Kate

Some people called her stupid and naive coz she believed he died. LITERALLY RYANG EUM CONFIRMED IT FOR HER.

He was gone for around 2 years looking at the maids child. And if he is dead... there is no waiting few more months. For her he was dead and that's it. There was not even small chance he could come back. Especially after even Ryang Eum confirmed he died. Now the question is, what would she do if Ryang Eum did not lie. That's what I curious about.

For starters, this is just my interpretation and analysis of the characters and the plot, so keep that in mind. If you want to exchange ideas, feel free to reply with your thoughts, be it about these characters, other characters or plot points.

Starting with my lovely girl Gil Chae. The character growth she went through in these 10 episodes is amazing. From a naive and innocent girl who thought the whole world adores her, to a young woman who prioritizes survival and safety of her family and friends over her own pride and wants.

I think that’s the key aspect to understanding her motivations and choices - she cares a lot. On the surface she is presented as this selfish and clueless girl who flirts with all the men and does not follow the social rules to the tee. Others see her as a "vixen", but she is in fact an innocent naive girl who craves love, but does not really understand it. She starts as a naive romanticist, and ends the show as a pragmatic realist. The drama opened with her believing she can overcome any obstacles to be with the love of her life, to her sacrificing her love for her family. Her priorities changed when she was faced with harsh reality.

As for Jang Hyun, he moved from pragmatic realist closer to romanticist - from not believing in love to sacrificing everything he has for Gil Chae. By the end of part two, he became quite egocentric in his perception of the situation - not quite seeing it from Gil Chae’s perspective. He was driven by his love for her, but also ignored her personal life and how their relationship might negatively impact her and her family. He did not care for the consequences, but Gil Chae could not afford being as “carefree” as him.

All that said, I think we still don’t truly know much about his character. Because we mostly saw him as a hero, when in fact he was a less than decent guy. I mean, he literally assassinated a man in episode 2 and with his scheming put the blame on someone else. There is a really ruthless and calculative side of him that we kind of forgot about because of his devotion to Gil Chae. I hope we will see some of it in part 2.

As for their romance, I know a lot of people were really annoyed with it, and by the end of the show many hated Gil Chae for not accepting Jang Hyun. Truth is: they both SUCK at romance. She for the longest time could not let go of her idealistic delulu future with Yeon Jun, and he could not be sincere in front of her, hiding his true feelings under the flirting and teasing. So when he finally started to be honest, she had no reason to believe it, and when she started to have feelings for him, he could not believe it either.

I think many people forgot how Gil Chae did not see 90% of the good things and sacrifices Jang Hyun made, and when she was suspecting of his involvement, he himself denied it. What we saw in Jang Hyun is not what he presented in front of her. All the things that make him a perfect man in our eyes are not things Gil Chae was able to witness with hers.

On the other hand she always saw the best side of Yeon Jun. Respect and loved scholar, loyal subject who received honors for his actions during war, his emotional and moral stability. She did not see how much of a coward he was during battles.

As for her relationship with Gu Won Moo - that’s the stability and protection she needs for her family. It’s that simple and that heartbreaking. Poor noble woman with a bad reputation holds no power nor influence, and she needs to take care of her younger sister and father. He made it possible for her to gain steady income, he protected her, and most important: he protected her father.

As much as I disliked Yeon Jun, I found him the most fun to analyze. He lived his life under that perfect scholar persona, never acting upon his own feelings, wants, desires. When you think about it, I’m not even sure he knows what exactly he wants, all he knows is what he is supposed to do and think. The deeply rooted belief that he should devote his whole life to the king and the royal family to prove his worth and make people around him proud, the idealistic thinking that if he protects the royal family, the royal family will protect the subjects - all that keeping him in a mental trap he was too weak to escape. Was I annoyed with him? Of course, but I also felt sad for him.

Had similar thoughts about Eun Ae. This girl is smart and perceptive. She can read people and see their true nature like no one else. Yet she was never able to truly develop any true skills, because she also was trapped by the social norms and standards. It’s perfectly presented with the plot of her attack and how long it held her back and stayed in her mind - not as a terrifying experience and being a victim, but as a shameful incident that made her not pure. Even though the guy only touched her undergarment. How brainwashed you must be to almost not marry a man you love, because you think you don’t deserve him… because someone attacked you in the past, even if nothing really happened. Both Yeon Jun and Eun Ae were such pitiful characters in my eyes.

