THE SWORD
OF
ARAMUN
EPISODE 12
LEE JOON
GI’S
GROUNDBREAKING
TOUR DE FORCE
ACTING AND
ACTION
PERFORMANCE
IN
THE SWORD
OF
ARAMUN
THE
GROUNDBREAKING
2023
TELEVISION SERIES
|
|
  The final episode of The Sword of Aramun, the twelfth, is the most exciting and beguiling of all the episodes written by screenwriters, Kim Young Hyun and Park Sang Yeon. It is unsurprising that the unique high fantasy television series, an intelligent television series which has captured the imagination of the global audience, has in turn, provoked animated discussions on the Internet. The screenwriters have managed to create a masterpiece and an instant classic. The sights and sounds of Arthdal and the Arth continent spring to life in the brilliant portrait of the high fantasy kingdom painted by the writers. The last episode speaks of the kingdom which is precariously poised on the threshhold of a new world.
The
Sword of Aramun, which is led by Lee Joon Gi, is a groundbreaking television series; it is the first of its kind in South Korean television history. Without a shadow of a doubt, it is an ancient war fantasy series of the
highest order; it has more action and martial arts scenes in this fantasy
series than any other fantasy series but what’s more striking is that it is a High
Fantasy series where the fantasy world building is astonishingly striking,
imaginative and creative. It is a television series when the gods walked amongst the people, including the Sarams, in the continent of Arth.
The
impressive television series, directed by the genius Director Kim Kwang Sik, and his
Assistant Director, Bae Tae Jong,
is filmed by another genius, the amazing Director of Photography or cinematographer,
Choi Chan Ming and his team. The television series would not have been
successful without the remarkable Director of Action and Martial Arts and his
action choreographers, the CGI experts, the remarkable Wardrobe and Make-up Departments,
the creative Director of Music, the
singers and their Amazing OSTs particularly, The Chosen One and Knock Down
The Giants. The posters featured below are quite well done.  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mZoZIKPkzonwX0AuHxIWdNqTav96GCO1g
A
brilliant television series without sterling actors to bring it to life is
meaningless. The Sword of Aramun sums up the breath-taking accomplishments of
the legendary Lee Joon Gi who has demonstrated his prowess and passion in his
acting, action and martial arts scenes. Lee is unlike some actors whose
presence and action scenes in certain dramas only amount to window dressing.
Critics, including armchair commentators, may have censured or found fault
with other actors but not with Lee Joon Gi. It demonstrates the respect and
awe the global critics, press, fans and audience have for him. In their
persistent minds, Lee Joon Gi is virtually synonymous with the great actors
of the world. Lee has yet again impressed everyone with his sterling performance
in the war television series, The Sword of Aramoon. His dual roles of Eun
Seom-Inaishingi-Aramun Haesulla and Saya are the most iconic fantasy roles in
South Korean television history and also iconic in global television history.
There have been no shortage of Hollywood television icons, but in the east, the
legendary genius Lee Joon Gi has long been considered the greatest male
actor.
The
charismatic Lee Joon Gi not only plays the dual roles of the identical twins,
Eun Seom and Saya, in The Sword of Aramun but also portrays dual gods,
Inaishingi (Ago leader) and Aramun Haesulla. Two-in-one. The gods come to
Arth in two voices - Inaishingi’s and Aramun Haesulla’s. And Lee’s portrayal
is full of passion, vim and vigour. In Episode 12, Aramun Haesulla’s fluent
and impassioned speech and oratory is stunning. The actor's portrayal of the
immature, ambitious and Machiavellian Saya is just as eloquent. It’s
impossible to dissect Lee’s allure but Lee Joon Gi’s screen personas, Eun
Seom, the heroic and gorgeous warrior, and Saya, a seductive Machiavellian but
vulnerable male, embody exactly what keeps the ladies swooning over; he is a
choice morsel on screen.
Although
Lee Joon Gi is better than Jang Dong Guan in acting performance, swordsmanship
and martial arts, he has displayed humility in being portrayed as less than
skilled in fighting in the final physical combat between Inashingi and Tagon,
played by the senior actor.
Lee Joon
Gi’s chemistry with Shin Sae Kyeong is extraordinary. Theirs is a fantastic
pairing. As Inaishing-Aramun Haesulla he is a handsome, strong, formidable,
masculine and athletic warrior, and regal leader, while she, as Tanya, is a
beautiful, feminine, elegant and gentle yet powerful figure.
Saya and
Tanya are also a force to be reckoned with. No doubt about it, they, the
Saguek King and the Saguek Queen are both casting coups for the production
company. Their collaboration has resulted in a magnificent, spectacular
performance and masterpiece television series, the best in 2023. It is
through their sheer talent, skills and virtuosity that they have fashioned
The Sword of Aramun into an instant classic.
The
other two leading actors, Jang Dong Gun and Kim Ok Vin, and important supporting actors have also contributed to
the success of the television series.
Speculation is rife that the tightly woven Korean masterpiece, The Sword of Aramun, has not come to an end. Saya and Taealha’s stories have yet to be told. Arok has grown up. Xabara Karika’s son whom Eun Seom had saved must have matured into a young man too.
Aramun Haesulla, the Owner of the Sword and Chronicler of the History of Arthdal has yet
to narrate his story. Perhaps Arthdal will rise powerfully from a kingdom into an
empire.
Many
would also like to watch a modern version of The Sword of Aramun. Since it is
a fantasy television series, the audience are waiting for the leading
characters, Lee Joon Gi and Shin Sae Kyeong, and other actors
who play important supporting characters to bring a modern saga to life. Why
not a Romance-Comedy Chaebol story with serious themes about the great Korean
industries – car / airline / shopping / handphone / hotel / etc?
https://arthdal.netmarble.com/tc ANCIENT KOREAN FANTASY SUPERHEROES
In this
final episode, a group of superheroes consisting of Inaishingi Eun Seom, the
High Priest Tanya, the Neanthals led by Nunbyeol, the Momo tribe led by
Xabara Karika, and a fledging hero, Saya gather to fight Tagon, the evil king
and Taealha, his ambitious, nefarious queen in the ground-breaking high
fantasy television series. The prophecies have come true. Inaishingi-Eun Seom
has become Aramun Haesulla. Saya mirrored his brother Eun Seom. The work of
the trio, Inaishingi Eun Seom, Saya and Tanya, has brought the rule of Tagon
to a decisive end. Aramun Haesulla’s ascension to the Arthdal throne marks
the dawn of a new era.
