Bride of the Water God 2017: Episode 16 (Final)
by LollyPip
Despite my expectations, this finale actually turned out pretty well. Some surprise revelations are made, and all of the puzzle pieces come together in unexpected ways that even manage to wring a few tears, leaving me contented with the way things turned out for everyone.
FINAL EPISODE RECAP
Yeom-mi informs So-ah that she finally deciphered the rest of her dream, where So-ah says that the person who saved her will be her god of death. She interprets this to mean that So-ah will die.
But she tells So-ah that that’s not the most shocking part. The twist is that it’s not Ha-baek she’s talking about in the dream. Yeom-mi says that it was an older man… then she suddenly stops and picks up a picture frame.
It’s the picture of So-ah as a child with her father, which Ha-baek has switched so that it’s featured in the frame. Yeom-mi says that this is the man from her dream, the one who saved So-ah.
A ring at the gate reveals Joo-dong, back with a brand-new hairdo and information. So-ah walks Yeom-mi out, declining to explain who Joo-dong is, just telling her friend that it’s best if she doesn’t know too much. A little upset, she says that her father never once saved her, and practically pushes Yeom-mi out the gate.
Upstairs, Joo-dong tells Ha-baek that his search for his missing tablet was unsuccessful. He deduces from Ha-baek’s grumpy attitude that he’s been summoned back to the Realm of the Gods, and Ha-baek confirms that he only has six days left.
Joo-dong asks if Ha-baek is thinking about not returning, warning him that it would be a terrible decision. Ha-baek admits that he knows he can’t stay in the human realm.
So-ah starts to put her pictures back the way they were, but she lingers over the photo of her father. Ha-baek brings Joo-dong down to say goodbye, and he sees the photo and clucks his tongue, asking cryptically if the father made the daughter carry his burden.
Joo-dong asks So-ah gently if she wants to find him, which upsets her. Ha-baek rushes Joo-dong out, then goes back to stop So-ah from hiding her father’s picture. He puts it back in the frame, musing that when she says she’s forgotten someone, and that she hates them, it means the opposite just like everything else she says.
He apologizes for not being able to make her wish to see her father come true. He tells her to keep trying to find him, because even if he’s the worst man in the world, she deserves answers. He adds that it makes him crazy to think of her still in that darkness after he leaves, and holds So-ah while she cries.
Mura is on pins and needles, worried that Ha-baek will decide not to go back to the Realm of the Gods. Bi-ryum assures her that Ha-baek knows what will happen if he doesn’t, certain that he’ll go.
Joo-dong shows up to report that he didn’t find his tablet where he thought it would be, but that he knows who took it. Confused, Bi-ryum says that humans can’t even see it, but Joo-dong counters that some humans can. He asks if he can crash at Bi-ryum’s for the night, and both Bi-ryum and Mura shout, “NO!” then exchange awkward glances, hee.
Joo-dong calls Namsuri next to ask him to let him into So-ah’s place. Namsuri says that he’s working all night, and when he hangs up, he jumps a foot to see Yeom-mi standing right next to him. She tells Namsuri about her dream, and thinks that his powers would help boost her abilities… and then puckers up her lips. Namsuri goes running for his life.
In the morning, So-ah creeps upstairs to find Ha-baek still sleeping. He surprises her by grabbing her hand and pulling her down next to him, and he says he was waiting for her to come wake him up. So-ah asks why, and Ha-baek says sweetly, “Just because.”
So-ah shows Ha-baek a new suit she bought for him, and although it’s simple, Ha-baek looks moved by the gesture. She asks him to wear it and take her on a date, just because.
They spend the day doing simple things like running in the park and playing cutthroat games of rock-paper-scissors. Poor Ha-baek is terrible at it, and suffers countless forehead-flicks and wrist smacks from So-ah.
She takes Ha-baek for cold noodles, even though she doesn’t eat cold food, saying that she should solve at least this one problem for him. She struggles to take a bite and drinks the broth straight from the bowl, ending up with a soup mustache which Ha-baek wipes off for her. When they finish eating, So-ah surprises Ha-baek by calling him by name for the first time. She confesses that she’d worried he’d know her feelings if she said his name, so she tried to hide them.
She takes Ha-baek to a portrait artist and tells him that if he wins a game of rock-paper-scissors against the artist, he’ll draw their portrait. On the third throw the artist’s wife steps on her husband’s foot and makes him lose. Hee, Ha-baek is so amazed that he won.
Something is up, because the wife hustles So-ah away, leaving Ha-baek with the artist. The artist says that his wife and Ha-baek’s bride seem to have a plan, and Ha-baek’s head whips around at the word “bride.”
So-ah returns, and when Ha-baek sees her, he loses every last wit he possesses. She’s stunning in a wedding dress with a coronet of flowers in her hair, and she approaches him and asks if she looks pretty. Speechless, Ha-baek can only stare at her in wonder.
As they sit, Ha-baek’s eyes still locked on So-ah, she says that photographs fade. She tells Ha-baek that in this portrait, his face will remain more vivid than in photographs.
The artist’s wife brings So-ah a bouquet of flowers, and Ha-baek can hardly tear his eyes away from her. He eventually looks up to pose for the portrait, which turns out beautifully.
Joo-dong visits with Hu-ye and says that he’s looking for the person who saved him when he first arrived here, thinking that this person may have the tablet that he lost on the day that he saved Hu-ye from lightning and lost his memory.
Joo-dong says that the man who was with Hu-ye’s stepmother that night found him and took him to a hospital. He thinks that the man found his tablet and kept it, and he asks Hu-ye if he knows where that man went.
Hu-ye remembers that the man had just returned from being abroad for a year, and that he said he was going to visit his wife’s grave nearby. He does recall the man saying that he needed to find his daughter, and that his name was Yoon Sung-joon; they looked for him but never saw him again.
Joo-dong goes to So-ah and asks if she remembers where she was on December 20, 2004. Ha-baek clocks So-ah’s distress and drags Joo-dong upstairs, angry with him for upsetting So-ah, and asking how So-ah is linked with the day that Joo-dong went missing.
Joo-dong says that he believes that So-ah’s father took his tablet, because as a descendant of the gods’ servants, he would have been able to see it. Joo-dong believes that he intended to give it back when he woke up.
Ha-baek asks again what this has to do with So-ah. Joo-dong says that the tablet must have recognized a servant, even one not “awoken,” but Ha-baek is still confused. Backing up, Joo-dong tells him that before saving him that night, So-ah’s father saved Hu-ye, and that he’d said he needed to find his daughter.
Things start to click into place, and Ha-baek remembers that the tablet has the power to grant the servant’s most earnest wish. Joo-dong continues that the tablet must have taken So-ah’s father to her, and he asks again where So-ah was that night.
Joo-dong goes to the spot where So-ah jumped off the bridge that night thirteen years ago, the same night that her father saved Hu-ye. Looking out over the river, he says, “There he is…” He calls Ha-baek and says that he found him. Oh no.
Ha-baek goes downstairs and finds So-ah planning more fun dates with the help of her stuffed dragon Yong Yong. She tells Ha-baek brightly that he was right, and that she’ll keep looking for her father and make him apologize. Ha-baek says he has to go out for a bit, and that he’ll be back soon.
Hu-ye thinks on what he’s learned about So-ah’s father, and how Joo-dong asked him not to say anything if he discovers who Yoon Sung-joon is. He calls So-ah and asks her to meet with him.
At the river, Joo-dong points out to Ha-baek where So-ah’s father lies, along with his tablet. He thinks that So-ah must have survived her fall into the river that night because of her father.
Ha-baek is stricken, remembering how badly So-ah wants to see her father one more time. He says that he’s going to get So-ah’s father out, and dives into the river.
When So-ah arrives at his office, Hu-ye tells her that this will be his last session, and that he’s going to tell her the rest of his past. He’d mentioned previously that the night he came to the human world, he followed a light out of the woods, which turned out to be a car’s headlights.
