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Beethoven Virus: Episode 11

Only the one episode this week, due to a soccer game on Wednesday. The good news is that the ratings broke 20%. 😀

Alas, that this shiny, happy couple is no more. (On the other hand, this does break the trend of having Kang Mae here and weakening some people’s resolve. :P)

SONG OF THE DAY

Rie Fu – “Negaigoto”[ Download ]

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Episode 11

Oooh, the angst, it hits like a bullet train. Kang stops Gun Woo from going after Ru Mi, which rings all sorts of bells in Junior’s head – finally, someone puts the pieces together.

Away from the party, Hee Yun and the violins sisters are comforting Ru Mi. Gun Woo arrives, fresh from his revelation just from looking at Kang, and has a private talk with his soon-to-be ex. He’s actually quite decent about it and apologizes for obstinately holding onto Ru Mi when her heart was with someone else. (There should be a complex named for nice guys who are cast aside for outwardly cold but charismatic dudes – the Prince Yul Complex?)

Gun Woo doesn’t get angry – he feels stupid, and way out of his league. He doesn’t even blame her and walks away. (Ru Mi, I’m blaming this on you. No, seriously, you have no right to play with someone else’s affections when you know you like a different person.)

At least she’s decent enough to want to try to make it up to Junior, who’d much rather she just stop talking. (But his gentle personality will guarantee more sacrifice for her in the future, just watch.)

Kang waits at home deep into the night for Gun Woo to celebrate the concert with him. His already gloomy mood takes a dive when Junior texts to tell him that he needs to meet up with someone from the choir. (Lies, all lies!)

Early morning meetings with the mayor totally spell indigestion, especially when he’s trying to scapegoat Ru Mi to save his own behind. Kang is understandably annoyed and does not allow the mayor to interfere with his orchestra members, but it’s not like the other man has stayed as mayor by sheer effort of stupidity. The mayor will sue Ru Mi first no matter what (or else his opponent will get the advantage).

Relations between Junior and Kang are a little bit awkward, not strained as I feared. At the hospital, they sit one chair apart and rationally discuss the situation. (Wow, I am amazed.) Kang is quite considerate towards Gun Woo, who is also careful not to say anything too extreme.

During his check-up, Kang looks outside to Gun Woo’s dejected figure, and tells the nurse that his arm still hurts a lot. (Transference, much?)

Err, Ru Mi jogs around a park trying not to think about Kang – thus succeeding in replaying all of his insults to her in her mind. (Btw, she runs like it’s all in the flailing of limbs.) She lies down on the grass and indulges in a bit of moping. (I just love how actresses can work out, sleep, or cry and still have perfect makeup.)

While walking Beethoven, Kang sees Ru Mi striding purposefully forward with her bike in hand. Having just gotten another call from the mayor’s secretary urging him to agree to the drastic measures, Kang is slightly more conciliatory than usual. Ru Mi, on the other hand, lashes out at him for being such an asshat to her, and tells him that she’s moving away. Also, she’s already sent out her resignation.

As she cycles away, Kang goes all kicked-puppy face at Beethoven, though he tries to hide it. (I love this man!)

To force Kang’s hand, the mayor is going for some rather underhanded ways. To wit, he is laying off the members of Kang’s old orchestra, one by one, to threaten the conductor. Park is the first to go, and because he doesn’t understand what’s going on, he blames it all on Kang.

Practice is cut short, for obvious reasons. At home, Kang despairs about the plan to sue Ru Mi. He feels that she will definitely get sent to jail and lose her hearing there. Gun Woo only listens, because he doesn’t really know what to do either.

(Hmm, maybe Gun Woo should have stayed on as a policeman.)

Junior goes to his room and angsts there, while Kang plays on the piano and tries to exorcise his worries through music. (An excerpt of one of Chopin’s Fantaisies, I believe.) It doesn’t work.

Through a night of introspection, Kang has decided to go for extreme confrontation. He books both the mayor and his dastardly opponent for a friendly meal at a Japanese restaurant, and then delivers his smackdown: the mayor’s rival happened to have embezzled 4,200 million from a school he was in charge of. (Which is 14 times more than the amount Ru Mi was swindled out of.)

