Wish Upon a Star: Episode 19

96 March 15, 2010January 24, 2016

by javabeans

This screencap isn’t really a big spoiler, right? We ARE almost at the end, after all, and it’s not like it’s a big cliffhanger…

Here we are, at the last week. Things start to wrap up with the multiple plotlines coming to a conclusion or setting up for the big finish. Ending episodes always tend to feel a little jerky to me, because in the interest of tying up loose ends, we lose flow and pacing. I’m not surprised that this episode has that sort of unevenness, but I suppose the resolution of a few big dangling threads makes up for it. At least somewhat.

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EPISODE 19 RECAP

Appearing unexpectedly, Jun-ha does his patented shoulder-grab as he asks his brother, “Why do you have to marry Jae-young because of me?” Jae-young keeps her eyes averted, and Kang-ha is stunned speechless to be thus discovered.

Jun-ha demands to know what Jae-young is holding over Kang-ha to force him to give up Pal-gang. What aren’t they telling Jun-ha to force them to marry? She has some nerve answering, “I can’t tell you that. If I do, I can’t marry him.” Well, this has been a circular discussion, brought to you by the letter O (My God Just Talk, People).

The brothers step aside for a private talk, and Kang-ha asks Jun-ha to let this go this once and pretend he didn’t overhear the conversation. To his shock, Jun-ha asks (rather casually in fact), “Are you asking me to pretend I don’t know you and I have different mothers?”

As Kang-ha gapes, Jun-ha explains that he found out when he was in fifth grade — it was after another huge fight with their father, and Kang-ha had run away. A week later, their father dragged him back home and they’d fought again: “As he hit you, you talked back. You said you’d live with your mother, and that you were born outside of the family, so why does he keep bringing you back?”

Not only that, Jun-ha’s mother had heard, and that was the day she gave him his own room and told Jun-ha not to use it, because Kang-ha needed his own space. Jun-ha asks, “She loved you a lot — why didn’t you ever call her Mom?”

Kang-ha explains that he couldn’t, even though he wanted to, again demonstrating his own self-loathing. She was too fine and kind that “it felt like a guy like me couldn’t call her Mother.” Furthermore, he felt that would have been unfair — “I couldn’t take that from you.”

Jun-ha reminisces about growing up always wanting to be like Kang-ha, who stood up to Father. Even when his friends questioned why he followed his brother around, he continued to do so: “Actually, I never wanted to beat you. I always felt safe following behind you.” He concedes this round to Kang-ha, too, saying that whenever he cares for someone, they’re always looking at Kang-ha.

Jun-ha advises, “So stay here” (meaning at the hospital with Pal-gang). Kang-ha sighs, “Not this time.” Jun-ha smiles ruefully and requests, “Give me the chance to step back with dignity.”

As he drives home, Jun-ha tears up as he talks aloud, as though to his mother: “Hung says he wanted to call you Mother. You must be happy to have your wish granted.” (I don’t recall hearing what happened to her, but I’m assuming she has died.)

At the hospital, Pal-gang tells Kang-ha he can go home. She’ll stay with Nam, but there’s no need for him to remain.

He gets up to leave and addresses their relationship status indirectly by saying she’ll have to be on her own “until Jun-ha comes.” He’s always taken things from his brother, and can’t do it this time. Giving her up doesn’t necessarily mean that Jun-ha will get what he wants and he recognizes this, but Kang-ha adds, “But in that case, I won’t either.” Even if neither of them ends up with Pal-gang, he’d rather not claim her and add more hurt to his brother. It’s simultaneously a stupid and sweet thought.

Grandpa rushes to hospital, where Kang-ha explains Nam’s situation. Grandpa understands now that the reason Kang-ha didn’t go to his own engagement party was because he was here with Pal-gang.

He chides Pal-gang for not telling him about the situation right away, and comforts her as she cries. Not wanting to upset the family with Nam’s condition, Pal-gang tells Eun-mal and the kids that she’s merely away on a business trip.

When Jun-ha comes upon Jae-young at the bar, she tells him that she knew he would come find her here, because he’s always done that. She wonders, “Why couldn’t it be you? It would’ve been nice if it was you.” Still, she’s determined to get her way and tells Jun-ha that she won’t tell him what he wants to know because she’ll need to use him in order to get Kang-ha.

Jun-ha replies, “Sorry, but I already know everything. … So you can’t use me.”

Sensing Jun-ha’s dejected mood, Jae-young asks if he really does love Pal-gang. He says, “What use is that? She only sees him.”

At another bar, Kang-ha drinks. I know drinking is drama shorthand to show that our heroes are in turmoil, but again? I think part of what makes the latter half of this drama a little ridiculous is the repetitive nature of its plot beats (like Jae-young’s robotic insistence on marrying Kang-ha like she’s some Terminator of Happiness and/or Logic), and the drinking is enough to make MY liver hurt. Can’t he go hit baseballs, or brood by the Han River or something?

As he drinks, Kang-ha thinks over Jun-ha’s words, but guilt prevents him from being able to take this chance. He murmurs, “Not this time. Just this time, I won’t.”

