This is going to be short because I need to move on to Ep 8.

Link to Part 1

Link to Part 2

8. Netflix’s subs: Ghosts vs Illusions

In Episode 7 when the CP and Yul were talking about the illusion they saw, the subber didn’t use the actual word they used. The CP and Yul called their vision a “heokkaebi” (허깨비) or “ghost.”

When Uk encountered the ghost in the mirror, Netflix subbed Yul’s words as “That is not you. It is fake.”

Yul actually said, “That’s not you right now. It’s an illusion. It’s a ghost.”

I think this is the first time the word “heosang” (허상) or “illusion” was brought up.

So when Uk was punching the mirror, he told it to shut up because it was only a *ghost.* The mirror clarified what it really was. It answered, “Right. An illusion that reflects on you.” It wasn’t a ghost.

That’s why Uk was listening to it intently. He was learning something new about human psychology that he would then apply to his current ordeal.

The image wasn’t merely a ghostly apparition. It was an illusion.

Anyway, my point here is that we can appreciate Netflix’s subs for their timely release. We don’t have to wait like with the Viki platform. But with speed, we sometimes sacrifice nuance and/or accuracy.

Another example is the chaste tea.

The subber translated the drink as “chaste tea.” But the Korean phrase that Master Lee said was “dangeun” ( 단근). He even enunciated it, “Dan! Geun!”

According to google, dangeun means “short root.”

Hahaha. The image of a small carrot popped up in my head.

source: greensandmachines.com

It’s so so so so much funnier in Korean.

Can you imagine the horror that Uk felt when Master Lee said that his penis was going to be a “short root”?

9. Blessed by the heavens

Before Naksu went off to her rendezvous with Gilju, she looked up at the skies.

Uk: I am glad I reminded you to be loyal and dutiful. I could have actually died.
Naksu: Now that I have helped you escape death, fight like your life depends on it, my pupil.
Uk: You make it sound like you saved my life.
Naksu: If the cloudy sky blesses us with rain, then we both might be able to live.

My Comments:

a. This reminded me of the King in Episode 1 when he told Jang Gang, “I am a king protected by the skies.” Uk is similarly protected and favored by the skies. Of course, this belief that the king is protected by the heavens justifies the “Divine Right” of kings, the Korean version. That is, the gods choose the king, and the king gets his authority/power to rule from the gods. The citizens must obey him as they obey their gods. However, if calamity falls upon the kingdom like drought, then it’s the King’s fault for he has displeased the gods.

That’s why the current King and the CP are worried about the absence of the King’s Star on their birthdays. The people may view this as a sign that they aren’t the Chosen One, and the legitimate ruler of the kingdom.

b. The rain ties in nicely with Uk’s water designation. I already said that Uk is tied to water. Hence, his penchant for bath. He’s the King’s Star. On his birthday, the star appeared at “the center of the Big Dipper that contains nature’s secrets. It only reveals itself when the sky is filled with the energy of the Daeho waters.”

c. Also note the “pathetic fallacy” here. The weather is used by the writer to show the mood of the situation. There’s thunder and lightning, not only to mirror the violent encounter between Uk and Gilju, but also to reflect the turbulent feelings between Park Jin and Maidservant Kim when he confronted her about Jang Gang’s sorcery.

10. Lucky Uk?

Naksu has repeatedly said that that Uk is lucky.

When Uk arrived at the temple to fend off Gilju, Naksu’s first comment was to him was “You really are one lucky fellow, Uk. It’s raining cats and dogs.” Uk retorted, “Don’t you think my opponent is a bit too strong? He is a Cheonbugwan mage.”

Off the top of my head, I remember three other times she mentioned luck.

One, when Naksu discovered that Heo Yeom transferred his torrent of energy to Uk. She said, “It takes ten years to gather this kind of torrent. You got it for free. It’s Heo Yeom’s, the best you could ask for. You are one lucky punk.”

Two, when they met Master Lee in Episode 5. Naksu said that it’s a rare opportunity to be taught by a teacher like Master Lee. “It takes a lot of luck to meet someone like him.”

But instead of availing of Master Lee’s tried-and-tested method of instruction, he was taught by Naksu.

Three, in Episode 6, when Uk groused that Naksu didn’t care whether he died of poison, flogging, being stabbed or his hand exploding. Naksu turned her back on him and coldly told him that she didn’t have to worry about his wellbeing because he was extremely lucky and worthy. Meaning, she expected him to survive no matter what anyway, so her pity was going to be wasted on him. lol.

Uk’s luck is tied in with his fate. As I said before, he’s on collision course with his destiny. Sure, everything seems to be falling in place, (i.e., the stars are aligned) and he doesn’t have to do anything.

But I think Uk makes his own luck. He’s arrived at this stage because he struggled, persevered, and fought for what he wanted.

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Have to end it here and move on.