Beauty Inside: Episode 5

by dramallama

Our two protagonists dive into their couple act for the cameras, which is a public distraction from what they’re really hiding from the world. While the rest of the world gossips about this new celebrity couple, Do-jae and Se-kye use their time together to probe each other’s weaknesses and inadvertently end up sympathizing with each other. But sympathy is a new emotion for both of them, so the fake couple uses their bullcrap excuse as being business partners to justify being nice to each other — which is just an adorable way to show that you care, if you squint really hard.

 
EPISODE 5 RECAP

Caught by reporters after their movie date, Do-jae takes Se-kye’s hand and tells her to smile like she’s happy. Then, turning to the reporters, he acknowledges that they’re dating and offers to be interviewed only if the reporters don’t follow them out of the theater. Behind the reporters, Se-kye’s rival Chae Yoo-ri scowls at the new couple for stealing her limelight.

In the parking garage, Se-kye crouches in dread, but Do-jae assures her that acknowledging a false dating scandal was their best defense from looking ludicrous, since they’d already denied the rumors once. He suggests that they fake this relationship and a subsequent break-up for the sake of their images.

Woo-mi receives a call from a reporter on her way home and faces many more at her doorstep in response to Se-kye’s newly confirmed “relationship.” A hooded figure takes her hand and runs away, and we see that it’s Eun-ho with Se-kye’s dog in his arms. He informs Woo-mi that Se-kye’s dating scandal has resurfaced, and she’s pissed.

Also pissed is Do-jae’s mother, who orders her secretary to investigate Se-kye. She visits Do-jae’s office and orders her son to break up with Se-kye immediately, lest he lose his chance for the inheritance. She warns him that this relationship won’t do him any good, but Do-jae disagrees. She gapes that her son must be crazy — crazy in love, Secretary Jung adds.

Eun-ho holds Woo-mi back as she scolds Se-kye for causing trouble once again. Se-kye claims that she just wanted to watch a movie and didn’t know that Do-jae would pick her up from the airport. Woo-mi didn’t know about Se-kye’s airplane confrontation with Director Lee, so she assumes that Se-kye secretly flew somewhere and storms out in anger. Then, Se-kye receives a call from Do-jae’s mother, who demands to meet.

Sa-ra looks at the news of Do-jae and Se-kye’s relationship with doubt, as she remembers Se-kye admitting to despising her stepbrother. Looking around her house, she frowns at the mess and seems interested in a housekeeper flyer.

Se-kye meets with Do-jae’s mother and asks her to cut to the chase, since she has someone to catch (Woo-mi). Do-jae’s mother sneers that it must be some other man, since she’s notorious for her dating scandals. She orders Se-kye to break up with Do-jae, since she’ll become Do-jae’s weakness. Se-kye smiles and notes that Do-jae must take after his mother, as they’re both full of fear. She explains that attacking someone’s weakness is a cowardly act and refuses to break up with Do-jae.

Do-jae’s mother offers Se-kye money, which Se-kye declines, but she forces the money on Se-kye anyway. She demands that Se-kye comply with the expectations that come with the bribe she’s been given, and walks out after dropping the ultimatum.

Se-kye and Eun-ho count the zeros on Do-jae’s mother’s transfer of 100,000,000 won (roughly $100,000), and Se-kye marvels that bribes must run in the family. Se-kye suspiciously wonders if Eun-ho sold her info to Do-jae’s mother, and he asks if that’s a profitable business, heh. As Eun-ho prepares to head out to another part-time job, he resolves Se-kye’s worries about winning back Woo-mi by suggesting that she do what she does best: beg.

Woo-mi meets with Secretary Jung and complains that the press photos only make Do-jae look good in his suit while Se-kye is bare-faced. Secretary Jung calmly provokes Woo-mi about who needs this fake relationship more, but he actually asked to meet to collaborate on their production of the fake relationship. Then, Woo-mi suddenly receives a call from Director Lee, but we’re not privy to the conversation.

When Woo-mi arrives at Eun-ho’s home, she’s met by a candlelit path to Se-kye, who flips through a sketchbook with her written apology (a parody of the Love Actually confession). Se-kye confesses that Woo-mi will always be her best friend and asks her to accept her apology (sagwa, which means both “apology” and “apple” in Korean) in the form of her dog dressed like an apple.

