A Fateful Invitation to Yongcheonru: A Night of Elegance and Peril
In Episodes 10 and 11 of Check-In Han Yang, the plot thickens with unexpected revelations, setting the stage for a revenge narrative that is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating.
The episode opens with Hong Deok-su, his mother, and his younger sister receiving an invitation from the Supreme Master of Yongcheonru, the most prestigious and exclusive entertainment house in Hanyang. This invitation, which appears to be a generous gesture, quickly unravels into a meticulously orchestrated trap.
At first, the luxurious surroundings and the carefully arranged banquet seem welcoming. However, an undercurrent of unease permeates the air. Seol Mae-hwa, the enigmatic Grand Chief of Yongcheonru, discreetly warns Deok-su’s mother that they must flee before it’s too late.
Her urgent plea hints at imminent danger, but Deok-su’s mother does not yet grasp the full weight of the situation. Her concern solidifies into terror when she finally comes face-to-face with Chun Mak-dong, the Supreme Master himself—the very man responsible for the darkest moment of her past.
In an instant, the horrifying truth dawns upon her: Chun Mak-dong is the one who tried to kill her child, Jae-on, twelve years ago.
The scene is masterfully directed, with chilling cinematography that enhances the suspense. The slow, deliberate movements of Chun Mak-dong contrast with the rising panic in Deok-su’s mother’s eyes, creating a moment of suffocating tension.
Her maternal instincts drive her to escape with her children, but she is no match for Chun Mak-dong’s ruthless nature. The episode delivers one of its most gut-wrenching moments when Chun Mak-dong, in cold blood, murders her—a decisive move to erase all traces of his past crime.
A Mother’s Final Words: The Truth That Ignites Revenge
When Hong Deok-su returns to find his mother lying lifeless, the raw emotional weight of the scene is staggering. His anguished cries echo throughout Yongcheonru, capturing a grief so profound that it seems to shake the very foundation of his world.
Just before taking her last breath, his mother reveals a devastating truth—Chun Mak-dong is not just a powerful figure in Hanyang but the very man who tried to kill Deok-su as a child.
Until now, Deok-su had struggled to trust Seol Mae-hwa, doubting her claims that he was part of a much larger conspiracy. However, in this moment, all of his uncertainties vanish. His mother’s dying words confirm everything:
His father, Hong Min-sik, was not just murdered—he was betrayed. And the betrayer was none other than Chun Mak-dong, his father’s closest friend.
The sheer weight of this revelation is immense. This is no longer just a tale of survival—it is now a story of justice, vengeance, and reclaiming lost identity.
The cinematography here is particularly striking. The dim candlelight flickers against Deok-su’s tear-streaked face, mirroring the moment his grief transforms into something else—a fierce determination for revenge.
The Incident 12 Years Ago: Betrayal, Murder, and the Brass Golden Timepiece
The drama then takes us twelve years into the past, revealing the catalyst for this entire revenge saga.
At the heart of it all is a treacherous conspiracy—a plot to poison the king, masterminded by some of the most powerful figures in the royal court.
Among them was Chun Mak-dong, who, blinded by ambition, documented all the names of those involved in a secret ledger. He believed that possessing this list would make him untouchable.
His fatal mistake? Confiding in his closest friend, Hong Min-sik.
Realizing the danger of such information, Hong Min-sik made a fateful decision. He concealed the list inside a Brass Golden Timepiece, a rare and intricately designed artifact that could only be opened with two matching keys.
When Chun Mak-dong demanded its return, Hong Min-sik refused. Betrayal came swiftly—Chun Mak-dong murdered him in cold blood, believing he had secured his own future.
However, Hong Min-sik had already hidden one half of the Timepiece with his young daughter, Jae-on, instructing her to protect it at all costs.
A Child’s Escape and the Tavern Keeper’s Compassion
After witnessing her father’s murder, young Jae-on was forced to flee for her life.
Alone and vulnerable, she stumbled upon a remote tavern, where a grieving woman took her in. This woman, having lost her own child to an epidemic, made the selfless decision to protect Jae-on, raising her under a new identity: Hong Deok-su.
Years passed, and Jae-on—now Deok-su—forgot much of her past. But fate had not forgotten her.
One fateful night, Chun Mak-dong arrived at the tavern, still in search of the escaped child. He saw the woman cradling a young boy, but his fear of disease kept him from investigating further. Assuming the child would not survive, he left.
But now, the child he failed to eliminate twelve years ago has returned—not as a helpless victim, but as his greatest threat.
Deok-su and Seol Mae-hwa: An Alliance Forged in Vengeance
Seol Mae-hwa has long been preparing for her own revenge against Chun Mak-dong. The moment she realized that Hong Deok-su is actually Hong Jae-on, she knew their fates were intertwined.
She warns Deok-su that Chun Mak-dong has already figured out his true identity and that he must act carefully. A reckless approach would only lead to his own demise.
Thus, an unbreakable alliance is formed between them. While their strategies remain shrouded in secrecy, the mere fact that they have joined forces marks the beginning of Chun Mak-dong’s downfall.
A Dangerous Game: Deok-su’s Ultimate Bluff
In a stunning twist, Deok-su walks directly into the lion’s den.
Returning to Yongcheonru after his mother’s funeral, he stands before Chun Mak-dong and boldly reveals his true identity—not as Hong Deok-su, but as Hong Jae-on, the daughter of Hong Min-sik.
However, in an unexpected turn, he delivers a shocking lie:
“Seol Mae-hwa is the one who killed my father. She is also responsible for my mother’s murder.”
Chun Mak-dong, a master manipulator himself, is momentarily taken aback.
Believing that he has successfully twisted Deok-su’s hatred toward the wrong target, Chun Mak-dong embraces him in false sympathy, all while thinking that he now holds complete control over the young man.
But he does not realize that this is Deok-su’s greatest deception yet.
Will Chun Mak-dong fall into the trap? Or will he recognize the elaborate game of revenge being played against him?
Final Thoughts: A Masterclass in Suspense and Storytelling
With Check-In Han Yang, what initially seemed like a simple period drama centered on daily life in a high-class establishment has evolved into an intense and multi-layered revenge epic.
These episodes stand as some of the strongest in the series so far, blending political intrigue, action, and deep emotional storytelling with breathtaking cinematography.
As alliances shift and betrayals unfold, one thing is certain—Chun Mak-dong’s reign is coming to an end.
But will Hong Deok-su, now fully awakened as Hong Jae-on, survive long enough to claim his revenge?
The storm has only just begun.
