The Moon That Embraces the Sun: Episode 10

287 February 2, 2012January 24, 2016

by javabeans

What a fantastic episode for our men. This really should be The Sun Embraces That Other Sun (And Heck, Also Those Other Friendly Suns, While We’re At It). Yes, the two suns are brothers and that would require breaking a number of taboos, but hey, I’m game if you are. Sigh.

Another ratings increase (the ninth straight one) with today’s episode bringing in a 37.1%. (Ratings were 7.5% for Captain and 4.5% for Wild Romance.) Good grief. I mean, I’m entertained so I’m not complaining — it’s just way beyond my expectation. Timing and circumstance really have so much to do with which shows hit which numbers; previous sageuk hits Princess’s Man and Tree With Deep Roots are both better dramas, but they aired in different circumstances. But Moon/Sun can thank them for setting the stage for it to come in and dominate.

SONG OF THE DAY

Feelbay – “낮잠” (Midday nap) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 10 RECAP

In his bedchamber, Hwon addresses Wol in language that I’m sure must have been carefully and intentionally selected to hint at the underlying sexual tension driving everything — this drama’s whole conflict centers around sex, after all — as he tells her she must make him forget his exhaustion and put his pain to bed. She says she will, as the spiritual object she believes herself to be.

Standing just outside, Bo-kyung cracks open the doors and is immediately alarmed at Hwon’s reaction to Wol, and readies to storm in. But Woon pushes the door closed and she loses the moment. She glares at him, but forces a smile as she tells Hwon’s entourage that she was merely worried about the king.

Back in her own room, Bo-kyung breaks down in angry tears. Her fears have been realized, because she had recognized that Hwon was looking at the shaman with the eyes of a man for a woman, not a king for his good-luck charm.

Hwon calls for the court doctor, surprising all by saying it’s not for him, but for Wol. Hyung-sun protests, because the royal physician is reserved for royalty. Hwon says that her job is to absorb the evil energy from him, and therefore ensuring her health is for the king’s benefit, overriding Hyung-sun’s horrified protests.

Hwon reads a book while his physician attends to Wol, although he can’t help sending her longing glances, which don’t escape Hyung-sun’s notice.

Then, Wol takes her usual position and watches over Hwon’s sleep. After she leaves, Hwon opens his eyes, not having slept after all.

Woon is given the note taken from Wol, intended for the king, and in the morning he gives it to Hwon. It basically tells him that though she’s not considered a person, she wishes to be the king’s citizen. He recalls his harsh words earlier, and reads this as a rebuke of his dismissal of her worth: “She means that a shaman is still a person, so I shouldn’t disregard her.”

Hyung-sun muses that it’s rare enough for a shaman to know how to write, but also that she’d dare send this kind of message. Yet this also stirs another memory, of another letter he received from a 13-year-old. His thoughts echo his 15-year-old words: “How could I forget you?”

Hyung-sun knows what he’s thinking, and gently reminds him that Wol is is not Yeon-woo. Hwon gets defensive and can’t even bear to hear Hyung-sun continue with the reminder that she’s dead, and he angrily shuts him up.

Hyung-sun informs him of Bo-kyung’s visit and entreats Hwon to consider her feelings, and how hurt she must have felt to have abandoned pride to come to him.

Bo-kyung is moping in her room when she receives word that the king plans to see her. This is great news for all the queens, especially queens mother and dowager. Granny attributes this to the shaman-charm, who has single-handedly improved the king’s health and facilitated reconciliation with Bo-kyung, and she takes this as proof that Wol is indeed the successor to Nok-young. She decides to request another fortune-reading to move the consummation date up while things are looking good.

Bo-kyung happily receives Hwon, who mentions her unannounced nighttime visit. She says it was purely out of concern for him but he cuts to the heart of the matter, as always, insinuating that it was really about keeping tabs on him.

He says that there was no person in his room that night, merely an amulet, as a way of dismissing her concerns — See? It’s just a thing. No reason for you to interfere. The words are polite but there’s a menacing quality to Hwon’s tone, and Bo-kyung is ill at ease. Hwon reminds her that they are to keep their space until the consummation in a month, and Bo-kyung understands that he’s really warning her not to visit his quarters again.

Bo-kyung grapples with her frustration after he leaves, wondering what he is trying to hide from her, and why he has to go so far as to order her away. She breaks down in tears as she wonders if the thing he’s covering up for is love. First the dead girl, and now the lowly shaman?

She orders her lady in waiting to find a court lady with close access to the king. She wants someone to watch the king’s visits with his shaman-charm and report to her — secretly, of course.

Yang-myung returns to town to search for Wol, to no avail. He recalls Wol assuring him that she was safe, and wonders if that’s true.

He passes a group of young court shamans, and Jan-shil recognizes him from that time years ago when he saved her from the quack peddlers. She runs after him, adorably calling him “Oraboni” and grabbing him in a bear hug.

He doesn’t recognize her, all grown now, and is confused until she reminds him of the “magic stone” he once talked about. Memory thus jogged, Yang-myung greets her warmly.

Jan-shil tells him she’s no longer a phony seer but the real deal, one of the shamans of Seongsucheong. And that makes the pieces fall into place for Yang-myung — Seongsucheong is the safest place for a shaman in the city — and he asks urgently whether a girl named Wol is among them.

But Jan-shil remembers how furiously Nok-young warned her to keep her mouth shut about moon/sun related talk, especially regarding Yeon-woo, and the bodily harm she was threatened with. So she shakes her head no and says that there’s nobody like that around.

Jan-shil goes to Wol’s room with a heavy heart, sorry for lying. Sleeping Wol has a fitful dream, and relives the memory of that long-ago night at the festival. Out of context, though, the sight of Hwon wearing that big mask is spooky, and the dream has teh tone of a nightmare. Just as he lifts the mask to reveal his face, she wakes up.

It’s a recurring nightmare that always ends before seeing his face. Wol’s particularly disappointed tonight, feeling like she was just about to see his face. Seol is there when she wakes and thinks sympathetically that the face she wants so badly to see is the one she looks on every night.

