Secret Garden: Episode 18

379 January 10, 2011January 24, 2016

by girlfriday

I’m glad this show comes with its own shrink. It should be a new requirement in all k-dramas. I mean, if you’re going to start making such sharp turns, it’s only fair that you provide your own medical care for those of us who suffer from the whiplash. I’d like to dedicate this recap to my 21-year old self: If anyone comes by insisting that you loved this drama in the future, run. Run away.

EPISODE 18 RECAP

Joo-won drives off into the Storm of Magical Soul Swapping, breaking my heart into a million little pieces.

Oska paces back and forth at home, the box of coveted goodies giving him enough pause to think that something’s up. He gets a strange anxious feeling he can’t shake off, and when Joo-won doesn’t pick up his phone, it finally dawns on him that he might just be that crazy…

Meanwhile Jong-soo is yelling at the hospital attendants for letting a coma patient disappear. Yeah, it’s not the soundest of plot points, is it? Oska runs in, yelling at them to check the CCTV, but he already knows where Ra-im is. He tells Jong-soo that Joo-won’s gone too, and he’s pretty sure they’re headed towards the nearest rainfall, to swap bodies.

He’s called the cops on the way over, and they report that they’ve found them. Oska rushes over as they’re unloaded at the nearest hospital, and has them transported to the original hospital in Seoul. What’s with all the trucking back and forth of coma patients? Anyway, they’re both unconscious, and Oska calls Ji-hyun to do what she can.

Each family waits by their bedsides, Joo-won’s mother in hysterics and Oska and Jong-soo keeping watch, waiting for any indication of a swap. Finally, Joo-won wakes up, and Oska stands over him, calling his name.

But it isn’t Joo-won; it’s Ra-Him, waking up in Joo-won’s body. When Oska keeps calling her “Joo-won,” she touches her face and realizes that she’s been swapped. Shaking, she asks what happened, and if it rained in Seoul.

Crying, Oska says, “What about my little brother?” Oof. Heartbreaking.

He tells her that it didn’t rain; Joo-won took her into the rain on purpose, to switch their bodies. She cries, “No, no it can’t be. It can’t be. It can’t be!”

She cries uncontrollably, just as Mom and Ji-hyun run in. She cries, “Where is Kim Joo-won? Where is he?” as Mom and Ji-hyun try to make sense of what’s going on, and Oska cries.

She gets up and runs into Joo-wonda’s room, where Jong-soo jumps up, asking who she is. He realizes that it’s Ra-Him, and hugs her. Ra-Him cries, saying that Joo-won swapped them, ready to die to save her. She looks at her body lying there, and cries for Joo-won, not knowing what to do.

Mom chases her in there, freaking out about her precious son being hugged by riffraff, and orders her henchmen (since when does she have henchmen?) to take Ra-Him away. Jong-soo tries to stop her, shouting that this isn’t Kim Joo-won, but Ra-Him calls her “Mom” and says that she’ll go. She tells Jong-soo that she can handle it, and leaves with Joo-won’s mom.

Back at Joo-won’s house, Ra-Him gets a clean bill of health from the family doctor, and she manages to send Mom away, but not without a dig at “that girl,” of course. She parks a whole army of henchmen at Joo-won’s door, ordering them to keep him away from the hospital, knowing that he’s bound to try and go back to see Ra-im.

Inside, Ra-Him gets up to rush back to the hospital, but Oska stops her. She cries, “I have to go to him. He’s waiting for me.” Oska: “I get that your damn love is grand and all that, but you have to wait.” Ha. It’s both funny and heartbreaking, because he knows it’s not her fault, and yet he’s so frustrated with Joo-won, and still grieving over his crazy actions, driven by such a grandiose love. Because to him, it just means he’s lost his little brother.

He asks her to wait a day, so that Mom doesn’t freak out, and she apologizes that she didn’t think of it that way. Oska goes back to the hospital, and stands by Joo-wonda’s bedside.

Oska: You crazy. How could you? How, how could you do such a thing, you crazy fool? Is this woman the only thing that matters to you? Is your family nothing? You throw a pair of shoes at me…is that it? It’s going to rain eventually. So what am I supposed to do, lock up Ra-im every time it rains? Is that what you want? I can’t. I don’t care how much you hate me. I can’t protect your love. Even if you cry and shout and go crazy, I’m going to live seeing my little brother that way!

This kills me. It was the most heartbreaking part of the last episode for me as well, when Joo-won spent the night with his hyung, knowing what he was about to do. Their relationship is the most heart-rending for me because it keeps Joo-won’s grand mythic gesture tethered to reality and the tragic consequences of his actions.

Despite Oska’s warnings, Ra-Him heads out anyway, unable to leave Joo-wonda alone. She handily beats the guards who try to stop her, but then gets stopped by the housekeeper who brings her the mail. In the stack is the letter that Joo-won wrote.

With the Magic Veil of Un-switchiness, Ra-im sits in Joo-won’s car, and cries as she reads the letter:

Joo-won: Now I think that this magic spell we’re under is a gift from the gods. So, just like a person who’s received a surprise gift, smile with happiness. If you laugh with your heart, I’ll hear it. Because I’m a much more powerful person than you think. Shave my face nicely, and dress me in the clothes that I like. If we could be together even in that way… then that’s enough — let’s think of it as being together. That’s enough for us to consider ourselves as happy as other lovers.

She holds the letter to her heart as she cries. The veil comes back as Ra-Him drives back to the hospital.

She runs in to find Jong-soo still sitting there, outside Joo-wonda’s room. She asks why he’s still here, and he answers that Joo-won might be scared all alone, and that if someone were outside waiting for him, he might return. Aw, is everybody trying to break my heart all at once?

Ra-Him’s eyes fill with tears at the gesture, and she bows before going inside. The veil returns, as Ra-im comes into the room.

She cries as she tells Joo-won that it must be their fate, that one of them has to disappear into bubbles. She says that she’ll be the one to do it. (What, are we really going to do this, Show? If we keep going back and forth on the See-Saw of Love Sacrifice, I’m getting the hell off this ride.)

She says that as soon as the Little Mermaid fell in love with the prince, her fate was sealed. But he’s supposed to be the Little Mermaid, remember? Now all of a sudden, everyone’s clamoring to be the friggin’ mermaid.

She says that she’s going to make everything right again when it rains, and begs him to stay in his rightful place once they switch.

At home Oska drinks as he thinks back to how strange Joo-won was the other night, laughing at his stories. He realizes now that it was his last goodbye. Seul sits with him, trying to help, but confused since Oska isn’t really explaining things to her so that she’ll understand.

He says that he’s always lost to Joo-won because he was the hyung and the adult. But he wonders how much of a hyung and an adult you have to be, to die in someone’s place.

As Ra-Him sleeps holding Joo-wonda’s hand, her father appears in magical dreamland and watches them together with a heavy heart. And then, through some magical maneuvering on his part, Ra-im and Joo-won start to hear each other in their dreams, as they imagine meeting each other in a field, at a lavish table set for two.

