The thread is now open.
I’m having a hard time picking the gifs from a memorable scene in the last two episodes. Yeah, this drama is riveting.
Gifs from seawherethesunsets’ tumblr
This is Naksu’s will to protect Uk with the small body that she has.
And this is Uk and Naksu/MuDeok supercharging like the Power Rangers.
lol.
Let’s enjoy the show.
Yawn! Are we already heading towards filler episodes because this was certainly one! We do have a lot of developments now in the flashbacks (of barely few seconds), sort of confirming things we already knew.
1. Jang Kang may have had a hand in Naksu’s father death. However, his crying signals, this may have happened by accident. JK was shedding no tears when he soul shifted and killed other soul shifters. That doesn’t seem to be the case with Naksu’s father. Either he didn’t expect him to go wild or he was soul shifted by mistake.
2. Mu deok is bu yeon. I hope they don’t prolong this mystery any longer because it’s clear as day now.
3. It does make sense now why Jin Ho gyeong never thought MD could be BY because BY was blind since birth. So it was really the Alchemy of Souls that made her see? I doubt!
4. Jin mu was behind Bu yeon disappearing. I feel Jin Mu is deceiving Danju too. She thinks Bu Yeon is dead but it’s very unlike Jin Mu to always be someone’s subordinate. He wouldn’t discard the very powerful Bu yeon this easily knowing that she could come to his aid someday.
Sometimes this show really looks like a cringey teenage drama. This episode was somewhat like that. Need more of JU and MD and less of JU and Heo Yoon Ok.
Enjoyed the change of pace this episode provided. There was less urgency and action, naturally so, to give all a chance to adjust to the new change in circumstances. Without the imminent danger of how will JU survive the duel with CP, this breathing room now allowed for deeper emotional introspection.
I didn’t see it as a filler episode. Instead, the “action” was all in the emotional realizations and emotional growth in the characters.
There were so many beautifully done emotional moments:
– For the first time I could really feel Yul’s longing and sadness multiple times this episode.
– JU’s expression when Heo’s niece tells him she was told she looks like his mother Do-Hwa, was so poignant.
– Mudeok/Naksu going from wondering if she’s not wanted to her realizing Ju’s feelings about her.
I liked the additional detail and the breathing room this episode provided.
One prediction:
– The con girl from Sari village who is searching for MuDeok will likely be captured by Jin Mu and made to pretend she’s BuYeon (when by now it’s fairly obvious it is MuDeok who is BuYeon, especially since her eye cover has the Jin crest on it). Btw, she’s the “I have no chingu” actress from Business Proposal.
– She’ll make it in, but likely the Jin mother will quickly grow suspicious since fake Buyeon will not be able to sense the energies, eg like young BuYeon could sense the dead bird in the cage.
Off to work, more to come in a few.
P.s. started attorney woo last night in a bid to help pass the time between AOS episodes and as so many readers here have said, it’s really well done. Enjoying that too!
Kalispera!
What an episode!
One other fun realization I saw courtesy Twitter, is the song they used in the celebration is actually a Kpop song https://twitter.com/leexhwng/status/1548135418222166016?s=21&t=tEoPv7EwXCjRwTjPJx-6kQ
It’s from Oh My Girl, the band Arin ie the actress playing ChoYeon is in. Such a nice level of detail and fun to add to the show.
*To continue my thoughts:
Episode 9 gave us a lot to ponder about.
First of all, Jang Kang has hidden the ice stone and the evil Jin made the blind BuYeon to find it. In the meantime, evil Jin knows that she died along with the Queen, but they haven’t shared that knowledge to the Jin Matriarch.
Yes, MuDeok is BuYeo,n but something happened to her after she found the ice stone. She is the handler of the ice stone, because as her ancestor the Jin Matriarch 200 years ago, she can summon it.
The reason MuDeok can see is Naksu and the Alchemy of Souls.
They will try to make the new girl / thief to be BY but things will not go as planned. Since MuDeok is still inside her body,regardless that Naksu is the primary soul for now, that means that something will happen along the way, that will make MuDeok to come out eventually.
Those who think that MuDeok won’t be in season 2 should revise after watching Episode 9. As I have said in another thread both MuDeok and Naksu will be there and I continue to believe so.
I am glad that Naksu found out that Uk has feelings for her. This is a step to the right direction.
