This is the condensed version. This was intended to go with a larger blog post but I ran out of time to get the screenshots. So this will have to do for now.
pm3
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@kuroshio kindly shared with us David McCann’s translation of Kim Sowol’s poetry. Thanks, @kuroshio
The Stream
For what reason
do you act that way?
Staying on alone by the streamwhen green grass shoots
push their way up
and wavelets ruffle up in the spring windI think over your promise
that going away
is not really goingEach day coming out
to sit by the inlet
I keep turning it over my mindGoing away
is not really going
Isn’t that you’re asking me not to forget?
Here’s the poem from Netflix. I cleaned it up a bit.
The Stream
by Kim Sowol
What is your reason for doing that?
Sitting alone by the stream.
The green grass was sprouting
and the water was splashing from the spring breeze.
You promised that even if you go,
You won’t be gone forever.
That is what you promised.
I sit by the stream each day
And think about it endlessly:
When you promised that even if you go,
You won’t be gone forever,
Were you asking me not to forget you?
Warning: I’m not a literature graduate. This is how I interpret this poem.
The poem begins in the middle and we only get to see the meaning of her first line at the end. It loops back in the sense that the first and last lines are connected to each other. To me, when a poem or a story begins in the middle, it drops me in the middle of a mystery. I don’t what happened in the beginning and I don’t know what will happen in the end. This poem has an open ending.
We see the poet (or the person whose thoughts we hear in the poem) sitting alone by a flowing stream. Let’s assume that the person is a girl. She sits there to ponder over her lover’s words.
Around her, the grass, the breeze, and the stream do what they do, naturally. The grass grows. The spring breeze blows on the stream. It creates wavelets which splash on the girl. The main point of sitting by the stream is to allude to time flowing and passing her by.
Now, why does she wait?
Because her lover promised her that “going away wasn’t really going.” Going away didn’t mean that he’d be gone for good, or that he’d be gone forever. He would go away, but he would come back for her. And that’s why she waits for him.
But as she sits there day after day, she begins to wonder. Soon, doubt sets in that he’ll ever come back as he promised he would.
Why?
Because as she sits by the stream, she realizes that the flow of the water, like the flow of time, only moves forward. Both streams, the literal body of water, and the metaphorical stream of time, don’t come back. EVER.
That’s when realization dawns on her that, PERHAPS, her lover, too, won’t come back, like the flowing stream and the flowing time. And so she says, “What’s your reason for doing that? …. When you promised that even if you left, you wouldn’t be gone forever, were you asking me not to forget you?”
And that’s how I understood the poem. 🙂
Now, if the girl had been a Bitch like me, she would have said, “What the heck?! Why did you do that? Why did you even make a promise? You told me that if you left, you wouldn’t be gone forever. Why did you say that, if you weren’t coming back? Why? Is it because you didn’t want to be forgotten? You didn’t want me to forget you? You had better come home with cookies.”
Now how does it relate to the kdrama?
Well, Lady Noh again who read the poem aloud as time froze for Lee Gon and TaeEul in front of the church. Lady Noh was reading the book of poems in the middle of a field of earthenware. The big clay jars are called hangari, by the way. The Koreans ferment their variety of pastes and sauces in them.
And in front of Lady Noh was a prayer bowl. We’ve seen this recently in “Crash Landing on You.” Back then, I introduced the concept of “han” to the readers, so I hope old-timers won’t get bored when I repeat myself.
Read about the theme of “han” in kdramas here: On Han, Not Love
A prayer bowl is for petitioning the gods for the safe and speedy homecoming of the loved one. It’s filled with water as an offering to the gods.
That’s why in Episode 6, 38:00, just when Lee Gon went off to fight the invading Japanese navy, Lady Noh was seen praying before the bowl, “Dear God. Please help us. Please grant my Lord the fortune of war. Please let my desperation take the wind away. And please let my prayer bring victory to him on the waves. Dear God. Please help us. Please grant my Lord the fortune of war.”
Now, however, Lee Gon was crying and Lady Noh sat before the bowl and recited, “The green grass was sprouting, and the water was splashing from the spring breeze.” Although there was no stream here in this image as Lady Noh prayed, the image of time passing was still indicated in the hangari clay jars. Each jar contained something that was biding its time to ripen or to age well.
Then, Lady Noh sat under a full moon. She recited, “You promised that even if you go, you won’t be gone forever.” The moon imagery is appropriate for the story. For one, the moon is also connected to the passage of time. We have the lunar calendar, right? And for another, TaeEul talked about the sharing the same moon in Episode 6.
