Chuno - episode 11
Feb. 11th, 2010 01:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousie(And I mean this in a completely non-ironic way) My Hero.
I don't think I ever admired a drama character as much as I do Song Tae Ha, the rebel slave general.
This sequence almost made me switch who I shipped DG with. After all, DG/UN is so hopeless.
I loved seeing Un Nyun with the little prince. AWWWW.
And I also loved the new assertive UN (she is finally waking up!)
But not as much as teasing, in-love UN (this is so the face of a woman in love).
In all the grimmer and grimmer world of this, I appreciated a bit of comic relief. Yay.
Dae Gil was frightening me this episode - he still has his drive and his intensity has ratcheted up a dozen notches but he's been cut off from his moorings - he found Keunommi, and Un Nyun is married and thus lost. He still can't give her up but it's as if his strings have been cut. And he is frightening - I have no idea what he will do when he finds UN again. (On a shallow note, how gorgeous WAS he this ep?)
This scene made me cry. That is all I am going to say about that. Except for that this is the first time we've seen TH with tears in his eyes since the death of his family.
If I have one gripe (and it's a minor one) it's this one - when are UN and DG finally going to meet? We are on ep 12 and there is no sign of it! I am getting impatient and also worried that at this rate they'll meet in ep 22 for one brief scene and that is it. Come on, Mr PD, be kind to us DG/UN shippers, please? (Yes, I ship UN both with TH and DG. I am fickle this way).
I don't think I ever admired a drama character as much as I do Song Tae Ha, the rebel slave general.
This sequence almost made me switch who I shipped DG with. After all, DG/UN is so hopeless.
I loved seeing Un Nyun with the little prince. AWWWW.
And I also loved the new assertive UN (she is finally waking up!)
But not as much as teasing, in-love UN (this is so the face of a woman in love).
In all the grimmer and grimmer world of this, I appreciated a bit of comic relief. Yay.
Dae Gil was frightening me this episode - he still has his drive and his intensity has ratcheted up a dozen notches but he's been cut off from his moorings - he found Keunommi, and Un Nyun is married and thus lost. He still can't give her up but it's as if his strings have been cut. And he is frightening - I have no idea what he will do when he finds UN again. (On a shallow note, how gorgeous WAS he this ep?)
This scene made me cry. That is all I am going to say about that. Except for that this is the first time we've seen TH with tears in his eyes since the death of his family.
If I have one gripe (and it's a minor one) it's this one - when are UN and DG finally going to meet? We are on ep 12 and there is no sign of it! I am getting impatient and also worried that at this rate they'll meet in ep 22 for one brief scene and that is it. Come on, Mr PD, be kind to us DG/UN shippers, please? (Yes, I ship UN both with TH and DG. I am fickle this way).
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no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 09:23 am (UTC)If I have one gripe (and it's a minor one) it's this one - when are UN and DG finally going to meet? We are on ep 12 and there is no sign of it! I am getting impatient and also worried that at this rate they'll meet in ep 22 for one brief scene and that is it. Come on, Mr PD, be kind to us DG/UN shippers, please?
I think they are really going to meet (may be not in happy reunion way but at least UN is going to find out that he is still alive) pretty soon-ish. TH/UN is safely established now - it is about time for rocks to start falling. They have to make everyone suffer now, after the brief period of happiness.
I am happy with the way things going, as long as the events of the story are logical I am happy to have a ride with whatever the creators vision is. But yes, I have a feeling I had during the second 1/3 of "The Legend" - if it is up to me I would have loved OTP to meet much much sooner.. And I am with you on 2 OTPs here - in fact TH is so AWESOME that I don't mind his suffering anymore, I am sure he can cope.
Dae Gil was frightening me this episode - he still has his drive and his intensity has ratcheted up a dozen notches but he's been cut off from his moorings - he found Keunommi, and Un Nyun is married and thus lost.
he was indeed scary. But speaking of Keunommi's death - what an awesome scene it was (I watched it with subs yesterday)! Made so many things clear - it must have been so hard for DG when UN was kept in the cellar, starving to death...
