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The King 2 Hearts: Episode 19

Hold onto your hats. And brains. And hearts. No one ever accused this show of doing too LITTLE, that’s for sure.

SONG OF THE DAY

King 2 Hearts OST – “항아의 꿈” (Hang-ah’s Dream) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 19 RECAP

We open on a birthday party, and already I’m screaming But I want to know what happens with Shi-kyung! It’s someone on the royal staff, and Jae-shin comes in to join the festivities and offer a present, remembering Shi-kyung’s homework for her to learn to be with other people.

Flashback to their date in the garden. This is making me really nervous.

And then we resume to the standoff on the cliff. Shi-kyung’s gun is drawn at Jae-ha, and Bong-gu grins from ear to ear. He motions for Jae-ha to sit on his throne (the theatricality of the setup is so befitting the exhibitionist) and Shi-kyung walks him there with a gun at his back.

Jae-ha sits down tensely and looks over at Shi-kyung again in disbelief. Bong-gu tells Shi-kyung he can sit this one out if it’s too hard on him, but he says he’ll remain. Bong-gu: “Cancel the case against me, split up with Kim Hang-ah, and step down as king.”

But Jae-ha doesn’t take one hairy eyeball off of Shi-kyung the whole time. Bong-gu: “If you don’t…” Jae-ha: “Then he kills me?” Bong-gu says that part’s a given, but the choice is this – either he dies, or Korea ends up in danger. He’s literally making the king choose between himself and his people?

Hang-ah tells her father that she’s going to turn back—there’s something she and Jae-ha arranged that they didn’t tell him about. Is it a Rescue King and Bot plan? Because that’s pretty high on the priority list right now.

Bong-gu asks expectantly, “How does it feel to see your person sticking to my side?” Oozing confidence, he says not to be too hard on Shi-kyung. “What did you ever do to earn him, anyway? Me buying him with money, you with the king’s title – what’s the difference?”

Jae-ha finally turns to Shi-kyung, “Is that how it is?”

Shi-kyung: What is there to like about a powerless king? There was a time I was shaken – when you said you’d resign, when you said you couldn’t send me here. But that was all. You didn’t blame anyone else or lie down in defeat. When it was a 99% improbable reality, you plotted and schemed to find that remaining one percent. I didn’t serve you because you were the king. I served you because even in the pit of despair, you did not give up.

As the speech starts to turn, in that last line, he whirls around and aims his gun at Bong-gu. Aaaahhhhh! So good!

I love that the speech is read by Bong-gu as the reasons why he wouldn’t follow a powerless king (he was “shaken,” ie. moved to be on Jae-ha’s side when he tried to stop him) but is in truth a speech about why he believes in Jae-ha the person, not the king. (And in that context, those are honestly the moments of weakness when his faith in Jae-ha was actually shaken.) Love.

Of course, as soon as Shi-kyung shows his true colors (We never doubted you, we swears it!) Bong-gu’s face goes white, Bon Bon draws her weapon, and the firing squad of minions surrounds them. This was the big plan? TELL ME THIS WAS NOT THE BIG PLAN. Jae-ha, are you even armed??

And then suddenly, an army descends on them, led by Young-bae and Dong-ha. Ohthankgod. I was seriously sweating bullets for that second. It was a long second.

And in the distance, Hang-ah arrives on a bluff above them, and takes out a sniper rifle. Nice. I love the things this girl can do in a skirt. She’s so my kind of badass – I like this rifle, but, does it go with my outfit?

She scans the scene below and stops right at Bon Bon. I can just hear the chorus of everyone chanting, “Shoot! Shoot!”

Flashback to the code that Jae-ha and Shi-kyung set up. The trigger phrase was “Are you in a position to talk?” And then it was up to Shi-kyung to respond to that phrase with the true location, in code.

