Between Desire and Conscience: Dong Hoon’s Deliverance

@actionscript gives his perspective on Dong Hoon’s narrative arc and why it matters.

“When he is caught between desire and conscience, he always leans towards the latter.” Thus speaks Ki Hoon of his brother Dong Hoon in episode 1, and these words introduce us to the kind of man our protagonist is. I’d say it’s quite consistent with the image that Dong Hoon had exhibited in the first few scenes – in how gentle he was with the ladybug, and in how dutiful he was as a brother to both Sang Hoon and Ki Hoon. But Ki Hoon follows up those words with a seemingly ominous declaration: “I pity him the most.”

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Overall Theme: Rebirth

I think the overall theme is rebirth, kind of like shedding the old skin by a snake, or the old feathers like an eagle. The eagle experiences extreme pain while removing the old feathers but grows back a plume that allows it to fly even higher. The characters don’t have to die physically for this… ~ by @africandramalover

Kindness itself can be radical

Some might say that Dong Hoon’s integrity and kindness is a sign of weakness, but @chickfactor thinks that that’s precisely what sets him apart

Dong Hoon’s Middle Way

Jung Hee and Gyum Duk (the monk friend) seem to represent two extremes in Buddhist philosophy – sensual self-indulgence and self-mortification, respectively – while Dong Hoon represents the “middle way”, as @maddymappo and @h2ogirl explain.

Ji An = Female Version of Monk Friend?

@noor1 from Soompi is our resident most objective viewer. She started out standing outside the romantic ship until the moment she had not choice but to jump ship because she logically followed where the show led her. Then she was in heart and soul, but never at the expense of checking her brains at the door 🙂  We love @noor1 and her “amusing pessimism.” (as @h2ogirl calls it)  Here are her thoughts after the conclusion of the show, in chronological order.  Do you agree with her that Ji An is just a female version of Dong Hoon’s monk best friend and nothing more?

MK Star Interview with Oh Nara – “The Girl Who Loves A Monk”

Partial translation of interview with Oh Nara who portrayed Jeong Hee by @justamom