Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 9
by javabeans
They will cut you with that stare. Back away slowly.
I’ll be honest and say I was not a fan of this episode, and it’s not because of what happens at the end. Oh, there was some stellar acting in it, as ever, and I don’t really have a problem with the angst levels. (There’s pointless angst, and then there’s angst that has earned its right to thwart your wishes for happiness because it has built up its tension sufficiently.) It’s not even about the lack of “magic” that characterized early episodes. But I’ll explain more below.
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EPISODE 9 RECAP
Eun-jo faces her very guilty-looking mother, who has just emerged from the cafe after buying Jang ajusshi off. Ignoring Kang-sook’s offer to explain, Eun-jo storms into the cafe, glaring at every man in the place. Jang ajusshi had the sense to duck away when seeing Eun-jo’s approach, so Kang-sook can breathe a sigh of relief and Eun-jo finds no trace of him.
Out in the stairwell, Jang counts his payoff and tells himself, “Yeah, this is how low you are,” as though to comfort himself for taking the money. He heads down to leave… which is when Kang-sook and Eun-jo step out of the cafe and run right into him.
Kang-sook had been able to regain her cool after Eun-jo saw that nobody was inside the cafe, but now her eyes widen in shock. What do you suppose the chances are that Eun-jo will believe this is a coincidence?
Voiceover gives us a look into Ki-hoon’s thoughts as he enters Eun-jo’s room tentatively and looks around. He notes that there are no pink curtains, no fancy lipsticks, no frills for this 26-year-old young woman. No sign either of a ridiculous doll he might be able to laugh at.
He thinks back to how she smiled while watching Jung-woo dancing goofily for her, and narrates in that dull, bleak voice: “I thought she didn’t know how to smile… awful girl.”
He goes back to the room he shares with Jung-woo and sees that it’s empty. He wonders, “Where has this guy gone? Is he off making that awful girl laugh?” Jung-woo’s knapsack falls when Ki-hoon sits down, and Ki-hoon sees the childish message scrawled on the baseball bat: “Song Eun-jo is Han Jung-woo’s woman forever.”
Hyo-sun comes in to see Ki-hoon’s gaze fixated on the bat on the ground, and she reads the message. Aside from the fact that this reveals Jung-woo’s feelings, there is also the realization that Jung-woo and Eun-jo must go back a long while if he knew her as a Song rather than a Gu.
Ki-hoon puts the bag back and walks out, silent.
At this memory of the past, Hyo-sun goes into her old trunk of her mother’s things. Inside is the letter she’d never delivered to Eun-jo, which reads differently than the words we’d seen before about Ushuaia. Ki-hoon narrates the contents for us while he thinks back to the day he boarded the train and left:
Ki-hoon’s letter: “Will you hold onto me? If you hold me, I can stop here. Before I get on the train, hold me back, Eun-jo.”
Believing she received the letter and ignored it, Ki-hoon thinks that even though he knew Eun-jo was tough, “I didn’t know she would so simply ignore my earnest request to hold me back.”
Eun-jo et al relocate to an outdoor pavilion to have this conversation. Isn’t it funny how, while in the throes of anger and/or passion, characters still always make the time to relocate to scenic environs?
Kang-sook tells Eun-jo it’s all over, which Jang ajusshi confirms. Eun-jo asks if they’ve been seeing each other this whole time, and it’s hardly any consolation at all when Jang clarifies that there were three years in the middle when they didn’t see each other. After all, that proves that even if Kang-sook were to end it with him today, she may just end up back with him later.
Kang-sook recognizes that Eun-jo won’t believe her no matter what she says, not that Eun-jo has any reason to trust her words. Eun-jo asks her mother if she would believe herself when every word that comes out of her mouth is a lie, questioning whether her mother even knows how to be sincere in anything.
Eun-jo accuses her mother of making a fool of Dae-sung and thinking she’d gotten away with it. Kang-sook retorts that she paid Jang ajusshi off to get him to leave — giving someone money to leave means that you’ve made a decision. At least in her world, where money is always the final word.
At that, Jang levels a stare at her and puts the envelope back in her hand, saying he’ll get lost without taking the money. Like he’s not going to accept this version of himself after all, like he’s better than that. He tells her, “However low I may be, I know what shame is.”
Kang-sook prepares Dae-sung’s hanyak (Oriental medicine) for him, as she has been diligently doing daily. She expresses her concerns like a dutiful wife, but Dae-sung’s reaction is contained, as though her confession about using him for money has made him unable to pretend it away.
Dae-sung is planning to work late, but Eun-jo takes her mother aside to tell her — request, even — to take him home, because there has been a problem with the factory and she doesn’t want to upset him. In fact, it would be best to take him away on a vacation and keep him away from phones, because he’s not supposed to receive any emotional shock in his condition.
The issue is with their rice supplier, which has suddenly decided it cannot sell to them anymore, as they have sold their rice elsewhere. The factory cannot just switch to a different brand, because their product is advertised as solely using organic rice from this particular region.
Eun-jo handles this situation in her usual manner, which is to say badly — her first reaction is to go on the offense and attack the rice company director for breaching the contract with their company. The director points out that they’d never made a contract so he has broken no agreement. He doesn’t answer their question of who bought the rice instead.
He dismisses this meeting, but Hyo-sun steps in to try using her only (known) marketable skill, which is to pour on the cute act. She reminds the ajusshi that she used to come by as a little girl, and he used to buy her candies. Won’t he take a little time to just have one drink with them?
I don’t mean to disparage Hyo-sun’s tactic, because it’s certainly more diplomatic and if anything she’s much better than Eun-jo at managing (some might call it manipulating) people. You catch more flies with honey, and such as.
Hyo-sun drinks makgulli with the director, who has enough wine to turn his nose bright red and ease his stiff demeanor. Once his mood has been softened, Hyo-sun asks whom he sold the rice to. We don’t hear the answer but our characters do, and Eun-jo wants to spring into action immediately.
Ki-hoon argues against it — even if they go to the buyer right now, she’ll probably be confrontational like she was with this director. Hyo-sun wakes up from the backseat — is the timing by chance, or by design? — to ask groggily, “Oppa, I did good today, didn’t I?” He tells her she did.
Ki-hoon says he’ll take Hyo-sun tomorrow to meet with the rice buyer, which means this hurts on two levels for Eun-jo — he’s overruling her decision and also indicating that Hyo-sun is the better facilitator. Eun-jo protests, but Ki-hoon tells her, “She’s much more capable than you. You can’t open people’s hearts.”
His words take on a personal meaning — he’s definitely not just talking about the rice company ajusshi now — as he adds that she can’t figure anything out. His voice has a bitter edge.
Angered, Eun-jo orders Ki-hoon to pull over, then gets out of the car to walk. And Ki-hoon just drives on.
A little part of me dies (the part of me that stubbornly clings to the Eun-jo/Ki-hoon romantic pairing) when he leaves her there, even as a part of me appreciates that a character who makes a big gesture like this is not coddled for it. As with Hyo-sun earlier, by driving on, he forces her to own up to her move. If Eun-jo feels the teeniest twinge of surprise or disappointment — and I’m pretty certain she does — she’s not being honest about the motivation driving her action. Perhaps she wants him to come after her, and to push past her barriers like he used to do. But back then, he hadn’t felt wounded by her, as he does now.
When she finally gets home, Ki-hoon is waiting in front of the gate, with one question to ask: “Back then, before I left this house, why didn’t you come to the train station? Did you not get my letter?” Eun-jo doesn’t betray her shock, and answers evenly, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He furrows his brow: “I wrote a letter asking you to come to the train station and gave it to Hyo-sun to give you. Did she… not give it to you?” Eun-jo stares with gaze averted, almost like she’s lost in her thoughts. But she answers, “I got it.”
What in the WHAT now?
Ki-hoon asks her if she really did, wanting confirmation. Eun-jo replies coldly that she can’t remember if she ripped it up or burned it, acting like it was unimportant enough to forget. Now his voice betrays his hurt as he asks, “You read it and still didn’t come?”
Now she looks at him wearing a smirk. A big, hateful smirk.
