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.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 16

 

 

The guards inform Gyu Dal and the others that Chunghae is being seized because of tax evasion. They're being audited in the middle of the night. Someone plants evidence in Shin Yool's room. She really needs to put a lock on her door.

 

Wang So runs back to the trading post and uses his "Do you know who I am?" to get inside. He wants to procure all the guards to go search for the kidnapped Yool. However, the letter that was planted in Yool's room is conveniently found. The forged document is supposedly Yool admitting she was cooking the books. Knowing she's about to be investigated, the letter goes on to say she's leaving town tonight.

 

With their fake concrete evidence, the auditors threaten to arrest everyone at Chunghae unless the company transfers all their assets over to another trading company. Just sign here. Wang So, rightfully smelling a rat since these guys just so happened to have all the paperwork ready and right here for the transfer, orders Gyu Dal not to sign anything under pain of death.

 

So finds an authentic letter from Yool. One of those, "If you're reading this I must be dead" kind of things. In the letter she tells So about Yeo Won's part in the poison plot, the use of the poison detecting jewel, and the fact So's wife knows about his first marriage in Gaebong.

 

Over at the Hall of Doom, Wang Shik Ryum just can't help crowing to Wang Uk about seizing control of Chunghae, thanks to Yeo Won. Uk rushes over to the merchant house where Baek Myo tells him about Yool being kidnapped. The maid pleads with the prince to find Yool as she's terrified this cold night air will be the death of the fragile girl. Baek Myo gives Uk some medicine to give Yool in case he finds her.

 

Wang So goes home to confront his wife only to find Yeo Won has given everyone the slip. Wang Uk goes to confront his uncle. Shik Ryum decides Uk is too caught up in a mere girl to be much of a king who can be controlled. Perhaps Uk should turn in his Legion of Doom membership card. Wang Uk swallows his pride and promises to be the puppet king Shik Ryum wants as long as Shin Yool is allowed to live. The uncle replies the price of Yool's life is the Chunghae Trading Company.

 

Wang So goes to Cheong Ok to ask her for directions to the place she was taken to when Yeo Won had her kidnapped.

 

Shin Yool is indeed in the shack with Yeo Won and the masked Se Won. Yool isn't looking too healthy and it's not from any poisons. Yeo Won delights in telling her rival about what is happening to Chunghae and its people right now. Yool finally speaks up. She tells Yeo Won about Ji Mong's prediction that Wang So will become king. However, So needs Yool (and therefore Chunghae) to achieve this goal. Ergo, if Yeo Won wants to become queen (and boy does she ever) she has to let Yool live.

 

Yeo Won exits the shack, leaving orders for Se Won to kill Yool. What Yeo Won doesn't know is Shik Ryum has previously given counter orders to the bodyguard to not kill Yool. Who will Se Won obey?

 

Shin Yool notices the flying fish trinket on Se Won's sword and strikes up a conversation with her executioner. She tells him about being from Balhae about her mother and brother. This rattles Se Won as it makes him have a dim memory of his childhood. While he's flashbacking, Yool starts a fire and stumbles out of the shack.

 

She staggers through the forest with Se Won slowly stalking her. Wang So arrives at the shack too late. Why did she start the fire? I don't get that part. Anyway, Yool weakens and falls to the ground. Se Won stands over her and unsheathes his sword. Thinking this is the end, Yool pulls out her butterfly necklace and prays. Se Won recognizes the butterfly. It must be some kind of family heirloom. He starts asking her questions about Balhae but Yool faints on him. Unable to kill a woman who could be his sister, Se Won runs away.

 

Wang So is running around the woods screaming "Gaebong-ah!" when he ultimately finds Yool's unconscious body. Then Wang Uk shows up. Where'd he come from? Darn it, I was hoping Wang So would warm Yool up with his body heat. Now that Uk is here, he'll give Yool the boring medicine instead.

 

Wang So drops Yool off at Chunghae while he goes to kick his wife's ass. Well, that's what I'm hoping at least. The auditors were just about to force Gyu Dal into signing away the company when Yool comes in. She identifies the ledger as a fake and says Wang Uk will back her up. But because he's made a deal with the devil, Uk must betray Yool and say the ledger is authentic.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 15

We flash back a bit as Shin Yool tests out her new poison-detecting bracelet. The jewels start off white but turn dark when near deadly toxin. Now it's time to go have tea with Yeo Won.

