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1. Jung In-Hun’s kiss: his intentions

It was really a shock for many readers (including myself), when we saw Jung In-Hun kissing the painter. (chapter 117) I am quite certain that many were outraged and disgusted by the scholar’s smooching. First of all, why did the learned sir do it? One might say that it is related to the petition which is in Yoon Seungho’s possession. (chapter 117) The learned sir was tasked by the mysterious noble wearing a purple hanbok to retrieve the document. I would like to call my avid readers’ attention that we never saw the man introducing himself to the former teacher. He could have definitely impersonated someone, for this trick has often been used in this story. Anyway, in exchange for this favor, Jung In-Hun got promised a high position in the government.

The problem is that the villain can no longer enter the protagonist’s property due to Yoon Seungho’s final warning: (chapter 115) Thus Jung In-Hun has only one option left. He needs to utilize a spy and traitor in order to get the document. Because Jung In-Hun has known the painter since his childhood, it is not surprising that he chose to approach Baek Na-Kyum. As you can imagine, episode 117 is a new version of episode 24 (chapter 24), where the angry learned sir asked the naive artist to spy on their benefactor and episode 35 (chapter 35). In the latter, the scholar gave the same task to the main lead, but his attitude was totally different. He was acting like a gentle and concerned man, hence he stroke Baek Na-Kyum’s head and cheek. (chapter 35) He had two reasons for that. First, the painter was still recovering from his long illness. So he couldn’t act so coldy, for his selfishness and heartlessness would have become obvious. The learned sir had to justify his egoism and indifference. During his illness, he had at no moment visited him, but he had his reasons. (chapter 35) He hoped for the painter’s understanding. All this because he needed the low-born more than ever. He had not renounced on discovering Yoon Seungho’s weakness yet. However, in season 1, he failed to achieve his goal, because after the night spent with the main lead, Baek Na-Kyum refused to divulge any information about the meeting between the host and his brother Yoon Seungwon. (chapter 38)

This observation leads me to the following conclusion: Jung In-Hun is kissing the painter to order to obtain the painter’s heart and as such his support. He imagines that if he acts like this, the artist will be swayed and will listen to his request. This would mean that the artist would betray the main lead. (chapter 117) Hence we should consider the scholar’s kiss as the kiss of Judas. The latter, known as the Betrayal of Christ, is the act with which Judas identified Jesus to the multitude with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests and elders of the people to arrest him. Thus I am expecting an arrest of the painter in the future. Since he is the love interest of Yoon Seungho, he has once again become the target of the next plot.

2. Betrayal or love?

However, I think that this interpretation (request to act like a spy and retrieve the petition) doesn’t reflect the whole situation. Why? It is because chapter 118 exposed the scholar’s despair. He was so under pressure that he began acting like a sexual assailant which divulgued his hypocrisy and recklessness. (Chapter 118) While he had faked his pity and empathy for the painter, when the latter was exposed to gangrape (chapter 118), the ending of the episode is showing him as a monster, acting like Min and his friends. (Chapter 118) How is his despair perceptible? First, the wounds on his face are displaying that he got exposed to violence.

The wound on the cheek can not be the result from Yoon Seungho’s punishment, though the readers saw the main lead slapping the scholar. (chapter 115) However, this is impossible. Time is the proof for the lord’s innocence. 7 days have already passed since Yoon Seungho’s violent outburst in front of the learned sir’s home. Don’t forget that it took Yoon Seungho 6 days to regain consciousness. (chapter 116) And the manhwaphiles saw that the painter spent the night with his lover after their conversation at the pavilion. (chapter 117) This means that Na-Kyum’s visit to the gibang could only take place after that night. That’s how I came to the conclusion that the meeting took place after 1 week (6 days+ 1 night). However, the swollen cheek will easily vanish within one week contrary to the stabbing. (chapter 117) Therefore after the release of episode 117, I had imagined that the wound from the learned sir was faked with the rouge from the noonas. Yet in episode 118, I detected the busted lip which can not be faked. The scratch is the evidence that the wound is real. Jung In-Hun knew too well that he couldn’t frame his previous sponsor for this. Hence he avoided to reply to the painter’s interrogation. (chapter 118) Furthermore, his cheek was perfectly fine, when he left his home. (Chapter 117) This must have happened on his way to the gibang or in the gibang itself! So who would do this? Yoon Chang-Hyeon? The noble with the purple hanbok? I will answer to this question further below.

