But of course Seja Jeoha I will stay with you … on both sides!!
 
The finale of Our Blooming Youth aired one year ago today on April 11, 2023.

This is the Fan Wall Community Watch for Episodes 9-10

Dear Beans, Welcome to the fourth post of the series. Please feel free to join / comment / like / peek into and ENJOY any or all posts of the series.

Please click here for the previous posts.

Episodes 1-2.

Episodes 3-4.

Episodes 5-6.

Episodes 7-8.
 

 

 
@claire2009 @minniegupta1 @midnight @sonai @koalatown @nefret @isagc @bebeswtz @skiee @23new2kdrama @jls943 @amany

13
185

    * Fifth Post of the Community Watch! 😅☺

    3
    0

    Are these my favorite set of episodes … maybe. At halfway though the drama we see our characters “growing up” in their own ways.

    Uri Crown Prince decides to let go of his fear of the ghostly letter and decides to trust his Sergeant friend, who incidentally is astute enough to *guess* on who’s advice this miracle happened. 😊

    Uri Jae-yi decides to stay with the Crown Prince and become a Head Eunuch when he becomes the King.

    I just love how the themes of friendship and trust and reiterated and explored in the series.

    5
    0


     

     

     

     

     
    I love how much like the Harry Potter Gang they look. 😍
    “Solving” mysteries and just being friends.

    We not only got the Sergeant to deliver the killer line (with tears in his eyes) “I have always been your friend“. We also get the CP trying to befriend Jae-yi. I’m sure it is the first time ever he has stretched out his hand in friendship.

    Of course the pile-on friendship of Myung Jin is the best ever … making *Scholar Park* pay for the food he had ordered in advance. 🤭😊

    8
    3

      That “I’ve always been your friend” scene had me tearing up. It was beautifully delivered and very poignant given the storyline.

      6
      1

        💯 Communication is a two way street. Even if he had cried himself hoarse earlier, the Crown Prince was not in a frame of mind to believe him. Now after he had decided to trust his friend, suddenly the blinkers were off and he realized he wanted his friend back. A very well executed scene indeed.

        6
        0

      Myung Jin is the best ever … making *Scholar Park* pay for the food he had ordered in advance

      Myung Jin is endearingly hilarious :)))

      6
      2

      Thank you, Cera, for the BTS photos. They are beautiful human beings!!

      3
      0

    Ack! She was so cute in this drama! I was really bummed that people were trashing her acting back when it was airing. (Note: I wasn’t on DB at the time!)

    4
    2

      She’s a sweetheart. I love how she changes / modulates her voice when she’s being the eununch and when she’s complaining to the Crown Prince for not apologizing to her properly, with length, complexity and detail. 🤣

      5
      0

      I didn’t find anything wrong with her acting..i was so confused when they said her acting was bad..like where ? Anyway i realized people trash anything and anyone and we can just ignore it..it’s the best

      4
      1

        One can see how hard she worked on the role. Not just the dress but even her voice was different. It would have been demoralizing to be put down like that. Now that Parasyte: The Grey is doing so well hopefully she’ll get the acclaim she deserves. 😊

        4
        2

          I, too, was taken aback. Her mannerisms matched her character. She modulated her voice and stayed away from make-up. I mean, you need a lot of confidence and belief in yourself to turn up without make-up to pair with Park Hyung Sik dressed up as a Prince. Her eyes are expressive, she emotes her pain beautifully, and her comic timing is perfect.
          You can see from both Soulmate and Parasyte that she too thinks about her characters and gives them personalities. In Soulmate, she is very soft, feminine, repressed, perhaps even gay without ever realising, accepting or acknowledging it (her role in that movie is haunting and sticks to your psyche – honestly, you truly don’t see Beon Woo Seok despite his height and face, he somehow does not leave an impression, and I don’t know why.). In Parasyte, she is uncertain, timid but decisive as Suin; and bold, confident but ambivalent as Heidi.
          If the director wanted more, she would have delivered. What I will agree to is that there could be a few places where, if she had enough experience, she could have changed certain things about her character, even add-libbed better. There was nothing wrong in her performance in OBY and I will die on that hill.

          5
          23

          This is all the healers on DB 😚

          2
          6

    And how swoony was Crown Prince. His *internal* apology was so cute.

