208

Seven Day Queen: Episode 10

I could look at our prince looking at Chae-kyung all day. After the hell he gave her at the start of their reunion, I’m so glad that she’s playing hard to get now. While her reasons for distance are legitimate and not for petty revenge, the outcome is still that there’s a karmic reversal in their courtship, which is extremely satisfying for me to watch. Since I already know she loves him, the longer he has to wonder and stew in insecurity as he pursues her, the more entertained I am. Does that make me evil?

 

 
EPISODE 10 RECAP

As Yeonsangun looks on from a distance, Chae-kyung tells Yeok that this will be the last time they meet. Yeok refuses and pulls her into a hug, saying that he will count to ten and let go. “Until then, let’s make one promise,” he asks.

Yeok: “I can guess how angry, how sorrowful you were. So until you feel better, you can get angry and hit me all you want. Just don’t say that you won’t see me, because I think I’ll die if I don’t see you—that’s why I returned.”

Yeok insists that they’ve promised, so today she’s just angry with him, and that’s all. She doesn’t respond as she hurries inside the house.

Yeonsangun jumps off his horse and tells Yeok that it’s good that he and Chae-kyung happen to be together. He doesn’t look happy as he leads the way into Chae-kyung’s house. Her parents rush over to the room and gape at the three pairs of shoes lined up outside.

Inside, Yeonsangun says in a brittle tone that Yeok and Chae-kyung seemed like a good match when he saw them together earlier, and all that’s left is for them to marry. Yeok looks pleased while Chae-kyung is shocked, and all Yeonsangun adds as he leaves the room is, “It’s a royal order.”

Yeok chases after his brother to say that he hasn’t gotten Chae-kyung’s permission yet, wondering if there’s a reason why he’s rushing the marriage all of a sudden. Yeonsangun merely says that it’s what Yeok wanted, so he’s helping, and the rest is up to Yeok to seal the deal.

Yeok returns to the room and overhears Chae-kyung’s parents worrying about the prophecy that Chae-kyung would bring calamity to the royal family, and he bursts in angrily to ask if they really believe in such superstition. Minister Shin argues that for Chae-kyung this is a matter of protecting the people she loves and her own fate, but Yeok just turns to her and asks if this is the reason why she’s been pushing him away.

“Is some prophecy more important than me?” he asks, searching her eyes. She looks stricken, and he storms out, upset at the sudden mention of a prophecy.

Yeonsangun returns to the palace and begins to laugh. It scares the eunuchs and the laughter continues as Nok-soo serves him tea, only growing more manic as he reminisces about his encounters with Chae-kyung.

“Did you know—that the petty love that comes from a gaze, or a grazing of hands…” Yeonsangun pounds his chest as he says, “…was in here too?” Nok-soo says there’s nothing about him that she doesn’t know, but that only fuels his rage, and he suddenly turns and grabs her by the throat.

His gaze turns murderous as he pushes her to the floor and asks why she didn’t tell him before he became this way, why she didn’t stop him. Nok-soo struggles to breathe but he just continues to strangle her, asking what she is to him that she can make him so pathetic.

But as he says that, it’s clear he’s speaking to Chae-kyung, not Nok-soo: “I thought of you as family, as a friend! How could you be in the arms of another man? I’m going to kill you. If I can’t keep you by my side, then I will kill you to keep you!”

He squeezes her neck harder, tears spilling from his eyes. Nok-soo gasps and struggles under his grip, and when she calls out to him repeatedly, he finally stills and releases her, badly shaken up by what he just did.

She reaches up to his face to wipe away his tear, and that tiny show of sympathy makes Yeonsangun turn away from her violently. As he wipes at his own tears angrily, Nok-soo dares to bring up Chae-kyung’s marriage again. She says that all that’s left is for Yeok to marry her, and for Yeonsangun to make her his spy: “Then her body may be next to the prince, but she will live as your person, under your royal orders.”

His manic laughter returns, and he spits out bitterly, “I will make yours the most hellish marriage on this earth.”

At Snail Bride headquarters, Myung-hye reports that it was Secretary Im who stole from the other ministers and framed Yeok for the theft, as they suspected. Yeok vows to bring his crimes to light, because he can’t sit here and watch Secretary Im continue to steal from the people any longer.

Yeok casually mentions to the group that his brother approved of his marriage to Chae-kyung, and the boys excitedly ask if he’s proposed to Chae-kyung yet. Myung-hye is a wet blanket, of course, and barks that this is a strategy, not a real marriage. Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night.

She warns Yeok that she’s following his lead, but that he’ll pay with his life for making the wrong choice. He tells her not to worry, because he plans to make Chae-kyung his person no matter what it takes.

