Innocent Lilies 2 Episode 5

 

Japanese Blonde Girl wakes up to find herself back in the Ouran High School Host Club room. Drum Major Boy and the band start to explain their plans for world renewal. With Japanese Blonde Girl's help, they'll simply wipe out the existing human race and start all over with newer, better humans. Drum Major Boy had tried to do this once before with his original witch, Aqua, but she locked herself away and separated her power into Black and White. Japanese Blonde Girl doesn't seem to have any problem with being the mother to a new world order.

 

Badminton Girl, left behind down in the parking garage, doesn't know what is going on or what to do. The spirit of Rina appears before the girl, urging Badminton Girl to get her ass in gear and go wake up Aqua. She's conveniently located beneath Black Witch Academy.

 

While Badminton Girl races to save the day, Drum Major Boy and Japanese Blonde Girl go through a ceremony involving lots of apples. Before the spell can be concluded, though, they're interrupted by the arrival of Aqua. She tells Japanese Blonde Girl to snap out of it and not to trust Drum Major Boy. Japanese Blonde Girl is confused and doesn't know what to believe.

 

Thank goodness, here comes Badminton Girl to talk some further sense into Japanese Blonde Girl. Oh no! The band mates kill Badminton Girl! And here I was just saying how much I liked her. Her death is not in vain, though, as Japanese Blonde Girl realizes what an ass Drum Major Boy is. 

 

 

This realization gifts Japanese Blonde Girl with not only another new outfit but a new hairdo as well. She also now has the power to summon the spirits of her dead friends to fight at her side.

 

Drum Major Boy puts on his battle mask as the epic War Between The Sexes begins. While the dead girls take care of the band mates, Japanese Blonde Girl faces Drum Major Boy. His white go-go boots are no match for the powers of peroxide.

Somewhere in the afterlife/Mars/Yggdrasil, all of Japanese Blonde Girl's dead friends get to hang out together and have tea.

Innocent Lilies 2 Episode 1

Remember that show Innocent Lilies? I understand if you don't. I'd like to block it from my mind myself. Well it seems the show must have made some money somewhere because Japan has made a sequel. And for some reason I'm watching it.

 

 

The porn-lite tradition continues as the show dips its toe into Fifty Shades territory. A young girl (in requisite sailor outfit) is bound by restraints. She's surrounded by other witches, these dressed in black, as they chant for power. When the laser light show begins, all the black witches bite their fingers to contribute a drop of blood to the ceremony. Their human sacrifice explodes but the results aren't what the Black Witches were hoping for. They need a more powerful White Witch for an offering.

 

And there she is, Japanese Blonde Girl, kicking a bunch of guys around as feathers fly off her costume. To finish them off, Japanese Blonde Girl says the magic words and makes...  wait, is that a parasol? Did she just summon an umbrella as her weapon of choice? Whatever, it works and the guys are no longer a part of the story.

 

Changing back into her normal sailor school outfit, Japanese Blonde Girl is joined by Annoying Girl. Annoying Girl no longer has her witchy powers and can do nothing now but receive text alerts as to where other young girls are being bullied.

 

The Fifty Shades Girls are beating up on one lone white witch. One of the Black Witches has a whip, another one a fan with deadly spikes. The third one has... a hand puppet. A hand puppet.

 

 

Just as they're about to take their new sacrifice away, Japanese Blonde Girl arrives on the scene. After binding the Fifty Shades Girls with her red tentacles, Japanese Blonde Girl reaches to grab the wrist of the Bullied Witch. The touch causes Japanese Blonde Girl to flashback to season one and images of her villainous sister, Hoodie.

Anyway, the White Witches run off. Eventually the Black Witches break free of their Twizzler restraints and swear to capture their ultimate sacrifice. Off to the side a drum major looks on. Further unrelated images show us a girl on a rooftop playing badminton with herself in honor of someone named Rina.

Opening credits.

Japanese Blonde Girl and Annoying Girl take Bullied Witch back to their secret base (also known as a warehouse) in order to tend to her wounds. Oh, Bullied Witch introduces herself as the Rina who didn't make it to her badminton game up on the roof. She explains she had been attending another white witch academy when those Black Witches suddenly showed up and started hunting them.

Talking about the Black Witches makes them appear at the hideout. Whip Girl explains how superior Black is to White and how they will eventually rule the world. So they're like Nazi Witches.

The Black Witches go through their Sailor Moon transformations and change into their Fifty Shades leather outfits. Japanese Blonde Girl starts to change herself when Rina comes running over and stops her. Rina says this is her fight and now it's her turn to protect her protector. She does her own transformation and Japanese Blonde Girl is shocked to see Rina has the same elaborate angel outfit.

Rina, who was earlier being beaten up, is now the one doing the beating all by herself. Some wonder why she didn't do this before.

During the fight Puppet Girl pulls a bow and arrow out of her butt. (Hey, if the Sims can do it, why not Nazi Witches.) Annoying Girl valiantly leaps in front of Rina and takes the arrow. Distracted by Annoying Girl's death, the Fifty Shades Girls capture Rina. Japanese Blonde Girl is too weak to transform and is about to fall to the ground in a faint when she's caught by Drum Major Boy. He introduces himself as Tera right before Japanese Blonde Girl passes out.


So unlike season one this season will have a cast of ten! We've got white witches, black witches, and possibly male witches.

Innocent Lilies 2 Episode 4

The Black Witches have Rina tied up as they begin their ritual. Meanwhile down in the parking garage, Badminton Girl whines to Drum Major Boy about why isn't he rescuing Rina. (Although her voice is very whiney, I must say I kind of like Badminton Girl.) Before they get very far, the trio are confronted by Japanese Blonde Girl's dead-now-alive schoolmates. Drum Major Boy quickly makes tracks (in his rockin' white go-go boots) and disappears.

 

Japanese Blonde Girl prepares for battle with her zombie friends by transforming into her angel outfit. Badminton Girl tries to intercede only to realize at the last second, "Hey, I ain't no witch and I ain't got no weapons." Rina, feeling the pain of both Japanese Blonde Girl and Badminton Girl, appears to reach the pinnacle of the Black Witch ritual.