The rival claims not to know anything about this, and snarls that Kang won’t get away with hiring a team of incompetents on the citizen’s dime either. Kang smiles (a bit evilly, I think) and tells him that the problem has already been solved.

Which brings us back to the orchestra – Yi Deun gives grandpa Kim a notebook for his memory exercises, and writes his medical condition, address and her cell phone number on the back. The moment of aww is interrupted when the secretary uncomfortably tells the ‘temporary’ members that they are fired. The room explodes in speculative whispers and dismay, while Gun Woo chases after the secretary.(So that’s what the conductor meant when he asked Junior if he trusted himself.)

The secretary tells Gun Woo that Kang has commanded him to coach the members to give a good performance at a music festival in two month’s time. If they receive recognition, then they can come back.

Back at the restaurant, the mayor is trying to make sure he’s on Kang’s good side too. Now he’s willing to let the matter of the embezzled money go, though he muses that their images will take a hit when the so-called incompetents do well at the music festival. Kang doesn’t care, and even offers cuts on his own salary to accommodate the members when they become permanent members.

Kang is working so hard to keep them because they’re his in a way that other orchestra members were not in the past. (Cue mass fangirl reaction of ‘aww’ here.)

The newly fired temporary instrumentalists all mope at a nearby cafe. They’re still split in two groups, Kim willing to let Kang have the benefit of the doubt, while the rest mope. (Though it’s cute how Yi Deun is totally willing to help once she sees grandpa isolated.)

Their lack of faith is highlighted when Kang visits practice halls all across the city, trying to find the perfect one for his protegés. He’s not satisfied with even the best the city. His actions are mirrored by Gun Woo, who asks at the church they used to practice in but is refused.

Angsty MV of Gun Woo missing Ru Mi follows as he looks around.

What Kang doesn’t really realize is that Gun Woo is also quite set in his own ways. That night, in his office, Junior tells Kang to trust him with conducting, since he’s left it in his hands. It’s not that he won’t consult the conductor, rather, Junior wants to prove himself.

Kang’s not quite sure how to handle this newly independent Gun Woo. (And he misses Ru Mi, but he won’t say.)

When he gets home, Kim, Hee Yun and Bae are waiting for him. Despite Kim and Hee Yun’s sugarcoating efforts, Bae blurts out that they’ve decided against participating in the festival. (Why do I have the feeling we’ve seen this before? Why? Recycling is good, but not this way, writers.)

Once again, Kang wounds them with his harsh speech. (All this time, and it was just anger management issues.) Kim goes back in, because he’s convinced that there’s something else bothering their conductor.

Kang’s not exactly welcoming, so Kim sits down and talks to Kang through Beethoven.

Kim: Your master seems to be in a bad mood today. I think he’s afraid. You see, the human heart is a tricky thing – it changes from liking to disappointment to expectation quickly. Sometimes it scares you, the way it’s so unpredictable. That’s why your master only deals with dead people, like Mozart, or Beethoven – he only has to face the finished music scores. But he’s wrong. They were all written when those men were alive, and the emotion in them is very obvious. If you’re afraid of emotion, how can you understand the music? Your master is only imitating the music. In life, you must be truthful, not only to us, but also with himself. Your master doesn’t even want to face his own feelings…

Beethoven barks his approval. This rather long monologue stays with Kang, and, just in the nick of time, he gets a call from Ru Mi. True to his word, he doesn’t pick up.

The next day, Bae is still licking his wounds and refuses to go to dinner with Kang (the conductor’s invited everyone else too). Park also refuses, staying at home to do stretches with his very pregnant wife, who still doesn’t know that he’s been fired. Meanwhile, Hee Yun drives her husband to distraction with her endless conversations on the phone.

End result: Kang sits all alone at the restaurant, and no one shows up.

He goes to the lake and thinks about Ru Mi, who was the most supportive person he’d ever met, even while he was being a class-A jerk. (And she probably would have whipped all the members into coming, for that matter).