Eun-jo tells him in that taunting voice not to act pathetic, which is a bit like kicking a wounded puppy when it’s down. Ki-hoon has just opened up to you after all this solo brooding — good lord it’s taken long enough — and right away you lie? But even though she strives to sound cool, she gets more and more heated as she yells that she has nothing to give of the past, so don’t beg.
We know she’s acting in self-preservation but Ki-hoon doesn’t, and when they retreat to their own rooms, both are feeling pain over the exchange. Eun-jo seems stunned with her own words, falling to the floor and sobbing to herself.
And see… this is where Eun-jo loses me. Oh, I get why she did this, on a logical level. I just really hate that she did, and that the drama writer is taking her character in this direction. More on this later.
In the morning, Eun-jo glares at Hyo-sun with new anger, now knowing that she interfered with Ki-hoon’s letter.
Kang-sook takes Dae-sung away for a vacation and keeps him from calling the factory, assuring him that the kids will handle it.
Eun-jo waits impatiently for word from Ki-hoon and Hyo-sun, who are meeting with the people who bought the rice. When the call finally comes, the news is not good: they can’t buy the rice back, because the buyer paid triple the price. There’s no way they can match that.
Hyo-sun wants to tell her father, as this has grown too big to handle behind his back. Eun-jo disagrees violently but loses this fight, so Dae-sung gets the bad news and decides to head back to the factory. There’s a nice moment when Kang-sook grabs his arm as they walk, and Dae-sung tells her she doesn’t have to because he doesn’t want to feel like a patient. She answers that she’s not doing it because he’s a patient; she’s doing it because she wants to. For the first time since his big disillusionment, Dae-sung lets out a small smile, pleased to hear this.
Jung-woo plays with Jun-su while casting worried looks Eun-jo’s way, as she seems ready to burst with the tension. He brings her honey tea, lapsing into his country accent and talking in his lightly teasing way to get her to drink it.
He accompanies her to the bank to inquire into taking out a loan. She is told that the answer will come by the following morning.
Jung-woo tells her to use his money, reminding her of his savings that he had given to her — he’ll take responsibility for her life. She smiles; he’s so cute, and also so simple. When I was in elementary school, I remember my mother worrying over finances, and I offered up my piggybank savings — ever-so-magnanimously! — as though that would solve the grown-ups’ problems. I think my mom laughed at me too.
Although they haven’t gotten the loan yet, Hyo-sun disagrees strongly with taking that route. Eun-jo points out that the scandal over the spoiled makgulli was a huge blow, and if they don’t recover now, it’ll be even more difficult for them to bounce back.
It’s an odd sensation to have Hyo-sun be the voice of reason, as she takes issue with Eun-jo acting unilaterally without telling anyone, and demands what’ll happen if they can’t pay back the loan.
Eun-jo is convinced that they can get back on their feet if they overcome this hurdle, but Hyo-sun asks how she can know that.
Eun-jo loses me a little more as she asks her sister snidely, “If I know the answer, how come you don’t? How can you not know?” What, is she psychic?
Eun-jo reminds Hyo-sun that her father’s name is on the line, and Hyo-sun bursts out, “Don’t act like you’re thinking of my father!” She tells Eun-jo not to invoke her father’s name like she knows better than Hyo-sun what it means. Don’t be a hypocrite. She should just be honest and admit that she’s trying to increase her own role in the company. And if not, then declare that it’s not.
Okay, so that accusation of Eun-jo leveraging her position is a little unfair. These ladies are making it mighty hard to choose sides, which I suppose is the point. But it’s a kdrama! I must have sides! How else will I know which one to wish fiery death by volcano upon?
In response to Hyo-sun’s charges, Eun-jo asks, “How can you know my feelings that well when I don’t even know them myself? What are you so afraid of that you keep telling me to reveal my inner thoughts?” Is she afraid Eun-jo will supplant her? Or is she afraid Eun-jo will take everything and leave nothing for her?
I don’t think she’s too far off from the truth — even if it’s not something Hyo-sun is willing to admit aloud, or even to herself — and Hyo-sun’s face takes on a defensive expression. Eun-jo declares that even if she were harboring secret intentions, she’d never reveal them to Hyo-sun, who is “childish and horrible.” Caustically, she adds, “The fact that I’m letting you off this easy is because you’re your father’s daughter.”
This whole argument has been heated, but Hyo-sun takes particular offense at this and ups the temperature even more. She grasps Eun-jo’s arm tightly and orders her to repeat herself. She’s childish and horrible?
Eun-jo bites out that she is — even thinking about the horrible consequences of that very childishness is enough to drive her crazy. Cryptic words belie untold truths here, and Hyo-sun demands to know what she’s referring to. Eun-jo asks Hyo-sun if she really wants to know, if it’s something she won’t regret, already smirking in anticipation of her reaction.
Eun-jo says, “His letter. Why did you hide it and not give it to me?” Hyo-sun swallows, the only hint that she understood the question. With barely contained contempt, Eun-jo continues, “It’s disgusting for me to even stand next to you, who have made me finally say these words, but the reason I’m letting it slide isn’t because of you, but because you are your father’s daughter.”
Eun-jo considers this the end to their little chat, but Hyo-sun’s not done yet and holds her back. Shrewdly, she asks, if Eun-jo is referring to hiding Ki-hoon’s letter as evidence of Hyo-sun’s “childishness,” then what exactly were those “horrible consequences”?
Hyo-sun and Eun-jo both know what the answer is — that her separation from Ki-hoon hurt her more than she wants to admit. Eun-jo would rather cut off an appendage than bare her soul to Hyo-sun, but can’t back down from this challenge. She starts to reply, “The first time that I ever, in my life…”
But that’s too earnest and Eun-jo lets fall a tear. She cuts herself off and says that it won’t change things now; she refuses to be “the main character in the story of step-sisters fighting over one man.” She adds, “I’ve stepped out of that story a long, long time ago. I won’t step back in.”
But now it’s her turn to grab Hyo-sun close, and Eun-jo taunts: “You’ll have to be careful. He seems like he hasn’t been able to forget me. Isn’t that interesting?”
Eek, shivers. This scene made me think that it must be challenging for these two actresses to fake hatred so well, or wonder if a tiny bit of their characters’ antipathy must inevitably seep into real life.
Ki-hoon reports to his father on the health of Dae-sung’s company, deeming it likely to spring back soon. He explains that there is an employee, Eun-jo, who is working on developing a new type of yeast, and as she is determined and smart, it will only be a matter of time before she succeeds. That yeast will be a crucial part of the company, and they must claim that as well.
The one sign that Ki-hoon isn’t as heartless about his takeover as he might otherwise appear is in how he loses himself in thought when talking about Eun-jo, letting out a bitter comment about how she’s so persistent.
He asks his father to find out who bought up the rice, and asks him to fund loans to the company, “Since it’s ours anyway.”
(He’s a double agent, for sure — but for which side? If only he would TALK MORE.)
With his father’s loan (offered through a bank, so the Gu family doesn’t know it’s coming from Hong Ju), Dae-sung is able to purchase the rice and production resumes. The family sighs in relief for the moment.
(Re: the above screencap: I give Hyo-sun full credit for loving her father genuinely, but I don’t think that precludes her from knowing that it can also be a tool to use against Eun-jo. She wields Dae-sung’s love like a weapon.)
Eun-jo wants to hurry back to her lab, but Dae-sung asks her to eat with them. She declines, so Hyo-sun asks her in a sweet voice, keeping up the ruse that they get along for Dae-sun’s benefit.
Under their breaths, however, they mutter to each other. Hyo-sun glares, saying that she won’t stand to see her father being hurt if Eun-jo goes off like this: “I won’t let you go. Eat and go, you bitch.”
(Language note: Ki-hoon often calls Eun-jo “나쁜 계집애” which I have been translating as “you awful girl.” Given his intonation and context, he means it half-bitterly, half-affectionately, so it doesn’t have much sting. Hyo-sun uses the same term here but with spite, which elevates the slur from a mere “awful girl” to “bitch.” In Korean, some words can be turned into swears by their context, and this is one case.)
