The world's longest Jumong post...
Jul. 13th, 2007 03:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieI have just come to the horrified realization that I am already in the middle of ep 12 of Jumong and don’t have volume 2 (eps 21-40) here. Must order pronto.
(I don’t even ship them (Jumong and shrine maid) but I squeed like a squeeing thing ;))
You know what’s funny? Jumong is 81 eps long. Since each ep ranges from 1:00 to 1:10, that is over 90 hours of stuff, at the very least. Yet, somehow, it doesn’t feel too long, and I am not ‘get to the point’ or what not. Instead, I am giddy at prospect of more Jumong and, because it’s written so well, and has so many plots and characters (never losing sight of its main one), each ep is crammed with wonderful stuff. This is an 80ep drama that doesn’t drag, which is kinda insane because I’ve seen plenty of 10 eps ones that did.
Also, I am sad I can’t take screencaps of the DVDs because…so beautiful. There are so many moments I want to cap, that would make awesome icons. I keep thinking of the shot of Haemosu and Yuhwa sitting on the mountain, grass green around them, and they are the only specks of other color, holding each other.
Btw, you know how I mentioned Jumong had a ways to go before he is half as cool as his father? Well, by ep 12, he is just as cool and the thought of him having 60+ eps of getting even cooler, is awesome.
You know the scene that stayed with me the most, from this recent batch of episodes? Jumong, going down on his knees to Daeso, and quietly asking him ‘spare me my life’ and telling him Daeso knows he is not a threat, has no title etc etc, so why kill him?
Because it doesn’t come across as cowardly, not at all. When Daeso and Yongpo and their assassins came after him, repeatedly, he fought and held his own.
But he is still a very young man, heartbreakingly young actually. And a small part of him just can’t believe that his half-brothers would seek to kill him. It’s his family. He is a capable fighter now, but he is so very human, and that is why the drama works so well, never feels weighed down by gold-plating. It never lets us forget that inside the armor, or period clothing, there is this very real, breathing, living human being caught in circumstances much too huge and unfortunate for him.
And when Daeso throws in his face that he (Daeso) knows Jumong is no threat, he just hates him…argh.
It’s just watching Jumong plead, on his knees to Daeso *stab* broke my heart in all sorts of ways (also, this drama is rather subtle, isn’t it? Jumong mentions in passing that Daeso already paid him back, by making his childhood hell. But the drama never really dwells on the ‘poor little abused boy’ thing, does it? Yay.)
And a scene like that is one of the many reasons that I actually find myself thinking that the OTP stuff is one of the less interesting strands of the story. Mind you, I like the OTP development, very gradual. I like how Sosuhno learns Jumong was a prince, he didn’t lie. I love the way she (unobserved) watches him train (and he is damn good now) and there is something else in her eyes. I love how she is jealous, mutely, when she sees him hold the shrine maid. I love that she offers him a position in her retinue, and I love that he refuses, even though it means comfort, and safety, because he must take care of wounded Haemosu (oh, Jumong, you are so wonderful. Seriously. He is incredibly loyal. I guess he takes after his Dad). And I love how she is receiving knowledge that she’s had her chance and lost it, and now he is not a puppy any more, but full well on his way becoming a tiger (yeah, mixing species) and she had her chance to tame him, take him in, and blew it (of course, since I know they are the otp, not true, but she doesn’t know it).
So I love it all, but the thing is, I love the messed-up family dynamic, the political interplay even more. It’s so interesting about Kumwa. He learns Haemosu is alive, but he is not rushing to see him, he is not killing the Priestess for locking him up etc etc. He is deeply ambivalent. In a way, it is better for Kumwa if Haemosu remains a reproaching ghost. Points to the drama for not making it about Yuhwa, and romantic rivalry. It’s just Kumwa is older now, more staid. In a way, the duties of politics, responsibilities of kingship, the juggling, have turned him into more of his father than he’d admit. As a crown prince, he was free to be dashing and rebellious, and disregard everything but the freedom struggle but I understand why he can’t see it that way now. That is why Jumong will take up Haemosu’s mantle: Jumong is young and idealistic, Jumong doesn’t have to rule yet. In a way, passion is for the young, the drama seems to say. Caution is for the old. Unless you are Haemosu, the eternal rebel, of course. Or someone like who Jumong turns out to be: genius on the battlefield who does not give up. But if you are not exceptional, like Haemosu was, like Jumong will be. If you are merely capable, merely ‘good enough’ like Kumwa? You are too trapped to break free.
