The K2: Episode 2
by gummimochi
Running a tight ship at home will prove difficult when unexpected attention forces our crafty politician’s wife’s hand; she’ll have to choose whether to keep the danger close or let it roam freely in the streets. And escaping handcuffs and evading the authorities is all in a day’s work for the former mercenary, but Je-ha will realize that living in hiding will no longer be an option when that lifestyle endangers the lives of innocent people.
EPISODE 2 RECAP
As Anna stands paralyzed in the street, the flickering headlights remind her of when she had arrived at the police station following her mother’s death and had been bombarded by the bright camera flashes from the press.
She had undergone questioning, where the psychiatrist had tried to coax an answer out of her. The detective had been frustrated when she’d said she didn’t know what happened, though the flashback within this flashback gives us a bit more insight: At her mother’s silent insistence, Anna had placed the bottle of sleeping pills in her mother’s outstretched hand.
She had peed herself remembering that, and tears had streamed down her cheek as she’d cried over and over again: “I killed my mother.”
Back to present-day where one of car’s passengers, a fashion designer, sees Anna and declares her his new muse. Er, never mind the fact that she’s standing there petrified.
Trembling, Anna says repeatedly in Spanish: “I did not kill.” A granny who leads her off the street is taken aback at the phrase, and Anna hobbles down the sidewalk, alone.
Je-ha gets off at a bus station where he spots the police. So he heads to the bathroom and swipes a soldier’s uniform in order to blend in and exit without suspicion.
Even in Yoo-jin’s gentle voice, her disappointment in the JSS for letting one man slip through their fingers is clear. She’s amused by the head of JSS’ pleas for a bit more time, since the banner hanger could’ve gone to the press or struck a deal with a rival candidate.
Chief Joo, however, disagrees with his superior, believing that capturing Je-ha will be virtually impossible. He had been present during Je-ha’s training, thus can say with certainty that his abilities are beyond the JSS’ capabilities. Yoo-jin chuckles, “So you’re saying the JSS isn’t incompetent, but that he’s good?”
After being dismissed from the Special Forces, Chief Joo explains how Je-ha had belonged to an elite private military company named Blackstone. He had also fought in Iraq as a mercenary, but he’s currently on the run, so there’s no way someone would’ve enlisted his services.
Everyone in Blackstone is a wanted man, and while the rumors say those men fell into the hands of terrorist groups, Chief Joo can confirm that one of them—Je-ha—-is currently in Korea. But all that information doesn’t change the resolution—that JSS is unable to handle the job.
All of their appeals fall on deaf ears, including Chief Joo’s suggestion of recruiting Je-ha. To that, she instructs Chief Joo to do a better job of protecting her husband.
As Yoo-jin watches her husband leave, she muses on how he’s not the least bit apologetic. She scoffs at the idea that she’d feel let down in times like these, and her right-hand woman, Secretary Kim, assures her that she’ll take care of Je-ha.
There is, however, one other matter that demands Yoo-jin’s attention: although Anna was caught last night, her picture has gone viral on social media. The uploader is a well-known fashion designer, but Secretary Kim will do her best to prevent it from making headlines. Isn’t it a little late for that in this day and age?
Yoo-jin would agree, roaring that all of Europe would want to know who Anna is if the designer gets a hold of her. She swears she hears noises again (oh?), and when Secretary Kim suggests that they use this opportunity to do away with Anna for good, Yoo-jin shuts down the idea: “Anna is the only tool I can use to control Se-joon! Do you think Jang Se-joon would stand for it if anything were to happen to her?!”
Yoo-jin has a sudden breakthrough: perhaps it will be better if Anna is transported to Korea, where she can keep an eye on her. With the presidential election just around the corner, she has better things to worry about than her own nerves and orders Secretary Kim to get it done.
Once she’s alone, Yoo-jin gets a good look at the photo of Anna and remarks, “They resemble one another.”
Se-joon has his men pull off to a quiet location so he can speak with Chief Joo in private. He knows that Anna is safe and still has social phobia, but he can’t go to see her because of the upcoming election, and even he knows that makes him a pathetic dad. He knows that Chief Joo is loyal to his wife “but I’m the one who will become president.”
He’ll be the one to appoint Chief Joo as his head of security once he’s sworn in, so that makes Chief Joo the only one he can trust to look out for Anna. He knows how much Anna must resent him, but she’s the only reason he’s yielded to Yoo-jin’s demands all these years.
He orders Chief Joo to relay a warning: Should the hostage (Anna) die, the one holding her hostage will die too. In other words, if anything were to happen to his daughter, everything Yoo-jin has worked toward will crumble. Chief Joo swears to protect Anna, no matter what.
Time to quickly check in with Je-ha, who is unable to hitch a ride, so he helps an old couple stranded on the side of the road. He offers to help with the farmwork, but the old man angrily refuses—he’ll put Je-ha up for one night, and that’s that.
Meanwhile, the head of JSS pays a visit to a police commissioner to help him find Je-ha. He has some valuable information in exchange for his services: At present, Se-joon doesn’t have much of a chance to win the presidential race because he’s running as an independent party candidate; however, he’ll soon be changing parties.
That grabs the police commissioner’s attention, and it’ll be in his best interest to help him out.
Anna flies first-class on her flight to Seoul, and when the flight attendant worries that she’s been asleep too long, her neighbor explains that she’s recovering from a wild night. Turns out that Anna has been drugged, as the camera pans to the syringe beneath the seat.
She dreams of the day when a woman with red fingernails came to collect her from the hospital and take her to the airport. She’d been told her father was waiting for her, but Anna called out the woman on the lie, refusing to drink the bottle given to her. Omo, it’s Secretary Kim, who flashes a camera in Anna’s face.
We know what happened from there, and a lone tear rolls down Anna’s cheek.
Je-ha can hear the old man’s wife sobbing behind closed doors. As for the grumpy grandpa, he sets out a simple meal for him, apologizing that this is all they have and for lashing out on him earlier.
After hours of searching, the JSS team pinpoints Je-ha’s location at a bus station earlier that morning. Anna isn’t the only ones having troubled dreams of the past, as Je-ha dreams of his days when he was a mercenary.
His group had been forced to walk through a minefield, and upon hearing that they needed to take a detour to avoid a civilian zone, the wounded civilian in their party offered to pay the mercenaries triple the amount of their original offer.
He had chosen to keep moving, but soon they’d been caught in a crossfire. Je-ha tosses and turns in his sleep as the memory becomes more violent, and a bullet pierces through his chest.
Je-ha wakes up with a start, but the memory is still vivid, as we see him fall to the ground and slip into unconsciousness. He curls up and breathes heavily until the panic subsides. It’s at that moment he hears the old lady’s sobs once more and finds her husband up drinking.
The old man explains that today is the 49th day following their son’s death, and they’d been traveling back from the temple when they’d ran into Je-ha. He follows the grieving old man to the fields, and agrees to help him clear all the overgrown trees the deceased son had previously taken care of.
He’s already out in the fields when the old man wakes up the following morning, but instead of cutting down the trees, he’s busy trimming the brush underneath them. Touched, the old man joins him, and his wife tears up seeing the two men happily working together.
When they sit down for lunch, the old lady places some food over Je-ha’s bowl of rice. Aw, that affectionate gesture always gets me. He’s welcome to stay longer if he’d like, and he graciously accepts the clothes once worn by the old couple’s son.
He takes the truck later that day to run a quick errand, unaware of the mystery car he passes on the road. Uh oh. He’s immediately suspicious when the car is still there upon his return. Next thing we know, the couple is tied up and claims that Je-ha is long gone.
So the assailant pours flammable liquid over the couple and the house. Just as he’s about to set the entire place ablaze, Je-ha shuts the lighter and kicks the man away. His opponent unsheathes his knife while all Je-ha has is a brushcutter blade wrapped in newspaper.
Je-ha avoids the oncoming swipes including one that narrowly misses his neck. While the man gets in the first cut, Je-ha slices the assailant’s stomach. They go cut for cut until Je-ha throws the man into a pile of jars.
The assailant knocks Je-ha down with a kick, blocks the swipes at him, then engages in a struggle until he knocks the blade out of Je-ha’s hand. He kicks the unarmed Je-ha into a tower of crates, then charges at him with his knife.
Je-ha remains alert, avoiding the jabs long enough to grab the man’s arm and knock the knife out of his hand. A flying kick sends his opponent crashing into the front gate, and the ongoing brawl moves out to the road.
