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Love Next Door: Episodes 13-14

It’s our penultimate week, so the drama is either tying up loose ends or dragging its feet — I can’t really tell. Nevertheless, our OTP hits their stride after some bumps in the road of their dating era, and we finally have some squee-worthy progress with our secondary couple, too.


 
EPISODES 13-14

Love Next Door: Episodes 13-14

As this week opens, our kiddos have their morning after… and they’re not wearing sweaters! *Shocked faces* This show loves the shenanigans, though, so they’re interrupted by both sets of their parents coming home from their trip and everyone winds up at the breakfast table. The discussion is how the moms agreed to marry off their kids this year. Of course, for some reason it never occurs to them to marry them off to each other, but no fear, our OTP is keeping their dating era top secret.

In said dating era we have some cute moments, but also the usual bout of misunderstandings. Seok-ryu takes her exam and gets her culinary certificate, but she’s shattered when her classmates get job offers and she hasn’t gotten any bites yet. I get that she’s used to being the first and best at everything, but don’t think I wasn’t talking to her through my screen telling her that’s what the job search is like in the real world. Anyway, Seok-ryu is mentally pursuing the idea of going to the CIA in New York like Hyun-joon suggested, Seung-hyo is rightfully upset when he finds out. But this first millionth spat of theirs ends when Seung-hyo gets injured on a construction site, and Seok-ryu realizes how much he means to her.

Love Next Door: Episodes 13-14

Meanwhile, annoying younger brother gets his mini redemption arc — and by that I mean the camera turns to him for more than two minutes and we see his inferiority complex in ye olde family of complexes. Turns out his get-rich protein powder was a scam and he winds up on the receiving end of his family’s ire.

After a heart-to-heart convo with Seok-ryu and some contemplation, he decides to go back to the gym and work towards becoming a trainer. And with that the Dong-jin mini arc is concluded. Well, except we have to circle back next week to his wanna-be-a-love-line with LEE NA-YOON (Shim So-young) — aka everyone’s favorite Gen Z office worker at Atelier In. She’s been a gem in this entire show with her mixture of snark and wisdom, and she does not fail this week either. Well-played, girl, I was never sorry when you turned up on my screen, and I can’t say that for many of these characters.

While Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo are dating blissfully, we finally spend a bit more time with our secondary couple. The story moves at lightning speed in these two episodes, and I got so much enjoyment out of these characters and their story that I wish they had had far more screen time all along. As it is, we get a lot of plot movement that goes from Dan-ho continuing to ignore/avoid Mo-eum after her camping confession, to a lot of accidental meet-ups.

One meet-up is a super important one, because we (and Mo-eum) learn that Dan-ho isn’t actually Yeon-du’s dad. SAY WHAT! The show conveniently shows us the flashback we saw previously of Dan-ho identifying what we were led to believe was his wife’s body. But no, upon a fuller view of the scene, it’s his sister-in-law. And his hyung. And his mother. And his father. What the everlovin’ family vacation makjang is going on here?! Well, we can’t change it, and Dan-ho experienced this awful tragedy and then put on the dad hat for Yeon-du. It makes them even more precious to me as a duo, but really I don’t think the story needed this at all. What’s to gain from it? To make him a more “socially acceptable” future husband? About that…

Love Next Door: Episodes 13-14

During one of their many meet-ups, Dan-ho runs into a very drunk Mo-eum and kindly escorts her home. But when he drops her off at her doorstep and Mo-eum’s mother apologizes, it’s like the dam in his heart burst. Out of his mouth comes a swoony confession. “I think you raised her very well. I’d like to take Mo-eum. I knew you would be worried, so I tried to cut all ties with her, but I don’t think I can anymore.” Mo-eum is drunk but still flustered and touched, while Mom goes ice cold. (These mothers!)

We are tortured for a bit — along with Dan-ho and Mo-eum — while they try to figure out what to do with the situation. The girls commiserate about the men they love who their mothers will never approve of, and similarly, Seung-hyo and Dan-ho do this little dance of not being sure how close they should be (awkward banmal included). The best part of this is that Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu stage an oh-so-accidental meetup so that Mo-eum and Dan-ho can talk. Mo-eum might be “forbidden” to date him, but she’s pretty good at doing what she wants, and as for Dan-ho, he kisses her and then they hug happily and cutely.

Luckily, Mo-eum’s mom seems the most reasonable of these ladies, and between Yeon-du’s sweetness, and hearing Mo-eum’s heart towards Dan-ho and Yeon-du, she relents. And gosh, the four of them make the sweetest family ever. I love that Dan-ho has a family now most of all, after everything he’s shouldered.

Back to our main couple, though, they seem to be on two different tracks. Seung-hyo is on Mission: Imma Get Married and Seok-ryu is on Mission: I Need a Job. Seung-hyo is as supportive as ever of Seok-ryu and he encourages her to make her cooking videos like she did when she was in the States. She makes a video for her broccoli and chicken risotto recipe which — thanks to Seung-hyo entering it — won a contest. But Seok-ryu is annoyed over getting third place, and then annoyed that her video isn’t getting a lot of views… until a comment on her YouTube NerTube page comes in. It’s a woman thanking her for the recipe. Her mother was struggling to eat during chemo but ate the whole serving of Seok-ryu’s recipe. Seok-ryu cries. I cry. This is the first time I actually feel touched by this show.

However, it’s not a great day for Seung-hyo. He’s planned out his whole proposal, but during their date it was thwarted at every stage. We’re talking a burned shirt, his car being rear-ended, and him carrying the “will you marry me?” cake and then slipping and having it smashed before Seok-ryu can read it. That kind of day. By the time the two make it to the office kitchen where Seok-ryu sees the NerTube comment, Seung-hyo is determined to make his proposal happen. And it’s such a sweet and touching moment that he goes for it, and out of his pocket pulls a… giant bracelet? I’ve never heard of such a thing, but okay. Either way, Seok-ryu turns him right down because we have two more episodes and the scene cuts.

