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Saimdang, Light’s Diary: Episode 1
by murasakimi
Lee Young-ae’s highly anticipated comeback drama, Saimdang, Light’s Diary premiered today as a double header. We spend most of the episode in the present timeline navigating the cutthroat world of academic art history, but slowly the mystery of Saimdang comes khổng lồ the forefront, & we begin khổng lồ see the nexus where past meets present, & where time stands still.
BACKGROUND
For little context before we dive in: Shin Saimdang is widely considered as one of the most well-known female figures in Korean history. She lived during the Joseon period, & was an accomplished artist, calligraphist, and poet in her own right. As the oldest daughter of a scholar in a family with no sons, she received more education than was commonly given lớn women during that time.
However, despite her achievements, she more often is represented as an ideal woman or “Wise Mother” based on Confucian ideals, primarily through her son (renowned Confucian scholar Yi Yi’s) depictions of her through his writings. But this idea is also carried through her own poetry, where she frequently expresses her deep devotion to lớn her parents.
Thus, the aim of Saimdang, Light’s Diary is likely an attempt to reconcile those two seemingly contradictory portrayals of Shin Saimdang, by going back & examining her early life. So without further ado, let’s get khổng lồ it!
EPISODE 1 RECAP
Our story opens in Tuscany, Italy back in 1551, where a bevy of lords & ladies gather in an impressive manor for some dancing & socializing. Late into the night, a maid knocks on a door with a tray of food in hand, and calls out for “Mister Lee” khổng lồ take his dinner. The calls go unanswered and eventually she leaves.
Inside, we see a haggard looking man, whose eyes are crazed as he paints–this is our hero, LEE GYEOM (Song Seung-heon). As his brush glides across the red lips of the woman in his painting, memories of her flash through his mind. The woman is, of course, the famous SHIN SAIMDANG (Lee Young-ae).
Haunted by the past, Gyeom races out of his room và out onto the balcony overlooking the great hall. The partygoers below look up in surprise when they hear Gyeom scream out lượt thích a deranged man, filled with regrets.
In the present, art history lecturer SEO JI-YOON (also Lee Young-ae) stares adoringly at a beautiful painting on the wall. A moment later, a man, Professor MIN JUNG-HAK (Choi Jong-hwan), and two other women arrive at the house.
The new arrivals greet Ji-yoon familiarly, và it becomes clear at some point that Ji-yoon is a protege of Professor Min. Her presence in his home, & the fact that she helps out around the house and brings the family large quantities of homemade dishes, showcases a close relationship between mentor & student, but also illustrates how much Ji-yoon’s career is tied to lớn Professor Min’s opinion.
We see that all of Ji-yoon’s extra effort has paid off when Professor Min assigns her khổng lồ write a research paper on a famous Joseon artist. More specifically, a paper on An Gyeon’s “Mount Geumgang,” a painting that has appeared again after five hundred years. Ji-yoon is overjoyed khổng lồ receive the assignment, & the honor of the project isn’t lost on her. Professor Min’s wife hints that with the completion of her research, she will finally complete her Ph
D.
After thanking him profusely, Ji-yoon hurries over lớn see the painting for herself. Its beauty takes her breath away, and she revels at the history before her eyes. As she takes a few photos of the painting from several angles, something catches her notice, but she shakes it off.
Soon, her mother-in-law (Kim Hae-sook) calls to lớn ask where she is, realizing she’s late for a family gathering, Ji-yoon rushes off.
Elsewhere, Professor Min meets with DIRECTOR SUN (Kim Mi-kyung), the owner of the new An Gyeon painting & the gallery where it will be showcased. They discuss the importance of the Mount Geumgang painting, since it is currently the talk of the town và is likely to become a national treasure. Their conversation is loaded with subtext, and ultimately, it becomes clear that Director Sun hopes the academic work done on the painting will help both their careers soar lớn new heights.
Ji-yoon arrives trang chủ and greets her elders, as her mother-in-law praises her recent and near-guaranteed position as a professor. She encourages Ji-yoon to not mind the guests and work on her thesis instead.
In her office, Jiyoon examines the photos she took of the painting with exacting precision. She notices that there are maple tree designs on the border, which was common during the Edo period, which conflicts with An Gyeon’s recorded lifetime.
