Episode 7 - Confession
After Yeong and Byung Hun came and rescued Ra On from the corrupt Chinese ambassador, they arrive at the palace late that night. He then told Byung Hun to just come back to Jahyeondang. Byun Yun told the Crown Prince that he must escort him to his quarter. But Yeong told him that Ra On seems to be deadly tired and they should just go back.
Eunuch Jang came and bombarded Yeong with a lot of questions, which Yeong commanded him to hold the questioning tomorrow. With the appearance of Eunuch Jang, the Crown Prince told Ra On that he will see him again at Dongungjeon (Crown Prince's quarter) and took his leave with Eunuch Jang following behind him.
Back at the Jahyeondang, Ra On noticed the scars and fresh wounds on Byung Yun’s back and asks if he incurred any injuries from saving her today. He told her simply that they came from him doing his job, not because of her. She still felt bad, noting that he didn’t just rescue her today—he also nursed her all night when she was sick. Byung Yun gruffly tells her that it wasn’t him. He’s told her that before but Ra On hadn’t believed him, and she scoffs that there’s nobody else it could be… and then remembers the Crown Prince. Now it makes sense how he knew of her mother, It was actually Yeong who stayed beside her that night.
Ra On settled to sleep while mentioning that she seemed to be comfortable now with the palace. She reminds him of something he’d once said: that the palace becomes a livable place when you find someone you like inside of it. She muses, “I’m worried I may start liking the palace more.”
The next day, Yoon Sung is so excited at Ra On’s return that he runs through the palace, smiling widely to see her.
Ra On assured him that she is fine without any worries and Yoon Sung told her, "Yes. Please make it so I don’t worry again. You’re a very special person to me."
Yeong arrieved and has heard from Byung Yun that Yoon Sung played an important role in the rescue, and Yoon Sung answers that it was important to him.
Yeong muses that it was important enough for Yoon Sung to defy his own grandfather, and deduces, “You’re telling me not to pay much mind to it because it wasn’t for my benefit.” Yoon Sung confirms it, which indicated the important thing to him is Ra On's return.
Ra On assured him that she is fine without any worries and Yoon Sung told her, "Yes. Please make it so I don’t worry again. You’re a very special person to me."
Yeong arrieved and has heard from Byung Yun that Yoon Sung played an important role in the rescue, and Yoon Sung answers that it was important to him.
Yeong muses that it was important enough for Yoon Sung to defy his own grandfather, and deduces, “You’re telling me not to pay much mind to it because it wasn’t for my benefit.” Yoon Sung confirms it, which indicated the important thing to him is Ra On's return.
On the other side of the palace, the Queen laughed so much after hearing the rumor which has been spread around the palace, 'Crown Prince likes men', which sounds absurd to her. There are also certain gossips that some of the Eunuch and Court Lady often meets at night at certain places for a secret rendezvous. Besides, there is one court lady who happens to be pregnant. So, the queen’s Eunuch Sung complains to the king’s head eunuch about the rumors disturbing the queen in her delicate condition. The head eunuch says that the King hasn’t visited the bed of a court lady in years, and Eunuch Ma supposes that a politician or official might be involved instead.
Fyi, Court Lady or Lady-in-waiting (Gungnyeo) is under Queen's authority in which they are actually women waiting on the King and other royalty. In modern names, it is commonly called personal assistant. However, in traditional term, court lady is King's women, in which they are usually available for sexual services and could become a wife or a concubine too.
Eunuch Sung says that the queen even harbors suspicions about the eunuch department and ordered that the culprit be caught. The head eunuch considers this, then decides to have all of the eunuchs undergo medical testing.
On Crown Prince's quarter, Ra On noticed that Yeong was sitting before an untouched meal. Yeong said that he won't eat before it's been tasted for poison. Ra On the offered to call the appropriate court lady, but Yeong insisted that she should do it for him instead. He then told her to come close and sit next to him. She complies hesitantly, then widens her eyes at how tasty the food is, which makes Yeong smile secretly to himself.