Chae-kyung lies awake that night and darts up to ask Nanny what’s most important—the prophecy, or a royal order, or her heart? In her sleepy haze Nanny murmurs, “Heart,” before passing out.

Yeok sits up that night too, going over what Chae-kyung’s father said about the prophecy. He tells Seo-no that his brother tried to kill him because of their father’s will, and now Chae-kyung is pushing him away because of some prophecy.

He wonders what’s gotten into everyone, but Seo-no understands Chae-kyung and says she’s scared. He points out that when they were young, Yeok was afraid of his brother because of what adults told him, and lived as if he saw and heard nothing.

Seo-no reminds him that it was Chae-kyung who awakened him back then, so he advises Yeok to do the same for her now, and show her that there are more important things than other people’s prophecies and superstitions. “If you want to marry her, you must first give her your trust,” he advises.

Yeok looks surprised by his words and suddenly walks over to him, making Seo-no back away. But Yeok grabs him in a bear hug and says affectionately that Seo-no’s all grown up now, and Seo-no laughs and says he’s bigger than Yeok, and Yeok is the only one who still sees him as a kid.

Yeok tells Seo-no that Chae-kyung missed him and wants to see him tomorrow, and Seo-no lights up and runs to his room to start getting ready. Ha, right now?

In the morning, the queen dowager and Minister Shin are called to meet with the king and queen at the same time. Yeonsangun tells them that Yeok wants to marry Chae-kyung, and asks them what they think of the union. To Minister Shin’s shock, the queen dowager approves and says that the moment Yeok returned, their fates were already sealed.

She says that Chae-kyung may be lacking, thinking of her betrayal of Yeok when they were young, but she plans to keep Chae-kyung close and teach her. Yikes, that does not sound like a fun time.

With no other avenue of protest left, Minister Shin bows and asks them to take good care of her. Yeonsangun declares it settled then, and congratulates the queen dowager on Yeok gaining an ally like Minister Shin. She counters that the king is Yeok’s strongest ally, and Yeonsangun says in a barbed tone that Yeok is truly blessed to have so many allies at his side. Minister Shin looks up warily as Yeonsangun and the queen dowager force rigid smiles.

Nok-soo tells Secretary Im that it only benefits him if Chae-kyung marries Yeok and takes his side, further driving a wedge between the two brothers. He tells her that if that really happens, he’ll reward her handsomely.

Yeok and Seo-no skip excitedly to the pavilion where they made their friendship pact with Chae-kyung, and Seo-no wonders nervously if she’ll recognize him. Yeok manhandles him and says no, he’s changed far too much to be recognized.

Yeok reminds him of what they discussed last night, and we flash back to him asking all three boys to push for him with Chae-kyung because this might be his last opportunity to win her over. Seo-no counters that he’s the star of today, hahaha, earning a glare from Yeok.

When Chae-kyung’s palanquin arrives, Seo-no runs out eagerly, and Yeok yanks him back by the collar, calling him petty. HEE. He says they can both be the stars and walks ahead, leaving Seo-no to trail after him arguing that there can only be one star.

They push each other the entire way there, fighting like children. They’re so absorbed in their petty fight that it takes them a while to notice that Chae-kyung hasn’t responded, and they peer inside to find her fast asleep.

Seo-no sends the servants away and Yeok plants himself right in front of her to gaze at her lovingly. He says that “our Chae-kyung” is prettiest when sleeping, and Seo-no takes issue with this not being the first time Yeok has seen her sleep.

Chae-kyung stirs awake and is surprised to see Yeok sitting there. He gives her a cheeky look and asks so very casually, “Did you sleep well?” and she’s so out of sorts that she slams her head into the ceiling trying to get up.

Recognition dawns on her face the minute she sees Seo-no, and he asks eagerly if she remembers him. She smiles and says yes, that he’s that prison guard. Yeok chortles and Seo-no’s face falls, and that’s when Chae-kyung realizes that this is Seo-no. She instantly switches to her old saturi accent and greets him happily, and then asks Yeok why he came along when she only asked for Seo-no. Heh. Hehehehe.

Yeok adopts her accent and argues that they’re inseparable friends, so everywhere Seo-no goes, he goes. Chae-kyung raises her hand like she’s going to smack him and Yeok flinches, making Seo-no snigger.

Chae-kyung asks after Seo-no’s father, and his smile falters. In flashback we see Seo-no’s father leave him in the night as soon as they’d settled into their new home. He’d said that the work he must do was to remain hidden until it was time, and he left with the promise to return someday. Seo-no explains that his father didn’t want to be caught and cause Chae-kyung more trouble, and she feels bad, but Seo-no assures her brightly that he’ll be back soon.