The revelation troubles her greatly, but before she can contemplate the mystery further, she receives a điện thoại tư vấn from a ngân hàng looking for her husband, JUNG MIN-SUK (Lee Hae-young). She asks what the điện thoại tư vấn is about, but the man on the phone avoids going khổng lồ details và asks that her husband call them back.
As if on cue, her husband returns home, so she immediately prepares a healthy drink for him before proceeding khổng lồ tell him about the new painting. She buzzes about its importance, but then admits that something about feels off. She cites the frustration in the brushstrokes và how the texture of the silk canvas differs from the other known An Gyeon pieces, whose strokes are elegant & bold.
Her husband asks if she means khổng lồ contradict Professor Min’s assessment of the painting as authentic. She denies it, so he advises her to go with the flow. Ji-yoon decides not to argue with him, then mentions the điện thoại tư vấn from the bank, và thinks it strange for them to hotline so late.
He doesn’t say anything to her inquiry, but when she leaves, a troubled expression appears on his face.
As they settle into bed for the night, she tells Min-suk that she’s flying out to lớn a conference on Saturday in Bologna, Italy. It takes him a moment to digest the information before he sits up, alarmed. He complains about the suddenness of her announcement, asking who will take care of their child while she is gone, but Ji-yoon argues that she told him a long time ago about it, và he clearly forgot.
Annoyed, the pair go lớn sleep with a huff.
At the university, Ji-yoon presents her research on the An Gyeon painting. She tells the audience (which includes Professor Min & Director Sun) about what a miracle it is to find another An Gyeon masterpiece after five hundred years.
Ji-yoon introduces Professor Min, who comes lớn the stage to lớn speak on the discovery of the painting và its significance. Professor Min explains that An Gyeon’s most famous painting, “Dream Journey to lớn the Peach Blossom Land,” represents a time during the Joseon period when Korean artists began painting idyllic landscapes as seen in Chinese arts.
Suddenly, a young man in the audience named HAN SANG-HYUN (Yang Se-jong) raises his hand to ask a question. We learn from some whisperers in the crowd that the young man is apparently someone who was fired by Professor Min for arguing against his opinions.
Sang-hyun begins pointing out the two discrepancies Ji-yoon had found earlier in her investigation to lớn question the piece’s authenticity. Two security officers arrive to lớn escort Sang-hyun out, but he fights them off và turns to ask Ji-yoon her opinion directly.
After a long and painful moment of hesitation, Ji-yoon confesses that she can’t be sure it’s the real thing. She explains that although the mounting of the painting is done in a style commonly found during the Edo period, she points out that paintings were commonly remounted throughout history.
Thus, she says, the mounting alone isn’t a correct method of evaluation, & against someone like Professor Min, who has studied An Gyeon’s art for over thirty years, Sang-hyun’s criticisms seem theatrical rather than objective. The audience then breaks out into laughter at Ji-yoon’s denouncement of the interrupter.
After the seminar, Professor Min tries khổng lồ assuage Director Sun’s concerns by explaining that the art history world is full of doubters và critics. When she isn’t fully convinced, he promises that he is putting his entire career on the line for the project.
Ji-yoon also meets with Professor Min lớn apologize for the incident during the seminar. Although he’s agitated by the event, he calmly assures Ji-yoon not to mind it, & tells her khổng lồ focus on her presentation in Bologna instead. As he turns away from her, he scowls.
Later, Ji-yoon calls her husband from a restaurant, where he’s a no-show. She complains into his voicemail that he was supposed lớn tell his mother about her upcoming trip.
Meanwhile, at Min-suk’s office, it’s pandemonium as prosecutors arrive lớn seize company documents as their stock begins to lớn plummet. After returning trang chủ from dinner, Ji-yoon is stunned lớn see her living room filled with angry people demanding to lớn know where her husband is.
It turns out that those people are debt collectors, since her husband ran off without paying back his loans. Things get rowdy quickly as the group begins pushing the family around. Ji-yoon then receives a call from her husband, who tells her to lớn take their family và leave town for a while.
She runs out of the house khổng lồ try and find him, but the mob follows her và begins to assault her as her cowardly husband watches the chaos unfold from nearby.
Later, Ji-yoon takes her mother-in-law & young son to her friend, GO HYE-JUNG’s (Park Jun-myun) apartment for refuge. When her family is out of sight, in a moment of weakness và with tears in her eyes, Ji-yoon contemplates giving up her ambitions to be a professor. Hye-jung rightly tells her not lớn give up, promising that they’ll get through this somehow.
