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Post by tinkerbell on Jan 19, 2009 11:26:08 GMT -5
EPISODE 59 I agree wangdangman! The ending scene looked promising but Jo Malseng has managed to hide his dastardly deeds so far. There has to be dirt on him somewhere but no one ,even Park Eun, has been able to unearth it. I don't think he will be gotten rid of easily. Also Sejong is sometimes too forgiving and doesn't seem to know how or when to remove someone. Granted he doesn't have to be ruthless like his father but demote him or send him off to do laundry like poor Shim On's wife (Lady Ahn). ;D Even before last night's episode, I've been wondering what Jo Malseng has on Gim Mun (Jo's plant). Could he possibly be Malseng's son with the Shaman woman? Or did he give a government post to a lowborn in order to have a spy at The Hall of Worthies? Yet he vehemently opposes lowborn Youngsil having a government position. I don't think the whole reason is because he's a slave. If you think Jo Malseng is scum, the same actor portrayed Minister Yoon Du-Su in The Immortal Yi Soon Shin and he was lower than scum! He was so ruthless and conniving that when I later saw the actor on another drama, I couldn't even look at him without remembering what a despicable character he had played. The scene with Crown Prince Hyang and Jang Youngsil was heart breaking. I felt sorry for the little Prince, but mostly my heart ached for Youngsil. "You're a slave and can be bought and sold, you're not even a free man. You're like an animal"! That had to cut deeply and you could see it on Youngsil's face. I know Hyang didn't fully understand the magnitude of his words, but it looked like the life was just sucked out of Youngsil. I was surprised to see Prince Kyoungnyeong seemingly fantasizing about the throne thanks to Jo Malseng. I like the person he has become and hopefully his past ambitions stay in the past.
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Post by jojo on Jan 20, 2009 19:49:34 GMT -5
Ep 58 & 59 I was also surprised at Huang Yan helping Jang Youngsil and Choi Haesan. It's one thing to have friendly diplomatic relations, but Huang is putting his life on the line here! I wonder if there is something else motivating him. Gim Mun has been looking more and more dissatisfied with Jo Malseng, but I was still shocked when Gim went to Hwang Hee. Hard to believe that Mr. Clean could be brought down.... maybe Jo comes from 'lowly' parentage.... or locked someone up in a cave...
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Post by ajk on Jan 22, 2009 16:14:05 GMT -5
Wasn't #57 a terrific episode? It was a real full-blown courtroom drama and I enjoyed the heck out of it. It really wasn't all that essential to the story, but somebody did a great job of writing it and I'm glad they included it (especially with the episode-cutting). One of the best in the series.
Am enjoying reliving the later episodes through your posts. And the good news is that while we're idling here in Chicago, you're catching up to us. I don't think you'll make it all the way this time, but maybe after another series or two Philly will be caught up to Chicago and we can all share the same threads.
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Post by jojo on Jan 23, 2009 12:11:47 GMT -5
Hwang Hee's hints before the trial were a good buildup. One thing I enjoy about this series is that the characters are more realistic. (also like the lighting, or lack thereof) In the case of Hwang Hee, he's basically a good guy but not perfect, and something happened in his past with this woman. I suppose Park Poe was hoping that his complaint would some day cause Hwang trouble. What's this about "episode cutting"? (PS: I enjoy reading your synopses! ) Wowie!! I just saw that I've turned into a senior addict!! Yay!! ;D
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Post by tinkerbell on Jan 24, 2009 12:47:24 GMT -5
Congrats, jojo! You are officially addicted. ;D
I wish we were caught up with you ajk but I don't see that happening. We have at least 26 episodes to go. The last few episodes were terrific.
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Post by ajk on Jan 24, 2009 18:00:42 GMT -5
All I meant, jojo, is that the series was supposed to be 100 episodes and it will wind up being only 86. So the story in Ep57 is one that they easily could have discarded, since it's sort of a side story and wouldn't be missed. Glad they didn't.
You're right, tink, you're not going to catch up all the way this time, but we're idling here in Chicago right now waiting for the next series. Assuming your station goes right from GKS into the next one, that will get you closer to us by at least a dozen episodes. Of course I'm assuming a whole bunch there, aren't I.
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Post by wangdangman on Jan 25, 2009 11:09:55 GMT -5
I got home from the office late Saturday night and went to bed without watching the episode -- I taped it.
It is now Sunday morning, I just finished watching it and Hwang Hee is officially Good Guy First Class!
What a FANTASTIC way to stick it to Jo Malseng!! Let me tell you, I almost fell off my chair when I saw that. I couldn't figure out what Gim Mun was doing -- luckily neither could Jo, who shot off his mouth and shot himself in the foot at the same time!!
If I was Sejong I would have personally lopped off Jo's head at high noon, but then I'm not a King! Hopefully he knows what he's doing.
I'm just curious about tonight's episode (Sunday Jan. 25) -- Jo was involved in at least one interesting looking scene in the coming attractions -- could he be STUPID enough to still try and get his way?
We shall see.