    5
    1

    I love how Myung Jin gave “dictation” and promised to flatten the nose of the woodpecker lady who refused to marry him but then didn’t utter one word of protest in front of her out of respect for women in general. The well-timed trip by Ga Ram was perfect of course.

    5
    1

    I love MJ and his father 😆

    I loved the scene where the prince threw his hat on the ground beside Jae Yi’s!

    I like the prince most when he is being comfortable. Like when he told JY that Ok, he would make her the head eunuch if she wanted it so much. I liked that scene a lot!

    Also the dialogue right before it when JY says that if she knew there was a life like this to be had, she would have never thought about getting married!

    For the con,
    Creating tension by omission, especially omission that is very easy for the viewer to guess, is something that I have always disliked.
    I didn’t like how the storyline of Minister Han’s betrayal accusation, and the prince’s subsequent interference, was constructed.
    They didn’t need that fale tension, and the constant cuts from the scenes. It was already a very fast-paced and believable story.

    But the right Minister is such a fascinating character (and actor!) that it was easy to forgive.

    I also like his niece’s fierce thoughts! She wants to backstab him, but I can’t help think he would be proud of her for it! 😄

    7
    2

      Creating tension by omission, especially omission that is very easy for the viewer to guess, is something that I have always disliked.
      I didn’t like how the storyline of Minister Han’s betrayal accusation, and the prince’s subsequent interference, was constructed.
      They didn’t need that fale tension, and the constant cuts from the scenes.

      Agreed with you. I thought so too.

      5
      1

        MJ really grows on you. His family is great too. I loved how he wished his parents to be happy together and leave him be. 🤭😊

        That moment of pause before CP threw down his hat was so telling. The look on his face said it all. 😂 That and the conversation that followed was a perfect example of show-not-tell evolution of their relationship. Her “revolutionary” idea of a couple being together for at least four seasons and kissing before getting married and his reaction to it was so cute. 😘♥️

        Minister Han’s episode was clunky but it did lead to that most swoony line from the teary eyed Sergeant to his BFF. 😢

        Right Minister is exactly the type of villain I like, who gives me nightmares. 😳 And it was not the first time he did that. The niece is proving herself to be more worthy than he imagined.

        7
        2

          I’ve been so very reluctant to watch a show with the Right Minister since I hear your voice. After that one, I watched Empress Ki and his character there was equally nightmare invoking 😳

          2
          1

          I just finished Moon in the Day and he is the villain in that. I was really sick of him and that laugh by the end.

          1
          0

      I think this is where I began to have issues with the editing team. This was a beautiful episode, but disjointedly presented. The dialogues, the acting, the actual reveal was fantastic, bogged down by the constant cuts to the camera angles, disturbing the flow of a scenes. It was an important episode of bridge building that started at the end of episode 6, culminating in a delightful arc of evolution by all characters.

      And what was that weird ‘peeping’ to see if anyone was around while exchanging the diaries? That was such a juvenile construction of scenes that it made me laugh out loud.

      3
      2

        💯 On paper it was perfect plot point and highlighted character growth of all main characters halfway through the drama. So we know that yes, they have grown though the time we’ve spent with them and there will be more growth (and HEA) before we will bid them farewell. This is exactly the place where we needed a still camera with lingering shots to capture the emotional beats.

        3
        1

          Framing of the shots, lighting and editing were all off and depleted the appeal of the scenes.

          1
          2

            It was really strange considering how exceptionally good the director was up till now. Maybe they took a sick day off?? Wishful thinking?? From what Minnie said I gather that the missteps don’t stop here, which is such a shame.

            2
            0

            @midnight It definitely feels like there were more than two heads working on this. This took more than a year to film, and they were bogged down by weather and Covid at different points, so my guess is things might have changed hands. The quality of some episodes are far more superior than others. The shot constructions at most places are terrific throughout, but then every once in a while the shots turn mediocre. Assistant directors maybe? And the editor dozes off in some places and probably has snipped off some really good stuff while dozing in others.

            For example, the entire sequence of Jay Yi snooping was done in a mediocre fashion, stretched for no good reason. Yet the entire scene of them having food together is probably one of the best scene in every way that I have seen in this drama, and superior to many other dramas.

            Of course, this never interfered with my original viewing experience, but after watching this series on a loop countless times, I can see the differences in frames in my sleep.

