So… it occurred to me to check if there were any interviews about Jung Il-woo and there are a lot!  So I chose the longer ones.  Now my translation is using Naver Papago.  Even though some parts of the writing are totally off and of the ‘What???’ kind, one does get the gist of the main points.  I will comment my thoughts at the end…

Update May 4, 2019.

INTERVIEW 1  By Soompi  Link

I’m sure many people saw it but in this interview in Soompi where Jung Il-woo shares what kind of person he wants to date and his thoughts about marriage.

Here is a bit of it:

“I want [to date] if I can meet a good person. My heart is open to that.”

Asked about what kind of person he considered a “good person,” he replied, “Someone I can learn from, someone who understands me and someone that I can understand. I want both of us to be a source of comfort to one another. When I was younger, I looked at appearances and external things too, but now I think that a good person is someone whose mind and heart can connect to yours.”

INTERVIEW 2   By Osen.  Link

May  2, 2019

Jung Il-woo said, “The Return of the Hatch, actually, I’m not satisfied.” [the interview].”

[OSEN: Yeon Hwi-sun reporter] “I’ve never been 100 percent satisfied with my acting.” Despite his comeback after serving in the military, he calmly evaluates himself. Actor Jung Il-woo expressed his feelings after the end of “Hatch.”

Jeong Il-woo conducted an interview with SBS’ Monday-Tuesday drama “Hatch” at a gallery in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Tuesday morning.

“Haechi” is a process in which Prince Yeon-gum (played by Jeong Il-woo), born from a humble low life body, joins passionate former student Park Moon-soo (Pwon Yul-bun), Sakyamuni’s ardent Damo Yeeu (Go Ara), and author’s rising wall-pae Dal mun (Park Hoon) to become King. Jung Il-woo played the role of Prince Lee Geum, who will later become King Yeongjo in the drama.

In particular, this is a drama that Jung Il-woo chose as his return after serving as an alternative military service. “I’ve been on hiatus for over two years and started shooting without any time off, and I think I’ve been really busy and intense for about six months,” he said. Actually, I had a lot of worries about my comeback, but I think I decided that it was a good writer, a good director, a good script, and a good character. The hardest thing was that the character itself had many difficult things, and there were many ups and downs and many lives.I did, but I still think I could finish well,” he said.

“My goal in this movie is to hear that acting has grown more than before the military. I tried very hard to do that. A lot of people told me good stories, so I have a lot of regrets, but I think I finished well.”

“I often did historical dramas, but I didn`t feel burdened by the genre. First of all, I saw several works of Kim Yi-young’s work as a comeback, but I chose them because they were the most ambitious of them. It wasn’t a burden because it was a historical drama,” he said. He said, “There is a depth to the work. It’s the power of the character. I saw Kim Yi-young’s work, but I was interested in the re-creation of the character, Yeong-jo. The fact that King Yeongjo has not been treated as the main character has come to be very attractive. I was honored to be able to perform the song together, even though the Dae seniors performed the song,” he said emphatically.

He also said, “In fact, I didn’t think of any distinctions from my predecessors from existing works. Rather, he did not differentiate himself by thinking that different actors interpret different things. I tried to act by immersing myself in the characters Yeongjo and Lee Geum of our work,” he said. “I tried to do my best this time, but I didn’t use my face as much. My debut movie is a sitcom, and I sometimes get too much facial expression or eyes while doing romantic comedies. Instead of expressing it with his face, he thought it would come from his heart if he expressed it with sincerity, so he tried to act without using his eyes and facial expressions as much as possible. As the flow of the drama has passed, it’s said that it really touches me. Director, I talked about that with the writer a lot. I think acting with sincerity rather than technicality has changed a lot from before,” he said.

“I’m not really satisfied,” Jeong said. “There are many things that are lacking and many things that are disappointing rather than satisfying,” he said. There’s always something to be desired when the work is over. I don’t think I’ve ever been satisfied,” he said.

Nevertheless, there was a famous scene selected by Jung Il-woo. “When we were shooting the scene, my brother died, my father died, and my family died. I wanted to show you a change, but I’ve been feeling bad since the day before that scene. I couldn’t even eat because I felt bad about sending someone away,” he confessed.

