The Best of the Best......... So hard to choose only five!

So this has been an amazing year for dramas.  At least one drama stood out with every batch and there was never I time when I had nothing to watch.  However some dramas are just a step above the rest.  Usually for me that means that the writers are really good and can write a script that avoids a lot of the standard Korean Plot devices/and or turns them around so they feel fresh and new.
Incarnation of Money

IOM is a drama that is not sure what genre it is meant to be.  Comedy, Action, Suspense, & Revenge were all tossed into a bag, shook up, and out came this amazing drama which had me hooked from start to finish.  Written by my favorite kdrama writers, Jang Young Cheol & Jung Kyung Soon (Empress Ki, Giant, History of a Salaryman), they did not disappoint yet again.  Orphaned with amnesia at a young age Lee Cha-Don (Kwang Ji Hwan- Lie to Me, Coffee House) must face a world run by greed and bribery.  He starts as a prosecutor who is so dirty he even has a nickname in the underworld he supposedly arrests.  However when he regains his memory he sets off on a quest to get revenge against the man who took everything from him.
Why you should Watch it
This show is hilarious and suspenseful and all things wonderful all at once.  Also seeing the various character grow (either stronger or more evil depending on the character) is so interesting.  There is so much gray in all the characters that you dont know if you always support their actions, but you always want to watch more.  This is Kwang Ji Hwan's strongest acting in a drama to date.  He had me gripped from start to finish.  I literally cried when this drama ended and I had to delete it from my watching file on MDL.   I would also like to point out that this is the only top drama that was not on my favorite couples list.  It was so good that the romance did not have to be the focus.

Usually this is where I put a MV for the drama.  However since this drama was not widely spread through the subbed sites it kind of went under the radar (HULU JUST PICKED UP THE SHOW THIS MONTH AND YOU CAN NOW FIND IT FULLY SUBBED IN HD).  So instead I am going to show a clip that every Kwang Ji Hwan fan should enjoy.  Here he is  dancing oh so so so sexy.  ENJOY.

 I Hear your Voice

One of the biggest hits of the year, I Hear Your Voice was an instant success with its mix of comedy and suspense.   A thriller courtroom drama with fantasy and romantic comedy elements. It depicts the story of Jang Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), a bold, sassy, and materialistic public defender who becomes a lawyer after overcoming poverty and painful memories from her childhood. Park Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk), is a 19-year-old boy who reads other people’s thoughts and who has loved Hye Sung who since he was eight after she gave her testimony in his father's murder case.   This drama will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch them avoid a serial killer and attempt to overcome their age difference to find romance.  I know I am personally biased towards this drama since Lee Jong Suk is in my top 5 favorite actors, but you will not be sorry if you give this drama a try.  It will make you laugh, cry, and forever be scared of the Jackson 5's song "Ill Be There".
 Why you Should Watch It:
Lee Jong Suk could literally have chemistry with garden gnome statue and make it work for me.  He is just one of those actors that pulls you into his story regardless of what he wants you to believe.  Will I believe that he is a mind reading uber hot orphan who can do Jiujitsu?  Sure I will because I love him regardless of how implausible the plot is.

I did mention he could have chemistry with anything right?  Check him out looking romantic with a giant stuffed grizzly bear.  I swear some of the photography concepts can be so odd.

Ugly Alert

 Ugly Alert is a daily drama and while it has a solid fan base, it was under the radar for the average drama watcher.  About a boy who takes the blame for an accidental murder committed by his step brother.  Ten years later he is released and meets a lonely Choebal heiress Na Do Hee.  Following the initial trial of admitting that he is a felon they fall for each other and from start to finish continue to support each other through thick and thin.  Combined with an amazing supporting cast of very likable characters, this drama shows us that family can mean more then just blood relations.  And I for one enjoy a drama actually showing this rather then the concept that blood is the only thing worthy when it comes to family.
Why you Should Watch It:
Unlike 99% of other Korean dramas this one has their characters choosing to communicate and let each other know everything that is happening.  It has characters that put others needs above their own and also is the first time I have ever seen a Chaebol Korean family choose the good of people over the all mighty dollar.  Add in a slew of healthy normal relationships that you actually enjoy and some quirky friends and you have 130 episodes of pure gold.  From start to finish I loved this drama and the family that inhabited it.  I know that that many episodes can look daunting, but at only 35 min an episode the time goes by so quickly.