That evening, Hwon is waiting for Wol when she enters and refers to her letter, which conveyed her resentment of him. She protests that she didn’t mean it in that sense, and he allows that maybe she doesn’t resent him — but she did mean it as a reproach.

She answers that she only meant to say that she would undertake her duty to the best of her abilities, and that misunderstanding is bound to arise if the reader of the note approaches it with preconceived notions. If he felt something in her note, perhaps it’s because there was a reason he made that inference.

Hwon reads into that remark as well, supposing that she’s insinuating that he’s ruling badly. Even though Wol has a tendency to speak in poetic riddles, Hwon does seem to be overreacting this time and he gets worked up, reminding her of her place and that he is not to be trifled with. He exclaims, “I am Joseon’s…!” in much the same way he had at their first encounter.

Hwon cuts himself off, recalling that very thing, and declares he’s in need of some air. Wol, as his charm, is ordered to follow him outside.

He orders his entourage to stay at a distance, keeping only Wol nearby with the excuse that she’s his charm. They stand outside the closed palace building that was once hers, and that stirs a memory — of young Hwon crying after her as Yeon-woo was kicked out. Assuming her medium powers are responsible for the vision, Wol asks if this place holds sad memories for the king: “Was the person who shed tears at this place… you?”

He looms over her and asks intently, “What did you see?” Then he grabs her even closer — rawr! — and asks if she knows this because of her supernatural powers.

She says yes, and he tells her to use those powers, then, to answer a question: “What do you think I’m going to do now?”

Watching from across the courtyard, Hyung-sun and Woon avert their eyes as Hwon asks whether she thinks he would embrace her, disregarding her status. And then he eyes his uncomfortable staff, all shifting and looking down — and grabs Wol’s hand to run away. HA! (I love that he was being intentionally discomfiting to get everyone to look away.)

Racing across the palace grounds, Hwon ducks into an empty building and demands to know who she really is: “You are not Wol.” But she has no other identity, and she says that before he gave her a name, she was just a nameless shaman.

Hwon looks at her entreatingly, asking, “Do you really not know me? Have you truly never met me?” Wol asks if he’s looking to find Yeon-woo in her, and if her resemblance to that woman is why he’s keeping her close. He looks devastated as she tells him that she isn’t that person.

Lashing out, he says she’s overstepped her bounds for assuming he cared for her, and that she’s a mere charm, not a person. Who is she to send him into such chaos? He warns her to keep away — if she crosses the line again, he won’t forgive her.

His entourage awaits outside, and he leaves with them, dismissing Wol’s services for tonight. He does send Woon to follow her back to her quarters, though.

Nok-young finds Wol outside and asks in concern if something happened, alarmed when Wol asks, “Who am I?” She confesses that she’s seeing strange visions, and while they must be someone else’s memories, they feel like her emotions.

Not really believing it, Wol asks, “I can’t be the owner of those memories, can I? No matter how much I resemble her, I can’t become her, can I?” As though she wishes she were, so she could have the king’s love or maybe just ease his pain. Seol witnesses the conversation with tears of sympathy.

Yeom freaks out to have Yang-myung pop up outside his house, and the two friends are then further freaked out by the silent arrival of a third party — Woon. Ha. Woon is here to convey Hwon’s orders to Yeom to appear at the palace, and on his way out gets a glimpse of a letter written on familiarly bright yellow parchment. Yeom explains it as an old letter from Yeon-woo.

Seol once more visits Yeom’s house to get a glimpse of him, not seeing that Woon has clocked her shadowy presence. He surprises her with an attack and asks who sent her. Seol knocks his sword aside and runs away.

The two remaining friends have a drink, and Yeom asks whether it’s true that Yang-myung has a new sweetheart, wondering what she’s like.

Yang-myung reminisces about that one instance eight years ago, on the night before Yeon-woo was to be decided as the princess bride. He’d offered to take her away, but she had dismissed him by telling him not to joke, and he had let it go at that.

Yang-myung: “If I hadn’t disguised it as a joke… If I’d had more courage, and held out my hand… If I had shown my true feelings and asked her to run away… would she be with me now?”

Seol finds Wol waiting up when she returns, and explains that she was visiting her former owners’ house. Wol smiles and says they must have been good people for her to still feel attached, and Seol answers that they were: “When I was not even treated like a beast, they treated me as a person and gave me the pretty name Seol.” She finishes the thought in her head, adding, “That’s the kind of person you were.”

After Yang-myung leaves, Yeom goes to Yeon-woo’s old room… where he finds her old chest. OH THANK GOD. Will somebody find that damn letter already?

Yeom remembers Yeon-woo’s words about going through with the bridal selection despite her family’s worries. He lifts the lid to find the scrap of paper, curiously out of place, which immediately grabs his attention. He pulls it out, and sees that it’s addressed to the Crown Prince.

Yang-myung walks along the deserted road, stopping short at the sight of a dark figure. It’s Jan-shil, and she tells him emotionally that she’s sorry, and that she’ll help him find the woman he’s looking for. She grabs him in a hug, crying, “Because you saved my life. I’ll repay that kindness, I promise.”

Yeom visits his mother prior to making his trip to the palace. Min-hwa’s disappointed he didn’t tell her in advance so she could go with him, and Mom asks if she’s angry. Min-hwa says no, not angry — uneasy. Because if her husband goes to the palace alone…

Cut to: Yeom, stirring up a frenzy among the court ladies, just like old times. Hwon warmly receives Yeom, whom he still calls Teacher, and invites him to settle in for a chat.

Our axis of evil plays the role of today’s political exposition fairies as they receive word of Yeom’s sudden appearance at court and try to unravel its significance. I guess “Because I wanna hang out with my friend” doesn’t compute with this council of backstabbing conspirators?

One minister comically complains that his hottie ranking slips whenever Yeom’s around, but then they get to the crux of the problem: As the princess’s husband, Yeom isn’t supposed have anything to do with politics, and thus his presence at court is dangerous. His very existence is problematic on a symbolic level (not unlike Yang-myung), since there are those willing to rally around him, perhaps moved by his father’s lingering influence.

