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I'm also thinking S2 will be a prequel. A story revolving around Nak Su - at least based on the rumours that they casted Nak Su.

And if the previews are what it seems to be … the story of Nak Su ends in S1. Ep20 will probably be a glimpse into the "happily ever after" of being "reborn" as Mu Deok, a new person, living the rest of the live Bu Yeon can longer have.

Taken together, AoS is a story about Nak Su.

I doubt it was a coincidence. Bu Yeon more likely can glimpse the future. "Mu Deok" is a fitting name for her plans for Nak Su. Went where she needs to be so people will call the "body" as "Mu Deok".

As of episode 18, Bu Yeon knew what she was doing. She never lost her memories. She set things in motion to ensure she will no longer lose the ice stone like she did years ago.

There is also how they believe on the stars. It means that it is in their culture to believe in destinies and prophecies. Which means that, Bu Yeon more likely knew and pretended to have lost her memory … just so she can ensure the future she has seen will unfold the way it should.

Bu Yeon's first words to Nak Su, "We did not lose it this time." Why "we" if it was only her plan? I think she used "we" because it is also Nak Su's destiny.

Bu Yeon was returned back to life to set the stage and to guide it to where it should go.
Bu Yeon and Nak Su, as two souls in one body, to find the ice stone and secure it.
Nak Su as Mu Deok after all is over, to continue the rest of the life Bu Yeon can no longer live herself.

My wild guesses. Haha.

> You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.
-- their magic/energy is in nature

> You cannot touch fire, but it is inside the tree.
-- why the fire suddenly grew bigger

> You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock.
-- this is why the rocks can go through the barrier

> If you let them be, they will exist everywhere.
-- by not controlling it, there can be balance

> The faint, blue light makes me sigh.
-- power of the ice stone
-- eyes of a priestess with an affinity to the ice stone (the first priestess; and later Bu Yeon)

> My white breath turned into snow and tears.
-- reference to the side effect of a wild soul shifter because of using a soul ejector

> I could not let them drop and hid them.
-- He must not let anyone know he is a soul shifter based on the soul ejector (ie not Hwansu)

> Despite knowing that they will fill up once again,
-- the Lake

> I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.
-- he used the ice stone to bring someone back to life; or to prevent someone from going wild because he refused to cry for that person

Again just wild guesses.

More likely.

What we know:

The specialty of a Jin mage is sealing magic
As a priestess, her power also comes from the heavens and can control souls (which more likely allowed her to take in Nak Su's soul while her own soul is still inside = two souls in one body)
Two souls, one body.

Bu Yeon can only "wake up" or to put it another way, relax in her sealing Nak Su's magic. Whenever Nak Su is sleeping, incapacitated, a soul ejector was activated, or they are within the lands of the Jin clan, those are the only times Bu Yeon manifests.

When Nak Su lost consciousness when Jin mama tried to kill her, Bu Yeon was able take control of her own body (she no longer have to keep Nak Su's powers sealed). The immense power of Bu Yeon came out in full force (her eyes showed a blue radiance again), called her mom, tears fell from eyes, and activated the ice stone afterwards.

It was not only because she missed her mother, more likely, it was also because it will be the last time they will ever meet each other. It was like Bu Yeon's final goodbye. It was Bu Yeon's "mom, thank you for everything, it is time for me to go, please take care of Mu Deok, I chose/changed her for you".

Why? Bu Yeon's main objective is the ice stone. She failed in her mission years ago when she was pushed to the Lake. Now, it is time to complete her objective (whatever it is -- maybe to return the ice stone to the heavens; or find someone worthy of controlling it, like Nak Su). Bu Yeon's first words were, "We did not lose it this time."

Now that the ice stone is in her reach, she finally activated it. Once activated, she left her own body and was finally able to talk to Nak Su face-to-face.

While talking, Nak Su asked if Bu Yeon is a Jin relic, to which Bu Yeon reacted with complete authority, "How dare a soul living off my body call me a relic?" If Bu Yeon was still sharing her body with Nak Su, it would have been, "How dare a soul sharing my body call me a relic?"

