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Under the Queen’s Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

The competition comes to a boil as the princes battle for ascendency. Our heroine is busy doing what she always does: working behind the scenes to keep her children alive. But, with the Dowager Queen preparing for her next ploy, it’s getting harder than ever to stay one step ahead.

 

EPISODES 9-10 WEECAP

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Fresh from her fabulous mic-drop of gifting the Dowager Queen a poisonous plant, Hwa-ryeong realizes her mistake. Never make a dramatic gesture in a Joseon drama. Not when your opponent lives and breathes drama. With gleeful abandon, the Dowager Queen takes to her bed, frailly lamenting that Hwa-ryeong has poisoned her. The King knows it’s nonsense. Despite this, he can’t punish her for plotting to murder Seongnam — not now it’s her word against Hwa-ryeong’s.

Faced with this, our heroine decides to step up her plotting game! First, it’s teatime with the newly-emboldened Consort Tae, where it becomes clear that Bogum’s chances are bound up with their mutual mother-in-law. Hwa-ryeong innocently lets drop that the Dowager Queen is ill. Sure enough, Consort Tae whips up a plate of porridge and goes to curry favor with her ailing patron. It’s super effective! The Dowager Queen gives her a hefty ring and an even heftier rumor in return. (More on the latter, later.) Consort Hwang, who peers in just at the wrong moment, is appalled to see the ex-servant she always bullied all buddied up with her erstwhile ally.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Hwa-ryeong’s calendar is packed with all manner of intrigue. Next up, it’s the Chief State Councilor. Enemies they may be, but there’s one thing they have in common: the Dowager Queen tried to frame them both for murder. Hwa-ryeong remarks that he was meant to take the fall for Seongnam’s death. Soon, the day will come when they may need to work together. A tense meeting between the Dowager Queen, Consort Hwang, and the Chief Councilor puts the final nail in the coffin. The teacup metaphors have turned, and the Dowager Queen’s loyalties have seemingly shifted from Uiseong to Bogum. With Team Evil splitting at the seams, Hwa-ryeong takes the Minister for War to one side, encouraging him to remain neutral in the upcoming conflict.

Meanwhile, the taekhyeon proceeds apace. Back on Wanwol Island, Seongnam’s suspicions are growing about the King’s old friend, Gyeong-woo. He’s making a tidy profit selling clams on the village workers’ behalf — but where is all that money disappearing? Beside him, Cheong-ha frolics, delighted to be included. She’ll happily buy counting sticks for the adorable village children if it means Seongnam will wait for her at the ferry. (I didn’t wait for you! Seongnam insists.) (He totally waited for her.) Taking over the boys’ room, she merrily joins Gyeong-woo’s rapidly swelling household — whilst Seongnam and Bogum wordlessly set up camp on the poor guy’s floor.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Battered and starving after his run-in with bandits, Shimso drags himself back to the palace, ready to resign the competition. But Consort Ko has other ideas. Under the watchful eye of the palace guards, she loudly shuns her son, proclaiming him to be no more than a simple beggar. Thrusting a jeweled norigae into his hands, she demands he continue, even if he shatters every bone in his body. Haggard and distraught, Shimso manages several steps before collapsing.

Luckily, he’s rescued by Hwa-ryeong, who treats him to his first meal in days. It’s not long before Consort Ko comes crashing in, livid. How dare Hwa-ryeong interfere? As for Shimso — she regrets he was ever born. Thrown from the queen’s quarters, she sobs and rages, then vents her revenge by rooting through Gyeseong’s rooms. Here, she discovers the hidden portrait. Why not wreck the lives of two children while she’s at it? It’s not long before Gyeseong’s secret finds its way into the hands of Consort Hwang.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Hwa-ryeong returns to check on Shimso. He is hanging by the neck. She cuts him down just in time to save his life, but he remains unconscious. When a penitent Consort Ko returns to his bedside, Hwa-ryeong shows every grace and kindness imaginable. Till the last, she says, Shimso was clutching the norigae — the only gift his mother ever gave him. However, when Shimso wakes, it is under the far gentler gaze of Hwa-ryeong. She shows him a special drinking cup: a gyeyeongbae. When seven-tenths full, it holds liquid just fine. Add more, and it all drains away. A life needn’t be filled to the brim to be content. Shimso never wanted to be crown prince, and now he can admit it without guilt. As to whether or not he’ll be able to forgive his mother… that might take time.

