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.