by Esther Noloc and Beth Wagner
Guest: Mamacri Chan
Introduction:
The fourth episode is here, girls! After watching the preview of this episode, I think we will be both laughing and crying, so maybe now is a good time to prepare with a box of tissues just in case. Let's laugh and cry together in this chat, talking about every detail!
Esther: Hi Beth, we have Mamacri from Europe here in this chat again. Even though we are from different countries and cultures, we agree on a lot of things—united minds as JKS eels.
Mamacri: Hi again girls...this episode left us breathless...wanting more, much more! We want to keep watching what our dear Gae Ddong is going to do next. I am so enjoying this story and his fabulous acting. It has really been amazing to see the quality of this drama!
Beth: Hi there sisters! I agree Mamacri. As happy as I was to finally see him in a drama, and watch as it aired live, I am even more happy that he chose so well! He really picked one with a perfect story, director, and cast to work with. Eels all agree or Prince has incredible acting talent of course, but I think Daebak is really giving him the chance to showcase it to the world.
Esther: Well, here it goes, and oh my gosh! Our boy is soo expressive, so intense! When Gae Ddong spotted Dam Seo on the horse, almost in slow motion like in a movie romantic scene, did you see how his jaw hung open and his eyes opened wide? He even fell over his own feet and landed on his backside. It was so charming how he closed his eyes and shook himself like he couldn’t believe she was real.
Mamacri: Ohh...that scene was so beautifully done, and his expression...wow! You could really feel how he was in awe of this pretty girl.
The way she rode her horse with her black veil moving slowly in the wind...it
was the most beautiful thing he ever saw. He literally was turned topsy turvy
at the sight of her.
Beth: Yep, just a single
look, and our boy is head over heels in love! I hope he ends up as lucky in
love as he has been in staying alive so far!
Esther: Hmmm, some man at the door of the gambling house
tried to block Dam Seo’s path, but Gae Ddong rushed to her rescue and almost
broke that rude man’s finger! Lol, our hurricane boy. Another big guard came
out, and pushed Gae Dong down. Poor Gae
Dong really wants to be strong in front of the girl of his dreams…but that big
man is like a stone wall, no matter how Gae Ddong punches and pushes! Ouch!! That big man even shoved our boy in the
nose and made him fall down again
Mamacri: Gae Ddong our youthful hero...he saw injustice and came to
the rescue. It was rash and he didn’t have any training to take on a strong man
like that, but he couldn’t help himself.
Just like his father, “fools rush in”.
Esther: Oh hahaha, he tried to do one of those martial arts
jumps from off the floor…sorry son, but I started laughing like crazy when you
flopped around like a fish, instead of looking like Bruce Lee. Lolllll……you
were my clown in that scene, but when I saw blood in your nose my heart
stopped!
Beth: Yes, I was laughing at our poor Gae Ddong, but then….
Oh his nose started to bleed, and the way he looked so embarrassed in front of
Dam Seo, I’m almost crying now! It’s OK….Fighting, Gae Ddong!!
Esther:
Look how Dam Seo walked into the gambling house and Hong Mae recognized her
right away. She is either an important person there, or a regular. Gae Ddong
just followed her in too, haha. He wants a chance to talk to her!
Mamacri: Just like his father 20 year before when he entered this same gambling house, wide-eyed at all the games and money flashing around. His father lost his mother in a bet there, I hope Gae Ddong doesn’t lose there too.
Beth: He doesn’t even realize how he actually owes his life to this place. If his mother hadn’t been gambled away to the King, Gae Ddong wouldn’t exist.
Esther: Dam Seo sat down with In Jwa at table prepared with food only for two, but haha! Gae Ddong just plopped down and started eating their food and drinking their wine! ! He even asked Dam Seo why her hands are so rough looking. He’s so rude and unrefined, but kind of cute at the same time in a little innocent boy way, lol. Poor him, without a mother to teach him manners, we have to forgive him. Ahh, he thinks In Jwa is just her cards teacher, and asked her why she was learning to play when she should be getting married. Hahaha, he even tells her to study with him, because his card skills must be better than In Jwa’s!
Mamacri: Just like his father 20 year before when he entered this same gambling house, wide-eyed at all the games and money flashing around. His father lost his mother in a bet there, I hope Gae Ddong doesn’t lose there too.
Beth: He doesn’t even realize how he actually owes his life to this place. If his mother hadn’t been gambled away to the King, Gae Ddong wouldn’t exist.