Cowering in the road, Hu-ye had been terrified. So-ah’s father had covered him with his jacket and hugged him, saying that it would be okay. Hu-ye tells So-ah that it was the first time he’d felt the warmth of a human body, and learned the power of someone saying, “It’s okay.”
He says that if that man hadn’t been the first person he’d met that night, someone who told him it was okay and hugged him, he doesn’t know what he would have become. He tells So-ah that he’s met three gods in his life—that man, his stepmother, and So-ah herself. He asks to thank her with a handshake, and she readily holds out her hand with a smile.
Still soaked from the river and weighed down by his terrible burden, Ha-baek hesitates at So-ah’s gate. When he sees her, he struggles to speak, and she asks why he looks like he’s about to cry. She hugs him, worried, and he finally says, “Your father… I found him.”
She knows immediately that something is wrong. So-ah asks where her father is, and Ha-baek tells her that he’s still in the river that she jumped into that night. So-ah doesn’t understand what he means, so Ha-baek tells her that her father came back to Korea that day.
He explains that her father picked up Joo-dong’s tablet on his way to her mother’s grave, and that the tablet granted her father’s dearest wish: to see her. He catches So-ah when she starts to collapse, the truth hitting hard—that her father never abandoned her, and in fact wanted to see her more than anything in the world.
We go back to that night, and this time we see the events from So-ah’s father’s point of view. While trying to make his dead phone work, he’d looked up to see So-ah standing on the bridge railing. He screamed her name, but she didn’t hear him as she plunged into the water.
Her father jumped into the river right after her and saw her sinking, unconscious. He swam down and grabbed her by the waist, pushing her towards the surface. But the further he pushed So-ah upwards, the further he sank. As So-ah woke and swam up towards the light, she never saw her father below her, sinking to the bottom of the river.
Ha-baek takes So-ah to the river’s edge, where she collapses, crying. She starts to scream, “Dad! Dad, come out, please…” So-ah clutches at Ha-baek, begging him to save her father, wailing that he can’t die like this.
Ha-baek kneels and hugs her, and he reminds her sadly that he can’t bring the dead back to life. So-ah sobs that she always thought she got herself out of the water, but now blames herself for killing her father and spending so many years hating him. Ha-baek holds her, repeating that it’s not her fault.
So-ah tries to follow her father into the water, convinced that he’s there waiting for her to save him. Ha-baek holds her back, begging her not to do this as she fights and screams.
Joo-dong tells Bi-ryum and Mura that Ha-baek tried to retrieve So-ah’s father’s body, but it wouldn’t move from its resting place at the bottom of the river. He tells them that because of the tablet, his body is perfectly preserved, so Ha-baek left the tablet there.
Ha-baek stays up all night, keeping vigil as So-ah sleeps. He thinks about So-ah saying that a god is a being that grants a human being’s deepest wishes, feeling helpless to do anything for her now. He never takes his eyes off of her, until Namsuri finds him the next morning and calls him up to the roof.
Bi-ryum and Mura are there, as is Joo-dong. Bi-ryum tells Ha-baek that he and Mura also tried to retrieve So-ah’s father’s body, but it wouldn’t move for them, either. Ha-baek tells them that So-ah wants to go after him herself, but Mura asks why they can’t just leave him there.
She grows angry, reminding Ha-baek that she’s known him for millennia and that she knows what he’s thinking. She says that Ha-baek is planning to use his one burst of power to help So-ah, instead of using it to get himself home.
Ha-baek’s silence is all the confirmation they need, and everyone objects, reminding Ha-baek that he’ll die if he doesn’t go back and become king. They all refuse to allow it, but Ha-baek tells them that So-ah believes it’s a god’s duty to protect humans.
He asks them, “How can I call myself a king if I can’t save one woman?” Mura counters that So-ah wouldn’t want this, adding that if Ha-baek dies, he’ll disappear from the memories of humans, including So-ah. Before he can respond, they all turn at a noise.
It’s So-ah, who ignores them to stare incredulously at Ha-baek. She asks him what this means, but he can’t look her in the eye. He follows her inside where, crying again, she asks, “How can you think of doing such a cruel thing to me? You’re going to die? You’ll disappear from my memory? I’ll forget about you for the rest of my life?”
Ha-baek pleads with her to understand that it’s because he’s been unable to do anything for her. He begs her to give him a chance to grant her a wish as a god, and to let him keep his promise to protect her. So-ah sobs that she never asked him to sacrifice his life for her.
Frantic, Mura desperately searches for a way to make Ha-baek go back to the Realm of the Gods, but Bi-ryum says they can’t force a king to do anything. Mura orders him to use his own powers to help So-ah, but he reminds her that none of them have enough power to do that.
Bi-ryum talks to So-ah, telling her what will happen if Ha-baek doesn’t become king. He explains that Ha-baek exists for one purpose—to be king—so if he doesn’t become king, there’s no reason for him to exist. Bi-ryum asks So-ah to tell Ha-baek that she’s willing to leave her father where he is.
She agrees, and Ha-baek tells her that he’s been selfish by asking her to live with her memories of him. He makes her promise that she’ll cherish her life after he leaves, and says that her father will be at peace where he is. Ha-baek swears that as the water god, he’ll look after her father forever.
He asks So-ah to go with him to see her father and takes her back to the river’s edge. She apologizes to her father over and over, so Ha-baek tells her not to worry. She answers that they’re just following their original plan and asks where they should go now.
Ha-baek just takes her hand and looks at her sadly. He whispers, “I love you,” and kisses her. But his kiss is desperate, and So-ah senses something wrong and tries to push him away.
When Ha-baek finally breaks the kiss, he tells her that the kiss was a god’s grace, bidding her to live a happy and full life. So-ah starts to panic, realizing that he just gave her his power, understanding dawning that it’s too late to reverse it.
Ha-baek calmly tells So-ah to find someone to love and live her life in happiness. A tear slides down his cheek as he says that happiness is what she’s always wanted most, but So-ah refuses to listen, accusing him of planning this all along.
Ha-baek hugs her fiercely and says that he can’t leave without doing anything for her, because he knows she’ll go to her father and die after he leaves. So-ah fights him, calling him foolish and asking what she’s supposed to do now. Ha-baek tells her to go to her father now, asking one last time, “Let me do something for you while I’m still here.”
Bi-ryum, Mura, and Joo-dong materialize nearby, and they instantly sense that they’re too late to stop Ha-baek. Mura buries her head in Bi-ryum’s shoulder as Ha-baek tells So-ah to go.
Finally accepting his decision, So-ah dives into the water, with Ha-baek following right behind. With Ha-baek’s power, So-ah doesn’t need to breathe as she swims deep to the bottom of the river, where her father’s body lies. He almost looks alive, protected by a magical bubble of power created by the tablet still in his pocket.
So-ah looks at her father, asking why he’s here all alone, and why he didn’t call her sooner. She takes his hand, his body rises easily at her touch. So-ah pulls him to the surface, saved by his daughter as he once saved her.
So-ah has her father’s body laid to rest under a tree, and she promises to bring her mother here too, in time. Ha-baek is still with her, his time in the human world not yet up, and as he hugs So-ah, she says sweetly that she’s never going to forgive him. She promises to hate and resent him, and to regret meeting him, and he agrees to it all.
Then So-ah tells Ha-baek that she’s going to put everything back to normal before any of that happens. Ha-baek asks what she means, but it’s Mura who pipes up, “I thought she was stupid, but I guess she was smart enough to think of this.”
They turn to see all of their friends there, and Namsuri giggles that So-ah has come up with a solution to their problem. Joo-dong holds up his recovered tablet, and So-ah tells Ha-baek that she’s going to use her wish to help him return to the Realm of the Gods. Mura urges them to hurry before she gives in to her desire to kill them both, ha.
Ha-baek stares at So-ah, moved to silence, as Joo-dong hands her the tablet and begins the ceremony. But a voice interrupts, calling out, “So this is where you were!” and they all look to see the high priest approaching, dressed in modern human clothing.
The high priest says that he came to catch an escaped servant, holding up a baggie with a goldfish inside. In the process, everyone notices his distinctive silver ring. The taxi driver who gave So-ah advice was wearing it, as was the old man who paid Ha-baek to help him pick up cardboard. They realize that the high priest has been watching over Ha-baek all along.