Miles away, Gyeseong finally tracks down SEO HAM-SEOK (Tae Won-seok), the man they are meant to bring to the palace. He’s allegedly a monk now, though his religiosity is questionable: Gyeseong finds him mid-fistfight with a neighbor, having seduced his wife. It gets worse. Some well-targeted snooping reveals that Ham-seok has been busy in exile; his rooms are packed to bursting with military tomes, maps, and battle plans — all the raw ingredients for a coup.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Uiseong falls back on his mother’s favored diplomatic strategy: remorseless bloodlust. In zero seconds flat, he’s stabbed the man with whom Ham-seok was fighting. Ham-seok is promptly arrested for murder. After deftly revealing that he was the one who framed him, Uiseong offers him an out — as long as he returns with him to the palace. It’s all very expedient, provided you’re cool with a little homicide! However, it’s a mistake to think you’re the only one in Joseon capable of scheming big. Turns out, Ham-seok is in cahoots with some familiar faces… Master Toji and Physician Kwon.

Back at the palace, Hwa-ryeong continues to play whack-a-mole with her children’s indiscretions. This time, it’s Muan. He’s finally admitted his adorably flustered feelings for CHO-WOL (Jeon Hye-won), a young gisaeng in training. Muan moves fast; Hwa-ryeong finds the two in bed together, looking markedly less clothed than last time. Muan is given a stern motherly lecture. Cho-wol is given a warning. It’s clear, says Hwa-ryeong, that Muan only wants Cho-wol for his concubine, not his wife. Is that truly the life she covets? Serene and unruffled, Cho-wol repeats that she’s content with whatever form their relationship takes.

It seems, says Court Lady Shin, that the two women are fated to collide. Hwa-ryeong was once friends with Cho-wol’s mother. Moreover, Cho-wol is the reason for the existence of Hyewolgak — a sanctuary Hwa-ryeong founded for struggling women. This explains why Cho-wol called out Hwa-ryeong for her hypocrisy: didn’t she once say that regardless of gender or social status, people should be treated the same? But, there’s the rub — Hwa-ryeong is willing to be a hypocrite for her children.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Elsewhere, Bogum consults his conscience, and finds it fractionally louder than his ambition. If Seongnam thinks that Gyeong-woo is ripping off an entire village for personal gain — well, it might not be a great idea to put him in charge of national taxes. And so, in the name of truth, honor, and justice, the two princes… rifle through his belongings while Cheong-ha stands lookout. But, a master of subterfuge Seognam is not; he’s caught hanging halfway out of a window. Still, they got what they came for: Gyeong-woo’s ledgers.

It’s only by working together that they hit upon the truth. Gyeong-woo wasn’t exploiting the village. He was helping them pay off their creditors and establish financial independence. Why not come to the palace, offers Seongnam, and implement his theories on a grand scale? Gyeong-woo smiles. Turns out, he knew who the princes were to begin with… and he’s happy to say, they’ve got their father’s smarts. The four prepare to journey back — though, not before a tender moment between Cheong-ha and Seongnam. With her usual brand of brazen charm, Cheong-ha keeps it plain and shameless: she likes Seongnam. Normally, her heart thumps weakly. Around him? It beats in regular time.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Little does Seongnam know, an absolute smorgasbord of nasty rumors await him back home. Thanks to that whispered word from the Dowager Queen to Consort Tae, the palace is saturated with talk about Seongnam being Hwa-ryeong’s illegitimate child. This rings especially cruel when we learn who was to blame for Seongnam’s exile. You guessed it: the mother-in-law from hell. When the Dowager Queen deemed his birth unlucky, Hwa-ryeong’s infant was ripped from her arms.

On the other side of the taekhyeon, Gyeseong pleads with Uiseong: they cannot in good conscience bring a seditionist back to the palace. Uiseong is predictably chill about the whole prospect — his entire motto is “victory tastes sweeter paired with horrible collateral damage.” Gyeseong rides back at furious speed, determined to outpace him. However, alone and unarmed, they are ambushed by Consort Hwang’s men. Gyeseong is knocked unconscious and strung up by the neck, next to a forged suicide note.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Meanwhile, Consort Hwang tells the King that — shock, horror, and gender nonconformity! — Gyeseong has a shameful secret. Moreover, she has proof, in the form of a portrait. However, Consort Ko has leveled up in compassion since she last spoke to Consort Hwang. Forcible outing followed by murder isn’t really on the menu for her anymore. Turns out, she spoke to Hwa-ryeong. The painting has been swapped for an unremarkable picture of a tiger. Gyeseong wakes, injured but alive, next to their mother. Their first thought is of Ham-seok, but Hwa-ryeong says the King already knows. Right now, Gyeseong must withdraw from the competition — and stay closeted for as long as they live.