(chapter 118) Striking is the darkness surrounding the learned sir’s gaze. The dark circles and the absence of light in his eyes is exposing Jung In-Hun’s stress and fear. He reminded me of Yoon Seungho from chapter 57: (chapter 57) It is less pronounced, for Jung In-hun only met this mysterious man once contrary to the main lead. Even Baek Na-Kyum noticed the transformation, hence he got scared. (Chapter 118) He couldn’t recognize his former teacher. The learned sir had become like a violent beast. But why would he be so frantic and hopeless that he became violent in his gestures and words? It is because he had been threatened again. The wounded lip and cheek are the evidences that he has been coerced to convince the painter that the latter should return to his side. (Chapter 118) His grabbing and yelling ooze urgency. One might think that the mysterious aristocrat with the purple hanbok is behind this, for he once voiced a menace towards the villain. (chapter 117) However, observe that in their meeting, Jung In-Hun spoke about affection (Chapter 118) and this doesn’t belong to this man’s world (power, lineage, yin/yang, education). And it is the same for Yoon Chang-Hyeon. The latter embodies hatred and rejection for sodomy! (chapter 86) He was even willing to kill his own son, moreover he threatened Yoon Seungho to have the painter killed. (chapter 116) That’s how I deduced that the person behind this intervention is actually longing and hoping for love from Yoon Seungho. Thus he requested from the learned sir to take back the painter.

This is the reason why Jung In-Hun also kissed Baek Na-Kyum. (chapter 118) The smooching was to persuade the painter that he was in love with the artist. This was the negative version of Baek Na-Kyum’s declaration of love. First, the confession (chapter 94), then the kiss (chapter 95) The artist had kissed the main lead for two reasons. He desired to convey the sincerity of his attachment and to prove that this was real. Yoon Seungho shouldn’t imagine that this was just an illusion, as he often questioned his own senses and sanity. In the gibang, the learned sir changed the chronology: first the smooching, then the confession. Why? It is because he thought that the painter still loved him, when Baek Na-Kyum showed concern for him. (Chapter 118) Due to his arrogance and vanity (the negative aspects of self-love), he jumped to the conclusion that nothing had changed. The painter seemed to be still naive. (chapter 118) Hence his surrogate father smirked. The irony is that there exist different kind of love: friendship, family… At the beginning, the artist was still viewing Jung In-Hun as a friend. Thus he got worried about his wounds. Yet observe that he had no intention to bid farewell to the former teacher. (Chapter 118) He is no longer considering him as a father figure, let alone a close one. Imagine the irony! In reality, the low-born was announcing to his former role model that he was abandoning him. Yes, it is the positive reflection of the scene in the library: (chapter 40) Jung In-Hun’s words came back to bite him. He is the one acting like a prostitute, like a man consumed by lust! (chapter 118) However, like mentioned above, my theory is that he was acting on the order of someone powerful. Consequently, I come to the deduction that he is reflecting Yoon Seungho’s sexual abuser, the pedophile. Thus the author added two mirrors in the room: (chapter 118) Baek Na-Kyum, as the mirror of truth, is not only confronting the scholar with his bigotry and dishonesty, but also the mastermind behind this encounter. This explicates why the learned sir spoke about love: (chapter 118) It reflects the pedophile’s situation, it comes too late. Because for me, the learned sir’s words are reflecting the abuser’s thoughts and emotions, it signifies that studying to his expressions is crucial. (chapter 118) Object of my desires caught my attention. This idiom is exposing that the person wants to possess the painter. That’s how Yoon Seungho was perceived by the pedophile. He only saw the main lead as a possession, as a doll… a male kisaeng. He never treated the protagonist as a person and showed no real respect. Moreover, object of desires made me think of the mirror of erised from Harry Potter once again. Thanks to Yoon Seungho, the man could outlive all his sexual fantasies … which is in reality an illusion. Furthermore, my theory is that they had a fake BDSM relationship. Fake because it was never consensual, hence Yoon Seungho was forced to accept such a sexual habit. And what did the painter reply to his former teacher‘s fake love confession? (chapter 118) This was the same for Yoon Seungho. The sexual abuser had only been obsessed with his own reflection and desires to the point that he never paid attention to his sex partner’s gaze… the loss of light in the gaze, the absence of tears … Besides, there was no agreement, everything was based on coercion and Kim knows that. That’s the reason why Jung In-Hun had tears in his eyes! It is because the main lead used to cry as well… asking for his pity and mercy. Since the scholar never cried before, I believe that the latter had asked to shed some tears in order to move the heart of the counterpart. (chapter 118) That’s what the sexual abuser had experienced in the past. Note that even when the painter was crying, the learned sir never wept. Hence these were just crocodile tears, for the learned sir had a goal in his mind: he needed the painter’s heart. Love is not war, hence using strategies can never conquer a heart, Tricks can never serve as a good foundation for a marriage. Trust, sincerity, mutual respect, empathy, selflessness are necessary.

