Recap: Queen In-Hyun’s Man Episode 15

Cause and effect, gain and loss, time and memories….

It’s a sleepless night for Hee-Jin, as she giddily lays in bed at her house, thinking about Boong-Do. She finally can’t take it anymore and gets up, makes her way down to her cosmetic table and pulls out jewelry box. In it she has hidden the talisman.

Boong-Do had given it to her after finally returning from Joseon, saying, “I don’t have a use for this anymore so you take care of it.” He had placed it firmly in her hand.

Hee-Jin smells the talisman lovingly, now a symbol of Boong-Do’s promise to stay with her. She ponders though, “Should I bury this in a secret place so I won’t ever lose it? Yes, I’ll go to the bank tomorrow (safe deposit box).”

The phone rings and it is Boong-Do. Hee-Jin rushes into the bathroom to pick up the phone. She asks, “What happened? Why are you calling at this hour?” Boong-Do asks if she was asleep. Hee-Jin replies that she was lying down to go to asleep since she has early filming tomorrow. Boong-Do thought she was awake since she said she usually sleeps late. He is sorry for disturbing her and tries to hang up but Hee-Jin stops him. “Forget it, I’m already awake.” Hee-Jin asks, “Is there something wrong?”

Boong-Do has something to ask. “It’s about the clock. If the long hand is at nine, does it mean 45 minutes?” Hee-Jin confirms. Boong-Do continues, “Then you’re dividing 60 minutes by 12 so each number stands for 5 minutes. 60 minutes equal one hour and if you rotate 12 hours twice in a day, that means there are 24 hours in a day. One minute is equal to 60 seconds, and 30 minutes is expressed as ‘half.’ So since it is one-thirty, you express it as one and ‘half’ (half past one). Is this right?”

Hee-Jin has been scratching her head this whole time. (And I’ve been furiously replaying to catch all this. He needs to stop talking so fast!). Hee-Jin replies, “Yes, but you haven’t even seen the clock, yet?” Boong-Do says, “I had guessed before but I wanted to make sure I was right. What is this “Christmas” event?”

Hee-Jin replies, “The day when Jesus was born.” Boong-Do asks, “Who is Jesus?” You could smell Hee-Jin’s brain burning. “There is this religion called Christianity…” Boong-Do is oblivious to the smoke rising out of Hee-Jin’s head. He just says, “Christianity…I need to read religion books too.” Boong-Do has more questions. “I was curious about this since before but books are now written horizontally instead of vertically and you turn the pages from right to left. Why did that change? I find this more uncomfortable.”

Hee-Jin has had enough. “Why do you have so many things you are curious about at this hour? Aren’t you tired? Get some rest.” Boong-Do replies, “I want to adjust quickly. I don’t want to keep on doing stupid things that will be a nuisance to you.” But Hee-Jin doesn’t mind. “What nuisance?” (If nuisance comes in the form of Boong-Do, I’ll endure it every day!)

Boong-Do says, “Since I came so hurriedly without any preparation, I’m worried about all the things I have to learn. I have no idea when I will be able to learn everything. I think it will take me months to learn everything even if I do nothing else. Reading Hangul is still awkward…”

Hee-Jin has pulled the phone away from her ear. “You nerd, you nerd. Is he planning to live at the library?” Boong-Do obliviously keeps talking on the phone by himself. “Hanja also changed a bit so I think I need to relearn it. Oh, and the clothes that you bought…” Hee-Jin finally puts the phone back to her ear and responds, “Yes?” Boong-Do asks, “These things called neckties. It seemed that all working men wore this. What’s the reason?”

Hee-Jin gives a little “hmph” of frustration. Boong-Do asks for a reason since it looks so uncomfortable but Hee-Jin can only answer, “You just wear it. There is no separate reason for wearing neckties.” But Boong-Do can’t understand. People here seem to wear clothes for practicality but he can’t understand the necktie. The purpose of it seems unclear.

Hee-Jin’s womanly instincts have finally caught up to her brain. “Ah, there is a reason! There is a purpose for the necktie. Do you want to know?” Of course Boong-Do does. Hee-Jin says, “It’s hard to explain it in words. I’ll come over right now!” Boong-Do is surprised and exclaims, “Now?” but Hee-Jin has already hung up.

