Jini's Bodyguard

[BungalowDweller]

Ah, the strong, silent type! We've certainly learned alot about him this episode. The man can read and chooses to read a "political" poet. He has the fighting skills of a warrior. And the local official said that he thinks the man is the son of a disgraced lord who cannot take his proper place in
society. (Shades of the young Yi Soon Shin in that respect.) Where does Jini meet all these fabulous men?

And what,exactly,is sponsorship? Is it the ancient equivalent to "friendship with benefits"?

[teacher]

I found two different write-ups about the Ie Seng, the bodyguard played by Lee Shi-Hwan.
They are both from Asta Tv magazine, but from different issues.

"Ie Seng just watches over her. Maybe it can be called a friendship-like love, as he does not believe in love by nature. Though he is the son of a high-ranking official, he chose to isolate himself from society. His actions were directed in anger toward his father, whose deception caused the death of his best friend and long-time political comrade Cho Gwang-Jo. His father's betrayal led him to believe that all forms of love and trust among friends, lovers, and family members are in vain. As Ie Seng cannot trust any love or relationship, his mind cannot settle so he wanders for a long time. During his rest at Hwan Jin-Yi's gisaeng house, he sees Hwang jin Yi crying bitterly,(major spoiler deleted). He feels deep sympathy for her and wants to soothe her sorrow so he settles at her house as a bodyguard. A son of a ruling class family becomes a bodyguard for a lower class gisaeng. He is naturally attracted to her but, like her, he suffers as he does not know what his feelings are. Love or friendship? As time passes, theycome to look eye to eye, so we can consider him Hwang Jin-Yi's last lover".

In another issue this was the comment:

"Ie Seng is Hwang Jin-Yi's bodyguard. He has no lines, but protects her like a shadow. His love for her is most caring, like the love between a brother and a sister. In order to keep herself from Kin Jung Han (minister), she asks Ie Seng to become her bodyguard(sponsor).
When Kin-Jung Han appears, she forces Ie Seng to kiss her. Ie Seng gives his love wholeheartedly, without any desire or calculation. "

I would add, though, I have sometimes found the articles in the magazine to be somewhat in error. It seems they are written before or during the making of the drama, and do not always keep up with changes that may be made in production.

[zorro]

I liked him right away, and thought maybe they would never have him speak, just for mystery's sake. But now that he does, he's proven to be thoughtful, wise, and of his own mind, not just a great fighter.

And I can't believe that Jini doesn't see Moomyeong's resemblance to what Eunho might have looked like as an adult. He has the same build and bone structure in his face.

And even a little Johnny Depp-like, maybe. I hope we see him in a bigger role now that Jungham went back to the Capitol.

[zorro]

He appears out of nowhere, takes down all of Byeok's entourage, and then politely tells the Minister to "please come with him".

Now THAT's real power. Is this guy too cool or what?

[BungalowDweller]

He's a man with great boldness. I thought that it took alot for him to go to his father and offer to come back home to live a life he obviously despises to save Junghan's life and spare Jini her own.

Tonight he tells his father that he has agreed to resume the life of a young lord so that he can be the opposite of what his father had become! He's got nerve! Obviously with the royal retainers the King is forced to deal with, the country needs more like him.

[ginnycat5]

I hope he fares better than young Kyung Dae Sung (sp?) in Age of Warriors - he tried so hard to do what was good for the people only to be misunderstood by the king. There are so many in the court who like things the way they are, it'll be tough for him.