Brewing Love: Episodes 3-4
by Unit
Our beer saleswoman contends with matchmaking ahjummas, competing colleagues, and misunderstanding villagers in her quest to win over the brew master. Winning over a man determined to push her away is no small feat, but sincerity moves heaven, and maybe it can move our brew master’s heart, too.
EPISODES 3-4
Having dragged Min-joo out of his man cave, Yong-joo spends her time on the hop farm observing him. After all, to win the bidding war for the brew master, a good soldier needs her intel. Yong-joo’s presence on the farm — and her penchant for helping everyone and their mothers while failing to look after herself — makes Min-joo uncomfortable, and he vows to send her away. But guess who pays attention to Yong-joo’s needs and whips out a portable fan, iced americano and cream buns for her? Pfft. Mr. Brew Master even helps to wipe the cream from the corners of her mouth and tie up her hair with a rubber band.
Sure, sure, it’s nothing but Min-joo’s empathy and powerful observational skills at play here. But tell that to the employee ahjumma duo who task themselves with the ultimate goal of matchmaking Yong-joo and Min-joo. To this end, the duo write and direct a play starring our JooJoo. Synopsis: The heroine is sent on an errand to the mountains and the hero goes to rescue her. They get stuck together, fall in love, and live happily ever after. End scene.
Up in the mountains, our lead couple-to-be ends up sitting by a fire looking like two folks who time-slipped into a sageuk. They get talking, and Min-joo shares that he isolated himself from others because people treated his sensitivity and empathy like a weakness, and they took advantage of it to use him. When Min-joo says that Yong-joo reminds him of the son his ex-military dad wanted him to be, she promptly removes her military boots, earning a chuckle from him. Lol. Yong-joo tells Min-joo that he’s not a weirdo. Rather, he’s a kind person — which is even more impressive, because not everyone willingly helps others knowing that their kindness won’t be reciprocated.
Yong-joo asks if Min-joo is happy now, and he replies that his current life isn’t bad. He goes on to say that someone saved his life six years ago, and while he can’t remember much about the accident, he remembers that the person told him to block out everything that’s harming him, and protect himself first. So this is the origin of Min-joo’s invisible block button. Heh. According to K-drama logic, Min-joo’s life savior should be Yong-joo, but she had no “OMG! I remember saving someone’s life” reaction to his TMI session, so maybe not.
Back in Seoul, the planning team’s director scolds Ah-reum for giving up on scouting Min-joo when Yong-joo hasn’t. “Don’t make me compare you to Chae Yong-joo,” he says. No, sir, don’t dig up rivalry between the ladies. Sheesh! Ah-reum returns to the village with an offer to help the villagers make a fortune if Min-joo signs with Jisang Liquor. Her proposal is to expand Min-joo’s brewery and increase production which in turn will increase the profits, and as expected, the villagers are blinded by the tempting dollar signs.
When Yong-joo learns about this, she calls Ah-reum out on her lack of disclosure to the villagers about the fine print of the planning team’s offer. Sure, profit is good. But after the merger, Naro beer would lose its identity to Jisang Liquor, and the company would take ownership of everything the villagers have worked for. Ah-reum asks if Yong-joo will inform the villagers that she lied to them, and Yong-joo says she won’t. She knows what it’s like to lose something she worked so hard to keep (the Busan branch), and she doesn’t want the villagers to feel a similar pain.
Unlike the planning team, Yong-joo’s proposal doesn’t involve Naro beer or the brewery. She merely intends for Min-joo to collaborate with Jisang to create a new beer. But the villagers turn against Yong-joo when they misinterpret this to mean that she’s going to “steal” their brew master and fly off into the sunset permanently whisk him away to Seoul. The villagers might seem a little wishy-washy and dramatic, but Min-joo and the brewery mean as much to them as they mean to our brew master. The villagers are a family of sorts to Min-joo after his lonesome self settled in with them four years ago, and his hop farm and brewery made the once-dry village bustling and prosperous.
Speaking of which, the village head makes a scheduling mistake, and there’s no beer on ground for the village festival. Ah-reum and Chan-hwi head to the brewery with Min-joo to gather all the beer in stock, but there’s only so much the brewery can deliver on short notice. Thankfully, saleswoman Yong-joo comes to the rescue, and through her connections, the village is able to get all the beer they need for a successful festival.
Yong-joo decides not to use her assistance with the beer supply as a bargaining chip for Min-joo to sign with her. On the other hand, Ah-reum pitches her offer to Min-joo again. Ah-reum mentions that Yong-joo is only scouting Min-joo to save her Busan branch, and she will abandon him after the contract is finalized. Yong-joo overhears the conversation, and she’s a little hurt because it appears as if Min-joo believes Ah-reum’s words. She tells him that she has no intention of using him or the villagers, and he of all people should know whether she’s being sincere or not.