I am not in to SLS and I have said before Jang Uk and Naksu are Endgame.
My guess is that since MuDeok is really BuYeon and she can handle the Ice Stone, as her ancestor did 200 years ago, BY can bring back Naksu’s body.
Also, I am not that sure that Jang Kang lives somewhere unscathed.
I have a feeling that the evil Jin and the Queen hold him prisoner somewhere.
Lastly, from the Preview on Episode 10, Mage Park doesn’t want to train Jang Uk holding him as a prisoner.
Mage Park is a fool and in a while, he won’t be able to stop what is going to happen. The shift will be imminent and the danger huge.
Evil Jin + Queen + Jin Matriarch Vs the rest…
That’s all for now!
@Wapz,
For Naksu’s father. What really happened was the following:
I think that Jang Kang told his friend. His reaction shows that they were close, to steal Jang Uk’s birthday plate and switch it with a fake.
The thing is why Naksu’s father became a soul shifter in the first place?
We are missing some major data from the past and I think that when we do find out it will be nasty…
Also,
The reason MuDeok went to Naksu in Episode 1 is the following:
MuDeok is really is BuYeon with amnesia or she is pretending that she has forgotten because the evil ones could find her?
From the flashback BuYeon had one expertise. She could sense energies.
So, she went in the scene, because Naksu was omitted great energy herself and MuDeok / BuYeon could sense that.
That is what we actully found out in that flashback with the bird.
BuYeon could sense energies, but couldn’t handle magic herself, like her Father revealed.
Who’s evil Jin?
No, on second thought, don’t tell me. I’ll watch it the drama tonight after my nieces are in bed. 😂 I can’t have them watching kdramas too.
@Packmule3,
I am calling the bad mage Jin as Evil Jin… 🙂
I wish you to enjoy the episode!
Master Heo Yeom is not a good matchmaker.
For me this episode could have been tighter! They spoilt me with all the fun, bickering and adrenaline rushes that I was missing MD and JU time… badly! The one hug wasn’t enough.
I miss MD and JU bickering!
Also, I felt that I had stepped from a drama where we are in the adult world of sorcery to one where we might just stay in magic school for the next ten episodes vibe. Next episode will be about MD trying to get in, JU being locked in and more threats to MD build-up. I miss them working together!
At this point, I am trying to guess the characters who will die. episode 9 scared me a bit as am wondering if everything will be pieced and paced well over the next 11 episodes!!
I have wondered why has MD not thought of starting a training regime for herself too. how will the writers bring UK and MD close together for action again (as was earlier) despite the school premise set-up? I think MD is going to be caught unaware in a few dangerous tangles.
I am a bit disappointed with the announcement of the other actress coming in for the last ten episodes as that means MD will die while somehow Naksu’s body will be resurrected and her soul returns to its own body… that will be sad as I like Naksu’s in MD body — good mix of sass, bravery and magic. And I can’t help but be reminded of this announcement as only 12-13 hours left and I want the story to fall apart only in the 19th episode.
@Cleopatra
Super interesting take aways!
I hope MD and Naksu will be there together in season 2 but I like Naksu in MD’s body. Then again as long as the story is fun, I am ok with anything. But for now I feel that if a burnt body can be resurrected by a stone— the stone will become our Deus ex machina.
I plan to watch the episode again and maybe I will appreciate it better like MrsRJH1 and you. I feel that if I wasn’t live watching what MrsRJH1 says about pace would have been true. This episode was to give everyone a breather and ensure that MD doesn’t try to get JU killed 😀
Theme-wise, the episode was a celebration with separation and unacknowledged relations and some revelations that ensure that the audience knows that they don’t know everything about the past.
I was wondering if the celebration song would lead to a controversy as then they would have to make a choice of an era from which they would pick the music etc.
Oh and the song grows on you (or maybe just me).
After this episode, I thought Jin Mu may have his hands on the whereabouts of Jang Gang. Just a theory for now. He would have been weak then and Ji Mu could have taken advantage of him. If Jang Gang has caught wind that Uk has had his energy opened and mastered Tansu very quicky, as a person who knows how dangerous this can be, you would think Jang Gang would continue to block every single path for Uk to fulfill his destiny. After all Jang Gang took the extreme of closing his energy gate when he was a baby.