Woo-mi accepts her apology/dog, and Se-kye closes her eyes in preparation of any last harsh words from Woo-mi. But instead of scolding her, Woo-mi informs her that Director Lee invited Se-kye to an audition — without a manager, like a newbie — for a minor role. Se-kye’s overjoyed by this news and hugs Woo-mi in excitement.

Secretary Jung pitches the idea of a public date for Do-jae, since he’ll need to show that he’s dating in order to break up. He doubts that Do-jae has ever been on a date, but Do-jae claims that he has, though it’s not a good memory for him. He remembers his last date, which went horribly because he sat at the wrong table with the wrong girl. His actual date and the wrong girl’s date didn’t take it well.

Woo-mi tells Se-kye that they’ve decided to let the fake couple decide their own public date course, and she wonders if Se-kye has ever been on a date. Se-kye remembers her last date breaking things off before even officially dating because she kept going MIA. Woo-mi advises Se-kye that dates will only go wrong if you think they’re a big deal. Words to date by.

That night, Se-kye and Do-jae research how to go on a good date, and they read up on a variety of advice, like avoiding one-line answers and having a sense of humor. It’s kind of adorable, considering they’re a fake couple.

As the fake couple enters a restaurant holding hands, Se-kye audibly assures herself with Woo-mi’s advice that this is no big deal. At their table, Do-jae holds out a seat for Se-kye, but she stares at him blankly, already seated across from him.

A reporter takes photos of their date, and Do-jae offers Se-kye a piece of meat to create a convincing image for the camera. She reluctantly eats the meat off his fork, and then he offers a blueberry because she didn’t smile for the camera. Se-kye repeats her mantra that it’s no big deal and flashes a convincing smile before eating the blueberry, which seems to satisfy Do-jae.

Then, Se-kye asks for his mother’s bank account information to return the money. With a straight face, Do-jae asks how she’s still alive after meeting his mother, and he’s dead serious.

Se-kye sends 100,000,100 won to Do-jae’s mother, just 100 won (about 10 cents) more than she gave her. In return, Do-jae’s mother sends back 200,000,100 won in this new petty battle.

As Se-kye walks up to a street vendor with Do-jae, she receives a notification of money transfer. She steps aside to call the bank about increasing her credit limit to return the money, but unfortunately, she needs to visit the bank directly.

Se-kye notices Do-jae admiring a white porcelain magnet and comments on his unexpected taste. Do-jae responds that he likes things that are unchanging with time, mimicking her explanation for liking historical sites. Se-kye mimics him back by saying that the magnet is a reconstructed version. She buys the magnet for him, and they continue on their date with linked arms while the reporter continues to snap more photos.

Do-jae and Se-kye sit down for ice cream, and Se-kye pities their paparazzi photographer Reporter Park, who continues to follow them. Se-kye asks about Do-jae’s dating history, and he admits that its sparse because he couldn’t even recognize his girlfriend. Do-jae asks if Se-kye has a boyfriend — suspecting Eun-ho — but Se-kye says that she couldn’t date because she disappears so often.

Se-kye notes that Do-jae seemed familiar with the location, which is a prime spot for dates, and Do-jae admits that he frequented this spot alone. He used to practice recognizing people, but he failed to recognize a lady who passed by him every day. He looked at her blankly when she give him a drink out of familiarity, and he only recognized her when she put on her usual jacket. He admits that he felt stupid and accepts Se-kye’s pity because she’s as pitiful as him.

Do-jae asks about Se-kye’s name-engraved necklace, and Se-kye explains that she woke up one morning unsure if she was herself. She likens it to the butterfly dream: she wasn’t sure if she dreamed she was a butterfly or if she was a butterfly now dreaming she was human. She had the necklace made to never forget herself, and because one day, she may never return. She claims that she’s more pitiful, and Do-jae deadpan asks when they’ll be sleeping together. Heh.

Eun-ho enters Sa-ra’s house for his housekeeping job and says to himself that the owner has a big house with a big mess. He receives a call from Sa-ra, who asks if Do-jae and Se-kye’s relationship is real. She assumes that Eun-ho must be upset because she believes that he’s in a relationship with Se-kye.

