Hyena: Episodes 3-4 Open Thread

32 February 29, 2020February 29, 2020

by missvictrix

All’s fair in love and war? Not really, especially since our leads are operating on two totally different planes. Last week’s premiere episodes gave us a pretty solid setup of our unlikable-yet-oh-so-likeable characters, and this week it’s time for us to see what happens when they start butting heads for real. Like hyenas, right?

EPISODES 3-4 WEECAP

This is not the sort of drama I would normally seek out, but we’re only in week two and already Hyena has proven itself to be so much more than just dirty fights and unscrupulous courtroom victories. We might have those in spades thanks to our rather ruthless Geum-ja, but we also have a truckload of pathos. This drama is characters-first, and that’s what makes it so strong. And so good!

When we left off last week, Geum-ja and Hee-jae were facing off over the Issume heirs Ha Chan-ho (crazy substance abuser who’s madly in love with his mistress) and his sister Ha Hye-won (cold, icy, and desperate to inherit the business). The two choose sides, Geum-ja representing Chan-ho, and Hee-jae representing Hye-won. Hee-jae risks it all to secretly represent a client that opposes his firm, but he’s convinced he can win, what with Chan-ho’s mistress on his side.

I couldn’t help but root for Hee-jae here — after getting played so badly by Geum-ja, he needs a victory to heal his damaged heart, and his damaged ego. His confidence is shaken, but not enough to keep him from enjoying beating Geum-ja in an early round of their battle.

Geum-ja’s assistant LEE JI-EUN (Oh Kyung-hwa) says he’s clearly declared war against her. Geum-ja agrees, yet also adds, “But it was sexy.” And indeed it was. Hee-jae treats Geum-ja with an interesting mix of taunt, tease, heartbreak, and hurt, and it’s all so layered and fun that I can’t get enough of their scenes together.

Even though Hee-jae is the cream of the crop at Song & Kim, it doesn’t keep him from getting pwned by Geum-ja yet again. At Chairman Ha’s birthday party, it looks like Hee-jae has his victory, with Hye-won at his side and the mistress filing a suit against Chan-ho. But when the mistress appears at the party on Chan-ho’s arm (Geum-ja’s doing/blackmailing at work), all is seriously lost for Hee-jae.

I did not expect to lean so far on the Hee-jae side of this battle, but boy is he easy to sympathize with (and I have a thing for an underdog). He’s caught in the humiliation of loss again, and what makes it worse is that Geum-ja always sweeps in to gloat. “It hurts to see that look of despair on your face,” she tells him at the birthday party event. Rather than fight, get emotional, or even talk to her, he simply walks away.

Have I mentioned enough how much I love this pairing? Romance and chemistry aside, on a broader level, Kim Hye-soo and Joo Ji-hoon are just so interesting on screen together. They’re unpredictable and atypical as costars, and it works so, so well. I didn’t realize how bored I’ve been of costar pairings that I could invent in my sleep — then Hyena came along and gave me something new, in so many ways.

For all their head-to-head battles, there’s still something between Hee-jae and Geum-ja. Probably my favorite scene this week was when they get drunk with the friend they had in common, both trying to tell her they broke up, and each trying to save face. Besides the humor and bickering that’s become common whenever they interact, this scene also shows our leads with their weapons down for a few minutes.

Hee-jae has a chance to ask her the question that’s been eating away at him. While he wants to find out about her heart (aww), Geum-ja stays completely superficial and tells him, “You’re sexy — I’ll give you that.” Then she really nails the coffin shut saying, “I was never sincere towards you even for a moment.” I think you could hear Hee-jae’s heart crack just a little bit more.

The next phase of their battle is around a renowned violinist that Hee-jae is a huge fan of — and that Geum-ja is representing in his upcoming lawsuit. Hee-jae gets the better of her here, and even does another of his little victory dances, but like so many of his wins, it is far too short-lived.

This week’s episodes conclude at Song & Kim, with the head attorney announcing a new partner, saying he scouted a real talent. And who sashays in with a cheeky smirk and tacky outfit? Geum-ja. Hee-jae’s utter bewilderment says it all. The battle just reached his home turf.