            3
            0

        Jae-yi was not the only one who thought he was amazing in his defense of the Left State Minister. Unfortunately it wasn’t filmed in any compelling way. *pout*

        2
        1

    So smart to put ways to easily reference back💕
    I’m going to have to post a massive 4 espisode resport in a couple of week. Traveling on the west cost. Massively happy to go back and remember what has happened.

    4
    3

      I hope you enjoy your trip.
      The best part about Community Watches is that you can watch and comment at your convenience. Obviously the ones participating love the drama (or are genuinely) interested and will be happy to discuss anytime. 😊

      4
      0

      Do not worry, I too am behind. I posted my ep 8 thoughts yesterday on @sonai‘s wall after this post was up.
      I didn’t want to tag anyone, so I am not sure if it will show up in your feed but do check it out. Enjoy your trip and will wait for your updates.

      3
      0

      I hope you’re having a good time traveling.

      We’ll read your essays whenever they are ready.

      2
      0

    @claire2009 Did you notice Jae-yi or rather Soon Dol is an Errand Boy who has to go here and there to carry out His Majesty’s commands.

    3
    2

    Thank you, Cera. These 2 episodes kept delivering hilarious and heartwarming moments of friendship and trust, and I’m gonna bombard your post with GIFs 🙂

    Jae-yi heading to Hwan before she knew Taekang was coming to fetch her. She knew Hwan was waiting for her.

    4
    1

    These two really need their spin-off LOL


     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

    4
    3

    Myungjin must be the only person in Joseon to have made the CP startled 🤣

    5
    2

    LOL Myungjin has the purest heart out there.


     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     
    The CP’s expressions 🤣🤣


     
     
     

    4
    2

      Dang! PHS is gold is these two episodes. The classic – you can tell what he is thinking without a single word spoken. Acting does not get better than this. I will forever be sad he was never recognised for this.

      4
      1

        Yes, yes and yes!!! That I thought it “internally” is almost half of the drama. Last week after he threw her out of the Eastern Palace he kept on ruminating over her but this week we can actually see the progress. He does intent to make the “miracle” of friendships (plural) work!

        2
        0

      LOL! Having heard she sometimes misses meals because of running errands for him must have hit him really hard. 😂
      These two will be forever connected by food!

      4
      1

        And I swear, she has the best time taking him down by pegs. She bets against him brazely, kicks chairs when annoyed at him, gives him pig-eyes, and complains loudly about how inconsiderate he is.

        I love the details about this man being so pragmatic. Despite being a royal, he gives her exactly three coins, no more, no less. Thoughtful, but not lavish. It’s actually very very typical of an average man’s thought process lol! And then of course….well, let’s not go into spoilers, but his future gifts are something I can write sonnets on.

        And then bamboozled by Myung Jin. His flummoxed expressions at Myung Jin’s making him pay for food was so fun. It took him a bit to realise he had been tricked and he was like, wait, what happened?

        5
        1

          The funniest moment was when he was imitating himself with “jeonha jeonha” 😆 And his facial expression when he drank that cup 🤣🤣

          4
          2

    😂😂


     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

    3
    1

      I meant to post this here Claire:

      I love the details about this man being so pragmatic. Despite being a royal, he gives her exactly three coins, no more, no less. Thoughtful, but not lavish. It’s actually very very typical of an average man’s thought process lol! And then of course….well, let’s not go into spoilers, but his future gifts are something I can write sonnets on.

      1
      1

        Maybe he was afraid he would insult her intelligence if he gave her money without a reason?

        Typing this I am recalling the scene in the storage room before that polo match, where Hwan told Tae-kang they must win by all means, PHS’s face there was funny although he meant serious business 😅 Poor Tae-kang didn’t know what was happening 😂

        2
        1

    Comment was deleted

    0
    0

    “I never stopped being your friend” ❤️


     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

    3
    2

    I like the fact that Hwan wasn’t sure if Jae-yi thought of him while she was at Manyeondang. When one is in love, they couldn’t help but feel a little nervous, a little uncertain about the other person’s feeling, even if they are the Crown Prince.


     
     
     

     
     
     

    Like @minniegupta1 said last week, Hwan sticked to Jae-yi like a puppy because he never forgot she was a woman.