Esther: Dam Seo sat down with In Jwa at table prepared with food only for two, but haha! Gae Ddong just plopped down and started eating their food and drinking their wine! ! He even asked Dam Seo why her hands are so rough looking. He’s so rude and unrefined, but kind of cute at the same time in a little innocent boy way, lol. Poor him, without a mother to teach him manners, we have to forgive him. Ahh, he thinks In Jwa is just her cards teacher, and asked her why she was learning to play when she should be getting married. Hahaha, he even tells her to study with him, because his card skills must be better than In Jwa’s!
Mamacri: LOL...nothing can stop this
passionate young horse from chasing his love...he even follows her into the
lion’s den. With no clue about proper etiquette he just sat himself down at
their table and starts shoving the food in his mouth, while "hitting"
on Dam Seo, Hahaha! Waaa, his innocence
and bravery really show. In Jwa was shocked but amused, while poor Dam Seo was
having a nervous breakdown because she didn't know what to do about this dumb
kid hitting on her lol!
Beth: Omg, hahaha,
the way he just told her that she would be his wife, and how mad she got! LOL.
But our boy wasn’t the least bit deterred, just kept looking at her with that
lopsided, “you know you will love me in the end” smile…. Ahhhh breaking the
hearts of eels, that little smile…..!!
Beth: Gae Ddong can’t get a break
here…. In Jwa takes Dam Seo away (to show her the vaults of money in the
basement, and put her in charge of this important aspect of his operation—money
fuels their cause)…..
Beth: ...Meanwhile Hong Mae comes and shoves her hot pipe into his
chest and demands that he pay for the food he and his “wife” ate. Oh, haha…. Our Gae Ddong is so not wise to
the ways of the city! He thought his one
nyang coin would be enough to pay for it all, and ends up getting threatened by
Hong Mae’s thugs!
Esther: In Jwa and Dam Seo came back, and now they are betting! That man took the one nyang coin, and flipped
it. He told Gae Ddong to pick which side is up. Our boy looked so sure of
himself, so confident—he said front side up! He even said he will bet himself
and be In Jwa’s servant if he’s wrong!
Beth: Oh…. I am biting my nails!
Don’t want him to fall victim to In Jwa already…… WHEW!! Our boy really does have good luck—he picked
right. Ahh, relieved.
Esther: Oohhhh…. In Jwa asked for
his name and our boy was so ashamed to say it, especially in front of the girl
of his dreams, he just mumbled it. Then Hong Mae laughed and make fun of
him. But Dam Seo didn’t laugh, she just looked a little sad for this pitiful
country boy. Ahh, I think his thoughts were, "Eat me Earth" I cried
for him.
Mamacri: Gae Ddong was never
confronted with having to think about his peculiar and not so appropriate name
before. He just now realized…hardly a name to impress the love of your life
isn't it...poor thing.
Beth: Oh I just
cringed for him, our poor dear boy! Ok, I’m cracking open the box of tissues
already…. All weepy at his embarrassment. But at least he got his coin back. In
Jwa tossed it back to him.
Esther: The prince Yeoning is
meanwhile getting drunk in a nearby bar (bet he doesn’t have troubles
impressing the ladies). He walks out, stumbling, and walked right past Gae
Ddong! They have a close encounter at the third kind, bumping shoulders, lol.
Mamacri: Very well filmed, the crossing of
the paths of both brothers...even though they have the same blood running
through their veins...their personality and lives could not be more different.
Here we can see that Gae Ddong is a very simple and naïve-- a “seize the day”,
non-calculating young man-- while the other has been groomed in a very hostile
environment and doesn’t trust anyone.
Beth: Yes, just their
body language alone, with Gae Ddong sort of skipping and tossing his coin up in
the air and catching it, like a little boy…. While the Prince stumbles
drunkenly, a too-worldly adult already.
Funny how despite their differences, they are both immediately captured
by the same con-man’s game!
Esther: Prince Yeoning might be
drunk, but he is an astute player. He figured out the trick, and kept Gae Ddong
from losing his coin too. He returned the coin to Gae Ddong at the end.
Beth: I kept thinking…. Shouldn’t he
give Gae Ddong 2 coins? Since he won a coin from it? Oh well, the spoils of gambling went to him,
because he figured out the trick I guess. At least Gae Ddong got his coin back.
Mamacri: Gae Ddong grew up in small towns,
where people were less conniving. The prince has learned to distrust others, be
more calculating and analyze situations...he sees and knows what others are
thinking, even though he is drunk! It was kind of him to take "pity"
on poor GaeDdong and to spare him from losing his one nyang. I loved that
scene… was fun to see the two brothers together.
Beth: Yes, they really
do have immediate chemistry! I think they must truly have made a friendship on
the set too. I like seeing that while the Prince might be jaded, he does
seem to have a kind heart. He realizes
that one nyang means a lot to someone with very little. I wonder if his mother (their
mother) taught him that.