“I contacted the director when I was filming. He took a full shot and took a barst, but this time, he said, “Let’s take a tight barst.” After the full shot, I kept shooting, so I thought I’d make it more technologically than I really meant it, so I asked for a tight barst first and got a OK at once. Instead of shooting, I really thought my brother was going to die. I didn’t come out well because it was edited in the drama, but I heard that I had a runny nose. I think that’s the scene that I played with that kind of immersion, especially when I saw the emotion lines well.”

Update May 9, 2019.  The last paragraph did not make any sense to me at all so my tutor helped me understand it.  Here is a better translation:

I contacted the director when I was filming (the scene where my brother dies).  First they take a “Full shot” meaning a whole body post and the a “Bust Shot” (from the chest to the top of the head.  I wanted to take a bust shot first because I thought that if I did it as second I would act in a technical way instead of showing my real feelings after taking a full body shot because the filming goes on for a long time.  This time I got the OK in one shot.  At that moment , I did act with my heart thinking that my brother was really dying instead of it being just acting.  I heard that I even had a lot of snout coming out from my nose and those parts were cut from the drama.  I think this is the one scene where I fully focused and showed my emotion to the audience.

He said, “I did the scene where Yeon-ryoung died in the beginning, and I was more concerned about his death because of that. In fact, when the age group suddenly died, I ran to find the age group and tried to save them. But I took a full shot first. When I took a full shot, I felt good and acted with all my heart. I was going to take a two-shot and a bast in about an hour. I couldn’t feel it when I was taking a full shot. It’s a bit disappointing to see the scene. You can make up your mind technically to make something out of it. But from a person’s point of view, it’s a bit disappointing to me because there’s no such emotion as before. That’s why I think he focused more and acted like that when he died,” he said.

“In particular, it rained a lot, cried a lot, and there were so many accidents like that. The character itself was born with the blood of the heavenly people and ascended to the king, but it was impossible to overcome all those things and become king, and I had a lot of hard times. I think I’ve grown up, too,” he said.

INTERVIEW 3  By Korea Dispatch   Link

May 2, 2019

Jeong Il-woo said, “Lee Min-ho monitors ‘Hatch’…Yeongjo is a lifeguard.”

Jung Il-woo, who plays Lee Geum, who becomes the new king of Joseon in “Haechi.” In fact, he looked a lot like Youngjo.

An interview was held at a gallery in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Monday with actor Jung Il-woo, who plays Yeon Ying-gun Lee Geum, the main character of SBS’ “Hatch” (directed by Kim Yi-young and Lee Yong-seok).

Jung Il-woo, who debuted in 2006 with MBC sitcom “High Kick Without Rage,” has been active going back and forth between dramas and movies. In particular, he, who had performed unrivaled in historical dramas through “The Returned Diary,” “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” and “The Night’s Watchman Ilji,” chose “Haechi” after the ceremony. Jung Il-woo was praised for his wide-ranging performance and for his deeper acting skills.

Jeong Il-woo, who was in a car accident in 2006, was diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm and was exempted from military duty. He finished his alternative service as a social service worker at the Guryong Elementary and Elderly Care Center in Seoul, and was discharged from the military last November.

Jung Il-woo, who played the role after dying amid the grueling filming of “Hatch.” Having served in the military at a nursing home and had a dog die while filming “Hatch,” he had time to think about his life. And as an actor with many more ways to go, his attitude has changed.

– I think there was a lot of pressure on him to make his first comeback after the session.

“I missed the set so much, I think I lived so fiercely that I might have had a two-year hiatus. It was really hard because of my lack of stamina and my personal work, and I think I had a lot of experience with the death of my dog. Of course, the next movie is the next one, but I’m grateful for the thought that I’ve had a lot of love since my debut. Now I feel that being a star is a moment. I think that I have to be recognized as an actor and think that it’s my job for the rest of my life.