In dreamworld, they sit across from each other and smile, and then they wait for the one who invited them…Ra-im’s father. He shows up and holds up a new bottle of flower liquor, saying that this wine is the beginning and the end of the magic.

As he pours a glass for each of them, he tells Joo-won to forget him now, and his promise, since he’s fulfilled it beyond the call of duty. He tells Ra-im to be loved, and that as much as she has kept her head bowed, to now live the rest of her days being loved. He tells them that the magic is over now, and to consider it like a handshake between people who’ve just met; the real magic begins now. Blech. Sorry, I choked on the cheese.

Listen Show, this benevolent magic from daddy dearest is really taking all the air out of my tires. I thought it was fine when his choice to do the spell was driven by selfish motivations to save his daughter, but now, if his intention was to put everything back anyway, it just drips of plot contrivance. Why couldn’t he have stayed a flawed, selfish father with some hoodoo up his sleeve? What’s wrong with that?

Daddy disappears, and as Joo-won and Ra-im drink the magic wine, it starts to rain rose petals, just like in Ah-young’s dream.

And then, just like that, they wake up…in their own bodies. Yep, Just. Like. That. RA&*%^$! Goddamnit. Now I’m pissed off about the last episode and a half. All that angst, and this is the resolution? So lame.

They each wake up to discover that they’re in their own bodies, and as they get out of bed, the camera pulls back to show their floors covered in rose petals. Ra-im wakes up in the hospital the same, relieved to be back, and runs out to find Joo-won.

But Joo-won seems a little more than confused, even by his own face. Oska comes in, thinking that it’s still Ra-im in there, and Joo-won calls him hyung and asks why they both look like this. He asks where this is, and why he’s not at the hospital…and if his friends made it out of the fire okay…

Oska looks at him in shock, as he realizes that Joo-won came back all right, but as his 21-year old self, right after his big accident.

WHAT. THE. FUCK. Dude, somebody send Daddy back to Hogwarts. Your magic is all screwy!

Oska asks Ji-hyun to meet with Joo-won, and she comes back to report that Joo-won is okay, but is probably suffering from shock. He’s regained his memories from the accident, but in exchange has lost all his memories since. He also can’t remember the fireman who rescued him.

She says that he’s taking it all pretty well, and is happy to find out that he’s the president of LOEL (over his hyung, neener) and he’s excited to wake up an adult. Haha. Despite the rampant whatthefuckery of bringing in the mother of all exasperating tropes (that would be AMNESIA), it is kind of hilarious to meet the 21-year old Joo-won. He praises his own taste as he looks around his house, and Oska confirms that Joo-won is now 34, while he’s 36. Joo-won: “You look it. But me…” Ha.

He catches up with the basics, and also fills us in on his past with Ji-hyun, as he says that she dumped him three months ago. She corrects him: that would be thirteen years and three months ago. He’s surprised that they’re still friends, but she says it’s because she’s so good-natured. Heh.

Meanwhile, Ra-im rushes over, and starts crying at the sight of Joo-won back in his own body. She rushes over and hugs him, calling him a jerk for pulling that stunt, and that she was scared she’d never see him again.

Joo-won just stares at her, wondering who she is. He has a vague memory of seeing her at the hospital, and Oska thinks that maybe his memory is coming back after all. Ra-im looks at him in shock, and Oska tells her that he’ll explain, but that Joo-won is 21 right now.

He asks who Gil Ra-im is, asking if it’s someone he knows. It was the first thought he had when he woke up, but he doesn’t know why. Ra-im starts to cry, and he looks curiously at her, “Are you…Gil Ra-im? You?”

She nods and Oska and Ji-hyun leave, thinking that maybe Ra-im will be the best trigger for his memory. He looks her up and down, asking her how old she is, and what she does for a living, shocked that he knew a stuntwoman, of all things. He asks what they were to each other.

Ra-im: “You loved me. And I loved you.” Joo-won reels at that, not believing it for a second. He wonders if there’s perhaps another Gil Ra-im. She says there probably is, but she’s the one that Kim Joo-won loved.

He accepts it for now and says that he’s got to clear some things up, so to leave her number and go. Ra-im: “You were a jerk even when you were young, huh?” Pwahahaha! Hilarity.

He’s like, what the…but she just smiles at him. She tells him to check his cell phone for her number, where he’ll also find pictures of her. Ra-im: “Now, no matter what you do, I like you. Now, no matter what you do, I can forgive you. For the sole reason…that you’re alive.”

He puts on his sparkly tracksuit (Amazing…that’s the thing you pull out of your closet when all of the clothes are new to you?) and goes for a walk. Ra-im appears next to him, walking alongside him like she used to, and he wonders to himself why he’s thinking of her.

Ra-im is back at the hospital, and Ah-young yells at her for giving her the scare of her life, as the girls have a happy reunion. Joo-won shows up and tells Ah-young to send in the man out in the hall. She goes out to find Secretary Kim, who wheels in a cart with a grand lunch by candlelight. Ra-im laughs and so does Secretary Kim, who notes with a smirk that the stuff Joo-won does is exactly the same. They have a good laugh over it and Joo-won gets pissy, asking if they’re friends. Ha.

She does the same thing she did the first time he set a lavish table for her, and puts the candles out. He can’t believe that he ever liked someone like her, and asks the typical Kim-Joo-won questions, like who her father is and what family she’s from. She just tells him that he does know her father, but doesn’t say anything beyond that.

She surprises him by calling out the fact that he can’t stop thinking about her, and that it’s the reason why he’s here. Ra-im: “Do you want to know why? Because you love me.” She tells him that he followed her around like crazy and that he’ll be back tomorrow, so she gives him an excuse to come. She tells him that eventually he’ll tell her that she’s strange and curious to him, and he just covers his ears and walks out, not wanting to hear it. Heh. I sort of like the idea of her dating the 21-year old version of Joo-won. Can he just stay this way, and not get his memory back?

I love the way she looks at him, like you’ll see just how crazy in love with me you’re going to be, kid.

Ra-im returns to the action school where she’s greeted with confetti and party hats. Jong-soo hugs her, which is right when Joo-won walks in, telling them to separate. Joo-won: “Were you a two-timer? Were you two-timing me?” Heh. He pompously tells everyone to leave the room, and Ra-im tells the guys she’ll explain later, and takes him upstairs. He looks at them agape, “Do I know you guys too?”

She can tell that his memory hasn’t returned, but when she makes a move to kick him in the shin, he involuntarily moves back in step. He looks at her accusingly, asking why his leg just did that: did she used to hit him? She looks up at him slyly, not denying it. Ra-im: “Your body remembers me.” Rawr.

She calls him Kim Ddol-choo, her nickname for him (basically short for Loser Tracksuit), and he realizes that she’s making fun of his outfit. He laughs, saying that this is no ordinary tracksuit…and he unzips it and shows her the label. HA.

Ra-im swoops in for a hug, thanking him for coming by like this. She sighs, “I guess I’m going to end up loving the 21-year old you too.” He’s taken aback at first, but then can’t help himself, and totally melts into her hug. OMG, 34-year old Joo-won drove me batty, but I frickin’ love the 21-year old version. So cute.

