May Queen Episode 30

My long national nightmare of mandatory overtime may just be over.

 

 

We get about five minutes of blubbering and yelling. Blubbering from the womenfolk, yelling from Jeong Woo. (Calm down, Jeong Woo! No need to blow a gasket.) He warns Geum Hee that they must keep Hae Joo's true identity a secret for fear her life could be in danger. He's already figured it out that it was bastard Do Hyun who was behind everything ever bad in the entire world.

 

Naturally Do Hyun has to call right then and there. Geum Hee tries to act normal when she answers her cell phone. Do Hyun wants to get together with her and have some lovey dovey time. (That's the thing about Do Hyun in this show. While he's the bastard villain, he has his moments when he can be rather nice and romantic. He's a complicated man and no one understands him but his woman. Well, no, she doesn't understand him. She just found out he murdered her husband and kidnapped her daughter.)

 

Hae Joo seeks Kang San out and together they plan to avenge their wronged families. This sounds more exciting than it really is. All they do is talk about drilling and stuff.

 

Geum Hee does her best to suck it up and act normal as her husband takes her out for a walk along the shoreline. At any other time this would be romantic. However, Geum Hee is about to crawl out of her skin as Do Hyun professes his love for her and kisses her hand.

 

The honeymoon is definitely over for In Hwa. Gi Cheol is being a total jerk to her and Chang Hee would rather be working than be with her.

 

Do Hyun goes to trial for embezzlement. Thanks to all his "charitable works" he easily slips off the hook and does not have to serve any prison time. As Do Hyun and his posse are leaving the courthouse, Jeong Woo notices the car Nameless Minion is driving and recognizes it as the same make as Sang Tae described seeing the night Grandpa was electrocuted.

 

Hae Joo finally breaks down and gives Kang San at least a peck on the cheek. Thirty damn episodes and it all comes down to one quick buss.

 

Much to Dal Soon's displeasure, Kang San moves into Casa Jeong Woo. San and Hae Joo, along with Bong Hee, will be working together on some sort of important business presentation that I kind of blanked out on. Anyway, Chang Hee reports to Do Hyun about the presentation. Do Hyun vows to stop it.

 

Gi Cheol is once again being a jerk to his new daughter-in-law, only this time he's caught in the act by Geum Hee. (No one on this show knocks on doors. They just walk right into someone else's room/house. This time, at least, it paid off.) Geum Hee gives him the Glare of Death. Last episode I hated Geum Hee, but now that she's getting righteous vengeance in her heart, I'm starting to like her.

 

Hae Joo executes the required Korean Drama Back Hug on Kang San. Why, at this pace they may actually hold hands by the end of the episode. Slow down, you wild and crazy kids.

 

Lee Bong Hee comes to pick Kang San and Hae Joo up and drive them to the presentation. Along the way they are involved in a multi-car accident. This was arranged by Nameless Minion to delay our team from their important meeting. While everyone and the police are arguing, Hae Joo steals someone's motor scooter so she can at least get there herself. (Because it's okay to break the law when you're the heroine.) There are only five people left as the rest got frustrated and left.

 

As Hae Joo makes her presentation, we intercut with Chang Hee giving his own high tech presentation to a much more crowded room. Hae Joo's meeting is a bust while Chang Hee gets a standing ovation.

 

While Do Hyun's mood is riding high, Chang Hee drops the bomb that it was Il Mun who ratted out his father to the prosecutor's office. Looks like it's Bitch Slappin' Time! In the midst of throwing everything but the kitchen sink at his son, Il Mun reveals to Do Hyun that Hae Joo is really Yoo Jin.

May Queen Episode 29

I actually took time off from work to watch this show. (Not really. I've got a dentist appointment, but that's so unpleasant to think about. I'd rather convince myself I'm that dedicated to this drama that work comes in second.)

 

Well, Chang Hee goes through with it and marries In Hwa. The gimp cries. After the Western version, the couple changes into traditional Korean wedding clothes. In Hwa falls over as she tries to bow to the gimp. Ya know, I'm still trying to understand the wooden duck. I've seen them in other weddings in Korean dramas. When the Jang Clan return home to the big house, Kang San watches them from afar.

 

Prosecutor Yoon Jeong Woo orders his minion to start looking for the mysterious car Sang Tae saw the night of Grandpa's death.

 

Sang Tae spills the beans about Young Joo spending the night with Il Mun. She's still convinced she'll end up marrying the guy. Only Hae Joo gets upset about the situation.

 

The gimp gets sloppy drunk at the dinner table. If you thought Gi Cheol couldn't become a bigger ass, you thought wrong.

 

It's the wedding night. While Chang Hee is thinking about Hae Joo, that doesn't stop him from fulfilling his husbandly duties. Then he goes back to thinking about Hae Joo. (Looks like someone invested in those color-change Air Wick thingies.)

 

The next morning a slightly sobered-up Gi Cheol is having coffee with the Jangs when Dal Soon and Sang Tae come calling (or should I say screeching) for Il Mun. In America they would have brought shotguns with them but okay... Do Hyun manages to talk them into going back home while he takes care of his son.

 

Hae Joo storms into Il Mun's office and opens up a can of whoop ass. Hell ya! It's quite a delightful scene. Only Geum Hee has to come in and break them up, Il Mun hiding behind her like the wuss he is. Geum Hee rips into Hae Joo for beating up her son and acting like this in the office. I officially hate you now, Geum Hee. Il Mun spins the story to make himself look like the victim. It was Young Joo who got him drunk and lured him to the hotel room. Geum Hee totally buys it, like she buys anything Il Mun tells her. I should have hated Geum Hee long before this. She's so gullible.

 

Kang San bamboozles his way into a drilling job so he can learn more about drills. (Geez, I though propellers were boring enough. Now I'm going to have to skip scenes about drills.) Hae Joo isn't happy about him earning a living and they have a fight.

 

Jeong Woo asks Dal Soon some more questions about how she and her husband got Hae Joo. Gi Cheol's name is brought up and hopefully Jeong Woo connects one more dot. He meets with Geum Hee and asks her about the DNA test and where she had it done. Finally he asks for some of her hair. He's going to get his own DNA test done.

 

Time passes. (As in, scenes of Kang San drilling and Hae Joo propellering, which I skip over.) Jeong Woo gets the DNA test results back and there's no doubt this time Geum Hee is Hae Joo's mother. Jeong Woo brings in the guy who did the first test and grills him about why he faked the first one. It doesn't take much to make this stool pigeon sing and point the finger at Il Mun. 

 

The azimuth thruster is finally done.

 

Young Joo invades Il Mun's office and he gives her the heave-ho. She goes home and makes herself sick.

 

After throwing in a few more threats to Il Mun, Hae Joo resigns from Cheonji.

 

Jeong Woo meets again with Geum Hee. He both shows her the new DNA results and informs her it was Il Mun who had the first test rigged, but nevermind that. Jeong Woo is more interested in finding out the reason why Gi Cheol took Yoo Jin away in the first place. Geum Hee insists on seeing Hae Joo/Yoo Jin. They go out to the light house (where everything important takes place) and a tearful Geum Hee goes running up to Hae Joo, calling her by her real name. Hae Joo finally calls Geum Hee "Mom." I still don't forgive Geum Hee for earlier but perhaps that will change with time.

 

 

 

In conclusion, don't read The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead. That was a complete crock.

