Kathryn_51

I finally finished this last night, but compared to other kdramas of the same era (What's Wrong with Secretary Kim or Private Lives) which were also 16 episodes, this was truly meh. The other dramas used filler to make it to 16 episodes (the dreaded "childhood" connection for one) but there was a beginning, middle w/lots of tension plus fun and an end.

Plus, as I was nearing the end, I finally looked up the actress and discovered - I've hated her in two other dramas! Did not recognize her.

Anyway, thanks for info on the webtoon. Cha Eun Woo's character was so one-dimensional - it wasn't his acting, the wooden/non-smiling was clearly in the script/direction and from what you said, that's how he was portrayed in the webtoon, so. . . won't ever be on my rewatch list, lol.

You are correct, although my [CC] sub said Kang Clan, Dam-sin. I've noticed the [CC] subtitles are subtlety different.

Also, in the Joseon scenes, when subtitling someone's thoughts, they also use "Seo-ri", not Dan-sim. But then again, the modern era, they frequently note that it is "Dan-sim" thinking out loud. Not clear if it's intentional or sloppy.

So, I read up on reincarnation and the general "tradition/belief" states that the "old soul's" memories are buried deep in the new body's subconscious. That's the apparent case with Se-gye who has glimpses of Joseon Grand Prince life in his dreams.

My thought is that when Seo-ri collapsed at the filming site (very ill/high fever), Dan-sim's memories flooded to her consciousness and Seo-ri's memories were suppressed. In that event, I think "return/go back" could mean that Dan-sim must submerge once more so that Seo-ri conscious/complete memories become dominant. Seo-ri made it clear - she wants her body back, as in "control" of her body, her decisions. Once that happens, will she remember everything in Dan-sim's past life?

I guess the real question is: are we dealing with a battle (for control) between conscious and sub-conscious? Or, between two separate souls. I vote for the 1st option because it makes the most sense - ------to me, lol.

She has to "return/go back" so that Seo-ri's full memories can emerge. Grandmama wants/needs Seo-ri, not "Dan-sim". But, you see, I think this is straight reincarnation (one soul - just like Grand Prince/Se-gye) and not soul swapping/time travel.

I know most folks think it's all about soul swapping (but I don't understand where the 2nd soul is while the 1st is going back and forth in time) OR soul possession (Dan-sim taking possession in Seo-ri from time to time.)

Actually, none of it those scenarios are romantic to me. But we'll see how they wrap it all up.

I've re-watched a few scenes and have the following questions.

I believe that in at least 2 of Se-gye's dreams, he (as the Grand Prince) asked "Dan-sim" what her name was and just as she was about to tell him, something interrupted. Did he ever hear her name in his dreams?

In fact, did the viewer ever say her complete name (Kang Dan-sim)?? In the handful of Joseon scenes I watched, no one calls her Kang Dan-sim. SHE calls herself that, but everyone else calls her Court Lady, Huibin Kang or the "Kang wretch". Only the script/subs and the FL herself identifies her as "Dan-sim".

I'm asking because I don't understand the very last scene with Modern Era Shaman who had another vision of a woman named Kang Dan-sim.

Thankfully, I never panic about other people's speculation. 😊Previews are mis-leading, but at this junction, everything is pointing to Grandmama's bad health and slipping memory.

But regardless, it will be a happy ending.

The "white truck of doom" usually means that someone dies. So, although it made its appearance, no one died; it was really a wink to tradition. Modern day "court intrigue" is simply chaebol/corporate/family intrigue. There's no doubt about the happy ending.

But yes, reincarnation/soul possession/time travel maybe? - it's the foundation of the drama and if you don't like those types of stories, then. . . this one isn't for you.

The news was that five items from the Joseon period were being returned and ONE of them was the diary of of. . .[checks notes] "the ill-fated Grand Prince Cheongheong. . . .The diary contains a drawing that looks very similar. . . .[muffled words] . . . is also the work of Grand Prince Cheongheong."

Se-gye's memories are firmly lock into his sub-conscious. But the diary will hopefully explain to the viewer what happened back then and confirm what Seo-ri said about their past lives.

Two of my favorite dramas are based on hate/love romances with no actual triangles, no break-ups and very happy endings:

Crazy Love
Sh**ting Stars (bonus: TWO 2nd couples)

". . .the main plot is how ML and FL, despite people and circumstances pulling them apart find a way back to each other."

