Oh My Baby: Episode 10

by TeriYaki

A promotion and a boyfriend have our heroine feeling as if she’s on top of the world. What she doesn’t know is that he has a secret that’s at odds with her dream to become a mother. Unaware of any complications, she’s ready for things between them to advance to the next level but one obstacle after another gets in the way. As her boyfriend tries to find the right time to reveal his condition, the question is — what will come first, intimacy or the truth?

  
EPISODE 10: “Moments we call love 2”

As Ha-ri surveys the elaborate breakfast that her mother prepared for her, she narrates, “The world suddenly changed after I became the editor-in-chief.” At Dachae Media, Ha-ri now sits at the head desk where she’s presented with flowers from Yi-sang, with the message, “You know you’re cuter than all babies, right?”

After work, Ha-ri goes out for drinks with Yeon-ho, Hyo-joo and So-yoon. When asked how it feels to be the new editor-in-chief, Ha-ri enthuses, “Sweet!” As the celebration gets underway, Ha-ri narrates, “So this must be how it feels to have the world at your fingertips,” adding, “The feeling only lasted a day.”

The next time we see Ha-ri, she’s asleep at her desk, dressed in sweats. After the sun rises, she visits a nearby sauna and the neighborhood convenience store. Outside of the store, Ha-ri runs into Yi-sang and when he doesn’t say anything, she guesses that he doesn’t recognize her.

Yi-sang insists that he’d recognize his girlfriend anywhere, he’s only speechless because he hasn’t seen Ha-ri in so long. Taking Ha-ri’s basket of toiletries and her hand, Yi-sang walks her back to Dachae Media.

At home, Mom grumbles that Ha-ri spent another night at work, which doesn’t help her pregnancy project. Jae-young asks how she feels about Ha-ri raising a baby on her own and Mom admits that she’d prefer that Ha-ri find someone special first. Jae-young casts doubt that will happen and suggests, “…what if I kept living with her…I just have to be by her side like I am now.”

In front of Dachae Media, Yi-sang is reluctant to let go of Ha-ri’s hand. When she reminds him, “You should contain yourself,” we see in flashback that Yi-sang pulled Ha-ri into an empty elevator and afterwards, she exited with hardly a hair out of place while his clothes and hair were a mess. Another time, Yi-sang dropped a pen near Ha-ri’s desk and after they both bent down to pick it up, he stood up with lipstick smeared across his face.

Yi-sang pouts that he hasn’t been able to see Ha-ri thanks to her busy work schedule, sighing, “There’s a lot I haven’t said.” After assuring him that there will be plenty of time for dates after her deadline, Ha-ri gives Yi-sang a big hug before returning to work.

In the office, Ha-ri rallies her exhausted staff with only hours to go until their deadline. When Ha-ri visits Manager Kim, Eu-tteum makes sure to greet her. Later, Eu-tteum finds Ha-ri in the lounge to ask her to go out with him for a meal, taking her mug until she agrees. After Eu-tteum leaves, Ha-ri has the mistaken impression that he wants her to be his mentor.

At Jambi Studio, Soo-chul agrees to a side gig over the phone, unaware that Yi-sang is resting on the couch while waiting for Ha-ri. When Yi-sang asks if he’s taking on part-time work for the money, Soo-chul admits that his kid needs a music tutor.

Soo-chul admits that he’s jealous of Yi-sang, “…you’re still a wanted photographer,” sighing, “What on earth happened to me?” When Yi-sang calls Soo-chul ‘cool’, he’s warned that now that he’s dating Ha-ri, “You should get ready to look cool.”

Over at Dachae Media, Ha-ri and her team work into the night until she announces, “Good work. Go home.” After Ha-ri calls him, Yi-sang walks her home where she’s reluctant to see him go. Ha-ri has an idea and asks Yi-sang to change a light bulb for her but Jae-young pops up from behind a potted plant to ask, “Which light bulb are you asking him to change?”

