Arang and the Magistrate: Episode 19

224 October 17, 2012January 24, 2016

by girlfriday

The end is nigh and everyone’s paths converge in the big showdown. It’s a nail-biter from the start, and it looks like the tension won’t let up until tomorrow’s finale. Just the way I like it. We finally get some answers of the non-cryptic variety (Gasp!) and our hero faces the toughest decision of his life. It’s okay, Eun-oh. Only the cosmic balance of the entire universe is riding on it. No pressure or anything! *shakes fist at pretty old fogey*

EPISODE 19 RECAP

Eun-oh races through town searching for Arang, to stop her before she offers herself up to swap places with Mom. Thankfully, one of his ghost minion lookouts is racing through town looking for him, because he saw Arang creep into the creepy woods, ignoring his cries. Handy, that.

Eun-oh follows him toward the cave (where the ghost can sense that Mom is near) and sees Joo-wal running in the same direction. But Arang gets there first, and enters the cave alone.

And up above, we see that Mu-young is perched on the rocks, watching the whole scene unfold. Geez, it’s like a friggin’ class reunion here. Anyone else coming to this party? Mom looks unsurprisingly like a cat that’s getting canary home delivery, and invites Arang in politely.

Arang asks if she gives up her body, will Mu-yeon return Eun-oh’s mother to him? No, no, you’re asking it wrong! Any good soul-swapping lawyer would tell you to add the clause: return Eun-oh’s mother alive and well, to live out her naturally long, healthy life. Even a crossroads demon would tell you that!

And then with tears brimming in her eyes, she asks if she does this, will she ever get to see Eun-oh again? Mom says no. She cries as she says she’ll still do it. What? Nooooo!

Even Mom is surprised to witness the depth of her love, and she marvels that she’s actually reaping the benefits of human love, of all things. Arang asks what she needs to do, and Mom tells her to empty her mind and simply think of the thing she wants most.

Arang closes her eyes, and Mom reach out a hand. Black demon smoke starts to swirl around Arang…

Mu-young watches from the shadows, ready with his knife. But Joo-wal bursts in, calling out for them to stop. Ohthankgod. He tells Arang that she can’t trust Mom’s words—Eun-oh’s mother won’t survive the body swap anyway. That’s what I’m sayin’!

Mom is so furious that she zaps him with her demon mist, and knocks him against the rocks. She tells Arang not to trust him, and gives her the this-is-your-last-chance sales pitch. Arang looks back and forth between Mom and Joo-wal… and then says she’ll believe Mom.

WUT. The boy risked his life to run in and save you, but you want to trust the demon over him? GAH. Okay now you’re just pissing me off.

Mom starts the transfer… Mu-young takes out his knife and approaches…

And then FINALLY, Eun-oh runs in screaming, “Arang!” and punches Mu-young to keep him from stabbing anyone. Did he come in time? Arang falls unconscious into his arms, and he picks her up and races out. Yes, but… did he come in time?!

Mu-young picks up the knife to try and stab Mom anyway, but it won’t go through the mystical barrier. She looks up at him… and glares. Oh phew. Mu-yeon’s still in there.

Joo-wal stirs awake, and then it’s his turn to pull out a knife. Whoa. Mom backs away, asking what he’s doing, and he says that he’s going to kill her and then himself. He looks determined to go through with it… until Mu-yeon starts gasping and struggling, and Mom overtakes her.

She looks up at Joo-wal, calling him young master in a pleading voice. He stops in his tracks.

Eun-oh puts Arang down against a tree, and she stirs awake. He hugs her for dear life, yelling that she makes him crazy—this isn’t what he wanted. She says, crying, that it’s the only thing she can do for him.

Arang: “I’m going to disappear anyway. And I can’t see you anymore. And you need your mother.” Eun-oh: “Do you think that if I lost you and found my mother, I could be happy? You don’t have to do anything. I said I’d do it all! I’m going to find my mother, and I’m going to send you to heaven! I’ll do it. Arang, trust only me.”

And then, finally, the heart-crushing truth. Arang wails into his shoulder through a flood of tears: “I don’t want to go! I don’t want to let you go! I don’t want to leave you behind and go!”

Waaaaaaaah. Eun-oh just holds her as they cry.

Mu-young reports to the Jade Emperor with his head hanging low. Jade asks if he’s trying to get rid of Mu-yeon or save her, and points out that even trying to kill her is an attempt to save her from herself.

Jade says that either way, Mu-young is acting out of his human attachment for her, and that’s not something a reaper can have. Oh no, don’t you get kicked out of heaven too.

Hades tsk-tsks human attachments, but when Jade asks what he’s going to do with Mu-young, he doesn’t answer. I’d bet you have some attachments to your reapers too, old fogey.

Joo-wal sits by Mom’s bedside as she sleeps. And perhaps it’s because Mom is in control or because Mu-yeon is severely weakened, but Joo-wal begins to remember… everything.

He flashes back to Seo-rim dying to save him, and that night that he killed Arang in her sleep. He stumbles away and calls himself a fool, wondering how he could know nothing.

And then he remembers his proposal for Arang to accept his heart, only now realizing that he asked her that after murdering her in cold blood.

Arang wakes up in the middle of the night to find Eun-oh sleeping next to her. Aw. She turns toward him and reaches out, air-tracing his face while he sleeps. She puts her hand in his, and closes her eyes.

He opens his eyes once she’s asleep, and squeezes her hand.

