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Best Love: Episode 12

This time it’s Beauty and the Beast, starring Dokko Jin as both Beauty AND Beast. Sigh. You really are the most beastly princess who ever doth grace this land. It’s a wonder how you keep from swooning at your own reflection. Oh wait. You don’t.

The 30 Days begin, potatoes grow, and everyone gets a bit handsy, though it’s not who you think. A little bromance on the side never hurt anyone, right?

 
EPISODE 12 RECAP

KISS.

*rewind*

Meanwhile Pil-joo walks away, having done the right thing, but losing the girl in the process. Poor Perfect Man Pil-joo. That’s the saddest back I’ve seen in a long time.

Jin and Ae-jung drive around and realize that there aren’t very many things open this late (technically untrue in Seoul). Jin starts to hint that people aren’t out at the movies—they’re at home. And people aren’t out at restaurants—they’re eating at home.

“We could… go to my house.” Time, he’s not a-wastin’.

She looks over at him suspiciously, and he’s quick to say that they could watch a movie and eat there, and also, “I have something to show you.” Um… I’m trying really hard to suppress my inner twelve-year old.

Ae-jung’s thinking the same thing I am, because she shrinks back a little. Jin: “My POTATO.” Pfffft! Is that what we’re calling it now?

He sees what she was thinking, and adds, “What, did you think I meant I was going to show you… me? Okay, I can show you if you want…” and playfully starts taking off his jacket. Heh.

She decides they should just go for a drive, and he pouts, declaring that this is the most boring picnic ever. She feels bad, so she slides her hand along his. (Purrrrrr.) The way his face instantly lights up is so cute.

He starts the car and notices that the gas tank is near empty, and like a dog with a bone potato, he declares that they’ll just have to go home then. She matter-of-factly tells him to stop at the gas station just down the block, being a total killjoy.

She covers herself with a blanket to keep from getting recognized, only to be peered at more conspicuously once the gas station attendants notice Dokko Jin. They speculate out loud that it’s a woman and that it must be Se-ri, which makes them both uncomfortable, on top of the fact that she already feels like she has to hide herself to keep his image intact.

He does the only thing he can think of, and silently clasps her hand under the blanket. Once they leave, she jabbers on nervously that the blanket saved them, and he tells her, like he’s done before, to just stop trying to deny the awkward—it’s only more painful for him to watch.

She tells him to pull over and he gets scared that she’s going to leave. She decides that they should just pick up some food at the convenience store and have a picnic at his place after all. Return of devilish grin. Jin: “Okaaaaaaaaay.”

At home he shows her Pet Potato, boasting that it’s extra special because it’s hand-grown by the illustrious Dokko Jin. She asks why he only grew one; what happened to the other potatoes? He hangs his head in memoriam: “They were executed.” HA.

She wonders if it’ll really flower, and he promises to take her potato-flower viewing. I love that the flower and potato metaphors have gotten married. They’re having metaphor babies.

He does that really cute and lame I’m just reaching for that thing just past you, oops did I just graze your hand. He takes her hand and then leans in for a kiss, and she shyly looks over at him. Gah, why are you so hot when you’re gettin’ your moves on?

They’re inches away from smoochy heaven when the doorbell rings, ding dong. Jin growls, “What ding dong is this?!” Hee.

It’s Jae-seok, who stumbles in red-faced and about thirty sheets to the wind. He wails that he was so upset thinking about hyung that he drank a little. And then he globs onto Jin, manhandling his chest, saying, “These feelings that I can’t tell anyone about…”

Oh. My. GOD.

Pwahahahahaha! Ae-jung watches them, eyes growing wide, as she mouths, “feelings…?”

This is the best thing ever. What’s a better cockblock than a gay lover interrupting to confess his feelings? Jin tries to pry him off, but Jae-seok just comes back full force, backhugging him and fondling him with what can only be described as sexy man-touching. Jin even seems to like it, though he quickly realizes that Ae-jung is jumping to the wrong conclusion. Or the right one, from where those hands are going.

He tells her that this isn’t what it looks like, which is just never the thing to say in that situation. Jae-seok starts peeling back his shirt and Ae-jung gasps, averting her eyes. Jin realizes that this is starting to look really bad, and starts to jump around with Jae-seok still clinging to him, like he’s got ants in his pants. That does NOT look any better. Pffft.

He slaps Jae-seok’s hands to try and get him to cut loose, and Ae-jung stops them, making her presence known to Jae-seok. He just lowers his head in embarrassment, “I’m not supposed to let Ae-jung noonim see this.” This just gets better and better.

Ae-jung so sweetly tells him that it’s okay, “If your heart leads you there, you could like him.” Jin insists that that’s not what this is, trying to shove him away. He just comes back and grabs his leg pitifully, just like a shunned lover.

She tells him not to be so mean, when Jae-seok’s clearly come all this way to confess his feelings. Aw. I love that she empathizes with him. It’s so cute.

Jin finally hauls him upstairs to put him to bed (rawr) and throws him on a recliner. In a drunk-sleepy stupor, he mutters:

Jae-seok: Don’t die. You can’t die. Don’t die hyung-nim. You can’t die. I’ll do better.

Gah, now I’m all choked up. It’s that classic way the Hong Sisters turn an uproariously funny moment on its head with a heartfelt confession that gets me every time.

Jin looks at him with a sigh, tears welling up. He looks down to see Ae-jung smiling at the potato, and then the tears really start to brim. She tells him to take care of Jae-seok and that she’ll go now since she’s seen the potato.

