"Unfortunately, I did not feel a single thing from their kiss." Really? I mean... really? You're a tough audience.

This series is like 'Strangers Again', the very stuff that others complained about is precisely what I like MOST about the drama. I like that its a character piece of a flawed, somewhat silly person rather than a by-the-numbers rom-com that we'd know all the beats to ahead of time. I like that it dwells on the breakup aftermath and doesn't just treat it as a throw-away plot device.

Sigh. I quit. But I came back for episode 8.
I was raging watching episode 7. This show is just making it so hard to root for Bora. The drinking is irresponsible and I don’t like characters who don’t take their health seriously. It’s one thing to drink when you didn’t know the consequences, but to continue it after being sick due to excess alcohol is just NO. How is this a 30+ year old woman that I can root for?
And yes, if anyone else other than Yoo In Na was cast it would have been a drop in ep 3/4. She makes it so hard to drop. She is absolutely gorgeous and she makes parts of her character endearing. When she is smart and sober she comes across as such a wonderful person. And then she does things. 🙄
I wish I knew what is the attraction between the two? Is it only their breakup? I wish the show spent more time showing them bond over non breakup talk. I do like their talk about her next book.

The married couple. I really don’t get them. I don’t. And why does she have to lie about her husband buying her the bag?? Why is she so delusional? that guy surely doesn’t look like he wants to be in this marriage. I can’t tell what he is thinking.

I found ep 8 absolutely adorable and it made me glad I stuck around during the (admittedly very long) breakup arc.

I don't know why everyone hates that boss so much! From what I've seen in Kdramas, he's one of the better ones.

Oh @ Unit, this was such a good weecap! I agree with everything you said. In the dragging the scene too long department, ugh, the negotiation scene really bothered me. Too long, and when Bora said "You know what they say, when a woman says 'no', it means 'yes'," I wanted to shake her, and the writers, for perpetuating a dangerous myth about consent. Not funny. Simply awful.

On the other hand, while I disliked that they called it Bora breaking up with Ju-Wan, I did like what she said during that scene, and how she handled herself.

I really do not know how to feel about ep 7 and 8. The breakup show is really an apt name for this drama because why are still talking about breakup? Which is why the kiss is sort of left field. I mean, yes I can see the chemistry between Bora and Su Hyuk but they spent so much time on her wallowing and drinking herself to stupor over the ex that I have mixed feelings towards the kiss.

I'd rather they took the time and spent a few eps being besties and coming together healed and actually moved on. As it is, I'm fairly certain the drama will pull a 'this kiss was a mistake' on us.
Bomi and JH are cute but every other relationship in the drama is a drag. I absolutely hate Yoo Jung's husband. And Sang Jin's office culture is so horrible I would never want to work for him.

I dunno, all in all it was a mixed bag this week.

Thanks for the recap @unit

I actually think the story of the leads had a lot of potential, and I really like the two characters and the actors playing them. I do think they have a lot of chemistry--they are really comfortable together which is why Bora making such a HUGE deal of avoiding Soo-hyuk after peeing in the street was just wrong. Sure, some embarrassment, and not wanting to mention it, but not total avoidance. I would have thought the whole point of that scene, and its glow of comic physical relief, was that this was a necessity Bora could perform when she was with an understanding partner rather than a totally self-absorbed jerk. (I myself am not embarassed to say that there have been a few times in 30+ of marriage that the lack of public restroom facilities in the U.S. have necessitated a guarded visit to the bushes for either my wife or myself--it is embarrassing and always to be avoided when possible, but its actually comforting to know you that you aren't going to be discovered without a warning.

The reason I'm focusing on that minor example of potty humor is that I think the mishandling of this scene is representative of the writing/directing of this show, which is to come up with really promising concepts and not quite execute them. A pretty frank look at a really devastating break up and total fall from grace for a dating advisor? Not bad to detail, but don't dwell on it for SIX episodes. 4 clueless men who need to learn more about themselves and how to treat their romantic partners with the love and consideration they deserve? Good,moralistic story--except then don't let EVERY ONE of them totally off the hook for their behavior! Finally, an initially hostile relationship warming to a classic one true love? Of course, this is the whole point of why I'm watching this show--BUT make sure to show more of the increasing attraction between the two--especially on Bora's part--before springing a passionate kiss on the viewers.

