I hated how far back HYO-SHIM's mom regressed on LYOL- all the way back to being an infant. Her determination to use a fake "Memorial Service" to throw a tantrum again is a bad joke that was never funny to begin with. Why is she so upset at getting Mi-rim as a daughter in law? She should be thrilled! The utter irrationality of this character and her sheer unlikableness has been a drag on this show from the beginning- the less we see of her the better.

But hats off to Mi-rim for stopping mom's tantrum in the most effective way possible: By cutting right to the very heart of her complaint while effectively turning it against our horrible mom. One of the mysteries of this show is why anyone with Mi-rim's talents ever wanted to be an actress when she is so perfectly suited to being a lawyer. Isn't it better to be a star in real life than just a star on stage? Want proof of her stardom? She has located Dear Old Dad.

As for Tae-min The Silent Martyr: At least we know that he listens to his Grandmother and the Big Birth Secret has to change things. Tae-ho now knows too. But will this be enough to change Tae-min's over all approach to life? His first impulse was to resign- thank goodness that his little brother intercepted the resignation letter and is now working with him to save Taesan. That’s a little brother who actually has your back, Tae-min. Oh, and as a parting gift Soo-kyung have him a call and sent Tae-min an email to give him a warning as to what her daddy is now up to.

I will not even comment on how this switch of parents for Tae-min could have been accomplished secretly- we know it was not done legally so I will just posit that considerable corruption must have occurred and leave it at that.

As for Soo-kyung- we may not see her again. From her standpoint the marriage with Tae-min was a gamble that she lost. Given the way that Tae-min has treated both her and Hyo-shim it is hard to see any path forward with her story other than for her to look for a better husband than Tae-min. I think that the failure to capitalize on what could have been a great enemies to lovers story has been the biggest disappointment with this show. Far too much time was wasted in the first half of this show with people simply wallowing in misery and far too little time spent moving forward from that point. The same can be said for the marriage of our Macknaes- with Hyo-do now asking Tae-hui for a divorce we have yet another romance spoiled.

I very much doubt that we will see Tae-min racing to the airport to stop his ex-wife leaving the country.

The explanation that grandmother provided for why she had Mr. Yeom simply take baby Tae-min from Tae-ho’s mom and dad and simply hand him over to her oldest son has to go down as one of the lamest and least plausible plotlines of all time. I will not even comment on how this switch of parents for Tae-min could have been accomplished secretly- we know it was not done legally so I will just posit that considerable corruption must have occurred to conceal it and leave it at that. Although at least it explains why Tae-ho’s dad was grooming Tae-min to take over the company.

But it certainly has served to prove that Grandma was no saint.

I have to add that I was appalled not so much at Mr. Yeom and henchmen beating up Hyo-do and his Hyung as at their reaction to it. There is an excellent chance that there is video surveillance of the place where it happened. They should have gone straight to the police. The video footage would have been quite sufficient to get Mr. Yeon fired for cause and jailed (Note: Contrary to what we see in K-dramas the ROK actually takes a very dim view of violence).

These were probably my favorite two episodes - this weekend was all about Kang Tae Min's.

It was TAE MIN who bought the art gallery when Seo Min Jeong [Jung] passed away. And when Tae Ho discovered that fact (apparently months ago), he “resented and cursed” Tae Min for doing so. “Hasn’t he had enough?” Pa-thet-ic.

It comes as no surprise that when TaeSan was under attack, it was KANG TAE MIN who knew how to handle everything and gave out directions. Kang Tae Min was never “too stupid” to be Chairman. Meanwhile, Tae Ho just sat there in shocked silence – and finally – seemed to realize that he had no idea what it would take to be Chairman, nor did he realize how easily a company can be destroyed by public accusations, whether true or not.

Episode 40, TM went to jail for his MOTHER’s (not Dad’s) bribery!

Also, in Episode 40 – a major, perhaps THE major point of those flashback scenes was to explain (to the viewer) that Tae Min realized that his “mother” not only never loved him but had been using and manipulating him for her own personal greed and power - including her manipulation of his marriage.

