Que Sera Sera: Episode 17 (Final)
by javabeans
Although Que Sera Sera hasn’t been the most fun, or “easy” series to watch, I am reluctant to let it go… but also a bit relieved. As with all things intense and involving, when it’s time to let go, there’s a bittersweet relief. Thank you for a wonderful run, QSS!
(Random) SONG OF THE DAY
Clazziquai – “다시…” (Again) [ zShare download ]
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EPISODE 17 (FINAL) SUMMARY
Tae Joo rushes to Eun Soo, slumped on the ground in pain, but she shoves his arm away, rejecting his help. Joon Hyuk arrrives and takes her away, as Tae Joo watches them go….
(God, I love what this director does with such tiny moments like this.)
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At the hospital (the miscarriage is obvious in implication, if not explicitly described), Eun Soo seems devastated at her loss — and Joon Hyuk tearfully apologizes for making things so hard on her, for putting her through so much. You get the sense he now realizes the severity of his jealousy and suspicion, and is paying dearly for the toll it took on Eun Soo.
Joon Hyuk continues to apologize and asks her to forgive him, but Eun Soo interrupts: “Give me some time. I think we rushed into this without thinking.” She thinks they need time to think things over. “For now, let’s spend some time apart.”
Joon Hyuk is summoned by President Cha, who asks what he really wants to know. Joon Hyuk answers that he wants to know what really happened between his father and the President, and the President levels with him. It’s true that he’d met his father at the construction site. They’d talked, argued, and even physically fought. But then, Joon Hyuk’s father suddenly disappeared from sight, falling to the ground — and the President saw Joon Hyuk there. He took him home and raised him, always fearing that he’d regain his memory. That’s the true reason that he opposed him marrying Hye Rin — he didn’t want to bring his daughter into a situation whereby Joon Hyuk might one day suddenly regain his memory, then turn on the family.
Joon Hyuk asks why he was so afraid of Joon Hyuk’s memory. The President answers that although he didn’t push his father off the building, there was a moment that he wonders if he could have stopped him, if he could have grabbed onto him. “I’m certain in that moment… I was only thinking selfishly.” All these years, he’s carried this guilt. And so, now, he will do whatever Joon Hyuk wants him to do.
Joon Hyuk fights back tears — if the President had only told him this from the start, he would have understood. “What makes me truly sad, Father, is that you couldn’t trust me.” The President answers that it wasn’t because he didn’t trust him, but rather because of the wrong he himself had committed: “I’m truly sorry for making you so lonely all these years.”
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Hye Rin informs Tae Joo that her father is ready to hand over the department store to them. Out for drinks with his hyung, Tae Joo muses at his good luck, not sounding too particularly happy. It feels too easy. Tae Joo admits: “I feel suffocated. It’s like someone’s hands are tightening around my throat.”
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On his way home, Tae Joo runs into Eun Soo in their apartment hallway. They exchange brief nods before she leaves, and Tae Joo heads to his apartment… but turns back around to chase after her, finding her waiting for the elevator.
He grabs her in a hug, begging her, “I’m truly sorry for letting you go. Let’s run away. Let’s not think of anything else, just leave everything, and run somewhere.”
After a moment in his arms, Eun Soo pulls away, and tells him to stop. “Don’t hurt others anymore. I’m tired of this. Even in ten, twenty years… even if you see me on the street… act like you don’t know me. Lets not meet ever again. Forget everything.”
In the confines of the elevator, Eun Soo cries, just as Tae Joo does, on the other side of the elevator doors……
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Joon Hyuk quits his job at the company, to the displeasure of Director Choi, who demands to know what Joon Hyuk was up to. Was he just playing, this whole time? Joon Hyuk says it was more like he was using him. Just like Director Choi used his father.
Later that night, he arrives home and is both surprised and relieved to see Eun Soo there, despite her earlier appeal to spend time apart. Joon Hyuk tells her of a new job opportunity in the States, and expresses his desire to start over new with her, in a place where nobody knows them. Forget everything and begin again.
Over drinks, Hye Rin tells Joon Hyuk that although it’s not the proper thing to say, she can’t help but be relieved he’s leaving. Although she thought things would be better after Joon Hyuk and Eun Soo married, she’s still uneasy, and it’ll help knowing that Eun Soo’s far away from Tae Joo. Joon Hyuk admits it’s not easy dealing with someone who’s by your side but emotionally miles away… and Hye Rin assures him that she’s not that sentimental. She just needs Tae Joo by her side.
Joon Hyuk warns her not to make the same mistake he did. Hye Rin: “Do you regret it?” Joon Hyuk: “Even as I regret it, I don’t want to let her go.” Hye Rin tells him that over time, everything gets better. All you have to do is wait it out.
Ji Soo reacts to news of Eun Soo’s upcoming move with hurt and anger. She can’t believe Eun Soo’s not even going to wait for her to be discharged from the hospital. Fighting back tears, Ji Soo tells her, “When I got better, I was so looking forward to spending time with you. Going places and enjoying ourselves. What is this?” Eun Soo, obviously feeling bad but attempting to hold back her own tears, tells her Ji Soo can always come visit in the States. Ji Soo’s not having it though, and says as her tears spill over, “Han Eun Soo. Why’d you even get married?” Ji Soo buries herself under her blanket while Eun Soo tries not to think too hard about that question……
Hye Rin calls Tae Joo to a board meeting, where they’ll make the announcement that they’re taking over management of the company. As Hye Rin waits, Tae Joo comes to the meeting room, hesitating for a long moment in front of the doors…
…before he makes a decision, turns around, and throws away his employee badge….
