was: TToma 또마 !
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Fashion Fix ft. Takchigo Family
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Great Seer Ep.13&14
Wow. I'm way behind on my "Great Seer" watching. I can think of many reasons for my delay. The recent controversy over wages, which is 'supposedly' settled for now. The hurried plot change (probably due to the payment issue, but hopefully it was a 1 time thing), ratings (not much affecting me, but more so the writers), and honestly, I've been juggling too much dramas on my hands. I'm watching 2 dailies, a saeguk, and this one, and I'm planning on watching another show. Haha, I've got way too much time on my hands. Anyway, off to 13.
Episode 13
The creepy monk is only a step away from accomplishing his goal of making Ban Ya the Queen. He just needs the King's birthdate to match Ban Ya's to make them a 'perfect fit'. Knowing Jung Geun's secret (that he's actually the Evil Priestess's son), he uses this to threaten him and at the same time get what he needs.
It was very satisfying watching this scene. I hated that empire representative as much as Lee In Im did. Good riddance!
But you can't just kill someone and get off scot-free. The Yuan demand justice for the representitive and Lee In Im slyly picks Lee Sung Gye as his scape-goat. And the King agrees. I haven't been too happy with Gong-min's actions, and this doesn't make it any better.
Ji Sang and Jung Geun are both scouring for the 'forbidden area' and they both agree to work together. Ji Sang shows him the secret wall opening he found earlier and they both work to decipher the code. Here they see 5 blocks each representing the 5 elements. Jung Geun logically solves it by pointing out Metal creates Water and presses them in order, opening the passageway.
The 5 elements are actually a big part in astrology and many other different areas, also known as "Wu Xing".
Learn more about Wu Xing
Lee In Im and his men get ready to kill Lee Sung Gye while he is asleep, but he wakes up to find all the swords pointed at him. He bitterly finds out that the king he trusted in so much, ordered his arrest.
Jung Geun rewrites the King's birthdate, but decides he won't give them the real one and at the last minute, changes the last characters. Oh ho, I'm sure this is a major 'alteration' but as I'm too sure about the meaning of it, I'll wait for the future episodes for some explanation. These characters are known as the "celestial stems" and were part in making a calendar (however, obsolete now). Interestingly, each character relates to one of the "Wu Xing" but going down the list, I couldn't find anything to explain the importance of the changing of dates, so I'll leave that to the drama. Learn more about Celestial Stems.
Jung Geun wants to get down to the whole 'ring' business that had haunted him since childhood and goes to no other than the Evil Priestess. She reveals another secret: Young Ji has a biological son of her own. You think this will make Jung Guen hate you less? Hmm...
Episode 14
Lee Sung Gye is still being imprisoned and fuming over his arrest. One of his subordinates sneaks in disguised as a guard and tells him to give orders. He doesn't agree, unwilling to let his comrades die for him against the king's army. However, a visit from Lee In Im and an ambassador coupled with the urging of his other 2 generals, willing to make any sacrifice, he makes up his mind. He'll escape whilst on-route to China.
Ji Sang mistakens Young Ji for being the woman that killed his father. He confronts her and unknowngly admits that he is the son of Dong Yoon. Young Ji just stands there weeping. A mother-son reunion shouldn't be like this (cry)! They're interrupted and he leaves, not known that he has really found his mother.
Creepy monk confidently kneels before the king with his so-called 'perfect birthdate' of Ban Ya's and the head of the Seowoongwan analyzes the birthdate like the creepy monk would expect at first. A gold needle for a heir and a gold knife for food, however, unbenownst to the monk he utters one more thing. Ban Ya's combination will make the King's water murky, allowing nothing to survive under his control.
I was really expecting some elaborate explanation on the whole changing character thing, but they didn't. I tried to come up with one close to theirs and this was the only thing I could come up with:
King Gong Min's birthdate: 庚 壬 壬 甲 (丙)
Ban Ya's birthdate: 乙 戊 辛 丁
天干相剋：甲乙木剋戊己土 丙丁火剋庚辛金 戊己土剋壬癸水 庚辛金剋甲乙木 壬癸水剋丙丁火
celestial stem 'opposition': mu 戊 (earth) opposes im 壬 (water)
*info via wiki
Okay, so you'd think the 'earth' in her date would make his 'water' dirty. But what explains the changing of gap (甲 ) to byeong (丙)? Wasn't that supposed to mess things up? Why was the explanation coming from the other untouched stems?*scratch head*
The first 'intimate' moment between Ji Sang and Hae In. Ji Sang probably doesn't feel anything at this moment by the looks of it, but you can tell Hae In is starting to care about him now. Honestly, I'm not entirely convinced yet, so I will wait for more development.
