One interesting word I learned from the Hong Sisters’ drama, “Warm and Cozy” (2015) is “balam” (바람) or “wind.” When used in the idiom “balampida” (바람피다), it acquires the meaning “to cheat on.” The leap from “wind” to “cheating” isn’t hard to imagine when I think of a cheater as a fickle individual, tossing his/her heart carelessly to the winds.

In this episode, I learned another interesting word, “amuna” or “just anyone.”

1. Master and pupil

In Episode 6, Uk brings up the topic of “cheating” and uses “balam.”

He observes Naksu and Yul cooking breakfast together. At first, he smiles at the sight of Naksu fiercely scolding Yul. He tells Donggu that Naksu typically behaves like that. She isn’t one to like *just anyone* and she doesn’t feel bashful in front of others.

He approves of Naksu’s discriminating taste.

Note that word: “just anyone” or “amuna.” I’ll talk about this more in a bit.

But when Donggu points out to him that Yul is “learning” well despite being scolded, he suddenly bristles.

Why?

Because he realizes that the way she scolds Yul is like the way she scolds HIM when she teaches him.

To all appearances, he’s upset that somebody usurping his status as a “pupil.” But I think there’s more than that. He’s upset about that he’s not special.

It dawns on him that, far from treating him as special, Naksu has been treating him just like any other guy. His pride is hurt because all along he thought that they had a unique master-pupil relationship when in reality, Naksu deals with every Tom, Dick, Harry – and Yul – in the same scolding, contemptuous, bossy, brusque, and cavalier manner.

In short, Uk is like “just anyone” or “amuna.” This is the word that Naksu uses with Yul and the Crown Prince.

2. Being the “One and Only”

At breakfast, Uk sulks. While the others praise Yul’s tasty cooking, he’s touchy and grumpy. He resents to hear Naksu complimenting her new pupil.

Naksu: It was frustrating since he could not understand me at all. But he was determined to keep learning. That’s why I kept teaching him.
Uk: (scoffing) Look at you exaggerating. Is this a royal meal or something?
DG: There are things you can learn from preparing a meal. You should learn as well.
Uk: Sadly, I do not have a great master like he does.

He gives Naksu a stink eye which Naksu returns.

After breakfast, he seeks her out while she’s washing dishes.

Uk: Why are you washing them alone? Ask your wonderful student to help you.

He’s implying that if Yul is such a wonderful student then he wouldn’t need to be asked to help her with the chore.

Naksu: He prepared the meal, so I ought to clean up.
Uk: Were you happy to teach him? Do you want him to be your pupil?
Naksu: It would have been easier had he been my pupil.
Uk: (frowning)
Naksu: (continuing) He’s diligent and obedient. He is not lazy or reckless like you.
Uk: Master, do not cheat on me.

There! He said the word “balam.”

Naksu: What?
Uk: I get that you like him since he’s diligent and obedient. But I am your one and only pupil. A master should not have multiple pupils and vice versa.

Note: He tries to appear reasonable and logical. He doesn’t deny that Yul is a superior pupil but he’s reminding her that they have a previous agreement/contract as master and pupil. He wants an exclusive relationship. They shouldn’t see other people…kinda like dating.

Also note his insistence on being her “one and only” pupil. He doesn’t want to be an “amuna” or just any other pupil.

Naksu: Are you upset because I taught Yul how to cook?
Uk: Yes, I am. How could you teach someone else when your pupil is standing right in front of you? If you are going to teach someone how to cook, it should be me.

Lol. Did he get amnesia? A few days back, he was receiving instruction from Master Lee, and Naksu didn’t mind it. In fact, Naksu personally asked Master Lee to take Uk on as pupil.

BTW, the Hong sisters have perfected the petulant, man-child hero with a heart of gold. Check out their male leads in “Sassy Girl ChunHyang,” “You’re Beautiful,” “My Girlfriend is a Gumiho,” and “Warm and Cozy.” This is their stock character.