TE: The moons are the same. Do you also have…?
LG: (scribbling on hand) Do we also have what?
TE: Do you also have the myth about rabbits living on the moon?
LG: There are no rabbits on the moon, liberal arts student. The moon is the closest celestial body to the earth—
TE: (grabbing her hand, she was unamused)
LG: (holding on to her hand, continued to write) The surface of the moon is covered with regolith….
That’s why the moon images was appropriate here.
Then, Lady Noh read, “That’s what you promised.” And the camera shot gave us Lady Noh looking dwarfed by her surroundings.
Stop!
Let’s explore the composition of this shot for a minute. It’s actually very compelling. I thought it gave us the sense of perspective on size and importance.
You see, in the royal courts, Lady Noh was the head of the household. Everybody, except for the King, was below her in rank and status. But among the hangari (or kimchee pots), she almost, well, blended in. She became one with the kimchee pots.
Then, behind her, the well-lit palace stood. Again, this magnificent structure behind her, de-emphasized her status. As important as she was, she was only a cog, or one wheel, in the history and progress of the monarchy. The monarchy was more important.
Then, beside the palace, a tall tree stood. A deeply rooted tree could reach the skies in a way that a solid building couldn’t. Then, above all, the heavens watched over men and creation.
That’s why I saw that the composition of this shot was very interesting to me.
To continue:
Lady Noh read, “I sit by the stream each day” and we get two different angles of Jesus holding up his right hand with two fingers and a thumb extended.
This is where all the mumbo-jumbo comes in about the Catholic Church comes in, and scares the nonbelievers away. Some art experts would say that the three fingers represent the Christian belief in the Trinity, that is, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. But since a lot of viewers are non-Catholics, I’ll keep it simple. The three fingers is the sign of God’s benediction. He’s blessing the faithful (and the not-so-faithful). “May God’s peace with you, and be always with you.”
After all, that’s the reason Lee Gon and TaeEul went to the church, right? To get their blessings from God because TaeEul was worried about Lee Gon visiting her with the riding crop that Lee Lim wanted to steal.
LG: But if you’re still worried, why don’t we go and pray together? Let’s pray for God’s blessing as well.
So, with this image, I’ll consider that God’s blessings and peace have been given to Lee Gon and TaeEul.
On a personal note, I thought the Jesus statue is an important message. Christians have waited for His return for over 2000 years, and we’re still waiting. We wait with hope, and not with despair.
Then, the camera zoomed in on Lee Gon as he wept. Lady Noh’s voiceover read the rest of the poem, “And think about it endlessly: When you promised that even if you go, You won’t be gone forever, Were you asking me not to forget you?”
Now, when I combine my interpretation of the poem with the images that just flashed before my eyes, starting with Lee Gon’s tears, the prayer bowl, the moon, the increasing magnitude of life, Jesus’ benediction, and ending with Lee Gon’s tears again, the impression I get here is “han.”
This is Lee Gon’s “han” moment.
He’s overwhelmed by sorrow, fear of separation, powerlessness, yearning, survival, and loneliness. He already knows that their separation is inevitable, the future is bleak, and the waiting is too painful. But all these can be endured as long as neither one of them loses hope that they’ll be reunited one day. To give up hope is not an option. It’s not the answer.
That’s why Lee Gon wiped his tears and returned to her side. Yeogi.
I love this scene but it also makes me sad knowing they need to be separated again. Only four more episodes left. Hoping for a happy ending.
Thanks for this excellent article. The poem is so lovely and the scene was shot so beautifully. I wonder whether Lady Noh was also missing her family backnin North Korea…whom might still be waiting for her if they haven’t passed on.
Comparing LG’s posture before the time froze and when time resumed, LG actually bent down lower to be closer to TE’s height level, closing the gap further. I wonder if it symbolises his resolution to be next to her whatever it takes.
“So, with this image, I’ll consider that God’s blessings and peace have been given to Lee Gon and TaeEul.”
Thank you for this. This is what I mentioned before that they got God’s blessing. It’s a lovely connection but sad too. If I read this with the Please Don’t Cry by Davichi, I’m going to weep. 😭
blockquote>Now, if the girl had been a Bitch like me, she would have said, “What the heck?! Why did you do that? Why did you even make a promise? You told me that if you left, you wouldn’t be gone forever. Why did you say that, if you weren’t coming back? Why? Is it because you didn’t want to be forgotten? You didn’t want me to forget you? You had better come home with cookies.”