Moo Hak the monk sees Dong Yoon in his dream. He's at a rock and telling him to "save him". He wakes up getting a sense that it's important and heads out with Hyo Myung and the Yuan ambassador to Mt.Chunma to find a spot for his mother's belongings. Lo and behold, this is the same spot Moo Hak saw in his dream and he spots Ji Sang there. He tests Ji Sang by telling him to help the ambassador find a spot for his mother. With 3 tries, Ji Sang finally asks the ambassador to lie down on a grave, and it turns out to be the ambassador's mother's long lost grave. Moo Hak is satisfied with his finding and praises (to Hyo Myung) that Ji Sang is set to be a 'great seer'. He had the ability to connect the land and the man.
Ban Ya tries to get inside the palace again after her failed attempt. She hands herself into the palace guards admitting she buried the grave at the 'land of kings'. However, the king refuses to see her. All seems lost until Queen Noguk demands to see her. The Queen just had a miscarriage, and deseprate for a heir, she allows Ban Ya to produce one but warns her that she cannot fall in love or try to make the king fall in love with her.
Finding the ambassador's mother's grave allowed Ji Sang to successfuly find the East Loess soil Young Ji asked him to obtain if he wanted a permanent position at Seowoongwan. He pops in the door just in time but Young Ji ruthlessly declines it as he came after the sun had set (although obviously hurting, she has to get her son out of this 'dangerous' place).
Jung Geun sits down with Young Ji and asks her about what he was like before birth, in her womb. He knows the whole truth, but he wants a reaction from her, some sort of explanation. I was expecting a confession, but I guess she couldn't bring herself to do it and brushed the topic aside. Jung Geun, heavyhearted, leaves the place and vows to never tell her that her son is alive (but she already knows, ha!). He'll be her only son. Ji Sang steps out suddenly just before Jung Geun gets rid of the black tortoise ring and the two go head-to-head.
........
It's not doubt this is the true turning point for Jung Geun's path to 'evil'. He's already a scheming man, but Ji Sang's threat to his position to his mother's heart is strong. And it won't be any better when the woman he loves is also siding with his 'enemy'.
I liked how they played out Ban Ya's path in getting to her coveted position. It wasn't just one step, there were many roadblocks. She has to work hard, to learn that her goal is not easy (of course), but this further makes her want to hold tighter to it. The more unwilling she is to let go, the more she'll think of ways to hold on.
Episode 13
It was very satisfying watching this scene. I hated that empire representative as much as Lee In Im did. Good riddance!
But you can't just kill someone and get off scot-free. The Yuan demand justice for the representitive and Lee In Im slyly picks Lee Sung Gye as his scape-goat. And the King agrees. I haven't been too happy with Gong-min's actions, and this doesn't make it any better.
Ji Sang and Jung Geun are both scouring for the 'forbidden area' and they both agree to work together. Ji Sang shows him the secret wall opening he found earlier and they both work to decipher the code. Here they see 5 blocks each representing the 5 elements. Jung Geun logically solves it by pointing out Metal creates Water and presses them in order, opening the passageway.
The 5 elements are actually a big part in astrology and many other different areas, also known as "Wu Xing".
Learn more about Wu Xing
Lee In Im and his men get ready to kill Lee Sung Gye while he is asleep, but he wakes up to find all the swords pointed at him. He bitterly finds out that the king he trusted in so much, ordered his arrest.
And yet another premonition by Bong Choon, the Gisaeng, warning these 2 will face horrible deaths by deceiving the heavens. Not like we don't know that. Ban Ya firmly says they can't be scared of an 'unknown' future and dives deeper into her demise...
