Review: The Tale of Lady Ok – The Fangirl Verdict

THE SHORT VERDICT:

I found this to be an interesting and engaging story of personal journey, with a pretty heartfelt love story to go with.

Our entire cast is strong and puts in solid performances, but the standout, to me, is Im Ji Yeon as our titular Lady Ok. Male lead Choo Young Woo is very good as well, displaying a nice range of acting chops.

Briskly paced to the point that this non-fluffy sageuk almost feels breezy sometimes, this show is way more approachable, and way more watchable than most people might expect, given its billing.

Quite underrated, in my opinion.

THE LONG VERDICT:

If you are a little bit afraid of more serious-leaning sageuk, I feel like this is a great starter “serious” sageuk; quotation marks because, while it might sometimes look serious, it really isn’t.

It’s like sageuk-lite, in a manner of speaking, with how accessible and digestible this story is, and how the 75-minute episodes tend to float by, because of how briskly our story trots along.

It’s not always an easy story, to be clear, but writer-nim’s touch tends to lean on the lighter side when we get to more difficult arcs, and therefore, the watch itself works out to be on the more effortless side of things.

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Here’s the OST album, in case you’d like to listen to it while reading the review.

I have to confess that I didn’t pay special attention to the music, while watching; the music was there, and doing its job, and being quite unobtrusive about it.

On hindsight, and on more careful thought, I think the music in this show was very pleasant and melodious, and used to solidly good effect, to amplify the watch experience.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Track 1, Hunjung Yeonsuh, which I find sweetly poignant. Here it is on its own as well, in case you’d prefer to listen to it on repeat instead. Just right-click on the video and select “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about stuff I liked on a more macro level, before I give the spotlight to selected characters and relationships, in a separate section. Finally, I spend some time talking about my thoughts on the penultimate and finale episodes.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are some things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Give Show a chance to settle

I didn’t feel properly engaged until midway through episode 1, so if you also don’t feel a proper connection to our characters or our story at first, don’t fret.

It should all get sorted out soon.

2. Bad stuff happens to innocent people

It comes with the territory, but I thought I’d mention it anyway, that you might want to brace yourself for some bad stuff that happens to our innocent characters.

3. This isn’t as heavy as it looks

Yet, despite this, and despite that flash-forward in Show’s initial minutes, it really isn’t a heavy one, in my opinion.

This isn’t fluff, for sure, but it’s also much more approachable, and much more watchable and easy to digest, than a typical sageuk.

4. Show is quite romance-forward

With the more epic-leaning flavor of the trailers that we’d been given, I’d expected that if we got any romance, it would all be very sparse and low-key.

I’m happy to say that Show is quite romance-forward after all, so you can look forward to that. 🥲

STUFF I LIKED

Show moves along quite quickly

It took me a while to get used to the fact that our story moves at such a brisk pace, but once I got used to it, I really liked it.

It gave the watch a bit of a rollercoaster-esque quality, and I think this is quite possibly the effect of squeezing this much story into 16 episodes, instead of, say, 32 or 50 episodes.

The good thing about how quickly things roll, is that when bad stuff happens to our characters, you know that things will likely get solved very soon, because of how fleet-footed our story beats are.

Show is very watchable

Like I mentioned earlier, Show is much more accessible and easy to watch, than I’d originally expected. In fact, there were times when I found myself having a good amount of fun.

I loved that Show is so watchable and engaging; I found myself completely invested, and the episodes floated by in what felt like a short length of time, even though they were more than an hour each.

Importantly, Show also serves up a good amount of emotional resonance and poignance, which also helped to keep me very much engaged.

While tt’s true that Show moves from one narrative arc to the next quite briskly, what I appreciate about this, besides the fact that this keeps the watch from ever feeling draggy, is that writer-nim doesn’t actually dismiss the narrative arcs from our story world.

Instead, they are selectively brought back at future points, and I really do like how this all comes together to make our drama world feel that much richer.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3. I found the scene where Tae Yeong runs into Yun Gyeom for the first time and mistakes him for Seo In, fun to watch.

The comic beats in that scene are pretty great, I thought, with Yun Gyeom’s bemused reaction faces anchoring it all. 🤭

I also really like the fact that one of the things that draws Yun Gyeom to Tae Yeong, is the fact that she’s strong and feisty, and ready to jump walls and fight off attackers, if she has to.

I love that he’s drawn to her strength and badassery! 🤩

I also liked the mention of doppelgängers, when Yun Gyeom asks if he really looks so much like the person Tae Yeong mistook him for.

Or rather, I like that, 1, Tae Yeong acknowledges that there might be a birth secret at play, and if not, then 2, he and Seo In are doppelgängers.

Because, I like a smart heroine who doesn’t overlook the most obvious possibility, that there could be reason Yun Gyeom and Seo In look alike.

Also, I think it’s quite cute that we’re getting some modern-ish touches in our story, with the concept of doppelgänger being introduced, as well as the Baek family’s famous legal advocate being named Bae Tae Rang (which is literally how “veteran” is said, in Korean 😂). Fun!

[END SPOILER]

The early twist [SPOILERS]

One of my favorite early narrative developments, is the introduction of the fact that Seo In has a doppelgänger in Seong Yun Gyeom, the new magistrate’s son.

This meant that even though Seo In’s kinda-maybe out of the picture at this point, we still get fresh-feeling potential OTP developments, with Yun Gyeom’s interactions with Tae Yeong.

In fact, one of the things that I found myself enjoying, was absolutely not knowing whether Seo In or Yun Gyeom would be Tae Yeong’s One True Love.

I thought this introduced a lot of fresh possibilities to our story, and I liked that a lot.

STUFF THAT WAS OK

A revolving cast of characters

Because our story spans a lot of narrative ground, we end up having a revolving cast of characters, with many characters being introduced, and then bowing out of our story, either temporarily or permanently.

This meant that there were quite a few characters who exited our story, after I’d started to grow fond of them, and this was a little bit sad.

I guess I’m just not used to getting attached to characters, and then having them leave the story relatively quickly.

However, it’s very much in keeping with how Goo Deok’s journey needed to evolve, so it made narrative sense.

The flash-forward opening

This is not a spoiler, because this is literally our opening scene of our story: we are shown that Tae Yeong is arrested for impersonating a noble woman, and for having two husbands – and then we leave the flash-forward, to start our story proper.

Not gonna lie, my friends. Because of this opening scene, I kept bracing myself, for when our story would catch up to our opening scene.

This means that, even when I was watching episodes that technically weren’t that hard to watch, I felt like there was a cloud of foreboding hanging over everything anyway. 😅

Of course, if Show had chosen not to open with that fast-forward to Tae Yeong being stoned for having two husbands, that would have lightened my watch experience of most  episodes by a fair bit.

I don’t know what I would have preferred more: not know what’s coming, and be freely able to bask in the happy cute while it’s here, or know what’s coming, and be able to tread cautiously and brace my heart for the inevitable that’s to come. 😅

..Which is why this is in the neutral zone, for me.

STUFF THAT I LIKED LESS

The whole Devoted Hearts thing [SPOILERS]

In episode 4, Yun Gyeom tells Tae Yeong that he can’t lie with a woman, and also, that this is why he started the Devoted Hearts organization, to help and protect sexual minorities.

This was not my favorite arc, and part of the reason is because it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me?

Based on my deductions, it’s not that Yun Gyeom is intersex; it’s more likely that he’s gay, and that’s why he considers himself a sexual minority.

I can’t pinpoint an exact drama, but my drama senses are reaching for the thought that usually gay men in Joseon times would usually just get married for appearances’ sake, and even go so far as father a child, in order to carry on the family line.

Extending that thought towards the kids that Yun Gyeom’s rescuing, I’m also thinking that it would make more sense if the kids being rescued were anatomically different, rather than just having a preference that’s different.

However, there are those oily yangban who had mentioned something about Mun Su being caught playing with women’s things, and that’s why he’d been chased out of his own family.

With the large-ish number of kids that Devoted Hearts is appearing to save, it doesn’t quite add up to me, because my logical side says that if they are a minority, then there can’t be that many children to save, particularly since most of them would be actively hiding their preferences.

