1. I'm glad to see they're developing the Crown Prince. He is just like everyone else, a playful man with the same desires, feelings, and not that interested in politics.
This is a very good setup because once the Queen's gang manipulates him, the Crown Prince will be torn and confused; and the audience may pity him.
2. Having the Crown Prince and the other Four Flowers help each other but at the same time there is still animosity was a good plot. It showed how they will unite for the sake of "Mu Deok" but after that it's back to their usual "Mage Conclave" (whatever the 11 families are called) vs. the Royal Family.
3. The subtle hint and meaning behind Master Lee's tip to Jang Uk was very touching. There are two ways to read the invisible ink but the two approaches are vastly different.
First method: energy concentration.
When one trains in concentrating their energy, they are solving a problem through logic and through magic. This is why the mages who've read it failed to see that it is a love letter, they only understood it as a poem.
Second method: understanding love, being in love, and expressing your feelings toward the person you love
By figuring out the puzzle, Jang Uk discovered the REAL key, the REAL solution to the puzzle.
Point #1: When Seo Gyeong wrote it, he used magic not to hide it but to write with his energy. A blind Jin can see energies and so the love of his life can read it.
It is a beautiful form of expressing your love. You know the person can not see but can see energies, what better way to write than by using that which the person will appreciate? It speaks volume that you understand the person and see them for who they are, a person.
It is no different from, say, a person who has hard of hearing … would you give them a recording of yourself reciting your poem? Or, would you give them a video of yourself communicating in sign language?
Point #2: At the same time, you also do not want anyone to read it. A love letter, especially a poem, is the full expression of our deepest feelings. You only want one person to see it and it becomes a secret between you two.
In this case, only one person can read his magical love letter, the love of his life, because the key to unlocking it is her name. Anyone else would not figure it out because they will only see a blank book and they have no idea what it is about (so they would not even think "Dear name").
Question: But it can be unlocked by concentrating one's energy.
That is true. For sure Seo Gyeong knew that too. But as this episode has pointed out, it is not easy to achieve that level. Many mages have read it but not all mages can. To Seo Gyeong, he probably knew only a few mages will be able to read it.
Of course, you also would not leave it lying around for anyone to see (or steal). In other words, anyone who have access to his room where the book was, there were probably no one as skilled as him in using their magic to see through the book. And, well, if they do see it, they will only see the poem and then dismiss it, like all the mages who've read it.
But not Jang Uk (or Master Lee), because he knows it is a love letter, he took the poem into his heart.
And that is why it is called "Words from the Heart".
Two different methods but only one is the true key.
4. Nak Su finally coming to terms with the Mu Deok body
Since she was absorbed by Bu Yeon, Nak Su always thought of the body as "weak". She keeps herself detached from it. "This is not me, this body is too weak, I need my energy."
That's the thing, she is in Bu Yeon's body and Bu Yeon is not weak at all, her refusal to admit she is no longer in her own body is what's keeping her weak, not because she does not have access to her energy.
Because she finally accepted this fact, she learned to use what is available in Bu Yeon's body correctly.
To put it another way, she always approached things from someone who was very strong physically and magically. But the body can not take it physically, and Bu Yeon's energy and Nak Su's energy is appearing to be cancelling each other out.
In this episode, Nak Su finally made peace with herself. She started to approach her situation from the perspective of the body. The body is not weak--as evidenced when she was able to pushed herself at the last minute--the problem was she was trying to be Nak Su physically and she kept telling herself the "body is weak".
Perspective.
I think this will be crucial in the rest of the series. I am starting to think that Bu Yeon wants Nak Su to be worthy. Bu Yeon probably thinks Nak Su is the best person to take back the ice stone and destroy the Queen's gang but they need to be on the same page.
As long as Nak Su is thinking for herself only, Bu Yeon's plan might fail. Nak Su could easily go back to her old way once she gets her magic and strength back. But this way, Bu Yeon is slowly changing Nak Su and maybe one day they'll be aligned, they can finally use both of their energies to defeat the Queen and her gang, and take back the powerful ice stone they've stolen.