The King's Dream Episode 7

Blood is spilt but it's not Chunchu's as Nutty Buddy spews bodily fluids all over the place. (Maybe you shouldn't have been growling and screeching like you were.) Nutty Buddy is quickly carried off and tended to. A vengeful Queen Sado has Chunchu strung up and his calves whipped. Out, damn cellulite, out! Chunchu cries but for once I don't blame him. I'd be crying too in this situation. Luckily Princess Deokman comes to his rescue, at least getting the beatings stopped although Chunchu is still left strung up.

 

A sweaty Nutty Buddy has an up close and personal encounter with Bihyeong. The Gwimun leader leaves a dagger sticking up next to Nutty Buddy's head. King Jinpyeong recognizes this as a warning: if anything happens to Chunchu, Bihyeong will kill Nutty Buddy. The queen makes the condition of the king announcing the royal marriage before she releases Chunchu.

 

Cheongwan is like all other DramaKorean women and easily twists her ankle, giving Kim Yushin a chance to feel up her foot like all other DramaKorean men. This is followed the the traditional piggyback ride. To be honest I kind of skip over the scenes between these two. <--------skip--------->  Yushin gets him some. <-------------skip-------------->

 

Jinpyeong announces the wedding plans to his court and anyone who doesn't like it can take their complaints straight to the chopping block. Queen Sado is quite pleased, while Nutty Buddy looks like he's got the DT's.

 

Chunchu and Yushin organize the Hwarang to oppose the wedding. They choose the day the wedding gifts are to be delivered to be when they make their grievances known. What they don't know is Nutty Buddy has just ordered Kim Yongchun to take charge of the wedding gifts. 

 

[Insert action sequence that has nothing to do with anything.]

 

Sukheuljong knows Yushin is against the wedding. He warns his grandson that any public opposition against the marriage will bring ruin not just to Yushin's family but to all the Gaya people. On the other hand, if Yushin supports the marriage, his grandfather will finally accept him as a grandson and forgive his parents for running off together.

 

Manmyeong politely warns Cheongwan to end things with Yushin, because that's what mothers do. Cheongwan leaves the city without telling Yushin.

 

It's the day of the wedding gifts. Chunchu is ready to lead the Hwarang in protest, even though he knows his father is in charge of the gifts. But no one has seen Yushin. Chunchu has faith his old friend will show up in time.

 

Yongchun is leading the wagon train of gifts to the palace but before they can enter, a gaggle of Hwarang stop them. From inside the palace emerge grown-up soldiers who surround the boys with swords drawn. Father and son just stare at each other as somewhere down the road Yushin rides to the scene.

The King's Dream Episode 6

A couple of more episodes have been subbed. It's now up to twelve. Thank you, whoever is doing this.

 

 

Kim Yushin battles with Gildal, affording King Jinpyeong time to make his getaway. Yushin manages to wound the Golden Fox in the side, but don't count this guy out yet. Bleeding and fighting off the warrior mimes with one hand, Gildal makes an impressive exit as he dashes inside a burning building that immediately collapses.

 

Later, after everyone is safe, Prime Minister Sukheuljong presumes that since Gildal is Bihyeong's second in command, it must be Bihyeong who is behind this brazen attack. The king orders Bihyeong's arrest. Surprisingly it is Nutty Buddy who realizes Bihyeong had nothing to do with the attack and is being set up.

 

Cheongwan tends to the wounds Yushin sustained from his fight with Gildal. She also sees the birthmark on his back that is called the Seven Stars. She warns him that he was destined to be born with the energy to do great things, but if he doesn't learn to control it, he could become a great traitor instead. This show is all about the Foreboding.

 

Bihyeong (who hasn't left for Goguryeo like he said he was in the last episode) and the Gwimun learn where Gildal has been hiding out. Yet when they get there all they find is Mohawk praying in front of a - what do they call it? Is it a cairn? Anyway, it's a body covered with a bunch of rocks. Mohawk tearfully announces his master is dead. Chabi, one of the girl warriors, starts pulling aside the rocks and uncovers a hand. Just to make extra sure, they call in Bihyeong's hawk who starts pecking at the corpse's hand. There's no movement, so he must be dead. Of course it's all a trick. As soon as the gullible Gwimun leave, Mohawk uncovers a very much alive Gildal who is now swearing eternal vengeance against Kim Yushin.

 

The Great Omniscient Voiceover gives us an update about how the Sui/Goguryeo war is going. The Sui bit it and bit it hard.

 

We're back on the wedding issue again. Princess Deokman threatens to run off and become a Buddhist nun rather than marry Nutty Buddy.

 

Chunchu joins the Hwarang. (This ain't no place for a crybaby, Chunchu. You better suck it up.)

 

Yushin declares his feelings to Cheongwan. She warns him that as part of her duties to the shrine she'll one day become a temple prostitute (at least that's the meaning I get out of it.) Yushin assures her this doesn't change his feelings. They exchange pledges of devotion.

 

Since Goguryeo won their war, Silla is getting nervous. The Hwarang are sent to patrol the borders. Chunchu takes Yushin up to Lookout Mountain and reveals his desire to unify the Three Kingdoms. The two friends swear a solemn oath to achieve this dream.

 

King Jinpyeong again asks Kim Yongchun to allow him to adopt Chunchu as his stepson. Yongchun seems to agree this time. Naturally this news goes straight to Nutty Buddy.

 

The Hwarang spy some Goguryeo soldiers forcing Silla villagers to build a fort wall. Most of the Hwarang want to attack now. Yushin preaches patience as their little band is no match for the elite  Goguryeo warriors. Yushin goes to the nearest Sillan fort to request soldiers only to learn there are no soldiers. They're off somewhere else and won't be back for three days. By the time Yushin returns, he finds the impatient Hwarang have gone off and attacked, only to be captured. Only Chunchu and a handful of others survived to tell the tale.

 

The captured Hwarang are being kept in a cage next door to a hungry tiger. Yushin knows they can't wait three days for the Silla soldiers to get back. Chunchu comes up with an idea. That night, with lots of torches and clanging pots, Chunchu makes it appear that a large force is marching towards the enemy camp. While a Goguryeo general takes most of his men out of the fort to meet the threat, Yushin and his handful, dressed up as Goguryeo soldiers, sneak into the fort and free the Hwarang. They're discovered before getting too far and must fight their way out. As the Hwarang head for the safety of the woods, Yushin stays behind to single-handedly (as he always does) hold off the Goguryeo.

 

Queen Sado threatens to fight back if Jinpyeong follows through with his plans of adopting Chunchu.

 

Accusing Kim Yongchun of betraying him, Nutty Buddy has Chunchu's father strung up and savagely whips him.

 

Chunchu comes home in time to cry over his father's bloody back. He goes to face the drunken Nutty Buddy (who is using a poor maid for target practice). Nutty Buddy pulls out a sword and threatens to cut off Chunchu's head.

 

I know, not much of a cliffhanger. But looks like the adults will be taking over the rolls in the next episode or two.

May Queen Episode 28

Jeong Woo finds Hae Joo to ask why she never told him she was his niece Yoo Jin. He cries and blubbers. Hae Joo just... well, she's just there. (Why you no act, Ji Hye?)

 

Jeong Woo returns to the office to learn the arrest warrant for Do Hyun has been dismissed.

 

Chang Hee suggests to Do Hyun that in order to save the business, Do Hyun should step down and hand over the position to Il Mun.

 

Ugh, now Mario is having a painful Engrish scene with Chang Hee. Will no one kill Mario off?? I will pay you! Anyway, Chang Hee lets Random White Guy know San is bankrupt and is of no further use to Noble, so why not do business with Cheonji? The first order of business should be kill Mario.