Yeom has deliberated over the letter, and now presents it to the king, explaining that he decided the right thing to do was to return it to the rightful recipient. Hwon can’t hide his emotion as he confirms that this is Yeon-woo’s last letter to him.

Bowing respectfully, Yeom advises Yeom to forget her now, and to remember his wife. He says that Yeon-woo wouldn’t have wanted him to stay stuck in her shadow either. Hwon notes sadly that everybody is telling him to forget her.

After Yeom leaves, he sits there staring at the unopened letter for a long while, and finally reads it.

Yeon-woo: “Crown Prince, I gather the last of my strength to leave this letter. I do not know if it will cause trouble or even if it will reach you, but I write this anyway. Before I leave, even only through the things I have learned from you, I was very happy. But now you must stop blaming yourself, and think of me as a memory. My father will bring me medicine soon. Then I will no longer be able to see you. You must forget me, and years later become a good and wise king.”

He cries, asking, “How much must she have hurt? How painful must it have been?”

He asks Hyung-sun to bring him his old chest, and sobs that he can’t remember Yeon-woo’s handwriting anymore. He has to see her old letter as confirmation.

Bo-kyung’s court spy reports to her about the king’s nighttime stroll, as well as Yeom’s visit. He was seen in troubled spirits afterward and asked for a chest bearing the hanja character for rain. Bo-kyung seems to recognize this immediately, with some concern.

Hwon takes out the old letter, the apology she’d spent so much time on. But as he reads, it triggers another thought and he fumbles for a different letter — the one he recently received.

Hwon compares the handwriting of the letters, which contain some of the same words. He orders Wol brought to him immediately.

Wol is escorted to his quarters, but along the way she’s jerked to the side by Yang-myung, who asks intently, “Do you recognize me?”

As he does, Hwon finishes his comparison and looks up with conviction.

COMMENTS

Ack! He knows! They both know! You’re just going to cut out here?? Right, of course you’re going to cut out here; you don’t get to 30%+ ratings by just giving it away, I guess. I’ll give it to this show — even in a slower episode (which is what I thought of this one), it always pulls out a cliffhanger designed to rope us back like a crack addict at the bottom of his pipe, or however else you run out of crack.

I said before that I wished Bo-kyung had been developed differently, to not be so outright malicious from the start, and that feeling is growing. I understand that she was raised by a villainous father, but she would have been such an interesting character if she had been allowed to “choose” her evil, so to speak, rather than have been marked from the start as a dark soul.

This also stems from Kim Min-seo’s portrayal of Bo-kyung, which I think is fantastic. And yet the problem is, I think she’s giving the character depth that isn’t there in the writing. That’s not as bad a problem as the reverse scenario, but it does give me moments of confusion as a viewer.

As a child, when she saw the lovebirds slipping away from the festival and cried, I felt nothing for her because there was nothing to show why she should feel so crushed; they had no existing relationship, and she’d never even looked at him admiringly. She could have been smitten by him at the soccer match, but again, wasted opportunity.

Thus I felt (and still feel) that Bo-kyung’s issue is about jealousy over all the things Yeon-woo had, rather than jealousy over the king’s heart — because as far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t care for Hwon, the person. It’s all about what this represents: She’s always felt inferior to Yeon-woo, and her insecurities aren’t dead just because the girl (supposedly) is. It would have been a wonderful thing to explore, wouldn’t it?

Here’s what I would have done: In their youths, I would have had Bo-kyung misunderstanding Hwon’s request to see her in secret, rather than realizing the truth in two minutes. She could have then built him up in her mind for days and read signs into everything, so when she later found out he meant to see Yeon-woo, that crushing disappointment would have had some bite. Then she could feel hurt over their relationship, whereas right now I feel like she’s a toddler unwilling to relinquish a toy because it’s hers.

I’m not saying we can’t enjoy what we have, because I’m going with the story that’s given to us and it’s still entertaining. It’s just rather one-dimensional, ignoring its early potential to cultivate richer characters and more believable emotions.

I have found the continued dumping on Han Ga-in a bit excessive, but it’s true that she doesn’t measure up to the men. I like her quite a lot in this role when she’s with Seol and Jan-shil, and I love that this drama shows us some solid female friendship, as fierce and loyal as any bromance. (More of that, please!) Han is managing the sageuk-speak pretty well and I think she bears a striking physical resemblance to child counterpart Kim Yoo-jung, so good casting on the looks front. But it’s too bad that Kim Soo-hyun blows her out of the water, and so does Kim Min-seo.

I never really thought Yeon-woo was terribly nuanced a character to begin with, though, even in childhood; she was the simplest role of them all, and I partly blame the writing for being flat on that front. That’s true of a lot of the characters, actually, and we are just blessed in some cases with some actors who transcend their material.

And boy, did they transcend in this episode. Kim Soo-hyun was pretty much on fire the whole episode through, whether he was being hurt, furious, confused, or heartbroken. And Jung Il-woo is at his best when he’s letting down that mask of mirth, as he did when he confessed to Yeom that perhaps he might have been able to keep Yeon-woo alive and with him if he’d been emotionally sincere. He’s wrong about that — y’know, Fate and all — but that regret is a bitter pill to swallow.

287

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101 foolmoon

February 3, 2012 at 10:24 AM

Can't have enough KSH !!! I think he is beautiful in a manly way and his acting so far is superb and sincere, it can moves the viewer's feeling.
When he acted like going to kiss Wol, I almost yelled "STOP! Don't kiss her! She has a husband, don't you know?!" *coughkissmeinsteadcough*
I wonder if that thought happened in HGI's head too? Because, instead of her good acting and her younger look, I can't sense the raw chemistry between Wol and King. It is as if HGI acts like a loving and caring sister, which is okay when she is with Seol and Jan Shil (and I can sense that), BUT NOT with the King. Even with amnesia, Wol must have some desire, a spontaneous strong attraction to her first love.
I can understand why Hwon and Yang Myung can't move on over Hyeon-woo. Living as royalty always put them in doubt over people's sincerity. Thus finding a loving, strong, smart, beautiful girl and coming from respectable family) like Hyeon-woo who treated them equally and sincerely surely is one in a million.
And I hope next episode -which can't come faster enough!- Hwon and Woon will play detective to find out Wol's true identity (digging a grave perhaps ^.^ )

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102 Cindy

February 3, 2012 at 11:10 AM

To play a calm and reserved character does not mean you have to show no emotion. HGI shows no emotion in her eyes, in her face, in her moves.

