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Personal Taste: Episode 5

This coupling is really starting to grow on me. With this episode and the next, we’re seeing the connection grow, and while there are still certain missteps in the pacing/editing of the show, the developing friendship/romance keeps me hooked.

Before the drama aired, I was wondering how the age difference would play out. Funny enough, I don’t think it plays out at all — I don’t think about their ages at all while watching, which to me means they’ve been successful. Lee Min-ho does look younger than Sohn Ye-jin, but not by too much; I think he passes credibly for mid-late 20s, and she looks her age. It works for me.

SONG OF THE DAY

Personal Taste OST – “가슴이 뭉클” (My heart is moved) by SeeYa [ Download ]

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EPISODE 5 RECAP

This episode opens with the title splash “Project to Make Her a Woman,” which refers to Kae-in’s request in the last episode to make a woman of her. Right off the we open with a classic misdirect: they awake in bed together — Jin-ho’s — to the shock of both. After the alcohol-fueled activities of the night before, it takes a moment to clear their groggy heads and recall how they ended up here.

A flashback takes us back, when Jin-ho suggests that Kae-in make Chang-ryul regret having left her. She grabs his leg to beg him to help her: “I want to be a woman who’s like a woman.”

While this sounds rather stupid in English, it has a more poetic ring in Korean. She’s not saying she wants to be a woman who is strictly “feminine”; she wants to be a woman who makes people aware that she’s a woman. There is a fine but significant distinction, and I would have major issues with the former (because women aren’t only women if they’re pretty!) but I can see the value in the latter.

Jin-ho, however, interprets that phrase more literally, as most of us probably would. She explains that she doesn’t want to hear those words — that she doesn’t come across as a woman — again. Plus, he ought to understand her feelings, having been born a man but being unable to fully live as one. Y’know, ’cause of the GAAAY. (Will that get old? I suppose so, but I’m clearly 12 because I giggle every time.)

By the time they relocate the drinking to his room, both are speaking in that slow, mumbly way that comes after a sixer of beer. (Or two bottles of soju, in her case. How much do I love that she’s more hardcore a drinker than he is?)

Jin-ho doesn’t want to entangle himself in her life and turns her down. In case she didn’t get it, Chang-ryul broke up with her because she didn’t sleep with him. When a man loves a woman, he naturally desires physical contact, whether it’s holding her or something more.

Kae-in knows this, but wants to be a woman who is loved anyway — a woman who attracts his devotion whether or not she sleeps with the guy. She’s not anti-sex, but would rather have a love that trumps sex.

Back to our morning scene, where Kae-in thanks Jin-ho warmly, saying, “You’re like a friend my mother has given me.” She reminds him that he agreed to help her last night — only, he doesn’t remember because he has blacked out. Or so he says.

Kae-in uses his own tactic against him to invent things he told her while drunk, and when he balks, he gives himself away. He sighs that they can give it a try, even if it seems impossible. Excited, Kae-in hugs him happily, which catches him off-guard and makes him uncomfortable.

In the morning, In-hee rips into a hungover Chang-ryul for not coming home to finish their talk. So much for her insistence that they stay out of each other’s lives — looks like that only goes one way, huh?

In-hee wants him to move out, seeing as she only has about five bucks to her name after spending it all on the wedding. How’s that for some faulty logic for you? (“Landlord, I used all my money, therefore I should stay and you should leave!”) Chang-ryul points out that this is his house, and it was her idea to end the relationship, not his. I’d say he’s got a point.

Kae-in sucks up to Jin-ho to persuade him to begin her makeover project immediately. Using her penchant for sweat pants as a jumping-off point for Lesson #1, he criticizes her practice of going out on dates dressed like this. Kae-in defends her choice, saying that she was so eager to see Chang-ryul that she would run out without changing, but that just proves his point. A man doesn’t want a woman to look too eager or desperate.

A note pops up onscreen to convey this tip: An attractive woman has dignity. In fact, making a man wait can be one of her charms. Jin-ho says that if she can figure out why women always make men wait ten minutes when meeting them on dates, she’s on her way to uncovering the secret to being a real woman. (You mean other than perpetual lateness? So I’ve been a “real woman” all this time by accident?)

A woman must have confidence that a man won’t leave even if she’s late, so Kae-in needs to work on her patience, Jin-ho declares, and orders her to hold her head underwater. She’s ready to pop up immediately, but he holds her head still to teach her patience. Apparently his idea of patience equals greater lung capacity. Hey ladies, didja know that guys really dig girls with big lungs?

The next lesson makes a little more sense as Jin-ho shuts Kae-in in a storeroom and tells her that under no circumstances may she leave the room for an hour. He tests her periodically by suggesting food breaks or faking warnings about fire, and Kae-in gullibly pops out every time, proving his point that she’s too impatient. Isn’t it a comfort to know that the next time there’s a fire, she can stay in the storeroom, confident in the knowledge that she died a patient woman?

(I tease out of affection, really. This exercise is actually applicable to Kae-in because he’s remembering how she jumped to meet Chang-ryul last night, unable to stick to her conviction to ignore his call. She could really benefit by thinking and waiting before acting impetuously. It’s just not so relevant in cases of emergency.)

Now on to comportment lessons. (I love that when he demonstrates how to walk with a light footfall, she’s taking a look at his butt. Hey, no judgment. I’d be taking advantage of any opportunity, myself.)