… stepping into the sunlight, walking away from the department store and all its trappings.
(And never have I been more relieved to hear the song “Moonlight” by W & Whale.)
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Hye Rin makes an educated guess and arrives at Tae Joo’s apartment, demanding to know what’s up. Tae Joo tells her he just can’t go through with it:
Tae Joo: “I thought I could win over my feelings… but that won’t work. I can’t do it.”
Hye Rin: “So what are you going to do? Is Eun Soo going to come to you now? The woman who’s about to leave for the States?”
Tae Joo: “That isn’t what’s important.”
Hye Rin: “Then what is important?”
Tae Joo: “Whether you believe me or not, it won’t work because of you.”
Hye Rin: “Don’t make excuses.”
Tae Joo: “It’s not an excuse. Because I know how you feel, I can’t continue on, deceiving you.”
Hye Rin: “Do it anyway. Have I asked for anything from you? Just be by my side. What’s so hard about that? You can have the life you want. Everything you wanted has come true. Why act like this now?”
Tae Joo: “Because this isn’t the end. We have our lives ahead of us. What’s the point in acting like this is the end of the road?”
Hye Rin: “No. I can’t.”
Tae Joo: “It’s my fault for selling out my honesty, and yours for insisting honesty’s something we don’t need. Now that we’ve seen our mistakes, we should stop now. Nothing good will come of us going any further.”
Tae Joo continues: “Why does someone like you, with so much love, with so much passion, act like this is the end of the world?” He tells her that if she’d taken their relationship lightly, he could have handled it… but knowing how she feels, he can’t continue. “Let’s end this. While we can escape, let’s escape. We have to, Hye Rin.”
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At the airport, Eun Soo and Joon Hyuk prepare to leave for the U.S. Eun Soo takes a moment to make a final phone call to Ji Soo, while Joon Hyuk watches her with what appears to be a mix of contemplation and sadness. When she finishes her phone call, Joon Hyuk tells her: “Thank you. For coming this far with me. Even until just a moment ago, I kept hesitating. I wondered if I should just close my eyes and take you away with me. Maybe this is for my good, or for yours, but this doesn’t feel right.”
Eun Soo asks what he’s talking about, and Joon Hyuk tamps down his emotions as he tells her:
Joon Hyuk: “I don’t have the confidence to keep living always looking at your back. That’s too damaging.”
Eun Soo: “I’ll try hard.”
Joon Hyuk: “It might’ve been different if we hadn’t known, but we both know all too well. Even if we cross the Pacific Ocean, it’ll keep us apart. You’re not leaving me, I’m leaving you, so don’t feel sorry. For coming this far with me — for leaving the sister you’ve valued so much to come here with me — I’ll be satisfied with that… Let’s not meet again. I don’t have the confidence to be able to see you again. What if I weaken my resolve and hold onto you?… So, if you see me around somewhere, act like you don’t know me.”
Eun Soo: “I’m sorry, for making you lonely. I’m so sorry for hurting you.”
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And TWO YEARS LATER…..
Hye Rin is doing well in her job, still at World Department Store. She meets up with Joon Hyuk for drinks the night he returns to Korea. They catch up on old times and discuss what happened between him and Eun Soo, and her and Tae Joo. Hye Rin asks why he and Eun Soo split up, and Joon Hyuk replies that he got tired of living next to someone whose feelings were far away. Hye Rin expresses her curiosity to know whatever happened to Tae Joo and Eun Soo… and has called Tae Joo to meet them for that reason.
Joon Hyuk’s not pleased to hear Tae Joo will be joining them, and asks why Hye Rin waited so long to meet with him if she was so curious about his life. She answers that she wasn’t ready to face him alone, so is using this as a good opportunity to face him.
Tae Joo looks good, and is glad to see them. Nobody has kept in touch very much over the past two years. Tae Joo’s working for an event planning firm, and although his company works closely with World Department Store, he and Hye Rin have never met. But the mood is light and casual — time really does heal.
Hye Rin asks about Eun Soo, and Tae Joo admits he doesn’t know. He heard vaguely that she’s running some kind of Internet shopping business in Seoul, but doesn’t know much more — that much he learned from his hyung, who still keeps in contact with Ji Soo. Hye Rin says half-jokingly that it makes her feel better knowing they didn’t end up together, but asks why he never tried to contact Eun Soo. Tae Joo answers: “Because she said she didn’t want to see me. She asked me not to even recognize her if we passed each other in the street, so I figured I should at least observe her last request.”
After Hye Rin leaves, the men stay behind for another round. Joon Hyuk asks why Tae Joo broke up with Hye Rin, and Tae Joo answers: “Because I felt it was wrong to her. She needs a good person who’ll love her. And being a chaebol [tycoon]… On the outside, it seems impressive and grand, but being on the inside, I found it wasn’t my style. It’s a headache. I hate complicated things.”