And another reason is that the skinship in this drama is often and adorable.  I found this other great MV but for some reason it would not load so if you want to see some clips of all three couples in the drama check out

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faVzHepOHio.

Secret Love

The most dysfunctional show by far this year, we watch the OTP Min Hyuk and Yoo Jung fall in love despite a whole psychological slew of reasons that they shouldn't.  Taking the blame for killing Min Hyuk's pregnant girlfriend, Yoo Jung serves five years in prison.  Determined to get revenge Min Hyuk stalks her day and night when she gets out.  And what does every good Korean stalker do?  Why fall in love with the person they are obsessed with of course.  Just usually they wait until all the misunderstandings are cleared up first.  Unlike other Korean lead characters, Min Hyuk starts to fall for her while he is still under the impression that she is a murderess.
Why You Should Watch It:
This show makes you cheer for the leading man even though you are pretty sure he should be in prison for his intense level of creepy stalking (seriously in the US he would have been arrested a billion times over for his level of stalking).  I love how the writers always keep us feeling like the relationship is just a tad bit warped and wrong and that we are also a bit of both for hoping the leads get together.  This drama was the eppitamy of guilty pleasure and I loved every dysfunctional minute of it.

     They were so connected in with each other and had amazing timing and chemistry.         

 The oxygen left the room anytime they were together on screen.

Heartless City 

Set in the underground world of Seoul's drug cartel, Heartless City is the story of one man's attempt to win against gangsters and cops alike.  It delves into the dark and cynical life of Doc Son and the workings of a city run by drugs, greed, and violence.  I love that this show is trying to actually bring something new to the drama world.  So often the characters of dramas are toned down bad guys but this drama you see all of the sins of all the players both the supposed bad guys and those.  
Why you should watch it:
The haunting music, the amazing side characters, and a gritty knife yielding hot lead make this drama a must watch.  Not to mention the steamiest kiss/sex scene I have ever seen in a drama.  If you are looking for something different, something that you have not seen already then give Heartless City a try.  I guarantee by episode four you will be hooked.

This is the scene that hooked my for the long hall.  There is nothing sexier then a man in a suit taking down 15 hardened thugs all on his own.  

School 2013

  I know that I said that this was my top 5 but really there is no way I can not have this drama in my best of list.  It was one of the very first dramas of 2013 and if it can stick with you 50 dramas later and still have a major impact on your emotions then that deserves  a ten on my list.
At the start of 2013 two models turned actors (Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin) starred in an ensemble cast in a drama called School 2013.  Starting out as a story about students going through the rigors of school in Seoul, the plot quickly centered on the relationship between the two best friends turned enemies.   I laughed and cried with them as they went through the trials of betrayal and forgiveness and their chemistry together was tangible.  Never have I wished for two guys to be a couple then these two.   And in my mind they are off somewhere married to sisters and living in a huge communal home staying BFF's forever.
Why you Should Watch It:
Remember how I said Lee Jong Suk could have chemistry with anything???  Well put him together with Kim Woo Bin who has his own brand of macho charisma (it is kind of getting hit over the head with a shovel, you will respond to him regardless of whether you think he is attractive or not) and it is electrifying.  

And since we are totally breaking all the rules I am going to add two MV's to showcase this couple.  Did I mention that I Ship them so so so so so much.  Months later when they were on running man (clip 1) I totally squealed along with them as the touched and jumped so cutely because of brain freeze.. 

CLIP 1

 Clip 2

Dramas That Came So Close:

 If this year had not had so many AMAZING dramas, then these three would definitely have made the cut.  I loved each and every one of them and would suggest they get put on your "must watch" list ASAP.
Masters Sun
Great supernatural romantic comedy from the Hong Sisters.  My only complaint is that they could have made use of the OTP's chemistry a little more and given their kiss scenes a bit more sizzle.