When she inevitably drops the glass cup from her head and breaks it (cup, not head), he kneels to pick up the broken shards and grumbles about her clumsiness. His words are irritated but Kae-in reads the concern in them, which she finds touching. Smiling warmly, she says, “Let’s be friends for a long time.”

At mealtime, Kae-in faces another tough challenge: restraining her appetite. Jin-ho thinks that most men aren’t attracted to women who gorge themselves, although Kae-in makes a (pretty logical) defense for it. If a woman didn’t eat a thing, couldn’t the man interpret that to mean that she finds his company so distasteful it ruined her appetite? Yup, my gluttony really is praise for my date! I’m totally using that one.

Sang-jun and Young-sun both arrive at the house at the same time, and join the two at the dinner table, making for another awkward conversation of misunderstood innuendos.

Young-sun assumes that Sang-jun is here to see his boyfriend, and makes knowing comments about their relationship that make Sang-jun increasingly confused. Like how he must be dying to see Jin-ho all the time, given how he drops by all the time even though they work together every day.

At first he smiles and goes along, but finally the cat is out of the bag when Young-sun says she’s totally cool with it, and has a lot of gay friends anyway. Kae-in tries to shush her friend, reminding her that Jin-ho hates any mention of his gay status — and, well, there’s no way to misinterpret that, is there?

Jin-ho apologizes to his friend for letting this situation come to this, as both of them have been mistaken as gay. He’s expecting a big reaction, but Sang-jun hilariously accepts this in stride. If this is the only way Jin-ho can keep living here, he’ll have to “help in earnest.” Girding his loins (bad use of phrase?), Sang-jun vows, “I’m not your hyung anymore, I’ll be your lover. It won’t be familiar at first, but you’ll get used to it!”

In fact, Sang-jun embraces this new role with gusto, and gleefully starts to act the part of Jin-ho’s gay lover. Yeah, it’s a cheap gimmick but it’s also hilarious how Sang-jun starts to add effeminate gestures and speech patterns into the mix. (I hope people aren’t offended by Sang-jun’s shtick. It’s his assumption of how he might act as a gay man, not a representation of a REAL gay man, if that makes it any better.)

When Jin-ho kicks him out of his room while the ladies watch, Sang-jun bursts out in a voice that now contains some falsetto, “Honey, let’s talk it out. Honey!” (The word he employs is jagi, which is used here as an endearment.) He tells them sadly, “My honey is so cold.”

Sang-jun explains that Jin-ho’s reaction is because he hadn’t wanted to be outed by other people. He finds a sympathetic listener in Young-sun, who offers encouraging words while he acts hurt over Jin-ho’s indifference to his sensitive feelings.

Sorry to have broken her word again (about mentioning the GAAAY), Kae-in kneels in penitence, holding her arms up like a punished child. We get another sign that he’s softening to her, because even though he brings up their contract — the one wherein she promised never to bring up his sexual orientation — he doesn’t hold her to their terms, and instead gives her one last pass.

Sensing that she’s safe, Kae-in tells Jin-ho she has another job interview, and uses some of her wiles again to beg him to help her. She’s adorable as she pleads in an exaggerated way (not too far off from that Oppa-Pout-Wiggle maneuver that has been known to melt the resistance of more than a few men), and he can’t help it — he smiles a teeny bit too.

Thus Jin-ho ends up mixing a face pack out of household ingredients. Although Jin-ho’s participation is reluctant at best, it’s not too far off from Kae-in’s gay-buddy fantasy after all.

Jin-ho answers a call from his mother, who also happens to be having her own face-mask bonding session with Hye-mi. Kae-in listens curiously, and gleans from the conversation that Jin-ho is speaking with a woman. He has the unusual habit of addressing his mother by her first name, which supports Kae-in’s misconception.

Hearing Jin-ho’s accommodating responses to this woman, Kae-in urges him to nip this thing in the bud. He shouldn’t give women the wrong idea and let them think he’s available! If they have no shot with him, it’s really kinder to cut things off at the start! Or… is he bi? Sighing, Jin-ho informs her that the woman was his mother.

Mention of mothers makes Kae-in wistful to think of her own, and that reaction stirs Jin-ho’s sympathies. He sits by Kae-in and asks about her mother. Kae-in explains that she was five when her mother died, but oddly enough, she doesn’t have any memories of her.

It’s sweet of Jin-ho to suggest that it may be because losing her mother was too much for a 5-year-old to handle, so she subconsciously forgot in order to protect herself. Aww. The thought may well be true, but it’s the fact that he says it in a generous spirit that makes it a nice moment, and Kae-in feels it too. She leans her head on his shoulder and says, “I haven’t told you this, have I? Welcome to my home.”

Too bad that the mask makes them both break out in spots in the morning. Oops! So much for all-natural ingredients! (It turns out that one of the ingredients, a kelp-based powder, triggered the reaction.)

Chang-ryul engineers a run-in with Do-bin at the gym, but unlike Jin-ho, his tactics are pretty transparent. Do-bin receives him with professional courtesy, but also drops a hint that Chang-ryul isn’t exactly making a solid impression, what with his complicated love life. He’s found that people with complicated personal lives may have complicated professional lives as well. As a result, President Han tells Chang-ryul that they’re going to need to alter their game plan.

