The Burned King’s Painting
In episode 8 of Lovers of the Red Sky, Cheon-Ki decides to walk with Ha Ram instead of Grand Prince Yangmyeong. He watches them together longingly, hopeful that Cheon-Ki will come back to him later on.
Alone, Ha Ram speaks to Cheon-Ki and decides that he can’t be the boy he used to be for her, given that he’s now blind. Instead, he tells her to go on and live her own life. He feels like he’s not in control but Cheon-Ki simply tells him to share his true feelings with her for time to time, hopeful that he’ll pluck up the courage to find her again when he’s ready.
King Seongjo writes out letters to his two sons, worried about how much time he has left. Coughing up blood and clutching his chest, he remains determined to make sure the painting is fixed before he abdicates his throne.
This episode of “The King’s Painting” focuses on the mystery surrounding the painting of Cheon-Ki and Mi-Soo’s bloodline. Mi-Soo learns about her ancestor, Cheon-Ki, winning a contest and her connection to him. This could have serious consequences for her if she is able to get to Ha Ram, the painting’s creator. It is unknown what exactly does this dark magic do, but it is sure to be interesting to see.
That evening, Grand Prince Yangmyung heads over to visit Cheon-Ki. He’s got the medicine for her father, and in exchange she’s drawn him a painting as a way of showing his appreciation – and apologises for leaving him to walk with Ha Ram.
Yangmyung eventually leaves, deciding to pick up the painting in the morning. However, he’s well aware that Cheon-Ki is hiding her true feelings for Ha Ram and calls her out for it, admitting that she’s a bad liar. ..
Ha Ram is invited over to see Mi-Soo. She knows exactly who he is but feigns ignorance as they sit together with Juhyang.
Juhyang tells Ha Ram about the demon and its red eyes. He then tells the Scholar that he will soon learn about it, telling him that he no longer owes 300 bags of rice. When Juhyang leaves, Ha Ram remains determined to try and find the demon.
Back at the palace, Prince Ha Ram asks Yangmyung about his relationship with Cheon-Ki. He tells the Prince that he does have feelings but Yangmyung is not so sure. After all, why would he let her walk alone in the rain? ..
Yangmyung and Cheon-Ki are in a love triangle, with Ha Ram as the middleman. The three are trying to win over each other, but it seems that Ha Ram is not content with just being a middleman. He wants to be the one who gets to be with Yangmyung permanently.
The Queen Mother’s banquet is a chance for the painters to show their work to the Queen Mother and get her feedback. However, when Cheon-Ki arrives, she is given an extra task - to visit Gyeongwon Pavilion at 8pm that night. No one knows she’s restoring the King’s portrait though, as Yangmyung learns that the King’s health is deteriorating every day.
Ha-Ram escorts Cheon-Ki to the pavilion that night, where she learns what she’s doing from Expert Han. He brings up her Father’s past and how exquisite the painting he created was. When she’s shown the burnt painting where the demon escaped from, Cheon-Ki is haunted by horrible visions.
Yangmyung and Han are only temporary, as Han gives her a task to draw an outline of the painting first from a description that Yangmyung will read out. In fact, he’s going to be there with her every night now.
Cheon-Ki realizes she left something in the pavilion and hurries over to find it. Ha-Ram joins but when he sees the burnt remnants of the King’s portrait, he starts to lose control, clutching his head as the demon stirs. ..
Yangmyung and Ha-Ram are both shocked when they see black smoke swirl around Mi-Soo and the sheet of paper he earlier mentioned. Yangmyung goes out to see what’s happening and is horrified to find that Mi-Soo has been possessed by the demon.
The Episode Review
The Red Sky episode was a solid return for the show, focusing on the King’s portrait and demon stirring inside. The ending definitely hints that we’ll have another showdown with the demon coming up, and given it’s taking place inside the grand palace with numerous people around, it doesn’t look good.
This show has been full of drama from the start, given Mi-Soo and Juhyang’s meddling. It helps to create more excitement in the show.
With the return of the fantasy elements to the show, next week’s double bill will be a tight one. The love triangle also helps to stir things up for our characters, but given Cheon-Ki is destined to be with Ha Ram there are doubtless not many surprises left in store!
Regardless of the outcome, this historical drama has been a compelling watch and all eyes now turn to next week! ..
