Beans of Wisdom: Chaebols in suits and singing princes

by DB Staff

This week in Beans of Wisdom…

Linda from Singapore shares in “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: Episode 15” comment #42:

I felt like an iceberg has smashed my heart. My heart was somewhere in between my throat and above lung.
I woke up few hours after I slept and my heart was sore, so sore. Ladies, i don’t know how to describe but you know the feeling correct?

I am so glad I have this forum to express my feeling with so many soulmates. No one understands how we feel.

pinkfluff99 has the answer.

It’s called bogumsick.

Description: When you feel this burning sensation in your heart when you see a certain man come on the screen.

Symptoms: Heartburn, fangirling, heart attack, breathlessness, dizzyness, and temporary blindness caused by extreme beauty.

Cure: Watch more Bogum.
Warning about the cure: Possible side effects could occur and result in more bogumsick.

michykdrama reacts to the cheating discussion in last week’s Beans of Wisdom in comment #12:

If you have been together with someone long enough, you will know what it is like to “fall out of love” or at least, lose that heady feeling of being in love. The saying “familiarity breeds contempt” exists for a reason- when we get too used to someone, usually we stop putting up pretences, we fart in their presence, stop censoring our thoughts, and stop going that extra mile for them that we may have used to.

Who hasn’t gotten angry, thought about leaving, wondered if there wasn’t someone else out there that would be “better”?

So I think that’s why this topic is much more sensitive than other controversial ones, because unlike say, serial killing, it isn’t something that you would watch and then think about doing. Where as it is all too easy to imagine falling for someone else who seems “perfect”, to fill any discontentment that our significant other may leave behind.

And while it may seem more “acceptable” in the drama because the spouses are portrayed as unsavoury characters, I can’t watch OTWTTA because the temptation to find someone who may be “better” can be all too real. And I have to believe that despite all my many flaws, my significant other isn’t out there searching for someone “more compatible” for him than me. And I have to believe in mutual trust and respect.

I guess that is also why I believe that relationships aren’t about “soul mates” or “love at first sight”, but about 2 people who have made a commitment to one another, and are willing to work hard at staying together, and yes, communicate, to remember why they fell in love in the first place.

Speaking of the struggles of staying together, rochinipark writes in “On the Way to the Airport: Episode 5” comment #27:

Watching this drama makes me feel like a grown up. Nice to see how married people have their emotional struggles and it is not just a dandy happily ever after compared to other kdramas. It is nice to see these type of dramas once in awhile to lul yourself of the fantasies the Kdrama trope like to push to us.

While in “On the Way to the Airport: Episode 6,” korfan ties in one of the show’s settings with the story itself in comment #15.

While it is quite a blow to have Do-woo’s mom die at this stage, it’s almost like the writer gave us with this death and Annie’s, a knot to be unraveled, just like the beautiful knots grandma created.

That’s probably why traditional knots are featured in this drama. They look fine and beautiful when you are simply looking at them, but if you so chose, start to unravel them and who knows how many threads you’ll find. Kind of like these main characters’ lives. Everyone outside looking in, and who doesn’t know them personally, might proclaim Do-woo and Su-ah have happy marriages. We all know that’s not true. Who knows what lies and or truths lie underneath.

This unraveling to reveal what is true and what isn’t is going to happen, however, it’s now going to happen via others. With Suk digging up info, with stories from Hyo-eun and now with Mary back in town, who knows what’ll turn up.

It’ll be up to Do-woo and Su-ah to connect the dots in their lives as they continue to connect with one another.

And Small Birdy adds further down in comment #18:

I think making the spouses out to be the bad guys is a convenient way to justify these two gravitating toward each other. I do wish the show is brave enough to let it happen without having to vilify them. OK, it’s already been made clear that Hye Won is turning out to be a manipulator and liar. But it doesn’t mean that Jin Suk has to be bad as well.

The Hindi movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna depicted a similar situation but their respective spouses did no wrong and the protagonists had to accept a lot of damage (career, children, friends/family) for their new relationship. At the end of the day, the audience is left to wonder:- Was it worth it?

To me, this is the very question that all would-be adulterers should ask themselves. Those who mindlessly take a step off the ledge because it all feels so RIGHT should know that it is the point of no return and no amount of regret or patching up will completely fix something that they deliberately broke. The cracks will remain no matter how they repair it and it is something they will have to live with. If the answer is still to go ahead then they should accept every outcome from their decision without blaming or disparaging anyone and move on without adding more damage.