He leans his head in and puts his hands around her, saying sweetly, “Will you?” I love how awkward he is.

Ra-im then goes to see Joo-won’s mother, and stands up to her for the first time. She tells her that they won’t break up, for whatever reason, because they’ve been to death’s door and back, and now every second of their lives is precious. She refuses to back down, and tells Mother matter-of-factly that she isn’t scared of her anymore.

And then, with a big breath, she blurts out, “Please give me your son! I’ll take responsibility for him and make him happy.” Pwahaha. Love it. What a great reversal for her to ask for Joo-won’s hand.

Joo-won sends Secretary Kim over to Ra-im’s to fetch her over to his house (which they also laugh at). She walks in and he tells her to move into the house (whoa, movin’ fast there, little buddy) so that he can figure out why he liked her so much.

She just laughs, telling him that it’s not the first time he’s said those words. She tells him that he’s done a lot to try and convince her, to move in, to share a bed, to shower together…

He perks up at that, smiling that they must be closer than he thought. He moves closer to her, “So, were we close enough to kiss? Like this…?”

He gets up and leans over her, going in for the kill.

COMMENTS

Hahaha. It’s kinda wrong if you think about it, but I totally want 21-year old Joo-won to go for it! He’s so much more adorable and less weighed down by darkness than his older self. I kind of want them to stay this way, and for him to never get his memory back. Would that be so bad?

At least Ra-im finally stood up to Mom, though it sure did take her long enough. I just can’t believe that of ALL the possible mystical and life-threatening barriers that they get past, she is the one that’s still standing. I mean, what? I find it odd that we still have two episodes left, but she’s really the only obstacle left, and she’s just harping on the same old stuff. Yawn.

I really hated the resolution to the life-sacrificing-body-swapping mess of a plot, which sucked all the dramatic weight out of that storyline. And I yelled obscenities when the amnesia followed suit, like Show was trying to kill me or something. But then the result of the amnesia was surprisingly light and funny and cute, so that was really this episode’s saving grace. I definitely have a bit of emotional whiplash from the melodrama-turned-makjang-turned-comedy, but at this point I’m not really that surprised. This show jerks me around so much it’s sadistic.

Just when I thought that the drama had finally validated itself and found a reason for the body swap, AND the mystical veil (I know!), it totally did a 180 and shot itself in the proverbial foot. That rose-petal magic dreamland hoodoo crap made me wanna barf all over the pure white snow. But lo and behold, barely post-pubescent Joo-won appeared out of nowhere and saved me from driving a spork through my heart.

379

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51 momosan

January 10, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Can I add Save The Last Dance with it's infamous double amnesia?

Okay, let's face it with another cast we'd all be going WTH?!

But no, some how they've sucked us along this far. Rumor had it that they were editing 18 right up until just before air time and it shows. But hey, that's the system.

Let's see if the writer can pull rabbits out of her hat in the last two episodes. (and I'm taking bets on whether the "wish upon a star" hand thingie was the heaviest foreshadowing a k-drama could to hit us with - personally I think it's a dead cert on that one.)

On the up side - Oska concert! I'm for watching YSH eat up the screen as Oska any day. 8-)

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jomo143

January 10, 2011 at 11:36 AM

How about an Oska /Tae Sun duet?

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xiaoSxin

January 10, 2011 at 11:38 AM

well. that's probably why the editing sucks big time in ep 18??? It was cut from one scene to the next.. without the flow of story connecting to it!!!!! it could also be the crappy writing..

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izzie

January 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Rush editing happens a lot. It's one of the most toxic times of post-production where the crew mutates into fierce creatures for a few hours before airing, and then transform into neurotic caffeine junkies while watching the ratings trend as the show goes on air.

I remember Sex & the City having alternate endings to their finale. It's pretty much the same thing.

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 12:34 PM

:( i didn't like some of the background music, too. there were new ones (i think) this ep. the loud cheesy instrumental....?

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jomo143

January 10, 2011 at 2:16 PM

Do they ever go back and re-edit to fix the blaring cuts and glaring errors in continuity?

I would insist on that if I directed one of these drama.

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izzie

January 10, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Maybe they will - for the international and DVD releases.

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sobohomom2

January 11, 2011 at 4:59 AM

If there's an Oska concert, that means at least 1/4 of the last show will be dedicated to the concert, so the rest of the plot will probably be resolved in compressed time.

The last two episodes might not be as rushed and erratic as 17 and 18. I'm pretty sure that the winter holidays and SBS awards threw everything off kilter--no excuses for inconsistencies in the script, though...

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52 ciiii

January 10, 2011 at 11:35 AM

i have been waiting this recap..check this web every 5 seconds..millions of thanks to GF!!

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53 Cheery

January 10, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Hahahaaha, even though the whole getting-back-to-life thing doesn't make sense, i really want Joowon to stay like that, he's sooooo adorable!

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54 singingzombies

January 10, 2011 at 11:45 AM

That has to be the hospital with the worst security in the world. In one episode you have:

1. a coma patient kidnapped in the middle of the day
2. Ra-him sneaking in after hours to see Joo-wonda
3. Ra-im sneaking out after waking up still in her hospital gown
4. Ra-im sneaking back into the hospital in her hospital gown.

Oh, and I hate amnesia, the hardest to swallow plot device in the world for me and the only reason I haven't seen the Hong Sister drama built around that trope. But immediately after my WTF, the show was really funny again and I guess I was happy for the break in tension. Too bad it had to come at the expense of amnesia.

ANGRY DRAMA RAGE!

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izzie

January 10, 2011 at 11:57 AM

But it has the most advanced IV system: the dextrose doesn't have to be plugged into Ra-Im's vein. It's connected to her via wi-fi. (twice she left/was carried out of bed and the IV didn't have to be pulled off.)

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momosan

January 10, 2011 at 1:37 PM

It's a magic IV.

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Nom_Kitteh

January 10, 2011 at 4:07 PM

I wish my hospital had wi-fi IV. Last time I was in, the incompetent nurse splattered blood everywhere while stabbing for a vein. Korea is obviously much more advanced.

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samgetang

January 10, 2011 at 7:34 PM

hahaha! izzie girl! dextrose via wi-fi! south korea is just way too advanced :-) hahaha! the props people will have some answering to do...

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izzie

January 10, 2011 at 8:43 PM

haha! sistah. this drama has gone crazy with the hospital scenes. :D

- I'm guessing the urine catheter and the feeding tube for the coma patients are on wi-fi too. :D

- LOL @ MomBot (Joo-Won's Mom) flaming Jong-Soo for hugging her son. "Stick to your standards!" she yelled at JS - which can be translated in many, many ways. *wink* *wink*

- MomBot's goons are straight from "Matrix" - they multiply on her cue. :)

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grateful1

January 11, 2011 at 6:14 AM

haha! sistah. this drama has gone crazy with the hospital scenes.

