Thoughts on ‘Daebak (The Royal Gambler)’ Episode 8

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Author: Genibib Arangoso from ECI
Photo credits: SBS

Finally Baek Daegil free from the hands of Demon, Daegil’s new chapter of life begin this day when he became a martial art trainee under the most skillful sword master of Joseon Nation, Kim Chae Gun. Baek Daegil spent his time to do basic training like squatting, cutting trees, woods and even do cooking for his master, he learned how to shot using archery and learned how to hold the sword. No matter how rough his training and his hands is already wounded, but still he never give up. Daegil master told him that once he can slice a petal with his eyes close and bet his master with a sword then it’s time to go down the mountain.


Daegil suddenly ask his master if there’s anyone in Joseon who are stronger than him, Kim Chae Gun remember that there is one who is not quite his equal and his been nipping at his heels. He is also the best martial artist in the country and strong that even caught a tiger with his bare hands. He is a former member of the King guards, but he was accused of treason and been arrested by the Euigeumbu, his name is Hwang Jin Ki, he was a prisoner a long time ago.

While In Jwa planned to take Hwang Jin Ki out of the prison and in order to do it, In Jwa send gifts to Joo II Soo house his the head of Euigeumbu, and asked favor about the plan to released Hwang Jin Ki out of the prison, that if Hwang Jin Ki was already out of the prison then Jo II Soo will take care every thing aftermath, After Hwang Jin Ki released from the prison he met In Jwa and bow his head and thankful for him, In Jwa is the one who take good care of Hwang Jin Ki mother’s funeral and he promised to do everything possible to serve In Jwa, In Jwa give Hwang Jin Ki a task, a task that he will cut the throat of Kim Chae Gun, and it seems that previously Kim Chae Gun is the one who captured Hwang Jin Ki during the break down of Gwanghwamun.

Baek Daegil continued his training while he learned how to shot the archery Daegil remembered how In Jwa escaped the shot of his arrow even he is in a closed distance, so Daegil asked his master if he can escape an arrow flying from a closed distance, Kim Chae Gun ordered Daegil to shot him and as expected Kim Chae Gun is also escaped from the arrow that Daegil shot him, so his master told him that learning in martial arts the arms and legs can’t be faster than instinct and there’s one thing in human that faster than human body and it is the eyes. Kim Chae Gun give Daegil a lesson to learn that he could not cut In Jwa throat, because people like In Jwa don’t get easily exterminated if Daegil fight alone.


While prince Yeoning received a letter from the prison which Dam Seo intentionally left the letter when she released Hwang Jin Ki, the letter say’s that In Jwa wanted to meet him, while prince Yeoning on his way to meet In Jwa someone intentionally bumped him not knowing that they are given him a warning that anytime he can be killed, while Dam Seo saw the kid dead body, the kid was killed because she stole a pair of shoes and Dam Seo felt pity for them. In Jwa give warning to Yeoning but Yeoning see no fear, because he only feared the most is someone In Jwa feared as well, In Jwa challenge Yeoning to fight to death by using swords, but Yeoning could not beat In Jwa even though In Jwa used wood sword. Dam Seo tried to to make Yeoning to opened his eyes to see the blood and tears of the people rather than loosing his pride over something small that felt him wrong.

Meanwhile In Jwa told Dam Seo to get close to Yeoning and used him so that she can meet the King, in the Palace Dam Seo meet Suk Bin Choi and Dam Seo tell her that she is the daughter Kim Yi Soo who was killed by the King Sookjong, but Suk Bin Choi said that how can she make such a claim without proof and only believes what In Jwa told her, how can she judge a King that Dam Seo never met ever since, then prince Yeoning bring Dam Seo to see the King at that moment Dam Seo could not even move and breathed in front of the King even she thought that she wanted to kill the King who five step away from her, Yeoning told Dam Seo that she is wrong to believe that the King killed her father, Dam Seo asked what his proof, Yeoning answered the proof it can sees the King’s eyes how important Kim Yi Soo to the King, though Dam Seo still insisted what she’s believed but in her heart she came to have a doubt already.

Baek Daegil later learned how to use archery and swordmanship, Daegil thought that because he already learning he can down the mountain but Kim Chae Gun told him that he can’t go down unless he can master the skill to slash the flower petals.

His master teach him a lesson that weather it’s fighting or gambling, they are both the same, and if Daegil want to live freely he he must use his desire and must remember the three important of life, first breathing, second eyes and the third is courage all of this he will become free. The King Sookjong received a treat that someone is going to assassinate him, but the King seems no fear and gives the sword to prince Yeoning in order to protect him and Yeoning himself. After a long training Kim Chae Gun and Daegil went down from the mountain while in his way Daegil saw a posted picture of his master, when they back headed to the mountain Daegil asked his master what is his real identity and why he’s hiding in a mountain for a long time, Kim Chae Gun told Daegil about his life, He was a military officer and pledge to protect the country, but because corruption never stopped he decided to stay out in the palace rather than serving the rotten king, and have a desired to kill the king, no one can stop him even Daegil, and if Daegil wants to stop him then one of them will die.

And at the end of this episode we must still looking forward for another chapter of Daegil’s life under his master Kim Chae Gun trainees, if he can learn how to slash the petal with his eyes close soon and he can successfully take revenge to In Jwa or either he can stop his master to desire to kill the King Sookjong.

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