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Six Flying Dragons: Episode 42

More tie-ins to Tree With Deep Roots? A gladiator fight starring Moo-hyul and Bang-won’s bromance? Don’t mind if I do. This hour is reminiscent of the old days, when this show used to go full speed every week—which isn’t to say it was a bad thing to slow down and take in the sights, but man, it’s fun to have an adrenaline-fueled episode like this come in right when we needed it most.

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EPISODE 42 RECAP

If Bang-won has an “Oh crap” moment when Ha Ryun tells him that the man he just threatened is none other than Zhu Di, current Prince of Yan and fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, he doesn’t show it.

Moo-hyul, who’s been keeping himself in check thus far, loses it when Zhu Di orders that one of Bang-won’s arms be cut off for the offense given. Breaking free of his bonds through sheer strength, Moo-hyul grabs a nearby spear and holds it at Zhu Di’s throat, and doesn’t heed Ha Ryun’s warnings to stop—Prince of Yan or not, he’ll kill him.

Bang-won orders Ha Ryun to translate the threat Moo-hyul just shared, but Zhu Di answers in Korean: “I understood him.” All the better, says Bang-won. Now he won’t have to mince words as he addresses Zhu Di directly, while ordering Moo-hyul to count to ten before cutting the prince down.

Zhu Di believes his bluff (if it was one), and calls his men off Bang-won. But poor Moo-hyul is left to face punishment from Zhu Di’s guards, who take turns beating him. If it were up to the prince, Moo-hyul would be killed for daring to threaten him.

Which means it’s up to Bang-won to try and argue for sparing his life, though his words may as well fall on deaf ears. All Zhu Di offers is a ring Bang-won can give to Moo-hyul’s family in order to prove his death was an honorable one, but Bang-won slams that ring back on the table.

As a way of proving his formidable intelligence and to make a point, Bang-won quotes Mencius on how countries should behave toward each other—specifically, a greater country like Ming versus a smaller country like Joseon.

It’s up to the greater country to show courtesy toward the smaller one so that the smaller country can serve the greater one all the better, which isn’t what’s happening here. (This idea would come to establish the whole foreign policy between Joseon and Ming.)

But no matter how much Bang-won pleads for Moo-hyul’s life to be spared, Zhu Di won’t relent. In fact, he’ll have all his guards killed for letting Moo-hyul get a spear to his throat in the first place. If that’s the case, Bang-won returns, then he can only ask him to let Moo-hyul die as a warrior.

This is all Bang-won can do to save Moo-hyul, even though he can’t actually save his life. After all, Moo-hyul came to him with only his dream of becoming a warrior, and if nothing else, Bang-won has to honor that. Aw.

Bang-won finds a bloody and battered Moo-hyul, and tells him: “You tried to protect me, but I do not have the power to protect you. The only thing I can do is give you an opportunity to fight. Staying alive is up to you.” Moo-hyul nods, grateful that he’s even been given that chance.

After Bang-won says that his own life rests upon whether Moo-hyul can save his own, Master Hong tries to give him a pep talk about the move he can use from his patented Twin Dragons of the East method to win. He won’t allow Moo-hyul to resign himself to his fate.

Moo-hyul enters the thunderdome with his eyes downcast, greeted by the angry jeers of the gathered spectators. Master Hong takes on the role of ringside coach, and gives Moo-hyul some final advice before he faces his opponents about staying calm when he himself is a nervous wreck.

The champion chosen by Zhu Di to fight Moo-hyul enters the arena, and it’s clear by the look of him that he won’t be ane asy opponent. He flies at Moo-hyul with sword and shield, with their initial clash setting off literal sparks between them.

It’s a battle of brute strength, and for the first time ever, Moo-hyul is sorely outmatched. He’s sent flying backwards by the force of each blow, but thanks to some tips from Master Hong, he’s able to recuperate and fight back.

Even with his sword and shield shattered from the clash of their weapons, Moo-hyul seems to find the berserker within as he overtakes his opponent with just his bare hands. Zhu Di calls for the fight to end when Moo-hyul wraps his arm around the man’s throat, but Moo-hyul’s too far gone to heed it.

Only Bang-won’s intercession is enough to save Zhu Di’s warrior from almost certain death, bringing Moo-hyul back from the terrible brink he was on. The crowd parts in fear as Moo-hyul comes forward, but thankfully, Zhu Di declares him victorious and says he’ll grant him a wish in return.

Instead of asking for anything for himself, or even Bang-won, Moo-hyul asks that Zhu Di spare the guards he’d planned to kill. They’ll be more loyal to him in the future if he were to do so, Moo-hyul argues, so Zhu Di concedes and forgives the guards who failed him. Bang-won gives Moo-hyul a proud nod of approval for making the right choice.

Now it’s up to Bang-won to face off against Zhu Di for the right to pass through Liaodong into the mainland, which isn’t something Zhu Di is willing to grant. Bang-won takes a risky gamble and accuses him of intentionally creating more tension between Ming and Joseon, guessing that the reason might lie in his own insecurity about his nephew set to become the next emperor, and not him.

Likely because he’s in something of the same position in his quest for power, Bang-won seems to understand the way Zhu Di’s mind works. Using only his own observations of the map laid out in front of Zhu Di, Bang-won correctly guesses that he has his ambitions set on the central mainland and the capital of Nanjing (and thus, the throne).

This guess is what causes Zhu Di to drop the sword he’d brandished toward Bang-won in anger, but Bang-won doesn’t stop there. He knows that in order for Zhu Di to gain the power he wants, a hostile relationship with Joseon wouldn’t be in his best interests—so in order to foster a better one, he should make it so that those who are anti-Ming in Joseon don’t gain enough power to start a war.