Joon Hyuk admits that he and Eun Soo didn’t work out because he realized you can’t force fate. But he’d always thought Eun Soo and Tae Joo would get back together.
Tae Joo: “It seems love depends on timing. Eun Soo and I let our chance go.”
Joon Hyuk: “Why?”
Tae Joo: “Because I was foolish.”
Joon Hyuk: “Yeah, you’re a foolish guy. Did you really believe her when she asked for you not to recognize her even if you crossed paths? That’s her asking you to recognize her, whenever and whenever you meet again, you idiot.”
Joon Hyuk speaks from his own experience, having made that same request of Eun Soo two years ago, and the realization dawns on Tae Joo that Joon Hyuk’s right.
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That night, on his way home, Tae Joo thinks he sees Eun Soo in the neighborhood, and pursues her. Running through the neighborhood, he eventually loses sight of her, only to turn around and find her standing right in front of him. (Unfortunately, she’s wearing perhaps the most ill-conceived set of hair extensions since Britney shaved hers off in a fit of insanity. Jung Yoo Mi is actually quite a beautiful young woman, but her awful hair looks like a middle-aged woman’s mullet. You couldn’t just give her a wig?)
They exchange brief pleasantries and catch up, happy to have run into each other. Ji Soo’s healthy and studying to enter university in the next year, and her mother’s well, working in a neighborhood beauty salon. Tae Joo’s still living in the same apartment — he’s comfortable there.
After a brief pause, he asks if she’s dating anyone these days. She’s not exactly dating someone, but there’s a guy who keeps asking her out. Tae Joo asks if he’s good-looking. Eun Soo: “He’s not as good-looking as you, but he’s all right.” Tae Joo: “It’s not easy finding someone as good-looking as me, you know.” She asks if he’s dating anyone, and he replies that he’s as popular as ever, but he’s getting tired of it these days — he must really be turning in to an ajusshi.
Tae Joo: “I wanted to meet up with you one of these days. Now that I have, I’m satisfied.” As her bus pulls up and she turns to go, he stops her with: “Thanks. It was the first time for me. I think that’s why I was so confused and awkward. Really, thanks. I wanted to tell you that.”
Although their short conversation has been pleasant and friendly, after Eun Soo leaves, Tae Joo’s walk back home is flooded with old memories… of her tearfully confessing her feelings for him, of their first date, of their round-and-round twirling… Eun Soo, likewise, is caught up in the sudden onslaught of old feelings.
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Down-spirited, Tae Joo makes his way back to his own apartment, only to see Eun Soo awaiting his return just outside his doorway. Just like the day they first met.
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And they’re back at the start… only without all the foolish mistakes they’ve made in the past, because of the lessons they’ve now learned…
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…and maybe this time, they’ll make it.
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Final Thoughts:
To be honest, as the episode drew to a close, I started to worry that the ending would be unsatisfying, or even — gasp! — boring. But the ending scene, and the circular, same-but-not-same sequence at Tae Joo’s apartment, was unexpectedly touching.
No matter how you see these people — however you may dislike the choices they’ve made and the pain they’ve inflicted from their selfishness — each person eventually chose to take the better path. Tae Joo chose not to take Hye Rin’s wealth, not for his own sake but for hers. Joon Hyuk let Eun Soo go, and did not pursue the path of blackmail and coercion of his adopted father. I loved that each couple chose to break up NOT because of feelings for other people, but because of the inherent failings of the relationships. Tae Joo and Hye Rin were going to fail regardless of whatever happened with Joon Hyuk and Eun Soo, and likewise for the other couple. I’m relieved that Tae Joo’s liberation from his job — and the chokehold of promised riches (at the price of his personal dignity) — came of his own volition, and was a choice independent of his feelings for Eun Soo.
Furthermore, everyone went on to live relatively fulfilling lives, even after they’d all lost their respective loves. Because life goes on, and you deal, and if you’re very, very lucky, you get a second chance.
This was a mature, thoughtful, challenging drama, which caught me completely off-guard and won me over with its insights, its emotion, its realism, and its understated, naturalistic but powerful acting. Que Sera Sera will not suit everyone’s taste — but for those of us who fell in love, I’m confident it has left a lasting impression.
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Tags: Eric, Jung Yumi, Lee Kyu-han, Que Sera Sera, Yoon Ji-hye
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51 lyca
May 14, 2007 at 8:32 PM
que sera sera stil not over yet for me, hehehee, coz i'm waiting for the subs.
meanwhile i kept reading the blog from javabeans just to keep me in track.
i loved ur summaries, i've learnt a lot, i've gained a lot. i can see from a different perspective now, this drama not only teach me how to face this cruel world and also nobody is perfect.
bcoz of our imperfection we made mistakes and we learn from it.
this id the first drama i've been into so much, even i cannot understan korean i still watch the episode without subs and patiently wait.
it's been a pleasure reading all ur comments here and at the que sera sera tread.
wist good luck for the production company, casts, crews and last but noy least the viewers, readers, fan, all.
i wish all of u good luck in whatever ur're doing. que sera sera, whatever will be, will be alright.