It is more likely then than Bu Yeon finally left her own body and left it to Nak Su's care:

She called her mom for one last time as her final goodbye
Her affinity with the ice stone (thanks to Jang Kang calling her soul back through the ice stone) allowed her to use the power of the ice stone and leave her own body -- and let Nak Su have full "ownership" instead of being a soul shifter == meaning, Bu Yeon's power is not just from the heavens--being a priestess--but also from the ice stone
Nak Su regaining her powers meant Bu Yeon is no longer in their body to seal her powers

At this point, Bu Yeon seems to trust Nak Su enough that she will make the right decisions and will not use the power of the ice stone like how "Nak Su the Assassin" would have had. She is no longer "Nak Su the Assassin", she is "Mu Deok". (And since her body is a Jin, she also becomes the heir, and can open the Jin vault. It wouldn't be surprising if she can also seal magic, a Jin clan specialty.)

Did Bu Yeon finally left her own body?

Probably Master Lee telling him:

1. Stop Mu Deok from going wild, otherwise I will be forced to kill her.

2. If Mu Deok decides to let Jang Uk live, then let them have the ice stone. Otherwise kill Jang Uk and I will will kill Mu Deok.

3. Your wife was reincarnated as my errant pupil's granddaughter, stop her from falling in love with your son, it's … it's … it's …

4. The queen is Shaman Choi, return the soul of the real queen and finish her.

5. Tell Park Jin your maidservant and I will elope.

:p haha

Or, Nak Su is really just naive. =))

Yeah, I don't have anything to say to that either. She's been in the body for like what … more than a year now (in-universe)?

But if I will take a guess, they are probably playing with the rule that only one soul and inhabit a body because that's what a soul ejector does - eject souls and replace it with a different soul.

As far as Nak Su is concerned, her soul is the only one inside her body. So, all this time, she has not make a connection that the original soul was still inside her.

Although, after their interaction inside the ice stone, it would appear Bu Yeon finally left, at least based on the translation, she reacted to Nak Su as if she already left her body, that she has finally given full control of her body to her. Also remember the scene Bu Yeon woke up and called her mother "Mother" for the last time and tears fell from both her eyes? It does seem like it was that moment Bu Yeon left her body and gave it to Nak Su, hence the way she responded to Nak Su when she called her a relic.

Another thing. I've always think that Bu Yeon was sealing Nak Su's power since episode 1. Since she left her body, Nak Su got her powers back too.

Ooh that's a very good point.

Sadly, I don't have anything about the flowers. But yes, you are correct that there is meaning behind everything in these type of shows.

As of ep18, it does indeed appear Bu Yeon set things in motion. And she sealed Nak Su's power because she wants her to change.

Her isolation. Her witnessing the death of her father, and then later finding out she was used. Her being trained by Jin Moo's gang. Her being isolated. It made her in a fiercesome assassin because she lost her human connections and her humanity. She became a living weapon.

Bu Yeon want her to change. Bu Yeon chose her to take over her body.

Bu Yeon created the barrier as a final test for Nak Su. Now that she have human connections. Now that she is no longer alone. Which path would she choose? Back to being Nak Su the assassin, a name that is not even her birth name? Or, be Mu Deok?

I'm starting to think Bu Yeon even chose the name Mu Deok for Nak Su.

Mu Deok = 무덕 / 무덕이 it means:
1. clear as mud (according to Naver)
2. virtue (according to Google and Bing)

Can also be written as 낙수 which means falling water. (According to Naver, Google, and Bing)

According to Korean Wikipedia, one way of writing it in Hanja is 武德 which means military virtues.

The Hanja form is interesting. It means that it's meaning as "virtue" is not just any virtue but _military_ virtues. It does not fit Bu Yeon, she is a Jin priestess. She was not trained to fight.

The meaning "clear as mud" is also interesting. It gives the idea of "tabula rasa" which means "blank slate". It is a theory that "individuals are born without built-in mental content, and therefore all knowledge comes from experience or perception". (Wikipedia)

Bu Yeon did not choose the name "Mu Deok" for herself. She chose it for Nak Su.