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Tags: Hyena, Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Hye-soo

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1 Mina00

March 1, 2020 at 2:39 AM

I tried till 4 episodes but I still find everyone so annoying on this drama! Somehow he stopped going to laundromat after first episode 😂

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missvictrix

March 1, 2020 at 5:23 AM

Knowing Hee-jae, I think he's probably too heartbroken to go back there ever!

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zitless

March 1, 2020 at 5:55 PM

I think the laundromat has done it's job as a plot device. I mean you want to spend precious time watching a man launder his clothes while there are milestones to cover. just have it somewhere in mind that he still goes there if he can or that he is still heartbroken to go to a place filled with faux happy memories. But don't worry, the laundromat will pop up again when needed, and if not, let the wonders of imagination take over.

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2 shazzytree

March 1, 2020 at 2:54 AM

Tq @missvictrix for the weecap.

This pairing really beat the odds.
Rooting for both but it isn't easy at all. Totally impressed with Geum-ja ruthlessness and yet feel so sorry for Hee-jae.
Hee-jae honest feeling for Geum-ja is what drive my sympathy for him. He wears his heart on his sleeves.
That last scene, he pays a high price for that small victory ..
Please Hee-jea, surprise us. The least u can do is just man up, whack and kiss her hard 😜

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3 oppafangirl

March 1, 2020 at 3:10 AM

@missvictrix I love this pairing as much as you if not more. But I can't get enough of the little female secretary, she is total adorbs. I want more of her!

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4 Blue (@mayhemf)

March 1, 2020 at 3:42 AM

Am really enjoying this show. A lot.
It’s not silly, the fights. And though on surface male lead seems like he is petty, you can see how hurt he was by the betrayal. It was not a professional one but the personal one that hurts him more. The scene at the bar, seeing his face, arghhh.
Love the female lead and her amazing secretary. These two are so much fun.
Hope the show can keep this tone!

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5 Kafiyah Bello

March 1, 2020 at 11:56 AM

I was not okay with how the mistress story line went. That was incredibly disturbing. The whole storyline was wrong. The fact that the father would rather his drug addict abusing son to his competent daughter was wrong enough. However the fact that Guem Ja sent the mistress back to her abuser because she was in love with his brother was just f*&ked up. It was all just disgusting and wrong.

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CasualDramaFan

March 1, 2020 at 1:11 PM

Yes. Both point you made are correct. Father choosing his drug addict, violent son over competent daughter is wrong. But it does happen in real world. In patriarchal society people tend to prefer son over daughter and woman get punished for being ambitious (Hye won was sent to abroad for 3 months to reduce her influence). This episode cemented it.
Mistress going back to abuser is bad. But nobody cared for her well being in first place. Both sides were using her. Once the Chan-ho is thrown out from his position her importance for other party will seize and she will be left to her own devices.
Geum-ja was never a character who fights for justice.
Jung-Hwa though going back to her abuser was better than her other alternative. It is not entirely Geum-ja doing but Jung-Hwa let her fear/love won. I think her story line is not over yet.

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Kafiyah Bello

March 1, 2020 at 4:12 PM

I understand. I am not blaming Guem Ja per se. That probably isn't clear in my comment, it is more, I dislike the writing than anything. I still like Guem Ja. Also the patriarchy is real, so I understand that as well. It was the casualness of tall the bad in the episode that bothered me. I hope you are right though and the storyline isn't over yet.

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CasualDramaFan

March 1, 2020 at 11:23 PM

I got that about your comment about Guem ja. The casualness about drug abuse, domestic violence, preference for male offspring has bothered me too. I always felt that for rich and influential people law is a tool to be used. Geum ja is using that to get what she want. The treatment of law as tool is bothering me a lot. But it happens in real life too.

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Blue (@mayhemf)

March 2, 2020 at 5:54 AM

This is the way I see it. The society and the system is messed up. That case clearly highlights it - the patriarchal mindset, the power of the rich chaebols who can use law to their advantage.
Guem Ja knows this and doesn't believe in justice through traditional means. I didn't think she was ruthless in sending her back. I thinks she believes that women have to watch out for themselves and find a way to survive. This is probably how she survived all these years.