Yeah, apparently it also has psychic nurses-- like the one who rushed over to JW's mom and Ji Hyun to tell them that JW had regained consciousness-- despite the fact that Oska was the only one in the room when it happened and hadn't alerted anyone.

samgetang

January 11, 2011 at 12:06 PM

my dear sistah! actually, ra im is not in a coma...she just happened to be sleeping in in the hospital so no need for all those catheters, IV and other whatnots... :-)

told you! evil mom is proving to be more dark and sinister with "matrix" goons on cue that multiply like gremlins, haha!

kappy

January 11, 2011 at 2:58 AM

Amazing, those south korean hospitals and their technology. What I would have given for a wi-fi IV when I was in the hospital...

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izzie

January 11, 2011 at 3:10 AM

me too! a nurse made an embroidery out of both my hands. :( (talk about the needle going thru and thru, leaving a bruise bump on my hand.)

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kappy

January 11, 2011 at 8:45 AM

I know exactly what you mean. After 5 attempts for a vein I was like, "I need an IV specialist! An expert! Someone who's been doing it for years and years and years!"

samgetang

January 11, 2011 at 12:08 PM

nurse must be a sewer in her previous life, haha!

izzie

January 12, 2011 at 6:50 AM

... or a traditional tattoo artist. :(

samgetang

January 12, 2011 at 8:30 AM

...or into acupuncture :-)

izzie

January 12, 2011 at 8:41 AM

... with totally wrong needles! <_<

come2noona

January 12, 2011 at 3:08 PM

wi fi.... LOL

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kappy

January 11, 2011 at 2:53 AM

I agree about the low security hospital. People can just come waltzing in and take patients with nary a word against it? But because this is the kdrama world, I find myself accepting it, of course.

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55 badmamajama

January 10, 2011 at 11:47 AM

what can we say or do . show is unpredicatble . this is what we get for watching a story with mythical happenings and veils of unswitchiness .

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56 Smoke & Mirrors

January 10, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Was I the only goggling when Jong Soo hugged Joo Won ?

I thought hell would freeze over before I see that happening.

I like JW at 21, but I want him back as before.
Claustrophobia free this time.

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57 Nana

January 10, 2011 at 11:50 AM

One vote for Jowon to go for the Forever21 mode.

If that was granted, I shall forgive the lame magic thinggy (though I kinda did since it was cut short in 1 -2 eps).

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teapot

January 10, 2011 at 1:47 PM

phtttt!!!! JooWon: Forever21. Now that calls for a banner.

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blueceramic

January 10, 2011 at 2:06 PM

haha yes! we need a banner like that! Someone w/ awesome skills, please do one. Maybe w/ these pictures? http://www.flickr.com/photos/apdy/5342012193/

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58 Birdie

January 10, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Honestly they are lucky to have good casts as the story is nonsensical with doses of bits from other dramas. It is as if the writer has little ideas and do not know how the plot should go. Should it stay a rom-com? Wait it is a makjang. No- it is a fantasy.... Who cares- it has good ratings. The viewers are already hooked.

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59 AcrobaticUrchin

January 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM

I really hated the whole amnesia bit (I mean.. really? Although, it's dramaland so I really should have expected that if there was a coma, amnesia would be sure to follow). But I thought they did a cute job with Joo Won's 21-year-old self... absolutely adorable! I just had to watch his scenes a couple times because they were too cute!

I actually sort of liked that they resolved the body switch the way they did... but it happened too fast. If it had taken longer, or there had been some attempts to switch them back that didn't work, etc., etc., it would have been nicer. I just wanted cute and I got it... even if it's deliverance was somewhat lacking. I did like the Ah Young's dream was actually a premonition.

I can't wait for the cute to come in the next two episodes. Is it bad that I really don't want Joo Won to regain his memory? Or maybe just bits and pieces of it? I think a young-at-heart-Joo Won and the spunky Gil Ra Im would work just as well as neurotic-Joo Won and spunky Gil Ram Im.

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60 halfmoon

January 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 12:29 PM

i didn't want the tracksuit to be given away, too. =( HB should just keep it, frame it and show it to all his grandchildren. I wish he'd take it with him to the military, too. And wear it when he's lonely. LOL^^

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halfmoon

January 10, 2011 at 12:38 PM

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kappy

January 11, 2011 at 3:03 AM

Oh, that is too funny. I can just see him now doing his military drills in that sparkly thing. He can be the decoy.

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61 ag

January 10, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Ok,I'm a coward. I couldn't bear to read the recaps for episode 17/18,nor the comments. Kinda like an accident scene,where you look,but don't really want to see anything horrible,but you look anyway. Maybe,next week,after all is said and done,I will have the heart to watch the last 4 episodes. I'm not in the mood to be bawling my eyes out right now in front of my laptop! There has to be a happy ending to this,huh? Regardless,I really enjoyed this drama for the fabulous acting!

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62 evelia

January 10, 2011 at 12:03 PM

Thanks for the recap. Still like the show even with its crazy plot lines.

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63 Venus

January 10, 2011 at 12:08 PM

Aishhhhhhh my head hurst!! this damn last 2 episodes having been worst that a rollercoaster ride..srly so much ups and downs it has left me with that blank xpression of ok that was the ride?..uhmm moving on...

Really, I agree GF WTF!!!! was that whole voodoo crap from dad..omg where is the "Book of Shadow" or the "Charmed Ones" when u need them....srly if writters are going with the whole mythical/magic aspect they need to do some serious research.....is just left me feeling WTFFFF!!! is that it? the whole angst is over?...the whole Rome & Juliet crap was for nothing?...

They should have keep the whole body switch for at least another episode...and see how JWR acclamate herself to her sorrounding and "permanent" situation....but boy...this episode was totall whiplash moment after the other....**heads hurts**

However, I do love JW 21yr. old self.....well I guess the next rollercoaster ride is coming up...aishh I hope the next ride the seats are better....

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64 elisa

January 10, 2011 at 12:09 PM

so therefore, it's established that hyun bin is the shining star of this drama. he makes all the strange plot lines OKAY. omg seriously, i don't even know what i would've done if 21 year old joo won wasn't adorable... agh WHAT IS UP WITH THE DREAM + AMNESIA. AFKDLJADLKFJAFJ

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65 mee

January 10, 2011 at 12:12 PM

love <3

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66 kdlover

January 10, 2011 at 12:14 PM

I love 21 year old joowon too bring back the romcom!!

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67 babybunnie

January 10, 2011 at 12:15 PM

wow all that stuff you said at the end was what exactly what i was thinking. just when i though this drama was one of my favorites. it decides to take all the "korea drama cliches" smash them into two episodes but i like the 21 year old hyun bin which made me happy at the end so i guess all is well.

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68 Anon106

January 10, 2011 at 12:19 PM

Seriously, THANK YOU so so much for this hilarious recap. I gave up on any plot cohesion a number of episodes ago but am glad to see that you can still see the show for what it is and laugh at the best parts.

I have my actors' glasses on at this point. I'm rooting for Ha Ji-won and Hyun Bin. What surprises me is how much I've gotten to love Oska as a character.

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69 fromdblock

January 10, 2011 at 12:20 PM

now..all that's left is a satisfying ending and this drama would be on my top list!