Dae-sung is in a good mood at lunch, drinking freely. Eun-jo tells him to stop drinking and takes the cup from him, then invites Hyo-sun to drink. She makes the offer with the air of a challenge, and Hyo-sun drinks, then pours a cup for Eun-jo in return. They go back and forth, and the exchange fills the air with tension, particularly when Hyo-sun instructs Ki-hoon to take her father home; she’s got some drinking to do with sister dearest.
Ki-hoon reminds Hyo-sun that Eun-jo can’t drink much, and if anything is likely to goad Eun-jo on, it’s sympathy (over a perceived weakness, to boot).
Some time later, both sisters are drunk. Hyo-sun asks, “Won’t you leave our house?” Her tone is plaintive rather than angry, and Hyo-sun says things like “I hate you to death” in the voice of a child who is upset not to have gotten her way. Eun-jo reminds her that she used to say she liked her to death, and followed her around, which Hyo-sun denies.
Hyo-sun asks again, seriously, for Eun-jo to leave, offering up her old apartment in Seoul. Eun-jo could get a job anywhere with her skills, and if not, Hyo-sun can even send her money. She finds the sight of Eun-jo’s face horrible, which is a sentiment Eun-jo returns.
But Eun-jo says no. Did she just think she’d agree? It was Hyo-sun who wanted to get this sister showdown going and see who won — does she suddenly feel like she’s going to lose? Eun-jo warns, “If you keep this up, I’m really going to steal everything from you.” She’ll take the company, her father, and “him.”
Hyo-sun says, “That was the truth from the beginning.” (Like Eun-jo wanted to prove that Teenage Hyo-sun was no sweetheart, Hyo-sun wants to prove that Adult Eun-jo isn’t a hardworking darling.)
Hyo-sun calls her Song Eun-jo, but Eun-jo corrects her — she’s a Gu now. She adds that even if her last name isn’t a big deal, the fact that Hyo-sun keeps picking at those things makes her want to retort, “Oh, yeah? Then shall I see how much I really CAN take from you?”
They both stagger out of the restaurant in little drunken zigzags, which is mildly hilarious. Even though she’s drunk (or perhaps because of it), Hyo-sun follows her big sis. Old habits die hard. The pair look like two whirly tops making their dizzy way across the floor, all the way to the laboratory.
Hyo-sun passes first, slumping on the floor. Eun-jo tries to pull her off the ground, but falls over and ends up passing out on her sister’s shoulder.
By nighttime, Dae-sung is worried to death about the missing girls and orders the boys to find them. A phone call from Japan spins his worries in another direction, however, with puzzling and unfortunate news: The boat carrying their makgulli shipment to Japan arrived, but somehow their product has not.
Ki-hoon is about to check with the Japanese office, but Dae-sung tells him that there is no such office. He reels from the shock.
It turns out all their business documents were faked. Ki-hoon suspects his father, but President Hong tells him that it was Ki-jung. Hong hadn’t known about it, and has just found out the truth himself.
So Ki-hoon calls Big Bro, asking if that’s how badly he wanted to have the company. He didn’t think Hong Ju would stoop this low — this is cheap back-alley stuff.
And just as he levels these charges against him, he becomes aware of a presence in the room. Dae-sung stands behind him, having heard the whole thing.
Dae-sung asks, angry in his quietly dignified way, “This is your family’s doing?”
Ki-hoon had hung up the call when realizing Dae-sung’s presence, and now the phone rings. Dae-sung picks up to hear Ki-jung launching into a diatribe against his brother, acknowledging that Ki-hoon one-upped him with the rice deal, using Dad’s money to buy it back. He concedes one round to his father and brother, but warns that Ki-hoon had better not relax — how long does he think he can hold out?
Ki-hoon has been standing stock-still during this call, as though awaiting Dae-sung’s judgment. And when it comes, it’s harsher than he was hoping for. Dae-sung says, with difficulty, “How could you do this to me?”
Ki-hoon is stricken to have Dae-sung believe the worst of him — however true the imputation, he never meant it in this way, and perhaps he had convinced himself that his motives were pure and therefore his takeover scheme justified.
But he doesn’t get a chance to defend himself, as Dae-sung collapses.
Jung-woo races to the lab, where he rouses the two sleeping sisters. They run to the hospital, arriving just behind Kang-sook. Ki-hoon has been there from the start, but he feels so wretched that he just stands in the back, numb with shock.
The doctor confirms Dae-sung’s death, but Kang-sook does not accept this and calls out to her husband, preventing the doctor from drawing up the bedsheet to cover his face.
Not getting a response, Kang-sook directs Hyo-sun to shake him, to “make him not sleep.”
Trembling, Hyo-sun calls out to her father. At first tentative, her cries grow heartbroken as she realizes that he’s not going to wake.
Eun-jo stands in shock, recalling all the moments Dae-sung reached out to her, and how he had asked her to call him Dad.
When Hyo-sun breaks down over her father’s body, Kang-sook tries to pull her away from the body. Still in denial, she tells her to be quiet, like Hyo-sun’s grief makes this real. But as she screams for quiet, the truth starts to sink in with her, too.
Jung-woo puts a consoling arm on Eun-jo’s shoulder, but she hardly even notices.
All the while, Ki-hoon watches, frozen in guilt, with his face half-obscured by the wall like he wants to go hide but can’t pull himself away, either. He narrates in a desolate voice:
Ki-hoon’s narration: “I did this. In one morning, I stole away the father of those beautiful girls. I swear to god, I didn’t mean to do this.”
Numbly, Eun-jo turns and walks away. She walks down the darkened stairwell, where she sinks onto a step and starts to cry. Thinking of how Dae-sung had asked her to call him “abeoji” (father), she starts to sob, trying to utter those words that come so easily to Hyo-sun, “A… a…”
COMMENTS
Ever since Hyo-sun started with the voiceovers, I’d been expecting them from the other characters. The fact that they waited till now to give us Ki-hoon’s side of the narrative coin shows a confidence in their pacing — it’s a slow burn, not a race to the finish, which suits this drama. I just hope they’ve got enough left in the tank to make it to the end.
I fear I may be in the minority, but I’ll voice this unpopular opinion:
I am starting to not like any of these characters, except for perhaps Jung-woo, but that’s not really a sterling recommendation since he is so shallowly written as to be necessarily benign. There are aspects I like about everyone, but I need more to go on in order to counter the nastiness that is emerging. The strife does spice things up, but it becomes problematic when the characters’ flaws create frustrating narrative obstacles that are, in my opinion, frustrating for the sake of being frustrating.
Example? Eun-jo lying about never getting Ki-hoon’s letter.
Yes, I can see why she lied. I can even offer a half-convincing argument defending her choice, because she was so pained by the loss of Ki-hoon eight years ago that she cannot bear to re-open that wound. That’s not too far off from her typical M.O., which is to cut her losses and run. Better to cauterize that sucker and walk around with a huge scar than to risk greater injury, even if that way lies potential happiness. In her world, the odds aren’t in her favor anyway and she doesn’t know she’s the heroine of the story so she’s better off, right? Her reaction after she retreats to the safety of her room is one of shock — like the news is just sinking in. This suggests that she’d tossed out her cruel words in a numbed daze, throwing up all of her defenses hurriedly without letting the hurt have a chance to seep in or reveal itself.
So yes, I get it. Still, I’m tired of it. Eun-jo’s traumas have been excellently portrayed by Moon Geun-young, who has done as much as she can to sympathize the character. But her constant pride and anger are starting to make her — dare I say? — predictable. And with predictable comes boring. At some point you sorta want to tell a person that a miserable past is too bad and all, but when are you going to suck it up and move on? You know how it’s tiresome to listen that guy who’s been burned by a girl announcing that all girls are therefore evil/bitches/slut-ho’s? One bad person — or two, or three — doesn’t poison all of mankind. I know, I know, Kang-sook is a toxic presence and Hyo-sun’s a brat, and it’s haaaard, wah wah.
This doesn’t mean I dislike the drama. I just find it perplexing to watch at this point because I have nobody to root for, nobody to hope gets his/her act together.
