Gu Family Book: Episode 23

225 June 24, 2013January 24, 2016

by girlfriday

I wish I could say that the episode leading up to the finale was spectacular, but I can’t. It’s a really underwhelming hour. First, the hero annoys me with his noble idiocy. Then, the villains annoy me with the lack of diversity in their repertoire of villainy. Then there’s an interlude where Dad gets a lobotomy. And finally, the writer annoys me most of all, because all this is really her fault. That’s not to say that the finale can’t still be satisfying; it just won’t have gotten any help from Episode 23.

EPISODE 23 RECAP

As glimpses of all the people he’s had to say goodbye to flash by, Kang-chi narrates: “I didn’t want to say goodbye. You were the first person I wanted to make mine. I didn’t want to make you cry heartbreaking tears ever again. But Yeol-woo might die…”

We return to his declaration that his third wish is to end things right now. Yeo-wool asks how he can decide something like that on his own, and he blurts out that she could lose her life.

Yeo-wool, ever the logical one, points out that all people die, and some live long full lives, or some die during childbirth like her mother, or some die protecting someone else like Lord Park. No one can know how or when death will come.

He asks how he can stay by her side when he knows it’s because of him that she might die, but she asks with tears in her eyes, “Why do we have to do this because of things that haven’t even happened yet?” YES, WHY.

He says that he ignored the monk’s warning once before, and Lord Park died because of him. Augh, but that’s not even the same thing! And he points out the fresh wound on her arm, saying that he was inches away from clawing her heart out. Listen, you’re pretty much clawing out my patience right now. Does that count?

She cries, “Don’t you know that your words right now are ripping my heart up more?!” Right? But he says he’ll never be able to live with himself if he loses her, and walks away.

He leaves her bawling her eyes out, and Gon looks on from a distance. He feels a shadowy figure creeping up from behind, but when he turns around, no one is there.

Kang-chi goes to see Lee Soon-shin late that night, and it’s kind of cute that Lee Soon-shin comes out in PJs and finds Kang-chi scrawling in the dirt like a little kid. He says he came “just because,” but as they go for a walk, he asks for advice.

Lee Soon-shin agrees that he’d do the best he could to prevent the person he cared for most from getting hurt. But then he asks Kang-chi what he fears most (the person he loves dying because of him) and what the person he loves fears most.

That question stumps him. Lee Soon-shin repeats the question: What does the person you care for most fear more than anything? But before he can mull it over, a group of ninjas jump out and surround them. I’ve already forgotten who they are and why they’re attacking.

Ah, a flashback reminds us that Jo Gwan-woong asked to borrow ten ninjas to kill Lee Soon-shin. But when the Japanese refuse to be party to that scheme, Jo Gwan-woong insists they wouldn’t actually have to do any killing.

And then his secret agent steps into the room. It’s one of the students at Master Dam’s martial arts school—the one who was so vocal about hating Kang-chi. We learn that he was actually a mole for Jo Gwan-woong all this time. This would mean more if he were a bigger character. The plan is for this guy to kill Lee Soon-shin, and then make it look like Kang-chi was the one who did it. But I thought we already did that with Lord Park?

Back in the present, Kang-chi tells Lee Soon-shin to make a run for it while he fights off the ninjas, but gets told that this is a planned meeting. The Japanese emissary steps out from behind his men, and Lee Soon-shin tells him they have three days to clear out and return to their country before he starts killing every last one of them.

Kang-chi asks Lee Soon-shin if he wasn’t worried about being attacked, but he says, “Death does not frighten me, Kang-chi-ya. The thing I’m truly afraid of is making wrong decisions while I am alive.”

He sighs that tens of thousands of lives are lost in war, so his every decision can’t help but feel heavy. But more than anything, it’s those people—the ones who would lay down their lives for their country—that he wants to protect. “And because being by their side is the best that I can do to protect them.” Thank you.

That finally gets through to Kang-chi and he remembers asking Yeo-wool a while ago what it was she feared the most. “You. That you’ll just disappear one day. That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

He laughs that that’s a silly thing to be afraid of, and she says that the more you like someone, the more worries you start to have. She says she also fears that he’ll get sick of her one day, or that when she becomes a wrinkly grandma he won’t like her anymore.

He reminds her that he’s Wol-ryung’s son—the guy who fell in love for the first time in a thousand years and then even as a demon could only remember his first love. “That’s my bloodline. We hang onto one woman, live or die. So don’t YOU go getting sick of me. Because I’m going to live looking only at you, live or die. Forever.”

Yeo-wool giggles like a little girl: “Really really? Promise promise?”

Yeo-wool tosses and turns, ranting that she can’t believe that jerk, “After he said ‘really really promise promise’ and everything!” Ha. She heads outside to blow off some steam with sword practice, when Mole comes looking for her. He says he has something to tell her, so she follows him out…

Gon discovers that Yeo-wool’s been out for a while without a word, so he runs out to find her, and then Kang-chi returns to find the search in full swing.

Meanwhile Mole takes her out to the woods, where ninjas are waiting to attack. They throw a white powder in her face, and it knocks her out cold. Gon arrives just as they’re about to kidnap her, and Mole whirls around to say that they were attacked out of nowhere.

Gon steps out in front of him to get Yeo-wool back… which is when Mole literally stabs him in the back. Ack. If Gon dies, I swear, I’ll hurt somebody.

He takes half a second to register that he just got stabbed in the back, and then takes two swift moves to kill Mole dead. Nice knowin’ ya. Thanks for being the conveniently evil plot device of the day.

Gon struggles to fight off the army of ninjas all alone, but he can’t stop them from taking Yeo-wool. He fights, but he’s getting weaker and weaker with every move. Eeee.

His wounds start to take their toll, and he falls to his knees. He’s seconds away from death, when Kang-chi arrives just in time to fight off the rest.

He rushes to Gon’s side and slices his hand to pour blood into his wound, and the blue lights come to save the day. Whew.

He runs after Yeo-wool, but the kidnappers throw gas grenades in their wake to throw him off their scent. Luckily Bong-chul is in town and just sober enough to notice Yeo-wool being carried off. Please tell me you have enough of your wits about you to follow them.

Gon wakes up in the morning, and Master Dam says that Tae-seo found him in the woods. He gets on his knees and tells Master that he’s sorry—he couldn’t protect Yeo-wool. He confirms that Kang-chi saved him, but he doesn’t know where he went.

Kang-chi walks straight into the lion’s den and confronts Jo Gwan-woong knowing he took Yeo-wool. They don’t even try to dance around it, and Jo Gwan-woong tells him exactly what he wants in exchange for Yeo-wool’s life: kill Lee Soon-shin.

He brings out Kang-chi’s family—Servant Choi and Ok-man—and adds them to the count. All three will die unless Kang-chi kills Lee Soon-shin by tomorrow.

Ohmygah, why do we keep letting this guy threaten loved ones to get people to do his bidding? Can this pony learn one new trick, please? Dad tells him to just let them die, which I hope is not the plan.

Meanwhile Yeo-wool is tied up in a box somewhere, with incense kept burning to keep Kang-chi from sniffing her out.

Everyone gathers at the martial arts school to decide their next move, and Kang-chi paces back and forth waiting for Master Dam to make up his mind. Gon snaps at him that they’re all going crazy, and that no one is as heartbroken as Master Dam, so they need to follow his decision when it comes to Yeo-wool.

Master Dam finally reaches a verdict and calls everyone together. Kang-chi asks what their next move is, and Master Dam balls up his fists under the table… as he tells them they’re going to give up on Yeo-wool.

What, now? You have an army of trained fighters, and this is your decision?

He says that they can’t cave to Jo Gwan-woong’s demands, and tells Kang-chi to give up on Yeo-wool and go on his quest to find the Gu Family Book. Oh, because he’s really going to leave right now to do that. What?

All three boys stammer in shock, and Kang-chi argues right back, asking how he’s telling them to give up on Yeo-wool. Master Dam shouts that she’s his only daughter, but this is what they have to do. But… that makes even less sense.

Kang-chi: “Yeo-wool is my only person too! What is the point of becoming human when I can’t even protect the only person in my life?!” That outburst stops everyone mid-breath, and Tae-seo gets a little teary-eyed.

Kang-chi declares that he doesn’t care to become human if that’s the cost, and says with tears streaming down his face: “I don’t care if I don’t become human. I won’t ever give up on Yeo-wool. I can’t give up on her!”

Gon steps up to say that he agrees with Kang-chi, and then Tae-seo joins in too. The boys ask for permission to go rescue Yeo-wool.

Soo-ryun turns to Master Dam and reminds him that the reason they pledge their lives as patriots is to protect the ones they love, and Teacher Gong tells him that sometimes it’s okay to lay his duties down.

He looks around the room one by one, and lands on Kang-chi, still crying with pleading eyes. And outside, Chung-jo has been listening the whole time.

Her face falls, and she wanders into Kang-chi’s room where she finds the shirt she made for him still sitting there, untouched. She cries now as it sinks in what Yeo-wool means to Kang-chi, and she wonders to herself: “Why didn’t I realize when you were by my side?

Bong-chul finally makes it to the martial arts school looking for Kang-chi, with news that he saw that pretty boy he’s always with get dragged off last night.

He followed them, and saw them go towards the storage houses in the Hundred Year Inn. That’s where they hid her? Would it kill you people to have another safe house somewhere, just for variety’s sake?

The boys split up and go digging through every single crate in the storage rooms, as Yeo-wool struggles against her ropes inside one of the boxes. Someone gets close, and she looks up just as Kang-chi opens the hatch to one of the crates…

But it’s a fake out, and the baddies get to her first and move her before the boys catch up. Jo Gwan-woong gets the report that Kang-chi did as expected and Yeo-wool has been moved.

The boys contemplate what to do next, and Kang-chi decides it’s time to go see Lee Soon-shin. Tae-seo says they can’t involve him, but Kang-chi asks, “Do you trust me? As my friend, how far do you trust me?”