Jin: “I’m sorry.” Oooof. She doesn’t know what he means by it of course, and he recovers by telling her that he’s sorry she only got to see the potato and not what she really wanted to see. Oh, you cheeky.

He fights back the tears as he jokes that he can’t just strip down anywhere, due to his CF contracts’ non-compete clauses. Ha. She tosses back, “It’s too bad. I thought I’d get to appreciate that head-to-toe pretty body that earns millions in CFs.” He offers her a sneak peek, but for some ungodly reason, she turns him down. WHY?

Once she’s gone, he says aloud, “I’m the world’s worst, most selfish bastard.” Aw.

And at home, Pil-joo sits staring at the world’s saddest pot of ramen. Double aw.

Jenny and Ae-hwan wonder where Jae-seok ran off to, sensing that something’s weighing on him. She decides that it must be his crush on her turning to angst, and wonders if she should start seeing him as a man. Ae-hwan’s quick to put the kibosh on that, declaring himself as Jenny’s man, ever since “That Night.”

Apparently there was rain, wine, and kissing, though they’ve clearly come to different conclusions about what it means. At her rejection, Ae-hwan runs out, whining, “Don’t drink wine with Jae-seok!” Heh.

Jin decides that it’s time to tell President Moon about his heart surgery. She takes the news like the trooper that she is, even refusing to cry in front of him because it doesn’t suit their style. She tells him that she’ll take care of everything, and just to believe that he’s going to live. She asks what his plans are, in starting up things with Ae-jung, knowing that if news of their relationship breaks, it’ll be bad for both of them.

Jin: Yes, it’ll be the worst [che-ack] scandal. But if this is the end for me, it might not be the worst, but the best [che-go]. If I die, it’ll render everything beautiful in retrospect. If I say I like Gu Ae-jung and live, I plummet. If I say I like her and die, it’s beautiful. That’s why I’m going to protect the best image, and if something goes wrong, I’m going to give it all to Gu Ae-jung when I go.

So sad, and quietly heroic, in his own way. It’s the best of what he has—that pristine public image—and that’s what he’ll leave to her if he can’t be by her side. I love the use of che-ack/che-go as the reversal of perception in his world—life and death mean opposite things to their personas in the ass-backwards celebrity-verse.

Ae-jung goes to see Pil-joo at home after finding out that he’s been out sick from work. He’s nearly completed the puzzle that they started together, and down to his final piece, which he can’t seem to locate. She comes in bearing a basket of fruit, worried that he’s only eating ramen, which is clearly the case.

But as she sets her basket down, he spots the final puzzle piece, and accidentally sends the fruit flying, which she misconstrues as him venting his anger at her. She makes a move to get up and go, and in an effort to stop her, he accidentally steps on a banana and trips her, further making him seem angry (though in a really, really petty way, even for the man-children in this drama).

Thankfully, he manages to stop her and explain before she gets to the door, and in his Perfect Pil-joo way, tells her that he’s okay, and that they’ll figure out the show one step at a time.

She apologizes and thanks him, and he puts up a brave face in front of her, insisting that he’s just playing hooky from work is all, and sees her out with a smile. But once she’s gone, his face betrays his crushed little heart, which kills me.

He finally cleans up the remnants of his broken-heart-ramen bender, and says aloud as if trying to convince himself, that just like the puzzle, he’s put back his feelings, one piece at a time.

Ae-jung gets a gig as a Section TV reporter, and Jin wonders if she’ll be okay having to chase down other celebrities amidst their scandals. She figures she’ll have to adjust, since she won’t be doing Couple Making much longer.

Jin can’t hide his glee at that news, taking jabs at Pil-joo, and when she defends him, he muses, “You must really like me,” if she still chose him over Mr. Perfect. Without flinching, she answers sincerely, “Yes, I do.”

That catches him off guard and he answers that she’s not supposed to like him too much. She’s quick to reply that she has no intention of asking him to prolong their time together or insist that he give sincere confessions. “I’m just going to enjoy it as I please.”

He wonders why she brought Ding Dong along then, if she really plans to enjoy herself. She reminds him that they’re besties, so they’re free to play. He tries to get Ding Dong to stop watching Pororo and go play outside, but he declares that there are 30 episodes in total.

After an unsuccessful attempt to hide the remote, Jin tells him to just watch what he likes. “At seven years old, it’s okay to be self-indulgent.” Careful what you say to a room full of drama addicts, mister. Ding Dong thinks better of it and decides that he can just watch one episode a day, for 30 days. That’s what we all say at the beginning.

Jin tells him to just watch them all at once. “Ding Dong, no one is guaranteed the time it takes to watch 30 episodes, one a day. So watch them while you can. I’m being self-indulgent too.” And he looks over at Ae-jung. Awwwwww. Melt.

Jin and Se-ri decide to go public with their breakup, handled of course like a cold hard business deal between agencies. They each promise not to cross the line, to try and garner too much sympathy in either stars’ direction. Makes you wonder about every celebrity breakup ever, right?

Se-ri tells him that her image benefited greatly from being his girlfriend, and wonders how far his image will crash if linked to Ae-jung. I do like that she stays classy about this breakup. That’s a huge relief.

She asks for a goodbye hug and he refuses, “I have an exclusive charger. If you touch me, I’ll short circuit.” So cute. He tells her that she ought to grow a potato. “It’ll help.” Heh.

