Kmuse's Top 10 Actor Challenge - #10 Moon Chae Won

So you might be asking. "Kmuse, what is the Top 10 Actor Challenge?"  In a nutshell, it was where a friend on FB told me to write down my top favorite kdrama actors and then challenge others to do the same.  It was surprisingly hard, giving out numbered spots to my favorite bias's, but I was able to accomplish it and pass on the kdrama love.  As I was looking at my list, I thought of how fun it would be to share it with the blogging world, but instead of all at once, I am going to make it into a weekly post.  This way you might learn something about the actors as well as see what dramas they have starred in and maybe even get ideas for your kdrama queue.

So how did I choose my top 10?  Was it just on looks?  Talent? The number of shower scenes they appeared in?  HAHA.  No, to be honest, I chose my list on actors that I enjoy so much I will watch anything they are in, even if it is absolutely horrible (looking at you Joo Won who made me watch Level 7 Civil Servant).  And being the enlightened female that I am, (yup, equality for all!) my number 10 spot is actually held by one of my favorite actresses Moon Chae Won!

I first remember Moon Chae Won in the Sageuk drama "Princess Man" but as I look at her filmography, I discovered she was in a lot of older dramas that I had watched as well (mostly as 2nd lead) such as Brilliant Legacy and My Fair Lady.  However, I watched those back in my early drama years before I really started paying attention to who the actors are, so I was totally clueless as to her participation.  But it was not until Chae Won's role as the damaged heiress/stepdaughter in the revenge drama "Innocent Man" that I really fell in love with her as an actress.  She played hard boss and innocent amnesiac with flawless ease and most importantly she held her own with costar Song Joong Ki.  For those of you who know how amazing SJK is, that is a feat in itself.    

Chae Won followed up that role by playing the love interest to Joo Won's Savant Syndrome genius in Good Doctor.  Yet again she shined as the strong and empathetic doctor Cha Yoon-Seo, who was able to see past Joo Won's disabilities to the man inside.  I appreciate that Moon Chae Won is willing to play something other than the prim and nice candy types and applaud her on her wide range of character roles.

As I was searching for pictures to go with this article, I also noticed that she is obviously into pushing the fashion envelope.  Some of her red carpet looks were amazing and I am adding some of those photos in here for everyone to enjoy.  

I look forward to watching future dramas with Moon Chae Won as the heroine.  Currently she only has several movies in the works, but I am sure I will see her again soon on my TV screen.  Til then I might have to go rewatch Princess Man to get my fix.

Be sure to check in next week to find out who I ranked as #9.  He really is a scene stealer and excels with his acting skills and amazing charisma. 
Follow us on Facebook for info on all our newest recaps, posts and to join in our kdrama discussions. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-crazy-ahjummas/336988683021748?fref=ts 

Good Doctor THE FINALE (ep 20) Recap

It never ceases to impress upon me the almost somber moment as I begin the final review of a drama.  "Sheesh, Dongsaeng, dramatic much?"  Well, yeah, kind of I guess.  But yeah, Good Doctor has ended its run, and, as I mentioned in episode 19 review, I liked it.  Not my absolute most favorite drama ever, but I enjoyed it and certainly don't regret the time I spent on it.  It was a feel good drama with uplifting messages littered throughout.  I was very pleased with how it all came together and ended.  I was really, really relieved that it indeed did not end with Shi On being miraculously "cured" of his autism.  I think perhaps that that was something maybe lost in translation early on.  Cured he was not, true, yet he did learn to overcome it.  And by that obviously I mean that he was able to function as an adult would function in the world despite his various challenges and his more unique way of doing so.  And, not only did he overcome so much personally, but he also was a catalyst for change in others.  Look at how many lives he touched for the better.  He indirectly saved the hospital with the help of his colleagues and friends.  Prejudices and fears were conquered.  Best yet, all of these changes were totally believable.  There was never a moment where I was like, "oh come on - there is no way So-and-So would say/do/act that way".  For example, it didn't end in a big gushy love-filled goodbye between a dying father and his son.  Dad stayed the same dirty rotten guy with one minor acknowledgement to the achievements of his son.  It was a drama not about medicine and hospitals, but one about people and the change and the growth that is possible in humankind.  I could go on and on here, but I'll cut my blathering short and just say that it was a drama that ended up being more than it first appeared.  Hmm, sort of like its main character, ay?  {{See what I did there?  That was pretty cool, right?  Right?  Guys?}}

And now, if you will remember allllll the way back to my very first review of this drama, I had used a slightly different format honoring the main reason why I endeavored to take this particular show on in the first place.  As a final tribute to the amazing talent of this man who really truly did do a fabulous job portraying what I can only imagine was a difficult character to portray, I will revive said format for this last and final review.  Joo Won, this one is for you.  Thank you for your efforts and your dedication.  Thank you for sharing your talents with us and telling us all a story that we could all use to hear to uplift us and give us hope for the good in people and in the world.  Thank you also of course to the rest of the cast and staff as well - obviously it wasn't a one man show and they all did a great job. 

Dongsaeng's Drama Doctoring of episode 20 - the FINALE

J.  Just Going to Come Out and Admit I was Wrong - and so happy to be so!

In Hae doesn't die!  Shi On and Yoon Seo don't break up!  My concerns and worries were blissfully and completely for naught.  Hallelujah!  I LOVE to be wrong in situations such as this.  Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.  Phew.  In Hae is sick and there's not much they can do for her and things are sad and tense for a while there, but eventually she pulls through and returns.  I just knew they couldn't kill someone like her off on us like that.  That would have been....  Well, you know.  I'd say more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen shows like City Hunter or King 2 Hearts.

O.  Ornery to the Bitter End

Shi On's crap dad.  What a giant {insert favorite insult for him here}.  Granted, he does soften just a wee tiny bit after Hot Doc's little chat with him in the last episode, but too little too late buddy.  You can tell he has a moment where he reflects a bit on his current situation and realizes that through his awfulness, he has left himself with no one to depend on to leave him his ancestral rites and offerings.  He has driven away his family.  Yet, this family that he drove away is still there by his side as he faces his final days.  Their courageous show of loyalty to someone utterly and completely unworthy of such devotion is awe inspiring.  You may think that Shi On and his mother were just being stupid or whatever, but I see it as them making the very best choice for themselves under the circumstance.  Shi On cannot and should not live the rest of his life afraid of this man that terrorized him.  It's good for him to see his father for what he is - a insanely flawed man who failed in his duty as husband and father.  His life is a tragic one as well, only tragic by his own hand.  Look at what he had become.  Look at all that he had to show for himself as his life came to an end.  No friends.  No one who loved him.  Nothing besides a poisoned, dark, horrible heart and only words of spite and vitrol to spew at the two people by his side.  Two people he didn't deserve to have there, yet were there anyway.  I can only hope that at some point in this process he had a vision of what could have been had he been more the man that he should have been.  How different would his last days have looked if he had a wife and son there by his side loving him and grieving his loss?  It's just all around tragic.  And yes, he doesn't do much to redeem himself even in the end.  He does sort of acknowledge all that Shi On has done in his life, sort of.  He sort of thanks the Director for helping his son.  Sort of.  And then he slinks off to die, assuring that he will no longer beat his wife as he does not possess the strength to do so anymore.  No, "I realize now the error of my ways" or anything of the sort.  No, instead it's "I'm so close to death that I don't have the strength to beat this woman who is caring for me".  What a peach, huh?  In the end, Shi On gets that phone call from his mother letting him know that Dad has passed away.  We get a bit of a funeral scene with Shi On and Mom holding each other and crying.  Most likely they're not crying at the loss of the man, but at the loss of what could have been.  Grieving the sad life that this man represented for both of them.  Just so very sad the whole thing.  I don't want to talk about it anymore.  *sniff sniff*