I digress. The easy conclusion here, is, Show probably just wants us to allow for some logic stretches here, and just roll with the idea that Yun Gyeom is different, and wants to fight for and protect those who are different, like him.

Sorry. That was a really roundabout way of saying that we’ve got logic stretches at play here, and that it’s not my favorite thing. 😅

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS & RELATIONSHIPS

Im Ji Yeon as Goo Deok / Tae Yeong

I have to say that I’m very impressed with Im Ji Yeon, in this role.

She really gets to showcase her acting chops, and now, looking back, I realize that Im Ji Yeon really portrayed many different periods and facets of the life of Goo Deok / Tae Yeong, and in a way that felt organic and natural.

Through our entire story, I found our heroine to be good-hearted, kind and resilient, and I couldn’t help but root for her and want good things for her.

Here’s a collection of thoughts I had around Goo Deok / Tae Yeong, over the course of my watch.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I have to give Goo Deok credit for having the courage to ‘fess up to Gran (Kim Mi Sook), that she’d lied about being Tae Young.

She had just gained acceptance as the original Tae Young, and then she proceeds to put it all down, in telling Gran that she’d  lied, and that she was sorry, and that she would leave.

The thing is, I believe Goo Deok; I don’t think that she’s saying all this to gain Gran’s sympathy in any way, and I really respect her for that.

And of course, credit to Goo Deok, for making sure that the thieves who’d set the fire that had killed the original Tae Young, get arrested and fully punished for their crimes.

I also really like the fact that it’s Goo Deok’s own qualities that eventually lead Gran to ask her to stay, and live as Tae Young.

My favorite scene from this arc, is how Goo Deok is able to pass on all of the gifts that the original Tae Young had prepared for her household, accurately detailing why each gift had been selected.

It really felt to me, like the original Tae Young was there, giving the gifts to those whom she treasured, and I’m sure that that had meant a lot to Gran. 🥲

E3. I like the idea that the whole reason Tae Yeong succeeds in her mission to save Mak Sim (Kim Jae Hwa), despite the odds being stacked against her, what with the Baek family ensuring that the coroner dies before being able to function as a witness to the case, is because of her kindness, and her ability to see everyone as human, whether they’re slave or noble.

Her kindness to Dol Seok (Lee Myeong Ro), in noticing the raw branding wound on his cheek, and sending aloe to him, to help the wound heal, is the thing that drives Dol Seok to break out of his confinement and come to her to confess the truth.

And her kindness and lack of judgment in approaching Baek Do Gwang (Kim Sun Bin), to tell him that Baek Yi had loved him too, and had likely been as sad as he, at the thought of him leaving for Hanyang, is the reason Baek Do Gwang speaks up at that crucial moment, to take the blame of Baek Yi’s death.

And, I’m also glad to know that Tae Yeong manages to save Dol Seok’s life, by sending him away.

I think it says a lot about Tae Yeong, that she would insist on saving Dol Seok, even though turning him in for his part in Baek Yi’s death, as well as to be a witness against the Baek elders, would have been easier.

She’s determined to preserve his life, even if it means not having a clear view of how to resolve the case and save Mak Sim; that really shows the kind of compassionate heart that she has, doesn’t it? 🥲

E4. I do appreciate that through it all, Tae Yeong defaults to honest communication with Yun Gyeom (Choo Young Woo).

When she inadvertently spots the “heart” tattoo on his shoulder, through the gap in the door, while he’s changing, she doesn’t hide it from him like most other Joseon-era female leads would likely do.

Instead, she walks right in, and quietly asks him about it, calmly and without judgment, like, is this something that I can be curious about?

I really, really liked that. 🤩

I also appreciate that Tae Yeong’s instinct is always to stand on Yun Gyeom’s side, even when she doesn’t have any information on what he’s doing or why.

When he shows up as the masked man, when she and Magistrate Dad (Sung Dong Il) are ambushing the child traffickers, she covers for him with Magistrate Dad and says that she doesn’t know who the masked man is – even though she did clearly see Yun Gyeom’s face.

Her approach, of trusting Yun Gyeom first, and asking questions later, is very appealing to me.

It makes me feel like she’s the kind of person you’d want, on your team, and on your side. 🥲

Even when Yun Gyeom tells her the truth about Devoted Hearts and how it’s about protecting sexual minorities, she only expresses concern and worry – not judgment. I really like that about her.

In fact, when Hae Gang gets arrested, and Yun Gyeom, in his desperation, accuses her of only helping slaves because she’d once been a slave, she literally shows up in official robes, to defend Hae Gang.

And how incisive and badass is she, when Magistrate Dad states that there are no laws that exist for people like Hae Gang, and therefore they can’t be protected by law, and she retorts that this means there is no law that states they must be killed either.

YESSS. Such sharp, unswerving clarity. I love it. 🤩

E5-6. I do like the recurring motif, of Tae Yeong’s kindness coming back to her, when those whom she’s helped, help her in turn.

Yes, it’s a little pat and neat, and it’s idealistic to the max, but I do enjoy the idea, nonetheless.

I do love the idea, that Dol Seok, the slave whom she’d helped previously, would turn out to be in the mountain dweller group, and now be in a position to save her. 🥲

On top of it being satisfying to see Tae Yeong’s kindness and compassion paying off, it’s also nice to know what had happened to Dol Seok, after Tae Yeong had helped him to run away.

In a similar sort of vein, there’s also how Administrator Lee comes to her rescue in the mountains.

She’s the one who’d continued to trust him and visit him, when he’d been imprisoned, and now, it feels satisfying to see him now show up for her, when she’d needed help the most.

Additionally, it’s the provincial governor who’d secretly let Administrator Lee out of prison – again, to repay Tae Yeong for her kindness.

Like Seung Hwi says, Tae Yeong has a warm heart that can move people’s hearts.

Perhaps all of that serves as foundation for the difficult decision that Tae Yeong eventually makes, to request to serve as Chief Lee’s (Kim Dong Gyun) legal advocate, even though Chief Lee’s wronged her and her family, on so many counts.

As Tae Yeong says, he’d wronged Magistrate Dad, taken everything from her and her family, and even tried to kill her.

But with Seung Hwi’s request that she not use the law as a weapon, and his reminder that she’d only wanted to restore her family’s honor, Tae Yeong’s girded to make that very unconventional choice: to defend her enemy, instead of condemn him.

And that enemy is as obnoxious and repulsive as they come, with his self-righteous attitude – “What have I done so wrong?!?” – even while he’s on his way to turn himself in.

I was with Mak Sim, in feeling perplexed at Tae Yeong’s choice, because, Dang, Chief Lee was easy to hate. 😅

Plus, the fact that Hae Gang would even avoid pointing out Chief Lee as the person who’d tried to silence him, perplexed me too.

Like, that was coldblooded attempted murder, no? How could he be allowed to get away with that? – is what I was thinking.

(Although, for the record, I am glad that Hae Gang’s alive, and is eventually set free.)

But then, when Tae Yeong reveals her reasons for defending Chief Lee, it all makes sense.

Because, yes, she’d once promised him, that if he gave Mak Sim back to her, she would help him one day.

And, there’s also the thing, where Magistrate Dad had urged her to defend everyone equally before the law, even if the person was a criminal who’d wronged her.

She’s honoring both of those promises, in defending Chief Lee, and I have to really respect her for being able to put aside her personal grievances, to give her best defense of Chief Lee.

In the end, even a scumbag like Chief Lee would be pierced by his conscience, and return all of the property and servants that he’d wrongfully taken from Magistrate Dad.

Tae Yeong prevails yet again, while holding her head up high, and sticking to her beliefs and principles, and it’s really very gratifying to watch.

E7-8. Tae Yeong’s anguish, disappointment and sense of betrayal is so clear. Because, yes, how could Yun Gyeom do this to her, indeed? 💔

And, it’s also so poignant, to hear Tae Yeong say, in a rare moment of vulnerability, that she’d felt she’d had no right to look for him, and had just kept enduring it all.

After all that Tae Yeong’s done, not just for the family, but also, for all the people who’ve needed her legal advocate services, it’s heartbreaking, honestly, that she still feels that she has no right to expect anything more, because she’s always just been a slave. 😭

I think it says so much about Tae Yeong, that she is willing and able to put aside her own sadness and heartbreak, to help Seung Hwi, and would even keep it from him, so as not to worry him.

