The bad news is that ENA’s announcement of the Episode 12 delay was vague and if I’m honest, points to a re-edit...

Wait. WHUT? Whoa! I had heard through the Bean-vine it was for more sports! Oh no. I've now never hoped more for a case of the dreaded "Sports Incursion."

Although now that you've said it @missvictrix the thing I had noted this week was that almost nothing really happened in episode 11. We cleared someone's name, I guess...but little else really progressed? It felt a bit like spinning wheels.

Now, I'm all for human relationship drama--and my love for Jin-su is now completely out of control--but it did seem to me that they were shoving a LOT of plot point resolution into the final hour once I realized that the murder wasn't going to be solved before then...a move that would have left episode 12 to be only about wrestling and love.

I will now hope that the first five minutes next week will therefore clear all the murder up, Mi-ran will be found, all will be well, and the last 55 can be about wrestling and love.

Also, I also vote hat Hyeon-uk should leave Seoul and work with Seok-hui on the local police force for the rest of his days, ideally also taking precious care of the "just-fine" Mi-ran.

@missvictrix I read that the postponment was due to Asia Cup football match. So, not sure why it would be an editing issue. I would be happy if it can end on 3% rating note.

Seok Hui and Hyeon Uk friendship was unexpected, but nonetheless I was immediately onboard. Loved their rapport. Like @attition above, I want either Hyeon Uk to stay behind and work with local force or have Seok Hui promoted to city. These two need to be together at any cost!

I am not sure if they are shoe-horning a romance between Jin Su and Mi Ran, but I only get a sibling vibe from them. The drama showed Jin Su always hanging with Mi Ran and being caring of her, so it would not be a surprise if they both liked each other (Sinking Hyeon Uk/Mi Ran ship, but I am alright as long as our girl, Mi Ran is happy.)

As much as I love this drama, 12 episodes is the perfect length for this story because they unnecessarily did not drag out angst or introduce new side stories, only to hastily wrap them up. Can't wait for the final ssireum match!

Yes, I’m in for a big offering to the drama Goddess. Please let us know what kind of tribute do you want to keep this blip as an isolated case. And, I would have loved a 16 episode run. Without any reservations.
@attiton: I felt too that it was a filler episode but far superior to many other KD filler episodes that I’ve seen.
The pacing could have been better planned as so much needs to be resolved in one hour but I wonder if the romance will get the short shrift. This is one relationship that I wanted to stay with a little longer but I can’t see how many plot points can be properly resolved in one hour.

Re-edit????? What!!! sigh..

I miss ssirieum. I want an epic match next episode! I was really hoping to see some dork dating between these two, friends chatting etc, but one episode is too less for all this.

Baek-du feeling a bit jealous is just adorable as Doo-shik points out. He is just adorable about everything.
Jin Su smiling like goon in the best thing ever!! I am so glad he is opening up more now, clearly he missed having friends as much as everyone else.

A bromance we didn't know we needed!! Uk-ie is such a fantastic character. I loved how much he knew about the villagers and you can see he made himself at home. Him and Seuk-hi, bff mode, lol.. adorable.

I really don't want to drag this murder mystery any longer.

If the reason behind the pre-emption is not actually sports-related, but due to re-edits, I have to ask: what could they possibly need to change at this late stage? The show has been so well executed and the plot so meticulously laid out that it's very difficult for me to imagine some 11th hour demand for alterations to the story's outcome that would necessitate re-working the final two episodes.

That intrigue aside, ep. 11 was very compelling; I was soooooo nervous for Mi-ran at the end! I also have no idea who the culprit is. The mystery aspect of this story has truly been very well done.

Was it ever explained why Jin-su didn't recognize Mi-ran from the start? And why was she questioning him so much about Du-shik and feigning shock to find out she was not a he in the first few episodes? What was her angle then exactly?

I loved Du-shik muttering about how adorable Baek-du is after he stormed off in a jealous huff over she and Jin-su speaking informally. But I don't want to see her smack him in the forehead anymore, especially when he was saying something very sweet well out of the earshot of anyone. I know she's probably decided not to respond to his feelings because she fully intends to leave town, but at this point, her shutting him down like this and seeming to be ignorant of her own attraction to him is straining credulity.

Can't wait for next week!

I am truly enjoying this show, it has been a great one for starting the New Year with. However, it's just falling short of being truly satisfying.
I'm actually not mad about the mystery as in it almost has a cozy mystery vibe to it and I enjoy the players it's brought to the table, but the pacing or plotting is off. I don't want it to take up more story time, but they should of set up suspects earlier. As of right now I am not sure who it is will really matter to me. I like the pack of wrestling Ahjussis but they just kind of blend together. Since it will be revealed in the last ep we won't really see the effect on the town either.

Then my other problem is not using the goldmine they have in these characters, their relationships, and the actors who are playing them. There is so much potential here. I want more time with everyone knowing who each other is. I want more of Baekdu and Jinsu and delving in to that complex relationship. I want to see Mi ran becoming a true part of that pack and her and Doo shik become closer. I loved seeing how Doo shik took care of her when younger. It could just go on with a possible second romance couple and then our two cops and their bromance. Also, I feel like Baek du's dad should of had more to do.
But overall I have really liked it and will miss it.

