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Post by jojo on Sept 22, 2008 10:30:33 GMT -5
You're welcome ajk! Tinkerbell is the one who has excellent memory. ;D Ep 24 I'm surprised that King Taejong hasn't considered that his rearrangement of ministers will be viewed as the king supporting Choongnyeong for crown prince. On the outside Taejong seems oblivious to this, but he must know the implications. His reasoning remains hidden. I was surprised at Choongnyeong's stubborness at resisting participation in the Great Hunting Ceremony, and not sure why he later went to Kyoungnyeong for coaching in archery. Choongnyeong seems to be a bit cranky lately! Maybe he's anxious waiting for the baby to be born. Don't understand why Han Younglo was killed. Was it because he tried to have Jang Youngsil killed, when Youngsil is a valuable asset to the resistence movement? When a rock was thrown towards the Crown Prince and Auri at the rock-throwing game, it looked like a stray rock, but I think the CP thought it was intentionally thrown at him. This put him in a sour mood, setting back Auri's plans. (A pretty rough 'game'. People could get killed playing it. ) Wow! Exciting ending, even though we know Prince Choongnyeong has to live.
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Post by tinkerbell on Sept 22, 2008 13:51:34 GMT -5
EPISODE 24 The game of chuksukhee looked so neanderthal. I've seen tomato fights held in Spain and orange fights in Italy (oranges would still hurt), but nothing like this! I searched for a list of Korean games and I found it's also known as Seok Jeon, a traditional Korean competition. Seok Jeon traditionally took place during the May 5th (Lunar calendar) Dano festival. Citizens of villages on different sides of rivers would line the river and hurl stones at each other. The team that "won", it was believed, would have good luck for the year. When the losing village full of blinded, brain damaged, and generally crippled farmers failed to bring in a better harvest than your winning village, it was obvious to all the harvest gods favored Seok Jeon winners. Stone throwing was particularly popular during the Goguryeo Dynasty (4th century-7th century). Much like jousting, it was expected that the king would preside over games of Seok Jeon. Korean kings eventually worked Seok Jeon into military drills and incorporated it into war games. They even formed stone throwing regiments, although their effectiveness against archers is questionable. However useful Seok Jeon was to the Korean army, it became apparent that public games of Seok Jeon were getting out of hand and becoming increasingly violent. Crippling injuries were becoming all too common. The authorities tried to ban the competition, however, much like trying to stop street racing or dwarf tossing, such plebeian entertainment is not easy to stop. Stone fighting continued until the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1910). A more rigid ban was enforced during the Japanese occupation period and wide spread games of stone throwing have since disappeared. I believe Han Younglo was killed to further sway Jang Youngsil to bring him over to Ok Hwan's side. It was discussed earlier to do whatever it takes to get Youngsil to make weapons for them. They told (and showed) Youngsil about Han sending his daughter to Ming. I don't think he will be missed. I understand the King is trying to suppress the ministers by assigning them to different posts, but how effective can they be if they're inexperienced in their new job? Naturally most of them aren't too happy. I guess Choongnyeong's supposed lack of archery skills is why he doesn't want to participate in the Great Hunting Ceremony. I don't think that's the only reason though. I think he's inadvertently trying to somehow protect his brother again. He knows from his father on down, comparisons are being made between them both. I could be wrong but it looked to me like Auri was a bit smitten with the Crown Prince, especially when he caught that stone. I guess eunuch Jeon Ilji decided his own life was more important. To quote what the CP said earlier, "Survival comes first. Everything else is secondary." If only Prince Choongnyeong would have stayed home like his wife suggested, although for a different reason, the birth of their first child, tsk, tsk. Well at least we know he won't die. One thing I wondered was why the mini musket shot an arrow and not a bullet?
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Post by jojo on Sept 23, 2008 7:41:49 GMT -5
The chuksukhee game is dreadful! Damage to individuals had must have placed great burdens on families as well as been harmful to the overall welfare of the public. That it continued on the 'street level' after being banned is, I think, a testimony to ego-baiting: "I'm better than you." "My village is better that yours." "I won't get hurt." "We are invincible." Amazingly, this thinking continues to this day. I'm guessing that arrows may have been viewed as being more effective at killing than round objects. Maybe this could be related to their rock-throwing experience. Looks like they just hadn't gotten around to trying small round projectiles yet.