So he had responded on the phone call with the somewhat awkward phrase, “I have secured it.” (It’s not that weird a sentence, but more the way you’d describe getting your driver’s license, rather than winning over a person’s trust, but in case you were wondering, it makes perfect sense given the context.) And then we see Dong-ha and his team enter the phrase into the code-o-matic for the real location.

Back to the present, where Jae-ha now answers Bong-gu’s question. “What’d you tell me to choose between, Korea or my life? I choose… YOU.” Ha. Awesome.

And then Shi-kyung inches forward right into the path of the guns, and yells at everyone to drop their weapons. The minions all comply… except for one. Bon Bon holds out, and then finally moves to put her gun down in defeat.

But at the last second she raises her gun at Jae-ha… and Hang-ah shoots her in the arm. And just a split second behind her, Shi-kyung shoots too, this one a kill shot straight through her chest. They open fire and all the minions go down, and Bon Bon dies bloody.

The ICC comes to arrest Bong-gu and cuff his hands above his head. As they read him his rights, Shi-kyung and Jae-ha turn to each other and breathe a sigh of relief, Shi-kyung beaming now that it’s all done.

But Bong-gu is still reeling from Shi-kyung’s betrayal, and in a split second opportunity, he pulls out a tiny handgun he had literally up his sleeve, and shoots.

OH. FUCK.

Shi-kyung gets hit right in the chest, his blood splattering onto Jae-ha. He’s the last one to register it—everyone scrambles to secure Bong-gu, and he turns to look up at Jae-ha, who’s gaping at him in horror.

He staggers and Jae-ha catches him as he goes down. He puts his hand over the wound, bleeding profusely. They look over at Bong-gu, who’s still seething, “Why do make me be this way?” Jae-ha looks at him in utter disbelief.

Shi-kyung looks down at his body, still a little confused, and tries to speak. But Jae-ha tells him not to talk and screams for the ambulance to get here. Dong-ha breaks from his shock to run for help. He’s gonna make it right? RIGHT?

Jae-ha cradles him and starts to cry as the panic sets in, “What do we do, what do we do… because of me…” By now Shi-kyung is coughing up blood, but he strains to say, “You can’t think that way. It was my choice. We caught Bong-gu. And from now on, you can’t give up, ever.”

Gah, he uses his last dying breath to make sure Jae-ha doesn’t feel BAD about his death? Not that I expected anything less of course.

Jae-ha clutches him, screaming, “Eun Shi-kyung! Don’t die! Shi-kyung-ah… It’s an order! DON’T DIE!” Ohgodohgodohgodohgod. He’s gonna die, isn’t he? This can’t be happening…

We see Shi-kyung lying there in Jae-ha’s arms, and then in voiceover we hear him sing Jae-shin’s song, as flash back to their happy memories. Fuck. Happy flashbacks mean he’s a goner. WTF, Show?

It leads into her version of the song, and then to her singing it in the present, doing her homework just like she promised. We fade back and forth between him lying there and their moments together, ending on his group photo with the WOC team.

Back in the present, Jae-ha screams for Shi-kyung not to die, as Young-bae and Hang-ah watch, frozen in place.

And then Shi-kyung’s eyes close and he goes limp in Jae-ha’s arms, as Jae-ha keeps pleading with him not to die, even after he’s gone.

I’m honestly still in denial, but I don’t think there’s any way out of this. There isn’t going to be any happy reunion in the hospital where everyone gives him a hard time about the big scare, is there? BUT. BUT. WHY CAN’T THERE BE?

Cut to later, in the palace, where Hang-ah tells Jae-shin that Shi-kyung is dead. She looks up in disbelief, “He said he was going on vacation… Really… He doesn’t know how to lie…”

Hang-ah hands her a little box, and Jae-shin starts to tremble and cry. She opens it. It’s Shi-kyung’s dogtags. Shit. It really did happen, didn’t it? It’s only now starting to sink in that he’s really dead.

