Is there anybody here who’s watching this for the palace drama?

If you are expecting any analysis from me on the politics of this Goyurgeo nation, then please be forewarned that I’m treating this kdrama like a pop-up story book. That is, I only pop up during the fairy tale moments between the main couple, On Dal and Gajin/Princess Pyeonggang.

I want to the explain the fight scene in Episode 12. Many viewers understood that scene as Princess Pyeonggang trying to dissuade On Dal from taking up her cause.

Yes and no. I think she was trying to make him change his mind. But more importantly, she was trying to make up HER own mind.

It began when she confessed to the monk that she felt responsible for pushing the Sonnubu tribe and Dal to take up her cause.

PP: I wonder if I’m pushing them to their death to fulfill my ambitions. I feel as if what happened to Dal is my fault. He did not wish to go out into the world. But after meeting me, he’s now on a difficult path.
Monk: We cannot place any blame for such things. That is done out of trust and love.

In order words, the monk was reassuring her. She shouldn’t feel guilty because the people and Dal made their decision to follow her out of faith and love.

Monk: Dal is not someone who flounders in anguish. Even Your Highness has yet to shake off your fallacy.

Huh? What “fallacy”? I think the subber meant DILEMMA instead of fallacy.

The viki sub was so atrocious that I’m glad Kissasian was there as back-up. According to kissasian, the monk said, “Dal is not the one who is suffering from pain. You have yet to shake off your confusion as well.” What the monk meant was the Princess herself had doubts and misgivings about her cause. She was feeling apprehensive about the consequences of the action.

PP: Confusion? What can I do to rid myself of confusion?
Monk: You are asking me for the answer you already have.

She then went to find Dal.

Dal: Gajin! What are you doing here?
Gajin: I’m here to teach you. And I will learn as well.

She meant that she was there to resolve her dilemma. Do you get what her dilemma was?

Dal: What do you mean?
Gajin: (unsheathes her sword)
Dal: (copies her) This is a real sword.
Gajin: On Dal. I am your master. (and then she starts attacking)

Gajin: I fooled you. I wanted to use you, so I stole your heart and your life.
Dal: I know.

lol. We know this isn’t true. For one, she could have used a better weapon, namely General Go, to topple the bad guys. General Go already offered to help her. For another, she wasn’t lying when she told the herbalist that she was in love with Dal.

Gajin: I see you in great pain, but I never did anything to ease that pain.
Dal: No. I knew what you were doing, but I still chose you, so you did not fool me.
Gajin: Why are you doing this for me? Why? I do not deserve your love.
Dal: Have you forgotten? You are the destiny I chose.

🙂 Remember what I’ve been preaching all these years about the difference between “fate” and “destiny”? I said that fate was passive. It’s passive acceptance. Fate is what happens to a person who’s resigned to his doom. Destiny, on the other hand, implies action and hope. It means a person is going to fight to the best of his abilities to triumph over adversities. I’m glad that the subber had used “destiny” instead of “fate.” Hopefully, it catches on.

Here’s the link: On fate and destiny

Gajin: Why?

Gajin: I’m scared that we might change and will eventually be ruined.

There! That was her dilemma. She wanted a new Goyurgeo–

(from Episode 10)

but at the same she wanted to keep this familiar life she had with him. She expected everything to change as they moved toward her goal and she was afraid to lose him.

Dal: Do not fear. We will never change.
Gajin: Dal.
Dal: My dear wife. You are mine.

Here, we have a confirmation of the monk’s advice to her. On Dal was indeed following her out of love and faith. He’d been consistent. He never wavered in his desire to stay by her and protect her.

But I like that Princess Pyeonggang was worried about their future together. This tells me that she had a personal risk in their undertaking, and therefore a vested interest in the success of the mission. She was risking her happiness with On Dal.