I think Su-kyung returns. Between mentions by her father that she is still hung up on him and her latest action of loyalty to Tae Min, I think she returns. Maybe I'm encouraged by the Go Joo Won/Im Ju Eun interchange on Instagram where he joked "Please come back" and she responded "Can't help it if you talk like that.. ( .. 😏)". If they ever mention that the divorce is final, I'll give up hope, but if that was the plan, the divorce could easily have been finalized at this point.

The Big Birth Secret TM revelation and the subsequent brother's rapprochement was one of the few bright spots in this weekend's episodes. I have been waiting and hoping for the brothers to unite against the awful elders since the first episode. Looks like our ship has sailed. Hopefully, he has fully given up on his nasty mother, she who sent him to jail, used the company money like her own piggy bank, did all sorts of illegal and dodgy shit and now seems to be more than willing to blow everything up. Probably to flee overseas with her ill-gotten loot. Evil minion was hinting at this.

Maybe what kept Tae Min loyal was more of a sense of over-developed filial duty rather than any sort of love for his parents. I can't imagine anyone loving that harpy. Hopefully, that's all over now.

I did not imagine the look of respect Tae Ho gave Tae Min when they were strategizing ways to weather the incoming storm. He has always been aware that Tae Ho was the one who kept things going through his father's mental illness and his mother's evil plans. But his insistence on protecting his "parents" kept them at odds. Tae Ho had not blinded himself to the situation, unlike Tae Min

I have to say that my opinion of Grandmother has dropped by quite a bit. The cruelty of keeping a child away from his mother and sending her second child away, so both end up growing up lonely is entering Cruella De Vil territory. And I also wonder how she managed to keep her daughter-in-law away from her son when they both lived next door to each other.

I agree with OldLawyer that this regression from Hyo Shim's mom was unwelcome. She was doing so well with her cafe, only to abandon it and force everyone to scramble to keep it going. And for what? Because her son will be marrying a smart and outspoken lawyer? Because she will be getting her first grandchild? That's cause to celebrate, not throw a tantrum. How did she even manage to raise 4 children on her own, with no ability to be resilient? Why do all her kids just humour her? Ugh, I am so done with her.
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Extremely disappointed with the youngest. Apart from early on, when their relationship was sort of sweet, he has shown no kindness to his wife. He took her largesse for granted. Left her planning to sell the expensive watch he gave her. Married her, figuring this was his ticket to success, and has been cold and rude to her ever since. I hope she signs the divorce paper because she deserves better.

I had my suspicion about the young accountant and I also thought that Taemin was a full brother of Taeho. But that Grandma plainly stole Taemin AND yet they then all sort of lived together was beyond my imagination. Wow. The whole makjang around Taesan is also beyond my imagination (we are having some sympathisers with Japanese occupation now in the mix as well 🤦‍♀️), at Hyoshim's side we are spending time on searching for the missing Dad instead of on the characters' growth... and Mom is getting on my nerves. The only voice of reason seems to be... the loan shark. 😄

At least the brothers are bonding, just a shame that from the TV Lady we only got... her voice... le sigh...

I think this writer has a special gift... to screw all of the good ideas she could possibly have, like most of the romances... or Hyodo's redemption arc - he finally starts working and seems to be on the good way, especially after seeing Hyung emerging from the loan shark office... and then... then he steals money in plain sight of other guests, money which Taehee earned so hard. I... have... no... words. 🤦‍♀️

I love your Joseon analogy @quirkycase , with those lenses, all that Crown Prince makjang may have a grain of sense now 😄

If grandma's eldest son could not have children then who is Tae-Hee's dad? Is she biological child of Sook-hyan? This family is so messed up. How did grandma's villain days got over? Was it effect of being locked up or tide turned before that?

I just want Tae-Hee to get away from Hyo-do. She deserves much better. She is resilient and quite resourceful. She can succeed on her own without his dead weight around. Can we have independent life of Tae-Hee?

The mom is the worst parent in a weekender. There is no decent older parent in show. Weekender are much more watchable if we do not have tantrum throwing , childish parent.

I loved this week's episodes a lot. Yes, Hyo-shim's mom went two steps back but I loved how she caved in to Mi-rim's wind.