I can see how some viewers may consider this ambiguity a positive thing, but on some basic level I need to find my characters relatable and/or enjoyable. One or the other will suffice, though both is preferable. This is a good drama, but it’s still a drama with a conventional storytelling format, and that necessitates protagonist-antagonist conflict. When it’s just antagonist-antagonist, it gets a bit painful to watch and I start to check out.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not jumping off this train. But if things continue in this vein, I’ll be watching Cinderella’s Sister for the entertainment value and virtuoso acting, but not so much for the heart-tugging emotion. Dae-sung’s death left me cold, and if I couldn’t cry at HIS death, then what hope have I for the rest of the much-less-likable cast? (Of course, this could be because his death was spoiled multiple times in the comments of the previous recap, which does tend to suck all the fun out of a big event.)
(I can’t wait to see if girlfriday disagrees with me! THAT ought to make for an interesting recapping one-two punch, eh?)
RELATED POSTS
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 8
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 7
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 6
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 5
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 4
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 3
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 2
- Cinderella’s Sister: Episode 1
- Cinderella, Prosecutor, Taste: First episode impressions
Tags: Chun Jung-myung, Cinderella's Sister, Kim Gab-soo, Lee Mi-sook, Moon Geun-young, Seo Woo, Taecyeon
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101 soonie
May 3, 2010 at 7:58 PM
one last thought.....now that they've taken away the two people Eunjo "trusted", maybe this paves the way for Jungwoo's turn to break down Eunjo's walls....
*shrug*
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102 peanut butter
May 3, 2010 at 7:58 PM
just wondering how many people actually think kihoon is the prince. kinda torn between kijung being the prince and kihoon being the prince cause if you look at the bloodline, kijung has more "royal blood."
@98
i'm not sure you could say her pride is the size of asia. i would sat it's more like her stubborness is the size of asia. and from the scene with her and her mom in the hospital after the bloody nose deal, i get the feeling that eunjo feels she has to distance herself from them a bit to make up for her mom's manipulating schemes. but that's just my opinion on the whole deal. who knows what the directors will throw at us.
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103 balladish510
May 3, 2010 at 8:02 PM
I agree with you Javabeans, this drama just lost its spark. I no longer anticipated for its upcoming episodes like I used too. The angst, the depression all become saturated that I hardly can digest anything. Plus, there is NONE character development. They are all too stubborn to an extent it's frustrating. This drama is just trying too hard to be artsy.
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104 Chuncutie
May 3, 2010 at 8:03 PM
I have to agree with your last comments. Eun Jo has a dark past that haunts her and I really feel sympathy but after like 8 years of having a family and leaving that past behind shouldn't that grumbly and hateful personality desolve? I feel like I don't have anyone to root for anymore either. :( I think the only character I really like is daesung. I know eun Jo has good in her bur shoulnt she be displaying even a little tiny bit for us to see? This whole episode was practically filled with the attitudes of every character. I hope the next ep can show something even a bit different. Great drama though and chun Jung myung is great. :) and everyone else of course!
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105 Chuncutie
May 3, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Yeah and the stubborn personality of the sisters is so annoying. Their strained relationship is definately eun jos fault though from when they were young.
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106 slatternelle200
May 3, 2010 at 8:14 PM
First time poster, long time reader here, delurking to say I am so with you javabeans.
I usually shy away from dramas with angsty/melo elements b/c it's just not my cup of tea but CS managed to rope me in. I found the storyline to be average but quickly became invested in these layered, flawed, appealing characters and the cast who act the hell out of em. I didn't particularly like any of the characters but they were fascinating and I wanted to see their growth. But the show is getting a bit exhausting and frustrating to watch.
I know we're only (or already?) halfway through the show but Eun Jo is just so bitter, so hurt, so unable to move beyond her past and surroundings. If the storyline follows the Cinderella tale and has the stepmother mistreat Hyo Sun after her father's death, with Eun Jo complicit, I'm afraid I might start to find her even less sympathetic than I already do.
I want to see some progress or change, however incremental it may be - not just for Eun jo but all of the characters. I also have been losing interest in Ki Hoon and with DS's death, I can only imagine (and dread) that KH's character will further spiral into angst and guilt.
And hopefully I'm not spoiling anything (I won't go into any detail), but there is this one scene in episode 10 which turns out to be imaginary. Even though I was watching with some lurking awareness that it probably wasn't real, when the reality was shown I felt as if the show had just thrown my heart on the ground and stomped all over it. I seriously haven't been able to make myself watch the episode beyond the scene. I almost always watch episodes before reading recaps but on this one I'm waiting for girlfriday's recap before continuing on.
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107 asarako
May 3, 2010 at 8:16 PM
i may say it made me shock and hate eun jo with the letter but i realize its because of the love she have with the father and hyo sun. And when she cry in her room after that i symphatize with her..... its like before Eun Jo thinks of herself that she not worthy of someone's love and that's why she can say the word "father" right?
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108 nixxochick
May 3, 2010 at 8:31 PM
i completely disagree with you javabeans and some fellow readers but its ok cause each and everyone of us has different tastes. unlike others, i still like EJ and cry when she cries and feel her pain, i can see how she might be annoying to some viewers but i still feel this drama is amazing ^^
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109 sam
May 3, 2010 at 8:41 PM
@ 93 Nabi. Tq.
I love this series. It made me think about human traits and failings. How some actions doesn't really reflect it's intentions. How no matter how hurting certain words and actions are...sometimes they do have the best of intentions at heart. Or sometimes.. no matter how sweet the words or actions are, they do hide hideous intentions (e.g EJ's mom).
Let's all learn together to treat other people well. Let's not put masks on our dealings with family and friends. Sincerity in intentions, words and action.
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110 mimi
May 3, 2010 at 8:43 PM
@103 balladish510
I agree with you totally. This drama's gotten so depressing and none of the characters are really developing as people that it's just not fun to watch anymore. I don't look forward to it like I did in the beginning.
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111 E
May 3, 2010 at 8:43 PM
It's the small nuances that MGY portrayed everytime EJ said something mean to HS that led me to believe she really cared for HS deep down although EJ would never admit that openly. Watching the show will make a world of difference from reading recaps. People interpret EJ's actions differently and it'd be best to watch the show and interpret it your own way.
This is one of the shows that the angst actually appeal to me and leave me wanting more.
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112 Yeng
May 3, 2010 at 8:48 PM
it was sad that the father die, he is like the only character I really like in the story. however i think it is a good thing in a way becuase it would be a turning point for Hyo sun to transform to cinderella. Now Hyo Sun have to learn that she cant always be the princess and get what she wants.
And I agree with the Eun Jo's wall. She should show more gentleness to the father while he is alive....
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113 dimsum
May 3, 2010 at 8:50 PM
i thought i was the only person getting tired of eunjo's act. it's been 8 years. a strong person is strong because she's resilient and bendy like a bamboo. i thought the story was going to make her a "strong" person - not a petty one. she's petty because she nurses grudges as if they were her babies, feeding them, clothing them, sending them to school.
i'm also getting tired of how she shows her anger, she just starts shrieking like a mad woman......... she turns into her mother whenever she gets upset. she would prolly slap me if she were to read this little snippet because her mother is the last person she would want to be.
hyosun showed great change this episode. her repertoire is still scarce and her character looks like she won't be able to survive by herself, but i think compared to eunjo - she will be the first to change for the better [lesser baggage makes for lighter travels].
ahh kihoon, i don't know where to start with you. he showed great range in the earlier episodes - but last week - he just had one expression on his face and it was "constipated".
i too like jungwoo. how did this boy become so perfect? =D
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114 iviih
May 3, 2010 at 8:57 PM
lol. i see that a lot of people are pissed if eun jo! that is because MGY is a awesome actress! clap clap. and i soo love this drama. i don't care this drama going to the sad/dark way, i could see all episodes of 'tree of heaven'if you did see it you will understand that cs isn't that much sad. lol in Tree of heaven i think the actress cried every episode. and cried a lot a loooot. and she never kissed the guy ¬¬ and she and him had a very sad end. if i think of it i hope KH and EJ don't end up like that, -.-
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115 dimsum
May 3, 2010 at 9:04 PM
^ you know that we're not talking about the actress as she is right? we're talking about the character that she plays and how it lives within their teacup of a world.