Now this is a throwdown of fisticuffs, and Je-ha uses a counterattack to grab the man’s arm, twirl his body to the ground, and dislocate his shoulder. When the assailant charges at him again, Je-ha twists his jacket around his neck to strangle him. For his finishing move, he spins and breaks the man’s arm. Oh, and kicks him twice for good measure.
Je-ha confronts his attacker when he comes to, asking him who sent him. He isn’t surprised when the man doesn’t give up a name, though the latter says it isn’t personal—it’s all the same for guys in their line of work.
Je-ha shares the same sentiment, as he grabs a hammer to use. Oh shit, are you going to smash his fingers? His attacker says Je-ha’s a dead man anyway, which he agrees with. He understands why the assailant came after him, but it infuriates him that his attacker would dare to harm the old couple.
His attacker laughs at that because that threat was intentional: “All the people who try to help you hide from this point forward will die.” Which means those old people are done for whether Je-ha likes it or not. Unfortunately for him, Je-ha is willing to wait for an answer and gags his attacker so he can start smashing in pseudo silence. Just as he’s about to pound down, his attacker makes a noise.
That’s how Je-ha shows up outside Yoo-jin and Se-joon’s estate later that evening, as a still unconscious Anna is carried inside and wakes up face to face with Yoo-jin.
Pretending to make a delivery, Je-ha does a quick job of taking care of the guards outside. Meanwhile, Anna struggles to rise, her body still trying to wake up from the sedative.
“You’ve become an adult,” Yoo-jin says. “You’re pretty, because you look like your mother.” Anna grits out “devil,” which Yoo-jin points out is no way to speak to her longtime distant caretaker.
“Think of all the things you did to a nine-year-old who knew nothing,” Anna gasps. Yoo-jin acknowledges that those things must’ve upset Anna, though stands firm that everything was for Anna and her father’s sake.
“I remembered everything,” Anna gruffly replies. “Mom didn’t kill herself.” Yoo-jin takes a long pause before reaching out to pet her and pulls in to say Anna should’ve become a nun then.
Yoo-jin supposes that dinner is off the table then and sends Anna upstairs. She helps herself to some wine, and… are those tears I see welling up in her eyes? She drops her glass in shock when Je-ha marches up to her.
But that’s as far as her surprise goes as she can tell that the young handsome man before her is the one she was after. She had no idea that he would come to her, and Je-ha gets straight to the heart of the matter: “Leave me and the people around me alone.”
“And if I don’t?” she asks, smiling. Je-ha replies, “If you don’t, I’ll come and find you, wherever that may be. This first encounter will end with a simple warning, but if I come for you a second time… you will die.”
But Yoo-jin has done her homework on him, thanks to Chief Joo. As her bodyguards rush in, she explains how she learned that men in his line of work are taught to attack the source when they themselves are under attack. His body is lit up with red dots as she says how Je-ha was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and saw something he shouldn’t have.
Asked if this is how she expresses her love for her cheating husband, Yoo-jin laughs, saying that she envies his naive outlook that she could ever love her husband. While she has his attention, she would like to know why he came back since he could’ve chosen to live the rest of his days as a runaway.
“Because… I can’t let innocent people die because of me,” Je-ha answers. She asks if he means the old farming couple whom he met just yesterday—he would endanger his life to save who she would think were strangers?
People like her who lost a part of themselves a long time ago wouldn’t understand, Je-ha explains. Those who have been in a war zone for too long feel a similar effect, forgetting why they fight altogether. He asks Yoo-jin not to harm the old couple especially because they know nothing about him.
She finds him oddly trustworthy and thus decides to believe him, however: “I don’t think I can let those people live.”
There’s a gun pressed against Je-ha’s temple when he steps toward her, as Yoo-jin makes clear that believing his words and gambling with her own destiny are mutually exclusive concepts.
She finds his warning that she’ll come to regret this amusing, since she believes they won’t ever see each other again.
Her men gag Je-ha, toss him into the back of a van, and tie his feet together. But the approaching sound of sirens interrupt them, as a cop car parks outside to investigate a stolen delivery motorcycle.
Struggling against his handcuffs, Je-ha shuffles over to open a bottle of motor oil and pour it on his wrist to painfully pull it off. A bodyguard checks on him when he hears movement, and Je-ha greets him with a kick to the chest and slams his head against the bumper.
He waits for an opportune moment to knock down the other guard, and all the commotion makes the cops outside suspicious.
Meanwhile, more guards are called to the garage to deal with “the mouse”. Je-ha emerges from above the van and jumps to the adjacent car, taking down one bodyguard with a sweeping kick. We get a 360-degree slo-mo look for his next flying kick and he punches the others.
Just outside, the cops refuse to leave, arguing that they must follow procedure. One cop hilariously thinks that “the mouse” is giving the guards a great deal of trouble, while we cut to what’s going on inside.
There’s another 360-degree shot as Je-ha kicks the bodyguard off the car. That bodyguard shoots him with a taser gun, and the voltage is still in his system when the guard charges at him. Je-ha covers his face with his own jacket, gets in a few more hits in before kneeing his body into the car window.
After unlocking himself, Je-ha grabs a gun and heads inside the house. He catches Yoo-jin on her way down the stairs and lifts the gun to her jaw: “This is the second encounter I was telling you about.”
He cocks the gun and presses it against Yoo-jin’s temple. But they aren’t alone, as a voice behind him softly says, “Shoot.”
It’s Anna, who screams, “Shoot!” Je-ha turns his head and recognizes her from their encounter in Spain months ago. Again, Anna hollers, “Shoot! Shoot!”
COMMENTS
Now that’s what you call an awkward second meeting, though I suppose if we’re counting, it’s more like fourth encounter. Still, it can’t be easy for Je-ha to find himself caught between the woman he’d like to kill and the woman he saved and left behind in a foreign country six months ago. (Although to his small credit, Anna could hardly run ten feet before running into more trouble.)
I may have enjoyed this second episode more than the first since we got to learn so much more about the characters that inhabit this world. There’s Se-joon, whom I didn’t anticipate we’d learn much of this hour. His level of self-awareness honestly caught me by surprise, because he knows his wife controls virtually every facet of his life. He hasn’t fooled himself into thinking that he can break free from that, though his rebelliousness seems to come in the form of infidelity and letting Yoo-jin clean up the mess. He knows he isn’t the best father either, what with his daughter held hostage in Spain. Still, he cares for her and her safety, so I’d imagine he’d have something to say when he finds that Anna is home. If he’ll actually do anything about it is an entirely different matter altogether, but with Yoo-jin at the helm of this ship and his goal of becoming president, he may not have much of a choice at present either.
We also got to find out more of Anna’s past as well; she was a spirited child even after her mother’s death and a wary one when she called out Secretary Kim in the airport. That reveal was a well-played card, since I hadn’t entertained the thought that Secretary Kim has worked for Yoo-jin for as long as she had. Although Anna now claims to have remembered everything, we’re so early in the series that I’m sure that there’s more to the story than her own memories. I’m pleasantly pleased with Yoon-ah’s performance here, especially with the world’s most awkward family reunion with Yoo-jin.
While we’re on the subject of Yoo-jin, I found it interesting that the usually composed woman can also reach a breaking point. What those noises might mean remains to be seen, but that tidbit is something we can keep in mind as the stakes get higher and the situations even more intense.
I didn’t expect myself to be drawn into the side storyline with the farming couple, but their scenes cemented the idea that Je-ha is willing to provide help when it’s needed. Even though he’s still haunted by the battlefield and other traumatic events, he refuses to let innocent people die on his watch. Although Yoo-jin may not fully understand Je-ha’s reasons for protecting who she considers as strangers, he knows that an ounce of compassion goes a long way.
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Tags: featured, Ji Chang-wook, Song Yoon-ah, The K2, Yoon-ah
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1 Anon
September 25, 2016 at 8:08 PM
it's getting intense! Yoon-ah's acting is mind-blowing.
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brian
September 27, 2016 at 11:50 AM
I agree, her acting is at least adequate. Certainly she plays the character well. I do have a problem with the age. While her age in general allows her to have a romantic relationship with our hero, I feel that plot-wise, she's too old. I find it hard to believe that she's been living in a Spanish convent for over 20 years. It would seem that she would be more European if that was the case, and certainly more in step with the ways of the Euros. Perhaps if her character was 10 years younger, just barely 18 or something, then it would make more sense to me. In this case, someone held against her will for over 20 years would be either craftier or pretty much so over the edge crazy that she'd not be able to escape.
