I love how youngwoo's friends reacted to the news of junho saying he likes her, lowkey making fun of how cringe it was LOL also liked how the drama is showing it is also hard for sooyeon to date. I had a feeling the drama would try to push her and minwoo from ep 9 so I expected her to meet him at the nightclub.

the case from ep 10 had so many layers and to see youngwoo navigating everything was at the same time amazing and pure anxiety.

park eunbin and kang taeoh are just killing the dating thing.
the kissing scene was just perfect. it was sweet but also a bit awkward because it's exactly how it should be. youngwoo never cared about love before, she is learning everything as she goes. the "loving me is hard" dialogue was just so simple and powerful. and eunbin looking at his fingers when he was explaining how to kiss and pucking her lips/closing her eyes as he was talking. she's killing with consistency for every detail.
the whole sequence was also a great lesson about consent.

now.... her mom.. did she really think this plan would work?
the way she said that youngwoo is alone when, in reality, YW has a considerable group of people who love and support her. It's a really good thing that the drama made youngwoo find about her mom before everything hits the fan. I think minwoo will think he has something against YW and will be super disappointed when it doesn't work his way in the future.

I know we speculate a lot about junho's past but I'm ok with not knowing a lot tbh. like youngwoo says, he's a warm, kind-hearted person. it's good to see someone that is simply like that. no need to give him a past or a family to "explain" why he's so considerate with youngwoo since the start. he's head over heels for her and that's it. If I could ask for one thing is a scene where he declares all the things he likes about her, especially to someone doubting him like his asshole friend did. I'm still hoping that this type of scene will happen when minwoo finds out they're dating. not that junho needs to explain anything but just to show that youngwoo is a woman like any other that someone can fall in love with.

extraordinary woo has one flaw though and it's the continuity with their hair LOL we know the drama was shooting for a long period of time and we can see how eunbin and taeoh's hair change in some scenes.

That 57 second time limit for kissing had me wondering if he would have to be "Minute Man" in episode 17.

Thanks for the wee-cap!

I really appreciated the cases that needed to be addressed and how they mirrored some of the themes of this drama.

I also LOVED the scenes with Jun-ho and Young-woo, especially the one towards the end of episode 10!

What I also really appreciated is that although Jun-ho initially hesitated to share his feelings for Young-woo, once he did, he was all in. I don't think anyone would blame him if he felt uncomfortable publicly acknowledging his feelings for her. And that fight was a real scrabble! Jun-ho was not holding back!

I'm sure there will be many who will express their love of the kiss scene, which I wholeheartedly agree with. But some other observations for a show that I love.

1. Minwoo. I'm not sure how to feel about him. I don't think the writers are going to make him all evil notwithstanding his digging around. The thing is, the show also spends time on his reactions when he's called out and part of me feels that he is conflicted and torn. I think he will likely have a redeeming arc. Also, because you can tell he is starting to be interested in Su-Yeon so I think the writers are going to go there.

2. As a US-based lawyer, Korea's fairly new jury system is fascinating. That the judge can overrule their decision is so interesting to me. However, I did agree with the verdict and it's a relief that the judge overruled a jury decision which would have been a hung jury in the US (the guy would have gotten away free). I thought it was clever how they juxtaposed the bad guy and Jun-Ho and how it really is all about consent, meaningful consent. Can someone with a mind of a 13-year old really give meaningful consent? On the other hand, a sadder question is will someone with a 13-year old mind ever be able to be in a meaningful, loving relationship? Appreciate the show for raising tough questions with no clean answers.

3. I'm a bit disappointed that Tae San went the route she did. I suppose that will be fleshed out in later episodes. I wonder if she was able to avail of all the help in the US for people with autism to explain why she is adjusted as she is. The show hints that she is also on the spectrum but perhaps she was able to get by without any help. I've actually worked with a few attorneys who are noticeably on the spectrum but never got a diagnoses until they were adults. I know many of them struggled internally but they managed to get by without getting help early on.

Woo-Young's comment about the fact if she thinks it's love doesn't matter if other people thought it wasn't was very sad. Both her and Jun-Ho will be judged for this relationship when it's their business.

It's nice to see their cute relationship, how they move step by step, talking about their feelings and respecting each other. PEB is killing it in this role.

Min-Woo found a way to be hired in the second biggest law firm. He can blackmail CEO Tae. I hope he will be smarter than that.

The reaction of CEO Tae was very disapointing. At this point, I want the secret out, but I don't want Young-Woo to be hurt by it.

