Oh My Baby: Episode 12
by TeriYaki
As our heroine comes to appreciate what her relationship with her boyfriend adds to her life, his main competition does his best to be seen as more that just a friend. A gift certificate that gets passed around like a hot potato proves that some things are just meant to be…while others aren’t. In spite of our heroine’s gentle discouragement, her friend refuses to accept her choice, making their friendship increasingly uncomfortable.
EPISODE 12: “Grown-ups leave a place to go back to”
Running back to Yi-sang, Ha-ri wraps her arms around his waist and sobs that she can’t lose him. Enveloping Ha-ri in his arms, Yi-sang whispers, “I’m sorry.”
After their reconciliation, Yi-sang reports that he’ll soon know if his treatment has been effective and promises to continue with it until it works. Ha-ri reminds Yi-sang that he hates kids but he only said that because he couldn’t have any of his own.
Ha-ri warns Yi-sang that they need to be prepared for the difficult decisions ahead, “We’ll want to avoid it. We might argue. And one day, we might want to quit.” When Yi-sang wonders if she’s scared, Ha-ri admits, “Yes…there might not be a miracle,” and she asks if he’s prepared for the possibility that they’ll break up.
In spite of Ha-ri’s concerns, Yi-sang is determined to make things work between them. Acknowledging that their journey will be challenging, especially for Ha-ri, Yi-sang tells her, “I hope you win. Because I don’t plan on losing either.” When Yi-sang holds up his hand, Ha-ri gives him a high five and he promises, “We can do this.”
At home, Ha-ri stops in to see Mom, who asks, “Are you here to brag about your date with Mr. Han?” After being reminded that she called Yi-sang ‘son-in-law’, Mom explains, “That wasn’t a sign of approval.”
Mom cautions Ha-ri against rushing into marriage and advises her to cut Yi-sang loose if she’s not sure about him. Mom argues, “You have to get married soon, so I’ll see which one is a better fit for you.” Seeing Ha-ri’s questioning look, Mom signals that their talk is over.
In the morning, Mom finds Yi-sang waiting outside and he explains that he’s there for her workout class. Jae-young walks out just as Mom tells Yi-sang, “All I need from you is to show your unchanging love for my Ha-ri.”
Mom sputters, “My dear Mr. Han wants to join me for my workout,” but Jae-young catches the endearment. Since Jae-young doesn’t have any patients all morning, he decides to join them after he drops Do-ah at daycare.
During the aerobics class, Yi-sang and Jae-young make a scene as they try to outdo one another. After class, Mom confronts both men, “I understand that you’re trying to win my heart, but you’re embarrassing me at my place of work.”
Jae-young protests that Mom keeps calling Yi-sang ‘son-in-law’ and insists that he’s not right for Ha-ri. About to tell Ha-ri’s mother about Yi-sang’s infertility, Jae-young decides against it, only saying, “I disapprove of him.” Mom admits, “To be frank, neither of you are good enough for my daughter,” but she’s positively giddy to have two serious suitors interested in Ha-ri.
After they leave Mom, Yi-sang thanks Jae-young for not divulging his secret. Making it clear that he hasn’t given up on Ha-ri, Jae-young walks away.
At Dachae Media, Yeon-ho drops a heavy box with the pregnancy boosting tonic her mother brewed on her desk. Yeon-ho explains that her mother can’t accept the fact that she doesn’t want children. When Yeon-ho asks about the weekend’s workshop, Ha-ri explains that it hasn’t been approved yet and promises to check into it as she leaves on an errand.
In his office, Jae-young gazes at the photos of him with Ha-ri at their elementary school graduation, setting them aside when she walks in. Grabbing Jae-young’s stethoscope and holding it to her chest, Ha-ri complains, “My heart feels like someone’s poking at it.”
Ha-ri wants Jae-young to know that she’s grateful that he didn’t tell her mother about Yi-sang’s infertility. When Jae-young asks, “Must you take this difficult path,” Ha-ri insists that she’s committed to her relationship with Yi-sang and asks Jae-young for his support.
Fighting tears, Jae-young asks Ha-ri if she’s given up on having kids but she’s hopeful, “We’re going to look for a way together.” Before Ha-ri leaves, Jae-young hands her his stethoscope and asks her to listen to his heart. He agrees when Ha-ri describes his rapidly beating heart as ‘furious’, “Yes, I’m angry because of you.”
At Jambi Studio, Yi-sang approaches his pint-sized model while So-yoon and her boyfriend set up the photoshoot. After learning that she’s four, Yi-sang smiles warmly as he shakes the girl’s chubby hand.
After Eun-young gets another job rejection via text, her husband takes over house and kid duties while she sits in the living room, staring into space. When he makes a mess in the kitchen, Eun-young walks out of their apartment.
Ha-ri finds Eun-young at a café, “Did you come here after running away from home?” Eun-young nods towards a woman on her laptop, “Her dark circles are darker than her makeup…Isn’t that so dreamy?” Eun-young informs Ha-ri, “I mailed out 50 resumes, but they won’t hire me even as a clerk.”
When Eun-young asks Ha-ri, “Are you okay,” she admits that she can’t stop thinking about kids but smiles as she confesses that she’s still happy. Her friend assures her, “It’ll work out,” but when Ha-ri returns the sentiment, Eun-young sighs, “I don’t want to live like this. But I think I’ll have to.” Getting up, Ha-ri announces that Eun-young is spending the night with her.
Worried because Soo-chul wasn’t at the studio all day, Yi-sang calls his friend. While setting up a sign outside of a restaurant, Soo-chul explains that he’s building his future just as Yi-sang walks by.
Ha-ri and Eun-young arrive at her house and find Yeon-ho waiting outside, “Can I stay over tonight too?” After introducing the women to one another, Ha-ri invites the runaway wives inside.
Soo-chul sits with Yi-sang and explains that he’s interning so that he can open a restaurant of his own for extra income. When Soo-chul asks about Ha-ri, Yi-sang reports, “…thankfully, she held onto me.” Soo-chul asks about kids and Yi-sang admits that he wants to become a father. Asking how he can prepare for fatherhood, Soo-chul advises Yi-sang, “You just go with it!”
