What’s the point of a love triangle?
Well, for one, there’s binary opposition. The fact is we understand a character better when he/she is compared with another character. In his pursuit of his end goals or the love of his life, the hero’s spirit and mettle will stand out in sharp relief against the contrasting actions of his chief rival.
I didn’t coin this term “binary opposition.” The French anthropologist, Claude Levi-Strauss, did. He observed that in many stories told in books and films, the plot is driven by characters, values and/or concepts that are directly polar opposites.
Think of Batman vs. Joker, hero vs. villain, rich vs poor, religious vs secular, engineering vs. feng shui, war vs. peace, crime vs. punishment, individual vs society, science vs. superstition, objective vs subjective, good vs. evil.
Binary opposition is the theory that we can understand one character, value, or concept better when we juxtapose it with another character, value, or concept. We can see details better when there’s contrast.
Source: On Binary Opposition
For another, there’s “romantic legitimacy.” The hero is perceived to have deserved the heroine’s love in the finale if he had to fight for her. (Heaven forbid that he wins the girl whom nobody wanted!) The more conflict, resistance, and battles he must overcome to reach her, the more cathartic the end would be for the viewers.
Don’t be too hasty to dismiss love triangles as a “stupid” trope. Shower scenes are stupid tropes. But love triangles? Nahhhh. When it’s done right, a love triangle can be a useful tool to show complexities of human nature, from the comfort of our beds and couches.
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I’m using the subs from kissasian this time.
Prince3: I ask you this. What is your relationship with Painter Hong?
Ram: Miss Hong saved my life and cared for me in the dye house.
Prince3: I’m positive that you knew each other before then.
Ram: You’re right. We’ve known each other for a long time.
Note his change of voice. When he answered that CG cared for him, he sounded meek and submissive, which was to be expected of an attendant. But then, Prince3 voiced his doubt, and he suddenly changed his tone of voice. He sounded curt and his answer was clipped, like he was irritated that he was being questioned.
The Prince was surprised. I don’t think he was expecting this show of defiance from the normally mild-mannered Ha Ram.
Prince3: What?
Ram: For a very long time, we knew each other.
Prince3: Then, I’ll ask you again.
There was a bit of condescension here. Prince3 was repeating himself like he was talking to a dimwit who couldn’t understand his question and needed time to make up his lies.
But Ram posed his own question. This is when he took control of the situation.
Ram: Before you do, I’d like an answer from you. Why are you so interested in my relationship with Miss Hong? Even if I were interested in her, those are my private feelings. Are they not?
Ram pointedly refused to subject himself to Prince Yul’s interrogation. He implied that Prince3 was overstepping his boundaries. Keep personal things separate from professional things.
Prince3: Do you know what you’re saying? You as good as confessed your feelings for her.
Ram: Even if you take it as such, there’s nothing I can do.
This was a roundabout way of saying, “if you say so.” Ram was neither denying or confessing his feelings.
Prince3: Are you sincere?
Ram: I am sincere.
Prince3: So why is it that I don’t feel your sincerity?
Who was he to judge?
Prince3: (approaching Ram) It’s because sincerity doesn’t come from words alone. If what you say is true, if you are sincere and mean it then do not…ever again…let Painter Hong walk in the rain.
Huh? That’s it? I was scratching my head here because Prince Yul’s “ultimatum” was weak. Don’t let CheongKi walk in the rain?? That was his parting shot?
In contrast, watch Ha Ram’s last words to Prince Yul.
Ram: Then will you irresponsibly put her in danger to satisfy your curiosity? You asked if I’m sincere. I don’t believe that’s a question a prince should ask when his duty is to uphold the royal authority and serve the country.
Ha Ram was obviously alluding to the fiasco at the Painting Competition. Although Prince Yul attempted to rescue Cheongki, he bungled it and exposed her to his Hyung’s punishment. Instead of placating his brother like Ha Ram had done expertly, he inflamed his brother’s anger.
Now, Ha Ram was reminding him to put his attention on more serious state matters, not affairs of the heart.
The odd thing here is Prince2 said the same thing at the water ritual to the Crown Prince….(I’ll post it later. I’ve to go now.)
Prince3: (smiling) I understand. I will remember your advice.
But the lines were drawn. Prince3 vowed, “Scholar Ha. Remember this day. As of today, I will do all in my power to win Painter Hong’s affection.” Meanwhile, Ram thought, “I apologize, Your Highness. I cannot let you take CheongKi.”
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Have to edit and polish this later. Have board meeting at 7pm. Bye!
