Backstreet Rookie: Episodes 7-8 Open Thread
by missvictrix
Our part-timer in distress gets some much-needed support from our hero’s family — but it’s not without consequences. Relationships are a lot about priorities, and this week we see what happens when our characters’ priorities start to shift in new directions.
EPISODES 7-8 WEECAP
It’s not a fakeout — Saet-byul really does quit the store this week. She’s heartbroken, of course, but feels she is doing the right thing, while Dae-hyun feels a bit sorry, guilty and even surprised at her sudden departure. Pretty soon, though, the lack of Saet-byul at the convenience store is felt by everyone.
The girl might have been a bit wacky, but she was also a valuable asset to the store. Without her, Dae-hyun can’t seem to run things. Not only is he covering the shifts himself again, but the organization and order that Saet-byul brought disappears when she’s gone. Of course, we get most of this via comedy — like when Saet-byul is hiding in the storage room secretly helping him, and her accidental banging around is mistaken for a store ghost — but all in all it’s clear: the store Dae-hyun needs her around.
It’s so like life that hardships come all at once, and not long after Saet-byul is jobless, she and her sister are evicted after a rent scandal with their apartment. Eun-byul is busy lying her way through life to be an idol (why do I think this contract is going to blow up in her face?), while Saet-byul is left sobbing on the floor of the public sauna, trying to put the pieces together. I feel for her — she puts on a strong front, but she’s been struggling alone for years. She needs family, and that’s what made this plot development so satisfying.
Because, it’s Mama to the rescue! It’s funny — I don’t enjoy the dynamics between Dae-hyun’s family at all (in fact I pretty much dislike most of their scenes), but whenever his mom and Saet-byul interact, it’s the sweetest thing ever. She finds Saet-byul sobbing in the sauna and quickly takes her home like an abandoned kitten.
Saet-byul in Dae-hyun’s house is too good of an opportunity to pass up for this drama, so we get a steady string of expected (but still kinda funny) hijinks. More than once, Saet-byul accidentally terrifies each family member with her bedhead and white nightgown (a la The Ring) while walking around their house at night.
Then, when Dae-hyun is rushing home for a shower, he’s undressing on his way to the bathroom and encounters a freshly showered Saet-byul. Dae-hyun in his boxers makes her scream bloody murder, and the feeling is mutual. (For a drama that’s been criticized for over-sexualizing Saet-byul early on, this was one of the most G-rated accidental shower sighting scenes I’ve come across in dramaland — just saying.)
But beyond the comedy, what we thought would happen, happens. Yeon-joo turns up at Dae-hyun’s house and Saet-byul’s presence is pretty much the same thing as a bomb going off in their relationship. But really, that bomb has already gone off, and Saet-byul is just the excuse. Yeon-joo’s mouth says one thing but her actions say another, and she treats Dae-hyun horrible this week. In fact, her two-faced behavior only brought out Dae-hyun’s kindness and sincerity even more.
While Yeon-joo is cancelling their date and instead going out with Seung-joon “for work” (slowly falling prey to his lame advances), Dae-hyun is earnestly trying to make their rain check date happen. He’s also suddenly/automatically playing hero for Saet-byul, when he learns about the real estate fraud. Dae-hyun and Saet-byul running, huffing, and puffing through the neighborhood trying to catch the money-stealing Man-bok was the highlight of this week’s episodes for me.
I appreciate all the time this drama is taking to get Dae-hyun to see Saet-byul as more than a scary, wacky girl that works in his store — or perhaps this week, the little sister that needs protecting. We’ve seen Dae-hyun and Saet-byul goof off together, fight for justice together, and just get along well generally — it’s clear (to us) they live on the same wavelength — but we haven’t advanced much more yet.
This week all we got was the smallest hint of “awareness” when Dae-hyun is conscious of not touching Saet-byul when getting a ride on her scooter. With the end of Episode 8 being primo first kiss territory for most by-the-recipe dramas, I appreciate even more the time Backstreet Rookie is taking to make their romance feel appropriate and acceptable.
And just like that we’re half through the madness that is Backstreet Rookie. Our second half is where we’re most likely to see the romance start to come together, since really, there’s not much plot going on besides bumps in the road that are slowly working to bring these two together. Here’s hoping Backstreet Rookie does it well.
