The episode opens with a bloodied Kang Chi as a child. He’s been in a fight. Moo Sol is there and asks him why he beat up his friends. Kang Chi is angry about being called a river orphan. Moo Sol asks him if he is ashamed of being found on the river. When Kang Chi meekly answers ‘yes,’ Moo Sol squats down and tells him: “I think of it as a blessing. If you hadn’t been on that river, I’d never have met you.” This makes Kang Chi (and me) get choked up. Moo Sol continues: “Family isn’t just blood. It’s in our hearts. And in my heart, you are a son to me.” Kang Chi and I both cry.
Moo Sol stands and turns to his friends, telling them that when they tease Kang Chi, they tease him. Moo Sol’s love makes Kang Chi feel happy.
Again we see Moo Sol being run through by Kwan Woong’s man. Moo Sol gurgling. His family’s shocked faces. Kang Chi punching the attacker and cradling Moo Sol. Again with the face caress, where they rip out my heart with a spoon! Why a spoon? Because it hurts more. “You were a son to me.” His last thoughts are for his children. Tae Seo screams, “Father!” Lady Yoon faints. Kang Chi begs Moo Sol to come back and even though he screams, “My lord!” we know that he’s screaming, “Father!”
Clouds cover the moon. The fierce wind blows. Everyone is afraid.
So Jung stands resolute and grasps his staff more tightly.
Yeo Wool stops her sword craft while Gon rushes to her side. Something has definitely happened. They look down on the square. Gon moves to protect her from the wind.
Kang Chi’s eyes glow green, shocking Kwan Woong. He vows to kill all of them! As he begins, So Jung stops him with his staff. Kang Chi can’t move. The bracelet glows, which Kwan Woong’s man notices. Kang Chi fights to move, tears running down his cheeks, but he cannot.
The clouds blocking the moon clear away and the wind dies away. Lady Yoon rouses. Moo Sol is dead but Kang Chi and So Jung are gone.
Tae Seo breaks down, falling and calling for his father. I love this man! Everyone, except for Chung Jo, begins to weep. Mournful music plays with the voice of a woman moaning the sadness. Tae Seo just weeps and closes his father’s eyes. I can’t stand it, listening to him. My heart is breaking with him.
Pyung Joon receives news of Moo Sol’s death, by messenger bird. This is a blow to him. Soon Shin is told, by soldier, and you can tell that he knows it is the work of Kwan Woong and that Kwan Woong is moving up his time table.
Moo Sol’s ransacked office. Their wealth is safely hidden.
Gossip is being spread that Moo Sol died because of treason, that he’s accused of managing the money for the rebels. People can’t believe it.
Moo Sol’s body is taken from the house and loaded onto a cart. The servants are blocked from exiting with the family by guards. A guard grabs Chung Jo, causing her to fall to the ground. The soldier’s captain tells her that she better do as she’s told. When she objects to his insolence, he slaps her, sending her to the ground again. The villagers can’t believe what is happening, but do nothing because of the soldiers. The soldier calls Moo Sol a traitor as Chung Jo defiantly climbs to her feet.
The villagers yell that the charge is ridiculous, but stop when the soldier draws his sword and the others threaten with spears.
The soldier captain orders them to move out but the cow pulling the cart with Moo Sol’s body won’t move, even when they pull it. The captain orders 4 soldiers to push, but the cow remains fixed in place, as if defiantly declaring that Moo Sol is no traitor. Lady Yoon tells them to stand aside. She approaches her husband’s body – man, I’m even feeling bad for her – she gently caresses the mat over Moo Sol’s body and asks him if he really doesn’t want to go, but rather to stay with them. Tears silently fall down Tae Seo and Chung Jo’s cheeks.
Lady Yoon tells him that it is over now and that it’s time to go. Chung Jo comes forward to touch her father’s body and say goodbye. Tae Seo reluctantly steps forward with Moo Sol’s people, including Han Noh, and they push the cart so that it starts to move. The captain is obviously affected.