Episode 14
I was really expecting some elaborate explanation on the whole changing character thing, but they didn't. I tried to come up with one close to theirs and this was the only thing I could come up with:
King Gong Min's birthdate: 庚 壬 壬 甲 (丙)
Ban Ya's birthdate: 乙 戊 辛 丁
天干相剋：甲乙木剋戊己土 丙丁火剋庚辛金 戊己土剋壬癸水 庚辛金剋甲乙木 壬癸水剋丙丁火
celestial stem 'opposition': mu 戊 (earth) opposes im 壬 (water)
*info via wiki
Okay, so you'd think the 'earth' in her date would make his 'water' dirty. But what explains the changing of gap (甲 ) to byeong (丙)? Wasn't that supposed to mess things up? Why was the explanation coming from the other untouched stems?*scratch head*
The first 'intimate' moment between Ji Sang and Hae In. Ji Sang probably doesn't feel anything at this moment by the looks of it, but you can tell Hae In is starting to care about him now. Honestly, I'm not entirely convinced yet, so I will wait for more development.
........
It's not doubt this is the true turning point for Jung Geun's path to 'evil'. He's already a scheming man, but Ji Sang's threat to his position to his mother's heart is strong. And it won't be any better when the woman he loves is also siding with his 'enemy'.
I liked how they played out Ban Ya's path in getting to her coveted position. It wasn't just one step, there were many roadblocks. She has to work hard, to learn that her goal is not easy (of course), but this further makes her want to hold tighter to it. The more unwilling she is to let go, the more she'll think of ways to hold on.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
30-Something Leading Ladies Take Over TV, Films
Producers and filmmakers point out that it is difficult for them to find actresses in their 20s who are suitable for leading roles.
Of the 20 most popular movies released this year, Park Bo-yeong, who starred in "A Werewolf Boy", is the only female lead in this age group. Han Hyo-joo, who is also in her 20s, appeared in the movie"Masquerade", which drew more than 10 million viewers, but her role is greatly overshadowed by both the male lead Lee Byeong-Heon and supporting actor Ryoo Seung-yong.
The situation is not much different in the realm of TV dramas. The three most popular soaps this year all featured actresses in their 30s or older as the main cast -- "My Husband Got a Family", "The Sun and the Moon" and "A Gentleman's Dignity".
Kim Ho-sung, who runs a film production company, attributed the shortage to a lack of interest by aspiring young stars in their late teens and 20s. Instead of dreaming of becoming actresses, they often prefer to try their luck first as singers by capitalizing on their good looks and dancing skills.
"Once they rise to stardom as singers, they then think of building a career in acting. But due to their lack of acting skills or zeal, most prove unsuitable for leading roles", he added.
Others say most TV personalities in their 20s lack the patience and dedication required of a good actress. They claim that most female celebrities in this age group are more interested in short-time appearances on TV shows, fashion shows or other events as a way to get immediate attention, rather than shooting a film that requires a lot of time and hard work.
Others point to excessive plastic surgery as the reason why so many young actresses are unfit to star in movies. Last year, a film featuring several female stars in their 20s failed to draw moviegoers' attention because of their awkward and unnatural facial expressions due to the side effects of plastic surgery, critics say, which distracted spectators and left them feeling uncomfortable.
Myung Film's Shim Jae-myung cited an increase in the number of moviegoers in their 30s and over as another reason for the shortage of younger female stars. She also said audiences are increasingly gravitating toward films with male leads these days.
Film critic Jeon Chan-il echoed similar sentiments, saying that due to the shift in audience demographics, actresses in their 30s or over now have more chances to assume leading roles.
However, a number of experts voice a word of warning about the trend. If the shortage of younger leading ladies continues, they will end up getting replaced by older actresses in movies, leading to a lack of realism, they say.
The head of one entertainment agency urged film producers to lay a foundation for the future by investing more in younger aspiring actresses instead of clinging to older veterans with proven star power.
Source : english.chosun.com/si... ( English Korean )
..............................
There's a lot in this article I don't agree with. I mean, what's wrong with more aged 30+ women getting lead roles? Shouldn't it be that way? There are many actresses with baby-faces that could pass off as in their 20's (Han Ji Min, Shin Min Na, Han Ga In just to name a few off the top of my head). I'm sure it's better to trust your drama off to a 30 year old actress who's had experience to lead a show, than to trust it off to one that isn't.
Yes, with the current trend in idol turned actor, we do see a lot of 'less-experienced' taking lead on the screen. However, brush those aside and I'm sure there woud be someone without the idol title, a real actor that does have talent. Point is, they just haven't been discovered yet. Sadly though, if you were a Korean audience, a production agency, would you choose a no-name (with talent) or an idol with an already established fanbase (but minus the talent)?
