165

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

by alathe

Escaping Shenyang is a veritable minefield of trouble. Meanwhile, there’s a new romantic rival on the scene, and she isn’t used to being refused. As our hero struggles to keep his head, a whole host of unintended consequences ensue, leading us to the overwhelming question: how long can our poor heroine go without getting a change of clothes?

 

EPISODES 13-14

We begin where we left off — but this time, with all the puzzle pieces of previous shots lined up. Crucially, although Gil-chae glances back, she does not see Jang-hyun. And though Jang-hyun catches a glimpse of bright silk, he doesn’t recognize Gil-chae. He just acts. Swinging his bow towards the masked mercenary, he aims — and reconsiders. He shoots the ground before her horse. Just like in the preview from last season, it bucks, and she goes careening to the ground. Jang-hyun slams into her, shielding her from impact.

Gil-chae and the other women race through the fields… only to be met with an inevitable cliff edge. The same hideous choice as ever looms: rape or death. Right before Gil-chae’s disbelieving eyes, woman after woman chooses death. Desperate, she holds out a hand to Jong Jong. Last time, she says, everyone else jumped, but we lived. I’m glad we lived. And if you choose to do so again, I promise to protect you. She extends that same hand to every surviving woman. And yet, when they are dragged back to the market, the first thing that happens is that Jong Jong is ripped from her arms.

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

Meanwhile, Jang-hyun learns more about his masked frenemy than he bargained for. Back at the palace, a litter goes by, containing the Qing princess, GAK-HWA. And yes, indeed, when she turns to face Jang-hyun, we are met with the flashing eyes of the one, the only Lee Chung-ah — our mercenary. She’s hellbent on charming Jang-hyun with clever conversation, significant glances, and… uh, anecdotes of hunting and torturing his people. They’re pathetic, she opines. I’d rather die than be a captive. Jang-hyun visibly reacts to that — then schools himself. Mildly, he replies that everything in her life has clearly gone to plan. But some things can’t be guaranteed.

And yet, she’s perceptive. She’s witty. She’s well-versed in geography, politics, and the Joseon language. And when she tells Jang-hyun that he must be completely uninterested in her, given most men stutter or can’t look her in the eye — he laughs harder than he’s laughed in years. War atrocities or no, she’s evidently his type. Still, when she leans in to kiss him, he immediately ducks back. Undeterred, she tries again. Gently, he pushes her away. I should order you, she muses, to serve me in bed. If a meager interpreter got involved with the imperial family, he replies, with a pleasant bow, I’d lose my head. Spare this lowly one’s life.

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

And yet, the next day, he accepts her invitation to hunt — game, thankfully, not people. As they sit by the fire, he admits that she reminds him of someone. A mix of overconfidence and alcohol leads Gak-hwa to open up too: she was married, once. They spent one night together, where he gave all evidence of wanting her sincerely — only to leave her forever. I have no complaints, she remarks, sounding rather like someone who might have one or two. Someday, she’ll be married again, according to the Khan’s will. For now, she intends to drink life to the lees. A woman abandoned Jang-hyun? Well, boo-hoo and all, but she’s different! Still, Jang-hyun remains firm: he could offer his body, but never his heart. Dragging him closer, she slurs halfway through another proposition… before falling asleep on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, in Hanyang, all is chaos, gossip, and paranoia. Previously, Won-moo believed that Gil-chae had left him for Jang-hyun. Now, faced with her bloody note, he sets off, ransom in tow. But there’s a hard limit on his loyalty. On the road, he spends many a sleepless night brooding over what his fellow travelers say: that, if Gil-chae was taken to the slave market, then she will not have escaped with her virtue intact. When he arrives, he learns, to his dawning horror, that the market is precisely where she was taken.

When he returns home, he is alone — and suspiciously cagey about the details. Yeon-joon, who after a long career of letter-writing and pontification seems to have belatedly acquired a spine, won’t settle for platitudes. He petitions the elder who saved him from prison to intervene on Gil-chae’s behalf… receiving, alas, nothing but a polite refusal, unexpected membership of the Sarim party, and the starry-eyed admiration of a dozen scholars. His determination has nothing on Eun-ae’s. She makes it halfway down the street, intent on walking to Shenyang herself. Whilst this comes to nothing, it does set in motion a chain of events. Ryang-eum, overhearing, pledges to do the one thing he’d deemed impossible: return to Jang-hyun. After all, just as Gil-chae’s happiness is necessary to Jang-hyun’s existence — Jang-hyun’s is necessary to his.

Here’s the thing. Despite all the near-misses, Jang-hyun hadn’t thought he could trust his own eyes. When Ryang-eum tells him that Gil-chae has been enslaved, it hits him like a physical blow. Meanwhile, in her cell, Gil-chae is plagued by jeers from her captor about how her husband had come to find her — only to turn tail once he heard she’d been sold. But defeated as she may be, she sticks fast to her resolution not to see Jang-hyun. Nonetheless, he haunts her daily. When she thinks she spots him across the marketplace, she hides. And yet, that night, she dreams that her husband had come to save her — Jang-hyun.

Day dawns. Gil-chae is dragged to auction. On the edge of the gathering crowd, she spots a familiar face, and chuckles to herself: she’s hallucinating again. Then, she narrows her eyes. No — it is Jang-hyun! As their eyes catch, Jang-hyun — who had only half-believed Ryang-eum until now — looks completely aghast. Then, he acts on instinct. He barges his way through the crowd, shunting aside all who try to stop him. There is a frail, hanging moment as he reaches the stand. As he kneels before her. Why, he asks. Why on earth? He moves to touch her — and instantly, she flinches. Then, a reeling blow knocks him to the floor. With fading strength, he clings to her skirt, but it slips from his fingers.

Operation: Fight The World And God Himself is all very well, but as for the practicalities — Ryang-eum ensures Gil-chae won’t be sold. Now, to free her. Jang-hyun is about to learn what countless grieving families know too well: it’s not that simple. At first, Gil-chae’s captor only lets him buy one night. After years of pining and guilt, Gil-chae and Jang-hyun finally look each other in the eye. Still, our leads, being too wise to woo peaceably — or too stubborn to woo without a body count — can’t help but make another false start. Jang-hyun is still punch-drunk: why wouldn’t Gil-chae ask for help? Gil-chae is all derision: does Jang-hyun expect her to dance? But then, her voice grows resolute. If you help me, she says, I cannot repay you. So don’t. Jang-hyun’s eyes soften. I refuse, he says.

The next time he sees Gil-chae’s captor, Jang-hyun drives a chopstick through his hand. He then proceeds to do what he does best: hack and slash through ten men single-handed. Turns out, if you’re really good with a sword, it can be as simple as that. That night, Gil-chae — still grimy and disheveled — finds herself under Jang-hyun’s protection. She can see his shadow outside her door, where he hesitates. She sits. He sits. I’m not sure, he murmurs, where things went wrong. When I left… or when you left… but either way, soon, you’ll be free.

But no, it is seriously not that simple. For one thing, Jang-hyun is contending with a suitor who would sooner see her beloved devoured by lions than in the arms of another woman. For another, he leaves to find Gil-chae something to wear, which — in light of past precedent — is truly tempting fate. For a moment, that soft smile of his is back… only for the news that Gak-hwa has purchased Gil-chae to take a sledgehammer to it. Gil-chae accepts this new twist of fate with chilly resilience. She even smiles and snarks in front of her new captor… not realizing that Gak-hwa a) knows her language, and b) is determined to break her.

Still, she has allies in unexpected places. DEUL-BUN (Yoon Geumseona), the maid whose nasty trick nearly got her killed, has thawed since they last crossed swords. After all, the boy that Gil-chae saved was her son. It is through her that Gil-chae learns Gak-hwa has her eye on Jang-hyun, who is forbidden from aiding her. Bruised and disillusioned, Gil-chae wanders the palace. As ever, when the moon hangs low, part of her knows they’ll find one another — and Jang-hyun does not disappoint. Steeling herself, Gil-chae begs him not to do anything for her sake. She receives the most transparently insincere nod in all of history.

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

Naturally, our hero has a plan. All things considered, it’s a good one. Granted, it hinges on steering geopolitical events precisely to his bidding, but what else is new? If he can convince a general who defected from the Ming to help transport rice for the Khan’s troops, the crown prince can claim a boon. Seeing as Gil-chae once rescued the grand heir, his royal friend is willing to plead for her to be given to him. However, although this scheme succeeds without a hitch, Gil-chae has already taken matters into her own hands.

Twice in as many weeks, Gil-chae demands to serve the Khan. This time, Shenyang’s most vindictive linguist has her back. With Deul-bun’s aid, Gil-chae pieces together enough of the Qing language to make her case before the throne. It helps that when you’re talking to a king, it’s not really a conversation. You just present your argument, and hope to God he doesn’t wreck your existence on a whim. Gil-chae announces that enslaved Joseon women are being tortured by the wives of their captors. This, the Khan takes seriously. He issues an edict that any woman caught doing so will be killed. But her second plea — to free her, as she was never taken hostage during the invasion — is ignored.

Instead, Gil-chae is returned to Gak-hwa. Jang-hyun, upon hearing this, throws himself at the princess’ feet. Punish me, he begs. Don’t harm her. But Gak-hwa has something a little more sadistic in mind: trial by hunt. Is Jang-hyun willing to put his life on the line? He is. Meanwhile, oblivious to this, Gil-chae finds herself set unexpectedly free… on the condition that she never speaks to Jang-hyun again. Mind a whirl, and aching for him, she makes her way back across those deadly fields.

Behind her, out of sight, are Jang-hyun and Gak-hwa. The target they are hunting walks before them: Gil-chae. If Gak-hwa catches her, then both our leads will live — but Gil-chae will serve her forever. But if Gak-hwa loses? Gil-chae goes free. Jang-hyun, however, dies. Does he think she can’t do it? Well, she forgot to finish her tale. That husband, the one who left her… she killed him. On that parting note, she unsheathes a dagger and stabs Jang-hyun’s horse in the flank.