Meanwhile, Do-bin calls Professor Park Chul-han to request his assistance in judging the project, offering to send the materials to him in England. Apparently this is not the first time Do-bin has made the request, and it’s not the first time he has been declined, either, so he decides he’ll have to try a different tactic.

Kae-in’s interview has been another flop, and she busies herself at home with a new furniture project, painting over discarded items from a neighbor’s trash pile.

Young-sun comments that she and Jin-ho must be getting along now, if they’re giving themselves facials. Kae-in says she’s used to his curt way of talking now, and that every once in a while, he says something quite touching. Reading between the lines (and picking up on Kae-in’s sentimentality), Young-sun warns her not to fall in love with a gay man. That way tragedy lies!

Do-bin rings at the door asking for Park Chul-han’s daughter, and Kae-in panics, thinking that he’s been sent by her father. She’s dead if he finds out that she’s rented the room and taken out a loan!

Her fears are assuaged when Do-bin explains his reason for being here. He recognizes Kae-in from the wedding and the restaurant, and supposes that she’s Jin-ho’s friend. He is also hoping that Professor Park’s daughter might help convince the man to help in his museum judging, but she apologizes for not having that much sway over her father. Do-bin accepts this politely, although he adds that he had thought her quite courageous, but sees that she lacks that confidence when dealing with her father.

At work, Jin-ho and Sang-jun are still trying to crack the nut of Sanggojae’s mystique. There must be a reason for its significance, but they’re not seeing it.

Kae-in calls Jin-ho to check in on him and sighs over failing yet another interview. She asks if he can home early for dinner, and he gives a noncommittal “We’ll see” (which we can interpret to mean “Probably” since he didn’t immediately decline). Sang-jun can’t resist the chance to tease him, and I think I love every single thing this man says. He has way too much fun poking fun at Jin-ho The Newly Domesticated.

In-hee calls to reclaim their promised dinner, however, which delays his evening. He’s reluctant to miss dinner with Kae-in, so he agrees to have a drink and suggests postponing the dinner for a later date.

Manipulative In-hee tells Jin-ho that she WAS going to give him tips regarding an upcoming industry party, “But we won’t have enough time just over drinks.” Shrewd bitch! She’s really earning her hateful evil wench title, isn’t she? I do love to hate her.

Over dinner, In-hee explains how she moved in with Kae-in in her last year of high school, after her parents died. Kae-in kept following her around asking how she could help, but that only made In-hee feel pathetic, which made her want to yell, “Stop pretending to be nice.” She’s expecting Jin-ho to sympathize with her (and I actually can see her point, even if it is ungrateful), but Jin-ho’s a good egg; he responds, “She’s not pretending, she IS nice.”

In-hee says that she since she was always being given things by Kae-in (the word used has the connotation of freeloading), she wanted to steal something from her, to see if she’d still be so nice in such a circumstance. Jin-ho tells her, “That seems foolish. If you chose to betray a friend like that, you should have at least been happy through the end.”

Rather than take offense, In-hee finds comfort in Jin-ho’s words that she was foolish for choosing bad behavior but doing it poorly. If she’s a “clumsy bad person,” at least that means that badness doesn’t come to her easily, right? Ha, that’s not thinking the glass is half-full, it’s like insisting that a glass is nearly full because it’s still got dregs in it. And somehow the word “dregs” seems pretty appropriate when talking about In-hee, doesn’t it?

All the while, Kae-in sets the table and waits for Jin-ho to come home. As the night wears on, she heads outside to wait in front of the gate. It’s sad and you want to yell at her for waiting, but I suppose her steadfastness is part of her appeal, and if she could wait for Chang-ryul, surely Jin-ho’s worth the time.

On the drive home, In-hee can’t reconcile herself to thinking Jin-ho is gay, and asks if he really can’t love a woman: “Why do I keep feeling you are a man?”

(One thing that keeps sticking out to me is the use of “as a man” and “as a woman” in Korean as carrying the weight of cultural expectations in ways that extend far beyond gender. Or should I say biological sex, since gender is a social construct. When I watch the drama, the Korean dialogue doesn’t trip me up, but then I wince when I translate some lines that seem to suggest Jin-ho isn’t a real man because he’s gay. The characters are not putting Jin-ho down as being less than a “real man” — they’re saying that he, as a gay man, is unable to identify fully with the experience of being a mainstream, heterosexual male in Korean society. And when In-hee says Jin-ho feels “like a man” to her, she means she is sexually attracted to him, and if he were truly gay she wouldn’t. But I do feel uncomfortable with the semantics of that, and this speaks to Korea’s relative homogeneity as a culture, and how much harder it must be for Koreans to identify as homosexual than, say, in the Western world.)

Jin-ho drops In-hee off at home just as Chang-ryul arrives to see them. To his eye, the scene looks much cozier than it actually is, and he challenges In-hee angrily — what is she doing? Is she deliberately trying to look pathetic so he’ll let go of her? (That’s a pretty good insult, actually. I may not be learning much from this drama but it IS giving me a lot of one-liners to tuck away for future use!)

In-hee says that she’s done with Chang-ryul now, and she’s looking out for her future. She doesn’t know if Jin-ho is part of that, but she is interested in him, “because he’s different from you. That’s all I need.” Ouch!

The fact that it’s Jin-ho is particularly unacceptable to Chang-ryul, and when In-hee goes off on how miserable he is, he slaps her. Omo! And just when I was starting to feel sorry for him.

