Jang Ok Jung, Live in Love Episode 8 Recap

Jang Ok Jung, Live in Love has no business being this good and driving me crazy with anticipation for more. This drama owns me heart and soul as of this moment. I think 8 episodes is more than enough time for me to take a leap of faith with this little gem now because I have this good feeling the drama knows its parameters and has the confidence to execute. Yes, the giant pink elephant that is Jae Hee’s still missing second male lead is still in the room. The producers have said they changed his entrance to make it more impactful, and right now the drama is firing on all cylinders I won’t second guess it. Though I have to say that sweet Prince Dongpyung makes for a very heartbreaking second male lead as well, what with his bromance with Lee Soon and his even earlier arriving crush on Ok Jung. This episode drops the narrative into its second arc smoothly and surely, with the passing of Queen In Kyung and the revival of Minister Min and the Soron faction with the imminent installation of In Hyun as the next Queen.

We all know it’s inevitable, and I appreciate that the drama makes me feel like it actually works as a political counter-measure for both sides. I actually think In Hyun would make the best Queen for Lee Soon, even if Ok Jung would make the best wife for him. Does that make sense? I can separate the difference between realistic duty and idealistic hope, and here we see Lee Soon torn between the duty and desire. The execution of his own uncle Prince Boksun weighs heavily on him, and with that emotional stress comes the realization that there is someone in this entire world he finds comfort with, and that is Ok Jung. Episode 8 brings together all the simmering political dangers and ups the romantic angst and shippy moments between the OTP so seamlessly that the hour whizzed by and I was left literally gasping for more the moment the credits rolled. Ratings schmatings, JOJ might just be the best K-drama airing right now.

Episode 8 recap:

Lee Soon rushes to In Kyung’s chambers and brushes past the court ladies waiting outside. He hears from the doctor that In Kyung cannot be saved. He rushes in and finds In Kyung resting wanly in her bed, covered in small pox boils.

In Kyung smiles to see her husband and thanks Ok Jung for bringing him as she promised. Ok Jung retreats to give the couple time alone. Lee Soon holds her pocked marked hands gently without fear or disgust.

Lee Soon stays with In Kyung as she rests, and it isn’t until late into the night that she wakes up again. In Kyung says now she can finally close her eyes. In Kyung tries to rise and Lee Soon moves over to hold her. Lee Soon cries and asks her not to leave him, there is too much he needs to atone for with her, so much that he did wrong by her. He apologizes for using her, for not being able to love her. In Kyung smiles and says that because of him her heart felt love and that is the greatest happiness she can ask for, remaining ever understanding and grateful even to the end

Lee Soon says he will be here until she leaves, so she can go in peace. In Kyung dies in Lee Soon arms as he cries over yet another person leaving him. Even if he didn’t love her, I love that he appreciated her goodness and accepted that he didn’t treat her right. She didn’t deserve his transference of anger, but similarly he didn’t deserve to be forced to marry a woman he didn’t love.

Ok Jung kneels outside and cries for the passing of In Kyung. Lee Soon comes out and walks past Ok Jung in a daze. She wants to help him but he raises his hand to tell her to leave him be.

Lee Soon sits before all the ministers in court, listening as they repeatedly urge him to quickly take another woman as his Queen because that position cannot be left empty for too long. I’m sure some time has passed since In Kyung’s passing so this isn’t like the next day or anything ridiculous like that. Minister Min tries to contain his glee because clearly everyone knows his In Hyun is the best choice left.

Lee Soon suddenly sees the spectre of Prince Boksun glaring at him from behind the curtains (omo it gives me the shivers), and it’s clear that having to execute his own uncle sits heavily on his mind. He quickly leaves court.

The Dowager Queen joins the chorus and goes to bug her son Lee Soon to quickly re-marry as well. She demands to know why Lee Soon is so adverse to In Hyun when she’s so suitable to be his Queen. She’s such a harpy here it’s hilarious. She asks what he wants in his future Queen and she’ll find the exact one for him. He wants one as beautiful as Consort Yang in the Tang dynasty and someone who will allow him to have many wives. The Dowager Queen says she’ll make sure In Hyun agrees to be understanding. Lee Soon finally quiets her by pointing out the grass hasn’t even begun to grow on the grave of Queen In Kyung.

In Hyun is called into the Palace to meet with the Dowager Queen, who is pleased that her faction gets another shot at occupying the Queen role. She says that In Hyun was always the rightful Queen and fated to be with Lee Soon. If the King won’t agree to take her as his next Queen, she’ll push things along by making it clear to the world In Hyun is slated to be the Queen. The first thing is to dress her like one.

