I love the contrast in each episode. A story about an artist and how it is an opposite in one of the characters, especially Ma Eum's story. In each episode we are given the two sides of the same coin, and it leaves something for the audience to consider and think about.
For example, in episode 9, a father who learned to accept the reality that the past glory is gone and he should face reality. People remembers him for that and by not giving up, trying to repeat his past success, he runs the risk of that past glory being replaced with something very bad -- not taking care of his daughter.
Meanwhile, Ma Eum's father is deadset on having his way. Of getting an Olympic Medal, to the point that he refused to accept the peace offering of his daughter.
One daughter finally have peace with her father. While another daughter is still living in a battle zone with her father.
There are also similarities. Both fathers see their profession as their life's work and identity. It is who they are. It is what they know. It is their profession. Without it, they are nothing.
But one father finally realized that his masterpiece is his daughter who he has neglected. While the other father still has not seen his daughter as his "Olympic gold medal".
Two different father-daughter relationships. Two different fathers. Two different daughters. Two different scenarios. But at the bottom of these two stories, they're not actually different … they're the same. (1) The dream of the fathers; and (2) the love between father and daughter.
There are so many things we can get out of this episode. There are many differences and similarities. There are a lot of lessons embedded. And this is just about the father, the daughter, and the father-daughter relationship.
Please I will say it again. Give her a better wardrobe. Those horrible shorts under her knees with the white socks…
ROFL
That's the style back in the 80s and 90s.
Also, in Korea, there is no "fashion god". Wear whatever you want in any combination. ;P Back in my day, "fashion gods" will tell you to never wear a rubber/running shoes while wearing a semi-formal or even formal dress, today it doesn't matter thanks to K-drama and K-pop. And all other obsolete rules by "fashion gods" that Koreans has proven to be wrong. ^_^
What was that last scene? Seriously? With 8 episodes left, they'll still insert an accident? O_O I hope that was…
Yeah. It would be a very sad family drama if something bad still happens. If they'll go for it, hopefully nothing permanent.
And there is still the Soo Jae and Yoo Na to wrap up. Looks like they'll get 5-6 episodes only, and 1 episode for their marriage(??), and the finale episode to finally show "It's Beautiful Now".
My wild guesses. Haha.> You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.-- their magic/energy is in nature>…
Oooh.
Yeah, I was thinking that the soul the ice stone called was not Bu Yeon but the first Jin priestess. If her soul was sealed and then it was her soul that entered the body of Bu Yeon …
It also fits the possibility that this soul already left the body and gave it to Nak Su.
It also makes sense in a way because the first Jin priestess was the one who called it down … so it's like "fixing" her mistake.
And by "fixing", does she realized there's no way to return it back so the only way is to contain it? Like a Jin priestess who knows how to seal and use it properly = Nak Su as Mu Deok?
As of ep18, it does indeed appear Bu Yeon set things in motion. And she sealed Nak Su's power because she wants…
I'm also thinking S2 will be a prequel. A story revolving around Nak Su - at least based on the rumours that they casted Nak Su.
And if the previews are what it seems to be … the story of Nak Su ends in S1. Ep20 will probably be a glimpse into the "happily ever after" of being "reborn" as Mu Deok, a new person, living the rest of the live Bu Yeon can longer have.
Is there really any person called Mu Deok? We know the body belongs to the lost Jin daughter and the soul is Naksu's…
I doubt it was a coincidence. Bu Yeon more likely can glimpse the future. "Mu Deok" is a fitting name for her plans for Nak Su. Went where she needs to be so people will call the "body" as "Mu Deok".
As of episode 18, Bu Yeon knew what she was doing. She never lost her memories. She set things in motion to ensure she will no longer lose the ice stone like she did years ago.
There is also how they believe on the stars. It means that it is in their culture to believe in destinies and prophecies. Which means that, Bu Yeon more likely knew and pretended to have lost her memory … just so she can ensure the future she has seen will unfold the way it should.
Bu Yeon's first words to Nak Su, "We did not lose it this time." Why "we" if it was only her plan? I think she used "we" because it is also Nak Su's destiny.
Bu Yeon was returned back to life to set the stage and to guide it to where it should go. Bu Yeon and Nak Su, as two souls in one body, to find the ice stone and secure it. Nak Su as Mu Deok after all is over, to continue the rest of the life Bu Yeon can no longer live herself.
Since the poem has been at the front and centre of discussion in episodes 17-18 here is the poem as a refresher:…
My wild guesses. Haha.
> You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil. -- their magic/energy is in nature
> You cannot touch fire, but it is inside the tree. -- why the fire suddenly grew bigger
> You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock. -- this is why the rocks can go through the barrier
> If you let them be, they will exist everywhere. -- by not controlling it, there can be balance
> The faint, blue light makes me sigh. -- power of the ice stone -- eyes of a priestess with an affinity to the ice stone (the first priestess; and later Bu Yeon)
> My white breath turned into snow and tears. -- reference to the side effect of a wild soul shifter because of using a soul ejector
> I could not let them drop and hid them. -- He must not let anyone know he is a soul shifter based on the soul ejector (ie not Hwansu)
> Despite knowing that they will fill up once again, -- the Lake
> I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear. -- he used the ice stone to bring someone back to life; or to prevent someone from going wild because he refused to cry for that person
The specialty of a Jin mage is sealing magic As a priestess, her power also comes from the heavens and can control souls (which more likely allowed her to take in Nak Su's soul while her own soul is still inside = two souls in one body) Two souls, one body.