Our girl really has a self-sacrificial sort of spirit, and she does really care about Seung Hwi that much. 🥲

E7-8. Despite everything that Mi Ryeong’s (Yeonwoo) done, I’m glad that Tae Yeong shows compassion to Mi Ryeong, offering to give her the love that she didn’t have, growing up.

That was quite touching, to see Tae Yeong show Mi Ryeong so much grace, despite Mi Ryeong’s efforts towards ruining Tae Yeong.

E9-10. I really respect the fact that Tae Yeong’s not afraid of Shady Magistrate and his threats, even though the plot against her is so elaborate.

We see her mutter to herself that she’s Goo Deok, after all. I do love that her core identity is something so tough and so resilient. 🥲

In the end, I do think that the reason Tae Yeong chooses to accept the three years of mourning as a widow, is to get out of prison, in order to protect her family.

As long as she’s held in prison, she can’t do anything to protect them, but if she’s back at home, even as a widow, at least she can do something for them.

She’s got such a fierce desire to love and protect, doesn’t she? 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Choo Young Woo as Seo In / Seung Hwi [SPOILERS]

Because of the doppelgänger situation, I thought it would be best to split up Choo Young Woo’s roles, and also, put them both under spoiler warnings, in order to best discuss them.

Overall, I thought that Choo Young Woo did a very solid job of his roles, given that Seo In goes through such a big change in his life, from being son of a noble family, to becoming estranged from his family, and becoming a professional storyteller instead.

It’s not super obvious, I think, because there is a longish gap between us last seeing him as a nobleman, and then seeing him in his element as Seung Hwi, the master storyteller, but there is definitely a sense of relaxed flourish about Seung Hwi, that we didn’t see in Seo In.

I really liked Seo In/ Seung Hwi as a character, not least because he promptly decides to cancel the marriage talks with Goo Deok’s mistress So Hye (Ha Yul Ri), not just because he’s got a new soft spot for Goo Deok, but because she’s just nasty.

I immediately decided that he was likable, based on that alone, heh. 🤭

As our story progresses and Seung Hwi gets to take up more narrative space, I grew to like him more and more.

Of course, his narrative position has everything to do with his relationship with Goo Deok / Tae Yeong, so I will talk more about Seung Hwi, in the upcoming section where I talk about their relationship.

Choo Young Woo as Yun Gyeom [SPOILERS]

Again, props to Choo Young Woo for managing to give Yun Gyeom a different aura and energy compared to Seo In / Seung Hwi.

Yun Gyeom was similar enough to Seo In / Seung Hwi, that I would sometimes get a bit confused (which is the whole point, really), and yet, upon closer inspection, I could see that Yun Gyeom carried himself differently, whether he was in his inspector era, or his rogue runaway era.

I thought that was well done.

That said, I have to say that my feelings towards Yun Gyeom went through quite an evolution.

When Show first introduced Yun Gyeom, I’d like him very well, and had even thought that he might be the better match for Tae Yeong, versus Seung Hwi, who had a very different life, by this point.

But then, that all changed, when Yun Gyeom eventually abandoned Tae Yeong, and refused to return, even if his return could save her. I didn’t like him very much then, at all.

I will say that Show redeems him nicely in the finale, which I’ll talk more about later.

Tae Yeong and Yun Gyeom [SPOILERS]

Like I said earlier, my feelings towards Yun Gyeom evolved a fair bit over the course of our story, and so, my feelings towards the connection between Tae Yeong and Yun Gyeom, also went through quite a few changes, along the way.

I will say that I think Show played this quite smartly, because I found my loyalties shifting during my watch – which meant that I wasn’t actually sure whom I wanted, by Tae Yeong’s side.

That provided a nice bit of narrative tension, at least where I was concerned.

Here’s a look at my detailed reactions to the key points in their relationship:

E3. I can’t help thinking that Yun Gyeom actually is a better match for Tae Yeong, because he’s more deeply acquainted with what her new dream – well, the dream that she’s taken on, from Original Tae Yeong (Son Na Eun), means to her, because he has similar aspirations.

Additionally, he works alongside her, this episode, and helps her to fulfill that dream, at least in part, with the way he suggests that she become a legal advocate, which is exactly what Original Tae Yeong had wanted to be, and then helps her with access to the library, and the legal texts that she needs.

Not only that, he says that he is interested to know what she thinks about the things that he does, and wants to hear from her – which is why he wants to marry her, because if she were married to someone else, he wouldn’t have any further opportunities to speak with her.

I mean. That’s all very persuasive, isn’t it??

Yes, it’s not super romantic (yet?), but the way I see it, this could be the foundation of a great partnership, and a great foundation on which to grow love and affection between them, yes?

And so, even though Seo In had given everything he had, for the hope of saving her life, I do find myself leaning towards Yun Gyeom as the better match.

I also really like that Yun Gyeom seeks out Tae Yeong to ask her why she hasn’t responded to his marriage proposal; I really like the idea that his instinct is to talk things out with her.

Also, I find it sadly poignant, actually, that he would tell her that it’s ok with him, if she thinks of him as her first love, since they look so much alike.

Awww. Does he not think that she could love him for himself..? 🥹

And, when Tae Yeong asks, what if she has a secret that no one can find out, he’s so gallant really, to tell her that she should tell him the secret, and he’ll protect her. 🥲

Augh. I’m seriously liking him more and more, y’know?

E4. What I do appreciate about the relationship between Tae Yeong and Yun Gyeom, is that they are honest with each other, before they get married.

Yes, they aren’t getting married for love, but the fact that she tells him the truth about her slave origins, and the fact that he entrusts her with his own secret, in exchange, speaks volumes about the foundation of their relationship.

There is mutual trust, and mutual respect, and mutual loyalty, and that honestly feels like a great foundation for a marriage.

It’s just too bad that Yun Gyeom’s Devoted Hearts mission, to save, protect and equip sexual minorities, turns into a whole thing, where he’s accused of treason, and therefore has to flee.

E5-6. The depth of despair that’s apparent in Tae Yeong’s voice and expression, when she sees Yun Gyeom on the dock, is quite startling, because she’s upheld such a composed facade, all these past 7 years.

She must have been keeping it all bottled up inside, mustn’t she? And the sight of Yun Gyeom’s just piercing right through her facade, and causing the flood of tears and anguish that comes pouring out.

Wahhhh. Poor Tae Yeong. 😭😭😭😭

E9-10. I’d kept telling myself that Yun Gyeom likely lost his memory, and that’s why he ignored Tae Yeong on the dock, despite looking right at her, but it turns out I was wrong; Yun Gyeom had ignored her, knowing exactly who she was, and that’s just.. so cold, and so wrong. 😭

From his conversation with Do Gyeom (Kim Jae Won), it seems that Yun Gyeom’s been dedicating himself to his cause, and is in the midst of preparing something important, and that’s why he’s refusing to go back with Do Gyeom, while I get the idea that his cause is bigger to him than one’s personal ties, he absolutely comes across as a heartless jerk, the way he tells Do Gyeom to think of him as dead.

I’m so perplexed by this; to think that I’d thought he was a good, decent guy with whom Tae Yeong could have a meaningful partnership.

This is decidedly NOT partnership, and he’s very much in my bad books now. 😒

Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi [SPOILERS]

As you guys know, I don’t normally put the OTP section entirely under a spoiler tag, but because I personally felt like Show was quite convincing at points, at the possibility of the OTP being Tae Yeong and Yun Gyeom, it only felt right, to also put this under a spoiler tag, to maintain that sense of mystery and possibility.

I have to confess that at first, I’d thought that their initial connection had felt a little random, with that run-in at the marketplace.

However, Show does sell the depth of the connection quite well, and then, after they’re separated, Show brings Seung Hwi back into Tae Yeong’s life at key points, with increasing regularity, which worked well, to build their connection in the eyes of the audience.

I found myself rooting for this loveline more and more, and since, like I said, there was even a point when I’d mentally dismissed this loveline in favor of the one between Tae Yeong and Yun Gyeom, there’s that added rollercoaster-esque quality as well, to rooting for this couple.

