Mask: Episode 5
by LollyPip
The river is rising, and it’s time for the frog and the scorpion to start thinking about allying if they both want to survive. Not only are they discovering that they may have an unexpected partner in the other, but flickers of a deeper awareness are starting to spark. And if this is what they can accomplish when they still don’t trust each other, then their strength when they do finally let themselves open up is going to be breathtaking.
EPISODE 5 RECAP: “The Poor Rich”
After finding her mother near her sister’s memorial tree, Ji-sook and Min-woo ride in the ambulance with her. Ji-sook says all the things she’s been wanting to say to her unconscious mom, like to be sure and eat well, and move to a nicer house. Suddenly someone runs in front of the ambulance, forcing them to stop.
It’s Ji-hyuk, with Dad not far behind, and he very nearly gets a glimpse of Ji-sook before she hides her face. It’s enough to make him suspicious, and he peers into the window at her. But just as Ji-hyuk’s about to open the door, Dad gets the news that Mom has been found, and the two head off on their own. Rattled, Ji-sook chokes back her tears, and shakes her head that she’s not okay when Min-woo asks.
Seok-hoon wakes up in the hospital to find Mi-yeon clutching his hand worriedly, but she stops him when he tries to leave and demands answers for Ji-sook’s behavior at the luncheon. He puts on his concerned face and pleads for her to let him go to the meeting, but Mi-yeon is determined.
Seok-hoon concocts a story about Ji-sook’s childhood nanny, justifying the lie by saying that he just wanted the meeting to go smoothly. Mi-yeon points out that if things go well, it would benefit Min-woo, and damn if Seok-hoon’s But we’re all family wheedle doesn’t seem completely sincere.
In another part of the hospital, Min-woo gently reminds Ji-sook that the meeting is starting soon, and she reluctantly follows him. But first she signs as her mother’s guardian, as Min-woo looks on.
Mi-yeon isn’t fooled by Seok-hoon’s innocent act, but she relents for now. He reminds her that he was always a bad match for her, coming from a poor family himself, and no matter how hard he works her parents don’t take him seriously. He tells her to forget her hopes of inheriting any of the company.
He also knows she’s been suspicious of him and Eun-ha, and gives her his very saddest eyes as he asks how she could possibly think such a thing. It’s a not-so-veiled threat for divorce, as he says he came with nothing and will leave with nothing. He starts to walk away but Mi-yeon grabs his wrist, and a sly smirk crosses Seok-hoon’s lips before he turns back to her.
Ji-sook requests that Min-woo not mention anything to the police about her finding her mother, so he reminds her that they promised not to get involved in each other’s lives. He does mention that she owes him a favor though, which I think will come back to bite her later.
They run into Seok-hoon and Mi-yeon on their way out of the hospital, and Seok-hoon is careful to ask Ji-sook about the nanny she was looking for. She says she found her, and Seok-hoon makes happy noises while Min-woo seems to get a sense that something is off. Mi-yeon is suspicious too, but everyone plays nice for now.
Back at the luncheon, Butler Nam-chul laments the waste of such beautiful eels (believed to be an aphrodisiac), and Maid Yeon-soo feeds them to him since they would have wanted someone to use him. HAHA, the seductive expressions she shoots his way are hilarious.
Unfortunately, the mayor is gone by the time everyone gets home, and Min-woo and Ji-sook beg forgiveness and promise to make the business deal happen anyway. But Dad says he’s not upset, because to be upset you’d have to have expectations, and OUCH.
He reminds Min-woo that the Director position will be vacant soon, informing him that Seok-hoon will be the one getting the job. Double ouch. Meanwhile Stepmom tells Seok-hoon that the mayor is having second thoughts about selling them the land because of protests being held by local merchants, and Seok-hoon sees his opening to make a good impression.
Having finally found Mom, Ji-hyuk asks her to please let them know where she’s going from now on. She says that she saw Ji-sook, and the family finds out that the “mountain climber” that found Mom paid her bill, and said not to worry about thanking them.
Seok-hoon meets with an informant, and they discuss his plan is to force Min-woo to illegally lobby the mayor to approve the mall construction, then Seok-hoon will out him to the police. Min-woo will be arrested at the big anniversary party, and Seok-hoon will be given the Director job.
The protesters are outside the city hall building when Min-woo and Ji-sook arrive to talk with the mayor, and Min-woo tells them that SJ Group will share their business secrets if they’ll stop. When Min-woo tries to calmly discuss it, one protestor throws an egg at his face.
Cut to: a clean Min-woo, and his assistant Chang-soo with egg in his hair. HAHA. Ji-sook makes the mistake of asking if they really need to build that mall since they have plenty of money, but Min-woo argues that they aren’t the only company wanting to open a mall there. The merchants will lose their store space anyway.
Min-woo expresses surprise that Ji-sook actually cares, since the “Eun-ha” he knows was just here for money. But now she’s arguing for him to think of the people first? He tells her to stop pretending — it disgusts him.
Mi-yeon isn’t buying the nanny excuse for one second, and she and Stepmom (Min-woo’s stepmother, but Mi-yeon’s real mother) assume that this all means that “Eun-ha” is the daughter of a mistress, and not her father’s first wife. They file away the information in case they need to rattle Congressman Seo’s cage at a later time, and task Seok-hoon’s assistant on getting DNA evidence.
Seok-hoon reports to Ji-sook that her mother is feeling better, and she confronts him for having Scar try to run her over while she was looking for her mother. He admits it, reminding her that he said he could kill her any time, and to prove it he shoves her back to lean out over the balcony railing. Seok-hoon whispers that they really aren’t so different, like she said, and warns her not to provoke him again.
When Ji-sook can’t sleep that night, Min-woo wonders if it’s because she’s still worried about her “nanny” and tells her to go see her tomorrow. Aw, he almost seems hurt when she says harshly not to worry about her. Though he claimed earlier that he was disgusted by her, now he murmurs softly that he’s envious that she has someone she cares enough about to cry for.
Ji-sook realizes what a huge admission this is for him, and looks at Min-woo in surprise. He’s actually smiling when he meets her eyes, but quickly slaps back on his no-nonsense face and stammers that he just gets emotional at night, stomping out of the room like it’s all her fault. Okay, that’s precious.
He goes to another part of the house to work, but his concentration is shot, and he recalls waltzing with his mother once when she was in the hospital. He didn’t know how, so she told him, “Just close your eyes and let Mom lead you.” HAHA, the servants walk in on Min-woo cuddled up to a coatrack, waltzing with it, and he just walks off all I totally meant to do that. Maid Yeon-soo wonders if he’s lonely and gives the coatrack a little snuggle, herself.
Mom talks about seeing Ji-sook, saying that she looked very elegant. Dad says it must be her spirit telling Mom she’s okay, but Mom insists she really saw her. Ji-hyuk is upset and tells Mom in a quavering voice that Ji-sook is dead — she’s not coming back.
He goes out for some space and runs into Myung-hwa, Ji-sook’s friend from her mall job. They try to get information on whoever brought Mom to the hospital but they can’t read Ji-sook’s signature clearly, though when Ji-hyuk says “Seo Eun-ha?” Myung-hwa gets a chill. She tells him who Seo Eun-ha is, and that she’s a dead ringer for Ji-sook.
Ji-hyuk wonders why the daughter-in-law of SJ Group would pay his mother’s hospital bill, and rushes home to look through Ji-sook’s journals. He recalls the familiar-seeming woman he keeps glimpsing lately, but he doesn’t find any concrete clues.
Min-woo prepares to meet with the protest leaders, and Ji-sook asks if he’s really prepared — does he know how market-sellers work and think? Of course he’s never even been to a local market, so she offers to take him.
HAHA, Min-woo tries to hide his face, and he can barely contain his horror at all the people and products that might touch him. But he loosens up as he watches Ji-sook haggle with the sellers, and as she in turn starts to smile more, he can’t help but notice.
They stop at a small restaurant, where Min-woo critically inspects the utensils for cleanliness. He grumbles that the merchants aren’t clean, don’t know how to display or sell properly — in short, they’ll all go out of business anyway. Way to justify your actions, dude.
He complains about the food even as he tucks in heartily, and he thinks she can’t have been to places like this often either, curious again why she pretends to care. Just then the protest leaders come in and recognize him, and HAHA, his “I’m busted” face is hysterical. They’re trapped, but Ji-sook grabs Min-woo’s hand and they run.
She literally drags him through the market stalls as merchants throw food at them, which has got to be giving Min-woo the serious heebies. They manage to shake the protesters, and stop to catch their breath. Unbeknownst to them, Scar is there, and he makes a call.
Seok-hoon meets with the mayor, warning him that if his corruption scandal gets out, it won’t matter if it’s true, his political career will be over. The mayor doesn’t look happy at all, and asks what exactly Seok-hoon wants.