    3
    3

      Thank you for all your hard work – both for preparing the gifs and running errands like Jae-yi and sponsoring this feast for the fanwall like the Prince. So for us your are now the Prince (E) Boy!! ♥️😊👏💯👐👌👍

      3
      1

      Comment was deleted

      0
      0

      a little nervous, a little uncertain about the other person’s feeling, even if they are the Crown Prince.

      He is not little uncertain, he is completely doofus when it comes to her 😂 She has been making mooney eyes at him, and he still thinks she holds a candle for her fiance. Though to be fair he could not see her fangirling after him in the Polo field with her eyes, so maybe we can forgive him.
      On the other hand, the lady too, might not be as wise to his feelings either.

      @claire2009 Claire you are killing me with these. I wait for these.

      It’s so interesting to sometimes hear and see things with other people’s perspective.

      3
      1

        It’s funny that Hwan did that internal talking seriously, like he was really spending some time doing it, while dreamily looking at Jae-yi and unresponsive to her request 😂 It’s not like that train of thought happened in a split second. I’ll repeat myself a thousandth time: PHS totally nailed it. The CP fell head over heels in love.

        3
        1

          Most definitely – he fell first and harder. Didn’t he say just last week that he had been waiting for someone like her his entire life.

          3
          6

            It’s evident the way he cries his heart out, and sits the entire night going over and over again about her. We only hear snippets of it. The man had an entire night to wade through his trust issues and deal with the fit thrown by his broken heart and then be accountable to his mind that told him the pieces didn’t fit. Thankfully at some point his heart stopped throwing tantrums and aligned with his mind.

            3
            0

            @minniegupta1 That night of *horror* seems more impactful than his first night in the Eastern Palace when he received the first ghost letter. That whole night seems as if he rehashed his entire life. Now that is a 12 hour drama I would watch!!

            2
            0

            But that early morning trip by Scholar Park to Manyeondang was worth it. That look when he stood mesmerized by her was just 🔥 And I loved, loved, loved later how she just said her piece and stomped off while his *internal* gajima was writ large on his face. 😍😍😍♥️

            4
            0

            And I loved, loved, loved later how she just said her piece and stomped off while his *internal* gajima was writ large on his face. 😍😍😍♥️

            I never wanted someone to do a wrist grab the way I wanted in this scene. It was so evident he desperately wanted her to come back. And she knew he had come to take her back, but she didn’t give him an inch (other than sitting next to him. I love how they automatically sit next to each other. Of course, Hwan would not want her to sit next to another ‘man’ anyway.) Her internal monologue was so funny.

            2
            0

            @minniegupta1 yes I was a little disappointed he didn’t run after her to take her hand, but then I got to see her funny internal monologue. And we have to remember by then, Hwan had already promised to send Jae-yi back to Sergeant if she came back alive and proved her innocence. That’s why he couldn’t run after her nor could he allow her back into his secret chamber, had that flaming plum tree incident not happened.

            2
            0

            @claire2009 His mind and mouth said one thing; His eyes and heart said another, culminating in these hilariously paradoxical behaviour 😂😂😂

            1
            0

    The whole conversation where Jae-yi tells the CP how she thinks about marriage and women’s fate in Joseon era is great.
    It’s a shame I couldn’t post the whole clip, so I just picked up some funny lines.


     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

     
     
     

    5
    4

      Very beautiful scene. 😊 Also one can almost hear the Prince’s “internal” dialogue. 🤣

      3
      1

        💯 This was an awesome scene! I was just waiting for him clutching his heart, lol. Guess it was happening internally 🤣

        👏🫰👏 Awesome Gifs, or should I say short stories, @claire2009 ! 😃

        3
        2

          Usually when I do a screen recording to make GIFs, the clip is 1 to 2 minutes long at most. Then I cut it into approximately 16 or less second snippets, because giphy can’t take any clip longer than that. But with PHS’s shows, not only OBY, each recording I have can be up to 5 minutes long. It’s basically an youtube video!! It was really hard to pick 16 second snippets, given that each post/comment on DB only allows a maximum of 9 links (~ 2 mins).

          6
          2

            Wow, I knew much work would go into this, but I had no idea really! Chapeau!!!
            👏💯🎩 Really appreciate you guys taking the time to make these. I like to return to favorite scenes like this! 🫰

            4
            0

            Wow Claire! That is such a truckload of work! Thank you so so so much! Especially with this OBY watch, your short stories have made it so special.

