Hyena: Episodes 5-6 Open Thread

by missvictrix

Is it too early to vote for best drama couple of 2020? Now that our leads are both working at the same law firm — and are forced on the same high profile case — tension (and discomfiture) reaches an all-new high. And it’s fantastic to watch.

  
EPISODES 5-6 WEECAP

Another week, another two episodes to be impressed with how well-written and conceived this drama is. The characterization continues to be so good, and the drama has really been consistent with its unique balance of sparring and shenanigans, with moments/montages of contemplation and thought that add a really nice depth. I’ve yet to be disappointed by a thing this drama does.

As we saw last week, Geum-ja has finally gotten her foot in the door of the firm (and skyscraper) that she has so long been gawking at — or is that drooling over? And she’s got more than her foot in the door. She’s not only a partner at Song & Kim now, with the salary, gorgeous office, luxury car, and sweet compensation package that that entails, but she’s put on a pretty important case by Attorney Song himself.

Something I like about Geum-ja, and that I think serves her well, is that she’s actually pretty grounded. While she’s wowed by the prestigious world around her (and that mythical quest-like music that played when she entered the building was spot-on!), she’s also pretty practical about it.

She knows they chose her for a reason, she knows they’ll use her and lose her — and now we know she’s also got a past to protect. Attorney Song has some documentation on her past that she’s dying to keep a secret; it becomes an important bargaining chip.

Meanwhile, Hee-jae continues to be a punching bag — and it turns out the person who is hardest on him is himself. There’s a fantastic scene where he has lunch with his father (who’s just become a Supreme Court Justice). They talk about how his father pushed him to do/become his best as an attorney, and we hear how Hee-jae is currently faltering, after making “a mistake even a third-rate attorney wouldn’t make” (aww).

Not only do I love his honesty with his father here, but I love the advice he receives: mistakes happen for a reason. Rather than protect his pride, he should make right decisions. It’s moments like this that make Hyena so strong and well-rounded. It’s not just about the shenanigans and head-butting, but about character and integrity, too.

As if being in the same firm (and a glass wall apart) wasn’t bad enough, Geum-ja is assigned to a case that Hee-jae and his “Team H” have been on for six months already. They’ve been diligently preparing for the IPO of a fintech company known as D&T, but things have suddenly turned south, and that’s why Attorney Song hired Geum-ja: things are about to get dirty.

D&T is being investigated for leaking the personal information of their clients, using it to upload pornography on a high-profile portal, and making a killing in cryptocurrency. Ewww. Even though Song & Kim needs D&T to go public successfully, they also need to get to the bottom of the case — hence the need for Geum-ja and her not-so-legal tactics. But it’s also hinted to us that there’s more at stake than just the IPO. I’m not exactly sure what’s what yet, but scapegoats are most certainly a part of it.

At the end of this week’s episodes, the D&T case proves deeper than it looked at first glance. When we leave off, things are pitched as a battle of wits that just might put Geum-ja and Hee-jae on the same side as they deal with the CEO and CFO of D&T. Even though they hate it, I have a feeling Hee-jae and Geum-ja are going to make a pretty good pair professionally. They do things in a completely different manner, but perhaps that’s the balance they both need?

But of course the real highlight scene of the week was the hilarity (and heart!) around a certain supply closet scene. Geum-ja tries to hide from their classmate Yu-mi, and launches herself into a nearby supply closet, tearing into Hee-jae on her way. Next thing you know they are holed up in there together — and far too close for comfort.

Hee-jae’s indignation is about as entertaining as Geum-ja’s nonchalance, and so if their silent fight, but are either of those emotions really honest? That chemistry is hard to keep at bay, especially when Hee-jae continues to confront her about their past. To her annoyed/sarcastic question to him, “What exactly were we?!” he answers: “Two people in love.” Gah!

Their acting is just so great, no matter what sort of scene they’re handling. The drama was already really well-crafted, but these two take it up a notch. In fact, it’s hard to compare the energy of this drama to any other recent ones, especially lawyer dramas, as they often get muddled and slow.

Finally, a shout-out to some of the details in the drama this week that I’ve been enjoying: Hee-jae’s tone-on-tone suits. Aunt Annie’s PPL. The awesome use of music in this drama so far (everything from the Giriboy rap to the Paganini concerto have been used so perfectly). Hee-jae horrified by Geum-ja’s attempts to pronounce “Foxer.” And finally, the “my home grrrrroooound!” roar from Hee-jae. I rewinded that a few times.

 
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