As the cart with Moo Sol’s body passes, the villagers begin to fall to their knees, mournfully wailing, “My lord!” If this isn’t a statement of his innocence and loyalty to the emperor, I don’t know what is. Man, this drama really knows how to get me. I am fully invested in what happens to these people and I’m even feeling bad for Lady Yoon.
Bong Chool the thug can’t believe events and wonders where Kang Chi is. He scoffs at the idea that Kang Chi ran off and gets even angrier at the charge that Kang Chi is responsible for murdering Moo Sol.
This is the part that is crazy. How is Kwan Woong getting away with laying the blame on Kang Chi, when ALL those witnesses saw Moo Sol run through by one of his men? Is the police captain so afraid of being charged with treason that he lets him get away with it?
Yeo Wool can’t believe that Kang Chi’s been accused of Moo Sol’s murder when Gon tells her what the prefecture’s office is saying. She can’t believe they are lying, since they saw someone else do it. Gon tells her that they are manipulating the public so that they don’t revolt, since Moo Sol was such a revered man.
They are offering 200 pieces of gold to the person who catches Kang Chi. Former supporters are quick to turn on Kang Chi. Bong Chool and his men are happy about the bounty.
Yeo Wool is determined to do something to help Kang Chi, even though Gon argues with her to wait until she confers with her father. She refuses to wait. They could do nothing to help Moo Sol, but they can do something to help Kang Chi. She doesn’t have a plan. Gon worries about the consequences for her and for Pyung Jo.
When Gon asks Yeo Wool why she is so determined to help him, I wonder if he’s worried that she’s being reckless because she likes him. She answers that she owes Kang Chi her life, twice over. Gon is startled at her reason. Flashes of Kang Chi saving her as a child and as an adult. Yeo Wool walks away and Gon can do nothing but drop his head and sigh in defeat. What is he going to do?
The soldiers come to take Tae Seo away for questioning. Lady Yoon protests loudly and asks them to take her instead. His mother’s pain hurts Tae Seo and he tells her to stop. Crying, he promises to be all right. Even though they know it’s a lie, he says that nothing will happen to him. He promises not to leave her. As Tae Seo is dragged away, Lady Yoon weeps.
In the courtyard, Tae Seo faces torture. The prefect comes out and with Kwan Woong’s permission, orders the torture to begin. Tae Seo’s face is resolute that they won’t break him.
Locked up, the household wonders how Kang Chi managed to escape. Han Noh’s face looks as though he hopes that Kang Chi will return and rescue all of them. They begin to hear Tae Seo’s screams of pain. Lady Yoon pleads with the guard. Chung Jo covers her mother’s ears and tells her to be strong. She faints again and Chung Jo does nothing but stare at her mother. As the servants cry she commands them to stop, to be strong, to endure. Tae Seo’s cries become more and more wretched. Chung Jo silently pleads with Kang Chi to return and rescue them.
Kang Chi wakes in the Garden of the Moon. The place the staff struck him is still sore. Amazed at its beauty, he doesn’t notice So Jung until he speaks. So Jung has brought food. Kang Chi remembers what has happened and demands to know how everyone is doing. When So Jung ignores him, Kang Chi goes to help his family, but is stopped when So Jung tells him that he can do nothing, that he can’t change what will happen. He tells Kang Chi to stay in the garden for the next ten days. Kang Chi thinks he’s stupid and refuses to listen.
So Jung rebukes him for not listening to his advice and tells him that if he had listened to him, Moo Sol would still be alive. But would he? Isn’t that Kwan Woong’s m.o., to kill anyone who could possibly oppose him? So Jung declares that this time, Kang Chi *will* listen (and obey his words), so he doesn’t make it worse. Kang Chi isn’t swayed until So Jung tells him that it’s his dying mother’s wish. Apparently this man knew his mother! Slowly Kang Chi turns to face him. He can’t believe it, especially when So Jung tells him that he was his father’s closest friend.