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Tags: Backstreet Rookie, Do Sang-woo, Han Sun-hwa, Ji Chang-wook, Kim Yoo-jung
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1 Kurama
July 13, 2020 at 7:15 AM
DH's family is separated in 2 : the daughter and the father who don't work and love to steal things in the shop and the son and the mother who work hard. But they helped each other, the father tried to make stake out for SB and the sister helped with the store.
Poor SB, she is really not helped by her sister. Signing a contract without the consent of her guardian won't make a rich suddenly... I understand she has a dream but stealing from her sister was really wrong and using her sister's friend too. SB's friend is nice and it was sad to see her trying to protect SB from her father. DH gave the excuse the bad excuse of the guardian but he cares about her, he wants to help her.
I really like how SB tried to give space to DH but it's his girlfriend who messed up. She used SB as an excuse for their issues, but she's the one who doesn't assume a boyfriend who is not from the same circle of friends.
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2 asterell
July 13, 2020 at 7:48 AM
I think Yeon-joo's mouth was also doing something else
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maryxiah
July 14, 2020 at 6:29 PM
Hahaha, very subtle.
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3 Kairoskat 💐
July 13, 2020 at 7:56 AM
Thank you for the weecap @missvictrix!
I adore Saetbyul and Daehyun's mum. Mum really cares for Saetbyul. And I like the community around the convenience store, they seem close knit. And I also like that SB wasn't the only one who got scammed, a lot of her neighbours were scammed too and they made a group to discuss the scam report. It made it more believable and I'm thankful the show didn't make SB a super naive easily scammed person.
Little sister has serious issues with her idol plan. She commited fraud, she has an alleged bully video. I doubt she can debut smoothly. Poor Saetbyul, her sister is not helping lessen her burden at all.
YJ and DH are struggling to keep their relationship in one piece. They are so different. They are slowly learning their feelings for each other, in their own way (twisted way for YJ). They've been cruising in their happy bubble for several years, neither introduced each other to their families. I don't feel they will last long but I look forward to see them have a real conversation for once to address their problems.
Lastly...I'm team cameo! Jiwook and Saetbyul are so good together, she can show her real feelings in front of him. I hope they will be friends to lovers in the drama. Hahaha
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 8:15 AM
What makes Kang Ji-wook a great second lead is that he CANNOT have a girlfriend at this point in his life- unless he wants to give up his career. His agency will not grant him an exception simply because he has had a crush on Saet-byul for years. They have already shown up and dragged him away at least once.
Nor does Saet-byul see him in any romantic way- basically he is like a little brother to her- hence the 'puppy' nickname.
With the final scene in episode 8 we have the makings of an explosion by YJ. Which DH will try to fix but I think will really ultimately lead to that conversation that you mention. The one that they absolutely have to have.
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Palopi
July 13, 2020 at 10:12 AM
I am not trying to excuse Eun-Byul, I just see the reality of poverty in her. She is stupid throughout the week but then they just get scammed and she has this one ticket to make money, she isn't particularly smart in school and she can be an idol.
I know it looks shallow and so reckless but I can see how she came to the decision.
The characters in this drama aren't really the best of the bunch in their entirety but they feel like a real person, even Yoon-Joo, I've seen someone behave like Yoon Joo, not as rich as her but she isn't the devil of the world.
This drama definitely feels like real life and it doesn't shy away showing the shameless of real people. People can preach "communication is the key, you need to stay calm, stop blaming the 3rd party because you are an adult", now let's we examine the real-life, have you seen it happen when they just realised it? This realisation comes way later. People don't always behave that rationally. What makes me appreciate the dimension is that everyone is treated like this, not as exaggerated but your sibling that comes food just to hog the food? there is always one.
The highlight for me this week is Saet-Byul x Puppy, KYJ did wonders in that scene. I wish she did more drama, she is really good. I feel what she is trying to show me.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 10:54 AM
I love Daehyun's mom when she's with Saetbyul. I wished she would chill on the abuse of the husband. But, also I wished the husband was not such a tool.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 3:05 PM
I agree with you on both points. Spousal abuse against husbands is no more justified than against wives. Sadly, there is far more of it than many may think- it may be that the only real difference is a matter of physics- men are bigger and stronger which means more physical damage is done- and it is easier to detect and prove. But the greater truth is that even one abusive spouse, regardless of sex, is one too many. The frequent use of wives hitting husbands, etc in the one single trope which I dislike about K-drama's.
But I also agree with you about the irresponsible father.
He may not turn my stomach in the same way but he really does need to learn many things about being a man and a father.