Pil-joo tells the Couple Making PD that he wants to pull out of the show, citing his family’s opposition to his appearance on tv. Aw, protecting her from getting flak till the end.

Ae-jung begins work on her new show, Star Date, and gets a call from Jin, now saved as “Charge.” She tells him about her new show, and he gets a bright idea. “That sounds like fun. Let’s go on a date.”

He hangs up and the next thing she knows, his office has called to offer an exclusive interview, for Star Date, right now. Ae-jung gets rushed off with her crew, and there, in the guise of a star interview, they go on an adorable date.

They feed each other rice cakes and play arcade basketball, and he stops to buy her a necklace (in the shape of a heart—though I was hoping for potato). At the last stop they do the closing, and she asks him to give a farewell to the audience.

He surprises her by announcing that he has something to say, and tells Ae-jung to ask him about his relationship with Se-ri. She does, and he gives the official position, that they’ve long since broken up and decided to remain friends.

Se-ri does her part to confirm the story, and appear appropriately distraught in front of the cameras. Ae-jung’s first day on the job is thus a hit. Jae-seok asks why Jin made the announcement in an interview with Ae-jung. He wistfully says that he wants to leave behind proof that she was by his side. Heart. Breaaaaaaaak.

Manager Jang is headed overseas with his girl group, and happens to be flying out just as Mina’s husband is flying in. He runs into them by chance, and Mina panics, clearly not wanting her past to collide with her happily married present.

He smoothly exchanges business cards with her husband and tells her with veiled pleasantries that she should really call him, unless she’d prefer he contact her husband.

Pil-joo looks at his completed puzzle and tells himself that everything’s in its rightful place now, and he can’t shake things up. Poor puppy. He gets a call from Se-ri, who asks him to join her Newly Single Party (of which she is the only attendee, which I guess really makes it a party of one).

He tries to blow her off, but she tells him that she’ll just get wasted alone, and he can choose whether or not to come and leave her to get totally wrecked on her own. Oh, you wily passive-aggressive flirtatha.

She realizes that it’s no use getting trashed if no one’s going to show up to take care of her, so she packs it up in defeat. She gets up to go, but sees Pil-joo come in and ask after her, so she races back to her table to appear sufficiently wrecked.

Too bad he saw her running in, and blatantly tells her so. HA. Now with her cards on the table, she confesses to having a hard time of it, wondering if he doesn’t feel the same. He tells her that he’s over it now and she scoffs. “You said you were the same as me. That your insides were flipped over. Then you can’t be over it. You just wish you were.”

Oh, the truth hurts. She cries and he walks out in a daze, looking at the puzzle again in his car. He runs his hand over it, as he says, “I put it all away. I thought I did…” A tear falls, and he starts to cry. No, I can’t take Pained Pil-joo. It’s too much.

He thinks of all his encounters with Ae-jung, confessing aloud, “I didn’t put any of it away at all.” Oh, it’s killing me that he actually thought he was over her, only to have to start all over again.

Ae-jung calls to see if Jin’s still locked in at home to avoid the paparazzi. He tells her he feels like a princess in a tower, and wants to be rescued. So cute. Ae-jung: “Isn’t your body a little too beastly to be a princess? You can be the beast in the tower. The potato-growing beast.”

Jin: “Princess or beast, just rescue me.” Aw. He concedes to a recharge then, and asks her to sing him her song. She tells him to just download it (heh) and reminds him that his heart is no longer under its spell. He challenges her that if she regrets it, to use magic—the kind that makes miracles happen. Oh, pain.

She casts a spell: “Potato-growing mean bastard Dokko Beast, change into a good princess!”

They hang up and he talks to his potato, clutching his heart, “Please…”

He takes his heart surgeon out to dinner, and hilariously asks if he’s still the top surgeon around (like he’s gonna say no). The doc insists that he’s still the best, and that he’ll save him. Jin sincerely tells him that he desperately wants to live, and then takes away his wine, declaring him on mandatory sobriety until the surgery, just in case. Ha.

Pil-joo goes out to dinner with Mom and Uncle, who actually do oppose his tv gig, and he tells them that he’ll be wrapping up the reality show, to their delight. Uncle, who happens to be a doctor himself, runs into Jin’s heart surgeon and they greet each other warmly as colleagues.

Uncle comes back to the table and when Mom wonders why he didn’t introduce the rest of them, he says that the heart surgeon had a prior engagement, with Hallyu star Dokko Jin. Errr? Pil-joo looks up curiously.

He goes to see Jenny, who asks him to hold onto Ae-jung instead of letting her go. She tells him that she’s only going to be with Dokko Jin for a month, while he’s “broken,” and then he’ll pass her by.

She declares Jin a bad person (because from her point of view, he’s being completely clear that he only intends to love her, then leave her, free and clear). But Hyung-kyu jumps in to defend his friend, saying that Jin isn’t a bad person. “He’s Iron Man!”

When Pil-joo asks what he means, Hyung-kyu explains, “He has an artificial heart, just like Iron Man.”

Ruh-roh. Pil-joo puts two and two together, and goes to see Jin’s heart surgeon to ask hypothetically what the survival rate of that kind of operation is. The doc says there’s no rate to speak of. “It’s just life or death.”

He heads over to ask Jin himself about his heart. Pil-joo: “Ae-jung doesn’t know, does she? Tell me for sure. Is it possible you’ll die?

