Yep, filial Hyo-shim strikes again
What does this writer take me for? 🙄🙄🙄🙄. As a viewer , I find it highly disappointing. They've just moved 2 steps back 10 steps back with Hyo-shim's liver being the next thing they'll milk off her.
Not even the knowledge of the liver's regenerative ability will make me look at this arc with any sort of pity-party. Everything will be scornful.

Between Tae-ho's unilateral decision once again and Hyo-shim's liver being a donor match, Tae-ho is still very much okay in my honest opinion.

I've resigned to the fact that while Hyo-shim is open to taking charge of life and she has done these things in steps - moving out, quitting her job and pursuing the completion of her dropped university degree - I worry that there exists given situations where she'll never extricate herself from being milked. Hence some decisions are made without consulting her. I'd sincerely recommend that in addition to actualizing this England stay, Hyo-shim goes for psychiatric counselling. If she doesn't get psychological help, I see her returning from England at the end of her studies and catapulting herself back to allowing all and sundry milk her blood all over again.

How dare HS' dad and his new wife ask for help from the family he abandoned?!?!? I cannot believe how brazen they both are! and of course Hyo Shim will be the sacrificial lamb once again. 🤦‍♀️

First of all...can we get a what-what for the "Olympics-worthy" colorful discarded-plastic-bags-blown-by-the-wind ceremony?? I was on a plane when I saw this episode, and I only partially successfully stifled a shriek at the aesthetic joy--ridiculous, aesthetic joy--but joy all the same, of that scene.

Second, when I am in the hospital room where my (now) former, but also (now) dying, husband is there asking for grace (and a liver) after having left me and our four children for a colleague...I hope I have the same poise as our Mom to throw--of all things--toilet paper rolls at him. I mean, they were to hand, I get that, and eventually she picked up a water tumbler or two. But the first gesture of the toilet paper tossing was enough to inspire my future choices.

Third, I'll probably gif this soon, but man were there some Tae-ho glamour shots this week. Ha Joon shines (as he did in DWY) when performing taciturn, introverted sadness. But Tae-ho should definitely go live his own life now. Hyo-shim isn't ever going to love him the way he wants (and vice versa, mind you). England would be fine, sure, but if the surfing's best in Hawaii...then go East, young man!!!

PS: Smiles for Tae-min!!!! We have only an hour left. Right? No secret episode 51???

So, as the show winds down the writer has decided to hit us with The Great Digression AKA Hyo-shim’s father who needed a liver transplant. Other characters, including Tae-min, are just in limbo? I get the feeling that the writer has simply became bored with them. Like the story of Ggeut-Soon’s son- we see him kneeling to his mom with his family but then is surprised when she announces that he will inherit nothing from her. And then…. That’s it. I guess that story looked too boring to tell.

Hyo-shim decided to donate half of her liver to dad. She explained her reasoning, but I think it really just boiled down to being too nice to just let him die- even if he deserved it. So now what?

I have a real beef with this writer and how this show has been done. I admit that it has kept our interest and been more entertaining that the show before it but dramatically it has been a mess. ‘Dad’s Liver’ was an unneeded story arc which simply sucked up airtime and leaves far too little to resolve the really important threads which are still hanging- in particular the question of Tae-min’s need for at least a much better life. If Hyo-do and Tae-hui also get back together that is fine but Tae-min is and has been the true protagonist of this drama- it would be a crime not to resolve his situation the dramatic sense. Yet that is what I am sensing that our writer plans to do. Aristotle would not have approved. My question to writer-nim is simply this: Where is our Catharsis?

Oh my, this writer apparently thinks she still has 20 extra episodes, throwing new arcs and conflicts (and unfortunately leaving the old ones on a back-burner). Will she manage to wrap everything up next weekend??? I'm quite worried. (Though maybe rage is better than indifference as the final reaction?? 😆)

What Father did was terribly selfish (no money left to support his abandoned family??). And fate is cruel to Hyoshim to find him in his dying moment. I think I get her donation in the sense that she wouldn't be able to live with the guilt if she refused. And I totally get Taeho who wants the position in England and this time I also understand that he doesn't discuss it with Hyoshim, she really seems to be way too deep in family matters and needs bigger distance to finally start living for herself.