Jae-young finds Kang-ha at work, and he apologizes for not showing up to their engagement, but offers to get married right away. And Jae-young slaps him.

(URG. Speaking of drama shorthand… I’ve read a lot of explanations, defenses, and criticisms of the previous slaps. There have been a lot of thoughtful comments dissecting all the various instances, and I agree in disliking the slap but understanding the thought behind it. However, it IS lazy writing at this point, more shorthand to skip over the task of trying to differentiate its scenes with any originality. Come on, if we’ve got to see everyone going slaphappy I at least want some variety here. Give me a yanking of hair, a knee to the groin, a glove thrown in a face.)

Kang-ha is a mighty patient man to endure two slaps from Jae-young within a 24-hour period. This one at least isn’t an I-hate-you slap, but a wake-up-you-fool slap, as she asks why he’s staying when Jun-ha already knows the truth. Kang-ha stubbornly says he will marry Jae-young, and she replies, “But now I don’t want to.”

She realized something while clinging to him desperately: “Love doesn’t happen even if you push someone toward it. So don’t turn Jun-ha into a fool.” Kang-ha’s insistence on giving up his happiness for his brother’s sake only makes Jun-ha seem sadder, because we all know Jun-ha’s not going to win Pal-gang over no matter what Kang-ha does.

Now the situation is all flipped around and In-gu is horribly confused. Jae-young suddenly says she’s not marrying Kang-ha, and now Jun-ha wants a transfer to the States?

Kang-ha doesn’t like this plan and confronts his brother. Jun-ha tells him that he’s sick of being this guy, and threatens to disown him if Kang-ha keeps going like this. As much as Kang-ha doesn’t want to be the guy who always steals his brother’s women, Jun-ha doesn’t want to be the guy who ruins his brother’s happiness, either.

Good lord. This has got to be the most drawn-out game of “Not It” ever.

And then… a breakthrough! Kang-ha and Grandpa Jung rush to the police station when they hear that Jung-ae and her son have been located, having been caught trying to enter China with false papers.

Grandpa introduces himself as Jung-ae’s father (in law), and reminds her of his son. To his surprise, she doesn’t know what he’s talking about, so Kang-ha asks about her son’s father. Isn’t he the chairman’s grandson?

Jung-ae explains that they must be mistaken, because the boy’s father was a married man, which is why she left her hometown in the first place — she didn’t want that to ruin her son’s future. This is a big shock, and although Kang-ha suggests a DNA test just in case, it’s clear they were barking up the wrong tree all this time. Furthermore, Grandpa’s weakened health can’t endure this shock, and he ends up in the hospital. Again.

Pal-gang hasn’t left the hospital since Nam was brought in, worrying over him as he remains unconscious. (By the way: Baby in a respirator = total low emotional blow, drama! You just can’t say anything when you’ve got a baby hooked up to drips and machines and looking all pathetic.)

When Pal-gang emerges from the room, she finds Kang-ha waiting for her, a little startled given the finality of his statements when he left the last time. He explains that Jun-ha won’t be his brother anymore if he lets Pal-gang go. He holds her, then admits that that’s just an excuse — despite his constant reminders to himself not to come here, he would have come in the end. Jun-ha just pushed him here a bit sooner.

Kang-ha says, “I’m sorry for hesitating too much. Now that I’m here, will you forgive me?” Pal-gang starts crying in earnest at that, likely out of relief to have this emotional rollercoaster at an end. He vows, “I won’t go anywhere now.”

(FINALLY!)

Not long afterward, they are joined by the whole troop as the kids are ushered to the hospital with Eun-mal and Jin-ju. They have been brought here by Jun-ha, who offers his brother a smile and leaves to allow the family to have their moment.

The kids had found out the truth about Nam’s illness when Ju-hwang called Pal-gang’s office to ask about her business trip. Now they all burst out that it was unfair of Pal-gang to keep this from them. She tearfully apologizes.

While Ju-hwang sits with sleeping Nam (the other kids are too young to enter the room), the others look curiously at Kang-ha. Jin-ju and Eun-mal ask why he’s here, but before he can come up with a response, Pa-rang speaks up: “Ajusshi… you love our sister, right?”

Everyone looks at him in surprise, wondering how he’ll respond. They gape as Kang-ha answers simply, “Yes, you’re right.” Pa-rang fully approves.

The Jung family arrive at the hospital to visit the chairman, where they run into one of the doctors in the hallway — it’s Min-kyung’s brother. They explain why they’re here and visit the chairman’s room, but Min-kyung is called away with an important phone call.

She slips outside to meet with Kim Do-shik, her hired hit man, who gives her bad news. Jung-ae got caught with her fake passport and was taken in by the police. Worse yet, the chairman and Kang-ha have already gone to see them, and requested a DNA test.

Min-kyung doesn’t notice that they have been observed by Jang-soo, who recognizes her and finds it odd that she would be talking to Do-shik.

