Zzigum - I cackled at this bit! Park Gyeong-hye has such little screen time but she kills every scene she’s in, I love her vibe!! And - “you can’t hear your own lies can you”, great serve! Main conflict made touchdown this week with both DH and SH’s secrets laid bare and honestly, it was all handled with pretty mature, ‘rational’ and reasonable responses. Glad this major speed bump - along with the Gang-min mystery - was crossed BEFORE they get properly involved with one another.

I found this week’s discussion of ‘reason’/motivation particularly interesting, because I think it’s central to why I’m still suspicious of Deuk-chan. He seems to mean it when he says he wants to protect and support Do-ha but I can’t fully figure out whether the motivation behind this is pure or based on personal interest. I’m leaning towards the latter because Deuk-chan keeps bringing the company to the forefront of his logic (“what about the company, did you think about us?”& “if his identity is revealed, who’d listen to your songs?”). Sure, I get not trusting a woman you just met and also the guy who stabbed Do-ha once is on the hunt again BUT he’s got this tendency to see Do-ha as someone who can’t think or speak for himself, as well equating his value to a ‘means’ of success for him/the company. So although part of his protectiveness may come from a place of good intentions, it’s not that far away from Sha-on who sees Do-ha as an object she has to have and as someone she thinks she knows best for, and Assemblywoman Jung who just sees her son as an annoying hurdle she has to move. It’s also best exemplified by the fact that all three of them have either outright or implicitly referred to Do-ha as a murderer (rather than murder suspect) and also in the fact that all three of them want to squirrel him away into hiding - Deuk-chan because he doesn’t want the past to come up and ruin everything they’ve built, Sha-on because she doesn’t want anyone else to “have” him, and his mum because she doesn’t want the past to come up and ruin what she’s trying to build.

The way I see it, three of them, in differing degrees, tend not to see Do-ha as a human and feel the need to speak for him and/or tell him what to do to further their own goals in a way. I know we hate the brother because of how he blackmails Do-ha with the whole ‘we helped you’ thing, Sha-on because she weaponises his past to trap him, and his mum for blackmailing him with the ‘I got you out of the bad situation son’ bit, but can you really say Deuk-chan definitely isn’t employing a version of this kind of emotional blackmail? An implicit, “I helped you so you should think of the me/the company” sort of unseen guilt trip? I guess we’ll know for sure what Deuk-chan really feels if - and when, I think - Do-ha decides to legit not write for Sha-on anymore and maybe focuses on the convenience store boy instead. Or if he goes public with the whole murder-suspect thing and both DC...

Something I find harder to believe than lie-detector bells -- a composer who achieves the level of fame normally reserved for rock-star performers.

Hey, wait…did we ever catch the real masked creep who was running around the neighborhood scaring women at night? Can someone remind me?

This week was mainly slow exposition and character development, but frankly I enjoyed every visual offered. So much pretty all around—landscape, actors, hairstyles, clothing (yes, even the 90s dress-pants combos), tarot cards, architecture…Purty.

My internal monologue in the 2ML-FL scene:

- Cancer, yup. Beanies, we guessed it.
- And he didn't tell her cos he's a noble idiot? Shocker.
- No girl, why are *you* sorry?
- OK, fine, damn those sad eyes.
- He's not shocked by her lie-detecting power? Is everyone gonna be so chill?
- Oh, I get it. 2ML = plot point. Seriously? She hadn't figured yet she can't hear the reasons behind lies?
- Sad eyes been damned. He's got some nerve asking her out.
- Yes! You tell him. No one waits for noble idiots.
- OMG!!! He's so cool with it, and so sad and endearing. Those eyes! Damn it!
- No, wait, so he's gonna hang around and cause trouble? Sigh.

Beautiful scene. Seo Ji-hoon can make you feel. But the truth is, the OTP were so sweet together. I'm liking them together a lot and rooting for them. Tho it doesn't make sense to me she wouldn't want to hear the reason behind his lie. I mean she would have wanted to know her ex lied because he had cancer. But OK. Plot says ML just needs someone to believe in him.

I'm not particularly finding the other secondary characters and storylines all that interesting, tbh. But we need the conflict I guess. So rolling with it so I can keep enjoying our main cuties.

Thanks for a great recap, @mistyisles.