Bu Yeon can only "wake up" or to put it another way, relax in her sealing Nak Su's magic. Whenever Nak Su is sleeping, incapacitated, a soul ejector was activated, or they are within the lands of the Jin clan, those are the only times Bu Yeon manifests.
When Nak Su lost consciousness when Jin mama tried to kill her, Bu Yeon was able take control of her own body (she no longer have to keep Nak Su's powers sealed). The immense power of Bu Yeon came out in full force (her eyes showed a blue radiance again), called her mom, tears fell from eyes, and activated the ice stone afterwards.
It was not only because she missed her mother, more likely, it was also because it will be the last time they will ever meet each other. It was like Bu Yeon's final goodbye. It was Bu Yeon's "mom, thank you for everything, it is time for me to go, please take care of Mu Deok, I chose/changed her for you".
Why? Bu Yeon's main objective is the ice stone. She failed in her mission years ago when she was pushed to the Lake. Now, it is time to complete her objective (whatever it is -- maybe to return the ice stone to the heavens; or find someone worthy of controlling it, like Nak Su). Bu Yeon's first words were, "We did not lose it this time."
Now that the ice stone is in her reach, she finally activated it. Once activated, she left her own body and was finally able to talk to Nak Su face-to-face.
While talking, Nak Su asked if Bu Yeon is a Jin relic, to which Bu Yeon reacted with complete authority, "How dare a soul living off my body call me a relic?" If Bu Yeon was still sharing her body with Nak Su, it would have been, "How dare a soul sharing my body call me a relic?"
It is more likely then than Bu Yeon finally left her own body and left it to Nak Su's care:
She called her mom for one last time as her final goodbye Her affinity with the ice stone (thanks to Jang Kang calling her soul back through the ice stone) allowed her to use the power of the ice stone and leave her own body -- and let Nak Su have full "ownership" instead of being a soul shifter == meaning, Bu Yeon's power is not just from the heavens--being a priestess--but also from the ice stone Nak Su regaining her powers meant Bu Yeon is no longer in their body to seal her powers
At this point, Bu Yeon seems to trust Nak Su enough that she will make the right decisions and will not use the power of the ice stone like how "Nak Su the Assassin" would have had. She is no longer "Nak Su the Assassin", she is "Mu Deok". (And since her body is a Jin, she also becomes the heir, and can open the Jin vault. It wouldn't be surprising if she can also seal magic, a Jin clan specialty.)
1 
For example, in episode 9, a father who learned to accept the reality that the past glory is gone and he should face reality. People remembers him for that and by not giving up, trying to repeat his past success, he runs the risk of that past glory being replaced with something very bad -- not taking care of his daughter.
Meanwhile, Ma Eum's father is deadset on having his way. Of getting an Olympic Medal, to the point that he refused to accept the peace offering of his daughter.
One daughter finally have peace with her father. While another daughter is still living in a battle zone with her father.
There are also similarities. Both fathers see their profession as their life's work and identity. It is who they are. It is what they know. It is their profession. Without it, they are nothing.
But one father finally realized that his masterpiece is his daughter who he has neglected. While the other father still has not seen his daughter as his "Olympic gold medal".
Two different father-daughter relationships. Two different fathers. Two different daughters. Two different scenarios. But at the bottom of these two stories, they're not actually different … they're the same. (1) The dream of the fathers; and (2) the love between father and daughter.
There are so many things we can get out of this episode. There are many differences and similarities. There are a lot of lessons embedded. And this is just about the father, the daughter, and the father-daughter relationship.
I love it. I so love it.
That's the style back in the 80s and 90s.
Also, in Korea, there is no "fashion god". Wear whatever you want in any combination. ;P Back in my day, "fashion gods" will tell you to never wear a rubber/running shoes while wearing a semi-formal or even formal dress, today it doesn't matter thanks to K-drama and K-pop. And all other obsolete rules by "fashion gods" that Koreans has proven to be wrong. ^_^
I agree, I hope they'll handle it properly. Otherwise it would defeat the purpose of the entire show.
Welcome!
And there is still the Soo Jae and Yoo Na to wrap up. Looks like they'll get 5-6 episodes only, and 1 episode for their marriage(??), and the finale episode to finally show "It's Beautiful Now".
Hopefully we'll see more in the finale week.
Yeah, I was thinking that the soul the ice stone called was not Bu Yeon but the first Jin priestess. If her soul was sealed and then it was her soul that entered the body of Bu Yeon …
It also fits the possibility that this soul already left the body and gave it to Nak Su.
It also makes sense in a way because the first Jin priestess was the one who called it down … so it's like "fixing" her mistake.
And by "fixing", does she realized there's no way to return it back so the only way is to contain it? Like a Jin priestess who knows how to seal and use it properly = Nak Su as Mu Deok?
