Kmuse's End of Year Countdown - The Worst of 2014

I am officially calling 2014 the year of the "blah" drama.  So many of them were not necessarily bad, but they were not really good either.  Pretty much I finished them out of a sense of obligation for my Facebook discussion groups.  So if a drama actually made it onto my "sucks" list, it was pretty gosh darn terrible. 

My Secret Hotel episode 16: Well, It's Over

Upon finishing this week's two finale episodes, my initial thought was relief. Relief that I got to cover 16 and not 15. If I had had to take on 15, well, I just don't know what I would have done. Ten minutes in, I was texting Kmuse and screaming at the insanity of it all. I was frustrated. With a capital F. As in, "what the F...(Foghorn Leghorn - he sure was frustrating)"??  I had to stop watching it and wait for Kmuse's recap first before I could continue. I had wished I could do the same for 16 too, but, obviously that wasn't going to work. I guess I'm the "skip to the end of the book" kind of person. I am. There's no use denying it. I don't like spoilers, but there are times when they are necessary in order for me to continue on and/or save my sanity.

My Secret Hotel Episode 15 - Can I get a refund?

And just when you think that this drama might have more open and direct dialogue, it is the 2nd to last episode after all, it jumps straight back into the pool of misunderstanding.  I think the writers have a misunderstanding that we viewers want to see more of this crap.  Song Hyo witnesses Ms Buttinsky dropping off her husband, supposedly from a night out together.  We see in flashback that Sang Hyo actually DID fly to New York after her husband, but was met at the door by a scantly clad Ms Buttinsky who implied that she was sleeping with Hae Young.  Wow, history is repeating itself (what a shocker), but at least we have a better understanding of why Sang Hyo has been so anti-reuniting with her husband.

My Secret Hotel ep 14: You Asked for It

So, it has come to this. I can't decide which cliche to go with here. "I told you so" or "you asked for it, you got it"? Remember when everyone was up in arms because the whole "marriage for the sake of the hotel" issue seemed to be dropped no sooner as the "I dos" were said? How everyone in Kdom was crying foul? I told you it would be back, and back it is. For better or for worse. No way, no how were they going to let that one drop. Nuh uh.

My Secret Hotel Episode 13 - Stuck in a Continuous Wash, Rinse, and Repeat Cycle

We left episode 12 with Sang Hyo agreeing to live with Hae Young for a week (supposedly to save his poor sick father) and playing house.  All while avoiding her boyfriend Sung Gyeom (I am seriously feeling bad for this poor sucker) who, though bringing it upon himself for jumping into a relationship with a married woman, does not deserve this selfish of a girlfriend.  UGH This girl is getting on my last nerve.  Just choose already and be a descent human being and treat whoever your significant other ends up being, with decency and common courtesy. That means do not talk to, live with, make out with, sleep in the same bed with, (and it should go without saying) DONT MARRY, someone who is not your official boyfriend.  Finally Sang Hyo went one step too far and Sung Gyeom is drawing a line in the sand (This really should have been done 4 episodes ago so we would not have to rotate around this flighty heroine anymore.).  

Sang Hyo has to make a decision, go home with Hae Young (who she is still saying is just someone who she is helping) or go to her supposed boyfriend who is waiting for her?  Hmmmmm what will she do?  Do we even care anymore?

For those of you who still care about our OTP, she chooses to stand up her boyfriend ex-boyfriend and go home with her husband.  A car ride during which she complains about how uncomfortable facing Sung Gyeom is for her.  We are skipping facepalms and going straight to the facewall photo because this girl is just too much.

I actually cheered when Hae Young pulled the car over and chewed her out.  "Stop mentioning him around me.  You know how I feel about you, Don't keep drawing the line like that."  Finally, a whole sentence comes out of our leading man's mouth without her interrupting or misunderstanding.  And surprisingly enough, it is exactly what Sung Gyeom was also telling her.  I wonder if it will finally get through Sang Hyo's brain that she can't continue to treat the men in her life this way.

I am really enjoying dumped Sung Gyeom more than boyfriend Sung Gyeom.  Not only that, but it looks like Picasso might actually win her man by default.  They play a cute game of "Trash Sang Hyo" where Picasso keeps complaining about her "Sang Hyo is not really that pretty, more slightly above average at best" and Sung Gyeom replies "You're right, she is more cute than pretty".  HAHAHAHA  It really is quite cute.  Picasso even admits to her involvement in Sang Hyo's marriage with Hae Young and apologizes, in her own way.  Sung Gyeom just replies "At least you are consistent" although he still looks upset.  He ends the night, brooding in his hotel room.