As Kang-chi arrives to see Lee Soon-shin, Jo Gwan-woong tells his trusty sidekick that it won’t matter if Kang-chi doesn’t kill him—either way Lee Soon-shin will be on the move, and that’s when they’ll take their shot. He passes over the gun.

Kang-chi says he came because he wants to protect those precious to him. He asks Lee Soon-shin the same: “Do you trust me? How far do you trust me?”

Yeo-wool gets carried away kicking and screaming in broad daylight, which doesn’t seem like the stealthiest move. She gets tied up in a different shed, with Servant Choi and Ok-man tied to a post nearby.

This time they tie her to a chair that’s rigged with a giant spiked wrecking ball hanging above her. I’ll be honest—it looks kind of like paper-mache, but we’ll go with it. It’s a giant death ball, not a piñata, okay?!

They cut a hole in the sandbag that’s weighing the ball down, and then walk out. Pwahaha. Oh, ineffectual villains. Why kill her now when you can set up a Wile E. Coyote contraption and walk away?

Chung-jo comes to tell the boys where they’ve moved Yeo-wool, and Kang-chi returns from his meeting with Lee Soon-shin. They head back out, and Chung-jo tells him with tears brimming in her eyes to save Yeo-wool, and he nods that he will.

Lee Soon-shin goes to see Jo Gwan-woong to demand he release the hostages, and it buys time for the boys to fight their way towards Yeo-wool. I hope this diversion was worth it.

The totally-not-paper-mache Ball O’ Doom falls closer and closer, and Yeo-wool screams. Kang-chi hears her voice mid-fight, and Tae-seo urges him to go ahead while they fight. Bong-chul joins in too, and Kang-chi nods gratefully before running off.

He gets to Yeo-wool just in time, and breaks her ropes and pulls her out of the way just as the wrecking ball comes crashing down.

Once the moment of fear and relief passes by, she kicks him off of her and then slaps him with her foot. Ha.

She pounds his chest calling him a jerk over and over, and he pulls her in for a hug. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I won’t do it again. I’m really sorry.”

He holds her as she cries, and Dad and Ok-man squirm in their ropes awkwardly. In voiceover we hear their thoughts from sometime in the future:

Yeo-wool: I should’ve said it more then.
Kang-chi: I should’ve held you more then. That I liked you this much.
Yeo-wool: That I loved you this much.

Back to Lee Soon-shin, who stops to ask Jo Gwan-woong what it is he lives for. Unsurprisingly, his answer is: “Me.” He says he lives for himself alone, and takes what he wants, when he wants it. Yeah, we kinda noticed.

As they talk, Minion peeks out from a distance and sets his sights on Lee Soon-shin, raising his gun at his target.

But Kang-chi and the gang arrive and surround Lee Soon-shin, and tell him that they’re here to lead him to safety.

Kang-chi steps forward to face Jo Gwan-woong and says: “Do you remember what I told you once? That I would reclaim the Hundred Year Inn from you one day? Well that day is today, Jo Gwan-woong.”

Minion lights the fuse…

Jo Gwan-woong just smirks back at Kang-chi without a word. That’s when he senses that something’s not right, and turns to see Minion aiming his gun right at them. He fires.

They all freeze and look at each other: Lee Soon-shin, Gon, Tae-seo, Yeo-wool, and Kang-chi…

One of them has been shot.

COMMENTS

Okay, so the Who’s Been Shot thing is pretty good as far as cliffhangers go (mostly for the guess-who factor, because it’s not like I expect the leads to die). But so much of this episode was pointless. Basically none of that kidnapping hullabaloo needed to happen to get us from the first scene to the last one. It was just running the guys around for no reason. If this had happened in a middle episode (which it has) I wouldn’t be this annoyed, but we’re down to ONE episode.

Instead of picking up threads for characters that got totally shunted (Tae-seo, Chung-jo, Soo-ryun), storylines that got dropped (engagement, anyone?) or actually exploring Kang-chi’s quest to become human, we turned Yeo-wool into a damsel in distress, and let Jo Gwan-woong have YET ANOTHER round of tying someone down to the train tracks to twirl his mustache, for absolutely zero advancement in the plot. You know a villain’s run his course when we’re all just sitting here going, And why haven’t we killed him yet?

Did Kang-chi really need to experience Yeo-wool nearly becoming a whack-a-mole to truly understand that being by her side was better than leaving her? First of all, that would make him dumb and I don’t want him to be dumb, and also, I think he already figured it out when Lee Soon-shin asked him what Yeo-wool’s worst fear was. All it did was send the characters through another spin cycle of stuff we’ve done before.

I’m just hugely disappointed that this is what we were working towards. I still expect tomorrow’s finale to deliver a satisfying conclusion, but this hour was a wasted opportunity. I was glad to get Kang-chi’s big speech that becoming human isn’t worth it if he can’t protect the woman he loves, but the plot machinations to get him to that outburst (Master Dam suddenly giving up his daughter’s life without a fight? Come on) were painfully clunky. I think the problem at the end of the day is, we don’t really believe for a second that Yeo-wool is in danger. So spending an entire episode to set up her kidnapping and rescue seemed like wasting the precious few minutes of story time we have left on something that had a foregone conclusion. It’s pretty much the direct opposite of building to a climax.

What you want in Finale Week is for the tension to go sky high, but this episode actually managed to sap what tension there was left. It kind of kills me. This world has so much potential for life and death stakes, for testing the limits of beast and man, for true sacrifice that runs deeper than noble idiocy. It’s all there. Why are we not doing anything with it?

225

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1 Fyri

June 24, 2013 at 8:08 PM

maybe firsts?

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Javabeans

June 24, 2013 at 8:08 PM

No "first" posts please. I delete them. I'll leave this one up as warning.

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Katie

June 25, 2013 at 6:49 AM

Thank you Javabeans! At least read the recap and then post your opinion, none of this thank you/firsts BS lol.

Yeah, I'm a little disappointed by this episode since we only have 1 left. It could have been more! More on Tae So and Chung Jo...and less on Jo Gwan Woong. How has he NOT been killed yet? He and his annoying minion should both be killed right now lol.

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Fyri

June 25, 2013 at 7:58 PM

Sorry about that...I didn't know. Won't happen again. I guess I just never see you delete first comments.

To Katie, if you read below, I did have numerous thoughts posted as a reply to this comment. And for your information I did read the post. Thanks are nice and are NOT BS. People make my day by saying thank you.

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Fyri

June 24, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Oops...
Spelling mistake.

I sort of feel that this went to over the top melodramatic scenarios that didn't particularly accomplish much in regards to plot.

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Sunny

June 25, 2013 at 11:20 PM

No Fyri. It is a whole load of BS. You AND Ivoire. It's F-in annoying is what it is, considering the rest of us come here to read insightful recaps and what the beanut gallery think. Not your crap.

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Ivoire

June 27, 2013 at 5:47 AM

Honestly, nobody asks you to read our "crap", you don't have to. When you see our names, just skip them.
We are beanies as well, and we write our thoughts, that's all. We don't expect everyone to read them (though some do).

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Fyri

June 30, 2013 at 11:51 PM

Totally agree with Ivoire. Ivoire, I find your comments really insightful.
I admit that my thoughts are not quite as deep as maybe you were looking for, but I like big questions.
Saying Thank you makes you and the person at the receiving end feel good.

Hannah Cook

June 24, 2013 at 10:12 PM

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

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2 Ivoire

June 24, 2013 at 8:09 PM

Thanks!

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Ivoire

June 24, 2013 at 9:58 PM

I haven't read GF's recap yet, so these are my thoughts, after I watched the ep. raw this morning. After posting my thoughts (and questions), I will read the recap...

I will start with my questions, (I watched the ep. raw, hence some of my questions):

1—I read on a thread (on a blog) about kinship in Korea and in Kdramas that “tansin, [sp?] (and it sounded like “tanshin” when I heard it) means “you,” but in an affectionate way. A) is that accurate? (ex: the female lead in King of Dramas addressed the male lead that way, so I assumed it must be true?).
I thought I heard the Korean character (who is aligned with the Japanese, the one who worked with SH, then betrayed her) calling KC by the same term, when he spoke to him. Did I hear correctly? And if it is “you” in an affectionate way, why would he address KC in such a way? Doesn’t he want him dead or gone as well? That left me puzzled.

2—KC likes skinship (LOL). Am I the only one who has noticed that whenever he hugs YW or falls on top of her (or finds himself on top of her for some reason), he tends to linger? (And I am not saying that it is a bad thing, it was just an observation).

3—TS has still not given a test to KC, and tomorrow being the last ep., I can’t help but wonder if that will happen.

4—I am curious about the Japanese guard (the guard played by a white actor), and about what side he is on. He is confusing me. In the last ep., we saw him accept a note from the admiral (for the meeting in this ep, maybe?), and now he is back being with JGW and the other guy? (the one who ordered SH killed, when she was living).

5—SR, the head gisaeng, when she was in YW’s room, talking to DPJ, she addressed him as “Dam Sabo [Sp?]” (That was what I heard). Is that a variation on “Sambonim {sp?}”

6—I wonder why JGW bothered to have KC shot, since he knows that KC is immortal. KC doesn’t die, but he can get his head cut off. So why not shoot the neck, since that is where KC seems vulnerable? (Just a thought)

7—Are KC becoming human and him having YW in his life mutually exclusive (either, or)? KC made it sound like they were, and I never thought they were. I personally like KC being ½ gumiho, that is one of the things that makes him different, that and his heart (he is a good [human] being). Was I wrong in thinking that both could be desired and accomplished (maybe)?

On to some of my thoughts…

I was not sure what to make of this ep., and of how I was supposed to feel about it. On one hand, I understood why KC wanted to break up with YW, and I found his reasons for wanting to be a noble idiot valid (please don’t shoot me). I think one of the things that kept coming back to my mind was the fact that if for any reasons YW got badly hurt, or worse killed by KC, he would not be able to live with himself, and we (and he doesn’t) know that it would never happen. I think that was one of the reasons why I was willing to give a pass to KC, regarding his break-up with YW.
I feel that it is one thing to lose a loved one because of life’s circumstances (and that would still be painful), and quite another to lose a loved one, knowing that we caused (directly or indirectly) that person’s death.