We have another clue that behind the learned sir is standing the lord’s sexual abuser: (chapter 118) Baek Na-Kyum was never his young protégé, only his student. Why? It is he never protected him, he just consoled him! (chapter 94) However, like I had already outlined, Yoon Seungho was offered “protection” in exchange for his favors. That’s how the main lead got rewarded with the mansion and the proprieties. But now, Yoon Seungho is willing to give up on everything for Baek Na-Kyum. (chapter 117) This means that he is already cutting off ties with his fake protector. Yes, the latter was never his savior, because even now, he allowed Yoon Seungho to become wounded! If he had been serious about his promise, then he should have stopped Min and the other from meddling in the main lead’s life. No matter what… he has to keep the main lead by his side.

But I have another reason to suspect that the pedophile must have intervened. The wounds of the teacher reminded me of this scene: (Chapter 11) Back then, the painter had the burst lip and the glowing cheek too. (Chapter 11) He had protected Jung In-Hun, when the latter was suspected of ruining the painting. And how had Yoon Seungho acted in that scene? He had spoken like a powerful person, like a ruler! (Chapter 11) As you all know, my theory is that behind the name “lord Song” is hiding the king. But since I made a connection between episode 11 and 118, I deduce that Jung In-Hun has been put in the same position than the painter. His karma… for feigning ignorance and letting Baek Na-Kyum take the fall. He is paying for his wrongdoings all at once (11, 29, 35, 40). And what had Yoon Seungho said to his future lover? (Chapter 11) (Chapter 11) Yes, so far no one has been talking or thinking about the king as someone involved in the main lead’s suffering. Yet, I would like to outline that the gibang belongs to the state and as such to the king. Only a rich and influential person could hire the kisaengs for the day (chapter 118) Not even “lord Song” or lord Haseon from episode 107 couldn’t pull such a trick. (Chapter 107) He had announced his visit and the kisaengs had to gather next to the gate. There, the mysterious man selected only one woman. (Chapter 107) However, in episode 118, the kisaeng talking to Baek Na-Kyum expressed that there were different parties. Each kisaeng was participating in a different festivity (“It’s not usually this busy”). She would have mentioned it, if there was a huge party in the gibang. But there is another clue for the king’s intervention: the pipe is no longer visible in the noonas’ room (chapter 96: it’s on the table), just like there are now two mirrors and the number of rouge has also increased. (Chapter 118) Finally, this painting, Hokjado, is actually mocking the monarch. (chapter 105) The tiger in the painting usually represents the ruling elite, and its ridiculous expression is a satirical commentary on their behavior. He is here portrayed as a lazy man focused on smoking and pondering.

But why did Jung In-Hun wait for so long? It is because the schemers knew that the artist would never leave his lover’s side, as long as the main lead was unconscious. (chapter 116) It signifies that this panel is a new version of this scene: (chapter 103) And what is the common denominator between these two scenes? Both protagonists rejected the help from the staff, especially from butler Kim.

Additionally, I am suspecting that the schemers needed to wait for the recovery of Yoon Seungho for another reason! The latter had to witness the betrayal from his loved one. Yes, episode 118 gave us another clue for this: Jung In-Hun is ready to drop all his principles out of “love”, whereas in verity it is for his own sake. From my perspective, the schemers were slowly losing their patience. They must have recognized that they were running out of time! Yes, time is on the couple’s side. The longer the painter remained by Yoon Seungho’s side, the more power Baek Na-Kyum would have over the protagonist’s heart. In other words, he is escaping from the claws of the pedophile. The walk through the mountain announced a turning point in the main lead’s life. (chapter 102) He was already giving up on everything, even his own life, if he had not the artist by his side. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why killing the painter is not the first option for the pedophile.

For him, the best solution is that Yoon Seungho witnesses the painter’s betrayal and abandonment. However, he needs to be comforted by a close one… so that he doesn’t feel totally alone and abandoned, because he could decide to commit suicide again. That’s the reason why Yoon Seungwon is trying to convince his brother to find a new goal in life, to start a new life. (chapter 118) He is implying that he should take the exam and get a high position…. he should go to Hanyang. That way, he would cross the path of the ruler. Striking is that the young man employed the expression “bondage”. Is this a reference to BDSM? For me, Yoon Seungwon is helping the invisible hand which explains why he is betraying his father again. (chapter 118) He did it in the past, and he is repeating his actions. He shows no regret or remorse for the past (chapter 118) except his promise: (chapter 118) In fact, he blamed his brother and his father for everything, even Yoon Seungho’s way of life. His concern and affection for Yoon Seungho are totally superficial and trivial in the end. Why didn’t he ask about his wounds? He met him the next day after he regained consciousness. (chapter 118) Finally, I would like to outline that by saying “my father” he is actually excluding Yoon Seungho as family member contradicting his own words (brother). (chapter 118) It was, as if they had two different fathers. Note that despite the father’s cruel action, the young noble still calls Yoon Chang-Hyeon as “father”. To conclude, Yoon Seungwon doesn’t consider the protagonist as his brother despite his words. The younger master is the reflection of the learned sir, the one faking “love, honesty and concern” for a close one, whereas in reality these persons are more worried about their own future and comfort. (chapter 118) But the elder brother is no fool, he even starts questioning Yoon Seungwon’s actions: (chapter 118) Who gave Yoon Chang-Hyeon the idea that they could enter the palace again? It can not be the patriarch, for he would have asked for this much sooner. I come to the conclusion that back then, the Yoons got fooled concerning the cause for the treason. They were told that it was because of the petition… hence the younger master chose to hide the document by his brother. (chapter 118) From my point of view, he must have listened to the suggestions of an adult, for he was back then too young to understand what was happening. On the other hand, the monarch condemned the elder master for the fake reeducation (“pretense”). (chapter 37)