There was a cute moment between Hae Young and Sang Hyo (I think I might stop calling them an OTP, because saying anyone is Sang Hyo's One True Pairing is a bit of an overstatement since she has the sticking ability of twice used adhesive) when she goes into Las Vegas flashback mode.  Sang Hyo remembers how poking Hae Young used to make him horny.  Phtttt I laughed when he said "My body is erotic all over" Too cute.  I like Las Vegas flashback married couple.  But what is up with Sang Hyo's shirt?  I am pretty sure that wearing a shirt that has the words "Buy Me" all over it is not really the image you want spread out to the world.  Is this a case of Koreans not caring what English words are used in their drama as long as they are English? Or is it really poorly done product placement?  Buy Me could mean buy this shirt, or buy this lipstick, or buy me as a leading lady that deserves a hot husband. In any case the answer is still no.

How refreshing are Hae Young's parents?  It is amazing to see a wealthy family not disliking their sons orphan wife for once.  Not only do they not dislike her, but are totally supportive of their son following his heart towards the woman he loves.  When they said they would go for a walk, upon catching their son and Sang Hyo getting frisky (or fighting over a cell phone, its all depends on ones perspective) they stole my heart.  Unfortunately their early departure to the US puts a crimp in Hae Young's plans, and being the mature grown up he is, he lies his pants off when questioned by his wife.  SIGH.

I guess that I gave Sung Gyeom too much credit in assuming that he thought it was over when Sang Hyo never arrived on the first floor to meet him.  Instead he goes to talk with Sang Hyo .....again.....and asks if all she needs is a week .....again......... to be done with Hae Young.  Does anyone else feel like we are seeing the same conversation over and over.  Just grow a pair and tell her that she is officially dumped. That her treatment of you is NOT all right, and you deserve better.  But no, instead she agrees to move out immediately now that her in laws are gone, dumping Hae Young........again...........in order to return to Sung Gyeom.........again.  And yet again, the part of me that cares is absent.

Returning to Hae Young's house to gather her things, Sang Hyo calls to find out the pass code.  When he refuses to tell her and hangs up, she starts putting in random codes until she tries their anniversary date, which of course opens the door. HINT: HE STILL LOVES YOU, YOU TWIT.  Hae Young races home, frantic to stop her from leaving him again.  He bursts in but finds all of her things gone, at which point he collapses crying over losing her....again.  We see tears rush down Hae Young's face as a flashback shows us his devastation over coming back to her in Vegas, only to find the house empty sans a ripped photo of the two of them.  The beautiful music from the OST is playing its magic on my heartstrings (if only the writing was as amazing as this OST), and for a brief moment I am sucked back onto team Hae Young.  Because really what is better than an angsty tear ridden khottie pining for his epic love. Sang Hyo walks back into the house, oblivious to Hae Young's emotion meltdown.  He rushes forward, embracing her, still crying and begging Sang Hyo not to go.  "Give me a week.  Please don't leave me".

Instead of being moved by his obvious despair, Sang Hyo tells him to stop, that it is over.  Hmmmm haven't we done this scene already?  Writers, you are just getting plain sloppy now.  She walks out the door and Hae Young is left alone again.

At this point I am just begging the writers to put us all out of our misery.  But the fickle writers are not done with us yet.  We end the episode with Ms Buttinsky butting her big nose back into Hae Young's marriage....again.  Writing a scathing article about their fake marriage and how it was only for the good of the hotel, Ms Buttinsky sets the balls in motion for our couple to reunite.  Because heaven forbid we don't go down this road again......and again.........and again.  Thank goodness we only have one more week so this circle of idiocy will finally end.  I know that this viewer is looking forward to it.

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My Secret Hotel ep 12: Turning Tides

Well, hiya there! Dongsaeng here doing something that I haven't done much of in my past few recaps of this drama - spreading some hope and joy for all the Hae Young/Sang Hyo fans out there. This episode starts to turn things around for our very frustrating lead male. And yeah, I'm backing down from my "maybe Director Jo is the true lead and the one who will get the girl, ever think of that?" stance. I think episode 12 clearly started the tides turning in our sweet, annoyingly frustrating Hae Young's direction and he's definitely going to be our victor after this long, drawn-out, bitter battle of all of our feels.

First of all, though, I know they want us to start to suspect that Director Jo could possibly be a creepy murderer. As far as I'm concerned, there is no way he killed McCreepy, but I suppose it is always a possibility that he unintentionally took out Miss Blackmailer. And yes, I say "unintentionally", because I still can't fully accept that he is a full-blown psycho murderer. We have seen way too many positives from him. I feel he is a player and womanizer with the potential to be a jerk, maybe, in some situations. Let's just say that he's not one I would want to cross or get on the bad side of. But a cold-blooded killer? I'm just not seeing it.