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70 fjoajoaa

January 10, 2011 at 12:21 PM

I love how everyone in korea is going crazy for this drama, so many celebs are anticipating it. hahaha. I can't believe this episode hit the 30%

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 12:27 PM

yeah! imagine..so many curious people tuned in to watch how the "driving into the storm" thing got resolved and they got this...probably the most messed episode in the series. lol the number of cliches mashed into this ep alone is epic.

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71 jojo

January 10, 2011 at 12:23 PM

Thanks Girlfriday for the recap. LOL reading it and am still laughing...you have made my day! Eagerly awaiting the last two episodes...

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72 dramalatte

January 10, 2011 at 12:24 PM

Just when i thought the show was going to kill me with that amnesia thing, they give us cute 21 year old joo won. i couldnt stop smiling when ra im hug him and he hug back slowly with cute smile in his face. aigoo its like falling in love all over again.

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73 Daniela

January 10, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Oh, this drama..is really something. It’s crazy, and I still here, loving it. At first, I hoped that the Magic Veil of Un-switchiness didn’t disappear while Joo-wonda was unconscious, but at least they used it.
OMG, Oska, you are love. All the things he said to Joo-won (well, Joo-wonda) broke my heart. I smiled from ear to ear when Jong-soo hugged Joo-wonda.

Then, I started to get pissed. First, I didn’t like the dream scene. Dad looked like a waiter (I don’t know, maybe that was the idea); it was too slow for me (Drink fast!). Dramatic purpose, I know, but damn, it was so cheesy. When they wake up I was like “What? You make me cried last episode like half an hour, I even cried a little after and now you end it like this??”.
Finally, the worst thing: AMNESIA. I hate sudden amnesia, in books, dramas, TV, in any story. If you establish the amnesia since the beginning or part of the plot, it’s ok, do it. But sudden amnesia sucks. It’s like always appears when the writers don’t know what else to introduce. I bet they have a poster that says “When in doubt, give them amnesia”.

And then, 21 year old Joo-won started to talk and I was happy again. At the scene when Ji-hyun and Oska are talking, my anger disappeared. And since 21 year old Joo-won back to scene till the end of the episode I was laughing and very happy again. I also love how Ra-im handled the situation. She was like teasing him and she was so great. When she hugged him and first he was surprised but hugged her back, she moves his head doubting if put it on Ra-im head or not. At that point I faint. SO.CUTE. Points to the writer for handled the horrible thing that is sudden amnesia into something fun and cute.

(Oh, that was long) I have a confession to make: I have bad taste, because I love the blue sparkly tracksuit. If I had one, I would use it.

Thank you for the recap!

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 12:46 PM

"Finally, the worst thing: AMNESIA." bwahah my initial thoughts, too (worse, because i didn't understand what they were saying.) When I read the transcap, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. After watching the episode....lol. I KnEW it couldn't have been the translator who's confused. The writing just lost me. ^^ But Daniela, when we started on this SG journey, JW was already in the middle of his 1st amnesia, right? It feels so weird. He came out of his first amnesia, only to have another one in REVERSE. Gah. First Amnesia is Dream Sequence #1 and the body switch was only a dream sequence within a dream sequence. The Meal in the snow....is a dream sequence in a dream sequence in a dream sequence (???). And now, we lose the 3-dream sequence styling....to end up with only one: Amnesia #2.

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Daniela

January 10, 2011 at 1:08 PM

Hahaha im confused now. Well, yes he had a kind of amnesia, but since it was established that was more like blocking memories, this is the “real” amnesia. I think Ji-hyun said it at some point. That’s why I think this is sudden amnesia. Plus, he only blocked a few memories and now he lost years of his life. About the dreams…I’m kind of confused hahaha, but I hoped I get your point.

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 1:42 PM

i'm sorry for confusing you :c His amnesia after the accident was rather selective. Yeah, the second amnesia came from nowhere. Just when I thought JW would remember his past...he lost his present. GAH.

For Joo-won, Jr (current, jan 11, 2010 edition), his 21st-34th year now only seem like a "dream" (to me, the viewer). (since, as of now, Joo won's lost years 21-34 and cannot really label them as memories, so Dream they shall remain, for Joo won until he remembers them.)

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Daniela

January 10, 2011 at 2:21 PM

ahhh. now i understand. thank you :)

74 gr33nl3af

January 10, 2011 at 12:44 PM

haha..again, couldn't agree more about your comments.. this drama could have been cut down to like 16 episodes.. i think the standard should be 16..whenever its 20, it kinda gets screwy because the extra 4 eps are like 99.9% of the time unnecessary and they just want to make the drama longer. totally thought it could end when they both woke up but no..he has freaking amnesia!! the whole magic business is pretty dumb and the whole dramatic accident/evil mother in law/amnesia parts are all so cliche. if joo won wasn't so endearing and entertaining, it really wouldn't be worth it to watch it till the end..

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75 Movma

January 10, 2011 at 1:29 PM

The best drama i've ever watched!! Damn!! So in love with it!!

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76 berdecinismo

January 10, 2011 at 1:31 PM

GF: "This show jerks me around so much it’s sadistic."

So true, so, so true. . .

This show is so unstable, it seems schizophrenic with all the random plot twists . . . maybe, at the last minute, the production decided to hire M. Night Shyamalan for a nonsesical resolution.

"What a twist!"

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77 mastille

January 10, 2011 at 1:34 PM

I loved this episode, not in small part due to the fact that my prayer for seeing a 21 year old Joo Won was answered! =D Did anyone else predict that would happen?

I bought the amnesia thing though because, unlike in other dramas where it's "OMG! He fell off a terrace!" or "OMG! He rolled down a hill!" or "OMG! He got hit by a car!" or "OMG! He got hit in the head with a bat and got amnesia AGAIN!", in this one it's actually set up and fits really well into the story.

Assuming JW's trauma came from witnessing RI's father die, and RI's father had asked him to help his daughter before he died and due to the trauma he didn't remember, having the father get rid of the memory of that trauma in return for what he did for RI now makes sense. To me I saw it as if the warlock had gone back and 'not saved him' in a way - while 'saving' him in another way. That is, Joo Won lost the years of his life after the accident as if he wasn't saved - but he regained his innocence and whole, happy self as if he was saved. Maybe if JW had remembered back when it happened to help RI the father would have done this earlier. So maybe the father was still a bit selfish till the end after all.

Anyway, I am all for the amnesia plot here - the way it's used - not just as a "romantic test" plot device but also as a character revealing and story driving one - sells it entirely for me. The parts that were not as well done were the over-saccharine dream sequence (which by the way I think would have sold the amnesia thing to more viewers if done right) and the details about the accident and hospital, and some of the music editing and quick cutoffs. But I think the overarching storyline is pretty sound, and I think it's refreshing to get away from the melodramatic part so fast in a kdrama. And Hyun Bin is SOOOOO cute.

