High Society: Episode 5
by gummimochi
Love is in the air this hour as two romances come to bloom between our pairings. While the dynamics between the rich and poor come into play in each of their relationships, the result isn’t always what you’d expect. The contrast between these two couples is like night and day where one reminds you of the strange reality that is this world and the other is what dreams are made of.
And who can blame her for wanting to play with Loveshik puppy’s ears, after all. They’re just so floppy and adorable.
SONG OF THE DAY
Urban Zakapa – “둘 하나 둘 (Two One Two)” [ Download ]
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EPISODE 5 RECAP
A kiss on the rooftop, followed by another. After Yoon-ha vows not to withhold secrets about herself anymore, Joon-ki takes her hand and draws her close. What he values is sincerity in a relationship, and a girlfriend whom he can reach. Relationship still on, then.
Joon-ki isn’t the type to dole out cheesy lines when they make dinner plans at his place for tonight. Having overheard the exchange, Joon-ki’s co-worker, Deputy Sung, smugly asks if he’s dating the part-timer, only to have his own weakness pointed out in return.
Chang-soo spends five seconds greeting Deputy Sung before approaching Ji-yi. Today’s brief tiff is about the produce, which Chang-soo wins with a swoon-worthy line. He smiles when she notes his absence, then asks if she missed him while he was gone. “Yes,” she admits. Their flirty banter is observed by Deputy Sung and Ji-yi’s boss.
Contrast that with Madam Min, who after her morning stiff drink heads straight to Lady Kim to return the mourning gifts sent to her. Enacting her new mantra of only showing humane treatment to those who deserve it, she orders Butler Hong to throw the dishes off the table.
Sending Mama Lee away so they can speak alone, Lady Kim keeps up a smile while pushing Madam Min’s buttons. Provoking an unbalanced mother about her son’s “death” is the wrong thing to do, since it earns her a hard slap across the face and getting her hair pulled.
Lady Kim spits back that Madam Min should seek professional help, but the latter is way past reason, even threatening to burn Lady Kim’s face with a soldering iron. Now that Madam Min has nothing left to protect, she has nothing to lose.
Slapping and cursing at Lady Kim again, Madam Min swears to return here every day to torture—Lady Kim better pray that Kyung-joon comes back alive. Madam Min relishes in this taste of violence, leaving a frightened Lady Kim sobbing in her wake.
Lady Kim pulls herself up by the bootstraps, contemplating how she once thought a chaebol’s wife and herself were on completely different levels, but now knows that all people are the same with their own vulnerabilities. She vows through tears that the gloves are off now.
Now for some cute: Ji-yi delivers some chicory to Chang-soo’s office per his earlier request. He teases that this means she likes him too, since she didn’t have to deliver them herself. She blames her feelings on him going out of his way to fix that broken streetlamp outside her place.
But Chang-soo replies that he barely lifted a finger—all it took was a simple phone call to the district office. She deflates. Rising from his seat, Chang-soo asks if she thinks every relationship must end in marriage for her, and when she shakes her head no, he counters, “So why can’t you go out with me?”
Dating and not getting married and dating with a strict rule of no marriage are two very different things, Ji-yi argues. But Chang-soo points out that they could date and she could realize that she doesn’t want to marry him. He’s given this a lot of thought, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t try dating. Lookatchu with your reverse psychology tactics.
Declaring that they’ve just agreed to see each other now, he asks her out to dinner, referring to himself as a guy who “wins” day or night (i.e., always gets his way). That complements Ji-yi’s tendency to always give in, and it’s only after he sends her on her way does Chang-soo break into a smile.
After discovering Yoon-ha’s name among the company shareholders, Ye-won doesn’t understand why or how her youngest sister bought those shares. When told that Kyung-joon may have bought them for her, she now believes Kyung-joon and Yoon-ha had formed an alliance behind her back.
She doesn’t feel at all threatened by the total 2.1 percent stake Yoon-ha has. That is, until she hears the rumored plans of Chairman Jang making Yoon-ha into an exec and giving her more shares. Sharing how her father had men who took care of all his unpleasant business, she hints to the secretary that that’s the kind of yes man she needs.
After dampening Yoon-ha’s mood by instructing her to come house, Ye-won sits down with her mother just after the latter instructs Butler Hong to “let the two of them compete until my death” and agreeing to accept whatever the result may be, even though we don’t know exactly what that means.
Ye-won sighs upon hearing that her mother has requested an investigation into Kyung-joon’s “death.” She can empathize as a fellow mother, understanding how devastating the idea of losing a child can be. She encourages her mother to lean on her, and Madam Min lets her daughter simply be there for her.
In the car, Yoon-ha shares how she told her family all sorts of excuses to keep her part-time job under wraps. Her brother was the only one who knew the truth, and she took extra measures to keep her wealthy background hidden.
Working part-time opened her eyes to a world beyond the one she had ever known, where one never had to worry about money. She’ll be an open book to any of his questions, but Joon-ki says they can take their time.
It turns out Deputy Sung has been tailing Joon-ki for Chang-soo’s hyung, who finds the idea of both Joon-ki and Chang-soo possibly dating a couple of part-timers amusing. He takes a keen interest in who his little brother is seeing. Oh no you don’t—you leave Ji-yi alone!
Speaking of whom, Chang-soo takes Ji-yi out shopping before their dinner date. She pouts at the shopping spree, but Chang-soo’s the one who wants the typical storybook romance where the rich guy and poor girl are dating.
Commence the quintessential makeover sequence, with Chang-soo judging each outfit she tries on. Buying a dress is only the beginning, and when asked if he must have money to burn, he nods.
Smiling at her new wardrobe, Ji-yi says he must’ve bought lots of gifts for women in the past. Sure, he replies, but it isn’t often he’s here in person to buy them those gifts. That makes Ji-yi feel extra special, but then she’s left to carry her own shopping bags.
Chang-soo takes her out to sushi, and I love how Ji-yi silently nudges him to pull out the chair for her like a gentleman. He introduces Ji-yi as his girlfriend to the chef, which aww. Despite the language barrier, Ji-yi is quick to deduce the chef’s compliment about how she’s the prettiest girl Chang-soo has ever brought. Hahaha.
She nearly cries at how good the food is, which Chang-soo finds absolutely endearing. A girl after my own heart, Ji-yi is.
Joon-ki and Yoon-ha’s date in his apartment is more low-key. He asks if she’s tired when she lets out another yawn. Sitting her down on his bed, Joon-ki insists that she rests her eyes while he prepares dinner. She struggles to keep her eyes open as Joon-ki lays her head on the pillow. She falls asleep within seconds.
Back at home, Ye-won reveals her intention of moving back in. Her marriage is in shambles and it’s her filial duty to serve her parents and put them at ease. At Butler Hong’s worries if Madam Min could deal with losing a son and her eldest daughter getting divorced, she says the best thing he can do is help her come to terms with reality.
After asking who is leading the investigation, she settles into the chair, as if cementing her place back home for good.
Once Chang-soo pulls up to her place, Ji-yi admits to have enjoyed her fairytale-like evening, but now it’s time to return to reality, and instructs him to return all the clothes tomorrow. She was curious about what it’d be like to feel like Cinderella for a few hours, only to realize she couldn’t help but constantly count pennies in her head.
Her shameless thoughts of how pricey that bag was or how she wants to eat that divine expensive food again make her despise herself. Turning to Chang-soo, she suggests that they break up. At his argument that they’ve been an item for less than twelve hours, she retorts that some celebrity marriages last for mere days.
Annoyed now, Chang-soo pulls her back to ask if she used him just so she could feel like a princess tonight. He hates that feeling of being used, and gets worked up when she brings up that damned streetlamp again.
He’s still miffed when she instructs him to bow his head a little, which is when Ji-yi pulls him in for a kiss. Needless to say, Chang-soo is taken aback, and Ji-yi confesses, “I’m starting to like you.”
“I wasn’t going to like you… but you’re too cute,” she pouts. Well ain’t that the truth. Spending time with him is like a dream, and she initially thought Chang-soo personally fixed that streetlamp for her. “Nothing in life may be free, but things in love are free.”
The more she likes Chang-soo, the more she hates the person she’s becoming, but Chang-soo couldn’t adore her any more than he does now. He pulls her back to say, “You’ve got this ability to make a guy feel a sense of responsibility” before swooping in for a proper kiss.
Yoon-ha stirs awake when Mama Lee calls to check in on her son. Joon-ki figures that every mother worries about their child eating proper meals, but Yoon-ha solemnly notes how her mother doesn’t fall into that category.
She’s had a restful nap thanks to him, though acknowledges that she’d be upset if someone had prematurely woke her from her sweet slumber. Hm, interesting choice of words there. She deflates at hearing that he’ll take her home after they eat, telling him she doesn’t want to go back home.
Joon-ki takes a beat before saying that’s fine and she can call home then. But Yoon-ha replies that no one at home cares enough anyway. “What if I say… I don’t ever want to go home?” Er, does she even know what those words sound like to a guy’s ears? Joon-ki registers the nuance and tells her not to go.
He gives her another chance to change her mind when he finds her a ball of nerves in the bathroom. But Yoon-ha hints that a lady needs a few essentials when sleeping over elsewhere which calls for some late-night shopping.
When Joon-ki shares how he once did the same with his college girlfriend at the time, Yoon-ha is oddly naive about talking about exes in one’s current relationship when she’s sorta-maybe knows what it means to sleep over at her boyfriend’s place. Slipping his hand into hers, he points to an outfit. Yoon-ha doesn’t care what she gets, as long as he likes it.
She’s mortified while trying to buy a bra when the saleswoman suggests that her boyfriend here must love that she has a busty chest. Thankfully Joon-ki plays dumb, and Yoon-ha insists on buying it herself since he should save his hard-earned money.
Following a gratuitous shower where Chang-soo happily recalls Ji-yi’s confession of her feelings, his mother bursts into his room to announce that she’s arranged another seon for him. Although he knows the potential date, he isn’t interested.
Even though his mother wants to see him married soon, she knows Chang-soo isn’t the type to bring home some poor girl to marry out of love. She warns him about all the golddiggers out there, but Chang-soo says there are decent girls out there too.
