78

Seven Day Queen: Episode 3

This show is amazing to look at, but what I’m really captivated by is the epic conflict between two royal brothers who have to fight a daily struggle in order not to become enemies. I love this kind of story, built for tragic misunderstanding but backed by real stakes, making the romance that’s just starting to blossom at the center of it all seem all the more fragile and precious.

 

 
EPISODE 3 RECAP

Yeonsangun receives word that his father’s secret will (naming his younger brother Yeok as his successor) was taken out of the palace by a historian who’s been living in secret all these years.

Royal Secretary Im fans the flames of paranoia, asking what happens if Yeok and the queen dowager are already aware of the will and after it themselves—he’s heard that they left the palace together on a secret errand. Yeonsangun says through gritted teeth that that’s why they have to get their hands on it first.

Officers are sent to the historian’s house, which happens to be where Prince Yeok and Chae-kyung are right now, visiting their new pickpocket-turned-friend Seo-no. Chae-kyung catches Yeok innocently reaching to remove a twig in her hair, and declares right then and there that she will have to marry him after all. Gee, what’ll you do when he tries to hold your hand?

Yeok looks flabbergasted, but Chae-kyung grabs his hand and says with the biggest smile that rather than marry someone she’s never even met, she’d prefer to marry her new friend Yeok. He squirms awkwardly, and is saved when Seo-no calls out for them.

Yeok hurries to go back inside, so Chae-kyung yanks him back by the belt (hee) and demands an answer to her proposal. Yeok just stammers, “Am I crazy?” leaving her crushed. He turns back to look at her, thinking of his brother’s offer to let him live if he married Minister Shin’s daughter.

It only takes that one response from Yeok to make Chae-kyung say petulantly to herself, “I didn’t want to either!” She thinks it’s his fault for not being terrible enough to hate or good enough to be above her, making it hard for her not to want to marry him. Lol, she’s adorable.

The king holds a prayer ceremony for rain, and Deputy Commander Park finds issue with the king always acting alone rather than with his government officials, while Chae-kyung’s father, Minister Shin, thinks that there’s nothing wrong with the king taking action on behalf of his people.

Minister Shin calls it sincere, while Deputy Commander Park thinks it egocentric because Yeonsangun always needs things done his way. So Minister Shin is Team Yeonsangun, Deputy Commander Park is not. Check, check.

The entire assembly is shocked when Yeonsangun kneels in prayer, and they hurry to kneel in accord. In prayer, Yeonsangun looks up at the sky and speaks to his father, saying that he doesn’t really know about the gods, but he asks his father to please send rain down, sincere in his request.

At Seo-no’s house, Yeok puts another salamander in a water jug and explains that salamanders are thought to be the dragons of wind and rain. That just reminds Chae-kyung of the salamander statue that she and Yeok fought over, and Yeok points out that she was going to give it to the king anyway, so it’ll find its way to the rightful owner. She scowls.

Seo-no asks why they bought a salamander statue, and in unison Yeok and Chae-kyung say that salamanders are dragons, referring to a pun on the word for dragon, and because dragons symbolize the king, it’s an appropriate gift. Seo-no laughs at the pun and calls them both childish, and then they’re offended in unison.

Yeok finishes explaining his rain ritual and grabs a branch to start the chant, but he’s shocked when Seo-no finishes his sentence and recites it to the letter. Yeok asks how he could possibly know a palace ritual like that, but then they’re interrupted by the arrival of Seo-no’s father and grandmother.

His father takes one look at the rain ritual and snaps at Seo-no, and then says tersely to Yeok and Chae-kyung that this isn’t the kind of place for them. They leave quietly, and from the woods beyond the house, the king’s officers watch them go. In a flashback, we see Secretary Im tell the lead officer to watch that house, and if anyone connected to the palace is seen there, he is to kill them regardless of who they are.

Seo-no’s father tells him never to see those two people again, and when Seo-no says they saved his life and are his friends, his father kicks the salamander jug over in anger.

On the walk back, Yeok seems to sense that they’re being followed, while Chae-kyung is still stuck on his rejection. She asks him why he doesn’t like her, and he stops in his tracks… and then suddenly grabs her wrist and starts running. They run for their lives, with the officers hot on their heels.

They make it into town and barely escape by hiding in a moving cart, and then when they get a moment to catch their breath, Chae-kyung asks why they’re running away when they did nothing wrong.

Yeok says that even if they didn’t do anything wrong, they could still die—it’s what he was taught since he was born, because he’s a prince. Chae-kyung doesn’t understand, but then she remembers him saying earlier that he has to pretend not to see or hear anything in order to stay alive, and it sinks in that life is actually quite complicated for Yeok.

She looks at him with sympathy and reaches over to hold his hand gently. He looks at her, and she quickly lies that it’s because she’s scared he’ll leave her behind. He seems more affected by the handhold than she is, and when they hear someone approach, he interlocks their fingers and holds tightly.

The officers get dangerously close to their hiding spot, and that’s when Chae-kyung and Yeok both notice that they’ve left a trail of muddy footprints leading right to them. Gack.

Chae-kyung squeezes her eyes shut and prays to the heavens that they won’t discover those footprints, and Yeok sees how terrified she is. He covers her ears and turns her to face him, and tells her that everything is going to be okay, and that she needn’t be afraid.