 

Japanese Blonde Girl casts a massive spell that frees the dead girls from the evil that controls them. Apologies all around. Sorry for trying to kill you and all that. After renewing their old pinky pledge of friendship, the dead girls explode.

Back at the black magic bat mitzvah, all the pain Rina has been experiencing through her friends causes her to transform. The black witches are extremely pleased with the results and think they'll be able to use Rina for their own nefarious plans. Rina's having none of that and transports herself to the parking garage where Japanese Blonde Girl is having a mental breakdown.

Blaming herself for the (second) death of her friends, Japanese Blonde Girl turns into a black witch. The other Black Witches show up and start to celebrate Japanese Blonde Girl's turning to the dark side. The celebration is cut short when Japanese Blonde Girl starts wiping the floor with them. She starts to go after Whip Girl, the apparent leader, when she's stopped by Drum Major Boy and his two band mates who have come to protect Whip Girl.

Rina tries to get her friend to calm down. Japanese Blonde Girl attacks. This gives the black witches time to change into their Fifty Shades bondage outfits. At this point Japanese Blonde Girl is simply attacking anyone who moves whether they be friend or foe. Rina tries once again to get Japanese Blonde Girl to come to her senses. It takes all of her strength but eventually Rina is able to drive the darkness out of the other girl's heart. This spiritual rebirth grants Japanese Blonde Girl a new outfit.

Oh no! This was all too much for Rina and she's dies.

The Fifty Shades girls are back to thinking they have the ultimate witch to use as their tool. This is when Drum Major Boy and his band mates suddenly turn and attack the Fifty Shades. They take possession of Japanese Blonde Girl and carry her away to use her for their own purposes.

Innocent Lilies 2 Episode 3

 

Japanese Blonde Girl and Badminton Girl are being held in a prison cell. The Black Witches come by to gloat and to introduce some special guests. It's the cast from season 1! There's Cat Ear Girl, Nerdy Girl, even Annoying Girl who just died. The Black Witches used their magic to bring the dead back to life. They knew it would bring pain to Japanese Blonde Girl. Because she's an empath, Rina will feel Japanese Blonde Girl's pain which will somehow make Rina strong enough for the Black Witches' ritual.

 

Japanese Blonde Girl (Why is she so sweaty?) is tied up while her former dead friends slap and punch her. 

 

 

 

This goes on for some time. Elsewhere, Rina writhes in sympathy pain until she reaches critical mass. Satisfied with their results, Puppet Girl and Fan Girl eagerly lick Japanese Blonde Girl's face for her tears of pain. Done with her, they put Japanese Blonde Girl back into her cell. This gives Badminton Girl the time to tell her and Rina's backstory.

 

The two prisoners are bonding when suddenly Drum Major Boy breaks into their cell and helps them escape. Whip Girl doesn't seemed too concerned about it. They still have Rina. Prepare everything for the ritual!

 

Outside in an alleyway, Japanese Blonde Girl hears the singing again. Drum Major Boy explains it comes from the origins of witches. Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a girl witch and a boy witch. They lived together in paradise until one day the girl witch committed a sin. Feeling guilty, the girl witch imprisoned herself within a powerful spell, one the boy witch was never able to break.

 

End of story time.

  

Innocent Lilies 2 Episode 2

 

Wearing a disguise (which includes an eye patch for some reason), Japanese Blonde Girl proceeds to go undercover at the Black Witch Academy so she can rescue Rina. Greeting her at the door is Badminton Girl whom we saw briefly in the previous episode. Watching from afar is Drum Major Boy. He flashes back to when he took Japanese Blonde Girl to the Ouran High School Host Club room to recover from her faint. He's the one who told her about the open enrollment at Black Witch Academy.

 

 

Back to the present, Drum Major Boy is joined by two other band members. Tera enjoys an apple. Wait, does this mean Drum Major Boy is also a student at Black Witch Academy? I'm confused already.

 

Whip Girl gives her opening speech to the school's new recruits. She explains how women are superior to men, black superior to white. All you have to do is lick someone's tears of pain in order to gain power. I have a bad feeling there's going to be a lot of licking in this show.

 

 

Their first lesson begins as a test subject (also known as a sweaty fat guy) is brought in. The students are ordered to beat test subject up. One of them is quite eager to get her slap on. Ugh, just as I feared, she leans in to lick the fat guy's cheek. This licking causes the girl to earn her Black Rose, a tattoo that comes and goes, as well as a large plastic-looking halberd.

 

This inspires another girl to eagerly join in the beating and licking. Her reward is a curtain rod. Well, that's what it looks like. In the background, Badminton Girl looks on in horror. Japanese Blonde Girl tries to make friends but Badminton Girl is a lone wolf.

 

While snooping around the academy, Japanese Blonde Girl hears someone singing but can't locate the source. For some reason this brings on a recap of season one.

 

The Black Witches go to check up on a bound Rina and update her on the history of white people burning witches. Outside the door, Badminton Girl and Japanese Blonde Girl eavesdrop. They wait for the Black Witches to depart before rushing into the room to save Rina. Japanese Blonde Girl must take off her disguise in order to use her powers to break the bonds.

 

The Black Witches come back into the room. They knew Japanese Blonde Girl would come and try to save Rina. Japanese Blonde Girl transforms fully into angel-mode as the battle commences. Badminton Girl also fights back while Rina just stands there. (I still don't trust Rina.) Our heroines are knocked down and out and taken prisoner.

Sound of the Desert Episode 1

Somewhere out in the Gobi Desert a really dirty woman is hanging out with her dog that is supposed to be a wolf but doesn't really look like a wolf. They spot a caravan passing by and the ragged woman decides she's had enough of her rags; it's time to steal something newer and better.

 

The caravan stops to make camp. There is one man riding a camel who has the power to stay clean and keep his white clothes sparkling white despite being surrounded by blowing dirt. This is Jiu Ye and when he's not riding a camel he is having to utilize a wheelchair.

 

That night Raggedy Anne sneaks down to the camp to start pilfering. She's caught in the act and must use her martial arts skills to try and get away. Jiu Ye may be in a wheelchair but he can still wield a crossbow. Raggedy Anne knows she can't outrun a bolt and so defiantly surrenders. Jiu Ye is intrigued by this dirty woman. Instead of chopping her hand off he gives over some clothes and salt to Raggedy Anne.

