Early Access: Bossam E1

E1. I'd been hearing good things about this show, and that's why it's on my list in the first place, but I'd been dragging my feet about clicking play, because sageuks do generally tend to be rather onerous, if they aren't fusion, and this show's posters make it look like quite a serious, heavy sort of drama. I guess I just didn't find the premise all that appealing either.

HOWEVER. After actually clicking play, I found myself fully engaged within mere minutes. Not even halfway through the first episode, I had the feeling that I would enjoy this one, and quite well, too. Ha. I guess I really shouldn't have paid too much attention to myself, pfft.

It might be too early to say, but right now, Show kinda-sorta reminds me of Chuno, in that our story appears to be related to the court, but our main players are not within in the court. Rather, our main player is a ruffian who lives by his wits, just like our slave hunters in Chuno were ruffians who lived by their wits.

I can't say Ba Woo is another Dae Gil (can there be another Dae Gil?), but I can't ignore the similarities that we're seeing, thus far. Not only is he a ruffian sort, he apparently is a pretty good fighter, manages to impress the ladies without actually trying, and is also well-versed enough in music and poetry to pass for a yangban. Ah, plus, he's got a good heart and takes extra care of children. A little bit similar, yes?

I'm hopeful that this will mean that our story will also be more interesting than the sum of a bunch of politicking in the court, since - so far, anyway - most of our story is happening outside of the royal court, despite our female lead being a legit princess. That's an interesting situation.

So far, I really like both our leads.

Yu Ri is doing beautifully as our widowed princess. The way Soo Kyung carries herself is so dignified and regal, and that gracefulness feels like it's natural and coming from within, rather than put on for show. That makes her feel like a real deal princess. And, she's kind, patient and humble too.

I'm curious to know why our princess married into a non-royal family, and how she got widowed, and why her mother-in-law is being so awful to her, even though she really hasn't done anything wrong. Is it because Mother-in-law senses that her younger son has feelings for the princess? Coz that certainly does seem to be the case, based on that flashback that we see of the past, where they'd appeared to be study mates. And in the present, he does look quite angsty still, while practicing his sword-fighting technique and thinking upon that memory.

I loved Jung Il Woo way back when he did The Return Of Iljimae, but haven't loved any of his projects that I've checked out in the last several years. So color me very pleased indeed, that I am loving him in this, right away.

Sure, on a shallow note, I don't love the brand of scruff they've put on him, but I rationalize that that could grow on me. Plus, on a similarly shallow note, I can't say I hate the shirtless scene that Show gives us this episode. How cute, that both the princess and her maid could say the same, ha. I kind of love Princess's tamped down, but distinctly wide-eyed discombobulation, at the sight of Ba Woo's shirtless torso. And then Court Lady Jo's subsequent appreciative remarks about Ba Woo's appealing butt and chest made me giggle as well.

Which leads me to say, this show is landing with more lightness than I'd anticipated, and I like that a lot. It doesn't feel like it's going to be light story per se, but it does feel like Show has the capacity to be balanced, and that's something that definitely appeals to me.

Part of the levity this episode, is Ra Mi Ran's cameo as a widow getting the bossam treatment, and I couldn't help but feel amused at her character's whole shy lady act, because she's clearly not actually that shy, if she's prepared a little bundle of stuff and new shoes to take with her, on her ride to her new life. I found this very cute.

I'm also happy to have Lee Joon Hyuk as Ba Woo's partner in crime, because he makes a great sidekick. Of course he'd be the type of partner to lie to Ba Woo about just how much money they're getting for each job that they do; I'm not even surprised by this. But I can't even be mad at him, because he's just that kind of amusing weasel. Plus, it also seems like he really does care about Ba Woo. I think, anyway.

Plus, how cute is Ba Woo's son Cha Dol?? He's such a little cutie, all innocent and earnest. And to think that he even cooks, cleans and does the laundry, even though he couldn't be more than 6 or 7 years old?? I think I'm fond of him already.

And of course it'd be little Cha Dol, who realizes that the noble lady that Dad's bossam-ed home, is none other than the Princess whom he'd seen earlier at the temple. Oopsie. Also, how endearingly hopeful is Cha Dol, when he asks if the Princess would be his mother? Aw. This munchkin really does want a mom, doesn't he?

This whole stolen princess thing promises to be quite the conundrum for Ba Woo, and I'm hoping for any frustration and angst to be balanced out with some humor and hijinks.

All in all, this was a very solid first episode, and I'm actually looking forward to episode 2.