My Name Is Kim Sam Soon: Episode 12

91 September 8, 2011January 24, 2016

by samsooki

What would have happened if Henry got tired of being Hee Jin’s handmaiden and decided to turn his charms on Sam Soon? Or perhaps in a more likely scenario, what would have happened if Sam Soon decided that handsome surgical oncologists were better for dating than arrogant owners of French restaurants? We may never know…

SONG OF THE DAY

Lee Hae Na – “고별” [ Download ]

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Episode 12 – What’s The Big Deal? I’ve Only Just Turned 30!

While we will never know that potential pairing, this much we know: Jin Heon likes Sam Soon. Initially, Jin Heon is the only one doing the hugging, but after a bit, Sam Soon starts hugging back. Aww! It’s taken a dozen episodes, but we finally have mutually hugging.

Then Sam Soon asks the question that’s been hanging over them like Fresh Linen scent air freshener: what about Yoo Hee Jin? Ah right, her. Jin Heon responds truthfully – “I’m thinking about it.” Sam Soon is astounded.

Sam Soon: You mean to say that you didn’t think this through before you started down this path?
Jin Heon: Look, this is all new to me and I don’t know what to do.
Sam Soon: If you don’t know what to do, then who can know? Should we ask Samsooki?

YAY! I’ve waited this WHOLE SERIES for Sam Soon to ask for my opinion! Ask me! Ask me! *Raises hand* I totally know the answer to this one too! Samsooki answer: Jin Heon, pick one and stop being a knucklehead. *sigh* Aeeeyoooo. Sam Soon is upset now. Since Jin Heon is in still-thinking mode, Sam Soon has officially become the “other woman.”

Jin Heon drops off Sam Soon at her house and watches her go inside. Sam Soon’s older sister strolls up from behind and asks Jin Heon for a little chat. Yi Young warns Jin Heon against seeing Sam Soon, who might seem neat to a guy like Jin Heon but that won’t last 6 months. Rather, Yi Young sees Hee Jin as the perfect fit for Jin Heon, who by the way, is a jerky mcjerk. Hehe, nicely done.

It’s all nice and good to have a protective older sister like Yi Young, but what happens when the older sister isn’t around? Sam Soon is apparently taking advice from strangers in mirrors. First advice from the lady in the mirror is to seduce Jin Heon, but her fantasy seduction scene ends in epic fail. Next fantasy option? Go through Dr. Henry Kim by getting him to seduce Hee Jin!

Fantasy Sam Soon heads over to Henry’s rental pad and starts packing his clothes as Henry stares in disbelief. Fantasy Sam Soon must get Henry to live with Hee Jin for any Pepero seduction to happen.

Henry (in English): Stop it. This is ridiculous, okay?
Sam Soon (in Korean): Ya, whether you take this as a pretext or a gift, it’s for your own good.
Henry (speaking Korean): Nae-ga bong-ee-nya? Nae-ga bong-ee-nya? (Am I a sucker?)
Sam Soon (in Korean): Jashik… where did he learn to say that.. You! Hee Jin! Lub, lub! Euh? Okay, ahn okay? (“ahn” means “not”)
Henry (laughing): What?
Sam Soon (muttering in Korean): Ahh, what’s with this ja-shik constantly flashing his beautiful smile at me like that. You’re totally inflaming this old maid’s heart, you know that… This is maddening! Ja-shik… cham… should I just pass off Sam Shik to another person and… hwaaak! hook up with this guy?

Sam Soon (in Korean): *sigh* Henry-ya.
Henry (puts on his thinking face): …
Sam Soon (in Korean): This is not the time for you to be laying back like this. Love through merely watching is no love at all. (in English) Platonic! Oh no! I am not platonic! No! Nebber! (in Korean) You are just too young to know this, but do you think that persons that exactly fit your heart just up and appear in front of you?
Henry (gesturing): Sophie. I’m not the man that Hee Jin loves. So. I’m satisfied, as long as she’s happy and healthy. It doesn’t matter who she’s with.
Sam Soon (mocking Henry’s gestures): What are you babbling about? You gotta talk in a way that I can understand. What about Hee Jin?

LOLOLOL! Oh my, this might be the funniest scene in the entire drama. This is funny on sooo many levels. For those who have clueless relatives who speak rapid-fire in a different language that you just don’t understand, Henry’s friendly efforts to make Sam Soon understand will be so relatable. And for those with parents or other relatives who speak fluent Korean but only a smidgen of English, Sam Soon’s frustration with the American Henry will also be spot-on pitch-perfect.

Now, Hee Jin understands “Platonic? Oh no!” and understands that if she weakens for even a moment, her boyfriend might be stolen like an unattended iPad. Hee Jin has pretty much been in continual semi-desperation mode since she returned to Korea, but her senses tell her to take it up a notch. Not only has she cleaned Jin Heon’s apartment and done the laundry, but she’s also made food for him.

Jin Heon is surprised to see her, and visiting penguin named Awk-ward seems to have decided to make his home permanent in their relationship. Jin Heon has something to say. But he can’t say it. Hee Jin can guess what it might be, but doesn’t preempt him. Why not? Because who knows whether fickle Jin Heon might change his mind later. If Jin Heon can’t say whatever it is that he wants to say, then maybe he’s not made up his mind yet.