            @seeker You too! ❤️❤️❤️

            But with PHS’s shows, not only OBY, each recording I have can be up to 5 minutes long. It’s basically an youtube video!!

            I still don’t know how this man does not suck up all the oxygen in SK given his looks and skill.

            2
            0

          I was just waiting for him clutching his heart, lol. Guess it was happening internally 🤣

          LOL!
          The look that he gave her when she was holding out the sweet to him – it could dim all the ‘Saranghes” in his world.

          2
          3

            And telling him that it’s so good that he won’t notice even if someone drops dead. 😂 Gallows humor anyone!?

            2
            0

            That though was an odd choice for dialogue for Jay Yi (this is what I meant an experienced actor might have changed the delivery). It would be too recent and raw for her to ever joke about dying around food. Or maybe they translated it differently in English to make more sense to English speakers which I think might be the case.

            3
            0

            Indeed it is strange since she cooked the food which her family consumed. It was a very psycho serial-killer type comment – not in good taste!! Hehehe. I think your explanation of a translation change is more plausible. Although given the situation a definite misstep.

            1
            0


       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

       
       
       

      “Have him enter” LOL

      3
      1

      This was the part that set off my arranged marriage post. She describes it so eloquently. Her choices were already limited, and of course she now compounds it by falling in love with the most unattainable man in Joseon. The girl definitely needs to worry about her retirement prospects 😂

      5
      0

      This. The principle on which the whole arranged marriage society hinges on. And you make yourself believe that you are in love. The juxtaposing of Sung On looking at her sketch (that has no resemblance to Jay Yi btw, it made me shake my head every time the poor guy unrolled that scroll) and praying her to be alive, while Jay Yi is making choices about her life at that very moment was very interesting.

      3
      1

    https://i.imgur.com/ppwyKw7.jpg

    Does he not look curiously happy here?

    I am going to touch this when I post my thoughts, but the times when this was set is so different from the world we live in. Women were mere properties, and for him to think she would have to do what she was told would have made complete sense. For him to actually ask her permission – “I want to tell Sargent about you ” and her emphatic refusal was very liberating moment for me in this drama.

    “Before it’s too late” was so telling.

    3
    1

      “Before it’s too late” really hit me hard. He may not verbalize it even to himself as yet how deep he is even right now and he *internally* reminisces how much he missed her.

      2
      0

    I have been dying to discuss this, and I want to tag everyone (sorry for the spam) but I really want to hear everyone’s interpretation of this particular scene:

    Hwan throwing his hat next to Jay Yi’s.

    I know this was a stand out and defining scene for many, but I would really like to read your thoughts.
    @claire2009 @minniegupta1 @midnight @sonai @koalatown @nefret @isagc @bebeswtz @skiee @23new2kdrama @jls943 @amany

    5
    7

      @Seeker I copy pasted your tag. The common sense ran away again 😂😂😂

      1
      2

      Oh yes, that was memorable! 👏

      I thought that it was kind of signifying his wish to let go and be comfortable for once – just like her. On the one hand, he’s yearning for that “freedom” she seems to have (well, at least compared to him, in her current role as eunuch she’s not as restrained because the eyes are not on her that much), also, copying her actions is also a form of “connecting” with her. He likes her a lot after all, he is comfortable with her. Plus it’s also kind of intimate, if you consider the action of “undressing” (well, as much as Joseon allows, lol!). Taking off your hat only seems to happen at home really. 🤔

      So much symbolism. Or at least a vast range to read into it what you like. Very clever scene, director-nim!

      6
      4

        Yes, and the fact that he copies her actions also shows that she influenced him. He let her lead, at least in that intimate space and that specific time. And that naughty smile is PHS’s smile, not Hwan’s 😄

        The two hats lying next to each other are couple hats in modern terminology!!

        3
        0

        Ooh! 👏👏👏

        I liked that moment of hesitation *before* he took off his hat and threw it. When he was watching her throw it from behind I half expected him to pick it up, dust it off and place it carefully. The very fact that he did the same was just as clear a love confession as any. 😍 The conversation that followed was a perfect depiction of their fast evolving relationship which was more deep than any of them thought or acknowledged yet.