It works like a charm, and she gazes into his eyes and nods, a doofy smile breaking out across her face. And in that moment, a drop of water falls on Yeok’s forehead. It’s rain!

They look up at the sky and marvel at the rainfall, as people take to the streets in celebration of the end of the long drought. In no time the streets are muddy and filled with people, covering their footprints completely.

At the same time, Yeonsangun looks up at the sky with a genuine smile as the rain comes down. It’s timed perfectly to his prayer ceremony as if the gods are smiling down on him, and the people bow and cry in gratitude to the king.

As he turns around to his people bowing before him, Yeonsangun addresses his father again in his thoughts: “Father, do you see? Do you still find me lacking as this nation’s king? I am not going to doubt. I am the king of Joseon, both in deed and in name!”

Safely out of harm’s way, Yeok and Chae-kyung run through a field and look for cover to wait out the rainfall.

In the palace, the queen dowager comes to see the queen and congratulate her on the rainfall. She tells the queen that Yeok has no ambition for the throne and asks her to convince her brother, Minister Shin, to agree to the marriage proposal between Yeok and Chae-kyung. At the same time, Yeonsangun puts pressure on Minister Shin regarding the very same matter.

The officer who lost Yeok reports to Secretary Im, who seems pleased as punch to hear that the prince was found at the house of the historian suspected of hiding the late king’s will.

Yeonsangun tells Minister Shin that he spoke harshly to Yeok, but his mind is made up. He says that here, before Yeok is his brother, he is a prince in line for the throne and a political rival: “It’s not because he is a brother I cherish, but because he is a brother I must be wary of that I am giving him to you. Because I cannot trust anyone but you.”

Secretary Im finally gets to report what he’s found out, and Yeonsangun is enraged, wondering why Yeok would be at that house. Secretary Im says it’s obvious that Yeok and the queen dowager know of the late king’s will, and are conspiring against them. Yeonsangun demands that the historian be brought here and questioned immediately.

As they wait for the rain to stop, Yeok admits to Chae-kyung that he was planning to tell everyone that he would never marry her. He had considered it a hit to his pride to marry into the family of the king’s closest ally, because it would prove that Yeok was afraid and distrustful of his own brother.

Chae-kyung thinks their marriage would only bring their families closer together, and he calls her naïve. She argues that when they were being chased earlier, she asked for help and took the rain as a sign that they shouldn’t be afraid and that heaven was on their side. He calls it silly superstition, but she says it still gave her courage, and tells him not to be preemptively afraid just because adults have made the world however they please.

Her words seem to have an effect on him, and he stares at her thoughtfully. When she catches him staring though, he quickly covers it up by pointing out that she must like him, and enjoys her embarrassed reaction.

They sit there for a while watching the wind make waves in the grass, as Chae-kyung whistles her favorite tune.

In the palace, Yeonsangun practices his sword fighting, and Secretary Im confers with consort Jang Nok-soo as they watch him. Secretary Im says that the king is now hypersensitive, to the point that throwing one small rock will create waves of great magnitutde. Nok-soo says that the king has carried the same scars for a long time, and she no longer wants to see him suffering.

Secretary Im flashes back to the days of King Seongjong, when he was made to crawl around on his hands and knees while little Yeok rode him like a horse. Minister Shin, who was important enough to whisper secrets with the king, saw this, making Secretary Im’s inferiority complex and resentment grow.

In the present, Secretary Im vows that because he was treated like a dog, he had no choice but to become a dog, and will take the life of King Seongjong’s precious son Yeok as his revenge, allowing Yeonsangun and himself to control the country.

Yeok sees Chae-kyung limping as they walk back home, and he crouches to offer her a piggyback ride. She refuses at first, so he asks if she’ll let him if he marries her. Chae-kyung beams and asks if he likes her now, and Yeok teasingly calls her Bird Poop and refuses to answer.

When they get to a stream, Yeok holds his hand out like a gentleman to help her climb down some rocks, and then points out that he has to carry her piggyback anyway, indicating the water they have to cross. She insists that she’s agreeing only because it’s rude to keep turning him down, not because she wants to, heh.

She climbs on and he teases her for being heavy, scaring her by wobbling around in the water. When he laughs at her, she smacks him upside the head and they both freeze, but instead of being haughty, he laughs sweetly and says, “When we get married, let’s live like this for the rest of our lives, having fun like friends.”

She huffs that she’s not falling for it again, expecting him to tease her. But he says this time he means it: “But it’s not an arranged marriage. I’m marrying you because I like you.” Awwww.

She hugs him tighter and he smiles, having gotten his answer, and they laugh and tease each other as he carries her home.

Seo-no asks his father why he can’t be friends with Yeok and Chae-kyung, and his father says that there is always a price to pay for being friends with people who are not in your station in life. Just then, the officers from the high tribunal, the Euigeumbu, arrive at the house, and Seo-no’s father pushes his way in front of his son.

It’s nightfall when Yeok drops Chae-kyung off outside her house, and she hems and haws before blurting out that if they’re betrothed, they should have a token of some sort to seal the deal. She nervously takes off her ring and asks for his finger, and slides it on his pinky. She insists that it fits perfectly, ignoring the failed attempt to get it on his index finger.

He says, “My token is…” and takes a step forward. Omo. He leans in to kiss her, and she closes her eyes in anticipation…

Seo-no’s voice suddenly cuts in at that very moment, and they split apart awkwardly.