To torture himself, Kang listens to all the voicemails from Ru Mi. They’re lighthearted and cheery, which makes him miss her that much more.

The first one talks about how she’s biked for hours but is still in Seoul; the second talks about how beautiful the scenery is, and wishes he was there with her; the thrid complains about a blister on her foot – but she’s still more worried about silence from his side of things; the next one lets him know that she’s almost at the park Kang suggested, and promises that she will always remember everything about him (yep, even the attitude).

At the end of all the voicemails, Kang begins to smile.

She tells him that she’s listening to Liszt’s Liebestraum (no. 3), and so he puts it on and listens, as if he really was there with her.

Kang remembers Kim’s advice about facing his own emotions. Upstairs, Gun Woo is remembering happier times with Ru Mi, when she was coaching him in English (wherein they both show us that it’s possible to not have Engrish). Ahh, happier times.

In the morning, Ru Mi walks her bike up one hill after another, finally reaching the one from which one can watch the sun. Then she receives a phone call from the ‘nice Gun Woo’ – not being one to shirk from unpleasant things, she picks up the phone. Imagine her surprise when Gun Woo tells her straight out that Kang actually really likes her, and didn’t say anything because he’d wanted to make Junior happy.

Gun Woo tears up as he tells Ru Mi about how tired Kang is, and tells her to take good care of her – thereby giving her permission to go ahead. (Can you die from having the Prince Yul syndrome? Poor baby.) Note the contrast of light and dark.

On top of the mountain, Ru Mi stands shocked for a few moments, and then bikes through hell and high water to get back. (Well, she’s actually biking downhill, but for this humble viewer, who has a fear of heights, it might as well as be hell.)

Junior gives himself a pep-talk and goes off to practice with the people he’s in charge of. They complain at practicing in a smelly warehouse/barn, but Gun Woo gives his radiant smile and begins practice.

Biking through very pretty pastoral hills (which seem to need a bit of water, just saying), Ru Mi suddenly drops her bike and decides to call Kang first to let him know she’s coming. She’s interrupted mid-call by the conductor himself, who sounds more than a bit annoyed (but it’s the worry talking) that she still hasn’t reached the mountain yet.

Ru Mi turns and runs uphill, to see Kang outlined on the top of the hill, searching for her. Awww. Ru Mi leaps to him, crying with happiness. (She’s abandoned her bike, but I’m worried about her violin.) He scolds her for being late, but she just runs up and hugs him, effectively silencing him.

Kang hesitantly reaches up to hug her back.

Team Kangmi: + 10^1829380247 points.

End episode.

Commentary/Rambling:

– Screencap credit to Luv, as usual. ♥

– Preview indicates that this change in relationship status does not sit well with the others, especially Hee Yun, who is Gun Woo’s aunt. And Gun Woo doesn’t look that happy either. In short: MOAR ANGST.

– Superficiality, but it’s been bothering me: what on earth is happening to Jang Geun Suk’s face? I miss the flawless skin of yore (say, early HGD or Hwang Jini).

– I know a lot of people are fed up with the show – and there are a plethora of things to get annoyed at (bad syncing of music with visual, bad acting from one of the leads, overuse of love triangle etc), but it’s actually a decent show. The plot moves, the side characters have their own lives, and the cinematography is thoughtful.

Also, Kim Myung Min! I had no idea who he was before this show, but seriously, where the heck was I?? Here’s an actor who has the ability to carry the entire series on his shoulders. It really does help that I didn’t expect much from the actors I knew about (JGS and LJA) when I started the show, and was pleasantly surprised to find that Jang Geun Suk was able to reach out from his Chang Hui-ness.

On the topic of Lee Jia, I think we should step back from the auto-gag reflex when she pulls her I’m-so-cute-don’t-you-love-me faces, and remember that this is only her second drama. (As compared with JGS, who has been in 7; 3 had acting-intensive roles.) She is improving, even if her emote level is stuck at 1/6.

It’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea, that’s fine – just don’t let it give you headaches either. 😀

Sevenses

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I don't actually keep up to date with this series, but it was sitting on my hard drive so I took a whack at it.