Not to mention, there is Jang Uk. Someone needs to keep him in check and trained properly because he is a sword without a sheath. But Nak Su has become his sheath not Bu Yeon.
Bu Yeon is blind, Nak Su can see. Bu Yeon needs Nak Su. Nak Su needs Bu Yeon. Jang Uk needs Mu Deok (the slowly changing Nak Su in Bu Yeon's body).
So whatever Bu Yeon is planning, so far it is going her way. She needs Nak Su and she also need Jang Uk. And she also need to get back her eye patch with the Jin seal because if Park Jin figures out Nak Su is in her body, both Bu Yeon and Nak Su, and her entire plan, will be in jeopardy.
Park Jin is by-the-book and slow-witted. He will kill "Mu Deok" the moment he realizes Nak Su is in that body even if he also finds out she is Bu Yeon. As far as he is concerned, the body belongs to Nak Su already, and no one is aware Bu Yeon's soul is still inside. They need the Jin Clan to protect (and possibly work with) her and that eye patch with the Jin symbol is the only way.
Episode 9 revelations, questions, new questions, speculations.
I. Episode 9 revelations:
- Jang Gang used AoS and unsealed the ice stone.
- Jang Uk's birth is the result of that AoS.
- Jang Gang later sealed the magic of Jang Uk as well as the ice stone.
- Jang Gang knew the father of Nak Su???
- Ten years ago the Queen's gang got their hands on the ice stone sealed by Jang Gang.
- They used Bu Yeon, the blind girl, to find the ice stone.
- Bu Yeon was already very powerful when she was a kid.
- They (Queen's gang) think Bu Yeon died (something happened after used the ice stone). Maybe they stabbed her because she refused to give the ice stone.
- Fake Bu Yeon was looking for her friend named Mu Deok.
- Fake Bu Yeon wants to return the eye mask with the seal of the Jin clan to Mu Deok.
- It seems impossible for the Queen's camp to bring in a fake Bu Yeon since they have a way to detect a true Jin descendant.
II. Established information based on Episode 9 revelations:
- Mu Deok is Bu Yeon, the blind girl.
- The artifacts called Bu Yeon "the ice stone" because she was the one who found it. (But how did they know if they're stuck inside the Jin vault?)
- The ice stone is needed to stop a soul shifter from going wild and petrifying.
- One way to fight petrification is by "eating" human energy.
- Mu Deok does not need to absorb human energy.
- Mu Deok is not going wild.
- Mu Deok does not seem to be headed to petrification.
- Bu Yeon is using her energy to stop the soul shifting "going wild" and "petrification".
- Bu Yeon also stopped Jang Uk from transfering to another body.
- Mu Deok getting near the Jin vault gate portal was the secret test of the Jin clan on who is a real Jin descendant. Unfortunately, her younger sister is not aware of it otherwise she would have been shocked. Also, their mother does not want to listen to her, otherwise, she would have investigated why the gate portal opened for Mu Deok (and figured out she is Bu Yeon).
III. Not yet clear:
- When Nak Su bumped into Bu Yeon in episode 1, she probably sensed Nak Su's immensed energy. Young Bu Yeon did say that all living things have energy and it is her way to see. Nak Su's energy was probably a blinding light to her.
- When Nak Su performed AoS, since Bu Yeon was in the vicinity, she was able to absorb Nak Su's soul into her body.
- This is unusual, two souls in one body.
- If the queen's gang have the ice stone, why are they not using its full power?
- Could it be that Bu Yeon knew how to absorb some of its power to herself? And could it be the reason why she is alive? And could it also be the reason why the artifacts called her "the blind girl, the ice stone" because they can detect the power of the ice stone in that body?
- The Jin leader/mother did not sense the power of Bu Yeon. As a mother she did not even recognize her, did she even give birth to her? LOLs. Then again, in "Why Her" the FL did not recognize her own daughter, hahaha. I guess there are mothers like that. Also, she's too focused on a girl who is blind.
IV. Speculations that may still be valid as of episode 9:
- Bu Yeon is the one cancelling out the energy of Nak Su. She probably has a reason why. Maybe it is to prevent the side effect of AoS (going wild and petrification).
