Then we get to see that daddy Pyung Joon didn’t quite relent as much as it appeared when he allowed Yeo Wool to train Kang Chi. She and Gon are in his office and she’s arguing, begging to be in charge of his training. She says she’ll be harder on him than she has been on anyone else. Pyung Joon puts Gon in charge. Yeo Wool argues that the two are spoiling for a fight the minute they see each other. Gon scowls at her. She needs to be there to play mediator. Pyung Joon asks her if she wants Kang Chi to end up leaving, since it’s so hard for him. I want to slap him, since he saw how Yeo Wool makes things *easier* for him.
Gon can’t take Yeo Wool being sad, so he has to speak. He agrees that Yeo Wool needs to help with the training, because they don’t get along and Kang Chi will listen if she’s there. Yeo Wool is surprised that he’s siding with her against her father. He looks in her direction and she smiles her thank you, you’re awesome. He just looks away and rolls his eyes. Pyung Joon has no choice but to listen to his *two best warriors.* His words, not mine.
Yeo Wool brings the bag of beans. The triumphant music is playing. “My father says I’m in charge of you.” That is such a loaded sentence! A great loaded sentence. It seems like this episode is going to be a happy one and I need it. Last episode was so gut-wrenching. I need a little happy-happy, joy-joy.
Even though Kang Chi’s less than excited that he’s going to be trained by Gon, too, his face doesn’t say that he hates the idea. And Gon doesn’t look like he dislikes Kang Chi as much. Aw, they’re growing on each other! They still need to have them live together for some roommate hijinks! I can just see Kang Chi struggling while Gon snores loudly and Gon wanting to strangle Kang Chi because Gon’s a neat freak and Kang Chi’s not.
But back to the bean counting. She says the bean counting is his first step to becoming a man. I laugh when she asks about it sounding like fun and Gon giving Kang Chi the ‘we’re-sticking-it-to-you’ eyebrows. He even smirks a little. Yeo Wool has to control herself from smiling, too.
“How can we stop what we feel? Or stop the wind for that matter?” Soon Shin is being all Zen with Pyung Joon again. Pyung Joon’s worried about the truth about his history with Wol Ryung hurting both of them. Soon Shin’s so wise: Worrying now leads to worries later. It’s not their place to stop the two from making choices. They’re just supposed to help them make the best choices. That’s such a hard lesson!
It’s the 1,234… 1,235, 1,236 beans again. Yeo Wool asks Kang Chi about how his real parents died. This time he pipes up that she’s making him lose count. He starts counting again. 1,235. She points out that he already said 1,235. 1,236. And that number too. He glares at her. She chuckles and says sorry. He’s lost count, so he starts over.
1,2,3… I guess Yeo Wool’s been watching him for a while and is bored because she sticks with the subject of how his parents died. She’s want to know what happened and who her parents were. If there were any unknown relatives out there. They tossed him in a river; that’s all Kang Chi needs to know about them. It’s ironic, or not, that this subject is coming up just as Wol Ryung has woken and Seo Hwa is finally back in Korea. Speaking of Seo Hwa…
Century House. The leader of the Inner Circle sits a desk. Kwan Woong sits on the other side of a gauzy curtain. The emissary, Pil Mok, who introduced her, smiles politely as Kwan Woong asks about their accommodations. Kwan Woong would have done more with a little notice. Pil Mok comments that they gained control of the area faster than they expected to. Kwan Woong tries to take some credit, since just like he said, they control the guards, the magistrate… The leader of the Inner Circle’s, heck, let’s just call her Seo Hwa since that’s who she’s going to end up being, Seo Hwa, her right hand man, Wol Pae, asks if there something that Kwan Woong left out. In Japanese, of course, so the emissary has to translate. Oh, good, Kwan Woong doesn’t speak Japanese. This can work in her favor. Kwan Woong basically scoffs at the reference to Soon Shin. He’ll be dealt with soon enough.
Outside the office, Kwan Woong tells Ninja Soh that they (the Inner Circle) know more than he expected them to. Is Ninja Soh their mole?!! That would be awesome, that betrayal. He tells Ninja Soh to tighten security because they might have a rat. Kwan Woong’s also quite surprised that a woman is running things. He looks toward his office and ponders that. Inside, the emissary turns and asks whether *that* will do. Seo Hwa gives a slight smile, like the kind a spider gives, beckoning a fly.
The strong wind blows. Kang Chi stops counting. Something feels off. There’s a mystical hiss and we return to the forest where Wol Ryung lies buried. The leaves are quickly dying. Switch to Seo Hwa raising her head slightly, as if sensing he’s waking up. As it switches back and forth between the waking Wol Ryung and Seo Hwa, they keep showing her slight smile. We get to see her eyes. And then Wol Ryung’s eyes open.
Kang Chi jumps up, spilling the beans all over the floor. He’s definitely afraid. He’s shaking and he doesn’t even notice when he drops the chopsticks. Yeo Wool asks if he’s ill and he doesn’t know what’s wrong. Something just frightens him. He looks really freaked out when he looks at Yeo Wool.
Gong Dal’s examining Kang Chi. He’s having Kang Chi follow his finger. Not slowly either. He tsks at Yeo Wool and tells her that Kang Chi’s growing weak. They’re both surprised. Gong Dal has just the thing: tincture of red ginseng. Apparently that’s good for everything, since that’s what he gave Yeo Wool when she was unconscious from the infected wound in her arm. Kang Chi just needs to drink a bowl of it to revive his blood and be as good as new.
Kang Chi is wary but Gong Dal tells him that if he (Gong Dal) found his replacement, he’d be an herb peddler. That doesn’t mean that he’s *good* at it, just that he’d be selling it. Kang Chi tells him he *should* go out and gather those mulberries. Gong Dal laughs that he’s younger inside than Kang Chi and Kang Chi replies, ‘when dogs laugh,’ whatever that means. Gong Dal tries to take the ginseng back but Kang Chi quickly drinks it.