 

Il Mun drunk-calls Young Joo so he can drunk-whine about Dad. 

 

Yet another Mario scene, this time with Kang San. He breaks it to San that Noble is dropping him in favor of Cheonji.

 

Sang Tae is taking out the garbage the next morning when he sees Il Mun drive up with Young Joo. Idiot Sang Tae now becomes Overprotective Brother Sang Tae as he beats Il Mun up with a bag of garbage.

 

Released from jail, Do Hyun calls an emergency board meeting. He makes the announcement he's stepping down so he can devote all his time to charitable works. As rehearsed, Chang Hee speaks up and nominates Il Mun to be the successor. The other board members don't agree, causing Chang Hee to have to give an impassioned speech. (Now Do Hyun is calling Nameless Minion Jeon. What the hell is this man's name?)

 

Kang San's life just gets worse and worse.

 

At the Jang dinner table, Do Hyun suggests Chang Hee and In Hwa get married quickly, like next month.

 

The refrigerator makes a return appearance. (The fridge out-acts Mario any day.)

 

The newlyweds-to-be have a shopping montage. I have to admit, In Hwa makes a lovely bride.

 

Kang San takes a job as a chef at an Italian restaurant.

 

Il Mun gets to become president. He's even wearing ascots like his old man does. Will he be wearing a toupee next? The montage was to show us time has passed and it is now next month. The wedding is tomorrow. Il Mun orders Hae Joo to attend the wedding. And now that he's president, he's giving Young Joo the brush-off. Eh, she deserves it, stupid gold digger.

 

Hae Joo runs into Chang Hee. She does all of the talking as she mentions how much he's changed and the man she used to love isn't there anymore. She starts to walk away when Chang Hee calls out her name, his voice catching with emotion. Yet when she stops and turns around, he can't find anything to say. She walks on.

 

Hae Joo finally tracks down where Kang San is and tries to convince him to get back in the game. She brings him back to Jeong Woo's house where the prosecutor confides to San that Dae Pyung may have been murdered and that Do Hyun is behind it as well as the murders of Hak Soo and San's parents. Maybe this will light a fire under San's butt.

 

It's the wedding day, and after a brief scare of "Where's the groom?" Chang Hee shows up and the ceremony begins. As he reaches the altar and turns around to face the audience, his gaze meets that of Hae Joo. With tears in her eyes, she smiles back at him.

May Queen Episode 27

Amazingly, Grandpa Dae Pyung still has a pulse as he's being whisked away in an ambulance. But just because there's a heartbeat doesn't mean he's out of the woods. The doctor at the hospital advises Kang San to prepare himself for the worst as Grandpa probably won't make it through the night. 

 

Bitch slap! Oh wait, that's not Il Mun, it's Nameless Minion. I'm just so used to Il Mun being on the receiving end. Do Hynn's upset Nameless Minion took matters into his own hands. This isn't like the old days, he says. They've got CSI now!

 

Grandpa comes to long enough for a final scene. (The poor actor has to say his lines while wearing an oxygen mask. You can barely hear him.) He begs Kang San not to fight with Jang Do Hyun as San is no match for the bastard. Grandpa then asks Hae Joo to take care of San. (Team San screams, "Yes!") Speak of the devil, Do Hyun comes into the hospital room. With his last breath Dae Pyung warns Do Hyun not to touch San, then he slumps over dead.

 

At the funeral, Yoon Jeong Woo asks Hae Joo about the accident. She finds it unusual a man with 50 years of experience would be welding without safety gear on and outside during an electrical storm.

 

For once Sang Tae isn't an idiot, but a poor young man who has lost yet another father figure in his life.

 

Oh God, no. No, no, no. Mario has come to the funeral. Lord, give me strength to get through his scene. Anyway, as Chang Hee eavesdrops, Mario loudly proclaims the president of Noble is seriously considering Kang San's business proposal. Chang Hee naturally runs straight to Do Hyun with the news and proposes they take over Kang San's factory.

 

Jeong Woo learns from his own minion that the fake phone they've been trying to find was used around the area where Dae Pyung was electrocuted. C'mon, Jeong Woo. How many more dots do you need to connect?

 

Sang Tae finally tells about being at the work site that night and seeing a mysterious car. Although he didn't catch the license plate number, he accurately describes the car itself.

 

Chang Hee and his peeps arrive at San's factory. They've got a foreclosure notice and plan on evicting Kang San. San slugs Chang Hee. (Team San screams, "Yes!")

 

Gimp slap! Gi Cheol dares to slap Il Mun for talking down to his elders. I knew we couldn't go an episode without Il Mun being slapped by someone. But on top of that we get Bitch Kick! as Do Hyun returns home and furthers the abuse of the young man. One couldn't be blamed if they started to feel sorry for Il Moody.

 

Hae Joo brings a drunk and homeless San back to Jeong Woo's house. I had a feeling this would happen. Eventually everyone on the show will end up living with Jeong Woo.

 

The next day, Jeong Woo and friends come to arrest Do Hyun in connection to the hidden slush fund.

 

Bong Hee fills her sister in on the arrest, then goes further and asks the question we all want to know the answer to: did Geum Hee have an affair with Do Hyun while married to Hak Soo? Geum Hee explains how she had been in love with Do Hyun but found out he was seeing Il Mun and In Hwa's mother. So Hak Soo was a bit of a rebound. When Do Hyun came back into her life it was to apologize for hurting her, but she swears they never had an affair after she married. I dunno - I still think Hae Joo will somehow turn out to be Do Hyun's daughter.

 

Kang San sobers up and goes to see Jeong Woo at his office. In the course of the conversation, San drops the bomb that Dal Soon is not Hae Joo's birth mother. This is so Jeong Woo can later ask Dal Soon about it and she can out of the blue tell him that Hae Joo is really his long lost niece, Yoo Jin.

May Queen Episode 26

We begin again with the scene where Hae Joo tells Do Hyun she'll work at Cheonji as team leader on the development of the azimuth thruster. In return, Do Hyun must call off the repo men from Kang San's propeller factory.

 

Oh, I didn't realize this before, but by becoming the team leader, Hae Joo has taken Il Mun's position away from him. Plus she gets to boss around all those co-workers who were so mean to her before. Not that Saint Hae Joo will be mean to them. (Sigh, if only...)

 

Jeong Woo meets again with Dae Pyung. He's discovered a Kim Jong Bo, formerly with Japanese National Security, is now living in Seoul. Dae Pyung agrees to go and speak with the man, see if he can get any new information.

 

Hae Joo breaks it to Kang San about her deal with the devil. San is not happy.

 

Chang Hee continues to play In Hwa. In fact, all the women on this show get played by the men. Is it too much to ask for one smart woman who can't be fooled?

 

They might as well give a cast credit to that damned refrigerator. It gets as much screen time as any other actor.

 

Chang Hee advises his father to go make a fool of himself in front of Geum Hee in order to get her to support the marriage plot.

 

Random Black Woman alert! Oh no, that damned Random White Guy is back. Why, Show, why? Mario informs San... (Lord, it's so painful to watch! No, I must persevere.) Anyway, Mario says the Noble president won't accept San's resignation. Noble wants San to continue being the shipbuilding supervisor at Cheonji so he can act as a spy. The company is interested in the oil drilling rights and want to know what Do Hyun is up to.