That prompts her to ask who exactly, but Chang-soo sidesteps the question. His mother is dead-set on her son marrying someone of equal social status—it’s bad enough that he’s such good friends with Joon-ki, who’s sure to feel less than sterling next to him.
Chang-soo defends his friend—Joon-ki could’ve worked at a better company, but stayed to help him out. His mother thinks that he’s done enough for Joon-ki by buying him an apartment and car, and simply advises to draw a clear boundary.
He changes the subject by asking after his own future at Yumin, noting that he’s been doing far better than Hyung ever since joining the company. His mother is already on it, and the way she switches topics again has him point out that she’s just like another girl he knows. Again he’s asked who that is and Chang-soo avoids answering.
At home, Ji-yi pulls her hair at the realization that she’s fallen head over heels for Chang-soo. She smiles when she receives a text from him moments later, impressed when he corrects her spelling. He gets antsy when she doesn’t reply right away, worried that she might be angry with him.
In truth, Ji-yi is holding back because she knows she’ll be the one who ends up hurt. Her finger hovers over deleting his number when a call comes through. It’s Chang-soo, whom she scolds for speaking in such a gentle, affectionate voice.
He gets annoyed at that, but she explains it’s only because she likes him and misses him already. “Why didn’t you just say so?” he beams. Next thing we know, he’s dressed and about to leave when his mother wonders where he’s headed off to when he usually doesn’t ever leave the house after he takes a shower. O rly.
Sitting down for some PPL dessert, Joon-ki asks why Yoon-ha’s never had a boyfriend before. He can tell by her actions alone, looking unconvinced by her defense that sure, she’s dated before, but it yunno, never lasted. Then she admits to always being on-guard because people act differently once they realize she’s a chaebol’s daughter and she hates that.
But Joon-ki believes that a person’s background still makes up an innate part of who someone is and greatly influences their life. Yoon-ha disagrees, arguing that she can change her background, but if she changes with it, then she wouldn’t be herself anymore.
Joon-ki drops the subject for now, and the two go out for a tandem bike ride by the river. Revealing that he and Chang-soo often race their bikes together, Joon-ki says Chang-soo enjoys bicycles because they require work versus an external power source.
Yoon-ha reveals having been on a seon with Chang-soo once, asking if that bothers him. Joon-ki encourages her to come clean now if she tends to obsess over guys. Her mind says no, but I’d bet her heart says otherwise.
Ji-yi plays coy when Chang-soo comes to visit her after all. Still, seeing him makes her happy, boasting of the nighttime view from her rooftop. She marvels at how large his hand is, which he then uses to cover her face with. He gets annoyed when she does the same, only to give in when she points out the double standard.
Asked if there’s a limit on kisses per day, Chang-soo can hardly believes this Ji-yi to be the same girl who didn’t want to date him. When she acts aloof about it, he kisses her. “I’ll do everything you ask of me. What else shall I do for you?” he asks. Stick a fork in me, I’m done.
Ji-yi wonders what it’d be like if they had been star-crossed lovers in the Joseon era. That spurs a random fantasy where they’re caught by his noblewoman mother. Ji-yi is sentenced to be punished, and when she cries in desperation… Young Master Chang-soo asks his mother to give him another woman then. “How can you take a toy away from me in such a cruel manner?” Ji-yi: “Heol. Daebak.”
It’s great how unamused Chang-soo is by this tale, but her point is that times have changed and they’re of equal status now. Chang-soo argues there’s still a difference, but she retorts that doesn’t mean one ranks higher than the other.
Chang-soo can’t get onboard with that perspective yet, and Ji-yi can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. He doesn’t budge, so Ji-yi wraps him in a back hug. She knows he’s a bad boy and she should be careful, but she likes him anyway.
That melts Chang-soo’s heart, and he finally gives in, remarking on how nice the view is up here. He draws back when she tries touching his ear, citing that he doesn’t like it. “Even if I touch it?” she asks, and he gives in again.
After sharing how he was the studious one while Chang-soo was the classically popular guy in high school, Joon-ki turns the question to her. When Yoon-ha says she loved Ji-yi’s frankness and transparency, he asks how two people can be close friends when one keeps secrets from the other. Speak for yourself, sir.
Yoon-ha plans on coming clean to her friend, whom she knows will understand in the end. She switches gears to ask what he had lied about to her back when she confessed she had done the same on the rooftop earlier today.
He’s surprised that she’d remember him saying that. What she hates most is being lied to, and Joon-ki replies that he merely said he lied too in order to comfort her. Upon hearing her future plans to pursue cosmetics once she moves out, Joon-ki wonders why she’d go back to start from square one when she’s been born with the upper hand in life.
She repeats that her background doesn’t define who she is. He says she’s saying that because she’s still trying to turn her dreams into reality. When she asks if he’s been successful at doing that then, he truthfully admits, “Not yet. I’m on my way of doing so.”
He’s in no position to talk if they’re both in the same boat, she smiles. However, this entire conversation has Joon-ki troubled.
Madam Min drunkenly stumbles over to Chairman Jang to rouse him from his slumber. She grabs at his hair, only to let out a maniacal laugh upon realizing that he has no hair to pull. Chairman Jang won’t stand for her drunk behavior, and Madam Min wonders aloud how the once warm and kind-hearted man turned into the cruel monster he is now.
“Has time made you this way?” she cries. She blames her wretched life on him, to which she’s told that her life was of her own making. He orders her out, and Madam Min stumbles out again, cackling.
We cut back to Joon-ki’s apartment, where he makes a fine post-shower exit. It’s not even my birthday and we get two shower scenes? Yum. He wipes off the steam in the mirror to stare back at his reflection.
Thinking back to Yoon-ha’s words of how a person ceases to be himself when one changes with his background and if he ever turned his dreams into reality, he narrates darkly, “Your reality is my dream. Just wait… I’ll get there.”
COMMENTS
Again, High Society hands us morsels with Joon-ki’s cryptic narration, though I think we can all make the connection that he’s referring to Yoon-ha’s wealthy roots versus his more humble upbringing. What I want to know is what Joon-ki hopes to gain from achieving success and perhaps one day living an affluent lifestyle. We’re missing that piece of key motivation from his character—he’s been presented with the opportunity to advance (be it working at a more successful company or spying on his friend for his gain), but we’ve yet to see some overt actions towards that goal.
His pursuing a relationship with Yoon-ha could easily be that active step, even if we’ve yet to know his true intentions for dating her. Trying to figure Joon-ki out is both a tough and dangerous endeavor, since the source of his motivation could be many a thing. I’m willing to wait and let the writing teach us whatever that may be, and simply hope that his reasoning is solid. I’ve been feeling this sense of disconnect from Joon-ki and Yoon-ha so far in this series—that’s something you don’t want, especially when they’re supposed to be the ones supplying us viewers with the representative perspective about this dramaverse. When you’ve got a hero keeping his secrets close to the vest and a heroine who tries to balance her idealistic desires and her virtually unreal reality, sometimes deciphering their words is a trial.
Not all is lost of course, because I do enjoy how we learn tidbits of certain characters through others. One that comes to mind is Joon-ki’s mention of why Chang-soo prefers bicycles because one needs to exert work. It’s an interesting perspective that departs from other classic second-generation chaebols, who don’t ever appear to be working. Although I suppose Chang-soo’s too busy being Romeo right now to continue purusing that goal to overshadow his older brother at the company.
Perhaps it’s because Chang-soo’s much more of an open book that I enjoy following his storyline. There’s so much I want for him and so many things that I hope he learns over the course of his series. I already love that he would do practically anything for his best bud Joon-ki, and yet so naive to the idea that while a difference in socioeconomic status doesn’t bother him it could very well be a chip on Joon-ki’s shoulder. He seems to have a tougher time reconciling that idea when it comes to Ji-yi, though I suppose it’s because he lurves her in a different way. What can I say—my heart bleeds for the kid.
Speaking of which, I had a tough time going along with the idea that the jinx Yoon-ha put so much importance into the previous hour flew out the window the moment Joon-ki kissed her. She had made it sound like a critical lifelong affliction, which went poof! in this episode. Even stranger are her reasons for saying how she wants to separate herself from her rich background yet argues that trying to change oneself while changing their background means losing one’s identity. If that what she’s trying to say, that is. It feels like I’m constantly scratching my head when it comes to Yoon-ha because I want to follow her logic in having her make a name for herself, yet I can’t pinpoint where she puts her own identity in—herself? A career? Her boyfriend? Happiness? Love? Or all the above?
In any case, the sooner her dreams can become our reality, the sooner I can root for her and know what I’m cheering for her. Because sometimes it’s hard for us ordinary folk down here to understand her heart if her head is up in the clouds.
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Tags: featured, High Society, Im Ji-yeon, Park Hyung-shik, Sung Joon, UEE
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1 Mallow
June 24, 2015 at 3:20 AM
Well for some reason I touched my ear when jiyi was talking about his ear...XP I'm crazy
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LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:21 PM
That scene was adorable and the laughter and interaction felt real. They have good chemistry.
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2 dramacasualty
June 24, 2015 at 3:20 AM
I love the fact that the second leads are the 'normal' people and the fact that Ji Yi is honest and grounded.
Totally with you on needing to understand more about Joon Ki, i feel like he could be a far more engaging character with such dark intentions given his loving parents and relatively 'ok' upbringing
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KDaddict?JCW
June 24, 2015 at 4:51 AM
Maybe it's just me, but I found this ep to be bland.
The 2nd couple go on a date that we've seen a dozen times. He takes her shopping for clothes cos hers are not good enough for him to be seen with her wearing them. She keeps asking him to go away cos she likes him too much. One could say that is like holding honey to attract flies. She comes across like a skilful player or resembles being passive-agreesive, for lack of a better term. "Honest and grounded" isn't what comes to my mind. I like CS tho.
Yoon-Ha falls for a guy she barely knows. OK, she's starved for love and he is attractive, but at least get to know him a little b4 you give him your heart unreservedly, cos once broken, it's difficult to mend. I feel like I'm watching a hopeless, clueless teenage girl and can't help shaking my head.
