Hong Gil Dong: Episode 20

71 March 6, 2008January 24, 2016

by javabeans

Episode 20 was so much better (in my opinion) than Episode 19. Maybe it’s because I’d heard (er, read) whisperings of the Big Event in the last episode, and that sucked out all the surprise for me. I’m the kind of person who loses interest in something if I’m involuntarily spoiled, so that might’ve contributed. Or it could be that Ep. 19, while chock-full of dramatic moments and acting, was kind of inevitable. Episode 20, on the other hand, kept me on my toes.

SONG OF THE DAY

Sprinkler – “연인이 친구가 되던 날” (The day lovers became friends). I love how the title of this song seems pleasant enough, until you realize it’s a euphemism for a breakup. The chorus plaintively goes, “Goodbye, goodbye… I’ll call you friend,” as though she knows it’s just something she’s saying to make herself feel better. [ zShare download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

EPISODE 20 RECAP

After Gil Dong steps in front of his father and is stabbed, Enok comes out of her haze of fury, realizing what she’s done. Gil Dong tells her, “Enok… it’s okay.” But she’s horrified, and disagrees, backing away: “No, it’s not okay.”

Chang Whe arrives in time to see Enok falling into a faint. He catches her, and takes her back to Yongmun headquarters. Chisu interprets the events to mean that Gil Dong won’t be able to kill his father in the end.

Gil Dong stays behind and tends to his injured father, who’s been slashed just above the eyes. For all the excitement he’s just undergone, Minister Hong sure is calm and implacable. Man, if I were the one half-blinded by a furious enemy sworn to wreak vengeance, I’d be a lot more agitated than Hong — let’s just say, there would be lots of blasphemy and punishment of inanimate objects involved.

His father tells Gil Dong he shouldn’t have stopped him, because he’ll have to go after Enok again. Gil Dong questions his father’s allegiance to the tyrannical king, and calls his father a coward for sticking with him. As Chang Whe eavesdrops, Gil Dong clarifies his actions — this doesn’t mean he supports his father. He intends to establish a king who is for the people: “What I did today in stopping Enok’s sword was merely protect you as your son. But I will tear down your world, you who killed that kind Dummy’s father.”

Chang Whe, who’s determined to protect Enok from here on out, accompanies her to Grandpa Heo’s grave, and tells her she has another grandfather (what considerate timing!) who wants to meet her. With her world all askew, Enok needs time to get used to the idea of being Ryu Enok.

Enok: “I’m going to think it over carefully, slowly, so that I don’t let my feelings turn me into an evil spirit.”

She won’t return to Yongmun until she’s figured things out. Chang Whe tells her, “You can’t go to him now.” Enok: “I know.”

With Enok gone, Gil Dong sinks into quiet gloom.

The king becomes more determined to kill Gil Dong, and orders the bandits smoked out of hiding. Specifically, since Hwal Bin Dang’s mountain base is hidden deep in the woods (therefore dangerous and futile for the king’s guards to seek them out), he orders all the roads blocked to the entire mountain, trapping the villagers living there as well.

Kwang Whe: “If they don’t want to die of starvation or cold, tell them to catch Hong Gil Dong themselves and turn him in!”

Chang Whe advises Gil Dong to move out of the mountains and to Yongmun’s area, but Gil Dong refuses to roll over and submit to the king’s dictates. Chang Whe warns that fighting this battle might not be worth it — it’ll make things difficult for those by his side. Thinking of Enok, Gil Dong bitterly repeats:

“Make things difficult for someone next to me? Sounds like someone I know.”

As a result, the citizenry turns on Hwal Bin Dang, as they can’t survive if things continue thusly. They harass the rebels and even hold Hae Myung ransom, to be exchanged for Gil Dong himself.

Gil Dong shows up to confront them, all awash in frustration and bitterness. (Poor Gil Dong and his broken heart!) The villagers don’t want to turn on him, but they’ve been backed into a corner and have no recourse. He’s all cavalier and cynical, sporting a “Dude, it’s not like I have anything to lose anymore” attitude, and blows up at them, shouting,

Gil Dong: “Fine, catch me then! … I’ve brought you torment, have I? Well I’ve brought myself torment too! Come and get me!”

And he actually lets them beat him down, kicking him and striking him with sharp tools, not fighting back.

Hae Myung interferes and stops the villagers, but Gil Dong’s enraged and screams at the priest not to stop them. He continues to yell for the men to come and get him, until finally Hae Myung knocks him out and drags him away.