The next morning, the newly blended family adjusts khổng lồ a morning routine, and Ji-yoon speaks with her shell-shocked mother-in-law, promising to become a professor no matter what so she can support their family until her husband returns.
On the airplane khổng lồ Bologna, Ji-yoon shows Professor Min her presentation materials. He capriciously objects to the màu sắc and kiến thiết of her slides, but then takes little interest in the changes she makes.
At their hotel, Ji-yoon runs into a famous art historian that she knows, và she asks for his autograph. He also recognizes her from a video clip taken of her seminar back in Korea about the Mount Geumgang painting. He tells her that he feels lượt thích the painting is strange & needs lớn be researched further. Oh boy.
Ji-yoon is stunned by his critique, but is unable khổng lồ respond before Professor Min comes over to lớn greet the man.
Separately, Ji-yoon và Professor Min both watch the video clip circulating online about the painting’s controversy, which questions its authenticity. Professor Min receives a call from Director Sun demanding that he take care of the video.
Ji-yoon tries to do her own damage control, mainly through Hye-jung’s connections, but she’s too overwhelmed by all the moving pieces in her life to lớn give it too much attention.
A little later, Ji-yoon arrives at a cocktail event, but upon meeting Professor Min, he immediately demands she go out và purchase some toiletries for his personal use. She’s flustered by the command, but then eventually obliges.
She returns with his items in hand & waits on the side timidly as Professor Min takes his glory shots. They meet privately lớn the side, only for Professor Min to tell her lớn leave at once. He suggests she change her major & give up all hopes of becoming an art history professor, otherwise he’ll ruin her life permanently. Oh man, this guy is a piece of work.
Left with no other option, Ji-yoon heads back to her khách sạn room, only to discover all her luggage has been placed outside the door. She’s been forcibly checked out of the hotel, and she tries to lớn complain lớn the front desk about it, but they aren’t helpful at all.
Soon, Ji-yoon is wandering the streets alone with nowhere to lớn go. Hye-jung calls to lớn ask what happened, because apparently Professor Min has manipulated the story to lớn make it seem as if Ji-yoon irresponsibly blew off her presentation to lớn go out shopping. Ugh! This guy!
Ji-yoon can’t believe her ears, but Hye-jung rightfully assesses the situation and understands that Professor Min had it all planned from the beginning, và that he selfishly decided lớn take credit for Ji-yoon’s work. Hye-jung warns Ji-yoon that the only way out is the prove that the painting is a fake, like she suspects it to be.
As Ji-yoon walks through the night, the wheels on one of her suitcases breaks, so she opens up her bag and begins throwing about all the books she has of Professor Min’s. She laments the fact that she wrote one of the books, but received no credit. She also laments that for five years she worked lượt thích a dog under him, but he still refused lớn give her a Ph
D.
She downs some boxed soju she brought with her, then stumbles half-drunk through the streets until she knocks over some displays of a used book stand. The owner insists that it’s fine (in Italian), but after she gives him some money, he hands her a few books he grabbed absentmindedly from the fallen pile.
Without much resistance, she takes the books và his well wishes, then walks around until she finds a cheap place khổng lồ stay.
In her motel room, she receives a text from her husband informing her that their house has been given over as collateral. She throws her phone across the room in a fit of frustration, but then notices one of the books given lớn her for the first time.
Fatefully, she reads the words “Mount Geumgang” on the cover, and can’t believe it might be connected to her research. She finds an Italian phrase on the cover: “Siesta Di Luna,” which translates to “Moon’s Sleep.”
The next morning, an inspired Ji-yoon goes around town asking about the mysterious phrase, until she sees something in the window that leads her khổng lồ Tuscany. Turns out, Siesta Di Luna is the name of an estate, the one Lee Gyeom was staying at in the top of the episode.
The owner of the estate greets her at the door to show her around. As she walks through the great hall, it is almost as if she can feel the lords và ladies khiêu vũ to the music back in 1551. Suddenly, she turns toward the balcony and hears Lee Gyeom cry out into the night.
Something takes hold of her from within, and soon she hurries through the grand building, climbing the stairs in tìm kiếm of something, in spite of the owner’s protests that there is nothing but empty rooms.
A mysterious breeze blows through the air, and though Ji-yoon doesn’t realize it, a phantom image of Lee Gyeom walks past her, linking them together.
