Love in Contract: Episodes 3-4
by Unit
After the mysteries of our premiere week, we learn more about our characters in this week’s episodes. And while our professional wife stares down the road that spans her illustrious career, she’s left to wonder if the retirement she sees in the distance is real and not just a mirage.
EPISODES 3-4 WEECAP
We waste no time in getting down to the business of who Ji-ho is, and my first guess last week was right – he’s a judge! A family court judge, in fact, and he even presided over six of Sang-eun’s divorce suits! It’s a bit surprising that throughout their marriage, Sang-eun didn’t recognize the guy who dissolved half of her other marriages. But at least she and Hae-jin now know Ji-ho is not a serial killer when he’s forced to tell them what he does following the whole “Honey, I’m hungry,” bit.
Mr. and Mrs. Honey – who surprisingly happen to be each other’s ideal types – have their longest conversation to date over their last dinner together. And it’s quite the achievement for Ji-ho, who was mandated by his boss (Park Chul-min) to attend the Timid People Anonymous sessions, because a number of his staff have quit due to his lack of social skills. Heh. But while Ji-ho has been demystified to a certain extent, Hae-jin remains suspicious of him.
Considering Hae-jin deals with stalkers as a celebrity, has a mum that creeps up on him at home to go through his things looking for signs of drug use, and a cat prefers his neighbor to him — I get why he has trust issues. What I don’t get is why Sang-eun doesn’t have trust issues after dealing with some clients who can’t differentiate between fake and real. Ji-ho has the same opinion when Sang-eun is almost attacked in the rain by a man in a helmet outside his apartment building.
But in typical Ji-ho behavior, he does sound like he’s reading out of a Criminal Minds text, and Sang-eun is put off. I mean, all she wanted to do was deliver their divorce paperwork to him in person. Nevermind that there’s the option of sending it via dispatch, or even leaving it at the courthouse – where he works – for him to pick up. So how can he think it’s her fault that she got attacked because of her line of work?
Speaking of the attack, Hae-jin was the one who scared Helmet Man away. He also provided a change of clothes for a drenched Sang-eun at his place, and boy does she look good rocking his oversized shirt! They end up getting outed to each other as children of their respective chaebol families, but before Hae-jin the curious cat can further ask about her arrangement with Ji-ho, Sang-eun’s allergy to Jamie the cat cuts short her visit.
Persistent Hae-jin soon learns that Sang-eun is a professional wife, and to get in touch with her, he calls the contact number she left with him. It’s Gwang-nam’s, and I think there’s a potential love triangle to be explored here. Heh. Anyway, Sang-eun drops by to return Hae-jin’s shirt, and Ji-ho also comes with surprising news. He has been looking into Sang-eun’s attack, and discovered that Helmet Man is actually a Hae-jin stalker who presumably attacks the women around him.
Hae-jin is really going through a lot at the hands of his stalkers, and rather than sue the ones they’ve caught so far, his agency settled the cases because they were worried his image would take a hit. But as the victim, why should he be the one to worry about his reputation? There’s also the womanizing rumors about him – which according to subsequent rumors, he himself started to cover up his sexuality. And now his manager Jung-hwan is worried that the gay rumors will affect him too since he’s always around Hae-jin. Lol.
The rumor eventually gets to Hae-jin’s family, and he’s ordered to move back home and get chaebol-married, since that’s the only thing children of such families are good for (tsk!). Well, that and throwing people under the bus like his elder brother, Sun-jin, does to Mi-ho after contracting her to facilitate a shady deal with a foreign client. The deal goes south, and Sun-jin weasels himself out of it leaving Mi-ho to take the fall. A move she saw coming anyway.
Sang-eun learns about Mi-ho’s arrest from the news, and from her body language, Ji-ho can tell she knows Mi-ho. It’s really sweet how he uses his connections as a judge to get more information about the case when Sang-eun tells him that she was raised by Mi-ho – one of the many things Ji-ho realizes that he doesn’t know about his wife. We also learn that Sang-eun was adopted by the Eena group (shocking!) and raised to be the perfect wife. But since that didn’t happen, Sang-eun calls herself the biggest failure in Mi-ho’s life.
There are so many mixed feelings between both women – hate, anger, pity, affection… what else would drive Sang-eun to bail Mi-ho out with a whooping 7.5 million professional–wife–dollars!? Okay, this wife for hire thing has to be one of the most lucrative gigs I have ever seen. Unfortunately, after using all her assets for this purpose, destination Canada is over for Sang-eun and Gwang-nam, who chooses to remain in Korea with his bestie.
Cancelling his own travel plans just shows how strong Gwang-nam and Sang-eun’s friendship is, because while he initially had cold feet about leaving his family, he became determined to go after clashing with his sisters. And to be honest, I think some family members are just meant to be loved from afar. His sisters neither respect his sexuality, nor his desire to stay single. And it’s not like they want him to get married for his own happiness — they just want a sister-in-law to help out with memorial services. Pfft.
