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GWANGJONG
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YEON-HWA
IF EYES COULD SPEAK
EPISODE 18
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GWANGJONG AND YEON-HWA
THE KING AND THE QUEEN
THE ROYAL WEDDING
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In Episode 18 of the drama, Moon Lovers – Scarlet Heart: Ryeo, it seemed that King Gwangjong had learnt that the powerful Goryeo clans, including the Yoos of Chungju and the Hwangbos of Hwangju were planning to rebel against him.
Gwangjong was issued an ultimatum by the clans demanding his marriage with Princess Hwangbo Yeon-Hwa in order for him to maintain his kingly power. They would not let him forget that he was just a helpless king whose power rested on the generous support and friendly alliance of the influential clans who had powerful armies at their disposal. Without their unswerving support, he was nothing. And, he could not marry for love nor simply make anyone his queen. Neither could he abdicate. Forced not to overlook the big picture, he subsequently bowed to court pressure.
Reality bit. Being forced to marry his half-sister, Princess Hwangbo Yeon-Hwa, who had powerful connections, made him burn with anger and humiliation. Although he had cause for celebration since she would bring with her powerful allies, Gwangjong felt that he was being manipulated like a puppet on a string. There was no escape from the inevitable. He could not afford to make dangerous enemies when he was so powerless.
Gwangjong could finally comprehend what his deceased father must have felt when he was compelled to marry the multitude of women whom he did not love. History was repeating itself. The common denominator was ‘like father like son’. He was his father’s son, after all.
However, Gwangjong promised himself that before long, he would not pretend to submit to them and instead, the clans, would be compelled to dance to his tune.
The royal wedding day, celebrated without pomp and ceremony, soon arrived. The ceremony, though low-keyed, was performed, in the presence of some important palace officials, to the satisfaction of Empress Hwangbo, the mother of the Eighth Prince, Wang Wook and Princess Hwangbo Yeon-Hwa.
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King Gwangjong, magnificent and majestic in his navy blue and red royal robes and splendid headdress, and Princess Hwangbo Yeon-Hwa, resplendent in her elegant wedding robes, elaborate headdress and finery, made a regal entrance.
Needless to say, Gwangjong appeared gloomy and utterly miserable. The strands of jade beads that dangled from his kingly headdress veiled his unhappiness and his dark, brooding eyes. The king of Goryeo could not beat fate so he had to endure and play along with the wedding game, a charade he did not enjoy.
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The wedding couple glided up the carpeted floor to the wedding dais.
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The dreaded moment arrived. If Gangjong’s head was pounding like a sledgehammer, he did not show it. To him, a freeze had wept across the ceremonial hall. The atmosphere was as cold as the coldest winter in Goryeo.
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The royal groom and his bride took their places and faced the audience. At that moment, standing in the presence of the powerful clansmen, Gwangjong must have felt like a naïve, defenceless young Goryeo prince who had been thrown into a den of ferocious wolves yet again.
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A complacent smile rested on Empress Hwangbo’s face.
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As soon as they were seated, Princess Hwangbo Yeon-Hwa of Hwangju was declared the new queen by Choi Ji Mong, the king’s right-hand man and astronomer.
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With unseeing eyes and a heavy heart, the queen’s once overly ambitious blood brother, Wang Wook, led the others in a grand gesture of congratulating and blessing the new queen. ‘Long live the queen! May she have many blessings!’
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The wedding, to Gwangjong, was a farce and it had frozen his heart. No matter what happened, Hae Soo would always be his only queen. There was no room for the triumphant Yeon-Hwa in his heart.
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Yeon-Hwa had been smiling from ear to ear. Who wouldn’t, if one had got the man one wanted? Although Gwangjong looked poised and composed, he could not contain the fury in his eyes.
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GWANGJONG AND YEON-HWA
IF EYES COULD SPEAK
Episode 18
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‘A Lot Like Love’ (OST) by Baek A Yeon
That night, the newly wedded king and queen ended up in the bridal chamber. They stood facing each other as king and queen consort.
Although he was attired in his voluminous navy blue and red silk wedding robes, Gwangjong projected the image of a king who was tall and lean, and his physique, masculine. Yeon-Hwa, his new consort, appeared to be slender and beautiful despite her equally billowy wedding gown.
Gwangjong followed the required customary practice for the wedding night. He flicked a glance at his consort’s red wedding veil. What he was required to do was to unveil his bride, which he did deliberately.
