Update: 4/28/2020: I see mass hysteria on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Look: I didn’t say that she’s going to stay dead forever and ever and ever. She can come back from the dead and be drinking watermelon-flavored soju before we can even say “Happy Halloween!”
Trust in LG. He’ll have to find a way to get her back. That’s why I also theorized that there’s a time loop. It’s for him to get her back in time.
So here, have a tissue and dry your tears. It’s not the end of the world.
You all know that I don’t do recaps, right? So if you’re looking for a summary of the episode with a little bit of commentary at the end, there are other kdrama sites offering that. In this blog, you’re getting *my* interpretation of the events. When you don’t agree with it, just mosey on by. Since you aren’t living in my head, you can always exit this post or scroll directly to the comment section.
In short, don’t let what I write bother you. 🙂
With that disclaimer, I’m going to proceed.
****
To me, death has been foreshadowed many times in these last four episodes. At first, I couldn’t decide whose death it would be: Lee Gon’s, TaeEul’s or both, just like “Goblin.”
But I’m now going with TE because LG is the *eternal* king after all.
Here are my death hints:
1. In Episode 1, she clutched her heart.
Before LG passed by riding his horse, she saw herself in the rearview mirror and clutched her heart in fright. We were led to believe that she hallucinated and saw White Rabbit. But I thought she saw a premonition of death. You see, White Rabbit is herself dying.
White Rabbit = harbinger of death
I’d been wondering why it was important for the production team to release the tidbit that Luna was diagnosed with cancer and had three months to live WHEN we haven’t seen much of her White Rabbit character. Until she becomes a major player, I’m viewing the White Rabbit as an omen of death.
Remember, in this kdrama, seemingly innocuous words AND actions (i.e., clutching the heart) have double meanings. That’s the theme, right?
Parallel worlds = two worlds = two lives = two versions of the same words and actions
BTW, are we all agreed now that there are only two worlds in this parallel universe, not multiple worlds? I trusted that this writer KES would know that her audience can’t handle multiple worlds. It’s like throwing them in a chess match, and expecting them to play three-dimensional (3D) chess when they don’t even know the game of chess. It wouldn’t be very sporting of her to throw parallel worlds AND a time travel all in one drama.
2. LG assigned TE the number zero.
He said he liked the characteristics of that powerful number. However, outside the mathematical world, and especially for liberal arts people, it’s insulting to be called a zero because zero means nothing, nonentity, and…nonexistence.
He also said, “Between one and zero. The person I loved.” This is intriguing but we’ll find out more the meaning of this statement.
I hope he doesn’t regret calling her his zero and consigning her to naught.
3. The messenger of death already arrived.
It’s the boy.
The boy with the yoyo in Corea and the boy with the bike in Korea are the Grim Reaper.
In Corea, he was playing with the yoyo when the Spy (she’s Detective ShinJia’s mom in the alternate universe) came to leave a message in the book. The Spy wondered what he was doing there then entered the bookstore.
The boy reminded me of the Fates in Greek mythology. The Fates were three old women who determined the lifespan of mortals. One woman spun the thread which represented human life, the second one measured the length of the thread or the life span, and the third one cut the thread which meant death.
But here in this kdrama, the boy with the yoyo is more efficient than the Fates. He works all the jobs, three-in-one. He spins the yoyo up and down, determines how low the yoyo will drop and he catches the yoyo when he wants a human life to end. That’s the significance of the yoyo to me. The boy is playing the yoyo because he’s biding his time.
Update: 5/3/2020. Thanks @Table122000 for pointing out the red string, and Fern for jogging my memory.
The “red string of fate” could represent life.
But it could also mean the connection between two lovers. In “Hotel del Luna,” a drama by the Hong sisters, the red string between two lovers must be cut off when one of them dies. That’s the only way the surviving lover can go on living after the death of his beloved.
The yoyo boy’s counterpart in Korea is the child riding the bike and bumping TaeEul. Her ID fell in the rain grate and the child apologized.
Boy: I’m sorry. Should I try to get it out?
TE: You can’t. It all went down the drain.
She suddenly sounded melancholic. TE bemoaned, “My performance assessment. My promotion.” This sounded to me like words a person would say in retrospect, when looking back to her past life with regrets. I thought this was another premonition.
Then, TE forced a laughter, and reassured the child, “It’s okay.” Her phone rang. She checked who it was but didn’t pick up because the boy was still looking at her.
TE: I know it’s a mistake. You can go now. It’s okay. It’s okay.
And the boy left.
Her words, “It’s okay…It’s okay. It’s okay,” set my alarm bells ringing. You see, she said it THREE times. In Korean funeral practices, repeating something THREE times is a very important part of the ritual.
According to Korean folk belief, the death of a person in a family is followed by the visit of three messengers of death, who take the spirit of the dead to the underworld.
Therefore, when a family member died, the remaining members prepared offerings to entertain the messengers, typically three bowls of cooked rice, three coins, and three pairs of woven straw shoes.