@Packmule3, I keep harping on this, but this dialogue only adds to my argument that Prince3 is not free to marry whomever he wishes because he is part of the royal family: “…his duty is to uphold the royal authority and serve the country.” In wanting to win CK’s heart, Prince3 is being selfish because he cannot grant her equal standing with him in the court as his wife. CK would be subservient to whomever was chosen for Prince3 by the court to become his royal consort. And if it is known by Prince3’s enemies that he loves CK–she’s his weak spot–he puts her in danger.
Exactamundo, @Welmaris.
If she survives being targeted by Prince2 for being the Divine Painter, then Prince3 dooms her — and their children — to second class citizenship if he insists on taking her as his concubine. 🤷♀️
We already saw this in “Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency” with Kim Minjae. The female lead was given fake special status and had to go through vetting process to marry the King. Even if he’s just Prince3, he can easily end up top banana when Prince1 dies and Prince2 is deemed a traitor.
But I’m sure he’ll realize this in the end.
Yes @packmule3 I get the feeling Yul is your typical 2ML who gives up the girl (for her happiness). I mean, SamShin already said the OTP is…well…THE OTP. And who’s to argue with her?
I really like all the side characters in this drama. The Headmaster and the caretaker(?) lady. I could do without their romance but I just like how they were kindhearted people who took CK and her sick father in. And how Headmaster was torn when he learnt about how she was selected to paint for the Palace.
Prince3 grew on me because he cared enough to inquire about CK’s father. And he told CK what he knew about his past. And then took steps to assure her that her father would be cared for when she left his side to paint in the Palace. I guess Ep8 may change my mind about him 😂. I will watch tonight.
We’ve already been told how this is going to end, right? The first words of the first episode of this drama are (per Viki):
Once upon a time, there was a time where humans and creatures of the earth lived in harmony with unseen beings. Among them was Sam Shin (Goddess of childbirth), three gods merged into one body. The first god blessed life. The second god controlled death. The third god maintained the balance between the two. One day, the demonic god of death who thirsted for blood gobbled up the god of balance. Once the balance between life and death was broken, the world fell into terror and chaos. From then on, Ma Wang, the demon king who was severed from the body of Sam Shin, lived within the dark desires of humans. One day, a woman who lost her lover to Ma Wang’s rampage created a painting. [An image of Hong Cheong Ki accompanies these words.] Sam Shin responded to her prayers and became one with the painting. [We see a painting of Ma Wang with Hong Cheong Ki standing in front of it, arm raised as if she’s still painting.] Ma Wang, who had caused chaos in the world, was sealed in the holy painting. Afterward, the woman disappeared without a trace.
It does not sound like we’re in for a happy ending for the OTP, does it? It all depends on whether the legend told at the beginning of this drama tells the whole trajectory of the OTP. Let’s look back at the first episode to see if we can find any clues.
On the day the portrait of the abdicated King Yeongjong was completed by Hong Eun Oh, his daughter Hong Cheon Ki was born, then her mother hemorrhaged to death. Sam Shin saved Hong Cheon Ki’s life by sending away a pack of wolves. Sam Shin then picked up Hong Cheon Ki, transformed into a yellow butterfly and flew away with her.
That same day, Ha Seong Jin, Head of the Taoist Bureau, conducted the ritual to seal Ma Wang into the just-completed royal portrait. Ma Wang’s last words before being sealed into the painting: “From this day forward, you will all suffer from drought and famine! [Ma Wang was looking at the new King Seongjo when he said this.] Your descendants will be lost in darkness! [Ma Wang looked at Ha Seong Jin as he spoke this.] Your descendants will never paint again! [Ma Wang directed this at Hong Eun Oh.]
[Note: Viki has now added a subtitle to the scene where the painter accompanying Hong Eun Ho regains consciousness, opening eyes that are emerald green with elliptical pupils. It says, “Hwa Cha: a goblin that lives by absorbing power from paintings.”]
The newborn Hong Cheong Ki was present at the culmination of the ritual sealing Ma Wang into King Yeongjong’s portrait. Sam Shin was cradling the baby in one arm while extending her other arm to add her power to the sealing of Ma Wang.
Sam Shin’s words after the ritual was completed were: “How dare he blind you? Ma Wang, that demon is truly unchanging and cruel. Dear child, I cannot undo the curse…but I shall bless you with a destined partner who can help you avoid the curse.” Following her words, Ha Seong Jin’s wife gave birth to a boy and named him Ram: Ha Ram.