Jang-soo takes the adults aside to report this odd finding, and tries to puzzle through how the truck driver knows Min-kyung, and what this could mean for their case.

Kang-ha definitely thinks this is suspicious and reports the news to the chairman, connecting the dots between Min-kyung and Jung-ae’s sudden departure. He even suspects there may be a connection to the accident that killed Pal-gang’s parents. The chairman warns him to keep this between the two of them.

All the adults get their blood tested to see if they can be a donor for Nam. The kids want to get tested too but are too young, and have low appetites over lunch. Pal-gang insists they eat to keep up their strength and shushes their protests. She also shushes Kang-ha, which triggers another bout of bickering between the two. Everyone understands that this is how these two lovebirds communicate, and smile knowingly.

More drinking! At least the atmosphere this time is lighter than the last — Jun-ha and Jae-young are in the stage where they’ve accepted the results and now are trying to approach the situation with rueful humor. Jun-ha laughs about all of Pal-gang’s faults, recalling how she couldn’t cook and predicting that brother is going to suffer if they marry.

Jae-young is sympathetic, understanding that he’s compensating for his rejection, and suggests that Jun-ha go through with his initial plan to move to the States. Jun-ha vetoes this plan because leaving would only make Kang-ha and Pal-gang feel sorry toward him. The best thing is to stay and pretend he’s over it. Jae-young comments that it’s obvious he’s not over it, and he quips that he’d better practice.

Nam takes a downturn, and the bad news is such an emotional burden that Pal-gang vomits in the restroom while Kang-ha waits anxiously outside. When she emerges, she tries to laugh it off by saying she ate too much, but Kang-ha knows he’s lying.

Holding her close, Kang-ha tells her, “You don’t have to act brave in front of me.”

This, of course, is the scene that Tae-kyu witnesses. He has come to see Nam and to get tested as a possible donor, and this sight sends him into an emotional fit, feeling betrayed by his uncle. Kang-ha says he’s sorry, but I like that his apology is sincere without being indulgent — as we know, Tae-kyu has a tendency to emote in extremes.

Kang-ha didn’t mean to hurt Tae-kyu, but he still corrects Tae-kyu’s use of Pal-gang’s name. As we have seen, there’s been a little difficulty in pinning down the appropriate way for Tae-kyu to address Pal-gang, but with the love lines defined (finally!), they can solidify the relationships and it’s no longer appropriate for Tae-kyu to address her on a first-name basis. As his uncle’s love interest, despite their three-year age gap Pal-gang is in a different “generation” than Tae-kyu, and therefore he ought to call her “ajumoni” (ma’am). Tae-kyu retorts childishly that he’ll call her by her name forever.

Jae-young drops by to see Pal-gang, for once facing her without scorn. Pal-gang apologizes “for everything,” surprised when Jae-young offers a hand and acknowledges that she lost. She explains that the reason she had clung so hard to Kang-ha is because he’d never been especially interested in any woman. Therefore, if he felt the same level of indifference to all women, then at least she could assert her claim on him. But now with Pal-gang, she sees that she can’t compare to that and hence her withdrawal.

In a sorta conciliatory gesture, Pal-gang shares with Jae-young, “Do you know why [Jun-ha] first approached me? It was for you.” She explains that Jun-ha had been trying to direct Kang-ha’s feelings toward Jae-young, and had believed that the most loving thing to do for the one who doesn’t love you back is to not love them. Jae-young seems to understand the implication — that he did it out of love for her.

Pal-gang and Kang-ha continue to stay at the hospital, where Eun-mal brings them fresh clothing and watches in amusement as they start bickering again. Pal-gang nags Kang-ha for not going in to work, and he nags back about her not resting in the room that Grandpa has had reserved for her.

Kang-ha knows she’s just using these complaints to cover up her real feelings, saying, “You know you feel reassured with me here with you.” She’s not going to admit that, but he continues, “If you feel like weeping in gratitude, just say thank you.”

Pal-gang starts to protest, so he swoops in to shut her up with a kiss.

I love how unromantically he addresses her afterward. Rather than wax sentimental, he continues in his matter-of-fact tone and warns, “Just keep chattering on — I’ll take that to mean you want to be kissed again.” Kang-ha grumbles that she sure protests a lot — she should just thank him if she feels grateful.

All the while, Pal-gang stands in a daze, unable to even respond.

Min-kyung gets some good news and some bad news. First, she hears that according to DNA results, Jung-ae’s son is not related to the chairman. This means that they’ve been chasing the wrong trail all this while, but that Min-kyung is safe for the moment.

However, her brother shows her something odd in the blood test results taken from Nam’s hopeful donors. Pal-gang’s bloodwork indicates that she and the chairman ARE related — what’s up with that?

Min-kyung doesn’t fully understand HOW this is, but she knows what it means. Pal-gang is more of a threat than ever, so Min-kyung tries to figure a way to spin this to protect her interests. She takes Kang-ha aside to ask about his relationship with Pal-gang, which he confirms. Acting like she’s doing this out of maternal concern for Jae-young’s feelings, she asks Kang-ha how he would feel about transferring to the States. He can marry Pal-gang and take her along. Min-kyung explains that she’s looking to protect Jae-young’s feelings as his discarded fiancee, but we know that this is her last-ditch effort to get Pal-gang far away from the chairman.