 

After Yeo Won does her usual "Stay away from my husband" routine, Yool exposes her new jewelry. At least neither woman dances around the subject and get right to the point. Yool offers a deal. If Yeo Won will hand over the antidote, Yool will keep secret Yeo Won's involvement in the poison plot. The princess has one day to capitulate. (No, I say. Never give your enemy 24 hours to plan your death. Demand the antidote now! Eh, no one ever listens to me anyway.)

 

With King Crazy under the weather, Shik Ryum and his pet, Wang Uk, are rushing through the transfer of the capital to Pyongyang. So tries to get through to his older brother only to find King Crazy is deep in psychosis. Desperate to save his brother, and not knowing about Yool's intrigue, Wang So goes to his wife to ask Yeo Won for an antidote. He doesn't come right out and say he knows she's the one who poisoned the king. Instead he strokes her ego by explaining he knows she so clever and skilled in medicine, surely she can come up with an antidote. I'm sure Yeo Won is too smart to believe all this but at least she's been given a window of opportunity to cure the king without being named as his assassin.

 

Wang So leaves to meet with Ji Mong and Eun Chan and explain about Cheong Ok. As I was hoping, it was So who told Cheong Ok to become one of Yeo Won's minions. In So's opinion, Yeo Won will have a better chance at retrieving all the bronze talismans from the Legion of Doom. When she does, Cheong Ok will then steal them and bring the evidence to Wang So.

 

The prince goes on to reveal that while Wang Shik Ryum was the one behind the poisoning, it was Princess Yeo Won who supplied the stuff. Ji Mong, still under the delusion that So and Yeo Won were fated to be together, urges So to cut ties with Yool and stick with his wife. After all, the prince barely knows this merchant woman. So mutters he's known her for five years. Ji Mong and Eun Chan wonder what that's supposed to mean. I'm sure they'll be sticking their noses in Wang So's past.

 

Wang Uk and Se Won are trying to figure out where the black ninjas headquarters could be. Uk suddenly realizes they're probably hiding in plain sight right here in the city. The Foreshadowing Hammer makes Uk notice the flying fish talisman hanging off of Se Won's sword, which reminds the prince of what Yool told him at the abandoned temple. Uk asks the bodyguard if he is from Balhae. Se Won admits he once had a mother and sister but he believes they are dead.

 

Shin Yool is starting to get nervous, wondering if Yeo Won is going to give in or not. Gyu Dal comes in to tell her Wang So is in the storage building, the couple's hangout. The prince is needing some comforting after his stressful day. Without saying too much, Yool confides to So that she might be able to come up with the antidote by tomorrow. The Foreshadowing Hammer makes So ask if he needs to be worried about her safety. Yool assures him she'll be fine. (Famous last words.)

 

Yeo Won goes to her secret stash intending to get the antidote only to find it is already gone. After a few seconds of thinking, Yeo Won is horrified to conclude it could only be Wang Uk who could have taken the antidote. The princess wastes no time in confronting her brother. Uk pretends he doesn't know what she's talking about. Seeing she's not going to be getting it back, Yeo Won gives some parting advice to Uk: if he's going to use the antidote as a weapon, then use it well and at the right time.

 

Se Won asks to accompany Wang Uk to his scheduled meeting at the Chunghae Trading Company. Se Won feels confident that Wang So won't recognize the red ninja. It's good ol' Kang Myung who wonders, "Who is this new guy? He kind of looks familiar." While our main cast is holding their meeting, Se Won is sneaking around the place, leaving a message in Shin Yool's room.

 

Wang Uk is big in his boots as he announces plans to draft men from 16 to 60 to work on the new capital. Wang So argues back the only person who could order such a thing is the king himself and until King Crazy does these plans are dead in the water. Shin Yool is trapped between these two men and their Weapons of Mass Testosterone. She decides the only way to deal with this is for everyone to get their drink on. Well, mainly for her to get her drink on.

 

Shin Yool finds the unsigned note which tells her to be at a certain place at a certain time if she wants to get the antidote. What isn't part of Se Won's plan is for Yool to tell So she may be able to get her hands on the antidote tonight. Elsewhere, Yeo Won and Lackette are forging some documents in Yool's handwriting. Yeo Won goes to Uncle Shik Ryum with the forgeries which she claims will help them take control of Chunghae Trading Company.