 

She goes back to her cave, cleans up (where'd she get the water?) and tries on her beautiful new blue outfit. The next day Raggedy Anne is out and about in her blue outfit when she comes across another group of men being attacked by bandits. She sends up a howl which brings out a pack of not-wolves. She orders the pack to scare off the bandits.

 

The men she saved were lost in the desert. They ask Raggedy Anne to show them the way to the nearest city. Since she has nothing better to do, Raggedy Anne agrees, telling them the trip will take a day or so on horseback. As introductions are made Raggedy Anne identifies herself as Xin Yue although I take it this isn't her real name. She has a history she must keep hidden.

 

Xin Yue doesn't know how to ride a horse and so must ride with Xiao Wei (a future corner of a love triangle with Xin Yue and Jiu Ye). As they make camp for the evening, Xin Yue has a flashback to several years ago when she saved a man she found in the desert. She refers to the man as "Father" even though he's not biologically related to her. As thanks for saving him, Father wraps a rope around young Xin Yue's throat and drags her kicking and screaming to civilization.

 

While she's leading the group to the nearest town, their ultimate destination is Jian An City. They thank Xin Yue for her help and pay her off. Xin Yue heads back to her cave but she's decided it's time for her to give up the wolf pack and start living with humans again. Her father had mentioned how great Jian An City was so Xin Yue sets out for it.

 

The only money Xin Yue has is the payment Xiao Wei gave her. Not understanding the value of money, Xin Yue spends it like water. She also struggles with the use of chopsticks. With all her money gone, Xin Yue goes out to look for work. Kicked out of the inn for not paying her bill, our wolf girl is forced to go sleep in the woods outside of the city with the other homeless beggars.

 

The next day Xin Yue goes around to the big houses looking for work as a laundress. At one of the houses a very suspicious woman who calls herself Aunt Hong does offer Xin Yue some housework in exchange for food. Don't trust her, Xin Yue!

 

A-ha, just as I suspected! This is a whorehouse. Aunt Hong drugs Xin Yue and locks the young girl up to be used later.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 24

And now I come to the last episode of what I realized is my first Jang Hyuk drama I've ever finished. (Technically I finished Fated To Love You by reading the recaps.) My thanks to the Crazy Shine Team over at Viki.

 

 

Holding Shin Yool in his arms, Wang So walks into the freezing waters. It appears for a moment that Yool has succumbed to the cold. (Because that's what would have happened in real life, you crazy doctor!) So cries out to her, "Yool! (The first time he's called her by her real name.) Wake up! I love you!" Because it's too early in the episode for her character to die, Yool does indeed wake up again.

 

Back in the warm and dry shack, that crazy doctor tells them Yool is showing signs of improvement. (There's nowhere to go but up after you've been turned into a popsicle.)

 

Meanwhile those two conscript laborers who escaped last episode are going to try and get into Chunghae village. Earlier, Eun Chun and Cheong Ok had also tried to get in but were rebuffed by the suspicious villagers. It's Gil Bok and his ever-helpful gossip who fills in the black ninjas about all the wild rumors going around. Rumors like Prince Wang So is leading a rebellion.

 

Wang Shik Ryum is fanning those rumor flames. Using Shin Yool's stolen slave ledger, Shik Ryum informs some councilors about how Yool and So had been secretly buying slaves to turn into their own private army. In order to save the day, Shik Ryum announces he will lead his own private army into the city to face off with So. And while he's at it, Shik Ryum will then march on over to the palace and seize the throne for himself.

 

Alone, Wang So rides back into town. Eun Chun and the others fill him in on what's going down. So orders them to go get Gyu Dal and the others to convince the villagers that Yool is still alive. Wang So is off to the palace to meet with the king.

 

So tells his brother about Shik Ryum's plans for a coup. The king had no idea what his uncle was up to. To So's confusion the king won't act immediately and instead keeps asking for a moment alone. He's needing the moment to prepare himself for what he needs to do. The king calls his brother back in and announces he's abdicating the throne to So. Wang So keeps trying to refuse the crown but ultimately he has to take it because it's in the script.

 

Now that she's the queen-to-be, Yeo Won meets with the other (weaker) members of the Legion of Doom and offers forgiveness for their part in killing the old king as long as they abandon Wang Shik Ryum. Otherwise she'll have their entire families wiped out. What's it gonna be, fellas?

 

Day breaks and Wang Shik Ryum leads his army to the site of the village. Wang So stands with the villagers, who are armed with farm implements, as well as the black ninjas. Spawn of Satan wonders where the rest of the Legion of Doom is. Shik Ryum is still confident that once he wins here his evil minions will come flocking back.

 

Just as Poong orders his men to attack, So brandishes the golden sword of the king. He reminds the regular soldiers that they're supposed to be serving the people of Goryeo. We are all the same people. As a sign to the other side, Wang So and all of his makeshift army drop their weapons. That one soldier from last episode throws down his sword and refuses to kill his fellow citizen.

 

Shik Ryum won't give up. He orders the red ninjas to kill his rebellious soldiers. Wang So and his unarmed black ninjas come to their defense. (Cuz ninjas don't need no stinkin' swords to kick ass.) So orders Shik Ryum to surrender. The old man does and that's the end of that. Kinda disappointed here. Did the Show not have money for a good battle scene?

 

Wang So rides back to his woman and finally gets around to that wedding night five years in the making.

 

So asks Yool to come live at the palace with him but she would rather travel and conduct business.

 

Wang So and Yeo Won ascend to the throne. Time passes. So grows a beard. This is when we see the three kids from the first episode sneak into what we now know as the former Hall of Doom. The kids find the butterfly necklace and the yeti (Ji Mong) starts to tell them the long story about the cursed prince and princess.

 

The final shot shows a young Shin Yool and young Wang So meeting again. For those of you confused by the ending, just accept they're both dead and they're reuniting in the afterlife.

 

The End.

 

 

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 23

Here I am at the next to last episode and I keep getting kicked off the internet. Waah!

 

 

Poong's men are beating up a conscripted laborer. Wang So comes to the poor man's defense. Also in the crowd is Eun Chun who rushes over to deliver So's big ass halberd. Playtime is over, Poong. Wang So is ready take them all on but Eun Chan and the others beg So to escape and save them later. (Um, why did you give him his halberd, Eun Chun, if you didn't want him to fight?) Despite their chains, the laborers run to block Poong's soldiers as the prince and Eun Chun slip away. 

