At first watch, it would seem as if this episode revolved entirely around GaGyeong’s attempt to recover her lost memory of her “date night” with TaeUng after her alcohol-induced blackout. But in fact, this show also portrayed TaeUng remembering his repressed memories of how he was adopted by Sato Shinichi.

Back in Episode 3, Soran briefed GG on his adoption.

SR: Hideo isn’t Sato’s real son. Sato adopted a Joseon boy.
GG: He’s from Joseon?
SR: That’s right. He was an orphan living on the streets in Gyeongseong. He was adopted by Sato when he was about 12. The inspector general comes from a fallen samurai family that came to Joseon in his father’s time. To overcome being a colonial resident, he attended the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and returned to Joseon as a soldier. He adopted a Joseon orphan to show how faithfully he supported Japan’s policies. His adopted son, Sto Hideo, is a Joseon man only by birth. He also graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and works for the Government-General of Joseon. He’s Japanese through and through. More importantly, he’s the inspector general’s son. Keep your guard up around him.
GG: Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.

While GG’s temporary amnesia was alcohol-induced, TU’s memory suppression was trauma-induced. He consciously pushed away the horror he experienced at the time Sato offered to adopt him in order to cope with his coexistence with a killer.

To some extent, the discovery of the KyeamRi massacre file resembles his discovery of his adoptive mother’s adultery. These incidents both shook him to the core and shattered his view and understanding of the world. They were his symbolic “apple” from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Remember now how he hid by the shadow of the red-fruit bearing tree? @WEnchanteur said the fruits were currants, but I didn’t know that Japan had red currants in the 1920s.)

I already explained the confrontation scene of Sato and TU in my previous write-up so it’s GG’s turn now. Let’s start with the opening scene: her dream.

1. The dream

She’s in the jazz bar with TU.

TU: It’s Kim TaeUng. My Joseon name.
GG: Kim. TaeUng.
TU: I like you. (covering her hand with his) I like you, Ms. Geum.
GG: (looking down to see his crossed fingers) Hmm?
TU: I’m lying.
GG: What?
TU: You lied to me too when you said you liked me. (showing his crossed fingers to her)

I’m reminded of the time she explained to NoMa the difference between crossed fingers hidden behind the back and crossed fingers displayed in the air. The former meant she was telling a lie. The latter meant she was hoping for good luck.

TU stands up, puts on his coat jacket, and walks out.

GG: (blubbering) Oh! But that wasn’t a lie? I mean, that was a lie, but… Mr. Sato! Where are you going? Mr. Sato. Mr… (screaming) Yah! Kim TaeUng!

Then she wakes up.

My comments:

a. It is said that dreams are a way for our brains to consolidate old memories. I think GG’s old memory of their first confrontation in his office after she joined his department is triggered by the princess carry. I’ll explain shortly….

b. GG remembers his real name. Although she was ready to black out at that bar that time, she still remembered him telling her his Joseon name.

c. I also think that, before she blacked out, she guessed what TU was about to tell her. Like SoRan, she sensed that he has feelings for her.

d. The dream also allows GG to process her emotions. For instance, she worries that she’s unable to restore his trust. She’s lied to him so many times that it’s become difficult for her to entangle the truth from the falsehoods.

Hence, she attempts to decrease her lies, e.g., when TU asks her suspiciously how she found out about the spelling of “pneumatic tube,” she doesn’t deny looking at his papers, but she covers up her spying by saying it’s all in the line of duties. She learns the new words because it’s work.

Also, her dream seems to indicate that she’s terrified that TU will retaliate for all the lies she’s told him, and that she’ll get a taste of her own medicine.

e. Last, her dream appears to indicate that she fears that TU will abandon her after finding out about her deception. No amount of screaming will get him to come back.

By the end of this episode, however, when TU and GG reach a turning point in their relationship, GG is able to navigate it by calling him by his Joseon name…just like in her dream.

2. What event triggered her dream?

Short answer:

I think the princess carry triggered her dream. 😊

Long answer:

The following morning after her black-out, TU is visibly annoyed with her because she’s forgotten all about their “date”. I can’t blame the guy because he totally fell for her drunken requests to:

a) be carried like a princess like she’s seen him carry his little sister, and
Note: this implies that his action made a lasting impression on her. She can’t forget their first encounter.

b) be allowed to call him by his Joseon name.
Note: this implies that, moving forward, his name will serve like an exclusive term of endearment for just the two of them.

Remember now, TU’s always been in two minds about her. Back in Episode 3, she told him that she applied for the job at the Government-General because she liked him.

Now’s a good time to reexamine that dialogue and see how it connects to her dream.