Yeo Wool asks Gong Dal if he has a replacement in mind. Giggling, he looks over at Kang Chi and says maybe. The only problem is the guy is a hot head. Yeo Wool can’t believe that he’s considering Kang Chi, probably because she’s used to being the only one who believes in him, but Kang Chi totally misses that Gong Dal’s talking about him, He says that hotheads *never* listen and a beating is the only way to get through to their thick skulls. Gong Dal smiles at him and Yeo Wool knows what Gong Dal’s thinking. Kang Chi asks, “You want I should take care of him?” Gong Dal happily cracks him on the head with his broomstick and tells him to go count his beans. Gong Dal giggles and scampers away.
Kang Chi yells at Gong Dal about treating him like the village drum and Yeo Wool says that it’s the only way to get through to him. She walks ahead, telling him to come, and he’s completely confused as to what just happened. I'm just laughing. Heehee.
Outside, Kang Chi runs into Song. Song tries to act naturally but it’s obvious that he’s still freaked out around Kang Chi. He makes some excuse about having to get firewood and runs off. Some of the other recruits walk by. Kang Chi greets them and bows. They just glare at him and walk away. Kang Chi yells after one of them, Kim, and hurries to apologize for what happened. It’s the guy Kang Chi was strangling. Kim says Kang Chi shouldn’t apologize, since he attacked first. And then he’s mean, sneering he couldn’t help it since it was the first time he’d seen a monster. He huffs off, leaving a hurt Kang Chi.
Tae Seo enters Pyung Joon ’s office. He’s wearing his clear hat again. Pyung Joon and Gong Dal are seated at the table. Gon is also there. They ask him to sit, faces serious. Pyung Joon pulls out something wrapped up and places it on the table, saying, “Your father wanted you to have this.” Their faces are really weird, somber. And why didn’t they give it to Tae Seo before?
Flashback of Moo Sol’s meeting with Pyung Joon, him passing Pyung Joon whatever this thing is. He gave it to Pyung Joon, just in case something happened to him. Pyung Joon doesn’t even want to think about it, but Moo Sol’s insistent. With the uncertain times, Moo Sol wants his son to have the seal. It’s a seal. It’s intriguing that it wasn’t something that Moo Sol felt comfortable just leaving at his house. Oh, I’m feeling sad again. He wants Pyung Joon to tell Tae Seo that he loved him dearly and that he’s a good man and a fine head of Century House. I guess that explains why his dying words were for Kang Chi. He’d already given his dying words for Tae Seo to Pyung Joon to deliver.
Tae Seo slowly pulls the seal out. You can tell he’s in self-flagellation mode. Gong Dal says that Moo Sol was a light to them all. He shared his wealth with the poor and supported those who love this country. A tear runs down Tae Seo’s cheek. Pyung Joon says that he’s giving it to him now – as compared to before, when Tae Seo first got there – to communicate his father’s intent and because he has a great mission to come. Tae Seo immediately asks what they want him to do. Grim faces. This isn’t good.
Arg! They want him to work with Kwan Woong. No wonder their faces were so grim. They want him to work with the man who murdered his parents, had his sister sold to a gisaeng house and then raped her. Revolting! Tae Seo’s face says he can’t believe it either.
Kang Chi’s still counting beans. 4,861. 4,862. He’s thinking about how he was treated earlier. Or trying not to. Yeo Wool is sitting beside him, nodding off. Kang Chi notices and chuckles a little. His look of affection is so cute! She starts to fall over on him and he catches her with two of his fingers. Hysterical. Never seen that one before. He chuckles again. He moves his arm forward and gently sets her head on his shoulder. Aw. He says that he’s curious, too, actually. Oh, he’s talking about his parents. Why didn’t he just say so before? He wants to know why they put him in the river. Why has So Jung not told him that *he* was the one that put Kang Chi in the river? That’s not so hard. That monk really vexes me.
Ah. Kang Chi doesn’t want to pursue it because it makes him very angry when he thinks about it. Yeo Wool opens her eyes. I guess his talking woke her up. And she’s on his shoulder! I don’t think he can tell she’s awake, since she hasn’t moved. He says thank you for her asking. She smiles. He sighs as he looks at the top of her head. She closes her eyes again. Kang Chi looks off at the forest and wonders about that feeling from earlier.
The mountain where Wol Ryung is. Night time. Ominous music plays. The Garden of the Moon. It’s Wol Ryung! He’s full-on gumiho and doesn’t look happy.
Tae Seo is looking at the bag holding his father’s seal. Pyung Joon ’s voice says, “Your life will be in danger. Can you handle it?” Kang Chi arrives. They go outside to chat. Tae Seo wants to know how much Moo Sol knew about Kang Chi. Kang Chi doesn’t know. Tae Seo asks what it feels like when he changes. Is he asking the feeling of the change or what it feels like to be a gumiho? Kang Chi describes how he’s in touch with everything, all at once. He laughs as he adds that he’s seriously hungry. Tae Seo laughs, too. The bros are back! Yay!
Tae Seo asks if he remembers that he’s Kang Chi when he's transformed. We know the answer to that, with how less feral each transformation has gotten. Kang Chi basically says this, that he didn’t at first, but now, slowly, he’s able to get himself under control. He adds that Yeo Wool has helped him a lot. A little pained look from Tae Seo, since that’s the girl he’s liked for a while. But never said anything or did anything about it. She can look at him without feelings of disgust or fear. Yes, she can. And she keeps calling him Kang Chi. It’s *how* he remembers who he is. A small almost imperceptible sigh of resignation from Tae Seo as he realizes that it’s better that they end up together, because of how their relationship helps Kang Chi. That’s a good brother.
Kang Chi adds that as strange as it sounds, she calms him down. He doesn’t feel sick or irrationally angry. Tae Seo says what we’ve all known for a while. “You’re in love.” Surprisingly, Kang Chi is not surprised at this declaration. He simply smiles, nods, and grunts a yes. Then he realizes what he’s just said and, startled, he looks at Tae Seo and says, “What?!” Then he starts to vigorously protest in true k-drama hero style. The laughing and blustering. Tae Seo just smiles and says, “Don’t deny it.” Then he smiles a knowing smile and tells Kang Chi that there’s nothing strange about falling for her. Aw. Kang Chi doesn’t catch it and continues to protest. “She’s just… uh… just… uh…” Tae Seo tells Kang Chi not to worry about Chung Jo’s feelings. Aw, such a good brother. “She’s already gone from you.” He’s thinking about her rape. Aw. I hate how tortured Tae Seo is.