Esther: oh haha! Gae Ddong was
trying to sleep between his father and grandpa, but Dam Seo still is stuck in
his head like a thorn! He kept seeing her face everywhere, so he tried to go
outside and get some fresh air, but even outside, he looks up and the Moon has
her face smiling down at him! Ehemm, exercise was his solution?? Do you think
that works?
Beth: haha, if that worked, eels
would be very fit indeed…. We can’t stop seeing his face everywhere too LOL!
Mamacri: Ooh, that In Jwa! He really has everyone
on his chessboard, and he will play them one by one to get what he wants! He
even suspects that the Prince is faking his playboy behavior. Aww and then back to Gae Ddong, having his
sweet dreams of this girl and feeling so happy… whahahaha...when he went out to
have a cold fresh breath of air to cool down, omg, his exercising moves are
very suspicious looking LOL!! So cute though, when he turns up to the sky
and sees her face in the moon...it struck him right in the heart and he gets
even more flushed.
Beth: Yup, he is just totally a goner, 100% in love with pretty Dam Seo!
Beth: Yup, he is just totally a goner, 100% in love with pretty Dam Seo!
Esther: He even stalked her again
the next day lol! Followed her from the city street out to the archery range,
where she was teaching ladies to shoot. So sweet how he is hiding behind the
tree, peeking at her, so nervous and excited with that flower in his hand,
practicing how to propose to her!
Mamacri: Really like a love sick puppy! Following her every move... he even picked her a flower that cute country bumpkin lol...very romantic indeed. By the way, that flower is a Dianthus Chinesis "Deep Violet" , it is a kind of carnation with the meaning of “flower of love” and “flower of the gods”.
Beth: Thanks Mamacri,
that is so interesting! I bet they chose
it for that love meaning, for sure! He
really is so darling here…. Hope our JKS feels this giddy about a girl someday
too!
Esther: Aishhh after all his
practicing and hiding, she saw him anyway, and shot an arrow right next to
him into the tree where he was hiding! Then when he tried to sweetly ask her
name and offered her the flower, she just spun around and cut the flower in
half. She even brought the blade to his neck and said next time she will cut
that! Oh noo! Who is the rude one now? You girl!
Mamacri: That Dam Seo really has a problem
don't you think? It seems like In Jwa’s indoctrination of hate and revenge with
her just left her cold, and devoid of human feelings! Confronted with such free-flowing
feelings of love from our Gae Ddong, the only response she knows how to make is
to try to make it stop with an arrow and a sword! But I’m glad to see some
signs that our Gae Ddong has an inborn talent to quickly analyze things, too,
like how he knew from the callouses on her hands that she must be an archer. He
will need this power of observation in the not so far future, I’m sure.
Beth: Poor Gae Ddong,
his love confession thwarted, and poor Dam Seo, unable to respond in a normal
way because of the way she was raised. I think they will find a path to each
other though—I think they need each other! He needs some of her training and
seriousness, she needs some of his lightness and true love for her.
Esther: Hahaha, he is so crazy, finding
her even more pretty when she is mad! Love is blind for sure. He keeps
following her too! Lol, now he pretended to be a palanquin carrier, just to
follow her inside one of the geisha houses, where there is a big party going
on!
Mamacri: Yep, he is a love-struck puppy! Even though he said he is not like a dog following her, he is exactly that, whahahahaha! This boy has balls for a country bumpkin. He lacks any sense of danger, which is a bit stupid and very naïve, but so endearing too. So funny…. that virgin boy is not use to a woman touching him, and those gisaengs are all over him, thinking he has a paycheck from the palanquin in his pocket hahahaha. But once Dam Seo came out and started dancing, he brushed back those two girls, totally mesmerized by Dam Seo and her beautiful dance. The Prince too, he is struck by her as well. Guess they both never saw such elegant beauty before.
Beth: Hey…..Yaaa! Prince! You are the second lead…. Eyes off our boy’s
lady! Kkkkk (he is going to at least get the girl, right??)
Esther: Yes, Dam Seo’s dance really made Gae
Ddong’s and prince Yeoning’s hearts race! They are both enchanted by her
charms. Oh, the way she stared at the prince while dancing, thinking, "he
is the king son,my enemy!” I don’t care
so much if In Jwa uses her to hurt the Prince, but I am so worried he will also
use her to hurt our sweet Gae Dgong! Oh our poor Eels’ hearts!