I get she is just a shaman who should do nothing and should stay in her place so she dares not to go against anyone and hold in. But this doesn't mean she can't show anything Through her eyes.

You say HGI act like this because is what the character ask, so let's pick a character that is alike and see the difference in the acting!

For example, Ha Ji Won character from DAMO.
She was a mere Damo, she should stay in her place and do all she is told to do. She always felt she should act like that and that she was nothing more than a damo. She always pout herself in second plan and put her master in first place. She was always putting herself down and ignoring her master love.

But if you watched Damo you can see Ha Ji Won emotions! Her suffering... her longing! Her emotions!

Of course, sometimes she got badass and fighted. But I'm just talking about the times she was reserved! She did such a good job.

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103 SuziQ

February 3, 2012 at 1:40 PM

Great cliff hanger. Congrats to the writers.. They're doing a wonderful job..no wonder for the fabulous ratings!

Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Min Seo really rock in their roles.
Min Seo really is able to convey the queen's slyness and jealousy over king's love for his dead wife. Although she is the queen and she possesses all of the riches and power, she cannot get an heir because the king doesn't love her.She been waiting 8 years.Doesn't she get the message?

Ha Ga In is doing pretty good in her role;however, her face looks kind of fat and round. Did she gain weight?

The pace is kind of slow. Hopefully the story will pick up when Wol gets her memory back. Thanks for the great and speedy recaps.

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104 Carinne

February 3, 2012 at 2:39 PM

My heart hasn't healed from the previous episode, and now this... I'm gonna need a lot of ice cream to recover.

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105 3342

February 3, 2012 at 2:51 PM

Ahhh another beautiful set of episodes. Or pair, whatever. Is it sad that my best highlight of episode ten was Seol-Woons brief interaction? I was like yay they meet!!! I seriously hope this pair become a couple or I will wither away and die. Aside from my craziness everything else was awesome. Thxs for the great updates as always.

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106 Colleen

February 3, 2012 at 3:01 PM

First off, JavaBeans, your recap is wonderfully written!
I realize this is just a drama and the actors are playing characters, and Han Ga In is just playing a role; she's doing her best considering..yada.yada, yada....but for criminy's sake, couldn't they have found someone with acting skills beyond an animated character. There's a weird disconnect with her acting, and it has nothing to do with the memory loss of the character she plays. I truly am enjoying this drama as a whole, but HGI is the weakest link in this cast and I keep hoping her performance improves, but it hasn't as of Ep. 12, while everyone else rises to the occasion that keeps the story line captivating and hooking us on cliff hangers for the next episode.
After watching Im Jo-Eun in Wild Romance and What's Up, I think she would have made the role of adult Yeon-Woo/Wol sparkle and probably be more charismatic and believable as the unforgettable person all these princes have imbedded in their hearts. ...just an opinion..

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Colleen

February 3, 2012 at 3:05 PM

Correction on my last comment referencing Ep. 12, since the recent airing was Ep. 10.

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107 mag

February 3, 2012 at 3:22 PM

This show is getting dull and boring, seriously.

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108 McGrand

February 3, 2012 at 3:23 PM

This whole series IS amazing. Thanks for the recap.

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109 obsidian

February 3, 2012 at 5:03 PM

Loved this episode. Kim Soo Hyun is intense!! Loving the development of his character.

I agree with the above readers that I wish Yang Myung had more depth to his character. The best scene that Jung Il Woo had so far was when he was speaking to Yeom about wishing that he was just a little bit stronger and maybe could have saved Yeon Woo. Oh heartbreak.

I also wish Woon was given more depth. He's just silent all the time. I wish he had some more personality.
I liked Jang Shil's reunion with Yang Myung. It was so cute. I hope that Yeom goes to see Hwon more often, just so that I can see him Hwon smile!! Haha.

I felt bad for Wol when she wanted those memories to be her own. She must feel so adrift in the world.

Can't wait for the next ep!! Will Wol finally be confirmed as Yeon Woo???!!!

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110 ahjummassi

February 3, 2012 at 6:13 PM

The story is typical of a sageuk with some infusions of a different but then again how may reinventions can a sageuk go through to become a new plot. I think it's only popular because of Jung Il Woo. I don't know what people find in him but he's far from handsome... or... cute. His Flower Boy Ramyun was funny but the story was a complete nonsense. I 'm longing for a drama with substance...but I guess that's wishing for the sky in today's world. Gone are the wonderful Korean dramas of yesteryears.

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cookiemonster

February 3, 2012 at 7:35 PM

Um, I don't think it's popular because of JIW. It started being popular with the children actors/actresses and due to the story. If the children had stayed, I think it would have still been as popular. People REALLY loved them. I think it's also due to story that it's popular. I'm happy for all the actors though because they got to be in such a popular drama.

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Roggy

February 5, 2012 at 1:34 AM

I agree with cookiemonster.

Also JIW IS FREAKING GORGEOUS!!

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111 juen

February 3, 2012 at 6:40 PM

Thanks for the recaps! They make it possible for me to watch the raw episodes! May I chime in in agreement - Kim Soo Hyun is electric in this role. I hope he continues the strong and nuanced portrayal of his character. Isn't he an amazingly mature actor for his age? Will be exciting to follow his acting career. Without him, this saeguk would not be as gripping. I read that Moon Geun Yeung who was originally approached to play Han Ga In's role declined - purportedly because the main actor chosen was not "famous" enough. Well, she must be eating crow now...

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luna

February 3, 2012 at 10:56 PM

too bad for moon geun yeung . . . the chance to work with kim soo hyun? tsk tsk tsk. totally her loss.

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lulu

February 4, 2012 at 1:09 PM

she would have been great but watching the current flow of the story and its predictability already, it's gotten boring and maybe she just saved herself. the happy episodes were done after the kids. now it's all melodrama.

