I'm glad you're here to keep the fact in check for us. I've seen and read a lot as well and hate the the way the women treat their servants. Because most of the time their just venting their frustration of not getting their way with the the emperor. Excuse my language but I've always believed that"Shit Rolls Downhill". It's true for negative things.
As far as Kang goes I think the thing that helps him here in this story is that he's a demigod. In that respect he does not acknowledge or feel superior to the social class pressure like the others in the place succumb to constantly. He speaks his mind inot in a rude way but rather in a matter of fact way. As in its the way it is or n observation. His presence will definitely cause an uproar in the place for some and a wonder for others. Now how how will this effect the emperor and his reign. like will people try oust him, assassinate him, or accept it.. we'll have to wait and see.
BUT I'm definitely Ready to see them get closer and kiss. Oh yeah, have you noticed all the women look (drawn) exactly alike?
I actually haven't noticed how the women look alike because even the men look exactly alike (sometimes Kang and San looks the same if not for their identifying marks like mole, hair style, clothes worn) ... I identify the women with their hairstyle and clothes though. Like, I don't even remember the names of the 2 new concubines introduced in the story.
In a political sense, if word gets out that Kang curries the favor of the emperor, a lot of ambitious men/women would probably try to suck up to him in hopes of currying the emperor's favor too (and in the process, get promotion I guess? or business deals approved? or even get the emperor to notice them if they are women, and possibly become a concubine too).
What I do hope in the story though is for Kang to show more of his other talents aside from painting (but if they focus on the painting then it's ok too), I think the general consensus in this story is that a divine being has 'divine' talents not just one, like they're beautiful/handsome, talented, physically fit, etc (you know like a perfect being)... also, I still haven't forgotten the question of why Kang was sent to the mortal realm to pay for a sin he did as an immortal (that had something to do with San)...
I have a theory, that San is actually also a god (since his mother dreamed that a descending dragon went to her belly and she became pregnant with San) that either got punished to become a human or he willingly went down to become a human, then Kang in his divine form helped San rid of the current emperor, the divine beings got pissed cause San as the new emperor didn't believe in gods and destroyed temples and shit (and to Eastern wuxia/xianxia beliefs, a god is only as powerful as the amount of devotees he has like if he receives a lot of prayers, offerings, erected temples) so now Kang was punished for abetting San's behavior and was sent down to the mortal realm to meet the god hating San and have a taste of what it's like being hated by San (I'm guessing that Kang becoming a mortal isn't the actual punishment because his life as a mortal was too easy going and doesn't really feel like a punishment, also, don't you find it odd that Kang knows he's a god and is being punished but the content of his punishment and what lead up to it is erased from his memories? I'm thinking if Kang knows his punishment was to cross paths with the emperor San and suffer the fury of an anti-god emperor, he'd be smart enough to avoid San until his mortal days are over).
You've made a lot of good points that we'll have see as the story progresses.
1.The concubines... The reasons I brought them up was because in the last chapter when the group was talking by the pond and one higher concubine said said to another, "if the emperor visits me tonight I'll tell him to go to you tomorrow. The second concubine the higher was speaking to lokked exactly like the empress. I almost thought it was her for a second. It was just a passing remark. BUT I will say I love how the characters have a very Realistic look to them. They don't have those typical Manga features. I feel it helps give each character more individualism. Kand has an innocence in his look and the emperor I think look really handsome and a believable man in his 20's.Very unique!!
2.Kang fearlessness and intelligence, I agree is definitely going to be a draw for others in the palace. We've already seen it with his new household affairs assignment. They looked down on him until he started recalling numbers. I think he will contribute in all areas especially since the emperor drags him with him everywhere with him. BUT I also see the emperor getting jealous of something he wants to keep to himself.
.3. I do remember the dream the emperor had about the dragon and also that Kang doesn't remember his sin. I find it's interesting that in the last chapter Kang was thing about embracing the emperor. I didn't think he would fall that easy. I thought it would be the emperor first. And the emperor needs to watch these scolding that Kang receives because once he has a target on his back you the tricks they pull to try and get rid of someone...
4.. AND LAST KANG IS ONLY ON THE EARTHLY REALM FOR 3 YEARS? MONTHS? I can't remember. THIS STORY HAS ALOT OF MOVING PARTS. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT READ. I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING MORE PLOT POINTS IN THE FUTURE!!!!!
I watch korean historical dramas and there are times when I see eunuchs act belligerent towards the emperor, maybe eunuchs have a little more power in ancient korea than ancient china. This is a manhwa after all.
https://youtu.be/l1TWPn6LSy0
actually the eunuchs are quite powerful since they are considered the emperors caretakers and nannies you can look up abt it but this historical manhwa has a fun and comedic vibe I mean, compared to other manhwas so its probably just for the sake of the comedy
um, I don't have to look it up. I know how the chinese imperial system works .___.
eunuchs are only powerful to those below them, it doesn't give them the right to speak like that to an emperor, a favored concubine, an empress, or a favored princess/prince or any members of the royal family.
My point is, San is a powerful emperor, a belligerent eunuch like that is so out of character to the imperial system. But I think the author took liberties to make the story more relatable or less serious.
actually, all your reference are not historically accurate even in the ancient korean imperial system. those eunuchs with a lot of personalities are just for the comedy, real eunuchs cannot comment on the princess/prince/king they are serving... to be correct, eunuchs do not serve female royalties, only men. There are female attendants to princesses/empresses in the imperial system, whether it be Korean or Chinese. So that right there in the first 10 minutes of the link you gave is inaccurate.
the eunuchs are only powerful to those below them, they are not above or beyond reproach to the royal family. Offend a royal member of the family and you could get yourself demoted, punished, or killed (depending on how favored your position is to the emperor).
In the story, San is a powerful emperor who doesn't tolerate disrespect as what you can see in his demeanor (he only lets Kang be a little disrespectful because he finds him interesting atm), so his eunuch telling him that he 'needs' to go to the concubine is kind of not in character in the imperial system, but I guess the author took liberties to make the story more relatable (you know, like the eunuch acts like a friend that tells you stuff nicely, instead of seeing the eunuch as a bland servant who's subservient to his master).
yea i know, they are not powerful in the sense of they can do whatever they want towards the royal family but they are cunning, and often scheme to get powers but like subtly. like I said this has a comedic vibe that's why I agree with your point that the author deliberately made it to be less serious. but its not unheard of for eunuchs to take powers and revolt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26EivpCPHnQ
I have so much to say!!
After watching chinese harem series for quite some time, I am so happy I can understand some of the common things happening here.
First off, more bitchy concubines in the harem...I see...
2nd, I'm sure the new bitchy concubine will get pissed at Kang too after this cause the Emperor decided to go to Kang instead of her after picking her for the night.
3rd, it's kind of unheard of for a eunuch to act belligerent towards the Emperor by saying 'you must go to ***!' .... the c-dramas I've watch, the eunuchs usually do not question the Emperor's whims if he wishes to not attend the concubine's house midway, the eunuchs just announce to the entourage in which direction the Emperor wishes to go to, and everyone adjusts accordingly. That eunuch has guts, that's considered disrespectful to tell the Emperor what to do unless they're asked to.
The emperor doesn't have any obligation to go to a concubine's house if he changes his mind at any point in time at all.
Also, Kang get ready... you might get slapped by the new maids or the new concubines again (which I find super annoying like why can't we have good female characters in this BL story, someone who isn't out to get Kang?)