Hee-Jin sneaks out of her house. (LOL. Is this why you are sneaking out of the house in secrecy from Soo-Kyung? Girl is going to get some action!) Hee-Jin practically skips to Boong-Do’s house. She rushes in but stops demurely in front of Boong-Do. “I came quickly, didn’t I? I just walked slowly but it only took five minutes.”

Hee-Jin looks out the glass doors of Boong-Do’s house. “The view is totally great, isn’t it? This place is more expensive than our house. Please know that I took a lot of care in selecting this house.” (How about telling the truth and just saying you thought about only one thing, Hee-Jin. Distance.)

Boong-Do is satisfied and Hee-Jin tells him, “Of course. I picked it out.” Hee-Jin continues, “Right, you asked me about the necktie’s purpose. I ran all this way to show you. I’m such a courteous person!” Boong-Do quips, “I wasn’t THAT curious.”

Hee-Jin calls Boong-Do over to the neckties. She holds the necktie shyly in front of Boong-Do. “Long time ago, wives usually tied this for their husbands who were going off to work. So every morning like this…” Hee-Jin puts the tie around Boong-Do’s neck. “I would tie it for you.” Hee-Jin starts to tie the necktie. “While I tie the necktie…” Hee-Jin looks up furtively at Boong-Do and catches his eyes. “Yes like this. Then our eyes meet like this and a feeling comes. So…” Hee-Jin pulls at the necktie and brings in Boong-Do for a kiss. (KYA!) Smack goes the kissy lips. Hee-Jin can’t lift her head. “See. This is it. This is the purpose of the necktie.” Hee-Jin looks up at Boong-Do expectantly but…!

Boong-Do does not look amused. Hee-Jin is deflated a bit. “You don’t even look surprised. Did you know already and still asked me?”

Boong-Do: “When I listen to you talk, it seems that everything in this world was made for kissing. What kind of lustful world is this?”

(BRB. Dying laughing.)

A woman in love has the thickest skin, however, as Hee-Jin replies, “Yes, it really does seem that way. I didn’t realize that. So what? You don’t like it?”

Boong-Do: “How can I not like it? It’s all very lustful and good.”

Hee-Jin giggles in pleasure. “What else? What else can I teach you? Is there anything else you are curious about?” Hee-Jin points to the lamp. “Are you curious about the purpose of the lamp?” She pulls Boong-Do over by the necktie. Boong-Do calmly follows. “I am curious. I’m curious to see if you will give another nonsensical explanation with a kiss.”

(Guys, I’m just dying here. There is so much oh-geul, my fingers won’t uncurl to type.)

Soo-Kyung’s alarm rings. It is 3:00am, time to get up to go shoot the drama but Hee-Jin is not home. Soo-Kyung calls for Hee-Jin but she isn’t surprised to not see the girl in the house. “That crazy girl ran away again. Ugh, I can’t stand the lovey-dovey anymore.”

Hee-Jin and Boong-Do are in bed together, propped up against pillows. Boong-Do is holding a book in his hands while Hee-Jin rests her head on his shoulder. He notices the time and whispers softly, “Don’t you have to leave?” (Omg guys, the whisper. My hormones are out of control.) Hee-Jin replies, “I can stay 20 more minutes since it only takes 5 minutes back.” Hee-Jin smiles. Boong-Do asks her, “Why are you smiling while dozing off?” Hee-Jin answers, “Because it’s so strange that we can meet each other in five minutes. Isn’t it strange? In order to meet each other just once, you went back and forth 300 years but now we can see each other in just five minutes. I can’t believe it. That we can meet each other in five minutes. Let’s date tomorrow. I’ll be done with shooting at 3pm. You can study in the morning and then spend time with me after. I really don’t like nerds. You should remember that.” (Me thinks you lie, Hee-Jin. Boong-Do is a complete nerd and you fell for him. Except he’s hot, and cute, and sexy, and…Okay, since he’s a playboy nerd…)

The drama shooting is done for the day and a staff member wants to buy lunch for the actors but Hee-Jin declines. Soo-Kyung asks, “You’re going on a date again?” Hee-Jin is indignant. “What do you mean ‘again’? We have never properly gone on a date.” Soo-Kyung asks, “Then those late night trips…those aren’t dates?” Hee-Jin corrects Soo-Kyung. “I just went for a moment to teach him something.” Soo-Kyung doesn’t believe her but what can she do. She’ll just go by herself to lunch. Hee-Jin says bye but her voice rises in a way that giddy schoolgirls’ voices do. Soo-Kyung stops to remind Hee-Jin about being prudent in public. Hee-Jin swears (but I don’t see her upholding her promise).