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windsun33
June 24, 2015 at 8:45 AM
For me, the characters seem all over the map. What they say or do in one episode seems to get cancelled out in the next one.
And yeah, that whole "date shopping with a chaebol heir" thing is really getting old.
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Dahlia
June 24, 2015 at 9:30 AM
"For me, the characters seem all over the map. What they say or do in one episode seems to get cancelled out in the next one."
Agreed! I think that's part of why it's been so hard for me to connect to some of these characters; there's a serious lack of internal logic going on. I like the cast, but the writing in this show is just.... not great.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 12:19 PM
YH is very clingy and too trusting (too soon) of JK. Interesting how she lets him ask questions, but she does not ask as many questions of him (besides "did you lie to me as well? If so, about what?") And yes she is starved for affection, love and attention, and that is clouding her judgment, if she has any. I love how Uee plays her, I buy it. The way she uses her eyes, etc... Very innocent, and naive.
And maybe the point is to have YH be that way now, and see how (deeply) she will react when she finds out JK's true motives about her. That is what I am looking forward to. What will she do when she finds out?
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Dee
June 24, 2015 at 7:58 PM
Exactly! I feel the same way too. For someone who is looking hard for the guy who will love her for who she is, she sure did trust him real quick. Was that story he told of his family really something that made her trust him so quickly? Or was it because her brother died and she latched on to the next guy who would protect her in place of her brother (and maybe she mistook it for love)?
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 4:37 PM
You are so not alone. It was boring. While my OTP had their moments, virtually nothing happened. I don't knw wat happened this ep. I just don't knw. And I was looking forward to it too.
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LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:23 PM
I think her being hopeless and clueless is kinda the point, she's just not developed well enough for us to see the angst in her personality. Writers fault.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:56 AM
I do find JY honest and grounded, in that she seems to always tell CS what she actually thinks, and she is grounded enough to know herself, and know what is good for her, and what is not. She also seems to know what her place is in Korean society. Problem is, she is having a hard time making the right choices regarding CS, and she knows she will be burned, but so far, she is still spending time with him, and in the process she is falling more for him.
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Redge
June 24, 2015 at 7:14 PM
They do say love is blind. The heart wants what the heart wants and all that. I must say I sympathize with JY though. I once liked a boy enough knowing that I'd get burned in the end. But I still pursued it anyway. Better to have tried and lost than never having tried at all, haha.
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3 julie
June 24, 2015 at 3:25 AM
the second lead couple is so cheesy lol
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miilo
June 24, 2015 at 4:59 AM
They are, but I´m eating the cheese with gusto, lol!
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 2:49 PM
+ 1. I don't mind their kind of cheese :-)
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Maria
June 24, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Only watching this show for Ji-yi and Chung-soo. The OTP failed to make me interested.
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Wendy Darling
June 25, 2015 at 7:14 AM
so true!
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4 Adal
June 24, 2015 at 3:26 AM
I must say that this episode has really convinced me to love the second lead couple: their interactions are natural, honest, and charming, but I am still totally not buying the relationship between Joon gi and Yoon ha. It feels rushed and forced. There's something about the way Sung Joon plays Joon gi that feels woodden.
For the first time I find myself really disliking the male lead, which was a feeling I usually reserved for the troublesome second lead female! This drama is certainly up turning tropes on its head.
I really love Chang Soo, despite his flaws, he's an open, honest character and he's crazy about Ji Yi. I love how honest they are in their relationship, that he didn't hide the fact that they may have no future beyond dating. Joon gi, on the other hand is playing a duplicitous game, and Yoon ha's the unsuspecting victim. This drama is showing that not poor people are virtuous, like the social climber Joon gi, who is friendly with Chang So for what he can get out of him (ie a car, a deposit on his apartment, and his livelihood). And that not all rich people are sharks with ill intent.
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Adal
June 24, 2015 at 3:30 AM
Oh! And Yoon ha's mother beating up the mistress and pulling out her husband's hair?...Priceless! They had it coming.
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 3:52 AM
I was thinking that so much violence seems to be condoned!
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LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:26 PM
That line she said was perfection! "I can see why people use violence...it's great!" *paraphrase* the delivery was everything.
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windsun33
June 24, 2015 at 8:48 AM
Why do they always go after the mistress and not the husband that is actually doing the cheating?
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Adal
June 24, 2015 at 9:05 AM
Well, if the mistress didn't exist then there would be no one to do the cheating with, don't you agree?
In all honesty, the mistress stirred the hornet's nest. It wasn't the fact that she was the mistress that got her beaten up by the wife, it's the fact that she riled up the wife with her gift. She even admitted to herself that she constantly provoked the wife just to get a reaction from 'the ice queen'. When her shot finally met its mark, she wasn't prepared for such a reaction from someone who had always haughtily dismissed her antics in the past. All I can say is be careful about provoking a sleeping bear.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:45 AM
@ Adal, Very well said, thank you!
An
June 24, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Agree with your second paragraph but not the first.. If this mistress didn't exist, he'll just find another one. So, in a way, the husband needs the beating to think straight. But obviously the mistress in this case was purposely trying to provoke her and got what was coming to her.
Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:10 PM
@ An, good point as well...
Cooler
June 29, 2015 at 1:11 AM
It's the husband that actually commits the betrayal, though. He's the one that broke the vows. He's the one that violated her trust. He's the one that she actually has a right to say something to. The mistress can't disrespect the relationship unless the husband allows it.
That holds for when the wife is the one creeping, too.
LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:27 PM
It's easier to go after the person you purely hate rather than the person that you love and hate.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 2:54 PM
About this, "Oh! And Yoon ha’s mother beating up the mistress and pulling out her husband’s hair?…Priceless! They had it coming."
I totally agree! I felt the same way about those scenes.
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KDaddict?JCW
June 24, 2015 at 5:18 AM
The relationship between Joon Ki and Yoon Ha:
If such a guileless and pretty girl is so sweet to me and my mom, I'd be a lot happier than JK, as indicated by the way he looks when he is w her, even if she is not from a chaebol family. I get it that he has other motives, but even then, he can be a bit glad that she is so nice and is head over heels in love w him, no?
Maybe he has just always lived w a steel rod up his behind.
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MeganG
June 25, 2015 at 1:29 AM
His face always has some slight shift when he sees her being sweet to his mom or he is surprised by something she does, like he didn't think a rich person could be like that. She's def challenging his notions, let's hope it grows to something more.
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Alessar
June 24, 2015 at 7:26 AM
I think that the dramatic function of the second lead couple is to show us the more healthy relationship. The official leads has a much less health relationship with her emotional immaturity (possibly on track for some kind of co-dependence) and his calculated manipulations.
On the up side though, as Joon-Ki was post-shower and thinking about what was going to happen next, I saw some hesitation. Some fear of "am I that bad of a guy?" kicking in. I don't think he wants to hurt her, and I think that he's having to tell himself over and over he has these goals in order to keep on his manipulative track. Basically this could have been a moral event horizon for the character but he checked himself here. I do think he's starting to care for her, but it's a teaspoon compared to her gallon.
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alua
June 24, 2015 at 8:35 AM
<the more healthy relationship
Healthier than the other one, but I'm not sure "healthy" is the word for this relationship either. He decides they're in a relationship although she's been expressing her concerns and worries; he needs to give her a makeover because apparently she's isn't good enough for him to be seen with her as she is. She suggests in modern days they are equals, but he doesn't see it quite that way.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:51 AM
Totally agree with alua here! I was surprised when CS decided that they were dating. I was like "Huh? Says who?" But she went along with it, because she likes him a lot. I think she can't resist him, imho, though she really wants to. That is part of why she keeps saying, "you are a bad guy, I should not be with you." It's like she is trying to motivate herself, by saying it out loud. I have done the same thing (not about guys necessarily), so I feel that I understand JY in regards to CS.
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Alessar
June 25, 2015 at 10:34 AM
True but at least they're talking. She's put her concerns on the table - she's genre savvy, expects parental opposition, doesn't want to turn into a greedy bad girl like main character of CDD Alice... He says he don't know what this is or if marriage is in the cards but he knows he likes her. The rest I can chalk up to him being genuinely charming and trying to woo her. Both of them are somewhat lying to themselves, the attraction is mutual and real.
KDaddict?JCW
June 24, 2015 at 9:15 AM
"the 2nd lead couple has a more healthy relationship. The official leads have a much less healthy relationship with her emotional immaturity and his calculated manipulations."
I don't know about that. One could easily see CS's emotional immaturity and JY's calculated manipulations in the 2nd couple.
I know that JY is Supposed to be sincere. Somehow it doesn't fly w me. I don't know whether it is the writing or the acting that make it seem to me that she is deliberately pushing him away just to get him to come back for more. Push-pull. Isn't the rule: the harder you push, the harder he pulls? Healthy? I doubt.
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Dahlia
June 24, 2015 at 9:35 AM
We're probably suppose to view it as a classic head vs heart conflict, in which the head *knows* dating Changsoo is a terrible idea, but the heart wants what it wants. But it's being dragged out and treated so oddly by the show that it's definitely starting to come off as a push-pull. Just how many times is Jiyi going to say some variation of "you're a bad guy and we shouldn't go out--but gosh, I sure do like you"? The writer needs to knock it off and rely on more showing and less telling.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:16 PM
I agree with @ dahlia about this, "We’re probably suppose to view it as a classic head vs heart conflict, in which the head *knows* dating Changsoo is a terrible idea, but the heart wants what it wants."
I do think that at the moment, that is YJ's struggle with herself, and I understand it.
LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:30 PM
It's the writing, most definitely. The writer missed a few chances to make the characters have more depth and goes for obvious and simple forms of communication. Then he or she comes back with the awesomeness that is the mistress and the crazy mom's dialogue. So i'll give him/her a pass. ;-)
Alessar
June 25, 2015 at 10:35 AM
Well put! I do agree.
