updated 10/15/2019: Part 2 is here: Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency Ep 8, part 2
*****************8
Questions. Questions. Questions.
I heartily agree that the plot of this kdrama isn’t the best. However, it’s not the worst either. In my critical opinion, the kdrama most deserving of virtual peanuts thrown at it from the gallery is Vagabond. Remove the star power of Lee Seunggi and Suzy, the billion-won budget, and the well-choreographed stunt scenes, THAT kdrama is an unmitigated disaster. In my humblest (ha!) opinion, it was the script and direction that did the show in. Its fans just don’t get that the Jason Bourne franchise became highly successful NOT because of the thrilling, fast-paced action. But because the plot twists, the conspiracies, and the hero actually made sense.
Compared to Vagabond’s creators, the writer of Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency is…gasp!… an Einstein. Omo!
Let me answer some of the interesting questions I’ve seen on the internet.
1. Why did DoJoon wreck a shelf-load of “pots” and run away JiHwa even though everyone in the city supposedly could recognize JiHwa?
Ah! That scene is created with artistic license. There is symbolism at work here.
And since we, bitches, aren’t philistines — shudders! — I’m giving you a link about these white “pots.” The correct term for them is porcelain. Pots are for gardening. And to be precise, this white porcelain is the famous baekja. Link: Met museum
Although Korean ceramics is associated nowadays with celadon, that jade-green color ceramics, the baekja or white porcelain is the one that the royal court and, by extension, the nobility, preferred to use during the Joseon period. They valued and admired the simple elegance of these porcelain because the aesthetics evoked the quintessence of the Zen Buddhism. The profound beauty in the simplicity, elegance and minimalism of nature is duplicated in these baekja. (lol. Thank my mother, who was an art docent for this tidbit. She dragged my brothers and me to museums just like I did with my sons.)
In this kdrama, you’ll notice that both father and daughter admired their white porcelain. That white porcelain symbolized the daughter, or to be more precise, her purity. Jihwa had to be chaste and virtuous because she was going to be the *vessel* of the future generations of Joseon kings. She was, in essence, going to be the broodmare and the sperm-catcher.
Now do you get why the father and daughter kept polishing their baekja? Their attention to polishing the beauty of the porcelain symbolizes the years they spent developing and preparing JiHwa to be the future Queen. But when DoJoon came along in her life, and kissed her in the ceramic store, all that lifetime of education went crashing down. That’s why the shelves came tumbling down and they both ran. It was symbolism of her downfall at its finest.
This episode’s theme is “A Love that Cannot be Realized: Magic Lily” and Lee Soo’s love affair with Gaeddong is NOT the only one that can’t happen. JiHwa’s love affair with DoJoon also cannot be *consummated* if you know what I mean…
Ha! I told you in Episode 7 that DoJoon was going to be the cause of her ruin.
2. Why did Hoon shout at Gaedong after rescuing her? Isn’t he being too mean?
No. It’s natural and it’s explainable.
This is the fourth time he raised his voice at her.
The first time was when he panicked upon hearing that Gaedong had been grabbed by a gang of men. He frantically ran to search for her and found her in the shack. He thought Gaedong was being threatened by a knife when in fact the men were only sharing their food with her.
He shouted, “I’m her husband.” Then, still in a loud voice, he told her, “What are you doing here, my bride? Let’s go home.”
He was mad. But it was obvious that he was mad because he greatly feared that she would become a victim.
Then, the second time was on their way home. He had been walking by her side and giving her the silent treatment. He casually switched her chatter to mention her talent for drawing. She became annoyed then, telling him, “Okay, that’s it, buster! I’m outta here.”
GD: It’s written on those books. Once I read it, I can figure out what they look like.
Hoon: Even a worm has a talent for drawing, huh?
GD: Are you just going to say your piece and leave like usual? I’m going now.
Hoon: (holding her wrist.) Where are you going now? What if something happens?
He was shouting again here. He became agitated that she was wandering off by herself at night and, unconsciously, raised his voice at her.
The third time was in Episode 7 when she came home late. He’d been staring at the rough sketch of her being shown around by the assassins in search of her. He feared for her safety.
Hoon: (to himself) Rock-head, what will I do with you?