But a happy marriage — according to Ji-ho, anyway — involves giving your wife the VIP concert tickets your boss gave you to bond with your staff, because you don’t want to have to bond with them anyway. Ji-ho even swaps tickets with another concert goer, just so he can sit separately from Sang-eun. But it ends up being a totally unnecessary endeavor, because he spends the entire concert focused on her, rather than on the performance.
Ji-ho’s boss is almost not surprised (but still very frustrated) that Ji-ho came alone. It’s such a waste of the expensive tickets, and the boss starts to wonder if Ji-ho is a sociopath. But that’s when Sang-eun obliviously walks up to them and gets caught up in the situation. In quick reflex, Ji-ho introduces her as his wife, and the boss is visibly SHOCKED. Ji-ho has a wife at home and nobody mentioned it? How did the most antisocial judge (possibly in all of Korea) even achieve such a feat?
Sang-eun is only too happy to go along with being Mrs. Ji-ho. “We kept the wedding low-key because I was pregnant.” “The baby?” *Sad face* An unfortunate story. “Of course, my husband talks about his co-workers all the time. He even wants to invite them over for dinner, but he’s just so shy!” What?! This is the most hilarious scene of the week, and I’m sure if Ji-ho could will the ground to open, he’d willingly jump inside. He actually looks like he wants to disappear, but to where? Dude is stuck in his lies, just as he’s stuck with hosting a future dinner with his wife for Mr. and Mrs. Boss. Hehe.
At work, his boss also takes the liberty of inviting the staff to Ji-ho’s house for a very belated welcome party. Not wanting to inconvenience his wife, Ji-ho choses to dine out with the team. But his thoughts remain on Sang-eun, who asks to have dinner alone in his house. He doesn’t have to think about her for long, because his eyes soon wander to the breaking news on TV, where Hae-jin declares that he’s not gay, and he’s actually getting married to the woman standing beside him. The woman is masked by sunglasses and a scarf, but Ji-ho definitely recognizes the ring on her finger — his ring! Muahahaha!!!
I guess quelling the rumor about his sexuality is a good reason for a Hallyu star (Hae-jin) — whose selling point is being single — to want to “get married.” And since Sang-eun is back to square one — seriously, from driving a luxury car to taking public transportation (damn you, Mi-ho!) — I see why she’s willing to make a U-turn on her retirement plans. She and Ji-ho have already agreed to ride out the rest of their marriage contract as originally planned, and it’s going to be so much fun watching her add Hae-jin to the schedule.
The good news is, both guys live in the same building, and it won’t be suspicious to anyone when Sang-eun starts to show up everyday. I mean, you’re going to have to follow her inside to know she’s seeing two different guys. But the bad news is, both guys live in the same building, and having all that jealous testosterone energy in close proximity cannot be healthy for any of the involved parties. Not with Ji-ho’s overactive imagination when it comes to Sang-eun’s interactions with Hae-jin. Lol!
Optics wise though, Ji-ho is in the lead. He has a longer history with Sang-eun, and they’re still legally married. Jamie the prickly cat also likes him more, and Hae-jin will have to work super hard to match (or even beat) these statistics. I know there’s still the whole backstory element and family issues on the horizon, but as the race for Sang-eun’s time – and heart – begins, can we have more of the cute and less of the makjang?
RELATED POSTS
- Premiere Watch: May It Please the Court, Love in Contract, Seasons of Blossom
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- Jealousy heats up in new Love in Contract teaser
- It’s a groom face-off in new posters for tvN’s Love in Contract
- Park Min-young tries to avoid Love in Contract with Go Kyung-pyo and Kim Jae-young
- Park Min-young gets into multiple contract marriages in Love in Contract
- [Beanie Recs] Contract romances on the brain
Tags: Go Kyung-pyo, Jin Kyung, Kang Hyung-seok, Kim Jae-young, Lee Joo-bin, Love in Contract, Park Min-young
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1 Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 2:23 PM
She put a lot of money away. She had 8 million dollars. Wow. I felt so bad for Gwang Nam, I wanted Canada for him.
Also he was judge, I forget the beanie who said it first, but you nailed it.
Finally this is really a triangle lol. She is real/fke married to one and fake engaged to another, what a mess lol.
Team Ji Ho. He is awkward, weird, and just wants to be left alone. I enjoy him. Ha
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 2:33 PM
"Also he was judge, I forget the beanie who said it first, but you nailed it."
Me lol 😅
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 3:27 PM
Spot on friend!!!
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beffels
September 30, 2022 at 2:35 PM
I’m guessing most of the money was from her casually mentioned bitcoin sale.
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DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 3:19 PM
@Kafiyah Bello, the amount of saved money is just so unrealistically absurd but what the hell. I’ll go with it.