At Ha-ri’s place, Eun-young and Yeon-ho sob while Ha-ri listens sympathetically. Yeon-ho’s husband complained about her mother’s tonics while Eun-young wails, “Raising kids is 100 times harder than working.”
Eun-young realizes that childless couples have problems too, while Yeon-ho decides that she’d rather pull a week of all nighters than stay home to raise kids. Fresh tears spring from Eun-young’s eyes because she feels the same way, adding, “But the kids make it bearable.”
When Eun-young admits that she can’t imagine her life without her kids, Ha-ri pictures family life with Yi-sang. Dressed as a tyrannosaurus rex, Yi-sang growls at a son and a daughter, “I’m going to catch you!” Scolding him not to scare them, Ha-ri knocks Yi-sang down and invites the kids to attack their dad. As they run into Yi-sang’s waiting arms, Ha-ri smiles happily.
Ha-ri is brought back to reality when Eun-young asks if she’s considered adoption, which is an option for single people. Ha-ri explains that she must prove that she has family to help her and that they need to be evaluated as well. Because she believes that a child should be seen as a gift, not an alternative, Ha-ri isn’t ready to consider adoption just yet. Changing the subject, Ha-ri suggests a game to decide who will sleep on the couch but Eun-young announces, “I suddenly miss my kids.”
After Eun-young goes home, Ha-ri and Yeon-ho discuss her decision to forego children. As Yeon-ho describes a happy married life without kids, Ha-ri pictures herself living with Yi-sang in his apartment, complete with a cute dog.
Yeon-ho complains that people consider a childless lifestyle abnormal, as well as having kids outside of marriage. Ha-ri reminds her, “We don’t live our lives hoping to be understood by others. We just do our best to make the right choice,” adding, “We’re doing well.”
In the morning, Yi-sang visits a jewelry store to buy a necklace for Ha-ri. When the saleslady hands him his purchase, it includes gift certificate for a one night stay at a bed and breakfast.
Ha-ri walks Yeon-ho out to meet her husband, who’s come to take her home. After telling Ha-ri to have fun with Yi-sang, Yeon-ho gives her husband grief for making her cry. Walking away, Ha-ri narrates, “Yeon-ho and Eun-young probably both left because they knew they had a place to go back to.”
In a flashback, we see what it was like for Ha-ri when her mother had surgery for stomach cancer. Ha-ri worked all day and then went straight to the hospital, but she didn’t mind until she went home to an empty house. Imagining life without her mother, Ha-ri realized, “…I’d have nowhere to go back to.”
On her way to meet Yi-sang, Ha-ri continues, “No matter how far your journey is, and no matter how exhausted you are, you’ll be able to get through it as long as you have a place to go back to.” Seeing Yi-sang waving at her, Ha-ri wonders, “Will that person become my place to go back to?”
While walking past a store window, Yi-sang stops at the sight of a pair of tiny Moai figurines. Ha-ri reminds him that his place is already filled with Moai statues but he hops excitedly and cutely exclaims, “Yi-sang really wants that.”
When Ha-ri admits that he’s scaring her, Yi-sang defends himself, “The innocent child that was hidden deep down inside suddenly just popped out.” Deciding that she can act immature too, Ha-ri gives Yi-sang an ultimatum, “Choose between me and that.”
Yi-sang looks torn and Ha-ri asks in surprise, “Are you actually thinking about it?” Yi-sang tries to explain but Ha-ri tells him, “Too late,” and walks away. After glancing longingly at the figurines, Yi-sang chases after her.
Jae-young spends the afternoon buying a car and looking at a large apartment. He takes in the view of the Han River and sighs, “It’s nice. I should work hard.”
Yi-sang teases Ha-ri, “…quarreling with you makes it feel like we’re really dating,” but she prefers that they not quarrel at all. Yet when Yi-sang asks her about going on a trip together, as he tries to pull the gift card from his pocket, he mentions the toilet cleaner she gave him and Ha-ri gets upset.
Ha-ri hotly explains, “That was me taking a huge step, you know. I wanted to know how you felt about me.” While Yi-sang struggles to free the gift card, Ha-ri snaps, “Save it,” and walks away, testily ordering him, “Don’t follow me.”
Disappointed when she turns around and sees that Yi-sang didn’t follow her, Ha-ri goes home. Back at his place, Yi-sang decides to write out his apology and after many hours and much effort, he’s done.
After not hearing from Yi-sang, Ha-ri is about to call him herself when she sees that he texted his very long apology. He’s sorry for making it seem that Ha-ri is only interested in sex and promises to avoid that mistake in the future, ending his text with, “I love you.” Ha-ri happily texts back, “I love you too.”
As Ha-ri is about to enter the building for Dachae Media, a stack of newly delivered boxes fall toward her. Eu-tteum blocks them with his body and after finding himself face-to-face with Ha-ri, dramatically announces, “Don’t forget this moment that I saved thy life.”
Eu-tteum follows Ha-ri inside and when they sit down together, he explains, “For at least once, I wanted you to see me as a man.” After he shares his complicated feelings for her, Eu-tteum is able to tell Ha-ri, “All I want is to see you do well. That’s all.” Ha-ri smiles at Eu-tteum warmly, “…you’ve been a great comfort to me in many ways. You’re a nice guy, you know.”
Jae-young returns to Do-ah’s daycare after forgetting to leave her medicine. When the caregiver hands him a blanket that he doesn’t recognize, Jae-young learns that Jung-won brought it, along with some clothes and toys.
As he leaves the daycare, Jae-young calls Jung-won to inform her that she can visit Do-ah, but only if she follows a strict schedule. Before hanging up, Jae-young makes it clear that nothing has changed between the two of them.
At the studio, Yi-sang calls the bed and breakfast and learns that the only vacancy left is that weekend. After Yi-sang makes the reservation, he overhears So-yoon complain to her boyfriend about the workshop planned for the weekend, “Ms. Jang’s been excitedly making plans. I need to pretend to enjoy it.” Yi-sang hands the gift card to Soo-chul and urges him to take his wife.