We know Hong Cheong Ki and Ha Ram were fated by Sam Shin to be together from the day of their birth. She created their intertwined fate so that Hong Cheong Ki would be able to paint despite Ma Wang’s curse. From the day of his birth, Ha Ram was chosen by Sam Shin to be Hong Cheong Ki’s destined partner, but does that mean he’s her fated lover or spouse?
[I noticed that when Ma Wang was released from the painting after Grand Prince Juhyang set it afire, Juhyang looked directly into Ma Wang’s eyes. Nine years earlier, during the sealing ritual, the warning had been given to never look into Ma Wang’s eyes.]
One way the partnership of Hong Cheong Ki and Ha Ram played out was during the Seokcheok rain ritual. At the moment lightning struck the floating platform on which Ha Ram stood, tossing him into the water, Hong Cheong Ki fell off a bridge into water. Both cried Abeoji (Father) as they sank, flailing. Both stopped thrashing, appearing to have drowned. Ha Ram is revived by Ma Wang’s essence, which turns Ha Ram’s eyes red. Ha Ram is not breathing, and unbothered by being submersed. Sam Shin comes to Ha Ram, underwater, as a yellow butterfly and says, “Ha Ram…You have sacrificed yourself for the good of countless people.” From within Ha Ram, Ma Wang answers, “Have you used the child as bait to lure me?” Sam Shin continues, “Ma Wang, remain in this child’s body. I will take your eyes, the source of your power. [The red of Ha Ram’s eyes transfers to the black dots on Sam Shin’s butterfly wings, turning those black dots red.] You will be powerless until the day you reclaim your eyes.” Then Sam Shin, as a butterfly, comes to Hong Cheong Ki, suspended motionless underwater, and says, “Cheon Gi. You are a child destined to save the world. I shall temporarily entrust these eyes to you. [The red from the dots on the butterfly wings transfers to Cheong Ki’s closed eyes.] Create the vessel of destiny. Cheong Ki’s eyes open. They are brown (not grey, as they’d been when she was blind). The first thing Cheong Ki sees is Sam Shin in her butterfly form, yellow swallowtail wings with black dots. (This would become CK’s secret mark on her paintings.) Cheong Ki is not breathing, calmly observing the fish that swim by her face. Then Ha Ram is encircled by an energy field that lifts him, now unconscious, from the water and into the air. Cheong Ki is lifted from the water she’s in by a school of fish. We next see her lying, unconscious, in the spot where she was born, in the midst of doltaps (stone stacks that are worshipped). Ha Ram is gently lowered by the energy encircling him and lands on the back of a big rock sculpture of a turtle. [Per Korea.net, “Koreans respect turtles as symbols of longevity, content life and knowledge of the future.”] Ha Ram and Hong Cheong Ki awaken from their unconscious states at the same time; for both, the first word they speak is “Abeoji” (father). Ha Ram’s irises are still red, and he discovers he’s become blind. Ha Ram is distraught because of his blindness. Cheong Ki is amazed to watch rain falling on her hands. In voiceover we hear Sam Shin say, “Far in the future, when the two destinies intertwine, everything will find its rightful place.”
End of episode. We’ve been left with a hopeful message. “Rightful place” implies justice and balance, but we don’t know if Hong Cheong Ki and Ha Ram will live to enjoy the justice and balance together.
When HR, as an adult, tells CK that the Ha Ram she met as a child is dead, he might not have been speaking figuratively. He drowned at the rain ritual. He became a sacrifice, but his lifeless body was revived when Ma Wang inhabited it. When Ma Wang leaves his body, will Ha Ram be a lifeless shell? CK drowned at the same time. She was divinely brought back to life by Sam Shin so she could save the world. From the day of her birth, Sam Shin has protected Hong Cheong Ki’s fate as a divine painter; in reinvigorating the drowned Cheong Ki, Sam Shin brought her to a sort of rebirth. Once Hong Cheong Ki’s destiny has been fulfilled, and the world has been saved from Ma Wang when he’s sealed in the holy painting made by Hong Cheong Ki, will she be reclaimed by death and disappear? The words of the legend at the beginning of this drama seem to indicate so.
But what is meant by “Far in the future, when the two destinies intertwine, everything will find its rightful place”? The lives of Hong Cheong Ki and Ha Ram began intertwining even before they were born, when their fathers became involved in the ritual to seal Ma Wang in the portrait of King Yeongjong. Is “rightful place” for Hong Cheong Ki and Ha Ram what their lives would have been like before their fathers were cursed by Ma Wang? I hope so.
@Welmaris,
A great analysis! You have brought together what we have discussed in the other threads.