We start out with our newly wedded exes preparing for a visit from Mom and Dad Goo. They are about to head to the US and are stopping at Hae Young's for a week, and expect to see a little wifey there. Cue the puppy dog eyes from Hae Young along with the whole "bad heart" sob story/guilt trip. We later find out that this visit from mom and dad was not exactly a surprise visit as HY made it out to be. Oh no. No, when Eomma and Appa called, it was simply to tell their son that they were headed to the States. HY is the one that instantly saw the potential to use this opportunity to win SH back, and begged them to cancel their flight and come stay with him for a week. Whoa there. Not sure if I'm impressed or a little pissed at him for this deception. I guess that it is kind of both. He has seen himself for being the pathetic hanger-on ex and is determined to change and win her back. I suppose I can applaud him for that, even if I take slight issue with his manipulation of the situation.

Sure enough, SH moves in, under the false idea that Daddy will die if she doesn't. Nice. (not really) But, methods aside, I am happy to see her there. As is Hae Young. He's enjoying this wayyy too much for his own good. Like when they were hanging the GINORMOUS wedding photo. Omo. And not only that, but how he sat there in a chair and stared at it once it was hung. Like in he actually set up a chair in the spot in front of the photo so that he could sit there for who knows how long and gaze upon it. Not creepy or weird at all. Nope. Yet, for some reason, when he does it, yeah, sure, it's kind of endearing. He can pull off pathetic pretty darn well without too much creepy/weird vibe. My hat's off to him for that. *slow clap*

The domestic scenes with these two were very touching to watch. They really are cute together. And, like I mentioned before, I think we start to see things turn around for Hae Young and his lady love. Just as HY is getting less loserly, Director Jo is getting more creepy-y. Scales are tipping here, folks! Scales are tipping! The fat lady has not yet sung - our boy is still in this race, and in it to win it!

Uhm, yeah, so I don't know what else to really say about this episode. There wasn't a whole lot as far as plot development outside of the relationships shifting. SH is staying with HY and playing house in front of his parents. There are many "awww!" scenes involved here, like the flashback to the wedding and HY on his knees begging his parents to let him go through with this wedding to SH instead of Soo Ah because of his intense and sincere love for his bride ex. Also, there were the kinds of scenes you'd expect to see from such a house-playing arrangement - "accidental" bed sharing, amazing back hugs in front of mom and dad, teasing about his "performance" issues, etc. And of course a very conflicted SH, who, every time things start to go nicely with HY, hears her boyfriend's hurt and accusing voice in her head about not thinking of him. Oh yeah, she is definitely having moments where she is obviously falling for HY all over again. I mean, she may not know this or want to admit it, but we all can see that she certainly has residual lingering feelings for the man. It's not like their relationship ending was expected. She never had that "closure", so of course there's still going to be unresolved emotions there. Duh. Does she really think that she can just ignore him and pretend that there is nothing there? Guess what, Sweetie, doesn't work that way. Sure, if you never saw him again, you could probably go on your merry way and live a life with some scars, but relatively unaffected by your baggage. That's obviously not an option here. He's back in your life, like it or not, and the least you owe to yourself is a really straight-forward, open and honest conversation with the man that just up and left you 7 years ago. Which actually brings up another talking point that has been on my mind...the breakup.

Seven years ago, we had a super adorable and crazy in love couple of newlyweds. All was right in their world. With one major exception. His job was in NY. Hers was in Las Vegas. Both careers were budding. Both were a fulfillment of individual dreams, goals, hopes and aspirations. HY a star architect, and SH in the hospitality industry of her choice. Neither was willing to give up their individual dream. So what are they to do? Well, if you're HY, you take off for NY without a word and leave a plane ticket for you wife in hopes that she'll follow you there. If you're SH, you sit on the floor for days without moving until you pass out and then move on with your life, pretending as best that you can that you're over him. Yeah, so, how'd that work out for you two? Mmmhmm. Fast forward 7 years, and fate has brought them back together. Except, circumstances are different now. Now, the thing that came between them 7 years ago is no longer a thing. They both live and work their dream jobs in the same town. Except now of course they have the whole messy breakup thing to deal with, as well as minor things like pesky fiances and new boyfriends. The fiance thing is taken care of (how much do we love Soo Ah now, now that she's not a contender? I think she's crazy adorable and funny), and the boyfriend may end up being a murderer, so there's still hope there I guess. All that really and truly stands in their way of happiness is that freaking conversation that they have yet to have. Though, I must say, things are improving in that area. HY is less mopey and stalkerish and is learning to speak his words and his feelings with all sincerity. He's talking to her. She's starting to listen. We're getting so much closer! Woohoo! 7 years ago just wasn't meant to be. Not that they weren't right for each other, but that the timing was off. Now the timing is right. Perfectly right. Oh, so right. Now they stand a chance. Before we had right people, wrong time. Now we have right people, right time. Or at least we will, once we get rid of the extra people trying to gum up the works. Can no one see that fate is in control here? Why fight it? Embrace it. Embrace that these two crazy kids are just meant to be together and let them be. Don't stand in the way of love. Let it live. Let is fly free and unfettered.