Scar evidently called in the Brute Squad, who raze the marketplace and draw a crowd. Min-woo tries to find out who’s responsible, but Ji-sook walks into the thick of the destruction in a daze. The goons are destroying the place where they just ate lunch and the waitress and elderly owner re cowering on the floor, terrified. Ji-sook remembers Director Shim doing the same to her family when she was young.
Min-woo wants to leave while they can, but Ji-sook says in a steely voice that she’s going to try and stop this. She runs in and steps in front of one goon just as he’s raising his club to strike the women, saying in a shaky voice that this is a place of dreams for these people. He rears back to hit her, but a hand grabs his arm, and it’s Min-woo. Another goon breaks his club over Min-woo’s shoulder, but his lack of response startles them, and they run away. He tells the owner that he’ll pay for all the damages, and Ji-sook can only stare in surprise.
On the drive home Ji-sook asks after Min-woo’s shoulder, but he ignores her to ask in turn why she really took him there. He assumes she’s made a deal to make him fail, which would be shockingly close to the truth if she were the real Eun-ha.
She points out that he was genuinely concerned for those people, and says that she only wanted him to understand them. He orders her out of the car, asserting that they’re only business partners so she doesn’t need him. She gets out and watches him drive away.
Min-woo’s father sees the photos of the riot and his son getting into the thick of it, and Stepmom placates him that it wasn’t his fault. It doesn’t work, and Dad storms out of the room, furious. As he goes, a tiny smug smile crosses Stepmom’s face.
Seok-hoon’s assistant tells Min-woo that he’s got one more chance to win over the mayor, and tells him to transfer cash to him hidden in apple boxes. Min-woo asks who he’s working for, and tells him that he’s well aware of the importance of this deal. Later Seok-hoon informs someone (the police?) where the money exchange will happen, during the anniversary party.
Ji-sook watches as her dad visits Mom again, and talks wistfully about their dating days. He begs her gently to let go of Ji-sook, and grab hold of his hand like she did back then. This finally gets through to mom, and she gives him the tiniest of smiles. As she looks on, Ji-sook smiles and nods.
Ji-hyuk approaches the Choi home asking to see Seo Eun-ha, but he’s turned away at the gate. Mi-yeon arrives home just then and asks who the young man is, but her driver doesn’t know. Later she’s cautious when Seok-hoon seems in a good mood, but goes along with it out of curiosity.
Min-woo tries to work that night, but he’s distracted by his memories of Ji-sook at the market, happy at first then distraught by the destruction. Ji-sook, in turn, lies on her couch remembering Min-woo standing up for her. She sits up to look at him, and notices blood on the shoulder of his shirt – he was injured at the market.
She runs to fuss over his wound, but Min-woo gruffly moves away from her touch to change his shirt himself. Something tells me that had less to do with cleanliness and more to do with him being afraid to let her touch his bare skin. Ji-sook apologizes to him, and he accuses her of playing nice again — but this time, she says that maybe an evil person can become nice, by pretending long enough.
Ji-sook practically dares Min-woo to do what he wants with this project… not what he thinks he should do, but what he truly wants. though he gets angry because he’s unsure what she means, she stands firm and tells him that if he does what he wants, it will be the right thing. Min-woo vows that he’ll make this project work, and become Director of SJ Group — that’s what he wants to do.
Later, after Ji-sook is asleep, Min-woo finds a bandage that she left on his desk. He starts to throw it out, but instead goes to Ji-sook and covers her with a blanket. Then, he even picks her up and carries her to the bed and settles her in. His unsure expression when she throws her arm around his neck is just the sweetest.
As he watches her sleep, Min-woo experiences a series of… visions?… memories?… of Ji-sook. She stares in shock as he bleeds from a head injury in a car, then she stands over him and tucks him into a hospital bed, an expression of caring on her face. Min-woo shakes himself awake, and goes to his hidden room to prepare the apple crate of money for the mayor.
It’s the anniversary party, and Ji-sook looks nervous (but lovely) in her ball gown. Hee, Min-woo actually looks her slowly up and down as she approaches him. He lets her think that she climbed into his bed in her sleep, telling her not to do it again, but not sounding very stern this time. Mi-yeon makes a bitchy comment about Ji-sook’s dress, and Min-woo tellingly jumps to his wife’s defense with a rapid-fire insult of his own.
Min-woo steps away to greet the mayor, as Seok-hoon looks on smugly. Outside, Ji-hyuk makes plans to crash the party, determined to get a look at the woman who supposedly looks exactly like his sister. When a swarm of police arrive with a warrant, Ji-hyuk slips in with them.
Min-woo’s father gets up to give a speech, and Ji-sook looks a bit nervous that Min-woo is still nowhere to be seen — he’s in the parking garage, overseeing the transfer of the apple crate to the mayor’s car. According to Seok-hoon’s plan, they’re discovered by the police, right in the middle of the transfer.
But just as Seok-hoon is congratulating himself for his victory over Min-woo, Dad announces that SJ Group has successfully made a deal with the city to buy the land for their mall. He introduces Min-woo as the newly-appointed Director of SJ Group, and Seok-hoon’s mouth falls open as Min-woo struts to the podium.
As it turns out, Min-woo took Ji-sook’s advice, and there were only apples in that apple crate. Not only that, but the mayor actually used the opportunity to turn his own relatives in for their scandal, thus clearing his own name. That is so awesome.
Min-woo’s speech is all about a revelation he had while eating in the marketplace, that when two predators occupy the same hunting grounds, it creates competition. You must survive, or die. He decides to have this restaurant in their mall, along with many of the other local market vendors, convinced it will be their edge against the other malls. Seok-hoon looks confused and furious, while Ji-sook watches her husband, glowing with pride and respect.
Min-woo and Ji-sook watch the dancers, and she tells him that she thought he would pay the merchants and kick them out. He says he thought he would do that too, but this seemed easier. Ha. He holds out his hand for a dance, reciting one of their marriage rules — at public events, both parties are to look happy.
Ji-sook starts to protest that nobody is even watching, only to see Dad paying close attention to them. Min-woo leads her out and her reason for hesitating becomes apparent — she can’t dance. They growl at each other for a hilarious moment, then Min-woo tells Ji-sook to follow his lead, and slowly he guides her in a smoother waltz.
As they dance, the world falls away and it seems as if they’re the only people on the dance floor. The moment isn’t lost on either of them, but suddenly a voice breaks the magic: “Noona!” It’s Ji-hyuk, standing right in front of the woman who looks exactly like his sister.
And out in the hallway, Stepmom receives the results of the DNA test she ordered on Ji-sook.
COMMENTS
We’re finally getting into the meat of the story, and it’s every bit as juicy as I’d hoped. Seok-hoon’s motivations are becoming clearer, and it seems as if he’s primarily driven by revenge and jealousy. He comes from a poor family and somehow managed to land a rich wife from a powerful family, but no matter what he does, he can’t get the family to give him more than token acknowledgment. I can see how he would do whatever he can to try to take Min-woo down, ad it makes sense to get Stepmom on his side, since obviously whatever benefits Seok-hoon, benefits her daughter. For some reason though, they’re not letting Mi-yeon in on the master plan, which I’m guessing has something to do with the fact that her husband’s trump card was his mistress. I’m eager to learn more details about exactly what they’re trying to accomplish and why, because I have a feeling we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.
But it won’t be easy, because their trump card got herself killed, and the backup plan seems to have a mind of her own. And this is even before she falls in love with her husband which, judging by the look on her face when Ji-sook was watching Min-woo make his speech, has already taken root. I like that they are starting to respect each other, even before they start to be attracted to each other, which bodes well for their bond later when everything really starts to go crazy and they’ll need that basis of trust to get through it together.
One thing I really love about Ji-sook is her core of strength and willingness to do what’s right, even if it puts her in danger. I have a feeling that she wasn’t always like this, because her early interactions with Director Shim showed her to be much more timid and willing to cave to his intimidation. But now she’s realizing that with her new identity comes some power, and she’s starting to use it to help others. When she bravely walked into that restaurant and stood in front of the goon with the bat, I wanted to cheer, she was so amazing. It’s telling that she’s more capable of getting things done when she’s protecting someone else rather than herself, which will come in handy when they start to discover what Min-woo’s family has been doing ot him to try to undermine his self-confidence and capability. I can’t wait to see Ji-sook go full-on Mama Bear.
