He lied to her for six months about being comotose.
Nope.
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/sicarius/activity/1476927/

Dear @alathe,
I appreciate all the fantastic recaps you've provided! Thank you so much!

I am so glad to be done with that Husband, goodness. The reunion with Eun Ae and Jong Jong was the best part, the rest is whatever. Ryang Eum is back on my shit list, lol.

Things I liked in this episode:
* All the historical tidbits regarding the political fallout of the death of the Khan
* Jong Jong is back and saved by her beloved GuJam.
* I liked the emotional scenes - Jong Jong and Gil Chae's reunion, farmers singing, Gil Chae and Jong Jong's reunion with their family and friends back in Hanyang.
* Gil Chae divorcing Won Moo
* Gak Hwas showing her vulnerability

Did not like;
At first I found Jang Hyun's deception amusing but got annoyed with him eventually. It didnt sit well with me when he continued to deceive Gil Chae for so long. Even if it was to prevent her from returning to Joseon and keep her by his side.
* Won Moo shacking up and impregnating his concubine
* verbal abuse GC and JJ has to endure from other people

Period wise - they now promptly place this in 1643? So from 1636 to 1643 - seven years, and these two are still going around in circles (eyeroll....)

Gil-chae deciding to divorce Won-mo was the best thing to happen this week.

Won-mo did her dirty, something I can't forgive. The only reason why I can still stand him on my screen is cause o r of my personal biases is playing his character. Had it been an actor I don't have as a favorite... there's no need to complete the sentence.

Won-mo messed up. Big time. And it was the best decision for Gil-chae not to tell him what happened in Qing. He doesn't deserve it at all.

That slap she gave that commoner...perfect.
Does it seem that her father is equally ashamed of her or was it that he wanted to spare her the humiliation? I know that was a natural occurrence. There's a huge likelihood that returnees faced that fate from the hands of their family members. And, My Dearest is deciding to tell some part of that story through Gil-chae.

I can't wait for her to leave for Qing.

Thank fucking god we’ll finally be rid of the unnecessary husband subplot, but unfortunately it seems that the princess is here to stay. The inclusion of Gak-hwa’s character and her personality is honestly still baffling to me. It comes off as so… juvenile in a drama that’s otherwise starkly realistic - sometimes even to its own detriment. I just want to see Jang-hyun and Gil-chae together already. It’s been sixteen fucking episodes, give me a break already.

Thanks for the fabulous recap alathe, some much needed lightness and humour after all the show is putting us through.
As I posted on Sicarius comment - I too am feeling very, very fatigued of being “dragged” through the “angst, misery, pain p–n” and “continued repetition loop- with no pay off” whatsoever.
We have watched over 16 hours without one honest conversation or any straightforward communication between our leads.
I’m resigned to the fact that this is not first and foremost a romance. I only wish it had been clearer from the start then my expectations would not have been so high.
As much as I love watching both lead actors, maybe this would have been better as 16 episodes to get rid of a lot of frustrating crap that has deviated from the tighter first half of the show.
I am also tired of being manipulated and the preview for the next episode fills me with dread instead of any heart fluttering squees- seeing the leads possibly have a few happy moments together when I know it's only episode 17 and as per kdrama lore they are again, again going to be ripped apart.
Hwaiting to the finish, only for Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-Jin.

our tête-à-tête grows a few too many heads

@alathe, you deserve a medal for this. 🏅For the entire recap, really.

@alathe, thanks for the recap !
That pesky princess, a royal pain . The fake comatose gag was a bit too gimmicky .
Princess shot Jang -Hyun! She would have poked her head in to see how he was doing, especially if it went on for weeks.
Granted, her dad was dying. So there is that.
On the subject of arrow wounds, here’s a link to a study on arrow wounds form the 1880’s
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5999391/

Try not to get a gut wound ! High probability you would have died !