As @korfan said, the unraveling knots are making things more complicated and I look forward to how they will be resolved. Hopefully there won’t be too many pat solutions to the plot. In this type of story, I prefer a somewhat open-ended ending that would let me contemplate what could have, would have or should have been.

JuicyFeet comments on the fashion in “1% of Anything: Episode 2” (#6.2):

I’ve slowly become more accepting of bizarre pattern choices on chaebol suits. The plaid was a little weird, so I’m just going to wait for him to get a cool new Galaxy Patterned suit. Maybe with cat faces for suns scattered around on it too.
If you’re gonna have weird suit choices, you should OWN IT. BE FIERCE.

Klurker adds:

Geek-themed suits would be great too! Yoda heads, binary patterns, and the like. lol

HotCocoaGirl:

Oh my goodness, now I need a chaebol in a kitty patterned suit! *clasps hands and holds them towards heaven* Please drama gods make it so!! It won’t be that much different than the patterns and fuzzy pink they already wear!

Meanwhile, over in Shopping King Louis, we have whale suits:

bips99 has a question about Anna in “The K2: Episode 5” comment #10.

And what is with her inconsistent writing – she knows how to deceive thermal monitors but doesn’t know how to turn on the stove valve or read the instructions on the packet on how much water to put. What are you doing show?

Dean:

To be fair, there are software engineers who can put together an entire program in a few hours, but does not know how to turn off the smoke detector… LOL

(I have a friend that is like that!)

crayon:

Dang, that’s me right there. Sorry not sorry.

NotMacgyver writes in comment #32:

I feel like there’s a certain amount of bias against Anna because people are loving YJ. She’s not ambitious, but she’s not weak either. She’s crying because she’s still grieving about a traumatic event. It feels like there’s a specific criteria for ‘strength’ for a lot of people. The woman who is rising against all odds for power is strong but a girl wearing white always and dances when cooking is a one-dimensional damsel in distress who only exists so the hero can save her.

davi replies:

there’s also this topic that “strong woman is a woman who can do what a man can” that doesn’t sit that well with me, there’s something more on the equation than just being badass,
I don’t see how someone strength needs to be validated by gender’s role, if they did a good job then they did a good job. A good wife who only cooking and cleaning is still a strong woman on her own, even if she’ll always get help by her husband during big work,
or bossy woman is strong because people afraid of them while the quiet woman on her job is weakest than the boss, what if the quiet woman crafted a good house model in her house and have a few property?

In “The K2: Episode 6” comment #1, Jenn writes:

On another note, too bad they couldn’t get in another Subway PPL had K2 brought her a sandwich and she was allergic to tomatoes instead of the ice cream!

Yoyo replies:

Subway’s PPL contract implicitly states: (assumingly)

Our sandwiches and the Subway brand should in no way be portrayed as a cause of any health related issues. Subject to this agreement, Subway and any of its brand affliates will conform to the usage of its products and store locations primarily for the network and the shows visual content. Violation of the said agreement will void and terminate the contract, subject to monetary fines or legal persuance.
Subway, the brand, will provide unlimited resources from its wide array of Deli selections that should be shown in at least half of the shows slated episodes. Subway, the brand, should always be used as a positive visual aid in the shows storyline together with its characters. Subway, the brand, should have exclusivity in regards with the food options used and shown on all agreed PPL episodes. Subway, the brand, will not be liable for any damages concerned while our products are consumed within a shows location.

Subway, the brand you can trust.

Klurker:

Addendum:

Subway must be portrayed in a positive light at all times. For instance, as a yummy device for the main leads to fall in love, or as a strategic location for star-crossed lovers to meet. The sandwiches must NEVER be used, under any circumstances, as a break-up sandwich, a leftover post-break-up sandwich, and the like.

Adam:

This time that contract was breached. The Subway infection finally stroke. J4 ate the sandwich, got the stomach issues (from the aforementioned sandwich) and made Anna’s escape possible. Clearly a breach of contract. But man, Subway pus exploded!

angieya announces in “Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching” comment #10:

Beanies, the battle of the breads has never been this diverse.
Starting the week is the Woman who’s pulling her Suitcase all the way to McD’s, followed by three friends enjoying a whopper instead of Drinking Solo. Then we got Quiznos who might want to consider creating a special Jealousy (in Korean Hwashin) sandwich so Jung-won can take a good bite of it. But the real question is, when will Yoona finally discover the sub that’s as delightful as The K2?
Speaking of Subway, I wonder what happened, did it go all diva, started to demand more screen time or refused to make an appearance if it’s not blatantly obvious (like being twirled and get a dance performance for 5 minutes in slow motion), therefore is starting to lose its alpha bread position?