That was a very well executed kiss scene. I was scared for a second when they came across his friends while on that date that Jun Ho would maybe not acknowledge their budding relationship but I didn't have anything to worry about. He stays consistent and a green flag like that light in the kiss scene. I'm not a big fan of the mom plot. While I don't mind them exploring the mother daughter relationship(or lack of), I don't care about mom and her quest to become a minister at all costs so I hope they don't spend too long on that. I'd rather have more of Young Woo and Jun Ho navigating the struggles they are bound to face, or Young Woo and dad who was always there for her.

Thank you for your lovely recaps @unit. They are a highpoint of my week.
Honestly, as engrossing as these cases were, it is hard to focus on anything except for Young Woo and Jun Ho after finishing these episodes so forgive me as I need to get my squees out first. Eee!
The moments of Young Woo and Jun Ho coming together was so typical of their relationship. Both had to decide a relationship would be worth the obstacles, but once they did it was green light (I love that touch in the setting of their first kiss).
I am continually impressed by this writer and director who have the courage to broach questions and observations of our society. The sensitive subjects these two cases dealt with were handled with no definite answers. We are left to think on the matters and open a conversation.
The characters continue to delight even the antagonists. I am disappointed in Min Woo but still (naively?) hold out for his redemption because I am inclined to hope for his growth. Tae Soo Mi went into prevention mode because she is wholly ignorant of love without selfish motivations (makes me want to see her relationship with her son). She will lose out on her chance to know Young Woo if she puts her aspirations for power first, but it would be true to her character so far.
As for Young Woo's circle of supporters. You just can't ask for a better group. I was a little sad Su Yeon's blind date with Geu Ra Mi's boss was played the way it was (but at least the reason wasn't his appearance). The club scene was a little heartbreaking because you know she was thinking of Jun Ho when she described her "good man" ideal. Our Spring Sunshine deserves to find a "good man".
Did anyone else wince at he lingering shot of the brochure for the Boston position? This drama better not go that route. I am done with the overseas separation trope.

The last episode brought up what I had been thinking a lot about, at the latest when Gwang-ho talked in an earlier episode about how he was sometimes quite lonely as her father. My concern here is Young-woo's aversions to physical contact (hugs, holding hands). I guess a relationship is difficult when one partner longs for physical closeness but the other partner tends not to feel that longing.
But since Young-woo knows that this could be a hurdle, and Jun-ho is fantastically understanding, I'm sure the two of them will somehow overcome this. I'm looking forward to it.

(As English is not my mother tongue, I hope I have not expressed myself too poorly and misleadingly on this sensitive subject)

First that kiss was done so perfectly, it was super awkward in the best way.

The two cases this week were really well done.

Was it kidnapping? Absolutely. Was he he liberating those babies? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Was she sexually assualted? Possibly, especially because she didn't like it. Does she love him? Probably. Did he think of it sexual assault? Probably not. Could it have been? Probably. Does he love her? Probably. Was he always going to jail? Yes.

Lol, I loved these episodes.

I just have to add that there is a translated version of Young Woo's list date ideas and if you have not seen it yet, you must. I think they had fun with this one. Whoever created it for the drama needs a gold star. 🤭

I would start my comment by mentioning the rating. The rising tide of rating stops on Episode 9, and in Episode 10 it drops a bit (although it’s still high: 15.780% & 15.157%, respectively). Certainly, a good show is not determined by rating (although it may determine to have every actor, director and screenwriter to receive golden whale or not). But the drop of Episode 10 showing how daring the production team to tackle a pretty controversial issue, even parallel with the main couple's love story. This is how good this show is.

Sorry to say this, I feel @unit's review cannot really point out the controversy of the whole case in Episode 10. No doubt the defendant is a scoundrel of some sort, and even the "victim" acknowledged that. However, her initial claim of being "raped" is more because of the pressure of her "chopper mom". I appreciate her mom's intention of protecting her, but her way is, to say the least, very aggressive, even borderline abusive: victim's testimony states that she didn't want to have sex partly because she fear her mom, so scary that she scratch her hand so hard it hurts; and her mom in the end basically trying to plant fear on Youngwoo to submission (she is so scare she even drop the documents in hand) outside the court, knowing full well Youngwoo is mentally challenged (or, may I say, using her mentally challenged condition).

In the end, the juries gave out a split decision (3 guilty vs. 4 not-guilty), if it is not in South Korea, the defendant may have been released because of juries’ verdict. It is only in South Korea where the judges have more power, they will make a decision different from juries. This also shows how unsettling this case is.