Seo-no falls to his knees and begs for Yeok to save his father, who’s been arrested by the Euigeumbu. Seo-no thinks it’s because he stole rice that his father was arrested in his place, but Yeok says that wouldn’t be the case, and vows to save him.

Chae-kyung wants to help, but Yeok tells her to take care of Seo-no and his grandmother, worried that acting rashly could get her hurt too. She wants to take responsibility if this is about the rice, but Yeok says emphatically that she did nothing wrong. He gives her hand a squeeze and then runs off.

At the Euigeumbu, Yeonsangun personally oversees Seo-no’s father being tortured and questioned. Yeonsangun demands that the man admit he was a royal historian, and asks why Yeok was at his house. Seo-no’s father insists that he is just a peasant, but in his rush to defend Yeok, he blurts out that Yeok knows nothing.

Yeonsangun’s eyes flash with frightening malice as he catches the slip and he asks, “Knows nothing about what?”

After the torture session, Yeonsangun thinks back to Chae-kyung asking him why family couldn’t just live and die together, and he thinks to himself that it can’t be that way for him. He looks down and sees bloodstains on his shoes and clothes, and that sends him into another panicked rage as he strips off the bloody layers and screams for them to be thrown out.The queen comes by intending to speak with him, but when she sees his outburst, she just quietly collects his royal robes and decides to come back another day.

When Chae-kyung comes to finally give her father the letter she hand-carried all the way to Hanyang, she’s shocked to find the queen (her aunt) there for a visit. Chae-kyung almost starts to ask about Seo-no’s father but decides against it.

Once she leaves the room, Chae-kyung’s father reads the letter, which is from the priestess who once gave him the prophecy that there would be blood spilled if Chae-kyung were to meet a member of the royal family. In the letter, she tells him not to forget her prophecy, and not to trust the late king.

It only further fuels his fear that the prophecy is true, and Chae-kyung’s father asks his sister to do what she can to stop this marriage from happening.

First thing in the morning, Yeok storms into the Euigeumbu to defend Seo-no’s father, who has been arrested under the pretense that he stole the rice that Seo-no was nearly caught for stealing. Secretary Im says that stealing a royal tribute is a serious crime, and so is the lie Yeok told to protect him, and that Seo-no’s father will be beheaded as punishment.

Yeok attempts to reach his brother, but Yeonsangun ignores his cries and has him held back by his guards.

Meanwhile, the king’s head eunuch whispers something to consort Nok-soo, who gives him the king’s royal badge and tells him that just seeing this will make “someone” go against royal orders to try and free a prisoner, not knowing that he’s digging his own grave.

Yeok waits until the assembly is over, and Yeonsangun finally stops to speak to him. Yeok accepts that contempt for the king is the gravest sin there is, but he counters that there’s something more important than that—human life. He begs for a fair trial for Seo-no’s father, in case he’s been mistakenly charged.

Yeonsangun scoffs and says that Yeok is the same as always, believing his own judgment to be above the king’s. He steps close to Yeok and whispers, “Listen closely, brother. What you need right now is not a trial, but the king’s forgiveness, understanding, and magnanimity.”

He tells Yeok to learn to obey royal commands, and then turns to go. Yeok reaches for his arm to try and stop him, and Yeonsangun whips around in fury… and Yeok accidentally swipes Yeonsangun’s face, drawing blood. Eeek.

The ministers panic and Yeonsangun is livid, but he holds it together long enough to walk away. As they walk by, the king’s eunuch makes sure to drop the king’s royal badge at Yeok’s feet.

Chae-kyung goes to check on Seo-no, but finds his home in disarray and his grandmother already dead. Seo-no is crouched in a dark corner crying that it’s all his fault.

Of course that just makes Chae-kyung think it’s her fault for interfering in the first place, and she runs to the palace while crying for someone, anyone, to help her.

The queen dowager scolds Yeok for being foolish, but Deputy Commander Park says that it was refreshing to see someone ask for a fair trial before the assembly—words he hasn’t heard in a very long time. He points out that no one but Yeok would have the gall to challenge Yeonsangun like that, but he adds that no one would dare risk his neck for a thief, making Yeok’s face fall.

Yeonsangun unleashes his wrath through swordfighting, speaking to his sparring partners as though they’re Yeok. He says that he can forgive Yeok for challenging him publicly in front of the assembly.

But then he adds that if he discovers that Yeok is protecting the historian because of the secret will, and mocking and deceiving him while waiting to become an adult, then he will never forgive him for that.

Yeok is blocked from leaving the palace that night, but when he flashes the king’s badge, indicating that he is acting under royal authority, the gate is opened instantly. He finds Chae-kyung running there to meet him, anxious to know what’s happening. She cries that Seo-no’s grandmother has passed away from the shock of her son’s arrest, and then Yeok tells her that Seo-no’s father will be beheaded.

They stand outside the Euigeumbu and Yeok prepares to barge inside to rescue Seo-no’s father, but Chae-kyung worries that he’ll take the fall for trying to intervene. She suggests asking her father for help, but Yeok argues that her father is loyal to the king. She says she’ll ask the king herself if she has to, and Yeok asks if she’s bragging about her connections.

He shouts in frustration that he told her to stay out things, but she got them in this mess, and Chae-kyung cries that she knows and regrets it too. He says that they don’t have time to waste, and marches toward the door. She tries to stop him again, but he warns her that if she tries one more time, he’ll never see her again. She drops her hand and lets him go.