Mamacri: Poor Gae Ddong, he descended
into the lion's den oblivious of evils and conspiracies…he had to witness his
lady love trying to seduce another man. His innocence really shows, for he sees
no difference/disadvantage with his rival, even though he is poor and his rival
is obviously rich. His heart is that genuine. Well what Dam Seo was set out to
do she achieved-- the prince was totally mesmerized by her....
Beth: Ahhh, you know,
I’m really starting to love this sweet brash boy…. I think I will be a little
sad when he turns into that cold-as-ice gambler we saw in the first episode.
Esther: Haha,
look how he is
jealous already! In the blink of an eye, Gae Ddong jumped over to the
prince’s table and grabbed him by the collar! He told this powerful wealthy guy
not to look at her like that anymore, because "She is going to be my wife!”
Waaa, he is very confident…let’s see if
he can pull it off....
Mamacri: Hahahaha, male hormones at
work here!! Gae Ddong is totally driven by instincts, trying to protect what he
has his heart set on. If he had used his head instead of his heart, he would
know the other was a far more powerful opponent, with the environment favoring
him too. Lol, Gae Ddong and his little brother's path cross again, and they
start fighting like schoolboys over a girl!
Esther: Oh no…another bet! Both Gae Ddong
and the prince will throw a single die and the one with the lowest number
will win. Ohhh, the winner will have Dam
Seo’s company for the evening, but from the look on her face, I think they
forgot to ask her first, kkkkk. Well, I guess maybe asking a lady’s permission
wasn’t the tradition in that era.
Mamacri: Poor Gae Ddong!! Another
scene where we can see him being an "honest" yet simple person. He
lacks the conniving ways of the upper class, like the prince and In Jwa. So
many of the characters around him make it their business to gain power over
people—something that would never occur to Gae Ddong
Beth: I can’t believe
they all agreed that the Prince’s cheater move counted as a win, I mean, how is
that not cheating?? Wait-- does that mean our boy has to strip??
Esther: It does
indeed….Eels,
prepare your eyes…Gae Ddong has lost and now he has to strip down!! Well, he
might not be that happy to be in his underwear, but Eels will enjoy every
moment of it, kkk.
Mamacri: Yep, he lost...but eels won
big! We get to see our AP STRIPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, but our poor Gae Ddong, he must have
felt so ashamed having to do that...first he has not the best attire among all
those rich people, and then being stripped naked in front of your love interest
is another hit to the ego...they all laughed at him too, so humiliating.
Beth: AP
stripping……….. !!!! Awwww…. Well, as
much as I am enjoying seeing this much of his pretty skin, I have a problem….
JKS is doing such a great job portraying Gae Ddong, that I really feel terrible
for him! Embarrassed yet again in front of his crush…. Poor poor boy (but keep
that coat off for just a second longer, will you?)
Esther: Ooh, that In Jwa is such a schemer!
He just revealed the Prince’s identity in front of all the people there. He
didn’t come alone either…he brought the chief investigator with him because that
kind of gambling is illegal! I don’t know what his game is yet thought, because
the investigator won’t arrest someone as important as the Prince. He will just
arrest Dam Seo and Gae Ddong! And Gae Ddong is such a gentleman, he refuses to
let them take Dam Seo. He insists on taking her punishment with his own, even
though he could be crippled from it. Nooo, it’s not fair!
Mamacri: Wouldn’t you know it, of
course In Jwa steps in! He set himself up a golden opportunity to put the
prince in a confrontational and potentially damaging situation. We will see how he means to use this. He’s
always making people into pawns to fit his evil plans. Aigoo!! Our Gae Ddong is
such gentleman to protect the lady and take her punishment as well....that
stupid boy aiisshhhhh……
Beth: He might have
been embarrassed by having to strip down, but he shows her his true character
by taking her punishment without a second thought to his own safety. Oh, I’m so
touched by this sincere boy, and worried sick for him too! This drama is so hard on Eel’s hearts
already…. Ottoke……..
Esther: Dam Seo is upset by the
whole thing too. She asked In Jwa why he didn’t tell her about this part of the
plan. She feels so guilty now. Maybe Gae
Ddong annoyed her before, but she doesn’t want an innocent man to be punished
because of her. She almost cried too. Hmmmm, that is a good sign for Gae Ddong
I think.
Mamacri: Yup... Dam Seo seems to be
a bit more naïve than she appeared. She’s not a manipulator like In Jwa, she’s
in it for the pure revenge. In Jwa was busy playing his games, oblivious to the
fact that his cold reply just watered the seed in Dam Seo's heart to care and love
again...
Beth: Yes, Dam Seo makes it clear
that she values fairness, after the unfairness of losing her father as a child,
she doesn’t like to see people suffer who don’t deserve it. Her cold heart melted a little at Gae Ddong’s
chivalrous gesture.