The two ladies go to prepare royal clothes for In Hyun to wear at an upcoming festival. The Dowager Queen brings In Hyun to the seamstress wing to have her measured and there In Hyun is shocked to see Ok Jung, who is the one assigned to take her measurements. In Hyun asks why she is here and Ok Jung says its due to her own hardship. In Hyun points out they have quite the fate to keep running into each other. Tell me about it.

Prince Dongpyung is practicing archery with Lee Soon. Prince Dongpyung purposes misses to keep the mood light. Prince Dongpyung says he recently saw a court lady he mistook for someone else. Prince Dongpyung says he will never covet the King’s woman and all the ladies in the Palace belong to the King. Lee Soon says he doesn’t care for any court ladies. Prince Dongpyung asks if he can have one if he falls for her. Lee Soon says no, but he might make an exception for Prince Dongpyung.

Prince Dongpyung laughs and says he’s no longer the playboy he used to be.

Lee Soon suddenly sees the ghostly image of Prince Boksun again, this time his face showing up on the target. These ghostly sightings are truly freaky and naturally unnerves Lee Soon. Prince Dongpyung notices this.

Prince Dongpyung goes to see the Great Dowager Queen Jo and tells her that Lee Soon isn’t feeling well lately. The Great Dowager Queen is sad Lee Soon didn’t sleep with the girl she sent him. Prince Dongpyung says using a honey trap isn’t going to entice Lee Soon. The Great Dowager Queen says not quite, this girl has an unique history with Lee Soon. But she’s odd and doesn’t want his affection, she just wants to make clothes in the Palace. Prince Dongpyung hears the part about making clothes and looks worried.

Jang Hyun is dining with Ok Jung’s brother Jang Hee Jae and hears that someone is interfering with his ginseng trade which he has control over. They hear laughter coming from the next room and turns out Minister Min is there celebrating as well, discussing how Minister Min has succeeded in getting his daughter In Hyun to become the next Queen

Jang Hyun goes to pay his respects and pour wine for the future father-in-law to the King. But he is once again ridiculed by Minister Min who pours wine over his head after offering him to “take a drink”. Minister Min gets up to leave but Jang Hyun says he will send a consolation gift tomorrow since its the anniversary of the death of Minister Min’s first wife, who died during the first Crown Princess selection.  Afterwards Hee Jae comes in and Jang Hyun says that he’s already made the first move with Minister Min and its all worth staking it on Ok Jung because of the way Lee Soon looked at her. Minister Min goes home and thinks that Jang Hyun is planning something and orders him investigated.

Lee Soon has a nightmare in the middle of the night, dreaming that the vengeful ghost of Prince Boksun is sitting at the foot of his bed. He can’t sleep and goes out to clear his mind.

Ok Jung was up all night designing the outfit for In Hyun to wear at her selection to be the next Queen. She goes out to take a break and sits on the steps. She smells something and closes her eyes to sense the fragrance.

Suddenly a person walks up behind her and she turns around to see Lee Soon. She quickly gets up and pays her respects before turning to leave.

Lee Soon grabs her arm and asks her to stay with him for a bit. He sits down on the steps and pulls her to sit down next to him. Lee Soon reveals how stressed he is, everyone is pressuring him to take another Queen and he keeps seeing nightmare images of the dead Prince Boksun. When will this cycle end – to have humanity he cannot be King, to be King he has to discard his humanity. Today he had to approve executions for entire generations of family members involved in the Noron coup.

Lee Soon asks if she’s afraid of how cruel he can be? Ok Jung isn’t afraid of him, she pities him. Lee Soon finds a measure a comfort in her pity. Everyone around him wants to use him, even his own mother, and that is why even his wife suffered. Ok Jung thinks to herself that he held the Queen in his arms when she died, and she is so envious of that.

When Lee Soon wakes up the next morning, he’s back in his chambers. He remembers talking with Ok Jung last night and that brings a smile to his face. His eunuch notices that the King is in  good mood today.

Lee Soon goes to the seamstress wing and all the ladies gather to pay their respects, including Ok Jung who keeps her head down and doesn’t look at him. Lee Soon looks peeved that Ok Jung is ignoring him. He makes up a reason for her to come visit him by asking for new clothes. The eunuch asks why he took the long route today and Lee Soon doesn’t realize he did. He thinks back to Ok Jung promising to come find him in the Palace and is annoyed she didn’t even look at him today.

The head court lady brings Ok Jung along to take Lee Soon’s measurements to make him a new outfit. Lee Soon is surprised to see Ok Jung and the two of them assume the same position as when they first met as adults.

He stands there and she takes his measurements. Lee Soon is clearly affected but Ok Jung remains impassive. That annoys him and he calls her back when she’s done and leaving. He is regretful that he didn’t get to drink her tea last time and he’s thirsty now and wants to drink some. Ok Jung says last time was because of the Great Dowager Queen and she really works in the seamstress wing.

