I told you that this drama reminded me of Jane Austen, didn’t I?

1. Impudent actions and thoughts

BW: Why don’t you forget things like that? I told you I had my reasons. You only remember such useless things like that.
SK: (quietly) Does someone remember because she wants to? The words you say, the things you do…each one of them just came to my mind. What do you want me to do with that?

He stared at her then hugged her.

Now this hug reminded me of Jane Austen because it was chaste. He didn’t hug her out of lust. On the contrary, I think he hugged her because he felt remorse and sadness that he had caused her emotional distress. He was hugging her to comfort her.

SK: Give me…a little space.

These were also her first words she spoke to him after he rescued her in the water.

I’m not Korean, but she said, “Jom… tteol-eojigeola” or “A little…get off” or “A little…move away.” The Viki sub “Give me a little space” is totally fine. But in light of the Ep 10 scene in the prison cell when he was the one telling her to run away while she clung to him, her request for him to “move away just a bit,” takes on a slightly new meaning. It wasn’t so much the physical distance that she wanted from him, but the detachment. She didn’t think it was wise for them to become close to, attached to, or familiar with each other. But because he didn’t “move away” from her, bad things happened.

BaWoo backed away as requested.

BW: I’m sorry. I was disrespectful.
SK: Yes. You’re impertinent.
BW: True. I was very impertinent.

He was impertinent on three levels. As she was a princess, he had no right to touch her. Also, as she was a widow, he had no right to embrace her. Lastly, as she was a woman unrelated to him, he had no right to hug her without her consent.

However, it seemed to me that SooKyung said “You’re impertinent” because social conventions required that she take umbrage, and express indignation. I doubt she was disgusted by his touch, but she had to display that she was virtuous. She walked away without a word, and he followed her.

BW: Are you all right? I’m sorry. I did it without thinking.

In my view, he said this for two reasons:

a. he was embarrassed that she called him “impertinent” so, to save face, he said that he hugged her without thinking.

b. he was also trying to defuse HER embarrassment by making light of the situation. He was telling her that the hug was no big deal because he didn’t mean it.

Unfortunately, his words had the opposite effect on her. She became more embarrassed. She just wanted him to drop the issue.

SK: Never mind. That’s enough.

BW: Are you going to forgive me?
SK: Didn’t you also say you did it in ignorance? You said it wasn’t your intent. What difference does it make whether I forgive or not. It’s fine if we say it just didn’t happen.

lol. Remember “Crash Landing on You?” and how viewers were confused about Seri’s three choices? I explained that Seri really wanted the ML to take responsibility for the kiss. In kdramas, no girl in love wants the guy to reverse course, deny the kiss ever happened, or trivialize the kiss by saying that he didn’t intend it from the beginning.

Link here: Seri’s four options

For similar reasons, I think BW’s response displeased her. She didn’t like that BW claimed that the hug was a thoughtless act. I think she would have liked it better if he had said that he hugged her on purpose. lol.

Because BW said that the hug was UNINTENTIONAL, she got a double whammy. Not only was she robbed of a chance to appear unflustered by their physical contact, but she was also made to feel like she was overreacting over nothing. She made a fuss about the hug (i.e., calling him “impudent”), when it meant nothing to him. She wasn’t significant enough to be intentionally hugged. Ouch!

BW: Then, that’s fine. Then, neatly, we can say it never happened. I understand. So let’s just go in.
SK: You leave first. Court Lady Jo and I –
BW: I don’t think I can do that.
SK: What do you mean?

BW: (turning around) I’m going with you no matter what you say. Don’t say anything more.
SK: But…
BW: (leaning in) Didn’t I just tell you to not to say anything more?

SK: Impertinent.
BW: Even if you say I’m impertinent ten million times, I will never change my mind.

Now, THIS is what I’m talking about. Unlike the unintentional hug, he was declaring his unwavering intention to stick by her side. In kdramas, this is important.

SK: What did you say? To whom do you dare?
BW: Didn’t you say, “Now I’ll no longer be a princess. I’m going to live as a commoner”? I believe you meant those words. So you aren’t a princess any longer. You’re simply a woman. The one whose life I want to protect.
SK: (stunned) I appreciate what you’re saying but…
BW: Trust me. Follow me on my terms. So I can protect you at my side. I’m going in first. It’s cold. So don’t stay outside too long.

This was his restrained way of saying, “Kajima!!!!” (or “Don’t leave me”).