These offerings were placed on sajasang, a table in the form of a thick woven straw mat, wicker tray, or tray table. The sajasang was sometimes prepared after chohon, and sometimes beforehand, in which case chohon was performed in front of the table.
Now, what’s this CHOHON, you might ask? Well, we’ve seen it performed in so many sageuk dramas when the king dies but we never named it. We saw it in Episode 1, too.
It’s this:
That’s the Chohon.
It means an “invocation of the spirit of the dead.” A mourner goes to an elevated place (I guess, to be closer to the spirit world?) with an article of clothing of the dead person and wails “come back” three times to the spirit of the dead person.
If you don’t believe me, believe this source:
Next the principal mourners take the deceased’s clothes into the yard and cry out the Chinese word bok, meaning “coming back,” three times.
Koreans believed that a messenger from the underworld took the dead against their will, and with this ritual, which Koreans call chohon, meaning “invocation of the spirit of the dead,” they believed that they could bring the spirit back to its body.
Death is confirmed only after this ceremony, and from then on, the bereaved family prepares for the funeral.
source: http://koreajoongangdaily
Note: in the Korean death ritual, THREE is a very important number. And note, too, death is ONLY confirmed after the Chohon ceremony.
That’s why my warning bells went off when TaeEul said, “Gwenchana” or “That’s okay” to the boy three times. To me, it meant that she isn’t going to resist Death’s messenger when he comes for her next time. To me, TaeEul has, unknowingly, consented to be taken away by the Grim Reaper.
4. Lastly, the poem
Warning: I’m not a literature major, so other people might have a different interpretation. This is mine.
It began because LG didn’t want to give his identity and his name when TE confronted him in the middle of the Gwanghamun Square.
TE: Show me your ID.
LG: I’m afraid I can’t. I don’t have an ID.
TE: Why don’t you have an ID?
LG: Because I am who I am.
What he meant here was, because of his royal status as a king in his kingdom, he didn’t require an ID to be identified. He was recognized by his citizens.
Then, the issue of his name came up again at the police station (Ep 2, 6:29).
TE: What’s your name?
LG: I can tell you, but you cannot call me by that name. That’s my answer again. The name is not meant to be used.
TE: Then let’s say it’s Kim Gaeddong for convenience sake.
LG: Gaeddong as in dog poop? You could have called me Hong Gildong or Mr. So and So. My family name isn’t even Kim.
lol. He’s like a human deity. In some religions, the believers cannot invoke their god’s name by his actual name out of fear, reverence, and veneration. Christianity is considered a breakthrough because Christians believed that God is not an anonymous, distant and wrathful figure, but their own Father. That’s why we pray, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” Giving a familial name to a Supreme being indicates that the relationship between God and man is personal.
It’s in this context that I understood LG’s question about ShinJae later. ShinJae’s name, too, has not been called out aloud. Instead, TaeEul uses a familial term for him. She calls him “Older Brother.”
From Episode 3, 8:54.
LG: What’s his name? You’re an only child but you call him your brother.
TE: What’s your name then? Why ask another guy’s name when you don’t even know yours?
LG: I never said I didn’t know my name. I said you can’t say my name even if I tell you.
TE: Are you the poet Kim So Wol?
LG: Who’s Kim So Wol?
TE: Wow, you’re really good at pretending. (And she quotes a line). “I won’t finish the last words I had in my heart,” so stop being nosy about my life.
I like that he remembered the poem and was curious about it to look for a book before returning to his world. He even told the Barista that.
That signified it wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. He intended to get the book…to remember her while he was away.
So here’s the poem.
Invocation of the Dead
by Kim Sa Wol
Oh, name shattered.
Oh, name that parted in the air.
Oh, name without an owner.
Oh, name I will call until I die.
I won’t finish the last words
I had in my heart.
The one I loved.
The one I loved.
Now, I’m not Korean (lol, as you know…), but it’s obvious me that this poet is alluding to Chohon, that ritual I mentioned earlier (lol, as you know, too, I don’t bring stuff up for no good reason).
The poet or the persona is invoking the spirit of his beloved to come back from the dead and to return to him.
But if you read the poem closely, you’ll notice that the poet actually never calls the beloved’s name three times. In fact, he DELIBERATELY avoids calling her name out three times just like in a Chohon.
Remember, I said the number three was important in the death ritual. But look here:
Oh, name shattered.
Oh, name that parted in the air.
Oh, name without an owner.
Oh, name I will call until I die.
The name-that-can’t-said is repeated four times. Here, I’ll interpret the poem for us.
Oh, Name = Oh, My Beloved
“Oh, name shattered” means the beloved is dead and cannot be brought back to life.
“Oh, name that parted in the air” means the beloved has disappeared and transformed into a spirit.
“Oh, name without an owner” means that when the poet calls his beloved, no one will answer. The name has no owner because the owner of the name is dead.
“Oh, name I will call until I die” means that he’ll love her till his own death. Her name will be on his lips when he dies.