I find Uk’s reasoning a bit flawed in why he would be open in using sorcery.. I get that’s noble but we have set of rules to follow to maintain order.. besides, judging whether a person’s doing is punishable or not just based on a person’s true intentions is always hard to prove. Some people would always have a hidden agenda and will mask their true intentions.
He wouldn’t think twice in using sorcery if that means he can save a person. I think this is foreshadowing to the lengths he will go to save Naksu. His answer to Park Jin’s question makes him a very dangerous man in the eyes of Park Jin.
At the beginning of the episode, it’s shown that Uk is not one to follow rules blindly and will stand up to what he thinks is right. Contrast to the end scenes where he grudgingly oblige to ‘follow the rules’ so the leader won’t suspect Naksu. He knows he needs to thread carefully while in Songrim to get the best out of his training while there, or else he’ll get expelled/banished again.
Also, how is Maidservant Kim allowed to be in and out of Songrim, but not Mudeok? Is it because Maidservant Kim has higher status in the Jang household? Did I miss something or plothole?
@Pingpongpang,
Uk is his fathers’son. From all the characters we have seen his ethical code is pretty high.
What he said it is not the medium’s fault if some use it for evil reason. That was the King’s Star talking as well.
A true King / leader will use everything he has in order to do something noble.
I agree with you about in what lengths he will go for Naksu
Park Jin is a fool for me. He is slow witted and cannot see that true danger is ahead of them. He needs everyone who can fight along and I also mean Naksu.
Evil Jin and the Queen will bring havoc in Daeho… We should be ready for that part.
@Noone,
Thank you. I like to see the big picture. We cannot have the characters fighting all the time.
Time is needed subtle changes to happen in an emotional manner. That is how character development happens.
I truly believe that from next week things will change a lot , since the Evil Jin will brought the girl thief that knows MuDeok to impersonate BuYeon. She pretends to be blind and steal people.
She is also, the one who will make evil Jin to take a look at MuDeok and make him realize she is Naksu.
But for now, my bet is that MuDeok will have the last say in all these…
Yes @Cleo on Park Jin being slow-witted and narrow minded. I feel like the writers are mocking and trolling his character. How many times have Master Yeo and Maidservant called him slow witted! That’s pretty much all they say about him 🤣.
Add leader Jin to the trio of evil doers! Other than being her half brother, I initially thought Jin leader abhors Jin Mu because she suspected foul play – Jin Mu was with Bu Yeon when she started missing. But maybe not given she’s ready to join hands with evil Jin Mu to get Bu Yeon back.
I’m waiting for the fake queen’s (who is from the Choi family) and how she came to soul shift to queen’s body.
@Cleopatra
Which is why I love reading everyone’s takes on drams here 🙂
And I agree, 100%, that Jin Mu and the Queen are preparing but our army is still all over the place and they are not looking at the big picture. Another reason why I think this week was the creators lulling us into the quiet before the storm.
An aside:
I haven’t seen today’s episode but have seen the trailer of episode 11. I am excited for next week and my guess is that they have given us a glimpse of two episodes to come instead of one with (of course) things I want to see: the OTP sharing the same screen [though nothing about the dangers that MD doesn’t create for UK (and that will surround her for sure… soon!)].
@NoOne you wrote everything I wanted to say better. While I enjoyed this episode, the adrenaline rush has really been fooling us. When the audience doesn’t get it, the episodes will feel laid back. It is definitely the calm before the storm. So I will rather be greedy and want tighter pacing and action. Plus, these two episodes highlighted that the “soul” of the show is really in Jang Uk and Mu Deok. No other pairing comes close (though I like her interactions with the CP too).
@MrsRHJ1 the new girl is so good. I wouldn’t have guessed she’s the same cosuin from Business Proposal. I hope she keeps getting more roles. And Jin Mu did exactly what was expected. Though, I doubt he isn’t sure that the girl isn’t blind. He probaly chose her because to run away from the thugs she said that she was blind. The girl clearly needs money so she won’t mind going along but her facade won’t last long. If anything I’m hoping Jin Mu doesn’t make her blind.
Episode 10 delivered a lot.
The Highlights for me:
1. All the scenes with the Crown Prince who bonded with Park and Seo in order to make MuDeok pass the first test.
2. Teacher Lee getting swayed by MaidServant Kim.
3. Heo Yoon Ok protected Uk from the others when he went to find MuDeok. She has a crush on him.
4. Teacher Lee giving clues to Jang Uk to read the book of Heart.
5. Finding out what we were suspecting. Master Seo, the Founder of Songrim was helped by the first Jin Matriarch who was also blind.