And she’s not just becoming stronger herself — she’s also elevating Min-woo to a higher standard of behavior, though I don’t think either of them realizes it yet. He’s already affected by her caring for others, and even envious that she even has someone to care about, so I think that’s something that he’s wanted for a very long time (perhaps his whole life). It didn’t take him long, when he saw Ji-sook come to the defense of someone weaker, to stand right next to her and even put himself in danger for her. I literally had tears in my eyes, seeing him find his own strength in that moment. Then again later when she tells him to do what he wants with the project, and you can tell it’s the first time anyone has ever said that to him. Do what you feel is right, and it will be the right thing. It’s like she’s giving him the permission he’s always wanted, to do the right thing and not just what he’s told by his family to do. Nobody has ever supported and believed in Min-woo before, and it’s no wonder he reacts with anger at first — any niceness that’s ever been extended to him, has been to get something out of him. Of course he doesn’t trust it, for now. But it’s an exciting glimpse of the bad-ass team they will be soon, once they start to trust each other, and it’s even better than I expected. I was eager before, and now I’m super-crazy-thrilled, to see what they’re capable once they team up on purpose.
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Tags: featured, Joo Ji-hoon, Mask, Su Ae, Yeon Jung-hoon, Yoo In-young
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1 sunnyl
June 12, 2015 at 10:18 AM
Thanks for the recap! Can't wait until they team up! Somehow Yeon JunHoon character reminds me of Ji Sung of Secret (why they are not main leads).
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Odessa Jones
June 13, 2015 at 7:31 AM
I noticed this too. I suspect it's because Choi Ho-Chul wrote both Secret and Mask. The guys in Mask are like the two different sides of that Ji Sung character. It's true that Mask has a second lead who is more overtly sexy, while the first lead looked pretty crazy at first. But Min-Woo has grown on me as we see his personality. I actually think it's awesome casting. I'm not a Joo Ji-Hoon fan, but this is a great part for his restrained style.
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kalel
June 14, 2015 at 3:53 PM
What an insightful comment! JS's been able to pull the "double"personality character (lol!) off so effortlessly, therefore BSB's character has been diminished greatly somewhere down the road! That drama was indeed where my undying love for BSB had been shaken(a lot,lol) ;-)
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2 namedx
June 12, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Really enjoying this at the moment!! All the other dramas have gone out the window, frankly. Thanks for the recap, Lollypip!!
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sonia
June 14, 2015 at 4:33 PM
So true !!
mask is amazing!
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3 ❤Turkish Rose ❤
June 12, 2015 at 10:34 AM
Such a phenomenal show, with superb acting. I love the developing relationship between our main couple, and I love how they are slowly starting to worry about each other and care.
Min Woo, will be so happy to have someone he can trust by his side, but I am well aware that when he gets to that stage, he will find out that she was working with his brother-in-law the whole time.
Lovedd the way he stared at her in the party, and stood up for her sweeeeeeeet ❤ ❤ ❤ :)
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❤Turkish Rose ❤
June 12, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Thanks Lollypop for the recap.
And I forgot to mention how I loveeee all the shoes she wears in this drama ;)
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Giegie
June 12, 2015 at 11:17 AM
@TurkishRose
I just loved the way he anwered his sister's insult with another insult of his own...it happened twice in this episode.
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❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 1:16 PM
Sister "you must have someone to impress to be dressing like that.."
Minwoo "you must not have anyone to impress, since you are wearing that"
I LOVED it too Giegie hehe :D such a riot
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Khule WY
June 12, 2015 at 2:20 PM
That was an awesome moment, I love how he stands up for her it's a first for me,usually drama husbands ignore when in-laws pick on the wife.
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wackycashew
June 12, 2015 at 2:52 PM
I totally LOLed there!! Nice comeback!! *fist pumps* I love how natural it is for Minwoo to be on his wife's side and defend her.
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❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 4:39 PM
@klava @Lisa omg lol. Yes yes so natural and I love it :)
And it's sooo true about husbands ignoring their wives usually in every drama when an in-law is saying something rude. Like they also don't know who to defend or something lol
With minwoo, he responds so quickly, makes me do the happy dance every time he does that :P
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Giegie
June 13, 2015 at 4:15 AM
@TurkishRose
And they're not even inlove yet. I can only imagine how protective he'll be of Ji-sook when it happens. ;)
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❤Turkish Rose❤
June 14, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Giegie , omg yes can't wait :D
KDaddict?JCW
June 12, 2015 at 6:28 PM
I'm liking this now that the focus is on the den of vipers and away from Ji Sook's family, which was just too sad for me to take: a loser father, a struggling mom, a brother who is not too bright, and loan sharks at every turn. It was just too pathetic to be enjoyable.
The relationships in her new 'family' are so full of tension. Each one is a torrent of struggle, scheming and ill-will. When Ji Sook and Min Woo team up, it'll be the one bright spot in that dark place.
Can't wait for Min Woo to fall in love w her, and BIL Seok Hoon too! He'll be jealous when he sees MW loving her, won't he? Delicious.
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kalel
June 13, 2015 at 12:22 AM
My thoughts exactly, @KDa. I don't like her family and not because they're not luxurious enough since I've adored the poor father in Secret. It's their attitude and their interactions that infuriate me.
On the other hand, ratings do not like filthy rich scenary nor extreme CFs in dramas. Secret started taking uphill in ratings when the drama focused more on the prison life and the poor people's hardships.
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be
June 13, 2015 at 1:27 AM
Me too esp the brother. Dunno if it's because the acting or just the character but I just hate how he always have this angry face in every scene. Like if he thinks he saw his sister again after thinking she was dead, didn't he supposed to have mixed feeling not just angry all the time? THis reminds me of "Yi An" character in "School2015"
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KDaddict?JCW
June 13, 2015 at 2:54 AM
I don't think that brother is much of an actor. He has yet to learn the different expressions for anger, sadness, suspicion, not to mention less differentiated ones!
kalel
June 13, 2015 at 6:51 AM
The brother is Hoya and he was so good in AM '97. I haven't the vaguest idea what's going on here. Whether it's an instruction coming from the PD or a failure right from the script, I can't quite put my finger on it. The family and their theoretical strong bond is so blur and even a bit incomprehensible in the end.
KDaddict?JCW
June 13, 2015 at 2:57 AM
Ya, it's overkill. Instead of making us feel for that family, going overboard makes it irritating to watch.
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sonia
June 13, 2015 at 9:26 AM
I agree the way he looked at her at the party is LOVE seriously i'm so obsessed with Mask. Beautiful show the story, the humor, the cinematography, the performances of actors are to die for <3 Wednesday can not come soon enough it's the only show i'm excited for. The wait is killing me
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4 Adal
June 12, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Soo Ae has a wonderful smile. It's quite enchanting and I love her husky voice, so different from most kdrama heroines.
I love everything about this drama, not the least of how Ji Sook and Min woo are starting to care for each other. She was the first to initiate skinship, to just grab his arms and run when being chased in the marketplace, and I felt that at that moment, he just let himself go and had more fun than he has had in eons and it was just wonderful to see. Ji Sook is liberating Min woo's inner child and caring. Especially after living in such a viper's desk for so long.
The contrast between Mi Yeon's marriage to Seok-hoon and Min Woo's marriage to Ji Sook was never more apparent than in the bedroom scenes. Mi Yeon and Seok hoon, though they are lying side by side - are miles apart in their emotions. Meanwhile Min-woo is on the bed, and his wife is on the couch, but their feelings are so much closer, they are beginning to care about each other. I loved how he lifted her up from the couch and placed her on the bed. How he rose to her defense when she was being attacked by his sister. How his eyes widened in appreciation when she dressed up at the party. Those little things, so priceless.
I feel like Seok hoon does possess some feelings for his wife, and given enough acknowledgement it could blossom into something more, and Mi Yeon does have some feelings for her husband too. But there is something very twisted about their relationship despite their feelings for each other. They allow too many negative things to creep in: lies, envy, jealousy, manipulation, distrust....so at the end of the day they don't have a prayer of making it.
This drama makes me impatient to see what comes next, a feeling I haven't had for most dramas in a while. So here I am, waiting for the next episode. Hurry up Wednesday, you can't come fast enough!
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KDaddict?JCW
June 12, 2015 at 6:31 PM
You love Su Ae's husky voice. I love that the 2 leading man here don't wear lipstick, and don't look like they've a ton of make-up on, such that their faces are 3 shades lighter than their necks, like so many flower boys look in dramas.
Finally 2 leading men who look like men! So Masculine.
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:53 AM
LOL! KDaddict?JCW
Real men at last!
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:57 AM
@ Adal
You've made a nice observation about the two couples relative closeness in space and sentiment. So true.
And the nuances in how our OTP are shaping up to really belong together is in their wonderful micro expressions. Joo Ji Hoon is amazing this time... sooooo different from his start up in Goong. I'm so happy to see him mature and so good now.
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5 Emmy
June 12, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Thanks for the recap! This drama just keeps getting better and better, I am so surprised, didn't expect to like it this much. Ther's so much conflict and interesting characters, and never a boring moment!
