gf44

Man. They just went to the next level. What even is happening?

Awesome!

Epic! Thanks! 🙏🏽

Ahahahahha! That's hilarious!

It certainly look like it! :) I hope there are captions in my future. The whole MJ howl, moonwalk and impromptu dancing is hilarious. So comfortable with each other and the setting

I don't understand anything but it's brilliant! They have SUCH GREAT CHEMISTRY. 🔥🔥🔥

100% in agreement. Couldn't have said it better myself. I find it interesting that so many commenters find her behaviour harsh or anachronistic or reflective of modern sensibilities. I think there is something in the way we look at historical characters, especially women that denies them of agency. I respect her. as you say. "perceived freedom" since she's carved it for herself so very very carefully and deliberately. She's not asking for equality. She's acutely cognisant of the fact that he is King. As far as her "universe" of the palace is concerned: he is god. So for her to stand up and talk back, to deny him, could even be seen as way of putting an end to everything that's between them. Because she can't imagine a reality where he will be hers. Sharing him with the kingdom is different from sharing his loyalty, his heart and his body with others. While she would belong to him probably in ways the other concubines don't -- because they are connected to family and friends and rank among the nobility. She is a slave. She comes from a family that is, or was, perceived as traitors. So apart from her friends, and possibly her absent brother, and Lady Seo, he would have all of her love and loyalty. At this point, I don't think there is any expectation that there is distinction between the two. This is why I found the ending of episode so fascinating and moving. The women in his life tell him what she's been indirectly saying all along. Actually, she's even said to him directly. And for once he listens. But more importantly, he understands. By saying he can't apologise because he is King but he can be thankful for all that she is and all that she has done and been to him is the handhold she needed to fully trust him with herself. He finally sees her position and he respects her. Not just because he loves her but because he sees her as a stalwart ally who's loyalty has been unwavering. I think that's incredibly power. And that lends her the courage to reach out to him. While he's been the one making the first move all along. But this last time, she acts on the realisation that while the divide between them will remain, he recognises wholeheartedly what she is entrusting to him -- her mind, her heart and her body. And his acceptance of it -- the manner of it -- illustrates that he will safeguard it because, after all, she, above all others, is his precious one.

They are both on 🔥😍👏🏽. Incredible acting and the chemistry is OFF THE HOOK.

Agreed. There are no clear cut "good" choices here.

Yep. I find her very sympathetic. There are no easy answers or choices where she's concerned. I think some might be more sympathetic if she denied her agency and acquiesced. But it's that core of steel to her that's so attractive to me; and I bet, to San.

AGREED! 🔥🔥🔥

I agree. It's an adult take on a complicated love story. No candy and romance-lite here. It's nuanced, dark and I like the inexorable push and pull. I think she's explained as much as she can to him at least. The convo with Lady Seo about not being a concubine, I think went to the heart of the matter -- that plus the convo with her ninja Unnie - who told her that there is the one person whom everyone likes and while that may work in her favour outside the palace walls. Inside: it may as well be a death sentence.
I also find it interesting and consistent with her character arc that the times she's been bold, taken risks, been outspoken, it's always been on someone else's behalf. Where her own person is concerned she remains remarkably tightlipped.
It's also interesting for me to see how she's really struggling with seeing him as King...which is something he acknowledges, eventually, even though she sees it day in and day out. The theme of going back to how things were or recovering who they used to be has been handled well, which, ironically enough, is what makes their push and pull so frustrating.

Yep, I think there was some of that at play too. I found the transition between the convo with the head guard (hilarious btw) and the attack so jarring. But maybe that was part of the direction choice? Attack when no one expects it? Bring on ALLLLL the fan service, please. And thank you. Too much to hope for a mature rating, I suppose! 😍

Lovely, thanks! ☺️

Thank you! 🙏🏽

I think it'll show up when San is teetering on the edge of deciding what to do with Deok-Ro. He's a threat to Deok-Imma not to mention all the crazy torture cells so that'll be the final nail in his royal career. I hope.