        4
        1

        Plus it’s also kind of intimate, if you consider the action of “undressing” (well, as much as Joseon allows, lol!). Taking off your hat only seems to happen at home really.

        @sonai You are right. It’s very intimate.

        1
        0

        Yes I kind of see it as letting your hair down. Aside from when he masquerades as Scholar Park I don’t think he has had a meal with multiple people nevertheless an intimate meal with just 1 on 1 before . Without spoilers we will see each royal family having a pared down meal but they all eat it alone in their bed chambers. I assume royals just don’t dine together like regular folks. So for him to accept her invitation for a meal is quite meaningful.

        2
        1

      JY is a very special case. She has been abnormally free for a woman of her era, being too educated, and roaming around in male clothing with her father’s full knowledge and consent.

      That hat-throwing scene was an act of free spirit that was not only alien to a prince, but even more so to a woman of noble breeding. It was so distinctly JY.

      Hwan looking at the hat showed a yearning for a moment of freedom from his relentlessly constant state of anxiety.

      And then suddenly taking his hat off, was like him suddenly deciding this is his safe haven. Even in a completely non-romantic sense, it showed his yearning, and his resolution for the one person he can trust and be comfortable with.

      5
      1

      I remember Hwan once said he didn’t want that CP position. Were his hyung still alive, he would be a carefree affectionate sibling who has good relationships with his brothers and sister. That moment he threw the hat was a moment of who Hwan could have been.

      4
      1

      Comment was deleted

      0
      0

      My take:

      He preceded this with that whole internal monologue which ‘she should never know’, followed by by some very telling looks, and that heart-breaking ‘before it’s too late’…(the shock in his face when she speaks about holding hands, smelling and gasp! kissing was hilarious).

      He wanted to be by her side, she was his one person he had waited for his entire life. In that one moment, he broke free of the restraints, as all of already worded it beautifully – an act of free spirit (@midnight), intimate (@sonai), yearning of being a couple with her as well as what could have been (@claire2009) and an indirect confession (@Seeker).

      I will also add, this scene was hot. The large hat besides her smaller one was so symbolic. The smile that followed after that hat throwing spoke volumes. Might I remind, Joseon people slept on the floor.

      Claire, I disagree the smile was PHS. It was Hwan for sure because that’s not a flirty smile, but a yes, it was quite loaded – that man would not know how to flirt to save his life;
      (Check the OBY bts posted today, PHS is giving way more flirty smiles to JSN in those silly clips 😂)

      4
      2

        Agreed, Minnie, it’s not actually PHS’s smile, but I did think it felt more like Jeongwoo’s than Hwan’s.

        1
        1

          Or the carefree version of himself which can never show lest his enemies see it and use it against him. However with her he can be more of who he was/is deep inside without the stifling duties and constant fear of dethroning/murder. He was more like that also in the scene when he was with his brother overlooking the city. I can’t remember if it’s a future scene. Right now I am geolocked out of Viki so have to go by my faulty memory so please forgive me if I accidentally spoil or remember incorrectly.

          2
          1

            That’s OK @koalatown It is indeed a future scene, but it’s not that big a spoiler. And I am quote doubtful anyone has kept to the two episode schedule – this is a hard drama to stop once you start watching 😂😂

            He was definitely the quintessential stuffy prince before Jay Yi came in. And he had to have been somewhat naughty while growing up – remember he stole from the kitchen and went visiting his master without telling anyone, only to be ‘taxed’ by an impudent kid who turned out to be a girl? A gilr who now makes him all sorts of happy when she says she is going to stay by his side….

            3
            0

        I think also that just as important is the reaction of our military/sidekick. He had a very strong silent opinion when he saw it

        2
        0

      I love it when you tag me- otherwise I would not see half of this. I’m not a deep thinker but in my view- that he loved her from childhood- this was just his brain finally admitting to his heart- hey, it’s over, give up your in love. Soooo sweet❤️

      2
      1

        I def think that girl made an impression on him as a kid. Looking back, he might have even been jealous that Sung On was the one being married to him. He never forgave her for swindling him, and that’s a long grudge to keep 😂

        2
        1

          Even while discussing his marriage CP couldn’t help but taunt if the Sergeant will be able to handle her and sniggered (in quite a unprincely manner) when the Sergeant said that he will just be in her hands. CP remembered that comment a couple of times later on also perhaps at the polo match.

