The episode starts with Kang Chi’s face off with Kwan Woong. Kang Chi tells him that he can shove it! I love him when he’s spunky! Kwan Woong orders Kang Chi’s execution. Yeo Wool has to hold herself back from interfering. And then, “Halt!” in this really awesome deep voice. It’s Soon Shin!
Kwan Woong looks like he’s sizing up a new obstacle (and that he doesn’t exactly know who this person is). Kang Chi looks confused as to why he’s there. Soon Shin introduces himself. Take that, Kwan Woong! The magistrate quakes with fear because this guy trumps old Kwan Woong here and the new guy does not look pleased.
As Soon Shin speaks, Kwan Woong watches him, as if to size him up and figure out a counter move. Again, my heart is warmed. It’s still as good the second time. The timber of his voice is gentle, like a father to a son. “I’ve come for you.” Has anyone, besides Moo Sol, ever rescued Kang Chi before? We’re not counting Yeo Wool because Kang Chi hasn’t totally gotten that they have a relationship yet.
Flashback. Moo Sol says, “I reared him as my own,” as he presents Kang Chi to Soon Shin in the first place, like a proud father. My eyes are a little misty. “He’s persistent, responsible, and above all, guileless. I hope you will take him under your wing.” I think Moo Sol thought that Kang Chi would not remain with him forever. He even says something to that effect. It’s a little ominous and sad that he was setting this up mere days before his own death.
Flashback. Pyung Joon and Soon Shin talking about the danger that Kang Chi could now pose. Soon Shin saying, “(If he’s a danger to innocent people), then I’ll kill him myself.” I guess Soon Shin has decided that Kang Chi isn’t a threat/dangerous.
Present. Outside the courtyard, villagers have gathered. Bong Chool and the other bounty hunters have arrived. They push their way through to the front.
Kwan Woong has a problem with Soon Shin setting free a murder suspect. Soon Shin turns to face Kwan Woong and asks him who he is. Like he didn’t already know, since they’ve been gathering intel on him for months. But they’ve never been formally introduced, so he has to ask the question.
The magistrate tells him that Kwan Woong is a previous court Chancellor, recently retired to the country. Wouldn’t Soon Shin have maybe seen Kwan Woong if he had that much influence and power as part of the imperial court, since he’s there reporting to the king and company about the military?
Soon Shin has really thought this through! Why’s a *retired* chancellor investigating a murder case? A good question. It’s almost like he’s telling Kwan Woong that he’s calling his power play.
Of course Kwan Woong changes his story to fit the circumstances. He’s there to give testimony. Right. That’s why you were telling everyone what to do. Because you’re just a witness for the court. He says that he saw Kang Chi kill Moo Sol. Amazing that they did a body switch. Moo Sol lunged in front of someone else’s body…
Kang Chi can’t stand it any more. He tries to lunge at Kwan Woong but his held back by his chains and the strength of *4* guards. And this is him *not* gumiho’d out. Kwan Woong continues to accuse, making Kang Chi’s blood boil even more. But Kang Chi stops when Soon Shin puts a hand on his shoulder. Gut wrenching moment! It’s just like Moo Sol did. He looks so sad as he looks up at Soon Shin.
Kwan Woong says that Kang Chi is *absolutely* a murderer. Soon Shin’s next move: “So does that mean that Park Moo Sol was innocent?” A lilttle eye squint from Kwan Woong as the magistrate denies that Moo Sol was innocent. Where is he going with this? They have irrefutable evidence of Moo Sol’s guilt.
The hat trick: So if Moo Sol was a traitor, why is Kang Chi guilty of murder? Killing a traitor isn’t murder, it’s justice. Bam! Soon Shin voice is becoming more forceful as he speaks, like he’s saying ‘Who do you think you are’? As the magistrate flusters, Soon Shin accuses them (innocently asking the question, but everyone knows it’s an accusation) of looking for an excuse to kill Kang Chi. Or perhaps Lord Park was framed?