Ha-ri tersely answers that it’s the one in her bedroom and Jae-young heads for her place until Yi-sang orders, “Freeze.” Yi-sang warns, “I’m very wary of perverts since I was in the military police,” and Jae-young threatens, “I’m wary of injuries since I was a medical officer.”

Ha-ri makes it clear that she doesn’t appreciate Jae-young’s interference and when he reminds her that her mother is still awake, she snaps, “Go and tell her. She’ll be delighted.” Moving between Ha-ri and Jae-young, Yi-sang promises to change the light bulb another night and stays until she’s inside so that Jae-young doesn’t follow her.

As soon as he’s inside, Jae-young runs up the stairs to Ha-ri’s place. After letting Jae-young in, Ha-ri guesses that he wants to drink but he claims that he’s given up alcohol. After Ha-ri drops back into her chair, Jae-young asks if she’s always this busy.

Ha-ri reminds Jae-young that this was her first issue as editor-in-chief and when he promises a gift for her promotion, she turns him down, “Forget it. You’re going to try to take double of what you give me.” Insisting that he’s changed, Jae-young explains that he not only gave up drinking, he’s taking better care of Do-ah and he’s good to Ha-ri’s mom.

Jae-young promises, “I’ll be good to you too, so just say the word. What you want, what you want to do, everything.” When Ha-ri doesn’t reply, Jae-young realizes that she’s asleep and he turns to gaze at her. After a heavy sigh, Jae-young throws a blanket over Ha-ri and then returns downstairs where he struggles with his feelings.

While on a morning run through the park, Yi-sang sees Mom’s aerobics class and joins in. After class is over, Mom and Yi-sang sit down together and she explains that she took up aerobics for health reasons and eventually became a licensed instructor.

When Yi-sang jokes, “Do you know why grandparents are so wise…Because they’re “senior” citizens,” he’s surprised by Mom’s laugh. Insisting that he’s funny, Mom suggests, “I guess the two of us click.”

Mom asks about Yi-sang’s girlfriend and when he reports things are good, she advises, “Don’t get too upset if things don’t work out…You might be destined to marry my daughter.” When Mom adds that her daughter will inherit a huge building, Yi-sang laughs nervously and then continues on his way.

At lunchtime, Jae-young asks his receptionist about a nearby restaurant but she points to Jung-won, who’s been waiting to see him. They go to lunch together and that’s when Jae-young confesses that he can’t stop hating Jung-won, who never visits Do-ah.

After Jung-won claims that she can’t face their daughter, Jae-young informs her that he likes someone else. Insisting that she still loves Jae-young, Jung-won agrees to let him go if Ha-ri loves him too, convinced that he doesn’t have a chance.

Ha-ri rushes out of her place for a date with Yi-sang and runs into her mother. Surprised that Ha-ri isn’t resting, Mom guesses that her daughter is seeing someone and asks, “…I want to see this guy soon.” Ha-ri wants a chance to date him first and as she runs off excitedly, Mom exclaims, “How pretty. I hope he’s a decent guy.”

Ha-ri and Yi-sang walk through a tunnel lined with tiny lights leading to “Cave Botanical Garden”. When Ha-ri is asked to take a family’s photo, Yi-sang momentarily steps out of sight and they end up separated. Yi-sang calls Ha-ri’s phone but rather than tell him where to find her, she asks, “Do you think we’ll be able to find each other here?”

After hanging up, Yi-sang and Ha-ri make their way through the maze-like cave and eventually reunite under a large star suspended from the ceiling. They find a bench to sit down and when Ha-ri observes that they’re used to doing things alone, Yi-sang purposes that from now on, they should do everything together.

Yi-sang suggests, “The fact that I was able to find you so easily inside this huge cave means that we’re meant to be,” but Ha-ri isn’t convinced that fate had anything to do with it. Yi-sang wonders if it’s possible that people convince themselves that they’re destined for each other because they don’t want to break up.

After the cave garden, Yi-sang asks Ha-ri what else she wants to do but she wants to hear his ideas. Yi-sang sweetly explains, “I’ve lived all my life doing what I want. So now, I want to do stuff that you like to do. That way, I’ll learn more about you.”