Regardless of the size and size of the role, I thought I would play a minor role if I wanted to play. She’s in her 30s, and she’s in her 40s and 50s, and she’s doing her best about the roll she’s given.I think I can be a memorable actor for a long time. In my next movie, I think that if I play a character that I can best digest as soon as I move on, I will grow into a developing actor. I’m likely to announce my next film soon.”

– I think the weight has changed after serving in the military.

“I thought that as an actor, there should be life and weight. Rather than that, I wished I had a sense of weight as an actor. It seems to build up with age. We can’t do it with the same weight as Lee management, so it’ll pile up when we do what we do.”

– Do you have any actors that give you any inspiration?

We got a lot of excitement while filming the drama. In the case of Jung Moon Sung, I thought he was crazy. He really looks like a beginner. He’s cute and I really liked him. When I see the reaction, I can feel how he really acts with me. Moon Sung said, “Let’s have a play next year or so.” It’s an actor I’d like to see for a long time.”

– My friend Lee Min-ho recently convened a meeting. What is your message of support?

Minho called and congratulated me on the day of the restriction. Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot, and I think it’s cool. I’m sure Minho is working hard on his next movie, so I want to tell him to take good care of his physical condition. Since I’m a close friend, I hope Minho can make a successful comeback. Minho also monitored my work. As a friend, I hope Min-ho will return to his beloved work just because his acting has improved.”

– I did alternative service at the nursing home and I think I’ve learned a lot

“This one, too, had to leave the dog. This seems to have to be accepted. I’ve come to appreciate one moment. Sorry for the puppy didn’t go home well during the shoot. I always wait in front of the door. When I heard that I died at the door, I felt sorry that I couldn’t spend time with him and play with him while it was alive. I think it would be a happy thing to enjoy the present and live faithfully because I have a sense of uneasiness that I might die and leave when I might leave. I think it was an opportunity to look back on my life. His elders leave, and even if they want to, they can’t hold him. I feel like I’m going to be crazy about my life and I think I have a lot of such thoughts.”

Update May 9, 2019

Again I wasn’t satisfied with Google’s translation of that last question and answer and my tutor helped in making it better:

You did your military service in a senior center and I imagine there were many things to learn there.  Not only did you have to leave your work in the drama, your puppy left you.

I think I have to accept these kinds of things. I felt sorry for my dog as I was not able to come home often while I was filming. She always waited for me by the door. I felt sorry for not spending much time and playing with her  while she was alive, after I heard that she died in front of the door. I also have the worry that I don’t know when I will die or leave s I think it’s the best/happy thing to enjoy the present  and live fully putting all your effort.  I think A woo’s death made me think back in my life.  The elders that I took care of left (died) and it is impossible for me to hang on to them even if I want to.  Ideas come to me in these moments that life is useless as I can control it.

– Are you satisfied as an actor?

“I don’t think I’ve ever been satisfied. I’m not good enough for “High Kick,” but I’m thinking about why they like me so much, and that leaves me with a lot of regrets. So I think I want to pick the next movie soon. If I’m satisfied with my work, I can’t do this anymore.

– What’s your hobby these days or something?

“I’m trying to make a magazine recently. I had an interview with Na Moon-hee. Now that I’m in a position to ask questions, I’ve learned the hardships of journalists. I’m going to publish the contents while interviewing the artists. I wanted to talk to you about me. These days, I read all the other than mine. I respect journalists to see what interest the public has.”

– What’s the driving force behind actor Jung Il-woo?

“Alternative service really had a thirst for work, and now the driving force behind it was to make a magazine and make money hard? I’m kidding. I think there’s something I can show you when I’m in my 30s. I think why I used to take a rest and work in my 20s. If I were in my 40s, there would be things I could do when I was in my 30s. I think it would be better to pile up a lot of those things. That’s the most regrettable and regretful thing about those in their 20s. We should open the lid to see which works are successful and which works are good.

– Do you want it to work out like a high kick?

I don’t have that kind of greed, and it’s the most important thing to focus on is whether or not I can play this piece with my acting skills.

I hoped this time would stop when I went up, when I was down, when I was ‘high-kick’ like I was up there. Some of them are less successful than I thought, and they seem to have grown up through it.