I feel like the plot device used to bring KC back to YW has been used before, and the same character was used as well for that plot device. I did not expect that student to betray YW, that part I did not see coming, and so yes, I was surprised. However, the “YW is being abducted by JGW’s people (or in this case ninjas associated with JGW) to make KC realized that he loves YW [thus jolting him to action] and deciding that he won’t give her up” was done at the end of ep. 16 and in the first half (or so) of ep. 17, wasn’t it? It just didn’t feel like something new, as a trope used in this drama, and so I was not impressed. (Don’t shoot me, but I had flashbacks of Faith. Those of us who watched it and faithfully participated in the recaps or read them might remember, or know what I am speaking of. JB and GF were so funny when it came to tropes that were used again and again, regarding the doctor).

I was anticipating that KC and YW would have their HEA (unless the writer wants to take some serious chances with the fans of the show, and do otherwise), and so I am simply waiting to see how the show will get there, at this point.

I did enjoy the bromance, a la “the Three Musketeers” and with BMC added to the mix. I was also happy to see that CJ was finally able to let go of KC, and she did so graciously. In this ep., like in the last ep., we did not see much of CJ *sigh*.

I really liked LSS in this drama (and the actor playing him), and I have loved every scene he has had with LSJ/JGW (he plays villain to a T. I also love his skin, I just happened to notice that, LOL). Also, I love Jo Jae-Yun, the actor who plays BMC (the ganster) and the way he talks in this drama. I love the way he says “KC donsaeng…” I just love the little moments in this drama.

I also loved that once KC saved YW, she didn’t play the “damsel in distress who is excited to see her savior/boyfriend.” she kicked him and hit him to show him how hurt she felt by him. I liked her reaction, I didn’t expect it.

I am thinking that the ending was a fake out. It looked like YW might have been the one shot (or the one who got the shot/bullet), even though KC was the one being targeted. Based on their positions (from where SB was standing), it looked like YW would be the one who got it. I could be wrong of course, (hopefully I am wrong).

All in all, this ep. was not very fulfilling. What happens to the GFB? Does it still matter (at this point in the drama)? And of course, based on LSS's important role in Korean history, I never thought he would be killed.

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applecookie

June 24, 2013 at 11:43 PM

I noticed you have some interesting questions, so I'll do my best to try and explain if it's okay.

In Korean, 당신 (pronounced dang-shin) is a general term to address someone who is either (a) a stranger/not on friendly terms with you - an example of this usage can be seen commonly in drama, in which a character may shout it at some gangsters who came to beat him up or something: "dang-shin mwo ya!" -> roughly, "who the hell are you!", and as a result may come off as rude or condescending, or (b) a person you know fairly well and want to speak to them as somewhat of an equal; it's typically used between couples (e.g. wives and husbands to each other). Likewise, you'll almost never hear it being used between friends (unless as a joke) or people who get along with each other but aren't married or something. You seem to be talking about Pil-mok referring to Kang-chi as this, but there's nothing much to consider other than he's using it to maintain that cold distance between them all while sounding humble.

In regards to point #4, I think it's safe to say that the note Kageshima (the Japanese guard) received last time was for the purpose of the midnight meeting in this episode. Lee Soon-shin wanted to pretty much tell him to back off and return to Japan while they still can - it was just barely hostile, and I don't see them teaming up at any point in the near future. He does seem to possess honor and is unwilling to take unnecessary actions other than what he came to do, so it's possible that he may come through as an anti-villain of sorts and end up helping out the heroes despite that not being his real intention. I just don't see this as very likely, since we've never felt the significance of his character since he showed up.

You're right about #5. About #6, however: I somehow don't get the feeling that the shot was meant for Kang-chi. All Jo Gwan-woong ever did was see him as a major nuisance, and knows that the head honcho Lee Soon-shin is the one he really needs to get rid of. Like he's always done before, he most likely used Kang-chi as bait to lure out the person he wants to do away with. He's a dirty player through and through, and will always dig for ways to kill others without actually killing them himself. But history laughs at Jo Gwan-woong, because Lee Soon-shin doesn't ever fall to a coward like him. I have the sinking feeling that it may be Yeo-wool who got shot, as per the premonition that the monk told of ages ago: Kang-chi can heal himself like nothing, Lee Soon-shin...just no, and the any of the others wouldn't have as big an impact.

I can't exactly recall whose comment it was, but someone had brought up a good idea that the Gu Family Book may very well not even be a physical book - and this late in the game, we're definitely not going to be able to witness Kang-chi's Book Adventures. Rather, the "book" is a mentality, or a state of being. As long as Kang-chi has the faith of those he loves and those who love him, he can tame the beast within him the same way he unconsciously did when he sparred with Daddy Dam. The whole drama was a series of events leading up to him being able to control himself, and become someone who is irreplaceable and needed. It was to teach us and Kang-chi himself, that there are people like Jo Gwan-woong who are born human but worse than monsters, and there's Kang-chi who was born half-beast but has the heart and mind of a proper human being.

This episode was extremely I noticed you have some interesting questions, so I'll do my best to try and explain if it's okay.

You're right about #5. About #6, however: I somehow don't get the feeling that the shot was meant for Kang-chi. All Jo Gwan-woong ever did was see him as a major nuisance, and knows that the head honcho Lee Soon-shin is the one he really needs to get rid of. Like he's always done before, he most likely used Kang-chi as bait to lure out the person he wants to do away with. He's a dirty player through and through, and will always dig for ways to kill others without actually killing them himself. But you're right: History laughs at Jo Gwan-woong, because Lee Soon-shin doesn't ever fall to a coward like him. I have the sinking feeling that it may be Yeo-wool who got shot instead, as per the premonition that the monk told of ages ago: Kang-chi can heal himself like nothing, Lee Soon-shin...just no, and the any of the others wouldn't have as big an impact. The minion probably meant to aim for the admiral, but missed narrowly since it's the first time he's actually put the rifle to use. Yeo-wool was standing right in front of the admiral, if you noticed.

This episode was extremely anticlimactic, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow's finale. No, I don't think Yeo-wool or Kang-chi will die. I just think it would be cathartic on levels one can't even fathom, to be able to see Jo Gwan-woong meet his death at long last.

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applecookie

June 24, 2013 at 11:48 PM

I just realized at some point my paragraphs were repeated, and I have no idea how that happened?? Many apologies for the huge block of text!

I also forgot to mention: If it turns out that there IS indeed a Gu Family Book, and the last episode ends with Kang-chi finally setting off on his journey to find it or something, I'd be stinking mad. I really hope the producers don't get any bright ideas and try to pull that off...

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Kandiboo

June 24, 2013 at 11:55 PM

i'm not Korean, but from what I know 당신 dang shin translates into "you", but used either between a really close couple (ie husband and wife), or if you're being really sarcastic and horrible you address the other person with 당신. it can be really impolite, because if you're not close with the other party it's supposed to be XX-ssi.

example, see Phoenix 2004, there was a scene were SaeHoon (Lee SeoJin) addressed Ji-Eun (Lee EunJoo) with 당신 after the boating accident and JungMin (Eric Mun) was really shocked because they weren't supposed to know each other well (no one knew of their previous relationship), yet SaeHoon used the affectionate term.

I digress. Sorry :)

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applecookie

June 25, 2013 at 12:06 AM

Dang-shin does translate into "you" - I think we pretty much laid out the same two methods of using the term, though. If you read my comment, you'll notice that I said it's either used for
-people you don't know/aren't close to, which, you're correct in that it can come off as impolite and disrespectful, or
-married couples to refer to one another.

That's why friends won't use it among themselves, unless it's in jest (rarely) or for the sake of quoting someone else.

The Korean language can get pretty complicated at times, because there are multiple ways of saying "you", but for different types of audiences. 당신 is just one of them.

Ivoire

June 25, 2013 at 6:47 AM

Hello Kandiboo,
And thank you for responding! I love learning from others. Regarding your 2nd paragraph, I didn't think you digressed. I thought you gave me an example and showed me one of the ways in which "dang-shin" could be used. Your whole response made sense, thanks again.

Ivoire

June 25, 2013 at 6:36 AM

Hello applecookie,

And thank you so much for your long and detailed response. I so appreciate it. Your apologies are accepted, sometimes computers and technology do not do what we want them to do. I am known for writing long comments, and so I don't mind reading them from others. Yours was full of information (and good information at that), so you won't hear a complaint from me.

I am so glad you responded, because I was able to see this ep. (and this drama to an extent) through your eyes. I too look forward to today's finale, which will start in about 15 or 20mns in Korea (it will have started, by the time I post this response). I am curious about many things, and I mostly want to see how things are resolved, and how many bows will be neatly tied, and how many plot points will be left opened (or unresolved). I am also looking forward to JGW's demise, although I do think that him simply dying would be doing him a favor. He needs to suffer and experience pain (both emotional and physical) for a very long time, and I don't know if I will get that, so oh well...

Thank you for explaining "Dang-shin" to me. I read about it last weekend, and it was part of a very long thread on kinship terminology in Korea and in Kdramas. The blogger wrote an exhaustive and very informative piece, and I skimmed through it, planning on coming back to read it many times over, later (and any time I would need to come back to it to understand a kinship term used in a drama, such as how the older brother's wife is called, etc...). I remembered "Dang-shin" because the heroine in the King of Dramas kept addressing Kim Myung-min's character in that way (I can't remember the characters' names right now, sorry) and that stayed with me. I always wondered what that word meant.
I was therefore a little surprised when I heard it (the word) being used here, and I thought I would ask.

Regarding my point #4, do you remember the pointed glance LSS gave Kageshima when he went to see JGW? Since I saw the ep. raw, I thought that meant something, and it made me think that maybe Kageshima might be on the Koreans' side, after all. Based on your explanations though, it seems that I was/might be wrong.

Regarding my #6 point, thank you also for reminding me that LSS was actually the target (and that he has always been, as far as JGW is concerned), and not KC. I kind of knew that, and I temporarily forgot. You explained it really well, and you made a lot of sense.