O.  Officially Yours

There's a bit of trouble brewing between our love birds throughout a lot of this episode.  Yoon Seo is being open about their relationship and has thus opened herself up to ridicule.  Shi On hears this and is both angry at those who are mocking as well as feeling it would be best for her if he was not in her life.  Insults are overheard in the stairwell by both of them, though Yoon Seo made sure to scold those two particular naysayers quite effectively.  I had to laugh as she told those two bozos off.  That whole Korean hierarchy thing works perfectly in situations such as this I must say.  Then there is the high school get together.  Yoon Seo has been advised by her one friend to not bring Shi On and Shi On initially refuses to go.  He doesn't want to open her up to more ridicule by her friends.  He talks to Dr Cutie Pie though who explains to him how real love sometimes requires you to grit your teeth and bear it, to endure through the trials and stumbling blocks that appear.  At the same time, Yoon Seo is worried about what is to become of them. Remember the ominous warning from the so-called psychic?  How they only have one chance at this relationship?  It's been stressing her out.  I mean, talk about pressure, right?  Especially when your boyfriend is about to bail in order to protect you from the opinions of others.  Well, it would appear as if she was stressed for no reason.  Yoon Seo's out hiking and contemplating all this when she comes across an injured hiker who just so happens to be this psychic lady.  They're sitting there talking as Yoon Seo attends to her injury and it comes out that the "psychic" just made that part up - she says it to all of the couples that come to see her.  They share a good laugh and suddenly the pressure is off.  Oh good.  It is at this moment that Yoon Seo receives a text from Shi On telling her how he's going to grit his teeth and endure the pain.  This means that they are on for going to the reunion together and thus truly become public in their relationship.  They come in and the friend who had advised her against dating him/bringing him takes her outside to reiterate what a bad idea it was for Yoon Seo to bring her sub-par man, Shi On shows that he can manage the crowd just fine.  He's in there animatedly telling the story of how they met (Yoon Seo drunkenly mistaking his apartment for hers) and all of the ladies are enraptured and in complete stitches laughing so hard.  They love him.  How can they not?  Shi On is awesome.  I mean, duh.  And how can I forget the best part of that whole scene?  One of the friends boldly asks when they had their first kiss.  Yoon Seo turns to Shi On questioning like "yeah, so when was that?"  {{hey lady, we can all tell you that it hasn't happened yet.  how can you be so uninvested in your relationship as to not know that?}} Shi On responds by planting one on her right then and there and saying, "now" (or something like that).  It was cute.  And yes, it ends up being our only real kiss in the whole show.  There was the fantasy one, but one little peck is all we really get.  Boo.  It was a very cute one and I loved it, I just wouldn't have complained if more had come later, that's all.  None of these writers ever listen to me though.


Speaking of being official, Hot Doc and his girl officially get engaged with a ring and all.  And a totally lame proposal which is apparently completely appropriate considering his initial confession to her when they started dating.  Aww, he's keeping with tradition!  By being totally lame....  o.O?  Whatever.  How ever they got there, they got there.  Wedding bells are in their future.  Happy happy.

W.  War Won

The Vice Director guy ends up choosing the right team to go to bat for in the end.  He helps save the hospital.  Everything returns to its rightful place.  I thought I would say more, but eh.  He ends up being a good guy in the end.  As does Skele.  He exposes an entire list of doctors that took money from pharmaceutical companies in exchange for dispensing dangerous drugs.  He defies his brother-in-law in doing so and I rather enjoyed watching that yucky guy storm off in a huff.  I love all these reformed guys standing up and choosing the right side to fight for.

O.  Operation Complete

Maybe you like me forgot that Shi On's placement at the hospital in the beginning was a sort of probation.  He had passed the exam to become a doctor, but when the board learned of his disability, they revoked his license.  The Director then used his position to get Shi On in the door of the hospital anyway to allow him to prove himself, that he could perform the job satisfactorily despite his challenges.  He was given a mere 6 months to prove himself worthy and capable of being entrusted to hold the title of "Doctor".  Well, wouldn't you know it, but our boy did just that in half the time.  All of the Pediatric Surgical department sits down to meet with the Director regarding Shi On's track record over the past three months and to discuss his position there in the hospital.  The Director is concerned.  He's afraid they're going to be fighting to kick Shi On out like they had wanted to in the beginning, but of course the Director's concerns are all for naught when they all vouch for him and his superb abilities as a doctor.  They site specifics and all give him a thumbs up.  Even the one who was the slowest to jump on the Shi On train.  His only regret he says is that he took too long to join Team Shi On.  Yes, yes you did, but at least you're there now, so that's good.  This meeting ends with the President of the overseeing entity personally presenting Shi On with his official doctor certificate or whatever and promising that from now on, the board will reevaluate how they evaluate potential doctors that have different disabilities.  Yay Shi On!  Way to be a pioneer for others like yourself!  And no, I totally didn't get emotional in this part.  Ohh, okay fine... maybe a little.  It was really sweet.

N.  Neat and Tidy and Happily Ever After

Fast forward one year later.  Everyone is happily and gainfully employeed and living their doctorly dreams.  In Hae is finally leaving the hospital and has a little farewell party.  And look who is there with big sis?  Uh huh.  Dr Cutie Pie.  Love!  Shi On and Yeon Seo are together still.  Shi On and his mother live together.  We have orphans with 3D TV.  We even have a special cameo from Park Ki Woong (Bridal Mask, Full House 2, etc.) We see him as the newest addition to the surgical team.  And Shi On is reprimanding him for some mistake that he has made.  When we finally see this poor maknae's face, I cheered out loud as soon as I recognized who it was.  His part was one of my favorite parts of this entire episode.  It was funny to see Shi On acting in a position to yell at rather than be yelled at.  And I loved when, after his scolding, Park Ki Woong goes outside to sit on the bench and mope.  Soon Dr Skele walks over, and in a scene very reminiscent of Shi On's first days on the job, sits down and offers the young doctor half of his ice cream.  The young doc must have some brave streak in him because he asks for the bigger of the two pieces, something that amuses Skele very much.  It really is such a cute scene.  So yes, a year later and everyone is happy.  Everyone is doing well.  The hospital is a good place to be.  And we owe it all to our biggest catalyst, Dr Park Shi On who fought the good fight and not only won over hearts, but helped in changing them as well. 