A child held for 10 years and then reached her maturity and perhaps allowed more freedom of the convent grounds would have a better chance to escape. After 20 years she would have either went mad or ended up becoming a nun, and at least had more than just a dress as her possessions. Obviously, more of the back story is placed on why she was there and not how long, but it does bother me.
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jziecw
September 27, 2016 at 7:00 PM
I think Anon's comment is about Song Yoon Ah's acting :D
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Rooting for this drama
October 1, 2016 at 4:06 PM
I thought it was about young Yoon-ah too.
Interesting points on Anna, though -- Brian. But maybe Anna, having watched ep 3 & 4 don't worry no spoilers really, has some sort of problem. Or whoever 'the powers that be' are want Anna thinking that she is certifiable.
Hence Anna withdrawing into her own world, which was her old Korean life which was all she knew.
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2 V
September 25, 2016 at 8:08 PM
Liked this episode much better. Wondering if Je-ha will become Yoo-jin's bodyguard in order to protect Anna.
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3 bips99
September 25, 2016 at 8:12 PM
JCW is going to collapse at the end of the show if they keep up this amount of action.
I liked the second episode more than the first. Now we have everyone's story starting to come out. I'm hooked.
Am i the only one or did someone feel some chemistry between JCW and SYA especially when he pins her to the wall and puts a gun to her head ?
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bluemings
September 25, 2016 at 8:28 PM
Yes I agree, JCW is really working hard for this drama, I can't wait for the action scenes in the next episodes!
And no, you're not the only one haha, when JCW walks up to SYA and she says something along the lines of "You're much more handsome that I thought", I thought the same thing as you.
I'm really curious as to why SYA said that she hears noises again...
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 25, 2016 at 9:37 PM
When she said "wow" -it is just like everyone of us , we basically will have the same reaction though if suddenly JCW appeared in front of us.
I think Yoo Jin probably suffering any mental problem, and she is taking medication. In my opinion, in her situation, no one will be able to be normal.
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El
September 25, 2016 at 8:40 PM
"Am i the only one or did someone feel some chemistry between JCW and SYA especially when he pins her to the wall and puts a gun to her head ?"
-enthusiastically raises hand- After the first scene between Je-ha and Yoo-jin I finally saw where the magic of this drama is/will be. The second scene, their second meeting, confirmed it. They are FIRE. Sooo much chemistry, oh man oh boy. Whatever the writers have in mind for these two, count me in! I am officially invested in this drama to see how their dynamic will evolve.
The car chase scene in the preview-- I'm shook.
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Indylicious
September 28, 2016 at 1:33 AM
Her acting (SYA) was brilliant in the last 2 episodes, I can not believe that she's more that 40 years old. Hopefully Yoona's acting will not spoil this brilliant drama due her lack acting. I can see Yoona's effort but still she needs to catch up to the other 2 main leads (JCW and SYA).
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 25, 2016 at 9:34 PM
No you are not alone. I definitely love the intensity and the chemistry between these two.
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jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 9:40 PM
I have always liked Song Yoon Ah's acting since I watched her in Hotelier and then in On Air. There's an elegant, intelligent and cool vibe about her that set her apart from other actresses. I am happy to see her slay her role here! Seemed like a lot of people coming to K2 to watch JCW or YoonA and got blown by Song Yoon Ah.
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yayabean
September 25, 2016 at 10:36 PM
I, of course started watching this for Ji Chang-wook, but I'm really liking Song Yoon Ah -she's good.
I also like the fact that the meanies are women, i.e. Yoo Jin and Secretary Kim.
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bluepants
September 25, 2016 at 11:50 PM
YES to the women meanies!!!
On another note, did anyone feel like the affection/loyalty Secretary Kim has for Yoo Jin is a tad more than that of a loyal subordinate's? It wasn't obvious in this episode, but I was raising my eyebrows in Episode 1 when Secretary Kim was wiping off Yoo Jin's makeup - very tenderly, at that.
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Cmd Miao
September 26, 2016 at 12:25 AM
I was like "This is Yong Pal all over again" - remember the creepy nurse and her obsession with coma-Yeo-Jin?
She was also doing her mistress's make-up.
crystal
September 26, 2016 at 10:35 AM
Great acting all around. Song Yoon Ah is a delectable villain...or is she?
houstontwin
September 26, 2016 at 11:11 AM
Too bad we can't see real love and not creepy love!
Lynn
September 26, 2016 at 11:14 AM
My thoughts exactly. I was like... Okay, something's going on here.
So far I like what I've seen, especially JCW nonchalant acting. Something about the way he casually pointed that gun at the crazy evil lady in the last scene was just... wao.
ren
September 25, 2016 at 10:22 PM
I'd ship it.
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Yuki
September 26, 2016 at 1:09 AM
Me too :D
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pancchi
September 25, 2016 at 11:04 PM
No you are not!! I did too and there will are many feeling it.
When she said wow! i was like 'welcome to the club ma'am! '
if only she joins us...
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mary
September 26, 2016 at 8:45 AM
If she joins our club, we need a hundred bodyguards and a signed and notarized membership form making it clear that violence, blackmailing, plotting, and/or any forms of harm toward other members of the club will not be tolerated.
And even then I won't feel safe around her. :O
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Mermaid Scribbler
September 26, 2016 at 9:31 AM
Hahahaha!! Too true!
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iamdeb
September 26, 2016 at 9:53 AM
I'm so glad everyone (men and women) acknowledge how hot his character is... I noticed he gets winked at alot!
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angieya
September 26, 2016 at 1:07 AM
Yeah, at this stage I'm way more intrigued by their relationship than his with Yoona and am looking forward to see how he'll become her bodyguard etc.
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teiisha
September 26, 2016 at 6:26 AM
omg yes!! i was just thinking to myself 'is it weird tht im shipping JCW and SYA' and then i saw your comment!
i even think i have 2nd lead syndrome now. yaas im not alone.
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crystal
September 26, 2016 at 10:36 AM
yeah, I'm getting a little bit of 2nd lead syndrome too
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El
September 26, 2016 at 3:39 PM
Yay! So exciting to see a good number of JH-YJ shippers or would-be shippers come out in this thread :')
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4 lunatic4kd
September 25, 2016 at 8:13 PM
Been away from good WiFi for the past two days. Can't wait to catch up with both episodes of K-2 starting right after I post this!! Catch up with all of you later! Wheeeee!!!!!!
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5 130 mood
September 25, 2016 at 8:15 PM
Such an intense episode!
JCW will never dissapoint me I swear.
Am I the only one who is wary of Yoo na's acting? Is my first time seeing her acting, I liked her more in the first ep but I'll cheer for her and wait.
Plus I still think there's something with Yoo Jin and her secretary...
Episode 3 please come fast.
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bluemings
September 25, 2016 at 8:30 PM
Yeah, I felt like there was something between them in episode 1, the scene where the secretary wipes her makeup. That would be interesting to watch.
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 25, 2016 at 9:41 PM
Since Yoo Jin no longer or maybe never received any affection from her husband, the safest way to fulfill her sexual desire is from her Secretary. No one will be suspicious if that's the case.
Ohh suddenly I got goosebumps!
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windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:02 PM
So far we have not really seen enough to make any judgements.
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CatoCat
September 26, 2016 at 4:39 AM
Yoo Jin is Dangerous but i find her more humane than Mother of Ji Tae in UF.
And They have kind of tried to build a chemistry between Je Ha and Yoo Jin and i say it worked.
And it feels like Secretary Kim is obsessed with Yoo Jin. So many characters with mental problems. It seems like TVN has become a rehabilitation and medication center for all Mentally unstable people.
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Rooting for this drama
September 26, 2016 at 12:17 PM
I agree, I think Yoo Jin isn't so evil, and if she is she has a great sense of doing her evil charm charismatically even her philandering husband sweeps aside that 29 yr old woman to watch his wife speak.
I think JeHa will be seen as some competition not only for Anna's love but also Yoo Jin's attention. Lol!!! Poor JeHa he has a lot to contend with.
To those fans who are JCWs noona or if he is oppa to you, Live the next 7 weeks, vicariously through Yoo Jin and Anna, hehehe!!!!