I can’t stand the makjang stuff but like you, I’m fond of Gwang Nam. I am glad there is no insidiously justified homophobia or queer baiting. To my regret,I don’t like Haejin’s character as was so looking forward to seeing him. Ji ho is wonderfully awkward but so far, a likeable character. I dig him. I haven’t warmed up as yet to Sangeun even though I usually enjoy PMY’s acting.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 3:25 PM
Yes, 100% about the hemophilia or queen baiting.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Omg, autocorrect homophobia.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Omg, I'm so sorry and queer. Wtf
💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Hemophilia and Queen Baiting. Asdfghjkl. I'm crying.
DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 3:46 PM
Don’t worry. My IPad’s keyboard is possessed so it could’ve easily happened to me!:)
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DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 3:52 PM
@kafiyah-bello: Also, on a different note, as a former lawyer, I have known many lawyers, judges and law students who were extremely socially awkward. By contrast, many others who were jovial chatter boxes with emotional intelligence and unending sociability. Go figure. I remember you mentioning that you are a lawyer so you might have had similar experiences.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 5:55 PM
This is true, haha. Most of my friends fall in the middle, but there are the chattboxes and the introverts. I prefer the introverts, ha.
soulsearch12
October 1, 2022 at 11:03 PM
Random: What made you switch? How was it being a lawyer?
DancingEmma
October 1, 2022 at 11:35 PM
@soulsearch12: I loved it but the kind of law I practised was hard work as it was in the public interest. Decided to go into the academia to hopefully influence and educate the future generation of people’s lawyers as one of my much loved legal mentors would say. Life has to be about more important things than profit.
soulsearch12
October 2, 2022 at 12:09 AM
That's good to hear! Sometimes life leads you on a journey that isn't what you expect. You must be squealing at all these law based dramas this year? I wonder people who did law/studied it watching these shows/handling of them.
Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
September 30, 2022 at 4:04 PM
Holy cats, best typos EVER. 😂 I 100% would cheer for a drama featuring hemophilia and queen baiting. (The other things, not so much.)
*I have a cousin with hemophilia so I'm familiar with it and it's of course not remotely a joke in real life, but I want the kdrama version where the symptoms and prognosis are completely at the mercy of the scriptwriter's imagination and ignorance.
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DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 4:07 PM
@elinor: I’ll always give you and my other favourite Beanies the benefit of the doubt so at least I didn’t misunderstand you. And, yay to your suggestion!
Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 6:01 PM
The kdrama version of hemophilia and queen baiting would be wild. In the right hands it could be fantastic, but I trust very few writers to do that, lol.
💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 11:12 PM
We need to combine the wildly inaccurate hemophilia thing and the vampire au somehow...
ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
September 30, 2022 at 5:34 PM
This has to be the best autocorrect mishap ever lmao.
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DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 6:46 PM
@kafiyah-bello: Your hilarious autocorrect mishap made me think of how the inbreeding of the European Royal families resulted in a number of illnesses to circulate including haemophilia so you inadvertently might have come up with a great story kernel. Picture it! An anti-colonialist period Drama but with a witty takedown of the Empire involving a Korean character was was orphaned and raised in the west like Yoojin in Mr Sunshine. We can have a fictional Queen based on the British RF given the extremely dubious source of the British Royal family’s wealth (including from slavery, etc). And, two great love stories with strong, progressive and interesting characters. One same sex, one not. Ah, it could be such a gem. I feel like we should get together and workshop this like they do in artistic families who force their kids’ ahem, *artistic endeavours’ on poor friends and family members!:) Haha.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 7:08 PM
This would be Wild. Anti-colonialist to boot, lol. I am thinking who the cast would be. They have those two white guys they interchange, but I realized no female equivalent. Would the same sex couple be lesbians or gay. Would the romances be interracial or just Koreans. We have a lot of decisions to make. However, I think the drama would have to be half melo and half comedy. The same sex couple would be Melo and earnest. The straight couple would be played for laughs. This could be excellent.
DancingEmma
September 30, 2022 at 9:07 PM
@kafiyah-bello: I love it!
Toodlepip
October 1, 2022 at 1:23 AM
OMG, I've just exploded laughing over breakfast at that autocorrect.
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2 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 2:28 PM
Thanks @Unit I am glad this has turned the corner in the comedy side but it still has too much drama and conflict for the rom com I expected. I am intrigued by the potential for things to go silly going forward I am not sure if they will be able to carry it as the tone is not quite right.
I am wondering about the gay storyline now as they have painted a sad story for the bestie.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 8:07 PM
So is it just me that finds his boss inviting people to Jiho’s house taking his power way beyond that of a manager/mentee? Just like you saw people were immediately interested in his business and it was nothing to do with them feeling welcomed into the team. Our homes are our private sanctuary so we choose carefully who comes in so to have that thrust upon him was beyond wrong and to be told he didn’t have the right to say no went against the whole stalker/invading privacy storyline they are promoting. A team meal at a restaurant was pushing him outside of his comfort levels so was enough of a bonding gesture and was much more realistic and normal.