Nine
A roller coaster drama that makes your brain hurt trying to figure out all the time lines (but in a good way).  My only complaints is that I really don't like the lead actress (thankfully the male lead was so good that he did not need her to carry much wait in the story) and the ending made my mind go around in circles for days.

Two Weeks
A great drama starring Lee Joong Ki we get to watch a bad guy become a better person because of a daughter he never knew he had.  Combining great action, plot timing, and acting we get everything in this drama.  My only complaint is that some of the supporting characters were not fleshed out very well.  Everyone else seemed just a bit slow compared to the lead.

 The ends my list of the best of the best in the year 2013.  I cant wait to ring in the new year with a dramathon and the beginning of  a new list.  Be sure to check in later this week as I write my last blog post of 2013, The hottest khottie actors of 2013.

Sincerely,
Kmuse

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel ep 20 (FINALE) [Dramatic Review]

W

O

W

!!!

I just finished watching Nine.  What a crazy ride this one was, from beginning all the way to the end.  I loved this drama!

Did I have about a million zillion questions at the end?  You betcha.  Was I left hanging and feeling a bit unresolved?  Yup.  But was it totally awesome and completely worth it?  YES!  I'm actually okay with having a little mystery remaining.  What was up with that end?  Like seriously.  I would LOVE to talk to the writers and see where they intended to go with that.  What was the purpose?  What were we supposed to assume?  What was going to happen next?  Saying all that, I don't want to leave you with the impression that I was let down in any way, because I really wasn't.  Would I have liked to see them actually get together and live a happy life?  Of course.  I always want that.  That kiss though - I sure can't complain about that.  Hubba hubba!  Now I want to see the airport kiss too.  Where was that?  Did that still happen?

This is my last review for this series and I think I'll not do my customary list.  I really just want to say a few things about it and bid it a fond farewell.  Most of the episode, if you'll recall, was centered around the relationship between Min Young and Seon Woo.  Present day Seon Woo died back in 1993.  1993 Seon Woo grew up and eventually met Min Young at work just as he had previously - by clonking her in the head at the norebang.  She was all flirty and stuff until the memory of dying Seon Woo making her promise to stay away from a man looking like him in the future came rushing back.  While initially she panicked and tried to avoid him, she eventually gave up and fell hard for him.  I suppose it didn't hurt that he was chasing after her because she was suddenly and inexplicably running away from him.  Watching their whole relationship blossom and interactions back and forth was just adorable.  They were so cute.  She was so into him and he loved every second of it and teased her mercilessly.  And then that kiss.  That knock-your-socks-off-hand-me-a-cool-drink kiss before she took off for Nepal.  Yummilicious!

Okay, so the end.  What to say about that?  Min Young finally spills the beans about the mystery man back in 1993 - the so-called "trauma" in her life - to Seon Woo.  He instantly recognizes this as his future self, realizing that his future self ended up dying in 1993.  He then rushes off to Nepal where both Min Young and Jeong Woo are.  He announces to us by way of overheard message to himself that he will love the woman he wants to love.  Yay!  And then it ends.  But it doesn't really.  You think that that's the closing scene, but then there's a post-scene.  Jeong Woo lays in the snow, clasping the incense stick.  He's about to perish when up walks a stranger.  Only, he's not a stranger.  He's Seon Woo.  Was it just me or did he look like a lot older?  Was he supposed to be older?  Or was he just sporting the mountain man facial hair that made him look older?  Our last parting shot is of the two brothers reaching their arms out to each other - the younger saving the older from his fate.  I suppose we are to then assume that all is right in the world - order has been restored.  I'm hoping this means that the future from here on out is bright and cheery.  Our lovebirds live happily ever after, Jeong Woo remains alive, and they all go on their merry way thanks to the former future Seon Woo who sacrificed everything in order to help everyone get back on track.  At least that's what I choose to believe, and unless you have strong evidence to the contrary, what I will continue to believe.  I have to have the happy ending.  I just gotta.

