|
Post by zorro on Feb 14, 2007 10:59:57 GMT -5
I know he's the enemy, but I'm liking this guy more and more. Great scene (faked or not) with him singlehandedly knocking down all ten Khitan warriors in his combat training regime. These actors are really talented to do all these fighting scenes and ride horses so effortlessly. Last night (ep 28) was mostly talk and posturing, no action, but it was amusing to see Xue pretending to read the message from the Empress before handing it over to the "kid" Hongpei to read for him. And his look afterward was almost gleeful. Also he, like so many of these characters, has healed nicely from all the torture he endured. Must be all those steamed buns he likes so much.
|
|
|
Post by kathleen34 on Feb 14, 2007 11:09:21 GMT -5
YES! One moment he had this long bumpy scar on his right cheek. Next moment, he has new braids, a new suit and his skin is as flawless as a Pond's model. Also, these guys seem to maintain a healthy smile ... with all the beatings their teeth remain intact and white and shiny. ;D On an altogether different thought... the actress who plays the Empress of Tang... she looks so familier ... what other drama(s) has she played in?
|
|
|
Post by BAE on Feb 14, 2007 11:25:30 GMT -5
Got to hand it to the guy though, making his way from a nobody to the right-hand man of the Tang Empress. I still would like to know what she needs him so badly for. She keeps saying, "He's the only man who can help me." I wonder if she wants to usurp the throne. kathleen34, the actress's name is Yang Keum-Suk. She was Jo Young-Sil, the manipulative wife of a much older man who had a disabled son, from the drama 'My Precious Child', which co-starred Hong Soo-Hyun (Lady Sukyeong) and Lee Duk-Hwa (General Xue Rengui). Hong Soo-hyun played her step-DIL, Hee-Soo, and Lee Duk-Hwa was Hee-Soo's uncle.
|
|
badtz
Junior Addict
Posts: 115
|
Post by badtz on Feb 15, 2007 16:24:48 GMT -5
I like this character too. He is really funny. DJY is so serious all the time. perhaps the Empress needs him because he is the only General who takes action and has enough courage and strategic moves to defeat Goguryeo. He almost out smarted Yang Manchun and he did outsmart Namseng. The other Tang Generals seem so lame by comparison. I laughed during the scene where he pretended to read. You could tell right away that he couldn't read. Which probably would have been true for him since he wasn't a nobleman.
I also wondered about how come they all have such nice teeth, but I don't think I would want to see the true teeth of this time period. I wince when Xue Rengui talks with his mouth full!
|
|
|
Post by zorro on Feb 15, 2007 18:14:02 GMT -5
LOL… me too. With a mouth full of steamed buns, he's hardly intimidating. I swear he would have given up the Empress if they had wagged those in front of him instead of the torture methods. I think all the actors could have used some minor teeth prosthetics, not as bad as the Halloween type, but at least not perfectly straight and so white. And if no prosthetics, then just yellow them up a little so they look more believable. Wasn't he great after the message was read? Positively beaming.
|
|
badtz
Junior Addict
Posts: 115
|
Post by badtz on Feb 15, 2007 19:02:45 GMT -5
Remember when he first came on the scene? I thought he was going to be an important character. When he met Dae Jung Sang and saved his life I really wanted him to help General Yang at Ansi Castle. Instead he went and helped that weirdo Tang Emperor, who was so melodramatic! It was Xue Rengui's plans that almost succeeded in defeating Goguryeo. He was beaming! Vindication!
You're probably right that they should make their teeth slightly less modern looking. BTW, what is up with Gulsabiwu's hair? He is kind of handsome although a little spazzy but he always has the two dreads hanging out the top of his headband. That doesn't seem to be like anyone else's hairstyle on the show.
|
|
|
Post by Alexa on Feb 15, 2007 22:10:27 GMT -5
I think the Empress does want to take over. Remember this week she mentioned that the Emperor was sick and that things were going to change. She mentioned once that Xue Rengui was the only one who was truly loyal to her and the only one who could help her. None of the other officials like her, probably because she is a woman and has alot of say in things that go on.