- Since Bu Yeon's power only manifests outside; or when they're in the territory of the Jin clan; or when Nak Su is weaker, it still is possible that Nak Su and Bu Yeon are cancelling each other's power. Unfortunately, Nak Su is not aware of it (she has completely forgotten her dream) but Bu Yeon is probably aware of it.
- Or did Jang Gang saved Bu Yeon and he split her soul into two? The other half became Nak Su?
Why did they give her such an ugly cut/style? Is it because she has ASD.I work with ppl who has ASD....yes they…
Short hair for women seems to be trending in Korea currently, at least based on what I've seen so far. Even Kim Se Jeong was asked to cut her hair short for her latest project (premiering this Friday, IIRC).
Also, they probably want to make her look younger. Can't say it has to do with autism but as one myself people still mistake me to be at least a decade younger (which I'm silently thankful).
What do you mean? I'm confused.What does not being able to read expressions and express it yourself, has to do…
> She can't convey her feelings. She knows she have to express what she is supposed to, like gratitude or happiness about the new clothes (which her father removed all traces of tags) but she doesn't which one is happiness. Hence the chart with her father facial expressions top convey on.
That's a better wording and more understandable.
I think I explained that in my Episode 1 feedback (or maybe I removed it for later; I am waiting for them to show something related it to it).
In any case, you are correct in your understanding as to why there is a chart.
So, let's go back to your original post now that I understand what you are trying to convey:
> makes me wonder if it's not a blessing in disguise she can't convey her feeling about her mother's abandonemnt.
That depends. As an autistic who can only identify and do smiling and laughing, it is not a blessing in disguise. I don't know how to look sad (I can't even move my lips to look like the sad mask), to look angry, to look annoyed, or any other facial expressions.
When my mind is actually blank, people assume I have a problem, they ask why I am sad, what's wrong, blah blah blah, when I just want to be alone and have my precious "blank" moments which I rarely get. It's rest time. It's recharge time. I have no idea I look "sad" or anything, and neurotypical people will keep pestering me what my problem is, that I should open up.
When I'm angry, people think I am joking because I don't look angry, and they won't take me seriously.
So … it depends. For me, as an autistic, it is not a blessing in disguise.
Then we have to consider the other side of the coin: being able to identify other people's facial expressions. Since I only understand smiling and laughing, you have to literally tell me what's going on. And as an autistic man who dated neurotypical women, well, I'm sure you can imagine the challenge on both sides. Men find it hard to understand women already, then you add me who can't identify facial expressions.
If I keep on talking, I wouldn't know if the other party is bored, annoyed, not interested. To neurotypicals, it's natural. Since neurotypicals won't say it, I'm just the one asking "you're bored?" Or, I say, "I'm talking too much."
So … it depends. For me, it is not a blessing in disguise. I very much want identifying and doing facial expressions to be natural for me as it is natural for neurotypicals.
What do you mean? I'm confused.What does not being able to read expressions and express it yourself, has to do…
Okay … but again what do you mean by your original post?
I'll quote it here:
> but in fact the way she can't express her feelings and checks a chart his father made for her to show facial expressions, makes me wonder if it's not a blessing in disguise she can't convey her feeling about her mother's abandonemnt.
I can't see a connection.
I read your reply, word by word but you only described autism, it still escapes me what it has to do with Young Woo being abandoned by her mother and why it may be a blessing in disguise.
Sorry, I'm trying to make sense of it. Maybe I can explain if I see the connection … or maybe not.
While I understand why she acted that way, I think autistic women are best to answer that one. ^_^
Yes, I know what you are referring to. However, autistic girls rarely act similarly as autistic boys, and since I'm a guy, I am in no position to explain why the young version of Young Woo acted that way.
Also, you're thinking linearly or in a two-dimensional way: the young and the old should be doing similar things regardless. It's not always the case with autism. Autism is not a two-dimensional spectrum, it is four-dimensional.
Each trait and quirk can change overtime. An autistic may be this as a kid but different as an adult. Or, as a kid it's less observable but as an adult their traits and quirks are more profound.