And in order to do that, he’d have to trust him to make sure Joseon never raises a hand against them. But only if he lets his party through Liaodong now. Zhu Di can’t help but be impressed by Bang-won’s balls as well as his stupidity, since everything he just said could cost him his life. “Today, you will either live or die,” the prince threatens somewhat vaguely.

That night, Bang-won is taken from his bed blindfolded and placed opposite Zhu Di at a banquet table. They have another surprise guest in the form of Yeon-hyang, though she’s not known to Zhu Di as a member of Nameless, but as a human trafficker supplying Joseon women to the imperial family.

She’s told him a lot about Bang-won, and the similarities in their struggles seems to have softened Zhu Di toward him. He’ll agree to let them pass through Liaodong, and will write a letter to the emperor… on one condition. “Your bodyguard, Moo-hyul. Give him to me.” What?!?!

Cut to Bang-won telling Moo-hyul that he’s decided to give him to Zhu Di. (WHAT?!?!) But he swears that when he passes back through Liaodong on the way back to Joseon, he’ll risk his life to make sure he gets Moo-hyul back.

In the meantime, Moo-hyul can learn even better fighting skills here, and Master Hong gets to stay with him. He wants Moo-hyul to become the best swordsman in Joseon, so Moo-hyul promises to become the best he can be for when Bang-won returns for him.

The deposed King Gongyang is well aware that King Taejo has ordered his execution, and has chosen to accept it in the hopes that Sa-kwang won’t die fighting for him. He deliberately doesn’t tell her, instead sending her away to the market where she receives a letter of farewell he wrote to her.

She realizes what this means and runs back to the house, but she’s too late—Gongyang has already calmly accepted his death by strangulation. She finds only his body, and holds his lifeless hand up to her tearstained cheeks as she weeps for him.

Everything’s better in a montage, as we find Moo-hyul advancing his skills by training with Zhu Di’s men. It’s about time the show remembered they had this sweet Guckkasten song in the soundtrack.

We return to Joseon after the capital has been moved from Gaegyeong to Hanyang (current day Seoul), to find politics being conducted as usual in the new government… or not, since Jung Do-jeon attempts to set the new government officials straight.

He establishes the basis for what will become The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, a painstaking record of every historical detail possible starting from the reign of King Taejo, made only for use by future generations. Even the king himself would not be allowed to read them, thus making the Annals sort of a check on his power, since all his actions—good or bad—would be immortalized on paper.

Boon-yi and her people are living well in Banchon, though Gab-boon has some qualms about working with former capital slaves when they’re commoners. Boon-yi reminds her that they’re all just people, which seems to soothe her worries for now. There’s also something suspicious going on with a brush maker she calls Ok Ajusshi and his perpetually missing sister. (He escaped the massacre of the Wang clan by changing his name and fleeing.)

Jung Do-jeon, finally looking a little less homeless in updated robes, comes to pay a visit to the tavern Grandma has set up in the village. He has no news of Bang-won, and thus no news of Moo-hyul for his poor grandmother.

While Jung Do-jeon prepares for a secret meeting later that night, Boon-yi hears reports from her spies, who are likely only secretly still employed by her.

Meanwhile, Bang-ji catches a spy stealing documents from Sungkyunkwan, likely the personal credo that Jung Do-jeon wanted copied. Boon-yi happens upon the scene, but the spy isn’t hers—he belongs to Nameless. When Gil Sun-mi finds out their spy has been captured, he eats what looks like a piece of jerky(?). I’m assuming this is important because we got a tight shot of him chewing it, but who knows.

Boon-yi, acting as the leader of Banchon, faces off against a group of ministers and soldiers who’ve come to apprehend the spy. Thanks to the laws Jung Do-jeon has put forth, Banchon and Sungkyunkwan are off-limits to official forces without the king’s explicit command.

In a way, that makes them semi-autonomous, giving Boon-yi the authority to deal with the spy as she sees fit unless she receives a royal order to do otherwise, which makes the official very, very angry.

Boon-yi interrogates the spy, but it’s Bang-ji who suspects him of being Nameless. She’s horrified by the idea and gives the spy a chance to confess, ordering him stripped and checked for a Nameless tattoo if he doesn’t. He dies before he gets the chance though, thanks to a surprise dagger thrown by Gil Sun-mi.

Bang-ji catches up to him, asking what Nameless is doing in Banchon. “We are not just in Banchon, we are everywhere,” Gil Sun-mi replies, shortly before the two go at it. Their fight is short-lived though, since Gil Sun-mi is forced to flee when Boon-yi and her people arrive—and makes a distraction in order to do so by throwing his jerky at Boon-yi like a ninja throwing star. (I know.)

Ah, so Ok Ajusshi’s “missing sister” is none other than Sa-kwang, since King Gongyang had made arrangements for her to be able to live in hiding after he was gone. She delivers the letter the spy stole and then hid to Boon-yi after finding it, but Boon-yi has no idea who she really is.

Sa-kwang and Ok Ajusshi are hiding in Banchon because soldiers aren’t allowed inside, and it seems she’s found a new purpose in taking care of two of King Gongyang’s surviving children. This addition seems extra fictional, since great pains were taken to ensure that Gongyang and his entire bloodline were wiped off the face of the earth.

Jung Do-jeon arrives at Jungryunam for his secret meeting with a group of scholars on a cliff that should look very familiar. Boon-yi watches secretly from nearby, likely tipped off to the meeting by one of her spies.

Back at the Liaodong Fortress, an eager Ming guard uses broken Korean Master Hong has undoubtedly taught him to tell him that Bang-won has come back alive. Moo-hyul rises like he’s been waiting only for this day, which, he probably has.