Jang-hyun doesn’t hesitate, or even think. He just sprints. He screams for Gil-chae — at first, by title, and then by name. Gil-chae stares steadfastly forward, knowing that acknowledging him will be his death. However, when she hears her name, she breaks. As Jang-hyun gets closer, Gak-hwa notches an arrow. Aims. Hesitates. Then fires. As Gil-chae turns, Jang-hyun slams against her, the arrow hitting his back. They fall together. As she clutches him, Jang-hyun whispers, everything is all right now.

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

Nothing is even slightly all right. Later, Gil-chae rails and screams at Gak-hwa, heedless of the danger. If Jang-hyun is dead, she’ll curse her forever — she’ll haunt her into eternity! What happened? Gak-hwa shrugs. I learned a lesson. For once, there’s something I can’t have. But that’s why I’m setting you free. Because someday, Jang-hyun will be mine.

As Gil-chae leaves, once more cast adrift, she is found by Yang-chun. He takes her to a lodging, where Jang-hyun lies motionless, with Ryang-eum sitting by. As Gil-chae enters, Ryang-eum silently leaves — though not without a quiet backward glance. Gil-chae takes his place at Jang-hyun’s bedside. She sits for a long while, listening to him breathe. Then, finally, as the night deepens, his eyes fly open. She grabs his arm, choking back tears and thanking him for her freedom. Slowly, and with infinite tenderness, he reaches out to touch her cheek.

Obsession is the name of the game this week, and boy is it getting tumultuous. I love how our hero and heroine are indelibly woven into each other’s minds: with all the yearning and trauma, it’s only natural that they start confusing what’s real. Memories and dreams become interchangeable, whilst camera shots are deceptively scattered out of order. They recognize each other and they don’t. They’re married, and they aren’t. Meanwhile, the same cycles keep repeating. Last week, Jang-hyun learned that he can try and save everyone single-handed, and even succeed for a time, but the captives are all sent back, and nothing he does can fix it. This week, it’s Gil-chae stuck in an endless loop of imprisonment, followed by hope, followed by imprisonment again.

They’re not the only ones trapped — or indeed, obsessed. There’s Ryang-eum, who has decided that his hopeless devotion is simply a fact of life, and having decided this, slots back into the role of “younger brother” like nothing changed. No confrontation. No further discussion. Just the same old patterns, where he watches Jang-hyun self-destruct and fights to be heard. There’s Yeon-joon, who sees all of the reasons his country is suffering and feels voiceless in the face of it. There’s Eun-ae, who prays and prays and can do nothing but wish she were Gil-chae. Then, of course, there’s Gak-hwa, who seemingly doesn’t want Jang-hyun so much as she wants power — over him, her own life, and everyone else around her. It’s all pretty bleak when you look at like this, but I love how everyone fights to survive all the same. Here’s to another week’s struggle!

My Dearest: Episodes 13-14

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Hak-joo, My Dearest, Namgoong Min

165

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the recap @alathe! The episodes were a doozy and exactly how you described it. An endless loop for our main characters.

Things I liked in these episode are:
* Everything Crown Prince and Jang Hyun. Their conversation about loyalty. Also the political manuevering they had to do to survive.
* Jang Hyun's back up plan to help save Gil Chae from slavery with the help of the Crown Prince. Who knew GC's ruthless decision in previous episode will give her a huge benefit this episode
* Ryang Eum's reason to travel to Shenyang and his reunion with Jang Hyun.

Storyline that could be better:
* That reunion at the slave market. Jang Hyun is supposedly an intelligent man. But he handled that reunion very poorly. He could've been more discreet in trying to purchase her to protect both of them from the Manchus. Being an aide of the CP should make him more tactful and careful of all his dealings in Shenyang.
* His involvement with Gak Hwa and the succeeding repercussions including the hunting scene
* the injury from an arrow at the back will not result to him passing out completely. Unless that arrowhead was drugged/poisoned. I felt it was purely for drama's sake.

Overall, its a mixed bag for me. I am liking other things more instead of the lead couple's interaction. I have no complaints with their acting prowess since they are both amazing. I may still continue to watch to see how their story's conclusion.

13
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Couldn't agree more. I have the same exact thoughts, except that an arrow in the back would have pierced the lungs and most likely killed him, on the spot or later of infection. But he's the lead. He can't die (yet). So yes, it was for drama's sake.

7
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes the ML can't die with 6 episodes left. 😊 Also I do not think Gak Hwa was that determined to kill him just yet.
A lot was done for the drama which really annoyed me.

5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Re Arrow in the back

Tis But a Scratch, Just a flesh wound (h/t Monty Python)

He’ll be up and around in no time 😉

I did notice C drama Ripe Town actually showed a character limping after getting his beat down 👍

5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I posted a link on the fan wall to a review of a paper written in 1882 by a surgeon serving in the US ARMY.
Interesting tools and extraction methods , keep in mind this was 1880’s tech, prior to that, “you’re going to die “ was probably a common prognosis.
Push the arrow or pull it ? That question is addressed.
Really interesting , somewhat technical for non medical types but you get the idea of the problems and solutions that an arrow wound would present.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5999391/

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I think Jung Hyun is never been himself whenever he is around Gil Chea, he is more prone, unstrategic, nervous, and anxious basically all from his heart even Gak Hwa told him that you are not behaving like himself that must be the reason why he acted like that in market place.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

That reunion at the slave market. Jang Hyun is supposedly an intelligent man. But he handled that reunion very poorly. He could've been more discreet in trying to purchase her to protect both of them from the Manchus. Being an aide of the CP should make him more tactful and careful of all his dealings in Shenyang.

They have emphasised his inability to be himself when it comes to Gil Chai through all the characters around him, including the Princess. He loses focus and becomes anxious if Gil Chai is in danger. She is the only one for whom he is completely self sacrificing, as he proved even in the first season (that pos husband took the credit for it). I think they have been very consistent with this theme, and NKM has layered the character fabulously.

6
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I would add that when he saw her on that stage he freaked out. If you remember the earlier episodes, they talked about taking the clothes off from one of the female captives, even showed a naked butt of a male one. Remember that the CP had a hard time watching the "show". I think he panicked and couldn't think straight and did what he does best.
I liked how from pure madness he turned into pure kidness later on, when he met her in that room. He saw her scar, he saw through her "toughness" and did not listen to her pushing him away anymore. He did not joke with her after she thanked him like he did in episode 5. He saw her trying to protect him when she lied that the princess was treating her well. He started to understand her.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Hong Taiji is back! I'm glad the writer didn't off him off screen. Nice to see that the forgettable guy from previous episodes was not emperor but just a royal. I assume we are still in 1643 then.

Everything is just so much more interesting when we get the big picture. Why are the Qing obsessed with tribute? Because they are still at war with Ming. Why doesn't Hong Taiji allow Gil Chae to go free? Because she's a war trophy (albeit one taken mistakenly) won by his soldiers. Add to that the Qing court, Crown Prince demanding respect, Inguldai considering if he should learn Han Chinese or be at the mercy of a wily interpreter, Ming defectors, and suddenly everything is much more interesting. I got tired of that endless loop of our leads nearly missing each other and being set free only to be randomly enslaved again. I hope the writer is done with filler episodes and we can now get back to the history and politics.

I have one worry: Where is Jong Jong?

11
12
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

We are probably somewhere between late 1641 and early 1642 for the timeline. Last week was confusing as heck. I overestimated the timeline and stretched it to 1643.
Based on episode 14:
1. Concubine Chen passed away on October 22, 1641.
2. "The Battle of Song-Jin" ( this is where the tributes are for) happened in 1641 and April 1642.

Qing invaded Joseon to break up their alliance with Ming and for Joseon to help fund Qing's war.

Joseon was expected to pay tribute "once a year" starting in 1639, 2 years after the invasion (more info on my fan wall post episode 13).

Jin (early Qing) paid tributes to Ming just like Joseon, but Nurhaci found a way to free themselves by uniting the Jurchens instead of crying about it. In 1615, Nurchaci gave Ming the middle finger: enough is enough, no more tributes.
Joseon could do the same instead of crying about it.

Gil Chae was the princess's slave/maid, and he returned her so she could do as she wished. The Princess is his favorite, after all.

The main characters of Qing from Part 1 are doing an excellent job. Although I don't expect the Korean actors to master Manchu in a short time, I appreciate their dedication and effort.
Qing has a fascinating history. I enjoyed researching and seeing things from their perspective.

9
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

This timeline makes sense. The war started in 1637 right? So one year of initial war, then Jang Hyun coming back, then going off again and then two years of marriage for Gil Chai on the day Jang Hyun could have rescued her instead of saving the tumbling ass. So four to five years

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Where Jong Jong is, was my singular worry throughout the episodes. Nothing else was as important.

5
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I have this uneasy feeling that they are going to explore the unchaste woman worthy of living through Jong Jong. They gave enough hints with Eun-Ae but saved her. Gil Chai obviously does not care because her will to survive at all cost supercedes everything that life throws at her, so it falls on Jong Jong who was ready to leap the mountain to showcase how bad Joseon women had it.
I adore Goo Jam.

7
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I thinkbyou are right, that is what will pierce the happiness that we saw in the previews.

1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes, I saw too many guns (Chekhov's) pointed at this possible scenario. From asking her to ask for JH's help to wanted to jump off the cliff and being assured that will be saved by GC. And from sending her far away and GC not mention her at all. I wonder if her "replacement" will be the captive with the new baby, it is her kneeling and smiling by GC's side in the preview, right? I really hope I am wrong.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm not worried about Jong Jong since the drama's best "Gu" Jam is looking for her. Tainted or not, I know that he will take her back.