Then, she walked in and he began yelling at her and laid down the new rule for to be home before sunset. He used her work performance (or lack thereof) as an excuse.
Hoon: What are you doing out so late, not even working? Before the sun sets, make sure to return…
Then, in Episode 8, he rescued her again.
Look. He had all the reason to be TERRIFIED for her safety. Don’t you see? This was a repeat of his most traumatic experience. His Hyung was killed by his father’s assassin because of mistaken identity. And now, Gaedong was abducted by his father’s men again. Of course, he’d be terrified that she would be killed, too.
That’s why he threatened his own father.
Hoon: (shouting) Do not touch her!
He marched up to his father. He held her wrist to move her behind him as he confronted his father.
Hoon: (fiercely) Do not touch even a single fingertip of this young lady.
Swoon-alert!
Father: (exhaling) Isn’t it enough that you can’t help your family? Must you also interfere so much? Are you really my child?
Hoon: You’re the one interfering in my work, Father. If you ever touch one of my people again, I’ll no longer stand for it.
Then, he turned around and faced Gaedong. She looked bewildered Either Gaedong was shocked to hear him speak like that to his father or she was scared that he would shout at her, too.
An aside: It’s hard to tell with this actress. She ALWAYS uses this wide-eyed look to express all intense emotions. It’s so frustrating to watch!
Hoon: (calmly) Let’s go.
He then took her hand in his and walked her quickly out of there, leaving the father wondered, “My people?”
Outside, he was dragging her while she asked him questions.
GD: Why are you sulking now? Was this bothersome? You got me out earlier so nicely –
He suddenly stopped in his tracks to turn and yell at her.
Hoon: How dare you show yourself there? You could have been hurt!
GD: (startled) Why are you getting angry? Someone would think you’re the one who got hurt.
What an idiot! Doesn’t she know that many people shout after a stressful situation when they’re in fear of their loved one’s well-being? It’s the thing as a parent quickly swatting her son’s bottom after grabbing him from running into a busy street. It’s Hoon’s reaction stemming from fear and concern over her well-being.
He suddenly remembered his conversations with Crew #2 and with Gaedong. He told her, “Don’t get hurt.”
See that? That’s the reason he was getting angry. He didn’t want her to get hurt. He wasn’t yelling at her because he was a meanie. (rolls eyes)
3. I don’t get that flashback of Hoon about an accident-prone area? Huh?
Y’all know by now how I love to explain things, just bear with me or ignore me.
Hoon had two flashbacks as Gaeddong was protesting that he was shouting at her as if he had been the one who got hurt in the encounter with the Prime Minister’s henchmen.
The first flashback was Crew #2 YoungSoo’s warning about an accident-prone area. This happened when he had been daydreaming about his kiss with Gaeddong behind the bookshelves.
Hoon: (muttering to himself) That thing called “accident”
YS: (waving his hand in front of his face and slamming the table) Won’t you pay attention? These are all burdens you’ve brought in.
Hoon: Burdens?
YS: Three Months (aka Gaedong), who you said would only be here for three months. And that prickly lady who picks on all the candidate’s personal history. We have to find her mate and send her away soon. (He meant Hoon’s cousin-in-law, Lady Im.)
Hoon: (thinking and nodding) Yes, I should find her mate and send her away.
This is purposely vague. He could be referring to Lady Im or to Gaedong. My best is on Gaedong. 🙂
YS. Then do you intend to keep her for the rest of your life?
HA! Little did YoungSoo know that he was close to guessing the truth! Yes, Hoon DID consider keeping her for the rest of his life when he offered to give her a “new opportunity.”
Hoon: YeonSoo, if I keep thinking about an accident, why would that be?
YS: Did you suffer an accident?
My answer? Yes.
That kiss could be considered an accident alright, because the event happened to him unexpectedly and unintentionally, and it caused him an injury to his brain and heart. This was a very interesting metaphor there.
YS: If you keep thinking about an accident isn’t that a warning?
Hoon: A warning?
Meaning, his brain was cautioning him to be careful in proceeding forward. He couldn’t form an attachment to her, and neither could she.
YS: That this is an accident-prone area, so you should avoid it.