Here’s a look at my detailed reactions to the key points in their relationship:

E1-2. When Goo Deok and Seo In share that conversation overlooking the town, we get some thoughtful reflection in the mix, and I really felt drawn in by what Goo Deok says, that for the common person, it doesn’t matter if the performance is good or not; it’s a way to momentarily forget one’s troubles, because life is hard.

For me, this was the first time that I felt like I could connect with Goo Deok.

Suddenly, I had a whole new layer of perspective to lay over everything that I’d seen her do, up to this point.

She’s not smiling so hard because she’s suuuper happy; she’s choosing to smile in spite of how hard her life is, and I can see that part of the reason she’s able to smile, is because she’s found hope in the thought that she’s saving up to run away with her father.

And of course, there’s the thing where I’m sure that sometimes, she’s smiling almost to rebel against her hard lot in life.

Somehow, the knowledge that there is a layer of pathos underneath that smile, just makes me feel more connected to her, y’know? 🥲

Layered on top of that, is how Goo Deok answers, when Seo In asks her what her dream is.

Instead of something lofty, Goo Deok’s dream is to be able to live to an old age; not getting beaten to death, not starving to death, but dying at a good old age, without getting her ankles chopped off, or getting her hair pulled out, and just being able to live.

There’s so much poignance in her answer, because through her answer, we learn all the things that she’s up against, in her daily life, and it’s quite a heartrending sort of picture.

And I really like that Goo Deok’s words have such an immediate, affecting sort of impact on Seo In, that he would feel awkward and ashamed, for having only thought of himself, before.

This conversation lands with a good amount of heart, sincerity and poignance to me, and I found it believable, that Seo In forms such a strong attachment to Goo Deok after this encounter. 🥲

I also really like the fact that there’s a connection quickly forming between Goo Deok and Seo In, in this moment.

Before this moment, it had been mostly comedy and confusion, with Goo Deok treating Seo In gruffly because he’d been dressed as a slave, when he’s actually a nobleman’s son.

I found the complication quite compelling too; that Seo In’s in marriage talks with none other than Goo Deok’s young mistress So Hye, whom I remember as one of the court lady crew from The Red Sleeve.

There’s some narrative tension there right away, isn’t there, since Seo In’s in marriage talks with So Hye, but is quickly showing that his heart is leaning heavily in Goo Deok’s direction.

That appealed to me, at any rate. Maybe it’s my romance-wired fangirl brain kicking in. 🤭

E1-2. I found it touching that one of the first things Seo In does, is to use the money that Dad had given him, for his survival, to pay off the slave hunters, so that they won’t go after Goo Deok.

That’s very selfless of him, isn’t it? He doesn’t put any thought to his own survival needs, and simply gives everything that he has, towards Goo Deok’s safety. 🥲

This completely sold me on the idea that Seo In loves Goo Deok for real, and isn’t just temporarily swayed by notions of romance; he’s willing to put her survival over his own, and I find that very touching.

Even more touching is the fact that he becomes a storyteller, and now travels the coastal towns, telling the story of how he’d fallen in love with Goo Deok, while in search of her – because she’d once told him that it was her dream to live by the sea with her father.

Augh. That is very touching, and I can see why, when Goo Deok hears of this from Baek Yi, she can’t help but agree to go to the storytelling show.

And what a show it turns out to be; I do think that Choo Young Woo’s doing the fan wielding very well, and that’s saying a lot, because I’ve seen some excellent fan wielding in the past (*ahem* Jang Hyuk in My Country).

It’s a very romantic notion, that Seo In’s literally dedicated his life to searching for Goo Deok, and I think if I were in Goo Deok’s shoes, I would absolutely be swayed by his invitation to run away with him.

I mean, he even takes her on that horseback ride to the beach, to show her the sea, and also, the future that he’d like with her; that this is where they’d live, when her father comes back.

But Goo Deok doesn’t accept his invitation. 🥲

First, it’s the thing where she feels that she doesn’t deserve more happiness than she’s already received, and I can understand that type of thinking, since her life’s so completely different than it had used to be.

And, there’s also the thing where Goo Deok now feels like it’s her life’s purpose, to live out Tae Young’s dream for her, because she’s now literally living Tae Young’s life, in Tae Young’s stead.

With Baek Yi’s sudden and suspicious death, there’s all the more reason for Goo Deok to make a stand and do something to protect those who need her, and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.

Goo Deok says earlier, that Tae Young would have been a person to help countless others, and now, I can see how she would feel that the time has come for her to rise to the occasion, and do what Tae Young would have done, had she lived.

It’s honestly pretty stirring, and I’m rooting for Goo Deok to make all the difference in the world, in Tae Young’s name.

At the same time, I’m still rooting for the romance between her and Seo In, to still find a way to blossom. 🥲

E5-6. When Magistrate Dad dies, wrongfully accused and demoted, and Yun Gyeom disappears, and their family property is wrongfully given to Chief Lee’s family, Tae Yeong really does look very lost.

It’s Seo In (whom I’m thinking I should really be calling Seung Hwi now, since his dad had disowned him) who shows up, and basically helps her through it.

Thinking about it, he does so much, to help Tae Yeong get through this very bad patch.

First, there’s the way he drops everything and rushes to her, reportedly not even stopping for food, for 3 days, so that he can be at her side.

And then, there’s the way he listens to her, and drinks in what she’s saying, when she talks about how everyone around her has encountered death or other misfortune.

Then there’s the way he encourages her with his words, and reminds her that Goo Deok is dead, and that she is now Tae Yeong for real – and that the real Tae Yeong would not behave like this.

He offers her a way out – to leave this life behind and start a new life with him – but doesn’t press her.

And then when she decides that she needs to personally investigate the gold mining situation in Unbong Mountain, he volunteers to go with her, without hesitation, even though he’s not a good fighter or anything.

He just sincerely, 100% wants to be there with her, to support her and help her in any way that he can, and I honestly found this all very touching. 🥲

E5-6. These episodes, it was honestly really nice to see Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi spend time together.

After all the time that they’ve spent apart, this feels like a precious period of talking and bonding, even though the time they spend together, is in the midst of big life-or-death matters, like Tae Yeong rescuing the children from the mountain.

There’s a really nice note of nostalgia in their conversations, as they chat about how they’d first met, though Tae Yeong protests, every time Seung Hwi talks about them being each other’s first loves. 🥲

Aw. Poor Seung Hwi. It’s obvious that his heart only beats for Tae Yeong, and yet, every time he tries to talk about his feelings, he gets immediately shushed, with Tae Yeong reminding him pointedly, that she’s now a married woman.

Even though the mission at hand is really serious, I do love that there’s a lightness in their conversations.

Like that whole thing where Seung Hwi pretends to be a government officer and calls it “method acting,” HA!

I also couldn’t help but chuckle at Seung Hwi and his confidence in his sword dance – at which Tae Yeong rolls her eyes, and then teaches him how to properly wield a sword in self-defense.

And then what about the way Seung Hwi spins the imaginative tale about them being travelers who’ve happened on a cozy inn, when he and Tae Yeong hunker down in that abandoned hut, for shelter?

Trust Seung Hwi, though, to include that tidbit in his story, that he and Tae Yeong end up huddling through the night, because of the cold – which makes Tae Yeong all kinds of self-conscious and awkward. 🤭

Clearly, Tae Yeong is far from unaffected by Seung Hwi, even though she is careful to draw clear lines with him.

One beat that I really liked, is when Tae Yeong catches a fish with her bare hands; the way Seung Hwi promptly tosses aside the stick in his hands, so that he can applaud her feat, made me giggle.

He’s her biggest cheerleader, and I love that. 🥲

I find that I can’t help but root for these two, in spite of the circumstances, and that’s why my heart leaped along with Seung Hwi’s, when Tae Yeong says that yes, she’d agreed to let him come with her, because she’d wanted to spend time with him.

– And then my heart sank right alongside his, when she then says that it’s because she’s always felt that his feelings for her are due to regret, more than anything.

We quickly see that this is not the case, though, because when it comes to protecting Tae Yeong, Seung Hwi is unhesitating, even if it means risking – or even giving up – his life.