 

Il Mun orders Team Bitch Jo and Asskisser Yang to find the documents about the secret slush fund his father has hidden.

 

Bong Hee tries to work her way back into Jeong Woo's graces, but he's quite rude to her. Aww, I miss the old days. She ends up moving back to the big house and going back to work at Cheonji.

 

Asskisser Yang snitches to Chang Hee about what Il Mun is up to.

 

Gi Cheol overacts his little toady heart out for Geum Hee. It must work as she changes her mind and supports In Hwa marrying his son.

 

Hae Joo is holding a team meeting. When Chang Hee asks a question, she replies people who don't know what they're talking about shouldn't ask questions. Why, Hae Joo, I'm slightly impressed.

 

Grandpa heads to Seoul with a briefcase full of money.

 

Asskisser Yang gives Il Mun the documents he asked for, but since Yang is now working for Chang Hee, I suspect the papers are false.

 

Ahhhh! Just when I thought he was gone, Mario is back. Ah, ye gods! Kang San is pitching a business deal to him to take back to Noble's president (who doesn't appear to have a name) to provide the capital to San so he can develop his drilling project. They'll split the profits 50/50.

 

Dae Pyung makes contact with Kim Jong Bo. (And I must say, the fall foliage is beautiful wherever they are.) We get a flashback of Kang Woon and Kyung Mi in their car. They're nervous because they know they've got a tail on them. Suddenly the second car speeds up and is driving along beside them. The two cars exchange paint. Another car is driving towards them from the opposite direction. Kang Woon screams and his car careens out on the rocks of the shore. I'm not sure if they're dead or just unconscious. The Men In Black are searching them and their car when Do Hyun walks up. They announce that whatever they're looking for is not here. Do Hyun figures Woon gave "it" to Hak Soo. The next thing we know, the car is on fire. Dae Pyung asks for what reason his son and daughter-in-law were killed. Jong Bo mentions microfilm and the Korean CIA's secret slush fund. (Why, is this the same slush fund money that Il Mun is looking for?)

 

Kang San and Hae Joo make up.

 

Il Mun meets with Jeong Woo and hands over the slush fund documents.

 

It's a dark and stormy night as Dae Pyung meets with bastard Do Hyun. At least Do Hyun brought an umbrella. Dae Pyung is either very smart or very stupid as he talks about knowing everything: the microfilm, the slush fund, the murders of Kang Woon and Yoon Hak Soo. (Please be recording all this, Grandpa. Please!) It wouldn't matter anyway as Do Hyun denies knowing what Dae Pyung is talking about.

 

Wait a minute, now Do Hyun is calling Nameless Minion Kim Cheol Shick. I thought he was Choi. I'm just going to go back to Nameless Minion. Do Hyun wants Nameless Minion to get to the media and make Dae Pyung out to be a crazy old man who's talking out of his head. Nameless Minion, however, looks like he has another way of handling this problem.

 

Sang Tae is leaving the propeller factory when he sees a mysterious black car drive up. He wonders who could be here this late. Meanwhile, Dae Pyung enjoys his final drink in his office. C'mon, we all know what's going to happen. No need to draw this out. Dae Pyung hears a noise outside, goes to investigate and gets electrocuted by Nameless Minion. And of course it has to be Kang San who finds the still smoking corpse of his last family member.

May Queen Episode 25

Thank God for National holidays! Now I can try to catch up on all my shows.

 

As Hae Joo cradles the unconscious Kang San, she has a flashback to the same thing happening back when her father was hit by the truck (which does nothing but remind the audience of how much better Kim Yoo Jung played this part than Han Ji Hye is doing). Unlike her father, Kang San quickly comes to and is resolute to hop on a bike and follow the men who just attacked them.

 

Idiot Sang Tae takes everything he grabbed over to Il Mun and his team, yet they don't find anything useful in the blueprints and stuff. Did Sang Tae grab the old plans and the masked men get the new ones? I'm kind of confused right now. Do Hyun, Chang Hee, and Nameless Secretary Choi walk in with the goods they had stolen. Il Mun's team look over the plans and pronounce them the azimuth thruster plans. (This all could have been avoided if San would simply have invested in a safe.)

 

San and Hae Joo have some trouble with the security guards before they can finally make it inside the Cheonji offices. By this time all the blueprints have been whisked away. Chang Hee is cool as a cucumber as he claims to know nothing about any stolen plans. Do Hyun, on the other hand, can't keep that Cheshire grin off his face. San swears this isn't over, it's just beginning.

 

Hae Joo and San go home to find Sang Tae who folds like a house of cards, confessing that it was Il Mun who paid him to steal the stuff.

 

Back at Cheonji, Team Bastards discover the plans aren't complete, they're missing the most important component to building the thruster. For once Il Mun gets to rub it in that his father and Chang Hee are failures just like he is.

 

Kang San complains about his head hurting and once again collapses unconscious. He's got a concussion and must spend the night in the hospital. He drops hints about Hae Joo staying with him but she's too thick to pick it up.

 

Chang Hee can't go home to brood in peace because In Hwa is there insisting on feeding him a large meal.

 

A pause while the show blatantly advertises a high-tech refrigerator. (It reminds me of the old radio/tv programs. The characters would stop for a cup of Maxwell House coffee and talk about how good it is before continuing with the plot.) Back to the story.

 

While Bong Hee does Karaoke Night alone, Jeong Woo meets with Dae Pyung and lays out his theory of Jang Do Hyun having killed Yoon Hak Soo as well as Kang Woon.

 

Hae Joo finds San has left the hospital and returned to his yacht. While he's taking a nap, she's tiding up the place and discovers he still has the hair band he took from her all those years ago.

 

Do Hyun still wants to get at Kang San, so Chang Hee arranges for San's loans to be suddenly called in.

 

Jeong Woo meets with toady Gi Cheol to once again go over what happened with Hak Soo. Gi Cheol tries to stick with his old story but Jeong Woo realizes the toad is lying. Plus we're forced to endure seeing Gi Cheol's bare leg again.

 

Chang Hee and In Hwa go on a date montage.

 

Kang San confesses his feelings to Hae Joo. She shoots him down with a "I just want to be friends" missile.

 

Jeong Woo's suspension is over and he's back to work at the prosecutor's office. His first order of business is finding the Japanese intelligence members from the Eighties.

 

Those men with the little red stickers invade San's propeller factory and leave their stickers on everything. I wouldn't doubt there are stickers on the mens' urinals. Now San can't even work on his azimuth thruster in his own factory. Oh San, it's always darkest before the dawn.

 

Seeing how devastated Kang San is, Hae Joo goes to see Do Hyun. She agrees to work on making an azimuth thruster at Cheonji, but under one condition.....

Three Kingdoms Episode 34

Sun Ce and his group of mounted men are chasing after one itsy bitsy bunny rabbit. Ah, the sport of it all. (Un)fortunately, Sun Ce can't hit the broad side of a barn and the bunny escapes. He becomes separated from his men during the hunt and is attacked by assassins. Eww, did an arrow just go through his cheeks? Eww. He puts up a valiant fight but in the end he gets a spear in his back.

 

A grown up Sun Quan rushes to his injured brother's side. He quickly takes control of the situation, ordering everyone to act normal so their many enemies don't hear about Sun Ce's grievous wounds. Through his bloody bandages, Sun Ce urges his young brother to take military command and protect the southlands. Quan fears he's not up to the job and because of his age (18) the generals won't take him seriously.