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stpauligurl
July 13, 2020 at 4:42 PM
I love 90% of this show but when the mom and dad are on screen I fast forward as I do not like watching her screech and pound away on him. And he (the dad) really is a jerk, but something tells me that he is written as a jerk to fulfill his purpose of connecting to his old flame.
And of course who isn't supposing the old flame is Saet-byul's mom.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 5:20 PM
Comment was deleted
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 5:22 PM
Right? Sigh. I do wonder who we are supposed to sympathize with. Neither is my vote...
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stpauligurl
July 13, 2020 at 7:10 PM
Right now I only like the mom because of how much she showers Saet-byul with all that needed mom-love. Then and only then does she shine.
And I LOVE this actress!
4 OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 9:08 AM
This is currently the best comedy currently airing. And it actually has some fundamental things to tell us about romance and family. I am particularly glad that someone has noticed that Kim Yoo-jung is NOT being "oversexualized" or exploited in this drama.
I too loved how it was Momma who rescued Saet-byul from the sauna and brought her home. Momma may have been impressed by Yeon-joo but in a way she has subconsciously fallen in love with Saet-byul - as a future daughter in law. Not consciously but I think she subconsciously realizes that her family desperately needs Saet-byul- it is not just Dae-hyun who needs he- although it is obvious that he does.
Dae-hyun chasing after the thieving realtor, getting his father to do a stake-out, etc. shows that he really is there for Saet-byul, even though he still, at this moment, is not interested in her romantically. Instead we saw him desperately buying a second night's tickets for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as he continues to fight for his relationship with Yeon-joo. But Yeon-joo has to be reminded- by Saet-byul- what a truly great guy Dae-hyun is. She has already kissed Saeung-joon at that point. So she has to take Saet-byul's warning seriously.
Saet-byul's words to Yeon-joo reminding her that Dae-hyun has very high value also reveal how she sees him now. When she first came to the store she had a fantasy about him. That fantasy had to evaporate once it came into contact with reality- and Saet-byul has now learned about Dae-hyun's flaws and idiosyncrasies. But she has also learned that the most important elements of her phantasy were real in fact- Dae-hyun really is a very good and honorable man.
Misvixtrix expressed the idea that not much happened this week plot-wise- and with no first kiss between the main leads, etc. at first that seems to be true. I respectfully disagree: This weeks episode were absolutely pivotal. It really comes down to the reason behind Saet-byul's warning to Yeon-joo:
Before Saet-byul was willing to step aside for the sake of Dae-hyun's happiness- and not interfere with his relationship with Yeon-joo. But now that she has a better understanding of Yeon-joo she has just changed the rules: She will still step aside but ONLY if Yeon-joo shapes up. If Yeon-joo fails to move forward in her relationship with Dae-hyun then Saet-byul will take him away from her. Either Yeon-joo gets serious about him or Saet-byul will get serious about him. She even has an ally- Momma is already in her corner. This may be subtle but in fact it is a true game changer.
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Palopi
July 13, 2020 at 10:27 AM
I agree that this week has many things happened.
This week, the character progressed, it may not be subtle but if you compare Saet-Byul and Yoon Joo from episode 1 to episode 8, they change, they learned, they see new things and they make their decision. Saetbyul started the drama as puppy in love, then learn that she can't just asked for love or gets it because she is there, sometimes other people find their love another way, she needs to back up and then realise that the break up isn't all about 3rd party, she now will just wait because she can't be between them, this girl grow up.
Yoon Joo started as someone who doesn't want to stop low for jealousy, doesn't think that they will fight because she is understanding and Dae hyun is nice. She realised that she is jealous, she hurts him, it's her own decision that stale the progress and now wants to be the active participant and willing to change.
Dae hyun now is getting a reality check about his relationship and noticing his difference but him and saetbyu no-romantic-relationship is moving because he helps her without wanting anything in return, because it's good to be nice. He kind of need more backbone but we can see how love doesn't need grand explanation, it's as simple as Saetbyul Hearts.
We get more backstory about the friend, how society treats the orphan, thinking they are ungrateful, how scam can target the closest people and the low income is more susceptible and how poverty can make EunByul leaves her school. It maybe not highlighting but when I talk about what happen this week, a lot happened.
Regarding the plot, we see that EunByul run away from home, the ahjussi trying to find the scammer, Saetbyul losing her home and finding shelter in Dh's mum.
Yoon Joo, we actually see more of Yoon Joo and her view. I see people are hating her which is understandable because of the kiss, it just I can see how this relationship can work. I've seen it in real life. Yoon Joo Dae Hyun is the 30's couple scenarion, met without preparation, doesn't know how to finally settled down and they hide many things from each other but they do care about other. It's weird things when you like "she shouldn't have done that" to "aaah, I remember my friend's story about this". Real life is messy.
I read another comment today about how Saetbyul and DaeHyun is not a must be a soulmate, as in they can't live with each other, love is about working together than we complete each other because we understand each other. I don't know how to properly said it but their message is not about fate, but decision.
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Palopi
July 13, 2020 at 10:33 AM
** I read another comment today about how Saetbyul and DaeHyun is not a must-be soulmate, as in they can live without each other, love is about working together than we completed each other because we understand each other. I don't know how to properly said it but their message is not about fate, but decision you make. What you actually did. We can get explanation in Dae hyun minds and Yon Joo, why they do certain things but we also see that their action matters, their action create the impact because we can properly see or understand our mind.
We need to learn every day and we'll keep making a mistake, there is no magic cure, we just keep moving on.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 11:41 AM
Yes, totally agree. I think this show explores a lot about love. The original love-at-first-sight from Saet-byul, the comfortable but neglected love between Daehyun and Yeon-joo, familial love (born and made), and, what I think is yet to come, the companionable love between Daehyun and Saetbyul. This may sound the most "boring" kind of love but it's the love that lasts and what true love really looks like. I think we've seen hints of it with how they care for each other and understand each other. I'm glad it hasn't taken a romantic turn yet because I want to see Daehyun and Yeonjoo's relationship finish cleanly and for Saetbyul to not just be a rebound.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 2:56 PM
The nicest thing about the current set-up is that Saet-byul is not forcing her love on the man that she wants- but she is forcing Yeon-joo to make a choice one way or the other. That is how the relationship can end cleanly- or perhaps even go forward after all.
Saet-byul may be young but the harsh last few years of her life have given her lot of wisdom. It is because she understands what you are saying that she is wise enough to do what she has.
Fortunately for her Yeon-joo, who is otherwise a very capable person is about to make the "wrong" choice-because Dae-hyun's mom has decided to have Saet-byul live with them this is what you call a stroke of fate. Yet, the irony here is that Yeon-joo's "wrong" choice will actually be the right choice for everyone.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 3:30 PM
I do wonder how "naive" Saetbyul is though in some instances. Like did she reeeally think a piggyback wasn't anything and wouldn't cross any lines? I think she's been slowly imprinting herself onto Daehyun. I don't think she necessarily really expects him to cheat but maybe does have a grand dream where he dramatically leaves his girlfriend to run into her arms.
dramalover4ever
July 13, 2020 at 3:01 PM
I hadn't realised until this week that SB had given up on DH because she didn't want to jeopardise his relationship with Yeon-joo. She has even warned YJ. This then shows how decent and straightforward SB is. SJ seemed to be an upfront person but she has never been honest, otherwise she would have introduced DH to her family. She wants to have her cake and eat it. She wants all the comfort and prestige of her class but she can't bring herself to let go of DH, and especially to someone like SB. You can see her jealousy and covetousness.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Covetousness and greed really do characterize Yeon-joo, while both Saet-byul and Dae-hyun are often acting selflessly (which is why they both deserve to end up with each other). Saet-byul is willing to back off for the sake of Dae-hyun's happiness - and Yeon-joo's. But neither YJ or can be happy as long as Yeon-joo is trying to have her cake and eat it too. That is why Saet-byul just announced a rule change- either YJ changes her attitude or she looses DH. Go big or go home.
Saet-byul has indeed been upfront, honest and decent. But letting YJ continue to get aware with her present attitude would be the worst sort of Noble Idiocy- the kind that hurts everyone.
Saet-byul's warning is not just advice- it is Notice, almost in a legal sense, that includes a promise of action by Saet-byul if YJ does not mend her ways right now.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 3:40 PM
I do think Daehyun has acted selfishly as well. His lies have been for total self-preservation instead of just owning up. It is also up to him to meet her halfway. I'm not high class but even I would have been side-eyeing him if he took me to a fancy restaurant in a t-shirt. He has to also step out of his own social class bubble and see where he can help lessen the gap between them.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 4:59 PM
You have a point about DH and his relationship with JL. As I see it when he left Headquarters he was actually stepping away from her world. JL is not the only one who is responsible for the present situation- unless it was really someone else who pushed him out of Headquarters then DH is also part of the problem. But even if that was someone else's doing- there is still a problem.