– I think I’ve even been hurt. 

“I’ve been down a lot for a” high kick.” I’m so loved. I wasn’t ready, but I was so loved that I couldn’t feel it. I was also twenty years old at the time, so I was young and thought I was too much to handle. I thought it was because of me that I couldn’t make it.

– Incident, no accidents, it seems like you’re acting.

“I used to ride a village bus, and I don’t think there’s any reason to feel uncomfortable when I’m out there as an actor. Because of me, something gets paralyzed and doesn’t. That’s what I did during my high kick, but I’m grateful if you recognize me, and I think I don’t have to do anything like that. Things that matter a lot. We don’t have to bring water to society.

Thank you so much. I saw a lot of people who loved me and Lee Soonjae interviewed me. The senior said, ‘You have to live with real gratitude. You can’t just be so proud of yourself. I heard a lot at home. I feel like I have to live by the basics.”

– What do you think is life’s work?

“It’s ‘high-kick without hesitation’ to say that it’s my life’s work. In his 20s, he is a “high kick,” but his work or character seems to be the inspiration for “Hatch.” The way he acted changed a lot, and there was a part where he made it his own by admitting that he was wrong and accepting new things.”

– What is your attitude as an actor in his 30s?

“I think it hurts a lot, and that’ll bring me a brighter 40s. I’m trying to think positively about the acting difficulties and worries. I used to blame myself, but I think it should be a time to give a lot of praise for what I’m good at, and to get rid of me.”

– What kind of actor do you want to be in the future?

“When I think of Jung Il-woo more than any other actor, I hope I will be remembered as an actor who has memorable works for the public and an actor who can give good influence to the public.” I think an actor is not a public figure, but I want to be an actor who has a good influence because I think he has great influence.”

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WITAT

Various parts of these interviews moved me…

When he talked about the death of his beloved Awoo.  In one he says that his dog died at the door waiting for him.  Another mentions the hospital? I thought he had had to put his dog down because it was sick, but it seems the death of Awoo was sudden and unexpected. He also mentions that he wished he had more time to be with Awoo.  Acting with puffy eyes from crying for his dog… oh!

He also talks about how he is never satisfied with his work as an actor and did I read right when he said he would stop when he was?!  Well then I hope he’s never satisfied! 🙂   I think I know what he means… that he always wants to feel he has something to learn!  This is a good way to be… to always want to be better and learn… but always being thankful and content with what one has learned and lived!  Regrets and guilt are foolish emotions that have no purpose… they waste mind energy in past things we cannot change…

“I think it would be a happy thing to enjoy the present and live faithfully because I have a sense of uneasiness that I might die and leave when I might leave.

Update may 9th.  With my tutor I went back to look at the past and he does say what it says… in a better translation it is:

“I also have the worry that I don’t know when I will die or leave so I think it’s the best/happy thing to enjoy the present  and live fully putting all your effort.”

Oh!  Il-woo Ssi!  This moved me to the end… you must believe you will live a long healthy life!  Of course these moments of uncertainty will come to you… but remember it is all in your mind in the end.  You are here, you are breathing…  God has shown you how it is there for you… he saved your life in an accident where you could have died or be left in a worst state. You are here because you are meant to be here! You are meant to touch the lives of many… not only by your acting but by the beauty that’s inside of you!  And you do! And you will continue to do so!

I will continue to do my best to support you through this website and my thoughts… I will send loads and loads of good energy right to you!  Energy filled with love… with believe and confidence!  What I wrote in my last message to you I will repeat: One’s mind is responsible for what one is surrounded by… that is why we must stay positive and truly believe in the beauty and perfection of God’s Universal Energy… so it becomes part of our lives and the lives of those we touch.

You are one of my favorite parts of that beautiful Universal Energy Il-woo Ssi!   And everyday I am so thankful that life brought me you!!!

Update May 4

After reading the one about dating and marriage, this one calmed my heart!  If he can talk about the possibility of living 100 years, and that he wants to marry in his 40’s than that means he does believe he will live for a long time!  Phew!  I have to check the translation of that part I highlighted before with my tutor!  Next week!