4
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oh, nm, I forgot for a moment that this is a melodrama.
*starts worrying*

7
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yeah, I hope nothing happened to her, otherwise she could be very angry against GC who stopped her.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

If the drama uses Jong Jong to further explore the theme of "rejected tainted women" I am going to be MAD because Gil Chae refused to ask Jang Hyun for help when Jong Jong begged her to. Stopping her from jumping off the cliff by promising to protect her was a hollow promise that she could not fulfill on her own.

8
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I have a hunch that if it will go into that scenario, it will go further than that. I keep remembering the girl's teachers in first episodes telling them about past "spoiled" women and when that will come into play. As we are running out of time with this arc, I think this is when it will appear. GC's guilt will mark her and prepare her for, probably, another plot.
Jong Jong is as loved as GC so it might be our first hearbreak. We are prepared for all of it, right?

4

Our Neunggun-ri girls won me over during the war. Eun-ae survived it (without the public knowing). Do we need to see Jong Jong go through it too?

6

Thanks for the recap alathe.
Episode 13 - I felt we spent too much time with the 2FL. I get that it was set up for the events in 14 but I'm missing a lot of the characters from the first half of the show that were so well utilised.
The CP could have his own spin off show that I would happily watch. 
Episode 14 was just one long tension filled watch with no reprieve. 
I will be amazed if the two leads don't win any awards for this show as 14 was phenomenal.
JH sprinting across the field calling GC's name (end of ep 14), his face, body, ugh, NGM  just broke me. 
For me, this was one of his best scenes and will be forever seared in my memory for My Dearest. 
EJ must have felt like an emotional wreck after filming these episodes, it was heartbreaking to watch her character. 
Please bring back JJ, I don't think I can take it if something happens to her. 
Saddened by GC's husband's behaviour and the women jumping off the cliff. 
I hope the next episode will have some lighter moments. 
Waiting until next weekend will be hard :)

10
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

It started with him calling out Bu-in, then changed to Gil Chae. I had the "Chariots of Fire" theme track playing in my head while watching him run. 😂
Nam is physically fit! I thought his veins would burst when he was crying at the end of episode 13.

10
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I felt bad but I laughed in this scene 😓

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

He was running full tilt, I don't think I have ever seen NGM run so fast.

7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

At this point, after almost three hours of the writer’s self-indulgent wallowing in unrelieved pain, I’m numb. This show can throw whatever it wants at us, I’ll be over here eating my salad and lowering the TV volume whenever the music too insistently tells me what to feel. (Seriously, the dynamic range on the soundtrack is completely out of whack.) Thank god GC finally got to change into a clean dress.

The ‘sex-starved jealous princess’ SFL subplot is ridiculous - straight out of an 80s American prime-time soap opera. Why doesn’t he just sleep with her and be done with it? “I can give you my body but not my heart” - fine, I don’t see the problem here. Was male faithfulness or chastity even a concept in that polygynous era? He and GC haven’t laid eyes on each other in, what, three years? And they’re still pining away every day? Nah. The repeated near-misses are such a modern-day kdrama trope that they seemed really out of place here, too.

The actors deserve better than this pedestrian plotting. Namgoong Min continues to be staggeringly good. I’ll keep watching - but I’m treating the main storyline as a farce. I never, ever thought I’d say this, but the palace politics are more interesting than the romance.

16
40
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

"after almost three hours of the writer’s self-indulgent wallowing in unrelieved pain"... I hear you. Also, now that you mention it, I did get the feeling that the music was being repetitive and insistent that I should feel something during the slo-mo scenes.

I think SFL was supposed to be fan service, because the actress had worked with Namgoong Min before. The princess is the kind of woman that Jang Hyun would have had no problem flirting with in the past, but he's a changed man now. I agree the drama spent too much time on her and she's basically a plot device. But it allowed us to confirm that for someone who doesn't believe in marriage, ironically Jang Hyun has become the most faithful of (non)husbands in Joseon. Contrast that with actual husbands who are abandoning their wives for "losing their virtue" and Jang Hyun shines even brighter as the hero of the drama.

15
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I agree that it's pure modern fantasy that after three long, lonely years of celibacy, and even if he remains in love with Gil Chae, there's no way Jang Hyun (previously, a very sexual man) wouldn't be ready and willing to bed this beautiful, interesting woman (or any of the courtesans he hangs out with).

Also, please understand that I'm not saying I want anything bad to happen to Gil Chae, but it's equally implausible that she would not have had to endure the same type of sexual violence that other women in her situation did. It therefore strikes me that even as the writing (justifiably) hammers us over the head with the idea that the virulent sexism that blamed the raped and not the rapist was barbaric and disgusting, the chastity and purity of our main female protagonist must not be compromised in any way or else modern audiences wouldn't accept her anymore. Someone that makes me feel like even as the writing sets the modern viewer apart from this type of historical cruelty and blindness, we're somehow still complicit in the same type of misogyny that fueled it.

The fact that this is the type of thing I'm mulling over while watching goes to show how quickly this drama has lost the narrative momentum it had in Part I. As you said, it started with all these implausible and anachronistic near misses, and culminates now in the silly introduction of this SFL just as Gil Chae and Jang Hyun are about to reunite.

I don't want to be too hard on this show because it is still beautifully shot, directed, and populated with talented actors, but these two episodes really tested my patience.

13
29
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@Laurensophie I could not agree more. While I get Jang Hyun's character, even his celebacy, but not GC's chastity belt after being captive in that place with her captor ready to 'rent' her out to any random man he wants. This is where 'Outlander' did so well. Rape is the first thing that happens unfortunately. Fo GC to escape unscathed is writer's loony dream and the audeince's mysogynistic reality.

11
6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Now you make me wonder if there has ever been any stories about rape survivors in kdramas (or movies but I would think movies have a bit more leeway)

That would probably weirdly fall under "feminism" and get some kind of backlash

3
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

The comfort women theme is about that. But they didn't tell what happen to them because of the shame. But they adressed it in the KBS Special Snowy Road, Apple+ Pachinko, MBC Tomorrow.

There was the modern movie "Han Gong-Ju but I'm not sure the word survivor is really appropriate in this case sadly. It was based on a true story.

2

"Eyes of Dawn" MBC 1992. It was very popular (58.4%) rating.
Movies: Herstory, Spirits' Homecoming, I can Speak etc.

3

Battkleship Island addresses that beautfully. So Ji Sub's character falls in love with one such woman.

4

One of the main FLs in Six Flying Dragons is a rape survivor.

5

We still don't know what happened to Jong Jong. The show might address this issue through her.

9
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I agree it’s highly unlikely a captive would not have experienced some form of sexual assault. But I wouldn’t call a drama that takes an unequivocally supportive stance toward survivors misogynistic. From what I know of Korea, the “dishonor” still lies with the women and the topic is rarely shown on screen. So within this context, I think that stance alone is a progressive step for a mainstream show. You may say that not also showing the FL assaulted is cowardly or insufficient, and I wouldn’t disagree. But I would still applaud the show for taking a stance that many in modern but still conservative societies still don’t believe. And ofc I hope future shows will take it a step further

15
18
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Agreed, even if more realistic, the show has a lot of things that are not realistic, making so she isn't raped works for me. It isn't necessary in this context so no need to add it.

5
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Not realistic….

When Gil-Chae is screaming at the princess… I dunno, but I’m betting that would not have played out as depicted.

Once again, Jang-Hyun did exhibit Vampire Level Super Speed (❤️Beat) catching Her Horny Highness’ fall from her horse. 🙄

Why show ? Why the Vampire Super Speed ? Aigoo.

7

@john
I think they went back and edited the scene in episode 12, made it 10% more realistic than the episode 10 🤣
About GC screaming at the princess...totally agree with it. Not only that, she seemed to be getting out of troubles rather easily and kept asking myself if the Qings are not the blood drinking, flesh eating barbaric people we were introduced in part 1 anymore. I mean...stabs a hunter with a arrow...sent to slave market, bites her new master..sent back to the slave market, scars herself...slave market, whistle blows to the mighty HT...sent back to the princess...yells at mighty princess...gets released. Too easy in my opinion, not that slave market was ideal for her but a lot better than death, I assume. I prefered the killing or the stabbing of hands in the island from part one. Maybe I don't know if keeping them alive to sell them was more important than killing them, but sure seemed these Qing ones are very understanding people. 🤣
Maybe time was needed to develop her husband arch, having time to come and leave her there. I kept asking how she (the writer) would get away with the marriage situation and that is a very clever way because it was so true and sad for so many women. But for the OTP storry is a blessing in disguise 🤣

6

They did address it somewhat through that young girl who Jang Hyun rescues, where he gives the dog bite allegory. But she was a kiesang already so don't know if it counts.
I do think the show might go towards the rehabilitation of the discarded women of Joseon. Gil Chai, the born activist, might take this up as her second homecoming.

4
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

There’s also one of the returned captives with the child staying with JH’s crew. (Am I remembering that correctly?) And we are slowly seeing JH’s older mentor come to accept her and her child despite her “dishonor.”

While I’d love for that to be GC’s role, history is not on her side. 🥲

6

Agreed. From what I learned in the DB comments, the returned women were discarded in large numbers and became an issue. Injo initially did oppose the divorces, but most older men wanted to throw the returned women out, even if their sons did not agree. But there were also quite a few human beings amongst those who masqueraded as men during those periods who opposed these. I found this lovely article on this:
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2010/12/29/fountain/The-tragic-fate-of-Joseon-women/2930274.html

4

@indyfan while I get the need for it, that is the most annoying storyline (maybe besides the princess's whole existence). The poor woman was raped and rather than get sympathy, she has to work hard to be seen as a fellow human being.

4

@nerdy I hear you! I wanted to bonk him on the head more than a few times. (It was totally fine for him to bed a Qing girl 🙄) But I think (hope?) the show wanted to show us the hypocrisy as well as the possibility of change in some men vs. say GC's husband... But, yeah, I still wanted to bonk him on the head. 😂

6

@minniegupta1 Some great (and wretched) research there. No wonder so many women decided committing suicide was better than surviving rape. Remind you of another country to this bl**dy day?