Kim Myung Min. Will you marry me?
That man has a way with the screen and he's so brilliant. His drama's are always so popular and get recognition for his work *sighs*

Thanks for the recap~ No matter how I neglect the episodes, I follow these always<3

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i def. agree with your comments/ramblings Sevenses! Kim Myung Min carries this show by himself. i know i'm only watching this show because i LOVE his portrayal of Kang Mae!!! ahh! i have fangirly moments all the time when i'm watching!!! i wish i could watch him in White Tower but idk where to watch it. anyone have any idea? i tried all the usual places too. =( <3 KMM!!!

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After the call from JGS, i think she turned her bike around away from her original target. Before the call she was pushing her bike uphill, after the call riding downhill, from where she came from, then calling Kang (I think its to confirm what JGS said), then running uphill to him when she found out he was waiting for her there.

Anyway thanks for your recaps

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^ actually what jgs called to say i think she wanted to go back and see kang mae since she called him to say that, but when the call was abruptly stopped and kang mae called and why arent you here etc etc. that's why she turned back. im pretty sure a lot of woomi fans are upset at the recent ep. but as a kangmi shipper it was priceless. that hug was just. i keep repeating the flash and i love that scene. i love the music in this ep. the instrumentals, plus the piano song that he played.
kmm is just genius i must say. he is just sooo good. his roles are always standing out and just wow. gun woo junior did a nice thing, no doubt hurtful for him but he did it which is a big thing i think.

kang mi <3!!!
yes i smell trouble next few eps but still.
kang mi hwaiting!!

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and really many people are fed up with the show? but but why?
i think its good. the music and the acting esp KMM.
well i count the more LJA and JGW fans but still.
i think everything is pieced together well.
im really enjoying it.

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lol you rewrote the recap so quickly.

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I don't think it is unpopular, as it is the highest rating among the wed/thurs slots against the bigger budget saguek drama.

K/fans are intrigued by the unique Kangmae character, and the refreshing musical drama , from what I read from media.

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actualli i still hope that ru mi will ends gun woo 2gether...sign>~<

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awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...im really disappointed tht Gun Woo didnt or will not ever end up with Ru Mi apparently, well, i knew tht it was coming but it kinda took off like 50% of my enthusiasm for this drama seeing it out in the open. Plus i dont know if my computer is the only one having this problem but i cant see any of the screenshots. They've been replaced by pic of a gas meter like thing with the needle in the red and it says Upgrade to Pro Today! Bandwidth Exceeded! Photobucket. someone plz help if this is familiar

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i totally agree with you...
i love JGS, don't get me wrong, but isn't he taking care of his skin? he's an endoser for a skinline, right?
i noticed it during the HGD last episodes...he used to have that flawless, baby-butt skin and it changed to this...
where is my cutie JGS???
what have you done to him?
sorry for going overboard...hehehehe!

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After reading all your recaps (which you did excellently! Very much enjoy your writing style, just like I enjoy javabeans'), I've realized how this is not my cup of tea. I tried though! But watching 3 episodes was enough for me and after reading this episode recap, I'm pretty much done with this series. Thank you though and keep up the good work! Can't wait to follow what you're going to be watching in the future! ^_^

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His scarred skin is most prob caused by Korea's army training. We have it too in Singapore, and my skin also became scarred after time in the army. You don’t have enough time to clean your skin properly and you’re always so dirty; rolling around in mud or spending days and even weeks in the wild.

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He had not done his army training yet back then.

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episode 12 preview seems frustrating.

sigh. i enjoy this series a lot, thanks to kmm. brilliant brilliant guy.

but the time difference? day and night? it's like as if she went to another part of the world.

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Thank you Sevenses.
Haha... "Team Kangmi: + 10^1829380247 points."...lol...

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thank you dear.. i still love lja and i hope she will have a happy ending in the show :)

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the reason why i stop watching it was because ru mi will not end up with gun woo....

i hate how the good girls always falls for the ass-wipes. its a cliche i wish would die. i can see why so many korean ends up with these types. they watch dramas like this, thats why. =/

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I hate this episode....i also not to eager to watch it again, but i still go to your site just to know what happen. Hmm Prince Yul syndrome..i think depend on the patient heart condition, if he`s strong enough to get it through, then he`ll be OK in time...(geeez...hahaha...)

