Thoughts on ‘Daebak (The Royal Gambler)’ Episode 3

WARNING: If you haven’t watched this episode, please be aware of spoiler from reading this article. If you do not want to see, please do not click the link “Read rest of this entry”. We welcome all the comments and please share your thoughts too about ‘Daebak’. Thanks.

Author: Susan Moyamoy from ECI
Photo credits: SBS

At the start of the third episode, Man Geum appeared to save the infant Gae Ddong from Yin In Jwa’s dangerous arrow. He has to pick the final card to spare the innocent life. Yin In Ywa however, find it exciting to include Lady Choi’s life on the bet too. In the end, the undeniable sealed fate of Gae Ddong spared his and mom’s life. Yin In Jwa left, swearing that he will take Gae Ddong back when the right time comes. He also cut his connection from Lady Choi.

Man Geum and Lady Choi then clear things out between them before they went back to their present lives because they can no longer untangle their past.

Lady Choi’s night ‘escapade’ was spied by the queen, Queen Ok Jung aimed to vanish her rival out of the palace. Obviously, her pride was challenged by the former water maid whose humbleness, meekness and charm bewitched the king. The queen found her faulty on night disappearance and locks her up in a clay pot. (It is my first time to see a big pot for imprisonment). King Sukjong, however, came to her rescue. It was later found out that the Lady was pregnant, hence her action was justified.

King Sukjong later explained to Lady Choi his fair treatment between her and the queen. He also advised and warned Lady Choi to cut her tie from his ‘secret enemy’. All the while, the king is aware of Yi In Jwa.

The Queen wanted to get even with Lady Choi. She manipulates her into a game. When innocent Lady Choi lost, the Queen grab the chance of exposing the ‘rumors’ about the real identity of the king’s dead son and Baek Man Geum, the hidden husband. The queen, then, ordered the capture of Man Geum with the baby. The queen attempted to squeeze out the truth from Man Geum through a cruel interrogation. The infant’s life (at least it is not Gae Ddong because it was exchanged prior to the capture of Man Geum) was spared because the king came in the nick of time. He ordered to stop the spreading of rumors and confirmed the baby’s identity not to be his. The king also throws out Queen Ok Jung out of the palace. She was humiliated, dethroned and exiled leaving the young Crown Prince Gyeongjong behind.

The crown prince who had not got over with what happened to his queen mom was also taken advantage by Yin In Jwa. He was also put in a game which with his innocent mind decided to entrust his throne to Yin Jin Jwa. Everything that happened is controlled by Yin Jin Wa. But wait, his well knitted plans will take place in a long time….

Two decades later, in a faraway small town live Baek Man Geum, his one eyed friend Do Kkeibe and grown up Gae Ddong. The two friends practically raise Gae Ddong betting on games for a living but of course life is so poor. Gae Ddong considered himself as the best gambler wanted to pursue his dreams. So when the opportunity of going to Hanyang through a gambling event knocks, our Gae Ddong grabs the chance despites his pa’s protest. He stole a hundred nyang from the bandits and ran away to Hanyang with his pa(Man Geum) and grandpa(Do Kkeibe). When they finally reached Hanyang, his joy was overwhelming. He even promised his pa to buy him a home and a field as he asked for money. His initial capital to get rich is a single nyang. And so this soon to be famous gambler’s adventure starts…

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Susan’s thought:
Life in this kingdom is quite difficult for commoners and the helpless. Powerful people will take advantage on their weaknesses. Their lives are depending on their limited choices or none at all and this is the sad truth. In this gambler’s story, everyone will take their chance on games. More often than not, it is the rich or the noble who will decide the kind of game while their poor opponent will cling unto their luck and blindly play the game. Well, our hero, Gae Ddong will surely become the best in this field because all his life he has known gambling and even when his still a suckling baby, his life was laid down the line for bet.

The characters that were portrayed here were well delivered by the actors. I can say, as a viewer, that I am hooked to watch and find out more on what would happen next. The story also made me think and somewhat gave my personal views on some character. I may say that King Sukjong has some kind of suspicious character aside from his scary strict rule. Yin In Jwa, on the other hand, was a very patient man. For after 20 years, he still not yet over with his plan of overthrowing the king. Well his main reason was rooted somewhere deep then. Anyway, like other Korean dramas Jackpot is also unpredictable so I have to watch it till the end.

As an eel, I got excited and gave a small scream the moment I heard and saw the grown up Gae Ddong running and shouting with a big red sili on his hand. I enjoyed watching him and laugh at his stupidity and expressions. Gae Ddong’s wittiness, playfulness, ambitious, impatience and listens to his father’s advice are so much like the man who played the role. Jang Keun Suk has proven that he can still move around and act as an immature 20 year old even if he is almost in his 30’s. Well at least his youthful feature did not fail him. His acting is so entertaining and convincing that gave smile to my heart. For me that’s what matter.

To sum up, I just want to share 2 things I am expecting of Gae Ddong in the next episodes after watching him on episode three;

I expect him to prove…

… and of course

(no please, not ‘never’ but not soon)

Thank you very much for reading and considering. [END]