Hoon: (repeating YS’ description) Accident-prone area…
The second flashback was his conversation with GD after he shouted at Lee Soo for returning and muddling up GD’s feelings.
lol. Only Hoon could reprimand the king in a loud voice and make Lee Soo look like a lowly blacksmith again.
GD: Soo came for me. What happens now?
Hoon: What do you mean? You found Kim Soo, now if you find your older brother, you must return.
GD: To where, do you mean?
Gaedong was already getting confused; her heart was WAVERING. But Lee Soo had been constant with his devotion to her and had just pronounced himself undeterred to keep her by his side. Hoon had no right to her because he was entrusted to guard her for Lee Soo.
In short, then, when Gaedong pointed out, “Someone would think you’re the one who got hurt,”
the two thoughts that ran in his head were:
a) he needed to avoid an “accident-prone area,” or an attachment to her.
and b) her place was at Lee Soo’s side. Although she was beginning to waver, she would have to return to “her place” after she’s found Lee Soo and her Hyung.
To me, the flashback meant that he suddenly became mindful of his place and their situation. He remembered that one, she was Lee Soo’s intended bride and two, they couldn’t form an attachment because someone would get hurt. That “someone” would obviously be him, but he was more concerned about her. She would get hurt if she became emotionally attached to him.
That’s why he let her hand go and he told her, “Don’t get hurt.”
There’s a double meaning in these words that most viewers would sadly miss. Hoon wasn’t only referring to her physical well-being but to her emotional well-being as well. He didn’t want her heart broken because “a love (like theirs) cannot be realized.”
Just like what the title said.
Unlike DoJoon who was going to end up hurt JiHwa (intentional or not) because he couldn’t seem to stop himself from pursuing her and flirting with her, Hoon didn’t want Gaedong to be hurt.
See that? Romantic, isn’t it?
**********
I’ll continue with the rest of the Q&A later.
Yes to those points. I always felt she (GD) was very childish. Some would call her naive but naive is one thing, stupidity is another and for me, she leans towards the latter. That’s why Hoon keeps sighing. He’s the “parent” in the relationship. 🙄. Waiting for that penny to drop is torturous and venting out of frustration is understandable 😂. I was hopeful that she had something to bring to the relationship when they had that blanket stomping scene? Where she read him right for once and took the initiative to try to lift his spirits? That was the one time she brought something to the table. And I don’t understand why she would keep the secret of finding her Brother from Hoon (and the Flower Crew). She was obviously out of her depth when the bet with JiHwa was hashed, she could never become a noble woman without them. So why not just come clean and tell them the dire situation? She should know them well enough to trust that they would bend over backwards to help her? See…dumb move. 🙄
And brilliant insight about the pots. I was wondering how they would tie in. DoJoon would be JiHwa’s undoing. She’s kinda nasty and unkind but for some reason I don’t mind her. I think it’s because she’s smart? And for the most part keeps her hands to herself and maintains her dignity (unless you count sneaking into the brothel for “information” against her of course 😂).
PS And her constant whining about Hoon being a meanie? All the hallmarks of a child’s response. 😂. Parent child scenario… where the child can’t look past the reprimand to the love that’s behind it.
When will we have GD doing things for Hoon? He’s always thinking of her welfare and safety while she waits for Soo and gives him all this hugs/kiss that makes Hoon waver. I wonder at what point would she realized that she loves Hoon.
“In my critical opinion, the kdrama most deserving of virtual peanuts thrown at it from the gallery is Vagabond.” – @packmul3
Hahahahahaha! You are so right! I truly feel insulted as a viewer when I watch Vagabond (it doesn’t help that I’m not a LSG or Suzy fan), which is why I’m mad at myself for still watching the show. I just want to see the twists and turns, as well as the revelations behind the controversial fighter jet deal. Also, it’s because of KTW (AND KTW’s sidekick and Hae-ri’s bestfriend). I want to see what happens to him (them). Funny cause I didn’t know anything about Shin Sung-rok. I only saw him in MLFTS but after watching him here, I am now a fan. He’s so charismatic here and I love that he has the looks of a villain but he’s doing so well as a good guy – a responsible, dependable and professional NIS agent.
Back to Flower Crew. I am yet to watch Episode 9 and I’m excited thinking about it. I’m loving a few dramas at the moment but this one particularly gets me giddy.
