The Princess' Man - ep 4

[dangermousie]

How I love thee, drama!



I am going to talk just a little about ep 3 first. First of all, objectively it's wrong that SR sneaks out to meet SY one last time after she finds out that their betrothal is not to happen and that he is to marry Crown Princess, who he thinks she is. Not only is it against societal rules (and how badly it is viewed and can be punished we can see in ep 4) and against the promise she gave the Crown Princess, it is unkind to SY - it was one thing to pretend to be the Princess when she thought she was checking out her future house and the most that would come out of it is they would meet at the betrothal or wedding and she'd go "pleasant surprise to yooooou!". But she knows now he's engaged to someone else, someone else she's impersonating, so it's going to be horrible for him. But I still don't blame her at all - she's young and confined and in love and just wants to be happy one last time.

I love this scene of them hiding from someone tracking them just because it's gorgeous and also beause you see SR experience a frisson of sexual awareness. If you think about it, given the rigid confines of societal rules, this is probably the first time she's even been this close with a man who is not her relative, a man whose fingers are touching her mouth, even if it's to hush her.























I couldn't hate the Crown Princess even after she did something indubitably cruel - instead of letting SR apologize to SY for deception, she made her hide in the room, called SY and revealed she's the Crown Princess and his future wife and that girl he's been meeting is a lady-in-waiting she made to dress as her and to never seek her out. The joy on SY's face slowly changing to shock and despair as he sees the Crown Princess, killed me. And yet I can't hate the Princess - she's fighting for her family's survival.














Oh, did I mention SR's father betrothed her to hot, eventually evil Officer and friend of SY? Yeah. She doesn't know that yet. This is going to be a clusterfuck.





SY's torment kills me, and it's only the beginning.





He's there on betrothal day, but he's looking for SR - he doesn't know who she is or where. And to get rid of him, Crown Princess' servant tells a fateful lie - she says not to look for the impersonator because if the impersonation becomes known, the girl would lose her life.





Oh God. So close yet so far. He doesn't see her (but all I could think during this scene wasn't the romantic tragedy but how confined women are - no wonder she wants to ride - she never travels faster than the walking pace of the litter and can't really even look outside, with no windows).








Her father's machinations lead to the fact that instead of being appointed Prince Consort, he's led off by the cops - father got news SY has been meeting with a noble woman outside the palace and that this woman is the Crown Princess (if only he knew that it was an impersonator, and that impersonator his own daughter). So now, disrobed and bound, he's dragged in front of the King and court for interrogation and as she's walking out from Royal School with the other Princesses, they see each other! It kills me, that even in the midst of an ordeal that will most likely end up with his death (and because of her!) his face lights up when he sees her and he fixates on her from the excusion of anything else because he's finally found her.








He begs the guards to let him turn just once more, but when he turns, she's gone.











So he's marched into the impromptu court instead (btw, anyone notice an impressive array of torture implements alid out prominently on the table? So glad I do not live there).








And his father has to watch (that is a brilliant plan on Sejong's part btw - if his son gets beheaded, I severely doubt the most prominent supporter of the King's faction is going to stick with the King). Honestly, I know he's stepping over bodies left right and center, but this whole sequence proves why he's the tough, smart, ruthless, alliance-building man who should be King, not the weak and ailing present ruler (who can't seem to do anything) or his weak young son.








Meanwhile, SY races to beg Crown Princess to save SY.





They ask him for an explanation and SY starts saying he was with another woman outside the palace, not the Crown Princess, an explanation that would save him, but then he remembers the maid's lie that if the impostor is found out, she'll be killed and clams up. OMG, he's about to be executed, with nobles clamoring in unison for his neck, and it's her (unwitting) fault and she deceived him and broke his heart and he will still not save his life if the cost of it is her own.





Crown Princess intervenes but its futile and SY is thrown in jail, likely to be executed tomorrow. The "best" part is nobody thinks he seduced her or anything (that was the initial thought and even then my attitude would have been who cares - they are supposed to be married asap anyway) after Crown Princess interferes, but they are going to take his head anyway, because he simply met the CP outside. Fun place, this.