Adal
June 24, 2015 at 8:05 AM
Sorry I meant to say "This drama is showing that not ALL poor people are virtuous, like the social climber Joon gi, who is friendly with Chang So for what he can get out of him (ie a car, a deposit on his apartment, and his livelihood). And that not all rich people are sharks with ill intent"
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:24 PM
I don't agree with how calculating JK is, however he also does work hard to get what he wants. I have yet to see CS do actual work, besides showing up on the floor where YJ works (so that doesn't count for me). And isn't JK helping CS improve his work and "beat" his brother? CS is just riding on his family's money.
Even CS admitted that he was not thinking about the renovations (at some store of theirs), the morning he woke up early to go on a bike ride with JK. He had been thinking about YJ, and he wanted JK to promote her (faster), so she could at least afford living in a better place.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:08 PM
I agree with this, " he’s crazy about Ji Yi." I am not sure CS realizes how crazy he is about her. I think he thinks about her all the time, and he cares about her well-being, which is why he had the street lamp fixed (for her). I am hoping that he will fall deep and hard for her, and that there will be no turning back for him. I don't need them to be together right away (for marriage), but I do hope that they will end up together, and that CS will fight to have her in his life (and that she will fight as well to be in his). I think that she is good for him, and she is smart. If trained well, she could know how to run a business and help CS with his work as well.
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 4:49 PM
Someone gets me. I've seen Sung Joon in 5 dramas now. FIVE. HS being the 5th. But I just never connect with him, It always feels like he's acting. I know everyone is acting but it shud feel natural. Imo he hasn't grown since I first saw him in Shut Up Flower Boy Band. And the thing is, I WANT to like him so bad.
Some are saying that CS is getting the love bc he's an idol. But aside from Heirs which I didn't even recognize him from, I knw nothing abt the actor. Its the same for Ji Yi. With that said, I actually know UEE and Sung Joon. But their pairing isn't doing it for me. Still, I think UEE is playing her role believably for me.
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 4:57 PM
Forgot to add, my comment was in response to Adal's first para.
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KompaktneHaare
June 25, 2015 at 3:38 AM
I totally agree with you. I've been having the same feelings watching this drama and I can't really put my finger on it. Why is UEE and SJ couple so boring? There's no pull.. Whereas CS and JY.. " Stick a fork in me, I’m done." :D
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Odessa Jones
June 25, 2015 at 1:27 PM
Hi Camille! Sung Joon is driving me nuts this week. I'm one of the people who actually likes him a lot, in some things. But he's definitely wooden in this. Annoying because I know he could do better. I keep trying to make excuses for him. But we're six episodes in, and JK is still such a shadowy character! Aargh!
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5 TJ
June 24, 2015 at 3:27 AM
The main romance is a bit flat. I'm not a fan of this kind of role for Sung Joon. What made him so endearing in past roles was a boyish charm, a charisma that came through in those parts. He's just not as effective at being mysterious and dark. In their defense the writing for the two main leads is muddled and confusing. I suppose that's how their playing it. I wonder if they realize they're making the audience watch for the 2nd lead romance which is much more entertaining and charming. Looking forward to how they end the next episode and leave us hanging til next week. I hope they at least step up the tension on the main romance so we'll have a reason to get invested in their story.
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Hien do
June 24, 2015 at 7:13 AM
Sure it's flat, because jk is still not falling in love with yh . More she loves him more he changes.
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canxi
June 24, 2015 at 7:49 AM
Lol, I'm surprised at this comment because Sung Joon's earlier career was practically built off of being mysterious and dark.
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Was they tho? He was in Lie to Me, Shut Up Flower Boy Band and I Need Romance 3. All of those roles required a boyish charm. Since Hyde, Jekyll, Me I don't think the dark villain role fits him.
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LaKeisha J
June 24, 2015 at 9:32 PM
he was mysterious and dark in Shut Up flower boy band, also charming. He was also really good in Hyde, Jekyll, Me.
His face and voice fit a darker edgier character. I think he excells at it. Not sure why it's falling flat here, but seeing as BOTH the main leads are flat maybe its something on set.
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Odessa Jones
June 25, 2015 at 1:50 PM
Yeah, SJ is totally made for the edgy parts, where he's at least angry or troubled. But SUFBB (his best) was well-written and the character had a clear back story and coherent motivations. JK is edgy but we still know so little about him.
I'm really on the fence: is Sung Joon totally underacting this part, or is JK just a very cold character? Or maybe I should say, very cold, but also not entirely good at being evil, and occasionally doubting himself. Um, okay, rephrasing that, is JK just a really inconsistently written character?
On a scene by scene basis, I can understand JK, so it's possible SJ is doing an okay job but can't handle the incoherent character writing.
What keeps me watching is that in each episode we get one or two unguarded moments from Joon Ki. I'm interesting in seeing what happens when he loses that detached facade. But some revelations about JK better happen soon, because I can't handle much more Robot Sung Joon. Good Writing Sung Joon is so likable. Bad Writing Sung Joon is killing me.
6 monmonster
June 24, 2015 at 3:31 AM
Can I just say that Chang-soo and Ji-yi are probably the only reasons why I watch this show anymore, Yoon-ha and Jong-Ki just make me cringe. Jong-ki's character is so under explained, it's hard to feel anything for him.
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7 Mintea
June 24, 2015 at 3:32 AM
I need a bit of help here. Can someone explain to me why Chang Soo and Ji Yi like eachother? They're cute but I feel like all they talk about is money and things like "there's no reason we shouldn't date" "I am going to like you" etc.
Arghhh I'm enjoying Yoon Ha and Joon Ki's scenes so much cause I keep wondering what's real and what's not. I wonder how is he gonna deal with the fact that Yoon Ha does not want to get involved with her family at all.
Also she better find that key her brother left before her sister or mother find it. I don't understand how she didn't think about it yet!
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KDaddict?JCW
June 24, 2015 at 4:55 AM
I'm w you on the CS+JY match. He probably finds her refreshing, since she is so different from all the girls he knows. She is poor, talks about it all the time; somehow that must make him feel secure about her not pretending to not like him for his money. Her always SAYING that she has to back off while stipulating clearly that she means the opposite gets repetitive and tiresome. It sounds too manipulative to me somehow.
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
June 24, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Her always SAYING that she has to back off while stipulating clearly that she means the opposite gets repetitive and tiresome.
I think that's her being too (helplessly) honest. And being too comfortable with ChangSoo. (Since she didn't do that with JoonKi.) It IS manipulative, but I'm pretty sure she's not doing that on purpose. She's just one of those 'open books' with no brain-to-mouth filter. A sharp shooter if you will.
For example, many people experience dissonance between what they want and what they think/know they should do. And many people only do things but don't explain everything. She's the kind to see the red blaring signals and yet charge ahead, but she'll tell you that she's not stupid and she does recognize those warning signs. It's a little different from watching the other person and choosing the "correct" tiles/steps to get to them.
And it happens a lot with ChangSoo since (honestly) every little interaction with him (hey, even as an employee, she's waaay too low to be meeting him face to face) screams 'danger!' and reminds her of the "difference" (her words) between them.
JiYi is an incredibly courageous idiot. But these are the kinds to either succeed really well or fall really hard.
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Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 10:29 AM
Agree with everything you said, she says the same things when she is alone so she is not aware it could seem manipulative.
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SpinThePickle
June 24, 2015 at 5:23 AM
I'm with you. I do think the second leads are adorable, but not sure that I buy them deciding to play with one another. I'm willing to roll with it for the cuteness though.
I also have been really enjoying YH and JK together. I do wish they had a bit more chemistry together, but I like the mystery of just how much of his behavior is driven by being a gold-digger and how much may be legitimate feelings.
Also, I'm interested in seeing how their complete opposite belief systems play out. JK believes you are your station/situation in life: He wants to marry up so that he can be someone different. YH believes that you are who you are, regardless of station/situation. I don't think she discounts that your background helps shape who you are, but she believes that the core you remains the same, even if your situation changes.
I would like to see the "everyone leaves me" thing explained - because it came up in two episodes (when she told her brother and when she told JK), so I'm guessing there is more back story there. Maybe a friend or nanny passed away or was sent away by her family?
I enjoy JK's little flickers of possible guilt when he sees how naïve she is. He's obviously skilled at manipulation, so will we see him trying to manipulate her back into her family's arms?
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 6:38 AM
@ Mina, KDaddict?JCW and SpinThePickle
You've all got a point there. Joon Ki is pairing up with Yoon Ha to have access to the chaebol lifestyle and status but Yoon Ha is determined to leave precisely all that. It's going to interesting resolving this big divide.
If she really meant that one's background (family, culture, all that we've imbibed since childhood) does not define a person, I feel she is once again deluding herself. Our personality may be our core but our beliefs and attitudes are shaped by lots outside the core. And Joon Ki is at the opposite extreme. I cannot imagine how an intelligent person can equate being rich with being happy, or how he can think that the externals alone like one's position can define him. This is disassociation from reality is a repeated theme.
Joon Ki and flickers of guilt - Like KDaddict?JCW (in another comment above), I wish Joon Ki showed more positive feelings overall, like being happy that Yoon Ha is a nice person, is sweet to him and his mum, etc. At least there was the thing that struck him this episode: that Yoon Ha did not want him to spend too much on her because she was the one with easy money while he had to earn his. He showed only a moment of appreciation over this, but I'd like for him to have many moments when he sees the person that she is and appreciates her as a person and not only as a ticket to wealth.
About Ji Yi - that's an interesting take on her @KDaddict?JCW. I see Joon Ki as manipulating but I did not think of Ji Yi delilberately saying no when she means yes in order to allay suspicion and to manipulate. Maybe she does it unconsciously, and if so, quite successfully, I must say!
And yes, are we ever to know what substantiates Yoon Ha's belief that people around her will leave? Maybe it will be when Yoon Ha and Joon Ki have a big fight and a break up is threatening, then we'll know. :)
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KDaddict?JCW
June 24, 2015 at 9:23 AM
Hi GB,
I've no BD idea what Yoon Ha has in mind. She has been preparing to leave her family, and will do it when she is ready. What on earth will make her ready? Having JK by her side? What's her game plan? If the way she falls for JK is any gauge of her mental acuity, then I worry for her. Strange bird, that one. Either the writer has more depth and intelligence than I can fathom, or falls short of my expectation for him/her to deliver a regular KD. We'll see.
