Initials Index:
CD: Chun Dung
GD: Gwi Dong
DN: Dong Nyeo
DY: Dal Yi

Episode 5 Summary:

After Chun Dung is beaten to a pulp by Beggar Jang, he is carried to Dal Yi’s house by Constable Kang. Her grandfather advises to send the Chun Dung off the next morning since it’s not a good idea to have him in their houses.

Chun Dung’s best friend, Jin Deuk, hurries to inform Soe Dol about the fight and asks for Chung Dung’s whereabouts. At the hut, Beggar Jang tries to justify his hatred and revenege towards Chun Dung and of course, his lousy followers cheer on his every word.

Geum Ok is delighted at her new shoes and takes the moment to dance around the room in presence of her Mother, Madam Kwon, and her father, Kim Jin Sa. When Mak Soon arrives with tea, her hands tremble at the mention of a beggar’s kid who returned the shoes.

Leaning against the wall outside is Gwi Dong. He has learned about Mak Soon’s retirement and knew that it is Madam Kwon’s order. He questions her decision to leave – why would Second Mom oppose to her staying? Isn’t she part of this household? He’ll go to see dad. Father Kim is a step faster and asks Gwi Dong to have a chat.

I like this scene showing to us that Gwi Dong may be emotionally detached from this family but he isn’t emotionally distant.

Gwi Dong is trying to prevent Mak Soon from leaving but Father Kim pushes the topic aside to discuss another important matter. Gwi Dong will stop attending school. Starting from tomorrow. No question is allowed. No reason is given. But for all we know, Kim Jin Sa is not on amicable term with Professor Sung. They had a glare-down contest in the last episode.

Tonight is Chun Dung’s scheduled night to go study; however, Constable Kang stops him from exacerbating his injuries. Dong Nyeo walks back and forth outside her gate, worry about CD’s absence – he isn’t the type to forget this important day. Back at the house, Constable Kang is pleasantly surprised at Chun Dung’s integrity and honorable character. Everyone has his own way of dealing, a beggar is no difference. You can’t steal from others so even if Do Kap is Beggar Jang’s precious son – he’s not an exception. They discuss the teaching of a famous thief, who I assume to be like the character of Robin Hoon in English literature.

At his father’s command, Gwi Dong hangs gloomily outside the classroom. Dong Nyeo comes by and asks he isn’t in class. Sighing, he tells her not to ask. Shaking her head, she leaves to the forest house. Unbeknownst to her, the chicken thief is trailing behind. She leaves a note for Chun Dung and exits. Curious, the chicken thief enters the house and discovers the masks and costumes of the ghosts from the previous night. Secret busted!

Soe Dol sheepishly goes to meet First Wife (of Beggar Jang) Keun Nyeo and hands her the tea oil she needed. First wife offers to pay back but he says it’s okay. I think this is his way of asking for help regarding Chun Dung’s matter, but First Wife doesn’t seem to catch on until moments later. Is it weird that I find them two very compatible (adorable)? My bubble is busted when Soe Dol says he treats her like a noonim – an elder sister. Aw. Sad face.

Constable Kang wants Dal Yi’s grandfather to take Chun Dung in as an apprentice. Initially, Grandfather refuses due to CD’s unknown background but gradually he’s taking the idea favorably. Then Dal Yi brings in bad news – a group of beggars is heading towards their way! Oh despicable JANG!

For this mission, he has asked the help of two other beggar clans – namely, the Kims and the Lees. I laugh so hard when their names are the same…difference only in their last name. hahaha.

However, things don’t go as planned since Beggar Kim and Beggar Lee have different strategies and plan to take revenge on some folks in this village. Angry at their behavior, a fight broke out among the three clans. So. Funny.

After the commotion, Chun Dung is given two choices: 1) He goes back to the Beggar Clan (Kidding right? No chance in hell!) 2) He stays and becomes a shoe-maker. Grandfather appoints Dal Yi as CD’s master from here on out. YAY! Nice boy with badass teacher. Soe Dol can’t stop grinning…man..I love this man so much…very fatherly.

Now that he’s not allowed to go to school, Gwi Dong sits wistfully watching the sunset. He is joined by his follower and later by the chicken thief who reveals to them what he found out this morning. Gwi Dong is infuriated about Dong Nyeo’s participation and he’s eager to find out the other culprit.

Soe Dol appears at Beggar Jang’s house late at night to inform him about Chun Dung’s apprenticeship at the shoemaker’s shop. Shamelessly, Beggar Jang says he regards CD like his own child, so for him to forget this matter, they will have to give him 200 yang. Way to go sell your ‘own’ son, jerk face.