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116 imel
May 3, 2010 at 9:08 PM
I find this series is so dragging.......
Watching this series doesn't make me feel good about the world, about life...hahaha....it makes me feel so cynical about everything...
Why did you lie, EunJo...? Why..? You hate when people lie to you...but you DID the same thing to other people....So you live in misery..that's because your own doing.....stop blaming it on others....
This is so frustrating....
As the episode goes...I don't see any character growth....the bad news is their character went from bad to worst....
What happen with trust, honesty, truth, love, care, forgiveness, family values....?
Sigh......it's already 9 episodes...but I still can't get a glimpse of how this series will end.....if the ending is a sad one...then it's no wonder...since the first episode, this series shows lots of thing about sadness and human's ugliness...but if the ending is a happy one....I think the ending will be too rushed...and not well-polished....(in my opinion though)...
Gosh..after watching this...I really need Prosecutor Princess...to balance the heaviness of this drama....
Personally speaking....as EunJo....I hope she will never forgive KiHoon for being the cause of DaeSung's death. Because..if I am in EunJo's position, I will never forgive anyone who took away my most important person from me. Besides that, you can't expect someone to trust you foolishly without you put any effort in it. TRUST is something that you EARN...and you should never take it for granted (just like what KiHoon did). And I think, Ki Hoon is totally wrong in this part. It will be SOOOOOO MUUUUUUCHHHHH better for him to tell about his father's plan to DaeSung, and what he will do with those plans..and how his own plans to counterattack his father's plan...But he's not...he's playing the victim, the late-hero..and I hate it....He needs everyone to trust him..but he doesn't trust anyone enough to let them know what is really happening.....So..you live in misery because of your own choice....you made your own life like hell....
At least, KangSook shows a bit development in her character..I can see her sincerity feelings towards DaeSung....She changes a bit...from fake-wife into a sincerely-woman-and-wife. And it's relieving. But the rest of them....they are dwelling in their-own-mud-life....I really need EunJo to be a better person...she really needs to stop living in the past, and be a better person with better character....hey girl..living in bitterness is so tiring, right? So..let it go....and you will feel better...learn from JungWoo......eventhough the world did harsh to him, he still live happily and optimist.
Ps: There is no use that EunJo starts to call DaeSung "appa"..when he already passed away.....NO USE at all.....
There's so much thing to analyze about this series and it makes me tired..hahaha..
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117 maria
May 3, 2010 at 9:11 PM
whoa, heated discussion here!
"But it’s a kdrama! I must have sides! How else will I know which one to wish fiery death by volcano upon?" --it's funny, but i think it rolls up what you meant in the comments neatly...
i disagree however, not in the sense that it's getting tiring to watch her, because IT IS. LAWRD. but in that having nobody solid to root for, it gets to be so emotionally draining to watch and, as an audience member, STILL NEED to root for somebody, because you GET them... you understand ALL OF THEM.and you want them all to talk, you want them all to win. ....you want them all to WIN.
in the example you posited, if i may, i will add to your dissection of the eun-jo-ki-hoon angle on why she said what she said: contrary to it, (but building on your analysis also) i think that there are just too many different LOVES in play. contrary to what she overtly shows, i think that a big part of her feels like THE PROTECTOR, you know what i'm saying? i don't think she ever expected to care for any of these new people in her life, but the truth is, she already does. and while that's not obvious and she exercises her protective attempts from a distance and with a hostile facade, i believe that when she said what she said to ki hoon, there was:
1) what you said about her and ki hoon's relationship. how she feels it would brings back an unnecessary flood of bad memories for her and for him, and so for her and ki hoon's sakes, she chose to stop it here. odds are "against" them, anyway
2) her love of daesung. what comes into play is how he holds hyo sun in his esteem and would not want to see her hurt or as the villain in any story (though she is, sometimes), there's eun-jo's multi-layered gratefulness towards him that somehow extends o hyo sun and makes her an untouchable because of the thankfulness and respect eun jo has for someone who loves hyo sun so dearly.
3) her love for hyo sun. this is the most controversial bit, i think. but i do firmly believe there's love there. the concern that once extended to her only because she is dae sung's daughter has somehow silently broken some barriers. there is overt hostility, to be sure, but one cannot mistake the genuine concern. it's almost like she's hostile not to spite you, but because i want you to learn, i want you to GROW UP, i want you to stop relying on everyone else. this new level of hatred over the letter adds to that, because LOVE + MISTAKE = feeling of BETRAYAL. if she just full on hated her, she'd just lash out and metabolize her anger by doing bad things to hyo sun. but she can't. EUN JO GOT HURT, because she got betrayed by someone who is, for all intents and purposes, still the only sister she's freakin got. one begins to hope against hope when things stand that way. so there's that too.
4) eun jo's love for her mother.not wanting to rock the boat at home, not wanting to cause a problem that will shake their "perfect family" is a reactionary gesture that eun jo has always made for her mother. there IS her genuine love for daesung, but in a REAL family, making hyo sun accountable for her actions and then moving past that after amends are made is what would have been a better testament to the love she feels for all of them,--- but in eun jo's world, there's no rocking the boat. i must bear the burden all on my own, even at the price of my own happiness. because her mother likes where they are, and she loves her mother.
5) her self-sacrificing love for herself. it goes full circle. in eun-jo's head, she's doing all this because she is the protector. because of her own "selfish" intentions--- she thinks she knows what's best. and with no means to know how to sacrificed her pride, she sacrifices her happiness instead. but it's all for the best. she knows what's best for everyone, and she WILL protect everyone, because that's the only way she feels worthy to LOVE them or be loved BY them at all. ....in fact, she won't even accept the fact that any of them actually love her, she thinks she's so unlovable--- that's why she tries so hard to DESERVE them, be the best, to EARN HER KEEP IN A HOUSE WHERE NO ONE ASKS HER TO. she just HAS TO.
so yeah, it's emotionally draining to think all of that, while watching. because THIS long diatribe is only from eun jo's point of view. the other characters are also multilayered. it's all so complex. it all feels so REAL LIFE. the webs are tangled. the lack of communication built upon years and years of repression, anger, resentment, doubt, rejection, hidden remorse, and PRIDE PRIDE PRIDE PRIDE PRIDE---- it all gets in the way of exercising love in the proper way: simply.
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118 rochel_mart
May 3, 2010 at 9:14 PM
Love this part "But it’s a kdrama! I must have sides! How else will I know which one to wish fiery death by volcano upon?"
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119 SilentObserver
May 3, 2010 at 9:22 PM
I would like to give some further insight into Eun-jo's character, that a lot of people seem to misunderstand.
Although I do believe that Eun-jo is hurt from the past and that may be one reason she did not tell the truth about the letter, I really think that a major reason she is still covering the lie is for her sister: Hyo-sun and for a better present/ future.
I think that Eun-Jo has already accepted the past for what it is- that she liked Ki-hoon and they had a thing- but she is very aware that the past is the past. Nothing she can do to change it- not even the consequences of getting hurt the way she did. She knows that in the present, Hyo-sun and Ki-hoon are suitable for each other (in her eyes, and I'd say in the eyes of many viewers) so there is no point in ruining the present for the past.
Even IF, she revealed the truth about the letter (which goes against her character), the chances that the truth will amend Ki-hoon's and Eun-jo's relationship is far too slim. They both have different agenda's going into the future- and it doesnt make sense for them to come back together (unless the way things are moving towards the future dramatically changes). Whats done is done. She knows its time to move on.
Furthermore, Hyo-sun does really really like Ki-hoon, which Eun-jo knows, so Eun-jo is willing to give him up (because she is "self-sacrificing") for Hyo-sun as deep down- Eun-jo does care for her sister (I can give you several examples). Dont read Eun-jo by her words- read her by her actions- which, although I agree can get very frustrating, makes for a very interesting character.
