Uncontrollably Fond: Episode 20 (Final)

221 September 8, 2016September 8, 2016

by LollyPip

It’s not how a person dies that defines their life, but how they lived. We can all choose to live with anger and resentment, or to rise above and focus on the people we love. Life isn’t about revenge or bitterness — it’s whether you leave the world with more love in it than than when you found it that is a person’s true legacy to those they leave behind.

FINAL EPISODE RECAP

Joon-young carries Eul all the way to the hospital, where he dumps her on a bed and harshly asks the doctors to kill her, since she says she wants to die. He stalks to the hallway angrily to wait while Eul is examined, and he looks through the pictures on her phone. He finds a video that she recorded when he forgot about her and she was left alone at the cabin.

She’d pretended to be filming an interview of herself, and said that she wasn’t worried about Joon-young disappearing. Even if he were to collapse, someone would be there to help him, because the whole country loves him.

Eul says that she’s good at waiting, but her voice shakes as she adds that what she’s most scared of is that one day, she may not have to wait anymore. “I might wake up one day, and Joon-young might no longer be part of this world.” Joon-young’s eyes fill up with tears as he watches Eul cry on the video.

So his mood is softer when he goes back in Eul, brushing her hair aside and telling her that the doctor is too busy to kill her today. Since she’s only got mild gastric inflammation, she’s released.

As they walk back to the cabin, Joon-young gives Eul his scarf and coat, while she stands there numbly. He smiles and kneels to piggyback her, but her face remains blank and she walks past him.

Joon-young watches Eul walking away, then turns to face the ocean and screams, “Let me live! I don’t want to die — let me live!”

Eul turns back to him, and Joon-young continues, asking who will take care of his mother if he dies. He cries out that he’s never been a good son, and only broke his mother’s heart. He’s fighting tears, and he says that he can’t die like this, with so much he still wants to do.

He continues, saying that all the people he loves are here now: “We’re only just about to be happy. Why do I have to die now? I don’t want to die. I want to live. Let me live… I’m scared…”

At that Eul runs to Joon-young, and throws her arms around his neck. She apologizes over and over, unable to do anything else to console him.

The video of Jung-eun’s confession is aired, and the whole country is rocked by the news that two politicians covered up a hit-and-run death. Jung-eun’s face is blurred, but the media is swift to identify the parties involved.

Ji-tae’s mother fumes to hear that the case will be reopened, and watches as Assemblyman Choi arrives at the police station. He faces a flock of reporters, and promises to answer all of their questions truthfully.

Ajusshi checks on Joon-young’s mom as she’s washing dishes, and he tells her that Assemblyman Choi approved the release of the video personally. He admits that Choi had a shred of decency after all, but Mom doesn’t acknowledge him.

Assemblyman Choi tells the police every single detail about his involvement in the cover-up, even admitting that he demoted the prosecutor who refused to participate. He confesses that he did all this in return for Assemblyman Yoon’s promise to support his political advancement.

Jung-eun leaves for the airport, yelling to her father over the phone that he promised he’d take care of this for her. She shrieks that she always did what he told her to do, asking what she did that was so wrong. Really, you still don’t know? The police catch her before she gets in the car, and Jung-eun is arrested.

Jik cries over the phone to Eul, asking if their father can rest in peace now. After their talk, Joon-young asks her why she gave Assemblyman Choi the video. At first Eul lies that she didn’t and he must have stolen it, but Joon-young accuses Eul of never intending to air it.

At Joon-young’s stern glare, Eul admits that she gave Choi the video because she didn’t need it anymore. She says that it was enough for her that they found her father’s killer, but Joon-young argues that the guilty parties might have gotten away with it, and thought that what they did was okay.

Eul reminds Joon-young that Assemblyman Choi did turn in the video and take responsibility. She parrots Joon-young’s words, saying that this is the world she wants to believe in.

They’re interrupted by the delivery of a dog house, which Eul says is so that Pororo can come live with them. Joon-young looks touched when she says that she’ll just take allergy medicine, and they settle down to paint a sign for the doghouse.

Eul paints Joon-young’s nose green, and he returns the favor, and soon they’re chasing each other around the house laughing and being silly. Joon-young narrates that that night, Eul woke him up to tell him how she plans to live without him — not with heavy ideals like justice and convictions, but with simple common sense. She just wants to live in a way that doesn’t embarrass her father, Jik, or Joon-young.

Eul runs upstairs, but she grows concerned when Joon-young doesn’t follow. She goes back down but he’s nowhere to be seen. Is he having another regression? Oh thank goodness, he’s just playing with her, and he grabs her in a back hug.

Eul isn’t amused, and Joon-young turns her to face him. He holds her face and kisses her, slow and gentle.

Joon-young continues narrating that when Eul fell asleep, he received a text from his father. It’s an echo of Joon-young’s words to him, when a disillusioned Joon-young said he’d be ashamed of his father for the rest of his life. This time, Assemblyman Choi had written that he would take pride and joy in the fact that he’s Joon-young’s father, until the day he dies.

Ji-tae’s mother is furious when Assemblyman Choi arrives home and tells her that he won’t be appealing any of his charges. He says that Ji-tae was right, that they’ve become monsters, and he begs his wife to stop.

Offended, she drops to banmal, and snarls that she made him what he is now. She says that he was in the gutter when she found him and transformed him. Ji-tae walks in to hear her ask if her husband wants to go back to where he came from, poor and powerless.

She even accuses Choi of letting his own mother die when she needed a new heart, and he wasn’t able to stop stronger, richer people from cutting ahead on the transplant list. She reminds him that he’d he wanted power so that he’d never have to lose to anyone else again.

Her words are cold and angry as she asks if he wants to go back to those days, saying that he has to pay the price if he wants to keep his powerful position. She turns to Ji-tae as she spits that to protect her husband, she even manufactured Ji-tae’s car accident.