And there we have it.  Another drama has come to a close.  To the cast and crew of Good Doctor I would say thank you for the ride.  And to you all for sticking around and reading my words, thank you as well.  Anyone curious as to what is next?  As if you even need to wonder.  Of course I'm taking on Heirs next.  It better be as good as we all hope.  Talk about no rest though.  Good Doctor aired on Tuesday and Heirs started Wednesday.  And thanks to some real life stuff, I got a day two days behind already and haven't yet seen Heirs.  But I'm excited to talk about it.  And not just because it means lots of Lee Min Ho.  Hey, I said 'not just".  There's more eye candy to the story, even I know and recognize that.  So, if you liked what you saw here I will not only be surprised, but I will also be so bold as to ask you to stick around and see what I have to say about Heirs.  Sound good?  Sounds good to me!  Hope to see many of you over there when I return with that one!

One last thanks before I say goodbye...
THANKS!

Good Doctor is now retired.

Good Doctor ep 19: Dramatic Recap-it

Let's just soak up the happy for a bit, shall we?

It's here.  Once again we begin the final week of yet another drama together.  It is as bittersweet as ever.  I know that in the beginning of this drama I had my doubts, but, barring any ridiculous ending (knock on wood), I can say with surety that I am glad I watched this one.  Is it the greatest ever?  Will it live on in the KDrama Hall of Fame?  Maybe not.  But that's okay.  It was still solid and sweet and had a good message.  It wasn't shocking or intense or mind-blowing.  It wasn't ultra romantic and swoon-worthy.  It was sweet.  And gentle.  And helped us to maybe feel a bit of compassion for others.  It showed us that people can change - that through small acts of kindness and just treating people with respect and less judgement, the world can become a better place and hearts can be softened.  We may not be able to "cure" someone on the autism spectrum, but they can still be humanized and treated as a person, not as their disease.  It helps us see the value that all people have inside of them.  A little philosophical?  Am I reading too much into a drama?  That's up to you to determine for yourself, but as for me, these are things I gained or was reminded of while watching and I'm grateful for this drama.  It is a heartwarming and positive story and I like those, even if they don't make my heart race.

But enough of that, let's go ahead and delve into the nitty gritty of this episode in preparation for the finale later today.  And away we go!

Dongsaeng's Drama Doctoring of episode 19

1.  For Goodness' Sake Lady, That's What Hairbrushes are For!

After she confesses that she too has reciprocal feelings for Shi On, he asks Yoon Seo to promise him something.  He is worried that she will come to regret her words and her choice as he often does upon reflection of the previous day.  He says that if she does regret what she has confessed, that he wouldn't be able to bear hearing it in words, so he asks for a sign from her.  If she takes back what she has expressed to him, she is to wear her hair in a ponytail at work the next day.  So, hair up - broken heart.  Hair down - girlfriend.  All without words being exchanged.  Clever idea.  So what happens the next morning?  Yoon Seo awakes at 6:30am (Shi On's professed time of personal regret) and ponders her feelings.  The next thing we know, we see a very anxious leg-bobbing Shi On waiting for Yoon Seo and his fate to arrive.  She shows up and at first we just see her lower half.  He is too nervous to look up.  Finally, as he does, our collective hearts all break for, what do we see but a ponytail on her head.  What?!?!?!  How can this be???  She sees his crestfallen face and starts to giggle.  Her explanation?  It was windy outside so she had to tie her hair back.  He breathes a sigh of relief and runs off happy, secure in knowing that she has made the choice to date him.  And I'm left sitting there feeling a bit rejected still.  That was not my favorite moment, I'm not going to lie.  I mean, I'm glad she still likes him, but why would the writers do something so cruel to us?  Lame.  What?  Can she not wear her hair down and then, oh I don't know, go to the ladies' room to fix it before showing up in front of him?  I mean, really.  How hard is it to fix your hair?  She has to be some sort of cruel to do that to us him.  Yeah, not my favorite moment.  But whatever, if Shi On can move on then I suppose I can to.  I guess.

2.  This Freaking Better Not Be the Foreshadowing I'm Afraid it Might Be

I am nervous about this whole In Hae thing.  Long before we even get to the end of the episode.  First there was all that talk in the last episode about how Shi On feels that there's something amiss that they haven't identified.  His spidey senses are tingling and he can't put his finger on it.  And then we get the scene where she's writing in her diary "just in case".  And this is after Shi On's weird dream where she was standing there like she was dead - peacefully passed, but still dead.  Dead, dead, dead.  The pediatric team wins their argument to perform In Hae's side of the transplant surgery (hurray!), but still, something just feels off.  I am really worried as she is being wheeled into the operating room that we are saying goodbye to this lovely young lady.  But more on that later....

3.  Psychic Connection

As what I suppose we could call their first official date, Yoon Seo and Shi On go to visit a psychic.  She reads them individually but also as a couple.  It looks pretty good - they are a good match.  With one little problem.  I guess they only get one chance at this.  If they break up, that's it.  They will never see each other again.  There won't be any chance of their fates crossing again.  One shot - make it or break it.  The pressure is on. Hopefully their relationship will be like the Rubik's cube puzzle Shi On so easily solved in 10 seconds with his eyes closed.  Please say yes.  Please oh please oh please.

4.  Man Up

I loved the part where Hot Doc confronts Shi On's rotten father.  Bad Dad is on his death bed, yet he's still being the big giant jerk he's always been.  He's cursing Shi On and whining about how he wished his older son was there instead.  Hot Doc overhears this and later goes to have a chat with the "piece of work".  He tells Dad that Shi On should be treated as the adult he is and no longer as a child.  He reminds him that his son has grown to be a full-fledged doctor and needs his father to treat him as such in order for him to recover from the trauma of his youth.  What a wonderful substitute hyung Hot Doc has become!  Maybe his words will get through to Daddy Dearest before it's too late.

5.  Broadcasting It

Shi On has expressed his interest in keeping their relationship quiet for now, but at a department dinner out, Yoon Seo bravely stands to announce that they are dating.  The initial excitement in the group dies to an awkward near silence.  Some are supportive, like our adorable and loveable Jin Wook, but most don't really know what to say or think.  Poor Shi On.  Crushing.  After this announcement, the hospital grapevine gets busy.  Some support, some gossip.  An unexpected supporter comes in the form of Dr Grumpy Butt who was the most resistant to Shi On at first.  Some, like the brand new character that shows up (in the freaking next-to-last-episode) and is Yoon Seo's close friend, advise her against it.  Specifically this friend is worried about Yoon Seo's mother's reaction which, let's face it, is a legitimate enough concern.  We may not have met her, but yet Mom appears to be one who wouldn't necessarily approve of her daughter dating someone as "unique" as Shi On.  I smell trouble brewing as I watch Shi On and even Yoon Seo deal with the aftermath of them making it public.  Remember, they only get one shot at this if you want to believe the psychic.  Could spell trouble in our love connection.

