Thanks for the recap, @solstices! I'm going to be in the minority with this, but I loved eps 13-14. I laughed, I teared up, I felt with them. The eps provided an important emotional depth heading in to the final conflicts and were in line with the character and personalities of our players. If it were all fluffy butterflies, the stakes would feel shallow and artificial. No conflict=no drama plot. That's just how narrative theory works.🤷‍♀️ And as far as fantasy romance dramas go, HeartBeat is still FAR below the average angst level, and I still believe we'll get a happy ending.

I loved that these episodes showed how steadfast In-hae and Woo-hyeol are in their loyalty to each other, and that even if they stray into noble idiocy territory, it's out of their love for each other, rather than selfishness or cowardice. They are demonstrating self-sacrificing love for each other. The second leads treat love as something to own, and the loved one as something to possess. In-hae and Woo-hyeol's hug on the street after In-hae left the hospital was just lovely, as was seeing In-hae first comfort her boarder, and then Woo-hyeol. Their (FL and ML) conversation on the bench in ep 13 made me tear up, as did In-hae's reconciliation with her dad. And then the backhug and conversation in front of their love tree was just so sweet!!

Woo-hyeol's decision to leave isn't noble idiocy, at least not in the standard definition. First of all, Woo-hyeol spent time thinking about In-hae's safety (or lack thereof) if he stayed with her, and how she would feel if he left her, before acting. He also explained his feelings to In-hae, although not his decision - because he knew she would stop him. Given the current situation and the information Woo-hyeol has (i.e., he's dying anyway, and to live he'd have to kill In-hae, which he obviously isn't going to do), it's a logical decision. Instead, it's In-hae who was the true noble idiot, hiding Hae-won's investment ultimatum from Woo-hyeol (although even that didn't last too long).

Honestly, everyone (except for Hae-won, who is The Worst) acts like real people!! I'm practically giddy thinking about how satisfying the character writing has been, and how the actors have been animating these characters with good-hearted-ness and common sense. Even Do-sik's descent into villainy (or is it? I still don't think he'll cross an uncrossable line, no matter what the preview says, or how much leather he wears) seems logically in line with his character (go ahead, @attiton - you can continue with this line of reasoning 😉).

Filler episodes are no fun. The way I yelled at my screen when she wasn't told her father was kidnapped. Sigh, that little subplot took almost 40 mins of the episode. Anyway I am hopeful this lovely little drama sticks the landing!!!

I feel that episode 13 offered us Woo-hyeol trying to decide what was the right thing for him to do to protect In-hae, and then, once decided, fretting about whether or not everything was still going to be OK.

I feel that episode 14 offered us Do-sik trying to decide what was the right thing for him to do to protect In-hae, and, once decided, then fretting about whether or not everything was still going to be OK.

These men are on parallel tracks, each with their own distinct mode of behavior, but both with a solid mental core of beliefs from which they do not deviate. They’re both so upright!!

I hear you all, including @solstices above, saying that Do-sik needs to respect In-hae’s desires more, and I don’t disagree. But he does still think she’s been duped by a vicious vampire who’s out for her blood to live, and from his own POV, he’s seen only evidence to support that hypothesis, except for In-hae’s word.

It seems to me, given all of this, that Do-sik will be the one to figure out the right change to the predicted course of events save her (and Woo-hyeol in the bargain), if the story we saw in the very first episode is to be turned on its head, a choice that will finally break this (unfortunately quite poorly explained) family curse.

I mean who else is it going to be? Catman?? I don’t think so 🤣

After the last two episodes last week, I unfairly accused the writer of changing the humanizing blood drinking rules in order to extend the story more easily to 16 episodes. After these last two episodes, I know the real reason: to ensure that no one can ever again watch a 2PM music video starring Taecyeon without bursting into tears.