Lee Soon says if she is a seamstress, then he has work for her to do. Lee Soon tosses some clothes at her and makes her mend it right then and there. His excuses are hilarious, like a design is ugly or something doesn’t fit just right. He claims he wants to wear all these outfits immediately so she needs to fix it right now. LOL, I love that he can just be a petulant kid with her trying to get her attention.

The two of them sit in his inner chamber, her sewing and he tries to read a book, all the while smirking at her. This is so sweet and adorable. And so sad that life makes it neigh impossible for them to have such simple quiet moments of togetherness.

Lee Soon keeps sneaking peeks at Ok Jung and he remembers both the young girl he met who read a book very intently as well as adult Ok Jung reading a book in Prince Dongpyung’s library. The images are fleeting and he doesn’t make the connection that Ok Jung was his childhood crush (yet).

Prince Dongpyung goes to see Hee Jae, who continues to lie that Ok Jung went to the Qing dynasty with his mom. But this time Prince Dongyung doesn’t buy the bullshit and flips the table over, about to deliver a smackdown to Hee Jae for daring to lie to royalty. Ok Jung’s mom comes out and reveals that Ok Jung is in the Palace because of trying to free her from slavery. She asks Prince Dongpyung not to blame her kids for her own weakness. She knows Prince Dongpyung has been good to them and she cannot lie to him.

Lee Soon inspects the clothes and claims its not done right. He gives more homework for Ok Jung to do, telling her to take the clothes back and finish mending it before bring it back to him. He asks if she’s drunk and how can he stand in front of the ministers dressed like this. He tells her that she can leave and after she walks out he wonders if he was too mean to her?

Prince Dongpyung rushes to the seamstress wing in the Palace to look for Ok Jung, but he can’t find her though he does startle the other seamstresses when he barges inside. As he’s walking out Ok Jung happens to be returning with an armful of Lee Soon’s clothes. He is SOOOOO happy and relieved to see her, and he calls her “Ok Jung-ahhh” with such tenderness and relief I melt for his unrequited love.

Ok Jung is happy to see him but still preoccupied with Lee Soon related matters. Prince Dongpyung says he thought she went to the Qing dynasty and he would never see her again. He asks why she is here and she says there is nowhere for her to go but here. In Hyun happens to see this exchange between Prince Dongpyung and Ok Jung and looks alarmed that a member of the royal family appears interested in someone of such low birth as Ok Jung.

Prince Dongpyung goes to talk with Lee Soon who is walking with Minister Kim to discuss something urgent. Prince Dongpyung is about to mention the court lady he mistook earlier………when Minister Kim cuts them off and hurries Lee Soon along to court, telling them to discuss this trivial matter later. Er, later is probably too late for Prince Dongpyung, poor fella.

Ok Jung is sewing and thinks back to getting chewed out by the Great Dowager Queen Jo for her not taking advantage of the opportunity she arranged and accepting the King’s advances. She finishes and hands off the delivery to another seamstress.

Lee Soon receives a delivery of new clothes and is surprised that the court lady delivering it is not Ok Jung, though he is told she did make all the alterations herself. Lee Soon goes to the seamstress wing to look for Ok Jung but she is not there. He lies with the excuse to Head Court Lady Cheon that the clothes didn’t fit properly because the measurements were incorrect, it was measured when he was hungry. He wants that court lady to come by after lunch to take measurement again. Head Court Lady Cheon wants to take his measurements right there and he quickly makes an excuse that all he needs to do is lose weight to fit into the clothes. LOL. He tells his eunuch to wait here and bring that court lady when she comes back.

Ok Jung is called to meet Lee Soon and he demands to know why she’s not around when he goes looking for her and why she is purposely avoiding him. Dude, did you forget you told her once never to show up in front of you? Didn’t she say she was here to find Head Palace Guard Lee Soon, but Ok Jung cuts him off and says he’s not. Lee Soon says that he is Lee Soon, just that Lee Soon is also the King. Ok Jung says the man she knew before was man to her, now he is just the King to her. She excuses herself and leaves. Lee Soon is dismayed to hear such a response from her.

Ja Kyung, Ok Jung’s childhood nemesis and also a court lady in the seamstress wing, sneaks a peek at Ok Jung’s designs for In Hyun’s hanbok. She steals the design and makes her own version.

During the selection in the seamstress wing for which design will be worn by In Hyun, Head Court Lady Cheon can tell the two are nearly identical. But she has a good eye and asks Ok Jung what is the thought behind her design because Ok Jung scented her outfit which makes it stand out. Ok Jung gives a very thoughtful answer and her creation is chosen, much to the jealousy of Ja Kyung.