Jig
July 13, 2020 at 5:15 PM
@oldawyer I think you're right that when he stepped out of headquarters he was trying to get away from that corporate/rich people world. But, then it's almost like having your cake and eating it too. By dating YJ, he has to realize he can never fully escape it. They probably both thought they could find that compromise when he stepped down, but neither of them had a concrete discussion on what that meant.
5 shichybot
July 13, 2020 at 10:02 AM
The absolute highlight was seeing and hearing Ji Chang Wook singing the theme song from DOTS while ironing/steaming his shirt!!! LOL!!!That was so adorkable 🥰🤣
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Kairoskat 💐
July 13, 2020 at 7:28 PM
That was a new PPL item. I haven't seen the mini steam iron in any drama before. And the steam iron had a hole for buttons 🤣.
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cherkell
July 14, 2020 at 1:33 PM
That was not the original song Wook sung on the SBS broadcast. The Korean broadcast had him singing "For A Thousand Days" (originally sung by Lee Seung Hwan) to commemorate Dae-hyun and Yoon-joo's 1,000 day anniversary.
If you look closely at the iQIYI version versus the SBS version, Wook's lips do not match the "You Are My Everything" lyrics. iQIYI could not get the licensing in place for "Thousand Days" prior to the broadcast, so they had to swap it out for something they already did have the license rights to in place.
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Kairoskat 💐
July 14, 2020 at 6:40 PM
Interesting~ thank you for the info. I didn't notice that his lips didn't match the singing 😆. Iqiyi chose a good song to replace it, international viewers are more familiar with You Are My Everything and it made the scene more comical 🤭.
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shichybot
July 14, 2020 at 7:27 PM
I didn't notice, too! Thanks for the info!
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6 Diana Hansen
July 13, 2020 at 10:10 AM
i love this show! it drew me in right from the beginning even though it seemed a little odd at first. now everything makes sense and i love ji chang wooks subtle/crazy vibes. he can be extreme or can just let you taste the characters vibes and you understand what is going on. this sounds crazy hard to understand but i will leave it here! oh and kim yoo jung is just awesome too. they fit together well
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7 Jig
July 13, 2020 at 11:33 AM
I find Yeon-joo really interesting. She was raised in a household where money and class was (and is) everything and she's constantly having to combat this snobby perception while having a poor boyfriend. This is understandable to a degree. She's just used to a certain style and so is he. They never have had that conversation to reconcile those differences. However, they've been at this relationship for 2 years. She needs to come to terms with their social status now or never. At the end of the latest episode, I think she finally realized that he's worth more than his status. I feel so bad for Yeon-joo hecause every time she has these epiphanies Saetbyul accidentally gets in the way. But I swear I'm rooting for our leads to get together. lol
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asterell
July 13, 2020 at 12:38 PM
Yeon-joo is one of the most fleshed-out characters in this series. I appreciated that she understood by the end of ep 8 that her silence is what hurt Daehyun the most during the delivery scene. It was hard to see the shame on JCW's gorgeous face when Yeon-joo acted as if DH wasn't standing right there, which I'm really not okay with. I think it's telling that her mother said if you had introduced him, I would have accepted.
Yeon-joo is interesting because she clearly feels shame being associated with the 'lower' class when she is in her own environment, but is otherwise proud of how upright she is. It's immensely hypocritical given that she had refused his requests to properly introduce himself over 2 years of dating, hiding when he exposes his 'class' like ordering store supplies in the hotel lobby, and not standing up for him. What's worse is that she'll probably take the upper-hand against DH now that she knows SB is living at his house, never mind that she just had a make-out sesh with her co-worker.
I would have been interested to see if Yeon-joo could have escaped her inner conflict and accept DH truly for who he is, whether they break up because of class divide, or whether they break up because of their generally stale relationship. I personally hope they let DH and SB get together without having to vilify Yeon-joo completely.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 1:59 PM
I was so ready to punch her mom after that but then she had such a valid point. It was Yeon-joo who put Dae-hyun in a place of shame: in that moment but also long before that.
I hadn't thought of it being hypocritical though I get what you mean. I think it's more that consciously she thinks she's ok with how Daehyun is and his status but that prejudice against the low class is so engrained into her she doesn't know what to do when they collide.