And that's all I really have to say on this episode. For the rest of it, I guess I'll just leave you with some pretty pictures. Pictures that gave me hope and butterflies. Oh, how I love hope and butterflies!

Hope, butterflies, a little creepiness, a little laughter, and a smidge of angst. Getting excited for these last 4 episodes still to come - hope to get some answers and see some relationship resolutions happening! This is where the fun really begins, right?!

Until next time, may your week be filled with wonderful drama! Thanks for stopping by!

My Secret Hotel Episode 11 - Ambiguous OTP Hell

Hey all you awesome readers!  Kmuse here, back with the recap for episode 11 of "My Secret Hotel".  I hope you are enjoying the whiplash between Dongsaeng's and my views of this drama.  A lot of what she sees and takes from this show are completely different from how I feel and I am getting a whole different view than if I alone was recapping it.  It is almost like having a wonderful recap version of a debate.  And I admit that I am never going to be able to look at the Picasso girl the same way again.  Well played Dongsaeng, well played.

Last weeks episodes drove me nuts, so much so, that I blame them for the horrible week long kdrama funk that I suffered.  I watched maybe 6 drama episodes during the whole week, and considering I am watching 20 different dramas, that is saying a lot.  Mostly I moped and watched Judge Judy on youtube (did you know you can watch judge shows on youtube?  How awesome is that?).  Yes, that is right, your kmuse took a kdrama break.  The first in the four years since I began obsessing over everything kentertainment.  Luckily after a marathon baking session yesterday, I am back and ready to tackle the insane amount of catch up both in my dramas and blogging....so here we go!

Episode 10 ends with Hae Young heartbroken.........again........ (the boy needs to learn about romantic signals.  He is really really really bad at that) and we are forced to watch Jo Sung Gyeom serenades a misty eyed Sang Hyo about their epic love.  Correct me if I am wrong, but haven't they only been dating for a week or so?  And most of that time was while Sang Hyo was on her honeymoon with her ex-husband/current husband.  I am pretty sure this love is neither epic, nor really romantic to date.  And wouldn't you learn that jumping into romance and marriage is not the best idea without first learning about each other and you know......dating first?  Looking towards the future is fine. Not rekindling things with your ex husband, I can support that. Doing the exact same thing again (that ruined your 1st marriage) with a different man is not the road to a healthy and solid relationship.  Two kisses does not make a marriage(or at least not a lasting one). 

Poor Hae Young, his attempts to win back Sang Hyo are failing dismally.  Mostly due to the fact that he has this stupid idea that he winning her back means romantic gestures or simply being in the same room with her.  I personally want to give him a copy of "Relationships for Dummy's".  Until he realizes and fixes the problems that originally broke them apart, there is no amount of flowers or horrible singing that can bring her back.  And it is quickly getting very very embarrassing to watch him try.  After the singing disaster, Hae Young goes out with his staff and they do a very poor job in trying to console him.  Beers are drunk, embarrassed sympathy is given, and I actually winced when Hae Young continued to talk about the "war" for Sang Hyo's affections.  I am all for a persistent leading man, but we have moved from persistent, to creepy ex stalker, to sad lonely loser.  Even I am starting to feel that maybe this relationship is not meant to be.

Brooding (as usual) Hae Young sits at home talking to himself about how much he hates Sung Gyeom.  We flash to Sang Hyo's apartment, she is in a skintight sweater dress that barely reaches her legs (what every woman wears at home alone -- insert eye rolling) when who should appear at her door but Sung Gyeom asking to spend the night.  Sang Hyo breathlessly agrees and he starts to unbutton that barely there dress.  One button, two buttons, and Hae Young shakes his head breaking the daydream... HA, he tells himself to not go that far and promptly calls Sang Hyo to make sure she is not in mid-make out with his rival.  I seriously don't understand how these two can act like that embarrassing moment at the restaurant didn't happen, but we seem to gloss over that and Hae Young begins to warn Song Hyo about her Director, "Men who sing Kim Dong Ryul's songs are players".  Phhttt she counters that men who half sing and dance to Park Jin Young songs are okay then?  This shuts our leading man up, but he leaves her with some sound advice (advice I doubt she will take) to not give her heart completely until she knows Sung Gyeom as well as she thinks she knows Hae Yeong.