Mu Deok is a new identity for someone who will be _reborn_. Someone given a "blank slate" (a new beginning) (tabula rasa) and regain knowledge from experience or perception.

It is "clear as mud". A mud that can be shaped into anything. A mud that can be molded into anything.

And with virtues. Not just any virtue but _military_ virtues. Trained to fight. Trained to kill. Have killed. But is connected to their humanity. That being trained as one is a responsibility.

Which even Master Lee sent the same message: if she will unsheathe Nak Su's sword then she will have to take responsibility. Master Lee figured out and understood why the "great power" inside Mu Deok's body is protecting her.

And it was also the last lesson of Bu Yeon to Nak Su when they finally were able to talk. Take one and you will lose another. It is a burden she has to take if she will use the ice stone.

Here's the kicker. I think that the ice stone barrier was not only to test Nak Su on which path she will take, I think it was also to teach her about the power of the ice stone and how to use it properly.

Noticed how they kept repeating and showing scenes about water, fire, and wind throughout the episode? Bu Yeon also told her "pull and get pushed" and how "overflowing power" means she will not be able to control how much of it she can use.

"Desire rain and you will get a flood."
"Desire wind and you will get a typhoon."

Choosing her path is not enough. She also has to learn to _respect_ the power of the ice stone and how to use it properly.

Through the barrier, Bu Yeon was able to give teach her the final lesson and let her realize the human connections she had made and make a decision based on it (instead of being "Nak Su").

Nak Su finally died and Astronomer Cho's daughter was finally reborn as Mu Deok.

Episode 18 more in-depth thoughts:

Jin Bu Yeon's final test for Nak Su … and she passsed.

Episode 18 summary

Huh. Not bad.

S2 could be a prequel too.

> They can be compared based on overall writing and power to engage.

The OP only said, and I quote, "now, aos >>>> eaw"

If the OP made it clear that s/he was talking about the "writing and power to engage" then I'm wrong. But the OP did not so it can be taken in various ways and any comments about it "is valid".

You understood it as about "writing and power to engage", I understood it as "fantasy vs advocacy".

Also … last I checked EAW already ended and AOS still have one more week.

The father-daughter adoption plot is the best part of this family drama.

It makes you see and understand the complexities of familial relationship laws as well as the emotions involved in being adopted and later finding your birth family.

Here in the Philippines there are many stories highlighted in local shows about this. They found their birth family but they chose to stay with their adoptive family. There were also those who were angry at first but eventually has forgiven and accepted each other.

They captured these different true-to-life stories and compacted it in this drama.

I hope others see this sub-plot for what it is instead of "just another TV entertainment/drama". It's good. It talks about human relationships, the challenges, the problems, family members arguing and having conflicts.

It is not your typical drama, Korean or otherwise, where there is a very predictable plot and it follows a formula to entertain the audience. It teaches us a lesson. It gives us an idea about different people.

It is very human.

Re: religion, Christianity isn't the only 'religion' that frowns upon living together unmarried.

Also, marriage is one of the most fundamental aspect in many civilizations (past or current). It has been debated a lot if the idea and practice of "marriage" is a social thing or a religious thing.

As you've said yourself, cultural differences. Also, basically you're saying that you just want to express yourself. Since you posted a public comment then it means you're open to discussing it. ^_^

It may look like that from your perspective and culture but it is important in their culture. I'm not Korean but I was born in a culture and clan that places far more importance and authority to grandparents or elders. While I do not like what's happening in the show, it is understandable.

Them choosing this sub-plot is also a reflection of their culture and their desire to change things. Korean writers still write stories based on current cultural and social issues, not like Western writers. ^_^

That said, maybe one day this sub-plot will just become a trope but for now, they're still at that stage where this particular sub-plot happens in real life.

In Asia, especially here in Asia-Pacific, grandparents do play a huge role for better or worse.

If you live here in Asia, then probably you were lucky enough to have been born when society has changed or your family no longer gives too much authority to grandparents.

If you don't live here, then it is like that. I was born in a clan at a time when grandparents still hold much authority over everything. And you can not go against their wishes unless you're willing to have feud (in other families, they'll be disowned by the entire clan).