Still, Hee Jin can’t leave it to chance. She calls up Sam Soon to have another face-to-face. As the title-belt holding, reigning girlfriend, Hee Jin tries to get Sam Soon to swear off all men named Hyun Jin Heon. Sam Soon defends her behavior though, saying that she never seduced anyone and never took anything that didn’t belong to her. But, if that man comes on his own to Sam Soon, she has a mind to maybe say yes.

Hee Jin brings up her fight with cancer as a reason why Sam Soon should back away- for pity sake? Oooh, sorry but Sam Soon is out of pity pastries. Sam Soon suggests they engage in fair play and then this time, Sam Soon leaves first. Of course, Sam Soon wouldn’t suggest fair play if she didn’t think she was going to win. And that confidence has got to be a bit disconcerting to Hee Jin, because Hee Jin is the current title-holder with an 8-year reign on top.

An agitated Hee Jin goes to hang with her platonic friend Dr. Henry, and who strums a love song to cheer her up. This is really an odd thing to do, because if Hee Jin is cheered up, it will probably mean that she’s dreaming that Jin Heon is playing the song for her, rather than Dr. Henry.

Hee Jin asks Henry what he would have done 3 years ago, if he were in Hee Jin’s shoes. Henry answers automatically – of course he would have stayed and fought through it together. He wouldn’t have left without a word. Just so it is clear, Henry would also have closed the barn doors before any cows have had a chance to leave the barn. Hee Jin sighs. Yep, the cows have left the barn, and closing the doors now seems a tad bit on the late side.

Perhaps as a prod to get her to move on, Henry notes that Hee Jin’s hindsight makes little difference now. Hee Jin rolls her eyes a bit at Henry, snapping, “Uh yeah, I see that.” Meoowwwwrrr! Ftt! Ftt! Little Miss Pepero Kitten flashing her claws? But wrong target! Where was Little Miss Pepero Kitten when Hee Jin was sitting with Sam Soon?

Of course, Henry is uber gallant and asks if Jin Heon did something to Hee Jin. Henry offers to beat up Jin Heon, noting he clearly has the ability to beat Jin Heon up. Aww! Every girl should have a devoted platonic and chiseled cancer surgeon friend like Henry who takes six months off of work to fly half-way around the world to country whose language he does not speak in order to be there to support you and beat up bad boyfriends for you.

The day has finally arrived! Yi Young’s apartment has finally sold! Two checks are drawn – one for $50,000, and one for the balance. Yi Young slides over the $50,000 check to Sam Soon, telling her younger sister to get back the deed to their family home from Jin Heon. The $50,000 check will mean that there is no more reason for Sam Soon to be tied to Jin Heon, and they can go on their separate ways.

Sam Soon reveals to her older sister that Jin Heon admitted he likes Sam Soon. Yi Young tries to yell some sense into her younger sister, but Sam Soon doesn’t like Yi Young’s tone or her negative references to Jin Heon. Yi Young sticks to her guns though – did Jin Heon break up with Hee Jin yet? No? Oh you silly girl! Get back our deed and stop dreaming!

So Sam Soon goes and presents the $50,000 check to Jin Heon, who is (1) surprised at the speed at which a poor girl like Sam Soon could repay the money and (2) disappointed because he just lost his last hold over her. In response, Jin Heon tears up the check in front of Sam Soon. Rather than touched, Sam Soon is shocked and enraged at the stunt. Why would he do that! Is this something that rich guys do to impress poor people??!

Jin Heon protests though – it’s his money, he can do what he wants with it – and he’s just showing Sam Soon that he cares for her more than he cares for money. You know, romantic-like. Sam Soon could not feel more different.

Sam Soon (distraught): I knew you were hopeless but I didn’t know it was this bad. You are selfish, immature, ignorant of the pains of the world… you make me sorry to my own heart. I’m so freaking embarrassed I ever felt anything for you. A person like you… I would never present to my Dad.

Initially, I was like, wow overreaction much? It’s one man’s money. If he buys an expensive car that he never drives, if he puts in premium gasoline rather than regular, if he doesn’t rollover his cellphone minutes nor subscribe to groupon, what’s the big deal? In Jin Heon’s words, stop twisting everything and just accept the fact that he likes you more than money. What is so bad about that?

Then a second later, I see it the other way. That money could have fed a family of 4 for a whole year. And some people work until their very bodies break down, all the while missing their kids and family, just to make a fraction of that money. And for that money, to save her family home, Sam Soon was willing to throw away her pride and her family’s pride. And here Jin Heon is, just ripping it up as if it didn’t matter. If it was bad enough that he ripped it up rather than using it for the common weal, it was 10x as bad that he failed to recognize what Sam Soon had to go through for that lousy $50,000.

Sadly and full of bitterness, Sam Soon turns to leave, and guess who walks in but Hee Jin.

Hee Jin: We meet again.
Sam Soon: Yeah. I had reason to be here.
Hee Jin: Oh, me too. See, we made plans to see a movie together.