You know, I remember reading that comment about the GFB not being a book per se, and more of state of mind/attitude towards life kind of thing as well, a few weeks ago. I bought into that argument at the time, but I became puzzled because the show kept bringing up that book (mentioning it), so now I am really curious... (and a little puzzled). I would also add to your comment by saying that not only is KC needed and irreplaceable, he is also a much better human being than people like JGW and his minions were, and much better (KC is) than they will ever be.

I also agree with you that this ep. was quite anticlimatic. Now we can just put it behind us. I was wondering when this writer would drop the ball, and she certainly did with this ep.

Question for you: why would you be mad if KC sets out on a journey to find the GFB? Would it be because they talked about it during the whole drama and never did anything about it?
I hope you will get to read and see this comment, and that you will also get a chance/have the time to read my comments for ep. 24. I will have some questions, and I am thinking that you might be able to help me understand some things, yet again.

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vendy

June 25, 2013 at 7:19 AM

dafuuu....how do you guys write so much? @_@ each comment feels like novel or something

ilikemangos

June 25, 2013 at 11:22 AM

LMAAO @ vendy's comment.

Fyri

June 25, 2013 at 8:03 PM

Maybe the Gu Family Book is not about being an actual human by having the heart of a human?

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Ivoire

June 24, 2013 at 10:58 PM

I also thought it was interesting that KC said (in his head), "I should have told you more, how much I like you" and YW said (in her head), "I should have told you more, how much I love you." Love and like are not really interchangeable (I don't think). Maybe for them, they are.

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djeedjes

June 24, 2013 at 11:50 PM

Dear Ivoire, I want to ask you out of curiosity...
what do you after by posting only "Thanks" as soon as an article came out?
I noticed you did leave lengthy comments afterwards ( like 1-2hrs later ), but why?

Am interested to know...

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reg

June 25, 2013 at 12:10 AM

She writes "Thanks" once the recap is out to save her spot so she can come back after viewing the episode, reply to her own comment, and not be #121 or # 79, etc, I believe.

Basically cutting the queue.

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vendy

June 25, 2013 at 7:21 AM

lol everyone's fighting for a spot in this place...ridiculous. XD

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kkaojga

June 25, 2013 at 7:43 AM

^true haha

ilikemangos

June 25, 2013 at 11:25 AM

lol yep.

for a show this popular it doesn't matter if someone reads you at #1 or #120.
Someone will have read your comment.

Ivoire

June 25, 2013 at 8:03 AM

Hello Djes,

I do believe "Thanks!" is a comment, just like some beanies leave "yes!" or something like this :-) (or "yay") as a comment. Some comments can be one sentence (or longer), and some comments can be short.
My first comments on this drama have usually been short, just wanting to quickly thank the recapper for the recap. I don't reply to my comment later on, I just add more under my screen name. To do that, I have to use the reply option. I would also say that I have not been the only one to do that, on this site.

I have been engrossed in this drama, as my lengthy comments have shown. I have yet to hear from the moderators and administrators of this site that they have an issue with the length of my comments, whether they be in a recap, movie section or on OT (Open Thread). As a result, I have also gotten some very interesting responses and I have had some really good discussions/conversations with some of the beanies, which I have greatly appreciated, truly. I have learned a lot (seriously), in the process (about Korean culture and to an extent about the Asian culture as well, the language, etc...)

I have seen conversations go on and go on on this site, again whether it is in a recap or on OT or in some of the other sections. People sometimes go back and forth, until there is nothing more to be said about a topic or one of them bows out of the conversation.
In that same respect, if I have more thoughts to add to my previous thoughts, I simply add them (under my screen name). I very often come back and read my and others' comments, and I am reminded of what I have learned, and of why I appreciate Kdramas.

Interestingly also, I have been accused of asking "dumb" questions at times, just to get people's sympathy, and for praising (too much) the people who take their time to respond to my comment. That comment got a good laugh out of me, and I regretted being so busy at the time that I couldn't answer.

I feel that it would be a lot of plotting on my part to act in such a manner to try and get the sympathy of beanies, many of whom (or better yet most of whom) I will never meet. All I do, if one reads my comments carefully is greet the person (with a "hello" or a "hi"), and thank the person for their question or their response. I feel that they don't have to read my comments (which can be lengthy, but not always), and they don't have to respond. What is so bad about being thankful and expressing it? If I were to ever meet them, I would act the same (express my gratitude and greet them first).

it is nice and good that some beanies do not feel the need to ask "dumb" questions. As far as I am concerned, there are no such things as dumb questions. If I don't know something or I have some doubts, I would rather ask than assume. Isn't it part of why we come to sites such as this one? I know that is part of why I do, and I have gotten some really good answers in the process, and others beanies (I found out) have learned from my questions as well, so it was not all a waste.

I have learned so much from participating and reading this site, and that always leaves me thankful. When I respond to other beanies' questions or give them helpful links and they express their gratitude, I totally understand how they feel, I have been there many times, and I am still there.

I hope I have answered your question...

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Kelly

June 25, 2013 at 10:30 AM

I agree with you that there's nothing wrong with asking questions, however dumb they may be. There's nothing wrong with expressing gratitude either. But with all due respect, replying to your own comment is simply cutting the queue, as many others have pointed out with gd analogies in the previous pages which I'm pretty sure you are aware of.

You and I and many on here know that that's what have been annoying others the most, not your so-called dumb questions (haven't come across any, and I don't believe there are any), or your long comments. It's the basic etiquette of a discussion. Your argument that others have been doing the same (- very few, I would say) doesn't make it any less rude.

Hope you do give it some thought!

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re

June 25, 2013 at 2:03 PM

Totally agree w/ Kelly that length or number of questions isn't the issue. It's showing some courtesy by posting in the order that you line up in. Adding to your own comment later b/c you forgot something isn't an issue either.

Frankly, I would be embarrassed to do what you (Ivoire) have been doing each and every time. I would feel bad for cutting others in line.

3 judepps

June 24, 2013 at 8:11 PM

Thanks GF for the recap..Off to read..

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4 Mystisith

June 24, 2013 at 8:21 PM

Empty and out of subject episode. Clearly a filler, watched in 15 mins. This is not what I wish but I bet on a lukewarm Final: Simple wedding to mirror the one of the parents?

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 10:45 AM

Great big frothy whipped up frappe of stupid.
Noble idiocy, recycled plot, recycled locations, more recycled plot, more illogical, out-of-character actions simply to set up some tug-at-the-heartstrings gesture on Kang Chi's part.
I can't believe the ham-handed writing, so many good set-ups ignored, left to die on the vine, or finished in some totally lame way - Chung Jo sees the error of her ways and tearfully begs them to save Yeo Wool. Really? All those trials and tribulations, the epic set-up, and all she gets to do is beg for the life of Mary Sue?
I can't believe that this is the same writer who wrote Dal Ja's Spring, which had such quirky yet believable characters who behaved, if not logically, then at least true to themselves.

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5 zakin89

June 24, 2013 at 8:22 PM

Well at least the cliffhanger was great :D

I was soooo looking forward to the final week and I just really hope that the last episode does a better job than this one...

As for the whole Gon stabbing > my thoughts: And if you people dare to kill him off I break up with the drama :P Gon just can't die! Period^^

As for who got shot...My guess is, that it's Yeo Wool but we'll know for sure in a couple of hours^^

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hawaiianseoul

June 24, 2013 at 8:58 PM

That's my guess too!

It's either her or it was Lee Soon Shin. But Kang Chi will end up saving him anyway, so all is well. :')

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judepps

June 24, 2013 at 9:08 PM

If YW is the one who had been shot.. Its impossibe for KC to cure her with his blood since as it is clearly stated by rules by the Monk in epi 22 i think..KC can only save the people lives ONCE.. with his blood. still im hoping for a happy ending PDnim,,yet im fully aware that your soo brutal and heartless too!

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Cupcake

June 25, 2013 at 3:52 AM

If YW got shot, KC could not save her but can Daddy WR save her then if we wakes him up?

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KDaddict

June 24, 2013 at 9:07 PM

From the looks on their faces and the position they are standing, I'd say it's YW who's shot. If it was LSS, the other 2 guys wouldn't be looking like that. KC can simple save LSS w his blood. But it's YW, so her 3 admirers are going nuts. Right?

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KDaddict

June 24, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Plus there is the voice over of their saying:
Why didn't I tell you more often how much I like you.
Why didn't I hug you more often. etc.
That should take place after she is shot, right?

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Mini Roo

June 25, 2013 at 1:57 AM

yea, when characters say things like that, doesn't it usually raise the death flag xD

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Ivoire

June 25, 2013 at 3:44 AM

But haven't they been doing that (speak to each other, but in their own heads) a few times (or at least a couple of times) in the drama before? When in ep. 17 KC found YW (after he fought WR), didn't he tell her in his head (and in his heart) that she was the most precious person to him? And he only indicated that to her/told her later on (ep. 18?) when he gave her the back hug?
Also, when SH and YW have been in danger and they have called for WR or KC, didn't they do that in their head as well, and somehow WR and KC heard them? (Based on KC and WR's reactions, it seemed that they heard them).

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6 lemondoodle

June 24, 2013 at 8:22 PM

Yeah, kind of a pointless episode. Enjoyed it, but probably not the best way they could spend their time. There is so much left to do and now only one episode to actually do it. Now I seriously worry the actual journey part of the story won't happen until the end (and we'll never actually see it).

Kangchi got over his issues without her being kidnapped so most of the episode wasn't even necessary. And seriously how does GW get away with all this? He kidnapped someone and is blatant about it and there are no consequences.

I don't think daddy can push the engagement after he basically gave up on her and I don't think TS will do anything (and what about his final test!?). Though since KC and YW have been making out and being lovey dovey while she was engaged I never took it that seriously since they didn't either.

Though now I feel I less hate (I guess?) for Master Dam for all those times he wanted to kill Kangchi. It wasn't personal since ya know, he just gave up his own flesh and blood for no reason too.

I'm still anxious for the end because I'm really invested in Kangchi actually having a day without a traumatic experience for once, but I've mostly given up on the side characters getting any conclusion to their ongoing storylines.