Esther: I was confused by this next
part with the Shaman woman and In Jwa, can you explain for me Beth and Mamacri?
Beth: Looks like the Shaman/ fortune
teller woman is also a face reader. She
thinks that both In Jwa and the Prince share the same vision of a Tiger in
their features. So maybe that means they
are both capable of taking the throne! Looks like he has a bigger threat in the
Prince than he suspected….the Prince might be playing games of his own to get
to the throne too!
Mamacri: Yes, this means we will see
some political ‘swordfighting’ with words… both of them angling for the same
throne. Two tigers is one tiger too many. They will be fierce opponents. In Jwa
is totally in control of the prince's older brother and does not want any
competition. But if the Shaman lady is right, then the Prince will be a big
threat to In Jwa’s lust for power.
Esther: Ahhhh ,noo, I am crying
here! He was beaten 30 times with a paddle… so unfair! Our kind
hearted boy, abused and hurt and caught out in the rain. He will probably get
sick too.
Mamacri: We can see our Gae Ddong is
a man who knows how to suffer...he believes in sacrifices when the cause calls
for it. He isn’t so polished or cunning, but he chose his sacrifice with his
heart not his head. His gambler father never awakened his smart and calculating
side, to keep him from being noticed… but his upbringing did give him an innate
sense of fairness and kindness.
Beth: Oh…. I was already crying and
cringing with every swat of the paddle against our dear boy’s legs…. And then,
when Dam Seo finds him outside, and hands him the coat, and then sees the blood
dripping down onto his heels from the beating….. Oh my god…. The floodgate of
tears just burst wide open…. Looks how brave and upbeat he’s trying to be,
despite his injuries. And he even hobbles
after her to thrust the umbrella into her hands! (crying so hard!!) He’s so
injured, but all he can think about is taking care of HER so she doesn’t get
wet….. this boy….. sniffle sniffle !!!
Esther: Oh, Dam Seo can’t understand why he is sacrificing himself for her. She really just cut him to the quick—“No matter how hard you try, no one will acknowledge you…you will never escape being poor." Ohh, the tears in our boys eyes as the truth of it hits him…but he called after her and said he only needs one person to acknowledge him-- his future wife. Awww Dam Seo, he means you! He is so sweet and so cute, the way he is being honest about his feelings with those tears in his eyes.
Mamacri: It’s heartbreaking this scene...him
having so much pain and yet he can't see the difference in class and statue. Back
in those days it was very hard if not impossible to climb up the social ladder
for a man...for a woman it was different...like his mother who became queen
even though she was of low birth. He acts from earnestly and from his genuine
heart, and believes in the deepest sense what a marriage should be. I hate the
thought of him losing this part of himself.
Beth: Girls, I am a mess over here…
oh, the way Gae Ddong just laid his vulnerable little heart bare like that…..I
am crying so hard! He can take the
torture of the paddle, but how can he stand his heart breaking like this?
Esther: Now that he realizes how
far-fetched his dream of marrying her is, he fell into a deep depression,
banging his head on the wall even. Awww.
I cried a lot with him. Man Geum and Grandpa tried to calm him down, but Gae
Ddong just ran out the door and threw himself down the well. Lucky it was shallow! He’s crying, “why am I Gae Ddong??” Awww, don’t
do that please, we don’t care what name Man Geum gave you, we love you! Forget
all those bad people and let your Eels hug you….huhuhuhu (Esther crying).
Mamacri: He came home after taking
humiliation after humiliation, and the final blow was his love interest...it
was too much for Gae Ddong who was only being very upfront and honest...he could
not grasp the situation. His father and grandpa had no idea what happened to
their happy go lucky boy. How shocking for them to see him jump in the well and
feeling so sad and pitiful! Crying and
asking why he was dog poo...very heart-wrenching!
Beth: He had never really thought much about his name before I guess, but after being treated like dog poo by these nobles and worldly people, and even by the girl who has stolen his heart, all he can do is wonder… does his name merely reflect his position in the world? Or did his name create his position? Why was he named this? Why can’t he escape it? Ohhh it is so painful to watch him struggle with this heartache and feeling the unfair weight of this new world he’s in.
Esther: Hmmmm, well it looks like In
Jwa held onto his connection with the Crown Prince, remember the one who he
tricked to pick the white stone? Gosh, In Jwa really does plan a long time
ahead…. 20 years, and just now the Prince introduces him to the King. In Jwa
looks pretty pleased with himself, meeting with the King now. The Prince
introduces him as his Baduk teacher (that’s the chess kind of game with the
black and white stones), but haha, the King isn’t fooled one bit!