How was it fast? How did she even move on? She is clearly still in love and suffering.
They both made A LOT of mistakes during their relationship The difference is - Gil Chae not only is a woman so is already in the worst position than Jang Hyun, she also has a family she needs to take care of. She CANNOT be just as care free as Jang Hyun is. For him running away with her means freedom to love her, for her it also means abandoning her family. Her turning point to not leave with Jang Hyun was the fact her father recognized her. IT hut her, how she is about to leave her family and she could not stand that idea. This whole situation was extremally easy choice for him with zero risks and no negative consequences, while it was life turning for her with MANY setbacks and bad consequences.

not gonna lie, i find if funny how everyone hates Gil Chae now, when the biggest dick last two eps was Ryang Eum lol Like... he obviously did not deny the fact Jang Hyun is dead, so Gil Chae had EVERY FUCKING RIGHT to actually accept his death and try to move on.

So t's fine for him to sleep around with women because it was before he met Gil Chae, and he is not a hoe. But her getting married to a dude when she thinks Jang Hyun is dead makes her a hoe? Ok. You clearly have double standards going on, so I guess this conversation won;t lead to any proper conclusion.

These were things FROM people who were EXECUTED for anti-qing sentiments and bribery, not things form random prisoners of war. These were specifically things from people who were executed. The one official who came back with them clearly told Gil Chae that the things there are from people killed by Qing (killed, not imprisoned), so if she sees his stuff there, means he is dead. BECAUSE THESE WERE THINGS FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED/EXECUTED not just prisoners.

ML was literally trying to have casual sex will ladies in every village he visited ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's hard to have a discussion when you add your own definition to words. It's not like anyone can know when you say hoe you do not mean promiscuous woman (which is the definition), but a manipulative woman who tries to use man for her own advantage (which is not the definition of the word hoe).

These were not random things sent from Qing. These were personal belongings sent to Joseon for the families of the men executed by Qing for bribery and being against Qing.

also, let's even say she is a hoe. So is Jang Hyun. They are literally match made in heaven 🤡

When Jang Hyun was dying after fighting 17 dude, the military dude killed the last one who was about to attack Gil Chae, He also saved her from the guys who stole her bowls.

How the fuck can she figure out when he even lies about what he did for her and says he did not do it for her ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ All the serious looks he gives her - when she was not fucking watching. In front of her all he did was teasing about kissing and having sex with her on a casual manner.

A young women who was never in a relationship and kissed one dude once... a hoe. Well ladies, standards now are hella high. Best to be virgin even after your wedding night lol

He did not really prove he loves to to her. She does not know all the shit he did for her. Hell, he lied and denied saving her. You, me and all the other viewers know he joined the war to stop it for her, we know everything he does at the end if done for her, because we see what Gil Chae does not, because he refused to ever be serious with her 😂 And the only time he was serious about his feelings towards her was right before he was leaving ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And it's not a random dude, it's a dude that saved her once, then helped her when she needed to get to Jang Hyun, and now has been helping her and her family when they are struggling. Realistically speaking, she has spent more time with this "random dude" than she did with Jang Hyun, since they were almost always apart 🙃

He would be the dumbest bitch so send her a letter knowing Qing or the crown prince would get his hand on it and definitely use Gil Chae to manipulate him and do his dirty work for them. Also, he was able to sent all the letters previously because he had all the crown prince most trusted people helping - now he would have the same people spying on him. It's not the same.

Gosh I love Gil Chae so much. She is such a well written character 😭

i bought one bottle for 2 eps, but i finished it whole while watcing ep 9, i need another on for ep 10 🥲

not the first time a drama has made me mad.
i accepted that faith.
i embrace the clown in me 🤡

i am soooooooooooooooooo drunk right now 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
the plan was half a bottle of wince for ep 9 and half for ep 10, but i NEEDED the whole bottle for ep 10 🤡

will i even survive episode 10 to watch pt2? 🥲

This! How come Jang Hyun capturing people from his own country is seen as a valid way of surviving, while her potentially marrying an official is not. One is way more harmful than the other 🤡

ep 9
it's not even a reaction, it's just me screaming
i drunk whole bottle of wine while watching.

Gotta love them opeining with so much pain. I am so glad I have my old friend wine with me right now.

Damn that Qing general be SWEATING out of nevousness 😂😂😂😂 the way he needs to lie for Jang Hyun or he himself will be screwed and how you can see how it makes him soooooooooooooo fucking angry coz he hates Jang Hyun so much - peak comedy 🙃

hasduaiua;ORUQwieloaURLWIR UAW I FUCKING FELL OF MY CHAIR WHEN THE GENERAL LEFT THE KING AND THAT FUCKING ONE TAKE SLOWER SHOT ON JANG HYUN AND HOW HIS FACE SLOWLY CHANGES WHEN HE FIGURES OUT HOW THE CONVERSATION HAPPENED AND THAT PSYCHO LIKE SMIRK OMG BITCH SKDJFHKDSJF HE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING HOT! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 TRUE FUCKING CINEMA! 😭

I sadly have to inform my parents now, they will never get any grandkids, no son in law. Me, the bitch simp, will forever stay single coz I witnessed the hotness and greatness of Jang Hyun, and no real man can compete.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GAYS BEING SAD! SOMEONE HUG RYANG EUM!