First, there’s the way he jumps off the cliff with Tae Yeong, to escape the private soldiers, but makes sure to cradle her mid-jump, so that his body bears the brunt of impact.

And then, at the end of episode 5, when he thinks that Tae Yeong’s on her dying breath, and that they’ve been surrounded by the soldiers, he turns to face them head-on, with full belief that he would die, and soon follow after Tae Yeong to the afterlife.

I mean, yes, we find out at the top of episode 6, that they aren’t in danger at all, but the fact remains, that Seung Hwi is completely unhesitating, even if means dying with Tae Yeong.

That is very moving stuff, and I imagine that the significance of it isn’t lost on Tae Yeong. 🥹

E5-6. At the end of it all, though, I’m really quite sad when the time comes for Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong to say goodbye.

Like, what do you mean, this is goodbye forever, after we’ve just spent two full episodes with the two of you spending time together, and communicating, and basically healing your hearts? 😭🥹

I do understand the logic of it, however.

Tae Yeong feels bound by duty, to do her best by the family that she’s chosen to marry into, and she feels that it’s her responsibility to take care of everyone and everything, particularly since Yun Gyeom isn’t there.

And as long as Tae Yeong makes this choice, there is no room for Seung Hwi to remain in her life.

It’s honestly sacrificial and gracious of him, to bow out of her life, the way he does, declaring that Goo Deok is dead, and setting her free to live her new life as Tae Yeong.

I do appreciate that tremulous note of honesty, though, where Tae Yeong tells him, via her veiled words, that he had been her first love too.

Augh. The heartaaache. ❤️‍🩹😭

E7-8. These episodes, I’m moved all over again, by Seung Hwi’s love for Tae Yeong.

After spending 7 years without her, and after sitting in prison for what appears to be a fair period of time, his first words, so gently spoken, upon seeing her, are, “Are you doing well? Are you happy?”

Augh. His heart is all for her, and it shines through his gaze, as he looks at her, with such tentative wonderment that’s tinged so clearly with sadness.

Right in this moment, I honestly felt so sorry for ever thinking that Tae Yeong would be better off with Yun Gyeom. 😭

Isn’t it also so endearing, that he would catch himself for speaking in too familiar a manner with Tae Yeong, and do his best to observe decorum, for her sake, because it’s clearly top of his mind, that she’s a married woman, and that he needs to observe the appropriate courtesies, for her sake. 🥲

I was admittedly quite amused by the details around how Seung Hwi’s book had gotten stolen, and then had been made a lot more bawdy and colorful to appeal to readers.

Seung Hwi’s determination to try to protect Tae Yeong’s ears from such distasteful drivel is really quite cute, and the whole scene is pretty great, with Man Seok comically narrating the saucy bits and all.

The thing that really hits me in the heart, is the reason that Seung Hwi gives for writing the book, even though he’d never had any plans to publish it; so that, at the end of his life, when his memory fades, he’d have a way to remember Tae Yeong, and the time that he’d spent with her.

Oof. That hit me really hard, no lie, and just how precious this sentiment is, made me glad for the time that Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong get to spend together, during this period. 🥲

I’d had no doubt that Tae Yeong would be able to resolve the issue for Seung Hwi and get him released from prison, but it was still satisfying to see the thief fail so hard at the test that’s administered, where he and Seung Hwi both attempt to reproduce the book from memory.

It’s great that Seung Hwi’s released from prison, and that the plagiarized books will be recalled, but it’s even more meaningful to me, that Tae Yeong manages to nudge along a father-son reconciliation, via this entire incident.

When Dad comes to watch Seung Hwi’s performance, on Tae Yeong’s invitation, and then seeks out Seung Hwi to tell him that he’s missed him, and that he’s still the eldest son of the family, I found it all quite affecting. 🥲

I’d thought it was heartless of Dad to have disowned Seung Hwi like that, so it feels like such a soothing balm, to now see Dad take it all back, essentially, and welcome Seung Hwi back into the family.

At this moment, we don’t know yet, if Seung Hwi will take Dad up on the offer, but just knowing that the option is open to him, makes the world of difference, I feel. 🥲

Of course, there’s also the quality time that Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong get to spend together, which feels very precious, in the light of how they are living such separate lives.

And, I’m glad that Tae Yeong expresses awkwardness at the formality that Seung Hwi adopts at first, which is how we get them to agree that this is just Goo Deok coming back to life, for a bit, and this is just Seung Hwi seeing her in his dreams, for a while.

Oof. That is so sweet yet achingly poignant, at the same time. ❤️‍🩹

And how can I not feel a stab of emotion, at the way Seung Hwi answers Tae Yeong so matter-of-factly, on why he’s stayed single all these 7 years; that Goo Deok is enough for him, and other women just have no meaning to him.

Ack. That is so casually swoonworthy! So much devotion, expressed in such an offhanded manner! How could I not swoon, yes? 🫠🫠🫠

We only see Tae Yeong stop for a moment, pausing in thought, but I can’t imagine her not swooning just like me – but on the inside. 🫠

It’s so great to see them doing simple fun things together, like trying on those glasses while shopping for souvenirs, and it’s just so poignant to think that this simple thing, is such a rare and precious opportunity for them to spend some time together. 🥲

And then there’s another one of those offhanded, knock-the-wind-outta-me swoony moments, when Seung Hwi responds to Tae Yeong’s question of why he’s looking at her like that, and tells her that he’s remembering this moment, both in heart and mind, so that he’ll be able to remember it all, when he wakes up from this dream.

AUGH. HOW IS SHE STILL KEEPING IT TOGETHER, IN THE FACE OF SUCH DEVOTION?? 🥹🥹

And then there’s also that moment when Seung Hwi tipsily comes into Tae Yeong’s room for a chat, and lays his head on her lap.

Doesn’t he look like he’s just soaking in so much happy contentedness, in this moment? 🥲

And isn’t it so meaningful, to hear Tae Yeong say that the reason she’d taken the risk of being recognized by Dad, was because she’d wanted to see his happy face?

It makes me sad to see this stretch of togetherness come to an end, when Tae Yeong packs her things and leaves, and Seung Hwi ponders her departure, saying in voiceover that he’s all alone again, and that it had been a dreamy moment that would never return again.

Oof. That note of wistful pathos really hit me in the heart there, because at his point, Seung Hwi genuinely believes that he will never see Tae Yeong again, and that these are the only memories that he will have, to light up the darkness that will be the rest of his life. 🥹

E9-10. The way Tae Yeong is saved from being a widow at the very last second was pretty exciting stuff, and I have to confess that I got a huge stab of satisfaction when Husband shows up and demands to know to whom she’s bowing, since he’s alive and well.

FWAH! That was satisfying!

I must say, Show plays it all very well, because for a good while, I was vacillating between thinking that Husband was Yun Gyeom without his memories, and that Husband was Seung Hwi in disguise.

Like, yes, he does feel like Seung Hwi, but then Do Gyeom is saying that this is his hyung whom he brought back from Qing, and we did see Do Gyeom meet Yun Gyeom in Qing, so it made logical sense that this would be Yun Gyeom – and if Yun Gyeom really had lost his memories, then no wonder he had ignored Tae Yeong that time, at the dock.

At least, that was my thought process.

But, as we now know, it really is Seung Hwi in disguise, and I have to say, the truth of how he’d chosen to give up his life as Seung Hwi – for good – in order to come to Tae Yeong’s rescue, is utterly moving. 🥲🥹

This, despite the fact that his life would be in serious danger, if his pretense were to be found out.

He would willingly give up everything and face that danger, if it means that he can save Tae Yeong.

THAT IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST SACRIFICIAL, GIVING LOVE, EVER. 🥹😩

The more I see of Seung Hwi’s love for Tae Yeong, the more moved I am by it, and these episodes, it really feels that he’s outdone himself.

The thing that really gets me in the heart, though, is that beyond any other telltale signs, the thing that had clued Tae Yeong in on the fact that Husband is none other than Seung Hwi, is his gaze – because no one else has ever looked at her like that.

AUGH. That really made my heart squeeze.

I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to regard Seung Hwi as a precious cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs.