Interesting!
And if the previews are what it seems to be … the story of Nak Su ends in S1. Ep20 will probably be a glimpse into the "happily ever after" of being "reborn" as Mu Deok, a new person, living the rest of the live Bu Yeon can longer have.
Taken together, AoS is a story about Nak Su.
As of episode 18, Bu Yeon knew what she was doing. She never lost her memories. She set things in motion to ensure she will no longer lose the ice stone like she did years ago.
There is also how they believe on the stars. It means that it is in their culture to believe in destinies and prophecies. Which means that, Bu Yeon more likely knew and pretended to have lost her memory … just so she can ensure the future she has seen will unfold the way it should.
Bu Yeon's first words to Nak Su, "We did not lose it this time." Why "we" if it was only her plan? I think she used "we" because it is also Nak Su's destiny.
Bu Yeon was returned back to life to set the stage and to guide it to where it should go.
Bu Yeon and Nak Su, as two souls in one body, to find the ice stone and secure it.
Nak Su as Mu Deok after all is over, to continue the rest of the life Bu Yeon can no longer live herself.
> You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.
-- their magic/energy is in nature
> You cannot touch fire, but it is inside the tree.
-- why the fire suddenly grew bigger
> You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock.
-- this is why the rocks can go through the barrier
> If you let them be, they will exist everywhere.
-- by not controlling it, there can be balance
> The faint, blue light makes me sigh.
-- power of the ice stone
-- eyes of a priestess with an affinity to the ice stone (the first priestess; and later Bu Yeon)
> My white breath turned into snow and tears.
-- reference to the side effect of a wild soul shifter because of using a soul ejector
> I could not let them drop and hid them.
-- He must not let anyone know he is a soul shifter based on the soul ejector (ie not Hwansu)
> Despite knowing that they will fill up once again,
-- the Lake
> I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.
-- he used the ice stone to bring someone back to life; or to prevent someone from going wild because he refused to cry for that person
Again just wild guesses.
What we know:
The specialty of a Jin mage is sealing magic
As a priestess, her power also comes from the heavens and can control souls (which more likely allowed her to take in Nak Su's soul while her own soul is still inside = two souls in one body)
Two souls, one body.
Bu Yeon can only "wake up" or to put it another way, relax in her sealing Nak Su's magic. Whenever Nak Su is sleeping, incapacitated, a soul ejector was activated, or they are within the lands of the Jin clan, those are the only times Bu Yeon manifests.
When Nak Su lost consciousness when Jin mama tried to kill her, Bu Yeon was able take control of her own body (she no longer have to keep Nak Su's powers sealed). The immense power of Bu Yeon came out in full force (her eyes showed a blue radiance again), called her mom, tears fell from eyes, and activated the ice stone afterwards.
It was not only because she missed her mother, more likely, it was also because it will be the last time they will ever meet each other. It was like Bu Yeon's final goodbye. It was Bu Yeon's "mom, thank you for everything, it is time for me to go, please take care of Mu Deok, I chose/changed her for you".
Why? Bu Yeon's main objective is the ice stone. She failed in her mission years ago when she was pushed to the Lake. Now, it is time to complete her objective (whatever it is -- maybe to return the ice stone to the heavens; or find someone worthy of controlling it, like Nak Su). Bu Yeon's first words were, "We did not lose it this time."
Now that the ice stone is in her reach, she finally activated it. Once activated, she left her own body and was finally able to talk to Nak Su face-to-face.
While talking, Nak Su asked if Bu Yeon is a Jin relic, to which Bu Yeon reacted with complete authority, "How dare a soul living off my body call me a relic?" If Bu Yeon was still sharing her body with Nak Su, it would have been, "How dare a soul sharing my body call me a relic?"
It is more likely then than Bu Yeon finally left her own body and left it to Nak Su's care:
She called her mom for one last time as her final goodbye
Her affinity with the ice stone (thanks to Jang Kang calling her soul back through the ice stone) allowed her to use the power of the ice stone and leave her own body -- and let Nak Su have full "ownership" instead of being a soul shifter == meaning, Bu Yeon's power is not just from the heavens--being a priestess--but also from the ice stone
Nak Su regaining her powers meant Bu Yeon is no longer in their body to seal her powers
At this point, Bu Yeon seems to trust Nak Su enough that she will make the right decisions and will not use the power of the ice stone like how "Nak Su the Assassin" would have had. She is no longer "Nak Su the Assassin", she is "Mu Deok". (And since her body is a Jin, she also becomes the heir, and can open the Jin vault. It wouldn't be surprising if she can also seal magic, a Jin clan specialty.)
1. Stop Mu Deok from going wild, otherwise I will be forced to kill her.
2. If Mu Deok decides to let Jang Uk live, then let them have the ice stone. Otherwise kill Jang Uk and I will will kill Mu Deok.
3. Your wife was reincarnated as my errant pupil's granddaughter, stop her from falling in love with your son, it's … it's … it's …
4. The queen is Shaman Choi, return the soul of the real queen and finish her.
5. Tell Park Jin your maidservant and I will elope.
:p haha