Quick take: I'm a bit amazed at how many backstories they crammed into the first two eps. More later...

I couldn't believed this 20-episodes sageuk had never compared to Mr. Queen, which was the same Joseon era periodical drama. Bossam: Steal the Fate had no humorous/comedic scenes at all and too much fictitious tragic stories with surprised horrible deaths unlike Mr. Queen.

Bossam has SO much potential to be a truly memorable sageuk! If they focus on the 'impoverished" and the 'oppression of women" in the Joseon Dynasty (along with the romance ofc, its crazy how much I'm rooting for Bawoo x Sookyung even tho they only made eye contact), it could be one of the most original sageuks to date.

Bossam manages to stay as fun and delightful during the next few weeks, it just might be the drama to break my sageuk slump.

I'm not interested this so it meant that I'm already on my sageuk slump that was started after the unexpected cancellation of Joseon Exorcist and I'm now took my first-ever indefinite sageuk hiatus.

I’m a little bit curious about this one... 🧐

Surprised at the lack of attention this show is getting. Perhaps everyone is experiencing sage-fatigue? Intrigued enough to check for eng subs a couple times and plan to continue watching (although I bailed on both Mr Queen and River Moon). Bossam's storytelling is solid and acting is as well. The child actor playing ML's son is very good (and cute as a bug).

Thank you @stroopwafel for this BOSSAM ‘Hangout’ post and first off I want to congratulate you on your professionalism. You chose the high road. As one of the images for your post you could have easily chosen to include a picture of the moment Ba Woo exposed his chest and abs to the dutifully shocked and impressed Princess Soo Kyung and Lady Jo. You declined. Well done.
I will have comments on the actual drama down the line.
Let me just say this on a technical level:
Jung Il-woo, watch out! Lee Joon-hyuk (1972) is trying to steal every scene he is in with you!

I love this show so far.
Acting, and plot/story are fantastic. Jung Il-Woo, Yuri, Shin Hyun-Soo, Lee Jun-hyuk and Kim Tae-Woo, great ensemble cast!
And yes, of course the little kid... holy cow, he is amazing.
Like other beanie says, that kid alone makes the show worth watching totally!

The premise got my interest, and the first two episodes are better than I expected! Jung Il-woo is always great at sageuk and the other casts are great too. Yuri is doing a great job especially considering this is her first sageuk.

I wonder if the princess has / had feelings for the brother-in-law, or it's only a one-sided love from him?

did you say Jung il-woo? did you say saeguk? (did you say abs?) i am all in! liked the first 2 episodes.

The first two episodes were soooo good! Great chemistry between the leads, great acting from all of them, the bossam premise is interesting and unique, the little boy is adorable, the cinematography is beautiful. First sageuk I'm truly excited about after Mr. Queen. Can't wait until next week!

I am not a fan of sageuk dramas. I know a little bit of Korean history and its cultural significance to portray its history and folklore in a formula. It recently came to me that sageuks are what old westerns are to Americans. With that old western construct in mind, I watched the first two episodes. I did not get caught up in the confusion and clutter of palace politics and unclear character family ranks to just concentrate on the main characters' story. It was surprisingly good. And the child actor is really good.

The look in Kwon Yuri's eyes as she stared at Jung Il-woo during the fight scene was the most relatable thing I've seen all week. May have mentally shouted SAME GIRL, SAME!

It is a serious sageuk set in Joseon which is not my cup of tea. As rule Joseon era sageuk have too much of politics / factions vying for power and little action.
I am on fence on this show but first two episodes were quite promising.

Thank you for setting up this place to discuss this show @stroopwafel. If I had the time I'd write mini summaries, but I don't so I'll just write my impressions of Episodes 1-2:

1) I've always liked Jung Il-woo but I've never seen him look this unkempt and dirty, but somehow he comes across as more manly! Yes, that's my number one point. 😁

2) Yuri is doing a great job at playing the princess who's been constrained all her life and is dignified and gentle but who yearns to fly free. I think we all know that she will get a chance to stretch her wings.

3) I must have watched too many sageuks because I thought the way the show glossed over the political strife and nobles' resistance against Gwanghae's reforms was perfect. It left enough unsaid to create suspense (like what happened to Ba Woo's family?). But it gave enough background without needing more explanations or court discussions. Instead, we have the story of the kidnapped princess as a wildcard, which is already causing political mayhem.

4) The drama has taken a well-known moment of history that's been portrayed before in dramas like THE CROWNED CLOWN, but dispensing with the court scenes. I personally don't mind court scenes because I like to cheer whenever the king scores against scheming ministers LOL but most viewers seem to dislike them nowadays.

5) The plight of widows is a refreshing take on Joseon society. We know women had a tough time in general, and even more so noble women whose husbands died. It's pretty telling that Ra Mi-ran's cameo was about a "willing bossam", because it paradoxically gave her more agency. Instead of being a perpetual widow at the mercy of her in-laws she could marry again and run her own household. From the looks of it the women were not abducted without their knowledge and participated willingly, which is why Ba Woo was so confused when the maid starting screaming "thieves!" as he ran out with his bundled up princess.

I will see if I can dig up some sources on widows in Joseon. For now, I'm a happy camper.

Well, what to do? My husband wants to watch this one too—but on the treadmill. It would have been nice to watch it with him, but guess I’ll just see it on my own! I have to finish the first couple episode ms still, but I like what I see so far!

This is my new obsession. After two episodes our hero and his little boy are in so much danger. I hate having to wait to find out what will happen next. Will they part? If not, what will make them stay together. I'm already suffering for the budding love triangle. And how is JIW looking so good, so scruffy?

It always gets me when I realise that Jeoson was such a dangerous place for those without power. Live Up to Your Name stands out in that respect. Life is cheap. The lives of the poor people are easily dispatched.

I was actually surprised with the “Every night...” line. I know he is rough and crude (or at least pretending to be)so it’s in character but I just didn’t expect that line/implication in K drama.

really... i thought Bossam was going to be about pork cabbage roll ups...
: D

the pandemic is affecting my brain - everything strikes a FOOD response....

You know what? At least we won’t have to worry about the “delusional cheating runaway wife showing up and getting possessive” Trope in this drama! I read where is sister shows up later but not another female wife character.

Who could compete with our drop dead gorgeous Princess who his kid already absolutely adores anyway?

I am thoroughly enjoying this drama. Guess what I love the most about this drama is the son Cha Dol.

Late to this hangout, but I was really impressed with the first week. It had a more serious vibe than I predicted from the first teaser, but still had a few lighthearted moments nicely woven in, which is how I like my sageuks (basically mbc in the 2000s lol).
- First time watching Yuri act and I was quite impressed. She fits sageuk like a glove. No small feat as some acclaimed actors in contemporary works are sometimes criticized for their sageuk acting/speech.
- I've only previously seen Shin Hyun Soo in Age of Youth and I almost didn't recognize him here. He too suits sageuks unexpectedly well; the whole look is A+ on him.
- I too will never tire of watching Lee Jae Yong in sageuks, especially as the head bad guy lol.
- I loved Haechi (yes, writer Kim Yi Young is back in my good graces- it doesn't take much in these last few years of good-sageuk draught - and i hope she doesn't take too long to return with another sageuk) and I loved Jung Il Woo in it, so I hope Bossam will get the attention it deserves. #JusticeforHaechi

Also, rather unrelated to Bossam, but after someone mentioned in the premier watch thread that KBS might be bringing their daeha sageuks back, I did a naver search and they are indeed planning one. Praying for the casting, writing, and ratings (so we can get more ~serious business~ sageuks). 🙏