Hyunnies Pexers article - 02.02.14

SJT’s World: Getting Deeper into the Gangsters’ Domain episode 5 & 6
The grown up Jung Tae stormed into the Chi Go gang’s lair. He was looking for the kidnapped children who will be sold by the gang.Though he had the upper hand,he was traitorously beaten and almost maimed if not for the arrival of Poong Cha and Djang Dol.

Finding the kidnapped group and reassured them it was alright, he scanned the group hoping he could perhaps see Chung Ah.

Bong Shik later reprimanded Jung Tae for getting into the other gang’s business. But Jung Tae with tears brimming in his eyes and voice almost choking in emotions told him of their pitiful childhood, when their mother died, no different from these kids he rescued. He himself sold his own sister for 10 won just to be able to eat. Jung Tae’s guilt and sense of responsibility made him vow to be her protector.The boss had to look away in his painful revelation.

He could not stop looking for his sister, because as he suspected, Bool Gom knew who took her. This was perhaps the strong reason why he couldn’t leave the Dobi gang in spite of Ok Ryeon’s plea for him to stop. On the other hand, he acquired a reputation for himself as bare fist fighter and getting in their way, he is now in the hit list of the other gangs.

But he had other scores to settle with a gang he believed behind his stabbing three years ago. With Poong Cha they went to look for him and came across his assailants then. In spite of brandishing a butcher’s knife he beat him with his bare fists.

Gaya’s own deepening relationship with the Yakuza was juxtaposed with that of Jung Tae’s with the Kkangpae(korean gangsters).

She met the Yakuza head and had to go through a ritual even told to kill a criminal by Yakuza standard. After the kill for which she wasn’t prepared for, she couldn’t resist asking her question:who killed her mother. But instead of an answer she was led to sink more into the organization by a promise she’ll know when she control designated areas for the Japanese. She had an inkling the yakuza head is her grandfather. Otherwise, why would she be treated like a princess and given such a mission?

Jung Tae’s preoccupation with the gang activities had began to it take its toll in his relationship with Ok Ryeon. Ok Ryeon was always there for him and his sister when they were young. In their adulthood, it is still Ok Ryeon who tend to his wounds and knew him well. Everyone knew it was only Jung Tae for her.

Until Soo Ok came along, a playboy, said to be rich and into music. Immediately attracted by OK Ryeon’s singing, though his initial encounter with her failed as Ok Ryeon steadfastly told him she wasn’t interested. JT met Soo Ok after he busted the latter’s scheme of paid hoodlums to impress Ok Ryeon. JT almost immediately felt his sense of protectiveness over Ok Ryeon in full force. His instincts were never wrong.

Gaya and Jung Tae met at Leader Mo’s House. Both immediately recognized each other, exchanged apologies and threats.Ok Ryeon naturally didn’t welcome the news about Gaya from JT.

Leader Mo was not intimidated by Gaya’s announcement she is taking over the place while Jung Tae had an instant lesson from him on how to fight effectively. He fainted at his hands and received teasing from Poong Cha, when he came to, how he could jump trains in his condition.

Gaya continues also her indoctrination under the yakuza. The Japanese military has the awarded Aoki to streamline their operations in Korea and elsewhere weed out the corrupt and the incompetents. We also learned how the yakuza was also involved in their operations.

All work and no play isn’t good. At their age JT and his peers should enjoy dating. Ok Ryeon planned how she and JT will celebrate her birthday. JT prepared to go on a date though not looking excited about it. He got side tracked(as usual) by a challenge for a fight by a Dobi gang member jealous of him being given special treatment. The Dobi boss was unhappy for the internal fighting for which he blamed JT.

Due to the unnecessary fistfight JT came too late for the skating rink date. Little did he know Soo Ok had compensated OK Ryeon’s disappointment by being there and having fun with her on her special day. Oh uh.

The waiting JT saw the two arrive later who treated him as if he was invisible. She told him after Soo Ok left he will give her music lessons. Was JT starting to feel the pangs of jealousy? After greeting her happy birthday looking at her so tenderly, he agreed they will eat out the following day. On the promised date all dressed up he went first to buy her a ring as a present. However, on his way to the eatery he helped a woman being beaten up and learned there were other girls hidden somewhere to be sold as prostitutes. Our good hearted gangster fell for the trap and found himself inside a dark warehouse. It was Bool Gom who made the setup as ordered by Shinichi to bring him JT.

If JT was surrounded by club bearing men obviously outnumbering him, don’t panic. He will be brought alive to Shinichi. No need for anyone to come help him at this point.

Well, Ok Ryeon got stood up again.Expect Soo Ok to spring to action next episode. Till then, everybody relax, Jung Tae will enter a new chapter, a new twist in his life.

Notes:

So far so good, in fact very good realistic acting from everyone specially the sensitive portrayal of Shin Jung Tae by Kim Hyun Joong. More than his closeup shots showing his outpouring of emotions be it anger, frustrations, sadness and grief, tenderness, hopelessness even the feeling of vagueness,you get the feeling they came from his soul. His voice echoes those what is registered in his face and what his body says.

Who can dislike SJT? We love him. We sympathize with SJT’s plight because we have seen an in-depth narrative of his childhood in 4 episodes and tidbits here and there in succeeding ones. We get to see his character development -SJt is not your typical gangster, he doesn’t extort money, he gives away his money to the orphanage. He doesn’t like women getting beaten up. He protects his family and his loved ones. His persona as a ruthless, deadly fighter is softened by his lonely, soulful eyes. His shoulder at times becomes heavy and droopy carrying the burden of the milieu surrounding them.

Where does SJT stop and KHJ begin ? Or vice versa. The flow of persona seem seamless.

The drama genre on gangsterism in the 30′s is not new but it it doesn’t have dragging, repetitious scenes(I hope it stays that way).I must say every fist fight has a sense and purpose. The studio production editors, however, should do their job well.

At this early there are speculations regarding the lovelines. If SJT cannot (yet) be the lover to Ok Ryeon much less a devoted one, it is because he has his reasons. Is it Gaya ? Or OR feels like family to him and he just feel a sense of responsibility for her? Is it her sister who he is looking for? Or could there be a greater and heavier task for him in the future?