“Bossam” has a better script and better execution than “River Where the Moon Rises.” Three things that bugged me about RWTMR aside from Jisoo’s portrayal of OnDal?

1. Blood and gore
2. Superfluous subplots
3. Bloated list of characters

You could fast-forward through the battle scenes, palace intrigues, village life, back history, power struggles, and dysfunctional secondary romanceS (note the plural case), and STILL understand the story. The fact that you wouldn’thave missed anything signified that these subplots were inconsequential to the story or weren’t integrated well. Reducing the minutes spent on these scenes — or altogether eliminating the scenes – would have streamlined the episodes from 20 to 10 (even 3, but I’m being bitchy).

In contrast, the politics and secondary characters in “Bossam” are integral to the plot. Episode 11 would be virtually impossible to follow if you’ve been skipping the palace dynamic. You wouldn’t understand the characters’ competing interests which are cleverly played against each other by the writers.

Here, I’ll give a quick rundown of the priorities — or loyalties — of the characters:

King Gwanghae: the country first, the daughter second. It makes sense that he spends more time with his female palace advisor, Court Lady Kim, than his consorts. In Episode 12, he *said* his priorities would change. Historically, he tried to bring all factions to the table.
Court Lady Kim: Loyal to King but needs to protect her ass because she embezzled money
King’s guard, Jung Yeong: Loyal to King but has soft spot for the Princess
Prime Minister Lee: self-interests, clan second, Northern faction third. His party holds majority of government positions
WonYeob, the first son of PM Lee: #1 priority is to please Dad, so needs to be more competent
DaeYeob, the third son (?) of PM Lee: Before family came first, now #1 priority is Princess/SooKyung
DaeYeob’s aunt (?), Lady Haeindang: Loyal to Daeyeob
PM Lee’s guard, Taechul: Loyal to Lee, but has soft spot for Lady Haeindang

Kim Ja Jeom, leader of the Western faction: the King, his party. Historically, his party was a minority but ascended to power after ousting King Gwanghee.

BaWoo/Kim DaeSeok: Family is #1. Survival is priority. No loyalty to any political party
ChaDol: Dad and “Mom” first.
ChunBae: Loyal to BaWoo
SooKyung/Princess: her new family. Survival is priority.
Lady Jo: Loyal to the Princess
Bawoo’s mom: her son, and the lineage of the Kim clan.

It’s easy to see that all the main characters, i.e., Bawoo, SooKyung, and DaeYeob have one priority. They also have, at least, one person extremely loyal to them, who’ll choose death over betrayal. The secondary characters, i.e., the King and the Prime Minister, have shifting priorities, and the persons whom they rely on the most also have shifting loyalties, too. The tertiary characters are the advisers and the guards.

🙂 You don’t need me to make an organizational chart as long as you remember where the characters’ loyalties lie.

Now let me talk about, the hero of Episode 11.

This episode reminded me of the book “Scarlet Pimpernel.” It was a popular book, written more than 100 years ago, about a fictional English nobleman during the French Revolution. Sir Percy Blakeney was a wealthy, easy-going dimwit, more interested in following fashion than politics. But unknown to others, he cultivated this foppish image so he wouldn’t arouse suspicions when he rescued French aristocrats from the guillotine. He used the pseudonym, “Scarlet Pimpernel.”

He was a hero with a secret identity.

From the onset, we’ve seen one hero in this kdrama with a double identity. It’s Bawoo.

He’s the lone male survivor after Minister Lee purged his clan for treason. Bawoo concealed his identity for years, and only revealed it to Kim Ja Jeom, in exchange for Kim Ja Jeom’s delivery of SooKyung’s suicide note to the King. The suicide note was necessary for SooKyung and Bawoo to start a new life.

In this episode, however, another hero with a double identity is introduced, and it’s DaeYeob. He’s the man of the hour.

Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, he cultivated an image to deceive people. He pretended to be a filial son when, in reality, he resented his father’s coverup of the Princess’ disappearance. He pretended to be a helpful brother when, deep down inside, he knew BaWoo had reasons for his vengeance. He pretended to be a trustworthy clansman when he was actually working against his clan.

His divided loyalties came to the fore after he spoke with BW.

Ep 8 58:52.

DY: Let me ask you one thing. Can you answer me honestly?
BW: Say it.
DY: This incident with the drawings may be more serious than expected, and may not end with a few floggings. Your life may be in danger. Can you still take the blame instead of the princess until the very end?
BW: I’m pretty sure that’s not what you’re curious about.
DY: What? The fact that you’re Lord Kim Je Nam’s grandson?

He was keenly aware of BaWoo’s desire for revenge but he also knew that BaWoo wouldn’t become violent with him. Back in Episode 6, when BaWoo was seething with rage at the discovery of who PM Lee was, he didn’t strike him. All Bawoo said to him was to leave him alone. “If I open my lips, either you or I must die here. Do you still want to hear?”

DY: (continuing) Whether you’re Kim Dae Seok or BaWoo, as long as the princess is safe, I care not at all whether you take vengeance or not.

This signified three things to me. One, he was only focused on their common goal, SooKyung’s safety. The rest were immaterial.  Two, he was prepared to take on BW’s vengeance as long as they worked together to protect her. Three, common grounds can make friends of enemies.

BW: What would you do if I take vengeance on your family?
DY: Is it because of your mother and sister? Don’t worry about your mother and sister’s safety. They were taken hostage in order to capture you, so until you’re captured, not much will happen to them.
BW: What? “Not much will happen”? What a load of dog crap. She’s locked up in the house of her enemy who killed her husband and made her into a slave. She’s shivering in fear because she has no idea what will happen next. “Not much will happen?”

DaeYeob looked away and blinked. Good job, actor!

BaWoo was right. DaeYeob’s remark came across as thoughtless and callous. Anybody in his right mind should worry when a family member was taken hostage. Moreover, his remark made it sound like his family should be thanked for because they were “generously” keeping BW’s mother and sister alive. He didn’t reflect on the history of their two families. His family was the the origin of BaWoo’s family’s misery. And now, they were terrorizing BaWoo’s mother and sister.

DY: That’s not what I meant.
BW: I’m sure you didn’t. The assailant usually doesn’t care about the person he’s beating.
DY: So will you take vengeance?
BW: Why? Would you kill me now if I were?
DY: Give it up. Just forget everything and live as you’ve been doing. I’m saying this for your sake.

His advice was either naïve or cold-hearted. He had no clue how tough life had been for BaWoo ever since his family was killed as traitors. He wanted BaWoo to turn a blind eye to the injustice down to him, and hide underground because it was advantageous for him and his family. BaWoo called him out.

BW: What a load of utter dog crap you’re spouting. Your father posted wanted posters of me in the eight provinces of Joseon in order to kill me. He even took my mother and sister hostage. And you think if I run for my life for as long as I live, that’s good for me?

DY looked uncomfortable again because BaWoo spoke the truth.

BW: It’s not for me, but for you and your father’s benefit. I had intended to live my life as BaWoo, forgetting both my enemy and about vengeance. But your family made me into Lord Kim Je Nam’s grandson, Kim Dae Seok.

Literally, the “Wanted” posters identified him as the grandson of a traitor. Without proof of any crime, they labeled him an enemy of the state, simply because of his bloodline. And what made this is ironic for BaWoo was that his accusers, the family of DaeYeob, were the ones plotting a coup. They were deflecting attention away from their own crimes.

BW: (continuing) If I live as Kim Dae Seok, it’s because your father made me this way. If anything happens to my mother and father, I will show you what a true madman is like. I will.

If this meeting with BaWoo opened DaeYeob’s eyes to injustice, and awakened his moral integrity, then his meeting with SooKyung opened his eyes to his true motives, and changed his heart.