Back to our story. Princess tested Jang-hyun , to see what he would do, catch her or let her fall. She needs some sort of outlet.
When Jang-hyun grabs princess and threatens her. That was a bit of an eye rolling moment 🙄
Jong Jong is back.
Eun-Ae & Gil-chae snuggling 🥲
Only four more Eps..

The lighter moments were rare and pleasant. It didn't feel too fluffy.

The timing still wasn't right for Gil Chae and Jang Hyun. I knew it yet I still wanted to savor their alone time. Their secret hand holding and the peck on the cheek was just enough. I'm glad they had some time to talk even though they didn't clear up all their issues. She knows he was the one who saved her on that island now. She's trusting him again and their connection. He's quick to move forward, but she's not ready.

Did he have to be so cold when he pushed her away though? Ugh. He's also quick to turn cold and put up a front. Hoping Gil Chae knew this and knew she had other priorities before their relationship can truly begin. She couldn't have stayed in Shenyang forever.

Less interfering from outside people is needed. Gil Chae finally confronted Ryang Eum and knows his deceptive ways so she should be wiser and cautious of their future encounters.

Some lines and parts were off like Jong Jong coming back with no lingering side effects. Was she not abused by her Qing owner? Or had he been after a different servant before his attempt on her? Goo Jam being there for her is great, but the kiss was awkward and felt too soon after her escape. It's a relief that he cares about her unlike other Joseon men who disparage the women who came back to Joseon.

Thank you for the recap alathe!

I've been struggling to try and write something that both expresses how I feel but also doesn't go too hard in bringing the mood down for people who are enjoying the show so here goes:

I honestly really liked ep 15, because they finally talked and it looked like idk there was hope and a reprieve from the angst (who was I kidding lol), but then ep 16 happened and it felt like I was back in the hamster wheel, but god I'm just so tired honestly. The only good thing is that the husband problem is no longer a problem, but it just feels like we took ages to get here and I honestly wish that this problem hadn't been written into the plot in the first place. Looking at how many episodes we have left and where ep 16. left off, I'm a little sad that we likely won't get too much happiness or fluff in the last two weeks, but I guess this show never was about that in the first place so once again, just my misplaced expectations perhaps (as well as just overall angst fatigue preventing me from enjoying any crumbs of OTP fluff because who knows what plot sledgehammer I'll be hit with next 😂 😭).

I am not sure how I feel about this series. It makes me impatient and then throws something that makes my heart flutter. Then drags some more and then comes back swinging with a fabulous dialogue. Plot conveniences apart, the cast is doing such a terrific job that you cannot but feel for them.
A couple of things I absolutely loved:
I love the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. When she said she would repay Gil Chai when CP became the King, it made my heart weep.
In the end, when Gil Chai gives it back to her terrible husband - Oh! That chutzpah! Who is he to divorce her, she will divorce him!!
What is not gelling with me are a few things:
What was the point of sending away Jong Jong? Just to separate Gil Chae from her? While I liked that she came away quickly and they did not linger on it, the whole thing felt forced and anti-climatic.
For months - he does not eat (or hides eating?), keeping Gil Chai in the dark.....she was ready, and he was ready, she had obviously decided not to go back to her husband while he never cared about her state of relationship, so what stopped their romance? The entire thing felt disjointed. I didn't feel their romance as I should have. The sword of separation constantly hanging does not help matters either.

" Jang-hyun confesses that the rumors are true: he was born a government slave."

I'm confused. In the previous flashback (EPS 12), his sister and young Jang Hyun were in noble attire. Jang Hyun was being carried by a servant. I thought he was born into a noble family since he could also attend school. (I'm guessing since he had a book in his hands.)

I found episode 15 a lovely interlude, not only did Gil-chae fully realize Jang Hyun’s love for her and her own for him, she also gained peace, friendship and her sense of self-worth in work—just what a traumatized survivor needed for what she’ll face in the next episode.