“Among the indicators of democratic institutions in Korea, the one I want to address in today’s column is that of petitioning. Joseon people could petition the king or the government for all kinds of things. It was acceptable, and oft-seen. It was not a rare or dangerous thing to do ― it was the heart of interaction between the government and the people.” Quoted from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/05/739_281254.html?utm_source=KK

Thus I come to the conclusion that the petition is in reality the evidence of the Yoons’ innocence, yet the schemers had to maintain this lie alive. Hence Yoon Seungho was portrayed as a blackmailer (chapter 107), whereas the main lead had decided to protect his family despite their betrayal and abandonment. Under this new light, it becomes comprehensible why Yoon Seungwon has no interest to expose the petition contrary to the past. (chapter 118) It is because he knows the truth now. Nevertheless, he is choosing to keep his brother in the dark, for this revelation would make him appear as a liar. He definitely feels bound by secrecy. (chapter 76)

As you can see, both protagonists got to hear a confession… (chapter 118) (chapter 118) Both were supposed to ooze concern, affection and regret, as if they wanted to redeem themselves. However, the verity is that their actions were actually exposing their despair, selfishness, greed and their superficiality. Once again, they were betraying their acquaintance for their own interest. The lack of empathy for the main lead can be detected, when Yoon Seungwon portrayed him as a lucky person. (chapter 118) For this winning hand, Yoon Seungho had to suffer a martyrdom. Hence it becomes comprehensible why he is envisaging to renounce on everything. (chapter 117) He was only happy by the painter’s side.

In addition, the confessions from Seungwon and In-Hun have another common denominator: crime! In the final panel, Jung In-Hun appears as a lunatic on the verge of raping Baek Na-Kyum. (chapter 118) It is because he has been rejected!! (chapter 118) This reminded me of the rape at the pavilion. (chapter 25) On the other hand, I had made this connection, even before the release of episode 118. Why? It is because through deductions, I had already come to the conclusion that this was a stolen kiss.

3. The scholar’s downfall: kiss and prostitution

What caught my attention is the progression of the intimacy between Jung In-Hun and his student. First, he kissed his hands (chapter 24), then he hugged him (chapter 29). While the first embrace took place in a deserted area (close to the port), the second hug was witnessed by many people. It was in the open, moreover the so-called “hero” had jumped off the horse during the parade which could only catch the attention from the crowd. (chapter 111) Between the two embraces, we shouldn’t overlook the caresses on the head and cheeks which I mentioned above. As you can imagine, the kiss of Jung In-Hun represents the climax of their intimacy. Striking is that the affectionate gestures always took place in public (street twice and the courtyard).

So it looks like the scholar’s smooching contrasts to the previous scenes. However, this is just an illusion, because Jung In-Hun kissed the artist in the gibang, the symbol of prostitution! Since season 1 I had connected him to prostitution, and I had always predicted that the learned sir would end up selling himself for his own interest. What I had not expected is that he would offer his body to Baek Na-Kyum!! 😮🤮 Thus I interpret that the prostitute is not the painter, but the learned sir. He is giving up on his principles out of fear, greed and hatred! (chapter 34) His kiss is displaying his hypocrisy, which the artist could only feel. Hence he didn’t reciprocate the smooching. His lips remained immobile. (chapter 117) At the same time, this signifies that Jung In-Hun is trying to replace Yoon Seungho! This is the negative version of the First Wedding night! (chapter 19) Therefore I come to the conclusion that this kiss is like the embrace from episode 29: fake! It is because the learned sir needs him! This statement stands in opposition to the protagonist’s love confession. (chapter 117) The latter is willing to give up on his possessions and comfort for his lover. (chapter 117) His presence and affection represent the biggest treasure for Yoon Seungho. Baek Na-Kyum is his only source of joy and happiness. However, for the learned sir, the “need” has a different foundation. He can lose everything, if the painter doesn’t choose him. And if he were successful, he would even get power! As you can sense, for the learned sir, Baek Na-Kyum is just a tool, while for the Black Knight, he is a necessity! Without him, he has no reason to continue living. Jung In-Hun is desperate to survive, while Yoon Seungho is pushed to give up on his suicidal thoughts THANKS TO His father: (chapter 116) If he dies, the painter will follow him in death. However, the lord doesn’t desire to be the cause for the artist’s death. He seeks to make him happy. Thus he needs to survive in order to protect him.