However, if you notice, he literally and poetically (lol) refuses to utter her name. He uses a stand-in word or a PROXY word to call her. When a poet addresses a person who’s not present, he uses a literary device called “apostrophe.” A famous example is “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
But here, the poet doesn’t even mention the dead beloved’s name. Hmmm…do you know why? I’ll tell you later. 🙂
Let’s continue dissecting the poem.
I won’t finish the last words
I had in my heart.
That was the line that TaeEul was referring to earlier.
LG: I never said I didn’t know my name. I said you can’t say my name even if I tell you.
TE: Are you the poet Kim So Wol?
LG: Who’s Kim So Wol?
TE: Wow, you’re really good at pretending. “I won’t finish the last words I had in my heart,” so stop being nosy about my life.
She thought that Lee Gon was channeling the poet Kim So Wol. There was an excellent word play going on here.
She was taunting him. Like this: “Hey, Mr. wannabe Kim So Wol! Hey, you, Mr. I-won’t-finish-the-words-I-had-in-my-heart! Stop being so nosy because I’m reaallllly biting my tongue here to stop myself from telling you exactly what I think of you. I can’t even… I can’t even…Ugh! You wacko!”
Then, the poem ends with:
The one I loved.
The one I loved.
Did you notice? Again, the poet refuses to invoke her name three times. He could have said, “Juliet, the one I loved” And he should have repeated “The one I loved” three times just like in a Chohon, but he settles for two. If the poet were a Korean Romeo doing a proper Chohon, he would have written this:
Juliet, the one I loved.
Juliet, the one I loved.
Juliet, the one I loved. lol.
Now, why does the poet so evidently refuse to call her by name when the whole point of this poem is calling the dead. Look, even title of this whole poem is “Invocation of the Dead” or Chohon?
This is my interpretation.
He’s refusing because to call her ACTUAL name THREE times means to finally ACCEPT that she’s dead. Remember? I said that death is confirmed only AFTER the Chohon is completed.
By refusing to actually go through the ritual of calling her name three times, he’s holding off from proclaiming her dead. He’s clinging to her and won’t let go.
Beautiful, right? A poem about letting go of the dead but the poet himself resists to actually let go of the dead. That profound conflict between letting go and holding on to a dead lover is so sensitively expressed in this poem that I’m just in awe (and I’m not even a literature grad).
Now, what has this poem got to do with our story?
Simple. Lee Gon is the metaphorical Kim Sa Wol, the poet. lol.
Not only was he the one who read the poem, He’s also the one who keeps calling her (literally on the phone, lol) from the beginning.
Remember this? He was talking to her already.
And that’s why I say that TaeEul dies in this kdrama. Her death’s been foretold.
But I’m sure the time loop comes in handy. Because as long as Lee Gon keeps saving his young self, he can always find her again and again in the parallel world. She’s the reason he keeps living on eternally.
***********
I’ll continue with the rest of Episode 3 later. I’m sorry it’s taking me so long to reply to you, all.
Wah, 2 thumbs up on the explanation @packmule3, especially the poem! Thank you! 🙂 This is deep and sad, the poem. Speaking of her death yet unwilling to let her go.
Miracle23,
Can you tell me where timing was mentioned by Capt Ahn in Hospital Playbook? Thanks. Just the time, please. I’ll take a screenshot.
OK
@packmule, ep. 7 – timestamp: 1:12:32-1:12:35. He mentioned timing on why he didn’t tell about his heath condition when asked by SHwa.
Another one at ep. 5 timestamp: 56:36-56:40
This is good. 🙂 Thanks!!!
👍 Thanks!!
You’re welcome 👌
Thank you, @packmule. I didn’t see that coming. 😢
You’re welcome. But does it make sense?? 🙂
Yes, and true it must be, but I wish it weren’t so. “I have said it thrice: what I tell you three times is true.”
And so to bed.
Oh dear. There won’t be any Heirs to Lee Gon even though he is Mr Sunshine to TaeEul because Goblin will take her.
😭
Hmm…I haven’t watched Goblin (yes I know…I haven’t watched GOT either 😂). Does this writer like tragic endings? It is definitely plausible. But it would be horribly depressing for LG if his one true love dies an early death and he has to pine for her for all eternity? Can he loop back and save her like he did himself? There has to be some reason why Evil Uncle stabs him on the neck with the flute. Could that have somehow imparted some of the flute’s qualities to him? So he can pass his half of the flute to TE? So they can live eternally together? I’m not saying it HAS to be a happy ending but pining for her for all eternity seems a bit much even if this writer has a penchant for melancholy? Also I have been wondering, if the flute gives the bearer immortality and stops them from ageing (like Evil Uncle), why did LG grow up? Or did Yoda pass the flute onto him only later after he had grown up? She kept the riding crop and only gave it to him later? As for the heart clutch, I read it to mean that somehow the 2 beings in the parallel universes can have times when they intersect (I know parallel lines never intersect but something’s triggering the intersect). Like how EunSop and JY both spill their cups of coffee. EunSop feels his iced coffee as hot so he has experienced what JY did in the other universe. So I thought the heart clutch was similar. Luna felt heart pain from running like a rabbit (don’t ask me how someone with cancer and looking as sick as she did can run like a rabbit)…and TE felt that too?
hahaha. Nice one.
good morning.