I was wondering why it is that the average kdrama writer, while working on a light and yet emotionally effective fantasy romance, feels that unless there are at least 4 episodes of real misery and sadness, then the show won’t be appropriately meaningful. Or, alternatively, why a fantasy couple can’t remain solidly together for the last 4 episodes, but still confront threats and challenges that require their combined resources. Or, even more alternatively, why the female lead, shown to be faced with difficult circumstances and emotional challenges most of her life, has to be shown to suffer more at the very moment she has found love, in what is presumably a romantic comedy.

Sure, if this was a tragic sageuk, where viewers are looking forward to the catharsis of sobbing as anguished lovers die apart from each other, that’s part of the watching experience. But I just don’t know why it is inevitably a part of fantasy romances.

Show didn't pay much attention to the other released prisoners, but wouldn't they have gone to the police and shouldn't S.K. be blanketed about now in wanted posters with sketches of Man-hwi's face?

As for how to kill vamps and/or half-vamps, Terry Pratchett said it best. Vampires (at least the traditional kind), are super easy to kill. Sunlight. Fire. Beheading. Wooden stake thru the heart... And stake thru the heart will also work on humans so if you have any stakes left over you can still find a use for them.

I do so love the FangGang so I'm glad they got time to shine this week! In-hae and Woo-hyeol are always heartwarming, especially their honest conversations (and backhug!). I enjoyed the moments with In-hae and her dad, and the house guest (plus the guys hanging out on the roof with their ox blood sorbet haha)

Noble idiocy is almost inescapable (maybe that should replace Errand Boy as the level everyone gets stuck at) but I do appreciate that Woo-hyeol considered In-hae's feelings and, given the situation it's more understandable and I think we'll be back on track for finale week

I'm glad Do-shik, while he does have his moments, isn't just a petty, jealous guy and I think he'll come around. Hae-won, not so much. She's following the 2nd lead handbook and it has no effect on In-hae (loved her stopping the slap!) or Woo-hyeol and that's totally driving her batty. Gotta give her credit for having the foresight to put a no-vampires-in-the-guesthouse loophole in that investment contract though

I don’t know where ep 13 started and where ep 14 ended. It seemed like a long drawn out episode for two hours. Definitely my least favourite episode(s). Waiting for the next two.

Must protect our vampies!!
I loved how they all came to protect Woo-Hyeol. They are just so precious.
This show has so much heart ❤️. I don’t know how they do it but so many feels these two episodes.

I wished In-Hae had shared the mansion issue with Woo-Hyeol. I can understand why WH can’t talk about him dying but wish she would have taken his help.

The actor playing Do/Shik is really amazing. I love the nuances he brings to this role. Can he just kill Man-Hwi and end all this :)

On the other hand Hae-Won makes me want to smack her like a mosquito. She is just throwing one tantrum after another.

I am really curious how they will resolve all this. Logical or not I just want a happy ending for all our mansion family. And Do-Shik (I don’t want him to die).

And where is the GOLD?? Last I saw KSH was stashing them in My lovely Liar?

As I said on my fanwall, I'm starting to think this drama is making a parallel between land developers and vampires.

I'm glad that In-hae forgave her dad - he wasn't the best dad, but he literally was imprisoned and couldn't do anything to return to his family for the past few years. I like how Do-sik is complicated and he's a great character, but he just was too much for me this episode. By trying to protect In-hae from what he thinks is a bloodthirsty monster, he is making a deal with a bloodthirsty monster (who actually is one). I did like his confronting Hae-won, who is just acting like such a spoiled brat.

I agree that Woo-hyeol isn't just pulling usual noble idiocy. The drama HAS to have a happy ending, but I can't figure out how they'll pull it off. Also, what is that flashback they keep showing? Did he drink Hae-sun's blood after she died?

I also liked how In-hae's dad figured out the romance so quickly, even if he immediately dismissed the idea.

Solstices, thanks for the recap !

Fang Gang to the rescue.
Where is the gold ?