Chang-ryul blames In-hee for making him treat Kae-in poorly, while In-hee blames Chang-ryul for not properly breaking up with Kae-in and therefore setting off the whole wedding fiasco. These two really can’t take responsibility for their own actions, can they?

On the way home, Jin-ho stops to buy sweet bread for Kae-in, wondering if Kae-in would have skipped dinner while waiting for him. And sure enough, there she is, waiting on the front step.

Even though it’s obvious she’s been waiting for him all night, she lies this time — his lesson may have finally kicked in — and says that she not only ate dinner without him, she even ate his share.

When she notices his bag of dessert breads, he reminds her to have patience. Kae-in protests that someone who withholds food is the meanest kind of person, prompting him to hold the bag higher and out of her reach. LOL. I love immature Jin-ho.

Just then, Kae-in’s stomach grumbles loudly, giving her away.

They end up going out to eat, and Kae-in digs into a fish to put a piece into his bowl. This is a gesture a mother might do for a child, or wife to husband, and shows her level of comfort with him. It’s also rather crude to dig in with one’s fingers and present that to someone, and the fastidious Jin-ho complains. Still, when she makes a move to take it back, he keeps it.

Kae-in asks why he was so late, and Jin-ho lies about working rather than mention In-hee’s name. Kae-in declares that she’s not going to wait to have dinner for anyone anymore. The word “anymore” gives her away, indicating that she must have shown this side of her to Chang-ryul, too. Jin-ho points out that starving while waiting for a guy shows desperation, which is why she got dumped.

On the way home, Kae-in sees a streetside game machine — one of those punching pads to demonstrate strength — which makes her think back to the last time she was here with Chang-ryul. She hits the pad, thinking of Chang-ryul’s admission that he didn’t love her.

Reading her reaction, Jin-ho steps in to stop her. What will it take for her to get over Chang-ryul? He suggests that she accompany him to a party on Saturday, where Chang-ryul will be in attendance. There, she can confront him and declare that she’ll be fine without him. The best revenge is living well and all that jazz.

(Here’s a scene where the acting elevates otherwise plain dialogue. Sohn Ye-jin is at her best when portraying Kae-in’s vulnerability, and I appreciate Lee Min-ho’s way of conveying the conflict between Jin-ho’s curtness and his growing sympathy for her.)

This means we get our requisite makeover montage, wherein Jin-ho takes Kae-in shopping and to the hair salon. The latter scene yields another comic misunderstanding, because Kae-in sees Jin-ho’s friendliness with the very fey hairdresser and assumes this is yet another of his boyfriends.

And then, for the big reveal:

They arrive at the party, where Jin-ho tells her to have faith in him and leads her inside. Kae-in looks quite pretty, but who wouldn’t with that arm candy? Jin-ho actually looks proud to have her on his arm, which totally earns him points in my book.

One aspect about this party scene I enjoy is that the issue of Jin-ho’s sexuality is an underlying presence, but everyone has a different idea and he doesn’t bother to clarify it for anyone. They are just left to their assumptions.

In-hee and Chang-ryul gape in annoyed astonishment. Not only do they feel stirrings of jealousy, they’re both surprised to see them here together. In-hee picks up on Chang-ryul’s surprise and accuses him of wanting Kae-in back now that she’s all prettified.

Jin-ho makes his greeting to Do-bin, who greets Kae-in as well. Do-bin briefly explains how they are acquainted, and Kae-in assures him that she’ll be fine on her own while Jin-ho makes his rounds. Jin-ho uneasily leaves her with Do-bin while In-hee takes him around to identify various business contacts.

I feel a little uncomfortable when Do-bin tells Kae-in that she must be a lot of help to Jin-ho, because of her relationship to her father and all. She doesn’t know what he’s talking about and assures Do-bin that Jin-ho didn’t know who her father was, and they only became friends recently. (This isn’t going to be a problem, is it?)

At least for now, that issue gets shelved while Do-bin comments on the furniture he’d seen her working on when he visited the Sanggojae. To her shock, he offers her a job — he is making a children’s area at the museum, and when he saw her children’s furniture, he thought it was perfect.

Kae-in is about to tell Jin-ho the great news when the party is crashed by an unexpected visitor: Hye-mi. She has come here with Tae-hoon, thinking Jin-ho will appear foolish for coming dateless. In her usual manner, she’s loud and insistent, and attaches herself to Jin-ho’s side right away.

This doesn’t look so great in Do-bin’s eyes, who comments that Jin-ho has brought two dates to the party. Jin-ho knows how this is making him look and starts to explain, but Do-bin excuses himself before he can.

“Tact” is a word with which Hye-mi has no acquaintance, so she pushes aside Sang-jun’s attempts to be diplomatic and insists she’s here with Jin-ho. Hye-mi shoots the evil eye at Kae-in, pestering Jin-ho with questions of who she is.

Jin-ho tries to take Hye-mi out to talk in quiet and excuses himself from Kae-in. Hye-mi is rankled at his solicitousness, because in her world obviously one can only be polite to a lover. Actually, that’s probably how she DOES see the world.

Kae-in starts to explain, thinking that Hye-mi must not know the “truth” about Jin-ho’s sexual orientation. With sympathy, she starts to make the explanation, but Jin-ho steps in and warns her under his breath not to say anything stupid. Kae-in counters that he can’t “hide it” forever, thinking that he’s leading Hye-mi on by not telling her the truth.

