K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask

They say sacrifice is the greatest form of love and with that in mind, I believe this episode is one of the best chapters of Ruler: Master of the Mask.

Join this K-Drama drunkard noona in reviewing the pain and agony our characters endured in the name of love.

Ruler: Master of the Mask Ep 29-30 – Between Love and Sacrifice

Chung-woon

When I think of sacrifice in this drama, I believe Chung-woon is one of the characters that gave up a lot. When the crown prince’s parents were killed by Pyunsoo-hwe, Chung-woon also lost his brave father. But there was never a time that you heard him blame the royal family for it. Chung-woon also sacrificed a lot when he put on the crown prince’s mask to perform Deputy Magistrate Han’s execution, and there are several scenes showing how he felt extremely guilty for it.

Chung-woon is always sacrificing his safety for Crown Prince Lee Sun, he’s not just his best wingman but also his knight in shining hanbok. This time, Chung-woon once again put his life on the line when asked by the crown prince to rescue Ga-eun from Master Dae-mok.

Crown Prince Lee Sun

The crown prince decided to rescue Ga-eun from Pyunsoo-hwe despite opposition from Master Woo-bo and the others. At first, I thought it was a dumb idea and believed that he should sacrifice his girl for the future of Joseon. But Crown Prince Lee Sun changed my mind with his wise words. He argued that he can’t be a competent king and save the lives of the people when he cannot even save the one he loves, dude’s got a point.

Crown Prince Lee Sun was downright resisting Master Dae-mok’s offer for him to join Pyunsoo-hwe. But when Chung-woon’s life was at stake, the crown prince did not have second thoughts to sacrifice his pride, beliefs and everything that he is fighting for to save a friend.

And just like Gon’s case, Chung-woon’s pained face broke my heart. 😢

The selfless crown prince also decided to proceed with the Pyunsoo-hwe initiation so that Master Dae-mok will spare Ga-eun’s life.

Ultimately, Crown Prince Lee Sun sacrificed his life since the cunning Dae-mok tricked him to drinking three poppy pills that will lead to death.

Gon

Aside from putting his life on the line numerous times, Gon sacrificed Hwa-gun’s trust to keep her safe. Some may argue that he’s being disloyal to Hwa-gun; but in reality, he was protecting her and saving her from harm.

Hwa-gun

Sacrifice equals Hwa-gun, Hwa-gun equals sacrfice. Since the beginning of Ruler: Master of the Mask, Hwa-gun has become the epitome of sacrfice to the point that I would be dumbfounded if there’s a single episode where she will not put Crown Prince Lee Sun’s welfare before her own.

Hwa-gun gave up her family for the crown prince when she chose to go her way after seeing her grandfather’s men burry his highness. She even went against them and put their lives at risk just to help Crown Prince Lee Sun during the Pyunsoo-hwe entrapment at the copper trade. She sarificed her safety and close ties with her father when she decided to become Pyunsoo-hwe’s leader in exchange of the Chief Peddler’s life.

And in Ep 29-30 Hwa-gun, for the Nth time, sacrificed her pride by begging Master Dae-mok to spare Crown Prince Lee Sun.

Omona Moments

I just HAVE to share this moment when Hwa-gun stormed into the room and slapped Ga-eun. She didn’t choose the thug life, the thug life chose her.

This scene tugged my emotional strings beautifully. Despite being looked down upon and losing the Pyunsoo-hwe leadership to her daughter, this man showed how selfless a father’s love is.

Okaaay. Let’s calm down and halt our horses. It may seem that Crown Prince Lee Sun is dead but he’s not. Oppa is alive, he’s the freakin lead of the drama and the preview said so.

This scene hurt me so bad. It made me want to enter the screen to hug Hwa-gun and tell her that she deserves more. Hwa-gun’s words are heart-piercing. She’s not asking Crown Prince Lee Sun to love her, she just wants him to accept Master Dae-mok’s offer in order to stay alive.

My Silver Lining for Commoner Lee Sun

The fake king can be the biggest snake but I appreciate how he saved Master Woo-bo and Adjunct Park from drinking the poppy wine. Pyunsoo-hwe and Commoner Lee Sun set up the queen and all the ministers supporting her into drinking the poisoned wine. The pauper showed there is still good in him by saving his long-time teacher, but I still don’t forgive you for what happened to Gon!

Tipsy Findings

To give all the drama a rest, here’s the cutie Kim So-hyun (Ga-eun) dancing to Girl’s Day’s Darling during the 2014 MBC Awards.

Watch the full video here.

How much more sacrifices will our characters take in the name of love? Let’s see in the next episode. Annyeong!

PS: I will fly to Seoul and witchhunt PDnim if my hot bodyguard Chung-woon died. Okay. I take that back, maybe I’ll just beg the K-Drama geenies to keep oppa alive.

~ Tipsy Ahjumma

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<< K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask | Episodes 27-28

<< K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask | Episodes 25-26

<< K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask | Episodes 23-24

<< K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask | Episodes 21-22

<< K-Drama Reaction: Ruler: Master of the Mask | Episodes 19-20

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