Su Ae is just wonderful, and I think this is the role that will give Ju Ji-Hoon's career the much needed revive.
BTW great screencaps lollypip! The one of the egg-throw and the last one of Min-woo eating are hilarious!
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6 Kender
June 12, 2015 at 10:50 AM
I really love the tone of this drama. The funny moments are often laugh-out-loud funny (the entire marketplace scene) while the touching moments are touching. Everything just seems to hit the right note for me. It's been a while since a drama has done that, and even longer since a drama has made me rewatch whole episodes.
Can't wait to see the recap for episode 6.
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August
June 12, 2015 at 5:06 PM
+1
Finding myself rewatching episodes...it's been awhile for me too. :)
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:52 AM
I'm going to have to re-watch Episode 1 and 2 again to remember that flashback scene of Min Woo in hospital. It totally escapes me now!!! :( But regardless, this is one drama that bears watching more than just once or even twice! :)
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sonia
June 13, 2015 at 9:35 AM
i keep re watching episodes too <3
i can't get Lyn : One Day soundtrack out of my mind LOVE IT <3
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7 korini
June 12, 2015 at 11:08 AM
Oh, show, how I love you. I shouldn't because I have urgent deadlines, but I do...
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kalel
June 15, 2015 at 3:04 AM
+1000!!!
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8 Giegie
June 12, 2015 at 11:21 AM
The last pic is epic. :D
I just love this drama!
Thank you Lollypip for the recap.
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9 Calzeralzer
June 12, 2015 at 11:28 AM
I am completely hooked on this drama!!!!!
Thank you Lollypip!
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10 Khule WY
June 12, 2015 at 11:55 AM
LOVE LOVE LUUUUUURVE mask, so many feels ? everything is perfect.I rewatch every episode immediately I'm done. Can't wait for next week,hate the wait.
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❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 4:42 PM
@klava Lol yes I just rewatched them today and once again I loved the comedy in the first episode when he meets drunk jisoo in the hotel and takes off all his clothes when she threw up on him.
And loveee the intensity of the car chase in the beginning. Pretty much every scene I can tell you how much I enjoyed it. Amazing show indeed
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Khule WY
June 13, 2015 at 7:55 AM
And yet it had like zero promotion, I don't remember seeing an article or teaser about this show,if dramabeans wasn't recapping this show I'd have completely missed it,that would have been a tragedy because this show is great and I see it reaching even new levels of greatness.
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❤Turkish Rose❤
June 14, 2015 at 12:07 PM
Klava, same here, I only heard that it was the SECRET writer, and I thought omg, I suffered so much heart problem from loving that show so much, so I couldn't wait. :) haven't regretted the choice to watch this awesome show.
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11 Lixie
June 12, 2015 at 12:07 PM
I don't understand this show. It's a shame because I loved the first half of Secret with a passion.
I think I can't drop it because I have a crush on JiSook and the villain. I know, shallow reason, but I have a hard time dropping shows even when there are no crushes. :)
I would like it so much more if I understood Ji Sook. I don't get why she is so weak all the time. The villain pushes her around and she does nothing, I know he is blackmailing her but it's not like she can't hurt him either. She was so great in ep 4 and then took 20 steps back in 5 and 6. She was a much stronger woman before the switch. Why does she sleep on the couch???? Why does she accept cleaning toilets??? Where is the girl that faked getting in that car and made a sheet rope?
The bad acting of the stepsister, the step mom, evil secretary and even the male lead annoys me too but I can forget them if I can make sense of JiSook.
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escape
June 12, 2015 at 12:27 PM
I agree on your views on Ji Sook. I freakin love her in episodes 1-4. But on epi. 5 and 6, she became this weak Candy girl. Like Min Woo said, it's so depressing to watch her like this (not standing up for herself). I hope episode 7 proves me wrong. This week episodes were quite disappointing.
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KDaddict?JCW
June 12, 2015 at 9:09 PM
Same here.
Ji Sook in eps 5 and 6 reminds me of why I was allergic to Su Ae, cos she was always appeared in melos, playing these damsels in distress, with eyes like a deer caught in headlights, whimpering and cowering. I can't stand it when she timidly bows her head and whispers her apologies every 3 mins.
I watched this based on the comments that are all singing its praises. It's been intriguing on the most part. Just that Ji Sook being so weak and scared is really depressing this week, like u said.
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ObessiveCompulsive
June 12, 2015 at 10:18 PM
Yes. Its like did we switch writers what in the hell happened. Her stupidity will give her away, i swear so frustrating which is a shame because I can't drop out on Ji Hoon :(
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Kaybee
June 12, 2015 at 12:56 PM
I agree that Ji Soo suddenly started looking weak in Ep.5 and 6 which bothered me too...sleeping on the couch I can understand but not the toilet cleaning one. She is supposed to be a Congressman's daughter, born and brought up with a privileged lifestyle but how can SIL push her around like that which was so unrealistic.
I want her to be the gutsy like before despite her situation instead of being the damsel in distress like how her husband pointed out that he cannot come to her defense all the time. She needs to step up for herself too.
About the 'bad' acting.... hmmm... I think that all the actors have acted excellently so far. I am so mesmerized by the evil sister whenever she appears onscreen. The lady deserves a lead role next time. She is so beautiful and has good screen presence. Her acting is also good...
Hopefully Ji Soo starts acting tough and not a scapegoat because it is going to be rough ride ahead with the money lender figuring things out and disrupting her life again.
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Lixie
June 12, 2015 at 1:18 PM
The SIL would never have her cleaning toilets because it would make even her look bad, makes no sense. In order for people to believe she is SEH she could never act this way, even if she is pretending to have amnesia.
The way the villain grabs her in every single episode, I think we are supposed to feel some sexual tension there. I get it but when she just acts so scared it doesn't work.
I had never met this actress playing the evil stepsister, she is very pretty but the way she talks feels forced to me so she ends up giving me this bad acting feeling.
Didn't the father know it was an arranged marriage? Why would they need to fake it inside the house? The real SEH planned to keep meeting her lover and never even touch the husband, hard to believe she would keep this pretense in the house.
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❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 1:41 PM
@Lixie, Kaybee and @EscapeActually the whole fake marriage contract was only between minwoo and eunha. The agreement about her meeting her lover and no intimacy is ONLY between her and minwoo.
But the whole household know it's an arranged marriage, basically a normal married couple without the "falling in love relationship before marriage".
And I also love all their acting, especially the main lead actor joo ji hoon. I never cared for him in that drama "GOONG", and I didn't even like that drama, but his acting wasn't great. Here I sympathise with him, I feel his anger, pain, and even jealousy. So I'm totally in love with him :)
I totally agree with you about jisoo being so weak. Don't get nee wrong, I totally love her longing towards her family. I would be the same exact way, if they are so close yet so far away. But I couldn't understand it at all when her sister in law ordered her to clean the bathroom and she obliged. Like I felt minwoo's anger at the moment because I was furious too.
I'm just wondering if the writer is doing that just so we can see the development in her character later on or something. To really feel the strength of how far her character progressed since the beginning.
Let's hope for the best from the Secret writer. :)
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Kaybee
June 12, 2015 at 2:09 PM
Yes, I understood that so I could understand the couch arrangement. I can also understand her extreme sadness and the way Su Ae acted, I could actually feel the pain of Ji Sook's ordeal about everything.
It's just the way she was acting so meek got me otherwise. Like for instance bending her head low and taking in from her SIL and cleaning the toilet!
For me, more than Ji Sook cleaning the toilet, SIL ordering her to do so was something I feel out of character and poorly written. They are supposedly uber rich and sophisticated and I don't believe this is the only way SIL could order her around. No way a rich lady who lost her memory will ever do it (though we know Ji Sook is from humble background) but the idea to make Ji Sook clean the toilet itself is not on the line with a rich heiress (SIL).
Like you said, hopefully the writers know what they are doing.
In earlier episodes though her character was written as not very strong but she had the guts to stand up for herself and put her foot down...this time she looked too resigned. Hopefully she picks herself up from Ep.7 onwards but looking at the preview, I am a bit doubtful.
Nevertheless love the drama so far and excellent acting from all.
Lixie
June 12, 2015 at 2:25 PM
>But the whole household know it’s an arranged marriage, basically a normal married couple without the “falling in love relationship before marriage”.
If they knew why could she not have a separate bedroom? Her closet alone should not fit there. :) I know we would loose all those night scenes of longing stares but I could do without those cliches.
> Don’t get nee wrong, I totally love her longing towards her family.
I love all her scenes with her family, in ep 6 the brother scene was so touching for me. Just when I'm hating this girl, and the writing, for being so inconsistently weak, she turns it around and makes me like her again.
>I’m just wondering if the writer is doing that just so we can see the development in her character later on or something.
