang to send.

Han-sung finds Ah Ro moping over whether Sun-woo is avoiding her, and he cheerfully says that he watched Sun-woo see her and turn away. He wonders why, since brothers usually protect sisters, but Ah Ro just tells him to get lost.

Ah Ro finds Sun-woo and jumps in front of him to ask why he’s avoiding her. She gives him a good dressing-down, saying that if he’s angry then he should tell her why, but all he can think about is how he cut her with his sword. He walks past her without saying a word, leaving Ah Ro fighting her tears.

Sun-woo passes by Ji-dwi with a glare, and when Ji-dwi tries to stop him, he whirls and grabs Ji-dwi by the collar. Ji-dwi asks if Sun-woo still thinks he’s the king, and he asks if he and Sun-woo can’t be friends if that turns out to be the case. Sun-woo growls that the moment he’s sure Ji-dwi is the king, he’ll kill him.

Ji-dwi calmly says that he’ll just continue not being the king then, since he prefers being Sun-woo’s friend. He says it’s true even if Sun-woo thinks of him as an enemy, but Sun-woo counters that Ji-dwi doesn’t know what a friend is, since he’s never had one. He tells Ji-dwi that the only reason he’s leaving him alone is because of Ah Ro.

As soon as Sun-woo lets go of Ji-dwi, Pa Oh runs over to deliver a letter from the queen regent. It consists of one word: “Stay.”

Nearly the entire Hwarang are certain that Sun-woo is the hidden king by now, and they all stare at him as they file into the lecture room. Ban-ryu remembers Minister Park ordering him to find out if Sun-woo truly is the king, while Su-ho recalls the queen regent’s request of him to take care of Sun-woo.

Hwa-gong takes the podium to announce that what he’s about to tell them isn’t an assignment or an order, but more of a request.

Joo-ki finds Ah Ro watching the lecture hall, and she asks him if all men change their hearts so easily. He asks who she means, but she tells him to forget it. The princess’s bodyguard arrives and tells Ah Ro that the princess is looking for her.

Hwa-gong explains that he’ll be asking for volunteers for the delegation the following day, and Ji-dwi realizes that his mother’s note was an instruction not to volunteer. Yeo-wool jokes that nobody would want to go, but Sun-woo’s expression remains stony.

Princess Sookmyung tells Ah Ro that she’s going to Baekje with her as her personal physician, by order of the queen regent. Ah Ro worries over what to tell her father, though she pouts that Sun-woo probably won’t even care.

Ji-dwi is skeptical that sending the princess to Baekje will accomplish anything towards making peace. He grows angry, wondering how long Silla will be pushed around by larger kingdoms.

Hwa-gong is thoughtful that night, and tells Joo-ki that he planned to shake things up, but not this fast. He thinks it’s too soon for the Hwarang to go out into the world.

The next day, not one Hwarang volunteers to escort the princess to Baekje. Princess Sookmyung enters the room with Ah Ro right behind her to address the men. She’s honest about the fact that anyone who goes may not come back alive, but promises a rich reward for those who do.

She mentions that she’s bringing a small retinue, including her doctor, and both Sun-woo and Ji-dwi go on alert. Sookmyung asks again for volunteers, and though Ah Ro shakes her head at Sun-woo, his hand is the first to go up.

Remembering his promise to the queen regent, Su-ho volunteers next, then Ban-ryu. Lastly, Ji-dwi throws up his hand, and when Hwa-gong tries to pretend he didn’t see it, Ji-dwi verbally announces that he will go, much to Hwa-gong’s chagrin.

That evening over dinner, Ji-gong is suspicious when Ah Ro insists he eat everything himself, but she promises him that everything is fine. She praises him for being a doctor who helps everyone, not just the high class, and that night she cries as she writes him a letter explaining that she’s leaving.

Soo-yeon cries to Ah Ro over the wall, worried about Ban-ryu going to Baekje. Ah Ro asks if she’s not worried about her, too, but Soo-yeon just decides she should give Ban-ryu a memento. Ah Ro calls her idea to give him a lock of her hair too burdensome, but Soo-yeon argues that that’s the entire point.

Han-sung whines at Sun-woo that he wants to go with him, and Sun-woo says that he should have volunteered, then. Han-sung begs Sun-woo to ask Hwa-gong to let him come, and even bats his eyelashes at him, hee. His brother Dan-se overhears and physically drags Han-sung away, while Han-sung wails that he wants to go with Sun-woo. So adorable.

