@kiara do you have any insight about what the actual historical protocol would've been had a Chief Ming Eunuch acted like that in the Joseon Court?
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Action: Among other things, my friend the bodyguard should Not have been riding a horse, let alone possibly doing anything, so soon after that wound.

Costume Design: Love Rowoon's purple hanbok, and the attention to hair and hat accessories.

The Ming envoy was horrible but I appreciated the way Dam-yi dealt with him, softening his heart. But he will not be forgiven for hurting Ga-on or cutting Court Lady Kim's hair. I am so intrigued by Ga-on, I just don't know what to make of him. But the highlight of these episodes was Ga-on dragging out a drunk Ji-woon. I rewatched that scene at least a dozen times.

I'm waiting for Red Cuff, so I'm warming up with this drama.
I already can't really get attached with this drama and now I truly want to forget Ming Gang episodes.
I know I've said this, but everytime Rowoon appears, I see Joowon 🙈
So strange...

I know this is tropey but I like that it is done in reverse. He is the one tripping and falling into her arms, the one tending the flowers and flower garden, the one needed rescuing as she is the better swordsman/fighter. So that keeps the fun. However, I am more invested now on the back story of Ga-on.

Couldn't care less for the Constipated-looking Eunuch, & his cringey, Mandarin-speaking troop from Ming dressed in historically inaccurate clothing.... this week's highlight for me was definitely Ga-On, gosh how cute is he? No wonder he is the visuals in his k-pop group! ^^
Also, super-glad the Crown Prince finally could see where the bunch of flowers tutor Jung had been collecting, went! :P

I know sexuality wasn't as nuanced in Joseon, and people didn't live for labels back then; but I love how unperturbed Ji-Woon seems to be regarding the whole CP situation. Although, I KNOW 'k-drama logic' would still imply he fell for the CP because he resembled the court-maid (aka a WOMAN) and therefore tutor Jung is pretty 'straight', but that's far from the truth, atleast in my head. Ji-Woon is so un-bothered to have caught feelings for another man.... Rather, his worry is the CP is out of his league, lol! :P

He's soon becoming one of my favorite beta-heroes from drama-land! :D

I am really enjoying the role reversal over here. FL saving ML is refreshing in a kdrama. But tbh i dont think Jiwoon is weak or isnt skilled to use a sword. I actually found the fight scenes in episode 8 pretty realistic. No one, no matter how much skilled they are in fighting skills, would singlehandedly be able to fight 7 to 8 people at once without getting injured or most probably killed.
Also i absolutely loved how he openly told how much the wounds hurt and didnt shy away or remained cold about it which a typical ML in a drama would rather do.

I love the Cp character. From the outside she is cold and uncaring and harsh. (very necessary to keep her secret) But she deeply cares for and tries to protect those who are important to her/considers her people. We see this in the way she does her court lady's hair for her to try to make her feel better, and even the way she placed herself between her bodyguard Ga-on and the eunuchs bodyguard. She doesn't hesitate to defend those weaker than herself.
Like others, i initially thought Ga-on is there to watch/kill her at some point, but i think he is now going to be loyal to her. He noticed how she protected him, and i think that surprised him enough to reevaluate his misssion. Overall another great two episodes.

This drama mixes very well the sageuk part and the manhwa part. It makes it very pleasant to watch with not too much politics with old men and not too much fluffly scenes.

I like Ji-Woon character. Because of his father, he ran away from politics and the palace, it made him caring for people and being free from the heaviness of the hierarchy. He's just a bubble of happiness in this palace. But he can still be serious, he didn't hesitate to sacrifice himself for his friends. He can fight but not defeat everybody when he is clearly disadvantaged by the number of his opponents. He makes him not being the perfect ML, it's nice :p

Lee Hwi was passive but Ji-Woon changed her and now she's active as a Crown Prince. She protected him and his friends. Knowing the situation of her father, she wants to help him too. She's not her grandfather's puppet anymore. PEB is great in this role!

I wonder if Ga-On knows about her identity because if he's the son of the Tutor and saw the Prince as Dam-Yi in the past, he could make the connection.

Hyun is in the front row to see Dam-Yi falling in love with Ji-Woon. He saw her changing, smiling to somebody else.

The scene of Court Lady Kim was so sad to watch! Even if CHief Eunuch suffered in the past, he did what people did to him, he's not better.

I'm happy to see our main characters in their past lair. I'm expecting more scenes there :D

Lots of Ga-on in this episode = a very happy me ^_^

I've seen comments saying it was disappointing how the "best swordsman in Joseon" got thrown around like a ragdoll by the Ming bodyguard, but I'm actually pretty impressed by how Ga-on still managed to (somewhat) hold his own despite being 1) unarmed 2) taken by surprise 3) up against a guy who's practically twice his size and has a giant machete. Props to Byungchan for filming those action scenes, it must have been exhausting and I hope it didn't aggravate his old neck injury :( Also, in the making video, it was really heartwarming to see Park Ki-woong giving Byungchan action tips! (Talking about Park Ki-woong, it's nice to see him in a historical drama again, especially since I was introduced to him through Gaksital.)