Tae Seo sits bound to a chair, a bloody pulp of a man. Kwan Woong comes to gloat. He chides him on hesitating to retaliate, since it’s what caused Moo Sol’s death. Tae Seo can’t believe his ears and vows to kill Kwan Woong. Kwan Woong isn’t scared because he’s heard the threats before. This all is to teach Tae Seo the true meaning of respect. Tae Seo screams in frustration. I raise my fists in rage. I hate this guy!!!
Kwan Woong sits with his captain, Ninja Soh and asks after Kang Chi’s whereabouts. He is still missing. Doesn’t that sound familiar? Will Kang Chi be gone three months before he shows himself again? The symmetry is amazing, but I guess Kwan Woong’s done this so many times that he doesn’t see it. Ninja Soh believes that Kang Chi’s bracelet is a talisman which increases Kang Chi’s power. Funny that he hasn’t noticed that it always seems to *stem* it. Kwan Woong orders Kang Chi to be captured, not killed, since he is an enigma that Kwan Woong wants to control.
The prefect comes to report that Tae Seo’s interrogation has yielded nothing. He won’t confess to allying with the rebels. Um, hello? Shouldn’t that be a clue that Kwan Woong is full of crap? Kwan Woong says that they don’t need a confession since they have proof: the death of Moo Sol and Kang Chi’s disappearance. Funny how Kwan Woong 'caused' both of those things and yet they prove that Moo Sol and his household are traitors. How much of a weasel is this prefect?
When the prefect wonders about Century House, Kwan Woong almost gleefully says that the firstborn (Tae Seo) is to be put to death and the rest of the family sold into slavery. Of course, he’ll pay a fair price for the house. The prefect can’t believe Kwan Woong’s audacity, but still plays along. Kwan Woong appeals to the prefect’s greed, offering him a magistrate and special advisor’s position. Kwan Woong’s captain looks on with loathing as the prefect eagerly agrees to sell his soul. Kwan Woong is pleased.
Tae Seo is brought back to the cells, He is barely conscious. Lady Yoon is still unconscious. Tae Seo asks about Kang Chi. He hears the servants blame everything on the ingrate, Kang Chi. Han Noh hates what they are saying but says nothing. He can’t understand what’s taking Kang Chi so long.
Bong Chool has become a bounty hunter. They are looking for Kang Chi, calling him the scum who killed Moo Sol. Whenever someone hears that Kang Chi is to blame for Moo Sol’s death, they eagerly agree. The bounty hunters’ job is going to be very easy.
Yeo Wool and Gon have been following them. Yeo Wool concludes that Kang Chi must have escaped into the woods. Gon says that finding him will be next to impossible, like finding a needle in sand. Yeo Wool disagrees, as Kang Chi is bigger and louder than any needle, plus he’s a slob, so he won’t help but reveal himself. Gon is annoyed at her stubbornness and she jokes that she’ll stop being stubborn when she’s dead. He is not amused and follows her in frustration.
The bounty hunters have begun to follow them. As Yeo Wool and Gon walk, they stop for some water, as if knowing they’re being followed. Of course they know. They are studly warriors. The bounty hunters argue with each other and when they turn back to look for the two, instead Gon stands before them. He made no noise walking up the mountain. That should say something about them not messing with the pair.
Gon pulls out their bounty notice and rips it up. Below, Yeo Wool laughs at the bounty hunters’ surprise and a flash of red catches her eye. The bounty hunters offer to split the bounty 50-50 with the pair. Gon smiles to himself at their absolute stupidity. When Gon slightly brandishes his sword, the hunters leave. Gon goes to return to Yeo Wool, but she is gone. Gon is concerned and calls out for her. The bounty hunters don’t really leave. Really? You don’t think they won’t spot you again?
Yeo Wool has followed one of Kwan Woong’s men, but soon discovers that she is greatly outnumbered. She turns to run back to Gon, although it’s about the same number she faced when she intervened to save Kang Chi. Drums beat for tension.