The issues here are: 1. No doubt the defendant is a gigolo, but do they love each other for real this time? 2. If the mom’s control to her daughter is so strong and overpowering, isn’t that an abusive behaviour we need to address as well? 3. How the public opinion sways the final decision, and how it may be so unfair to the defendant?

But the most important point is in fact pointed out by no other but Youngwoo herself right before her first kiss with Junho: Do we believe mentally challenged person have the right to love, express love, and can we respect their decision to love, and claim their love as valid? “We have right to love even a scoundrel,” in another occasion, she tells the victim, “and determining it is making love for real or sexual assault, it is your right, not the court’s or your mom’s.” Youngwoo is lucky to have Junho, the victim is not, but both their love should be respected.

And this is why I feel happy Youngwoo have her first kiss with Junho, yet I feel sad at the same time, because her love may be invalidated by someone with so-called sane-minded, and Junho’s reply, as a result, is even more assuring and powerful: “If I think it is love, it is love then.”

Before we close this case, we must...

What can i say. I must have rewatched the kiss scene like 5 times. It was just so perfect and swoony! and the cinematography was phenomenal. I had the biggest smile on my face. I really like how they are progressing. And i love that consent is the key. I like the way Junho is understanding that when it comes to physical contact, she has to initiate it, and knows instantly when she is uncomfortable. I also love that YW is self aware enough that she need to go out of her comfort zone. As all have said this is the most green flag couple in drama history. It just shows she likes him enough to do things that may be hard for her. I cant wait till next week episodes!!!!! yay for our whale couple!

I'm glad Young woo's Dad shut down CEO Tae's BS. That flashback showed just the kind of her she is and how she has two faces. I don't think Young woo is the reason she has a scandal, it will be her or her family's doing. I want Dad to now open a law firm so Young woo can inherit it.

Min woo- a hard head makes a soft behind. Remember that.

I thought Sunshine and Hairy Boss' dinner date was hilarious. He is a lovely person, just a little out there. I would not mind if he and Sunshine try it again. Young woo would not steer her wrong on something like that, she adores her too much. Sunshine was already frustrated about the previous dates reading like job interviews. I would like for them to have another try. Min woo should not now or ever be a option. He is NO WHERE on her level.

Young woo and Jun ho's first kiss was perfect and I have nothing else to add.

And damn, Jun ho is a solid dude. I thought when he ran into his friends he as uncomfortable because there saw he with Young woo. Turns out he was distancing himself after one of them made that commit about Young woo a few episodes back and DID IT AGAIN.
Young woo is it for him. Solid dude.

I think The Good Doctor pulled a fast one on me with the almost lack of EQ as an adult. I’m really enjoying the different facet of ASD that Youngwoo is giving off at the moment – a little range of EQ.

With each time the SKY Castle theme is referenced, I hope parents will find a way to help their children excel academically whilst letting them enjoy their childhood, and that I’ll remember to do same.
Side Note : Jung Myeong-seok is a genius. Passing the bar before finishing law school ain’t easy feat. I’m now in expectation of when he gets to solely lead a case in court.

The defendant in ep 9. I do share Young-woo's resigned to fate look. What a client🤦🏽😅. I did respect his unapologetic stand though.

Ep 9 raised the really important issue of the inordinate pressure on school children in South Korea in order to get into the so-called SKY top 3 unis. SK’s economic transformation was facilitated by the crony capitalistic model which overwhelmingly benefitted the chaebol class (this word is derived from two Korean words of 재, (chae itself is derived from chaesan 재산 meaning wealth) and 벌 (meaning clique) which in turn was financially and militarily supported by the US in pursuit of its post-imperialistic global and regional hegemonic goals. The economic boom created extraordinary pressures to succeed, and generations of children have been caught in the cross-fires if this educational cauldron approach. One of my former students has a Korean partner and they returned to SK relatively recently as she is pregnant. She has repeatedly said that she doesn’t want to raise any children in SK purely because of what she terms as ‘annihilation of childhood’. She loves being back in SK but worries incessantly about when to leave SK again to avoid what she dreads about the pressure-cooker of its educational system/s.
Given the relatively high rates of suicide among young people in SK, this should be a further impetus to seriously consider significant pedagogical reforms to the educational model in SK.