Kang Chi’s really puzzled by that statement. He protests that neither Tae Seo nor Chung Jo will ever be gone from him. Because they’re his family, his friends. I’m getting a little teary eyed. Kang Chi declares that he’ll protect them and Tae Seo strongly tells him to let that promise go. The moment Moo Sol died, their fates divided. Oh, that’s so sad. And doesn’t have to be true. Tae Seo tells him that they can’t go back to the past. There goes Kang Chi’s dream, why he said he wanted to be human the first time. Although he’s changed his reason since then. Tae Seo adds that they can’t change what’s already happened. He hasn’t told Kang Chi about the rape, and I don’t know if he would be saying these things if it hadn’t happened. I’m glad he is, but I don’t know if he would have come to this without it.
Kang Chi declares that they might not be able to go back, but they can get their family and Century House back. Tae Seo tells Kang Chi that it’s his (Tae Seo’s) job to do those things. Kang Chi protests that Moo Sol died protecting him. Tae Seo says that it would have happened even if it was someone else, because that’s who Moo Sol was. Although I don’t quite agree with him, his basic point is valid. Moo Sol would be dead one way or another. But Tae Seo is basically freeing Kang Chi from the burden he’s been carrying over Moo Sol’s death. They both know he isn’t saying that Moo Sol didn’t love him like that. He’s just saying that he doesn’t have to carry the weight of that promise anymore. Tae Seo wants Kang Chi to live his life and not be bound to that duty anymore.
Tae Seo asks Kang Chi to be as good a friend to him as he was to Century House and let them go. Aw. And then he smiles this smile that says, ‘you’re still my brother.’ And I cry. I thought I wasn’t going to cry in this episode!
Above them, in the night sky, a shooting star appears.
Yeo Wool is outside Kang Chi’s room. When he doesn’t answer her, she peeks inside and finds his room empty. As she’s walking down the hall, she can hear some of the students talking about how Kang Chi freaks them out now. They’re worried that he’s going to gumiho out again. He’s been like that the whole time he’s been there, guys. It didn’t happen before and he didn’t hurt you. Apparently, Kang Chi’s been sneaking out and staying out all night. Hmmm. I wonder what’s up with that? The students want to get rid of Kang Chi. Yeo Wool sighs, but doesn’t confront them. She easily could rebuke them. After all, it isn’t their call; it’s Pyung Joon’s, their Master. And don’t they trust Pyung Joon’s decisions? I kind of think that she should say something, because a soldier under your command that second-guesses your orders isn’t a good soldier. And it really irks me that Kim is leading this discussion. At least Song isn’t there.
Gon is meditating. Suddenly he jumps to his feet and draws his sword. He stops it just short of Kang Chi’s throat. Kang Chi doesn’t flinch. A staring contest.
Out in the forest. A random guy is walking or wandering, who knows, he’s random. He stops, looking behind him. He sees nothing so he starts walking again. This time, the bushes really rustle. He timidly asks who’s there. Tension violins and then the dramatic ‘dung!’ as Wol Ryung comes into sight. He’s got his gumiho claws out. The guy, screams, drops his bag (I guess he was traveling through the forest alone at night – never a good idea), and runs. At some point he stops to catch his breath behind a tree and Wol Ryung’s there, eyes glowing. There’s a really creepy red. Wol Ryung grabs him by the throat. And then sucks the life out of him! So gross! He’s smoking and his skin is sinking in! The bulked out veins disappear from Wol Ryung. The guy falls to the ground, dead. He looks old and his eyes have gone white. This is really bad. Wol Ryung is definitely a demon.
Gisaeng House. Soo Ryun is teaching Chung Jo the drums. “Like a butterfly, from the wrist, bong.” There’s an ease in their relationship now. Wol Sun and her mafia enter. She’s pissed. She wants to talk to Soo Ryun, but Soo Ryun doesn’t even turn to look at her and instead rebukes her for interrupting their practice. Chung Jo had stopped, but she takes that as a signal to keep going. So she does. Wol Sun wants to know why Soo Ryun is training Chung Jo instead of her. Well, for one thing, you have a really problem with snuggling up to the devil. She doesn’t have a mean girls posse and she isn’t actively gunning for Soo Ryun’s job. Soo Ryun just ignores her squawking and corrects Chung Jo’s technique some more.
Wol Sun won’t be ignored. She stomps over and grabs the drumsticks from Chung Jo and flings them to the ground. This gets Soo Ryun’s attention. She orders Wol Sun to pick the sticks up. Wol Sun repeats her question, adding that she’s the top giseang, isn’t she?!! Her nostrils are flaring. Soo Ryun asks her what measure she’s using: posing, giggling at men… Then, yes, she’s their top girl. Slam! Wol Sun demands to know what she’s done to deserve to be treated this way! Soo Ryun says that before she’s an artist, she’ll have to appreciate more than drinking and throwing fits with her. THE DRUMS ARE BEYOND THE LIKES OF HER. Bam!!!
As Soo Ryun talks about the drums, she’s talking about the girls of the house, too. They aren’t like Wol Sun’s trinkets. To be used and tossed aside according to her whim. Soo Ryun isn’t going to teach the drums to *cheap trash.* Wol Sun’s posse is behind them, whispering. You girls better pick the right side, and it ain’t gonna be Wol Sun. Wol Sun seethes as Soo Ryun tells Chung Jo to practice and she’ll be back to check on her. She leaves. Chung Jo picks up the sticks as Wol Sun glares at her. Then she turns to Wol Sun and asks her to please excuse her, she needs to practice.
Wol Sun isn’t going to let it go, calling Chung Jo mouthy and the flavor of the week. Chung Jo calmly tells her that when she’s worked up like this, it’s really ugly. She slaps Chung Jo. Chung Jo’s not going to take it this time and she slaps her back. The lady of the house already called you cheap trash and you’re going to act uppity? Wol Sun’s harem is shocked that Chung Jo hit Wol Sun. Chung Jo gets in Wol Sun’s face and says, “Try hitting me again. You’ll get more than a slap” I’m beginning to like this new Chung Jo! Wol Sun isn’t quite sure what to do next, because the balance of power has shifted and she knows it. She blusters but Chung Jo turns her back on her and starts practicing the drums.