Oh and don’t forget ’em fighting words of our TE, the Warrior Bitch “No way. I’ll show you once you’re back!”
@mychoiyoung hee hee hee… You guys are awesome beginning with @pm3.
It’s not just the drama. I learn so much more each time I come here. ♥️
@agdr3 you’re lucky. I’ve lost my ability to weep at dramas or even news. Once upon a time I used to weep at the abundant despair in the world. Weeping with well written novels and poems used to be my hobby. But then, the age of cynicism came and I lost that precious side. Aye, to be vulnerable to the pain of others. That’s what makes the world livable.
Aww @Arihsi, maybe it’s still there and one day it’ll come again. I’m a very emotional person/cry baby and sometimes it’s not good because I get embarrassed too by the onslaught of emotions.
😈 I know, right?
What did she say after that goodbye kiss in Ep 10. Something like… “oh, is this how you’re going to dump me? Let’s see about that.” All that was missing in her comeback was a “you arsehole!” 😂
That’s why I’m not convinced it’s an unhappy ending. Because she’s fighting back.
As a resident of Shallow Island, all I’m gonna say about this scene is that in these sort of time freezes I’m as mesmerized as Lee Gon is with Tae Eul (Kim Go-eun is really pretty).
Before all the han, before he started feeling all the sorrow he knows is coming his way and which is invoked by the poem as well, he stared a bit at how pretty she was. Like he did it the first time.
Which reminds me, I burst out laughing the second time time froze when, instead of being as mesmerized with frozen Jo Yeong, LG started reciting decimals of Euler’s number.
Such sadness :)))))
But back from shallow island, I love this post. How you saw han in this scene and hope, since he wiped his tears and returned to her side. With a smile too, even if a bit forced
Beautiful poem and beautiful interpretation. I hope for a happy ending too. Thank you, pm3!
Oh pm3. You are truly amazing! Totally love your interpretation. You really opened my eyes and awake my feelings.
Because of the time investment and emotion involved, I had made up my mind not to watch another kdrama (for at least several years) after TKEM ends on June 6, but I am not so sure now. I really love the poems and math and interpretation shared here. You ladies are so brilliant!!! You make me want to stick around even after TKEM. So I need to watch another drama? I don’t know if I can continue to afford sleep deprivation from watching the shows numerous times and reading all the posts here, which I am so drawn by…The posts here are as much fun and inspirational as the drama!
Wish the writer KES and the production team could see your posts and know that their work is so much understood and appreciated.
I can’t tell you how happy I am that I found this website! I feel like it’s a haven for literature-loving kindred souls. Your essay made me cry, but it also gave me hope that there is a possibility our lovers will be together at the end of this drama. I am so sorry that ratings are not higher for this excellent story and acting, but I will enjoy it to the end. And I am hoping for a beautiful DVD package that I can buy to enjoy it over and over.
@packmule3 Love this post. It is totally brilliant and beautiful.
I love how you interpret that streams can both mean water literally and time metaphorically.
But I think streams is also something which is” going away but not really going”. Yes, water flows and doesn’t come back, but the streams are still there.
And to answer the question” were you asking me not to forget?”.He brought her forget-me-not. Just a thought. Not a literature graduate, either.
Thanks @pkml3. What lovely thoughts to end my day as I prepare for another day of retreat and work. I agree with your interpretation of the poem and LG’s tears.
Dear @agdr3 thank you ! Because of your comment I went and heard (or rather read and heard. I do not speak Korean) “Please don’t cry”.
Oh dear. What a weep-worthy song !
You may wonder why I’m so late to it. The simple reason is, I live a life that demands bitch-level organization but I have the management skills of a carrot.
Thanks otherwise I’d have missed out 🥰
P.S. you’re right. If one does a juxtaposition of a crying LG + the poem analysis + the song 😭
P. P. S. Unless one is trying to do the dishes very quietly so as to not wake the toddler post midnight.
That’s why I’m not convinced it’s an unhappy ending
Me too! Too much foreboding of a sad ending early in the drama normally means a twist in the end.
So I say, AJA! Or is it hwaiting? I better learn Korean soon
@starjasmine7 I agree with you ! I’m from a more generic group of viewers who struggle to understand this drama. But KES must see BoD to be reassured that not everyone is generic. Some are bitches who show the world the beauty of her dreams 😍
Now, why does she wait?
