Post by ajk on Sept 20, 2020 1:28:00 GMT -5
I expected this to be a less eventful, more transitional episode, and it was, but it was full of well-written scenes. Really enjoyed it.
“This defeat has made me realize how much more important it is to maintain what is ours than to capture a new territory.” There’s the more thoughtful KH that we had seen in the past. Good opening.
Wish they wouldn’t toss in spoilers like that, even if it’s common knowledge. Let the story tell itself, please.
The next scene got uncomfortable; how long was WG planning to dodge the Buyong issue? Geez that went on and on...even outlasting the shock of Park Sulhee playing successful psychotherapist! What a diagnosis.
But after that, the whole thing about finessing the marriages and the awkwardness of it all, it was surprisingly interesting. You really did not know how successfully it would or wouldn’t play out. Certainly Lord Yu couldn’t have been happy to hear the news about wife #2 straight from his king’s mouth...and I can’t imagine Buyong will take this news too well either, at least not at first...but it was entertaining stuff.
Geumpil: “You will be able to marry them both and preserve Geumsung without offending anyone if His Majesty gets involved.” Geumpil continually impresses more and more. He’s a sharp guy.
Byun Sa Bu: “It was Master Guhn’s virtue that won the vital service of so many.” That is a great line right there. Recorded here for future reference regarding Choi Soo Jong in this role versus his subsequent roles.
Eunbu: “Ahjitae was urging tyranny, and His Majesty seemed to accede. I am fearful.” Jongkahn: ”We are slowly becoming an annoyance to His Majesty.” Terrific writing, the way this is all being teased along.
“It is as they said. You are pulling this kingdom into a slump.” What a great scene between Ahjitae and Park Yu. Everyone in these dramas is always so restrained and careful in their conversations. This sure was nothing like that! They held nothing back. Maybe it oversold Ahjitae just a little, made him out to be more of a lunatic than he might have been (although maybe he was a lunatic somewhat).
Double the taxes and conscript entire families, wow. Now let’s see if he hits Geumsung/Naju with those taxes after they were promised no taxes.
Anybody else unfamiliar with the word “cognomen”? Had never heard it before. Apparently the word originally refers to naming conventions in ancient Rome, but I guess the EWG translator thought it applied here too and used it.
The ending, didn’t care for it so much. For one thing, why did he agree to marry Doyoung first? It isn’t such a long journey there that he can’t come back again and marry her second—and after he’s cleared it up with the Yu family like he should be doing as an honorable guy. And I don’t understand why Doyoung asked for that in the first place. It all needed some explanation.
And then the way she was glaring at him and goading him with Goongyae’s command to get married ASAP, like a hungry predator...even if she has no larger selfish intent in all this, it’s at the point of being creepy. She’s starting to come off as almost evil. Not a good character at all.
And it’s all gonna hit the fan in 62 so we see what happens.
“This defeat has made me realize how much more important it is to maintain what is ours than to capture a new territory.” There’s the more thoughtful KH that we had seen in the past. Good opening.
■ Kyun-hwon’s crushing defeat against Koryo...Although Sudal vows to recapture Geumsung, it remains in possession of Koryo for a long time to come. Six years later in the year 909, Sudal attempts to recapture Geumsung, but fails against Wang Guhn once again. Losing Geumsung would prove to be a huge strategic loss with lingering effect. So Kyun-hwon returns home in defeat like this.
Wish they wouldn’t toss in spoilers like that, even if it’s common knowledge. Let the story tell itself, please.
The next scene got uncomfortable; how long was WG planning to dodge the Buyong issue? Geez that went on and on...even outlasting the shock of Park Sulhee playing successful psychotherapist! What a diagnosis.
But after that, the whole thing about finessing the marriages and the awkwardness of it all, it was surprisingly interesting. You really did not know how successfully it would or wouldn’t play out. Certainly Lord Yu couldn’t have been happy to hear the news about wife #2 straight from his king’s mouth...and I can’t imagine Buyong will take this news too well either, at least not at first...but it was entertaining stuff.
Geumpil: “You will be able to marry them both and preserve Geumsung without offending anyone if His Majesty gets involved.” Geumpil continually impresses more and more. He’s a sharp guy.
Byun Sa Bu: “It was Master Guhn’s virtue that won the vital service of so many.” That is a great line right there. Recorded here for future reference regarding Choi Soo Jong in this role versus his subsequent roles.
Eunbu: “Ahjitae was urging tyranny, and His Majesty seemed to accede. I am fearful.” Jongkahn: ”We are slowly becoming an annoyance to His Majesty.” Terrific writing, the way this is all being teased along.
“It is as they said. You are pulling this kingdom into a slump.” What a great scene between Ahjitae and Park Yu. Everyone in these dramas is always so restrained and careful in their conversations. This sure was nothing like that! They held nothing back. Maybe it oversold Ahjitae just a little, made him out to be more of a lunatic than he might have been (although maybe he was a lunatic somewhat).
■ Majin is an abbreviated form of the word Maha-Jindan, which in Buddhist terms refers to the great empire of the orient. The use of a Buddhist term is easily understood, as Goongyae was a Buddhist monk and a self-proclaimed Maitreya Buddha. Goongyae’s risky pursuits began to breed fear among people of Paesuh who had been the central power of the court. Resurrection of Koguryo, which had been their cause, was now gone, and a new kingdom without root or connection was beginning to rise. Jongkahn and Eunbu shared their fears and concerns as well. Nonetheless, in the year 904, Goongyae oppressed his subjects and began to carry out his decision.
Double the taxes and conscript entire families, wow. Now let’s see if he hits Geumsung/Naju with those taxes after they were promised no taxes.
Anybody else unfamiliar with the word “cognomen”? Had never heard it before. Apparently the word originally refers to naming conventions in ancient Rome, but I guess the EWG translator thought it applied here too and used it.
■ Many clans of this time did not possess specified family names. Receiving a cognomen from the emperor meant elevation of status and rank in the society, and was deemed a tremendous honor. Records indicate Oh Darin and Jonglae were awarded imperial cognomen for their meritorious service in Geumsung, and it is presumed to have taken place in the year 903.
The ending, didn’t care for it so much. For one thing, why did he agree to marry Doyoung first? It isn’t such a long journey there that he can’t come back again and marry her second—and after he’s cleared it up with the Yu family like he should be doing as an honorable guy. And I don’t understand why Doyoung asked for that in the first place. It all needed some explanation.
And then the way she was glaring at him and goading him with Goongyae’s command to get married ASAP, like a hungry predator...even if she has no larger selfish intent in all this, it’s at the point of being creepy. She’s starting to come off as almost evil. Not a good character at all.
And it’s all gonna hit the fan in 62 so we see what happens.