How is his love so beautiful, so selfless and so pure..?? 🥹

E9-10. No lie, I had my heart in my throat, as Tae Yeong asks Seung Hwi if it would be ok for her to be selfish, just once – by choosing to stay in Cheongsu County, with him at her side, as her husband – and Seung Hwi earnestly asks Tae Yeong absolutely to do something for herself, finally.

And when Tae Yeong asks about his dream, I find it very touching, that Seung Hwi would say, in all earnestness, that he’s now on the biggest stage of his life, and is now the hero of the story, and married to her.

AUGH. YES, that is his story of the government officer and the lady, isn’t it???

Yes, I’m clutching my heart. 🥹

It feels so, SO precious, when Tae Yeong finally calls Seung Hwi “Husband” for the first time.

They’ve fought so hard, and overcome so many impossible obstacles, to finally be in this space, where she can call him “Husband.” It’s beautiful. 🥹

E11-12. One of the things that made me smile a lot, these episodes, was watching Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong adjust to being married to each other.

I gotta say, I’m loving Seung Hwi more and more; he just has such a simple and pure joy about him, simply from being allowed to be in Tae Yeong’s life. It’s precious. 🥲

It’s adorable how the fact that she addresses him as “Husband” for the first time, has him on cloud nine, for the rest of the day. 🥰

Of course, there’s a bit of disconnect between his understanding of their agreement, and hers; he thinks they are henceforth husband and wife, while she thinks that they’ve simply agreed to act as husband and wife.

A small but significant difference!

Although Seung Hwi is suitably disappointed to realize that he and Tae Yeong will not be automatically sleeping in the same room, I do really like how good natured he is, about it.

He doesn’t make a fuss, and, past the initial disbelief, he applies himself to helping her manage the household, and even writes her a letter to promise that he won’t exert pressure on her, but that should she summon him, he will come running to her, in just his socks – because of his haste.

Hee. That’s cute, and I love that she’s so tickled by this detail, when she reads the letter. 😁

Honestly, one of the things that really strikes me about Seung Hwi, is how he pays attention and listens, whenever Tae Yeong talks, even if it’s a detailed rambling about her work that really has nothing to do with him.

He really listens and absorbs everything that she says, and enjoys it because it helps him to know her better. I love that about him.

It’s kind of funny how Man Seok goes so far as to poke a hole in the ceiling in Seung Hwi’s bedroom, just so that Seung Hwi has an excuse to share Tae Yeong’s bedroom, but that cuteness quickly turns to pathos, when we see that Tae Yeong’s prone to nightmares because of everything that she’s been through.

I love that Seung Hwi dedicates himself to being her professional storyteller, so that she can fall asleep and have good dreams instead of bad ones.

I love how his talent comes into practical play so often in our story, even though it sounds like such a.. fluffy sort of skill to have. 😁

I also give Seung Hwi props for applying himself to studying for the state exam, given that he’s never liked studying, and that Tae Yeong’s given him a really punishing schedule to follow.

All because he wants to be a special inspector, and be able to do something to help the County – so that he can take some burden off Tae Yeong’s shoulders.

Aw. He really is precious. 🥲

It’s too bad that Tae Yeong gets all upset with him, when he goes out drinking with Do Gyeom, because she’s stressed out be the presence of those slave hunters, and blurts out that she’d been better off without him there.

It’s a little contrived the way he runs out, and she runs after him, thinking he’s left her for good, but it does give us a nice little poetic twist there, that she’s the one to run to him in her socks, rather than the other way around.

And then, we get that twist-reveal, that Seung Hwi hadn’t actually meant to leave her, but had simply left to go talk to the slave hunters – whom he’s engaged to search for her father.

It lands as a little contrived to my eyes, like I said, but HEY, I would much rather this, than have the slave hunters be searching for Tae Yeong, so I’ll call it a win. 😅

More importantly, I like that this facilitates an honest conversation between Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi, about their fears; how she’s afraid and anxious, and how he’s afraid and anxious too – and so to please let them be happier together, and not tell him to go anywhere, when he has nowhere else to go.

It’s a very significant moment, when Tae Yeong tells him, “Don’t go; please be by my side, Husband.”

Ahhh! This is the moment she decides to be truly married to Seung Hwi, and it’s vulnerable and honest, and just all-around great. 🥲

I thought it was cute that Seung Hwi piggyback carries Tae Yeong all the way home, and fends off Tae Yeong’s protests by saying that no one can say anything; he’s just carrying his own wife, hee.

Also, I do like that Seung Hwi helpfully directs Tae Yeong’s attention, by telling her that there’s no need to meddle in Do Gyeom’s affairs with Mi Ryeong, or Mak Sim’s relationship with Dokki; that they will sort things out on their own, and that she should pay attention to him instead.

That feels like wise advice, because it’s true that Tae Yeong’s spent all these years caring about everyone else but herself; it’s natural that she would care about everyone else’s relationship, but her own.

Heh. It’s cute that Tae Yeong’s peeved at Seung Hwi, but totally sees that he’s actually right. 🤭

ALSO. We’re finally getting some hyper-awareness and crackly tension 🔥 between Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi, as they navigate the, uh, indirect malt syrup kiss, and try to manage their individual desires to make that a real kiss, so that they won’t throw Seung Hwi’s studies off-course. 🤭

YAY that Seung Hwi comes in first in the state exam and becomes a top scholar, just like Do Gyeom.

Even better, that the reason he’d done so well, was because his answers had all come from how he’d paid attention and listened to Tae Yeong, when she’d talked about the work she was doing. I do love that. 🥲

It’s also very lovely and wholesome, to see the entire household celebrating together, with Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi hosting a feast for everyone, and everyone, servants and masters alike, just sitting around and laughing and eating and having a grand ol’ time.

And in the end, it feels fitting that Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong share their first proper kiss under the stars.

It somehow feels more fitting?

Like this is the place where they are not living under different identities; under the stars, they are truly themselves.

[END SPOILER]

Kim Mi Sook as Gran

I have a big soft spot for Gran, because she’s just awesome.

[MILD SPOILER]

It’s because of Gran, that Goo Deok gets to become Tae Yeong, after all. I love that moment in episode 3, when Gran tells Goo Deok / Tae Yeong not to worry; that Gran will take responsibility if anything were to go wrong.

It’s very moving, honestly, to see how Gran really has embraced Tae Yeong as her own granddaughter, and I just love her for that. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Kim Jae Hwa as Mak Sim

I found Mak Sim to be a very likable, heartfelt character, and thought that Kim Jae Hwa did a wonderful job of bringing her to life and adding warmth and presence to our story world, even though she’s a supporting character and therefore doesn’t get as much screen time.

[SPOILER ALERT]

I really felt for Mak Sim, when she loses her daughter Baek Yi (Yoon Seo Ah) in our early episodes, and in such a terrible way. 😭

Perhaps because of this, I had an extra big soft spot for the loveline between Mak Sim and Dokki (Oh Dae Hwan), which remains ambiguous for much of our story, but finally turns properly romantic, in our late stretch.

I was actually quite amused at how jealous Dokki gets around Man Seok (Lee Jae Won), because of Man Seok’s naturally flirty ways with Mak Sim. 🤭

It was fun to see it all boil over, and then it was also really heartwarming to see everyone come together to facilitate their wedding.

It was cute to watch the guys give Dokki a glow-up, and it was poignant and touching to see Tae Yeong talk to Mak Sim about allowing them to hold a wedding for her and Dokki.

The shared joy and laughter during that late night wedding was truly wholesome, and I love the idea of Dokki and Mak Sim finally being husband and wife, and having their own couple’s quarters. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Tae Yeong and Mak Sim

I also grew a big soft spot for the bond that grows between Mak Sim and Tae Yeong.

[SPOILER ALERT]

It’s very touching how Mak Sim accepts Goo Deok so readily, when Goo Deok assumes Tae Yeong’s identity.

And then, I found it just as touching, the way Tae Yeong does everything she can, to bring Mak Sim home, when she loses Mak Sim to Chief Lee, and then hears that he plans to sell her.

The fact that she would actually kneel, when the kneeling option had been thrown out as a taunt, says a lot about how deeply she cares about Mak Sim, and how important Mak Sim is to her.

And then, when Lady Kim actually gives Mak Sim back to her, the tearful joy that we see shared between Tae Yeong and Mak Sim, is so touching and so wonderful to behold.