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112 Sy

February 3, 2012 at 6:51 PM

I think I understand Yang Myung and Hwon on why they are still pinning over young Yeon Woo ans are desperate to see her in Wol. Having met my firts love approximately 3 years earlier (i'm young), and after a lot hapened between us I can tell that this doesn't disappear easily.

At our era, we can go out, meet some other friends and fnd someone else in the blink of a neye, but still remember every word, every moment with the other person even when doing random things. This feeling that these moments were the best times ever and that life will never be so beautiful again is very very strong and especially for a teenager. At that period, life doesn't seem very long, nor the world seem very big.

And when things turn bad, you reminiscing about all the things that could have been but were wasted. That's why I do understand Hwon in his desire to take Wol as Yean Woo. Because all the things she was have made his life so fantastic back then, he wants her back at anytime and even if they didn't know each other very well. They had the rest of their lives to learn about each other.
And on top of that, she died alone, without him and without knowing how much he wanted her to become his Crown Princess (she still understood him), it's not like she was happy elsewhere just not with him.

And for Yang Myung, he never had anything for him. He was always despised by all and his own father wouldn't talk to him. Even his friends would go to the one person who was taking everything from him. I think it is a bit weird for Yang Myung because we don't know how he started liking his friend's sister ! But she was pretty and courageous and smart. And more of all, she didn't have to belong to the King, unlike everything he had once touched.
He had kept watching her from afar, dreaming of the day she would be his. He was going to let go of all tricks life had played to him only if she was going to end up with him. But the regrets Yang Myung is holding is for acting as a coward. I think he feels bad for doing so everytime, but in Yeon Woo cas it's stronger. He can't forget because he thinks that maybe there was a chance she had liked him. If he had opened his mouth, maybe she would be alive and healthy and his wife. I thinks that is what haunts him the most. He sais that in the next life thay would be together and is sesng the chance with Wol, and is trying his best to protect her, like he couldn't do with Yeon Woo.

However its only my opinion. Don't mind the mistakes, I'm French ^^'
Loved this episode, though.

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113 Ha

February 3, 2012 at 6:59 PM

I LOVE KSH, such an amazing actor and very easy on the eye too!!!

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114 dramamama

February 3, 2012 at 8:15 PM

Thanks JB. I watched the raw ep 2x, read your post, rewatch raw another 2x and then just watched one more time with chinese sub! Wow! Another darn cliffhanger! I am suffering from withdrawal syndrome now! I have been searching the web for ep 11 preview! Boo-hoo!

Anyways! Wow! KSH once again blew it off and I agree with you JB that I am enjoying the boys getting together and the sisterhood! I can't wait to see how it all unravels but honestly also keeping my fingers crossed. The end was such a climax that I fear and shiver to think if it would be a let down! Please don't be anticlimatic!!

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115 bluemoon

February 3, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Honestly, I love HGI and I think she did a fine job with her acting in this drama. I couldn't ask for more.

I don't get with people complaining about her face being fat. She's beautiful the way she is and I think she did the best she can with this role. I''m happy watching this drama just the way it is.

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116 k-soup

February 3, 2012 at 10:09 PM

whoa! it aches me so much that I have to wait for the next episode.. it's tormenting me!.. this is getting more exciting.. thanks for the recap.. :D

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117 WvR

February 3, 2012 at 11:26 PM

Thanks for the recap!

Enjoying the show a lot! During the walking scene where the king kept using the "good-luck charm" excuse for Wol/Yeon-woo to stay close, it looked like something out of a rom-com.

Is there a female equivalent for bromance? Sisterhood? I feel like here at dramabeans, a phrase/word should be coined. Especially if the Wol/Yeon-woo, Seol, and Jan-shil moments continue.

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lulu

February 4, 2012 at 1:11 PM

I think they call it "womance"

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118 WooJagi

February 3, 2012 at 11:58 PM

WAIT A SEC.

I thought Yangmyung character supposed to be a PLAYBOY after the loss of yeonwoo?

That's what I read!

How come all he did was chasing Yeonwoo like a lovesick puppy?!!

Come on writers, don't be lazy! Give depth to this character!

I know JUNG IL WOO could do that type of role very well. The kind of playboy role but with a sadness due to his unrequited love.

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lulu

February 4, 2012 at 1:15 PM

Jung Il Woo ala Yong Ha? now that might make me watch!

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119 Sate Ayam

February 4, 2012 at 12:03 AM

Omagahh....KIM SOO HYUN rawks!!

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120 Soua

February 4, 2012 at 12:09 AM

Reminds me briefly of Chuno where the male actors stole the spot light and the lead female actress faded... But i blame the writers as well... The story isn't so much about the lead female as it is about the males. :)

However, I must say... HJW's expressionless eyes (those big, rounded, beautiful eyes) are getting to on my nerves. :( And I don't say this often... Maybe because they just look so expectant? And yet.. no emotion? Not even a hint of confusion... just a doll's eye.

Maybe the director and writers wanted it that way? So sad... the spark of young Wol disappeared... :( All the characters seem to be the same expect HJW's. Shucks.

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lulu

February 4, 2012 at 1:17 PM

who is HJW? Ha Ji Won?

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121 Lisa

February 4, 2012 at 12:22 AM

KSH as Hwon has me sold! He is fantastic as Hwon!
His emotional and acting range is just about right.

The silent WOON is a character yet to be explored more in the drama. Is he more YangMyung/Yeom's best friend or more loyal to Hwon?Also I feel like he knows more than he is letting on..like maybe he knows a lot better than YM and Hwon that Wol is YW.

YW by HaGaIn is a bit too underdeveloped. Where is her character going? When are we going to see more believable emotions. Thank God the Mini YW is sticking around randomly in the episodes. HaGaIn seems to be playing YW delicately either from the scenes or her acting in general who knows. I want her to give off more emotion to KSH. Her touch alone will not make this show more exciting. I get it that she has fallen for the king upon first sight. Her passion for knowledge has shown but not in a manner like mini YW. Here's hoping she gets better as the story moves along but these cliffhangers are killing me!