Hye-mi fumes, interpreting the scene a different way, and does the classic “Bitch done steal my man” maneuver by throwing a glass of water in Kae-in’s face.

 
COMMENTS

It’s a little odd to see Lee Min-ho playing “normal” after making such a strong statement with an extreme character last year. At first it makes his acting here seem understated, but I think it works well for Jin-ho, who isn’t a mean bastard but just rather cool. His appeal is in the way he softens toward Kae-in, and the chemistry between them works best for me when they’re in a quiet, honest scene. The bickering is fun and all — and what would a kdrama romantic comedy be without lots of bickering? — but their relationship growth shines in the gradual steps they’re making.

I think Sohn Ye-jin is spot-on in showing Kae-in’s hurt, vulnerable side, and in showing Kae-in as rather dense but not entirely clueless. There’s more to her character than being a blundering naif, and many other actresses have missed the nuances she picks up on. It isn’t that she can’t fathom why she was dumped — she understands the reasons on an intellectual level — but she is having trouble accepting that that’s how it ought to be. In my book that makes her more idealistic than dumb.

 
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I am not an actor but if you are talking about acting then my general opinion is either you have it or you don't. Fistly, must have inborn "killer" instinct talent. Experienced and hard working is not enough eventhough it will eventually pay off but still viewers will say I still don't buy it yet !. and looking good is an enhancer but not an asset. How to achieve that instinct, learn from those who has it.

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I'm not sure what I don't like about watching this drama (reading your recaps keep me interested for some reason though) - even if it is less cliche than Oh! My Lady, I think the problem is that it reflects the over-used mistaken girl-boy identity (awkward situations ensues) with the whole GAAAY thing. I think I have watched too many of those... Coffee Prince, You're Beautiful, Hana Kimi, Ouran HS Host Club and the list goes on...

Thanks for the quality recap (as usual)!

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There is no gay storyline in Ouran HS host club. Everyone knew Haruhi is a girl

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I definitely think it will be a problem when Kae-in finds out that Jin-ho knows who her dad is. I think she'll connect the dots in a way that basically says she was used by Jin-ho and that the friendship was a farce for him to scout out her house to complete his project. Great misunderstanding ensues and all that good kdrama shizz plays out. At least I think so.

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When Sang-jun called Jin-ho "jagi" I just about died. I could watch that show forever, the romantic comedy starring Jin-ho and Sang-jun.

Word to your comments concerning the gender identities and social mores all tied up in the very nebulous words "man" and "woman," which end up being both too vague (not inclusive of all meanings) and too specific (only concerned with what is the heterosexual norm).

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hmmm this is not a good drama.... Son Ye-jin spoiled it for me.

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its seem there's a lot hate SYJ cause of their image of LMH. basically this drama is so so for me, quite flat for the story. Only 1 attractive scene for every each episode. But for the acting both are good enough for me, i don't see the different age between them....

about no chemistry between both, i think that's the story, as tell as far goes there will be a chemistry between them. If you think about only how handsome or pretty they are, hey nobody is perfect. Just see them act, judge from how good their act is...

Hell yeah this isn't a good drama, but its entertain me. After seeing the fifth episode, this drama much better than the other episode, i hope another episode will be better than before.

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I love SangJun character... he is a comic relief.. not that this drama wasnt fun on its own.... ^^
And JinHo is warming up towards Kae-In

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Thanks Javabeans for the recap!
Awesome like always!

my highlight of this episode is Sang Jun acting gay.
i kept rewatching that scene, and died laughing everytime.
JSH is just awesome!

but the scenes that i rewatched the most is of course, the GI and JH scenes!
really, these two is what got me hooked real bad with PT.
they're just adorable together! i'm totally loving how their relationship progress.

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Love them both in ep5-6. Hope for better editing, writing and directing in the upcoming episodes. I think LMH is improving here.

For me, if my friend is gay, I would be care free with him , play with him and even if special feelings develop , I would feel comfortable anyway. So I understand why Kae-In trusted Jin-Ho completely.

Casting with SYJ makes LMH more mature as an actor and help him get pass Gu Jun Pyo image.

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@ga-eul:
please stop comparing gu jun pyo and jin ho...they are two entirely different characters.
BOF was a hyped and expensive drama...and it worked well coz of loads of other reasons rather than the acting or story. There wer 4 hot guys (amean reallllly hottt guys wid almost no to minimal acting skills joined by the lead actress who was the worst of the lot) , nice OST, the direction was high end and the story was adapted frm an already popular manga 'hana yori dango'
This series on the other hand...has a fresh feeling. U have to give time for the chemistry to develop between d lead pair...and i think itz moving with a slow but steady pace. I am sure this drama will pick up after a few eps more...amean c'mon itz not even half way yet. And I kno it is difficult to get out of gu jun pyo's fever and adjust to jin ho...but i think lee min ho is doing pretty ok...in fact he is getting better and better with every ep.
Abt Kae-in, i think shez doing amazing work...shez definitely not ugly...amean seriously u ve got sme prob der, shez like those girls who dont bother hw they look and just like to be comfortable...i think she looks naturally beautiful than that plastic and heavily painted In-hee. U just proved the fact that there are ppl like chang-ryul out der, u being one of them.