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Post by tinkerbell on Jan 25, 2009 19:16:21 GMT -5
EPISODE 60 Ditto, wangdangman! They got Jo Malseng good, twice now. ;D What a great plan! I don't understand why Sejong keeps letting him off the hook. Doesn't he have enough problems without always having to deal with Jo? He may be an important military leader but he's caused so much trouble over the years. He had two golden opportunities to give him the axe (not literally, even though he deserves it ) and he doesn't do it. Why Sejong feels he's irreplaceable is beyond me. All that Hwang Hee and Gim Mun did was almost for nothing. The only thing accomplished was getting Jo Malseng to change his mind. He won't stay passive for long because he never gets punished. I loved the "warning Hwang Hee gave to Jo Malseng, "If, heaven forbid, you should expose our astronomy project to Ming, you will have your limbs torn off in the public square for high treason." ;D I was happy to see most of the ministers and scholars finally join the King one by one. Great conversation between Crown Prince Hyang and Shin Jang, "We're both wrong". I'm disappointed with Prince Kyoungnyeong and Hyobin. I had hoped they were both past their ambitions. I feel sorry for the Queen and Princess Jeongso. Sejong is always too busy and puts everything else before his family. Why can't he free Lady Ahn from a life as a slave like he did for Youngsil? He is the King. Why doesn't he care? I wouldn't put anything past Malseng, wangdangman!
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Post by Ducky on Jan 26, 2009 7:04:16 GMT -5
Am enjoying reliving the later episodes through your posts. Me too... This is the best part of the show... Instead of "Lucifer" reruns, they could have rerun the end of "Sejong"... The major historical vacuum that was left is still not right...
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Post by tinkerbell on Jan 26, 2009 13:57:53 GMT -5
EPISODE 61 I can't believe Princess Jeongso died! :'(The scene was a real tearjerker. Her illness came on so suddenly and then she was gone. She was a sweet young girl, so sad. Jo Malseng is as cocky as ever. Wow, Gim Mun spilled the beans on Jo Malseng at the Hall of Worthies! ;D I guess it's not over yet. Jo Malseng putting his hand on Gim's shoulder and saying that he had his eyes on him, must've sent him over the edge. I figured Yehjin was involved with Youngsil and Choi Haesan getting the information at the Astronomy. It was the only thing that made sense. How did Malseng know about the Jurchen barbarians in the north? He told Choi Yundeok that he'd been away from the front too long but Jo hasn't been there either. He must have spies everywhere. I distrust him so much that I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to do with it. Maybe it's just me, but I agree with Yun Hwe regarding Shim On and his family. Yi Su said that it would throw the royal court into turmoil. So it's better to let your loved ones suffer than to punish a few rotten ministers?
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Post by jojo on Jan 27, 2009 7:54:40 GMT -5
Ep 61 It was so sad watching Jeongso die. Watching her putting Sejong's and Soheon's hands together was touching. Jo Malseng does seem to know too much about the Jurchens. Isn't Choi Yundeok also in the military? Why wouldn't he know, or is Malseng keeping pertinent information to himself? I was surprised no one questioned him. Seems like Malseng has plan in mind. Sejong may have a high opinion of Malseng's abilities, but if he keeps disrupting the government, it will be too much trouble to keep him. I was shocked at Gim Mun's revelations to the scholars!! I think Hwang Hee should have given more thought to Gim's state of mind. Hwang can continue to work with Malseng, because they were already enemies of equal political status. Gim is down the ladder a bit, and is vunerable to retaliation by Malseng, producing a lot of anxiety for Gim. He's really putting himself on the line, after Hwang and Sejong told him to keep quiet. Maybe he sees this as his last contribution to the scholars. That Sim On was killed was enough punishment for his wife. With his family stripped of land and titles, I don't see why she had to become a slave on top of all that. I don't understand why Sejong couldn't at least have someone else move her to a better position / location. Yet he covered up Malseng's corruption!
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Post by tinkerbell on Jan 29, 2009 17:41:41 GMT -5
I don't understand why Sejong couldn't at least have someone else move her to a better position / location. Yet he covered up Malseng's corruption! That drives me crazy too, jojo!
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Post by wangdangman on Feb 1, 2009 1:37:04 GMT -5
...was I the only one who was slightly ticked that they rolled that script at the end AND DIDN'T HAVE AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION???
It was obviously something VERY important to the story line and we have no freakin' idea what it said!
So if anybody could read it and you have it on tape as I do, your help will be greatly appreciated -- if it's not on tape, provide at least a paraphrased translation! Merci!
Now, as to the show itself, I was surprised the Prime Minister up and quit, but I think that was basically what the Queen had in mind. He had to make himself the sacrificial lamb for the good of the country -- and getting Sejong to reinstate his Mommy-In-Law convinced the others to go along with it. Good move.
(however, I must admit I was looking forward to seeing Jo Malseng tied to four Clydesdales and ripped to shreads!)
And -- once more before I leave -- TRANSLATION PLEASE!!
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Post by Candylover on Feb 1, 2009 11:20:21 GMT -5
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Post by tinkerbell on Feb 1, 2009 13:21:57 GMT -5
(however, I must admit I was looking forward to seeing Jo Malseng tied to four Clydesdales and ripped to shreads!) That would be after the flogging, hot irons and kneeling in glass, right wangdangman? ;D Thank you VERY much Candylover! We would have been left in the dark scratching our heads. EPISODE 62 I'm glad Gim Mun stirred up the pot. Well Jo Malseng dodged the bullet again. At first he looked troubled upon hearing that the scholars were determined to restore Shim On's name and go after those who prosecuted him. I knew he had something up his sleeve when I saw that grin on his face. He's so shrewd, attempting to get some of Sejong's best advisers away from the palace, especially Hwang Hee. Bringing Hwang Hee back was an awesome move. It seems only he can contend with Jo Malseng. Jo should have been the one to go, but at least he has one less ally, the Prime Minister. Nice speech from PM Yu at the Hall of Worthies. What a phony! When did he get all moral and upstanding? Again, I was disappointed in Prince Kyoungnyeong planning on going away until the situation blew over. It's a shame it took Princess Jeongso's death to make Sejong realize how much he neglected his family. All the children are so cute and do a wonderful job.
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