Kwan Woong tries to rein things in, get control of the situation, by saying that Soon Shin’s gone too far. Soon Shin’s like: I haven’t gone far enough! It’s a man’s life, after all. The magistrate peers sideways at Kwan Woong, so that he can be the little puppet that he is and do what his master tells him to. His face is priceless!
Soon Shin demands they choose: Moo Sol was a traitor and Kang Chi brought justice or Moo Sol was innocent and framed and Kang Chi should be tried. You can see Kwan Woong just glower at Soon Shin, seething with rage at being out-maneuvered.
Gon says “checkmate,” and Yeo Wool can’t help but do a fist pump of victory. Love her!
Kang Chi again looks up at Soon Shin and then down at the hand that still rests on his shoulder. We’re treated to a flashback to the time as a boy that Moo Sol told him he was family. Curse you, Gu Family Book! It’s not even a crying part! As Kang Chi looks back up at him, Soon Shin looks down and they share a moment topped off by Soon Shin squeezing his shoulder. My tears are really flowing now as Kang Chi starts blinking furiously so that he won’t cry. Good acting, Lee Seung Ki!
Kwan Woong and the magistrate have withdrawn inside without giving an answer. The magistrate is all ‘we have to free Kang Chi!’ and Kwan Woong’s all, ‘but he made seven of my best men disappear!’ He suggests that Soon Shin take responsibility for Kang Chi *in writing.* Because that’s never caused problems later for the hero…
Kang Chi sits in jail. Soon Shin enters his cell and tells him that he’s arranged for his release. Kang Chi doesn’t want to go because it will be admitting that he’s Moo Sol’s killer. Soon Shin argues that it’s to save his life, but Kang Chi refuses *because* it’s Moo Sol, his patron, his father, his mentor. He prefers dismemberment and death to a life of infamy. What a character he’s showing to Soon Shin, that he won’t compromise his honor, his loyalty even if it means his own death. That’s a soldier you want serving in your army.
But part of what’s fueling Kang Chi’s protest is his depression over what he’s become: half-gumiho. He’s almost crying again. Am I going to be crying all episode today?!! Soon Shin gives Kang Chi three nyang. He’s supposed to bid farewell to three people using these coins. And then Soon Shin will grant his wish for death.Kang Chi wonders why he has to listen to Soon Shin and honor his request and is cut when Soon Shin tells him that Moo Sol asked him to look after him. And because he put himself at risk saving Kang Chi’s life. They both know what it means to get in Kwan Woong’s cross hairs.
Kang Chi walks towards the front gate where the villagers are waiting. They spread like the Red Sea to let him pass. Kang Chi sees Kwan Woong and almost goes after him, but he’s promised Soon Shin he would abide with his request. He walks away. Soon Shin turns to face his enemy.
Flashback to Kwan Woong asking for Soon Shin’s guarantee in writing that Kang Chi won’t do anything to Kwan Woong or the magistrate if he’s released. They’ll keep the letter there, of course, because that’s always smart, leaving the only copy with a man that has shown to have no scruples and would change the letter to suit his will. Not only will Kang Chi be beheaded but Soon Shin will have to resign his post. Soon Shin agrees. I love how he dramatically cuts his finger without taking his eyes off Kwan Woong as he does it.
Pyung Joon worries that Soon Shin has been reckless, since Kang Chi is extremely unstable. Soon Shin laughs at the suggestion, as if to say ‘why would I make an exception to my way of doing things and not be reckless? I’m always doing something reckless.’ Soon Shin is very zen with his answer: the will of the heavens will ultimately determine the outcome. There’s that fate again.
Kwan Woong is stewing over why Soon Shin risked everything to save Kang Chi. Kwan Woong knows that Soon Shin is going to be a problem, one that won’t go away easily, so this is his chance to get rid of them both. He is determined that Kang Chi will either work for him or die.