Listen: if you replay this scene, you’ll hear the cadence of his speech. He was speaking in short sentences, with a steady rise-and-fall pattern. To me, he was enunciating his words as clearly and definitely as he could so she wouldn’t misunderstand his demand. He was saying it in a controlled way so he wouldn’t sound like he was desperately begging her.

He walked away still uncertain that he had convinced her to stay. He looked fearful when he entered the room.

Nanny: What about Her Highness?

He didn’t answer her nor meet her eyes. He was avoiding giving a response because he wasn’t sure what SooKyung was about to do. Then she entered the room.

Nanny: Your Highness?
SK: Mmm.

This was a noncommittal reply so BW still didn’t know if she was coming or going. She crossed the room to go to her bundled possession. BW raced her and grabbed her bundle.

SK: What are you doing?
BW: (securing her things on his lap) I think the gates are closing soon. What do you think about sleeping for a while and leaving as dawn approaches?
SK: All right.
Nanny: (complaining) What did I say before? I said we shouldn’t leave at night.
BW: What are you all doing? Let’s sleep. (pretending to inspect her bundle) Wow. A perfect pillow. I’ll return it when we leave later.

Chadol: But your pillow is here, Father.
BW: Let’s sleep, ChaDol.

This was cute because ChaDol didn’t get why his father was hanging on to SK’s things. BW thought he could detain SK by holding on to her things.

The following morning, SK thanked him. Because she thought he was still sleeping, she could express her thanks without embarrassment. She was grateful that he insisted on her staying.

And he heard her, and thanked her in return. He probably stayed awake in case she tried to flee with Nanny while they were asleep. He was grateful that she decided to stay.

This is a very Jane Austen-y moment for me. Last night, she told him, “Jom…tteol-eojigeola,” or to move away and give her space. But this morning, she thanked him for demanding that they stay together. Despite being in that tight space with three other people, they had an intimate moment. They were the only ones awake, and they made a big decision to be with each other from the day on.

Kinda like a making a wedding vow in front of three sleeping witnesses.

2. The beach scene

SK: Thank you.
BW: What for?
SK: I got to see the sea thanks to you.
BW: (shocked) Is this your first time? Then again, you spent your life in the palace. It makes sense this is your first.
SK: Thanks to you, I’m enjoying a lot of first-time experiences.
BW: I’m sorry. I made you experience things you didn’t need to.

Yes. If he didn’t bossam-ed her, then she wouldn’t be in this mess. However, in her view, his accidental bossam was a blessing in disguise. He rescued her from her a lifetime of nothingness.

SK: No. I meant to say thank you for allowing me to experience things I otherwise couldn’t have.
BW: Thank you for your words at least.

He thought her words were insincere…but sure, he’d believe her because she insisted.

SK: (reiterating) They’re not empty words. If I never met you, I probably would’ve never seen the sea.

Then, he gave her that look again.

To me, his look was a mixture of admiration, pity, and regret. She had setback piled on setback, yet she could still see the bright side.

SK: Why are you staring at me like that? Don’t tell me you’re…

She thought he was going to hug her again.

BW: (vigorously denying) No, it’s not that!
SK: (getting sensitive, too) It’s fine if it isn’t. Why are you getting angry about it?
BW: That’s because you keep making me into a weird person.

By “weird,” he meant a “pervert.” He was complaining that she thought he had lustful thoughts about her. To me, the funny thing was they both agreed never to refer to that hug incident again. But it seemed as if they couldn’t get it out of their minds.

SK: Well, back then you also looked at me weirdly and did an insolent thing—
BW: (retreating) Let’s go. Yes.
SK: (smiling after him)

This reminds me of Jane Austen for two reasons:

a. The man always retreats when he knows he lost an argument. 🙂

b. The sea.

In the BBC production of Emma (2009), Emma mentioned to Mr. Knightley that she had never been to the sea. Because she always attended to her hypochondriac father, she couldn’t venture far from her family manor. To surprise her then, on their honeymoon, Mr. Knightley brought her to the coast. The last shot was of Emma and Mr. Knightley against the backdrop of the seascape from Beachy Head.

source: reveries

So what’s the point?

In my opinion, the sea represents freedom.

In the Regency England of Emma, and this Joseon period of SooKyung, both women were living restricted and repressed lives. However, being with Mr. Knightley and Bawoo, these women began to experience a whole new world. The view of the sea invigorated both women because they could imagine a future as boundless and grand as the blue expanse in front of them. They were trapped no more, thanks in large part to the men standing beside them.

Do you see what I mean? 🙂

3. The leaky roof

Is Bawoo on Santa’s naughty or nice list? I say he’s nice.

