Oh My Baby: Episode 4

by TeriYaki

As our heroine deals with the fallout of the disastrous meeting that ended up on the news, the new photographer proves that he has what it takes to be a good friend. They’re becoming more comfortable around each other, both personally and professionally, while our heroine continues to consider her options for a child of her own. The photographer may not be interested in marriage or children, but he’s definitely interested in our determined heroine who’s made it no secret that she wants both.

  
EPISODE 4: “The time one needs to understand others”

In the middle of his test shoot, Jae-young recognizes the look in Ha-ri’s eyes and warns Yi-sang and Eu-tteum, “Acknowledge her now, and you’ll be in trouble.” While Jae-young poses for individual photos, Ha-ri studies him closely, “If my baby takes after him, it’ll be smart,” but she rejects the idea because Jae-young is like a brother. Ha-ri only considers Yi-sang briefly because he still makes her uncomfortable and turns her attention to Eu-tteum, “What is his deal?”

The photoshoot over, the three men leave together with Ha-ri close behind. When she invites them to lunch, Jae-young insists Do-ah needs him while Eu-tteum is on his way to report to Manager Kim. Ha-ri knows that her mom can babysit all afternoon and that Manager Kim has a lunch meeting. As Ha-ri leads the way, Jae-young assures his worried companions, “We’ll be okay.”

At lunch, the three men sit across from Ha-ri and the restaurant owner teases that it looks like Ha-ri is choosing a husband. When Jae-young asks why she invited them to lunch, Ha-ri explains that now that the men are close, she was hoping that could all become better friends. With a sigh of relief, Eu-tteum blurts out, “We became close because we were all scared of you.”

When Ha-ri inquires about the men’s health, especially any familial medical concerns, Jae-young suspects that Ha-ri needs a liver transplant. Jae-young warns, “You can’t have a part of mine…It has hardened from all the liquor.” As they bicker, Eu-tteum observes, “You two seem like real siblings.”

Ha-ri explains that she and Jae-young have known each other since they were babies because their mothers were friends. Yi-sang was under the impression that they were cousins but Ha-ri assures him that Jae-young is just a friend. When Yi-sang asks why they live together, Jae-young takes Ha-ri’s hand, “Who says we can’t? Especially when we’re this close,” but she slaps it away. Raising her glass, Ha-ri toasts to getting to know each other better.

Ha-ri returns to Dachae Media at the same time as Editor Shim and is forced to finally confront her scandal. Ha-ri apologizes but confesses, “I understand how it can be frowned upon, but I don’t think what I did was that wrong.”

While not in agreement with Ha-ri’s choice, Editor Shim is sympathetic to her desperation. When she warns, “Just make sure you deal with the mess yourself,” Ha-ri isn’t worried since only Dachae Media people recognized her. That’s exactly what Editor Shim is afraid of.

Later, Ha-ri realizes that she’s the topic of conversation among the employees. Manager Kim corners her to confirm a ridiculous rumor that he knows isn’t true — Ha-ri was returning to Sperm Donor for another child after the birth of her (nonexistent) daughter.

Mom plays with Do-ah while recalling Ha-ri’s argument that without a child, she would end up all alone. With tears in her eyes, Mom worries, “If you have no one, who will take care of you when you’re sick?”

That night, Ha-ri’s mother invites Jae-young to join her for soju. When she asks how he really feels about Ha-ri, Jae-young explains that they’ve been friends for so long she feels like family. Mom wants to make it official but she’s frustrated because Jae-young refuses to see Ha-ri as a woman. Jae-young confesses that he’s well aware of Ha-ri’s charms, which is why he doesn’t want to saddle her with a single father.

At home, Yi-sang drops a surfboard on his foot while cleaning and when his slipper falls off, he’s reminded that Jae-young brought Ha-ri’s shoes when she ran out of her house. Bothered, Yi-sang asks the primitive statue in his living room, “How does this make any sense? A man and a woman who have a close relationship are living in the same house?”

