I Am Legend: Episode 10

by kaedejun

And we’re back to the plot heavy episodes. There is less movement on the band front, and more on the drama front. I knew I was getting spoiled with the moments in episode 9! Episode 10 marks the appearance of Jun Seol Hee – the Korean Erin Brockovich.

Face off time – Tae Hyun tells Ji Wook off for coming to see Seol Hee when she’s just trying to take back control of her life. He wants Ji Wook to back off, but the tables are turned on him: isn’t he being by Seol Hee’s side only because of Ji Wook and Seung Hye’s relationship. Seriously – why do these two lawyers think that it’s all about them, them, them!?

While Ji Wook’s taunt isn’t too threatening, Tae Hyun replies, “I’m simply speaking as someone who values Jun Seol Hee.” In your face – ha! Tae Hyun returns to Seol Hee’s side, and she’s relieved to see that he’s still there. He honestly tells her that Ji Wook had come by, which immediately springs her up on her bed. Why would he visit?!

Tae Hyun reasons that Ji Wook may have been there to see someone else, but felt guilty for mistreating Seol Hee when he saw her lying on the hospital bed. Seol Hee scoffs – Ji Wook is too cruel for that.

Actually…not really. Ji Wook returns to his apartment and is surprised to find Seung Hye there waiting for him. Her excuse is that she wanted to give him some papers, but her real reason for being there is she’s worried that Ji Wook may be a little too concerned over Seol Hee. How right you are! Seung Hye goes in for the back hug, which is never really a good sign because it only means one thing: one-sided love! She has felt uneasy ever since watching the wedding video in court, and was afraid that Ji Wook may be wavering as well. How about a trip together? After all, nothing settles uneasy hearts than a special getaway. Ji Wook: “We’ll see.”

Soo In visits the broadcasting station and bumps into one of the producers. He’s seen the girls’ new video and invites Soo In to bring the band over for an audition to appear in his show. Kwang Yul is also fielding requests for performances, so it’s now really possible that these girls can turn pro. Even Ah Reum is getting noticed by customers at the restaurant she’s working at. Min Kyu introduces Ah Reum to a manager at Daum Entertainment. Her band is in need of a guitarist, and Ah Reum is the perfect fit. But Ah Reum waffles a bit. She asks for more time to think about it (while Min Kyu is pushing her to take the job).

Soo In calls a meeting at the studio, and Hwa Ja comes up with an excuse (buying groceries) to leave the house. Duk Soo thinks that she’s going off to practice with the band, but Hwa Ja is all, “Of course not!” When she finally arrives, Soo In announces that they might be able to get on TV if they audition for a producer’s show. It’s really exciting and all that, but they need to plan their steps well…which is why Soo In is offering to be the band’s manager. Seol Hee: “All right!” Hwa Ja: “Wait, we’re going pro?! What do I tell my husband!?” Ah Reum remains silent, busy ruminating over whether or not she should leave the band.

Seol Hee points out that it’s best to have original songs, and Soo In announces she already has a plan! She’s going to see Tae Hyun about that. (Ummm – you’re a little late on that train for originality dear. Seol Hee’s beaten you to that already.)

Soo In thinks it’ll be hard work to convince Tae Hyun, but he readily agrees. In fact, he’s already working on a new song, so he’ll have it out in a few days. When Kwang Yul hears about this, his suspicions are raised again. Tae Hyun, the infamous difficult composer, said yes right away to Soo In? He DEFINITELY likes her! Soo In blushes and laughs it off in front of Kwang Yul…but meditates on the possibility alone. GAH! The angst!

Tae Hyun starts testing out some tunes, and we start to hear the makings of the theme song “We Will Comeback.” He calls up Seol Hee (who picks up the cellphone with her feet) and she hears the first few lines to the song. Seol Hee’s excited – she likes it! Yay – Tae Hyun is glad she likes it! They hang up, and Tae Hyun lets out a nervous breath, out of relief. Aw – you’re so cute.

The next day, Seol Hee rushes to work, late. Again. She overhears the new case that Jin Bae is taking on. A kid named Lee Dong Won was accused of trying to snatch a purse while on his motorcycle. The bag only fell, but the victim is accusing him of theft. Based on his conversation with Dong Won, Jin Bae gets the feeling that one of Dong Won’s friends did it, and that all the friends are just blaming it on him.

The secretary is all about giving up the case. There is no way they can win this one, and it’s too frustrating to sort out. But Jin Bae feels bad; he says the winning combination that sparks Seol Hee’s interest: “The boy has no parents,” and “It’d be unfair for him to be accused of doing something he didn’t do.”