Joo-dong begins the wishing ceremony again, and again the high priest interrupts to ask what’s going on. Mura snappishly informs him that Ha-baek used his last power on So-ah, so he can’t go back on his own.
The high priest asks So-ah if she’s really going to waste her wish on such a useless thing. Bi-ryum says that Ha-baek will die if he fails to go back, but the high priest is all, He completed his mission, why wouldn’t he go back?
Ha-baek finally speaks, suddenly understanding what the high priest means. He says that his new mission was to discover the reason for hiding the divine stones in the human world. Taking So-ah’s hand, he repeats his own question: “How can a god save the world, when he can’t even save one human being?”
The high priest nods proudly, then he advises So-ah to use her power on something more valuable. He leaves, taking his goldfish servant with him.
Joo-dong begins the ceremony again, and the tablet shines in So-ah’s hand. She hesitates, so Joo-dong tells her that this is her chance to be happy for the rest of her life.
So-ah thinks carefully, then she looks at Ha-baek and says, “I wish that you would leave a little later. Please stay by my side until I die. Please live with me until then. You can go back and become a good king after I die.” With tears shimmering in his eyes, Ha-baek nods over and over.
Mura disappears after snapping that she’s too angry to watch any more of this. Grinning, Bi-ryum follows her, pulling Namsuri with him. Joo-dong also goes, leaving Ha-baek and So-ah alone, not that they notice anyone but each other. They hug and tell each other “I love you.”
The high priest finds Hu-ye watching from a short distance and tells him that because he did a good deed, he’ll be happy in his next life. Hu-ye argues that all he did was tell So-ah about the tablet’s power, but the high priest says that taking risks is Hu-ye’s greatest gift.
He formally introduces himself, and asks Hu-ye to teach him how to use fire. They make plans to see each other soon, and Hu-ye leaves, contented.
The high priest goes back for Ha-baek, who tells So-ah that he has to go to the Water Realm now. He promises to return soon, kissing So-ah gently on the forehead. Then he vanishes with the high priest.
Back at Hu-ye’s hotel, Jaya corners Secretary Min to tell him that she’s figured out what he meant when he told her to become a human being. He actually smiles (and it’s beautiful!) as she presents her proposal to start a foundation for single mothers, orphans, and elderly people.
Secretary Min says it’s not a bad idea, but first she should make a list of the people she owes apologies to and get them to sign it; then he’ll go back to being her church oppa. He says that if she gets a little closer to full humanity, he may even become “just oppa.” Heh, I love how committed he is to making her live up to her potential.
Sometime later, So-ah stands on the bridge and tosses a white flower into the river. We see her fall into the water, but Bi-ryum’s voice calls out, “No, no! Don’t even think about it!” He tells So-ah that if she jumps, Ha-baek won’t be able to come save her, but So-ah stammers that she wasn’t thinking any such thing.
Mura fusses at So-ah for polluting the water with her flower, heh, then informs her smugly that Ha-baek won’t be coming back. Alarmed, So-ah asks if a messenger came, but Mura says she just has a feeling and saunters off arm-in-arm with Bi-ryum, who tells her to focus on their relationship and asks if she really doesn’t like any of the rings he’s given her.
Back at work, Sang-yoo tells So-ah that he’s decided to marry Hyung-shik, the friend he’s always ditching So-ah for. So-ah is shocked, but Sang-yoo says that as long as two people love each other, that’s all that matters. [Hyung-shik is traditionally a boy’s name.]
So-ah tries to talk some sense into Sang-yoo, saying that he can’t marry Hyung-shik, but he’s determined. He tells her that Hyung-shik is here to see her, and calls for his friend (cameo by Park Hee-bon). As it turns out, Hyung-shik is a girl and So-ah already knows her. Hyung-shik apologizes shyly for not visiting more often, admitting that So-ah scares her, ha.
As So-ah walks home, she complains on the phone to Yeom-mi about Sang-yoo’s harebrained decision to get married. She turns the corner to her alley and stops dead, nearly dropping her phone in her shock.
Under the streetlight, as if he never left, waits Ha-baek. So-ah meets him under the light, and he fusses at her for staying out too late like he always does. She asks what took him so long, and he complains that the process for deferring his enthronement was complicated.
So-ah laughs and steps into Ha-baek’s arms. They hold each other for a long moment, then head inside for something to eat. So-ah asks if Ha-baek will keep getting hungry and he confirms it, adding that he wasn’t allowed to bring his powers or his driver’s license with him, either. HA.
As they walk though the gate and into the house, the names they wrote in chalk on the wall so long ago float away like little while clouds. They reform as a plaque on the gate, spelling out their names side by side.
So-ah narrates: “People can survive anything with the strength they have. But if that strength were love, it would be even better.”
COMMENTS
Well, that was actually a lot better than I expected. I thought that this finale was one of the better episodes in the drama, with some interesting surprises (I didn’t expect So-ah’s father to be dead, and the scene where he saved her was both gorgeous and heartbreaking). I only wish that the good parts had been spread out more evenly—I’m left with the impression that the writer had some very good ideas, but just lacked the ability to flesh them out into a full sixteen episodes. The general story outline was good, and elements such as Hu-ye’s dilemma, So-ah’s complicated relationship with her father, and Bi-ryum coming to terms with his grief were quite unique and compelling. They just seemed to come in clusters, leaving gaps between the interesting moments that felt really dull and flat. And while it’s nice that everyone got their happily ever after, my disappointment comes from the fact that I never really worried that they wouldn’t.
I have a lot of small complaints about the way this show was executed, but I thought about it, and I realized that they boil down to the show breaking one of the most basic of rules—don’t tell me, show me. So much of the backstory was just told to us, when I would much rather have seen it play out. Add to that the fact that when we were shown the Realm of the Gods, it felt like the show gained a vibrancy that it didn’t have in the modern-day scenes (and I’m not talking about color, because the cinematography was beautiful throughout). Something about those flashback scenes really felt alive and interesting, and I wish we’d gotten a lot more of them.
I know I said that I would judge the drama on its own merits, and I’ve tried to stick to that. But you take a risk when you adapt a show to be so different from the original, especially when the original is so good. Whenever you allude to the original story, it’s bound to be more interesting, particularly when the source material has such a loyal following, as the Bride of the Water God manhwa boasts. I don’t mean to imply that I don’t think a modern-day adaptation of the original manhwa couldn’t have worked well—there were many moments when I thought, “Yes, this is good! Give me more of this!” The disappointing thing is that those moments were few and far between, and that they usually involved Hu-ye’s storyline, which was a completely new invention.
I do believe that the drama had a lot going for it; it’s just that it didn’t seem to know what to do with those good things. I even think (and I may be in the minority here) that the show was cast well… the gods were beautiful and portrayed effectively, and I found the characters mostly engaging and their personalities interesting. But so many of the things that drew me in early on just seemed to have been forgotten, like whatever happened to the fact that Ha-baek’s powers returned every time So-ah’s life was threatened? The show could have mined so much from that fact, both in exciting scenes and in exploring why Ha-baek’s powers had disappeared in the first place. Instead, everyone just stopped caring about his powers at all.
Which still would have been fine, if the show had been about Ha-baek learning about humans and how to care as much for them as for himself. Or if it had been about what makes someone human, using Hu-ye’s struggles to highlight the differences between gods and mortals. Or even if it had been about the gods learning how to love in a way that changed their attitudes about marriage and fidelity. So many interesting themes that were touched on that could have made such a great, introspective drama, and yet what we got instead was a lot of arguments about land and coffee mugs.
Oddly enough, it’s the casting that worried me most at the beginning, but the characterizations turned out to be my favorite part of the show. I thought Ha-baek was delightfully arrogant and haughty, and I loved that while he softened under So-ah’s influence, he always stayed fundamentally himself. So-ah changed the most during the course of the show, going from someone who’d almost entirely cut herself off from the world, to someone who deeply cared about others. Bi-ryum and Mura were both hilarious and emotionally volatile, and I felt that they were played well by Gong Myung and Krystal. And Im Joo-hwan gave his usual strong performance as Hu-ye, whose deep longing for acceptance and love were so well-realized that I would happily watch a whole drama centered on his quest to find his place in the universe.