When she deems the food safe, Yeong barely tastes his food before deeming it terrible, and Ra On grimaces at his excessively picky palate. He pushes the table aside, telling her to eat instead, and when he threatens to have it cleared out immediately, she hastily agrees. She can’t hide her enthusiasm once she’s eating, and he smiles, contented to watch her eat.
After she’s done cleaning off literally every plate, Ra On works up the nerve to ask what Yeong meant when he’d told her to stay by his side, back when he’d rescued her. But his answer is matter-of-fact, saying that there’s nothing strange about wanting to keep his favorite eunuch that he cares about by his side. Ra On deflates. Then Yeong gets up to leave the room, pausing to turn back and point out, “You are already five steps away.” Ra On hurries to his side, and he grins that impish grin.
Yoon Sung on the other hand, was being told that he is supposed to marry Ha Yeon, the daugther of Minister of Culture and Education. This brought Yoon Sung with a shock face and he nervously said that it was unexpected and it was too early to decide that. But Prime Minister said Yoon Sung should just do whatever he told him. On the other hand, Ha Yeon who happened to fall for the Crown Prince was also being told. She then asked her father whether the answer has been given back or not. Ha Yeon then told her father that if she were to marry, she would like for it to be with the person she wants to marry.
From a pantry, Ra On hears whispered voices and instinctively ducks for cover. It’s Eunuch Ma and Princess Myeongeun’s lady-in-waiting Wol Hee, who have been carrying on a secret romance, although Wol Hee has grown tired of sneaking around. She wants for him to be able to declare openly that she’s his woman, but Eunuch Ma is much more concerned about the ramifications of their relationship being exposed. He points out that she could be hurt, but Wol Hee replies that that’s what their relationship is: “If we like each other, we get hurt.”
Before he can reply, the sound of approaching steps sends them ducking too, and from his hiding spot, Eunuch Ma meets Ra On’s eye. After Wol Hee stalks off with hurt feelings, Ra On explains that she didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Eunuch Ma just warns her to keep her mouth shut, for her own good.
Ha Yeon barely pays attention to the sit-ups she’s supervising Princess Myeongeun to do, thoughts fixated on the crown prince. He’s always surrounded by lots of people, but she supposes that there must be times he likes to be alone. The princess says that he sometimes goes for a walk in the gardens, and like that, Ha Yeon is off like a shot.
She goes straight to the gardens, pleased to find Yeong sitting there alone with a book. She plays it like a chance encounter, saying that she was just passing by, but finds that Yeong doesn’t respond quite the way she wanted. First he points out that it’s not really a “happened to be walking by” type of place, then gets a rise out of her by teasing that she crawled in through a hole.
So Ha Yeon gives up the act and admits that she miscalculated by trying to fake a fateful encounter. She smiles to see his book, then uses pretty literary words to suggest that he take a break from his book and walk with her.
Ra On approaches with her arms full of books, but when she sees the prince smiling up at Ha Yeon, she takes a step back, spirits sinking. What she doesn’t know is that Yeong declined Ha Yeon’s suggestion, "No, thank you. There is no specific reason.", which sends Ha Yeon storming off in a snit. She’s particularly annoyed that he gave his rejection with a smile, which had made her heart skip. But then she cheers up, and something tells me Ha Yeon is down but not out.
That night, a drunk Eunuch Ma parks himself outside Wol Hee’s door and bellows for her to come out. Before he can get himself into serious trouble, though, Ra On darts in and grabs him, clapping a hand over his mouth. Eunuch Ma turns the tables, grabbing Ra On by the throat and asking why she’s following him around. Ra On gasps that she’s acting out of concern for him, and he retorts, “Who’s concerned about whom? Acting like a eunuch—”
It sounds like he’s about to out her secret, but out of nowhere Byung Yun intervenes and shoves Eunuch Ma aside. He checks that she’s okay and reaches toward her neck, but then his hand gets shoved aside by Yeong. But the intense moment begins to feel awkward, and Yeong tells Ra On brusquely that she should act like a man and she is now fine to go.
