Arang and the Magistrate Feels

What's that word to describe that feeling you have after finishing a really good drama and theres that lingering despair and saddening parting that comes with it?

I finally caught up on 'Arang and the Magistrate' and finished today. I really loved the cast, I really loved everyone. (Even the baddies, I admit!) But what I loved the most was the love between Sa-Do and Arang. I really loved every minute of their interaction, whether it was their early bickering, to the silent caring towards each other in the middle, and finally the love the bloomed along the way (And yes, I do ship very hard this couple in real life!).

There was this element in this drama that really stuck with me. Perhaps in the later parts, I started noticing the frequent shots of each character alone with their thoughts. Those moments an actor was having a dilemma in which they had to act out alone with just thoughts and expression. Most important to note and what drew me in was Ju-Wal (Yeon Woo Jin). Towards the end, where his memories of what his evil deeds, the breakdown he had, the regret, remorse, the sorrow, he expressed everything so well, all alone.

Sa-Do (Lee Jun Ki) also had many of those moments alone where they had to express a range of emotions, and not to forget Arang (Shin Mi-na). How many times have these actors had screenshots of them sitting in their rooms, thinking and monologuing their inner thoughts? I'm no drama expert, but I'm guessing these scenes are the true tests of an actor's ability. No lines, no second person, just using those thoughts and conveying those feelings through expression is what really drew me in for this drama. Kudos to everyone!

 

And the ending. Oh, the ending. It couldn't have been better. Love.

(Yes, they should totally date in real life!)

Off to coax my withdrawal symptoms by drowning myself in 'Arang and the Magistrate' OST music...

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Look-a-Like's #6

Moon Geun Young (문근영) vs. 

Go Hyun Jung (고현정) vs. Uee

Some korean articles have pointed out the resemblance between Moon Geun Young and Go Hyun Jung, in which I do see some resemblance. However, I see much closer similarities between Go Hyun Jung and Uee in which the latter played Go Hyun Jung's child version of 'Mishil' in Queen Seon Deok. In the end, what makes all three connected, are that they're all baby-faced. 

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The Great Seer Episode 3 & 4

 With these episodes, we are given the introduction of the child actors and the backdrop of the main characters' childhood. Out of all the childhood actors, the one that really captivated me was Ban Ya's younger version (Park Min Ji). Maybe it's the fact that Ban Ya's character itself is quite complicated and intriguing that she stands out the most. Overall, I'm quite enjoying the childhood backdrop, everyone is doing fine...

OK, maybe not. 

I somehow can't stand the younger version of Hae-In. Taking a look back at the cast list, oh...no wonder. She's from an idol group. But I'm looking forward to the older version of Hae-In-- Kim So Yeon!

younger vs older version

striking resembalance
credit: daepoonsoobaidu

Thrilling Chases

I think that was practically the highlight of episode 3 and 4.

Like seriously, we all knew that no baby could handle such chase. I mean, would it even survive after? This scene reminded me of the 'baby-escape' scene in Queen Seon Deok. 

 

This was a really poignant moment between Princess Noguk and King Gongmin. It really showed how strong the Princess was, and how much she wanted to protect the man she loved. Note: This 'rebellion' at Heung Wang temple actually did happen in history.

Killer Cat vs. smart Rat?

A Mother's Love

 Poor baby Jung Geun left alone crying in the thrashing wind and rain. Both 'mothers' on opposite sides just sitting there, one waiting for the other to pick him up, the other fighting with her conscience. As much as I loved this scene, the tension and the crying just had me screaming "someone just get the baby already!"

In Your Eyes

Lee In Im might be a scumbag in many's eyes, but you can tell he really loves Young Ji. It's too bad her heart is elsewhere. However, he should learn that maybe he can earn her heart...if he stops going to Evil Priestess, no?

Sweet & Bitter Love

Ji Sang's first love, Ban Ya. I can already 'foresee' their turbulent relationship, sigh. In the character description, Ban Ya is a ruthless woman who takes advantage over poor Ji Sang...

Ban Ya's Fate Revealed

HM:The site where the thirsty dragon drinks water is already taken. We must move it right now.

MH:Who knows? The girl who has taken this site may be someone important in the future.

HM:But still! This is the spot where the most energy is.She won't receive all of the energy there.

MH:Actually, because she made the graveaway from the most powerful site...that grave will be safe.

MH:Pitiful... you will need to shed enough tears to make a river. That's the only way to quench the thirst of the dragon.



LEE MOON SHIK! 

I've only seen him in Saeguks (Queen Seon Deok, Damo) and I've loved him in all of them. He's reprising the usual cheeky, humorous character here. Don't know what 'special powers' he has yet, but it seems he can read people's faces? Also don't know which side he's on...

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Horse Doctor Episode 5 & 6 fan-art

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BTS Lee Yo Won & Cho Seung Woo

Haven't even seen Episode 5 and 6 yet, loving them already from these pictures!

Lee Yo Won Unni's bright smile  =)

 

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Fanart: Shut up Family Episode 40

Really loved the nostalgic scenery in this episode. A nice backdrop for this couple.
Still working at that brightness contrast and gradients...