Uiseong refines his plan on the fly, denouncing Ham-seok as a rebel before the King. Whilst the King considers it in poor taste to bring a traitor to the heart of the palace, it’s enough to win him a spot in the final. A warmer reception is granted to Gyeong-woo, who is asked which prince he deems worth of kingship. In honor of their teamwork, he gives both Bogum and Seongnam his seal of approval. Three princes are left in the taekhyeon.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

Afterwards, Hwa-ryeong tidies up a few loose ends. Consort Hwang, much to Consort Tae’s delight, is demoted to Fourth Junior Consort. A whispered word from Hwa-ryeong assures her that sparing her life was deliberate… and contingent on her keeping quiet about Gyeseong. And then, the masterstroke. She does a little forgery of her own. Making it look as though COURT LADY NAM (Lee Jung-eun) faked Gyeseong’s supposed suicide note, she draws in the Dowager Queen via her lackey. Caged in — by her own tactics, no less — all she can do is listen when Hwa-ryeong announces she has an offer to make.

The final stage of the taekhyeon commences. The King will not be judging it. Nor will his senior officials. Instead, the Confucian scholars of Sungkyunkwan are being gathered to come to a decision… and they won’t be allowed out until they’ve made up their minds.

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10 Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

There’s an irony at the heart of this series: in attacking Hwa-ryeong with every weapon in her political arsenal, the Dowager Queen has forged the perfect successor. I love it. All of Hwa-ryeong’s latest tactics come straight from her mother-in-law — from blackmail, to forgery, to sabotage. And naturally, it’s different: there’s a compassionate core to everything Hwa-ryeong does — for everyone, not just her children. Still, that’s what makes it all the more delightful that her methods are shaped more often than not by her enemies. There’s a great deal the Dowager Queen might admire about her, if only she could acknowledge it.

This has been a plotty, well-paced series of episodes. I adore everything about the island trio: watching Seongnam and Bogum’s teamwork evolve from grudging to heartfelt has been a delight — and Cheong-ha has owned my entire heart since her very first cheeky grin. (Plus, does anyone else have a soft spot for the wide-eyed antics of Consort Tae? Watching her is like a lucky dip of hilarious expressions.) It’s great to see Gyeseong getting more plot, though I have reservations about how little narrative agency they’re given in relation to their queerness. It’s all very well to depict historical discrimination, but what about Gyeseong’s own thoughts on their gender, or any complicated feelings they might have about Hwa-ryeong’s efforts to shield them from the world? Still, I have a feeling the show may be building up to something in that regard — I certainly hope so. Here’s to more scheming next week… may it be ever more outrageous!

Under the Queen's Umbrella: Episodes 9-10

 
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The Queen’s scenes with Prince Shimso were really good. She’s what a Queen is supposed to be, mother to all. I’m glad Consort Ko was an ally in protecting Grand Prince Gyeseong after the experience.

Court Lady Shin and Bogum’s eye rolls at the romantic entanglements happening around them were funny.

I’m glad Bogum and Seung-nam worked as a team and developed some respect for each other. They’ll need it, as I think Bogum could be crowned Crown Prince first.

Obviously, the Queen didn’t cheat, so what is the secret surrounding Seung-nam’s birth? I’ve seen speculation that he was the Crown Prince’s twin, which would explain why the Queen Dowager said he was unlucky when taking him away.

The King is savvier than I first thought. I’m glad he sees right through his mother, but I guess he'd have to after watching her murder his brother.

So Physician Kwon and Master Togi are leaders of a rebellion. Hmm, I didn’t expect that. There's a theory that Physician Kwon is Queen Yoon's surviving son, which makes so much sense, but why is he giving Consort Hwang a heads up?