Aside from a general sense of anger over losing Enok, he’s also pissed off at the hypocrisy of the people who turned on him so easily. Normally he would see their actions through a lens of understanding, but he’s in the self-defeatist stage of heartbreak, and instead spews a bitter tirade. Hae Myung asks where his pride went, and Gil Dong retorts, “It got hit with a pickaxe and collapsed.”

Hae Myung further ticks him off by saying they turned on him because he was “small” (i.e., insignificant), clarifying:

“Because a fellow insignificant man like you mustered his strength, if you ask them to fight with you, they think they can, and do. Isn’t that so?”

Hearing reports that the villagers let Gil Dong slip out of their grasp, Kwang Whe ramps up his frenzied attempts to outwit Gil Dong (ah, there’s a losing battle if there ever was one), and orders the entire village burned down both as punishment for failure and as a threat to succeed the next time.

But Hwal Bin Dang isn’t so easily manipulated, and they retaliate by intercepting every single delivery headed into the capital city. They confiscate the goods — food, supplies — and distribute it among the villagers. Thus the people rally around their hero and swear allegiance to fight the king with him. (In the village, Su Geun looks up while handing out the goods and catches a glimpse of Enok, watching from the outskirts, but she’s gone in the next instant.)

Driven even more insane with anger, Kwang Whe ups the ante and then orders the entire mountain to be set aflame. He’s the worst kind of warrior, letting his emotions steer him into wildly reckless behavior, kind of like a gambling addict losing his sense of logic when on a losing streak.

This order causes his advisors, including In Hyung, to balk, but the king commands them to obey. And so, they troop into the forest and begin setting fires, while the king watches the building smoke with satisfaction.

Before long, however, Hwal Bin Dang appears to confront the king’s men. The king believes he’s won, and that Hwal Bin Dang have come to give themselves up. Gil Dong quickly sets him straight.

Gil Dong he has no intention of giving himself up, and neither do his fellow rebels — nor do the villagers, who appear behind the army. Everyone carries lit torches.

If the king does not immediately extinguish the fires he set and leave, THEY will set fire themselves — and trap the king with them. Gil Dong will personally ensure that the king dies with him. The king has picked a particularly vulnerable location, one that’ll quickly blaze up and offer no hope of escape. It’s up to Kwang Whe — leave, or die.

The king, unprepared for such a defiant stance, finds himself at a loss. The two men face off, with Gil Dong refusing to back down even an inch. Into this situation, Minister Hong arrives with his men, intent on stopping the king. He manages to open his eyes, blurrily making out the image of Gil Dong and Kwang Whe’s standoff. And then, his world goes black as he loses his sight entirely.

Kwang Whe assesses the situation, and even he realizes that it’s a losing battle. He gives the order. His men put out the fire.

The villagers celebrate their victory and hail Gil Dong as a hero. Some even go so far as to speculate that the “king of the people” he’s so keen on establishing might be Gil Dong himself. Wouldn’t he be a great king?

In the distance, Enok observes the revelry. Turning away, she runs into Chang Whe, who’s also arrived to witness the scene.

Chang Whe, who hasn’t seen her since the day at the grave, asks, “Were you staying here to see him?” Enok nods. Chang Whe: “Do you intend to go to him?” She shakes her head no.

Meanwhile, Su Geun mentions to Gil Dong that he’d seen Enok a few days ago, and wonders if she’s been staying in this village to watch over him. Gil Dong takes off, scouring the area for a sign of her, but he’s unable to find her.

Enok returns to Yongmun with Chang Whe, having had some time to think things over:

Enok: “Gil Dong stopped me from turning into an evil spirit when I let the rage fill me from head to toe. I’m going to live as a human again. I won’t turn into a ghost and die like those soup-ladies did. Before I live as Ryu Enok, I went to watch Gil Dong from a distance. I saw everything, so now I’m fine.”

Chang Whe explains that living as Ryu Enok will be difficult; he wants to spare her that pain.

Enok: “When I saw Gil Dong stop the king from setting that fire, I felt it once again. The feeling that I wanted to go with Gil Dong. But I can’t be with him as Heo Enok, so I’ll go with him from a distance as Ryu Enok. If I stay and travel alongside you, we’re working with Gil Dong.”

