I’m not doing madcaps because this episode can exist on the couple moments alone. I don’t know about you but if I were a young girl, I’d fall hard for Jang Dong Yoon’s character, Nokdu. He’s cool when he goes with the flow.

The King sees them in the empty warehouse. DongJoo quickly pretends to be a lady meeting with her lover. Nokdu catches on quickly and hugs her too.

The King dismisses his guard (No, Nokdu and DJ don’t realize yet that he’s the king) and they take an evening stroll. Nokdu sees that DongJoo coolly takes hold of his elbow like lovers do. The King tells them that they look like a sweet couple.

After King leaves them alone, DongJoo wants to go off on her way but Nokdu stops her. He shows her the contract she signed saying that she needed to pay Nokdu for buying her freedom from the geisha establishment.  She goes with Nokdu to their hut. She has to sleep in Nokdu’s room.

Hurray!!! I missed these bedroom moments!

They can’t sleep until they have one of their arguments. I think Nokdu is tempted to kiss her.

But she’s neither pushing him away or inviting him to kiss her. I think she’s waiting for him to move but he says, “Never mind,” and goes to bed again.

The following morning, Yeulgum prepares a feast for “his” Nokdu.  He knocks on Nokdu’s door in the deepest, manliest voice he can muster.  When Nokdu doesn’t answer, he opens the door.

And is shocked to see this.

Of course, the in-laws wondered what’s going on so they peek in, too.

Yeolgum is upset with DongJoo during breakfast.

But the last straw is… the chicken. It’s like a chicken round-robin. Nokdu gives DongJoo a big piece of chicken while Yeolgum gives Nokdu a similar big piece of chicken. (Wait!! Did it actually happen or did I just imagine it in my head??)

Nokdu goes off to do his work and DongJoo, too, goes off to work after him. Awww… they look like a couple already!

DongJoo visits a gambling den. She’s about to sign a contract when she sees that the paper’s been re-touched to hide the real figure underneath. The boss of the gambling den forces her to sign it but Nokdu suddenly appears and pushes the boss’ head. Face meets table.

He challenges them to fight him.

They come out alive but Nokdu’s injured again. He’s old wound reopened, I think. Nokdu says he’ll lived but DongJoo insists on bringing him to her doctor. Doctor attends to Nokdu but says he doesn’t have time to bandage him. The wife can’t do it for him. They both cry out that they’re not married. lol.

She starts bandaging him up.

This scene is sooo sexy. But I don’t know if the innocent ones around here will get it. lol.

They aren’t really doing much. She’s just wrapping the bandage around his waist. But it’s the visual image. He’s just sitting still and she’s the one, on him, moving in and out. She’s the one in control of the rhythm and depth of closeness. She can do it faster or she can lean in more if she wanted to. Do you get what I’m saying? lol.

I think it’s subtle and “artistic” how kdramas can evoke steamy sex scenes without showing body parts and grunting moves. And the amusing part is these are easy to miss.

They go home after the doctor’s visit but they encounter the King again.

They eat a humble meal with the King. The King approves of this couple and notices that they complement each other.

The three go on a midnight trek together. Nokdu introduces the king to a special place. It’s an uphill climb so the two lag behind him.

He goes back and give his girl a push from behind. He tells the King he’ll come back for him.

And he does. He pushes him uphill, too.  I thought it’s a sweet father-and-son bonding…although they don’t know it yet.

From the top, they enjoy the mountain view. I think they’re talking about their hopes and future for themselves and the people around them.

Nokdu probably mentions wanting to see the King because DongJoo seems flustered and evasive when the attention turns on her. She probably doesn’t want to seem interested in visiting the King.

On the way down from the hilltop view, Nokdu goes faster as usual. DongJoo remarks on how sweet Nokdu is, inside his rough exterior.

She recounts the time he turned on the candles for her because of her fear of the darkness.

Nokdu goes back to them and asks what they’re talking about. She reverts to her usual gruff way, and he leads her away. The King looks at them and smiles.

DongJoo goes home to feed her baby chicks. The Master joins her.

Yeolgum is banished from his room so DongJoo can sleep there by herself.

They sleep in separate bedrooms by Nokdu sees her silhouette again and is happy.

Soon he takes the civil examinations.

He’s the top scorer.

There’s this whole subplot about rescuing his Hyung from Yulmo and capturing Yulmo. Nokdu creamed Yulmo. But Yulmo escaped because of his bodyguard and Nokdu’s old injury.

Anyway, ugh! I know he’s going to try to kill Nokdu next but I don’t care about this side story. I know he’s going to be King Injo soooo ?? Until he has his own tale to entertain me with, I don’t care two hoots about his shenanigans.

I invites DongJoo to his award ceremony but she declines…I guess because the King’s there and she doesn’t want to ruin Nokdu’s big day by assassinating the king.

There! Nokdu is ahead because he aced the exams.

The King is proud of him.

The King is excited to finally reveal his true identity.

But Nokdu is stunned.

So there you go.

This episode is full of couple moments and father-and-son bonding. I can’t wait for the subs.