Anyway, I'll keep watching this and who knows, maybe the last 6 episodes will redeem some of the first half's issues. But I'm not counting on it.

It's mainly Yoo Inna who keeps me watching.
And Joo Sangwook's orange sweater. 😁

I just don’t get on why the writer is hell bent on embarrassing Bora. Are we supposed to find it funny? Are we supposed to laugh at her? Hey look, here is how grown woman makes joke out of herself. I am just tired of it. It’s not funny.

I totally agree with you about the kiss, Unit. It felt rushed and it was too soon. It felt like... hey, "if this is episode 8 it must end with a kiss". Our leads are really falling for each other, and forgetting about their breakups, just give them time!

I don't like Bora as a character, and that is an absolute merit of Yo Inna, as she is making the character believable. Bora is a woman who thought happiness will come with marriage, no matter who she married, but being married will make her ultimately happy. She needs to learn to be alone, that happiness comes only from inside, that only if she is happy on her own she can be happy with someone else. That is why this kiss felt so rushed: I'm over JuWan for good, now to the next groom to be. Not Bora, first fix your life, write your book, go to therapy to overcome your alcohol addiction, find balance in your life, learn that you can live a single life, and then... then run to SooHyuk because you two together can be really good.

As for YooJung and JinWoo, for a minute I thought I had missed something and that he actually had bought her the bag, which was totally out of character, but you confirmed he didn't. Why are these two still married? Easy, because YooJung hasn't decided to get a divorce, something I hope she does when she understand what they have is not a healthy relationship. From episode one JinWoo has shown us that he only does what his wife says, he never proposed and got married because she wanted. He is with her but he could have a roommate and it would be the same. Does he care for her? Of course, as they have been together for years and I think he is a good person. Is he in love with her? Nope. At all. I know their relation is supposed to be funny, with a bossy wife and a quiet husband, but it's as funny as Bora addiction to alcohol.

this show makes be LAFF OUT LOUD! i love it. they are silly and stupid, they are supposed to be. it's a comedy!

This show definitely has its problems, which I'll discuss in a minute, but I didn't think the kiss was one of them. It's been pretty obvious for a few episodes now that Soo-hyuk is drawn and attracted to Bo-ra, and I think she's equally drawn to him, although she's been in breakup/move/write book mode for a long time, and therefore has neither the mental presence nor time to recognize those growing feelings. These two have had several long and fairly deep conversations as well. So it made perfect sense to me that they kissed, although I expect neither is confident enough at this point to pursue a relationship.

I agree that YIN is killing it. Without her, this show would be unwatchable. But I also appreciate the way the show isn't pretending that these two can just launch themselves into a new relationship, and magically erasing their past relationship struggles. To that end, I didn't feel that these two episodes dwelled on Bo-ra's breakup, but on Bo-ra making peace with herself by honoring her relationship in a way that felt healing and respectful to herself. So when she talked about the focus of the book being on getting an ex back, I don't think she literally meant getting back together with him/her. Instead, I think she's writing about--and living the experience of--getting yourself so together and confident that your ex would want you back. I'm cool with that.

I've been disappointed in the development of the sister's relationship with her destiny stalker, and not just because he's basically harassed her into compliance. The big problem for me is that I don't understand why he supposedly loves her other than that she looked pretty in a club. Ok, I guess many relationships start that way, but I needed a stronger initial connection here for me to buy that they could be in a relationship, and his feelings could be this strong. And really, does anyone not believe that if this guy was less physically attractive that everyone would peg him as a creep?

The married couple is ridiculous. I don't understand the point the show is making about marriage through them; I feel like the writer has no idea what it means to be married and is pulling every plot point from cliche town.

I have to admit that I laughed with many moments in episode 8, starting when Bora shut the door in Soo-Hyuk's face. And that happened in minute 4 😅.

About the kiss, I also think it happened too early. I wanted them to stay as friends a little more.

We finally get a rom-com without a murder mystery and this is it?