Enok agrees to meet with her grandfather, who thanks Lady Noh for restoring her to him. She doesn’t understand her purpose yet, but Lady Noh assures her that her past isn’t the important part — rather, her very existence is important.

And so, she takes her place as Ryu Enok, dressed as a noble lady, and is presented to the group of noblemen assembled by her grandfather as his long-lost granddaughter. She issues an appeal for them to join together in overthrowing the king, and to gather more support.

Gil Dong reaffirms that Chang Whe has his support as the “most realistic choice” for this country. Chang Whe (who’s been battling all episode long with his noble side and his growing uneasiness regarding Gil Dong, both on a personal level and a political one) notes sardonically that to Gil Dong, he’s a “choice” — not, say, the rightful king according to blood or birthright. But Gil Dong concedes that point, saying that even so, “You’re a pretty decent guy.”

At that point, they have an unexpected visitor: Minister Hong.

Chang Whe watches suspiciously as father and son face each other (albeit blindly on the father’s end). Gil Dong once again asserts his intention to bring down his father’s world, while Minister Hong once again rejects Gil Dong as his son, saying the world he protects now doesn’t allow him to recognize him. But the message is somewhat mixed (it seems to me): “When that world comes into being, then you can find me at my grave. But before that world arrives, don’t show yourself to me.” (Read: I’d like to recognize you as my son but I don’t believe we can have the world you want, so you cannot call me Father. But then again, perhaps that world will arrive, and then you can recognize me. But it probably won’t happen soon, so tough cookies.)

He leaves his son with one last, somewhat cryptic message, referring to Chang Whe standing beside him:

Minister Hong: “Gil Dong, protect your king through the end.”
Gil Dong: “I will. Definitely.”

Minister Hong’s last words become clear soon enough, when he prepares to make his grand sacrifice. As he dresses for court, In Hyung asks if he’s truly become blind, and he answers, “At the last, my eyes saw the truth I had to see.” The image he refers to is that of Gil Dong staring down the king in the forest in challenge.

Then, he sets the ball rolling by confessing in front of the king and all the other officials to all his crimes. He takes complete responsibility for killing Minister Ryu, for setting the palace fire that killed the queen and was believed to kill Chang Whe, for stealing the sword to hide the decree written thereupon. In so doing, he completely absolves his king — and his fellow ministers — of any wrongdoing, or any association to the wrongdoing. The officials aren’t fooled, either, and know that Minister Hong’s sacrifice was made to protect the king.

The king’s hand thus forced, he orders Hong to be executed by poison. Kwang Whe cries as he issues the order — and although the exaggerated Crazy King shtick has occasionally worn thin, he’s really good in this scene, when he’s conveying simple grief. For what it’s worth, Minister Hong was perhaps the only person who cared for him as a person and as king, the only one who remained loyal. (And vice versa. Seriously, this drama is all about daddy issues — how much less messed up would all the characters be if they’d had proper father figures? Gil Dong, In Hyung, Chang Whe, Kwang Whe…)

The king flashes back to his early days, when he was an idealistic young ruler with every intention of being a benevolent king. Hong had assured him back then that he would stick with him through the very end.

These words ring in Hong’s ears as well, and just before he drinks the poison, he says, “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep that promise to guide you through the end.” (Which explains his advice to Gil Dong — make not the mistakes of thy father!)

Minister Hong takes his punishment, and sputters in pain; his last thought is that Gil Dong must be present, watching him, and he turns toward his son despite not being able to see him.

Gil Dong is indeed watching his father, and man is Kang Ji Hwan wonderful here. No words — not even a sob — and yet his expression of grief is deep, and spot-on. It’s his eyes — the man tells stories in one intense look. In the crowd, Chang Whe watches intently… and then both men become aware of a third presence. Enok.

Now all alone, the king grieves in his empty palace. Not unlike Enok in the last episode, his mourning soon turns to anger, and he becomes more determined than ever to defeat Gil Dong.

Gil Dong and Enok step away from the crowd, Gil Dong silent and wracked with repressed tears, Enok quietly sorrowful:

Enok: “I can’t tell you I’m sorry. I can’t tell you not to cry, either. Because I’m Ryu Enok now… I can’t console you from your side, but I’ll always wonder how you’re doing. You have to stay safe.”

(Note that her last words echo Gil Dong’s from Episode 11, when he met her as the noble moonlight stranger. I always think dialogue that’s said back to its original speaker like this is doubly poignant upon its return.)

