note to those who actually read my summaries

[velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin]

sorry i've been slacking guys. been a little sick these past few weeks

also, i am waiting on a DVDR so i can transfer my taped shows onto dvd. that's make the novelizations easier and faster.

plus that means i can make copies for those that missed the show ;D

[luvarchfiend]

no need to apologize vib....

at your convenience, and when you feel better.

hope you get well soon.

[Aging Warrior]

No need to be sorry VIB. You're not obligated. Hope you feel better soon.

[pearblossom]

get well soon vib

we can't imagine following yss without the vib yo ;D

[Hachiman Taro]

Please get well soon. There's certainly no need to apologize; you've done more than we could have ever asked for as it is. You are the pillar of this board.

[amber Chicagos NWSide]

Dear VIB, Get well soon! Everyone appreciates all you
have done to make watching these shows an even better experience. Let us know how you are progressing.

[velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin]

awww, you guys are the best

[FlowerLady]

---Feel Better Soon, VIB!
Actually, it was your ardent passion in describing this character's life and values that made me so interested in watching this drama in the first place. I came to respect your judgement and opinions on the Jang Geum board, so I knew I would probably agree with your sincere admiration and respect for YSS. So many of us are getting really attached to the characters and the great storyline. We love this drama!! Thanks for everything, VIB!

[velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin]

great news gang! esp. for those in chicago...

so i got my dvd recorder and as soon as i get one more cable, let the recording begin! so far i have up to episode 21 on tape (i think), so this means that if anyone missed an episode, they'll be able to see it =)

i'm so excited

especially since i have been too busy as of late to actually watch all of the episodes

[velvet inkbrush of YiSoonShin]

oh and flower lady,

i am so glad that i was able to get you interested in YSS.

and i still watch jang geum with a passion ;D

[Tepyoung]

Velvet Inkbrush, I hope you feel better by this time.

If so, let me welcome you back by asking a question or two. (Perhaps I should not place the burden entirely on you. Answers from anyone else who knows Korean would also be welcome.)

This regards the surname of the mutual friend of the Emperor and of Yi Sun-sin, the one who eventually became Prime Minister.

When he appears onscreen, the Korean subtitles show his surname using the hangeul that look to me as if it should be pronounced Ryu and the hanja meaning willow -- and that is pronounced ryu, isn't it? (His entire name, using modern romanization, would be Ryu Seong-ryong.)

However, Christy Kim's subtitles show Yu, not Ryu. The official Websites show the hangeul for Yu and the English romanization Yu.

Looking back at your summary of Episode 1, I see that you, too, wrote Yu.

My simple mind is confused. Is he Ryu or Yu?

If he is Yu, then why do the hangeul subtitles show Ryu?

Best wishes and aloha ;D ,
Tepyoung

[Soju]

VIB -

I hope you got a recorder with a hard drive in it. I have one, and it's greater than sliced bread ever was.

[kathleen34]

well VIB, you'll see that there are quite a few of us who read your summaries. More importantly, there are quite a few of us who wish you to feel better. Looking forward to once again sharing your wisdom. FEEL BETTER!

[T'ae-bi-mama]

Tepyoung said:

Velvet Inkbrush, I hope you feel better by this time.
Answers from anyone else who knows Korean would also be welcome.)

This regards the surname of the mutual friend of the Emperor and of Yi Sun-sin, the one who eventually became Prime Minister.

When he appears onscreen, the Korean subtitles show his surname using the hangeul that look to me as if it should be pronounced Ryu and the hanja meaning willow -- and that is pronounced ryu, isn't it? (His entire name, using modern romanization, would be Ryu Seong-ryong.)

However, Christy Kim's subtitles show Yu, not Ryu. The official Websites show the hangeul for Yu and the English romanization Yu.

Looking back at your summary of Episode 1, I see that you, too, wrote Yu.

My simple mind is confused. Is he Ryu or Yu?

If he is Yu, then why do the hangeul subtitles show Ryu?

VIB: I too have been fan of your summaries and hope you feel better.

Tepyoung: I might be able to answer the Ryu/Yu issue, as I have wondered the same thing since I have one of those family names that sometimes acquires an R, Y, or L. It happens with Yi/Lee/ Rhee/Wie, Im/Yim/Lim/Rim, and Yoo/Liu/Ryu.

Transliteration of Korean names from Hanja into Korean and English is not completely standardized. One case of adding an R or ryut (backwards square s) occurs when family names that begin with the neutral syllable (O) changes position (like to become the last name).

But with Ryu it probably has to do with the Korean transliteration from Chinese. The neutral syllable (O) is for some names, like Yi/Lee, Im/Lim, Yu/Ryu, interchangable with the ryut. The family's clan or even the king might have at one point determined the family name and its spelling, as only royalty and nobility were allowed to have family names until the Koryo dynasty, when the practice spread to commoners. But usually these variations on the same name (Ryu or Yu) refer back to the same Hanja character, which cuts down on the confusion a great deal.

Also, the name Lee/Rhee/Yi in the Northern part of Korea, is spelled in Hangeul with a ryut, even though the Hanja is the same as Yi. Perhaps Ryu Seong-Ryong's clan's hometown of Andong has a similar convention with his name even though it is in a more southern province.

Hope this is helpful...