Jae-shin starts to cry inconsolably, and between sobs she wails that he said he’d return, and if she did her homework, and sang…

Hang-ah starts to cry and hugs her, as Jae-shin loses it, “He said he’d come back! He said he’d come back!” *waaaaaaaaah*

Dad sits in Shi-kyung’s empty office, running his hand over the nameplate. Jae-ha comes in and says, “We’re thinking the same thing right now: ‘I killed him. He died because of me.’ But because I’m the king, I can’t just sit here thinking those thoughts. And you can’t either.”

He runs his hand over the nameplate too, tears filling his eyes. “I’m a little different from him. But what do you think of me? I’ll treat you as my own father.” I don’t know why, but that’s the moment I lose it. I can’t stop crying.

He bows to ajusshi and then gives him a hug. It’s sort of perfect, because Dad doesn’t deserve this kind of love or forgiveness, but that’s the point—this is about Shi-kyung and what he deserves.

And then Shi-kyung gets his military funeral, with a medal of honor. Dong-ha tells Jae-ha that Shi-kyung is technically still under orders to carry out his mission abroad, and he asks Jae-ha to change the order so that “at least his soul can return.”

It’s not something that makes sense to most of us, but I understand why Dong-ha would say it—they are soldiers who follow the king’s orders, and I sort of love the sentiment that Shi-kyung would be the same in the afterlife, or that Dong-ha at least sees him that way.

So Jae-ha officially orders Shi-kyung to return to his unit and salutes him. And then my heart breaks all over again.

The ICC case against Bong-gu gets under way, but Club M fights to get him out on bail. Wut? If you let him out after Shi-kyung died to get him there, imma bust some kneecaps. Jae-ha pretty much says the same, and presses them to keep him under lock and key.

With bail denied, Bong-gu asks what on earth their contacts in the U.S. and China are doing, and tells his lawyer to leak their Club M ties – some will have to be sacrificed to make it clear this is not okay.

Hang-ah continues her charity work (gradually becoming more comfortable with a Seoul accent), and tells Mother that she’s doing fine. Jae-ha calls (“Who were you talking to on the other line? Was it a man?” Hee.) and tells her everyone’s liking August 15 as their wedding date.

She doesn’t say anything (too busy swooning) so he’s like, “Hello, hello? You do still want to marry me, right?” Ha. She teases that it wouldn’t be so bad not to, and he reminds her of what they’ve been through to get here, so there’s no goin’ back now.

He tells her to come an hour earlier to the pro-reunification event later that day, and he scurries into a corner to whisper that he wants to have some time to walk around together, “holding hands,” which he says like it’s super sneaky and wrong.

She gasps, “Can we?” Haha, these two. She wonders if they can really have a normal date like a couple of regular joes, and he’s like fine, if you don’t want to, I’ll just go with someone else then. Heh.

He asks if they should go crazy and have a drink in the middle of the day, and she blushes and stammers a no to that. Is that because every time you guys drink, it ends in smooches? They make a date for later, grinning from ear to ear.

Problems arise in the ICC, and the international pressure to get Bong-gu out on bail starts to push back against Jae-ha and Korea. He counters the threats with an If this isn’t your country’s official position, I don’t want to hear it, which holds them off for now, but the pressure mounts for them to relent on the issue of bail.

It’s most effective where Bong-gu is strongest—an attack on the economy. China cuts off access to an oil pipeline, for instance, and suddenly Korea’s in a panic. Advisors are asking Jae-ha to agree to bail, while Secretary Eun tells him not to relent.

Hang-ah comes by in good spirits, only to overhear the conversation and Jae-ha canceling the promotional event later today (and their date, natch). She asks Dad what the hell is going on, and he fills her in.

She urges him to get North Korea onboard, but he tells her there’s equal pressure on them too. He tells her it’s a South Korean matter, but she tells him that’s her job now, to protect Jae-ha and this country. “You were the one who told me that I was a South Korean now.”

Hang-ah watches Jae-ha up to his neck in stress, and puts her hands on his shoulders. He takes her hand and apologizes for their date, and she tells him that North Korea is going to help and take their side with the ICC.