Enok steps away to leave, but Gil Dong grabs her in a silent hug. They stay like that, silently crying for a few moments — and then when Enok looks up, he’s gone.

Lady Noh, meanwhile, cautions Chang Whe about Gil Dong once again. She’s not going off on another evil plot to destroy him, but she warns him that the country isn’t one that can be ruled through popular sentiment. The underlying message is: If that happens, the people may rally behind Gil Dong instead and clamor for him to become king.

That night, Chang Whe looks in on a sleeping Enok, pained to hear her whisper Gil Dong’s name in her sleep. He asks her, “Even if he causes you pain, will you still choose him in the end?”

As though to drive the nail in deeper, Enok mumbles Gil Dong’s name again. Chang Whe feels the blow and says (and it’s so plaintive and sad), “Please… just once… look at me.”

And because Chang Whe is a glutton for punishment, he leans over and kisses Enok. He must not be her Prince Charming because she doesn’t stir from her sleep.

Back at Hwal Bin Dang, Gil Dong stares at the embroidered pouch, contemplating in silence.

And then he drops it on the fire.

Just added!
Additionally…

Regarding the shifting dynamics and Lady Noh’s advice to Chang Whe — I think this sets up an interesting predicament for Chang Whe, and adds a great new element of tension to his relationship with Gil Dong. While both men have previously earned the respect of the other, and grown in strength together toward a common goal, now one of them has started to outgrow the other. Or if not outgrow, at least to gain more momentum. Complicating matters is the fact that the one whose mystique is growing is the one in the subordinate position — so naturally, Chang Whe must be feeling threatened, even though Gil Dong himself is not interested in challenging him for the throne. Some things take on a life of their own, and Gil Dong’s legend threatens to do just that.

And yet, Chang Whe respects Gil Dong and envies his integrity and ability to earn the love of his people. Like Hae Myung said, despite it sounding like an insult on the surface, Gil Dong is of the people, just an ordinary man of low birth. It’s the very nature of his insignificance that inspires great hope because of how much he’s accomplished despite it. (Chang Whe, on the other hand, doesn’t evoke the same sentiment because he was born into his power.)

It explains Chang Whe’s growing unease throughout this episode — there were moments that he looked particularly disturbed, shooting dire looks when he ought to have been feeling more optimistic about his future. He seems to be flirting with the idea of aligning himself fully with the nobles as well, in which case he’d part ways with Gil Dong — and it’s unclear whether Chang Whe would greet that event reluctantly or willingly.

Required fields are marked *

1 lovewls

March 6, 2008 at 10:54 PM

Thanks for the reviews (Ep 1 to 20)!!! I'm watching via kbsworld, but can't resist reading your summaries. They're the best!.

Required fields are marked *

2 jinkzzmec

March 6, 2008 at 10:57 PM

as always, thank you for the recap Javabeans...today's episode is so heart wrenching...cried so much in this episode...darn, wednesday seem so far away.

Required fields are marked *

3 PiNkChoC

March 6, 2008 at 11:02 PM

There are absolutely no words to express how much
I LOVE YOU!!!

Required fields are marked *

4 YM

March 6, 2008 at 11:02 PM

I cannot bear to watch this epsode..Seeing this pictures makes to sad right now and tears are flowing through my cheek right now...I can seriously feel the pain that gil dong is feeling when he saw his father drink the poison..I actually feel sorry for minister Hong...Wow this is one sad episode..
thanks javabeans!!!!

Required fields are marked *

5 glomp!

March 6, 2008 at 11:06 PM

Lol! Same here lovewls....haha i couldn't resist myself from squealing when i refreshed the site and sw the new update (i'm using a public computer....)!

Oh my gosh...he burnt the pouch!!! T_T (Oh well, let's hope that yinok makes a new one for him in the future heh heh....) Though i must say i've not watched such an exciting drama (with really well written script) for years already.

Thanks javabean!
XOXO

Required fields are marked *

6 elisa

March 6, 2008 at 11:08 PM

HE DROPPED IT IN THE DAMN FIRE?
hey ive always been a changhwe/yinok fan
BUT THIS IS GOING TOO FAR?
but she looks so pretty as a noble
but i dont understand how yinok doesnt even flashback on grandfather heo o_o
its a classic drama move :|~
IM EXCITED FOR NEXT WEEK THOUGHHHH

Required fields are marked *

7 nixxochick

March 6, 2008 at 11:12 PM

Kang Ji Hwan...oh how I love his acting!
its amazing how much emotion he can put into something.

i really like this episode but at the same time i hate how close the end is coming

Required fields are marked *

8 Linda

March 6, 2008 at 11:12 PM

how does KJH do that..?? just start tearing like that and show so many emotions all at once.. and they're so real! like in some of the other episodes.. even his nose starts running too. he's such an amazing actor.