So-yoon returns to the office just as Ha-ri announces that there won’t be a workshop after all, fueling fresh worries that the magazine will fold.
Over at Jambi Studio, Soo-chul calls his wife about the getaway and learns that she can’t go just as Hyo-joo comes looking for him. Soo-chul accidentally spills juice on her new dress and hands Hyo-joo the gift card as an apology.
When Hyo-joo gets into an elevator with Eu-tteum, she thanks him for staying with her at the police station and he explains, “I was afraid you’d do something humiliating.” Handing Eu-tteum the gift card, Hyo-joo offers, “If you have no one to go with, I can…,” but he announces that his parents will love it.
Eu-tteum overhears Manager Kim apologizing to his wife for forgetting their anniversary and passes the gift card onto him. When Yeon-ho complains to Manager Kim that the sales report is messed up again, he gives her the gift card so she won’t tell Vice President Joo. Yeon-ho places the gift card on Ha-ri’s desk as thanks for hosting her overnight and whispers, “Take Mr. Han.”
After work, Jae-young invites Ha-ri for a drive in his new car and he uses the opportunity to explain that he’s looking for an apartment near the hospital now that his clinic is established. Jae-young tells Ha-ri, “You may think of me as the runny-nosed little kid who used to get beat up by you, but I’m a pretty decent guy.”
Jae-young invites Ha-ri to join him when he goes apartment hunting over the weekend. Instead of giving Jae-young an answer, Ha-ri offers him the gift card to the bed and breakfast and suggests, “Take Jung-won and Do-ah this weekend.”
Jae-young tries again, “Let’s eat, check out places together…I want to tell you how I plan to live from now on.” After a long pause, Ha-ri agrees, “Sure, I can listen to my friend. But let’s talk later.” Jae-young insists, “Let’s talk that day,” but before Ha-ri can answer, she gets a text from Yi-sang. Ha-ri asks to be dropped off and Jae-young can’t hide his disappointment as she walks away.
When Ha-ri meets Yi-sang, he comments that they’ve been too busy to see each other lately. Learning that Yi-sang accepted a weekend assignment, a disappointed Ha-ri confesses, “I was going to ask you to go away with me.” Surprised, Yi-sang asks about the workshop and learns that it was canceled.
When Ha-ri mentions a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast, Yi-sang asks to see it. Seeing his gift certificate, Yi-sang laughs, “We really should go here. Let’s go even if the shoot ends late at night.” Soon, Ha-ri is packing for her trip while Yi-sang reports for the photoshoot.
Ha-ri’s uncle runs after a customer, who walks with the aid of a cane, to hand him a bag of pastries to sample. The customer asks if Ha-ri is with the same company and when Uncle returns to his pastry counter, his wife asks, “What does he do for a living? He always shows up all of a sudden with so much money.”
Uncle confesses that the man asked about Ha-ri, “I just told him that she’s probably still working at the same company.” Upset, Ha-ri’s aunt worries that Ha-ri’s mom will kick them out of her building when she hears about the man and they’re stunned when Mom walks in.
With a sigh, Mom confesses that she has a lot on her mind, “There are two guys who want to be with Ha-ri. One is a doctor, and the other is a photographer.” Just as aunt and uncle congratulate Mom on her ‘problem’, the customer returns to ask for Ha-ri’s number and recognizes Mom.
Jae-young arrives at a cafe to wait for Ha-ri just as she texts, “I’m not going. Don’t wait for me.” After three hours, Yi-sang’s model hasn’t arrived and when he asks to reschedule the photoshoot, the coordinator begs him to stay.
Arriving at the bed and breakfast, Ha-ri calls Yi-sang who warns that he won’t be done until after midnight. Ha-ri assures him, “If you can’t make it, I’ll just get some rest on my own,” but Yi-sang promises to join her as soon as he can.
Yi-sang does his best to get through the photoshoot as quickly as possible while Jae-young waits at the cafe, hoping that Ha-ri will show. While Ha-ri gazes at the stars, Yi-sang sends her a slideshow of the photos that he’s taken of her.
The slideshow is interrupted by a call from Jae-young and when Ha-ri explains that she’s waiting for Yi-sang at the bed and breakfast, Jae-young realizes that she’s by herself. Ha-ri defends her decision to wait for Yi-sang, “Whether or not he shows up isn’t important. What matters is that I’m waiting for him.”
Jae-young offers to pick up Ha-ri and suggests, “Let’s go home together.” When Jae-young demands, “Why are you waiting for someone who might not even come,” Ha-ri answers, “Because I want to wait for him.”
Jae-young pulls away from the cafe at the same time that Yi-sang finishes his photoshoot and drives off. Impatient, Jae-young speeds to the bed and breakfast and arrives in time to see Ha-ri open the door for Yi-sang, who beat him by seconds. After they disappear inside, Jae-young can see through the gauzy curtain how happy Ha-ri is to be with Yi-sang.
Walking to the front door, Jae-young is about to knock but he stops himself at the last second.
COMMENTS
Don’t knock on that door Jae-young! It’s time to let Ha-ri go before you risk losing her as a friend, and so we can get more sweet moments between Yi-sang and Ha-ri’s mom. I’m quite impressed with Park Byung-eun as Jae-young because even though I find the character infuriating, I don’t hate him, in fact, I feel sorry for him. That’s a challenging balance to achieve but in my opinion, Park Byung-eun has managed it.
I thought that the traveling gift certificate was a clever way to demonstrate that Ha-ri and Yi-sang really are meant for each other and that they’re ready for that next step…an overnight trip. It’s that trip that drives Jae-young to desperation, hoping to intervene before Ha-ri and Yi-sang become intimate. But Ha-ri already told Jae-young not to wait for her while letting him know that she wanted to wait for Yi-sang, he just isn’t willing to accept Ha-ri’s choice. Knowing how badly Ha-ri wants a baby of her own, Jae-young has reminded her again and again that Yi-sang can’t fulfill her dream, hoping that it will force her to see him differently. But Ha-ri no longer wants just a baby, she wants a marriage based on love and she’s never demonstrated any romantic feelings for Jae-young. Ha-ri is doing her utmost to discourage Jae-young’s romantic notions and preserve the friendship by sidestepping him whenever he hints at his feelings.