6.  Peter Pan

The staff has their stellar performance of Peter Pan for all the young patients.  It was actually really cute.  I loved Murse Jo as Tinkerbell.  And Skele as the Little Mermaid who was lost on her way to find the Sea Witch.  Yes, I giggled at all the silly cuteness.  And then that giggling took a sad turn as my radar picked up on yet more foreshadowing in the final scene between Peter and Wendy.  I don't even want to talk about it, but I'm sure you know what I mean.  Mean writer.  Why can we never just be happy?  Why do we always have to be looking over our shoulders when something good finally happens?  Wae?!?!  Haven't we and haven't they been through enough already?  Can't we just have something go right without the obligatory hiccups as soon as things take a turn for the better?  Sheesh.

7.  Murse Jo's Story

So I guess I was wrong about the Head Nurse's Bad Boy fetish.  While I still would argue that it does still get her blood pumping, I guess it would seem as if she is still concerned about Murse Jo's past and kangster ties.  She wants to be assured that his past is truly in his past and that all ties have been severed.  And she wants to know how and why.  It turns out that Murse Jo had a sibling who passed away leaving a child behind and he became this child's caretaker.  The child was sick and hospitalized, and while he paid the expenses and supported the child that way, because of his kangster ways, he was unable to physically be there to care for his young ward.  When the child died, he received a letter from her/him expressing gratitude that he had been there for her/him.  This was too much for our sweet kangster to handle, so he vowed to leave his kangster ways behind him and treat sick children.  Fast forward to today and that's still his life's work in honor of his brother's child.  He starts sobbing and even the stoic Nurse Nam tears up at the emotional tale.

8.  Back to In Hae

Remember what I said before about this director and hands?  This episode had A LOT of hand action.

It's surgery time.  It's also confession time between In Young and Dr Han.  They are just so sweet together through all their tender moments in this entire episode.  And yes, I cried as both girls were being wheeled in for surgery holding hands.  And then when Jin Wook returned to In Young's side before going in to In Hae's surgery.  They got me with all the emotions surrounding this transplant.  I sat there watching and crying and pleading at the screen to not kill off In Hae.  I'm so scared.  I was relieved when the surgery finished without any difficulty.  I was happy when In Young opened her eyes and saw her Doctor in Shining Armor sitting there beside her.  And I wasn't one bit surprised when in the recovery area, In Hae's situation turned critical.  I really, really hope she pulls through.  I hope that this isn't somehow the "bridge of souls" that binds Yoon Seo and Shi On.  My fear is that In Hae dies and it breaks up our happy couple - with Shi On leaving or something like that.  After all, In Hae is credited with bringing them together - if she is gone, what will happen to the two of them?  Plus I just really hate when they kill off loveable characters in the end of a drama.  My only hope at this point is that I was wrong before, so I'm probably wrong now.  They want us to worry and fret, but they won't take her away from us for real, right?  They also won't separate our couple.  They can't do that to us this late in the game.  I say that, full well knowing that they can and have before in other dramas, but not this drama.  I'm going to stubbornly stick to my belief that they will not do that, that everything and everyone will live happily ever after.   So there.  Take that mean ol' foreshadowing.  I ain't falling for your tricksties this time.  :-P


Okay.  That's episode 19 for us.  One more to go.  Aggghhh!  What will become of it all????

Guess we'll just have to wait and see....

Good Doctor ep 18: Dramatic Recap-it

Ack!  Darn cold will not go away.  Head cold, not weather cold.  The weather is still pretty warm during the day.  Not that you asked or probably even want to know but I told you anyway.  I'm a sharer.  But I've been down for nearly a week now with a case of the sniffles and such, which is why this recap has been so elusive.  It's been a long time since I've pulled a late night blogathon - oddly enough I've kind of missed it.  I'm sure The Husband is delighted to hear the constant click clack click clack that are my fingers racing across the keyboard while he sleeps.  Just one of the things that comes with the territory when you've married an addicKt I suppose.  I would suggest a support group for those who love those who love this world.  I think that there are times when they could use a shoulder of one who understands what it's like to live with people like us to cry on.  Or sleep on.  You know, whatever the situation requires at the time.  We just need a catchy name.  Any ideas?

While I let you think on name ideas for our support group for those that love those that love all things Hallyu, how about I chat a bit about this episode?  Sound good?  Okay, so you keep thinking while I review some of the top 8 moments of this episode.  And away we go!

Dongsaeng's Drama Doctoring of episode 18

1.  I Got Your Back

About to perform a tricky operation on Kang Hyun Tae's son, Hot Doc collapses from his infected stab wound.  Insistent that he remain in the operating room, he turns the reigns over to Dr Cha and has one of the residents physically hold him up so that he can observe and direct.  This is all while Hyun Tae looks on from the observation room.  The surgery ends up being successfully completed, yay, but Hot Doc doesn't get off that easy.  Hyun Tae comes to find him and chews him out.  Hot Doc comes back with some story about how he held the baseball and couldn't leave the boy's side or whatever.  Whatever he says, it's enough to make peace with the difficult Hyun Tae.  PS - I really should have come up with a nickname for him earlier on.  It's kind of funny that this is actually the first time I've used his name.  You might not even know who I'm talking about.  Guess if that's true you'll just have to do what I did and Asian Wiki it ;) 

2.  Kangster Nurse

I recently heard and purchased a track from an album I had never heard of.  Part of the album title used the word "Kangster" instead of "Gangster".  I liked it.  So I pay homage to it by using the term to talk about our favorite murse.  After seeing a bit of news about their old "colleague" catching the serial stabber, a group of guys in dark suits show up at the hospital looking for our Mr Tough Guy.  They never so much come out and say it, but one is certainly left with the impression that Murse Jo used to be a gangster with these guys, or, as I like to now think of them, a "kangster".  They're trying to get him to return, but he swiftly sends them on their merry little kangster way and then tries to blow it off as just old friends from his neighborhood.  Yeahhh, I don't think anyone is buying it, especially not Head Nurse Nam, who apparently has a thing for bad boys.  After the run in with Mr Super Stabby, she started to look at him in a more positive light, fantasizing about him and everything.  This just further fans the flames of her interest.  She's definitely hot for his bad boy bod.  These two crack me up with all their goofiness.

3.  Mom's Reason

Shi On finally is ready to hear his mother's reason for leaving him all those years ago.  For 20 years he was abandoned.  I'd say that it's about time he found out why.  What compels a mother to leave her son?  She initially left obviously because of the beatings.  It must have gotten to a breaking point for her and she ran to save her life.  Once she had left though, her abusive husband was so angry and revengeful, that she feared returning would only put Shi On in more danger.  So she left him in the care of the Director.  Now, I'm still a little lost on some of the details.  Did he actually live with the Director?  When and how did this all come to be?  How did he get away from his father?  Did his mother arrange it ahead of time with the Director?  I still have a million other questions.  The point that I wanted to focus on though was, according to her, her staying away from Shi On saved him from his father.  Maybe she was afraid that if she was caught with Shi On, they would both be killed?  I don't know.  We are just to know I guess that she abandoned him in order to save and protect him.  I can believe it.  I still want more of the story to fully understand the circumstances and whatnot, but I believe that she loved her son very much and did not abandon him for selfish reasons.  I think her heart was in the right place.  It's still tragically sad, but if now Shi On as an adult can understand the deeper reasons behind her abandonment, he can make peace with it and with her and begin again from where they are now.