She’s also decided that going there herself is the best way to make their presence count in this fight, and says that she’ll be going too. He quickly says no, pleading with her to just stay put and stay by his side until Bong-gu is put away.

She tries to reason with him but he can’t live with her being captured or hurt again, and yells, “Can’t you just stay put?!” Hang-ah asks for how long—until Bong-gu is put away? What if he isn’t? Then what?

“Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life hiding in the palace because I’m afraid of Kim Bong-gu?!” GAH, I love that we have a heroine who asks these questions. Jae-ha knows it’s the wrong answer but he says it anyway: “Yes.” She storms out. He buries his head in his hands.

A little while later, he gets Hang-ah out under the guise of some midnight charity work (how she falls for it is beyond me) and she finds herself dropped off in the middle of nowhere in the dark.

Suddenly fireworks go off, and a fountain turns on, and Jae-ha appears in the center with a big goofy grin. She just laugh-sighs, used to his brand of crazy gestures by now.

She pouts that this doesn’t make up for their promised street date—there’s no people (Jae-ha: “I’m here”), no sun (Jae-ha: “There’s moonlight”). And then she adds for good measure, “And what if Kim Bong-gu appears? I’m sooooo scared.” Ha. He breaks into a laugh.

Jae-ha: “I’m sorry. I can’t hold your hand or buy you tea like regular people do. I’m sorry that we can’t even go for a walk. I’m sorry that I do nothing but yell, and I’m sorry that all I do is get angry. I said I’d make you happy, but I let all the worst things happen to you, for that I’m so sorry. That’s why I can’t let you go. I can’t do anything without you anymore.”

AW. Okay, I-can’t-function-without-you is way better than you-can’t-leave-for-your-own-safety-even-though-you-are-totally-more-badass-than-I-am. Because that makes sense to nobody. You’re still gonna lose this argument, but the apology is awesome.

She grabs him in a hug. It’s adorable.

Then they go for a midnight date in the amusement park, which I’d say was a good idea except for the last time you were held hostage in one. He has to drag her onto a roller coaster kicking and screaming, and then we cut to his glazed-over face and her screaming, “Again! Again!” Hahaha.

They feed the bears, they feed each other, and Jae-ha stops to tie her shoelaces, saying that an untied shoelace means someone’s thinking of her right now—who could that be? You are the king of cheese, but it’s so friggin’ cute.

They sit for a while and then she asks, “Weren’t we going together?” She means life, which I love. “Don’t look at me as a woman, but as a person, going forward with you hand in hand.”

He sighs—so she’s insisting on going to the ICC after all? She turns to him, “Comrade Lee Jae-ha,” but he replies in his pissy mood, “I said I wouldn’t be your comrade!” She pouts.

He lets out a deep sigh, and then says fine, let’s just say you run into Bong-gu there—what will you do? So she grabs his arm, twists it behind him, stands up, and pins him down in all of three seconds. HA.

She introduces herself as the king’s fiancée, and then leans in close, choking him, “You made my man cry tears of blood? Today will be your funeral.”

And then Jae-ha answers the same way he did that first day in the bathroom, when she mopped him: “I’ll do well!” HEE.

She softens her face and her grip and says it’ll just be for three days. He tells her to go. Hang-ah: “You know that I’m always by your side, right?” He gets up and gives her a little peck on the lips.

She returns it with a sweet little lip graze, and then he wraps his arms around her for real kiss.

Hang-ah goes to make her case with the ICC, but she’s too late—Bong-gu’s bail has been approved, citing health problems. My ass. Hang-ah tries, but can’t get them to delay the ruling any longer, so by the time she exits the building, Bong-gu is already on his way out. URG.

He stops to greet her, smug as ever. He asks how the wedding plans are going and warns her that he’ll be meddling, since he’s going to take the fight to them.

Meanwhile Jae-ha gets the warning that the U.S. might maybe attack North Korea, if they feel like it. Bong-gu’s influence over international affairs already stretches the limits of believability to their ends—should we really be pulling harder in the final stretch, Show?