TU: Ms. Geum. Have you ever told anything that was actually true?
GG: What?
TU: I’m asking if you’ve ever been honest, even just once.
GG: Of course, I have. Do you think I lie all the time?
TU: Isn’t that another lie?
GG: You really don’t trust people, do you?

We now understand his trust issues. He saw his adoptive mother cheating on Sato, and he was told that she “abandoned” them. In his eyes, his adoptive mother resembles GG… which is funny considering that GG is his adoptive mom’s secret daughter.

TU: Can you blame me? Think about everything you’ve done to me, Ms. Geum. This is the fourth time we have met. First at Gyeongseong Station. Then at Mr. Yoo Philip’s house. The third was at The First Jongno Pawnshop. Let’s chalk those up to coincidence. But the fourth time can’t be a coincidence. You asked Mr. Yoo to join the Government-General, in my division of all places. I give you my word. If you’re honest with me just once, without deceiving me, I’ll consider you my colleague. Why did you go through Mr. Yoo to come to the Government-General?

He didn’t trust her; he suspected that she had a motive for joining his department. However, he couldn’t make that leap that she was a spy for Gugukdan. His instincts are good, but his deduction skills are not up to par.

GG: (not answering)
TU: Why do you keep getting involved with me?
GG: (silent)
TU: I knew you’d have nothing to say.
GG: I like you. I’ve had feelings for you since we first met. That’s why I came here. (but her fingers were crossed behind her back) Now will you consider me your colleague?
TU: You’re surprisingly easy to fool.
GG: Sorry?
TU: That was a lie. You’re not the only one who can lie.

And this is the scene that’s replayed in GG’s dream: TU mocks her that he can lie like her.

GG: Oh wow. You’re really a good liar. I almost fell for it back then too.
TU: Ah. The princess? The day you stole my wallet?

In my opinion, this is how GG’s dream was triggered. When she was drunk, she asked TU for a princess’ carry because she saw him carrying his sister like a princess. Subconsciously, she remembered their conversation when he admitted that he was adept at lying too. Not only did he lie at their first meeting when he said that he was carrying a Japanese princess, but he also lied to her on their fourth meeting when he said he’d treat her like his colleague if she honestly answered why she was working for him.

I think GG realizes, in her dream, that her drunken interaction with him has gone beyond being mere colleagues at work. She can’t lie about her real feelings in her dream.

3. Make-a-wish foundation

As for TU, he doesn’t need dreams to tell him that he’s started to see GG in a different light. It all happened in the bar for him. He closed then opened his eyes and all he could see was GG.

Previously, he couldn’t make up his mind about her. Remember the photo shop incident when he was under the black cloth, trying to help the photographer get the right focus?

Photographer: I’ll adjust it, so tell me when it looks clear to you. (talking to GG) Give me a big smile.
GG: (grinning widely)
Photographer: There. Is it clear?
TU: I’m not sure.
Photographer: Let’s try again.
GG: (smiling again)
Photographer: Are you still not sure?
TU: (not answering)

Well, in Episode 7, GG gave him the instructions, and he finally saw her with clarity.

GG: Now, just do as I say. First close your eyes and count to three. Then open them, and whatever you see first, make that your goal. You should try it sometime. You have to pay for everything, except breathing in this world. This is one thing you can do for free. You just need to blink.
TU: (closing his eyes and opening them to see GG in clear focus)
GG: I’m not making it up. It’s true.
TU: (coming to a realization) Yes. I suppose you’re right.
GG: What? I can’t hear you with all this noise.
TU: It’s Kim TaeEung. My Joseon name.

Thus, even when she’s hammered after five glasses of beer, he takes her seriously. As I said before, he thinks “her drunk words are her sober thoughts.” In his mind, this is the most honest that GG has ever been because alcohol has erased her inhibitions and deception.

Note: That’s also why PY is worried that GG might have blurted out something she shouldn’t have. Alcohol could have worked like a truth serum for her.

However, the morning after, she’s back to calling him, “Mr. Sato” and “Interpreter Sato.” She begs forgiveness because she can’t remember anything about that night. And when he tells her, “You’re too smart to forget,” she acts like he’s paid her a backhanded compliment.

GG: Hmmm?
TU: What’s with the “hmmm”?
GG: It’s just a little strange. It’s not like you to compliment me out of nowhere.
TU: What? Have I done nothing but give you a hard time?

Naturally, he’s grouchy because she’s forgotten how he went out of his way to treat her like a “princess” that she wanted the night before.

As usual, she exploits the situation to her advantage. She asks him to grant her a wish.