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52 ginnie
May 14, 2007 at 8:41 PM
Sarah..I feel as if I am haunting your blog. =)
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The final part of the script describes the scene mostly as we have seen it, up until Tae Joo pokes at Eun Soo with his finger, and she awakes. A smile lights up his face, and onscreen, only Tae Joo's face is seen. Whether this Eun Soo is the real Eun Soo, or the one from his memories, cannot be known.
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The part where it said ...ONLY TAE JOO'S FACE IS SEEN.
However, in the last episode, we saw Eun Soo's head at the corner of the screen.
This script might be the earliest version of the script..and from reading your interview with the Fantasy Couple PD...scripts are being altered all the time.
It is possible that the script was altered because it makes it more obvious that it was TJ's imagination if it was ONLY HIS SMILING FACE. They've added Eun Soo's smiling face and tears plus it showed her on the screen with Tae Joo smiling, not just his face. =)
I am curious what the actors thought when they were making that scene. I'll be afraid to ask that question...just in case...Tae Joo aka Eric tells me in my face that it was his imagination..teehee...
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53 mangoicy
May 14, 2007 at 10:31 PM
"I am curious what the actors thought when they were making that scene. I'll be afraid to ask that question…just in case…Tae Joo aka Eric tells me in my face that it was his imagination..teehee…"
Ginnie, if I have Eric stood right in front of me, I wouldn't be paying attention to what he's saying. I'd be lost in my own mind, tilted my head and grinned like an idiot. LOL.
Back to business, I do agree with what you're saying - self denial mode, on -. For me, when TaeJoo poked her, twice I might add, that was his (and our) assurance that he wasn't imagining things. EunSoo was there in the flesh. He doubted his own sight at first, so he poked at her, then he had that relieved smile, and that's how we knew that she was real *okay.. i'm totally repeating what i've just said. Can't you see how frustrating this is?!*
It might be just a smart publicity stunt to keep the hype up, for all we know. Whatever it is, from the number of responses we have here, I think it's working.
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54 ginnie
May 14, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Mangoicy,
I've completely forgotten about that. LOL. I am too engrossed with Tae Joo now.
*confused*
However, if I could muster enough resistance to faint or smile giddily, I really want to ask the actors about QSS. I have so many questions. I wish there is more coverage on them as actors and how they went through filming of QSS.
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55 SUNAMMA
May 15, 2007 at 4:36 AM
GOD!!
I'M SO RELIEF NOW TO KNOW THAT THEY ENDED UP TOGETHER AS THIS QUESTION WAS KILLING ME. IT WAS A NICE DRAMA WHERE THE EACH CHARACTER WAS WELLY POTRAIT. I WISH THERE WAS SOME ONE LIKE TAE JOO FOR ME[BOO.....]
THANKS TO YOU JAVABEANS FOR EVERY DETAIL YOU HAVE WRITTEN FOR US TO READ.....
N'D THIS DRAMA IS DRIVING ME CRAZY FOR ERIC. I REALLY REALLY LOVED HIM.
P.S = "TUMBS UP TO YA JAVABEANS"
LOVE YOU mmuuaahhh.....
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56 Grace
May 15, 2007 at 7:12 AM
now i get it! Thanks javabeans. I'm a computer illiterate haha
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57 Marzy
May 15, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Sarah!~ ginnie, mangoicy,xena Qssers!! im sooo stupid.i forgot to press submit! lol.i just realized it wheni read back lol. wow about that alternate ending.true enough,peoplecan interpret it many ways. but i like that happy,touching and circular meaning.like before in the thread,its true the ending not too happy but learned.bittersweetin some ways.hahhaha i love how they closed this series.its never typical.
“I am curious what the actors thought when they were making that scene. I'll be afraid to ask that question…just in case…Tae Joo aka Eric tells me in my face that it was his imagination..teehee…”
oh to that,im thinking YooMi is thinking whats up with the hair. ahhaha and eric is like i coulda done better.hahhaa but also if that was me id be staring at eric with this grin. oh like running to him forcing him not to speak.lol.
THANkS SARAH!! for all the songs,transcripts etc. wonder what's next.;D fighting!!
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58 melissa
May 15, 2007 at 2:08 PM
When i saw her get on the bus and him start walking home and thinking of all of their memories, i knew she was going to end up waiting at his door like the first time they met, it just made more sense to end it that way and also raise the question of was it tae joo's imagination or not? I like how you can kinda make ur own ending
I also liked the 2 yr laps also, because it gave them all time to heal and think about their own situations and lives, instead of eun soo and tae joo getting together right after all of the break ups...at that point after all the breakups i just felt tae joo did not deserve to be with eun soo because he was just thinking to selfishly, because it just seemed he always was getting what he wanted in a way...the two yr laps just worked better in this drama
I was wondering exactly what would happen to end the show, what would happen to everyone, i was a bit scared to see how it ends but i am glad at how they ended it.
All together, i really enjoyed watching this drama and its ending was very unlike a lot of dramas i have seen, 5 stars all the way from me!
-Melissa
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59 Ivory
May 15, 2007 at 8:11 PM
oOOoo.. I'm so jealous that all of you have gotten to see all of the episodes! I just bought the series from Ebay and will finish watching the series in a few days...or weeks! Thanks Javabeans for writing all your thought provoking summaries. I literally watched all the later epsides without subtitles and then paused it a coupla times to go back and read your summaries so that I would get the gist of the story!