Ji-tae is too shocked to speak, and his mother tells Assemblyman Choi to get out of her house and go back to the gutter. She storms out of the room, and Ji-tae tells Choi that he no longer has to keep his promise to stay with her.

Ji-tae says that he’ll be the one to take care of her the rest of his life, but Choi answers that she’s his wife, and the mother of his children. He promises to stay, even if it’s worse than living in the gutter, and the two men smile tearfully at each other.

Jik finds Haru hovering outside his workplace, and they go for a walk. They point out each other’s pimples, guessing that they’ve been having a hard time. Haru gives Jik a kiss on the forehead, then asks if he hated it.

Jik says that he didn’t hate it — it made his heart pound. Haru says that she knows Jik lied about being gay, and that he did it because of her father. She hands her phone to Jik and asks him to give her his number again, though she promises not to call or see him again.

She says that she wants it for later, so that if she ever finds a man as good as Jik, she can call him. Jik enters his number and says to call him then, and he’ll answer.

Eul speaks to a vendor on the phone in broken English, angry that a blender she ordered has never arrived. She can’t understand what the vendor is saying, but she turns to find Ji-tae behind her, offering to handle the call on her behalf.

Ji-tae asks where Joon-young is, and Eul hesitates. Before she can explain, Joon-young walks right past them with barely a nod to Ji-tae, no recognition in his eyes. Eul explains that in the last week, Joon-young has started forgetting people, even her. Today he doesn’t even remember who he is, and she’s told him that she’s a live-in helper so he wouldn’t be upset.

Ji-tae follows Joon-young out to a nearby pier. Joon-young finally turns and asks if Ji-tae knows him, and when Ji-tae says they know each other well, Joon-young innocently asks what he was like before.

Ji-tae is honest, and tells Joon-young that he was a self-important jerk. He says that Joon-young would say hurtful things, and always thought he was right. Miffed, Joon-young tells Ji-tae to stop, but Ji-tae continues that although he was rude and hurtful, he was always right.

He says that Joon-young did crazy things that made cowards like him feel small and ashamed. Joon-young asks if that’s a compliment, and Ji-tae says that it is, which makes Joon-young laugh.

He asks if they were friends, but Ji-tae says they weren’t, that he hated Joon-young a lot, and that he wished Joon-young would disappear. But he adds with a smile, “Let’s meet again next time. I’ll treat you really well then. Like a real hyung, I’ll cherish you, and love you.”

Joon-young says to forget it, and walks away sneering that Ji-tae is weird. Ha. Ji-tae watches him go with a tearful smile. And from a short distance away, Eul watches them both.

Ajusshi finds Joon-young’s mother in the kitchen washing dishes, and without a word, he slips a ring on her finger. He says he found it and she gives it right back, saying that she’s not a beggar. So he admits that he bought it for her and puts it back on, but this time she throws it onto the floor.

She tells Ajusshi to give it to his girlfriend, and he snaps back that she’s his girlfriend. He finally tells Mom that he likes her, and she calls him crazy and tells him to get out. Ajusshi just puts the ring back on her finger a third time, then gets up to go.

Mom stands and throws a pan of water at his back, and screams that he’s crazy. She sobs that her son is dying, but Ajusshi calmly says for her to wear the ring when she goes to see Joon-young, and show it to him. Mom pounds on his chest, asking how he could do this right now.

Ajusshi tells her that Joon-young asked him to take care of her, so she should go show him the ring and say that she’ll be fine without him. He says that he knows she avoids her son because she feels guilty, but she’s his mother, so she has no reason to feel guilty. He tells her to go see Joon-young before it’s too late, and Mom sinks to the floor crying.

Ji-tae visits Jung-eun in jail, and she tells him that she’ll be released soon, still completely unrepentant. She even threatens to get revenge, saying that her father intends to crush his whole family. She’ll have Assemblyman Choi destroyed so badly he can never recover.

She asks why Ji-tae isn’t lecturing her like usual, but he just says, “If I say there was ever a time I’d felt something for you, will you believe me?” He’d even entertained the thought that having her for a girlfriend might have made life fun and happy.

As he explains, Jung-eun remembers their first meeting, when Ji-tae had been looking for an essay tutor and was shocked to have her show up. She had assured him that she didn’t pull strings to get this position, but interviewed properly with his mother and earned this spot.

She’d talked about how smart and talented she is, saying that she was trying to impress him. She’d said that she’d liked him for eight years, and he’d been adorably flustered.

But now Ji-tae looks at Jung-eun with an impassive face, and says that he’d rather she stay in jail and do her time. If she does, he promises to wait: “If you can be recovered, if there is so much as a speck of dust’s worth of hope, I’ll be at your side.”

Jung-eun cries, but when Ji-tae promises to visit her again she yells at him to never come back.

Joon-young’s mom goes to see him at the cabin, but he doesn’t recognize her, and her presence seems to make him nervous. She manages to hold back her tears and says that she’s here to see Eul, so Joon-young invites her in.

Hearing that Eul messed up an attempt to cook spicy beef soup, Mom cooks for Joon-young while he watches from a wary distance. Then she invites him to taste it, and he accepts happily. Eul comes home and sees them, then goes to the upstairs balcony to give them privacy.

Joon-young tastes the soup and pronounces it delicious, while his mother doesn’t take her eyes off his face. He says carelessly that it tastes just like his mother’s soup, then he freezes. Mom thinks the soup is bad and reaches to take the bowl, but Joon-young clutches her hand tightly. He looks up with tears in his eyes, and apologizes for not recognizing her.

Joon-young washes his face then rejoins his mother, back to himself again. He tells her that she looks pretty with his old cheeky grin, and she admits that her earrings and outfit are gifts from Gook-young and Man-ok. She shows him the ring from Ajusshi, telling Joon-young that he proposed, and Joon-young happily congratulates her.