I live in Germany and there arent any jurors part of our jurisdication at all, like most havent even ever heard…
Well, I can't speak as to why you haven't heard of it. ^^ There are groups pushing for it, IIRC it started back in 2012. A slow process because there are also groups opposing it but it's gaining momentum and getting stronger and allies.
1 
1. I'm glad to see they're developing the Crown Prince. He is just like everyone else, a playful man with the same desires, feelings, and not that interested in politics.
This is a very good setup because once the Queen's gang manipulates him, the Crown Prince will be torn and confused; and the audience may pity him.
2. Having the Crown Prince and the other Four Flowers help each other but at the same time there is still animosity was a good plot. It showed how they will unite for the sake of "Mu Deok" but after that it's back to their usual "Mage Conclave" (whatever the 11 families are called) vs. the Royal Family.
3. The subtle hint and meaning behind Master Lee's tip to Jang Uk was very touching. There are two ways to read the invisible ink but the two approaches are vastly different.
First method: energy concentration.
When one trains in concentrating their energy, they are solving a problem through logic and through magic. This is why the mages who've read it failed to see that it is a love letter, they only understood it as a poem.
Second method: understanding love, being in love, and expressing your feelings toward the person you love
By figuring out the puzzle, Jang Uk discovered the REAL key, the REAL solution to the puzzle.
Point #1: When Seo Gyeong wrote it, he used magic not to hide it but to write with his energy. A blind Jin can see energies and so the love of his life can read it.
It is a beautiful form of expressing your love. You know the person can not see but can see energies, what better way to write than by using that which the person will appreciate? It speaks volume that you understand the person and see them for who they are, a person.
It is no different from, say, a person who has hard of hearing … would you give them a recording of yourself reciting your poem? Or, would you give them a video of yourself communicating in sign language?
Point #2: At the same time, you also do not want anyone to read it. A love letter, especially a poem, is the full expression of our deepest feelings. You only want one person to see it and it becomes a secret between you two.
In this case, only one person can read his magical love letter, the love of his life, because the key to unlocking it is her name. Anyone else would not figure it out because they will only see a blank book and they have no idea what it is about (so they would not even think "Dear name").
Question: But it can be unlocked by concentrating one's energy.
That is true. For sure Seo Gyeong knew that too. But as this episode has pointed out, it is not easy to achieve that level. Many mages have read it but not all mages can. To Seo Gyeong, he probably knew only a few mages will be able to read it.
Of course, you also would not leave it lying around for anyone to see (or steal). In other words, anyone who have access to his room where the book was, there were probably no one as skilled as him in using their magic to see through the book. And, well, if they do see it, they will only see the poem and then dismiss it, like all the mages who've read it.
But not Jang Uk (or Master Lee), because he knows it is a love letter, he took the poem into his heart.
And that is why it is called "Words from the Heart".
Two different methods but only one is the true key.
4. Nak Su finally coming to terms with the Mu Deok body
Since she was absorbed by Bu Yeon, Nak Su always thought of the body as "weak". She keeps herself detached from it. "This is not me, this body is too weak, I need my energy."
That's the thing, she is in Bu Yeon's body and Bu Yeon is not weak at all, her refusal to admit she is no longer in her own body is what's keeping her weak, not because she does not have access to her energy.
Because she finally accepted this fact, she learned to use what is available in Bu Yeon's body correctly.
To put it another way, she always approached things from someone who was very strong physically and magically. But the body can not take it physically, and Bu Yeon's energy and Nak Su's energy is appearing to be cancelling each other out.
In this episode, Nak Su finally made peace with herself. She started to approach her situation from the perspective of the body. The body is not weak--as evidenced when she was able to pushed herself at the last minute--the problem was she was trying to be Nak Su physically and she kept telling herself the "body is weak".
Perspective.
I think this will be crucial in the rest of the series. I am starting to think that Bu Yeon wants Nak Su to be worthy. Bu Yeon probably thinks Nak Su is the best person to take back the ice stone and destroy the Queen's gang but they need to be on the same page.
