Thanks, @Phoenix, for listing the titles of the episodes. Is this from Dramacool?
Ep 1: How Many Bowls of Gamjatang is a Modigliani Painting Worth?
Ep 2: Could Brand Name Watches Capture Eternity?
Viki version subbed the title as “How many thousands of kalpas of time can a luxury watch count?” And the translator kindly added a note that “kalpa is a long period of time, or eons, in Buddhism.”
As you can see, the subbers from Dramacool and Viki posed different questions. So let me tackle the Dramacool question first.
1. Could Brand Name Watches Capture Eternity?
My answer: Yes, a brand-name watch can capture eternity.
Some watches like Patek Philippe and Rolex are touted to endure for a long time and to never go out of style. The watches are meant to be passed down through generations — from you to your child, then from your child to his child. But technically speaking, they can’t last for an eternity. Sooner or later, something will have to give.
But a brand-name watch can capture eternity in another way.
In fact, eternity starts when he and Dali are laughing while doing dishes.
MH: I’m going crazy. Why am I so drunk when I didn’t even drink?
He’s in a state of euphoria.
Dali: What did you say?
MH: I mean, we were strangers until yesterday. Today, we even ate together, talked, and laughed together. All of this feels weird. It’s like a dream. Is it because of the time difference?
He means the jetlag. He wonders whether jetlag is the reason he feels that everything is surreal. But Dali – the romanticist that she is – thinks that their meeting is fated. Dramacool just translated it as a “special relationship.”
Dali: It isn’t an ordinary fate. According to the Mahayana Buddhist Vinay Sutra, three thousand kalpas have gone by for us to meet.
This is the Viki sub. It uses the word “kalpa.”
From what I gather, a kalpa is explained in two ways. It can either refer to a measurement of time, like an aeon (or billion years), or to a cosmic cycle. Dali chooses the latter form. She uses the water analogy to make the concept clear to Moohak.
MH: Us?
Lol. He fixated on the word, “us.” Dali continues with her explanation.
Dali: In Buddhism, people’s relationships are divided into time units called kalpas. The time it takes to get rid of a rock the size of a house by water dripping on it every hundred years is one kalpa. It took 3,000 eons for us to meet and spend one night together in this place. That’s how precious our connection is.
MH: (thoughtful) I see.
The dramacool sub, on the other hand uses the word “geop.”
Dali says, “once every 100 years a drop of water would fall over a rock. A geop is the time it takes for those water drops to wear that rock away. And we needed 3,000 geops of time to meet like this and spend a night together. That’s how precious this connection is.”
It doesn’t matter whether the subber uses “kalpa” or “geop.” The meaning is the similar. Dali is talking about a mind-boggling long, long time that’s almost like “eternity.” She’s saying that it’s taken an eternity for them to meet accidentally like that and spend time together.
Then, the following day, before they separate at the hotel, Moohak gives her his expensive watch.
MH: Thank you for yesterday.
Dali: Thanks to you, I had fun as well. Goodbye.
MH: Wait. Today and tomorrow, I will be very busy. It’s an important deal so there’s a lot to review. And before that, I have to visit other local livestock farms. I have to leave Amsterdam the day after tomorrow morning, because I bought a round-trip plane ticket in advance. I have meetings one after another even after arriving in Korea. I also have to give reports about the contract.
Dali: (nodding)
MH: That’s my situation.
Dali: That’s too bad. If you have some free time, you would have been able to experience a little more of the beautiful places in the Netherlands.
To Dali, MooHak sounded like he was backpedaling and giving her a pretext for not making good on his promise to visit her museum. In response, she displays good manners and says the socially acceptable excuse for him. She’s absolving him of any obligation to meet with her again.
However, MooHak is actually telling her that he’s determined to keep their date despite his schedule.
MH: But I will be sure to visit the art museum.
Dali: Sorry?
MH: I’m going to make time to visit the art museum somehow. I’m going to see those impressionist paintings that Korean people love so much. Then I’m going to visit the cafeteria that serves good food, although they are not as skilled as I am. And… and see you, too.
Dali: Yes, please do.
Note: do you ever wonder why director sometimes shows the characters’ faces off-center?
Instead of putting Moohak’s face right in the middle of the screen, Moohak is filmed slightly on the left side. Likewise, Dali’s face isn’t centered on the screen but is placed on the right-hand side.
This is a camera trick to give us an illusion that they’re physically close to each other while talking.
MH: I’m definitely going. So you have to wait for me. All right?
Dali: (nodding)
MH: You have to! Please!
Dali: Then, goodbye.
MH: (stopping here again) Wait. (removing his watch and putting in on her wrist)
Dali: Mr. Jin?
And here, he captures “eternity” – or at least, the girl who talked about eternity – with his brand-name watch.