I love the parallels between Haemosu and Jumong btw. There is the archery, as Jumong is natural with the bow, and his shooting is so much like Haemosu’s. There is the whole clip I saw from some future episode, where he is a captured rebel in a cage, just like his father was years earlier. There is his fighting. I saw preview for ep 13 and Kumwa sees Jumong take on a whole squad, and he fights the way Haemosu did: full absolute dedication and speed.
But then Jumong is growing up amazing, isn’t he? And everything is a learning experience. He is learning leadership on a small scale with the three ‘flunkies’ he acquired. In fact, he gets them jobs: he really takes care of them. And the scene with the shrine maid, when he says he is sorry and he will repay her, and he means it (and then he hugs her and kisses her forehead, eeeeeeeee! And Sosuhno sees). Song Il-Gook is wonderful in the role btw: you can see Jumong’s progress, his maturation, in his face. There is never a false note from him.
I love all his scenes with Haemosu, so much. Because Jumong is learning to respect and be grateful to and even maybe love Haemosu, without knowing who he is. I love all the scenes when Haemosu trains him, and the way they fight in tandem when the brothers’ assassins come after them, and the scenes on the mountain top when Haemosu teaches him (OMG, those montages of Jumong training, almost ballet-like with the sword? HOT. *dies*). And he helps Jumong to find mental equilibrium too. Jumong desperately needs a teacher, someone to look up to, a certainty in his newly insane world, and Haemosu is it. There is enough distance between them that Jumong is independent, but there is understanding and support when he needs it, too. I love that Jumong shares the secret of his identity with Haemosu, his turmoil over his family, that he stays to take care of him as Haemosu got wounded in their escape from assassins. He won’t leave him on the run, and he won’t leave him after, even though Haemosu tells him to and Sosuhno offers opportunity for safety. Yesssss!
Haemosu is replacing Kumwa, isn’t he? Jumong, is after all, forced to confront the fact that his ‘father’ (Kumwa) might not be honorable, that he might have tried to ambush and kill Haemosu (not true as of now, but who knows how it will go into the future) and I love his instinctive, desperate denial, his need to believe Kumwa wouldn’t (even though Kumwa kicked him out, there is no hate towards his ‘dad’ which is so spot on). He needs to cling to at least one certainty of childhood: the goodness of his father. And he will keep that certainty in the future, of course, only it will switch to Haemosu, I am sure.
My favorite scene with Haemosu and Jumong? When after learning Jumong is his son, Haemosu is silently touching the face of sleeping Jumong. All that silent yearning, and Jumong waking up, uncomprehending, but staying quiet, realizing there is something huge going on.
Did I mention the Haemosu/Yuhwa reunion? It made me cry. The Sorceress makes a deal with (escaped with Jumong’s help) Haemosu. If he promises to leave Puyo forever, he can meet Yuhwa. And so she takes Yuhwa to the mountain and doesn’t tell her why, except that she is going to meet someone she’s loved her whole life. And Yuhwa is puzzled, waiting.
And then…
And then…
She sees a figure walk down the slope and it’s Haemosu and this is slowly dawning on her and OMG…OMG…her face!
And then he gets close, and he can hear her sobs and OMG OMG OMG. His face.
And she asks him if this is a dream and all tremulous and then she is in his arms and she weeps that she doesn’t care if it’s a dream, if he is Haemosu’s ghost. It doesn’t matter, because she is with him again.
And then they are on the mountain, talking, and she tells him about Jumong: he finds out he has a son and she finds out they’ve met. And he doesn’t want her to tell Jumong the truth because what kind of father has he been (hey, not your fault), and she just wants the three of them to leave and live somewhere but he tells her he can’t, he must leave Puyo as otherwise there’d be war, and this meeting is more than what he deserves and they are holding each other, crying.
OMG.