This episode aired on April 22, 2019.  Spoiler Alert!

King Yeongjo learns that there are various provinces that have been attacked and taken over by the rebels and that Lee In-jwa is planning to take on the capital next.  He meets in private with Chairman of Congress Min and Chief Justice Jo and tells them how horrible he feels for this was the largest rebellion to date in the kingdom and also one targeted at the king.  Both Lord Min and Jo comfort him by telling him that it had nothing to do with his inability to be king, but rebels just taking advantage of the confusion in the government.

All of King Yeongjo’s friends and their assistants, get ready for battle. Mun su, Jang-dal and Ah-bong say goodbye to Yeo ji who is very unhappy about not being able to go to battle. They all gather at the palace and are addressed by the king who says that his royal command if for them to all come back alive and not let their lives be taken by those traitors!  They all march out of city to battle and stop the rebels.

Mun-su and Dal Moon go off from the main group to spy on the enemy and when they meet they are shocked for the rebels are much closer to the capital then they thought.  They rush back to inform the General of War.  They decide to wait and attack the enemy at Jiksan.  

Back in his palace the King complains to Jang-dal, that he feels useless, that what can he do at the palace. Jang- dal tells him the best answer: his job!  He must try to find a way to prevent a rebellion like this in the future.  What was causing the rebellion was that the Namins felt left out of the government appointments.  King Yeongjo decides to talk to Chief Justice Jo to ask him to arrange a meeting with all the remaining Namin aristocrats in the capital to offer a political deal.  He then has a meeting with the Chairman of Congress Min, but he says that he can’t support that motion becasue it would take the power away form his faction, the Norons.  King Yeongjo is so disappointed.

Court Lady Jo-hong rushes to tell King Yeongjo, that Yeo ji is considering leaving the palace for battle.  He rushes over to her and begs her not to go by saying: “Please stay here, Yeo ji. At least you should stay by my side. I cannot put you in danger as well. If I fail to protect you… if that happens…”  Yeo ji is moved to tears by his sentiment and stays with him.

King Yeonjo meets with the Namin and they tell him that as goos as his intentions are, his words are empty words unless the Noron agree to give some of the government positions to the Namins.  The Chairman of Congress and head of Noron Min has a change of heart as he walks in the empty city. He meets later with the king and agrees to give some of the Noron seats in the government to the Namin.  King Yeongjo is overjoyed!  His joy is short lasting as he waits in anticipation for news about the rebellion and his men. As Mun su and his troops wait at “Jiksan,” he states… Please!  Please!  This battle, we must surely win!

Website and Behind the Scenes Photos:

April 22, 2019

Today is Earth day, a day to celebrate and take care of our planet… but this of course should be every day.  Now more than ever.

This is some artwork I did with Jung Il-woo and planet Earth.  I wanted to convey his love for our planet…

 

As a Spanish teacher I am required to teach about the culture of Spanish speaking countries which is one of my favorite aspects of teaching a language: the culture. This year I chose Costa Rica, but I chose it in order to focus on its Rainforests and their very forward thinking conservation efforts. I believe that we are living in a very crucial time where changes need to take place in order to guarantee our survival on this planet.

I am teaching and learning with my students what we can do.  I am adding the “green” theme to many of my Spanish units.  Transportation?  Yes, you can learn how to say “I ride my bike” in Spanish but, we can also learn why riding a bike is important for the environment.  Sometimes we think it’s hopeless and that change happens only in a great scale, but in the case of conservation every effort counts no matter how small.  And conservation starts when we make choices in every single aspect of our lives.  From what we do… can I incorporate a green aspect to this?  to what we buy:  Do I really need this?, to what we wear, what we eat, how we get rid of things and how we get from one place to another.    These are 13 of the many things my students and I have discovered we can do:

1. Buy a reusable water bottle  and fill it up with the best water: tap water!
2. Recycle and reuse as much as you are able.  Bring things you do not need anymore to second hand stores.  Some you can even re-sell!
3. Do not use plastic straws. Choose paper straws if you really need them.  Buy them and carry them in your bag.
4. Switch all your lightbulbs to CFLs (or at least switch a few).
5. Choose to bring your silverware for your lunch at work, instead of using plastic ware.  You can even leave it a work and wash it and keep it there.
6. Bring your own refillable mug to Starbucks to drink your morning coffee.  This saves trees!  Less cups being used and less energy in processing its trash.
7. Choose shared transportation, whether it’s a train, bus or car pooling, over individual driving.  Or walk, scoot or ride your bike to work. These choices makes a huge difference in our environment!
8. Check the labels when ever you are buying food.  Some foods contain ingredients that are destroying the rainforest like palm oil.  If there is an open produce market near you, shop there. The food is grown by local farmers and it’s plastic free. Choose local over imported food, this makes for less transportation and less burning of fossil fuels.
9. Check the labels on the clothing you wear. What is the material made out of?  Do you know about the working conditions of the people who created the product? Buy clothing made of natural fibers and avoid buying clothing made in countries that mistreat their workers.
10. Keep the lights off for as long as you can—open your curtains and enjoy natural light.  Turn off your computer and all electronics at night.
11. Use cloth napkins daily instead of paper.
12. Pay your bills online.  Put a stop to unsolicited mail—sign up to opt out of catalogs, and pre-screened credit card offers.
13. Stop using plastic bags. Get reusable mesh bags for you produce too.  Avoid buying items packaged in plastic. Do not buy plastic items unless you have no other option. Look at this video… it tells us why:

We can do this not just for us humans but for all the rest of the creatures we share this planet with!  I came across this article that made me so sad… because it is Jung Il-woo’s animal symbol and I had no idea this was happening to them:

There are so many things happening that it can be disheartening and overwhelming… but just start with taking one step in doing something for planet Earth, for us…  and you will see that the next steps become easier and easier and you feel good because you know you are doing something!

I will leave you with this… it is also about frogs and so beautiful… we can do this!  We can live and take care of our planet!  So we can jump like frogs for many years to come!

 

May the Earth be in your thoughts… today and always!

Fan 13

 

 

This episode aired on April 15, 2019.  Spoiler Alert!

Black Chaos Part 1

King Yeongjo has to deal with the big first bad event of his life as king. A “plague” has supposedly started to spread through out his kingdom. He directs all his officials to do all kinds of tasks to keep the plague from spreading, including guarding the entrance into Hanyang if people have any sign of sickness, having the doctors report on the amount of patients every 15 minutes at the Hwalinseo, the hospital, and making enough provisions of rice available to the sick.

He finds out the confirmation of his fear that Mil Pung-kun had escaped and meets with the head of the Soron, Chief Justice Jo and the head of the Noron, Minister Min in private to share the terrible news. He tells them to keep it private for the time being and how he suspects that Mil Pung-kun has something to do with the “plague.”

In-jwa the leader of the Namin, shows off the great camp and army he is creating, including a printing area, where men are setting movable types for a communication.  This printed communication is pasted and distributed all over the capital and it states many lies including that King Yeongjo is responsible for killing King Kyungjong and that the plague was a punishment from the god.  People believe the lies and some attempt to take their sick relatives out of the Hwalinseo in fear as they have heard that the medicine has wolfsbane.

King Yeongjo is made aware that the Queen Dowager has fallen sick with the plague.  He rushes off to see her but everyone tells him to step away for his safety.  Yeo Ji, who is serving the queen comes running out calling for the physician.  King Yeonjo can’t believe his eyes and asks her why has she done that, why had she become a court lady when he didn’t want her to.  She says that it was her wish to be near him to protect him, even more after all his friends had left.  They stare at each other in absolute love.

Dal Moon and his helpers find out that the plague is not a plague but poison that has made it to all the main wells of the city.  He sends for the King, and when King Yeonjo finds out, he promises to never forgive those that have hurt his people is such a cruel manner.

He goes back to the palace and hears about another rumor that is going around stating that he’s leaving the capital.  Though Lord Min suggests they send newspapers immediately explaining the situation, King Yeongjo makes the observation that the commoners would never know the truth that way.  He decides to calm the people down himself and travels to the Hwalinseo where he comforts the sick and their relatives.  He tells them that the illness is not a punishment from heaven, and that he will stay with his people until the end.

