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Post by ajk on Apr 13, 2009 12:01:50 GMT -5
I feel the same way, wangdangman; I so wish these shows wouldn't go off into wild fantasy plotlines like that. The real history is so interesting, there isn't any need for it. But I do give GKS credit for being remarkably true to history overall, especially compared to DJY. (And the early buzz on "The Iron Empress," which you may be shown next, is that it goes WAY off the deep end as far as rewriting history. So brace yourself.)
As far as the action goes, I think KBS will try to get as much action into future dramas as possible, because people really like that stuff. The lack of action in GKS was probably at least part of the reason for the series' low ratings and the decision to shorten it.
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Post by jojo on Apr 13, 2009 13:20:40 GMT -5
Episode 82 I was very disappointed with how Jang Youngsil was handled in this episode. If the historical record (as stated during this episode) was that he was dismissed from government service, why did the writers have him killed is such a horrific manner? And as wangdangman mentions, Ming wasn’t after Jang either!?!? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk! Instead of worrying about ratings, the executives and producers ought to be thinking of the integrity of the work they are producing. A series about the Great King Sejong should have more integrity than this. How will the future generations of Koreans and other interested people view this series? The brutal beating of Jang Youngsil also took away from Sejong's eureka moment on the writing system. Learning that the Hall of Worthies scholar’s were involved with research as well as administrative duties was an interesting piece of information. As Choi Manli says, 'they' are trying to cut off their political involvement. At the inception of the Hall of Worthies, and for many years afterwards, the scholars seemed focused on research and were devoted to Sejong. Now that has eroded with the Choi Manli becoming a political leader, in opposition to the king. Where will it all end? There’s danger in the Hall of Worthies becoming just another political body with all typical political trappings.
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Post by tinkerbell on Apr 14, 2009 15:26:15 GMT -5
Episode 82 I was very disappointed with how Jang Youngsil was handled in this episode. The brutal beating of Jang Youngsil also took away from Sejong's eureka moment on the writing system. At the inception of the Hall of Worthies, and for many years afterwards, the scholars seemed focused on research and were devoted to Sejong. Now that has eroded with the Choi Manli becoming a political leader, in opposition to the king. EPISODE 82 I agree with you jojo and with wangdangman. What were the writers thinking? Let's "spice up" the end of the drama with this horrible scene that isn't true anyway? I don't like Choi Manli at all anymore. He acts more like a minister than a scholar now. So much wasted talent. I think Poongae is close to being exposed as Joseon's spy. I'm so glad to see Jeong Inji on the right path again. The Queen must have a really good beautician because she looks like the only character that hasn't aged.
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Post by tinkerbell on Apr 14, 2009 17:00:44 GMT -5
EPISODE 83 I kind of thought Youngsil may still be alive because they didn't show him die. Although they could have done that and we'd have to wonder what actually happened to him. I still have a problem with the whole thing besides it not happening. The King Sejong that the writers depicted would not have been so harsh. There was the possibility that Youngsil would die. Did the King think if he died at least he wouldn't be using his knowledge and talents for Ming? If he would take that chance then he didn't value Jang Youngsil as much as we were led to believe. Along with losing his good character, Choi Manli seems to have lost some common sense. How dumb can you be to think Ming wouldn't use the weapons technology against Joseon, only the Mongols? I laughed when Jo Malseng told Choi Manli that "It's like looking at myself in the mirror twenty years ago." I just said that last week. ;D Choi has been bribing people, spying, accumulating slush money and using underhanded tactics. These two guys have definitely traded roles. I was surprised to hear Jo say he didn't think the King was out to ruin the country. Maybe that banishment did the trick. I really like seeing him use his wiles for good causes now. The King should have let Choi Haesan of all people know much sooner that Youngsil was alive. Imagine what that poor man went through. The King seems to be getting worse rather quickly now.