It was strange to see Dragon Mom so subdued... and I was not happy to see Taehee so guilty and tired, she needs some business to run!
We saw very little of Taemin, unfortunately, but he was still very smexy. 😊

The highlight was Garbage Grandma finally cleaning her house... with that colourful bag firework. 🙂

I have been thinking again about the liver transplant and maybe it actually is a good thing for Hyoshim and her family?? 🙃

1.They finally get a closure about Father.

2.The brothers will feel guilty enough to stop mooching from Hyoshim forever (and start pampering her instead?).

3.Mother stops with her memorials, gets her life together, and maybe even sues Father for financial and emotional damage (he should pay her and his kids for the rest of his life and then I hope it will be a looong life).

I hate the dumb delay trick writers play to extend a secret or confession. Episode 48 starts with HS not having the courage to confront Lost Dad in his hospital room was another tempted taffy pull of viewer heart strings. Adding that Lost Dad is nice to give her a PPL sample in a way to make him “a nice guy” was also a fail. Maybe that energy drink gave her the “liquid courage” to meekly confront dad. Their awkward conversation without emotion was another weak scene. HS, who bore the brunt of his absence, should have let him have it. The use of filial obedience has been laid thick in this series to the point of suffocation. Lost Dad has nothing to say to his abandoned wife. He says he is a coward which must mean in native Korean “scumbag.”

Park Mi Hee and Hyo Sung’s conversation was much better because Hyo Sung quickly got to the point: his father abandoned his family for an affair with the piano teacher. How could Lost Dad been “so lonely” when he had four children and a good career at university? I am glad that Hyo Sung immediately challenged her feeble excuse. The knife in his back was deep because he had a crush on his piano teacher! As expected, she was fishing for a liver transplant donor. But Lost Dad is cruel and shameless for abandoning his children even if he is not directly asking for a donor. Well played Hyo Sung when he said Lost Dad got to “live his own life” so isn’t that enough? Bravo.

TH and Grandmother are pretty clueless about Mother’s potential reaction of their deception about the roof top lady. I had predicted that Mother would be upset since this type of lie is the heart of her chaebol mistrust and how they will treat her daughter in the future. Trying to tell Mother that TH was raised differently from other rich kids . . . that he is frugal and did not live the life of luxury as a simple, lonely boy is sugar coating the reality that Grandma caused all of his alleged problems and he did not want for an education or money. Actually, I was disappointed that Mother was too diplomatic, understanding or trusting in Grandma’s words. (I guess the writer’s personality transplant is now complete.)

Finally, Bang’s ungrateful family shows up at her house. At least Bang gets to vent a little. Gosh, when Bang says she will give no more money to her family - - - instead to the residents that cared for her ---- her son’s family gasps in protest, putting forth of new high score for LYOL leech award. But never fail, writer completely misstates Korean inheritance laws. But the gall of Mother asking Bang for an inheritance was an immediate bipolar personality swing. The debate of who was a worse parent - - - really, why now?

HS returns home to find TH waiting for her. HS is still in her zombie state. TH is only concerned about pressing the wedding day forward. HS’ programmed apology shows no character growth because there is nothing for her to apologize for . . . except delaying the reveal about her father. The lack of...

Episode 49 opens with a continuation of the TH-HS talk about their wedding delay. (I presume it is because HS is thinking about being the donor.) TH continues to push the marriage date when HS says she needs to postpone the wedding. TH stresses how it is important to “us” but his demand is about “him.” He is pushing back on what HS needs with his own need. He refuses to postpone the wedding and against her wishes will meet with her ill father (presumably to get his consent for immediate wedding.) TH is not processing her stress and confusion about her father. He stubbornly pushes back to her if their marriage isn’t important enough to be #1 in her life. (If this is not a Bat Signal to flee right now I don’t know what is . . .) TH then guilt trips her by saying it was never her intention to break away from her family (which was not really HS’ intent but his plan to isolate her and have her focus solely on him.) He leaves without consoling (a hug, a kind, word, an acknowledgement) an emotional HS. Man, that is narcissistic. (If I recall correctly, most engagements fall apart during the the stress in the marriage preparation stage.But this is worse.)