Uk: (continuing) Teaching someone else is betrayal and cheating.

There he goes with “balam” again!

Naksu: Hmph! I can try to understand the betrayal part but cheating? I am speechless.

Sigh. Remember what I said about the Hong sisters’ obfuscation? Here we go again. So what’s the difference between betrayal and cheating?

This is what I think:

In Uk’s mind, teaching another pupil is a betrayal because he expects a special, individualized and personalized instruction from Naksu. He expects devotion and loyalty from his Teacher (remember what I wrote about loyalty vs duty?) and with that devotion and loyalty comes exclusivity.

In short, she can’t be devoted or loyal to two people at the same time.

But Naksu sees things differently. As long as she performs her duty well as a teacher and the pupil receives the proper instruction, then there’s no need for an exclusive — or monogamous — relationship. As far as she’s concerned, it’s irrelevant who teaches Uk Jipsu, Ryusu, or Chisu. It can be Master Lee or her. What matters is that Uk learns to control his energy soon.

Uk: (quietly) I am certain that I sensed cheating.

Flashback to when Naksu quietly gazing at Yul.

Uk senses cheating back then.

Note, however, that Naksu wasn’t teaching Yul at that time. This should tell us that his feelings had nothing to do with their master-pupil relationship. He senses cheating because he didn’t want Naksu to gaze at Yul with a different expression on her face. He wants her to look at Yul just like she does with any other guy.

Uk: (thinking to himself) What was that?
Naksu: What is it this time?
Uk: (emphatic) MuDeok, do not cheat on me. It hurts and upsets me.

Naksu: I did not know my pupil was this possessive. Fine. My one and only pupil will be you who spews nonsense first thing in the morning. Happy?

She makes it very obvious that she’s only humoring him. There’s no sincerity in her words, only mockery.

Uk: But –

Then, Donggu calls out for MuDeok.

Naksu: Young master. Would I be cheating if I addressed others as Young Masters and answered their calls?
Uk: (giving it a serious thought) That cannot be helped. But when you address them, be a bit indifferent.
Naksu: How ridiculous!

She stands up to go to Donggu. She calls out in a cloying voice, “Young Master Park! I am coming!

Uk: (sighing) MuDeok, you are hurting my feelings. I told you to be indifferent!

3. The tree

The four of them are standing in front of the tree. Yul has been wanting to visit this tree because Naksu once told him when they were young that she could see the entirety of Danhyanggok from up there. While he’s recalling Naksu’s words in his head, MuDeok speaks out and says same exact words.

Naksu: You can see the entirety of Danhyanggok from up there.
Donggu: Does that mean you have climbed up that three before, MuDeok?

Everybody stares at Naksu. She realizes that she made a blunder. She can’t reveal her real identity to their visitors. Only Yul knows that climbing that tree was no big deal for her in her previous life.

Note too that while Yul remembers what the young Naksu told him many years, the Naksu/MuDeok doesn’t remember. She’s merely stating a fact about the tree. She didn’t know that she had said it to Yul, and that Yul remembers.

Naksu: That was just my guess since the tree was so tall.
Donggu: Then do you want to climb it? Should I help you get up there?
Uk: Donggu, you cannot climb that tree. You need to have mastered at least Chisu to go up there.
Yul: Is that so? Should I try?
Donggu: (answering for Naksu) Yes. Maybe you could do it. MuDeok, go with him.
Yul: Do you want to go up there?

Uk worriedly looks at Yul while Naksu looks at Uk. She must be have remembered asking Uk to bring her up to the top of the trees once he gains his skill. Uk looks back at Naksu. He looks glum because he fully expects Naksu to agree to go up with Yul. He and Naksu exchange glances.

Naksu: (telling Yul) No, thank you. I do not want to climb such a great tree with just anyone.

She then turns and leaves them.

Yul: “Just anyone?”

Lol. He must be feeling like chopped liver then.