Did you see the knetizens diss Kim Go Eun because of her looks? Grrrr.
Good afternoon!
They’re targeting her looks again? Didn’t they do that last time? I’m not sure but I thought I heard about it.
Seriously, I’m getting upset for her. Their just jealous because she’s a good actress and a good singer too. Have they heard her sing I’ll Never Love Again by Lady Gaga? I bet they haven’t. 😏 I don’t follow her dramas but I like her full package. She delivers.
Breathe in, breathe out. 🤪
Yeah I want a happy ending too especially because LG’s waited for TaeEul for years.
Mr Sunshine didn’t have a happy ending too so I was hoping she’d do different this time.
That poem was definitely something alright. I knew there’s something to it because it got read twice? by OCL. But it is a beautiful poem in as much as it very sad.
“But here, the poet doesn’t even mention the dead beloved’s name. Hmmm…do you know why?”
Because once he says her name that’s it, it’s the final goodbye. If LG says it, he won’t be able to go in the loop and see her again and again. ??? 🤷🏻♀️
Exactly. Once he says her name three times, then it’s game over.
I don’t know about LG. He should be able to come up with a trick. But wait….my theory of the time loop is not proven, okay? We’ll see how it goes.
Yup, noted. 👍🏻
Yeah, I want LG to figure something out. 😊
Really? But she’s been the target about her looks ever since she was cast as his female lead. Honestly she trumps him when it comes to acting. A bit like Kim HyeYoon and Rowoon. I feel like I like LG as a character on paper, but it’s KGE’s portrayal of TE that has me believe I can like him as a character on screen. If that makes any sense. 😂
I’m yet to find time to finish the first 4 episodes, and I’m really hoping there’s no tragic ending. @packmul3’s theories are always sound; so this post makes me anxious😞 If there is any further foreshadowing of death of TE in later episodes, I might just decide to drop this. I’ve been known to do that to avoid being sad😤
Unless by that time, my crush on Maximus is more full-blown and I can to tolerate a tragic ending for the sake of catching an occasional glimpse of him on the screen😜
Did you think ShinJae’s mom gave the boy with the YoYo a weird look before she went into the bookstore? I can’t make out what it was. It was a mix of recognition, abhorrence? As if she’s somehow linked to this boy but she’s not happy with the link? We know adult ShinJae is not exactly on good terms with his mother? The boy knows her too. He didn’t run away or look confused. He knew her? Does ShinJae have a parallel in ROC? Is this ShinJae the child? A bit of a reach but it was just an odd look from her.
Ah scrap that thought. I just reread what Packmule wrote above properly and it makes more sense about grim reaper.
@Phoenix he is such a beautiful thing isn’t he? This is him, scene bombing. He obviously didn’t approve of that take. ((NG)) 😂
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_PmN-5HOf3/?igshid=ea1hdq8d7f6y
Can I just say everything you wrote is beautiful? I would love to read more about your thoughts and theories!
This is an amazing analysis and my heart hurts already 🙁 I am emotionally invested in stories and characters and Goblin took me 2 months to feel okay again haha.
LG has had to go through a lot and must sacrifice yet another person he loves. But I think her death – when it happens – must be the only compelling reason for the story to unravel and hit its meaning. Please continue to provide us with your thoughts:)
@nrllee Maximus is absolutely adorable😍 That’s the scene where he smells LMH’s hair (and we analyzed earlier if it was due to LMH’s fruit scented shampoo or the peppermint polos he fed Maximus)🤣🤣
@agdr03 Thankfully we took turns on Maximus’ back that day for our horse-riding lessons before Maximus left Shallow Island with LMH. Hence now we don’t need to head to Bitter Regrets Bar😜
I couldn’t agree more @Phoenix! Maximus was not only a sight to behold but he was a gentle horse too. 🥰 It was fun having a ride with him and LMH. 😆
By the way which of the Some Day One Day OST did it resemble to the TK:EM OST #4? I didn’t think it was the Shi Shi one. Was it?
Good thing about reading your posts is that it makes it easier for me to follow the drama. Truth to tell I haven’t watched 3 and 4 yet but i don’t mind spoilers. I want to watch it with sort of full understanding so I won’t waste time on dwelling😉 i thought you have impressed me alreadt since TKL but this is really something. Can I have your mind packmule😜
Will share this via twitter.😉
@agdr03: Yes, I found the song Maze (OST4) very similar to Shi Shi’s song from SDOD in terms of the nostalgic feeling it conveys. The same kind of English lyrics and minimal background music, but maybe it’s just me but both the songs have the same vibe to me 🙂
I especially like the ending of the song: “The light that I chased is you.”…and there is a crooning kind of plaintive tune there. Listened to it on a loop (here’s a version with the lyric which are in English):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSE9TObi4rk
As this is from Ep 4, I loved the time freeze sequence and the longing in LMH’s eyes (and there was Maximus too…yaay)
I just listened to Come Away by Shi Shi from the SDOD OST and yes this one has a similar vibe to YongZoo by Maze. I’ve put it below. ☺️
https://youtu.be/ZOxmzpE0Vz4
It is very nostalgic isn’t it? I loved the time freeze too and LG just really looked at TE with mesmerised eyes. 🥰
Maximus is love 💓!
