I could only name a handful of movies where a child played Cupid and found a partner for his single parent: “The Parent Trap” (1998), “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993), and “The Sound of Music” (1965). Watching “Bossam” reminded me why I enjoyed those shows.
For one, the child ChaDol says the things that the audience would have said. For another, ChaDol serves to move the plot forward.
Take for instance when BaWoo saw that the Princess lost her shoe, but she didn’t want to delay them. He used ChaDol’s tired legs as an excuse to take a break from hiking. Being a modest woman, she was mortified when he touched her foot to remove a splinter. Bur being a boorish guy, he asked her, “You’re not even some young miss, how can you be this shy?” It was ChaDol who stepped in and called him out. He said, “Be quiet and act moderately. Instead of useless talking, get her some shoes.”
In effect, ChaDol told him what the audience were thinking, that is, BaWoo was ruining his earlier display of solicitude by being rude. But he was also moving the plot forward because he forced BaWoo to go buy a pair of shoes.
The shoe-buying scene is romantic for a number of reasons.
One, it’s personal. I love shoes.
Two, thanks to Cinderella’s glass slippers, it’s ingrained in our minds that true love is finding the right fit. It augurs well for BaWoo that he got the right size.
Three, he put some thought into buying the shoes. At first, he was just about to grab-and-go a pair. But then, he began inspecting the shoes and measuring them based on his memory of her foot size. This tells us that he was paying attention when he was bandaging her foot.
Four, the shoes were expensive, but he still bought them (and a free pair of socks). He doesn’t buy things for himself, and they barely have money to feed themselves, but he bought the luxury shoes for her.
Five, he learned that the pair was intended to be worn by the Princess herself at her wedding. I’m assuming that her fiancé, the Prime Minister’s son, died before the actual wedding rite could take place, and that the pre-ordered shoes were never delivered to her.
To me, buying her wedding shoes back indicated that he was a sentimental sort of person despite his gruff manners. I also thought it was foreshadowing. He’s going to be her “rightful” husband.
And six, he pretended to be cool about the shoes. He sneaked behind the Princess to lay the shoes beside her, then he seated himself on the other side.
Bawoo: Try them on. They will fit.
Princess and ChaDol looked around him for the shoes, and he signaled her to look beside her.
Princess: (eyes widening) They are really pretty.
Bawoo: (muttering) Pretty? Shoes are just shoes. Hurry and try them on.
Princess: (studying the shoes) They look so precious. These are expensive.
Bawoo: Precious? It’s not even worth a few cents.
He was playing it down. He actually shouted in disbelief when he heard the price of the shoes: 5 nyang. That was equivalent to the payment he got for the bossam he did: 5 nyang.
Princess: That’s not so. From a glance, a master artisan worked with all his skill—
Bawoo: (interrupting her) Hurry and put them on.
Princess: How can they fit so perfectly? (looking at him) Thank you.
Bawoo is a romantic character. He wants to see her happy but at the same time, he pretends that her happiness doesn’t matter to him. I guess, he’s a Joseon style of “tsundere” and he needs his son ChaDol to soften his edges.
I also like ChaDol playing Cupid because it cuts down the misunderstandings. For example, the Princess didn’t tell BaWoo what happened when she met her father the King. It was ChaDol who revealed that a Court Lady told her to die.
BaWoo: To die? Why?
ChaDol: They were talking about some treason. She told her to die for the king’s sake. The king even saw her, but the princess didn’t even acknowledge him. Maybe she’s possessed by that weird lady. But it seems as if the king also pretended to ignore her.
BaWoo: What do you mean? You are saying that he saw his own daughter and ignored her?
ChaDol: Yes, I definitely saw it. When the princess’ eyes met his, the king’s eyes were… (ChaDol open his eyes wide)…pyung!
BaWoo: Stop saying senseless things. Go sleep!
When the Princess jumped off the cliff, BaWoo knew her reasons for wanting to kill herself. However, he let on that he knew nothing.
Princess: Why didn’t you just leave me to die?
BaWoo: My foot slipped.
This wasn’t far from the truth though. His foot indeed slipped, and he fell on the ground. That was how he found her shoes and outer garment carefully laid out on the ground.
BaWoo: I was afraid you’d come back as a vengeful spirit. Satisfied?
Princess: You always deflect my questions this way.
It’s because he didn’t want to sound like he cared too much.
Princess: What will happen to ChaDol if you die?
BaWoo: My childhood nickname was “Seal.” Why did you try to die?
I don’t know what “Seal” means in Korean. But I’m guessing that he meant that he had an uncanny ability to survive predators and crises. The Princess shouldn’t have to worry that he would die and leave ChaDol an orphan.