 

Sun Ce has a last goodbye with his wife, Da Qiao, and then dies. Some officials urge Da Qiao to take control of the southlands in the name of her son, Sun Shao, who is just a baby. This would be going against Sun Ce's final wishes. Da Qiao doesn't say anything but she sure is thinking.

 

Sun Quan tries to pass off the responsibility of the southlands to General Zhou Yu, acting all "I'm not worthy" and such. Zhou Yu refuses to accept the responsibility as he knows this isn't what his old friend, Sun Ce, wanted.

 

Worried about her and her son's presence causing strife and conflict in the southlands, Da Qiao takes her baby and gets on a slow boat to China. Wait, she's already in China, so it must be a pretty fast boat.

 

Cut to one very short scene where Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are growing jealous of Zhuge Liang. That's it, that's all you get, then the credits.

 

So, who did send those assassins in the woods against Sun Ce?

 

Darna Episode 15

The story so far: Without Gabriel's consent, that rat Crisanto published the story outing Roma as the Evil Woman. The enraged villagers grabbed their pitchforks and torches and tried to burn Roma at the stake. Darna and the police were able to dispel the rabble, but in the following confusion it was mad scientist Dr. Morgan who made off with the injured girl. Back at the mad scientist lab, test results reveal Roma is pregnant. She thinks it's Gabriel's, while we know better. Lastly, Narda proves that just because she has to walk with a crutch doesn't mean she can't get into an old fashioned cat fight with Valentina. Luv me some cat fighting.

 

During the cat fight, Valentina manages to knock Narda out. When Eduardo comes upon them, Valentina tries to spin the story that Narda just suddenly collapsed. When Narda regains consciousness, she decides to go along with the story and not reveal they had just been exchanging blows.

 

Meanwhile, Roma's baby bulge is suddenly growing exponentially. Guess she won't have to wait nine months. Dr. Morgan tells her the baby is reptilian, which triggers some vague memories of Roma's time in the cave with Cobra Commander.

 

Down in his cave, Cobra is quite pleased to be having another child. He's done with Valentina and her constant mooning over Eduardo. He'll just make another daughter into the Queen of Snakes.

 

A drunk Eduardo overhears Narda saying she wants him only for his money. She knew he was listening and only said these things to try and drive him away.

 

The church is having a new statue of the Virgin Mary installed. This is a special statue as her crown is made of gold and diamonds. Supercriminals Shiro and Liberty (wearing matching supercriminal outfits - awww) are being paid by "Mr. B" to steal the crown. Their plan is to dress up as priests, walk into the church and simply pluck the crown off the Virgin's head. When offended parishioners attempt to intervene, a gunfight erupts.

 

Darna flies in and starts kicking ass and taking names. Shiro stops her by pulling out a remote control and claiming it is to a bomb he planted at the elementary school. She has two minutes to get to the school and find the activated bomb. It's the kids who find the bomb first and they get the hell out of there. (Don't blame you, kids. Run! Run like the wind!)

 

Roma goes into labor.

 

Having no choice, Darna flies off to the school, allowing Shiro and his Bazooka Bandits to get away. She grabs the bomb and flies up high into the air so the explosion will harm no one. She returns to the school grounds to find Eduardo there. He had heard the story on the radio and raced right over. When he thanks Darna, she makes the mistake of saying, "You're welcome, Eduardo." Now he wonders how she knew his name.

 

(That is one fast news broadcast. Within the two minute time frame Shiro gave Darna, someone called the radio and the station announcer reported the story of the bomb at the school. Fast.)

 

Roma has a normal looking little girl. No snakes coming out of her head. The imp is quite disappointed. Later, though, it is only the imp who witnesses the baby turn into a snake and eat some lab mice.

 

Loleng turns to a shamaness to try and learn where her long lost daughter, Consuelo, is. The shamaness goes into a trance and announces Consuelo is alive.

May Queen Episode 24

With Hae Joo and Kang San as an audience, In Hwa has a PDA with Chang Hee, who doesn't seem to be at all reticent if you ask me. Hae Joo and then Kang San simply walk away. (Someone at Viki commented that this couple should have started making out in retaliation. That would have been so much better. Scriptwriters should listen to us.)

 

Hae Joo, as she usually does, quickly gets over it all and goes with San to work on their damned propeller.

 

After the oil disaster in Indonesia, as well as being late building the drill ship for Noble, Do Hyun's business is down in the dumps. So naturally he hits upon the idea of getting Kang San fired from Noble in order to save Cheonji. No, that doesn't make sense, just go along with it.

 

Random White Guy alert! San and Hae Joo are hanging out on his yacht when "Mario" from Noble arrives. He. Castigates. San. About. Not. Concentrating. On. Noble. Business. He. Must. Chose. Between. Noble. And. His. Propeller. Shop. San responds with almost but not quite passable English. The entire scene is painful to watch. Why do the producers do these things to us?

 

Hae Joo meets with In Hwa (why, girl, why?!?) so In Hwa can rub it in that she's going to marry Chang Hee. Hae Joo just tells her to be good to him and walks away. C'mon, stop being a saint and get into a cat fight! As she's leaving the restaurant, Hae Joo spies her younger sister Young Joo and Il Mun coming in. Young Joo splits while Hae Joo lays it down to Il Mun to stay away from her sister or else.

 

Hae Joo goes home to beat up Young Joo. Dal Soon pulls Hae Joo away and tells her to allow Young Joo to keep seeing Il Mun. This way the family will get revenge on Chang Hee, as well as get all sorts of money and presents from Il Mun. Um, Dal Soon, are you pimping out your daughter?

 

At the dinner table, In Hwa announces her marriage plans. Surprisingly it is Il Mun who has the sense to point out Chang Hee just broke up with his girlfriend of fifteen years to just turn around and now want to marry someone else. Geum Hee doesn't support the decision and pulls her daughter away for a woman-to-woman talk. Do Hyun, in his bumble bee sweater, takes Chang Hee to his study for a man-to-bee talk. This leaves Il Mun and Gi Cheol to have a bastard-to-bastard talk at the dinner table.

 

Kang San and Dae Pyung have a grandpa-to-grandson talk. All this episode is is talk, talk, talk. At least their talk seems to accomplish something and mend some bridges.

 

The next day San meets with In Hwa. (Side note: it's obviously getting cold in Korea at this time. Everyone else in the cast is wearing sweaters and coats. Yet poor In Hwa must still run around in teeny tiny shorts.) San, like everyone else, is trying to talk some sense into her. Yet the more people preach to her, the more In Hwa stubs up and insists on marrying Chang Hee. 

 

Oh no, Random White Guy is back! Kang San gives him a letter to give to the president of Noble. Basically it is his resignation letter. Mario. Begs. Him. To. Stay. San has made up his mind to devote all his attention to propellers.

 

Yoon Jeong Woo drops in from his other drama long enough to meet with his old minion at the prosecutor's office. The bullets Jeong Woo retrieved from his brother's grave go to the kind of guns used by the Korean intelligence back in the day, not the Japanese intelligence. I'm starting to get the feeling that as Jeong Woo digs deeper and becomes more suspicious of Do Hyun (and especially since the actor is now on another drama), our beloved prosecutor is going to meet with a fatal "accident." It's just a feeling.

 

Bong Hee has killed and skinned a yeti. That's the only explanation for what she's wearing when Geum Hee stops by Jeong Woo's house to talk her sister into coming back. Jeong Woo comes home with that "your husband killed my brother" look on his face. He argues with Geum Hee, saying he knew about her and Do Hyun having a previous relationship before she married Hak Soo, and he also suspects her and the bastard of messing around after she was married. He throws both women out of his house and orders both to never come back here again.