Ha-ri proposes that they take turns so that she can learn about Yi-sang too. When Ha-ri worries that she’ll come to expect too much because Yi-sang is so agreeable, he jokes, “Give someone an inch, and you get a ruler.” Unlike her mother, Ha-ri complains, “Gosh, your dad jokes are still so hard to get.”

Taking Ha-ri’s hand, Yi-sang confesses, “I’ve been trying to like the idea of kids.” Just as Yi-sang is about to explain why he didn’t want children in the first place, a vendor’s shout distracts him. Every time he tries to speak, Yi-sang is drowned out and he only manages to say, “Anyway, just know that I don’t hate kids.”

Back at his place, Yi-sang defends himself before his statue collection, “There’s no need to glare at me like that. I’m going to tell her.” Worried, Yi-sang asks the assembled figures, “What if she thinks that I’ve been deceiving her?” He confesses, “I’m terrified of losing her.”

At home, Ha-ri finds Jae-young drinking alone. She asks Jae-young not to bad mouth Yi-sang now that her mother knows that she’s dating. When Jae-young wonders, “What do you think would’ve happened to us had I not married Jung-won,” Ha-ri guesses that he regrets marrying her.

Jae-young blames Jung-won for costing him his real chance at happiness but Ha-ri reminds him how in love they once were. In a flashback, we see the day that Jung-won met Ha-ri, when she complained to Jae-young, “You never said she was pretty.”

Ha-ri, not quite as polished-looking back then, was offended when Jae-young made a big deal about Jung-won’s beauty at Ha-ri’s expense. Back in the present, Ha-ri insists, “Even if you go back in time, you’ll still choose her.” Jae-young finds the memory bittersweet now that his feelings for Jung-won are gone.

After a meeting with her superiors, Ha-ri finds Yeon-ho alone in the office. She reports that the executives complained about the drop in ad sales and that they want a better model on the cover.

Yeon-ho asks to write a piece on fertility treatments since the feature on infertility generated so many questions. Ha-ri gives her the go-ahead but asks to review her list of pharmaceuticals.

Just as Yeon-ho leaves, Eu-tteum pays Ha-ri a visit to ask if she’s free on Saturday. When she guesses that he wants to take her out for that meal, Eu-tteum promises to call Ha-ri on Saturday and walks away, ignoring her protests.

Later, Eu-tteum meets Hyo-joo at a coffee shop, confused when she asks about his family and living situation. She explains that they should get to know each other better now that they’re working together more frequently. Wrapping her straw’s wrapper around her ring finger, Hyo-joo asks Eu-tteum if he figured out the correct ring size. Eu-tteum confirms that everything is ready for his confession on Saturday, which Hyo-joo is delighted to hear.

On Saturday, a fashionably dressed Hyo-joo walks into a salon while Eu-tteum visits a jewelry store to purchase the rings she specified. While Ha-ri’s ring is fitted, Hyo-joo arrives at a café to wait for Eu-tteum’s call.

With the couple rings in hand, Eu-tteum calls Ha-ri and learns that she’s at Jo Jo’s Restaurant. Eu-tteum happens to be outside but when he walks in, he’s shocked by the sight of Yi-sang holding Ha-ri’s hand. Eu-tteum asks if they’re playing a game and Ha-ri pretends that they’re arm wrestling until Yi-sang confesses, “We’re dating.” Ha-ri begs Eu-tteum not to tell Manager Kim but he turns around and leaves without a word, the ring box still in his hand.

After warning Ha-ri not to be alone with Eu-tteum, Yi-sang sounds concerned now that he knows they’re dating. The restaurant’s owner breaks it to Yi-sang and Ha-ri, “Everyone at the company knows except for Mr. Kim.”

Yi-sang addresses his other rival when he asks how long Jae-young plans to live with Ha-ri. Because her mother thinks of him as a son, Jae-young can stay as long as he likes, so Ha-ri advises, “…just ignore him.”

