So many things to love this week. My mom's verdict: "A+. The last scenes were magical (like Beauty and the Beast). A+!"

I adored absolutely everything about their conversations, starting with ep. 9 with In-hae trying to figure out what was wrong with Woo-hyeol and telling him she has her eye on him, and Woo-hyeol being delighted and asking if that was stalking, and her countering by saying she's just concerned. So cute!! But more than just cute, I love how the drama uses moments like this to build and demonstrate their consideration for each other. They may not have gotten as far in the romance department as most drama couples by this point, but their relationship is being built on a firm foundation of trust, respect, and true liking.

Woo-hyeol briefly blamed In-hae for his not being able to love Hae-won as a human. But it was an act of denial because his heart isn't in it with current Hae-won, because he's already falling for In-hae. I think he only said that to In-hae because he was so hurt that she could think he despises her for her mistake. I thought their anger and hurt would last all week, but then he apologized (nicely!!) within the same episode!! This show keeps having them do and say things that normal people do and say, which is really nice. Woo-hyeol also learned a lot about In-hae this week, as did we - I love how she is both complex and mundane, and how her motivations and fears have become more clear. What a great FL character. And Woo-hyeol's face clearly says he adores her, even if his brain hasn't caught up yet. And OH MAN, that ep 10 ending - In-hae asking Woo-hyeol to reconsider the terms of the deal so he won't leave her, and then walking into that ballroom like a 1920s CINDERELLA for a straight-up DISNEY PRINCESS DANCE - it was simply magical.

One of the many things that delights me in this drama is how everyone so calmly accepts supernatural things, including Do-sik (and his secretary), who upon merely *assuming* Woo-hyeol is a LITERAL VAMPIRE, is essentially like, "ho-hum, I just as well take his heart and drink his blood, I don't have anything else going on," as if he were making a grocery list or something. I'd love for him to be as bad at vampire hunting as he is at interior decorating, but I doubt we'll be so lucky. Some questions: why was it so heart-fluttering when Woo-hyeol carried groceries for In-hae? And can we petition for our vampire detective's next mystery to be solving the case of what the heck happened to In-hae's dad?? 🕵️‍♂️

Everyone has a side that they'd rather hide.

Ah, In-hae. I would follow you to the ends of the Earth just to hear you speak such truths so quietly and delicately. When you say them, they sink into my mind with a soft, unavoidable force.

Second, and more logistically-oriented, the Shaded Oasis Guest House needs a lock on its front door so that, I don't know, random people (ahem, rogue vampires with bedroom eyes) don't just walk in and take other people's crap!! Talk about a security breach...our first long-term lodger has every right to feel concerned about this.

Finally, a more pressing concern for me: What is it, on this green Earth, that Hae-sun uses to pay Man-hwi when he wants to feel rewarded for real? That scene in the car where money clearly isn’t what he actually wants has me on edge. There's an obvious answer—human blood—but that would suggest that Hae-sun knows who Man-hwi really is, and I still get the impression that she's not playing dumb about Woo-hyeol's vampiric nature..she truly doesn’t know. That would be unlikely if she was already aware that vampires are both real and also around her. So, what does the Beanie hive mind think about this?

PS: Now, show, with regards to lighting an actual fire under this glorious slow-burn romance, as Rose says in her flawless California intonation, "Let's go!!!"

PPS: As always, thank you @solstices for your charming and witty weecap. You have the full, undivided attention of the Heartbeat Hottest (name h/t @parkchuna and @indyfan).

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of watching two people realizing love together. Two people who think they don’t know what it is to be in love yet slowly falling in love. Everything had been so subtle yet when that moment came it felt so grand. Over time his gaze has been leaving Hae-Sun and it landed on in-Hae. No grand confessions, no kisses, no irrational behavior yet that moment felt so right.

I loved the ball/party. Loved the retro theme. And when Woo-Hyeol was watching her from his balcony with those love filled eyes my heart skipped a beat. It was that moment, we knew, he loves. And when his ducklings remarked that he never dances it made that scene more impactful. And that dance was so beautiful and that lift!! 😍😍😍
He literally lived a lonely life not forming any bonds with humans. His entire existence was about waiting for Hae-Sun to return. So seeing him dance was 🥰

I loved that In-Hae had moments of jealousy but she never acted irrationally. Even their fight felt more like ‘getting it off their chest’ in an emotional moment rather than some misunderstanding. That’s what is great about these two. They are just nice people. They act like adults and talk like adults. I hope they can keep communicating like this.