Seol Hee is off! She goes to an internet cafe where one of Dong Won’s friends is, and she follows him around, not too discreetly I might add. The friend gets into some nasty business with bullies who want his money, and Seol Hee barges in. Who do these punks think they are? Well, who does this ahjumma think she is?!

“This ahjumma” is a “legend” – and she kicks one of them in the legs and then breaks his fingers. He’s under her mercy now, and she drags him around by those fingers. The other bullies run away like scaredy-cats. Seol Hee turns to the friend with a huge smile on her face and says she’s just a friend! The kid is mighty terrified she may beat him up too, but she reassures him that all she wants is for him to answer a few questions.

The next morning Seol Hee is in the office first – but she’s asleep on the couches. Mean Secretary tsk-tsks her disapproval, assuming that Seol Hee was drinking all night. But Jin Bae looks on his desk – there’s a voice recorder that has the friend testifying that Dong Won was with him at an internet cafe during the time of the robbery. There’s even a typed up report of the whole matter; Seol Hee had spent all night working on the case. IN YOUR FACE MEAN SECRETARY!

Then, Ji Wook meets his mother and uncle at a restaurant. The uncle has a special request (which we do not learn about), and we only know that Ji Wook is only taking the case because he’s family. His mother also informs him that the uncle will find a new wife for him. Because he’s now single, rumors will spread, so he needs a new woman now. (Wait – last episode you said don’t have any “lady issues”, and now you’re telling your son to get hitched ASAP?) The “new wife” in interest is a Juilliard graduate with the proper family background and looks – someone that MoaE won’t be embarrassed to have as a daughter-in-law.

Hwa Ja is making her sales rounds when she decides to visit the marketplace where they had their first performance. There, she witnesses some of the old grandmothers begging the director (Hwa Ja’s friend) to not kick them out. The director is in a pickle himself; the marketplace is getting demolished to make room for a new shopping mall. Hwa Ja thinks it’s OK – renovation can improve the neighborhood, which can then help the old residents. However, the financial compensation that the old stall owners are getting does not include the premiums that they paid for the space, and it is pretty much their entire savings. Basically – the stall owners are getting gypped, and they were tricked into signing by some lovely ladies.

Hwa Ja takes the case to Seol Hee, who then decides to do some investigating on her own. But when she whips out her notebook, she gets splashed in the face with cold water by the Fruit Stall Grandmother. Who is she to ask a bunch of nosy questions? Is she from the company out to trick them into signing away more money? Seol Hee tells the ladies that she’s a secretary for a lawyer, but they don’t believe her. She doesn’t even dress like she works at a law firm. (Really Seol Hee – the whole world is telling you to CHANGE YOUR WARDROBE!)

Luckily the director recognizes her as the vocalist for the Madonna band, so he invites her for a chat at his office. He really needs a law firm to take the case; no one wants to touch it because all the contracts have been signed. The market is going to stage a protest though, and Seol Hee brings up the idea of another performance at the market to the band. It will help boost the people’s morale, and she feels particularly bad since these people were one of their first audiences.

The girls, Kwang Yul, and Tae Hyun arrive at the market, where the protest is in full swing. They’re a little unsure as to whether they’d be welcome, but the director spots them and sets them up onstage. Kwang Yul mutters that the Comeback Madonna Band is going to be too good for a stage like this, but Tae Hyun wisely says that doing something low-key like this will be good for the band.

The Comeback Madonna Band start their performance, and sing their rock version of “Genie.” It’s actually kind of funny, but also fitting for the situation. The lyrics are all about asking someone to tell the girls his/her wish, and that they will fulfill it. While it’s supposed to be meant for a guy, it can also be sort of read as the band asking the protesters to tell them their wish, and they will be the market’s spokesperson. But then again – “Genie” is also their latest single.

Just as the concert goes into full swing, a bunch of beige-uniformed hooligans enter the plaza and start throwing water on everyone. They beat up all the protesters – old grandmothers and young men alike – and start pushing them around. It’s a violent, sad scene, and the girls stare at the melee around them. Kwang Yul is sent to call the cops, and the hooligans storm the stage. One of them grabs Seol Hee’s guitar, and Tae Hyun goes running up the stage and socks the guy in the face. Hwa Ja grabs a huge vat and throws it over a hooligan’s head, while Ah Reum and Soo In fight back another with the mic stand and drum sticks. Tae Hyun checks on Seol Hee if she’s OK, and he continues to protect her.

The girls return to the studio, sore and bruised, and beg Seol Hee to do something. At that moment, Min Kyu calls Ah Reum out. He’s shocked at her appearance, but also asks her to respond to the manager at Daum Entertainment. Ah Reum dawdles a bit more, and she’s so conflicted that it’s clear she won’t take the job offer.