Boong-Do is sitting in a restaurant, reading a book in a very Boong-Do-esque way. Hee-Jin knocks on the window to gain his attention and rushes in. She immediately pulls at his tie. “How did you tie this by yourself? You tied it well.”

Boong-Do replies, “Since my teacher keeps on teaching me weird things, I had to learn how to do it myself.”

The waitress brings the menu and Hee-Jin tells Boong-Do she will order something for him- something that won’t be too strange. But Boong-Do has already ordered mushroom cream fettuccini. Hee-Jin asks if he knows what that is. Boong-Do just ordered since he doesn’t think he will die from eating it.

The food has come out and Boong-Do starts to eat. Hee-Jin looks on curiously and asks, “You’re thinking that you should have waited for my advice, right? You thought probably not, but now you think you’re going to die, right?”

Boong-Do forces a smile. “No, not at all. It’s delicious.” Hee-Jin doesn’t believe him. “If it’s tasty, then why does your face look so unhappy?” Boong-Do replies, “My soul has left me because it’s so delicious.” (“Soul has left” is a literal translation of the Korean. The phrase means something like someone having lost their mind so that all they can do is smile.)

Hee-Jin reminds Boong-Do, “You said you wanted to go to Firenze (Florence). They eat this type of food there. You won’t be able to eat anything there if you don’t like this.” Boong-Do tries to hide his worry. “I’m telling you, it’s delicious.” Boong-Do puts down his fork and takes a drink of water. Hee-Jin teases him. “You’re going to stop eating that delicious thing?” Boong-Do lies through his teeth. “I want to savor it since it’s so good.” Hee-Jin offers her food because it is not as buttery but Boong-Do graciously declines.

Hee-Jin tries to feed Boong-Do a forkful of her pasta but he declines again. When Hee-Jin pulls out the aegyo, he concedes and takes a forkful. Boong-Do’s face immediately lights up and he quietly, but swiftly, switches plates with Hee-Jin. Hee-Jin bursts out laughing. She also entwines her feet around Boong-Do’s under the table while offering him her pasta.

I don’t know how but Hee-Jin finally gets Boong-Do to share a single pasta string with her and the two lovebirds slowly eat away at the string. But Boong-Do knows where this is going and quickly pulls in his half of the string, laying a loud smack on Hee-Jin’s lips. Hee-Jin asks, “One more time” and Boong-Do nods. They go at it again (and I just can’t take it anymore! *collapses*). Boong-Do says, “I should eat only this from now on.”

Hee-Jin and Boong-Do walk hand-in-hand at their park and while people recognize her, Hee-Jin only has eyes for Boong-Do. She tells him, “I only have a month left of filming. After I’m done, let’s go to Firenze. Sounds good, right?” The two lovebirds sit down, still hand-in-hand. (I want to be Hee-Jin’s hand!) “Money and time is not a problem but the passport is. In order to solve that, it’s going to get complicated.”

Boong-Do says, “I’ll take care of it so wait. I’ve been thinking about it.” Boong-Do holds up his book. Hee-Jin asks what kind of book it is. Boong-Do whispers into her ear, “Skills in faking one’s identity.” Hee-Jin scolds him. “You’re on your way to becoming a criminal.” Boong-Do replies, “But there is no other way. I can’t live without an identity.” Hee-Jin quickly and easily agrees.

Boong-Do points to a vendor at the park. “Is that good?” Hee-Jin replies, “Oh, cotton candy? You’re going to fail again. It’s really spicy.” Boong-Do cocks his head. “It’s REALLY spicy? Then why does everyone look so happy eating it?” Hee-Jin replies, “Their soul has left their bodies because it’s so spicy, like someone I know.” Boong-Do gets up and says, “Then I’ll buy just one.” Hee-Jin replies, “No, buy three. I love spicy food.”