Love Next Door: Episodes 13-14

Seung-hyo is barely functional the next day at work, and Seok-ryu is also moping. Then, when Seok-ryu later gets a call, Seung-hyo is wasted and needs her to pick him up. Is this story coming full circle or is this story just getting redundant? Either way, the scene cuts strangely while we wait for Seung-hyo to sober up, and when he does, the two have a heart-to-heart conversation.

Seok-ryu bluffs that “everything’s fine” with their relationship now and why would they want to change it? But Seung-hyo wants to marry because he wants them to “become stronger and closer.” I mean, I just swooned. And faster than you might think, Seok-ryu admits she does want to marry him, but she’s worried about getting sick again. I hate to hear this, but I’m glad the show circled back to it, since it was her reasoning around turning down Hyun-joon as well. At least Seung-hyo helps her see that’s a bad reason — life is fleeting, you never know how long you have, you should be with the one you love, etc. They embrace and agree to marry… and that’s when both their sets of parents walk over.

Yep, our show loves to do this, so I guess it’s only right that it continues to happen right up to our finale. Currently, both moms are in a huge heated fight at present and the dads have been trying to get things back to normal between them. Will this big reveal create a disaster for us to sort out in our finale week, or will it be the balm of happiness that settles on everyone’s insecurity and/or loneliness as we get our happy ending? Oh, and I’m just calling it now: Seok-ryu is obviously going to take over dad’s snack shop and make it into a success, and really this is the plot line that’s taking me into our finale week. Well, that and some more found family cuteness between Dan-ho and Mo-eum.

 
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Thank you for the recap, @missvictrix! Mo-eum's mom being against her daughter's choice was very short but I like it that way. I can understand how Mi-suk felt about the trip abroad and Seung-hyo's mom could have phrased her offer better (in a way that Mi-suk won't get offended). But I think she was always like that - I remember how she said "Is this your first time in our car?" when they were going on a trip to the mountains.

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Look, I do genuinely understand the pride issue and not wanting to accept 'charity' but at the same time - universe, please feel free to send me rich friends who want to pay for my first-class cruise!! 😁🙏

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Exactly, what is the point of pride amidst life long friendships🤔 They all get to travel meanwhile you stay at home happy that you have your pride and can watch the videos and see the photos in the WhatsApp chat? Secure in the knowledge their enjoyment will be ruined because a key person is missing?

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I get that it's a cultural thing but the invasiveness and sharing other people's business is seriously grating. Why does it matter if she's a niece or a daughter if he's raising her as a single parent AND called her dad. In a culture that looks down on orphans and single parents already, why did that distinction need to be made? Would it have been completely wrong and unacceptable to normalize a biological dad and a woman choosing/willing to be a stepmom liking each other and getting together?

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I find the social stigma attached to orphans in K-culture really shocking TBH. 😒

As someone who believes in the power of storytelling to help shift social perceptions though, I hope that the number of fabulous K-drama leads who have lost one or both parents will encourage audiences to think twice about these prejudices... we can but hope.🤞

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Korea report: I just returned from two weeks in Korea and was happy to watch real-time (w/no subs) for two full weekends. Then - surprise - Netflix (w/subs) was ALSO available w/out a VPN. So, altho it was always too late (midnight Korea time) to watch the entire Netflix episode, I eventually got caught up.

More report: when talking with our occasional guide about k-dramas, we discovered that Love Next Door [known as "Mom's Friend's Son" in Korea] was a favorite of his wife. So I asked him to try and find out why she enjoyed the drama. Answer: it was all about "love" - romantic love (she reportedly adored the main couple), family love, neighbor love. Was a bit of a stunner - but totally believable answer. My point - to the extent I have one - is that Korean's see this drama as a believable family drama with a big dose of romance, those of us in the west arrive and view through the "romance" filter.

Back in the US - Eps 13/14 were a disappointment. Seok-ryu's rejection rubbed me the wrong way - Jung So Min is my favorite kdrama actress but after 13-14 episodes, her character Has Not Evolved. Seung-hyo is carrying the romance on his manly shoulders.

But enough of the romance: the really good parts of the show are what my guide's wife said - it's also about neighbor love, friendship love, family love. Mi-suk and Hye-suk's complex relationship will eventually be resolved happily. And the two fathers are a riot. All four are veteran kdrama actors and their performance was worthy of the script.

I'm enjoying the drama - but sadly, there are few scenes that I would put on my re-watch list.

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Welcome back, sounds like you had a great guide. Would be good to read your highlight summary of the trip in the Open thread.

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The feedback from a local Korean (the guide’s wife) was interesting. I wonder if she was ok with all the hitting by the parents.

I would love to read highlights about your trip (thanks to @reply1988 for suggesting), especially because I will be going to Seoul and Busan next week for 1 week.

I wonder if you can recommend a translation app for English travelers, although perhaps you speak Korean so didn’t need one. When I tried Naver Papago translate app by saying an-nyeong-ha-se-yo and go-map-seum-ni-da, even with my atrocious accent it translated correctly to Hello and Thank you. But when I tried saying So Ji sub (my current favorite actor) it gave back Seoul Rat Shop 🙁. Google translate app properly gave me the actor, thank goodness.

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Oh wow exciting for you. You can do your Busan date photos like on No gain no love! We looks forward to hearing the highlights from you too.

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"Hitting" family members seems to be a mainstay of many neighborhood/small town kdramas so I doubt if it bothered her. And much of the violence was actually from Seok-ryu (which I found more disturbing 😥)

Re language. I tried to learn Hangul and could spell out words - but had no idea what they meant. I purchased a small guidebook for Seoul and it contained a number of words/phrases that I could use, but I rarely got past Thank you and Hello because most people in Seoul (and I would guess Busan) speak a little bit of English if they are in a job that has frequent interaction with tourists. Even so, the "gamsahapnida" seemed to be appreciated because I was making the effort.

I used my iphone translator to read Korean menus, but in Seoul, just about all stores/markets included English words to identify food. Almost all of the fast food/coffee shops had kiosks for ordering that translated automatically for English or Chinese at the touch of a button.