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Post by tinkerbell on Sept 23, 2008 12:21:54 GMT -5
EPISODE 25 You got to hand it to Princess Shim, not only did she have the foresight to make that silk vest for her husband, but right after giving birth, she went to Choongnyeong's side and attended to him. What was wrong with everyone else in that room? They all stood by fretting and didn't do anything and let an exhausted new mother take care of the Prince. Ok Hwan and his men pull their usual stunt and dispose of Jang Chilsang. Use "em and lose "em. It looked like he tried writing something in his blood on the floor. Since they didn't mention it, maybe it wasn't anything. Why were the Min's arrested just because of that note? Yun Hwe said it earlier, it's just too obvious! If they were responsible, they wouldn't have left that note behind after killing him. Auri is doing her job trying to plant ideas in the Crown Prince's head against his brother Choongnyeong. He isn't showing much interest yet but I'm sure it's a matter of time. I'm amazed how naive Choongnyeong is when it comes to Kyoungnyeong. Doesn't he see his jealousy and anger? How can he be so trusting of him? What exactly did the CP mean when he said, "Don't talk to me about brothers and family again. You lost your chance, just like I did." ? Jang Youngsil is busted again! Why did he put his "signature" on the arrow head and the hairpin? If he didn't do that, he most likely wouldn't have been discovered. I don't think Prince C will cut off his hands. Hopefully the Prince can get this bitter young man on his side and things will start looking up for Youngsil.
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Post by jojo on Sept 24, 2008 13:03:09 GMT -5
EPISODE 25 What exactly did the CP mean when he said, "Don't talk to me about brothers and family again. You lost your chance, just like I did." ? I don't quite get this either. Lost what chance? Lost the chance to become crown prince? Or lost the chance to remain on friendly terms as brothers? Or did the CP mean he lost his chance to get rid of Choongnyeong as a rival? Perhaps the CP thinks Choongnyeong is the one who is trying to implicate the CP in the attempted assasination. But why would Choongnyeong risk having himself shot with an arrow!?!? I don't understand why the CP would be mad at Choongnyeong for getting himself shot. Perhaps it was just a poor translation. I hope Choongnyeong gets to work some of his 'magic' on Youngsil, so that he gets a chance for a better life.
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Post by jojo on Sept 30, 2008 13:00:40 GMT -5
Ep 26 I have to rely on ajk's syopsis for this episode, cause I forgot to set the VCR. Things were toooo hectic. I didn't think Choongnyeong would chop off Youngsil's hand, whether he wanted to or not, someone would stop him. What can be going through Youngsil's mind? Han Younglo tries to kill him, Choongnyeong tries to chop off his hand, and then someone throws a knife at him. His life is a bitter whirlwind of events. I'm glad Choongnyeong managed to get though to Youngsil; perhaps his life will have some stability and purpose now. Looks like the beginning of the end for the resistance movement. I don't see how they will be able to survive, especially now that the organization & the Baron have been exposed. I don't get the idea of arresting everyone with the name of Ok and Jeon. They could end up falsely imprisoning many people and get the rest of the country po'd, just to catch a few people.
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Post by tinkerbell on Sept 30, 2008 16:59:26 GMT -5
EPISODE 26 I don't agree with some of Ok Hwan's methods to revive Goryeo, but I can understand why they refer to King Taejong as a butcher, not only because of the past, but what's happening now, the killing of everyone with the name Ok and Jeon. I know he can't be a softy and maintain control of the people but what he's doing is terrible. I feel bad for the unlucky people who were born with that name. I am glad that Choi Haesan convinced Prince Choongnyeong that Jang Youngsil's talents were extraordinary and therefore he would be very valuable to them, not only for that reason, but also in finding the real culprits. Youngsil was the only one who could also clear the name of the CP and the Queen's brothers. That was quite an escape by Muby. I thought he'd pulled his last stunt. The chase in the woods was very exciting. I'm also surprised Ok Hwan managed to slip through undetected. I wonder how long they can elude the soldiers looking for them. Interesting scene with the Chuksukhee players. Will they dodge arrows and then throw rocks at their opponents? ;D It took awhile but Jeon Ilji finally got caught.
