For me too!

They've been so lowkey with the promotions that I'm taking it as a sign this could end up being really good (at least, that's the way 2024 has been going for me so far 😉)

I have to admit I don't get the dark vibe contrasted with the story line. Nonetheless, I'm intrigued and will definitely give it a try.

I agree, the whole side story was "completely unnecessary" and way too much angst for this show.
Won -bong's personality change was like whiplash.
I didn't realise it was only 12 episodes but I personally think it would have been better as 16 to show the growth and change with different characters so it's not so tonally jarring.
It feels like the writers are trying to cram in too much towards the end.
Also as you mentioned "this drama's strength is the womance between the 4 awesome ladies" and the show should focus on that. Theres no need for the extra noise that just detracts from the ladies.

I’m going to go off on boring tangent on a song that was mentioned in earlier comments by @larus

My tears were flowing while Young-bok was sobbing, trying to apologize to Geum-hui to preserve the friendship that meant so much to her. This was the second time this show that I had water leaking from my eyes. The first waswhen Jeong-suk was sobbing at the bus stop after discovering her husband’ betrayal. I realized the common theme, besides both actresses doing a great job of crying, was the OST.

So I spent some time yesterday listening to versions of the song, “Like the Way You Sent Me Away With a Smile” on the song’s site on Namu wiki. It has 12 versions of the song, including the original sung by Eunha Lee in 1986. Eunha Lee actually wrote the lyrics after being forced by her father to break up with her boyfriend—there’s a kdrama right there!

But to me almost every version, including the original, of this much covered song undermines what is the song’s main strength —the poignant first section, moving from major to minor to major with the melody sliding chromatically down with each shift. Almost all arrangements muck up this section with a cheesy orchestral/guitar backing and a too heavy drumbeat, in typical 1980s pop rock style.

The only version that follows this show’s OST, with a solo voice and a simple piano backing, is one from 2015, by Luna, then of the group (f (x) She recorded it as a “thank you” for the support she got from fans when she appeared on Korea’s masked singer. (I have ever understood Korea’s affection— or the U.S.’s— for competition music shows!)

Anyway leejean’s version on this show follows Luna’s arrangement, but, (again my opinion) leejean, who is only 19!! has a much stronger voice than Luna, so she can handle the swelling emotional orchestration of the chorus much better than Luna, who tends to quaver.

SO, to bring this long discourse to a conclusion: My recommendation, if you like this song, as I do—stick with the show’s OST! Its the best version of the song by far!

Also, I hope the singer leejean begins to get more international attention outside of Korean competition music shows. She has a great, somewhat raw voice and not only that, is also able to sing in pretty much unaccented English.

P.S. One other thing I like about this arrangement—its final notes never resolve to a major chord. To get way too technical, a standard concluding progression is ii-V7-I with the “I” representing the major of the key. Its what we are used as a musical ending, because the 5 chord leads naturally to the root chord. But this arrangement ends ii-V7 —no “I” ! Its a musically “unsatisfying” conclusion that leaves us hanging harmonically, but it is perfect for a wistful song lamenting a breakup.

Thank you for the recap, @quirkycase! I enjoyed these 2 episodes. They showed how deep the 4 women's friendship is. I understood how Geum-hee's anger at Jong-sun extended to Yeong-bok. But I also liked that the situation was resolved immediately since we can all see how repentant the couple were.
Ju-ri's lovelife is very 'physical' which is unlike the 'prim and proper' relationship of Jung-sook. Do-hyun's investigation is quickly getting some light and I would want a very nicely wrapped ending next week.

For me the following drama should be recognized more
1.Doctor Stranger( from the medical point of view it was nearly perfect procedures were explained in details,best Second Lead and generally story was catchy

2.Tell me what you saw(it was best from the start to the end ,plot twist and full of mystery

Has anyone read the book it's based on?
This looks intense.

I second "Human Disqualification." Such a understated, poignant, yet somehow hopeful drama. The romance is nuanced, subtle, yet extremely compelling. I still think about that almost kiss in the tent.

This drama’s strength is the womance between the 4 awesome ladies. Each woman is individually awesome in their own way.
This shows other strength is Jung-Sook’s journey in becoming a strong woman who can stand for herself.

With that said, this entire side quest of Jung-Sun’s crime and coincidentally running over Won-Bong felt completely unnecessary. It didn’t do anything to the plot and things went back to normal very suddenly between Young-Bok and Geum-Hee as if nothing happened. Plus Won-Bong felt completely out of character as he tries to convince his wife to reconnect and forgive Geum-Hee. He’s been a selfish dunce the entire time and now he’s suddenly a thoughtful guide?