 

I'm worried about you, Jeong Woo. I'm seriously worried about your life expectancy on this show. At least give us one shirtless scene before you go.

 

San and Hae Joo work on the propeller. I decide to skip ahead. I get to the part where apparently they've achieved some kind of success. Hae Joo joyfully hugs San. He appears almost ready to faint although I'm not sure if it's from the propeller or her hugging him. They go to celebrate with Grandpa Dae Pyung and idiot turned spy Sang Tae.

 

Il Mun is at the office threatening Chang Hee when he gets the call from Sang Tae. Chang Hee is able to overhear everything as Il Mun orders Sang Tae to steal the propeller plans from San's yacht. Chang Hee goes to squeal to Do Hyun.

 

San's phone receives a video from the security camera on the yacht which plainly shows idiot Sang Tae searching for the plans. San and Hae Joo hop into a cab to race to the dock when his phone gets yet another video. Sang Tae is long gone with the new plans and now a bunch of suited men in ski masks are searching the yacht. They discover the old plans and think they've found what they're looking for.

 

Kang San and Hae Joo confront the masked thieves and finally I get a fight! In a nearby car sits Nameless Minion (who turns out to have a name - Choi) and Chang Hee watching the fight. Hae Joo manages to retrieve the plans (not realizing they're the wrong ones) and yells for San to run. Without Chang Hee's say-so, Nameless Minion starts the car and guns it towards the fleeing San and Hae Joo. There's just enough goodness in Chang Hee to make him fling himself at Nameless and cause the car to veer to the side a bit. At the same time, San sees the car coming for them and pushes Hae Joo away. He's hit by the side of the car and knocked to the ground. The masked men (who just had their asses handed to them) grab the plans and make their getaway. Hae Joo, who I'm sure is feeling a lot of deja vu right now, cradles the unconscious San and cries out for help.

The King's Dream Episode 5

The good news is more episodes have been subbed, up to Episode 10. The bad news is I'm still on this God forsaken mandatory overtime and it will be forever before I get around to them.

 

 

Good grief - less than four minutes into the show and Chunchu is already crying. I sure hope by the time Choi Sujong takes over the adult role he doesn't cry this much. Anyway, Gajamseong has fallen and Yushin is feared dead. Meanwhile, the victorious Baekje are celebrating when Wolverine's Korean Sister spies a suspicious soldier and recognizes a disguised Yushin who has managed to retrieve the city's flag. Everyone gives chase and is about to catch up to Yushin when Bihyeong arrives and helps the boy escape.

 

Yushin returns to Seorabeol with the flag. Chunchu cries. Yet this is the only warm welcome Yushin gets, as he is arrested and charged with colluding with the Baekje. Brought before King Jinpyeong for interrogation, Yushin testifies to the loyalty and bravery of General Chandeok and the people of G-Town, and shame on those who didn't bring in the reinforcements. The king decides to investigate the matter further before making his decision.

 

Queen Sado is adamant about making Kim Yushin out a traitor as it will cover up the incompetence of Nutty Buddy. To her displeasure, the king finds Yushin innocent of treason and also orders the Hwarangdo to allow Yushin to join them. Yushin has to go through the usual frat boy hazing (cleaning the toilets, doing the laundry, getting the shit beat out of him, etc.)

 

Yushin's grandmother, Manho, wants him to move into her house. Kim Yonchun supports the move, saying Yushin should take this time to make that grumpy old Prime Minister Sukheuljong finally get over his grudge against Kim Seohyeon and the other Gayans.

 

Buddhist priest and diplomat Wongwang meets with King Jinpyeong in order to get Silla to come to the aid of the Siu (Chinese) Empire against Gorguryeo. On the other end of the spectrum, Bihyeong is going to Gorguryeo to help them fight against the Siu. He foresees if Gorguryeo is defeated, the Siu will come after Silla next.

 

A-ha, I was almost right. We find out Cheongwan was raised by Bihyeong after her parents were killed in battle, so in a sense she's his adopted daughter. Anyway, she and Yushin continue their tepid romance.

 

The Baekje king orders Gildal and friends to bring him the head of Jinpyeong.

 

Jinpyeong is holding a banquet in honor of Wongwang. Yushin and the rest of the warrior mimes are in attendance. Uh-oh, Nutty Buddy is there too, and he sure is enjoying the wine. Better keep an eye on him. Yushin is ordered to go get some wine. Wandering around the large palace grounds, he encounters some questionable warrior mimes setting a building on fire. He quickly launches into attack mode.

 

Back at the banquet, no one suspects the guy with two large scars on his left cheek. It's Gildal with a black wig on. Up close to the king, is that serving girl Wolverine's Sister? I can't really tell without her weird hair and long claws. Let's just say it is. Everyone starts to notice the smoke. The king orders an end to the festivities and for someone to put out the fire. In the midst of the confusion, Mohawk (in mime makeup) throws a spear at Jinpyeong. That's the signal for other warrior mimes to tear off their Hwarang outfits and reveal they're really ninja mimes. A mass swordfight commences. Nutty Buddy just sits there and wonders where everybody's going.

 

One of the ninja mimes is about to cut Sukheuljong down when Yushin takes him out. There, Grandpa. Don't you feel bad now for trying to have your grandson executed? Meanwhile, Chunchu (who surprisingly isn't crying) is evacuating with the king and his family. He's also keeping an eye on that serving girl who isn't quite acting serving girlish. Sure enough, Wolverine's Sister pulls out her hair pin to reveal a pretty wicked blade. She starts to lunge at the king's back when Chunchu throws a wine bottle and knocks her hand aside.

 

She takes out some Hwarang with her hair pin (she ain't Wolverine's Sister for nuthin!) but eventually she's outnumbered and run through with several swords. Gildal, who has since taken off his wig to reveal he's still blond but with a really bad cut, is outraged at her death. With his bloody halberd, Gildal makes a beeline towards the king with only little Chunchu to stand in the way. Suddenly Kim Yushin arrives and slams a table against Gildal while the cameraman goes Wheeeeeeee!!!!!  This show sure likes to do that.

May Queen Episode 23

Apparently while I wasn't looking (because of #&%* overtime), May Queen has gotten an extension and is now going to be 38 episodes long.

 

 

As I expected, Geum Hee doesn't believe Dal Soon because of the (fixed) DNA test, and Gi Cheol claims Dal Soon is saying all this crap as a revenge for Chang Hee marrying In Hwa.

 

Il Mun asks Chang Hee to leave it to him to get the goods on Kang San's thruster.

 

Hae Joo grosses Kang San out with her poor table manners.

 

Dal Soon tells Hae Joo about what happened up at the big house, including the fact about the DNA test. Hae Joo fusses at her not-mother for trying to give her away and make her go live with Geum Hee.

 

Geum Hee is starting to wonder if the DNA test was wrong. Il Mun, seeing his stepmother looking at the test results, starts acting repentant about how he's been treating her and insecure about losing the only mother he's ever known. Geum Hee totally falls for it.

 

Yoon Jeong Woo hears back from his minion at the prosecutor's office. The fake phone has been used again and was traced back to being somewhere at Cheonji Shipbuilding.