Soo Ryun is sitting with Oh Mom, who comments on how different Chung Jo is. Soo Ryun tells Oh Mom not to even think about what caused the change. Sadly, she asks if Oh Mom can hear her heartbreak and weeping.
Chung Jo practices. She’s almost got a smile on her face, but there are tears in her eyes.
Yeo Wool peeks her head around the corner. Kang Chi is still counting beans. Now, it may seem like busy work, but I really think that it has a purpose: to teach Kang Chi self control. It’s menial, frustrating, and annoying. All things that could flare his temper. But he needs to learn to control his hothead (so that he doesn’t get any more raps from Gong Dal). Kang Chi sighs, silently complaining. Yeo Wool laughs to herself. She sneaks up on Kang Chi and he’s starting to fall asleep. She waves her hand in his face. Nothing.
Yeo Wool goes to poke him really hard when Kang Chi grabs her wrist and shoves her to the ground. He holds her down, his other hand ready to strike. Then he realizes that it’s her. He asks her why she was going to claw at his eyes. She says it was a joke. He’s still sitting on top of her. Yeo Wool tells him to let her up. He refuses, telling her he’s going to teach her a lesson. For the sake of camp discipline, of course. He takes his free arm and lays it across her throat. When she protests, he calls her a wimp. She blows her hair off her forehead and bites his hand. He yells and lets go. Dusting off her hands, she asks him how that move was.
He’s upset that she bit him! She tells him: First rule of defense. When all else fails, hit the soft spot. She’s even mocking him a little. She says he should be thankful it’s just a nibble. He whines. Yeo Wool asks him where he went the night before. He just says he went out for some air. She says that other people are concerned. You mean scared, he grouses. She tells him they just need time to get used to him. And a good rebuking. Wait – did he go somewhere with Gon that he’s not saying? Was that what their late-night chat was about?
Kang Chi considers Yeo Wool's words for a moment and then turns and leans in toward her. He tells her that she’s a nag. She hadn’t realized, so she apologizes, which gets a smile from Kang Chi. You know you like her! Getting serious again, he says there’s something else. Tentatively, she asks what. Then he leans closer and tells her she’s more like a girl now. She blinks several times and they have a staring moment. Kang Chi gulps. And then…
He ruins the moment by telling her that this is the part where she swoons in his arms. Then he laughs. She sweetly asks if it’s a joke. He laughs. She’s about to punch him when they’re interrupted by Song. He doesn’t notice how close they’re sitting because he’s freaked out. They got an urgent report about some bodies found in the woods. Oh, no. That means Wol Ryung has drained more than one person. Ominous music. Kang Chi stands up and asks about the bodies. Three of them… and how they were killed, a man couldn’t have done it. Song doesn’t really want to look at Kang Chi. Kang Chi’s face wonders if this is related to that feeling from yesterday.
Apparently either Wol Ryung dragged two other men to where he killed the first one, or the soldiers moved the other bodies, because now they’re now lying in the same place. The area is blocked off by some fabric. Really? They used police tape back then? Come on. The area is block off and people are there, murmuring about the bodies, all grey and gross and drained. So Jung has arrived and observes the scene. It’s very Joseon CSI. He’s horrified by what he sees, BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHAT/WHO DID IT.
Century House. Ninja Soh is reporting about the drained bodies. Kwan Woong muses that Kang Chi is showing himself sooner than he expected. Because Kang Chi, who’s been this half-demon for a while, is just going to go all gumiho know that you know about his condition. I guess he still thinks that Kang Chi’s feral and wandering in the forest. Unless the mole has reported otherwise. Ninja Soh wants to report him to the authorities, but Kwan Woong wants to wait. He should revel in his bloodlust a little more. Of course, Kwan Woong would think this way. Kwan Woong wants the sheep’s fear to grow like the rumors will. The more scared they are, the more his power over Soon Shin grows. He smiles smugly.
Soon Shin is responding to the news. He needs Jong’s (the magistrate? The head CSI guy?) cooperation to resolve things so that the news won’t get out and freak people out. Does he think this is going to negatively impact Kang Chi? Only Pyung Joon ’s camp (and Kwan Woong and his men) know about Kang Chi’s gumiho side. He’s telling his man to keep a lid on it – servants, officers, everyone. I guess it would make Soon Shin more vulnerable, if he’s this urgent about it.
Of course, the students are going to think Kang Chi did it. They’re in the courtyard, all together, to confront Kang Chi about the murders. They’re all armed and Kang Chi is not. Jin Song has a question for Kang Chi.
Yeo Wool is in her father’s office, asking him to stop the students. She’s afraid it could go badly. Does she think Kang Chi’s going to gumiho-out on them? More likely she’s afraid he’ll get hurt by their mistrust. Pyung Joon says that if he intervenes, the students won’t have their say. What? Ah. Just like when Soo Ryun was letting Chung Jo get bullied, he’s letting this, so that the students can get resolved by themselves rather than just having to accept Pyung Joon ’s order. He tells her she can’t help him on this one and Kang Chi will have to work it out for himself.
Apparently when they asked, Kang Chi didn’t respond. Jin Song wants to know why he won’t explain himself. He wants to know what Kang Chi’s been doing at night. Kang Chi doesn’t feel like he should have to explain himself. Kim is appalled, since it’s obvious that no *person* could have killed the men found. Kang Chi sighs and asks them right out if they think it was him. Jin Song isn’t saying that they’re saying that. Kang Chi calls him on his crap. Yes, you are. That’s why you’ve come as a mob to ask. Jin Song insists that they just want to know where he’s been going at night, but Kang Chi knows it won’t end with that. He refuses. Since they already suspect him, defending himself is pointless. Jin Song says that if he doesn’t deny it, they’ll just suspect him more and Kang Chi retorts: So what’s new? People have been calling him a beggar and orphan all his life.