And there it is.  Nine.  20 episodes of intense, suspenseful, very interesting and unique storytelling.  It was so different from anything else I've ever seen and I really did love every minute.  I'm glad that I could share in it with you as well.  Thanks for sticking by me through the craziness that my own life became that impacted my work here.  I am so happy that we have now reached this point together and can look forward to more fun in the future.  Want to know what is next up for me?  What I will be reviewing next?  Well, I can actually tell you now, as I've made my final decision.  How does a little I Hear Your Voice sound?  I'm loving this drama and would love to share it and talk about it with all of you.  So look forward to that in the near future.  As for this drama, we are now officially finished.  Thank you and hope you enjoyed!

I will leave you with some of my favorite parting images.  Why is it that they always seem to make the male lead extra hot in the last episode?  Or is that just me that thinks that?  Whatever - Lee Jin Wook was SMOKING hot here, when he wasn't all bloodied and bleeding.  I think I took a hundred or more shots of just him looking all hawt and stuff.  Those are for my own personal collection *wink wink*

Come on, you know you TOTALLY would have done the same thing if you were her ;)

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel ep 19 [Dramatic Review]

Omo you guys!  I just finished watching this episode and had to write about it immediately because I am dying to see the final episode!  How in the world are they going to resolve this twisted tale of suspense???

Nine's Nine of Ep 19
*Author's Note - These are going to be slightly out of order because I was working from memory and just listing the moments that most struck me instead of chronologically going through my screenshots.  Sorry if it bugs you, I just find this preferable and faster and I'm anxious to get this show packed up and on the road so to say.  But at least now you know why it kind of jumps around.

1.  Left at the Altar - 20 years ago
Seon Woo, stuck back in 1993, misses his wedding and poor Min Young, after everything, is left at the altar.  She is also kept in the dark while Young Hoon and Jeong Woo search for Seon Woo's whereabouts.  Just sitting there, waiting by the phone while her mother goes on and on about this weird family they're involved with.

2.  Fighting Spirit
Seon Woo, a champ to the end, is battered and bleeding, but still fighting.  He's trapped and can't get out or get help, yet he refuses to give in.  He starts leaving messages on his phone for his best friend.

3.  I Am the Incense
By the 4th or 5th message, he's figured out that he's not going back.  He hypothesizes that he was the incense and now that it's all used up, so is he.  His job is done.  I look at it like he had to sacrifice himself in order to save those he loved.  I don't know what karma these characters all have, but they sure do seem to be an ill-fated, sad sort, don't they?  They just can't win.  No matter what.

4.  Police Report
After Jeong Woo seeks out Jin Cheol and hears about the hit and run in 1993, he and Young Hoon go to the police station to investigate and see what they can find out.  Sure enough, the night of April 24th, 1993, a man was struck and killed in a phone booth during a hit and run accident.  He was found dead at the scene at 8:30pm when authorities arrived.

5.  Father's Day
During his confrontation with Jin Cheol, Jeong Woo tells how he prayed for this man for the past 20 years and he just can't believe how unrepentant the man is.  When Jin Cheol asks him why he would do such a thing, Jeong Woo drops the bombshell, telling him that it's because he is his father.  How sad.  A son that killed the father who raised him and bio dad kills his son's brother in cold blood. 

6.  Jin Cheol's Regret?
Jin Cheol, who I guess we, or at least I, thought knew that Jeong Woo was his son, apparently doesn't.  This news is shocking to him and really upsets him.  Already drunk, he hits the road and goes to the nursing home where Jeong Woo's mother is and confronts her about it, completely and totally distraught.  Apparently, when he tried to claim the child as his, she emphatically told him that he was not and Jin Cheol believed her.  After "visiting" (i.e. sobbing at) Momma Woo (yes, I know that's not her name, but it's what I'm going to call her despite the crude and obvious error), Jin Cheol calls Jeong Woo, begging to see him and talk about things.  He seems to be incredibly upset by how everything has worked out, including Seon Woo's murder.  He's drunk.  He's an emotional wreck.  And because of this, he ends up in a wreck.  And spilled out on the ground all bloodied and possibly dead himself.

 
7.  The Final Message
We get to the final message on the phone.  It's Seon Woo accepting his fate.  And talking about being the incense sticks.  He's resigned, but the rest of us, Young Hoon included, are sobbing.  How can it end like this?  How do they fix this now?  What's going to happen?  What the heck is this show doing to us?