Kwan Woong changes the subject and asks how preparations have gone. For what exactly? Ninja Soh replies that it’s progressing well; seeds have been sown. Ominous music screeches as we cut to unconscious Tae Seo. That’s not good. His physical wounds have almost healed. He’s having a nightmare, so bad that he’s clutching his blanket! There’s hand clenching. That’s when you know it’s serious! He’s being tortured. Apparently during the torture, the captain cast a spell so that Tae Seo believes that it was Kang Chi who killed him and told him that he needs to kill Kang Chi when he sees him.
An old man sweeps the courtyard of a fortress. Is it Pyung Joon’s training camp? Tae Seo stumbles outside. He must have just woken up. He falls to the ground. At least he didn’t have magic coma legs, so walking is difficult. Tae Seo’s thoughts are of Chung Jo being dragged away, his mother weeping. He tries to go to them but can’t walk. The captain’s voice says, “It’s Kang Chi’s fault. It’s all his fault. Kill him.”
Apparently the old man has just stood there and watched Tae Seo flop around on the ground. What’s his problem? I bet he’s going to be some wise old teacher or something. Tae Seo clenches his fist in the dirt and screams Choi Kang Chi’s name.
Kang Chi walks through the village, getting dirty looks from everyone. Yeo Wool runs after him. Rounding a corner, she almost runs headlong into Kang Chi. She’s supposedly watching over Kang Chi so that he doesn’t do something foolish. She’s not afraid of him. When she tells him that he gave his word, he retorts that oaths are for humans. Which is exactly her point, since he’s not a monster but a man. I’m so glad she’s solid and *trusts* him. The supernatural aspect of it all hasn’t scared her off.
As Kang Chi tells her he’s not human, correction half-human, she tells him to knock it off or someone might overhear. You can tell he’s brooding still because he tells her to watch herself or he just might eat her, since he’s half demon. Yeo Wool doesn’t break his eye contact but she blinks a couple of times. She’s still scared of the monster but isn’t going to let her fear keep her from helping her man.
Villagers start pelting Kang Chi with rocks and vegetables. He’s obviously hurt by these people who once blessed him for his acts of kindness now calling him a killer. He doesn’t do anything to defend himself, so Yeo Wool tries to do it for him. The villagers start pelting her too. Although she’s doing a pretty good job of taking all the vegetable hits. I did sorta laugh when lettuce hit Kang Chi in the head. But not really. Because this part is sad.
Kang Chi drags Yeo Wool away. She tells him that the people just don’t understand the situation, that one day they’ll clear Moo Sol’s name. Kang Chi’s still brooding. He’s going to spend the rest of his life feeling the way he feels right then. Kang Chi, I feel you. I’ve been there. She doesn’t answer him when he asks whether she gets it, but looks supportively at him. He still hasn’t figured out she’s a woman. Do men usually have these types of relationships, especially in a saeguk?He tells her go and starts to walk away. Yeo Wool calls out Chung Jo’s name and tells him where she is. She sure does understand him, doesn’t she? It almost hurts her to say the words, but she does.
Gisaeng hazing ritual, lead by that witch, Wol Sun. She sure is enjoying herself. And where is Soo Ryun? Why isn’t she doing this? Or is this something that Wol Sun’s doing without her permission? They’re supposed to be learning how to handle alcohol. All the novices obey when she tells them to fill their bowls with alcohol except for Chung Jo. Maybe this girl has some backbone afterall. As Wol Sun yells at her, she reluctantly fills her bowl.Wol Sun tells them all to drink. They’re supposed to drink it all and show no sign of drunkenness. The other giseangs look on approvingly as Wol Sun bullies them. And they’re doing it on an empty stomach. The other giseangs start to laugh, enjoying the spectacle.
Chung Jo doesn’t drink. She refuses. Wol Sun can’t believe her insolence. I can’t believe Wol Run’s getting away with this. Wol Sun calls the giseangs’ attention and as one, they say, “yes.” I don’t like that she has this much power in this house. Wol Sun says that Chung Jo needs help since she doesn’t like the taste. The other giseangs enjoy spitting into Chung Jo’s bowl.