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I thought the king slept with her while mourning his father which I am also assuming is not a good thing. At that point, the 1st consort's son was born so it must be unfavorable for a second son of the queen to be born. They used that rumor (?) to hide him away but when the other princes were born it was getting illogical to keep him hidden (?) the crown prince demand made things easier

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I also wondered if Kwon was the surviving son, and the other young man living with former Queen Yoon is a decoy. I agree, I like seeing Seung Nam and Bogum working together. Whichever one ends up as Crown Prince they will need strong allies they can trust. I'm enjoying watching consort Tae, I liked this actress in Because This Life is My First.

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More scheming please. I want to see Hwa-ryeong take down both the Queen Dowager and Consort Hwang.

I was rolling my eyes and sarcastically clapping while the QD put on a show in an attempt to manipulate her son. The woman will stop at nothing to remove the Queen's sons from the succession as CP. It makes me think if she was the one that killed the CP just so to depose the Queen. She started all this just for spite with absolute disregard for the lives of her grandsons. Mother-in-law from hell indeed.

I love Seongnam and Bogum's partnership. I am okay with one of them taking over as CP, but I prefer it to be Seongnam. At least with Hwa Ryeong in charge, she can still keep her MIL in check as opposed to Bogum's mom, who will just be the QD's puppet.

I like Cheong Ha. I like her brazen nature. If she ends up as a CP, it would be interesting to see her dealings with the current DQ, Queen and the palace officials when her time comes.
6 more episodes to go and anything can happen at this point.

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This drama is so compelling! Just a quick shout out for the fact that it's been cast so well. I particularly liked Consort Hwang's interpretation of her role - so calm, so "proper", so smugly superior, so clearly lethal, and so feral when she lost her position. She kind of worries me more than the QD, tbh.

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I love these two episodes because they showed how resilient and fierce Queen Hwa-ryeong is! I especially love the scene where she demoted the scheming Consort Hwang. Her whispering "It's not that I cannot kill you. I choose not to." is such a power move! Consort Hwang's change in expression from being haughty to stricken is so satisfying! Kim Hye-Soo is a force to be reckoned with whenever she is on screen. Commanding, graceful, compassionate, scheming, high and almighty rolled into one. I also love how Consort Ko turned over a new leaf. She's much likeable now.

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I still think that Seongnam is not the queens biological son. Initially I though he may have been one of the concubines sons that died and she adopted him but now I think he might actually be Queen Yoons grandson (the former CPs son). It would explain why the dowager hates him so much. I feel like the king felt guilty about killing his brother and they both planned to adopt him and based on what Consort Hwang said in the earlier episodes "Put things in their right order". This would make sense since the king is bringing back people who were faithful to the throne and opposed him being king.I don't think that master Toji and gang are bad guys and they will stop the rebellion when the "rightful heir" ,Seongnam, takes the throne. I also feel like the kings letter to Park Gyeong U had more to it because I don't think he would have come back to serve this king but he would comeback to serve the heir of the previous CP that was killed. Just my thoughts tho,

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I was gonna be so mad if Gyeseong died. His situation is already sad enough. It sucks that his secret was almost revealed again and that Consort Hwang knows about it now.

Cheongha is a ray of sunshine. It was a slight surprise to see her at the island, perhaps her bright hanbok made her stand out that much more. So far, she's been adorable and not annoying. Not too intrusive. It was cute & funny when she decided to be the lookout while Seongnam was snooping, heh. I like that it didn't take long for her to confess her feelings too.

Poor Shimso. I was teary-eyed seeing his misery. His mother was insanely harsh on him. Would have wanted her to suffer more, but then I guess that'd mean losing him. So nevermind that. The one-on-one time between him and Hwa Ryeong was really nice. Her gentle advice and compassion was lovely.

She also gave advice to Cho Wol. Gosh, Muan. That naive, clueless guy. He said he loved Cho Wol, but he didn't think of marriage when he thought of her!?! Maybe he didn't think of it due to her social status or his circumstances. Or more likely, he's not thinking ahead, of his future, and is more in the moment. He just knows that she is his love and doesn't want to lose her.

Glad there are still some extra layers of mystery going around with the new rebel element and the other recruit Gyeong Woo. Also the mystery around Seongnam~~

Totally liked the budding teamwork between Seongnam and Bogum, but I'm afraid it won't last...

This drama has been moving along wonderfully, filled with suspense, action, and lighter moments. And delicious tactics by Hwa Ryeong.

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Same. I was ready to flip some tables if they will kill off Gyeseong. He has enough suffering already.

Muan is still immature and not thinking ahead. But maybe he is just being realistic since as GP, he can not make a gisaeng trainee as his wife. There is a whole lot of politicking involved when choosing a GP's wife.