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Post by tinkerbell on Sept 30, 2008 17:56:45 GMT -5
EPISODE 27 I have to start with the ending. I just can't see Prince Choongnyeong going through with the execution. I imagine he's going through major conflict. Everyone's words have to be going through his head. Foreman Jeon telling him "You're a butcher's son after all." Jang Youngsil telling him "Don't pretend that you care about the people so much." Yun Hwe and Shim On are encouraging him to do as the King wishes, and Yi Su and the scholars are encouraging him to hold fast to his principles and find a better solution. If he goes against his father, every Ok and Jeon will be killed, and who knows what other punishment the King will impose on Prince C for disobeying him. I can't believe Prince Choongnyeong was so naive to believe he could go to the rebel camp and negotiate with them! They've tried killing him, didn't it ever enter his mind that they would take him as a hostage or kill him? I know he was desperate but what was he thinking? Apparently he wasn't. I'm sure it was Yun Hwe who figured out where the rebels were possibly hiding. Choongnyeong was very fortunate not to have been killed or injured during the battle. I can't believe CP Yangnyeong had the audacity to strike Choongnyeong in the face and call him a pathetic fool. Granted what Prince C did was really stupid, but did he forget all the times Choongnyeong saved his sorry butt?
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Post by jojo on Oct 1, 2008 8:44:12 GMT -5
The King is tyrannical, isn't he?! I'm disappointed that he won't even bother to have a decent conversation about options with Prince Choongnyeong. What the King do with his time anyway? We never see him trying to come up with ideas to solving problems; he just orders his ministers to take care of everything. I also thought it was extremely naive of Prince Choongnyeong to visit the rebel camp. Even he admitted that he was being foolish. The Crown Prince punching Choongyeong in the face without any warning was a pretty low blow, and, I think, very juvenile. ( The CP seems to getting more and more condensending to Choongnyeong. (I wonder what the CP really thinks about Hwang Hee's admonishment not to celebrate with his subordinates. Even though the CP obeyed, he still had a smart comment on his way out.)(and why did Hwang laugh??) The scenes with Jeon Ilji and Baron Ok were great. I was shocked at Jeon Ilji questioning the Baron, and the Baron finally admiting that Goryeo was corrupt and weak. More shocking yet was the King telling Choongnyeong that he must execute Foreman Jeon!!! I don't see Choongnyeong executing anyone either. I briefly thought he might consider killing himself (and I think someone mentioned that) but that would be useless too (not to mention he might not be able to do it). Can't wait for the next episode!!
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Post by tinkerbell on Oct 1, 2008 15:50:06 GMT -5
I also wondered why Foreman Jeon didn't commit suicide like Wang Ahn did earlier in the drama. I though all the rebels were supposed to take poison if they were captured to ensure the safety of the rest of the group. That would get Choongnyeong out of this nasty predicament.
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Post by jojo on Oct 6, 2008 13:49:44 GMT -5
Episode 28
Good for Prince Choongnyeong not killing Foreman Jeon. Trying to pin the subsequent murders of other Ok's and Jeon's on Choongnyeong is absurd. Good comments by Choongnyeong to the Crown Prince (why was he residing over this??) and to the King, but what will it take for Choongnyeong to get through to them? Seems impossible. Even forfeiting his royal status had no effect. The more flashbacks we see of the King's past, the more cold-hearted and blood-thirsty he seems. **shudder** And stubborn to boot.
I thought Prince Kyongnyeong's comments were kind of insulting, ie: the part where he confessed not having really trusted Choongnyong before. He should have just said he was really impressed with Choongnyeong's actions/comments and left it at that. I don't think Choongnyeong looked particularly pleased.
Looks like the rebels are out for the final showdown. Either they succeed or they die. How ironic that the King killed the man who knew where the secret tunnels are.