He comes out after a while, and sighs as he looks up at the full moon. Mu-young appears and says once again that their objectives are the same, but Eun-oh growls that they aren’t—he wants to save his mother, but the reaper only cares about killing the demon.

And that’s when Mu-young drops the bomb: Eun-oh’s mother can’t be saved in this, no matter what he does. Oof. I expected as much, and it would’ve helped if he had known this sooner, but it’s devastating for Eun-oh.

Mu-young just vanishes, leaving Eun-oh in tears. Thanks for the emotional drive-by, reaper. Damn.

Arang wakes up the next morning and looks into the mirror to tell Seo-rim that there isn’t much time left. She goes to her grave to speak to her directly.

Arang: Thanks. You know I went to see the Jade Emperor, right? Now that I know you, who gave up your life to save the person you loved, I know where that crazy courage came from. The days that I’ve spent as a person have been painful and difficult, but thankfully you’re worth it. Thank you, for being strong and brave. I don’t regret finding you, and finding out the truth. I love you, Lee Seo-rim.

Joo-wal is on his way to Seo-rim’s grave as well, and turns back when he sees Arang. Always the cowardly instinct first. But he braces himself to face her, and turns back.

He doesn’t know how else to say it, so he tells her a story about a foolish man who proposed to a woman, not knowing that there was once someone who died to save him. His eyes fill with tears as he says he didn’t know, and then when she came back, he didn’t recognize her.

He falls to his knees before Arang, crying that his heart fluttered when he saw her, like it was the first time. This is why my heart bleeds for him—because he’s sorry he didn’t recognize the face of the woman who died to save him.

Joo-wal: “I’m sorry! Don’t ever forgive me!” She crouches down and puts a hand on his arm, shedding a sympathetic tear for him.

Later, as he walks home, he thinks to himself, “That I didn’t recognize your face, the one who died to save me… that I put a knife in your heart… I couldn’t say the words.” He says that knowing that would’ve just caused her even more pain. Tragically, a coward till the end.

He finds Mom sitting outside when he gets home, and he helps her to bed. He asks what happened to Mu-yeon, and Mom says she’s weak, so she’s just given up control of the body for a little while.

She says, full of regret, that if she had just let go of her vengeance and just accepted the pain in her life, she might be living happily with her son. She asks Joo-wal to tell Eun-oh: “That I never once forgot the face of my son. That I’m sorry I didn’t hold him while he was sick, that I never once gave him a mother’s warmth… Tell him.” What’s sadder is the fact that Joo-wal is jealous of those few words.

Joo-wal races over to tell Eun-oh that his mother has awakened and that he doesn’t have much time. Eun-oh is skeptical, of course, but comes along anyway. Mom wakes up and calls out to him, but he stands way back, asking how he’s supposed to believe her.

She says it’s her fault, that she shouldn’t have left him, that she’s responsible for him distrusting her this way. Eun-oh: “You’re not my mother. My mother never once looked at me, even when I was laughing.” Oof, sometimes I forget how much your childhood sucked.

He turns to go, but she says through tears that she’s sorry for all the horrible things she said, for turning him away when he found her, for not wearing his gift for him to see. He whirls around at the mention of the hairpin, and reels when she names it.

He inches closer, and then falls to his knees, “Mother.” He asks how she made it so difficult for him to just say that out loud once. Seriously. Mom clasps his hands in hers, saying that she did it all because she didn’t want him to live as a slave.

He asks what difference it makes, slave or nobleman, when all he wanted was to live with his mother. She tells him now that she’s sorry for all of it, for letting her revenge take over. “How lonely you must have been! How much did you hate me?”

He says he didn’t hate her; he just missed her and wanted nothing more than to be with her. That just makes her foolish choice that much more tragic.

She asks him to promise—that when Mu-yeon comes back, he not hesitate for one second to put a knife in her heart. She cries that she’s neither living nor dead, just trapped, and begs him to end her suffering, even if it means death.

He swears to save her, to end her suffering, and breaks down in tears. She pats him on the shoulder as he cries, which is probably the first and last bit of motherly warmth he’s ever felt.

He bows to Joo-wal on his way out, as a gesture of gratitude for looking after his mother. Joo-wal calls out to him: “Don’t give up on her [Arang].” Eun-oh turns back to glare, and swallows back the angry retort he would’ve had on any other day.

He starts to walk away, and Joo-wal wonders aloud, “How is it that you have everything that I’ve ever wanted?” Aw. Eun-oh doesn’t turn back or answer and just walks away.

Joo-wal’s servant says he plans to leave Miryang, and asks if he’ll stay by Mom’s side. Joo-wal sighs, and what kills me is, he will because he doesn’t have anywhere else to go.

He says that when he was young and starving, he thought being hungry was worse than death, but now, he realizes he was better off then. His trusty servant says that there must be some sort of fate or connection between Joo-wal and Mom, and adds that he’ll remain by young master’s side till the end.

Eun-oh slumps down in his room, crying as he finally asks aloud, “Is there really no way to save you?” He asks for his teacher to help him.

Suddenly, Eun-oh opens his eyes in a totally different room. What? Did he teleport? He gets up, and then two little kids run into the room screaming, “Father!” Buuuuuh?

Arang comes in with a table and everyone gathers around it, while Eun-oh stares at them like they’re alien robots from the eighth dimension. He keeps asking what Arang is doing, and she keeps answering like this is perfectly normal.