Required fields are marked *

9 kishaleigh

March 6, 2008 at 11:13 PM

huhuhu im hurt .....really! I cried a lot last night that my husband burst into laughter..
huh what a drama...good job Kang Ji Hwan..your so great..

Required fields are marked *

10 jinkzzmec

March 6, 2008 at 11:14 PM

just want to add that i totally agree with you on KJH's acting...he can convey all sorts of emotion without saying a single word.

Required fields are marked *

11 einah08

March 6, 2008 at 11:15 PM

aawwwww... this episode is so sad.. thanks javabeans.. i've been waiting for your summary the whole day..

Required fields are marked *

12 rtan

March 6, 2008 at 11:15 PM

thanks for the summary! been refreshing my browser every minute...
so sad... :(

Required fields are marked *

13 rtan

March 6, 2008 at 11:16 PM

i wonder what will happen next... hope we'll get a happy ending!

Required fields are marked *

14 lotussap

March 6, 2008 at 11:17 PM

This was episode was amazing! I'm so glad that the episodes are unpredictable again! But NOOOOOOOOO! They have to part again! NOOOO! Your summary as always is great! Do you think that there is going to be another time jump soon? Or since they already used up their time jump more than ten episodes ago they won't do it again? Oh, the anticipation, the anticipation!

Required fields are marked *

15 yelibean

March 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM

the sadness!!!
this is so good...thanks javabeans!

by the way, i know this is supposed to be sad:
"pained to hear her whisper Gil Dong’s name in her sleep. He asks her (and it’s so plaintive and sad), “Please… just once… look at me.” As though to drive the nail in deeper, Enok mumbles Gil Dong’s name again."

...but i couldn't help to laugh LOL....poor chang whe

Required fields are marked *

16 Iranian Espresso

March 6, 2008 at 11:25 PM

... so sad but amazing.
Thank You Dear Javabeans.

Required fields are marked *

17 Jen

March 6, 2008 at 11:30 PM

Yes, KJH is amazing! His facial expressions just convey so much. He can be serious but also goofy and still be (believably) in character. AND even when he cries he looks so manly sheesh! I always wonder how he does that so well. I've seen other actors (male) cry with raw emotion, blubbering even, but KJH cries silently and passionately, yet still seems so strong (for lack of a better word..)
Anyway, the man is just so beautiful in so many ways, i'm totally in love with him now haha XP

Required fields are marked *

18

March 6, 2008 at 11:38 PM

Hi Dramabeans! Thanks for the summary! But what I don't understand is Minister Hong's advice to Gil Dong ("If you make that world, then your father can find his grave. Before that world comes into being, don’t appear in front of me"). Somehow, it doesn't make sense to me. It would be great if you could elaborate that part. Anyways, I feel so sorry for Gil Dong. He lost two people close to his heart in this episode. So so sad. :(

Required fields are marked *

19 shalini

March 6, 2008 at 11:41 PM

Where is your last "additionnaly" comments? What is it that you read about the last episode big event? I know! I know! I just want to know!!! The not-knowing the ending is killing me. Do tell or alternatively email or give clues in order not to spoil it for others who want to suffer till the very end. Btw I need to go to work. Does anyone of you EVER sleep?
Thanks and have a lovely day.
Ps: Went to soompi ( they're doing my head in at the forums with all-made endings), try to download ep 19. Click on the thread, and Megalaud shows up. What do I do next? Is it free or is it 19. 99$?
Did CW kiss YN? Love the song.

Required fields are marked *

20 Linda

March 6, 2008 at 11:46 PM

^ reply to shalini's post..

just click on Free Download.. and then you'll have to type in 3 letters in the upper right-hand box.. then you wait for 45 sec.. and then a download link will come up

Required fields are marked *

21 tealeaf

March 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Aww, the heartaches. Wahhhh. Kang Ji Hwan, please don't cry anymore, babe.