I think there's nothing wrong with him staying 21, especially if it turns out that it's a kind of necessary 'sacrifice' that happened when he tried to save RI as I suspect... something like that would really sell this show to me. The magic has to stop sometime. But I probably would love this show even if not because of the stellar acting. =D

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xylophonic

January 10, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Agreed absolutely with everything you said! I liked how you worded the RI's-father-saving-JW-in-exchange-for-what-he-does-for-her, it's pretty much what's been hovering around in my head for a while but wasn't put into words. I think how that her father meant all this as some sort of lesson, especially from the way he told RI to 'be loved for all the times she bowed her head'. I suppose it makes some sliver of sense, but good lord. That dream sequence made me want to scratch my eyes out. We could have fondue party with all the cheesiness going on.

I like 21-year-old JW, yeah, sure. This is also a minor quibble but does he really not regret missing 13 years of his life?? Man, if I woke up one day and found out I was 13 years older, I would eff shit up. Guh.

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 10:03 PM

maybe Dumbledad's memory-erase program has anxiolytic effects, too. No need for pills! bec JW certainly didn't seem freaked out upon finding out he's lost years of his life. I mean, if that happens to me, I'd be all about the "HOW did this happen??" "WHY did this happen??" and Ji hyun will have to dose me in pills, pills and more pills just to tamp down the anxiety.

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xylophonic

January 11, 2011 at 1:56 PM

Yep, that's the realistic response anyway. But I suppose they didn't want to weigh down the lightheartedness with such a minor thing as waking up 13 years older than you thought you were, and distracting from his (new? old? reincarnated?) romance with Ra-im. Realism second, and all that.

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78 yix

January 10, 2011 at 1:40 PM

Dios!!! El sabado me hace llorar como no se como rio desbordado y el domingo me hace llorar y reir, por que juegan con los sentimientos de las personas por que??? pero igual amo a JW de 21 :"> kkkk

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watchumlots

January 10, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Let me help here:

English translation:

God! Saturday made me cry like I don't know, like an overflowing river and Sunday made me laugh and cry, why do they play with people's feelings, why?

But I like the 21 year old JW.

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79 Auntiemame

January 10, 2011 at 1:40 PM

There have been so many dramas where the last few episodes just peters out. I've often wondered if it is because there is such haste at the end because the filming schedule is so tight.

It's really too bad that so much work and effort should be negated due to a lack of time.

Thanks so much for a hilarious recap of ep. 18.

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80 teapot

January 10, 2011 at 2:03 PM

I'm onto you Show. You think you can just sub in adorkable endearing 21yo JooWon at the last minute and I'll forget and forgive his asshat, jerky self of the rest of the series and... oh crap, its working.

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81 lovethedramagirl

January 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM

Personally I have no complaints with this drama. I walked into expecting to laugh, cry and route for a couple with great chemistry. I got that and more. The fantasy stuff is just the trimmings. Why does it have to be deep? It started off light and airy and it appears that it is ending that way. I think people are getting over analytical about this drama.

Heads up everyone - This drama is not based in reality folks. It's a drama meant to entertain you, torture and sometimes make you want to pull out your hair. Based on the feedback, I say it has done its job. We are all waiting with bated breath for the next twist and turn. Yeah I got whiplash but it the rollercoaster kind. The kind that makes you get back in line over and over again just the get that rush!

10 Things I Love About this Drama

1. The multifaceted relationship between Oska and Joo-Won – better than brothers
2. Secretary Kim and Joo-Won budding relationship – he will follow you to the end; you got a friend in him
3. Aye Young – for being a true best friend with strong sense of logalty ties (love the hospital scene – Girl you Rocked It
4. The step-grandmother – Finally someone who doesn’t overstep their boundaries
5. Joo-Won’s Mom – Yes, her for staying true to her *itch self even when learning the debt she own’s Gil Ram’s father
6. Seul – from turning from ice cold witch to fairy godmother dispending sage advice
7. Jong-soo – for being the good guy even when it kills you and serves no purpose (you won by heart staying by Joo-Won’s side)
8. Osk for being every girl’s dream and every man’s true Hyung! I have never found you to be more sexy.
9. Joon- Woon – for being the most adorable, sexy jerk in the world who you can’t help but fall in love with
10. Gil Ram – for being the best kick ass girlfriend who didn’t walk away because of an accident – instead you choose to protect him by walking away and quickly learning the best way to protect him is to stay by his side – I love quick learners!
11.
AY

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halfmoon

January 10, 2011 at 2:56 PM

Comment was deleted

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AmbieH

January 10, 2011 at 4:35 PM

TOTALLY AGREE!!! TOTALLY WELL SAID

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rosesarered

January 10, 2011 at 11:51 PM

agree on all points!

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Sara

January 11, 2011 at 5:06 AM

agree ...agree ....you love what you love and everything works for me in this drama...particularly the awesome chemistry between the lead and other side characters that have enough development which make us love them all...the funny and touching moments...the wonderful scripts and I can forgive all the bloopers and jinx and just enjoy the ride. Looking forward for last episodes this week and of course the withdrawal symptom thereafter

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ContentedOne

January 11, 2011 at 5:14 AM

Totally agree .I find if one watch a drama with a mind that is too analytical or too much "expectation on how- things- should-be " Then you deprive yourself a better enjoyable ride.I totally totally love with SG each and every episode.I just hope the ending is good.So far is PERFECT for me.Sometimes I do not read the recap
(though I respect dramabeans profesionalism) just so I keep the memory of my favourite drama as I perceived !

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82 Rina

January 10, 2011 at 2:33 PM

Thank you girlfriday for the recaps! I had to keep my giggles silent since I was reading this at work.

I was dissapointed how the whole coma/end of the spell was resolved. Oska melted my heart with his love for his little brother, and I love how Jong-soo was there for JW at the hospital.

I love, love, love 21 yr old JW - wish I could have him :(

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83 I LOVED IT!!

January 10, 2011 at 3:03 PM

I loved it, every bit of it with no complaints...
This is the only drama that interest me enough not to skip any parts... The best drama I've seen in a long time..

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84 hoo

January 10, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Thanks!

The best part of this epi was the Oska-JooWon interactions. I love that this drama gives the secondary characters such important roles and not just as evil plot devices (mother aside)

At this point I've totally given up on making sense of the plot and am just enjoying what's left of the ride. The characters and the actors' chemistry make up for all the nonsense.

I wouldn't exactly call SG a character driven show since the body swap premise played such a big role, but it's obvious the writer spent more time developing the characters and their relationships and giving them special quirks than writing a cohesive storyline. Thank god for the awesome cast who manage to keep this drama afloat even at it's most makjang and ridiculous.

Hyun Bin is forever perfect gorgeous wonderful magnificent etc. etc. That is all.

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85 kit

January 10, 2011 at 3:14 PM

the means getting there made no sense at all, and while it may have been whimsical and pretty in the beginning, it's just annoying now.

BUT. oh gosh, seriously, hyun bin and ha jiwon save this drama. i couldn't stop laughing over he lost his memory. the moment he did i was all OSDJFIOSDJFOISDJ but the script is amusing, and they just make it hilarious.

so i guess we'll just have to do what we do for every kdrama, and throw logic out the window.