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6 echo
September 25, 2016 at 8:15 PM
*sigh* oh ji chang wook I can watch you forever ?and the great thing about it is that you're not just good looking but you're also a great actor thank you drama gods ????
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7 dramaspresso
September 25, 2016 at 8:17 PM
I'm so loving the noir feeling of this show... like, the characters are all complicated people who could all be villains in a different show. I also have to mention that I feel like this show really stepped it up with the foreign actors, even if they aren't perfect they're much better than usual for a Kdrama, and they're much less stereotypical.
Keep it up, K2!
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8 cat
September 25, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Agree with gummimochi - I liked this episode a lot more because of how it showed more of the characterization as opposed to focusing so heavily on only action sequences. Has anyone else felt like the pilots have often been like a slightly more extreme/heavy-handed version of what the show will be like before tapering off into more 'acceptable' or nuanced territory in the following episodes? I noticed that with MDBC as well. On a sidenote: I loved Ji-Chang Wook in Healer and I'm so glad he's back in k-dramas - he looks so handsome.
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9 gem28
September 25, 2016 at 8:23 PM
The second episode tied the loose ends of first episode and now we have a full picture of what this drama can be. I love Ji Chang Wook, he has chemistry with everybody. Anna and also Yoo Jin. With Anna, his savior complex will kick in and with Yoo Jin, they are similar, they get each other and then they are worlds apart in many aspects. When she said, we can be friends, I was like not friends, enemies who get along mostly and understand each other maybe. Yoo Jin is fascinating. She likes to control everything, if God was willing, she'd probably control the amount of air people breathe around her not that she has any problem making them feel suffocated right now. I think she would rather hurt and control people around her then let them go. She also has this flawless image in public while those who are close to her know her for exactly what she is, the Devil in sheep's disguise. I am in, lets hope no Yong Pal mess of the second half happens here and we'll be good.
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Rowanmdm
September 25, 2016 at 8:34 PM
I'm starting to feel like a monk. My mantra is "please don't let it fall apart like Yong Pal".
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ashie
September 25, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Haha! How about we chant in altogether, "please don't let it fall apart like Yong Pal".
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Rowanmdm
September 25, 2016 at 9:07 PM
i just had a vision of people around globe chanting for several minutes before watching the latest episode, then even longer once they've finished without the feared disintegration of plot and characters.
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yayabean
September 25, 2016 at 10:42 PM
Count me in!
"Please don't let it fall apart like Yong Pal". Please don't let it fall apart like Yong Pal".
jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 9:41 PM
I never watch Yong Pal, but I ll join your chant
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windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:05 PM
Yong Pal was one of those dramas that was actually pretty good for the first 4-5 episodes, then started getting all weird and WTF and "who would ever actually DO that?" type stuff. By the end it was a total mess.
Tee
September 25, 2016 at 11:36 PM
Same. I've never watched Yong Pal either. I was about to but I saw the reviews about it from International fans and it turned me off. If it was such a mess, why was it so popular in Korea? And I saw that the writer even recieved an award for best screenplay for it?
Deeya Sage
October 1, 2016 at 4:41 AM
Yong Pal started out so great..then it went downhill and got so damn crazy...no one could help that sinking ship.
I thought the first few episodes were so good but that was a huge disappointment. I hope this one stays intact!
Ema
September 26, 2016 at 7:38 AM
oh god..please hear us.
don't let it end up like yong pal
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lailamajnun
September 26, 2016 at 3:42 PM
I think we need to start a Kdrama prayer group.HEHHEHEHEH...just so they don't fall. I am soo hooked i can't even sit steal. Can't wait for next week.
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Livii
September 26, 2016 at 7:26 AM
Honestly people on this site shit on Yongpal way more than it needs. I actually enjoyed it apart from the last 2 eps which went makjang. The writer clearly likes action as well as chaebol politics, and the prev drama captured both of that. I really enjoyed seeing croc queen Kim Tae Hee. Im seeing shades of it in the step mom here aswell. He likes focusing on the female character as well, so the shift from Joo Won's hijinks to KTH cold business world seemed fine to me. Just in case such a shift happens here I hope the backlash isnt too harsh, cuz while all the action may be hot it can get boring very fast.
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gem28
September 26, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Nah, Yong Pal for me was Healer becomes board certified medical Healer meets sleeping beauty. Once sleeping beauty woke up, it became sort of like Disney went to hell as Healer retired. That for me wasn't exciting at all. Kim Tae Hee is not my issue and wasn't back then when it aired. It's more like I came to a buffet to eat mostly Italian but they never refilled those dishes and served me left over Chinese after I paid. No offense to anybody, just examples people.
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10 Rowanmdm
September 25, 2016 at 8:31 PM
I loved getting more character development in this episode and seeing the threads start to come together.
I loved JCW's reaction to Anna yelling at him to shoot. It was so well done as you could see the different types of incredulousness. It started with "what the f&$@", morphed to "I'm sorry, you actually want this to happen?", followed by "holy crap, it's that girl from Spain!", and ending with "ohh, she might have been in as much danger as she claimed and I left her." Awesome job!
I am really looking forward to the next episode as it should finish setting up the beginning relationships between our leads and let us start delving into things.
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JCWkickSs
September 25, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Really? How could I miss that!? Must watch again...
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windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:08 PM
Yeah, I kind of got that he was thinking "did I pull a major screwup in Spain" feeling.
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Chingching
September 26, 2016 at 3:38 AM
My fave scene too! His eyes spoke volume there.
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TM
September 26, 2016 at 11:00 AM
That was definitely the best scene from the episode. It really made me look forward to the next episodes.
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Sancheezy
September 26, 2016 at 11:55 AM
yeah, he has different looked just like when he accidentally saw the couple make out from window, he like
"ooh people" keep the straight face,
"aah they doing it but I am not in the mood", the confuse look, and
"they saw me, aargh I didn't sign up for this" , looked down while still grabbing the sheet...
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11 carpetfibers
September 25, 2016 at 8:32 PM
I could watch a whole series consisting of Je-ha just wandering about the Korean countryside, touching people's lives and having his touched in return.
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mianmian
September 25, 2016 at 10:14 PM
That would be such a beautiful, touching, and fulfilling drama... Can this please happen!!
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carpetfibers
September 25, 2016 at 10:26 PM
Like, 'Into the Wild' but without the real-life ending that left me crying for hours.
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carpetfibers
September 25, 2016 at 10:33 PM
Thought this through a little more:
Je-ha, being all bamphy, would have a handful of arcs where he helps strangers in the countryside with his bamphery, but always without staying on to reap the benefits of his good deeds.
Peppered into these arcs would be the larger story of his background and past catching up with his present. The ending could be this awesome moment where he thinks he deserves punishment for his past, but is shown how he's helped all these people in the present, earning himself a second chance at life and happiness.
There are plenty of great writers out there in Korea who could write-in perfectly good reasons Je-ha has to lose his shirt in every episode as well. Like, story-driven reasons, of course.
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CatoCat
September 26, 2016 at 4:35 AM
Farmer Family was such an emotional Scene. You don't edgy,over the top, loud, miserable,teary faces all around the scenery to create an emotional atmosphere. A simple Husband-Wife being miserable over their only son's life is enough to make an impact on you.
So Je Ha turns into a traveler. Coming across various communities, Helping and getting helped, creating valuable bonds and meaningful relationships and when looks back feels satisfied and at ease to see what he has seen through past few years.
mary
September 26, 2016 at 8:53 AM
I tried to imagine it but Yoo-jin's henchmen torching good folks all over the country, following Je-ha's path, kinda ruined the happy mental image. :(
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Sancheezy
September 26, 2016 at 11:57 AM
like Rurouni Kenshin journey or Mushishi.. but I guess the writer like thriller more than slice of life journey and in the end, I think je ha just want to settle down quietly.
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12 mexmax
September 25, 2016 at 8:35 PM
Yoo-Jin is one of those bad guy/girl types I just love to watch in leading roles because they're so great at what they do. She reminds me of House of Cards, another show I really enjoy. JCW is of course amazing as always. Although the Healer withdrawals are too real.
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bluemings
September 25, 2016 at 8:40 PM
I know right, a lot of things in this drama remind me of Healer. The way JCW avoids security cameras, the way he was spying on the security guards through those binocular things...*sigh*
I know I'm really going to miss the comedic side to it though, the Park Bong Soo side hahahaha
The K2 is amazing though so far!