The one time I had difficulty communicating a word, I used the browser translator - type in the English word and ask it to translate and show it to the clerk.

I will begin drafting up a highlight post for this week's Open Thread. 😊

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I must say. Become a single parent through divorce, death, or whatever and you are no longer eligible as a partner is an absurd standard.

Those lucky enough to have children should feed them, clothe them, and give them the best guidance possible as they grow to adulthood. But that does mean parents own their children's lives. Parents of 30-year-olds have no business emotionally or financially blackmailing their kids into living lives they would choose for them. However overbearing. know it all, and interfering parents are such a common theme in K-dramas it's almost odd not to see them depicted.

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Re: "Her mother was struggling to eat during chemo but ate the whole serving of Seok-ryu’s recipe. Seok-ryu cries. I cry. This is the first time I actually feel touched by this show."

-- Yes, that's me. I actually teared in that part. I wish we have more of these moments that are raw and poignant

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On a lighter note:

1. I thought the parents steal the show this week - they are hilarious! The petty competition over flattering photo angles, and the furtive hubbies support huddle & drinking clan? Spot on 🤣

2. Na-Yoon gets back on form and resumes her undisputed spot as the classy Gen Z who wishes her crush the best and gracefully move on (all the also-rans in this show have such graceful exits)

3. Like the swift and relatively angst-free arc and resolution of our secondary love-line

BUT I hate the fake-out & abrupt about-turn of Dan-ho (show is egregious I tell ya!) and again, echoing a sentiment expressed by other Beanies in earlier eps -- key narrative arcs that should carry over more eps because of their complexity or stakes, are resolved so quickly some times that they don't justify the set-up.

4. They are also finally utilizing the neighborhood properly in the last stretch.

This is not a romcom, it's really a weekender family drama with slice-of-life and romcom elements set in a small neighborhood.

Characters need to bump into one another at a tent bar, smooch on a bench, be caught by their parents around the corner, outside their house and have huge bust-ups!

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>>I thought the parents steal the show this week - they >>are hilarious! The petty competition over flattering >>photo angles, and the furtive hubbies support huddle >>& drinking clan? Spot on

Yes, and they're all in the middle of it still--fighting moms, cringing/protecting dads--and come smack up against SH and SR cuddling on a bench. And they all stare at each other. Good times!

Also, though I started this show for Jung So-min (whom we will never not call Mudeok, in my house), I am completely taken with Jung Hae-in. He has the most appealing expressions.

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Mu-deok FTW!!!!
I totally am here for JSM

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#4 This show can't make up its mind what it is! It's all over the map. At least there is no serial killer or ghosts...

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Same! I cried a lot actually. Remembered a friend who said the same thing while going through chemo. Her acting in the scene was so good.

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Honestly, reading this recap made me laugh more than this show did this week (and almost any other week). So, either this recap is just incredibly funny, or the show is just ridiculously unfunny. Take your pick, I guess.

Anyway, after 13 episodes, we finally have a good fake-out with the reveal that Dan-ho isn't Yeon-du's biological father. Was this necessary? Probably not. Was this done to make him more "socially acceptable"? Maybe. But honestly, Mo-eum doesn't treat him any differently, and that's what matters here. If other people have a problem with it, either get on board quickly, otherwise they can just go to Gehenna.

Also, marriage? Seriously? Already? Not that I care at this point, but you waited 11 episodes to get them together, and now you have them date for 2 episodes before immediately jumping to getting married? I know pacing is hard, but this feels ridiculous. How long have they even been dating? A week? Two? Also, when were they planning to tell their families exactly? When they got divorced? Speaking of, I know some good partners who can help with that, just saying.

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I think they have been dating for two months now. Something like that was mentioned in reddit as well from that milk expiration date and D-day date.

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Yes, we are very lucky to have such a great recapper. Thank a lot @missvictrix.

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Even I did not get this instant marriage plotpoint. I know that they know each other forever but their rushed transition to lovers did not work for me and now to a husband and wife seems even more strange. In contrast the second couples journey seems more organic.

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I think these key facts are the issue:
1. SR has been in USA for 10 years during maturity years (24-34)
2. SH never confessed any feelings during that decade.
3. SR had a serious BF during that time (they lived together and were engaged).
4. SH ghosted her for her last 3 years in US.

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These are such good points! All of them are making these decisions seem unnatural. Not to mention, her fears regarding her health in the future. They needed to face some more issues as adults to seem believable as lovers. As is, I am struggling to be swept away with the depth of their feelings.

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I also don't like when writers flip a light switch to suddenly change a character's personality or condition. For SH, he is as meek as his father then when SR comes back, he turns totally out of character into her as a 7 year old protector. Meanwhile, despite all the stress and anxiety of SR in her current issues, her depression is gone.

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OK, I want to wander down tangent boulevard with our secondary couple for a minute- Paramedic snarky heart Mo-eum and our part-time Clark Kent, Dan-ho. Bear with me...🙏

I loooveed them at the beginning. Their meet cutes were adorbs and they both seemed like great people💕.... but

The single dad stuff and the interest they have expressed in each other has felt really off at times for me (in terms of the emotional logic). After this weeks eps, I think I know why. 

It's a common problem for writers that they KNOW what is going to happen, so they can forget to ensure the preceding story works for the audience who DON'T KNOW that... for me that's what's happened here. 

I felt that Mo-eum's initial kiss was pretty grating as the guy had seemingly just talked about his trauma over his dead wife. When she pushed the issue on the camping trip, saying she wanted to be Yeon-du's mum, it also felt strangely insensitive. 😱

Equally, his abrupt choice to cut her out of their lives altogether (rather than saying he needed more time, or whatever) felt strange BUT I also didn't believe his sudden transformation into Man who cannot conceal his feelings any more. Basically we never really got told his reasons for why he couldn't date Mo-eum and the implication was that it was because he wasn't over his wife/thought it would be a betrayal or whatever. 

Now that the show has revealed she wasn't his wife after all, I don't think that really makes sense any more. 