Deputy Commander Park worries that the king actively pushing for Yeok’s marriage only means that he trusts Minister Shin completely, and in turn Minister Shin won’t betray that trust easily. The queen dowager says that there’s only one way—to make sure that Chae-kyung is firmly on their side, because there is no parent who will win over their own child.

But Yeonsangun is already a step ahead, and he asks Minister Shin point-blank whose side he would take if Yeok attempted a coup. Yeonsangun pushes for an answer, and Minister Shin assures him that he is loyal to the king, and that before he is Yeok’s father-in-law, he is the king’s servant first and foremost. He vows to stop any act of treason with his life, and Yeonsangun tells him not to forget what he just said, because Minister Shin is the only person he sincerely trusts in this palace.

In a flashback to Yeonsangun’s youth, he’d been blocked by Deputy Commander Park from approaching his father who was playing with young Yeok and his mother. He watched the happy little family unit enviously, demanding to be allowed to join them. It was Minister Shin who’d approached him then and offered to be his father, mother, or brother if he wanted.

In the present, Yeonsangun leans down to say, “The moment you betray me, I will kill your wife, your children, your relatives. I will kill them all, and Chae-kyung will be the first to die.” Minister Shin quakes with fear and begs for the king’s trust.

The three friends walk to the river, and Yeok silently signals for Seo-no to get lost. Seo-no pointedly ignores him, but then he senses someone watching them and goes to check it out, and Yeok doesn’t waste the chance to stand close to Chae-kyung.

He brings up yesterday, and she tells him that the prophecy isn’t more important to her than him—it’s because he’s so precious to her that the prophecy scares her. His eyes soften as she reminds him that every time they’re together, bad things happen and he ends up in danger, and that he almost died because of her.

He corrects her right away: “No, it’s because of you that I was able to live when I was near death. It’s because someone was waiting for me that I came back alive.” He argues that he survived hell to come to her, and calls it irresponsible of her to push him away just because of some prophecy.

She counters that it’s even more irresponsible to stay together knowing said prophecy, and he asks angrily, “What about me? What am I supposed to do?” She tells him to live according to his fate, so he answers, “My fate is you, Chae-kyung-ah. You are my fate.”

Suddenly the romantic moment is undercut by an attacker who pushes Yeok into the river. It’s his friends, who crack up and teasingly say that he asked to be pushed (for), so they pushed him. LOL.

Yeok grouses, and while Seok-hee is busy gloating, Gwang-oh kicks him from behind, launching all four boys into an all-out water war. They throw each other around, and Yeok picks Chae-kyung up and carries her in with them, and they laugh and play like children.

Yeok walks Chae-kyung home that night, and they’re reluctant to part just like the first night he’d walked her home years ago. Chae-kyung tenses in anticipation when Yeok steps forward and reaches his arms around her…

But he just unties his ring from around her neck and says that if they made a promise, there needs to be a token. He puts the ring back on his finger, and when she points out that she hasn’t answered or promised anything, he flashes the ring and says she needn’t use words because he’s already heard her reply.

She asks hesitantly if she can really trust him and do as he said, and asks one last time if he’s confident that he won’t have any regrets, and if he isn’t scared of her fate. She says that she could ruin his life, but he counters, “Without you, I’d be broken anyway.” Did you put on your swoonypants today?

Yeok wipes away her tears tenderly and says he’ll return in the morning with a proper proposal present, but she snaps up a twig from the ground and says this is all she needs. He looks at the stick in confusion, then Chae-kyung turns around and starts to wrap her long hair into a bun—the hairstyle indicating that she is a married woman.

She waits for him to use the stick like a binyeo to hold her hair up, and he breaks into a smile as he realizes what she wants. She helps him guide the stick through her hair and then turns to face him, and his eyes fill with tears.

She says with a smile, “We have promised.” He repeats, “We have promised.”

Chae-kyung’s mother frets over this impending marriage, but her husband takes her hand and asks her to trust him. He says he’s going to make sure of it that Yeok and Chae-kyung grow old as lifelong friends, just like them. Aw.

Yeok returns to the palace to find one of the king’s eunuchs pacing nervously and waiting for him. While taking a bath, Yeonsangun grows angrier the longer he waits for Yeok to return, only thinking of how long Yeok and Chae-kyung will have been together.

Yeok goes straightaway to greet his brother, and explains that his clothes are wet because he was playing with his friends. Yeonsangun tells Yeok to join him in the bath, but Yeok blocks the court lady from undressing him and says he’ll wait for Yeonsangun outside. I can’t imagine he wants to show his brother his scars.

They meet for a round of archery, and Yeonsangun asks how preparations for the wedding are going. Yeok says he finally gained Chae-kyung’s permission, and adds pointedly, “How could I call myself a man if I couldn’t even read the heart of the woman I loved?” Buuuuurn.