I really like every moment between Seongnam and Bogum in the island. It just shows that they are stronger when they work together. I hope they remember that especially as outside forces will try to break them apart. As for Uiseong, I really don't like him. He and his mother is cut from the same cloth. I hope Hwaryeong will find out the murder Uiseong committed so he will be officially out of the running.
I really felt bad for Shimso. His mother was really harsh. I am glad that the Queen intervened just in time.

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Yup, immature is a good word to describe him. He really isn't cut out to be the Crown Prince anyway.

Agree about Uiseong and his mother being the same~

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Even with the usual sageuk tropes, this drama is very refreshing, esp that the plot is "women-centric" I love all the characters.

First time to comment here! Nice to meet you all!

P.S. Did I just see Rain in a previous episode, or was it just my imagination?

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Yeah, Rain did a cameo, a very short one :p

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👋Annyeong! Welcome back to the comments section and it looks like you chose the right drama to come back to. You and I can be Ajumma chingu’s because you like Jealousy incarnate and Park Bogum ❤️

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I just checked and the fan favorite JEALOUSY INCARNATE (2016) is still not available on Viki US. Drat. Maybe someday it will get sprung. It aired around the time I ventured into the world of kdramas.

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It is on HiTV which is a free app with non intrusive pop ups. It has across platform shows and has usually provides access to shows unavailable by other means. Can’t remember if i wanted to use that process or not.

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Welcome back @kdramatic! You picked a great drama and yes that was a neat cameo by Rain.

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Yes, I couldn't believe my eyes, Rain being his handsome self.

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Hi! Welcome!! This drama has been refreshing. It's great. :)

Rain was a nice, unexpected cameo~! I have some screenshots on my page/fanwall. ^^

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The sunrise scene was really beautiful! I love Kdramas for that, they always so many beautiful places to film!

Consort Hwang is reckless, she put her father, Chief State Councilor, in difficult situation. She killed the Crown Prince and she's trying to kill a Grand Prince. She lost an ally and because of that her rank.

Consort Ko was awful with her son. I was surprised she dared to speak about the fact she didn't want to have him as son in front of the Queen who just lost her own son... The Queen was really nice. I love to see her with each Princes, they all are her sons and she will never hurt them.

I really like the relationship between Seongnam and Bogum. They respect each other. Poor Seongnam between the throne battle, the rumors about his birth and Cheong-ha's feelings storm, he will have a lot to manage :p

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Thank you @alathe for the weecap.
For me, the highlight of episode 9 was the queen's scenes with Simso. His birth mother left him in the cold but the queen saved and fed him. She was really scared when she spotted Simso hanging himself and could only breathe after his pulse returned to normal.
As for the Taekhyeon, I really admire Gyeseong's persistence I thought he would give up after a while but he really gave it his all. Watching Uiseong really makes my blood boil. I hope his evil deeds get revealed in front of everyone. Personally, I have been rooting for Seongnam since the beginning and if Bogeom returns back to his old personality, he will act as a great support to Seongnam. Muan's scenes crack me up. With all the scheming that happened this week, his funny scenes lightened up the mood.

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If anything happened to Gyeseong, I would throw a fit. Causing the death of the Crown Prince is enough.

I'm going to believe the King was well aware of Seo Ham-deok's antics and plans, so it wasn't that Uiseong brought it to his notice.

Consort Hwang sure does not know how to take a lesson. You now want to harm not one but two of the Queen's children. I liked the fact the the Queen used something else to tie Consort Hwang instead of using the attempt on Gyeseong's life. I believe that one is going to come in handy in the future. Now she's demoted.

Seongnam working together with Bogum...was a grudging watch for me. I liked their partnership but I don't like Bogum's stay-on-the-safe-sidelines approach to things. I'm sure he would have, like Uiseong bring Gyeong-woo to the Capital just for the sake of completing the mission, even if Gyeong-woo meant harm to the people of Manwol island.

Seongnam and Cheong-ha as a couple will be another source of headache for the Queen Dowager. She knows she doesn't have him at the warps of her finger, nor is Cheong-ha your regular maiden. They are a good recipe meal the mother-in-law from hell.

The Queen is the mother of the nation. Queen Im embodied this fate to the most genuine tee. All the children of the King are the Queen's children. She really stood up to the occasion. She respecting the position of Consort Ko as Prince Simso's mother and giving her her due honor despite her non-motherly treatment of Simso, I don't think I'd have acted as such.