What’s more is that she mentions Mom, alive and well. He heads through town and goes to the magistrate’s office, where Magistrate Dol-swe greets him happily. Mom and Bang-wool come out smiling, and so do the Bangs.

Okay, this is some weirdass dream, right? But if it is, why is Eun-oh as confused as I am? He trails after Mom in disbelief, and hugs her tightly, just to be sure she’s real.

She hugs him, and then tells him to listen to his teacher’s words. Aha. Tricksy dream-vision-voodoo!

And then poof, Mom turns into the Jade Emperor. He jumps back, not recognizing him. Jade introduces himself as his teacher, and Eun-oh asks if there’s really no way for Mom to come out of this alive.

Jade tells him to think hard and remember what he gave him and what he said. “Though you may not be able to keep her alive, you will be able to save her. Think carefully about what it is she really wants.”

And then he vanishes, and Eun-oh wakes up back in his room.

Joo-wal keeps watch over Mom, as she opens her eyes… with Mu-yeon back in control.

Eun-oh tells Arang what the Jade Emperor told him—that his mother wouldn’t survive, but he can save her soul. He says that setting her soul free is the best that he can do for her now.

She asks how and he reminds her of what they learned—give the first soul what it wants most, and the second soul will be forced out. He holds up the hairpin. Arang reads the engraving again: Mother’s heart.

Eun-oh tells Mu-young that he’ll play it his way, but asks him to make sure that once his sister is out of Mom’s body, he’ll take care of her without any mistakes. Mu-young assures him that he will. Aw yeah, human-reaper buddy cops again?

Joo-wal comes by to alert Eun-oh that Mu-yeon is back in control.

Eun-oh decides that he should wrap up Lord Choi’s loose ends before dealing with Mom, and has him transported to Hanyang for his sentencing. I love that he’s taken through the center of town for everyone to publicly mock him.

Even in this position, Lord Choi is as smug as ever, and blames his minion for not guarding him better. He plans to let the minion take the fall for everything, insisting that the king will be more lenient to a nobleman than a slave. Should you really be telling your murderous accomplice that you intend to burn him to save yourself?

Little children throw stones and the crowd ends up mobbing him, and they rattle the cart enough to make it fall apart. Lord Choi fumes in indignation, but the minion sees his chance, and grabs a guard’s sword.

He raises it and strikes… and Lord Choi falls dead at his feet. Not even Joo-wal, who sees it happen from the distance, feels too sad about it.

Eun-oh braces for battle, and arms himself with the hairpin. Arang comes by worried, and makes him promise to return exactly as he is. He smiles and promises not to lose a single hair on his head, and hugs her before walking out.

She whirls around as soon as he leaves… Oh noes, don’t tell me you’re thinking of following him.

Mu-young meets him outside Joo-wal’s house, and they go in together. Mom senses them coming and when Eun-oh charges at her with the hairpin, she throws him back with her black demon mist.

She does the same to Mu-young. Suddenly, Arang bursts in.

NO! Why are you here? Girl, you are seriously makin’ me craaaazy today!

Mu-young lunges with the knife, but it does no good, and then Eun-oh finally gets close enough to put the hairpin to her heart.

She asks if he’s really willing to kill his mother, and with tears streaming down his face, Eun-oh says that he’s saving her.

And with that, he plunges the hairpin into her heart.

Mom gasps and struggles, and Mu-yeon gets forced out. She clings to the body for as long as she can, but Mom falls to the ground and she gets cast out.

Eun-oh rushes to Mom’s side, and Mu-yeon runs… past Mu-young…

…And straight for Arang.

Goddamnit.

Arang sees her coming, and screams, “Noooooooo!”

COMMENTS

AND THE REASON YOU DIDN’T STAY HOME IS?? I swear, if you get possessed because of this, you’re grounded! Go sit in the corner and think about what you did! Gah.

Truth be told, there wasn’t a whole lot of surprise in this episode, since things shook out pretty much the way most of us had anticipated (regarding the hairpin and Mom’s fate). I was more nervous about Arang and the body swapping, because the worst-case scenario would be if Eun-oh had to do this with Arang instead of Mom. My nerves took a beating at the start of the episode, when she kept agreeing to the deal. I really wish she’d quit with the noble idiocy, especially if she’s going to run about making sacrifices without reading the fine print first. My heart still breaks for her, of course, especially when she finally says out loud that she doesn’t want to go. That kind of confession never fails to turn me into a puddle of goo.

Eun-oh, on the other hand, is making my day because he’s doing everything right, by not clinging to a false hope that his mother can be saved. I’m glad he got the chance to be reunited with her, if even for one moment. It was a bittersweet reminder of how sad and lonely his childhood was with and without her, and it says a lot that he doesn’t resent her despite having the right to. It’s so interesting that Joo-wal sees Eun-oh as having everything he ever wanted, because that’s not actually true; he’ll just always see the world that way, which is why he’ll choose the wrong thing at every turn.

Even after learning the truth, Joo-wal still chooses the coward’s way out, which says everything about his character, doesn’t it? I did love his apology to Arang and Seo-rim though, because it bookends nicely her quest to find out who Seo-rim was, and to leave behind someone who’d remember she was here. But now that he’s recovered his memories, there’s no longer anything to hide behind, and despite his recent attempts to do the right thing, it won’t change the fact that he has to pay for his crimes. I’m just nervous for the fallout and how much it’ll break Arang’s heart to know how he repaid Seo-rim’s selfless sacrifice.