I have not heard of women masquerading as men because of this. How interesting! Wouldn't that be a great drama?

6

@indyfan Tell me about it. It gives me shivers to think so much of this is true in today's day and age. This story of fiction is reality for many, and worse, so very few know about it.

1

Yes 🥲 I know such stories in my community.

I think living in a more conservative society colors my perception of the drama as brave whereas if I lived in a more progressive country than SK, I might be less impressed ya know?

5

Excellent point and please note that I'm not arguing that the entire show is misogynistic--it's clearly not. What I'm arguing is that even with its overt critique of the damage caused to countless women by the obscene belief that those who had been violated were better off dead, certain other characterization and plot choices (namely, to decide that Gil Chae could not actually be the victim of sexual assault) the show still participates in the same kind of misogyny that fueled that historical crime against women.

So I'm not condemning the show (although I am critical of this aspect of it); at the same time, I appreciate the way the writers made some attempt to broach this issue in a thoughtful way. And I also hope future shows take it a step further.

9
6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes, showing GC as a sexual assault survivor was probably a step too far for this show to brave. It's chipping away at patriarchy when we should all be actively dismantling it.

I wonder now if JJ will be given that arc because it's easier to show that of someone of the servant class. It makes me uneasy.

5

@indyfan I think the other thing the show already showcased that it didn't have to be rape, just touching was enough.
I found it very interesting when Gil Chai shrunk from Jang Hyun's touch. Was it guilt, or shame, or thoughts of being unchaste?

5

@minniegupta1 GC flinching when JH reached for her seemed completely realistic in that moment even if no guilt, shame, or thoughts of chastity were present. Probably every physical contact she's endured since her kidnapping (except with Jong-jong) has been without her consent and traumatizing: being manhandled and bound by her kidnappers, groped, dragged around, beaten, etc. She’s in an exposed, dangerous, and humiliating place on that platform. He’s not her husband so she would normally have avoided his touch, too, but I suspect that’s the least of it in that situation.

9

With K-dramas you often get the outline of a progressive plot that is then dismantled or stays vague, presumedly for the show to be able to air and to be financed.
At times, those little cracks are where the unexpected happens.
It's nice to be able to discuss one's joy and frustration about these little steps with people who do not dismiss K-drama in general because they do not have the progressiveness of Big Mouth, Sex Education, and Heartbreak High.

4

Yes! What @elinor said. Plus, would you add in a little of her pride? To be seen in such a state by a man she had rejected?

5

I wonder now if JJ will be given that arc because it's easier to show that of someone of the servant class. It makes me uneasy.

Me too.

1

Of course, I have also been thinking about how unlikely it is that Gil-chae was not raped. I then came to the conclusion that just because we did not see the rape, it cannot be ruled out that it did not happen (E.g. when Gil-chae was sold for the second time. Who knows when exactly she bit the man's ear off. I found it striking that we did not see the scene).
But even if no rape took place, this does not change the situation that Gil-chae is considered impure even so. For the message of how unjust this mindset is, it doesn't change anything.

10
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

That was actually my impression about the time she got sold for the second time. For her to come so near to his ear, she would have gotten at least sexually assaulted.

So far, the show did a great job with no one actually asking or explaining what exactly happened. I hope they don't change that - if they clarify that GC avoided it, it would push the idea that rape in there was in theory avoidable for the other women as well.

11
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

In this case I'm glad they didn't have sexual assault to be heaped on her, on top of the sexual harrassment that has already happened. Assault is a very commonly used shortcut for victimization of female characters in media, and while I understand what you mean about how this might mean she's being kept "chaste", she has a husband and has been with him for two years. We are not supposed to assume that she is a virgin anymore, she is not saving herself for Jang Hyun and her being sexually assaulted doesn't really add anything to the story except for further trauma.

I think she has already suffered a lot that we experience through her with violence and harrassment, without her also needing to be a sexual assault survivor in order for it to be a genuine critique of the society that casts aside women who are mistreated by men. She already has been abandoned by the person who should have protected her just on suspicion of it, why would her being raped make it more or less substantial? We are not complicit in the misogyny for not needing the main heroine to also be sexually assaulted in order to believe that her drive to stay alive through terrifying ordeals and consider herself worthwhile is genuine and wasn't truly tested.

12
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I absolutely agree that the palace politics were more interesting than the central romance. The writer is throwing many obstacles just for the drama.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I called it soap opera makjang. Lol
The actors are fantastic! I hope they paid them well.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

"The ‘sex-starved jealous princess’ SFL subplot is ridiculous" YES!!!! All I could think the entire time was Lee Chung Ah deserves far far better than this character. How embarrassing.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

the palace politics are more interesting than the romance.

Yes, the writer has done an excellent job with the palace politics, which is not an easy task.

I almost wish Jang Hyun had slept with the princess.
That would put a spin on the OTP’s romance, eh ?
The princess could taunt Gil-hae with that if anything. The Human Prey game was a bit over the top.

5
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@john
"I almost wish Jang Hyun had slept with the princess.
That would put a spin on the OTP’s romance, eh ?"

Probably he would have, if only for the influence he would have gotten through her. I felt that he was finaly getting over her and with a little time he would have.
But that would have been probably the end for the OTP, she had always believed that he was a womanizer, even believed RE lies about his time spent overthere when she thought he was dead. Her fears about whom he is would have forever hunted her. That is why the princess arc, although annoying as hell, is so important. She realized that he is not fooling around and actually he is all about her, even dying for her. I hope this will be the turning point for her, believing that it was him, that he almost died once more rescuing her on that island. And maybe we will finally see her sacrifice for him (and not for everyone else), as I have read in an article.
On another note, more importantly FOR ME, the whole situation and his survival from the arrow (thanks for your article, learned that has about 30% survival rate in the thorax and I should write this in the other article with things we learn from kdramas), makes it possible for them to be together in his house. How else could we have seen them act as lovers, married couple, before hell breaks loose?

6
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Great points! 👏🏻👏🏻 I really hope this is the turning point and Gil Chae truly believes in him and his love for her.

6

The politics, court, palace, and geopolitics are captivating about this sageuk, at least to me. It's the exhilarating plot that keeps me addicted.

9
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

The story is interesting , war time logistics, a real issue then as well as the present day.
Jang-Hyun’s proposal makes the most sense tactically, practically and politically .
The one general suspects he is being used by JH but really can’t argue as he will benefit rather nicely.

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I don't like that Jang Hyun's heroic portrayal diminishes the intelligence of surrounding historical figures that they were known for in history, especially Crown Prince Sohyeon and Inggūldai.

6

The romance truly romanced in episode 14 in its own melodrama way and honestly, that satisfied me quite a lot even in between some very unnecessary back and forths in plot bits before that. Namgoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin are going to keep me hooked till the end. All the close ups on both their faces were aesthetically unparalleled.

Notable things that I really loved and found consistent: Gil Chae once again showing why she's the hero of the show by refusing to be someone that things just happen to and trying to improve the lot of her fellow unfortunates with her plea in front of the emperor. Jang Hyun being basically good but still mostly jaded about people's fate until fired up by the plea or plight of someone he values (Ryang Eum with the refugees and Gil Chae with the others in the slave market).

Loved the awkward but heartfelt monologue from Jang Hyun from behind the door, and her opening the door to see him and him waking up to find her sitting beside him. It was extra ott, but I loved the melodrama of him running behind her to take the arrow on his back, and sad-paralleling the past moment where she fell on him and they kissed after.

I thought they wouldn't go down the weak man who only values chastity route with Won Moo and said as much last week, but nope, that's where it went. I'm not disappointed really because my distaste for the character was sealed with his biggest lies, but now i just dislike him on my screen completely.

I kind of wish Eun Ae had been able to make it, but I can see why they wouldn't do that and I still found her devotion to her friend lovely to see. Her husband is finally trying to do something useful too, may he learn more from his much superior wife.

I did not appreciate the multiple fakeouts of thinking he saw her/heard of her because it was too manipulative from the show, it just left me confused. I also did not care for the yelling he did when he finally saw her, but I could handwave it as him being in shock and the single tear was picturesque, and he did get walloped in the head, so I'll let it go. Gakhwa veers between a too ordinary sfl and intriguing villain with facets, so I'm reserving my judgement. There's quite a bit that was just chaff in the episodes and I hope they fix that, but the acting and the good moments carried me through still.

9
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Eun Ae doesn't look good in this week's episodes, like she is sick. I'm sad for her and that her ship didn't sail.

7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@Relisher Omg the sad parallel! Thanks for pointing it out! Their embrace in the fields felt familiar, but it didn't click for. I was too mesmerized this second time around, heh.

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Alathe, thanks for the recap !
Wow, the writer might have been tipsy when this chapter was penned.
Jang-Hyun has to decline a royal roll in the hay ! What was rolling were my eyes, 🙄 as The Crazy Evil Spurned 2FL trope was turned up to 11.
Where is Jong Jong !?! 😢
Eun-ae had a good speech about how much Gil-chae means to her. 🥹
Eun-ae’s husband is trying to be useful.
Gil-Chae’s husband is useless and will need to die , sorry old chap.

12
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes the husband was very useless. I wonder how true was the info he told Eun Ae's husband that that he sent someone to Shenyang for GC.

5
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

He didn't send anyone to Shenyang.
It was one thing to hear from fellow people going to free their loved ones about the fate that befell Joseon women. And yes, it already made him waver. To now hear that same fate from Gil-chae's captor, weakwilled spineless Won-mo immediately retreated. I guess he cannot be with a "compromised" wife. And he immediately returned to Joseon afterwards. All he had to do was wait the night. Gil-chae would be back by morning.