Of course, Mr. Empath can clearly see Yong-joo’s sincerity, and he announces to the villagers that he will sign the contract with her. And to clear the air, Min-joo tells Yong-joo that he has been watching her from the beginning, and he never got the wrong idea about her. Aww. Ah-reum is a little disappointed that the brew master didn’t sign with her, but her disappointment melts with Chan-hwi’s offer of toast. Looks like her preference for salad flies out the window whenever it comes to Chan-hwi’s toast. Lol.
The marketing director is elated to hear that Min-joo has agreed to sign with them, but he deflates when Yong-joo shares her plan to bring Ah-reum onboard the TF team for the Min-joo × Jisang collaboration. Pfft. His rivalry with the planning director is so silly. Before signing the contract, Min-joo has a few terms: 1) the development of the new beer should not interfere with his production of Naro beer; 2) joint tasks and team meetings will be held at his brewery; 3) Jisang will provide him with an employed assistant of his choice: Chan-hwi. Ah-reum wonders what a toast truck owner has to do with developing beer, but dramaland logic is not to be questioned. Besides, as Chan-hwi reminds Ah-reum, he is an “ace employee” at Min-joo’s brewery. Lol.
Yong-joo leads the TF team on a tour of Jisang’s brewery, and the boomer-like head of brewery operations doesn’t hide his condescension towards Min-joo. But our brew master doesn’t cower at the nepotism accusation, and he also gains the respect and admiration of the TF team anew when he scales their beer tasting contest without breaking a sweat.
After the team dinner, Min-joo notices that Yong-joo’s hoobae has a crush on her. Mr. Empath immediately starts feeling things, and he reminds himself that those are not his feelings. Next thing you know, dramaland’s Rain of Romance showers down as Yong-joo jogs up to Min-joo in slo-mo, and doubts begin to germinate in Mr. Empath’s mind. “Am I wrong? Are these emotions mine?” he wonders. Yes, sir, they are definitely yours.
Min-joo has joined the ranks of the K-drama men who fell first, but it’s no wonder that he caught feelings for the one person who understands him, doesn’t think his hypersensitivity is weird — and even considers it a gift. For someone so careful around others, Min-joo opened up to Yong-joo a few times this week, and it must’ve been refreshing to have a non-judgmental person to pour his heart out to. Now won’t it be nice for Yong-joo to equally unburden herself before she spontaneously combusts from a constant over-suppression of her feelings?
RELATED POSTS
- Premiere Watch: Brewing Love
- Lee Jong-won is Brewing Love for Kim Se-jung
- Kim Se-jung clinks to a Brewing Love with Lee Jong-won
- News bites: October 22, 2024
- News bites: October 17, 2024
- Kim Se-jung and Lee Jong-won compete over Brewing Love
- Kim Se-jung is Brewing Love with Lee Jong-won
- Kim Se-jung, Lee Jong-won give toast to ENA’s Drunk Romance
- ENA presents their upcoming drama lineup for 2024
- Kim Se-jung
- Lee Jong-won
Tags: Baek Sung-chul, Brewing Love, Kim Se-jung, Lee Jong-won, Shin Do-hyun
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1 Dylan [JooJoo couple, fighting!]
November 14, 2024 at 5:23 AM
I gotta say, I really enjoyed these episodes. The editing is much better and it doesn't feel like something is missing.
These two and their little acts of kindness towards each other also really won me over. they've both started to see each other in a romantic light (well, I think more unconsciously on Yong-joo's part). Min-joo showing up with the snacks & hair tie was oddly adorable. I also liked how Yong-joo always jumps in when she sees Min-joo being overwhelmed with social interaction (relatable king).
I don't like quite like the SFL (she seems really underhanded, pressure or no) or the villagers (tossing salt on Yong-joo is wild) but the SML is growing on me! (That toast looks really good BTW, can he pull up with his food truck near my workplace?) I even liked the matchmaking ajummas and their antics!
All in all, will definitely be sticking with this drama. Also, JooJoo is an amazing ship name.
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Unaspirated
November 14, 2024 at 7:19 AM
Yeeeesssss to JuJu/JooJoo!
And strong agree about the toast. I'm going to need one (or maybe two 😉) asap.
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Goingdomestic88
November 14, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Yes!! It’s refreshing to see people that have trauma can treat people well. So many gems from this show but my favorite is To Be Loved Is To Be seen. This hits home. Let the JooJoo couple be your standard or try to be that person. Both of them are so Considerate. Which is highest form of love. Valuing each other’s feelings & needs. They never talk down on each other. Also always open to understanding each other & giving reassurance. It’s the subtle details which I find very endearing. I let every word/ conversation sink in. Growing up, I like the second lead cause they treat people well but this show is breaking that stereotype also with gender norms. Please keep the rhythm going kdrama gods!! Hope this also helps people understand why most of us love this show.