I hope that Mu-young holds up his end of the bargain in getting rid of Mu-yeon, because I want some happy time for our couple before they have to say goodbye. That dream vision actually made me more nervous, because it all seemed too good to be true from start to finish. Old fogey, if you just gave him that happy vision of being married to Arang for kicks, I will hurt you. I don’t care how pretty you are. If there isn’t some sort of cosmic reward for saving the world, then invent one. What’s the point in being the king of heaven if you can’t even do that, HUH?

224

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51 ANYA

October 17, 2012 at 10:52 PM

I agree the death was too swift, I opt for more gnashing, torture kind of suffering that will lead to death.
Like, dying of hunger maybe, since he has been hoarding food.
Dying of exhaustion at heavy work related thing, since he force people to hard labor.
basically all this evil things he did to others will come
back to him and slowly eat him until no breath is left.
That is what I agree. But then ,it didn't so I just wish
to see him torture steamed in hell, feeling the endless pain, I think that is much better!

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arangsatto

October 17, 2012 at 11:15 PM

I agree in certain aspect I jope too but that will be cliche.

But for him to be killed like that is just appropriate and most suitable for him.

1) He been killed by his right man the one he insulted and trust the most

2) He been killed while his ego is high no remorse at all. He didn't have time to even have self reflection since he will never have.

3) He been killed in front of the lowly people that he look down and just bragging he will come back to put them down.

4) He been killed in the most uncalled moment for him.

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arangsatto

October 17, 2012 at 11:17 PM

typo: hope

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arangsatto

October 17, 2012 at 11:17 PM

The humiliation is just killing for him. Not to mention to be killed like that. That is triple triple downfall and suffering for him.

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Anya

October 18, 2012 at 2:24 AM

I agree but I wish for a hundred fold HUMILIATION, a prolonged HUMILIATION, like begging for food to the ones he rub with. Or finally he lives honestly and then
ask to pay taxes tantamount to his earnings, like what he did again, then being slandered as crazy or what ever horrendous slander would it be, like he F animals, as a get back for him slandering Seo-rim (running away with a slave). I can think of many things but the summary is SUFFERING a hundred fold here on eartH and eternity in hell.

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52 dee

October 17, 2012 at 10:58 PM

I guess I can see your corner is already full with people. *Finger counting* some of Eun Soos, Arang,.. :)

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53 arangsatto

October 17, 2012 at 11:12 PM

Actually yesterday episode really highlighted the contrast between two different human being that is BORN and GROW in TWO distinct path. It is like one is like normal human being while the other one is a character mix with mythological+human+ghost. It is very contrast:-

A) Eun Oh: normal human being, living the life and has experiencing with loss, being rejected, pains and walking the path as a normal human being. Being growing alongside the painful discovery of life and getting to know what is love. Mature and carry a heavy responsibility. Act sensible and respond sensible too. Whenever he is face with problem is very calm and act accordingly.

Facing one of the toughest call in his life, but he still can act rationally.

2) Arang/LSR: Grow in three different stages:-

Aa LSR:- Always in a comfort zone, protected and never knew any kind of painful or the dangerous of outside world. Suddenly so deeply in love and discover shocking/painful truth just before she died and dead for the sake of love.

As Arang:- Waking up as a wandering soul/ghost. Trying to survive and adapt with the tough life as ghost. Moreover, having no memory make everything more complicated.

Reborn again:- Living and finding herself in a very complicated and conflicted circumstances we ever can think about. Simplistic. Never before carry a burden or responsibility but love teach her all. Thought with love, she can do everything and will do everything. How she find herself is very beautiful, heart breaking and yet reckless in certain cases. But that she is. Living but not living. Just discover what is human heart is and what is human should do but really not really aware what is responsibility of a big pictures really means. YET.

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hanny

October 18, 2012 at 1:34 AM

love your explanation "Living but not living. Just discover what is human heart is and what is human should do but really not really aware what is responsibility of a big pictures really means. YET."

hopefully Jade will give chance for her to live life as human.. completely human.. with our sato, of course.

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Anya

October 18, 2012 at 2:25 AM

"Living but nor Living" I suddenly remember Rooftop Prince .

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54 Marchioness

October 17, 2012 at 11:13 PM

GF, I swear, this is really the last time that I will read your review... it is damn better than the actual series! Thank you and know that I am not happy that I am here again and will not be back, WILL NOT BE BACK again...ehmmm, what time exactly do you think you could post your reviews for episode 20 - just curious!

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55 folieadeux

October 17, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Aish, this girl. She'll never learn to stay put.

The dream sequence gave me mixed feelings: I love the happy family portrait but do not like the foreboding sense that this is the happy ending that we're gonna get, after all. AND I HATE THAT.

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arangsatto

October 17, 2012 at 11:27 PM

The dream is not what we will have in the future. I think it is more significant on what the mother should have if SHE is not selfish enough to put revenge as everything. Simple and contend life in contrast what Lord Choi has and what Eun Oh really want.

I believe that is the courtesy of JE to have at least EO feel and have a life for a moment with her mother be able to hug her and see her smile as a happy person.

I think that dream is a brilliant scene from the writer since she/he giving us glimpse of hope on how Eun Oh as a dad, her children feelings to us and our prediction of the ending with Dol Se as the satoo. As a satisfactory feelings to the viewers so that if

1) The viewers EVER questione why can't they live together as a wife/husband - they have in a dream like that if they will, that is it.