Hae Young continues his inner movie of Sang Hyo and his rival getting frisky.  He keeps trying to stop from thinking about it to no avail.  He finally flops on his couch and in a dejected voice murmurs "Finding what you lost is so difficult."

Hae Young continues to use cheep school boy tricks to try and woo his lady love.  I am not sure when I have been less impressed.  Rather then coming across as cute and ingenious, they are starting to scream immature and pathetic.  I want to still remain firmly on Team Hae Young, but when he prank calls Sang Hyo, pretending to be a famous actor doing a radio show, I think some of the glitz fell off this prince charming.  Hae Young is unable to keep the ruse going for long and it is turns into another verbal fight when Song Hyo figures out it is her ex. What was funny in episode 1 has definitely lost its bite in episode 11.  I am almost beginning to prefer him moping and holding onto his pillows in misery.  At least then I don't have to be embarrassed by having him as my OTP (one true pairing) choice.

Things are not fairing well for the shippers of the other possible OTP (Director Jo and Sang Hyo) either.  As the drama delves deeper into the deaths of McCreepy and Blackmail girl, Sung Gyeom is looking more and more suspicious.  Especially when we discover he was actually being blackmailed by the hotel's favorite con artist (but then again, who wasn't she blackmailing) and is desperately searching for the mysterious necklace.  Sang Hyo catches him rifling through the dead girls things, not once but twice!  

Now I am not saying that she should be leading the villagers with pitchforks and torches to string him up.  But at least hesitate over your future infatuation with the guy.  And then she actually says Sung Gyeom probably has a reason for his mysterious and possible felonious actions?  If this was a horror movie she would be the next victim because it is just stupid to excuse this type of behavior with a murderer running lose.

"I don't care if you call me clingy, I don't care if you call me cheesy, but Sang Hyo, seeing you with someone else is driving me crazy."  Usually these words would just be more of Hae Young's selfish monologue about his love for Sang Hyo.  But finally something he said felt sincere to me.  Beyond all the huge gestures and jealousy moments, this scene touched my heart the most.  His despair over the situation that he finds himself in is just heartbreaking.  And just like that I am back cheering for team ex husband.  My feelings were compounded when a drunken Hae Young had a conversation with an imaginary Sang Hyo (why do I always like dream Sang Hyo more than real Sang Hyo - she just seems to have more personality) where he finally comes to grips with letting her go.  

But this is episode 11 and we still have five more to go so of course this is not the end.  Hae Young is awoken by an unexpected telephone call from his parents.  His parents who think he is blissfully remarried with his first wife.  His parents who can't hear about his failed marriage because of his dad's heart condition. So Hae Young's self revelations are chucked out the window and it is off to Sang Hyo's to beg for her help.  After some serious guilting, Sang Hyo eventually agrees to move into Hae Young's house for a week after which Hae Young's parents are traveling to the US.  So now we not only have a forced marriage but a forced cohabitation situation because this show just refuses to let either of the possible OTP's die.

Now that the recap is completed, lets discuss the ambiguous OTP (one true pairing) concept that TvN seems to want to ram down our throats.  I once thought it would be delightful to have a drama where you truly did not know who was going to end up with who?  Think of all the fun story lines that could be told?  How exciting would it be to never know what is going to happen?  I take all that back.  It sucks, it sucks like a black hole of angst that is this drama.  When you have a limited amount of time with a set of characters, you try to figure out the patterns of the romance and relationships.  For example, they meet in episode 1, have some romantic glimmerings by 4.  Episode 5 through 10 are plot movement bringing them closer together followed by some kind of angst taking them apart in episodes 11 through 14.  Finally we get happiness, connections, and closure in the last two episodes.  There might be small changes, but that is the basic timeline.  When you add in two male leads to the story it messes everything up.  Writers are trying to juggle two story lines and making both possible.  They also try to make both men likable, because who would want the leading lady to be with a total jerk.  But by doing this, they are never able to really flesh out either scenario and limit both relationships.   And then this also splits the fans by making them pick a lead.  I am sure you all remember the ship wars of Reply 1994?  Friendships and fans were separated by whether you were Team Trash or Team Chilbong.  Profile pictures were changed, words were exchanged, and most people came out of the experience feeling a bit battered if not all out bitter.  A lesser example is the drama "Surplus Princess" which again tried for the who will she end up with crap concept.  This time people were not going to go for it, ratings tanked, and a whole four episodes were cut from the already short drama.  TvN is going for the trifecta by doing a similar style with My Secret Hotel.  What could have been a clever and quirky drama has become mired in lead couple hell. We are constantly ping ponging back and forth between the two men's love lines, and am getting sick of the writers trying to win me onto either team.  It just makes the leading lady seem shallow (or at least she will if she switches guys again) and leaves a sour taste in my mouth.  So let's just leave vague OTP's as a fantasy concept since, just like chicken and waffle potato chips, they should just not exist. 