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2 Kurama
November 14, 2024 at 5:37 AM
Hum... I understand the message and kinda like the substance of the story but I don't really like the form... everything seems a little bit forced.
I wonder if Chan-hwi was a soldier too and it's why he's good at everything.
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Kafiyah Bello
November 14, 2024 at 5:41 AM
I think Chan-hwi was a soldier. They still haven't explained how he knows Yong Joo.
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Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 8:02 AM
I think we may have been asked to assume that when she said "real seal" during the breath-holding competition, she meant like Navy SEAL.
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Kurama
November 14, 2024 at 8:05 AM
She said professional diver too.
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♡Peach_Mochi♡
November 14, 2024 at 12:12 PM
I'm guessing they know each other from her special forces days.
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Kafiyah Bello
November 14, 2024 at 12:42 PM
That is my assumption as well, but he calls her noona instead of sunbae or whatever her title in the military was. Maybe they will explain it.
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Cecee is done DramaQueening
November 15, 2024 at 3:19 AM
But at the same point, both of them are not in the military anymore. Perhaps, their friendly relationship has had to evolve outside the military from sunbae to noona because of that?
Kurama
November 14, 2024 at 7:43 AM
Oh what are the chances she was the one who saved him after the car accident? 100%? 50%? 25%? :p
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 14, 2024 at 7:55 AM
My vote is 💯🙌🏻
Surely that is rule #1 of dramaland - childhood connection OR one of the OTP saved the other. 😂💪🏻
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Dylan [JooJoo couple, fighting!]
November 14, 2024 at 8:07 AM
When they showed that flashback, didn't the person's voice sound a lot like Yong-joo? even if the uniform and profile seemed similar
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Kurama
November 14, 2024 at 8:09 AM
During the whole scene, I was thinking it looked like her.
Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 8:18 AM
While I agree this is likely, I would honestly be disappointed if they went this way.
It would also "explain" the odd accident on the road that she had to stop and help with on the way to the festival. She's always stopping to help people in car accidents??
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Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
November 14, 2024 at 8:28 AM
Oh, I bet you're right! Although the car-crash/spilled beer scene was so random and wedged so awkwardly into the narrative that I suspect it has more to do with Lee Deok-hwa’s contract terms than with the plot.
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bong-soo
November 14, 2024 at 4:50 PM
What exactly is Lee Deok-hwa’s (Association Chairman) character’s position vis a vis Yong-joo? He is not connected in any way with Jisang Beverages I believe. Is he like the head boss of the beer wholesalers?
Neolttwigi
November 14, 2024 at 4:56 PM
I think Lee Deok-hwa is Chairman of his own wholesale company. A Wholesale company who was an early adopter/supporter of Likey Beer. He really likes Young-Joo ( in a fatherly way)
tabong is ironing the crosswalk
November 14, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Even if it wasn't because I heard her voice clearly, I still would be 100% sure it was her.
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Kafiyah Bello
November 14, 2024 at 10:49 AM
100%
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Mrs Buckwheat
November 14, 2024 at 2:36 PM
I feel like you Kurama- "everything seems a little bit forced".
I will keep watching to see how it unfolds.
I really enjoy the lead actors but there's something about their characters/writing that feels like they are trying too hard.
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3 Kafiyah Bello
November 14, 2024 at 5:40 AM
The romance is happening much faster than expected, but I love it. I love it when the man falls first. Yong Joo is such a delightful character, so I love Min Joo crushing on our girl.
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Unaspirated
November 14, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Right? I'm pretty excited about the pace! I also like that it feels like it's moving along, but that the romance is still pretty plausible. They've spent lots of time together recently, been put in some challenging situations where they had a chance to see how the other reacted, and had some great conversations that were deeply personal, so it makes sense that *feelings* would be developing. 🥰
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 14, 2024 at 7:35 AM
When one sees the episode count the romance seems too early but looking at their interactions it seems organic and not forced. I'm looking forward to the JooJoo couple coming to terms with their burgeoning feelings and how they deal with them.
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4 🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 14, 2024 at 6:49 AM
Cheers 🍻 🎊 for the recap.
The drama remains as strange as ever but indeed there are more subtle moments handled with great sensitivity.