Whelllp, that should be it. Sam Soon stares at Jin Heon, who can’t make eye contact. What was that about liking Sam Soon so much that he tears up money? If he would he tear up $50,000 for Sam Soon, maybe he’d tear up $500,000 for Hee Jin?

Sam Soon walks out of the office, running into the Bon Appetit staff who crowded at the door trying to listen in. They pretend to be staring elsewhere as Sam Soon passes by. Oh, is that something on my shoe? I never noticed that particular painting before, I must check it out closely right now…

Yi Young’s warnings must be ringing in Sam Soon’s ears as she walks through the restaurant. She stops near her former work station, and sees that she indeed has been replaced. The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Sam Soon notices that her former assistant, In Hye has been tailing her, so Sam Soon asks In Hye to go and grab Sam Soon’s book of notes and recipes. It’s time to start over and leave nothing behind.

Sam Soon arrives home and finally receives some good news! What do you know, but her application for name-change has been processed and… it’s been granted! Woo hoo! All she has to do now is take the notice down to the government center and fill out the confirmation sheet and file it within 30 days. Sam Soon jumps around like prancing horse. You all have to call me Hee Jin now! Yi Young and Sam Soon’s mom stare in wonder as Sam Soon cries for joy and maybe cries with a bit of sorrow as well.

Meanwhile, Hee Jin and Jin Heon can’t seem to find any place to eat in Seoul. They eat at one place, but with Jin Heon being broody, Hee Jin blames the food as different than what they were used to. Hee Jin drives them to another place, a favorite of theirs back in the day, but the restaurant is not there anymore. Face it Heej, things have changed. When Jin Heon doesn’t seem to be bothered by this, Hee Jin mentions that Henry would have cared. Jin Heon stares at Hee Jin, who appears sorry but doesn’t retract the statement. The Jin Heon – Hee Jin relationship has officially become a love triangle between Jin Heon, Hee Jin and Awk-ward, the Penguin.

Back at the Kim residence, in another delightful scene between sisters, Sam Soon and Yi Young are sharing beer and snackie puffs (dried squid-y things – quite yummy with dry beer). Sam Soon mentions that it’s really over now between her and Jin Heon. Yi Young asks about what happeened but Sam Soon refuses to say.

Sam Soon wonders if she should go for a liposuction and Yi Young shoots down that idea immediately. It’s not your looks that stay with you, but your work and your skillz. They clink beer bottles and drink.

Yi Young (touching her size 0 waist) : Maybe I should get a lipo…
Sam Soon: Listen to this crazy woman talk… it’s always the skinny ones who act the worst.
Yi Young (threatening to slap): Oh you little –
Sam Soon: YOU KNOW I’M TOTALLY RIGHT! (muttering) All the skinny people of the world should be bound together and dropped off somewhere far away…

I won’t argue with Sam Soon here, except to say that if they took Yi Young and Little Miss Pepero away, they would also have to take Jin Heon away too… even pre-SG Binnie was just one or two skipped meals away from being told to stay away from sidewalk grates and window fans.

Anyhoo, Jin Heon has been doing a lot of thinking lately, and it appears most if not all of those thoughts revolve around Sam Soon. He even digs through the trash to find his ripped-up $50,000 check – perhaps he’s growing up a little bit now? That night he heads over to Sam Soon’s but she’s not there.

Sam Soon has left for parts unknown. Well, Yi Young knows but she’s not saying. Sam Soon’s mom appears, umbrella in hand, to swat away pervs and stalkers who might be lurking around. Yi Young hides Sam Shik until her mom leaves. Yi Young wants to know why Sam Shik continues to bother Sam Soon, but Sam Shik’s confident approach turns her off. She slams the door on Jin Heon, and he’s left to try to text Sam Soon.

Jin Heon starts with bluster, but then the bluster fades. Jin Heon finally texts, “I’m sorry.” Yi Young opens the door again, and asks what Jin Heon is sorry about. Jin Heon says, “for everything.” Well, it’s a start, and certainly, he’s got a sincere look about him. Yi Young, just tell him where she is, okay? Yi Young agrees, but on one condition, that Jin Heon promises not to make her sister cry anymore. Jin Heon agrees and Yi Young tells him that she went to Jeju to climb Mt. Halla alone.

The scene shifts to Mt. Halla, where Sam Soon has gone. Sam Soon starts climbing Mt. Halla from the east side trail that leads to the top known as the Sung Panak Trail, just like she heard that Jin Heon did when he wanted to let go of everything and start over.

Today being her birthday, the start of her 30th year, Sam Soon is starting over as Kim Hee Jin, pâtissière d’extraodinaire, with no more regrets or bitterness.

Well, maybe a little bit of bitterness. Apparently Jin Heon didn’t tell Sam Soon that reaching the top of the Mt. Halla would be a windy trek. Sam Soon sends a stready stream of curses down the mountainside as she struggles against high winds and rain to get to the top.

But she makes it, and at the very top, she cups her hands together like a megaphone and shouts:

Kim Hee Jin: I AM KIM HEE JIN! KIM SAM SOON NO LONGER, I AM KIM HEE JIN! SAM SHIK-AH! SAM SHIK-AH! NOW, NOW IT’S OFFICIALLY OVER!

