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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 13:01:36 GMT -5
Post by TheBo on May 21, 2004 13:01:36 GMT -5
Doesn't anyone want to discuss those scary eunuchs! So creepy. Especially the one who didn't look very Korean to me, he looked more like you'd expect Ghengis Khan to look. It was almost like she was picked up by the Mafia or the Gestapo. "We arrange these things. People disappear...no questions asked." I know I was relieved to see Lady Jung's old friend--he's the head eunuch, isn't he, but he didn't seem to have much control over this secret police force.
Shiver.
Bo
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Albie
Junior Addict
Posts: 112
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 13:44:48 GMT -5
Post by Albie on May 21, 2004 13:44:48 GMT -5
I don't think there is ever any control over the secret police. But they were creepy especially the one sitting right in front of her. I got the chills.
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 13:53:00 GMT -5
Post by Lucy on May 21, 2004 13:53:00 GMT -5
Which ones are the eunuchs? Is the smallish guy who looks like an elf (like in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"), with a tall, cone-like hat, the chief eunuch?
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guffy
New Addict
Posts: 27
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 13:56:09 GMT -5
Post by guffy on May 21, 2004 13:56:09 GMT -5
I am not clear on the roles of Eunuchs in Korean history considering JG drama is my first window the culture . Can anyone explain it to me ?
I can provide some Indian culture history in the relative matter though. During the Mogul Empire in India( 1300-1800 roughly), eunuchs were the only ones to enter women quarters in palaces besides women servants to serve high profile ladies. I guess that was the way men made sure there was no hanky-panky going on with their ladies.
Guffy.
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 14:01:22 GMT -5
Post by Lucy on May 21, 2004 14:01:22 GMT -5
Funny thing is, even though that was the assumption people made, being a eunuch does not really mean that you can't have sex. There was a book and/or movie called something like "Castrati" or "Castrato" that dealt with a eunuch singer who was quite the ladies' man. I think that sometimes being castrated leads to impotence (maybe depending on how it's done?), but apparently harem and court ladies could get some illicit kicks with the eunuchs without worrying about unwanted pregnancies to give away their activities. For some reason, Guffy, I am so tickled by your signature ending with a period. ("Guffy.") As if it's a statement or declaration of some kind. Keep it up! --Lucy.
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guffy
New Addict
Posts: 27
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 14:41:15 GMT -5
Post by guffy on May 21, 2004 14:41:15 GMT -5
Interesting info on the topic, Lucy. I will have to dig up more on that one. I never noticed until now my signature ending! Thx for pointing out to me. I even checked my emails and i was amazed what you discovered! Dang it, now i will have to look into what it means psychologically
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 15:43:09 GMT -5
Post by jacques on May 21, 2004 15:43:09 GMT -5
Doesn't anyone want to discuss those scary eunuchs! So creepy. Especially the one who didn't look very Korean to me, he looked more like you'd expect Ghengis Khan to look. It was almost like she was picked up by the Mafia or the Gestapo. "We arrange these things. People disappear...no questions asked." I know I was relieved to see Lady Jung's old friend--he's the head eunuch, isn't he, but he didn't seem to have much control over this secret police force. Shiver. Bo Eununchs did come from diverse bloodlines--often conquered peoples/populations by the empire in question. DJG did a great job with the portrayals of the eununchs--there were some that played a security role and did look pretty menacing. To balance that, we have the persona of the chief eununch, somehow related to Lady Han (can't tell u 2 much; I watch w/out subitiles) who has a more balanced and compassionate palaceview compared to Aunty Evil, er, Lady Choi. ;D
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Albie
Junior Addict
Posts: 112
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 16:21:23 GMT -5
Post by Albie on May 21, 2004 16:21:23 GMT -5
Wait a minute. I'm confused. So are eunuchs like teh secret police or are they more than that? I have no experience or knowledge of what they are?
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 16:32:09 GMT -5
Post by jacques on May 21, 2004 16:32:09 GMT -5
Wait a minute. I'm confused. So are eunuchs like teh secret police or are they more than that? I have no experience or knowledge of what they are? Male imperial attendants, free to roam the palace, including the ladies' quarters/harem--the rationale being that since they were *fixed* there was no fear of "contaminating" (to use a period, no pun intended, expression) the royal bloodlines (NOT! as history tells us, just like any contraceptive measure, it is not fullproof, but that is a whole other thread ;D). Since the eununchs were free to roam all areas of the palace, they held quite a bit of authority. The Royal Guard was on the grounds (roaming the open areas) but they primarily served a defensive role against outside threats such as an attack on the palace. The eununchs were often, as a result of their de facto authority, used to impose the will of high-ranking palace members against minions and serfs such as Janggeum, and this explains the scenes where we see a hapless JG being dragged bound and gagged by these "men in green."
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 18:48:24 GMT -5
Post by Soju on May 21, 2004 18:48:24 GMT -5
Which ones are the eunuchs? Is the smallish guy who looks like an elf (like in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"), with a tall, cone-like hat, the chief eunuch? You can tell the Eunuchs by their lack of beards.
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 21:12:45 GMT -5
Post by TheBo on May 21, 2004 21:12:45 GMT -5
Which ones are the eunuchs? Is the smallish guy who looks like an elf (like in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"), with a tall, cone-like hat, the chief eunuch? LOL, Luce. I don't think the eunuchs' power was limited to "minions" and "slaves," however, jacques. They dragged the head physician off, too, with impunity. I know he wasn't as high as the scholar class, but he still was a pretty big gun. I also was startled by Lady Choi, swooping out of the darkness--like a bat--on the head eunuch and JG. "Are you going to betray your KING= nyah hah hah hah hah I'll GET you and your little dog TOOOOOO! Bo
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Eunuchs
May 21, 2004 23:29:27 GMT -5
Post by jacques on May 21, 2004 23:29:27 GMT -5
LOL, Luce. I don't think the eunuchs' power was limited to "minions" and "slaves," however, jacques. They dragged the head physician off, too, with impunity. I know he wasn't as high as the scholar class, but he still was a pretty big gun. I also was startled by Lady Choi, swooping out of the darkness--like a bat--on the head eunuch and JG. "Are you going to betray your KING= nyah hah hah hah hah I'll GET you and your little dog TOOOOOO! Bo Check your Royal Joseon Court color-coded wardrobe guide for insight on pecking order, to see who qualifies as a "minion". Choko, Jon, Sophie--where are our resident Korean experts--your input please!
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