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My Secret Hotel ep 10: Game Over?

Well, howdy folks! And how are y'all doing? Ready to jump into another exciting episode of My Secret Hotel? Let's find some clues, some answers and some love along the way!

Now, go with me for just a moment here. Let's pretend that Hae Young and Sang Hyo are not destined to be together. I know, I know - that's like drama blasphemy, but just indulge me for a minute if you will.  I'll keep it short and, hopefully, pain-free for you. Ignoring the whole OTP idea, one would have to admit that in this episode, Director Jo kinda really shined as a man. Let's see things from his perspective, shall we? He just accidentally found out that his new girlfriend remarried her ex-husband. Not only that, but stumbled upon them on day 3 of their honeymoon. Now, it doesn't take a whole lot of imagination as to how things could have gone in that scenario. Their brand-spakin' new relationship could have easily been over right then and there and who could blame him? Instead of running away in a snit, however, he sticks around. He talks to her (are you taking notes dear Hae Young???). He listens to her. He trusts her. He acknowledges his feelings and hurt, but he doesn't punish her with them. He really is pretty amazing through the whole thing. I am frankly quite impressed with his maturity and handling of it all. Now, the one downside to seeing things from his side as he is being all awesome and stuff, is that it kind of makes our sweet Hae Young look a little, well, loserly, at times. There are scenes in this episode where, forgive me for being so cruel, he kind of looks like a loser ex that can't, or won't, take a hint and move on. There were moments in this episode where I had to pause and remind myself that he is actually a fabulous guy and worthy catch, and isn't really the creepy-deadbeat-lame-loser-that-won't-accept-that-his-girl-is-no-longer-his-girl that he sometimes appears to be.

Now, before you completely tune me out for being all pro-Jo/anti-Hae, the reason I bring this up is that I felt that this episode was meant to make us feel this. I think that they are trying hard right now to build up our new love interest and make the old one seem doomed. I just do. I think this one was the Director Jo Hour. We are meant to love him. We are meant to be touched and impressed by him and his heart and his obvious affections for Sang Hyo. He had to really shine bright in order to get there in our hearts. We aren't meant to hate him. We aren't meant to totally hate him with her. This is a drama - it's not supposed to be easy, right? Love has to work hard to overcome obstacles and trials in order to prove itself. And these two have quite the history already working hard against them, so their struggle to get each other back has to be all that more difficult. Seemingly insurmountable challenges have to be placed before them, like, say, a really amazing new boyfriend that is already the kind of man that she needs him to be. I have faith in our Hae Young though. I still think he's going to wow us all when he comes out victor in the end. He just has to grow and morph first. Drama 101 kind of stuff. The stuff that Second Lead Syndrome is made of. If the 2nd lead was not enough of a threat, then the 1st lead's triumph wouldn't mean so much, right? Right.

Okay, now that I have pontificated and once again jumped way ahead of myself, I'm ready to hop into the actual recap of this episode.

We start with a kiss. A kiss and a promise. A promise that her wedding and husband mean nothing to her and were done solely for the sake of the hotel. A promise that says there are no longer lingering feelings on her part towards to Hae Young. A promise that I know she meant when making it, yet, she starts to question no sooner as she walks in her door and is alone. She remembers back to when HY claimed that he married her for genuine reasons. Suddenly he is there with her as she is trying to turn her heart to Director Jo. She's back and forth, fighting the ghost of Hae Young, until the real him shows up drunk as a skunk at her door, literally falling inside when she opens the door. He's in no condition to leave on his own accord, and she can't physically kick him out, so she lets him collapse on her couch where he spends the night. Of course we have to get an awkward boyfriend call in there where he almost tells her that he loves her, until he decides to do so in person (good boy!). Upset and conflicted, Sang Hyo does what any self-respecting young lady would do if her new/ex-husband was passed out on her couch and grabs her eyeliner, aiming to use his face as a canvas.

The next morning, we get to see her creation. 

Am I the only one disappointed that she went nice on him and just gave him a cute little mustache? No? I was hoping for so much more, but I guess I'm just a cruel brat that way. ;)  Anyway, he wakes up, sees her there, first assuming that she is at his place until she points out that it is most definitely the other way around, and then is all touched by the fact that she made him ramen. Drunken frat boy hangover food of choice? No. No, in this case, it is a symbol to him that she remembers all these years later that he likes ramen after drinking. Cut to a flashback from their happy days, and we see the two of them, feet locked under the table like the sweet lovers they were back then, having a little post-drunken bowl of ramen. And a sweet kiss across the table. So happy and in love they were. Breaks one's heart that it could all go so wrong, doesn't it?

Sang Hyo takes off for work, leaving Hae Young alone in her apartment. Ruh roh! (*Scooby Doo voice*)  He's adorable as he bounces around her place, checking everything out, relishing the fact that she made him ramen. Apparently, when you're Hae Young, ramen equals love rekindled. Hmm. Interesting. Director Jo interprets ramen as "sexy timez" and Hae Young as "she loves me still". Both boys sure put a whole lot of stock (pun not intended, yet still enjoyed) into a simple noodle soup.

At work, Sang Hyo (and Director Jo for that matter) finds out that Young Mi is actually really dead. One would think maybe that a little heads-up before she returned to find an empty desk and a replacement employee would have been in order, but no, I guess that was kind of forgotten somewhere along the way by her crappy coworkers. 

First, do you see how her eyes are not even? Please tell me you see that and it's not just me. That's the reason I call her Ms Picasso, because her face looks oddly uneven to me. Second, doesn't she look just a little too happy here, telling SH that Young Mi is dead and the new guy is there to replace her? Also, was anyone else singing "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" anytime they showed the two empty desk spots? No? Just me? I'm sure someone else out there was doing it. I can't be the only twisted one ;)

Go ahead, sing it now. "Empty chairs at empty tables..."

And since now we're on the subject of the dead girl, let's address the whole mystery side of our mystery romance. Without going into every little detail, I'll surmise by pointing out that the necklace we have been seeing is significant because it apparently is the solid evidence that would prove who killed Director Jo's dad. Young Mi ended up with it and tried to use it to blackmail some folks which ended up making her dead. Whoopsie. Looks like our little blackmailer went too far. Should have just stuck with threatening bimbo brides with photo evidence of her lover-on-the-side, I suppose. At least that one didn't land her dead in a tub. Before dying though, we find out that she was the one to send the mysterious "your dad was murdered" note from the beginning. Not only that, but she met with Director Jo and told him about the necklace. There was an ominous "someone else knows and is looking for it too" thrown in for good measure. You know, right before we cut to General Manager Lee Moo Yang, top of the suspect list as far as I am concerned. That he is suspect is too convenient. He was there at the hotel when the "accident" happened and he directly benefited from it in that he was promoted to fill the dead manager Jo's spot. Mystery aficionados would probably scream at me for daring to be so stupid to believe the "easy answer", but he is definitely acting suspicious. He and that security guy both. Speaking of the security guy, there is that weird moment when Ms Cancer Lady Who Cries a Lot breaks down in front of him basically saying, "how could you have done it?". Seriously, what is going on here? What does she think he did and why does she think he did it?

Well, I'm not going to worry my poor little brain over it all right now. Nope. The mysteries are slowly being revealed, so I will just wait patiently until it all makes sense. Frankly, I am not all too concerned with who the killer is since, at this point, he/she/they has/have only done us all a favor and taken out a couple of unsavory characters. So, on that note, enough with that - back to the lovin'!

Our young Casanova spends his day running around happy as a lark - convinced that the art on his upper lip is a sure sign that all is well in his marriage. Poor, poor sweet boy. There's the funny scene at the office as, yet again, everyone is sitting around discussing his love life, or lack thereof. The current theory is that he likes men. I mean, it's obvious right? He did spend his whole honeymoon bunking up with dudes instead of his lovely lady love. Just as everyone has been effectively convinced that this a legitimate theory, in saunters Casanova, who immediately begins smacking butts ever-so enthusiastically in greeting, thus increasing their looks of horror and conviction that they've hit on the real deal here. 

Shi Chan of course is convinced that Hae Young is specifically in love with him, which of course makes this scene even funnier when Hae Young starts grinding on him in his office and talking about how he's fallen for him. These coworkers/employees/whatevers of Hae Young entertain me very much in their over-concern for his sex life. They just do.

Cat Fights and Pissing Contests

I loved the scene with Soo Ah and Joo Jung Eun that ends in a cat fight with two soaking wet cats sitting in a police station. Jung Eun has decided that, while she's not so super, Soo Ah is at least better than Sang Hyo and therefore needs to reinsert herself into the Hae Young picture by spilling the beans about the wedding. Words are exchanged, juice and water tossed, and hair pulled. Before long, both women are sitting at the police station waiting for Hae Young to come bail them out. The police just sit there in awe of the man Hae Young with all these women fighting over him.

