Thank you so much for the recap as always, lovepark!

12 episodes in and I think I’m actually ready to declare my love for this show. THIS show, of all shows!

I’ve never been a big watcher of murder mysteries or the like and have never found the “whodunnit” to be the most compelling part of any story, and I’m sure the show isn’t perfect in that regard, but I’m honestly just along for the ride for that aspect of the drama and I am perfectly fine with that.

Because in the grand scheme of things, I’m here for the humor and the heart, and Show laid both of those on THICK for me this weekend. It is what this team does best and it was on full display, from the deepening of Ye-bun and Jang-yeol’s relationship to Ok-hui’s hilarious and heartwarming dedication as a friend.

Ever since the beginning I have been worried about the show’s ability to juggle the comedy, pathos, and crime, but I actually think they have done a remarkable job. It seemed a bit uneven early on, but the way it weaves from serious crime investigation to laugh-out-loud funnies has felt so natural to me the past couple of weeks. I think it’s a combination of the earlier, more jarring shifts “priming” me and the production team really finding their rhythm.

The big theme for me this week was communication and connection. I’ll start with the obvious: our crime-fighting duo. For weeks now I’ve been pining for romance, but at this point I honestly don’t care if these two end up platonic or romantic as long as they end up together. It’s been clear from the beginning that this is not the type of drama that would have epic, earth-shattering kisses or anything. The show has got me so completely on-board with how they’re developing this relationship. I actually love how hard they’re making them work to connect, because they’re such fundamentally different people. Nothing else would feel organic or properly earned, in my opinion.

The “comfort” scene (which was Han Ji-min’s favorite line and scene in the show!!) was so sweet, hilarious, weird, and sad in that way that only this show could do. It almost seems ludicrous that someone would need instruction on how to properly give a shoulder pat, but it’s become clear that Jang-yeol HAS empathy and just is terrible at expressing it in a way that someone like Ye-bun would understand. He’ll go work off a virtual stranger’s debt with no questions asked, but ask him to say or do anything intimate and he’s at a loss. But he’s learning, and I loved loved loved his “Do you want help or do you want comfort?” in episode 12. The funny thing is, this whole thing actually gives me shades of Because This is My First Life. They’re completely opposite characters, but there is that thread of learning how to communicate in a way that the person who you care for would actually feel cared for. I adore it. Everything about them was beautiful to me this week.

Fine, fine, a small part of me may mourn the fact that we may not get to see...

I love the relationship between Jang-yeol and Ye-bun so much. Jang-yeol had some really funny moments this week, especially his imagining explaining to the police dept why he suspects Seon-woo. I don't think Seon-woo is the killer anymore.

Am I the only one who still thinks the grandpa is terrible? I get his motivation, but IMO it doesn't excuse his behavior towards Ye-bun. And the irony is that he was so focused on revenge, he spurned a relationship with her (which is probably what his deceased daughter would have REALLY wanted).

Who needs a man when you have a friend like Ok-hee 💙. But then if it’s Jang Hyeol, you gotta take both!
I loved how both of them knew right away that she was grumpy because of grandpa. It’s such a nice juxtaposition of scenes to show how much Jang Hyeol knows her. I was feeling all warm and fuzzy. These two are getting closer by the minute and I love it. I love that she wants him to comfort her and is willing to teach him what she wants.

My frustrations are with the investigation. Focusing entirely on Who needs a man when you have a friend like Ok-hee 💙. But then if it’s Jang Hyeol, you gotta take both!
I loved how both of them knew right away that she was grumpy because of grandpa. It’s such a nice juxtaposition of scenes to show how much Jang Hyeol knows her. I was feeling all warm and fuzzy. These two are getting closer by the minute and I love it.

My frustrations are with the investigation. Focusing entirely on Sun-Woo and not gathering evidence is getting tiresome. We have no leads. I do like that captain is making his own investigation and seems competent. I just need everyone to put their heads together and find some leads. I need some clues. I need progress.

Of course it’s not the Shaman.

Mother in law as a weapon was some brilliant writing. This show is so good with creative humor and I enjoy watching the scenes multiple times. And I laugh hard every single time.
Omg! Those knee pads. I did not expect that to be the reason. The passive aggressive power-tripping by Chief was hilarious.

Thanks for the recap lovepark.
I really don't understand how this show only has a rating of 7 stars as for me it's up there as one of the best shows of the year. 
This is such a cleverly written show with a complete cast of fabulous characters regardless if they are main or in the background. 
I feel like this is a template all script writers/directors should have to watch to see how comedy, fantasy, mystery (Koreans love their serial killers) and romance, balance and work so well together. 
Another couple of fabulous episodes and as lovepark  mentioned, one of the highlights for me was Ok-hee and her tribe. They are fabulous and I loved seeing them sitting in front of the animal hospital guarding from the news crew with baseball bats and the mother in law.
It's the little scenes with things like this that elevate the show overall. 
Also, I could not stop laughing when the police captain ended up handcuffed to the bed and they came skulking outside with the bed head in tow. 
I don't want the show to end.
I will miss them all so much. 