Alright, must admit - I'm slightly disappointed with the resolution of Minister Hong's story. I was hoping for a good reason. One that explains why he's willing to sacrifice all (including family) for this king. Arghhh. This sucks. His sworn loyalty is absurd. It's blind devotion, absent of sound judgment. It's a pity that his confessions were not motivated out of remorse. Guilt and remorse alone might not make his crimes any less horrific nor absolve him of all those wrongdoings. Yet, they might allow me to sympathize with him more. Instead, till the end, he's soooo not worthy of Gil Dong's sacrifice and love.

Required fields are marked *

22 Javabeans

March 7, 2008 at 12:26 AM

Sorry sorry! Finished up today's recap in a bit of a hurry and didn't have time to edit myself or review hasty translations before I had to jet. I've reworded the translation about Gil Dong's father (ah, what a muddle you make when you translate too literally, too quickly) and clarified some of my points. Woo~

As for the spoiler, I meant that it was rumbled about (despite trying to remain spoiler-free) that Grandpa Heo was headed for a dire end, and that Enok would turn evil in vengeance. So when such Big Emotional Events are projected well ahead of time, the actual event loses its punch for me. (Some people are different and enjoy spoilers; I'm not one of them. Seriously, I don't even watch the previews at the end of episodes, which is why I never mention them.)

Required fields are marked *

23 shalini

March 7, 2008 at 12:29 AM

reply to Linda post.
Many thanks. have not try it yet cause I have to go back to reality WORK.
Have a good one.

Required fields are marked *

24 Kiongna

March 7, 2008 at 12:53 AM

.............so perhaps Yi Nok will land with Gil Dong....it was mentioned he is the "King of the People" so I was perhaps wrong......heh heh so Hae Myung the priest' prophecy could be true...Yi Nok will be Queen..and darling Gil Dong her King......

Yippedeee dooo dah yipedideee! Kang Ji Hwan MUahhhhhhhh - I think I've practically watched all KJH's dramas - this is my fav. for entertainment value but Be Strong Geum Soon - that one ..KJH at his amazing best!

Required fields are marked *

25 Skangrrl

March 7, 2008 at 1:28 AM

Yeah, I was looking for the additional notes part too. Wheresit, wheresit? LOL.

Man, this episode is a wringer. Massive waterworks. Kang Ji Hwan is genius. From now on, anything he's in, I'll watch, even if it's a sappy melodrama where the hero becomes blind, the heroine gets leukemia and dies, the second male love interest finds out they're siblings, goes mad and kills everyone and/or the hero then gets knocked down by a car driven by jealous second female love interest.

I still do not understand why the Hong sisters added in the heart palpitations bit for Minister Hong then. What was that all about? Also, why didn't you mention the stolen kiss? Is there a special reason?

Required fields are marked *

26 Javabeans

March 7, 2008 at 1:34 AM

Skangrrl -- yes, there's a very good reason I didn't include the kiss, and that's because I'm an idiot. LOL. I totally meant to, but it slipped through the cracks (now fixed). Thanks for bringing it up -- that's what I get for writing in more of a rush than usual! *headdesk*

Required fields are marked *

27 teokong

March 7, 2008 at 1:41 AM

I've yet to watch the drama. Love your writing, they're so powerful. It brings to life. Enjoyed every single recap of Hong Gil Dong. This episode is no exception. Sad....need to get more tissue papers. Many thanks for your wonderful summaries. Cheers!!

Required fields are marked *

28 me

March 7, 2008 at 1:45 AM

Thank you, thank you Javabean for recaps of episodes 19 and 20. Gosh, I can't take anymore heart wrenching scenes. I agree with Skangrrl and others, Kang Ji Hwan is fabulous....wonder why I never discovered him before. After I started to watch Hong Gil Dong, I just love this guy. So I started to watch him in Capital Scandal, and will watch all his previous dramas to help satisfy my Kang Ji Hwan addiction. :)
Anyways, Javabeans, do you have the song at the end of episode 18, if you do, can you please upload it? Thanks again for the wonderful recaps.

Required fields are marked *

29 shalini

March 7, 2008 at 5:28 AM

Does anyone have spare bucket? I have run out of tissues. Good acting though, nothing in your face. Can one entertain the thought of being with one's love whose father exterminate one's own family? Bear with me here. Even in Kdramaland, that seems unlikely. Am I wrong or I am wrong? Cheer up everyone! I hope there will more reason to cry next time. This crying thing is becoming a habit.

