Ep 10 - 4/17/11 (Sun)

[TheBo]

Please reference the "Story So Far" thread if you are confused about what has "happened" until now.

I have a bad feeling (and I think I'm meant to) for young Young-bok.

THOSE GUYS with the iron filings and the plotting and the kvetching and the everything! Oy!

Bo

[griffin]

But of course! ;D The bad guys will never cease plotting. ^^ And Shin Han-pyeong had practically been coaching his own son, Young-bok to be Yun-bok's "eternal" protector ever since YB became part of the family. He never lets up in telling his son he must look out for his younger brother, that YB will excel!

I'm surprised Young-bok didn't throw a tantrum, hate his father, etc. It's obvious why he's so willing to be such a doormat; he's totally head over heels in love with his younger "brother" who's totally oblivious to his sentiments.

[TheBo]

LOL. You are so right, I think. And I might be wrong, but there seem to be hints that Young-bok knows about the charade, too.

Bo

[griffin]

I'm not sure which charade you're referring to?

Are you saying Young-bok knew something about the bad men's schemes or that he didn't know Yun-bok is a girl? The latter is impossible, whereas the former ...I can't remember even though I watched this drama more than 6 times. Horrible memory I have! ;D

[TheBo]

The "charade" of Yun-bok being a boy, of course. LOL.

I don't think it's impossible he doesn't know he's a girl. The father could have kept them apart. I even wonder if the mother knows he's a girl. Would she stand still for a mere girl being put ahead of the precious boy? I don't think so.

On the other hand, maybe I'm looking at this too closely. The drama is hardly historically accurate. LOL.

Bo

[griffin]

Young-bok knew his younger brother was actually a sister, except that he didn't think of her as a sister when they grew older.

In the very first ep, when their classmates made remarks on the gisaeng crossing the bridge and YB was asked what kind of women suited "him," Young-bok had this weird incredulous expression on his face; he knew it's impossible for YB to be interested in women!

Then there was that chat in their room, he was thoroughly embarrassed when YB tried to find out if he has the hots for a girl and he gave YB a look she did not understand of course.

It's also impossible for Han-pyeong's wife not to know what YB is. Was he to bundle YB off to some strange woman when she hit 12? How was he to explain it? The risk of discovery would be even greater. For the wife to accept, he would have told her YB would further the family's prospects and that through her, their son would probably get some benefits along the way. Of course, she would be unhappy that her son ended up banished to some color bureau but since she is glove in hand with her husband, she could not very well blow the whistle. She may well have hoped Han-pyeong's "prediction" came true and that her son would be restored to his former status.

No, this sageuk is hardly historically accurate but the story is nice. ;D

[TheBo]

I agree with your reasoning, griffin, but they never really confirm (so far in the story) that he does know. However, it would seem impossible. LOL.

Bo

[kathleen34]

This is a bit off topic but it's making me crazy because I cannot figure it out. So with embarrassment I seek your wisdom. In the bathing scene what was the significance of the white 'ribbon' fabric that YunBok was all panicky about?

[Elaine]

She uses this ribbon as a "bra". It is the only one she has.

[kathleen34]

thanks Elaine ... I kinda thought that so thanks for taking away my curiosity.

[griffin]

I think there's a bit of a blooper over the chest band because if I'm not mistaken, she took extras with her (when she was packing, she went to the bandaji to grab a couple) before she entered the palace. Thus, the band she lost couldn't be the only one she has. Well, she couldn't be using the same band every day, could she? To paint a portait, especially a royal portrait, takes a month or so.

On that type of chest band, I'm somewhat puzzled that she did not use a waist band. The waist band that the women used confines the bosom, to ensure that the torso is is narrow and dainty. I'm talking about the traditional hanbok, not the modern one piece.

A waist band need only be tied securely, not like the cloth she used that needed to be wind around many times. *shrug* I can only think of a reason why it was not use; perhaps the cloth is lighter and less obvious.

[TheBo]

Good grief, how did this conversation slip my notice?

Another consideration (for not using the waistband) is if she dropped it somewhere, the jig would be up. If she lost the silk ties, she could say they were something else. Although, they might have used a fabric that was less obviously "dainty"--say, dark blue silk or something. ;D

[griffin]

I can't imagine how a waist band could possibly slip off her. It's secured tight unless someone pulled on it and I doubt she would get into a ssireum match with anyone. Besides, competitors pulled at the satba, not their opponent's chest. ;D But you have a point that, the bandage bands can be explained away more easily. Imagine Hong-do poking into her belongings and found the spare waist bands, I can't imagine what he would think! LOL. He might think his apprentice is a pervert with a fetish for women's clothing.

[TheBo]

Jun 8, 2011 20:57:02 GMT -5 griffin said:

I can't imagine how a waist band could possibly slip off her. It's secured tight unless someone pulled on it and I doubt she would get into a ssireum match with anyone. Besides, competitors pulled at the satba, not their opponent's chest. ;D But you have a point that, the bandage bands can be explained away more easily. Imagine Hong-do poking into her belongings and found the spare waist bands, I can't imagine what he would think! LOL. He might think his apprentice is a pervert with a fetish for women's clothing.

Right! I wasn't thinking so much of it falling off of her, I was thinking if she dropped the spares or if they were found in her clothing chest, considering your belongings could be searched at the drop of a hat there. LOL.