Yeonsangun asks for the real reason Yeok is marrying Chae-kyung, but Yeok answers that the only reason is Chae-kyung herself. He calls her violent, and a little naughty, thinking of all the ways she threw herself at him when she thought he was a ghost. He purposely chooses sharp words, describing her as an easy woman who seduced a stranger, but then he adds wistfully that she’s also more stubborn than a bear, thinking of her hanging on that cross in his place.

He calls her tiresome, and Yeonsangun asks in disbelief how that can be the reason he wants to marry her. Yeok brings home his point with one last blow: “So the only man who can handle Chae-kyung is me.” I’m a little afraid for your life right now.

They both maintain their composure, though the tension is unmistakable as they punctuate each line with deadly arrows aimed at their targets. In response, Yeonsangun splits one of his previous arrows with frightening precision and tells Yeok to live happily, but walks away thinking to himself that Yeok will pay the price for trying to take what is his.

Yeok watches him go and says in voiceover that he’s fine to let his brother win at target practice, but that he will reclaim everything else, beginning with Chae-kyung.

Myung-hye drinks alone that night while battling her tears, and thinks back to the queen dowager telling her that Chae-kyung will only be a placeholder until Yeok succeeds in claiming the throne, after which Myung-hye will be the woman by his side. Myung-hye had acted like it didn’t bother her in the least, but now she pours drink after drink dejectedly.

Seo-no shows up and yanks the bottle out of her hand, and she’s annoyed by the sudden show of concern, insisting that she won’t break just because Yeok is marrying some other girl. Seo-no awkwardly replies that he’s not worried—he came to tell her that they found Secretary Im’s secret treasure trove. Wah wah.

Chae-kyung adorably preens in front of the mirror with her new matron hairdo, and tries to hide her twig binyeo when Nanny catches her. Nanny catches on right away, and Chae-kyung says coquettishly that it’s high time she gets married.

Nanny warns her that men are not to be trusted easily, and Chae-kyung says she’s done her due diligence. But when Nanny asks if she’s done a thorough check of his relationships with other women, Chae-kyung suddenly remembers his kiss with Myung-hye and gasps in horror. Nanny prepares to pound some heads, while Chae-kyung runs out the door.

Yeok arrives at the Snail Bride camp deep in the woods, and is surprised when there are so few men there. Seo-no says that Deputy Commander Park took most of them away for a new mission, which is the first that Yeok is hearing about it.

He storms into the pawnshop angrily, asking how Deputy Commander Park could send his men on a mission without his approval. Park just says he had to make a decision because Secretary Im was planning to move his stockpile, so tonight was their only opportunity to raid it. Yeok asks what happens if they get caught, and Park says it would be a necessary sacrifice.

Yeok shouts that these are his friends, but Deputy Commander Park counters that his niece is among them. As the Snail Brides raid Secretary Im’s stolen treasures, Deputy Commander Park tells Yeok that he plans to return the stolen items to the ministers they belong to, gaining favor for the Snail Brides in the process.

Yeok argues that the real owner of that stuff is the people, not the wealthy ministers, but Park says he’s not here to uphold the law—they need as many people on their side so that the coup succeeds and Yeok’s position is secure, and tells him to use whoever is necessary to become king, “just as you are using Minister Shin’s daughter.”

What the Snail Brides fail to notice is that Scarface and his men have returned to the storehouse just in time to catch them in the act and quietly trail them. When they return to the pawnshop, Yeok erupts at them in anger, only calming down once he sees that they’re okay.

Deputy Commander Park tells Myung-hye that Yeok hasn’t matured much at all and still has his youthful temper and soft heart. She says it’s Chae-kyung’s fault and that she’s ruining Yeok, and that she plans to plant a spy in their midst to keep an eye on him.

Her uncle asks if Seo-no might be lying about not being in touch with his father, but Myung-hye breaks into a little smile as she says that with Seo-no, what you see is what you get. He’s surprised to see her show interest in another man, which she covers up as simply part of her mission.

Meanwhile, Scarface and his men trail the thieves all the way back to the pawnshop, and lie in wait. Oh no.

Yeok stares at his strategy wall and thinks back to an earlier conversation with Deputy Commander Park, who told him that once they filled a sheet with the names of people on Yeok’s side, they would incite a revolt, and those who were not on their list would be killed. He pointed to Yeonsangun and Minister Shin’s names on the wall, saying that Minister Shin will have to decide once and for all whose side he’s on.

Chae-kyung nears the pawnshop just as Secretary Im arrives ahead of her to meet Scarface and his men. Luckily Seo-no sees them approach and the Snail Brides rush to hide the stolen goods just in time. Gwang-oh and Seo-no pretend to be drunk when Secretary Im storms inside, while Yeok grabs his sword from behind the false door, ready to strike.