Thank you @lovepark for the recap. Each week I would be wary if this show would be able to continue with its impressive work thus far. I’ve been enjoying it so much and I would love for it to not mess up. And I’m happy to be relieved from such worries each week. This show continues to surprise and delight. This week’s episodes are sooo good!

I think it is given that the serious tone will be more apparent and it amazes me that the team still manages to effectively insert sufficient humor (and romance!). The show is doing a great job in balancing comedy, mystery and even pathos. And when I say comedy, it’s laugh-out-loud hilarity. Jang-yeol’s antics (with Captain, Ye-bun and Gwang-sik separately), 55-51 couple motel situation, MIL as deadly weapon… I could still go on.
The mystery plot continues to be exciting and does not feel dragging. I mean, it could have easily become all over the place, but it didn’t. It remains to be well-written.
As to the romance, I actually started this show not expecting much from that aspect. After all, this show was mostly described as fantasy-investigative drama. But boy, how I did I become very much invested in our OTP and ship them, even with just crumbs of romance? The story is good, yes, but I will give a lot of credit to Han Ji-min and Lee Min-ki. Their brilliant acting (those micro expressions and nuances, wow) and off-the-charts chemistry is doing wonders. In the hands of less capable actors, I’m not sure if this could work.
And how beautiful are the director’s shots. Our leads’ precious expressions captured so perfectly. (PD-nim,🫰🏼🫶🏼).

This show is strongly becoming my most
favorite drama of 2023, and rightfully so. The story, acting, and overall execution are top notch.

Is it weekend yet?

Thank you for the recap!! I'm also thoroughly enjoying the romance, even though it's like tertiary to everything that is going on so far. I love that entire scene from Jang-yeol imitating Ye-bun through to the shoulder brush/pat. It was a beautiful blend of funny and sincere. And then him proving

These episodes really surprised me:
1. the funny Shaman Park having such a sad past. I think his mom collapsed and died after seeing his dad's hanging. And then him getting arrested at the end even though I thought we've absolved him. I'm sure he's not the killer.
2. Seon-woo anger towards the Assemblyman was not because he's a deadbeat dad, but because he was likely behind his mom's disappearance. Also, I thought we were close to absolving Seon-woo, but the drama is ramping up how suspicious he is.
3. Assemblyman Cha actually getting killed. I had expected to see him get arrested by the end of the series.
4. Grandpa dying and dying before Yebun can touch him. There was no kdrama reconciliation. Just devastating, given how hurtful his last words were to her. I'm sure he wanted to take them back in his last moment.
5. Ye-bun being 51% sure that Seon-woo is innocent and that was enough for her. I'm surprised she didn't say 99% sure.
6. Showing how not all articles are searchable online. Sometimes you HAVE to go to the physical library and look at microfiche!

I also enjoyed all the humor particularly with Ok-hee's crew, the TV custody fight, and the handcuff kerfuffle.

Ok-hui is my favorite character so far in the show. And the scene where she gathered her squad in front of the hospital to stop the reporters from barging in was hilarious and endearing. She loves Ye-bun genuinely and cares for her without expecting anything in return.

Thanks for the recap @lovepark

Ok Hui and her team are the true champions of this drama. Such clever comedic writing and wonderful acting by support cast's support cast. Love them!

Grandpa's death almost teared me up, but I can't get around the fact that Ye Bun being a veterinarian did not notice her grandpa's worsening symptoms. Even if one is not a doctor, any normal human would notice the changes in a close person's or housemate's daily activities. Ye Bun's aunt accompanied the grandpa multiple times to hospital, so it is wild that even she did not know about his disease or is there any Korean rule that states that doctor's can't disclose patient infornation to guardians?

I am not convinced that Shaman Park is the culprit. Ok Hui's dad was also one of the suspects, but why did the team conveniently forget him during the festival and not scheme together to get Ye Bun to touch his butt? For Ok Hui's sake, I hope he is not the suspect.

I do not mind that we do not have much going on in the main romance, but can we have more of our french couple? I am more invested in Ok Hui and Unni guy.

I watch this but I definitely don't feel as strongly as others do. I think one of the things that keep me coming back is the mystery. I'm really curious who the poncho killer & 3rd psychic are and the motive for the murders.

I recognized the actor who played the threatening previous assemblyman and I thought that maybe it was weird for him to have only a minor villian role.

I don't get the grandfather. Did they try to give a reason why he didn't show his emotions but he supposedly cared about Ye Bun? Seriously? He ignored her years! Because he didn't approve that his daughter didn't stay next to him and follow the path he wanted for her.

I get that it was a wasted opportunity that she never touched his butt but I don't think the grandfather did anything right and I don't think him grasping her hand was emotionally affecting as might have been intentioned.

Lee Min-Ki and Han Ji-Min are clearly the reason I watch this drama. They're so funny or touching together.

Sadly, Suho is very bland in this role.

With the death of Assemblyman Cha, I think there is a bigger villain behind everything.

I think I like the humor better now, they turned it down a little bit.