She probably saw the mistress as a smart woman, and that she will not be 'safe' even after the rich drug addict son goes to jail. The rich father might get him out of jail or might get his sentence reduced. Net effect is that there is no safety guarantee for the mistress. So her advice to her is to work the system. Stay with him, do what she wants and find a way to get out naturally without breaking up. For all you know, he might die of drug overdose, or he might dump her or the other heir might plan something for her.

I do hope this storyline comes back later, because I want to see how this unfolds.

Crazy jason

March 20, 2020 at 11:47 AM

The other threat to the mistress is the old powerful father. He clearly threatened Guem ja; he told her he could have her killed. He had chosen his son for the company succession no matter what. So I wonder how long the mistress would survive after making accusations against his son, especially if she added drug use to the illegal imprisonment charge.

Guem ja left her in a tough spot. She has to give up the son she loves and still find a way to get away from Chan Ho without the father or Chan ho finding out. I do hope she can find a way.

6 Tabby Tabora

March 2, 2020 at 3:00 AM

Thank you for your recap! and yes, i looooove this pairing! I love that other people are in love with them too! :)

Aww, i feel for Hee-Jae. He's still emotionally invested, whether he likes it or not. but he's got Geumja's attention engaged and that's something. I'm so excited about their scenes. I loved that drinking scene, each one trying to one up the other, only to hilariously fail, and then that bit about him asking her about what she felt for him.

Also, can we just celebrate the fact that Kim Hye Su knows how to deliver lines like an acting O.G.? When she said: "I'm cruel," it was in a tender, silky voice. I got goosebumps just from that scene.

I know she looks older than him, but i like the fact that they didn't dwell on that other than Yumi commenting that Hee-Jae liked older women. It's so refreshing because these may-december type of pairings often delve deep into the age gap. Here, it's not important.

There's something to be said about a show that knows its lead characters so well. What a script. And when people say Geumja isn't hot or attractive enough for Hee-Jae (though i think KHS is hot. She'll be sexy at any age because she's got a magnetic presence. Her charm really knows no bounds), that's because he's not shallow. Hee-Jae is smart, successful, and knows he can get anyone. In fact, many of them seem to be in his company's pool of secretaries. That's why it works between them. They're not superficial people. they're both smart. And maybe Hee-Jae would hate to admit it but after the twist, there's a part of him that probably won't be able to stop thinking about Geumja, not just because he used to love--or still love--her, but that she had the smarts and resourcefulness to best him and to keep doing that at every turn. He's so happy every time he thinks he's scored a point and that level of excitement tells you he's never met anyone like her. Whether as his girlfriend or as a lawyer, Geumja just keeps making him fall under her spell.

can't wait for them to finally be on the same side. They'd be unbeatable. Also, can't wait for that steamy kiss! :)

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Diana Hansen

March 2, 2020 at 8:39 AM

and boy does that boy know how to kiss! waiting for it~

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Tabby

March 2, 2020 at 3:44 PM

teee-heee you are so right. hihihi can't wait.

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7 Tabby Tabora

March 2, 2020 at 3:07 AM

ps.

I also love the fact that she'd gone to bat for the violinist and why she was so upset with Hee-Jae. It was't the money. HJ says he saw what the client wanted and gave that to him.

But Geumja knows that's not enough. Why? the boy's been abused by his mom all his life and she knows how that feels. That's why she says he should have risked everything, even a long trial, to be free of his mom.

It's a very telling bit about her background. In the first episode, while she was in a fight against that druggie, there were flashbacks of her being beaten by a man. She'd been abused herself. That's why she was so angry at losing the case. when she said he should stand up for his rights, his freedom, it's probably because that's what she did. I love that the characters and writing are so layered that we can get into that just from a simple scene.

Moar, moaaar!!! Love these two!