 

Evil Chang Hee is brooding at a bar, thinking about the days when he was Good Chang Hee, when In Hwa walks in. I guess she's tweaked her Kang San radar to make it Chang Hee radar. She asks why he's drinking alone. Chang Hee turns it around and claims he's drinking over her, worrying that he's not good enough for her. In Hwa gets right to the point and asks just how far he and Hae Joo went. Yeah, Chang Hee, just how far did you two go? Chang Hee doesn't answer either of us. In Hwa starts to leave in a huff when he stops her and lays another manly kiss on the girl.

 

Bong Hee tries (and fails miserably) to impress Jeong Woo with her housekeeping skills.

 

Despite still being grossed out by her table manners, Kang San tries to arrange another date with Hae Joo. Unfortunately it all falls through.

 

Nameless Minion must break it to Do Hyun that there's been a terrible accident at the oil rig in Indonesia, the same oil company Il Mun invested his embezzled funds in. Do Hyun goes down to the shipbuilding office to bitch slap his son only to find Il Mun is out at the moment. As a matter of fact, Il Mun has gone to renew his acquaintance with Sang Tae. He bribes the idiot into being his own mole in Kang San's propeller factory.

 

Hae Joo asks Kang San if he knows the date when his parents died. He tells her it was August 11, when just last episode he said it was August 12. I believe this may be a translation error. Anyway, Hae Joo realizes this is just one day difference from when her birth father, Yoon Hak Soo, was killed. Kang San rushes off to consult with Geum Hee. He asks her if she ever saw the book of spells his father gave her husband. She doesn't recall. Kang San keeps pushing. Perhaps she saw it when she took care of her husband's possessions after his death. Geum Hee admits she was in such a daze after Hak Soo's murder that it was Do Hyun who took care of things like that.

 

Do Hyun offers Hae Joo her job back, and like a fool she goes back. Kang San (and the audience) is disappointed with her decision.

 

When Do Hyun comes home from work, Geum Hee starts to ask him about the book of spells. He denies ever seeing it. Before they can discuss it any further, Il Mun comes home. Do Hyun finally gets his bitch slapping in.

 

Kang San next goes to Jeong Woo to ask about his brother's death, which occurred on August 13, 1986. Kang San makes several points - that his parents and Jeong Woo's brother died within one day of each other; that they all died in Japan; they both thought a certain spot in the ocean floor needed to be explored for oil; and most importantly they both knew Jang Do Hyun. Still, Jeong Woo can't believe there is anything fishy here. Kang San gives the lawyer the book of spells to read.

 

Kang San brings it to Do Hyun's attention that Il Mun had the cheap kind of electrical cable used in the drillship being built. It will all have to be replaced, which will cost lots of money and time. Do Hyun goes to have yet another bitch slapping session with his son, only to be held back by Chang Hee.

 

After reading the spell book, Jeong Woo now also has his suspicions about what happened in Japan. He has his brother's remains dug back up. (Although Hak Soo was cremated. Can you do an autopsy on ashes? No, I shouldn't question. This is DramaLand, after all.) At least Jeong Woo recovers the bullets that were buried with his brother.

 

An upset In Hwa storms into Chang Hee's office. She's just learned that Hae Joo has been re-hired. Chang Hee explains it was her father's choice, not his. She heads off to talk her Dad into firing her rival. Chang Hee follows. In the hallway, knowing that Hae Joo is watching, In Hwa suddenly plants a big wet kiss on Chang Hee.

The King's Dream Episode 4

Mandatory overtime is the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse.

 

 

After a little one-on-one duel with Wolverine's Sister, Yushin and the gang manage to break free from their attackers, but Gildal and the Baekje are hot on their heels. Bihyeong orders Yushin to head on to Gajamseong while he faces off with his old nemesis. Yushin rides up to the city gates (which don't look at all besieged to me) and is allowed in. The commander in charge, Chandeok, is impressed with the lone warrior's spirit.

 

Nutty Buddy manages to stay sane long enough to announce he's marching to G-town's relief. (I just now noticed his beard resembles a ship's anchor.) However, he insists that everyone who was hollering for reinforcements to be sent should go with him as well to prove their loyalty. That includes crybaby Chunchu.

 

Cheongwan has a vision of Yushin in the thick of battle where he's cut down by Gildal. (Here's a fun little game: Gildal has two scars on his left cheek. From scene to scene, show to show, watch the scars. They constantly change length and position.)

 

Alcheon lays out some battle plans for the Silla army. Nutty Buddy doesn't seem too interested. The warrior mimes look worried. Back at G-town, a fierce night battle is taking place. Even civilians are pitching in to throw rocks down on the attacking Baekje. The next day the generals are eager to get a move on. Nutty Buddy is a bit hungover and doesn't feel like coming to any city's rescue right now.

 

Ten days pass. Nutty Buddy enjoys a game of hide and seek with some dancers. Little boy Chunchu takes it upon himself to interrupt the party and remind their leader of the purpose of the army. Hey, it seems to get the job done as Nutty Buddy finally gets on a horse and leads the Sillans onward and upward. However, they don't get very far before Nutty Buddy stops everything to hold a banquet. When the generals dare to speak up in protest, Nutty Buddy has another psychotic episode and starts swinging a sword around. Chunchu cries. Nutty Buddy orders the army to turn around and head back to the capital.

Wolverine's Sister and Mohawk sneak into G-Town and set fire to the building where the food rations are stored. (That's a very small building to be holding enough food to feed a city.) While everyone is running to put the building out, the pair pour some poison into a well. Yushin spots and recognizes the two. He gives chase only to find he's been led into a trap. Gildal and his ninjas attempt to capture the prime minister's grandson. Yushin puts up a good fight but the ninjas are about to overwhelm him when Bihyeong suddenly appears and saves the day. Gildal and his posse give a good glare before retreating. Chandeok has Bihyeong arrested for being the king of bandits.

Nutty Buddy returns to Seorabeol and makes all kinds of excuses for why he didn't come to Gajamseong's aid. Queen Sado is back on the wedding kick but Deokman refuses to marry her uncle. Ah, we learn mini-me has a name: Seungman. The kid advises the queen that if the princess continues to be defiant, she needs to go.

Things are looking mighty grim at Gajamseong. Chandeok has Bihyeong released and orders the bandit and Yushin to escape with the city's children while the adults fight to the bitter end. Our heroes get the kids out to the countryside (good thing there weren't that many kids left), only to have Yushin turn around and head back to the doomed Gajamseong.

The King's Dream Episode 3

Did you know mandatory overtime is one of the Seven Deadly Sins? Yep, it's true.

 

 

Bihyeong holds his blade against Chunchu's throat, threatening to kill the boy unless the slaughter of the Gwimun stops. Since Yushin and the others are watching from behind nearby shrubbery, it's obvious this is a bluff on Bihyeong's part. It seems to pay off as Kim Yongchun orders the survivors to be released. Bihyeong expresses his digust at finding his brother is no better than the other low lifes at court and he cuts all family ties with Yongchun. Chunchu cries. (Because that's all he ever does is cry. Jeez, kid, man up.)

 

Back at court the talk is all about the possible marriage between Princess Deokman and Galmunwang. (I don't speak Korean but I'm beginning to think Galmunwang is a title rather than a name. The characters also refer to him as Gukban. I'm just going to call him Nutty Buddy and be done with it.) Queen Sado and her mini-me order Yongchun to make sure the marriage happens if he wants the queen to continue to protect Chunchu. 

 

Bihyeong and Kim Yushin go to the rocky shore to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The older man still wants the boy to join him and the remaining Gwimun. If Yushin changes his mind, he can send word to Bihyeong via Cheongwan. I'm still not sure who or what Cheongwan is. She seems to be some kind of Vestal Virgin and perhaps she's Bihyeong's daughter.