Princess: I must die…for everyone to relax.
BaWoo: You’re dying for someone else? One hears all sorts of dog crap.
Meaning, he thinks her reason for dying was stupid. Why should she die for someone else?
Princess: You talk so easily, but what would you know? Who brought me into this situation? Did you think I wanted to jump into the water?
BaWoo: Then you should live.
Princess: Even if I wanted to live, I can’t. I must not live. What would you have me do?
BaWoo: You’ve completely lost your mind. I guess the luxury got to your head.
He meant that privileged people like the Princess gave up so easily on life. His living situation was worse than hers, but he didn’t have the “luxury” of killing himself because he had a young son to feed, and a mother and sister to send money to.
BaWoo: (continuing) Whether it’s your in-laws or the king, forget thinking about others and only live for yourself. Let them have their petty squabbles. You’re already dead! So why do their situations matter? From now on live for yourself.
This was his blunt way of saying, “Get a grip, woman!”
Princess: For what should I live for? I have no reason to live.
BaWoo: What reason do you need to live? I don’t have a reason either. I just live! It’s not just me. This applies to others too. We all just live!
He meant that she wasn’t alone. Many folks are simply trying to get by every day yet they haven’t given up on their lives. She shouldn’t either.
Of course, there are some misunderstandings that ChaDol that can’t clear up, like the meaning of “strength” that the innkeeper was talking about.
Innkeeper: Are you two married?
Princess: Well, no, but…
ChaDol: Yes, she’s my mom. Isn’t she pretty?
Innkeeper: Aigoo. (slapping BaWoo) You’re so lucky!
BaWoo: That hurts! (rubbing his arm)
Innkeeper: He doesn’t look as if he has much money. I guess he’s very strong.
Princess: (serious) Yes.
Innkeeper: (interested) Really?
BaWoo: (avoiding her eyes)
Princess: That’s not it. He’s very strong.
Innkeeper: Aigoo! Just openly brag about your husband’s strength, why don’t you? All of the single women couldn’t bear not having a husband like yours.
BaWoo: (interrupting) Enough with the small talk. Just bring us something to eat.
The Innkeeper wasn’t talking about his ability to do tough work, but his endurance in bed. ChaDol wouldn’t get the gist of the conversation and clear up the misunderstanding because he’s too young.
I also found ChaDol’s search for a name for the Princess quite endearing. He wanted to call her “mom.”
BaWoo: ChaDol, never call her “your highness” again. There’ll be trouble if anyone hears.
ChaDol: Then what should I call her?
BaWoo: Well…just…
ChaDol: Just what?
BaWoo: Just don’t call her. It’s fine if you don’t call her.
lol. I can see how this one leaves wiggle room for BaWoo to create his own term of endearment for her in the future.
ChaDol: What should I call you? When there are other people around, can I call you…”Omma”? Is that all right with you, Your Highness.
BaWoo: Ya! What mom? You just want a mom by all means.
ChaDol: When did I? I’ve never called anyone “mom” except for her highness.
The Princess stopped them from arguing and said it was fine with her if he called her “omma” in public. ChaDol looked so adorable here.
But being called mom by ChaDol doesn’t translate to BaWoo’s acceptance of her as a partner in parenting ChaDol. She accused BaWoo of turning ChaDol into a thief like him. This was an unfair accusation because BaWoo objected to ChaDol joining in his night burglary but the child insisted on standing guard.
Princess: Did you intend to make ChaDol a thief, too?
BaWoo: Then, what should I do? What? should I starve him to death?
Princess: (quoting) “You reap what you sow.” What do you think ChaDol will learn from you? Haven’t you heard that a son learns by watching his father from behind?
Four noteworthy things:
One, I think BaWoo is actually from an educated (or “yangban”) class because he seems to understand the classics and literature. Remember how he adapted a “drinking” poem in the gisaeng’s place to break up the fight among the scholars? Again, he downplayed his knowledge as something he acquired from the streets, but I think he’s an offspring of a yangban himself.
Two, she’s a fine one to talk about a father’s responsibility to his son when her own father, the King, pretended she didn’t exist when she reappeared before him. He didn’t acknowledge her despite knowing full well that she was desperate enough to return to the palace disguised as a maid.
Three, she was going to learn that not all thieves are created the same. The poor folks were actually gleeful that BaWoo had robbed the rich man’s house. They believed that the rich man had it coming to him because he stole from them.
Four, she would be appalled to know that the King and the noblemen were also robbing people through unfair taxation. What BaWoo stole from the corrupt man to feed them was nothing compared to what the King and the noblemen were stealing from the people to build palaces and enrich themselves.