He was also in love with her.
6. The thief girl was captured by the Evil Jin and the Queen. Their plan to make the current Jin Matriarch their pawn is happening right now.
7. Finally, the feelings are in the open, although Naksu is going to fight them to death. Uk on the other hand is more down to earth.
After watching 10 episodes, we get to see that MuDeok aka BuYeon is indeed a Jin. My theory that she is the reincarnation of the first Jin Matriarch from 200 years ago seems to be valid
OR this is another clue that Jin Matriarchs once in a generation or two are blind but powerful.
So, this as a result brings me to this point:
As @Packmule3 said before, MuDeok is getting stronger physically and that is totally true. It is like her body is adjusting to Naksu’s power.
Maybe that is important to the story? My guess is when BuYeon held the Ice Stone, the artifact “spoke” to her.
Maybe MuDeok needed to become physically strong, hence her decision to be the one who went to Naksu for the soul swap?
It is confirmed that MuDeok / BuYeon sensed Naksu’s power and she went there because MD / BY needed Naksu. The truth power within BuYeon needed Naksu. BuYeon’s destiny is interwined with Naksu’s fate.
If we take into consideration what really happens in ALCHEMY with transmutation, their liaison is to change them both, to transform them into something else.
And that’s my thoughts for now.
@Pingpongpang,
The Jin Matriarch didn’t know that her half brother Evil Jin had to do with BuYeon’s disappearance. If she knew, she would have killed him in the first place.
Mage Park gives us comic relief but I don’t want him to be solid rock. He needs to gather all the good fighters he can.
@Noone,
I don’t think that they know what is happening. If someone is aware about it, is Master Lee, but he is not talking at the moment.
Also, the reason that he keeps saying to Uk to become his teacher is important to me. He can see UK’s potential and he wants to utilize it fully. That’s why he is helping them from the side! Teacher Lee doesn’t want him to be a prisoner in Songrim when important issues are at hand.
Yes, you are right, here in B.O.D. the regulars but also others, have make a nice community here where we can talk with respect to each other and share our thoughts and theories.
We are having fun and we are communicating. 🙂
Just saw episode 10 and it was so much fun. Again, for me it is about the OTP (first), then the boys (their working together or supporting each other) and their romances and Master Lee. I really enjoy Master Lee. Even the Maidservant is super cute when UK is trying to wrap her around his finger.
@Cleopatra just like you, Master Lee trying to get UK to accept him as his teacher is interesting for me too. I think they will use it soon as UK in school will be binding and boring after a while as this is not Harry Potter and UK is 20 and we are in an imaginary world where he is already engaged once… so is expected to marry soon unlike the 13 year old Harry who had 7 years to deal with he-who-must-not-be-named.
And of course, they don’t know but given that MD is an ex-assaisn, I don’t get why she doesn’t keep track of her ex boss (Danju) or is more aware of how dangers might be lurking for her beyond the Songrim.
I am glad that episode 10 was different from 9. Now the wait will be super long for episode 11 and I really am looking forward to it. The OTP and their clash is back. I just hope our CP comes to our side and doesn’t get manipulated by Jin MU ever again.
Also, I don’t get Naksu. She got to know in episode 9 that UK has feelings for her, in episode 9 she is desperate to be with him but she doesn’t clarify it as anything but “survival”. In episode 10 beginning she is like feelings might have seeped in but once I hatch, I will fly away. Yet, didn’t she learn in episode 8 that the four families are not to blame for her dad’s death and she accepted it so… so she has no purpose after getting her strength back again and by that logic, where will go post getting power? Then in episode 9, the entire boat episode is after she says that she will leave these feelings behind yet she runs after UK and her smile is that of someone wishing her beloved a safe journey. Then, in the end she agrees that it was a love letter… yet she is going to fight her feelings to death (and literally death because we have her saying that UK should fight and be defeated in VO of the next episode — Teacher mode at play where she is ready to do anything to get her student to excel!)?
@Wapz : I return the compliment, my friend. You said almost everything I felt about episode 9 when I came to see if it was just me. I felt validated when I read your opinion (though I confess that I had just skimmed the episode then [maybe because I didn’t see UK and MD together much and they had promoted the episode as one where feelings will be deepened or something that I felt cheated upon! and in UK’s tone: it definitely was cheating! 😀 ].