Kang-ha isn’t inclined to oblige her, but he merely answers that there’s a lot to handle right now with Nam’s surgery impending. (They’ve found a donor from Japan, and surgery will be planned as soon as possible.) He’ll consider the suggestion afterward.

Jae-young arrives at the hospital, where she finds Jun-ha hanging around outside, concerned for Nam’s upcoming surgery but not up to facing everyone. Jae-young explains her presence by saying that she figured he would be here. However, since it’s not really their place to be here, they can go elsewhere and wish for Nam’s success from a distance.

And then, it’s time for the surgery. The family looks on anxiously as Nam is wheeled away…

COMMENTS

To be perfectly honest, I’ve long since given up on this drama being a logical, well-woven story. Maybe that’s why I’ve been able to enjoy this show so much, because it hits enough buttons to be enjoyable and satisfying. I do acknowledge that there are plot holes and logic gaps that prevent this from being an example of skillful drama work, so the drama’s real talent is in somehow rising to become more than the sum of its parts.

I think we’ll end tomorrow with some untied ends, but it looks like all the big ones will be addressed. Since I don’t think there are many surprises left to reveal, I’d rather they give us a lot of cute family moments rather than trying to work out some convoluted ending of the mysteries.

And yes, because it must be mentioned: The hair, yikes, the hair! I hadn’t really noticed Kim Ji-hoon’s shaved hairline at the outset, but it really has been getting worse in later episodes. I suspect that it’s because they first only shaved a few of the strays to clean up the hairline, and then had to shave a little more each time to keep the line straight. Like a schoolgirl giving her friend a homemade haircut and “evening up” one side, then the other, until a mere trim becomes a Felicity moment. To prove that Kim Ji-hoon is not in fact balding, or in possession of a fivehead (big brother to the forehead), here he is in Episode 2 (left) with a perfectly normal hairline, and then in Episode 19 looking vaguely alienish.

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51 Ellie

March 16, 2010 at 12:55 AM

Thanks for the speedy recap Javabeans! So, we're nearly in the home stretch, and up until now, I've readily enjoyed WUAS despite its flaws, but this episode just kind of lost me. There was a lot of eye-rolling and "Oh, please" exclamations (all on my part), primarily because of the lack of cutesy family scenes, but also because this episode exceeded its quota of over-acting and now-tired plot devices (drinking AGAIN, slapping AGAIN, grandpa collapsing AGAIN, slamming on the car brakes to evoke a dramatic pause AGAIN, and JH's "patented shoulder grab" -- LOL!!).

Plus, the "I'm going to be the martyr" contest between Jun-ha and Kang-ha (and even Jae-Young) was frankly just silly and warranted several "eye rolls" from me. And we're expected to believe that Jae-Young will give Kang-ha up that easily and suddenly see the light after 18 episodes of delusional tunnel vision? Even more, she makes amends with Pal-gang while she's somewhat drunk? Really? NO, REALLY? Are we in Bizarro world?

As a tribute to Kang-ha, Jun-ha, and Jae-young, I should have drunk a shot for every "eye roll" during this episode and slapped my boyfriend for every time I said "Oh puh-lease" out loud.

That's not to say that there weren't cute scenes between Kang-ha and Pal-gang and between Kang-ha and Pa-rang, but for some reason, I really loved the limited screen time that Ju-hwang had in this episode. For one thing, his acting felt natural, and while everybody was brooding about Nami's condition, it was nice to see somebody with an optimistic attitude and giving strength to Nami with a cheery "Fighting!" Now, that's the type of person I want by my bedside if I'm sick. I also liked the brief moment when Ju-Hwang was acting like the older brother scolding Pal-gang for not revealing Nami's condition to the siblings -- this was the one repeated theme that worked for me in this episode.

Based on the last scene in the preview for tonight's episode, it looks like I should be prepared for another big "eye roll." But I'm still looking forward to seeing the plot lines tied up and (hopefully) more cutesy family scenes.

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52 Norme

March 16, 2010 at 1:02 AM

Annyeong,

Awesome..at last THE KISS.... Thanks JB for the recap...Can't wait for the ending..more to come...ha..ha..more alienish hairstyle...

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53 deannadsc

March 16, 2010 at 1:13 AM

...been waiting for your recaps all day, JB!!! even though i've already watched ep.19.... it's like my viewing pleasure is just half-filled without your much-awaited recaps!!!
that paragraph dedicated to KJH's hairline made me Laugh Out Loud!!!
...i agree w/ you that WUAS isn't the ideal, evenly-structured-drama...we drama addicts have been hoping for!!! but it has definitely pulled on my heartstrings & has entertained me all throughout the series!!! i'll probably re-watch this 3 times over...just as i did, YAB & WISFC!!!