So it all comes down to one word: chance
So a few days after, this article was published, I DID come across a hopeful 20's actress. Also known as Princess Noguk in the recently ended drama "Faith" played by Park Se Young.
Not all hope is lost yet...
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Fashion Fix ft. Wang Ji Hye
I can't express how much I love Wang Ji Hye's fashion in the daily "Cheer Up, Mr.Kim". It's just so laid-back, at times sporty, at times formal. But best of all, everything is so simple! I really want a wardrobe change now!
Most favourite outfit:
e.15
You'd never think this coat would look good just by looking at it alone. I bet you'd have to be pretty tall to pull it off too.
Most favourite outfit:
e.15
 |
| love the navy blue, indigo and white contrast. great layering as well. |
You'd never think this coat would look good just by looking at it alone. I bet you'd have to be pretty tall to pull it off too.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The new face of HK television:HKTV
Recently, Hong Kong’s television industry has been embroiled in a hot fight over the issuance of more free-pay TV licences. Those unfamiliar to the HK industry might not know, but Hong Kong has been under a TV monopoly (1 station) for 30+ years, leaving viewers no choice but to watch dramas with repetitive story-lines with no originality. More importantly, dramas that target only a specific audience: housewives and the mainland audience. All this to get the most out of it (money-wise). The HK government has promised 3 free-pay licenses, but still have not met their end of the bargain, dragging it out for 3 years. Now, one of the stations HKTV has released trailer promos for their latest shows. Dedication, pride, quality and a new face for HK television is in the making. We just need the bloody license.
Part I Drama Genre’s You’ll See : love, vampires, youth,dance&music, horror, news industry, plastic surgery,
Part 2 Drama Genre’s You’ll See: police force, travel through time, kungfu, supernatural, sister rivalry, family,
I know I’m primarily an Korean-drama fan, but watching these trailers reignited that passion for HK dramas again, and even if you don’t understand what they’re saying, but appreiciate the effort they’ve done, please like their
facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/hktvnetwork
youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/HKTVNetwork
Thank You
(click watch in youtube for a better viewing experience)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
So Ji Sub...and lingerie?
So I was scrolling through some magazine scans and I saw So Ji Sub, nothing out of the ordinary continued scrolling then stopped. Did I just see a bra on the left hand corner of that ad? I scrolled back and confirmed so. I don't know about others, but this is the first time I've seen a guy endorsing a lingerie brand!
Apparently he has been endorsing it (Vivien) since 2011, and as quoted from a spokesperson,
more @ facebook page
Apparently he has been endorsing it (Vivien) since 2011, and as quoted from a spokesperson,
"His softness and charisma he has shown through many dramas and movies draw the type of guy a woman wants and will stimulate their hearts".Smart move on the advertisers, because compared to being attracted at a voluptuous model posing for lingerie, I would totally stay on the page for So Ji Sub.
more @ facebook page
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Look-a-Like's #7
Kim Jung Hoon (김정훈) vs. Simon Dominic (사이먼 디)
While watching the sitcom "Standby" I couldn't help but take not of Simon D and his baby face and compare it to Kim Jung Hoon (who starred in the popular series "Goong/Princess Hours"). Hmm, they could pass as brothers by the looks of the third picture.
While watching the sitcom "Standby" I couldn't help but take not of Simon D and his baby face and compare it to Kim Jung Hoon (who starred in the popular series "Goong/Princess Hours"). Hmm, they could pass as brothers by the looks of the third picture.
The Great Seer Ep.11&12
Way behind, but slowly slugging through my drama-watching.
Episode 11
Someone, just someone slap some sense into King Gongmin (as much as I love Ryu Tae Joon). Lee In Im, having all the right info (from evil priestess), puts 2 and 2 together to find out the king was actually testing them for their 'loyalty'. He makes a show in front of him and I guess he's safe for now.
Ji Sang and Ban Ya finally reunite in their adult years after much separation however under the circumstance of being held captive by the evil priestess who wants to know where Ban Ya's mother is buried in order to move her 'mom' so that she can possess the land of kings and ultimately become Queen. Yeah, like you'll get away with that...
With Ji Sang and Ban Ya's reunion, we are not left out with Hae In and Jung Geun's reunion. He's here to tell her her father is safe as he heard from some 'friend'. I'm so torn with Jung Geun because I know he's not going to get the girl and is going to just fall deeper in his evil path. Hopefully Hae In can kind of help him in the future? Just to get back on the right path?