He didn’t kiss SK. He didn’t grab her wrist. He didn’t touch her.

In fact, his hand only hovered above her head a few inches before he told her to move to the side. He didn’t want the rainwater dripping on her.

BW: (addressing everybody in the room) It’s raining too much, so I think we’ll have to sleep like this for tonight. I should’ve fixed the roof sooner. (addressing SK) I’m sorry.
SK: Not at all. You were also busy, weren’t you?
BW: Oh, you should sleep in my room for tonight.

lol. Can you tell who possessed a dirty mind based on their facial reaction?

Not Lady Jo. I think she was waiting to hear what he had to say.

And definitely not ChaDol; he was busy catching rainwater. Chunbae was the one with the dirty mind. See that big grin? He thought BaWoo was ordering the princess to sleep WITH him in the room.

BW: (continuing) Hyeongnim and I will sleep here.
Nanny: (immediately standing up to go to his bedroom)
CB: (frowning)
SK: I’m really fine. So don’t worry about me. When will we get another chance to sleep in a leaky room like this?
BW: Is this also one of your first experiences?
SK: Perhaps. It may be another elegant experience.

ChunBae thought she was loony.

Bawoo signaled him to leave her be.

I think I get what SK — or the subber — meant by elegant. She didn’t mean to call a leaking ceiling beautiful or tasteful. What she meant was that this experience might appear rustic and simple, but it would become a valuable memory to last her a lifetime.

And she was proven correct.

Shortly thereafter, Chunbae knocked his head. Everybody laughed, including her nanny who gave the most undignified witch’s cackle that had everybody in stitches. SK was right. The leaking roof created a simple but enduring memory. Isn’t that the essence of elegance? Classic simplicity?

The elegance of this scene is another reason I’m reminded of Jane Austen. Both this drama and Jane Austen novels depict a romance which is understated, refined, and timeless.

From BaWoo’s hand over SooKyung’s head,

to their exchange of smiles, there was nothing naughty about this scene. Everything was just nice.

4. Writing erotic books

BW, Mr. Knightley, and Mr. Darcy. To these three men, becoming a purveyor of smut books would be the last thing on their mind.

SK, Emma, and Elizabeth. These three women would probably see male genitalia for the first time on their wedding nights.

When it comes to sex, there’s a lot in common between the kdrama and Jane Austen, despite their 200-year difference.

But I like this plot development because it underscored SooKyung’s determination to shed her Princess privilege. The decision didn’t come easy.

SK: Nanny, that painting.
Nanny: Your Highness, even if that were the case, how would you—
SK: Nanny, didn’t I once say I’m no longer the princess, but a commoner. Were I truly a commoner, and my family risked eviction, would I hesitate in this way just to save face?

Once she made up her mind, there was no turning back. Even when BW almost caught them with the erotic book, she was determined to do the project so she hid the book from him.

BW: (seeing her on the floor) Are you hurt?
Nanny: She isn’t feeling well so she’s resting on the floor. Don’t worry.
BW: But is she the kind of person who would be spread out on the floor like this just because she’s a little sick?

I thought this was BW’s way of questioning the nanny’s common sense. Knowing of SK’s decorum, he didn’t think it was normal for her to be sprawled on the floor like that. He wondered whether the the nanny was really attending to SK properly. So SK stepped in to scold him.

SK: Why do you keep nitpicking her? You could just tell yourself that the ladies must be in some sort of situation. Now leave.
Nanny: Go leave.
BW: I understand.

lol. I think BW was a bit flustered when he said, “I understood.” He probably thought he intruded in a woman’s private matters.

Another thing I found funny was that, at first, SK treated the book as if it was poisonous. Nanny held the book for SK at the beginning of their “study” session. By dawn, the book was in her own hands.

But as much as I applaud her earning money for the family, it didn’t sit well with me that she was participating in the in the objectification of male and female anatomies…Joseon style. 

So I’m glad that she shifted from illustrating for erotic books to writing her own fiction. Of course, she had to draw inspiration from her adventures with BaWoo.

For instance, her sketch of a man holding the foot of a lady

was from this:

Her sketch of the woman being carried in a man’s arms

was from this:

Her sketch of the man and the woman on a horse

was from this:

The sketch of a bare-chested man chopping wood

was from this:

lol. We knew his vision made an mark on her.

She told ChunBae that she had put in writing the stories being told by the court ladies. From there, ChunBae came up with the idea of making an illustrated book, “The Story of Wun Yeong.” He and Lady Jo promoted the book in order to increase sales. Soon, the book became a bestseller.