Overall, I was very satisfied with the ending...either way actually (TJ and ES reuniting in the end OR TJ imagining that ES was at his doorway). I would like to think back to what you said sometime a while ago about a promise of future happiness...did you say it? I hope you did...Cuz even if ES didn't end up at TJ's doorway, perhaps we can go on to assume that TJ's crazy enough about ES now to go after her no matter what. I like the open ended ending because then it makes it seem as though (for the fans) that these lovely characters go on living even after the show's ended. It's not happily after...it's the promise of future happiness, Or in Tae Joo's and Eun Soo's case (if they had really ended up together), it's a start for them.
It's also overly romantic how TJ got a third chance with ES, because it can seem as though they are fated to be together; if it doesn't work the first, second, or third time, there's always a fourth time. It reminds me of some quotes from the movie, "The Mexican," with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt:
Samantha: I have to ask you a question. It's a good one so think about it. If two people love each other, but they just can't seem to get it together, when do you get to that point of enough is enough?
Jerry: Never.
Thanks again Java. You are now officially my Guru of all Kdramas!
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60 bm05om
May 16, 2007 at 10:24 PM
thinking about the ending scenes again,i really,really loved how TJ "thanked" ES for everything before she boarded the bus..FINALLY they had a real "closure" between them,even after two years.and then him watching her leave,and she crying alone in the bus and him reliving their memories..those were really very nice touches for the closure.and because they finally had that closure,i thought only then they would be able to have a new beginning,and for that i want to believe in my interpretation of the ending that they eventually will,and did when he found her in front of his door.i really was satisfied with that ending.it finally ended between them,and the moment it did they began all over again.anew. :)
Ivory,thanks for posting Samantha's word from The Mexican. =)
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61 Philippa
May 17, 2007 at 4:42 AM
Thanks a lot for the summary! I wanted them to end up who they were with the last few episode, I mean they could've worked it out!
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62 Sana
May 18, 2007 at 3:34 PM
Thanks so much for the translation!! I watched the series without subtitles becuase I couldn't wait!
I love this series, I was afraid of a disappointing ending...but..wow it was great!!
This was really a very good drama!
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63 Cee
May 19, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Hello,
I truly LOVE this show. Don't want say in past tense cause I'm still in love with.
It's a shame not many people watched this show in Korea,
but I must point out it has most astonishing reviews online, including you :-)
QSS is a chliche without chliche, and that's why I love it.
There are lots of flaws in narrative if I try to point them out, but well,
narrative is not everything, isn't it?
Mis-en-scene was beautiful, acting was brilliant (personally, I like JH's character),
music was awsome, and phychological aspect of relationship was sooo realistic.
Anyway, it was nice to share my feeling with others.
Cheers!
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64
May 20, 2007 at 9:12 PM
Thx for the summary!!!
I'm on ep 11 right now, i'm still waiting for the eng subtitle. I told myself not to watch the end until there is eng subtitle, but i couldn't help it, really want to know the ending. Anyway, thank you so much =]
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65 Ty
May 21, 2007 at 4:47 AM
???? ?????. ?????? ?? ?????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?????. ??????? ????..^^
�??? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ??. ???? ? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???. ??, ??? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???. ??? ????, ?? ? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ? ??. ??? ??? ?? ??, ??? ???? ??. ???? ??? ? ??? ?? ??? ??, ? ??? ?? ??? ??? ????. ??? ??? ?? ? ??? ???? ???. ??? ?? ?? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???, ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ?? ? ???? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? ?? ??? ??.�
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66 Izzy
May 24, 2007 at 9:47 PM
I watched the first Ep when it first came out and wasn't too impressed but somehow I just kept thinking about it and decided to watch the rest of the series and I don't regret it one bit.
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67 Ivory
May 29, 2007 at 11:11 PM
*sighs* I just received my copy of QSS and just finished watching every awesome episode there was! The last scene at the doorway was short, but it's truly lovely how no words were needed to express all their feelings. What was most satisfying was that there was no more pain in their faces as they gazed at each other. What was on their faces were actually EXCITMENT, and HONESTY, and probably and most likely (in my world), LOVE. I can't get over this drama, having just watched it all over again.
One question for those of you still stalking this blog: Do you think if the people who made this series would have plainly made TJ and ES end up together (like getting married)...do you think that could have cheapened the moral of the story? Would it have taken the magic away from the whole series?
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68 samantha
June 2, 2007 at 6:48 PM
QSS was such a great drama and i absolutely loved it, the director and writers did such a good job.... this is one of my favorite kdramas... and thanks javabeans for your summaries they've helped intensely to understand what happening in each and every episode.... i wonder whats my next addiction? =}
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69 Ubo
June 5, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Hi All,
Anyone knows what's the name of the jazzy english song that is the playing at the end of the gathering of the trio (meeting for the first time after two years) - just before the two guys followed the girl to the lift to see her off ?
Thanks.