But then a voice calls out from over the howling winds!

Sam Shik: Says who?!

Comments:

You see over-the-top scenes like this and there’s a part of you that chuckles at the theatricality of it all. Like in the drama Greatest Love, where Yoon Pil Joo gives Gu Ae Jung not one but ALL of his immunity roses during the elimination round of a reality dating show, basically eliminating everybody but her. Total awww! scene.

Just about every romantic drama has one or more of these awww! scenes that just makes you wonder how Koreans ever get anything done if they go around thinking up and then pulling stunts like this. Don’t they work and sleep and eat?

But it works, doesn’t it? While a small part of me might chuckle at the absurdity, a (much) larger part says, “damn, I wish I thought of that.”

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1 Noemi

September 8, 2011 at 5:27 AM

thanks for the recap!

I think the scenes with Henry and "Sophie" are my favorite parts of MNIKSS...so funny!

I have to admit, I really like the last scene in this episode...over-the-top, yes. But squee-worthy nonetheless! And I absolutely love the three Bonbons au Chocolat OST pieces in this drama...if I remember correctly, one of them plays during this last scene quite beautifully.

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Noemi

September 8, 2011 at 5:29 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsIseR2vgQE&feature=related

This one, I think. Could be wrong, though. Lovely instrumental piece either way!

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2 ck1Oz

September 8, 2011 at 5:29 AM

Happiness tonight is your ep 12 recap.

This and the next episode are my favourites.Love love childish JH being put in place by SS.

Oh can I say since MNIKSS is one of my first KD-never knew there are better male leads out there.I mean better characters.However since it's one of my earliest KD-it's clouded by nostalgia.

Thank God Binnie went on to act more roles and grew up and stopped looking like a baby.

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mary

September 8, 2011 at 7:45 AM

Sadly though, he's gotten worse in the staying healthy category.

I heard he's being used to slice butter now.

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mollywinks

September 8, 2011 at 4:06 PM

I definitely agree - there are better characters out there and in all honesty, Jin-heon doesn't seem all that great in retrospect, but nothing can ever beat this drama for me. I can't pinpoint what it is (apart from the nostalgia) that makes this my favorite, ultimate recommendation...

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3 Kasie

September 8, 2011 at 5:29 AM

Haha, I JUST got why you keep calling Heejin "Miss Pepero." Because she's as thin as a stick! XD

I'm going to have to marathon this drama soon. When I'm not piled under a huge stack of homework....

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4 Ivoire

September 8, 2011 at 5:34 AM

early recap again, thank you. Off to read now...

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5 Penn

September 8, 2011 at 5:42 AM

I'm loving your recaps, samsooki. I too wanted so much for Henry and Sam Soon to hook up just to see Jin Heon jealous.

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kdlover

September 8, 2011 at 6:11 AM

Oooh that would be so interesting!! Sam Soon and Henry are sooo funny together!!! Thanks for the great read samsooki!!!

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6 skelly

September 8, 2011 at 6:05 AM

Thank you, samsooki! I re-weatched episode 11 last night, now it is time for ep 12 today...
Like you, the first time I watched the check-tearing scene I couldn't figure out why Sam Soon was so upset - a romantic gesture, no? Well, on second thought, no. It just goes to show that once again, Jin Heon has thought about no one but himself, and is clueless about the pain and embarassment that 50K debt has caused Sam Soon. Just the amusement and scorn from cheater ex-boyfriend is bad enough, but then when you pile on the fact that moms, sisters - all the important people in her life knew that their relationship was based solely on a debt - his immaturity and self-absorbtion takes on monumental proportions. After thinking through things from Sam Soon's point of view, I can look at his appearance on Mt. Halla and think, 'well, that's a start...'

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7 mini me

September 8, 2011 at 6:12 AM

Samsooki your words really make me smile. Can wait for next :)

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mini me

September 8, 2011 at 6:16 AM

I mean Can't wait for ep 13...hee sorry my mistake :)

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8 So3

September 8, 2011 at 6:19 AM

Before I go off to read, I just want to say brilliant screen cap for the top pic for this episode. Henry and Sam Soon look cute together (more so than Henry with Hee Jin, as a point of reference).

My conclusion keeps repeating - KSA really has good chemistry with all his male co-stars!!

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9 genkasik

September 8, 2011 at 6:22 AM

sam sik yaaaa...

Crap useless comment, but you know, I've never had a time to finish this drama... on my list btw... :)

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10 birdscout

September 8, 2011 at 6:23 AM

I love Awk-ward, the penguin!lol

When I first watched MNIKSS, it was early in my kdrama addiction, and I was feeling guilty about the hours and hours of marathoning. So, to make myself feel better, I watched the drama with French subtitles, telling myself I was improving my Korean and French at the same time. However, something must have gotten lost in translation because I remember watching the Henry-Sam-soon scene not realizing it was a dream sequence and this episode didn't make much sense to me. Thanks, samsooki, for making everything so much more clear.

You have great recapping skillz!

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polly

September 8, 2011 at 1:50 PM

YEah I love Awk-ward The Penguin too! He was also der in d 11th ep :P

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11 S2K

September 8, 2011 at 6:42 AM

I love the behind the scenes of the episode. She hangs on to a pole to keep from blowing away...too funny.