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dramalover4ever
July 13, 2020 at 3:08 PM
I'm getting to the point where I can't stand her. If she really loved DH she would be proud of him no matter what his economic status was. She does not have the courage to show him off. Even from the beginning she was using him. For example when her car broke down. Later she turning it into praise, but she has never really loved him for who he is. The mother is absolutely right. YH failed the test.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 3:29 PM
You are right about this: Even if we can't stand her it is interesting that it was her mom who correctly saw that it was her daughter who had failed. I actually believed her when she said that had her daughter chosen to introduce him she would have (reluctantly) accepted him.
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Kairoskat 💐
July 13, 2020 at 4:33 PM
I believed mum when she said that. Because mum seems to be the rich one and introduced dad to get married. In some sense, mum has been in YJ's position. But instead of dwelling in uncertainty, mum took action and eventually married the man she wants. I wonder if mum ordered from Daehyun's store just to put some sense in YJ. Thinking about it...if DH wasn't YJ's boyfriend mum's actions aren't really mean: went to store, ordered items, get them delivered, give the guy a huge tip. If it was just a delivery guy sending the items, the delivery guy would have been on cloud nine getting that huge tip.
dramalover4ever
July 13, 2020 at 6:28 PM
The mother deliberately humiliated him in front of her daughter. It was up to YJ to claim him, if she loved him. Instead she choose to pretend she didn't know him. She's done that more than once. He's fault is that he is not facing these rebuffs for what they are. He wants it to work in spite of the messages he is getting.
Jig
July 13, 2020 at 3:43 PM
I think it's much harder to fight your upbringing. She has these engrained prejudices and I think it's just now that she realized them. It would have been interesting to see how she might have adjusted now that she sees his true value but of course now we have Saet-byul to complicate that.
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dramalover4ever
July 13, 2020 at 6:31 PM
You can have a privileged upbringing but you don't need to be a snob. There are plenty of privileged people who know how to value others irrespective of their socio-economic status. Isn't that a true test of character?
OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 10:56 PM
I agree that Yeon-joo is a fully fleshed out and conflicted character. She and Dae-hyun have dated for a thousand days (two and three quarter years) and she has not been able to resolve her class issues- which her mother has intentionally brought into focus. It is precisely because of this reality check that we may be able to avoid vilifying Yeon-joo. We can understand her jealousy and even tolerate it, as long as she does not push too far. Now that she has to consciously face her problem with this relationship she actually has a reason NOT to go too far overboard in her struggle to accept what are her own limitations- now that she has had those limitations demonstrated to her.
I still dislike what her mother did. It was cruel. But it was also effective and I understand why she did it.
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Jig
July 13, 2020 at 6:52 PM
@jorobertson re: privileged background does not equal snob
True but that still turns back to upbringing or other significant outside factors to gain that perspective. Prejudices are taught and so are the lack thereof. I don't think anything from her world or outside of it would have taught her that his "low-class" behavior is acceptable and unshameful. I do think she is beginning to learn that lesson but we'll see if it gets derailed now.
Saying all that, I don't think her behavior is acceptable or that it excuses her. I just can understand where her struggle stems from.
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OldLawyer
July 13, 2020 at 10:35 PM
As Dramalover4ever has pointed out above, privileged upbringing does not automatically condemn one to being a snob. It is possible to be born to wealth and yet raised without snobbery being taught. What I see in Yeon-joo is that she in fact tries not to be prejudiced but in fact is trapped by her upbringing- and so is constantly caught up in a dilemma- which leads to her avoidance behaviors. This is why she is doomed to lose Dae-hyun.
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Kurama
July 14, 2020 at 12:27 AM
But in facts, it's more her kiss with the CEO than SB that got in the way. She will have to come clean about it if she really wants a relationship with DH.
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OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 12:41 PM
But she won't.
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Kurama
July 15, 2020 at 12:50 PM
I wonder who will tell him, her or Jo Seung-Joon?
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OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 1:17 PM
Jo Seung-joon. A man I strongly dislike- and who is really less suitable for Yeon-joo than Dae-hyun. YJ's mom may think he is a good idea but if YJ were to marry him I guarantee her a life of misery. From what I can see her is as selfish, conceited spoiled child who does not care if he hurts the "little people". Her mom may end u wishing her daughter had actually married Dae-hyun.
Jo Seung-joon will do this as a way of hastening the demise of the relationship between Yeon-joo and Dae-hyun.