Since Episode 1, I believe that the(ir) Ending will be Open and not happy as we might like. So, I am having that in mind and enjoying the journey. I kept rooting for the main OTP and not the SL from the very beginning.
As I have posted on the Episode 7-8 thread, and I want to rewatch again those episodes to write more, I believe that Ha RAm will be sacrificed *again* in the near future and Cheon Gi will paint that bowl of destiny in order to save him.
Since the Shaman Lady is doing Black Entantment that means the 2nd Prince is determined to free MaWAng at all costs! He could kill HaRam, if he could.
The Mountain Spirit will prevent this from happening this time, but at one point it will happen.
So, we now know the WHY Cheon Gi will paint. She might be the child of destiny but is HER choice, something that @Linnea already pointed out in the same thread. You have to make the decision to back up your destiny. Since her Fate is already written.
So, HaRam and Cheon Gi are an item.
As for the 3rd Prince, they will enter in alliance of sorts, because they are all the descendants of the people involved in the ritual the time the first two were born.
He should be careful though, because HR is right, he has already put her on the radar of the 2nd Prince.
Prince3 is a puppy. He barks but he has no bite. 🐶
I don’t think he’ll harm CK. Chances are he’ll bring harm to himself because anything he’ll do will backfire on him. He’s that sort of fellow.
Let me see now, he brought his Hyung to the Hall of Paintings and he was unceremoniously kicked unconscious.
He tried to eliminate CK from the Art Competition for forgery, and she ended up winning it with HaRam paying a staggering 300 seoks for it.
Not only that, when he was explaining his opposition to her first painting, calling it “shallow” and meant to “attract people’s interest” (e.g., commercialized) and without “integrity and faithfulness” that the plums represented, Samshin stepped in (flew in?) as the butterflies 🦋 and landed on the painting.
Then, he stepped in to rescue CK and her father from Prince2, enraging Prince2 even further. I didn’t write about that incident because clearly, he should have known that Prince2 wouldn’t show HIM any favor.
Prince Yul was asked to join Prince2’s coup, and he refused. Now, he was asking for Prince2’s mercy after he was splattered with paint? Yul was pretty naive to think that Prince2 wouldn’t use this opportunity to get back at him.
Then, he offered to carry CK on his royal back and what did she do? She chose to walk beside a blind man.
To me, Yul’s downfall will be caused by his romanticism. He’s not seeing things as they are. After being kicked in the gut by his Hyung 19 years ago, he should have been wary of him.
And yes, Samhain said that the OTP is set. 😂 I said so, too.
@packmule3 sigh you did warn us about this actor. 😂. I like him. He exudes affability and warmth.
@Welmaris thanks for the recap. I needed it after the Chuseok break and pause in this drama. My daughter is trying to get me to watch Squid Game. I watched one ep and it was enough. I can see the appeal but the body count is high and I am not really in the mood for another dystopian Hunger Games.
😂 @Nrllee, you know I like Na In Woo, right? Na In Woo and Gong Myung have the same persona.
I wish they had their own romcoms where they could be main leads now. Na In Woo would have made a great Capt Hong in Hometown Cha Cha Cha. 🙂
And I don’t want to watch Squid Game, either. What’s the point? What’s the central theme of the show? To show us that society is messed up? I don’t need fiction to see that. 🙂 I want to watch something I don’t get to see enough of: fluff and utopia.
@packmule3 high 5! I like them both too. 😂.
Finally managed to finish Ep8. It seems that Writer has opened up the possibility of human will thwarting Fate/Destiny? 🤔 That conversation at the observatory between HR and CK. When they talked about the Big Dipper.
HR – do you know what kind of star the Big Dipper is?
CK – I am not sure. What kind of star is it?
HR – it is a star that watches over all the good and the bad, lucky and unlucky aspects of life. Ever since a person is born, allotted a span of life by Grandma SamShin.
CK – then is a person’s destiny decided at birth?
HR – at least in the world I live in, yes.
CK – Isn’t it pointless then for a person to strive at life?
HR – it is not easy to change the fate assigned to you.
CK – I suppose that is true.
Not easy but not impossible?