So there's absolutely no way he would have sent someone to get Gil-chae. Why? Because of the words he heard directly from the Qing slave bounty man himself.

This is the end of the road for me and Won-mo. I was thinking his death would be the reason for Jang-hyun end Gil-chae reuniting. I was thinking Won-mo was met with death during the process of getting his wife back. Gil-chae married the wrong man.

Joseon men should take a lesson from the Qing emperor.

9
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Won-mo Must Die ! Tune in for Ch 15 .
Are they back in Korea now ?
If so, Won-mo definitely has to die .
Bandits sounds reasonable.

2
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

A handily placed knife or a misplaced arrow may also work. Just saying.

2

I'd bet my non-existent Goryeo celadon that he did send someone and that someone is going to see Gil Chae with Jang Hyun, thus fanning the flames of jealousy and leading to more suffering for the leads *cue makjang music*

7
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

🎶Makjang music ready🔊. 😂

5

Your sorry old chap made me lol.

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Of course, the first time they met after so long, they have to be mean... I'm so tired by them.

Honestly, at this point, GC not being raped/abused/killed is just a miracle.

JH spent so much time in the slaves market but never heard about the Korean noble woman?

Separating them didn't make sense, the hide and seek wasn't fun at all to watch. I would have prefered he recognized her the first time they "met" after her kidnapping.

JH called her bu-in? It means wife, doesn't it? Why he called her like this. She still married to another man...

I miss the group of women who fight together in the first season.

6
6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Noun
부인 • (bu'in) (hanja 夫人)

(honorific) (another person's) wife
(historical) Lady (honorary title bestowed on ladies of the high aristocracy in the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties)

12
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

How do you call our own wife?

Because I thought Rowoon called PEB bu'in in The King's Affection at the end. So I thought he was calling her "his wife".

So JH recognized she's the wife of another man. He's polite but it doesn't look good for their romance. 😅

4
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Bu-in is also what a husband would call his own wife.

5
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oh oki.

Thank you very much. It's sad they don't translate this kind of words. So either you are used to them, either you miss them.

4

does he use this term because in the very beginning she had called him "my dearest"? what was that term, i don't think i caught it when she said it...

1

Comment was deleted

1

@spazmo

She called him "seobang-nim" at the end of episode 3. It means husband.

You are on to something. When he calls her bu-in, it feels like he means wife instead of someone's wife.
We can dream, too, right? Lol

3

Thanks for the recap, alathe!
In the first half, there was more history than romance. But now it's clear that the romance is the main plot. All the obstacles Jang Hyun and Gil Chae are facing...

Lee Chung Ah did a fabulous job. Very convincing in her mysterious, deadly role. She was quite alluring. There was no way Jang Hyun would fall for her, but I was curious about her attempts to lure or manipulate him. Kinda surprised this part wrapped up in 2 episodes. Or will she make moves later on?

I liked seeing the prominent historical characters back in EP 14 -> Hong Taiji and Yong Gol Dae. More interesting than the slimy prince. And the actors are great. Hopefully, there will be movement with the history now. Got a first look at Dorgon. Don't recognize the actor... Don't know if he will have much screen time.

Disgusted with the people thinking a woman's chastity was the only thing that matters and that the ones who managed to survive are now tainted and discarded. I honestly didn't know about this part of their history until this drama.

Gil Chae thinking badly of Jang Hyun in the private room annoyed me. She can't think that he is the same playboy type from long ago. Maybe she was stubborn. Maybe she was determined to not rely on his help. Both had their walls up. I just can't wait for them to lean on each other (and more lollll). BUT I know it's too early for that... and we got that pesky issue of her cowardly husband.

5
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

They make the male standard in this drama so low, so even little gentlemanly things, which should be the norm, that Jang Hyuk does, get us swooning.

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

"Got a first look at Dorgon" ❤️ @sicarius
I approved of the casting. Dorgon was the same age as Crown Prince Sohyeon. They should be around 30 years old at this point.
https://asianwiki.com/File:Son_Tae-Yang-1992-p01.jpg
I said in the last episode that I do not imagine him as an old, unattractive man.

4
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I know I keep beating this drum about this show, but, the character in Return Home , was “a favorite of Dorgon”.

2
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

RETURN HOME: I wonder if they picked Dorgon because he was well-known for taking Ganghwa Island during the invasion.
Looking at their age, it makes sense, but Dorgon was mainly on the battlefield with Hong Taiji after invading Joseon.
QING TIMELINE
1637 - Joseon invasion ends
1638 - Qing conquers Shandong
1639 - Qing attacks the Daur and Solon tribes
1640 - Qing conquers the Evenks
1641 - Battle of Song-Ji starts
1642 - Qings wins the Battle of Song-Ji
1643 - Hong Taiji dies, and Dorgon becomes Prince Regent.
1644 - Dorgon led the Qing army during the Battle of Shanhai Pass. Qing took Beijing and ruled over China.

Dorgon had a Joseon wife. He married King Hyojong's "adopted daughter," Princess Uisun.
Episode 11:
Injo - Qing emperor criticized me that court officials sent their adopted sons instead of biological sons as hostages. (historically correct)

I'm curious about writernim's version of Dorgon and if he will be more than a cameo appearance.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I don't think she was thinking that he would genuinely do anything bad to her, she was ashamed of being found by him in that state and probably still shell shocked from the news that her husband had showed up and left. She was clearly not scared of him, but she'd been trying her best not to look weak in front of him. Both of them have blurted out dumb things in anger to each other before, but this one was different I think. She was almost defeated by how horrible men had been to her throughout and Jang Hyun just happened to be a man in front of her. It got better once she got some of herself and her dignity back outside of that market.

10
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yeah, it was more likely her self-preservation. I just wanted their relationship to move forward soon, not backwards.

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes, I understand what you mean. I think they did do a good job of making that feel like a one-off reactionary scene rather than a deeply held belief by her listening to him talk and then coming to sit beside him as he slept once he took her home.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Apparently I had too much faith in Won-moo. I'm not really surprised that as a man of his time he doesn't bring Gil-chae back after all. But having seen the humiliation and partly torture the imprisoned women have to endure, I find it particularly shameful that he doesn't even make an effort to buy Gil-chae's freedom. I am also not yet convinced that his claim to have sent someone to get her back is not a lie after all, so that he can have peace from Gil-chae's family and friends.
How is it actually regulated when men like Won-moo want to remarry? Are abducted wives considered dead or does he have to file for divorce first?

I can only keep repeating what a strong character Gil-chae is. She never gives up, fights to the end and just wants to live, no matter what society demands of her with its dictate of honour.

Somehow I find the princess pitiful despite her cruelty. She may have a position, however high, but as a woman she is still at the mercy of the decisions of the men around her and is just a pawn.

With six episodes left, Gil-chae and Jang-hyun will surely be torn apart again soon, either because Gil-chae herself returns to Joseon or because her cowardly husband surprisingly sent someone after all.
But I am optimistic that Gil-chae and Jang-hyun have laid the foundation for open communication for the first time, so that at least here all misunderstandings will be cleared up. Both should now be sure what the other feels and what sacrifices were needed.

7
11
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I never liked Won Moo. I will not be surprised if he lied to Eun Ae's husband about sending someone to Shenyang. I mean this is the same man who lied about saving GC, Eun Ae and their maids from capture when they were discovered by the invaders. I didnt like that he turned a blind eye to the other captives at the slave market. He knew what his wife possibly went through and he didnt make an effort ro fight ro get her back. He was too influenced with what that other man said and his own reputation.

6
9
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I was never a big fan of Won-moo either, but I gave him credit for the fact that he and Gil-chae seemed to have had a comparatively good marriage and that he didn't punish her for almost running off with another man. I was also pleasantly surprised that he even set out to find his abducted wife. I suspect many other men of his time would not have even bothered to do so, as women should already be considered dishonoured by contact with their captors.
I was all the more disappointed when he turned back, even though he had seen with his own eyes how the captured women were treated, so he knew what fate awaited Gil-chae.
Now I am curious, it is his hands that are briefly shown in the trailer for part 2.

7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I don’t think he lied about that. My take at the moment is that it will be used as plot element … that emissary will find Gil-Chae in Jang Hyeon’s compound (finally) smiling again … That’s as much as the 30 sec preview showed for EP 15 (Jang Hyeon’s comment that he missed her smile). That emissary then might return to Hanyang and report such to Goo Won-Moo fuelling all his jelous suspicions and helping him to gloss over his own inadequacies of having just left her in Shenyang to die (it’s obvious that he feels guilty about that). Maybe he gets embroiled into the Joseon troups who had to help Qing fight Ming and then dies … The current timeline as of end of EP 14 —in Shenyang— seems to be around April 1642 (the Qing attempting to capture mount Song), as @kiara mentioned. It takes about 6 weeks on foot to get to Shenyang from Joseon’s capital, on horseback … maybe four? So, my guess at present is, that this emissary sees Gil-Chae tending to Jang Hyeong and the story develops from there.

3
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Goo Won-Moo did what men of this neoconfucian society did in droves at that time … this seems to be historically verified. So I find it actually quite good that the writer included him with this facette of his personality as well. He is also a kind man who helped Gil Chae help him … and he is an insecure jelous husband who knows (out of his wife’s own mouth not least) that he is NOT the love of her life … That he did not believe her honest and earnest assurance that she will be a good wife to him and first suspected Jang Hyeon having taken her, is a typical standard male reaction to such situation. I find his character believable and facetted … also, the actor does a very good job portraying this military Joseon yanban of the 3rd generation …

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

As a yangban, he embodies the expected characteristics of his social class. Reputation is of utmost importance to him since any damage to it could affect his entire family. Therefore, he values it over any humane considerations.
However, he has the option of taking his wife back, regardless of what may have happened to her. He is not obligated to divorce her unless he chooses to do so.

3

Oh, ok, so they are still in China at Jang-hyon’s compound .