2) If the viewers didn't like it, then they have show what if they live as a human with a normal life.

So it is a win-win situation.

Very beautiful and very heart breaking.

Excellent I have to say.

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LyArisa

October 18, 2012 at 1:37 AM

OMG!! If the dream is just a dream I think the writer-nim should just better stab that binyeo on my chest instead :((

I wish JE would do something.. He should I think coz EO is helping him to save the wotld balance. Killing your own parent is not an easy task, n I cry a river when EO stab his ommoni with that binyeo T_T..

Just thinking about it, still makes me cringe and I plan to rewatch ep 19 again for the 4th time this evening while waiting for the final episode to air..

*Final Countdown

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56 earthna

October 17, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Phew. 11 pm here and I'm typing this comment.

I cried lots coz of this episode. Good thing I had a box of tissue ready beside me. That scene under the tree just got me. It shows how Arang just purposely put on a strong front and made her way to Muyeon while actually trying to deal with the pain of doing it. The way she cried as she told Eun Oh how much she hated having to let him go just breaks my heart.

Joowal is really confusing. I know that he is bad (just because I cant totally say he isnt good) but there are times when my heart just aches for him. When he asked Eun Oh how is it that he has everything Joowal ever wanted, it spoke so much about who he really is. I just hope that he wakes up from all this and realize that there are people who actually loved him. (Seorim and his servant)

I have to say that I sooooo love the camera works when Satto stabbed Mom. The slow motion, his clothes fluttering, the camera getting just the right angles. Wow. I also like the shot when Lord Choi dropped dead to the floor. I dont know why but it hit me as I dont know, poetic? It gave me so much emotions that I cant explain. And I'm not sure what Joowal was thinking as he stared at it all.

Arang-Satto scenes were so beautiful. Although I want to see them being intimate as in kissing and such, I guess I enjoy all the warm hugs and loving stares more. It just shows how deeply in love they are with each other. Love that doesnt need to show kissing and all other skinships yet makes your heart flutter.

Already at the end of the road, I still dont know how this will end. I'm really going to miss this. And all of you! *hugs*

And oooohhh that dream! Writer-nim, if this is your way of showing us what a happy ending WOULD feel like, no, dont you dare. During that scene, I could totally feel you providing us with a tragedy. If this doesnt end with the two together, I will cut someone. Or a goat. Get it, Jade?

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57 JK

October 18, 2012 at 12:03 AM

Is it only me who's craving for blood? I was holding my breath watching the villagers rushing towards Lord Choi's cell(?) and then he gets cut down by his own henchman?! Not exactly the epic ending I wanted for him. I was hoping that he would get mobbed by the villagers and get trampled/ beaten to death. Wouldn't that have been a more satisfying ending to see him killed by the very people whose existence he abhorred?

Although, on the other hand, I had also wanted justice to be served before he meets his end. I want EO's nobility status to be reinstated. I don't have problems with his shabby-looking hanbok or poor living environment (anyway, he won't stay that way for long with his father always looking out for him :P). As long as Arang and EO are happily together!!

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earthna

October 18, 2012 at 1:12 AM

Lol. I was hoping they would rip him to pieces. Or was that inappropriate for TV? :3

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Jan

October 18, 2012 at 2:31 AM

Not really inappropriate in Lord Choi's case. After all, he gloated so disgustingly to EO when EO was in jail, about how EO's grandfather was ripped to pieces in front of EO's mom.

I would also like to see EO's mom's family cleared of the treason charges so that their descendants would no longer be known as offsprings of traitors and slaves.

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waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:49 AM

I hope he get beaten to death too. But I understand ...why Geodol kill him...he has put his deep grudge inside too long.( like a time bomb) ..and explode .
EO Father already mentioned the palace felt sorry ...has wronged EO Grand Father from mother side...therefore the palace will support EO.
Anyway, like you said... I'm glad as long as EO & ARANG LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 19, 2012 at 6:56 PM

No, I feel like getting killed by his own minion is fine for him, because at least that way the villagers don't get blood on their hands no matter how much he deserves to die.

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58 Marchioness

October 18, 2012 at 1:41 AM

Why not... they did that to the Prince Consort in The Princess Man, the evil king had him ripped to pieces in public... leaving splattered blood all over.. so yes, why not? =D

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59 Caltan

October 18, 2012 at 1:50 AM

I am going to say this again.....LJK should really keep his hair away from his face! And eyes!

Why would he want to keep his hair long anymore?

I, for one, am glad for this sageuk. It allows us to finally, finally, see his face and expressions! And so many, so much depth.

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Redge

October 18, 2012 at 2:04 AM

Yeah same here! I never liked his anime hair styles lol... He looks much more handsome with his hair back and out if his expressive eyes!

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waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:20 AM

Yes so true... just by looking his SHARP LONG EYES made my heart beat and just hearing his voice ....made me shivered. So handsome LOL ! And I never felt like this before. So involve with Sato emotions ...deeply !

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60 waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:17 AM

THks GF. Nice recaps. I was so hooked with this drama since the first ep. First I watch this drama because of Leejunki ...but later on ...I'm so absorb with Sato character. Sato seems so real. So impressed with his facial expresions... Junki is such a great actor. I never felt like this before. Never involved deeply into his character.

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61 waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:23 AM

What can I say ??? The Best Drama... The Best Actor...the Best Written Story. I hope this drama will win a lot of awards. ESp Junki ...he really deserves an award ...
I don't know how to vote for him ???? Any body ??? I hope I could do something ....for him. Such a Good Actor. Excellent ! Love him more & more.