It was unacceptable that in the time Haejin had to add the disguise he didn’t have the time to get her consent. He could easily have got her in the car and driven through the press. Seriously, after the incident wouldn’t the security be better and anyone else staying in such an exclusive property would be complaining about the press taking over that area and blocking the access to the carpark and entrance. I am surprised Jiho is not all over that.
On a side note her wedding band does not look like an engagement ring and he was lucky she was wearing it that day.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 11:09 PM
Alllllll of this (although as far as I'm aware it's literally only those two that live in this estate pfft)
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 11:38 PM
The car park seemed too big for three apartments and there were three floors in the lift so I assumed there must be a couple of buildings sharing the same car park.
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loveblossom🌸
October 1, 2022 at 9:23 AM
Since Sang Eun fibbed that Ji Ho had been wanting to invite them sometime, his boss went along with that and picked a date to get the party started. ^^" And because he was used to Ji Ho's social awkwardness, I guess he talked to the coworkers on his behalf lol.
But yeah, I agree with you about Hae Jin and consent. Security should have been tighter. His CEO didn't take things seriously though.
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jerrykuvira
October 1, 2022 at 4:08 PM
It's highly unacceptable. And a very wrong foot to start with. What if she didn't play along? What sort of familiarity is that? You're ruining the chances of even considering shipping you Haejin and you just did a good job of nailing the coffin. Talk of a collosal mess of a premise.
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3 beffels
September 30, 2022 at 2:33 PM
Eeesh….I had so many problems with these episodes. Mr Silent Judge seems reasonably normal compared to the other two leads, neither of whom seems remotely concerned that Sang Eun just got attacked in the street.
Interestingly I think if the tone of the whole show was different the things that irritate me would feel funny or endearingly quirky but it’s just making me hate her -
like the surprise messiness in Hae-Jin’s house would be an amusing contrast to how put together she is usually, instead of incredibly rude. Similarly if I liked the characters better, the announcement by Hae-Jin (without consulting her at all) might be a hilarious dilemma but I just feel bad for Ji-ho.
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4 CasualDramaFan
September 30, 2022 at 2:47 PM
I would love for the drama to keep chaebol drama to minimum- Only 5 minutes per episode.
Give me more high jinks between the timid judge, the star, Jamie - the cat , and Jamie- the human.
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5 Fan from Nigeria
September 30, 2022 at 3:21 PM
Well, we finally found out how Mr Tuesdays/Fridays became a client, But am i the only one salty she had to part with 7.5 million just like that? Aish....that seriously hurt me, also how does Mr Celebrity plan to introduce her to his Family? I mean, she was almost engaged to first bro and wont they run a background check and see her 12 almost 13 divorces?
Well, one thing is, i cannot wait for the drama that will ensure next week and our FL is living the dream life, I mean 2 really gorgeous husbands? what else does a girl want?!!
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Kafiyah Bello
September 30, 2022 at 3:29 PM
I'm salty about that money too. Why couldn't she be rich, wtf.
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bbstl 🧹
September 30, 2022 at 9:38 PM
I’m confused as to why she bailed that woman out, anyway. Their ties were cut, The End.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 9:55 PM
It was like Sangeun was doing the ‘we women have to stick together despite our differences’ routine. It is true why should Miho take the fall while the men (big companies) get off with no consequences. However Sangeun will never see that money again though and she really could have done with a fresh start. I wonder about the bestie and his income options as some countries you need a certain amount of money or a required qualification to enter so was that not an option they could take up if they didn’t have her money? It’s a shame if he can’t go without her as they were not going in as a married couple.
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 10:18 PM
Idk I think she said her reasoning was that to do so would somehow be more of a middle finger to Miho than to not, but I'm not really sure I buy slash I also wasn't paying full attention during their prison scene ... Lmao
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 10:19 PM
But also like, they have to get her and her bestie to stay in Korea somehow and also a reason for her to start working again so like. Contrivance it is! 🤣😅
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bbstl 🧹
October 1, 2022 at 7:52 AM
Yes, contrivance all the way!
bbstl 🧹
October 1, 2022 at 8:03 AM
Yes, I had that impression as well.
Ok, so after SE refused to marry the guy, Mi Ho was fired. So SE’s “pride” pays Mi Ho for 13 years to make up for the cost of raising her which Mi Ho had not paid for herself anyway. Or to pay MH back for the skills that make SE into perfect wife material and thus able to create her business. SE gets the satisfaction of “owning” MH in this way? And bailing her out is yet another piece of “owning” her? So illogical and I guess just showing that SE is still wrapped up in MH emotionally, but to what purpose? Good thing SE isn’t trying to run a real business 🤪
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Jiyuu
October 2, 2022 at 7:10 AM
Their relationship is a convoluted love-hate, pseudo mother-daughter thing. Sang Eun has a lot of pride and wants Madam Yoo to bend and acknowledge her. Madam Yoo has a lot of pride too and can’t tell Sang Eun that she actually cares for her more than that she (Sang Eun) costed her (Madam Yoo) her illustrious career.
