In ‘Gwigung’, Yook Sungjae cried out at the sight of his younger brother, the Imugi Jo Hankyul, who was consumed after having his glowing jewel taken by the Palcheokgui.
In the 11th episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama ‘Gwigung’ (written by Yoon Soo-jung, directed by Yoon Sung-sik), which aired on the 23rd, Kang Cheol (played by Yook Sungjae), Yeori (played by Kim Ji-yeon), and Lee Jeong (played by Kim Ji-hoon) got one step closer to uncovering the identity of the Palcheokgui, while the increasingly human-like appearance of Kang Cheol made his younger brother, the Imugi Bibi (played by Jo Hankyul), anxious, leading to a shocking development where he lost his life after falling for the trick of Poongsan (played by Kim Sang-ho).
Episode 11 of ‘Gwigung’ recorded a peak rating of 9.5%, a nationwide rating of 8.7%, a metropolitan area rating of 8.1%, and a 2049 rating of 2.3%, maintaining the number one spot for six consecutive weeks in the same time slot and solidifying its position as the top mini-series of the week.
Taking advantage of Poongsan's escape, Kang Cheol saved Yeori and left the shrine. Thus, Kang Cheol, Yeori, and Lee Jeong learned Poongsan's identity, but he had already vanished. Yeori recalled that the missing Poongsan had called her a 'bait', making her anxious as she could not discern his true intentions, while Lee Jeong vented his frustration towards the Palcheokgui that pushed him into endless fear. Kang Cheol pondered over Poongsan's words and actions while possessed by the Palcheokgui, reaching the conclusion that the Palcheokgui knew him.
Kang Cheol, while helping Bibi (played by Jo Hankyul) who was devouring wicked nobles to ascend, ended up in conflict with Yeori. Kang Cheol advised Yeori not to be angry, saying, “It’s the work of the gods,” but Yeori expressed her disappointment, stating, “It’s divine punishment when a god kills a person, but when a person kills another, it’s just murder,” revealing her discontent with Kang Cheol, who had intervened in human life and death in the body of Yoon Gap (played by Yook Sungjae). Thinking that Yeori was worried about Yoon Gap, Kang Cheol couldn't sleep at night due to jealousy, and Bibi's hatred towards Yeori, who was already a thorn in his side, boiled over. Moreover, Bibi was shocked to learn that in order for Kang Cheol to eliminate the Palcheokgui, he would have to exhaust all the glowing jewels inside him.
As Poongsan's identity was revealed, Kim Bong-in (played by Son Byung-ho) was determined to clean up the aftermath. He hinted to Lee Jeong that there was a figure named Dae-bi (played by Han Soo-yeon) behind Poongsan, trying to cover his eyes and ears, but Lee Jeong grew suspicious of Kim Bong-in's attitude and went to find Dae-bi to expose Poongsan's evil deeds and ask who introduced him.
In this process, Dae-bi realized that she was the foolish mother who had sacrificed her son, Prince Yeong-in (played by Kim Seon-bin), to the Palcheokgui and writhed in pain. Meanwhile, Kim Bong-in attempted to kill Poongsan to cut off the tail, but under the terrifying presence of Poongsan possessed by the Palcheokgui, he reluctantly decided to hide Poongsan. The now emboldened Poongsan revealed another scheme, saying, “The Heavenly General says it’s time to pick the ripe fruit,” raising the tension.
Kang Cheol, Yeori, and Lee Jeong stepped closer to uncovering the identity of the Palcheokgui. They deduced that the Palcheokgui harbored a grudge against Lee Jeong's great-great-grandfather, King Yeonjong, who was a king 100 years ago, and that he was in Yongdamgol at the moment of his death during a war. Furthermore, Lee Jeong speculated that Choi Won-woo (played by Ahn Nae-sang), a descendant of the officials who served King Yeonjong, might know something, declaring that he would go to Yongdamgol in ten days.
Kang Cheol politely declined Bibi's request to hunt nobles. Bibi, feeling that Kang Cheol had chosen Yeori over him, was furious and shot back, “At this rate, I’ll even offer my glowing jewel to the Palcheokgui. It’s not that you possess that body, but that body has swallowed you. You’ve gone too far from the Imugi Kang Cheol.” After that, he stormed out. Yeori, on her way back after handing the Gyeonggwisuk (a magical stone) to Wonja (played by Park Jae-jun), witnessed their interaction and followed them, overhearing the entire conversation.
Unintentionally forcing a sacrifice upon Kang Cheol, Yeori felt guilty. Without showing any signs, she reaffirmed her passionate love for Kang Cheol, who stayed by her side and genuinely worried about her. Thus, Yeori said, “Kang Cheol, I no longer need the Gyeonggwisuk. You are my Gyeonggwisuk,” soothing Kang Cheol's heart, insisting that she wouldn’t confuse him with Yoon Gap. Furthermore, she added, “Without the Gyeonggwisuk, I can do things like this,” and kissed Kang Cheol, leaving behind explosive excitement and lingering feelings.
Yeori sought help from Monk Gaseop (played by Lee Won-jong). She aimed to find a way to transcend the Palcheokgui without the Imugi's glowing jewel. After discovering the identity of the Palcheokgui, Yeori decided to summon the ‘Hwadeok Chasa’ (a grim reaper who takes away the dead spirits) despite the risk of facing sudden death.
Bibi fell for Poongsan's sinister persuasion and ultimately put Yeori in danger. After luring Yeori with lies, Bibi intended to offer her as a sacrifice to the Palcheokgui at Poongsan's shrine. However, another scheme of Poongsan was lurking behind this. Poongsan lured Kang Cheol to the shrine, inciting a fight between him and Bibi, intending for one of them to lose their life and claim the Imugi's glowing jewel.
Realizing Poongsan's scheme, Yeori urgently tried to stop their fight, but Bibi was struck by a sword filled with energy meant for Kang Cheol, and the suddenly appearing Palcheokgui extracted the glowing jewel from Bibi's belly and swallowed it, shocking everyone. Ultimately, Bibi left behind the words, “I just wanted to protect you, brother. I was hurt and scared because you were going too far,” and vanished without a trace in Kang Cheol's arms, causing him to shed desperate tears that moved the viewers.
With Kang Cheol witnessing the end of the Imugi who lost the glowing jewel, the future of Kang Cheol remains uncertain, and the Palcheokgui, now emboldened after consuming the glowing jewel, raises questions about its next moves. The unfolding of ‘Gwigung’ continues to present a spectacular narrative that is impossible to predict.
‘Gwigung’ will air its 12th episode today (24th) at 9:50 PM.