Wol Sun plunks the bowl down in front of Chung Jo and tells her that it should taste better now. Wol Sun doesn’t like Chung Jo because of the airs she puts on and she needs to learn decorum. When Wol Sun starts to threaten to strip her, Chung Jo picks up the bowl and throws it in her face. Go, Chung Jo! That’s so disgusting and she deserves it. The other giseangs immediately start to beat Chung Jo for her insolence.
Chung Jo and the giseangs are now in front of Soo Ryun. Chung Jo has a bloody lip. The giseangs are making it look like they were just having some friendly drinks when Chung Jo threw the drink in Wol Sun’s face. Chung Jo says nothing.Soo Ryun orders Oh Mom to bring the rods. Sun Ryun takes a stick and canes her. Wol Sun can’t help but enjoy Chung Jo’s beating.
Kang Chi has reached the gisaeng house. He barges in, pushing guards aside, to reach Sun Ryun’s room. He takes Chung Jo by the wrist and says, ‘let’s go.’ Soo Ryun starts to protest, asking what gives him the right? Kang Chi says that she doesn’t belong there and walks out the door with her. Soo Ryun looks a little upset over what’s happening. Not like mad, but something else.
In the courtyard, men with clubs surround them. Soo Ryun and the other giseangs come out to the courtyard. Soo Ryun tells him that only pain and death await them if they leave, since they’ll live as fugitives and traitors. As she describes how they’d live, I can’t help but think about Kang Chi’s parents and how they were happy eating roots and living in a cave.
Kang Chi is determined to leave with Chung Jo. But then… Chung Jo pulls her hand out of Kang Chi’s. Even as he tries to grab it again, she tells him to go. The pain is evident on both of their faces. She doesn’t want him to come back until he clears her father’s name. Then he can take her away with honor. She refuses to step outside until then and runs off.Soo Ryun says that is he really wants to free her, he needs to think about what he needs to do first. Hmmm. Why would she be giving Kang Chi helpful advice? Kang Chi is left, stunned, alone in the courtyard. Elsewhere, Chung Jo weeps bitterly.
Yeo Wool watches in the distance. Kang Chi looks bitterly at the coins in his hands as he slowly cries.
Flashback. Pyung Joon has ordered Yeo Wool to kill Kang Chi the second he does something even the hint of being dangerous. They need to protect Soon Shin. Gon steps forward and says that he will do it. But Yeo Wool says that she will do it. Gon looks at her pensively. She agrees because the fate of the Navy depends on it.
Present. While Yeo Wool was lost in her thoughts, Kang Chi slipped away. Crap. Gon gets word that Kang Chi is headed in his direction, toward Century House. He draws his bow in preparation for firing on Kang Chi.
Yeo Wool sees Kang Chi. Gon with his bow drawn. She arms her bow. Will she shot Kang Chi? Let Gon shoot him? Gon is quite ready to shoot Kang Chi. She fires her arrow and splits the head off of Gon’s arrow. He is shocked and a little pissed at her. She’s not apologetic.
Kang Chi storms into Century House. The servants seem glad to see him. Grabbing a broomstick out of Eok Man’s hands, he busts off the broom part so that it’s just the handle.
Gon storms over to Yeo Wool and asks her if she knows what she did. She says she does, more than anyone. Not satisfied, Gon turns to go stop Kang Chi, but she tells him to drop it. He’s concerned over how this all could impact Soon Shin. She’s confident that nothing will happen. She wants Gon to take Kang Chi at his word.
Eok Man rushes to find Ma Reum and tells him that Kang Chi is there.
Kang Chi storms into Kwan Woong’s room. Dramatic music and drums play. Kwan Woong’s almost like ‘what took you so long?’ Kang Chi’s there to give him an answer about working for him. He slams the handle into the middle of Kwan Woong’s table and breaks it in half. Kwan Woong and Ninja Soh are stunned. Dust flies about the vault with Moo Sol’s gold. Kang Chi vows to get Century House back. And to take Kwan Woong’s life when he does. He smiles cockily and says it’s his answer. Yay, it seems that some of the old Kang Chi is returning!
Kang Chi leaves and the handle remains, slammed through the table. Kwan Woong seethes with answer and screams Kang Chi’s name in frustration.
