Second to the last Q&A.

1. Who is Mae Hyang?

She seems to be a family member of the King who was deposed by Prince2 and Prince Yul’s grandfather. Hence, she was seen in a previous episode praying before the portrait of a dead king.

I’m glad that she wasn’t given a lot of screentime in this drama. She’s only a plot device, a wild card to create an unexpected turmoil in the plot. I dislike it when side characters like her (note, “River Where the Moon Rises”) are given their own background story because it takes away time and focus on the heroine.

2. How did Haram get to his father’s grave and childhood home when he’s blind, or should you even care?

I’m sure in the original book, the writer would have gone over the details of the hardship he and CheongKi went through to journey from point A to points B and C.

But in this drama, thank goodness the director didn’t bore me with their travel itinerary. Unlike many viewers, I don’t worry about these details because I focus on the big picture.

And the big picture here is that HaRam reveals to CheongKi unknown information about his family and childhood. He told her of his family’s affinity with the water. He showed her his family’s ancestral home.

In the future, if ever they become separated, she’ll know where to go and search for him.

3. Is the Hwacha good?

So far, none of the gods and spirits have been shown to lie. They say what they mean and mean what they say. However, there are some things which they leave UNSAID. And that’s where trouble happens.

Thus, when the Hwacha says he only takes paintings, I’m taking his word for it.

CK: … What was missing?
Hwacha: Divine painter. I’m here to make a deal.
CK: Could I ask you one thing?
Hwacha: Are you not prepared yet?
CK: What is the reason that my royal portrait was ripped?
Hwacha: That is because you did not bargain with me. A divine painting that did not make a deal with Hwacha cannot be deemed complete.
CK: What does that mean?
Hwacha: If you bargain with me, my spirit seeps into you, and you will be able to complete a divine royal portrait.

Oh, that’s it??! So basically the painting didn’t work last time because it didn’t have Hwacha’s “blessing” or “stamp of approval” to become a divine royal portrait?

CK: Then, if I don’t bargain with you, will I not be able to complete a divine royal portrait?
Hwacha: No. The painter who painted the burnt King Yeongjong’s royal portrait also made a deal with me to complete the royal portrait to seal MaWang.

Ahhhh…her father had the green aura. But the other painter didn’t. Is that why her father wasn’t possessed by Hwacha but the other painter was? Her father already made a deal prior to painting.

Hwacha: (looking at her wounded hand) Mawang’s handprint. Can you paint?
CK: I can.
Hwacha: You cannot paint with that hand. Will you fix your hand and paint?
CK: Yes.
Hwacha: Then first bargain with me.

She then decided to trust it.

CK: But is it truly alright? Will I not become mad or die?
Hwacha: I do not steal lives. I only take the painting.
CK: All right. I shall bargain with you.
Hwacha: (wordlessly offered his hand) The deal is complete. Do not hold a paintbrush until you get to the sealing ritual.
CK: What do you mean? I do not have enough time even if I start now and paint all night. If you do not do as I say, you shall never be able to hold a paintbrush.

As for that other painter, Painter Sim Dae Yu, whose father was Master Gan Yun Guk, I hope the Bad Shaman’s spell over him has ended.

If he’s already a disciple of Hwacha, then Hwacha doesn’t have to possess him like it did with Master Gan.

Painter Sim should side with the good guys, then.

4. Will Shaman turn good?

I doubt it but I’m willing to be proven wrong.

5. The power of the water?

With the power of the ring gone, Haram must rely on the power of the water. He’s the water demon, anyway. I like how this sealing ceremony at the end ties in with the water ritual in the beginning.

Yul: Is that divine ring?
Haram: Yes. But this ring appears to be dangerous.
Yul: What do you mean?
Haram: My ancestor appeared in a dream and told me that keeping this ring will mean coexisting with Mawang. It seems that this ring must be broken before the sealing ritual.
Yul: If that ring brings bad fortune, then breaking it could provide a solution.

It also means that nobody (not even the Shaman) can control Mawang with the ring. Destroying the ring was one thing less to worry about.

Just a recap then of everybody’s different powers that they’re bringing to the sealing ritual.

CheongKi: her power from the Hwacha
Haram: his power of water from his ancestors

Yes. Yes. But I’d like to see what he can do with the water to defeat Mawang.

HoRyeong: its power of the Tiger spirit
Samshin: her goddess power
Bad Shaman: her divine power to seal Mawang
Prince Yul: his small Tiger sword that can slay spirits and human. Its power is from the spirit (or spite) of the one who wields it.

On the other side, we have:

Mawang: its eyes which are currently with CheongKi
Prince2: his power to royally mess up the best-laid plans of everybody else

6. Should I pity Prince2 after his angry accusation of parental neglect?

Nice try. But nope.

Even before Mawang went through him, he already coveted the throne for himself. He thought he’d make a superior Crown Prince and ruler, than his older brother.

If I didn’t see him kick Prince Yul so he could free Mawang himself, then I’d probably feel sorry for him.

7. Lovers of the Red Sky? 

The sealing ritual takes place on the night of the red sky. If CheongKi and Haram are going to be true lovers of the red sky, and not tragic victims of the red sky, they better survive this ritual.