 

 

After the ruckus dies down, we get a scene where a conscript and a guard recognize each other as being from the same village. The guard isn't really evil, he's just working to feed the family. He slips his old compatriot a key to unlock the leg shackles and escape. 

 

Wang So quickly figures out what trouble Shik Ryum is planning to cause using the Chunghae village. (That's what I like about this show - everyone is pretty quick on the draw.) Meanwhile at the shack, Shin Yool isn't doing very well. The doctor hired to treat her warns a visiting Wang Uk to prepare for the worst. Baek Myo offers to go get Wang So but Shin Yool doesn't want him to see her like this. Besides, he's to think her really dead so he can go on and become king.

 

Back in town, Cheong Ok reports back to Princess Yeo Won. She relays So's orders to ready their own army for when Shik Ryum's army arrives. Yeo Won goes into action, even making peace with her rivals in order for them to band together against Shik Ryum. 

 

 

Over at Chunghae village the ex-slaves are in mourning for the supposedly dead Yool. Two of the villagers are actually in the employ of Shik Ryum's crony. They start wailing loudly about poor Yool and how she was cruelly cut down by an assassin. This gets the other villagers worked up and convinced they're going to be killed because they're from Balhae. That night a couple of red ninjas sneak into the village and kill an old woman. Her body is found the next day which only agitates the villagers even more. Rumors are rampant as the people suspect it is the king of Goryeo himself who has sent the assassins to wipe out the hated Balhae people. Talk escalates for the villagers to start arming themselves and fight back, which is just what Shik Ryum wants.

 

 

Wang So arrives at the Chunghae trading post and is disturbed to see a notice of mourning on the door. Inside, Team Yool are discussing whether to bring her back home or not when a despondent So bursts into the room. He demands to know what is going on and where is his Gaebong-ah. Staying true to her wishes, Kang Myung tells the prince Yool was killed. So grabs a sword and announces his intent to go kill Shik Ryum slowly and painfully. Team Yool throw themselves on him in order to restrain So. (Technically speaking this is the second time this episode people have had to hold So back.)

 

Wang So is allowed to mourn alone in Yool's bedroom. Ah, but that quick mind is at work again. If Yool was murdered in her bed, why is there no trace of blood? And where is Baek Myo? Something's going on here. He does some searching of her room and finds the other half of their butterfly necklace. So knows if Yool had been killed she would have been wearing this necklace at the time. If she were cremated as they claimed, the necklace would have burnt up in the flames. Therefore his Gaebong-ah must still be alive. Wang So tricks Gyu Dal into spilling the beans. Wang Uk breaks down and gives So directions to the shack.

 

 

Shik Ryum is out for his regular "I'm better than you" ride through the city when he's confronted by Wang So and the black ninjas. After delivering a death threat... they all just walk off. I guess/hope this is part of So's plans to make Shik Ryum nervous and play his hand too early.

 

Wang So sets off on his horse to Yool's shack. He'd better get there soon because that crazy doctor has the craziest idea of treating her. He wants to put Yool into an even colder body of water to cure the cold in her that she caught from being put into a cold body of water.

 

 

Hearing that her hyungnim has arrived, Yool tries to refuse him entrance into the shack. Wang So tells her not to worry about how ill she looks as she will always be the most beautiful woman in his eyes. Now open up the door so I can hold you in my arms and wipe away your tears. Who can resist that? Certainly not Yool.

 

 

Wang So is told about the crazy doctor's crazy cure. Rather than say, "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!", Wang So offers to go into the icy waters with Shin Yool. Either they both come out alive or they both die but at least they'll be together. 

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 22

Poong and his men surround Wang So with their swords drawn. They've all conveniently forgotten So is a frickin' ninja. With his hair pin as his only weapon, So takes them all on and kicks their asses. Fighting his way outside, Wang So is able to retrieve his halberd. He's then joined by his black ninjas. Massive fighting ensues with Wang So slipping away.

 

We rewind a bit to see Se Won meeting with Yeo Won before he left to go kill his sister. Telling Yeo Won he has been and always will be her man, Se Won gives her the flying fish pendant off his sword as his final goodbye.

 

 

Masked Se Won enters Yool's bedroom where he's confronted by an armed Wang Uk. (To be honest Yool doesn't have much of a reaction to waking up and finding two men swordfighting in her bedroom.) The two men run outside to continue their fight. Se Won purposely lets down his guard so Uk can deliver a killing blow. Se Won pulls off his mask and Uk is shocked to see the assassin is his old friend. (Really? You really didn't know it was Se Won?) With his dying breath, Se Won begs Uk to never tell Yool the truth about her brother being a cold-blooded assassin.

 

Wang Uk returns to Chunghae to warn everyone that it was Wang Shik Ryum who had sent the assassin. While he didn't succeed this time, the old man will surely try again if he finds out Yool is still alive. Therefore Uk suggests they make it look like Yool was killed after all.

 

Uk breaks the news to his sister about Se Won's death. Yeo Won sees her lover's ghost and once again I'm surprised by Honey Lee's crying. The woman commits when it comes to having an emotional breakdown. That's how you do it, people.

 

 

Shik Ryum receives good news (Yool is dead) and bad news (Wang So is not dead). He keeps asking for Se Won and wonders why his favorite assassin hasn't returned to the Hall of Doom. Spawn of Satan and his men continue to search for So. They don't see him because he's disguised with Chang Gong's snazzy hat.

 

Still wondering if Yool is really dead, Shik Ryum sends his crony to Chunghae to verify her death. Yool has to literally play dead as the crony checks her for a pulse. The crony is convinced - for now.

 

Meanwhile at the palace, King Sane finds an old hidden message from his late father. The old king advises the current king to abdicate in favor of Wang So. Wang Uk comes to the palace to let the king know about the assassination attempt on Yool. With the bride-to-be supposedly dead, the royal wedding is officially called off. 

 

 

Cheong Ok, under her gisaeng guise, comes to visit her favorite customer. In truth it's so she can scope out Poong's palace for Wang So. Oh no, her cover has been blown! Spawn of Satan plans to use her to lay a trap for the prince but So already knows Cheong Ok has been taken prisoner and comes to rescue her.