Jin: “I’ll tell you for sure. I can also live. Should I tell you something I’m more sure of? If you tell this to Gu Ae-jung, Any Oriental Doctor… You die.”

FACE-OFF.

 
COMMENTS

Yay, Pil-joo knows! I don’t care so much about the coincidences involved in his finding out (though clunky they are), because SOMEONE has to know and spill the beans, otherwise Ae-jung stays in the dark and Jin keeps being a noble idiot in secret. I sort of love that despite being a rival for Ae-jung’s affections, Pil-joo repeatedly helps their relationship along, in spite of himself. It’s so fitting for his good puppy character. Sad, but perfect.

I love that without being precious or self-important, this drama draws back the curtain on the celebrity machine that drives the entertainment industry, especially in such a star-conscious society as Korea. Despite the hijinks, the world is drawn in the most realistic way that I’ve seen in dramas in a long time—not over-simplified, and not over-dramatized. It’s a business, through and through, and the drama makes it clear that the people who live inside that fishbowl sacrifice a great deal in return for public sentiment.

That sentiment becomes a commodity for stars—something they get to trade on, like cigarettes in jail or the latest Pororo toy in grade school. It’s what puts meaning behind Jin’s gesture to protect his image and then give it to Ae-jung, as he goes. It’s the best of what he has, and the best that he can give her.

I’m happy that it looks like Ae-jung is poised to find out soon, not that it stops the angst-a-whirl for her to know, but because it gives her a chance to comfort him, and actually recharge his hope for survival.

 

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"She wonders if it’ll really flower, and he promises to take her potato-flower viewing. I love that the flower and potato metaphors have gotten married. They’re having metaphor babies."

Wow! The Hong Sisters have taken their meta-love to a different level, hahaha!

GF, thanks, this really made me laugh out loud...we are in meta-heaven! ;-)

"He does that really cute and lame I’m just reaching for that thing just past you, oops did I just graze your hand. He takes her hand and then leans in for a kiss, and she shyly looks over at him. Gah, why are you so hot when you’re gettin’ your moves on?"

Oh My! Only CSW/Dokko Jin can pull this thing off...in a hilarious, caricaturish, outrageous and yet smexy way!

Drama, you keep on being amazing!

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can i get lessons in how to be a "wily passive-aggressive flirtatha"? pretty please!!!?

*also, when i read "flirtatha" i read it as "flirtatta" haha
now i want eggs.

how about CSW+YKS+eggs?!!

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I did exatly the same thing, and it was past midnight!

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this episode so far is the best for me!!!!! love the way csw act. brilliant and funny. thats why this drama get the highest rating.

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hi!
i really enjoy reading your recaps before watching the episodes.. =) love it
thank you so much!

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Now after so many people raising the possibilities...and Jin included...I wonder if Greatest Love really do mean Jin is gonna die and leave his everything to AJ...

sigh..
This epi has been relatively quiet too...but I guess it's their happy times together.... I wonder what can happen in 4 episodes...I seriously dunno how they are gonna end this...looking forward to it...

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Don't forget in Hong Gil Dong we have: Jang Geun Suk!!! Oh he was dreamy!

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My mum and I watch this drama together. She's on the Pil-Line while I'm Dokgo all the way. Whenever Dokgo scores a point, I cheer, and she stares daggers at me. Heh heh.

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Yeeep any mum can't resist a doctor wearing glasses
ask your mum to see this..

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HJSinjsWzac/TAqHFTmrpGI/AAAAAAAABsI/2gPdUbh6LfE/s1600/chu~+%2823%29.jpg

DOKGO JIN FTW!!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HTS9mtzNGnI/S-3TDG3YvlI/AAAAAAABmvc/oVTaIIqASmU/s1600/3133lm8.jpg

He's smoking HOTT......

(normally I hate cig)

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i usually hate cigarrets and tatoos but CSW makes them great!!! (only him)

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I'm okay with the tattoos but will never be okay with the cig. I wish he doesn't smoke though :( that would make him so perfect, right now he's just perfect ;)

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Jin growls, “What ding dong is this?!”

This is exactly what I growled too!!! What ding dong is this argggg.....

I could only forgave him because he was so cute.
Still wondering what could have been if only he did not appear. woof woof...

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My favorite PK line from this episode was...

PD of couple making - "Please talk this time while doing the puzzle. Please talk."

*she leaves*

PJ - I am quite while I do puzzles...I get nervous.

And this is his hobby!? How adorkable!!!

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WHY!? WHY can't I spell!?!

*PJ

*quiet

I really am somewhat capable as a human being.....sorry.

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Eh, I think the scene you've described above is from ep 11, not 12. :p

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thanks for the recaps....i love reading all the views here...

as for me, this episode is the sweetest..

l just love seeing DJ behind his celebrity status, the guy who so loves AJ and excellent acting by CSW...

i also love the character of AJ here, finally showing her true feelings to DJ...i love their car kiss scene...an adult kiss, one so hearfelt...as usual, AJ is convincingly portrayed by GHJ, for me , she is one of korea's best actresses ( but i love her best in Thank you)...

i also love PJ and i cried when he cried...so loving of AJ but he unselfishly let go of her...i think that YKS is perfect for this role...

i dont want to be pessimistic regarding DJ's heart condition so i would like this drama to have a happy ending...

finally,

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Thoughts here:

- Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. I think the Hong Sisters were channeling Whitney Houston when they were writing this drama.