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 02:54 pm (UTC)But yes, I have a feeling I had during the second 1/3 of "The Legend" - if it is up to me I would have loved OTP to meet much much sooner..
This is the longest otp separation in a drama I have ever seen - I am beginning to get antsy. I didn't get antsy with Legend or IRIS but neither had one nearly as long.
speaking of Keunommi's death
It's my favorite scene so far.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 02:59 pm (UTC)This is the longest otp separation in a drama I have ever seen - I am beginning to get antsy. I didn't get antsy with Legend or IRIS but neither had one nearly as long.
You are not going to go YAB on this? ** is worried ** I am actually beginning to think that TH/UN is the ultimate OTP of the drama (but I still think TH is going to die first , with DG as consolation prize)
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 03:01 pm (UTC)I am actually beginning to think that TH/UN is the ultimate OTP of the drama (but I still think TH is going to die first , with DG as consolation prize)
Not a bad consolation prize :P But joking aside, I still think DG is so very dead at the end.
How ironic - the reason UN is so idealistic is because of old DG.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 03:05 pm (UTC)I share this, to a point (I want to see jealous TH and jealous DG - AT THE SAME TIME), but some of the shows I liked previously (like "Nikita") had long period of separation and one of Russian films I liked ("Dolgaya doroga v dunah") had nothing but separation. I am fine with whatever writers choose - so far it all makes sense.
How ironic - the reason UN is so idealistic is because of old DG.
Exactly! This is one of the little things that make me squee inside with delight - everything comes back in circles! But now DG is something quite different!
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 10:09 am (UTC)Yes, it's starting to feel a bit dragged out. How many endings of Daegil in pursuit of UN did we get since the drama started? And, from the preview, he doesn't get to see her at the beginning of episode 12 either (since we see her and the gang at some kind of palace with DG and crew closing in once again).
I'm kind of hoping for a cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 12 with the meeting at the beginning of the drama. We've reached the half-way point and maybe the PD was waiting for that to keep a feeling of balance?
The other gripe that I have is that DG almost feels like a secondary character ever since Episode 7. I know that all the storylines are important but it feels like I'm seeing the ex-hunter and his slave wench more that I do DG and his crew.
I still love Chuno to death. It's hands down the best Kdrama I've ever watched. But I hope things won't go downhill in the secon half.
Also, I remember we talked about what DG was doing while UN was beaten and locked in the cellar. Well, now we know: he was crying in his room. A bit disappointing but I'd like to think he'd have done something about it at the last moment. And his reaction then might actually be fueling some feelings of guilt for not being pro-active when UN needed him. Which means we get even more angst from him and angsty!DG is the best.
Also, I watched eps 9 and 10 with subs and I have a different perspective on UN's character now. I think that she'll want to help TH and his men because she sees their efforts as a way to carry on DG's dream of changing the world. She'll do it for him, to honor his memory. Add to that the fact that she actually wanted to die with her Young Master all those years ago, and I think that DG/UN is still meant to be the (tragic) OTP. I believe she loves TH at this point, but it's a gentle love akin to a feeling of companionship and admiration that's not as deep as the all encompassing love she felt for DG. I might be wrong of course. We'll have to wait and see how the triangle plays out.
On a completely different note, here are the subs for Episode 15 of Tamra:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GZ2PMI7H
Only one more to go :o)
Oops
Date: 2010-02-11 10:11 am (UTC)I'm kind of hoping for a cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 12 with the meeting at the beginning of episode 13
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 11:22 am (UTC)Yeah - it was awesome in ep 2, fine in ep 8 but by ep 12 it's getting tiresome. It would be one thing if the story made it clear they weren't going to meet for e.g. next 5 eps because she was in Qing and he gave up and was doing xyz instead. But the constant teasing is another matter. How many times can he be thiiiiiis close and not make it? Come on. (This is the longest possible-OTP separation I've seen in any drama).
