IM YourOnlyOne

Yes, they definitely could. It is fiction after all. But again, today's generation of South Koreans can not differentiate between what is fiction and what is non-fiction, despite the fact that they had great Joseon fiction writers who made historical events fiction.

Not really.

Using history to create fiction is a very common practice in creative fiction. This is especially true when there are blanks in recorded history.

Secondly, even if there were complete records, it can still be turned into fiction … a very common practice as well.

Titanic did happen. The characters, Jack and Rose, while fictional characters, the plots and twists of their story does not necessarily mean parts or the whole of it never happened aboard Titanic. In fact, it doesn't matter if parts or the whole of it happened or not, the mere reality that there were families, individuals, couples, on board the Titanic made this historical fact ripe of fiction.

The king and Deuk Im, while real historical figures, is not exempted from being used in fiction. Based on the research of other people, there were a lot of blanks about the lives of these two people and their relationship. This was were the novel author inserted fiction, in addition to some twists and turns the author changed to make the story even more romantic and bittersweet.

There are a lot of fiction which were based on historical records and historical figures. There are also a lot of fiction which were based on recent true stories but changed a little bit here and here to make it more dramatic.

A production is fiction when there were changes from what actually happened. A production is documentary if there were no changes.

So, yes, the comparison of The Red Sleeve and Titanic are spot on. These are stories based on historical facts/figures but changed here and there, things were added here and there, which made the resulting work fiction and not historical fact. It doesn't matter if it was the characters, the setting, the time period, or the events.

:)

With the sensitivities in Korea, it is safe to say that they chose to be "historically accurate" despite the fact they're writing fiction.

Using history for fiction, especially those where you can easily fiction in it, is a very common practice in creative fiction. One such good example is the movie Titanic.

Titanic happened. There are stories of husbands and wives, families, and people who met on that ship. By using that setting, they inserted a fictional story of a couple who met on that boat. However, it doesn't mean such a story never happened either, the characters are fictional but the parts of the story of the characters were/are possible.

It's the same here. The characters, the king and Deuk Im, were real historical figures and had a real love story. The writer of the novel used them and filled-in the blanks … because there were a lot of unknowns about their story. Those that the novel author added are what is fiction as well as those which were changed to give a more romantic and bittersweet plot.

And this is the problem with the modern Korean culture, for some weird reason today's generation are failing to understand what fiction is. Point in fact, they had great fiction writers way back in the early of days of Joseon era. Fiction is not new to them.

Ummm… what I said. ^_^

Since the minority knetz are so sensitive, they gave the saddest love story ending in episode 17 because that's what happened historically. She died while near her term. They never lived happily ever after. Their son, the crown prince died. She was a Court Lady. The king was a good ruler who loved her so much and truly served the people.

1. The live-action drama stayed close to the novel.
2. The novel was more deep and sadder.
3. It was based on a true story. (Think Titanic but fictionalized and fill-in the blanks.)

Apparently …

1. The death of her eldest, and crown prince at that
2. Herself not eating
3. Then she walked the big palace to get to the prison
4. The case of her friend and her execution

However, there was a scene after the mourning period where she regained her strength. We're not sure how long the mourning period was and how severe her depression was, but let's assume it was a month or two after those events.

5. The older brother of the queen mother died.
6. The king was spending time in their health department and contracted some infection.
7. Then she collapsed
8. Spent 3 days sleeping

I think it is also important to note that during the mourning period, when she first stood and walked properly to talk to the king, she told him that he is strong and he will be fine. Exactly the same thing she said when she was about to die.

Those two scenes were curious … I'm thinking she already knew she's going to die way ahead. That the fact she said she was wrong and comforted the king that he was also suffering from the death of their son, and said he will survive, he is strong, and the trees will bloom again in spring, and everything will be alright … she definitely knew already her time is short.

If so, then I think it was because she gave up. The sorrow. Was just too much.

Also remember, the queen mother also said that the Palace was a beautiful and grand prison. The exact same reason why Duk Im does not want to sleep with the king. Then you have the scene where she was waving goodbye to her "free self".

A free spirited person like her being trapped inside the palace with practically nothing to do (especially since political rivalry is non-existent) was too much for someone like her. In real life, this was also observed in both animals and people. A free spirited animal and person, if their desire is suddenly cut-off, their lives are shortened considerably. It's like sucking the air out of them.

They think they can survive. They think it is fine. But deep inside, at the back of their minds, it is slowly killing them. All it takes is just a couple of losses, like what Duk Im experienced, and that's it, they'll start to spiral down, usually not knowing they've given up.

All things considered, I think her death was more psychological than physical health.

Remember, Duk Im's last request was for the king to ignore her when they meet again in their next lives. I think it's an important clue that she knew what's killing her. She was caged and that is not her life at all.

Right from the moment she chose him over her freedom, she probably knew she'll die early. She knew what she was getting herself into.