Because she is holding on to his promise/s. And The King has been consistent in repeating them —
Epi 09 by the window –
Epi 12 by the bed –
We see it right? Always ends up with coming back to her.
ps: All the doors… is this why we have more balloons in the NMLand? They look like push pins in an online map to me. Has LG been marking possible doorways out of NMLand?
I’m still waiting to see if these markings on Four Tiger Sword come into play. To me they look like points plotted on a map or graph. These are on the side of the blade opposite the inscription. Why put them on such an important object if they’re not meaningful?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOemRXcZEZ8EWObiuzgpkV2r01E1nbSo/view?usp=sharing
“That’s why Lee Gon wiped his tears and returned to her side. Yeogi.”
@packmule3, beautiful.
Do you think those markings look like constellations? And their places in the sky may indicate possible doors ?
@Arihsi, when I saw the odd markings on the sword as we first began this drama, I did think they looked like constellations. But stars haven’t been used as symbolism in this show, so I don’t think that would be it. We don’t see the entire blade while LL is looking at it at the beginning of ep. 1, so we don’t yet have all the markings from this other side. (I keep wanting to refer to it as the flip side, or B side, but that only shows my age and would confuse younger Bitches. I grew up in the era of singles: 45rpm vinyl records with two songs, one on each side.)
Just out of curiosity, I Googled “mathematical graph” and saw that mathematical graph theory is, indeed, a thing. When I gave a cursory look at the Wikipedia article on mathematical graph theory, the first sentence in the section headed “History” caught my eye: “The paper written by Leonhard Euler on the Seven Bridges of Königsberg and published in 1736 is regarded as the first paper in the history of graph theory.” Well, dang… Lee Gon is a mathematician, and enough of a fan of Euler to recite his irrational number instead of pi to measure time stops, so chances are high Lee Gon would be familiar with mathematical graph theory.
Question is, has Lee Gon looked closely at Four Tiger Sword since he retrieved it from Cheonjongo? He’d left it there 25 years, knowing he owned it as king but not wanting to see it because of its connection to the murder of his father. The inscription side may catch his attention because he has memories of his father teaching him about it, and of trying to memorize it. If he did flip it over and see the markings, would he recognize their meaning because he’s a mathematician? I guess we have to wait to find out.
Hugs to you @Arihsi! 🥰 You made my day when I read your post after waking up this morning. See, it’s still there 😉 Even if it was past after midnight and doing the dishes too. You’re hard core and a great Mom. 🙌🏻☺️
Hopefully if ever we need to cry again it’s because of LG and TE’s happy ending. ☺️
In another note: I just read that Kim Eun-Sook it’s going release The King: the eternal monarch as a novel and photoshoot essay. Now we can have a book club!lol
Wow! Thanks for this beautiful, intellectually arousing interpretation of the poem. I love the combination of analysis with that of the cinematography. Having read this now, it gives me some relief that there would be a happy ending somehow. I’m convinced that the message of love here is hope more than anything else and how hope makes love endure forever.
Thanks for the good news, @Shiny! 😀
I would love to read this story as a novel! Count me in if you start that book club! 😀
If her plans becomes a reality, then let’s keep our fingers crossed that they will publish an english version of the novel. I’m still recovering after finding out that the novel that ’Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ is based on, is only available in korean. 🙁
@Welmaris
Found this on the sword. The markings totally match! According to this guy, those are constellations.
https://twitter.com/heavenspider/status/1174873429150982147/photo/1
They used a realistic replica of a four tiger sword.
@Alxmar97, fabulous information! That blogger sounds like he knows his stuff, so I’m inclined to take his word as trustworthy. Thank you for your detective work.
I got so excited when I found there was a link between Euler and Mathematical Graph Theory. As @packmule3 says, theories are fine up to the point they’re proven invalid, then they can be tossed. So goodbye to my theory connecting Four Tiger Sword to Euler and Mathematical Graph Theory.
I’m delighted to have confirmed that sorcery (the good kind) is intentionally forged into Four Tiger Sword: most auspicious time for attributes desired + master swordsmith.
It is interesting that Four Tiger Swords are not created with sharp edges for physical battle, but are designed to be ideal for spiritual battle. That means Lee Lim’s perversion of Four Tiger Sword was even worse than I imagined.
Thank you for sharing your interpretation of the scenes as well as the poem being read by Lady Noh. Learning so much from you. The more I appreciate the meaning behind each shot and actor’s emotion. Would love to read more of your interpretations. You are something!
Love this!