Required fields are marked *

30 PILK

March 7, 2008 at 5:48 AM

Awesome! The new site and the lapidary (new word!) summary!

Required fields are marked *

31 chueychuey

March 7, 2008 at 6:40 AM

such an amazing episode! loved KJH and SY's performances!!!

Required fields are marked *

32 bethany

March 7, 2008 at 7:50 AM

ahh thank you for the rush in order to give us a post ... dude, it's almost over. GASP. SOB.

THANK YOU!

btw: love the redesign! will take some getting used to i think....

Required fields are marked *

33 vrosemarie

March 7, 2008 at 8:06 AM

The new design looks great! I like it better than the last one.... :)
I cried reading this summary... It's always sad when a character, good or evil, dies after a brilliant performance... I liked his dad even though he was supposed to be evil and all... Must be leftover feelings from Dal Ja's Spring, haha... And KJH looked so heartwrenchingly sad at that part and his dad actually turned to him without seeing him! Talk about parental instinct.

Required fields are marked *

34 Fifi

March 7, 2008 at 8:19 AM

I always look forward to your summaries! Thank you SO much!

Required fields are marked *

35 Skangrrl

March 7, 2008 at 8:33 AM

Ah, I see. LOL. Good reason ... nah! At least there was a good reason ... you were busy changing the site. Kewl new look.

Required fields are marked *

36 Koalablue6

March 7, 2008 at 8:40 AM

Interesting twists and turns in the last two episodes and for some reason, I keep thinking of Shakespeare's tragedies such as "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" for a lot of reasons like: Hallucinations, insanity, somnambulism, ghosts, "accidents" that may influence some of the characters' actions and murder of loved ones to achieve some sort of goal or position.

I may be thinking too much on this but to me, I feel that it is interesting how the Hong Sisters may have taken a page from Shakespeare and created an interesting plot that keeps us guessing what's going to happen next and perhaps scour the 'net for any sort of spoilers for upcoming episodes. :-)

Enjoy Hong Gil Dong and thank you so much for taking the time to write summeries for english speaking people like me.

Required fields are marked *

37 soojung84

March 7, 2008 at 8:43 AM

Thanks for your summaries javabeans. They're always interesting to read...somewhat a guilty pleasure b/c I tend to skim the original episodes when they first come out and then go rewatch the eps at a later time (so technically these comments may be incorrect b/c they're mainly based off of your writings here).

I was reading your additional comments and I guess I just wanted to add my own thoughts about CW and Gildong's relationship. There's some additional "whisperings" going on about what will happen in the next couple episodes already and I guess I'm hoping they're not true.

While it seems like their relationship is coming to a sort of impasse, I feel like GD and CW need to go together toward the end to achieve the world that they both desire (as it was stated before). CW for the nobles w/his birthright and GD for the people. While GD represents the people, the people also need a higher authority to answer to, a higher authority that will change their living conditions and society (not saying that everybody should be living in prosperity and happiness...an idealistic but probably impossible scenario). The fickleness of the people is shown in multiple episodes and in yesterday's ep, it was demonstrated w/the villagers wanting to grab GD to bring to the king. (Yes, it was b/c of their circumstances but then, don't they need the better king?) Would GD be able to truly be a good king though? If he wanted to create his world w/o CW's help, the world that GD desires would not happen unless he traveled down the dark road that KW traveled. (I hope these comments made sense...it might be just me blabbering)

I only hope the Hong sisters can bring the CW and GD relationship to a happy end. Honestly, I realized I don't really care as much as GD and YiNok (their relationship/scenes make me happy and gooey inside but i think it's pretty much a given that they'll be okay so not much to worry about in the department) but GD and CW's character development and relationship leads me to wonder what will happen in the end.

My other thoughts were...weren't Jo HyunJae and JooJiHoon originally slated to be in this drama...another what if question...but I wonder how it would have turned out......

Required fields are marked *

38 giddygirl108

March 7, 2008 at 10:31 AM

Love the new site layout ^^

Ooooo how I hope Enok and Gil Dong end up with each other!

Required fields are marked *

39 cattey

March 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM

poor chang whe..but i'm still rooting for gil dong and enok to be together in the end though..
anyway..again, thanks for such an awesome job here, Javabeans!