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Mia
June 24, 2015 at 6:32 AM
I think they just do feel comfortable with each other and curious as well, like many young couples. But their repetitive talks about money and their class difference is getting ol. He got money, she doesn´t. We get it.
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 5:07 PM
@Mina I didn't read her actions as such (manipulative). Even with Joon Ki, she was very realistic and honest with herself abt going after him. She isn't naïve. She knows the danger with Chang Soo but she just can't help liking him. But yh, its getting kinda iffy now. She keeps going back and forth. While I find her honesty refreshing, its like both are ignoring all the signs that the relationship probably will end in ruin.
The writer needs to stop cuz its ruining the scenes for me. And I knw the point of her honesty is to make her seem down to Earth. But its doing the reverse. Her actions are really starting to look ill-advised and destructive.
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8 Seiran029
June 24, 2015 at 3:37 AM
LOL the ear touching scene was so funny .. so it's not only me who noticed his ears unique shape, I remember seeing PHS for the first in the 13 min preview of High Society and noticed his ears look kinda weird (that actually looks good on him).
never thought they would talk about it in the drama ???.
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9 mary
June 24, 2015 at 3:44 AM
Changsoo and Ji-yi.... ♥
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10 silv3rfeist
June 24, 2015 at 3:45 AM
I have been very patient with both Yoon ha and Joon ki but it seems that they have sworn on their respective mothers' graves to be absolutely uninteresting, confused as hell and plain boring...i get irritated everytime they r onscreen....
Meanwhile the sevond leads are after my hearts..they are undeniably cute but still have their own more fleahed out problems...watching this middling drama for them....#secondleadssyndrome
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11 Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:45 AM
Thank you again for the recap! I appreciate that the recaps are not posted on the day the episodes air, as the subbing (at least for the English language) on sites like viki.com, are not completed on the days the episodes air in Korea. With the recaps posted later, it allows some of us to be able to watch the ep. fully subbed (again, at least in English), and have a full understanding of the conversations, and of what happened in the episodes. I don’t know if this is how the recaps will be posted until the end of the drama, however I just wanted to express my appreciation about that.
As with the other episodes, I find that there are so many things to discuss about this ep. This is a small thing (maybe), however I really like CS’s relationship with his mom, and the on-screen chemistry PHS has with the actress playing his mom. They come across as two people who really like (and love) each other. The “who do you belong to?” “To CS, of course!” was cute (I was a little surprised that CS patted his mom on her bum bum, though it seems as though PHS himself patted the actress on her thigh, and not on her butt, but I am not sure). I could be wrong, however I can’t help but feel that this relationship will be tested, and that CS’s mom might turn on him, or at least be very angry with him, if he decides to stick with JY. I am hoping that JY and CS will be together in the end, though I am also hoping and looking forward to their “relationship” being tested and put through the fire. Also, CS’s mom seems to really not like JK, and I wonder how strongly she will feel, when she finds out that JK and YH have been dating, and might (possibly) get married.
I would like CS to be put through the fire as well. I wanna see what he is made of, which right now, does not seem to be a lot. I feel that he has the potential to be someone (as in one who takes responsibility for others, one who genuinely cares and is there for the long haul, one who could do well at work), however, he has not really had the need to rise to challenges, or maybe he has not had a lot of challenges. I have yet to see him really work, for example, whereas I have seen JK, YH and YJ do actual work, so far. I also do not like the ways in which CS puts YJ down, like when he criticized her lower body. Erm… many women are heavier on the lower body, and it is OK to be so. I don’t find CS’s lack of tact and consideration (at times), attractive. I do hope that will change, as time goes by. I also thought that if CS wanted to take YJ out, and make her have a good time, he should have been a gentleman the whole time. Or maybe he is just like that with women, and the ones he had dated so far didn’t mind? YJ calling his attention on him pulling out the chair for her, was a good thing. And the way he carelessly pulled that chair out made me shake my head.
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fgb4877
June 24, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Dear Ivoire, how do you do?.
I started this drama but left in episode 3 so I am only stopping to say hello to you. I have missed your posts.
Hope to read you sooner,
FGB4877.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:02 AM
Dear FGB4877, Hello *Waving at you!*
And thank you so much for making my day!!!!!! Your post brought a smile to my face, thank you for that. I am doing well, and I am going through some transitions, so I have been quite busy. Too busy to write the way I like to comment (which is about everything, if you know me :-) ) I am actually loving this drama, and it is my first time watching anything by this writer, so I am hoping that she won't let us down. I am also enjoying speculating on what could/might happen, and on how I would like to see the characters grow and learn, and continue to fall in love with each other.
I hope to see some of you comments as well, even if it is just to say "Hello!" :-)
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12 growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 3:46 AM
Thanks @gummimochi! Your recap made some bits clearer.
I feel the same about trying to decipher what the characters are really saying or believing.
My first feeling for Yoon Ha this episode was, "Poor little rich girl." There was something pathetic and childlike about her 'clinging' on to Joon Ki. Joon Ki seemed less like a boyfriend and more like a brother somehow, in spite of the kiss. He's so calculating and cold, but perhaps Yoon Ha is too naive to notice this.
Chang Soo and Ji Yi - although their getting together is sweet, it did not really feel right to me that she just stopped thinking for herself and accepted his reverse logic which is directly contrary to what hers was. In the end she just gave in to her feelings and agreed to date, knowing that he did not seriously intend it to lead to marriage. Is that not saying, she's agreeing to be used... sort of... and does it not show that her self esteem is so low she is willing to accept his terms?
I'm worried for both the girls. LOL!
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 3:54 AM
Chang Soo's attitude... what does it say about him that he wants to splash his money to buy his girl clothes so that she looks good (to make him look good) to match him as they go out, but he does not offer to carry her bags for her? I am rather miffed about that, and about the fact Ji Yi did not take it as rather rude of him to let her struggle alone with the bags. He could have carried half of them! :)
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Adal
June 24, 2015 at 5:03 AM
Very good point. That pissed me off as well. If he's going to buy her clothes, then he should be a gentleman and carry her bags for her! At least she insisted that he pull her seat for her which he did halfheartedly.
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Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 8:43 AM
I loved that because they are making him fall for her without turning a brat into prince charming overnight like happens so often in kdramas.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:05 AM
@ Lixie, good point!
miilo
June 24, 2015 at 5:35 AM
Well, it´s been quite hard to watch JY falling hard for CS, despite her knowing that nothing good will come out of it. She seems to have a death wish, that poor girl.
But it´s satisfying to see that CS´s chaebol polished brains are finally starting to catch up that he really, really might be "bad news" for her.
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Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 8:42 AM
Maybe she thought she could just have fun with him and not like him too much? After the date she felt she was already liking him too much but it could not have been like that, he is no prince charming. :)
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:14 AM
@ GB unnie,
There is so much I would like to say about your post, however I can't do it now. So I will try (emphasis on "try") to be back later to comment :-)
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 5:20 PM
Same! @Growingbeautifully.
I was a little annoyed with CS. But on other hand, he's staying true to his character. Hopefully, it means that there will be some character growth with him. After all, he did get the chair for Ji Yi. He is coming off as really shallow as the serie goes on tho so there better be serious character development in the future.
I feel like the Chang-Yi story is going to be so good to watch later down the road.
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13 Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:53 AM
And why did you let her carry all the bags, CS? Why? Does being a chaebol mean that you should not have any manners? (maybe the answer to that question is “yes?”)
Having said those things, I continue to love PHS (and SJ) in their roles. I really love PSH’s chemistry with IJY, and I could watch CS flirt with YJ for hours. There are not only cute together, they also look natural, and their feelings seem organic. I couldn’t help but smile, when CS told YJ, “I will do anything you want. What do you want to do next?” (After he kissed her on the rooftop). I remember thinking, “are you asking her because you yourself want to do more? LOL!” I love the ways in which CS gives in to what YJ wants (even if he is reluctant at first), and I hope that he will fall really hard for her. When YJ gave a back hug to CS, I was hoping that he would 1-hold her hands (on his stomach), 2-maybe turn around and hug her back, 3-basically reciprocate with some kind of skinship, and he didn’t do that. He actually changed the subject, after she told him that she liked him too much, despite him being a bad guy. I can’t help but wonder why he did that. I also thought it was interesting that CS and YJ kissed 3 times in this ep. alone. I have a feeling these two will be put through the ringer (and I am looking forward to it). We are getting a lot of cute, adorable and affectionate scenes. I feel some serious conflicts and angst coming up.
YJ understanding Japanese at the restaurant was also a surprise. I wish CS would realize how smart she actually is. She is emotionally smart (which I don’t find CS to be), she is street smart, and she can understand (and maybe speak) at least one foreign language. Hum… I hope that we will learn more about her background, as the drama progresses. I also like that CS is falling more and more for YJ, even though he is not ready to marry her. I don’t think his mind will change soon, though I hope those two will be together in the end.
I continue to like JK, as calculating as he is. It is part of what makes the drama interesting, IMHO. And I continue to feel that JK is also developing feelings for YH. He seems to be taken aback with some of her gestures. When they had that conversation about how your environment shapes (deeply) who you are, I thought JK brought up some really good points, and I love that this drama does not seem to be only fluff (I think I could kind of tell that it wouldn’t be), and I hope that the writer will continue to give us some really good food for thought, and themes to discuss and dissect. I could also see the points YH was trying to make, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if she was not somewhat naïve, especially as far as Korean society goes, mentality wise, and unspoken rules wise (at least from what I have gathered, when it comes to the Kdramas universe).
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 3:56 AM
LOL! Ivoire, both of us posted at almost the same time about the lack of bag carrying by Chang Soo!!! :D
BTW, did you see my email?
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:01 AM
Hey GB unnie,
Yeah, I guess we were bothered by some of the same things. I don't mind CS being a chaebol and wanting to spend time with JY (I understand that). However, there is nothing that says that he cannot be a gentleman to her. And even if he doesn't know about manners, come on! She IS struggling to carry ALL those bags. Your heart is not touched and moved to help her?