Ban Ya runs to get Young Ji to help, per Ji Sang's instructions and come just in time to see that the Evil Priestess has successfully moved her mother's grave and replaced it with...her own mother's. Young Ji immediately recognizes this is the 'land of kings' and says it should have been reported as it is now 'off limits'.
Ban Ya does not wait for Ji Sang to come back and heads in the rain to claw at the freshly mounded grave. And so the pivotal point in Ban Ya's character transformation happens when she finally realizes how weak and helpless she is, and in order for her not to be picked on, in order for her to be powerful, she must become Queen. It's reasonable though, seeing how her younger years were full of hardship and torment, there is supple reason for her to want to become Queen. So goodbye to the so-called 'good' Ban-Ya, and hello evil one.
I love how they're teasing on the mother-son moments, although they're supposed to be 'heart-breaking', I'm not too sympathetic with Evil Priestess here because she totally threw away her own conscience and son to climb up to her position, so she totally deserves it! Feeling bad now won't help!
Apparently, Bong Choon (the gisaeng)'s guard from her priestess days still works at the palace and feeds her some news. This time she overhears the Evil Priestess and that rat-like empire representative plotting to assassinate the Queen. However, moles rarely do make it out alive...
Episode 12
This episode should be merited a semi-full recap because it was just amazing. We're finally chugging along the plot, things are starting to fall into place, and unfinished plots are starting to come to a close, while others are just beginning.
Lee Sung Gye is brought in to see the King but is being announced a traitor. He quickly sees the assassins that have been placed to kill the King and through quick reflexes aims at one of them, sending the place into a furry. He quickly foils their plans and finds a map of the temple the queen is staying at, alerting the king that the Queen is also being targeted. Lee In Im just glares at Lee Sung Gye as his plan is slowly being torn apart.
The Queen and Young Ji safely escape with the help of Jung Geun and take refuge in a room where they unexpectedly (for them, but not her) meet Ban Ya who is conveniently behind a cupboard with sliding doors and tells them to hurry and hide with her. When it is confirmed that the place and everyone else is safe, Ban Ya and Jung Geun are brought forth in front of the King and Queen. The King does not thank them for saving the Queen but instead tells people to lock them up.
Young Ji and Jung Geun have a touching mother-son moment where he tells her all he wanted to do was protect her, but she tells him that ever since he was 5 , he was already doing it. The evil priestess listens on to their conversation in the shadows, (probably with a thousand knives in her heart), and quietly leaves, dropping the package of medicine meant for Jung Geun. No pity for you lady, no pity.
Ya Sook and Hyo Myung have semi-successfully escaped from the enemies, but unfortunately get trapped in a net. They get into a funny quarrel of 'stop touching me' (yeah hard not to in such a confined space), when Moohak the monk strides in to save them. Ya Sook finally returns to Lee Sung Gye and they prepare to go to battle with Duk Heung.
Ji Sang has persuaded the Professor No to get him out of this 'impersonation' fiasco under conditions he won't tell he was connected with knowing about the 'land of kings'. Professor No reluctantly agrees to it and helps him get a position as a temporary student at Seowoon. He immediately recognizes Hyo Myung as his father's friends from his younger days but pretends not to know him by using another fake name, Hong Dae Bok. Hae In suspiciously asks if he's impersonating someone again (ha!) and he tells her to keep quiet.
The evil priestess visits her son, and actually confesses (!) that she is his real mother. Wow, wasn't expecting it to be that soon, or maybe I was. She tells him he isn't safe as those who have received letters from Duk Heung would want him dead. And suddenly, some soldier comes in and takes out his sword, the Evil Priestess jumps to block Jung Geun and gets the knife. Why am I feeling this is just a set-up?
Ban Ya gets tortured from the King and she goes with the story that her father told her to stay at the temple to meet her 'destined man'. She tells the King she pities him because he has no one to trust. She plays on this 'trust' concept that earlier echoes a nice phrase creepy monk had said before.
Creepy monk comes to save Ban Ya by telling the King that he can read people's destiny by looking at their faces and tells him that Ban Ya will be the mother of a king. King Gongmin tests him by bringing in 3 convicts and asks him to guess which one will die first. He points one man out, but the King orders for all of them to be killed. Just in time, the man pointed out sputters out some blood and falls to the ground. The King stands there in disbelief and eventually orders that Ban Ya be treated. Stupid King, falling for their trap already! Someone please, slap some sense into him.
