Work Later Drink Now 2: Episodes 9-10

by solstices

Our girls spend some time apart this week as they develop their relationships with others outside of their trio. However, that spurs a major crisis that threatens to break their friendship once and for all.

 
EPISODES 9-10 WEECAP

So-hee heads back to her hometown to visit her mom, and Buk-goo invents a work meeting so he has an excuse to drive her there. It’s a warm mother-daughter reunion, until So-hee realizes that her mother has gotten rid of her late father’s prized possessions and redecorated his empty room.

Devastated that her mother could move on so cleanly even though it has barely been three years since her father passed away, So-hee blows up at her mother. She storms out in tears, and when her mother follows to give her boxes full of homemade banchan, So-hee accidentally knocks them to the ground while pushing them away.

Buk-goo can’t stand it anymore, and he manhandles So-hee into the car while he helps Mom clean up. It turns out he’s been visiting Mom for the past two years while So-hee was away in the mountains, and his own experience mourning his late mother made him take it upon himself to help Mom.

Out of sight, out of mind! Buk-goo coaxes steamrolls Mom into throwing away her late husband’s items, encouraging her to revamp her perspective instead of wallowing in grief. So-hee’s touched when she finds out, even going so far as to impulsively kiss him, but I’m decidedly less enthused. Buk-goo’s adamant persuasion felt like he was overstepping his boundaries — people grieve in different ways, and it wasn’t up to him to decide how Mom ought to heal.

At work, Ji-yeon walks right into the middle of an argument between Instructor Kim and Sun-kook about how to celebrate his birthday. In true Ji-yeon fashion, she solves the dilemma by joking that they celebrate with her instead — and what do you know, Sun-kook takes her up on her suggestion.

It’s adorable how much Ji-yeon has bonded with the siblings, hee! A tipsy Instructor Kim confesses that Ji-yeon is starting to grow on her, then proceeds to diss her brother right to his face, HAHA. Just then, Ji-yeon’s phone rings with a call from Ji-goo, but she doesn’t pick up.

That’s the start of our major problem this week — Ji-yeon hasn’t been answering any of Ji-goo’s texts and calls, for no apparent rhyme or reason. As the day goes on, Ji-goo grows increasingly worried, especially since Ji-yeon had a medical check-up scheduled.

Fearing that Ji-yeon might be isolating herself because she received bad news, Ji-goo even cancels her dinner date with Origami Guy to go look for Ji-yeon. But when Ji-yeon returns home, halfway through a phone call with So-hee, Ji-goo realizes Ji-yeon isn’t ignoring everyone — she’s just ignoring Ji-goo.

Ji-yeon isn’t the least bit apologetic, understandably angering Ji-goo. Problem is, both girls are obstinate and prideful, which means they don’t actually talk it out. Instead, Ji-yeon acts like nothing’s wrong and Ji-goo slams doors around the house, leaving So-hee awkwardly caught in the middle.

Needless to say, the conflict just gets worse. Ji-goo makes it up to a disheartened Origami Guy by initiating another dinner date, but Ji-yeon just so happens to pass by the restaurant — and instead of walking on, she intentionally and tactlessly joins the table.

She’s flanked by the blind date that Instructor Kim introduced to her — SUNG-SOO (cameo by Sohn Ho-joon, yay!), who’s basically the male version of Ji-yeon, LOL. Both Ji-yeon and Sung-soo excitedly chatter away, thoroughly annoying the introverted Ji-goo.

To his credit, Origami Guy tries his best to diffuse the situation. Unfortunately, Ji-yeon’s incessant flirting doesn’t help things, and the last straw occurs when she asks his name. Pressured into replying, he has no choice but to introduce himself as HAN WOO-JOO. (Aww, his name means “universe,” while Ji-goo’s name means “Earth” — so cute! No wonder he wanted the reveal to be a surprise.)

Hurt that Woo-joo withheld his name from her all this while, yet he answered Ji-yeon so easily, Ji-goo slams her glass down and storms out. Ji-yeon follows, and the fight escalates to a breaking point — Ji-yeon’s moving out, and Ji-goo isn’t stopping her.

With nowhere to go for the night, Ji-yeon ends up crashing at Instructor Kim’s place. Over drinks, Ji-yeon finally spills the reason she’s been interfering with Ji-goo’s newfound romance — she wanted to protect her naive and inexperienced friend from superficial guys that might take advantage of her.

Through a series of flashbacks, we see Ji-yeon flirting with all of Ji-goo’s male friends in order to test them. Without fail, they’d all fall for Ji-yeon instead. In Ji-yeon’s eyes, this was for Ji-goo’s own good — but she never explained her rationale to her friend, inevitably causing Ji-goo to develop an inferiority complex towards her.

But Woo-joo is sincere towards Ji-goo, isn’t he? That’s exactly the problem — Ji-yeon recognized that too, and an irrational fear took hold of her. Realizing that Ji-goo feels the same towards Woo-joo, Ji-yeon was afraid that she might lose her friend. Except her actions ended up alienating Ji-goo anyway.

Back at home, Ji-goo’s confrontation with Ji-yeon leaves her sick to her stomach. So-hee stays by her side as she throws up, tucking her into bed afterwards. Forlorn and exhausted, Ji-goo can’t stop the tears that spill over, displaying a rare moment of vulnerability.

Then, she gathers her resolve. Walking out into the rain, Ji-goo heads straight for Woo-joo’s alleyway, waiting resolutely until he shows up with an umbrella over her head. Straightforward as always, Ji-goo declares: “Let’s date.”

The fracturing of our girls’ friendship this week absolutely broke my heart, and I was sobbing by the end of the episode. Ji-goo’s inferiority complex is deeply relatable — who hasn’t felt small in the presence of a friend who seems superior to you in every way? It must have eaten away at her all these years, and I admire her maturity in being able to look past her insecurities and love Ji-yeon as a precious friend.

Though I don’t approve of Ji-yeon’s methods, I sympathize with her motivations. What these two really need is open communication and an honest conversation, and I’m hoping they clear the air and reconcile next week.

On a side note, I’m not onboard the Buk-goo and So-hee ship at all. I mean, who wants a guy who brags about his nonexistent sexual exploits with you, in front of your co-worker? Certainly not me. I’m glad So-hee responded with a solid cushion whack to Buk-goo’s thick head; hopefully he gains a bit of maturity next week.

Meanwhile, I’m rooting for Woo-joo and Ji-goo to work out! His gentle patience complements her tsundere gruffness, and I love how he genuinely accepts her for who she is, unconventional traits and all. It’s the exact opposite narrative that her mother has been drilling into her all these years, which makes me hopeful that Woo-joo will be the one to draw Ji-goo out of her protective shell.

 
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