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122 Hapoy

February 4, 2012 at 2:51 AM

I think HGI did show some passion in her acting. It's not often but there was a tiny evidence of it like show during her 1st 2 days as a human amulet when she was watching Hwon sleeping. She was watching him sleep smiling tenderly to herself. That was nice and didn't have that wide-eyed look she is often throwing us at every scene with Hwon.

The good thing is, whatever that HGI lacks, KSH more than makes up for it enough to make the scenes with them in it sizzle...ooh, boy does KSH have such a screen presence. His gaze, voice, facial expression, eyes, everything is just so believable and captivating. Hence, have recently become a huge fan of KSH....drool...

Let's hope that HGI steps up and at least try to meet KSH midway in terms of passion and intensity in her portrayal of YW/Wol.

Also, I just absolutely found it touching at how Eunuch Hyung Sun cried along with Hwon when he was reading YW's last and heartbreaking letter. It just showed how much HS felt for Hwon's loss and how much trust Hwon has in HS to openly break down in front of him.

Even though Woon's character is the silent, strong and serious type, I think the actor playing him (not sure of the name) is really doing a good job as he is acting the part as the King's most trusted bodyguard with a no-nonsense attitude. Very appropriate and I especially like the part when he closed the door when the Queen was doing a peeping Tom. He did it politely with his eyes looking down and yet firmly like that's it, no more peeping!

So really, despite the lacking in HGI's part, I think the rest of the supporting casts including Yeom, YM, MH, Yeom & YW's mum are all really doing a good job to make the drama what is is so far....with it almost hitting the big 40 in ratings. The Yeom guy playing the part does look a little old but nevertheless, he is effective enough. I cried buckets when he entered YW's room....it was just so heart-wrenching!

So please HGI, I hope u do hear us and do step up to give us more and to measure up to KSH's superb portrayal of Hwon. Can't wait for EP 11 & 12....:-)

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Helen

February 4, 2012 at 7:37 AM

Eunuch hang sun acting not natural enough,

forced acting, it didn't moved me at all !.

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123 Peachisgrey

February 4, 2012 at 4:20 AM

Thank you for the recap.
This drama is getting more addictive then SKKS, lols.

I dun know if it's me or what, but i totally prefer the child acting of all the cast here.except for KSH.
He really did an awesome job! But not until hmmm, episode 7 that i totally hook by his acts.
While JIW, i'm sorry but LMH did better job displaying the emo, even on this episode when conforting grandma dowager, JIW not showing the depth like LMH did before.

Sigh, I hate the ending! Why should YM caught wol!?!?!?!?!
I mean, at that very moment! I already have 3 scenarios in my mind of what will Hwon do, if wol didn't arrive at the time asked.....

I wish YM had more time to get into wol heartbefore confront with his brother, YM deserve more love, though sadly in the end will still lose it...

But hell, i really think that HGI chemistry with JIW is better than with KSH. It's like I'm sorry, but HDI cracks her mask a little when she face JIW. While when HGI meet KSH, she is Wol meeting Hwon.

I hope i'm not blabbering here....

While Bo-kyung, i so much prefer the adult version, I understand her jealousy better than the child version. In child state it's more jealous over attention but adult version, not only the attention that she wants but also to proof her exsistance!

Big applause to Kim Min Soe, more over, did you watch the angst between hwol n her? It like wow wow and she manage to dogde it elegently.

Sigh..... Can't wait for next wed!

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124 Trish

February 4, 2012 at 6:23 AM

Remember the scene when hwon sneaked out of the palace to visit yeon woo in her deathbed? Hwon said that it didnt matter if yeon woo could not recognise/ remember him as long as he knows that she is his crown princess.. I was like that scene is so fitting for their current predicament!

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Barbara

February 4, 2012 at 7:45 AM

can wol now sleep with the king?

now that she is not the queen

forget about being crown princess either,

her status was striped when she "died",

now she is a "shaman".

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125 Lilian

February 4, 2012 at 10:31 AM

This episode was definitely much slower. most of the humour is also gone as Yang Myung is more serious and usually in a sad mood! But seriously the guys rock! This just shows how versatile Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Il Woo are as actors...

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126 watashi0

February 4, 2012 at 1:01 PM

why oh why do i have to wait for the next week..i wanna see what happens next..seriously the producers and writers are so good..cliffhanger much^_^!! thanks javabeans for a very good recap..!!keep up the good work.

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127 lulu

February 4, 2012 at 1:32 PM

I would like to nominate this drama as Worst Child to Adult Transformation or coming of age or whatever you would call it for the year-end awards. My excitement died when the kids leave (partly because of the story, partly because of the adult cast). I kid, I kid (no double pun intended).

But don't worry, you might not see in the next episode recap. Sorry if I abused the submit comment button (and criticizing HGI).

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Kiara

February 4, 2012 at 2:41 PM

I missed the children still but Kim Soo-hyun has been a great surprise. I haven't seen this side of him in his other projects. He was good in Giant, didnt care much for Dream High but I've seen his best acting so far in this drama. I'm enjoying it just like Song Joong Ki blew me away in Tree With Deep Roots. The only difference is, Tree With Deep Roots was a much better sageuk, one of the best and I've watched a lot of sageuks.

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128 mud

February 4, 2012 at 5:32 PM

Arrggh, this drama is so frustrating. Ranting and spoilers below.

I want to like it, I really do, but at the same time I feel like I'm being stringed along by its constant flashbacks. We get it! Nobody can forget the magnaminous Yeon Woo, EVER!!! And the ultra slow build-up to the ending scene where it dawns on Hwon that the writings looks similar. Plus, the overusage of that song. Guys, this is getting ridiculous. And can I just ask why the king has to repeat his orders so often? You'd think the servants would know better by now that he is this country's Joseon's king.

It's too late to turn back as I've passed the half-way point, but show, throw me a bone will ya?

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korazylady

February 6, 2012 at 10:55 PM

I hate seeing all the flashbacks because it reminds me of what a poor job they did of the child to adult transformations! As much as everyone is gaga over KSH's acting, I keep thinking how different (and frankly to me less interesting) these guys look from the child actors. I think if the story's pace would pick up a little, I'd be more drawn in and focus less on the actors.