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8 stpauligurl

March 2, 2020 at 4:54 AM

Thanks for this weecap @missvictrix. I got caught up with this yesterday and found myself really disliking Geum-ja with her no-holds barred attitude to win - but at the same time seeing those little teeny bits of heart in her eyes. Especially with the violinist - you could tell it was personal for her.
And when they sparred at the bar, I kept waiting for him to reach across and attack her with a huge kiss - the energy between them is strong. So I'm enjoying the writing of her character that makes me hate her as much as I feel for her.

Hee-jae is just so much fun - but his pain and despair is so hard to watch. So when he was able to help the violinist and how he was so happy I loved it.

These two episodes were hard to watch in how the stories were handled and the bad people were truly icky bad. I found myself thinking how in the world is our female lead going to change and soften? Her joining Song and Kim was a surprise. I didn't see that coming for some reason.
Now let the fun really begin!!!!!

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Tabby

March 2, 2020 at 3:21 PM

Awww, i loved that bar scene too! But while I wanted them to kiss (Yes pleaaaasse), i think it would only tighten the tension between them if that doesn't happen until they're both at Song & Kim. Hehe, saw the highlight reel so had an inkling the firm would bring her in.

But yes, there's so much energy between them. they're amazing to watch together on screen.

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Mani-chan

March 3, 2020 at 2:26 AM

They have so much of chemistry. It's honestly amazing.

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9 alienshore

March 2, 2020 at 6:00 AM

Does anyone else get total Saul Goodman vibes from Geum-ja? With the tacky outfits and the underhanded tactics. Surely someone on the writing team saw some Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul. Anyhow, I expected to be bored by this show and drop it after two episodes, but instead I love how unpredictable and different it is.

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stpauligurl

March 2, 2020 at 10:11 AM

Oh I haven't seen that show but I remember him from Breaking Bad. And yes she does fit the image doesn't she?

This show isn't boring for me in any way.

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10 Miky

March 2, 2020 at 1:06 PM

Hee-jae was soo petty trying to get back at her or block her but i understand he is still very much hurt as he truly loved her and still does in my opinion...I doubt Geum-ja told the truth when she said she wasn't sincere one bit towards him just that her goal is more her priority than love...I'm actually more curious what her biff is with Song & Kim as she clearly has a past with the people behind it and became the person she is now because of it and the driven for her revenge...Curious as well what her name is and if she changed it to evade them,also Geum-ja is quite fiiting her curent persona(gold)

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11 Tabby

March 2, 2020 at 3:43 PM

Yeah, I don't believe that she hadn't been sincere with him, even for an instant. She feels something for him. When the violinist hugs her, she's taken aback a bit, her hand hovering over him, but not making contact. that means she's not comfortable with that level of intimacy. but she's been as physically close to HJ from the flashbacks. that's gotta mean something. but yes, that could just be her acting the part of a gf.

But then, she keeps finding him sexy and more than once, she'd had to think hard just to get the upper hand. while she's gotten a few wins over him, it hasn't been easy. he's making her work for it. that's awesome script writing. also, she makes him work hard for every win, too. that's why they can't get each other out of their system.

That's also one reason why they're so wonderful together. They're very similar. Considering the layered writing of the character, Geumja seems to just win over anything she sets her mind on. Hae-Jee is the same. they're both used to winning.

Except Hae-Jee is old-school. He's from a rich family and they've been in the legal field forever. he's classy, arrogant, and by-the-book brilliant. And that's a wonderful counterpoint to who Geumja is: she's street smart, worked through school until she became a lawyer (thanks to that info from Miho, the bar host), and she's not afraid to play dirty. she has her connections, though, and she's so adept at using them.

That's why whenever Hae Jee wins, he's just happy. For him, they're just scoring off points. He really doesn't have anything at stake. Sure, his pride. He's never lost before, so it's a new experience for him. But with his connections and background, he could easily recover from whatever career landmine he may step on.

Geumja doesn't have that security blanket. she wants to win because she needs to survive. Playing with him is a nice bonus, but she's got an endgame and that's why she can't get distracted. She should be emotionally unavailable. She should be, based on who her character has been so far. Which is why that bar scene is so telling.

