Kolorful Palette: Great expectations [Three Musketeers]

by Fanderay

It feels particularly strange to draw the same drama twice in a row when it only airs once a week, but Three Musketeers does a great job of creating compelling atmosphere, and who am I to fight that? This wasn’t a show that I particularly anticipated or thought about before it aired so I had very few expectations, and I continuously find myself pleasantly surprised by how much I’m enjoying it. I can’t say how much of that enjoyment is a direct result of my lack of expectation, but do feel confident that Three Musketeers is showcasing some excellent storytelling, and that’s what dramas should be all about.

Thankfully I didn’t read the title of the episode when I watched it, so nothing was spoiled for me and I got to enjoy the twists and turns of Episode 4 at full effect. Technically I suppose that both the actions of the king and the prince weren’t huge surprises, since they both acted according to their character, but I still found myself surprised anyways. Both made huge decisions rather quickly (and quite likely rashly) and I’m itching to see how it all plays out.

The king and his son actually had a rather tender moment when they were discussing their plans for the Manchu privately, and I can’t help but think that their relationship is about to take a drastic change for the worse if it’s discovered that Sohyeon is secretly opposing his father’s orders. Of course poor Dal-hyang is going to get stuck right in the middle of it. He’s going to have to choose between the orders of the prince and the orders of the king, and that’s an extra-difficult decision to make when the prince himself told you that the king’s orders come first, but that king is completely unhinged and gives terrible orders. I’m sure Dal-hyang’s life as a military officer in the big city isn’t turning out anything like what he expected, and I think he’s in for a rough ride of learning about love and loyalty.

Speaking of expectations (again), I was genuinely shocked to learn that Sohyeon was responsible for Mi-ryung’s “death” and I haven’t yet been able to imagine a plausible story for their past. I don’t think Sohyeon is a bad person, but it certainly doesn’t seem like Mi-ryung was back then either. It seems like they both feel betrayed by the other, but why is a mystery. Some massive misunderstanding is most likely, but I’m not sure what could have been so serious that he would want her to die, and have it masked as a suicide.

I think a big part of the overarching story that will span this entire drama is Dal-hyang’s journey from boy to man. I drew this scene partially because it was pretty, but also because donning this uniform marked the beginning of his first real job, which is a rite of passage I’m sure most of us can relate to. Whether you’re flipping burgers at McDonald’s or tracking down a devious and supposedly dead almost-queen, it’s a step in life that feels important, and I’m glad this drama gave the moment it’s due when it could easily have just been skipped over.

It’s hard to believe that summer has already whisked by, and that we’ll soon be in the midst of fall dramas. I’m going to try my hardest not to look down the road or research what’s coming. Three Musketeers has reminded me that going in blind sometimes makes for the best experiences.

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