Bandits ,military action, freezes to death, he needs to expire so our couple can get together😉

5
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Preferably all at once. And additionally sold as a slave beforehand, so that he can experience first-hand what Gil-chae had to go through.

4

@johnb, I don’t hold my breath that they will get together after her husband’s demise exactly (which might happen in EP 17 maybe …?) My feeling is that is EP 15 we will be shown some very sweet and fun scenes of a lovers’ bliss (minus the sexual component of course) but then they will be torn apart again for some reason or other … Maybe the historic timeline can illuminate with some “possibles” of the de facto reunion of our lead couple …

3

i love your impatience! BUT, if they get together too soon, you know the drill -- the second to last episode wasted on a SEPARATION/conflict based upon misinformation or misunderstand, yada yada yada....

4

ADD-ON: I generally find with this sageuk that comments made by individual characters —be they ficticious or have a real-life-history-counterpart— are not gratuitous. So, for example, when Qing Princess Makata (called Gak-Hwa for some unobvious reason in this drama, maybe because she is a dramatised version of the real life Qing princess) remarks towards an enfuriated Gil Chae that she let Jang Hyeon live (albeit seriously wounded) and let her —Gil Chae— go because she, Makata, WOULD win his love … I do not think this is an empty «threat». I believe that, until she probably looses her influence and power due to her father’s death in September 1643, she will turn all wheels possible to achieve that.
Also the remark of Sohyeon, the Crown Prince, towards Inggūldai is historically verified. It is not just a plot element to show him taking a stand, but it actually happened.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

But having seen the humiliation and partly torture the imprisoned women have to endure, I find it particularly shameful that he doesn't even make an effort to buy Gil-chae's freedom.
This.
You exactly word another major quip I had with Won-mo perfectly. For a man who had to hold his mouth to prevent himself from vomiting or perhaps from his stomach reacting to the sight, it was a huge reaction dissonance that he left Gil-chae to remain there, to keep on suffering that disdainful environment. It's a shame on him. Shame, on him.

9
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I was so tired of My Dearest stringing me on with false scenes or dream sequences that I was just looking forward to when Jang-hyun finds Gil-chae, in an actual sequence. And finally, they meet in episode 13, thanks to Ryang-eum.

Won-mo on the other hand...the man freaking told you that she hurt herself, scarred her forehead to prevent herself from serving the Qing emperor. And then he does what...? Simply because the black market dude threw some profanities at Gil-chae's state? Her scarring herself isn't enough for him? He's a weakling. I know that I might be made to swallow my words but let it be known that Won-mo is a weakling. Any character development can come but that fact still stands. At this point, don't get me started with him.

"If I hear once more that Qing women assault Joseon women, those wowmn will be buried alive as soon as thier husbands die, so let them know."
Now this is how I like securities to be enforced to protect people. It's so embarrassing to Joseon's royal court that this is coming from the Qing emperor Hong Taiji.

Jang-hyun threatened the Qing princess's life using his life as a stake should she cause harm to Gil-chae. Gil-chae in turn threatens her life using her's(Gil-chae's) as stake. "In death, I'll hunt and haunt you in your dreams". I'm sure Gil-chae's threat didn't shake her one bit. But what did shake her was the synchronized loyalty Gil-chae and Jang-hyun had for each other. I'm sure she went WTF...? as Gil-chae repeated the exact same threat Jang-hyun gave to her. I'm loving this two already.

Poor Eun-ae.

6
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oh, @jerrykuvira, I have to rewatch that again — I did not notice this synchronicity in expressions you refer to ... interesting yes. Ah, that's not exactly what you're saying ... where was that scene where Jang Hyeon threatened Makata?

1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

1. THE TRIBUTE (Episodes 11-12, 13)
(from viki’s sub)
Crown Prince and General Yong (Inggūldai). Episode 11.
INGGULDAI: Crown Prince, tons of work needs to be done, but why is there a delay? Hurry and summon Lee Jang Hyeon, who knows the work.
CP: Jang Hyun stayed behind Joseon to bring high-quality papers, but I have not heard from him. I am also waiting for interpreter Lee.
JUNG MYUNG-SOO: Tribute items needed. Skin of Otters, musk shrews, geldings, otters gallbladders, swords, honey, other pelts, and seeds…

Crown Prince’s Court: Episode 13
Court Official: On top of urging us to farm, they are telling us to hastily deliver the military provisions now? How about reporting this status to Joseon quickly?
CP to Jang Hyun: Qings are urging us for the military provisions to send to the battlefield at Mt Song every day. Pyeongan-do and Hamgyeong-do had already depleted their resources. How could we draft more men and horses to deliver 5,000 seoks (rice) again? Yong Gol Dae threatened me again.

(from King Injo’s Sillok, vol.34, Emperor Taizong vol.2)

Hong Taiji listed the items and amounts of Joseon’s tributes to the Qing in 1637 and permitted the country to start presenting the tributes from 1639. (These were sent to Qing once a year.)
– High-quality large-size paper, 1,000 rolls
– High-quality small-size paper, 1,500 rolls
– Otter skins 400 pieces
– Black squirrel skins, 300 pieces
– Gold 100 tael, Silver 1,000
– Buffalo horn-made bows 200
– Black squirrel skins, 300 pieces
– Rice 10,000 sacks
– Girdle knives 26
– Multi-edge knives 20
– Tea 1,000 sacks
– Leopard skins 100 pieces
– Deer skins 100 pieces
– Mats with variegated pattern, 40 pieces
– Mats with dragon pattern 4 pieces
– Silk with different colors, 2,000 rolls
– White ramie cloth, 200 pieces
– Thin ramie cloth with different colors, 400 rolls
Over time, the tribute items decreased until Joseon wasn’t required to send tributes to Qing anymore.
In earlier episodes, Jang Hyun told the Crown Prince that the Qing invaded Joseon to support them in their war against the Ming.

2. THE QING PRINCESS WENZHUANG aka MAKATA (Emperor Hong Taiji’s 2nd daughter) Episode 13.
I’m not sure why she’s called Gag Hwa (according to Asianwiki) in the drama, but will figure it out later.
(from viki’s sub)
Princess: I have a husband. My husband brought 400 servants with him. He put up a tent in front of the imperial palace courtyard and gave tens of cows, camels, and even saddled horses, asking His Majesty for my hand in marriage. He used to be a prince of Chahars, and apparently, he was the only person who won against His Majesty when he was conquering Chahars. The festival lasted 7 days and nights. Then, he went back, saying he will come back to get me soon. I trusted his words. But he has not come for years.
: The emperor’s daughters are naturally used for political reasons, and I have no complaints about my fate. It is just that my husband seemed to...

6
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

want me that night sincerely. I’m just curious if those eyes were lying to me at the time. I might get married off to some prince of Mongol according to His Majesty’s will. Until then, I am going to enjoy to my heart’s content.

HISTORY
Princess Aisin Gioro Makata was born on August 9 1625.
Parents: Father – Emperor Hong Taiji. Mother – Empress Xiaoduanwen from the Mongol Borjigit clan.
Spouse: Makata married Chahar Ejei Khan, the last khan of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, on January 10th, 1636. Enjei died in 1641, and Makata married his younger brother Abunai in 1645 (a levirate marriage).
Issue: Borni and Lubuzung (sons)
During the reign of the Shunzhi emperor (her father’s successor and younger brother), she was elevated to the title of Princess of the First Rank and later Imperial Princess Yongning of the First Rank.
Died: 1663 at age 38.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Wenzhuang

Comment – her marriage served her father’s purpose of a military alliance with the Chahar Mongols. She held the two clans together until her death. Her husband’s clan then rebelled against the Qing Dynasty after.

More on the Chahar Mongols under my post title “THE MANCHU LULLABY”

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

EPISODE 14

EMPEROR HONG TAIJI AND HIS FAVORITE CONCUBINE.

Princess to Jang Hyun: What if I offer her (Gil Chae) to His Majesty the Emperor? It just so happens that His Majesty’s favorite concubine has passed away. And he is quite distressed.
(Timeline 1641 – 1642)

Harjol, Lady Borjigit, CONCUBINE CHEN aka Consort Minhui (1609 – 22 October 1641), was Hong Taiji’s favorite concubine. They were married on December 6, 1634. She was 26 when she married Hong Taiji, placing her out of the typical age women married during that time period, which was between 13–17 years. There are no documents that conclusively prove why Lady Borjigit did not marry while she was younger, but some claims state that she had previously married a Khorchin warrior, Zhuolin (桌林) and that she married Hong Taiji after her first husband’s death.
Lady Borjigit was deeply favoured by Hong Taiji, although she did not seem to reciprocate these feelings in the early years of their marriage. Hong Taiji so favoured Lady Borjigit that when he conferred titles on his five primary spouses in August 1636, he named her “Consort Chen” of Guanju Palace (關睢宮) and gave her the position as the head of the concubines, a high ranking position that placed her just below her aunt, the Empress Jerjer. The following year, on 27 August 1637, Lady Borjigit gave birth to Hong Taiji’s eighth son, who did not live long and died on 13 March 1638. Lady Borjigit was left in weak health and became seriously ill three years later. Upon hearing the news that Lady Borjigit was on her deathbed, Hong Taiji reportedly left an active battlefield to be by her side. Lady Borjigit died on 22 October 1641 and was interred in the Zhao Mausoleum. Her death devastated Hong Taiji, who spent much of his time mourning her, to the detriment of his rapidly deteriorating health, and he granted her the posthumous title “primary consort Minhui.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harjol

8
0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

The concept of the “spoiled “ that should kill themselves is strong.
I noticed when Eun-ae gave her speech extolling Gil-chae’s character , Eun-ae recalled being assaulted by the barbarian.
Eun-ae stopped short explaining the exact circumstances .
Just how understanding would her husband be if he knew !?!