In terms of narrative strength and pacing, I felt that this week the direction felt a little unsure. Quite unlike the steady vision of previous weeks. Nonetheless, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since our story has pivoted from external foes and threats to internal aggressors. Uneasy is the head that wears the crown has never been more appropriate than in this episode. After tenuous alliances helped the crown prince become king they gradually unravel as everyone seeks to consolidate their own position. The Dowager Queen and the Royal Secretary are the most obvious in their power grab. The former is clearly out to press the King where it hurts the most - his personal relations. It was interesting to witness how upfront she was about pointing out his vulnerabilities and making sure that he is aware that she's pressing hard on her own agenda. The insult to Deok-imma was a classic example of the fact that he is vulnerable when it comes to the women's court since his mother is beholden to the Dowager Queen and his aunt would rather see him dead. Meanwhile he can't protect Deok-imma or place her in a position where she can protect herself because she refuses a position and title that can safeguard her.
The Royal Secretary, meanwhile is showing aspects of himself that only people who were weaker in relation to him have felt before, a naked power grab by killing dissenters, making deals with the King's mum, the Dowager Queen and pushing his sister to become concubine 1. It's interesting to see that San is very aware of his machinations. In his conversation with his mother and his nuanced act of controlling conversation in court -- he's clearly keeping score. I think, the Royal Secretary is going to meet his end very soon, if the preview from EP 14 is anything to go by. The first check mark against the Royal Secretary was his appalling commentary on Deok-Imma - that king should have her and get her out of his system -- which the King has already censured him on. The second check mark was arranging the King's private life by going behind his back and talking to the queen mother and the Dowager Queen. And now, if he goes on a rampage post EP 14 and does anything to harm Deok-Imma then..well, I wish I could say it was nice knowing you. Not to mention...that ripped page is going to be the final nail in his coffin. Because that has to show up now with suspicions at an all time high.
The political astuteness Deok-Imma's friends show was a nice touch. It pulled the story away from the zoom on the king and the inner court to zoom out on how others are seeing the situation. Deok-Imma's love for her friends plays a quiet but important role in this part of the story. Her friends are her family. Apart from herself...what little she owns of her self beyond her loyalty and love for the King...her friends are what she loves most. They ground her and give her comfort. More importantly, they are all in the same place in terms of power dynamics so relations are equal.
I thought this point was beautifully made in the library scene, which was a reframing of the first library scene - except this time he attempted to understand her answer (which indicates some growth on his part). It was so moving when she says, that she is afraid of losing herself because being with him would mean giving all of herself to him....as a King and as a man of his time that is what he would demand. And given the power differential between them, there is no way she could stop that from happening. I love that they have shown how torn she is between her love for herself and her love for him. I think, in the end, when/if she does accept him it will be her realisation (rationalisation?) that loyalty to the King demands that she put herself second and him first (as much as that idea repels me!) because with his heart safe, his peace of mind assured, and his major vulnerability -- Deok-Imma -- protected, he will have the stability necessary to do all that he aspires to do. It's a terrible situation to be caught in but I think the story is inexorably pushing us in this direction. So their love then isn't all sweetness and light. It's dark. It's bittersweet. It's full of sacrifice. A love story for grown-ups. Where the happily ever after isn't entirely happy or forever.
Right then, bring on the next eps. Tomorrow is going to be in freefall.

I agree with the other commenters - the pacing felt.a little uneven in this episode but some powerful moments. And the plot has also advanced. Somewhat.
But the acting...oh the acting was stellar. These two communicate more with their eyes than entire dramas do with spoken lines. Their silences whether filled with amusement e.g. stone skipping or denial and frustration -- the bulk of the episode, or despair and confusion e.g. the library scene are so evocative. I think when the push and pull ends, we're all going to combust. God knows that near miss kiss was hot AF.
When the ep is airing I'm all about the delayed gratification. But when I'm waiting it's like get it on already! hahaha. But I suspect, I'm not the only one. Also, kudos to the dramas and the epic commenting on this page. I've never refreshed comments so often and so fast in my drama watching life. 😂👏🏽