Required fields are marked *

40 tealeaf

March 7, 2008 at 1:05 PM

# 25 (Skangrrl): hahaha. KJH=love. Short of pledging lifetime devotion like you, i do think that he is very good in HGD. (To be honest, i feel bad for JGS to have to act across such a talented actor. The comparison must be frequent. And annoying). I've been holding back outright idolization for the sake of keeping this blog in the PG-13 realm. But that may change once he starts to sport that straight rocker hair. Or get out of those highly insulated rebel clothing to something more stylish and *cough* form-fitting. Dramabeans readers: consider yourselves warned. LOL.

# 37 (soojung84): agree with some of your points. Chang Whe's weakness is his self-confidence. Which i totally understand (it's part of his maturing process). There's no easy answer to his dilemma. If he's man and matured enough, he'll recognize that Gil Dong is meant to be his conscience. His ideal, his guiding light. The man who swears loyalty to the prince's cause but not afraid to stear him down the right path in case he strayed from it. But if Chang Whe considers Gil Dong a future threat, then their relationship will turn confrontational. I'm holding out hope that it won't. BTW, I'd love to see JGS's acting rises to another level in the next few episodes. It's his turn to shine.

Required fields are marked *

41 its_trish

March 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM

Once again.. you succeed in amazing me with another fantastic recap! I don't understand how you make masterpieces out of what I massacre daily (written compositions).
Thanks again ^^

Required fields are marked *

42 Skangrrl

March 7, 2008 at 2:42 PM

LOL, actually am not in lurve with KJH, Just think he's an amazing actor and would watch anything he's in because he's bound to do a kick-ass job of it. He's not my type at all and I prefer either the pretty boy looks of Oh Ji Ho for visual appeal or Lee Seo Jin for just sheer sex appeal (pity about the hair).

OK, I admit to a rather pedo infatuation with Lee Wan. *blush*

I agree about feeling sorry for JGS having to act across KJH and SYR even. But he has improved since the first few episodes where it was just painful to watch. Now it's just mildly irritating to watch. Hey, that's an improvement. I've read the spoilers. If it comes true ... after Rank Ridiculous I cancel nothing out ... if should be JGS' time to show us what he's got. So, it would be good to see if he can shine in the next few episodes as it's obviously his turn now after SYR's in Ep 19 and KJH in Ep 20 (well, actually in most episodes).

Required fields are marked *

43 simtonguri

March 7, 2008 at 5:19 PM

"He must not be her Prince Charming because she doesn’t stir from her sleep."
haha nice allusion.
but on the other hand, when Gil Dong stole a kiss in Enok's sleep not too long ago, she didn't stir either. He must not be her Prince Charming either.

Required fields are marked *

44 favegirl13

March 7, 2008 at 6:35 PM

gil dong ah

Required fields are marked *

45 Eisa

March 7, 2008 at 6:48 PM

Man you are right Kand Ji Hwan was amazing in this one, well he is always amazing but this one was so intense. I really love watching him, although not a fan of all of his previous works, but its not his fault lol. Anyway thanks again for the summary. p.s. I like the new layout!

Required fields are marked *

46

March 7, 2008 at 8:16 PM

kjh you are greeeeaaaaaat actor for me. i love you !!!!1

Required fields are marked *

47 Di

March 8, 2008 at 5:25 AM

*resists looking at spoilers*
I really like the song by Sprinker!
I wonder where I could find more... >.>

Required fields are marked *

48 glomp!

March 8, 2008 at 8:27 AM

Hm... why did he burn the pouch? I don't understand. Can someone enlighten me? Is it because he has decided to forget about Yinok, seeing that they are of different status and in light of the recent events???

Required fields are marked *

49 dariav-

March 8, 2008 at 8:37 AM

What is this Rank Ridiculous about ? The caste system ?

Required fields are marked *

50 kase

March 9, 2008 at 2:04 PM

omg... this is not exactly what i had thought in my mind would turn out. It seemed went lil too fast and skipped lot of things. I wanted chang whe to be with enok in different way to be together. i have no idea how the last ending would be. It would suked, if gildong didn't die. If chang whe dies, the drama would sucked forsure cause of gildong becoming king and enok becoming queen and that enhye marrying with gildong's brother. Happy Ending (which the writer would have written) IF chang whe didn't die and gil dong didn't either, there would be no happy ending cause of fighting for enok. HMMMMM.......... i am gonna have wait see how this goes.......... (no fense Fans, i am just big fan of chang whe as u can tell, i don't want him to die or be alone)

Required fields are marked *