Gwi Dong drops by Dong Nyeo’s house to give her the masks and costumes. Cheeky kid. In a serious tone, he promises not to bother her anymore. Really? We do have 25 more episodes to go and knowing kdramas….this is not part of the writer’s plan, lover boy.

Ho! Ho! Ho! What do we have here? Now that he’s living in a new home, we see a clean and fresh Chun Dung. Approve! The boy is very handsome, for those who haven’t (still?!!) watched Giant, he played the young, arrogant Min Woo. Chun Dung goes to his forest house just to find the place disheveled. More importantly, his books are stolen. He finds Dong Nyeo and tells her what happened. Dong Nyeo knew things would turn out like this but she doesn’t want to tell CD the culprit as to spare him from fights.

Chun Dung confronts Gwi Dong and asks for his books. Shocked that this beggar boy is the one Dong Nyeo has been looking for, GD puts on a friendly face and agrees to give him back the books.

Gwi Dong brings him to a secluded area and demands CD to kneel and plead for mercy. Chun Dung sees nothing wrong with his action; he was defending his studying place. With that, the chicken thief, who is now Gwi Dong’s follower punches Chun Dung’s face….And a fight ensues…another beating for CD…gosh.

The fight is put on hold when Chun Dung is on the ground. CD asks for a fair fight since he hasn’t eaten anything, so he lost to Gwi Dong (hey, GD has a helper too!) and assures Gwi Dong that he won’t lose next time if he’s on a full stomach. Gwi Dong accepts the challenge and feeds CD at a local food stall. Ha. I like how these boys make up excuses to fight.

And the fight continues! Don’t know about you guys, but I’m firmly on Thunder’s side. It strikes okay!

It looks like his old injuries haven’t healed yet (I know! My Lame Excuse) because Chun Dung is beaten to a pulp (again!). He stumbles back to the forest house. Sigh.

Kim Jin Sa orders his Butler to deliver a few words and a letter to Professor Sung. In short, Master Kim’s message is clear – stay out of the government’s dealing. Professor Sung remains unfazed. As long as a scholar is walking the right path, life and death is not a concern. Professor Sung rips the letter. RAWR. Dong Nyeo eavesdrops on the outside and fears for her dad.

That night, Gwi Dong uses a boiled egg to ease his bruises while Chun Dung is fed by Soe Dol.

The next morning, Gwi Dong leaves the house with a lunch box – packed for two people. One guesses who the other person is…

Gwi Dong smiles when Chun Dung arrives. Bromance Alert. After they finish the rice balls, another fight follows with many “oohhh” and “ahhss”. Boys. As the sky darkens around them, they request for a water break where they adorably passes the water bottle. Hehe.

I like that on the surface, they hate each other to the guts, yet they still find each other’s presence comfortable enough to eat and drink together.

With their bodies giving in to exhaustion, Gwi Dong calls it quit. He will give back the books on one condition. That they become a DUO. Awesome!

Episode 6 Summary:

Dong Nyeo is helping her dad burn some important documents. They must be related to the project he’s in with Constable Kang and the noblemen. Looks like the government is tracking them because another nobleman, Lee Shengyuan, asks Professor Sung the date of his departure. Dong Nyeo is going to stay at the Lee’s household for the time being as Professor Sung takes care of some business. Sensing that her dad is being led into a deadly mission, Dong Nyeo pleads him not to go. But as the group’s spokesperson, Professor Sung is not going to back down.

Outside, Gwi Dong returns Chun Dung’s books to Dong Nyeo (uh, this makes sense?). He says he finally understands why DN is always on Chun Dung’s side. CD is an honest man, a real man. Gwi Dong expresses his contentment in gaining a good friend, despite losing love interest.

In the meanwhile, Chun Dung is learning swordsmanship from Constable Kang until Grandpa Hwang arrives and chases Constable Kang out of the house. Ha. Now CD is back to learning shoe-making skills from Dal Yi, who is pretty harsh on him.

At the Beggar’s hut, Beggar Jang remains indignant about the last failed attempt to capture Chun Dung. His son, Do Kap, is not helping either since he’s holding a book yet he can’t comprehend the meaning inside.

Soe Dol and Mak Soon are checking out a new place to stay. Sigh, I say Soe Dol gives up on this selfish woman. She doesn’t want you! Her nose is pointed towards the sky, the rich men. Watch her go after those rich noblemen if she works long enough at this store as a cook.

At the Kim’s household, Mak Soon prepares to leave. Everyone cries for her departure. Except for me. Gwi Dong stays in his room, drinking away his sorrow. Aww… poor kid.