Yeah, him laying comatose for months was ridiculous, never mind keeping that body. But maybe he followed one of the prison workouts in his room? 😅 More importantly, I was down for that ab-flash and almost kiss. 🤣 However, I still don’t love the princess arc, but enough has been said about her. I’m hoping her political situation with the death of her father will give the princess a more complex arc than the current one as a scheming, jealous 2FL, and not just a comeuppance alone. But mostly I’m feeling sad for Ryang-eum, who I think more and more is likely to be the prisoner we saw in Episode 1. I don’t like seeing another tragic gay arc, but at least he has been portrayed with compassion, in some measure thanks to the actor.

I fully expected GC-JH to part again in Episode 16. It was predicted by the old biddies in the early episodes, but also because we know the writer, much in the manner feminist historians, is retelling history to center women’s experiences. (Hence I think the emphasis on the brutal treatment of female captives and slaves in general, which written history does not do justice to, but what some found too much.) And GC is in part a vehicle to tell the story of the unjust treatment of the returned women. I also expected GC’s husband’s reaction, her father’s too since that was the reality. It helps (actually, hurts a lot) that I live in a society where families still sometimes kill their female relatives for losing their “honor”. It was empowering and hopeful as @kodra said seeing GC stand up for herself—and to see supportive men like JH as well.

I’ve seen GC being criticized for committing “adultery” (or almost) with JH after her rescue in some forums, which boggles my mind given his abandonment of her. I would have had no problem at all with her giving hubby a finger in the rearview mirror. But given the reactions, it was absolutely right for GC to return and divorce—and a historical reality. Can she remarry? I think Kiara said it was complicated. (Did the writer hint at a resolution by JH saying he’s willing to give up his purchased nobility?) What also gives me hope, as some Beanies said way back when, is that if there were any two in this suffocating society who would defy conventions, it’d be these two. GC wasn’t ready for that at the end of Part 1. She is now.

But if there’s one more thing I could change since the beginning of Part 2, it's to cut down the many twists and turns, repetitions. Instead, I want the drama to slow down and explore some of the issues in depth (say her return to Joseon in the last episode). But only four episodes to go and lots needs to happen. I guess I’ll buckle in my seatbelt.

I dozed during Ep. 15 and felt no desire to watch Ep. 16, so I guess this is it for me. I may binge the remaining episodes to get a half-baked sour bean.

Farewell comments

*Yes, Joseon people singing in the fields was nice. Despite everything, they managed to grow something in that barren soil. Finally, a bit of hope in a drama that has crushed hopes so often. Crown Prince, Crown Princess, you have done well. ❤️ Also, thank you for recognizing Gil Chae’s role in saving your kid back on the island.

* Jong Jong and Goo Jam, I hope your masters let you go (wait, Goo Jam has no master!) but anyhow, be happy and live a good life. It was weird but cute to see the drama give you fluffy romantic scenes when everything pointed towards a dark outcome to Jong Jong’s capture.

*I lost my Goryeo celadon bet @jerrykuvira. Not only did Won Moo lie about sending someone to Shenyang, but he also decided to take in a concubine. The man is trash. Alas, Gil Chae is married and I don’t condone adultery on any side, so Won Moo has to die before I can root for the OTP.

*Which brings me to my last comment. I can’t root for the OTP. For 15 episodes they have been unable to talk to each other or be honest. They can die for each other but they can’t be together. Not even Namgoong Min can convince me if that.

See you around beanies.

P.S. Gone With The Wind may have been the writer’s inspiration, but to quote Ryang Eum, it is also its curse. It trapped the characters into narrative corners and did not allowed them to develop organically, so that by this point, this particular viewer, frankly, doesn’t give a damn.

P.S.S.: I may lose another bet, but I don’t buy the line that Jang Hyun was born a government slave. His childhood flashback was that of a noble. Additionally, the way the scene cut abruptly from Nam Yeon Joon’s new mentor mourning “the loss of his son” to Jang Hyun fanning himself tells me that… dun dun dun… this powerful Joseon scholar is his father. See if I’m right.