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62 waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:30 AM

I bet ...LSR was killed by Joo-Wal...when he carried her LSR still alive ...then at Ep 20 preview ..Joo-Wal threw LSR body from a cliff. That's why the bel not ring yet.
Sorry Joo Wal fans... but he is a foolish bastard like he said . Joo-wal acting is quite Good. But he doesn't get my vote.

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CaroleMcDonnell

October 18, 2012 at 6:58 AM

oh wow! Oh my God!! There is that possibility! The bell! I had totally forgotten that. Dang! Will have to see.

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63 waiwai

October 18, 2012 at 2:36 AM

But well i have to admit Joo-Wal is much much better than SongJongkii (Kang Maru) .... I watched Nice Guy ...Gosh , his expression is Toneless.... Tasteless or ...don't know how to describe. He doesn't know how to express painful, anger , hatred , etc. I don't know why the rating is Good.

Though the story is OK but his acting is really bad...to the level I stop watching it.

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64 Engshi

October 18, 2012 at 2:56 AM

I was like laughing my ass off while reading girlfridays comment "AND THE REASON YOU DIDN’T STAY HOME IS?? I swear, if you get possessed because of this, you’re grounded! Go sit in the corner and think about what you did!" =))

Thank you soo much for the recap...last ep coming ;)

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65 PersonaInnominatum

October 18, 2012 at 3:43 AM

At first, i foolishly thought (and hoped) that the dream sequence was a glimpse of the future (since the bangs dreamt of dol sae being a magistrate in one of the episodes too). That it was jade, telling EO that there's a way to save his mother and that he has a future with those 2 who he loves dearly. But NAH! Who am i kidding?! As many of you pointed out, it's just the PDs and writers' way to satisfy the audience while pushing through with THEIR story. And unsurprisingly, the pessimist in me strongly believes that both mom and arang are not in EOs future (unless there's a twist w/ jade's wish).

Other reactions while watching this ep:
- very pissed with arang in the beginning and at the end of this ep. I so wanted to punch her, kick her in the gut, turn her upside down, and send her flying to the other side of the cave during her negotiations w/ mom. Even after EO rescues her, instead of being relieved, i was still irritated and wanted EO to headbutt her. The scene at the end, well, there had to be a cliff hanger doesn't it?

- i was so touched when mom, was asking JW to tell EO those stuff.I was more touched by this scene than the one w/ EO. There was something about the desperation, the fear that Mu Yeon might take over any time soon, and that JW was finally hearing those motherly words from the woman whose supposed to be his mother (one of his wish), but sadly, it wasn't meant for him.

- i love JW, being on the magistrate's boat. I love how he's totally devastated and sorry for all those crimes he has done. And i'm touched when he apologized to Arang in front of LSRs grave.

- can't blame JW for being a coward. Buin is basically out of his picture, and there's no more rich and powerful lord choi to bail him out if ever he admits to his crimes. Plus he saw lord choi died publicly. Not really an invinting picture to come clean. Im not justifying his actions, im just saying i somehow understand.

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CaroleMcDonnell

October 18, 2012 at 7:07 AM

Agree totally with everything. Heck I'm taking JE at his word. "The hair pin may not save your mother but it will rescue her." I don't understand Korean conjugation but in English "may not save" doesn't necessarily mean "will not save." And old fogey Jade is tricky.

He also has that wish he has up his sleeve. If he wins, Hades has to give him a little sumpin-sumpin...and it might be anything from changing some heavenly cultural rules (like allowing love/memories in heaven) to allowing some kind of merciful grace for Arang and magistrate -- or even Joo Wal. Heck, if the noble can be reprieved from heaven's laws, maybe the sinning-in-ignorance murderer can be given a break as well. (Yeah, I know: Eun Ho did mention something about the guilty who sin even in ignorance..so am not sure where tht's gonna go.)

I really just want everyone to have a happy ending. But would i accept a happy ending if evil folks are also forgiven? Like.. Joo Wal or Meo Yeon? The writers seem to have a real compassion toward all their characters (except Lord Choi because Lord Choi is so unrepentant) so we shall see.

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yaya

October 19, 2012 at 6:21 AM

No Mo Yeon is not Forgiven ...Hades said even the fire of hell is too good for her. So dissipation is the most brutal punishment for her. I think the writer is too good to Joo wal ...no matter what he has killed too many girls in the past.

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66 Emmy

October 18, 2012 at 4:15 AM

I love this episode. So much emotion, so many tears! Some favourite scenes: the sleeping scene, Eun-Oh/Mom reunion scene, dream scene with kids!:D

I wish this drama weren't coming to an end so soon! I'm going to miss it so much!

On a side note, kudos to the actress who acts as mom/Muyeon. Her ability to look so vulnerable when her former self takes over was so convincing and so moving.

Lee Jun-Ki continues to rock my world. Other than My Girl, I haven't seen so much of his works and while I really liked him there, I feel that his acting has really upped a notch here.

In the next episode, I am curious to see if Mu-Young is going to be able to make good on his side of the promise. Because if he does stab Mu-Yeon, I think it's going to be every bit as heartbreaking as when Eun-oh had to stab Mom. *sobs*

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Donna

October 18, 2012 at 7:07 AM

Agree ...i love this ep too. Sad and romantic.