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Chandler
September 25, 2016 at 10:50 PM
I do have to say...I'm a huge Healer fan, but something I'm appreciating here is Je-ha actually taking a few hits. It actually makes me believe in his unbeatable fighting skills more when he's up against fighters capable enough to, well, put up a fight. I just remember Healer didn't get so much as a scratch until episode 12. Sure, that's impressive in it's own way and is still a testament to his skills as a fighter, but it also made me question whether the abilities of his opponents just weren't that impressive.
Also scenes like the one when he escapes the hand-cuffs showed just how reliant he is on himself to survive. I find myself sad that he doesn't have Ahjumma like Healer did, while also appreciating seeing him play a character forced to survive on his own.
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omomo
September 25, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Aaah, so THAT's what I sensed was missing. I've been so accustomed to watching JCW as Healer with Ahjumma that him being so self-reliant here felt so different. I subconsciously kept expecting Je-ha to reach for his ear device and whisper "what now, Ahjumma?" haha.
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jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 11:59 PM
haha I was praying silently that Ahjumma would appear and delete all the CCTV footage so that Jeha could live happily ever-after with the farming couple.
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Chingching
September 26, 2016 at 3:15 AM
Yeah I like that he took some hits in the fights too. Certainly made the fights and story more credible.
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:01 AM
I agree with everything above! I felt like there were a lot of easy opponents in Healer, but in The K2 the opponents are much better, which makes the fighting scenes a whole lot more interesting.
@Omomo, that's exactly what I feel too. I think I'll always miss that side to Healer and his other persona too!
Doesn't it seem like this is Healer that's grown up and matured? hahaha
Sancheezy
September 26, 2016 at 11:59 AM
the fight here is more belivable than.healer imo too, healer is too heroic which kinda impossible unless you fight with little kids (not thag I suggest this).
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lailamajnun
September 26, 2016 at 3:44 PM
I promise it's like i am watching my sister on TV. I told her to watch it, Yoo Jin is the korean verison(Look) of my sister it's amazing.
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Reem
September 27, 2016 at 1:30 AM
Funny you should mention "House of Cards", my first ever villain to love (maybe the only one) was Kevin Spacy in "Seven" although he only appeared at the end but that coldness, calculating move and the devilish smile even when a gun was pointed to his head (he was still in control of the situation) got me hocked and fell for my first villain, they're mostly 2 dimensional and not interesting, that's why I'm liking SYA as YJ here, she's very good and promising, and her chemistry with JCW is no joke, I'm anticipating all the interactions between them
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13 bluemings
September 25, 2016 at 8:36 PM
The K2 is so slick and badass and I can't wait for episode 3. If the show stays like this until the end, I know that I'm going to be obsessed over it like Healer :)
Just a thought, what if Healer was called 'The Healer' like 'The K2'? It just sounds weird to me haha
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windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Not certain but I think "K2" refers to a chess move - Knight to King 2 - Checkmate.
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UmbrellaMan
September 25, 2016 at 10:27 PM
I have been wondering what the heck K2 meant. When the title was first announced, I was like what does a mountain have anything to do with politics and bodyguards. Do they figuratively have to climb a big mountain in order to reach their goals? Silly me. This makes much more sense!
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omomo
September 25, 2016 at 10:48 PM
Maybe it's because The K2 arguably one of the most deadliest, (if not the deadliest) mountains in the world. So perhaps it was given as a codename to Je-ha because he's the deadliest fighter in the special forces or something. Idk, just a theory. :)
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omomo
September 25, 2016 at 10:49 PM
*the K2 is arguably
ashie
September 25, 2016 at 11:25 PM
I ❤️ Your analysis..
Flin
September 26, 2016 at 1:48 AM
@omomo whoa.... I second this!
Although I also like the Knight to King - checkmate!
hibeautiful
September 28, 2016 at 9:49 AM
I must be SO sleepy.
I thought you were talking about 'Lee Jae-ha' from TK2H (The King 2 Hearts), because he was in a 'special forces' too before he become a king. lmao
yayabean
September 25, 2016 at 10:46 PM
Ahh...that makes sense! Hence the chess opening scene of the drama.
Thanks for explaining.
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Tee
September 25, 2016 at 11:49 PM
I think you're correct cause I just watched a 5 minute trailer where JCW was playing chess while it introduced the other characters - and it honestly fits with the show given the synopsis and characters
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Shahirah Hasbullah
September 26, 2016 at 1:10 AM
Ahhh so that's what the K2 means. Thanks! :)
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:08 AM
Wow, both ideas make sense!
@windsunn33, the intro to the show is JCW playing chess!!
@Omomo, Every single time I searched K2 instead of The K2, a mountain kept on popping up, I should have known that it could have referred to his code name aha
Thank you :)
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14 Sweetsammy
September 25, 2016 at 8:47 PM
Thanks for the recaps gummimochi!!!
I get it how difficult is to describe action scenes, but you are doing a great job!
The story is good, but I don't understand why is it called k2?? where is the relevance and where is that mystery?
me: could you get any any hotter??
*sigh*
*swoon*
JCW: yup!! watch me inthe next episode
me: faints and into a dream of JCW?
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Sun
September 25, 2016 at 8:59 PM
"Why is it called The K2"
The reason has not yet been revealed yet in the show, but from the description I read online, K2 is the code name for Je-ha when he was a mercenary.
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ashie
September 25, 2016 at 9:02 PM
K2 is kim je ha's codename..
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Sleeepy
September 25, 2016 at 9:50 PM
I noticed in ep 1 Se-joon's bodyguards was called K1. So maybe K2 is code name for Anna's bodyguard?
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windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:14 PM
Pretty sure it refers to a chess move or tactic, going by the first min or so of the lead in credits.
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imbuk
September 25, 2016 at 11:31 PM
True about the difficulty of describing action scenes, you are doing a great job, gummimochi! If it was me, I would be like " je ha and the other guy start fighting and finally je ha ties him up" :p
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mary
September 26, 2016 at 8:56 AM
It's the choking sound you make when JCW's hotness overwhelms the screen... "K... K..." *dead*
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 12:41 PM
HAHAHA yes!
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15 ren
September 25, 2016 at 8:47 PM
I am so in for this drama. I love how dark and ruthless this world is, it reminds me a lot of Cruel City. I also have a bit of a fascination with mercenary armies so the inclusion of Blackstone/Blackwater added an extra layer of intrigue for me. My heart was already breaking when Je-ha said he might take up the old couple's offer and stay a bit longer after all. They all seemed so tentatively happy and hopeful and you know it's all going to be destroyed in a moment.
On a shallow note, I love this tanned Ji-Chang Wook who just hangs out in singlets, I'm going to be sad once he has to don a suit or whatever for his bodyguard role.
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Sweetsammy
September 25, 2016 at 8:51 PM
totally agree with you.... How about a body guard in casuals and occasionally in brooding showers??
Dramagods please let that happen!
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yayabean
September 25, 2016 at 10:48 PM
I know!
He looks so yummy tan and in muscle shirts ???
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angieya
September 26, 2016 at 1:40 AM
Yeah, but then JCW in a snazzy suit with hair up and visible forehead is just equally as yummy. ?
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Miumiu
September 26, 2016 at 8:38 AM
+1000 for visible forehead
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16 unitedred
September 25, 2016 at 8:50 PM
Good start so far! I'm really looking forward to the next episode. I getting what I wanted from Healer in this drama. From Healer, I wanted a slick drama with awesome action, but I thought Healer was at its worst when JCW was the Healer. It was at its best when he was the other alter ego and was involved in the rom com with PMY's character.
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17 omomo
September 25, 2016 at 8:53 PM
I'm not completely sold on the plot yet, but hot DAMN the cast is killing it with their acting. Ji Chang-wook is really giving it his all. My gah. Someone give him his own island after this (healer references, anyone~? haha.)
I have never watched Song Yoon-ah in anything before this show. I must say though, she is splendid. She reminds me of Charlize Theron's Queen Ravenna in Huntsman. Elegant, gracefully evil, yet seething on the surface.
Also, I am so digging the direction and the feel of the show. Just the right amount of gritty and sufficient emotional beats to keep me going. The part with the old couple made me tear up a bit.
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mary
September 26, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Funny you should mention Huntsman.