The writer actually manages to surprise me again. Who would have thought that it is her father who tries to strangle Gil-chae. Many of us guessed the useless husband for sure. Since her father is demented (probably Alzheimer's), I can't even be mad at him.

Also, I wouldn't have expected Gil-chae's husband to remarry, thus raising the possibility of a divorce. It's a shame he gets off so easily, I had considerably more bloodthirsty desires.

I'm not a fan of the brthsecret storyline, but if the scholar really is Jang-hyun's father and this can help FL and ML not die in the end and be together for it, it's fine with me. I don't see why it should matter who Jang-hyun's father is now otherwise, after all you clearly saw in episode 15 that Gil-chae doesn't care.

You think Gil-chae and Jang-hyun are finally communicating openly and honestly, and then they take another step backwards in episode 16. Couldn't Jang-hyun have said why he wants to send her back to Joseon? And even if he doesn't, how can Gil-chae believe his lies when she knows all he's done for her over the years. I wouldn't have had a problem with her seeing through him and still going along with his game so he wouldn't have to worry about her. But probably it was more important for the writer to show parallels to episode 10, just with the roles reversed.

Nevertheless, I continue to love this drama, mostly because of Gil-chae. Rarely have I cheered two slaps so much, and the way she asks her pathetic husband for a divorce again shows what a strong woman she is.

Thanks to all the misleading tricks the makers have been playing lately, I'm more and more convinced that Jang-hyun will survive the scene from episode 1 on the beach. Especially since his opponents are former slaves whom he helped to freedom.

Best scene for me was Gil-chae slapping the man who insulted her. Those people who know nothing about the struggle the captives went through only run their mouths off. Good Going Girl

The writer is a coward. I thought it was a bold move to marry Gil-Chae to Won-Moo. For me, it made sense, Jang-hyun was offering her to run away, Won-Moo was offering her a stable life.

But then? The writer decided to omit everything about the marriage. We barely saw the first night and then there was a jump in time. They didn't mention the fact they have no kid after 2 years. Then she was kidnapped and found back Jang-Hyun. It didn't bother her to stay so long after her release, she didn't think to her family or husband. And of course, Won-Moo betrayed, she got a good reason to divorce. So what was the point of this marriage? It's like it never existed except to part our leads.

I was happy that Jong-Jong was saved but really? He came the only night her master wanted to abuse her? What a timing.

Ryang-eum's flashback was very sad. He looked like a nice and lovely boy. Honestly, he's my favourite character. He was childish with the curse, but he was not wrong. Jang-Hyun took the worst decisions regarding Gil-Chae. They finally get back together and his first action? Lying to her... again... At this point, I really don't like them as a couple. 😅

I did forget to mention one thing I loved - Gil Chai's rape/abuse - I totally saw what the writers/directors did here.

Whether she was raped or not is at the end truly immeterial. The abuse she underwent did not need a name . The way the husband and even her sister harped on it drove home the point poignantly. Somehow her return is completely overshadowed by was she-was she not. To Jang Hyun it did not matter. And to Gil Chai, it never was the point. Kudos to the writers/director here.

I am going to try to unravel the exact timeline in the drama, frame by frame (almost). Might take me a couple of nights to do this. When it's ready I am going to post it here. For me, it's as I said before: one needs to know a lot to understand a lot ... Wednesday is a public holiday in Germany (All Souls Day), so I might have more time to finish it them.

Thank you, as always, for the wonderful recap @Alathe :)

It always stings a little when a show that had the potential to become an all-time favorite becomes something you have mixed feelings about. I’ve adopted an “I’ll wait and see” stance so far on Part 2, but with 4 episodes left, I have to come to terms with some of my disappointments.