You mentioned the scene where Hoon yelled at his father and told him not to lay a finger on Gaedong. This shows the difference between Hoon and Soo. Although it will anger Hoon’s father and make him and Gaedong a target, Hoon still stood up to him. It’s something Soo can’t do even as king. And yes, Hoon is such a romantic, even for someone who CLAIMS (hah!) he doesn’t believe in love (double hah!). I love that he does the right thing and with such calm and logic. I love him. I have two imaginary boyfriends now – Hoon and Yong Sik from Ongsan. Hahahaha!
By the way, I just started Episode 9 and I’m reminded of Episode 8’s ending ugh. Since we’re talking about Hoon being a romantic… although I understand Hoon’s decision because he’s only doing it to protect Gaedong, I was a little disappointed because I thought he’d be the kind of person who would think of other options. His decision was also unromantic lol.
Maybe he’ll only think of other ways to protect Gae Dong though when he snaps out of it and fully accepts he’s in love with Gaedong. I wonder how Hoon will react when he figures out he’s in love… hmmmm
Hoon and Yong Sik are dissimilar though. I laughed when his mom described him as a “thumb.” Physically, he does look squat and squarish like a thumb among four elongated fingers. But yeahhh, when it comes to saving his Dongbaek, he’s like a Rottweiler.
Yah! Don’t mess with me and my “critical” opinion. 🤣
A thumb. 🤣 But even though they’re different (Hoon is logical, has a high IQ and reads people well, Yong Sik is more on EQ), they share similarities I appreciate. They both help the people they love and create opportunities for them to be stronger or to change.
Hoon helps Gae Dong overcome her fears and Yong Sik helps Dong Baek realize her strengths. They both bring out the best in their loved ones. 🖤
👍 Thumbs up! Lol.
I’d fall for a YongSik in real life because he makes me laugh at unexpected moments. Especially when he cites weird facts to bolster his arguments. I’m floored because I can’t imagine him reading. 😂
(I’m mean, right?)
@packmule3 I’ve thought about it a lot and I also would fall for a Yong Sik in real life but only if he’s less clingy. But if he must or can’t help to be clingy, then he should at least look like Kang Ha Neul 🤣
A guy kept following me around like Yong Sik even if like Dong Baek, I kept saying no, and it was uncomfortable as hell. I had to turn him down many times. I felt the same watching Yong Sik do that to Dong Baek. I also didn’t like his, “If we date for real, I promise you’d die of happiness every day.” I’d be turned off if someone told me that in real life cause I know he’s unrealistic. I’d rather hear a guy I like tell me, “We won’t be happy every day. We’ll fight. We’ll have sad moments, but I’d still want to be with you to share both happy and sad moments.” This is why I also love Hoon, cause he thinks the same way. As for Yong Sik, I like how he raises Dong Baek’s self-esteem.
I’m single by choice and I plan to date sometime in the future but not now. In an imaginary world, I’d hope to meet a combination of both Hoon and Yong Sik. 🤣 I just can’t decide whose visuals I’d choose over the other because gosh, Kim Min Jae and Kang Ha Neul are both good looking. 🤭
Good points, lollyminx.
You’re right. His love is sticky. I didn’t see it clearly until you mentioned it. To me, he was like a follower and since I’m used to dealing with followers,
(So proud of my 10 followers on twitter!) I didn’t see clingy-ness as posing an issue. It’ll diminish in time.
But you’re right. His type of love will feel suffocating when clingy-ness isn’t *managed* properly. He’ll have to learn to share DB with others and to give her space. Sometimes, he’ll have to settle for texts from Dongbaek instead of her actual presence.
Some people like a stick love, and some don’t. A sticky love will have a hard time surviving a long-distance relationship and I think this kdrama is heading towards a separation to test whether Yongsik’s sticky love can survive not seeing her or hearing from her.
@packmule3 Ooooh when Yong Sik’s love survives the distance and Dong Baek’s absence, I hope his mom finally gives them her blessing.
I think that’s the point. The mom said she’d think about her blessings after a long period of time. If the feelings would survive close contact over a long period of time. If love didn’t abate, then she’d consider her blessings. But even then, she didn’t think DB was a good proposition because raising someone else’s child is burdensome and all mothers would wish to protect their children from a burdensome life.