dangermousie | Tree with Deep Roots - ep 8 - three scenes that made me shake

This is not part of these three scenes, but I freaking love Sejong - his anger, his smartness, his decency. That is an amazing amazing performance.

OK, scene one. Chae Yoon follows So Yi to see what she will do with the much-hunted-by-everyone book. You know, I don't remember the last time I've seen such a clear 'this is the moment he falls in love with her' scene - it's amazing. And I found it significant that what draws him in, what has him let down his emotional guard, is seeing her distressed, mourning and vulnerable. It says a lot of interesting things about Chae Yoon. For one, the fact that despite being walking wounded himself, he is capable of wanting to comfort, is huge. But another, I think is he sees a commonality (as we see even more at the closing scene). He's too damaged to ever be drawn to someone well and fixed. Also, oh Jang Hyuk is so amazing in the role. Nobody does the helpless and utter adoration look the way he does.

This scene - Sejong arguing with his younger self, bitterly throwing the idealism in his face - I never thought I'd see young and adult Sejong together and this was such a treat, I have no words. And the layers - the anger, the coldness (SJK can be scary) and just the depth of emotion...

Chae Yoon finding out So Yi cannot sleep (and one more thing for him to identify with) and his conversation - telling her she shouldn't take those herbs that way - it kills me how gentle and quietly sad and knowing he is.

And then Sejong shows up and I got the shakes, literally, from the following scene and the conversation about loss and vengeance and purpose and grief, with so many layers. You know, despite Chae Yoon's obsession with vengeance against Sejong, he and Sejong somehow communicate on a level nobody else does. And hearing Chae Yoon recount his loss, grief, terror and rage, gives So Yi, in her turn, something to identify with. They've both been there.