Hwi putting herself in between Ga-on and the Ming bodyguard was so cool, omg. And Ga-on taking the slash for her without any hesitation whatsoever! T__T I really hope we get to learn more about him soon — this boy is breaking my heart with his silent stoicism even after his nightmare :-( Like! Why is your first reaction after waking up from a near-fatal injury! To apologise to Hwi! When you literally saved her from death! (Okay, I know why, but still. Is it too obvious who my favourite character is? :p ) It's clear he was affected by her apology and her concern for him, so I really hope we get to see more scenes of them interacting, especially since the execution of Royal Tutor Kang changed both their lives irrevocably.

Of course, I can't leave out the sheer delight that was the undercover plan by our main trio! It was a nice bit of humour amidst the high stakes. And how cool was Ga-on in the forest fight! That ten-second all-kill and that satisfying takedown of the Ming bodyguard, omg. I really loved that fight choreography, and how Ga-on used his smaller stature to his advantage. Though I was also like, sir?? Were you not gravely injured two days ago?? How are you even riding on a horse, much less swordfighting... Well, I suppose I'm willing to suspend my disbelief for the pretty bodyguard, heh. 💙💛

I was amazed that the tiny crown prince was able to punch out the physically imposing eunuch. Dramatic scenes like that give the drama one tone, then Rowoon's exaggerated expressions make it seem more comic. Honestly, I'd take Prince Jaeun over the impulsive tutor any day.

The scene that absolutely stole my whole heart this week was between Dam-Yi and Court Lady Kim. The love and reverence in which Dam-Yi combed her hair and the softness in her compliments and Court Lady Kim accepting that care - my heart absolutely ached but at the same time was filled with so much warmth from the existence of their bond.

Chief Inspector Hong was an absolute ass but I still hold so much respect for Dam-Yi's choice to acknowledge and apologize for how their country failed him - I got so invested in her trajectory as the CP from this until I remembered how unlikely this story is to end happily.

To paraphrase John Mulaney: Joseon would have to get really cool about a whole bunch of stuff really quickly for this to end the way I want to.

@snowflower I'm just saying, Ga-On has a pretty convenient scar on his shoulder that may or may not have been caused by an arrow if you know what I mean.... :) (it's ridiculous and the flashbacks all but disprove the theory but I'm never giving it up!)

Nothing in this show makes sense, but the chief eunuch has been the most interesting character. He was a true psychopath, but his tragic childhood love story tugged at my heartstrings. He, sadly an eunuch and she, the emperor’s concubine. 

I don't care for the love triangle. I assumed as a physician, Ji-woon would've known Dam-yi was a woman. Of all the times he's hugged her, did he not "feel" anything? Also, I think it's a waste of Ji-woon's talent to be a royal tutor. Hyun is love, but I can't ship cousins.

So I'm watching to find out Ga-on’s deal, which we learn today is related to Prince Hwi’s former tutor, and how long before he knows Dam-yi's real identity. Where is Jung Chae-yeon?

This was adorable, I wish he wasn't drunk when it happened though. The crown prince winging her legs back and forth because she is subconscious and small. The look when he kisses her, because she has been waiting, but doesn't know what to do. Awww.

gawd I knew it that the chief eunuchs´anger was actually pain. i have seen it too much.
so good to see Park Ki-Woong! and that it is not just some glimpse.
poor thing. how many souls out there who have a trauma that won´t heal, making them rage helplessly

Hrm, tried to do a link back to a beanie wall post in my last attempt to post this, and it vanished...so I'll post again without it.

@miky88 had posted the fall/catch in their feed , and when I watched it again, my brain was screaming out that the background music was a call back to another show (which I vaguely remember it whispering when I watched it originally way past bedtime).

I've been wracking my brain (and spent some time trying to find it on YouTube snippets from other historicals) to try to recall which one--but still coming up short. I know that open riff being played on the gayageum at the beginning is used often, but...help a beanie out--am I nuts or is this a call back and if so--to what?

It's a weird exprience, watching this show while caring the least about the romantic relationship. The other relationships in this show are where it really gets me hooked. ESPECIALLY murky ones, like CP and grandpa or Jung and his father.

I don't know why, but that braid cutting scence was the most visceral part of the show so far. I think because it was so unexpected and you could feel how the damage is much more psychological and emotional than strictly phisical. The following scence with CP going in and beating up the head enuch was also impactful. The ice prince breaking his facade was a shocking moment. Followed by the sweet moment she had treating court lady Kim's hair and calling her beautiful... You can see the emotion comes through and how much she means to her.

The head enuch is.... interesting. Sometimes a bit to cartoon-y, but I enjoy the conflict he creates and how he doesn't really have a "side". Considering what we've been hinted at regarding his history, I think I can see why he acts the way he does. Though I would LOVE to know how he got this job as an envoy. Not being a total loose canon is a basic in diplomacy.

I think they try to make Jung look dangerous and capeable with a sword but I don't get this from his character, at all. Every time he holds a sword (especially those fighting scences where he expertly weilds it) It feels really out of place. The heist scenerio feels much more up his alley, for me.

Hyun continues to be the political intelegence agent that he is. I like to see him that way more than the third wheel for a love triangle bicycle, although it's kinda hard for me because ever since it was mentioned he was in Extracriculer and Beyond Evil it's hard for me to seprate character and actor, lol

Current bodyguard theroy: he was either a family memeber of Kang's or a poor child helped by Kang.