Under this new light, the manhwaphiles can grasp why I selected “Terrific power of love”. The learned sir is betting his life that this kiss will move the artist and out of his adoration for him, Baek Na-Kyum will betray his lover. He still believes that he has power over the painter’s heart. We could detect his arrogance in their first reunion: (chapter 111) His gaze oozed not only arrogance, but also blindness. Imagine that he was smirking in front of the painter while looking at the wealthy aristocrat. It was, as though he thought that the artist wouldn’t notice his disdain and vanity. He imagined that the artist was still naive and ignorant like in season 1. This explains why the painter expressed his disapproval about the learned sir with a smile later: (chapter 111)

On the other hand, the problem for Jung In-Hun was how to reach the painter. The scholar couldn’t encounter the protagonist by chance in the street either, like in episode 111 (chapter 111), for Baek Na-Kyum is always accompanied by his soul mate (chapter 40, 45, 74-75, 91-97, 104-105) In addition, people would have recognized him due to the previous parade and noticed his interaction with the artist. Nevertheless, the villain needed privacy, as he was inciting the main lead to commit a wrongdoing: betrayal towards Yoon Seungho. So their meeting could never be mere coincidence and happen in the open. Their reunion had to be planned properly and in secrecy. Thus it signifies that it had to happen behind the dark knight’s back. I would even add that the beloved couple needed to be separated! And now, you comprehend why their meeting had to take place in the gibang! In season 3 and 4, the kisaeng house is the place where the main leads got separated from each other, though the intervention from the noonas didn’t always work like expected.

• chapter 93: – first separation, for Yoon Seungho had to take care of the noona Heena Here we witnessed his return. However, the kisaengs badmouthed Yoon Seungho (chapter 93) Their attempt was to create a riff between the couple.
• Chapter 94: Second separation. Why did Yoon Seungho go to the well back then (chapter 94), when the painter thought that they would go to the pond. (chapter 94) Why didn’t the artist follow his partner right away?
• Chapter 96: Heena was supposed to interrupt the couple, but this attempt failed. (chapter 96) She intervened too late, and her brother didn’t notice her presence.
• Chapter 97: People outside the gibang had to meddle forcing the main lead to leave the painter’s side. We know that it can not be the kisaengs due to this statement. (chapter 99) Yet, we never saw the face carrying the light (chapter 97) But it can not be the officers, for they were carrying torches. (chapter 97) Yet, the light in the previous image is nearer to the ground than to the top of the door. Besides, carrying a torch in a building made of paper and wood is quite dangerous. For me, the person approaching their suite could only lift such a candle light (chapter 19) We have two possibilities left: the kisaeng Heena or the butler. (chapter 98) This confrontation didn’t occur in episode 93, for the kisaeng’s back was illuminated by the candle light, whereas the room was darker in episode 93. (chapter 93) The light was standing further away from her in this picture. Hence I deduce that the lord must have revisited the kisaeng during that night. Because she was not holding the candle light, I can only deduce that the person witnessing this second conversation was butler Kim! Besides, we have another allusion to him through the reflection of episode 19 and the first Wedding night. Then later, Heena tried to convince her brother to leave Yoon Seungho’s side (chapter 97) by blaming him for Jung In-Hun’s murder, but her intervention failed. In reality, the separation could only take place thanks to the intervention of Yoon Seungho’s staff. In episode 97, the servants were definitely manipulating the painter with this corpse (chapter 97), whereas in episode 98, the maids had to play their role as well: badmouthing their master (chapter 98). He was a cruel and violent lord!
• Chapter 105: Here the couple was separated again. While Seungho was with Heena, the painter was kept busy with his noonas. They all tricked the couple. Whereas Heena faked her recovery (chapter 105: Heena was strong enough to follow her brother to the door, and this quite quickly, for she witnessed their argument), the other cast doubts in Baek Na-Kyum (chapter 109) and finally the third one lied to her donsaeng. (chapter 105) Yoon Seungho had mentioned that he would return to the kisaeng house in order to fetch his lover. (chapter 105) Yoon Seungho was just thinking of a momentary separation, whereas the kisaeng implied that his departure was definitive. This shows that they had hidden the main lead’s true intention from the painter. This was no coincidence in my eyes.

Consequently, I deduced that this kiss was the result of the involvement of many people (kisaengs, noblemen and the king) and in particular of Yoon Seungho’s staff. We could say that this is the evidence of their betrayal, for they leaked information to an outsider. (chapter 118) However, I believe that Jung In-Hun was lying, for his visit could be leaked to the owner of the mansion. He has no idea that no one is siding with the main lead. But by saying this, he was covering up for the gibang, and as such Heena. She was definitely her source of information.

Moreover, who is convinced that the painter’s affection for the learned sir is not trivial and fleeting? Heena! (chapter 68) Why? It is because she has always loved the learned sir and projected her own thoughts and emotions onto the artist. In my eyes, this encounter is to prove the kisaeng wrong, to confront her with reality and her prejudices. What caught my attention is that each time, the painter couldn’t meet Heena, her absence was justified that she was serving a nobleman outside. (chapter 93) (chapter 99) (chapter 118) In my opinion, her absence has a purpose: Baek Na-Kyum should never suspect her involvement in this meeting. (chapter 118) Notice that the painter is already thinking that she was not expecting him. Yet, it is clear that he would come to the kisaeng house, for Yoon Seungho had been invited by his brother. The invitation had already been proceeded the day before: (chapter 117) So if something were to happen, Heena could feign ignorance and as such innocence. After their last argument, the noble has learnt that he shouldn’t keep his distance from the artist and he should confide to him, hence he talked about elopment at the pavilion.

This image (chapter 117) exposes the complicity of Heena, especially if you consider it as a new version of this scene: (chapter 97) Back then, the noona was also scared, for she was trembling and became quite rough, a sign that she had been threatened as well. But she is not working alone. From my perspective, she is supported by her sisters. The presence of the second mirror is the evidence of their complicity (chapter 118). On the other hand, I don’t think that they are aware of the truth.

The moment I saw the kiss scene from episode 117 (chapter 117), I couldn’t restrain myself connecting it to the one from episode 19, the First wedding night: a stolen kiss. (chapter 19) I had already pointed out the revelance of stolen kisses (chapter 25) (chapter 77) in a previous analysis. However, I will only focus on the comparison between episode 19 and 118, for both represent a first kiss!

First, the smooching between the hypocrite and the low-born occurred in front of a closed door. (chapter 118) And remember that in episode 19, the painter had caught the main lead by surprise, when he entered the room. (chapter 20) Back then, he wanted to discuss about the vanishing of the bottle. Observe the contrast:

chapter 19	chapter 118
door open	door close
the gibang – the study	the gibang – private room of the noona
witness	no witness
night	day
Baek Na-Kyum is alone	Baek Na-Kyum is alone
Baek Na-Kyum drunk – heartbroken	Baek Na-Kyum levelheaded and happy
Baek Na-Kyum got rejected by the scholar	Jung In-Hun got rejected
Baek Na-Kyum is invited to join Yoon Seungho in order to show the erotic painting	The painter is not invited to meet Yoon Seungwon
a painting: an important paper (erotic publication – a wrongdoing)	a petition: an important paper (crime)
the absence of the noonas – they were not introduced yet	the absence of the noonas

And what had happened in episode 19? Min had tried to play a trick (the expensive wine) in order to approach the artist and even taste him. As you can imagine that I could only come to the conclusion that the encounter from episode 118 had long be planned… even the kiss! This was not done on impulse contrary to episode 19 (chapter 19) And this was the same at the pavilion: (chapter 25) There, the lord imagined that with the kiss, he could reinitiate the first wedding night, but the opposite happened. This led to the painter’s rape. This happened, because the main lead’s anxieties and pain had been triggered. Once he had tasted the tenderness from the painter, he could no longer forget it. And what had said Yoon Seungho back then? (chapter 25) Thus I am deducing that this scene (chapter 118) has an important function in the couple’s life: to trigger their memories! Yoon Seungho has long forgotten that he got raped, He was brainwashed that he led a life of debauchery in order to provoke his father and he still believes this manipulation: (chapter 118) A lie that everyone around the main lead has kept alive… even Yoon Seungwon! But since the main lead has now opened up his heart to Baek Na-Kyum (chapter 96), this means that he has finally accepted his homosexuality. Consequently, the sexual abuser could have the impression that he just needs to remove the painter from the main lead’s side and that’s it. He can replace the artist… impersonation once again!

Besides, don’t forget that the lord’s confession in the very same room is connected to greed and possessiveness: (chapter 96) These notions are all reflected in the confrontation between Baek Na-Kyum and Jung In-Hun: (chapter 118) It was, as if the painter was a prize. Now, he only has eyes for the protagonist, whereas he only felt contempt towards him before.

When I saw this panel, (chapter 118), I couldn’t help myself thinking of the embrace between the two main characters. (chapter 105) Hence I came to the conclusion that the stolen kiss from Jung In-Hun represents a farewell, though the learned sir has no idea of this signification. Thus I thought of Judas’ kiss. The learned sir failed to achieve his goal exactly like in season 1. Even back then, he was distressed and under pressure, for he had recognized that he needed to pass the civil service examination first.

Because Jung In-Hun refused to listen to the lord’s warning, (chapter 115) the scholar will be soon confronted with reality: (chapter 115) In my opinion, he will be framed for the incident in the shaman’s house.

Why? It is because Jung In-Hun is behaving like a monster, and he mentioned the incident in the shaman’s house just before. (chapter 118) While the learned sir considered his words as a love confession, they actually appear as an admission of his complicity. He is recognizing that he knows. In addition, the absence of his glasses is the evidence of his wrongdoing. The moment the learned sir gave his spectacles, he knew that Black Heart and his helpers had planned to hurt the main lead. So the scholar was indeed an accomplice. (chapter 115) Hence I have the impression that this stolen kiss will have huge repercussions not only for the learned sir, but also for Heena. (chapter 118) Observe that the painter wanted to ignore the words from the fake teacher. So he could have a change of heart and report the incident to the authorities. He doesn’t know that his lover killed Black Heart and his friends. The learned sir was admitting that his nightmare had truly happened. (chapter 118) Hence the learned sir could get into trouble.

As for Heena, she loves the learned sir, and with this stolen kiss she is actually confronted by her belief. (chapter 68) The learned sir’s feelings for the artist were actually fleeting and trivial! He never had Baek Na-Kyum’s interests in his heart. He used the painter for his own benefit. But will she recognize this in the end? And if she advised the pedophile, then her words could backfire on her, for this trick didn’t work out. If so, she could come to resent her brother, for the latter led to the learned sir’s demise. Remember my prediction: the former scholar’s death.

But why did the scholar make such a move in the gibang? Yoon Seungho is not far away from his loved one! It is because the schemers want him as a witness. All along, betrayal and abandonment play a central role in this story. This came truly to the surface in season 3: (chapter 83) (chapter 88) From my point of view, the schemers are projecting their own thoughts and emotions on Yoon Seungho. Moreover I am quite certain that they have already calculated the possibility of a rejection. The painter’s so-called wrongdoings from season 1 (chapter 11: the ruined painting, chapter 29: desertion) and season 2 (chapter 61: the desertion) were all perceived as rejections. If he is caught with Jung In-Hun alone, they anticipate that Yoon Seungho will react like his father. He won’t be able to discern the truth. Baek Na-Kyum is not faithful and is now tainted. Or even worse… Yoon Seungho might commit a crime. This thought seems to contradict my previous statement: Jung In-Hun is acting on the pedophile’s order. Nonetheless, my theory is that there exist two conspiracies:

The one with “lord Song”, though for me, there are at least 3 “lord Song” as they look different (beards-hanboks, hair insertion: the ear serves as orientation) (chapter 107) (chapter 115) (chapter 115: flower pattern and no sleeve, the beard covers the jaw ) (chapter 117: no pattern, the lips are covered by the moustasch, straight) (chapter 117) There are simply too many divergences to say that it is a mistake from the author. This would actually mean that she is quite sloppy. Furthermore, I decided to rely on my eyes and not a belief: there is only one lord Song. Thus you comprehend why I never called the man talking to Jung In-Hun lord Song. So if my theory is true, this would signify that these men represent the previous gang “dogs of Joseon”, the older version of this: (chapter 101) And No-Name was treated exactly like Lee Jihwa, but he got framed and sentenced. Finally, I would like to point out that there were 3 black men involved in the first fake sexual education: (chapter 86) A coincidence? I don’t believe this. Besides, I discovered a relevant detail about petition and government.

“Of course, therein lies the irony ― that the time of kings, the Joseon dynasty, had democratic institutions. But there were several. I could write a column on each ― for example, student demonstrations. Korea’s student demonstration were hallmarks of Korean political life from April 19, 1960, through the 60s, 70s and 80s, until true democracy evolved in Korea. The “samsa” was the censorate ― the three offices of government that had the duty of criticizing the king and the government (and the censorate had great power in the Joseon court; the three arms of the censorate often, really often, criticized the king and his appointments). The king would sometimes withdraw the offending appointment or decision, and sometimes he would not, but he had to deal with the censors who were obliged to keep him on the straight and narrow of good Confucian, moral government. The king was required to attend lectures on Confucianism, which implied the adherence to ethical government.” Quoted from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/05/739_281254.html?utm_source=KK

The “samsa” implies 3 representatives of these offices. This would explain why lord Song is asking for the petition from the Yoons. These men could represent the 3 samsa.

And the second plot would be the king.

Another clue for this theory is Min and his friends’s death. They got killed, because they were also left in the dark. And we know that the story is going in circle. In my opinion, all the persons from the past have to make sure that their deceptions and tricks don’t get detected… neither by the victim Yoon Seungho nor by the pedophile. Just like the main lead and his father, there is no ambiguity that the monarch has been deceived as well. (chapter 107) Far away from the protagonist, he had to rely on his helping hands and his advisors. He trusted their words. Finally, we have the vision from Lee Jihwa: (chapter 101) That’s the moment when the truth will come to light. Someone will get angry, because he got confronted with the painful reality: he was a man consumed by lust, he was selfish, cruel, abusive, ignorant, coward, and even naive. He was never destined to be the protagonist’s life companion. (chapter 116) He was in truth Yoon Seungho‘s bird of misfortune. He is responsible for his misery. Before, I had assumed that right from the start, the pedophile could have been eyeing the pure teenager, but it is also possible that everything happened due to back luck. Each person made a mistake, out of fear they lied to cover up for their wrongdoing and chose Yoon Seungho as scapegoat. Father Lee tried to hide his son’s sodomy out of shame. If so, the king became responsible, for he never investigate the matter properly. It was his role as ruler to give justice and he failed terribly. In fact, he benefitted from this. Hence it is normal that he is now judged as the main culprit for Yoon Seungho‘s misery. Contrary to Baek NA-Kyum, the main lead can not act, as if nothing had happened. (Chapter 118) It is because the main lead had repressed it for a long time, in fact he had been brainwashed that he had become a prostitution out of revenge. Now, he knows that he has been longing for love and acceptance all along.

4. Yoon Seungho and the pavilion

Like the illustration is exposing it , I detected a strong connection between chapter 10 and 117. The common denominator was the pavilion. The learned sir brought the artist under the pretense for a walk in order to seek seclusion and privacy. While he faked his worries (chapter 10), he wanted the painter to stop working for Yoon Seungho. He desired him to leave the propriety, for he saw Baek Na-Kyum as a rival. Unlike the painter, the scholar had not been invited to join the party the night before. Hence he had to portray Yoon Seungho in such a bad light! (chapter 10) Back then, the vain and stupid man thought that the main lead had truly liked his poem. Thus he imagined that he could get the attention from the protagonist, once he got rid of his competitor.

Interesting is that he selected the pavilion and this for one reason. He needed witnesses for his innocence. As you already know, I had come to the deduction that the learned sir had participated in the prank. Moreover, people from far away couldn’t detect that the learned sir was inciting the artist to sedition and disobedience. He wanted to maintain his image of respectability and selfless and caring man. (chapter 10) This is not surprising that the author employed a panel from that chapter. (chapter 118) Back then, the artist had not detected the manipulation. Hence he had protected his former teacher, when the latter got accused of ruining the painting. This confession from the scholar (chapter 10) stands in opposition to Yoon Seungho’s. The latter has no expectation from the artist. (chapter 117) The latter is the one deciding about the lord’s fate. But why did he go to the pavilion with the painter? For privacy and intimacy! They needed to discuss the matter about the brother and the petition, a dangerous matter. (chapter 117) Here, the painter was acting as the main lead’s right-hand and advisor. He is taking over the butler’s function. He was full of concern for his loved one asking him to postpone the reunion (chapter 117) And the moment the artist voiced his fears (chapter 117), the noble suggested to leave everything behind. (chapter 117) He wanted to fulfill the artist’s wish, the symbol of his deep and selfless love. Striking is that there was no kiss and sex proving that true love can be expressed in many ways, and not just by physical intimacy. This contradicts the learned sir’s confession. He is just waiting for a signal from him. (chapter 117) And what would people see from far away? 2 people showing closeness and attachment, they wouldn’t expect a desertion, an abandonment!! And now you comprehend why Yoon Chang-Hyeon was sitting in the pavilion in town (chapter 116) It was, as if he was trying to get an alibi for his crime: he had planned to have his son killed, but it didn’t happen as expected. Thus he was forced to join his son. (chapter 116) This means that he was exposing his crime to people in town. Furthermore, he even confessed his hatred for his own son. He yelled this: (chapter 116) Yet, by stating this, he was admitting that he was violating social norms (Confucianism). That’s how I realized that the pavilion is not only the place where Yoon Seungho’s emancipation takes place, it is also the symbol for betrayal and abandonment.

None of these yanbang behaved like they should have: hardworking, educated, humble and honest! That’s the reason why I am suspecting that this conversation in the open will backfire on the elder master Yoon. Was the street totally empty during that night? No… because he was drinking in the pavilion. Besides, don’t forget that the tailor was a witness of Min’s wrongdoing. (chapter 101) Finally, a long time ago, I had developed the theory that the pavilion was the place where Yoon Seungho got abused.

In the name of love (for the Yoons, for Yoon Seungwon, for Yoon Seungho, for Baek Na-Kyum, for the scholar), the schemers and accomplices did terrible things. The reality was that love was a synonym for hatred, power, greed, ambition, fanatism, lust, survival, sexual fantasies… And now, take a closer to this panel: It is the same pavilion than Yoon Chang-Hyeon’s. This means that the couple will purify this place. At some point, the lord and his knight will come to admire the pond with the lotus flowers: (chapter 117) Byeonduck let us see a glimpse of their future.

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