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Post by jojo on Apr 15, 2009 13:06:32 GMT -5
Along with losing his good character, Choi Manli seems to have lost some common sense. How dumb can you be to think Ming wouldn't use the weapons technology against Joseon, only the Mongols? I loved Jo Malseng throwing “the ends justifies the means” at him. Choi is so obsessed with his idea/fear that he can’t see straight.
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Post by wangdangman on Apr 18, 2009 16:33:59 GMT -5
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Post by jojo on Apr 20, 2009 6:32:38 GMT -5
That's terrible wangdangman!!! One of the issues that wasn't clear (at least to me) with this digital conversion is what the cable companies are supposed to do. Looks like Comcast made their own deadline. Add this to the list of nasties performed by Comcast. I was able to watch this weekend's episodes with my trusty rabbit-eared antenna. * * * * * * There was a commercial on Ch 35 asking people to contact Harrisburg so funding isn't cut to WYBE. They said they would have to go off the air if funding is cut!!
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Post by jojo on Apr 20, 2009 13:53:35 GMT -5
Episode 84 I don’t really see why a dissection is necessary for understanding how sounds are made but, in any case, does anyone know if this is historically accurate? Choi Manli’s treasonous intentions are out now. And it looks like Prince Jinyang isn’t going to turn Choi in. That can’t be good. It seemed a matter of time that Poongae would get caught. I hope he survives being shot by Haishou. So many things are happening so quickly, the plot is turning into a blur. Gang Hui sure finished off Haishou so quickly I almost missed it.
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Post by tinkerbell on Apr 20, 2009 17:42:42 GMT -5
Episode 84 I don’t really see why a dissection is necessary for understanding how sounds are made but, in any case, does anyone know if this is historically accurate? So many things are happening so quickly, the plot is turning into a blur. Gang Hui sure finished off Haishou so quickly I almost missed it. EPISODE 84 They do seem to be rushing things to end the show. I thought the idea of Jang Younsil going to get the Hui Hui physician ( by himself ) was a very bad decision. If he were in better condition I could possibly see it. I guess it was the writers way of having Choi Haesan killed and supplying them with a body to dissect. I don't understand how this was helpful either jojo. (I don't think it really happened in history.) I don't understand why Youngsil didn't just turn the horse around and take off when he saw Haishou and his men. Why did he dismount and decide to make a run for it when he can't run? Luckily Choi Haesan had some explosives handy. Where did he get them on such short notice? I couldn't believe Youngsil turned around and came back. The whole scene wasn't very plausible. Gang Hui and the other men really took them out quickly. If you blinked you would have missed Haishou being killed. I could hardly concentrate on the subtitles when Choi Haesan was talking to Youngsil as he was dying because of that stupid song. I can't believe Choi died and Poongae survived with two arrows to the back. I thought Haishou "got him in a fatal spot." I blame Choi Manli along with Haishou for Choi Haesan's death. I was glad to see Gim Jongsuh on the King's side once again. I don't know how the King and Youngsil could watch their long time friend being dissected.
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Post by tinkerbell on Apr 21, 2009 19:13:30 GMT -5
EPISODE 85 It's hard watching the King's bouts of vision loss. I'm glad it was completed in time so he had a chance to see it. The scene with King Sejong using the magnifying glass on the little boys and the scholars was hilarious. ;D I was rather surprised that so many were responding favorably when they were shown the new alphabet. I couldn't believe Wang Zhen believed Poongae's story about Haishou. Why would Haishou have done those things? You'd think Wang would have known Haishou better than that. Even more unbelievable was Gim Jongsuh and Yi Chun walking behind Jang Youngsil as he carried the casket containing Choi Haesan's body! What a miraculous recovery. How shocking it was to see Ha Wiji cover up the drops of blood so Choi Manli didn't see them! When did he change his attitude? I'm glad he did though. When will Choi Manli give up? How did Shin Sukju and Sung Sammun manage an unsupervised visit with Huang Yan?