THE
NEGOTIATION FOR TANYA’S
LIFE  Inaishingi
Eun Seom was waiting for Queen Taealha for formal negotiations at his camp. It
was a sensitive situation which he had to navigate with caution and patience
since Tanya’s life was at stake. Seated at the negotiation table, he was
flanked by Ipsaeng who stood on his right and Badoru on his left. Sodang
and Yeobi accompanied Taealha to conduct the negotiations. Upon entering the
room, the haughty queen sneered at the leader of the Ago coalition, ‘So
you are Inaisinghi. You must be in deep sorrow because of High Priest Niruha.’  Though
it was a virtual slap in the face, Inaishingi wasn’t about to be cowed by the
imperious Taealha. He smirked when he slammed her with the fact that the
woefully defeated Arthdal had no other cards left except Tanya. Arthdal had
fallen so low that they had debased and demeaned themselves by threatening to
kill the High Priest. Taealha
dismissed his insult and warned that he would be given 2 days to retreat to
Molabeol, which would in the meantime be acknowledged as Ago territory and
Tanya would be sent to them. If he didn’t comply, Tanya would be beheaded.
Even
though startled, Inaishingi controlled his emotions and kept his fury under
restraint. Showing them his wrath would be a piece of evidence of his weakness. He was
to weigh his options which were seen to be unpalatable. Ago had no siege
weapons to launch any attacks on Arthdal. Ago’s supplies were low and winter
was fast approaching. The smug
Taealha boasted that Arthdal castle would never fall into Ago hands. It held
her fortress and her iron workshop, the showcase of the advance technology of
her Hae tribe. Those haughty words were spoken too soon. Taealha was living in
her illusion that Arthdal was impervious to external attacks. She had failed to
realise that Tagon, in his ambitious wars to forge a kingdom for himself, had
made so many enemies that Inaishingi had been able unite them and parlay their
strength into a formidable force against Arthdal. But, the fall of a kingdom
is not due just to external foes but also to internal sores. Inaishingi
was unimpressed with her braggadocio. His eyes lit up when he let off a bombshell. Though he did
acknowledge the dominance of the Hae tribe in tehnology, the Ago also had Hae
Kkadak, who was from the Hae Tribe, to work for them. He, with pride in his
voice, claimed that Ago was not in any way inferior to Arthdal. Her
snide response was, ‘You don’t think a bachi (craftsman or engineer) can
decide how the war ends, do you?’ Inaishingi
smartly sidestepped the question and asked why the king didn’t show up but instead
sent his emissaries to the negotiation. Her excuse was he, being the king of Arthdal,
‘was way out of the league of the leader of the Ago beasts.’ The
audience must have laughed at this point. She must have forgotten that Tagon,
who had been defeated in the recent war, was probably too ashamed and
humiliated to show his face.
Taealha
had unleashed an insult that was too caustic for the formidable Ago leader to
bear. Inaishingi was not going to submit so easily, he quickly rose to his
feet and told her pointedly that the negotiations could not continue.  The
emotionally distressed Inaishingi marched off and returned to his own tent.
He was raging that he had been demeaned. It seemed that he, the highly worshipped and respected god Inaishingi, was powerless to save
his beloved, Tanya.
 THE STRATEGIES OF WAR  Since the negotiations had broken down, the leaders had to
resumed the war preparations. Taealha.
Returning to the Fortress of Fire, the queen was in a tumultuous anxiety. Hae
Kkhadak, the foremost gyeokmulsa or scientist of the Hae Tribe, had betrayed
them. He had been involved in many of the projects in Arthdal. The
queen wanted to know if Hae Kkhadak knew of
the waterway from the Arth River to the Great Gochiju Rock lake. Hae
Kkhadak should have known about its existence.
She was
thinking of strategies of how to defend Arthdal. Yeonbal was ordered to block
off the entrance of waterway with huge rocks in the anticipation of an attack
on the waterway.
Inaishingi.
The Ago leader was hunched over the map of Arthdal. He remembered Taealha’s
words which had given her plans away. ‘You
don’t think a bachi can decide how the war ends...’ He
studied the map again, analyzing how the waterway from the Arth River to the
Great Gochiju Rock lake could affect the outcome of the war.
Chaeeun
suddenly appeared and praised him for triumphing over Tagon. She had not returned
to Arthdal alone. YELSON THE FINAL
HOUR 
Yeolson,
the very important Minister for the production of Bronze and Iron tools and
weapons, was standing precariously on one of the high points of the towering
walls surrounding Athdal. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he had attracted
quite a crowd. ‘Please release High Priest Niruha! I, Yelson, head of the
Wahan tribe, and the father of High Priest, beg you with my life, Please save
my poor daughter.’ The anxiety of the restless crowd towards the foreboding scene gathered momentum. Chojaha was edgy about what might happen. Yeolson, it seemed was bent on suicide if Tanya was not released. It was a tragedy waiting to happen. Many civilians were genuinely anxious for both father and daughter.
On the other side of the wall, Tanya who was tied to a pole, was being told of her father’s foolish intentions. She was filled with dread that her father was heading in the wrong direction but she could not prevent the impending disaster.
‘Arthdal has already entered the Iron Age. However, all knowledge and skills needed to deal with iron are only in here,’ Yeolson pointed to his head as he threatened furiously. ‘So if I die here, it will be the end of not just me but also all of the Iron age. If you let my daughter live, I will offer you everything, so please save her.’
Tagon suddenly appeared on the walkway of the walls. Yelson pleaded with Tagon, ‘I gave you everything, But I lost everything. You know why I tried so hard to gain power. Even when I made thousands of iron swords to protect Arthdal, I could not protect a single of the Wahans. If I cannot protect my daughter, who is all I have, what have I done until now?’
‘How
foolish and pitiful!’ the
king responded.
Yeolson pleaded with the king and told him that he couldn’t part with Tanya. Tagon promised him that they would not be parted. He stretched out his hand seemingly as a reconciliatory gesture.
