The Problematic of the Unproblematic

We're at the end of a (too) long road and I am still laughing at how much RAGE this episode created. Way to go, MBC! Piss everybody off! Hey, but I can't even say that this episode was the worst of them all (I guess it helps if you don't root all that much for the OTP)! I can't even say I hated it. I do understand though that for everybody in denial and/or Hyuk-fever it took this episode to make clear what was clearly visible before: this drama derailed somewhere in the middle and never got back on track. And yet, I will fondly remember. How could I not. Seriously ... Jang Hyuk is glorious. He was magnificent. I don't have rage over the ending. I have quibbles. I have snark. I don't have rage. I described it as An After School Special Edition of SoGC.  S@ki6: It's over, it's over, I take it now it's over! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOlBheJB3ww

Why was I not warned about how emotional this episode is??! I cried my eyes out! It was very hard to watch SoSo, wasn't it? And really, Wookie too. He willingly broke his own heart.

This drama continues with its tradition to give us one weird/bad/choppy/shitty episode (the uneven one) and then follow it up with a quite awesome episode. Wow, drama, you can still do it! I was intrigued and moved by this episode and then, I was super excited, because when Wang So wants to be a leader, then he is a fooking good leader. You GO, So! That is a man men want to follow. And women want for other reasons. I'd follow him too! Also into the bedroom, of course .  Sewon, I love you. Did I just say that out loud? Oh right, I did. 

"When you're behind, you're behind and you have to carry that behindness proudly like a crown". That's an old blogging/recapping maxim. Never heard of it? Impossible! In any case, we have fallen behind, which is both a sign of too-muchitis and of this drama's over length. I am to blame for the first (4 "recapping projects" at the same time? Are you insane?), but definitely not for the second. This drama is suffering the fate of so many before it and so many after it: it is TOO LONG. The story has run out of steam, the episodes get draggy and fillery, the actors are so tired they can barely stand, and the life-shoot takes away any prettiness we may have had in the beginning. It's a shame, really. It was good, but it could have been so much better. JoAnne: I don't feel it dragging, exactly, although I DO think it would have been improved by some judicious cutting. In fact, it might have been amazing if held to 20 episodes. Almost all dramas I...

People, sorry it took me so long to recap this. There was an issue of time (a gazillion birthdays and farewells of dear work colleagues/friends etc. to coordinate) but also an issue of will. I hate sad stuff. I don't want to watch sad stuff. The world is sad enough, you only need to have a look at the news. Anyway, now I'm ready. I think. Why? WHY would you lead with this face? Why? Now I'm crying again. See what I'm saying? !  Episode 20 verdict: Just sad. 

Things go quite wrong in this episode. Wang So is still not King. In fact, far from it. Oh well, maybe in the next episode. Quite unfortunately, Wang So has a very bad hair day that continues for large parts of this episode. I had a look: doesn't get better in the next episode. But there is hope! There always is! Well, he looks good right here.  A bit worried, maybe - and if you've seen the episode, Squeeglets, that is TOTALLY justified - but he does still look good. Yes, that is a picture BEFORE his bad hair day . Episode 19 verdict: This episode is baaaaaaad. There's too much bad writing stuff that really bugs me. It's also draggy as hell.  Next! So it wasn't just me being tired and cranky, then.

In this episode, the conflict between the King's men and the greedy noblemen comes to a head, but it is absolutely unclear who will win. Damn that one secret that can bring Wang So down! It really, really, really wants out, doesn't it? Part of me really wants it out so that we can start dealing with the consequences, the other part is enjoying the suspense much too much though :D. By the way, here is the link to the novel this drama is based on. (And no, Saki and other history buffs: it does not at all follow history) And that is where this show completely disappoints me.  Ahhhh, Saki! It's not the shows fault! It's the novel! The novel! The noooovveeeel!   Yeah, I don't get that logic. How can you be disappointed in a show that does exactly what it says it would do? If you aren't interested in the premise, why would you waste your time watching? (ehem, psssst, JoAnne ...... Heirs. Or Birth of a Beauty.) yeah, and I'm watching it with a drama clu...