What an emotional rollercoaster ride of storytelling this week has been. I though the arc with the King and the Crown Prince was handled beautifully. The fever pitch of emotions from paranoia and distrust to confusion and disbelief to sheer horror and grief. The King's vacillating emotions and his unraveling of San's father's dark past was incredible to watch. San's horror and the magnitude of betrayal he felt, that his father could have done something so terrible and that he had been by turns punished and loved for being his grandfather's hope for the future only for the old King to blame him for his father's sins. Jun Ho's portrayal of a range of emotions was brilliant to watch. All the dirty laundry -- the terrible dark deeds that were whispered about that he had been shouldering in silence -- all of it came spilling out in a front of a full court, full of friends and foes. It was the betrayal he portrayed that hit me the hardest. To be the bearer of silent shame only to have a spotlight shone on it. I think it was one of those rare moments where his hate for the Old King superseded all his other filial emotions. I was bawling during the Old Kings's death. As he puts it so beautifully, his grandfather - who loved and loathed and feared him in equal measure - was his sky and to have that ripped away from him. It's no wonder his emotional control is stellar once he's crowned as King. No longer a frightened child nor a young man unable to steer his own destiny -- he's come through all of it, older and stronger, and wiser. But it has cost him those glimpses of humanity, and warmth, and humour that were so apparent in the earlier episodes. I don't think we'll see these emotions to the same extent in this next set of episodes because as other commenters have said: he's no longer the same person. But if someone can unearth his softer aspect it will be Deok Imma.
The story of the fairy court, conspiracies and all was wrapped up well. Not a clean slate by any means but definitely something that went back underground after the current leadership died. It was a shame that the direction chose to focus on the love forsworn aspect of the Chief Court Lady's motivations rather than retaining the complexity of power accrued to safeguard the weak and yet using the same power to corrupt. But that's a small quibble. It's still very cool to see how the women of court continue to exercise power and shape the circumstances of their existence to better suit them.
In all these happenings my heart went out to Deok Imma. I know, most of us are in favour of her refusal and support her limited acts of agency but my heart broke for her when she was sitting with her mentor. It was a beautifully written and acted scene. Breaking her own heart now because it would break later at the hands of a man who is loved and feared by many; and who can never be hers alone. And the pieces that are hers will also wear away over time. It was such a relatable fear. One that I don't think San knows and possibly, may never know. When she has such little power and choice, Deok Imma can choose him and break her heart, or she can refuse him and break her heart. It's a terrible choice. But fantastically well presented in the drama. It certainly doesn't help that this incredibly hot, smart, overbearingly insufferable man looks at her like she's his next breathe and his last meal. Falling in love and Being in love are two completely different animals and in this drama both Deok Imma and San experience them so differently. His becoming King means he can finally be with her, make a family with her (be still my heart!), and make her his. The one person who is his own to trust and to love. His. His. His. But for her, San's becoming King means that his sphere of influence shrinks her agency even further. While her loyalty and trust can bloom because he is king, her love for him is so vulnerable because he and all he represents is so overwhelming. He can never be Hers. Just Hers.
Ugh. It's all a bit too much.
Never have I wanted my leads to just effing GET IT ON so badly while wanting them to just WANT AT A DISTANCE. Because no matter what lens I use their love story, history aside, will always be bittersweet.
This is my first, and possibly, last, sageuk folks. I don't see how anything can come even close.
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On a more shallow note, the scene where she patted his mouth with a napkin and fed him a slice of sweetened ginger, has got to be one of the more erotic kdrama scenes I've watched. It was pared down to just the them. And my heart was about ready to explode.
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Bring on all the tears and palpitations this next set of episodes.

What an engaging set of episodes. It bears repeating but the direction, the story, the cinematography and the acting of everyone involved has been top notch. Just like every other week. More thoughts on the eps marked as spoiler below.