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54 celestialorigin

March 16, 2010 at 1:30 AM

OMG! I'm reading this at Apple store in Ginza area while waiting my phone to be charged. I so wish I were home watching it right now!!! Anyway, 5 more days of work and I'll be going home. Has spring come to So. Cal?

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55 Memselli

March 16, 2010 at 1:31 AM

JB, thanks for the recap. As always, I enjoyed it immensely.

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56 slim

March 16, 2010 at 2:09 AM

LOL !! omg you are hilarious!!..i thought kang ha just changed his hair style..thought it def made him look older with his hairline so high..had no idea they shaved his hair line till you pointed it out..and i couldn't stop cracking up..hahahaha..you don't miss anything JB!!

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57 Inkee

March 16, 2010 at 2:39 AM

I really liked this episode. Even though there were some strange things happening, like Jae Young changing overnight from the bad guy/girl to a normal person and the coincidence of the brother of Jae Youngs mother suddenly coming back from abroad and realising Pal Gang and the grandfather are related.
But it didn't bother much because this drama just gives you a good feeling in general when you watch it, so you don't really notice the nonsensical stuff.

And I hadn't noticed Kang Ha's hairline at all, but now Javabeans mentioned it...

Looking forward to the last ep!!

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58 R

March 16, 2010 at 2:46 AM

I really hope the writers won't make Kang Ha die of liver cancer in the last episode.

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59 ghian

March 16, 2010 at 3:31 AM

yay i like it :)
the first kiss ..
so sweet :) xD

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60 ghian

March 16, 2010 at 3:31 AM

@58R
hahaha .. me too :)
xD

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61 ar_arguably romantic

March 16, 2010 at 3:55 AM

Thank you for the recap!! The entire recap had me in giggles but your mention abt KH's hairline really made me LOL. If it weren't for KH's cool computer, I would have thought that this drama took place in the 90s- I feel like with his and JH's and JY's hairstyles, it should be the 90s.

I'm still enjoying this series, but I agree that this episode has too many instances of lazy storytelling. After the giddiness had worn off from the initial viewing, I'm being increasingly disappointed with how this series is wrapping up. Even though the entire drama is cliched, there were moments where PK reveals herself to be slightly more than your average kdrama female lead. I was hoping for some of those moments to return. I guess since the original writer had just come off a 54 episode drama, it was hard to adjust back to writing for a 20 episode one and had to rush to solve all the storylines.

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62 Glads

March 16, 2010 at 4:07 AM

@ 58 hahaha. at this point who knows.

Unfortunately for me, viikii not loading (plus not being korean) makes me unable to watch the ep since I need the eng subs. So thank you thank you for putting this up javabeans.

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63 pamilah

March 16, 2010 at 5:57 AM

For me the biggest disappointment is when they are standing in the hallway, Kang ha making his confession, then gives her a hug with Pal gang simply crying, arms to the side. I was hoping for passion, understanding and intensity. I mean they've been miserable and tormented because of their feelings for each other. I just think the love uniting of Kang ha and Pal gang could have be done better. I feel unsatisfied. Oh well . . . I will go off an drink like Jun ha and Jae young

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64 supah

March 16, 2010 at 6:04 AM

Thanks for the recap, and how handsome did KH look in episode 2?
Stylist unni is evil, she really is.

Eeek, the shoulder grab, the drinking, the slap... this episode was chock-filled with WUAS cliches. I gave up on watching this drama 'seriously' a while back too.
I watch it only for the cute family moments, and the ''ahjusshi - you love our sister, right?'' moment between PR and KH was gold! It trumped even the kiss, imo.
The kiss was cute too, especially the way in which KH continued in his usual matter-of-factly tone.
It's moments like those that make the drama worth the watch, and well, the kids. Otherwise I would've given up on this drama a long time ago.
It held a lot of promise from episode 2 till about 10, 11, 12? Whichever ones before JY became a more prominent player, the show just bellyflopped then.

Judging by the previews, tonight's episode is going to be pretty crazy, in a bad way. Will watch it, to bid this drama farewell, but not too pleased with the way things are looking from this angle.

I'm a Shin Dong-wook lover and Jun-ha hater, but was kind of happy with JH in the beginning of this episode, that heartmelting smile and the brotherly love. Nice JH is so much better than angry Jun-ha.
As much as I was hating the idea of the versatile and oh so great Shin Dong-wook playing a trodden-on-nice-guy-who-never-gets-the-girl-a-la-shinwoo-and-ji-hoon-sunbae, I found the Jun-ha character extremely wierd! Another Shin-woo doesn't seem so bad an idea after all.
Props to SDW for playing such a bad character though. And another skilled actor Jung Ae-ri as the scheming 'Lady Macbeth' character.

Another plus point is Pal-gang's lines, she said some of the sincerest, heartfelt things and broke my heart many times. I understand there were some moments which in other dramas would have had been handled with more intensity but to keep the drama 'upbeat' she wore animated/cartoony facial expressions, to veer away from gritty territory. Still, I do like her character, it was lovingly and thougtfully written.