Ji-dwi has to deal with Pa Oh, who’s too weak with worry to even stand. He bursts into tears, reminding Ji-dwi that he’s the king and has to take care of himself, unable to hold his sobs in.

Ban-ryu finds Soo-yeon waiting for him outside the Hwarang gates, and she hands him a pouch containing a braid of her hair. She asks if it’s too burdensome, but he quickly says it’s not, looking adorably nervous. Soo-yeon gives Ban-ryu a quick kiss on the cheek and says that she’ll be waiting for him.

She turns to go, but Ban-ryu lunges after her and whirls her back to face him. He gives her a real kiss, which she enthusiastically returns.

Ban-ryu is grinning ear to ear as he goes back into the Hwarang grounds, but then his Nando, Kang Sung, gets in his face. He warns Ban-ryu not to disappoint Minister Park this time (referring to Park’s edict that Ban-ryu find out everything he can about Sun-woo).

Pa Oh tries one last time to convince Ji-dwi not to leave, but it’s no use. Dan-se tells Sun-woo that if he comes back from Baekje alive, he’ll consider truly calling him his master. Sun-woo tells him not to, because they’re equals.

The queen regent comes to see Princess Sookmyung and the Hwarang off, and Hwa-gong gives a speech about pride and loyalty. The queen regent entreats them to secure peace with Baekje before returning, and then it’s time for them to leave.

As they go, they all think about what they’re leaving behind. Su-ho’s father had been proud of him, though when asked what the queen regent said to him, Su-ho only asked if protecting the king is the same as protecting the queen regent. Minister Park had given Ban-ryu something to give to the king when he gets a chance, saying that he’s making a bet, with Silla as the wager.

Ji-dwi thinks about how his mother had warned him to lay low and do nothing, or the people around him could get hurt. And Sun-woo’s biggest priority, of course, is keeping his promise to Ji-gong to protect Ah Ro.

Ji-gong finds Ah Ro’s letter explaining that she’s going to Baekje with the princess, on the queen regent’s orders. She says that Sun-woo is also going, and asks her father not to worry about her too much. It’s too much to ask, and he screams, “How much longer?!” He meets with Hwi-kyung, and says that he needs to know how to bring Queen Regent Jiso down.

When the princess and her retinue stop for a rest, Sun-woo finds her sitting alone and approaches her. He asks why she brought Ah Ro, and she implies that she brought Ah Ro because she knew Sun-woo would come if she did. Sun-woo says that she should have just asked and not involved Ah Ro, but Sookmyung counters that she needed a doctor, too.

Suddenly Sun-woo lunges a fist at Sookmyung’s face, and she cringes in fear. Sun-woo says softly that he should have just left the princess alone, and releases the bee he caught with his bare hand.

Sookmyung grows angry and starts to stand, then she suddenly freezes. She clutches her chest and struggles for air, unable to speak, then topples over sideways. Sun-woo catches her before she hits her head, and she gasps at him not to move for a minute. Ah Ro happens by and sees this scene, which looks awfully intimate from a distance.

Ban-ryu sits by a river, smiling as he remembers kissing Soo-yeon. Su-ho splashes water in his face and Ban-ryu jumps up, dropping Soo-yeon’s braid. Su-ho hands it back and asks what it is, but Ban-ryu just thanks him, and Su-ho laughs at his first-ever thanks from Ban-ryu.

That evening, Sun-woo escorts the princess to her room and tells her to rest, as they’ll be entering Baekje tomorrow. She thanks him for taking care of her earlier, and he softens enough to say that he understands her embarrassment at being seen to collapse.

Ah Ro does her best to hold back tears at seeing Sun-woo holding the princess. She looks up to see him standing right beside her, and she asks if he really came on this expedition because of the princess, and not her. She admits that looking at him breaks her heart, and that she misses him even when he’s right next to her.

She asks if he feels nothing when he looks at her, and Sun-woo just says that it’s all his fault. He looks at the spot where he cut her arm and admits that he was so angry at himself that he couldn’t look her in the eye.

Ah Ro asks if that means he really did miss her. Sun-woo says that he hates himself, but the part of his heart that missed her was strong enough to overcome the hate. He grabs her in a tight hug, and they stay that way for a long time, happy to be together again.

