Recap of Twenty Again 10: Just How Have You Been Living Your Life?

Misunderstandings. Competition. Revelations. All are themes of this episode. The misunderstandings continue between Cha Hyun Suk and Ha No Ra, specifically anything having to do with her rotten cheating husband. The competition heats up between suitor and spouse, both literally and figuratively. And some revelations finally start being revealed, though, maybe not as many as we would like.

Oh My Ghostess eps 9 and 10: Dating 2-for-1

Oh my Ghostess indeed! What an ending we had on episode 10, huh?! Hot and heavy, sweet and steamy, and everything else in between. Ooh la and la!

I Remember You ep 10: Dream Team They May Not Exactly Be, but They Did Save the Girl

Well, this episode sure did bring with it an interesting bundle of little twists, did it not? From devastating revelations by Adopt-a-Mom to joining forces of good and evil in order to save the day, we certainly were left befuddled and a mix of emotions.

Mask Episode 10 - Team Min Woo VS. Team Seok Hoon

Woot!  There is finally progress on all fronts, and while I still remain slightly miffed at our leading lady, things are beginning to look up.  All it took was for Ji Sook to realize that Min Woo is part of her family (for real, not just in name only) and it is full steam ahead on the protect Min Woo train.

Producer Episode 10 - Who Should Cindy Really Hook Up With?

The writers are going full tilt forward with the shipping wars to the bitter end.  So personally I have decided that I don't want Cindy to date anyone in this drama.  She deserves better than to be a rebound or an afterthought.  So with that in mind, let's chat about possibilities for her future love line.  In between recapping episode 10 of course, because all of this Seung Chan puppy love also has to be documented, no matter how infuriating it is.

Hyde, Jekyll and I ep 10: Do NOT Go In There!

This week is evidence that perseverance can pay off. I don't know about you, but I was happy with where our story went this week. I finally feel as if we have a story. I love when my patience is rewarded. And what was it rewarded with? A complex and good-looking villain for one.

Bad is looking good on him actually

Pinocchio ep 10: Facts, Truth, and Impact

This post is so very late and I am so very sorry. The next episodes are out and all. Can you believe it? I won't bore you with the details and story behind the tardiness, though it actually is a pretty good one, as all stories that involve purple projectile puke tend to be. Late it may be, but I'll do my best to wrap it up nicely for you so that we can quickly get up to speed and ready for 11.

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?

The Joseon Gunman Episode 9 & 10 - Suffering and Secrets.

This week we played more of  the "I know who you are, and I know that you know I know" game.  We of course still got some misleading tricks thrown in to create doubt, since Yoon Kang is toying with his prey, but for the most part the secret is out.  I feel that we have been going in circles the last few episodes, but at least we get to watch Lee Joon Gi do his trademarked, I just outwitted you, smirk which is always a pleasure.  But what I am really waiting for is seeing Yoon Kang enter into the political arena which was the real killer of his father.  We are slowly (very very slowly) getting there, but I am starting to get impatient for the payoff. 

The big bad conservative faction is laying low as the fallout from the death of one of their members is felt.  Merchant Choi is reprimanded for moving his gunman without direct permission from the creepy Noble Ahjussi.  He is told that he is nothing but a "hunting dog" who follows commands and does not think for himself.  Merchant Choi is obviously pissed off but backs off, although I notice that he doesn't mention his concerns about Yoon Kang's identity.  Obviously this "hunting dog" has ideas of his own that do not include being under the Noble Ahjussi's thumb forever.  We also learn that not only was Hye Won a former slave (until this week I was under the impression that maybe she was an adoptive daughter of some sort, or a illegitimate child), but her father also was a slave until he was raised up by creepy ahjussi to become his hidden mercenary.  A lot of the threat against them, and the reason he is following the conservative party's orders, is due to the fact that he could be dragged down (along with his daughter) back to the rank of a slave.  It is an interesting dynamic which makes the whole situation much more interesting.  Not to mention the writers have really done a good job of not making me detest the Choi's.  They are boxed in by outside forces, just like Yoon Kang.  It is tragic that Merchant Choi was the actual killer of Yoon Kang's father, or else I would be thrilled to see these two team up and kick some creepy nobleman's butt.

Soo In finally was able to really shine this week.  All I can say is "THANK GOODNESS!" and "It is about time."  I was really starting to worry that they were going to keep her in the cute true love bubble that held her personality in check.  The added depth and strength to Soo In's character is greatly appreciated.  