Your comment o the truth we believe about ourselves and the essence of the situation is really insightful and on point (and this is why I initially thought, and sometimes still think, that the title "My Lovely Liar" refers to the ML. He is in such a bad company. His mother, his "hyung", and the singer he had always believed and stood by her all think he is a murder. The man already blamed himself for indirectly causing the ex's (supposed) death (which I think will be revealed that it isn't true), and having all these people whom he loves and are supposed to return his love believed that he was the culprit is nothing short of a death sentence to me (poor HMH)! The FL, while learning more about her ability, seems to be the only one in his life that chooses to believe him despite her supernatural ability. Without her presence, I don't think I can watch the show any longer because I would feel too bad to watch the ML being surrounded by these so-called loved ones. I guess that the FL and the SML would join hands in uncovering the truth about the ML's ex girlfriend incident. And the truth will come to light.

Regarding DC, I agree with @lapislazulii's comment. He seems suspicious to me, tbh. It's true the lie alarm didn't ring when he said he cared for the ML, but I think his morality is pretty grey. Not only did he indirectly allow the ghostwriting in his company and Syon to emotionally manipulate the ML without doing anything to really prevent that from happening again, he did KNOW about how his younger brother threatened the ML for money several times using their help in that incident as his excuse. Another time I was super suspicious of him is when he met with the ML's mother. His eyes were cold when he said the ML could use some time abroad. Thinking how these two seem to be close, I couldn't help but thought that the ML's mother had a hand in helping DC building up his career. It would profit her in many ways: Having someone to take care of her "guilty" son, and to move him away from her (i.e., ML often said she was scared of his face because she also thought he was a murder). And yes, if we look at his words, his thoughts seemed to revolve around the company, not the ML per se.

Syon using his weakness to her advantage in the name of love, this is becoming too toxic. She needs professional help. This level of obsession is borderline clinical, I should think.

These eps remain the cutest eps so far, and I live for this. For a seemingly light-hearted rom com, this show has exceeded my expectations. Its main concept is really interesting and insightful. I applaud the cast and crew for making such a beautiful (visually as well as the plot) show. And the leads have really good chemistry. Contrary to sizzling chemistry between the leads in some other dramas (e.g., Live Up to Your Name), the leads' chemistry here is much more subtle, calm, and makes you feel good. They are like good...

Oooh, I like where we’ve landed so far. At first, when Sol-hee straight up rejected Do-ha and any possible explanation, I was like, “Come on! You have been hearing lies for years and you haven’t figured out any nuance?! What about that proposal scene?!” But the show knew what I was after, and quickly gave her two different situations where she was forced to think about the nuance of people’s intentions and situations. Well done! I love that she’s decided not to be ruled by her lie-gong anymore, but instead to believe him and what he tells her, trusting that there must be something she doesn’t know or can’t detect. It’s such a good step for her, and for them. And that scene where they were hiding from Violent Brother (not to be confused with Shady Brother)! I was holding my breath for every reason.

I could feel the hurt and shock and panic when Do-ha realized that Sol-hee heard his statement as a lie. There’s clearly something pretty singular going on (my money is still on the he feels responsible so it gets flagged when he says he’s not explanation) because he was obviously expecting the lie detector not to go off. And my heart hurt for him when Sha-on assumed he was a murderer, and Deuk-chan called him one, no matter how accidently. He already gets enough of that feeling from his mom.

I know that way more Beanies are going to have SLS after this week but you won’t find it from me. Their meet-cute was pretty adorable (and I love seeing that Sol-hee has long been consistent when it comes to her mother) and I’m sure they had a great relationship. But when you decide to break up with someone (or let them break up with you) because of a huge secret and decision you made on your own, you can’t expect the person not to move on. I have no ill-will toward poor Kang-min, and he’s certainly pretty, but I’m kinda glad that his poor decisions have come with consequences. He did get points from me for being extremely good about Sol-hee admitting she was thinking about someone else, and letting her know how he felt without being pushy. I hope he ends up happy, or on the road towards it, by the end.

More Jazz Club Ajusshi next week please.

Sol Hee deciding that hearing the statement as a lie was enough and not allowing DoHa to explain what happened was irksome. So I was with on DoHa ending that senseless first "conversation". I am glad that SH decided to believe him in the end. But I think she should still know what happened to understand the situation better. Blindly believing him is all good but understanding what happened would be helpful to protect/defend DoHa as well. Defend him from EomHo and anyone else wishing to harm him because of his past.

Kang Min is a good guy. Him understanding that she likes another guy is one thing. And to actually push her to date the other is foe her happiness something else. I almost liked him but for him to think that she will go back to him is pure delulu at this point. If she would go back to him, he will just be the consolation prize. KM deserves better so he should just go find someone else.