If eyes could speak, what would they say? In that bedroom scene, Gwangjong’s eyes would say everything that he wanted to say to his beautiful, new bride.
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The viewers watch with excitement as Gwangjong carefully lifted the veil from the face of his unusually demure and normally coquettish queen.
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Gwangjong meticulously removed the veil from the top of her head.
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He pushed her veil backwards to gain an unobstructed view of her whole face.
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Although Gwangjong wore a pained expression, what he did next was sensual.
Being much taller than her, he dipped his chin and shot a look at her eyes which were cast downwards.
For a moment, he gazed mesmerised at her beautiful face. The demure bride, on the other hand, remained still. Even if excited by his close proximity and the warmth of his being, she did not meet the groom’s eyes immediately but allow his gaze to roam all over her face. At this stage, it would be immodest and inappropriate to look him in the eye. Her heart must have pounded like the beating of drums.
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For what seemed like an eternity, he studied her face as her eyes remained shyly lowered. It was an intimate gaze, but was he having intimate thoughts about her? Was his adrenalin pumping more than usual?
Something in her stirred his curiosity. His searching stare was just as intense as a wolfdog’s as he explored her every feature. He gazed fixedly at her, now that he had seen her up close and personal. His eyes were glued to her.
He brought his gaze to rest on her face as if his eyes were caressing her. He seemed to be studying her thoughts. She must be breathless for having her every facial muscle being watched intimately.
Was he anxiously mulling over whether he should bed her since it was their wedding night?
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By this stage, the audience have become wildly excited, they are mesmerised by the play of Gwangjong’s mysterious and gorgeous eyes.
What Gwangjong was doing showcased the sheer sensuality of him just drinking Yeon-Hwa in visually. Was he bewitched by her? They do not need a bed scene. They audience could feel them heating up the screen or at least Gwangjong was heating it up.
Yeon-Hwa waited patiently for him to speak but he said nothing. The conflicted man was good at being silent. It made the atmosphere even more intense and filled with tension.
Gwangjong seemed to be hesitating and then he cast his glance downwards as if to steel himself not express his emotions, whatever they may be. It took a great man to hold his emotions in place.
Was he teasing her with his silence?
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That downward glance probably had the effect of removing the spell she had cast on him.
Was he confused about his feelings for her? Did his heart throb with resentment? Did he feel degraded as she had used her formidable connections to twist his arm into marrying her?
But since they were wedded, was he still insistent that he would have nothing to do with her? Could he resist her charms?
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After some moments, he looked at her again. His expression was unreadable. Inscrutable. He did not talk to her although they were in close proximity.
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What is conjured up in the audience’s imagination is the scene begins to give the impression that a sensual animal mating ritual is taking place. The teasing image of Gwangjong as a wild beast, a tiger, in the courting process of sniffing and smelling the scent of the tigress, rattles the audience. The whole visual process of Gwangjong trying to hold the queen in his hypnotic power and fascination stirs the imagination of the viewers.
Although there was just an infinitesimal distance between their faces, Gwangjong did not make further advances. He let his magnetic eyes talk.
The king seemed to be studying her like he was studying a potential mate. He, the tiger, seemed to be trying to figure her out and deciding whether he wanted to mate with her, the tigress, who was in heat. Yeon-Hwa waited docilely and submissively as he mentally traced every part of her face.
He had stood there for a long, drawn out moment. He watched her every expression. Silence prevailed as he held her glance for several long moments but to her, it seemed like an eternity. There was a long, tensed silence. Her face glowed. He seemed to move closer to her face. He bent his head as if he wanted to kiss her. He was so close that she could taste his breath on her face.
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She was in a state of expectancy and shuddered beneath his calm but infuriating gaze, trying to sort out whether he wanted her. Yet, he said nothing. She waited but he did not move except for his eyes.
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Then, he put his face nearer to her face as if to sniff her – to drink in her natural fragrance.
Courage compelled Yeon-Hwa to raise her eyes to return his gaze. She was trying to discern his feelings.
When Gwangjong looked into Yeon-Hwa’s eyes, the audience thought that he was ready to eat Yeon-Hwa up. He seemed to have perfected the art of power gazing and eye play. His eyes burned and bored into hers.
With his hair swept back into a topnot, Gwangjong looked extremely handsome and regal although his demeanour was serious. His eyes were hauntingly calm.
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Yeon-Hwa’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Gwangjong. A tiny smile curved her mouth but her smile felt tremulous on her lips. Her entire attention was focussed on her mate. The queen’s heart must have made a few flips – she must have been breathless and a lump must have lodged tightly in her throat. A frisson of fresh hope shimmied through her veins. Exhilarating anticipation rose in her chest. Her feelings were written all over her face as she waited submissively for him to make the first move. She would have been only one step removed from reaching out and hugging him had she not restrained herself with great difficulty. For once, Yeon-Hwa looked sweet and submissive.
Was she was breathing raggedly? Yeon-Hwa was unable to contain her multihued emotions. The blood in her heart must have pounded furiously. She had fancied him from the very beginning but, at that very moment, he looked even more achingly desirable to her. Swallowing in expectancy, she stood ready for him to hold her and kiss her.
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But he continued to stare strangely at her and the silence was defeaning.
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Gwangjong’s hand was still holding her, gripping her. He had brought his face close to hers. His eyes gleamed in the candle light. He was excitingly good at being silent, in giving her the silent treatment. Was she shaken when he eyed her so intensely? If she was, then, the tremors should have started in her toes and risen up, turning her legs to jelly.
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She could not figure out what his feelings were. His gaze seemed sensual and yet, there was this unease that she felt when he stared unblinkingly at her. She blushed.
But, the longer he stared at her, the more she realised that it seemed like an intimidating stare, rife with resentment. Earlier, she had thought that he relished the pleasure of looking at her beauty but my, was she wrong!
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The audience wait, dizzy with anticipation. Did Gwangjong fight the urge to mate with her? Did it seem like he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her? Yes or no? The viewers nearly fall off their seats and perhaps, their legs have also turned to jelly.
Suddenly, he must have felt the hair on his neck stand up. Then, his posture straightened. His poised hand on her arm fell to his side. He did not and would not succumb to her charms.
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Gwangjong’s taut facial muscles twitched with tension. Easing himself away from her, Gwangjong did not so much as blink nor smile at her.
The queen was suddenly aware of the dangerous gleam in the king’s eyes. If Yeon-Hwa had interpreted his furious gaze and his sudden movement correctly, it was crystal clear that he was not even a teeny bit interested in her. He was, in actual fact, trying to contain his fury. She was stunned. Dumbfounded. Her face crumbled and she swallowed hard.
Gwangjong knew that she wanted him but he was an unwilling partner. He was determined to drive home the point that although he was trapped, he would not succumb to her and was immune to her wiles and her charms.
Being the master strategist, he had just tested her on their wedding night, and he knew that she would be forever in his grip. He would have phenomenal power over her. He would make sure that she would suffer for forcing his hand. He would never be under her control but she, instead, would have to submit to him. Gwangjong was not called ‘The Wolfdog’ for nothing. He was a beast who had effectively sniffed her out and staked his territory! The smart thing that he did was that he avoided sleeping with her on their wedding night.
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The longer Yeon-Hwa looked at Gwangjong, the angrier he seemed to look. His gaze turned decidely odd. It was as if he was reading her thoughts. Strangely, she felt as if he was dissecting her and analysing her. She was mystified. She was now trembling nervously under his intimate gaze. His gaze raked her and his eyes bored into her.
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His steely eyes hardened, and although his mouth was grim, it did not twist into a cruel smile. Instead, the glint in his eyes and the lifted corners of his mouth sent a message that he pitied her.
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Perhaps, on deciding enough was enough, he cast his glance away.
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Gwangjong’s sideway glance implied that he was very suspicious and also critical of Yeon-Hwa. Whatever he had wanted to say to her had already been conveyed through his expressive eyes and his body language. He had already lost interest in her.
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By then, she had already realised that something was amiss. Gwangjong’s attitude and behaviour addled her brain. She floundered a little. She was confused and very much befuddled. She suddenly realised that he, like the wolfdog, had been drinking in her scent. The wolfdog did not like her fragrance after all.
He was an Alpha Male – ambitious, persistent and ruthless; she, an Alpha Female – ambitious, determined and scheming. They both had the brains and the gumption to reach the top. Despite the similarities, they were incompatible as they did not complete each other. There was, to repeat, no room for her in his heart.
Yeon-Hwa appeared uneasy. It was as if Gwangjong had just given her a stinging slap. She was shaken. Miffed. Tears were dammed up in her eyes and threatened to stream down her face.
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She must have winced when he turned and pulled away to extricate himself from the tense situation. He made a beeline for the door.
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Being quick-witted, scheming and resilient, Yeon-Hwa quickly sobered up. If she couldn’t have him, no one else could. With a voice that reeked of jealousy, she instigated Gwangjong to discard Hae Soo, a political risk. She rationalised that in the future, others might take advantage of her to inflict harm on him.
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It was an insult to his intelligence, and a mistake of gargantuan proportions on her part. He took exception to it, his objection instant. His murderous fury was clear not just in his eyes but on his face. His voice shook. He not only admonished her but also put her squarely in her place. He brutally hammered home the point that she was never to cross the line ever again, nor to act with impropriety. He steered her to concentrate on her role – that of being the queen. He, Gwangjong was in the driver’s seat, not her! Properly chastised, the new bride was mortified and struck speechless. Yeon-Hwa realised that she had just put her foot in her mouth!
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To her great disappointment, Yeon-Hwa was finally made aware that Gwangjong found her, not in the least desirable. She could not compete with Hae Soo for his affections. Disheartened, she must have felt rats gnawing at her heart. All her smiles were wiped off from her face.
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No one could buy Gwangjong’s affections. Having raised Yeon-Hwa to the status of a queen, he now considered his duty to her to be over. With that, he purposefully strode off without a backward glance.
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GWANGJONG AND YEON-HWA
GWANGJONG’S EYES
SPEAK
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Although the ‘bedroom’ scene of Episode 18 of the drama, ‘Moon Lovers – Scarlet Heart: Ryeo lasts less than 2 minutes, it is long enough to show the audience why Lee Joon Gi is the hottest actor of South Korea's Dramaland.
The scene, which is without any dialogue, is one of the scenes with the most riveting twists and turns of the drama. This scene has driven the audience to distraction and leave them speechless.
In the scene, that involves Lee Joon Gi and Kang Han-Na, where no one speaks except at the end, the actor and the actress’s expressive eyes as well interesting facial expressions speak louder than words.
Lee Joon Gi’s expressive eyes can express and communicate a vast range of positive and negative emotions including romantic interest, pity, sensuality, curiosity, confusion, nervous tension, hostility, loss of interest, anger and aggression. His subtle eye expressions and body language send different signals not only to his queen and also to his amazed audience.
At first, Lee Joon Gi invites the audience to watch how he seduces his queen and puts her in a lovey-dovey mood. The audience is misled into thinking that there would be a bed scene and they wait in excited, nervous anticipation. Lee, with his magnificent eye skills, leads the audience to think that he, like a tiger, is checking his potential mate out and sniffing her natural fragrance.
King Gwangjong uses his eyes to speak and to turn his new queen into a vulnerable and tongue-tied mate. She was pure putty in his hands.
Lee Joon Gi’s subtle eye expressions, which could be mysterious and deceptive, send a wave of confusion, disappointment and frustration to the audience when Gwangjong did not so much as kiss his new queen. The viewers had expected him to fall for the charms of his bride
Yet, the audience are not entirely disappointed as the bedroom scene is the acid test of Gwangjong’s loyalty to his beloved, Hae Soo.
Gwangjong has emerged as a real hero in the eyes of the audience as he did not fall prey to Yeon-Hwa’s charms but stayed true to Hae Soo. In fact, the viewers are gleeful that Gwangjong’s romantic image emerges unscathed after the scene.
Lee Joon Gi, without a shadow of a doubt, has made this scene the hottest, the most sensual and earth-shattering scene in the drama (after his half-naked bathing scene in Episode 2). Lee’s sensitive and dazzling portrayal of a conflicted king has to be applauded.
And Kang Han-Na has been a wicked party to Lee’s scheme to tease, delude and rouse the viewers’ intense emotions and make their hearts beat like gongs, and then, shatter their romantic fantasies into a thousand pieces.
Congratulations to the both of them, but the sterling actor, Lee Joon Gi, has to be particularly lauded for his remarkable mastery and effective use of eye and body language.
LEE JOON GI AND KANG HAN-NA
It has been reported that in an interview, Kang Han-Na had described Lee Joon Gi’s eyes as ‘mysterious and beautiful’.
‘At first, I can’t look at his eyes directly because they look so mysterious. He looks beautiful on screen but in real life, his eyes look even more mysterious.’
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