The other gripe that I have is that DG almost feels like a secondary character ever since Episode 7.
I thought I was the only one who thought that! The thing is, this is fine for the story (it flows well) and I wouldn't complain even though DG is my favorite character (it's not the first time a favorite character was a secondary one) except here Chuno is sort of a victim of its advertising. I would have assumed 'ensemble cast blah blah' except this was supposed to be with DG for a protagonist and for a protagonist he is getting pretty small amount of screentime. At this point it's basically 'TH and UN's rebellion with guest appearances by DG.' Which is fine - the story is cool etc but I can't help but be a little disappointed because I had different expectations.
Part of this is they have so many storylines going on at once. They had 9 storylines at one point! 9 separate ones in ep 10! - DG with SH, other 2 slavehunters, TH/UN, soldier with the Prince, evil minister, Cheon Jiho, Eop Bok and the slaves, Chul Woong, Jumos. But now some of them are merged so hopefully it won't be as scattered.
It sounds like all I have is complaints but that's not true - it's still an amazing drama - written and acted and filmed in an amazing fashion. The above gripes don't negate that.
But I will be shocked if DG/UN meet before ep 16. Shocked. GRRRRR.
Well, now we know: he was crying in his room
Yeah. I rolled my eyes at that. That definitely was not helping her. Though I think he would have done something - just needed to nerve himself - if he went after her during the invasion and also risked his parents' wrath by saying he wants to marry her, he wasn't lacking for guts.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 12:46 pm (UTC)Exactly. A part of me is wondering if the big hats at KBS aren't asking the PD to milk this as much as possible.
My heart can't take any more of this teasing. If there's no meeting in sight for episode 13, I think I'll give up watching the drama live and I will just wait until it's completed and I can watch the whole thing in one go.
I thought I was the only one who thought that!
Me too! I haven't seen anyone complain about it on the net. At first I thought it was just for a couple of episodes but it's been 7 of them so far.
At this point it's basically 'TH and UN's rebellion with guest appearances by DG.' Which is fine - the story is cool etc but I can't help but be a little disappointed because I had different expectations.
I think that's it exactly. It's all a problem of expectation. And, to be fair to us, we were led to believe it would center around the slave hunters (isn't it called Chuno after all?) and that the love triangle would have a lot of importance (a lot of promo with the three main characters together etc...). So far, it's more about the politicians, the rebels now led by TH and the rebelious slaves. And, romance-wise, it's UN and TH falling for each other.
Maybe it's to convey that the slave hunters are but flies caught in a big spider web and will be the victims of fate?
Still, I hope we'll be back to a more central DG. Seriously, if the actor wasn't so charismatic and if he didn't give such a powerful performance, DG would be easily lost and forgotten among all the other storylines.
And no matter how much I love Chuno, the plot isn't as tight as it could be these days. Take General Choi and Wangson's escapade in episode 11. It was funny, but it didn't really add anything. Is this KBS way of telling us the drama will be extended and they can now add fillers here and there?
But I guess I'm just chomping at the bit for a DG/UN reunion. Everything else that's not a major plot point is just an annoying distraction for me. I've been waiting for them to meet again since the beginning of the drama and I've been denied my crack. I literally crave it. Also, I'm always more invested in gray characters that walk the thin line between sanity and madness. Which is why I prefer DG to the more conventionnally heroic TH and I'd like to see more of him. If I had to draw parrallels with Gladiator (another favorite movie of mine), TH would be the morally upright Maximus and DG would be a toned-down Commodus. I watched Gladiator for crazy, pathetic Commodus, not Maximus.
When the drama is over, I'll probably be able to watch the entire thing again without being so frustrated over little things.
But I will be shocked if DG/UN meet before ep 16. Shocked. GRRRRR.