 

Baek Myo asks Wang Uk if he's learned anymore about where Yool's mother may possibly be. This reminds Uk about Yool mentioning a brother and he asks the maid what the boy's name was. Baek Myo responds the brother was called Ho Yool but they believe he was killed by the Khitans. Wang Uk almost but not quite makes the connection between Ho Yool and Se Won.

 

 

Yool is surprised by a visit from Ji Mong. He bluffs about knowing she and Wang So were together five years ago in Gaebong. Thinking they've been found out, Yool drops to her knees and begs for So's life. Put the blame on her. She didn't know he was a prince when they got married. Ji Mong is like, "Say what?"

 

At first Ji Mong joins the chorus of Yool needing to get out of town. However he finally gets around to questioning whether his prediction of So and a certain princess being fated to be together may have meant Yool and not Yeo Won.

 

As the time of the secret meeting nears, we see that Yool had the sense to send her bodyguard Kyung on ahead to scout things out and be on hand in case Yool finds herself in danger. What Yool and Kyung don't know is Prince Wang So is keeping an eye on Yool tonight while Eun Chan observes what Yeo Won is up to.

 

Yool, dressed in male garb, leaves Chunghae to go to the meeting place. Right behind her is Wang So. Suddenly a masked Se Won on horseback rides out of the shadows and snatches Yool up. So gives chase but he's on foot and no match for a horse. Back at the merchant house, royal guards march in and take over the place.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 14

 

Wang So gets down on his knees and begs his brother for official permission to take down Wang Shik Ryum. This is when King Crazy grabs his sword and acts like he wants to behead So. Wang So keeps his calm, though, and manages to talk the king down from his bad trip.

 

The next day, as part of So's plan, the king tells Shik Ryum the royal order has been given to arrest the black ninjas. Shik Ryum is to concentrate on capturing the thieves while the king sends his own man to keep an eye on the capital relocation project. Uh-oh, right after Shik Ryum leaves the room, King Crazy gets a nose bleed. That's never a good sign in a Kdrama.

 

 

Wang So invites his uncle out for a drink and a conversation. (Shik Ryum spits out the cheap alcohol but stays for the talk.) So laughs while threatening his uncle with retaliation for killing his father. Shik Ryum smiles and advises his nephew not to rush things or So will be the one who will reach the afterlife first.

 

Wang So sends his black ninjas out on a mission to find whoever deals in rare plants from India. Whoever has the poisonous plant must also have the antidote. Shik Ryum warns Wang Uk that the king will be sending a superintendent over the capital transfer. Uk is to use whatever means necessary (money, whores) to buy the man's loyalty.

 

Uk meets with Shin Yool at Chunghae to warn her there may be trouble with the new superintendent. Yool replies that her company will be the first rats to abandon ship if necessary. Suddenly they are joined by Prince Wang So - the new superintendent. (C'mon, you surely saw that one coming.) So insists that the workers be paid for their work, not pressed into work gangs. This ain't the feudal ages. Well, actually it is.

 

Team Shin Yool has had a break with the poisoning project. There is a certain jewel that can react to the specific poison and Yool is out to get it.

 

 

Meanwhile, black ninja Cheong Ok is at the gisaeng house investigating the murder of the head madam. (When did that happen, you ask. Just a second ago offscreen is all I can tell you.) Lackette and her henchmen burst into the room. Cheong Ok admirably fends them off (with a spoon!) but ultimately is overcome. Her younger sister is used as a tool against her to get Cheong Ok to talk. Yeo Won takes over the interrogation herself, learning from the black ninja about the bronze talismans that spell "We killed the king" when put together.

 

Yeo Won poisons both Cheong Ok and the sister. They have just 24 hours to live. However, if Cheong Ok gets back the bronze talismans the black ninjas have, Yeo Won will give her the antidote.

 

Wang So and Wang Uk get into a argument over taxing the 1%. In an effort to get his sister and the prince back together, Yang Gyu Dal locks So and Yool in the storage building. Yool beats the prince with a feather.

 

Yeo Won jumps on Wang Uk's case for becoming Shik Ryum's tool. After leaving Chunghae, Wang So spots and follows a sickly Cheong Ok as she stumbles through the streets. She's gone back to the black ninjas headquarters to get the bronze talismans, which are in a box that are in a box resting in a box. Caught in the act by the prince, Wang So makes her tell him everything. He allows Cheong Ok to take the pieces back to Yeo Won. Once the talismans are in her possession, Yeo Won keeps her word (which surprises me) and hands over the antidote. Cheong Ok gives it to her sister but won't drink it herself unless Yeo Won takes Cheong Ok on as one of her people. Oh, I hope this is part of Wang So's plan.