Sado is throwing a little get-together to announce the nuptials. Alcheon and the rest of the reform party formally protest the marriage. Sado calls in Yongchun and has him publicly declare his approval of the marriage, his wish to not have his son be considered as a potential crown prince, and swear his family's allegiance to Nutty Buddy. Nutty Buddy starts to cackle in the exact same way I do when I've had a little too much to drink.

Yet later at his father's tomb, Yongchun prays that he will put Chunchu on the throne but only when the time is right. For now he'll act the loyal dog. And once again someone failed to tie the cameraman down.

The Great Omniscient Voiceover gives us another update on what's going on around the peninsula. Basically the Baekje are causing trouble for Silla and are attacking the fortress at Gajamseong. King Jinpyeong wants to send reinforcements to the strategically important city, but Prime Minister Sukheuljong brings up the specter that if they send all the soldiers away then the Gwimun will attack the palace.

We get a flashback of how Kim Yushin's parents ran off together. Learning who his grandfather is, Yushin goes to confront the partying Prime Minister and take the old man to task for not sending reinforcements to Gajamseong. Frustrated that he's not getting anywhere, Yushin goes to Cheongwan (who is doing some kind of ceremonial fire dance) to arrange a meeting with Bihyeong. Yushin is anxious to get to Gajamseong. I guess he's planning to take on the Baekje single-handedly like he always does. Bihyeong makes the condition that if he takes Yushin to G-town, then Yushin will join the Gwimun. (I do wish these character and place names were a bit shorter.)

When Gildal learns Bihyeong and the Gwimun will be heading to G-town, he plots to use the Baekje to achieve his revenge against his old boss.

Chunchu goes to Princess Deokman to beg for her help in getting reinforcements sent. And yes, the wuss cries yet again. At this point I just want to slap this kid. Deokman plays the only card she really has. She refuses to marry Nutty Buddy until he personally takes troops to rescue the besieged Gajamseong.

Yushin and his gang are heading to G-town when they're surrounded by Gildal and his Baekje backup. Only at the last few minutes do we get any action this episode. I kinda miss the water ninjas already.


Many - well, several people can't help but compare The King's Dream to Queen Seondeok because they both contain the same characters. I have to admit the Deokman of this drama leaves me underwhelmed. She has no spunk or fire. And QSD's Chunchu didn't cry a river of tears every other scene he was in. 

The King's Dream Episode 2

As of this date I see only six episodes with English subtitles.

 

Kim Yushin and Gildal swing their respective weapons and miss each other entirely. (This either means they're that good or they're that bad at fighting.) The bigger Gildal manages to disarm Yushin and injure the boy. Just as Gildal's going in for the kill, Chunchu suddenly remembers he has a bunch of armed men just standing there doing nothing, so he orders them to attack. Gildal wraps himself up in his cloak right before he's struck with numerous arrows. The guards rush over and surround the human pincushion. An alive and unscathed Gildal erupts from the folds of his cloak (what is that thing made of?!) and butchers the hapless guards who deserved to die because they were absolutely useless. Well, not absolutely useless. While they kept Gildal occupied with their deaths, Yushin, Chunchu, and Chunmyung got the hell outta there.

 

The trio decide to split up since they know it's Chunchu the assassins are after. Yushin and Chunchu dash off in one direction, chased by ninjas with dogs. Since this isn't working, Yushin settles on splitting up again. He orders Chunchu to head down the mountain while he creates a diversion. Yushin is running through a creek when he's attacked by Wolverine's Korean sister. Then Gildal and his ninjas arrive to surround Yushin. The Golden Fox demands to know where Chunchu is but Yushin won't say. Gildal starts to slice the boy with his wicked halberd when Chunchu suddenly appears and stops the crazy blond. Gildal decides to strike Yushin in the back anyway. A crying Chunchu rushes over to hold his bleeding friend. Gildal begins to execute Chunchu as well when Bihyeong's hawk swoops in and attacks Gildal's face. Bad ass bird! Now the Gwimun swarm in and surround the ninjas.

 

Gildal refuses to surrender so everyone gets to splash around in the river and kill each other. ('Cause Koreans sure love to watch people sword fighting in water.) The tide turns against the ninjas, leaving only Gildal, Wolverine's sister, and Mohawk to retreat. Along the way, Gildal encounters his old boss, Bihyeong, standing next to a rugged waterfall. The two rivals fight, halberd against iron fan. Turns out the halberd has a hidden sword. Bihyeong manages to gain the sword and he thrusts it into the back of Gildal. The Golden Fox staggers, then falls over the side of the cliff. Bihyeong looks over the side but doesn't see a body.

 

Some good Gwimun located Chunmyung and reunite her with her son. Chunchu just cries and cries. You wuss. Bihyeong tells mother and son to return to Seorabeol. He'll treat Yushin's wounds back at their camp. As they're treating Yushin's back they discover... a tattoo? a birthmark? Anyway, there's something on his back that bald Nanseung declares is the Seven Stars. This means Yushin is very special.

 

Wolverine's sister and Mohawk find an injured Gildal further down the river.

 

At court the next day, King Jinpyeong demands to know who would dare attempt to kill Chunchu. Sukheuljong manages to point the finger at Bihyeong and convinces the king to send troops to execute this bandit king.

 

Yushin wakes up after ten days. Nanseung takes the boy for a tour around Gwimun headquarters where all sorts of stunt men and even stunt kids are training. Yushin's in heaven!

Queen Sado still has her hat set on getting the mentally unstable Galmunwang named crowned prince. A nervous Yongchun, worried about his son's safety, wishes to put a stop to having Chunchu named heir. It's announced that a healed Kim Yushin has returned to the fold.

King Jinpyeong throws a banquet. A bunch of brides break out into choreographed dance as the beguiling Cheongwan does a fan dance. Party pooper Chunchu says they shouldn't be having such a fancy banquet while the people are suffering. Galmunwang poops the party even more when he flies over the cuckoo's nest and starts killing people left and right. This is some party, Jinpyeong. Pat yourself on the back.

Despite this psychotic episode, Queen Sado won't give up her pipe dream of Galmunwang being king. Now she suggests Princess Deokman marry the nut and have his baby. (Every time they show this Queen Sado she's got this little girl standing behind her. The girl has yet to say anything but the camera keeps showing her to us. I still don't know her name but it's obvious she's going to be important later on.)

Yongchun goes to Queen Sado and gets down on his knees to beg her to spare his son's life, promising he'll do anything. (Kids, never ever say to someone, "I'll do anything.") Sado asks for him to bring her the head of Bihyeong.

An alive and well Gildal meets with Sukheuljong and offers his services in the destruction of the Gwimun.

Yongchun takes charge of the force of Hwarang that's being sent against the Gwimun. (I'm sorry but I can't take any of those soldiers seriously with all that mime makeup and silly helmets.) Not knowing today is the day, Yushin and Chunchu go to Gwimun headquarters to meet with Bihyeong and discuss morality.

The soldiers and Gildal's forces attack and are quite successful. After the battle, those that surrendered are gathered in the village square. Despite Yongchun wanting to spare the villagers, including the young children, Sukheuljong's orders were to kill everyone. As the bloodshed commences, Bihyeong and Chunchu show up. Bihyeong holds a sword to his nephew's throat (does Chunchu know the guy's his uncle?) and threatens to kill Chunchu if the mass murder isn't stopped.