MH: This watch is very important to me. So make sure to bring it with you when we see each other. Make sure to bring it, please. (rushes off)
Dali: (calling him back) Mr. Jin.
MH: (looks back then continues walking away)
He’s also capturing eternity in the sense that he doesn’t want their accidental meeting to end. He arranges their next meeting because he wants to continue seeing her. And he gives her his watch as a token of their promise to meet again. He isn’t saying goodbye; he’s saying “See you shortly.”
In lieu of an eternity ring, this is an eternity watch.
Speaking of eternity, I thought the name of company of Moohak’s rival is a sign that he isn’t meant to last forever.
Dramacool didn’t translate it, but Viki did. “Segi” means “century” and a century is less than an eternity.
2. “How many thousands of kalpas of time can a luxury watch count?”
My answer: Based on MooHak and Dali’s experience, a luxury watch can count anywhere between 3,000 to 12,000 kalpas.
If it takes 3,000 kalpas for them to meet, then this was their first 3,000 kalpas. The director also used slow-motion and blurred the other characters to make it appear as if time slowed down for Dali and Moohak, and they were caught in an endless moment.
Then, the camera zoomed in on their faces. I thought this was appropriate technique because it made the viewers feel that Dali and MooHak were attracted and “drawn to” the other person.
Next, this could be their second 3,000 kalpas. Their paths crossed. However, this was a missed opportunity because although he saw her, he thought he imagined it.
This could another 3,000 kalpas. He thought he glimpsed her inside his tenant’s room. But again he dismissed it as a flight of fancy.
Last, this unexpected meeting at the art gallery was definitely another 3,000 kalpas.
Thus, according to this episode, a luxury watch can count anywhere between 3,000 to 12,000 kalpas. I say it all depends on how long before Dali and Moohaw realize and appreciate how precious their encounters truly are.
My review of Episode 3 “What is ‘Untitled’ about?” should come next. lol. @Phoenix, this was a funny one. 🙂
Thanks @pkml3! Such a lovely take on capturing eternity. What a romantic interpretation of MH’s and Dali’s meeting that it took the alignment of so many factors across 3,000 geops for it to happen. I am wondering about that gold watch. Dali seems to have stowed it away and forgotten it entirely, in the face of the news of her father’s demise.
When it re-emerges, it might have timed the passing of hundreds of thousands of geops, since we count each meeting as 3,000 geops, and MH meets Dali so often. Truly it is a watch that will capture eternity.
@packmule3 Thank ypu for explaining the significance of the titles of episodes 1 and 2. They totally make sense. I like how poetic the titles are and how the Writernim puts so much thought behind them.
I am indeed viewing this drama on Dramacool or Kissasian (the subtitles of both sites are the same) as Viki in my region does not have this drama.
I never fully appreciated before this how skillful translators need to be. It’s almost as difficult as translating poetry, isn’t it? I’ve tried my hand at poetry translation before and it’s more about translating the concept or feelings behind the words than the actual words. One needs to be a poet oneself to be able to convey the thought behind the lines to a reader in another language. I feel it’s somewhat similar for subbing dramas like this one where so much is conveyed beyond the apparent literal meaning. I found the geop/kalpa translation to be so meaningful, as well as your description of it. As @GB says, the concept is so poetic, and I’m glad the subbers of both sites went beyond the literal translation to add in their take on how to convey the concept in the best possible way to non-Korean speakers.
On episode 3’s title, my take is that it refers to the fact that an untitled painting can be interpreted in any way depending on the perspective of the viewer (just like MooHak’s thugs did). It can also be the writernim poking fun at their own tendency to write descriptive titles by saying indirectly that this episode is deliberately left untitled as it’s open to the viewers’ interpretation. I’m eager to read your explanation of this title, @packmule3😊
Here are the latest two episode titles:
Episode 7: Does Death Mean the End? (I found this very interesting- I think this was discussed in the open thread for this episode)
Episode 8: Is it Possible to Buy Someone’s Feelings?
(I think this refers to Tae Jin trying to influence Da Li’s feelings by paying off her debt. What do you think, @packmule3?)
Thank you @packmule3 for noticing that Segi means century! That juicy piece of info adds extra meaning to this idea of eternity and time running through the drama.
(not sure if the information below is considered a spoiler??)
@Phoenix I think the title of Episode 8 refers to both Tae Jin and Moo Hak. Moo Hak tried to buy Da Li’s happiness by paying for the idols, influencers and so on to attend the gallery’s opening. He then paid for people to stand in line to hype up the exhibition on later days. While Da Li agrees that what he did was a good business decision, she doesn’t feel he did the right thing by the gallery. She was initially under the impression that he was just trying to buy his way to increasing the gallery’s profit margins, but he was actually doing it for her joy. If Moo Hak really considered her feelings and truly believed that he could may Da Li happy by doing this, he would’ve told her directly, rather than let it pass by without her notice.