Mamacri: Yes...the Crown Prince
looks so weak and simple. I love the manliness of King Sukjong here, quite the
opposite of his son! Wow, the way he is dressed, and how he is sitting on his
horse and looking down on that worm In Jwa.
Beth: Uh oh, Mamacri, you’re not
going kabayaki over the manly King are you? Kkkkk
Mamacri: Not a chance, hahaha.
Esther: Whoa, the King know all
about In Jwa’s past, and he remembers being responsible for killing his family,
who were all political ministers he disagreed with. The King knows that means
In Jwa will harbor a big vendetta.
Mamacri: Well the King is nobody's
fool, but he goes along with In Jwa in his "game"...using this
opportunity to tell him he has him in his sights ...just wondering about the mentioning
of the years of ROOSTER, SNAKE AND DOG… thoughts about that, girls??
Beth: Well I think Gae Ddong/Dae Gil
is born in the rooster year, so that means the Prince is the Dog year, which
comes after rooster….. I guess maybe the Snake must be In Jwa? Interesting! I
wonder if there is some meaning behind the personalities, or the luck associated
with each of those. I feel like the
writers really take such care with every tiny detail, it must mean something!
Esther: Waahaha, King Sukjong sees
right through the Baduk teacher disguise! He knows exactly what In Jwa wants--
his crown! He is so predictable.
Mamacri: Yep, the King is very smart… he caught it
right away that In Jwa contradicted himself! First, In Jwa was making some
serious political statements about the succession of the Crown prince and that
the King can't keep the water from flowing it's natural way… but right after
that when the King asked if he had designs on the throne, In Jwa faked some
modesty and said oh nooo, he was just
his son's Baduk teacher, and really he has no interest in politics… certainly
he didn’t want to be the monster of hundred eyes and one thousands ears... yeah
right! Lucky the King doesn’t buy it
either.
Beth: But, interesting that the King
does hear him about about why he should step down and allow the Crown Prince to
succeed him now. The King didn’t deny
that there was some validity in the reasoning, what with all the Soron-Noron
faction problems. But…it didn’t make him happy to hear it, and he still doesn’t
trust In Jwa any father than he could throw him.
Esther: He’s smart to feel like
that, because the minute In Jwa was out of the King’s sight, he couldn’t hold
in his true thoughts any longer. He wants the throne, and BAD. He wants to be
the all-knowing, all-seeing monster with one hundred eyes and one thousand
ears. He wants to be King, himself.
Esther: Wait, what? Lady Choi just slapped
her son, the Prince, in front of everybody (ouch,that hurt!) because of his
gambling and his womanizing. Ummmm isn’t it too late to punish him? He’s been
doing it long enough to be famous for it!
Mamacri: Yes...at first I didn't
understand it, but after his mom slapped him, their thoughts clued us in that
there is some kind of scheming going on. It might have looked like a normal
punishment to the people watching in the courtyard, but they are playing at
something. Being a second Prince, and one with such an enemy already in In Jwa,
they must be plotting something to survive. They had to swallow a lot of things
I think, hiding their intentions from In Jwa.
Beth: And the thing worrying me, is
that In Jwa, as always, seems to either know what they are planning, or at
least have a very good suspicion. I hope
whatever their game is, they can keep him at bay a while longer!
Esther: Uhh, Man Geum had some money
after all! He and Grandpa must have been secretly saving it. After feeling so
terrible for his son’s misery about his name and his life, Man Geum just gave
Gae Ddong that huge bag of money. Now he
can finally become a noble, starting with a few changes like new clothes and a
hot bath. There’s just one probem—He’s acting shy and doesn’t want dad to give
him a bath! But Eels are on the edge of
our seats, loving every shirtless second of it, kkkkkk.
Mamacri: This is such happy scene! After all
his hurt and embarrassment, our Gae Ddong finally sees how his life can change,
and even better, he sees his father finally keep the big promises he always
made. Aigooo, Eels, but first we get to watch him get ready for that long
overdue hot bath...! Really this father and son moment, splashing the bath
water at each other and laughing, is very precious.
Beth: Loving a second
glimpse of that skin…. but I am also really taken with the sweetness of this
scene. You can really see the deep fatherly love that Man Geum feels for this
boy, despite the conditions of his birth. This scene combined with what we now
know of Gae Ddong’s personality shows that the former gambling addict really
straightened up his life. He has raised a good, strong, and kind boy (even if
he IS still a bit rash and irresponsible), and has done the best any father in
his position could have. He has given his son a foundation of strong loyalty
and love.