I would guess it's just to make Min Woo look dashing rescuing her and fall for her and I hate that. He could fall for her without being her knight all the time and I could like her much more if she was the strong girl from the early eps. I have nothing against situations in which he is compelled to help her, like the whole end of ep 4 and the river scene in ep 6, I loved those, but when he is just rescuing her from her own weirdness it becomes silly.
❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 2:27 PM
@kaybee, yes I agree with you. But from my limited kdrama chaebol knowledge lol that some chaebols want their kids to experience moving up the ladder in the business, meaning starting from the bottom and working their way up.
The only example that comes to mind was kim woo bin's character in THE HEIRS ;) he worked as a dishwashing boy.
❤TurkishRose Healer❤
June 12, 2015 at 4:55 PM
@Lixie, lol we are definitely enjoying the night time stares even if cliche. Although it adds a great progress in their relationship.
I would hate it lixie, if that was the writer's intent for her weak character. To make minwoo a hero is not a good reason, even he himself doesn't like her overly passive personality with his family. Maybe she is just going through depression with everything sinking in for her, that these are all her kept thoughts..
1, I can't go back to be with my family.
2. My family needs to get rid of that debt
3. If I go back to my true self, I will get arrested for murder.
4. I'm married to a man with psychotic tendencies.
5. A brother in law so violent he even kills the real eunha. Threatens and watches my every move.
6. In laws who hate me.
7. I'm so lonely with no friends to talk to.
8. I'm a puppet in everyone's hands...
So hopefully after all that realization, she will snap, or blow up and can't take all that mistreatment anymore. I'm sure she has so much bottled up inside of her, that she might explode. So I'm wondering if she does find the warmth and strength through minwoo, then she won't feel so alone.
growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:50 AM
@TurkishRose, Lixie, Kaybee and EscapeActually
I agree with @TurkishRose... she has now not only been threatened repeatedly, she has also almost been killed and the murderer is living in the same house, but she cannot do a thing about it yet. Now she's torn apart seeing her mother's grief that led to her being close to death herself, she sees her brother and father and again she cannot do anything to ease their pain. That kind of emotional suffering is debilitating. If she appears like a tired child wanting to be rescued, I cannot really fault her. I'd have fallen apart earlier!
(@TurkishRose... it's not yet established who killed Eun Ha, or whether it was accidental...but still it was a real stressful thing to know that the person she looks like died in an unnatural way)
So glad you're enjoying this show too. :)
❤Turkish Rose❤
June 14, 2015 at 12:16 PM
GB, yes exactly. She is under so much pressure, for any normal person to handle. So obviously she needs to take it slowly and build her confidence. And like you said, when Minwoo becomes her trusted friend, she will be able to fight the bad guys :D
LollyPip
June 12, 2015 at 7:17 PM
Tiny reminder about spoilers, as some of this is Episode 6 stuff :) The recap will be out to discuss it all very soon, pinky-swear!
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❤Turkish Rose❤
June 14, 2015 at 12:09 PM
lol sorry Lollypip hehe, we got too excited :D thank you for the recaps, your awesome :)
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AC
June 12, 2015 at 2:34 PM
Like the others have stated, I think she was weak in the last two episodes that have aired. Prior to that---that slap was pretty bada** and definitely not weak. The weakness hit when she saw how her mother was and encountered her family again. Maybe that's what's messing with her mind--we can't expect her to be a robot like the rest of MW's family so I don't blame her.
Considering that *spoiler* in episode 6, MW questions why she's being so weak and not standing up for herself, I do believe the writer is aware of it and hopefully it's a temporary phase of weakness before she starts to kick butt again.
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cinnamimi
June 12, 2015 at 6:07 PM
Why did the SIL order Ji Sook to clean the toilet? If the script is well written (we hope it is), considering psychological stuffs, maybe it's because of the SIL suspicion that "Eun Ha" was actually fake, only someone pretended to be, coming from lower class of family. The SIL might think that if it's true, then "Eun Ha" would okay with the thing she ordered because that's the mentality of the lower class people, taking order. She wanted to prove that. But, can we hope for such kind of psychological consideration from this drama? I'm not sure myself. But, there's still a possibility for such scene to make sense.
Why did Ji Sook take order from her SIL? There are at least two reasons: First, the fact that she originally belonged to lower class, cleaning toilet was not a big deal for her. Yes, she must've have acted to be Eun Ha, but changing personality is not that simple. Sometimes, you just forget the acting stuff because maybe you're too tired to lie; Second, Ji Sook felt angry at herself because all the things she faced (about her mom, her lies, etc.), so she accepted the order to get herself busy and forgot her problems. Once again, at that moment, she might not think well that higher society people will never ever clean their toilets themselves. She could slip in her acting because, yes, it's not what she's used to do in daily life. She's not well aware too that she shouldn't have lowered her head before her SIL for they're supposed to be in the same class.
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DramaDevourer
June 12, 2015 at 6:48 PM
I feel like the toilet cleaning came from i think it was less anger, and more despair/sorrow after confronting her brother.
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cinnamimi
June 12, 2015 at 7:20 PM
Yes, I agree that there's a sense of despair, but I think anger and despair here are very much alike. She's trapped in those situations all at once. She's angry (it's kind of subtle feeling, even without her realizing) because she could do nothing. She almost had no choice and felt powerless. Those led her into the depths of despair...
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news
June 13, 2015 at 7:54 AM
Mind if I jump in w/ a totally different take on Ji-sook's character? I think the complete opposite.
In spite of her selling her soul to the devil, I don't see her as a victim or a weak person at all. To me, she has a strong sense of self and is consistently and continually resilient since the beginning and even under extreme conditions. She chooses her battles and no matter what they are, her actions/decisions are always aligned with who she is, not who EH is. She doesn't care to act or be like EH. Thank you.
It's interesting to see SH repeatedly manipulate and threaten her, yet not really get under her skin; it's actually the other way around. She can't be controlled and when pushed too far, her actions are unpredictable and completely catches him off guard (i.e. unlike his wife MY). Why? Because she acts and thinks with her heart first (which ALWAYS end up undermining his manipulations, clearly evident in this episode when MW is appointed Director of SJ Group) and deals with the consequences after. Even in guilt, doubt and despair, her strong sense of self is evident in this episode when she takes MW to the market and later firmly encourages him to truly do "what he wants".
***SPOILER***
Overall, her sleeping on the couch and cleaning the bathroom are minute details that make sense based on her situation and not a reflection of her weaknesses.
The former is because EH communicated loud and clear to MW that it's a political marriage and there would never be any skinship after they're married. There's no reason for him to show concern or offer her his bed (even if he physically sleeps on it w/ her or not) and there's no reason for her to demand sleeping on his bed. Firstly, they're strangers and secondly, it wouldn't make sense or be consistent w/ her character to be demanding of something that isn't rightfully hers. More importantly, the success of their marriage means the success of him inheriting the business. Their alliance gives him the upper hand, so it makes sense that he wants to maintain the appearance of a good marriage (but of course that's not the only reason. He's clearly falling for her already).
More than anything, the latter (in episode 6) is a reminder of who she really is and her place in the world; a commoner. She can without a doubt fiercely fight for the well being of others as herself, but not against a "family" in the guise of EH, whom she doesn't know anything about (i.e. EH's history and strained relationship w/ SH and MW's family, why they hate EH, etc.). In fact, she doesn't even know why she's impersonating EH thanks to SH. Without an understanding of her situation or sense of what she's standing/fighting for, she can't truly defend herself from MY and her mom. To JS, they have every right to hate, question and be suspicious of her, well because she IS guilty. Her sense of guilt, shame and conflict in living a lie knowing it goes against her very nature (and Soo-Ae is...
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news
June 13, 2015 at 8:03 AM
above and beyond great at displaying this) renders her inactive, but that does not equate weakness. When the situation calls for it, time and again, she rises above all of that w/ a dogged, steely determination that even SH won't be able to stop.
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news
June 13, 2015 at 9:07 AM
And now to what I love about this drama (so far) and this episode.
It's my new crack. I love it to bits: the confident directing/editing; strong character development (they're layered and while most of them are unpredictable, their actions are always aligned w/ their motivations even if some of their motivations are still unclear to us); great acting all around (esp. SA, JJH, YJH. In fact, I like Hoya in this. He should never play an idol character ever again), and the carefully and well-balanced combination of drama/makjang/suspense/mystery w/ unexpected humor (Yes, I'm talking about MW).
I love the progression of MW and JS's relationship/friendship/alliance. Despite their class difference, they're very much alike in character (wanting to believe that they're good, but fearful that they're not--MW questioning his sanity and JS living in fear, guilt and shame) and in their circumstances (both of them never feeling at ease b/c they're constantly being watched and manipulated).