This next scene is more painful to dissect. The pissing contest between our two suitors of Sang Hyo. Director Jo has just heard distressing news about his father's case when Sang Hyo finds him. I loved how she thinks he's upset about her and he jokingly accuses her of having a "Princess Complex". He then invites himself over for some ramen, assuring her that he will only be eating ramen and not putting the moves on her in her apartment (remember how he equates ramen with sexy timez?). She's all flushed and excited to have him over. 

Meanwhile, Hae Young, still proudly wearing his mustached badge of honor/courage, is excitedly running around buying her flowers with the intent of proposing to her. 

As luck would have it, he's standing outside her apartment when the two lovers pull up. Director Jo drops Sang Hyo off with the promise of returning in half an hour, considerately giving her the opportunity to clean up her place and giving himself the time to go buy her flowers. Undaunted, or more accurately, determined to win her back, Hae Young rings the doorbell as she is frantically cleaning up after the mess he left that morning. Note to any potential male suitors out there - if you want to win a girl's heart, don't trash her apartment. Bad move there, dude. No sane woman wants a slob. Being a pig in your own home is bad enough, but trashing her place? Nuh uh. Not attractive. Anyway, doorbell rings, door is opened, flowers shoved in face. She's all giddy and giggly and happy, until she sees the man behind the flowers. Then it's all panic and trying to drag him out before boyfriend gets there. Too late. She tosses him out the door and right at Director Jo. To his credit, the man (Director Jo) handles it superbly. Again, this is his episode to shine as a man, and shine he does. 

All three go back inside and awkwardness ensues. Hae Young claims the couch, forcing Director Jo into the floppy goofy bean bag chair on the floor. Both flowers, identical bouquets, sit on the table. And then the pissing begins. Hae Young staking his claim as victor since he is the husband, Director Jo staking his claim as victor since she still agreed to date him even though she is married. So many hearts breaking. Hae Young leaves, brokenhearted and sadly wipes the mustache off his face as he sits crying in his car. It is painful to watch. Director Jo, losing his appetite, leaves as well, leaving a conflicted and emotionally battered Sang Hyo all to herself. With those darn flowers sitting sadly on the table.

The next morning, Director Jo surprises her by being outside of her place. He tells her that if she is serious about being over Hae Young, then he is going to help her rebuild her life and heart. He maturely acknowledges that there is obviously something special between the two of them as it is not normal to marry the same person twice. But instead of bowing out, he vows to be her knight in shining armor and rid Hae Young from her life. Step one is announcing to the office that they are dating. As they go to work together and sort of walk hand-in-hand (he holds on to her while she bashfully tries to pull away), he's all smiles and excitement, as is she. 

They really are so very cute. I'm sorry, I just can't hate them together. At least not now. I think he's good for her. Don't hate me, please. But anyway, they are about to announce their relationship, which sends Ms Picasso into a frenzied fit. She storms off to Hae Young's office, accusing him of not getting the job done as a man. Again, poor, poor Hae Young and everyone's focus on his "manhood" and supposed problems in the bedroom. Ms Picasso informs Hae Young that the two will be making an important announcement to the staff tonight and that he needs to intervene and do something to stop it.

Cut to the club later that night.

 All the staff is gathered around. Director Jo is about to announce his relationship with Sang Hyo, when the lights go out and there is Hae Young on the stage, singing to Sang Hyo. He really gets into it too. Dancing and stripping (ooh! man shoulder!) and the whole bit. 

Probably not the reaction he was going for from her.

 
At the end, he asserts that his woman was stolen from him and that he is there to get her back. What is Director Jo's response? Well, he keeps his cool, since that's kind of his thing, picks up the mic and sings his own quiet song for Sang Hyo. We are reminded of the significance of this act by a flashback to him telling her that he can't sing in public - that his voice freezes up and he breaks out into a cold sweat. She's all worried about him and tries to get him to stop, but he pushes forward, and sings her a sweet love song. By the end, he's teared up and confessing to her that he loves her, she's visibly touched and all into him, and Hae Young stands there, dumbfounded and the apparent loser in this battle for her heart.

See, this is more the reaction you probably want to get after serenading someone

Our two losers in the moment they realize that they have lost. Please tell me you see the eye thing too with her. And now you will never be able to unsee it. You're welcome.

Do not fret dear Hae Young and all the Hae Young/Sang Hyo shippers out there - the battle may be lost, but the war is not yet over! Our story does not end here. We still have six more episodes to go. A lot can happen in six episodes. Director Jo could end up being a murderer for all we know. So let's not lose hope, okay? Instead, let's eagerly wait to see what happens in the next episode and anticipate some major growth in our characters that lead to an even happier life together in the end. Until next time, goodbye and may your week ahead be filled with wonderful drama!










and for those unfamiliar with the painter Picasso and some of his work...  See it now?