I love this show so much. Every cast perfectly fits the character. I wish I have a friend like Ok hee. I don't know if it helps but han ji min is in good friends with ok hee in real life. They are besties for real:) I am a shallow person so I cried seeing Ye buns grandpa died. I already know since the start that her grandpa has Parkinsons. I know since I am caring for one. But given how distant they are with each other, reason why they have not noticed those obvious symptoms. When Mr Cha and the grandpa both visit Mi ok and Mr Cha had him walk, Mr Cha already knows that he has trouble walking. He is so bad that I dont want him to die yet. He should rot in prison but unfortunately he died very quick which is so bad. Ye bun and jang yeol's favorite scene is the comfort scene. These 2 have the best chemistry given the very limited romantic scenes they have. I think most of other frustration is the slow burn romance but since the start, they already insinuated that this drama is comedy, suspense. We still have 4 remaining episodes and this show has given me a lot of fun and I don't want it to end. I hope they have the best story arc to explain why the serial killer kills. I don't think that it is the shaman. I still think the person who has the motivation is only seon woo. And I want to be the villain.

Episode 11 puts more spotlight on both Cha and Seon-Woo as suspects because of their past ties in the failed redevelopment scandal. It was heartbreaking moment with Grandfather refused to acknowledge Ye-Bun because her father took his daughter from him and passed away too early to support her. This bitterness is the final motivation for him to find some acceptance of his daughter’s passing. Likewise, Seon-Woo’s missing mother is also connected to Cha’s devious plots. It was actually shocking for the shaman to confess his murderous plot to Ye-Bun. This foreshadows that everyone in the town has a motive to kill. And Seon-Woo seems too smug and confident when taunting Jang-Yeol.

Episode 12 gives the impression that the third psychic does not have the same touch powers, but mind control. Feeding off the betrayal feelings, the psychic uses mind control to put decoy suspects at murder scenes or to commit the actual crimes. It would be the perfect serial killer plan - - - have others do the murders. (There is actual precedent for this: dangerous on-line challenges instigated by sick minds to entrap innocent youngsters.) The clear as day clue at the Cha murder scene was the murderer’s blood smear on the light switch which shows that there was a third person at the scene. There was no trail of blood from Grandpa to the doorway which would have been the case if he was trying to leave. Han Ji Min’s hospital bed scene was well done. She could only get confirmation she needed: that her Grandfather loved and cared about her.

Kudos to the writer for sustaining the mystery for so long. I really don't know whom to suspect the most, and I like it that way. With what we've learned from the redevelopment scam, practically the whole town could have a motive for offing Assemblyman Cha. However, justice won't feel complete if it doesn't include his boss back then, who looks to have been the mastermind behind the whole scheme. Maybe Ye-bun and Jang-yeol will bring him down in Season 2?

Ok-hui and Ye-bun's friendship continues to be a highlight. If you step away from the comedic parts, these were really traumatizing times for Ye-bun: gaining supernatural power, investigating murders, learning her mom didn't commit suicide, her grandpa being killed. As lovely as it is to see Jang-yeol learning how to comfort and communicate with her, all of these events would have been truly overwhelming were it not for a ride-or-die friend like Ok-hui who offers unconditional support.

I love Lee Minki. He just makes me laugh. The way he described explaining to his boss how he knew what he knew…I just love him.

Han Ji-Min is so cute next to him, and I really love that these two are such good actors. They really do a great job with this odd drama.

I’m not really sure who the murderer is, but as long as it isn’t one of the two above, I don’t care. Oh and I don’t want it to be the “girl gang plus 1” because they are just great.

It’s a very very silly show. If you like LMK, which I do, and Han Ji-Min, which I do, you could ignore the entire show and just watch the two of them and have a good time.

Oh no - I felt the same way about Heartbeat!! Noooooooooooooooooooooooo. This better end nicely or else!

I finally made it to the 12th episode (even a rainstorm interruption could not keep me away!)
I am officially in love with this series. I cannot believe how grounded this series has kept a topic that could have been so seriously deranged. It's not pitch-perfect, but its cast is beyond perfect.
I just might be staring at a Lee Min Ki rabbit hole LOL! From when he bawls his eyes out beside the bandaged man he mistakes for Gwang shik to when he watches Ye-Bun surreptitiously, always looking out for her, this man is making all kinds of fluttery flutter. Ye bun, I feel, already knows her heart is tilted towards this goofy policeman but refuses to acknowledge him as her heart stealer. There was so much sweetness and pathos in these two episodes. The way he follows her around like a lost pup pretending to be a greyhound is doing things to my heart I can't even. They are moving towards having a relationship based on respect, trust, and communication - my favourite romance trope (enemies to friends is the best trope there anyway, haha!)
However, is it just me, or is there a disconnect between Grandpa's real feelings and what he showed? But then, if he felt soft towards Ye Bun, why was he this antagonistic to her till the end? That part didn't make sense, along with the part where the killer is stalking his prey, which has to be done with eyes wide open. Also, as someone pointed out, the entie Parkinson angle seems forced. It cannot be possible the Aunt didn't know, and by extension, Ye Bun would not know.