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12 Tha

September 8, 2011 at 6:43 AM

MNIKSS never gets old does it?!?!?! Thank you samsooki for another awesome recap!!!! I loved reading every single one!!!MNIKSS forever!!!!

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13 Hipployta

September 8, 2011 at 8:11 AM

All these years later and I still clearly remember that scene with Henry and Samsoon...they did have good chemistry LOL. I remember wishing Sophie and Henry had more interaction...especially when I think how stiff Daniel is in other roles.

Did anyone watch that American tv show he was on? How was his acting?

I remember seeing the ending of this episode and screaming "WHAT?"!

It was awesome.

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Nay Jack

September 8, 2011 at 7:44 PM

I did watch 3 rivers, where Daniel acted. He was lackluster. Pretty stiff. I loved seeing him blush and hold in his laughter in that Fantasy scene.

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xtooline

September 9, 2011 at 8:43 PM

Yes, he was lackluster in Three Rivers, but the series was worse - way worse. I like to think that the show was so bad, he was just embarrassed. Hope he'll get a better opportunity...

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14 lvsanchez

September 8, 2011 at 8:18 AM

I'm a huge fan of MNIKSS and it was the most addicting drama I've ever watched... but these were the episodes where my love began to waver. I love leads like Sam Soon and Eun Chan from CP bc they don't beat around the bush and are straight up with the way they feel. The downside to that is the fact that they chase the male lead around... KSS even more so. Sam Soon's character is supposed to be strong and independent so why does she let Jin Heon drag her around like that? I can understand brooding over him, checking your phone every 5 minutes, or maybe stalking him afar a little (it's a K-drama) but I remember watching this and being like "Why are you exposing all your feelings to him over and over?" It's just so frustrating to watch! I understand being infatuated over someone, but I would have done something like this at 15 maybe... never at my age now... which is younger than Sam Soon.

But I still love this drama to death! Thank you so much for recapping and letting me see another side of things!

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15 julier

September 8, 2011 at 8:20 AM

I've watched this drama so many times and I'm loving seeing it again with your recaps! Samsoon heading up Hallasan is one of my favorite moments of the drama. It made me cry watching the drama and I got choked up again just reading about it. Love the pic of her starting the climb. Brings back the music and her thoughts. Great drama moment and even better with JH waiting at the top :) :) Thanks Samsooki!! Awesome stuff!

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koopah

September 8, 2011 at 3:30 PM

me too, me too! I love this episode and that Mt Halla part is one of my favorites among ALL Kdrama! I remember bawling the first time I saw is and it still brings tears on each re-watch and even reading this recap.

Samsooki you're the best!

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So3

September 8, 2011 at 8:33 PM

same - the first scene that came to my mind when MNIKSS is mentioned would be the Mt Halla scene. It moved me to tears when i watched it - because the desire to "restart" your life is so real in this scene. A part of me preferred Sam Shik didn't appear actually, ha.

(but no part of me chuckled at it... so samsooki - really? you did chuckle at it?)

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16 come2noona

September 8, 2011 at 8:37 AM

"Every girl should have a devoted platonic and chiseled cancer surgeon friend like Henry who takes six months off of work to fly half-way around the world to country whose language he does not speak in order to be there to support you and beat up bad boyfriends for you."

So true, samsooki. So true...

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17 DK

September 8, 2011 at 8:39 AM

I wonder if the film crew purposefully waited for terrible weather to film the truly epic climb up Halla mountain. It wouldn't have the same effect if Kim Sam Soon reaches the summit when it's sunny and 65F. My fave scene. I cry everytime. :~

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skelly

September 8, 2011 at 8:54 AM

I must just have a warped sense of humor, because it is supposed to be very spiritual and emotional and solemn and affecting and SS is screaming about the wind, the rain, the pain in her legs...she is just so down-to-earth that I have to laugh every time. She just has no pretensions about it.

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DK

September 8, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Heh. I cry more watch Kim Sam Soon than any other TV shows. I must be hormonal. :~

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Caitlyn

September 8, 2011 at 6:11 PM

I was thinking it was just always like that. I feel sorry for everyone that had to walk all the way up there, I didn't realise they'd actually filmed on the actual mountain until I saw the behind the scenes stuff at the end.

Also, how did Jin Heon get there so quickly? He would have been way behind Sam Soon. And then he went up a different route where she couldn't see him?

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webfoot

September 8, 2011 at 8:14 PM

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the BTS for that scene. Somehow they managed to schedule a storm for the day of the shoot.
Then again...maybe they didn't, in which case, can you imagine that scene without the storm? Not half as impactful!

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JJ

September 9, 2011 at 9:54 AM

It's such an amazing moment! I laugh and cry and scream with joy whenever I watch that scene. Every time I'm struggling through windy, rainy days, or trudge up windy mountains, I pull out my Sam Soon scream.

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18 Nodame

September 8, 2011 at 9:00 AM

Thanks for your awesome recaps. I love waltzing down memory lane. Seeing this drama recaps making me want to watch this drama all over again! My sis bless her soul one year saw a sale and got me all the OST, the big stuffed piggy even the cell phone piggy charm with the drama all in one package.