As Kang Chi exits, all the servants are there, with his father in front. He’s crying. Clasping Ma Reum’s hands, Kang Chi promises to come back with Tae Seo and Chung Jo. He asks that they take care of the place until then. His father’s voice breaks as he says, “Of course we will.” Eok Man wails Kang Chi’s name and Gob Dan fights her tears. Before he starts crying, Kang Chi leaves.
Soon Shin is practicing his archery. He’s good. Although Pyung Joon doubts, he’s confident that Kang Chi will return. They receive word that Kang Chi has been to Century House and caused a ruckus.
Century House. Soon Shin and Kwan Woong stand looking at the stick in the table. Kwan Woong’s sure that he’s got them both now. Soon Shin asks for proof that it was Kang Chi. When asked, all the servants, lead by Ma Reum, Eok Man and Gob Dan, deny ever seeing Kang Chi causing trouble. I do a fist pump! Kwan Woong seethes and glares at his clamoring servants. They fall silent. Soon Shin tells Kwan Woong that he’ll need a lot more than something flimsy like that to get rid of him. Kwan Woong is pissed. He orders Choi Ma Reum, Eok Man and Gob Dan beaten within an inch of their life and then deprived of food and water for five days. Ninja Soh reminds him that they still have a pawn to play: Tae Seo. Kwan Woong is slightly comforted.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, or rather Pyung Joon’s fortress, Tae Seo has found the armory and a sword. Kill Kang Chi keeps running through his mind.
Kang Chi has returned to Soon Shin’s house. Soon Shin asks him if he used the coins to say his final farewells. Kang Chi gives them back. He’s decided that he needs to live a little longer so that he can (1) clear Moo Sol’s name, (2) get Century House back for Tae Seo and Chung Jo, and (3) he wants to become human, if he can. He knows that he can’t ever let the gumiho within out again or he will lose himself forever, and he doesn’t want to be half and half. Soon Shin tells him, “I’ve seen many that were born human act like animals. The desire to be human isn’t a question of birth. It comes from within (the heart).”
Kang Chi knows that he can’t return to his family if he remains as he is. Although Yeo Wool will and has accepted you like this. Soon Shin asks if there’s a way to become human. Yes, it’s the Book of the Nine (Gu Family Book).
Flashback. Kang Chi and So Jung in the Garden of the Moon. So Jung tells him about the book, but says that his father tried and it didn’t work out. Kang Chi wants the book. Su Jung says he can’t; his 1,000-year-old father tried and failed, how is he going to succeed?
I can think of several reasons off the top of my head as to why Kang Chi has a better chance of being successful than his father: (1) The woman he’ll be in love with has already seen him at his worst and will love him anyway, (2) She’ll know that he’s part gumiho, unlike Seo Hwa, who had no idea at all, (3) Being part gumiho isn’t a secret, (4) He has a support system that will help him to succeed. His father failed because (a) he kept it a secret that he wasn’t human, (b) loved a woman who freaked out and ran away when he revealed himself instead of dealing with it, (c) made it be just the two of them, so he had no one to help him when he needed it. That’s just off the top of my head…
So Jung points to his character, how he picks fights and loses his temper over nothing. How would he be able live under the restrictions? Although, would the rules be the same for Kang Chi, since people already know he’s part gumiho? So Jung, as he’s stringing the beads of what will become Kang Chi’s new bracelet, says that he doesn’t want to lose him, too. Kang Chi falls to his knees and begs. First, he has to be able to maintain his appearance as a man without the bracelet. (o did Kang Chi know that the bracelet was available and just decided to ignore that? I thought it was a surprise for him… But it took his dad 100 years to master that, so So Jung’s not so optimistic.
He also tells him no women. Not even for comfort and definitely not love. I guess that leaves out a relationship with Chung Jo, Kang Chi. Even though Kang Chi’s already met his fated match, the one he should have avoided, he should avoid women. It’s not his fault that he met her. She’s the one that rescued him. She’s the one who stayed with him when he was unconscious. Oh, So Jung, you can be so irritating! This idea of his fated girl flies right over his head, because as far as he knows, he hasn’t met any new girls.