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 10:55 AM

I am beginning to wonder if there isn't a theme here - I'm reaching, because this show is fairly shallow and cartoonish - about the relative worth of women in Joseon society. We've seen that at some point, every women character in this show is disposable; not worth saving except by some hotheaded kid who doesn't know any better. Both Yeo Wool and Chung Jo were first slated for marriages to advance the fathers' alliances.
In Chung Jo's case, Tae Seo was taken under the wing of Master Dam and the school, while the mother was left a slave and Chung Jo sent to be a gisaeng.
In Yeo Wool's case, the marriage didn't seem to be panning out so the father abandoned her when it became necessary, in his eyes, to do so.
The other two female characters were both subjugated by men and only got their way by stealth, threatening suicide, or waiting until the men died to finally get their way. A surprisingly realistic depiction of the lot of women in those times.

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arugula

June 25, 2013 at 2:34 PM

I like this idea!

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7 bibapr57

June 24, 2013 at 8:24 PM

It's sad, I just finished watching it... I felt it was SLOW.. And I almost never felt that with the pace of the show... We're never getting to see the Book are we? LOL THANKS GF

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bibapr57

June 24, 2013 at 8:41 PM

I forgot: I agree with the whole thing that should not be done in the 2nd to last episode... Really? Kidnapping for no reason? Wasting 45 min of the last two hours of the drama in a STUPID story line that in the end I think will not contribute a whole lot to the story... WOW!!!!

At this point I'm not expecting much, just like 3rd Gen Noodle House, I expected an ending that was half satisfying and that's what I got. Sadly even though I had high hopes for a GREAT ending, I'm not holding out for it.

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KDaddict

June 24, 2013 at 9:04 PM

It's a weak run-up to the finish.

The kidnap only allows KC to go into that speil abt how he doesn't need to be human if he can't even save YW, but we already knew that. And it allows CJ to hear his speech and regret not having appreciated KC's love for what it was when she had it. But we already knew that she wasted what could have been a love of a lifetime.

So this ep is nothing but a filler. As a matter of fact, everything that has happened after KC's parents' death feels like a filler.

After 23 eps, poor Gon's hair is still a mess. What an injustice to a perfectly good-looking actor. Fire that stylist!

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owl

June 24, 2013 at 9:24 PM

Yeah what about the Book, anyhoot? I hope I hope it isn't going to be some sappy saying like "you don't have to look any farther than your own backyard to realize that there's no place like home." Pleeeeze, not the sap.

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Lynnnnn

June 25, 2013 at 9:34 AM

Would be a little awkward for a drama to be called "Gu's Family Book" and took two generations of gumihos to try and find it, only to never appear throughout the whole show?
Anyhow, I have an inkling that we'll most probably never see the book, or perhaps just a quick glimpse towards the ending.
I actually fast forwarded most of the last 4-5 episodes; the progress was too slow and pointless at some points.
This would have been much better as a 16 or 20 episode drama.

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bcook

June 25, 2013 at 6:52 PM

I'm thinking the Book is a McGuffin. It just moves the plot along and gives KC something to aspire to/explains his motives etc.

**McGuffin is a term Alfred Hitchcock came up with to describe something that helps move a movie along but doesn't really do anything. e.g. GuFamBK, unobtanium, maltese falcon **

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8 snow_white

June 24, 2013 at 8:24 PM

thanks GF......I'm on ep 11.....looks like a long way to go....

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jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:21 PM

honestly, just read the recaps. there are far too few fun scenes to make it worth your while. it's mostly bummer sauce.

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Ivoire

June 24, 2013 at 10:51 PM

Hello snow_white,

I think it depends on whether you are enjoying the show or not. I tried to marathon the drama over the weekend (I wanted to try what I have read others do :-) ), in anticipation of the finale and I didn't get as far as I was hoping to get (finish all 22 ep. before today). Part of it was due to problems I kept having with Viki, where I have been watching the show (and that was not helping).

Yeah, if you are on ep.11, you have quite a ways to go :-). And if you are anything like me (I watch every scene and replay some of them), you are in for a long haul.

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9 carpediem101

June 24, 2013 at 8:26 PM

thanks so much for all the recaps!

i agree. this episode was a lot of: been there done that. i think the writer got a bit lazy or rushed. or both.

going more in depth with CJ or other characters with any degree of justice might have taken too long. and the engagement is basically moot at this point.

i wish they had spend more time on KC's humanity or journey or whatever, but i guess the writer has a magical quick fix that will resolve it all within one hour.

as for the cliffhanger, it's just about the only thing this ep did correctly. unfortunately, so many spoilers have been leaked, and if they're accurate, the suspense has been ruined. i just want to know how they'll wrap up this story.

i guess in one sense, Gon finally got a bit more air time. but the dad basically became a loser :/ he needs to loosen up a bit. yeesh.

and yeah, i do agree that KC probably learned the err of ways after speaking to LSS. the whole abduction was obviously just filler drama. drama for the sake of drama.

so sad.

i would have much rather filled the hour with fluff than has-been drama. there is no more KC-YW after tomorrow as it is.

hoping tomorrow will be much better. KC and YW deserve a good ending.

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10 Miss Grumpy

June 24, 2013 at 8:27 PM

I'm so glad you chose to continue on recapping this series. Kudos for your patience. You actually gave the drama more dept and intensity it never had but should have had. I am happy this hot mess is ending, even pretty people like Suzy or LSG isn't enough to save it from sinking.

As far as Monday-Tuesday goes.. I think I will be sticking to Cruel City (Heartless City). Hopefully by the ending of Jang Ok Jung and Gu Family Book that insanely good but extremely underrated drama will have a boost in rating.

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shinhyesungluv

June 24, 2013 at 8:42 PM

I hope for the same with Heartless City. The drama isn't underrated... it's underviewed. But then again, with cable, it's hard to tell exactly how many audiences there are since so many people would rather just watch the show online instead of paying for cable.

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ilikemangos

June 24, 2013 at 8:57 PM

yeah, i agree. Not so much underrated but moreso a lack of viewers. ive heard mostly good reviews for that show with the occasional rare comment saying something bad about it but not really elaborating.

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ilikemangos

June 24, 2013 at 8:59 PM

Just realized i put two opposite words right next to each other. lol

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Miss Grumpy

June 25, 2013 at 3:03 AM

In speaking of ratings, I am talking about viewership ratings not critical reviews. Granted that is a cable drama which generally has less viewers but compare to others I think it deserved more.

I just hope and pray it doesn't end up with a bust.. Many dramas started with a bang and went down hill from midway through.

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sisterlulu

June 25, 2013 at 10:54 AM

Agreed. This mess has dragged on way too long and I'm happy to see it ending, tho after this episode I don't really want to watch. I don't know what happened to this show, but it's been downhill since episode 2.

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11 Rashell

June 24, 2013 at 8:33 PM

Sadly the answer to this question has been there all drama long. It's the writing. It has always limited this drama from its full potential. The set up is great. The actors have been doing well, in some cases much better than expected, with the material. The issue is that you can only act what's written and this writing has been predictable and sometimes lazy for pretty much the whole drama. We've recycled plots multiple times. We've had characters making decisions that make no logical sense just to move the plot point forward.

I've enjoyed this drama and even been touched by some it mostly the initial love story of mom and dad. But it's not going to be a favorite. And that is all due to poor writing because the rest really was there. Hopefully the finale will give some sense of satisfaction. This episode was a waste.

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12 thay

June 24, 2013 at 8:34 PM

As much as i love GFB,i agree with you that they should've not done that in ep.23..i hope the finale will turn the table and it will have good ending..

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13 Soup

June 24, 2013 at 8:38 PM

I always hate how the female lead ALWAYS become sooooo weak sauce.... I don't get it? :( They start off as amazing, strong, and incredible likable to only become a wallflower.

*sigh.

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Hmm...

June 24, 2013 at 8:54 PM

I'm going argue that Suzy's character hasn't changed.

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Tartani

June 24, 2013 at 9:38 PM

Well she was drugged so she wasn't a complete damsel in distress.

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14 ilikemangos

June 24, 2013 at 8:44 PM

on the upside, for someone that has dropped gfb a while back and really only looking at screen shots, suzy looks like shes really emoting in that screenshot you posted before the voiceover

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15 klmeri

June 24, 2013 at 8:51 PM

If Gon had died, I would have quit the show. Well, that's not entirely true - I've pretty much quit the show already but I would have stopped reading these recaps too! I don't know why, but Gon is my favorite of all of them (except daddy!gumiho of course). He's dumb about YW but the rest of the time I can appreciate him.

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klmeri

June 24, 2013 at 8:56 PM

Also, I am betting LSS got shot. He's the man the villain ultimately wants to take down. Why shoot low when you can aim high? :P

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16 kdramapedia

June 24, 2013 at 8:52 PM

*phew* While watching I felt like maybe I just didn't get the episode, but no, I was correct in thinking it was lackluster. I didn't even like the cliffhanger. Maybe if I had cared about what happened to the characters through out the episode I would've.

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sisterlulu

June 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM

I felt the same about the cliffhanger, it's just like really? We know neither of them are going to die, so what's the point? Ooooh, make sure you watch tomorrow so you'll find out who gets shot and saved this time. Ridiculous.

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kdramapedia

June 25, 2013 at 12:40 PM

It's the same plot over and over: Someone gets attacked in an obvious way, they almost die, Kang-Chi to the rescue, Kang-Chi learns lesson about being a human. There isn't even an overarching story between these mini rescues; just more of the same. The finale is going to be so contrived and tied together in a little bow.

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17 Noelle

June 24, 2013 at 8:52 PM

Shit it's Gon... It's totally Gon. He probably jumped in front of somebody like a boss... WHHHHHHYYYYYYYY!

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klmeri

June 24, 2013 at 8:59 PM

I'm pretty sure if Gon jumps in front to take the bullet he's not going to get a second save by the writers. So let's hope not!