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70 msboxster
June 16, 2007 at 12:57 AM
I just got finished watching episode 15 (in L.A we get everything later) and after the pregnancy announcement i jumped on the internet to satisfy my craving! I know i cheated but i could not take it anymore, i was driving myself CRAZY just thinking about having to wait a full week! I don't know how I found this blog but i'm happy i did. Not only because I couldn't deal with not knowing but because javabeans I hope where ever you may be that you are a writer by profession. I started watching K-Dramas because i don't have cable and they're subtitled. I've been hooked for the past 3 years and everyone thinks it's the weirdest thing to have this african-american record label working, chick always at industry parties, unwilling to leave the house on Fridays because a Korean Drama is on! The looks i get when i tell people "What time does it start? I can't miss my drama!"
Javabeans you are awesome! Thanks so much for all of your wonderful insight.
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71 Amy
June 18, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Thks! Good summary....thrs one thing that I would love to comment about this series..it seems so real, like I'm watching a real-life relationship going on..and not like the typical fairy tale love story where the hero seems too good and romantic for real and the girl too innocent and naive. I like how mature the Tae Joo's character is and the fact that such guys may exist. However, as for Joon Hyuk, I was kinda taken back at his sudden realization and the decision to leave for the states alone, and also for the fact that he was so distrustful towards the president initially; due to his vague past that led him to such unfilial act and resentment; but then turned the table around and trusted him wholly when he finally revealed what actually happened. Isn't that too good to be true? Can a person's heart change so quickly? And that if it was that easy to trust him, he should have clarified the whole incident with the president wisely in the beginning... anywayz, I like how she ended up in front of his house falling asleep again. Good drama. And hey, I saw one post on Thank You-- that's a GREAT drama by the way, for one. And it's no typical sad drama with ending like autumn in my heart, for two-- no...this is way much deeper. (AIDS- do you think she's gonna die in the end? I shall give you doubts about it now..) In fact it left me such a great impression that I'm really overwhelmed by it. Cuz that drama taught me a lot of things. It's that good.
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72 CJ
June 23, 2007 at 10:56 AM
I too watched on L.A. channel 18. I happened to catch this show while channel surfing and because it was subtitled I could watch it and got hooked. I found this great blog which helped me catch up since I came in weeks late, because I'm not Korean and also because channel 18 cuts up the episodes! They showed two episodes in a block of a little over an hour and a half each week. So they cut out a lot. For example, they cut out Tae Joo at the two year meeting of the three - I didn't even know he met up with Hye Rin and Jyun Hyuk. They cut out the scene of TJ and ES at the elevator (both crying). So coming here I can fill in what I missed and learn some Korean culture too. So thank you so much! I really loved this show and it's Eun Soo that drew me into this drama - I thought she was great. And I rooted for TJ and ES all throughout and thought the ending was quite nice. All that angst and they can finally both smile. :)
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73 Noemi
June 23, 2007 at 1:51 PM
Thanks,
Best Drama I have Seen I Loved All the Characters And The Music. I Wish They have A Continuation Lol To See How Everyones Life Turned Out.
Thanks Again!!!!!
QSS Lover!!!!
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74 javabeans
June 24, 2007 at 1:01 AM
I'm so sad to hear that LA's channel 18 butchered the episodes so badly! I actually caught an episode because I was curious about their translations, and was really very dismayed to see THE pivotal episode (ep 9 in singapore) slashed to ribbons.
Que Sera Sera is a drama that, in its untouched whole version, requires some patience -- I can only imagine how fragmented and awkward it must be watching it for the first time in a badly edited version. I mean, they actually discarded Tae Joo's "I love you" confession! That moment elicited an audible gasp from me when I first watched, and they didn't see fit to include it. Bad, bad, bad.
QSS is like a fine wine -- you have to air it out and sip slowly, not chug it down in gulps. If someone dislikes the drama for its own sake, that's perfectly fine -- but it's too bad if someone's turned off because they didn't get to see some very important scenes and conversations. Well, if these summaries help fill in the gaps, it eases my dismay slightly.
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75 bee
August 16, 2007 at 3:35 PM
Thanks so much for doing these recaps! I started watching QSS because I saw you did episode summaries and I've always been mildly curious about Eric's dramas. And even though I couldn't fully finish the series because english subs haven't been produced, I read your summaries for the last two episodes and was fully satisified. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can't wait to see more of your Coffee Prince summaries! =D
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76 sam
August 23, 2007 at 3:22 PM
hey there dramabeans...i don't know how much to thank you for this...i have been waiting for the last two episodes to be subbed and got tired for waiting and was nearly going to give up waiting till somene directed me to your site....and boy was I GALD!!!...i thought that reading it wouldn't be the same as watching....WAS I WRONG??? Yes i was...with the right music in the right scene you made it worth the wait...and i got to add that you have the gift of writing...thank you so much for this...
sam
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77 jindarae
September 13, 2007 at 3:03 AM
Hi! Sarah, I finished QSS already, 2:10am this morning (and I have an 8am work.. ughh!), and I am crying to the end. Got a swelling eyes when I woke up... I love the drama, I can relate to so much of the scenes (how can love be so painful)... Anyways, I'm into reading the whole summary you posted also. By the way, if ever you know the second song they sing (between Eps 9 & 10) in the Norebang, the song next to Neun Nehgae banneseo, please please can you post the song! Thanks again, you are really great!
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78 hiutopor
September 18, 2007 at 7:33 AM
Hi
Very interesting information! Thanks!