If he had been really cautious about INTRODUCING his daughter to a potential GF because he knew she had lost so many people and wanted to make sure he was in a solid relationship first, that would have made sense. But this just... doesn't.

One last point whilst I'm having a whinge! I appreciated the gender reversal when he was paralysed with his eyes open when she kissed him, but the strange statue thing he was doing when she tried to hug him whilst drunk was.... just weird?? 

Ok, that's it. I think they are both great overall and love seeing their found family so all good in the end💖💖

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I don't totally get why he was against being her either and he kept saying he couldn't or he shouldn't (I don't remember).

When it was about a dead wife, I could understand that; maybe he was feeling it was too soon or maybe he was feeling conflicted about having feelings about another woman. Also it's probably just weird and hard as a parent to be dating because you should be taking your kid into consideration. Even though Mo Eum got along with the daughter, she was also doing alot. She is very gung ho about jumping into a ready made family. That would be jarring. As I've said before, it seems Yeon du was the love and Dan Ho was the add on. She even said she didn't know what she liked first, the fantasy (mudflat man) or the man (dan ho).

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My ridiculously trivial comment for this week is... (snark turned up to 11!)👀

You'll be pleased?? to know that it's not just English they massacre - the French speaking was similarly terrible and almost unrecognisable 😁😱🤣

(NB for the sake of fairness, foreign languages spoken in English speaking shows are often pretty bad as well - I only speak a handful of European langs, but no doubt that's true for any Asian languages too).

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Yes, it's often the case that the French is incomprehensible. In this drama it's often a recording of SH's voice so why can't they just put in a voice that does the French better?
And I am sure it goes the other way as well. My Chinese students often laugh at my attempts at Mandarin but they applaud my efforts ;)
I am often reminded of when I first moved to France. A very nice elderly man said, "Please just speak English. I can't understand your French right now. I am sure it will get better."
Hahhahaha

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The French are truly world-class at language shaming :) They will often be furious if people don't speak French at all and not only claim 'no English' but deliberately speak faster to bewilder them (!) but then if someone does try to speak French with an obvious accent, they will miraculously respond in English, so....😁

The levels of torture do vary (I have 'rescued' many an English speaker from their clutches!), but to be fair they mostly just want people to at least make a basic effort rather than sweeping in and assuming everyone will speak English (side note- Emily in Paris may well be establishing unrealistic expectations in that field!) 🤣

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French because of Dior & JH?

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I've always wondered how the other foreign languages come across for example Italian in Vincenzo. I'm sure there's dramas where Japanese or Chinese is spoken and I wonder if it comes across better.

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Delighted to tell you that Vincenzo's Italian is actually pretty impressive :) Just makes him even sexier (although after that horse 'seduction' scene, he didn't really need anything else)...IFKYK 👀💖

My understanding is that Chinese and/or Japanese is often taught in Korean schools and people whose work requires them to liaise with those countries will at least speak a smattering of it. (I remember in King the Land, for instance, that she could speak both) but again, how WELL they speak would very much vary by character/actor.

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Let me start with my funniest moment... When SH's partner giving him proposal advice with the sound effects and all, I LOLed... he was too funny. Of course, his junior's advice was spot on. Though ultimately, that bangle was... hmm, just old-fashioned, a bit? It looked exactly like a piece my grandma gave me at my own wedding, that even I got reworked into a Cartier dupe much later (can't afford a real one hah). He could've given her the actual Love bracelet- way cooler, and great PPL too (better than EggDrop, or whatever).

SR still acts first, and tells why much later, after a lot of heartache all around. Shouldn't your partner be the first person to share your rejections and insecurities with? She needs to get out of her head, and actually learn to accept an offered shoulder. I'm just glad she's doing it faster now, and hopefully, SH's heartfelt words will make a lasting impact on her. I will give it to her though, that her ex-fiance may have scarred her when he didn't understand her depression, and of course, living with that insufferable woman she calls her mother has done a number on her. Still... If I had SHs forearm next to me, I'd be clutching it for dear life :P

They could have had Dan Ho's story like in One Spring Night, rather than backpedalling into whatever "socially acceptable" nonsense that was. I don't see any romantic chem between that couple though- I'd freeze into a statue too if someone shot pew pew Spiderman webs at me or kissed me out of sympathy.

Overall, eps 11-14 were much better than the few preceding, so it's not going to be a total slog to the end. I'd really like to see SR take over the cafe, run a successful vlog, and *please*--- shift out of this darn neighbourhood ASAP so that she can go to her own home at night with her husband, to some privacy!!

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And talking of careers... How is Mo Eum going to carry on to Antarctica? Her bf already has a fear of separation, and she's in a dangerous job to begin with. Regardless, I hope she still decides to go.

Also... I really want SR to go to the CIA. They have a 30 week accelerated program, which would be SO doable (I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could!)... That is *if* SH can leave her be for 7 months 😒 He already whined so much just looking at the brochure.

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30 weeks is very doable indeed!

p.s. Sorry, that SH has abandonment issues and is triggered by just about anything. It isn't easy to watch

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No thank you CIA. NO time-skip nonsense, puuu-lllease! And they are in their mid-thirties, so just get on with the marriage!

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Thanks for the recap, @missvictrix!

Is it bad that I binged watched (and re-watched) No Gain No Love this weekend with my mom instead of Love Next Door? Oh dear.

Reading the recap makes me sort of confident that I should finish watching this drama. I'm sure I shall have other thoughts after watching them...maybe in a couple days. ^_^;;

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Thanks for the recap @missvictrix
I am also convinced FL will turn it into a lively neighbourhood healthy restaurant maybe with cooking classes for carers or people at various stages of recovery who want their healthy food to taste good. Maybe even have a cookbook too. ML will redesign the restaurant to go with her healthy food theme.

I am looking forward to the happy ending. Will we get two weddings in the final episodes and or a time skip to the their kids being the new neighbourhood kids? Will there be a vlog from the cruise ship or somewhere in Europe. They have that European street somewhere in Korea and cruise ships dock there so it shouldn’t be too expensive to shoot. Will Moeum get to see the penguins?

