the princess' man - 21 & 22
I don't think I've said this, but really, every actor here has done an amazing job. Whether they're playing good characters, evil characters, or Seung-Yoo (who goes through huge changes during the story), they've all given performances that live and breathe.
Kim Yeong-Cheol plays Su-Yang with convincing depth. I never forget that he's a monster, and that he's also a father and a husband, and occasionally -- very occasionally a tyrant who doubts himself. I'd like to see him in something else now. And though I've never felt a moment's sympathy for Sin Myeon, Song Jong-Ho's performance has been fantastic. Though Sin Myeon always loses the struggle with his better nature, that struggle is always apparent.
But in these two episodes, I have to single out Hong Soo-Hyun. Kyung-Hye's face as she speaks to her husband for the last time -- searing hope struggling against hopelessness and the knowledge of loss. The strength in her voice when she tells Seung-Yoo to wait, knowing what that means.
The woman Sin Myeon has wanted to possess is now his, but as a slave. Still he feels empty.
Sin Myeon: "Obviously you were brought into this house. Obviously you have become my possession. But I still feel that you're not by my side. I still feel very uneasy."
I can't believe he said that. It's so… so in the land beyond self-absorbed that there are no words.
Sin Myeon's Subtext: "How can you possibly not fall in love with me now? Why are you not all about being my slave with a smile. Why are you so selfish?"
It's really astonishing, but he delivers it with such conviction.
It was wonderful to see both the main couples sitting together, actually happy -- even if only for a while. And after all they've been through, all of this romantic dialog is well earned.
On the other hand, there was a bit much of People Doing Stupid Things For Plot.
(these are slight paraphrases)
But I admire their ongoing persistence. No matter how many setbacks they've faced, no matter how many times they've been betrayed, they haven't given up. Except... where is the border between persistence and futility, when all your allies are gone? Jung Jong had wanted to die, when he had a wife waiting for him. Seung-Yoo will go on with the rebellion, when Se-Ryung is there. Before, people were telling Seung-Yoo to run away with Se-Ryung. Now, they're telling him he shouldn't be around her because of the Cause.
Some of the intrigue might be a bit over-simplified, but I think this is a story about the people involved. It isn't about the politics or the actual history (though many of these people actually lived), but about that network of people living through a time of enormous changes, in which they have to decide whether to lie warm in the comfort of family and lovers and friends -- or to become part of a movement against it all. Even if the odds are horribly against them. As long as they have that symbol, that deposed young King to support, they give everything....
So even though I might be screaming at a character for leaving the person who loves them to go off into certain death, it makes sense for the character, and the times. And it means I'm really caught up in the story.
And the ending of 22… so many times, Seung-Yoo has reached out for the place on Se-Ryung's back where she took an arrow for him, but he always pulled his hand away before he touched her. So when he kisses her there, as if in thanks for everything she's been to him, it's a lovely moment. And not a cliffhanger, for once. Just a sweet calm before what I imagine will be a tense final two episodes.
Kim Yeong-Cheol plays Su-Yang with convincing depth. I never forget that he's a monster, and that he's also a father and a husband, and occasionally -- very occasionally a tyrant who doubts himself. I'd like to see him in something else now. And though I've never felt a moment's sympathy for Sin Myeon, Song Jong-Ho's performance has been fantastic. Though Sin Myeon always loses the struggle with his better nature, that struggle is always apparent.
But in these two episodes, I have to single out Hong Soo-Hyun. Kyung-Hye's face as she speaks to her husband for the last time -- searing hope struggling against hopelessness and the knowledge of loss. The strength in her voice when she tells Seung-Yoo to wait, knowing what that means.
The woman Sin Myeon has wanted to possess is now his, but as a slave. Still he feels empty.
Sin Myeon: "Obviously you were brought into this house. Obviously you have become my possession. But I still feel that you're not by my side. I still feel very uneasy."
I can't believe he said that. It's so… so in the land beyond self-absorbed that there are no words.
Sin Myeon's Subtext: "How can you possibly not fall in love with me now? Why are you not all about being my slave with a smile. Why are you so selfish?"
It's really astonishing, but he delivers it with such conviction.
It was wonderful to see both the main couples sitting together, actually happy -- even if only for a while. And after all they've been through, all of this romantic dialog is well earned.
On the other hand, there was a bit much of People Doing Stupid Things For Plot.
(these are slight paraphrases)
- "Don't burn the incriminating Declaration of Rebellion; just keep it up your sleeve. It's not like anything has gone wrong with our plans before."
- "Wait right here in this exposed hiding place."
- "Is that you, my rebel lover?" -- "No. No it is not him."
But I admire their ongoing persistence. No matter how many setbacks they've faced, no matter how many times they've been betrayed, they haven't given up. Except... where is the border between persistence and futility, when all your allies are gone? Jung Jong had wanted to die, when he had a wife waiting for him. Seung-Yoo will go on with the rebellion, when Se-Ryung is there. Before, people were telling Seung-Yoo to run away with Se-Ryung. Now, they're telling him he shouldn't be around her because of the Cause.
Some of the intrigue might be a bit over-simplified, but I think this is a story about the people involved. It isn't about the politics or the actual history (though many of these people actually lived), but about that network of people living through a time of enormous changes, in which they have to decide whether to lie warm in the comfort of family and lovers and friends -- or to become part of a movement against it all. Even if the odds are horribly against them. As long as they have that symbol, that deposed young King to support, they give everything....
So even though I might be screaming at a character for leaving the person who loves them to go off into certain death, it makes sense for the character, and the times. And it means I'm really caught up in the story.
And the ending of 22… so many times, Seung-Yoo has reached out for the place on Se-Ryung's back where she took an arrow for him, but he always pulled his hand away before he touched her. So when he kisses her there, as if in thanks for everything she's been to him, it's a lovely moment. And not a cliffhanger, for once. Just a sweet calm before what I imagine will be a tense final two episodes.