In conclusion, I come away from Bride of the Water God 2017 feeling like it was a cute drama, but that’s about it. There was very little real conflict, and what there was didn’t even involve either of the leads. The love stories were sweet but inevitable, though at least the resolution wasn’t predictable and actually surprised me a bit. It’s not that the show wasn’t enjoyable as it was; it just feels like there was so much wasted potential. It makes me wistful for what could have been, and the epic magical drama we could have had. I think I’ll just view the drama and its source material as being unconnected, and go re-read the manhwa to remind myself of what an amazing story Bride of the Water God truly is.
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Tags: Bride of the Water God 2017, Gong Myung, Im Joo-hwan, Krystal, Nam Joo-hyuk, Shin Se-kyung
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51 An-naum
August 23, 2017 at 8:18 AM
i was mesmerized by the 1st episode and hoping the later will bring back to the God realm. Unfortunately after reading the recap one to another, it didnt. The storyline seems confusing for someone like me who didnt read or watch 100%. I a manga reader and I dont like the way they use the name of the manga but very different story. It just my point of view. I only like HaBaek in the God realm. A beauty.
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52 heyitschristina
August 23, 2017 at 8:22 AM
Random thought I had: if So-ah and Habaek have kids they will be halflings like Hu-ye. If they have a daughter will she end up with Hu-ye à-la twilight style lol
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53 bbstl
August 23, 2017 at 8:29 AM
LollyPip, thanks so much for your recaps which really improved my experience of the show. I'm in complete agreement about what could have been and am really only satisfied with Im Joo Hwan and the pleasure of looking at NJH for most of 16 hours.
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54 junah
August 23, 2017 at 8:35 AM
the ending wasn't all bad, but far from great or satisfying either. this is the first drama that i'm not really interested in, but somehow survive watching it through the end. the river rescuing scene is so embarrassed. it seems like the director doesn't know how to shoot inside water. were they flying or swimming ? they're supposed to go down, not up.
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55 ahjumma
August 23, 2017 at 8:39 AM
This show was so perplexing that I had to read Lollypip's recaps like study notes for a confusing subject. But I watched it because of shallow reasons like Mura's clothes. Some ( or rather, many ) questions ( in no particular order ):
- What were Biryeom and Myra fighting about when they lost the stone? ( Joo Dong seems to say they were fighting about Biryeom wanting to consummate their fake engagement in one ep but I may be mistaken and this seems a rather lame reason )
- How did Joo Dong's tablet end up with So Ah's father? ( was it transferred to Hu Ye when he collided with Joo Dong , and then somehow transferred to So Ah's father when he put his jacket around Hu Ye ? )
- Why can only So Ah retrieve her father ( they said that Habaek and all the other Gods tried to move the body but couldn't ) and more importantly how did Habaek know that So Ah was the only one who could move him ? ( or was he risking giving her his powers just to try for fun )
- Why did Habaek lose his powers in the first place - was his purpose on earth to save a human or learn to be a human ?
- Are Mura and Biryeom together ? Why did they go from kissing to normal to suddenly together at the end ? And why did they not let Joo dong sleep over on the couch I mean it's not like they even do anything except walk around in nice outfits
Also like with many other dramas based on fantasy, the endings ( though happy ) leave one to wonder about the future as the incongruence of immortality is never resolved. Like 'Love from the Stars' and 'goblin', the woman will grow old while the water god / goblin / alien will never age - and one day the age difference will be so great it would be like a grandma and her grandson. After the female dies ( or in 'goblin's' case, after she has used up her four reincarnated lifetimes ), the immortal being is then doomed to eternity alone ( unless they will then fall in love with another human again and the cycle repeats ) .
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osmanthustea
August 23, 2017 at 9:11 AM
Haha great questions!
But about the last bit... I think Goblin and My Love from Another Star still gave me the sense that the only problem between them is time ─ there's no eternity for one party and the other will eventually have to continue living alone... but at least it was a decision they could make. Painful, yes, but their choice.
For Habaek, the setup in previous episodes suggested that there's just no way for them to be together because 1) he'll die (immediately?) if he didn't return to his realm by the 7th red tide and 2) even he himself is against demi-gods. It's like we've been set up to resign ourselves to the idea that our OTP can at best make the most of their time together, and there weren't sufficient hints that there was possibly an alternative solution. So to have everything suddenly tied up nicely in the last episode feels like we got cheated.
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Jamie Opso
August 24, 2017 at 4:57 PM
Maybe what So Ah asked for - that Ha Baek stay with her on earth for the rest of her mortal life - is essentially them making the most of their time together (given their different natures, god and mortal) writ large. Instead of him staying with her for a matter of days, now he can stay with her and they can love each other for years.
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56 Miky
August 23, 2017 at 8:51 AM
All in all i can say i liked the drama as a whole,not my favorite but i don't regret watching it and investing it my time,many wonderful dialogues,music and even pace...While indeed Habaek wasn't my most favorite character and my heart went mostly to Hu Ye(i was sad we didn't find out more)i liked it...Somehow i think the writer created a more rich background for Hu Ye and left it unsolved and would have been more inspiring to add more spice for the Gods taking the action to their place as well,heck they should make a 20 or 18 ep drama...I admit i was amazed by Habaek giving his grace to Soo Ah to take her father out knowing he will die as selfish as it was(leaving her and his people) it really showed his love for her,the ending was great even if it was bittersweet in the end,knowing she will die eventually and he will be alone again...On another note i really admire Bi-ryum's love for Mura,the god waited centuries and centuries to gain her love...
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57 Kasumi
August 23, 2017 at 8:59 AM
I confess I haven't spent 16 hours watching this show. However, I watched clips on YouTube and read the recaps and I'm glad I didn't waste my time watching it.
The drama had so much potential, a psychiatrist who is unable to address her own emotional drama, a powerless god learning to be human and falling love with a human woman again while being sacred of making the same mistake, a powerful demi-god who is learning to control his powers and lead a good life, another god dealing with self hate and guilt over a friend's death and finally a female god who is watching the man she loves potentially make the same mistake while being distracted by her awakening feelings for another man/god.
So much potential for character development and all of it wasted.
So-ha was wasted as a psychiatrist. She could have been a bar maid and the story would have still made sense.
Ha-baek never showed any character growth apart from stating moronically something about how can he be king if he can't save one woman!
Bi-riyum's trauma is solved by Myra kissing him!
Poor Mura, reduced to just a fashion eye candy!
Only Huy-ye's story showed some growth and development. And even that was hastily wrapped up with friendly gold fish uncle promising happiness in the next lifetime!
I'm so glad that something about the promotional material turned me off the drama and I didn't watch it!
Thanks to @laica for watching and recapping.
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Kasumi
August 23, 2017 at 2:22 PM
Apologies for tagging the wrong recapper.
Thanks @lollypip for recappin.
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ar
August 23, 2017 at 7:24 PM
I'm not sure if HaBaek really learned anything about humans beyond falling in love with one human and learning everything about her- which I don't feel like is the real point of being sent to earth. Maybe have him befriend a human that he doesn't want to sleep with or do some charity work- be exposed to human suffering beyond feeling hungry.
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Kaoren
August 24, 2017 at 1:11 AM
That was the old guy pushing the cart he helped, didn't he? (High Priest in disguise.) He wasn't doing it for payment, and was surprised when he got paid anyway.
(That being said, might've been nice to see a bit more of such moments, yeah.)
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Jamie Opso
August 24, 2017 at 5:07 PM
@Kasumi: "Ha-baek never showed any character growth apart from stating moronically something about how can he be king if he can't save one woman!" I just now realized he saved So Ah from drowning the way he didn't save Nak Bin from drowning (sort of). That's a realization he should have had before, and has finally reached by the conclusion of the show. Meh.