Oh, I almost never ship secondary OTPs. Especially when the OTP is the main character’s parent! But here? *thud*
Did I mention the canon slash couple? That adviser to Yuntabal just met the other guy (one of Jumong’s three flunkies) and is all ‘what’s your name?’ *staaaare* and flunkie asks his new supervisor, ‘is this a guy or a woman?’ and supervisor is ‘hey, I don’t know, why don’t you find out, he seems interested.’ Heeeeee.
ETA: You know what is awesome? I found tons of stills and gifs on soompi. Yessss.
Jumong learning:
Jumong and shrine maid. *sigh* Stop making me melt:
Jumong looking yummy:
Recovering from wounds, waking up in a strange house:
Sosuhno:
Tragic family?
This is still my fave shot:
Jumong sees Daeso (btw, is it just me, or does SIG have the most gorgeous mouth ever?)
Jumong asks Daeso for his life. *bawl*
Yuhwa visits Jumong and Haemosu hears her:
This is just beautiful:
Queen Won and baby Daeso. Cute baby, even if he will grow into a stab-worthy jerk:
Haemosu in a rare happy moment:
Daddy-Son bonding. Unbeknownst to both:
OMG OMG! Haemosu/Yuhwa reunion:
Haemosu/Yuhwa way back when:
Jumong:
So pretty:
Yuhwa:
Yuhwa back way when, seeeing Haemosu tortured:
And one yummy one for the road:
And because I don’t want to have a post be solely about Jumong, here are two new stills from the upcoming Legend. More specifically, OTP stills!!!!
(I don’t even ship them (Jumong and shrine maid) but I squeed like a squeeing thing ;))
You know what’s funny? Jumong is 81 eps long. Since each ep ranges from 1:00 to 1:10, that is over 90 hours of stuff, at the very least. Yet, somehow, it doesn’t feel too long, and I am not ‘get to the point’ or what not. Instead, I am giddy at prospect of more Jumong and, because it’s written so well, and has so many plots and characters (never losing sight of its main one), each ep is crammed with wonderful stuff. This is an 80ep drama that doesn’t drag, which is kinda insane because I’ve seen plenty of 10 eps ones that did.
Also, I am sad I can’t take screencaps of the DVDs because…so beautiful. There are so many moments I want to cap, that would make awesome icons. I keep thinking of the shot of Haemosu and Yuhwa sitting on the mountain, grass green around them, and they are the only specks of other color, holding each other.
Btw, you know how I mentioned Jumong had a ways to go before he is half as cool as his father? Well, by ep 12, he is just as cool and the thought of him having 60+ eps of getting even cooler, is awesome.
You know the scene that stayed with me the most, from this recent batch of episodes? Jumong, going down on his knees to Daeso, and quietly asking him ‘spare me my life’ and telling him Daeso knows he is not a threat, has no title etc etc, so why kill him?
Because it doesn’t come across as cowardly, not at all. When Daeso and Yongpo and their assassins came after him, repeatedly, he fought and held his own.
But he is still a very young man, heartbreakingly young actually. And a small part of him just can’t believe that his half-brothers would seek to kill him. It’s his family. He is a capable fighter now, but he is so very human, and that is why the drama works so well, never feels weighed down by gold-plating. It never lets us forget that inside the armor, or period clothing, there is this very real, breathing, living human being caught in circumstances much too huge and unfortunate for him.
And when Daeso throws in his face that he (Daeso) knows Jumong is no threat, he just hates him…argh.
It’s just watching Jumong plead, on his knees to Daeso *stab* broke my heart in all sorts of ways (also, this drama is rather subtle, isn’t it? Jumong mentions in passing that Daeso already paid him back, by making his childhood hell. But the drama never really dwells on the ‘poor little abused boy’ thing, does it? Yay.)
And a scene like that is one of the many reasons that I actually find myself thinking that the OTP stuff is one of the less interesting strands of the story. Mind you, I like the OTP development, very gradual. I like how Sosuhno learns Jumong was a prince, he didn’t lie. I love the way she (unobserved) watches him train (and he is damn good now) and there is something else in her eyes. I love how she is jealous, mutely, when she sees him hold the shrine maid. I love that she offers him a position in her retinue, and I love that he refuses, even though it means comfort, and safety, because he must take care of wounded Haemosu (oh, Jumong, you are so wonderful. Seriously. He is incredibly loyal. I guess he takes after his Dad). And I love how she is receiving knowledge that she’s had her chance and lost it, and now he is not a puppy any more, but full well on his way becoming a tiger (yeah, mixing species) and she had her chance to tame him, take him in, and blew it (of course, since I know they are the otp, not true, but she doesn’t know it).