 

King Crazy collapses. Wang Shik Ryum utilizes emergency powers to seize control of the state. Yeo Won invites Yool over for another cup of tea. The princess orders the merchant to leave the country entirely. Yool exposes her new bracelet, complete with the special poison-detecting jewel.

Shine Or Go Crazy Episode 13

Shin Yool throws a party at Chunghae in an attempt to distract herself from thinking about Wang So and what he's up to with Yeo Won.

 

What he's up to ain't much as So quickly informs his (second) wife that he's just here to sleep.

 

Yool's party is crashed by Wang Uk who claims he's here for business, not stalking. He orders her to drink and eat as he can tell she's been too depressed to take care of herself. Yool says she now understands how Uk must have felt having to send his dead girlfriend to marry his father. She asks the prince for advice on how to get over the pain. Uk gives her the old, "Time heals all wounds" and "There are other fish in the sea" talk.

 

Wang So stalls and stalls and stalls. He asks Yeo Won if she's ever considered using her powers for Good (the kingdom) and not Evil (her clan). Yeo Won counters with her own question of since So loves Goryeo so much, why doesn't he seize the throne.

 

Yeo Won never does get any. So goes back to his own bedroom to stare longingly at his butterfly necklace.

 

The next day Yeo Won invites Yool over for tea. The princess lies through her teeth and claims the consummation went swimmingly. After gently threatening Yool's life, Yeo Won discloses that she knows Yool and So were married which is against Goryeo law. Yool promises, for So's sake, to end their relationship.

 

Back in her room, Yool studies on the medical book the doctor gave her and finds what she believe is the poison that is making the king be King Crazy.

 

Yool is a busy woman today as she has sent for Wang So to give him the Breakup Speech. Don't come back here ever again. So knows this is all about their secret marriage but pretends for Yool that he believes the breakup is because of him sleeping with his wife. She changes the subject and warns So she believes the king is being poisoned. She wasn't able to find an antidote in the medical book which means So must find out how the poison is getting to his brother in order to stop further contamination. What Yool doesn't tell So is she suspects Yeo Won is the source.

 

Wang Shik Ryum is reporting to the king about the transfer of the capital being held up by the evil Chunghae Trading Company. He also reminds the king the black ninjas are also evil and evil Wang So is probably their evil leader. Evil, evil, evil.

 

Under the influence of Shik Ryum and the drug, King Crazy orders Wang So to have the leader of the black ninjas come in for a meeting. If the man shows up, the king will know the black ninjas are good. If no one comes, then the king will have everyone arrested.

 

Separately, Team Wang So and Team Shin Yool are looking for an antidote for the king. Wang Uk is officially inducted into the Legion of Doom. Despite the Breakup, So meets with Yool to inform her his team has learned how the poison is being passed to the king through the scrolls he reads. They've recovered some of the powder. So gives Yool a sample for her own team to study. She tells him about Wang Uk being put in charge of the transfer of the capital. Out of the blue So asks if it is Uk who knows about their secret marriage. Yool is momentarily surprised So knows, then proceeds to lie and says no one else knows.

 

Yeo Won, still threatened by the shopkeeper, comes up with the ultimate idea on how to break Yool and So up permanently: Yool should get married to Uk. Surprisingly it is Uk who says, "I don't think so, Sis." This doesn't sit well with Yeo Won. Nothing is going her way.

 

Shik Ryum learns the Justice League has discovered the truth about the poison letters. He orders Se Won to do what has to be done to cover their tracks so the plot can't be traced back to the Legion of Doom. Although the Justice League has cut off any new poison to him, King Crazy still has enough in his system to keep him crazy and suspicious of his brother. He tells So that tomorrow at a certain time the king will be all alone in the throne room, waiting for the arrival of the leader of the black ninjas.

 

So agonizes over whether or not to reveal his secret identity to the king. If only he had his old drinking buddy Gaebong to talk this over with. But Gaebong is no more. Wang Uk stops by Chunghae for business, not stalking.

 

Wang So decides to appear before the king in his ninja uniform. In King Crazy's mind this just confirms Shik Ryum was telling the truth and So is not to be trusted. So attempts to tell the king about the poisoning but King Crazy won't listen. The monarch has a major meltdown. He grabs a sword and prepares to lop So's head off.