I see lots of moralising about fictional characters. Dramas would be boring af if they were populated by Mary Sues and Gary Stus. One of the things that makes this show stand out is the way it maturely explores grey areas. I have noticed that none of the wedding ceremonies have been shown onscreen (besides the old couple's 60th anniversary). I think this is a deliberate choice as if to suggest that marriage as an institution is not necessarily the pinnacle of romantic love, contrary to what society and tradition says (maybe the show is, like Janghyun, a little misogamist). More important are the instances of self-sacrifice like Janghyun facing off 17 Qing soldiers, and the small acts of devotion like Eunae packing socks for Yeonjun's journey to Qing.
Janghyun himself is unconventionally feminist in the way that he admires and celebrates Gilchae's "unladylike" qualities. His empathy towards "sullied" women is quite unique among the show's male characters (even someone like Yangchun exhibits victim-blaming tendencies).
Unlike Captain Gu, Janghyun's love for Gilchae is unconditional. Gilchae may be married but Janghyun will always wish for her safety and happiness. Meanwhile, Captain Gu was ready to commit murder when he thought Gilchae had eloped before the wedding. Captain Gu relentlessly pursued Gilchae while knowing she had feelings for another man. Gilchae made it clear to Captain Gu that he would have to accept all the parts of her, good and bad. This was a plea for him to prove he could be steadfast (in an early episode, Gilchae said this was what she most wanted in her future husband). Captain Gu failed the test at the first hurdle. He was able to accept that Gilchae was emotionally unfaithful but it was the idea that she had *physically* (unwillingly) been that was the dealbreaker for him. From the start, Captain Gu's feelings for Gilchae were based on ownership of her body. His possessiveness is no different to the Princess's regarding Janghyun. They would both rather their object of affection die than be with someone else. Their approaches to love stand in stark contrast to Janghyun's love and protectiveness for Gilchae, despite knowing she can't belong to him.
As for the Princess character, she is fairly simple but her presence makes for an interesting dynamic whereby it's the woman who holds all of the power over the man instead of the usual vice versa. Instead of the first season's heroism and fighting prowess, Janghyun must rely on his considerable wits in order to get himself and Gilchae out of her clutches.
On another note, I'm glad that the rushed editing and continuity issues that we saw at the end of the first season seem to have been mostly tidied up. The drama continues to play around with timelines, to mixed success. So far this season, we haven't had any of the voiceover narration that we got in the first - not sure if this is significant. I'm also increasingly impressed by Kim Yoonwoo and Kim Moojoon as Ryangeum and the Crown Prince. Two very promising young actors.
To write an epic love story, they have to make every character that becomes btw ml, fl completely unlikable. No…
I don't think Ryangeum is completely unlikeable. He's misguided, yes, but not despicable. And they needed to make Captain Gu's feelings for Gilchae constrast with Janghyun's. There's no juxtaposition if both men loved her to the same degree.
The reunion was truly gut-wrenching. Namkoong Min has rightly been receiving praise but I have to give a shoutout to Ahn Eunjin for portraying Gilchae's transformation from vain and carefree young noblewoman to a determined survivor, full of quiet strength, who has been scarred irreversibly by the trials she has faced.
I'm reminded of Gilchae's dream - a metaphor for her long journey to reach her intended - how far she had to run through different landscapes (representing distance), through many seasons (representing time) and getting grimy and dishevelled (representing the fact that she's become "dirtied" in certain eyes) to eventually meet her man. I hope we're coming to the end of her struggles because it's been harrowing.
Random thoughts on episode 12: Janghyun's flashback gave some more info about his past. Going by the meaningful looks between Janghyun's sister and the servant(?), I'm thinking they might have had feelings for each other and that maybe led to the incident Janghyun spoke about where someone took their own lives because of humiliation (his sister... or his father?). And so it's actually *very important* that Gilchae is married and then abducted and almost raped because Janghyun is the only man in the world who will have her regardless since he doesn't believe in feeling shame. I need more clues!
Why did that Joseon servant woman screw Gilchae over? So uncalled for.
The Manchurian is sounding more and more Korean.
I like that they introduced yet another culture/people (even though they seem to be using Korean actors to portray them all). I hope we see more of the Mongolians.
Also, I was expecting Ryangeum to go on a whole villain arc after the end of episode 10 but glad to see they've avoided that so far and taken a more interesting route. The Crown Princess is becoming more prominent. I know irl she has a rather tragic fate so maybe they're building up to that.
Since the beginning, this show has been calling out the impossible and unfair standards of purity, chastity and other bs put upon Joseon women but that seems to have sailed completely over many heads.
While it's been fun seeing Janghyun embrace his inner hero more and more, I think this episode needed more of Gilchae and an insight into her thoughts after her big decision at the end of the last season. Perhaps a one-to-one scene with Jongjong or Eunae after her marriage. But now we've been thrown back into the narrative and the opportunity was lost.
Overall, I find the drama's treatment of romantic love a welcome departure from the usual formula. This goes hand in hand with the gritty portrayal of the impacts of war on civilians and the characterisation of Qing figures. At almost every juncture, the show chooses historical context and character nuance over tropes, cliches and idealism. I think that's a brave writing choice. Love in real life is not always constant or pure or good, it doesn't conquer all and people often don't recognise who's right for them from the beginning. I am glad to have a drama that doesn't shy away from that.