Secretary Im recognizes Gwang-oh as one of Yeok’s friends, and as he snoops around the room, getting dangerously close to the hideout’s secret door, Yeok’s friends hold him back on the other side.

Seo-no recognizes Scarface as the man who took his father away years ago, and Scarface raises his sword to Seo-no’s neck to ask if they’ve met before. Seo-no balls his hand into a fist, but he says pleasantly that they don’t know each other.

Secretary Im seems to sense something off about Seo-no, when suddenly Chae-kyung walks in and asks what they’re doing. Secretary Im says his men followed thieves here, and shares his theory that either there’s a backdoor out of this place or a secret room. Chae-kyung adds that Scarface could’ve seen wrong, pointing out that his vision doesn’t seem all that great.

Scarface draws his sword angrily, but Chae-kyung is faster and grabs a scroll to knock the sword right out of his hand. Badass. She has Scarface’s sword held to Secretary Im’s neck before any of the henchmen can react.

They surround her with swords, and from the secret room, Yeok flails to free himself from Seok-hee’s grasp, but he holds even tighter. Chae-kyung warns through gritted teeth that if Secretary Im attacks an innocent person without evidence one more time, she won’t stand by. He’s surprised that she knows how to wield a sword, and Chae-kyung says boldly that her father taught her how to protect herself.

Secretary Im knows he can’t touch her, so he laughs and walks out, and Scarface looks pretty pathetic as he yanks his sword out of Chae-kyung’s hand before trailing after him. Seo-no locks the door behind them, and everyone lets out the breath they were holding in. Outside, Scarface says that Seo-no was with Yeok when he was attacked on the ship, and Secretary Im wonders where he’s heard that name before.

The boys are still weak in the knees from shock, while Chae-kyung blurts that she’d like to poke that man’s eyes out. She catches the horrified looks around her and quickly rephrases herself to sound demure. From behind the door, Yeok smiles.

Seo-no worries that Scarface and Secretary Im will recognize him and try to go after Yeok again for rescuing his father. He says that’s why they had to pretend not to know her all this time, and Chae-kyung assures him that she’s going to make sure no one can bother them about that ever again.

Yeok smiles proudly and then follows her from a distance as she walks home, smiling to himself at her bravery. On the way, she suddenly changes course and goes in the opposite direction of home.

Secretary Im tells the king about the pawnshop, and when Nok-soo suggests having Chae-kyung investigate it further, Secretary Im says that Chae-kyung stopped him from looking around tonight asks how they’ll know if she’s really on their side.

As they walk out, Chae-kyung runs up to speak with Yeonsangun, and Secretary Im narrows his snake eyes at her. Chae-kyung has come to ask if Yeonsangun still suspects Yeok, and if there’s anything he can do to prove his loyalty. She says she wants to protect Yeok, who’ll be her husband soon.

But her question only ignites Yeonsangun’s jealousy and he asks how she thinks she can protect Yeok and clear his suspicions: “What are you? You’re nothing but a girl. How can you scorn the king so? Why?! Why… do you only speak of Yeok? I am here before you, you can reach out and touch me, and you are looking into my eyes, but your lips speak only of Yeok.”

Chae-kyung is shocked by this sudden turn, and a short distance away, Yeok arrives to see them together. Yeonsangun continues, “I must have gone crazy… to send you to another man. I am the king! There is nothing that the king of Joseon cannot have! Thus, I must have you as well.”

Chae-kyung looks terrified as Yeonsangun pulls her into an embrace. She struggles to pull away, but he holds her tightly, and then sneers down at her before pulling her into a kiss.

And from the bridge, Yeok stands frozen as he watches them, his eyes locked on their kiss.

 
COMMENTS

Noooooooooooo. Why, why must you break my heart so? Yeok was just starting to trust Chae-kyung again and become a little bit of his old self around her (he was making jokes and being charming on purpose!), but it feels like everything they’ve rebuilt since his public return has crumbled in this one moment. Sometimes I wonder how Yeok could possibly be so blind not to see Chae-kyung’s love for him, but then stuff like this happens and I’m reminded of how deeply wounded he is thinking that Yeonsangun may have replaced him in the years he was gone.

And here I was, happy that he learned of the prophecy so quickly and was able to argue with Chae-kyung about it head-on (another example of how quickly this plot moves along, and how refreshing that is week after week). But then this bombshell gets dropped, and now I just want to curl up into a ball and cry until Wednesday comes and Chae-kyung gets a chance to clear up the misunderstanding. The problem is, I don’t know if Yeok misunderstands at all, because I’m pretty sure he already knows that Yeonsangun is the one in love with Chae-kyung, and not the other way around. I’m just scared that he will always doubt her now, which I can’t bear.