I loved Yong-joo's empathy for Min-joo when he told his backstory. Also her observation that he is kind, which is hard to be especially when the kindness is not reciprocated. It was so sweet when she wore sneakers instead of her usual military boots to avoid triggering him and he immediately noticed. 😊
The OTP's conversation about the sensitivity of a person determining their personality also hit home a bit too personally. 😅
Well done show you have managed to endear yourself to me. My MVP being of course the awesome "owner of the house - 포도 (podo) which apparently means grape. @Unaspirated's subtitles refer to the cat as Poto while mine is subtitled as Photo!? 🙃😅😂
I liked that Min-joo has realized his feelings for Yong-joo. I really liked that scene. I am looking forward to see him grapple with his emotions. Also was he a tad bit jealous of the hoobae with the crush on Yong-joo. 😂
We finally get to see Chan-hwi's cheese toastie 🧀🥪 (served with a wink 🤷♀️) which appears as yummy as it is calorific - with lots of butter. 🧈 😋 Ah-reum gets a double serving of all ingredients. After all giving double portion of food to another equals true love.
I never thought Min-joo had such a great sense of humor. His description of Chan-hwi as "A fool who is good at everything" is so apt!! 😂
So hwaiting drama!! 💪🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Unaspirated
November 14, 2024 at 7:14 AM
Min-ju was a tad bit jealous, but Hoobae was waaaay more jealous of him every time he was good at something, hahaha! I hope Hoobae stays a good supportive character and doesn't sour because his sunbae is never going to reciprocate that crush of his.
Good catch on the lack of military boots! I noticed him noticing her feet but only realized what that meant as I was reading through the weecap just now. Makes total sense!
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 14, 2024 at 7:30 AM
I think this is going to be a drama with no overtly negative characters. I am 💯 sure military dad is going to come around. He will obviously love his soon-to-be daughter-in-law!! 😂 💕
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sal
November 15, 2024 at 2:16 PM
I did watch the actors say this is not just about romance but also about friendships, so I am sure our new team gonna become BF after spending time on making new beer! My understanding it is gonna be about growth and healing so I am sure this also involve our man family too.
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 15, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Well they do seem to being a better version of themselves after their interactions. Cheers to family, friendship, growth and healing.
5 Unaspirated
November 14, 2024 at 7:09 AM
I’m fully on board now. When Yong-ju held the corner of the table as Min-ju approached so he wouldn’t knock his knee on it I legitimately made this face: 🥹 I mean, sure, that scene where they were staring at each other with bubbles all around them lasted at least four whole minutes, but after the week I’ve had, I couldn’t possibly care less. And it was so pretty and bright!
I’m loving the conversations our leads are having, of recognizing kindness (Including self-kindness) as a difficult thing to do, and even just telling someone else about yourself trusting that they will understand - it’s something that takes a lot of courage and I love that they acknowledge that. I’m also into the pace hahaha! Glad that the contract is already signed (not that I wasn’t liking that part, but it would have gotten more stale after another couple of episodes), and that our Min-ju is already realizing his feelings. The hoobae being jealous made me laugh, but I was worried the Empath would mistake his own crush for Hoobae’s. Props to the show for immediately clarifying those heartbeats for him!
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🌸 Seeker 🌸
November 14, 2024 at 7:38 AM
IKR!? Those JooJoo conversations are legit amazing. Well done show.
Yong-joo covering the table edge was such a sweet moment. I love these little things they seem to be doing for each other.
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Dylan [JooJoo couple, fighting!]
November 14, 2024 at 8:11 AM
WAIT I didn't even catch the scene of her holding the corner of the table! that's so sweet!
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Unaspirated
November 14, 2024 at 8:22 AM
It was after the festival when she kindly drags him away from the potentially overwhelming party. He goes to get her another beer and when he comes back she puts her hand over the corner of the table by his knee! Aahh! It was so cute!
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6 Blue (@mayhemf)
November 14, 2024 at 7:30 AM
After a lackluster opening episodes I really enjoyed these two. The show picked up pace and the writing also improved. I love the leads. And love their conversations. And I screeeeeed when I saw the rubber band on his wrist!! 😍😍
I especially loved the scene in the mountains. It was nice to see a resourceful female lead who refuses to get lost in the mountain nor break an ankle nor be piggybacked home by the ML. Pfft. The conversation was so lovely. To see them both opening up slowly. I can see why he fell for her first. She is such a non judgmental person and she understands his desire to protect people he cares about. It’s this commonality that connected them professionally. I am sure the corporate will throw a spanner down the line but for now I am enjoying all the bubbles and soft focus close ups of uri Jong Won!!
Him with the hair band in his wrist and her swapping out military shoes for sneakers are the kind of people these two are. Rooting for them.
Also, the two ahjummas are hilarious. At this point he is lying them to troll him. They are so funny.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
November 14, 2024 at 7:40 AM
Typo: He is paying them to troll him. lol.
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7 Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 8:10 AM
On the one hand, I've watched all four episodes so far at least twice each (sometimes three time) and also have actively sought out other translations for the subs because it seems clear to me that so much is being lost in the English.
On the other hand, it's not because this show has a very coherent plot.
It feels much more like these characters are all archetypes. They're always standing in for something, or pointing the way towards some other conclusion outside this story.