He wondered whether he was the last to know about DaWoo’s secret identity.

DY: Have you known all along? (she doesn’t respond) So you have.

DaeYeob misinterpreted her silence. Because she didn’t answer him, he assumed that she was aware of the facts for a much longer time than she actually did. He wasn’t to know that she just overheard them.

SK: Are you talking about the fact that he’s the grandson of Lord Kim Je Name? Or that in order to kill him his mother and sister are held hostage?

She shamed him, just like BaWoo did.

SK: (continuing) Whether he is BaWoo or Kim DaeSeok is not important to me. He is someone I owe a debt of gratitude, who both rescued me and allowed me to live, who I now realized is a pitiful man who had given us his resentment and vengeance for my sake. The fact alone pierces my heart to endless sorrow.

When compared to BaWoo, DaeYeob was a lesser man. BaWoo was willing to jettison his emotional baggage for her. Meanwhile, DaeYeob clung to his unrequited feelings for her against her wishes. She couldn’t be moved to run away with him despite all his entreaties. But she was moved to tears by BaWoo’s silent struggles. It was clear who she preferred.

DY: (adding as she stood up to leave) If you give up that man, he will live. (she turns to look at him) I will spare him. You need only to say that you’ll give up on him. With just those words alone…
SK: I…shall I promise a lie for you?

Ouch!! His silence spoke for itself.

SK: Please don’t do anything for my sake any longer. Whatever you do, do it for your own sake.

She wanted him to stop pretending that he was acting on her behalf when he had no intentions of heeding her wishes. She already “divorced” from him, but he persisted.

Silently, he admitted, “It is for my sake. I’m doing this for my own sake.”

By that evening, he gave BaWoo an identification card with the name “Jeong Gap Nam, Year of birth: Gapjin.

Note: Kudos to the Viki subbers who researched this: Gapjin = year of the blue dragon or 1604.

DY: It’s an identity badge. Memorize what it says.
BW: Thank you.
DY: I’m not doing it for your sake, so don’t thank me. You just worry about keeping that bookstore owner quiet.
BW: I got it.

Next day, DaeYeob escorted BaWoo and the bookshop owner back to the capital Hanyang (modern-day Seoul) and released them to his Hyung.

He was killing two birds with one stone:

a. he was protecting SooKyung from being exposed as the writer.
b. he was protecting BaWoo from being found by his father and brother. (I thought it was smart of DaeYeob to take advantage of the rule that criminals facing serious charges must have their faces covered.) The last place his father and Hyung would search for BaWoo was in their own jail.

Note: I thought it was just fitting that BaWoo’s hat looked like a lampshade because there’s a Korean proverb that says, “A place under an oil-lamp is dark.” It means that a oil lamp shades what’s directly underneath it, so it’s harder to see. Likewise, BaWoo’s lampshade hat covered his face.

credit: zziziree

Thus, DaeYeob achieved his real dual missions of saving SooKyung and Bawoo, while also completing the ostensible reason for his trip, that is, to find persons behind the scandalous book.

In contrast, his Hyung failed his mission to deliver the letter to the Emperor of China since BaWoo intercepted the letter. Panicking, his Hyung confessed to DaeYeob all about their father’s attempted coup. DaeYeob was stunned.

WonYeob: (excusing their father) It was a last resort. But with this incident with princess turning the King against him, he resolved himself to do this. He can’t sit idly by and do nothing, can he?
DY: Was this father’s sole doing? Or does he have a partner?

Two things here: the matter could be easily resolved if only his father was involved; damage control should be easier. However, if only his father was involved, they also couldn’t shift the blame onto somebody else.

WonYeob: The plan was to send the letter to Head Eunuch Wei and get his approval. Father intended to use the approval as a way to muster support. We must find that letter at all costs. If by chance that letter falls into the King’s hands, our family is done for.