Kang Chi asks So Jung if he wants him to die. So Jung points out that if he full gumiho’s, he won’t die. But Kang Chi is set on being a human.
Back at the ranch, er, fortress, Soon Shin tells Pyung Joon that he wants Kang Chi to stay with him at the training camp. Is this a secret training camp? Is it not very good, because it would seem like Kwan Woong would have eliminated a place that cranks out soldiers who will challenge his rule. Kang Chi kneels before Pyung Joon and pledges his allegiance. He asks to be taught patience, restraint and self-control. He’ll be eternally grateful. Please! Cute the desperate tone of begging. Soon Shin points out that this training is essential if he’s going to work on their side.
Yeo Wool is eavesdropping from a distance, a big smile on her face. She mutters ‘perfect,’ and when she turns around, Gon is behind her, glowering. He’s still not over what happened earlier, what could have happened. She tells him that he’s underestimating Soon Shin. She explains that as she was about to shoot Kang Chi, she realized that Soon Shin had a plan and wouldn’t have risked everything on something foolhardy. It was her faith in Soon Shin, in his trust in Kang Chi, that lead to her decision. I guess that’s why she’s the boss! She tells him he needs to learn to trust people. Is this what he’s meant to learn from Kang Chi? Gon just watches her walk away and snorts his bewilderment (stone-faced, of course).
Kang Chi asks Soon Shin about the coins, what would have happened if he’d come back without them. Soon Shin tells Kang Chi he would have not hesitated to slit his throat, because those who don’t consider their own life precious cannot consider the lives of others precious. Kang Chi tells him he must be joking, but from Soon Shin’s response you can tell that he’s not.
Yeo Wool arrives, ready to take him to Pyung Joon’s camp. Kang Chi and Soon Shin say their goodbyes and Soon Shin watches them join Pyung Joon and Gon and then go. Pyung Joon walks in front, Kang Chi and Yeo Wool walk together and Gon falls in behind, which I find interesting.
At the gisaeng house, Chung Jo receives a pouch, left for her by Kang Chi. Ointment for her legs. It’s kinda shady that he gives her the salve that Yeo Wool gave him, although it’s a nice thought.
As the four walk, Yeo Wool complains about having to look at Kang Chi’s face every day. He jokes that it’s because his hotness kills her. She starts, because he’s not supposed to know she’s a girl. She scoffs a whatever. He tells her to relax because he has a purpose for his being there. When she asks what it is, he condescendingly tells her it’s not for a kid and ruffles her hair. She’s insulted that he’s called her a kid. Gon watches the exchange and rolls his eyes that he’s going to have to watch them flirt with each other, even though they’re not really flirting.
Yeo Wool grabs Kang Chi's arm behind his back and then he puts her in a headlock. So Jung watches from a distance, wishing that the road that Kang Chi has chosen will be one of good fortune for both of them. What’s with his owl staff, btw?
The upbeat music that was playing for Kang Chi and Yeo Wool continues for Chung Jo. She approaches Wol Sun with a table holding a bowl and a jug of liquor. Sitting in front of her, she drinks not one but two bowls of liquor. The other giseangs watch her with astonishment. Wol Sun demands to know what she’s doing. She says that her name is Chung Jo. Not tramp, not novice, but Park Chung Jo. She tells her to use her name from now on and calls her Wol Sun-unni. From a distance Soo Ryun watches and smiles to herself, happy that Chung Jo is finding her way.
Pyung Joon and the group arrive at his training camp. Kang Chi takes it all in. It’s pretty cool. He gapes a little. The trainees have assembled and in unison, they turn to face Pyung Joon and, as one, greet their teacher. As one they tell him that they are well. Pyung Joon tells them they have a new student and then tells Kang Chi to say hello. Kang Chi just blinks at him. A little teasing from Yeo Wool. Their familiarity is obvious. He declares that he is Choi Kang Chi, son of Choi Ma Reum of Century House. He’s at their service. Yeo Wool pushes him into a bow and tells the men to return the respect he’s shown them. As one, they comply and welcome him. Wow, she’s got some clout. And I have the feeling it’s not because she’s Daddy’s little girl, either. Kang Chi is impressed and I’ve taken the words right out of his mouth. She tries to play it off, but he’s still impressed and she likes that he is.