Yeok flashes the king’s badge and is let inside immediately, where he lies to the guards that the king has ordered Seo-no’s father’s release. Seo-no’s father is barely alive, and whispers for Yeok to stay out of this and leave him be.

Yeok ignores him and carries him out on his back, and is surprised when Chae-kyung and Seo-no arrive with a cart, ready to help with the getaway. Yeok looks so grateful that his friends didn’t leave him.

Meanwhile, the Euigeumbu guards discover that Yeok wasn’t acting under the king’s orders, and Jang Nok-soo arrives as well, having anticipated that Yeok would take the bait she set out.

The Euigeumbu officers chase after Yeok, who’s wheeling the cart by himself, but then we discover that he’s just the diversion—Chae-kyung and Seo-no carry his father on a stretcher, while Yeok leads the officers in the opposite direction.

Yeok gets to a cliff and sends the cart over the edge, and the officers realize they’ve been had. Chae-kyung is losing her strength so they stop to rest, and she comes up with a plan when she remembers that one of her father’s tenants is packing up to head south early this morning.

She sends Seo-no and his father with him, saying that his father is ill and needs to rest in the countryside, and she hands Seo-no a small pouch of food for him to eat on the journey. He worries about what will happen to her and Yeok, but she says it’s not like they’d be killed. Uh, are we sure about that?

Seo-no thanks her in tears and vows to return this favor someday, but she tells him that there’s no need among friends.

Yeok races through the woods, but it doesn’t take long before he’s surrounded by officers who all draw their swords.

Meanwhile, Yeonsangun dreams of walking up to the throne and seeing his father sitting there… except when he gets closer, he sees that it’s not his father at all, but Yeok. He wakes up in a cold sweat, and Nok-soo guesses that he had another nightmare.

At that moment, Secretary Im comes running with the news of Yeok’s jailbreak. Yeonsangun storms into the room where Yeok is kneeling and puts a sword to his throat to ask why he did this.

Yeok answers, “For the throne.” What. Don’t say that! Anything but that!

 
COMMENTS

I’m sure that Yeok is planning to say that he did this for his brother because he didn’t want Yeonsangun killing an innocent man, but I don’t expect Yeonsangun to believe anything at this point. Yeok looks so guilty based on his rash actions, even though the only logical thing he could’ve been thinking the whole time was that his brother would have faith in him and just forgive him for everything. Otherwise, faking the king’s authority and freeing a prisoner like that seems utterly crazy. I mean, you left a trail of witnesses that you’re running around playing king.

But even though the plan was rash, it was a very important moment for Yeok, who has lived a life of inaction, always keeping his head down as a matter of his own personal survival. It’s a turning point for him to step up and act, and use what power he has to challenge the king or even fake his authority, and do what he thinks is right. It may have started with Chae-kyung prodding him to intervene for Seo-no, but this time the decision is all his, and he’s discovering his line in the sand. It shows promise for his future as a leader, which the court officials clearly saw as well; the bad news, of course, is that the more he asserts himself, the more he becomes an actual threat to Yeonsangun. This is the conundrum, since we want him to grow and be a good prince, but every step he takes puts every single person around him in mortal danger. What makes it really layered and interesting is Yeonsangun’s desire to trust his brother and protect him, which runs entirely counter to his growing paranoia that Yeok is running some long con and will use his love and trust against him someday. It’s so twisted and complicated. I love it.

The teenage love story is surprisingly really engaging, and I feel like it’s because we’re not zooming through it at warp speed—the show is taking the time to build on every interaction and make their scenes flirty and sweet, and it feels like a natural progression of friendship. Chae-kyung is delightfully assertive and cheeky, and it was nice to see Yeok match her advances this time with fluttery feelings of his own. And the fact that he admitted to being prejudiced against her because of her family makes his new feelings for her all the more genuine. His proposal was perfect, and I just want them to have a long and lovely life together as friends and lovers. You almost want to jump in there and warn Romeo and Juliet to go find other safer people to love, but isn’t it funny how knowing what lies ahead for them doesn’t make us any less excited about the romance in the present? This drama just likes to make me feel conflicted about everything.

I’m really happy with the directing in this show—it’s just nice to watch a drama that’s romantic and sweeping and then tense and thrilling, and executing both ends of the spectrum well. Lee Dong-gun has everything to do with the simmering tension, of course, because he’s essentially carrying the conflict as Yeonsangun. But man alive, is he making a fascinating character out of him—brilliant, paranoid, insecure. Watching his descent into madness and tyranny is going to be so great. That came out a little sadistic, but you know what I mean!

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , ,

78

Required fields are marked *

Gosh darn it Little Prince why did you have to say that?? Gosh all these misunderstandings!!! But this wouldn't be a saeguk without them~

6
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

But can I just say I am going to miss our young actors once they are no longer there... The chemistry between those two are through the roof and I just love their interactions~ I am sure i will fall in love with the older versions as well. Buuuut I dont wanna say goodbye to these two babies~!

14
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't want our young actors and actresses to leave either. Over the course of these past episodes, I have grown quite attached to these characters. Baek Seunghwan has been doing a great job as the younger prince and Park Si Eun has been amazing as well. I love the scene where they were in the field enjoying themselves, since it is such a lighthearted moment before the tragedy that is soon to happen.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yasssss, these kids are adorable, so realistic, I can't keep my finger stay still, when both of them show up I always tend to rewind it hahaha

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Also (Not sure why it wont let me edit my comments but I just remembered) Thank you sooo much for the fast recap~! That was beyond fast!