Jae-ha makes sure to record the conversation with his keyword phrase, though nothing is stated outright in the exchange. Jae-ha returns the threat with one of his own—that the second the U.S. attacks North Korea, they won’t be able to step one foot inside South Korea.

So basically Bong-gu’s idea of keeping their unholy union from coming to pass is to send their countries into war. Which frankly, I expected this show to pull out sooner. Welcome to worst-case scenario. Sort of wish we could’ve gotten here sooner, though I know that’s sadistic of me.

Hang-ah tells him that his eyes are giving him away—it’s the first thing she trains her soldiers to do, and clearly Bong-gu is more afraid than he’s letting on. He chuckles that she should read the wedding present he sent, which will give helpful suggestions for how her country will remain on this planet.

He turns to add that South Korea probably won’t be so lucky, and calls her out for letting her eyes betray her emotions. He walks away laughing. He gets to just walk away? How can that be? Somebody DIED to put him there! For the love of all that is right in this forsaken place! GRAR.

Hang-ah returns to the palace and she and Jae-ha ask Secretary Eun if their wedding is going to cause a war. Should they stop?

He tells Jae-ha that there are two choices: the first is to agree to Bong-gu’s terms and resign, and the second is to do everything in their power to keep war from breaking out while continuing their fight.

Secretary Eun: “If you were a citizen, what kind of king would you want?” Jae-ha looks over at Hang-ah, and then breaks out into a smile, “Let’s start with diplomatic relations.”

Dong-ha brings a safe deposit box to Jae-shin, full of Shi-kyung’s personal effects that were requested to be brought to her. She tentatively asks for the combination to open it, and he gives the first few numbers and pauses to look up the rest, but she realizes it’s her birthday, which opens the safe.

She pulls something out. OHGOD, it’s a video letter. Break out the tissues. Dong-ha brings her to Shi-kyung’s old office (now his) which is the only room in the whole palace that has a VHS player, and he muses that it’s so like Shi-kyung to be so old-school.

She finally presses play and Shi-kyung peeps into the frame timidly. He coughs awkwardly and says that he tried to write her a letter, but that didn’t go so well. Flashback to that night he started to write the letter and promptly realized he couldn’t write one. Aw, Bot.

So he digs out an old VHS camcorder from the cabinet and reads the manual (I swear, this guy) and finally starts the recording. What’s great is that he records it in the very spot she’s looking at, so when cut together, it’s like they’re sitting across the table from each other. It kind of kills me.

He starts with an apology for the kiss, wherein he can barely even say the word. “I was a coward. I thought that because I’m so frustrating and not any fun, the second I showed any weakness you’d get tired of me.”

He says that’s why he had resigned himself to just looking at her from afar. And then the way he sighs, and then bites his lip as he looks up at the camera while admitting, “But I couldn’t,” it turns me into a puddle of goo.

And then we get a two-shot of them across the divide, sitting at the table together, with him bathed in angelic light. He confesses now that he liked her from the moment they met, because she was everything he wasn’t—so carefree and bold.

He says that he always wished he could be someone who was right for her, and that’s why he decided to go on this mission – to be someone worthy of her. He starts to say, “If you’re watching this…” but chokes on the words and waves the thought aside.

He smiles and says she won’t ever have to see this, and she breaks into tears. He promises to return an impressive person, and holds up a little book about humor that he’s bringing along. Hahahaha. Oh, Bot.

He tells her that he won’t be frustrating from now on. It makes her cry harder but smile too. He holds up his fist in this super awkward gesture to say that he’ll totally be smooth from now on. He laughs at himself.

“I’ll return someone as impressive and bold as you are. And I’ll tell you myself in person. That I love you.”

*tears* Gah, that’s so mean. Why are you doing this to us?

He smiles to himself, giddy at the thought of saying those words to her when he returns. He gives a little salute, and then it ends. We cut back out to Jae-shin bawling in front of the tv.