As Yeo Wool runs, suddenly she is grabbed and pulled by the wrist behind a rock formation. It’s Kang Chi. He covers her mouth so that she doesn’t make any noise to give them away. Yeo Wool quickly breaks loose and throws him to the ground, jumping on top of him. She brandishes her knife to strike when she realizes that it’s Kang Chi. When she pauses, Kang Chi grabs the upper hand and rolls on top of her. Instead of sharing the moment, he looks in the direction of the soldiers. She realizes what he’s doing, but the longer they lay there, the more uncomfortable she becomes. What’s Kang Chi going to do when he realizes he’s been lying on top of a girl?
Kang Chi’s sole focus is Kwan Woong’s guards. I wonder why he didn’t stay in the cave like So Jung told him to. Did he sneak out while So Jung wasn’t there? Even though Kang Chi doesn’t realize it, he causes leaves to grow to cover their hiding spot. The soldiers move on.
Now they share an awkward moment, but Kang Chi makes light of it, even telling Yeo Wool that she’s “mighty pretty up close.” Pretty enough to be mistaken for a girl. Um, Kang Chi, isn’t that kind of a clue? She tells him that bounty hunters are also after him and he chides her for again, never saying thank you when he saves her.
Suddenly, Gon yanks him up by the collar and punches him. He is pissed! I am laughing. Kang Chi is completely confused at this uncalled for attack and declares that he was looking for a workout. I guess that’s why he left the cave, to work off some pent up energy.
As Kang Chi and Gon go to pummel each other, Yeo Wool tells them to cut it out. She wants them to remember the bigger picture. Like Moo Sol’s body laying unburied outside the village gates for two days and the rest of his family half dead from interrogation. Did Seo Hwa have to endure that, too? Or did sleazy Kwan Woong let her off since *he* wanted to be the one to defile her?
Hearing about his family is more than Kang Chi can take and he breaks away from Gon with an angry, frustrated yell. He turns away to hide his tears and you sense that Gon actually feels bad for his rival. When he tries to leave, Yeo Wool steps in his path to stop him.
Kang Chi remembers talking with So Jung in the cave. So Jung wanted him to stay in the cave for the next ten days and then he would tell him everything about his parents and how he ended up in the river. Although his face says otherwise, Kang Chi declares he doesn’t care about these people who threw him away. He doesn’t believe So Jung when he protests that his parents didn’t abandon him, that what happened was beyond their control. Kang Chi refuses even when So Jung appeals to his destiny. Ah, there’s that fate again. Kang Chi frustratedly cries that he has to save his family and So Jung has no choice but to watch him leave.
Kang Chi is determined. Yeo Wool and Gon watch him walk away. So do So Jung and the bounty hunters. Stupid bounty hunters.
Kang Chi is able to sneak into Century House. The wedding decorations are strewn everywhere. He can’t help but think about the happy times he has had there and silently cries. Eok Man sees him and is overjoyed. As Eok Man begins to cry, Kang Chi tells him not to cry and that he will take care of everything and rescue the family.
As Kang Chi walks away, Eok Man yells that Moo Sol’s death isn’t Kang Chi’s fault. He clenches his fist and just walks away.
Chung Jo is suddenly dragged from her cell. They are told that Lord Park has been found guilty. Tae Seo will be executed the next day. The women will be sold to the gisaeng and the men into slavery. Chung Jo protest and demands to see the evidence against her father. Supposedly they have a ledger. When Tae Seo protests, the guard tells him, “Don’t you get it? Laws are made by those in power. That’s the only justice there is.” Funny how the imperial court is more powerful than Kwan Woong, but I guess it’s the strongest *local* power. They drag Chung Jo away and Tae Seo collapses. Lady Yoon is practically catatonic.
The now magistrate tells Kwan Woong that a ruling of guilty has been made, as ordered. When Kwan Woong says that he will handle the rest, that Kang Chi will come, and they plan on killing Tae Seo as everyone tries to escape, you see that Bong Chool the bounty hunter has relayed Kang Chi’s movements.