In Hyun hears the dress is ready and wants to try it on in the Queen’s quarters. The Dowager Queen agrees since the quarters are currently empty. On the day of the dress fitting, Ja Kyung sets up Ok Jung by lying that its Palace custom for her to try on the outfit to show the Dowager Queen and In Hyun. Lee Soon hears from his eunuch that the Dowager Queen went to the Queen’s chambers and wonders what his mom is plotting now.

When Lee Soon arrives at the room, he opens the door and sees in shock a stunning Ok Jung standing there wearing the outfit that his Queen will wear.

They stare at each other and then the Dowager Queen and In Hyun enter the room. The Dowager Queen is FURIOUS.

After Lee Soon leaves, Dowager Queen rushes over to slap Ok Jung for being so insubordinate and senseless as to out on the future Queen’s outfit. Ok Jung realizes now that she was set up by Ja Kyung, who rushes forward and cries that Ok Jung just wanted to try it on for her own vanity.

The Dowager Queen orders Head Court Lady Cheon to harshly punish Ok Jung, and then tells In Hyun to have tight control over the court ladies in the back Palace once she becomes Queen. Ok Jung begs not to be kicked out of the seamstress wing and is ordered to become a laundry woman only. She is not allowed to do any sewing from now on.

In Hyun goes to talk with Ok Jung afterwards and tells her to be mindful of her position in life. If she is a court lady, she will remain a court lady and that is her destiny. Do not overreach or aim for higher. She is warning her against Prince Dongpyung and Ok Jung says she just made clothes for his family before. In Hyun says she doesn’t want to see turmoil in the Palace and history of Prince Boksun repeating itself (his falling for Hong Joo). Ok Jung says that will never happen. In Hyun asks what Ok Jung felt wearing the Queen’s outfit and Ok Jung says she has no impression of it. In Hyun is pleased, telling Ok Jung not to feel like that is something she should keep in her memory. Ok Jung subserviently says she will stay true to her status as a seamstress.

When Ok Jung is washing clothes, the other court ladies come to bully her again. They push Ok Jung into the water and then pelt her with clothes. Oooh I hate those bitches. After they leave it starts to rain and Ok Jung has to fish the clothes out of the water.

The Dowager Queen invites Lee Soon to have tea with her and In Hyun to try and bring them closer. Ha, good luck with that. She keeps harping about how In Hyun is fated to be with Lee Soon and how gorgeous they look together as a couple.

It starts to rain and all Lee Soon can think about is the image of Ok Jung wearing the Queen’s outfit and telling him that she only sees him as a King and not as a man. He rudely and abruptly gets up and walks out.

Lee Soon strides through the Palace and orders that all his servants stay back and leave him alone.

Lee Soon rushes to the laundry department only to find Ok Jung in the washing pit picking up clothes in the rain. He walks to the edge and demands to know what she is doing? She tells him that he cannot be here because this is where she works. He asks why she refuses to accept him when she knows he is the King. Why did she come to find Lee Soon but now pushes him away? He laughs wryly about how makes up stupid reasons to see her because of this pointless thing called feelings. So will she keep running away with each step he takes towards her?

Ok Jung explains her low birth and says that is not something she can overreach and overcome. Lee Soon says it doesn’t matter about her low birth, he just wants to know how he can get close to her! Ok Jung blows up at him angrily, telling him that she cannot afford to be with the King because that means she will only be discarded one day. He asked why she dares to say he will discard her! She points out that she traveled so far to come to the Palace to find Lee Soon, but as the King he is so far from her reach that all the road she traveled doesn’t even get her close to him. He is the sky and she cannot dare reach for him.

Lee Soon steps into the water pit. He repeats “sky?” as he walks down to her level. If she sees him as the sky and not as a man yet, then she needs to look carefully. He then says “look carefully, because the sky has falling down for you…..” He strides forward and forcefully pulls Ok Jung in for a heated kiss. The camera pulls back and we see poor Prince Dongpyung is standing by the door and has seen this entire moment. Omo!

Ok Jung struggles but Lee Soon keeps on kissing her, until finally she melts into the kiss.

Thoughts of Mine:

JOJ has turned out to be not just a good drama, it’s a drama that engages the senses and mind at the same thing. I’m soaking in the atmosphere and the action watching things unfold, but also filing it away because it either flows from previously developed narrative or will surely be importantly later. This drama doesn’t have a moment of repetition or a “history repeats itself” onus of fate. This is about choices, and when one doesn’t have much of a choice (Lee Soon, Ok Jung, to name a few), then they make things happen by sheer willpower alone. I really appreciated how the drama treated the Prince Boksun and Noron coup, because it wasn’t a shameful act to seize power but rather a fuck-you against the Heavens who decree one is the chosen ruler while everyone else is at his mercy. It was reassuring that Lee Soon kept seeing his dead uncle’s angry ghost around, because there is a heavy price to pay for killing kin and if he could rest easy then I would be very afraid for Ok Jung to fall even deeper in love with him. He is ruthless but not heartless, which is further evidenced by his genuine despair, anguish, and guilt with In Kyung’s passing. Lee Soon is worthy to be King because he understands how to balance all the varying burdens on his shoulders, and he is worthy of having Ok Jung in his life because he still has a heart that longs for the woman he loves.