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Gosh, I totally forgot that she was going to Antarctica... Seems she and the writers have forgotten, too! *smh this is what happens when you throw in so many plot points that you lose track*

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I think it will come up as she is waiting to hear the outcome of the interview.

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Don't know anything about a European street in Korea, but cruise ships dock in Busan, At one time we contemplated a cruise, but none END in Korea. Just a 1-night (at most) layover before returning to Japan.

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The European street was used in a couple of recentish dramas Now we are breaking up there is a painting of it and it is played as if they are in Europe but then it was in One dollar lawyer and they showed it was in Korea in a humorous way.

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Are you thinking of Petite France amusement park? It was in My Love from Another Star.

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I am not sure if it is part of the amusement park as the shot is a wide street with market stalls and a slight incline. The amusement park scenes I have seen have a lot of buildings but I guess it depends on the angle they film from.

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I am not feeling the chemistry between the leads and I blame the writing in the previous episode. The lack of the romantic and sexual tension build up is really showing now. The ML is showing how deeply he feels for the FL but I am not able to feel much for him. The FL is also not reciprocating equally (She doesnt feel it either like the audience :P). This could be partly because she just bid farewell to her ex and partly because she is the one navigating professional rough waters. In all fairness, the drama does mention the latter. Overall very lack luster though. No butterflies being felt. What a waste of Jung Hae In!

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Both romances in this show are extremely lopsided. Seung-hyo loves Seok-ryu waaaaayyyy more than she loves him. She's so weird around him like she can't even get herself to say the words "boyfriend" or "love." I don't buy that she wants to marry him. How long have they even been dating for him to propose already? She just broke off her engagement.

Now it's a dead wife and daughter fake out? I can't with this show. Does this mean that if Yeon-du were Dan-ho's real daughter, Mo-eum's mom wouldn't approve?

I cannot understand how Seung-hyo's rich family lives next door to Seok-ryu's poor family. Both Seok-ryu and Mo-eum's houses are homely, while only Seung-hyo's house is modern. It's like they live in a different neighborhood.

I thought that since Seung-hyo always started recording during their couply moments, their parents would accidentally watch one of Seok-ryu's cooking videos and discover their relationship that way. If Moms were not fighting, they would have accepted Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu's marriage, right?

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I think the writer adds tragic events to make the characters' relationships moving forward when it's not necessary. The SH's parent divorce was enough to let them communicate, no need of stress, it's the same with SH's accident, SR heard her brother words and it was enough for her to realize she was wrong.

But I think the Korean title makes more sense with SR's doubts and lack of confidence. She always succeeded in whatever she undertook. Now, people don't come and offer her job but reject her. Even if she's healed, her illness left traces, she had a depression. At the opposite, SH loves his job and even if it's not easy, get jobs to do. SH always finds the words but it would be nice, he doesn't have to motivate her in every episode 😅 His proposal was so funny, poor boy. At least, he listenned his colleague's advices, not in public! I hate public proposals! TVN releases some thoughts of the characters, they gave the jewelry seller's ones who was happy to sell a very beautiful and expensive bracelet to this handsome man :p As a person who doesn't wear ring, I liked the idea of the bracelet!

For Mo-eun, it's kinda sad to watch the mum with her contradictions, she knows she's wrong but still thinks it's the best for own daughter. She belittles what she experienced with her daugthers.

For the fight between the 2 mothers, the question of money between friends is quite difficult. What is the solution? Without hurting pride, without letting people left alone... (in addition to not say is not so much money when the other can't afford it 😅 )

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Is it easier to be a chef with a bracelet rather than a ring?

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The thing that I like about this show is that there is no evil villains, serial killers, or scheming antagonists. It is about relationships—that’s why it is a different type of show than having an overriding chaebol power conflict or a murder mystery. Here, the conflicts come mainly from the characters who each have their strengths, egos and insecurities and things life throws their way. This is actually how most people’s lives are. Couples who have declared their love still face problems, even with each other, long time friends have simmering tensions that can burst into the open, and parents and children who love each other still can have issues. What might have seem disjointed plot points in earlier episodes have led to a lot of the stories this weekend—like life, things add up and come out at times as conflicts between people.

The conflict between Hye Suk and Mi Suk is a common one between friends who are at different financial situations. Money between people makes things weird. Here, Hye Suk paid Mi Suk for years for taking care of her son, which was the right thing to do as she needed a babysitter and Mi Suk’s work should be valued and recognized as worthwhile work. But that doesn’t mean that right thing didn’t cause problems. Seung Hyo felt left alone by his parents while they pursued their dreams and careers. Mi Suk felt like an employee of her high school friend, instead of a peer. Compounded with her frustrations about not having been able to go to college and pursue a career, Mi Suk sense of pride, which feels like the one thing she didn’t give away in becoming her employee, didn’t want Hye Suk to pay for her. Hye Suk wasn’t necessarily wrong to offer, but Mi Suk wasn’t wrong to refuse. Hye Suk being generous with other gifts seemed like friendship and appreciation to her, while Mi Suk felt it was more of an employer giving a bonus. Meanwhile, Mi Suk over the years was incredibly generous about feeding Hye Suk’s family—that’s part of her nature as she even fed Seok Ryu’s ex-fiancée even before she found out he did nothing wrong— and yet, it was not completely given without some resentment. Anyone who has been on either side of this situation knows how awkward it is—it sounds lovely, but it can be a minefield of emotions. So this bursting forth into the open felt real.

As to DongJin, the story of a seemingly indulged child because of a serious illness at birth v. a child driven to be perfect because she didn’t want to cause problems showed how this caused problems and tensions between the siblings. Each child thought mom loved the other more, which is actually how many siblings feel. It’s true that no matter how hard parents try (or don’t), each child is treated differently when growing up, and it can make each child feel less loved. Being indulged can feel like your parents don’t believe in you and being self-motivated can feel like your parents don’t care as long as you do well. None of this is the absolute...