And SR calls in every favor she can to get to see him inside the prison (where she is the only bright and clean thing).




















I love that while he's (justifiably - because he doesn't know the truth) mad at her, he still loves her and is so gentle with her. Gentle, that is, until she tells him to save himself by telling them he was with her instead. And he remembers what the maid told him and stiffens and almost yells at her "do you want to die so I can live?" Because he cannot do that. He still doesn't know who she is, thinks she's a random lady in waiting.














She starts to explain who she is, and why that won't happen (I'd love someone dare to try to harm Sejong's daughter!) but is interrupted when she hears footsteps because SY is about to have another visitor, her father!

















This drama continues so gorgeous, its unreal:











I've heard the actress who plays Crown Princess has got into a car accident (wtf is with this epidemic, Korea?) and hurt a rib, which might affect next week's eps. To which I utter a confused "huh?" Isn't it a bit early for a sageuk to do liveshoots? (Take a look at Warrior Bae Dong Soo - they've filmed 17-18 eps by now and are only on ep 10 in airing, that's much more typical). Also, we did see previews for next week, which is not usual for liveshoots. Not to mention I saw caps from stuff that conceivably happens much later. So hmmmmm.

Oh, and this is not related to anything else in the post, but I simply had to share.



I have no intention of ever watching Scent of a Woman but that gif made me verrrrry happy!

And this cap:



Grrrr, if only it was about anything else instead of terminal cancer. No thanks.

I promise to get to comments asap!

Comments

[troisroyaumes]

This drama is so amazing! <3 <3 <3 Moon Chae Won and Park Shi Hoo have incredible chemistry, especially in this episode. /happy sigh

[dangermousie]

I know, they have a really good, organic chemistry. I am impressed and will probably bawl like an idiot by the end.

[(Anonymous)]

Hehehe I'm also loving this drama! So pretty. You have to watch episodes 5 and 6. Episode 6 has such a pretty scene that I didn't know at what to look. Everything was too pretty and I had to replay the scene over and over again. I kind which I was a photographer for this drama, I would love to take pictures of these pretty hanboks, scenery and flowers...

And GAH SY is sooooooo gentle. Love love him. He can try to be mean/ignore SR but he can't gah, breaks my heart. I bet this won't be the same after his father be killed by revenge will reach her too? I wonder. (I wonder if his character be able to replace my fav lead man of this year? Dong Joo from Can You hear my heart? )

And, omg poor girl - Crown princess - hope she gets well soon! And omo didn't know she was in Lie to Me. For me she is rocking the fierce Crown princess.
Episode 6 made me think ''wow she is a good actress''

-Btw, love what you said about SR, SY and the CP. I did say in your later post that I understand and can't be angry at the CP for doing what she did.
After all, it's SR fault, even though she meant no harm.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Dong Joo was such love. I am glad I am not the only one who likes kind, gentle heroes who deal with trauma.

And yes, this drama is so gorgeous, it is almost ridiculous.

I bet there will be a lot of angst after SY's family gets murdered (not like there is nit enough already) but somehow I cannot see him being cruel to her even after that. To me, a big part of the tragedy is that SY is such a kind good person who has done nothing to have his heart ripped ot the way it will be.

Yes, Crown Princess is in an unfeasible position. She is not sweet and fluffy but I feel for her.

[hollyxu.livejournal.com]

There are no previews for ep7, so I guess they're entering live shooting super early - which is worrying, given they have 24 eps to work with. D:

Too tired to have thinky thoughts, will talk to you later!

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Apparently they shot large chunks of upcoming eps already - I guess they are doing filming out of sequence, just doing scenes which require a lot of prep first - I saw shots of SY on slave ship etc. Which is good because it means they had the whole story outlined, not working on the fly.

[princesagr.livejournal.com]

*Skipping Prince's man*

Oh holy crap, isn't he HOT???? *salivating mode on*

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

He is so ridiculously gorgeous, it is unreal.