Her search takes her to room, where the owner notes that the window has mysteriously opened on its own again. Sitting on the window sill is a dove, who curiously watches Ji-yoon scan the room.
As she looks around, images of the past fill her mind, until the mirror before her shatters in a thousand pieces, và the dove takes flight. Lớn their surprise, hidden inside the mirror is a large, ornately painted cabinet.
When Ji-yoon opens the doors, inside is the painting of Shin Saimdang that Lee Gyeom painted nearly five hundred years ago at Siesta Di Luna, whose resemblance to Ji-yoon is uncanny. The owner, believing it to be fate, offers Ji-yoon all the ancient items stored in the cabinet. Whoa, pretty generous.
On her flight home, she reads over the booklets she found in the cabinet, part of which says: “Flowing và flowing. Khổng lồ feel regret for the death of an innocent. Letting go of this desperate sadness lớn the skies. The past memories must be written.”
She contacts a botanist khổng lồ examine the seeds that she found in a pouch with the other items. Right away, the botanist remarks that the seeds are at least hundreds of years old.
After she leaves, she gets a text notifying her of her removal as a lecturer. She goes to the registrar lớn complain about having some time left on her contract with the school. The manager dismisses her và explains that the climate right now is strained, especially because there are other instructors protesting against the school.
Outside, Sang-hyun sits with the rest of the protestors, and when he sees her, he runs over khổng lồ speak with her. She tries to lớn brush him off, then accuses him of trying lớn recruit her khổng lồ join his protest. Sang-hyun explains that he only wanted lớn apologize for dragging her into his conflict with Professor Min.
She’s outraged by his apology và asks how he can apologize after basically guaranteeing her demise. He thinks she’s being dramatic, và claims that she’ll be fine since she did kind of agree with him on the fact that the supposed An Gyeon painting was suspicious. His comments phối her off, and she tells him not lớn assume he knows anything about her life, & to leave her alone.
Back at Hye-jung’s, Ji-yoon tries to mount her defense against Professor Min’s false claims in preparation for her upcoming disciplinary meeting, but it isn’t going very well. At that moment, her husband calls to meet, so she runs out khổng lồ meet him at a train station.
He texts her the location of a certain locker and tells her the passcode. She spots him in the distance và chases after him, but he jumps on a train before she can catch him. In the locker is a large stack of money, & a lưu ý that simply tells her that he’ll call again.
The next day, Ji-yoon sits before the disciplinary committee và attempts lớn salvage her good name. She maintains that Professor Min và her have a misunderstanding of some kind, và that she has prepared some documents to tư vấn her story.
However, Professor Min is far more prepared that she is, & shows the committee photographic evidence of her holding a shopping bag filled with Professor Min’s requested toiletries, and a đoạn clip of her drunken tirade on the streets.
With the evidence stacked against her, Ji-yoon’s fate is sealed, and she is terminated.
After the meeting, Ji-yoon storms into Professor Min’s office, & then shockingly gets on her knees lớn tearfully beg for forgiveness. She pleads with him to save her, but Professor Min’s true personality shows itself, and he tells his underlings lớn get her out of his sight.
COMMENTS
I’m surprised we didn’t go back in time just yet, but I lượt thích the sweet, sweet vengeance being set up now. Things did move a little bit quickly in this episode for my taste, but on the other hand, I’m happy to get the thiết lập out of the way if it means we can start lớn learn about Saimdang. The other good thing about the fast pacing is that I feel like we got a good grip on the main players in the present timeline. Right now, I don’t think these characters are interesting or new in any way, but I was entertained enough to keep going, which I suppose is the main thing.
I really didn’t expect Yang Se-jong’s character lớn be such a central part of the modern plot. I guess I’ve been conditioned to lớn overlook the actors that play the main cast’s younger selves, because it’s really all about who has đứng top billing in those cases. That said, I think it’s an interesting setup, và I liked all of Ji-yoon’s & Sang-hyun’s interactions so far, so I’m eager to lớn see how it plays out, và if it’s successful.
There’s something about this drama that feels dated somehow, but I can’t really figure out what that is exactly. It might be the themes dealt with in this episode (everything’s pretty familiar), or I think it might be Ji-yoon’s character that I’m having a little trouble with. I like the components & trajectory of her story, but I didn’t feel that I ever really connected with her. But it’s only the first episode, so there’s time lớn explore her characterization a little more deeply, & perhaps through her research of Saimdang’s life.