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truth, but these feelings are real and can cause hurt and tensions between siblings. Siblings don’t always talk this out as they often each feel their narrative of their parents and their family is right, when actually it is just one side and incomplete.

Finally, as to the main couple, I think Seok Ryu’s hesitations about marriage and Seung Hyo’s :rush to get married were understandable. Seung Hyo’s rush to get married doesn’t seem like a rush to him==while they have only been dating for a couple of months, he already knows her well, has dated other people to know this relationship is different for him, loves a woman who has faced mortality, and is 34, so he wanting to not waste anymore time not being committed to each other seems natural. As tot Seok Ryu, her fear of a recurrence of cancer is omnipresent, even if it sometimes receded more in the background of her life, and her wanting to feel equal to Seung Hyo as a partner in life (it parallels to Hye Suk and Mi Suk’s conflict of feeling unequal) make it understandable why she would hesitate. Seung Hyo says he likes her no matter her situation, but that is easier for him to say as his company now seems solid and he is getting accolades for his work. Seok Ryu hasn’t found her footing in her new career at 34, which is a hard age to start over in Korea. In couples, when one person is doing well professionally and one is not, tensions can arise even when the more successful one is fully supportive because it often doesn’t feel good to be struggling professionally when your partner is thriving. Maybe it shouldn’t be the case, but it is how it is. As to why not just talk it out? They did eventually, but It is true to life that sometimes couple don’t talk about things right away. They feel, they act, the issue simmers, and then sometimes, things get talk about (or they don’t). This is a truer dynamic than one where everything gets addressed immediately upon arrival. It can be frustrating to watch from the outside, but it feels real to me.

I like the complexity of all these relationships in this drama. The show depicts snapshots of moments in their long lives with one another when conflicts, sometimes long simmering, flare up and life issues, like illness and professional problems arise, instead some external evil force or plot. What makes this show work is that I believe that the characters fully human and flawed love and care for one another, and so when conflicts happen it’s real and complicated because they care. That’s the heart of the show, and it doesn’t hit the mark on everything but it often does and that has been lovely.

On a side note, the stylists really did a good job in this show. Both Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo are rocking great outfits (shout out to the shoes) that are not over the top but fit each character well.

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The thing that I like about this show is that there is no evil villains, serial killers, or scheming antagonists. It is about relationships—that’s why it is a different type show than having an overriding chaebol power conflict or a murder mystery.

It's a good reason I enjoy the drama and also a BIG reason why,if tightly written, this shoulda/coulda been a 12 or 14 episode drama that moved along smartly, cohesively and still contain all of the charming and amusing scenes.

Sometimes I wonder (and perhaps there are kdrama experts who could explain) but who decides if a drama is worth 12/14/16 episodes in current times (I know it was the standard a mere 4 or 5 years ago).

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I totally agree that the tension when friends are in very different financial situations is a relatable one. Add in how these characters tend to push down resentments or feelings for incredibly long periods of time and it didn't surprise me to see it explode here.
Mi Suk has always had feelings of shame around her lack of money and education in relation to others and that was evident in how she spoke to her daughter from the first episodes. (And the "wanting a better life" for your kid that we see from multiple parents here that twists into a great deal of pressure on the kids to somehow prove their parents' worth through living a life the parent wants rather than the child)
Hye Suk has often spoken thoughtlessly in a way that does rub her friends up the wrong way so I was actually pleased that she noticed how uncomfortable Mi Suk was with the idea of the cruise. An offer to help with money could be taken as a kind thing from a friend MAYBE but only if that friendship is already full of open and honest communication and both feel on relatively equal footing- these two friends certainly do not have that. That defending of pride and being "good enough" has often gotten in their way, again and again over years.

And MiSuk is not being overly sensitive either. Society does indeed place more value on careers like Hye Suk's than a lifetime of caregiving. We can talk all we like about the value of both of their work but one is gonna get a lot more pay and respect and that has been ground into Mi Suk for years.

It's a tough thing to navigate and many of the complexities feel real to me which I appreciate. And I appreciate that the mums in this show have all kinds of personal stuff going on that doesn't just revolve around a family members' needs but in addition to the ways their families have always needed them.

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Spot on comments about wealth imbalance which affects relationship in the most complicated ways, wherein goodwills are mis-interpreted. This applies universally in all relationships and could hurt the most especially the closest and dearest within the same family.

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The wealth imbalance reminds me of Reply 1988. Duk Sun lived in the basement (father's job situation changed) of Jung Hwan (family became rich overnight). The families had a range of financial situations. HOWEVER, the interactions of the neighbors and friends seem to be much more competitive and less friendly.

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Well two more episodes. Other beanies have said what needs to be said!!

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My happy moments came through out these episodes so I was pleased overall and the forward movement was much appreciated. (Although the re-edit to show what "really" happened to Dan-ho was not! It's exactly the 2nd shoe drop that I keep waiting for this show to do to me that makes it so I couldn't quite trust what the show is showing me)

But onto the good-
It was short but I was glad to get little brother's development a bit. He felt mortified but it ended up being a good moment for reflection and a problem that he is going to solve for himself. And it meant that the siblings understand each other a bit better. And Dong Jin got to say the wise thing that moved Seok-ryu forward to talk about her own insecurities. When we feel insecure we get defensive, we don't listen, we shut others out or barge into things unwisely (all logical outcomes of compensating for feelings of shame and the need to prove we are "better than". )

Seok-ryu feels damaged and lesser-than after her illness and job trauma and that simmering insecurity will rear up in her relationship with Seungho who has found a job he loves, is making money, has his stuff together (at least from the outside). I can totally see how that would make her shut down real fast, which is her go-to. Which is why I was really glad to see that she called Seung-ho of her own volition wanting to talk before he got hurt. And he saw that call too which is great. It wasn't just him getting hurt that moved her. She was already starting to reach out.