One thing I admire about Xue Rengui is that he is truly loyal and definetely not a backstabber. He never turned his back on the Empress and Khan, even when he was being tortured. He is a good guy to have on your side. Once you help him, he will always back you up.
|
|
|
Post by JP Paulus on Feb 15, 2007 22:43:53 GMT -5
I think the Empress does want to take over. Remember this week she mentioned that the Emperor was sick and that things were going to change. She mentioned once that Xue Rengui was the only one who was truly loyal to her and the only one who could help her. None of the other officials like her, probably because she is a woman and has alot of say in things that go on. One thing I admire about Xue Rengui is that he is truly loyal and definetely not a backstabber. He never turned his back on the Empress and Khan, even when he was being tortured. He is a good guy to have on your side. Once you help him, he will always back you up. Hmmm...Dae Jungsung helped hm out, and Xue Rengui still insists on attacking his country ;D Seriously, though, i think the show points out how being kind & respecting someone who on the surface may be of a "low position" can be a benefit to you, if not now, but in the future, when it counts. i imagined if the Tang had instead immediately recognize XUe Rngui's ability and allowed him to use it. They could still be the top generals, and they would have to verbally "restrain" Xue, or at leats calm him down, but despite the scowls & smart remarks, would be quite loyal. i wonder how he his portrayed in history? i believe it was Commander Kim in IYSS who seemed such the goofball on the show, but in real life was a bit more vicious (if i remember right!)
|
|
|
Post by zorro on Feb 20, 2007 9:42:27 GMT -5
I'm starting to think his main talent is charisma.
Last night he was stymied after learning of Namseng's capture. He was ready to give up until Khan explained the benefits of the situation to him, and Haigu (discerning that the message from Chulin was in fact true) inspired him to launch an all out invasion.
So, he may be a great fighting General, but not a very tactical one.
Especially when compared to Yang Manchun.
|
|
|
Post by BungalowDweller on Feb 21, 2007 22:38:53 GMT -5
What he's got going for him is that he's a tremendous risk-taker. Notice how many times he gets out of scrapes in the 11th hour. I agree that his greatest gift is personal charisma. And he does appear to be honorable. How he helped the deceased Tang ruler to get back to China early on in the series is one example. His loyalty to the queen is another as well as to the Khitan tribe.
And as an aside, I love it when he grabs his hair and strokes it. It's a great gesture that adds to the richness of the character. ;D
|
|
|
Post by BAE on Feb 22, 2007 11:26:51 GMT -5
Ah, the hair stroking! It makes him look less ruthless. His voice is also funny in a sense because he doesn't have the deep, hoarse voices the other men on this show seem to. If he wasn't on "the wrong side" he would've made quite the formidable warrior for Goguryeo. But, it's his ambition that seems to be his downfall because he's not as tactful as YGSM or YMC. He's got wit and brains, that he rarely seems to use, thrusting into every situation without thinking things through. The Khoran tribe would've been successful in gaining that territory they wanted if they didn't have a rash leader like Gen. XRG. He's not the wisest of men.
|
|
|
Post by zorro on Mar 2, 2007 12:02:31 GMT -5
What's with the red flower he keeps waving at everybody??
|
|
|
Post by ajk on Mar 2, 2007 16:19:34 GMT -5
That is a great question. I wondered about that the first time I saw the thing. It actually looks like some kind of a short stick with feathers at the end. Does it signify some level of military status? It hardly looks threatening--Do what I say or I'll tickle you!--but maybe carrying it has some kind of significance.
|
|
|
Post by BAE on Mar 2, 2007 17:07:16 GMT -5
LOL, tickle you? I've noticed before that he waves the feather duster around quite a bit. I think I saw YGSM have one of those too. Maybe it WAS exclusive for higher-level military personnel?
|
|
|
Post by ginnycat5 on Mar 2, 2007 18:20:40 GMT -5
I never noticed it - he's so cute I just watch his face, I guess. It sounds like a swagger stick that British officers used to carry. Something to intimidate the lesser ranks? Or tickle them; that would be funny to watch. ;D
|
|