Boong-Do walks over to the vendor, looking incredibly hot in the black suit. He gets in line and looks back at Hee-Jin. Hee-Jin teases him a bit and then looks over to the Seoul Tower and thinks, “The next date will be at Seoul Towers.” (Oh shit, it’s coming, isn’t it?)

And then with a whoosh, Boong-Do transports back to Joseon. (I’m losing my hair.) Hee-Jin looks back to where Boong-Do should be but doesn’t see him. She panics and looks around the park. Boong-Do is looking around in his own time when suddenly the talisman falls from the sky at his feet. (So wait, Boong-Do just can’t stay in the future? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Hee-Jin continues to look for Boong-Do. “What is this?” She calls Boong-Do but the automated message says, “This number does not exist. Please check again.” (WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT DOESN’T EXIST?????!!!!!!!!) Hee-Jin looks at her phone curiously and quickly tries again.

Boong-Do picks up the talisman and tries his phone. But of course, it doesn’t work. He hears voices and quickly hides. He sees men dressed in old Joseon wear walking away and when he looks at his talisman, it starts to turn black. (NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! running around, hyperventilating, banging my elbows and knees into chairs and desk, my heart at the back of my throat. OMG.)

Hee-Jin is trying her phone but she gets the same automated message. “The number you have called does not exist. Please check again.”

Soo-Kyung has just come home and is regretting eating so much. Hee-Jin calls and asks her to check her jewelry box. Soo-Kyung looks for a talisman but can’t find it. Hee-Jin asks her to check again. She is sure she put the talisman in the box. Soo-Kyung tells her there is nothing there that resembles a talisman or a yellow envelope. Hee-Jin collapses on her knees.

Boong-Do is holding the now completely black talisman and he remembers what Yoon-Wol said to him as she gave it to him the first time. “Please put this on your body. A monk gave it to me. It’s a talisman that was made through a person’s will. It will protect you.”

Boong-Do also remembers what Yoon-Wol said the monk told her as he wrote the talisman. “Just because I wrote it, you asked for it, or he owns it, doesn’t mean that the talisman will do what we want.” Boong-Do remembers Han-Dong telling him that Yoon-Wol went back to the gisaeng house. Boong-Do proceeds to change out his modern clothes.

It is the gisaeng house and a tall man approaches a tipsy gisaeng. It is Boong-Do asking for Yoon-Wol’s whereabouts. The gisaeng notes his good looks and jealously replies that Yoon-Wol is busy.

Boong-Do asks the gisaengs in the room that Yoon-Wol is supposed to be in about Yoon-Wol. They reply that Yoon-Wol left some time ago to change her gayageum strings but she hasn’t come back yet. Boong-Do walks away to find Yoon-Wol. (On a shallow note guys, how hot does Boong-Do look?)

Boong-Do opens the door to Yoon-Wol’s room and sees blood splattered on the walls and smeared on the floor. (I. can’t. take. it. any. more. Tell me it’s a happy ending. TELL ME!). Boong-Do follows the blood trails and finds Yoon-Wol’s hairpin on the stairs. He continues to follow the trail, cautiously at first, then faster and faster, until he sees another pin and ribbon. He follows the blood trail again until he sees a figure, bloody and lifeless by the stairs.

Boong-Do takes of his hat and kneels by the figure. He softly whispers “Yoon-Wol ah” and feels for a pulse. There is none and Boong-Do starts to break down.

(Yoon-Wol, you can’t, not her. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. I can’t.)

In a flashback, we see Ja-Soo at the gisaeng house, angrily drinking. He leaves his room with a bottle of soju when he sees Yoon-Wol walking to her room with her gayageum. Ja-Soo opens the door to Yoon-Wol’s room. She asks in surprise, “Who are you?” Ja-Soo says, “Now that my master is dead, you have no worries, right? That’s why you are back here without fear.” Ja-Soo menacingly walks toward Yoon-Wol. “If it wasn’t for you, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.” Yoon-Wol warns him, “Don’t come near me. I’ll call for help.” (Please don’t show me Ja-Soo killing her. Please!) Ja-Soo laughs at the suggestion. Yoon-Wol asks Ja-Soo if he isn’t afraid of the consequences since officers are hunting him. Ja-Soo replies, “Consequences? The person who should have been of afraid of the consequences is YOU!” Yoon-Wol’s throat is cut and she is dragged out.