- At one time, Dokko Jin was being a noble idiot when he was pushing Ae-jung away towards Pil-joo. I don't think he is anymore. Something occured to him that made the thought of self-sacrifice not so appealing anymore. That something was his and Ae-jung's future, either theirs together or Ae-jung's alone plus his legacy. He realized that he should be a practical man and came up with a plan whose result would go well with either of the two possible outcomes of his heart surgery. Whether he lives or dies, his reputation and best image would remain intact. That's self-love instead of noble idiocy.

- Dokko Jin, perhaps, has the belief that being close to Ae-jung but, at the same time, being careful to keep her at a metaphorical arm's length accomplishes 3 things: 1) Be with Ae-jung, obviously. 2) Keep his best image (in case he survives). 3) Prevents her from falling deeply, deeply in love with him (in case he dies). The problem with #3 is it's too late for that, and Dokko Jin has yet to realize it.

- I hate the idea of fate. The thing that drives me up the wall about some dramas is their focus on destiny. The writers contrive to bring two people together using a series of unlikely coincidences, then keep them apart by some artificial conflicts, then bring them back together in the end. Ah it must be fate! It's a better and more compelling love story when we are given one strong, intelligent person capable of making her own decisions. Then she is given the dilemma of having to choose between equally deserving men and she struggles to decide who she would give her love to. When Dokko Jin said, "You must really like me," when Ae-jung chose him over Pil-joo, this line to me is far more romantic than "Fate brought us together."

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i agree on your last point on fate. love is a decision that we have to make.

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I'm dont think the theory of DJ's death will come true. My theory is that this time AJ's new song will save/wake Jin up in his heart operation and make his heart dukun dukun again . Love DJ and AJ

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Oh, I forgot:
Dear Hong Sisters,
We know where you live.
DOKKO JIN IS NOT GOING TO DIE in this series.
He does, YOU DO.
Love and kisses,
All the Viewers
:)

Of course, he will "die on the table" Heart Doc already told him that. This will be dramatic and we will all gasp, and then, his heart will beat, dugun dugun, and we will be relieved, and very very happy!!

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After that assurance from you, if he does die we viewers will be out to get you too

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Will Ae Jung be singing (in tears) the Thump Thump song while he's in the operating room? :( Do we wanna know?

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We're creeping toward her new album, so I'm wondering if it'll be a new solo song played in the OR.

Because "Thump Thump" would be one thing, but a song she sang with him in mind would be way high up on my list of things guaranteed to make me cry and cry.

It's competing with the dangerous possibility of DJ leaving behind some sort of message about liking AJ in case he dies.

Ugh, I don't even want to think about the waterworks that will be involved if that happens.

(Though it does give even more reason not to kill Jin. Why kill him when you can wring all the pathos out of a note or video, and then let him live anyway?)

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I am confuse about mina's past. What had happen? It feel like it isn't a good thing. Plus why does sera want to find mina too!

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Mina's past was discussed lightly, but not revealed. Seri thinks that Mina holds the reason why Ae Jung initiated breaking up of the band. You know that the first currency in the world was information, right? She thinks if she can find that info out she will have leverage over Ae Jung.

We are pretty sure at this point that Mina got pregnant, which is why she wanted to jump off the building and that it was another band member from a top band that did it. Also that Ae Jung was the one that helped with covering it up.

Then, Seri, in order to trip up Ae Jung, spiked Ae Jung's drink. Mina drank it instead. Mina, who was pregnant, started to react badly to the medicine. This got the fiercely protective Ae Jung upset at Seri, leading to a slap and their eventual break up.

Skeevy manager probably held some resentment at her initiating the break up and fanned the flames of the scandals that followed. Seri wants to know why they really broke up in order to get leverage over Ae Jung because she feels insecure still around Ae Jung.

Follow?

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"We are pretty sure at this point that Mina got pregnant ... and that it was another band member from a top band that did it."

Have we heard confirmation from anyone except Skeevy Manager that Mi Na was really truly dating that top male idol back then?

I don't doubt there were at least rumors of her dating him, which would've been enough to trigger the razor blades in the mail from crazy fans even if it wasn't true. All Se Ri remembers about it was that things got upsetting.

I think the closest we may have to confirmation is that AJ wanted the Treasure Girls' agency to work with the male idol's agency to stop the chaos, but she could've asked for that even in a false-scandal situation. (Especially considering Mi Na was about to jump off the roof and all.) And, again, even that information comes only from Skeevy Manager.

Basically what I'm getting at is that I think Skeevy Manager may be skeevy enough to have been... more directly involved in Mi Na's problems. I was already wondering about it, but then the airport scene just made it so much worse.

If those truly are the depths of his skeevitude, Skeevy Manager could be willingly keeping the old idol-dating myth alive as a smokescreen to cover his own actions.

Or it could be that I. Just. Hate. Him. So. Much. that I'm willing to believe something like that.

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Thank you for the lovely recap. Through the recaps, I come to appreciate the dramas even more.

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I LOVED episodes 11 and 12 this week, one minuet I am laughing out loud, the next holding back tears then back to laughter. I feel bad for Pil Jo but I have to say that I am 100% Dokobot's captive. He be 40 but he be so sexy. I am so glad we got this chance to see him in a Hong sisters drama (as much as I love Lee Seung Ki glad they replaced the lead). Thanks for a great recap ladies!!