As long as Nak Su is thinking for herself only, Bu Yeon's plan might fail. Nak Su could easily go back to her old way once she gets her magic and strength back. But this way, Bu Yeon is slowly changing Nak Su and maybe one day they'll be aligned, they can finally use both of their energies to defeat the Queen and her gang, and take back the powerful ice stone they've stolen.
Not to mention, there is Jang Uk. Someone needs to keep him in check and trained properly because he is a sword without a sheath. But Nak Su has become his sheath not Bu Yeon.
Bu Yeon is blind, Nak Su can see. Bu Yeon needs Nak Su. Nak Su needs Bu Yeon. Jang Uk needs Mu Deok (the slowly changing Nak Su in Bu Yeon's body).
So whatever Bu Yeon is planning, so far it is going her way. She needs Nak Su and she also need Jang Uk. And she also need to get back her eye patch with the Jin seal because if Park Jin figures out Nak Su is in her body, both Bu Yeon and Nak Su, and her entire plan, will be in jeopardy.
Park Jin is by-the-book and slow-witted. He will kill "Mu Deok" the moment he realizes Nak Su is in that body even if he also finds out she is Bu Yeon. As far as he is concerned, the body belongs to Nak Su already, and no one is aware Bu Yeon's soul is still inside. They need the Jin Clan to protect (and possibly work with) her and that eye patch with the Jin symbol is the only way.
(also posted in the forums: https://mydramalist.com/discussions/can-this-person-be-translated/74629-episode-10-feedback-and-analysis?pid=2311111&page=1#p2311111 )
A filler episode is something like episode 2 of "Doctor Lawyer" which was a complete waste.
He is a complete fool if he is in love with the owner of that body when it is Nak Su all along who is controlling the body.
- Jang Gang used AoS and unsealed the ice stone.
- Jang Uk's birth is the result of that AoS.
- Jang Gang later sealed the magic of Jang Uk as well as the ice stone.
- Jang Gang knew the father of Nak Su???
- Ten years ago the Queen's gang got their hands on the ice stone sealed by Jang Gang.
- They used Bu Yeon, the blind girl, to find the ice stone.
- Bu Yeon was already very powerful when she was a kid.
- They (Queen's gang) think Bu Yeon died (something happened after used the ice stone). Maybe they stabbed her because she refused to give the ice stone.
- Fake Bu Yeon was looking for her friend named Mu Deok.
- Fake Bu Yeon wants to return the eye mask with the seal of the Jin clan to Mu Deok.
- It seems impossible for the Queen's camp to bring in a fake Bu Yeon since they have a way to detect a true Jin descendant.
II. Established information based on Episode 9 revelations:
- Mu Deok is Bu Yeon, the blind girl.
- The artifacts called Bu Yeon "the ice stone" because she was the one who found it. (But how did they know if they're stuck inside the Jin vault?)
- The ice stone is needed to stop a soul shifter from going wild and petrifying.
- One way to fight petrification is by "eating" human energy.
- Mu Deok does not need to absorb human energy.
- Mu Deok is not going wild.
- Mu Deok does not seem to be headed to petrification.
- Bu Yeon is using her energy to stop the soul shifting "going wild" and "petrification".
- Bu Yeon also stopped Jang Uk from transfering to another body.
- Mu Deok getting near the Jin vault gate portal was the secret test of the Jin clan on who is a real Jin descendant. Unfortunately, her younger sister is not aware of it otherwise she would have been shocked. Also, their mother does not want to listen to her, otherwise, she would have investigated why the gate portal opened for Mu Deok (and figured out she is Bu Yeon).
III. Not yet clear:
- When Nak Su bumped into Bu Yeon in episode 1, she probably sensed Nak Su's immensed energy. Young Bu Yeon did say that all living things have energy and it is her way to see. Nak Su's energy was probably a blinding light to her.
- When Nak Su performed AoS, since Bu Yeon was in the vicinity, she was able to absorb Nak Su's soul into her body.
- This is unusual, two souls in one body.
- If the queen's gang have the ice stone, why are they not using its full power?