I started to love Alex's voice on the OST and Daniel Henney and Kim Sunah alot too! Just many warm memories!

Being over 30 when I watched it, this drama spoke to me!

Much appreciated! Only drama I watched 7 times!

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19 Eeefu

September 8, 2011 at 9:05 AM

I also felt that Sam Soon and Dr. Henry may get along much better and be a great couple since their first encounter at Jeju.

Hey but we all know from k-drama that love is funny and fuzzy. It is totally beyond reason and logic.

Thanks for the recap - all the background stories and brilliant remarks make the reading so much more fun than just watching the episodes. :)

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20 MJP

September 8, 2011 at 10:45 AM

At first read through, I am confused. I thought that Sam Shik was the cheater boyfriend. Why is their a picture of Hyun Bin aka Jin Heon at the end answering for Sam Shik?

And, why did she rename herself the same name as Jin Heon's girlfriend? That just makes no sense.

I might have to actually watch the episode, huh?

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samsooki

September 8, 2011 at 11:01 AM

1. Sam Shik is a play on words / nickname that Sam Soon gave to Jin Heon.

Way back when Sam Soon was interviewing for the position at Bon Appetit, she told Jin Heon that her condition for working at the restaurant was to be called "Kim Hee Jin." Jin Heon asked why, and Sam Soon said, "Would you like it if your name was 'Sam Shik' rather than Jin Heon?" Jin Heon replied that if that was his name, then he wouldn't mind having it.

Koreans like to do mash-ups of words to make new words - like in the drama Goong, Shin Chae-Kyung is teaching Prince Yul how to order food at the school cafeteria, and she orders "Ddeok Bap" which is ddeokboki and kim-bap put together.

So, Sam Shik is a mash-up of "Sam Soon" and "Ja-Shik", forming the word, "Sam Shik" which is both a funny sounding name and funny in meaning (third punk). And Sam Soon goes around referring to him as Sam Shik, to her family and naming him on his cell phone that way.

2. Sam Soon had, since she was a child, wanted to be called Hee Jin, the name of piano teacher that she used to idolize.

3. Yeah, it would be good if you actually watched the drama. I think the drama is pretty decent.

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MJP

September 8, 2011 at 11:24 AM

Thanks, Samsooki!

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MJP

September 8, 2011 at 1:15 PM

Okay. I've just finished watching this episode!

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DK

September 8, 2011 at 11:33 AM

Is Sam Shik 三石 in hanja?

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samsooki

September 8, 2011 at 11:59 AM

It would be 三息 I think.

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21 myweithisway

September 8, 2011 at 11:12 AM

I'm watching this drama for the first time (Latecomer I know!)
I adore it! And your recaps!

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22 nhttuwe1rd

September 8, 2011 at 11:37 AM

MNIKSS was the first Korean drama I've watched after Winter Sonata and Stairway to Heaven. I was so GLAD that I chose to give Kdrama another chance because MNIKSS was refreshing. It had the angst in it but at the same time it was comical and I fell in love with KSA and HB. MNIKSS was the beginning of my Kdrama addiction!

Thanks for the recap! I'm going to rewatch it again after the recaps! =)

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Alize

September 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM

me too!winter sonata,stairway to heaven,plus beautiful day lead CJW & LBH if i not mistake..:)thanks for the recap..i guess from 2005 till now i rewatch MNIKSS more then 10 times..:)

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23 Mermaidie

September 8, 2011 at 12:34 PM

Love triangle with Awk-ward the Penguin, LOL. Thanks for the recap!

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24 Noelle

September 8, 2011 at 1:33 PM

I can relate to Henry during that scene with Sam Soon. I'm just like him when my relatives start speaking Spanish at warp speed. Well any speed really. I suck at Spanish.

Thanks for the recap.

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25 Maria

September 8, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Samsooki,
I simply adore your writing style.
Thank you!

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26 Myn-Zi

September 8, 2011 at 3:23 PM

is....is that DANIEL HENNEY!!!!! OMF IMMA WATCH THIS SHOW AS SOON AS I FINISH MY OTHER 4

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27 curlyjewels

September 8, 2011 at 3:29 PM

Thanks for the recap.

This is just one of the k-dramas I just don't get tired re-watching.

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28 jomo143

September 8, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Thanks for the recap.

Even though poor Samshik cannot get the courage up to tell Skinny, I understand. Even though Skinny senses something is up, she is too hell bent on recapturing those damn cows. Samshik knows he's gonna crush her with his news. He's gonna crush an almost-all-of-her-stomach-gone cancer survivor with whom he was making out in public like two weeks ago.

The fact that he is planning on it makes him the bravest man in Kdrama history, I think. If it were me, I'd still be dating both and this show aired in 2005.

The trip to Halla makes up for the ripping up the check, I think. Although I agree with KSS's reaction. How DARE he?

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29 Emely

September 8, 2011 at 4:56 PM

Just starting a random poll question - Do you think Binnie look better with a) Restaurant-styled hair or b) Halla wind-swept hair?