Dal Yi is all smily with Chun Dung until her arch enemy, Dong Nyeo, drops by to order a pair of customized shoes. DN asks whether the shoes can be done in four days to which Dal Yi answers flatly – “No”. Chun Dung isn’t happy with DY’s attitude and prefers to wait for Grandpa’s decision. DN loses her temper and is about to launch before CD pulls her outside. She hands CD a book from her father.

Inside, Dal Yi asks to see the book. Chun Dung takes this opportunity to use casual language with her saying that they’re both from the same low class, so she shouldn’t act all high and mighty. Shocked and angry at his words, she raises her mini hammer to launch an attack. Chun Dung holds her arm as they struggle. Suddenly, the door yanks open, and an ajumma announces that But Deul’s father has been arrested for not handing cotton clothes to the army. Late that night, Constable Kang discusses about the corrupted government collecting high taxes. This results in a lot of starvation and death. Grandpa tells him to mind his own business.

At the same time, Gwi Dong sneaks to the tavern where Mak Soon is working as a new cook. He brings a box of make-up for Mak Soon. Listening to the conversation outside is Soe Dol, who walks away depressingly. The guilt..I say.

Putting away her pride, Dal Yi waits for Gwi Dong in front of his house. She needs his help to save But Deul’s father.

The next morning, But Deul’s father is brought out to the new county official, Gwi Dong’s uncle. Standing his ground, But Deul’s father refuses to be taxed unreasonably. When he talks back, he is beaten. Gwi Dong arrives and hides behind a wall to look at the situation.

In a private room, Gwi Dong tries to reason with his greedy uncle and fails. Later, when they’re alone Dal Yi asks for his forgiveness; she was rude for pointing the blunderbuss to his face. When Gwi Dong sees Chun Dung, they happily greet each other. Dal Yi and Grandpa stare at them in confusion. The duo then display their friendship with a round of punches and ear-pinching.

Gwi Dong wants to introduce Chun Dung to the person he treasures the most…DUN DUN DUN!

And this is Mak Soon’s face when she sees Chun Dung. Amazing how her eyes grow by ten folds. Trembling, she excuses herself while Chun Dung decides to leave as well. Later, Mak Soon chastises Gwi Dong for befriending a beggar! WHAT! You made him into a beggar!

That night Master Kim lashes out at Gwi Dong for bothering his uncle earlier. Gwi Dong says his uncle is the one who has wronged the commoner. Trying to reason with his dad, Master Kim smacks him using a book (ack!). Hurt, he runs away from home. Sigh, the words and actions of noblemen rarely co-exist.

The next day, the body of But Deul’s father is carried home. The whole village cries for his death.

The pair of shoes Dong Nyeo ordered previously is for her dad. Chun Dung brings the finished product for him to try on. The three are soon interrupted by another nobleman. He comes with a succinct message, “Everything is ready. It’s tonight.” What is?!

The cruel brother-in-law seeks help from Master Kim. Since he carelessly beat But Deul’s father to death, the superior wants to have the body examined. Karma!

A group of government officials is led to the secret meeting place of the noblemen. The leader has all the noblemen tied down and asks for Yoo Sun Dal. One man says he’s not here. Apparently, there’s a traitor in the noblemen’s clique. Outside, the government dogs chase after another shadow, a skillful man who takes them down without much effort.

Professor Sung is still at home, preparing for his mission of the night. Tears start to fall as Dong Nyeo worries about her dad’s safety. He promises to complete his mission and come back to get her. Oh…I have a bad feeling about this.

Just two minutes into their journey, Professor Sung and Yoo Sun Dal are cornered by a group of assassins. With Professor Sung clueless about martial arts, the plan is for him to run away while Yoo Sun Dal stalls the masked men. One against four is never a good sign, and Mr. Yoo is stabbed once, however, he manages to bring at least 3 of them down. Clutching his wound, he limps forward to look for Professor Sung. He finds Professor Sung lying faced down with the useless new officer (Gwi Dong’s uncle) and one assassin hovered over his body. With one swift move, he takes the assassin down! Aww yea!

With his last breath, he returns to Grandpa Hwang’s house, where Chun Dung is collecting woods. He hands Chun Dung a wrapped document and asks him to give it to KANG PO SOO (Hunter Kang).

Alice: So what would happen to Dong Nyeo now? If they keep killing off my righteous men, I’m going to be a mad woman. The preview for next episode looks awesome….Did that just come out of my mouth? Surprise! After hearing so many words of disappointment for this drama, I shouldn’t be expecting this kind of feeling.