He’s sporting manly facial hair now, which makes it seem like it’s been years, but in reality Bang-won left for Ming and came back within the same calendar year. But then a call from off-screen is heard: “Moo-hyul!” Is it Bang-won?

Jung Do-jeon addresses the gathered scholars with a rousing speech, and one with very familiar overtones for anyone who’s seen Tree With Deep Roots:

“Therefore, the roots of this grand country of Joseon are still weak. Scholars, officials, the sadaebu… all of us here should be the strong, healthy roots of this country. In order for this tree named Joseon to last for ten thousand years, we must be the root of those roots. We may be hidden, but we live and breathe, invisible, while passing along our energy to the tree, its leaves, and flower petals. We must become the invisible, deep-rooted roots of history! We must become the hidden root of this land!

The hidden root steers the king [in the right direction], the hidden root makes sure not to lead the king astray! The hidden root works for the lowest people of this land! The hidden root cares for the people; the hidden root respects the people! The hidden root brings peace for the people! The hidden root raises the people up! The hidden root must be unchanging. That is what Minbon is [the people are the root of the nation].”

His affecting words earn teary eyed responses from all those listening, including the eavesdropping Boon-yi who repeats his last phrase wonderingly: “Minbon. The people… the people are the roots.”

Jung Do-jeon: The First Leader of Hidden Root.

 
COMMENTS

As if my lasting nostalgia for Tree With Deep Roots wasn’t unhealthy enough after all these years, this episode brought back way more memories of that show than any of the previous ones—likely because it tried the hardest to do so. But now I want to go re-watch Tree all over again because it was just that awesome, and because the fact that my favorite show ever actually got a prequel, practically unheard of in dramaland, and that prequel is about to end. (*cries*)

The Tree tie-ins present an interesting dilemma, since I simultaneously wish this show had taken on more of the secrecy and subterfuge of its future counterpart that it so clearly showed it could do with this last scene, while at the same time recognizing that this show isn’t and shouldn’t be just a longer version of Tree.

Then again, there have been a lot of missed opportunities along the way when it comes to achieving the same mysterious depth, though I feel like bringing up how and why Nameless has failed to live up to its potential is a topic for another day. I can’t keep living in the past when it comes to them, and can only hope that there’ll be some sort of turnaround that redeems them (not as people, but as good villains) in these last episodes.

But enough about that, and onto a much more important concern—namely, how it is that Jung Do-jeon got another special introduction when Moo-hyul has received exactly zero. Now it feels so deliberate as to be intentional, but I was so sure this episode was his episode. He even grew a beard! If that’s not deserving of a Dragon Title, and none of his other accomplishments have been thus far, who does he/we need to kill to earn it? How is that beard not enough to appease the angry drama gods?

His bromance with Bang-won was a thing of beauty though. And I loved that Bang-won, who only takes very calculated risks, was still willing to bank everything on not losing Moo-hyul. Even though he ended up finding a solution that was mutually beneficial for the both of them, and even though he’s done some terrible things before, that one relationship serves to put him above Jung Do-jeon in terms of his loyalty toward others.

He could’ve used Moo-hyul and tossed him away, but he did everything—and I mean everything—to make sure that wouldn’t happen. More than fancy speeches about lofty ideas, actions are what make a hero. (I’m totally aware that this statement is going to cease to be true the second Bang-won murders someone. Which, let’s face it, will probably be next week.)

 
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MUSA MOO-HYUL <3333333333333333333

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YASSSS!!!

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and there's still no dragon's title for MooHyul?

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I bet they'll make an excuse and say, oh look for it in Tree. I'm seriously going to cut someone if Moohyul ends up not getting his title.

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Maybe they already shot Moo-hyul's dragon scene but there was some issue with the writers and the PD wanting to go a different direction so they gave double title to Jung Do-jeon instead.

But don't worry, they will release a special episode 51 later showing Moo-hyul's deleted dragon scene.

/s

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I was like aaacckkkk! WHY OH WHY DRAMA? He fought like a wounded tiger and we only got Jeong Do Jeon's title as the "First Milbon Leader"?? *pulls hair*

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I'm mad that Moo-hyulie hasn't gotten his title yet, meanwhile Sambong now has two. Alrighty then.

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Aside from the dragon title.. Whatever happened to that letter Sa Gwang gave him that he couldn't read?
More Moo Hyul from now on Show! ?

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That's what I'm thinking! Moohyul, please learn reading!

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I've been bitching since eps 6 about Moo-hyul not getting his dragon eps. I keep telling myself that they are saving the best for last lol.

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I adored this episode. And that bond between Bang Won and Moo Hyul is so real - and it goes both ways!

I did laugh at the throwing the jerky thing. WTH.

Ok, now to finally get around to watching Tree.

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Bang-won and Moo-hyul are the best thing in this show! I used to like Bang-ji a lot, well actually I still do, just that he hasn't been doing anything awesome lately.

But I have to say that the recent episodes highlighted Bang-won and his awesome guard so much to the point that I'm ok with them killing off everyone and take over the throne (which is twisted in a way). Team Bang-won all the way! And give Moo-hyul his deserving title!!!

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I can't wait for the focus to be back on Bang-ji, it's coming I know it! I mean all this focus on Nameless and Yeon-hyang can't be for nothing, and Yeon-hee is gonna die (yesssss die die die!).

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It's actually sad that I've lost all my love for Yeon-hee from the early episodes. She used to be one of my fave together with Bang-ji. But now, I don't really care if she needs to be sacrificed for Bang-won to win. I just hope that this whole thing won't hurt Bang-ji too much, poor guy.