It sounds like he’s about to out her secret, but out of nowhere Byung Yun intervenes and shoves Eunuch Ma aside. He checks that she’s okay and reaches toward her neck, but then his hand gets shoved aside by Yeong. But the intense moment begins to feel awkward, and Yeong tells Ra On brusquely that she should act like a man and she is now fine to go.
Ra On hurries after them, and asks Byung Yun if entering the palace life makes it impossible to change your fate (as in, leave the court). Byung Yun replies that it can’t be done without the king’s consent.
At that, Yeong cuts in sternly to tell Ra On not to concern herself with the others’ relationship. He states that the law is the law, and while Ra On concedes that that’s true, she asks how the direction of one’s heart can be right or wrong.
At that, Yeong cuts in sternly to tell Ra On not to concern herself with the others’ relationship. He states that the law is the law, and while Ra On concedes that that’s true, she asks how the direction of one’s heart can be right or wrong.
The next day, Ra On broods by a tree, heavy-hearted at the memory of Yeong smiling with Ha Yeon in the garden. Eunuch Ma, sober today, sits down nearby to brood too before spotting Ra On and getting huffy about the other night. But Ra On chides him for his series of bad choices: getting drunk, going to the women’s quarters, and raising a fuss. She asks what he means to do now, and Eunuch Ma says glumly that there’s nothing he can do. So Ra On offers to help.
Ra On then planned to have a performance show with a doll, as a tool to confess someone's feeling without actually telling the truth and getting anyone hurt. She prepared the doll, but unfortunately, Yeong found out about the doll. He insisted Ra On to tell him what she's planning to do and Ra On said that the doll is something to convey true feelings. Yeong then reminds her that he’d warned her not to get involved with Eunuch Ma’s issues, but Ra On counters that she won’t do anything illegal.
“Is it not futile?” Yeong asks. “Even if you deliver your feelings, it doesn’t change anything.”
Ra On replies, “It is not stretching your arm, thinking you would reach the sky. Everyone knows the court ladies are for the King.” He asks why, then. She replies, “I know that it is no use, but you can't help falling for someone? Even though nothing will change, you would still hope she knows your feeling”
But Yeong replies that it’s quite selfish to confess their feelings for their own comfort.
Ra On counters, “Is it wrong to confess to someone who you cannot be with?” She says that sending someone away well shows as much of a warm heart as love does. “A proper farewell is also as sincere as love. The memory of having received love could become a lifelong source of strength.”
His gaze changes at that, and she adds, “Although you will not be able to understand that feeling.” She walks away, and he almost steps forward to follow, but stops himself.
That evening, the eunuchs and court ladies gather for a puppet show—Ra On’s big idea—titled “The Court Lady’s Man.” It tells us a story of a Pupper Court Lady, Do Hwa who happens to fall in love with Pupper Eunuch Wang. When Puppet Do Hwa is about to spend the night with king, but longing for her lover. She asks Puppet Eunuch why he won’t call her his woman, and Wol Hee who happened to join the show recognizes Eunuch's Ma voice and their story.
Puppet Eunuch sends her away, because their love has no future. Wol Hee starts to storm out, but stops as Puppet Eunuch’s declares, “I wanted to say these words! In a place with many people, in a loud voice! I love you! Truly, I truly love you!” Behind, Yeong watched the show too with much thought and he left the place.
Puppet Eunuch sends her away, because their love has no future. Wol Hee starts to storm out, but stops as Puppet Eunuch’s declares, “I wanted to say these words! In a place with many people, in a loud voice! I love you! Truly, I truly love you!” Behind, Yeong watched the show too with much thought and he left the place.
Eunuch Sung heard about the puppet show and came to the area. He then asked who was the person behind the performance show and he brought Ra On to the Queen's quarter. Suddenly, Yeong and Byung Yun came to save Ra On. Yeong told the Queen that she just had to look over it since it's a mere small issues and he is going to take Ra On with him
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But the Queen refuses to allow it, stating that the rookie has overstepped his bounds. She reminds Ra On that all court ladies belong to the King, and slaps her in the face, hard. She looks eagerly at Yeong for his reaction.