Yeonsangun’s breakdown with Nok-soo was so chilling, and despite having waited all this time for him to snap, I was still shocked when it happened. There was a frightening disconnect between his actions—cold, possessive, murderous—and the underlying emotions he was grappling with—discovering that he had been in love all this time, and not being able to accept that such a petty emotion could have such a hold over him. As with everything else in his life, love is twisted up with hate and self-loathing, and yet I was still shocked by how easily he landed on the conclusion that he’d rather kill Chae-kyung than give her to another man. In the last scene when he tried to possess her with a kiss, he seemed to disdain her as much as he craved her affection, which is fascinating and deeply, deeply disturbing.

I was terrified that all of Yeok’s verbal jabs at his brother were going to come back around in a really bad way, and I think we’ve gotten our answer. I admit that I’m impressed whenever Yeok is able to verbally spar with Yeonsangun now that he’s an adult, but it still scares me more than anything because I fear the repercussions, especially when they’re posturing in front of each other about Chae-kyung. It’s just a recipe for disaster.

Chae-kyung is now officially stuck between a rock and a hard place, which will probably be the understatement of the year as this love triangle erupts into the full-scale tragedy we know it’s about to. I spent the episode worried that Chae-kyung would find out about Yeok using her in a strategic marriage, because it’s the expected misunderstanding at this stage; I was not prepared for Yeonsangun to suddenly become their greatest obstacle as a direct romantic rival. I have to say, I’m consistently surprised by the pace of this story and impressed by each new story turn, and I don’t remember the last time I’ve so enjoyed the psychological warfare between such a screwed up pair of brothers. If only they didn’t love the same girl. But come on, how could you not love this girl?

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , ,

208

Required fields are marked *

Lol, it's super funny. I keep coming to this recap (like I came to the last ep's recap) to write comments about everything I love, but then I just end up reading everyone else's comments and wanting to watch all the highlights again. I've finally decided I should at least jot a few things done before I break down and watch my fav moments all over again, but who knows how long I'll last.

Damnnnnn. Lee Dong-gun. It was chilling how his outburst at Nok-soo transitioned to something even more crazed as his words clearly began addressing Chae-kyung instead. It's this scene that truly makes me fear for her safety in their future relationship (even remembering how kick-ass and fearless she is doesn't help). And more than that, I find that I'm also mourning the inevitable loss of their loyal, innocent connection. It's totally weird, but the relationship between Yeonsangun and Chae-kyung is kind of giving me Story of a Man (x Tree With Deep Roots) vibes because it reminds me of the relationship between the Do-woo and Eun-soo (the villain and his sister) in that drama. Maybe because she represents that part of him that's still good, while also becoming his biggest weakness because of the obsession that sort of dependency creates. It's fascinating and it works so well here because of the familial bond at the core of their relationship.

But, omg, I have so many words for Chae-kyung and Yeok and how much I adore them. Their bickering, their sass, their sweetness, their forwardness in love against all the odds stacked against them...they just can't get any better. Yeon Woo-jin and Park Min-young have never been more charming (and I say this as someone who loves both Gong Gi-tae and Chae Young-shin to bits)!

Hahaha, I may just need to post about them again after watching their scenes jusssst one (or ten?) more times. I can't get enough of them, Seo-no and the whole gang together! Give me more. Also more Nanny because she knows what's up.

Thanks for the recap, GF!

10
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

That action by the king - the outburst just like what a serial killer did - using the victims for killing the same person in his head over and over again. Hopefully the writer will start to show his dark side more and more. So the point that the writer tried to show his ' human' side too much will balance out.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with all your words and damned LDG!!!!
and yes I am a super fan of PMY and I love all her past characters, but this one must I say topped it all, (sorry for CYS, you have been unseated, but you are still very very special to my shipper heart kkk), SCK is the sassiest ever and PMY is slaying it to pieces. YWJ is sooooooo adorbs here, gahhhh my heart! and Nanny, yeah please give her more exposure please???

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I cant believe that I was holding my breath on the last scene with CK and King Yung! Is it just me or what but I'm so compelled on how good LDG is on his portrayal! I was scared for CK but also felt that he really treasured her, beyond what he wants and it's so painful that what he thinks his sanctuary doesn't actually return the way he feels and to be able to see how much Yeok and CK care for each other is enough of an envy for a man who has everything but has nothing.. I love this show so much because it makes me care for every character whether they are good or bad! Cheers to Seo No! For being the reason for this episode☺️

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Not to justify the forced kiss at the end (ugh, assault), but we're talking about a man who has never been able to express or receive true affection and lacks the basic vocabulary for doing so. While viewers know the actual feelings/motivations of Yeok and Chaekyung and thus accept Yeok's forced hug at the beginning, the low-EQ king only witnesses and internalizes this as a "successful" interaction. Chaekyung is moved. Furiously and competitively, Yeonsangun attempts the same but better--with a kiss. So a combination of maniacal possessiveness but also the sad attempts of a very poor student in love.