I understand and respect what writer Hwang Jin Young is doing here with historical commentary, but I feel in Part 2 it has come at the expense of character. While the historical events churn and her criticism of ideas of female chastity become evermore hit-you-over-the-head, the characters feel like they’re going in circles. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the comedy of Jang Hyun pretending to be ill (for MONTHS?), but there is no better demonstration of the writer being perpetually unable to write our ML+FL actually *together* than having Jang Hyun fake a coma the entire time Gil Chae is finally by his side. The romance hasn’t totally lost me, and I’m more tolerant of noble idiocy and miscommunication than most, but still I can’t help but feel the constant cat-and-mouse has taken the wind from the Jangchae swoony romance sails.

One of my favorite characters, Eun Ae, has essentially been MIA for six eps. And maybe one of my sorest spots is Ryang Eum, whose great set-up and fantastic young actor have been squandered by a writer who won’t let him do anything but pine for Jang Hyun and hiss at Gil Chae. For a show that is so critical of the treatment of women at this time, for it to not dig into the marginalization of its one gay character in any meaningful way and instead put on “audience hate” target on his back, forever undercutting any tragic backstory flashbacks, is disappointing.

I am still in it until the end and look forward to being able to discuss once I have the whole of the show to consider. But I am quite sad to be feeling this way about this show :(

@wishfultoki, @sicarius
I'm going to keep bugging you so you can stay. LOL

What do you think of the Sarim leader and his school of loyalists?
Part 1: They didn't care for the king. They denounced him for bowing to the barbarians.
Part 2: I have a feeling they'll stand with Injo against the Crown Prince and Jang Hyun. I also think that Eunuch Pyo Eon-gyum is Injo's spy.

If this birth secret is revealed, he is Jang Hyun's father. Do you think he is going to save him?

I’ve been getting my thoughts in order for the last two days and still don’t know what best way to structure them so I’m just going to word vomit.

Parts of Show I’m Still Enjoying:
- the politicking didn’t catch my interest as much in the first part (the romance and the action had me swept up) and took me a rewatch plus extracurricular reading on history to fully understand and appreciate (big thanks to Kiara and others who’ve been posting timelines for us), but this second part’s strongest suit has been in the depiction of Crown Prince Sohyeon’s adjustment in Qing and his court’s maneuvering the obstacles the Qing have been dropping on them.
- Gil Chae’s unwavering strength and steadfastness to her values despite the immense pressure that threatens to beat her down. Her stance at the end was the highlight of this week’s episodes for me, the fact that even if she wanted to she would not have let Won Moo divorce her for what she has endured because it would be same as herself agreeing she was tainted. Her continued rejection of the conventional standards of the time and her refusal to see herself as inferior due to anything she has faced or been subjected to is a hallmark of her character whose foundation began in the first part and was beautifully developed throughout the first and second season. Her request to keep daggers for self defense rather than choosing to hide away or go to a place where she may not be known as a “spoiled” woman is true to her character. She won’t run away from her circumstances.

The Irksome Parts:
-The comic element of Jang Hyun’s pretend around Gil Chae and his friends begrudging participating did complete its intended purpose and then overextended its stay. We spent half an episode (30 minutes of precious time!) in this farce for laughs when a singular scene or two could have sufficed and we could’ve spent the other time having the leads engage in conversation.
My fanfiction version of how I wish this played out: Jang Hyun realizes Gil Chae wishes to stay until he recovers and keeps up his game for about a week after he’s awakened from his coma. Then Gil Chae and Ryang Eum have their discussion where RE targets GC with a heaping of guilt to get her to leave, but GC staunchly refuses and pledges to stay. Then RE tells JH that, so JH realizes GC will stay until he’s fully recovered, not just while he’s comatose and leaves bed immediately. Cue a montage scene of them spending time together while she aids in his recovery interspersed with desperately needed candid conversations. We could’ve gotten a lighthearted and heartwarming montage, plus watching them slowly begin to know each other again. This would’ve also induced a heavier reaction from me during their parting, rather than another contrived and frustrating separation following a near empty reunion.