Kang Chi tells them to knock themselves out being suspicious. It seems like he’s getting through to Jin Song, but then Kim pipes up that there’s no talking to him. Another student is even more obnoxious, spitting that there’s no use talking to *it* like he’s a man. Wow. That’s loyalty and brotherhood for you. Kang Chi grabs the second guy by his collar. The other students all grab for their swords. He tells the guy, “I’m not overly fond of talking to men like you.” Disdain is obvious in his voice. Kim yells for Kang Chi to unhand the guy and draws his sword. All the other students, except for Jin Song, draw as well. Kang Chi looks at all of them and grabs the guy by the collar a little harder.
This scene is interrupted by Gong Dal, who wants to know what’s going on. He correctly points out how ridiculous it is that they’re drawing on a fellow student. Did Master Dam teach that? Did he teach them that? Kim starts to protest when Gong Dal tells them to put away their swords. Reluctantly, they oblige. He says, “you, too, Kang Chi.” Grimacing, Kang Chi shoves the guy away.
Gong Dal starts to chastise Jin Song. As the senior student, he shouldn’t encourage this sort of thing. Gong Dal wants an explanation. Jin Song and several other students hang their heads, ashamed. Kim just isn’t getting it, because he pipes up that it wasn’t just Jin Song, but all of them who feel the same way. The guy Kang Chi grabbed declares that they shouldn’t be expected to live with something that isn’t human. Kim doesn’t think that it’s right that they’re involved with whatever he’s done. Everyone else, except Jin Song, chimes in their agreement.
Gong Dal wants to see their proof that it was Kang Chi. Kang Chi is surprised that Gong Dal is on his side, because it’s always been him alone. Gong Dal wants their proof on how they’ve been harmed, that he was involved with the bodies. Kim is surprised and Jin Song is even more convicted.
As he tells the students that he’ll expel Kang Chi himself when they bring him the proof, he pats Kang Chi on the shoulder, rubs it a few times and then squeezes it and keeps his hand there. Kim’s all for the idea and wants Gong Dal to swear that he will. Ah, but there’s a catch. If they’re wrong, they’ll have to kneel down before Kang Chi and apologize. The students aren’t sure about that idea, but Gong Dal tells them to put their money where their mouths are. Jin Song really looks convicted at his own lack of leadership, loyalty and convicting someone with out proof.
Kang Chi has followed Gong Dal into the kitchen. He wants to know who told Gong Dal he could say all that. Gong Dal wants to know if he’s scared they’ll find something. Of course not! So what’s Kang Chi’s problem, then? Kang Chi says it’s irritating because now he’ll be watched all the time. Gong Dal points out the solution: just give your alibi; tell where you’ve been going at night. Kang Chi almost replies but stops himself. He bows and excuses himself. As he’s walking away, Gong Dal asks if he wants to stay there *with Yeo Wool.* Not just staying, but *with Yeo Wool.* If he does, he has to learn to get along.
Kang Chi sighs as he leaves the kitchen. Gon’s outside and tells him to tell them already. Kang Chi didn’t see him, so he turns and grumbles, “so creepy!” Looking around, he sidles up to Gon and asks him if he’s kept it from Yeo Wool. So they *were* together! I knew it! What have they been doing? Why doesn’t Kang Chi want to just say? Gon sort of snorts and asks if it’s supposed to be a secret. Yes, Kang Chi doesn’t want him to say a word to anyone, until he says to. Because that always goes well. Gon has this exasperated look on his face. Kang Chi says he’ll see him later and trots off. As he leaves, Gon actually smiles to himself.
Yeo Wool comes out from behind a corner and looks at Gon expectantly. Gon’s eyes are actually wide. He tries to avoid her gaze. She just says, “well?” Gon’s very uncomfortable as he dodges with, “Well, what?” Their secret. He looks away and twitches before saying, “We don’t have a secret.” He clears his throat and tries to excuse himself. “Well, well, Lord Shifty Eyes.” He still won’t meet her eyes. She tells him he never could lie, so he might as well just tell her. He finally looks at her and she gives him the eyebrows. He sighs and has an ‘aw, shucks’ grimace on his face.
Gisaeng House. Soo Ryun is walking across the courtyard with Oh Mom and Jang Soo. They run into Ma Reum who says, “Madame, it’s been too long.” So they’re not at the gisaeng house. They’ve gone to Century House. And Ma Reum knows her. Enough that they’re on a friendly level. I wonder what that means.
Kwan Woong is lounging in his office. Soo Ryun bows before him and sits. He’s surprised she’s there. So am I. He notes the white sash she’s wearing, saying she’s aloof as the orchid embroidered on it. She pulls the sash away from his view and asks what he wants. So why is he surprised to see her, if he wants something?
Kwan Woong wants to discuss the lantern festival. He wants the festival to be special since he has special guests coming. Soo Ryun says that she’s heard that some Japanese have arrived. My, how news travels in a small town. She asks if they’re his guests. He compliments her on the speed with which she gathers information. She deflects by saying that many people come to the gisaeng house. They talk; she and her girls listen.
Kwan Woong wants a drum performance. It is pretty cool. Soo Ryun says that it’s been 10 years since she’s performed. Apparently, the ‘lord’ who’s the special guest has specifically *requested* the performance. Soo Ryun’s a little shocked that a foreigner asked for her. What does that mean? And did they really, or is Kwan Woong just twisting reality again?
Flashback. Kwan Woong’s in Seo Hwa’s room. The emissary says that the late Lord Miyamoto was very generous in his praise of Soo Ryun’s abilities, so they’re respectfully requesting a demonstration. He’s all smiles. Kwan Woong grunts as he thinks about the request.
Present. Soo Ryun is reluctant even after she hears Kwan Woong’s story. He says that it’s only drums. She meets his gaze and because we know her well now, and because of her rebuke of Wol Sun, we know she’s insulted that he said it was *just* drums. He tells her not to embarrass him.
Seo Hwa is drinking tea in her room. Always she is veiled.
Kang Chi is sneaking out of one of the buildings. It’s now night. He looks around to see if anyone’s seen him and then runs off. Kim and the other jerky student are waiting from behind the corner to spy on him. The jerk tells Kim to be careful and Kim sets off to follow Kang Chi.