It is what made episode 17, no, the whole series in light of episode 17, so very sad. The queen mother was right, Duk Im was scared and trying to escape/run from him because she knew he will be her death.

And so he was in the end.

Episode 17 of this show trumps the sadness ending of:
1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
2. Saikano / Saishū Heiki Kanojo (live-action movie, anime OVAs, anime TV series)
3. Uncontrollably Fond
4. Youth of May
5. Gu Family Book

Episode 17 …

HAHAHAHA … influencers and food reviewers in the Joseon era (in this series) are no better than today in the modern days. They'll ask for free stuff! Hahahahahah

Yet another great series ended. Definitely a show we can rewatch every year.

Great observation!

Yeah, those are definitely not just for effects if it was used in both time periods. There probably is indeed another player. Maybe there's a bigger boss than the older bulgasal? His story and that of the FL's past self is still shrouded in mystery, something happened between them and they appeared to be playing hide-and-seek for centuries.

And the knife scene, that's true. The way I understood it when the flashback scenes showed up, it was like the FL entered into her original self. After the flashbacks, she went back to being a modern woman with no memories of her previous lives. So when the scene went back to the present, the monster was bloodied and shocked.

You linked "superpowers" and "fight choreography". Since they're still building the story, characters, and conflict, there won't reveal their "superpowers" which is why the fight choreography looked "cheap" for you.

So I said, give them time flesh out everything. If they do have greater superpowers than what was revealed, and the characters are fleshed out, we'll probably see more. ^_^

For example, Dan Hwal just learned he wasn't the only Bulgasal. And him versus the ancient/older Bulgasal, he is currently no match for him. As far episode 4, he just got lucky because the ancient Bulgasal was so hell bent on catching Sang Woon. :)

Oooh coolness, First Love Again … again! Will definitely watch this!

From what I understand so far, the female bulgasal did not kill Dan Hwal's family. Unfortunately, during the transformation of Dan Hwal, he killed her which created a new chain of karma.

If Dan Hwal did not kill her and instead listened to her, she probably would've explained why she transferred the curse of bulgasal to him and he'll know that he is the only one who can kill the older/ancient bulgasal hunting her and killing everyone.

Remember, the female bulgasal saved Dan Hwal a lot of times when he was still a kid. She probably knows the distant past of Dan Hwal.

I think that's what she meant when se said he started another revenge [cycle], between them two. Because the original cycle is between her and that ancient/old bulgasal.

It's only the first 4 episodes. :p They're still building up the story and the conflict. ;)

Yep. Thank you for confirming. ^_^

I'm starting to suspect that the older Bulgasal was the one who murdered Dan Hwan's wife, Dan Sol, and their son.

I'm thinking that the female Bulgasal struck Dan Hwan because she knew he is the key in killing the ancient Bulgasal. Unfortunately, because of his intense anger (and sudden transformation), he killed her which started "another chain" of karma and revenge.

The female Bulgasal probably planned to talk to him and explain things. Who killed his family and why he is the only one capable of killing the older Bulgasal, and why she stole his soul so he can become a Bulgasal himself.

I'm also thinking that the female Bulgasal never intended to steal Dan Hwan's soul. At least based on the episode 1 and 2 scenes, when his blood suddenly touched her hand, she immediately pulled away. It was fishy, probably not something she expected.

Here are the important notes/clues:

Episode 2 Part 1:
* Female Bulgasal: I will be born again with this scar that you have given me.

Episode 2 Part 2:
* Min Sang Yeon and Min Sang Woon are twin sisters. They have a younger sister named Min Shi Ho.
* In 2006, Min Sang Yeon was killed by an older Bulgasal. Min Sang Woon and Min Shi Ho fled and lived with the sister of Min Sang Yeon in her previous life.
* Min Sang Yeon remembers all her past lives.
* Min Sang Yeon have a scar, a reminder of the sword Dan Hwan used to kill her. Min San Wool doesn't have any, at least based on what was hinted.
* Min Sang Yeon told her twin: "he (the bus driver) is after my soul".
* Yet, the soul which the monsters can smell is in Min Sang Woon.
* It appears that the female Bulgasal's reincarnation was split into two. The sword scar and being able to remember her past lives went to Min Sang Yeon; while the soul of Dan Hwan went to Min Sang Woon.

Episode 3:
* Min Sang Woon kept trying to remember what her twin sister, Min Sang Yeon, told her when she (Sang Woon) hid in the closet (as seen in Episode 2).
* Min Shi Ho showed up.

Episode 4:
* Min Shi Ho's right hand hurts when she touches someone. -- Remember in Episode 2 when the female Bulgasal stole the soul of Dan Hwan, a soul mark showed up on her right hand.
* Min Shi Ho can feel something when touching other people with her right hand.
* Confirmed that Min Sang Woon was also the female Bulgasal, giving credence to the "twin theory".
* Min Shi Ho was Dan Sol, the wife of Dan Hwan in the past.