The storytelling and character studies continue to get weaker.

I have other thoughts, including the writer’s treatment of Ryan’s Eum (they covered much of his backstory, trauma, and connection to JH in so 15 and then he didn’t show up at all in 16), the pacing of the second part in regards to romance within a political drama or vice verse, and my qualms with the romantic developments (or quite frankly, lack thereof ) but in a following post.

I liked these episodes. I am here for a romance. The historical pieces are fine. I've learned some interesting bits of information and of course, confirmed that, no matter where, war is hell. However, I reiterate, I am here for a romance. I am not a big fan of melodramas or angst (too stressful like The Red Sleeve) but they seem to go hand-in-hand with these historical dramas. That being said, I think a lot of the reviews, in my sole opinion, are putting too much into today's timeframe. To me, what's a 6-month coma in the context of 2 loves being separated for 2 years, and having a semi-courtship/flirtation over what, 2-4 years? I was thankful for the lightness and a semi-focus on just them. I also feels like it reinforces JH's hopeless devotion to this feckless woman, who to me, is sometimes careless in handling his feelings. That being said, it only took these 6 months for this woman to FINALLY relent and take a proactive stance in putting action to her affections. For me, although I like her spunk and grit, sometimes she's a bit much (i.e. her constant protests are sometimes exhausting!). What makes her a great heroine, does not necessarily make her the best lover or object of one's romantic affections. BUT after RE's accusations backfired on him (poor fella) AND GC realized she had a challenger in the ever-loyal and ever-present RE AND 6 months of time, she was finally open to some affection and bearing of parts of her soul. I'm here for it! If times are tough for a female taken by barbarians against her will in a conservative Joseon society, I can't imagine it's any better for a male who loves another male openly. I believe RE's history has been explained quite clearly, with dignity and poignancy. I also liked that he made it clear to BOTH leads, where his affections lie, and no, they are not brotherly. Heck, even the old guy picked up on it! Of course, I loved the heart-to-heart between the ML & the FL in the forest. I didn't think it went far enough, but the fact that it went is still in the right direction! To me, I believe JH didn't tell her the truth for his decision, is in part, because he's putting other people before her but I also think he's being protective. Maybe his thinking is flawed and misplaced, I believe it is sincere nonetheless. He's man, in a Joseon era where he has been mistreated and thrown away. Also, I think he has a right to be concerned with GC's (possibly) defiant reaction, especially in light of the cold, relentlessness of the imperial princess. JH is a businessman who is used to dealing (successfully) with parties on the opposite ends of the spectrum AND is able to satisfy everyone. The imperial princess, is what she is, to me. Like the rest of those of the Qing people, she is fascinated (and jealous) by their beauty, their convictions of their beliefs and their loyalty. She took one look at JH's soulful eyes and this exquisite cheekbones and decided she wanted some of that for herself. So she wants love...she's human. She is also very much a product of her royal environment...she's carelessly cruel to gain her own selfish needs. Not sure what more could be learned from her role be expanded other than an additional foil for the OTP. However, I now believe she's the one waiting for JH's return. However, I am here for the OTP romance!