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Kiara

October 18, 2012 at 9:01 AM

I did not like My Girl and its not because of him. He did a few movies and dramas but the ones that stood out for me was "The King's Man" and "Time Between Dog and Wolf". I like Iljimae but I didnt love it.

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67 ar_arguably romantic

October 18, 2012 at 5:00 AM

Thanks for the recap, girlfriday!!

"Any good soul-swapping lawyer would tell you to add the clause: return Eun-oh’s mother alive and well, to live out her naturally long, healthy life. "--> that was definitely my reaction! If you're going to sacrifice yourself, you gotta make sure it's not in vain!

So many touching moments - when Arang cried that she didn't want to go, when Arang was speaking to Lee Seo-rim's grave, Joo-wal's moment with Eun-oh's mom, Eun-oh's scene with his mom, and when Eun-oh stabbed his mom!

And what an exciting episode! I know that there weren't any reveals in this episode that we didn't know already, but still really shocked when Eun-oh actually went through with stabbing his mom to save her. I thought he was going to hesitate at that moment and have to make a second attempt in the next episode. But it looks like there will be more unexpected reveals in the next episode! Can't wait!

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68 Jade Butterfly

October 18, 2012 at 5:36 AM

Jade Emperor is NOBODY if he can't tweak things for his earthling minions who help do his work for him.
URGHH ~This better have a decent Happily- Ever- After Ending!

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69 sweetmery

October 18, 2012 at 6:28 AM

We will miss this drama <3 arang and the magitsrate :(:(:( so sad! especially lee jun ki! I'll miss you every week! waiting for your recap, the episode, then subbed in english! that melancholy ;(;( i hope lee junki returned to acting to soon... thanks the cast everyone for the great job and for this unforgettable drama :'( among my fav of all time!!!!!!!!!!! girlfriday javabeans ;( thank you so much for your hard work

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70 CaroleMcDonnell

October 18, 2012 at 6:49 AM

Ah, girlfriday, I think you're being a little hard on Joo Wal, murderer that he is. A) His inability to totally apologize to Arang. Am not thinking it's cowardice on his part. Of course it may be, but it takes a while to actually be able to blurt out all one's sins. He just realized this and he fessed up a lot. Besides, he knows that she knows that he knows what's going on. There is definitely a wimpy way of apologizing for something but at least he approached her and apologized.

B) Joo Wal stating to Eun Ho that EO has everything he always wanted. Again, you're too hard. Both these guys wanted love and never got it. Both of them were mocked in the town/village. But at least EO had education and a father who loved him. True, JW is in comparison envy mode but I doubt he will always be like that. Because EO was once unable to see the good he had in life (ability to see ghosts, etc) Besides the writers made JW say that so EO would understand JW's heart. Where else would EO have the chance to understand where JW is coming from? I figure this sets up a bit of mercy in EO's heart toward JW.

And speaking of mercy, what a lovely scene with Arang's tenderness to Joo Wal as he sorta-bravely-cowardly confessed to her. Such compassion in her eyes and her bearing!

JW is also quite merciful and he's trying his best to recompense for his sins. He doesn't have to bring Eun Ho to Eun Ho's mom. He doesn't have to be kind to either Eun Ho's mom or Big Bad. A true villainous person would've skedaddle and a true coward would've thought of saving his own skin.

I do think Joo Wal's found a father, though. The servant who (for whatever reason) Meo Yeon didn't use as a murderer. I'm hoping that will give Joo Wal some sense of being loved/some sense of having a family. I'm hoping some weird moralistic strain doesn't come up where Joo Wal has to be punished for his sins. His finally seeing what he could have had -- as he knelt before Arang and felt her compassionate forgiveness-- was just heartbreaking. (This wonderful woman whom I murdered twice (kinda) could have been mine!)

Loved this episode. Ah Lord Choi -- neither I nor Joo Wal nor the villagers of Miryang will miss you.

And yes, Arang....you decided you were needed at the execution of the Big Bad...why???? <-- gotta say you annoyed the heck outta me by turning up there.

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71 Donna

October 18, 2012 at 7:05 AM

Thank you GF . Beautiful . Wish happy ending.

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72 Donna

October 18, 2012 at 7:12 AM

Love GF RECAPS... love all comments here. Sad this drama will ended tonight. Really sad. Love my sato. Love AATM.

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73 Donna

October 18, 2012 at 7:17 AM

No need to add more comments cause all of you made Nice comments. Just want to add .... This ep really touching & moving . Lee junki like always really captured my heart. My heart flutterd when he hugs arang & cried. When he stab his mother. Love this drama so much. Love all the characters here even lord choi. I mean he did a great job too. Will miss this drama...miss Sato & all characters. Miss GF & JB & all the commentators here. Love u all.

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74 ranisa

October 18, 2012 at 9:02 AM

I really think they gave us that dream sequence to satisfy our desires, and also to tell us that it won't happen and the show won't end like that. But I really like Saddo Dol-Swe, which is really what I was rooting for. And it's a dream sequence in a fictional world, so I won't rant on that. Maybe what I don't get is why use the dream just to have Eun Oh figure out about the darn hairpin. He's been bright all series long, and his mother even reminded him of the pin during their short reunion, so why not just let him figure it out for himself.

No one really remembers Lee Seo Rim, now that Lord Choi is dead. Joo Wal is not much of a problem, too. This gives me hope that Jade and Hades will let Arang stay in the real world for good as a reward for being a good bait.