But, we can’t talk about this episode without discussing Lee Young-ae. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve imagined her as Dae Jang Geum for so long, but every time I saw Lee Young-ae as Saimdang, I got so excited (even if it was a painting oddly enough), và I just felt like it was right. Và then I would see her as Ji-yoon, but lượt thích I said before, I didn’t connect to her character or even her portrayal of the character as much as I wanted to.
To me, Lee Young-ae is like one of those people that was born in the wrong era. She just possesses this air that doesn’t feel modern somehow. Maybe I’ve fallen victim lớn overly romanticizing her, but I couldn’t shake the feeling while I was watching the episode. She just works for sageuk, so I can’t wait lớn see her in the past storyline.
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Overall, I think this first episode did what it phối out lớn do. The art history plotline could’ve easily fallen flat, but it managed to lớn be engrossing. I don’t know that it was necessary khổng lồ have that whole husband bankruptcy story thread, but it was used well enough as an impetus for Ji-yoon to lớn ignore her instincts và continue with her presentation of the An Gyeon painting. That said, I would lượt thích a little less of those plot lines, because it’s distracting, and we’re all here for Saimdang, so more time spent on that the better, in my opinion.
Story - reviewswu.edu.vn KOREAN DRAMA REVIEWS
Saimdang, Light"s Diary aka Saimdang, Her Story 사임당, 빛의 일기 SBS 28 Episodes (Pre-filmed 2015-16, Aired 2016-17) Masterpiece, Grade A+ Korean Drama đánh giá by Jill, USA ~~~~~~~~~~~
Masterful, superb and fanciful presentation of the life of an historical legend, 16th Century Joseon female artist and noted calligrapher Shin Saimdang (her face is on the most expensive currency in Korea, the 50,000 Won bill andshe was the mother of the Confucian scholar Yi I), in the context of a fictitious love story và modern day art mystery, Saimdang, Light"s Diary feeds the hunger of the intelligent Korean drama viewer for a production laced with spiritual beauty, a chaste yet still passionate love story that will make one weep, sublime writing and acting, and second to none production values. In short an EXQUISITE Korean drama in every way!
Coaxing the beautiful Korean actress Lee Young Ae out of a 13 year K-drama acting hiatus after her memorable work on 2003"s Jewel in the Palace, with a magnificent, poetic script, and adding the handsome, dashing tuy nhiên Seung Hun as her leading man, plus hiring a great ensemble cast, all created the foundation for a new classic Korean drama that I will enjoy over & over again (and I hope others will too!) for years to come. The colorful costumes, scenic backgrounds, magnificent soundtrack, colorful animation, and beautiful artwork are a feast for the eyes and soul.
Enough praise cannot be lavished on the production for its exquisite cinematography và the lovely country location selections (with a short trip to Tuscany, Italy), combining khổng lồ give the viewer unique, spectacular visual imagery that you won"t find in any other Korean drama, even other historical shows! In fact, after I finished this drama I was depressed for days, missing the characters và the beautiful, haunting story lượt thích crazy. I never thought an historical drama whose theme was Art would ever replace my love for 2008"s Painter Of The Wind, but I found it in Saimdang, Light"s Diary. It was so refreshing lớn enjoy a drama not aimed at a teenage crowd as much as a mature, thinking audience. The two leads being in their mid 30"s was a delightful respite from all the teen idol based dramas we see too much of today. We need more grown up fare like this show.
Minor glitches occur once in a xanh moon, mostly having to vì with the modern day story sometimes too abruptly being interlaced with the Joseon story; the modern story wasn"t the main focus of the drama anyway, but these changes in time periods vì not distract from this Work of Art, unless you as a viewer choose lớn make them so by preferring the modern tale lớn the Joseon era story, or vice versa. The intent was to lớn have them blend in seamlessly and for all intents and purposes they do. The Joseon era story of Shin Saimdang"s life is at the heart of the drama, similar khổng lồ the story of 14th Century General Choi Young being at the heart of the story in 2012"s fictitious time travel tale Faith. In fact, in the beginning of Saimdang, the interlacing of past with present is done perfectly and seamlessly, as you can see in the video, below, when Seung Hun Song"s character as a Joseon era ghost shows up in modern day Italy!