But suddenly, the courtyard fills with villagers carrying torches and makeshift weapons, looking ready for a fight. Sun-woo tries to lead Ah Ro to safety, but they’re quickly surrounded.

 
COMMENTS

I’ll just get this off my chest first thing — I’m really getting annoyed with Sun-woo. It’s not Park Seo-joon’s performance at all, because he’s just working with what he’s been given, but Sun-woo is just so closed-mouthed about everything that it’s difficult to connect to him emotionally. At first it made sense character-wise for him to keep his feelings shut away, as hurt as he was by Mak Mun’s death, but we’re two-thirds of the way through the show, and I was hoping we’d be getting something from him by now. But all I really know of him as a character is that he grew up a low-born, and he’s angry his friend was killed, which we knew eleven episodes ago. I don’t even really understand why he cares about Ah Ro so much, because he never says anything other than that he wants to protect her. I hope that he gets a reason to open up soon, to anyone, so that we can root for him and his desire to see justice for his friend. Because as it stands right now, I want to feel for him, but it’s a struggle because even after thirteen episodes, I just don’t know who he is.

That being said, I was really touched by what Ji-dwi said when confronted by Sun-woo, that he would rather be Sun-woo’s friend than be the king. As much as he wants to be a strong ruler for his people, I think that Ji-dwi understands that individuals are as important as “the people” as a whole. I also think that he knows that Sun-woo needs a friend as badly as he does, even if he’s not able to admit it. Sun-woo is stuck in a bad place, put there by the loss of his only friend, and he needs to know that there’s more to life than revenge. He also needs to understand that making new friends isn’t an insult to Mak Mun’s memory — it’s okay to move forward and live his own life. These two aren’t saying these things out loud, but I think it’s clear from the way they interact with each other (in both positive and negative ways) that they need each other.

I’m a bit disappointed that Sun-woo hasn’t yet learned that Ji-dwi is the king, what with last week’s cliffhanger, though I don’t really think that he’s emotionally ready for the truth yet. I do think that Sun-woo still believes Ji-dwi is the king, but without proof or a confession, he can’t exactly act on his instinct. It’s more that I just wish even one secret would come to light, because it feels as though we’ve been circling around everyone’s secrets for several weeks now, and I think it’s time for something or someone to shake up the status quo. Whether it be Ji-dwi’s true identity, Sun-woo’s mysteriously missing past, or Ban-ryu and Soo-yeon’s clandestine love affair, it’s past time for something to be discovered to give our Hwarang boys something to think about.

I do have hope that this trip to Baekje will be the shaking-up that our boys need to start making decisions on their own. Ban-ryu in particular is at a crossroads, as he has to choose between doing what his adoptive father wants and get in on his plan to usurp the king’s throne, or to follow his own moral compass and do what he believes is right. I don’t for a second think that Ban-ryu wants to be installed as a puppet king, but I think he’s been living in such fear (which is why he’s always so rigid) that he does the bare minimum to stay on Minister Park’s good side. Hopefully this trip to Baekje will get him away from that influence and allow him to start thinking and acting for himself. I hope the same thing for Ji-dwi — he’s realizing that it’s about time for him to step up and act like a king, and this peace-seeking trip to Baekje may be just the catalyst he needs to reveal himself and show the neighboring kingdom that his kingdom is nothing to be trifled with.

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I am so so frustrated with Ah Ro's character. It is so hard to connect with her character when the actress has portrayed her in such a ... juvenile manner. Go A Ra's style of crying makes it seem as if the character is throwing a temper tantrum or whining rather than crying because the character is emotionally affected. I've gotten to the point where I completely skip her parts, even when Sunwoo is in them too. I am not even entirely sure what her purpose is in this drama, other than a cog in Sunwoo's currently static story.

Even then, the writing has failed to give us a compelling reason as to why Ah Ro has such an abiding influence on Sunwoo, other than their initial attraction and some scenes of Ah Ro caring for Sunwoo. I can see why Ah Ro as Mak Mun's sister might compel Sunwoo's dedication but Ah Ro as a character in her own right? Not really.

Speaking of which, the key plot lines surrounding Sunwoo's possible birth secret, his revenge mission and his conflict with Ji Dwi have slowed to a crawl... I read in some other drama threads that some people find Park Seo Jun lacking in charisma and that left me slightly miffed because I've seen how intense he can get when the stars align and the writing and directing allow him to shine. Right now through, there's just nothing much for him to do other than mope and brood.