I loved the poem at the end and lord, Uk understood the subtle love letter, I would never have got it if I were him. The last exchange and MD’s inner dialogue to finish the race were precious. Master Lee+Madiservant Kim’s interaction was just too funny. And I really did enjoy episode 10!
The book with blank pages is another nod to Harry Potter. The philosophical love poem was lovely. I love how the writers give a fresh spin to familiar tropes.
Loved ep 10 so much. The writing and directing is genius. They’re making us feel the same yearning and eagerness that Uk and Naksu are feeling as they were apart.
Then the subtle detail of Naksu, who lived all her life by herself, no loving relationships, now so unguarded and giving in to pure instinct – as these feelings are all so new for her – to chase wildly after Uk to see him on the boat. Such an impactful scene, I actually teared up. Such character growth for Naksu. And then Uk’s face, with such delight, not just to see her but to realize her feelings for him. Every emotion nuance is perfect Even with the other characters, from CP’s delight at the camaraderie and happiness at being included to Master Lee.
Riveting is certainly the right word for this drama.
How beautiful was that poem:
“You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.
You cannot tough fire, but it is inside the tree.
You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock.
If you let them be, they will exist everywhere.
The faint blue light makes me sigh,
My white breath turned into snow and tears
I could not let them drop and hid them.
Despite knowing that they will fill up once again.
I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.”
Grrrrr. 😈 Don’t do this, @Snowflower. Don’t leave me hanging.
What blank book in Harry Potter?
@NoOne,
Kalimera. We cannot expect from a girl like Naksu who grew up all by herself to be a different person from what she really is. She is acting like she doesn’t need love or Jang Uk when in reality she is afraid that she actually does.
I do hope Hong Sisters won’t drag this trope, as they have done in “A Korean Odyssey”.
I also don’t like they are continue to drag the SLS – triangle. Although Yul knows that Naksu wants Jang Uk, he still goes after her and demands things from her, based on the preview of Episode 11.
The Crown Prince will choose the good guys.
Everything we have seen so far, foreshadows the CP will bond with Jang Uk and the others. Evil Jin underestimates his power over the CP and that would be his downfall.
@MrsRJH1,
Thank you for trascribing the poem of Heart for us. It is to poignant to ignore!
I loved the poem 🙂
@MrsRJH1 I wish there was a like button and I would have clicked it on your description/comment on episode 10.
@Cleopatra Kalimera (is that right for Good Morning?)! True, she has had it tough and she is still strong.
For some reason all the mention of snow in the poem reminded me of Goblin and his banishment years in the white snow land. I wonder if the founder and his beloved also had a sad story (UK hints at it — if the letter had been delivered it would be at the Jinminsong [not sure if I got that right 🙁 ]).
I can’t help but repeat: Saturday is too far.
Thanks for posting the poem, @MrsRJH1. Saves me time and trouble.
When Master Lee dropped the clue, “How does a love letter begin?” I instantly thought of “My dearest love.” Who calls one’s lover by his/her full name? 🤪 But I think I know why.
@Fern, what was the flower that Yul gave MuDeok? Was it stock flower?
Gummy’s song is out!
Gummy – Raindrops
@pm3, Harry Potter finds a book with blank pages in HP and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2). It turns out to be the secret diary of Tom Riddle, the teenage Voldemort. Harry starts writing on the blank page and the book/Voldemort answers. Harry destroys the book with a basilisk fang. A couple of years later Dumbledore tells Harry that the book was a Horcrux, an evil object holding a piece of Voldemort’s soul.
Ahhh. Thanks, @Snowflower.
Uk tried to singe the book so the writing would appear. I guess, he thought the ink was lemon juice?
Then he wanted to splatter it with black ink, thinking the letters would stand out in contrast?
I wonder how the other mages did it. Incantations? Magic spells?
@NoOne,
Yes kalimera (or καλημέρα) in Greek means Good morning!
I can understand why you were thinking about Goblin, but the poem suits perfectly Jang Uk since he is the winter from the Four Seasons.
Especiall the verse “the faint blue light makes sigh”
does it mean that the Jin Matriach from 200 years ago, shares the same mark with Naksu and MuDeok / BuYeon?
So, we have a couple from the past (Master Seo of Songrim and the first Jin Matriarch) and a couple from the current timeline (Jang Uk and Naksu) that share some specific traits.