Nnnnooooo! Don't even think it! Oh, the pain, the angst for the viewers.
30 minutes until episode 12.....I feel like an addict!
You're very welcome for Tamra :o) But I'm afraid I have bad news. I visited the AEntertainment page this morning and it looks like the dvd won't come out until may now! I'm so glad I took the time to type the subs because time will pass very slowly until may methinks.
PS:
if he went after her during the invasion and also risked his parents' wrath by saying he wants to marry her, he wasn't lacking for guts.
Yes. He was extremely naive though. In a way, KN was right: DG brought it all on himself by stating his intention to marry UN. Did he not see his father for who he was? Or did he truly believe that he would soften at the word "love"?
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 02:50 pm (UTC)I've been reading soompi spoilers and *bites tongue as do not know your spoilerphile/spoilerphobe status*
DG brought it all on himself by stating his intention to marry UN. Did he not see his father for who he was? Or did he truly believe that he would soften at the word "love"?
I don't think he ever really saw his father for what he was - I am sure the father was nice enough to him. And in those flashbacks he comes across as almost painfully naive - that conversation with UN when he tells her he will make a new world? It's one thing when it's an escaped General with a complex, super-well-together plan, a royal successor in tow, and troups, tells that. When a naive young scholar says that - how does he think he will achieve it, precisely?
Also, I'm always more invested in gray characters that walk the thin line between sanity and madness.
TH is my favorite character but DG is the most interesting one. So I want more of him. Not at the expense of TH or UN, but trimming secondary storylines would be lovely (we all have our biases - I am not too interested in Eop Bok and co. or the Jumos and the artist and horse guy). Not that the story is bad now but if we were going with personal biases - that is always an issue in an ensemble drama (which is what this is, despite misleading advertising). It doesn't hurt that I think Jang Hyuk who plays DG basically burns up the screen whenever he's on and I am a huge fangirl of his anyway - the main reason I checked out Chuno (other than innate love for period dramas that aren't 80 eps long) is because he was going to be in it.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 04:56 pm (UTC)OMG yes! I watched ep 12 on KBS Able and it kept me on the edge of my seat. So much DG goodness! I take back what I said in the post above, I'm fickle that way, lol. But the PD sure is evil: he loves torturing us along with his characters :o)
Did you read all the spoilers? I don't know how much I should discuss if you haven't seen the episode yet. And there's also something very interesting about the preview for ep 13.
It's one thing when it's an escaped General with a complex, super-well-together plan, a royal successor in tow, and troups, tells that. When a naive young scholar says that - how does he think he will achieve it, precisely?
Definitely. Plus TH looks so in charge right now. A badass general. Everything was planned from the beginning and they're very organized. DG had that naive, dreamy outlook. He was a sheltered idealist. I wonder if we'll see flashbacks of how he became what he is now. Perhaps when/if he tells his story to UN? Because she will surely have a shock when she sees him since she has only known him as the gentle master dressed in silk clothes.
Not that the story is bad now but if we were going with personal biases - that is always an issue in an ensemble drama (which is what this is, despite misleading advertising).
Very true. We always pick favorites. And this episode was heaven for me because it was mostly centered on DG/UN/TH.
the main reason I checked out Chuno (other than innate love for period dramas that aren't 80 eps long) is because he was going to be in it.
You know, I hadn't heard of JH before starting Chuno. He's a real discovery for me. So far so good. He's an excellent actor. It's rare to see one that can immerse himself in his role so completely and 'burn the screen' as you say. Very powerful performance. And I have a feeling it's just the beginning.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 05:10 pm (UTC)Oh Yes. I am a total spoiler whore. I can't wait until my download is complete.
I wonder if we'll see flashbacks of how he became what he is now
I really hope so. It's a huge change (though he must have had a lot of inner unused toughness even before to be able to survive and become the man he is now).