See, serial killers in rom-coms aren't all bad (er, lets find a better way to phrase that).

They can:
1: Use up screen time so the show doesn't have to drag out things like negotiation scenes.
2: Help drive the leads together.
3: Make even a lackluster romance seem appealing by comparison.

I wouldn't have minded if the kiss had waited except. . . . . it was played as spur-of-the-moment spontaneous without any forethought. Both had reached a major turning point in their lives, they were celebrating and having fun. I thought it worked well, but then I'm assuming that this isn't the start of anything for them. Yet. I'll be interested to see how the writer/director plays the next scenes - shock? denial? regret?

It reminded me of the 1st kiss in "Crazy Love". Also spontaneous (and "fake") but both parties were clearly affected.

I'm hoping they take a big step back, recognize they are both still in rebound mode and work on the book. With plenty of tension, and reflection, along the way.

What I'm not getting about this show is all the other messy relationships - there is usually another couple having issues but you hope they make it to the end. None of that in this show - it is all focused on Soo Hyuk (my favorite character) and Bora.

the "pee" moment gave me a good laugh like OMG lol she is so embarass and made a lot of excuses but the kiss gave me goosebumps. I mean I didn't see it coming. Although it wasn't as romantic as I imagined but still it gave me the feels lol I wonder what else they will show us on the next episodes

I guess I am one of the minority as this finally got me out of a drama slump. That getting back the ex thing which infuriated other watchers was not even the plan (and was explained also later) as she was winging the plot of her next book in desperation to seal the deal.

Then when she got a little more time to think about it, I did like her second break up plan which is really all about getting back her dignity. That was also emphasized so well in ep 8 and small as it is, I considered that a win.

Haven't anyone tried to avoid seeing the person who witnessed the most embarassing moment of your life? That would be my natural reaction at first too, so of course she will try to avoid SY. Tha natural progression to being comfortable with each other afterwards was a nice segway.

Anyway, the kiss was also a spur of the heightened emotional moment, I think the preview of the show seems to imply that so I am not too concerned whether it is too soon or not.

One thing is sure, the chemistry of the two here is out of bounds, I like them when they are together.

We watch shows with different lenses, I accept that, but in my lense, this show is likeable because none of the characters (so far) follow the usual kdrama character rules. They all have likeable and dislikable traits but no one has an overdramatic trauma to overcome. And I like that the plot subverts expectations about the heroine and the hero.

Bad renaming alert! I only now discovered 'Bora! Deborah' also goes by the cheesy title 'True to Love'. Yuk, that's as bad as them taking the series 'My Wife In Having An Affair This Week' and renaming it the insipid 'Listen To Love'. 'Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food' became the non-descript 'Something In The Rain'. Sometimes I look up a series to watch and think I don't have access only to find it had been renamed something entirely different.

So obviously Bo-ra is flying by the seat of her pants here and has no plan for the book whatsoever, but I think her scheme to re-break up with Chicken King was kind of genius. I mean, not to make him beg for her love back (because, ew), but for her own closure and to leave a better impression behind, I think it was such an interesting idea. And Soo-hyuk came in so clutch! Not only was he right about the dress (I loved that they poked fun at dramas' tendency to put someone in slow motion whenever they are looking particularly good), but the man knows how this story is supposed to end. Or, in this case, at least how it’s supposed to look like it ends, with the FL walking off with a better man. He is an editor/publisher after all, he knows storytelling. I actually think this was a totally great plan and will be perfect material for her book - her tragically inaccurate reading of the ending of Lala Land aside.

At first I wasn’t sure what to think of the kiss. I was totally drawn in regardless, but I kept thinking about the lead-up and whether it was a good idea. After reading some other comments, I think the lead-up to it makes sense. They were both in a heightened emotional state and a small space. She had just had a triumphant moment that he helped her orchestrate. They’ve been having deep conversations and getting closer for weeks now. It was impulsive and rash and born from a temporary (so far) closeness. All that tracks for me. As to whether it was a good idea - probably not, but I sort of love the show for depicting that. The whole situation is messy and unclear and complicated, just like breakups often are in real life. I hope they back out temporarily before realizing that maybe it wasn’t a mistake after all.