 

Yool is tying up loose ends at Chunghae before she sneaks away. She tells her "family" that when Wang So returns to the city, they should continue with the subterfuge of her being dead. It's for his own good (in her mind) as Shik Ryum would only use her as a weapon against So if the truth was known.

 

Yool, back in her Gaebong disguise, and Baek Myo slip out of town to a shack in the countryside. There she is treated for her illness by doctors sent by Yeo Won.

 

Wang So (who is not disguised well at all) slips in with the other conscripted workers. He doesn't stay undercover for long when he sees another man being beaten by Poong's guards. Wang So comes to the man's defense and rallies the other laborers to the prince's side.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 21

Wang Uk asks Yeo Won to call on all her resources and see if a cure can be found for Shin Yool's lifelong ailment.

 

 

Now that both Uk and Yeo Won have betrayed him, Wang Shik Ryum decides to seize control for himself. Who needs a puppet king? First up, the evil old man implements his labor conscription of the common folk for the capital transfer. Wang So, as part of his sentence, is put under the control of Spawn of Satan. Poong makes the prince work as a sort of bounty hunter to bring in those men who attempt to avoid the draft.

 

Going against tradition, Wang Uk is planning to move in with his bride. He arrives at Chunghae with the promised ginseng the trading company so desperately needs. Yool seems to be getting weaker. She once again almost collapses. Uk is there to catch her in his arms. Yool does her 'Thanks, but please stop touching me' move. Uk notices they're being watched by Se Won, who is there under Shik Ryum's orders. The prince tells Yool's brother about her poor health.

 

Ji Mong advises Mommy that her clan, the Choongjoo, should now ally themselves with their mortal enemies, the equally powerful Hwang Joo clan. Yeo Won is all for this because she wants to make Wang So king so she can be queen.

 

Wang So is taking a lunch break when he sees Baek Myo walk past. Not long after he sees one of Shik Ryum's cronies following closely behind. So orders Eun Chan to keep an eye on them. Baek Myo is heading out to the Chunghae village where the former slaves all live. As she's gossiping with one of the woman, the crony overhears Yool referred to as a princess. Naturally the crony reports back to his boss.

 

Hearing this new information, Wang Shik Ryum comes up with a plan. He will claim Yool has built the Chunghae village as an attempt to resurrect her nation of Balhae. All this could be considered treason against the Goryeo kingdom.

 

Yool continues to try and prepare everything and everyone for her inevitable death. Yang Gyu Dal doesn't seem to get it. He thinks she's just quitting the business because she's getting married. Wang Uk tells Yool he's looking into finding a cure for her. Yool replies, "Don't bother to save me."

 

Wang So, who knows about Yool's tragic past from Eun Chan, comes to Chunghae to see her. He's here to ask her about the ledger she's lost that kept the record for all the slaves she's bought and freed. He believes Shik Ryum's crony has it. (Crony has a name - Baek Sool - but it's too late in the game for me to refer to him by it.) Shin Yool does her best to act distant and cool towards So since they can no longer be together.

 

 

Spawn of Satan goes to the pleasure house where our Cheong Ok woos him into spilling some of his secrets. Now Wang So knows the Legion of Doom are planning something for Chunghae village.

 

 

Uk has Se Won come over for some tea with Yool. She doesn't recognize the bodyguard as the man who tried to kill her a couple of episodes back. Uk doesn't come right out and say, "This is your brother," but he does get Se Won to talk about his mother. (Yool was just a baby being thrown in the icy river so she has no memories of their mom.) It's a rather touching scene but no one ever tells Yool the truth about who Se Won really is.

 

Wang So, under the pretense he doesn't want to be in town during Yool and Uk's wedding, asks to be transferred to Seokyung. He really wants to go there to scope out Shik Ryum's army. Shik Ryum allows the transfer with the understanding Poong will get rid of the prince once they're away from witnesses.

 

Shik Ryum orders Se Won to kill Yool tomorrow night or else things won't go well for Se Won's love, Yeo Won.

 

Spawn of Satan leads his men and conscripts to Seokyung. That night as the guards are all sleeping, Poong's men attack Wang So in the barracks.

 

Back home, a masked Se Won sneaks into Yool's bedroom. Just as he's about to strike his sleeping sister, Uk once again comes to her rescue. 

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 20

 

Wang So watches helplessly as it appears Shin Yool has breathed her last. Back at his pad, Wang Uk is remembering all the good times with Yool (before she totally friendzoned him). With a new determination in his step, Uk marches into the royal palace and demands to see the king. King Crazy is laughing and swinging his sword around. He does say one thing profound in all his craziness. The king warns his brother that if Uk does become king with Wang Shik Ryum's help, Uk will be just as weak and worthless as the current king. Seeing that he's not going to get anywhere with the king, Uk goes to his sister, Yeo Won, to hatch a plan to save their respective loved ones.

 

At the royal prison, So is screaming his lungs out at the soldiers to go get a doctor. The guards are under orders from Shik Ryum to not even bother. Thankfully Wang Uk arrives, bringing with him a doctor and hmm, is that Se Won disguised as a guard?

 

 

Uk's doctor spoons some medicine down Yool's throat but even he doesn't believe it will help much. Uk orders one of the guards to go get a brazier for the cell. Ah, that was Se Won in disguise and he's got some ninja tricks up his sleeve. He drops a smoke bomb that makes everyone around suddenly fall unconscious. Uk covers Yool's mouth and nose and motions for So to shield himself from the smoke.

 

(I ask you: where would the world of entertainment be without ninjas and their secret weapons?)

 

Uk hands the official antidote over to So because this brother is the only one King Crazy still trusts. Wang So is to slip out of the prison, reach the king, make the monarch take his medicine, then come back to the prison and act as if nothing happened. Piece of cake.

 

Outside the prison, Yeo Won stops the doctor and asks for a report on Yool. He tells the princess Yool will eventually regain consciousness but she's in pretty bad shape. He's surprised she's lived this long but doesn't see her lasting to next year.