Eun-ho doesn’t catch onto her assumption and tells Sa-ra to ask Se-kye directly instead of hitting on him like this. Sa-ra seems confounded, but she offers to go on a date with Eun-ho if he tells her the truth. She airily mentions how he said he was desperate for before, but Eun-ho says that his desperation has passed and hangs up to work.

Sa-ra compares the photos of the fake couple’s date with the rising stocks of Do-jae’s airline, and she walks out in frustration. Sa-ra goes to the café and the mall in search of Eun-ho. She comes up empty-handed since, unbeknownst to her, he’s cleaning her house as part of his new housekeeping job. Meanwhile, Eun-ho cleans Sa-ra’s house and shakes his head in disapproval of her empty kitchen.

Do-jae drives Se-kye home, and she’s flattered by the gesture since Reporter Park isn’t stalking them with his camera anymore. She asks him a favor — to not ask that (about sleeping together) in public, but he doesn’t get her implication. Before she leaves, Se-kye offers to do that tomorrow night, and he finally catches her drift. She stops before entering her house and invites Do-jae inside.

Se-kye outlines rules for sleeping together, like no revealing clothing, touching, or bad intentions. Do-jae deadpans that he’ll just make sure to hide his bad intentions, and at Se-kye’s shocked reaction, Do-jae assures her that he was joking. She suggests that he smile to indicate a joke, and he cracks a tiny smile.

Se-kye leads him to her closet to prepare him for the various outfits he might witness her in. Do-jae says from experience that outfits don’t determine gender or age. She asks if he’s afraid, but Do-jae confidently says that he isn’t because she’ll just be Han Se-kye, regardless of her outfit.

Since Do-jae isn’t scared yet, Se-kye introduces him to her photographed cohabitants, including her rumored boyfriend, rumored son, and the woman that Do-jae helped. She explains that these photos of her serve as a memorial because only she remembers their week-long lives. Se-kye points to the empty frame on the wall and says that she plans on photographing herself to add to the wall someday.

Before Do-jae leaves, he tells Se-kye that he’ll see her tomorrow, but she finds sadness in those words because she doesn’t know if he’ll actually see her. Do-jae assures her that he’ll recognize her regardless and wishes her a good night before driving off. Se-kye lingers at her door and calls herself crazy for her racing heart.

Sa-ra walks into her newly cleaned house grumbling about Eun-ho, and she starts a messy trail of clothes once again. As she enjoys the housekeeper’s homemade meal, she wonders where Eun-ho could be.

The next morning, Woo-mi nervously cheers on Se-kye before she drives herself to the audition. At Se-kye’s entrance, other audition hopefuls curse her for ruining their chances, but Se-kye calmly sits down to review her lines.

Yoo-ri greets her and says that Director Lee is too harsh for not giving Se-kye the role even after she begged on her knees. Others at the audition overhear and start to pity Se-kye. Putting on a good hoobae act, Yoo-ri offers to put in a good word to the director, but Se-kye declines. Yoo-ri tries to taunt Se-kye further, but Se-kye asserts that she’ll audition and earn her own spot in the movie.

In the audition, Director Lee asks why Se-kye chose this movie over other leading role offers, and Se-kye responds that she wishes to be in Director Lee’s production. Yoo-ri asks why she insists on this movie, and Se-kye insincerely fawns that she wants to act with Yoo-ri.

As Se-kye runs her lines with Yoo-ri, she cries in the scene where she kills Yoo-ri’s character. Director Lee stops the scene and asks why Se-kye is crying when the script directs her to coldly deliver her lines. Se-kye explains that she feels sorry for the dying character and interprets her character’s blind sympathy as reason for killing. Director Lee seems to reflect on this thoughtful interpretation.

After her audition, Se-kye sees Do-jae waiting for her with flowers, and she runs into his arms when the audition crowd follows behind. She insists that she’s just helping him in case he doesn’t recognize her in the crowd. She asks about the flowers, and Do-jae uses their fake couple job as an excuse for this gesture. He hands Se-kye the well-deserved flowers for owning her audition.

Do-jae brings Se-kye to his house and cooks ramyun — for himself because he’s hungry. Se-kye eats his ramyun anyway and asks him to help her run lines. Do-jae initially reads his lines in monotone, but he gets into character when Se-kye scolds him to inject some emotion. He solemnly reads the lines that seem reflective of himself: “Because I knew you existed, I was able to come out into the world. Perhaps, you also waited for me.”