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Bang Won - Moo Hyul is the real bromance in the drama from the get go. I knew it!! *throws confetti*

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The beard. The earring. The fur-inspired armour. The hairstyle. Guess Moo Hyul got the Fanservice Pack upgrade!

Their bromance was so good and beautiful, much like the night Youngkyu and Yi Bang Won after the killing of Jeong Mung Joo.

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"Judy" treats Moo Hyul better in appearance department, obviously :D

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At least, someone recognizes Moo Hyul's hotness and probably "Judy's" mindset was might as enjoy Moo Hyul in the best Ming's rugged manly (fur-inspired) trend before Bang-Won comes back alive.

So, he polished Moo Hyul into a much better "adult" version, fitting for his long over-due title.

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LMAO, y'all are just running off with the Zhu Di mispronunciations! *cackles*

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@peeps - Thank you so much for this. You saved me from a lot of unnecessary research. I would've been checking to see if this show has a wardrobe or makeup person whose English name version is "Judy". lol but really, truly, thanks.

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I think "Judy" got smitten by Moo Hyul's pure heart inside his strong sturdy body. Mwahaha! I witnessed a lot of K-fans already created the love triangle between Bang Won-Moo Hyul-Judy.

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Honestly, any bromance or womance (sisterhood) transcends your typical romance in dramas. Thanks to "Judy", we get to see Moo Hyul outgrow his "Elsa's" hairstyle into "Anna's" hairdo. It's about time.

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I think those gifts will be misunderstood and land Moo-hyul later in jail. Just had a bad feeling based on historical incidents.

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This might be my favorite love triangle of the series!!

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So cute, Boon Yi has a PA to take notes. About time Moohyul get his Dragon title (facial hair and all) Tks Heads for an awesome recap as usual.

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does anyone else think that PA might be the future leader of Banchon? since the girl seems to have some sort of accent and the leader of Banchon in "Tree with Deep Roots" had a northern accent. o.o

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That little girl is the future leader of Banchon in "Tree", that's what I read in Bodashiri tumblr.

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Then, what happens to Boon yi? This makes me nervous.

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I hope she just dies old lol! It's better than lotsa tragic death in this drama.

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Moo-hyul!!!!! <3 <3

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MOO HYUL! Roar! Loveee this ep!
Now that Boon Yi knows about Milbon, is she gonna join? Please dont, it's twisted. All these talks about doing things for the people, we know from Tree tahts not true.

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JDJ probably had noble ideas for Milbon but it got twisted along the way. Jeong Ki Joon also took it differently so I guess it's just a matter of who's leading it.

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Agreed! King Sejong created Hangul for the benefit of the common people. Yes the people.

If Sambong was alive back then he would've supported it but Jeong Ki Joon and his minions tried to stop it from happening so clearly he was on a different path.

I think it was more about revenge to him. Bang ji's death was his doing. He never fail to remind him that he was responsible for Sambong's death.

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There wasn't really much progress plot-wise this episode, but it's soooooo enjoyable with all the fan service. Moo-hyul's bromance with Bang-won, Moo-hyul bull-dozing through the arena, and Moo-hyul's extreme make-over! Finally, FACIAL HAIR! Heh.

Anyway, as someone who hasn't watched Tree, I don't really get what's the point of Jung Do-jeon setting up Milbon. I mean, he's already the prime minister of Joseon and has so much powers, so why is he setting up another secret society?

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At this point, I only see it as making a connection to Tree, to be honest.

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Yes it's all about connection to Tree now even some of the history (Bang-won's diplomatic mission to Ming).

The real Sambong did not have a secret organization on the side. Milbon was created by the writers to counter the creation of Hangul and King Sejong who didn't have many enemies like his father.

In reality there were only a few ministers who went against Sejong. Creating Milbon makes it more dramatic.

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A counter attack to Nameless, perhaps?

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I think due to the fact that their country is still absolute monarchy, legitimately,,the king still has the power of all.

So to gather support for his cause, he`s setting up Milbon. And also to ensure for the next next generation to come, the supreme power is not in king`s hand anymore.

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But why does he need to do that? Isn't he enough powerful to fight against MooMyung (Nameless)? Or In other words we can say that Nameless is much more powerful then Jeong Do-Jeon, that even after getting so much power he cannot fight against it. While considering Yi Bang-Won (My Real Hero) even he don't have power in politics or government officially, he still can make an influence to anyone, anywhere and anytime, no matter what.

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Foresight I think, just in case the systems he left in place would be toppled by a king he wanted to have a fail safe. Not that it, helped the Milbon guys in tree were the most undemocratic bunch ever.

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There was a lot of progress plot wise. Bang Won is making a lasting political connection with Zhu Di. It will affect Joseon relations with Ming for a lifetime. JDJ starting Milbon is very backhanded and questionable. If he is the new country's prime minister and this is an above board assembly why does he have to have secret meetings in the forest at night by invitation only? Sambong and Yeon Hee are both two faced liars. They are working against the crown AND FOR THEMSELVES in the name of the people. Previously Poeun told Bang Won not to use the people as an excuse for his selfish actions. Sambong should now heed those words.

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Remember when Jung Do Jeon scolded Jo Joon for meeting Lee Ji Ran in secret to discuss the issue of Bang Won as crown prince? According to him all official matters should be discussed in court but I guess it's okay for him to build a whole secret organisation, because you know it's for the people! Always for the people never for himself!

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The bromance is just wow..... I think Bang Won really appreciated those who are loyal to him.
Oh, and i enjoyed HR’s expression along te show... the WTH expression on him is amusing. Couldn’t wait for another WTH expression from Sambong when he found out that BW will comback with victory.
Anyway, that midnight kidnapping really unecessary though...