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41 as of last wednesday ;)

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wow, 41 and yet still so hot and sexy...and he could still pull off with those unique wardrobe of his...its really lucky for him to be the male lead in a hong sisters drama..i believe that like hyun bin in SG, he will also be best remembered here in BL...

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Hmmm, now I wonder if we're going to hear more of "dang!" from Dokko Jin (and Ae Jung) in the coming episodes ... and if it's gonna be another catchphrase here on DB, or to be more exact, Best Love threads .... :)

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Wow! Fantastic recap as always. Thank you very much!

I just finished watching this RAW and OMG! I practically gasped when I heard the theme from Sandglass during the Jenny-AeHwan convo? How many of you noticed it?

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People missed the Biscuit reference too... that was subtle meta worked in...

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What was the Biscuit reference?

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Ive been wondering since last recap so it'll be nice if someone can enlighten me: What is the flower and potato metaphor?

Thankies in advance :)

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Just for your guy's information, a lot of viewers in Korea are vowing to 'sue' hong sisters if ever something happens to Dokko Jin lol. (nothing hilarious here for me though)

Here are some osts in youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYQBs_4-MOo&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLlqbaj8y5E&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJW3fdTcN5w&feature=relmfu

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Thank you! They are beautiful!

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Can they just replace his artificial heart with a potato? Just kidding.

Dokko Jin. What a schmexy selfish sicko.

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Like a potato-powered pacemaker?

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yea seriously...if Dokko Jin dies...I am NEVER watching another Hong Sister drama again...BAN FOR LIFE!!

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I'm with you on that one!

Well, unless CSW is in it.
Then, I am unapologetically without you.

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not even if Won Bin is in it?? :)

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OMG i giggled like an idiot during AJ's section tv date with DJ!!

Best Love is the best rom com ever!

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Wasn't that the cutest thing ever?

I loved how star-struck she was "performing" with DJ, and how really good at his job he proved himself to be. He did a lovely thing by making her look good.

So exciting that IRL, they have already kissed, held hands and have a very equal relationship.
Would any of that audience believe he snuck into her bedroom and stole her face creme scent?
Dokko Jin Top Star is Ironman.
Dokko Jin Man Child is, well, Ding Dong's best friend.

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^Loved what you wrote.

I also loved how OBVIOUSLY THRILLED the Star Date producer was the entire time. Not only did they scoop the Seri Breakup, but that Superstar Dokko Jin was being uncharacteristically accessible and flirty made for great footage (=huge ratings).

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"Gah, why are you so hot when you’re gettin’ your moves on?" .... ikr? love the look on his face when he was about to kiss AeJung. CSW's facial acting is killing me coz he's just sooo damn good at it.

i can't believe there's only 4 episodes left :'( Hong sisters please don't kill off my DokkoJin that way i can rewatch this drama over and over again :)

& lucky Pororo for getting all this lovin' from my two current drama addictions (just watched Lee Min Ho apply a Pororo band-aid on Nana's face)

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This drama makes me laugh, cry and swoon!!! Hong sisters are really amazing...
It's going to be a heart wrenching intense ending for sure but will make us feel good to the very end. good chemistry and funny funny lines, the metaphors are great , thats why i love kdramas!!!
Thanks for the recaps, because of you guys i am having fun watching Best Love and Miss Ripley. These two dramas are perfect to watch together.
Thank you Soooo Much!!

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damn
now i have to wait for a week
wednesday, please come soon

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I "potato" Dokko Jin!

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LMAO! ^ , ^ v Sprout the Potato!

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I HOPE THIS WON'T BE A SAD ENDING....BUT KNOWING THE STATUS OF HIS HEART....HE MIGHT. soooooooooooo saddddddddddddd!!!!!! I LOVE THIS JERK SO MUCH!!!!

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Thanks for the recap!

Maybe Pil-joo will somehow save him with Oriental medicine!

This drama is the perfect example of having the characters act childish without seeming braindead! I love Jin and Aejung! And Jae-seok! (i notice in kdramas, there is this always this close bond between the sajang-nim and the employee- i wonder if it's like that in real life)

I hope Dokko Jin lives! There is no point to him dying - there is no message to be conveyed by his death. So he MUST live!!

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BTW?? who is ding dongs mom? Is he Mina's son?? Maybe that's why there's this secrecy of their girl bands separation?
Been wondering about that. Just ignore me if this question has been discussed here.
Thanks! Really love this drama.

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Ding-dong is 7 years old. They broke up 10 years ago.

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*National Treasure Girls broke up 10 years ago.

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They debuted 10 years ago, but broke up 7 years ago. Scroll down a couple comments-- I mention the scene that confirms it.

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Hmm...would it have been asking too much for GAJ to SERIOUSLY have angst over liking each man for their own differences? It would have been an interesting arc to see GAJ liking each man for different reasons and then coming to a decision later down the story pipeline. I know I am having that debate with myself: Do I like Pil Joo or Jin better? If I were GAJ, would I choose Pil Joo or Jin? Maybe it's a good thing that I'm NOT GAJ...I doubt I'd be able to choose.

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Does anyone else think that Ding Dong is going to turn out to be Ha Mi Na's baby? Because I can't remember that any character talked about his exact role in Ae Jung's family...he's just the nephew. I am starting to think that Ae Jung is bringing up Ha Mi Na's baby to keep her secret.

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@maji..i'm also having that thought about ding dong being the son of mina...

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But Ding Dong is 7 years old...National Treasure Girls disbanded 10 years ago...