Okay first, the cases: I really like the way the writers utilised the cases this week to spotlight some really complex issues. There were points where I could empathise with elements of what both defendants were saying but it’s clear that both situations (to varying degrees obviously) were quite nuanced and not easy to justify. Defendant 2 might be sincere in his feelings and YW has a valid point about free will and autonomy but his behaviour is sketch and there were equally valid points that both the mother and prosecutor brought up. Defendant 1 is right in the message he’s advocating for but the means he used was definitely a cause for concern. It was a smart move to have both cases ‘loose’ to show that while Youngwoo is a genius she’s not unrealistically invincible and that clients aren’t always in the right, but do so in a way that didn’t automatically invalidate the various perspectives that were raised. It goes to show that it’s not always an open and shut case when it comes to the law and that the ethical/moral/ideological debates being presented were too nuanced to be simply closed off and so remained as food for thought.

There’s a lot more to say there and I’m sure the more eloquent beanies will be able to put into words what I’m trying and failing to say about the cases, but now to the thing that’s taking up the biggest brain space JUNHO x YOUNGWOO. AHHHHHHHHHHH the confession? The kiss??? Junho going straight for the friend’s throat after what he said at the bar? THE EYELASH (lol he was fighting for his life trying to take that TINY lash off, like sir you could’ve just brushed it off in one second but okay 😂). That has got to be one of the most swoon worthy kiss scenes I’ve ever seen, the silhouettes with the city lights in the backdrop had me just straight up dizzy. What’s even more memorable is that I’m currently quarantining with my mum, so she was subjected to watching me rewinding the ending scene repeatedly at 1am in the morning while looking like I either wanted to cry or set myself on fire or both (she is lowkey concerned). I’m also glad the show is not shying away from discussing how difficult it’ll be for those to two navigate a relationship and deal with outside perceptions but that’s what makes the love all the more sweeter.

Also when she asked him about kissing omg it took me back - tell me I’m not the only who was worried about not knowing what to do when kissing for the first time? I can vividly remember the sheer panic I had with my first boyfriend - feeling so lost because I didn’t quite understand the mechanics of it all and because there was no real way for me to ‘practice’ or anything beforehand either 😂

Lastly, everyone say thank you to Kwon Minwoo for unknowingly pushing Junho to confess to Youngwoo & not coming home early at the end of episode 10.

Royal Kiss Analyst Files: Entry 7

Total Length (including intermission): 1:47
Cut Scenes (from first move in, including intermission): 16/17 (I lost count twice because I was distracted by ... ya know... it being cute and endearing af)
No. of Extant Camera Angles/Shots: 9

Comparatively, by numbers alone, this is decent, but not amazing.
However, if we taken into account that much of these cuts are during the intermission, and are there to contribute to the narrative structure of the conversation, the awkwardness and emotion involved, and that the kiss itself only has about 6 cuts (spread over two kisses) and 4 camera "angles", all of which are just a variation of the same angle and shot, just progressively more zoomed out, AND the excellent directing and writing of the scene overall , from him stepping back to allow her to lead, to the lighting, to the delightful awkwardness and softness, to the silhouette framing especially at the end, then that places it much higher in the grand scheme of things, because a good kiss scene is just as much about the composition of the SCENE as it is the kiss itself.
You see, it's really not that hard to just have one level angle to focus on a kiss, and for anything additional to be there to only add to the story, not detract from it.
It's really. Not. That hard. *glares at the history of kdrama kisses*

Additional Requisite Analyses*:
Hand placement/movement: 9/10 (HANDS ON WAIST YAY. Necessarily awkward otherwise, so no points deducted for that!)
Lip action: 8/10 (Appropriate for the characters. Additional points for the intermission teaching lesson.)
Male lead AND Female lead's hand structure: 10/10
Atmosphere: 9/10 (the moody blues and purples, the background night lights, the lighting...)
Song: 8/10 (iss fine, it was cute, it set the mood)
Overall ranking: the biggest and most adorable bunch melona bars you can find. yes they come in bunches now, and grow on the slopes of Melonia's mountains. Like flowers.
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*rankings use an arbitrary form of melonia measurement known only by Her Royal Highness, and will not be justified compared to past rankings or inconsistencies.

I seriously want to punch that Minwoo in the face ! How many times has he come at YW ? How many times have people spoken to him on his behaviour? And yet he still keeps going. It's like he enjoys it, what does revealing her birth secret help you with ? The previous actions could be competition related but her birth secret does nothing for him work wise. Work aside he's an arse of a human being. I honestly don't care for a redemption arc for him and care less that he's starting to develop feelings for SY, my girl deserves better.
I initially thought there might be a thing with Geurami but that's clearly not happening and I'd rather it not, he's too far gone for me now.
Sorry I had to vent, he just kills my buzz.
That aside, great episodes as always. Loved how YW asking on kissing etiquette and how JH guided her along.