          1
          2

            if the Sergeant will be able to handle her and sniggered (in quite a unprincely manner)

            This! Yes, and it stuck with me too. It was quite a quip for a Prince who otherwise is so proper that it’s hard to believe something like that could come out of his mouth – unless there are feelings simmering there for a long long time. He knew no one but himself could handle that spitfire haha! And that too would take some lol! The amount of grief she has already given him even without being in a relationship with him, imagine the circles she is going weave when married….

            2
            0

            I also think that, while very different, her and Sergeant would have had a great marriage. I think he would have been very overprotective of her at first but she would have had a lot of fun bringing him around. I absolutely love the way it’s written but it could have been. I wish she had a sister for Tae Gang. He definitely needs someone who will be a handful

            1
            0

    Spamming all of you once more. I don’t get notification for these posts unless tagged or replied to, so I am not sure how else to have everyone involved. It also does not show up on comments.
    @claire2009 @minniegupta1 @midnight @sonai @koalatown @nefret @isagc @bebeswtz @skiee @23new2kdrama @jls943 @amany

    My thoughts on ep 9 & 10:

    Our discussion pretty much covered everything, so I will just touch on a couple of points:

    In Joseon, the King was treated lavishly. He was accorded the best—the best food, the best women, and the best living quarters. Basically, he was entitled to the best in the land (I think mainly because {a} he represented the stratified hierarchy {b} a satiated king would not lust after the women of his ministers). In return, he had to function as a Prime Minister with a cabinet of ministers. He did have the veto power, but if he upset the ministers too much, he stood to lose his throne.

    Losing the throne could mean losing your life. In the Joseon Dynasty’s history, only a few great Kings succeeded, while the lesser ones failed repeatedly, and their offspring were killed.

    Hwan’s father is now learning at a great cost that the Jo family has cornered him like a wounded lion surrounded by a pack of hyenas. This King is not strong enough to stand up and fight back, nor does he have the brain to outsmart the evil Jo. His son, on the other hand, has both—the guts and the brain—but his hands are tied.

    Hwan imploring his father to act on the information and take on evil Jo, only to be snubbed and belittled by his fearful father and be humiliatingly put in place, must have been crushing.

    Scene constructions notwithstanding, these two episodes highlighted the pathos an average royal faced during that period (Hwan’s throwing of the hat does become even more poignant in light of that). During the first watch, the Byeokcheon angle didn’t come through clearly (well, I was hung up on the two leads to the exclusion of everything else). Looking back, I realise these two episodes opened the pages, and they have been doing it gradually.

    Personally, I think these were the two best episodes narrative-wise (once we get off our blinkers from Yi Hwan’s blinding visage and his heartwarming tete-e-tete with his impish eunuch).

    History belongs to the winner. It becomes evident that Jo had been lying to the entire country for ten long years, and he had spread his arms so wide, putting his minions at every place possible, that it was impossible to separate the tentacles.

    His character I believe might have been based on a true character. In the late 1400s, the ruling Joseon King had taken the signature of all his courtiers to validate his reign, but he had a minister so powerful that even the King didn’t dare to ask for his signature. Eventually, the King was able to isolate the minister and throw him out, but it took years of manipulation and politics. I forgot the name of the King, but I will find the source.

    7
    4

      Damn! @seeker I did it again! 😂😂😂

      2
      1

      Thanks for the tag and review.

      And yes, there is no other way to be notified of these fanwall posts or comments unless tagged or replied to.

      3
      0

      You are so very right. The “politics” is becoming clearer only now … in the first watch it had flown directly above my head. But the weakness of the King and the acknowledgement of the CP’s accomplishments and hence attempts to weaken him are evident. While the CP was just hanging on by a thread, now with new and strong friends and allies he is discovering not only the strength in unity but also recovering his suppressed strength, confidence and urge to protect “his people”. As we recall Jae-yi had started off by offering to become his “first person”.

      4
      1

      I haven’t watched many sageuks so I can’t tell. Do other kings also teach their sons life lessons as this king did Hwan? He first came off not very nice but he did worry about his son and actually gave his son real advice. Maybe because of the actor, I always felt this king has some integrity, some spine, and I’m genuinely wondering if his son would have done what the king couldn’t without Jaeyi?

      1
      2

        The actor is splendid.

