“Our Blooming Youth” units a slower tempo this week by placing two main characters out of circulation. Lee Hwan (Park Hyung Sik) and Min Jae Yi (Jeon So Nee) have traced the supply of their respective mysteries to the quelled riot within the village of Byeokcheon 10 years in the past in addition to its lifeless chief, a person named Song (Yoon Seok Hyun). But simply as they start their investigation, an act of braveness throws an enormous spanner within the works. And Hwan and Jae Yi’s biggest impediment is one they couldn’t have predicted.
Warning: spoilers for episodes 11-12 under.
1. Myung Jin and Hwan rescuing a toddler from the Minister of Justice
Hwan and Jae Yi pay a go to to Kim Myung Jin (Lee Tae Sun) and Ga Ram (Pyo Ye Jin) as all of them strive to determine the which means behind the burnt peony petals the lifeless shaman was utilizing. Myung Jin is definite that his trainer, the monk Moo Jin (Jung In Gyum), may have a solution. However, Moo Jin appears to acknowledge Hwan and evasively says that the petals imply nothing. They’re interrupted by a toddler who steals from the inn they have been consuming at and races onto the highway, managing to smash an costly porcelain jar belonging to Jo Won Oh (Cho Jae Ryung), the Minister of Justice.
As a member of the Jo household and a relation to Jo Won Bo (Jung Woong In), Won Oh instantly throws a public match, beating the kid and vowing to throw him in jail for 200 years. Surprisingly it isn’t Hwan who steps in first, however Ga Ram, who can’t stand seeing a toddler handled this fashion. When Won Oh makes an attempt to hit Ga Ram, Myung Jin steps in entrance of her and orders Won Oh to cease, which makes you marvel how a lot Myung Jin is aware of. But because the Minister of Justice, Won Oh has extra energy than everybody assembled within the market. Everyone besides Hwan.
Jae Yi tries to cease Hwan for some unusual motive, seemingly out of worry that his out-of-the-palace jaunts will probably be found, however Hwan steps in. Won Oh goes pale upon recognizing him, and after partaking in an excellent little bit of sophistry with him, Hwan is ready to flip the tables and save the kid. But simply as Hwan begins to eschew his father’s teachings on ignoring everybody and rising to the highest, his compassionate nature may put an finish to his current energy for good.
2. Hwan’s argument with the King
Jo Won Bo is not happy at Hwan stepping in and making one in every of his lackeys look silly. When you add to that a number of threats from the mysterious insurgent pressure hiding within the capital, he’s on edge to cover no matter he did to crush that riot in Byeokcheon 10 years in the past. Under the guise of proposing measures to rout the remaining rebellions, he petitions the King (Lee Jong Hyuk) to order that nobody from Byeokcheon, its surrounding areas, and even associated to it, ought to be allowed to take the civil servant examination or work within the Palace. This primarily forces these individuals into low-wage positions and denies them the potential of utilizing schooling as a method to raised their lives. This additionally signifies that the individuals, eunuchs, and maids, who already labored in such positions, are kicked out of the Palace regardless of their pleas.
The Queen (Hong Soo Hyun) is aghast at these measures and tearfully offers her seamstress a jeweled hairpin to offer for her life exterior the Palace. The King is aware of what Won Bo is as much as however believes that he has no alternative however to conform, else Won Bo will use his clan’s energy to oust him. So when Hwan reveals as much as protest these inhumane measures, the King grows livid. He asks his son if he actually believes him so weak a king to bow to Won Bo. And in a strong second, Hwan says that he had adopted every thing his father mentioned to the purpose of practically destroying his friendship with Han Sung On (Yoon Jong Seok), however that simply made him extra ashamed of himself.
He weeps, asking his father why he requested him to carry out actions that may solely make him ashamed of himself. Outside, Won Bo overhears every thing till Jae Yi boldly calls out that he’s current. He cackles understanding that the King goes to have to decide on between satisfying the Jo clan and incomes his son’s respect. The King’s reply is swift and sure: Hwan is to be confined to the Eastern Palace.
3. Hwan’s confinement.
The punishment is virtually unprecedented. Hwan can not carry out any of his duties and should stay in his room with just one eunuch allowed to go to him. Naturally, that’s Jae Yi. The two spend a full month in there, with nobody’s firm however one another’s. After two weeks, Hwan weeps on the realization that he has been all however deposed. The King received’t withdraw his command for worry of wanting weak, so somebody has to pressure him to withdraw his command.
Hearing whispers of Hwan’s confinement, Myung Jin and Garam unfold rumors to all the students within the capital that Hwan will not be solely tremendous, however that he’ll be attending the archery contest being held by the students quickly. As Hwan wasn’t capable of attend the earlier ceremony owing to his shoulder damage, it’s the right spot to showcase his return.