A soldier sticks Chung Jo in a cage on a cart and then runs to relieve himself. Chung Jo wishes Kang Chi was there and he appears. He apologizes for being late and he begins to try and free her. She begs him to save Tae Seo first, since they’re going to behead him in the morning. She doesn’t want Kang Chi to be caught and their rescue to be ruined. Kang Chi only agrees when she begs him to do it so no one else will die. Kang Chi tears. He promises to return for her, no matter what. Despite herself, she grabs Kang Chi to stop him from going and he meaningfully kisses her on the forehead and looks into her eyes. She promises to wait for him. All this has been seen by one of Kwan Woong’s men, who goes to alert Kwan Woong.
Kang Chi busts into the jail and hurries to open the locks. Ma Reum weeps as he sees his son. Kang Chi sees Tae Seo and is alarmed. Han Noh tells him that it’s blood poisoning from the torture. Kang Chi would be alarmed even if Tae Seo *wasn’t* unconscious. Poor, valiant Tae Seo.
Kang Chi enters the women’s cell and tells Lady Yoon that he will carry her, if she lets him. She tells him to leave her. Momentarily I want to punch her, because it seems like she’s still being prideful and hateful, but she doesn’t want to slow their escape. She will be sold as a slave to ensure everyone else’s safety. All the servants kneel at her sacrifice. She tells him to clear HIS FATHER’S name so that his spirit can rest in peace. Another spoon to the heart.
Kang Chi kneels before her and swears to protect Tae Seo and Chung Jo with his life. She is furthered humbled as she remembers the last time he said those words to her. Kang Chi cries as she tells everyone to go. Ma Reum tells him that he has to stay with Lady Yoon. Father and son says a silent goodbye, with Ma Reum wishing him to be safe as Kang Chi, Han Noh, Tae Seo and another servant hurry away.
Suddenly their path is blocked by many of Kwan Woong’s guards. Their captain is confident in his ability to beat Kang Chi. As they fight, the servants and Lady Yoon can hear the struggle. Kang Chi and Han Noh fight to protect Tae Seo.
As they pause, Han Noh tells Kang Chi to go and protect Tae Seo. Kang Chi realizes that he has been badly hurt in the leg. Han Noh adds that he has a score to settle with Kwan Woong’s captain. Even though Kang Chi says they will meet again, they both know it isn’t true. On Han Noh’s signal, Kang Chi runs for Tae Seo while Han Noh attacks. He is successful in keeping the guards at bay until the others can escape. Then he declares that it’s time to get down to business. I’m so sad; I really liked this guy.
Ninja Soh says that he can handle Han Noh and sends the other guards after Kang Chi. Although Han Noh tries to stop them, Ninja Soh blocks his defense and then it is just the two of them. I really hope he kills this guy.
Chung Jo sadly waits for Kang Chi to return.
As I suspected, Ninja Soh gets the better of Han Noh and kills him by slashing his throat.
Kang Chi, Tae Seo and the servant are hiding behind a wall when a villager approaches offering a hiding place. I so hope this isn’t a trap! It’s the thief that Lord Park spared and gave flour and seed to. Kang Chi is relieved but they are almost ruined when a guard rears to strike. An arrow lands in the guard’s back. It’s Yeo Wool! Kang Chi is surprised to see him (her).
Yeo Wool asks the man if he can hide Tae Seo for a few days until her men can arrive, although I don’t understand why Pyung Joon wouldn’t have already sent men the minute he heard that Moo Sol had been murdered. Yeo Wool tells Kang Chi that they will be the distraction for Tae Seo’s escape. Another question – how do they know where this guy lives so that they can get Tae Seo back when reinforcements arrive? I guess he’ll just declare himself.Kang Chi goes to say thank you and she won’t let him say it. She pulls a mask over her face and tells him to come. After checking to make sure that Tae Seo will really be safe, Kang Chi flees with Yeo Wool.
In the woods, they split up. Kang Chi wills Chung Jo to wait for him and that he is coming. Unfortunately the guard is done with his business in the bathroom and gloats as he hauls her away.