Mom says that now she’ll have two sweet stepchildren in Gook-young and Man-ok, and Joon-young says ruefully that he was a bad son. Mom says that he was a good son when he was little, that he always slept and ate well, and never got sick or cried. She adds that every time he looked at her, he smiled.

Joon-young goes with it, allowing her to think he was a great son. Then he grows serious and says that he doesn’t want her to think that he didn’t do the best he could. He says that he always lived hard, and that if he had it to do over again, he couldn’t do better. But he still feels sorry towards her.

As Joon-young apologizes, tears stream down his face. Mom tells him to visit her whenever he misses her, and that when the flowers bloom and the wind blows, she’ll think that he’s there. Even when it rains or snows, she’ll think that he came by.

She softly thanks Joon-young for being her son, and Joon-young says through his tears that it was a great honor to have her as his mother.

Ji-tae holds a press conference, revealing that the tax audit revealed that KJ Group has many issues to repair. He announces that both his and his mother’s resignations, then he looks over to see Assemblyman Choi watching him, smiling proudly.

Assemblyman Choi leaves, and his assistant runs over to tell him that a warrant has been issued for his arrest. But Choi looks unconcerned, and just asks his assistant to find him a good beef soup restaurant nearby.

That night Joon-young catches Eul taking selcas to send to Jik, and he sits to join her. They don’t have any pictures of them together, so Joon-young takes several, teasing that his good looks are wasted on her, hee.

Later they sit on the patio, and Eul notices that Joon-young seems tired. She offers to let him rest on her shoulder, and he complains that she’ll just wake him up to play. Eul promises that she won’t, and Joon-young lays his head on her shoulder and closes his eyes.

Eul immediately asks if he’s asleep, and he says yes. She asks again a second later, and he says not yet. Eul asks if she’s really not pretty, and Joon-young answers sleepily that she’s so pretty he can hardly look at her.

A short while later, Eul asks again if Joon-young is sleeping, and this time there’s no answer. Oh no. Eul seems to stiffen, heart in her throat as she asks if he’s really sleeping.

Then she says she won’t force him to answer, or wake him to play with her. She says that he’s had a really long day, so he can forget about his mother, his father, and even her. “Don’t think about anything, just sleep. Thank you, Joon-young-ah. See you tomorrow.”

Eul looks up, tears in her eyes, and a shooting star streaks across the sky.

It’s some time later, and spring is in full bloom. Gook-young and Man-ok (who have thankfully gotten better haircuts) are cleaning out Joon-young’s house, and Gook-young stops to marvel at the new leaves on a tree that Joon-young thought was dead.

He sneaks off to take a call from Na-ri, who calls him Oppa and asks if they can go to dinner tonight after they see a movie. Aww, there really is a lid for every pot.

President Namgoong calls them inside to watch a video that he found of Joon-young. It’s the video he made after he found out about his illness, and learned that he didn’t have long to live. He says that he was shocked at first, but then he realized that everyone dies.

Joon-young “What worries me the most is that the people I love might think I was unhappy. I was truly happy. I lived a warm life and couldn’t have asked for more. It could even be that knowing that my time is limited helped reveal my true feelings, and gave me courage. It may even be my final blessing.

“Yesterday marked the end of the three months the doctor gave me. When you find this and watch the video, am I still alive? And my love Eul, how is she living now?”

Eul harasses her work sunbae about some videos regarding doctors taking bribes that she’s been working on for months. He agrees that they shouldn’t cover it up, but then he hands her a fat wad of cash and asks her to turn a blind eye just this once.

Eul does allow that she had a lot of expenses, and gasps when he shows her the key to his new car. Then she points out the camera in the ceiling and tells him to wave, ha. Thanks to him, she can add “bribing the media” to the offenders’ list of charges.

She heads to the bus stop, where there’s a poster of Joon-young with flowers and a giant smile that says, “You have done well today.” Eul smiles back at the poster, and says, “Right? I did really well today, didn’t I?”

She gives Joon-young’s picture a sweet little kiss, and stands back to smile. “See you tomorrow, Joon-young-ah.”

COMMENTS

Overall, I’ve really enjoyed Uncontrollably Fond despite the criticism it’s attracted. In my opinion it was an interesting story with real, flawed characters, and it made me feel a lot of things. Yes, many of those feelings were frustration, annoyance, and sometimes even anger, but any of those is better than a show that makes you feel nothing. I was especially impressed by the acting, in particular Kim Woo-bin’s portrayal of Joon-young. He showed more nuance and subtlety than in any his previous roles, and I’ve seen literally every drama he’s done since White Christmas. Im Joo-hwan and Im Joo-eun turned in their usual stellar performances, and I even thought Suzy was better here than I’ve ever seen her.

I was really happy with the way Joon-young’s death was handled, with such simple beauty and dignity. I’ve known from early on that there was really only one way this show could end, but I was dreading a big dramatic death scene with lot of tears and wailing. So I loved that his passing was gentle and easy, just falling asleep next to the girl he’s always loved. It reinforces that Joon-young was more than just how he died — he was the sum of his life, and the way he left this world was only a small part of that. Regardless of whether the choices he made were right or wrong, whether he was sometimes a jerk and made people hate him, he always tried to do what was right. And he always loved fully and without reservation, even when the ones he loved weren’t ready to love him back. He never let that stop him, and always loved with his whole heart wide open.

I thought that Assemblyman Choi was possibly one of the best antagonists I’ve seen in a drama, because he was much closer to what corrupt people look like in real life. They aren’t mustache-twirling cape-swirling villains whose every action is designed to bring down the pure-as-snow hero. True villains can be good fathers, loyal husbands, and they can even convince themselves that their evil actions are for the greater good. It’s what makes truly evil people so frightening — they’re often convinced that they’re doing what’s right. Assemblyman Choi had a lot of good qualities, and I have all the admiration for Yoo Oh-sung, who showed both sides of Choi’s personality with great skill. And at the end of the day, knowing what a deeply good man his son was, and what he missed out on by refusing to be in his life, was enough for him to make the decision to be a better person. I’m happy that he got a chance to tell Joon-young that he would be proud to remember him as his son.