I wrote a few days ago that I would work out the timeline (almost frame by frame). I won’t have that in time for another set of two episodes tomorrow and Saturday. Nevertheless I would like to mention a few more things here.
I got both Korean language srt files (the hard-of-hearing and the normal one) for —so far—, all 16 episodes. I have now developed a format where I can put both Korean versions plus the viki translations plus a Google Translate Romanisation in one tab of an Excel file. I am working, at present, on EP. 16 ; this covers so far 89 A4 pages (landscape) and 3890 rows …As it sounds, it IS an enormously laborious process, but a precise one, which has several advantages. One is that one does not miss little bits of information which were spoken (and written on screen) ; another one is that one gets the exact length of screen time and information on the individual places of the drama. So for example, I moved from the scene in the woods (Jang Hyeon/Gak-Hwa) to the Gil Chae’s/Ryan-Eum’s clashing in the bedroom at Jang Hyeon’s compound, then to Hong Taji’s death bed, and then to the Joseon court … etc. At the moment I am at row 545 …
While doing this I also noticed again, that we have not mentioned in these recaps a lot about the Joseon politics — which is quite important and essential. But here goes what I wrote before: one needs to know a lot to understand a lot. I noticed in the past too that both Joseon and the Jurchen/Manchu/Qing people of interest have almost entirely been historically accurate. There seems to be very little fictionalisation. One might think of two exceptions: (a) Crown Prince Sohyeon is not (and will not) be portrayed in all his depth. As @kiara wrote before, most of this is given in the sageuk to the (mostly fictional) hero Jang Hyeon; (b) is the Qing princess Makata, Hong Taji’s favourite daughter, here called Gak-Hwa. She is instrumentalised as rival to Gil Chae for the affection of Jang Hyeon, next to having indeed some depth and facettes as the real-life Qing princess will have had. Also, I did get the feeling that the writer showed with this character also the limitations even a Qing princess —a woman after all— was experiencing : she will be married off again for the « raison d’état » …
But back to my point about Joseon politics under Injo. In particular in this episode (again) there is a series of little remarks and comments made in the court which refer to the factual events which happened in these years up to the Crown Prince’s second visit to Joseon. My sources had given that second visit as having happened in (lunar calendar) December 1643 (so solar calendar January 1644). However, in our film version it was not winter when they travelled and arrived in Joseon … so I don’t know for sure.
Moving forward, I am fairly certain that the series will not show the six or so months the crown prince spent with Dorgon in Beijing after Ming’s fall in April 1644. What will the production do? I believe the drama will further develop the (restrictive, ultra-conservative) atmosphere at the Joseon court under Injo to set up the return of the Crown Prince and his 300 people strong entourage for May 1645. In Qing, from EP. 16 there is still that request of Gak-Hwa to Jong Hyeon to take care of her for a while, which needs, from a viewer’s perspective, some explanation and follow up/closure. On the romance part of this drama, we know from the 30 sec preview onto EP. 17 that there will be a reunion between (a now divorced) Gil Chae and Jang Hyeon. But as before, I am sure there is some other obstacle coming up in EP. 18 … most likely circling around the obscure death of the Crown Prince and the horrendous events happening afterwards. Both Jang Hyeon and Gil Chae are the Prince and Princess’s people — so I am sure they will not get out of this unscathed.
What I would want to look out for is the, for me, most likely change and evolvement of Gil Chae’s first love and her best friend’s husband, who is now a Sarim scholar (and 5th rank sagaebu). My feeling is that we will see him change to support Jang Hyun’s/Gil Chae’s cause.
Lastly, I would really like to write an essay about social stratification in the Joseon society, but that won’t happen anytime soon… We get too little solid and sophisticated information in these sageuks ; here, too, goes what I said above: one needs to know a lot to understand a lot.

I’m with the other beanies who are going to skim the last few episodes. When a kdrama becomes a chore for me to watch due to mostly unrelenting emotional and physical chaos, I just don’t enjoy it enough to stay invested in it. Watching a show shouldn’t be exhausting and My Dearest has drained me completely.

@alathe - thanks as always for your recaps. I'm also still rooting for our OTP!

I'm still in the minority here just enjoying the drama, like all of it - long episodes, the back and forth, push and pull, angst, soundtrack, and everything people seem to not care for, etc. I guess I'm just a sucker? lol.

I rarely have time to watch anything these days, but every time I get to catch up on these episodes I'm sucked in, immersed, invested, and committed to it all.

Even though logging onto DB and commenting here is still a bit buggy for me ( long lags to load things, time outs, etc.) your recap keeps bringing me back. I appreciate you making it a thorough and fun recap to read without the snark to deter folks who are still enjoying the series like myself. :D Thank you, thank you!