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65 france

March 16, 2010 at 6:06 AM

i've noticed that hairline too. haha he looks more handsome in the picture of episode 2. :) thanks for the recap

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66 jully moue

March 16, 2010 at 6:06 AM

the last pic of nam is soooo ... awww.

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67 flo

March 16, 2010 at 6:06 AM

thanx JB.

I was so hoping that anyone of the won family would have been a match for poor baby Nami. think about it !the baby need a healthy liver and not a drunken liver...:)

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68 Beng

March 16, 2010 at 6:40 AM

maybe the hairline was like that to make Kang ha more stern, but KJH doesn't need it coz he can act it so well.

I'm also wondering why the girls in kdrama doesn't hug back when it's already known that they also love the guy. It's a bit unnatural. Though in the kmovies, i think it's not always like that.

As for Jung ha's grabbing shoulders trademark, maybe he does it because he's so tall. He needs the person he's talking to to look up and at him when he's talking, hahaha =)

Thanks JB for making a lousy episode writing into a fun one. YOu're the best. God Bless!!!

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69 Quaggy

March 16, 2010 at 6:46 AM

Thank you, Javabeans!! I'm always grateful for the wonderful recaps, but even more so today seening how I'm stuck in a hotel room without a computer and so won't be able to watch the episode until late. (Thank god for my iPhone!) Yes, I know I'm addicted, but there doesn't seem to be a cure!)

Glad to see so many plot lines mostly resolved in this episode! It's true this isn't the most skillfull drama, but it's been a fun ride. Jae- young's total180 doesn't make a lot of sense, except that this now means that she and Jun-ha will get together, which is disappointing. (It's also disappointing because for most of the series I've been hoping that Lady MacBeth was going to drive off a cliff to escape being caught, with her fish face daughter in the passanger seat. But if Jae-young gets redeamed, then that won't happen sadly.)

On the plus side, Kang-ha & Pal-gang finally kissed! I love that it was while they were bickering. Looks like Kang-ha finally learned how to get Pal-gang to stop talking!!

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70 Sokri

March 16, 2010 at 6:57 AM

Thanks for the recap, great job as always!^^
I have a question, though: Could somebody explain to me why the issue with Jung-ae’s son is such a threat to Min-kyung?

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71 lily

March 16, 2010 at 6:58 AM

Concerning JY, I disagree with with the 180 degree turn everyone is freaking out about. This final change has been coming on for a while now. She's been following him for like 20 years, and her obsession/love has been escalating ever since. It climaxed at the peak of her crazy bitchiness we've seen, but in the last few episodes, you can clearly see that she know's she's about to lose. In episode 18, we see her approaching KH with hesitancy, trying to appease him. The moments before a final clear awakening are always the most turbulent and frantic. Her change was sure to happen soon, and it's refreshing to see her in this light. Because she has tried EVERYTHING, and it still all failed, she has no choice but to accept and revert back to the strong, independent woman that JH fell in love with when they were younger. It's kind of like in You're Beautiful, when both Jeremy and Shin Woo were able to let go of Minam because they've tried everything in their power, and thus they were able to leave with a sense of peace and clear-headedness. :]

Although, yes, everything else seemed to have a billion logic holes and unnecessary scenes. And the previews? What's up with sudden dramatic kidnappings in the very last episode? Ughh.

Despite the other inconsistencies, I still loved this episode as much as the others, with my favorite scene being Parang's thumbs up to KH! His toothy smile is so adorable.

So it turned out that Nami's sudden unexpected sickness was very useful in solving a number of loose ends - KH and PK's love, the revelation of PK and Gramps' blood relation, and the open discovery of Minkyung's evilness (or close to it). Even though this plotline breaks my heart because Nami is pretty much my baby, I give the writers some props for finding such a broad application for this!

OMGOSH the last episode is tonight! What am I going to do with my life after this? D: It seems like there only a couple of really good and ADDICTIVE dramas a year! Last year (for me) was Shining Inheritance, You're Beautiful, and Queen Seon Deok. This year, WUAS has been the only one that I've bothered to keep up with. Maybe Personal Taste will supplement my need for kdramas soon! XD

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72 arivle

March 16, 2010 at 7:10 AM

Javabeans I love ur whole recap as always u were rite on target and ur remarks on some characters and situation had me LMAOOOOOOOOOOO through out.

I do agree with u that this drama is not out of this world or that the plot ever made any sense since the biggining but NOW in this episode the script had my head spinning from beginning to end....It must haven been all the ALCHOL I saw....I'm not a prude...not eve by the strech of the immagination...BUT DAMN I SAW MORE BAR SCENE in this episode than the KIDS....JEEZZZZZZZ...that was waste of time!!!! I rather would have like to see more LOVE moments or kids moments......Seriously KDRAMA writters suffered of short fuel at the end or something...Its like the drama start at all cylinders and by the end the writters are running of ideas and the result is my head spinning trying to make sense of it all.......AND Y CAN"T ANY WOMAN HUGGED THE LOVE OF HER LIFE BACK!!!!!!! please TELL ME caused I WON"T TO KNOW ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.........serioulsy....all the DRAMAS THAT I HAVE WATCH...(they are countless) I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TRUE HUGG....Well ecexcept CP..(witch I love)......I just HOPE this drama ends well and we get a semi-coherent ending....Hey maybe they all get DRUNK and yohooooooooo....LETS PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!....the END!!!!!!!!!!!............