I keep worrying for Ok Jung’s fate in the Palace because we all know the more interest Lee Soon shows in her the greater danger she will be in. Part of me loves her so much I would rather Prince Dongpyung take her away from the snake pit and they could live as a happy carefree couple since he isn’t vying for power. But that is not the way the heart works, and Ok Jung clearly has fallen in love with Lee Soon. And my heart also goes out to Lee Soon, desperately lonely and exhausted being at the top of the world, wanting only Ok Jung but she is not someone who he can easily have. If she was a noble woman then he could have made her his consort easily, but being the daughter of a slave she is soooo far beneath him it’s not even conscionable in Joseon society for him to touch her much less marry her. That is the hurdle before them, that and a certain power-minded Minister Min who will do anything to maintain his top dog status in the Joseon court. I’m looking forward to the dueling war of wits between Jang Hyun-Minister Min, Great Dowager Queen Jo-Dowager Queen Kim, Jang Heebin Ok Jung-Queen In Kyung, and likely King Sukjing Lee Soon-Chi Soo. This is a game of life and love where each side will take turns having the advantage, but as the viewer watching two equally matched opponent factions battle it out is the thrilling journey JOJ is taking us on.


Comments

Jang Ok Jung, Live in Love Episode 8 Recap — 67 Comments

  1. Thank you for the recap! This drama IS the best thing on right now, I could care less what the ratings say. (plus I can’t do anything about the ratings) Excellent episode, I can’t wait for next week.

  2. I did not expect that kiss to happen all. My heart goes out to Prince Dongpyung. He seems like a really nice guy. Great episode ! 🙂

  3. Be still my heart.
    This episode OWNED my heart completely. I cried, I laughed, I longed, and I felt. I can’t believe JOJ is being passed over the way it is now because it really is amazing. Too underrated it’s a shame; it makes me love this show even more.
    I am just glad lee soon sent off in kyung while she was happy, because that would have just been one more thing to weigh on his shoulders along with prince boksun’s death.
    Of course, my absolute favorite scene in this episode was the last one, where they compared his rank to the sky, and he basically lowers himself into the water and “falls for her” AHHHHHH. The squeels.
    My heart is already breaking for prince dongpyung i just cannot wait for next week to happen. How much did he hear/see?!
    And i’m trusting this show to delay chi soo’s appearance with smart intentions. I wonder how they’ll be meeting since ok jang’s already in the palace.
    I just found lee soon acting so adorably childish and cute in this episode, making excuses just to see ok jang. I also loved the little moment between them in the middle of the night where he couldn’t sleep and she’s there and she soothes him. I think she’ll be his anchor for when times get tough, and i do agree when you say she’ll be the best wife for him.
    My only complaint with this episode was with history repeating itself with ja kyung and her plans to sabotage ok jang’s life. Not a big fan of framing and misunderstandings, and i doubt something like that would be cleared up in the future. But i can see why they set it up that way, with the queen immediately having a distaste to ok jang.
    I can’t believe ok jang aired its best episodes this week amidst finals week and what not, but I can’t wait until it’s all over so i can fully immerse myself into the world of JOJ.

  4. I watched ep 8 raw, could make out major premise of the show, and then the cliffhanger slammed in my face. Holy Cheeseballs!!! I DIDN’T see that one coming! I knew you’d come through with a recap (Thank You & God Bless You Ms. Koala!) and I shall now try to STOP GRINNING STUPIDLY while reading your hard work 🙂 Ms. Koala, YOU ROCK BIG TIME! HUGS!!

  5. Thanks a billion for the recap. Great episode. At the moment, this drama owns my heart and soul too. Yoo Ah In is so amazing!! Can’t wait for next week!!! Really expect to see Jae Hee there.

  6. Great recap! This drama is good, but I like Dong Yi and Yi san more for some reason, but I’m desperately waiting for Choi Suk Bin to come since she is the last major female role to enter the story! However, I love your work in the recap you put in! Thank you!!

    • What I’m super curious about is why Sukjong will take Suk Bin as a concubine if he supposedly loves Ok Jung much more. So far they’ve been staying on track (sort of) with history in terms of the first two queens, and even Ok Jung because clearly she wouldn’t be a concubine unless Sukjong liked her at some point in time. I know all the deposing and reinstating stuff will diverge from history, but I still can’t wrap my mind around how Suk bin will fit into any of this, seeing the trajectory of this drama.