Madam Yoo doesn’t touch the money Sang Eun sends her despite her looming poverty (all her other bank records are zero) and was thinking of it as Sang Eun’s savings. The minute she gets money from Kangjin, she uses it to purchase a bag for herself and Sang Eun.
Sang Eun claims she wants their ties to end but not really. She just wants acknowledgment and maybe an apology of sorts.
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bbstl 🧹
October 2, 2022 at 8:04 AM
Thank you. What a mess, huh? 🤦🏼♀️
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6 Maya K
September 30, 2022 at 3:22 PM
I'm not exactly sure what's happening with the chaebol/Madame Yoo drama, but I'm loving Go Kyung Pyo in this role a lot. If this story goes off the rails, I think I'll stick it out it for him. I really love his character and acting, and he and Park Min Young have a lot of chemistry. I also wonder if the SML will end up with Sang-Eun's roommate?
Like other said, I think if this drama was just a fun hijinks drama like Business Proposal, Secretary Kim, etc, it would have been a really solid romcom. I really like the cast though, and I'm still looking forward to next week's episodes!
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7 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
September 30, 2022 at 4:52 PM
I'm enjoying this show despite/because of all the gaps and dissonance, but the alternate drama we have collectively written in comments would be so much more fun. Fingers crossed for more oddball comedy and less makjang; I’m completely bored with Mi-ho as a character (unless she’s the vampire).
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💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
September 30, 2022 at 5:27 PM
Think about how much BETTER this show would be if everyone were vampires but they were completely NORMAL about them all being vampires. It would be so funny. What We Do In the Shadows type shit but in our dumb makjang rom com. The comedic potential. Taika Waititi can you switch from being a Disney shill to making kdramas? That would be hilarious.
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8 IndigoRose
September 30, 2022 at 5:58 PM
This week’s episodes felt like being inside a pinball machine where the ball is my brain trying to make sense of this and the flippers are my arms waving around wildly at the insanity on the screen. Did the writer get a prompt requiring all genres be crammed into two episodes? Also, how is the FL attacked in the street with a GINORMOUS KNIFE a okay moments later and then off to dinner in that ridiculous belted shirt ensemble? Getting very concerned about the gay best friend storyline too. Anyway, my arms got an amazing workout flapping around at the insanity of it all. I’ll add some light weights next week.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 7:41 PM
Thank you for this image and acknowledgement that things are not going to get better any time soon, it brought a smile to my face👉 ‘Anyway, my arms got an amazing workout flapping around at the insanity of it all. I’ll add some light weights next week.’
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bbstl 🧹
September 30, 2022 at 9:40 PM
Yes, that. That’s what I was feeling. Ping! Ping! Ping!
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9 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
September 30, 2022 at 6:06 PM
Definitely more enjoyable than the premiere episodes. Some of the makjang elements are unbelievable and beyond stupid, but I’m braindead enough to just roll with it for now.
As for the characters, I’m 100% Team Ji-ho so far. Go Kyung-pyo has been infinitely entertaining as this awkward, introverted weirdo who just wants to be left alone (eternal mood, he just like me fr) and if there’s anything really going for this drama so far, it’s his performance. Hae-jin is… fine, I guess. Most of my positivity towards him is just an extension of my liking Kim Jae-young, which is a bit unfortunate. Hopefully, he gets more fleshed out and fun in upcoming episodes. Can’t have a proper love triangle if the odds are so clearly weighed on one side. Even if dramas are predictable as hell and everyone knows Ji-ho is the ML. Gwang-nam is fantastic and probably my favourite character so far. I’m liking that we get a queer character who actually feels like an important part of the wider story and whose sexuality isn’t just present to be a plot point exploited for shock value or blatant homophobia. That said, the correct way forward with Gwang-nam is to give him a love story of his own. If I were writing this drama, it would be with Hae-jin just to keep things nice and uncomplicated, but I know the writers are too cowardly for that, lmao. It’s not like bisexuality exists or anything! Only a strict binary of gay or straight here! *laughs awkwardly in bi-erasure*
Unfortunately, the real weak spot for me so far, beyond the general chaebol nonsense and makjang flavour, is Mi-ho. Which is a bit confounding since I usually love Park Min-young. It’s not even that she’s bad here or anything - I do like her chemistry with Go Kyung-pyo, but she just feels uninteresting and bland compared to the others. Is it just bad writing or is Park Min-young just phoning it in with this performance? Given her track record even in previously mediocre projects, I’m leaning more towards the former. Whatever the case, this needs to be fixed. It’s not a good thing that the strongest emotion I felt so far for the main protagonist of this 16-episode drama is outrage that she’s no longer a millionaire. Not to be an advocate for gross wealth inequality but let the woman be fabulously rich!