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73 Sengo

March 16, 2010 at 7:12 AM

JB, thank you for the recap. Your recaps make the drama even more enjoyable!

I'm really going to miss this drama even though it's not the most well-written. It provided me with eye candy, likeable female lead, cute kids, comedy and drama.

We have so many eagle-eyed viewers among us....I didn't notice the shaved hairline!

@celestialorigin: Yes, spring is here in So Cal....it was 80 degree yesterday but we had an earthquake (4.4) this morning at 4:00 a.m.

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74 mimi

March 16, 2010 at 9:05 AM

Oh, forgot to mention that I can't believe they do a kidnapping in the very last episode (This was in the preview)! I wish they would just give us some nice lovey-dovey couple time w/ KH and PK. And the big question for us all....

Will PK hug KH back?? And the suspense is on...

Can't wait for tonight's episode!

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75 lbd

March 16, 2010 at 9:29 AM

So true about the hugging problem (not to mention kissing) in kdrama. It's as though it's improper for a woman to demonstrate even the slightest attraction to the man she loves--hence the strange wide-eyed, expressionless frozen kisses (that are passionless even when eyes are closed) and paralyzed hugs. What does it mean to fall in love if there isn't reciprocal attraction? Why not just be friends, if there isn't reciprocal passion?

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76 ar_arguably romantic

March 16, 2010 at 9:31 AM

abt the hug...i can sort of understand why those kdrama heroines are such awkward huggers (or just nonhuggers). I mean, I'm an awkward hugger myself. I used to hate hugs and then got used to them after being hugged against my will by lovely friends. =D Anyways, I still feel awkward when a dude gives me a hug (height difference and myself being weirdly wired to think that hugs are too girly for guys). I just pat on their backs a few times and try to refrain from acting like a wankster and saying "yo, mah brothah!"

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77 eiko

March 16, 2010 at 9:42 AM

Yep....kdrama alive and well! But, hey.....we all got hooked with this one and we laughed and cried and got excited! Now it's time to cheer for the home team. Jun-ha has graciously stepped aside because he REALLY wants to be the nice guy and Jae-young has changed her attitude because she wants to be a nice girl and re-capture the heart of Mr. Nice Guy.

Kang-ha has changed to a smiling face and Pal-gang has shed enough tears to take care of the whole drama.

The 2 winners in this are Tae-kyu the nephew who never gave up his character and stuck to his guns to the end....you gotta love him! AND....sweet, sweet Pa-rang who got his wish to keep sleeping in bed with KH! LOL LOL.....

This is only episode 19.....but we can wrap it up and know that the pitter patter of little feet and chattering of children's voices will continue in the Kang household and projection is that KH and PG will add their own brood to this korean drama Brady bunch!

Now...how PRICELESS is that?

Thanks JB for job well done!!!!!

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78 Calamityjanedoe

March 16, 2010 at 10:58 AM

I wish the series made better use of Jae Young instead of relegating her to the cliched "Irrational female antagonist" role. She could have continued to remain an antagonist without being crazy and illogical and mechanic--the woman who plays her is a good actress, and pretty to boot, so I find her role in the drama kind of ridiculous. And now, after the past 18 episodes, she suddenly has a change of heart??? Or, is it that she truly does have psychological issues? Gah, what a waste!

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79 moimoiness

March 16, 2010 at 11:03 AM

hihihihi!!!
i melted when kang ha kissed pal gang, very sweet yet not so romantic!!! i've been waiting for it for so long!!! and i can't wait for more...even just a little bit more skinship, maybe?
i'm starting to get the 'drift' of how the last episodes seem so redundant and rushed..it would have been better if things were slower and romantic..anyways, that's how things are..
and yea, super agree with you with the lazy writing, the slap was too much..and how did fish lips did a 180 degree attitude change? did she get hit in the head? because for the most of the episodes, almost everybody were screaming at her for her craziness over kang ha, and then now, just after a drinking session (which they do OFTEN!), she becomes sane again, just wth, you know...
anyways, thank you so much jb for the recaps, looking forward for tomorrow! =D

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80 daehae shi

March 16, 2010 at 11:28 AM

been keeping up to this series to the finale. I need to mention that the lead actor
Kim Ji Hoon has the perfect hairline and very handsome. Enjoy this series very
much.

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81 Jasmin

March 16, 2010 at 11:38 AM

BWAHAHA to you bringing up the hairline. I noticed this a few episodes back. I wish they would have left his hair like in the earlier episodes.

Anyways, this past weekend I kept saying to myself that Jun-ha already knew about the "secret" and that it wouldn't be a big deal. Of course this wouldn't be a K-Drama if tehre was no buildup and at the end the problem just sort fizzles.