Aha! I knew it! The Evil Priestess pays off the same man who slashed her, to go into hiding. She's certain now that Jung Geun won't spill the beans on her since she revealed her true identity. Sigh, this woman. She's using her son again just to protect herself. How can you ask your son to forgive you? I seriously have zero pity for this lady! Jung Geun comes out safely after giving out the names of the people to the King (minus his father and the priestess) and spits into uh, his 'real' mother's face that if she hurts his 'other' mother Young Ji again, he won't forgive her.
Ban Ya, already treating herself like the Queen, gets fixed up and gets a visit from Queen Noguk to get the hell out of here if she really thinks she will be give the King a son. She simply tells her, the Queen (!) off that the king has commanded she stay here and she cannot disobey his commands. She later meets with Ji Sang and bluntly tells him she's preparing to be the Queen, even boldly saying that he'd be kneeling before her the next time they met! Ji Sang stares at her in disbelief and wonders how she could change so fast. He knows that she won't listen anymore and turns around to leave. She hugs him from the back and tells him to never see her again, in tears. Wow, that ended fast.
The King's army come back from the war beaming with pride and the King sees (only?) Lee In Im. He rewards them with positions, but Lee In Im wishes the King grant him one wish. He wishes that Young Ji be pardoned for her crimes and the King agrees to it. As much of a scumbag he is, he really loves Young Ji, although never showing his love in the right way...
Everything seems to be peaceful and settled and Jung Geun comes to meet Hae In telling her that he's staying at SeoWoon for her. She wonders what he means by that, and Ji Sang comes in to ask her if she really doesn't know what he means and tells Jung Geun to just tell her.
Episode 11
 |
| You'll get punished for digging up people's graves lady. |
Ban Ya runs to get Young Ji to help, per Ji Sang's instructions and come just in time to see that the Evil Priestess has successfully moved her mother's grave and replaced it with...her own mother's. Young Ji immediately recognizes this is the 'land of kings' and says it should have been reported as it is now 'off limits'.
Ban Ya does not wait for Ji Sang to come back and heads in the rain to claw at the freshly mounded grave. And so the pivotal point in Ban Ya's character transformation happens when she finally realizes how weak and helpless she is, and in order for her not to be picked on, in order for her to be powerful, she must become Queen. It's reasonable though, seeing how her younger years were full of hardship and torment, there is supple reason for her to want to become Queen. So goodbye to the so-called 'good' Ban-Ya, and hello evil one.
I love how they're teasing on the mother-son moments, although they're supposed to be 'heart-breaking', I'm not too sympathetic with Evil Priestess here because she totally threw away her own conscience and son to climb up to her position, so she totally deserves it! Feeling bad now won't help!
Apparently, Bong Choon (the gisaeng)'s guard from her priestess days still works at the palace and feeds her some news. This time she overhears the Evil Priestess and that rat-like empire representative plotting to assassinate the Queen. However, moles rarely do make it out alive...
Episode 12
This episode should be merited a semi-full recap because it was just amazing. We're finally chugging along the plot, things are starting to fall into place, and unfinished plots are starting to come to a close, while others are just beginning.
Lee Sung Gye is brought in to see the King but is being announced a traitor. He quickly sees the assassins that have been placed to kill the King and through quick reflexes aims at one of them, sending the place into a furry. He quickly foils their plans and finds a map of the temple the queen is staying at, alerting the king that the Queen is also being targeted. Lee In Im just glares at Lee Sung Gye as his plan is slowly being torn apart.
The Queen and Young Ji safely escape with the help of Jung Geun and take refuge in a room where they unexpectedly (for them, but not her) meet Ban Ya who is conveniently behind a cupboard with sliding doors and tells them to hurry and hide with her. When it is confirmed that the place and everyone else is safe, Ban Ya and Jung Geun are brought forth in front of the King and Queen. The King does not thank them for saving the Queen but instead tells people to lock them up.
Young Ji and Jung Geun have a touching mother-son moment where he tells her all he wanted to do was protect her, but she tells him that ever since he was 5 , he was already doing it. The evil priestess listens on to their conversation in the shadows, (probably with a thousand knives in her heart), and quietly leaves, dropping the package of medicine meant for Jung Geun. No pity for you lady, no pity.