Meanwhile, Nak Bin is somewhere under the water? I don't get if she drowned and died, but is cursed never to either reach nirvana or be reborn; or if she is alive in some kind of limbo down there for eternity, as her punishment. I guess she drowned?
"Bi-riyum's trauma is solved by Myra kissing him!" That's right, somehow he doesn't care about Hu Ye any more! Good grief, all that drama and hatred for nothing. Boy just needed to get laid and suddenly he's all mellow about "murderous, monstrous" demigods.
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58 osmanthustea
August 23, 2017 at 9:06 AM
Oh wow, it's over? It almost feels like we just got into mid-season.
I don't HATE this drama the way I hated other shows, I thought the initial plot had lots of potential, and the actors were mostly more than decent too. But I'm disappointed that so little happened, and that very little was at stake. I remember being very annoyed with the last act of W Two Worlds, but at least the show had me really worked up and anxious about the plot points. This one felt so meandering.
That bit of cameo from the high priest felt very arbitrary and too convenient. All this episode needs is a big ribbon. Everything's suddenly so neatly resolved? Gee. I still don't understand why the god stones were here and why the future king of the realms would need to come to Earth. While Habaek made some minor character development, I didn't feel like he learned anything much ─ than at a personal level through his love for So-ah ─ that would make him a better king. I can't agree more with this paragraph by @lollypip:
"Which still would have been fine, if the show had been about Ha-baek learning about humans and how to care as much for them as for himself. Or if it had been about what makes someone human, using Hu-ye’s struggles to highlight the differences between gods and mortals. Or even if it had been about the gods learning how to love in a way that changed their attitudes about marriage and fidelity. So many interesting themes that were touched on that could have made such a great, introspective drama, and yet what we got instead was a lot of arguments about land and coffee mugs."
I thought their love story was cute, the stuff of romantic comedies, but as a drama, I suppose I needed some form of stakes? Although the actors conveyed their sadness (re: Habaek's expected departure) well, things felt kinda matter-of-fact that I didn't obsess over their story. (Unlike say, Moonlight where I felt Ra-on's status as the rebel's daughter really made things majorly awkward.) Like, we didn't know until this episode that Habaek could "choose" not to return (and die), so there wasn't the "I hope he doesn't do anything foolish" anxiety. I don't know what I'm supposed to make of their "reunion" either. Do they just grow old together (until So-ah dies) in a very chaste relationship? Since no-demi-god-babies-allowed? If at least their relationship got the gods to be more acceptive of demi gods, it would have served some purpose but there's nothing here. Not even open-ended hints of our OTP having a family together down the road to suggest that Habaek's time on Earth made an impact to the realm of gods.
I think the strongest plot point was for Hu-ye's backstory. His acting was the strongest out of the lot, though I suppose it's also cuz the part was the meatiest. I feel like we *almost* got to a point where the characters really discussed his importance, good and bad... but it stopped just a bit shy of resolving that in a satisfying way...
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smurfett820
August 23, 2017 at 12:19 PM
The editing was bad in the drama. Didn't the writer said in an interview that they cut a scene where HB and HY had a discussion and worked things out? Then there's all that weird previews that showed scenes from 2-3 episodes later, totally misleading the audience. And yet at the end the preview kind of gave all the plot points away. Just really weird.
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osmanthustea
August 24, 2017 at 10:52 PM
I didn't hear about that. Gosh. I think that scene would have been far more useful.
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59 banana
August 23, 2017 at 9:06 AM
Huh. The ending was disappointing. I didn't really care too much for So-ah's story. So when most of the last episode was on So-ah's father, I just didn't really care. I was much more invested in Mura and Bi-ryum's love story, but I was let down. Also, I was so frustrated when Mura kept slapping people (I mean, Gods) throughout the drama. Alright, done with my complaints. Overall, I don't think it was a bad drama, but it's also not good. I did enjoy some cute/funny moments here and there. And I definitely enjoyed Bi-ryum showing his love for Mura in such a cute way in the last episodes. Why couldn't they have one more kiss scene in the last episode that actually was done out of love for each other when Habaek and So-ah had so many?
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60 pineapplegongzhu
August 23, 2017 at 9:12 AM
@lollypip, I'm curious to know if you know what the Korean netizens have been saying about this drama.
I know the ratings were not great, but did the Korean audience pinpoint the same problems as we did, or did they like/dislike other things?
Just wondering....
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61 Madeleine
August 23, 2017 at 9:14 AM
Her father was supposed to love orphans and disabled chldren, and saved Hoo Ye with his humanity Yet, he left his wife and daughter and never even sent her a post card, or birthday card, or letter. Then he decides to visit his wife's grave? C'mon. And, we see Soah with her bouquet jumping into the river scene at the very opening of the drama, only to find out in episode 16 at the very end it was just a thought. What crap.
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Kaoren
August 24, 2017 at 1:16 AM
I was somewhat annoyed by that fake-out. So-ah's preparing to jump seemed all the more foreboding because of the scenes that suggested it was a big deal: the High Priest commenting So-ah was fated to die (lol I guess we're supposed to read it as 'oh she's human'), all the numerous dreams of a soaking wet So-ah...
Then 'lol don't worry guys she just thought about it but didn't.'
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cotton
August 24, 2017 at 6:24 AM
Ugh, yes. That was such a cop out. ?
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62 hunneybunny
August 23, 2017 at 9:45 AM
Biggest letdown of the year. I stopped skipping through episode 15 to go to bed and I just didn't watch the finale, opting to read it here instead so I wouldn't waste my time. At this point I just watched to find out where the plot ended up going (nowhere interesting).
Habaek is supposed to be the ruler of the gods' world yet he was stuck as a human for 99% of the show, lacks powers, and doesn't give off any kind of godly aura. His outraged face is his normal face + wider eyes and twitching; he's pitching his voice lower to seem more godly or whatever but it's so unnatural that it's distracting. This actor was great in Bokjoo but unfortunately I don't think this role was a good fit for him, he just doesn't have the presence necessary to carry it off. His power or lack thereof has been reduced to nothing more than a source for fish out of water jokes. What makes him any different from your standard kdrama chaebol main character? You can't have source material like Bride of the Water God and just completely waste it like this.
Mura is screechy, super annoying and can't take a hint. Occasionally she is the only one speaking sense but that's rare, Same for Biryeom who is super immature, acting out when he doesn't get the girl he wants. Are they gods or children? The minor gods aren't likable at all and even Namsuri is so infantilized that I just don't care about him.
Soah - I get her motivations on paper, scared of abandonment etc etc, but she's so selfish and unlikable that I just don't care. Why is she a doctor? I've seen no indication whatsoever that she is competent at what she does. Perhaps a better actress could make me sympathize despite her many flaws but SSK is not that actress. Soah's friends are also annoying.
Im Joo hwan is the only actor actually doing a decent job of acting on this drama but unfortunately it's not enough to bring up all the dead weight around him, and actually makes the bad acting stand out even more by comparison.
A good chunk of what made the original Bride of the Water God appealing was the fantastical setting - that's gone for the most part. Another good chunk was the characters and the story - that's largely gone too. Even disregarding the source and taking the drama on its own, it's not a great drama. What a waste of resources.
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piscesdragon
August 23, 2017 at 5:30 PM
Thanks for writing this comment. 100% agree with everything you said.
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osmanthustea
August 24, 2017 at 10:55 PM
Very true about Habaek and the rest of the gods. I think the only truly respect-inducing godly thing the four of them (Hu-ye excluded) did was when Mura was rescuing the fish... but that was such a once-off thing. I don't think any of them, Habaek included, learned anything useful from their time here.
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63 spazmo
August 23, 2017 at 9:51 AM
well, if nothing else, this drama (like many others) was effective in being a platform for showcasing young korean fashion designers' wares.
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64 thatstp
August 23, 2017 at 9:52 AM
Great recaps, thanks!