Or am I just rationalizing to salvage this end of the love triangle...Sigh. I'm a sucker for beauty and the beast tales but alas, this was inevitable.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know. That excuse might work if he was some 17 year old inexperienced virgin but he's a grown adult man with numerous wives, concubines, children and an immense amount of power. I'm sure he knows what he is doing is wrong but he doesn't care because he's selfish and obsessive.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed. At the end of this episode, he was like, "Screw it. I can and will have you because I'm the king." It's so messed up. As much as I love how layered Yeonsangun is in this show, he's pretty much unshippable to me because his sad backstory doesn't change the fact that he is, as you put it, selfish and obsessive.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, Yeonsangun said it in plain words like a cave man, I King, You mine. CK's horror at the change she saw in him was so real. He grabbed her, and then she pushed him away. The KING. His mind must be a mess of emotions about all that but mine has only fear for CK. I don't have room in my mind for justifying anything about an all-powerful King's feelings right now.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

1. I'm afraid of Yeonsangun love for Chae kyung. And so worried with the love triangle.
2. True. Who's not gonna fall in love with Chae Kyung. She gives positive energy to both of the brothers and brings out the goodnes in them.
3. So we have to wait until Wednesday? :((((

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i love everything about this incredibly amazing drama -- the OTP, the great acting of everybody, the crazy king, the pull and push, the "feels", the layered of emotions, the little nuances, the just right amount of comedy, the love between our couple, the choreography, the story, the pacing, wow, it seems seamless! And of course the NANNY!

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hello everyone love this drama too,have you watch any behind the scenes of these?you should check it out our OTP is sooo much cute together in it theu look so comfortable with each other i ship them for real.????

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I created an account on this website just to comment on this drama. I have never been so invested in a drama until now.

I love everything about this drama, the cast, cinematography, plot, music, setting, outfits, dialogue (YWJ's "Without you, I will be ruined anyway" Ermagadd) This drama keeps me on the edge of my seat but also tugs at my heart. This drama is such a roller coaster of emotions like pls stop playin with me.

I can't wait to watch next week's episodes, I hope the ratings go up ;_; koreans are sleeping on this beautiful drama.

6
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hi there!! Same for me. I have been reading dramabeans for years, but never felt compelled to create and account until now! Welcome to the site! I totally agree on everything you said above. This is such a beautiful drama. Ah my heart!

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Welcome to the website too!
I've only recently came across dramabeans because of SDQ XD

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I knew it!
I knew Yung was besotted with Chae Gyung, he just didn't know what it was, the poor guy. How how could her character not have noticed?
Alas, she had eyes only on Yeok, disaster!
“You will pay for wanting what is mine! ” I just love Yung, Chae Gyung moderated him somewhat, he's less nasty now no?
I'm babbling, this drama makes me soooo emotional *sigh*
One thing is for certain, the ending is going to require your entire stash of Kleenex!

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just watched this episode a little while ago and wow! Yeonsangun makes that decision with Chae-kyung .... and in that way.

We have the privilege of knowing some history and background on this monarch, so we know about his behavioral outbursts. However expected though, it is still shocking to watch this king lash out in anger and jealousy, all in his quest to control the people and situations around him because what he really can't control at this point is his heart.

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for fast recap @girlfriday
I'm not tired to say that this version of Yeonsangun by far is the best, credits to writer and of course LDG stellar acting!
1. I can feel the desperation of Yeonsangun who is actually a bit late in realizing his feeling toward Chaegyung. “Did you know—that the petty love that comes from a gaze, or a grazing of hands…” Yeonsangun pounds his chest as he says, “…was in here too?” >> it breaks my heart, amidst the bursting anger he try to strangle Noksoo to death... I just can't blame him.
2. Little memories like Chaegyung Dad once offered Yeonsangun consolation when Yeonsangun was left outside Daddy King version of happy little family. To me Yeonsangun was just another boy, grow up without family love, Daddy King favors his little brother than him and no mother to turn to. HE only wanted to be loved! But on the other hand, Yeonsangun indeed a scary king. No one can't failed him, if someone does....not only that person but the whole family has to pay the price. The way he threatened Chaegyung dad is scary!
3. Ending kissing scene between Yeonsangun and Chaegyung... The jealousy, the anger, the desperation, LDG make it hard not to love Yeonsangun. I know the history and it ain't good for him but I still ship the tyrant King and Chaegyung! Damn, what have you done to me LDG?!?!