And finally, as she becomes more secure in her relationship with Yi-sang, Ha-ri is able to imagine a happy and satisfying life without becoming a mother. I’ve been hoping and waiting for Ha-ri to be able to accept that she might not succeed at getting pregnant because life can be like that. It’s a huge step for Ha-ri and while it doesn’t mean that she won’t be terribly disappointed if she and Yi-sang don’t have a child of their own, infertility doesn’t have to feel like a death sentence in spite of her initial reaction.
Ha-ri isn’t the only one struggling to adapt to an unexpected future. Eun-young hasn’t been able to give up on her once promising career, admitting that her life as a full time mother isn’t exactly satisfying. But like Ha-ri, she’s finally accepting where life has led her and that she’ll always grieve for her lost profession. Then there’s Yeon-ho. Even though she and her husband are happy without kids, the choice places them at odds not only with her mother, but with society as a whole, and adds an unwelcome strain to their relationship. Yet, the tribulations of both of her friends enable Ha-ri to appreciate that there are others with huge challenges and disappointments to overcome.
It looks as if that pastry customer with a keen interest in Ha-ri just might be her father. I love it when a drama surprises me at this late stage, especially if it brings a minor storyline full circle. If he is her dad, it’s going to upset not only Ha-ri’s life, but her mother’s as well. What can it be that he wants from Ha-ri at this point in their lives and how will it impact her plans? Especially when a certain someone has a diamond necklace at the ready.
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Tags: Go Joon, Jang Nara, Jung Geon-joo, Lizzy, Oh My Baby, Park Byung-eun
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1 sal
June 22, 2020 at 5:35 PM
“No matter how far your journey is, and no matter how exhausted you are, you’ll be able to get through it as long as you have a place to go back to.” whoo this line hit hard and personal. Really feel sad coming home without anyone to come home to. No one to talk about each others day, eating together, comforting each other. No wonder research says couple lives longer and more happy life than single people.
YS and HR conversation in the first scene should be something every couple should talk about. This is important to sustain the relationship. Also clever for the writer having EY and YH there to show her different life she could have with YS. very important moment for her reflection on her own life. There nothing more valid than others. As long as your happy with the choice you make. I most hand it to this writer for making this a meaty drama than just another rom-com.
I think this episode is the episode that signal JY shift and letting HR go. I am glad he did say to DA mother that she could visit her on a regular schedule.
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2 MikeyD signed up
June 22, 2020 at 6:21 PM
I have zero pity for Jae-young now. He's a petulant child who discarded a toy and is now angry that someone else is happy playing with it. If this were another type of drama I'd be afraid that Ha-ri might find herself bound in the truck of Jae-young's fancy new car being driven off to a secluded spot.
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bdee
June 22, 2020 at 7:14 PM
Yeah barf. What is wrong with him?! SO DAMN SELFISH AND CONCEITED.
The amount of disgust and disdane I have for him is insurmountable.
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Screentime
June 22, 2020 at 7:17 PM
Signs about Jae-young have been evident since the early episodes.
I think it is such an interesting way the writer has shown that tunnel vision/obsession leaves Ha-Ri (us viewers) open to dangers because we become so overtaken by wanting an outcome that conformation bias takes over and leaves our critical/protective radar behind.
Given what we all know about SK Drama I was surprised to see so many beanies adopt unquestioning a Jae-young hopeful lens when the writer had given so much contradictory info. To then see inferences drawn about his ex from such a one sided story were troubling.
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3 OldLawyer
June 22, 2020 at 6:34 PM
This marks the three quarter point of our story- a natural inflection point. And it came whith a wonderful essay on the meaning of home, on top of everything else. This show is really well written with tons of insight.
This was an emotionally draining episode for me but a satisfying one- and not only because Ha-ri and Yi-sang are finally on the same page, determined to face their problem together. And there are solutions: If Yisang’s treatment won’t work but Ha-ri can conceive then a visit to a sperm bank after marriage is one option. If she cannot then adoption is an option too (but not one Ha-ri is quite ready to accept just yet). The key thing is that the decision will be made together by both of them.
Jae-young and Jung-won have in fact made progress even if Jae-young declares that they have not. But the fact that Jung-won now wants to be part of her daughter’s life and that Jae-young has now agreed to Jung-won seeing her child- as long as it is on a set schedule- is huge progress for both of them. I still believe that they both need serious professional help and have no idea what their relationship will be in the future- but whatever it is it will be better than what they have had until now, especially for their child. And I sincerely hope that Jae-young does NOT knock on that door- not just for the sake of Ha-ri and Ji-sang but also for his own. It is long past time for him to let go and face the future in a realistic fashion, both for himself and for his child.
One thing that I hated in this episode is Ha-ri’s mother thinking that she should decide which of the two men Ha-ri should marry. When your daughter is 40 years old such thinking is actually both irresponsible and repulsive. Hopefully that really is Ha-ri’s father who just showed up to keep her mom too occupied to continue to meddle. With out her encouragement Jae-young might have backed off long before this.
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OldLawyer
June 22, 2020 at 6:41 PM
I forgot to add that I loved the way that Eu-tteum lets go of Ha-ri. I think that he is starting to learn the things he needs to know, without losing his kind, generous spirit- like when he gives the gift card to Manager Kim. Poor Hyo-joo, who gave it to him, cannot catch a break. The fact that Eu-tteum told her that he had stayed the night at the police station so that she would not humiliate herself was both an expression of caring and a put-down at the same time, while the deft way that Eu-tteum avoided spending a weekend away with her showed me that he has real character (a lesser guy would have leaped at the chance) and also a better understanding of relationships: Even if part of him wants to be with Hyo-joo it was way, way too soon for that and giving her a solid stiff arm at that moment was definitely the right thing to do. Their story is not over yet, but it is clear that Hyo-joo needs to do some real thinking about both how and why she does what she does- and what she needs to change.
It may be that in the end Hyo-joo and Eu-tteum do not end up together- precisely because Eu-tteum has learned to avoid entanglement with girls like Hyo-joo, no matter how pretty they are. I cannot complain if that is what happens because that is exactly what I originally wanted to happen.
But in this episode I ended up feeling so sorry for Hyo-joo that I genuinely want to her to have a chance. What she does with it will be up to her. Right now I am sure that she is too steamed to do anything rational, but give this some time.
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beffels
June 22, 2020 at 9:22 PM
I put Eutteum’s rejection of the weekend away with Hyo joo less to deftness and more to it not being something that would occur to him at all.
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OldLawyer
June 22, 2020 at 11:31 PM
You may be right- but I am responding to the fact that he cut her off in mid-sentence. And to the fact that he really attached little importance to giving the gift card to his parents- that just happened to be what he could come up with quickly. But whichever of us is right I think that you would agree that he is no longer in a great hurry to get together with Hyo-joo. That alone is a major mark of maturity.
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bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Hyo-joo needs some growing up to do! Although she might be falling hard for Eu-tteum, talking about the scene with the twins photo-shoot, I think from previous episode.
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OldLawyer
June 23, 2020 at 5:29 PM
The night spent at the police station is even more significant to her- That kind of thing shows that the man can really be there for someone.
The Twin photo shoot shows that the guy has brains- and is willing to use them. It is the icing on the cake.
Add to all of this that he is a genuinely nice guy with a positive approach to life- and handsome too- and Hyo-joo would have to be both an idiot and a fool NOT to fall for him. But that does not make her necessarily right for him.
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:31 AM
I have to say that the only thing JaeYoung did correctly in this episode was calling JungWon and telling her she could be part of DoHa's life because she's her mum, but not just when she wants, but on a schedule so the baby (who should be the only concern here) knows it's her mum.
Well done, JaeYoung. You at least can do one thing good.
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HugosHalmoni
June 23, 2020 at 5:04 PM
In re: Ha-ri and Yi-sang and options - I think having Yi-sang by her side has altered Ha-ri in some substantial ways. Her insistence on needing a biological child was partly because she was alone. Yes, her mom supports Ha-ri, but Ha-ri knows that it's more complicated than that for her mom - an older generation, expectations from mom's friends and society, etc.
With Yi-sang in her life (committed, for the long haul), I think Ha-ri can relax her focus a little and see that there are many options to at least consider. She does not have to go through this alone, especially the possible disappointments in the future.
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4 meowingme
June 22, 2020 at 6:41 PM
Cracking up so bad at Yi-sang's "look at my bum" gesture and him looking all scruffy (and sexy) after the fight with the letter!
Although we are past the angst, am glad that show is bringing up the fact about their struggle ahead. Their commitment is not empty promises because both are already aware of how hard and tiring it's going to be. Really think they are the most even-keeled ship I've seen in kdrama.
Was that Ha-ri's father in the bakery? And wow, mom isn't kidding when she said Ha-ri is a property heir! She got two buildings, are there more..?
Jae-young question to Ha-ri is so ironic considering he is waiting for someone who said she is not coming at all, duh. Agree with @teriyaki, tho, Park Byung-eun is a gem coz he got me sympathising and still believing Jae-young could be a better person.
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PYC
June 23, 2020 at 7:35 AM
Park Byung-run is one of the reasons I started this drama because he is so versatile and always good in whatever role he takes on. In a lesser actor, JY would be totally despicable but somehow PBY injects certain vulnerability to this man of regrets who hopelessly tries to regain what he had lost. And you can't help but wish he would eventually find his happiness.
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meowingme
June 23, 2020 at 8:31 AM
True that! Park Byung-eun is awesome in comedy but he also has a lot of gravity, and he managed to convey the vulnerability really well.
And because we hate Jae-young but we love Park Byung-eun, let me just share this here (have shared this with @loveblossom before) https://youtu.be/fN1mg5SCg6s?t=185
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 11:51 AM
Mom surely wasn't exaggerating when she said HR would be a property heiress..when she made the claim, I thought well a house can be a property so she ain't wrong,but a commercial building in Seoul, dang mumma Lee. She really did all that on her own.. We had seen glimpses of her running a modest restaurant all on her own while raising a kid with no support. So it warms my heart to see how well she did..It musta sucked to be struck with that disease right when she was ready to enjoy the fruits of her labor..to have survived that and live each day pursuing your passions..Mumma Lee is #adultinggoals. With such a woman as a role model,no wonder Ha Ri has such a strong work ethic and longs to be a mother.
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5 Chandler
June 22, 2020 at 6:55 PM
Thanks for the recap!
I enjoyed so much about this episode. I love that Ha-ri and Yi-sang acknowledge that they might have difficult times in the future, but choose to not give up and lose the chance at happiness they have, whatever that version of happiness might be.
I adored the impromptu ladies' night and how it embraced all these women's different ideal lifestyles and highlighted the hardships and regrets they all face. I love that it acknowledged that we all have our different standards to live by and should not need to cater our lives to other people's judgement.
This is why I could also appreciate Ha-ri's thoughts on adoption because she recognized her own limitations. To those who might be bothered by her words, I don't think she was implying that adoption is an alternative, rather than a gift, for everyone. Given that she did have a hope of having a biological child, she has concerns of not treating the adoption as a gift, as she feels it should be. She simply doesn't have the confidence yet. How capable someone is does not always line up with how capable they think they are (and this can go both ways). Even if I think she would ultimately find her concern a non-issue, once she loved the child, I appreciate how careful she is to make such a huge decision.
Lmao, I love Mom, but did she have to encourage Jae-young? Her vicariously enjoying her daughter's multiple suitors and bragging about them to everyone is the only silver lining to be had out of Jae-young's annoying antics, lol.
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bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 9:57 AM
Yes to the adoption issue, she is not opposed to the idea but would rather have one of her own.
I'm not sure what the end game would be, if they would have a miracle baby (I'm already assuming that Yi-sang is the one) or maybe they'll receive a precious gift. The writer has already planted seeds for this episodes, let's see if they sprout.
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Oh wow, thank you for this comment about her take on adoption. I totally got where she was coming from but that sentence was a bit weird to me and was wondering if it was a translation issue .Your take on it puts it in context and is very much in character for HR.
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Yn00na
June 23, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Yey to the writer for bringing adoption into the table! I get why it may not be the option for everyone and that's understandable. Hopefully if we keep bringing this up in the spotlight it would help destigmatized adoption to society. As heart breaking it is for someone longing to have their own child, I find it even more so for a child longing to have parent(s).
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6 CustardHopia
June 22, 2020 at 7:07 PM
For me it was pitiful when Jae-young bought the car and checked the apartment overlooking Han River. Was it because Yi-sang has those and he's like a child who wants what his rival has or better? Ha-ri was so encouraging when he's starting to pick himself up, but he should be doing it for himself and his daughter, not so he can impress Ha-ri.
I'm not really that worried about Ha-ri and Yi-sang's relationship at this point though because they showed that they're capable of talking things through. Ha-ri is already considering a future with Yi-sang with or without children, and Yi-sang has promised that he'll support her no matter what.
Also, I watched this episode again last night just so I can skip Jae-young's scenes out of spite. LOL.
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TurtuallySarcastic
June 23, 2020 at 1:44 AM
I felt the whole scene of him buying a car and looking at the apartment very bittersweet. I have been hoping for this stage in his recovery ever since his slob entrance at the beginning, but he is doing it for Hari, rather than for himself or his daughter.
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:35 AM
It was bittersweet, because he didn't do it for himself, to move on, but because he wants to "buy" HaRi, which is so wrong.
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Yes to all of this. I was kinda happy when he was in the car show room. But then he asked the retailer if the apartment had Han River views and the penny dropped. Dude was side eyeing YS's car in the beginning of the ep. Do you really have to be this childish, JY. Just coz you have a car and and apartment like YS doesn't mean HR will shift her affection to you . I was also super annoyed when he said he's getting to be a better father to Do Ah as if that's a point on his side in HR's mind rather than something he should be doing as a father. Sigh, I know he genuinely cares for his kid and part of him was also shamed into getting his life back on track when he saw similar ages YS's living conditions, but him using all these steps in the right direction for getting HR's attention while also ignoring her obvious reluctance is just super annoying. I am hoping this is the bottom of the pit and he will start to turn his narrative around come next episode. Coz I really don't want to FF you for PBY's sake
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7 geminirat
June 22, 2020 at 8:21 PM
Yay! They discussed adoption - my concern from last episode. Jae-young is the annoying character in this episode, the fact that he won't let go is like a favorite toy that was cast aside but now that somebody else wants it, doesn't want to let go. I pity his ex-wife who might probably have lived with the shadow of Ha-ri between them.
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8 korfan
June 22, 2020 at 8:24 PM
Step away from the door, Jae-young.
Take a couple of steps back, turn around, and save your friendship with Ha-ri.
Just step away and go home.
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:36 AM
He'd better not knock on that door 😤
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Yn00na
June 23, 2020 at 6:47 PM
Save that last bit of dignity and show us that you can be salvaged!
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9 Zora
June 22, 2020 at 9:01 PM
YS and JY dance showdown was sooo funny! 🤣 😆 🤣
I love how this drama is giving me so much to reflect on in life especially about having a baby.
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10 Kurama
June 22, 2020 at 9:23 PM
Poor Yi-sang, he can't have a child and Ha-ri deprived him from a new member of his Gum Gum's family.
For JY, I don't like how he makes YS being bad for Ha-ri, he can't give a child, he's late, etc. When it's not YS's fault. YS is really trying his best for Ha-ri.
When he bought a new car and searched for an appatment, I thought he understood he must live his life without parasitizing Hari's one. But no...
I liked the conversation between the 3 women, each one in a different position with its + and -, no life is perfect.
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Kurama
June 22, 2020 at 11:32 PM
I need JY to back off too! After all these baby conversations, I think they need to practice to be ready for the end the medical treatment :D
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:37 AM
I'm secretly hoping HaRi will buy him the Moai 🤗
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11 beffels
June 22, 2020 at 9:41 PM
For the first time I fastforwarded some of this drama, because I just could not deal with JY. It’s one thing to want to discourage your friend from dating someone you believe will make them unhappy (that’s fine) and also to tell a friend that you are interested in being more than a friend (fine but not if friend made it abundantly clear they see you as a sibling and they are seeing someone else that they really like). But to just be dog in the mangerish about everything, and to follow her to her overnight trip, see her being happy with someone else and not only not just sadly leave but to get out of the car....eeesh.
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12 loveblossom🌸
June 22, 2020 at 10:15 PM
Yi Sang in the T-Rex costume is so cute and dorky!
Ha Ri's imaginations of them with and without kids were lovely. I'm glad she took a look at both possibilities. I was uncertain about some subs I read. Yi Sang said he doesn't hate kids, but does he personally want them? Per the subs, Yi Sang said Ha Ri wanted kids so "he wanted to share her dream". Then right after, he said his dream is about wanting to be a dad. We've seen mostly Ha Ri's pov so I hope the writer reveals more of his feelings and thoughts.
After all that time spent on his handwritten letter, Yi Sang just sent a long text message of his apology to Ha Ri. I thought he was going to attach a photo of his letter lol.
Not that I mind, but Eu Tteum quickly bounced back from his heartbreak. It was better that he stayed a nice guy instead of becoming jealous and angry. (One character already filled that role.)
Ha Ri clearly told Jae Young that she thought of him as a friend. She has been calm and considerate in maintaining their friendship. He better not make things worse. I initially felt bad for him on and off, but his selfish acts became more frequent. He did pause instead of knocking. I hope he realizes some sense in that brief moment before it's too late.
The gift cert was a cute move by the writer. After it passed through all those hands, it ended back with the original couple. Yi Sang being thrilled and believing it was meant to be when he saw it again made my heart happy. ^^
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OldLawyer
June 22, 2020 at 11:37 PM
Eu-tteum bounced back as a nice guy- just as Ha-ri said- and a better and more mature man for the experience. It was heartwarming to watch. Somewhere out there is a very lucky woman.
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:41 AM
Totally agree with you.
EuTteum did what a normal person would do: if the one you like is in love with someone else and you have no choice, you yield. And you do, because the happiness of that person is what really matters.
You don't act like JaeYoung, you act like EuTteum, and you accept your defeat.
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Completely agree with you but there's also a distinction here- ET's feelings weren't very deep to begin with. Poor guy doesn't know HR well enough to know what he had a chance of having. Now even if he was as deeply attached ,based on the character we know he totally would've taken No as an answer and bowed out respectfully. A certain hyung can learn something from ET rather than trying to prank him for his naiveté.Just saying..
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13 TurtuallySarcastic
June 23, 2020 at 1:40 AM
Thank you for the recap!
As of this episode, the idea that sleepovers are teenagers only is officially dismissed!💃The best part was how the two women on different parts of the motherhood spectrum who did not know each other shared their pain, listened to each other and empathized without Hari having to interfere. There is something magical about meeting female friends of your female friends on a sleepover and the unconditional acceptance that blooms between you.😊
Then I saw Yi-Sang energetically dancing in aerobics and donning a T-Rex suit and the world became a slightly better place.😍
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:42 AM
The female reunion was fantastic, and I really appreciated how honestly they talked about their problems.
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bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 9:16 AM
i had to replay Yi-sang dancing aerobics, too much fun watching it!!!
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:16 PM
That class...😂.....My replay button might never recover. Worth it, though.
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bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 1:14 PM
commitment to acting the part!
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14 Kafiyah Bello
June 23, 2020 at 5:15 AM
I really enjoy how this episode showed the pros and cons of both sides. I like that Ha Ri trusted her relationship with Yi Sang and ignored the Jae Young. She has shown a maturity that has rarely been seen in kdramas. This drama is so good.
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15 stpauligurl
June 23, 2020 at 6:03 AM
Thanks for the recap - but especially thanks for all the thoughtful and well written responses to this show. You all make me wish I could be as eloquent with my thoughts as most of you are.
This show is managing to say so much about the value of women in roles as wives, mothers, daughters, girlfriends and bosses as well as employees.
We've looked at the role of women as moms/single women/married women in the workplace and I can certainly tell this writer has something to say and is saying it well.
We all have choices in our lives and some of us take longer to accept and make the choices we need to opt in for. The writer is also showing that men too struggle with working and being parents, as well as single men to struggle to find their place.
I really have no complaints about this show other than Jae-young - but when he called his ex to tell her she could have visitation with her daughter it gives me hope for his character. Not much mind you - but some.
Well done cast, crew and writers - well done!
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PYC
June 23, 2020 at 7:46 AM
This episode is such a satisfying watch. I love how 'balanced' this drama is in depicting dilemma we face everyday - be it a mama
different relationships
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PYC
June 23, 2020 at 7:49 AM
My bad - got distracted and then pressed "send" instead of "cancel". Will come back ....
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:47 AM
I agree with you about how the show is dealing with women: working women who decided to quit their jobs to rise their children (as Editor Shim and Eun Young), mums that want to go back to work and find out that in their resume rising a child in "nothing" or just a gap (like Eun Young again), single women that want to become mums (like HaRi), married women who don't want to become mums and don't feel guilty about it (like Yeon Ho). And I love how they talk about it. If we all want to make the world a place where we can be equal we need to talk about all these subjects and not judge others.
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bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 9:29 AM
It was beautiful to see the discussions among women in this episode, it says a lot about how we live life and how expectations of others however well meant affects us.
However much we think we're living our best life and not let others dictate how we value our beliefs, somehow their disapproval still stings. But what can you do, everybody is just trying the best they could with what was given or stand by their choices.
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Yn00na
June 23, 2020 at 6:52 PM
I miss editor Shim. Hope she makes a comeback before show end.
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16 Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 7:54 AM
Some thoughts about this episode:
- I'm pretty sure HaRi knows about JaeYoung feelings but is ignoring them because she doesn't want to hurt him or lose his friendship (she's already lost it once). Her concerned look when they were on the new car said it all.
- I hate JaeYoung. I have no pity for him. He's a selfish moron. If you love someone and you realize you don't hold a chance, you have to be brave and elegant enough to yield. Going to the village and trying to knock on that door? NO.
- I don't like the way mum and YS and JY discussed about HaRi, as she was some kind of property they had to get a deal about. Mum should have stepped out. I didn't even find the aerobic scenes funny, because I was too mad at the three of them. No comic relief for me.
- I loved girls night and how honestly three different women talked about their problems without the usual cries and despair we see in dramaland.
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meowingme
June 23, 2020 at 8:43 AM
Totally agree with your first point, and what makes it even more pathetic was Jae-young saying to Yi-sang "I'm telling you to break it off with Ha-ri because Ha-ri is too kind to say it to you." Uh, go take a good look in the mirror, Jae-young!
Your third point, aww, but it's dancing Go-joon, how can you say no to dancing Go-joon? ^^
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 9:29 AM
I agree he’s the less “guilty” of the trio, but I still don’t like the fact of other adults fighting in the name of HaRi as if she didn’t have anything to say.
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:31 PM
Ok, I get your distaste for that exercise scene but hear me out..
Mumma Lee had independently met YS and thought him a catch. And she always had hoped that JY would be her son in-law. Was she giddy at the thought of having 2 eligible guys when few months ago her daughter's matrimonial hopes seemed non-existent? Yeah..but she has said multiple times that the decision is up to HR. Sure she's basking in the attention of two young'ns but I don't think she's gonna pressure HR into anything .
As for YS, he really is only trying to get into the lady's good graces,given he's hoping she'll be his mom in law. JY is the one who made it into a competition. In this instance, I also get JY's antics though. I did predict he's gonna get competitive with YS when it comes to mumma Lee. Yes, she's the only ally he has in his (useless) quest for HR's heart,but she's also a strong mother figure to him and has basically stepped in as his kid's grand mother. So his possessive instincts would definitely get triggered when he sees YS is now adored by her.