Kang Chi is surrounded by Kwan Woong’s men. Where is Yeo Wool? And where in Gon?! Kang Chi asks the leader if he’s ready to try his luck. The leader spots Kang Chi’s bracelet and remembers Ninja Soh telling him that the bracelet is the source of Kang Chi’s strength. Uh-oh. I see where this is going. And Kang Chi hasn’t turned 20 yet! What bad thing is going to happen?
They begin their attack and their leader destroys the bracelet. Kang Chi watches the beads fly through the air. As they land on the ground, the ground begins to shake. Birds fly away. So Jung pauses in his meditation. Yeo Wool worries for Kang Chi’s safety.
A hurricane-like wind blusters around Kang Chi and the other men. Storm clouds race across the sky and lightning flashes. There is an eclipse. So Jung looks up and then toward where Kang Chi is with an ‘oh, crap’ expression. Something is happening to him and Kang Chi isn’t sure what.
One of the guards moves and slices Kang Chi across the back, knocking him to his knees. Another slices his chest and then his leg. He thinks, “Stop. No more.” But they won’t stop. They won’t kill him, but he doesn’t have to be really alive when they take him to Kwan Woong. As he is on his knees, he thinks about the waiting Chung Jo. I guess, like his dad, love for his woman will bring out the beast.
Kang Chi wonders if he’s dying, since his whole body is on fire. Yeo Wool arrives and sees he is in trouble. The blue fireflies appear and she stops going to his side. Kwan Woong’s guards are confused. The gumiho emerges. All the wounds are gone. Yeo Wool and the guards see Kang Chi’s monstrous glowing eyes and claws. He growls at them and begins his attack.
Thoughts
Whoa! So much happened during this episode. Lady Yoon actually became someone I liked, since her pride was broken with the death of her husband. I am so glad that she finally saw the truth about who Kang Chi was and acknowledged his worth. Her calling Moo Sol Kang Chi’s father still gets me.
A lot of this episode is about self-sacrifice. It begins with Moo Sol sacrificing himself for Kang Chi. Tae Seo sacrifices himself to protect his family and his father’s name. Lady Yoon sacrifices herself so that Tae Seo can escape. Their servants sacrifice to honor her. Han Noh sacrifices so that both Tae Seo and Kang Chi can escape. Chung Jo sacrifices her salvation so that her brother might live. As the evil of humanity rears its head, with murder, deceit and greed, so does the great goodness that it possesses. How does self-sacrifice play into fate? Or does it have any impact?
So Yeo Wool sees Kang Chi transform. How is she going to react to it? Is she going to let Kang Chi know she saw it? Where the heck is Gon? How is Kang Chi not going to freak out after he stops gumiho-ing out?
I still suspect that she is not going to freak out the way Seo Hwa did. (1) Because she’s seen a lot of weird stuff, like phantoms and other black arts. (2) Because she’s going to realize that Kang Chi didn’t omit the truth about this part of himself. (3) Because the pair are not going to repeat Kang Chi’s fate. After all, So Jung didn’t describe Kang Chi’s tale as a sad one.
Ironically she finds out his secret before he finds out hers. And she’s the only one who actually intentionally lied.
Seeing Kang Chi’s pain really hurt me. I know I keep saying how much I love Tae Seo, but my affection for Kang Chi is a given. He’s a little arrogant, but only when he doesn’t think that it would hurt someone else. He fights for the little guy and hates bullies. He doesn’t over estimate his abilities. He has a sense of humor and isn’t so bullheaded that he won’t stop when his temper is up. He’s loyal to his friends and would die for his family. He isn’t too selfish to put saving his girl above saving everyone else. He isn’t afraid to show his love for those around him and to him family isn’t determined by blood but by love. So in a few words, I love Kang Chi!
I hate that Kang Chi’s ‘dad,’ the man that did so much for him, is dead. I wonder how this will impact meeting his real father. Will he already have forgiven Wol Ryung? And will this be something that might save his dad?
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