Now, if this transformation of SK into an author doesn’t remind you of Jane Austen, then I don’t what will.

However, given the Neo-Confucian principles at the time, writing a romance novel about an illicit liaison in the royal court was considered corrupting the morals of the citizens. I’m not sure whether BW read the book himself or knew that he was the model for the pictures – hahaha –
but his anger was understandable. He blamed Chunbae for exposing the ladies to these reading materials.

But he soon relented. I found it touching when he left the books outside her room.

SK: BaWoo. It’s not his fault. I wanted to do it.
BW: Then get rid of it right away.
SK: I don’t want to.
BW: What?
SK: I’m grateful that you are thinking about me. However, I can’t lean on you forever. It is said, “without a stable occupation, one cannot be steadfast.” You haven’t secured an occupation yet. So how could you maintain an upright mind?
BW: (Exhaling) I understand what you are thinking. Still, this is not right. Give it up.

SK: (blocking him) Didn’t I say that I don’t want to?
BW: Move aside!
SK: What have you been telling me until now? Didn’t you ask until when I was going to live as a princess? I wanted it and I chose it on my own. Don’t even think about stopping me.
BW: So you’ll keep drawing these vulgar pictures and writing stories? (ripping book) I can’t bear to see that!
SK: Then, what are you planning to do?
BW: Whenever we succeed or fail, I will take care of it myself. Don’t worry about it.

BW was upset for four reasons:

a. “Whenever we succeed or fail, I will take care of it myself. Don’t worry about it.”

Call this manly pride, machismo, noble idiocy, lone wolf complex, or messiah complex.

This reminded me of Mr. Darcy saving Lydia Bennet for Elizabeth’s sake, and doing his good deeds in secret.

b. He couldn’t get over his guilt that if he hadn’t accidentally bossam-ed her, she wouldn’t be living as a commoner. It was his fault that she was worrying about their finances and working as an illustrator of such books.

c. He didn’t mind her working as long as it didn’t involve writing those books.

To me, his attitude could be traced back to arrow scene in Episode 4. Back then, he took the bow from her, saying, “I wish for you not to experience such cruel things.”

(I wrote back then that women in the military would have plenty to say about his worldview.)

Just like with the arrow, he didn’t want her exposed to the unsavory side of life. This was his way of protecting her. He wanted her to – What’s that Korean expression again? – “to walk along the road with flowers.”

source: Story of eggbun

He didn’t want her to learn how to kill a man or how to write about lust. As much as possible, he wanted her to live an “elegant” life.

d. He had been so worried about his mother and his sister that he forgot to pay attention to what SK was up to. SK knew he had a lot on his mind. But he had nobody to confide in. This unexpected trouble with SK and the books was only the last straw.

Nanny: (shouting) You’re a very wicked man.
BW: What?
Nanny: Do you think her highness easily made this decision? She pondered over it tens, hundreds, thousands of times more than you did.
BW: (shouting back) In that case, you can get rid of it now.
Nanny: Then, what about this house? What about money?
SK: (calming her down) Nanny…
Nanny: Don’t stop me. (but turning on BW again) You were lacking money, you couldn’t figure out what to do and she helped you, so you should be thankful.
BW: (exchanging looks with SK)
Nanny: Are you putting forward your pride because you’re a man?
SK: That’s enough.

I like that Nanny gave him a piece of her mind, and opened his mind. Seeing SK’s lonely figure on the beach convinced him that he did wrong.

He came home and started mass-reproducing copies of her book. He left them on the porch for her.

To me, this scene was one of the highlights of Episode 10. I prefer it to the hand-gripping and face-touching in the final scene.

Why?

One, he was apologizing.

What better way to apologize for ripping the book that she’d handwritten than by writing the whole book ten times? It’s similar to writing on the chalkboard “I shall not rip her book” as punishment.

Two, he only had eyes for her. Literally.

Three, he was so oblivious to the truth. lol.

Sure, it’s possible that he didn’t see the illustrations, and even if he did, it’s possible that he didn’t recognize himself as the model for her illustrations.

However, sooner or later, he should come to realize that this novel, “The Story of Wun Yeong,” was really her love story about him.

If all the words he said, and all the things he did are forever lodged in her mind, then it should come as no surprise that he was writ large in every page she wrote. If he couldn’t recognize himself in the pictures, then I expect him, at the very least, to recognize his past words and actions in the contents of her romance. 🙂

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

That’s it for Episode 9.