I’ll put in another plug for the KBS Drama Special Return Home (2012) . On YouTube .
It takes a closer look at these exact issues of Returnee’s, ransoming captives , rescuing “ruined” women and Joseon society’s outlook on these ladies.
A rather grim show. There is an aspect of the show that I don’t want to spoil. I do highly recommend it .

5
0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Everyone else mentioned what I wanted to say, but I want to send a special shoutout to Ryang Eum. Kim Yoon Woo does a beautiful job showcasing his yearning and love with his eyes. His eyes are really wonderfully expressive. I hate how he did my girl in part 1, but he made up for it in part 2. I really want his happiness, but he is never getting that. I look forward to his next dramas

13
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oof. Ryang Eum's shocked eyes when Yang Chun exposed him. He went from stunned to sober real fast.

5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Looks like I may be one of the few still enjoying the drama. Granted there were some questionable plot points, characters and production choices, but in discussion with @kodra I think they resolved the physical and emotional barriers caused by the Gil-Chae and Jang-Hyun’s separation in Episode 10 in a satisfying arc.

GC chose the safety and stability of nobility over JH, understandably. That got her a tepid marriage in the best of times, and intense suffering and abandonment in the worst of times. JH who many us agreed wasn’t a dependable choice back then, showed his loyalty (at least in his heart if not his body 😅) and growth as a man who is learning to care for more than himself alone. Our OTP are far closer in their hearts and minds than they have ever been.

And what powerhouse moments were those reunions? Sure, I could have use a few less misses, separations and fake-outs, but the fine acting when they did meet just made me swoon with the characters.

Also, a shoutout to all the Beanies who keep filling in the historical context to help the rest of us understand the background the story is set within. I find the Qing interlude fascinating (minus the princess).

12
10
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

You're definitely not the only one still enjoying this drama.

I agree with all your points.

I also could have done without some of the misses, separations and fake-outs, but the reunion and the end of episode 14 were all the more emotional and really well acted.

11
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oh, I'm enjoying it, too! 😂 Just not in the way and not the parts I expected - and definitely not the way the show wants me to. The acting and the emotional delivery, especially from the leads but across the board, is stellar. I can't look away from NGM and AEJ whenever they're onscreen, and I’ve replayed their scenes repeatedly after I grasp the subtitles to catch both tone and expressions. The setting, politics, and history are far more interesting to me than I expected. And it's gorgeous to look at, which is always a big draw for me. Now that the show has stopped being "GWTW in Joseon" (at least for the moment) I'm slightly more reconciled to the romance storyline. My frustrations are entirely with how the writer is choosing to drag out that romance with repetitive and unoriginal obstacles, side characters, and out-of-place tropes, while still not providing the larger social and historical context. The pacing is all over the place and the editing choices regarding the timeline are more frustrating than intriguing. I'd much rather see JH doing his interpreter/trader/spy work than yet another nearly-identical near-miss.

10
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Oh, all right. Come join me, @nefret and @loveblossom inside a ger (a Strong Girl crossover seems appropriate, no?). We can decide then on @johnb and their faint praise. 😜

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm in the same boat, @elinor, and this is DB, where beanies deconstruct dramas.

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Yes, true. People who are enjoying the show are deconstructing it. People who aren’t enjoying it are doing the same. Analysis all around for all opinions in-btwn.

9

I really enjoyed how Jang Hyun used his language skills to manipulate the generals.

8
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Chief Kim was always a smooth talker. 🤣 🤣

7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm with you!! Still enjoying this show a lot. ^^

8
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm still enjoying the drama too!

I do agree that our leads are finally on the same wavelength now in terms of growth and matters of the heart/mind.

The reunions were epic, for lack of a better word. I wholeheartedly enjoyed them.

6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm late but I am truly enjoying the show. Some scenes are painful to watch but MD is mesmerizing.

2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

The past 4 episodes FELT unnecessarily long. Writer-nim was really milking out the drama. But I have to say Ep14 kinda saved it for me.

After being deprived of actual Jang-chae interactions, the reunion scene(s) were such a treat. From that jumpy and awkward interchange in front of Gil-chae's room, to Jang-hyun now properly informing Gil-chae of his whereabouts during that night at the palace grounds and that whole hunting field sequence *chef's kiss*.

With the desperate call from "buin" to "Gil-chae ya" and Gil-chae responding with "Jang-hyun do-ryeon nim", we get transported back to Neunggun-ri again. Such good times.

And from the preview it seems we'll be seeing more of that good times where our leads will enjoy playing married roles while Gil-chae is nursing Jang-hyun back to health. This episode structure kind of reminds me how we also got a lot of cute scenes from Episode 5. If they are in some way truly mirroring Part 1, I only hope they don't repeat Ep10.

Also, Gil-chae best girl. Her resilience throughout to stay alive and wanting her people to stay alive as well has been nothing but admirable. I particularly like that scene where she lashes out at Gak-hwa swearing to haunt her for the rest of her life. She really said don't you dare lay a hand on my person again. Speaking of, I hope she gets to reunite with Jong-jong (unscathed) soon.

13
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Since we are live watching, yes the past 4 episodes definitely felt unnecessarily long with "real" and "imagined / fantasy" scenes interspliced confusingly.
I don't know how it might feel in a binge watch.
The story is definitely being told in a old-timey "grand canvas" like style, at times meandering without purpose but seemingly will all tie up in the end.

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I binged this over the weekend up to the current episode. I’m mesmerized by the two leads who both deserve awards for their outstanding work in this drama. That being said, (almost) everything else is driving me crazy. All the obstacles, all the agony, is making it close to unwatchable for me at this point. That scene on at the slave market. I feel like Jang-hyun would have handled that differently even with his shock at seeing Gil-chae there.
I’m not expressing myself well here, but I’m stuck watching the torture that is My Dearest until the bitter end. And that’s my biggest fear…a bitter end.

7
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

+1 Sigh, I agree with each and every word in your comment.

3
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

And it’s not even a ‘sweet’ agony. It’s a tortuous one. As exceptional as the leads are, I honestly want this drama to wrap up so I don’t have to look into Jang-hyun’s sad, suffering eyes anymore. Min Namkoong can act with his eyes alone. He’s incredible in this.

4
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Tortuous and Torturous both - can't look but can't look away. Jebal make it stop please.

1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

NKM 's eye game was always great - here I'm crying more buckets than him and then rewinding back after wiping my eyes to see if perchance I missed any micro-expressions.

4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

We probably need a prayer circle and hold each other's hands to episode 20. 😀

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Looking at the various major elements we had so far —after 14 of 20 episodes— and intentions of the writer as expressed in her interview from March 2023 I’d like to summarise as follows:
(a) As writer Hwang Jin-Young had mentioned the original idea was to find a way of portraying the obvious murder of Injo’s heir to the throne and his family in the wake of Injo making Qing become Joseon’s new suzerain, bowing nine times in front of a ho (a barbarian from the western or northern tribes), sending his two most senior princes and a group of 300 Joseon officials into Qing captivity for 8 years, to then have that son, the Crown Prince, come back to Joseon with a flurry of modern ideas and objects right from that babarian’s new home, the former Ming capital Beijing — all the while Joseon’s sadaebu yanban (the most elite scholar officials) dogmatise into factions —something which will mare Joseon society for over 200 years … so … how do you portray that a father authorised the killing of his son and successor or, if not authorised, stood by and watched ? And that in a neo-confucian society …
(b) The Second Manchu Invasion was the clear starting point for a seismic shift in Korean history, although its roots go back to the Imjin Wars, followed by the First Manchu Invasion. That Manchu blitzkrieg threw all military knowledge in Joseon overboard … the horse-riding ho would actually sail in boats and attack our most revered retreat, Ganghwa Island!
(c) The writer had wanted to « superimpose » the movie « Gone with the Wind » as an analogy for her drama.
(d) The writer had wanted to remain as objective as possible about the historic events she was portraying.
(e) When asked if in this drama she wanted to make a social commentary, as she had done in her previous historic dramas, she did not deny she would.
For (a) there is no clear answer yet if the drama has achieved a nuanced portrayal of this fundamental tragedy as we have not reached that point of historic events as yet. I would assume that it will become increasingly more difficult to untangle the various plotlines (so space in the drama) and the chronology (time in the drama) as we move forward, since the drama moved from the last year of reign of Injos successor to a flash moment some time before, to then start a chronology in the year of the Second Manchu Invasion (all in episode one in the first approx. 10 minutes). So far we have been following this chronology and it did become more difficult in my view to untangle events in time and space.
(b) was the major focus of Part 1 of « My Dearest ». In episode 7 the first effects of the aftermath of the invasion were shown.
(c) is the writer’s way of stringing the historic elements together, although for a knowledgable viewer this seemed to be at times way beyond an hommage but closer to plagiarism …However the GWTW elements have decreased considerably, or rather have taken on a life of their own in « My Dearest ». That is also true for the...

6
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

CONTD. That is also true for the male and female leads. They are not copies of the American movie at all.
(d) I do find that is largely the case. In particular as she portrayed events in all locations so far close to the facts. The Jurchen/Manchu/Qing are also given ample space, and in a nuanced manner.
(e) This seems to be the case, clearly. Two social issues of the time are given ample space in the drama so far: the prisoner-of-war issue as well as the issue of Joseon women who got taken as prisoner of war or kidnapped and could not return home without being considered “spoiled” goods. The 1600s did not know any Geneva Conventions, nowhere in the world for that matter.

And again, as always, thank you @alathe!

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Brava. Well said. Helped me re-orient to the historical background.

0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for your thoughtful and beautifully written recap, @alathe!

I really appreciate it, and have enjoyed it as part of my total watching experience (e.g. I watch each episode, peruse reddit, read your recap, and then watch the episode again ><).

It seems perhaps, I am in the minority here, but I am actually still quiet enjoying the drama, and thoroughly emotionally invested in the story, the OTP, even all the supporting characters. The near misses and fake outs, frustrating as they can be makes the reunion of the leads more impactful for me. I'm immersed in this world and look forward to it each week. :)

Anyway I just want to extend my gratitude to @alathe for continuing these recaps . I know it must take up a lot of time to write. I hope you know I look forward to reading them each week!

