Choi Cheongjung is an idealist looking to reform Joseon
Oh My Star, 21 July 2020, Original article in Korean, non-verbatim courtesy translation by ParkSihooSsi.com
“Wind, Cloud and Rain 바람과 구름과 비 (King maker: Change of Destiny)”： Reform dilemma for Park Sihoo’s Choi Cheonjung
TV Chosun’s Saturday-Sunday drama “Wind, Cloud and Rain (King , Maker: Change of Destiny) 바람과 구름과 비” is the only historical drama to be aired recently, and it is securing a stable audience rating of around 5 percent (19 July 2020, 5.1 percent, Nielsen Korea). Based on a novel of the same name written by Lee Byungju, the drama is drawing attention as it has repeatedly reversed each episode by compressing a vast amount of information from 10 books into a 21 episode drama.
In particular, in the last scene of the broadcast on 18 July 2020, King Gojong (played by Park Sanghoon) launched a counterattack that caught his father Heungseon Daewongun Lee Haeung (played by Jun Kwangryul) unaware. King Gojong pardoned Choi Cheonjung (played by Park Sihoo) and his father. Three years ago, Lee Haeung had unleashed the military to catch Choi Cheonjung and separated him from his beloved. He was forced to to live in exile.
TV Chosun Drama Youtube Video – Episode 16 “Wind, Cloud and Rain”: Choi Cheonjung and Lee Bongryeon parting again with the burning of Samjeon Hall, 11 July 2020
https://youtu.be/DuFouX4Rllg
In the meantime, Choi Cheonjung’s beloved Lee Bongryeon (played by Ko Sunghee) became a hostage of Daewongun and had to predict the future for him. Choi Cheonjung returned to Korea and launched an initiative to drive out Lee Haeung. Lee Haeung had angered the Jangdong Kim clan, his enemies and the people of Joseon due to the reconstruction of Gyeongbok Palace.
First, Choi Cheonjung helped Min Jayoung (played by Park Jeongyeon), whom he knew, to be chosen as Queen to King Gojong. He also approached the Queen Dowager who was losing in the power struggle with Daewongun. He asked for her support and to give him full authority to defeat Daewongun Lee Haeung.
Choi Cheonjung who is a thorn in Daewongun’s side, wielded full power under the name of the Regent and was more than just a reappearance. King Gojong, who was like a scarecrow under the pressure of filial piety, revealed his own presence and Daewongun was caught off guard in the power struggle. In addition, Queen Myeongeong who was supported by Choi Cheonjung sought to increase her influence over King Gojong.
Choi Cheonjung went one step further to persuade King Gojong and conspired with the Queen Dowager and the royal family in an attempt to put into motion an “honorary revolution” to dismiss the Daewongun at a ministerial meeting. However, the dismissal of Daewongun by Choi Cheonjung was a ambitious attempt that was foiled by King Gojong, who was embarrassed during the fire at Gyeongbok Palace the day before.
Can an alliance work this time?
Choi Cheonjung, who sought the realization of Daewongun
Choi Cheonjung and Daewongun Lee Haeung faced each other in front of King Gojong, changing the situation as much as heaven and earth in just one day. Eventually, Choi Cheonjung’s attempt to defeat Daewongun through King Gojong failed in Episode 19.
Choi Cheonjung had earlier expressed the analogy of Joseon as a “shipwreck” to Yong Palryong. What will be the choice he will make for Joseon? Will he abandon ship to save himself or will he stay on the ship to save more people? Here, Choi Cheonjung chose the latter. He became a fortune teller after the devastation of his family. He did not turn a blind eye and generously used his wealth to help people facing difficulties.
It is understandable why he wants to use his fortune telling ability to replace the corrupt power that holds and shakes Joseon. So he joined hands with Daewongun and took the lead in ousting the Jangdong Kims and succeeded. He was followed by King Gojong, whom he had foretold as the new King. Gojung’s father Lee Haeung became a ruling member and a Regent, and the owner of the real government. Daewongun and Choi Cheonjung came together with great motives, but unlike Choi Cheonjung, who thought of the people first, Daewongun was driven by power as the priority. Naturally, the conflict between Choi Cheonjung and Daewongun is expected.