Bye
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79 katwoman
October 10, 2007 at 2:29 PM
Hi Sarah,
I loved QSS and your recaps.
I'm a johnny-come-lately fan of Eric of now. I seriously love Kang Tae Joo.
So, if I may, can I ask your opinion on watching Eric in Invincible Parachute Agent? Btw, he didn't make that big an impression in Super Rookie. Kooky brother and friends stole the show for me.
Thanks.
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80 judy
January 21, 2008 at 4:58 PM
wow, you wrote that so well! i had watched this based on your review. i finished the last episode this weekend. your translation is so much better than the site that i watched it on. yours make a whole lot more sense. after reading your review, i understand more and i'm happy that i watched it. :)
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81 Jane
August 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I loved watching the drama while reading your screencaps for your articulate insights, as always. I was a little dissapointed that they never explained who that strange kid that was following Ji-Soo was but they probably forgone that storyline in favor of more substantial ones. Too bad that takes screen time away from the interestingly quirky Ji-Soo. =]
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82 sleeplesssinwgtn
October 5, 2008 at 4:31 AM
A real terjerker - that scene where ES is in the lift and TJ is outside the lift door.
I am more inclined to believe that the ending is real, not TJ's imagination.
I loved reading your summaries and the commentaries. They give me a deeper insight into the drama.
THANKS!
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83 Laura
October 28, 2008 at 2:47 AM
What a good drama this has been. I watched the first episodes way back, but for some reason did not continue watching until a few weeks ago. I went through episodes 2-9 pretty fast but after that I just had to take a few weeks to breath. It was getting really intense (which is not a bad thing, but for some reason I was dreading what was coming in the next episodes). So a few days ago I decided to continue watching and I'm so glad I did. The show was as intense as ever and kept me on the edge the whole of its duration.
And I loved the ending, how it all came back to the beginning. And I know that they were given a secong chance and that they made it..
Thanks for the recaps, Javabeans. I love reading them after I finish watching an episode...
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84 Anu
November 22, 2008 at 9:47 PM
I just finished Que Sera Sera and it was so amazing I 'm glad I decided to watch it. At first I read your re-caps and then for some reason I wanted to read them again but instead I decided to watch Que Sera Sera and now that I finished it I'm going to add it to my favorite dramas list.
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85 p3rk3le
March 2, 2009 at 2:37 PM
All the while I was thinking I would rate this drama 8-9 but somehow after I watched the last ep I was thinking: 10. Haha, I loved it, a big thanks for everyone's hard work!!
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86 crappycaller
June 14, 2009 at 9:12 PM
totally agree with your review... i watched this series in the internet only. it was not shown here in the Philippines :( .. did it have a good rating in Korea? but I hope i get lucky to find a nice site again to watch this drama. I think Que Sera Sera is for the 25 to 35 year old audience. I find it really good because the story combined the drama inside the corporate world and the love and lies that happens inside. highly recommended ^_^
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87
October 9, 2009 at 5:12 AM
i really love this series...it touched my heart..and it's realistic
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88 jackie
October 10, 2009 at 10:28 PM
oh, my god. i watched the first four episodes of this drama and gave in: i skimmed the rest of the recaps. this drama is way more intense than i ever imagined. i think i'll have to wait a couple of years before being able to watch it and really understand it. holy shit. just.. wow.
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89 Mel
February 2, 2010 at 8:24 AM
I just got introduced to Que Sera Sera via your recaps and cuz the DVD's on sale, I bought it. I don't regret it. This drama's very different from others, I feel. It's such a thinking drama and yes, you said it right Javabeans - for those of us who fell in love, it does leave a lasting impression. In love, we can all be foolish.
Thanks for introducing me to Que Sera Sera :-)
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90 Andromytta
March 30, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Not sure how I feel about the ending, although I would have liked to see it end differently...perhaps the two women running the department store (and using the line Eun Soo recommended) without a thought for the men. But maybe that's just me.
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91 Allia
March 31, 2010 at 1:24 AM
Vaya.
You know, actually, I've been avoiding Que Sera Sera for half a year now, ever since I started watching k dramas. I'm from Argentina, so the spanish title immediatly catched my eyes, but after reading some comments I was worried that it would end up being too intense for me. Then, the other day, I saw it again on my "Dramas-To-Watch" list and decided that I shouldn't be so coward.
I'm so glad. So terribly glad I saw it. And at the same time I'm sad, because now my conception of what a "good" drama should be has changed, and from now on I fear that it will be a lot more difficult to fall in love with other dramas again.
Thank you so much for your recaps.
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92 Liza
June 21, 2010 at 2:24 PM
True. This drama is not for everyone. I remember watching it when i was younger and i suppose 'less into the cirlce of realism' so this drama completely threw me off. I didn't understand it and i hated what each person did to the other but now that i look back on it, this drama is for the more emotionally stable ones.
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93 Jubby
June 27, 2010 at 1:55 AM
I am truly truly going to miss this drama so much..
The characters, the story, the music. Everything. I was satisfied with it till the very end. Thank you QSS for not disappointing me! And that ending scene has got to be the cutest (and nearly perfect) ending scene I have ever seen! :) What a great way to end the series.
Although I feel a little heavy-hearted now that it's over, I also feel a bit relieved... Great job to you, Javabeans for the recaps!