The kiss is totally out of place and too soon. The pacing is a mess, dragging out the heartbreak arc and milking it while nit giving enough build up to the main story we came for. Also the black dress shopping, slow motion and how Bora tried to seduce Soo-hyuk are too cheesy and not romantic or swoony at all.

It looks like we won't be getting a satisfying rom-com this year.

I thought this week was good. The humor was there. The twist reveal with the contract scenes had me laughing! I like hearing Bora's inner thoughts and how she tries to plan ahead and make a strategy but can still fail. And Bora faking her slow-motion to tease Soo Hyuk, heh.

They have a funny & friendly relationship. He's seen it all. They can question and critique each other and still give advice.

Her final conversation/ending with her ex was nicely done. I didn't mind that the show kept on with this breakup plot. It fit with her steps in her book writing and for her to move on in a healthy way.

I didn't really expect the kiss, but it wasn't surprising. I liked it. The move of his arm wrapping around her. *eyebrows waggle* Maybe the show being at the halfway point was in the back of my mind. I don't think it was rushed though. Both of them have gotten to know each other and have spent a lot of time together. Soo Hyuk became more and more attracted to her. He was a tough critic about the seduction moves, but he wasn't immune. He definitely had feelings before she did. I'm curious about her reaction. Don't think she'd be aghast about it. Not at all.

I loved the kiss! I didn’t think it was too soon, but the directing wasn’t that good and it almost felt like a prelude to a murder scene ya know?

The last two episodes were exactly what I hoped for from a rom-com. I'm glad that Bora has finally crossed the valley of tears!

Since Soo-hyuk is already clearly attracted to Bora, despite her escapades and all the drama, I think it's safe to say that this must be true love. Nothing deters the man.
The pee scene wasn't even Bora's lowest point, but I laughed in tears.

I feel like I have whiplash, 8 episodes(!)of breakup and then a kiss in the last few minutes of the episode...what the?
The lows we had to sink too along with Bora for the alcoholic gastritis diagnosis, 6 episodes(!) and yet here she is drinking again without a care.
Jun-ho confessing his feelings to Bomi in episode 8 but we are yet to see them have a decent, in anyway meaningful two way conversation. Bomi hasn't given him the time of day or been nice to him so I can't see what the attraction is other than they are two good looking individuals. Another beanie commented that if Jun-ho wasnt so attractive we would be viewing his behavoiur at the start as stalkerish which is true.
Yoo-jung, apart from all the red flags with the marriage, whatever the cost of the handbag, why do you need a man to buy it for you? Buy it yourself.
Thank god for Yoo-In Na.

* Jin-ho, sorry.

I watched ep8 thinking I finished ep7, but after figuring out what happened in the last 10-20mins of ep7, I’m not going back to watch it.

YIA is doing such a good job portraying Bora but I just can’t root for her if she keeps on digging her own grave every sec. Like girl, pleaseeee. Why don’t you love yourself? You’re an amazing woman!

As for the rest of cast, I’m no longer interested.

P.S. ep8 kiss still exists, writernims never change eh

I like the 2 main characters together. They're very honest with each other and it's kinda the only ones in this show. I liked their kiss scene. Bora tried the traditional way but it didn't work, Soo-Hyuk lacked spontaneity and failed. They need change!

Yoo-Jung is married to a man who never grew up. He's hidding his special place like he would with his mother...

I don't understand why nobody told Jin-Ho what he was doing was wrong. Everything he said sounds creepy. He's nice a boy but he doesn't know boundaries.

My stream of consciousness thoughts on the episodes -

Ep. 7: Deborah try not to embarrass herself in every episode challenge [IMPOSSIBLE] [GONE WRONG]
But she's so pretty, I--

With every unbelieving scoff ML does, you know he's falling for her bit by bit.

Former army dude still in his creepy arc, I keep expecting to hear the SVU opening music at some point and Stabler & Benson to flash their badge before arresting him....

EP. 8: finally, at the halfway point, so long after the premiere week, I enjoyed an episode. It was genuinely fun. She finally got over the cheating asshole, broke up with him in a mature way and had a hot makeout session with Suhyeok. He's completely fallen for her and hard... But who can blame him? She literally got me too during that seduction scene.