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65 Jrr
August 23, 2017 at 10:05 AM
I knew many would have disliked the ending, like me. I went into this drama without zero expectations for the plot, just wanting to enjoy the pretty & fun. But I never expected myself to go full on fangirl mode & went gaga over Nam Joohyuk as Habaek. ? He was just SO crazily easy on the eyes! Did I mention I loved his low voice as Habaek? AWW! Definitely, his acting needs improvement, but it was kinda serviceable for me (minus his anger acting, especially when against Im Joohwan).
So I questioned myself why should I complain about the ending when I got what I wanted: pretty & fun (omg, their wardrobes). Half of me wished they had a happy ending while the other half of me hoped that one of them died. I know the ending could have been worse, but it definitely could be better. ??
I genuinely find Nam Joohyuk & Shin Sekyung SOOOO compatible that I’m shipping them SO HARD. I love the scene when So-ah called Habaek by his name for the first time & her reason for not doing so earlier. It was such a sweet confession. Not to forget about that kiss in Episode 14. ??? OH MY GOD, *fans self*
Overall, I really enjoyed the little moments, too many to count them all & I will love to rewatch soon! Thanks for the ride! ?
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j9
August 23, 2017 at 12:42 PM
"But I never expected myself to go full on fangirl mode & went gaga over Nam Joohyuk as Habaek. ? He was just SO crazily easy on the eyes! Did I mention I loved his low voice as Habaek?"
I'm right there with you!
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Jrr
August 23, 2017 at 1:16 PM
yays to another NJH/Habaek fangirl!~ HAHAHA
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66 tesshan
August 23, 2017 at 11:03 AM
Thanks for the recap. I agree and for me as well this drama is just cute. It was not heartbreaking like Goblin. At times I was more invested in the second lead couple than the main one. I have to say the NJH was not the best choice to play this character. I was hoping for a better performance from him. The comedic parts were good but the serious ones just felt off too many times.
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67 j9
August 23, 2017 at 11:37 AM
I guess I'm going to be the odd one here to say that I really enjoyed this drama, enough overlook the "things that could have been done better". I am very pleased with this final episode. While it had me shedding tears and grabbing kleenex, it also left me smiling at the end. And really, that's all I'm asking for in the drama's that I watch.
I loved the intense love that Habaek had for SoAh, and the sacrifices that they were willing to make for each other. I loved all of the REAL (not frozen) kisses that we got to see throughout the drama. I don't think I've seen that many REAL kisses in one drama before. Oh, only if writers, directors and networks would allow more of that....
I found myself blowing kisses to Hoo Ye - he's such a stand out guy. Someone who was grateful for the good people that he came across in his life. Someone who knew when it was time to back down from pursuing SoAh, looking out for her happiness as well, (which is something he said he wanted to do), even if that meant her happiness was with Habaek. I was so glad when the high priest approached him, not with hatred as the other gods, but with praise, respect and acceptance, and also a desire to learn from him. That had to have meant so much for Hoo Ye. I never got SLS with him, but I love, love him none the less. I think he just needed a friend who knew him for who he really was and was able to accept him for it. (blowing more kisses to you Hoo Ye :) ) I found it interesting that he introduced himself to the high priest saying that he "used to be the god of fire"...
Bi Ryum and Moo Ra were interesting characters. You couldn't all the way love them, and you couldn't all the way hate them either. But in the end, I was happy for them being together.
Even Joo Gul Rin- one minute, I didn't like him, and the next minute I could see some redeeming qualities in him, like how he took care of Hoo Ye. And how he seemed to always be there to help him when there was no one else.
This drama showed everyone's good and bad qualities. But it didn't leave you with one true villian. Everyone had something to overcome.
Props to NJH for taking on a more mature role that wasn't all cutesie all the time. I think you did a great job of playing a haughty god. What a great branch out for you. Looking forward to seeing more of your projects.
Props to Krystal. I wasn't a big fan before, but you're winning me over. You played that part better than expected.
Props to SSK - what can I say, you did a great job of bringing us into your character. I may have to go back an view some of your other works.
Special Props to LJH - My goodness! you made us all love and feel for your character, and also route for your character to find happiness.
So yes, there were some questions that were never really answered, but in the end they became less important for me to know.
Very pleased.
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sorrynotsorry
August 23, 2017 at 11:52 AM
I've liked many a drama that didn't resonate with the majority. It's all good. This one to me was an okay, easy watch. I was glad that many enjoyed Krystal who usually gets so much negativity.
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damnmok
August 24, 2017 at 12:49 AM
Yes, same here. I've enjoyed many a drama that were greatly panned by beanies. This to me was an easy watch. Easy on the eyes and easy on the heart (no heart thumping cliffhangers). And I agree with @j9 about the REAL kisses (instead of frozen ones). I've seen so many frozen kisses in kdrama, I was starting to forget what a real one looks like. This is my first time watching Shin SK and I must say, I have become a huge fan. Will be looking out for her. I came for NJH and stayed for SSK (and NJH together was a great pairing). Thank you BOTWG for the slow leisurely walk.
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68 smurfett820
August 23, 2017 at 12:14 PM
The last few episodes have been pretty good, probably because the plot was moving. I kept thinking about how this was similar to Goblin in terms of pacing, nothing happening in the beginning and really the conflict resolved in a few episode later on. And the ending of the godly figure only spending a female character's life time(s) with them, but then they will go back to being by themselves at the end. But Goblin had a very strong actor going for it and also an underlying theme (what does it mean to live a full life) it explored throughout. Whereas this one.....so many could have beens.
Thinking about all the holes and what they could have done better, I would have to agree with Lollipip, it kind of does boil down to not being shown some of the explanations, and many of the backstory coming too late. Like HY explaining how HB was the god of gods and had a lot of power in ep 15. That to me explained a lot of HB's motivations for acting the way he does in the earlier episodes. If they'd built some of the characters better by showing it to us or even talking about it, I would feel more vested and connected to them.
I didn't think NJH's acting was that bad. He does emote comedy and sadness well. For that reason I liked the last 2 episodes. You could feel his sadness at having to leave and the weighty decision to sacrifice himself. Maybe need to work on showing anger (what's with the face ticking when he's mad?) and more layers of feelings.
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69 Alzy
August 23, 2017 at 12:59 PM
This has got to be the lamest show I've seen in recent times, in terms of writing, acting and general direction. Some of the comments on this site regarding the finer plot points seem like they are a class apart from what we as viewers finally got. It's too lacklustre to be a joke and too incoherent to be anything else. I deeply regret staying with this drama for all this while. If there is a word for what I feel, it would be cheated.
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70 Soa
August 23, 2017 at 1:25 PM
Hello! First tym commenter all way from Nigeria.
On HK and YSH, I think their r chemistry is really great, but I did find dem both abi tiring as some of the episodes but they are really good and if pple can see past their weak points, they can be great actors
On HY, l must say am really happy wit d guy who played role bcos he showed us just how pple can influence your life in making decision and carrying out your actions, and glad he step bk 4 HB to be with his woman.
On MR and BR, I loved their bickering and her dresses, and l loved how she was a source of calm to both HR and BR, even though she was a little childish asking HY to steal YSH from HB, it was totally not necessary to my point of view
I have so many things to write on but overall it is really a cute drama since am a virgin to Korean drama, but d writers and director should have brought out a lot of facts or secrets in middle of the season, it would have helped so that d last episodes won't feel as if it was rushed
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71 pickledplumtree
August 23, 2017 at 2:47 PM
I didn't mind this story having just threads to do with the original, but it's funny that she didn't actually ever become a bride. A modern adaptation of the story could have been if she was a poor gal sent as a "sacrifice" by her family to work at a mob boss's or chaebol's home due to a family debt or secret or deal, or something like that.
Gods don't bleed or cry but Habaek cried the whole time, lol.
Poor Jo Yeom Mi didn't get her happy ending with the terrified Nam Soo Ri, haha.
It's interesting that the servant curse is this big punishment but ended up coming with this wish blessing that could outpower even some gods. I thought she'd wish to go with him too.
Ah well. I'm glad I actually lasted til the end, (though it was tough this week!), which is rare for me these days with watching dramas as they air.
Bye everyone! It's been fun!