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Emely

September 8, 2011 at 4:57 PM

I'll start and say Halla wind-swept hair. :) The way his wet hair and fringe (bangs) mould his face... *swoon*

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jomo143

September 8, 2011 at 5:57 PM

He looked too young though.
Wasn't he only 23 at the time, playing 27?

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Caitlyn

September 8, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Yeah, and in Secret Garden he was 28 playing 34. I don't get it.

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sleeplessinwgtn

September 9, 2011 at 1:55 AM

b) for me

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JJ

September 9, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Halla wind-swept hair all the way. There was definite flailing when he appeared.

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30 xine

September 8, 2011 at 5:10 PM

"The Jin Heon – Hee Jin relationship has officially become a love triangle between Jin Heon, Hee Jin and Awk-ward, the Penguin."

Nuff said!

ROFL

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webfoot

September 8, 2011 at 7:55 PM

Here, I have to solemnly interject and correct the esteemed Samsooki.

This is not a love triangle. To call this a love triangle would be to overlook the gravity of this episode. This is a history-making episode in kdrama, because ladies and gentlemen, it represents the dawn of the love PENTANGLE.

Yes, HJ, JH, KSS and Henry, and starring Awkward the Penguin.

That makes FIVE and no other kdrama since has attempted such a feat.

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xine

September 8, 2011 at 9:09 PM

o bravo!!

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Carry

September 9, 2011 at 4:09 AM

sooo true :D

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31 Celexa

September 8, 2011 at 5:52 PM

samsooki!!!

Thank you for another witty and engaging recap! I'm so glad you are recapping this drama!

I'm traveling now and barely have time to post but I make sure to read your recaps.

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32 crizzy

September 8, 2011 at 6:05 PM

thanks for the recap samsooki. it was fun reliving these funny scenes once more. makes me want to watch the entire show all over again.

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33 Abbie

September 8, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Cool episode! Loved seeing Hee Jin knocked down a few pegs! Why'd Sam Soon change her name to Hee Jin, though? I don't get that. Loved the ending though!

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34 webfoot

September 8, 2011 at 8:03 PM

Ahh @Samsooki. This episode recap takes the cake. And chews it up. And spits it out in little snarky crumbs.

Things I loved in the recap:

1. How every character is growing a string of adjectives. "devoted platonic and chiseled cancer surgeon friend "

2. Awkward the penguin - needs his own kdrama soon.

3. The Henry - Sam Soon scene. I agree, it was so memorable. Partly because you can see the real KSA peeking through because she is totally charmed by Daniel Henney. Your screencap totally captured the real KSA. In fact the actress playing Hee Jin was also totally showing through in her flirty scenes with DH. I watched 'Seducing Mr. Perfect' recently with Uhm Jung Hwa and DH and Ms Uhm was doing it there too!
DH's charm must be overwhelming in person. He may not be much of an actor but his charisma is freaking amazing.

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35 tegami

September 8, 2011 at 9:04 PM

Let me just say that Hyun Bin looks daaaamn fine in that last screencap. Damn fine indeed...

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36 xine

September 8, 2011 at 9:08 PM

Dear Samsooki - as a close observer of Awk-ward the Penguin's career can you tell us what other K-dramas he/she has featured in? I would love to catch those scenes. Perhaps a re-cap montage might be in order?

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37 laya

September 8, 2011 at 11:31 PM

Thanks, samsooki! <3

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38 Carry

September 9, 2011 at 4:15 AM

Thanks for the recap.

I was lucky there was no one home to hear to hear me laughing out loud and shout "hell yeah!".

And let's not forget this other little gem :
...her boyfriend might be stolen like an unattended iPad.

too funny :)

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jomo143

September 9, 2011 at 7:06 AM

Where? Where can I get an unattended iPad?

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39 JJ

September 9, 2011 at 9:43 AM

Thanks so much for recapping MNIKSS, Samsooki! Your posts have brought back so many good memories.

I started watching MNIKSS during my first field school, and all the other girls got sucked into it right alongside me! It was our way of unwinding after a long day's excavation, and we were always so anxious to find out what happened and just what the heck was up with Jin Heon. Except that we all called him Sam Shik, so I always get confused when you call him by his real name!

I have to say that out of all the dramas I've watched, the scene at the end of this episode takes the cake (no pun intended!). Cheesy and over the top? Yes. But really, the best part is Sam Soon's monologue as she climbs Mount Halla, about starting over. Her pragmatism gets me every time. And then, with Sam Shik waiting at the top - when I watched it with my field school girls, the roof of the apartment just about blew off because all eight of us screamed! Our professor thought we were crazy.

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40 sunahforever

September 10, 2011 at 7:20 AM

Hi everyone, just want to add to all the questions abt why Sam Soon hates her name and also why Jin Heon is aka Sam Shik...just a reminder to everyone, the title of the show is MNIKSS right? So names and reasons behind such names were the focus of the drama...so there were many scenes just abt these names etc...which I think was intentional....hope this gives some perspective to samsooki's many attempts to explain the name change...etc...