BaWoo: I’ll take care of my own child, why do you care? Whether I make him into a thief or not, what’s it to you? Furthermore, do you really think you’ve become ChaDol’s mom just because he calls you mom?
He was just lashing out here because he felt that she was judging her. She left in a huff and ChaDol went to follow her. BaWoo tugged him back, accidentally hurting ChaDol. The Princess came storming back in and accused him of manhandling his own child.
What followed next was a heated argument which covered up the real issue that was bugging Bawoo.
Princess: Is this taking care of him? Look before you speak.
She showed ChaDol’s injury as proof that he didn’t take care of ChaDol like a good father would. BaWoo resented her accusation, so he provoked her some more by giving her the worst scenarios.
BaWoo: What about it? I’m fated to be a thief, and he’s a thief’s son. What’s so serious about this? He’ll climb fences, fall, and break his legs. While he’s fleeing, he’ll tumble into sewers, roll, and get hurt. That’s a thief’s life. And this is nothing—
Princess: How dare you! Even if you live a reckless life, you shouldn’t say such words as a father in front of his child.
BaWoo: I’ll do what I want! Also, do you think you’re all that as a princess? Who do you think you’re raising your voice at?
He stood up, leaving her to fuss over ChaDol’s injury. Hearing her, he ordered her again to stop acting like his mother. He also ordered ChaDol to stop calling her mom.
Princess: Why do you keep taking it out on ChaDol?
BaWoo: Whether I roast him or boil him is my decision. Stay out of it.
lol. His bark is really worse than his bite. She stood up and followed him. I like that she wasn’t scared to argue with him.
Princess: Aren’t you doing this because you can’t do your job as his father?
BaWoo: Whose fault is it that I became this kind of father? Whose fault is it?
Here, I think BaWoo was alluding to something secret in his past that hasn’t been revealed yet. It wouldn’t surprise me if the King had something to do with BaWoo’s current situation.
Princess: Are you implying this is my fault?
BaWoo: Isn’t it?
Princess: Of course not! If it weren’t for you, something like this never would’ve happened to me.
She was talking about the bossam, of course. BaWoo bossam-ed the wrong person.
BaWoo: That’s why I wanted to part ways.
Princess: Didn’t you bring me here?
BaWoo: So why do you keep showing up in front of me?
Princess: Did I ever ask you to save me?
BaWoo: Then you can just go die!
Two things here:
One, BaWoo unquestionably overstepped his bounds when he told her to die. He recognized his mistake and berated himself for it. He said, “I’m crazy. I’m crazy. I said things I shouldn’t have. “Go and die”? You brute.”
However, since karma is an inviolable rule in dramaland, he’s bound to suffer the consequence of his ill-chosen words. He wished death on her, so in the foreseeable future, saving her from death will be his never-ending task.
Two, BaWoo is feeling uncomfortable with the Princess’ presence in their lives. Yes, he sees her as a liability because her powerful father-in-law has set his guards on them, and her own father isn’t going to rescue her. But more than this, he can see himself becoming more involved and concerned about her welfare. He keeps warning ChaDol to be wary of pretty women, but he knows this warning applies to him, too.
That’s what I think he meant when he asked, “Why do you keep showing up in front of me?” He wants distance between them because he fears becoming emotional attached to her. This is his real issue with the Princess.
Thankfully, the argument had a positive outcome: the Princess found work at the tavern. When she showed them the money she earned, BaWoo thought she got it from stealing.
BaWoo: Did you earn it from stealing?
Princess: Didn’t I just say I made this while working?
BaWoo: So what kind of work? There are only so many things women and children can do.
Princess: I went to a tavern and washed the dishes.
BaWoo and ChaDol were shocked; it was incongruous to imagine a princess washing dishes. To my eyes, however, she had never looked as dignified as when she informed both father and son that she was going to make money the doing honest work starting the next day. I like the idea that she was going to support them with her menial job.
Princess: It won’t be a lot, but I’ll make enough for the three of us. So don’t make ChaDol do something awful like stealing ever again.
I like how she was adamant that ChaDol live a good life.
ChaDol wondered aloud that this job was beneath her dignity as a royalty.
Princess: What’s wrong with washing dishes? And from now on, I’m not “Your Highness” anymore. I’m going to live as a commoner’s wife.
And just like that BaWoo found himself a wife, and a mother for his child.
It’s funny to see the immediate change in BaWoo after she declared that she was going to be a “commoner’s wife.” For example, he offered to make the tea for her without her asking.
He thought ChaDol was too fulsome in his compliments about the Princess’ beauty.