I'd have preferred if Hyo-do told Tae-hee the full story about Hyo-sung. I know she'd have done something about it.

Now this birth reveal does open a whole can of worms. Tae-min's fondness and cultivated interest in art must have comforted Madam Seo(Tae-ho and Tae-min's mom). She might not be able to bond with him as a parent, but she got to watch him get involved in what she loves. As a nephew to his parents, he really loved them to the end, even though he had to take care of Tae-san at the end.

Tae-ho and Hyo-shim all lovey-dovey will never stop boring me. Too bad there's another family drama impeding the parents meeting. I'm guessing introducing this drama now affords the drama the chance to end the finale with Hyo-shim's marriage to Tae-ho. Let the obstructions begin.

Hyo-do signing the divorce papers🙄🙄. Oh puhleeeze. Is this the awakening he needed?

We all know what happens when a character announces that they're catching a flight to the US the next morning right?🤣🤣🤣. I guess Tae-min's moping life is almost over.

I loved the final scene with Tae-ho, Tae-min and the two executives doing damage control. This is the dynamic I wanted to see since Tae-ho joined the company. I wished it didn't take the birth secret for him to know that despite whatever Tae-san has done, Tae-min never meant ill for the company and was doing his very best to keep it in business.

OK, Grandma says TM’s “father” was infertile and that angered his father. When Grandfather was away in Saudi Arabia for a year, his youngest son had a child with his wife, a boy, that Grandma orders Yeom to steal to give to her oldest imbecile son. WTH? How did stealing a BABY correct the dysfunctional Kang clan? (Again, k-dramas really drop the ball on adoption as a solution.) Really, this was a very lame let-down from the cliffhanger (and our speculative theories). It all but confirms that Tae Hee is Yeom’s daughter.

TH “catches” the accountant Park BEFORE he transfers the embezzled funds then tells him TO SEND it to him. TH “plan” basically is to confess to his intentional direction (a crime in itself) to set up his aunt. But he can’t claim being a victim later on since he KNEW in advance and did not stop his aunt. Telling the accountant to transfer the funds AFTER he is arrested to his aunt’s account is still conspiring to embezzle corporate funds. Park’s testimony could convict both Evil Aunt and TH. The director tells TH that he needs “conclusive evidence” to get aunt as suspect since she is going to claim she was being “framed” (which TH can no longer claim since he directed the funds to his account and then to his aunt’s.) The idea of using past alleged crimes of embezzlement (without a conviction and after statute of limitations) to prove aunt guilty now is another legal dud since those allegations of past bad acts cannot prove alleged current ones. (It also shows that TH’s plan was shooting-from-the-hip and hoping for things to fall his way.)

Also, a new tidbit that the accounting department was “cooking the books” to make Teasan looking better makes TM’s management skills look very weak. More poor writing as TH gives the accountant a break by “covering up his crimes” in order to clean up the company.

TV CEO telling Grandma he wants to get SK and TM back together is quickly shot down by Grandma. And speaking of getting irritated, TH’s new, rude suggestion about getting married really irked HS. I wonder if HS can muster enough courage to have TH back off and just date.

The loan shark giving Hyo Sung really good financial advice was the highlight of Episode 40. When Hyo Sung got the loan, I immediately thought that TH treated accountant Park with more concern and support than he has done for Hyo Sung, who took the blame for doing nothing wrong. TH could have easily given Hyo Sung money - - - since he wants to join the family in such a bad way. He only gives the hope of reinstatement because he needs Hyo Sung to find the Missing Director. Currently, he is treating a stranger better than a future in-law. I guess the writer really wants everyone in the Lee family to hit rock bottom. before the finale. I do find it silly that Mom’s cafe is “burdensomely” busy with only six customers while Tee-Hee is running a restaurant by herself and serving 30 customers a hour.

Evil Mom’s interrogation was another farce. The prosecutor...

Episode 41 shows how evil Grandma was with her excuses “for the family.” Because TH would not inherit (a public company?) she sent TH to the US alone - - - which makes no logical connection between what she was saying about business plans. It was really to punish his parents. It was not “fate” but an insane plan that destroyed any hope for a normal family. The whole “respect your elders” duty makes little sense when second son had all the leverage to keep TM - - - leave the family and live his own life. Then her plea to TH not to share their bad “fate” with animosity against TM is like giving an oak tree a scholarship to run track and field.

