Growing up, I enjoyed watching phim bộ (or T.V. series). Some of the series I enjoyed included The Legend of the Condor Heroes (Anh hùng xạ điêu), The Return of the Condor Heroes (Thần điêu đại hiệp), and General Father, and General Son (Tiết Đinh San và Phàn Lê Huê) to name a few.
Within the past few years, you all might have noticed that there has been an "invasion" of Korean drama (or K-drama) on live-streaming services like Netflix, PrimeVideo, and even Hulu/Disney+. I have enjoyed watching series like "The K2" and "The Story of Yanxi Palace" (currently streaming on Prime Video); "A Rational Life", "Autumn's Concerto", and "The Glory" (currently available on Netflix), and "Perfect Crown" (on Hulu/Disney+). I am sure I have seen others but these series stand out because on the compelling stories and character development, and to an extended, the soundtrack.
As a side note, the way to watch these series is to pace yourself and be disciplined. For example, watch 1 or 2 episodes a day. However, there will be times when an episode ends with a cliff-hanger and you cannot help but watch another, especially as the series reaches its climax toward a conclusion to the storyline. Now that we have gotten a bit of background out of the way, here is the purpose of this blog, which I have titled, "The Downfall of Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (K-Drama "Perfect Crown")"
In "Perfect Crown", there is a love triangle amongst the three main characters - Grand Prince I-AN, heiress Soeng Hee-joo, and Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo (pictured below). I will not delve into this storyline, except to say that Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo is the odd man out in the end, but not for the lack of trying. However, throughout the show, the prime minister never did anything to compromise his morals as a Catholic-Christian and the integrity of the office that he holds. There was an episode where we see the Prime Minister attending Mass. He also wears a Rosary around his wrist at all times.
However, in Episode 9, we see Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo visiting his father's gravesite as he contemplates his next moves. The Queen Dowarger was also present (see picture below) to pressure him to take certain actions. Right before he leaves, he removes that Rosary around his writ and puts in on his father's grave. Right then, I knew that he was prepared to set aside his morals, honor, and integrity to do whatever it takes to ensure that he gets what he wants. Soeng Hee-joo even notices and points out to him that he is no longer has his Rosary. In the end, the Prime Minister loses everything - the trust of his friend, the Grand Prince, the respect of his friend, Soeng Hee-joo, his honor, his position / title, and, more importantly, his sense of who he is as a beloved son of the Father. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Min Jeong-woo's story ends abruptly with his downfall and disgrace. I would have liked to see him given a chance for repentance for his actions and reconciliation with the two most important people in his life - Grand Prince and Soeng Hee-joo, his close friends.
The Prime Minister's simple, yet profound, action of removing his Rosary reminded me of the atheistic phrase: "If God is dead, everything is permitted." Moreover, I am reminded of this quote from the horror movie, "Don't Breathe", in which the "Blind Man" said, "There is nothing a man cannot do once he accepts the fact that there is no God." I think this is one of the reasons why Catholics have holy images in their homes, cars, and person because these sacramentals remind us to strive for holiness and saintliness in our lives at all time. Of course, we will stumble and fall, but we are never too far from the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For me personally, I wear a ring on my right ring finger to remind me of our commitment to God, to Christ and his Church, and to live a life of humble obedience. I am also glad that the Knights of Columbus give all men who become a member of the Order a Rosary and ask that they carry it with them at all times and pray the Rosary as often as possible.
Let us, therefore, always stay close to our Lord Jesus Christ. He will guide us in life and give us the strength to live lives of holiness, to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to salvation and eternal life with our Father in heaven. Jesus: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14).
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