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But the Queen refuses to allow it, stating that the rookie has overstepped his bounds. She reminds Ra On that all court ladies belong to the King, and slaps her in the face, hard. She looks eagerly at Yeong for his reaction.
In fact, it seems everyone’s waiting for Yeong’s reaction, but he refuses to give it. After long moments, he starts to chuckle and tells the queen that a court-lady-and-eunuch love story is pretty standard parody stuff. He points out that even people say that the King is a fool who lets the Queen controls him like a puppet and he is actually a womanizer. That angers the queen further, but it seems he’s won this round. Yeong orders Ra On to stand, and this time the Queen doesn’t stop it. She does, however, warn that the King is already troubled enough and asks, “Are you not afraid of the scandalous rumors about you?” Yeong stands his ground, and advises that she give it a rest and not blow everything out of proportion. He leads his entourage away, keeping his emotions in check—but not so well in check that it escapes the Queen’s eagle eyes.
She’s positively gleeful, in fact, as she notes that he isn’t looking at Ra On like one looks upon a eunuch: “That is the gaze of a man looking at his lover.”
Prime Minister Kim presents the king with the mask dropped by Byung Yun in the chase the other night, and declares that every suspicious culprit involved in recent troubles have worn a mask like it. Moreover, the man at the center of these activities is Hong Kyung Rae.
The group is now trying to find his children and the King commands to arrest all of them to avoid another riot like what happened 10 years ago. I guess Hong Kyung Rae is Ra On's father?
The group is now trying to find his children and the King commands to arrest all of them to avoid another riot like what happened 10 years ago. I guess Hong Kyung Rae is Ra On's father?
The next day, Yeong and Ra On come upon a eunuch fistfight in the courtyard, which comes screeching to a halt at the prince’s arrival. A bloodied Eunuch Jang initially refuses to explain the reason until Yeong threatens to send him to the court tribunal, and then he blurts that the others had been spouting nonsense.
Yeong encourages him to explain further, and with great reluctance, Eunuch Jang tells him the rumor about Yeong being a gay. The news comes as a shock to both Yeong and Ra On, and his eyes briefly flicker over to her before he bursts into a big forced laugh, acting like it’s a silly joke that’s not worth the reaction.
But Eunuch Jang persists, saying that the rumors say that he looks at Ra On like a lover, and that their closeness is out of the ordinary. At that, Yeong angrily tells him enough.
But Eunuch Jang persists, saying that the rumors say that he looks at Ra On like a lover, and that their closeness is out of the ordinary. At that, Yeong angrily tells him enough.
Yoon Sung called Ra On to meet with him. Ra On seemed to be down, thinking that she is actually a burden for the Crown Prince. Yoon Sung asked cautiously if she means as an Eunuch. Yoon Sung relaxes at that and says that it’s probably the position itself that’s the problem; her uniform doesn’t suit her and so the palace doesn't suit her too.
Yoon Sung opened a box which contained a dress. Ra On noticed the dress Yoon Sung has bought the other time for a special someone. Yoon Sung told her that he is waiting for her to readily accepts the dress happily and he is planning to ask that special someone today.
He then gave Ra On the dress on the box and asked her whether she ever wishes to live as a woman. Ra On refuses but Yoon Sung insisted that he will wait for Ra On to answer and he promised her that he is going to find a way so that Ra On would be able to leave the palace.
He then gave Ra On the dress on the box and asked her whether she ever wishes to live as a woman. Ra On refuses but Yoon Sung insisted that he will wait for Ra On to answer and he promised her that he is going to find a way so that Ra On would be able to leave the palace.
A new crisis is upon Ra On, because the king’s order to have all the eunuchs re-examined requires her to undergo another physical. She quakes in her boots and almost blurts her secret to Eunuch Sung. That’s when Eunuch Ma interrupts, then plays off his interruption like it’s no big deal, he’s just off to make a really important delivery from the queen to the prime minister. Eunuch Sung balks because that’s his purview, and he grabs the delivery and orders Eunuch Ma to give Ra On a thorough exam. Phew, one bullet dodged.
