Post by ajk on Aug 2, 2020 0:15:20 GMT -5
One thing to get out of the way first, because they kept hammering on it and I kept not getting it. Wansanju-to-Seorabeol is an absolutely straight shot to the east. They literally are on just about the same exact latitude. But over and over again we’re told that the Bekjae army marched southward. Why? I don’t see massive mountains between them when I look at topographical maps. And it’s not an amphibious operation so it’s not like they need to get to the sea. I really wish we’d get an explanation because it doesn’t make sense. Unless the subtitles are using the wrong word...but they’ve been very good so I doubt it.
Buyong: “My relationship with the general is not of import(ance). Surely you didn’t travel through dangerous seas to learn about the general’s personal life.” Bravo! Okay well we know who the sensible one in that pair is. Doyoung claims it’s all just to check out WG’s character but afterwards she tells Buyong the truth...and apparently assumes that Buyong won’t go straight to her father and repeat it. Really?
The way she was hyped up and hard-sold in the first part of the episode, it really sort of took the air out of everything else. No objections to telling the story with her being so involved in it, but the way they’re doing it is just too over-the-top so far. And the way she kept staring at WG, it was like a lioness deciding which part of that zebra she’ll eat first after she kills it. Brrrr. Glad to be done with her for now.
Kyun-hwon’s speech to his troops was interesting because at first it reminded you of his disgust from long ago with how Shilla had decayed. I liked that. Of course then it went onto all of his impatience and reckless ambition, but in context of the story it was a well-written little speech.
Goongyae: “I never should have gone to Song-ak.” You wonder if and when he'll hold Jongkahn accountable for that.
So they’re holding up the entire invasion while they wait for Yu Geumpil? That’s an awful lot riding on one non-diplomat conducting a diplomatic mission. What if Shilla refuses? They have to go ahead either way. This angle seemed sort of shaky; wish they’d fleshed it out more.
“When they hastily turn around, Shilla can strike their rear and seize Kangju. That vital territory is in possession of Bekjae right now.” How about that, Geumpil is good. Handled himself very well. Credit where credit is due.
This is the map they showed us during that third narrated text. It seemed odd because why would you need to make that right turn and long circular arc rather than simply turning left and going straight up to Geumsung? But this time I found the answer. It’s a bad map. Here’s a Google modern-day map of the area (Naju is Geumsung).
So that area is actually land, not water, and they’re sailing up a riverway. At first I wondered why they wouldn’t just stay on the coast as long as possible and land near Muan, and march east to Geumsung (it’s around twenty miles, very doable). But they’ve said that Mokpo (at the mouth of the river) is part of this whole thing too, so even though they keep saying Geumsung it’s really about the larger region too.
Sorry if the geography stuff was too much here but things are about to heat up and I'm trying to make sense of it all. Anyway, here comes the invasion and this should make for some very good episodes coming up.
Buyong: “My relationship with the general is not of import(ance). Surely you didn’t travel through dangerous seas to learn about the general’s personal life.” Bravo! Okay well we know who the sensible one in that pair is. Doyoung claims it’s all just to check out WG’s character but afterwards she tells Buyong the truth...and apparently assumes that Buyong won’t go straight to her father and repeat it. Really?
The way she was hyped up and hard-sold in the first part of the episode, it really sort of took the air out of everything else. No objections to telling the story with her being so involved in it, but the way they’re doing it is just too over-the-top so far. And the way she kept staring at WG, it was like a lioness deciding which part of that zebra she’ll eat first after she kills it. Brrrr. Glad to be done with her for now.
Kyun-hwon’s speech to his troops was interesting because at first it reminded you of his disgust from long ago with how Shilla had decayed. I liked that. Of course then it went onto all of his impatience and reckless ambition, but in context of the story it was a well-written little speech.
Kyun-hwon’s southward progression...When Goongyae was preparing to transform his kingdom with a new name and a new capital, and when Wang Guhn was building battleships and awaiting his chance to stun the world, Kyun-hwon once again equipped his army and embarked on a quest to crush Shilla. This was one year and six months after his defeat at Daeya Fort. At the same time, the Prime Minister of Shilla was Hyojong, the general who had successfully defeated Kyun-hwon’s mighty army at Daeya. Tottering Shilla was clinging to life, struggling to maintain a regime of a thousand years.
Road to Chulwon...In the year 903, Goongyae begins his survey of Chulwon. Wang Guhn’s invasion of Geumsung would take place in the same year. Chulwon was the place where Goongyae had declared sovereignty, and he sought to return to the place where he felt attachment. In the following year, he would rename his kingdom Majin, and title his dynasty Mootae. And finally in 905, despite the strong opposition of his subjects, he relocates his capital to Chulwon.
Goongyae: “I never should have gone to Song-ak.” You wonder if and when he'll hold Jongkahn accountable for that.
So they’re holding up the entire invasion while they wait for Yu Geumpil? That’s an awful lot riding on one non-diplomat conducting a diplomatic mission. What if Shilla refuses? They have to go ahead either way. This angle seemed sort of shaky; wish they’d fleshed it out more.
“When they hastily turn around, Shilla can strike their rear and seize Kangju. That vital territory is in possession of Bekjae right now.” How about that, Geumpil is good. Handled himself very well. Credit where credit is due.
At last, the greatest naval battle in the history of the Later Three Kingdoms Era gets under way. With a powerful naval force, Koryo was about to invade Geumsung, Bekjae’s largest port and only overseas passage. Oblivious to this fact, Kyun-hwon continued advancing southward. His fervent desire to acquire Shilla had blinded him.
This is the map they showed us during that third narrated text. It seemed odd because why would you need to make that right turn and long circular arc rather than simply turning left and going straight up to Geumsung? But this time I found the answer. It’s a bad map. Here’s a Google modern-day map of the area (Naju is Geumsung).
So that area is actually land, not water, and they’re sailing up a riverway. At first I wondered why they wouldn’t just stay on the coast as long as possible and land near Muan, and march east to Geumsung (it’s around twenty miles, very doable). But they’ve said that Mokpo (at the mouth of the river) is part of this whole thing too, so even though they keep saying Geumsung it’s really about the larger region too.
Sorry if the geography stuff was too much here but things are about to heat up and I'm trying to make sense of it all. Anyway, here comes the invasion and this should make for some very good episodes coming up.