Evidently Kim is not very good at this because he’s less than 100 feet behind Kang Chi and continues to wander out exposed and away from cover. Kang Chi pauses and waits long enough for Kim to dart behind a bush before he turns around. After a moment, he quickly runs away. So quickly, that Kim doesn’t have time to see where he went. Uh oh. Noises in the bushes. A shadowy figure. I was really hoping that Wol Ryung wasn’t going to show up and kill him, since that would look even worse for Kang Chi, but I’m thinking that it’s about to happen.
Finally, Kim spots Wol Ryung and sputters, “who are you?” I bet you regret being a jerk now, Kim. Although you’re probably not thinking about that with a snarling monster glaring at you. Eek! Wol Ryung’s eyes just blazed that creepy, homicidal red! Kim screams like a girl and runs away, continuing to scream. He is scared out of his wits, which is probably why he hasn’t drawn his sword. He falls a couple of times. And yet, he still has not drawn his sword. He's on the ground, scanning the forest. And someone is behind him, creeping up on him. Kim hears and slowly turns his head.
Oh, thank goodness! It’s Kang Chi! He signals Kim to be quiet and stop screaming. Wol Ryung, eyes glowing red, approaches. Kim finally has the sense enough to grab his sword. Kang Chi pushes Kim behind him and tells this person to identify and show himself! Wol Ryung growls. Kang Chi clenches his fists and the bracelet glows red. It seems like Wol Ryung sense the bracelet, because he slightly flinches. There’s a stare-off. Wol Ryung leaves.
It’s over. Kim states the obvious: He’s gone. Kang Chi lets out a breath and then turns to glare at Kim. Why was Kim following him? Instead of just saying sorry, Kim stutters that Kang Chi’s been acting weird, that’s the reason. A noise. Maybe Wol Ryung's not gone. Ahh. It’s Yeo Wool. And Gon. So much for not telling Yeo Wool. Man, you got to stop being wrapped around her finger. Yeo Wool explains that Kang Chi sensed a strange presence in the forest and have been patrolling ever since. Kim is shocked that Kang Chi would be doing that.
Kang Chi glares at Gon and calls him a blabbermouth. He just had to say something?! Gon squirms and says he didn’t blab. Yeo Wool says it’s just because she’s irresistible. Then she asks him why he was keeping it a secret, like he’s being stupid and it was just making them suspicious. Kim is still standing there slack-jawed.
Kang Chi declares that they don’t know what they’re dealing with. He doesn’t have to be afraid of it, but the others wouldn’t be helping by aimlessly wandering around. Yeo Wool looks at Kim and asks him if he gets why Kang Chi didn’t say anything and tells him he can’t say anything either. Kim agrees to keep the secret. Kang Chi and Kim just look at each other. I want to know where the kneeling down and apologizing is, since that was the deal that Kim agreed to. Or at least the apology.
So Jung is in his study, reading. There’s a noise outside and a strange breeze blows in his house. He takes a candle and goes to investigate the cellar where he keeps all his books and scrolls. Just one small candle. At night. He asks if someone is there. Why do they always ask that? You’re investigating a strange noise when you’re home alone. If it’s someone there to hurt you, they’re not going to identify themselves when you ask.
So Jung’s about to light another candle when he senses someone behind him. From the shadow, it’s Wol Ryung. So Jung turns around and sees no one. When he turns back around to light the candle, someone’s in the shadows in front of him. Slowly Wol Ryung shows himself. Not exactly a gumiho, but he no longer looks vibrant and young. And he has a grey streak in his hair. Wol Ryung says, “it me.” So Jung can’t believe it’s him and stares in disbelief. Wol Ryung smiles a creepy little half smile like a python might wear right before it grabs its prey and squeezes it to death.
Training Camp. Breakfast time. Everyone’s eating, except for Kang Chi who’s just entering. And apparently they decided not to put out food for him. Nice, guys. Oh, wait. His table is off in the corner. They all turn to stare at him as he enters. Kang Chi just nods and sits down to eat. The students nearest to him taps his buddy and the rest of the line starts to scoot down, so the guy can be as far from Kang Chi as possible. I can’t tell if it’s Kim, but if it is, he’s really being a jerk! Kim’s buddy slams his chopsticks down pointedly and stomps from the room. It’s your loss, dude. Gong Dal’s not going to give you some food later.
I guess Kang Chi's used to this type of treatment because he sighs, nods and declares, “Well, time to eat.” Good. The jerky guy *wasn’t* Kim, because Kim was sitting next to the guy who stormed out. Kim slams down his chopsticks, too. But instead of stomping out, he picks up his table and goes to sit across from Kang Chi. The other students start muttering among themselves. Kim sheepishly looks at Kang Chi before clearing his throat and silently starting to eat. Kang Chi gives him a smile of appreciation and goes back to eating. Kim smiles a little back. Everyone else is very confused.
We hear Gong Dal’s thoughts: “Up close they’re all so different. But from a distance, they’re all the same.” He’s sitting up in the balcony where Kang Chi counts his beans and smiles as he leans on his broom.
Yeo Wool is opening a fancy box. It’s a beautiful white and spring green hanbok with flowers embroidered on the left shoulder. She smiles and softly caresses it. She starts to really smile and covers her mouth with her hands the way girls do when they’re about to squee about something.
Later, on the bean counting balcony, where apparently Kang Chi is *still* counting beans – is there no other lesson he can do? – Yeo Wool is telling Kang Chi about the lantern lighting festival that’s happening later that night. She’s asking him to go with her! That’s bold. He’s like, sure. He doesn’t get that it’s not just as friends. She smiles, pleased, and tells him meet her outside the inn at sunset. She gets up to leave and Kang Chi stops her to ask why they aren’t just going together. Good question, Kang Chi. She makes up some excuse about having business in the village and scampers off. Kang Chi smiles after her. He turns back to the beans and stops. He’s forgotten what number he was on!
Frustrated, he starts all over again. Someone says his name and he snaps at them before realizing that it’s not Yeo Wool. It’s Song – who I really hope isn’t a future casualty of Wol Ryung! – and he’s escorted a visitor (in a hanbok) for Kang Chi. It’s Gob Dan. She looks apprehensive. He’s surprised and happy to see her.