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82 Venice

March 16, 2010 at 1:00 PM

im ok with his hairline right now. he's still hot.

kang ha wears some amazing suits. his best outfit? lol. his tshirt n pajamas. cute <3

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83 chewywonbin

March 16, 2010 at 1:16 PM

JB, I find it so funny you're commenting about Kang Ha's hair ( it's something I definitely didn't take notice).

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84 Useless_Ivory

March 16, 2010 at 1:20 PM

I love Tae-Kyu! <3 No matter what he does, there are always bound to be hilarious results.

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85 aceyyy

March 16, 2010 at 1:32 PM

awwn. you'da thunk that a smart guy like kang ha mighta realised if he don't call his mom "Mom" his brother might catch on to somehting....

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86 Icarusfalls

March 16, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Just watched ep 20!! w/o subs!!

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87 cherry

March 16, 2010 at 4:35 PM

i'm loving kim ji hoon he's now one of my top 10 list of K actors! sooooo handsome! i'll sure miss this drama series! this shld really be about 24 epis coz it seems like they rushed the last two episodes. oh well.

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88 cherry

March 16, 2010 at 4:36 PM

oh yeah KH's hair is over the top! nahhhh he shld hv his hairstyle from Why Did You come...it looked better. hehehe

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89 lili

March 16, 2010 at 4:37 PM

"It’s simultaneously a stupid and sweet thought." <<-- EXACTLY!

"Can’t he go hit baseballs, or brood by the Han River or something?" <<-- RIGHT ON!

"She realized something while clinging to him desperately: "Love doesn't happen even if you push someone toward it. So don't turn Jun-ha into a fool."" <<-- seriously? No kidding?! FINALLY!

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90 Bunde

March 16, 2010 at 5:01 PM

Maybe because the show has been drawn out and yes, as suggested javabeans the writer has been lazy at parts, but I keep getting distracted or rather feeling more interested about some insignificant details. A lot of folks mentioned the hairline. For me, it's the baby's hair. I love looking at it, and think every time 'any parent who has a baby with so much hair and to be able to style it like that must be lucky.' Another thing is Pal Gang's walk. She's always hunched like she's insecure and bit bow legged. Not very pretty and I scream in my head 'Yikes!'. Or, Ji-young's lip. Last night, while watching the one conciliatory scene with Pal Gang, she wasn't pouting at all like a fish, and she was actually pretty.

Personally, I think the show needed more slapping - irrational yes - but to make it seem intentional and create more buzz around it. Lot of odd stuff going on in this drama.

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91 runnerg

March 16, 2010 at 6:48 PM

I don't know how I had the will power to not watch this episode and read JB recap first! LOL All this talk about KH hairline...whaaaaa? You hardly see much hugging back from the women in most Kdramas. Standard practice in these TV dramas. STill fun to watch though! Thanks for super fast recap!

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92 Alfani

March 16, 2010 at 9:20 PM

@JB........ Argghhhhh...
RE; KH Hairline (AGAIN!!!!)
I always try to read your recap first before watching the next episode...and now... (watching ep 20 on viikii), everytime I see KH, I can't help to notice his hair line... and with what looks like "shaved and starting to grow again".....

your fault!!

... no it's actually mine hehehe....

good work JB!!! great observation!!!!

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93 Sobia

March 16, 2010 at 9:59 PM

@76 asianromance: "I just pat on their backs a few times and try to refrain from acting like a wankster and saying 'yo, mah brothah!' " This made me laugh so hard... and I kinda identify with this. Being a shawty makes hugging guy friends so difficult-- you never know where to put your hands, and inevitably your face or some other part of you gets smooshed. If only every occasion merited a simple fist bump... those are so easy, and very very difficult to make awkward.

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94 phjfever

March 20, 2010 at 7:33 AM

I also don't get it why the hairline of Kang ha had to be that way? He looked good in early series with his hairstyle, overall I luv this actor...he's too gorgeous & is now one of my favorite Korean actors! Re the last two epis it seems too rushed, this should have been extended & I was anticipating a wedding between PK/KH but instead they had the ahjumma/ahjussi wedding which i think we could do without. I love this series & can't wait for the DVD to come out. Perhaps the producers are thinking of having a sequel hence it's rushed? I hope for a sequel anyway, i just can't seem to get enough of this drama, I'll surely miss PK/KH/ even JH for that matter, and of course Taegyung & the kids who were fantastic not to mention baby Nami who's so adorable!

Thnx JB for your excellent recap as always!

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95 pabo ceo reom

March 28, 2010 at 6:17 PM

muahahaha....his hair line keeps receding...

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96 Jennifer

April 9, 2012 at 12:36 AM

...I'm so confused by the whole Jun Ha/Kang Ha mom subplot. Like, dude, if you really didn't want Jun Ha to find out that she wasn't your biological mother, you probably should have called her "mom." I honestly can't think of another term that wouldn't arouse suspicion.

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