IM YourOnlyOne

Apparently …

1. The death of her eldest, and crown prince at that
2. Herself not eating
3. Then she walked the big palace to get to the prison
4. The case of her friend and her execution

However, there was a scene after the mourning period where she regained her strength. We're not sure how long the mourning period was and how severe her depression was, but let's assume it was a month or two after those events.

5. The older brother of the queen mother died.
6. The king was spending time in their health department and contracted some infection.
7. Then she collapsed
8. Spent 3 days sleeping

I think it is also important to note that during the mourning period, when she first stood and walked properly to talk to the king, she told him that he is strong and he will be fine. Exactly the same thing she said when she was about to die.

Those two scenes were curious … I'm thinking she already knew she's going to die way ahead. That the fact she said she was wrong and comforted the king that he was also suffering from the death of their son, and said he will survive, he is strong, and the trees will bloom again in spring, and everything will be alright … she definitely knew already her time is short.

If so, then I think it was because she gave up. The sorrow. Was just too much.

Also remember, the queen mother also said that the Palace was a beautiful and grand prison. The exact same reason why Duk Im does not want to sleep with the king. Then you have the scene where she was waving goodbye to her "free self".

A free spirited person like her being trapped inside the palace with practically nothing to do (especially since political rivalry is non-existent) was too much for someone like her. In real life, this was also observed in both animals and people. A free spirited animal and person, if their desire is suddenly cut-off, their lives are shortened considerably. It's like sucking the air out of them.

They think they can survive. They think it is fine. But deep inside, at the back of their minds, it is slowly killing them. All it takes is just a couple of losses, like what Duk Im experienced, and that's it, they'll start to spiral down, usually not knowing they've given up.

All things considered, I think her death was more psychological than physical health.

Remember, Duk Im's last request was for the king to ignore her when they meet again in their next lives. I think it's an important clue that she knew what's killing her. She was caged and that is not her life at all.

Right from the moment she chose him over her freedom, she probably knew she'll die early. She knew what she was getting herself into.

It is what made episode 17, no, the whole series in light of episode 17, so very sad. The queen mother was right, Duk Im was scared and trying to escape/run from him because she knew he will be her death.

And so he was in the end.

Episode 17 of this show trumps the sadness ending of:
1. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
2. Saikano / Saishū Heiki Kanojo (live-action movie, anime OVAs, anime TV series)
3. Uncontrollably Fond
4. Youth of May
5. Gu Family Book

Episode 17 …

HAHAHAHA … influencers and food reviewers in the Joseon era (in this series) are no better than today in the modern days. They'll ask for free stuff! Hahahahahah

Yet another great series ended. Definitely a show we can rewatch every year.

Great observation!

Yeah, those are definitely not just for effects if it was used in both time periods. There probably is indeed another player. Maybe there's a bigger boss than the older bulgasal? His story and that of the FL's past self is still shrouded in mystery, something happened between them and they appeared to be playing hide-and-seek for centuries.

And the knife scene, that's true. The way I understood it when the flashback scenes showed up, it was like the FL entered into her original self. After the flashbacks, she went back to being a modern woman with no memories of her previous lives. So when the scene went back to the present, the monster was bloodied and shocked.

You linked "superpowers" and "fight choreography". Since they're still building the story, characters, and conflict, there won't reveal their "superpowers" which is why the fight choreography looked "cheap" for you.

So I said, give them time flesh out everything. If they do have greater superpowers than what was revealed, and the characters are fleshed out, we'll probably see more. ^_^

For example, Dan Hwal just learned he wasn't the only Bulgasal. And him versus the ancient/older Bulgasal, he is currently no match for him. As far episode 4, he just got lucky because the ancient Bulgasal was so hell bent on catching Sang Woon. :)

Oooh coolness, First Love Again … again! Will definitely watch this!

From what I understand so far, the female bulgasal did not kill Dan Hwal's family. Unfortunately, during the transformation of Dan Hwal, he killed her which created a new chain of karma.

If Dan Hwal did not kill her and instead listened to her, she probably would've explained why she transferred the curse of bulgasal to him and he'll know that he is the only one who can kill the older/ancient bulgasal hunting her and killing everyone.

Remember, the female bulgasal saved Dan Hwal a lot of times when he was still a kid. She probably knows the distant past of Dan Hwal.

I think that's what she meant when se said he started another revenge [cycle], between them two. Because the original cycle is between her and that ancient/old bulgasal.

It's only the first 4 episodes. :p They're still building up the story and the conflict. ;)

Yep. Thank you for confirming. ^_^

I'm starting to suspect that the older Bulgasal was the one who murdered Dan Hwan's wife, Dan Sol, and their son.

I'm thinking that the female Bulgasal struck Dan Hwan because she knew he is the key in killing the ancient Bulgasal. Unfortunately, because of his intense anger (and sudden transformation), he killed her which started "another chain" of karma and revenge.