And sorry, I just saw your email now :-( I had to check the other email address. Thank you for letting me know :-)
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dramadreamer
July 10, 2015 at 12:14 AM
agree on the carry bags part. typical chaebol behaviour? at least CS is still being his arrogant self. I believe him when he said that he does not know where their relationship will lead but he knows he is attracted to her now. Cs is as CS does - but the thing about the CS/JY plot is that they are honest with each other and they do not hide their true selves and feelings. CS has his serious moments despite his wisecracking smart aleck facade. the fact that his face darkened when JY gave him a backhug and called him a bad boy shows that he feels insecure about the future as well and how things will eventually turn out. However, he comes across as brave in the relationship since he will certainly be hurt as much as JY eventually if they were forced to part due to circumstances, yet he wants to give it a go. and yes, i could watch them flirt for hours haha!
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Mia
June 24, 2015 at 6:46 AM
Very nice pots. I totally agree. I have the same feeling :-))
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:03 AM
Thank you, @ Mia! I guess we see some of the same things :-)
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 7:40 AM
@Ivoire
About that rooftop scene of Chang Soo and Ji Yi... although it was good that he took the initiative to go to her, I was watching it again and it bugged me somehow that he was not as giving towards her, in the normal run of things, until she bugged him. Although it was nice that he finally gave in to her, why did it have to be like that over and over again? Couldn't he have just given her something without her asking? She said that she liked him so many times but he did not reciprocate and I agree that I was also surprised that with that backhug, there was nothing. That scene was written to play out very strangely and not very naturally. I would have thought that the natural thing would be to continue with some skinship and deeper conversation rather than to shift to the view or talk about ears LOL!
I cannot recall, but has he ever told Ji Yi that he likes her? He actually told Joon Ki that, but I cannot recall his telling her that directly.
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saltish
June 24, 2015 at 9:49 AM
Because Jiyi told him not to confess to her XD
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:06 AM
She did? When? What episode? Was it because she was afraid she would fall in love more if he confessed to her? And I agree with GB unnie, I was wondering if CS had told YJ that he likes her. Because by this ep., she has told him that at least 3 times already.
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Redge
June 24, 2015 at 7:23 PM
I believe it was episode 3 after the karaoke. She told him liking her is his prerogative but not to tell her he likes her otherwise she'll fall for him. Which is too late already lol.
fantasy
June 24, 2015 at 7:44 PM
yes she told her not to say that in ep 3 (I think) but I don't think it is valid now when they are dating. What I know, CS kept trying to see her and pop up here and there. Ji Yi made it clear then she did not want to date someone who would never marry her. She told him, he could like her if he wanted but to never say this ti her cause she might really like her.
But now when she already fell for him, there is no point of not saying he like Ji Yi. I think CS hesitates cause he knows they have no future but he likes her so much that he cant say he likes her so casually and he changed the topic too
fantasy
June 24, 2015 at 7:45 PM
she told *him* .... sorry :P
Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:30 AM
@ GB unnie,
About your 1st (whole) paragraph, I agree with you, and I was disappointed by CS lack of physical affection. I don't expect him to be all over her (all of the time), yet I would like it more if he showed that he loves being with her by also being physically affectionate.
I know JK is calculating, however we see him initiating holding YH's hands quite often. We see him rubbing her shoulders, etc... And I believe that JK does it because he wants to, and because he gets something out of it emotionally as well. He might not realize it now, but I bet he will miss those skinship moments when this OTP goes through their separation.
Coming back to CS and YJ, I really do not understand why CS is not made to have some skinship-y moments with YJ (either by the writer, or by the director). They look so natural when they are physically close to each other. It can't be that PHS or IJY are uncomfortable about that, could it? I sure hope not, or not to the extent that they mind having skinship in front of the camera. I don't need for them to be kissing all the time, I just want to see some physical gestures of affection, especially since I feel that they will go through some separation as well. And yes, why did she have to constantly ask? Though in his defense, he did offer to do more, after he kissed her :-)
About this, "She said that she liked him so many times but he did not reciprocate and I agree that I was also surprised that with that backhug, there was nothing. That scene was written to play out very strangely and not very naturally. I would have thought that the natural thing would be to continue with some skinship and deeper conversation rather than to shift to the view or talk about ears LOL!"
I didn't mind the talk about the ears, I actually liked it. I felt that it showed us that CS would let YJ do things to him (or with him), because he likes her so much as well, and he is actually falling in love with her. So he lets himself be uncomfortable for her sake, and he gives in. I agree with your comment though. I kept hoping that he would hug her back, or hold her in some way. I felt that she needed some reassurance and some comfort, when she said that she knew he was a bad guy, but couldn't help liking him so much. CS is so not emotionally intelligent. He does not know how to read YJ, and he does not try to.
I was hoping CS would say something like, "yeah I know I am a bad guy, yet I like spending time with you as well, a lot!" Or something along those lines. IMHO, he doesn't have to confess yet (though I would like him to), but at least acknowledge that he understands YJ's dilemma. I think I am asking too much of CS, LOL :-)
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Camille W
June 24, 2015 at 5:27 PM
@Growingbeautifully I really like that ur thoughts are making me remember some of my initial thoughts when I saw the ep. He has never really told her that he likes her too, in response. That's a curious finding. Why doesn't he ever say that he reciprocates. Its kind of weird tbh. Idk, the focus gives a lot to the males. The women are all devoting but the men are being more or less reserved.
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Growingbeautifully
June 25, 2015 at 7:50 AM
@ Camille W
Yes, it is weird in that he can tell Joon Ki that he likes him and whine that JK does not reciprocate, but he does not notice or care that he is the same with Ji Yi. It's just that Ji Yi has not got to the whiny stage (yet?). Maybe when she does start bugging him to say how he feels about her, then he might again give in ... but that's not the way we want it, right? We want the person who says he/she is loved to reciprocate naturally and not only when pushed.
I was thinking that maybe a reason Chang Soo will not tell Ji Yi that he likes her, is that he's still reserving himself for a marriage up the social ladder and does not want to commit his feelings in words to Ji Yi. It's terribly selfish of him, and goes hand-in-hand with his lack of manners or doing only as much as he wants and holding back until he is prodded into giving in. So in that sense, he is consistent and true to character.
He is a snob, but he deludes himself that he isn't and he is self-centered and competitive (especially against his brother) and is rude. Other than using twisted logic to reason JY into dating him and being all rich and male chauvinistic in making decisions for her, he seems kind of decent and sort of honest. So we want him to become mature and improve overall.
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dramadreamer
July 10, 2015 at 12:21 AM
I tot that the rooftop scene large hands and ear touching was totally believeable! CS is basically a confident and sociable charming guy - since high school as JK said to Yh. he will not change himself even in a relationship - which i get - but the fact that he will pander to her from time to time shows that he is fond of her. He does not have an idealised notion about relationships and seems to expect storms and disagreements whereas JY seems to have an idealised idea about love - she says that even tho she knows that both parties may not agree on everything even if they are in love - she is still disapponted with CS will not change his opinions to comply with her views. JY does most of the giving in and CS enjoys teasing her and watching her capitulate which i find is actually a good combintaion in real life. they compliment each other so well they look like a childhood couple! CS cannot resist her appeals and is generally indulgent of her - which i find really sweet!
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14 Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 4:03 AM
I love that JK, though he lies to YH and though he hides things from her, at times tells her what he really thinks, like when they were having that conversation about class. I also thought the bra scene at the store was funny (and I loved how shy YH was, when she told JK that she needed to buy some undergarments. (I think JK actually didn’t let her finish talking, he interrupted her, and told her he knew where they could go shopping for the items she needed). I had a hard time believing that JK didn’t hear the conversation between the sales clerk and YH, since characters in Kdramas can hear a conversation 10 meters away from them (I am being a little facetious of course, but you guys know what I mean). Was he just playing dumb, when he asked what the sales lady was talking about? I kind of thought so, but I am not sure. Besides, JK could see that the sales lady was holding a bra, and pointing (I think) to YH’s chest.
Another thing that bothered me, (now that I think of it), was when CS told JY that “I am the man, and as such, I get to decide the rank of the woman.” Or something along those lines. When I read those lines, I thought, “Oh WOW! I don’t know that I would want to date CS after he said that. “ To me, that felt like knowing that you will get burned, and still walking into the fire, which sadly, JY knows she is doing. I really hope that the conflicts and reactions of this couple will continue to be well written.
And I have a question: In a previous ep., why did CS ask YH to call him “Oppa?” he said, “Call me Oppa, I know all your siblings.” If YH were to call him “Oppa,” what would that mean, as far as their interactions, and the relationship between them?
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fantasy
June 24, 2015 at 4:49 AM
As far as I know when a female calls an older male oppa that means she considers him close to her, whether it is a bro-sis or gf-bf relationship. I think what Chang Soo meant to say, he knew all of her family members, he was enough close to her family that she can call her Oppa.
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 7:59 AM
@ Ivoire and @ fantasy
I agree with @ fantasy, and in addition, I felt that calling someone oppa (older brother) brings in an element of ranking. He wants to be considered by her to be close since he knows her family and at the same time he wants to have the respect from her that is due to one older than her. I've noticed in some shows that sometimes the girl refuses to call the guy oppa, and it could be because of the lower rank that they have to admit to assuming by using that term of address.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:37 AM
@ fantasy and @ GB unnie,
Thank you for explaining. I understand the "Oppa" calling in "Bro-Sister" relationship, and in "gf-bf" settings as well, however I could not figure out WHY CS asked her that, since it didn't seem that he cared that much about her (ie, he has no romantic feelings for her, and he doesn't seem attached to her. Whereas, even though JK is not in love with YJ, he does care about her, and he is protective of her as well).
Besides, KJ hit CS and gave him a bloody lip (for mistreating his sister). So I was surprised that he still wanted to be called "Oppa" by YH.
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Ek Ladhki Thi
June 24, 2015 at 6:14 AM
Ivoire, happy to see you again after Heirs. I like reading your questions because it makes me notice some things I might have missed while watching the show.