Se-kye stares at him silently and forgets her lines. Then, he drops the script and asks when they’re sleeping together. Se-kye’s taken aback once again by his sudden demand.

Do-jae looks in the mirror before brushing his teeth, and he stares at himself blankly. Se-kye breaks his moment of self-dissociation as she joins him to brush her teeth, and he smiles at her in relief. Se-kye notices his shaver and looks closely at Do-jae’s face before complimenting his shaving skills. He offers to teach her how to shave, and she asks him to teach her one more thing while he’s at it.

Se-kye marvels at Do-jae’s excessive closet, and he explains that these clothes are his faces. He may not recognize his face, but he can recognize his clothes. Do-jae helps Se-kye tie a necktie, and she stares at him as he expertly finishes the tie around her neck. He notices her stare and jokes that her look indicates some bad intentions. Se-kye denies this and takes off the tie in a huff.

Facing Do-jae in bed, Se-kye warns him not the violate her space. She also warns him that she could transform into anyone and that it might not be tonight. Do-jae says that they can just sleep together tomorrow then, and Se-kye chides him to watch his words. He teases her for harboring bad intentions and says that he’s fine with it as long as she’s not caught.

Se-kye wonders how Do-jae will recognize her when her face changes, to which Do-jae asks if he can touch her face. She allows it but keeps her eyes open to avoid making this a romantic gesture. Do-jae gently strokes her face, and it actually looks romantic until he comments that she’s ugly. Annoyed, Se-kye returns the insult and turns away from him. Do-jae smirks at Se-kye’s disgruntled reaction, which makes both of them really adorable.

When Do-jae wakes up, he looks closely at Se-kye and finds her unchanged. Se-kye confirms that she’s the same, and she reminds him that she didn’t guarantee a transformation. Do-jae looks at her suspiciously and asks when she started plotting to sleep with him. Irked by his reaction, Se-kye points out that Do-jae was the one who suggested sleeping together in the first place and even insisted on sleeping together again.

Outside the bedroom door, Do-jae’s mother overhears the conversation and storms into the room in rage. Se-kye hides under the covers, and Do-jae tries to explain the extenuating circumstances to his disapproving mother, who reveals that she gave Se-kye money to appease her demands.

Do-jae’s mother fights for the blanket and pulls away the covers to reveal a transformed Se-kye (cameo by Kim Min-seok). Se-kye notices her sudden change of voice as (s)he greets Do-jae’s mother, and Do-jae realizes that Se-kye has transformed. Do-jae’s mother gapes that her son must be gay and notes that (s)he looks to be a high schooler at best. Then, she collapses in shock.

 
COMMENTS

Let all the misunderstandings commence! There’s no cogent way to explain the circumstances, however Do-jae plans to ameliorate this situation, and I’m chuckling at the absurdity. It’s funny that Do-jae’s mother is the textbook definition of a chaebol heir’s mother, but somehow these circumstances parody the stereotype to make her less annoying and more amusing. It’s the same case with Sa-ra, who is the stereotypical evil stepsister, but who somehow breaks out of that cliché because of Eun-ho. I appreciate that the show doesn’t take itself too seriously with these antagonist-like characters, as it helps the show maintain its breezy mood.

It’s amusing that the roundabout logic of “if you look bad, I’d look bad, so I have to make you look good” is an effective excuse for both Se-kye and Do-jae as they try to be nicer to each other. They’re not used to feeling a sympathetic connection to another person because of their unusual conditions, so I like how the lines of the movie script were used as a mechanism to communicate their feelings. It relieved some of the potential frustrations I would have felt with Do-jae and Se-kye disregarding their growing feelings and curiosity for each other. I’m still heavily connecting with Se-kye over Do-jae, but Do-jae’s chilling moment in front of the mirror makes me curious about how his relationship with Se-kye can help him overcome the fears.

The charm of this show is in the witty banter between the characters, which is very obvious when watching any interactions onscreen. The plot remains generally shapeless, but that doesn’t really bother me because the relationships and character interactions are at the heart of the show. The pacing feels nice and balanced, with extended poignant moments juxtaposed with comical one-liners to transition us back into the cheeky tone of the show. I watch this show with frequent chuckles and occasional squees, and I’d say that’s a good indication that I’m content. Keep doing whatchu doing, show.

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