Maybe Joo Wal will leave Miryang and go with his loyal and loving servant. They could be brothers in another town. Or he can die in place of Arang, so they can call it quits. Nonetheless, he should have a good nice ending where he becomes a good person.

Waiting for the last episode! i just hope i can understand korean so i can watch the drama in real time.

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75 Peridot

October 18, 2012 at 9:29 AM

What an emotional episode. While Joowal cannot completely escape his cowardice, I am glad that he was able to see himself for what he is and that he was able to make some sort of apology to Arang. I loved how he broke down in tears, as if he was releasing a great deal of his pent-up fear, regret, etc.

Kudos to all of the actors on this show!

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76 Wina

October 18, 2012 at 9:45 AM

you brought my sentiments to the top at every turn! even how I reacted to each nail-biting scene! I love reading your recaps!

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77 DayDreamer

October 18, 2012 at 11:24 AM

Oh sweet Jesus, there's so much to read here. I'm going to slowly read through everything and then drop my two cents in. Can't believe today's the last episode. My heart is already breaking.

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78 mskololia

October 18, 2012 at 2:29 PM

The reaper dude is rather useless in this episode. She pushes right by him and he gives way. Huh?

I don't know if he what EO experienced was a foreshadowing of a life with Arang and the little ones, but I'll take as such.

Thanks for the recap, GF!

LJK is fine!

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79 Ennayra

October 18, 2012 at 7:06 PM

Thanks for the recap. This episode held my attention. I'm not picky - that's all I ask.

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80 Bengbeng

October 18, 2012 at 7:23 PM

GF, i love your comments so =) very witty and funny. That's why sometimes i don't watch the ending anymore of some dramas (i.e. 49 days, Gaksital to name a few) coz your recaps and DB's are enough for me. Your recaps already brings me to a roller coaster ride making me feel like i'm there actually watching what's happening in the ending =).

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81 Jeca

October 18, 2012 at 10:15 PM

U know, it surprises me how LJK can really act. The emotionally charged scenes where he cries. Not only tears flow, eyes turn red, and the nose progressively reddens too.
I mean, this is not even an art film or a 'so-called' film made for international awards. He looks totally invested in portraying the full range of emotions.
That's really impressive work ethics.

And then you see those behind the scenes images of his playfulness and happy smiles, you are like, for real? You can switch it on just like that and give such depths?? What has army done to you?? ;) only the good stuff!

It's time he sheds his anime image and locks.

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82 Jeca

October 19, 2012 at 4:06 AM

Oh my, the dialogue between EO and his mother is so touching with the subtitles!!

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83 im_eve

October 19, 2012 at 5:03 AM

really, sometimes, the cynicism of people...smh. i mean i don't like loopholes, i love tight and smart writing...but i don't exactly appreciate party-poopers! hehe sorry bout the rant...in end though...i enjoy the entertainment of this drama & the very many different minds in this smart and FUN site :)

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84 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉

October 19, 2012 at 7:04 PM

I don't even care that the grand confrontation was aborted, purely for the tension it gave us in thinking that Arang might have been possessed..........and even more, for Arang's confession afterwards (finally, THE TRUTH! She doesn't want to go, doesn't want to leave him behind, and says so!). I just wanted to squish both my poor bbs together so hard right then. And then the scene with EO's mom telling JW the things she wanted to tell her son, and his face when he heard it all....and EO and his mother just finished me off.

(don't even get me started on the dream, I didn't know whether to start squeeing because it was so cute or cry because they're so likely never to have that for an ending)

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85 panshel

October 20, 2012 at 7:05 PM

So there was no grand master plan, and Arang was being a noble idiot. =_= Mu Young, meanwhile, was being a flat-out idiot. You tried to stab her in that body before, 'member? What makes you think you can do it now!?

Their embrace under the tree made me teary-eyed. All along, my wish was for Arang to express how she didn't want to leave. Best scene. I melted when Eun Oh opened his eyes and squeezed her hand. I will die if these two do not get a happy ending. T_T

What an edge of your seat cliffhanger. But I thought Mu Yeon could not inhabit another person's body unless the owner agreed to it...

Thanks a lot of the recap, girlfriday!

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86 No1

October 18, 2015 at 2:51 AM

Ilove this drama

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87 Jerboa83

September 9, 2016 at 2:11 PM

I must say that apart from having a, uncanny rubber face (too much plastic surgery?), the actress playing the villain's and the mother's role is the worst ever... =.='

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88 BdxPelik

September 30, 2017 at 2:37 AM

"Old fogey, if you just gave him that happy vision of being married to Arang for kicks, I will hurt you. I don’t care how pretty you are."
OMG so true!! I totally agree with you! XD
Choi Joo Wal will forever be a coward, but I feel like I'm the only one who really feels sorry for him.
And Arang... Aigoo, I seriously get annoyed with the dumb bravery sacrifice thing all main characters go through, but with Arang who I've always assumed was smart and head strong, it's just that much more painful.

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89 BdxPelik

September 30, 2017 at 2:42 AM

"Old fogey, if you just gave him that happy vision of being married to Arang for kicks, I will hurt you. I don’t care how pretty you are."
I totally agree with you. XD
Choi Joo Wal will forever remain a coward, but I feel like I'm the only one who truly feels sorry for him.
Arang... Her idiotic, brave attempts at sacrificing herself is really annoying. Dude, I've always considered you as brave and headstrong, why must every main protagonist do this??

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