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I too have noticed, sadly there is not editing option for our comments. :-/

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I kept getting him confused with the young boy in Lookout at the start. They look very alike. Baek Seung Hwan and Park Solomon.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Baek Seunghwan's role as the young prince is almost over </3 Can't we have him fill out another role? I need more of him on my screen

10
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

My sister and I were watching tonight and saying the same thing. Hope he gets a larger role soon - he's too good to waste on short-term parts!

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was searching up his roles online and he's been continuously playing younger counterparts of adult characters :( I wanna see him in an actual role. Hopefully he will! He shined as the young prince in this show

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can I just say how beautiful that image of both of them sitting in that field is??

12
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

This show has many beautiful scenes ?

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the recap!!

I'm loving the drama so much right now.

Beautiful writing, beautiful acting, beautiful writing.

It reminds me the magic of Moonlight early episodes though this one seems better written in the politic/history department.

And according to the relationship chart, Yeonsangun will has one-sided crush on Chae Kyung later on.

So one tragedy upon another...brace your heart beanies.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the great recap! I am so enjoying this show, and one of my favorite things about it is the way they've managed to insert so many sweet, poignant moments between the teenagers between (and amidst) all the action and conflict. I especially loved the scene where Yeok and Chae Kyung are hiding from their pursuers - their relationship shifted there in such subtle ways and it was really lovely to watch that happening. There is something very touching about their interaction in that moment. It really is true that people do fall in love and experience romance even in the most life-threatening and difficult situations, and I love that the showrunners have honed in on that essential truth of human experience. Really looking forward to the next episode!

13
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

My thoughts exactly! Yes!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Love love love this comment! It captures all my feelings about this moment. There was something so lovely about the place that small scene took their characters.

We've seen scenes like this one used for forced proximity before and so I couldn't help but notice that the writer didn't rely on that at all this time. Instead, the focus was placed on strengthening their bond through the experience by having him share his constant struggle with her. Then, all the heart-fluttering moments of contact that occur after that, like the hand-hold and the ear-covering (a nice twist on the usual mouth-covering that occurs in these scenes!), happen out of their own desire to comfort and connect with each other! I just adore that.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The teenage love story is so heart fluttering. That child actor totally won over me. He so endearing and intense, I just remember he is the same actor play JangHyuk young roles in Beautiful Mind. He only show up in a few episode but he just doing so well. Another promising young actor and i want to see him more in the future. The child actor resemble so much with YWJ and PMY. I agree with GF, LeeDongGun is just amazing.

8
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ugh this episode was so stressful to watch, but so, sooooo good! My heart fluttered for the young lovers. The timespan of their romance was short, but the moments felt well earned. I'm rooting for their happily ever after even though I know it's not meant to be. Ugghhh. These adorable kids have great chemistry.

And omo Yeok-ah, WAE????!!!!!

On one hand, I would've disliked him for being a pathetic princeling if he didn't do his damnedest for Seon-oh's dad. Otoh, OMO WHAT ARE YOU DOING????!!!!! He was rash and reckless, but I felt his sense of urgency and desperation. This is some stellar acting by Baek Seunghwan. I see a great future for that boy.

Tonight's episode will be painful. But this is the show I signed up for. *sigh* To the pain!

6
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Almost forgot to add - CHAE-KYUNG IS AWESOME!!!! Her quick plan to smuggle Seo-noh's dad to the south was clever. Now, I think she will use that favor Yeonsangun owes her to save Yeok.

7
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's a good example of quick thinking = good thinking. :) Since it's not always the case.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was not able to download this drama so inorder to catchup with drama i started reading recap and while reading only i can feel the chemistry and i really loved the storyline ,this drama is taking time to slowly setup its characters before taking the leap and that is the thing that i like ,there is no rush and and drama is creating its own pace

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I find this site is very slow sometimes and my home broadband is very fast (UK) but if I run a vpn to USA this site works normally, go figure.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i prefer sevendays queen than ruler. their story and cast more charming..

9
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@girlfriday I am so in awe of how you do your job so fast and so well (which hardly needs for me to point out I realize.) Your recap is already up while I am still waiting for Viki to finish subbing! Have you found your new crack in Seven Day Queen?

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Those sweet moments that our two leads shared somehow gave me the Princess's Man feels--there they are all frolicking and carefree whilst somewhere some people are planning and plotting away something nefarious. Knowing the history just made it all the more bittersweet. I just wanted the two of them to run away then and there. Don't come back, don't look back just be together and be happy you two. Ack. But alas. Methinks things are bound to get pretty nasty from hereon.? I dunno why this show is not garnering that much in the ratings department--it's beautiful and well told so far. (Ack I'm supposed to be studying for my final exams next week but here I am being glued to the recaps and the dramas. Oh dear.) ?

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Good luck for next week - you already did the hard work :-) x

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This young prince has so much love in his heart. For his brother, young lady love and friend. I love to watch these 2 young lovers with innocent souls and strong sense of friendship. But I can't wait to see YWJ and PMY to start playing their roles in this drama and tug my heart harder. I stocked tissue already...

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks, girlfriday, for the speedy recap.