The cartoonish CGI adds to this feeling--that we're in a fantasyland where our hopes and dreams are front-and-center, not the real-world of Korean beer manufacture. The moving conversations that our lead couple has are somehow more like impassioned pleas to be heard by the audience, as much as they are directed at one another.
I'm here for it all.
PS: The Viu subs seem more sensitive than the Viki ones right now, FWIW.
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Dylan [JooJoo couple, fighting!]
November 14, 2024 at 8:13 AM
I always had the impression that Viki was the one who took more care with their translations, but I'll try Viu from now on
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Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 8:16 AM
The Viki teams go back and edit the subs in later weeks, refining them...so they may end up being better. But for now--especially the "camping scene" conversation--Viu's subs matched the tone much better than Viki.
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hacja
November 14, 2024 at 12:23 PM
One conversation which I think supports your interpretation, but also I found slightly confusing in translation, was the one where the ML made a really strained metaphorical comparison between hops and being sensitive.
Now, I myself love the way different hops, and the amount of hops, can change a beer's taste. My favorite beers are really hoppy ones--like Czech Pilsners or U.S. India Pale Ales. But I know quite well from impassioned (not at all inebriated, NEVER!) discussions about beer that some people are quite sensitive to the bitterness that hops impart, and even if they like beer they do not like extraordinarily hoppy beers. Then there are those who are fine with other forms of alcohol, but don't like beer because its too bitter.
In fact, I have read that the aversion to sharp and bitter tastes often has a genetic component, just like alcohol dehydrogenase deficiency--some people lack the ability to "process" those flavors and cannot just get used to them or learn to like them.
So a taste for hops is kind of the OPPOSITE of sensitivity--sensitivity would be rejecting hops' varying degrees of bitterness. But maybe that's what the ML was saying?
Anyway this confusing metaphor aside, it did seem as if the ML was giving a little sermon on the virtues of being sensitive to others, speaking, as you say, the audience as much as the FL.
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Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 1:39 PM
There's no better beer than Sapporo...the Budweiser of Japan. Discuss.
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Margo of the Resilient Lip Gloss
November 14, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Imma Guinness girl myself. As comforting as a cuppa tea.
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hacja
November 14, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Sapporo, created in 1876, is labeled as imported and advertised as “the original Japanese beer” but is actually brewed in the United States and Canada, Antonia Bowring charges in a class-action lawsuit. “If I wanted American beer, I would have bought Budweiser,” Bowring told The Post.
On the other hand....Sapporo now owns the pioneering San Diego brewery Stone. The owners sold out in 2022 after being visited by beautiful women from the headquarters in Japan, falling in love, and marrying them. The happy couples now work on hop farms in Northern California.
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welh
November 15, 2024 at 6:48 AM
My favorite Japanese beer is KIRIN.
It was the first imported beer my local liquor store had during my youth. When I was in college, I spoke to a beer distributor who stated that the brand people drank in college (18-22) would be the brand they would prefer during their entire lifetime.
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Seon-ha
November 15, 2024 at 6:49 AM
I thought it was the beer you snuck out of the fridge as a teen! ;)
Neolttwigi
November 14, 2024 at 2:11 PM
I thought he was saying hops/sensitivity/personality traits can make up only a tiny part of the beer/person, but they are the distinctive part that flavours/affects all of the the beer/person.
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hacja
November 14, 2024 at 7:39 PM
That could be! Your translation makes more sense to me than what I was reading at the time.
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8 Elinor, Team Glasses team co-captain
November 14, 2024 at 8:40 AM
This show strikes me as, as much as anything else, an attempt to rehabilitate Korean drinking culture as shown in dramas. That started in the first episode - I was impressed when the team starts chanting for the second round and Yong-joo shuts that right down and says she's going home. Since then, though, we've seen her pounding a dozen or more pints of beer for some obscure plot purpose - but the point is to show that as the reimagined "good drinker" she doesn't end up classically kdrama drunk and talkative. She falls asleep, gets a scooter ride, and is good as new a half hour later. 😏
Beer is presented as an art and a craft, worthy of serious intellectual attention. People who can drink a lot without showing it are strong and admirable. No one has to be carried out of a bar. The only drinking competition is a demonstration of refined taste, and all the ABV levels mentioned are relatively low. There are feats of strength that do not involve pounding shots until someone falls over. There are no drunken confessions, only a gentle relaxation of inhibitions to deepen relationships. Hangovers almost don’t exist.
I'd love to visit that Korea.
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Kafiyah Bello
November 14, 2024 at 10:53 AM
This is such a great observation!! I don't know if it is working, because that is still far and away too much liquor, but I appreciate the attempt.
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hacja
November 14, 2024 at 11:47 AM
This is an interesting perspective on this show--maybe more interesting than the actual show, whose theme seems to me a pretty typical one of small town authenticity confronting big city coldness and corporate acquisitiveness.