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72 IJH_SLS
August 23, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Hi everyone. Am new. I dont really watch K drama. Dont have any fav actor/actress too. J just came to watch this out of nowhere lol. I watch because of the characters.And here I Dare to say, if IJH swap with NJH and play Habaek, it will be the epitome of perfection. But to think NJH play HY's dark deep intense broody yet generous character, NJH will kill the character. He wont be able to get 20% of what IJH did as HY. And i say this as non K-drama fan. But i am now what you guys said is having massive SLS. HY came to my dream everynight. His character is just too antonishing he drew me too deep. I am not sure i have become a kdrama fan but i am absolutely fell hard with IJH acting. Did he really not that famous? No major lead role? Too bad. I
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bunny
August 24, 2017 at 6:00 AM
The first time I watched IJH was in....Shine or Go Crazy. He wore purple robe and I thought he was godly. :D Many watched him in Tamra The Island (I think?). His acting in Bride of Habaek is my favorite though.
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earthna
August 24, 2017 at 5:22 PM
Lim Joohwan has been in the industry much longer than Nam Joohyuk so it will only make sense that he's a better actor. Also, just for kicks, I don't think Lim Joohwan would fit the Habaek role.
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73 J kim
August 23, 2017 at 6:08 PM
Im confused. What does habaek and the high priest mean about why the stones are in the human world?
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74 Lena Z
August 23, 2017 at 6:47 PM
I loved this drama. It was well written, suspenseful, funny and a wonderful love story. Thanks for sharing with us in the USA!!
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75 Fuujin
August 23, 2017 at 7:03 PM
I'm not sure what to think about this show. It wasn't good, but for some reason I stuck it out for all 16 episodes.
I didn't even like or care about So-ah at all (though SSK did a fine job). And while I liked Ha-baek, I wish someone with more experience had played him (even though NJH is likable). Surprisingly, I ended up liking Bi-ryeom and Mu-ra best of all--their characters were perhaps the only indications that this was a fantasy drama. Although I adore GM, I initially loathed Krystal. But somehow she won me over, as did both characters. In fact, I would much rather have watched a drama about Hu-ye, Bi-ryeom, and Mu-ra. No need for So-ha and Ha-baek. Unless Ha-baek had powers.
On that, why leave Ha-baek powerless for all 16 episodes??? How is it possible that the writer of Arang wrote this? It's so hard to believe. What was the point of side characters Shin Ja-ya and Secretary Min, who had barely anything to do with the main story, when apparently there wasn't enough time to fill all the gaping plot holes?
And yet. Still I watched. I think it is because, as @lollypip wrote, there was so much potential. And my disappointment therefore has more to do with what could have been than what was.
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76 lolita
August 23, 2017 at 7:04 PM
I had previously judged this drama by the lazy, uncreative posters designed for it. Then I watched it. And my previous, biased view remained the same ... :( I agree with @lollypip ... the ideas were there, but left unexplored and spread out too far in between to form any coherent, fulfilling storyline ... what a shame, what a shame ... I'm putting this one in my "to-be-forgotten" folder ... Farewell, wasted hours ... ?
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77 R777
August 23, 2017 at 8:31 PM
Don't get it. Soah can rent breathing apparatus to dive into the river to retrieve her dad's body. Habeak doesn't need to give her "God Grace". The written should have come up with a better storyline to show Habeak has learn how to he a true God and King.
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78 faye
August 23, 2017 at 8:53 PM
i stop watching this drama after ep 1. this is kind of disappointment. they should have stick to the manwha
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earthna
August 24, 2017 at 5:19 PM
Ahm, I get the disappointment but isn't it too much to judge it after watching just one episode?
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79 zetnnik
August 23, 2017 at 9:10 PM
I found this disappointing. Just likeLollyPip, I too liked the god realm and wished they showed more of it. I was expecting a rom-com, but I got something that was exhausting/draining. Lead female's life was too draining for me -- she was always struggling or crying... I only got through ep. 8 and then I stopped; then I jumped to the final episode.
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80 CL
August 23, 2017 at 9:37 PM
Seriously the ending was unimpressive and the story wasn't all that great to follow I think I would had dropped this drama from ep 10 but the only thing that had keeped me watching was CEO Shin this whole freaking time, Like I wasn't interested in any of the other characters but his because his character is by far the only one that have character development and a more interesting backstory.
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81 Cutiedoki
August 23, 2017 at 10:43 PM
The only good thing that happened in this disaster is Im Jun Hwan! The man can truly act and spectacularly shadowed all of them!
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IJH_SLS
August 24, 2017 at 10:51 PM
He trully give out a stellar performance in this drama. Agreed with you, he basically save this. I cringed with most of the NJH's scene. Especially with the one episode where he said "i caught you" at Hu Ye, that he knows who is HY. His glaring made me cringed so bad. Am a new Kdrama fan btw. I dont know a lot of kdrama. I watch this bcz of IJH acting was beyond deep.
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82 hanie
August 23, 2017 at 11:58 PM
I won't commenting on the drama as I'm just a casual watcher BUT... I think all casting directors should take a note on casting charismatic secondary actors like Im Joo Hwan (and Kim Tae Hoon, Uhm Ki Joon to name a few) against a bland/new/inexperience lead. I note that on Lookout, KYK was losing against KTH and it happened in this drama too, between IJH and NJH. I also think that this type of character probably too much for NJH right now. He still lacking in giving out complex/layered performances that are expected.
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earthna
August 24, 2017 at 5:16 PM
I think both actors did well playing their roles. Of course Lim Joohwan is a more experienced actor compared to Nam Joohyuk but his role is also someone viewers can sympathize with more. It's easier to feel for Hu-ye than Habaek.
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Katrina
August 25, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Agreed. Hard to feel for someone that has never had to struggle the way Hu-Ye had
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83 Ria
August 24, 2017 at 2:19 AM
I'm sad that this series didn't live up to my expectations. It had so much potential... but sadly, that's all it was.. a potential. I felt like the writer was really confused. There were so much ideas, but zero follow through. It's like the writer couldn't decide what road to take and ended up serving the viewers with half baked ideas:
1) "Bride of the water god." Obviously he wanted her to be a bride, but that didn't happen.
2) Habaeks power in relation to So Ah- At one point I thought it had to be activated with her blood- but nothing happend there. Then it seemed like the writer decided, oh it's not when she's in danger- it activates when she "believes" his a god- hence, that firefly scene.
3) The god stones- it made sense, but it was fleshed out weakly. They could have made this the major plot and small side plots in between. But no.. they started focusing on #4
4) Hu Ye- had potential to be a good villain. He is the only character that was actually well fleshed out with conflict (personal conflict). But the focus on the god stones, went to Hu ye.. then it all ended up with BY's anger over Hu ye killing someone.. which didn't really have any connection with the whole picture.. but really-- what is the whole picture? If Hu Ye was the one who stole the last God stone.. then that would have been a better plot..
5) Habaek leaving then coming back with no powers? what was really the point..
There's so much more.. I'm gonna stop here. LOLs But what I really liked about this series, were the characters. Just watching the gods interacting with their other worldy looks, presence, and clothing was enough for me to forget about the non-existent plot.
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84 Pirpir
August 24, 2017 at 3:32 AM
what a dissapontment this drama was.
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85 bunny
August 24, 2017 at 5:52 AM
It could have been better. It could have been soooo goooodddd! It could have been EPIC!!!
But it's not.
You guys are wasting good talents, seriously.
Just like how the charmingly drawn godly world, gorgeously drawn Rui/Habaek, So Ah and HooYe, with flowing hair and robes came to waste in the manhwa, because of unsatisfactory plot/ending (oh God, Habaek and HooYe in the manhwa were to die for). The basic plot was promising, yes. But WHYYYY?!?!?
I need explanation.
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86 Allysondragon
August 24, 2017 at 9:51 AM
What I'll miss the most in this show is Yong Yong. It's super cute. Where can I buy a Yong Yong? ???
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87 earthna
August 24, 2017 at 3:17 PM
Finally finished watching this! Ah, the many ways this drama could have been executed well. I loved it so much in the beginning but then it just started to drag midway. I had to force myself to watch the last 4 episodes.