Tae Seo walks outside, dragging the sword.
The men are dismissed and Kang Chi is really impressed. Yeo Wool tells him that if it weren’t for Soon Shin, he wouldn’t have been admitted.
Kang Chi sees Tae Seo staggering, er, walking toward him. He’s so happy to see Tae Seo that he rushes to his side. As he does, Tae Seo drives the sword into his gut. Tae Seo’s nostrils twitch as he glares at Kang Chi. Everyone looks dumbfounded and doesn’t move. Blood starts pouring from Kang Chi’s mouth. He can’t understand why Tae Seo did this to him. He looks down at the sword sticking out of him and then back at Tae Seo’s face.
Century House. Kwan Woong sits, glaring at the broken table. You would have thought that someone would have cleaned up the mess by now, but no, it’s still there, right like Kang Chi shattered it. He mutters to himself: “If you can’t have it, take it. If you can’t take it, destroy it. That’s how I do things.” Is he psychically talking to Kang Chi right now, because there’s no other reason for his psycho rant and psycho smirk. Maybe he just *knows* what’s just happened to Kang Chi.
With pleading eyes, Kang Chi half-whispers Tae Seo’s name. Tae Seo is blank faced glaring at him. Kang Chi puts his hand Tae Seo’s shoulder. Tae Seo tells him to die, just die! Yeo Wool physically reacts to his words as if she’d been the one stabbed, they are so horrible. Tae Seo shoves the sword farther in and the point comes out the other side. Why is no one stopping him or helping Kang Chi?
Tae Seo grits his teeth as he waits for Kang Chi to die. No one, not Yeo Wool, Pyung Joon, Gon or any of the many students in the courtyard go to do anything and the episode ends.
Thoughts
Holy mack-a-noly! How the heck is Kang Chi going to survive this? I mean, I know he will. I just want to know *how* he’s going to do it, since this is a *really* bad stomach wound, something that’s typically fatal, and he’s wearing the bracelet. He can’t gumiho, which would heal the wound, because then he’ll lose any chance to become a real boy.
AND WHY ISN’T ANYONE STOPPING IT? I can understand being shocked, but come on! It’s not like this happened in just two seconds. Aren’t these supposed to be *soldiers* who deal with this type of thing? Why are they doing nothing?
More questions: How has Kang Chi *not* figured out that Yeo Wool is a girl? When is he going to figure it out? Or is she going to tell him? And why, when they were walking behind her father, horsing around, was Pyung Joon completely oblivious? Especially since he doesn’t totally trust Kang Chi, why wouldn’t he have a problem with his *daughter* having a familiar relationship with him? Does this mean that she’s that familiar with the rest of his students? Maybe he’s as desensitized as she seems to be about her being a girl, since she had no problem with Gon seeing her without her shirt on.
Poor Gon. He has to watch the girl he likes fall in love with someone else. I really think that he’s starting to like Kang Chi, in spite of himself. Will they be roomies?!! That would be so fun, them arguing over which side of the room and who used their toothpaste. Please, please, please?!!
Chung Jo is starting to get a backbone. She’s still bugs me when she gets her dead-eyed, deer-in-headlights look of shock/horror, but she’s starting to fight instead of just accept things. Things were never really bad for her, so she didn’t understand how bad that bad could be, but she was willing to marry some guy and live a boring horrible life for the benefit of her family. I’m glad that she’s learning what Seo Hwa couldn’t, although I don’t know if I would have been that different from Seo Hwa. I would rather die than debase myself like that. Not because of my pride, but because I wouldn’t be able ever to respect myself again. And to me, death is more favorable than living on past that.