THIS!!!😂😊❤️😊

The only thing I would add is that they needed some cosmic justice (the red star, the sun-shower, etc) to bring them back together in the first place.

I always wonder at the folks who think they could write a better 12- 14 episode drama with an interesting plot, unique characters and tie it all up at the end (which I'm fairly certain will happen)

Lots of reason to love this drama, but a big one for me is the fast pace and very few "cliffhangers". No silly cliffhangers like: are they going to kiss? or break-up? or get caught? Ep. 6 ending was epic and the viewer can't wait to see how this new "announcement" will play out.

What do I see? Daughter doesn't have a crush on Jun Hyeong so much as he reminds her of the father figure she never had and she very much wants his approval/respect after being treated like trash by the rest of her sorry family. His approval validates her.

Chairman wants to get back into his body and wreak destruction on the traitors in his family. It's a race against time (and his murderous daughter) to keep "his" body alive so that the switch can happen again. I don't believe it will be delayed until the last episode - too much fun if it happens a bit earlier.

I hope we're done with the corporate wheeling-dealing because even tho I love corporate office intrigue dramas, this is about family power plays; the business is side-show.

Did I mention that I really like this drama?? 😊😂😊😂

In classic "reincarnation" traditions, the new body/incarnation does not consciously remember past lives. The old life is effectively "forgotten" at a surface level, though influences may persist subconsciously or karmically.

This explains perfectly why se-gye has those dreams, presumably triggered by a little cosmic fantasy, aka the red comet.

As for Seo-ri, it's the same EXCEPT that when she was ill/burning from a fever, she apparently collapsed at the filming site and at that point the sub-conscious "Dan-shim" awakened - perhaps in protective mode??

Anyway, Dan-shim must return to the sub-sconscious state so that Seo-ri's full memories will return and she can help her Grandmama.

I think this is what will happen: Dan-shim was reincarnated when Seo-ri was born, but like all (most?) reincarnations [according to Buddhist and/or Hindu traditions] In most traditions and reported experiences, the new body/incarnation does not consciously remember past lives. The old life is effectively "forgotten" at a surface level, though influences may persist subconsciously or karmically:

Grandmama desperately wants her "little angel" back and in order for that to happen, Dan-shim's personality needs to recede (as in GO BACK, Return, etc. etc.) to sub-conscious level so that Seo-ri's MEMORIES can re-surface. And by so doing, Dan'shim's memories of se-gye may disappear. That's the dilemma she faces.

My speculation only, of course but it seems pretty obvious to me.

The drama was promoted as "love-hate" - one of my favorite plots. But the hate quickly evaporated by Episode 4, so I haven't been watching for the romance. But the overall story and plot (corporate intrigue - another favorite of mine) is at least entertaining, altho not unique; the actors are really good; new things revealed in each episode.

But the last two weekends, I didn't sit down to watch until a day or two later, so like you - not truly excited.

I think we - the viewer - will FINALLY find out what happened during the years between his exile and his death approximately 6-7 years later. And there are 4 other artifacts from King Anjong's reign so, perhaps they will help explain how Dan-shim became the Royal Consort.

We're going to hear the sun-shower story again as well - the "blessing from a loved one wishing you happiness in your new life".

In other words, the writer is going to use those artifacts to tie everything up in a neat bow for the viewer and I, for one, am looking forward to it.

He's already past his date - supposed to be NLT 29th birthday, but sometimes they give special waivers.

A fictional Peru-Bolivia type country in South America.

Lots of Asians (especially Japanese) emigrated to South America. In fact, several 2nd generation have been elected to top positions, including President.

My favorite as well.

I've been predicting that the switch will happen (maybe around Ep. 10?) because then poor soccer player Hwang Jun Hyeon (who will have NO recollection of what's been going on) will be forced to assume a role he's ill-prepared for and the Chairman (back in his rightful body) won't be able to say or do anything in public. Should be lots of fun.

She did NOT marry the king. She rose to the rank of “Bin” — highest ranking concubine. But she was never the Queen.

I didn't realize it until yesterday (Ep. 11) when Secretary Son gave history lesson regarding Director Jang/Mundo. "Jang was used and discarded by Chairman Cha and grabbed Mundo as a lifeline". Plus, Chairman said he had been watching Mundo all along.

Then compared them to Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao. I looked up the three guys - all Chinese warlords that betrayed each other. [Cao Cao was the survivor]

Jang's been working with Grandpa all along - I would bet on it.