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 30, 2022 at 7:45 PM
‘ Is it just bad writing or is Park Min-young just phoning it in with this performance?’👈 Thanks for making this point because I normally like her too especially after Forecasting love and weather where I struggled because the second leads storyline proper got on my nerves so watching was hard work but I stayed for her.
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soulsearch12
September 30, 2022 at 8:10 PM
I think it'sI been there and done that for her in this role. She needs to take a break and reassess her choices. I think it's getting tiresome seeing her in another romance with a similar bubbly career kind of woman.
It seems the person who got positive feedback this week was GKP's character/him, gaining more of a persona. He's taking a nuanced and awkward character and giving it some pathos. I hope to see him in another romance with a quieter character in the future.
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
October 1, 2022 at 1:37 PM
Go Kyung-pyo in a melodramatic romance is the dream to look forward to. The man is too expressive to not be cast in one.
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soulsearch12
October 1, 2022 at 8:00 PM
He has a handsome and endearing vibe to him. Yet, he feels like he still has room to surprise along the way. I also dig his choices and openness to projects/roles, big or small. I know he began in comedy/SNL, so expressiveness is his forte.
But seriously, give this man a Melo romance!! But who is the FL? I know he'll ace it, but I need the PD/writers to give him that opportunity. I know me and other Beanies here would be here for it, aha!
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jerrykuvira
October 2, 2022 at 2:06 AM
The FL? Perhaps Kim Ji-Won. Or Soo Ae.
Midnight
October 2, 2022 at 8:22 AM
@jerrykuvira No, please! Soo Ae is 11 years older than him and although I love GKP a lot, his gives off an immature and petulant vibe with older actresses. He will shine with someone near his age though.
jerrykuvira
October 2, 2022 at 8:31 AM
Ooopsie! I wasn't aware of the age range @midnight until you mentioned. Heaven knows I'm not a sucker nor do I have the tolerance for such age differences.
That leaves Kim Ji-Won as the remaining candidate that can pull such melo romance effortlessly.
soulsearch12
October 2, 2022 at 7:17 PM
@jerrykuvira Um did you read my mind?? I love Soo Ae, she's versatile and strong. I would love to see them work together. I think she'll be a good contrast (her being more womanly) vs his boyishness.
@midnight Ooh you feel? Im Soo Jung/Gong Hyo Jin, I think it wasn't child-lish but he did feel like a second choice compared to the ML who was older.
Still, if its the right actress it could possibly work this time? But Kim Ji Won is great too, she's worked with him briefly and they would make a good duo. Also wouldn't mind Lee Se Young as well. PDs typically have melos with older/younger pairing, rarely if not ever same age pairing sadly.
soulsearch12
October 2, 2022 at 11:49 PM
Sorry to bombard this post! But I know he talked about relating to Us and Them (2018) and liking it. And honestly, I can picture him in something similar to that if we imagine a mature romance.
hmwtx
October 3, 2022 at 8:18 AM
"As for the characters, I’m 100% Team Ji-ho so far. Go Kyung-pyo has been infinitely entertaining as this awkward, introverted weirdo who just wants to be left alone (eternal mood, he just like me fr) and if there’s anything really going for this drama so far, it’s his performance. Hae-jin is… fine, I guess."
I agree! I love the Ji Ho character so. so. much. Nothing against the actor, but I don't like Hae Jin. Like, at all. He whines, he's overly dramatic, and I get that these are part of his character's traits, but it's annoying. He's not manly enough to be attractive. And he seems anemic.
I also agree that PMY seems to be missing some of her usual snap, she's very restrained here and it isn't wonderful. I think I expect a woman whose entire self-made and successful career revolves around people, to be more sparkly and energetic. Ms. Park, leave the broody reflective thoughtful stuff to Mr. Go, and get back to your usual bubbly self, please.
Side note - am I the only one who thinks the helmeted stalker may actually be a woman? I rewatched his/her scenes and I think maybe so, the person is menacing but is not a really physically dominant presence.
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
October 3, 2022 at 12:20 PM
I also thought Helmet Stalker might be female. The costume showed narrow shoulders and waist, although the outline of hips and legs was obscured. The hands might be too big for a woman but it was hard to get a good look. I was also trying to make out the image on the helmet - octopus? Spider? Alien?
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hmwtx
October 3, 2022 at 12:55 PM
I think the size of his/her hands is relative to the heavy gloves... and I think the design on the helmet is kind of a stylized skull, with flames on the sides. It's almost a heart shape, line pattern...
Now I feel like a real geek. I just went back and watched it with a lot of pausing trying to figure out if it was a woman or not. I definitely think it is. Who else would care that much about other women hanging around Hae Jin? Doesn't seem like a male fan would care about that. I think it's a red herring that this person calls Sang Eun "dirty" and "whorish" and we all assume (alongside Sang Eun herself and Ji Ho) that they are targeting her for her chosen profession. It's jealous spite from someone obsessed with Hae Jin.