I'm not so certain that the scene where the petite FL drinks half a keg, (which is obviously physically impossible and not just because of the alcohol) is that much different from other kdrama drinking scenes, where the plot is advanced by truly excessive alcohol consumption. Its true her drunken stupor was absurdly short lived, but I found the strapped to a motor scooter scene to be (an actually pretty amusing) variation on the piggyback trope. I wonder, too, if her drinking capacity is, as it always is in kdramas, a sign of her "macho" virtues.
Still, I do agree with you that though the "Jirisan" corporation is going to be a villain--or at least some of the corporation executives will be villains, so far this show is not very critical of the current Korean alcohol scene.
S. Korean mass produced beer, dominated (as is the U.S.) by two major breweries, is NOT highly regarded by beer afiacanados, And yet, to salvage a "beer festival" this show brought in one of those mass produced beers? I would think there would be a rebellion among attendees! There are enough craft breweries in S. Korea right now that a beer festival, like in the U.S,. would be expected to highlight something other than mass produced beer, instead of the implication that a big brewer's product is good enough to be at the center of a beer festival.
Also supporting your interpretation was the scene in which the ML demonstrated his brewer's palate by identifying subtle variations in what I assume were mass produced beers, as if they were fine wines. That feat of tasting is not as fantastical as it seems--I took a beer class where the teacher, a judge at beer competitions, showed off his expertise in exactly the same way, with an uncannily accurate blind tasting of a set of beers poured by students. But I don't remember the taster I witnessed being so uniformly positive about the beers he was identifying. I recall the words “metallic” “medicinal” and my favorite, “did I miss my mouth?” something that I often think when drinking the products of AB-Inbev and Molson-Coors, the two U.S. brewing behemoths.
I'll be interested in seeing how the Jirisan corporation is portrayed, and though I think it will be at least a temporary impediment in the realization of village dreams and romantic love, I wouldn't be surprised to see it redeemed as a promoter of diverse and cultivated drinking culture, as you say.
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welh
November 15, 2024 at 6:57 AM
My impression was that the festival was about the hops, the local crop they grew, and not about the local brewery.
Also lost in my translation was the idea the festival was giving away "unlimited free beer." That would be absurd. The whole idea of local festivals is to make money through tourism.
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9 tabong is ironing the crosswalk
November 14, 2024 at 9:51 AM
I think I'm out.
1. I just don't care about beer, and this show isn't helping with that. At least this has less annoying drunk scenes than most kdramas, so there's that, I guess.
2. Everything about this show feels unnatural to me, like... plastic? Synthetic?
Remember when the ML told the FL that it was obvious she was trying too hard and that was painful to watch? That's how I feel about this show.
Without noticing I skipped half of episode 4 because I couldn't handle the cringe of every single interaction and the unnatural flow of the plot.
Everything that happens is so convenient. Everyone talks like AI wrote their dialogues or maybe it's because they have serious conversations in the most random moments (and those random moments are like 90% of the leads interactions). And the editing makes everything 100% more awkward for me.
It's a shame because I kinda liked most of episode 3. But then it all became too much near the end, and episode 4 then took it to another level.
3. Talking about editing, the way they act as if empathy was a superpower makes many of the interactions between the leads very hard to watch. Especially, because after the supermagic effects, then the ML says something weird like "you're not okay" "you feel this and that" "you should live like this".
Btw, who said empathy, kindness, and being a pushover are all the same thing? (But that doesn't really matter, the leads are cute when they're not trying to have deep convos, so I like them together.)
Anyway, I think I'm not compatible with this style and that's fine. At least I got to try something different. ENA is trying new things in the mon-tues slot, so maybe the next one works for me.
PS. 4. you would think that people would read/hear someone's proposal before throwing salt at them. Tbh, I never understood why the ML didn't bother to read her proposal when that would've been the most logical and decent route to reject her completely. But I guess I'll never know.
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vienibenmio
November 15, 2024 at 8:21 AM
So it sounds like he's empathetic to the point of actually being invalidating? That's pretty interesting
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
November 15, 2024 at 9:37 AM
I just felt like they were mixing three different things and calling it one (but that's kdramaland style tbh).
It's weird that they were saying that the struggle of feeling (too much) empathy is not being able to say no to people taking advantage of you. But that's being a pushover not empathetic. I mean, you can be both but that's not the point.
They could've just said that he puts himself in difficult situations/does extreme things to help people. And that he came to doubts if people really appreciate what he does or if anyone would do that for him.
The thing with these type of characteristics is that you think everyone is the same while growing up. So it would make more sense to just show people being surprised at what he does/being grateful and him thinking it's natural, just to realize it isn't. Most people won't treat him like he treats them, but that doesn't mean other people aren't "kind" or that they're plain evil and just want to take advantage of him.