About the shopping scene, I think JK played dumb to try and save YH the embarrassment. I like that JK is so difficult to decipher. Some times he does things that make it seem like he already has some feelings for YH and other times, like that ending scene, he gets this look in his eye that scares you. In my opinion, understanding the characters all goes back to their character description. JK: I can be evil. He can be, he might even start to be but will eventually fall into the throes of love and try to go back.
YH: Don't be evil. It's almost like she was telling JK. She desperately needs someone who will stay by her and not use her. She thinks JK is that someone and wants to hang on to him so as not to get swept away in the turbulence of her life.
CS: (I) wanna be cool, but I'm a boss. That describes him perfectly. He wants to be nice and down-to-earth, and all that good stuff, but it has been ingrained in him that he is better than all the lowly people so he can't help but think like that. I'm not saying that's right, but that's how he is. In the scene where he and JY were doing the Joseon thing, you can tell he felt offended by how she said he would react, dismissing her and all that, but she explained to him that that's basically who you are because of your background.
And finally JY: The good is the best policy. I don't know if this requires any explanation. She's pretty much the embodiment of pure awesomeness. She isn't naive even while she is so sweet. She knows what she wants and she's stronger than she looks. I feel sorry for her that she's falling for CS while she knows she'll get nothing but pain from it. But, the heart wants what the heart wants. It can't be helped.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 10:53 AM
@ Ek Ladhki Thi, Hello!
So good to read from you here, and I am glad to find out that my questions gave you food for thought. That is part of why we come here, right? I know it is, for me. Well, please keep on reading the comments, because I intend on rewatching the episodes (I actually have not seen ep. 1 yet), and I have a feeling I might have more questions, and I look forward to your views on them. So thank you so much for sharing them.
I really loved what you had to say in your comment and I agree with you, and I would love to add to it actually, but I will have to do it later. I have said in ep.4 recap that I do believe that JK is falling in love with YH, she is honest, and sincere and sweet, and she loves him and wants to support him. However, JK decided a long time ago that he would do anything (almost), to have access to the chaebol lifestyle and power (I don't think he would be willing to kill for it though). I do think he is a good guy, and he kind of forces himself to stay true to his goal. He might find out the hard way that all that glitters is not gold, and that the grass (sometimes) seems greener on the other side. He firmly believes that YH's world is what he wants and needs. Maybe so, maybe not...
I also think that CS is very insecure to be honest, and so he will have a hard time shedding the beliefs ingrained in him. And I don't think his mom will let him. As you pointed out, it is all that he has known, so that is OK with him. The flip side of it, is that CS is not emotionally intelligent (not as much as he could be), and IMHO, he loses on some great experiences because of that.
I will have to be back later to add to my comments. Thank you for reading my long posts :-)
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Growingbeautifully
June 25, 2015 at 8:01 AM
@ Ivoire
About this: 'Another thing that bothered me, ... was when CS told JY that “I am the man, and as such, I get to decide the rank of the woman.” Or something along those lines. When I read those lines, I thought, “Oh WOW! I don’t know that I would want to date CS after he said that. “ To me, that felt like knowing that you will get burned, and still walking into the fire, which sadly, JY knows she is doing.'
My interpretation of the subs was that, I'm a man and it's natural for me (or for men) to rank people when I see them. It is something to related to the male ego and deciding on the pecking order and then how to respond or react to each person according to how one has ranked them. I did not get that it was only that he had the right to decide on the rank of the woman. Did your subs say that?
I think, sub-consciously or consciously, it could be true that people generally (and men maybe more so) automatically when they come in contact with people, decide on their standing in the group. So in a sense, some ranking has been done mentally. This shifts around as people interact and some people confirm their rank or prove that they are different from how they are ranked by their behavior.
Can anyone throw more light on this? :)
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15 fantasy
June 24, 2015 at 4:12 AM
Chang Soo is mean and Ji Yi is an hopeless idiot but I don't know how they managed to look so cute together!!!!!!
I am now somewhat interested in YH and JG's love story ...
YH and JG's kiss was more passionate than CS YJ but I don't know my heart when CS kissed YJ. I have serious second couple syndrome :)
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16 melissa
June 24, 2015 at 4:18 AM
Yes! I agree. I love Ji Yi and Chang So, I m falling in lurve with him too. Saranghaeyo... :) Chang so and Ji Yi are sooo innocent. And i think at least chang so is honest. He aimed to marry yoon ha at first but cos he did not like her. He dropped the idea. As compared to joon ki who is so sly.. appear not interested but greedy. Oh i miss Chang so... hehe
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17 LMH made me a KDAddict
June 24, 2015 at 4:29 AM
Good to know I'm not alone. I definitely feel better after reading this recap and your comments, because I'm also having a hard time understanding our leads. Here's hoping the writers do a better job with reeling us in (A hook is so not enough). Thanks for the recap, though. It's spot on.
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18 min
June 24, 2015 at 4:34 AM
i like PHS's acting in this drama. Charismatic and great chemistry with IJY. The second lead are so adorable. PHS even have great chemistry with his mom. I can see that his mom adores him. I wonder how the mom will feel when his fav son falls in love with a girl she does not approves.
I am not int in the lead couple romance. Instead I am more interested in the fall out. YH and CS finding out the truth.
I find JK too harmless as a "villian". If they want to make him the bad guy, go all the way out. If not, he is just a boring character with a small ambition who uses ppl to climb up the social ladder.
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Odessa Jones
June 25, 2015 at 2:10 PM
True about PHS having great chemistry with everyone! I knew he was good at comedy but he's so refreshing in this.
I can't agree that JK seems harmless to me. I can sympathize a lot with Yoon Ha, having once been that dumb myself, and it's easy to imagine him damaging her badly. He's using people in a relatively common way, but that doesn't make it okay.
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19 Dee
June 24, 2015 at 4:59 AM
Thanks gummimochi for the recap!! I'm actually glad both couples got together this early in the show because we get more time to explore the "what happens next after the thrill of getting together" part, and especially Joon Ki's motives. But this means more angst and melo?! Ok i dunno if I'm ready for that :(
I hope the show doesn't make us wait too long to understand why Joon Ki is sticking to Chang Soo if he really wants a leg up in society. And how was he planning to win over his rich chaebol wife's family if he is looking to snag a rich wife? Joon Ki is coming across as too mysterious for too long in my opinion.
I like how they have the makeover and fancy dinner sequence with the rich guy and poor girl, then we see the rich girl and poor guy go shopping too but the girl buys her own clothes and they have a simple meal afterwards.
Ji Yi and Chang Soo ARE TOO CUTE OMG. The saeguk imagination sequence was hilarious. Hahha i wonder if they're going to poke fun at the usual rich guy poor girl romance cliches throughout the show! Maybe the rich guy's mum will say some surprising things too and not be the usual evil mum in law. Haha..
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blubluskye
June 24, 2015 at 7:23 AM
Yes, JY-CS were too cute. That saguek scene.. I just can't. They had me squealing from within! Their chemistry is sizzling.
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20 korini
June 24, 2015 at 5:32 AM
Thank you, gummimochi for the recaps. I started watching it recently and saw up to this episode. To me it has the Warm Word effect. Seemingly pleasant settings and faces but very sharp dialogue. The pairing scares me a bit because it comes too soon for the kdrama universe. Hopefullly, it doesn't get too sour and deconstructive. But then again the title is "High Society", not "Poor Girl-Rich Guy and Rich Girl-Poor Guy, two love stories plus the stories of their relatives".
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 3:46 PM
@ korini,
Thank you for saying this, "To me it has the Warm Word effect. Seemingly pleasant settings and faces but very sharp dialogue." I have not seen anything by this writer, and I was wondering what to expect from her. And I do personally like the dialogues, a lot.
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21 ck1Oz
June 24, 2015 at 5:41 AM
I am just going to talk about the marvel that is Chang Soo's hair. My gosh I've never been so in love with a hairstyle before.
I don't even know HJ- the idol or the actor but gosh that hair just so suits him. It's so thick, falls so perfectly and perfectly cut and style. Even his hair colour is appropriate. How in the world did he get such a good stylist?
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blubluskye
June 24, 2015 at 7:56 AM
Soompi released an article about Hyungsik's hair too, http://www.soompi.com/2015/06/24/i-have-an-obsession-with-park-hyung-siks-hair-in-high-society/
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Thank you for that article, I love PHS's hair in that drama as well. It looks really good on him, hair color and the cut. Hopes he keeps it through the whole drama.
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22 ramenqueen
June 24, 2015 at 5:49 AM
Two shower scenes with abs and three (or four?) kissing scenes in an hour, definitely MY birthday :)
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fantasy
June 24, 2015 at 6:01 AM
Lol!!! Happy Birthday :D
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blubluskye
June 24, 2015 at 7:48 AM
More birthday presents!
Check out the BTS for CS-JY's kiss scene.
https://instagram.com/highsocietydrama/
Seemed like she kissed him too long LOL
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huskergirl
June 24, 2015 at 12:18 PM
LOVE <3
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23 Nikilann
June 24, 2015 at 6:04 AM
My my. I just don't care at all for Sung joon et UEE. Funny since I love Sung Joon (but maybe that is the problem. I can't understand their characters, so for me, they are just the actors for now)... But I'm totally in love with Chang Soo Ji Yi. Daaamn. So much cute and sincerity shouldn't be allowed !
Love them. To death !
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24 Jon G.
June 24, 2015 at 6:12 AM
I'm not sure why, but I'm seriously bothered by the gratuitous make-over scenes in K-dramas. Maybe even more than by gratuitous sex scenes in western shows.
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growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 6:48 AM
Perhaps it's because they are just superficial signs of paying someone attention when they are actually a means for the rich person to flaunt his wealth and status. In addition they smack of someone being bought over and someone being used. In this show it has the added insult that he wanted her to match him ie she wasn't good enough as she was to him.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Hello GB unnie, *waves*
my many apologies to the many posts and responses you have written after my comments on TGWSS and in ep.4 recap of HS, that I did not manage to respond to. I did think about it a lot (and I felt so bad about that, since I like to finish my conversations, as you know), and I am really sorry about that. The transitions I am going through have put a dent in my writing and commenting habits :-( Which does not mean that I think about what happens in Kdramas any less :-) I always enjoy the discussions we have about dramas, and your comments always give me food for thought. sO Thank you again for that.