@Phoenix 😍. That song is just too sad though? I feel like if I keep watching this, given Packmule’s exposition my heart is going to be broken into 1000 pieces. So I am not sure I can continue… Maximus though… can I endure it for his sake? I will wait on spoilers next week and see if I will keep going. 😂
‘But I’m sure the time loop comes in handy. Because as long as Lee Gon keeps saving his young self, he can always find her again and again in the parallel world. She’s the reason he keeps living on eternally.’
—–
Oh no, not again! I think I have already finished my quota of tears for KES dramas lol. Not again.
What an amazing post. I really loved the poem and I loved how you made connection between the mourning ritual and the poem. But if again the heroine dies and hero has to save her, then it would be the repetition of goblin. I hope she has something new up her sleeves this time.
@nrllee @agdr03 That song gives me a sense of foreboding of pain. i don’t know why…it has a strange vibe of lovers meeting again and again fleetingly only to part and keep searching..
That’s the reason I posted it on this thread of @packmule3’s post. This song and lyrics are making me feel that @packmule3’s prediction is correct (I’ll hang on to hope for a little while more though🙏)
“She’s the reason he keeps living on eternally”.
– exactly the mood of OST4..@packmule3 sums it up so well.
@nrllee My heart would be in a million pieces too..can someone shske the writer please? Not again😭 These are Covid times..we need a little cheer please🙏🙏
What OST? (I’m sorry. I haven’t been paying attention)
Can you send me a link, please? Thanks.
@packmule3: OST4 Maze from Episode 4:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSE9TObi4rk
With lyrics…this is just nostalgic and somehow in line with your post
I just stumbled over here from another site (Thanks, @growingbeautifully for the rec!) I am so happy to leave the oppa wars for a reasonable discussion of plot, story line, etc.
I freakin’ love this post- and I agree with the description of heartbreak that is approaching.
To your point of threes, I have been mesmerized by the song Maze, and I feel the song reflects a ’round’ otherwise known as a perpetual canon. The simple repetitive structure, the last note leading back to the first, these all are subtly referential (…missing the three voices, but we are still at the beginning of this story)
Oh wow! Really? A round? Is this song Maze an OST for this kdrama? I’m sorry. I haven’t been keeping track of OSTs for The King: Eternal Monarch. I’ll make blog post tonight.
Gotta run to the hospital.
@Beantown I agree with you. It’s like a carousel that goes round and round because of the repetition of the tune. That’s why it gives me a feel of lovers meeting again and again and separating..repeating the same cycle..coming together in a circular maze and hoing apart.
@packmule3 Yes it is the OST of episode 4 of TK:EM – the link that I added to my post above.
Hospital? Hope all is well. Take care.
No. I’m okay. Thanks. (edited) Going for non-health issue. 🙂
Hi Packmule3!!!!! Katakwasabi from Dramabeans linked your website to us and I got so excited to see you again outside Soompi. It’s me 13infamyss from good old Reply 1988 days! Gosh it’s been four years since then, hopefully you still remember me! Anyways just dropping by to say hi. So nice to connect with you again outside Soompi.
When I quit Soompi in 2016 (because of yknow, fanwars lol), I had found a new home on Dramabeans in 2018 and that’s where I hang out now. Beanies are nice and welcoming. It does feel like home when I`m on there; even if you share different views with them, you can still be friends with Beanies. No such thing as sending hate mails or creating hitlist and what not for having different views. *still getting PTSD from those nasty Reply 1988 fights* heh.
I`m not watching the King yet but will soon once my busy season is over, in a few days or so! Anyways hope you are well and I missed talking to you and sharing thoughts with you!
Pat on your back and your friends too. 😉👏🏻
@Beantown @13nfamyss Hi there! Welcome to the Bitches Blog!
I trust you’ll have fun doing the thinking rounds with us over here. 😄 Oh Wow, @Phoenix and @Beantown, I enjoyed the song Maze, but now after reading you, I’ve got to listen to it again.
@pkml3, with the kind of theme that KES wrote into Goblin, I’ll not be surprised about death to main characters. I don’t mind it, as long as it makes sense in this double universe. I’m not completely convinced yet, but will watch to catch more ‘death’ clues along the way.
@GB The song is truly beautiful, though kind of sad. Really liked the visualization. I’m still hoping the writer will spare us the pain of one of the main leads dying🙏😞
Oh man, I’m laughing out loud at your updated comment. And to that, I predict the solution is to break the cycle of the loop! Stop going back in time to leave her badge. History will only repeat itself. How about leave her badge in 2019, where it belongs.