 

No surprise, So comes waltzing into King Crazy's crib. At first the king is glad to see So, but then he thinks So is here to avenge the previous king that King Crazy was involved in assassinating. (Not the old king, everyone's father, but another older brother who didn't even warrant screen time. Which begs the question of why is it alright to go after Wang Shik Ryum for killing the old king (Dad) but no one is bothered by the fact King Crazy is just as bad for killing his brother?)

 

Yool awakens in her cell to see Uk and Yeo Won are standing over her. Yool takes this moment to ask Yeo Won a favor and to help Chunghae Trading Company to survive. This is not for her benefit but for Wang So's. Yool reasons after she dies So will need the love and support of his friends at Chunghae. So returns to the prison to inform everyone the king took the antidote. Uk and Yeo Won leave and the guards begin to regain consciousness.

 

 

It's a bright, sunny day for the inquisition. Wang So and Shin Yool are brought before Shik Ryum and his henchmen. Under the old man's questioning, both Yool and So admit they did go through a wedding ceremony but deny they are actually married. Shik Ryum isn't about to argue semantics with them. Not that he would get the chance as finally the (sane) king arrives to take things over.

 

 

The king calls Yang Gyu Dal to testify. It's a rather funny scene as Gyu Dal doesn't hold back and tells about how he was caught with General Kwak's sister back in Gaebong. Kwak's price for not killing Gyu Dal was Yool's hand in marriage. Rather than marry Yool to a man old enough to be her father, Gyu Dal and the gang went out and kidnapped the first Goryeo man they could find. It was all a farce to get rid of Kwak.

 

Shik Ryum tries to get Team Yool, a bunch of commoners, thrown out of this royal inquisition. King Sane puts his foot down and declares he called these people as witnesses so no one touches them. Shik Ryum calls the king away for a private counsel (also known as blackmail) and reminds King Sane about the incriminating contract from last episode. King Sane keeps a hold of his backbone and tells his uncle fine, go ahead. You expose the contract, I'll reveal the bronze talismans, and we'll go down in flames together. They've reached a stalemate.

 

Returning to the inquisition, Shik Ryum has delivered all the scrolls from the noble families who demand Prince Wang So and his illegal wife to be punished to the utmost of the law. In reply, the King Mother brings in all the scrolls from the other noble families who demand this silly old marriage law be abolished from the books. Another stalemate.

 

 

Shik Ryum still argues that the couple were definitely married. After all, why would they be such a twosome now if their marriage was a fake? Wang Uk finally speaks up, much to Shik Ryum's surprise, and claims Wang So was acting on Uk's behalf to work out a marriage between Uk and Yool. Uk officially asks the king for permission to marry Yool so there'll be no breaking of the law.

 

Even though his heart is breaking, Wang So is like, "This woman is nothing to me. I don't care if she marries Uk or not. Whatevs." Knowing this is the only way to save Yool's life, the king agrees to the marriage. He also orders Wang So to work under the Spawn of Satan (Poong) in drafting forced labor for the capital transfer. 

 

Freed from the threat of execution, So takes Yool back to the sacred mountain so they can formally end their blood brotherhood and fake marriage. They will now be strangers to each other.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 19

A brazier is brought into the hall. It's needed because heat is what brings out the secret writing on the bronze talismans. The king (thankfully still in control of his faculties) is just about to do the big reveal when Wang Shik Ryum jumps in and starts yelling about the black ninjas. The old man tells the council that the black ninjas originally were the old king's secret police, assassinating nobles who opposed the throne. After the old king's death the black ninjas disappeared but now they're back. Shik Ryum starts throwing questions at the current king: Are the black ninjas now working for you? Did you order the ninjas to assassinate Kim Jong Sik? And now have your ninjas planted incriminating evidence in an attempt to frame me for treason?

 

The other nobles are easily stirred up by Shik Ryum. The king tries to continue and bring out the bronze talismans when his uncle steps in close and asks the king to remember back to the night before the old king died.

 

Flashback: We see the young king (without his goatee and just a prince at this time) meeting with Wang Shik Ryum to ask for political support. Shik Ryum pulls out a contract and asks the prince to sign it. The prince signs. Shik Ryum folds the paper up and turns away for a moment, trickily slipping the roll into one sleeve while he pulls out another paper from the other sleeve. The old man makes a show of burning the (fake) contract and assuring the ambitious prince that the contract wasn't really necessary, just a test of faith.

 

Back to the present where the king is shaken as he realizes the contract he signed still exists. Wang So takes over and starts telling the council about the old king's assassination and who was behind it. The other nobles start yelling and arguing. So asks his brother for the bronze pieces but oh no, all this stress is causing the antidote to wear off.

 

 

With the king wavering in his sanity, Wang Shik Ryum thinks now is the time for the council to hear General Kwak's story about Wang So's forbidden secret marriage. Yool is brought into the hall. With no evidence but this stranger's word, the council is up in arms. Shik Ryum asks the king to have Wang So and Yool arrested but by now King Crazy has reappeared. Therefore it is up to Shik Ryum to once again take control of the state and give the order to have So and Yool thrown into prison.

 

 

Back at Chunghae, Team Yool panic and try to come up with a plan to save their lady. Maybe if they just told the whole truth of how they kidnapped So, not knowing he was royalty, and the whole marriage was a sham. After the council is dismissed, Shik Ryum goes to see King Crazy and ask for the bronze pieces back. The king still has some mind left to know not to let go of the talismans. Shik Ryum then makes an offer of a trade: the bronze pieces for the signed contract. King Crazy opts instead to hide under his blanket.

 

(You know what would be great? If it turned out the king was acting like he was crazy in an effort to somehow get the contract back.)

 

Wang Uk finally comes to the realization that he's just a tool and a weak one at that. He goes to Chunghae to procure some more medicine for Shin Yool. Yang Gyu Dal tells the prince about the Gaebong marriage being a fake. The truth is their only hope right now.

 

Meanwhile, at least Wang So and Shin Yool are put in adjoining cages so they can simply stare at each other as the soundtrack plays. After the song ends, So comes up with a plan but it involves him and Yool acting like they don't care for each other. He's taken out of his cage to have a visit with his mother and doesn't see Yool starting to shiver from her previous health problems. (As if about to be tortured and executed isn't health problems enough.)