4.  Something's Off

Something is up with In Hae.  She's agreed to the surgery and everything seems copacetic, but there's something there that is nagging at Shi On especially.  He feels that there is something important that they are missing and that surgery at this point would be dangerous.  They at least want to handle In Hae's side of the transplant surgery there in the pediatric department instead of leaving it with the other department in charge of the case.  The Chief of that Department though is kind of still a big doodoohead and refuses their request when approached by Yoon Seo and Shi On.  Yoon Seo appeals to Hot Doc who basically assures her that he has something in the works to make it happen through medical justification.  There is most certainly some red flags all over this one though as multiple people keep pointing out that In Hae is not the same person she was before she got sick this last time leading us to believe that indeed there is something unseen lurking underneath the surface for our favorite teen love counselor. 

5.  Crying Uncle

I've been focusing a lot on Skele lately.  His story continues a bit and begins to involve all the other "business-side characters".  Finally learning the role of this money man trying to buy the hospital in her father's death, Chae Kyung is repentant and trying to fix things up.  This leaves an opening for new Chairperson, and Skele's uncle is picked as the temporary fill in.  Well, he wants the new job so he puts the pressure on his nephew that owes him for his current position, and who up until now has been cooperative in all their dirty dealings, to start helping the process along.  Skele though, after being befriended against his will by Shi On, has begun to have a change of heart and has found not only his conscience, but also rediscovered his true calling as a surgeon, not as a political maneuverer and wheeler dealer.  What will he do?  Follow his uncle's request and insure an even bigger promised promotion for himself, or follow his heart and protect the hospital and young patients that wouldn't be able to afford care if the hospital were privatized?  Another one having a bit of a dilemma is WhatsHisFace, Hyun Tae.  The experience with his son and the words of Hot Doc have started to work on him as well.  He's not quite the same bad guy he started out as either.  I love when Shi On tells him that he is now 50/50 - half good, half bad.  Sounds about right.  Which leads me to another tangent - I love when dramas stay true to actual human nature and give us these complicated characters that aren't really super good or super bad - they're people that make good choices and bad choices like many people do.  It just makes them seem more real to me. 

6.  Serenade

These last three points are going to focus on Shi On and Yoon Seo.  Yes, I know there was more in this episode that I didn't cover yet, but this is my favorite part and the only part of the drama that I am invested 100% into, so it's what I want to talk about most.  Hey, at least I bothered to make some attempt with the political blechy stuff first, right?  We got through that unpleasantness, now let's reward ourselves with a little lovin'.  Shi On has a parent of a patient request a new doctor because she doesn't like that he has this condition.  His friends and coworkers and even other moms try vouching for him and come to his defense like rock stars, but he easily gives the woman what she wants, with a smile and everything.  Later when a worried Yoon Seo is asking him if he's okay, he explains that things like that don't bother him.  He's okay with how new people sometimes react to him.  He gets it and doesn't take it to heart.  There is one thing though that hurts him....  Which he clams up about and doesn't explain until later that night back at home.  So he's down on his patio and Yoon Seo is above him on her balcony.  I'm not clear if he knows she's there or not.  It kind of actually makes a bit of a difference, but I couldn't tell for sure.  At some times I thought he knew and at others I was convinced that he didn't and that he was just talking to himself/the moon.  I suppose it's one of those things we just have to interpret for ourselves, at least at this juncture.  I'm of the belief that he did not know she was there, but am full on willing to admit that I could be wrong and wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he just found it easier to talk to her that way.  Knowing him though and how hard he works to protect her from his feelings, I am going to believe the first scenario unless proven otherwise.  Sound like a plan?  Good.  So, anyway, he's there staring up at the moon and begins to explain how his one-sided love hurts his heart.  And then he starts to sing.  And then we get a fantasy scenario with a "normal, healthy" Shi On and Yoon Seo in love.  We even get a kiss.  A dream kiss is still a kiss.  It may not be as good as a real kiss, but for now, I'll accept it and be grateful for it.  So he's down there singing his heart out, we're seeing what would be in a "perfect" world, and Yoon Seo is up there listening and crying.  And falling in love with him whether she realizes it or not.

7.  Hooked

I loved this scene here.  It was super duper cheesy, but it had its redeeming moments for sure.  The staff are putting on their annual (?) play in the pediatric ward for the kids.  They've chosen to do Peter Pan.  When pressed to participate, Hot Doc initially refuses, until his diabolical staff plays dirty and gets Hyun Tae's son to talk him into it.  Hot Doc has a soft spot for this kid and so next thing you know, he's Captain Hook and riding around on an office chair with a hanger for a hook.  Shi On is Peter and Yoon Seo is Wendy.  As part of the action on stage, "Peter" grabs "Wendy's" hand so that they can fly.  Only in this moment, Yoon Seo has a very non-Wendy reaction.  Shi On grabbing her hand and holding tight sends a shock wave through her and she forgets the play and focuses on the man that she's been falling for.  Afterwards, we see her go out into the hall and stare at that hand and try to calm her racing heart.  Ooh, she's got it good!  Yoon Seo likes Shi On!  Yoon Seo likes Shi On!  Shi On and Yoon Seo sitting in a tree....

8.  Oooh!  Did you see that?

Our final scene ends in a hug - a hug initiated by Yoon Seo.  A hug not meant as a friend or a sister, but a hug that says, "I've fallen for you".  She doesn't confess very clearly in words, since she's kind of stumbling all over the place trying to get those words out, but we know what she means.  Hopefully Shi On knows what she means too.  She probably oughta make it a bit more clear to him in the next episode, wouldn't you agree?  Still two to go - we'll see what develops.  Fingers and toes crossed!



And there we have it.  Better late than never.  Did you come up with a cool name for our support group?  Did you forget?  Were you distracted by all the love and feels and such?  Oh silly, silly addicKts.  That's okay, it's not like I can really even blame you.  It's Joo Won - I forget my name when he's around, let alone goofy tasks randomly assigned by some weird ahjumma lady.  I'll let it slide for now, but if you do happen to come up with a fabulous name for our fictitious support group for our friends and family who have to put up with our "hobby", let me know. 

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm anxious to move on to 19, so I think I'll bid you a very fond farewell at this time.  As I write this, I still have not seen it even though it came out today.  That's gotta be like illegal or something.  It's been a busy day and all, ya know?  Orthodontist, TaeKwonDo and the likes.  That's neither here nor there and I shouldn't be wasting valuable drama watching time by going through the boring details of my boring day that kept me from watching dramas.  So, enough chit chat for now, I'll got finish this up and hopefully keep my eyes open long enough to see what comes next for our love birds <3  Catch ya on the flipside!