I really wish she can accept his family of vampires. They are such a happy bunch.
I can see the dark clouds above Do-Shik and Hae-Sun. I am ready for what’s to follow!

Why does he have to rip his heart out? Can it not be a simple vampire blood donation 😅 and we could have resolved this like adults. Two-way human vampire blood transfusions and everyone lived happily ever after?

P.s I don’t remember the last time beanie wall went crazy with a show. Loving all the spazz!!

I wish I had something more eloquent to say other than: I love this drama so much. It gives me the heart fluttering moments I look for in a Kdrama, but it's not just empty tropes nor does it feel like I'm eating too much cake, like another airing romance drama. It's just perfect.

I had said in a previous comment that, if In-hae is not actually Butler Joo's descendent, it's likely she is actually the reincarnated soul of Hae-sun. This ep showed that her father really was Woo-hyeol's butler, so I find that encouraging that maybe Heartbeat will not go that route (again, I am still very prepared for it - but I can hope, right?)

I agree with the recap. Do-sik doesn't really love In-hae. He doesn't know her well enough to. He seems to love the idea of her, more than he loves her. I also wonder if he just likes taking care of SOMEONE, and it doesn't matter who, as long as they appreciate it. Woo-hyeol's gestures always seem more heartfelt and genuine. A metaphor would be like he really took the time to think about what In-hae needs (and in many cases, he does it without even having to think about it too long). Do-sik's approach is more just like buying her the most expensive thing possible without considering if she'd really like it.

Will Hae-won turn out to be a baddie, like Do-sik seems to be? I'm guessing yes, but maybe not. I sometimes like when the 2FL is an antagonist, I know that's not very feminist of me, but hey.

I brought this up in my Fanwall, but I'm wondering if In-hae's love has to be requited for her blood to be transformed. Logically it doesn't quite make sense, but it would certainly add a twist to the romance story.

Also, In-hae's retro dress was gorgeous. Even my husband commented on it. Rose looked gorgeous, too! I was surprised by how much I was unimpressed by Hae-won's dress. And, in terms of the dance scene, I've been rewatching it over and over again. I realized while rewatching that Woo-hyeol didn't actually say the line about liking the mansion because In-hae is in it, he merely thought it. The romance is taking its sweet time, but I have this theory that, the later they get together, the less likely it is they'll break up, so I'm okay with that.

I like to think that I’m excruciatingly good at suspending my disbelief. There is a golden fish made of energy and if you “catch” it you automatically level up? Cool. Lee Je-hoon is going to fight off 40 guys by himself and be essentially fine at the end? Sounds good. Every character has a childhood connection with their love interest? Whatever. But Do-shik’s ancestor somehow knowing that what they really needed was a half vampire? Hahhahahaha!! I’m sorry, what? It’s not like those are thick on the ground, seeing as how they result from vampires trying (and failing) to become human. Has that ever happened before this, ever? And half-vampires don’t have a very long shelf-life, as evidenced by our beloved U-hyeol’s mounting illness. So what on earth is ancestor spewing? How much trial and error could he have done? This man did not actually succeed in breaking the curse (which presumably also involved being bad at interior decorating), and neither did the next 10+ generations, and we are still trusting his absolutely wild intel? And ancestor was still chasing U-hyeol back in the day when U-hyeol was a full-vampire, so what does he know? It’s not that this in any way detracted from my enjoyment of this show, but that line in the all-knowing vampire book made me snort my drink out of my nose. Ok, I just needed to get that off my chest. Moving on.

That tree that “bloomed” was about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Until I saw the dance in the next episode and then that was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Did Hae-won looking thoroughly put-out off to the side make that scene better for me? Yes, yes it did. I love our leads so much and I really really love them together. I’ve been savoring every tiny step they take toward each other and it felt like they both made great strides this week. She likes the mansion because he’s there? My cheeks hurt from smiling so wide. Also, U-hyeol should wear his hair like that all the time.

@Cecee made good points. Cat-man is a cat and the man can’t help it if he has RBF (I think the Hermès s-m-i-l-e propaganda got to me). Therefore, not smiling at the leads dancing cannot not be proof of his villainy.