      • I definitely am curious as to how they’ll introduce suk bin into the palace. In the first episode of JOJ, we had a flash forward in which she was one of his concubines.

  7. Thanks Capt for the recaps!! 🙂
    I was supposed to go out for girls night tonight and the babysitter didn’t work out and hubby is on business. So, I boycotted housework & real life stuff for tonight after putting the kids to bed. Ep 7 and 8 has completely occupied my mind. I just loved episode 8. Has to be one of my favorite episodes so far. KTH – you bring it, girlfriend! 🙂

    I feel so bad for DPG… I love him (up to now). I want him to be happy too. How crushing. 🙁 I am still rooting for you.

    And the one thing that I can’t wait for (besides seeing CS) is to see when and who puts two and two together first to figure out that these two lovebirds met when they were young. LS – you are sooo close!! Just go the extra step. What are the chances that this young lady also sows and fixes your clothes?! Hint hint! I wonder what kind of impact that will make on them if they both knew. He made her a pretty big promise when he was a kid and he said as a child and as an adult that he does not take promises lightly. 🙂 just saying.

  8. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    *pulls hair*

    The things this drama does to me. It brings me back to those times when Kdramas were truly addicting and you literally counted down the days until the next episode. Ratings aside, this show is AWESOME.

  9. Thank you Ms. Koala for the recap! I hope DP will take OJ away from LS..he will just break her heart! DP, pls pursue OJ…lol!

    • If they’re all going to love Ok Jung, she might as well have a goofy cute guy who adores her and won’t switch from one woman to another.

  10. Looks good. I don’t really have ny comments excep, Jang Hyun, stay out of Minister Min’s way. He’s Blair Waldorf to your Jenny Humphrey and you are no where near stealing Chuck Bass from him.

  11. Wahh.. in tears already… poor Dongpyung, Lee Soon and Ok Jung.. they have such ill fates… and once Chi Soo enters the story then he’ll join the somber party as well. Oh well at least we can enjoy the little moments before all the sadness comes.

  12. It was pure bliss when your recap appears! Ahhh, my mind has been so occupied with episode 8 since yesterday. Been re-watching the second half many times to savour the OTP. Such an intense emotion between JOJ and SJ. The kiss in the rain knocked the air out of me! I bet CS’ appearance will add greater impact to the intensity. Hope he appears soon. Imagine the tornadoes of emotions when all the 3 men, SJ, PD and CS gunning after JOJ! I’m dying for next week to come really really soon, but fact is, the lapse will be good for my heart and mind to have some healing before the next roller coaster ride!

  13. I did not expect the KIss at all, holy moly, it was hot but I enjoyed the measuring scene better, that was Smoking Hot, YAI expression was priceless. Thanks Ms Koala for the speedy recap.

  14. owh i’m in so much trouble… i have really important work deadlines and all i can think about right now is JOJ. Watching ep 8 was like a rollercoaster ride of emotion for me. I thot everyone in this episode was awesome and pulled some very convincing performance, even the hateful Queen Dowager. YAI tops the awesomeness of course – his every expression, gaze, smirk etc just seemed perfect. His acting as the lovesick teenager was adorable, and all that intensity he put into that kiss, arrghhh.. as for KTH, whilst i she don’t think she matches YAI’s awesomeness, she definitely delivers… I may not be a fan of her before that’s slowly changing with this drama. Gosh, I’m so obsessed with JOJ right now! Tq for the beautiful recap Ms Koala.. I’m dying for the sub to come out so you had no idea how happy I was when you posted the recap.

  15. THNK U THNK U!!!! My gosh, this is one of the best eps so far!!! hehe I just love everything about this drama!! hehe and damn that kiss was HOT! show her whose the man! lol

  16. thanks so much for the recaps koala sis! amazing, just amazing! i can’t believe how addicted i am now to this drama. i was not able to fully enjoy the drama last night since i am on OT, still, from your recaps, it just got better. with the current situation and how things are going, i don’t even care if Jae Hee enters the picture or not. but if he is then that would be good.

  17. Thanks koala! Even after watching the episode I always come here to read your recap and your thoughts. It makes me feel like as if I am rewatching the episode without actually having to use up another hour of my day (which unfortunately I do not have due to the presence of a new screaming baby) This was one awesome episode! I feel so sad for prince dongpyung, poor boy has already lost the battle before it started. And MIA ChiSoo is not even there for the battle! He’s going to make the record for being the latest second lead ever. Haha…

    • He’s going to make the record for being the latest second lead ever <<<< hahahahaha!!! So true!