For that matter, I think that’s one of the things that this drama did very right — it never painted any of its characters into any tropes, never pigeonholed them into “good” or “bad” roles. Jik and Ji-tae’s mother were the only characters who only embodied one side of the coin — everyone else could have gone either way at any given time. At times, I hated both Joon-young and Eul for their actions, and I sometimes even liked Assemblyman Choi and Jung-eun and felt they had the potential to be good people, if only they chose to.

I have particularly enjoyed watching Eul’s journey, because while I didn’t understand her decisions a lot of the time, what’s important is that she never lived her life for anyone but herself. She always stood up for her convictions, and when she loved someone she was loyal to a fault. I loved how her relationship with Joon-young taught her that things like justice and conscience are good ideas, but that what gets us through the day is simple common sense. Just do the best you can at any given moment, and the rest will take care of itself.

Though Uncontrollably Fond had a lot of issues throughout its run, I was always caught up in the story, and was deeply invested in Joon-young and Eul’s romance. They were the very definition of star-crossed lovers, who fell in love early in their lives but just couldn’t ever connect. It took a terminal illness to make them let go of the past and just love each other without any burdens or lingering resentments, but though their time together was short, Joon-young was able to end his life exactly where he wanted to be — with the woman he loves, who loves him in return. In the end, it’s all any of us could possibly hope for.

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51 uncontrollably sad rn

September 9, 2016 at 4:30 AM

From all the complaints and negative comments I've heard about this show, I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for me, personally, I genuinely loved it so, so much, and as crazy as it sounds, I want to go back to the start and re-watch the entire series ? Just felt like I had to leave a comment here in solidarity with those who did enjoy it (you're not alone, haha).

For me, I loved the fact that most of the characters were really interesting, complex, flawed people; I loved the cinematography and sometimes the editing as well, I thought this drama was beautifully shot. Also, this is the first drama I've seen of either KWB or Suzy and I have to say, I'm impressed by both of their acting plus their really cute chemistry. The number of times they both made me cry... My eyes are red right now from all the weeping I did watching ep 20 ㅠㅠ

I have to say that as depressing as Joon-young dying is, I think the ending felt right. Eul grew so much as a character, I felt so proud of her at the end, and Joon-young got to spend his last days with the people whom he loves most. KWB really killed this role for me and now I'm a huge fan of his, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of his work. Yes, the show might not have lived up to expectations ratings-wise, but he got to show off his acting chops so I think we should all be grateful to have gotten to see such an amazing performance from him in UF.

What more can I say? I'll miss UF, thanks for brightening up (but also making me weep, haha) my mid-week ?

Thank you LollyPip for sticking with this show and providing so much insight into every episode ?

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52 AnyDramaWillDo

September 9, 2016 at 5:10 AM

I am sad to say goodbye to this show and these characters. Even though there were many times that I was frustrated with the characters and did not fully understand their actions, I came to appreciate the fact that the writer had created the characters to be complex instead of one-dimensional tropes. Episode 20 gave the characters the chance to show the core of their characters and I was relieved that most of them were redeemed in some way (often because of the influence Shin Joon Young had on their lives). I also was touched by the fact that Shin Joon Young left a strong, loving legacy for the people he loved, but that they are living their lives without him. They may miss him, but they are still OK.

There were definitely some gaping plot holes that were really frustrating. Why did Assembleyman Choi seem to be surprised when he learned Shin Joon Young was the son of the love of his life and then say that he left knowing she was pregnant? Both can't be true, but both seemed true when he said them and that was never resolved for me and really impacted how I saw Shin Joon Young's father. There were also a couple of scenes with Jung Eun's father that went nowhere. At one point when Shin Joon Young was wooing Jung Eun he said that he would speak to her father, but didn't. Later, he sent a car for No Eul, but the Assembleyman picked her up instead (was Jung Eun's father going to kill No Eul?). The drug charge against Shin Joon Young also seemed like a contrived plot device since it was resolved so quickly by his illness.

Still, I think the story held together well without some of the weird shifts in direction that sometimes happens with a live production drama. I may not have always understood wher the drama was going, but the story got me there in the end.

I definitely hope that Kim Woo Bin's next drama is a sweet romance, heavy on the cute!

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Chris

September 9, 2016 at 7:23 PM

I agree with your assessment. I was a little frustrated by the pacing at times but this turned into a very satisfying drama for me. I am going to miss seeing Shin Joon Young and No Eul. I found the ending moving and perfect in tone. I don't have any lingering criticism for the writer or Suzy. Suzy was luminous by the end. And Woo Bin was always interesting to watch for his acting and extraordinary looks. The story got to me and it lingers, similar to the effect of some of this writer's earlier work.

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53 purpleowl

September 9, 2016 at 5:15 AM

I'm way behind at episode 8. I can't read the post.

But congratulations, Lollypip, on another drama completed! I've liked your style for a long time but it was your approach to OMHE and Entertainer that made me a big fan of yours.

It feels like you've been posting a lot. So I went through your author tag and realized you've been writing every 1-4 days for over a year now. It's only that we're all starting to notice. Thanks for recaps for your shows, filling in, and catching up. Hwaiting!

P.S. I like the newest theory that your dogs are writing and you're doing the screencaps ?.

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54 anne

September 9, 2016 at 5:50 AM

can someone translate the text towards the end of episode 20? right after Noh Eul kissed Joon Young's picture...