So I love it all, but the thing is, I love the messed-up family dynamic, the political interplay even more. It’s so interesting about Kumwa. He learns Haemosu is alive, but he is not rushing to see him, he is not killing the Priestess for locking him up etc etc. He is deeply ambivalent. In a way, it is better for Kumwa if Haemosu remains a reproaching ghost. Points to the drama for not making it about Yuhwa, and romantic rivalry. It’s just Kumwa is older now, more staid. In a way, the duties of politics, responsibilities of kingship, the juggling, have turned him into more of his father than he’d admit. As a crown prince, he was free to be dashing and rebellious, and disregard everything but the freedom struggle but I understand why he can’t see it that way now. That is why Jumong will take up Haemosu’s mantle: Jumong is young and idealistic, Jumong doesn’t have to rule yet. In a way, passion is for the young, the drama seems to say. Caution is for the old. Unless you are Haemosu, the eternal rebel, of course. Or someone like who Jumong turns out to be: genius on the battlefield who does not give up. But if you are not exceptional, like Haemosu was, like Jumong will be. If you are merely capable, merely ‘good enough’ like Kumwa? You are too trapped to break free.
I love the parallels between Haemosu and Jumong btw. There is the archery, as Jumong is natural with the bow, and his shooting is so much like Haemosu’s. There is the whole clip I saw from some future episode, where he is a captured rebel in a cage, just like his father was years earlier. There is his fighting. I saw preview for ep 13 and Kumwa sees Jumong take on a whole squad, and he fights the way Haemosu did: full absolute dedication and speed.
But then Jumong is growing up amazing, isn’t he? And everything is a learning experience. He is learning leadership on a small scale with the three ‘flunkies’ he acquired. In fact, he gets them jobs: he really takes care of them. And the scene with the shrine maid, when he says he is sorry and he will repay her, and he means it (and then he hugs her and kisses her forehead, eeeeeeeee! And Sosuhno sees). Song Il-Gook is wonderful in the role btw: you can see Jumong’s progress, his maturation, in his face. There is never a false note from him.
I love all his scenes with Haemosu, so much. Because Jumong is learning to respect and be grateful to and even maybe love Haemosu, without knowing who he is. I love all the scenes when Haemosu trains him, and the way they fight in tandem when the brothers’ assassins come after them, and the scenes on the mountain top when Haemosu teaches him (OMG, those montages of Jumong training, almost ballet-like with the sword? HOT. *dies*). And he helps Jumong to find mental equilibrium too. Jumong desperately needs a teacher, someone to look up to, a certainty in his newly insane world, and Haemosu is it. There is enough distance between them that Jumong is independent, but there is understanding and support when he needs it, too. I love that Jumong shares the secret of his identity with Haemosu, his turmoil over his family, that he stays to take care of him as Haemosu got wounded in their escape from assassins. He won’t leave him on the run, and he won’t leave him after, even though Haemosu tells him to and Sosuhno offers opportunity for safety. Yesssss!
Haemosu is replacing Kumwa, isn’t he? Jumong, is after all, forced to confront the fact that his ‘father’ (Kumwa) might not be honorable, that he might have tried to ambush and kill Haemosu (not true as of now, but who knows how it will go into the future) and I love his instinctive, desperate denial, his need to believe Kumwa wouldn’t (even though Kumwa kicked him out, there is no hate towards his ‘dad’ which is so spot on). He needs to cling to at least one certainty of childhood: the goodness of his father. And he will keep that certainty in the future, of course, only it will switch to Haemosu, I am sure.
My favorite scene with Haemosu and Jumong? When after learning Jumong is his son, Haemosu is silently touching the face of sleeping Jumong. All that silent yearning, and Jumong waking up, uncomprehending, but staying quiet, realizing there is something huge going on.