GG: Yes. Let me make a wish.
TU: No. I don’t understand. You’re the one who can’t remember. Why do I owe you a wish?
GG: I need a little incentive to jog my memory, wouldn’t you say?
TU: But….
GG: Never mind, then.
TU: (capitulating) Fine! I’ll grant you one wish, then. But only one wish. That’s it.
GG: It’s a deal. You can’t take it back.

A few days later, she gets a chance to use her wish.

TU: Why on earth do you keep seeing a man like that?
GG: What?
TU: He’s abusive toward you, isn’t he? He’s supposed to treat you like a princess. (looking away)
GG: Treat me like a princess? Where did that come from? (chuckling)

An instant later, she remembers asking him to carry her in his arms.

Flustered, she lies again.

GG: I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean by princess.
TU: Now…you remember.

But since TU can “see” her clearly now, he knows she’s lying.

GG: No. I don’t remember anything.
TU: Mmm. Yes, you do. You look like you remember perfectly.
GG: No, I don’t remember a thing, I swear! You promised to grant me a wish if I remembered. Why would I pass up that chance? (crossing her fingers) I mean it.
TU: Fine. I hope you never remember.
GG: I’ll definitely remember, so you’d better keep your promise, Interpreter Sato Hideo.
TU: Very well.

My comments:

a. If I were TU, I wouldn’t be able to tell if she was lying or not at this point. She called him “Interpreter Sato Hideo” like she was teasing him, that is, like she knew that she begged to call him by his real name, Kim TaeUng.

b. To be fair though, she only half-remembers the events that happened that night.

c. I really like how the screenwriter used GG’s random “make-a-wish” incentive to move the plot, bolster her lie, and resolve TU’s conflict in this episode. It ties everything neatly.

4. TU’s confrontation with GG

Hmmm… If TU noticed that she was hiding behind the curtain, did Sato also?

Anyway, as soon as Sato’s out the door, TU draws back the curtain. He yells at her to leave.

TU: Did find that amusing? I said I didn’t know whether to side with Joseon or Japan. Do you think I deserve this?
GG: (silent)
TU: Get out! Get out of my sight right now!

GG looks like she’s about to cross her fingers to lie to him. She begins to comfort him –

GG: Mr. Sato, listen.

But then she suddenly remembers what happened that night he carried her home like a princess. She was swinging her feet without a care in the world.

GG: (internally) At that moment, I remembered everything. (aloud) I remember now.
TU: (silent)
GG: I remember what I said to you.

She remembers talking like a baby while being carried in his arms like a princess.

GG: You know what?
TU: (tiredly) Yes?
GG: Would you let me call you by your Joseon name?
TU: (coming to a stop)
GG: Kim TaeUng suits you so much better than Sato Hideo. May I call you that? (resting her head on his shoulder) I’m asking you. Pleeaaaase?

GG: So please don’t cry.

She takes a couple of steps towards him. He doesn’t back away.

GG: I’m asking you to grant my wish. Don’t cry, Interpreter Kim TaeUng.
TU: (exhaling)

My comments:

a. I’m not sure if TU is sighing, huffing or snorting. But it sounds to me like he wants to say, “It’s about time! What took you so long? I’ve waited since forever for you to call me by my name!”

b. I like how the story comes full circle. In the opening scene, she dreams that she shouts his name to call him back, “Yah! Kim TaeUng.” In the final scene, she says his name quietly to bring him back to his senses, “Don’t cry, Interpreter Kim TaeUng.”

In both scenes, his Joseon name is uttered by GG, but the context has shifted. She’s gained new insight about TU’s character, and begins to understand his struggles.

Note, however, that she still includes his job title.

c. The importance of names

I already wrote what I thought about TU revealing his Joseon name to GG. I said,

“On one level, he shares his real name because he’s decided to go beyond social niceties and work titles and become familiar with her. But on a deeper level, revealing his Joseon name signifies that he’s yielding his reservations, better judgment, doubts and skepticism about her. To disclose his Joseon name is his subtle way of showing his trust in her and, as a consequence, becoming vulnerable to her and her feminine wiles.”

As for GG, calling him by his real name is also significant. On one level, it restores his identity that he’s lost or buried when he became Sato’s adopted son. Calling him Kim TaeUng should remind him of his inherent dignity, worth, and humanity which aren’t dependent on his citizenship or social status. But on a deeper level, I think calling him by his real name signifies being connected to him in a unique way, that is, she’s assuming responsibility for him, and his wellbeing. She sees that he’s vulnerable and fragile state, so she steps in to prop him up.

d. I said in previous write-ups that I couldn’t feel the romance between GG and TU because the emotional stakes of the underground resistance are higher. But in this episode, the romance angle has finally gained traction for me. I hope it continues its momentum in future episodes.