- Could it be that Bu Yeon knew how to absorb some of its power to herself? And could it be the reason why she is alive? And could it also be the reason why the artifacts called her "the blind girl, the ice stone" because they can detect the power of the ice stone in that body?
- The Jin leader/mother did not sense the power of Bu Yeon. As a mother she did not even recognize her, did she even give birth to her? LOLs. Then again, in "Why Her" the FL did not recognize her own daughter, hahaha. I guess there are mothers like that. Also, she's too focused on a girl who is blind.
IV. Speculations that may still be valid as of episode 9:
- Bu Yeon is the one cancelling out the energy of Nak Su. She probably has a reason why. Maybe it is to prevent the side effect of AoS (going wild and petrification).
- Since Bu Yeon's power only manifests outside; or when they're in the territory of the Jin clan; or when Nak Su is weaker, it still is possible that Nak Su and Bu Yeon are cancelling each other's power. Unfortunately, Nak Su is not aware of it (she has completely forgotten her dream) but Bu Yeon is probably aware of it.
- Or did Jang Gang saved Bu Yeon and he split her soul into two? The other half became Nak Su?
V. What else?
On to episode 10!
Much more, he hated he received someone else's heart illegally?
Also, they probably want to make her look younger. Can't say it has to do with autism but as one myself people still mistake me to be at least a decade younger (which I'm silently thankful).
They successfully set us up to think that something will go wrong and they will all get away from it again.
That's a better wording and more understandable.
I think I explained that in my Episode 1 feedback (or maybe I removed it for later; I am waiting for them to show something related it to it).
In any case, you are correct in your understanding as to why there is a chart.
So, let's go back to your original post now that I understand what you are trying to convey:
> makes me wonder if it's not a blessing in disguise she can't convey her feeling about her mother's abandonemnt.
That depends. As an autistic who can only identify and do smiling and laughing, it is not a blessing in disguise. I don't know how to look sad (I can't even move my lips to look like the sad mask), to look angry, to look annoyed, or any other facial expressions.
When my mind is actually blank, people assume I have a problem, they ask why I am sad, what's wrong, blah blah blah, when I just want to be alone and have my precious "blank" moments which I rarely get. It's rest time. It's recharge time. I have no idea I look "sad" or anything, and neurotypical people will keep pestering me what my problem is, that I should open up.
When I'm angry, people think I am joking because I don't look angry, and they won't take me seriously.
So … it depends. For me, as an autistic, it is not a blessing in disguise.
Then we have to consider the other side of the coin: being able to identify other people's facial expressions. Since I only understand smiling and laughing, you have to literally tell me what's going on. And as an autistic man who dated neurotypical women, well, I'm sure you can imagine the challenge on both sides. Men find it hard to understand women already, then you add me who can't identify facial expressions.
If I keep on talking, I wouldn't know if the other party is bored, annoyed, not interested. To neurotypicals, it's natural. Since neurotypicals won't say it, I'm just the one asking "you're bored?" Or, I say, "I'm talking too much."
So … it depends. For me, it is not a blessing in disguise. I very much want identifying and doing facial expressions to be natural for me as it is natural for neurotypicals.
Does that help?
Just because the person brushed her hair and was married once, the psych evaluated she "can't be autistic" … just like that.
I'll quote it here:
> but in fact the way she can't express her feelings and checks a chart his father made for her to show facial expressions, makes me wonder if it's not a blessing in disguise she can't convey her feeling about her mother's abandonemnt.
I can't see a connection.
I read your reply, word by word but you only described autism, it still escapes me what it has to do with Young Woo being abandoned by her mother and why it may be a blessing in disguise.
Sorry, I'm trying to make sense of it. Maybe I can explain if I see the connection … or maybe not.
Also, you're thinking linearly or in a two-dimensional way: the young and the old should be doing similar things regardless. It's not always the case with autism. Autism is not a two-dimensional spectrum, it is four-dimensional.
Each trait and quirk can change overtime. An autistic may be this as a kid but different as an adult. Or, as a kid it's less observable but as an adult their traits and quirks are more profound.
What does not being able to read expressions and express it yourself, has to do with her mother abandoning her?
Can you please elaborate?