Did I mention the Haemosu/Yuhwa reunion? It made me cry. The Sorceress makes a deal with (escaped with Jumong’s help) Haemosu. If he promises to leave Puyo forever, he can meet Yuhwa. And so she takes Yuhwa to the mountain and doesn’t tell her why, except that she is going to meet someone she’s loved her whole life. And Yuhwa is puzzled, waiting.
And then…
And then…
She sees a figure walk down the slope and it’s Haemosu and this is slowly dawning on her and OMG…OMG…her face!
And then he gets close, and he can hear her sobs and OMG OMG OMG. His face.
And she asks him if this is a dream and all tremulous and then she is in his arms and she weeps that she doesn’t care if it’s a dream, if he is Haemosu’s ghost. It doesn’t matter, because she is with him again.
And then they are on the mountain, talking, and she tells him about Jumong: he finds out he has a son and she finds out they’ve met. And he doesn’t want her to tell Jumong the truth because what kind of father has he been (hey, not your fault), and she just wants the three of them to leave and live somewhere but he tells her he can’t, he must leave Puyo as otherwise there’d be war, and this meeting is more than what he deserves and they are holding each other, crying.
OMG.
Oh, I almost never ship secondary OTPs. Especially when the OTP is the main character’s parent! But here? *thud*
Did I mention the canon slash couple? That adviser to Yuntabal just met the other guy (one of Jumong’s three flunkies) and is all ‘what’s your name?’ *staaaare* and flunkie asks his new supervisor, ‘is this a guy or a woman?’ and supervisor is ‘hey, I don’t know, why don’t you find out, he seems interested.’ Heeeeee.
ETA: You know what is awesome? I found tons of stills and gifs on soompi. Yessss.
Jumong learning:
Jumong and shrine maid. *sigh* Stop making me melt:
Jumong looking yummy:
Recovering from wounds, waking up in a strange house:
Sosuhno:
Tragic family?
This is still my fave shot:
Jumong sees Daeso (btw, is it just me, or does SIG have the most gorgeous mouth ever?)
Jumong asks Daeso for his life. *bawl*
Yuhwa visits Jumong and Haemosu hears her:
This is just beautiful:
Queen Won and baby Daeso. Cute baby, even if he will grow into a stab-worthy jerk:
Haemosu in a rare happy moment:
Daddy-Son bonding. Unbeknownst to both:
OMG OMG! Haemosu/Yuhwa reunion:
Haemosu/Yuhwa way back when:
Jumong:
So pretty:
Yuhwa:
Yuhwa back way when, seeeing Haemosu tortured:
And one yummy one for the road:
And because I don’t want to have a post be solely about Jumong, here are two new stills from the upcoming Legend. More specifically, OTP stills!!!!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-07-13 07:56 pm (UTC)It sounds like jumong pretty closely follows EotS in format and storytelling(though not with the parents otp) which is a very good thing.
SIG has a very pretty mouth, but i think i like his eyes best myself...
no subject
Date: 2007-07-13 08:54 pm (UTC)SIG has a very pretty mouth, but i think i like his eyes best myself...
he does have very pretty eyes...
no subject
Date: 2007-07-14 05:42 am (UTC)SIG has pretty everything.
BTW, if you reach the point where you need to see him in something light and fun, watch Art of Seduction(a romantic comedy about two players trying to outdo each other) It has him running around in the rain...
no subject
Date: 2007-07-15 05:26 am (UTC)Mmmmm. Indeed.
I justed dled Art of Seduction :)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-15 05:37 am (UTC)oh...calixa and i have decided that the assassin in face to fate is like kurosaki, except that he deals with his angst by being the worlds best killer instead of being on his way to being the worlds best con artist.
Can I just ask...
Date: 2007-07-14 03:10 am (UTC)Re: Can I just ask...
Date: 2007-07-15 05:15 am (UTC)Re: BYJ: that drama is only 24 eps long :)
no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 04:51 pm (UTC)At the moment, the whole idea of Yuhwa and Haemosu is completely guuuhhh....I don't know why but i find that OTPs that play out like this just push all my buttons and send me into some kind of tailspin! The fact that it's Jumong's parents just kinda really add to the whole tail-spinning experience!
no subject
Date: 2007-07-18 05:08 pm (UTC)