FL yells at dad instead of arranging for shower, food and clean clothes 🙄 He just escaped the dungeon !

I think the writer was bound by contract to have that scene. Only to have FL cry when she hears dad’s story 😭

Do-Shik will probably die while stopping evil Man-whi

I thought Hae-won might be about to turn her villainy around for a second there, when she had that vulnerable conversation with U-hyeol, but then she doubled down hard! Her absolute need to have something she sees as hers is pretty sad, honestly. Or at least, it would be if she wasn’t so terrible. It’s also pretty bold to claim that the issue with the guesthouse is the vampires, but then try to kick out the lone human! I wouldn’t want to be her lawyer with that argument.

Not as sure what to make of Do-shik this week though. Half the time he seems concerned and devoted and decent, and half the time he seems absolutely cool with aligning himself with Man-hwi (the only vampire in the show who meets his expectations of how monstrous vampires are) to brutally trap, kill, and devour someone. He’s going to need to do some soul-searching if he wants to sort all that out, but he only had one, short, potentially self-reflective moment from what I could see. And I wish him luck with the sorting out and with the curse, but not so much with his love interest or with the trapping/killing part.

I was happy they didn’t draw out the misunderstanding about In-hae’s dad. Their first interaction was pretty brutal to watch so I’m glad they reunited quickly. And it was good that U-hyeol and friends were the ones to rescue Dad, because I have a feeling our newly found parent is not going to be 100% on board with his daughter being romantically involved with a vampire. Even if he is as kind and handsome as U-hyeol. Speaking of, the whole interaction surrounding that line was so adorable. I need to go back and watch it again.

What I loved:
1) Manhwi being more evil and creepier than I expected. I am not gonna lie, I was clapping at the end of episode 13. Man hwi shocked me. He was so conniving, so underhanded and so evil. The way he captured Woo hyeol had me laughing. He literally walked into a trap. Am I a sadist? Possibly. But I love it when kdrama characters turn my expectations on their head.

2) In hae dropping all of these amazing love confessions. " I was swooning. It's been a while since I've seen a kdrama female lead be so steadfast in love. I seriously love her character so much.

3) In hae and So-i's talk. It was so cute. Seriously, they need to be besties. I 100% SHIP.

4) The early morning bro hug.

5) The conversation on the bench.

6) Do Sik coming through. I was about to lose faith in him after the whole taking Inhae's phone away, but he redeemed himself. For now.

7) Inhae's father being suspicious about Inhae's feelings for Woohyeol. Sir, definitely don't ask questions you don't want the answers to.

What I hated:
1) Woo hyeol not telling In hae that he's going to die. I know that I am overthinking this. I just feel like it is horrible to not know that your loved one is dying. Especially when everyone else knows. Especially when you live in the same house. I was literally screaming at my screen for someone to tell her. I was more annoyed by this than Hae won's antics.

P.S. In hae saying "Happy Blood Day" is so cute. I can't believe I haven't been calling Mondays "Blood Day" throughout this drama's run.

I really, really, REALLY enjoy watching this drama so much! I know this week had a bit of filler but idk I just vibe with all the characters (well except Hae-won) so I don't even mind if they're not really doing much plot-wise. I’m not even thinking critically about it either, I’m head empty and fully engrossed in whatever is happening on screen in each ep.

I love our main couple, I love how good they are at communicating, looking out for one another and I just love them together. The vampire friendship gang has secured a place in my heart, especially after the way they came to rescue WH. I totally agree with the observation about Do-shik being misguided but still quite principled and I'm glad he drew the line with Man-hwi (though how blasé he is about killing vampires to drink their blood is 👀) so I too am hoping he'll turn into an ally in the end.

WHERE IS THE GOLD? I thought they'd uncover it maybe in time for when In-hae needed to pay money for breach of contract but that didn't happen?? And if her dad doesn't know about it either, who's left??? Did they just forget where they put it or something?