The Most Remarkable Sequence I"ve Ever Seen In Any K-Drama! It Could Be An Old Masterpiece Theater Classic Scene From Britain
địa chỉ in a great musical soundtrack with a beautiful "Close lớn You" tuy vậy by "The One", và LYn"s plaintive "Whenever, Wherever", as well as a soaring "Everlasting Love" by Lee Soo, plus unbelievably beautiful instrumental pieces, & you know you are about to watch (and hear) something very, very special. Many times I would just sit back gaping at my television screen, awestruck at this drama"s artistry. "I can"t believe what I"m watching, this must have cost a fortune! Every episode is like a first run movie in a theater!" Because of my frequent exclamations of wonder my children would come kiểm tra out particularly beautiful scenes with me. Miss this drama & it"s your tremendous loss! The rest of the world is finally starting khổng lồ appreciate the remarkable high chất lượng of films, shows, & actors in South Korea, & this drama is one reason why. Korea produces masterpieces, America produces trash. Sorry, but it"s the awful truth.
The Story: Beginning in modern day Seoul we meet Seo Ji Yoon (Lee Young Ae) a Korean art historian & lecturer who discovers on a trip khổng lồ Italy (Italy, you say? well stay tuned!) the diary of historical figure và artist Shin Saimdang (also played by Lee Young Ae), an artist of nature và mother of several children including future Confucian scholar Yi I. She also finds an ancient painting of Saimdang that had been painted by her platonic lover Lee Gyeom (Song Seung Hun as an adult, Yang Se Jong as a young man). However the painting is the spitting image of Seo Ji Yoon herself! In shock, the Italian caretaker of the estate lets Seo Ji Yoon take the diary and the painting back with her to Korea, saying it"s obviously fate that led her to discover them in the first place.
In Seo Ji Yoon"s world, Saimdang is a legend. In Joseon times, that legend was still being formed & Saimdang was known as a bold and talented artist, poet, and calligrapher. Those qualities were enough lớn leave a lasting impression on Lee Gyeom, a fictional character who is basically representing the bold Renaissance Man of the Joseon dynasty as a talented artist, writer, musician, và even women"s rights" activist! From the moment he meets the young Saimdang (Park Hye Soo), he dedicates his life to her with a pure và constant love.
As Seo Ji Yoon learns more about Saimdang through her diary, she begins to unravel the secret behind the painting of a woman who looks exactly like her. We then go back into the past for a considerable amount of time as the foundation for this drama. Sometimes we return to lớn the present day, where Seo Ji Yoon is having marital problems & professional problems due to lớn the avarice of the most important men in her life, her secretive husband Jung Min Seok (Lee Hae Young) who puts the family into bankruptcy, and her boss, the corrupt Min Jung Hak (Choi Jung Hwan) who tries to pass off lớn the artistic community a fake painting as authentic. Along for her bumpy ride back to lớn normalcy from chaos are her best friend Ko Hye Jung (chubby actress Park Jun Myun from Late Night Restaurant), her mother-in-law Kim Jung Hee (Kim Hae Sook from The Suspicious Housekeeper), her young son Eun Soo (Lee Tae Woo), her male student friend Han lịch sự Hyun (Yang Se Jong in a dual role), và ultimately, surprisingly, Director Seon (Kim ngươi Kyung - Horseface!) who at first sided with her corrupt quái thú but who changes for the better by the over of the drama & supports Seo Ji Yoon.
Adding lớn the drama"s intensity in the Joseon story is Saimdang"s erstwhile "friend" Whieum Dang Choi (You Are All Surrounded & Alone In Love actress Oh Yoon Ah), a girl from a humble background who once wished to be better than Saimdang as an artist but who could not vày so và therefore blames Saimdang for the rejection she faced at the hands of Lee Gyeom. Whieum Dang ends up giving Saimdang years of grief, including several times putting her life in jeopardy due to lớn jealousy. Whieum Dang is forced lớn marry a man who doesn"t love her, Min đưa ra Hyung (Choi Chul Ho), but who only sexually desires her. Her husband knows all too well she carries a not so secret torch for Lee Gyeom và this creates lots of dangerous animosity between the two men, as is evident in this fantastic sword fight sequence, below.