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"But Ding Dong is 7 years old…National Treasure Girls disbanded 10 years ago…"

No, their debut was 10 years ago. They disbanded 7 years ago, and we know because Ae Hwan was crying to the Couple Making team about Ae Jung's seven hard years. (It threw me off at first, too.)

So the timeline is actually pretty good for this, bearing in mind Korean ages still confuse me.

"I can’t remember that any character talked about his exact role in Ae Jung’s family…he’s just the nephew."

When Pil Ju's mom asked, I believe Ae Hwan flat-out called Ding Dong his son. And of course, he was trying to get Jenny to marry him and become Ding Dong's mom.

I guess the best clue would be looking at the scenes where Ae Hwan talks about the Treasure Girls' breakup. It seems unlikely he'd have adopted Ding Dong as his son without having any idea what was going on. So if there are times when he implies he doesn't know why the group broke up, I think that reduces the odds of this possibility.

But I don't really feel like thinking about this right now... Is it so wrong of me to just want Ding Dong to be Ding Dong, and not have that adorable little kid be caught up in the wake of Skeevy Manager's destruction? Celebrity birth-secret kids have a history of making me tired (see: Last Scandal, Oh! My Lady).

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Though on the other hand...

If he beat down Skeevy Manager for messing with Ae Jung, Jin's reaction would probably be something to behold if that guy came within 30 feet of his BFF Ding Dong.

(Seems I'm talking myself into every possible plot twist one-by-one today.)

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Before this hit the air waves, I was hooked. All anyone had to announce was that CSW was going to be in something, I'm there!! The entire cast is working their ‘part’ with such perfection. I feel for the “Oriental Dtr” who is playing such a valiant 2nd fiddle to CSW. Ae-Jung has walked the line for so long it seems, it is nice for her to finally . . . ?? . . . get to be the one now front and center and doing so with such grace. Se-Ri is trying her dirtiest to get her way, and all the men. Get a life babe, what you have done in the dark is quickly coming to the light with the help of snake Mngr Jang who thinks he is just so smart. Ya, right? It is also nice to so totally agree with 47 Maykha, who dreamt of kissing CSW. He had me when he held Ae-Jung and ooooohhhh soooooo tenderly had his hand on her back. Mature actors, mature story line with enough youthfulness to remind us and show the world you do not have to be 20+ to melt the t.v. set!!

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Did anyone else notice how inappropriate that puzzle looked? Just me? Damnit, I'm a byunt.

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You are not the only one! We had a conversation on it on the 1st page of the comments. LOL. The position of the mermaid on the dolphin... yeah, enough said. That's why I couldn't help but laugh every time Piljoo touched the puzzle.

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Even with no Dokko-ternative, I would have to seriously reconsider dating anyone who was so into that puzzle.

I mean, a puzzle with a photo of puppies in a basket or something, I could work with. But that?

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I love Jae-seok, as a character... he seems to know Jin a whole lot better and reflects the thoughts of the viewers and conveys them to Jin, pllus having his own really nice characteristics. We give love to the main characters, but I really like this so-called Minor character.

And Ding Dong... OMG, the shoes last episode... and this episode... he should get an award of his own.

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i can't wait for next week...

will PilJoo actually tell her about DokkoJin's ailment?

you're right, PJ has always been the one to help their relationship grow...so he just might tell her about his surgery and his chances of survival...

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If anyone is interested, I watched DJ's cardiologist's case presentation carefully, and he definitely says Dokko Jin has a LVAD (left ventricular assist device), and that he needs to have surgery again because his cardiac output (heart's ability to pump blood, basically) is decreasing.

You can read more about LVADs here:

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4599

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thank you

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dunno if anyone noticed this ep's wkw soundtrack usage. but in the scene where ae jung creeps her hand along DGJ's, it plays one of jungle themed songs from Wong Kar Wai's Days of Being Wild. Last ep, they used in the mood for love's theme song. wonder why the show chose to include some WKW references?! the shows unrequited love perhaps? so random, but awesome!

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I noticed the "in the mood for love"'s theme song...I love it^^. In the past episode there was a song from old boy too...I really don't know if there is a reason but I find this really interesting :D

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Ha! I've been trying to find out what music they used in the scene where Ae-jung is scared that Pil-joo is mad at her, flinging the fruit basket and so on.

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haha, ill watch it i'll let you know if i do! so many intersting choices in this drama, i feel like i recognize music from all types of dramas, maybe even from sassy girl, my girl, and full house. the music all oba the place! lol.
mary: i love it too, so random, keeps you guessing!

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Thanks! I find the random and not-so-random music choices interesting too. Using the Sandglass music for Ae-hwan and Jenny and Sting's Shape of My Heart for Ding Dong were pretty funny.

Ohh~ Just found out they actually list some of the music on the website: http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/greatestlove/bgm/

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oh cool! now you know! although, i'm not korean so i read what it says :( haha

excited for this wed's music selection :)

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Only four episodes left and we will find out why it's called the greatest love--will Aejung let Dokko Jin go so that Piljoo doesn't get hurt? Will DJ leave so that AJ doesn't end up with a sick guy? Or will PJ give his heart to DJ so that he can live happily ever after with AJ? Regardless who ends up with whom, one thing is sure: CSW fans will have another bout of separation anxiety like when Cityhall ended...Hope he inks another drama deal soon!

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I don't get where the Manager is going with wanting to contact Han Min Ah? To silence her or something? Because if the truth gets out that it wasn't Ae Jung's fault then won't the public love her?

