The Scandal of Chunhwa: Episode 1 (First Impressions)
by SailorJumun
Even in a time of strict traditions, the younger of us at all times discover a technique to love. And in TVING’s The Scandal of Chunhwa, that’s precisely what one daring princess plans to do. On this kingdom, she’s bought a foul fame and loads of dangerous blood, however she’s additionally bought the spunk to take management of her (maybe spicy?) love life.
Editor’s notice: That is a gap evaluation solely. For a spot to talk about the whole drama, go to the Drama Hangout.
EPISODE 1
We begin off in modern-day, in a comfortable little bookshop, the place a younger lady (Go Ara) finds an historic erotic novel. We dive into the map of mentioned novel, right into a fictional place referred to as Dongbangguk, the place we’re launched to PRINCESS HWA-RI (additionally performed by Go Ara). I’ve gotta say, I’ve seen loads of storybook openings, however by no means to a 19+ present, heh.
There’s an erotic novel going round, with very detailed footage, and it’s rumored to be based mostly off of Hwa-ri for the reason that feminine character seems to be so much like her. We don’t know if that is true or not, however Hwa-ri does appear snug with the idea of intercourse, seeing that she’s sneaking peeks at her brother PRINCE HWA-SUNG (Kim Taek) making an attempt to do enterprise in a brothel.
Hwa-ri is dressed as a nobleman, attempting to mix in with the opposite males taking peeks. And being the everyday sister, Hwa-ri is extra thinking about seeing her bro embarrass himself, even betting on it. A passerby who we’ll come to know as CHOI HWAN (Jang Ryul) watches Hwa-ri’s shenanigans with amusement.
Apparently, Hwa-sung is a virgin and he simply desires to get some, uh, expertise with a gisaeng earlier than being intimate with the precise woman he likes. Yeah, as a result of that gained’t finish badly… *shakes head* His girlfriend is a noblewoman named LEE JI-WON (Han Seung-yeon), and as anticipated, she’s furious when she finds out what he’s doing. She marches over to see Hwa-sung, and although he didn’t undergo with the intercourse, she’s damage that he would even attempt.
The entire state of affairs turns into scorching gossip, and to get individuals to calm down, the king desires each Hwa-sung and Hwa-ri to decide on marriage companions. Hwa-sung is all for it, considering that is his probability to make it as much as Ji-won. He parades over to her residence with betrothal items, together with a floofy canine, and excessive hopes. These hopes are squashed, nonetheless, when Ji-won refuses to marry him. The brothel scandal is one factor, however he didn’t even correctly suggest — it’s like her emotions don’t matter to him in any respect.
Again on the palace, Hwa-ri reveals that the one man she’s thinking about marrying is her past love PARK CHAE-JOON (cameo by Sung Joon). The king and queen are in opposition to this, as Chae-joon can be Hwa-ri’s adopted cousin. To their aid, and to Hwa-ri’s shock, Chae-joon notifies them that he’s already betrothed to a different lady.
That night time, Hwa-ri’s sister PRINCESS HWA-JIN (Do Yoon-jin) tries to console her, however Hwa-ri can’t imagine that Chae-joon would betray her like this. Hwa-ri remembers when she and Chae-joon had been collectively and he instructed her that she was essentially the most fairly and valuable individual to him. Trusting in these recollections and the love she noticed in his eyes, she’s decided to exit and discuss to him.
I’m not solely invested in Hwa-ri’s storyline right here, which is gloomy since this complete drama is meant to be her story. However I really feel like I barely know her, and the drama is attempting to drive all this emotion out of me once I’m not there but. And the identical goes for Hwa-sung and Ji-won — they’re getting numerous screentime, but there’s no substance to latch onto, no cause to actually care about what’s occurring.
Talking of which, Ji-won’s brother LEE JANG-WON (Chani) notices that Hwa-sung remains to be outdoors of their residence. Hwa-sung is on his knees, ready for Ji-won to come back out, and I’ll admit that it’s cute to have him wanting like a tragic pet whereas he’s kneeling subsequent to the precise pet he introduced as a present.
Ji-won leaves Hwa-sung hanging for many of the night time, till she has a heart-to-heart along with her mom. Ji-won then leads Hwa-sung out to a non-public room, and there, she tells him that she’s able to forgive him. She’s additionally prepared for one thing else… She takes his hand and locations it on her breast. Although he’s initially hesitant, Hwa-sung accepts her invitation with a kiss.
And so begins our past love scene. I’m cool with these sorts of scenes and even respect a bit awkwardness if it’s meant to serve the story. However that is simply awkward-awkward. It’s filmed to look delicate and romantic, just for it to chop to the servant outdoors, blushing on the noise they’re making. The tonal shift is a bizarre alternative, one which makes me wish to fast-forward.
With the assistance of Hwa-jin, Hwa-ri is ready to sneak out of the palace and meet with Chae-joon. The very first thing Chae-joon does is hug her, which solely confuses her additional. It’s clear that he cares about her, the reminiscence of them as children recent on his thoughts, however he insists that they’ll’t be collectively. Hwa-ri refuses to simply accept that — she tells him to satisfy her on the port the subsequent morning, to allow them to run away collectively.
Hwa-ri waits by the port all night time, as promised. Whereas Chae-joon doesn’t seem, the mysterious Choi Hwan does, recognizing her because the nobleman from earlier than. Then Hwa-ri’s oldest brother CROWN PRINCE SEUNG (Sohn Woo-hyun) seems to convey her dwelling, saying that Chae-joon gained’t be coming. And to actually put the nail within the coffin, he explains that he is aware of this as a result of Chae-joon is the one who instructed him the place she is.
With that, Hwa-ri falls to the bottom and weeps, realizing that it’s really over. Elsewhere, a teary-eyed Chae-joon finds the flower ring that Hwa-ri gave him after they had been children. The ring falls aside, together with their probability at love.
Rather a lot occurred on this premiere, and I don’t precisely know what to do with it. I perceive the entire Hwa-ri state of affairs, since her damaged coronary heart is clearly a catalyst for her seek for love, however it felt so rapidly put collectively merely for the sake of getting an emotional backstory. At the very least, now that that’s out of the best way, possibly now we will get to the enjoyable? As a result of our introduction to Hwa-ri crossdressing as a nobleman was truly fairly fulfilling. I wish to see extra of that Hwa-ri — assured, sassy, with no filter.
I’m additionally curious to see the place the opposite storylines go, contemplating now we have so many characters. Who is that this newcomer Hwan, together with his cute amused smiles? How will Hwa-ri become involved with Jang-won? Will Jang-won being Ji-won’s brother create chaos throughout the two households? And who has been portray these erotic novels with Hwa-ri’s face? There’s nonetheless loads of potential right here and, judging by these love-hungry royals, loads of spice to come back.
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