However secondly, and more importantly why and how is Cat-man all knowing??

Regarding the gold, I think it’s in some random innocuous place, as in they forgot there was another trapped door OR remember In-hae’s father also left her some money as her inheritance?? Maybe the gold is in some safe at a bank??

Thanks you @solstices for the recap. I agree with you on this
Conversely, Woo-hyul may not be the most generous or courteous, but he pays attention to the details and sees In-hae for who she truly is. Do-shik may be capable of grand gestures that boost In-hae to greater heights, but sometimes In-hae just needs someone to reassure her that she can let her hair down and enjoy a night of partying.

This is what I like most about WooHyul, he is sensitive and attentive to In Hae. And this characteristic of his is what softened In Hae's heart to him. Grand gestures does not always capture a woman's heart sometimes its something like WH's sincerity and care for In Hae can be the key.

I love that In Hae admitted to Woo Hyul that she likes the mansion because he is in it and prefers he will reconsider his offer. This came a long way from their initial bickering and animosity. And I am in for it. I am such a sucker for enemies to lovers romance and with the addition of their gradual and organic relationship progression makes them a win for me.

I just dread what our scorned second leads will do. Do Shik is in desperate need of a vampire blood and with WH already getting on his nerves and add on jealousy. It can only spell further animosity from him. Hae Won does not look too happy with In Hae either and its unknown on what she is capable of yet. Man Hwi is also in a position to negatively influence HW which can turn her affability to outright animosity. I fear that it will go the way of the predictable second leads messing up the lead's relationship through manipulation and other underhanded techniques. I hope not but I will brace myself for the possibility just in case.

I did enjoy the party scenes especially with the vampire friends helping. In Hae appears to be softening towards them since she saw firsthand how happy WooHyul was spending time with them. Rose is the most sensible of his friends and would be nice if she can also be friends with In Hae.

@solstices Thank you for the recaps

Although I may not be overly excited or eagerly wait for the next set of episodes, this drama always leaves me with pleasant feelings at the end of each episode. The plot is simple, but engaging and the execution is so smooth with one act after another like a stage play.

I like how the writers are slowly building the bond between the leads with genuine conversations instead of with grand display of affection. I also like the second leads because they are not being pushy and keep themselves within their boundary, but I suspect it will fade in the upcoming episodes when they get jealous.

P.S: I want more of the vampire sidekicks because I adore their loyalty and concern for Woo Hyul.

The leads are cute but the story is kinda repetitive now.
I wasn't convinced by her final dress with the lace gloves. I think it looked too modern, a plain dress but with a vibrant color would have been better on the actress.

Like I said in my fan wall I want a In Hae Barbie and a Woo Hyeol Barbie. Pick them up smush their faces together and making kissing noises 😘

I never thought I would love them together so much. They took massive strides towards each other in these episodes…In Hae a bit more than Woo Hyeol I would say and I love the fact they don’t keep secrets from each other. Just like you said ‘they act like how normal people will act’ so refreshing!

Now kiss already!!!

As @attiton mentioned, a lot of chatter happened on the site already. I hope it's OK to share some highlights (for me) in case anyone missed it. I know I used to:

The Best Barbie-Heartbeat Crossover

The Best Alt Recap After this, I was worried if there'd be anything left to say in the recap proper. Glad to have been wrong.

The Best Quote"KTL is an example of too much of a good thing. I can only speak for myself, and when I claim I want fluff, what I really mean is I want a depressed FL with money problems living with her vampire boyfriend in a gothic styled haunted mansion." --@linarrick

Not to shade KTL or anything. If you love both, aren't you lucky.

You guys I am absolutely adoring this drama. One thing I love about this drama is In Hae and her loneliness. Its not loneliness which is romanticised or blown out of proportion but rather one that was a result of losing loved ones early and simply trying to survive. It makes sense that she hasn't dated at all or never had those romantic feelings because the loss of her parents and absence of a support system made survival her top priority and Woo Hyeol recognises that. I love the way this couple communicates. He came clean with how he could turn human and did not withhold anything.
Also Hae Won is annoying. I don't know if its Yoo So Hee's acting or whether its intentional but every time she talks, my face contorts in annoyance and mild disgust at the overly saccharine delivery.