 Being the daughter of a politician and the true love of a traitor can really suck sometimes.  Especially if different factions want to use your identity to further their political agenda.  Just as Soo In finally confirms Yoon Kang's identity, she is arrested for the production of gunpowder which was used in last weeks murder.  Realizing that Yoon Kang must be the gunman, Soo In refuses to say anything in order to protect him.  It probably would not have gone very far but Kim Byung-Je (hmmm need to think of a nickname for him.  He is usually the creepy nobleman ahjussi in Sageuks, but has been supplanted by an even more annoying creepy voiced character.  Maybe Political Ahjussi?) finds out that she is the daughter of his political rival and decides that this is the leverage he needed to destroy him.  He actually takes great pleasure in torturing her (Kudos on the director for once actually making it look like the girl was being tortured.  Usually I have noticed that directors tend to sprinkle some pink kool-aid on the white dress, make the girls grunt a bit, and it ends up having them look more constipated than in pain) and arrests her father on grounds of a conspiracy against the opposing political party.  Then takes turn torturing them in front of each other until they "confess" to their supposed crimes. 

If Soo in had not already figured out Yoon Kang's identity, I think that his reaction to her incarceration would have been a huge giveaway.  To say he loses it is an understatement, as he fights policeman, officials, and pretty much anyone he can, trying to take responsibility for the gunpowder.  To put it in perspective you have to realize that Yoon Kang is pretending to be a Japanese citizen (a country that is only grudgingly accepted in a commerce only capacity).  If Yoon Kang, as Hanjo, was found guilty of a crime he would immediately be sentenced to death.  Yet he was willing to chance that outcome to save Soo In from suffering on his behalf.  Unfortunately for our wannabe hero, political ahjussi was determined to use Soo In as leverage so his claims of guilt were immediately ignored.  It is only due to the actions of Kim Ho-Kyung (our vanilla second leading male) stepping up and going toe to toe with his father, that Yoon Kang is able to save Soo In and her father.

I find it fascinating how the writers return again and again to the theme of children (our 4 leads) being shaped and molded by their father's actions.  Whether it is for the best, like in the case of Yoon Kang and his father, or in rebellion like Ho Kyung and Political Ahjussi, all of the younger cast are moved through the fated lines that were created before they were old enough to choose their own destinies.   There is no better way of showing this than between Ho Kyung and his father.  Not only are they on opposite sides of the ideological debate, but morally neither is able to understand the other.  Political Ahjussi sees nothing wrong in framing Soo In's father (and Soo In is thrown in as collateral damage) and looks at the world through jaded eyes.  Ho Kyung on the other hand is young and filled with ideals of the new era and refuses to compromise those ideals.  When he finds out that his father is framing Soo In and his mentor, he goes over his father's head and informs the king.  When the king finds out what is going on, and that there is a witness (Yoon Kang) who provided an alibi for Soo In, he reigns down kingly hellfire on Political Ahjussi.  Not only does the king openly berates him, but he frees Soo In and her father, and orders Political Ahjussi to be imprisoned for falsely trying to get rid of his political rivals.  This was obviously not what Ho Kyung had in mind and he is obviously upset to see his father's fall from power.  It will be interesting to see if Ho Kyung continues on his path, or if filial duty will eventually chip away at his will. 

With the conclusion of this episode we finally see all the pieces begin to come together for Yoon Kang's move towards justice for his father.  He is now tentatively on the radar of not only the king, but of the political bad guys.  He also will have a new goal of keeping Soo In's father safe from the same factions that killed his own father which will provide some forward movement plot wise.  And while we still have no open confession between our two lovebirds, it is pretty obvious that each of them realizes that the secret is out of the bag and is just being kept silent because of some idea that by not saying anything out loud they will be protecting the other.  It will be interesting how long this vow of silence will last.  If i had to make a prediction, I would guess that it is not going to be long since we are due some uber romantic gazing at the least and more then likely Soo In will not be able to resist in helping Yoon Kang with his quest of vengeance.

Random Thoughts:
Is anyone else amused that the conservatives enforce their anti-gun and anti-army stand point by a secret militia of gunman.  A little bit of a hypocritical moment there. 

I am really starting to enjoy Yoon Kang's cooky maid.  The girl has a thing for the bad boys and accidentally getting to the bottom of the households secrets (even if she is not aware she came across them).

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