From the few Kdramas I have watched so far, many of the male characters who are from chaebol families (and who grew up in those environments) lack basic manners towards others, and they don't see people in their families (mainly their parents) being kind, and considerate to others (and polite). They don't have to, not to those below them socially. It is one of the privileges of being so wealthy, and of having so much power. So, when they get with the poor girl, those male leads never feel that the poor girl is worthy to be seen with them the way she is (clothes and all), so she needs a makeover. She needs to wear brand clothes, clothes that shout expensive department stores and brands. Those men (or boys) are "bringing the girl up," so she needs to look like she is with someone of that class and standing, hence the makeover.
It is a way for the male to show his wealth, his power and what he can do for the girl. It feels and seems as though, outside of that, they have nothing, and are nothing. That is what they see around them, and they have not being taught that manners, being kind, serving someone else, being courteous can make a girl happy, and might mean more, because then you are actually making an effort that requires you to do something. Look at Papa Choi for example: he is disabled, yet that doesn't stop him from trying to do nice things for his wife, which she appreciates greatly.
I also think that chaebol sons might be quite insecure, so flashing their wealth and power, gives them that sense of security and superiority. The girls just need to be good to them, and be available when the boys want to see them and spend time with them. And when those boys do that, and the girls accept those gifts, it confirms to the boys (their interpretation, I think) that they can treat the girl the way they want to, because in some ways, they did "buy" her, or they bought the right to treat her however they see fit. As JY has said many times, "nothing is free in this world."
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 9:22 AM
So they insult the girl and put her down (CS: "why are you so bottom heavy? You should be a size 25 and not one centimeter over that"), or GJP in BOF telling JD that she can be with him (as if he is doing her a favor), but only when they are not in public. It is also the male lead in SeGa invading the female lead personal space in the changing room, AND starting to undress her (without her consent, mind you), etc... And here, it doesn't even occur to CS to carry JY's bags (he has probably never done it for a girl, or for his mom. I bet other people carry their bags for them).
Another insult is that the guy decides what the girl should look like, never mind that she might have some ideas about that. It's as if the guy is saying, "I know better than you, what you should be transformed into. Never mind that you have a brain, and a pair of eyes, and that you could decide that for yourself." WOW! Dating a chaebol (from a Kdrama) does not sound that attractive.
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kalel
June 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
@ Ivoire,
your comment is right on spot. Jane Austen had long before kdramas written the ultimate insult: "I like you beyond any logical explanation and regardless your family background" Yours, truly Mr. Darcy LOL
In Hongs sisters' GL the heroine declines the "galanted" make-over that our superficial hero has offered her and asks the money in cash in order to cover her everyday life expenses - since he could spent millions so mindlessly and after he had asked if SHE would know why HE liked her even though they're so NOT compatible! Go figure... - and that's the best answer I've ever watched in any kdrama ;-)
growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 10:36 PM
LOL! @ kalel
Darcy liked Elizabeth ..."beyond any logical explanation and" despite "her family background". A truly insulting proposal that he thought was praiseworthy. Loved Elizabeth's retort. :D
alua
June 24, 2015 at 8:44 AM
Me too.
Growing beautifully says it well...
This is girl is gorgeous and she could walk around in a sack of potatoes and she'd be gorgeous. The make-over just makes her his purchased accessory. Meh.
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Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 9:02 AM
@alua @Growingbeautifully
I'm curious if you did not like the writing of the scene or his behavior. If it was his attitude I agree but the scene itself felt like a trope well used though they could have played more with it. She was too passive about clothing choices, letting him make all decisions, though maybe that was her living out the kdrama cliche.:) CS doesn't have a lot of ways to show he likes someone, he never dated a poor girl before and he's quite egocentric I felt he would have fun shopping for her.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 9:37 AM
@ Lixie,
About this, " She was too passive about clothing choices, letting him make all decisions, though maybe that was her living out the kdrama cliche."
I felt as if CS WANTED to make all the decisions. Remember that he told her that "he always win," per Gummimochi's explanation. I felt as if CS was thinking, "I know fashion, I know brands. Look at me, after all, I am always nicely dressed (which he is, to be honest). So I also know WHAT would look good on you, and WHAT you should wear. Besides, I am the one paying, so I get to decide."
About this, "CS doesn’t have a lot of ways to show he likes someone, he never dated a poor girl before and he’s quite egocentric I felt he would have fun shopping for her."
I feel that CS doesn't know how to show a girl he likes her, besides spending money on her. He also thought that the fact that he ACTUALLY went shopping with her was a big deal, since he rarely does that with the women he dates. There are other ways CS could show that he likes YJ, by being courteous, polite, and caring about her opinions on things (and asking her what she thinks), however he doesn't know (or believe) that those things matter, as shown by his comments since the beginning of the drama. He also wanted to spend time with YJ, so he was OK going shopping with her. He got something out that outing as well.
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Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 10:46 AM
@Ivoire
I agreed with what you said above about the chaebol sons, they were exactly my thoughts but much better explained. :)
I felt he wanted to be in charge too, she could have shown more independence but he would obviously think he knows a lot more about style and everything expensive. I think CS is quite insecure, he even corrects the way she talks, maybe it's because he is the youngest child and hasn't really proven to be good at anything yet. I'd love a regular date in which the roles are reversed and he doesn't know very well what to do and what she expects from him because she is probably so different from all other girls he has dated. I also don't think he knows how or is used to showing real affection, the way he always make sure to treat JK as his friend but not really his equal, the way he keeps saying he hates being used, it is like he has to have the upper hand on his relationships even in friendships.
Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 11:38 AM
@ Lixie,
Thank you for your compliment, I appreciate it. I do think CS is very insecure, at work and at home. He is the baby of the family (as you pointed out) and nothing hard has been required of him. His mom even wants the easy way for him to beat his brother, by pawning her son and having him marrying above them socially. SMH, and he does not seem opposed to that (so far).
Yes, he constantly wants to be in charge and he likes to "win" as he said so himself (bike races, arguments, etc...). Besides, his dad adores him (iand so does his mom), and he knows it, so he has been babied a lot, it seems. I would like to see him stripped of every material thing and see how he survives, but I think he might want to die, instead of trying to survive. He is starting at a good place though, I am looking forward to what Writer-nim does with him, for his character growth. He could be well written, imho, layered with greys, instead of being black and white.
growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 4:03 PM
Hi @Lixie
My comment was actually just in response to @Jon G.'s post so the feeling that it was gratuitous was not mine LOL!
Well, to be honest, I like a little bit of Cinderella in a romance, and it's fun to play dress up, so it's fun to watch this makeover trope, without thinking too much about what it could mean.
However when thinking about the attitude CS had (unconsciously or not), in deciding that since he has money and she doesn't, therefore he gets to choose that her appearance should be changed and how, rubs me the wrong way. Yes, he is young and has not had much experience in caring for or serving anyone else except himself, so this immaturity in dressing up his girl, and feeling so good about it, is understandable... but I still deplore it LOL!
Yes, about how it could have been better played out - JY should have been teasingly difficult to please, and unwilling to spend that much, and they should have had lots of bickering until they got what they both want ie a compromise in how she looks and fewer bags of clothes. It would have been a more win-win situation and would auger well for a more level start off in relationship. But JY was written to be an unwilling and tractable Candy, who still wanted to experience a bit of Cinderella for a while, and so this makeover did not reduce the distance between JY and CS, but emphasized it.
You know how I like the makeover trope to work?? Guy is (or makes a show of being) resistant to girl's charms - girl inadvertently has a makeover that is not necessarily engineered by him - he sees her and the scales fall from his eyes/he gets blown away by the beauty that she is. But this skin deep appreciation is to be a harbinger of greater depth and interest and not to just remain at surface level. THAT'S when I really like this trope being used.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 4:55 PM
Hey GB unnie,
You are up! :-) I really liked what you had to say in your post. Please, keep those comments coming... :-)
growingbeautifully
June 24, 2015 at 6:22 PM
Hi Ivoire! Up and about to go to work. I'll drop by now and then! I wish I had the time and energy to do a sort of chart of what each person says which contradicts with what they do and what it appears to us viewers that they believe in. I'm getting a bit muddled!!! So many people saying things that may not be consistent with what they are doing or really thinking.
Self-delusions?
Hypocrisy?
Deliberate falsehood?
All the above?
Are these part of the foundations for these couple relationships??? Not recommended!!!! :D
Lixie
June 24, 2015 at 8:55 AM
I liked that it didn't feel gratuitous for me. They were both pretending to be in some Cinderella date, that's exactly the kind of thing they would do and I loved how they turned it around in the end with her speech about calculating the prices and not being that much fun.
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Ivoire
June 24, 2015 at 9:45 AM
That scene did not feel gratuitous to me either. Maybe because I am used to seeing it in Kdramas (and I am OK with it). I don't think CS realized that they were in a Cinderella date however, since he told her that he didn't like being used, and he asked her if that was the only reason why she agreed to go out with him that day.
I also think that JY actually had a lot of fun, and that she enjoyed (fully) being exposed to things she (herself) doesn't have access to. At the same time, she didn't like how she would calculate what the amount of money spent meant in terms of her rent, or monthly salary etc... And she didn't like what she was turning into (or what she could turn into), so she wanted to stop. I think she enjoyed having the experience, however she also wanted out, before she felt too sucked into wanting that lifestyle she could not afford, and being used by a chaebol as a play thing to have access to that lifestyle.
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aoiaheen
June 24, 2015 at 3:05 PM
I liked that scene too. It really showed CS character and JY's as well especially at the end of that. I loved that when CS said he hated being used , he was referring to her using him to live out her fantasy while JY turned it around to make it about him changing the light bulb.
It really showed how different what they value is. CS thinks he put effort into making her over, but his actual effort was just realizing she needed a street lamp near her house. And that's what made JY fall for him