It seems the first couple didn’t managed to be together. Is that another foreshadowing? I have to think it over…
What is this drama…I went to bed thinking about it. Woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it, and first thing I do this morning is come to BOD to read more about it. I feel like a teenager again with this obsession haha sadly those days are multiple decades ago.
@cleopatra I think you’re really onto something with the faint blue light comment. That line just seemed so random in the poem, but it would make perfect sense if he was describing her beautiful eyes with the same blue mark MuDeok has. I hope in this reincarnation/present day version they get a happy ending and it’s not foreshadowing anything.
Another interesting thing was the flower shown. It’s a crocus, and I grow them every year. It is the very first flower to grow at the end of winter. It connects both seasons by starting to bloom in winter and continuing to be in bloom into Spring. I wonder if that is some additional symbolism between Jin family (spring) and Jang family (winter)? MD’s robe also was the same shade of purple for much of eps 9 and 10. I wonder if it is symbolizing the growth and realization of their feelings for each other? Or it could just be me overthinking it.
@Packmule, I had the same Q re: how the other mages would have been able to read it, especially since they didn’t know it was a love letter. Also how did they *not* know it was a love letter? Esp with the title being words from my heart or something similar. I wonder if it is as straightforward as the other mages mentioned. Growing one’s concentration powers to such a degree that the magic that kept the words hidden could be easily overcome to reveal the answer. Kind of like breaking a lock versus knowing it’s combination would both unlock it?
@Noone love your perspectives and you word them so beautifully! Re: Naksu, I think she grew up without love or family or care. She was just focused on training herself and her plan for revenge. But she’s a person with deep feels…we saw hints of it in her initial crush on Yul. And then with Uk, she inadvertently fell so deeply in love with him. She doesn’t know how to handle or process these feelings, so she’s unguarded and open in how she shows them, and also naive in thinking she may still have to leave. After all she is a soul shifter, she realizes she could likely petrify soon. As someone with an “expiration date” and illegal Magic, she knows she can only bring sadness and trouble to Uk. She’s fighting her feelings but she’s too deeply gone. And Uk is too determined to let her resist him.
Sadly I must run to work now, but will be back later. So so so grateful for this site and all your reach discussion here. Can’t wait to read your detailed takes on this PM3!
Kalispera @MrsRJH1,
While I was rereading the poem, I found the verse with the “blue light” significant. Since we know that it is also a love poem, that means there would be something that was symbolizing the first Jin Matriarch from 200 years ago.
That “faint blue light” was a signal for his lover.
But at the same time, that “blue light” that is fainting over time – and some eyedrops in AoS current timeline- is how Jang Uk recognized Naksu in the body of MuDeok in the first place.
So, it is important to see the code in the poem.
Love is everywhere Master Seo said, but he couldn’t bring himself to confess to his loved one and I would like to know why…
@MrsRJH1, I also went to bed thinking about this drama. I find the story of the never-sent love letter very moving. It made me think about Beethoven and the Immortal Beloved letter.
The letter was written to an unknown recipient and was never delivered. It was hidden with other personal belongings and discovered after the composer’s death. The letter is the only known instance of Beethoven addressing a woman in an informal/intimate manner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortal_Beloved
Sorry for going on a tangent here, but I just could not stop thinking about it. I hope our OTP does not end up like Master Seo and Seol Ran.
Kalimera everyone!
Let us enjoy this piece of music and you can check the lyrics because does it ring a bell? No? 😋
It is a traditional cover of “Nonstop” from Arin’s group “Oh My Girl”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVQSp7_cZRA
Enjoy!
@MrsRJH1, thanks for pointing out the fun meta reference with the celebration song. I thought it sounded more modern than historical, but gave it a pass because this story takes place somewhere not on maps or in history books. There’s no anachronisms in a land outside recognized place and time.
@Cleopatra, I also liked watching the Crown Prince enjoy his brainstorming session with Yul and Dang Gu. (And the actor, Shin Seung Ho, has not only won me over with his deep voice, but also with his eyebrow moves.) The more time the Crown Prince spends with Yul and Dang Gu, with whom he seems to have a natural affinity, the less power his mentor Jin Mu will have over him. As for the test answers they came up with and passed on to Mu Deok, I wonder if she used them? Wouldn’t it be a hoot to find out they missed some answers she got right on her own? And I’d like to believe she earned her spot on the Songrim staff fair and square. With test cheating an issue in South Korea, I find it surprising Show would make light of such a loaded subject.