Fate intervenes to lớn keep the loving, artistic teenage couple Saimdang & Lee Gyeom separate; she too is forced lớn marry another young man named Lee Won Soo (played as an adult by Yoon da Hoon) otherwise there would be a royal command to kill her beloved Lee Gyeom by the mentally disturbed monarch of the time, King Jung Jong (Choi Jung Hwan in a dual role) For two decades Lee Gyeom remains in the dark as khổng lồ why Saimdang abruptly married another man and moved away, creating a trang chủ with him và having his children. When he does discover the truth, that she did it to save his life, he is able khổng lồ drop his bitterness by the wayside, even coming lớn her aid several times when she is in trouble, và even caring for her children who are not his own, for example teaching her academically bright son Hyun Rong (Jung Joo Won), and encouraging his brilliant mind at academics, & then standing up for her daughter Mae (Shin Shoo Yun, in a beautiful performance for one so young) who wants lớn attend a royal art school designed for men only.
One of the best parts of this drama is seeing Saimdang relating lovingly toward her children, teaching her children so many valuable academic, moral, và life lessons. This is so rare in Korean dramas, depicting such a high quality, sacrificial mother, and I delighted in it. Saimdang"s husband turns out lớn be nothing but an oaf who can"t pass the civil service thử nghiệm even after trying repeatedly for years, và he also cheats on her with a bar maid. So she throws all the love she has into her children. I especially loved her relationship with her daughter Mae, who also wished lớn be an artist like her mother, even disguising herself as a boy, trying to get into the royal academy of arts that is the exclusive territory of men. She wins the đứng top prize but when it"s discovered she is a girl she is disqualified from attending the school.
Her mother gives her hope for the future, that Joseon may not always be a male-dominated society, by trying out for an opportunity khổng lồ paint the King himself, & winning her objective. I just adored this beautiful conversation between mother và daughter, in the video đoạn clip below. Saimdang"s decision khổng lồ become a royal painter, no matter what the personal cost lớn herself, just so she could show Mae that there was hope for her khổng lồ achieve similar goals, was so inspiring. As a mother of five children all these scenes touched my heart tremendously.
When Saimdang"s silly husband gets his bar girl friend pregnant his marriage with Saimdang is essentially over. Lee Young Ae played these scenes exquisitely, even asking her incompetent, cheating husband why he couldn"t be happy with her. He replies he knows she never felt passionately toward him, but being fond of him & being a good housewife just wasn"t enough for him. Saimdang now becomes the major breadwinner for her family by creating a new kind of art paper that is superior khổng lồ others on the market và she enlists the help of the common people who love her to produce this colorful paper.
Does all this send her into the arms of the love of her life, Lee Gyeom? No, it still doesn"t. She comes lớn the decision that she wants her children khổng lồ respect her above everything else, và that her children wouldn"t be able lớn hold their heads high in society if she took up with another man. She comes to lớn this decision in the sequence the thắm thiết meeting at Mount Geumgang, one of the artistic highlights of the entire drama.
Saimdang is of such high moral character that she even forgives the jealous Whieum Dang & helps her out when her own husband is jailed and comes back out seeking revenge against Saimdang and Lee Gyeom. The man is so evil he doesn"t even care that he is a terrible moral example to his own two sons, whom he ignores. Saimdang actually becomes the best moral example to Whieum Dang"s sons, a fact that shocks the boys" mother into finally changing her mind about what is most important in life. In fact there is so much forgiving going on in this drama nearing the kết thúc that I think certain scenes could be used to teach forgiveness in religion classes! They are that powerful.
So why was Saimdang"s diary and painting found in Tuscany, Italy? Lee Gyeom had escaped there after an order had been issued to lớn execute him for treason he didn"t commit; living in Joseon was no longer possible, and several important people help him escape. This all leads up to lớn an ending that is very mystical and poignant and had me in tears several times, but I won"t give any spoilers away. Suffice lớn say two worlds meet in the spirit and physical realms, two fascinating women meet, and a loving couple meet again who should have always been together from the beginning, if the world were not such a sinful, violent place.
As a huge fan hâm mộ of tuy nhiên Seung Hun I believe this is his finest performance, & Lee Young Ae impressed me so much that I am determined to lớn watch her in every other drama or film she"s ever been in. She is sublime, both inside & out. Don"t miss out on Saimdang, Light"s Diary, whatever else you bởi in life! It"s totally beautiful. If more people were like Saimdang & Lee Gyeom what a better place the world would be. Don"t listen khổng lồ any naysayers about this drama: they lack beauty in their souls. This is just about the most perfect Korean drama I have ever seen in my life. I adored it.