        The Joseon kings for most part were quite moronic and selfish. They did treat their children more like spare parts. But then that was true for most of Eastern society up until the early to mid 1900s, where fathers were mostly detached from their offspring even outside of royalty.

        The royals bred like rabbits. This King actually worries about his son, though he has no clue how to deal with anything around him. He made some bad choices, which obviously stemmed from a low esteem from being a son of a water maid, who was considered too low to be given any rank probably. He spent his youth surrounding himself with dangerous sycophants but now is too late to do anything about it.

        Hwan was too busy fighting shadows, being distrustful and trying to stay alive to do anything if Jay Yi had not come. Like a Greek tragedy, he had set himself up for a destructive path. Sooner than later, his closest people would have given up on him.

        ‘His Highness has changed’ – Minister Han said when Hwan saved them from a definite ruin. I think of it as Hwan stopped being afraid, though I also think he was always braver than his father. Even though his father still has half the court that supports him, he was still too afraid to do anything. Hwan only needed Jay Yi to set off on a colliding course with his enemies like a bulldozer.

        2
        1

        As a total exception to the rule. the king in Matchmakers was very cool, chillingly smart, and not afraid, except the time he was worried that the “all of a traitor’s family must die”-rule would include someone he was fond of.

        2
        1

    So, I’ve caught up with you!
    When and where is/will be the sixth post?

    2
    1

      Welcome to the Community Watch. This is the entire schedule.

      Post 1 (Episodes 1-2): Midnight – 14-15 March

      Post 2 (Episodes 3-4): Minnie – 21-22 March

      Post 3 (Episodes 5-6): Claire – 28-29 March

      Post 4 (Episodes 7-8): jls943 sonai – 04-05 April

      Post 5 (Episodes 9-10): Cera – 11-12 April

      Post 6 (Episodes 11-12): Claire – 18-19 April

      Post 7 (Episodes 13-14): Minnie – 25-26 April

      Post 8 (Episodes 15-16): Midnight – 02-03 May

      Post 9 (Episodes 17-18): jls943 (Unaspirated) – 09-10 May

      Post 10 (Episodes 19-20): Cera – 16-17 May

      2
      1

    Episode 9 and 10- My Title: By Your Side or Can a Man and Women be Friends??
    https://www.dramabeans.com/members/Seeker/activity/1562528/?nid=4962167&nidwpc=1565237#acomment-1565237
    Link for perfect Gifs to go with this title and the review from this week. cera (@seeker) has done so much work for us.
    Sorry this is so late- can’t vacation and post at the same time.

    “By Your Side- CP and Sergeant were once again trusting and working together. “”I have always been your friend””. Beautiful ”
    By Your Side- CP and Jae-Yi grow closer and their trust is stronger. As CP decides to not focus on the ghost letter and trust Jae-Yi, I breathe a sigh of relief- it had run it’s plot course and was almost to the point of annoying. CP- I will throw my hat down next to yours, and trust you will support and love me back. SIGH!!!! My favorite part. And JY wants to be by him supporting him as the Head E forever! Yes Please! And she doesn’t want to be stuck darning socks or in a kitchen. Love it when she tells him everything she has done is possible because he was by her side.
    By Your Side- CP and CP- How much do we love his internal thoughts. I missed you- you probably didn’t think of me (wrong!!) Palace was empty without you by my side, I have never forgotten that you are a women.
    By Your Side- Ga Ram and Myung Jin- both supporting each other and the CP. This 4-some is a great example of friendship goals. Funny and understanding. Ready to help whenever it is needed. And the looks GR gives MJ are priceless- your crazy, your cute, your impossible, your insane. On and on.
    By Your Side- Tae-Gang and CP- Don’t forget about our trusty Head Protector who is always there for our CP- even when he can’t understand what the H the Prince is doing?!? But wait- a hint of something more devious- NOOOO. If you don’t know it already I am in love with this cute military boy and if you have been to my fan page, you know it. He also has great facial expressions and his sarcasm is everything.

    This show gets better with every turn of events. So on to…..

    3
    1

      Loved and agreed with everything you said. I think Taekang has very sharp instincts, although he may not be eloquent with words like others. Actually everyone in our gang is sharp and smart in their own way. Because of their own life experience, they complement one another well, and together they make a very strong team.

      1
      0