Boong-Do cries her name again, “Yoon-Wol ah” and places her pin back in her hair. Boong-Do looks at her blood, staining his fingers. Boong-Do stops a servant and asks for a guest that has a sword.

Ja-Soo is in no mood to play with gisaengs and wants to leave. His room door opens and there stands Boong-Do, his bloody hand tightly clutching his sword. Boong-Do takes off his hat and reveals himself to Ja-Soo. There is anger and wrath in his eyes.

Ja-Soo is surprised. “Aren’t you dead? This is better. I will kill you with my own hands.” Boong-Do and Ja-Soo start to fight and Boong-Do with his wrath are able to take down all the other men. Ja-Soo and Boong-Do take the fight outside and Ja-Soo is able to slice Boong-Do in his shoulder. They continue their battle and it looks like Ja-Soo has the upper hand. Boong-Do roars in anger (rawr!) and attacks but Ja-Soo once again slices Boong-Do on the leg.

Boong-Do falls to his feet and the two men stand sword to sword. Boong-Do suddenly pulls away his sword to allow Ja-Soo’s sword to fall at his neck. It seems for a moment that Boong-Do just wants Ja-Soo to kill him but Boong-Do pushes the sword away with his BARE HANDS, and throws his own at Ja-Soo’s head. It misses but latches itself on the column behind Ja-Soo. Boong-Do, swordless, walks menacingly towards Ja-Soo. Ja-Soo points his sword at Boong-Do and as Boong-Do continues to walk toward him, Ja-Soo pushes his sword into Boong-Do’s shoulder. Close enough now to see the full white of Ja-Soo’s eyes, Boong-Do pulls out his own sword from the column and slits Ja-Soo’s throat. Ja-Soo falls, dead. Boong-Do collapses next to him, a sword sticking out through his body.

(This was so hard to describe guys. First, because of my own emotions and second, because I have never described action before.)

Everyone else has left the park but Hee-Jin is still waiting. Soo-Kyung calls but Hee-Jin doesn’t pick up. She just continues to wait. (Boong-Do, Boong-Do, Boong-Do, Boong-Do, please, please, please, please!).

It is the temple and Young-Myung monk is surprised to see Boong-Do appear out of the shadows. Young-Myung monk asks, “You were alive?” Boong-Do replies, “Yes, I am alive but Yoon-Wol is dead.” The monk is shocked. Boong-Do continues, with sorrow written all over his face, “Because I can’t be caught, I couldn’t even bring her here. I think she would like to be here for her death. Will you be able to go to the gisaeng house and bring her here?”

It is morning at the gisaeng house and the investigators have arrived at the scene and they are labeling the victims. A lower rank officer reports to the head that they are looking into the identity of the dead people. No one knows yet who the suspect is but he looked for someone named Yoon-Wol first. Yoon-Wol is also dead, however.

The monks are saying their prayers for Yoon-Wol. Boong-Do sits outside, trying to breath. Young-Myung monk approaches him and tells him that the soldiers are looking for the suspect. He suggests that Boong-Do leave quickly. Boong-Do replies, “Yes, of course. If a dead person is caught alive, then there will once again be bloodshed. But I’m not sure I can leave.” Boong-Do pulls out the black talisman. “It has become like this.”

The monk asks, “How has it become this color?” Boong-Do replies, “The moment Yoon-Wol died, it became like this.”

Hee-Jin is at the park again, barely keeping her tears in check as she remembers Boong-Do and the cotton candy. (Damn, that cotton candy.) Hee-Jin’s tears fall and she bravely wipes it away saying, “He’ll come. He’ll come. He’ll come.”

Boong-Do struggles up the hill where the future park will be. It is where he has hidden his modern clothes. Boong-Do pulls out his sword from its scabbard. (So hot when he does this!) and digs it into the ground. Boong-Do then takes out the talisman. The monk had said, “It must have been because of Yoon-Wol.”

Boong-Do had said to the monk, “I came here suddenly without any warning. That person will keep on looking for me. What should I do? Do you think that the power of ‘He lives when he dies’ will still work?”