It’s getting late as a numb Eu-tteum walks around aimlessly. It’s dark by the time Hyo-joo calls him from the café and when Eu-tteum doesn’t answer, she grabs her things and leaves. While Eu-tteum waits at a traffic light, he looks at the ring box in his hand as cars whiz by.

Ha-ri and Yi-sang are drinking beer when Jae-young calls to ask where she is. After Ha-ri reports that she’s at a bar near home, Jae-young takes off running to find her. Ha-ri is surprised by all the empty beer bottles on the table and when Yi-sang giggles, “I’m drunk,” she smiles, “It has been a while.”

Ha-ri offers to help Yi-sang home and he whispers, “Do you want to come over,” mumbling, “You should speed on the Autobahn, but I can’t speed with you.”

When a bowl of ramyun is delivered to a nearby table, Yi-sang smiles slyly, “Want some ramyun?” Jae-young walks in just then, sweaty and his glasses steamy, and sits at the table next to them. Yi-sang tries again, “Ha-ri. Do you want to have ramyun at my place?” But it’s Jae-young who speaks up, “I’ll go. I like ramyun.”

Back at home, an irritated Ha-ri makes some ramyun in Mom’s kitchen. When Mom walks in, Jae-young, who’s annoyed Ha-ri even more by helping himself to her ramyun, tattles, “She was out drinking and was about to go to a guy’s place to have ramyun.” While Jae-young struggles to explain what that means, Mom asks, “Why are you intruding on her personal life?” But Mom doesn’t hesitate to ask Ha-ri about her new man’s intentions.

Jae-young argues that there’s a certain order to things, pointing out that it makes no sense to add noodles to water that isn’t boiling. When Ha-ri hisses, “Our water is already boiling…,” Jae-young wonders why something hasn’t happened by now. Worried, Ha-ri asks her mother, “Do you think he feels pressured because he knows I want kids?”

While working late, Ha-ri thinks about Yi-sang’s drunken comment about the Autobahn. After sending everyone home, Ha-ri asks So-yoon if there are any appliances that need to be installed. When So-yoon picks up some type of cleaner, Ha-ri grabs it and runs out.

At home, Ha-ri changes into a stylish black dress. When she arrives at Yi-sang’s place, he runs around nervously before answering the door. After inviting her in, Ha-ri looks around, her attention caught by the photo of Yi-sang’s stamped hand, which happens to be next to his boxes of hormone injections.

When asked what needs to be installed, Ha-ri pulls out the box while announcing her hope that Yi-sang will think of her whenever he uses — the automatic toilet cleaning device. After Ha-ri installs it in Yi-sang’s toilet, they move to his couch. Still worried that he may feel pressured, Ha-ri assures Yi-sang, “Right now, all I care about is you.”

Just as Yi-sang is about to kiss Ha-ri, an announcement from the building’s management office goes off in his apartment followed by a security guard’s explanation that the pre-recorded message machine is broken. Determined, Ha-ri tries to kiss Yi-sang but the building’s sirens go off.

After walking Ha-ri home, Yi-sang reminds her about the light bulb she needs changed. Just as Yi-sang is about to follow Ha-ri into her place, Jae-young emerges with an old lightbulb and they’re forced to say goodnight. Beyond frustrated, Yi-sang sprints home, shouting in anguish.

During a visit with her doctor, Ha-ri admits that her menstrual cramps have worsened. With only a few months left before Ha-ri’s surgery, the doctor asks about her plan to get pregnant. When Ha-ri explains that she now has a boyfriend, the doctor decides to forego painkillers for a fertility injection and advises her patient to do her best to get pregnant.

Outside of Dachae Media, Yi-sang recalls writing on a charm (in the cave?), “I wish that Ha-ri’s wish will come true no matter what.” Pulling out his phone, Yi-sang calls Ha-ri and promises to wait for her to get off of work, explaining, “It’s just that I have something to say.”