8.  Get Your Own Dang Water Lady
It's the evening of April 24th, 2013.  Min Young is at her apartment with her mother.  Wedding dress and everything scattered around the room.  Min Young still hasn't heard anything.  Then there's her mother.  I really hope that we were intended to not care for this woman very much, because I'll tell ya, right about now I'm wanting to smack her silly.  Her daughter's fiance has disappeared and there she lays, in bed, bemoaning how he must be dead or something.  And then she has the gall to ask for a glass of water from her poor daughter.  I'm sorry, but get your butt out of bed and get your own @#$% water lady!  How can you be so selfish and uncaring towards your daughter when she needs you most?  How can you be making this about yourself?  How come you're playing the victim here?  Why are you talking smack about the family and casually talking about him being dead?  Seriously???

9.  Promise
As Min Young is getting water for her good-for-nothing-mother, the memory hits.  I'm assuming it is hitting her as it is happening in 1993.  In one final, cruel twist of fate, young Min Young has come across Seon Woo's accident site.  And has a conversation with him as he lies there dying.  He asks her to not call emergency services and instead makes her promise two things.  One, remember my face, and two, when you see someone like me in the future, stay far away otherwise I'll ruin your life.  Present day Min Young is remembering this odd encounter with the strange dying man and is sobbing.  Now she knows.  She knows what became of him.  She's "found" him.  The episode ends in a dramatic moment with a pinky promise and Seon Woo apparently dying.  Right there in front of Shi Ah/Min Young.

 


And here I leave it.  You won't know this because by the time it posts, they'll be here, but I'll just tell you now anyway that I'm leaving this post without pictures right now because I can't wait any longer to see the final episode.  I had to get the writing done so as to not affect what I say here with whatever comes next.  I wanted you to have the full, "just finished watching is and am dying of suspense" experience.  Now, I'll be back with the (hopefully) exciting and satisfying conclusion!

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel ep 18 [Dramatic Review]

17 down, 3 to go!


Nine's Nine of Episode 18

1.  Right as Rain

Things are apparently all back as they should be.  As Jeong Woo leaves his wedding, everyone's memories and current doings change.  Min Young is suddenly not at her father's funeral but at her own wedding instead.  Jeong Woo is on his way to the wedding.  Min Young's original step-father, the lawyer from Boston, is there with her mother greeting wedding guests.  Everything is as it should be.  Will we actually get a happily ever after?  We're at the beginning of 18/20, what do you think?

2.  Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen

The happy isn't over quite yet.  We get to see the fall of Jin Cheol.  His golf club disappears, his yes men disappear.  His car disappears.  Suddenly he's an old man with crazy hair sitting in a medical supply store, no longer the director of the hospital with an illustrious career and praise and honor being lauded upon him.  He doesn't take it so well, much to our amusement.  Seriously, this guy's over-the-top-and-then-some facial expressions paired with that hair is just stellar televised entertainment right there.  Throw in a full-on temper tantrum in the street and we really have a winner here.

3.  Jeong Woo's Redemption

One more bit of good news is in store for us.  Would you look at who has returned from the dead once again?  Why hello there Jeong Woo!  He's alive and well and working at a free clinic in China.  We get a flashback that shows what happened after he walked away from his own wedding.  He turned himself in, the truth was revealed through Reporter Oh, he stood trial alongside Dr Evil and received a sentence of 3 years in prison.  Okay, forgive my ignorant American interruption here for a moment.  Did anyone else wonder why he was sentenced to any time at all after the judge clearly stated that he didn't intentionally kill his father?  Involuntary manslaughter I get, but this wasn't really that, now was it?  Wasn't it more self defense?  In saving a life, he accidentally took one.  The man was trying to strangle the boy's mother.  I guess I would just expect a little more leniency.  Three years isn't too bad, but Dr Evil only got 18 months more and he is obviously a bad dude with less pure intentions.  Personal questioning of South Korea's legal system as shown on TV aside, it is still a good outcome for our Jeong Woo.  It's 2013 and he's happy unlike how he was in the pre-altered present day.  He remembers it all and is grateful to be where he is - debt paid and living a life serving others.  He done good for himself.  Kudos to him.