This episode is not for those who are watching this for the romance. It is packed full with quite awesome intrigue-development and two major aha-moments for Wang So and his wife, Yeo-won. While the first finally gets ready to change the fate of the nation, the second decides it's time to trust in the power of the one who should be king. Episode 17 verdict: Get ready for impact, people. Intense and foreboding. I liked this episode. Oh, me toooooooooo. Very much.

Oh dear. This was an edge-of-my-seat episode (well, at least the latter half). We're back on track, I'm so glad! this episode comes with a few very strong (and unexpected) character moments for Wang Wook and Yeo-won and things just got 100 times more interesting. When will Wang So stop being reluctant and realize that this nation needs him? He's trying! Are you suggesting he should let his brother die and then fight to be the successor? Yes. And since my kdrama club hasn't convened to watch this yet, I'm going to comment with songs from underappreciated boy group, 100%.  https://www.youtube.com/user/Top100percent Episode 16 verdict: Much better than 15, much better! But still, the live-shoot is showing. A bit too much for excellence, but such is KDrama.

In this episode, he knows that she knows that she knows that he knows. Or something like that. In other words, secrets are dragged out into the open and everybody wants that antidote. And then, there's Se-won's backstory. Which means: lots of Se-won pictures. Enjoy! S@ki6: Se-won is always good.  In fact, he may be the redeeming factor for me at this point. Also, neither I nor my drama club had much to say on this episode, so I will comment with SPEED song titles.   Jang Hyuk and I clearly feel the same about that. Episode 15 verdict: Very badly edited. And clumsily written. Take it easy, guys. Less life-shoot, more sleep! It was a Zombie Party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tXdPuQTBls They need to be slapped for it, yes . 

Poison, poison, much more poison! I'll never be able to drink tea offered to me again without wondering whether ... perhaps ... *______* JoAnne: Nice story, Yeo Won. Everyone, kill that bish with fire! S@ki6: Or everyone can just die.   Episode 14 verdict: Things are getting really intense. I bet somebody will die soon. But who?  I vote for Yeo Won. Okay, before her I'd rather Uncle Hairline, but then her, definitely. No, her first. Yes. Her first, definitely. Oh I know, arguments about 'product of her environment, no choice, forced to behave this way by the men in her life...' No. She can frame it however she wants, but she's pissed she didn't get her way and it's all an evil temper tantrum. I had an idea about this, that maybe Yeowon does die, but that Jang Bori takes over her name and role. 

To consummate or not to consummate, that is the question. What is consummate en masse is TEA and not only does it make me thirsty, it also makes me edgy cause why would you drink tea from your dangerous enemy! Stop drinking tea, people! POISON!!! S@ki6: gulping tea down right now. Nooooooooo! Episode 13 verdict: A quiet, sad episode. But don't be fooled, there's lots of poison.

Welcome to the heartbreak episode. But first, some cute! *wipes tears* Episode 12 verdict: An extremely strong hour of KDrama. On top of the world and in the depths of despair.  S@ki6: I still don't know what this drama is supposed to be or what it wants from me as a viewer. So, I'm going with "Yeowon is awesome" and "SeWon is hot." Now that my biases are declared, I can comment solely based on biasing them. I read a VERY interesting theory elsewhere involving SeWon, which would, if the drama would depart from history entirely, allow SeWon and YeoWon to be together, assuming she could end things with Wang So. Which we know can't happen, so whatever. The theory was that Se Won is the missing brother of Shin Yool. Which makes him, yes, a prince. A hot, hot, HOT prince. WHAT THE .... ohhhhhhhhh! Make this happen! Make this happen!!!!  

It took me a while to gather my wits to continue recapping, not because I don't like this drama anymore, no, the opposite is true! But because the NEXT episode broke my heart. It really did. It took me 3 days to recover from it, but now I'm ready. I think? And this is the episode in which shit starts gathering, waiting for the fan to start turning. JoAnne: They're so happy, Kakashi. Isn't it the sweetest thing ever? They're just so delighted with themselves, you can't help but smile. I think I'll go skip my way through a meadow of butterflies and wild flowers and sing a song with the birds - everything will be fine here. S@ki6: What is show trying to be?  A sageuk, a melo or a rom-com?  So far, it seems rom-com with a bit of melo (because what Korean show doesn't have melo?) in Goryeo clothing.  But then it gets sageuk-y and frankly, it's leaving me confused.  If we're rom-com/melo in Goryeo clothing, then I get all this first and second lead ...