Bong-gu sees that Jae-ha isn’t backing down, disappointed at not getting a response to his wedding present. He says they’ll have to give the U.S. a little push, and bombs the hell out of Michigan. Michigan? Whatever, anyway, North Korea is “found” to be responsible, so now they have proper motivation for a counterattack.

It’s a totally ridiculous super-speed version which takes out a lot of the punch (had this been a major plot arc carried out with some time spent on it, it would’ve been more interesting than half a dozen other Bong-gu moves up till now), but anyway the upshot is, Bong-gu has successfully driven his wedge.

North Korea flips out, and Hang-ah’s father suggests the prime minister reach out to the South and ask for their help. He folds his pride and does so, but at the same time, the South Korean prime minister caves with a phone call from the U.S.

North Korea waits on pins and needles, as the South announces that its troops are siding with the U.S. and gearing up for war. Oh crap. So then North Korea reacts, and it announces that they’ll attack the South. Double crap.

The orders come down the pipeline, and Dong-ha gets a call. He doesn’t like what he hears, but he’s told to follow orders. He goes down to tell Hang-ah that her father is there to see her, but Jae-ha has to go to the palace. Oh no, Dong-ha, don’t do it!

They take Jae-ha back to the palace, while Hang-ah’s father comes to take her to lunch. Neither is told what’s going on, but Jae-ha is greeted by a line of generals, while Hang-ah’s dad takes her to the border. They both stop in their tracks and ask what’s going on.

Dong-ha finally tells Jae-ha that it’s war.

Dad tells Hang-ah the same – that the U.S. will attack Pyongyang, and then they’ll attack Seoul. Her face goes white.

The words sink in and Jae-ha looks up, “Hang-ah… WHERE IS HANG-AH?!”

Hang-ah begs her father not to do this, but he has her dragged to the gate. She turns back, screaming, “Comrade Lee Jae-ha!”

 
COMMENTS

Damn, another good ending. The thing is, this war plotline was one that I expected to happen eons ago (after all, a North-South union’s biggest and most obvious threat is war), and one that could’ve been so much more effective had it been built up with a stronger foundation. It has a few things on its side—namely the history of civil strife in Korea—that it doesn’t really have to do the groundwork, and yet I think that’s lazy writing. If the ICC was gonna go to shit anyway, what the fuck did we spend all that story time on it for? And more importantly, WHY DID SHI-KYUNG HAVE TO DIE?

Had war been the central point of Bong-gu’s attack (and made evident through a carefully planned out arc for him), this final turn would’ve carried much more impact, because then we’d see that this was his endgame, and it would feel like a momentous climax. It IS, in terms of level of conflict (that, they got right, and of course the dramatic separation) but it’s not the kind of satisfying narrative climax it could have been.

We spent a hell of a lot of time out of a precious pre-finale episode setting up plot points that all felt rushed and shoehorned in because they weren’t planned and placed ahead of time. I really don’t want to spend the final two episodes watching foreign day players. You already relied on them too much in other episodes, and the setup should’ve already been there. To take time away from the characters at their emotional climaxes to give exposition at this hour was really annoying, more so than usual.

I really held out hope that Shi-kyung wouldn’t die, and I understand why you could argue that a person like him can’t even exist in the real world. And he was given a beautifully heart-wrenching death that ran the gamut of emotions for him, for Jae-ha, and for Jae-shin. (Though I’m still holding out hope that the drama will give us a beat for Jae-ha to mourn Shi-kyung properly.) But right now I’m having trouble seeing the good in it, when Bong-gu is running around freely. What did he die for? I know HE would answer that he died for what the king represents—his people, and honor and duty and justice and all that. But I want to see that his death had a palpable result – Bong-gu’s capture gave me some small tangible thing to cling to, and then when he got out, I felt like I got stripped of that. I NEEDED THAT. Why are you taking it from me?!