Can MW be any funnier? All his expressions are priceless. He's always unsuccessful at backpedalling in moments when he's most honest about his feelings. She sees right through his facade just like he sees through hers. Their awareness of each other is so lovely:
- When he says "he’s envious that she has someone she cares enough about to cry for."
- The whole scene at the market.
- When they're at home thinking of each other and what happened at the market.
- When she tells him to sincerely do what he really wants to do with the project.
- When he covers her w/ a blanket and carries her to the bed. I just love that she trusts him even in her sleep to put her arms around him.
- The whole scene at the anniversary party.
Next week is so far away.
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Chandler
June 13, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Thanks for writing all this! I completely agree with your take on Ji-sook's character. Couldn't have said it better. AND pretty much everything else you wrote perfectly captures why I love the show so much. Especially this: "the carefully and well-balanced combination of drama/makjang/suspense/mystery w/ unexpected humor"! MW is priceless and all those moments you mentioned- love them to bits.
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Giegie
June 13, 2015 at 10:27 AM
+ 1. Couldn't agree more. :)
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12 Ivy
June 12, 2015 at 12:24 PM
This drama is such a treat! Melodramas are usually not my thing, but this show has made me realise that that's cause the ones I watched weren't done right at all! This is SO good and I'm already deep in and very invested in the characters :D
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13 dramaqueen4
June 12, 2015 at 12:49 PM
I love this drama because even though I'm invested in the leads, Mask still makes me care about the machinations of the secondary characters. Circular plot development and flat characterisation is at a minimum. And Su Ae just epitomizes elegance here. (I need her outfits stat).
Apropos of nothing, there's a lovely piano rendition of Strauss's waltz "Beautiful Blue Danube" playing in episodes. Anyone know how I can find that version, perhaps? I find this happening with a lot of dramas lately; I love background music that's never released on the OST.
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Kaybee
June 12, 2015 at 1:53 PM
It used to be so easy to find background scores of Korean dramas once upon a time but now it only depends on luck. Once this drama ends, you can try to find it.
https://www.google.co.in/search?q=Beautiful+Blue+Danube&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=1jl7VaPzKuXEmwWQloGwAw#newwindow=1&q=beautiful+blue+danube+piano
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14 danydanybobany
June 12, 2015 at 12:56 PM
It anguished me that no one in that house (no oner powerful) was on Min-woo's side. Even the doctor and in this episode the secretary (the one with glasses) ploted against him. On the other hand, he is smart (yaay) and now he has Ji-sook.
I loved the market scene. The memories he had,arent they from episode 2 or something, when he thought he saw his mom...and something happend and he ends in the hospital? Let me check the recaps.
Thank you for the recap
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Adal
June 12, 2015 at 1:54 PM
Yes, the flashbacks he had were memories from Ep 1(or 2?)When he had an accident and was rushed to the hospital and Ji Sook followed him there and wrote a note to him. She was trying to get back her money that she put in his robe pocket. This was before crazy brother in law coopted her into posing as Eun ha. I have a feeling that this might be one of the clues that convinces Min woo that his wife isn't really Eun ha.
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wackycashew
June 12, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Yes! That's right!! ^^ I actually hope he realizes this soon and hope he forgives her for lying about her identity.
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15 Pookie1
June 12, 2015 at 2:06 PM
Can someone please tell me where I can watch this online, besides youtube? OndemandKorea doesn't have it.
Thanks in advance!
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Kaybee
June 12, 2015 at 2:12 PM
dramacool, myasiantv, viki, etc
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16 Adal
June 12, 2015 at 2:12 PM
Viki.com carries it as well as Dramafever
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17 wackycashew
June 12, 2015 at 2:42 PM
Thanks for the recap, LollyPip!
I'm really loving the way the relationship of the leads are developing. Minwoo is taking notice of all of Jisook's moments of vulnerability and happiness. So, something is different about Jisook that is making Minwoo pay attention, and I hope before long, he'll realize her caring nature is real and not a facade.
I like the scenes in their bedroom when they each seem to be surprised by the other by something new that they have noticed or realized whether the other person is awake or asleep. Like when Minwoo admitted that it was surprising to see Jisook care so much about someone to cry over her, or when he gently carried her to sleep on his bed, not really minding when she swung her arm naturally over his neck. In the past, he would have flinched and thrown anyone who had done this on the ground.
The market scene was both fun and touching. It felt like they were doing what married couples would do on a day off--explore the market to get groceries and have lunch together. I liked how Minwoo noticed Jisook's smile and he still ate heartily (love your screencaps!) despite not approving the cleanliness of the utensils. I love the look on his face when Jisook reached for his hand to make a run, and he didn't seem disgusted by it and ended up being pulled along for such a long time during the chase. XD I also love how he cared about her safety, noticed her tears, and defended her from those goons, even taking a hit on his shoulder. "No one's gonna mess with my wife!" was totally illustrated in that one move. ^^V Later on, I like how he had second thoughts before tossing away the bandage and ointment she left him. Maybe he can start believing someone would actually care for him genuinely instead of thinking that is not the norm.
Another scene I love is Jisook telling Minwoo to go with his heart for the project. I really think they make great business partners; rather than in the sense of mutual personal gain, it's a case where they bring out the best in each other. Jisook gives Minwoo pause in his thinking and the confidence and support that he so needs. For the first time, someone believes in him and he definitely has the skills. As for Jisook, her asset is her upbringing, which allows her to empathize with those merchants or that student working in the restaurant. Because she cares about the people above profit, she will be able to influence Minwoo's decisions and encourage him to go the unconventional route when it comes to business. It felt so good to hear Minwoo announced as the new director and to see Jisook beaming proudly about her husband.
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wackycashew
June 12, 2015 at 2:43 PM
Thanks for the recap, LollyPip!
I'm really loving the way the relationship of the leads are developing. Minwoo is taking notice of all of Jisook's moments of vulnerability and happiness. So, something is different about Jisook that is making Minwoo pay attention, and I hope before long, he'll realize her caring nature is real and not a facade.
I like the scenes in their bedroom when they each seem to be surprised by the other by something new that they have noticed or realized whether the other person is awake or asleep. Like when Minwoo admitted that it was surprising to see Jisook care so much about someone to cry over her, or when he gently carried her to sleep on his bed, not really minding when she swung her arm naturally over his neck. In the past, he would have flinched and thrown anyone who had done this on the ground.
The market scene was both fun and touching. It felt like they were doing what married couples would do on a day off--explore the market to get groceries and have lunch together. I liked how Minwoo noticed Jisook's smile and he still ate heartily (love your screencaps!) despite not approving the cleanliness of the utensils. I love the look on his face when Jisook reached for his hand to make a run, and he didn't seem disgusted by it and ended up being pulled along for such a long time during the chase. XD I also love how he cared about her safety, noticed her tears, and defended her from those goons, even taking a hit on his shoulder. "No one's gonna mess with my wife!" was totally illustrated in that one move. ^^V Later on, I like how he had second thoughts before tossing away the bandage and ointment she left him. Maybe he can start believing someone would actually care for him genuinely instead of thinking that is not the norm.
Another scene I love is Jisook telling Minwoo to go with his heart for the project. I really think they make great business partners; rather than in the sense of mutual personal gain, it's a case where they bring out the best in each other. Jisook gives Minwoo pause in his thinking and the confidence and support that he so needs. For the first time, someone and encourage him to go the unconventional route when it
The party at the end! Love the way Minwoo looked at Jisook when she walked out in that dress. You can see in his eyes, "Wow! My wife is so stunning!" I like the romantic moment they had during the waltz. Can't wait for them to continue to respect each other, build trust, and form a strong alliance because they care and worry about each other. Then, they can lean on each other and draw strength from one another. Minwoo definitely needs it with his evil family and Jisook could use the support as well.
As for everyone else, only Seokhoon interests me. His motivations and revenge plot as well as the way he treats Jisook and Miyeon plus personal conflicting emotions make the storyline intriguing. This is the drama that I really look forward to watching these days...
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wackycashew
June 12, 2015 at 2:46 PM
Oops, the page got loaded while I was erasing the first part I posted. Only the last 2 paragraphs above should be in the second post.
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18 cayl
June 12, 2015 at 3:59 PM
felt like I waited for this for forever. hence commenting first.
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19 gadis
June 12, 2015 at 4:16 PM
They are holding hands. He carries her to his bed. Oooh, why so romantic?? Squeeee..
Seokwoo, you evil mastermind, you really need to watch out. Because the more you involve hurting-poor-people into your scheme, you just add more fuel to Jisook's resolution to beat you at your own game. And now that all the signs are already there, let the true partnership and romance begin!!