4.  Is This Real Life?

Min Young is understandably in shock.  A moment ago she was crying at her father's funeral and saying goodbye to her uncle boyfriend who she is now apparently about to marry.  I'd say that would be a little to take in all at once.

5.  Meet the Parents

We get a cute flashback.  It's February 2013.  Seon Woo is in Min Young's bed.  She's being cutesy and begging him to propose to her, telling him it's her birthday (which she had told him the month before).  They are very cute together, arguing over whether or not he will propose to her.  He's being stubborn.  She leaves.  A while later he is woken up by what he assumes is her return home, but no, it's not Min Young.  It's actually her parents.  Who have come all the way from America to surprise her for her birthday.  hahahaha!  There he is, a strange man in their daughter's bed.  She comes home and decides that the best option at this point is to tell them that they are engaged.  Min Young is obviously giddy at how all this turned out and how she's got Seon Woo cornered.  Always a good start to a marriage by the way.

6.  Hiya Once Upon a Time/Almost Daddy

As she awaits the ceremony, Min Young receives an unexpected phone call from a man she thought to be dead.  He calls himself "appa" and they have a touching and emotional conversation.  She is reassured knowing that he is happy and doing well.  Such a sweet moment between father/daughter/brother/sister.

7.  Is Momma Still Carrying a Torch?

There's something funny going on with Min Young's mom when it comes to Jeong Woo.  She's not too happy that her daughter is marrying her former beau's brother.

8.  Stuck

So, where's the groom through all this?  It's about wedding time - he best be getting back to 2013 and to the church on time.  He's waiting in a phone booth for the time to run out.  And it does.  And he is still there.  A jewelry box of sorts appears on his car seat and the incense disappears.  And still he's in 1993.  Try and explain that one to your fiance, or better yet, your fiance's mother who already doesn't like you because of your brother.  "Sorry I missed the wedding, I was stuck back in 1993".  He wasn't kidding - these incense sticks really are out to get him.  Get him good.

9.  Uhhhhhhhh...WHA????

Our last scene for this episode gives us more wonderfully entertaining shots of our antagonist.  His 1993 self has escaped the bounds Seon Woo had trapped him with and spots Seon Woo standing in the phone booth.  He guns the car and slams into the booth, smashing our hero and leaving him to die.  And die it looks like he did.  Or at least we are to believe that that's what has become of him.  It sure doesn't look good for him at this point.  He did manage to come back to life once already, as well as resurrect his dead brother a couple of times, so all hope is not lost.  Two more episodes after all.  When the drama of the drama gets to be too overpowering, I always have to resort back to reason in order to calm my troubled heart.  So yeah, I think he'll be okay, but as of right now, it ain't looking so good.  Poor Seon Woo.  Poor, poor Seon Woo.  He just can't catch a break.

And there is where I will leave it for tonight.  I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I did.  And I hope that we will soon get a happily-ever-after for these poor people.  Well, except for Dr Evil of course.  I hope he gets to stay a crazy old coot - he's much more entertaining that way.  I am so anxious to see how this drama wraps up with the last two episodes.  Join me then, won't you when I return with episode 19 and 20 and finish off this drama?  Great then, it's a date!  I look forward to it!

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel ep 17 [Dramatic Review]

Four more to go here you guys.  Only 4!!! 

Yay!  And the intensity and drama is really accelerating, don't you think?  This drama really just keeps giving and giving, just when you start to wonder how it could possibly give any more.  These two writers really handle the whole time travel genre very well in my opinion as one who doesn't typically really enjoy time travel storylines (which you totally wouldn't know considering all of the time traveling dramas I have reviewed in my short tenure here at TCA - go figure).  They wrote Queen In Hyun's Man, which, for a time travel drama, was really good and had similar twists and turns that just kept coming that you never expected.  Well, at least I never expected.  Maybe you did.  Who knows?  It's always possible.  Anyway, long story short, I like this drama a lot.  Like a lot a lot.  I had lots of audible outbursts throughout this one.  So let's dive on in and relive some of those exciting moments, shall we?  