The FL is kind (maybe even more than him), even if she doesn't go around reminding people how bad they feel ("I'm telling you're not okay" that will never not be weird). LOL
But again, this is what kdramaland does with everything, so it's not really a surprise, is it? The same thing happened with the previous show.. DID that wasn't really it. Maybe this is ENA's style for the mon-tues slot.
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10 hacja
November 14, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Like many here, I enjoyed these episodes more than the first 2. Here is what I like so far: the main couple are both really considerate people. In kdrama fashion, both have suffer from emotional injuries experienced early in life, but so far the show hasn’t overplayed that. I liked that when driving to sign the contract, even though the ML had to pull over because he was haunted by memories of men ridiculing his toughness, he reassured himself recalling praise, and drove on. I also like the slight gender reversal— male sensitivity, tough female extroversion, although that wasn’t a big theme, since she is as sensitive as he is.
For the second couple, I like that even though the 2FL was devious in trying to subvert the FL, its clear that she is not going to be the villain. The 2ML came on too cutesy for me in the first 2 episodes, but he too is showing himself to be a nice guy. His “toast” looks like a pretty good sandwich. Of course beer is like drinking a sandwich, so its appropriate.
The possible love triangle introduced in the last episode doesn’t seem like it will be a big deal, and right now there doesn’t seem as if there will be any murder or violent incidents in village, so that’s a plus.
On the other hand, just like Once Upon a Small Town, the villagers are kind of annoying. (Apparently, living in a provincial village in Korea means that you are intellectually slow but also emotionally hyperactive.) Also, just like Once Upon a Small Town, the pace of this one tends to lag at times. As I said above, I’m kind of happy its not action packed —so far its nice, slow-motion, escapist fare, but at times I thought the camera didn’t need to linger quite so long on the ML or the main couple.
Based on the last episode, the theme of a grasping large corporation exploiting a small town and its authentic product is going to come to the forefront, but I have no doubt that our main couple, and good tasting beer, will triumph!
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Seon-ha
November 14, 2024 at 1:36 PM
OK, so. The "Tunnel of Masculinity." Not to get too Freudian, but why does he have "tunnel issues?" Meaning, why does the problem start there?
Moreover, the visions of torment clearly came from his own mind because tunnels, uh, remind him of ridicule (?), but didn't he actually take out his phone before hallucinating the praise?
Could it be that Yong-joo predicted his tunnel issues and sent him a video message at just the right time to bolster his resolve, so to speak, uh, as he drives his truck through the tunnel?
He ended up in Seoul though. Good job, Min-ju!
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hacja
November 14, 2024 at 7:48 PM
As you might expect, I like the tunnel metaphor a lot more in North by Northwest, with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint together. As I always have said about tunnels, they are best experienced with someone you love.
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11 bunnylita
November 14, 2024 at 9:59 AM
This is what I was hoping for after the uneven first week. This one just might be a keeper.
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12 sunnysaturdays
November 14, 2024 at 12:41 PM
I was giving with this drama with all it's wackiness until Minju said "Someone saved my life six years ago....". I literally groaned and face palmed. 20% of my enjoyment just dissipated. Why???!!! I don't want another "I'm not a hero".
But episode 4 brought me back. She protected his knee with her hand. I squealed. Why wouldn't he fall for her? I can't wait for next week's episode.
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13 Neolttwigi
November 14, 2024 at 3:03 PM
This week was fairly easy to watch, no angst and not very much cringe. That's harder to do than it sounds, so good on you show! It was also fairly forgettable (for me), but not everything has to be groundshaking. Favourite moment was right at the end- He has a proper hairband round his wrist ( in case she needs it) and she is wearing sneakers ( instead of army boots).
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14 Margo of the Resilient Lip Gloss
November 14, 2024 at 4:35 PM
I am here for the ahjummas - the sing song intertwining voices, the choreography 🖐 - are everything.
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15 bong-soo
November 14, 2024 at 5:12 PM
@unit thanks for the recap. I noticed how you basically passed over the cringe worthy team dinner after mentioning the successful beer tasting by Min-joo. We have all seen worse I guess. At least this crowd walked out under their own steam. Yong-joo supposedly consuming about 10 liters of draft beer in one sitting was not good but we are after all drinking in kdramaland. (That alone would indicate a serious drinking problem.) When will be start seeing bottled beer? Basically canned beer so far which I try to avoid.
Anyway I am enjoying BREWING LOVE so far. I like our leads. Both have been given some serious dialogue which I hope means our writer
Lee Jung-shin (After a cursory search I can’t come up with any info on this person) is good for the (12 episode)long haul.
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16 9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
November 15, 2024 at 1:01 AM
I like the FL-ML pairing much better than most of this year's pairings.