We're dealing with the aftermath of Wang So's win and Shin-yool's discovery of his true identity in this episode. And finally, Wang So is able to see the truth as well. Where we're going from here, we can only guess. Because he has not one, but two women after him now. Also: DAMN, I realized only now that all this time, with Soompi subs, I've watched a badly mangled version of the drama. Switching to viki right away. I tell you, it's a different WORLD. becca: Is it as mind-boggling as discovering your chrush's true identity/gender? Episode 10 verdict: I'm giddy with joy. No, actually, I'm sad. We're caught up! No more crazy recapping! What will I do? What will I do with my life??! S@ki6: That's good advice re Viki. I'll try them next.  Never fear, Kakashi. We have Blood  (WHAT A MEAN THING TO SAY!!!) . We also have the potential Unkind Women... and there's always that other one I mentioned to you yesterday that I don't want...

It's Competition time!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!! And indeed, the fight scenes are epic (the Lord of the Ring flashbacks that overcame me and the pompous soundtrack helped). The big question is: Will Wang So make it to the competition or not? Oups ... I guess this picture kinda gives it away ^___^ JoAnne: There's no real reason why, but I kept thinking of A Knight's Tale during the jousting scenes. Now I need to re-watch that for the umpteenth time. (Heath :( I miss him) S@ki6: Heath was gorgeous.  Episode 9 verdict: I'm so addicted. Oh meeeeeeeee too

My favorite episode yet, OMG. Here is something you might not yet know: I don't mind (good) romance stuff, but I absolutely LOVE action. Especially if it involves (injured) ninja men. In this episode, we also get romance, but it's absolutely secondary. Lives are on the line! This whole situation is about to blow up. JoAnne: They ramped it up this week, that's for sure. But you just wait for 10, Kakashi. Ten is really good. (yes, I know that. That's why I keep waiting for TEN3!)   S@ki6: I definitely got the memo that action is a good thing for Sensei! becca: Action is good, romance is good… but that is not a kiss!! Episode 8 verdict: I WANT MORE NAO!

So, we're facing a double-cross-dressing-fiasco (that's a girl dressing as a man dressing as a girl) in this episode, but otherwise, it's continuing strong. S@ki6: Yeah, this part of the storyline does nothing for me. The drag is dragging.  I look at this way: I get swooning Jjang Hyuk. That makes it okay for me since it's not the only thing going on. Episode 7 verdict: intense!

Attentive readers might have realized the change in Cap-titles ... yes, we have reached SqueeCap territory! Don't make me define it please, but after putting a gazillion gifs into the last recap I might as well admit they're no longer short but quite long. Which is good, cause things are getting more serious as Prince Wang So struggles to keep his true nature secret - and ultimately fails. Don't hurt him please :( I did not think it was possible to love the essential Jang Hyukness of any character he plays more than Gun, but I was wrong. So wrong. Ha. 'So' wrong. S@ki6: You can't keep a good Wang down. Episode 6 verdict: loved it. The Chunghae scenes are funny as hell (it's because So So is such a funny character, too) and the intrigue/court politics become more interesting by the minute.

Things start to get quite interesting on all fronts. The OTP is falling in loves from both sides, the King is quasi a goner, and Wang Wook has a trauma. This is the episode that turned most people into SoGC fanatics, by the way. Wang Wook can go suck eggs. He's irritating me, although I realize it's unfair. It's only because he doesn't like my So. becca: I don't even mind that he dislikes So. I do  want to smack him when he gets all weepy, though. S@ki6: I like Wang Wook.   Episode 5 verdict: Very funny. The humor in this show and I are going on a date tomorrow. It'll just hurt you in the end, you know.