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My current opinion is that Mi Na wasn't just in hiding. She was in hiding from him.

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One of my favourite comedy scenes in a drama ever? DOKKO JIN AND JAE SUK! It is so ridiculously funny. The look of ecstasy on jins face- PRICELESS. I actually dont have anything to say other then LMFAO (which is saying something since I despise using abbreviations such as LOL etc). Definitely one of my top fave scenes ever. Most of my list is peppered with Hong sisters scenes actually. Another couple I recall are from YB- The scene of Jan Geun Suk in the field with the pig, and the fanfiction threesome. HAHAHA. Also Woong ahs friends imaginations running wild concerning MiHos wedding (HAHA) and the Panty scene and both sneaking-in-the-house scenes from Best love. Also countelss Jae Hee scenes from DGCH. Gosh. I need a life outside k dramas. But I love them! what shall I do? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhh

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I'm 20 minutes into this episode and my emotions are already all over the place. The scene with them holding hands under the blanket was so tender and sweet. Then Jae-seok made me laugh AND cry; so handsy! I'm amazed that how fast his hands could move to keep holding on to Jin, so want to see the making of that scene. And now Pil-joo is being all mopey with the ramen. Sob.

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two weeks left? is it going to be over so soon? nooooooooooo!!!!

I sort of feel bad for Piljoo but I love Dokko Jin so much more so I don't feel to bad for him. But then again, I almost never get that second-guy-syndrome. Unlike most people that watch Korean dramas it seams. You girls can fight over Piljoo all you want ^^

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and yhy are secretaries/managers so awesome in K-dramas? first in Secret Garden and now in the Greatest Love. I want one!

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I will cry,..I love this drama sooooooooooooooo muchhhh,..
how kind pil joo si,..what a man he is??so perfect in love,..giving his love without any regret. and in the other side I love dokko jin too,..ouch,..T________T

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i love this show, but i´ve been going crazy for other thing... can somebody tell me whát´s the name oif the song that plays in the background when Jae-seok it´s all drunk and hanging on Jin´s leg?, please!!!!!! help, jejejej

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shostakovich Waltz 2 from jazz suite. It's also Eyes wide shut soundtrack ^^...WoW

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Thanx mary, you save my life *_*!!!!!!

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And they call this , a romantic comedy.

I cried.

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Laughed my head off watching this NGs clip.

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/HqwzrMrCWkw/

:)

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best love/greatest love better not bring me back to 49 days.. GOD. that ending was so unexpected!!!! well, i'm begging you, hong sisters: spare ding dong jin's life.. please.

i'll sacrifice my little sister for him! haha jk, but i know sometimes i wish i could.. lol. (dont worry, i would never..i'm just sayin...) :D

DOOKKO JIN kinda sounds like DDONGO JIB (which means stubborness) in korean

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First off ~ yes im in favor of Dokko and Ding Dong show =] ~ but back to the recaps, omg this ep got me (n like everyone else) wanting to hold piljoo and for a second was about to jump off my dokkotrain and onto pil-line! .... BUT i restrain myself and stay fateful to my 'butthole' XD but in all seriousness i dont see dokko dying! only bc there are 4eps(??) left! and so far i feel that the drama has been too light hearted and cheery, to take such a dramatic turn in such a short period of time (in only 4eps), i would think they would of turn the happy-go-lucky feeling i get when watching this drama into a sad "omg someone is actually dying" feeling a while back if they were really planing on killing off Dokko, but that just me =] just have to wait n see what the hong sisters have in store for us.

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PLEASE READ THIS

Still Here, Yaar
Ae Jung’s serious accident in episode 13!!!!
Okay, okay I take back about what I said about Dokko Jin dying. After watching episode 12 of Best love ( which in my opinion, I think a better episode than episode 10 and 11, not the best but hilarious and amazing on an get-the-audience-emotionally-attached-kind-of level … I ship Jae-Jin) I now can see that a serious accident might endanger Ae Jung (yikes!!) Here are the reasons why:

First of all endangering Dokko Jin’s live is too predictable for episode 13 and in order to give the plot a twist, having our dear Ae jung, who was on her way to Dokko Jin’s house to do a magic/miracle to save dokko jin sing.

get into a fatal accident might help to turn up more tension, more angst in the plot and twist and pull our hearts and activate our tear glands when we see our two men in sadness and in tears.

Second, when Ae jung was leaving, Pil Joo was asking Dokko Jin about his heart and when Dokko Jin threatened Pil Joo. Here are some snapshots for my lovely readers:

The music in the background was the music that is always played at crucial and plot twisting moments in the drama. Therefore suggesting a twist….

I think it would be the best punishement and shocker to these two men who are fighting over Ae Jung. I think its a punishment to Dokko Jin for all the rudeness and arrogance he displayed from the beginning of the drama. It might help Pil Joo to question himself whether or not he really is over Ae Jung (which he isn’t) and how significant of a role does Ae Jung play in his life…
We need tension, there are only 4 episodes left, the final episode would have to solve the conficts, tension etc.. and for a sucessful final episode we need to build it up!!!
I may be wrong but I think there is a big possibility that this will turn out this way. (sigh) I wish they’d extend it to 20 episodes…Here is my Best love fan art (something to help me wait till we get the Best Love episode 13 preview on Monday..)

care of: http://stillhereyaar.tumblr.com/post/6431112702/ae-jungs-serious-accident-in-episode-13

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