[princesagr.livejournal.com]

I agree. And although I am not really into Asian men (I prefer our local Medditeranean hotties) he is so freaking hot.
And because I am such a good girl, a little present for ya
http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/bmiddle/4bbe5d31tw1djsdwblpm7j.jpg
http://ww2.sinaimg.cn/bmiddle/4bbe5d31tw1djsdwblpm7j.jpg
(dunno how to post em in an answer)

*credits @soompi user so3

PS: Anyone need a cold shower?

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

I'm so addicted to this that I've committed to translating the whole thing in French. I'm trying madly to catch up with the first four episodes so that I can then follow the realeases from viki. 2 episodes a week will be okay. I'm doing 4 in 3 days right now and it's hell :o)

From a subber's perspective, a pre-emption next week would be godsend because I'll be able to catch up more leisurely but from a viewer's perspective it's not so good. But the cast and crew probably need that break as much as the actress playing the Princess does.

I've watched episodes 5 and 6 raw and there's no preview for next week so it doesn't surprise me to learn that they're doing live shoots. I know they filmed some stuff like SY's stay on a slave ship a while ago but all the more mundane scenes are probably only being filmed right now. I agree that it's a bit early for a saeguk to enter the craziness of live shooting though. I hope they'll be okay and that there won't be anymore accidents. It's a wonder nobody's been killed.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are translating? I am way impressed.

I cannot wait for subs for 5 and 6. I tend not to do raws unless I know the story because I found out it spoils some of the fun for me, but waiting is haaaaaard.

They need to do something about the insane roads, it is a miracle none of these actors have been killed.

[cleobulle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm back to translating. The last drama I did was Chuno. I was going to do Tamra but then someone started releasing episodes a few weeks ago so there's no need for me to do it. PM doesn't reach people on a large scale because none of the major English subbing teams took it up (and so none of the major French subbing teams took it up either) so I thought it would be nice for the French fans to be able to watch it.

Episodes 5 and 6 are awesome. Not much OTP time in episode 5 but episode 6 more than makes up for it.

But that leaves me scratching my head a bit though. It's billed as an epic romance but, with what's coming, I'm pretty sure the OTP screen time will be reduced, especially during the part he will be a fugitive immediately after the death of his father.

I like the drama as it is now but I don't think it should be called a romance per se.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I do think it is an epic romance by sageuk standards. It has abut 6 times more romance than any other period kdrama I've seen.

[angelajewell.livejournal.com]

These are actually my two favorite shows right now. I guess City Hunter tickled my "all must die" bone, since I don't usually go for these type of dramas. ^_^

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Heed, I am so addictedto princess man, it is not even funny

[(Anonymous)]

I think it's because they've already done a lot of later episodes (maybe not in their entirety). They've filmed stuff like the slaughter of SY's family and the aftermath (slave ship) first, probably because it would be impossible to shoot all of that stuff live, but the quieter palace city-centric scenes probably haven't been done yet. Worrying, but those scene don't involve too much, so hopefully it won't have an impact on the quality of the drama.

Plus, Park Shihoo has already cut his hair, so I'm assuming they've done a lot of the parts where he's underground in peasant/slave clothing.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh, that explanation makes sense, thank you. I am so curious about the whole slave thing - is he going to hide himself as a slave voluntarily or would flunkies sell him (which seems risky on their part - le aving him a live after murdering his while family is asking for trouble, the fun of making him suffer aside).

[(Anonymous)]

Hi^^ I'm dying to watch episode 5 with subs... viki's subs are almost 100% XD 97% right now, in a hour or half a hour it will be 100% subbed!! Weeee!!

Btw, Scent of Woman is good!^^ So far she is living her life the way she always wanted and plus have this hot guy around her ^^ ~ And must I say the scenery is gorgeous? I want to go to okinawa after watching this drama...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I have to wait for softsubs with Princess Man and it's killing me.

[sanaenam.livejournal.com]

One correction - Sejo, not Sejong. Sejong the Great is the one responsible for the development of the hangul and the father of both the current king and the now Grand Prince Suyang/future King Sejo (Se Ryeong's father).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I realized it after I posted it and was too lazy to edit :P