Tanya
had forseen this and read Tagon’s thoughts and motives and she begged Notak
to stop her father but it was already too late. The former Tagon would have
yielded but not the present defeated Tagon, who was intent only on
destruction at the end of his rule. The helpless Tanya could only shed tears
for her father. Yeolson’s
final question was, ‘Can I trust you?’ to which the devious and
twisted Tagon replied that he, as the king, could be trusted and Yeolson
would be with his daughter. When Yeolson accepted his hand, Tagon pushed him determinedly
off the wall. A cold shiver must have run down everyone’s spine.
 It was a
cold-blooded act. No one could threaten King Tagon and get away with it. Although
Tagon’s days were numbered, he was intent on doing harm. The
citizens were shocked. The cruelty of the king was for all to see - in their
full and unobstructed view. They had no illusions about their crazy and tyrannical
king who had ruled over them for over a decade. Even Taealha and the soldiers
couldn’t hide their shock.   EARLY
MORNING MILITARY ADVANCE TOWARDS ARTHDAL  FIVE HUGE JARS
OF THE
POISON BISHWISAN Baekha,
a gyeokmulsa of the Hae Tribe, disclosed to Taealha that Tagon had ordered
her to make bishwisan, the colourless, odourless and tasteless poison.
He had taken her child as hostage. Taealha was
mistaken that Tagon wanted to commit suicide but to her horror, she learnt
that he had ordered 5 huge jars of bishwishan. Three drops were enough to
kill a person but 5 huge jars could kill a whole population. An ominous chill
must have raced through her body.  CONFRONTATION TAGON
VERSUS TAEALHA  Tagon appeared
to be a good father; the evil king was lovingly hugging Arok, their son. He instructed
Taealha to leave Arthdal with Arok and the Hae tribe.
The king had no illusions that Arthdal would win the war; Arthdal had already lost the war and would be at their mercy of the Ago coalition.
When Taealha claimed
that the White Mountain tribe and the Byeokjido would rescue them, he
clarified that the White Mountain tribe would not be coming. After seeing the
defeat of Arthdal in the forest, the disappointed tribe had returned home. The
Byeokjido had already surrendered to the Ago coalition. They had to face the
grim reality that Arthdal’s supplies would soon be cut off.
Since
they had already lost, Taealha persuaded him to leave together but he
refused. He explained that he had many chances to leave Arthdal since he was 7 years old. He had
killed his friends to ensure he could stay. When the negotiations with the Neanthals
broke down, his father told him to leave. He annihilated them in Atturad,
including his own Neanthal mother.
Taealha asked if he was fighting his war alone with 5 large jars of bishwisan. She had thought he would poison the Arth river but she was wrong. He didn’t seem to have any qualms about his plan to poison all the wells in Arthdal and killing all the residents within the walls of Arthdal castle. They would die together with him. None would be able to live there for a long time. Tears
fell from her eyes when she realised her husband’s cruelty. He refused to
leave Arthdal behind. His defeat meant that he and Arthdal would disappear
forever. It might become a ghost castle. It was a horrible reality that even she,
a villainess, couldn’t bear to face.
   Such a
monstrous king. Quietly, she whipped out her dagger with the intention to
kill him. He knew instinctively her intention but the ties and love that
bound them prevented her from acting upon it. And they hugged each other. They were
two of a kind. Evil and inhuman.
THE
COORDINATED ATTACK AGAINST ARTHDAL THE
ATTACK BY SEA THE MOMO
TRIBE       A strange bamboo raft, with many floating jars attached to it by ropes, was sailing towards Arthdal through a sea passage between 2 huge cliffs. It was an unusual but fascinating sight.
  None were expected to attack the beach area by the Great Gochiju Rock. Although the Arthdal soldiers had been stationed there, they were shocked to see some fast-approaching rafts.
   The Momo warriors, who were swimming underwater, leapt up from the water and landed on the beach. Swarming the rocky beach like wild beasts, they attacked the soldiers with great force.  Suddenly, someone sprang high up in the air from
the water. It was a spectacular and incredible sight. She appeared like a black spectre, silhouetted against the bright sunlight, flying down from the sky with her hair wildly floating around her.
With a
ferocious yell, the female warrior, swung her sword at the Arthdal military
leader as she landed on the rocky beach. When she raised her head, the
audience must have been shocked to see the beautiful Karika, the Xabara or
head of the Momo tribe.
None had
expected her to appear. Xabara Karika was there to avenge
the death of Karat, her stepbrother and the other members of her tribe who
had been murdered by Tagon’s soldiers and to resolve their galma, and
send them to the Land of Light.   The night before, Inaishingi had told his close advisors, Ipsaeng, Dalsae, Badoru, and Mirusol about the secret arrival of Xabara Karika of the Momo Tribe.
Dressed in fur, her entrance made a huge impression on the
Ago leaders. Karika prided in the fantastical sailing skills of the Momo
tribe who were warriors of the water. Their arrival, with the help of the
wind sent by their god, was timely. They would coordinate their attack on Arthdal.  The next day, when the Momo
warriors advanced towards the narrow passage to Arthdal, they discovered that the
waterway was blocked. The female warrior wore a beautiful, stunning black attire which
accentuated her physical appearance.
Yeonbal and his soldiers fired fire arrows at them and gave them a warning shout. A fire abruptly lit up in front of them. Xabara Karika ordered a retreat but they were not ready to succumb. Karika and her warriors lay hidden while waiting for another group of warriors to strike. The Neanthals.
 THE
NEANTHALS LED BY NUNBYEOL
Nunbyeol and her two male Neanthal friends, Issruv and Nosunaho, arrived to save the day. The female Neanthal had an axe to grind. She was there to avenge her adoptee father’s murder and the two male Neanthals were there to support her. They had met up with Inaishingi and his leaders and Xabara Karika to coordinate their attacks on Arthdal.
 Nunbyeol's eyes shone blue as she and her Neanthal comrades flew forwards to launch their attack on the soldiers. The two men actually soared into the air. The Momo tribe had also lurched forward in tandem with their attack. Fighting and chaos ensued.  THE AGO
WARRIORS MARCH IN The Ago warriors were already on the doorstep of Arthdal.    During the fighting, the Momos played an intrumental role; they opened the main gate of Arthdal to allow the Ago warriors, led by a serious-looking Inasinghi, to march in.
The gorgeous Ago leader nodded his thanks to Xabara Karika, the bewitching chief of the Momo tribe, for opening the West gate for them to enter and the female warrior responded in kind.
Thunderous, ferocious calls to the civilians to kneel or kowtow to Inaishingi rang throughout the streets.
Inaishingi,
with a lofty, masculine bearing, was an irresistable leader; he exuded an air, a most
pleasant aroma, as he swept his way across the fortified city. As the determined hero fought
valiantly across the city, the place collapsed like a house of cards.  TAGON’S TRUMP CARD The king and queen were
not deaf to the deafening triumphant roars of the Ago warriors. Gilseon reported that the Momos, who had
breached their defences via the Great Gochiju Rock, had opened the west gate
for the Ago army. Tagon instructed Taealha to take Arok and the bachis of tribe and escape via the secret passage in the Bronze workshop. She insisted on being told whether he would use the bishwisan.
Inaishingi
now held all the winning cards but what they didn’t know was Tagon actually
held the trump card, the bishwisan. Tagon was intent on using it as a
bait for Eun Seom and Tanya to die together with him. He refused to think of
the horrible consequences if his evil plan failed.
The king
painted a radiant future for Taealha and Arok. As long as Inaishingi, his powerful
rival and Tanya, the influential High Priest were dead, the various tribes of
the Ago coalition would fight each other over Arthdal. They would splinter
into pieces and be in ruins. It was then Taealha could return to Arthdal with
Yeonbal and Gitoha. With Arok as the legitimate heir, she could assume power
over Arthdal again.
But, Tagon had not expected his old enemies would appear to wreak vengeance on him; he had not factor in the cooperation of the superstrong allies of Inaishingi, the Neanthals led by Nunbyeol and the Momo Tribe led by Xabara Karika who were a threat at present or in the future. He had killed Yeolson so that she would be the best
gyeokmul of the continent. Had he known about the existence of Hae
Kkadak, the iron master of Ago, he would have thought twice about his evil
plans. It was his last gift to her, even if he ran the risk of failing and
killing the civilians of Arthdal.
Unsurprisingly,
the ambitious Taealha was greatly moved by the evil thought of future power
and glory that would finally be in her hands. She was mesmerised by Tagon
like a snake to a snake charmer’s flute and his music. Or perhaps, a serpent
had begun to coil itself around her brains. Her ambition knew no bounds; her
hunger and thirst for power grew unrestrained with his encouragement, ‘Promise
me that you will take over Arthdal again with Arok.’ She promised him.
INAISHINGI AND THE AGO
WARRIORS Inaishingi, like a regal king, and his coalition of determined Ago warriors, swept through Arthdal on foot. It was going to be the end of Tagon’s Arthdal. Some of the warriors wore the same outfit as Inashingi to confuse the defenders of Arthdal.
The leader of Ago and his army of warriors faced Gitoha and his soldiers head on. It was a fight to the finish. Both sides rushed fiercely at each other. Inaishingi, like a hunting panther, poised before he leapt into the air and struck death blows.  Inaishingi displayed some amazing moves with his sword. Juggling and twirling his sword skilfully, he savagely cut through flesh and bone of the enemy soldiers. His movements were swift and easy.    Mirusol, Dalsae, Ipsaeng, Tachukan and Bandoru were also skilled fighters. The great fighters of the Ago coalition were no fable. The fight took a heavy toll on the Arthdal soldiers.   One would have thought that Gitoha, a huge, fat and heavy soldier wearing a heavy armour would be an easy target. But, the task of killing him was not easy-peasy. Although he was pinned down by several Ago warriors, he was able to fend them off.
THE NEANTHALS The long-haired Neanthals led by Nunbyeol posed a frightening sight; the confident trio walked unopposed to the main castle building. On seeing them, soldiers guarding the doors fled the scene.
  The Neanthal men were in awe of Nunbyeol who viciously killed some fleeing soldiers. But Isruvv stopped her from killing one of the palace maids. His advice was their blue blood does not allow them to kill with hatred. Nosunaho supported him, ‘The laziest anger in the world is hatred. It stretches out everywhere. In the end, it will turn against you.' She caught the image of herself in a mirror.   SAVING
TANYA Badoru reminded Dalsae not to waste time fighting but whisk Inaishingi away to do what was most important - save Tanya. They were turning to go when an arrow aimed at Inaishingi left a warrior dead. He was wearing war attire which was similar to that of Inaishingi.
   Yangcha was heading to rescue Tanya but it was Mungtae who had made his way up the wall to where Tanya was tied to a pole first. He managed to kill the guards. She revealed that Tagon was planning to release bishwisan into the wells of Arthdal. Unexpectedly, Tagon had appeared and shot Mungtae in the back. Leaving him to die,
he brought Tanya away with him.
Inaishingi
and his team were obstructed by a new group of soldiers. After some heavy
fighting, they managed to escape.
Mirusol was
furious that Gitoha was still alive. She shot an arrow at him but was
intercepted by Yeonbal who urged him to escape. Gitoha, who seemed to have nine lives, was
urged to follow the king’s orders.
 Yeonbal
yelled the mantra of Arthdal’s elite Daekan troops led by Mubeck, ‘To the end of
what is long. To the bottom of what is deep.’ Now, what does it mean? Did
it refer to a river? AROK
DISSAPPEARS
Hae Tuak was angry with the maid for having lost Arok. Arok was running lose all over the place looking for his father, Tagon. Perhaps, he could not imagine leaving Arthdal without the king.
 He knocked into Badoru, who lifted him up and joked that Arok had attacked him. Had he known that Arok was Tagon’s son, he would not have been amused or amiable. But, luck was not on Arok’s side. The net in the image was a foreshadowing of what would soon happen; he would be caught by the enemy.  Someone who knew him intimately, abducted him.  Tachukan, Mirusol and Ipsaeng had finally laid siege on the fairy-tale castle. They arrived at the throne room or the court of the castle.
Tachukan exclaimed that it was magnificent. None of the members of the Ago coalition except for Inaishingi knew how the king and queen lived. The Ago beasts were filled with
wonder but the Mirusol was anxious to catch Tagon. She was not on the same
page as Tachukan who revelled in sitting on the Tagon’s throne and making
himself at home. PARALLEL
SCENES SODANG CONVEYS TAGON’S MESSAGE TO INAISHINGI Sodang arrived to convey Tagon’s message to Inaishingi.
When
they rushed forward to leave for the Great Shrine, Sodang‘s words stopped them
in their tracks. Inaishingi must appear alone if they wanted to save Tanya.
If not, they won’t be able to save her even if they took over Arthdal. MUNGTAE CONVEYS TAGON’S MESSAGE TO INAISHINGI Mungtae seemed to be fuzzy after the loss of blood. He was confused. When he saw Saya, he thought he was Eun Seom. He told Saya that Tagon had abducted Tanya and had whisked her off to the Great Shrine.
Tagon's message was that Eun Seom was instructed to go there to save her. When Saya disclosed that he was Saya, he also instructed Mungtae that when Eun Seom arrived, he was to relay Tagon’s message to him again. ‘Also, tell him that I went to save her first.’
Sibling rivalry. It showed that Saya was as highly competitive as ever. Anything to do with Tanya and Eun Seom seemed to arouse obsessive jealousy in Saya.
 TANYA, TAGON
AND YANGCHA ‘If I read your mind correctly, you’re such a sore loser,’ Tanya admonished Tagon.
She told him he had another chance.
 Yangcha arrived to save Tanya but she pleaded with him not to fight with Tagon. The King was not an ordinary person; he was an Igutu and stronger than any Saram.
Pushing her aside, Tagon rushed at Yangcha. The fight was fierce and Yangcha, though being skillful with his long chains, was defeated by Tagon. Yangcha explained to Tanya that he didn’t fight Tagon because of her. He was afraid about dying without emotions. After being defeated by Tagon, he was now shedding tears.  Tagon wanted to finish him off but Tanya shielded her former bodyguard. ‘If that was really your plan, I don’t think I should die here.’  SAYA Saya spotted a dead Ago warrior whose attire was similar to that of Inaishingi’s. The twin must have borrowed the clothes of the dead man and masqueraded as Inaishingi Eun Seom.
 TANYA
AND TAGON THE REAL
EVIL THAT IS TAGON
Tagon took Tanya to the pool next to the Great Shrine that she regularly frequented. She asked whether the bishwisan was in the pool and the maniacal Tagon replied in the affirmative. Four jars of bishwisan had already been poured into the pool. The fifth jar was still standing by the pool.  He explained that when the water rose up to a certain level, the floodgate below would open and bichwisan would flow into all the wells in Arthdal. She almost choked when she called him a completely insane person. It was an understatement. He was psychopathic and diabolical.
SAYA THE HERO TO THE
RESCUE
Saya, who seemed to be carrying something precious in a sack thrown over his shoulder, headed towards the Great Shrine.
While talking to Tanya in the Great Shrine, Tagon held Tanya’s ceremonial rattle in his hand. The hand-held percussion instrument was used in her religious ceremonies and dances. Tanya knew the king had used her to lure Eun Seom there. According to Tagon, Tanya was the mastermind of the radical changes in Arthdal. The audience would remember that the idea that Inaishingi could become Aramun Haesulla was Tanya’s. But then, according to the ancient prophecy, Eun Seom was destined to be Aramun Haesulla, the owner of the Sword. It was a prophecy and so, cannot be considered to be her brainchild. Eun Seom would surely come to the place where it all began. Tagon wanted it to end there. The saga of Eun Seom-Inaishingi-Aramun Hasulla would come a full circle in the Great Shrine.
 The door creaked open. The courageous and heroic Saya, masquerading as Eun Seom, stood in the doorway. The impersonator made a grand entrance. He was silhouetted for a moment in the sunlight. With the conspicuous sack on his shoulder, he slowly descended the steps. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, Saya unloaded the heavy sack on the ground and demanded that Tanya be released. If he thought that the king would acquiesce that easily, he was in for a disappointment. Throwing a dagger over to Saya, Tagon quoted the price of Tanya’s life – his death. Tanya was desperately fearful that Eun Seom would sacrifice himself for her.    The tables were turned on Tagon. Instead, Saya quoted the price for Tanya’s life. His hostage, Arok. Slicing open the sack, he revealed the face of Tagon’s son. The boy had been given some medicine to make him sleep. Saya could have easily put him to sleep with some poison but killing him was of no benefit. Arok would wake up before the sun set only if Tanya was set free. Tagon, who was enraged and incensed, was incredulous that Eun Seom, a symbol of righteousness, would actually kill an innocent child. But Saya was not Eun Seom. Tanya had sensed that too. Unlike Eun Seom, Saya had a wicked smile and the sinister look plastered on his face gave him away. Tagon knew Saya meant business. The younger man made a cut across Arok’s face. A line of purple blood appeared. He threatened that it would not be just a light wound the next time round.     Meanwhile,
Eun Seom and Dalsae were warned by Mungtae that Tagon was planning to release
the bishwisan into the wells in Arthdal. Mungtae urged him to save the
abducted Tanya and Arthdal. Inaishingi left Dalsae to look after the injured palace guard.  AN EVIL
GAME Nobody threatened Tagon. If they did, they suffered the consequences. Enraged, Tagon furiously shook the ceremonial rattler. The loud rattling sounds echoed throughout the cave. It could be heard faintly outside the cave where a soldier was awaiting instructions. It was an indication to him to begin what he had been ordered to do.
 
Turning to Tanya, the sanctimonious Tagon urged her, ‘You’re the only one whom I can trust now. You have no time. You have to run.’ Tanya was released. Having read his mind, she knew what she had to do. She left quickly for the pool. The mendacious and devious king was playing a evil game. It was a race against time. The High Priest had to stop the poison from being released.   Tagon leapt up and slashed Saya who lacked a reputation as fighter. The king thought that if he killed Eun Seom, the coalition of 30 disparate tribes would break up and everything would be back to square one. Eun Seom was the key to their unity. Saya was a hero. Although he lacked fighting skills, he was courageous and attempted to save Tanya from the clutches of the evil king. He was severely wounded by Tagon.  EUN SEOM THE HERO TO THE RESCUE Saya was saved from death by the timely appearance of the courageous hero of the story, Inaishingi Eun Seom, his twin brother. When Inaishingi leapt down the steps, his image was reflected on his Saya’s obsidian Ikomahis pendant which had a reflective surface. Saya mirrored his brother, Eun Seom. Tagon was reminded of the prophecy of Asa Hon, ‘Break the Mirror first. The day when the Mirror reflects the Sword will be the end of your world.’ Saya was the Mirror and Eun Seom was the Sword, and the Mirror reflected the Sword.
  Eun Seom sprang and vaulted from the stairs. With one great leap, he kicked Tagon. It was an exciting, fast and furious fight. Both were Igutus, who had Neanthal blood and were stronger than Sarams. Unlike Saya, they were also trained in physical combat and swordsmanship. But, Tagon, who was middle-aged and years older, was expected to be in a weaker physical condition compared to Inaishingi who was always in the thick of physical combats in wars.  The audience braced themselves for what they thought was the fight of the century but were instead sitting on the edge of their seats when the hero underwent a most humiliating fight. You would have thought that Tagon had lost some of his shine but he, in a life-and-death situation, was utterly desperate and fiercely determined not to lose. Desperation made him stronger. The fight lasted longer than expected. Tagon, like one possessed, seemed to have the upperhand when Inaishingi fell to the ground. When Inaishingi pulled the king down with him, they rolled over the ground before Tagon kicked him. Inaishingi was trounced and thrown against the wall. When Inaishingi bounced back, he was thrown against the wall of the shrine a second time. Then, gripping his hand, Tagon slammed Inaishingi a third time against the wall. Inaishingi was punished so badly that it was thought to be the endgame for him.  Both twin brothers had fallen and at the mercy of the king. Inaishingi was coughing. Tagon targeted the younger but stronger twin. Inaishingi was thrown around like a rag doll a fourth time.  Inaishingi, suddenly surging with renewed energy, kicked Tagon and their swords met. But, Eun Seom was pushed to the ground. Just the thought of Eun Seom’s helplessness gives the audience palpitations. Pressing his chest down, Tagon tried to stab him but missed. The Ago leader rolled away and leapt to his feet.   Tagon seemed not just equipped with better skills but a better sword as well. His sword was broader and longer. Then they crossed swords again and as Tagon thwacked him, Eun Seom staggered to his feet. Swinging his bigger sword at his opponent, the king managed to stab Eun Seom. Their swords crossed again. Tagon’s sword pressed heavily against him. Both Eun Seom and Tagon’s eyes turned purple. Eun Seom slowly slid his sword away and then, with one swift move, he stabbed Tagon in the stomach. He unceremoniously yanked the sword out. Purple blood poured out from Tagon’s wound.  Saya, who had witnessed the fight in horror, felt stabbing pain in his shoulder. In the physical fight, it proved that the longer and broader sword may be useful but the shorter sword was in no way less effective.  THE GOD
ARAMUN HAESULLA THE
MASTER OF THE
SWORD Even
with the pain of his wound, the crazied Tagon, fuelled with rage, lifted up
his rival and threw him down. Picking up his sword, he swung it at Eun Seom. But Eun Seom
had powerfully wrenched his special Aramun Sword from the tree stump. Spinning swiftly
around, he slashed at Tagon’s neck. Tagon had met his match. He staggered to
the ground. Momentarily shocked to finally defeat Tagon, Inaishingi stared at
his sword stained with the purple blood of Tagon. Realization
dawned on Inaishingi Eun Seom that he was indeed the god, Aramun Haesulla, as
foretold in the Arth prophecy. The sword in his hands was The Sword of Aramun.
Tagon was groaning heavily.
The Ago warriors
arrived and pointed their swords at Tagon. Inaishingi stabbed his sword into the tree stump and ran to see his twin brother who was in pain. He asked him where Tanya was.
Both brothers understood each other. Saya had finally realised that his bother was the Master of the Sword. Saya was sent to be treated.
TANYA THE
HEROINE TO THE
RESCUE THE POOL
OF BISHWISAN Tanya had run to the pool but she was too late. The fifth jar of bishwisan had already been released into the pool. She sat helplessly by one of the opened jars.  There was only one thing to be done. It was a sad decisive moment. Without thinking of herself, she jumped into the pool filled with bishwisan and tied up the locks of the floodgate so that they could not automatically open. And the bishwisan would not be released into the wells of Arthdal.
 THE
DEATH OF TAGON Not knowing what had transpired between Tanya and Tagon, Saya naively claimed that he had saved Tanya. Inaishingi was none the wiser.  Tanya smiled in relief after preventing the poison from seeping into the pools of Arthdal.  Tagon sneered, ‘Do you think you’ve won? We both lost.’ He explained why he released Tanya and about the bishwisan in the pool.    Tanya
could read Tagon’s thoughts, ‘In this long battle, only you, Tanya have
won. You saved Arthdal. Thank you, Tanya.’ The perfidious king thanked her for sacrificing herself. She was Tagon’s sacrificial
lamb. Tanya
told Inaishingi that there was no time for revenge. With tears in her eyes,
she told him that they had to do something before her time ran out. She had previously sent him a letter, so he should know what had to be done.   As Saya
was taken away to be treated, Chaeeun told him that Tanya’s body had been soaked
in bishwisan. Saya insisted on seeing Tanya but they would not let him go. Eknad,
the Neanthal, and his Igutu sidekick, had appeared. They abducted him with
the intention of bringing him to their faraway homeland in the far west.  TAEALHA AN IRRESISTABLE
OFFER
Taealha arrived at that moment to make an offer Inaishingi couldn’t resist or refuse. Bishwisan was made by the Hae tribe so they had an antidote for it. She looked at her son Arok and was shocked. She said her last goodbyes to Tagon, telling him that he did his very best. She promised to save Arok; she would take care of everything and she told him to rest. With that she plunged her dagger into his back to end his pain and suffering.
Tagon lived by the sword and died by the sword. Those who live by violence die by violence. Airuju, the highest god of Arthdal, was the witness of his death.
Taealha promised Tanya a chance to recover as she had brought with her a phial of antidote for the poison, bishwisan. She would exchange it for her son’s life and they would leave. Inaishingi was desperate. He, at that life-threatening and crucial moment, could do nothing but trust her; he accepted her terms.
 INAISHINGI-ARAMUN
THE ELOQUENT
SPEECH OF A
CONQUEROR
After his near-death ordeal, Inaishingi walked to the front of the palace to give a speech. As he took centrestage, all his warriors saluted him. The Arthdal people were confused as their king had died and their queen had fled.
 Inaishingi gave an impressive speech which would have far-reaching repercussions on the people. First, Inaishingi announced that King Tagon, was dead. It seemed strange that some of them had still not realised that a dead Tagon was better than a live Tagon. He was an evil tyrant. Some were in mourning. Some were surprised. Many seemed worried that the Ago beasts would take over their kingdom.     With Tagon’s death, Inaishingi reassured them that he would end the fight between Ago and Arthdal. It would be the end of death and destruction that characterised Tagon’s rule. Peace would prevail in Arthdal. The triumphant leader had the weight of the Arth world on his shoulders. He was intelligent enough to proclaim that he, ‘would not take and Arthdal would not be taken away.’ What he actually meant by that statement was obscure. It was clever political talk to make people believe that he, Inaishingi was not a conqueror and Arthdal was not conquered. It was just a seamless transition from Tagon’s rule to his rule. From the rule of an Igutu leader to another Igutu ruler.
 Mirusol and the other Ago leaders shouted that it was due Inaishingi’s benevolence, but the civilians were still confused. The fact was, Arthdal had been conquered by Inaishingi Eun Seom.
Yeonbal and Gilseon had been subdued but Yeonbal rose to his feet and instigated the people that Inaishingi was lying and exhorted them not bend to the rule of the Ago beasts. Gilseon also rose to challenge Inaishingi. He claimed that despite losing the war, the people of Arthdal were Sarams and they would be Sarams until death. These short hate speeches stirred the hatred of the people against Inaishingi and the Ago warriors.      TANYA THE KINGMAKER Inaishingi was reminded of Tanya’s words, ‘Fear is the seed of hatred.’ The voice of Tanya, the High Priest, the reincarnation of Asa Sin, magically filled the air, ‘Abandon you fear.’ She, a god, called the civilians, ‘My People’ and urged them to remove the fear and hatred from their hearts. Her presence seemed to calm the people down.
TANYA’S STRATEGY
A POLITICAL MANIFESTO FOR INAISHINGI EUN SEOM
A pale but regal Tanya appeared amidst the tumultuous crowd and walked through them, saying, ‘We destroyed everything we were afraid of. We hated everything we were afraid of. We looked down on everything we were afraid of. And we persecuted everything we were afraid of. We did so with the Neanthals, the Igutus, the Sarams of Iark, the Ago tribe and countless strangers. So for many years, tears made up a stream and blood flowed like a river.’   Though weak and weary from the effects of the poison, Tanya had laid the foundations for her argument. Taealha’s reminder to Tanya floated into Inaishingi’s mind. ‘When you drink the antidote, you will fall into a deep sleep. Do not fight it, Tanya.’ But, it seemed Tanya had fought off sleep to do what she, the High Priest, had to do. She had to ask Inaishingi leading questions so that the people could be persuaded to accept him as their leader. Tanya walked halfway up the stairs to the palace and turned. She stood between Inaishingi Eun Seom and the people. She had assumed the role of a mediator, the in-between person, as symbolized by her position on the stairs.
‘Therefore Aramun came as an Igutu. Therefore, Asa Sin (Arthdal’s legendary Sacred Mother) went to Iark. Therefore, Airuju is going to entrust Arthdal to a stranger.'
  Then she turned to Inaishingi, a stranger in their land, ‘Let me ask you. Who are you?’ She nodded to encourage him to speak what he should to influence the Arthdal people to accept him as their king. Inaishingi was troubled by his new role in the new world they hoped to implement. But, he complied with her wishes as she was in a delicate situation.
Looking confidently at the sea of faces, he proclaimed, ‘I am the son of Ragaz, a warrior of Neanthal, and the son of Georukmihon of the Asa Clan of Arthdal. I’m Eun Seom of the Wahan Tribe of Iark. I’m Purple, an Igutu slave of Gitbadak, Doldambul. I’m the stranger who surivived the Judgement of the Waterfall, Inaishingi.’
  Tanya
then asked him, ‘Will you treat Arthdal and Ago equally, cherish them,
look after them, and protect them?’ Without
hesitation, Inaishingi spoke, ‘Am I a Neanthal or of the Asa Clan? Am I a
Wahan, an Ago, or an Igutu? Can I be distinguished? I will not distinguish
anyone. I shall cherish, look after them and protect them. I promise.’
Inaishingi
promised that he would build that world.
Tanya took a few steps up the stairs and asked him, ‘Do you promise not to take away any Arthdal faith, but make a world where anyone can believe in any god they want?
Tanya
took a step forwards and posed another question, ‘Will you build a future
where everyone works towards making the world a better place?
‘I will
build that future with all my heart,’ he responded firmly. He promised for all to hear. Faces lit
up. Some were awed by the speech.
It
seemed like Tanya was trying to build up an election manifesto for Inaishingi,
a savage warrior, who had no political experience. The next thing she did was the use of reverse psychology, a manipulative strategy, on the people of Arthdal. She was compelled to use it to influence the tense civilians and to achieve the outcome she desired.
Tanya stepped up and stood beside him, turned to the audience and cleverly asked the people a strategic question. She did not ask whether they accepted him as their king but assumed that they had given their approval. What she asked them to do was different from her true intent. She wanted them to say yes to him being the ruler and they responded by doing exactly what she wanted them to do. Her persuasive strategy, an indirect approach to getting what she wanted, was effective. ‘Now, I ask you, the people of Arthdal. He has made his promise. If he does not keep his word, will you drag him down, chew on his flesh, and drink his blood?’ Inaishingi was shocked by the violence in her words. So was everyone. Tachukan looked incredulously at her.
Yangcha, a Child of Sahati, who was bred and trained in violence, spoke up, ‘I will chew his flesh and drink his blood. I promise.’ His loud acceptance drove the people to agree with one voice. They cheered and immediately accepted Inaishingi as their leader. The reverse psychology she used produced a positive effect on the crowd. But, there was one more hurdle to overcome.
THE GOD OF ARTHDAL
Upon making his sacred promise, Tanya the powerful Kingmaker, proclaimed Inaishingi Eun Seom as the ruler of Arthdal in the Year of the Hungry Snake, the month of the Hawk.
But Chojaha, Tagon’s former close advisor, interrupted the proceedings and objected to it, ‘The only person that can rule Arthdal is Aramun Haesulla.’
It was the moment Inaishingi and Tanya fully anticipated.
The High Priest of Arthdal reminded the people about the prophecy of The Sword of Aramun.
THE SWORD OF ARAMUN AND THE SEXY ARM OF ARAMUN
Inaishingi turned towards the tree stump that had been brought from the Great Shrine. He pulled out The Sword of Aramun easily. Raising his right hand, he ripped off the right sleeve of his robes to show the vivid and unusual Lichtenberg Figures on his powerful hand and arm which matched those on The Sword.
 The Arthdal people were astonished; they were in awe of the god, Aramun Haesulla. So were the audience who had seen the television series.
The crowd suddenly sprung to life, ‘He’s Aramun Haesulla!’ Aramun Haesulla’s raised muscular arm, no - muscular and sexy arm, evokes a powerful feeling. Watching Aramun Haesulla's raised hand is a sensual experience. It is your guilty pleasure if you enjoy watching it. It wouldn’t be surprising if people start covering their arms with such Lichtenberg Figures tattoos after watching the television series.
THE LIVING GOD
The god, Aramun Haesulla, a regal figure, did not just lived in the dreams of the people of the Arth continent but also appeared alive in their midst.
Aramun Haesulla, who looked masculine and manly, maintained a poised demeanour with his legs astride throughout his interaction with the people. His regal and royal poise, with his hand raised in triumph and victory, was an impressive sight. Parading his sword for all to see, Aramun demonstrated that he was in a league of his own.
Aramun Haesulla, the living god walked and lived among them, the Sarams and the other peoples of Arthdal.
All the people rejoiced and raised their hands to acknowledge him. Even Chojaha was impressed. Tanya was proud of him. Both turned to ascend the steps of the palace amidst the roars of approval of the crowd.
TANYA’S ADVICE
Tanya advised Inaishingi not to be fooled by the cheers. Winning their hearts had to begin then.
He reminded her not to fight off the sleep. Inaishingi desperately wanted to trust Taealha with all his heart and soul. She had advised Tanya that 30 minutes after she had drunk the antidote, she would fall into a deep slumber but nobody knew when she would wake up from her dreams, or what would happen. Exhausted, Tanya said she had to go. ‘A god does not fall.’
The doors were opened for them. As they closed, she collapsed into his arms and went into her deep slumber.  THE REIGN OF ARAMUN HAESULLA
Chaeeun narrated the very sad story which brings tears to one’s eyes, ‘The god fell asleep. And Nunbyeol left.’ Chaeeun’s story of Eun Seom reassured the viewers that he was a god. Even Chojaha talked about the reincarnation of the god, Aramun Haesulla. Aramun Haesulla did not rest. However, although he worked without resting, the world did not change as fast as he had hoped. He looked for his twin brother, Saya, without resting but he couldn’t find him anywhere.
Aramun Haesulla looked after Tanya as she slept but Tanya, the god, the reincarnation of Asa Sin, did not wake.
 
Stress and anxiety were like the iceberg above the water. Only part of it can be seen but what is unseen lies below the water. That was the life of Aramun Haesulla.
Then one
day, the great doors of the throne room opened and Chaeeun stood there
breathless. Aramun Haesulla knew at once what it meant.
THE
SLEEPING BEAUTY OF ARTHDAL WAKES Tanya had awaken. Aramun Haesulla rushed to her sleeping quarters. Happiness filled his heart.
He remembered her last few words before she fell into her deep slumber; she had given him a huge burden on his shoulders, probably too big for him to bear.
He told her it was okay because he was her dream, the name she had given him and he would live up to it, as he had promised.
‘You came back to me and became my dream,’ she murmured. ‘Promise me too, that you’ll wake up no matter what. That this isn’t the end. We finally got together. Promise me now.’ And, she promised.
When he opened the bedroom door, she, dressed in her beautiful fairytale night gown, was sitting on her bed. Tears of happiness and joy brimmed in their eyes and also, the eyes of the viewers. They kissed, of course.
SAYA ME,
MYSELF AND I  It has to be stated here that Saya in the Malay language means ‘Me, Myself and I’. Tanya means ‘ask’. Saya cintakan mu. I love you. (Romantic love. Mu = short form for kamu)
Bapa sayangkan saya. Father loves me. (Family love)
Saya sayang diri saya. I love myself.
Inaishingi-Aramun Haesulla is the epitome of righteousness and goodness. He is the fairytale superhero. But, does Saya represent the majority of human beings who have positive and negative qualities? Although he does have some unpleasant characteristics, he can be heroic at times. Perhaps, the hero resides in us all. It would be unsurprising that Saya might be a superhero-in-waiting.
Saya, after being abducted by Eknad, was carried on a ship to Irkebaek. It had been a long journey to the far, far west. Eknad has asked whether Saya felt resentful that he was brought on the journey unwillingly? The Igutu did not respond.  The net in the background symbolizes that Saya had been trapped.
Saya thought Tanya was dead. Imagine Saya speaking the Neanthal language with Eknad. Sounds so sexy. He must have learnt it during the long sea journey.
Saya was told they would be meeting Father god soon. Fther god would surely ask what Saya wished for. What did he want?
The Machiavellian Saya rose to his feet and smiled menacingly, ‘Arthdal.’
Wasn’t it a conflict of interest? Arthdal was under the rule of his very own identical twin brother, Aramun Haesulla. There are so many exciting possibilities ahead of him but why Arthdal?
 THE
CHRONICLES OF ARTHDAL ACCORDING TO TAEALHA WRITING
OR REWRITING OF  The story ends with mother and son in a room in a far away place. Taealha and Arok. The grown up Arok was playing with a rattle with an image of the god, Aramun Haesulla.  The rattle was a grim reminder of an attempted murder. It was a gift from a bachi from Aram village who made an attempt on Arok's life. Arok was compelled by his mother to personally kill the other assassin. A young victim had been trained to be a cold-blooded killer.  Taealha, attired in military clothes, was writing her own story about Arthdal on a piece of parchment.
She asked her son, ‘What do you think makes a country?’ Her answer, ‘A story. A country is made with a story.’
She was writing her own history. Or, was she rewriting history? The Chronicles of Arthdal according to Taealha. Gitoha, who had aged entered and announced they were ready for war. It seemed Tanya’s ambition was to retake Arthdal.  
NETMARBLE
GAME ARTHDAL
CHRONICLES: THREE FORCES
Lee Joon-gi promotes the release of the upcoming NetMarble game, ‘Arthdal
Chronicles: Three Forces’ based on the drama, The Sword of Aramun.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz0ABHWpIlN/?hl=en |
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