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This is another theory about Sunwoo's identity that is gaining peopular interest with Korean netizens. Many speculate that Sunwoo may be the real life figure Kim Mu-ryuk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Mu-ryeok.

He was the second/third son (according to the Korean page) of King Guhae, the last ruler of Geumgwan Gaya. Following his father's surrender, his family became part of the true bones of Silla and he joined the military and became King Jinheung/Samaekjong's general (hinted by the bromance in 'Hwarang'?). In 553, he led his army to seize the northeastern frontier of Baekje.

Some facts do not match up because Kim My-ryuk was already 14 when his father bowed to Silla (or Sunwoo might have amnesia?) and straight after, his family joined the rank of true bones and he enlisted as a general. However it is understandable since it is taking liberties as a fusion sageuk.

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this would be a good plot (ignoring the consistencies) which I would be really happy to take up. lets hope the writernims dont mess this plot much

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That makes sense and it ties in Gaya and Baekje as well. Not only for General Mu-ryek's origin from Geumgwan but the other Gaya (Daegaya) and why King Jinheung was furious with their alliance with Baekje. (Baekje is currently Southern Buyeo during King Seong's reign).

Oh my gosh if Moo Myung is meant to be General Mu-ryeuk then he must have been the general that was leading the Shilla army (523 or 524?) against this crown prince that they are meeting in this episode.

Now this makes more sense and why Moo Myung stepped up and be the leader here. He would be the one to bring down the current king of Baekje and almost kill this crown prince.

Can we say that this meeting won't end well? I want to see them meet on the battlefield.

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I originally thought that the story would be about a king and his general from the setup of the characters.
I was also hoping that would be the last king of Daegaya too so he'd take Ah Ro with him but that would make him and Jinheung enemies based on the history.

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@Lollypip
I agree with you about Sun-woo, character-wise. I do wanted to connect with him emotionally but can't. I think the character was under-developed. But as compared to Jidwi, Jidwi character development seems correct. So at this moment, I was confused who's the 1st lead & who's the 2nd lead.

Like most of you feel, I really wanted to quit watching this because I find it quite so-so after a few episodes. Because I don't feel like the drama is progressing fantastically. You can know if a drama is fantastic or great or good or just so-so (if i can say it like this). However, I kept watching it because of Park Seo Joon. He will do his best but the problem is the script & plot (just like Lee Jun Ki. Some of his projects are not good & some good. By the way, i already watch Resident Evil & he's good despite his total screen time is less than 5 minutes).

So far, I actually more intrigued to know Jidwi & Banryu characters development than Sun-woo. I wanted to know if Jidwi will really backstabbed his mother (just what his fake name suggest) & how will he do it despite he don't have any alliance (except for his mother). So far, I can imply that Hwagong & Aro are on his side. Aro is just a half-breed so politically, she seems unimportant. Hwagong might actually has some influence but he's only Hwarang instructor & not an official officer in the court palace (if i can say it like this). So i think his influence, political-wise is not much.

I wanted to know if Banryu will become Jidwi alliance/support or enemy. If he really wants to be a pawn or not at the end. Will he become a king or not.

Yeowool is not even developed much. I think he became like Banryu or Suho companions. I think his character is under-developed as well. I thought that he could become Sun-woo alliance/friend in Hwarang in terms of teaching Sun-woo the capital/aristocrat/how many factions in the capital etc ways. Other than Aro of course. So that Sunwoo can actually rationalize everything. Sunwoo kept insisting obstinately about Mak Mun & revenge that I think he forgot how to rationalize the world that he's live in.

For Aro, when she interacts with Jidwi, she's so understanding, supportive & positive. Remember the scene where Jidwi asked Aro to paint the word "wang"? Aro symphatize with Jidwi & actually back him up. Another scene is when Jidwi said he is not confident to be king (after the banner was put up & when Jidwi help Aro bandage her wound). Aro actually comfort him by saying he should be confident & trust himself. But when with Sunwoo, she only cares about the love. If only Sunwoo could be vulnerable in front of Aro just like Jidwi did, Sunwoo will get a lot comfort from Aro. Even Aro could made Sunwoo hatred & revenge melt away. Aro did not bother to ask Sunwoo when he feel vulnerable, when he feel he is not confident. We know that Sunwoo's nickname is Dog-Bird which imply to everybody he's fearless & can achieve everything. But he could be...