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18 Jinsight

June 24, 2013 at 8:52 PM

You know, his comment to her about loving only "one woman" would mean more if Chung Joo weren't living testament that he has not, in fact, loved only one woman.

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bibapr57

June 24, 2013 at 8:58 PM

in this case I think CJ was more of a crush, he grew up with her and it was natural and comfortable for him to like her, but ultimately YW was the one who won his complete feelings and heart.

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lenny

June 24, 2013 at 10:40 PM

In my observation, YW is KC's first love and not CJ, remember the scenes when they are still children? What happened between KC and CJ and why the first protected the latter was just an act of duty as a filial adopted "son" of the head of the Inn, notning more, nothing less.

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hhisc

June 25, 2013 at 1:09 PM

no CJ is his first love, just because they moved apart, does not make it less real.

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KDaddict

June 25, 2013 at 5:29 AM

I agree w Babs and lenny.
The seed for love was there. If she had wanted to run away w him, he probably would have. And if CJ had reacted not so negatively to KC's transformation, their relationship could have grown into sth more meaningful and mature. Love has to be nurtured. It was CJ who threw it away before it had a chance to blossom. She never gave KC a chance. She was going to marry the 1st guy her father arranged for her.

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KDaddict

June 25, 2013 at 1:20 PM

I'm speaking in terms of the story. You guys are speaking in terms of the actresses.

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:14 AM

I'd agree with Babs and lenny if it weren't for the fact that the acting makes it feel like KC and YW are the teenage crush, while KC and CJ are the Epic Love That Cannot Be (back when they had a thing).

I don't know why I'm still watching, but frankly, this is one case where the casting would have been better if the actresses switched roles (though of course idol casting means that would not happen).

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 11:03 AM

I agree, pogo. I think the acting made it appear that there was more going on between Kang Chi and Chung Jo than the writer intended. And really, There is so little sexual chemistry between Suzy and LSG that buying their relationship as the be-all and the end-all is a bit of a stretch...take away one halfway decent kiss and all that's left is lots of cuteness.

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sisterlulu

June 25, 2013 at 11:05 AM

YAS. THIS. LSG and Suzy just do not cut it together, and the writing def doesn't make that better.

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kdramapedia

June 25, 2013 at 12:43 PM

I also agree. The casting for this was off. Suzy is not a strong actress, especially next to LSG.

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hhisc

June 25, 2013 at 1:11 PM

THANK YOU FELLOW VIEWERS WHO SPEAK THE TRUTH

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19 yumii

June 24, 2013 at 8:54 PM

Thanks.

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20 loveydovey

June 24, 2013 at 8:55 PM

Lately I can't seem to help but fast forward through this show. I sort of don't care what happens with the main pairing at this point...I've tried but just can't seem to feel the chemistry between them. Love Suzy, but not feeling the way her character is played. I think the love story of WR and SH overshadowed everything else for me, sadly. I still care about KC becoming a human, but it doesn't look like the characters do *shrugs*.

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21 crazykel

June 24, 2013 at 8:58 PM

Although I enjoyed watching the episode, I too had issues with the whole "kidnapping" scene. It wasn't necessary at all to the plot. The only thing it set up was all of these characters in this place, but that could have been done in a different and more inventive way.

Also, I thought the show was going to pull an episode 19 of City Hunter on us and I wasn't ready to go through that again with Gon, who has somehow managed to worm his way into my heart recently. I would have been disappointed to see that happen, so I'm glad that KC was able to save him.

What I did like most about the episode was its cliffhanger ending. That, at least, was done well, as was KC's and LSS' s speeches. I can't wait for the ending tomorrow! Thanks for the recap! ♥

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22 dedew jjng

June 24, 2013 at 9:03 PM

thanks a lot...
i hope the finale happy ending...<3

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23 Sajen

June 24, 2013 at 9:09 PM

I wonder if there's any chance we can go to Korea find the incense from Nine but instead of 20 years only go back a few months and kidnap or get the writer fired somehow and then get a better writer hired to replace her/him/it.

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Dongsaeng killer

June 24, 2013 at 9:48 PM

LMAO!!!!!!

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KDaddict

June 24, 2013 at 9:58 PM

Great idea. We can then do that to a WHOLE bunch of drama writers.

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24 jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:18 PM

this show is so dang poorly directed that it's a shame. a good director knows how to hide the faults of his actors/writers but this guy only highlights them with all his choices. the beginning of this series showed so much promise that it really annoys me that it's turned out this way. Many times over the course of this run I have quit watching in favor of reading the recap (thanks for taking the punishment for the rest of us). This would have been a really great drama if they stuck with the parents epic love story and not tried to shoe horn this into actual history vis a vis Lee Soon Shin.

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25 kyl

June 24, 2013 at 9:18 PM

I watched it 10 minutes in and had to tamp down my annoyance a lot. Why Kang-chi is a noble idiot, why Yeo-wool got kidnapped (again! Grrr), why she became a damsel in distress incapable of sensing danger, why they are always in a rescue mission at 100 Year Inn, why they wasted Chung-jo and Tae-seo's characters, just WHY. I kinda have the feeling the writer found a way to make the story revolve around Yeo-wool and Kang-chi's reaction to whatever happens to her lately. I root for their happily ever after, but let's face it: Kang-chi has been stuck for 13 episodes trying (or not) to find a way to control himself in order to become human, largely in part because of Yeo-wool. I get it, she is his human bracelet and all, but the writer has been spending a lot of time for Kang-chi and Yeo-wool be cute together and in the end, I forgot whatever progress they might have made along the way because the focus was on the cute. Yeo-wool is just there to be kidnapped and to be an object of 3 men's desire, nothing else. She was an interesting character, but ultimately she feels flat for me. The writing is the biggest flaw in this drama tbh. It's just sad.

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kdramapedia

June 25, 2013 at 4:22 PM

Even the human bracelet point is moot because he can control his transformations without her. She really has no substantial purpose anymore.

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26 owl

June 24, 2013 at 9:18 PM

"... (Tae-seo, Chung-jo, Soo-ryun), storylines that got dropped (engagement, anyone?) ...Jo Gwan-woong ...And why haven’t we killed him yet"

Yeah, ain't it the truth.

Just gotta say that Gon was so underutilized.

There was a best moment, when the young heroes-all surrounded the Admiral (who is my absolute fav character) to protect him. Though it didn't last long as a shot fires out~

Did anyone else recognize the Japanese Kageshima as Rei (boohiss) from IRIS 2?

I really want to be able to do high kicks and saving others with my blood while blue moonbeams circle would be cool too.

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kumi

June 24, 2013 at 9:39 PM

For that we have to find the Book on how to become a gumiho ;)

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Miss Dory

June 25, 2013 at 6:37 AM

"Just gotta say that Gon was so underutilized."

There are definitely many out there who feel the same way as you do.

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27 Tartani

June 24, 2013 at 9:22 PM

Thanks for the recap. I have to agree that YW getting kidnapped was pointless. I was actually laughing a bit at the whole spiked iron ball and screaming. They could've gotten to the who got shot without reusing the kidnap hijinks. It was a pretty intense episode, but filler. I really wished they could've spent this time developing characters like CJ and Gon. Earlier on, she spent so much time on CJ, in which many began shipping CJ with KC but now, what the heck is she doing. What was the point of even setting her up to be a potential person that will lead to GW's downfall? What about TS's test? GW really should've been killed or arrested already and someone please crack his nuts and the nuts he's having so much fun playing with. What I wanted was a satisfying ending for all our characters but seems like we're not getting that unless the writer rushes tomorrow's episode crazily. Now let's hope at least our leads gets a satisfying ending they long deserved.

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28 jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:25 PM

also, Why is this show called the Gu Family Book? That plot point only encapsulates, what, 3 maybe 4 episodes? it should have been called "The Baby-ho Chronicles" or something to that effect, inasmuch as there is no real direction in the whole "lemme become human" front.

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owl

June 24, 2013 at 9:28 PM

I still kinda like Gu Gu dolls~

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jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:33 PM

I'll accept that, but it doesn't make it right!

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loveydovey

June 24, 2013 at 10:17 PM

What about "Gu Gu Power Rangers"?

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sisterlulu

June 25, 2013 at 11:09 AM

lol

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bibapr57

June 24, 2013 at 9:43 PM

Someone mentioned that the official title was Kang Chi's Beginning, which I don't believe. Either way that book angle was long gone sadly, and in reality it would have made a good show..

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jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:51 PM

That would have made more sense, and I agree with you. It's much more interesting if there is a path the hero must complete to accomplish his goal that is more that annoying the bad guy, who is annoying in his lack of creative ways to thwart the hero. So many missed opportunities here.

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KDaddict

June 24, 2013 at 10:02 PM

Why not? They change drama titles all the time. Some dramas go thru several title changes. For this one, they changed it Just before airing, so the title used in promotion sticks in ppl's minds. The station officially changed it to: Kang Chi, the beginning.

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bibapr57

June 25, 2013 at 12:04 AM

I'm sorry but I have searched and all I've found is Gu Fam Book or the Book of Nine Houses. No Kang CHi, th Beg.. I stick with Gu Fam Book Because even DB hasn changed the name and they tend to move with the show names and do pretty accurate translations of show titles.

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KDaddict

June 25, 2013 at 5:32 AM

@Babs, Hi, If you go to the MBC website and click on this drama, you'd see that they give the title in Korean, Japanese and Chinese as Gu Family Book, but all the while splashing across the poster in English, "Kang Chi, the Beginning".

pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:19 AM

@KAddict - I think that is the tagline for the series, not the title.

To take a Western example, The X-Files was promoted with the tagline 'The Truth Is Out There.'. That doesn't mean the title of the show is The Truth Is Out There!

KDaddict

June 26, 2013 at 2:54 AM

@pogo,
koreandrama.org changed the title of the show to Kang chi, the Beginning, shortly b4 its premiere. PPl got confused and asked what was happening. Admin there said MBC emailed them asking them to change the title thus.
This whole show is a case of WTF, so that little fiasco is right in line w everything else.

ilikemangos

June 24, 2013 at 9:51 PM

LOL.