Army? I don`t think JGS has been to army yet. But i guess shooting for HGD maybe consider as army training too in a way....Plus too much work and less rest

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Man you make me glad you recapped this, 'cause I dunno what'd I do if I actually had to watch Kang sit at a huge empty table all by himself D: I think I'd have to leave the room while that part left heh. Things like that (provided done right and it sounds like this actor would pull it off to the max) just twists my insides all over and up to the brain.

Hurrah from one who is a Kangmi fan at the end of this though!

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Does anyone know the title of the music that is Maestro Kang's mobile phone ringtone? It's so freaking cool....

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She is improving, even if her emote level is stuck at 1/6..... i dont know what do you mean by this.... emote level????? as far as i know lja was recognized for her good acting at The story if the Four Gods. I must agree that she really is good ,considering the fact that she is very new. Shes way too good among other korean actress whos got only beauty without charisma. lja is just one good actreess and surely will go places given more and right project

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thanks for the recap.. you should watch Bad Family .. KMM is good there too and it's a hilarious drama

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heyy, anybody know which ringtones does Ru mi and both gun woos have?
please and thankyou

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lol i've been wondering about JGS's skin as well, all the emo closeups of his face do not do good things for him. anyway, i absolutely ADORE KMM. (blatant and gratuitous fangirlism right here) it's a shame he's married and has a kid...
anyway, i did start tearing up when she hugged him (with taeyeon's "can you hear me" blaring in the background....love the song as well). anyway, paused the episode to make a comment here, but looks like the previews for the next epi are a bit foreboding. thanks for the recaps!

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Thanks for the review. i have just reached epi 10.

aww..i cant believe that Gun Woo didnt or will not ever end up with Ru Mi ..i mean Ru mi likes Kang. To me,its like their teacher and students doesnt seem to match with one and another,kang is too old for her.thsi is just my opinoinn, no offence.

anyway, will continue continue watching the series to know the development of other characters in the orchestra.:)

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Evange: the music that Kang use is very familiar but sorry i still cant figure out the name, will post it here after i recall.by the way,this is the link that i found from internet http://www.cellsea.com/ringtone/detail/RT491a296468283.htm#

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Xenna: Gun woo's ringtone is Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons Winter.

Evange: i have googled it and visited a few sites and finally find the name.Kang Mae’s ringtone was a violin version of the 3rd movement of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8, the Pathétique.

enjoy!

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Hehe, this drama is growing on me. Seriously. Despite Lee Jia's air violin.

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Thank you for recapping this x3! I don't have enough time (or patience) to go through all 18 episodes and this is a highly enjoyable substitute.

JGS said in an interview that he started getting pimples and facial hair only around 21 (boy, puberty kicked in late for him ~.~) so I would assume that's why his skin looks ... scarred and slightly fuzzy haha. It gets much better in You're Beautiful, though! :D

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Am I the only one pleasantly surprised by Gun Woo and Ru Mi's accurate English accent?

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Out of curiosity...was the character "Do Ru Mi" a (to me) not-so-subtle play on the musical scale start of "Do Re Me"??

As the obnoxious phrase goes... "just saying"...

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@ choco - i believe LJA lived in the states for a bit when she was younger and doing fashion design and JGS went to school in New Zealand to learn English and Japanese.. watch him in Ichaewon Murder movie where he speaks all english! :)

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Haha Kangmi 10^......... was hilarious.

I actually like that couple because they have a lot of room for growth, and there's that tension between opposites. Gunwoo and Rumi was just a bit lackluster. I was really heartbroken for Gunwoo though. SUCH a good guy-he's definitely a keeper!

It was really difficult to watch Kang get totally rejected at the table when he made an effort. The guy (and actor) is so badass usually, I love it! Gramps was cute too-talking to him through Toven, haha.

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I know this is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too late but I just finished BV and currently head over heels with KMM. So i thought I have to confess it smewhere lol.

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