(More bad episode editing here) HS is quickly buffered by Hyo Sung’s call that Ms. Park’s appearance before Mother may have sent her on the way to see Dad. We rejoin Mother at the hospital hallway and she is teetering . . . at the sight of him she begins to cry. But she quickly recovers her spite. A weak apology is met with a yell that he should have died instead of showing up now. (Sun-Soon may get her wish.) As SS berates him for his adulterous conduct, Ms. Park sneaks into the room (while HS Olympic sprints to the hospital.) SS is right - - - Lost Dad showing up just puts the family in more chaos, contempt and anger. Of course, she deals with her emotions by throwing things at him. Then she verbally attacks Park for trying to get a liver from her family instead of herself. But physical violence reappears in a blink of an eye. (I really don’t call this type of behavior “dramatic” by any means). HS rushes in stop the fight before it turns into a “before” picture for a hair restoration advertisement . . . Hyo Sung comes to help. Of course she moans it is not fair to SS and her children. Just leave him to rot in hell is the number one solution for this side channel cesspool arc.

Mirim badly attempts to lie to Hyo Jun about the celebration party mess since his exam is the next day . . . Mother is carried home but before they part she scolds her responsible children, HS and Hyo Sung, not to donate their liver to Lost Dad.

Hyo Do tries to talk sense into Hyo Sung that giving birth does not make you a parent, raising your children does . . . which is a valid reason not to be a donor to a man who disowned you. (But in stereotypical filial k-drama rules it does not.) But in the illogical character swings, Hyo Do later goes back on his position.

It is nosy Rubi that gives the viewers the K-drama...

@quirkycase, thanks for the highlights.
This show staggers towards the finale. The show is a mess, I expect the same for the finale.
Bring on the next weekender !

The finale is upon us. What will happen? I have no idea which is a really bad thing. In the past month, I have taken detailed notes to try to get the story lines straight. But it is still a mess. Based on the updated “facts” given by the writer, any glint of realism would have the series conclude as follows:

For our FL, HS actually running away from everyone like her Father did would be the only way for her to “live her own life.” No marriage. No living with her Mother. Her running away a great distance from her family and TH’s pressure is the only way she can find some peace of mind. (I get that vibe from her empty hospital room when TH showed up in a panic.) If not, she will be a doormat for the rest of her life.

Anyway, TH should be going to JAIL. He confessed to intentionally directing corporate money to his account (embezzlement) and then directing embezzled funds to his Evil Aunt. A severe breach of corporate duty would have him removed from Taesan.

TM would also be removed from Taesan. I presume that TM’s criminal sentence included a probationary period after he was released from prison. All the corporate crimes under his watch would have regulators enjoin him running a public company. TM could wind up re-opening is “dad’s” shoe repair shop and turning it into an artisan’s leather store.

Taesan would be broken a part and sold off in pieces to appease remaining shareholders and regulators. The Kang legacy would be no longer which would be a fitting end. Sweet old Grandma will be sitting alone in her big house (because she is too old to go to jail). Ironically, it would be her prison for her past obstruction/accomplice criminal behaviors.

If he hangs on to his promotion in the management purge, Hyo Sung would now enough money for his family and his Mother so he can just learn to relax and enjoy his family.

Given the fact that Mirim at five weeks was showing a 5 month baby bump means Hyo Jun is NOT the father of her baby. Final finale birth secret! Of course he fails the bar exam for the 10th time and then couple bitterly divorces.

Hyo Do becoming the franchise fried chicken king seems like the ultimate character transplant, but so it comes to pass without Tae Hee. Tae Hee needs to re-find herself as her parents face their criminal trials and punishment - - - perhaps running an egg tart shoppe in Paris.

Of course, none of this will happen. This show’s deep rooted commitment to pre-modern filial duty, toxic relationships and manipulative guilt tripping vulnerable individuals will keep the characters emboldened by their bad choices, character flaws and situations. A writer and director’s job is to give us a reasonable journey through story telling instead of making us feel like pinballs being smashed into shiny objects inside an arcade game.

I wonder if weekenders are trending towards unintentional parody of classic k-drama shows.