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120 jandoe
May 3, 2010 at 9:22 PM
@117, maria:
woah. awesome points there!
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121 ball ball
May 3, 2010 at 9:30 PM
after episode 4 it's like the MAGIC was missing ...
and all i looking forward to is some relieve but it's just getting more tense and frustrate...
and i don't know how we can have those eunjoo yah.. sweet moment like that again... too much angst tired me out...
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122 liz
May 3, 2010 at 10:09 PM
@ Maria (117?) - I"m with you all the way. You hit it on the head. Every single tidbit of analysis. Including the comment that all that unpacking you did covers just Eunjo's layers of angst.
That said, I am exhausted. I need another Jungwoo dance. Something to make Eunjo smile and feel safe and warm, however briefly.
And, for something to make Hyo-Sun realize that she with all her overblown sentimental theatrics is Marianne Dashwood. And for Eunjo to deliver a righteous (or just spiteful, I'll take that) Elinor Dashwood smackdown that Hyo-Sun doesn't even begin to know what emotional depth means.
That MGY's acting is superb is well established. Seo Woo's acting also must be superb to make me regard Hyo-Sun with so much contempt. And I can't help but find ironic that Seo-Woo's surface attractiveness is artificial, just as Hyo-Sun's surface sweetness is and vice versa for Moon Geun Young and Eunjo (not so sweet on the outside but authentic). Also, just want to be clear that I'm not raising Seo Woo's plastic surgeries to be petty as much as I want to point out what I wonder may be an unconsciously symbolic move on the part of the producers.
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123 ella
May 3, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I agree with Maria. This seems so real life. And I love it when Eunjo and Hyosun fights.
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124 maria
May 3, 2010 at 10:15 PM
thanks, jandoe! cool name, btw. hehe, takes me back to my BOF days :P
------
i wanted to add, actually, that in light of the points i've given, this makes eun-jo's actions NOT predictable. ...okay predictable, but up to a point. let's face it, with all that pent up emotions, something'sgonna have to give, and we DON'T KNOW when that'll be. so while it's predictable NOW, i think it's worth waiting it out a little bit more.
while it's heavy now, it makes the wait sort of..... compelling. :P
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125 maria
May 3, 2010 at 10:19 PM
@liz and ella: thank you!
liz, your sense and sensibility analogy is spot on! waaaay less hostility and more patience, definitely, but obviously the same hidden dynamics. concern and frailty underneath all the damn hysterics. hehe :) MGY is brilliant in that we are able to see these dynamics at all in her own multilayered portrayal of eun jo, so props to her!
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126 janie
May 3, 2010 at 11:06 PM
I think we have moved on with the letter... but just like to say i agree that unni is not protecting HS. Yes, she was startled with the mentioned of a letter... but in that instant she was just fuming and boiling with anger having KH brought up the 8-year-ago-whatever... which brought back vivid memory of how hurtful and betrayed she felt at that time when he left without a sound... thus that is why in that instant she reacted in such a spiteful way towards KH and it has nothing to do with protecting HS.
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127 nattacatta
May 3, 2010 at 11:43 PM
thanks javabeans!
okay, wow, i cant read all the comments so i'll just put my two cents in-
this show isn't losing me at all
i still love the eun jo characters, and i think in episode 10 some of this- does she love hyo sun?- is resolved, though not completely satifactorily (if anyone has already seen it why oh why does the show do that to us? possibly the most frustrating part of the show so far, for me at least- i just want them to be friends...)
i would probably like it if jung woo had more depth, but i guess he is necessary so we arent all pulling out our hair and screaming, and i do find him adorable
also, with a idol turned actor it is probably much safer, as he is doing well so far
i hope she opens up to him soon...
when she lied about the letter i was so angry but i totally understand, and they would have had to tread very carefully if she was going to tell the truth, so as not to be a massive character change- i'm sure they could have done it but she has always been so closed off she would hardly be like, 'yeah, hyo sun didnt give it to me, so this 8 years of pain was baseless, huh?'
i think she was also angry about the driving off scene and how he just gave up on her, abandoning her in the middle of the road in the middle of the night so he didnt exactly catch her at the best time
i agree that it is imossible to choose sides, which i have found from the start
i am a total eun jo backer and have rarely been against her, but as much as i hate hyo sun at times i get her motivations so she cant be the bad guy in my books either
i am not being (too) fangirly here, but i think something needs to change with their romantic relationships, because they have taken a backseat, which is totally fine, but they are all in a rut that we havent really grown from- so some back hugging, 'eun jo-ya' calling needs to happen, either that or a drunken night with hyo sun
i would love a reasonably happy ending, at least a satifying one
either way, ki hoon either needs to end up alone, with eun jo or dead
preferably not dead, i would hate this show then, but they cant give us this encouragement to cheer for him and eun jo and then he end up with hyo sun
of course, it is a kdrama and i have no role in the production so they can do that, i'll just be waving my fist from miles away in australia
but there is the whole cinderella thing- seeing as hyo sun is cinderella and ki hoon is (probably? although i kind of like the idea of ki jung, but we need more clues if he is) the prince- but this show has taken many liberties with leaving the fairytale so maybe they wont follow it for this (please tell me they wont, i want eun jo and ki hoon to be together sooo bad, but as i said their relationship needs some serious tlc to end up there)
random comment: i hate that the letter changed. i know it was in spanish so
most people couldnt understand it but it even looked different (the other one was spaced out more, i think?), and now i've seen what it said on this site it really bugs me that they changed it
okay, contain myself
thank you jb again! (the recaps are so quick this week so thank you for that too!)
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128 T
May 4, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Thanks for the recap. I completely agree with you about Eun Jo except that I like that she is a bitch. I don't think she did anything for Hyo-Sun. Eun Jo thinks Hyo-Sun has enough people "doing" for her, why would she jump on that train. lol I like her the more for that. I think it's just a matter of taste, some people enjoy the hero and others prefer the villain. I like Eun Jo for the same reason I like Queen Seon Deok's Mi Shil; she's a powerful woman who feels many things, but doesn't allow those things to control her. Though, I can see why one would say Eun Jo's character is static and be bored by that, I'm more afraid of what will happen when/if she breaks. I don't want her to have some revolutionary carthartic moment where she is all hugs and kisses THAT would bore and dissappoint me. Her character is brittle now, I want to see her get tough. I don't know what her intentions are,but I can't wait to find out!-:)
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129 Angel
May 4, 2010 at 12:16 AM
AMEN JAVABEANS!! This drama is truly 'antagonist - antagonist'. There's no likeable character! All the other websites are defending this drama and are failing to point out its faults. It was and is, truly frustrating. Hopefully it will ease up... It won't hurt to give EJ some happiness? Would it?
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130 Dele
May 4, 2010 at 12:20 AM
Honestly episode 9/10 made me question whether or not to continue watching this drama, it is emotionally draining and painful seeing all this hate and bitterness pollute my screen. With that said, I'm still watching it because I have faith/hope in the drama staff to keep things together. Since 9/10 are the middle episodes I expected it to be showdown after showdown so now I hope that the next 10 episodes bring up freshness and clarity and dissolve all the hate, bitterness, and drama. EJ is the main reason I am watching this drama, but every character is interesting and I want to see what becomes of them. Especially HS aside from EJ/KH.
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131 la meera
May 4, 2010 at 12:50 AM
well, it's only halfway through the series. can't judge anyone's entire character just yet. but at the same time, while I TOTALLY respect javabean's point of view, in fact, i agree with alot of her opinions, I'm scared that it might make stop watching this awesome drama.
it's basic psychology of persuasion. thousands of people read javaebans site for her opinions on dramas - so she's this sort of, figure of authority, because of the high regard people hold for her opinions, she most probably has an influence over people's own opinions of dramas.
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132 Moonblossom
May 4, 2010 at 1:21 AM
I'm getting tired of En-joo's meaness and some inconsistencies of the show. The first time-jump of 8 years shows her to be a smiling, articulate adult, but now ...? One minute she does a good job presenting to the business community, the next, she is the type to argue with her supplier over breach of contract, when a smart character like En-joo would have first checked that there is a contract.