There's plenty of room in Kdramaland for differing characterizations of historic figures. I loved Kim Ji-suk's Yeonsangun in REBEL, and am really enjoying Lee Dong-gun's take on the same personage. With all the underhanded politics at court, it's no wonder Yeonsangun is turning into a basket case. The scenes of the rain ceremony were beautiful, and showed that he was sincerely trying to be a good king.

In a similar vein, I like what I'm seeing of Son Eun-Seo's version of Jang Nok-soo. She's ruthlessly protecting the king.

I now have whiplash from seeing Jang Hyun-Sung in MAN TO MAN and 7DQ simultaneously. He's great in both roles. Kim Jung-Young as Chae-kyung's mother is also making my head spin. She's currently playing Suji's mother in LOOKOUT.

7
10
reply

Required fields are marked *

I feel the same way about Jang Hyun sung. Head Dir Jang, what are you doing in sageuk garb??

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Not only that, Head Jang's NIS boss (Kang Shil In) is in MAN TO MAN too! I already hate him as Royal Secretary Im.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

AND he's Im in both dramas and a villain/traitor!

I now have a whiplash seeing both men in both dramas simultaneously too.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't think he was trying to be a good king with the rain ceremony. From his words it seemed more like his inferioty complex at work again and trying to show his father yet again that he was good enough to be king rather than out of any genuine concern for the plight of his people.

The sad part for him is that he is still a failure. He didn't cause the rain. It was the Prince and Chae-Kyung that brought the rainfall.

5
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed. He didn't hold that ceremony because he was genuinely worried about his people's plight. It was all about proving himself a worthy king.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, I also interpret his glee over the sudden shower this way. I think the joy originates from his inferior complex than anything else.

Where his feelings and good side feel genuine to me, though, is his affection for his little brother while he is not taken completely over by jealousy and suspicion.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

When he smiled when it rained, I'm like accckkk he'd (the King) better not find out that somewhere, those kiddos made their own prayer for rain, and that perhaps that's the one the heavens answered and not his. :)

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

*and perhaps that's (sorry for the double that)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nok-soo doesn't appear much, but boy does Son Eun-seo make those appearances count. I don't expect we'll get as much character exploration here as in Rebel, but I like the layers I'm seeing. She's ruthless and fierce, but it's clear she loves Yeonsangun deeply. I expect I'll hate her later in the show, but I'll feel sorry for her when he falls for Chae-kyung.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Noksoo is a manipulative and calculative person, but she does seem to care for the king.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This episode is LOVE.
I share the same sentiment with other beanies here that the romance has so far been very well-built and well-depicted. Their interactions have transitioned from bickering, hurt pride to new-found admiration, unexpected interest and then fondness in a very organic manner, which makes their feelings for each other real and relatable. I love it even more when Chae-Kyung says she wants to marry him because she feels comfortable around him and the idea of spending the rest of her life with someone she considers a friend is much better than a stranger whom she has never met. That is so true to her nature and age, a naive little country pumpkin that she is, having no clue as to what it means by marriage and perhaps even romantic interest in the prince. Her naivety and blunt honesty only makes the feeling more raw and genuine, and the prince's confession both heart fluttering and heart-warming. Who would have believed these two can be so convincing in the romance department judging from their interactions in ep 1? That it takes only two episodes to build their interest in and feeling for each other to this stage while not sacrificing other aspects of the show is admirable in itself, so kudos to the writer. While there was some concern (me included, though I wasn't vocal about it) that LDG would steal the spotlight, I'm pleasantly pleased to be proven wrong by the child actor and actress. They certainly hold their candles across the more experienced senior, and the three of them, regardless of their age, have managed to create the perfect balance in the story up to this point.

Show, please be this good until the end.

10
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

*country bumpkin
I seriously need an edit button...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have a fondness for good child/teenage actors in a drama. No matter how much I love the adult counterparts, I was always so sorry to see the child actors exit. I have repeatedly watched the teenage episodes of Moon Embracing the Sun. Goblin did a wonderful job of assimilating the teenage counterparts throughout the series.

4
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I can't agree more! I absolutely adore the child portion of Moon Sun and in my humble opinion they are the ones who make the series iconic for me. Whenever I'm in the mood for a rewatch it's always the first 6 episodes of that series that I turn to. Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Yoo Jung made me a crying mess. Well, actually all the other child actors and actresses in that series contributed to that; that's why I always consider Moon Sun ep 1-6 a stand-alone series of its own right.

I have watched a few eps of Goblin and must say the story would have been epic if it had been set in the Goryeo era. Everything in that part of the Goblin universe is compelling!

I actually was very surprised by 7DQ child cast. I was blown away by LDG in the first ep and thought he would overshadow the younger cast, but ep 2 and 3 proved me wrong and I've never been happier to be so. The two kids don't look like they belong to another world from LDG. Instead, they mesh well into the story and make the characters so endearing. I'm so excited to see how YWJ and PMY will carry their roles from here onward based on the solid ground the kids have built for them and the series.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agree that Moon Sun was iconic for the child counterparts. Kdrama needs to produce sageuk stories with child or teenage actors as main leads. Make it a 10 episode drama or something. Let teenage actors be teenagers instead of pushing them to act with adults as lovers in dramas. I think I am traditional in that sense.

Yes too to the Goryeo parts of Goblin. They were shot cinematically. Much more compelling than the future parts. I would watch it without fast-forwarding. It will be a different story but what the heck.