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Holly

September 9, 2016 at 6:02 AM

Look further up in the comments. Someone else also asked that question and someone graciously answered. Nice, because I couldn't read it either! ☺

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Rooting for this drama

September 9, 2016 at 6:08 AM

Yeah, it's is explained by:

Toast

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55 aweebit

September 9, 2016 at 7:03 AM

Thank you Lollypop for recapping this. I have waited to watch the last half because I couldn't hack it emotionally. I thought that I could read your recaps and be prepared for the end THEN watch, but I cried too much even reading your recaps, so I'm going to have to think about that. Very well done.

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56 nids

September 9, 2016 at 7:21 AM

Kin woo bin.....i love your acting skills and iam a big fan but this drama was very.........sad......due to the lack of finding anything more strong.....the story was nice and all but from the trailers i was never prepared this to be a tragic drama. The forst shock for me was in the first episode when i realized that the main lead might die in this.
However i continued and watched it till episode 5 as it was a bit fun and games till then but then things started to get serious and then downright ugly with the turn of events. When i say ugly i dont mean the acting or the story just it was all too sad.
Iam personally not a fan of tragic dramas and which is why iam very thankful to dramabeans for the subs because while i wanted to know how this drama went i really did not wanted to see the actual story being played out. I know i would have cried my heart out with every episode and i hate crying and avoid it if i can.
Looking forward to another series from my fav leads with a bit of lightheartedness.

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57 houstontwin

September 9, 2016 at 7:39 AM

LollyPip, you make such a good point about the complexity of evil people! I think that most human beings have the capacity for great good and great evil. Maybe Dad started out as an idealist. Just in the final episode, we find out how his mother died because they were poor and someone rich took his mother's place on the transplant list. After that, Dad lost his way.
It is great to see him own up to his mistakes and take responsibility in the end. If only the real world were like dramaland.

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58 buhnae

September 9, 2016 at 7:46 AM

well to be honest, UF was a rollercoaster for me. I felt feelings that I've never felt before. The ending was so different from what I initially thought, the peaceful way he crossed over was heartwarming. I don't think I will ever forget this drama despite its bad ratings. Shin Junyoung made me to fall in love with Kim Woobin

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59 kissmeKWB

September 9, 2016 at 9:42 AM

kwb!

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60 lollypop

September 9, 2016 at 9:48 AM

pls, did joon young die in eul's shoulder? And why did she say see you tomorrow? its really confusing cuz I didn't get to watch it here in Nigeria #kdrama'sbiggestnigerianfan

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nchoe

September 9, 2016 at 3:12 PM

Yes he did. But NE was in denial mode. She said she wouldn't wake him up, when in fact, she knew SJY could no longer open his eyes anymore.

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61 yi pi

September 9, 2016 at 9:58 AM

Its kind of an odd state for Eul to be in now that the person she loved is dead.

I think its safe to say he is/was the romantic love of her life, right? So, does she remain single the rest of her life? Is it fair to get involved with another man, knowing they have no chance of being the romantic love of her life?

Who wants to be second fiddle? I mean, if he were to come back to life, or if they meet up in the next life - she would run to him, not any future guy (even if she married and had children with the future guy.....)

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62 Woobin

September 9, 2016 at 10:00 AM

Damn it was a great drama.
Ms lee aka Witch was evil till the end U_u hate her!!!

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63 garconaloud

September 9, 2016 at 10:36 AM

I loved this drama completely from start to finish. Does that mean moment to moment? Of course not. But overall, the story was classic melodrama for the ways it showed how class and other issues affected the lives of our protagonists who are generally good people in the face of corruption. It used characters who always had good intentions in the face of the injustice that was their lives and strived for the best. I never understood the criticism of No Eul's character as being confusing. She started out the drama in a position of completely desperation due to her financial situation and over time, didn't learn justice (she had always wanted justice) but learned to properly stand up for herself and not accept that things were out of her control but attempt to change them anyways. The early episodes showed how hard she had worked to support her brother, honour her father and had fought to bring justice to his case. But it seems she needed help in the end from Joon-young and that their love and their pure-hearted nature allowed for some justice to be found in the world. And about Suzy's acting, I thought it was some of the best I've seen this year. For me, she created a fully realized and complex character. And one of my favorite aspects of her character is that her motivations were not always obvious nor were her reactions. Isn't that what everybody loved about Woo-bin's performance? That he didn't always make sense or make us like him but that he portrayed the complexities of this human being and for me, Suzy did the same. It seems that within the response to dramas on here, women are only allowed to have simple emotions and reactions to the male characters or have to have outwardly showy emotions (but not too showy as Hwang Jung-eum is constantly told) to be respected as actresses yet male actors are constantly praised for playing dense and unlikeable characters. But even if my tastes don't seem to align with the consensus, I'm glad that this drama was able to bring a beautiful and emotional tale to my life.

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64 Nutini

September 9, 2016 at 11:22 AM

Haven't watched the drama but seeing those screenshots of sick Woobin and reading the recaps and comments made me teary

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65 rosy

September 9, 2016 at 11:49 AM

And the first thing that came to mind after seeing this was " thank God its over".
I swear I love the cast and the role each play but the way they act is just way over my head or should I say they are not easy to understand,so again I say finally,its uncontrollably over

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66 patinalee

September 9, 2016 at 1:50 PM

Thank you, LollyPip for the recaps. And your insight. It was good to read.

This show has at often times been annoying, frustrating and bewildering, but the last two eps nicely wrapped it all up giving us a show to long remember.

Thank you Kim Woo Bin-sshi, for giving us a stellar performance, even though your char JY, has often been such a jerk. The display of your craft has been my pleasure to watch. I wish all the best for you.

Thank you also, to all the casts, especially Suzy in this last ep. Your acting may be wanting, but somehow, strangely, you're always endearing.