Donggu: I guess she is too afraid to go up there. Let’s go.

He and Yul depart. Uk follows them but not before he gave an approving sign.

My Comments:

a. Most viewers think that this is the first time this word “amuna” or “just anyone” comes up in the episode. They missed Uk mentioning it earlier because the subber did not explicitly use the word in the translation.

I had to look at the Korean close captioning. Lol.

In the context of the drama, the word “amuna” implies being non-exceptional, ordinary, mediocre, or one-in-a-crowd. A person who’s “amuna” is the opposite of being “one and only” individual.

b. Uk is thrilled that he’s not “amuna” or “just anybody” to her.

When he asked her if she would like to climb up the tree once again, she asked him in particular to do her a favor.

Uk: I wanted to do nothing, but I feel motivated to climb this tree. You said you want to see the moon from there so I would like to try. Do you wish to go up there?
Naksu: You must master Chisu in order to be able to climb up there.
Uk: Do you wish to go up there?
Naksu: Then do me a favor, Jang Uk. Take me up there.
Uk: Fine. I will take you to the top of that tree.

gifs from alderaans’ tumblr

source: alderaan’s tumblr

She singled him out as the person to bring her up there. She favored him over Yul although he was nowhere near Yul’s superior abilities.

c. The other time that she patently showed him that he’s special is when she packed his rice bowl full of chicken.

For Master Lee, she served him plain rice and greens. She “cheated” Master Lee of the peasant he brought home for dinner. But for Uk, she gave him a whole lot of protein, probably to strengthen him as he’s been working hard with the Tansu.

Uk wasn’t “just anybody.”

4. Naksu’s cheating

Now, let’s shift our attention to Naksu’s reaction when they learned about Uk’s impending marriage.

Uk: I was never told I was getting married. What’s going on? What’s up Maidservant Kim’s sleeve?
Naksu: Most hastened weddings tend to be shotgun wedding.

Truth! The Hong sisters are saying the quiet part out loud.

Uk: That is not true.
Naksu: You were previously engaged to her. Maybe you could not control yourself.

To me, she’s upset about the news but can’t express it. So instead, she starts a fight with him

Uk: How could she be pregnant when we were never this close?

I think the director should have pulled the camera back a bit here to see Uk’s hand gesture. It seems like Uk is motioning with his hand that he and Choyeon hadn’t even stood close to each other in the way that he and Naksu are standing face-to-face at that very moment.

I thought this is funny. Naksu is constantly in danger of becoming pregnant with his child if all it takes to become pregnant is to be within 20 inches of each other. How many times have they been in each other’s space?

Naksu: Right. You are all talk.
Uk: Huh?!

Lol. They’re talking at cross-purposes here. Uk thought she was insulting his sexual prowess, that is, he’s all talk and no action,  But Naksu is actually saying that he’s all talk and bluster. He’s just lying and pretending to be indignant.

Naksu: Then why did you refuse the chaste herb tea?
Uk: That is because…(stops) I have plans to marry later on.
Naksu: Tsk. You must want to get married one day. (walking away)
Uk: Yes, I do. I truly want to. I will get married at all costs. Wait up.

In the boat, they continue their bickering. Uk remains fixated on Maidservant Kim because he thinks this marriage situation is all her doing. He fails to consider that the Jin family instigated the proceeding.

Uk: Come to think of it, Maidservant Kim was against the idea of me living with the wife’s family the last time we discussed marriage with Choyeon. There’s only one reason why this is being discussed again. She wants to save me.
Naksu: She must have made a deal with the Jin family to avoid your duel with the Crown Prince.
Uk: She probably needed Lady Jin’s help.
Naksu: If that were the case, will you get married?
Uk: What should I do, Master? Should I get married?

Lol. This reminds me of the earlier scene when Naksu asked him if it would be cheating if she addressed others as Young Masters too.