In the morning, Ha-ri descends the seldom used staircase to join Mom and Jae-young for breakfast. When Ha-ri tries to explain that at her age, getting pregnant is more urgent than getting married, Mom storms off.

When Jae-young scolds her, Ha-ri imagines a boy that looks just like him seated across from her. When the boy tells her, “Grandma’s already upset as it is…Use your common sense, Mom,” Jae-young is confused when Ha-ri announces, “There’s no way I’d choose you.”

At Jambi Studio, Yi-sang watches Ha-ri help Soo-chul during another photoshoot until he’s distracted by Yeon-ho, who’s reviewing Jae-young’s photos. When asked about Ha-ri’s friendship with Jae-young, Yeon-ho confirms that they’ve known each other all their lives. She adds that they grew apart when Jae-young got married but after his divorce, he moved into Ha-ri’s house with his baby.

Yeon-ho considers Jae-young the perfect man for Ha-ri but Yi-sang disagrees, “He looks like a total con artist.” As Yi-sang walks away, Yeon-ho smirks, “Look at him being jealous.”

During a break, Yi-sang sits beside Ha-ri to warn, “When you feel anxious, you tend to make bad moves.” He suggests, “Feel free to make mistakes on me,” but Ha-ri cooly replies, “Whether or not I date a loser, it’s none of your business.”

Feeling dizzy, Yi-sang goes in search of something sweet to raise his blood sugar. As the photoshoot resumes, Ha-ri sees Yi-sang with a lollipop and imagines his mini-me begging, “Mommy, I’m so hungry, I can’t take it. Can’t I have a hot dog?” Turning away, Ha-ri mumbles, “He’s uncomfortable.”

That evening, Yi-sang returns to his family home for his father’s death anniversary. His mother places a cup of water in front of his father’s portrait, featuring a photoshopped background of the Eiffel Tower thanks to Yi-sang, and reminds her family, “Your father drinks water before he eats.”

During dinner, Yi-sang’s mother asks about his plans for a housewarming party and is told that only adults are welcome. When his sister-in-law protests, Yi-sang reminds her that he has a baby at his place. His mother misunderstands until his sister-in-law explains that Yi-sang is talking about a statue.

Worried about his attachment to a statue, Yi-sang’s sister-in-law offers to set him up with someone from her company. When Yi-sang protests that he’s not very social, his brother calls him a loser and leaves the table. Confused, Yi-sang’s young niece asks what happened to his fiancé but her older brother scolds, “Uncle’s wedding fell through…In-ah is banned, you stupid moron.” While his family argues, Yi-sang quietly eats his meal.

At Dachae Media, Eu-tteum is assigned to help Editor Shim with the gift bags for the launch of new magazine, “The Mom”. Hyo-joo makes her unhappiness obvious when she’s sent to the storage room with Eu-tteum to get supplies.

When Hyo-joo struggles with her cart, Eu-tteum explains why he won’t offer to do all of the heavy work. His feminist mother taught him not to treat women as if they’re weak but Hyo-joo doesn’t want to work at all and assures Eu-tteum, “I’m fine, so pull it for me.”

When they run into Ha-ri, with Eu-tteum pushing both carts, Hyo-joo whines that her new dress will get ruined in the storage room. She’s overjoyed when Ha-ri offers to take her place. In the storage room, Ha-ri watches Eu-tteum retrieve some magazines from a top shelf and mumbles, “The younger they are, the more fertile they’ll be.”

Eu-tteum hears her but Ha-ri convinces him that she meant that, thanks to his physical strength, he’s more likely to succeed in life. Flattered, Eu-tteum promises, “I’ll gladly help you out with my healthy body.”

Soo-chul and Yi-sang buy some ice cream and pause to admire the store’s poster, which features Yi-sang’s work. When Soo-chul asks Yi-sang to officially join Jambi Studio, he refuses, “I’m sick of working with babies.”