Thank you, @solstices, for such a great recap. I tuned in apprehensively this week, with the burn of episode 12 still fresh. I am thrilled to say the show came back right on track! I absolutely adored the episodes this week. Character consistency is such a fundamental thing, and the writers have not only maintained that, but they have let each character evolve appropriately without compromising their innate nature, whatever that is (In Hae still flies off the handle when upset but is tenderly understanding when others need her, U-Heol still goes off on his own when he is stressed out but his empathy overcomes any thirst for blood he has).
I loved the dilemma Do-Shik faced with his partnership with Man -hwi. He has every reason to be wary of U-Heol. The way he tells In-hae that it did not have to be him, as long it was not U-Heol made me feel terrible for him.
Yes, some parts were a bit unnecessary. For example, why In-hae did not need to know where her father had been all this time was head-scratching. The whole 'overhearing' thing looked forced. But other than that part, the rest played out very well.
I hope U-Heol goes on to become the most powerful vampire, and we have our little vampans by the end of the 16th episode. Please, drama Gods, we don't need 16 episodes of fluff, but we need the 16th episode full of fluff.

Despite my mixed feeling about these recent episodes, and inspired by @hopefulromantic fan wall, I'm (rashly) calling this 2023's best* fantasy camp romantic melo. It's a fantasy overall, obvs. But the first third was such fun camp comedy, the middle, a lovely slow-burn romance, and now full on melodrama. I'm ngl. When Vampie wanders off in the wilderness (or local Seoul park?) and In-hae wanders around the street randomly, and the music swells...it was delicious, a wee bit ridiculous. So peak Oughts melodramas. They definitely stinted on the production. LOL.

I'm a bit worried how they will resolve all the open threads, however, and give at least a good chunk of love and laughter in the final episode. Here's what I have:

1) Woo-hyeol has to find a way to live, without killing In-hae
2) So does Do-sik, without killing Woo-hyeol
3) Gold must be found
4) Reincarnation twist must be explained
5) Not only must Man-whi and Hae-Sun be thwarted, but satisfactorily
6) Cat Man's neck must be wrung if he doesn't have a hand in resolving all of the above

What else? As for vampire lore/explanation? Give it up people.

* Yes, I am aware it may be the year's only such show. Tho to be sure, should I have added best *vampire* fantasy camp romantic melo?

Except for the vampire sidekicks rescuing Woo Hyeol, I did not like anything else. Can't help but feel that it should have been a 12 episode drama by having all the conflicts tied in a simple way.

1. Hae Won leaves the country after being rejected by Woo Hyeol.
2. Woo Hyeol tells In Hae that only either of them can live and then chooses to stay by her side at his last moments.
3. Do Shik comes to guest house to stab Woo Hyeol, but on seeing Woo Hyeol's sacrifice, does not kill him.

Conclusion:
1. Woo Hyeol's selfless decision to die becomes the solution for him to turn human because all along "Only one can live" rule was test of humanity.
2. Do Shik's choice of letting go of immortality in turn lifts the curse because it was another test of the limits of one's greed.

Everyone survives and we can watch them happily have another dinner banter in the guest house.

I admire the maturity that Woo Hyeol has shown these past episodes. Also I like In Hae's steadfastness in her love for him.
Do Shik has been annoying it his overprotectiveness. I didnt like how he does not respect In Hae's privacy and agency. He has no right to control her life. I know his intentions is to protect her but he is crossing the line.
Hae Won need to dial down her greed and vindictiveness if there will be a chance for her redemption. Since I know Man Hwi will 3nd up the villain in this show, and the SML and SFL may be redeemed by the writer.
Also WH's friends are so loyal and I like them a lot. Mr Koo is a different story. He is the reason for all this drama and I hope he figures out how to help WH, IH and DS' blood conundrum. I don't want anyone of them to die for the other.