All this long essay to say,you really should give the dance class a second view. YS flailing around is a gift that'll keep on giving......😅
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Eazal
June 23, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Hahahaha, I know it was objectively funny, it really was.
And I know mum would never interfere on HaRi's life, not at least THAT WAY (we all know mums have the right to interfere in their daughter's lives!).
I totally get your point.
But this is a feeling I get because I'm truly activist on "my life is mine" and we have a 40 years old woman and then her mum and two men are discussing what's better for her. HaRi would probably dismiss them and go to YS and forget about everything, but I would hate to be in that situation: HaRI is a person, not a thing, and what's more important, HaRi is a grown woman, not a little girl who doesn't know what she's doing.
My problem here is that the show is infantilising the FL, as if she couldn't manage her life and needed advice. And I hate it, because that's what we see in all dramas, TV shows no matter what country, movies and books: women looking for a male figure to tell them what to do.
See? I also love essays! Hahaha.
Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 7:05 PM
Fair points, well made. 🙂
HugosHalmoni
June 23, 2020 at 5:20 PM
I didn't like that scene either, although I felt it was inevitable. The one saving grace in this show is that most of our characters (at least by this point) are showing consideration for and attention to what others really want - hopefully even Jae-young now. Not just caring for (which can be condescending), but listening to and taking care of each other - men caring about men, women caring about women.
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17 bugs_bunny
June 23, 2020 at 9:44 AM
Thank you for the recaps TeriYaki (12) & dramallama (11). Spot on commentary about Jae-young! I'm not necessarily against him and the actor playing him is good also, I think he's just trying to live out his life without regrets now. He might need more time for self-reflection. But him agreeing for his ex-wife to visit their child regularly is a good step.
Thank you beanies for your insightful commentary! I might have up-voted all them:)
Props to the writer for highlighting some of the struggles of parenthood, although it might come off as a comic relief but the words & actions of Eun-Young mirrors the struggles of mothers coming back to the working world and thinking life has moved on or might not have something for them. Her resignation to come home the same night to her family says a lot about her priorities, hopefully she gets a chance to have another shot at what she's good at professionally.
When the gift certificate was passed from one person to another, ahhhhhh... This writer knows a good comedy routine, good story-telling:)
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Yn00na
June 23, 2020 at 7:08 PM
Eun-young comment on how she's being judge by that one empty line in her resume hit a spot. I've seen too many women, and men, being penalized for taking a break on their career for early childhood care. I think the world still have a long way to go. Scandinavian countries probably fare better then the rest of the world and i certainly get jealous hearing about the parental support they get.
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18 Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:45 PM
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Ashes2Ashes
June 23, 2020 at 12:53 PM
5 words..Interpretive aerobic dance by YS
Ok fine,more words...
♥️♥️♥️
*Show did confirm YS has wanted to be a dad but had convinced himself otherwise coz of his medical issues and the aftermath of his last relationship.
*How did HR stop herself from buying all the maoi figurines in the store when YS did that pouty stomp baby talk thing? I cringed and melted simultaneously. Clearly she's made of stronger stuff than I am 😅 Also, she really knows her man...In her dream vision of them living their best kid free lives, YS is busy tending to his fave Maoi statue.
*Just to balance out my karma for ranting about JY...Yayy for progress when he allowed JW visitation rights??
*Ladies sleep over- I just adore how this show gives all the supporting cast atleast few moments to be living breathing characters with struggles and triumphs of their own. Esp, the ladies that surround and support HR in various ways. Loved that HR heard them out and they each gained perspective from the other's stories .. Only thing that'd have made it even more perfect is if Editor S had made a surprise entry and given all of them succinct advise and then scared them into going home with that stare. Then HR and her could have traded war stories and eaten trash food to complete the official sleep over ceremony.{I swear I'm trying to kick the habit of inserting my faves in any and every scene}
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19 welh
June 23, 2020 at 2:15 PM
JY acting so desperate and needy when he knows Hari's position really sours the story line. Originally, I thought the three men were going to be examples of qualities that Hari was looking in her partner. But the writer has clearly given YI the lead (even though he is a work in progress), while quickly cutting off ET and making JY into a pathetic loser. If JY cannot be happy, he wants Hari to be unhappy. Misery loves company but not in this drama which started to explore the complex details motherhood.
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20 HugosHalmoni
June 23, 2020 at 5:09 PM
I was literally on the edge of my seat - please let Yi-sang get there first, chaebal, CHAEBAL! I don't watch thrillers or cop dramas, so this was my thrill for the week.
I also thought the gift certificate round robin was done really well - quick, but not rushed. Just enough humor, but not slapstick, and it was so heartwarming that everyone who passed it on was paying back a favor or trying to make someone's day better. I love both this show and Mystic for that sense of working together to make people's lives better. The characters have their own goals (and demons), but they are never oblivious to what those around them are going through and are feeling.
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21 anonybean
June 25, 2020 at 5:15 AM
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22 Linda Dunn
June 27, 2020 at 8:49 AM
Thank you for your recaps. I always read these as soon as they are available as they sometimes shed new light on scenes, especially when the translations lose nuance. As a former infertility patient and the grandmother of an IVF with donated egg (meaning we're not biologically related), I'm really enthralled with how the writers are handling this situation. I also had endometriosis, followed by surgery. My daughter's fertility was also impacted by this. It's far more common than many of us realize and while some have light or no symptoms, others experience intense pain, etc. I feel the show is doing a very good job with a delicate subject that hits home hard for some of us. That said, I absolutely LOVE how this couple talked about their issues, faced realities, and (finally) had difficult talks. I loved the sleepover and the different viewpoints/lifestyle discussion. What I don't love is the pain that I see our main characters experiencing and I hope the writers have a good resolution that is also not a cop-out. Miracles happen but I would prefer to see medical science offer a solution. I note that we've already seen his family and there's a brother with children who could be a sperm donor. There are also embryo adoptions for the experience of pregnancy and giving birth. I hope they explore some of those options as well. I'm going on too long about this but I'm really excited to see this type of issue being a plot device that's treated appropriately. I hope it ends well.
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