Their carts full, Ha-ri and Eu-tteum wait for an elevator. Ha-ri makes the mistake of complaining about her aches and is told it’s a sign that she’s middle-aged. Eu-tteum steps away for a few seconds and Ha-ri’s eyes widen when his pint-sized version returns. Seeing that the elevator is full, Eu-tteum’s cute son announces, “Can you please make some space? My mom is too old, and her body is aching all over.” Cringing, Ha-ri tells herself, “I can’t handle this kid.”

On their walk back to the studio, Yi-sang and Soo-chul catch some punks throwing trash on the sidewalk. When Yi-sang reminds them that trash goes in a trash can, he’s told that he sounds like a dad.

Yi-sang pulls out his phone to record the schoolboys, reading the names on their uniforms out loud. When they grab for his phone, Yi-sang tosses it to Soo-chul, who falls as he tries to catch it. Running to Soo-chul’s side, Yi-sang steps on his arm.

At home, Mom calls every contact in her phone directory but she doesn’t find a single prospect for Ha-ri. Next, Mom visits a bank and sits down with a representative that she guesses isn’t married. Mom confirms his unmarried status but he’s eliminated after answering a phone call reminding him to pick up some diapers for his son.

When Mom attends a guitar class, she decides that the teacher deserves a closer look. Mom visits the teacher’s office but his cap has been removed, revealing a huge bald spot, and she backs away.

Waiting for her bus, Mom sees all the men around her and wonders, “Who are all these men married to?” When she gets a reminder about a medical procedure, Mom sighs, “It’s been three months already?”

With the gift bags done, Yeon-ho reports that there aren’t any company vehicles available to deliver them and suggests asking the photographer for a favor. When Ha-ri pays a visit to Jambi Studio, she finds Soo-chul in a cast and a sling and an apologetic Yi-sang assures Ha-ri that he’ll take Soo-chul’s place at the launch event.

The next day, as he drives Ha-ri and the gift bags to the event, Yi-sang complains that she always needs extra favors. When Ha-ri argues that they’re close enough for that sort of thing, he reminds her, “…you didn’t want to even look at me anymore.”

Ha-ri recalls that Yi-sang took her in his arms when she cried but he clarifies that all he did was pat her on the back. Ha-ri feigns disappointment that her wish to become friends is one-sided.

At the launch, an hour has gone by and not one guest has arrived. When two moms walk in, everyone jumps up in excitement, but they’re just there to inform their hosts that the event is being boycotted because of Ha-ri’s scandal.

When they call Ha-ri’s morals questionable, she admits that she expected mothers to understand her. The women explain it’s because they’re mothers that they decided to take a stand, “…what about the children who will grow up without a father…How could you do this to your own child?” When one of the moms suggests that Ha-ri should get a cat or a dog, Yi-sang comes to her defense, “It’s not your call whether or not she raises a dog or a baby.”

Ha-ri apologizes for making the mothers feel uncomfortable but makes it clear she had no intention of doing what they’re condemning her for. After working alongside moms for 15 years, Ha-ri still doesn’t understand them but she’s hopeful she’ll get the chance to join their ranks someday.

Back at Dachae Media, Vice President Joo is furious when he learns about the boycott. He informs Editor Shim that he wants to see Ha-ri in his office first thing in the morning.

Yi-sang tries calling Ha-ri and when she doesn’t answer her phone, he finds her at the pojangmacha where they went with Jae-young. When Yi-sang joins her, Ha-ri asks if he expected to find her crying, but he answers, “I needed a drinking buddy. I have a lot on my mind today.”

When Ha-ri wonders if the moms will ever understand her, Yi-sang shares that his parents argued about his father’s habit of drinking a cup of water before meals for 40 years. His mother was convinced it was bad for her husband’s digestion but now, she serves it at his father’s memorial.

Yi-sang reasons, “If you finally understand someone at one point in your life, it means that you’ve been thinking about them all that time…And if you really do understand, your attitude would change.”