"How did you get released?"
"I don't know... maybe... just maybe... I sold out my country... just a bit 🤡"
GOOD FOR YOU JANG HYUN! WHAT HAVE JOSEON AND ITS PEOPLE EVER DO FOR YOU!

LAHFSKDHGKSDVNYG FUIDSHF GKADSHFLD AKFH ADL
"You do not belong on either side. But for me, I belong to your side" 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 The act this kid cannot have happy ending no matter what, coz Jang Hyun will never love him back the way he wants to be loved 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

This gonna sound so weird, but I love how this drama truly shows how how poor and commong people with no power are strugglying. Like in most dramas you just don't see it. Poor bitches be hainf newest phones, and even in period pieces if the leads are poor or have no power they somehow work around it so we don;t truly see the "ugly" side of it.

Growling tummy, that's how a side quest survivial romance starts 🤡 I'm not even mad coz I love the actor.

Yo the way Gil Chae wanted to keep some dignity, but she could not stop herself from eating that food fast because she was starving 😭😭😭😭

I FUCKING LOVE THIS BUSSINESS MAKING SIDE QUEST!

Lee Chung Ah's character already showing up? Am I ready? I am not ready! BRING MORE WINE!

OMG THE FATHER LIKE DUDE OMG I AM TOO SCARED TO PLAY THE FUCKING EPISODE!

The coins bussiness is not a bad idea, just have a proper lie ready when they ask you about the coper. It's all about being ready to bullshit your way out of propblems.

Gil Chae EASILY became one of my favorite female leads ever. I think that's the charm of
Hwang Jin Young's writing - she makes the female characters strong in a believable manner.


i am so tired of this pain... but i am so grateful for this pain

"he is easy to read" no... no he is not 🤡 if you think he is, that means you've been played
Also, headcanon of mine, but the Qing general is soooooooooooo fucking ace 😅

Damn... i hare it here, but Crown Prince kind of has a point and it can be easily applied to daily life - you cannot please everyone, it's just impossible. The same action might seem like too much for one person, and too little for another. And you will be hared for it anyway. The convesation between Jang Hyun and Crown prince was a gold shit.

Surviving needs courage. I like how the drama does not shit on people who do questionable things to survive.

damn... yeon jun... kind of forgot he existed lol

Kill me guys, betrayl of the fucking centruty... but i kind of ship Gil Chae with the officer dude who helped her 🤡
Me enjoying their scenes feel like I';m Jang Hyun working with Qing ti survive 😅

i fuckin tolf you guys Yeon Jun refised to go to Joseon not out of fear but out of loyalty! damn i hate the fact i can undertand that basic bitch so well

YOU DO NOT ASK THE MAN THAT IS FUCKING I LOVE WOTH TOU TO TELL THE BISH YOU FANCY YOU WILL COME SOOON 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
HE BPUGHT HER SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING MANY SHOES! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I'm a sceptical bitch. Unless I see a body myself, ain;t my hot dude dead.

I paused. i'm crying and i don't even know if it's true. did she marry the fine official and now jong hyun is back? coz... TEARS.

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUCKING SCARED TO FINISH THE EP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PMSDKJFSUFHSDJKFHN DSIJFKH UIUDSKF YDSIOKF YDSKF B YDWF ONE BOTTLE OF WINE IS NOT ENOUGH. O ROLLED ON THE FLOOW WHEN I HEARD 'BRIDAL GIFTS ' I WANT TO DIE! 😭😭😭😭😭 i am not emptionaly readt for this!

he knows even before he know you can see it on his face omg i want to die life is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucikng meaningless now
Gil Chae saying she is the bride.... omg... i am crying.. i o not see the keyboard... i am in sooooooooo much paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I REGRET EVERYTHIGN I SAID. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT ON FUCKING BOARD OF THAT OFFICIAL DUDE AND GIL CHAE I DO NO T SHIP IF ALL I FEEL IS [AIN!

DO I WANT TO WATCH THE PREVIEW?
NO!!!
BUT I'M GOING TO ANYWAY! 😭😭😭😭😭

i approve of this preview sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fucking hard 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