As a result, Choi Cheonjung focused only on his “pure” will to reform and and entrusted the country to the tiger. He used his Master’s fortune telling ability to oust the corrupt Jangdong Kim clan but in the end, it was just another power he helped. However, it was through Min Jayoung, who later became the biggest political opponent of Daewongun, that he managed to keep Daewongun in check. Regardless of his intentions, Choi Cheonjung assisted in plunging Joseon into a deeper hole in his desire for modest reform in Episode 19.
TV Chosun Drama Youtube Video – Episode 19 “Wind, Cloud and Rain”: Choi Cheonjung’s counterattack will succeed!, 19 July 2020
https://youtu.be/Lvwov4cnP2M
It may seem like a character collapse at first glance, but rather than that, it might be right to see this as a process of growing up of a “heroic character” willing to remain on the shipwreck to save the people. The sight of the corrupt Jangdong Kims and Daewongun Lee Haeung, who was willing to crawl between their trousers and live no differently from the people in the streets, would have been the most ideal choice for Choi Cheonjung, who dreamed of reform in the “dynasty” era.
But the ideal “king power” no longer cared about the “people” when it has tasted power. It has become a politics of “desire to solidify one’s power”. Choi Cheonjung eventually had to “dismiss” Daewongun whom he put to power with his own hands. And in the process, between King Gojong, who was indecisive, and the ambition of Queen Myeongseong, who was thought to be a helper, the choice would eventually trouble Choi Cheonjung, the hero who dreamed of a peaceful power transfer from the top.
What choice would he make if the people’s “peaceful life” was impossible within the limitations of the dynastic period? If neither Daewongun nor Min Jayoung were ultimately the right power for the people, what conclusion would Choi Cheonjung reach in the end if no King or aide is able to promote peace for the people? Maybe that is the story that “Wind, Cloud and Rain (King , Maker: Change of Destiny) 바람과 구름과 비” will show at the end.
Facebook Video – “Wind, Cloud and Rain Episode 19: Start of new power struggle, 19 July 2020
https://www.facebook.com/105877967662306/videos/211075183556295/
WCR风，云和雨新闻：改革的困境
“风，云和雨 (风，云和碑）바람과 구름과 비”: 陷入”自上而下的改革”两难境地崔天中的选择是什么？
朝鲜电视TV Chosun的周六、日电视剧“风，云和雨 (风，云和碑）바람과 구름과 비“是最近播出的唯一一部史剧，确保5%左右的稳定收视率，正在孤军奋战（2020年7月19日5.1%尼尔森韩国）。 改编自李炳注作家写的同名小说的该电视剧将10本分量的庞大内容压缩为21集电视剧，每集的反转都不断引起关注。
特别是18日播出的最后场景中，高宗王（朴相勋饰）赦免了崔天中（朴施厚饰）及其父亲，并展开了反击，试图抓住崔天中而解除兴宣大院君（全光烈饰）的反攻开始。 3年前，崔天中被大院君追赶，与心爱的人分手，过着异域万里的流放生活。
一直以来，心爱的女人李凤莲（高圣熙饰）成为大院君的人质，为大院君预卜未来。 归来的崔天中不仅是李昰应的敌人，还将为了驱逐因景福宫重建，让百姓和张东金氏等敌人怨声载道的大院君李昰应，将展开作战。
TV Chosun Drama Youtube Video – Episode 19 “Wind, Cloud and Rain”: King Gojong is swayed by Lee Haeung’s words, 19 July 2020
https://youtu.be/mJkEmks6Y1c
首先，崔天中帮助与自己结缘的闺秀闵慈英（朴正渊饰）被选为高宗王的王妃，同时接近隔着高宗王和大院君的较量中，处于劣势的赵大妃（金宝妍饰），如果想要打败大院君李昰应，就要求将全权委托给自己。
摄政对于美名之下挥舞着大权的大院君来说，眼中钉崔天中的存在意义不止一人重新登场。 以孝为先的高宗王，变成了傀儡，以稻草人身份打造的高宗王暴露了自身的存在感，大院君在与政敌赵大妃的较量中，被戳破绽。 得到崔天中支持的明成皇后虎视眈眈地想要扩大自己对高宗王的影响力。
崔天中在此基础上更进一步，说服高宗王，与赵大妃、重臣们合谋，在堂上会议上罢免大院君让他下台，试图进行一种”名誉革命”。 但是，野心勃勃地试图撤退大院君的崔天中，在前一天发生的景福宫火灾过程中，因惊慌失措的高宗王而化为泡影。
The tiger and the dragon, who will win?