As the story progress and find out more about ppl's motovations, make me feel sorry for DoHa. Everyone around him has their own agenda - his Mom, Deuk Chan, DC's brother, his ex gf and even Syaon. It felt like no one was really there for him and were just using him. Syaon is really toxic and I regret liking her at first. Maybe they will redeem her and let her hook up with her fan. I just want her far away from DoHa.

Eom Ho and Eom Ji are both very troubled. It makes me wonder if Eom Ji is still alive and just hiding from her brother who seems too obsessive of her.

On a lighter note, its already episode 8 and there is no KISS! We still got that fired up close ups in the corner while hiding from the bad guy. They better make their relationship official soon so we can get a kiss.

Thank you for the recaps mistyisles.
This show is not for me so I will be jumping ship.
I can't make it just for the bean.
Adios amigo's.
Hwaiting!

Was anyone else bothered by how low the tables were at the restaurant that our OTP ran into the 2ML? It seemed especially odd because it was a place with formal Western style food you had to cut up, and everyone has to lean way over to do so. It looked so awkward. Although it would especially be the kind of place that creates a lot of relationship-building spills, so maybe it is the perfect kdrama restaurant.

every parent in this drama is so toxic. Actually, every person around the leads seems either toxic or sus at the very least.

The DING when he says he didn't commit the murder... The look on both their faces devastated me.

I was kinda scared to watch episode 8 bc of the angst but it wasn't as bad as I expected.

I can't believe that Deuk-chan was like "we can trust Syaon"... sir she just revealed he killed someone to a random stranger

That sad montage and music as the ML walked away, head down... I'm sorry but it reminded of George Michael & GOB from Arrested Development, doing their sad walk with the goofy music

On my knees, begging for them to just talk it out, but nope it took ex's cancer confession to get the wheels turning but ah well. At least she believes in him now? I'm hyped for all the cute scenes next week as they go camping?? And maybe kiss??

"Deep down, I think Do-ha knows it wasn’t his fault. That’s why he’s so disappointed when people he trusts don’t believe him, and why he keeps saying he didn’t kill her, even after learning Sol-hee’s secret. But he’s also convinced himself that he’s responsible for her death, which is why his words ring false. And that’s what makes Sol-hee’s declaration at the end so important: she’s choosing to believe in the person, not the words — in the essence of his character, not just the things he believes about himself."

I think you have worded this the best, mistyisles

I don't know Seo Ji Hoon at all. I was meh about him and I was sure I wouldn't have SLS. I still don't, but he did make me pause, replay, and take a good look at him during the bench talk scene with Sol Hee. His eyes... I get it now, heh.

Do Ha looked understandably crushed when Deuk Chan slipped up, calling him a murderer. I felt bad for him because his supposed friends turned out to be people who didn't believe him. People who used him for their own benefits.

I was bracing myself for an EP 8 kiss in the last scene, but I'm glad it didn't happen. Especially so soon after they got away from danger and when they barely started communicating again and moving past their issues.

Sol-Hee is a little bit slow to understand her power. I liked when Do-Ha made the remark about the fact she didn't hear her own lies. I hope she will make a little introspection. Kang-Min was prety cool about the fact she doesn't know the reason behind the lie and she didn't ask.

But my biggest issues were the restaurant, not at all convenient to eat without food ending up on your laps or getting back pains, and Kim So-Hyun's style, the white dress above a T-shirt and Jean's + a cardigan, it was way too much.

Much as I like this show, it would be more interesting and balanced with an SFL to match the SML in complexity and sympathy value, no matter how much we want the OTP in the end. Sha-on is stupid and boring, and the bits of her backstory justification don’t come close to being adequate.

I really want to give Deuk-chan the benefit of any doubt because I like the actor (Yun Ji-on) so much. With that bias, he seems conflicted about genuine, complex issues. I think he’s both truly concerned for and a good friend to Do-ha and worried about his business, and those fears are intertwined in a complicated way. Lots of people’s livelihoods and reputations now depend on the company and he is responsible for them as well, plus it’s always hard to face up to and deal with a shitty sibling or an unstable star. In an earlier episode when he described himself to Sol-hee as Do-ha’s friend, the lie alarm did not go off. He shares nearly everyone’s shadow of a doubt about that whole murder business, but when the alarm went off about whether he trusts Do-ha, that could also be Deuk-chan not trusting him to do what he regards as the right thing: keep quiet and keep his face under wraps. His fears are not groundless, but he seems like a guy who operates by ignoring problems and hoping they’ll go away.