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I can't believe I'm hearing that Son Ye Jin is "ugly"?!?!!!!!!!!!!! She is GORGEOUS.... she merely looks a tad old in this drama. Gosh I can't believe that one of the best actresses in Korea is being called ugly :( That really hurts me....I love SYJ a lot. Don't you guys remember her in The Classic and A Moment to Remember?? She is a beauty! Plus her character is such that maybe her lack of care towards her appearance makes you believe SYJ is actually ugly, but she's not!

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This episode was actually , " this is it " moment for me. I did not like the first two episode, i warm up a bit in Ep.3 and 4. Oh ! I am so glad i stick through this drama. Ep. 5 and 6 is a killer in terms of rom-com. I Loved it.

Is it just me who want the whole 'Gay' thing to continue, at least few more episode.

Since i am only watching CS and PT right now. I am definitely enjoying the switch from all the Angst from CS to much lighter and PT on Wednesday and Thursday.

BTW, I Loved all Son ye jin's movies be it Moment to Remember, Classic, Art of Seduction, April Snow, Crazy First Love, Lover's Concerto, My Wife Got Married.

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After all the angst of CS, PT will be the one to soothe over the emotional roller-coastering.

Not yet watched PT, but as is, I think this ep caught my eyes. Can't help thinking that each still of LMH reminds me of GJP.

I've to say ... is the Oppa-Pout-Wiggle a requisite on kdrama / korean females? It's like an overdose of OPW from HS in CS. >.<

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#35......hello to the other "grace" :)

I've seen this episode with subs (#5) and without (#6).
What can I say?
This snappy little rom-com started off slowly, but you could feel
that eventually it would get to where it was supposed to be.

All of you people were right. Sohn Ye-jin is a very talented actress.
So for me, this is the first time that I've ever seen her act in anything.
She's charming, funny, annoying, and adorable as a little kid asking
for forgiveness. (Putting your arms straight up? Is that a Korean thing?)

Lee Min-ho?
A package arrived for you....want to have lunch.....FIRE! That LMH scream
(the same as with the scary chain saw) made me laugh my brains out.
The man gives new meaning to the word ~ nuance. Subtle but brilliant.
And he ain't too shabby lookin' none either. :)

Thanks javabeans, for writing up your very funny re-caps for episode #5.
Hurry up! Where's episode #6? :)

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THANKS FOR THE RECAP! i've been waiting for it all week :D
i love reading the recaps before watching the actual episodes, because it helps me understand the show better and enjoy it more :D
thanks javabeanssss

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@ Isabella
I hated April Snow and I find the Yonsama craze inexplicable. The Classic and A Moment To Remember are not the greatest films out there but they work because of the great acting and charisma of the leads.

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@40 asianromance

I think it's even worse if KI realises the truth behind JH's reasons for moving into the house.

Do you realise JH almost has no friends at all? All the scenes we have seen him in are either alone or with SJ, his mother and HM or KI. Even when he drinks, he drinks alone and has no one to talk to about his problems.

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This notion of Son Yeh Jin being "ugly" or "old" makes ME feel old. Next thing, I'm going to hear that Ha Ji Won is an old maid and that Song Hye Kyo should leave sweet Binnie alone.

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Finally decided to pick this up as I really needed some laughs after all the torturing from Cinderella's Sister. Spent 2 days to catch up till ep 6 and I still can't decide whether Personal Taste is a nice drama or not. There are some parts that I like and some (in fact, many) parts that I dislike. After 1+ eps, I totally gave up on watching scenes that featured the side characters (mainly In-hee, Chang-ryul and family) because most of their stories are extremely BORING and I always feel like b*tch-slapping In-hee. Spent most of my time fast-forwarding through. But there are characters that i really adore, namely Young-sun and Sang-jun; their interactions with each other and with the main characters are totally HILARIOUS. But because of that, Jin-ho seems extremely plain (in terms of personality) to me. I think LMH should really try to inject some energy into his role; his acting seems to make his role very dry and uninteresting (I'm prepared to get screamed at by fangirls but I'll still stick to my opinion). Kudos to SYJ for her versatile acting; I love this adorable Kae-in that she's portraying. SYJ is the main reason why I'm not yet giving up on this drama =)

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Another point to add, in an interview, LMH actually confessed his elation that SYJ is taking the role of PKI. He has watched "Alone In Love" before and is very impressed with it. In fact, he even thought the female character in AIL is a more matured version of PKI in PT. If only I can find that interview online...

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guess minho's perm didnt work for me then... cause i find him wayyyyy hotter and suave now. maybe also because his character here is much more realistic and stuff. i like the new do and lesser exaggerated face. cause his pretty angular face shows... awwww.

i tried to imagine yoon eun hye acting in sohn ye jin role.... would she be too cute for it... hmmm. but they would have made a better looking couple at the party they went in this episode, i mean look at coffee prince. the makeover was awesome.

but sohn ye jin acts out this character very well, she's like even more realistic than min ho. tries to live up to her family standards, bumps into obstacles about every two steps, rather lazy, not expert in fashions, is not loaded. but she's still able to continue on, so thats what we can learn from her. =]

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Huwow. So much for negative comments here. I mean you guys, if you don't have anything better to say bout Personal Taste, then it's just best to shut up and suck it. I mean, sure the ep 1-2 really got me a bit disappointed but episodes 3-4 proved to me that the show is worth watching, until eps 5-6 really left me NO regrets for sticking to this show. Jin Ho and Kae In's relationship could really be considered slow unlike other dramas out there. But definitely something to look forward for in the next episodes since I myself could not wait until these two will start to fall in-love with each other. Especially in last week's episodes, Jin Ho is finally getting comfortable or perhaps falling (?) for Kae In.

