There's not much real plot advancement in this episode, rather the episode sets things up to allow more progress in future episodes. They're now positioned more logically to investigate Arang's death and allow romance to blossom.
The special effects in this episode were disappointing. I'd been happy with the first three episodes, as they stayed with what they knew, resulting in smooth wire-work and smoky ghost effects. Their use of green-screens and CG here was incredibly unnatural.
So far, one of the most interesting elements of this series to me is the Korean concepts of death and the afterlife. It's not something I'm well versed in, so their legends, traditions and conceptualizations are novel to me. In this episode, I was particularly fascinated with their choice of scenery for the River Styx. Definitely not the Odyssey-inspired river I'm accustomed to.
I also really enjoy the seemingly petty approach the Kings of Heaven & Hell take to dealing with souls.
Summary:
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In this episode, Arang follows the lead ghost-catcher into the afterlife. After an entertaining jaunt across the River Styx and getting past a creepy guardian-creature-thing (see image), she meets the Emperor Jade and the King of Hell. They make a deal with her: she will return to being human for three moons. During that time, if she can find out the truth behind her death and kills her killer, she'll be allowed entrance into heaven. If she fails, she'll suffer an eternity in the worst kind of hell. The Kings have a bet going based on her challenge, but its clear they also have a larger goal, perhaps related to the missing souls that were discussed previously.
Arang returns in her spiffy new body, steals some new clothes, and appears before Eun Oh. He's understandably freaked that she's back, let alone that she got a new human body. Eun Oh has been coordinating her original body's funeral and leaves her behind to go to the burial. Interested in seeing her own funeral, Arang disguises herself (poorly) and follows. On the way, she bumps into Joo Wal, the shady nobleman's son. When they touch, Joo Wal's ring lights up, seeming to indicate that she's the right girl that he's been looking for. Just in time, too, because his full moon deadline is only one day away.
Scenes of Note:
- The Kings of Heaven & Hell casually discussing famine and plague as they play Go.
- The super-creepy guardian-creature-thing.
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