I think this gives us a clue into how Da Li would feel it Tae Jin paid for her debt, or anything for that matter. Ultimately, such a grand gesture is for Tae Jin’s satisfaction/pride and I think he is somewhat aware of this. Da Li seems like someone who truly would appreciate a thought more than an expensive object or grand gesture.
For a seemingly light show, I feel like Dali and Gamjatang is imbued with a lot of meaning.
I also adore the costume design in this show – it says so much about the characters. For example, seeing Moo Hak’s family together – his brother is dressed like a typical chaebol, signalling his desire to blend into high society. Moo Hak’s father dresses in a much more casual outfit that looks rather worn in, which matches well with his attitude, which is still like that of an ordinary working man. Meanwhile, Moo Hak’s stepmother still dresses like chaebol’s mum from a 2000s drama. There’s such a gradient in the family’s sense of style, and funnily enough I found that Moo Hak’s outfit stands out the least at a formal, high-class event. He might not be wearing the latest fashions, but his outfits aren’t completely gaudy. They’re always well-cut and made of quality fabrics. It screams nouveau riche, but to me it doesn’t seem tasteless. Maybe I’m just bored of mediocre chaebol uniforms.
@hotatoes Interesting point that you mentioned- I too don’t think that Da Li liked MooHak paying for her gallery’s publicity, but I don’t think MooHak intentionally did it. He was probably just trying to help in his bumbling way, not realizing that it may make Da Li feel incompetent to draw a crowd herself. However, in Tae Jin’s case, I think he intends to use his money to deliberately make Da Li feel indebted.
I had a disconnect here on a slight inconsistency in Da Li’s characterization. Given that the show portrays Da Li as an independent business lady, during the press conference, she should not have gone to Tae Jin for support on her wardrobe, look etc. For someone who is trying to rebuff advances from an ex-boyfriend, going to the same ex for help may give him wrong ideas.
By the way, I like the costumes in this drama too😊 MooHak’s flamboyant ones and Da Li’s elegant chic.
@Phoenix I don’t think Moo Hak intentionally did anything to undermine Da Li’s principles, but I think part of him had a feeling she wouldn’t approve. Otherwise, he would’ve told her outright like he normally does with business decisions.
I don’t think the issue was that the paid publicity made Da Li feel incompetent. However, it did challenge Da Li’s principles. She felt conflicted between her belief that art should be enough to encourage people to visit a museum and the thought that she should do anything and everything to ensure that the art is appreciated to its fullest by the largest audience possible. While she recognises that a museum runs on money, she’s still very much an intellectual art appreciator who loves art for what it is and believes that money shouldn’t be prioritised over the inherent value of art. But alas, the modern art world is very much about money.
I think the thing is that both Moo Hak and Tae Jin use money to achieve certain ends, but Tae Jin’s money carries stronger obligations/expectations. Moo Hak uses money in the hopes that it will benefit Da Li with no strings attached. Like you mentioned, Tae Jin spends to nurture the bond with Da Li, but he doesn’t realise that a feeling of being indebted to someone rarely grows into love. Imagine feeling like you owe someone before even spending their money!
I’ve noticed viewers mentioning that Da Li’s characterisation is inconsistent. I personally feel like it is very consistent. She is a young woman who is very intelligent, but has absolutely no business acumen, which is understandable because academics aren’t exactly trained for these things. (All the academics I’ve ever met only want research so they can fund more research lol). Suddenly, she’s doggy paddling out of her depth, trying to save a gallery that is the last living remnant of her dead father. Her self-esteem is lower than ever and she’s desperate to hold onto this representation of her father. Given her desperation, Tae Jin’s constant insistence and her realisation (with Moo Hak’s help) that sometimes you have to make sacrifices to run a business, it makes sense that she took advantage of Tae Jin’s connections for the opening event. It cost him very little and she actually paid him back with all the publicity she gave the brands.
Seeing Moo Hak kneel before the artist really drove home his core ideas about business and responsibility. He realises that sometimes people need to negotiate with their pride, principles etc. to achieve their bigger goals.
I actually like that this drama isn’t just about Da Li magically overcoming everything independently. I’d argue that would be less realistic, given her background as an academic who is aware that she is well-off, but has never had to manage a business or substantial finances. There’s a popular narrative that applauds being self-made, but I’d argue that no one is truly self-made and we should make the most of help that is kindly offered to us (and perhaps even if strings are attached).
@hotatoes I find myself agreeing with you. While I’d like that Dali did not need so much bailing out, and by 3 different men (as opposed to a mixture of men and women), I agree that at times it’s necessary to accept help and is the right thing to do, in order to take the next steps forward. Yes absolutely, no one is 100% self-made. We all depend on others.