Re: JH. If you ever want to check out other dramas with him, I really recommend Thank You - it's a lowkey melodrama (yes, I know that sounds contradictory). He's a surgeon with enough issues for a lending library who ends up on a small island and meets a single mother whose daughter has HIV.
I fell in love and did huge episode recaps/picspams if you are curious:
http://dangermousie.livejournal.com/tag/thank%20you
Here's the ep 1 one:
http://dangermousie.livejournal.com/1251502.html
http://dangermousie.livejournal.com/1252087.html
no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 05:46 pm (UTC)I see you're just as bad as I am when it comes to that kind of thing :o)
So, HE SAW HER! At last. Of course we can't look forward to any interation between the two because it seems pretty clear from the preview for ep 13 that DG leaves without UN seeing him.
So much pain. And he was so sure she would be living in misery like him. To see her happy and smiling at another man...I wonder if he'll feel betrayed or if he will just sort of collapse?
Did you read about him wanting to give up being a slave hunter in the preview? That could mean two things:
*His sole reason for being a hunter was to find UN. He's found her, she's happy and doesn't seem to need him *cue angst*
*Somehow, UN and TH don't get married. DG knows and wants to stop being a hunter so that he can deserve her.
Somehow I think 1 is more likely. Poor DG :( If that happens, he will have no reason to live anymore. It didn't seem like he had any lifeline or goal save for UN.
Re: JH. If you ever want to check out other dramas with him, I really recommend Thank You - it's a lowkey melodrama (yes, I know that sounds contradictory).
Hotness! It really interested me up to the point where I read about Dead!Gal. I try to stay away from stories where one of the main characters has loved deeply before. To me, the hero(ine) feels like second best then.
When I read/watch fiction, I want the "soulmate" kind of love.
After seeing the caps for Ep 1, it would be hard for me to believe in a romance between the two main characters.
And I think that's why I couln't like the very popular Legend either. The hero spent almost all of the drama in love/obssessed with the other main female character and I just couldn't believe in the OTP.
Chuno is the first drama that I watch with that theme and that I'm enjoying.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-18 02:48 am (UTC)Probably first then the latter.
Re: reasons. I think it was in part vengeance (catching slaves is like punishing them for what KN did) and in part finding UN. Only now he found UN and he also got his revenge on KN only both proved meaningless and bitter.
Hotness! It really interested me up to the point where I read about Dead!Gal. I try to stay away from stories where one of the main characters has loved deeply before. To me, the hero(ine) feels like second best then.
I was going to rec Robbers but the heroine is a widow. Hmm, I don't mind if the heroine loved before but I mind more if a hero did. Also, if they are portrayed as soulmatey (ie the new OTP is) I like it. Aeriously - Robbers is a yummy angstfeast, try it :)
no subject
Date: 2010-02-24 11:26 am (UTC)Yeah, I'm the same. I don't mind it so much when it's the heroine that has loved. Talk about a double strandart!
I've been severely burned by that kind of heroes in romance novels and am not very tolerant of them. I'm talking about the kind that will cry out their dead love's name while making love to the héroine. It makes me queasy and I want to throw the book against the wall.
So grieving widowers are a big NoNo for me, be it in romance novels or in movies.
I've heard so many good things about Robbers.....tempting, very tempting...Darn, who am I kidding? It'll be on my comptuer before the month is out! Don't know when I'll get around to watching it though. But it'll give me something to look forward to when Chuno is over.
no subject
Date: 2010-02-24 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-24 04:35 pm (UTC)ETA
Date: 2010-02-11 11:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 09:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-18 02:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-11 10:59 pm (UTC)I'm afraid I will have to watch Chuno....
But looks like DG is going to die, and maybe TH too, and maybe UN and maybe EVERYBODY else!!!!! They're DOOMED!!!!
Emma
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Date: 2010-02-18 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-12 04:45 am (UTC)<333
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Date: 2010-02-18 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-18 02:47 am (UTC)LMAO!