Though the setup of the final stretch was clunky (and that’s judging by this drama’s standards because everything else had much more lead time and solid blueprint work going in) the final separation of the couple with the threat of war is a great place to be for the final episode. Their fight over Hang-ah going to ICC was really the setup for their final separation, and the question that has always been the big giant elephant in this engagement: What happens when your countries go to war?

We find out tomorrow, come hell or high water.

 
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okay, right now I have a lot of opinions about yesterday's episode and SK's cliche death. When I am emotionally stable again, I will post a big commentary about what I think, but right now...let's just say that my eyes water for no reason. I am so sad that eating ice cream yesterday almost made me cry...

However, I will say this. I am sorry that I am a pessimist and a may even be killing some of the hope you guys have, but, to me, SK is dead. I do not think it was a ply or anything. He is dead.

Wow, writing the words and crying... Gotta go. I'm losing my dignity at work.

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epic

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Being involved with the US Military all I can say is no way

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I am stuck in the library and still thinking about SK death...no justice in this world...
Nothing gets in my bcells...omo...

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DB are you OK...

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OFF TOPIC

Due to the death of our beloved Shi Kyung, I watched the 1N2D to entertain myself. Of all the videos I have to watch, guess which one I picked? WTH?! I picked the episode where they were on their way to Mt. Baekdu! They got off in China and they travelled by bus for 19 hours towards Mt. Baekdu. On the way they saw North Korea on the other side of the Yalu river, Eun Ji Won said that it's so close, it's like being able to see the 63 Bldg from the Olympic Center. He even said that if you have a valid visa, a person can cross between China and North Korea anytime. The sad part was when he said "So it's only OUR country (S. Korea) that can't??" ~ Sad history and the truth. EJW's mother's side family were from Pyongyang and were separated from others on June 25 ~ it was when when North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Even LSG's grandfather's side were separated.

I highly recommend the 1N2D Mt Baekdu Special :D

Ok 1 more hour to go!!!

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I watched that episode too, LSGLover and i actually cried (kinda silly, since 1N2D is variety show). but you know really, that episode brought home the point about reality of the North-South divide. I'm not Korean but even I was moved. When i heard Hang Ah's speech at the WOC about how it is not a game for them but a reality, i was reminded of this 1N2D episode.

This is reality that the two countries face - 1 people at war for nearly 60 years. Very soon the generation who were directly affected will pass on, and the hope for reunification will be dimmer. In many ways I feel the writers are writing a commentary through this drama - what is actually dividing Korea? Can Love bring them together? What sacrifices must be made for one people to reunite again?

U see these all through the characters in the show - Jae Kang paying with his life to make the dream come true, Shi Kyung paying with his life to bring about the peace.

That's why i love this show so much. It's an alternate reality - the "ïf onlys".

Peace, all.

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I was thinking about the show (as I have been doing all my waking hours for the last 3 months)--and it is really a very strong political message indeed. The whole set up throughout of how the NK and SK are constantly buffeted around by the international forces and feeling helpless at moments when they feel like their voices are not heard/they have to bend to the will of bigger/stronger countries, really drives home the point that a unified Korea is a stronger Korea. At least they won't risk being used as pawns by ppl like club M, or to be so affected by international conflicts and political machinations.

And to take a very simple metaphor of marriage to really dream up this amazing, complex and HAWT heck of a drama is....GENIUS.

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@bern and others,

I am so glad to read that so many thinking caps are back - after the emotional rants including mine LOL

Yes, I think the witers have a message through this drama and I think for those who care enough to stop and think - they will find it.

i am at work right now - i'll catch up tonight

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I know that some people are disappointed with the development of episode 19 and have decided to give up on the drama.

To me watching TK2H is like a journey. Let me share some thoughts of mine on this journey. It is so true that our human nature is so preoccupied with the destination (the last 2 episodes) that we forget the journey (ep 1 to ep18).