As for the complaints of LMH's boring character, I mean c'mon! We've seen him in BoF and no doubt he's proven himself as an actor somehow. Even I myself find Jin Ho a bit boring... but I think that's how his character supposed to be, that's what the writer wants. NOTE: JIN HO IS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS STOIC FACE. Meaning he does not let emotions rule over him. That's why you hardly see any emotion on his face. And I love Min Ho for that, because if I was the writer, I'd be more than contented of how LMH portrays his character.

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@Freehee I'm right with you there. Sang-jun is my main reason for watching the show right now.

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I am loving this drama; it's funny, it's poignant, it's just what I need right now. I have enough angst in my life already, so CS doesn't appeal - PT is just what I need, and yet there is enough meat in it that I keep thinking about the story, once I have watched an episode.

I agree that the editing is criminal, the writing a little too obvious, but I am really enjoying the acting of the leads - the subtleties, especially from LMH, are a revelation. I detested BBF, couldn't get past the first few episodes even with LMH valiantly carrying the whole horrible mess on his shoulders as best he could, so it was a surprise to see him so self-contained, cool and dry, and with just an expression here or there to reveal the emotions underneath...very well done, and of course SYJ is fabulous.

She plays this so well, in less capable hands this character could come off as hopelessly stupid, not worthy of respect, but instead we feel that she is just naive, that not having a mother not only meant that her ribbons didn't get tied, but that she also missed out on learning about relationships, love, and how to interact with people. I can't wait to meet her dad, he must be a real piece of work.

And while I admit both leads are gorgeous, for me the biggest and most drool-worthy piece of eye candy is Sang-Go-Jae. I love that house, and it would actually be comfortable where I live. Maybe I can get them to ship it over when they are done with it, LOL

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@ 74

I agree with you. We had seen alot of characters that has the same "Kae In concept" but the huge difference bout Kae In and those characters is that we could see and understand that she is just plain naive, not overly-stupid, and I love SYJ for that. She's just so good in portraying her. She shows us a more clear understanding of why Kae In acts like that. No doubt she's one of the best actresses Korea has ever had. She never fails to amaze me :)

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This is my top Wed/Thurs drama. I enjoy the light tone against the rest of dramas a lot.
Min-ho is rooted in my heart!!!

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#74 ~ I agree with you totally!
Yeah, the scene about not tying the ribbons really touched my heart.

The only kind thing that Kae-in didn't do, was to give some money
(which isn't in great supply, anyway) to that lonely grandmother of
the guy who morgaged her house and ran off with the money.
I thought Kae-in would feel so sorry for her.....

And when I rent a room in your new house, I need to tell the movers
exactly where you had 'Sang Go Jae' moved to? :) :) :)

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I swear all these comments on looks killing it for the drama (my mind boggles since I just don't see the fug) makes me wonder what would happen if an accurate Cyrano de Bergerac type of kdrama came around. I imagine a lot of flailing, even if everything else was flawless as possible. It's like five year olds whining because they need a nap or are really bored, but can't be satisifed with their options.

Thanks again for another recap. I'm really enjoying these since I just can't seem to bring myself to watch it. Something about watching this type of humor makes me cringe at times. Though the more I read parts with Sang-jun in it, is making me reconsider. Nice to have someone who goes along on purpose with all of these crazy antics.

Is it just me or the "throw drink in face at party" becoming the latest schick these days ever since Last Scandal? I'm thinking of this with Oh My Lady! having done it so recently too. Granted, I realize its an upper-classist way of hair pulling in public at this rate, but there really needs to be something else done. Or at least I wish they'd use a drink that would make their righteous anger into righteous stains. Water does nothing!

Anyways, thanks again for the recaps!

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At first I thougt PT is boring but as I continued watching because of lmh I am now in love with this drama. And I am beginning to like SYG which I don't like at first in the first two episodes. I can't wait for episode 6 recap. thanx JB

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LMH and SYJ are growers--thus making the show itself a watcher.
Not only does this drama make me smile each time I watch it, it makes me want to see more of it!
Yes, the writing can be juvenile and cheesy but that's what makes this show lightweight and enjoyable.
The little details that LMH/SYJ pour into this drama makes it a fun likeable show to watch :))

Yup--not overly dramatic or depessing just simply plain fun.

These last two episodes really just brighten your mood--I love how concerned he was about her stomach cramps(adorable~)
She may be a dense character but she's sweet and goodhearted--thus making us love her and root for her.
Can't wait for the next two episodes :))

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Annyeong JB

At least in this episode there's chemistry between the two but as for now, I just got to wait until the 'bomb' is dropped and see what's the reaction...

Great recap as always JB....keep fighting...

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Hi guys does anyone know where I can download english subs for this show? Thanks a lot. I am loving it (even without subs)

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Annyeong JB,

Nice recap...as usual...At least in this episode, the storyline is that fun and light..
Can't wait for the 'feelings' to step in...Thanks JB

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I really don't understand this shallow thinking some people have going on here. You're going to hate a drama because the lead is ugly? Love to see where your priorities lie, Gaeul.
I for one love it. Truth be told, Gae-in sloppiness makes me want to pull out my hair from time to time, but it's only because that despite the sweats and lack of personal hygiene, she's a pretty girl. I'm just glad they didn't do the ol' slap-a-pair-of-glasses-on-a-gorgeous-girl trick to create the illusion of an "ugly" girl (Snow White, anyone?). What they did for this lead is actually believable.