ChaDol: (addressing the Princess) Whatever the clothes, if you wear them, they become like fairy clothes.
Princess: How could such rags be like fairy clothes?
ChaDol: Why not? If a fairy is wearing it, then it’s fairy clothes!
BaWoo: (muttering) The world is just overrun with fairies, isn’t it? for a fairy to live in the middle of the nowhere like this. Why are you spouting nonsense so early in the day?
Princess: (looking displeased and standing up)
ChaDol: What did I say?
BaWoo: (glancing at her) Never mind. Let’s just say she’s a fairy. If not, then that means my son is lying or he’s a dumb fool who can’t distinguish between a person and a fairy.
Meaning, he was conceding because he didn’t want to offend anybody.
He foraged for herbs in the forest, instead of stealing chickens. He chopped wood for them and finally put that strength of his to good use. lol.
He brought them with him to shop. He got them a pet bunny because they were gawking at them. He let them eat what they wanted at the market. He bought fabric for their new garments.
He even bought them a bigger table.
It’s fitting that she had the honor of cooking the first dinner to be served on their first piece of furniture. Too bad though she wasn’t a good cook.
Thus, the best part of having a ChaDol playing Cupid to BaWoo and the Princess, is that we’re given a preview of what married life with children can be for this couple. Often, in kdramas, we only get to watch the couple’s dating life but here, there’s a sneak peek of the family unit enjoying a simple life in obscurity. To me, seeing BaWoo and the Princess come together like this reinforces the idea that a second chance at love is just as romantic and satisfying as first love. Although they weren’t each other’s first choice as spouse, they can still become the greatest love of their life.
Gifs from seawherethesunsets’ tumblr
(Will edit tomorrow. Too sleepy to know what I’m writing.)
I am really enjoying this drama. The three actors, including the child, really work well together. Their interactions are what makes the drama work.
The seal reference when BaWoo jumps into the water after her may also be a reference to seals being one of the most powerful swimmers of the water world.
BaWoo is an interesting character. He is hiding much of his background and past. Something we will probably discover as the story enfolds.
I have also enjoyed the OST so far. It has an interesting choice of music. Reminds me a little of the OST choices for Mr Queen. So something out of the usual but really works.
I agree with @Sandi’s comments. I thought seal meant that Ba Woo is a good swimmer and that is why he felt confident jumping in for a water rescue. I am guessing that he is a nobleman from a family that was thought to have been exiled and largely eradicated. He said that he was ‘dead’ as well. The Court Lady (another widow) as well as the innkeeper had his strength figured out at first sight, but the Princess seems very inexperienced and didn’t pick up on the metaphor. Both her mother and the shoe vendor said that the marriage didn’t actually proceed due to the death of her husband. This is also why she’s sensitive about Ba Woo touching her foot and then asking her about her reaction.
I am a fan of Cha Dol, who besides driving the story and being our Greek chorister, is (sorry, @pm3) 🥰 adorable and smart, too. He may be the first child who is allowed to be so openly and physically affectionate to the Princess – maybe the first person in years.
I would think in this context that the bunnies were a set bought in order to raise rabbits for food, not only as pets? (sorry bunny lovers everywhere) He may buy some hens later as they seemed to enjoy the eggs, even raw.
Ahhhh. A diving seal! 🦭 Thank you! I forgot that he just rescued her in the water. 🤦♀️
Noooo! Don’t eat the bunnies! Bunnicide! 🥺
You’re right. He should have bought a chicken for the egg. Besides chicken is easier to flavor than a gamey rabbit.
Up until now we haven’t seen BaWoo wield a sword. I hope he knows how because he can’t be forever using his head to headbutt people. If he is indeed a yangban as we all suspect then he should be an expert swordsman too.
This drama and Youth of May are what I am looking forward all week. I like stories about second chances and the beautiful struggle that is married life.
Ba Woo is definitely a yangban (likely a son of a traitor) so I hope for demonstration of his sword skills when the time is right. he and the princess are so right for each other…
I read somewhere that giving shoes to one’s love is a no-no in Korea, supposedly because it implies that the recipient will run away.
I agree with you that the shoe scene was subtly romantic.
Word on the music: I enjoy the unusual mix of traditional and modern sounds.
Hello here. 🙂
Off-topic : I think I posted too much HP comments in the “Poster” thread.
Your anti-spam robot block me. Probably a winter robot, you were betrayed. 😅
Haha. Let me check, WEnchanteur.
I don’t think I have set a limit on number of comments though because for Rewatches we post comments fast and furious. But let me see if your post snagged some “spam” words.
🙂 I need to see this actor in a romantic sageuk. I was left hanging in “Haechi” because his costar there had an accident in the middle of filming.
