The book of odes plays a main role in #TheRedSleeve. It’s one of san’s favorite book. He offered it to Deok Im when they went together to the bookstore. She would read the poem during his lockdown and then let the book in his room, despite Yeongjo’s orders #LeeSeYoung#LeeJunHo
The Book of odes (Shih-ching) is the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, comprising 305 works dating from the 11th-7th centuries BC, said to have been compiled by Confucius. It has been studied and by scholars in China over two millennia #TheRedSleeve
As i said many times before, what of the best aspects of #TheRedSleeve is the author’s ability to mix comedy & drama genres.
It loosened up the atmosphere when things may become too heavy. #LeeSeYoung#LeeJunHo
In this scene, Deok Im has been gone for a while at the queen’s palace (the number 1 rival of San). Plus San has seen Deok Ro & Deok Im in the middle of the night very close to each of other…So, San, jealous, is pissed off and no court lady maid want to be near him #TheRedSleeve
#TheRedSleeve challenge : *seduction course 101 by royal guard * aka how San is so desperate with Deok Im that he’s asking for the royal guard’s tips #LeeJunHo#LeeSeYoung
One of the (many) strengths of #TheRedSleeve script , is the writer’s hability to mix in the same episod pure comedy with pure tragedy (so we can laugh & cry, except ep17 which was 💯😭).
San being quite desperate after so many refusals from Deok Im, is asking for help from his faithful royal guard’ advice! The royal guard is one of the best character of #TheRedSleeve. It’s an invented character that brings humor & lightness to the story
As commoners (sangmin), San and Deok Im would have been, like 80% of the population in Joseon, farmers. They would rent their lands to a noble family. Besides, they were heavily taxed and men had to serve an army and work for free (corvee) #TheRedSleeve#LeeJunHo#LeeSeYoung
Deok Im would have been reduced to the household and the farm works (gardening, weaving cotton,…). But she still would have more freedom than a yangban (noble) woman who was strictly confined in her household #TheRedSleeve#LeeSeYoung#LeeJunHo
In Joseon, a family member could ask a man to divorce if his wife committed 1 of the 7 sins. Among them: sickness, jealousy, disobeying to the parent in law, not having a male heir or adultery. With her bad health, DI could have been concerned #TheRedSleeve#LeeSeYoung#LeeJunHo
In #TheRedSleeve, San was asked twice if he ever considered to be commoner: at the very beginning and at the very end of the drama #LeeJunHo#LeeSeYoung
In the ep2 of #TheRedSleeve, San is asked by one of his teacher if he ever considered to be a commoner. San replies: « Never…I shall never hide or run away from my my destiny » #LeeSeYoung#LeeJunHo
The court ladies had a special status among the population in the Joseon era. As they served the royal family, ppl considered them as special (the 🧚♀️ metaphor in #TheRedSleeve was accurate). But the price to pay was very high: they entered the palace very young to ensure they …
…Were still virgin, as they were the king’ spouses. The CL couldn’t have a love life or build a family. Of course some CL had affair with civil servant or courtier. But they risked death penalty as Yung Hee in #TheRedSleeve if they get caught