Her words of wisdom to Simso about choosing to quit instead of failing out of desperation to win is a food for thought. In the world where everyone is encouraged to reach for the greatest height, it is so comforting to hear a comment that encourages doing your very best, and that your very best doesn't have to be the height of the height. Everyone is cut of for success, but our measure of what success is is different from the other. We need to know what level of success is enough for us and not work ourselves out when we clearly do not have a use for it, or we do not want it.

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Even though I'm sure Consort Hwang will strike back once more, it was incredibly satisfying to see her degraded. I've been waiting for this moment for ten episodes.

I don't mind repeating myself, but I'm thrilled that the King clearly realises who is trying to manipulate him. At no point did he believe his mother's theatrics.
He and the Queen are the ideal couple at the head of the country. Both obviously want the best for their subjects.

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I wish the other grand princes take a more active role in their future. It seems that all three are unaware of the gravity of this contest and how they won't be able to do anything they want if they are dead. As much as I know they're all young but they are also smart kids there's no reason why they are being this passive when there's too much at stake.

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You speak my mind. My blood literally boils anytime Muan begins his what-have-you and I find how it is being played for comedy both funny and vexing at the same time. You can't pursue the life you so desire if you're dead or your wings are clamped.

Gyeseong at least stood up to the occasion to the highest and became as invested as Seongnam. I can still excuse the youngest Grand Prince but Muan... I want to reach into the screen and break his head.

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I kinda disagree Gyeseong did his best in the test proving that he is daring and smart, but what's next? We barely saw him in the last episode. Just like how Bogum is highlighted as a hand of help why can't Gyeseong be more than a "struggle" as been used thus far? This might just be accompanied by personal disappointment since I like Seonho the actor playing GS.

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My most favourite scene would be the conversation between the Queen and Prince Shimso and how she gave the greatest advice for a kid who had went through a lot. The Queen is the best literally in this drama, just her character is awesome. Not only she protects her kids, she showers the same compassion and love to other kids , hence she can proudly call her as the mother of all and the QUEEN!

Seongnam's birth is really a mystery, but it seems he isnt the biological child of Hwareyong. Maybe she adopted him ,because she definitely didnt cheat on the King, Cant wait for the big reveal.

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He may be Queen Yoon's last surviving son, or he may also be the eldest child, before the current CP.

He was born (and likely concieved) during the previous King's mourning period, during which the royal family was supposed to abstrain from all desires, which was why QD took him away when he was born.

Either way, he will have a claim to the throne...

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Hmmm, the theories you mentioned seems to be fit for the secret of Seongnam. Whatever the case, he is the most eligible and perfect candidate for the throne.

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You hit the nail in the head. Your theory is dead-on.

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Your theory is dead-on, you totally hit the nail on the head with regards to Seongnam's birth.

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I, for one would like to see the scene of Cheong Ha returning home to her parents after two nights away on her own. I imagine Mum is quite chill but fairly concerned while Dad is just hopping mad / flabbergasted by her cheek.
I think Cheong Ha needs her own drama now..the road to becoming a chaotic Crown Princess.

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I so hate CONSORT KO that I want to give her twin slaps on her fugly face! May she rot in hell!!! 🤬

Hate her for abandoning a very hungry and exhausted PRINCE SIMSO and calling him a worthless imbecile.

Hate her for giving PRINCE GYESEONG’s portrait (as a lady) to CONSORT HWANG to be used against the QUEEN.

🤬🤬🤬

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EDIT/UPDATE: Ok ... CONSORT KO redeemed herself in Ep 10, so I’m not condemning her to hell anymore. Haha! 🤣

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I know it's probably way too late after the show aired for anyone to be able to help me with this, but--does anyone know what missing scenes were implied by the way in which little Prince Hodong and Grand Prince I-love-Astronomy returned to the palace? Looking a bit beaten up, with the grand prince having a tiger skin (? I think) slung over his shoulder, and Hodong carrying a stick with a string of ... what? I thought they might be some of his dumplings that he was so excited about eating, at first, but my family members have heaped scorn on that theory! So ... what the heck happened with the little boy princes?!? It seems like a missing sequence that would be fun to write fanfiction about, but unfortunately, I'm so clueless about what that sequence w/ them implies, I wouldn't know where to start!

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