We know fate will bring these two together anyway. They’ll meet again somehow, someway.
Also, thanks to @growingbeautifully for introducing me to this wonderful blog! Finally, I find a place that real discussions take place.
hahaha. Did you sense my bewilderment in my update? I felt like I’d broken the news of Elvis Presley’s death to his fans. Ugggghhhh! But wait, I didn’t say it was going to be an unhappy ending JUST YET. Calm down, everyone!!
Exactly, the solution is to break the cycle. You mentioned one option: leave the badge so his younger self wouldn”t accidentally grab it.
As I said somewhere, part of the “Through the Looking Glass” (Alice’s sequel) concept was our predestination. We only APPEAR to make choices but we’re actually following a path that was set by the rules of … I don’t know… fate? the deities? the flute?
Here, after two episodes, LG APPEARS to be making his choices…but is he really?
In Episode 1, he followed the White Rabbit, but what was the White Rabbit doing there in the first place? Why did he follow? Because of the sound of the clock? Why? What was so special about the clock that he instinctively followed it? Was he preconditioned to run after the clock?
Same with Episode 4, the thunder and lightning seemed to be incidental, right? He seemed to have decided on his own to escape the palace and he used the stormy weather to flee.
But what if the stormy weather was the one calling him to go to the other world? Like the White Rabbit?
So, who really made the decision to go to the parallel world? Was it LG himself? Or was it the flute beckoning him, and LG was — trance-like just as when he was a kid — following it?
That’s the whole philosophical point of the children’s book, “Through the Looking Glass.” And to a lesser extent, “Alice in Wonderland.”
They sure don’t make children’s books like those anymore.
I want to read the mass hysteria/ uproar 😂
Omigosh, 13infamyss!! You’re here?!! Of course, I remember you! You were the only moderator who openly defended us back then. I’m sorry you had through what you did. But I’m glad you found a better home at Dramabeans.
Yes, the JungHyun fans were absolutely absurd. Creating a HITLIST of people they disagreed with. Plus shutting down the thread because they didn’t want anyone discussing Taec and Deoksun AFTER Episode 18. It felt like we were in a bunker during that time. lol. But I kept a couple of the “better” hate mails as souvenir.
So glad you dropped by. Come on over when you’re ready to watch “The King.” 🙂 Hopefully, I’m still on board. I give myself until episode 8, episode 10 to see if I’m staying or not.
“I felt like I had just broken news of Elvis Presley’s death.”
Haha..@packmule3 You actually made me super anxious, especially that Chohon and poem. I HATE tragedies- makes me depressed for days..so I like ypur revisions 😛 Maybe LG will find a way to stop it and going in a loop, like you said.
So @agdr03 I think I’m part of the mass hysteria😜😜
I’m
*I’m still on the Eternal Monarch bridge so far, though I really liked Episode 4. After going through the comments here, I always start interpreting the episodes better. So glad I’m on this blog😊😊
I don’t want tragedies either. I don’t want deaths in my stories.
But I also know that death brings peace. So, if the writer can make me see why death is the best option, then I’ll go along with it. 🙂
I don’t think you are because you were still calm when you read about the foreseen death but the others sound like they’re ready to come out with swords and knives at @pm3. 😂
I haven’t read any of their uproar but we will just wait and see what happens and I’m with you anyway, I don’t like sad or open endings. I love my happily ever after always. ☺️
No, they didn’t really come out with “swords” and “knives” at me.
More like tissues. and crying emojis. 🙂
But if it’s a tragic ending, we will get to see his Highness (May his name endure forever) shed a tear (or 2 or maybe more). It will be a beautiful thing. Tears cascading down his chiseled cheekbones. ((Sigh)) Far be it from him to get panda eyes from ruined makeup. He will be forever etched in our memories as perfection personified.
lol. nrllee, I’ll have you know that that this blog has been discovered by His Majesty’s fans.
And if they come after you, there’s only me blocking all of them.
So…
You owe me a cookie!!! Pay up, you scrooge!
Oh sorry, more like 💔💔💔😭😭😭😭
There’s no emoji for tissues 😁
I think this one will have a happy ending mainly because Mr Sunshine didn’t have it.
But I can only hope. 🤞🏻😊
Here, I wrote about this earlier:
Endings of Kim Eun Sook’s dramas
2010 Secret Garden: happy
2012 A Gentleman’s Dignity: ?? (didn’t watch it)
2013 The Heirs: happy
2016 Descendants of the Sun: happy (but lead actors dated, married then divorced)
2016 Goblin: open ending, reconciled after death (I believe it was happy ending. Read my explanation here)
2018 Mr. Sunshine: sad, all died except for female lead (…because of the concept of “han” remember?)
2020 The King: Eternal Monarch: ????
Maybe I should post it out on the blog.
