AAAAAAAAAHAHA

that's me crying by the way, NOT LAUGHING,,, WHAT THE HECK

I've never written a review for one episode only BUT OH MY GOODNESS,,, very seriously, I think this is one of the most beautiful episodes of this series, I long for pairings like theirs, the genuine love and kindness they share with each other, and for that beautiful relationship to be buried under rumours and "self-preservation" HURTS ME TO THE CORE, I absolutely hate and adore this episode simultaneously...

anyway... I have nothing negative ot say bout this episode,, I've been neglecting this series because all I started to care about was the main characters, and to come back to this episode, I'm really happy with it <33

kudos to lee soohyuk and kim heesun because wow, just wow.

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A very simplified backstory with no surprises

By this point in the series you can clearly tell the limits of creativity for this production team. We are finally introduced to the backstory, initially treated as something major but after the tragic story of previous episode, this is just underwhelming. They went for a simple tragic, cookie-cutter story yet decided to waste time on entire abduction of women of the town. If they wanted to make public shunning more realistic, have women publicly be abused, some giving in to save their lives before after several days being rescued by returning soldiers (initially poisoned even). Then shunning would make sense because others were forced to watch and they wouldn't have lost as much screentime on the whole event. But this just boils down to the limits of the creativity behind the series - the only thing production team seems to be familiar with is blaming yourselves, blaming others while on a tantrum and opinions of others - somehow, nearly every suicide case revolves around narcissistic forms of depression. Including this back-story. Of course, I can't expect people from entertainment industry to actually understand various forms of depression but after such an important episode that was previous one, they really showed that someone else should have worked on this kdrama idea.

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Ryeon's Past

I agree with Izzu162 and Kenzie Baxter’s review. Kim Hee Sun and Lee Soo Hyuk were phenomenal as Ryeon and Park Jung Gil. Gal So Won and Park Sang Hoon did a great job as young Ryeon and Jung Gil and set the stage for adult casts. Ryeon and Jung Gil's love was so pure that they ended up choosing different ways to protect each other. Ryeon has always treated everyone with respect and love, but when she needed everyone's support, they turned their back and mistreated her. Poor Gop Dan felt really bad for her and the other women taken by the barbarians. Now, I totally understand why Jung Gil and Ryeon are like this now. Fate has been very crucial to them and the reason why Jade Emperor made Joon Woong a Grim reaper in the RM team. Ryeon deserves all the love and support.

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The intricacies and complexity of life (All in one episode!)

Kenzie Baxter’s review encapsulates all that should be said about this episode. I fully agree. Moreover, this episode gives us critical insights that even Grim Reaper’s had lives to lead, times of heartbreak & misery. It is truly revolutionary to see the plot be explored even to this extent. This episode is a must watch, for it allows viewers to deep dive into Koo Ryeom (or whatever her name is)’s sacrifice, and abait her sacrifice, she has to suffer the ramifications of choosing suicide as the way out. Not that I agree with the ramifications, but it allows the flow of the story is rather consistent, and hence a good incorporated portion of the plot. I think is it magical that the show touches on every facet of human nature, human lives—how vulnerable we can be, how to put ourselves in others’ shoes even in times of hardship. Execution was amazing, and a well done steak of an episode this was.

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It is perfect in every aspect

This drama is an all around masterpiece, highly recommend. Everything was well done, even accuracy (as much as they could with an unfinished webtoon and a 16ep drama). Acting was perfectly representative of the webtoon-esque characters. Actors looked the part and played the part remarkably well. There were several fun cameos of idols and actors. The music gave me chills and the ending OSTs always made me feel emotional, whether happy and light or heavy and sad. The filming was done beautifully. The writing was perfectly wrapped up, no loose ends and no feelings of something missing. Even though we would have liked a more meaningful ending for two of the characters, it was wrapped up in a way that made perfect sense for the characters and their personalities and situations. Some things were changed from the webtoon, but they were necessary changes as webtoon and dramas are on completely different platforms. I had no qualms with the drama and loved every minute of it (this is the first drama I never skipped ahead a single time!). If they ever plan to do another season, I will be fully on board, as the ending was both open and had necessary closure.Aside from all the background details, the content of the drama itself was spectacularly handled. With it dealing with such a heavy topic as suicide, it must have been hard to balance all the elements of entertainment and it's intended message. It gave hope to all sorts of people in different types of situations that might lead to that kind of terrifying decision. It put the subject into perspective and made it possible for those not suffering to think about their loved ones who may be struggling and have a better understanding of the suffering they are going through and stressed the importance of reaching out to others. The only suicide prevention that works is human connection. If we feel that there is someone in this world who notices us and our struggles, we can overcome. I will highly recommend this drama to everyone I know.

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Finally the Windflower arc, though I wonder…

Finally the Windflower arc, though I wonder if this arc would be a 2-parter just like Western Sky. Have to say that with all the tease we used to get, as well as the preview from the last episode, I do wonder how would the drama made changes to the original Windflower arc as to pair Ryeon and Joonggil together. So I guess this was how drama did it, aside from the circumstances that led to Ryeon killing herself... the rest mostly followed webtoon. Though with the new plot about the Qing invasion, I wonder if any of it would end up becoming Joonggil's origins in webtoon. Anyway, instead of a death of a son it was a dear servant who died. I have to say that it was pretty upsetting to assume that the returning women were defiled just because they have been kidnapped and taken out of Joseon. And rather than be happy that the women had returned home, the villagers treated the women like dirt. I'm angered at the villagers and the soldiers that spread false rumors about Ryeon but I was even more angered at Joonggil's mom. Ryeon risked her life to save her MIL and ended up captured in the process, yet the MIL didn't even try to do the same for Ryeon. So easy to believe rumors rather that listen to the truth. How despicable !

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