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20 August
June 12, 2015 at 5:09 PM
Twins? Triplets? Nope Doppelgangers...
http://abcnews.go.com/International/woman-freaked-meeting-doppelganger-meets-2nd-italy/story?id=31697423
http://www.twinstrangers.com/
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KDaddict?JCW
June 12, 2015 at 6:37 PM
Yeah, I saw this too and immediately thought of all the 'long lost twins' in drama land. LOL
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August
June 12, 2015 at 9:36 PM
I know right, me too! :)
Bride of the Century, I Summon You Gold, School 2015, etc.
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21 sunnyxshin
June 12, 2015 at 5:32 PM
I didn't watch this from the start but I love the main leads and the story! That kind of rare vulnerability Minwoo shows on his face is so sweet and priceless.
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22 cinnamimi
June 12, 2015 at 6:21 PM
Well, the SIL's outfit (the black plaid patterned lines on white) reminds me of FFI poster... But, yeah, it suits her well.
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23 DramaDevourer
June 12, 2015 at 6:59 PM
Loved your recap, LollyPip! The growing awareness and enpowerment of the leads when they're together are lovely.
I feel like people's comments about JiSook's 'weakness' in these two episodes comes naturally upon finding out what a viperous family she has married into, emotional exhaustion at the web of lies she must spin, and her powerlessness to protect her love one's from SH's threats. But she still shows her fire and spine when pushing MinWoo to better himself, resiliency at the market, and anger when she needs to break free of the deception.
I find MinWoo's OCD disappearance hilarious, in that it only took the arrival of someone who brought out his affections and allow him to show his sincerity to make his psych symptoms vanish. A few episodes ago, that lettuce throwing would have had him ripping off his shirt. I may miss that part of this show... ;)
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24 susan
June 12, 2015 at 7:06 PM
This is the first drama I've seen in a long while where the leads had a strong chemistry between them.
Ji-sook and Min-woo are, frankly, sexy with each other.
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:40 AM
Hi Susan!
I find that this drama is getting practically everything (direction, story/plot/writing, pace, tone, actors, music, cinematography, etc) right. From your experience, what do you think?
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25 Quynh
June 12, 2015 at 7:32 PM
Does anyone knows what shoes Ji Sook is wearing in the last scene? They are GORGEOUS!!!!
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:38 AM
All the high-heeled shoes look so good, but I know I'll never be able to balance, let alone walk in any of them!!! I believe they are actually quite painful to walk around in for a length of time, and I'm amazed that these actresses run in them and on uneven ground as well!!!
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escape
June 13, 2015 at 12:38 AM
I am guessing Olivia Lauren because that brand sponsors this drama. If you noticed, the fashion mall that Min Woo's family own has Olivia Lauren plastered everywhere (very noticeable). This is product placement. Every time when you see a brand's name in the show, it's mostly likely product placement.
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escape
June 13, 2015 at 12:40 AM
It must be Olivia Lauren because Soo Ae is their spokesperson.
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26 kirin
June 12, 2015 at 10:40 PM
--spoiler warning, up to episode 6--
Does anyone else get the feeling that the person Eun Ha loved was Seok-hoon? The necklace Seok-Hoon gave Eun-Ha, the look of longing he sometimes tosses to Ji Sook, Ji Sook's reasons for not marrying the person she loves (since he's already married), and the pictures Mi-Yeon discovers of Eun Ha and Seok-hoon together... all of sort of points to Seok-Hoon being Eun Ha's secret lover. It could also explain why Eun Ha's lover hasn't appeared yet in front of Ji Sook.
Anyway, I'm really loving this drama. The setup initially reminded me a lot of School 2015, but it's pretty different from it once you get into it. Ji Sook is one of the main appeals of this drama. She has lots of heart and empathy. She's also very contradictory. There are times when I love her strength and guts. But there are also times when she cowers or just allow people to walk all over her. I find the latter quite frustrating, not just because it's hard watching Ji Sook cower, but also because it's hard to understand why she acts meek in one occasion (like cleaning the toilets) and be so strong the next (like climbing down a multi-story building)
As LollyPip mentioned in the recap, I get the feeling that she acts gutsy and rebellious when her morals are on the line or when someone is about to get hurt. But if the person being mistreated is just herself, she goes a long with them or doesn't say anything... this would explain why she always cowers when Min Woo or Seok Hoon threatened her or were particularly violent towards her. But then went against there orders when it meant doing the right thing or when protecting someone else. I'll have to rewatch some episodes to see if the theory holds in every single occasion, but...
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to next week's episodes and the next recap of Mask. Thank you LollyPip for the recap.
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:36 AM
@ kirin
In the earlier episodes and recap (maybe Ep 1) it was mentioned that Seok Hoon's love was Eun Ha. Her marriage to Min Woo was probably part of a plot between SH and EH but it got derailed when EH died.
I don't want to put in spoilers here... but maybe Ep 6's comment made by Ji Sook herself will shed some light on why she appeared more whimpy.
I'm glad you love the show too!
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kalel
June 13, 2015 at 7:27 AM
I really wonder whether he would have planted the real EH as a bait in his in-laws' family. Would he be happily giving his mistress away as an other person's wife asking her to seduce him sexually for their benefit? Is SH's success his ultimate goal in life? If so, there's no room for any kind of love. Nevertheless, his relationship with EH probably is the closest thing to any real emotion, imho.
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Lixie
June 13, 2015 at 8:03 AM
I have plenty of complaints about logic of the leads but I feel the villain makes sense. :)
The real SEH was a tough girl, just watch her scenes with his family before, she was not only not scared, she was almost bored, she knew she was in on his plan and was his real love, she had all the trump cards. :)
He wouldn't have asked her to seduce him, she had already told Min Woo she wouldn't touch him, I imagine she would have many other ways to mess him up just like his stepmom. When things changed he had to improvise so he came up with this crazy idea.
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27 myhan
June 13, 2015 at 12:20 AM
So why some subbers named SeokHoon SukWon?. I was confused when watching, it takes me a bit to figure out. Reading recaps makes more sense. Can't wait for episode six. Thank you!
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:33 AM
@myhan
Yes, I was a little thrown by the different spelling in English. That's the case though with Korean names as it can have more than one sound or can take on different spelling(s) when romanised.
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28 growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 12:31 AM
Thanks so much LollyPip! I really liked your recap and the choice of screen shots, especially the very first one. It captures the beginnings of this couple's alliance outside of merely the contract, as they start to look out for each other.
There's so much to say, but many points have already been covered by other comments here, so I'll just say that the one part I did not understand is why Min Woo ordered Ji Sook out of the car. Can anyone shed more light on this?
And the part that I really like of this episode is that Ji Sook seems to have read into Min Woo's heart. She can see that he is good and that he will be happier making a decision that sits well with his heart and conscience... and so she shows her trust by telling him to do what he wants ie what his heart tells him to do. That was a defining moment in their relationship and in the show. I felt that Ji Sook had every right to be darn proud of her husband, because he made the right choice.
That success with the mayor and with the construction of the shopping mall can really be accredited almost entirely to Min Woo, but maybe that added trust of his wife made that good decision all the clearer and all the easier to make.
I'm a sucker for love stories where unwilling spouses fall in love with each other. It's just ultra sweet and super right in every feeling... and probably truer to life than we may know. :)
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Giegie
June 13, 2015 at 4:34 AM
@GB
Maybe because he got annoyed with her talking about understanding the people in the marketplace when what he wanted was to get rid of them. He also told her they're business partners only and that there's no need for them to be together if they don't need each other.
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 5:24 AM
Thanks @ Giegie...
So basically he was annoyed that she was thinking about those people and because of her, he got hurt... one thing led to another and he ended up leaving her on the roadside? Bit of a tantrum, I feel! :)
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wackycashew
June 13, 2015 at 5:39 AM
@GB:
I think he was getting annoyed for several reasons. First, he's having a hard time believing what is happening because Eunha supposedly cares more about money than people. So, for her to show care towards these merchants was like putting on a front to Minwoo, which disgusts him--he'd rather for her to be her "real" self instead of pretending to be kind. This has been occurring a few times now because Minwoo can't wrap his head around why Eunha is so nice when she was nothing of the sort before. This was simply a political marriage based on mutual gain; hence, business partners.
Also, he thought she might have plotted this to see him fail. If the merchants get riled up, his business plan will fall through, he won't be appointed as director, and Seukhoon will get to take over the project. So, her actions led him to believe that she was collaborating with outsiders to bring him down. That's why he felt hurt and bewildered.
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 7:17 AM
Thanks @Lisa!
A good and thorough explanation! I re-watched bits and realized that I had noticed him challenging her about her real self and how he was disgusted by falseness/pretense.