And thank you to the actress playing the Mdm Lee char. That was one loathsome, detestable char, but thankfully never annoying. No shrill voice, bulging eyes, sneering grimace but insidious evil behind a facade of genteelness and soft-spoken calm. That portrayal of evilness without making it annoying is appreciated. Ha ha...

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67 Sha

September 9, 2016 at 2:16 PM

Ep 19 and 20 is the best episode. The emotional and no regret message really do come across. I love the farewell part between JY and his mom. Just wish he would hug her. But one thing I don't get...Haru is JY die hard fan...and after knowibg he is dying and is her step brother from the same dad...why is there no scene of her seeing JY? Everyone else managed to have their goodbyes with JY, including Jik and Nari. Maybe it is just me who finds it odd...

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rainhana

September 9, 2016 at 4:07 PM

I wanted to see Haru's reaction to JY being her brother so badly, i anticipated it since the beginning. LKH, why did you ignore such an important scene, why??

also we didn't get to see what JY recorded of himslelf in the beginning of episode 14 waering that suit. i can only guess that he recorded that same clip more than once, and on different days, maybe even everyday 'til his last day. knowing he could be dead by any time. maybe the point of that scene was to merely show how he's moved passed the denial phase. but i still wanna see that clip :(

above all I'm wondering about when he recorded that last clip? I mean before going to that dream house with NE ? cuz it was filmed in his own house. but he passed away in the dream house ? k i think i just want to be happy with the slightest bit of hope that he lived passed the date his doctor had gave him, even if a few days but still spent more happy time with his loved ones.

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68 midwest mz

September 9, 2016 at 3:07 PM

I am not one given to tears, but felt so moved when his mother told him:

" . . . . that when the flowers bloom and the wind blows, she’ll think that he’s there. Even when it rains or snows, she’ll think that he came by."

Would I have strongly like for him and Eul to have married before his passing, yes. Would I have liked for Eul and his mother to have some 'departing' time together, I think so. But, the manner in which they depicted his passing was more than enough to satisfy, and was they way he should have gone. Just he and Eul in their own private world alone.

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69 Kjemi

September 9, 2016 at 3:38 PM

I have one question, in the last scene when suzy is smiling, some korean words apeared, Can your please tell what does it say?

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70 crappycaller

September 9, 2016 at 3:44 PM

I think Haru and Jik have great chemistry. They can have their own drama :) This drama has nice cinematography I think especially the scenes in snow and with the cherry blossoms. I also like the big house of JooYoung. How I wish they have shown Pororo with Eul while inside the new house that JooYoung built for them.

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rainhana

September 9, 2016 at 4:13 PM

I just wrote a comment stating what we should have but didn't get to see, and i'll add another to the list : NE taking care of Pororo.
How lovely it would be if they realese a clip or special episode including all this. just like how another ending clip for MLFTS was released after it finished airing.

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71 starryskyes

September 9, 2016 at 5:29 PM

I'm wearing sunglasses
My eyes aren't swollen at all
There aren't tears on my cheeks

augh augh
this episode was so freaking beautiful
they couldn't have ended it in a more poignant and meaningful way

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72 cheekbones

September 9, 2016 at 7:02 PM

So, of course, I cried a bucket when watching the episode. And cried again when reading the recap.

This is a beautiful show to look at. But in the end of the day, KWB's acting is what I would remember the most. I'm glad he's done a good job with his first lead role, and in a melo at that.

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73 markiela

September 9, 2016 at 9:38 PM

Aww! He died? He really died!?! I've been saving my patience to marathon this drama until it finished. But the ending now made me hesitant. I dont like a sad ending. ?

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74 dramaprincess

September 9, 2016 at 11:27 PM

Whatever bad things I have read about the story line, I still think it was an amazing, beautiful story with realistic characters and a million thumbs up for KWB's acting. I've never felt so much for a character before! Can someone get him an Oscar or something?

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75 Mys

September 10, 2016 at 12:28 AM

Everyone will have an opinion about this show, but surprisingly I found myself to be uncontrollably fond of this show. I know the negatives but somehow I found myself invested in the characters, the story, the acting. I was so engrossed that I didn't even mind watching it knowing for sure that the lead was going to die. It was an amazing journey for me, it was a show that made me feel and the only show that almost every episode had made me cry because of the angst in the story.

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76 Potato

September 10, 2016 at 2:26 AM

I ugly cried the whole episode!! I actually think the closure is really well done in Joon young story. I will be bawling for today but to know he had always been living well and done his best i will be able to move on. Joon young is the character that i will remember for a very long time. I think it might even change me a bit of how i see and live life. You will always have a place in a corner of my heart. Thankyou kim woobin you did a great job . Will look forward to your next project.

Beautiful story, great OST, well directed, great cast. Didnt expect myself to say this but Uncontrollably Fond, you will be missed.

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77 Sharon

September 10, 2016 at 6:18 AM

I loved KWB in this drama. He is a phenomenal Actor and I am now a bigger fan of his. I felt the ending was perfect for this couple even as I hoped against all odds that a "miracle" would save the character.

When he yelled that he wanted to live then, confessed that he was scared, it tore my heart out (that was a real emotion that a real person would have knowing that their life was ending soon) and I cried like he was a member of my own family who was leaving this world.

For me, UF was great! So glad I came along with KWB as he proved that he is not only capable of being the leading man, he is an excellent leading man. No doubt, he has earned future leading man roles based on the wonderful work he did here in UF. Ratings be damned. People should see this show.

My only issue at the end: his Mother. After finally saying all those beautiful words he had craved from his Mom, when he was crying at her words, why couldn't the Mom just hug him even once? Most Moms would have hugged their child (especially, their only child) whom they knew was going to die any day now? However, I loved that she finally did let him know that she loved him, was proud of him and that she would think of him always be it thru rain, snow, etc.