But even more than I am glad that SH and SR are talking their issues out relatively honestly and quickly as they arise... I was so happy that finally Seok-ryu and Mo-eum had a heart to heart! I was getting frustrated that these besties were not talking much, especially as Mo-eum had such big stuff to talk about. That is what your best friend is for! And immediately Seok-ryu is helping as wing woman. Talk to each other people!! (As soon as Danho and Seung-ho talk a bit they immediately find a common interest in helping others and real project to help their neighbourhood comes to life, tying in to things we have already seen them care about!)

And the moments where Seok-ryu is talking about the overlap of food and illness and how hard it was to eat anything in treatment... that was pure gold. If the show can continue to be in that place I will be so happy. Seok-ryu's experience of cancer will work in very well with her new dream of cooking for others and also give her a special way to understand and help people through food. That is what she really has to offer that sets her apart. And she will find her place in part because of the struggles she has been through. Love those kinds of stories!

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Newbie here both to forum and K-dramas (only started watching last year). Having a really hard time with this series: this episode I at least felt that ML was being assertive. Having a difficult time with FL whose character definitely doesn't seemed to have matured/evolved. Whilst waiting for next episodes have been watching '39' and wow what a mature series by comparison. Admittedly all characters are 39 instead of 34 but character development and female friendship is phenomenal compared to this one. Haven't seen FL in any other K-drama so can't say whether she's a good actress or not. Prefer the secondary couple they at least manage to actually discuss things. Also don't understand the cultural issue of being adopted/orphaned: noone can control that, why is it seen as such a stigma nowadays? Just my opinion - still can't really say that I like the series - I'll watch it til the end to see if it gets any better...

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Welcome to the Dramabeans comment section!

If you've not seen Jung So-min in anything and you're a fan of romance-forward dramas, you might give Because This Is My First Life a try. If fantasy-action is more your speed, then Alchemy of Souls is popular with many!

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Thank you Seon-ha I have watched a lot with Ro-woon and also loved 'Love to hate you', 'My Demon', 'The Kings Affection' etc.. I'l check them out if they're on Netflix Europe.. Perhaps it's just me having lived in France for so long but she has a very 'French' gamine style. I'm probably more fantasy-romance than action. Though Dramabeans may be horrified if I say I watched a Samurai movie because of a certain Japanese actor !

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Welcome! It’s interesting that both of the shows you mentioned have orphan discrimination in them and it’s not something I understood for a long time either. (Still not an expert, but) My understanding is that the prejudice against orphans stems from the cultural focus on bloodline and family registers. When a child is born to a single mother, has to be given up by their parents, or even survives when the rest of their family doesn’t, it’s breaking deeply engrained cultural practices and values and they are seen as not having a bloodline anymore. I’ve read that they are seen as dishonest and undisciplined, and you often hear crappy mothers defending their sons in kdramas from orphaned boys, “What can you expect from someone who doesn’t have parents?” Plus, it’s way harder to make it in the world if you don’t have family connections and influence, so orphans are at a disadvantage that way too, even if employers weren’t actively discriminating against them. The FL in 39 really lucked into a great family and has done well for herself since then but she still faces the stigma that comes with being adopted, and in this drama Dan-ho wanted to shield Yeon-du from that stigma so he pretends to be her dad and moves her away from the people who know the whole story. I think it’s also part of the reason so many Korean children were adopted abroad where there is less stigma against being orphaned. Super heartbreaking.

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Thank you Unaspirated for explaining the cultural sensitivities around adoption. I agree FL in 39 lucked out with her adopted parents. It's really interesting as you say as the family registers/bloodlines seem to be so important. Coming from a country where a lot of single mothers were historically put into homes and made to work and were often their children adopted against their will, I can't say that other societies have treated single parents/adopted children differently. Thank you for explaining the sensitivities around it.. Kids are kids and it's not their fault if they're orphans/adopted but I suppose that's the world we're living in!

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Right, doesn’t make me any less incensed each time I see it, but at least it helps me understand (a little) why characters are so awful to these people!

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Re: Jung So Min

This drama has been on my watchlist for months because of Jung So Min. I knew nothing about the ML, altho many of the veteran (more senior) actors are well known in kdramaland.

You are correct that the character of Seok-ryu has not evolved very much (if at all) and for that I fault the writer. I prefer my dramas when the main individuals (FL and ML) grow/develop at the same pace, even if not on a tandem bicycle. Writer-nim gave us an over abundance of Seung-hyo's history (childhood trauma, emotional, career, etc) and very little with Seok-ryu.

Her character has had plenty of opportunity to show a wide range of emotions (from adult bully to adult basket-case) and JSM is killing it. You'll have to take my word on the fact that she is a remarkable actress and if you have a chance to watch Alchemy of Souls [a role that she took on MID-FILMING] you might understand why she has legions of fans. 😍

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👋🏾 welcome. You chose an interesting drama to jump in on. Sounds like the two dramas watched alongside each other has added to the experience. The episode comments for Thirty nine may be an interesting place to be I can’t remember if it was an active one but I think it was a mixed response on the friendships and who got the attention despite the central theme.

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Welcome! Great comments and questions; you are very articulate. If you like the family setting, try Reply 1988 (very brief cameo Jung Hae-In) or My Father is Strange (Jung So Min). The writer of this show also wrote Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha so you may want to check that out. If you like the slice-of-life parts of this drama, check out Hospital Playlist. If you like the friends to lovers + rom-com, try Fight for My Way.

Kdramas are SO worth watching, whatever genre you prefer!

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I read a couple of comments before watching Ep. 13 stating that SH-SR’s night felt cringey. It was awkward to say the least especially since SH is more into the relationship than she is (especially later after seeing the CIA brochure, SH got mad, clingy and turned on the pilot light to start to gas light her about her leaving him “again.”) One bad date and a sleepover does not make everyone on the same page.

Dan-Ho’s story is A LOT worse than we thought. The way it came out was too coincidental but it worked to get the back story out. The second leads story arc is much more believable and organic than the mains.

We also learn that SR’s dad’s business is not failing because of him, but a new snack shop next to the elementary school is killing all the neighborhood shops. I predict the turnaround point is SR and dad teaming up to makeover the restaurant.