DaeYeob met with his father to discuss this new crisis.

PM: (writing in calligraphy) Read it.
DY: Yeong A Bu In. Mu In Bu A.
PM: What does it mean?
DY: Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei, said “I’d rather do wrong to others than allow them to do wrong to me.”

Notes:

Socrates would differ. According to the wisest man in Athens, it’s better to suffer injustice than to commit it. For Socrates, the most valuable thing humans have is the soul, and it must be protected from being corrupted by exposure to evil. Doing wrong things to others obviously harms and corrupts the soul. On the other hand, suffering evil, injustice, or wrongful deeds doesn’t harm the soul. It might harm the physical body and the psychological state of the victim, but the soul, the most valuable thing, is unharmed.

Socrates >> Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei (who??)

Additionally, this Emperor of Wu was advocating a dangerous policy of “might is right.” Those who possess power can do whatever they want — even if it’s wrong and unjust — because they determine what’s good and evil. Prime Minister Lee could rationalize his actions as righteous, even when they were criminal, as long as he wielded power.

Moreover, any Christian would know this mindset runs counter to Christian worldview. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” DaeYeob didn’t have to be Christian to to know that his father’s principle was dishonorable and despicable.

Jesus >> Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei (who again??)

Lastly, this distinguished BaWoo from PM Lee. BaWoo had the letter in his possession all along. The letter would have gotten him out of the jail, and destroyed DY’s family as traitors. Yet he chose to reveal nothing and to take the charges in order to protect SooKyung. BaWoo was unlike this Emperor who would rather do wrong to others than allow them to do wrong to him.

PM: That is my will and the reason why I prepared to depose the King. You were kind-hearted and upright since your childhood years.

Ha! The father said this as if being “kind-hearted and upright” were wrong qualities.

PM: (continuing) Once you gave your heart to someone, you’d be unable to betray them. For the princess’ sake, you hesitated to take the civil service exam, because you don’t want to support me at cabinet meetings when I oppose the King. The reason you put off marrying Lord Nae Am’s granddaughter was also the same. Am I wrong?

I wrote about this in a previous thread.

I could think of three reasons why the PM offered the second son as substitute:

One, the second son could have been easier to control than DaeYeob. DaeYeob seems to be too scrupulous and too besotted with the Princess to engage in the political schemes of the PM.

Two, DaeYeob could have been his adopted son. His sister shows a lot of concern for DaeYeob; perhaps DaeYeob’s her real son, and the PM only raised him as one of his own.

Three, the PM planned for DaeYeob to take a job in the government. But as son-in-law of the King, Daeyeob would have been disallowed from holding vital positions in government.

source: Bossam-eps-5-6-review/

DY: I’m sorry.
PM: If I rushed you, I thought you’d go further astray, so I pretended not to notice. But the princess is dead. And if seems that you’ve had a change of heart. So I will ask once again. Will you follow your father’s will?
DY: Yes, Father. I will never again disappoint you.
PM: Good. That is what you should do.

If Daeyeob’s meeting with BW and SK opened his mind and heart, then his meeting with Father pushed him to act. This is when DaeYeob’s “Scarlet Pimpernel” act began.

PM Lee and his guards brought BaWoo’s mother and sister out to their arranged meeting place with BaWoo. The mother resisted because she didn’t want to be bait for PM Lee to trap her son. She shouted hysterically, “Kill me! Kill me!”

DaeYeob stepped in because he sensed that his father’s head guard, TaeChul, would draw his sword and fulfill her cries to be killed. He placed himself in front of TaeChul (thus, blocking him) and grabbed the sword of the guard nearest to the Bawoo’s sister (effectively disarming the guard). Then, pointing the sword at the daughter, he commanded, “Silence. If you don’t quietly follow us, I will cut your daughter down before we leave.”

The mother had no choice but to yield. TaeChul the guard seemed pensive; his brother glanced at their father for his reaction; his father nodded in approval.