9
0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Thank you @alathe for once again being the voice of reason but still retaining your humor in the recap as all us Beanies are collectively loosing our minds.

You have beautifully captured the most important points in these episodes.

"Operation: The World And God Himself is all very well", but we too have started confusing what is "real and the creative liberties taken in narration and editing are making our heads spin.

Still guess we are also obsessed and will most probably, maybe, surely will be back next week. 🤣

3
0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@angelshadows50,

Do you know what Wangya means?
Both viki and Kocowa referred to sleazy old Wangya as Yinzhen (Prince Xun).

According to Wikipedia, Yunti (10 February 1688 – 16 February 1755), born Yinzhen and also known as Yinti before 1722, formally known as Prince Xun, was a Manchu prince and military general of the Qing dynasty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunti,_Prince_Xun
That's pretty much in the future. The current timeline is between 1641-1642

1
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@kiara, Wangya means "Prince" to my knowledge. Yes, I got the same end results as research but as you did. My conclusion is however a bit different. Here is what I wrote previously : https://www.dramabeans.com/2023/10/my-dearest-episodes-11-12/#comment-4131112

1
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Thank you!

I thought so, something like a Prince Regent or a de facto chief administrator during the time when the emperor would leave the capital and go to war.

"Xun was the peerage title version."
The Xun title didn't exist until 1651, so I thought it could be troublemaker Prince (beile) Amin, but he died in prison in 1640, so Daišan (59) makes the most sense since Abai (57) and Abatai (53) would have been on the battlefield with Hong Taiji.

I would have let it go if he didn't show up again in episode 14. The camera zooms on him and Dorgon. Their wives were jealous of the young and beautiful Joseon slaves they tortured.
@john It makes sense now why Dorgon was mentioned in "Return Home."

0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I'm still enthralled by the historical and political aspects of the drama and as usual, the OTP has my whole heart, but my god the Lee Chung-ah storyline has been beyond annoying. The last thing this behemoth of a drama needed, on top of everything they need to resolve in only a handful of episodes, is a typical jealous SFL. And let's not get it twisted, despite her prowess as a warrior (for evil) and trappings of the "strong female character" stereotype, she is still simply a SFL at her core. Gak-hwa has not added anything to the story worth our time and it's a damn shame we are getting time robbed of our beloved OTP (again!!!!!) because of a deeply unrealistic and anachronistic character who serves little purpose beyond padding the runtime. Ugh, Lee Chung-ah deserved a better character and the screenwriter needs someone to occasionally slap their hands away from the keyboard.

6
6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Hi, @ladynightshade, I agree that I am not clear as well where this jealous-second-female-lead storyline is going except that it let’s the viewer have another loop of “Oh my, they still don’t get together!” I wonder if it was at all intended originally when the writer started writing the drama. My guess is that it came about somewhere towards the end of Part 1. I am saying that because Lee Chung-ah’s character « the blue masked slave hunter» was originally described as a kind and straightforward person on MBC’s programme website … a bit more in the Belle Watling line of analogy (if one takes «Gone with the Wind»). But since it was the actress Lee Chung-ah playing this love interest, the production team might have decided to beaf up the role so that it becomes way more complex and runs for several episodes, my guess is about 3 to 4 — until Hong Taji aka Emperor Taizong of Qing (his temple name later on) dies in September 1643. So, I suppose she will fade away in episode 16 at the latest. But that’s just a guess, of course.

5
5
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I wish the writer didn't change anything. The first description of Makata's character sounds more interesting to me. She could have been a stand-alone character instead of being the typical jealous 2FL.
She needs to fade faster because there are only 6 episodes left. I'm guessing she'll marry her brother-in-law, and then she'll be gone.

2
4
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I like the complexity of this character and the elegant Lee Chung-ah taking on a role of a Qing princess also makes sense to me. She is also excellent at portraying the hard, merciless side of that character. I would think that was also something the actress would have liked to play. Yet as you say, @kiara, why in this way as jealous 2FL? Was this the only way of threading the preferred daughter of Hong Taji into the story? — Secondly, your comment re the role of a Chief Administrator while Hong Taji is on the battlefield also makes a lot of sense to me. That’s probably the role that prince had, and that’s how he was served by Jang Hyeon in EP 11, and turns up again, as you say, in this Qing Council Meeting in EP 14 … by the way, that council, I suppose is the one which came together after Hong Taji’s sudden death and decided upon the successor, right? From what I read, there was a (short) period of infighting after the emperor’s death (which I think we might see in « My Dearest » …) and Dorgon was one of the two protagonists, and Daišan was again the one « who saved the day » …. Have you seen that too?

3
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

@angelshadows50
I went back and watched it today.
Historically, Daišan was injured in battle and didn't want to fight for the throne. Nurhaci and Hong Taiji were leaders on the battlefield and managing state affairs. Daišan probably knew that he was not as capable. This is why Qing was successful. The council of the princes (10 first-rank princes) supported the most capable prince to lead the country. Maybe that's why Nurhaci and Hong Taiji didn't name an heir. Their favorite son wouldn't necessarily be made the best leader. Instead, they left it to the senior princes to decide. Succession through merits was more critical than primogeniture at the time.

Makata would have mirrored the actual crown princess, but the writer probably didn't want to overshadow Gil Chae if she followed the history closely with the 2 two princesses.

Daišan was on Hooge's side; thankfully, he declined, and Dorgon successfully led the Qing army to fulfill the long-cherished dreams of his father, Nurhaci, and elder brother, Hong Taiji.

I'm enjoying both the Joseon and Qing politics.

2

I hope she will somehow follow on the footsteps of the princess from her story before she leaves with her new husband. There are a lot of redemption stories going on. RE is e most visible now and the CP is slowly turning around from where he started.

4
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Redemption ... that's an excellent point, @kodra! It feels as if you're onto something important there ...

2

While I frequent DB multiple times a week, it’s been years since I’ve made a comment. (Used to be very active on the Healer thread that broke numbers, under name Skyofblue). This drama is bringing me back to commenting again, because I’m drowning in my own mind chatter about the show and need to share. I love all the critical commentary I’m reading on the show here, love dissecting the characters, politics, and emotions. I got caught up on the show this past weekend but have been doing rewatches to catch the nuances, appreciate the acting, and formulate thoughts (was head empty and simply too busy being entertained to produce coherent commentary beyond one word reactionary exclamations at the first watch). Wish I’d joined earlier but here’s to the next few weeks!

Namgoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin are putting on some of the best performances I’ve seen in recent years.

Will be back once I’ve completed the rewatch up to ep 14 again (and then in one more day another episode!)

9
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Welcome back!

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Glad you're here! ^^

1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Sigh.
Eked my way through 13. Might catch up for next week's recap. Might not.

3
0
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

You know how they say "so bad it's good". Here it is "so good it makes you cry" 😭

2
8
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

But today, today is the day we laugh! Even for a little bit, one tiny moment. One scene for sure! Guaranteed!
And after that...what you said 🤣
Probably we'll learn also about RE past, they say.

1
7
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Why is that tiny moment making me even more wary of that little tiny bit of happiness being unceremoniously taken away ... **sob, sob**

0
6
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

I have made my piece with it already. I just hope they don't go to Mr. Sunshine ending, where not one, not two, but all three males die together with some supporting cast and she is the only one that survives. That's the only ending that I won't reconcile with. Better all die!

1
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Writer seems to be chanelling Jang Hyuk!

https://www.dramabeans.com/members/Seeker/activity/1475158/#acomment-1475805

2

Maybe so, I didn't see My country, couldn't get past episode. Originally I thought Chen Kun in TROP.
All three have great fan action 🤣

0
3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

"Originally I thought Chen Kun in TROP."

So sorry, I am unable to follow your meaning. 🙃

0

@Seeker
I misunderstood you also 🤣
So I went and take another look, read the subtitles. You meant that she is ruthless? Maybe, we'll see. Not enough in 15th episode, I say 🤣. She is a master teaser and trickster for sure. And bold, with the RE story on one side and the extramarital affair on the other. But somehow she threads it nicely.

1

Agree completely!👍

0

Episode 14:

*even bigger sigh*
I just had a tooth pulled, on Wednesday no less. I’m trying to decide which one was more annoying and painful. That, or watching this frakking episode.

1. The character writing in this is infuriating. Actually, all of the writing is infuriating. And the thematic writing? Where's that gone. Beats me. Probably to Dzungaria with Jong Jong.

2. Insert everything I wrote on 9+10 again here.
Excuse the sarcasm, but don’t you just love it when your cynical gut instinct about the direction of the show is right, and they continue the wallowing and wanton self-flagellation circles for now coming on almost half the show. Fandiddlytastic.

3. "sure let me just fatally maim this definitely not cheap in the slightest important part of the functionality of my country and my country's army that is currently at war for a dumbass love triangle bet..." The POOR HORSE WHAT DID IT DO TO DESERVE THAT I hope they at least ate it after that so it didn't go to waste! Horses have never been a cheap commodity in literally any part of the world in any time in history, not even today. Magic Horse is fuming!

15, tomorrow. I can only, barely, handle one episode of this thing a day.

3
2
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Skippable, I told you. Same with the next 2, but I need a fix for my history cravings.

2
1
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Welp it triggered an essay, at least. 🤣🤣

3
reply

* Register or Login (Get credit for your great comments)

Required fields are marked *

Join our newsletter ♥

Editors' Digest

Currently Airing

PRIME-TIME DRAMAS THIS WEEK
Monday-Tuesday (April 22-23) Weekend (April 26-28)
STREAMING DRAMAS THIS WEEK
  • Blood Free 5-6 (Disney+)
  • Goodbye Earth 1-12 (Netflix)