Yes post it please. That might ease the 💔
I didn’t watch Heirs and AGD too. That’s just missing the r on my name here. 😆
What? Have the rabid fans arrived already? Those that aspired to be LMH’s bathrobe??🤣🤣Wonder if they are in the Forest of Lurking Fan Ahjummas🤔🤔 But noone can escape the purview of Queen Packmule the Third 😛😛 So I’ll stay on this island paradise of ours😜😜
@nrllee You are so funny🤣🤣🤣 “tears cascading down his chiseled cheeks”..truly a beautiful thing.lol
@packmule3 2012 Gentleman’s Dignity: I’ve watched it. Had 4 couples. The writer went overboard and gave ALL of them happy endings🙏🙏🙏
I don’t know why the writer had a change of heart in the next 8 years😤
But I didn’t send them… I am innocent… His majesty would nonetheless yell “Off with her head!” But here you go many many many (there, I’ve said it thrice) cookies…🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 Seven in fact… none of this zero being the perfect number… it should be 7… in the beginning… genesis to revelation.
Thanks, Phoenix. I’ll include your info on Gentleman’s Dignity.
I totally agree on what you said about the poem, but the other statements seem a little far-fetched to me.
Thank you! That’s the fun of having theories right? You throw it out and see how it works.
If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. No harm done.
Now, impress me, please. What’s YOUR theory?
Awesome post, @pm3. I like your point about the little boy. I did notice that the yo-yo he is playing with has a red string, which for Korean mythology is the “red string of fate”, right? So your point that the little boy is like Fate makes sense. I really, really hope that there is not a sad ending. No deaths or separations please! That is not what I signed up for in watching this drama. I like the theory that the purpose of the characters is to break the cycle, if in fact we have a time loop going on. I want my happy ending!
I want my happy ending too. Gosh. I’ll ban KES for the next two dramas, if I get a sad ending.
Yes, did you see the red string of fate
connection? I wanted to refer to it but I couldn’t bring it up because I don’t know exactly WHERE I heard it before. 😂🤣 Was it in a Korean drama or Chinese drama??
So never mind. 😂
Dr Google advises that the Red String of Fate is part of Chinese, Japanese and Korean mythology. It’s commonly thought of as an invisible red cord around the finger of those that are destined to meet one another in a certain situation as they are “their true love”. The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. This myth is similar to the Western concept of soulmate or a destined partner.
Seems sinilar to Goblin to me..fated pair🤔
I’m not sure we can classify Goblin’s ending as a happy ending 🙄
@Phoenix, I think I’m one of the few here who haven’t watched Goblin, so must do it sometime.
I’m not sure how the red thread of fate (fated soulmates) story works with the yo-yo, except as a variation of a myth invented by the writer, like the bamboo/not bamboo flute that @packmule3 suggested.
OH goodness! Thank you! Thank you! You made me remember where I heard of the red thread. It was in “Hotel del Luna”!!
The 2nd Fate lady came with scissors and she wanted to snip the red thread with magic scissors. There was a bride who died and she didn’t want to cut the thread to her boyfriend. She was convinced by the IU’s character that it was good for the dead to let go of their loved ones so the loved ones could continue with their lives.
So the dead bride cut the thread herself.
Ref: https://bitchesoverdramas.com/2019/07/27/hotel-del-luna-episode-5-notes-from-the-dead/
Then, at the end, IU’s character died and the 2nd Fate lady came looking for scissors and asked Chanyeol if she should cut the thread. And Chanyeol didn’t want the thread between IU and himself cut. He would bear the pain forever.
Ref: http://bitchesoverdramas.com/2019/11/15/hotel-del-luna-manwols-reincarnation/
lol. I thought it was in a Chinese drama because I’ve been going through Cdramas (and Love O2O) and they love red in everything. lol.
Thanks Fern, and thanks Tablel122000.
So yes, the boy with the yoyo is like grim reaper/death figure. The red string of the yoyo makes the cut.
I was going to say Hotel De Luna. 😉 I only remembered the red string of fate there.
😂 For some reason, I associated red string with Love O2O. Her wedding dress and red wedding photograph.
So I saw the string said hmmm. Death? Or love? Love O2O? General and Me? Then dropped it.
I think her warrior outfit in the online game was red too? 😁
Oh yeah, her traditional red wedding outfit which XN put on her just so he can have his honeymoon too. 😂
Oh, agdr03, ‘just so he can have his honeymoon too.’ 😂I rewatched that just last night after *someone* mentioned hickey. 😍💣🌋🚀⚡
Waaa! I’m going to copy you @Fern just so I can get my happy feels for the day. 🥰
Definitely hickey is the bomb 💣! 😂
Such a gorgeous couple! It was sad to see that drama end. Have a good day. I need sleep now. Hospital Playlist tomorrow, if the subs come through. 🙏
“Such a gorgeous couple!”
Soooooo true! 😍 Thank you @Fern, sweet dreams! 😘 Yes, HP tomorrow.
Yes, @Love O2O is always my go-to romance for feel-good vibes. Haha..that hickey post which I can never forget🤣🤣😛😛 Yes it had lots of red motifs.