Your recaps always make me think and you always say things that I cannot seem to articulate clearly myself. Thank You.

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78 DrDrama

September 10, 2016 at 6:54 AM

I truly enjoyed this series. I was really hoping for this to suddenly cross over with Doctors (where they can literally cure anything), so that SJY could have recovered. :(

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79 Sula

September 10, 2016 at 7:11 AM

I thought the scene with his mom was very touching. But I still dislike her. When she threw the ring on the floor repeatedly, I kept wondering why ANYONE wants this woman. She cold and unloving. She ignores her son for 5 years, because she didn't like his career choice, even though he became wildly successful at it. Then she finds out he's dying and she ignores him again. And I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her because it's just too painful for her to see her dying son?

No. Just no. I hope that moment when she went to see him and he was so far gone he didn't recognize her haunts her for the rest of her life!

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80 Nissa

September 10, 2016 at 11:16 AM

Two last good satisfying episodes make it up for the eighteen not so good nor even satisfying episodes, i think.

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81 Dongsaeng killer

September 10, 2016 at 11:54 AM

I cried a bucket.... thanks do much for recapping and allowing us share in this beautiful story

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82 biankylikesalex

September 10, 2016 at 2:59 PM

I love Woobin since he was sporting that awful red hair which did tremendous things to his face. But I haven't seen this drama, I know he's been doing a terrific job, but how can I watch him die???

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83 Missing Pororo

September 10, 2016 at 6:01 PM

Thank you for recaps and comments :) This site is the best in terms of reviewing #UncontrollablyFond. Thank you.

In terms of the drama, maybe I'm just a few who felt satified with the whole (until the end). Eul's role really had a growth throughout this & at the same time Suzy also grew and improved as an actress. KWB also proved his worth as actor here. I also think that the whole cast really did a pretty good job. Suzy and KWB oozed so much chemistry even with just staring with each other but writer-nim didn't use it well.

I'm not a usual fan of melos and sometimes avoid it, but something in UF made me hook. And made me watch Kdramas again after years. I'm just sad that some didn't appreciate it's worth and instead bash it because of the usual fanwars, rom-coms and past-faced romance that quite popular nowadays.

This drama made me remember why I loved Kdramas in the past. UF is one of the dramas that I will never forget.

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84 Kania

September 11, 2016 at 6:23 AM

Never watched a single episode of this drama, got curious and read the finale recap. Oh crap... I'm in tears now. Beautifully written :)

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85 Florence

September 13, 2016 at 1:34 PM

Finally, I'm done watching UF. The ending was painfully good, mainly because of Kim Woo Bin who did an excellent job for portraying SJY. His scenes with his mother made me cry a lot. :( He deserves to be awarded. Perhaps the Daesang? Lol.

Kudos to all the actors, writers and PDnim of this show. It may have some flaws but I was satisfied with the ending. I kind of wish that Madam Lee would reprent from her sins and regret everything that she has done but yeah, I guess it didn't happen.

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86 rainhana

September 17, 2016 at 10:18 AM

Yeah. I miss UF.

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Rooting for this drama

September 17, 2016 at 3:08 PM

Playing games to beat my hangover. The current song, an instrumental, I listen to whilst playing sometimes is "Need Somebody", yeah a UF ost!!! Lol.

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87 Sadie

September 18, 2016 at 9:11 AM

I was so confused when people started criticizing Kim Woo Bin and Suzy's acting in Uncontrollably Fond. I'm not a friend of either of them, but I enjoyed every ounce of their acting and I didn't feel any sense of awkwardness.

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Sadie

September 18, 2016 at 9:11 AM

*Of course I'm not a friend of them LOL. I meant fan

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88 hague69

September 26, 2016 at 2:33 AM

I'm only up to ep 6 and have been struggling with whether to continue as I absolutely hate KWB's character. Bad acting, bad ratings and plot holes have never held me back from enjoying a drama but I struggle with deceitful, arrogant and downright cruel characters. Now I can continue to watch this knowing he dies in the end.

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89 dyogf

September 28, 2016 at 12:44 PM

KWB and Suzy will top the best visual couple in Kdrama. But KWB acting is very far from Suzy's. I feel embarrassed for Suzy whenever her character whines and shouts. I wonder if its the character or Suzy that is annoying. This is just my opinion. I know others will favor Suzy's acting.

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90 jinsel

October 1, 2016 at 8:32 PM

The writer is so cruel, i wouldn't have watched it if i knew how the story would go. it makes me feel depressed about the world and once again convinces me that god does not exist (personal opinion due to personal circumstances).

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91 yubaya

November 1, 2016 at 6:55 AM

If Woo Bin makes me shed one single tear in his next drama...IJS....if I had a way to write him a stinker I would...once I stop crying that is...ARGH...EYES, STOP TEARING UP!!!

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92 Eve

November 25, 2016 at 6:01 PM

I found this show today and decided to read the recaps while watching bits and pieces of the show- to see if it was any good.

The answer is yes, yes it is. Once I started reading I really couldn't stop.. And ended partially reading partially watching the entire thing!

All of their situations, where they ended up and the simple way it could all have been avoided... It is heartwrenching to see.
Even though the plot was not always well handled and everything just became frustrating the characters were real humans, making mistakes and living their lives to their own wishes.

Even though it had me bawling at the end, I still think the message Joon-young told us was very true. To know ones own time is an incentive to act with courage and live an eanest and honest life - how short that still might be.