He's gotten to her. Otherwise, she'd have thrown the gift--the LP record--he'd handed back to her without a backward glance.

Also, when he asks her questions, she answers. If she wasn't affected by him, she would have found it easy to brush everything off. But she didn't. She could even have laughed those questions off. but she told him that killer line: "this woman before you is real. Who I was and who I will be after this isn't." i love that line so much. it tells me she couldn't help herself as well. she's so controlled most of the time. she's calculating and ruthless. she wasn't any of those things in that moment. what a beautiful show.

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12 raekaddict

March 3, 2020 at 12:56 AM

I just want these two in a room with defences down and then watch the explosion with 🍿😁😁

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13 Maya576

March 3, 2020 at 1:06 AM

Love this drama :D :) interesting storyline full of twist and turns and very interesting characters

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14 dfwkimchi

March 3, 2020 at 5:29 PM

Love this drama helmed by these 2 actors! I wait in anti dilation to see their expression at the end of each episode when each has bested the other!
Kim Hye Soonis my all time favorite female actor. She may not be a raving beauty but she has a face that can play tough characters. Plus she has a presence of screen that pulls you in.
What can I say - I am a 'collector of Ji Hoons'.
1st Ji Hoon - Lee Ji Hoon from You're the Best Lee Soon Shin (2013)
2nd Ji Hoon - Kim Ji Hoon from Flower Boys next door (2013)
3rd Ji Hoon - Joo Ji Hoon from Medical Top Team (2013)

Joo Ji Hoon' portrayal of Hee Jae is very interesting and layered.
It is going to be a battle of wits until the end I think.

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15 dramalover4ever

March 3, 2020 at 9:55 PM

While Geum-ja is fierce, capable, and independent, it doesn't mean that she makes the best moral choices when it comes to who she acts for. Like everyone else, I was asking myself how the writers would position her in using Jung-ha. She did tell her to get out of the situation, but to detach herself slowly. She tried for an outcome that would suit both her and Jung-ha, although it was to Geum-ja's more immediate benefit. She has put Jung-ha in danger, and if I were the writer, I couldn't resist the inevitable outcome that would pull Geum-ja up and make her think about her ethics which have been dodgy at best. Both main characters have some distance to travel as hyenas, and perhaps they may change for the better. Who knows? This is a great drama with irresistible characters. It really extends what little I knew of both actors. Living for the next installment.

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16 Mng

March 4, 2020 at 6:59 PM

It becomes apparent in episode that Geum-ja takes clients who are abused or blackmails/negotiates ( i. e. Asked client to stay in the relationship to survive) if she knows the case is difficult to win or resolve in the long-run. There was also a flashback of her being abused when she was a child. Hence, she may not be just a low-life, cunning and unethical lawyer. I anticipate something more admirable in her character as the upcoming episodes unfold.

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Mng

March 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM

*episode 4

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17 Fly Colours

March 18, 2020 at 5:52 PM

Coming late to the recap, but I'm enjoying this sooo much! This drama got me hooked from the first episode, such a fascinating FL, can't take my eyes away from her...love her and her sidekick/secretary/pal. I'm super interested in finding out her story, why does she seem to have inherited an old office, and her intentions for Song &Kim, clearly she's on a long game. For once, the FL is the tough one, and, word, she's tough and brazen and tacky!

Really like the class struggle angle in this drama, how the S&K lawyers look down on her, and all the details that give class differences away, and them referring to clients as "the rich"... Geumja knows she has to be brazen because the odds are stacked against her, but that doesn't mean she hasn't got a moral compass (it is starting to show in the violinist storyline), it's just that she's got a plan and can't allow herself the luxury of being nice

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18 Fly Colours

March 18, 2020 at 5:54 PM

Also, agree with the observation that the casting is amazing, KHS and JJH are so good together. It's not only that they're hot and have chemistry, which they are and they have. It's their acting, it's so good! So much going on in each of their interactions... And they're funny too

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19 Aliyu saleh chiroma

January 19, 2021 at 9:42 AM

I love the movie

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