Gisaeng House. Some of the giseangs are hanging out in Wol Sun’s room. One whispers to another about how Soo Ryun will be presenting a new giseang at the festival. Is it me, or it just weird how this society just accepts having a gisaeng class? The other gisaeng wants to know what it means for Wol Sun. Wol Sun is understandably upset.
The new giseang is Chung Jo. Ah, I was wondering about the hair. They’re actually hair *pieces.* It makes much more sense how they have such intricate styling, if it’s hair pieces that stay that way. Chung Jo is in Soo Ryun’s room with Oh Mom and two other women. They’re dressing Chung Jo. She’s dressed in a white undergarment. They put intricate pins in her hair and dress her in a beautiful hanbok. Chung Jo’s face has been painted white with red lipstick on her lips. Finished, with the help of the women dressing her, Chung Jo bows before Soo Ryun. We hear her thoughts as she is passed the registry and signs: “My name means clear (Chung) and dawn (Jo). Her new name is blue (Chung) and bird (Jo).” This confused me, until I read that what she was doing was changing the hanja of her name so that it sounds the same but means something different. Now she is a registered giseang.
Ah, Gob Dan’s there to give Kang Chi the news. Chung Jo didn’t want her to tell him, but she thought he would want to know. Kang Chi is visibly sad at the news. She’s going to formally be presented that night. She thinks Kang Chi should at least see Chung Jo. Not saying anything, Kang Chi runs off. But what about your date?
The village. Jang Soo is shouting for the villagers to make way for the new giseang. Chung Jo’s being carried on a brightly decorated horse and wears a hat that’s like a parasol. The other gisaengs are following behind her, brightly smiling. The villagers recognize her. Too bad they couldn’t seem to help her *before.* They’re upset at what’s happened to her. Kang Chi appears as she has already gone by.
The entourage arrives at Century House. The servants, lead by Eok Man and Ma Reum exit the house as Chung Jo dismounts. They’re all upset, too. Ma Reum shakes his head in sadness and walks away, not bearing to see it. A monumental moment as Chung Jo is about to re-enter the place she once called home and only a few months ago was planning her wedding in. She looks at the sign and starts to lose her resolve. Soo Ryun tells her to hide emotions, to wipe away everything but her smile.
Chung Jo starts to go in when Kang Chi says her name. She turns to scan the crowd. Finally she sees him. Their eyes meet. She grits her teeth and turns back around. But she doesn’t go in. Kang Chi pushes his way through the crowd to stand near her. He says her name again. She gets control of herself and turns around with an aloof look on her face. Did Kang Chi want something? She tells him to come see her at the gisaeng house, if he does. Then she turns around and enters Century House. Kang Chi can do nothing but stare at her back.
The village. People are hanging special lanterns. Yeo Wool is wandering through the crowd, with a jacket draped around her head and upper body. What is she doing? It looks so weird. She’s looking for Kang Chi. But he’s sitting sadly outside of Century House. It’s getting darker. Still no Kang Chi. Yeo Wool’s starting to get discouraged.
Kang Chi deadly walks through the village as some boys run by carrying lanterns. Rut-roh! He remembers that he’s supposed to be meeting her. It’s way past sunset, so he sets off in a run. Yeo Wool is sitting there pathetically still wearing the jacket so that it hides her dress. There are lots of happy people and lanterns and sparklers. Kang Chi’s desperately pushing his way through the crowd to get there.
Finally, Yeo Wool sighs and stands up to leave. She kicks a basket which flies and hits a gentleman. Horrified, she apologizes and turns around, sinking to the ground. The jacket is *still* on her head. She’s disgruntled that he forgot but instantly changes her tune when she sees him. She’s all excited as he comes toward her and starts to drop the jacket. He just brushes right by, bumping her in the process. He turns around, checks to make sure she’s all right, apologizes and starts back on his question to find her. He totally didn’t even recognize her!!!
She calls after him and he stops, starting to realize that it was her. He slowly turns around, gaping, and there she is, in a beautiful hanbok. She has a pretty barrette in her hair, which is down. He blinks and his eyebrows raise because he can’t believe it’s her. She shyly smiles at him. He can’t believe it. She tells him he’s late and smiles widely. All he can do is stare at her. What a day he’s having.
The episode ends with them looking at each other and Soon Shin’s voice saying: “How can we stop how we feel? Or stop the wind for that matter?
Thoughts
Wow, what an episode! Chung Jo officially became a gisaeng and started to show some backbone. I haven’t really liked her character up to how because she seems so whiny, but if she keeps on this track I am going to like her. I look forward to when she crushes Wol Sun.
I loved Soo Ryun’s rebuke IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY of Wol Sun and calling her cheap trash. She really is. But bam! That was harsh. But deserved. Wol Sun is only out for herself and that’s not what the top gisaeng should be. Soo Ryun does what she does for her girls. Wol Sun would lap up the power but wouldn’t care about the abuses of others that came along with it. She’s very much like Kwan Woong in that respect.
I am still confused about Joseon society. Why are gisaengs legal? Why did the villagers scoff and throw things at her when she was tied to the tree, but it’s a big parade when she’s officially presented as a gisaeng? And why do they announce it like it’s a celebration?
It is really sad that Chung Jo's debut is in her old house, the place where she saw her father murdered by the party’s host. What is Seo Hwa up to? Does she know about Chung Jo? Kwan Woong is so disgusting to bring her there to officially announce her entry into prostitution.
And what *is* Seo Hwa up to? Why did she request that Soo Ryun play the drums? We don’t officially *know* that it’s her, but it’s her. They keep referencing her and then flashing to the mystery woman. I’m also wondering if she murdered the late Lord Miyamoto and has taken over in an effort to protect her homeland and her countrymen. It’s going to be interesting to hear her story of what happened after she was run through by a sword. How did she live? How did she end up in Japan? Was it fate, coincidence, or her machinations that had her ending up married to the late Lord Miyamoto? And do these Japanese *know* what she’s up to?
