Kathryn_51

Well, the reason BTS hired Jeong-won to follow her was because Sang-ah outright lied to him, so there is that, lol.

Thanks for sharing. I don't think you need to put this under a spoiler tag since there aren't any major spoilers in your post.

I drafted up a Character description a couple of weeks ago and finally posted it in the "Recent Discussions" box. It doesn't show up unless you click on "view all". At a minimum, it explains some of the connections between characters.

However, this drama has so many plots/counter-plots and then "totally dropped plots" that it's safe to say that this is a story about ambition and betrayal - wash, rinse, repeat. I've re-watched scenes trying to determine if I missed something important because later episodes seemed to conflict with the prior narrative. If you have specific questions about characters or connections, that might be the best way to help you sort through this jumble.

Thanks for the well-written review and explanation of the good and the bad. PMY is one of my favorite actresses so I was looking forward to it, but paused after episode 3 or 4 and never returned because I didn't care about her character. Or anyone else for that matter. Anyway, you've saved me several hours of my life that could best be used elsewhere. 😊

I can't remember where I read it (and it was just yesterday) but someone referred to an interview, with Ha JI-won where she said something along the lines of "BTS likes Sang-ah, but Sang-ha doesn't like him." I haven't read the original Korean version, but I think the word "like" is probably 좋아해 (pronounced roughly as "jo-ah-hae") which is closer to "have feelings for". Ji-won said the character views BTS as her "comrade".

I'm trying to figure out the significance of that diamond pin. Where did BTS get something so valuable? Was it a gift from the Chairman to Sang-ah? Did Kwon recognize it? Or does the closeted gay see it as a possible token of . . . .whatever from BTS?

They removed some scenes or views to get the rating down.

I agree it was never marketed as any sort of "romance". But ENA has described it as a "love/hate" relationship so @Guts isn't wrong. To the extent the "couple" was marketed, it was promoted as "two against the world".

Their poster states:

You are as you.
I am as I am.

Let's see the end that each of us wants.

For those that care, you should flashback to the scene with Ji-soo, the Chairman and [Chief Prosecutor???] There was a film camera set up. This was in 2016 - "10" years ago.

I’ll bet anything that in Sang-ah’s early days, Oh Kwang-jae made her do private sex scenes for the entertainment of rich clients.

We’ve been told several times that her title as “Madame Lee” was because she arranged “meetings” with young actresses and “members of the elite.” It’s never been clear how or when Yang-mi became involved with the Chairman. Did she have access to all of OKJ’s videos? Once OKJ was killed, did she blackmail the Chairman? We may never know the full story (because this writer doesn’t seem to care about tying up loose ends from the past), but until told otherwise, I’m confident this video is from the past.

It wasn't the hotel room (look at surroundings) and it wasn't Jeong-won. Frankly, I'm getting tired of the writer/director ending an episode with what I will call "false" scenes - they turn out to be non-stories in the next episode. But I guess it gets viewers talking about the drama and speculating. 😁

Explanation below under spoilers tag.

Sneak Peek for Ep. 8. The auto translation was difficult to comprehend, but in essence Kwon Jung-uk says he regrets his past action (which was essentially turning his back on BTS once the Chairman became ill, I believe?). BTS says "Yang-mi's movement are unusual these days." Kwon makes an offer to BTS which is essentially some sort of exhorbitant priced movie deal but BTS rejects it because it's money laundering. And then BTS wants a meeting with Senator/Congressman/Assemblyman Choi - who ever that is.

https://x.com/Channel_ENA/status/2041304951255941379

Well, they do sleep in separate beds. But I don't think it has been 100% sexless since they married. That scene in the bathroom didn't end at 2nd base.

Crazy thought: After all is said and done, what if Sang-ah is pregnant after that one night. Wouldn't that be a total kick for the audience???

Yes, the tiger is BTS, but he wasn't identified in the sneak peek. I was trying to explain my "error" in thinking that Yang-mi was the Match. And somehow, BTS knew about the Shaman Moon connection? Wonder if he paid her off - that would be amusing. I had to rush through the show this am (lots of FF) so need to do another re-watch later.

I'm sure they will still be "together" in the end - whether on top of the world or utterly destroyed planning their next comeback.

Regardless, I want them to be satisfied with their partnership and I don't want them connected via blackmail/coercion/secrets - and I fear that's where the writer is headed.

In that scene, Shaman Moon talks about finding a young "tiger" that can be matched (politically) with Son Guk Won - but there is no mention of a specific name. No names were mentioned in that clip. So, the translation regarding "matching" or "pairing" was correct - but incorrect context. 😊

Well, I was wrong about the "personal" match with Son Guk Won and Yang-mi, lol.

Here's Sneak Peek #2 for Ep. 7. I was able to use my VPN to auto-translate and my impression is that the Shaman is telling Jang-mi that Son Guk Won is a "personal" match with Yang-mi - not just likely political winner. But translation was fuzzy and context is everything.

https://x.com/Channel_ENA/status/2039855399138910687

Sneak Peek for Ep. 7. Tae-seop and Sang-ah on the campaign trail and she's finally wearing her wedding ring. Also, if I understood the translation correctly, he's running for President on some minor party ticket?

https://x.com/i/status/2039855400061956203

There is a 2nd Sneak Peek out there, but I haven't found it on a platform available other than Naver (need a VPN to watch). It's Jang-mi and her personal Shaman talking about the Presidential campaign and the candidate Son Guk Won

I've been rooting for Bang Tae-seop from the beginning but I have a heavy heart after re-watching and re-watching the timeline for the search for Park and Sang-ah's fake suicide. Director/writer intentionally played games with the sequence of events and I think in the end, they will reveal that it was BTS that killed Park - he got there ahead of everyone because Nam (Jeong-won's assistant) texted him the address.

I'm always analyzing the writing and perhaps they have filmed different endings (although I think no matter what, the Main couple is "together" in the end). I no longer fear a War of the Roses ending. Maybe they are both headed for jail (separately) or maybe they are tied together forever because each one knows the other is a murderer.

Back to BTS and Park - he knows that Jeong-won was there, but she didn't arrive until the 10 minute countdown began. UNLESS, she was walking away not towards the building. There is about a 20 minute gap between when she got the text message from NAM (phone says 7:59) and the beginning of the countdown.

Anyway, hope I'm wrong. Sorry to bounce off your post to rant but needed to get it written down in black and white.

I haven't seen the Twitter theories re: Jeong-won, but I think of the main 5 leads, she's the most likely.

I've been digging into South Korean law regarding inheritance and the script is off-the-wall re: how things stood in February 2025 (current timeline). So, I'm going to ignore it and once again that I can't escape my hunch that Sang-ah is the Chairman's illegitimate daughter. From the beginning the Lee Jang-mi and Kwon have talked about "bloodlines" and now they are totally focused on their own inheritance struggles with the Chairman's will and a potential change in South Korean law, In 2025, under SK law, a will cannot totally disinherit a wife or a child. This includes illegitimate children altho proof or recognition is required.

I also wonder - who is paying for that luxurious apartment at the top of SK chaebol land. Is Chairman providing some sort of allowance (or did he settle a certain amount on her?). She's been on a downward spiral for years and a prosecutor doesn't make the kind of money to pay for the apartment, the custom tailored suits, the designer outfits. If I was a Korean, I would be asking - how do they afford this???

Can't help it - I think an ending where BTS and Sang-ah are essentially at their deepest crisis - having lost everything but each other, Sang-ah inherits a majestic sum and at the end. . . .they are at the top.