Nobody expected him to do that.

To me, this revealed two things about this character.

One, as calm and collected as DaeYeob often appeared to be (especially in comparison to BaWoo), he was actually quick-thinking. This wasn’t the second time he entered the fray. In Episode 8, when they went to Kim Ja Jeom’s house and demanded entry, it was DaeYeob who first laid his hand on sword’s hilt (and the rest followed) then, drew it (again, the rest followed).

Second, the elders deferred to him. He might be the youngest in the family clan, but they implicitly trusted his decision-making. Thus, when he pointed the sword at BaWoo’s sister, they thought he was joining him in their cause. It didn’t enter his head that his objective was different from theirs.

Again, DaeYeob killed two birds with one stone here. Not only did he protect BaWoo’s family, he also demonstrated to his father that he would follow his father’s command.

When BaWoo didn’t appear at their meeting place, PM Lee and his two sons had to regroup and rethink their next course of action. DaeYeob did his “Scarlet Pimpernel” act again and pretended to help his father and Hyung come up with the best decision. He wanted to do two things.

First, DaeYeob must convince his father that keeping BW’s family alive was a smart move. He claimed that BW’s cooperation was guaranteed as long as his mother and sister were alive. But DaeYeob had to present his argument without appearing to disagree with Hyung who wanted quick resolution.

Thus, he said that BW must have missed their meeting for an unexpected reason because it was unlike him to not to show up. After he risked his life in breaking and entering his father’s room to make a deal with him, it was unlikely he would suddenly abandon his family. He posed his logic like a question for his father to consider.

BW: To think he would suddenly decide he doesn’t care about his mother and sister, do you think this is possible?
PM: Are you saying we should wait and see?
DY: Yes. Anyway we don’t have any choice, do we?
WonYeob: (counter-arguing that they needed to take immediate action) And if he really gives up that letter to the King?
DY: (calmly) If he had that intent, why would he risk his life to come here? He could’ve gone straight to the King.

The PM Lee recalled that BaWoo didn’t fear death for himself but for his mother and sister.

PM: (deciding) Let’s wait for now.
WonYeob: Father! If something happens to that letter –
DY: (reassuringly) As long as his mother and sister are in our hands, that will never happen.

Second, DaeYeob had to set up a trap for his own father by putting the banned book in the spotlight again. His father ordered WonYeob to prepare their men and weapon for an attack.

WonYeob: (worriedly) But would that be enough preparation?
DY: If you’re still feeling unesay, there’s another way. We can try to sound out His Majesty with the book. Didn’t you say that it was Kim Ja Jeom who made an uproar about this novel and used it to attack you, Hyeongnim? Why don’t we take this chance to teach him and the Westerners some manners?
PM: Attack the Westerners to shake the King’s resolve, you say?
DY: Yes. If by chance the letter already has fallen into the King’s hands, in order to protect the Westerners, he will have no choice but to use the letter. But if he stays his hand despite the Westerners suffering an attack…

See there? He was guiding his father’s thought-process, but he made it appear as if his father alone came up with the conclusion.

PM: Then it’s proof that the letter is not yet in his hands.
DY: (nodding)
WonYeob: Father, this is a great idea! We sound out the King, and we send a clear warning to the Westerners who rely on his favor. Are we not killing two birds with one stone?

WonYeob got it all wrong though. It was DaeYeob who was killing two birds with one stone. He was protecting BW’s family while giving his own family the rope to hang themselves.

After he accomplished his covert mission, Mr. Joseon Scarlet Pimpernel dropped in on BW’s mother and sister. The bodyguard Taechul was surprised to see him, but he said he was there to check on something. Taechul looked suspicious.

BW’s mother belligerently said she wouldn’t talk and DY signaled her to be quiet.

He gave them rice balls he’d hidden in his sleeves and told her, “Please do not act recklessly. Especially in front of my father, you must seal your lips and ears tightly.”