There's a convo in the previous ep, maltreti translates the German "choir"-ish song playing in the background and it looks like it's a reference to Snow White.
http://www.dramabeans.com/2016/09/the-k2-episode-1/comment-page-2/#comment-2466592
It kinda fits with the absent dad, beautiful-on-the-outside but evil stepmom, trapped daughter, and killer-for-hire thing.
It's such a cool find hehe I've been talking about it to my friends ever since I read the comment a while ago.
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Cmd Miao
September 26, 2016 at 9:54 AM
It's not only an indirect reference, the choir used in the soundtrack is actually singing a "So schneeweiß"- line (snowwhite in German).
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aigooseen
October 31, 2016 at 4:01 PM
Thank you very much Maria. I know very little German, I studied German for a year, years ago, and this song reminds me of those days. I really wanted to know its name.
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omomo
September 26, 2016 at 4:02 PM
Oh, that's interesting!The writer/production team must have really drawn inspiration from Snow White for this show.
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18 jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 8:59 PM
I like ep 2 so much more than ep 1, as different pieces of the story started to connect with each other, and as we got to see more glimpse into each character's past and motives.
1. The action in ep 1 looked glorious and well-made, but they were a bit overdone for me; I enjoyed watching them but hardly feel any emotion at all. However, I love the actions in ep 2 too bit (and I am not an action fan). Not only it looked beautiful, it also looked real. I can feel the pain of Je-ha's opponents whenever he tried to break their arms or strangled their necks. Even the scene when Je-ha tried to pull his hand out of the hand-cuff looked painful to me.
2. Many people may find it a bit forced that Je-ha risking himself just to say the farmers, but I think there are two factors that could explain for his decision.
(1) In the past, there might be many innocent people who had die because of his decisions or actions, and those deaths caused trauma for him until this day, so he did not want the same thing to happen again. He protected the cleaning grandma or the old couples not because of them, but also for his own peace.
(2) He is confident in himself to go to Yoo-jin and threaten her while knowing that he will still be able to escape in most cases. Plus, I think he does not care too much about his own safety or his own life at this moment, because he also consider himself to be dead already. Maybe for him, "not letting anyone die because of me anymore" is more important than keeping himself alive.
3. I was worried about YoonA's acting, but at least for the first two episode, she delivered. I find her acting really natural, especially in the last scene.
4. JCW is beauuutifuuullll! Although I am not a big fan of buffed body (prefer his body in Healer), but his body in K2 fits well the his character, so I am not complaining at all. I just wished he hadn't done anything with his nose, because at this point, I started to find his nose a bit distracting and not really harmonize with other features in his face. Well, what was done can't be undone, so I ll just enjoy whatever I am given then.
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ashie
September 25, 2016 at 9:10 PM
I dont see anything wrong with his nose., maybe because i focus more on his acting than his appearance.
JCW is beautiful as kim je ha..
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jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 9:37 PM
hehee JCW is beautiful is an indisputable fact... I actually didn't find his nose distracting much in Empress Ki or in Healer. Maybe in K2, he is more tanned, and a rough feature would be a better fit for the tanned skin than a well-polished nose. Or maybe so far, he hasn't got chance to show his acting much in the first two episodes, so I focused too much to his appearance :D
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Chingching
September 25, 2016 at 11:40 PM
What's wrong with his nose? I kept reading comments about it and had to look up his old pics...like in Vegetable Store? He looks sbout the same. His nose was sharp and high then. I feel it's the makeup sometimes...
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jziecw
September 26, 2016 at 12:06 AM
If you look up for his photos in Warrior Baek Dong Soo, I think you ll notice the difference. The bridge of his note is higher and sharper now than before. It kind of look too polish and a bit unnatural for me.
But again, he is beautiful regardless, hehehe. I am just being a bit greedy here after all :).
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crystal
September 26, 2016 at 10:45 AM
He looks the same to me from Warrior Baek Dong Soo days and Vegetable Store days. He's older, leaner, there are changes in makeup, lighting, camera work with each drama.
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Reem
September 27, 2016 at 12:11 AM
I agree with crystal, he has one of those faces that any change in his hairdo/makeup/body tone/lighting, make him looks different, if you see him without makeup now you'll see the same nose he has always had. If this man parted his fringe differently it changes his looks drastically, I'm a fan of his pulled up hair BTW
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19 Kestrel
September 25, 2016 at 9:19 PM
Getting so many Yongpal vibes here. Instead of chaebols, we have politicians. But so many similar vibes. Crossing fingers that it doesn't go off the rails halfway through.
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20 TheImprintOnMyNose
September 25, 2016 at 9:20 PM
Oooh...the last part of this ep. What if jcw develops more chemistry with song yoona than im yoona.heh
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21 Le__Ssy
September 25, 2016 at 9:21 PM
Totally excited for next week!
Really really afrain of Yoo-jin here. And voices? Wuuut.
Is there gonna be some tearful daddy-daughter scene next week? Wuuut.
Gaaaaah....
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22 greenteaicecream
September 25, 2016 at 9:22 PM
I like villains like YooJin. Evil. Smart. Sophisticated. Calm.
...along the lines of Mishil the Great.
oh hey, why don't we do like a top 10 most hated/loved/admired villain. thats hasn't been done, has it?
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
September 26, 2016 at 12:03 AM
OK, here are my top kdrama villains, in no particular order:
You From Another Star Shin Sung-Rok (twists ring)
Great Queen Seondeuk Go Hyun-jung as Mishil
School 2015 Who Are You Jo Soo-Hyang as Kang So-Young
With honorable mention for Hwang Sun-hee for having been better than average in both Sign and Master's Sun.
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23 aramint
September 25, 2016 at 9:30 PM
That second encounter was extremely satisfying.
I was like, "Hah, take that woman! In your face!" Hahaha...
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bluemings
September 25, 2016 at 9:39 PM
Exactly! I felt like cackling hahahaha
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24 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 25, 2016 at 9:50 PM
Yoo Jin - Mishil 2016? A villain that you supposed to hate but cannot hate, but love her. I am anticipated more of her scenes with Jae Ha. Song Yoon Ah is really great!
Im sorry Yoona, lets wait for couple of episodes until your romance with JCW begins. Let us see the intensity between JCW and SYA first!
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jziecw
September 27, 2016 at 7:23 AM
I think in other K-dramas, the villain, especially female villain, often tried to hard to look evil or cruel by shouting or sending out the evil looks. SYA didn't use any of those expression, she just looked and sounded calm, cool and effortless all the way, and it makes her scarier.
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hibeautiful
September 29, 2016 at 7:51 AM
your description about SYA reminds me to Miranda from Devil's Wears Prada.
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25 Candy
September 25, 2016 at 10:09 PM
Damn JCW can burn a place with his intense looks!(Supermans laser eyes are nothing...pfft) And SYA...phew. Wouldn't have been surprised at all if those 2 suddenly started making out in the last scene!
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26 fayyyy
September 25, 2016 at 10:10 PM
I found the background music at the first episode a bit irrelevant. For instance at the railway station, when JCW was having the fighting sequence we can hear some church choir-ish music somewhat, which was very distracting. They just threw in the ost without any consideration for the events that were occurring :S. And I hope the writer does not take too much cues from yongpal.
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
September 26, 2016 at 12:05 AM
Looks to me almost like she's trying to redeem herself for Yong-Pal -- by telling the same story *without* messing up the 2nd half.
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27 windsun33
September 25, 2016 at 10:19 PM
Seems to me that Woo Jin is a bit (OK, a lot) off her rocker. The reference to noises or voices in her head is a pretty strong clue, but her other actions reinforce that. And his quote in the first part something about "when people wage war for too long, they forget what they are fighting for" seems like a direct stab at her motivations.
But the real question now is how does he end up being a bodyguard for such an obviously evil person. Only logical reason I can see at this point is to stay close to the girl.
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DoubleFault
September 26, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Re. Yoo Jin's mental issues, I'm more curious as to what triggered. Was it there all along or was it a result of "rejection" from her husband, as it seems that Se Joon loves his other woman (Anna's mom) more? Yoo Jin also appears very insecure and has repeatedly said how pretty Anna is and how she resembles her deceased mother.
I love the acting so far and SYA is killing it so far as the calculating wannabe first lady. From the dramas that I have seen JCW in (Empress Ki, Healer, The K2), he can do no wrong. Yoona might not be as good as the two but I think she is delivering so far and holding her own.
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Sancheezy
September 26, 2016 at 12:05 PM
my best guess for bodyguard is because a second chance theme, he let go Anna before and she still in danger, asking to get help the 2nd time so he helps her, he gets her desperation..