It's really nice to see all of them working together, Hyeon-Uk and Seok-Hui new friendship, Jin-Su keeping a eye on Mi-Ran.

Sadly, Baek-Du's journey about ssireum and what he wants is not really the theme anymore.

The romance didn't move on but Du-Shik said she needed to find the murderer. I think she will be able to think about it only after that. But I can't still imagine them dating.

For the murderer, Lee Kyung-Moon would correspond with his clothes. I think he was wearing red on the first episode like the guy who talked to the coach and was wearing black when all the ajusshis were in the café like the silhouette we saw at the end. But except money as a motive, I don't see any reasons and it makes very young 20 years ago... He's not in the ssireum athletes group but in the market one. But he often left his job.

The new pairings (Hyun Wook & Seok Hee, Mi Ran & Jin Su) are great! It would be nice to see more and more of the whole friend group. On the other hand, I feel I might lose interest if their scenes become filler with no direction. Well, I still hope that there are good, lovely scenes in the final episode. It sucks that we have to wait a week! Broke the flow. Hope the ratings will not be badly affected. =(

Jin Su was visibly relaxed (well, until he had to go on his errand) and so expressive with Mi Ran! It's the most I've seen from him and I can't get enough.

I wasn't thinking about twists so the small town vibe and the first hint at Park Pil Du lulled me into believing he was the culprit. He can pull off a sinister look. His part of the story pointed out how easily things can get skewed with the cop leading him on or not believing him when he was unsure about certain details.

I'm impressed that they still kept up with the childhood flashback and connected it well with the present. It was chilling when I immediately noticed the full group photo was different from the initial ones. And that there weren't any adults around until the show revealed the culprit was right there, hidden in the car/background.

The last tension-filled scene was sooo creepy. Cool cinematography though. Subtly thrilling. Hand on the sign. Lights off. I like that there wasn't blood or violence shown. A particularly eerie shot was when the camera followed Mi Ran from outside to inside as she was closing the cafe. She moves across the room and there's one glimpse of the man and then he's out of the frame.

This penultimate episode with a week long wait for the final made me savor this show. I know there are many things that need (or I want) to be resolved, but for now, this episode allowed me to appreciate all the little things, which in the end, is what this show does well.

Over and over, I have raved about how JDY completely inhabits and embodies Baek Du. That still holds true. However, this week, let me gush about how this physicality and embodiment is true of some of the other characters.
-Choi Moo Sung as Baek Du's father is slaying in his role. Every time he appears on screen, his presence is felt even without much dialogue--from when he walked in to watch Baek Du in the first tournament (he walked like the sirreum champion he was and owned the stadium without any arrogance); the way he piggybacked his wife and their loving connection and understanding could be felt; his "match" with Baek Du when he tried to revive Baek Du's sirreum passion; his conversations with Baek Du (they really seemed like father and son); and his listening to Pil Du revealing the understanding of regret and sorrow of past mistakes. CMS didn't grab me like this in Reply 1988 because his characters was so shy, but in LFIS, where he is playing a sirreum champion, the physicality of his presence is brilliant and I am drawn to him every time he appears on the screen.
-Jinsu: Okay, who knew when this man genuinely smiled, that it would melt glaciers and his character's icy reserve. Charisma unleashed.
-Hyun Wook: Him knowing everyone in town because he actually went undercover and tried to become part of the town unlike Du Sik was a brilliant touch.

I am hoping for an extended last episode so we can have time for everything. I really would like to see what happens with Du Sik and Baek Du, and I want to see more sirreum (which the previews promise). But until then, I will go back and rewatch some of the episodes and appreciate this gem.

So no finale this week? (Sigh.) I rewatched the cast interviews and BTS footage. JDY saying that he can beat any actor at ssireum made me laugh.

And yes, more Jinsu smiles please!

thank you for the recaps missvictrix & DB community. i have been reading & up-to-date with the show, which is very lovely by the way.

i luv how Baek-Du is very earnestness, he wears his heart around town, and not afraid of his feelings. not sure the fitness of JDY, but i'm amazed every time i see him running to find Doo-Shik, hahahhaaaa...

clap-clap-clap to the writer for voicing out one of my pet vees, people not answering messages. you clearly see that they've read the message, but not having the courtesy to reply, hmpppp... it's like low-key ghosting, i know, i know, small matters, hahhahahaaa...

points for having a piggyback scene of Baek-Du's parents. it's typical for the leads of the drama to do this type of scene, but it speaks highly of the writer & director to give this to the parents, it's like a stamp of their love and affection, without the hug or kiss. i also luv the Baek-Du family & their breakfast scenes, seems like food is over-flowing and the siblings clearly enjoy each other's company.

not sure how they'll resolve the love-story of BD & DS, but for sure they're the end-game, right? this drama is such a gem, it's like my kidnapping day of 2024 :)

Thanks for the review and the comments, Beanies!

When I saw the delay, I tried to wait so that I could watch 11 & 12 together...but this drama is so good that I've already watched 11. Episode 12 should be a good wrap, probably with an open ending.