Then, Eunuch Ma just goes over to the exam table and stamps her certificate: PASS. It’s a surprise to her, but he just gives her a little smile.
She asks him how long he’s known, and he says it was since the king’s celebration. She apologizes, and he accepts that before then also thanking her. Eunuch Ma tells her that she skirted this peril this time, but that the palace is a place where not even the king’s safety can be guaranteed.
She asks him how long he’s known, and he says it was since the king’s celebration. She apologizes, and he accepts that before then also thanking her. Eunuch Ma tells her that she skirted this peril this time, but that the palace is a place where not even the king’s safety can be guaranteed.
She understands, and says sadly, “If I can leave, I should leave, shouldn’t I?”
Her mood is heavy as she attends on the Crown Prince, who notes her glum mood with curiosity. Finally he tells her to look at him directly, only to have her reply that her downturned face is the proper pose for a eunuch. Yeong asks if someone’s been scolding her, or if she’s angry at him for some reason. With a playful grin, he leans down to look her in the eye, and Ra On shrinks away, even stepping backward. He’s surprised, and she asks him not to be too nice to her: “I cannot be friends with you, or something else either.” She adds that she was taught that an Eunuch’s place is one step behind the prince—no closer, no farther.
“You’re my person,” Yeong reminds her, saying that nobody else can dictate the distance they keep. But Ra On seems to have made up her mind, and requests, “Please cherish me for me exactly as much as you do the other eunuchs. To me, that is something I’m grateful enough for.” Yeong’s face hardens, and he turns and resumes walking, with Ra- O remaining one faithful step behind.
That night, Yeong replays Ra On’s words about wanting to have her feelings understood, even if the result cannot change. He takes ink to paper.
Ra On, meanwhile, looks over the pretty hanbok Yoon Sung gave her, thinking over his question: “Don’t you want to live as a woman?”
The next day, Yeong summons Ra On to the garden, the mood very serious. He takes a long moment before speaking, then finally says, “I lied to you.”
He clarifies, “When I told you to stay by my side, I did not mean as a eunuch. Then why do you think I said those words to you?”
Ra On looks up in shock, and he continues, “I need to calm this outrageous confusion, so I questioned myself endlessly every night, and I found out that answer.”
Yeong grabs her arm and pulls her closer. “Before I am the crown prince,” he says, “I am one person, and one man. That I love you—that is my answer.”
Ra On is so flustered that she barely knows what to do. She shakes off his hand and stammers that he’s the prince—how could he love a man like her, or a eunuch?
“Do not tell me that my heart is wrong,” he says, reminding her of her own words about being unable to declare a heart right or wrong for feeling the way it does.
He has a point, but Ra On is still left grasping at straws, saying that there are nice loves and bad loves, and that this is one that nobody would support. More than that, it’s impossible and forbidden.
“I know,” Yeong says. “However, I mean to give it a try, that bad love.”
He steps closer, tiny step after tiny step, advancing as she takes equally tiny steps backward. Then he grabs her around the waist and pulls her close, toppling the hat from her head, staring intently at her face.
Ra On is all aflutter with surprise and confusion and feelings, but he lifts her face with a hand to her cheek, and she closes her eyes. Oh, he smiles at that.
And then, that kiss.
Personal Thought:
Oh.My.God this episode has progressing faster than what I thought it would. I really hope that Yeong would soon find out the true identity of Ra On, though it's so funny to see him act like he doesn't care anymore whether Eunuch Hong is a man or an alien. As long as he is human, he would directly go for it. It is no wonder that this episode gains such a high rating because right from the start, every scenes have its touching moment.
While writing the recap, I tried as much as I could to cut down the words, but the thing is, there is nothing much to be cut down since every scenes is a heart-touching moment and also important to notice for the story to progress more. I like our main lead OTP, specially the way Yeong looks at Ra On. Like what the Queen said, it's the look for his lover. A cute and content happiness.