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I finally watched this episode, and boy oh boy the highlight of the episode for me is when Chae Kyung got a hold of that sword and pointed it on evil minister's neck.

I bet they did not see it coming from a girl.

Girl, you rock!

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know a lot of people love CK and Yeok to be together, but as of now, I don't want them to be together as I know what's gonna happen and history can't be changed. This drama manages to make me siding the tyrant King by bringing up his pasts and emotions. I also don't like Yeok's character. True, he's trying to be the "righteous" one when he went against his brother for Seo Noh's father, but the way he said it, to me, it's kinda belittling the King and he seems to take advantage of him being the King's younger brother to get what he wants. And now he wants to get revenge and becomes the King as he's so "sick" with his brother being the tyrant King and thinking that the King was the one who tried to kill him. I also don't like how he knows CK's family is loyal to the King but he's still trying to put CK's family in a tight spot by marrying her just because he loves her and believes that CK's family will be on his side. If CK's family does be on his side, doesnt he think about the consequences they might have to face for comitting treason? And if they're still with the King's side, would others who support Yeok would forgive them if Yeok becomes the King? In this situation, I think Yeok is just selfish and greedy for wanting both the throne and CK at the same time.

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeon Woo Jin and Park Min Young's chemistry is just wonderful. They are really selling this beautiful romance as adults. The chemistry between both the adult and child actors it's some of the best I've seen in a Korean drama.

I have no sympathy for the King. He needs to grow up! He's a 30 year old tantrum throwing manchild. He's been king for 10 years and hasn't matured or improved at all. Is he going to spend his whole adult life blaming his childhood for his deficiencies as a human being and a King?

It's unfortunate he wasn't daddy's favourite and his mother was killed but he has the responsibility of leading a country and its people and he still had many advantages and opportunities and good influences in life (like Minister Shin). Instead of embracing that and trying to be a better person and King he alienates everybody, neglects his royal duties and embraces the poisonous influences in his life.

He doesn't care about the country, doesn't care about his Queen, doesn't care about his children, doesn't care about the suffering of his subjects. The only thing that matters is what he feels and what he wants. He's weak-willed and selfish and has shown his father was correct that he would be a bad king and ruin the country. Everything that has gone wrong in his life as an adult he brought on himself. As javabeans succinctly put it in the previous recap he is the author of his own demise.

7
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I totally agree about this drama being the best in this timeslot. I was following Ruler before but the plot got absurd along the way that even Yoon Seongho and Kim Sohyun can't save it. To be honest I was watching the other dramas on air even in the Mon-Tue slot but I dropped all of them for this show. I would have to say that it's the best among the airing dramas right now. Waiting for Wed is such a torture.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I still see the queen dowager as PMY character's loving mum in healer ??? but here she'll be her mother in-law from hell ???

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Haha! I thought this from the moment she turned against the childhood counterpart! We're finally getting that lengthy reunion we always wanted, but somehow I have a feeling it won't be very pleasant...

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I feel weird and wronged for liking Chaekyung with the King. I mean I know he's half bad but I can't help myself from getting happy each time there's scenes of Chaekyung and King together. I think the King really cares for her and loves her too.. I still can't forget how the King saved Chaekyung when she got poisoned and then fed her. And of course, I know that Chaekyung won't be with the King in the end. However, I still love Yeok! He's so sweet.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was reading Korean history while waiting for Wed and just confirmed that Myung-hye will indeed be the next queen after CK. The next queen is Queen Janggyeong who is from the Yun clan and her real name is Yun Myung-hye. Aaaaaaaargh, just thinking she got to mother Yeok's children makes my heart boil.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

should have been my blood, not heart (lol).

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's been ages since I've liked an OTP this much! They're adorable and breaking my heart T_T

Also, Lee Dong Gun has been esp. amazing with his descent into madness.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Okay, this is gotta be the fastest catching up I have ever done. I watched all 10 episodes in a flash and I want moooooar! It's even worse now that Yeonsangun snapped and just unleashed his possesive, twisted nature in front of Chae-kyung. His angry jealousy and how unpredictable he is is giving me chills, I love it. I've never seen Lee Dong-gun in a drama (Yeon Woo-jin and Park Min-young are my old buddies :)), but damn, he's acting the hell out of this role.

I need to know what will happen, dammit! Come faster, drama!

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"Snail wives"? Is the translation correct? Can someone please enlighten me?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeonsangun (LDG) is my Korean Darth Vader. He makes me want to come to the dark side!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Loath Myung-hye but quite fond of Yeonsangun ??

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *