[Spoiler alert: If you have not seen Mr. Sunshine, the article below contains spoilers. Please stop reading now if you do not want the details to the episodes.]
Before we dive into Episodes 21 and 22, themed Be a Lion, let’s talk about the treaties and Emperor Gojong’s abdication.
In 1905 Japan-Korea Treaty, otherwise known as the Eulsa Treaty, was forced upon Korea. Emperor Gojong refused to sign the document, but he allowed the ministers to make the decision. In the end, five ministers, known in Korea as the Five Eulsa Traitors, signed the treaty. This gave Japan the right to make decisions regarding Korea’s international policies.
In 1907, Japan forced Emperor Gojong to abdicate this throne for the Crown Prince. We see the scene play out in Episode 22.
We see the baker reading a newspaper that describes:
“Tokyo Industrial exposition charged adults ten jeon and children five jeon to see a man and woman from Joseon locked up in a cage. The Asahi Simbun published a review that describes them as ‘hideous animals from Joseon’”.
We see the Japanese imperial flag hung everywhere including the doors in the palace. Koreans are tied together like animals as the Japanese soldiers beat them. We witness this cruelty as Lee Wan-yong makes the argument for Emperor Gojong’s dethronement.
“Your Majesty. People say that we were forced to sign the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1095. However, we are still an independent nation called the Great Korean Empire. The country is safe, and your dignity and authority remain intact. We are simply letting our neighboring country take care of a diplomatic matter for the time being. But how could you dispatch confidential emissaries to the Hague?”
We also see the names flash across the screen: Lee Jae-gon, Im Seon-jun, Go Young-hui, Minister of Justice Jo Jung-eung, Minister of Defense Lee Byeong-mu, Minister of Farming Song Byeong-jun, and Lee Wan-yong, who were known as the seven traitors of 1907. They signed the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1907, which placed domestic policies under Japan’s rule.
Song Byeong-jun continues by saying, “How could we betray them like that after everything Japan has done for us? The Japanese government will not let it slide. Your Majesty, if you are concerned for the safety of this country, you should take your own life to save your people from this crisis.”
Let’s think about this for one minute. One of the ministers of Korea just told the Emperor to take his own life.
Why?
Emperor Gojong had sent a secret message to contest the validity of the treaty that place Joseon under Japan’s rule. The ministers claim that the Emperor had place Korea in danger and need to do something to appease Japan’s anger.
Japan’s intention is clear. Either the Emperor dies or abdicate the throne.
Lee Wan-yong then steps out and points a gun at his own Emperor. Gunner Jang is the only one there to protect the Emperor as Japanese soldiers rush into the throne room with dirty boots and rifles pointed at the Emperor.
The country goes into mourning as people hang signs and cry on the streets. The Crown Prince becomes Emperor Yunghui, better known as Sunjong of Korea. He will hold onto the throne for just three years before Japan abolishes the Korea Empire in 1910.
Let’s go back to episode 21.
Eugene is finishing his last lesson before leaving Joseon. He has known for some time that Joseon would fall under Japan’s control. Evening knowing that Joseon will face a losing battle, he leaves them with these words.
“An Arabic proverb says that an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. Joseon is becoming more vulnerable each day. And when a nation falters, the first to become the target is its army. Japan will soon take control over the Board of Marshals and close down the Royal Military Academy first. They won’t think much of you, thinking that you are a herd of sheep, but you are already excellent soldiers. So, become a lion. Courage makes history. March forward with courage and retreat when necessary. This is how you will be remembered.”
It will take every bit of courage and strength to overcome what is headed for our characters.
These characters are lions or will become lions for their own reasons. But they all have a common goal – fight for independence.
Ae-shin
We see Ae-shin’s courage from the moment we met her. Rather than choosing the easy and safe routes, she chose the hard and dangerous ones.
When Eugene and Ae-shin part in Japan, Eugene makes his last plea. He asks her to go to America with him.
“Do you really want me to survive all by myself and not care about others at all?”
“Yes, that’s what I want. Why care about other people? Joseon can’t win against Japan anyway. Don’t risk your life for a fight you’ll lose. Let’s go. Come with me to America. I really cannot let you go like this. I’m certain that we have many options there. I’ll be sure to find a way.”
“Do you think I haven’t thought about that? Even though I’ve never been to America, I walked the streets there every day in my head, side by side with you. I studied there, and I even saw a zebra. Every night, we fell asleep together. And we laughed a lot too. In my head, I left Joseon more than a hundred times, but every single time, I came back.”
Ae-shin could never leave her comrades to fight the battle alone. She knows that her skills are valuable, and she cannot abandoned them. No matter how much she loves Eugene, her love for her people and country will always come first.
Lee Jeong-mun
Minister Lee Jeong-mun was kidnapped by Musin and the Musin boss thinks he can get Lee to betray his country.
“As for the Japan-Korea Treaty, we managed to get it signed without much difficulty thanks to your absence in Joseon. That, in and of itself, makes you a traitor who betrayed Joseon. Even if you decide to return, no one will welcome you. Since this already happened, how about you simply give up your loyalty? You must join hands with Japan if you want your life spared. Money, women, title. What do you want? Whatever it is we will give you more than what you ask for.”
Lee Jeong-mun is not in a position to negotiate nor is he willing. “Since I do not understand your language, you cannot defile my ears. I refuse to converse with you for I do not wish to disgrace my mouth.” With that, Lee tries to bite his tongue and they gag him. Lee is showing his resolve that he would rather die for his cause than to make any deals with his enemies.
Dosan Ahn Chang-ho
When Eugene gets out of jail after three years, he runs into a stranger, a Korean man. He asks for news of Korea.
“Japan won the war. In 1905, we were forced to sign the Japan-Korea Treaty. We basically lost sovereignty. The Residency General was set up and Joseon is now under the control of Japan. America was the first to join forces with Joseon, but they were the first to leave us as well. They even shut down the American legation office. Many countrymen are trying hard to spread word of this situation.”
Eugene gives the man his Korean name, Choi Yu-jin. The man says his name is Ahn Chang-ho.
“Joseon won’t give in easily. There are those who fight. The Righteous Army.”
“I’m one of them.”
Our encounter with Dosan Ahn Chang-ho was brief, but it managed to get Yu-jin to devote his life to the cause.
Dosan Ahn Chang-ho was one of the first leaders in the fight for Korea’s independence. Him and his wife migrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. He worked tirelessly for Korean’s independence and he was a founding member of the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai. He was arrested number of times, but he persisted and foght until his untimely death in 1938. He was a true lion.
Korean Soldiers
On August 1, 1907, Japan ordered the Joseon military to disband. The scene we see is the Korean soldiers’ resistance and subsequence blood bath. Jun-young remembers what Eugene said before leaving for American. “Be a lion.” So, Jun-young rallies the remaining soldiers to fight back. Gunner Jang leaves the deposed Emperor so that he could help fight off the Japanese soldiers. In his last effort to save as many young soldiers as possible. He lights the dynamite.
The Japanese soldiers were prepared with massive fire power. The result is the sea of dead bodies and mourning family members. The Japanese soldiers celebrate their victory with overflowing drinks and food.
The last scene in episode 22 is Glory Hotel full of Japanese soldiers blowing up as Ae-shin and Yang-hwa run away from the hotel.
Please join me for episodes 23 and 24, the conclusion of Mr. Sunshine.