@MrsRJH1, I also was moved by the words of the poem. Kudos to the screenwriter for being extra-artistic with words…or did they hire a poet to compose it?
There are parallels between the heroic figures of 200 years ago and our lead couple. The implication is that Uk and MuDeok/Naksu, as a couple, will rise to meet the challenges of another period of chaos in Daeho. Uk may even be better prepared than his historical counterpart, because of his unique parentage combining royal and mage, his training (to some extent) by all twelve mages on the council, his mentoring by Master Lee and Naksu (from opposite ends of the mage spectrum), and his ability to recognize and express love (more openly than his predecessor, I might add). Mu Deok / Jin Bu Yeon + Naksu is probably greater than the sum of her parts. Naksu brings physical and magical strength, focus and determination, and awareness of how evil operates in the mage world. Bu Yeon brings sensitivity to energy, connection to magical artifacts, and a childhood spent in a loving family. The fake blind girl / thief also mentioned that Mu Deok is kind and generous (to a fault, in her opinion). We haven’t seen Bu Yeon / Mu Deok’s backstory, only gotten hints, but she must have been resourceful to survive the trauma that separated her from her family ten years ago and led both Jin Mu and the Queen to believe she’s dead.
I agree with @Packmule3 that Uk loves the soul of Nakdu, not the woman hosting her. Uk knows and openly acknowledges the difference. What will happen when Nakdu’s soul inhabitation of Mu Deok ends? The parallel with the female mage who founded Jinyowon will, I assume, follow with Mu Deok / Bu Yeon. But who knows? It could be that cohabiting in one body will lead to crossover of characteristics of the two individuals.
I look forward to learning more about the city from which so many important women of this story came: Uk’s mother, Mu Deok, fake blind girl, and Master Heo’s granddaughter. It can’t be just coincidence they all are connected to the same place.
I also want to learn more about Jin Mu’s background. The husband of the previous leader of the Jin clan had a child out of wedlock: Jin Mu, half brother of current clan leader Jin Ho Gyeong. He should have been given his father’s surname, but because he was born into a matrilineal clan, he was given the surname Jin as a courtesy despite his illegitimacy. My suspicion is that Jin Mu’s father was from the Choi clan, which Queen Seo Ha Sun (or the soul shifted into her) wants to avenge and resurrect because it was crushed by the other clans.
I can see why the Hong sisters wanted to expand this story over 30 + 10 episodes in two seasons, not that I agree they should, because they need time to play around with numerous pairings. We’ve now got a triangle developing with Master Park, Maidservant Kim, and Master Lee. Uk, Naksu, and Yul are another triangle, complicated by Naksu-MuDeok-Uk being a supernatural triangle. We’ve got the Crown Prince sniffing around Filthy MuDeok, although she’d never be an appropriate choice for Queen Consort (but Jin Bu Yeon is of the correct social rank). Heo Yun Ok has a crush on Uk, although aware he’s got a special place in his heart for Mu Deok; that may not dissuade her, because she’s of the same social class as Uk, but thinks Mu Deok is just a servant. The only pairing that seems relatively uncomplicated at present is Park Dang Gu and Jin Cho Yeon, as they’re attracted to each other and other people aren’t potential rivals.
There are also rivals that will be interesting to watch through their matchups:
— The Crown Prince and Uk. Will they both survive? Who will end up on the throne?
— Younger sister, Jin Cho Yeon, and older sister, Jin Bu Yeon. Will the younger sister’s jealousy lead her to behave treacherously?
Kalimera Ladies,
I wanted to write it down earlier, but I had no time.
Here are the lyrics of the traditional song that was included on Episode 9 and I have posted above. Kudos to the one who think to put it on the show, because it describes fully emotions of a certain person…
”
It doesn’t make sense, does it? Yayayaya
There’s nothing we don’t know about each other
It’s obvious, nanananana
Oh nanananana
There are no secrets between us
If one day we were the only two left
On a deserted island
Just the thought of it is scary
And I might be frowning
But I will never tell you that
My heart fluttered slightly (saljjak seollesseo nan)
My heart fluttered slightly (saljjak seollesseo nan)
My heart fluttered slightly (saljjak seollesseo nan)
“
Who do you think would be singing this? Naksu definitely would… *winks*
I wonder what the mages think of Words of the Heart. They don’t know it’s a love letter. It’s a test of concentration to reveal the words, and presumably one needs to be mastering or have mastered Ryusu to have that level of concentration. But when it comes to the poem itself, what do they think it is teaching (presumably it’s used to teach since they are expected to memorize it)? The first stanza could be taken as a lesson on appreciating nature as it is. But viewed as a teaching lesson, the second stanza seems rather disjointed in itself and from the message of the first stanza?