Esther: Oh ho ho, our boy wonders
how he can have a noble name, and asked his father about it. Man Geum finally
admits that he already has one but ....He must go get it back from the person
who took it to pay a gambling debt….of course it’s Hong Mae! Oh that bad woman!
She makes Man Geum pay 300 nyang to get it back for him. I don’t know how he
had so much money saved, but I’m so glad, because now he is so proud , giving
his genealogy to his son! Yessss! Gae Ddong is transformed in Baek Dae Gil.
Wow, it is such a beautiful and distinctive name. I am even proud for him! Look
how he can hold his head up high now!
Mamacri: Wowww, after the cleaning up, Gae
Ddong looks a million bucks. Now he needs a name to go with it instead of the
shameful name of Dog poo. Baek Man Geum is lucky enough to be able to retrieve
the book after 20 years… and he’s so proud to give it to his son and tell him
his real, and meaningful name. Gae Ddong can finally be a man of the world,
with his new name, BAEK DAE GIL. Waaaa our boy is just swelling with pride and
filled with happiness. He is the 13th generation of BAEK!
Beth: I love how full
of pride they all are in this moment! All
their sacrifices through the last 20 years have culminated here! Ahh here I go
crying again! But at least this time
it’s happy tears!!
Esther: Nooo! That horrible Hong Mae
spilled the beans about the whole thing to In Jwa…. And now he knows that the
young, dumb, puppy in love with Dam Seo is actually the baby he once tried to
kill. He is the King’s dead Prince. And
can you believe it?? He just ordered Dam Seo, the girl of Dae Gil’s dreams, to
KILL HIM!
Mamacri: Ooh that Hong Mae is really a low life!
She would probably sell out her own mother for one nyang! Poor Dae Gil, already
a target just because he got back his real name. He has no idea that by
crossing this very thin line, he just stepped onto a battlefield. Dam Seo too, is
realizing that things are a lot more complicated than she thought. Wonder what
she thinks about being given with her first evil deed as pawn of In Jwa….
Beth: Well it seems
to have cracked that icy mask she’s been wearing…. For an instant there, we saw
her fear and maybe even horror….. but then she forced the “brave little girl
getting her revenge” mask back on.
Esther: Dae Gil, Man Geum and Grandpa
are drinking and laughing, and having so much fun celebrating the new status, but
that awful Hong Mae came to interrupt the party. She demanded more money from
Baek Man Geum, and our brave young Dae Gil….he tried to defend his family….but
got stabbed in the gut by Hong Mae instead!
OMG, that evil evil woman, I can’t stop crying!
Beth: Oh!! And our Dae Gil… so
shocked at first by her knife in his belly, but then his face changes, and we
see a flash of the ice cold, serious Dae Gil we met at the very beginning—did
you see how he grabbed the knife with his hand, even though it was cutting him,
and wouldn’t let her pull it out?? She got so confused, it gave him the chance
to punch her! HAHA! Love his line about
“You brought the knife out first, so you can’t resent me for this”…. then 'Bam!' punch to the head.
Mamacri: I know, at first we were
having fun watching them all get drunk while celebrating. Especially laughing
about how our dog poo is now the high and mighty, respectable Lord Dae Gil, the
13th generation the family….still, they are not at all refined yet hahahaha...Oh wow, that Hong Mae had it
coming to her...I don’t know if I would have stopped at a punch, lol. But such a gentleman our Dae Gil is...he even
warned her it was coming and that she couldn’t be mad since she was the one
started it...such fairness, kkkkkk....he should have hit harder LOL.
Esther: Man Geum and Eyepatch helped
Dae Gil get away from Hong Mae. And they almost had to carry him to the boat….
Oh our poor boy is hurt so bad! They didn’t
notice though, In Jwa and Dam Seo are watching them from the hill above
the water. In Jwa, omg, he just ordered Dam Seo to shoot and kill Dae Gil!! But
her hands shake and she can’t do it….whew, she refused. Yesss, that’s my girl,
my future daughter-in-law, kkkkk. But then In Jwa ripped the bow out of her
hands. He drew an arrow and shot it…. toward the boat…. Nooooooo!!
Mamacri: And isn’t Hong Mae is still
chasing them down too? I wonder what her problem with them is, other than her
own hurt pride. You know, In Jwa actually said something that gave me a good
feeling—he said, "you can never kill Baek Dae Gil". Yes, Hong Mae...
all you other thugs...let it go and leave our boy alone! In the meantime, the
seed that Dae Gil planted in Dam Seo’s heart has started to bud…. In Jwa will
have to do his own dirty work.