The fact that a couple of her recent "husbands" are acting up, that's a coincidence.
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darwi
October 3, 2022 at 1:21 PM
I fully agree with you on Hae Jin.
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Kathryn51
October 3, 2022 at 8:41 PM
Female Helmut Stalker vote here! It would just be far more interesting than a guy - although, I was confused a bit. Did Ji-ho say that he knew who the stalker was? Or, that there was a stalker at the prior residence and they just assumed it was a certain person?
Calling Sang Eun "dirty" or a whore? Classic female jealousy. Maybe the actress in Ep. 1 will make a return visit.
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hmwtx
October 4, 2022 at 9:50 AM
Ji Ho asks Hae Jin about it, but says that he doesn't know the answer (yet). I am not sure either of the men knows who it is, other than that it's someone fixated on Hae Jin - and that they all know he has had issues with stalkers before attacking women that the stalker assumed he had a relationship with.
It is definitely the kind of thing a crazy, obsessed female might do. And going so far as to cover every inch of your appearance and your voice, means you are hiding something big. I want to know who it is - but I don't want to be able to figure it out in advance of the eventual reveal lol
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10 loveblossom🌸
September 30, 2022 at 7:09 PM
I'm glad the possible serial killer bit about Ji Ho was quickly dispelled. I like the detail that he is a judge, but also specifically a family court judge and that he recognized Sang Eun and was curious about her. How could she not recognize him during all those proceedings? One other thing I forgot to mention last week was that it was risky not having the bare minimum background check on her clients.
His social anxiety is a better issue to tackle than let's say a thirst for murder lollll. I like that Sang Eun can help him with her experience and wit. Relationship and friendship advice, not just being the fake wife. I can't wait to see his improvement. He can have some decent conversations. He's observant and tries to be careful. Not spontaneous. Heck, I laughed so hard during the epic dinner scene, but I also felt a little bad for him. (Go Kyung Pyo had so many expressions!) I would be just like him. I wouldn't have been able to lie fast and make smooth replies like Sang Eun.
Thank goodness Hae Jin and Sang Eun let their pasts be known to each other early. I wish she had agreed to be his wife though before he sprung it on her.
Gwang Nam's story is sad. His sisters are awful. Hoping he'll get his happy ending. Have only seen this actor in one previous role. Glad to see more of him here.
The tension-filled scenes of Mi Ho and Sang Eun are strange, but somewhat compelling. I can't believe Sang Eun threw down a TON of money for bail. Her fragile ego. Wow. Mi Ho knew her so well. Sang Eun can pull off the image of a happy, confident, stylish person, but she is not flawless.
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11 Kurama
September 30, 2022 at 11:34 PM
I don't like any character... The humor sounds weird and overacted after the serious ton they chose at the beginning.
The story makes less and less sense.
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12 Toodlepip
October 1, 2022 at 1:21 AM
Am so loving JH after these episodes, yes it's strange that SE didn't realise he presided over 6 of her divorces but OK there's quite a bit we need to let slide for this drama in any case.
Agree with the comment of 5 minutes max of makjang each episode, it is a bit tiresome, and I'm totally frustrated that her money is gone, removing a lot of her independence and agency.
Favourite scenes were with JHs boss and his wife. JHs face was fabulous, about 20 emotions, mostly to do with mortification and embarrassment were written on his face.
I also loved his jaw clench at the end when he saw the new couple on TV, this guy has so much pent up emotion in general, that when he does express himself as he wants, it might be an explosion!
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bbstl 🧹
October 1, 2022 at 7:44 AM
I’m so curious about his prior relationship. The woman must have been his wife if she was using her seal as part of breaking up, right?
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soulsearch12
October 2, 2022 at 7:49 PM
The beautiful and underrated Lee Joo Bin is rumored (since she hasn't appeared yet) is supposedly playing his ex. I wouldn't mind their pair-up, either.
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Kathryn51
October 3, 2022 at 8:45 PM
"I also loved his jaw clench at the end when he saw the new couple on TV,"
Ii love the way Korean dramas focus on those micro expressions - so much communicated silently w/no need for spoken word (if you are Korean) or subs (for those of us not lucky enough to have learned earlier and now are too old to make the attempt now).
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13 Nefret
October 1, 2022 at 1:47 AM
Sang-eun seems to have an even worse memory for faces than I do, and that's really quite an achievement. Even I would certainly recognise the judge after my fifth divorce.
I'm still not convinced.
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bbstl 🧹
October 1, 2022 at 7:44 AM
Tee hee hee 😂
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mofob
October 5, 2022 at 4:06 PM
Maybe all the divorces are so traumatic all the memories are repressed? Hahahaha.
