At first I thought it was stubbornness that made her stay, like holding on until the end just for that small possibility that she wasn’t 100% mistaken in marrying Bu Sang Gil.
But after a while, I realized that maybe that was her own type of revenge in a way I guess. Obviously, she was still suffering from her situation but it’s way different from the beginning where he used to beat her up. She can now even berate him for often coming home for dinner, directly calling it bothersome.
This is no ordinary “staying for the children” trope. I think she was staying with him until the end to deprive him of another shot at life by remarrying or enjoying bachelor life. It was like “I’m miserable anyway, so I’ll make you miserable too”.
This may come off as toxic, but I kinda saw Yeong Ran’s actions as “there’s no love or respect in this marriage anyway. you can cheat all you want but at the end of the day, you’re tied up with me. You’re actions are only making your children hate you and make everyone else lose their respect for you, despite your captain title and family background.”
I mean with that logic, it’s like she’s totally lost any hope of a better life, which is just darn tragic too. Also, not all women in their redemption arc have to become domineering or vengeful to be considered “strong”.
Yeong Ran, despite not being as energetic as Ae-Sun, is a strong woman who not only defied the cards given to her but also still remained true to her values (she never cheated back nor abused her stepsons).
We also have to consider her situation. She married young (probably to secure a comfortable life, just like how Ae-sun once almost did) and she didn’t have any source of income, even hanyeos barely get by. In addition, her husband’s family controlled the island, like how if it weren’t for Ae-sun’s grandma buying them a boat, they were definitely a lost cause unless they luckily find some form of livelihood in another village/city. We don’t even see Yeong Ran’s maiden family or know if she had one.
It’s sad how Yeong Ran probably settled with her life, but she was no doormat and definitely fought back in her own way (going dancing & voting for Ae-sun). While we should never romanticize settling in an unhealthy relationship, let’s also give credit where credit is due.
Don’t be fooled by her calm demeanor, Yeong Ran is not weak.
Also, may a man like Bu Sang Gil never find me because that man is a nightmare!! 🥹