  18. This episode SLAYS me to pieces. I’m incoherent.

    I have to pause, breathless at that simple scene of her measuring him. It’s identical to the flashback of their first meeting except NOT!!!!! It’s so simply and effectively done with their perfectly progressing tension. I feel every brooding longing second YAI’s SeJong is unable to catch a normal breath, nor part his eyes from her. And how good is K!T!H! in that scene?! It seems she’s unfazed, but there is as much of an angsty torrent inside her, barely noticeable. We call it nuance, right?! I did not know she can.

    The ending, I am spoiled the caps, but it’s still beyond imaginable. I am still shaking in shock it being so good on top of HOT! I did not expect it to be so frank and urgent and everything it should be and it’s delivered by these actors, every bit of it. I was so engrossed it wasn’t until the credit started rolling when I caught it’s gosh…bff Prince2 there, our SangYeob, dropping the umbrella, witnessing it all. While my heart sank for him, I am jumping in so much wakuwakudokidoki GOSH, this is TOO GOOD.

    • Yay! kinda mixed feelings at the last scene, at first WOW at last Lee Soon’s exposed his feeling for Ok Jung. “Kissing in the rain” 🙂 then OH NO when you saw Prince Dongpyung at the gate. “Sinking in the rain” 🙁 OMG! next episode please!
      Love your thought and enjoy your recap. Thank you.

  19. the kiss!!! if only lee soon can make JOJ his wife..but i wonder what happens when they introduce choi sukbin..is he going to fall in love with her too 🙁 that would be sad for JOJ

  20. Pulpitations! That’s what i feel about everything regarding this drama. Does it make sense that everytime Lee Soon and Ok Jung meets, i hear my heart pulsing in my ear? And during the last confrontation, my ears were roaring and i could feel my heartbeat in my throat. This is how i feel about this OTP. Pulpitations.

  21. The last scene!!! GAH!!! I can’t even ;A;

    It was so intense. When Lee Soon, the effing KING, stepped down on the murky water just to level himself with Ok Jung and the “sky is falling down for you” line and that hot, hot passionate kiss. WAAAAAAAAH.

    I have no coherent thoughts at the moment, forgive me. lol.

    Thanks for the recap ^^

  22. I cried too when Lee Soon cried and apologized and held Inkyung in his arms. Although he didn’t love her, he’s actually still have a heart. I had gosebump when Lee Soon had hallucinations and nightmare, I thought he was too depressed -following his uncle’s execution and Inkyung’s death- and gone nuts! He’s a wrecked but lonely person up there. That’s why I really enjoy their cute moments and feel giddy when they’re together, because only with JOJ he can smile and let his guard down. And I know their happiness won’t last long. So every cute and lovely moment when they’re together feels more precious.

  23. An absolutely stunning drama! I was waiting for your recaps, Miss Koala. Watched it Raw, but needed more details. Thank you so much for these recaps!

  24. Thank you so much for the recap, Koala! 😀

    Yes, it is the best drama at the moment. The rating thing is still annoying me but only for the sake of this drama. I hope the director/producers won’t make decisions to cut this drama.

  25. Aarrghhh awesome episode!
    There are 16 eps left, aren’t they? Can’t wait… what’s going on next..

    Thanks for recap Koala.

  26. Thanks koala, your recaps really help whilst waiting for subs to come out. I cant wait to watch this episode, so did not expect the kiss, so did not expect the romance to move forward so fast! Lee soon is one passionate king.

    “The sky is falling down to you”… omo omo omo…

    Totally incoherent now. JOJ this is what you make of me!

  27. It’s heartbreaking watching this when knowing how history ended with him ordering her death by poisoning…

  28. I really don’t get how this show doesn’t have higher ratings. I’m a foreigner so it makes me sad that I can’t do anything to help it. I just hope they let it run its course rather than taking it off air prematurely.

    Now Episode 8. I haven’t watched it yet since I’m still waiting on subs but as soon as the episode was finished airing, I heard about the kiss. And while I am glad that Lee Soon did kiss her, I am heartbroken from Dong-pyung. It’s a Moon/Sun triangle again and if you’ve watched it and know the end of Prince Yang-myung, you’ll understand why I’m so sad for Dong-pyung. He’s such a sweet character and you can really tell how much he loves Ok Jung just based on how worried he was that she had left for China and he would never see her again. And then there’s also our second male lead, Chi-soo who has yet to make an appearance and I’m really hoping he does soon. In the preview for the show, there’s a scene after she becomes Lee Soon’s woman where she’s sewing his King garment and he looks on at her adoringly (similarly to this episode) and then we see In-hyun and Suk-bin looking in on them and Chi-soon (FINALLY!) busts open a door to go in and stop them but a hand holds him back and it’s Dong-pyung. I’ve been pondering the meaning of this since I’ve seen that preview. Is too late to hope they’ll disregard history and leave Ok Jung with her life?

    Anyway, I love this drama and I hope it continues to go as well as it has been so far! And I REALLY hope Chi-soo shows up soon!