Boong-Do has changed back into his modern clothes. Boong-Do places the black talisman in his chest and holds the sword to his neck. (You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re not even sure the talisman works! OMG, this drama and Boong-Do. WILL. BE. THE. DEATH. OF. ME!)

Boong-Do is back in modern time at the park. He pulls out his phone to see if it works. It does!

Hee-Jin’s phone rings and she quickly picks up. “Where are you?” Boong-Do replies, as tears start to rise in his throat, “I’m sorry I surprised you. Where are you?” Hee-Jin tearfully answers, “At the park.” (I just love Hee-Jin. She doesn’t run around all dramatic and frantic but instead simply replies, knowing he will find her.) Boong-Do repeats, “The park?” and he looks down from the hill to see her.

Hee-Jin asks, “What the heck happened? I had the talisman so why did you disappear?” Boong-Do answers, “Something happened. There was a problem with the talisman.” Hee-Jin asks, “What problem?” There is no answer but Boong-Do slowly walks into Hee-Jin’s field of vision. He asks, “You didn’t really wait here, did you?” Hee-Jin replies, “Of course I did. Where else would I wait? You disappeared from here.” Boong-Do asks, “Are you crying? Why are you crying?”

Boong-Do continues to walk toward Hee-Jin but he starts to feel something as he holds the talisman in his hand. He quickly tries to hand the talisman to Hee-Jin but he vanishes. (I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t take it anymore.)

Hee-Jin drops her phone and runs to where Boong-Do last stood. (Guys, I’m continuing this after literally sobbing in the bathroom, crouching in the darkness.) Hee-Jin cries while Boong-Do falls to knees, tears falling quietly out of his eyes.

It is night and Boong-Do is speaking to Young-Myung monk. “Since I am being chased, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to go far away.” Young-Myung monk wonders if the monk who wrote the talisman will be able to help. Boong-Do replies that it is the only option left. He has to find him.

It is also night at Soo-Kyung’s house. Soo-Kyung is angry at Hee-Jin. “Alright. Let’s both you and I die.” Soo-Kyung goes over to Boong-Do’s house and finds Hee-Jin on the floor, her head between her knees. Soo-Kyung sits down in front of Hee-Jin. “Let’s talk about this seriously. Ever since you met this Kim Boong-Do guy, you’ve gotten strange. It was only a few days ago when you were on cloud nine. But now, you are either here or at the park every chance you have. Why? Do you really have bipolar disorder? (Soo-Kyung, this drama is giving me bipolar disorder. Me and thousands of girls all over the world. I have no energy to write this recap.)

As Hee-Jin remains silent, Soo-Kyung confirms. “It is bipolar disorder. That bastard. What did he do that made you like this? You’re going to be ruined by this relationship. I really think I need to fight him. (Aw, Soo-Kyung. Please don’t make me cry. I’m really sensitive right now.) When is this jerk coming?”

Hee-Jin finally speaks. “What can I do? I don’t think I will be able to see him ever again.” Soo-Kyung asks why. Hee-Jin replies, “I think that was the end.” Soo-Kyung asks, “You said he went to Choon-chun (another city in S. Korea). What do you mean it’s the end? Where did he go?” Hee-Jin just says, “How? How could that be the end?” Hee-Jin grabs Soo-Kyung for a hug. “What is this? How can this be? How could it be like this?” Soo-Kyung starts to weep and asks, “Why are you crying? I told you to not see him.”

Boong-Do is traveling to find the monk. He stops to rest for short bits as he continuously rides away.

Subtitle says “One month later.” (OH GOD!) It is the television station and Hee-Jin is walking lifelessly out of it. Dong-Min passes by her and takes notice.

Boong-Do has finally reached the temple where the monk who wrote the talisman is supposed to be. (Cars, trains, airplanes….Oh god. I’m so thankful for them. The monk’s name is Sung-Myung, by the way.) Another monk informs him that Sung-Myung monk *EDITED* has died. (…………….I don’t even have words to describe how I feel anymore…………) Boong-Do steps back in despair.

The sun is setting and Boong-Do lies helplessly on the hillside. He remembers Hee-Jin crying, asking where she should have wait for him if not the park, what happened, and where did he go? Tears fall silently down his face.

