This is not a parody of the Lord of the Rings.

I didn’t intend to share this post with you until much later because 1) I wanted to see where the writers are going with this, and 2) I wanted you to see the connection yourselves.

However, I’m aware that before I can proceed with my explanation of the THIRD REASON I mentioned here, I need to talk about the Captain first.

I’m also aware that, in the general opinion of Manwol’s statement, “Will (he) come too?” people think she’s talking about the Captain who has yet to arrive. I understand it. The Captain is the obvious and natural conclusion. After all, Mira already appeared and disrupted her well-ordered life so… what about the Captain? When is he coming? Manwol expects her First Love and her arch-nemesis to show up, too.

However, for me, the Captain’s arrival is a foregone conclusion. I don’t dwell on it because he’s already there. Manwol met him already.

I’ve been joking around that you should look for the guy with the scar because the Captain had a scar.

Furthermore, since the Captain was ambitious enough to marry a princess and elevate his status, I should add: look for a guy who’s stuck in a perpetual cycle of doing minor jobs. That’s his karma for misdeed. (hahaha)

But if you still don’t get my hints, then I’ll have to read between the lines for you, okay?

Here we go. From Episode 6

Housekeeper: The man who came to the hotel is actor Bang Tae Wu. BTW lived his life as a supporting actor and his first leading role was King Lee Hyeon. However, before the filming started, he unfortunately, while working out, passed suddenly.

There! Do you see it? The similar trajectory in life. They died before they reached their much sought after glory.

MW: So he’s not a king, but an actor who rehearsed to act as a king?

Bartender: His every word and action were exactly like a king’s

Yes, just like the Captain was followed by his men.
Housekeeper: He died when he was so immersed in his role, that I think he actually believes that he’s a king.

Just like the Captain, he was so immersed in his role, in his quest to be the king, that he actually believed that he was a king BEFORE he even ascended to the throne. He told Manwol,

“Thanks to you, I was able to achieve something big. Leading me to that place, too, and gaining some time, it’s all thanks to you. I’ll spare your life.” He was soooo sure that he was going to be king that he underestimated Manwol’s strength, cunning and resourcefulness.

MW: (starts laughing) This is so embarrassing. Send him away tomorrow with the first bus.

Note: this is a parody of her reaction. She was distraught when she found out that the Captain made a fool of her. Here, she’s merely embarrassed and she tried to laugh it off her stupidity.

But she tries to avoid Chansung but Chansung waits for her.

CS: I heard he’s not a king. So you should have noticed, when I kept asking you questions.
MW: (flatly) You’re so great.
CS: I haven’t turned away your guests, just in case. I did something good.
MW: (raising her voice) I already said you’re so great!
CS: Honestly, when I saw him earlier, I saw that he had a scar on his face. You didn’t see, right? A scar on the face of a king of the Joseon dynasty makes no sense! Do you know “Deposed Queen Yun” right? You must have seen it because you enjoy drama.

MW: I know that, too. That was Gwanghaegun’s mother.
CS: No, it was Yeonsangun’s mother. That’s why you should’ve figured out which king he was. You said you felt the aura of ghosts, but you got fooled by an actor.

THERE! Manwol was also fooled by a handsome actor who pretended to court her. She knew right from the start that the Captain was a liar and a smooth-talker but she still got seduced by his words. Not only did she feel the aura of a practiced seducer, but she SAW him in action twice…once when they ambushed their caravan and another time when she visited the palace gates.

MW: (shouting) It’s because he’s a skilled actor! Do you know about acting which is full of conviction?

Manwol was passionately defending the actor Bang Tae Wu for a credible performance. But I wondered if she would have said that same thing once she realized that she was also defending the Captain for being just as skilled and convincing as an actor.

Manwol totally didn’t see through the Captain’s acting. He acted so convincingly maybe because he too felt something for Manwol.

Unfortunately, his ambition was greater than his feelings for her (if indeed he had any).

MW: (continuing) Frankly, how much did he want to act as a king that he actually believed he was a king after he died?

BINGO!!! This!

That’s the Captain right there. He died wanting to be king that, in his next reincarnations, he still held onto that ambition.

MW: (vigorously defending her First Love) Why do you look down on a ghost’s great passion? Are you that great?

CS: (shocked at her reaction) I just noticed that he wasn’t a king.

Because he isn’t. In his previous life, he was the Captain of the guards with a big ambition to rule men.

MW: A hotelier serves the customer as king if he says he is. Whether he is real or from a historical fusion drama, all our customers are royalty.
CS: Since when did she serve guests as royalty?

Never. She never “served” the Captain her own bottled drink; she never treated him as a royalty. He was always grabbing and stealing her drink from her.

Do you see what I mean now?

With the Hong sisters, it’s fun to read between the lines.

The Captain is already among their midst. The King has arrived. But given his current pitiful state, there’s really no need for words.

Y’all heard this FIRST here in my blog but I don’t want credit. Share it outside with others at your own risk. Don’t blame me when you get laughed at, too.  🙂