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86 bbstl 🧹

January 10, 2011 at 3:25 PM

I love this show! It's funny that the writer has thrown in all these tired K-drama tropes (kind of like the way she's thrown in many references to other shows and stars) and then she U-turns them into another direction. 21-yr old JW is inspired. It's also fun to have the show veer off into a "noona" relationship after we saw that one of JW's fantasies was the "oppa!" girl. I dread a crummy ending but feel like the writer has shown her deft hand over and over, leading us to the *throw shoe at screen* moments and then redeeming the story. I for one am glad to settle in for the rest of the ride (and miss SG so much when it ends).

One thing that has astonished me throughout the show is Mom's wardrobe - I mean, really? Now I realize that is where JW got his love of all things sparkly. (And I love that they cast an actress as Mom with the same big round nostrils as HB! Not that I would ever obsess about his face or anything . . .)

My wish for the next two eps is that we see Grandpa and Mrs. do something to support JW & RI and shut down Mom. And that the big concert is Ssun's!

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bathala

January 11, 2011 at 1:55 AM

About the JWM's wardrobe ... the hair really irritates me.

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kappy

January 11, 2011 at 3:07 AM

Same here. GAGGING on the wardrobe and hair. Just adds to the witchiness. Come on, omoni, is this the best you can do? Are you sure?

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87 gigglegagaing

January 10, 2011 at 3:36 PM

just finished watching ep 18. well. it wasnt as i expected, remembering how ep 17th brought me to tears like crazy! i was kind of disappointed actually. they turn it around so quickly and i just cant wrap my head around the magic and flowers all over both rooms. its just too unrealistic-though the whole soul swap is very much unrealistic. hahaha.

i was hoping for something with more sense..though i appreciate the later half of the episode. it was funny and it reminds me of how much i love the old rude joo won. he was so cute. and hyunbin is awesome!

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88 mommy

January 10, 2011 at 3:37 PM

finally, we see RI fight for JW: express her feelings, hug him...
NOW Show, I would like:
- a bench kiss + real kiss from RI
- a sexy time (in the shower, on bed...whatever I will be happy) ^_^
- Oska ends up with Seul, JungSoo with JW's sister

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AmbieH

January 10, 2011 at 4:38 PM

HERE HERE I SECOND THAT!

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Kiwi

January 11, 2011 at 4:55 PM

lol sexy time FTW!

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89 Moozy

January 10, 2011 at 3:41 PM

Tears in the earlier part of the episode.. But all ends well. Even if JooWon is now "21". I think he's cuter. The SwEeeeeetttness is back to SG yeeaayyy!!!

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90 Katey B

January 10, 2011 at 3:59 PM

What a bonus to have the subbed episodes out so fast this week.

I got into this episode so much more than Episode 17.

So glad to have Ra-im back on form and no longer being a wuss.

Like someone above commented I hope we get some movement on the other characters' relationships too.

Only 5 days to go till Ep. 19...

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91 ockoala

January 10, 2011 at 4:01 PM

Wow. The magic flower wine (1) switched their souls back, (2) woke Ra Im up from that coma, and (3) TELEPORTED Joo Won back to his own bed in his own house.

I am amazed at the chutzpah of Kim Eun Sook. At least the dueling two screenwriters of Mary Stayed Out All Night bisected the drama into two wholly unrelated parts of suck.

Even Mu Gyul's random kidnapping and his personality transplant in the second to last episode PALES in comparison to the WTF deux et machina KES pulled right here.

All to get Joo Won to be his adorable 21 yr old self again. What I give to have a competent and sane screenwriter for once write an denoument that doesn't make me want to retch. First M3, then SG, my dramas watching is painful.

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samgetang

January 10, 2011 at 8:27 PM

nodding with you, ockoala! kdramas seem to be playing sadistic gods to our poor masochistic selves of late. :-(

i thought MSOAN's writers were the best of the worst. only to find SG writers trying to compete in this category :-) all the pressure must be getting to them...or maybe all the body-switching back and forth made them dizzy :-)

GF is right - good thing this drama has its own psychiatrist ;-)

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d-addict

January 10, 2011 at 10:18 PM

^^ I also snerked. Ra him falling asleep holding Joo wanda's hand in the hospital....was that a dream, too?? Because HB woke up @ home! What?? Did Oska? Secretary Kim? His MOM? transport him while he was sleeping? Sighhh

Bec. of the pull-my-hair-out Magic plot of Unswitchness, there were moments in my episode when, even when I triiieedd reaaallly hard to stay put in my 3-d drama watching chair complete with 3-d glasses, I get jerked out of it to be set down rudely in the real world.

Instead of seeing Joo won and Ra im, I only see Hyun Bin and Ha Ji won. (And their twin eyebags!) Instead of crying, feeling for them, whatever, this distant no-shutting-up banshee in my head keep intruding with thoughts like "HB and HjW must find this plot absurd. They must SO regret taking on this show. They're losing sleep for this?? HB: darn. last project before MS, too. HJW: This is why....I do movies more? Why did go back to the small screen? WHY?! (ala Dir. Park) LOL .

Don't get me wrong, I love SG. But you know what Seul says about the worst opponent you (the Show) could have is a fan turned anti-fan (which I'm not. truly. not yet.)

I hate that the show made HJW look like she took on this role just to look pretty and be cute because I've seen her in better projects.

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rayray

January 11, 2011 at 6:10 AM

ahhh I was so confused about that part too!! how did Joowonie's body get transported back to his home after the whole dream sequence thing?? are we supposed to dust that under the rug and attribute it to 'magic'?

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Thaya

January 11, 2011 at 7:21 AM

The twin airbag i like it!!!!! this is the the best wording to describe their best chemistry so far.....

Adore it....

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92 Lee

January 10, 2011 at 4:11 PM

I kinda get the whole 21 thing it's like when someone regresses, his mind reset to being 21 but I think that he has to deal with the whole fire thing when he was/is that age so he can go back to being 34 having dealt with it. Why they couldn't do it when he was 34 I guess is that even though he wanted to he would be too fragile to handle it. So in short it's a way of letting him deal with it then (21) instead of now (34).

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mia

January 10, 2011 at 7:58 PM

i kinda think about it like that too.. he has been living his 13 years of life in misery, erasing the most traumatize moment in his life just to survive.. even at 34, if he would want to try to face the reality that a man died because of him, he can't do it. because he has been too fragile from the beginning... so the best way for him to be a burden free 34 year old is by restarting his life, at 21.. when it was all had just starting... he actually needs to deal with it since the very beginning... so i kinda agree with Gil daddy sending him back to his 21 year old self :)

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93 BlackJack

January 10, 2011 at 4:13 PM

I'm totally loving this episode! I didn't find the plot lame at all and was kind of worry if this episode was going to be about Ra-Im turn to swap with Joo-woo then it was going to be all sad again! It's wonderful that the body swap is over and that Joo-woo is his 21 yo self!! I hope that in the next episode they would actually show the accident that happened in the lift because i have a feeling Joo-woo made a promise to Ra-im's father saying how he is going to watch/look after Ra-im cuz in the dream her dad said Joo-woo did beyond his expectation!! Gosh I'm going to miss this show so so much!! I'm all ready for the big happy ending!! Sigh show you owe me!!