After hanging up, Yeon-ho hands Ha-ri the list of fertility drugs that she wanted to review. When reminded that the office of general affairs asked for Jambi Studio’s contract, Ha-ri runs to get it and we see that the first fertility drug on the list is the one prescribed for Yi-sang.

When Jae-young can’t find Do-ah’s stroller, Mom points to it by the front door. Worried because Jae-young has been distracted lately, Mom guesses, “…do you have feelings for Ha-ri?” Miserable, Jae-young confesses, “I like her…what should I do?”

At Jambi Studio, So-yoon asks Yi-sang for help with the photo she needs for an article on successful bedtime signals between married couples. A couple is needed to stand behind a screen and since Soo-chul has to take the photos, So-yoon explains, “We’re the only man and woman left…” Ha-ri walks in just then and announces, “Actually, there’s me.”

While Soo-chul takes photos of their silhouettes, Ha-ri tells Yi-sang, “I have something to ask you.” Ha-ri explains why having a baby is easier that getting married, “My kid would instantly join my family and I will love it the moment I give birth to it. But marriage should be with someone whom I’m certain of loving until the day I die.”

Ha-ri reminds Yi-sang that it’s almost too late for her to have a child of her own just as Soo-chul directs them to step closer to one another. After they do so, Ha-ri continues, “I had no idea I’d feel this way, but I want the father of my child to be someone I love.” As Ha-ri smiles up at him, Yi-sang assures her, “I want nothing more than to love you.” After a nervous pause, Yi-sang continues, “But it’s difficult for me to have a child,” as Ha-ri’s smile fades.

  
COMMENTS

After all of the cuteness surrounding Ha-ri’s and Yi-sang’s budding romance, the mood definitely shifted in this episode. The relationship heated up at the same time that Yi-sang was trying to tell Ha-ri his secret. That caused Yi-sang lots of anguish, which was only compounded by the frustration that he experienced, together with Ha-ri, whenever their ‘alone time’ was interfered with over and over again.

Jae-young really annoyed me when he neglected to inform Mom that Ha-ri has a serious boyfriend so that he could make his case for staying by her side. He followed that up by doing everything in his power to keep Ha-ri and Yi-sang apart. I know that Jae-young is suffering now that he’s accepted his feelings for Ha-ri, but that doesn’t make it right for him to sabotage her relationship with Yi-sang.

Poor Eu-tteum had to deal with anguish of his own when he finally learned the truth about Ha-ri’s relationship with Yi-sang, and his devastation was brutal. I’m beginning to think that he and Hyo-joo are perfect for each other because they’re both painfully clueless. Eu-tteum was blindsided by Ha-ri’s dating news, even though everyone at work knows about them, and Hyo-joo never caught on that his confession was meant for someone else.

But all of that angst pales to the pain that’s waiting for Ha-ri and Yi-sang, who finally had some uninterrupted, non-sexy time for the truth to come out. After her appointment with her doctor, Ha-ri started the conversation by reminding Yi-sang about her wish for a baby. With the two of them behind that screen for Soo-chul’s photoshoot, Yi-sang finally mustered up the courage to reveal that’s the one thing that he may not be able to give her. Thankfully, Yi-sang managed to tell Ha-ri about his problem before their relationship went any further because as Jae-young pointed out, there’s a certain order to things.

If anyone could understand Yi-sang’s dilemma, it should be Ha-ri. But with her clock rapidly running down, will she stay with him to work through their challenges or will she run away? What hasn’t really been addressed is the fact that even if Ha-ri has the chance to get pregnant, there’s no guarantee that she’ll be successful. Yi-sang’s infertility will force Ha-ri to decide if she should give up on the man in front of her in favor of a baby that she may not be able to have, in spite of her best efforts. Or, Ha-ri can hold on to what she does have, a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime love with a man who’s willing to help her find a way to make her dream come true. Now that Ha-ri has decided that she wants the father of her baby to be someone that she loves, the only chance that she has to have it all is to stay with Yi-sang and hope for a miracle.

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