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Yeah I thought "Bruh, you can just bring him anytime to her without the blindfold if that was for a surprise"

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MOOHYULLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

First of all, thank you Heads for screencapping my two favorite moments in this episode: Master Hong hugging Moohyul in the coliseum(?) and the two of them cutely lying side by side looking at technique drawings. >< I'm changing my laptop wallpaper!

That Milbon ending gave me chills though I'm still bitter Sam Bong got another title while Moohyul still hasn't gotten his. It's amazing how the Muiiya song lost its effect on me when they use it for Sam Bong. I don't know. It's probably bias. Don't get me started with Yeon Hee. At least their deaths won't be as hard on my heart.

Okay guys, no more ship fights. The true love line in this show is BangHyul, okay? Zhu Di can be the third wheeler. Now I understand why Moohyul (JJW) looked that way before he defended King Sejong from his father. The bromance!! Can't watch Tree the same way again. He had a bromance line with both father and son.

And yay! Boon Yi's not Dodamdaek. It's probably Maengsoon considering her accent.

4 more weeks... I can't. I'll seriously go into really bad withdrawal when this ends. Thanks as always, Heads!

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Same! I bear grudges for all the things Jung Do-jeon has done to Bang-won, and I'm like, noooo you don't deserve Muiiya as your character theme anymore!

On the other hand, Muiiya rock version for Moo-hyul gave me goosebumps!

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Same.

For a 50 episode drama, it feels surprisingly short. Time passed so quickly with this one. I feel like begging them to extend the drama by 10 more episodes, at least. It's sooooo good! I really will miss it when it is over. (Sighs). It was a wild ride.

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I also wish it was longer but Ah In really needs to go to the army and maybe I need some social life on Mondays and Tuesdays. I seriously don't go out on these days because I work on Dragons for at least 6 hours. It did feel really short though. :(

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agreed omg I WAS (& STILL AM) ultra pressed that JDJ gets another title at the end of an ep and yet Moohyul doesn't get one DESPITE this being quite a Moohyul-centric episode. I'M SEETHING. What a missed opportunity? tbh they totally could have given Moohyul his title here, given him a bit more screen time, and then do JDJ's second title in next week's episode? smh

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+1

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If Bang Hyul isn’t OTP at the end I will be very sad

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MuHyeol! MuHyeeeeeooooollll!!!!

Swordsman my ass, he's a mixed martial arts fighter. He should join the MMA.

I luv it!

BangWon really has balls of steel but he really understands negotiation in that the best offence is the best defence and vice versa since he really knows how to get attention by throwing people off and that's step 1 to a successful negotiation - get your opponents to listen. How is he so smart and brave? I checked out his zodiac sign and apparently he was born in the year of a goat - whose characteristics are... gentle and docile... uhm...

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And people born in the year of goat are supposed to generally have poor luck in their lives... They tend to be the ones getting taken advantage of in relationships and so on. So ironic when he's such a born leader!

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Heheheh... he did get taken advantage all the time when he was a kid though. He just ended up turning the tables.

Zodiacs must be self-fulfilling prophecies - but maybe BangWon didn't know his and so his couldn't be fulfilled - all the better! (Not for Jung DoJeon)

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(But of course I put no stock in Zodiac reading. It's just for fun and not a legit argument.)

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Haha! This is a good one...I am also in the year of the Goat. But goats can be determined and ambitious at times. Take for an example- mountain goat- they can climb up the most strenuous terrains without any problem. That can be applied to Lee Bang Won's character- not giving up to the last moment.

The writer has definitely written way well that viewers end up hating JDJ and LSG after all LBWon has sacrificed so much ti built new Joseon. Then again we were left in delusion when LBWon was such a tyrant towards his son Sejong and in-laws in TWDeep roots. Mmmm....brilliant story line...

Everyone's growing old and spotting with beard and facial hair for the coming last few episodes...we are coming to the end where Bangwon will wipe off JDJ's team. :D

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I spotted that Jung DoJeon already has white hair mixed in his beard. The stress must have been enormous given how it's only been (less than) a year.

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Am I crazy? I swear someone in the show mentioned in passing that it had been a few years. Didn't JDJ say that "it's been a few years since Goryeo became Joseon" or something of the sort? Or was I having a fever dream?

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Joseon was established in 1392. It's now 1394 based on the historical events so it has only been 2 yrs.

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I also born in Year of GOAT (November 20, 1991) and feel my life is very similar to our best hero YI BANG-WON

The year of the goat symbolizes: Sacrifice, composure

Personality Traits (Positive: Sympathy, Peaceful)
Personality Traits (Negative: Fearful, Indecisive, Tendency to complain)

Most compatible with: Pig and Rabbit
Least compatible with: Cow

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OMG!! Moo Hyul is so bae in this episode!! I was 100% sure he was going to get his dragon title in this one but I guess next week then...and this new society that JDJ has formed is kinda fishy i don't trust the direction he's going... I'm really curious as to what boon yi will do with this info, is she gonna join? Or is she gonna let BW know about this? Ugh can't wait for next week. I would love to see more boon yi and BW moments idk it's just so 'poetic' lol but love love the bromance between BW and Moo Hyul! Can I have them both?! Lol

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Finally now I have little hope that Moo Hyul and Chaek Sa Gwang will meet soon and I hope they get into love line ??

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In a period of strife and destruction, uncertainty and chaos, Moo-hyul is a breath of fresh air in his innocence, naivety, undying loyalty and unwavering desire to simply be a warrior.

I love that his wish was for the body-guards to be spared. So admirable and so Moo-hyul.