Website Photos and Behind the Scenes:

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WITAT

I really enjoyed this episode, not only in how well King Yeongjo handles that terrible crisis as a king and how well Jung Il-woo portrays him… he is just so comforting, like he can deal with anything!  My kind of man!

And… I absolutely loved seeing him in this outfit.  My favorite thus far:

He looked stunning…  really there is no word that can describe how beautiful he looks here… and the outfit is red!  Our favorite color!  Actually red is very prominent in all of this drama… so redlightful! 🙂

 

 

This Episode aired on April 9, 2019.  Spoiler Alert!

This Episode begins with the scene when Crown Prince Lee Geum is deemed unworthy by Chief Justice Jo.  Lee Geum has flash backs of different people telling him the same.  However a talk with the one he calls his teacher, Chief Inspector Lee and he decides not only that he’s worth it, but to get the crown faster than the six days that are the usual custom.  To do this he goes and speaks with Queen Inwon, who has the maximun power until a new king is crowned.  She agrees to make him king before the six days pass.  Lee Geum understands the risk of being called “a shameless king” for not waiting the six mourning days.

We see Yeo Ji enjoy ironing and getting the future garments of the king ready.  And then we see the gorgeous ceremony of the crowning of Prince Lee Geum into King Yeongjo, the 21sst ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Absolutely Magnificent!

Sadly, soon after that our new King faces the resignation of his two beloved friends, Inspector Mun Su and Chief Inspector Lee.  He bitterly cries feeling alone grasping the arm of his throne.  Then the episode ends with the fresh morning news:  a plague is attacking the people and it has arrived to the capital, Hanyang!

Website Photos and Behind the Scenes:

And Jung Il-woo posted this photo in his IG on April 11:

Like I wrote for him:  Silly King! How you rule my heart.  You make me smile and dance over clouds and float over flowers! You fill my heart with strawberry candy…

…what joy you bring to my life!

To see the 2015 Press Conference Post of Beautiful Woman go HERE.

 

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A SORROWFUL DUTY

This episode aired on April 8, 2019.  Spoiler Alert!

Our dear Crown Prince stops the medicine from the Royal Infirmary that the King Kyungjong had been taking under the suspicion that Yi Tan (Mil Pung-kun) had tampered it, by adding poison.  He then sends for the best doctors from outside the palace.  Chief Justice Jo says to him he believes he has other motives for stopping the medicine, like taking the throne for himself.  And though Lee Geum is furious he lets it pass for the sake of what is more important in the moment: to save the King.  Prince Lee Geum also summons Mun-su to the palace and tells him about his suspicions about Mil Pung-kun.  Mun-su gets to work right away trying to help his royal friend.

Our leading lady came back as Yeo-ji is brought before Queen Inwon, who takes her as a court lady even without finishing her training as she has noble eyes.

In the last part of the episode, we see King Kyungjong is given a very toxic medicine: wolfsbane. This medicine brings him to a conscious state to say his final words full of kindness to his younger brother Lee Geum.  Then he falls unconscious again and Lee Geum cuts his hand in a final attempt to save him with his own blood, but it is all futile and the King dies.  Everyone weeps…

Website Photos:

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WITAT

Oh… watching these photos of Lee Geum crying for his brother, just makes me thing of Il-woo crying for Awoo.  Just so sad…

…and today April 15, the Notredame Cathedral in Paris caught on fire and suffered severe damage.  The main spire fell and at this point there is no much information on the origin of the fire or the amount of damage.  I pray they were able to save the towers, their gargoyles and the round stain glass.  There were no human lives claimed … thank goodness.

…and tomorrow marks another anniversary of the Sewol tragedy in South Korea as well. Over 300 people died, many of them secondary school students from the Danwon High School that were on a field trip. The Safety Investigation Report made by the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal noted that Sewol at the time of departure was carrying 2,142.7 tons of cargo when its maximum allowance was 987 tons!

Sigh…