I'm also tired of Hye Sun's constant tears, and Ki Hoon's wounded looks followed by lack of action. A few more episodes like this and I'll switch to other dramas already. Wonderful acting though.
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133 serendipity
May 4, 2010 at 1:30 AM
Hmm. CU has kinda lost me too. I know I may seem like a JB-sycophant, but I came to this conclusion on my own.
It's not so much that I can't like any character (though lack of empathy IS a bit of a problem). It's more that I don't feel there is any MOVEMENT. I feel we are spinning our angsty plot wheels and wallowing in our angsty characters. How many times is a Crucial Conversation going to be overheard by the person who will be most damaged by overhearing it? I've lost count. How often are we tantalised by a strong possibility that EJ is moving past her hurt-others-so-they-can't-hurt-me device, only for our hopes to be dashed? And things get worse for me in ep10, when a hitherto interesting character becomes one-dimensional. When amazing acting by committed performers leave me un-moved, I'm in trouble...
Also, in more apparent-sycophantism, I don't buy the argument that EJ lied about the letter to protect HS. It totally didn't cross my mind until I read this Recap and the comments. It's not logical to me (she could have protected HS by saying she got the letter and going about it less HURTfully, or even admitting she didn't get the letter but immediately defending HS - but she didn't), and I just didn't pick that up from the acting, dialogue or plot. I agree EJ harbours some complicated sisterly love for HS, somewhere in her disdain and her jealousy; but I just don't see that that love prompted her lie at that moment. To me, the lie was about pushing KH away (hence her devastation when she fully realized what she'd done). Which I understand at some level (because of her vulnerability and fear of love, and because he's being enigmatic and hurtful, etc.), but I get tired of that plot groove at some point.
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134 CS Fan
May 4, 2010 at 2:04 AM
I will like to add my 2 cents to the debate on EJ's behaviour. I too find episode 9 quite dull and heavy on first viewing but I can appreciate it much better when I watch it in conjunction with episode 10. I like the way the drama unfolds. For the past few episodes at least, romance takes a back seat to family relationships in this drama but I don't mind it so much. The dynamics between the mother and the two girls is interesting and compelling to watch but the most touching parts in episode 5-8 (to me at least) are the father-daughter relationship between DS and EJ.
I know many viewers complain that EJ didn't change after so many episodes but I think that is precisely the point. EJ hasn't really change. She may be older and highly educated now but underneath the cool professional façade she presented to the world is still the insecure and angry teenager from eight years ago. In episode 9, the drama highlight EJ's biggest flaw: her lack of social grace and inability to deal with human relationships. In episode 10, this flaw will be highlighted again with more serious consequences (I hope I didn't spoil anything with this). That is why I have hopes that she will eventually change for the better, the writers won't take the trouble to show her weakness and flaws if they don't plan to address it later on.
I don't think the reason why EJ lies about the letter is because she loves and cares for HJ herself. Maybe deep inside her heart, hidden under all the anger and resentment, she does care about HS. But now at least, I think her primary reason for protecting HS is, as EJ puts it herself, because HS is her father's daughter. I think it's safe to say that the man that EJ loves most now is her step father. She may pine for KH but I get the impression that she does want to move on, to drop all her burden and leave. The one tying her back is DS, not KH. Sadly, this is also the reason why DS must die. With him around, EJ will not be able to grow out of her cocoon. Old habits die hard and only hardens with time. Most of the time, it takes a traumatic event to really change a person.
EJ may not realise it but she is emotionally dependent on her step father. I feel sorry for HS in episode 10 but the scenes where I cries are the ones where EJ grief for DS. More so for EJ because she is unable to vocalise her grief and turns it inwards instead. When DS suffered a heart attack in episode 7, EJ was already on the verge of emotional breakdown. She runs around trying desperately to save the company, partly because of her perceived debt to him and partly because she is worried about his health. This is her way of trying to help DS, so that he will recover his health and not get stressed out over the company. This is also why, when trouble occurs at the company, EJ's first reaction is to run to her mother and get her to keep DS away. The drama didn't touch much on the lives of the two sisters during the past eight years but I imagine that DS has been sheltering EJ all these time. This why life has been smooth-sailing for her up to now. EJ is sometimes as rude to DS as she is to others, but DS has never minded her attitude and was able to see her true feelings beneath all her hash words. DS was the one who calm her down when she is agitated. DS was the one standing proudly behind her and encouraging her in her yeast experiments. DS was the one who supported her when she wanted to expand the company even when he himself wasn't that interested. It's not hard to assume that the reason why the workers at the company and the relatives tolerate EJ's attitude are due to their respect for DS. In a way, he has been pampering her as much as he pampers HS. With DS gone, EJ will be forced to discover that she needs to learn be less unyielding with dealing with people and learn to open herself up. At least this is what I hope the direction of the second half drama will go, not just the hate and war between the two sisters but also their growth and change. The writers have shown a sure and steady hand in their writing so far, so I feel confident that they will deliver.
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135 alifecastle
May 4, 2010 at 2:24 AM
@134...
I can't agree more.. I felt the same thing.
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136 dblue
May 4, 2010 at 2:34 AM
The only thing I don't like about this episode is that letter . . . and like you, I could think of so many reasons why EJ did that. But still . . . couldn't she let that one pass?
Too much pain, Eun Jo, you're adding too much pain to that bleeding heart of yours.
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137 Jen
May 4, 2010 at 2:42 AM
I think that there's more complexity to Eun-jo's reaction of Ki-hoon's question then just self-preservation. Although it doesn't always appear so, I believe that deep down Eun-jo loves Hyo-sun like a sister would. Yes, their relationship is completely dysfunctional. However, growing up with sisters, even when I hated them I couldn't let anyone else hurt them. So, I think that Eun-jo's reaction has more to do with Hyo-sun then with herself. I'm sure she knows that Hyo-sun and Ki-hoon aren't really a couple, but a part of her feels that if Hyo-sun is willing to go to that length to hurt her for Ki-hoon's love, then Hyo-sun must genuinely love him. And, even though Ki-hoon was that one person who opened the door to the possibilities of love, it's easier for Eun-jo to give him up then hurt Hyo-sun who was so desperate to be loved by both Ki-hoon and herself.
Eun-jo probably has more sympathy for Hyo-sun then even she realizes. She most likely feels partial responsibility for taking away what Hyo-sun believes is hers--Hyo-sun's home, her father, Ki-hoon and the business. It's not like Eun-jo wanted those things either. Her mother forced those things upon her.
Although, Eun-jo didn't want to be a burden or owe anyone anything, she ended up caving in to the opportunities she was offered (i.e. escaping her mother) and as a means of absolving her guilt towards Hyo-sun, she's turning her back on the one thing she wants most -- Ki-hoon.
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138 ara
May 4, 2010 at 2:54 AM
"her only (known) marketable skill, which is to pour on the cute act."
in my point of view, 'pour on the cute act' was her skill, but it wasn't solely only that. HS simply has good manner with the adults. she can pay them respect and at the same time has a good public relations.
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139 Misa
May 4, 2010 at 3:42 AM
I get the feeling of starting to get tired of so-called '"Eun Joo's cold-ness". There are some points where the drama getting to lose its value points where I found that I started to put hatred on supposed lovable characters, and I can say its mere to me to not rooting the main character in this episode. I think the best part of this episode is when Eun Joo's flashback of Dae Sung. At least that made me cry tons.
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140 Gita
May 4, 2010 at 3:44 AM
I love that you have all those amazing guess writers, but sometimes I really miss your recaps JB, because I really, really, really love your writing style.
Anyway, for the first time this year I won't listen to you because I still think that CS is going to be the most spectacular K-Drama of the year hehehe... sorry Sarah, even though I haven't watched a single episode but your recaps have captivated me, I won't give up on CS :) just yet... unless it become too draggy and the producer decides to prolong it until season 19.....