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28 blo
September 25, 2016 at 10:21 PM
There were a few moments when I thought, "Oh, it's a Healer disguise!"
I'm not sold yet. I hope I get there.
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29 saranga
September 25, 2016 at 10:47 PM
watched the entire first episode and a bit of the second at the gym today—couldn't wait to get home to finish the second! so far i like it. a good action drama is always welcome in my book; it's not too often done, and when it is, it's not always great. but this was a winner in my book. so far. not pinning huge hopes on its future; just enjoying the present.
finally, a drama where i feel like ji chang-wook doesn't look too pretty! i really, really enjoyed healer and all, but every single time i've ever seen ji chang-wook in anything, i feel like the prettiness was always a bit much. i blamed it on his eyes, which seem do that smouldering thing naturally, and god forbid should he be wearing guyliner. but he finally looks decently tough here.
i'm glad that this is a fri-sat drama, because i've found myself too busy to watch weekday dramas on time lately. at least with this one i can keep up.
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jziecw
September 25, 2016 at 11:27 PM
muahhaha sometimes being too pretty is a crime in itself ;).
I like his image in K2 too, although I personally don't like buffed man that much. It fits well to the character.
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30 Lin_K
September 25, 2016 at 11:00 PM
Thank you for the recap!
I'm loving this drama! The plot, action, and pace made me fall in love. I have always loved Ji Chang Wook. Here also, he delivers! Yoona is really good. And Sung Yoo Na is making me hate Yoo Jin so much.
As for the characters, I like that the hero is not a good person or a bad person. He is somewhere in the middle. It adds complexity to his character. Jae Ha is either gonna be hired to watch Anna or he is gonna help her escape to get back at Yoo Jin.
I hate Yoo Jin's character as of episode 2. I want to know why she wanted to control Jang Se Joon so much that she made his only daughter a hostage. The marriage between them was probably only for power and fame. Also, Anna said her mother didn't commit suicide though we saw her taking the sleeping pills from Anna's hands. I wonder if Yoo Jin had her killed. Hopefully the drama will explore more of her backstory.
I can't wait for next week!
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31 missjb
September 25, 2016 at 11:10 PM
the directing is so good, care in every little detail...
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32 Miss-matched
September 25, 2016 at 11:11 PM
Liking the two episode so far. It's usually not my cup of tea. But my sister dragged me to accompany her watching this drama since she's JCW fangirl.. Lol.. Kinda surprise that I like it so much
I am not one of the leads fans. I just knew JCW from healer, I found it to be one good drama, but just didn't wow me enough to be special. Objectively speaking, from healer and K2, I thought he's one of underrated actor. He acts well, his appearance is on the handsome side, but his star power is just mediocre. Too bad. Hopefully by K2 he rises and can be power house actor.
SYA, this is my first drama with her. I know nothing about her, yet her acting here blows me away. I might check her other drama. She amazes me.
And Yoona, I mostly know her as member of famous girl group. But I check some of her previous dramas.. Though I couldn't finish them. Love Rain (too boring) PMI (I just didn't find the appeal of casting very young woman with mature guy). Her acting is on so so side. Not that bad, but not good too. But here, I see different Yoona. She's doing good and can hold her own when acting with actors who's exactly out of her league.
Just my two cent here, I read some here buzzing about chemistry of JCW and SYA, though I agree they have good chemistry but it's not even romantic vibe. More like enemy respecting each other value. The words that YooJin said during first meeting that he's more handsome than she thought so we're expressed in mocking way to fish his emotion. I don't really mind if JCW is paired with SYS, as long as the story is believable then it's okay. But in K2 I don't see it to be heading that way, at least until now. In fact I still don't see any romantic tendencies among the roles so far. The relationship is more between enemy: Yoojin-Jeha, controlling between master and not-so-obedient-puppet: YooJin-SeJoon, hatred: YooJin-Anna, Not-100-%-bad-father: SeJoon-Anna, and lastly hero syndrome/guilty: Jeha-Anna.
But of course, everybody's free to have their own interpretation.
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 25, 2016 at 11:21 PM
I believe most of us seeing the chemistry not from romantically aspect. I feel like their relationship could be the intense one. I love that once in a while we get to get to male and female lead not having a romantic relationship. This drama probably has more to offer than the romance alone, even the potential romance will be between JCW and Yoona.
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:16 AM
Wow, @Miss-matched, in my case, I'm the JCW fangirl and I had to drag my sister to watch this show. It isn't her cup of tea either, but she said that she enjoyed it too, what a coincidence!
@Sera The Ms Temper, I agree, the chemistry between JCW and SYA is definitely obvious, but it's not romantic. I'm excited to see their relationship develop in the next episodes.
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Sancheezy
September 26, 2016 at 12:09 PM
I think the chemistry shown because they interact with each other, talked and looked at each other, je.ha and anna doesn't have scene than the rush sequence when any of them can see each other pretty well.
I think the assembly man/anna's dad has chemistry with yoo jin, we just already fixated on their hatred and disfunctional relation that they established before.
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33 halfmoon
September 25, 2016 at 11:34 PM
Comment was deleted
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halfmoon
September 25, 2016 at 11:44 PM
Comment was deleted
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34 panchhi
September 25, 2016 at 11:35 PM
This Show.. Or the actor in particular has me for life.
I am not patient enough to wait for eng subbed epi. I watch it the moment its on youtube. So when oppa is onscreen i droll, when not, i swipe the floor and it goes on..
I was out of town for an exam and i used the free wifi to drool instead of preparing. Its the first time he smiled here and i went 'aww..'! Now i realise i was the recipient of weird glances by fellow occupants,lol.
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35 Gwinna
September 25, 2016 at 11:47 PM
Am I the only one who liked Yongpal? Everyone's saying they hope this drama doesn't turn out like Yongpal, but I would be happy if it were that good...
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
September 26, 2016 at 1:49 AM
We are in the minority. ;)
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Livii
September 26, 2016 at 7:33 AM
No I liked it too! It was people's expectations of it being a pure Joo Won show that did them in I guess.
Also, KTH's chaebol rival is playing the JSS(?) leader here lol!
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36 siesta
September 25, 2016 at 11:52 PM
so, when will we get a smile around here?
everything is so dark and srsbsns in this show i'm actually wishing for a bit of comedic relief to lighten the atmosphere
so far i'm liking the show (mmm JCW) but i'm not emotionally engaged with the characters yet..
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jziecw
September 26, 2016 at 12:12 AM
He smiled with the farmer when they trimmed the grass together, and he smiled a bit more later.
I treasure those moments to bit kkk.
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:17 AM
Same!! I replayed those moments, I've missed his smile haha
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cherkell
September 26, 2016 at 9:24 AM
Jae-ha first smiled (albeit softly) when he was feeding the kitten in the signboard yard. NEW SCREENSAVER SAVED!!! ??????
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 12:47 PM
Oh yes, I forgot about that one!!
By the way, Ji Chang Wook's Kitchen is amazing! <3
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37 Still_Yoyo
September 26, 2016 at 12:03 AM
All that sexy sweat from JCW. Mmmmm yummy.
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38 Icantremembermynamd
September 26, 2016 at 12:09 AM
If you read the drama intro on the official site, it actually does say that Jeha awakens the young girl in You Jin who has forgotten that she too can have love or something like that, it means she will fall in love with him. I like the intensity with them. BUT a romantic line feels yikes..
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idonremembermyname
September 26, 2016 at 12:12 AM
Forgot to add, episode 2 was way better. They need to keep the fighting to minimal and do more story development. The fight sequence will eventually stop wowing the general none fan girl audience. My sister for one says the drama is not bad but hopefully not 16 episodes like this. It will be like watching the Matrix for 16 hours.
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El
September 26, 2016 at 4:49 AM
"awakens the young girl"
I remember reading the same thing but it was about Anna not Yoo-jin...? I'm also still a bit confused about who he's supposed to be a bodyguard for? I thought it was supposed to be Anna, but I see people commenting it might be Yoo-jin? I'd love it if that was the case. Having to protect the antagonist? The inherent internal moral conflict in that? The tension? Way more interesting than protecting the innocent one imo.