@Packmule3, @Welmaris, @Cleopatra what a great analysis and discussion. Very insightful. I cannot agree more on Prince Yul’s foolishness and naivity in pursuing Cheon Gi. His romanticism may indeed be his downfall. I can see two directions for how he may ‘end up’:
1. despite his initial naivity he will grow and give up Cheon Gi and stand on the OTP’s side (although he’s on Ha Ram’s death list so let’s see how it’s going to play out. But personally I don’t think he would by killed by Ha Ram, Cheon Gi is attached to him too, so I cannot see Ha Ram doing this to her)
2. (it may also be a consequence of no 1) he will die by Prince 2’s hand. There was someone in another thread who came with this initial parallell between Prince 2 and the real historic figure prince Suyang (later king Sejo) and between Prince 3 and prince Anpyeong, and the latter was killed by Suyang in his pursuit of the throne. (As I understand that was the original premise of the series, don’t know abt the book). So sadly I think that Prince Yul won’t survive this. He may die bc he’s an obstacle for Prince 2 but at the same time he may sacrifice himself for the OTP (a traditional outcome for SL in a sageuk)
As to the ending, it may end with the OTP’s death, we know for sure that sageuks may go that road. But the line abt the painter’s disapearence without trace gives me hope. The OTP wouldn’t be able to continue living as they were (keeping their positions) under Prince 2 rule. So I think they may disapear, but live somewhere on their own, as anonymous commoners. That kind of ending is also common in sageuk – let’s take The Princess’ Man as one example or The Crowned Clown (although there was some ambivalency as to the ML’s death/survival). In those circumstances I would find this kind of ending as very satisfying.
🙂 It’s like this: They won’t find out their DESTINY till they go after their dreams with all their might and will and focus. But once they reach their destination (note the same root word destiny in destination), they’ll realize that it was their fate all along to be there.
That’s the whole argument of predestination, simplified.
So HR and CK are essentially looking at the same coin but from opposite sides.
HR is telling her that a person’s general situation in life is given. Hence, his advice to her that she’s blameless, it’s not her fault, beyond her control, etc.
But he’s actually CONTRADICTING himself because he’s working to overthrow the King who caused his current general situation.
Meaning, for him, somebody’s culpable, somebody’s blame-worthy; somebody was at fault; it is in HaRam’s control to correct the sins.
And for him, it definitely isn’t pointless to seek vengeance. He made it his life’s purpose. It isn’t easy to take his revenge on the monarchy, but he is doing it, slowly and steadily. He succeeded so far to eliminate the king’s bodyguard.
But is it his fate to be this vengeful, treasonous man?
No, Samshin didn’t create him to be bad. He was meant to be good, and to do good. He was born to be a companion, and helper of CK as she goes through life blind. That’s his final destiny. But to get there, he’ll have to face his inner struggles.
It’s only considered fate if he doesn’t STRIVE to be the good and noble person he’s meant to be. When he fights his inner demon — literally Mawang who wants him to seek a vengeful path at all costs — then he becomes a man of destiny, and the master of his fate, captain of his soul, just like in that poem “Invictus.” 🙂
CK and HR’s conversation has little to do with CK falling in love with Prince3. That’s not written in the stars, as they would say.
@Linnea,
Also in Episode 8, there was a conversation, about threesomes (😈 not the sexual kind) which I thought could be a good hint.
CK said ink, brush, and paper were a set.
She was referring to herself, Long Face and Annoying one going to the Royal Painting Bureau together.
But that’s also applicable to her, Ha Ram, and Yul in the end. They can work together to defeat a common enemy, Prince2.
Of course, historical speaking, that is, if the screenwriter stays true to history, then Prince2 will end up as ruler and Prince3 will die.
For some reason, I’m really not worried about all of them dying at the end — whether it’s a physical death or a symbolic one, like exile — if that’s how they’ll reach their “happy place.”
How’s this for fanfic?
CK and HR’s deaths happened when they were children, yet they continued to exist in that time because Sam Shin wanted them to save the world from Ma Wang. The problem of Ma Wang will be solved, although Ha Ram will appear to die in the process. (He’s already dead, but will cease to exist.) Once Ma Wang is sealed in the vessel (object, probably a painting) created by Cheong Ki, she will disappear. We’ve been promised that far in the future everything will be set right. So I’m rooting for us to see Cheong Ki and Ha Ram reincarnated in modern times, together. She’ll still be a painter, and he’ll be an astronomer instead of an astrologist.
I’m liking your fan fic, @Welmaris. 🙂🙂
I like their modern reincarnated versions. Painter and astronomer.
What did the King tell Prince2 again in his letter? “By nature, there is on who interprets the stars in the sky, one who roams among them, and one who draws them. You should enjoy the stars.”
One who interprets the stars = Ha Ram
One who paints them = Cheongki
One who roams among them = ??? Somebody who’s content in the company of “stars” i.e., brilliant people?