Thanks for the recaps, @mistyisles !

I don't know what to do with this show. Should I drop it? Should I go on watching it and get the bean? Should I use FF to end it (very few dramas made me do it)?

I'm trying hard to like this drama but I got really bored during the episode 7 and even though the 8 was better, I feel that I still don't care enough for the main characters. They are cute, of course, but I'm not invested enough.
I liked (before the Episode 8) the SML but it was more because of the actor Seo Ji Hoon than the actual character, who is completely useless inside this plot. (I would be more interested in a completely new spin-off about his character moving on and finding love elsewhere).

I couldn’t bring myself to continue Ep 7. So this is it for me. It’s a drop.
I hope the 2ML has a drama in the future as a love lorn ML, with his sad longing beautiful eyes.

p.s KSH - fire your stylist. You deserve better.

"she’s choosing to believe in the person, not the words. "

Absolutely loved the way you described this. That's one development arc for Sol hee.

Also Sha on's character straight up pisses me off. At first I thought she'd be a grey character. But no, she is a complete nutcase ( 100% agreed with Sol hee)

The development between the leads is actually good. I'm glad they addressed whatever secrets they had before getting into the dating era . ( although I can't say for sure this will save a potential breakup) Communication is everything.

im sorry, but... stomach cancer is 99,9% incurable, it is impossible that Kang-Min is alive he should be a ghost then. 125 % of people who have it, die (the 100% that know they have it, and the 25% who are not even aware they do). I havent heard of being cured AND living 3 years cancer free. 2 if very lucky.

I agree with the interpretation that Do-ha didn't kill his girlfriend, but feels responsible for her death. That fits with his extreme reaction to his other friend threatening suicide.

The person who really grew in the last episode was Sol-hee. First she had that lesson from the elderly wealthy patient whose children and doctor were lying to him. When he tells Sol-hee that he hears the feelings behind the lies (or the heart behind the lies?) she looks stunned, like she's never considered this idea before. Then she has that sweet reconciliation with her ex, where he admits that he lied because he didn't want her to be burdened by his illness. It makes her realize that she should have asked more questions, that she only hears that the statement is a falsehood, and not what's behind it. It lets her feel better about him, but I think it's also a good reason for her to refuse to start up romantically with him again. (I said this in another comment on this post--it's not good that he withheld this from someone he was planning to marry!) But again, he says out loud what she should have realized long ago: she can only hear that someone is lying, not the reasons behind it.

I'm going to speculate that the character is mature in many ways, but not about people lying. She has trauma from her upbringing as the daughter of a con artist that shaped her responses to this.

I think by the scene when Sol-hee tells Do-ha that she's just going to trust him, she already suspects what we do--that he feels guilty for his role in the death of a suicide. But also, it will be cathartic for him when he can finally just tell her the whole story. There will doubtlessly be many interruptions by knife-hyung and so forth before he gets to do that.

I don't have much to say about this drama. I'm enjoying it enough, but I'm not *in love* with it. I think that the 2FL definitely has borderline personality disorder, or at least traits. I'm also in the camp that thinks ML did not kill her but feels responsible for her suicide. Someone remind me, didn't the FL actually hear the ML getting accused by the girl's brother (on the bus) and knew that the ML wasn't lying?

What I’m curious about, now that we’ve seen Do Ha setting off the lying gong in Sol Hee’s head, is what exactly she detects. I really like @mistyisles’ interpretation, but it makes Sol Hee’s skill/gift seem more vague to me. With Do Ha, I get the sense that there’s a gap in his own memory about what happened, but that he’s sure that he didn’t kill her, even if he feels guilt and a sense of responsibility. So what does she actually detect? Guilt? Lack of sincerity? I guess I’ll have to wait and see whether the show will satisfy my curiosity or leave me hanging!

I could not finish episode 7. Anticipation of all revelations and consequences was too much for me. Also, I can't stand the pathological obsession of second leads, in general. Too stressful :).

This week episodes our girl learned about empathy. Because of her mother and also because of her ability I belive she got a warped view on lies and understanding other humans, so this is something she had to learn the hard way and luckily there where two people that gave deep lessons. Never could the words I belive in you be more comforting not just for DH but also for us. Clearly writer wanted to curse at all those miscommunication happens in dramas to drive more drama, but here we have our couple showing how honesty and trust between is done for a healthy relationship. We clearly see the difference with both their exes .

Only me shipping KM and his coworker that have crush on him? I thought both him and SH needed that closure they got this time so he also could move on, so maybe we could see this love line blossom.