He meant that she shouldn’t cause a drama like she did earlier. She shouldn’t talk back (i.e., seal her lips) nor react to whatever his father said (i.e., seal her ears).

He continued, “If you want to see your son alive again, make sure to heed my words. Then, he bowed and walked out the room. TaeChul was waiting for him outside.

TC: Did you find what you wanted, Young Master?
DY: She doesn’t easily talk.
TC: They are a stubborn bunch. But surely they’ll change their mind after starving for a few days?

It’s uncanny how TaeChul could read DaeYeob’s motives. But TaeChul hadn’t caught him yet because DaeYeob managed to be one step ahead.

It must be near midnight already when DaeYeob arrived at BaWoo’s jail. They sat across from each other again. BaWoo spoke first.

BW: Did you come looking for your father’s letter? Why act surprised? I was supposed to meet your father yesterday, so you would’ve heard all about it.

I like how BW was always quick on the uptake so no explanations were needed. This reminded me of the time when the Princess came back after trying to reach out to the King in the palace. She asked him, “Are you not going to ask what happened?” He replied, “If things had gone well, you wouldn’t have come out of the palace. It was a complete failure.”

DY: What did you do with the letter? Do you have it with you now?
BW: Why? Are you also afraid that you’d become a traitor’s son like me? (DY shifted on his seat) Don’t worry. Just like you have no interest in my identity, I also don’t care if your father deposes the king or commits treason. I simply need to save my mother and sister.
DY: I know. That’s why I haven’t told Father yet.
BW: I’m thankful for that.
DY: That letter. Where is it now?
BW: Surely you aren’t expecting an answer from me, right?
DY: If your identity is exposed, then the princess herself could be in danger. So I must know. If they inspect your body it could mean trouble. So if you have it with you, give it to me now.

Okay. I must appreciate his tunnel vision. The whole world could crash around him but his whole focus would be safeguarding her.

BW: I don’t have it.
DY: I understand. I won’t ask where it is. But in turn, promise me that you won’t do anything reckless with that letter.

Funny that he told both mother and son not to do anything reckless. Did BaWoo get this trait from his mother?

BW: Do you trust me promise?
DY: I don’t like you, but I know you aren’t one to go back on your word. I have a plan to rescue you and your mother. Can you likewise trust me and follow what I say?

Comments:

1. If DaeYeob’s father hadn’t ordered BaeWoo’s grandfather, father and uncles killed, these two men would have made great friends. DaeYeob sensed that when they first met at the gisaeng’s house. But given their circumstances, they didn’t like each other.

2. DaeYeob was the one who planned using the banned book issue to strike against his own father. I guess politics was in his blood.

3. He was way smarter than oldest brother. That’s why Prime Minister Lee was grooming him to be an official in the government. Too bad he fell in love with the Princess.

As discussed, his Hyung brought the ledger containing the book sales to the King’s attention. Their political party, the Northern faction, demanded that any names found in the ledger be punished for reading the book, including Prince Neungyang’s family. The King had no choice but to give in. He remanded the criminals to the Royal Investigation Bureau pending his interrogation.

Historical note: Prince Neungyang was the grandson of King Seonjo. His father was the son of King Seongjo, and half-brother of the Gwanhae. After Gwanhae was exiled, Prince Neungyang became the next King, King Injo. PM Lee and the Northern faction were targeting him, and the Western faction was defending him.

The plan of DaeYeob was working. WonYeob tasked him to guard BaWoo while waiting for BW’s transfer. PM Lee praised WonYeob for his quick thinking, “You did well. For this kind of matter, it’s better that as few people as possible know about it. As expected, you can only trust your bloodline. DaeYeop has changed his attitude so make sure to take good care of him.”