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93 Em

December 28, 2016 at 6:12 AM

I have to read this to confirm that Joon Young really died. The ending was kinda confusing and I accidentally read a comment on youtube before (and I really hated it. It spoils everything!) that he didn't die so after watching the last episode I cried so hard because I was expecting that he will not die. But still, after that, I was really confused. I was like what? Did he really die? Someone enlighten me! Lol because the ending was so confusing (or I just don't want to accept that he's really gone T.T) Thanks to this tho. Now I confirmed that he really did and it breaks my heart! Dang. The part where Joon Young and her mother talked for the last time broke my heart so bad. Their acting was so realistic. This drama is really amazing. Except that I feel like chapter 20 was too short and wasn't enough. It didn't elaborate everything well. Like what happened to that woman who looks like Young Ok. But still it's amazing. I don't know why some people are hating on this. Kim Woo Bin and Bae Suzy really did well! Their acting was so on point. Right now, I still can't get over it. Plus, the OSTs are the bomb! They have the best OST so far.

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94 Edwin Obando

January 3, 2017 at 10:48 PM

You know, I see some comments are about how "kids" dont get the "deepness" and the "artistic vision" of the Screenwriters, writers and directors. But I can clearly see why the mixed reviews on this dorama on Korea.
Quite simple, its revealed early that our male protagonist is sick a terminal disease, so since early you get use to the idea that hes gonna die, right? You can save your tear buckets because they aren't necessary, you know hes gonna die and its clearly that he is reluctant to fight back, consulting the opinion of just ONE DOCTOR, being MILLIONAIRE enough to travel to another country to see other doctors, and not getting help. OK.
Then suddenly in Cap 19 or early cap 20, he decides he wanted to live, so after 15 caps of resignation about him dying anyway, something seems to happen in a twist that could get our protagonist to save his life, even if he lose his memories or become deaf, etc.
BUT NO; screenwriters decide to leave an "open" ending with more indications of him being dead than alive. A big middle finger to the viewers, thats SO COOL :/, sorry I mean "artistic" and "deep".
Aside from the side plots which were unnecessary and dumb, just to make the dorama longer(this fits in 12 chapters) and the awful ending, Uncontrollably Fond was OK, with nice acting and interesting main plot.

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95 Cielo

January 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Am I the only one who truly believes he didn't die? I seriously think he lived to tell the tale. How?... Dunno. Am I in denial?
I somehow see the end kind of ambiguous, and I like it that way.
I see hidden hints in the epilogue, as an example:
The tree Joon Young wanted to cut because he tought it was dead and suddenly started to bloom. I see it as a metaphor.
And you could also say that the manager, Gook-young and Man-ok weren't packing because of Joon Young's death per se... They might be packing because No Eul and Joon Young are finally moving in together to that beautiful country house. As for what I saw, they were just packing personal stuff.
In Joon Young's video, he says "Yesterday marked the end of the three months the doctor gave me. When you find this and watch the video, am I still alive?". He lived way more than expected, and who knows? Maybe No Eul asked for a wish to the shooting start in the sky that night and her wish was granted.
As my final thought, that publicity in the bus stop. Will you have publicity of someone who has been dead *who knows?* months by now? That and the fact that everyone seemed soooooo happy at the end. I mean, I don't want them crying thenselves out, but you do have to admit that everyone being so freakishly okay with someone's death (laughing, flirting, seeing videos of a loved one who passed away and not shedding a tear or feeling dread) is not normal. So I guess at the end that he didn't die
Yeah, I know.... total denial. It's too much for me to take.
Maybe I'm reading too much between lines.... Let me know if you think the same as me because my heart won't accept a "You are wrong; he is totally dead"
But even if he died.... what a beautiful way to say goodbye to this world.

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Rooting for this drama

February 3, 2017 at 1:09 PM

Coming back to comment 2 posts, after several months now.

I seem to think that the open ending is actually that he lived.

But there was no scene in the end that could prove this.

There is a scene, I have written this before, in a Fans video of "Across the ocean" by New Empire where it seems Woo Bin is wearing this black jacket and he looks down this avenue of trees. I don't recall it being included in the show. So it was either in the show and I don't remember, the scene was cut or Woo Bin in something else. Woo Bin I miss you in dramas please be back with a great show, even a role like Heirs, just bring that woo-bin-we-been-missing you back. I was so happy to watch this show each week despite it being sad.

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96 CYDlover

March 26, 2017 at 2:14 PM

Im really glad that KWB had progressed his acting skills! I always admire him since he ever appeared in The Heirs as Choi Young Do. His role in the heirs was really kind of a bad guy who takes risk in destroying anyone ,even the person he love, without hesitation-yet, he's suffering loads of pain. I was CONVINCED and EMOTIONALLY AFFECTED with his character- same goes with Uncontrollably fond! I even had mixed emotions in the middle part wherein I am angry, frustrated, and sad. I just hated the fact that I CAN TRULY FEEL THE PAIN. However, Joon young's lesson to Eul spranged to my mind: Standing up with your conviction for justice was a good idea but should also have simple common sense.That was a wonderful msg. I hated Joon young for being a jerk and Eul for being childish but I believe that both of them had done good. I wished for a good relationship, too-where both are standing up and fighting for what is right and at the same time, love without resentment from the past. Just love because you do. Love because it makes your heart flutter.

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97 CYDlover

March 26, 2017 at 2:20 PM

I DID ALSO EXPECT KIM WOO BIN TO BE A LEADING ROLE IN HIS NEXT PROJECT AND EXPECTING FOR ANOTHER PAINFUL AND EMOTIONAL DRAMA AND I WAS HAPPY WITH THAT IT BECOMES REALITY! Good thing that they chose Suzy! I love them both!

Thank you Uncontrollably Fond for helping to live life! To live for what is right and to fight for the one you love! Thanks! It was an eye opener to all! Life seems so cruel but I dont think it is? Not that much. You will love to live when you're around with the people you love! I am happy! Thanks! Sarangheyo!

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98 Foxibrown

April 18, 2017 at 11:11 AM

I love u guys a lot .....Korean actors and actresses are really the best ,not only did I enjoy their another dramas but I really enjoyed the uncontrollable fond.the actors and the actresses really did their best on that.they should keep it up.......