Seol Hee brings the case to Jin Bae, who’s not too keen on it. It’s a very tricky case, with the contracts all signed and loopholes abounding. He asks about the company ousting the marketplace; it’s called ‘Mu Jung Gae Bal’ (I don’t know if that’s the real name or what..). Jin Bae lets out a thoughtful “HMMM” and says he’ll think about it more.

Back in Ji Wook’s office, Seung Hye isn’t too keen on getting involved with the case between the company and the marketplace. (Do we see the sides getting drawn here or what?) Ji Wook says that they have to get involved – it’s a family matter. His uncle owns the construction company that will build the mall, and his mother has shares in that company. They need to resolve it so that the rich get everything and the poor stall owners get less than they deserve. Seung Hye suggests a court order to evict the stall owners, but Ji Wook doesn’t want something as high-profile as that.

Seol Hee returns to the marketplace and sees everyone back at work despite the bruises. She hears from Fruit Stall Grandmother that the company’s lawyer will come visit them today, but that the market still doesn’t have a lawyer. Seol Hee calls up Jin Bae – she’s going to do whatever it takes to sue the company and get the money that is rightfully owed. Jin Bae finally takes the case, even though his secretary still thinks it’s too much of a hassle to get involved. Why bother taking a case he won’t win? He replies: “But the market hasn’t even been handed over yet.” And off he goes.

Gosh – if I had that lazy of a secretary, I’d fire her in an instant. All she cares about is her morning coffee being ready made for her when she arrives.

Seol Hee arranges for all the stall owners to sign a form so that she will have a proper list of all the people involved in this handover. The grandmothers all start taking a liking to her, feeding her snacks and drinking rice wine with her. When Jin Bae finally arrives, Seol Hee presents the complete list of all the owners. Up they go to the director’s office!

Ji Wook and Seung Hye arrive at the same office, and present themselves as the legal representatives for the company that will build the mall. Ji Wook says that he is willing to offer anywhere from $3000 to $10,000 for moving expenses, provided that the marketplace clears out within a month. The director asks about the premiums, but Ji Wook says that they are not responsible for paying that.

Director: Well then, my 98 workers will just sue your ass in court.
Ji Wook: Excuuuuse me?

Jin Bae and Seol Hee come rushing in with the papers in hand. And you get the following expressions:

Jin Bae: Do my eyes deceive me or… is that SEUNG HYE AND JI WOOK!?!?!?!
Seung Hye: Oh shit! GO JIN BAEEEEE!
Ji Wook: Whut? SEOL HEE?! What are you doing here?!
Seol Hee: JI WOOK?! SEUNG HYE?! *Not again…

Comments:

Oh yeah – this was bound to happen. I knew that Ji Wook and Seung Hye would have to come face to face against Seol Hee again in a situation that didn’t involve the love square. That’s the only way to keep these two fantastic actors around. I am positive this case will last us until the end of the series, or near end, as each side will keep finding ways to foil the other. I’m afraid that the case may take up a lot of the time in each episode, as, again, I am more interested in the band. But a good case won’t drive me away…

I don’t approve of Ji Wook taking the case because it has to do with his family. The whole Cha family is so darn selfish and just trying to keep money in the family. I almost wished that he was just taking on the case because it involved a huge corporation, and his law firm was best at dealing with those kinds of cases. We’ve already seen Seung Hye and Ji Wook successfully close a case and get millions of dollars for their client, a large company. To add the “family factor” makes it needlessly personal. It’s already got SEOL HEE – how personal is THAT?

I might have made it seem like I thought a Soo In and Tae Hyun pairing would be a more favorable pairing, despite the obvious connection between Seol Hee and Tae Hyun (out of story’s sake). However, I am REALLY DISLIKING how it is getting played out. It is so one-sided, because Tae Hyun shows no interest in her, and he has never affirmed Kwang Yul’s suspicions. And yet, Kwang Yul keeps suggesting that Tae Hyun must like Soo In. I know that if you are with your girlfriends and you are talking about the cute guy giving your friend glances from across the room, you might say, “He’s sooooooo into you, go for it!” But here? No – totally disapprove of Kwang Yul. I was so annoyed with him because he was essentially saying, “He’s sooooooo into you, but don’t go for it!” What the hell!? You’re putting ideas into the poor girl’s mind! She’s single and hasn’t been in a relationship – don’tcha think she’s gonna want to consider Tae Hyun as a prospect?! He’s cute, available, and in the same field as she is. He’s PER-FECT-O.

OK – that’s my rant for the episode. Hee. Here’s to episode 11!

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