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The Great Seer Episode 2

The main happenings of Episode 2 were really just the birth of two main characters: Ji Sang (Ji Sung) and Jung Geun (Song Chang Ui). However, other interesting things to note.

After some intense battling at the "Woodi" tribe, the highlight was of course when Lee Sung Kye magnificiantly jumped in the air and shot that arrow!

Two new characters appear (or one, the other appeared briefly in episode 1) and are quite important. Moohak the Monk (Ahn Kil Kang), or many might know him as Chil Sook, Mishil's loyal bodyguard in Queen Seon Deok. He is a great monk who studied in China and is the teacher of Hyo-Myung and Dong Hyun. He is also of great support to Ji Sang. On the right we have Hyo-Myung who we saw earlier in episode 1. He is outstanding in Feng Shui and geography and professor at 書云觀 （astronomy school in the palace). Later will become Ji Sang's teacher. So we can already see how two such influential people will shape Ji Sang's life (and many more to come).

And goodbye to the Head-Priestess. I don't know why, but their position is the envy of many which leads to the deaths of many Head-Priestess's in many saeguks.

Couple costumes for the evil duo, no?

In order to save Dong Ryun and their child and herself, Young Ji marries Lee In Im.

This was the scene which had me going "What kind of way is this to give birth!?" I mean seriously, of all dramas I've watched with birth scenes in them, the mother was lying down. But these two are sitting? I don't know maybe it's less painful that way (But they both seemed to be in pain!) Or maybe the baby comes out easier that way...by force of gravity? Beats me.

I really liked that last scene where tension and trepidation build up when Lee In Im bursts through one door to another to grab Young Ji's child, but each time to see she is not there. Then, in the last scene, we know it's this room and we know that the child is probably safe and sound but it's because of this knowledge the atmosphere is  heightened.  And there we see Young Ji, looking nonchalant as she works on her embroidery. Nice.

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The Great Seer Episode 1

IN LOVE with this show. I knew it right from the beginning when that epic orchestral music played. Really, just give me some great music and I will be hooked instantly. One of the main theme of this show is astronomy (along with prophecy&politics)  so there's lots of references to things viewers might not have heard of. I, for one, have absolutely no background whatsoever, but it prompted me do so some researching. 

This is not a recap, just thoughts, details I had while watching.


Background

Ja Mi Won, heard repeatedly throughout episode 1 and 2 was the basis, the root of all things happening. Ja Mi Won (紫微垣)  is part of the Three Enclosures (三垣) which consist of Ja Mi Won itself (also known as Purple Forbidden Enclosure), Supreme Palace Enclosure (  太微垣) and Heavenly Market enclosure (天市垣). Ja Mi Won is important to King Gong Min as explained here, because it is sort of a 'good luck charm' which will 'bring prosperity to the royal family' (and in turn gain autonomy from the Yuan dynasty). Ja Mi Won in astronomy is actually the place where the royal family resides, or simply put a 'palace' in the sky'.  Ja Mi Won consists of 39 'asterisms' or components. For a complete list, you can visit here. (To be honest, I was blown away at how ancient astronomers could come up with such things!)

Then what were these creatures that appeared in the beginning and when Dong Ryun went up the mountain? These four mythical creatures were regions that divided the sky. Each region has '7 mansions' collectively known as the '28 Mansions'. They also symbolize the four seasons: Azure Dragon of the east(東方青龍 ) for Spring, Black Tortoise (北方玄武 ) of the North for Winter, White Tiger (西方白虎 ) of the West for Fall, and Vermillion Bird (南方朱雀) of the South for Summer. As for the importance of these four symbols, I'm not quite sure yet.

So after climbing mountains, trekking the barren land, getting chased by wolves and all sacrifices, Dong Hyun finally arrives at his destination...only to get setback by this plaque: please wait 50 more years. OK, it did not say that, but that's basically  the whole idea. This is the earliest premonition about the basis of the story, about how Lee Sung Kye (Ji Jin Hee) will create the Joseon dynastay and become it's first king.

 Faith "Deja-Vu" right here with King GongMin and Princess Noguk. Although, King Gongmin is portrayed as a weakling right now, far different from the charismatic King Gongmin in Faith.

The scene that had me covering my eyes was when the really atrocious and vile Yuan ambassador slowly 'killed' the poor sword fighter on suspicions they were forming an army. It was really sad to see how King Gongmin had no power to say no, the painful look in his eyes when the sword fighter hesitated, waiting for permission from his King. 

Unfortunately, I'm not feeling the spark between Young Ji and Dong Hyun, but all I know is that they're the parents of Ji Sang, the main character, so I guess we need a little backstory here. Other than that, I'm really liking Lee Jin who portrays Young Ji. She's appearing as the young version, so she'll stay around for 8 episodes.

And finally, the highlight of the show was Lee Sung Kye at the end, and kudos to Ji Jin Hee for such a great fiesty portrayal. More of him in episode 2.

To end off, I present to you one of the perks of watching saeguks: great scenery  I don't understand myself sometimes as I live in a place surrounded by trees and forests, but it just seems different in Korean dramas...somehow.

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