Based on people's reactions, there is not yet a gu family book to be seen. Yet, show decides its name shall be precisely that?
How ironic. Such a shame that the most promising plot thread (kang-chi's quest to become human) seems to have not been developed at all.

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29 Claudia

June 24, 2013 at 9:35 PM

I have to say this but i think Lee Seung Gi has broken a record in the crying department in this drama. i feel like i should be sending him bottles of water cause he is bound to be suffering from dehydration after this 24 episode crying fest. he wasn't the best crier when he was starting out but damn it's like the flood gates opened and no one can shut them now lol. he has become quite good at it though so i can't complain. aside from that after watching this episode i kind of fear the very customer rush rush ending were happiness is found in the last five minutes.

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CaroleMcDonnell

June 25, 2013 at 9:12 AM

"Broken a record in the whole crying department" <-- LOL! My first big laugh of the day.

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30 Nell

June 24, 2013 at 9:37 PM

Pretty sad that the hunt for the book will be in the final episode. At this point, I'm just expecting him to find the book at the Inn. Smh

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MEalways

June 25, 2013 at 2:49 AM

Hihihi... everytime anyone mentions 'the BOOK', my mind goes wandering to Sun Wukong - except he is a monkey and this one half fox. Especially, above there's a mention that this one was 'Kang Chi's Beginning'.

Imagine that the plot goes by YW got shot, could not be resurrected, KC gets so broken hearted, he starts going around the world looking for the book and becomes one of the Gods....

Kekeke... imagine how many '@#.???=x!z%$!!!' goes around. Pardon my languages, madames and madamoiselle....

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31 Kitzeekat

June 24, 2013 at 9:38 PM

Thank you gf :-)

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32 Cheryl

June 24, 2013 at 9:39 PM

I cheered out loud when YW said, "Everyone dies". THANK YOU!

The expression on Gon's face when he sees YW sobbing after KC walks away from her. Aww, you sweet boy. I hope you live a long, happy life with a wife who adores you--and thanks to KC, he'll have that chance. I was ready to not only break up with the show, but swear a hit out on it when I thought Gon was being killed off for NO GOOD REASON AT ALL DIE SHOW DIE.

Chung Jo was totally wasted as a character. They could have done so much more with her, shown her picking herself back up and becoming more than she used to be. What we got was half-baked and meh. :(

I agree with your conclusions about this episode. It was basically a waste of an hour when they can't afford to waste an hour, but it did end with a good cliffhanger. WHAT ABOUT THE DAMN ENGAGEMENT? GEEZ! Seriously, it irritates the hell out of me no one is acting like YW and TS are engaged. Where are the reactions when KC makes his feelings for YW clear in front of others? Why hasn't YW been kvetching about it or bringing it up to KC? Why didn't he use it as a reason to break things off with YW? xp Lazy writing!

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jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 9:43 PM

Chung Jo was just one of a myriad of wasted opportunities, and it's sad since the actress playing her had some depth. More and more all I'm seeing is lots of set up and no delivery.

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Tartani

June 24, 2013 at 9:49 PM

I think PJ was just afraid that YW would die in the beginning and tried to use TS as an excuse to break them up. TS was denying all marriage proposals earlier on so I think PJ just made up the betrothal. Now that he sees he can't break them up, he kind of just tosses it aside. I wish the writer could've went further with obstacles to break them up, especially since one of them is human and the other half beast, but nope. Doesn't stop the fact that it's still lazy writing.

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Fidelity

June 24, 2013 at 10:01 PM

I also mourn how much Chungjo's character was wasted since she could have been such a good foil to Yeowol's character; a jaded noblewoman living as a giseng vs. an idealistic tomboy, both exceeding what Joseon expected of women but in different ways. It would have polished the theme of fighting social expectations, etc, etc. Lee Yoobi ran away with the character too.

lol@piñata

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:25 AM

Lee Yoobi ran away with the character too.

I suspect that was a part of why she was so wasted in the second half of the show, the second lead can't be allowed to outshine the lead (and she did, easily. Which shocked me, after I was so irritated by her in Nice Guy)

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 11:11 AM

You can try and manipulate a cast to meet the expectations of your backers, the money men, and the demographics people, but ultimately talent rises to the surface. My favorite characters in this show were Gon, Chung Jo, Sooryung, and Lee Soon Shin, the parts that were acted with depth and sensitivity by actors trying to get the most out of what they were given. Sung Joon, especially, made some excellent lemonade out of the lemon of a role he was given.

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hhisc

June 25, 2013 at 1:17 PM

My thinking is the same, tho I did not see Nice Guy, but her and SG had great chemistry, LOL, woulda, coulda, shoulda is all I can say.

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bambledd

June 24, 2013 at 11:42 PM

But why do I get the feeling she got in the way of the bullet or will risk her life to save another and end up dying?...

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bibapr57

June 25, 2013 at 12:06 AM

I got that same feeling!

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33 AJ

June 24, 2013 at 9:41 PM

The only scene that mattered to me in this episode was Gon's almost death experience. And all I kept thinking about while I was watching the ninjas stab him was "If this is the second Lee Seung Gi drama that kills of my bromance buddy for no reason right before the end, I might have to consider divorcing LSG dramas all together!" Magic healing power for the win!!!!

Now I have to wait 24 hours to find out if Gon was the one shot and is out chances to be saved.

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:28 AM

Pretty much. After SUFBB and Can We Get Married, this role is such a MASSIVE downgrade for Sung Joon, I want to laugh at the people who said this paltry role was better for him than being the lead of his own show, even if it was on cable.

That said, I enjoy Gon very much, especially in scenes with Kang-chi, but I just don't see why he's even necessary to begin with, unless it's to provide one more guy to be in love with Mary-sue - oops, I meant Yeo-wool.

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 11:12 AM

LOL! Totally agree!

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AJ

June 25, 2013 at 12:54 PM

AGREED!!!!! Sung Joon deserves so much more than this after SUFBB. I hope he gets a role in the near future that makes him shine, and utilizes all his talents. That being said, I still like looking at him, and do not his character to die (even if he is pointless).

I still have a bad taste in my mouth from Shi-kyung dying in K2H, and for a second I was afraid we were heading in the same direction again. I am still hoping for the best for tonights ending, but after last night my expectaions have droped significantly.

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Fyri

June 25, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Sort of makes you wish that KC is the one that is shot, since he will probably survive unless the bullet has some mystical properties or something like that.

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34 Quinze

June 24, 2013 at 9:45 PM

Y'know I've watched this drama faithfully up until this point but last week's break up scene had me feeling meh mostly because I didn't actually believe we'd have an actual break up.
Then I sort of forgot this drama ends this week.

In any case I started to watch this- got up to the fakeout and just sort of lost interest. I've loved this show up until now even when I KNOW it has it's fair share of flaws but I agree, the tension just felt sapped. I was momentarily tense for Gon but 1. the guy is supposed to be a badass sword fighter and 2. I was more like "KC get yo butt up here and do your healing thing so Gonnie can have his turn!"

Past that, I'm disappointed they dropped Chung Jo's relevance completely.

We never got a Gu Book adventure- I'm guessing it's a Gu Phamplet if it's got so little relevance they're going to wait til the last episode to maybe mention it?

I'm disappointed we wasted time with stupid riddles about finding yourself that would have held way more weight if you'd focused on all 3 or 4 in the first part of your drama so you could divide the rest of the episodes into more plot relevant threads.

Just looking back there was a LOT of meandering and slowness while light and fluffy fun took time away you could have dedicated to fleshing out the story and characters more. The really interesting characters just got pushed back for this tangent with General Soon Shin and the Japanese and the Evil one-note villain.
*SIGH*
So much potential wasted. :\

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skelly

June 25, 2013 at 11:13 AM

Gu pamphlet...!!! Coffee all over the keyboard, thanks to you

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Quinze

June 25, 2013 at 8:12 PM

lol I hope your keyboard survived!

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35 anna

June 24, 2013 at 9:50 PM

LOL the piñata of death scene! I had to pause the video and laughed for a whole minute before continuing. Are they going for most creative villain death trap? So silly.

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36 LN

June 24, 2013 at 9:52 PM

Nice cliffhanger!!
Thanks for the recap!

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37 honeydew

June 24, 2013 at 9:56 PM

"It’s a giant death ball, not a piñata, okay?!"

Hahahahhahahahahahahhahahahaha so funny!!!!!

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jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 10:00 PM

now that's funny.

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owl

June 24, 2013 at 10:08 PM

It looked like a low budget B movie Gladiator spiked cheese ball prop they dug up in some abandoned movie set basement.

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38 jakebot

June 24, 2013 at 10:01 PM

I want a death ball full of candy for my next birthday party.

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39 Ann

June 24, 2013 at 10:03 PM

The whole book thing is driving me nuts. I would think that the book would be even harder than finding it...if he found it in the last episode, how could he possibly do everything in it to become human? YW is supposed to die, I bet she was shot but something amazing saves her. What, I don't know. Honestly it is set up in a way there could be a second series, but I don't see that happening. This series to find the book, the next to do whatever is in the book.

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40 mysterious

June 24, 2013 at 10:04 PM

It's kind of sad that the most compelling storyline was that of Wol-ryung and Seo-hwa. I first started watching because of the rave reviews about Choi Jin-hyuk and his portrayal of Wol-ryung. He was beyond great. The episodes 3-12 were good too, but it wasn't until Wol-ryung returned in episode 13 that things really started cooking again for me. He was the best villain I have ever seen in a kdrama. You love him, fear him, love him again, pity him and then miss him. Any scene with him was a winner for me, even if all he did was smile an evil smile or stare intensely. Choi Jin-hyuk's portrayal of Wol-ryung was dead on; he could interact with anyone and make the scene pop. Now that he is gone, a lot of the magic is gone as well. Let's just hope the finale has some umph to it. As girlfriday said, they could have done so much with this episode but didn't. The finale better be good or I'm just going to pretend ep 23 and 24 don't exist and in my mind the show will be over after Wol-ryung and Seo-hwa are laid to rest in the Moonlight Garden.