Hey @Welmaris!
I have said before that the Crown Prince will be with the good guys. I also like the actor, he seems to have grown on me. We don’t know if Naksu has written anything on her answer sheet, although it seems that she didn’t, the time the CP went over her.
Regarding your question, I believe that the CP will become the King and Jang Uk will take the position of Jang Kang in Cheonbugwan. That is what Uk really wants and if you saw what happened when UK was celebrating their banter was exactly that.
CP: -Please become the best mage of Daeho!
UK: -Please become the best ruler of Daeho!
I also believe that there are parallels between the couple in the past, Master Seo and the Jin Matriarch with Jang Uk and Naksu.
I have also written in the latest thread @Packmule that uploaded ealier today, that it would be poignant if the real name of Naksu is Seol Ran.
As for the second Jin daughter, she is not that innocent, so I don’t know what she is capable of…
@MrsRJH1
you are kind. And I have been bitten by the AoS bug, so I am travelling in the same boat. I sleep to it, wake up to read more about it and all the while I keep counting days. 🙂
@Cleopatra I have now been checking out English translations of the songs… some of them seem to be pretty apt for the story. I enjoyed the pseudo historical song and now that you have pointed it out, it makes sense that Uk smiles at MD carrying drinks while the line “there’s nothing we don’t know about each other” plays and of course, Naksu’s heart flutter. She is indeed a flower in the snow covered land.
Happy Wednesday 🙂
@NoOne,
I didn’t mention the scene for all of you to notice it. I have watched it several times over and the way Uk is smiling at Naksu… *grins*
They are pretty apt indeed. Truly she is! *winks*
Welcome to the blog.
In Part 2, I’m explaining the meaning of the second stanza, as I understand it. 🙂
Catching up on the comments now after a self-imposed 24-hour time out to help my brain lessen the overthinking about AOS lol.
@cleopatra thanks for the lyrics of non-stop, you are right they are very apt! And @noone, like you I did the same to see if the song lyrics gave any clues. Both Aching and Raindrops (I think) talk about a flower blooming in the snow. It’s interesting in its repeated theme.
@cleopatra, I am comforted by your thinking that CP will remain one of the good guys. I’m glad he seems like he has his own mind and integrity too. It would have been hard to be so magnanimous in his public congrats to Uk, even doing it for his Filthy MuDeok would not have made it easier. He portrays his loneliness and wanting of bonding with the 4 seasons so well.
@cerunias I too wonder how the other mages interpreted the poem.
@snow flower the Beethoven story is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
These two episodes are slowly moving to a more romantic side of the love story of Jang Uk and Mudeok from the their bickering mode in the past episodes. I wonder how Mudeok know that Jang Uk will be using the boat to go back to Songrim. Is this the safest way not to be caught?
Jang Uk is really getting attention now especially by Park Jin’s standard since he proved to learn more and more quickly on things that other mages learned longer than him.
Although Master Lee guided Uk on how to read those blank pages of the book, it’s in Uk’s creativity that allowed him to read what’s inside the book. Both Mudeok and Jang Uk are getting help (that seems impossible to get but they happened) from the people around them to lead them where they are supposed be. Is it because of the King’s star thing?
Annyeong Chingus! My inbox is bursting with comments! I haven’t watched ep 10 yet because of crazy schedule at work. I hope I can take a bit of breather and catch up with you all this weekend! I try not to read spoilers but it’s becoming challenging to resist 🙊 we’ll see how I hold up to temptation! Haha. I heard there’s some sweet moments between our main leads!
Annyeong 🌼
Love the gifs @PM3 i think Mudeok saved Uk from that soul shifting – yikes! and he was able to kill the soul shifter! UK is amazing! He has grown so much!
I am enjoying this show so much I wish I don’t have to wait a week… but thanks for all the good reads here at BOD.