[HanCinema's Drama Review] "A Korean Odyssey" Episode 12

An unfamiliar evil takes a familiar face in episode twelve of "A Korean Odyssey". The soul trapped in the coffin is here to claim what they want, and it will manipulate everyone in its power to get there. With the tensions between Oh-gong and Seon-mi rising due to their understanding of how fatal their bond can be, the group starts drifting apart. This is the absolute worst time for that, as well as for Ma-wang to start plotting once more.

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The romance between Seon-mi (Oh Yeon-seo) and Oh-gong (Lee Seung-gi) might be strained, but I am glad to see our heroine keeping her eyes on the cause. The rest of the group have not witnessed the end of the world like she has. She carries a lonely burden. I am curious about what the destruction of Earth would mean to the Heavens, however. Do they continue to exist or are they bound to us? So far, none of the supernatural characters in "A Korean Odyssey" (also known as "Hwayugi") seem to care about mankind much.

Speaking of others, Ma-wang (Cha Seung-won) getting a taste of the power he probably enjoyed as a demon is dangerous. As foreshadowed by the Librarian's demise, Ma-wang is selfish and goal-oriented. He lacks respect for the fates he wants to be in charge of. After all, this is why Oh-gong is being shown pain and responsibility now, so that he can be worthy of his title and the powers that come with it when he returns to the Heavens. Will Ma-wang evolve? His current "one step forward and two steps back" development is not promising.

Now let us tackle the rose-tinted elephant in the room. Asanyeo (Lee Se-young) looks like the Big Bad indeed, if Master Soo Bo-ri (Sung Ji-ru) needs to leave his place and attend to the matter personally. It has been 1000 years, Sam Jang is back and therefore whatever destroys the world has to come back in order to be fought. I still see Kang  Dae-seong (Song Jong-ho) as a potential vessel, but for now it looks like we may have a situation with Oh-gong on our hands. A temporary one, but a situation nonetheless, if Asanyeo is as strong as touted.

I hope that this will spark a change in Seon-mi and a change in focus. I feel like Seon-mi's character has become a plus one to Oh-gong's lately. Our heroine has done little outside of the romance, and we all know that her role is much bigger than holding the spotlight for a romantic partner. Perhaps Oh-gong being in danger due to her will boost her determination to stop relying on guidance and grab the bull by the horns. Probably the bull we know, too.

I am still waiting for the development of the other characters and for something to unite them. I hope that this will be the function of our new, and probably final villain. I have been wondering if all our monster misfits have different powers that can help Sam Jang on her mission, but even their superhuman strength, senses and their immortality can be of use. I just need the show to start bringing all the pieces together already.

"A Korean Odyssey" is directed by Kim Byeong-soo, Kim Jeong-hyeon-I, Kim Seul-ah and Park Hong-gyoon, written by Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran and features Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo, Lee Hong-ki and Jang Gwang

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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