After a long day of soul searching, TM comes to the conclusion to resign? His martyr complex is at its zenith here: but not for sainthood but for lack of courage. He was lied to, betrayed and humiliated by his “family,” but he choses to runaway like a child. TH comes by as the virtuous one of the family, the saint among sinners, to try to console and get TM back to the company. At this point it seemed like a hollow gesture. TM’s expression was utter contempt for everyone around him because WHY would he WANT to go back?

Another character change for the worse. Mirim is acting like Rubi - - overstepping her boundaries. (Again, why isn’t she going to work?)

Hyo Do runs off half-cocked like the old TH when he basically steals the chicken franchise register money to pay off his brother’s loan shark. No one in this series realizes that two wrongs do not make a right. Then he goes to break up with Tae Hee because he can no longer stand Taesan. (Maybe this is why I dislike TH... he is really like the rich version of Hyo Do; two peas in a pod of impatient recklessness.)

Evil Mom setting up husband for Pass accident with TV CEO has no bearing to get her out of her embezzlement case. But again, is anything logical in this series? Bribing a TV network with a subsidiary? But all TV Dad wants is TM to stay with SK (which I guess would give his family the inside track for Taesan’s next generation successor, his grandchild). SK gives TM the information on how her father is going to attack Taesan (stating that his deal with Grandma failed) but it seems TM does not care until TH calls him (SK called TH first?) SK’s “take care” was the standard final break up line between a couple. In a quick turn-about-face, TM leads the damage control meeting For the first time, TH realizes TM is a competent manager.

The cliffhanger is not as suspenseful as it should seem. Really, nothing HS’ father would say will change 25 years of abandonment. Adding a new character this late in the run is another symptom of how desperate the production crew is trying to get the script back on the rails. Yes, a lot of action happened this week, but none of it was good execution of a coherent story.

The blind obedience of children to their elders is a mainstay in weekenders, but this series pushes the limits that Korean entertainment...

A Tae-ho + Tae-min actual bromance would have been something I would have loved to have seen started about 10 episodes ago...anyone else? Think of the adorable (and makjang!!!) possibilities!!!

I'm with you all, "Oh, what could have been."

@welh was wondering why they would transfer the money from the paper company to the aunts account so soon. Defeated the purpose. Looks like Tae Ho orchestrated that. As silly as this show is, that is a slightly better situation
My hatred of Hyo Shim’s mother has not lessened over 40 episodes lol. She is a piece of work. But I feel a good part of the blame has to rest on her offsprings for enabling her constantly.
As much fun as it was to see Darth Vader get b$tch slapped, I didn’t like that it was dragon mom who did it. Lol
To me it seemed like Hyo Do finally grew up in episode 41, which was why he asked Tae Hui for divorce. I think she should give it to him. But I think she likes him so she may try for reconciliation

I wonder if we shall ever see a Tae-min original ? I assume that Tae-min is a painter.. it’s not like the show has shared any of Tae-min’s talent .

I think I can safely say that virtually none of us are completely satisfied with the show's character and story lines. However, despite some plot holes that are deeper and wider than the Grand Canyon, it would appear that this is better than the average weekender; as this is the first one I have watched, I cannot judge.

Given the comments about the writer and their apparent failings (laziness?) compared to previous shows, I wonder if the problem is the required format for weekender shows. I am not trying to excuse the faults, but is it possible that the writer cannot provide more regarding depth character and partner development due the requirement to produce a fluffy, simple piece of weekend "entertainment" that a large number of the audience can watch without having to think about the deeper issues affecting their day-to-day lives.

As a comparison, I am watching Doctor Slump and one of the things I have noticed is the underlying "commentary" about the damage done by a student/adult focusing on studying and success, to the exclusion of everything else. Park Shin-hye's character (Nam Ha-neul) is presented as someone who did nothing but study as a student. As an anaesthesiologist, she did nothing but work and cover for her abusive boss. The result was a diagnosis of clinical depression and her resignation. This story line should raise the question "Was it really worth it?"