  29. just like you, ms. K, i would like JOJ to lead a life with PD. she deserves happiness having been abused and used by people around her. with LS, she’ll be suffering more. oohh! if only heart can be taught!

  30. With another undergo ratings, I think the domestic viewers couldn’t see the way we do of this show, in my perspective, it’s just a work of art, maybe they are just too near a picture which makes their vision blurry, they have to step back to see the beauty of it, with open-minded, it’s all about glorifying history show, then they may realize, this is a truly masterpiece in any prospects.^^

    • As a non-korean i am enjoying JOJ tremendously but maybe its because i do not have a pre-existing image of what Jang Heebin is like in korean history, so for the domestic viewers maybe they just cannot stand the idea of a famous villian suddenly turned all sweet and righteous and good. I think this drama will find better audience in internationally, just my two cents.

  31. Thanks for your recap, i really appreciate your effort.
    I enjoy reading your thoughts.
    I am proud to say that i am addicted to this drama and i am inlove with YAI.

  32. so good, it’s driving me insane waiting for the next one…
    seeing cute and antsy King Sukjong was really sweet and the second measurement, hawt!
    Yoo Ah In is really exceptional in this role, charisma is oozing out of him in this role, it’s made for him actually.
    I really love the kissing scene, because Sukjong is standing on top from her and looking down upon her and when he steps down to her level and says “that sky will fall on you” was just to epic. the symbolism!
    I’m in utter love, infatuated with this drama~
    JOJ♥

  33. Ms Koala, thank you for this. Like all the commenters here, i am totally in love with this show as well. The dialogues are so well thought of and well-written. And i agree with Ms K that KTH seems to have a better grasp of her character compared to YAI, although definitely no complaints about this charismatic and passionate King.

  34. I echo… well…. everyone when I say: Oh my gosh the kiss!! So awesome! (Except for the poor prince — though it was an awesome way of showing him catching it — I loved how it came right at the end when you thought it was all freeze frames.)

    And, I totally get what you’re saying, Koala, about In-hyun being the better queen and Ok-jung the better wife. Ok-jung looks past the throne to understand the man on it, while In-hyun understands the throne. Unfortunately, this isn’t a story about the power of sharing. 🙁

  35. I felt lump in my throat watching this episode because it’s just so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. “Look carefully, because the sky is falling down on you.” And I head over heals.

  36. really glad that they did not give dongpyung and joj scenes together in the palace (because i was about to get second lead syndrome). i was almost 100% sure that the writers will pull of a “you’re the only friend i have in this palace, thanks for listening to my worries” which is the main formula for second leads.

  37. Hi! Thank you so much for doing these summaries! Its sad that the Korean audience cannot see what a great drama this is and its comforting to know that there are people like you who take the time to write episode summaries for this show. I keep rereading this post because this is actually my favorite episode so far. Keep up the good work!

  38. Ahh finally caught up with youse guys!
    Thanks for the recap!

    I love this show, too.
    The King as man, or better yet, boy-man, is what gets me here. From when he had to hold his dying queen, to being out-manouvered again by the Morons, to being forced to take a new wife, to being haunted (chills) by his dead uncle, to just wanting to be a real boy and have someone to hold him…YAI is killing this role. He is not quite as good as the SJK was in Tree in a similar role, but the characters are different, too. Plus, SJK has the edge as far as maturity as a person if maybe not number of roles.

    I like how I keep flopping in my mind between which of the them is the senior; sometimes I see the King as a wizened young man who has a lot to teach, OJ, then it flips to seeing her as a noona who can take care of him, and who very much wants to.

    Her speech in the rain – about not being able to be near the man she loves – APPLAUSE! – we finally get to know what she feels and thinks!!! Yay! Now that she has said it, she can’t take it back. Sure, she can refuse his offers of raising her, but he knows he is under her skin now…He will NOT relent.

    I like their chemistry. He makes it work since she has to play reluctant. I don’t like reluctant! Let’s hope they let her attack him at one point, too.

    This one I plan on rewatching.

  39. Thankkkkk for ür recap :)) I watched from ep1 to 8 in 1 night Heeeeee~~ @ M 10000000000% in ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ with this Superb Drama right now … Can’t wait for the next 1. Love when lee soon said ” look carefully because the sky has falling down for ü ” I’m totally fainted with this sentence lol OHhhh MOoooo~~ how sweet~ romantic~ adorable~~~~~~~~ ;D

  40. woah miss koala, your drama favorite is the same as mine, even this drama gets low rating but it keep me stay tuned…i love kth…for yoo ah in…not his fans….but his potray of lee soon is good.. And i really love this couple…best drama for me this spring….i always like jang hee bin…in dong yi..actually i rooted for her more than dong yi…so i am very happy watching the other way of her story….

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.