The female Bulgasal probably planned to talk to him and explain things. Who killed his family and why he is the only one capable of killing the older Bulgasal, and why she stole his soul so he can become a Bulgasal himself.

I'm also thinking that the female Bulgasal never intended to steal Dan Hwan's soul. At least based on the episode 1 and 2 scenes, when his blood suddenly touched her hand, she immediately pulled away. It was fishy, probably not something she expected.

Here are the important notes/clues:

Episode 2 Part 1:
* Female Bulgasal: I will be born again with this scar that you have given me.

Episode 2 Part 2:
* Min Sang Yeon and Min Sang Woon are twin sisters. They have a younger sister named Min Shi Ho.
* In 2006, Min Sang Yeon was killed by an older Bulgasal. Min Sang Woon and Min Shi Ho fled and lived with the sister of Min Sang Yeon in her previous life.
* Min Sang Yeon remembers all her past lives.
* Min Sang Yeon have a scar, a reminder of the sword Dan Hwan used to kill her. Min San Wool doesn't have any, at least based on what was hinted.
* Min Sang Yeon told her twin: "he (the bus driver) is after my soul".
* Yet, the soul which the monsters can smell is in Min Sang Woon.
* It appears that the female Bulgasal's reincarnation was split into two. The sword scar and being able to remember her past lives went to Min Sang Yeon; while the soul of Dan Hwan went to Min Sang Woon.

Episode 3:
* Min Sang Woon kept trying to remember what her twin sister, Min Sang Yeon, told her when she (Sang Woon) hid in the closet (as seen in Episode 2).
* Min Shi Ho showed up.

Episode 4:
* Min Shi Ho's right hand hurts when she touches someone. -- Remember in Episode 2 when the female Bulgasal stole the soul of Dan Hwan, a soul mark showed up on her right hand.
* Min Shi Ho can feel something when touching other people with her right hand.
* Confirmed that Min Sang Woon was also the female Bulgasal, giving credence to the "twin theory".
* Min Shi Ho was Dan Sol, the wife of Dan Hwan in the past.

What we know so far (up to episode 4).

(see hidden comment)

Who was the actress for Min Sang Yeon, the twin sister of Min Sang Woon? She is not credited in the MDL cast list.

I'm suspecting Min Sang Yeon was also played by Gon Seung Yeon? The same actress for Min Shi Ho & Dan Sol?

Probably. The entertainment industry in Korea finally learned that previews does not have to be the scenes for the next episode. Other shows released in 2021 also used this "style" to tease their audience.

The next step is using scenes for previews which will never show up in any episode, and sometimes the scenes were changed too.

That too! It's a very welcome change from the usual format of Korean period dramas.

I mean, sure, there are politics in the palace, even to this day modern governments (and even private companies) are full of it. But it's doubtful Joseon never had a peaceful Royal court during its 500+ years of existence. Those peaceful days can be a backdrop for a story.

The Red Sleeve did just that and focused on relationships. Simply lovely.

The MDL moderators, unfortunately, can not moderate the comments section with so many leaving comments every minute or so.

Best way is to report those comments.

In Malaysia for example, they are one step away from passing a new law wherein a website is also responsible if their users share links to websites with copyright infringement materials like streaming services.

The current loophole in Copyright laws in many countries today is that streaming sites does not fall under it. Influential countries (Western mostly) are rushing to working hard to force countries well known to be hosting unauthorized streaming sites to pass a new law to cover them.

Expect more similar laws in 2022 and 2023. Those sharing these links in Facebook groups are also in danger actually, they're also going to put the Group admins and moderators in a bad situation (some countries in South-East Asia, for example, arrested FB Group admins and moderators because they supposedly "ignored" posts and comments attacking the government, this happened almost 5 or 6 years ago; they can do it again for linking to unauthorized streaming sites this time).

Best way is to not link. The scary thing here is they can make an example of random people. If you're underage, your guardian will be the one they'll harass.

The MDL moderators, unfortunately, can not moderate the comments section with so many leaving comments every minute or so.

Best way is to report those comments.

In Malaysia for example, they are one step away from passing a new law wherein a website is also responsible if their users share links to websites with copyright infringement materials like streaming services.

The current loophole in Copyright laws in many countries today is that streaming sites does not fall under it. Influential countries (Western mostly) are rushing to working hard to force countries well known to be hosting unauthorized streaming sites to pass a new law to cover them.

Expect more similar laws in 2022 and 2023. Those sharing these links in Facebook groups are also in danger actually, they're also going to put the Group admins and moderators in a bad situation (some countries in South-East Asia, for example, arrested FB Group admins and moderators because they supposedly "ignored" posts and comments attacking the government, this happened almost 5 or 6 years ago; they can do it again for linking to unauthorized streaming sites this time).

Best way is to not link. The scary thing here is they can make an example of random people. If you're underage, your guardian will be the one they'll harass.