The blood bath in Episode 1 reminded me why I find Bloody Mary revolting: copious use of tomato juice to simulate gore. I’m making a mental note never to watch this kdrama at breakfast. Yes, I’m going to blog about this kdrama for now. Who’s with me?

I didn’t intend falling in love with the encounter between the crazy king and his queen but there’s something wretched about him asking her to care.

He charges to her palace and her private room like a bull on a rampage.

King: When someone is so desperate to have a son that she comes to me with a talisman, how come you are not doing anything?

To me he sounds affronted that she allowed the concubine to visit him. He’s protesting that she didn’t defend her position as the Queen. The concubine wanted her Royal spot badly enough to acquire a talisman for pregnancy. The concubine’s status would have been elevated among the other concubines had she borne him a son because she was able to accomplish something that the Queen hadn’t: produce an heir.

But instead of guarding her spot at his side, the Queen passively accepted the concubine’s challenge. The Queen’s tolerance and inaction would suggest that she welcomed the interloper and, to me, THAT’s the real reason the King is enraged.

King: Get a talisman, perform an exorcism. If that doesn’t work, you should at least beg me to build a temple so you can make offerings.

In other words, the King wants her to agitate to retain her position as HIS Queen.

If this kdrama was a typical love story, I’d say that he’s begging her to fight for him and their marriage.

King: You are neither Confucius nor Mencius. How can you be so calm?

Her calmness is in stark contrast to his paranoia. He lived in constant fear that that he’d be deposed or killed. But she doesn’t seem at all fearful about the credible threats to his life or the least bit concerned that his death could mean the end for her and her father. Only HE is worried about his death threats.

To me, the reference to Confucius and Mencius have a three-fold significance. One, those men were sages; she isn’t a sage like them but she has found their inner peace. Two, they had followers who protected them; she’s a Queen whose reign depends on the court’s favor. And three, those men both lived to their 70s/80s, while her safety isn’t guaranteed.

Queen: Does Your Majesty want me to defy a court lady’s rules and employ witchcraft?

Judging from her response, I take it that she’s prioritizing her duties and responsibilities as Queen over and above his demand to behave as his consort. She isn’t going to participate in shamanism and sorcery because that isn’t what the people expect of their Queen. And she isn’t going to defy the system of concubinage practiced and tolerated by the monarchy.

It intrigues me that her behavior contradicts the rumors circulated by the head Gisaeng in the brothel, and the story of burlesque show performed by HaSun and his troop of clowns. If we were to believe the head Gisaeng and the clowns’ skit, then the Queen is jealous of the King’s concubines.

But in reality, she’s unaffected by their presence. She thoughtfully gave the concubine a precious hairpiece as gift as if she was thanking the concubine for being her surrogate in the Kong’s bed. “Better you than me.”

King: If that’s what I wanted, would you do it?

It’s sad that he had to ask. He can command the whole nation to do his bidding. But his own Queen, he had to ask. lol. It’s becoming apparent to me that any feelings he harbored for her isn’t reciprocated.

Queen: If it’s your order, then I will follow no matter what, but…
King: But what?
Queen: I hope that you become an example for all people. If you build a graceful character with bountiful mercy, wouldn’t the heavens be touched and give us a son that will carry on your line?
King: Stop. That condescending nagging again!

Not only condescending but also rebuking. Basically, she’s essentially him for their lack of heir. The heavens are deaf to their pleas for a male successor because of his disgraceful and unmerciful character. She directly and bluntly says that he needs to “build a character with bountiful mercy” (in other words, to REFORM) so the deities will reward them with a son. It’s his fault that she can’t bear children.

He turns away to leave her.

Queen: Your Majesty, I know that my words are meaningless to you. If you don’t want to listen to my words, then please listen to the citizens. Please meet them in person and –

The King pivots and pulls her into his arms. He leans in to kiss but she looks away.

King: Those fools must think that I’m the one rejecting you. Who would have known that you’re the one rejecting me?

There’s no two ways about it; she rejects him. She must have seen or heard of his violent actions and his steady descent to madness, and she’s repulsed by them.

Two things that strike me odd about their marriage:

1. The King seems to have been suffering from his paranoia for quite some time but she hasn’t shown up at his side to check on his health or to show concern for his well-being. The Queen’s father told her, “His Majesty won’t be like that forever. He’s someone who used to have the qualities of a good and wise king, did he not? I’ll do my best to serve His Majesty so hang in there a little bit more.” If she’d known all along that this good side of his exists, why isn’t she more supportive of him through his moments of illness?

2. Again, the King seems to have been suffering from his paranoia for quite some time already but he relies for help, not from his Queen who professed loyalty, but from his court advisers who may or may not be loyal to him. Even the Queen’s father admitted (35:06) that he too had not served the King well. “The reason why the king ended up that way is because I ignored your (the Royal Secretary’s) advice and brought in Sin Chi Soo. It’s my fault.” Why isn’t the Queen at his side?

To me, the burden of ruling the kingdom is already tough enough for any sane and normal King, but I expected the Queen to take an active participation, even behind-the-scene, in protecting her husband who’s beleaguered from all sides and turning insane because he doesn’t know who to trust. If they loved each other, she should have been his last line of defense in this palace full of intrigue and conspiracies. But she seems to have abdicated that job as his defender, sadly enough.

But we’re only in the first Episode….

And I’m sure that, since this is tvN’s customary practice, we’re going to have two male characters vying for the affection of the Queen. Unless this kdrama writer gives me a compelling reason why I should tolerate adultery in my main characters, I’m going to assume that endgame here is still the crazy King and his frigid Queen.