Jig
July 15, 2020 at 1:08 PM
Yes, that will highly likely be the true catalyst of their split which is really a bummer. She will probably only think he is just being unforgiving and not accept the break up when really there is a myriad of reasons for them to not be together.
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OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 1:19 PM
Which is a shame- because if she and DH were to accept that there were very good legitimate reasons for it they could eventually be friends again. It would take time.
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Jig
July 15, 2020 at 2:51 PM
Yes, exactly and she wouldn't get in the way of Saetbyul and Daehyun getting together.
And while I'm here, for your above comment to @kurama Jo Seung-joon really is the worst. She's had to put him in his place so many times and I bet he is just happy he has "won" in convincing her to cheat without really caring for her. Just goes to show that having wealth does not mean you will have class.
8 Jig
July 13, 2020 at 6:55 PM
That scene where she's using her hair to hide her sob face was a brilliant scene. I don't know who I should thank for coming up with that, but that was so well done and made my heart break more for Saetbyul.
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9 SheWasPrettyFTW
July 14, 2020 at 2:35 AM
I love the growing friendship between Saet Byul and Dae Hyun’s eomma. Their scenes were very heartwarming just like last weeks episode. Kim Sun Young just cracks me up everytime she’s shouting and Kim Yoo Jung is so gorgeous I feel like I’m hypnotized whenever she’s on screen. Anyway, I’m still waiting for Dae Hyun’s character development, I’m getting tired of him not having a backbone in his relationship with Yeon Joo. There’s still time, please make Dae Hyun’s character interesting jebal.
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OldLawyer
July 14, 2020 at 5:36 PM
I agree with you about Dae-hyun needing some backbone- but I think that part of the problem is that he is so self-conscious of the class difference in a society where those differences are very significant. The pity is that he does not see himself as Saet-bul (now more accurately) sees him. Which is yet one more reason why he needs Saet-byul in his life (and on a permanent basis).
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10 maryxiah
July 14, 2020 at 6:32 PM
If Dae Hyun doesn't end up dating Saet Byul, I hope Dae Hyun's mom adopts her, I tear up every time I see them together.
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OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 12:38 PM
I do not think that they just end up dating- although I do not know how far the manwha has gone so far. It is clear that in the long run at least they will marry. That is why the interaction of mom and Saet-byul is so important.
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maryxiah
July 15, 2020 at 7:44 PM
The progression of their feelings and relationship is rather slow for drama standard, which I usually enjoy/appreciate, but in this drama, I'm losing interest in their "romance". Partly because Dae Hyun and Yeon Joo are technically still a couple and Saet Byul feels like a third party, I do not enjoy this type of dynamic. I for one, do not mind if they keep the platonic relationship even after Dae Hyun breaks up with Yeon Joo because I want Saet Byul to have a real family in Dae Hyun's family rather than just an extension of his family by being his "wife".
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OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 9:05 PM
One of the reasons that I like this show as a comedy is that it is not following the 'normal' trajectory of a Korean rom-com.
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11 OldLawyer
July 15, 2020 at 12:59 PM
I realize that I have a final comment on the test- and it was exactly that, a real test, that Yeon-joo's mom arranged for her. Having Dae-hyun deliver supplies to her- right in front of Yeon-joo- was mean but legitimate. Had Yeon-joo introduced her boyfriend her mom and dad would have had to to accept him even to his marrying Yeon-joo. She would have had to do this morally because this is exactly what her parents did for her. Many of us have caught on to the fact that YJ failed that test. But equally important moving forward is what her mom said next. She said "And you know how that turned out?" followed by "You are wiser than I am". In other words she is saying that YJ failed the test but made the right decision.
So moving forward I expect that now mom will be seeking to end YJ's relationship with DH, not because she would not have accepted him but simply end YJ's time wasting struggle with that relationship- and of course, steering her towards the more suitable alternative.
We are at the mid-point of this drama, a natural inflexion point. Saet-byul has changed the rules- and so has YJ's mom. And, by bringing Saet-byul into their home, so has Dae-hyun's mom.
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Jingbee
July 15, 2020 at 11:29 PM
I did not catch that earlier so thanks for sharing it here. I agree that there are multiple inflection points now, and hopefully, the drama brings justice to that in the next 8 episodes.
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12 fairouzmm
July 18, 2020 at 11:34 PM
Disappointing drama, can't watch anymore.
Ji Chang Wook, you are wasting your talent. SAD.
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