The story of court lady and eunuch is also an intriguing one for our main lead to progress, because if not because of that, Yeong would not be able to confess his feelings to Ra On. I like it so much that Yeong keeps Ra On close to him in everywhere he goes. Although that makes him look like a gay more. But this is so funny. My friend told me that this drama is kinda similar to Bromance, although I might say I like this version better because there is no excessive acting to make it funny like in Bromance, I guess Taiwanese dramas tends to put exaggerate acting to make it even funnier and it would seems to be forced too much.
Besides falling for Yeong, Yoon Sung is someone that I pay my close attention too. It's hard to choose between the two because both character is a perfect man kind of male lead. Though I must say sorry because for whatever reason, I am on Yeong's side and cheer for Yeong and Ra On since they are so cute to be together. However, Yoon Sung indeed has something nice to offer to Ra On, which is to help her escape the palace and that means he is going to protect her all the way.
It is also a nice twist that Eunuch Ma who happened to know Ra On's secret is now on Ra On's side. Although we all know that Ra On does not purposely hide her identity. She tried many times to escape the palace but fate seems to speak differently for her.
Regarding Hong Kyung Rae, I kinda believe that this guy is Ra On's Dad and there will be scenes regarding this and I dunno whether they will make the story on revenge or not. But I guess they won't because the production team only planned to tell an easy story rather than political revenge or problems. But this may be a hindrance for Yeong and Ra On to be together. One of the speculations is that Ra On holds an important position in the society rank because her Dad is an High-Rank Official which will enable her to marry Crown Prince, but no one knows. If you happen to know, please tell by on your comment below, okay?
I really really like Park Bo Gum's acting, his way of speaking through his eyes and his smiles. On the other hand, the helpless Kim Yoo Jung with her cute acting is also a plus point on this drama. Once again, congrats Love in the Moonlight team!
While writing the recap, I tried as much as I could to cut down the words, but the thing is, there is nothing much to be cut down since every scenes is a heart-touching moment and also important to notice for the story to progress more. I like our main lead OTP, specially the way Yeong looks at Ra On. Like what the Queen said, it's the look for his lover. A cute and content happiness.
The story of court lady and eunuch is also an intriguing one for our main lead to progress, because if not because of that, Yeong would not be able to confess his feelings to Ra On. I like it so much that Yeong keeps Ra On close to him in everywhere he goes. Although that makes him look like a gay more. But this is so funny. My friend told me that this drama is kinda similar to Bromance, although I might say I like this version better because there is no excessive acting to make it funny like in Bromance, I guess Taiwanese dramas tends to put exaggerate acting to make it even funnier and it would seems to be forced too much.
Besides falling for Yeong, Yoon Sung is someone that I pay my close attention too. It's hard to choose between the two because both character is a perfect man kind of male lead. Though I must say sorry because for whatever reason, I am on Yeong's side and cheer for Yeong and Ra On since they are so cute to be together. However, Yoon Sung indeed has something nice to offer to Ra On, which is to help her escape the palace and that means he is going to protect her all the way.
It is also a nice twist that Eunuch Ma who happened to know Ra On's secret is now on Ra On's side. Although we all know that Ra On does not purposely hide her identity. She tried many times to escape the palace but fate seems to speak differently for her.
Regarding Hong Kyung Rae, I kinda believe that this guy is Ra On's Dad and there will be scenes regarding this and I dunno whether they will make the story on revenge or not. But I guess they won't because the production team only planned to tell an easy story rather than political revenge or problems. But this may be a hindrance for Yeong and Ra On to be together. One of the speculations is that Ra On holds an important position in the society rank because her Dad is an High-Rank Official which will enable her to marry Crown Prince, but no one knows. If you happen to know, please tell by on your comment below, okay?
I really really like Park Bo Gum's acting, his way of speaking through his eyes and his smiles. On the other hand, the helpless Kim Yoo Jung with her cute acting is also a plus point on this drama. Once again, congrats Love in the Moonlight team!
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