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Plz make ur recaps faster A.S.A.P.

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IT'S NICE THAT LEE MIN HO BACK IN DRAMA SERIES. I THINK THIS DRAMA WAS REALLY INTERESTING. HOW I WISH MIN HO HAVE MORE DRAMA.

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I'll do the bitch slap for you javabeans! To all those that think your recapping is slow. I'm amazed at all the different recaps that are done on this site at the moment, so kudos to you!

I absolutely love Sang Joon... he is just so damn witty and he makes me have those LOL moments. I think that the chemistry between the leads, despite what some of you may say, is wonderful. I don't feel that it's akward at all.

@Ga*Eul, and others... Sohn Ye Jin is not UGLY, so stop saying that. It's not very nice to say that about anyone, especially someone who is obviously beautiful. Do you have that nice figure, perfect skin, and pretty face? Don't say mean things out of petty jealousy. End rant lol.

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I love your recaps..even though i've already watched the episodes i'm curious and anticipate what you have to say about the episodes and other comments or translations you have on certain scenes or aspects of the drama, it makes me think and ponder beyond what is going on in the drama..haha hope that makes sense..thanks again for the recaps..i hope you'll continue to do these for the rest of the drama...i will me patiently wating (well atempting to anyways lol).

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I love SangJun's satire. I think we've caught up to JB's novel summaries.

I see several JunPyo and JanDi flashback moments in this ep.05. Ah, I miss BBF. Who here recalls JunPyo forcing 3 wishes from JanDi, and the last wish was for her to say sorry to Oppa the "cute" way? Well, JanDi has a stronger will than KaeIn, doesn't do it, so KaeIn does a "cute" apology the way JunPyo likes it. Haha. He got his wish fulfilled from a different girl. Keke. Maybe his "teeny smile" has a different indication.

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is it me or does lee min ho becomes hotter and hotter each episode
the entire time i was watching the drama, i couldn't stop focusing on his face, hands, legs, body...OMG EVERYTHING

good drama overall

lee min ho, you are going to rip my eyes out if you become any hotter

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I think Min Ho's character in this movie is similar to Boys over Flowers... which I loveeee it <3 <3

The difference is that he is not soo arrogance as in BOF but acting coool and cold and serious all that stuff are killing me <3

They are such a cute couple though <3

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This EP felt slower than the previous ones, but it still gave me some laughs.

SANGJUN. I <3 U. His "JAGIYA! JAGIYA" to Jinho was the best, haha. I love all his teasing jokes. :]

Oh man, I can tell that it's going to be a problem later when Kaein finds out that Jinho knew who she was and who her father was before he met her.

I do enjoy the typical makeover scenes. The hairdresser guy was cuteeeee.

KAEIN LOOKED GORGEOUS AT THE PARTY! Loved her makeup and cute, pretty hair. ^^ Seriously.
She had the best look from head to toe compared to InHee and HyeMi.

And geez, people should quit the hating on Son YeJin.
From the first EP, I noticed the age diff. But I totally forgot about that after watching more of the show. Yejin fits her character well. I'm really liking Minho in this too.

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OMG!!!! omo omo omo omo
this drama is really good :)
do you think they (jin-ho and kae-in) will be together in the end?
awwww :)

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I love Lee Min Ho! thanks for the recaps!

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Anyone knows the name of the Piano song that starts in the scene when Jin-ho drops In-hee off at home just as Chang-ryul arrives to see them????

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I like this series. But I want to LOVE this series. I really do. But the female characters? Sigh. They are killing it for me.

Kae-In: annoying. And whinyyyyyy.
Hye-Mi: annoying. And psychotic.
In-Hee: a heifer. And her lips bother me. It looks like they get bigger each episode. I'm waiting for them to float away from her face, causing her to jump up and down and try to catch them, like a couple of helium balloons that got away...

Young-Sun is the only one that gives me hope. Not only does she look out for Kae-In, but she slapped the taste out of In-Hee's mouth at the wedding (when her bud should have been the one doing the task).

Kae-In should have become endearing to me by now, but she's not. I actually cringe when she comes onscreen, because I know there is more jackassery and whiiiiiiiining in store. Ugh. Maybe next week's episode, her gaaaay friend will teach her that ladies don't whine? Please? Please please please?

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Just watched personal taste and am so loving them. Love SYJ & LMH they both suit and I didn't notice the age difference. Both of them are cute anyone who says otherwise is only being jeolous.

As for ga-eul or whatever her name is SYJ is prettier than the lead actress in BOF who act like a doll, I never liked her like am loving SYJ.

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[…] Personal taste: episode 5 » dramabeans » deconstructing […]

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I'm going voting crazy!

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There is one thing that really others me about this recap. You said you get In hee's point - Gae In was looking out for her as a true friend and In hee interpreted her love and kindness as a sign of being pathetic. It was clearly In hee who had an inferiority complex and was projecting on Gae in. This only made me show just how cruel and narcissistic In hee is. How many people go around hurting someone because they couldn't stand that they were nice to them? In hee even came onto Chang Ryul because she wanted to see how long Gae in could continue being nice. If this isn't the paramount of destructive behaviour, I don't know what is.

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