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I am rather frustrated about how the writer decided not to do anything with Yeowool too. Based on the special cast talk episode, I had high hopes when I thought they were hinting on Yeowool harboring some secret related to his identity. But 14 episodes in, Yeowool is relegated to background character. What a waste of actor's talent.

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I'm so frustrated with certain things about the show but somehow I can't wait to watch each episode. Maybe I still have hope that I'll find more things to like about it?

I love the growing friendship between Ban Ryu and Soo Ho. They are so cute..remember how at the beginning they were at each other's throats each time they saw the other's face? :):):):) I just get all the warm fuzzies. Soo Yeon's the key to allowing Ban Ryu to warm up to Soo Ho.

Currently cherishing all the bromance moments, and Soo Yeon and Ah Ro's over the wall chats.

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Sorry I can't resist commenting on Sun Woo's hair. His hair looks GREAT here, wish they had used it for the show.

http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t413/javabeansdb/news/2016/16a/hwarang4.jpg

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and the hair, I wish too that SW would put something like a band on his hair like the other hwarangs because right now it isn't really that much to look at. :(

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we've come this far and at the end of each week, i would always wish that there would be improvement on the upcoming week. it is so frustrating cheering on PSJ and PHS when the plot isn't moving at all. I just wish that we could see something new with him already. on the other hand, Go Ara/AR can you please stop the non sense crying, you're making the drama makjang, i am just about to pull my hairs out of its roots. The princess' reactions are sometimes too much for the situation. Seems misplaced at some point. I am just glad that Ji Dwi is doing okay but please you too step up already and be king. You've taken a lot of time doing that. Do something! Though at least he's a character you could root and cheer on. On the romance front, there is nil chemistry between AR and SW but SW had some intense moment with the princess I wish they'd make one lovely loveline. Likewise Ji Dwi and AR does look good together and I hope they will end up together. It makes me shiver thinking of AR and SW them calling each other siblings, orabeoni and dongsaeng when all they ever want is to kiss each other. It seemed dirty. It would have been nice if they stop calling each other that when they are alone, but No they still do.

Some would ask, why watch when you would just rant! Let me tell you, I watch because I want to look at PHS' handsomeness and PSJ hotness, they are basically the reason why I started this. I had not yet missed a PSJ drama and how i wish something good would come out next week. :)

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I didn't like the first episode of this show, as it was confusing to me, but the more I have watched it--the more I've enjoyed it. I really love the parts with Sun Woo and the King in them. I actually like the mystery behind the two more than the romance element, but it is fun to see them liking each other while everyone else thinks they are merely brother and sister. Of course, Sun Woo should realize now that the king likes his "sister" that will make any future relationship with her difficult. He wants to kill the king, but if he does not succeed the king will just eventually gain power and make his "sister" his bride. Anyway it's fun to imagine how this will all end! I also think it's fun to watch the Hawarang who likes the Queen. He has no idea how vicious she really is. Sadly, though, I imagine he will have a sad ending---like he'll get sacrificed (aka killed) by the Queen not realizing what evil person he is serving.

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Honestly, for being the main leads, Sun Woo and Ah Ro have seriously lacking characterizations. Hansung, Jwi Di, and Banryu seem to have a more in-depth characterizations given to them. I've said my grievence with Ah Ro and Go Ara's performance in previous discussions- frankly terrible, the character is utterly boring and I dont see why any of them would be sooooo attracted to her, so far she has been a flat note. But I agree Sun Woo hasnt had character build up recenly either, and it's honestly the actors sheer ability to act that has kept me interested for so long. I find Jwi Di to be mush more interesting as a character, and he's the second male lead.

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Soo-yeon and Ban-ryu's romance is so sweet and adorable and I absolutely love it. Seeing him smile every time he gets a letter from her, hearing her sigh and lament and talk about him makes me grin and giggle, and how shy and sweet they were when she gave him her hair. The kiss, I was like, "Yes!" It's about time he took some initiative. Can't wait to see what happens next! SH is going to have kittens when he learns about the relationship, but I'm sure he'd have kittens over any guy he learned his sister was interested in and who returned the interest. Protective older brothers! *rolls eyes*

SW needs to loosen up that wooden face of his around AR and make forward progress in character development, and AR needs to exhibit some emotions other than discontent, sadness, frustration, and panic. They need to stop circling each other like they are, going nowhere and nothing changing.

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