These two women really are family to each other, and I love it. 🥲🥲

It’s so lovely, that Tae Yeong now has Mak Sim by her side, all over again. In a situation where they have both lost so much, this feels like a precious exception. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Lee Jae Won as Man Seok

I really enjoyed Man Seok as a character, and wanted to give him a bit of a shout-out.

I feel that Lee Jae Won just imbued Man Seok with so much heart.

Whether Man Seok was being his cheerful, cheeky self, or being all worried about his master, it felt very natural.

In short, I just liked him. 🥲

Man Seok and Seung Hwi

This relationship doesn’t get a whole lot of attention in our story, for the most part, but I really grew to appreciate this bond between Seung Hwi and Man Seok.

They truly stick together through thick and thin, and genuinely care about each other.

More than master and servant, they are more like friends or brothers, and I found this very endearing. 🥲

Lady Kim and Tae Yeong

I was very pleasantly surprised by the friendship that eventually grows between Tae Yeong and Lady Kim (Yoon Ji Hye).

[SPOILER ALERT]

Considering the cold and distant place where their interactions had started, I’m extra touched by the mutual care and respect that we see between them, in Show’s late stretch.

[END SPOILER]

Do Gyeom and Tae Yeong

I was touched by the strong bond between Tae Yeong and Do Gyeom, particularly in our early episodes.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-6. I’m glad that Tae Yeong stops Do Gyeom from leaving (though I can understand his desire not to burden his sister-in-law), because it’s true; they really are the only family left, to each other. 🥲

I can see why Do Gyeom would grow so attached to her; he really does see her as his mother, in a way, and it’s really very heartwarming to see how highly he esteems her, as he returns as the top scholar of the imperial examinations.

It’s actually quite cute to see Tae Yeong do the motherly thing, and try to find Do Gyeom a good marriage match.

[END SPOILER]

Do Gyeom and Mi Ryeong

I can’t say that I was all that invested in this loveline, but I grew to accept it as an integral part of our story world.

[SPOILER ALERT]

In episodes 7-8, I was actually low-key entertained by the drama-tropeyness of Mi Ryeong’s scheming, to snag Do Gyeom as a husband.

Afterwards, though, it all takes a dark turn, when it turns out that Mi Ryeong’s mother is none other than Lady Song (Jeon Ik Ryung), who’s basically scheming to kill Tae Yeong as revenge for the state of her family.

It makes sense that Lady Song had poisoned Mi Ryeong’s mind by only telling her the version of events where she and Lord Baek had appeared all kinds of saintly, while Tae Yeong had been the evil witch who’d manipulated their family to ruin.

I’d fully expected that Tae Yeong’s warmth and kindness would win Mi Ryeong over, in spite of herself, but it was still very gratifying to witness; again, like Seung Hwi’s said in the past, Tae Yeong has a warmth that just tends to move people’s hearts. 🥲

Afterwards, it does quite a while for Do Gyeom to resolve his internal conflict around Mi Ryeong’s ill intentions, in approaching him, but I’m glad that it all works out in the end, when he tells her the truth – that he loves her.

Yay that they then are able to approach their marriage with a clean slate.

[END SPOILER]

Do Gyeom and Seung Hwi [SPOILERS]

I just wanted to say that I really liked the burgeoning bond between Do Gyeom and Seung Hwi.

It’s true that Do Gyeom had lost Yun Gyeom at a young age, so it feels quite poetic, that Seung Hwi would fill that gap, and actually become the hyung that Do Gyeom had likely always yearned for, all these years. 🥲

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES [SPOILERS]

E13-14. Honestly, I’d expected these penultimate episodes to be harder to watch, since that is typically the case for most dramas.

Again, it’s because I’ve been bracing for the longest time, for everything to come crashing down on Tae Yeong and Seung Hui – because it has to, at some point, yes? 😅

And so, even though these episodes (again) proved to be not all that difficult to watch, as far as penultimate stretches go, I still felt that underlying tension of the impending difficult times to come, once Tae Yeong’s secret came out.

At the top of episode 13, I was really impressed with how Tae Yeong manages to keep her cool, in coming face to face with So Hye.

Of course, this was what I’d hoped she would do, but with So Hye being so aggressive, I did wonder if Tae Yeong would be able to gather her wits about her, and carry herself as Lady Tae Yeong, despite So Hye insisting that she’s Goo Deok.

I have to admit, it was really quite satisfying to see So Hye feeling so frustrated at being “proven wrong,” in her accusation that Tae Yeong was actually Goo Deok the slave.

Through it all, I really liked that Tae Yeong keeps her wits about her, and refuses to run away, because that would only prove So Hye right.

This is also why I was so perplexed at the plan that Seung Hwi hatches, to send fake slave hunters to So Hye, to tell her that her husband, Minister Park, had already caught the real Goo Deok.

I mean, yes, it does remove So Hye from Cheongsu County, but wouldn’t she find out quite quickly, that this was all a lie, upon her return to Hanyang??

It’s basically confirming for her, that she was right about Tae Yeong being Goo Deok, much the same as Tae Yeong running away would have.

I just.. find it hard to swallow that Tae Yeong would support this course of action, given that she’s shrewd and analytical enough to figure out that running away would give the game away.

Why wouldn’t she also figure out that sending in fake slave hunters would get So Hye out of their hair for a while, but would ultimately also give the game away??

Did they not think that So Hye would be able to act on this information, even after returning to Hanyang??

I’m trying to rationalize that this was a desperate measure, taken because So Hye wouldn’t stop poking around in Cheongsu County, but.. I’m having trouble buying what I’m trying to sell to myself. 😅

One of the moments I did very much like, these episodes, is when Lady Kim asks Tae Yeong about So Hye’s claims, and Tae Yeong comes clean to her.

Part of my brain was protesting that this was too dangerous, but my heart couldn’t help but be moved at Tae Yeong’s demonstration of trust.

She’s putting her fate in Lady Kim’s hands, with gentleness and confident trust, and it’s so beautiful, that we see that Lady Kim had protected and defended Tae Yeong, and even lied about when Tae Yeong had arrived in Cheongsu County, even before Tae Yeong had entrusted her with this secret.

I really felt their relationship deepen very significantly, in this scene. 🥲

I also quite enjoyed the arc of Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi helping everyone who’d been scammed, with the gift of aloe plants.

Seeing everyone band together as a community was very wholesome and gratifying.

Plus, we also get to see Seung Hwi and Tae Yeong traveling to Hanyang to sell the aloe, which allows them to visit Do Gyeom and Mi Ryeong.

It was also poignant to see them visit Tae Yeong’s mother’s grave, and then soon after, discover that Seung Hwi’s father had also passed away.

The way Tae Yeong prepared that memorial table for Seung Hwi’s father, was very sensitive and loving, I thought. With him being unable to pay his respects at the funeral itself, this allowed him to pay his respects, in the privacy of their own home. 🥲

Later on, I also thought it was quite touching, that Seung Hwi would tell Tae Yeong that the one thing he’d missed about performing – making people forget their troubles and be happy – he’s now tasted again, from helping the villagers with the aloe farming, and he finally understands more fully, why she works so hard to help others.

This is quite lovely, because it connects our OTP at a deeper level than before, and it feels apt, that Tae Yeong would therefore feel ready to finally consummate their marriage.

Beyond the skinship and kisses, which are quite tastefully, artfully filmed, I was more taken with the moment Tae Yeong asks Seung Hwi if she’s ever told him how much she loves him, and he answers, matter-of-factly, that she hasn’t, but he already knows.

Melt. That is very touching. 🥰

But of course, challenges and angst abound in the tail end of our episodes, and it’s not entirely surprising, but still aggravating, that Magistrate Kim’s been colluding with Minister Park to scam the villagers.

It’s so sneaky how they’re now trying to basically steal the aloe from the villagers, by acting like they own the land, when they don’t.

It was satisfying to see Tae Yeong win the case for the villagers in the provincial court, and then it was even more satisfying, to see that Seung Hwi had prepared a lawsuit to reveal all of Magistrate Kim’s crimes.

It feels fitting, for such a vile character, to die from the flogging that he receives as his sentence.

