In ‘Gwigung’, Yook Sungjae finally found the shrine of Palcheokgwi, but was shocked to be attacked by Kim Sang-ho, who is possessed by Palcheokgwi.
In the SBS Friday-Saturday drama ‘Gwigung’ (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik), which aired on the 17th, the romance between Kang-cheol (played by Yook Sungjae) and Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon) began, bringing excitement to the viewers, while the identity of the shaman ‘Agugi’ controlling Palcheokgwi was revealed to be Pungsan (played by Kim Sang-ho), heightening interest. In the midst of this, Pungsan kidnapped Yeori, and although Kang-cheol successfully found the shrine of Palcheokgwi while chasing after her, a chilling development unfolded as Palcheokgwi possessed Pungsan, raising the tension to its peak.
As a result, ‘Gwigung’ recorded a peak viewership rating of 11.6%, with a nationwide rating of 9.8%, a capital region rating of 9.1%, and a 2049 rating of 2.6%, securing the number one spot in nationwide and capital region ratings for five consecutive weeks during the same time slot, sweeping the ratings for Saturday mini-series as well as the top mini-series ratings for the week, proving its strong box office power. (Nielsen Korea)
After confirming their feelings for each other with their first kiss, Kang-cheol and Yeori could not contain their excitement, bringing laughter. Noticing this, Yeong-geum said, “Life is nothing special. The best thing is to hold hands with the person you love and share your hearts,” expressing a sincere wish for them to live a normal life, which complicated Kang-cheol’s feelings, who had only hoped to become a dragon and ascend.
Only Bibi (played by Jo Han-gyeol) was displeased with their relationship, worried that Kang-cheol might get hurt, but Kang-cheol was disarmed by the love he discovered for the first time in a thousand years, trying to hold Yeori’s hand and earnestly advising her, “Never leave my side,” while also displaying romantic gestures like making spring flowers bloom on the street for Yeori, causing hearts to flutter.
Meanwhile, the two decided to cooperate again with King Lee Jeong (played by Kim Ji-hoon). Yeori pointed out that Palcheokgwi is not an evil spirit but a vengeful spirit, emphasizing that they must reveal its identity and resolve its grudge to solve the situation. In response, the king’s bodyguard Kim Geun-hoo (played by Kim Dong-hyuk) mentioned the swordsmanship skills displayed by Lee Jeong when he was possessed by Palcheokgwi, raising doubts about whether Palcheokgwi was originally a military officer. At that moment, Yeori revealed that the person who called her before she was kidnapped was Prime Minister Kim Bong-in (played by Son Byeong-ho), but Lee Jeong, who had strong trust in his maternal grandfather Kim Bong-in, speculated about the possibility of impersonation.
At the same time, Kim Bong-in and Pungsan plotted another scheme, increasing the tension. Kim Bong-in involved Lee Hwa-seong (played by Choi Gyu-jin), the fifth descendant of the Ho-pyeong Daegun, who lives far from the borders, and Pungsan deliberately made Lee Hwa-seong noticeable to the eyes of Jeong (played by Han Soo-yeon) to adopt him, raising curiosity about what kind of scheme they were concocting. Along with this, Lee Jeong, who saw Lee Hwa-seong in the palace, suddenly discovered something suspicious in the royal genealogy, heightening curiosity about whether a clue to unravel the mystery between Palcheokgwi and the royal family would be revealed.
On the other hand, Kang-cheol properly punished Gwak Sang-chung (played by Yoon Seung), the Minister of Military Affairs who killed Yoon-gap (played by Yook Sungjae). Kang-cheol secretly took Yeori’s talisman that has the power to nullify the charms and sneaked into Gwak Sang-chung’s house, rendering the ‘talisman to chase away the Imugi’ that Gwak Sang-chung carried useless and throwing it to Bibi as prey.
Meanwhile, as time passed, Kang-cheol’s feelings for humans deepened. He spent three months’ worth of salary for Yeori and Yeong-geum, and remembered a deity that Yeori had admired long ago, giving it as a gift, revealing his feelings without reservation.
Yeori also fully felt that heart and confessed, “Even without a body, you will still be Kang-cheol, and I will serve you diligently as your body servant. That is my way of repaying you for protecting me for so long and my heartfelt affection for you,” clearly stating that what she loves is Kang-cheol, not Yoon-gap, leaving a poignant aftertaste.
At the same time, a new truth surrounding the identity of Palcheokgwi was revealed, amplifying curiosity. Yeori learned from Monk Gaseop (played by Lee Won-jong), who came to deliver the lost Gyeonggwisuk (a stone that chases away ghosts), that 13 years ago, her maternal grandmother Neobdeok (played by Gil Hae-yeon) and Monk Gaseop fought against Palcheokgwi, and that he had hidden this fact for her sake, renewing her resolve. Kang-cheol learned through Bibi that the one who made the talisman to chase away the Imugi was Pungsan, and even obtained a clue from Lee Jeong that there is a royal bloodline that was not killed by Palcheokgwi, finally harboring hope that he could chase after the real person connected to Palcheokgwi’s grudge.
At that moment, an unexpected and urgent development threatening their lives erupted, exploding the tension. While Kang-cheol briefly left his seat, Pungsan’s servant Se-won (played by Han Seung-bin) kidnapped Yeori. Kang-cheol, who set out to find Yeori, discovered her fallen Yeonoksa (sand used for grinding crystal beads) under the palace wall and recalled Bibi’s words about feeling a strong aura from Pungsan, instinctively realizing it was Pungsan’s doing. He immediately headed to Pungsan’s office, secretly finding the hidden shrine of Palcheokgwi, delivering a thrilling jolt.
However, at that moment, Pungsan possessed Palcheokgwi himself and attacked Kang-cheol, leaving a chilling remark, “Your enemy is not me. It is the bloodline of that royal family. How can you attack me?” ending the episode with a shock. This raises questions about the true identity of Palcheokgwi, who harbors a deep grudge against the royal family, and how the fate of Kang-cheol and Yeori, who have just tasted the joy of love, will unfold in this life-and-death crisis.
Meanwhile, ‘Gwigung’ is a fantasy romantic comedy about a shaman Yeori, who rejects the fate of a medium, and Kang-cheol, an Imugi trapped in the body of Yeori’s first love Yoon-gap, facing Palcheokgwi, who harbors a grudge against the royal family, leading to a fierce struggle for body and soul. It airs every Friday at 10 PM and Saturday at 9:50 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