I guess he's at that stage where he cannot really believe her because she is different from what Eun Ha was like, and yet, he is attracted to this version of Eun Ha. :)
Off topic: I was wondering if you'd like to take part in our Healer poll... anyone can vote...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DRKl7PBJqamTAJvwskoHTDr-tMoJ9oHrdjaHhxK4wPA/viewform?usp=send_form
Everyone is also invited to our virtual online Ji Chang Wook birthday bash on July 5th, 2015 at http://www.dramabeans.com/healer-episode-20-final
:)
Chandler
June 13, 2015 at 12:04 PM
@GB
"I guess he’s at that stage where he cannot really believe her because she is different from what Eun Ha was like, and yet, he is attracted to this version of Eun Ha."
-Actually this is probably my favorite thing about this drama. It took a trope I usually hate, doppelgängers, and actually executed it in a fresh way I enjoy. That is, instead of having the first lead having a lover that dies, and then having him fall for the girl that looks just like her (I hate these storylines with a passion!!), he doesn't like Eun-ha at all and now has to grapple with this attraction he's beginning to feel for this woman he had no attention of ever letting in or trusting. It's so much more compelling and lovely to watch than the usual doppelgänger storylines!
growingbeautifully
June 14, 2015 at 4:19 AM
Hi @Chandler
Until you put it that way, it did not occur to me. Yes, I am bored of tropes, but this one has been turned on its head and makes the story fresh and exciting! Definitely compelling to me. :)
Odessa Jones
June 13, 2015 at 8:56 PM
Omo, GB, that Healer poll brings back so many good memories from that show! XD
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growingbeautifully
June 14, 2015 at 4:17 AM
Glad you liked it @Odessa Jones. We had heaps of fun re-watching and coming up with all those categories... and we feel we left out more that we could have added!!!
Remember everyone is also invited to the virtual birthday party for Ji Chang Wook... there'll be virtual food, cakes and sweets and lots to drink!!! LOL!
29 Tina Can
June 13, 2015 at 12:43 AM
I kept replaying the scene where MW carried JS from the couch to the bed. Totally sweet, gentle, vulnerable, and intimate - I swoon every time. The background music was grand, too!
To me, that scene depicted all of who MW is now, and transforming into, as a man: He is alone, lonely, "in the dark" (wee bit crazy), and unloved. He carries the woman, whom he had initially assigned to be distant from him (couch symbol), to his personal space (bed symbol), a preview to his complete physical and emotional opening. He’s no longer alone; he has someone to love.
The ending in Ep 6 makes total sense. Weeee!!!
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growingbeautifully
June 13, 2015 at 1:03 AM
@ Tina Can
Ahhh the feels!!! Good point about him bringing her into his personal space - physical opening up that reflects the emotional opening up, that's true... and now we want the intellectual opening up as well so that trust is more complete. :)
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Tina Can
June 14, 2015 at 1:26 AM
Thanks, Growingbeautifully!
It's so beautiful watching a love grow, and grow strong - and even when it falters sometimes, only for love to grow stronger again... when you mentioned "completing the trust", I got excited what circumstances the show will throw at MW & JS, and how they will respond to these, until they know that they can trust each other.
Yes, the feels!!!! :-)
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growingbeautifully
June 14, 2015 at 4:20 AM
+10 :)
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sonia
June 13, 2015 at 3:52 AM
Great post +1
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Tina Can
June 14, 2015 at 1:12 AM
Thanks, Sonia!
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30 merrym
June 13, 2015 at 1:28 AM
I love how Mask gives us those unexpected scenes of spark and insight. When a man and woman find themselves stuck together, well, they either begin to rub off on each other or break apart. Min Woo is by far the best character in terms of acting and complexity. Ji Sook needs to get 'into her role' as a chaebol wife and stop with the deer-in-headlights persona. I really just love this drama, basically and I'm looking forward to more great recaps!
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31 sonia
June 13, 2015 at 3:51 AM
I died when Min Woo carried Ji Sook to his bed wonderful scene <3 this drama is the best
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Tina Can
June 14, 2015 at 1:33 AM
@ sonia
Me, too. I have that big smile every time I watch that scene, and I always end up happier than I was. Life is beautiful :-)
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32 crazykgirl
June 13, 2015 at 4:19 AM
Seok-Hoon is so deliciously evil yet smokin hot at the same time!! He and Ji Sook have so much sexual tension that I can't help but root for them to TOGETHER though it will never happen hahahaha anyone else feel the same as me???
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Giegie
June 13, 2015 at 4:39 AM
Me too. I'm torn between our two heroes but like you said it will never happen, that's why I really want to see Eun-ha's & Seok-hoon's back story. I want to see their love story at least.
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33 myhan
June 13, 2015 at 4:26 AM
isn't that scene is often seen in kdramas? Perhaps it wasn't done by JiHoon? Haha
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34 blue
June 13, 2015 at 5:08 AM
the think that really irritate me the most about drama's that centers on the main lead taking the place of another is the fact that they think we want to see ji-sook dressed as eun-ha... i want to see eun-ha infused with a little of ji-sook.
its impossible that nobody has questioned her change in behavior and that scene with her brother was infuriating to watch, not once did she put on the mask or be convincing enough for him to have doubts.
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35 blue
June 13, 2015 at 5:12 AM
Seok-Hoon is done too over the top, would have been more fun if he was just introduced as eun-ha's lover and made to belief that his motivation for the switch was out of grief or some misguided notion of keeping her alive, but only later learn of his greet.
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36 Chandler
June 13, 2015 at 7:52 AM
Oh, I'm obsessed. I....am so surprised that I'm so obsessed. I mean, this is a melo. Sure I've liked melos before, but those dramas are usually also heartwarming comedies and aren't as convoluted as melodramas like this one. I think that's actually a huge part of why I'm so in love with this drama because the setup is SO twisted that the laugh-out-loud funny moments and sweet, heartwarming ones are all the more surprising and wonderful when they come. There's just something about the tone of this drama that hits all the right notes for me!
Soo Ae is wonderful here and I love her character's strength. I know that she perhaps didn't display quite as much strength in these recent episodes, but I actually thought that her acting this way made sense because the reality of her situation is only just beginning to dawn on her. She hasn't yet gotten used to the fact that she has some power as Seo Eun-ha and, even more than that, she's not even certain she can see her decision to take her place through.
But I think this is only the beginning and that we saw an example this episode of how Seok-hoon using Ji-sook in order to take down Min-woo simply isn't going to work...because she's the very one who is already steering Min-woo in the right direction. It really makes me wonder what role Eun-ha would have played in his plot and how exactly she would have dealt with Min-woo. Would capturing his heart be part of the plan like it is with Ji-sook? Because she certainly didn't seem like she was gearing up to play the role of devoted wife.
I adore Min-woo's character and everything he's struggling with just gets me right in the heart. As someone who has a brother dealing with paranoia, hearing voices etc., the prospect of someone giving out shady meds and gaslighting horrifies me and I can't wait for both him and Ji-sook to heal each other's hearts.
AND how much do I love that Joo Ji-hoon is getting a chance to display his comedic acting?! He is so hilarious!
Anyway, I haven't felt this way since Healer. I literally can't wait for the next episode. Thanks for the recaps!
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Odessa Jones
June 13, 2015 at 9:21 PM
I don't know how this writer does it, but I'm also totally drawn in. I think as crazy as the characters are, the writer really understands what's going on in their heads. It's over-the-top, but makes sense somehow. Each person here is controlled by their emotions, not their reason. But they act consistent with those emotions. I find myself tuning in to see what twisted thing will happen next (like I did with Secret, the writer's last drama).
I'm so glad you mentioned the gaslighting, because that's the creepiest and most interesting part of the story so far. Min-Woo is looking better now, but a couple episodes ago he was a total mess. Even when he was a mess and a jerk, though, I felt so sorry for him. I didn't expect the mental illness part of the plot--and I really, really hope we find out more.
My theory: Min-Woo has probably been taking medication for depression and anxiety for a long time, thanks partly to the stress of his mom's death and living with horrible people. But then it seems like the brother-in-law has replaced his anti-anxiety meds with something else, because hasn't he had hallucinations after taking them? And then that roofie in his wine at the swimming pool? YIkes! Somewhere behind Evil Brother-in-Law, there must be a really talented Evil Pharmacist!
I can understand why Min-Woo can fall victim to the power of suggestion and believe he attacked Eun-Ha, because when we meet him in the first couple episodes, his mind is really a mess. Fighting, Min Woo!
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37 Miley
June 13, 2015 at 11:07 AM
I love this drama and I'm so hook on it !Can't wait for More episodes to come .I love Joo Ji Hoon performance here. Never like Soo Ae but I'm loving her on how she portrays her character here.
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38 Alicia A
June 13, 2015 at 11:25 AM
Thanks for the recaps and comments. I enjoyed reading them and look forward to every one of them after an episode is released.
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39 ngy
July 18, 2015 at 11:53 PM
Now I realise the magnitude of Su Ae the actress; she brings up the male leads.
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