I want to know Soo Ryun’s back story! She keeps doing things that say that she’s not as heartless as she appears and that what she does has a purpose for the good. She’s helping Chung Jo while not looking like she’s helping. What is her back story?! And who was the gentleman she promised to take care of Seo Hwa for?
Kang Chi has had quite a hard few days. He almost was put to death, got a new surrogate father, got branded his father’s murderer, got pelted with rocks by people who used to be his friends, got rejected by Chung Jo when he tried to accomplish his one purpose in life since Moo Sol’s death: her rescue, got to see and say goodbye to his adopted dad, had to leave him and his other friends at the mercy of Kwan Woong, and left his home to go live some place completely new with only one friend to support him. It’s amazing that he hasn’t moped or pouted or whined more. The fact that he’s starting to smile; pretty amazing.
I’m still annoyed by So Jung. Is he obtuse on purpose? More than once, if he’d just share part of what he knows, he would be able to help avoid some tragedy all together.
And what about Yeo Wool? I am so glad about the job Bae Suzy is doing in portraying her. She is tough but not hard, solid not weak, and extremely likeable. Fist pump of victory! And she’s loyal. To her father, Soon Shin, and most of all, to Kang Chi. She understands how much he needs her friendship and belief in him, even if he doesn’t get it. She doesn’t try to manipulate him because she likes him. She just openly shows her belief and trust in him. Who wouldn’t want a woman like her? Plus she seriously can kick butt.
Oh, my Tae Seo! He still looks like he’s been raked over the coals. Being betrayed by someone you thought was a brother, who then murdered your beloved father, that’s got to be hard. A spell that keeps chanting it in your head so that you can’t think straight, that’s worse. I think that if it weren’t chanting away, Tae Seo would have snapped out of it by the time Kang Chi showed up. After all, he would have compared what he remembered with what he knows about Kang Chi. I mean, this was the guy that Tae Seo counted on to rescue him when things got too much for him to handle. He would have been able to verify what was the truth by asking people who had been there. But that pesky spell!
And is the spell such that Kwan Woong’s captain is going to be able to monitor and influence things from long distances? Does that also mean that Tae Seo going to unknowingly be a mole for Kwan Woong’s camp?
I don’t doubt that eventually they will figure out that there’s a spell and/or break it, because Kang Chi losing his brother is just a little too harsh. But getting there is going to be painful, watching Kang Chi AND Tae Seo’s torment.
We’re one-third through the series and it feels like this is the start of a new chapter. The really horrible tragic stuff had to happen and now it’s going to be blue skies (mostly). The fact that the victorious music played while Kang Chi set off for his new life and Chung Jo came into hers, that Kang Chi is smiling and there’s hope in the air. I’m looking forward to what’s to come. Even if Kang Chi just got run through. He’s not going to die and it’s going to help things turn out well in the end.
And plus, maybe Kang Chi will finally learn how to use a sword! I can’t wait for those training sessions, at the hand of either Yeo Wool or Gon. Please let at least some of them be with Gon. So I can watch him enjoy tormenting his rival. Hopefully, SOON someone’s going to say something that clues Kang Chi into Yeo Wool being a girl.
The idea of fate, choices, wasn’t so heavy in this one, but the idea of what makes family was at the fore. One thing I love about Kang Chi’s story is that he’s never truly abandoned. His parents couldn’t be there for him, so he was adopted into a new family and loved like he was a son and brother and not just some rescued orphan. He got another adopted father on top of that, who loved and doted on him even as he beat him for being an upstart. When he lost one family, he found another, in Soon Shin, Pyung Joon and Yeo Wool and Gon. Where Kang Chi had a great friendship with his first brother, Tae Seo, he’s got that sibling rivalry/competition thing going on with his new brother, Gon. Unlike his father, who lived alone for 1,000 years, Kang Chi has never been and will never be alone. Wol Ryung lost everything when humans discovered that he was a gumiho. Kang Chi gumiho’d and people took him in after it happened. Wol Ryung didn’t understand humans. Kang Chi knows them all too well. This is why he’ll be able to make it and become human. Man, I love this show.
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