I know I missed a lot in this episode.  There were easily at least 8 additional things I could have talked about.  If I didn't talk about your favorite part, I am sorry.  I didn't even talk about all of my favorite parts either.  There were some good moments in this episode worthy of mention.  As a peace offering though I offer up something that I just couldn't let go - some of the eye candy captured along the way.  I'm going to just state the obvious - it's very heavily weighed in Hot Doc's direction, but that's not because I find him to be the only attractive guy in the show.  Shi On had plenty of drool worthy moments, he's just a whole lot harder to capture.  Hot Doc holds his poses a lot longer and so his shots come out more clear.  Shi On is always moving and blinking and so very few turn out the way that I would like.  But we know, don't we?  We know that the Joo Won we adore is coming out more and more and he's so gorgeous and beautiful and worthy of lots and lots of attention.  Anyway, enjoy a bit of eye candy and recall some of the honorary unmentioned moments from 18.

Good Doctor ep 17: dramatic recap-it

All kinds of love going on in this episode.

It is Friday once again, so here we go with this week's recap of Good Doctor.  I enjoyed this next-to-last-week's episodes well enough.  There was some good stuff and it certainly has me ready to see the finale and how it all comes together in the end.  This episode focused a lot on relationships, all of our many relationships we have going on in the show, romantic and otherwise.  Many I have barely touched on if at all, yet many I've enjoyed watching develop through the series.  How would you all feel if I focus on some of the side relationships going on in this particular recap? 

"Gee Dongsaeng, you mean to tell us that you don't know already exactly what you're going to write about even though you're already writing?  Do you mean to tell us that you just make this crap up as you go along?"

Guilty.

There is so much I could talk about, and for some reason (I totally blame the cold The Husband was kind enough to share with me *cough* *cough* *achoo!*) I am having a difficult time deciding which 8 points to focus on.  There was a lot that happened, and many of them can be linked together as following a similar theme.  On a totally unrelated note, it finally hit me as I was doing my screencaps as usual while watching, that the director really favors certain camera angles.  I swear that so many of my screenshots look the same.  He likes hands.  A lot.  There are a lot of close-ups of hands.  This episode alone I think I got hand close-ups from at least five different scenes.  I could go back and count, but I'm not going to.  I will collage some of them though (since I'm fighting a bit of writer's block at the moment and was curious).

See?  Hands.  Lots of them.  And that was without trying to capture specifically hand shots while watching.

These are things that I probably wouldn't even notice if I wasn't taking hundreds of screencaps, but yeah... a definite bias for certain camera shots.  Another example?  Hot Doc always has his head tilted to the same side and wears the same, maybe, three expressions?  He looks hot while doing it, so I don't really mind, but yeah....  Things like this that you notice by the 17th and 18th episodes of a show. 

But enough of my blathering on...let's get to the episode!  Lots to talk about today!

Dongsaeng's Drama Doctoring of episode 17

1.  The Fallout

Young In Hye has gone septic and is very ill.  She is rushed to the hospital and everyone is immediately there to help her, many of them feeling guilty for their part they played in her worsening condition.  Tensions are running high.  Hot Doc yells at his staff and then is himself yelled at by the mean doctor from the other department.  It turns out though that the events of the previous night really didn't have anything to do with her worsening condition - it had actually started weeks prior and was due in large part to In Hye not taking her medicine as she should have.  So really it wasn't anyone's fault, but of course the doctors are still rattled by this.  When she finally wakes up, we see that In Hye has had a change of heart.  Before, she was wanting to just die instead of continuing to be a burden on her big sister.  Now she wants to live and is willing to accept her sister's gift and get well.  Well, at least something good came of it all, huh?

2.  The Player and His Son

I'm going to talk about all that happens with this young patient and his father as it spans the entire episode.  This is the boy that needs a complicated surgery.  Yoon Seo came up with a possible solution, and when suggested it to the hospital in Boston, Boston decided it would be best, and mom agreed, that the boy go back to Korea for said surgery since they weren't willing to take the risk on a never-before-done operation.  So the boy comes to Korea, to the very hospital of course that dear dad has been scheming this whole time to take over.  Hot Doc and the boy quickly gain a repartee.  Dad starts out making the decision to bring his son to some top doc in Japan, but as the episode commences and both parents see how well their son is thriving in this hospital, the decision is finally made to have the surgery there.  You can tell that Dad still isn't quite on board which makes sense considering the tensions currently raging between him and the doctors there, yet he knows how much it means to his son and it turns out that he's at least not a rotten father.  He's kind of a worm in general, but at least he's good to his kid which earns him back some points.  Kudos dude, you only sort of suck as a human being.  Congrats on that.
 
3.  Blast from the Past

I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see this guy show up.  And maybe if I hadn't completely forgotten about his existence and role he played in Shi On's life I would have expected him to appear sooner or later.  Yet, forget I did, so shocked I was.  Shi On gets an interesting blast from his past when the father of a patient turns out to be none other than the boy that issued the challenge to go into the abandoned mine as children that resulted in the death of Shi On's big brother.  I think it goes without saying that there are some unresolved issues between these two, including obviously some anger and resentment on Shi On's part as well as some "aw, crap" feelings from the bully all grown up.  The guy approaches Shi On and apologizes and begs him to take good care of his son.  He even calls Shi On his friend.  Ouch.  That had to have hurt Shi On's heart just a bit, as friendship was all that he had been looking for as a child and that desire to fit in is what led to his brother dying in the accident.  Shi On doesn't immediately know how to respond, but after a little pep talk from Hot Doc, returns and accepts the man's apology.  Good for him!  Our Shi On is certainly maturing by leaps and bounds now.

4.  Dinner for Two

 
Yoon Seo wins some drawing for a free dinner at a restaurant.  She invites Shi On to accompany her.  Once there, it becomes apparent that this dinner prize was intended to be one for couples. The waitstaff is obnoxious in their fawning and innuendos, even pressing the "happy couple" to kiss.  Can you say, "awkward"?  This leads to an interesting conversation between Shi On and Yoon Seo about who you can and can't kiss and so forth.  Is it just me or is it glaringly obvious that she totally has feelings for him but just can't see it yet?  The scene was cute yet kind of uncomfortable to watch because it really was incredibly awkward, the whole of it.  It was certainly a very odd "date" night.  Much like the next date night we get to see...that of Yoon Seo on a blind date.  Since they're similar enough, I'll just lump that one in here as well while I'm at it. 

Yoon Seo is set up on a blind date by her mother, with a man she refers to afterwards as "Prosecutor Voldemort".  Judging by her nickname and her obvious boredom during the date, I'm going to assume that this relationship isn't going anywhere.  What was interesting though was how she left the date as soon as possible and who did she immediately go to see?  Shi On.  Mmmhmm.  Oh, girlfriend's got it bad for our boy and the sooner she wakes up to see that, the happier we will all be.  She shows up and Shi On is surprised to see her.  He tells her how pretty she looks and she tells him of her date.  She then starts pressing him to see if he's maybe jealous.  He plays it cool which really throws her off.  She's being very silly.  He's confessed to her, yet she's still so confused at her own feelings that she feels the need to test him at every turn and corner. 
 