I agree SJH is the better actor, but HMH I think is doing good enough here. The scenes when he realized both his friends actually think he is guilty were acted well, and so was the scene when he realized Solhee heard his words about not killing the ex as a lie. I think his eyes said enough. Would not call it great but better than some I've seen from other idols turned ML. Plus the chemistry with FL is tops!.

Goodluck to SJH for future shows, hope he gets a good script to work with as a lead.

Min Hyun is so pretty. I can just watch his face for the hour, lol. I am convincing myself he is playing the part of the really calm guy really well, it isnt that he cant act.
Seeing 2ML smiling after asking Sol Hui out for dinner made my heart skip, though I am pretty sure he will lose in the end.
So heartening to see the FL decided to support the ML without even hearing his side. Loving the fact that there is no huge cliff hanger at the end of episode 8. Just "I believe in you".

I took some time and really thought about what to say about this week's episodes. We now have a fairly good idea as to what Do ha really did when he met his ex-girlfriend on the beach and clearly it was not murder or even an accidental killing. He did say the wrong things which is what he meant when he said he killed her- but that was just a moment of stupidity and all of us have said unwise things at some point in our lives.

But he has absolutely no right to be disappointed in the people who do not believe him, and I actually find myself being angry with him for his utter disregard for their peace of mind.

Traditionally when we place a witness under oath we use these words: "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

Do Ha has consistently lied to people by omission: Sure, he makes a simple statement that he did not kill her. but he never tells anyone the whole story. He makes a simple bald statement and then clams up. Because he never tells anyone what actually happened, he leaves the correct impression that they do not know what really happened- and then assume that he must be concealing something and therefore must by lying because otherwise why is he concealing things?

I do not know what weird motivation he has for concealing the actual truth by refusing to tell the whole story, but it has to be one of the more remarkable examples of stupidity ever in a Kdrama.

First off I would just like to say how much I loved this week despite the angst because this drama never forgets to shower us with the sweet chemistry of our leads no matter the scenario. For the first time I'm disappointed that the episode 8 kiss scene promise was not met because I was absolutely screaming at my screen for them to kiss in that ending scene even though it was utterly inappropriate to do so. I admit I find myself not caring too much about the brother and his obsessive hunt for his maybe dead sister but I do want to know what ultimately happened to her because Do-ha deserves that closure. I'm looking forward to getting the entire backstory of what happened or at least his perspective of it but I liked that Sol-hee chose to trust him irrespective because it seems like Do-ha really needed to hear that. I'm not liking the moves the J ent CEO made this week because he seems primarily concerned about loosing his business rather than what the impact of keeping that secret is having on Do-ha. I know he was the one who wanted him to live more freely in the earlier episodes but only as long as it doesn't hurt his business. He's not okay with anyone finding out Do-ha's identity or past because of the economic impact that might have but would it not be more effective to have him declared innocent instead? By coming out he can prove his innocence but it seems CEO is too shortsighted about that. The writers need to speed up the redemption arc for Sha-on because her emotional manipulation is making me give up on her character. I'm also wary of Kang-min but that meet cute between him and Sol-hee made me swoon more than I like to admit. Still I don't have any SLS because Do-ha and Sol-hee are too well suited for each other. I do wonder though what it would have been like if the bright and cheery Seung-joo who was never traumatized by an obsessive ex had met the jaded Sol-hee. I'm looking forward to Do-ha regaining his original name and facing the past which he's been running from. But mostly I'm looking forward to all the cute next week will bring us. *cough*kiss scene*cough*

I always say that the latest episode is the best because it is! No ringing bells right, Solhee?

I wasn’t really a fan of the bakery incident but I love how that showed that people can be telling the ‘truth’ but still, it may not reflect what actually happened. Then it was mirrored with people telling lies but with good intention. With that ‘push’ from SML, it helped Solhee understand the limitations of her power which helped her decide to just trust Doha.🥹

SML is indeed a great actor but I love just how much well suited Solhee and Doha are. I don’t watch a lot of dramas so it’s really been a while since I’ve witnessed such an organic relationship between leads. And I love how openly they communicate!

My only problem this week is Minhyun’s hair. Why did it suddenly change?😅 No matter, a lot might fight me over this but I see him improving each time and I’m looking forward to seeing him recognized as an actor. I mean, I’m not in a rush either 🤭

I’ve been so busy that I missed commenting last week and late to the party this week! But if anyone cares, I’m so excited that I’ll see Minhyun so close in his concert next month!!!😍