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Post by jojo on Apr 22, 2009 9:47:22 GMT -5
Finally, the new writing system has arrived! Yay! The explanation for the various types of sounds was totally cool. I liked seeing Sejong walking out of the temple with his supporters – they really did make history, in a way that had a profound effect on the regular people. Hard to believe there’s only one episode left. The last few have been choppy with some unbelievable plot lines as the executives rush to end the series early. I agree tinkerbell: Jang Younsil carrying a casket when he could barely walk?! I thought Choi Haesan’s body might have been hidden in the middle of the pyre. We didn't get to see much reaction to the new writing system - that's why I figured the writers threw in the visit to Huang Yan, just to see what he had to say. It would have been great to see the reaction of the public!!!!!What a shame to have the series end in such a rush. I hope the last episode is done well.
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Post by shekeremaker on Apr 25, 2009 11:53:49 GMT -5
I'm already preparing for the next drama. It doesn't really matter if it's next or not, I'm watching it anyway. Some posters on this forum have indicated that The Iron Empress is next. I'm watching it on: www.dramacrazy.net/v/korean-drama/the-iron-empress/I found episodes 1 thru 30, each episode divided into 15 minute segments (with English subtitles). Lots of old favorites. There must not be many actors in Korea, they keep recycling them.
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Post by ozzaib on Apr 25, 2009 23:10:39 GMT -5
Just saw episode 86, which I thought was well done. Sorry to see it end. I don't think the accelerated production schedule did the series justice. I've been recording these to DVD from the TV, and am missing a few episodes. Does anyone have a few recordings to trade?
What is the consensus for the next drama?
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Post by tinkerbell on Apr 27, 2009 15:33:01 GMT -5
FINAL EPISODE
I didn't like the part about the Queen's death. It seemed strange being informed of her passing by Wang Zhen along with his comment about the Joseonese alphabet. I can't imagine him ever saying what he did. I don't think the Queen traveled 1000 miles to Ming to give the Emperor a hand-stitched quilt either. I wish they had shown us more or not have brought up her passing at all.
It was good to see Jo Malseng, Gang Hui and Gim Jongsuh outwitting Wang Zhen one last time. ;D
I loved Sejong's speech to the scholars at the Hall of Worthies. I think he hit the nail on the head with every word. Great scene.
I find it hard to believe Choi Manli didn't know about the King's vision loss. How could he not know? Nonetheless it was nice seeing a little bit of the old Choi Manli. His heart wasn't totally cold after all.
It would've been nice if they'd gone a few more episodes to wrap things up but at least it had a happy ending.
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Post by jojo on Apr 28, 2009 8:44:54 GMT -5
I liked the lighting of the lamps at the beginning, mirroring how the series started. It was nice to see Wang Zhen knocked down a few notches. ;D If there were more episodes, I suppose we would have seen how that occurred. Jo Malseng hinted that Wang had enemies in China. Perhaps Jo and Wang would have gone head-to-head. It was good to see Jo supporting the King in the end. I agree that is was unbelievable that the Queen traveled so far to give the Emperor a garment! I did, however, enjoy her diplomatic skill with him. I assume we would have seen her health deteriorate and subsequent death, if there were more episodes. It was weird that she just disappears. I wonder what happened to Poongae. With his cover blown, I hope he could stay home. Sejong’s speech at the Hall of Worthies was excellent! I couldn’t believe that Jeong Changson said that education cannot change one’s lowly nature!!! Duh! Sejong did hit the nail on the head: no matter how many rationalizations Choi Manli came up with, the real reason Choi wants to keep the people illiterate is to have power over them. Maybe that’s why he always seemed frustrated & angry: he was lying to himself. What I still miss is not seeing the implementation of Hangul. I’m would have loved to see people’s reactions to the announcement and see people, both inside and outside of the palace, learning the new alphabet. At least we had the ending scene with the children. It was nice to end at the same tree when Sejong stood with Yi Su, many years ago.
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