It is dark now. Boong-Do pulls out the black talisman. He had told the monk that the talisman was once split in half and in the other world, everything returned to its starting point- the time when he didn’t exist. Except that person, everyone forgot him. So he is curious. What if he burns the talisman? Will that person completely forget him too this time?

Boong-Do starts to cry as he says, “There is someone desperately waiting for me but there is no way to return. Even if it takes one year or ten years, if there is a way I can go, I would. But I can’t. So if that person will just continue to wait for me and be sad, wouldn’t it be better if she just forgot?”

Boong-Do thinks to himself, “If I burn this, will all the memories disappear?”

Boong-Do is at a desk, writing a letter.

“This is letter written both to me and you. I may forget that I even wrote this letter, or this letter itself might disappear. This letter is for me and you, either one of us who may live on holding onto memories. When I obtained this amulet by chance, I wanted to know what the cause and effect/reason was. First, I thought the reason was so that I would be able to fulfill my dream. Then I thought perhaps the reason was our fateful meeting. Then I thought it must be for me to live in a new world. But now I have finally realized the real cause and effect. In order to save my own life, I would have to lose everything. My future, my name, my values… my people…and also you. In order to save my own life, I must lose everything…it is probably the most logical end. I was foolish to think I could at least have one thing. How much must I lose in order to repay the debt of my life? Never being able to see you again? I have realized even that is a luxury.

Hee-Jin has been crying at the park this whole time, oblivious to the rain pouring on her, as her tears blend in with the thick droplets on her face.

Flashback of Boong-Do saying “I love you.”

Boong-Do’s letter continues, “Memories. Our memories.”

Hee-Jin’s voice. “If us becoming lovers is the cause, then what is the effect?”

Boong-Do’s voice. “Our memories. Memories. That is final price. I don’t know what will happen now. Will we forget each other or will we suffer forever, unable to let go of our memories…”

Hee-Jin walks into her house, drenching wet. Soo-Kyung worries after her. Hee-Jin just walks into the bathroom.

Boong-Do’s letter continues. “My final wish is to be able to remember you. To not have even those memories in an aimless life will be hell. And you…you…even if you read this letter in the future, I hope you won’t know who it is for.”

Boong-Do folds the letter and pulls out the talisman. He brings the talisman over to candle and lights it on fire. The talisman burns.

No preview.

Comment:

Guys, I’ve been holding it together while typing that letter but the result is now I’m shaking and this screen is getting blurry as I type.

The single sliver of hope is that we don’t know yet for sure that burning the talisman will have everyone lose his or her memories. But from the sound of letter, I think it is the most likely thing.

I dread that happening. You don’t know how much. But it makes so much sense. Everything makes so much sense, it angers me. It makes me into a sobbing mess because there just couldn’t be any other thing for Boong-Do to do but to burn the talisman.

I apologize if these comments are more emotional than analytical right now but I am seriously crying over here. I love how the issue of burning the talisman is not a question of trying to get someone to remain in the future, like it was for Hee-Jin, or a question of the fear of losing memories. Rather, right now for Boong-Do, it is a question of love and sorrow, about Hee-Jin waiting for him, unable to forget and move on. If before, he feared losing memories, now he is afraid they will remain.

The letter is so beautiful and I really wanted to do it justice. I don’t know. I’m just crying here.

Yoon-Wol, our poor beautiful Yoon-Wol. Her death nearly killed me because I didn’t even expect her to die. I thought the talisman either continues to be a source of problems or for it to be transformed due to Boong-Do’s desire, not Yoon-Wol’s death. I still can’t believe she died. You don’t kill off such beautiful human beings. You just don’t!

Talk to me people. I can’t finish this comment section properly right now, without delaying the recap, so leave your comments, so I can get help thinking this episode through.

*EDIT* A kind reader, Dyu, pointed out my error and corrected me. Sung-Myung monk did not go on a pilgrimage. He died.

This makes so much sense. So the first time Boong-Do went back, it was because Yoon-Wol died and the second time he went back was when the monk died. That’s why Boong-Do remembering what Yoon-Wol said about how the talisman was made through people’s will/desire was important. Someone give this writer an award.