I say the fault is on the writer. She even had reference material as foundation for it but she screwed it up big time. She tries to make it mysterious by withholding information until the end but it actually does the opposite. By episode 12, I just didn't care. Plus the "twists" weren't even that big. Everybody expected them to happen. Ah, I'm so frustrated.
My big take away from the drama would be Krystal really looks like a goddess and how I wish Shin Sekyung had this kind of kiss scenes with Yoo Ahin in Dragons. Thanks for the recaps, Lollypip!
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88 Jamie Opso
August 24, 2017 at 5:14 PM
Thank you for recapping the series, @lollypip! I enjoyed reading your take on this drama.
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89 abalyn
August 24, 2017 at 6:16 PM
What an ingenious ending. I wish some of that ingenuity could have been spread out between more of the episodes! It's the first time I've seen a mediocre drama with a good ending. I've seen good endings for good shows, mediocre endings for mediocre shows, and bad endings for good shows, but this is a first. I guess Dramaland can still surprise me.
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90 AprilKim
August 24, 2017 at 7:35 PM
I will settle for cute, I don't enjoy heavy and complicated dramas anyway. Thanks so much for the recap. I appreciated the finale even more because of your wonderful recap and I agree with you that the show was cast well. I think that Nam Joo Hyuk is very charming as Habeak.
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91 Alessar
August 25, 2017 at 7:33 AM
Hu-ye and secretary Min were like the best (and hottest) characters on the show. What a waste of those 2 actors. Hopefully they get more work soon.
They kinda managed to stick the ending but it was such a disheveled mess it was still only so-so for me. I never bought the chemistry between the leads right to the very end.
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92 Katrina
August 25, 2017 at 12:14 PM
I almost didn't watch the last episode. I did mainly to complete it. Mainly because I felt the one character I cared about most, Hu-Ye wasn't going to get much or any time to resolve his character. I'm glad everyone seemed to be headed in a positive direction But he had the most depth, and it was wasted
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93 Jpb
August 25, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Alas, a sweet happy ending! Glad my speculation of a tragic variant Romeo & Juliet fell through! Watched loads of kdrama but never encountered this one as hotly debated. Defending SSK everywhere online is still an ongoing battle! This is a spin-off; gosh!.. can viewers stop comparing this to the manhwa already?! Just enjoy it, no harm fantasizing with it, it's only entertainment! My only complaint? Soah should end up in the realms of Gods; she would look perfectly stunningly gorgeously beautiful with Habaek in those costumes!It was enjoyable exchanging comments with y'all, thank you! Till the next affinity shall we type again...??
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94 tayay
August 25, 2017 at 7:54 PM
all i can say is that :
1. no chemistry between the habaek dan so ah.. very plain and their love was not convincing. lack of deep love story between them.
2. it conclude that all the god can do was angry all the tie especially for moora... getting tired to watch her angry all the time from eps 1 until 16...didn't have a good impression about gods .. seems that they're unwise, easily angry, selfish, impulsive...there is no "wow factors"
however it was good to watch for throwing time before going to sleep
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95 AllHeirs
August 25, 2017 at 9:56 PM
Half of the ep, I'm crying.
Half of the ep, I think I fall asleep.
I wish they spread out the ending from ep. 15 through ep. 16. There's so many time in ep. 15 (seriously). I'm a fan of this drama up to ep.13. But after that, it's a mehh. I hope they explained their answers to all their questions more beautifully. If they don't like words, they can explain it in actions more clearly. (Why Habaek regains his power everytime So-ah begs to be save?) It's slow phase and the story was everywhere.
I love Nam Joo Hyuk,Shin Se Kyung and all the casts. It's just the story that I didn't love. I wish NJK and SSK will work together again soon. I think the manhwa is great. This show has so much more potential. They just lack consistencty. I think the production team feel pressured because the drama was compared to Goblin.
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96 wandergirl
August 26, 2017 at 12:44 AM
"Oddly enough, it’s the casting that worried me most at the beginning, but the characterizations turned out to be my favorite part of the show."
Same here, @LollyPip! I admit that there were times when it just didn't work out for me - maybe the actors aren't all on the same wavelength or caliber of acting, maybe I couldn't connect to them emotionally, but nonetheless I appreciate the characters/actors when taken individually. It's not something I would rewatch, but the fluff filled in my Kdrama addiction and it was okay while it lasted.
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wandergirl
August 26, 2017 at 12:56 AM
Oh and I kinda wish there'd be rom-com sequel with Secretary Min and Ja-ya. Now that would be fun. ?
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97 Zoreeta
August 26, 2017 at 8:12 AM
Unexpected ending but nice. Just wondering how they are going to live together until she dies if he is god and don't die and suppose don't age? Then go back to his kingdom like nothing happen. Maybe he could pass the kingdom to another god and live as a normal mortal and happily with her.
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98 Danni
August 26, 2017 at 10:18 AM
Comment was deleted
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99 Danni
August 26, 2017 at 10:20 AM
Aw man, I accidentally deleted my comment trying to edit it ^^;
Anyhow, I have to respectfully disagree with the comments. The last episode was just as disappointing for me as the rest of the series. Habaek's "softness" toward So-Ah fell flat for me every time because he treated her like property the majority of the drama. Commanding her to do this and that, dragging her from important moments by force. Hell he even admits that he's jealous, and to not be friends with men. They had a really unhealthy relationship. She stood up for herself once (saying she didn't want him to stay the first time to "properly" break up), but then allowed him to drag her places and tell her what to do. I never came to like his character at all which is sad because I do agree that the actors are great in other dramas, but they were sorely underused in this (with the exception of Im Ju Hwanas Hoo Ye). None of the characters had any depth, they were arrogant and willfully ignorant. I wanted to like Bi Ryum, but his nonsensical hatred of Hoo Ye just made that difficult. Even Habaek points out that Bi Ryum was essentially blaming a child... one that they literally imprisoned in a cave with no one to teach him right from wrong, or anything for that matter. Yet Bi Ryum refuses to except that and never bothers to even TRY to make amends. Sure he was cute with Moo Ra, but so what when he's a selfish D-bag. The hatred for Hoo Ye isn't even consistent. Sot he God's "hate" half-gods... yet the High Priest had no hesitation on wanting to learn from him at the end. There was no evidence that any of the Half-God's were evil or as awful as we were told they were. So essentially Hoo Ye was tortured for no reason, and then punished for his actions in response to said torture. He literally living as a decent being until the Gods come and start bullying him.
Also, the last big thing that really disappointed me was the mystery surrounding So-Ah's father. So, the talisman preserved his body, and wouldn't allow anyone to move it, but couldn't save him from dying to begin with? What a conveniently awful plot device, just like the whole scene where her father jumps in and she's unconscious but suddenly comes to as he's falling to his death. I get that it's fantasy and fictional, but that's really awful writing to me. I know a lot of convenient things tend to happen in dramas, but for me at least, they were asking me to suspend too much belief for this. I guess I was even more disappointed because one of the reasons I bothered to stick with the show despite how underwhelming it became was due to the mystery surrounding her father. I would've thought it to be far more interesting if he'd been a Half-God himself, I thought that when there was talk of Hoo Ye helping people, and So-Ah's father was the same. Perhaps it would've been convenient, but at least less far-fetched than what actually happened. Also, the other inconsistency that I didn't like, was how there...
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Danni
August 26, 2017 at 10:26 AM
Also, the other inconsistency that I didn't like, was how there needed to be a ceremony for So Ah to make her wish, but it just happened for her father without his knowledge. I really disliked how the show couldn't even keep to the rules it tried to establish, just changed them conveniently when it seemed they wrote things into a corner. Awful writing. I would give this drama a 5 out of 10 just because I feel bad for the actors, and at least Hoo Ya was a decent character with actual development and interesting back story unlike the rest of the Gods.
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100 mohamad
August 27, 2017 at 5:03 AM
Does any one know who is that half life's step mother
half life is more then 1200 yrs old as we know
then how does his step mother still alive ......its so confusing pls some one explain me ..
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