谋求大院君下台的崔天中
在高宗王面前遇到的崔天中和大院君李昰应仅隔一天，其粒子和状况就发生了翻天覆地的变化。 结果，用自己的双手拥立的高宗王，还有想要用自己的双手打败他的摄政者大院君的崔天中的尝试，在第19集以失败告终。
崔天中曾经对自己的右臂龙八龙阐述过”朝鲜的遇难船论”。 像遇难船一样的朝鲜，究竟会做出怎样的选择呢？他说是注定要灭亡的命运，是自己早脱离遇难船，还是为了救更多百姓而同舟共济？ 崔天中是选择了后者的命运。 被灭门之祸成为算命师的崔天中，没有不顾百姓的困难，而是为了帮助他们不惜投入自己和财产。
他想利用自己的”算命师”的能力去改革，推翻掌握着朝鲜的腐败权力，这是人之常情。 因此，他与大院君携手，带头驱逐张东金氏，并取得了成功。 接着，他曾经预言是王才的高宗继哲宗王的王位，他的父亲李昰应成为大院君进行”摄政”。 但是，虽然说是”摄政”，但实际上却成为了”国政”的主人。 大院君和崔天中虽然志同道合，但与最先考虑百姓的崔天中不同，大院君首先考虑的是自己的权力。 当然，崔天中和大院君的矛盾是预料之中的事情。
但是从结果来看，崔天中只专注于”纯真无求”的改革意志，最终把国家托付给了老虎。 他利用自己生辰八字的命理学能力，将腐朽的张东金氏家族推翻，但结果牵手的是另一种”权力”。 他为了牵制大院君，伸出手帮助的是后来成为大院君的最大政敌的明成皇后。不管他的意图如何，仅看第19集，崔天中就因自己对改革的热切渴望，逐渐成为让朝鲜陷入深渊的”助手”。
虽然乍看起来人物形象崩溃，但与其这样，不如将其看作是拯救百姓而甘愿留在遇难船上的”英雄人物”逐渐成长的过程。 看到腐败的权门世家，心甘情愿地爬在他们的裤腿下，和那些街头巷尾的人一样生活的大院君李昰应的样子，对于梦想着”王朝时代”进行”改革”的崔天中来说，这无疑是最理想的选择。
Will she be a help or hindrance to Choi Cheonjung?
但，理想的”王权”在尝到权力的甜头的瞬间，已经不再把”百姓”放在眼里。 无论如何都要成为巩固自己的”权力”的”欲望”政治。 崔天中最终不得不”解铃还须系铃人”，用自己的双手拥立的大院君，由自己给废除。在此过程中，以优柔寡断的高宗王为助手，和另一个伏兵隐患的明成皇后的野心，最终会让梦想着“从上到下”和平权力转让的英雄崔天中陷入苦恼。
在王朝时代的时代局限下，如果百姓无法过上”安稳的生活”，会做出怎样的选择呢？ 大院君，闵紫英最终也不是为百姓的权力着想。任何一个国王、还有王的亲信都不能为百姓谋得平安，那么崔天重最终会得出怎样的结论呢？ 这也许就是“风，云和雨 (风，云和碑）바람과 구름과 비“最后要展现的故事吧。
Credits – Many thanks! TV Chosun “Wind, Cloud and Rain”, Ohmystar http://star.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/OhmyStar/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002659938, ParkSihooSsi.com, ParkSihooHongKong.com
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