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141 mjb
May 4, 2010 at 4:02 AM
@128 T
I'm with u,
I LOVE a bitch character.... I'm one kind of those people who enjoy root for the villain char. The reason is, somehow, they are look stronger and their personality more interesting than the female lead, hahha... and it's attract me more... and in this drama,the main female lead is look like a bitch, GOD,
finally,
and I'm happy for that hahhaha
GO Eun Joo, Go Seo Woo, kekkee
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142 Deanna
May 4, 2010 at 4:30 AM
I think i'm in the smaller minority.
I'm rooting for Hyo Sun.
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143 stee
May 4, 2010 at 4:37 AM
I don't buy the "because she's Daesung's daughter" explanation that people are using here, at all. Frankly, all the emotions are portrayed so well by the actors that I'm saddened they don't reach all viewers. I think we're supposed to understand the hidden motives beneath the cover of their actions, through all the hints we get from the facial expressions, little gestures, tones of voice etc, so that we know better than to judge based on what they say or do, only. Maybe I'm just more observant - I always watch the acting and emotions very closely.
So I think it's rather obvious that EJ loves HS and wants to take care of her. But she's so emotinally crippled, in addition to her stubborn character, that she
1) can't make herself show it (like with DS, when she couldn't call him Father even though she visibly, miserably wanted to)
2) has the kind of view of affection that it doesn't need to be seen (which is very much to the tragedy of her relationship with HS). She just does her best - the way she knows how to and dares - to guide and protect HS and help her become the strong person she can become.
HS still cares for EJ, too, however to a much lesser extent, because she's been turned bitter by all the rejections; I think she does believe EJ to be a malicious person, because she takes things pretty much at face value and has never come to understand her sister's real feelings, or even tried to. More so, she expects to be shown love, and if it isn't given to her like she shares her affections, the natural, hurtful conclusion to her is that the person really is heartless towards her. She doesn't have the privilege of seeing EJ's hidden displays of emotion and hearing words spoken to others.
On EJ side, there's also that that her expectations of HS feelings to her being fickle were confirmed. I'm pretty sure that if HS wasn't discouraged and turned resentful to her so quickly and had kept "pursuing" EJ (after the test, furthermore), she'd have eventually dropped her cold front little by little, as when KH was undoing her barriers, and after those 8 years they'd be supportive stepsisters (and EJ would be a bit of a different person than what we know now). But after losing KH and her trust in HS, she distanced herself even more and thus we have the current situation.
Still, I do not approve of EJ's actions but I VERY much understand them, so my patience can handle it just fine. And I get where HS is coming from, too, so I have no hate towards her, either. The same with KH - he's been damaged and hardened so much in his life that we can hardly expect him to be the warm, cuddly oppa he was before.
I wish it was the same w/ everyone - that they wouldn't condemn the characters or lose patience with CS already. But alas! Every viewer is a different individual with their own viewpoint and conclusions, after all :D
___________
About it being impossible to root for any of the characters - funny, for me it's pretty much the opposite. Aside from enjoying the directing, subtle, beautiful score and acting, I love being able to root for EJ, HS and KH alike, because they are not stereotype, one-sided characters with no flaws or redeeming qualities -- EJ isn't just cold and prideful, HS isn't just bratty and spiteful; EJ isn't just the miserable, misunderstanded heroine, HS isn't just the angelic, unfortunate Cinderella. For me the lack of annoying stamp-characters is what makes this drama a true gem. (However, I do wish they made Jung-woo more layered - but I'm hoping for that to come in the future episodes.) The complex bond and eventual outcome of the sisters' relationship is the most important aspect of the drama, in my opinion and to me.
Though I disagree with you slightly, JB, I very much appreciate the recap and insights. Thank you for the hard work!
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144 stee
May 4, 2010 at 4:53 AM
@34 CS Fan:
Though I've stated that I don't agree with EJ's kind feelings towards HS being linked to DS only, I really really love your take on EJ and her stepfather's relationship! Also the analysis about the characters' growth and future episodes. It's all very well said and I agree 100%!
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145 haezi
May 4, 2010 at 5:35 AM
@ #34 CS Fan and #17 maria:
I appreciate the points you raised. EJ does seem to love DS the most at this point. I don't dislike any of the characters, though they can all be frustrating, because I feel it's all a facade to hide their inner pain and insecurities. Plus, we can't forget EJ's relationship with her mother. EJ feels like everything is her fault. When her mother said, "I do this all for you" in a previous episode, EJ replied that she wish she didn't. EJ feels she has a huge debt to pay to DS because her mother is using him for EJ's benefit. So another reason why EJ lashed out at KH may be because she feels she doesn't deserve happiness anyway since she is the villain. So she willingly lets HS save face because she "owes" the family and she (sadly) believes that happiness is not for her.
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146 hartofseeker
May 4, 2010 at 5:55 AM
people~~ what can I say except... wait for the next episode!!! lol
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147 Lilly
May 4, 2010 at 6:29 AM
@Deana I am in the minority too. CS (with Capital Scandal) is one of few kdramas where I root for the second female lead even though she has flaws because spoiled-have-no-dream character like HS exists. CS is too angsty ? Watch PP or PT (where the comic timing is not so good so they "unnecessary" kisses to draw audience with the sacrifice of some storylines like "the project plot" )...
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148 maria
May 4, 2010 at 6:29 AM
@43 stee:
i get what you're saying, but in the case that they ARE all relatable multilayered characters whose underlying motivations are all heartbreakingly desolate and understandable, despite their skewed actions, i think when i say i can't root for one single character, it's really because i'm rooting for them all. just because they're all so damn earnest about it, i really really really want them all to have their heart's desires, yet i want life to be able to teach them the lessons they need to learn as well. i know it won't be possible that all of them have happy endings, but maybe endings that just simply see them all well? hahaha, that doesn't read like my usual sentiments about a kdrama at all! having no clear protagonist-antagonist confuses me! LOL ...and yet, i find it really compelling. :) see you all on the next epi! :)
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149 Oakland
May 4, 2010 at 6:32 AM
Hi JB! I read in open thread that you were sick, I hope you're feeling better now and thanks for the recap and song. Wow 100 +comments ! .
There will be lots of commenters going to bash me but what I have digested from episodes 1-8 KH will never ever repent or change of heart because when she first saw the daesung house and wine factory , she say "big", and her mind starts scheming because for the first time she strike big and she will not let go easily now that she is the woman of daesung farm for good, and also old habits die hard like her philandering will bring her downfall..
The love story between KH and EJ, 8 years ago it should be like "getting to know you, getting to know all about you" but instead it didn't happen as she study very hard to get good marks, learn another foreign language which the tutor did not know much about the spanish language for her reason to impress the tutor whom she liked, she has no friends in school or boyfriends either except for the chubby boy !, and she planned to run away from DS house when she could do so and hopefully the idea from KH that he will join her to that remote place called "U" so that she will not bump into those people that her mum had embroiled with about the ring. Remembering in episode 6
I could say that she was very rude towards her sweetheart regarding the wine advertisement and "picking" on his work and not even had nice conversations with him except for the stoned look she gave him. and I would also say that EJ's thinking is more like a "gangster", from her mom's genes.
The hidden letter is the main issue among the two girls and it surface again in their adult life when KH returned. EJ also wanting to be papa's favourite daughter too that she vested all her time in experimenting on the yeast fermenting because she long for the daughter and father bond like HS has with her papa and DS dote on EJ when HS is living in Seoul to learn ballet.
HS is also growing out of her childishness because she is getting involved with papa san business and she has good rapport in handling human touch eg during papa's wedding, papa's birthday and also during the ritual to harvest the wine. She also opposed about borrowing money to salvaged the business (finding other alternative) and that idea remind me of my dad's motto NO to borrow money live within our own means.
Looks like KH and EJ OTP is failing or coming soon Iin future episode suddenly they kiss !! OUT OF THE BLUE !! AND I WILL SAY WHAT THE HECK ! - the writer is getting us ready for more intense actionS or probably he might drink too much magkulli that the love story is going to be cast off !.
Lastly JW'S character, his role is chef cum butler and chauffeur. EJ is too involved with the wine business that she is not aware of his feelings as she already has a sweetheart - KH.
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150 Free
May 4, 2010 at 6:45 AM
@34 CS Fan: i'm totally with you !
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