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94 HS
October 10, 2010 at 3:34 AM
The ending is beautifully made.
It is like the scene when ES is drunk and spins around TJ .
It nearly made me cry imagining how TJ would feel going back to those days ( earlier Episodes) and seeing himself treat ES so lightly when he loves her and wants her so much at the end.
LAST EPISODE: very saddens me that deep inside my heart somethings telling me that it is his imagination.
It is wise to intepret this way because the whole drama has taught the 4 characters that some actions, words and feelings are irreversible and somehow TJ feels it when he approaches her* ( the imaginary her) infront of his door. The fact that he still lives there could be because he cant forget about the memories he shared with ES.
and i would also like to feel that it is his imagination because even though i have cried and prayed for TJ and ES, i do not want this particular drama to feel cliched.
If you know what i mean.
But anythings possible.
Que Sera Sera it is.
But suddenly i am SO angry at TJ.
If he loves her so much , why cant he be a man and confess honestly? surely ES hasnt forgotten about him.
and it was what ES wanted him to do 2 years ago.
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95 Superapple
January 9, 2011 at 5:14 PM
Wooow ! That was an end.
Hahaha i'm so glad, after crying when she simply takes the bus i just guessed what the end would be, and it was wonderful thank god !
But i'm a bit disappointed, the boys are the only ones who understood what the right thing to do was (and they did it well thank god), hey girls wake up !
Happily, to catch that up, i found that Eric was becoming more and more handsome over the episodes, maybe it is because his personality is doing the same.. And the soundtracks are awesome !
In brief, thank you for making so much reference to Que Sera Sera in others recaps, without it i would probably had missed a surprising, great drama.
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96 jat
July 1, 2011 at 9:01 AM
I just finish reading QSS recap , I tried to read them first b4 watch them to know what its all about that it's different and not everyone's type, coz I like different . I read it and like it, and I will def watch it. thank you for your recap and rating, it help me to decide which drama to watch. and I also think its worth that 9 point.
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97 marion huang
August 9, 2011 at 10:19 PM
QSS is one of the most understated dramas I have watched. I watched it again this weekend and came away with brand new perspectives of Hye-rin and Joon-hyuk
In the airport parting scene on the 1st watch, I pitied and cried with JH. I still do, even more than before but this time I felt his loneliness even more. He embraced (and possibly fell in love with) Eun-soo because she noticed and felt his loneliness. He let her into his life because she took him out of his loneliness so to speak. JH has always been somewhat an outsider, he came to Hye-rin's family as an orphan ; although he was treated as part of the family, he somehow never got the acceptance or treatment a real son of the family got. He was smart, good looking and capable but never really part of the circle, hence he felt lonely. Along came Eun-soo, who isn't exactly like him but similar enough. And innocent at that. Like Javabeans said, I like how the couples separated not because of other people but because of their respective relationship's inherent failings. JH realised that even if he and Eun-soo were to move across the Pacific, there will still be a wall between them because he will always be looking at her back and over her shoulder. I like it that he knows she is not over Tae-joo but does not express it explicitly. So he is back to being lonely and all by himself ( as he always has) again. Minus the trappings of a CEO now
When I watched this drama the first time round, I disliked the Hye-rin character intensely but this time round, I actually sympathised with her more than before. I won't go so far as to say I like her character but at least now I don't loathe her like before. My earlier impression of her was a clingy b*t** - yes she loved Tae-joo (who doesn't) and wants him for herself but this time I saw her a woman who needs love and wants to be loved back by the man she loves. In other words, I saw the more human and needy side of her. Maybe it's because I am older now. She understands why Tae-joo needed to stay away from JH and ES's wedding and gave him the needed space. She defends her man from her mum's criticism and above all, she loves him wholeheartedly, sometimes too much for her own good. I used to think she was selfish and hated the little moments of affection between her and Tae-joo. I wanted those moments to exist only between ES and TJ, but I've come to understand she needs him and more importantly, he needs her too. While I do not support the Hye-rin / Tae-joo coupling, I think it was good that they were briefly married (or was it just engaged ? ) for them to enjoy the brief moments of bliss.
I am one of those who believe ES came back to TJ and it was not his imagination or hallucination when she came back and camped outside his flat
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98 NiaIpeh
October 8, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Omo... u made me love Eric, Javabeans! I hate him, well his role actually, in Myung wol. But I happened to fell in love with him in this old drama. Haaa... Since I visit this site, reading drama recaps is much more interesting than reading a novel or watching kdrama on tv.. dunno why.. but I really love this recaps...
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99 Enz
November 14, 2012 at 11:44 PM
I just marathoned this drama and love it almost unreservedly ( the fashion and hairstyle was a little distracting!). Very intense, beautifully crafted story about love and the choices we make and how nobody really needs to die of broken hearts and if we give time, time, even the deepest pain will be overcome.
I also loved how the director told the story. In parts, it felt like a play. Just so happy that I came across a gem like this that moved my heart and made me think about life at the same time
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100 TechnoKeats
January 9, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Thanks to your drama ratings/ravings :-P I came across this one of a kind story. Never before I've seen a drama with characters who stayed true to themselves till the end. Keep up your good work d(^_^d)
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