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129 Brenda

February 4, 2012 at 7:00 PM

I enjoyed this episode; partially for the closeness between Hwon and Wol and partially because we finally got to see the trio of Woon, Yang Myung, and Yeom back together again . . . even if it was just for like 2 minutes.

I find myself really enjoying this show and I'm a huge sucker for romance dramas, but for some reason I had hoped that this drama would contain some balance between the romance and everything else political and what not. I'm sort of disappointed that the only true and coherent story we get is the romance.
I understand the deep love that each brother has for Yeon Woo, and hell, if such a love still existed in this time between two people who shared a single mind, heart and soul than wouldn't it be terrific. However, I think all the characters are a bit flat. (If it weren't for the cast, I probably would've found this drama boring from episode 1.) All we get is the fact that both brothers love Yeon Woo as she was when she was thirteen and hence, have never forgotten about her despite everyone telling them they should.

I sympathize with Bo Kyung even though I don't want to. I really wanted to love to hate her but she hasn't done anything. And like it was pointed out earlier, I think Hwon does hate her for all the wrong reasons, which makes it unfair for her since she can't help who her father is or that the Dowager Queen backs her.
I don't like how almost every decision rests upon Hwon having an heir (preferably by Bo Kyung) to succeed him (whether it be with his grandmother's plans or if Minister Yoon will pull off his rebellion). I mean we ALL KNOW that the only heir they will get will be from Wol.

ON A TANGENT:
Something confuses me:
Why is it that in The Moon Embracing the Sun that the King didn't want Yeom to become Prince Consort because he said it would ruin his future from serving and protecting Hwon yet, in The Princess' Man, the King tried to make Seung Yoo Prince Consort to protect the prince and Kyung Hye? Why would it have crippled Yeom yet help Seung Yoo???

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Javabeans

February 4, 2012 at 9:02 PM

I answered this in a previous thread when it was asked, but it probably bears repeating:

I think you’re right to pick up on the similarities of the men (uibin), but there are some significant differences in context and political climate between the two cases.

In Princess’s Man, Seung-yoo (Park Shi-hoo) wasn’t initially supposed to marry Princess Kyung-hye. The king only made Seung-yoo her fiancé after he heard that Suyang was plotting alliances behind his back, trying to align himself with Seung-yoo’s father. So he jumped in and claimed Seung-yoo’s father to his side by engaging their children.

In Princess’s Man, the king knows he’s dying and that the minute he’s gone, his brother is going to launch a coup to seize the throne away from the crown prince. So he needs the princess and prince to be literally protected from mortal harm, and the stronger the man they have with them, the more protection they’re given. Seung-yoo’s father is also Suyang’s strongest rival, and therefore he’s the safest person to entrust his children to.

In Moon, you have a relatively stable political climate and no imminent danger to the line of succession. The biggest villains are Minister Yoon and the queen dowager, and they’re not plotting to take over the throne. There’s no danger to the lives of the princess or Hwon; they just want the king to be meek and leave the real authority to them. In fact, they’re more powerful with Hwon and Min-hwa alive, since their deaths would cause a shake-up — they want to preserve the status quo, not overturn it. Leaving things as they are means they get to enjoy their corruption and nepotism and power.

Furthermore, Yeom has passed the national civil service exam in first place (jangwon geubjae) at the age of 17, which is incredible. He’s noble and intelligent and basically expected to be one of the nation’s brightest leaders of the future, sort of like Seung-yoo’s father was one of the king’s greatest allies in Princess’s Man. To marry the princess would mean he would just be husband to a figurehead. He would be like Jong in Princess’s Man, whose most important position was to watch over the princess. In a time when the princess is in no harm, it would have been a sore waste of Yeom’s talents.

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Brenda

February 5, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Thanks for the explanation. It makes a lot more sense to me now. =)

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130 Melz

February 4, 2012 at 7:57 PM

I understand that we are all entitled to our views,opinions, perceptions, etc. However, I feel that Ha Gan In should be given a chance. I'm not saying she's perfect but then again no one is. It makes no sense to keep saying who should've played the part of Yeon-Woo/Wol. At the end of the day they chose her to play this part. If you do not like her acting why bother even watching? I'm not saying you cannot have your complaints, but gosh give her a fair trial I can tell she is doing the best she can do!!! I can tell the pressure is riding on her shoulders and making her feel at ease. Even if someone had played the lead you would still complain. There is no pleasing anyone these days. Accept that she is playing the lead role and enjoy the drama. If you still complain it's pointless because they are not changing her, so i say just enjoyed the show!!!!!! Other then that I love this drama hopefully I can read the book because I heard it is amazing. Anyways, I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. I'm just annoyed at all the complaints, comparisons, and the negativity.

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bluemoon

February 4, 2012 at 9:50 PM

Exactly how I feel! Let's just enjoy this wonderful ride of MOONANDSUN. I love this cast and wouldn't want anyone to replace anyone else. I'm just going to enjoy this wonderful ride.

Ah! Can't wait for next week.

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luna

February 5, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Thank you! My sentiments exactly. Let's just enjoy the show, peeps, and wait in heightened anticipation for Wednesday's episode together. I love this cast, too, from the child actors to the adult ones.

Hoping for more Woon and Seol scenes. That sword-fight scene between them was toooo short. I wonder when he'll find out it's Seol? Ahhhhh! I can't wait for more developments.