P. S. Can MDL mods please add the countdown and episode count?
Watched the trailer and I was not expecting any of that but colour me intrigued. Poor Gilchae. And what of her family? Bring on the heartbreak, I'm ready
I have seen some other people speculate this...But Jang Hyun hates Yeon Jun so why would YJ expect that JH would…
Yeah, the arguments against Ryangeum are that he's not a noble and it's hard to see a higher-up want to go to such lengths to care for someone who's half Jurchen. I didn't like the evil eye he was giving Gilchae in the last episode. I hope he doesn't go on some crazy revenge arc.
I have seen some other people speculate this...But Jang Hyun hates Yeon Jun so why would YJ expect that JH would…
My thinking was that Yeonjun's loyalty to the king would waver after his imprisonment and he would join the Crown Prince's side, thereby becoming closer to Janghyun. The wording of the historical record in the prologue was somewhat ambiguous but it seems like Janghyun will be someone who supports the Crown Prince while Injo becomes suspicious of him after his return from being a hostage (we've seen a little of that already). Also, I don't think Janghyun necessarily *hates* Yeonjun or he wouldn't have put himself on the line to save him. I just think he doesn't have time for Confucianist worldviews and blind patriotism, as well as the way Yeonjun is kinda cowardly with his feelings.
As for the noble person protecting the patient, I was thinking it might even be Hyojong, Injo's successor and the Crown Prince's brother. But honestly it could just as well be anyone else.
But I do agree there's plenty to discover about Janghyun's past so there are many other possibilities about who the white-haired person is at this point!
So I'm rewatching the first episode and I'm thinking the white-haired figure might be Yeonjun. The doctor said that they don't take in "just anyone" but people from noble families. He's also being overseen by some shadowy higher-up figure (the doctor said that he was instructed to take very good care of the patient). Or, it could be one of the dead Crown Prince's followers, maybe the eunuch. I can't think of any other noblemen who would be so loyal to Janghyun but it could be someone we haven't met yet too.
Janghyun himself is unconventionally feminist in the way that he admires and celebrates Gilchae's "unladylike" qualities. His empathy towards "sullied" women is quite unique among the show's male characters (even someone like Yangchun exhibits victim-blaming tendencies).
Unlike Captain Gu, Janghyun's love for Gilchae is unconditional. Gilchae may be married but Janghyun will always wish for her safety and happiness. Meanwhile, Captain Gu was ready to commit murder when he thought Gilchae had eloped before the wedding. Captain Gu relentlessly pursued Gilchae while knowing she had feelings for another man. Gilchae made it clear to Captain Gu that he would have to accept all the parts of her, good and bad. This was a plea for him to prove he could be steadfast (in an early episode, Gilchae said this was what she most wanted in her future husband). Captain Gu failed the test at the first hurdle. He was able to accept that Gilchae was emotionally unfaithful but it was the idea that she had *physically* (unwillingly) been that was the dealbreaker for him. From the start, Captain Gu's feelings for Gilchae were based on ownership of her body. His possessiveness is no different to the Princess's regarding Janghyun. They would both rather their object of affection die than be with someone else. Their approaches to love stand in stark contrast to Janghyun's love and protectiveness for Gilchae, despite knowing she can't belong to him.
As for the Princess character, she is fairly simple but her presence makes for an interesting dynamic whereby it's the woman who holds all of the power over the man instead of the usual vice versa. Instead of the first season's heroism and fighting prowess, Janghyun must rely on his considerable wits in order to get himself and Gilchae out of her clutches.
On another note, I'm glad that the rushed editing and continuity issues that we saw at the end of the first season seem to have been mostly tidied up. The drama continues to play around with timelines, to mixed success. So far this season, we haven't had any of the voiceover narration that we got in the first - not sure if this is significant. I'm also increasingly impressed by Kim Yoonwoo and Kim Moojoon as Ryangeum and the Crown Prince. Two very promising young actors.
I'm reminded of Gilchae's dream - a metaphor for her long journey to reach her intended - how far she had to run through different landscapes (representing distance), through many seasons (representing time) and getting grimy and dishevelled (representing the fact that she's become "dirtied" in certain eyes) to eventually meet her man. I hope we're coming to the end of her struggles because it's been harrowing.
Why did that Joseon servant woman screw Gilchae over? So uncalled for.
The Manchurian is sounding more and more Korean.
I like that they introduced yet another culture/people (even though they seem to be using Korean actors to portray them all). I hope we see more of the Mongolians.
Also, I was expecting Ryangeum to go on a whole villain arc after the end of episode 10 but glad to see they've avoided that so far and taken a more interesting route. The Crown Princess is becoming more prominent. I know irl she has a rather tragic fate so maybe they're building up to that.
While it's been fun seeing Janghyun embrace his inner hero more and more, I think this episode needed more of Gilchae and an insight into her thoughts after her big decision at the end of the last season. Perhaps a one-to-one scene with Jongjong or Eunae after her marriage. But now we've been thrown back into the narrative and the opportunity was lost.
Overall, I find the drama's treatment of romantic love a welcome departure from the usual formula. This goes hand in hand with the gritty portrayal of the impacts of war on civilians and the characterisation of Qing figures. At almost every juncture, the show chooses historical context and character nuance over tropes, cliches and idealism. I think that's a brave writing choice. Love in real life is not always constant or pure or good, it doesn't conquer all and people often don't recognise who's right for them from the beginning. I am glad to have a drama that doesn't shy away from that.
P. S. Can MDL mods please add the countdown and episode count?
As for the noble person protecting the patient, I was thinking it might even be Hyojong, Injo's successor and the Crown Prince's brother. But honestly it could just as well be anyone else.
But I do agree there's plenty to discover about Janghyun's past so there are many other possibilities about who the white-haired person is at this point!