Both times, they asked for guidance and pretended to care about the other person’s opinions when in truth, they were trying to provoke a reaction. This is how they bicker.

But Naksu doesn’t snap back as usual. She just stares at him.

Uk: Can I?
Naksu: (looks away) If you do, we can no longer stay in Danhyanggok.
Uk: Right. I should return home.
Naksu: Even still, we cannot have this relationship.

True. If he gets married, they can no longer stay in Danhanggok because he’s expected to live with his wife. But more important than the matter of his residency, they can no longer continue their master-pupil relationship. His wife will come in between them.

As I said, their master-pupil relationship resembles a monogamy because Uk insists on it being exclusive. Once he acquires a wife, the dynamics will change because of the third person. Naksu wants no part in a threesome. (Ha!)

Uk: Why not? I can still keep you by my side as my maid.
Naksu: (looking sharply at him) I have no plans to stay by your side as just a maid.
Uk: (speechless)

I think Uk isn’t thinking this through. He can’t have his cake and eat it, too.

When they arrive at the port, Naksu excuses herself.

Naksu: You can go ahead alone. I will be at Chwiseonru. If you do not pick me up, I will go back alone.

My Comments:

a. Yes, becoming “just a maid” is a demotion from being his master. She only agreed to act as his maid because it’s expedient to do so. She wants her energy back.

b. Naksu draws a hard line on the sand. She wants an exclusive relationship — just the two of them — or none at all.

c. But I don’t think she realized that she’s giving up on regaining her energy (her primary goal) if she leaves Uk behind.

d. All along, she’s as possessive as Uk.

He demanded to be her one and only pupil. Naksu demands to be his one and only master. A wife in the picture doesn’t work for her. Although she doesn’t say it, she now understands the concept of betrayal and cheating better.

e. She doesn’t want to be treated like just any other girl (or “amuna”) in his life. She wants to be treated as special. Hence she gives him the ultimatum: come for her at Chwiseonru or she’ll go back alone to Danhwanggok.

I find this is a bit ironic. The Chwiseonru is full of “other girls” but she sets herself apart from them.

f. She leaves with dignity, without looking back. I like that.

5. The Crown Prince

CP: What will happen to you if he gets married? Will you go with him.
Naksu: No. I will not.
CP: Why not? Did he refuse? You were even willing to drink filthy chamber pot water for him. He knows neither loyalty nor duty.
Naksu: He does know a bit, Your Royal Highness.
CP: Are you taking his side? You were always bad-mouthing him.
Naksu: I am sorry, YRH. It would please you if I bad-mouthed him, but I’ve no energy to run my mouth right now.
CP: (grinning) You are a filthy mutt who will be abandoned by its owner.
Naksu: (glares at him)
CP: (looks uncomfortable) Should I take you in? I can do that. There must be things you can do here, too.
Naksu: No, thank you. I may be a filthy girl whom everyone avoids, but I refuse to serve just anyone. (frowning)

If Uk had been here to witness this moment, he would’ve felt proud. Naksu chooses to serve him and nobody else.

CP: Forget it. I do not want someone filthy by my side either. You may leave.

After she leaves, the Crown Prince mulls over her word, “amuegana.”

CP: “Just anyone”? But I’m the Crown Prince. Filthy MuDeok does not know to whom she’s speaking.

My Comment:

Here we can reflect on what distinguishes a person from “just anybody.”

Yul shouldn’t have been “amuna” in MuDeok’s eyes, given his noble character and genius abilities.

Similarly, the Crown Prince shouldn’t have been “amuegana” in her eyes, given his rank in the kingdom.

But neither superior rank nor qualities makes an individual stand out from “just anybody.”

To me, what distinguishes Uk from everybody else is the time, effort, and care that Naksu has bestowed upon him. He’s no longer “just anybody” to her. He’s become unique in her eyes because she has invested herself in him.

I don’t think Uk needs to worry about Naksu cheating on him.

That’s it for now. 🙂