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14 wandering spot
October 1, 2022 at 3:19 AM
I have so many issues with this week's episodes esp with PMY's character. I don't know but I felt she was rude and a bit annoying in this week's episodes. The way she reacted to ML's advice was a bit confusing. I mean it was totally on point, all he said was she has to deal men with inferiority complexes so her job might rub their ego in a wrong way which can make her a possible target, all of which seems to be logical. Either the writing is poor or there might be some sort of pro with translation. It made her look insecure, a bit of dim bulb and poor at listening and comprehending. The show is trying to make her character sassy and badass but she is coming off as obnoxious and at times haughty. Another issue I have with her character is the way she makes a huge mess. Imagine having to clean the kitchen mess every time. And the fact that she did the same at SML’s room also irked me to the core. At least with the best friend she can be herself since he knows how messy she is but doing the same with your client and the client’s neighbour is not so cute. If the show added that for the funny element, it not working. If my room mate or friend do the same thing, I will leave it as such and walk out. She was rude and spunky to the SML but when the guy revealed her as his fiancé without even taking her consent, she played along without a word??? *sigh*
Madam Yoo’s character is interesting but the portrayal of relationship between FL and her is so badly done. Are we to believe that the FL is so deeply indebted to Madam Yoo that she gave up all her savings, her car, her abroad plans and went back to the job from which she was about to retire, just to get her (Madam Yoo) out of the jail?? They both don’t even greet each other well. I mean I get that they need a reason for the FL lead to stay in the country but this whole set up is so unconvincing and forced.
I am gonna keep this on hold and switch to weecap reading to check if there will be anything worth watching, in the coming episodes.
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bbstl 🧹
October 1, 2022 at 7:50 AM
Yes to all you have said.
I, for good or ill, will keep watching* to see what (mess) happens next. Will it defy current expectations and end up as one of the best shows of the year? Or will it solidify as a hate watch? Can’t wait to find out! 😬
*reserves right to drop at any time
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jerrykuvira
October 1, 2022 at 11:23 PM
I think she understood the all the points he raised and she definitely agreed with them. But 1) I think she wasn't ready to hear those words and 2) It seemed to pain her that now that you finally stop giving and having single word replies and conversations respectively, you're hitting a very sore spot even though you're correct without even attempting to soften the landing. I see why she would tell him to stop talking or she getting offended and most definitely Sang-eun being stunned. Looking at it from a romantic perspective, if someone I'm having fluttering feelings for and has the social awkwardness of Ji-ho happens to finally have a bit of a conversation with me but it happens to be a chastise of some sort, I'll be pissed. 'You should have said sweet words and not the truths you pierced me with 😊.' The perfect image of how I thought we'd have a conversation is shattered and I'll want to protect that, at least in my head before you say what will earn you an earful and an eyeful.
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sakuradaydream
October 2, 2022 at 5:49 PM
Omg I really thought I was the only one who agreed with JH's advice! I really felt that there was nth wrong with what he said and he pointed out straight facts. (she got mad cuz he pointed out facts??)
She should've been aware of the dangers that came with her line of work & receptive to criticism and advice to be able to change (or at least keep herself safe lol?) her perspective of things
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15 jerrykuvira
October 1, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Ji-ho has swept me off my feet with his social awkwardness. His I-don't-bother-to-hide-the-shock facial expressions he gave off as each non-existing part of his life was constructed from the ground up, Man wasn't prepared🤭. You have my votes already, all of it.
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16 sakuradaydream
October 2, 2022 at 5:44 PM
a lot of scenes this week made my heart rate accelerate faster than the speed of light! (who knew i was so deprived of sexual tension my god) (also that jaw clench my GOD)
Anyways, i felt like ji-ho's career reveal happened SO fast (even tho we had our theories and almost all of us were right) cuz I really thought they would drag it out abit more.
I've seen a lot of comments about dislike over hae-jin but honestly imo, I dont see a reason to hate him as of now since we dont really know much about him or his past.
Aside from that, I'm looking forward to the upcoming eps!
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17 cozybooks
October 3, 2022 at 3:34 PM
I am eagerly awaiting the next episode. I'm also firmly in camp Ji-ho. I've been burned once when Go Kyung Po turned out to be the second lead (Jealousy Incarnate) and I don't think I can take that a second time :)
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18 Kathryn51
October 3, 2022 at 8:50 PM
Late to the party (as usual) but I'm Team Ji-ho all the way and I still enjoy Park Min Young. Sometimes, an actor or actress is just "right" for certain stories. Much as I have enjoyed her in the past, I couldn't get past Ep. 2 in "Forecasting" because the comedy was missing.
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19 KDFL
October 6, 2022 at 5:20 AM
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20 KDFL
October 6, 2022 at 5:22 AM
No idea what this show's genera is or what kind of bizarre writing is going on. But for some reason it's keeping me curious enough to keep watching.
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