I can't believe there are only 2 episodes left. I'm more and more certain that the big finale is going to be KTxShunji with an epilogue telling us about Japan leaving Korea (and hopefully KT and MD living HEA. Yes, I'm completely ignoring what's going to happen next in history). When the freedom fighters started to take center stage, I thought the drama might be moving away from the conflict between Shunji and Kang To but I'm happy to see that we're now back on track.
I really pity Shunji. It's clear now that his humanity is actually still there and he's aware of it but he's tamping it down with all his strength because he knows he can't go back. He has chosen to walk down this road and he has no one to pull him back from it. It's really tragic. Even if he did manage to stop on his own, he wouldn't be able to live with himself after all he has done anyway. Death is the only answer and I'm starting to think that he knows it but tries to ignore it. The scene in his office after his conversation with Kang To is chilling. He's all rattled and shaken by what he has learned and then he takes that big, shaking breath and he's back to Monster Shunji.
Rie OTOH is going in the opposite direction. I really loved her scene with Shunji in episode 26. All their animosity was gone. There was only 2 deafeated undividuals until Shunji rallies. Rie looked kind of horrified and sad for him. I would really like to see her survive at the end. She deserves it.
Kang To... I wanted to hug Yang Baek when he basically told him to stop being a noble idiot and to do all in his power to stay with Mok Dan. And how I loved when Kang To acknowledges that and tells her it's thanks to her he finds the strength to fight... That's even better than an 'I love you' and throws the focus back on the characters themselves instead of the big picture.
If I were to predict what's going to happen in episode 27, I'd say that Kang To manages to kill Kimura senior and does in fact come back for dinner as he promised. That would be a perfect time to make Gaksital babies with Mok Dan before they all head off for the big fight. Do you remember that scene in The Princess' Man where Se Ryung conforts Seung Yoo after he came back covered in blood after a fight? I could totally see that happening in Bridal Mask when KT returns from Kyeong Seong.
I'd love a revolutionary baby but I am worried that would mean KT would die but MD and a part of him would go on. So hmmm...
Yes, Shunji knows he and his cause are doomed however hard he's trying to deny it. He is, in a lot of ways, smarter than his Dad and Kishokai and that dooms him - he can't be happy being evil but he can't stop and doesn't want to, either.
I thought it was such a relief for KT to actually admit everything, even the awful part about the death of his own brother at his hand. Not that the torture offset but at least he got some momentary lightning of his burdens out of the torture horror (and also that definitely precludes him from going back - you know he'd keep going as a policeman no matter what despite his claims he'd quit - that position was too advantageous).
Yes, we could really see how relieved Kang To was that the cat was out of the bag. It really weighted heavily on him and he kept it all to himself.
I completely agree with your assessment of Shunji. Like you said, he can't be happy being an evil monster but he isn't able or even willing to stop.
The fact that he's the real antagonist and not the rather cartoonishly evil Kishokai elevates this drama above many others.
Re-baby, I know. That would be a typical Korean ending. But I refuse to lose hope. Don't you think that episode 26 kind of hinted at a HEA for KT & MD? All that talk about how she's already lost both her parents. Her questioning the viability of their cause etc... Would they give us that only to kill the main couple off at the end?
Korea has a very strong national pride. I find it hard to believe that the writer would pass up the opportunity to send the message: they fought, they made sacrifices and they managed to pull through. It's not simply a drama, it's a drama about a dark period of Korea's history. Would they really want to leave us mourning the death of its hero?
Your points about why the ending should be happy (or at least open - with both alive to continue the struggle) makes sense. I really really hope the makers go that way! You are right, ep 26 did hint at a happy ending and love as motivation for the fight. I hope hope hope.
I can't believe there are only 2 episodes left. I'm more and more certain that the big finale is going to be KTxShunji with an epilogue telling us about Japan leaving Korea (and hopefully KT and MD living HEA. Yes, I'm completely ignoring what's going to happen next in history). When the freedom fighters started to take center stage, I thought the drama might be moving away from the conflict between Shunji and Kang To but I'm happy to see that we're now back on track.
I really pity Shunji. It's clear now that his humanity is actually still there and he's aware of it but he's tamping it down with all his strength because he knows he can't go back. He has chosen to walk down this road and he has no one to pull him back from it. It's really tragic. Even if he did manage to stop on his own, he wouldn't be able to live with himself after all he has done anyway. Death is the only answer and I'm starting to think that he knows it but tries to ignore it. The scene in his office after his conversation with Kang To is chilling. He's all rattled and shaken by what he has learned and then he takes that big, shaking breath and he's back to Monster Shunji.
Rie OTOH is going in the opposite direction. I really loved her scene with Shunji in episode 26. All their animosity was gone. There was only 2 deafeated undividuals until Shunji rallies. Rie looked kind of horrified and sad for him. I would really like to see her survive at the end. She deserves it.
Kang To... I wanted to hug Yang Baek when he basically told him to stop being a noble idiot and to do all in his power to stay with Mok Dan. And how I loved when Kang To acknowledges that and tells her it's thanks to her he finds the strength to fight... That's even better than an 'I love you' and throws the focus back on the characters themselves instead of the big picture.
If I were to predict what's going to happen in episode 27, I'd say that Kang To manages to kill Kimura senior and does in fact come back for dinner as he promised. That would be a perfect time to make Gaksital babies with Mok Dan before they all head off for the big fight. Do you remember that scene in The Princess' Man where Se Ryung conforts Seung Yoo after he came back covered in blood after a fight? I could totally see that happening in Bridal Mask when KT returns from Kyeong Seong.
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Yes, Shunji knows he and his cause are doomed however hard he's trying to deny it. He is, in a lot of ways, smarter than his Dad and Kishokai and that dooms him - he can't be happy being evil but he can't stop and doesn't want to, either.
I thought it was such a relief for KT to actually admit everything, even the awful part about the death of his own brother at his hand. Not that the torture offset but at least he got some momentary lightning of his burdens out of the torture horror (and also that definitely precludes him from going back - you know he'd keep going as a policeman no matter what despite his claims he'd quit - that position was too advantageous).
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I completely agree with your assessment of Shunji. Like you said, he can't be happy being an evil monster but he isn't able or even willing to stop.
The fact that he's the real antagonist and not the rather cartoonishly evil Kishokai elevates this drama above many others.
Re-baby, I know. That would be a typical Korean ending. But I refuse to lose hope. Don't you think that episode 26 kind of hinted at a HEA for KT & MD? All that talk about how she's already lost both her parents. Her questioning the viability of their cause etc... Would they give us that only to kill the main couple off at the end?
Korea has a very strong national pride. I find it hard to believe that the writer would pass up the opportunity to send the message: they fought, they made sacrifices and they managed to pull through. It's not simply a drama, it's a drama about a dark period of Korea's history. Would they really want to leave us mourning the death of its hero?
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