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41 bbstl 🧹

September 10, 2011 at 6:19 PM

awww, I love the ending of this ep! I recall it feeling pretty fresh at the time. After seeing hundreds of kdramas, it now seems a bit cheesy and overdone but I think that was part of the fun they were having skewering some kdrama conventions of the day.

So sad there are only four more recaps to come.

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42 anotheraddict

September 10, 2011 at 8:35 PM

Great epi, great recap (LOL @ the groupon reference!)-- thanks ever so much, samsooki!

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43 FlatWhite

September 11, 2011 at 5:10 AM

Damn samsooki... I enjoy your recaps sooo much! City Hall then this... and I think we both like Kim Sun Ah very much, don't we?

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44 Redeliza

September 12, 2011 at 6:42 AM

You're recaps are as entertaining as MNKSS is... Love it!!! Keep it up... Kamsahamnida...

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45 SuSue

September 12, 2011 at 4:44 PM

Seriously????? You thought so too? I have watched this drama like 10 times over from the very first episode to the final one and everytime, I always wonder what if Kim Sam Soon and "Henly" hooked up??????? That is just too funny!!!!! I do love "Henly" though. Even though his character was very one-dimensional, he still won me over. In my world, I would have chosen "Henly" over Sam Shik-ah!!!!!

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SuSue

September 12, 2011 at 4:45 PM

...Nice guys do finish first... In my book that is...

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SuSue

September 12, 2011 at 4:47 PM

But then arses get the cute booger-butt like names like Sam-Shik...

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SuSue

September 12, 2011 at 4:48 PM

....which I can't help loving the arrogant arses as well... there's just something about bad boys...

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46 Nastia

September 13, 2011 at 10:25 PM

I watched this drama many times and it always makes me smile. There should be a contest the best karaoke scene from korean drama, and I will vote both hands for karaoke scene from Kim Sam Soon. The one there she, her sister, her mom and sam shik go together. Love that part!!!!!

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47 Jumbalaya

December 29, 2011 at 8:29 AM

Haha Sam shik just comes out of the blue.... I was dying from a mix of horror and laughter..... 

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48 Brittni

April 9, 2013 at 11:06 AM

^^^I think that's my single favorite sentence to have read on dramabeans, ever.

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Sams

April 9, 2013 at 12:13 PM

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Ling

May 17, 2013 at 10:04 PM

I agree on that totally! :-)

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pastmidnite

March 18, 2014 at 1:37 AM

Count me in! Totally agree!
A late comment, here... I've been a DB lurker for years, and I don't know how many times I've watched MNIKSS (it's my first kdrama, btw, like many other beanies, one fact I just found out after reading hundreds of comments for this drama), but this is my first time reading this recap, here in DB, and I was just, like, where have I been? I remembered reading A recap of this drama, and what I know for sure is that I would certainly remember samsooki's particular writing style, which I nomu nomu nomu love, and I only realized after reading this episode's recap that THIS is not the one I read then. LOL. Off to read the final episodes! Great recaps, samsooki...and thank you for the wonderful walk through the memory lane :)

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49 dramadreamer

April 12, 2015 at 8:52 PM

First off, Samsooki (doubt if you will ever read this thread at this point in time) - you are an amazing writer! I love all the lines which have been applauded over, chuckled over and repeated again by the commentators above! you have a gift, girl! What was great about this Ep? everything ! except for Hee Jin. I am seriously annoyed with this skinny conniving girl. We get that you have cancer, that you had to fight for your life but why are you making gooey eyes at Henry when you're not trying to hook your claws into JH? you ain't no innocent, gal! can't you tell that Henry "likes" you? c'mon! But on to the good things: SS's fantasy convo with Henry was hilarious! K drama writers - you rock! the only dramas which can make me laugh out loud one min and tear up the next! And I get the mountain trek thing: SS just needed to do somthing epic to cleanse all the heartache - plus she just turned 30 . Loved watching her trudge up Halla. and all her heart felt yelling into the mists! "Am i having delusions? " when JH answers back. Arrgh.... SS - you should have pushed him down the mountain with your hamlike hands! Except that he looks soaking wet and adorable - gah!! Credit to JH for trying to juggle both SS and HJ at this point in time. JH is kinda a poor sod- his baggage is enough to break anyone's back - guilt over the deaths of his bro, sis in law and the motorcyclist, heartbreak over HJ's departure then finding lost love but realising that he has changed. How is he gonna break up with cancer girl gently and give himself and SS a chance? And, knowing that his mother is gg to be doing the sword wielding Chaebol mother thing ? ooh.. i think JH gets beaten and slapped by almost all the women in the show: mother, (future) mother in law, pattiserie chef- turned fake gf- turned object of lust , future sister-in-law (kicked and slapped), cancer stricken ex GF and manager Oh (becoz JH killed her son in the accident). overall, JH appears to be a victim of his circumstances and he does try to do the right thing for everyone and himself. Love is selfish after all, so as long as he finally ends up with SS and kisses her great - i'm good!

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50 pp

July 31, 2015 at 7:16 AM

LOLOLOLOL!!! Thanks samsooki for the transliteration ?
I am sitting in my office cafeteria, reading this and laughing like a loon...earning wierd looks from everyone. But I do not care....
Thanks for the laugh!! I really needed that ????

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