Beth: Poor Dae Gil, poor
Dam Seo! She even drew the bow back, and looked down the arrow, lining it up
with him…. but her hands are shaking so bad. Maybe because she is thinking
about the past couple of days, and about this dumb but sweet boy who barged
into her life, defended her and took brutal punishment for her without
complaint… what reason does she have to kill him?? She might have been raised
by In jwa, but she is her real father’s daughter, with a deep kindness, not
deep coldness like In Jwa.
Esther: Ohhh nooo….. the arrow…..
right into the middle of Man Geum’s back as he is trying to push the boat out
in the water. Oh it hit so hard too,
it’s not good…. Man Geum changed so much, into a good father and a decent man…
he raised Dae Gil and protected him so well… If this is the end for him, at
least he can feel he did well at last in this life…. But oh, I’m so sad to see
him go!
Mamacri: Killing the man that has been the only precious
thing to Dae Gil-- In Jwa just
guaranteed that the boy will come looking for him. But I’m sure like everything
else, that’s all part of his evil master plan. I just wonder what exactly In
Jwa is planning, how to use Dae Gil as another pawn to get himself on the
throne…I’m betting he tells Dae Gil who his real parents are, and tries to make
him hate them too…I guess we will just have to wait and see!
Esther: Dae Gil is just in so much
pain, but then he looks up at his dad… and sees Man Geum coughing up blood and
that arrow sticking through him. Ohhhh, noooo…. All Man Geum can do now is give
his son his last advice: quit gambling so you don’t end up like me, and then he
begs his son, please don’t avenge me. Crying………. it is soooo sad! Most times
people in movies say “avenge me!” But Man Geum loves his son so much, he wants
him to stay away from all these dangerous bad people… wants him to go far away
and live quietly and happily…..
Mamacri: At first I wondered why Man Geum didn’t tell
Dae Gil that In Jwa shot the arrow...but after rewatching it, you’re right. Man
Geum only wanted to protect his son with all his might. He knew that Dae Gil
would face the worst kind of evil if he followed the path of revenge. He only
wants his son to be safe and protected. I wonder, can Dae Gil follow his
father's advice? It seems that this trouble will follow him no matter how far
he runs. I am worried it is unavoidable, and trouble will come looking for him.
Beth: Yes, whether it’s gambling or
revenge, I can’t imagine how Dae Gil can escape from either one. Ohhh… I am so glad I had the whole box of
tissue…. I might have used most of it on this scene alone. It is incredible
heartbreaking, partially because it is so well acted…. And also because we are
Eels…. Even when our dear boy is acting, we can’t help but feel all his pain!
Esther: And now Hong Mae and her
thugs are there at the water, but Dae Gil is just crying and clinging onto his
dad, and won’t let him push the boat away. Man Geum even had to yell at Grandpa
to crack Dae Gil over the head with the paddle, and knock him out. Poor Man
Geum….. he just pushed the boat away with the last of his strength, but it
saved his son. The boat floated out of Hong Mae’s reach. Ohhhhh….Dae Gil….. !! He can only watch in a daze, and his father
sinks into the water. A tear slipped
down our Dae Gil’s perfect cheek. Soo sad, I am in pain ….. cryyyyyyyyyying…….
Mamacri: This scene was so intense, so dramatic and very beautifully filmed...Great acting from our boy, and everyone else too! Dae Gil was totally losing it seeing his father in that state. To be confronted with that much evil and pain at once, it’s too shocking, he can only scream in despair and fear. So heart breaking, too, how the old men had to make the decision to cut the tie, because Dae Gil would never let go by himself. And that final heave as his father pushed the boat off shore, was also the final push to propel Dae Gil toward his fate... Aigooo my hearts aches for this young man…what worse trouble could he face before fate lets him rest?
Beth: Oh I hardly dare to ask that Mamacri…. I am so
devastated for our boy… that tear running down his cheek as he watches his own
father sink under the water, giving his life for his son’s… I can hardly even
see the keyboard through my tears, to type. I know our Dae Gil must have many
trials left to make him the cold gambler we saw at the beginning, but this will
be the worst thing in his memory I think.
Conclusion:
Esther: Well, that is the very sad end of the 4th
episode. I will need another box of tissue before I can watch the next episode.
Thanks so much to dear Mamacri for being here with us, and we will see you all
next week for episode 5!
_____
I feel as though I've just watched this episode for the first time! Every emotion is exactly what I was feeling when I first saw it, and it's especially touching given that I now know what's happened in the episodes that followed this one. You must be writing as you're watching the episode for the first time - you're giving us such spontaneous reactions to each scene. Thanks for all of your hard work in giving this to us. :)
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