I now want to watch Moon Sun episode 1-6. Haha

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeh this writer is doing a cracking job, so well I'm sure they could cope with ghosting Ruler too and still make fine job of both.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap!
Aww Yeok. I am with ChaeKyung wanting to stop him from saving SeonHo's father. There is a reason you need to be careful with a King/ brother who has a volatile temperament. Yeok still has some growing up to do but him stepping out of his safe zone for someone else is really admirable knowing how he was groomed to be.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

So, my love for Suspicious Partner led me on a rewatching binge of Healer (it's the first drama I've ever watched twice!!), which made me fall in love with PMY again, which led me to this drama... and the child counterparts are SO CUTE together (even despite all the angst, which I also like). I'll be sad to see them go even though I love the adult actors too :(

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lee Dong-gun is surpassing all expectations! To be honest, I didn't think he would be able to carry this role; however, his crazy-ass expressions in this episode --particularly when it started to rain & at the torture/confession scene (those bizarre half-grins/grimaces)-- were amazing. His monologue during the sword practice was disturbingly unhinged.

I adore the kid actors & will be sad to see them go ... but I am so looking forward to seeing what more LDG will do in role of king.

4
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lee Dong-gun is so good at acting unhinged. I never would've thought it judging from his previous roles.

5
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

You can kind of notice now how he's always had good eyes for a crazed character like this. They tend to bulge out whenever he widens them and intensifies his gaze.

When you think about, he's really never had a character that called for this kind of intensity before. I found him charming in some roles in the past, but he definitely never impressed with his range like he has here. Just goes to show how some actors have to wait their whole career for that special role. Glad he's found it!

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True that. His years of acting gave him enough experience to be able to play a role like this now. Hard work and experience will never betray you.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

His role in Lovers in Paris was kind of unhinged - insecure, childish, and overly-emotional. Technically, he was (one of) the villain(s) in the drama, but is remembered for his romantic cheesy lines instead. But then again, I watched it after I became a fan, so I was mainly watching for his performance. I still think it was one of his best, not including SDQ.
If anyone remembers the short drama he did with Lee Hyori (If in Love Like Them), he also has some crazed scenes in there.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the only role of him that I am applauding him for.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

After Seo-no saying he'll repay the favour someday, I'm expecting he'll be important in the future in saving her from execution/meeting her after she's exiled?

Maybe when she's exiled she'll live with him somewhere nice in the countryside for a somewhat bittersweet but not heartbreaking ending.

(And then Yeok can secretly visit them everyday and they'll all live happily after XD)

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes please, I want this revisionist version of history

#indenial

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ugh, I'm nursing a slight SLS here over Yeonsangun, not that I'm rooting for him to get the girl but he's catching my eyes so much that I wish Yeon Woo-jin would just come out already. Also, the preview of Yeonsangun grabbing Chae-kyung's hand and ran, slightly tipping his hat, got me so excited! Gosh, so hot! So devilishly hot!

6
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same, I've been lowkey on that Cha Kyung - King ship since their very first scene together. I can see him becoming soft through her love. I am such a sucker for such love stories.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Love this episode. It was definitely a shift for Yeok. It is heartbreaking for me to see the brothers fighting against each other while both trying to uphold their roles as king and crown prince and as brothers who love each other. Reminds me of my own siblings and sibling feuds.

As much as I am frustrated with kdrama's obsession with first love as eternal love, I can't help but root for the doomed love here. It is not just about falling in love with the beautiful and handsome, but it is love layered with intelligence and moral values. It is quite a heartening sight to see the teenage couple. They are making rash and courageous decisions but I would like to see the positive part of the relationship to happen to my own younger brothers and sisters if they date one day.

Admire the writer's story and dialogue. I can actually see this as a novel. Cinematic, dramatic, moving and thoughtful. This is one drama I wish was 1 and a half hours long per episode.

Thanks for the lovely recap!

4
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Now that you say it, yes, the drama has the marks of a novel. I thought I was to cynical for a good old love story of star-crossed lovers, but apparently not!

Going back to my literary romantic roots...I didn't really like Romeo and Juliet as a play, but Juliet is my favourite heroine (if that makes sense?). I kind of see Juliet in Chae Kyung, who's the kind of girl to love fiercely and love forever: 'My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.' The lines in this drama have that sort of feel. However, I'm liking this teenage Romeo a lot more than Shakespeare's.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

My daughter's reading English at uni and gave me a long leture about all the faults in R&J (my long time favourite since school exams) so I've adopted God of War: Zhao Zi Long instead Lol

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

OMG this drama! Seriously, I love it! (so far) everything is so cool. I think LDG is doing a great job as the king, I can see and feel his angst, his fear, paranoia about his possition, leadership and struggle with the truth about the throne heir. He knows his father was right, he's not a good king but he does not care (i.e that rain ceremony, he was doing it not because he believe in it, it was like a "to do" thing but I doubt rain happened because of that), his greed is beyond his father's wish because he knows that Yeok has what it takes.

The next chapter preview has me craving for it, I miss young actors because they are so cute and are setting up a great foundation for the older leads, I was sooo wishing that kiss.