Imbuk comments at #65 of “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: Episode 15”:

Now, our OTP. Yeong’s love for ra on throws me off. When he said “whatever lies you tell, I will believe you”, I was awestruck. Did he know she would lie, And indirectly warned her that since he will believe it, he will be hurt and secretly hoped that she wouldn’t want to hurt him and hence, she will end up telling the truth (or I am just psychotic and reads too much into things, lol). But, in the end its ironical that she did lie and he did believe her and what broke was not the bracelet, it was yeong’s heart, ra on’s promise and all beanies’ hearts.

Even though it would be awesome to have someone like yeong love you, I want to love like yeong. It seems an incredible way to love, being the first one to confess, making wishes come true, promising to make things better, putting the other person first always, whole heart barred, no holding back, trust entirely, allowing yourself to be vulnerable in front of them, asking first instead of taking and being sincere in your emotions, how does he do it? Is it even possible to love like that?

Kayak shares a sad observation in comment #8 of “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: Episode 15”:

I like that with a few scenes, we see how in over her head Ha Yeon is. I get the sense that her parents nurtured her innate spunk and intellect, and when her father saw her in her wedding clothes he was grieving instead of being proud of such a social and political match. If this were “Pride and Prejudice” HY could very well be Elizabeth Bennett and Minister Jo would be Mr. Bennett, knowing that his precious daughter deserves much more than this. HY looked beautiful in her gown and headpiece but the mood was funereal knowing that she may never be loved in return for the life she is giving up. (This was suggested in the comments last week, but in a different show where Ra-On was not endgame, I would totally watch the hell out of a show where HY eventually wins over a broken hearted CP years into the marriage. But this is not that show, Show).

And suegarbaby points out another sad fact in #77.1.1.1:

I think the Queen would have wanted her baby girl gone where nobody could later use it against her in future. Honestly, the only way would have been to kill the baby and I am glad she was probably a too exhausted after labour, and maybe also feeling a tad emotional(?), to have instructed a direct kill order.

Yoon Sung’s rescue was timely, and I find it ironic that for a Queen whose mother was a kisaeng (and so therefore she would have been brought up as a kisaeng until Prime Minister Kim took her into his household), that now her own daughter is back in a gibang and being brought up be kisaengs herself! Talk about coming full circle!

Elle writes in comment #19.6.1:

The beauty of the knife scene was that Yeong gave up not because he believed her. He didn’t. Not a word of it. He gave up because he finally understood her. He understood her fears, understood that she would never have any peace of mind until he lets her go and lives his life well. Not because she no longer loves him, but because she loves him too much to want him to be in danger because of her. And he loves her too much not to want her to be at peace.
I respect both of them all the more for that.

Ximena gives credit where it’s due in comment #92:

Well, I have to say the King did the only one thing good in the whole drama: He collapsed at the right time to suspend the wedding. Good for him.

mehungie says in “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds: Episode 16” at comment #47.2.1.1:

That scene of Kim Inc. entering the interrogation strangely stood out in my memory. The focus of the shot was the Prime Minister, but Minister Dumb (or Dumber?) was also in view. The Prime Minister had his stoic expressionless face on as usual, but what caught my attention was the face of Minister Dumb in the back with his visible smugly smirk.

A similar scene in my head is when Yeong walked to his almost-wedding. You could see his eunuch in the back, he’s not even in focus, but still very much in character with his giddy excited proud-momma smiley face.

That was my roundabout way to say I appreciate the work that’s been put into this show, even from the side actors who are blurred in the background. Every scene, no matter how minor, felt like it was meticulously crafted. Very impressive, given the live shooting pressure. It’s a joy to watch such artistic creations.

In the same episode recap, suegarbaby notes at comment #78.2.1.1:

We really have been so spoilt with the excellence of this drama. To use my mirror analogy again, we’ve been viewing it through a flawless clear sparkling mirror, so a sudden scratch however tiny, can be quite jarring for some of us. But for others, it’s only an its bitsy scratch, nothing to be upset about, it happens (which is totally right, haha!).

Conversely, if we had been presented with a mirror with several long scratch-marks on its surface right from Day One, another flaw or two wouldn’t really matter since we’ve already learnt to live with it, and learnt to enjoy it despite the odd distortions here or there.

Isn’t it bizarre that when a thing gets too good, that can also be a problem? LOL. It just goes to show what an awesome, incredible and brilliant show Moonlight is, that we want it to be perfect ALL THE TIME. Hence for its sake, I truly hope it can end with a wonderful flourish. It would really be the feather in the cap to a long, glorious run. And I WANT it to have its triumphant finish – goodness knows, everyone who worked on it deserves that much!

MDBC FIGHTING~! *cheers them on with pom-poms*

Sylvia writes in “Jealousy Incarnate: Episode 14” comment #3.1:

I personally thought the kiss was a great development. Narrative betrayal? nah. More like a talented writer doing her job all too well. How tidy and staid it’d be if Na Ri & Hwa Shin were perfectly *noble*, pining after each other like a monk and a nun. But a fiction writer does not need to be a moral crusader; stories are allowed to include flawed people doing morally ambiguous acts with emotionally ambivalent motivations. From a writerly lens, the kiss is a daring choice precisely because it’s so problematic– face it, fiction thrives on conflict. And the kiss is conflict aplenty. It rocks the boat, knocks our protagonists into uncertain waters, and forces them to swim and struggle and barter within an inch of their lives.

Kay comments on the same issue in #26:

I don’t condemn cheating but I don’t think this drama is trying to portray proper level headed adults that make all the right choices in the world. Yes, cheating should not be glorified or highlighted as the right thing but it happens far more than we think.

People cheat. Just like people have affairs. People also lie, kill and hurt others in horrible ways. So we also stop showing crime dramas or scenes with explicit violence? Do we stop telling stories simply because they do not fit with our narrative of what is wrong or right in the world? No. So while I don’t agree that Na Ri should have hurt Jung Won by cheating (and I can’t imagine how he’ll feel when he finds out, being betrayed by both his best friend and his girlfriend)…both Na Ri and Hwa Shin are average people who messed up telling each other about their feelings, culminating to this kiss that probably should not have happened. But it did.

Meechelle replies:

i love the way you put it : “do we stop telling stories simply because they do not fit with our narrative of what is wrong or right in the world?”

seriously. if that was the case people should be equally angry about all the violence that is RAMPANT in certain types of korean drama.

it’s like when it comes to korean drama romance, people expect it to be PURE, INNOCENT, and RIGHT. i actually like this drama for taking such a realistic route… its a nice contrast to all the dramas that always make the main female character so righteous, and only had one boyfriend her whole life, never had sex let alone kissed a dude.

this is a slice of life drama and i think its doing a great job keeping true to that. the drama itself initially marketed itself as a “양다리 romance” which in english basically means “cheating” or literally “both legs” which is a korean saying for seeing two people at once…. it’s like no surprise haha… and as other people said i do not think the kiss was in anyway glorified cheating; it simply showed it like it is

And Sylvia is back in “Jealousy Incarnate: Episode 15” comment #13 with:

You know, when most characters in kdramas are walking personifications of ideals like honor and integrity, it’s refreshing to finally watch a show with characters who are petty, small-minded, stingy, proud, groveling, desperate, and down-right embarrassing. For me, the flaws makes them so lively they seem like tightly wound springs, ready to burst any moment with conflict or chemistry or both.

I also appreciate how, in making these characters so idiosyncratically flawed, the writer is liberating them from the usual script-book of expected kdrama behaviors. Usually I can predict what characters say and do in a kdrama from miles away (case in point: everything that ever happened in Answer Me 1988, amazing a drama though it was). But in Jealousy Incarnate, the characters feel closer to real people, and their outbursts and decisions actually seem impulsive and raw and unpredictable. As I viewer I’m delighted by all that happens each episode– too many times I shriek out with surprised laughter.

Sul’s arc in “Fantastic: Episode 11” gets a lot of love this week, starting with Imbuk’s comment in #2:

I teared up during the ladies friendship scenes. Where I am from, once a woman begins working and gets married, her world becomes really small like there is only work and home, and once they give birth some women even give up work, so their connection to the outside world becomes even more limited and friends become non existent as they move on with their life too. So, I am really happy that this drama showed female friendship that stayed strong despite going separate ways, work, family, time and now even cancer. It makes me believe that even I will be able to stay in touch with my best friends and that I should stay in touch with them, no matter what. Even though we will always have family, family and friends are not the same. I can never tell my mom about a guy I find hot but my friend would love to hear that. If I have an argument with my brother, who can I tell that? My parents won’t take sides, but my friend totally would (even if I am in the wrong, but she will gently let me know that after we both agree he behaved like a jerk, lol). Also, it made me realize how important it is for a woman to be financially independent than to get married. I swear, I am learning more life lessons by watching dramas than I do anywhere else.

And holleyjane’s comment in #6:

I think the reason Sul resonates with me so much is that her character is so very realistic. Not in all the details: I’ve been married for over a decade, and my husband is awesome. My in-laws are amazing and live a convenient hour away. I have a job and make my own money. I have children who are now all in school, and I’m approaching 40. However, sometimes I look at myself and wonder where that awesome, kick-ass girl who spoke her mind, was fearless, was curious, was so strong went to. I used to be my own amazing person, but life and my responsibilities have required so much attention from me that my own personhood isn’t what it used to be.

Which makes Sul’s friends so important. Friends who knew us when we were better than we are now can remind us of who we used to be and help us remember how we might get back. And Sang wook is important because he holds the mirror up for Sul to see that she is amazing right now, without needing to change. With these two relationships, Sul can remember her worth, see her worth today, and finally realize that her future has worth.

There is a reason so many people return to abusive relationships. It’s because they have internalized a sense of unworth because of the abuse, as if saying, “I must be bad if I’m being treated this way.” Without her friends and their faith in her, Sul would not have been able to get out. It is through their love of her that she can rediscover her love of herself.

I honestly didn’t want to start this show because I’m not a cancer-story fan, but I am so glad I did. Just Sul’s story of self-rediscovery is worth every second of my time, but adding all the other characters and stories, this show has my heart.

acacia comments at #18.3 of “Shopping King Louis: Episode 6”:

One thing I really appreciate about this drama is that the characters and the storyline are in that thin line between realistic and drama tropey… for instance we all feared the truck/car of doom of last episode’s ending but it’s used well as a continuation of the story and we got an “aw” moment with the broken flower petals instead. Also, In-sung’s mom is soft-hearted towards the Louis-Bokshil couple but never really throws away her love for money. She takes the largest ~$2000 note (and gives Louis the leftover dollar bills) from Mari’s compensation for “hitting” Louis. I should be angry at that but the fact that she “saves” Louis and is quite realistic in portraying some of the greedy ajummas I know that would take advantage of the situation and get some money out of her heroic gesture.

The BokShil-Louis moments in this episode were so precious too. The texting scene, date scene, and Louis’ return to the apartment were just love hehe. I love how Louis says BokShil deserves a real ring on her finger and he’s so forward without being overbearing with his feelings toward her it’s so lovable

BTW we cannot overlook that the “safety equipment” Louis decided to buy was a lightsaber!!!! LOL

In “Shopping King Louis: Episode 7” Becausetheymakemehappy observes in #22:

When Bok Sil and Louis slept at the neighbors, In Sung said a line that summed up what I love about this show.
In response to Louis saying Don’t worry Bok Sil I will get your money back and the Mom expressing exasperation,
In Sung said to his Mom “They have a kind of belief system you would never understand.”
They are a bubble of happiness to me.

Blargh starts this week’s Disney-Kdrama mashup in comment #9.1 of “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Episode 14”:

I just have to add this on the boat scene.

There you see him
Sitting there across the way
He always got lot to say
But there’s something about him
You obviously know
That you’re dying to lean
You wanna kiss the boy
Yes, you want him
Ogle him, like we also do
Everyone knows he wants you
What’s the point of asking him
It don’t take a word, not a single word
Go on and smooch the boy

Titi:

Sha-la-la-la-la-la my oh my
Look like the girl too shy
Ain’t gonna kiss the boy
Sha-la-la-la-la-la ain’t it sad
Ain’t it a shame, too bad
She gonna miss the boy

YY:

Woh, woh
Sha-la-la-la-la-la float along
And listen to the song
The song say, kiss the boy
Woh, woh
Sha-la-la-la-la-la music play
Do what the music say
You wanna kiss the boy
Goryeon Frog:
You got to
Boat:
Kiss the boy
Goryeon Frog:
Why don’t you
Boat:
Kiss the boy

Blargh adds:

I would pay millions to watch Ji Mong singing as Sebastian.

darcyM:

Haha that’s perfect. Evil Queen is definitely Ursula. Jung is Flounder. Eun can be Scuttle. And Won and Yo are Flotsam and Jetsam hehe. I can’t think of any character low enough for Wook though. Hmm…

And Yoyo:

Wook can be a measly plankton.

Listen to the original song here:

In the middle of a discussion on poem translations, junny writes (#8.12.1.1):

For some reason, I get the feeling that beanies’ comments make the drama more intellectual than it is actually coming across.

Pebble replies:

Yeah, we are rather an intellectual bunch, the way drama plots and characters are being scrutinized, examined and zealously analysed here feels like academic thesis writing. Who said what, who did what, who emoted what and in what way, what was on whose mind, what was the motivation, etc. Haha, I think if the original writers were to read all these comments, they would be totally flabbergasted at how much we read into every minute details, so much more than what was originally in their minds! So long as everyone is enjoying the exchange of opinion and insights here in DB, who cares what the writers originally had in mind. We viewers have a mind of our own to perceive things based on our upbringing, life experience, worldview, values, belief systems and cultural background. Everyone thinks differently and perceives differently, this contributes to the fun of commenting in DB where so many kdrama viewers around the world congregate, like a UN conference. ?

Speaking of thesis writing, Pebble’s question in comment #3.1 sparks a discussion on animal habits:

“Wolves tend to devote themselves to one female until death”

I never knew that, is that right? Wolf-dog Wang So ah, how much more agony and torture you would have to undergo and endure before you can be with Su? You kept putting off with getting the only one thing you really wanted so much. With all these external pressures thrust upon him, no wonder he went ballistic and ruthless at the end when he became king.

Sancheezy replies with her findings:

with a quick google search cause I believe the myth is broken
this what I found
Wolfe
After Mating, pairs will continue to be affectionate. Although wolves often have long-lasting attachments to their mates,
—-if one wolf dies, the widowed mate may breed with another wolf. In addition, some males may bond to different females in different years, destroying the long-held “mate for life” myth.

should have used Goose just like in Chinese and Korean culture
Geese are very loyal. They mate for life and are very protective of their partners and offspring. If a goose’s mate or chicks become sick or injured, he or she will often refuse to leave their side, even if winter is approaching and the other geese in the group are flying south.

besides they have pond, lake and boat . . . goose is the perfect symbolism

Miky reacts:

Well he wouldn’t be so scarry if he was the goose slayer,no? jajaj

Sancheezy adds:

In Oregairu, the protagonist describe wolfs as social animal cause they makes a pact/community but the real lone animal is a bear

but based on google best picked, the faithful animal are
-Emperor Penguin
-Termite
-Beaver
-French Angelfish
-Bald Eagle
-Black Vulture
-Swan
-Geese

So can be the emperor penguin, the roaring (bald) eagle (or the chinese 4th prince) or the black swan

endo:

That’s the reason why they chose Wolf because it would’ve been wimpy if So will be ” Emperor Penguin slayer” or “Termite Slayer”..Lol. JK.

Jamie shares a lesson learned from Moon Lovers in comment #40.2.2

One can always use the flaming-arrow scene to lend a little perspective to one’s life: well, at least my mother never had me tied up and shot at with flaming arrows.

Goes along with at least no one ever sent me into the mountains to fight off wolf packs by myself and at least no one ever put mercury into my bathwater.

dui breaks down a particular conversation between the leads in comment #62:

Soo: What kind of place is the palace?
So: A place that’s hard to enter and even harder to leave. You end up dying if you trust anyone. You’ll live if you remain alert and wary of those closest to you.
Soo: Well… then it seems like you don’t know everything either.

Can we take a moment to appreciate how So’s every single word comes to live, even more clearly in this episode? And how clueless Soo was to think that So didn’t know everything. Instead, he knows even better than those who have lived in the palace for their lifetime.

“A palace is hard to enter.”
We can see the struggle So had whether it was to have legal permission to stay in the palace or to get accepted by his family.

“A palace is even harder to leave.”
Once Soo entered the palace, it’s impossible for her to leave, even when Wook and So planned to take her out of palace, it just didn’t work. So had been dreaming of getting out of the palace and living in peace (with Soo), but now that he gets trapped in the dirty game of his brothers, it would sadly never happen.

“You end up dying if you trust anyone. You’ll live if you remain alert and wary of those closest to you.”
Soo didn’t leave w/ Lady Oh because he trusted Wook, and she ended up almost dying, only to have Lady Oh dying in her place. Yo almost died because he trusted Wook. Moo eventually died because he trusted Wook. And Soo ends up being accused of poisoning Moo (and can really die anytime now) for trusting Chaeryoung.

I look forward to see how So’s trust in Soo and Baekah will take toll on him (not that I want it to happen) because despite of his own precaution, he seems to put his full trust on both of them and here we already see how Soo is used as So’s Achilles’ heel. The only one who lives up to this principle is Wook. He’s smart to not trust anyone completely, and thus I can expect to see him living a long life, safely lurking as a villain in the shadow.

Scarlet Heart Ryeo_Avid Fan writes about Hae-soo in comment #93:

*BTW I remember reading a comment in the past episode reviews about what is the purpose of Hae Soo’s Timetravel ~ My take on this is perhaps Hae Soo was there to be a witness of how Gwang Jong was actually not as bad as what historian has painted him to be….. That He was put into that position/situation and led to a decision that is beyond his control….Remember what King Taejo and Choi Ji-mong? That she need not to do anything, she is not there to change the past but rather witness the truth behind the History that is written in the future.

Perhaps Wang So is also like Court Lady Oh, it is enough for him to be remembered and not forgotten by one person who truly saw him for who he is and loved him inspite of his flaws…?

While Yeon-hwa is the subject for banini in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Episode 15” comment #1.1.1.1.1:

The throne shakes up her sense of security. I actually pity her, from what she said, she hated Su because for Su marriage=love while for her it means life and death. I think she wants love too, and she really likes So not just because of the throne. She’s just like Wook they both want love but have to put that aside so that they can live safely. Worse for her since as a woman she doesn’t officially have much power but it’s admirable how she fights her way through.

I hate both her and Wook but pity them at the same time, if only they have been born as commoners.

And Seltzerwater in #7:

I gotta say, I really feel Yeon Hwa with this. I love her saying “Why does everyone on that seat threatens me with marriage. You must believe there is no better way to control a woman than marriage.” Daaaamnnn women be hearing this for thousands of years. Even today!

Also this: “Feelings and marriage are just silly games to you when they are life to death for me.” BLAM the nail right on the head! This is the huge divide between HS and YH, YH knows how important these things are because as a woman they are all the weapons we have to work with. So for YH, inciting feelings isn’t about making a connection, but merely a point of survival. Buying into @Barbery ’s theory about HS as the unification goddess of Korea, this would never work for HS. HS is about love and unity, not about survival. I love them as foils against each other too. Because HS stands for love and YH stands for survival and we already known that one survives and one dies. So it’s like we have to decide between choosing love or death. Because Hae Su choose who she loves, she doesn’t get to live. Because YH chooses survival, she doesn’t get who she loves. Phew. Heavy shit there, Moonlovers! (If you’re a GOT fan, this is the Rob Stark dilemma and why the Red Wedding happened)

Ren has a thought experiment in comment #102.1.2:

I’ve been trying to imagine who the princes would be in a modern setting for the last few days now. Here’s what I’ve come up with, I’d love to hear everyone else’s modern interpretations too!

Eun- The best friend of your younger brother who’s always around the house. Annoying, but harmless and cute.

Baek Ah- He probably has like a nice trust fund and runs a critically acclaimed but not commercially successfully art gallery in Soho. He know’s everyone who’s anyone.

Jung- The boy next door who you grew up with and has seen you through thick and thin.

Won- Totally a fraternity bro, says dude and high fives alot. Can’t keep track of the girls he’s hooked up with but always has a brother’s back. Wants to work in management consulting or investment banking.

Wook- That post-grad you meet as a freshman in university who seems so worldly, sophisticated and erudite. Turns out he has a girlfriend and is actually kind of a dick.

Yo- Belongs to an old money powerful political family. A bit of a classist and will crush people who he thinks are aiming above their station. He already has his clerkship at the Attorney General’s office lined up.

Wang So- Please, the bad boy with a heart of gold trope transcends time.

Thanks to all the beanies who keep the comments section awesome and insightful! ♥

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