While these two episodes were slower overall with the story moving forward, I found, like some other beanies, I didn't really mind too much honestly .
The Fang Gang took centre stage for a while and I really love them, they add a lot of depth to the show overall with their characters.
The two main characters had time for contemplation and also added more emotional depth over these episodes.
I have to hand it to Taecyeon, his acting has been on point so far, I really felt for him in these last episodes.
The female lead is smashing her character and I will look forward to watching whatever she does next.
The real surprise for me is the actor who plays Do-sik. I'm finding it refreshing at this late stage in the show that you don't know whether to cheer for him or dislike him, his acting has been exceptional.
I'm looking forward to the finale but also feeling kind of sad that it will end as this show has been such an unexpected delight.

I haven’t finished this week’s episodes. Procrastinating since it seems the second leads are being…typical second leads. Still I think I remember there was a question where Woo-hyeol was sleeping as there was no bed in the basement. Well Episode 13 clearly showed our Vamps interesting sleeping habits!

Can't Do-Shik do everyone a favor and just stab Man-hwi with that knife? ;)

Thank you for the recap! First time I am trying to verbalise my thoughts on a show here!

I did enjoy eps 13-14, perhaps being bore by all the fluff for another show had allowed me to appreciate some attempts of giving other characters depth and set us on a bit of an emotional journey before the final episodes.

I did get surprisingly sentimental and teary-eyed most of these 2 episodes, perhaps the slower pace had done some emotional voodoo on me as it drew out the relationships between the characters.

Examples:
- ML and his thought process on how he was afraid he couldn't control himself and put In-hae in harm's way, yet he was considerate of her fear of losing him and being alone. Even if he wasn't completely honest, I see that it was more of he didn't have the heart to let her know that the eventuality is death. But, he did bare the point that bugged him the most - he nearly lost control and he could barely forgive himself for that.

One thing I thought was... Hae-sun wasn't his first love. He still didn't know what love is, but her actions made him realise an element he had been missing, and yearned for that. He learnt about the concept of love from Hae-sun and her sacrifice made him held on to the promise. Whatever it is, nothing is gonna change my mind that his first love is In-Hae. He has felt the way he has never felt, like food he has never tasted and that is love, baby.

- FL and how when faced with the doubts of ML's intention, took the time to pause, and CHOSE to give unconditionally, she made a choice, and she stood up to 2FMLs to defend him and made herself heard. I like the choice was hers to make without needing assurances, explanations and on top of the implicit trust she has in him that he would never harm her. Even with these hurdles, and potential doubts, she chose to follow her heart.

- I would meekly admit 2ML's self-righteousness thinking he knows what is best without giving a thought to what In-hae truly wants (or taking her to be a damsel for him to rescue) grated me the wrong way intermittently, and I am not sure if ML is a vampire gave him the justification of removing him as a threat romantically. If it is all about vampires being dangerous, he would be on a crusade to kill all vampires. Did I remember wrongly that the earlier episodes mentioned to eat the heart of one, rather than just the blood? He didn't flinch with any hesitation nor emotions that he needs to kill something for his own needs.

But I like that he has the sense to distrust Man-Hwi and start to ask more questions and the sight of the dungeon bothered him, which gives me hope that he will start to see sense and be reasonable when time comes, and perhaps be on the same side I am on, redeeming himself, finding the happiness and health he deserves without coming between my couple. These 2 episodes showed me sides to him which I am starting to appreciate.

Hae-won - Aw man, I did mention somewhere in my wall that when...

Now that things have died down a little after the first run of these episodes, and I can expect to take less (delightfully well-meaning) crap for this: THANK YOU @solstices for both your lead image this week and the direct attention you’ve paid to including so many awesome songs from Park Kang-hyun in this recap. That this is his first drama was a gift to HeartBeat…clearly!

@solstices thank you for another delightful recap.
I am overflowing with glee, with glee, anticipating what delights you may have in store for us for the final (sniff) week.