Coming back (reluctantly) to the present TK:EM topic, the boy with the yo-yo is just otherworldly – and he gets emphasis deliberately on the screen. Hence I would agree with you all that he is a grim reaper representing fate and the string in his hand the string of fate. And Im NOT getting visions of the thread getting cut🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
Wow. Your mind! 🤯 Since the beginning I also think Jeong Tae Eul dies, that’s why I suspect adult Lee Gon is the “savior” of kid Lee Gon but I don’t have supporting arguments about it because it’s just my wild guess.
Keep the theories coming, if it changes. I’ll keep an eye in your blogs. You make interesting interpretations! 😊
WOW!!!Great analysis for a non-literatute student😉. I am awe-struck.
I too felt the poem must have some connection with the leads. I thought it might be Tae eul as Lee gon always mentions that she was not supposed to call him by his name. He changes his mind by ep 4 may be his name was only to be called by her and no one else.
“name I will call until I die”
Also something bothered me in the precap of ep 5, Meung na ri pointed out that only one of the doppelganger lives. So I think its Taeeul. Becoz Lee gon is already dead in Korea.
Also I think all the characters that have doppelganger, only one will survive either the one in corea or the one in korea.
But I’m sure that we may not be getting the happy ending that we expect.
This series is giving me serious meloncholy vibes.
Thank you for your perspective. I am not Korean and feel like I am missing so many cultural references. You give me the heart to keep going.
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Hi, packmule3. Your blog post is so insightful AND entertaining. Between Kee Min Ho and Hyun Bin, I have become kdrama addicted … I’ll definitely need therapy if TKEM ends with one of the lovers dead … for eternity. Yikes!
Anyhoo, wanted to share another harbinger of death for our beloved JTE (FYI, I think she’s beautiful, and I’m in Milwaukee, WI with absolutely no history of / experience with Korean beauty standards). In Ep. 2, TE sarcastically says, “If that’s a real diamond, I’m Princess Diana” [paraphrasing]. Most of us know what happened to the lovely Princess Diana. Then, later at the diamond store, TE shows the store owner her ID so he is assured the diamonds are legit / not stolen. KG gives TE a little ribbing, asking her to provide her other ID as Princess Diana [paraphrasing again]. I immediately picked up on this and hoped beyond hope that TE would not share Princess Diana’s fate.
Also, I noticed a lot of ‘red’ being used / emphasized in EP 1 and EP 2, so looked up the meaning of red in Korean culture and found this …
Red, symbolizing creation, passion and love is conceived to be a powerful color that wards off evil spirits. This belief is the reason why Koreans eat red bean soup on the day of the winter solstice. Black stands for wisdom, darkness, and death. Since black indicates death, the color is rarely used in palaces.
Young LG walks through pools of blood to answer the flute with red blood stains all over his feet pants. Lee Lim is shown in his shop pouring blood red paint into water. The 1st instance of time stopping is in Lee Lim’s shop where he works with the red paint bowl that splatters red paint everywhere when LG 1st goes through portal. Lee Lim is also painting 300yr old dangcheong with red paint. Then, of course, there’s the red string of fate in the yoyo.
But I also noticed LG wears a lot of black (when he’s saving his young self from Lee Lim’s treason, formal black jackets / coats, when he 1st rides Maximus, when he travels through portal (also, it’s not a white rabbit he’s chasing, but a black one with partially white ears), when he’s at library in black jacket with red thread trim at lapels, black coat with gold thread patterns when TE comes back for LG to go look for portal. In a twist, he gives TE the black coat with gold trim after they’ve not found the portal, and the 1st reference to the Kim So Wol poem is LG telling TE she cannot say LG’s name even if he tells her. Yikes! Who’s death is actually being foretold?!?!!?!?!
Interestingly, LG doesn’t wear black agin in EP.3 until he leaves through portal with Kim So Wol’s poem. Even more interesting is the association of red with Lee Lim and black with Lee Gon … are the two worlds off-balance bc of Lee Lim’s treachery? After all, Lee Lim is the one killing / having lots of people killed. Shouldn’t LL be more associated with death than LG. Shouldn’t LG be more associated with red given his passion and love for TE, particularly given the references to the love talismans / producing an heir, one of which TE finds / opens in LG’s wallet? How will the worlds be put right again?
Forgive my stream of consciousness … I love this show … and I love your blog. ❤️
I am a very latecomer to this blog as I wanted to make sure it’s a happy ending before I watched TKEM. I just wanted to say I really enjoyed all the details that you have explained which may not be apparent to a non Korean but adds so much more colour to the drama. This drama is definitely not one that you could watch carelessly and I am loving it sooo much more than I ever imagined. It really is a master piece!! I especially love how elegantly the writer wove Kim Sa Wol’s poems into the drama which makes it even more poignant and endearing. It really has become a bit of a literary study!
I was bored thru and thru and needed much therapy for my tkem post drama syndrome when i looked up the poem in the king and found this article..oh what a great replay in my head scenes where the poem involved .Great insight and feeds for my full admirations brain for Kim eun sook.Now i cant stop thinking how much energies,time and researches she must went thru to write this masterpiece.Thank you,thank you ,thank you