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WrSh

June 25, 2013 at 5:49 AM

I totally disagree, I liked CJH in other modern dramas but his portrayal as the papa Gumiho totally turned me off. What with the hair covering one side of the face, he looked effeminate to me, I cringe when he appeared in the drama. Well, no offense, totally my opinion only.

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mysterious

June 25, 2013 at 7:08 AM

Well long hair was common then, and besides, it probably wasn't up to him but the hair stylists and costume designers and maybe even the writers to make him have long hair in his face; maybe to give him a more mysterious look. The hair didn't bother me, but it was his acting, his portrayal of Wol-ryung that captured my heart. He went from playful, to vengeful, to heartbroken; not easy to transition from one emotion to another, but I think he did it extremely well.

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Jenna

June 25, 2013 at 8:10 AM

I agree, mysterious. For me, the first two episodes were the best. Kang chi's romance with Yeo wool just didn't resonate with me. Their love seemed too teen-agey crush-like especially all the cuteness in the midst of murder/mayhem.
The villain JGW is so one-dimensional he became a caricature of himself. Chung-jo's character had so much potential only to fizzle out like flat ginger-ale. I do feel that LSG worked his heart out to elevate the level of Suzy's acting.

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:42 AM

I agree, mysterious. Honestly speaking, the 'love story' was fairly shallowly written and could have done without the split-second character turnaround of Seo-hwa (at least tell us she hates and fears gumihos before she met WR, for goodness' sake!), but the actors had enough chemistry to really sell it, and Lee Yeon-hee did up her game a bit.

The story after the first half is just a mess. The kids just had the cute, but no spark, and all Lee Seung-gi's most intense looks are kind of wasted on Suzy.

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41 foulou

June 24, 2013 at 10:04 PM

I've pretty much dropped this drama entirely. Too makjang, too ordinary, too cliched.

Was expecting a true adventure filled with action-packed scenes and *some* historical touches. All I ever got was tireless back-and-forth makjang repetitive drama elements. Episodes were either filler or cute teenage bopper scenes halfway through the series (maybe even earlier than halfway).

In short: it's just like any other drama out there, masked with a fantasy element. The "fantasy" aspect was never exploited, and it lost its charm once everyone and their grandma pretty much knew Kang Chi was a gumiho. Dare I say they spent so much time lingering on that fact, given that it pretty much had no repercussions whatsoever in most of the episodes. Characters were forgotten, became irrelevant. What the hell happened to their original goal of clearing Lord Park's name?

Also, the KC-YW loveline was serviceable at best. They have *some* chemistry, but the setup was just blergh.

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reglest

June 24, 2013 at 10:24 PM

@foulou:
At least I have one thing to say: glad to see your comment foulou!!*hug*

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foulou

June 25, 2013 at 2:21 AM

Teehee. :)

I gave the drama a chance, reglest. Heck, I even defended it, and when I did it was still going along decently. Past couple of episodes were just bleh...too repetitive for my taste. Nothing really happens. You can literally cut out a lot of parts and would still end up with the same set up from the latest episode.

Why do I feel like this should've been a 16-episode drama? I feel like they could've totally cut some content. First half of drama = great. Might've had some flashes of boring every now and then. Last half = total meh. Seo Hwa came back after 20 years just to be as useless as ever?

Just...ugh.

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reglest

June 25, 2013 at 5:44 AM

I always wait for your comment, and pogo, and peridot, and many else. Yes, I do remember about your defense, and dear..it's not just you that think it'll be better as 16 episodes. me too, and many others too.

I found this story is jarring, some are great, especially the dialogue, reminds me with Inu Yasha so much, but inuyasha has no airing(life or publishing) span, so it can expand as wide as it can. The writing has great setup, but wasted here and there, or will it be better to say it's like stitching here and there? like covering something. I also doesn't favor the directing which is repeato-hullabo-angle go!

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM

foulou: I dropped it in the middle, then caught up again this week, but I just can't be bothered to watch it in time for the recap. I don't even know if I'll care enough to watch episode 24, or just read the recap for the mess and wasted potential it's likely to be.

And this: Was expecting a true adventure filled with action-packed scenes and *some* historical touches. All I ever got was tireless back-and-forth makjang repetitive drama elements.

This is the truth, for me too.

At least the soundtrack is nice, the composers of the background score - especially in the early part of the show - deserve credit for making this show less of a drag thanks to the nice musical cues.

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pogo

June 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM

foulou - Oh, and also I'm really, really angry at this drama's use of rape as a plot device to show how evil the villain is, while basically tossing the victim aside/making her story irrelevant. And this happens not once, but twice.

I'd take I Miss You over GFB for that, any day, at least that drama was less perfunctory in its treatment of rape.

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42 Andrea

June 24, 2013 at 10:16 PM

I'm... So dissapointed. I know this drama is not a masterpiece, and well, it has a lot of plotholes, writing and directing issues, even issues with the acting. Still, I've enjoyed it until now. (Checking out my brain cells, mostly.) But this episode felt like a filler episode and COME ON we are in the finale's week. What is worse is that it felt so clumsy, repetitive, and most of all, boring. (And let's not talk about the piñata and the awkward camera shot that had me cringing 'cause the zoom out (or was it in?) showing the Piñata of Doom That Is Not Really Gonna Kill Our Female Lead was SO BADLY SHOT. Jesus, even if you're liveshooting or whatever, there are standards.)

I seriously hope they turn this ship around. Give me something like last week's episodes, Show. They were overall good episodes. I will kick someone's ass if the finale makes me feel like I wasted (literally) a day of my life. Fix this, Show. Please.

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NYCNorma

June 24, 2013 at 10:21 PM

Agreed. I am almost afraid to watch the last episode, but one hopes for at least a grand finale.

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43 NYCNorma

June 24, 2013 at 10:19 PM

Somewhere between a "meh" and a sigh. I was hoping against hope after the beautiful way we saw our original couple reconnect and find their way to one another in the best tragic, operatic manner possible (man, that was a good cry), that we would see for the end something salvaged plot and character wise for the last two episodes. It was just not to be. I am doubly frustrated because a) there was so much potential for this show, and not one but several really intriguing plot lines got completely dropped and b) after building up YW to be an independent, feisty heroine, we leave her in the penultimate episode as the damsel in distress? Really? Is it just me or does it feel like the writer started out with some unique and original ideas and just let everything unravel? I haz a sad.

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44 Vincy

June 24, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Why do they always shot someone and make it a cliffhanger? Like City Hunter?

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45 ManDu

June 24, 2013 at 10:41 PM

I honestly think part of the reason why the writer got lazy with Gu Family Book is because he/she probably figured that the drama would have faithful fans regardless. Like many others said, there was a really strong set-up and everything was there, but just poor execution.

Regardless, I still enjoy the drama throughout the flaws. It may not be my favorite drama, but I don't think I'll regret watching it too much. I'm not too worried about the ending and it'll probably be satisfying. The drama at the very least is a fun watch, maybe not emotionally driving as other dramas, but entertaining at the very least.

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askmec

June 24, 2013 at 11:00 PM

totally agree with you. I'm not even surprised that the story turns out this way. Kinda expected this type of storyline from this same writer that wrote Man Of Honor & Baker King Kim Tak Goo.

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ManDu

June 24, 2013 at 11:12 PM

It makes me sad to think of what this drama could have been if there was a better writer :(. There was a lot of potential, just poor execution. Everyone did as much as they did with the characters given, unfortunately poor writing is the ultimate downfall. The beginning of the show was exceptionally well played out, just wish they kept the same momentum. Oh well, what's done is done. Definitely not the worse drama out there. I'd say a solid B.

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46 cheekbones

June 24, 2013 at 10:48 PM

Wow, a short recap. I was like, "that's it ?" Heh. Of course, we know why.

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47 JenJen

June 24, 2013 at 10:50 PM

Chungjo's appearance at this point in the story felt so random like an afterthought. We haven't been seeing her for pretty much all of the past few episodes so it feels jarring for her character to come back.

Around the time episodes 3 or 4 were aired, MBC's facebook page seemed to change the name from Gu Family Book to Kang Chi, The Beginning. Perhaps the writer changed her mind about the Gu Family Book focus which thus resulted in the series's lack of Gu Family Book search.

For the past 15 episodes I've been wondering why I've kept up with it but I hoped it would at least end decently. Now KangChi's noble idiocy makes me question if I even want to see the ending. They probably should have just used the first 2 episodes as the entire series. Good thing certain Kdramas don't get the multi-season treatment that US shows get.

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48 klesis

June 24, 2013 at 11:18 PM

Hm this drama's quality has dropped... I've been fast forwarding for about 6 episodes I think. Oh well. Let's just hope the finale is good.

This week was so recycled that I was just doing housework and not really watching, it was THAT boring.

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49 crazedlu

June 24, 2013 at 11:22 PM

egh.

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50 Emmy

June 24, 2013 at 11:30 PM

Can anybody tell me if there has been a scene explaining how jo gwanung became as bitter as he is now? I mean for turning extra annoying villain. Seems like he was friends with Sohwa's family before but betrayed them. That bit "for himself" answer to Lee Soon shin was kinda weird so I was wondering whether theres more to his history or background. Like maybe he was inoove with Sohwa and he was insulted or something. Thought that might explain the obssession.

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bibapr57

June 25, 2013 at 12:13 AM

I think there wont be.. The character is totally selfish and corrupt. I think part of the problem was he was not a noble by birth he gained his nobility bu doing bad deeds. Or at least I understood it that way. I guess his "grumpyness" comes from the fact that others are better that he feels like those who ARE better that him "gloat" about it and he feels left out.

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KDaddict

June 25, 2013 at 12:14 AM

He was the subordinate of SH's father. He accused her father of treason, bcos he said her father didn't treat her well. (We r left to guess that he might have proposed marriage and was rejected??? No there wasn't a scene to explain it per se). Evidently it wasn't hard to do in those days, bcos the authorities would much rather kill an innocent person and banish his family, than let off a guilty person by mistake. Jo then advanced in ranks as a reward. From there he amassed his fortunes, collaborated w the Japanese, and grew up to be the monster that we see here.

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