And remind me never to play poker with Bang-won!

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I think it will be more epic if Moohyul get his "Dragon" title on the last episode.
Moohyul - Loyalty, Best Swordsman In Joseon

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Yes am with this. I think he'll get his dragon title on the last episode!
Cant stop chanting MooHyul MooHyul!

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He has to! When Bang-won finally gets his title of 'Third King of Joseon', Moo-hyul has to stand beside him and get his oh so deserving title 'Best Swordsman of Joseon'. That will be perfect.

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We need moo-hyul and sa-gwang love story asap

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They should at least meet again!

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Maybe she'll teach him how to read. I'm curious about what she wrote him in the cave.

They are both single and I love them both. I want to ship them so bad.

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Holy sheeet! I kept screaming during that battle. Moo Hyul baby you rawkss!! Look at his adoring eyes for Bang Won...my heart melts! When Bang Won was leaving, his eyes made my heart broken >.< Too many feels... And those facial hairs *fans self* I'm so so happy when Bang Won said the Joseon Best Swordman is Moohyul and he went back to fetch MH as promised.

Can't wait to see these two dragons with the beards next week!

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I know in this drama we suppose to hate Sambong but I can't hate him tho... Sambong I still respect you no matter how low they twisted your character...

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That Milbon meeting showed JDJ's ideals were still in the right place, thankfully. So, it's hard to hate on him for that.

One thing puzzled me, though. Why the secret meeting at night? He has all the power now that he is Prime Minister, why not meet openly and during the day? Is it his fear of opposition?

And did you notice no female was present except for Yeon hee, and Boon yi who crashed the party? This does not bode well for the future Joseon women by any means. The era of openly strong and bold Goryeo women is coming to a close. Something I cannot thank JDJ for. From now on, women are forced to cross-dress as men because their privileges are not the same! smh.

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Well, the writers seems to make him out to be the bad guy here. If look at things from his point of view then you might not hate him.
Fan-girling over YAI/Bang-won will definitely make you hate Sambong lol.

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Why siding on LBW make us look like "fangirling over YAI/BW because he's cute"? Because obviously I'm enjoying Yoo Ah In's acting as Lee Bang Won and how the writers gave this Lee Bang Won more layers than just a mere "tyrant".

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Moo hyul with facial hair yippee! Can anything get better than that???

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Come to think of it, ues. Bang won with facial hair, lol.

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**yes

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They seem to try the similar make up with his character Prince Sado in the movie "Sado"/"The Throne". Can't compare film to drama artistic teams tho ?

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Re: Bang Won: They seem to try the similar make up with his character Prince Sado in the movie "Sado"/"The Throne". Can't compare film to drama artistic teams tho ?

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My heart aches while reading the comments about Bang Won and Moo Hyul's bromance. I was even teary eyed while watching the drama-how Bang Won saved Moo Hyul and how Moo Hyul agreed and patiently waited for Bang Won to comeback. I feel like I'm going to cry if this drama will end. Its just soo good. Can't Yoo Ah In come back to make a second season after his military service? I wanna see him as King Taejong!!! Oh but if Bon Yi will never be in that sequel (since most said that she will die), I'm going to be sad again.
Just please, please, give more moments to Lee Bang WON and Bon Yi pdnim. I just love them as a pair.
I really cant wait to see how Bang Won crushed Jung Do Jeon and rises above everyone. That traitpr Lee Jin Seok (or whatever his name, that scholar who strangled Cho Young) beg on his knees for survival. I just hate that guy, I swear I wanna punch him for their tricks and betrayal.

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I cried when Moo-hyul fought with the Ming warrior. There was so much feels - poor boy had to fight to save his life, all because he was so loyal to Bang-won. But I loved that BW tried so hard to save him. That made me love both of them even more!

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Just caught up with this week's episodes and aw, I was hoping Moohyul wold get his chyron this week. But not to worry, I'm sure they've tortured us enough, for sure when that time comes, it will be all sorts of epic!

Sigh, the lovely Bangwon and Moohyul bromance!! I was soo touched with the lengths that Bangwon went through to try and keep Moohyul alive. And that scene where Moohyul asked Zhu Di to spare his men, you can see that Bangwon was whooping deep inside. He was so proud of Moohyul at that moment! And so was I, hehe.

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Aww... how MH has grown up in the last two episodes. Love his character development from lost country boy to dedicated warrior and his bromance with BW. He made the tough decision to stand by BW when all other dragons had abandoned him. I was so touched by BW's convo with MH especially when BW promised to come back for him, sniffle.

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BW and MH bromance really highlighted today’s comments that anyone seemed forgot Boon Yi’s side thought ’are you okay, Bang Won-ah’ :))

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I still remember her words ^_^ It's cute she called him "Bang Won-ah" at heart

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THIS EPISODE!!! I was yelling/flailing throughout tbh. This drama wrecks me in the best way possible.

(also thanks Heads for this awesome recap as well as the nice song choice, Soldier is my favourite song from Taemin's album lol)

At the start when the guards beat Moohyul up I almost couldn't watch ugh ;;;;;;; It is such a Moohyul thing to do to ask for the solider's lives to be spared, EVEN THOUGH they beat him up before. His kindness always floors me he's such an outstanding character like honestly. That integrity is such a breath of fresh air in a high stakes drama like this! ><
and the bromance was GLORIOUS and beautiful. My heart can't take this lol o-<-_< Moohyul has demonstrated integrity, loyalty, ability and strength of character, and yet JDJ stands on a rock and gets A SECOND title? Oh come on. I was seriously wishing that the screen would flip back to Moohyul at the end, and when it didn't I wanted to throw something at the screen. :-)
Writers, pls stop playing with our hearts, just let us live. Throw us a bone, GIVE MOOHYUL HIS TITLE ALREADY T___T (otherwise I would cry)

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I totally feel you. Thanks for the emotional roller coaster, Writers!