I’m enjoying the actress here too. She doesn’t over-emote. Even her smiles are prim and proper. No teeth!
@Fern Absolutely. Our princess is still very much untouched and BaWoo doesn’t understand her prickliness yet! Wait when he does finally understands her reserve.
Cha Dol’s character has brought tears to my eyes already. The child actor is impressive as at no time do I feel I’m being manipulated as a viewer.
I remember Jung Il Woo from “The Return of Iljimae”, in which he played a Robin Hood-like character. There was a romance too, but I never finished the drama. It had an episodic structure which I found annoying. But he can definitely play a romantic lead in a sageuk. “Haechi” was more of a feel-good political drama (it was a nice surprise that such thing existed!) and not really a romance.
@pm3, Love this post-so many great points. Our child actor gives a performance that isn’t smarmy. He has the right amount of cute and should give out HP sweetie a run for the money
I am a Jung Il Woo fan.I am impressed by him in this role where he shows an nice range of emotions along with physicality. I really liked him in the little watched Sweet Munchies. In that role he played someone who pretended to be gay to make money to keep his restaurant going. He played a chef and after seeing him on cooking shows, I think he really did some prep work and cooking on this show. I found the princess dinner scene funny because Il Woo actually can cook and knowing this, his politeness to our princess was a bit ironic.
And our FL, Kean Yuri, impressed with her subtlety. I’ll be interested to see how her character develops because she’s certainly a fish out of water.
My only question related to her costumes.Her white widows hanbok didn’t seem to get dirty. She was able to get laundress clothing at the palace. She got a shabby hanbok and a semi decent one. It was like magic and no suitcases. This was a suspend disbelief time, given that Bossam and son seemed to wear the same clothing most of the time.
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@Old American Lady, I thought the same about her widow whites. I assumed she got the laundress outfit from the washing woman who chased the boy. But then she was back to her widow whites after they left the palace grounds. Continuity error, I think.
Also when she jumped off the cliffs they seemed to wash up on the opposite shore where the boy joined them not seeming wet. But I may be assuming it was the other side.
To tell you the truth, Jung IlWoo caught my attention because of his mother. His mother is a highly-regarded professor of Korean culture specializing in textiles.
Here’s a link:
https://jungilwoodelights.com/2017/05/14/jung-ii-woos-mom/
She even designed a costume for him in one of his dramas. IIRC, it was the “Night Watchman.”
I do have a bias for this guy because he seems to come from a good family, and as I previously said, he picks lead roles with a prickly exterior but a decent core. Romantic hero, if you wish.
Sweet Munchies is also on my list. Sigh. I wish I can retire now but there’s so much work to do still. 🙂
Yes, her dazzling white hanbok must be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The hem didn’t get muddied or dirtied no matter where she went.
@packmule3, I also read that Jung Il Woo has had memory difficulties(I think short term) evrr since he had the auto accident with Lee Min Ho. Ithink be may have had brain surgery. This, tome, makes his choice of career and his consistently excellent and deepening performances so muchmore remarkable. He is also quite charming on reality shows.
My secret for viewing all of these dramas is lack of sleep and the effects of the pandemic. As you age, your sleep cycle does change. And in retirement, I haven’t had to worry about waking up for work. With the pandemic changing, I’ll be getting back to my real life(I do lots of volunteer work with my faith, senior, disabilities and women’s groups along with taking road trips and city and nature walks with my husband. So my deep dive into K Dramas is going to be severely curtailed. They really proved to be one of pleasure points of the pandemic. Going forward, I’ll have to be more selective and I’m glad I found BoD because the recommendations you offer are so good and rhe discussion here never disappoints. I am so grateful to you and the merry band of “bitches” for among other things keeping this senior brain active.
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I’ve watched and rewatched this drama WAY too many times. I love Jung Ilwoo and YuRis performances – I love their more mature romance, and the way their relationship develops. I’m commenting on this entry because I agreed that Chadol added so much to the story – as a sort of,outside observer, narrator, emotional support guy 😉. I was sad when his role decreased in later episodes. In the episode where BaWu brings Princess and Court Lady Jo home after they had been taken by the slave hunters, Chadol gives BaWu the best glare for arguing with the Princess. He seemed to know they cared for each other before either of them could acknowledge it. I love when he snuggles with his dad and discusses things…it’s very realistic.
I love just about everything in this drama. Disappointed that we had fewer family moments later on, and that the second half had less of Ilwoo and Yuri together as they really brought out the best in each other (ok I love Ilwoo but now I love Yuri too!).
Anyway, I like your approach to the dramas!