 

As night falls, Eun Chan and the black ninjas slip into the prison to break So and Yool out. Wang So scolds his lieutenant for not thinking things through. If the couple were to escape then the nobles would have proof that So is the leader of the black ninjas. Also, the already suspicious nobles would be convinced King Crazy is using the black ninjas as assassins, just like Shik Ryum said. Following his boss's orders, Eun Chan leaves the couple behind in their cages.

 

The next morning Wang Uk comes to the prison to see Shin Yool and give her the medicine. She asks him to see if he can get Yeo Won to come to the prison for a visit. Yool was supposed to meet the princess today to get the ginseng shipment. Uk can't believe Yool is still thinking about business at a time like this. She explains she has to save Chunghae before she dies so the others can go on.

 

Next, Uk visits with his brother. So says they must work together in order to save Yool's life. They need to find a way to get the king to be the head inquisitor instead of Shik Ryum. Uk knows this means giving the king the true and permanent antidote. So shows his sincerity by getting down on his knees to beg Uk for help. This is when Uk tells So about Yool's poor health and short life expectancy.

 

Wang So returns to his cage and tries to cheer Yool up with funny stories. (All the while there are tears in his eyes.)

 

Yeo Won meets with her uncle. She warns Shik Ryum that if he continues with the inquisition then the public is bound to learn that Princess Yeo Won of the powerful Hwangjoo clan is simply a second wife. It would be a PR nightmare so why not end things where they're at. Shik Ryum gleefully refuses to stop the proceedings.

 

It's another cold night in the prison cell. Yool's medicine gives out and she grows weak. So screams at the guards to go get a doctor. They're like, "That's not in my job description." Because of the bars, So is unable to do much for Yool than hold her hand and try to comfort her. Yool's eyes close and her body slumps. She sure looks dead to me.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 18

I've had a lot of trouble getting this video to play but I never gave up.

After finding the other bronze mirror pieces, black ninja Wang So was on his way out of the not-so-secret lair when he's set upon by red ninja Wang Uk. So recognizes his brother's fighting technique from the Tournament of Princes. (The rest of us recognize Uk because it's just so obviously him.)

 

Outside, Se Won and the red ninjas (sounds like a band name) return to Shik Ryum's residence to encounter Eun Chan and the rest of the black ninjas. Old man Shik Ryum is feeling his oats and jumps into the foray.

 

Downstairs, So and Uk now resort to hand-to-hand combat. Hearing the commotion outside, So races upstairs to join his band of righteous men (and one woman). They run away while Shik Ryum dashes to the Hall of Doom to discover his pieces have been stolen. Angry at Se Won for allowing the black ninjas to get away, Shik Ryum is about to cut the bodyguard down when Wang Uk steps in to deflect the blow. Uk demands to know what was stolen and why it is so important. Still thinking Uk is on his side, Shik Ryum does indeed tell all of how the noble families banded together to take down the old king.

 

Despite now knowing the truth about his father's death, Uk still sticks with the Legion of Doom in order to be made king. (Or is this all an act on Uk's part? Stay tuned.) Even though the black ninjas have all the bronze pieces, Shik Ryum assures the rest of the Legion that their enemy won't be able to use it since there is still an arrest warrant out for So's people.

 

Back at his house, Wang So meets with his wife. Yeo Won (wearing brighter clothes to denote her change to the Light Side) agrees to help her husband to take down Shik Ryum. She even offers to return Cheong Ok but So wants his ninja to stay where she is and act as a conduit between him and the princess. So asks Yeo Won to try and work on recreating the missing antidote they need for the king.

 

Meanwhile, Chunghae is struggling to restart as Shik Ryum had already threatened other merchants to not give any help to Yool. She hears about the surprise attack by the black ninjas and is relieved to learn everyone got away. Her relief doesn't last long as the bossman from the Poong Ho Trading Company arrives to try and claim Chunghae's buildings as well. Yool has only fifteen days to come up with the money to buy the land back or else everyone will be out on the streets.

 

Yool's hopes rest on India. Before all this crisis happened, Chunghae had already ordered spices from the subcontinent. They should be arriving any day now and prices for spices are sky high in Goryeo. The problem being Chunghae is supposed to pay for the spices with a large amount of ginseng - which is now in the hands of others. Yool realizes the only other person who would have such a large amount of ginseng would be Yeo Won.

 

Oh Lord, we get introduced to Shik Ryum's spawn, Poong. Oh no, he brought General Kwak from Gaebong with him! Kwak is having dinner with the Legion of Doom (including Uk) when he asks if perhaps Shin Yool is here in town. They learn the story of how Kwak had wanted to marry Yool five years ago but she ran off and married a Goryeo man. Uk does a terrible job of hiding his shock.

 

Making his excuses, Wang Uk hurries over to Chunghae to ask Yool directly if she's ever been married. Yool has a better poker face than Uk, but Uk is already suspecting that it was Wang So who was the groom from five years ago.

At least Wang So is having a better day as he discovers how to bring out the secret writing on the bronze pieces. He plans to reveal it all at the next council meeting. 

Wang Uk has General Kwak to verify that the guy walking down the street (Wang So) is Yool's husband. Kwak takes a look and says yep, that's the guy. Looks like he's cleaned up pretty well. Uk requests the general keep all this a secret for now. Kwak warns his silence doesn't come cheap.

Uk leaves Kwak to go have drinks with his brother. Wang So announces his plans to uncover the assassination plot to the council. Won't Uk hand over the antidote now? But in Uk's unhinged mind he can't see how So can protect Yool from being executed. He's probably thinking it would be better for King Crazy to die so Uk can become king and protect his unrequited love. Wang So is left empty-handed.

Poong doesn't like Wang Uk and warns his father not to trust the prince so much. Shik Ryum talks about using Uk's obsession with Yool as a means of controlling the young man. This just peaks Poong's interest as he wonders what kind of woman can fascinate both Uk and General Kwak. He may have to check her out himself.

Kwak may have been an idiot at the beginning of this drama but he's wised up since then. He's already figured out Yool had married Prince Wang So and what this unauthorized marriage could mean. Kwak gives this information to Shik Ryum.

Ugh, just as feared, Poong pays a visit to Yool and makes a skeevy pass at her. Kyung tries to do his duty and protect her but gosh, he's got a glass jaw and goes down with one punch. Thankfully Wang So is there as back up and takes Poong down. Time to throw the trash out. (You don't know how difficult it is for me to not type Pootang instead of Poong.) 

