I present this scene without further comment

[dangermousie]

God, they are so happy and in love and open and young. I want to protect them forever.

And then I stopped because I was exhausted from recent computer issues but also because I just know doom is coming and I want to bask in that moment of happiness a bit longer.

This is not related to the above or to any particular episode, but this drama, different as it is from Chuno in a lot of aspects, reminds me of it in a very big way - both show the horrible rigid confinement of the society portrayed - nobody in it is free in any way, with the possible exception of the King. Take SR - she can never strive for anything in life - her only purpose is to become a wife, but she cannot even pick a husband or have any voice in the matter at all. She is a petted, dressed-up doll. And sure, men have somewhat more freedom - SY has things he can do with his life in addition to matrimony, but they are still horribly constrained - the list of acceptable occupations for SY is pretty short and he has the same amount of choice to pick a spouse as SR does - i.e. none. They are controlled pawns for the entirety of their existence. And (this is what gets me), in that world this is as good as it gets! They are super upper-crust - a starving and cold peasant would kill to be able to have their life for even a day. The constraint and waste of it all really gets me.

Comments

[troisroyaumes]

I love, love that scene; it will make the heartbreak even more, well, heartbreaking. T_T

I would argue that even the King isn't free; his power is constrained by the support of the nobles. And yes, I completely agree that one of the major themes are the restrictions--and the longing to escape those restrictions--on all the characters, no matter their position in society. I really like how they reinforce these with symbols like the bird cages for Princess Gyeong-hye and the swing and the horse ride for Se-ryeong.

[dangermousie]

That is true, especially with a weaknking like this one. I just cannot help but look at this and think what a giant waste of all these people and potential talent.

[(Anonymous)]

They would do such a good married couple! Gah both would go together to somewhere quiet for him teaches her how to ride a horse... they would make pretty babies and life so in love and happy ... but it won't happen!!! Nooo!


I love tragic love story, but they also makes my heart pain so much.. lol I'm sadic.. (thinking again, even if they married maybe they wouldn't be happy, because SR's father would try to control SY's and make him do things he wouldn't want to do... and since for SR's her father is a important person, she and SY wouldn't be in harmony or alone in peace ... )

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, but if their families were allied, I don't think he would hate helping her father. I don't think he would be keen on murder or anything but her dad is savvy and knows that. But if course, that is not to be, poor poor kids.

[sanaenam.livejournal.com]

Your point about the constraints the most privileged of Joseon society experienced - and even the king - totally true. Watching sageuks made me realize that it would have been quite stifling (at best) or utterly wretched to be alive - powerful or not - in those days.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

That's what I think about any place before modern times, tbh.