The episode 14 “proposal” arc was awkward. It tried to be funny, but it was soooooo cliche. (And is an engagement bracelet a thing in Korea?) And when SR said no, I thought “good for you.” SH has been coming on too strong, too fast; taking his friend zone to the end-zone during a time-out). His one definition of love does not match hers. Her health concerns are still real and scary, but again SH puts his feelings ahead of her own. But another writer’s 180, after a bunch of metaphorical bad poetry, SH gets SR to capitulate to his proposal just before their fighting mothers arrive on the scene. Well then, one more mountain to climb.

I liked how ME’s mother processed her daughter’s situation. The simple flashback of ME growing up alone without a dad put her as an outcast. YD mirrors that childhood fate. That is why ME is drawn to her. ME’s mother was also drawn to YD for the same reason. Her acceptance of Dan-Ho by ordering different foods hit home on what a caring family does: sharing their bounty together.

I suspect the finale will be a mixed bag for our couples.

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I was also confused by the bracelet. I was also confused by the whole proposal arc which seems to have been "westernized" for PPL purposes.

Traditionally, Koreans do not give engagement rings. At the 100 day mark of dating, some give each other couple rings. Also, couples privately agree to marriage (with or without their parents permission). And after such consent, some grooms will do a surprise "proposal."

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How was the proposal westernized?

I thought the things featured in other dramas

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The PPL bracelet and the timing of it.

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I mistakenly thought this was a 12 ep show and decided to earn my bean. Low and behold it's freaking 14 eps and I don't know if I can power through. I keep muttering "this stupid show" and telling the characters to just say it out loud, for pity's sake.
It helps to have the dedicated @missvictrix also finding the pacing, structure and character development off kilter. It also helped to learn that in So Korea the drama is beloved as slice-of-life but I would also agree that it is a condensed weekender.
After a few more days I may work up the ability to finish this makjang but the jury is still out on that.

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You have my condoleances - this is why I was watching '39' at the same time - less rom-com but relationships seemed a bit more adult. Definitely better communication between couples.. Must admit I have a soft spot for the secondary couple whose storyline is more realistic/coherent. Interesting that for Koreans this is depicted as a slice-of-life - definitely wouldn't want to have the FL's mother!

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Condensed weekender is right. It's why somethings seem to happen to fast without enough background before hand.

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Our lead couple... kudos for showing some skin under the covers.... now we know!!! LOL. The poor guy with all his mishaps with trying to propose... loved the flowers in the car and I would have still had a slice of cake! Hope our lead gal opens up a eats at her dad's shop!!!!

Our second leads.... good for the mom for coming around!!!! The stigma from Korean society about single parents is outdated in this day and age. Stop it!!!!!

Okay this is silly and I know it but I would enjoy if the brother and the gym owner became lovers and if that can't be... I do like the possible pairing the architects employee and the brother developing some feelings for each other. However a gay thread thrown in there as a possible romantic interest would be progressive in a Kdrama... not a big story, just as a like... Oh, Okay, didn't see that coming. Cool.

Mom's fighting.... stop it, stop it now!!!!!!! I love both moms and they have a long history together, I know they will work it out.

what is the dad going to do when he closes his shop? do they have enough money for this to happen and btw... how much does our first gal lead have at her disposal? her USA job must have paid well.

though I yell at them all while I am watching the episodes... I am really enjoying this show. I love the actors!!!!!

Architects firm partner... I like him. He is quite a lovely character. Goofy and fun but knows what he is doing, or so it seems.

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Can someone explain to me why Dan Ho changed his mind and "accepted" Mo Eum ? Do Korean find drunk people overly cute ?

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His rejection didn't make any sense to begin with and it has never been explained.

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That's right. We have almost no indsight on his though process.

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I think because in Korean society a single parent and or a child that is orphaned is believed to be not good luck, something like that. It is ridiculous and I hope that attitude changes ( which I think for younger generations it is ) In any case, his rejection annoyed me and I am glad it changed.

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This why I think they packed too much story into this without enough time to fully explore everything. So we end up getting short explanations for things or none at all.

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I started this for So-Min & Hae-In,
...but now...
I'm just watching for a bean!
3 hours to completion!

Great comments, fellow beanies. It is so nice to have this forum while watching this "messy" show, couldn't have done it without you. Hoping we can get an ending WITHOUT the ubiquitous time skip and WITH a logical, conclusion--not just an implied ending. (And I'm hungry for EGG DROP, looks more delicious than Subway.)

So in the language of flowers, sunflowers can represent friendship forever (thinking of SH's friendzone position) but they can also represent unconditional love and adoration (SH's love for SR).

BTW: Does anyone get Red Sleeve evil-court-lady-politics vibes while watching SR's mother? Although she has a cute, modern haircut, I still think of her in her Joseon court lady uniform, ha! And when SR's father has the bandana on, I keep thinking of him running the bar in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha!

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Hoping to avoid time skips, the nasty parental objections like "Something in the Rain" or noble idiocy type long separations or other plot killers, please. Just give me a final episode that ties up the loose threads and has an ending--a real ending, not implied--for the main romance.

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i know part of being a mature adult is that compromising with different viewpoints and choosing not to fight everytime someone says something meant to you... but wow, Mo-eum's mom said absolutely disgusting things to Dan-ho, whose only crime was checks notes being a single dad-uncle. No amount of post-flashback epiphanies are going to make me forget what she said lol. He's a better man than me to overlook this behaviour from his future MIL.

Regardless, I continue to be more on board with the Dan-ho and Mo-eum's budding found family with Yeon-du. And wishing the whole drama was about them or just given them more screentime. I do think the main leads were quite cute this week, but isn't a bit early for marriage? since they just started dating?

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This synopsis is keep keeping me pressing on and preventing me from throwing stuff. ACK! This series is exhausting! Too far in, though, and will press on thanks to your heads up. LOLing on these lines: "...and they’re not wearing sweaters!" and the strike through on "because there are two more episodes." Thanks.

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