This is the kind of sageuk I've been wanting to see, with cute scenes but with a strong story to develop. It doesn't seem to go be the one to go down a hill *cough* Ruler *cough*

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

@girlfriday thanks for recapping! :D

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The Teenage romance was just adorable. This Seemsms to be such a solid show in all aspects. The scenes are breathtakingly beautiful, the actors wonderful, the writing paced just perfectly the characters complex and layered , I am wondering why more people are not watching.

I am ok with yeok telling he did it for the throne, though i didn't expect it at all. Because i felt like no matter what he says, yeongansun is going to think he did it for that only. Like he always twists yeok's words. I think he is basically pushing yeok to go against him by being this way.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the kind of show that gets me reading through the whole recap and getting swept up all over again! Something about it just feels so vivid and well-crafted! So far I'm satisfied with every aspect of the acting, directing, and writing. I'm most surprised about the writing and hope it continues to be as detailed and moving.

I smiled like crazy for our young lovers this episode. I was expecting them to be pretty sweet, but they've built up more chemistry than I ever hoped for! The writer gave them good dialogue to work with, but the actors really sold it with their engaging delivery.

It's wonderful to already feel this connected with our leads and their desire to live a simple life of love and friendship. There is something so lonely about both of them that I can't help but wish for them to beat the odds. All their adorable antics, like speaking in unison and their bickering frankness with each other, just add to this desire. The young pair have done such a good job establishing their characters and chemistry that I'm even more excited to see what YW J and PMY can do with the ground that's been laid for them. The casting is already perfect because I constantly find myself seeing them in their younger counterparts!

I love how Chae-kyung isn't necessarily naive to the ways of the world, but rather acknowledges that it's wrong and challenges it in what ways she can. She even displayed an ability to see when you have to play by the world's rules to survive when she tried dissuading Yeok from his rash plan. I find it even more refreshing that she didn't sit around worrying and instead showed off how resourceful and quick on her feet she is by getting his escape ready!

I, too, am finding the conflict between the brothers riveting and emotionally engaging on both sides. It will be so hard watching their relationship deteriorate over the course of the series.

Thanks for the recap, GF!

8
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

@Chandler I love your comment: "She even displayed an ability to see when you have to play by the world's rules to survive when she tried dissuading Yeok from his rash plan. I find it even more refreshing that she didn't sit around worrying and instead showed off how resourceful and quick on her feet she is by getting his escape ready!"

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That is how you write a good sageuk!The characters are interesting, the chemistry is there (and not just in a romantic way) and the plot is interesting. OMG just give me episode 4!!

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just watched ep 4...
SPOILER:
-Blood
-Tears :'( :'(
-Heartbreak :-( :-(
-That sad but pretty Humming tune for more Heartbreak :-) :-(
-Park Minyoung&Chansung
-and most importantly....Roughly Bearded Yeon Woo Jin oppa♡♡
This drama is Love♡♡

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just seen the previews hehe. Why is she dressed like a kisaeng in that episode? Just curious. (More like itching like crazy for the eng subs to come in so I can watch and understand.)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That proposal was so cute! He wants to marry her because he likes her, not because he was told too. That's the sweetest thing in a sageuk drama! The teens are so cute and perfect for each other that I don't think I can move on from that.

I'm surprised at myself from crying during the rain scene in Yeonsangun's perspective. It's not really a typical scene that would make me cry but the way Lee Donggun played that was just so heartbreaking. The director's doing such an awesome job with everything too.

This drama is so good. I wish more people would watch it.

7
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

So i have a question guys, who is the main lead actor ?

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeon Woo Jin who plays adult Yeok/ Grand Prince Jinseong and eventually King Jungjong.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Don't grow up! Don't grow up! Please, don't grow up!

I kept chanting this all throughout the episode, because these two little ones are a GEM that sparkles ✨ brighter as the story progresses. It also helps that everything is flourishing, with no weird music cues (like episode 2, at the pond with the King), better direction, and a deeper meaning. I'm warming up to these characters and I'm already suffering for I know these two will leave Never Land soon enough ... the decisions they are making and the adventures they are facing ... ? ? ? Is it too much to ask to see them in more episodes?

Thank you girlfriday for the awesome recap! Looking forward to ep. 4 ?

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I looove this drama, so funny and cute at the same time, I wish the child actor stay! They're adorable and have great chemistry. I have good feeling about the drama towards on. The main actor is yeon woo jin right ? He's sooo goood~~~

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Man, the actress Son Eun Seo really looks like Seohyun from SNSD

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This drama is getting better episode per episode. Loving this so far..

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

am probably going to put my money where my mouth is later on but for now .....first i will like to proclaim ...

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be....

this shout out goes to the king .... ( i need to watch something else with this actor )

and god those children are cuteness overloaded .... they are so adorable .... i was watching the ring scene through my fingers ...

am not really sure who made it rain , because the kids did not finish the ritual , and to me the king was as surprise as me that it rained , and i felt he was genuine in his prayers .... for a newbie ....

but seriously did anybody else get the "WHAT B*LLS**T" vibe as the king read the part about his sins .... LOL .... i felt like he had that written all over his face ...

and the queen is beautiful .... there's just some thing about her ...

never in my life have i ever wanted to enter a tv and shout at people so badly ... when he said
'for the throne " i almost lost it .... YOU DO NOT SAY THAT ....

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow it the amazing drama am curious how will the end be

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Everthing about this show has class. The pace is good and the character development and plot have me entralled. The cinematography, costumes, casting, direction and writing are working fine. There's only one thing wrong with the music so far; there's not enough.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *