'Rotten Wood vs Big Hero': Ta Hwan's Character Analysis

Ji Chang Wook’s Ta Hwan’s character analysis by a Singaporean reporter:

Finished marathoning all 51 episode, not because of the Empress.

Not because of Chinese history, Yuan history is not the important point, not concern about how great Goryeo people are. It is going back to the basics of Korean drama, who love whom is the most important.

The most interesting was seeing netizens fight, Empress Ki Ha Ji Won, should she love the little Yuan emperor Ji Chang Wook or the deposed Goryeo king Joo Ji Mo and who actually is the main male lead.

The problem that arises from a superficial classification is: Do you want a piece of rotten wood who place you as No. 1 naturally, or someone who places the country as priority who is both capable in fine and martial arts but you are at the most his No.2 because this hero will only think about you when he has time to relax. Of course, I have to add that the piece of rotten wood is very handsome, he is mischievous and also the head of a country.

In the drama, who is the most loved, in my view it is quite obvious, but it involves a nation’s pride so it cannot be openly declared.

However you see it, towards the deposed Goryeo King, it arises of hero worship. Having achieved your own nation leader’s favor, if he wants it, your body and soul will have to be submitted and then displaying a sort of reluctance to part with this relationship.

With the other person, from the beginning, there was lots of little arguments like lovers. Although because of national and family grievances, a line needs to be drawn but the heart has started to pound, it was very obvious.

Historical journals are written by humans and they can never be verified.  Based on common hearsay pass down through the generations, the Yuan emperor was quite lecherous. Empress Ki’s family also splashed their wealth frivolously. There was records that Yuan Emperor ruled for 35 years and thus occupied a third of the yuan dynasty time. He ascended at 14 and went through 7 years of bloody fights to win power and then utilized capable staff such as TalTal, yes, the rather handsome general in Empress Ki, whom fans said he and the empress should get together. There was much push in science, culture and education.

Forget it, I rather choose to believe what I believe. I just find that prior to becoming emperor, being sent to the remote Daechon island and being able to survive, the Yuan emperor has some resilience, he must have some capabilities that others do not have. 

To the Koreans, their own people ---- Empress Ki and the deposed king, they are all brilliant and great. However after watching 51 episodes, you will discover that the real hero in Empress Ki should be the Yuan emperor.

You just can't possibly not love such a man. Regardless of the temptations of other women, even knowing he is just a tool in revenge, seeing her ambition and yet still willingly study hard for her and stand up to the terrifiying people in court and then forgiving her repeatedly with undying devotion.

And even discovering that the prince was the son of the empress and the deposed king, he only thought about how to protect his true love. Even after being harmed by the bad and evil guys, he continued to take his poison only to help her remove all obstacles that she may face.

The most noble thing was his last words: I love you.

From my point of view, there is no man more heroic than him

Because, he was originally a useless ordinary person. He was cowardly, afraid of death, he sell out his friends, he is jealous and sometimes stupid enough to fall into traps but because he loves one person, whatever impossible things, he will do without regrets.

A big hero fighting bravely at war killing many enemies, what has it got to do with you. The rotten wood who is afraid of pain but because of you, held onto a small broken porcelain fragment and bleed profusely is the one that is most moving.

Chinese-English translation: qwenli

First published on Singaporean magazine, iWeekly Magazine no.882 September 25, 2014.

Notes: This one makes me teary-eyed as I recall Ta Hwan’s scenes. One by one the scene flashes by in my mind, the one in Daechong Island, when he first met Seung Nyang, when they confront each other, when Ta Hwan was put in poison. This is a man whose devotion makes him crazy and goes through great deal just for the happiness of someone he loves. He’s not afraid of anything, or anyone and love makes him stand up for her. In turn, Seung Nyang finally realizes his loves and loves him back. She’s a source of his strength, but without him she would be nothing. Without him marrying her, she wouldn’t be an empress. In history, even if she’s politics savvy and can outwit her oppositions, but if the emperor didn’t love her and want to give her the empress title what can she do? Because the majority of the court were against her but the emperor still decided to install her as empress. That man, in history or in drama, truly loves her. Readers, how do you think about Ta Hwan’s character? What if you meet a man like him?