WonYeob then voiced his worries to DaeYeob. He thought the best way to silence BaWoo and the bookseller so they wouldn’t reveal that they’d forged the ledger to expunge Northeners from the list was simply to kill them. DaeYeob said he’d take care of the matter himself.

They didn’t know that the King had the same idea as WonYeob’s. The King also sent his bodyguard Jung Yeong to kill the two criminals. The bookseller was killed but BaWoo’s life was spared partly because Jung Yeong recognized him as the Princess’ friend in the forest, and partly because DaeYeob came to rescue him.

As much as the King’s attack wasn’t part of DaeYeob’s plan, it worked to his favor. It was proof that his Father and brother needed that the King didn’t have the letter.

WonYeob: It was certainly the work of the King. He muffled the witnesses to save the Westerners.
DY: (firmly) I think so also.
PM: It seems certain that my letter isn’t in the King’s hands.
DY: Yes.
WonYeob: Why didn’t you let him kill them both while he was at it?
DY: It wasn’t a good situation.
PM: (agreeing with him) No. In any case, the person who published and circulated the banned book knows the inside story. The person who drew the pictures knows nothing. You’ve worked hard. Go and rest now. Won Yeop, you too.

Two things from this conversation:

1. If we’re just going to judge this on filial piety, DaeYeob truly threw his Father and brother under the bus. If I were his Father, there was no way I’d trust him again.

2. He succeeded in deceiving them because he wasn’t reckless. He let them dig their own hole.

Now that he had set up the stage for his plan, the last thing he needed was the original ledger. He took it from his brother’s room before SooKyung arrived, and he stayed behind-the-scene till she needed help to get out of the manor.

I thought it was exciting when Taechul rushed to DY’s quarters thinking he wouldn’t find him there. Although he saw DY’s shoes on the step, that wasn’t enough. He barged into his room, unannounced and with his sword drawn. He stopped when he saw DY peacefully in bed.

DY: What’s happened?
TC: There was a thief in the house so I checked to see if you were safe.

That’s a lie. He recognized DY as the masked man but he needed proof. He wanted to catch DY in the act and have a reason to turn him in.

DY: A thief?
TC: There was much commotion outside. Didn’t you know?
DY: If I had known would I have been here like this?

The funny thing here was TaeChul was staring at the wrong thing. He was looking intently at the wine bottle and cup as if he wanted to see if they really contained alcohol. Instead, he should have looked closely at DaeYeob’s head. He would have known that DaeYeob was running around, not peacefully sleeping, had he seen the sweat dripping from his temple. lol.

DY: It’s been a while since I last had alcohol. It must be why I slept so deeply. So did you catch the thief?
TC: We lost him.
DY: Who would dare? Could it be Kim Dae Seok?
TC: Seeing how he was discovered in your older brother’s chamber, I don’t think it was him.
DY: Still we don’t know. Check the annex. I will come right out too.
TC: Yes.

Notes:

DaeYeob was getting adept at telling lies. lol.

DaeYeob could have given the book directly to Kim Ja Jeom himself. Why didn’t he? I could think of three possible reasons:

a. Because he thought that Kim Ja Jeom and the Princess had a working relationship. Kim Ja Jeom brought the Princess back to Hanyang, and hid her at his home. If she wanted BaWoo rescued, then she needed to seek out Kim Ja Jeom. His party, the Western faction, had the most to benefit from having BaWoo’s family reinstated.

b. Because going over to the enemy side was the line he wouldn’t cross.

c. Because SooKyung was looking for the book to save BaWoo. I’m sure if he wanted to, he could have don the mask and given it to Kim Ja Jeom himself. But giving it to SooKyung was like leaving an apology for what he’d done to her. He wanted her to know that he was doing all this for her.

*****************

This is my long analysis of DaeYeob’s character for this episode. I already gave ChaDol, SooKyung, and BaWoo their turn in the spotlight, and this is DaeYeob’s.

He isn’t that bad at all.

Next up: Episode 12 and our couple.