5.  I Don't Want to Be a Burden

I'm going to mention these two conversations together as well as they were both very similar.  Shi On and Yoon Seo are sitting together enjoying a treat at a cafe and Yoon Seo asks him if he's told Jin Wook about liking her.  She knows, and he confirms, that he and Jin Wook often talk of relationships, yet Shi On has never told Jin Wook about his crush on Yoon Seo.  She is curious as to why.  The answer is heartbreaking.  Shi On doesn't want to tell people because he doesn't want Yoon Seo to be mocked.  All his life, those that he showed feelings of friendship for were made fun of because of his condition.  He didn't want her to be caught up in all of that.  He wanted to protect her by not associating himself with her in people's minds.  He feels that it is better for him to suffer alone then to pull anyone else into his reality.  Dang boy, ow!  You can practically hear Yoon Seo's heart break and shatter into a million pieces (or maybe that was just mine I was hearing).  This poor guy is nursing some serious deep wounds inflicted on him throughout his short, yet sad, existence. 

Then we get Jin Wook (aka Cutie Pie doctor) and In Hye's sister and their conversation.  She knows of his feelings for her, largely due to Shi On telling her, and broaches the subject with him by explaining that, once she has this surgery where she donates her small intestines to her little sister, her lifestyle will vastly change and she will no longer be strong and healthy.  It will weaken her for the rest of her life and she doesn't want to become a burden to anyone.  So, as you can see, we have two people here willingly forgoing their own happiness not for lack of reciprocal feelings, but instead out of consideration to the one that would, in their perspective, be burdened by an association and relationship with them.  While Yoon Seo doesn't have much of a response to that at this time, Jin Wook does, and it's awesome.  He tells her point blank that he doesn't see how this would ever be a burden to him.  In other words, when you care about and love someone, you want to help them and support them and you don't see their struggles as a burden upon yourself.  I know Yoon Seo is going to end up feeling the same way, Jin Wook just said it first.  He's awesome.  Have I told you that before?  I love his character and his gentle, kind ways.  He's a doll. 


6.  Chae Kyung and the Hideous Dress

That little brown number that Chae Kyung wears throughout this episode is not doing the girl any favors.  Thankfully though, she is doing herself, and others, some favors and is quickly redeeming herself.  She started out kind of selfish and not very nice, but she is really coming around and I am really liking her more and more.  First, she goes to her stepmother and apologizes, and promises to right her wrongs in honor of her deceased father, the Director and even her, the stepmother she had originally tried to oust.  Then when Shi On returns the expensive sweater to her, she giggles about how it must have made another woman jealous and helps Shi On realize that maybe Yoon Seo does indeed have feelings for him, because if she didn't, she wouldn't have been bothered by another woman buying him an expensive gift.  These two are adorable together!  You know, even when she was at her worst in the beginning, she was still always kind to Shi On which shows her true nature more than her previous angry, vindictive self.  She was hurting and was lashing out, but at her core is a good woman.  This is why when she and Hot Doc rekindle their relationship, I couldn't have been happier for them.  They are really sweet together and I'm so glad things are working out, and not just because it frees Yoon Seo up from his romantic attentions.  And finally, as hideous as I found the brown dress, I did think that the charm on her nail was pretty cool.  I can't imagine that it's too comfortable to wear though.  I mean, if it were me, I'd constantly be snagging it on everything and it most likely wouldn't last long.  She must not have to do dishes or laundry or anything.  Lucky girl.  Very cute nail art, understated yet eye-catching.  At least the stylist scored points on that front.  Still doesn't quite undo the monstrosity of that "thing" she's being swallowed by on the rest of her body, but it does help. 
 
7.  Dr Skele

A good amount of this episode was spent on Dr Skeleton Face, the Chief of Pediatric Surgery.  It's been fun to see his transformation as the drama has progressed, and this episode was certainly no exception.  I mean, come on, he wakes up naked next to Dr Il Kyu, or as I like to call him, Dr Slow-to-Come-Around, what's not to love?  It was hilarious.  But, I'm getting ahead of myself, so let's back it up right quick.  An emergency patient comes in to the hospital.  It's a very sick little boy that needs surgery right away in order to survive, but is so sick that that surgery could very well kill him.  In the past, Skele would have refused to operate, but now, thanks to Shi On and his influence and kindness, he has the courage to actually try.  He has found his roots once again as a surgeon and less as a hospital politics player.  There is a very-amusing-in-its-dramatic-overplay surgery that ends in success.  It also ends in our two weak hearts, Skele and Il Kyu, sitting and drinking together.  Il Kyu struggled when he first came to the hospital and wants to know why Skele kept him on.  He suspects that his mother paid him off or something, but no, Skele kept him on because this kid reminded him of himself.  He got his position thanks to the influence of his uncle and was therefore given a chance that maybe he didn't fully deserve or earn.  He saw this young doctor much the same way - slow and maybe not cut out for the job initially, but with the potential to succeed if just given a chance that maybe he didn't fully deserve.  Kind of heartening, yet kind of depressing.  Which is why they both drink until they pass out.  Shi On stumbles upon them passed out there at the table and takes them home.  The next thing we know, they're both in Shi On's bed together, sans clothes.  Cheap, lowbrow, slapstick kind of humor, but I don't care - it was still funny.  Their reactions when they saw each other cracked me up, as did Shi On playing Mother Hen to both of them and feeding them some spicy soup for breakfast.
 
8.  Can Somebody Get a Doctor in Here?

Remember how Hot Doc got stabbed and all?  Well, all through the episode, it has become apparent that his wound has become infected and is causing him some pain.  He treats it himself, but stays mum on the whole thing to those around him.  Idiot.  That kind of macho attitude is what gets people like you in trouble.  Like when you go into the operating room to perform a never-before-done surgery on the son of the Vice President who isn't exactly your BFF and already doesn't completely trust you and your ability.  Sure enough, no sooner has the surgery begun that Hot Doc collapses from the effects of the painful inflamed wound.  Stellar there, Buddy.  I'm sure the Vice President will be thrilled with you and this turn of events.  Lovely.  And that of course is our cliffhanger for the episode and where we leave off for now. 

Okay, so what did you think?  Should I wait and ask that at the end of 18?  I would say more, but I think I pretty much got everything off my chest that I wanted to talk about already, so I'll leave it here for now.  Stay tuned for episode 18 where even more interesting stuff happens. 

Good Doctor ep 16: Dramatic Recap-it

Hot Doc is hottest in his surgical scrubs and Shi On when he is sleeping.  Or at least it would seem as all my favorite screen caps of them are usually following this pattern.  I guess it's because when Shi On is laying down he looks most like my Joo Won <3

Dongsaeng's Drama Doctoring of Episode 16

1.  It's Just a Flesh Wound

At the end of episode 15, we are left with a stabbed and bleeding Hot Doc.  I'm sure we all collectively gasped at that moment and wondered what would become of our resident Chief Eye Candy.  Well, fear not fellow AddicKts, for at the beginning of 16 we see that he is indeed okay.  Thankfully the knife missed any organs and before we know it he has returned back to work.  Okay, yeah, so he returns probably a little earlier than he really should have, but return he does and alive he is.  We'll take it!  Thank you drama powers that be for not killing off a hottie.  What would we have done without that smile???  Dreamy!