And then it feels like such a blessing, that Tae Yeong would be with child, and receive so much love from not just Seung Hwi, but from Mak Sim and everyone else as well.

..Which, of course, is when Show finally brings the hammer down, with Minister Park sending soldiers to arrest Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi.

Ack. It’s not looking good, with Tae Yeong being taken away, and Seung Hwi all conflicted about the signal that Tae Yeong’s sent him, that he should run away without her.

But, I have hope that Show will solve this for our OTP somehow.. and I’m counting on all the goodwill that they’ve garnered from all the Cheongsu County folk, to come into play.

For example, Lady Hong’s been talking about how she will absolutely repay Tae Yeong for everything that Tae Yeong’s done, and, well, I’m hoping that she’ll perhaps have some useful trick up her sleeve, that would help get Tae Yeong out of this bind, and into the happy ending that she so very much deserves. 🥲

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E15-16. I have to admit that, coming into this finale, I really had no idea how Show would give us a happy ending, even though my drama instincts were convinced that this just wasn’t the type of drama to end on a tragic note.

Now that I’ve emerged on the other side, I’m relieved to confirm that Show does, indeed, manage to stick the landing.

Not only does it give us an ending that makes narrative sense, it manages to give us a happy ending as well.

Considering that everything had looked so bleak and impossible when we began these finale episodes, that’s quite an accomplishment, in my books.

I knew that our leads’ secret would end up coming to light, because it’s just a drama law, essentially, that they would have to face the consequences for choosing to lie about their identities.

I just couldn’t figure out how Show would have Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi face the consequences of their fraudulent actions, while still managing to give them a way out, to have a happy ending together.

After all, Seung Hwi had even defied the King’s orders, and that in itself – before we even take into account the fact that he was impersonating Yun Gyeom, was punishable by death.

And so, I was on tenterhooks all through these finale episodes, hoping against hope that Show would come through for us, and give us a solid, happy ending, in spite of the odds stacked against our OTP.

In fact, the odds just seemed to grow bigger and bigger, backing our OTP deeper and deeper into a corner that looked impossible to get out of.

First, there’s how Tae Yeong can’t help but admit that she’s Goo Deok, when they bring in her father like that.

And then, there’s how Seung Hwi admits to any and all charges, of not just impersonating Yun Gyeom, but even murdering him, and gets thrown into prison.

Through all this, I was touched by the bond between Seung Hwi and Man Seok; they really each care so much about the other person, that they would put their own safety aside, for the sake of the other.

There’s the way Seung Hwi takes that arrow for Man Seok, in hopes that Man Seok would not get hurt, and therefore be able to run away.

And then there’s the way Man Seok refuses to run away, and instead, runs towards Seung Hwi, which lands him in prison alongside Seung Hwi.

With the prospects of survival are close to zero, I was extra touched by how Man Seok continued to put on a cheerful face, and eat heartily, while talking about having fun with Seung Hwi in prison, until they would eventually be executed.

I found it really touching, to see the way Man Seok really threw his lot in with Seung Hwi’s; truly, he’s committed to sticking by Seung Hwi’s side, for better or for worse.

That’s why I was so gutted, when we lose Man Seok. 😭

To think that he’d died because he couldn’t withstand the torture that they were suffering while under questioning, and to think that even with his dying breath, he was joking with Seung Hwi, and saying that he wanted Seung Hwi to name his son after him, in exchange for wanting to buy Seung Hwi that house by the beach. 😭😭

I think this really was the hardest bit of the finale, for me.

Like Seung Hwi says, Man Seok might be small, but the emptiness that he leaves behind, feels very large. 💔

I was comforted that Man Seok got to be buried in Cheongsu County like he’d said he wanted, and then I was comforted again, when we see Man Seok, in spirit form, come and eat Mak Sim’s food, and take his final bow.

The fact that we get to see Man Seok smiling, and saying that it had been fun, brought a good amount of solace to me, even though I still felt his loss keenly. 🥲

I hated that Tae Yeong gets sent back to So Hye as her slave, but I did find it stirring, that Tae Yeong would be galvanized into action, after reading Seung Hwi’s letter to her, where he says that his last story is about a strong woman who rises above her slave origins to become a legal advocate, and entrusts her to bring his story to a good end.

AUGH. I found this very, very touching, because Seung Hwi’s literally waiting to be executed, and yet, all he pours his efforts into, is encouraging Tae Yeong to keep going, and not be discouraged. 😭

Yes, it does feel like drama coincidence that Tae Yeong runs into Yun Gyeom and Hae Gang at the quarantine camp, but since this is one of the keys to our story turning around, I’m more than happy to roll with it.

While Tae Yeong and Do Gyeom work with everyone at the quarantine village to figure out the truth behind the mysterious disease, it’s heartening to see everyone in Cheongsu County banding together to help Tae Yeong, by putting forth a petition to the King.

After that, I’m glad that Yun Gyeom steps up to convey the truth about the disease to the provincial governor, because this saves the quarantine village from being burned down – and it also is the key to bringing Minister Park to justice, for all of his terrible deeds.

It feels fitting that he would die while being flogged, while keeping mum about the Left State Councilor, in much the same way So Hye’s father had died while being flogged, while keeping mum about Minister Park’s involvement.

It also feels fitting that So Hye would be sentenced to being a government maid, after all the sneering at her own slaves, and her mistreatment of them; this feels like a suitable punishment, for her to have to walk in their shoes.

After that, it’s gratifying to see that, thanks to everyone’s earnest petitions, Tae Yeong is granted a royal pardon, and is allowed to be a commoner; ie, she’s no longer a slave who belongs to someone.

It’s all very bittersweet for her, certainly, because she’s just received news that Seung Hwi’s died while in prison.

Which leads me to the Big Reveal, where we (finally, eventually) learn that the person who’d died in prison, hadn’t been Seung Hwi, but Yun Gyeom.

I don’t know why this hadn’t occurred to me, especially since Show had informed us via Hae Gang, that Yun Gyeom had been suffering from a heart condition for the last several years.

But no, I just kept waiting and hoping that the body they’d brought back from prison, would suddenly wake up; that was somehow the only way I’d imagined that Seung Hwi could have survived. 😅

I much prefer Show’s version of events, where Yun Gyeom grows increasingly burdened by all he observes of Tae Yeong, and wants to do something for her as her husband, after all that he’s failed to do, in terms of helping and protecting her.

With his heart condition in the picture, it makes sense that he’s close to death, and so, when he decides to swap places with Seung Hwi, with Inspector Heo’s permission, it’s a decision that gives Tae Yeong the chance at the happy and fulfilled life that he feels that he owes her.

I would have felt really bad for Yun Gyeom, if he’d actually been executed in Seung Hwi’s place, but since he basically drags himself to Seung Hwi’s prison cell, with his last shred of strength, so that he can breathe his last there, it feels much easier to accept.

And it really does feel like, with this one sacrifice, Yun Gyeom’s made up for all the ways in which he’d let Tae Yeong down, when he’d abandoned her. 🥲

3 year time skip later, it’s very comforting to see that Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi are, indeed, living in that house by the beach, with her father, and that they now have a son, who’s named Man Seok.

Aw. That somehow gives me a sense of comfort, as if Man Seok himself is with them, somehow. 🥲

It also feels poignantly fitting, that Do Gyeom and Mi Ryeong now have a daughter, who’s named Baek Yi. 🥲

And how perfect, that Seung Hwi’s finally finished his latest masterpiece, which is titled, “The Tale of Lady Ok.” 🥹

I love this idea, that now Tae Yeong and Seung Hwi will be able to spend their days together, with their loved ones, at this house by the beach, so full of contentment and everyday happiness; all of it earned through their faith, grit and love. ❤️🥲

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Solidly engaging and worthwhile.

FINAL GRADE: B++

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  The Tale of Lady Ok, is Melo Movie [Korea].

You can check out my episode 1-2 notes on Melo Movie on Patreon here.

Here’s an overview of what I’m covering on Patreon right now (Tier benefits are cumulative)!

Foundation Tier (US$1): Entertainment Drop (Sundays) + the first set notes of all shows covered on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Access (US$5): +Blossom [China]

Early Access Plus (US$10): +Motel California [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +The Witch [Korea] – starting soon!

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