On the walk home, Ha-ri questions Yi-sang why he decided to stay single. He explains, “I can’t handle being excited in love anymore…I want to live as I do now. Silently. Without any happenings.” When they stop at a light, Yi-sang asks Ha-ri, “Why do you want to be a mom?” Ha-ri answers, “I just want to become happy.”

In the morning, Editor Shim accompanies Ha-ri to her meeting with Vice President Joo and Chairman Jo. When Vice President Joo informs them that a disciplinary hearing has been called, Ha-ri looks worried.

As Ha-ri leaves the meeting, Editor Shim argues that while she was wrong to damage the company’s reputation, their superiors have no right to interfere in Ha-ri’s personal life. Ha-ri stops to answer a call and is surprised to learn that her mother is at the hospital and needs her guardian before she can be discharged.

As Ha-ri waits for her mother at the hospital, she watches a son pushing his mother’s wheelchair. Ha-ri thinks of the all the times that her mother accompanied her to see a doctor and realizes that it’s her turn to be the guardian. When Mom walks out, Ha-ri jumps up to help her.

At home, Jae-young walks out of his room just as Ha-ri helps her mother inside. Mom blames the mixup on the fact that the hospital changed its policy because she never needed a guardian before. Ha-ri is upset that Mom acts as if she has no family and reminds her that she was the last one to know about Mom’s stomach cancer, after her surgery.

Mom argues that she doesn’t want to burden her hard-working daughter but Ha-ri protests, “Can’t I worry about you too?” Exasperated, Mom tells Ha-ri, “Save your nagging for your kids….Have kids using whatever means you want.”

Ha-ri confesses that she’s not qualified to be a mother because she never thought about the fact her child would grow up without a father, even though she never regretted being raised by a single mom. When Ha-ri wipes away a tear, her mother argues that nothing qualifies someone to become a parent, it’s a role that has to be learned once the baby arrives. Jae-young steps in to tell Ha-ri, “But if there was a license test for that, you’d get the highest score.”

Later, Jae-young lets himself into Ha-ri’s place to invite her for a drink but she turns him down. As they sit together, Ha-ri mentions that Yi-sang asked why she wanted to be a mom and his question reminded her of her elementary school graduation.

In a flashback, Mom instructed Ha-ri’s father to get their daughter a big bouquet for her graduation and to take lots of photos. On the way to school, Ha-ri paused in front of a flower vendor and asked for roses. Dad wasn’t paying attention and after he checked his watch, he announced that he needed to buy film and promised to meet Ha-ri at school.

Dad never showed and after the graduation ceremony, Ha-ri was alone while her fellow students posed for family photos. She was afraid to go home, aware that Dad’s latest failure likely meant the end of her parents’ marriage.

Jae-young’s mother saw that Ha-ri was alone and guessed what had happened. Handing her Jae-young’s bouquet, she posed the friends together for a photo. While his father took their picture, Jae-young told Ha-ri, “You look really ugly right now.” When Ha-ri hit Jae-young with the bouquet, his parents tried to separate them as Jae-young’s older brother photographed the skirmish.

Ha-ri eventually went to her mother’s restaurant where she burst into tears. Not seeing her husband, Mom took Ha-ri out for a celebratory meal and asked, “You’re okay without your dad, right?” Clenching her fist under the table to control her anxiety, Ha-ri calmly answered, “Yes.”

In the present, Ha-ri tells Jae-young that’s the moment she decided that she wanted to be a mother when she grew up, “My mom is the most awesome person in the world.” When Jae-young returns to his room, he walks out with a photo album and finds the pictures of Ha-ri on their elementary school graduation day.

The next morning, Manager Kim waits with the staff of The Baby to hear the results of Ha-ri’s disciplinary hearing. When Editor Shim returns, she reports that Ha-ri’s pay was suspended for a month.