Yeo Won hands over to Wang So the best copy of the antidote she was able to brew. It's not as good as the real thing and the effects may only be temporary. So needs the king to be clear-headed during the all important council meeting when Shik Ryum is to be exposed. After the dose the king is back to his old self - at least for now. 

Shin Yool and Kang Myung are heading out to meet with Yeo Won when they are suddenly surrounded by Shik Ryum's soldiers.

The nobles all gather for the council meeting. Shik Ryum, not knowing about the king's return to health, is conducting the meeting. He's planning to start ordering forced labor to get the capital transfer going. He also takes a moment to introduce an old friend of his to the council: General Kwak. Wang Uk realizes the general has betrayed him. It takes a few minutes for Wang So to recognize Kwak. Before So can react, the king makes his surprise appearance.

Shik Ryum introduces the general to the king, saying Kwak has a very interesting story to tell everyone. Uk tries to get Kwak kicked out as he's a foreigner and shouldn't be present during a Goryeo council meeting. The king asks for Kwak to hold off a minute on the story as there's more important business they need to deal with first. Shik Ryum tries to regain control of the situation. He asks Wang So if he doesn't recognize General Kwak from five years ago. So replies, "Do you mean five years ago when the king was assassinated?"

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 17

Wang So asks Yeo Won for the antidote. She truthfully replies she doesn't have it anymore. He asks his wife how could she have stooped so low as to poison her own half-brother and king. Yeo Won shoots back that King Crazy isn't as squeaky clean as So would like to think. Apparently the king has had his own share of getting rid of rival siblings. It's simply what this family does to each other. If So wants to change things, why doesn't he make himself king? Wang So refuses to become what he abhors.

 

As her husband is about to leave, Yeo Won confesses she tried to kill Shin Yool, but it was all for So's sake. In Yeo Won's twisted mind, getting rid of the evidence (So's unauthorized bride) would save the prince's life. Wang So says let's just call it even. You not mention my illegal first wife to anyone, me not mentioning your hand in poisoning the king. Yeo Won has a bit of a breakdown.

 

(Wow, Honey Lee - I didn't know you had it in you!)

 

Over at Chunghae, Wang Uk is declaring the fake ledger to be authentic. Yool faints in despair. Uk thinks to himself it's alright for her to hate him as he's doing this to save her life. Yang Gyu Dal is forced to sign over the company to Poong Ho Trading (which just happens to be owned by Wang Shik Ryum.)

 

Wang So goes back to his wife and offers her an olive branch. He'll try his best to understand where she's coming from. So asks that Yeo Won help him to take down Shik Ryum and shape King Crazy into the kind of king this country needs.

 

Yool has taken to her sickbed. She's been through a lot so it's understandable. She's forced to get back up when Wang Uk and his men come to confiscate everything at Chunghae. Yool invites the prince in for some tea and sympathy. Her keen mind has already figured out Uk's actions are his attempts at protecting her from someone else.

 

Yeo Won contemplates her options.

 

Yool tries to let her workers go as she has no money to pay their wages. Kyung and the loyal workers don't care about their wages and volunteer to stay. Wang So arrives and orders everyone to have a hot and hearty meal while they all try to figure out where to go from here.

 

Later on when they're alone, Wang So assures Yool that she has nothing to fear from Yeo Won anymore as they've buried the hatchet. The couple goes back to the other plotline of where's the antidote. So figures out to himself the antidote must be in Uk's possession.

 

So calls Uk in for a private meeting at their father's memorial. Uk is shocked when So reveals the truth about their father's death. Dad didn't die from old age but from poisoning. Poisoning done by Wang Shik Ryum. So asks his brother to join with him in taking Shik Ryum down. Oh, and he asks for the antidote. Uk asks to see the evidence (the bronze talismans) So has against their uncle before there is to be any handing over of the antidote.

 

Wang So and Eun Chan plot on how to break into Shik Ryum's residence.

 

Down in the Hall of Doom, Shik Ryum's lackey hands over a catalogue from Chunghae. He's noticed a discrepancy in the list of slaves. Over the years Chunghae has recorded having 200 slaves, yet currently there are only three at the company. The dummies don't understand manumission and think Yool is hiding something. (Then again, perhaps there was no such thing as manumission in this period of Korea which would explain why these guys can't wrap their heads around such a concept.)

 

Wang So waits for Shik Ryum to leave his palace. The house workers try to keep a pushy So out but there's only so much "No" they can say to royalty. So makes himself at home inside. Outside, a masked Eun Chan creates a distraction to draw all the house workers away from Wang So. The prince is just about to discover the secret entrance to the Hall of Doom when dang it, Shik Ryum returns.

 

Team Yool get moving on working with what they've got in order to rebuild the company. Some of the slaves Yool freed earlier step up and offer all they have to help out. Unfortunately, Shik Ryum's lackey notices the slaves and follows them back to their village where the other freed slaves now live. A whole town Shik Ryum didn't know about. He orders his lackey to keep investigating.

 

Wang Uk questions Se Won as to why the bodyguard didn't kill Shin Yool. Se Won claims it was Shik Ryum's orders to not kill the merchant. Uk doesn't buy that excuse and asks if Yool is Se Won's sister. Bidam Wannabe #2 doesn't answer that question and instead directs the conversation to three possible locations for the black ninja headquarters.

 

Eun Chan is on his way to HQ now when he spots a suspicious character and realizes their hide-out has been discovered. Wang So decides to use this to their advantage. The black ninjas will make like they're having a meeting at HQ tonight in order to draw out the red ninjas as well as give So another chance at breaking into Shik Ryum's house and finding out what's behind the secret door.

 

Shik Ryum orders Uk to head up the red ninja attack but the prince says that's beneath him. He'll just stay right here in the Hall of Doom tonight. Shik Ryum's regular soldiers surround the headquarters and burst in only to find they've been duped: the place is empty.

 

Wang So, wearing his ninja uniform and mask, sneaks into Shik Ryum's palace and down into the Hall of Doom. After doing some searching, So finds the last few bronze talismans. (I hope they're not fakes.) As the prince is starting to leave he is confronted by a red ninja and they fight. Neither So nor anyone else is fooled. That's Uk behind the red mask.