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idonremembermyname
September 26, 2016 at 6:12 AM
I just saw someone post it in soompi, it is about Youjin
http://program.interest.me/tvn/thek2/9/Contents/Html
The devil lady(Yujin) has ambition as hard as stone
One day a wolf walked into her heart
Walked into the heart that thought love was something only something she crave in her youth
cr blindfury
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El
September 26, 2016 at 7:06 AM
"One day a wolf walked into her heart." Whoa. I like this a lot~.Thanks for the link/translation :)
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39 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
September 26, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Well, we all know the hero can't shoot an unarmed woman, no matter how much she deserves it. And nobody can kill a major character in episode 2 -- until the last few episodes major characters are as immortal as Oh Yeon-Joo at the start of W.
But as reasons not to shoot go, a girl who has been terribly wronged her whole life screaming "shoot!!!" was not what I expected.
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40 shelly
September 26, 2016 at 12:27 AM
personally, my favorite moment this ep was the street cop wanting to secure the site because "it's a crime scene! that's procedure!!" lol, there was a found stolen messenger bike, not a big adventure. and then asking innocently about the mouse bringing down the house :D
i was ROFL by then.
those snow white vibes are stronger this ep - the evil queen actually wants to be loved by the step-daughter (but she'll punish her if she's rebellious), the king (dad) is in evil queen's clutches but only cares for his daughter's well-being (haha at the bodyguards "taking a 5 for smoke" :D and wondering what the candidate was up to now.)
if je-ha is the huntsman, he'll have his choice soon enough.
imho he's someone who used to be innocent and honest but too good at what he did to remain so for long. now he seems stuck in survival+protect the innocents mode, since he took the trouble to come confront the source of the threat. boo @chief joo for revealing his training, so that yoo-jin could set the trap. i thought i liked you, chief.
so far, he's been restrained. other than the action scenes, he's been cold and very careful with people and animals - minus the kitten, the old ahjumma on the skyscraper and the old couple on the road. he can be competently helpful, but i wonder about his emotional availability. he might be unable to open up soon to anyone. i like it that he's cold so far - but eventually he'll have to become involved... that's the heartbreak road for him, i think.
waiting for the next ep - we've seen something of yoo-jin, something of see joon, it's time for something of je-ha and anna. pretty please!
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41 Giegie
September 26, 2016 at 1:14 AM
Welcome back Ji ChangWook!
@Sumee you still in your deep slumber? Nobody revived you yet? :D :p
Thank you for the recap gummimochi. ^^
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fab
September 26, 2016 at 4:59 AM
Hehe. I think she's in a trance watching the episodes on a loop. Although watching JCW just once can blow your mind. @Sumeeeee, you ok?
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growingbeautifully
September 26, 2016 at 7:29 AM
Hi @Giegie and @fab
Glad to see you very much awake!
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Rigby
September 26, 2016 at 11:27 PM
Hello Giegie, Fab, and GB?
Anyeong to all of you!
I knew it I will be seeing all of you here soon if not now! So,happy we are all here again!
watching JCW again is such an exhilirating moment, i dont know, it is just all the Healer moments just coming back now to me!
And of course I am so happy being wih you again girls???
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growingbeautifully
September 27, 2016 at 4:27 AM
It's Lovely to see you @Rigby!
Do drop by at the group as well. :)
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42 Bellenelle
September 26, 2016 at 1:53 AM
I like the show so far. I really want to keep on liking it too, but why I am so pessimistic about future episodes?
What's great about the show are the characters and how the writer managed to make them all so complex. To keep the drama good, they'll have to tone the action down (by A LOT) in order to allow serious character development, because they all need it (especially our K2). I'm not sure that's what was in the writer's mind though. I feel like the characters are going to stagnate in order to put in as many action scenes as possible, and then the drama will fail (for me at least).
JCW said this drama is different from healer, but I actually think the drama needs to be more similar to it. Some people say they wish there'll be little romance in the drama, but I actually think the drama needs a proper romance. There needs to be more focus on the characters and their emotions in the next few episodes, or it's not going to work out, because I can relate to a cold-and-impassive K2 for 2 episodes, but not for 16. And I wouldn't want Anna & her evil stepmother to stay the same throughout the show either.
Ugh. I'll cross my fingers.
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ashie
September 26, 2016 at 6:55 AM
I on the other hand appreciate all the action scenes they have been showing, episode 2 for me is balance in terms of action: dialogue ratio.. It is an action drama and they have been promoting it as one so I expect nothing less than for them but to show us action scenes. But I think they will tone it down a bit as the episodes go on, I'm sure they will, but Like I said I dont mind having one action scene per episode.
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yurisakura
September 27, 2016 at 8:10 AM
actually I remember reading that Ji Chang Wook was expecting the action scenes to tone down a little as the episodes continue further, but he says that's not the case, hence why he says he's extremely tired
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43 Kevin
September 26, 2016 at 2:57 AM
So, let me get this straight... Did the secretary actually suggest that they get rid of Anna by killing her? I mean, it seems as if that's their way of dealing with every problem so far, so that's where my mind went when she made that suggestion.
Also, did Anna get kidnapped just so that her father had to marry that woman? Was she so in love she killed the wife and kidnapped the daughter? If so, wow.
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koreandramalover/kay
September 26, 2016 at 3:31 AM
Very good questions! We have to wait and see what the answers are ;)
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44 Nahldia9
September 26, 2016 at 3:36 AM
Yoon-ah's acting has improved, but it was not mind blowing. I think all the other characters are doing very well and I like the story line so far. As long as they don't try to put romance into it, it will do well.
Welcome back Ji Chang Wook!!
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45 omomo
September 26, 2016 at 3:46 AM
Ohhh I just realized something. I also commented on this above so I'm sorry for reiterating, but I think it's interesting to note that K2 and Annapurna are the world's deadliest mountains.
Do you guys think this might be intentional with Je-ha's codename (maybe it was given to him bec. he's the deadliest fighter in JSS) and Anna?
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bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:21 AM
I read your comment above and I agree with the K2 mountain idea but wow Yoona's character being called Anna because of Annapurna, that's amazing!
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fab
September 26, 2016 at 4:34 AM
Great catch! His codename is a given, but Anna's name cannot be a coincidence either. Maybe their past is somehow connected, especially her mom and Je-ha's. There's definitely more to her mother than meets the eye. I'm getting way excited over all this possibilities. HEH
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46 anna
September 26, 2016 at 3:47 AM
I hope the PD read comments and tone down the music, it's so loud and distracting. And better sound effects for the action scenes please. They're so.. idk "soft"? Maybe that's more realistic? but they just didn't deliver for me.
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47 fab
September 26, 2016 at 4:26 AM
Well this was intens! Love JCW's expressions going from a merciless fighter to an empathetic bystander with the farm owners. Great directing here, it feels like I'm watching a well made movie with the scenes from the busy streets of Spain to the tight secured buildings in SK. This episode fleshed out the characters more and showed where they all stand, it'll be very interesting to see the plot unfold. This was an awesome start, couldn't have been better.
Welcome back JI CHANG WOOK. GO the K2!!
Thanks for the fab recaps Gummimochi, looking forward to more!
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48 bluemings
September 26, 2016 at 4:28 AM
This is my first time being so active in the comments section and I can't believe there's already more than 100 comments! It's really interesting to read everyone's ideas and thoughts :)
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omomo
September 26, 2016 at 4:34 AM
Welcome to the club! ;) You might wanna buckle in. It's gonna be a long and crazy ride.
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Storeybrooke
October 2, 2016 at 5:08 AM
I know! It's my first time too. I was already thinking about moments to share when watching the episodes! It's a great place to talk about the series!
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49 GedSkaiKru
September 26, 2016 at 4:33 AM
Great recap and great discussions, I really love reading here. I will hold off, however, on watching the show. I think I'm jinxed. Every time I get crazy about a drama and watch them the day of airing, instead of waiting for the drama to finish, I always end up disappointed. Like DOTS (not that it wasn't pleasant, but my expectations were too high, the show kind of fell flat for me, sorry DOTS-fans), Cheese in the Trap (Oh, that show, I was too emotionally invested and I felt personally cheated, the mess it made in my system because of the injustice they made to that drama is still in my nightmares), Cinderella and the Four knights (yep, no need to explain that).
This is why I'm going to wait for this drama to finish airing before I watch it, for the meantime, I'll join the chant, “please don’t let it fall apart like Yong Pal”. kkeut~
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50 Aye
September 26, 2016 at 4:36 AM
That tan!!
Great episode. I'm looking forward to next Friday.
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