Nine's Nine of episode 17

1.  Wedding Day Jitters

Maybe it's just me, but I would expect to see a little more smiling on a wedding day.  The bride, groom and groom's mother all look a little, well, not so festive given the occasion.  I've heard of wedding day jitters, but I guess the whole "I killed my dad so he wouldn't kill my mom and am now covering it up with help from the guy I just found out raped my mom and is my bio dad" trauma.  Sheesh, buddy, at least fake it til you make it, you know?  Or maybe we should, oh, I don't know? Call of the wedding?  Wait til everybody's feeling it a bit more?  Or better yet, don't get married so that your brother can marry your girl's daughter.  Yup, I like that option better.  Let's go with that, yeah?

2.  Here Comes Trouble

Ouch.  Seon Woo is found and attacked by the hit man.  Future Seon Woo watches the scars and feels the pain as his past self is going through it.  His arm is sliced and then he is stabbed in the chest.  He fights off his attacker by striking him with a bottle and is able to escape temporarily.  He runs and locks himself into his sister-in-law's record store.  It's not so good in there though.  Bad guy's found him and the phone is dead.  He's in serious trouble.

3.  Heading Back In

Seon Woo knows that he has to go back and save himself.  He's in mortal danger.  While he's there, he proposes, with Min Young's approval, to also try to break up the wedding.  No one is happy in this alternate future.  His trying to make things better only made everyone miserable.  The grieving Min Young really has nothing else to lose, so of course she agrees and off he goes.  He's got 25 minutes left to save himself, break up a wedding and fix this mess.

4.  Batter Up!

First stop?  Dr Evil's office.  With a bat.  I'm not a huge proponent of violence, but in this case I was yelling at him to swing harder.  Future Dr Evil is of course reliving this moment from the past as it happens and starts ducking and yelling like a crazy man.  heeheehee  That part made me giggle. I love to see the bad guy get his due.  Seon Woo ties him up and has him call the hit man in order to find out where his brother is.  Then, before leaving, he stops just shy of killing Dr Evil with a final blow, telling him instead that he'd rather see him lose the 20 years of glory that he had been living, not paying for his crimes.  Okay, I can see the merit in that, it would be fun to watch, but still, I was ready for him to clock him and be done once and for all with this bozo.

5.  Save Yourself

Just as the hit man is closing in on poor young Seon Woo, old Seon Woo comes up from behind and saves the day!  Hooray!

6.  Going to the Chapel Police Station

Seon Woo then sends himself off to the police station with evidence in hand and the name of his boss, the one person he can trust to get the truth out since there's so much corruption in the police force.

7.  Last Chance

Our groom gets a phone call on the priest's phone.  It's Seon Woo calling to let him know that Jin Cheol tried to kill his brother, that he is the eye witness to "the incident" and that he has just sent Seon Woo off to the police station with the evidence.  In other words, it's a "hey, you're about to be arrested" courtesy call.  While he has taken away Jeong Woo's choice in turning himself in, he gives him one last chance to redeem himself and ditch the wedding instead of marrying and running away to America as planned.  Seon Woo assures him that this is in his very best interest and then hangs up, leaving it in Jeong Woo's hands.  Ooh, the suspense!  What will he do?  What will he choose?

8.  Vanished = Vanquished?

By this time, future Jin Cheol has figured out that Seon Woo is back in the past and dashes to find him.  He spots the car with the burning incense stick in it and tries desperately to break into the car.  Just as he is about to swing a golf club and smash the window, the club disappears.  And so do his two guys.  And his car.  Back at the funeral home, the guests and food and eventually the memorial to the deceased as well.  Looks like Jeong Woo chose option A - don't get married and face the consequences of that fateful night.  Yay!

9.  Here Comes the Bride

Sure enough, we see him leaving the church, a confused almost-step-daughter chasing after him.  Min Young's funeral attire is then transformed into that of a bride.  It's her wedding day and she is marrying Seon Woo. 
Holy.
Moly.
Too soon to celebrate?  I don't care.  I just have to say YAY YAY YAY!!!  Jeong Woo did it!  He's totally the man!  High five! 

Seriously, how awesome is this drama getting?!?!? 

Join me for episode 18?  See you there!