Meanwhile, creepy army guy got together with the annoying brat of a sister. Not sure how to feel about that. Plus, it's not really confirmed at all, but the initial signs seem to suggest that new employee girl likes her much older boss, who's just realizing he's playing with fire? Both are a bit of a yikes for me. With this drama, you win some and lose some, I guess.

This romcom is short on both rom and com. The constant drinking is ludicrous and embarrassing, particularly as she suffers from gastritis. More and more we see the "drink-til-you-barf" scenario in Korean and Chinese dramas. Apparently Koreans drink more than any other nationality in the world, according to a report I read recently, and I can't think of a drama I've watched recently that didn't have the FL getting sloshed at some point. And why why why does everyone barf either ON the boyfriend or IN the car? For a society where self-discipline and proper behaviour is so greatly respected it's extraordinary and out of what I perceive (from KDrama, of course!) to be national characteristics. I'm not saying it isn't extremely funny at times (Business Proposal was hilarious), but particularly in Chinese dramas, the heroine has half a glass of wine and proceeds to behave like your stereotype of a drunken sailor.

But I did think the kiss was terrific, she's SO pretty, and he was so kind and thoughtful when he picked her up off the stage and the chemistry is definitely there.

And the relationship between the boss and the gushingly adoring office part-timer is definitely getting creepy.

Honestly I'm having a tough time keeping up with this show. I couldn't get through ep8 despite really enjoying the first half of the show but I'm not sure why its not keeping me hooked anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I love In-na and she's doing a great job at portraying Bo-ra & her heartbreak but tbh I'm actually more invested in Bo-mi & Jin-ho.
I think its due to the severity of Bo-ra & Soo-hyuk's heartbreak that I can't see them as a couple right now. Maybe if they go for a time jump and they meet again, it would be more believable as they both need time to heal.
IIRC, this show has a limited amount of eps (it was stated 12 on Asianwiki but when I went to fact check a few mins prior to writing this they removed it) too hence I had a feeling, after seeing the pace of the first half, that they would try to push their romance on us despite them still being two broken individuals.

I'm still on the fence about continuing this or sticking to weecaps but i guess we'll see

I agree that the kiss was too soon. I believe that the breakup scenes were not stretched out too long but were rather realistic but that simply means that the kiss was too soon. I Think it was inserted simply because that is where the first kiss normally happens in a standard Kdrama romcom. But that is the point- this show has successfully avoided the standard romcom script so why revert back to the 'normal rules' now. Why not give us a couple of episodes of growing attraction first?

I don't think this will be a popular opinion, but have to say it's been hard to identify with any of the characters. Especially Bora. I think most of us have been through our share of serious breakups and have moved on, but Bora reminds me of the loud unfiltered friend at a 'girls' night' who feels that SHE is going through more pain than everyone else in the room EVER has experienced and is constantly needing feed back (and attention) from everyone (and anyone arund her on the bus) about her loss.
There is a slight sense of narcissistic entitlement from her even at the beginning when we meet her as the Dating Specialist on the radio. She 'tells it like it is' as if she knows it all because she's safe in the arms of a relationship; but then after her 'dumped downfall', she still thinks of herself as the only one entitled to the biggest hurt. When her girlfriend lets on that not all is great with her husband, Bora comments about it lightly and then it's back to her own 'pain'. We certainly get the idea who the star is in this friendship as well.
The topic of love is a worthy one, but for me this series over-focuses on the breakup & angsty pain for so long that I began to lose respect and patience for Bora, especially when the embarassing overdrinking scenes pile up, and now her impulsive need for revenge on her ex is offered as the recovery answer? I could understand her physical & emotional breakdown, but I couldn't call her journey either a comic or authentic look at 'getting back on your feet'. Yoo Ina is a favourite actress and although she likely got across the character exactly as the writer intended, at episode 8, I am underwhelmed by the show. I expected more "grow through what you go through" I guess. Likely this will happen, but wishing it would have started by now. The Dramabeans ratings for this at 7.8* don't make this too hopeful though.