Soo-chul sees Ha-ri when she walks out of Dachae Media and tells Yi-sang about her suspension. Ha-ri ends up at an arcade to play a shooting game by herself until Yi-sang appears and reminds her it’s designed for two players. They lose after a spirited round and Yi-sang asks, “What next,” but Ha-ri still has a deadline to meet even though she’s suspended.

Back at Jambi Studio, Ha-ri tickles Yi-sang to make their baby model laugh and she suddenly feels awkward. When it’s time to make the poor baby cry, Yi-sang has success when he bellows, “You naughty boy!”

When they check the photos, Ha-ri is impressed by Yi-sang’s work. She stamps the message “Good Job!” on his hand, explaining, “It’s us grown-ups who really need compliments.” As Ha-ri says goodbye to the baby model and his mother, Yi-sang studies the childish message on his hand and when he looks at Ha-ri, he tells himself, “This is bad.”

  
COMMENTS

Ha-ri suffered some serious setbacks after being recognized as the woman who was caught with the sperm donor. The repercussions revealed some surprising sources of support — Editor Shim and Yi-sang. While Editor Shim admits to having issues with Ha-ri’s decision to pursue single motherhood, she acknowledges that Ha-ri has a right to live life her way. She ends up running interference with the higher-ups and is by Ha-ri’s side at the disciplinary hearing. Thankfully, Editor Shim’s bark is definitely worse that her bite.

Perhaps because Yi-sang is also bucking tradition after deciding that marriage and a family aren’t in his future, he’s been surprisingly nonjudgemental about Ha-ri’s desire to have a baby without a husband. He’s proving to be a good listener as Ha-ri sorts through her feelings and he never scolds her the way that Jae-young does. While Jae-young’s attitude may be understandable in someone who’s like a brother, it’s not acceptable in a romantic partner, or a son, which is what Ha-ri realized when she imagined what her child might be like if Jae-young was the father. Being scolded by Jae-young is one thing, being scolded by their child is another thing altogether.

Even though Ha-ri is becoming more comfortable around Yi-sang, there’s still an element of discomfort on her part, which is why she can’t consider him seriously as a potential father. At least not yet. That discomfort was obvious when she pictured Yi-sang’s son and admitted that he too made her uncomfortable. Yet Eu-tteum’s imagined son was insufferable, just like dear old dad, even though he was as adorable as could be. Ha-ri just can’t face a life having her weaknesses and imperfections on blast.

Slowly coming around is Ha-ri’s mother, who’s finally seeing Ha-ri’s dilemma as she searches for someone, anyone, suitable for her daughter. She’s still pushing for Jae-young and Ha-ri to end up together but I agree with @dramallama, they’re best suited as friends and I sincerely hope it stays that way. What I do think is happening is that Jae-young is deeply regretting that he didn’t pursue Ha-ri romantically when he had the chance. She would have been a loyal, supportive wife and an excellent mother, everything that his ex-wife wasn’t. How different Jae-young’s life would be if he’d married Ha-ri instead.

While Eu-tteum is the youngest and most virile of Ha-ri’s current choices, he’s just way too annoying to be taken seriously. That doesn’t mean that I want him to end up with Hyo-joo because she’e even more annoying than he is. She barely tolerates Eu-tteum but she’s more than happy to dump more work on him just because he’s a guy, and she does the same thing to Ha-ri because she’s an ajumma. Ugh. Why does she bother going to work at all?

The unsuitability of Jae-young and Eu-tteum as potential fathers for Ha-ri’s baby just makes Yi-sang look better and better. It helps that he’s turning out to be a good friend but there’s a back and forth between Yi-sang and Ha-ri that’s irresistible, now that they’ve made it past their initial misunderstanding. There’s something about the tiny, petite, yet headstrong Ha-ri that pairs well with the tall, muscular Yi-sang who’s turning out to have the softest of hearts. That’s probably why Yi-sang was so devastated by his broken engagement but his growing feelings for Ha-ri suggest that he’s finally ready to move on. Let’s hope so, because Ha-ri doesn’t have much time to achieve her dream of becoming an awesome mother.

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