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Oh wow ok idk why like half of my comment disappeared so I'll try again:

I love the mentor/student relationship Moohyul has with Master Hong. How far have they come, from Moohyul not liking him that much bc Hong is a scammer but now they're pretty much like a cute little family it is SO CUTE and I'm really happy that Hong was able to stay at Moohyul's side all this time while Bangwon was away. ;_; it's so nice that he had that support system in the mean time! A Knetz comment said that Moohyul essentially went to "study abroad", and they're right. It would've been scary to see Bangwon leave but at least Moohyul had Hong to talk to & be with during that time.

Also I would just like to point out how much Yoon Kyunsang's general beauty stood out in this episode. Damn. Like ok so yes we all know he's a good looking bloke but in the montage scenes he was !!! Especially that scene where he was walking alongside his newfound comrades with matching uniforms and his hair was all messy and he was smiling at them. My eyes turned into heart eyes~ Oh goodness me how ridiculously handsome is he?! & also at the end with the facial hair and the new look! I felt like falling to the floor dead at that moment. My heart is weak I can't do this lol

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Definitely NOT saying that Yoon Kyun-sang isn´t a handsome man, but just had to note how Moo-hyul´s transformation had an opposite effect on me and my friend while watching the show. Namely, we were both in stitches when Moo-hyul was returning from the battle with messy hair (so. much. hair.) and then practically peed our pants at his rugged, Gil Tae-mi spin-offish minus the eye shadow new look. I mean, I just hope he gets some decent clothing soon and leaves all his earrings, furs and what-not with his new friends at the camp.
I guess the facial hair is a must, so I won´t get my hopes up that he´ll shave it any time soon, though I have to say that I found him very manly already without it.

I guess each of us have their own preferences, so I´m not here to criticize someone´s taste, just thought it funny to point out.

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That's fair enough LOL different strokes for different folks but I truly found him quite attractive here in this ep (welp but I find him attractive in pretty much every ep so.....)
idk? I guess I was just so used to seeing him look pretty much the same all this time that the change was too much for my brain to handle, and it went into the "omg he looks different he's so handsome" place in my mind rather than the "oh that's hilarious" place. XD

Oh well I very much doubt he would be dressing with his !!! Ming army high fashion !!! in Joseon lol he'd definitely tone it down a bit & go back to wearing Joseon clothing, but the facial hair seems to be a keeper for everyone at this point. I quite like it thus far, I admit it's a strange look for him but I guess we'll just have to get used to it. :P He has always looked manly lol his height really adds to to that, but yeah with facial hair he looks much older and I guess that's kind of the point~ I'm not complaining lol I'll take it as it is and shall look forward to Yoon Kyunsang's inevitable upcoming photoshoots, which I'm praying that they shall be glorious.

It is really funny haha thank you for pointing that out lol I got a good laugh because I do see where you're coming from. :) It does happen to me a lot too when I watch dramas, clearly not in this case but definitely I have laughed at outlandish changes in character's appearances before.

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Moo-hyul is a total babe in both TWDR and SFD thanks to Jo Jon Woong and Yoon. I start this show cheering for Moo-hyul and will end with Moo-hyul.

Give me Moo-hyul in the Joseon guard uniform with a hat like the one Jo Jin Woong was wearing in Tree. That would make my day.

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This would be perfect if it ends with full on cameos. Really, my life would be perfect.

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I'd love to see a cameo from Jo Jin Woong and Song Joong Ki. I want to hear him say MUSA MOO-HYUL again.

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I'm with you there. I find Moo Hyul looks more attractive with all those facial hair and messy hairdo :)

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When i first watch Yoon Kyun sang in faith i like him so much and knew he will be a great actor.

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Ahh Moohyul & Bangwon are meant to be. I love that MH is such a devotee to BW. I'm in awe with the "gladiator" fight and his wild beast screams XD Only BW can stop him from killing his oponent. I feel sad for King Goyang & Cheok Sak Gwang. I wonder what will happen to his little boys. Thanks for the recap, Heads ❤

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Liked this episode- Birth of Milbon, Boon-yi and Chuk Sa-kwang in Banchon, and MH! (more BangJi Please)

'heh' moment for a familiar face. MH's opponent in the duel is martial arts/action director (feel like forever). I remember him from 'Sangdo' days. People might recognize him from 'Secret garden' where he was himself.

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Sangdo Nameless. Kim Myung Min can make a crappy script sounds brilliant. I can't say I regret following him here.

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Sangdo <3.

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Love Moo Hyul.

Am on board with Bang Won murdering any and all in his path.

Worried ..now that Boon yi is on her way to becoming the old woman of Banchon.

Wondering what the heck is gonna happen with the Wang king's children. Cause.. ya know... everyone in the world would want them dead. Plus I was hoping our swordswoman would get over her grief and marry Moo Hyul (I am so desperate for Moo Hyul to find love) but I can't see him becoming stepfather to the dead king's sons. Ah me, #dramaworldproblems.

Thanks for the recap.

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Bodashiri on tumblr mentioned this (they always go into depth about the history in every episode of SFD), that Boon Yi can't be Do Dam (the old woman from TWDR) because:

1) Dodam in TWDR speaks with strong North Korean accent. Boon-Yi’s hometown is South western province, and she never speaks in dialect.

2) Moo Hyul in TWDR talks down to Do Dam, where as in SFD Moo Hyul talks to Boon Yi extremely politely with honorific title like Nangja (Lady).