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94 Nom_Kitteh

January 10, 2011 at 4:13 PM

At this point I think we should make all this fun by betting whether or not Secret Garden (where is the titular garden, and why is it secret?) will beat the hijinks of Bad Man.
Someone needs to end up in a mental institution, at this point, and someone needs to shoot someone. Only then will I be satisfied.

"I’m glad this show comes with its own shrink." Haa-ha. True words are true.

Free neck braces for all!

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ockoala

January 10, 2011 at 4:20 PM

BG needed the mental institution arc bc Kim Nam Gil wanted the chance to act like a googly-eyed crazy person. It was all part of Gun Wook's master plan! Couldn't you tell? BG was such an airtight plot, so brilliantly conceived!

Here? I have no f-ing clue what KES wanted to do. Other than be cute on top of the insane. Seriously, the plot of M3 episode 15 still gives me indigestion. I did not need ep 18 of SG to come along so soon thereafter.

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Nom_Kitteh

January 10, 2011 at 5:04 PM

"JW is RI’s secret/lost brother but oh-no-not-really"
Dude, this drama is totes missing some wincest, and the writer seems crazy enough to grant us some.

"BG was such an airtight plot, so brilliantly conceived!"
LOL. (At least I hope you were LOLing while writing this o_O :-D ).

"I have no f-ing clue what KES wanted to do"
I doubt it if KES knows either.

The mess of Ep. 18 really points to a fundamental flaw in K-drama-land, which is the writing of shows while they're airing. Even the most talented writer cannot produce anything of value in a couple of days.

It's terribly unfair to the actors. HB took this part based on a script about switching genders. He didn't get what he signed up for. We didn't get what WE signed up for.

The fact that JGS had to write the final episode of M3 shows a real crack in the system. That, and all K-writers need to enroll in basic Fiction Writing 101 classes on meaningful conflicts, conflict resolution, and conclusions.

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ockoala

January 10, 2011 at 6:26 PM

In my review of BG, I said (quoteth myself) "what the fraking frak frak went on in this drama!" - so yes, I was LOLing at my own snark, and at how any person can try to convince me BG was anything other than a complete mess plot-wise.

Anyways, HB will come out of SG unscathed. A very solid performance for him. KES did not have a plot meltdown in either CH or OA (which was extended), so I am blaming this on her own too-smart-for-myself attempt at being cheeky.

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ar_arguably romantic

January 10, 2011 at 9:02 PM

while I think a good chunk of the wtf-ery that usually takes place at the end of a drama series can be blamed on writing the show as it airs, I also think that the writers should come prepared to be one step ahead, especially when the writer has had several dramas under her belt already. Make rules for the world you are building when you are incorporating a fantasy element and have several outlines ready.

But then again, actors/actresses have been going sleepless for years during the latter end of a drama series, so even very experienced directors/production crews haven't learned to not cut things so close. It's inhuman how some actors/actresses are getting like an hour of sleep each night. Then during their waking hours, they're out in the cold trying to act out lines and emotions from a script they have just received that day.

I heard abt JGS rewriting the end of MSOAN. Not that I encourage actors/actresses to rewrite things when they don't agree, but after being sideswiped by the mess that was MSOAN, JGS was smart and really considerate to give the cute, happy ending that the audience wanted as a salve to their crushed hopes instead of the melodramatic rub-salt-in-my-wound ending the writer originally wrote.

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kappy

January 11, 2011 at 3:18 AM

Good points. My question is: Why, oh why, must it be that way? The cramming and sleeplessness that continues with these drama productions? That one-hour-a-night sleep stuff is rather inhumane. Can't they prepare a leeetle better? Oops, that was more than one question.

bbstl 🧹

January 10, 2011 at 4:26 PM

LOL and JW is RI's secret/lost brother but oh-no-not-really.

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samgetang

January 10, 2011 at 9:12 PM

LOL! Since I intend to finish this drama, save me a piece of that free neck brace please, nom_kitteh. Thanks!

I will not be surprised if all the characters switch souls in the end or evil mom becomes sweet and approves of their union because RaIm in fact is the missing princess of a little kingdom with a secret garden (which would explain the title) or Director Park suddenly turns up to reveal that Jong-Soo is actually the real son of evil mom and he was actually switched at birth with Joo Woon and so JW is now free to marry RaIm or someother whiplashy turn of events :-)

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95 Jenni

January 10, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Thanks for recaps :'D
And I'm just SERIOUSLY GLAD BoF didn't repeat in this drama, or else I'd be screwed :B

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96 JD

January 10, 2011 at 4:22 PM

"WHAT. THE. FUCK. Dude, somebody send Daddy back to Hogwarts. Your magic is all screwy!"

"Just when I thought that the drama had finally validated itself and found a reason for the body swap, AND the mystical veil (I know!), it totally did a 180 and shot itself in the proverbial foot. That rose-petal magic dreamland hoodoo crap made me wanna barf all over the pure white snow. But lo and behold, barely post-pubescent Joo-won appeared out of nowhere and saved me from driving a spork through my heart."

I FRICKIN' SNORTED. WHERE THE HELL DO YOU GET YOUR WIT FROM. <3

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97 bubble

January 10, 2011 at 4:23 PM

I don't mind all the nonsensical and illogical plots as long as it's fun to watch. My only complain so far is the dream sequence that undid their body-swap spell. It's too cheesy for my liking and the visual effect feels a little out of style with the drama as a whole.

The idea of using such a dream sequence to undo the spell is sloppy writing in itself. But even so, it could have been executed better. Perhaps with the dream set in the restaurant back in the enchanted forest. And without the rose petals or the cheesy looking decorations.

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98 SujuSarang4Eveer

January 10, 2011 at 4:31 PM

"WHAT. THE. FUCK. Dude, somebody send Daddy back to Hogwarts. Your magic is all screwy!"
AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! I CANT STOP LAUGHING>>> MY STOMACH IS KILLING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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99 fanny

January 10, 2011 at 4:39 PM

at least they're not suffering cancer or something :)
I don't like the amnesia too...but I forgave it since the drama back in it's light funny tone,
I don't think 21-yo joo-won mature enough to stand up in front his mom and defend their love (he even doesn't remember it).
so maybe that will be the major problem in the next two episodes?

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STory

January 10, 2011 at 4:56 PM

Yeah, JW mom is like the Great Wall Of China, a great obstacle that both of them has to overcome.

Btw, love 21 year old JW! Glad the amnesia lets us see the 21 year old, pre-claustrophobia side of him.

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100 Kpan

January 10, 2011 at 4:56 PM

Oh ugghhh....The resolution to the "brain dead" thing and body switch was REAL dumb. I mean, if the dad had the power to revive Ra Im from her near death experience than whats the deal with the body switch? Didn't he say that he abracadabra'd the body switch to save his daughter in the expense of Joo Won's? And the dinner resembling Alice in Wonderland thingy...kinda cheesy. Then! the Dad totally messes up his little spell and makes Joo-Won lose his memory? On purpose? By accident? Who knows? (except the writer) I'm a little pissed, but i gotta admit....can't wait for to see the ending ^^.