2.  Ppo Ppo

After stabbing Hot Doc, the bad guy takes off and is stopped by our favorite murse.  He goes all thug on him and is hauled off by the police.  What?  That's stupid.  The guy is a mass stabber.  He earned what he got.  The Charge Nurse lady bails him out and takes him out to eat.  Love is in the air!  Nurse Lady though isn't the only one though sharing the love.  Shi On decides to show his approval of the murse's actions with a little peck on the cheek.  Everyone is standing around, mouths agape at this odd turn of events.  Why does Shi On do it?  Well, because he figures that since the murse gave him a kiss in an earlier episode that that was his preferred method of congratulatory expression.  It was a cute scene, especially then when the Head Nurse Lady starts teasing Murse that his first kiss was from a boy.  Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy the hospital staff's interactions with each other?  Cuz I do.  You know, in case you were wondering.

3.  Breaking it Down

The hospital staff is trying to figure out exactly what the hospital buy-out and transformation into a for-profit institution will mean.  Basically it could mean good things for them, but bad for those patients who can't afford treatment.  Sounds about right I suppose.  Then there's the Vice President guy.  Here he is trying to take over the hospital and pissing some good people off in those efforts all while his son needs a surgery that the hospital in Boston is refusing to do.  Where do they want him to go to for consultation?  Why one of the very doctors he's been pissing off of course.  Dr Cha has come up with a radical and new solution that just might work, but Boston isn't wiling to take the risk on it.  Now this guy has a dilemma to make.  That dilemma is made harder later when his wife, unbeknownst to him, suddenly shows up with their son at the hospital.  Hmm...this could get interesting I suppose.

4.  A Drama Classic in Reverse

We are all quite familiar with the infamous drama makeover where rich guy takes poor girl to a fancy schmancy store and buys her a present.  Well, this time we get this drama classic in reverse and with a twist.  Grateful to him for helping Hot Doc in his time of need, Chae Kyung has taken him shopping to buy something warm.  They end up getting him a nice handsome sweater, but when Yoon Seo sees him wearing it later, learns who it came from and then sees the price tag, she flips out.  In a "I'm jealous that some other woman that I've seen you spending time with is now buying you an expensive gift" kind of way.  Shi On shouldn't give up hope just yet - things could just turn out in his favor in this arena after all.

5.  An Unexpected Ally

Dr Skeleton Face is asking around about Shi On and learns of his father being in the hospital and a little about his past (and current) treatment of Shi On.  Later on when Dad is being a big old jerk in the halls, Skele steps in to lend Shi On a helping hand and stand up to his nasty trashy dad.  I love it!  His transformation has been totally fun to watch.

6.  Coming Clean

Chae Kyung admits to her stepmother and the director (are they married or what?) her involvement in the loss of the funding for the foundation.  The chairwoman is understandably shocked and upset at Chae Kyung's betrayal, as is the director, but I have to give him props for what he tells her after she's left.  He assures her that when all is said and done, she is still the most important thing to them and that losing the foundation and the hospital would pale in comparison to losing her.  Aww!  What a good guy he is!  I just heart is sweet self.
 
7.  Doing the Dance

How cute was Shi On doing a goofy dance in the park in order to cheer up Yoon Seo?  Oh!  And the following her oh-so-stealthily before he was caught.  *giggle*  He's freaking adorable!  I just love his guts.  Also "doing the dance" so to say is Hot Doc and Chae Kyung who are finally making up.  Yay!  This makes me happy, mostly because it means Hot Doc will cease his chasing of Yoon Seo, thus freeing up a clearer path for Shi On.  Shi On also continues to show his strength and impressiveness as he becomes more confident in approaching and even caring for his father.  The fear and hatred are melting away as he begins to see his father as a flawed and dying man.  That takes a whole heck of a lot of courage.  So does standing up to the vice president guy and telling him what-for in the case of the hospital buyout and his concern for those without money to buy the care that their children need.  The guy has gumption and courage coming out his sweet wahzoo.  <3

8.  In Hye

After finding out that her sister is the intended donor for her intestinal transplant, In Hye becomes upset.  She would rather die than continue to be a burden to her sister.  At the end of the episode she runs off and is found by Yoon Seo who takes her home.  Now, earlier it had been discussed and suggested that they hold off on the surgery (cutie pie doctor was trying to convince big sis of this because he is worried for her as well seeing as how he has a big ol' mondo crush on her) because it wasn't urgent.  Well, after a little sleepover party (no, I'm not even going to go there about how a patient spending the night at her physicians house would never in a bazillion million years be deemed appropriate in the medical field, but whatever...we'll just go with it) at Yoon Seo's, In Hye awakes the next morning with something very obviously wrong.  She's really out of it and there is blood falling on her feet and coming from her mouth before she collapses.  I'm no doctor or expert here, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that maybe this surgery is a bit more critical than they assumed.  Ya think?  Personally I was a little upset that they went this direction.  I really like this character a lot and I wasn't thrilled to see her sick.  I shouldn't have been surprised, but I still may have directed an audible "no!  not her!" at the screen.  You know, maybe.  Who really knows?  Not that I would ever admit to such a thing.  No, never.  And that, that is where our cliffhanger leaves us dangling from this week.  Or I guess now last week since the new episode is about to air.  You know what I mean.

All in, I appreciated quite a few moments in this episode, even beyond the ones listed here.  I am curious and excited to see what the final two weeks of this drama brings.  As I'm sure you are as well.  Which reminds me - did you happen to hear how well this one is doing in the ratings back in Korea?  It topped the magical 20% this past week as far as viewership numbers.  That's not bad.  Funny how I suspect it's not playing as well here in the States.  I can't speak for sure since we don't really track the numbers here as accurately, I can only base it on the buzz I'm hearing.  I know many that have dropped it, and those that haven't dropped it still don't rave and gush endlessly as they do when they are watching one they love.  It's been a lukewarm reception from what I've seen among my American peers.  I wonder how it's playing internationally in the rest of the world.  And I wonder why the (assumed and highly unscientific) disparity?  Very interesting.  At least to me.  Am I just being odd?  Maybe.  It means something to me though because as someone who spends many hours every week dedicated to reviewing a drama, I like to know that it at least is one that people care about and are watching.  If the English speaking world isn't digging a drama, then why should I waste my time when it could be served elsewhere (because you totally know that I'm providing an invaluable service to said English speaking world, right?)?  I can't write to the Korean audience that is loving it what with the whole language barrier and all, so it matters to me how popular a drama is amongst those that are potential readers.  So yeah, may not really matter to most why a drama does well back home and not here abroad, but it does just so happen to be a curiosity of mine for obvious and not so obvious reasons.