Ya Sook and Hyo Myung have semi-successfully escaped from the enemies, but unfortunately get trapped in a net. They get into a funny quarrel of 'stop touching me' (yeah hard not to in such a confined space), when Moohak the monk strides in to save them. Ya Sook finally returns to Lee Sung Gye and they prepare to go to battle with Duk Heung.
Ji Sang has persuaded the Professor No to get him out of this 'impersonation' fiasco under conditions he won't tell he was connected with knowing about the 'land of kings'. Professor No reluctantly agrees to it and helps him get a position as a temporary student at Seowoon. He immediately recognizes Hyo Myung as his father's friends from his younger days but pretends not to know him by using another fake name, Hong Dae Bok. Hae In suspiciously asks if he's impersonating someone again (ha!) and he tells her to keep quiet.
The evil priestess visits her son, and actually confesses (!) that she is his real mother. Wow, wasn't expecting it to be that soon, or maybe I was. She tells him he isn't safe as those who have received letters from Duk Heung would want him dead. And suddenly, some soldier comes in and takes out his sword, the Evil Priestess jumps to block Jung Geun and gets the knife. Why am I feeling this is just a set-up?
Ban Ya gets tortured from the King and she goes with the story that her father told her to stay at the temple to meet her 'destined man'. She tells the King she pities him because he has no one to trust. She plays on this 'trust' concept that earlier echoes a nice phrase creepy monk had said before.
"A person mistrusting other people also means that he is despearatly looking for someone to trust."You got that right. King Gongmin mistrusts the 'right' people and trusts the 'wrong' people. I don't think he's ever going to get it the other way around, sigh.
Creepy monk comes to save Ban Ya by telling the King that he can read people's destiny by looking at their faces and tells him that Ban Ya will be the mother of a king. King Gongmin tests him by bringing in 3 convicts and asks him to guess which one will die first. He points one man out, but the King orders for all of them to be killed. Just in time, the man pointed out sputters out some blood and falls to the ground. The King stands there in disbelief and eventually orders that Ban Ya be treated. Stupid King, falling for their trap already! Someone please, slap some sense into him.
Aha! I knew it! The Evil Priestess pays off the same man who slashed her, to go into hiding. She's certain now that Jung Geun won't spill the beans on her since she revealed her true identity. Sigh, this woman. She's using her son again just to protect herself. How can you ask your son to forgive you? I seriously have zero pity for this lady! Jung Geun comes out safely after giving out the names of the people to the King (minus his father and the priestess) and spits into uh, his 'real' mother's face that if she hurts his 'other' mother Young Ji again, he won't forgive her.
Ban Ya, already treating herself like the Queen, gets fixed up and gets a visit from Queen Noguk to get the hell out of here if she really thinks she will be give the King a son. She simply tells her, the Queen (!) off that the king has commanded she stay here and she cannot disobey his commands. She later meets with Ji Sang and bluntly tells him she's preparing to be the Queen, even boldly saying that he'd be kneeling before her the next time they met! Ji Sang stares at her in disbelief and wonders how she could change so fast. He knows that she won't listen anymore and turns around to leave. She hugs him from the back and tells him to never see her again, in tears. Wow, that ended fast.
The King's army come back from the war beaming with pride and the King sees (only?) Lee In Im. He rewards them with positions, but Lee In Im wishes the King grant him one wish. He wishes that Young Ji be pardoned for her crimes and the King agrees to it. As much of a scumbag he is, he really loves Young Ji, although never showing his love in the right way...
Everything seems to be peaceful and settled and Jung Geun comes to meet Hae In telling her that he's staying at SeoWoon for her. She wonders what he means by that, and Ji Sang comes in to ask her if she really doesn't know what he means and tells Jung Geun to just tell her.
.............................
So one plot finally coming to a close (the whole assassination attempt), and we're going to settle into the lives of Jung Geun, Ji Sang and Hye In becoming students at SeoWoon. Ban Ya preparing to become Queen, and what other evil deeds the Evil Priestess and Lee In Im have up their sleeves. I love how the show is not draggy and just keeps the pace up and moving every episode. I've seen the ratings, and I'm extremely disappointed in them, although I know that they're not everything, it's just disheartening to see such a great show not get any recognition from the Korean audience. Sigh.
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