By the end of Act One in 바람의나라 [The Kingdom of the Winds], it was clear that young and gentle Prince Hodong was resolved in his heart and mind to follow in his father’s footsteps, declaring not only to his protective and wise spirit animal the phoenix, Byungari, but to himself, that he could be the king his father wanted him to be.  But his phoenix knew Hodong better and what was more important, Byungari knew the dangers and treachery within the kingdom and how unsafe it was for Hodong. She also knew that in his heart he doubted his ability to rule a kingdom. Still, Hodong rebelled against the phoenix and began to emulate his father’s warrior nature. Today’s G.O One Shot comes in .gif form of the young prince making it known to his questioning spirit animal that he will be the warrior king his father wants him to be.

It was impossible to not feel for the young boy prince. I really understood Hodong’s desire to please his father. And not just please him, but prove to him that he was capable of being a king. On the other hand, I agreed with the wise Byungari  because she knew in Hodong’s gentle heart that he was not a warrior and that he did not want a kingdom splattered with blood.

Unfortunately, Byungari could not stop Hodong, even when she implored him to listen to her, to pause and truly listen to his own heart. As a result, the consequences for them both were irreparably devastating.

In all of its sadness, I cannot help but love this story and its characters, especially Hodong and Byungari. For me, they represented what was positive in the kingdom even if they could not escape the tragedy of their fates.

~♥~