Kolorful Palette: It’s a bird…it’s a plane…[Sly and Single Again]

by Fanderay

Episode 8 of Sly and Single Again kicked the chemistry up a notch, and it finally feels like our characters are progressing as understanding grows on all sides (as per usual, click the image for full size!).

I admit to not understanding why Superman and Marilyn Monroe would be together (see ya Lois Lane!) but I like it. It feels like the two leads have spent most of this drama apart, or in a group with other people, so it was nice to see them together and being mean to each other in a more flirty way (instead of plotting each other’s demise). Sure, they both put on a show of grumpiness, but I’m pretty sure they both secretly loved their little photo shoot. Seriously though . . . they couldn’t afford a better Superman costume? I guess I shouldn’t complain since it just added to the hilarity of the situation. My husband came into the room while I was drawing and asked incredulously, “Is that an actual scene that happened?” Yes Honey. Welcome to K-dramaland.

I was relieved this episode to see that they finally confirmed Ae-ra’s miscarriage because that really does explain a lot. I’ve been wondering since the first couple episodes if that’s what happened (since a woman collapsing and holding her stomach always means miscarriage on TV) but I was starting to feel crazy since we went so many episodes without learning anything. That being said, I like that Ae-ra was a sympathetic character even without the miscarriage. She’s mostly painted to be the bad guy (and she certainly has her flaws) but I do feel sorry for her past-self. For me, it’s not about who the bread-winner is, but about mutual respect and support. Where was the communication between these two? It seems insane to me that Jung-woo would quit his job and make a huge life-altering decision without even talking to Ae-ra first.

I actually think she would have been behind him 100% if he had discussed it with her first and made her feel like she had a voice, but it would be pretty tough not to end up a little resentful if your husband basically said, “BTW Sweetie, you need to go get multiple part-time jobs tomorrow with no notice or preparation. . . good luck!” When Jung-woo was working as a civil servant, Ae-ra always made him feel appreciated and loved, but I never felt any of that from Jung-woo when she was working. Some small gestures from either of them could have gone a long way towards saving their marriage, but it was like they starting living totally separate lives, and that’s a pretty standard recipe for divorce. Everyone goes through hardship in life, but sometimes hardship isn’t so bad if you go through it together as a team. Their devolution as a couple was pretty unfortunate since they were adorable for a while there.

As far as their present-selves go, I haven’t really been feeling a ton of chemistry, but I’m starting to! I think the issue has been that that Ae-ra was always indignant and Jung-woo acted like some sort of James Bond parody (the Pierce Brosnan version) so it was difficult to see a connection. For quite a few episodes I didn’t even find either of them likable. Jung-woo often does the right thing regarding Ae-ra, but it often seemed like he was doing it just to convince himself that he was the good guy. He genuinely is a pretty good guy, but I find it hard to give someone credit when they have an ego about it. Thankfully both leads have learned to be a little more humble an understanding of each other, and the last few episodes I’ve finally started to feel some genuine mutual attraction between them. That’s a good thing because I’ve mostly been rooting for Seung-hyun so far.

Speaking of Seung-hyun, I was pleasantly surprised to see his feelings thrown out in the open already, and I’m curious to see how that affects his relationship with Ae-ra. I love that she’s savvy enough to get what’s going on and realize that it’s not insignificant. Drama heroines tend to be excruciatingly naive when it comes to the feelings of second leads, and it was so refreshing to watch that car ride home and see Ae-ra’s concern. She’s not only aware, but actually cares, and that definitely made my heart soften up to her a little more. Too bad she doesn’t share Seung-hyun’s feelings and is going to break his heart anyways!

Despite not really feeling the OTP for so many episodes, I’ve actually been enjoying this drama so far, but I’m more excited to see where it’s headed. A lot happened this episode to bring all our characters closer together and it felt like a beginning (hopefully of good things to come!).

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