When is she going to encounter Kang Chi? Does she know about him? Who he is? And what about Wol Ryung? After seeing his bracelet, I bet that’s why he’s gone to see So Jung, to ask if he had a son. What is that encounter going to be like? Is it going to help bring Wol Ryung back? Please? Arg! I don’t want him to be evil!
Wol Ryung! He did come back as a soul-sucking demon. I wonder what it means, the veins receding when he sucks someone’s life away. Would this be the same for Kang Chi? That’s just a creepy thought. And how creepy are his eyes? Is he going to kill So Jung after he gets done talking to him? I don’t know how I feel about that. Part of me would be happy, that the old man would get some of the consequences of being cryptic. I mean, when he saw the bodies, he should have high-tailed it over to Pyung Joon and told him that it might be Wol Ryung, the guy who’s supposed to be coming back AS A DEMON. Did it not occur to So Jung to *warn* Pyung Joon about this? Is Wol Ryung going to target Pyung Joon once he figures out that *he’s* the guy who killed him?
One of the things that stuck out to me this week is the question of what makes a family. It’s been an overarching theme in the series, with Kang Chi not having one physically, but having one spiritually. First at Century House and then at the training camp. I started thinking about this when he and Tae Seo were talking. Tae Seo is expected to carry on and avenge his father and even though Kang Chi was his son in all but name, the same expectation isn’t there for him. Would it be there, if Kang Chi had been called Moo Sol’s son and he was treated *as* Moo Sol’s son, rather than it being unspoken affection? Would Tae Seo be freeing Kang Chi from Moo Sol’s death request if they’d been brothers not just in heart but in name? I wonder.
Love Tae Seo even more, as he sets Kang Chi free *and* pushes him towards Yeo Wool, even though it would be easier for him if Kang Chi carried the burden and even though he loves Yeo Wool, too. I wonder if Kang Chi is ever going to figure out Tae Seo’s feelings. That’s such a good man! He keeps focusing on his shortcomings, but he really is a good man like his father said. Those last words still make me cry, because they’re what Tae Seo needed to hear, after everything, especially after saying how lost he was without Moo Sol. To know that Moo Sol had such faith and such an opinion of him, I hope it goes a long way to getting him to forgive himself. After all, he withstood hours of painful torture and actively fought against the spell that was controlling him. Yes, he made bad choices, but he wasn’t quite in his right mind. And who would be? He needs to stop expecting himself to be perfect. I’m a little sad we saw so few of him this week. And I’m *really* concerned about what mission they’ve given him.
This was a pretty happy episode. Angsty, too, but I didn’t cry too much. For which I am thankful. I loved when Yeo Wool called Gon “Lord Shifty Eyes.” That was great. It was also great that Kang Chi was humble and practical enough to talk to Gon about what’s going on and to get his help. Little by little, he’s winning Gon’s respect and affection. Gon smiling to himself about Kang Chi was so awesome. I love that they’re becoming friends in spite of themselves.
I also love that Kang Chi’s made himself a friend: Kim! How that played out, especially when Kim got up and ate next to Kang Chi, when he was one of the biggest rabble rousers against Kang Chi, that was great. Also, their unspoken camaraderie. That was encouraging. It’s great how Kang Chi gives people a chance to change, to repent. He could have held it against Kim, been a jerk, and let the thing in the woods get him, but Kang Chi still considered Kim his comrade/brother, so he came to his aid. He even stepped in between Kim and the danger. This heart is what allowed him to be able to help Tae Seo and why he doesn’t really hold it against people when they are stupid towards him. I do look forward to the moment when these guys eat crow and have to bow down and apologize. Go, Gong Dal, for setting that one up!
One thing I keep thinking about, with Kim’s jerky friend who protests that they shouldn’t have to live with something that’s not human, dude, you don’t have to. There’s the door. It’s not locked. No one’s keeping you there. You’re not more important to Pyung Joon because you’ve been there longer. You’re a student just like Kang Chi is, with the same rights and affections. I half expected Gong Dal to say that, ‘there’s the door.’
And speaking of Gong Dal – it’s awesome to start to see where Gong Dal’s coming from and the potential he sees in Kang Chi: he’s grooming him to be his protégé and successor. That was a great scene, with Kang Chi clueless – it’s funny how often he is! – and telling Gong Dal to hit him on the head. I love that there’s meaning behind the beans, to teach him self-control. I only hope that he learns it soon, so Kang Chi can move on to something else. I’m even starting to get bored of it and I’m not even the one doing it. I think the beans are there to teach him how to deal with distractions, too. Hopefully he’ll figure out to record the number of beans when he’s about to be distracted, so that he can go back to counting once the distraction’s over.
All the little Zen moments, the profound things that are just thrown away, are just one of the reasons I love this show. Gong Dal’s statement to Kang Chi, that he just has to learn how to get along, that applies to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or awkward and unaccepted. You have to figure out how to get yourself to fit in. This is a good lesson for Kang Chi because he always just had himself looking out for him. He didn’t have other people there to fight his battles with him. And that’s what he’s got now. People who are going to defend him, instead of him defending them. When you spend your life just relying on yourself, you get used to being an outsider, so you don’t try to be different. You don’t worry about other people’s feelings or wants. He’s going to have to learn how to work as a team instead of it just being a team of one. Deep.
The best part of this episode were the Yeo Wool-Kang Chi moments. Squee! I am so happy that they’ve just smoothly moved past the post-breast awkward phase and are comfortable again together :) I love the ease of their relationship. As Kang Chi put it, there’s just a calm energy that’s between them. I’m glad that Pyung Joon stopped her from fighting Kang Chi’s battle with the students. She’s not his mother and he’s tougher than he looks. He can handle getting his feelings hurt. And he really did. They’re rude in the dining room. He doesn’t get mad. He just sighs and acts like everything’s normal.
The end of the episode was one of the best parts. I love that Kang Chi did not recognize her, even when he was looking straight at her. Also that Yeo Wool didn’t really punish him for being late. I’m eager to see Kang Chi interact with her in the next episode, after he picks his jaw up off the floor. It really seems like she’s letting go of her insecurity regarding Chung Jo and believing that he’s going to end up with her.
Eee! The preview. Kang Chi’s going to meet his dad!
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