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Post by tinkerbell on Oct 6, 2008 14:05:37 GMT -5
EPISODE 28 I can't believe I didn't see the beginning of this episode, I missed some great action. Thanks ajk for the great summaries. I can't believe Foreman Jeon killed himself when they went to so much trouble to save him, unless he thought he would slow them down and perhaps cause more casualties. I have to hand it to Choongnyeong for not executing the rebels and his conversation with his father. I can see why he's had enough, he's so different from the King. Even if he hadn't forfeited his royal status, he probably would have been banished anyway. I feel so sorry for his wife. The conversations between CP Yangnyeong and Minister Hwang, and Ok Hwan and Muby were insightful as well. Hwang chose the peaceful approach to something he couldn't control or change, and Muby chose fighting. Their goals were similar, striving for a world without tyranny and oppression. Great thinking on Minister Hwang's part, that there may be a secret entrance into the palace. Since Ok Hwan had said "his people were everywhere", I just assumed it was any one of those people already in place. We've seen Eunuch Jeon Ilji sneaking around doing what he was ordered to do. I'm sure there are others in the palace. I'm so glad they didn't arrest Eunuch Um Jachi for meeting with Eunuch Jeon Ilji. I was afraid they were going to torture him and brand him as one of the rebels. The ending scenes were very exciting. I wonder how many will die in this raid?
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Post by jojo on Oct 7, 2008 7:06:02 GMT -5
EPISODE 28 The conversations between CP Yangnyeong and Minister Hwang, and Ok Hwan and Muby were insightful as well. Hwang chose the peaceful approach to something he couldn't control or change, and Muby chose fighting. Their goals were similar, striving for a world without tyranny and oppression. Excellent insight tinkerbell! The CP's reactions to Hwang Hee's words seemed neutral, which I interpreted as the CP not thinking the same way as Hwang. I think they will have hugh conflicts later on. I was sorry to see Ilji, Muby and the Baron depart, but won't miss the killing. They could be just as cold-hearted as the King. (oops... think I jumped an episode here...)
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Post by jojo on Oct 9, 2008 13:01:08 GMT -5
EP 29! True to ajk's previous comment, Episode 29 was a blockbuster: many great scenes, new characters and a turning of the tide (or two). Finally, the end of the resistance movement has come. Excellent comments by Baron Ok, which will, of course, be ignored by King Taejong. Especially liked his last comment that the people of Joseon were once children of Goryeo. Wow! The Queen showed compassion towards Yi Sun. Nice to see the Queen having compassion towards others, though I did get a little laugh out of Yi Sun's comment that the queen is the most feared person in the palace. Loved the scene of Meng Sasung, a new character, audaciously riding a cow into the palace. But then.....the mellifluous voice that accosts him! Could it be?! Yes, it's the man who played Bu Kiwon in DJY (I believe his name is Kim Hae Kyoon). What an amazingly smooth and distinct voice he has. What the world is the Crown Prince getting himself into with this blood oath of loyalty?! He's in defiance of the King, who wouldn't let the CP have a few loyal men, and takes it to another level by having a secret group of loyal servants take an oath. What if the king stands up to the CP, will all these men rush in and overthrow the King??? (Baron Ok's warning could come to pass.) Noticeably abscent at the ceremony was Hwang Hee. I thought the CP would cast him aside at some point. On the other hand, even if Hwang was asked to join I don't think he would have. This secret society ceremony reeks of treason. A great episode so far, but the most shocking scene was the ending with Prince Choongnyeone in the boar hunt!!! Wow!!!! The innocent and naive look in his face is G O N E !!
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Post by mugwump on Oct 9, 2008 16:21:04 GMT -5
Yes, the man with the magnificant voice is back. It'll be interesting to see which new ministers are good guys and which will be bad. Did any one else notice that a major plotline seemed to disappear with the time jump? For many episodes we were building up to the martial arts contest and in Ep 28 the Chinese and Japanese guests were arriving in Chosun and the event was imminent. So what happened? Did they cancel it due to civil unrest? Did the Crown Prince get to show off his "team"? Maybe we'll see the aftermath in a flashback? Or is it lost and gone forever?
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