And it's great to see that the ship has sailed for them relatively early in the drama. While I do like slow-burn romances, the brisk pace of the unfolding of their relationship works for the rom-com genre.
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17 Ela
November 15, 2024 at 1:30 AM
Interactions between main leads are lovely but there is one absurd thing that is repeated all the time - the amount of beers the FL is drinking!
I believe that in ep. 3 it was said that she drank 10 liters! That's actually dangerous for the health - the blood is too diluted then and the electrolyte balance is destroyed. Usually the organism blocks the thirst so the damage will not be done.
(And we never see her go to the loo :D)
Not complaining - just worried about her health ;)
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bong-soo
November 15, 2024 at 5:14 AM
I am in total agreement Ela. The amount of alcohol Yong-joo consumed in one sitting was absurd (almost CA2AM absurd).
And, welcome back, sunbae! (we being hierarchical and all that). My time here stated in 2017 and you have me beat on seniority.
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fab
November 16, 2024 at 9:52 AM
Overdrinking is the one aspect of dramas that I despise the most but here we are. I hope it'll slow down on convicing the viewer that Yong-Joo is a tough soldier. We get drama!
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18 welh
November 15, 2024 at 6:35 AM
It is harder to get through these episodes. Episode 2 was too cartoony and the beer company department competition for Naro Beer is weaker than the worst watered down cocktail. And the continuity is way off: FL has severe spleen bruise but she repels off a rooftop? I don’t know any salesman who has mountain climbing gear as part of their sales kits. Episode 3 turned even more cartoony in an unhealthy way: dropping from the ladder, the FL would have crushed her ankles to powder; and drinking more than 12 beers would cause acute alcohol poisoning. This is no longer a rom-com but some comic book fantasy with a weird arm-chair psychologist loner trying to keep himself in his own sheltered world. The villagers were meant for comedic relief, but they seem off and underdeveloped. In Korean culture, throwing salt at someone is a shamanistic ritual to ward off bad luck. I think it was misapplied by the writer. Episode 4 concludes with the ML on FL’s side by a weakly written inter-corporate battle for the brewery asset. It ends with another change of genre into an office romance during the joint venture product development team. I am not drawn into the series even though I like Kim Se-Jeong but even her spunky personality seems too much here.
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19 fab
November 16, 2024 at 9:45 AM
A character like Min Joo is really hard to come by. I love that he's aware of his sensitive nature and doesn't use his trauma to cloud his judgment even if that would be justified. The title Mr Empathy is rightly earned!
Thanks for the recap!
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20 too_much_tv
November 20, 2024 at 4:52 PM
I finally caught up on this one, watching 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a couple of days. I did it mainly to enjoy the recaps and the comments here. I'm not that into the show. But I don't hate it! I love watching this cast. It's just... I can't put my finger on what's not hitting with me. Whatever! It's a good distraction and I love these kids' faces. So far they haven't promoted drunkenness or demonized any vulnerable groups, and the settings are pretty too. Also there has been hand holding! Bandaids! A split screen to make it look like they were in bed together when they weren't! (Wait, was that a spoiler? Maybe it was! That could have been from episode five. I'm sorry! I'm also not taking it out because it's not really anything unexpected. Oooh, and there are massage chairs!
Also, who is the high tenor singer doing the love theme? I feel like I've heard his voice before.
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too_much_tv
November 20, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Also there was a piggyback ride, right? That was this show too?
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
November 20, 2024 at 5:06 PM
Has he quickly pulled her away from the street so she just avoided a speeding car and landed in his arms, looking up at him? Or did he have to throw himself towards her, and they landed on the other side of the car, him on top?
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too_much_tv
November 20, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Ha, in this show, she's the athletic one. She's almost fallen into his arms, but then miraculously and ludicrously pulled herself upright. She's repelled down the front of his house when his employees got worried about him, to make sure his house wasn't on fire. But I think the piggyback might have been another show I watched this week!
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
November 20, 2024 at 11:08 PM
So more like this
https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdWlrMDRma21hbWswZTQxMnhwdGowMmJ6YXkyNGV4ZDVuY3Z5ODBtNCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UsOqwXLok4sTI89S74/giphy.gif
too_much_tv
November 21, 2024 at 1:33 PM
Yes, @ceciliedk--it is like that. She's strong and tough and soldierly. He isn't weak (we see him doing physical work) but his magical powers are his sense of taste and smell, his ability to empathize with others' feelings, his brewing and photography. It's giving butch straight girl/femme straight boy.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
November 20, 2024 at 10:17 PM
The placing of five massage chairs as part of the staff wellbeing package was a genius Be melodramatic style random insert of an otherwise out of place expensive product 🌟
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too_much_tv
November 21, 2024 at 1:34 PM
It reminded me of Because This is My First Life, a show I adore. It's blatantly silly product placement, but I'm down with it.
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