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131 Leena

February 4, 2012 at 11:20 PM

Just for fun I was thinking of other actors who could've played lee hwon and omigosh if Rain wasn't in the army I'd say him and Yeo Jin Gu look pretty similar...age wise it would've been a good match for Han ga in but I'm also happy with Kim Soo Hyun

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132 caca

February 5, 2012 at 12:36 AM

Why does everyone keep complaining about HGI and JIW' acting? I mean how could you enjoy the drama if you are just focusing at the actor's flaw. This drama has a good story. It may not be as complicated as Princess' Man or Tree With Deep Roots with all the political issue around the palace. But, this drama has its own charm that's why the rating is extremely high. Ok, back to the topic. Maybe, I'm the only person who is happy because HGI is being cast as YW. She is the only k-actress that I think suit the role. Because if you read the novel, HGI matches with the description of Wol's character. She has round and white face like moon. And her acting is not bad. How can you expect her to put a lot of emotions into her character when the script doesn't let her to do it (if you know what I mean) You shouldn't really blame her. If you want to blame anyone, blame the scriptwriter or the novelist. So far, Wol doen't know her identity, she is confused. So how do you want the actress to portay it? Even if you cast someone as good as Ha Ji Won, the result will be the same. It's just that maybe Ha Ji Won doesn't have big eyes like her. It's also the same with JIW. He just act according to the script. You can't compare him with Lee Min Ho since the character of young YM and the adult one is different. JIW is quite good. He can be funny and playful and drastically change to be serious few minutes later. So, I think we should appreciate them.

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Drina

February 8, 2012 at 2:19 AM

i second you!

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133 Jennyforthewin

February 5, 2012 at 12:40 AM

This drama is getting me spinning. Gosh how I wish I didn't have to read so many comments about just the acting...preferably the plot would be nice. I appreciate that the drama is moving along swiftly but not too fast. To be honest, I'm glad KSH and HGI isn't in all of the scenes because it makes me anticipate and long for it more. It's more exciting than them giving us everything (a kiss already) in the beginning and skipping all the emotions connecting to rediscovering a past love.

Aside from that, i have a small complaint about the scene when the King cried over Yeon Woo's letter. I know a lot of people are praising him for his performance, but I just couldn't feel it...don't know if it's his crying technique or what that was bothering me. I kind of have to conjure up my own tears. Anyway...I am enjoying this drama so much and i'm looking forward to shedding more tears. :) please feel free to make me cry drama.

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134 halom

February 5, 2012 at 1:21 AM

JB THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECAP..

this drama ....

gained the rating of hitting another all-time high with 41.3% successfully supersedes the storm with tornado.

already surpassed other and just to compare

sad.....so sad...

“Please Take Care of Us, Captain” and KBS’s “Wild Romance” lagged behind with 7.5% and 4.5% respectively.

It is crazy....

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135 halom

February 5, 2012 at 1:34 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV5leE63Obo&feature=related

I WISH I COULD BE THERE

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136 haru

February 5, 2012 at 4:01 PM

HGI makes me want to fall asleep, snore, snore^^

I think it's hard for me to be convinced that hotties like KSH and JIW are passionately in love to the point of insanity with a wooden stick.

I was really looking forward to this drama. And I still hope that they upgrade JIW's role and add more KSH/JIW scenes together. Because that one scene they had was electrifying.

Yeah, it is a pity that the model guy who's playing Woon is just not working his role enough. 'Coz that type of look/character is really easy to fall for.

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haru

February 6, 2012 at 12:08 AM

Suzy had crazy chemistry with KSH even with her acting skills...

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momosa

February 6, 2012 at 3:02 AM

Really, I thought Woon/Un did a splendid job with his eyes!

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137 crazymouse

February 6, 2012 at 5:54 AM

love this show.Pretty hot cast too(the guys i mean)i'm esp gaga for the loyal bodyguard.

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138 halom

February 7, 2012 at 5:58 AM

Kim Soo Hyun is very tallented actor but why fake tears.

He was huge in Giant,and here he drives me to the top

mr director he can easealy cry with real tears.

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139 Drina

February 7, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Can't wait for the next episode!

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140 Drina

February 7, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Can't wait for the next episode!

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141 Learningsg

February 7, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Finally found video preview of episode 11 ....
Wol leaves the palace and Hwon misses her so much that he left palace to look for her too... nearly got recognised by his father-in-law in the streets!
Hwon finally confesses his love to Wol...
Poor YM have to witness the confession scene all over again...
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/the-moon-that-embraces-the-sun

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142 susan

February 8, 2012 at 8:51 AM

why people doesn´t get upset with the princess minhwa? she was the motive for the separation between the king and wol, and she knows everything that queen dowager as done to the wol when she as litle, and she has done anyting because she is a cold hearted bitch and selfish because of that hapiness to marry brother of wol she let the wol be sick and expelled from the palace and die after that and she keeps play inocent to her mother in law and is husband when she was the motive of faking dead of the wol. I hope in the end she would die and her husband will stay with that girl that was always with wol the body guard one she loves brother of wol too much and I thing that her brother once loved her but that princess bicth appear to disgrace everything. I hate so much that selfish bitch

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143 Joun

February 8, 2012 at 10:51 AM

Well, you're too fired. I resent the princess too because she is the key to everything happened. She entered Yeon woo's house without shame instead look like she never saw anything. But it's not like it was her fault. Firstly, she is not responsable (the queen dowager is), she did nothing but turn a blind eye and she was afraid ! The dowager used the princess but she would killed Yeon Woo whatsoever. Minwha was a victim to her grandmother scheme, no doubt and she will repay for this fault by being a witness of the evil act.
Oh, Weom never did love the servant girl. It was onesided on her and i never find it really clear in their yougest years. Well, she have some use just like princess minwha (a witness of the "resurrection" of yeonwoo on wol).
I really hope for this story to end nicely just like Princess' man. Yeonwoo is the moon but she is not destined to be queen (don't forget this point !!!). Yang Myung may finish like king (without Yeonwoo by his side)...

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144 kaye

February 11, 2012 at 4:24 AM

Kim Soo-hyun is slaying it every single episode.

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145 HMH

December 18, 2012 at 7:06 PM

I'm sure Ha Ga In is a good actress normally, but I don't like Ha Ga In in the role of Wol, she's ruining the character for me. I got the impression that during the argument she had with the Shaman lady where she refused to run away, the scene was supposed to portray an intelligent person acting dumb, fully aware of the consequences and unable to tear themselves away. Ha Ga In just came across as dimwitted and clueless.

There was no fire to her character. The child actress who portrayed Yeon put her to shame.

Hopefully her acting gets better. She isn't clicking for me at all, in fact she's downright boring and it's dragging the entire story down.