3) In Episode 18 of TWDR, when Dodam heard Bang Ji fell off a cliff, she was terrified and said “What shall we do, if he is still alive and came back to avenge us?” Which wouldn't make sense for Boon Yi to say that about her brother.

Bodashiri on tumblr said that Maeng Soon, the new Banchon girl who always writes something on her notebook next to Boon Yi will most likely become Do Dam from TWDR since they both have the same North Korean accent.

So I think Boon Yi might end up dying in the end since she's not Do Dam.

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Historically the Wang boys were killed too. I'm guessing that they will be discovered hiding at Banchon Village.

I think Sa Gwang Cheok will fight to protect the boys. I hope to heaven that it's not going to be against Moo-hyul because she will definitely die.

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It seems to me that so called 'nameless' is the crutch the writer uses to get Bang Won out of trouble. I have a problem with the over use of this organization and as far as I am concerned it has done its course. One question, is it historically accurate that this organization stayed on this long?

I am curious.

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Nameless is a work of fiction just like Milbon in Tree. It started in QSD and the writers were making an attempt to connect them to SFD.

It would've been better if they created in a new organization for SFD. The 700+yrs gap and their so called power over the world is downright laughable.

Milbon > Nameless

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You said it better than me, 'It would’ve been better if they created in a new organization for SFD. The 700+yrs gap and their so called power over the world is downright laughable.'
Laughable it is.

Also, why do I keep reading that BY will die but not of old age? Why are viewers predicting her demise? She is a fictional character and maybe they can insert her as one of his many concubines. I don't know but I grew to be fond of her soft power.

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It would make sense if she becomes a concubine. Kings were usually in love with their concubine(s) more than their queen. Take King Sukjong and Jang Hee-bin for example. Bang-won and Lady Hyobin etc.

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Bang Won to Moo Hyul: "Let's survive. I need you to survive for me to survive." Aww. This is the second time he said he needed someone else after Boon Yi.

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Gotta say it again and again, all the fighting/battle scenes in SFD are so well-executed and so so great!!

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"More than fancy speeches about lofty ideas, actions are what make a hero" Very well said. Thankyou for the recap. Its wonderful episode , now I am keen to watch "tree with deep roots" :)

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I agree so hard with Heads about Tree with Deep Roots - I feel like I have to rewatch that as soon as Six ends. My favorite sageuk of all time and one of my favorite TV shows of all time. Oh the memories! Maybe Boon Yi is the grandmother of Shin Se Kyung's character in Tree? Wouldn't that be neat?

And speaking of sageuk nostalgia, did anyone else think that Yoon Gyun Sang had a Song Il Kook as Jumong (older) vibe going on with all that sexy facial hair?

What a great episode! What a great show! This drama has revived my great love of epic sageuks which had been waning of late with all the snoozers.

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Epi 42 made me feels like watching Gladiator: Kdrama version.
Moohyul really stood out the most in this episode. My baby has grown up!
They even gave him facial hair and new outfit style. But the more I want Moohyul's Dragon title to come, the more I was so sure that the Writers Duo wouldn't give it in this episode. They dislike to be easy to predict.
Okay Writer-nim, just give it to him in the LAST episode so it would become more memorable.

Bangwon & Moohyul bromance is SO SO REAL to the point I want these two to get married. LOL
Their strong bond in this episode killed me on the spot. I had to replayed their scenes many times and being killed all over again. Haha.
These two are my top most favorite characters, from the start. Lee Bangwon alwaysss be the #1 ( thanks to Nam Dareum who was portrayed young Lee Bangwon perfectly ).
How I wish this show will never end. Writer-nim, I demand an another-50-episodes extension!
I think, for the first time, I will be a loyal viewer of a 100-episodes Kdrama if it's for SFD.

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There are several fan videos depicting their bromance by know XD

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I've just watched one, will searching on Youtube for more then. Thanks fyi ^^

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I love Gladiator and no one can outdo Maximus. My Hero!

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Goodluck to Byun Yo Han! I'm a huge fan of Musical theatre.

I hope that will free up Jo Seung-woo to do a drama or a movie.

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I love this episode. I sound like a broken record now having repeated the same comment over and over again. Sorry and thank you for the recaps, Heads.

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Go,Go,MyoHyuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul

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Thank you Heads! I'm with the nostalgia group for Tree With Deep Roots. It's like a puzzle that is almost completed.

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I love Six Flying Dragons and it has extended my #1 love for Tree With Deep Roots!!!!!! I cried my eyes out at the end of Tree two years ago and felt like I was falling in love with the great King Sejong for everything he had done for his people.

THEN!!!!! I went to Korea last April and the very first thing I did after checking into my hotel was make my way over to the glorious state of King Sejong on the main avenue - and I cried all over again!!! Took a selfie - silly me - then discovered by accident that there is a complete King Sejong museum under the street!!! Wandering through all the exhibits I found myself weeping yet again and I'm sure all the Korean locals there thought the bog tall blond American tourist had lost her mind. NOOOOO!!!

For some reason, at the end of Tree, I promised myself I would watch it again in ten years but I'm headed right back there at the end of SFD because WHY??? Because, as a result of the magnificent current drama Signal now occupying my heart and Jae-Han played so brilliantly by Cho Jin-Woong who is also MooHyul in Tree - I'm going back right away. Now my love for Tree and Sejong and MooHyul and Cho Jin-Woong and the whole glorious thing has multiplied ten thousand fold. Thank you writers!!!

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Make that *statue* not state!!

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Moo Hyul ! Uri Moo Hyul is growing up for sure. It's quite a nice transformation. But I'll be missing Moo Hyul's innocent look forever.. :')

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