Desperate, Hwan reaches out to Scholar Jo (Cha Seo Won), a strong member of the Jo clan, who doesn’t share their greed. He additionally occurs to be the top of the students’ group. The subsequent factor we all know, all of the capital’s students are protesting to the King, demanding that Hwan attend the archery ceremony as they want his photographic reminiscence to revive a few of their library’s books. The mass petition and the truth that it’s headed by Scholar Jo is all of the excuse the King must order an finish to Hwan’s confinement. And as Hwan attends the ceremony and hits bullseye after bullseye whereas listening to no finish of compliments on his photographic reminiscence, he realizes that his father wished him to determine a method out of his scenario himself. The King is aware of that he’s a puppet, however maybe he should buy a while for his son to achieve energy and mates in order that his son received’t be one.
4. Jae Yi and the Queen being cornered by Jo Won Bo
Jo Won Bo has recognized the identification of “Go Sun Dol” for a while now however hasn’t acted on it. Yet, that doesn’t imply he’s going to let it go. When he was blatantly eavesdropping on the King and Hwan’s argument, Jae Yi dared to announce his presence to Hwan, who was capable of kick him out earlier than he overheard extra. So, Won Bo’s on the warpath now, and when he sees Jae Yi ferrying secret letters from Hwan to the skin world throughout his confinement, he wastes no alternative grabbing her by the collar. He tells her that he is aware of she’s not Go Sun Dol and is about to forcibly take Hwan’s letter from her when Sung On intervenes and chases Won Bo off.
Honestly, the lengths to which this man is prepared to go is terrifying. He does the identical to the Queen when she gently pleads with the King to finish Hwan’s confinement. What this present has completed with the Queen’s character is simply extremely refreshing. She isn’t an evil stepmother by any means and appears to genuinely take care of Hwan and for the individuals of Joseon. He doesn’t even know that he has a possible ally in right here. Sure, she’s protecting secrets and techniques, however right here’s hoping they aren’t ugly ones. Still, Won Bo flies right into a rage when he hears that the Queen dared to plea on Hwan’s behalf and practically strangles her. Yikes.
5. Jae Yi remembering Tae Gang
Jae Yi has been making an attempt to recollect what occurred that fateful morning her household died for a while now. Her reminiscence has been clouded, each by trauma and apparently by some invisible fact that she’s nonetheless making an attempt to recall. She’s been getting bits and items again, just like the presence of peony petals being burned and Shim Young (Kim Woo Seok) coming to the kitchen that day. But nothing concrete comes of both. The identification of the messenger who presupposed to be from Hwan may very well be her largest clue. After all, that messenger not solely killed the true particular person Hwan despatched with a marriage reward, however in addition they introduced a replica of the ghost-sent letter, which Hwan completely didn’t ship. Thus, whoever it was must be associated to the homicide and mayhem plaguing the capital.
And simply as Jae Yi’s all however given up, she lastly remembers who it was: Tae Gang (Heo Won Seo). She flees to warn Hwan. Finding him with Tae Gang, she takes Tae Gang’s sword and places it at his neck! She’s completely livid, and Hwan is completely bewildered. And subsequent week will inform us the place this confrontation will go!
Tae Gang’s been appearing more and more sketchy all through the previous couple episodes. He appears to care about Hwan and helped examine the Byeokcheon riot whereas Hwan was confined. But he additionally has an agenda that we aren’t aware of. Hwan can be devastated if his personal bodyguard turned out to be the assassin of Jae Yi’s household, however the risk stays far too alive.
Despite the 20 episode run and Hwan and Jae Yi having been positioned in each type of romantic scenario (a month-long confinement!), these two have nearly no romantic rigidity, with the majority of the curiosity on Hwan’s aspect quite than Jae Yi’s. They definitely problem one another to be higher and do extra, however a few of that preliminary gradual burn appears to have fizzled out. With eight episodes left to go, right here’s hoping they convey again the sizzle!
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Shalini_A is a very long time Asian-drama addict. When not watching dramas, she works as a lawyer, fangirls over Ji Sung, and makes an attempt to write the best fantasy romance of all time. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and be happy to ask her something!
Currently Watching: “Island,” “The Interest of Love,” “Agency,” and “Payback.”
Looking Forward to: “The Heavenly Idol,” “Gyeonseong Creature,” “Ask The Stars,” “The Girl Downstairs,” The Worst Evil,” “Black Knight,” “Queen of Tears,” “Vigilante,” “Demon,” “Dr. Romantic 3,” “Daily Dose of Sunshine,” and Ji Sung’s subsequent drama.
