Yes, yes I love Doo Hak's mom and his first boss pair. They both have similar vibe that it only feel right for them to be together.

On the other hand, I am frustrated with Jung Shin because I had hoped she would distance herself from Cheol Woong after he tried to shoot at Doo Hak, but nope, she keeps stringing him along despite knowing his feelings and is forcefully shoving the "three musketeers' friendship of the past" down his throat when he clearly mentioned he doesn't feel the same.

I love Doo Hak and his buddies to the point where the only thing I want from the finale is for them to stick together.

Thanks for the recaps, Dramaddictally!

Well, it was no surprise that Doo-hak was alive. What is surprising is that Choel-woong & Oh Man Ok didn't spend more time tracking him down. It seems like a repeating cycle when DH's friends once again fall into their gangster ways, but this is necessary to set up the "final conflict." And, it is disappointing that DH hasn't stepped in to reunite with Jong-Shin, but is just ghosting her again.

I agree with beanie emsel's comment that Jung Shin maintaining contact with Choel-Woong seems uncharacteristic, especially since he and his guys shot Doo-Hak. CW must have protected her from bing prosecuted for arranging Doo-Hak's escape. It was also surprising that she leaned on CW to get a business loan, despite CW constantly skirting her direct question about Doo-Hak committing murder. She was there when Doo-hak shouted out that he had served Choel-Woong's jail time. JS just seems to be too savvy to have the wool pulled over her eyes twice, the other time being when Doo-hak's mom told her that CW is her biological son--and maybe three times by getting indebted to CW for obtaining that business loan.

The new character, the woman who turned herself in to the prosecutor, seems as if she'll become more important in the upcoming episodes. Not sure where that arc is headed but it will help drive things forward into the 90s. Also like the hint of romance for DH's mom.

Of course, Yeo-jin is so busy pulling strings that she will eventually get caught in her own web of lies and deceit. I'm expecting lots of revenge and paybacks coming her way as part of the climax of this drama.

Still loving the leads and looking forward to next week's episodes.

Dramaddictally,thank you for the recap.

Yeo-jin was glaring daggers at Am-daek as Cheol-woong hugged her after his birthday meal. Good job by both actresses. The drama has a great cast. It would be nice if Am-daek and Poong-ho can comfort one another .
Doo-hak and the Pier of Non-Doom (in lieu of Cliff of Non Doom ) !
Getting the old gang back together again . They are trying to introduce another lady in Cheol-woong’s life. Please break the Eternal Love Triangle ! Doo-hak and Jung-shin deserve some quality time together.
Man-ok’s time might be running out. Somebody is going to avenge ahjussi’s death.

I’ve just started watching this and am getting slowly into it. Funnily enough, I had recently rewatched my favourite bits of the “The Tale of Nokdu” but the name of Jang Dongyoon had never stuck in my mind (ok, sue me!😂) so I was delighted to find out who played Doohak. And, I’m still trying to process how the actor playing Lady Kim so well could be in this. I know. There was a lot of make up, softening lenses and weight loss involved but he did such a wonderful job in transforming into Lady Kim.

And, please indulge me a bit more. I like “The Tale of Nokdu” because of the bickering main leads, their layered and wonderful performances, how sweet they could be together as well as the real MVP, Park Dayeon as Hwang Aengdu. She made me laugh so much and I just adore that performance: An always ravenous little comédienne who was the reincarnation of an old and cranky soul. What’s not to like?

Best parts of episode 11 were at the end with the reappearance of Doo-hak in Japan (JDY looking better than ever with a much better hair style) and the fight.
Best parts of episode 12 were the reappearance of Doo-hak’s gangster pals and enemies. Nice to see them all getting into the second act.

Man Ok is not so calm and collected anymore. He must have his own side goals and all of his money must have went somewhere. I doubt it was for his ill father or his family.

Finally we have a witness to Yeo Jin's true nature towards Am Daek. I'm hoping Poong Ho will inform Doo Hak of this! He is preparing his revenge against Cheol Woong and Choong Sung, but he needs to prepare for her too.

His old friends' restaurant name "Hotel Rice Soup" immediately cracked me up! It's a wonder that Young Pil didn't visit sooner. ;P The reunion between him and Kwang Tak was hilarious btw. I don't feel bad for Young Pil at all. Hope he doesn't try to betray them this time.

Props to Cheol Woong for going after Man Ok. At least he tried.
Didn't know he was going that far.

I'm glad Doo Hak didn't take too long to meet Jung Shin. <3 All the hugs he got from everyone were so sweet.

I see a possible ship forming with Am Daek and Poong Ho. Glad she has her own business away from Yeo Jin. I think they will move on that real estate that Yeo Jin delayed on buying.

The drama is doing a good job at showing the clothing & hairstyle changes over the years. Fun to see. ^^

I want the fall of Yeo-jin to come on the hands of Man-ok. She is too arrogant and I hate her role took center stage.

The reunion scene between Doo-hak and his friends was sentimental. They weren't sad they were going to prison as much as they were devastated by his death. I am happy they didn't drag it out and Jung-shin learned the truth. I want the revenge phase already.

These two episodes were pretty good and the drama does incorporate the frequent time jumps really well. Even Cheol-woong comes across as more grown up, he has his own mind as a prosecutor and remains attached and loyal to Do-haak's mother, even though he goes along with his 'father's' dealings.

Yeon-jin has made a huge mistake. Upsetting Man-Ok, who knows her real, ruthless personality best, can only backfire.

The moment of confrontation is approaching, which can be seen in more memories of the happy youth of the three main characters. Will those memories, what they felt then, be able to save them from doing things they will regret? Because while Doo Hak's revenge on the "bad guys" makes sense, the possible revenge on Cheol Woong makes no sense. He wasn't to blame for the events leading up to what happened 3 years ago. Actually, he and Doo Hak have the same enemies, for a decade, since their school days. So they should destroy Oh and Hwang together. Only Doo Hak and Cheol Woong need to know the truth. Then some kind of happy ending would be possible for all three of the main characters. Doo Hak should find out they are related at the right moment. Because if not, there will be a tragedy between Doo Hak and Cheol Woong, in addition fueled by mutual jealousy. In the 12th episode, Doo Hak's jealousy, after returning to the country, took on new colors, much more intense, which was fueled by all the meetings between Jung Shin and Cheol Woong, who were watched from a distance by Doo Hak.So Doo Hak waited a long time until he finally went to Jung Shim's house and showed himself to her. The scene of their reunion was touching, but there was also a kind of sadness and distance. It seems to me that 3 years of separation have built a distance between them that will overwhelm them. Their lives went in different directions. I doubt Jung Shin wants to see Doo Hak doing something illegal again. She wants a normal life and will demand it from Doo Hak if she decides to give him a new chance. One more thing that struck me about this scene? Why didn't Jung Shin kiss Doo Hak? If she doesn't do that at the beginning of the next episode, I'll start to wonder if her feelings for him are still a woman's love for a man, or love for a dear friend of hers.