Of journeying the benefits are many:
1. the freshness it bringeth to the heart (the most unclichesisy Kdrama),
2. the seeing and hearing of marvelous things (the awesome chemistry among all the actors and the budding of an amazing actor Seung gi),
3. the delight of beholding new cities(awesome sets, costumes and learning of contemporary Korean history),
4. the meeting of unknown friends (meeting all of the awesome regulars on this thread and the fabulous Girlfriday) and
5. the learning of high manners (amaze at the the politeness of the regulars and the tolerance of different opinions)
Quote from Muslih-Uddin

Let us not give up on this drama because if it is not for this drama, we would not have walked such a wondrous journey together. TK2H has brought us together and has given us so much joy, angst, stress, lack of sleep and wonderful regulars like you. So press on Hearties!

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know that some people are disappointed with the development of episode 19 and have decided to give up on the drama.

To me watching TK2H is like a journey. Let me share some thoughts of mine on this journey. It is so true that our human nature is so preoccupied with the destination (the last 2 episodes) that we forget the journey (ep 1 to ep18).

Of journeying the benefits are many:
1. the freshness it bringeth to the heart (the most unclichesisy Kdrama),
2. the seeing and hearing of marvelous things (the awesome chemistry among all the actors and the budding of an amazing actor Seung gi),
3. the delight of beholding new cities(awesome sets, costumes and learning of contemporary Korean history),
4. the meeting of unknown friends (meeting all of the awesome regulars on this thread and the fabulous Girlfriday) and
5. the learning of high manners (amaze at the the politeness of the regulars and the tolerance of different opinions)
Quote from Muslih-Uddin

Let us not give up on this drama because if it is not for this drama, we would not have walked such a wondrous journey together. TK2H has brought us together and has given us so much joy, angst, stress, lack of sleep and wonderful regulars like you. So press on Hearties!

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@lovecityhall
Agree with all of the above! This is the first time I've been active on a thread and enjoyed every minute of it. I even learned a lot from different comments and I noticed that most of the people that appreciate this show are highly intelligent writers ~ that dumb enewsworld editor needs to learn from these people! LOL!

And the best part of my life was I saw LSG & HJW in person and I was at their engagement event too!!! That's why I'll never ever forget this drama and it'll be one of my great memories :D

Thank you all hearties for accepting me and becoming part of this wonderful thread. Gosh! I think I'm going to cry sea of tears not only because this show will be over but also this exciting cyber-interaction will be over too :(

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I bought the TK2H OST today! hehehe :D I love the packaging and the pictures in it ^_*

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I want to buy too!!! Saw the pictures on some site. This will be the first time I am buying the ost of a kdrama. So many firsts with this drama.

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@lovecityhall
My first too! :D I feel like a kid opening a Christmas gift when I looked inside the album LOL

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Agree...and who quits on the end...finish line.

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@lovecityhall - HEAR! HEAR!!

:)

11 mins more!! K2H fighting!!

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Tk2H FIGHTING!!!

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OK. So now I can put it in words.
TK2H is officially on my list of top k-dramas.

Was I happy with the ending? Not entirely, no. I still didn’t get my answer of what makes Bong Gu tick. Was I pissed about that? Nope. I’m a big girl and I think I can live with the fact that not all things in life have answers. Was Ep 20 an anti-climax? Definitely no, although I have to say, it did felt somewhat rushed. But I think the writers did a good job ‘closing the loop’ (so to say) with the audience. ‘Cos it did deliver what is quintessentially TK2H – a heart-stopping and at the same time heart-warming story, a story of hope that triumphed against the odds (even for Jae Shin). We had:
- Sadness? Check.
- Forgiveness? Check?
- A dose of reality? Check.
- A social/political commentary of an alternate reality? Check.
And the many facets of love – love for country, loyalty for friends, the unbreakable bond of family, romantic love.

This was what I had signed up for when I embarked on this journey, and to a large degree, it did deliver all that. Consistently. 

And along the way, I met all you Hearties who share the love of good story-telling, intelligent writing, sophisticated production, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to spazz about this drama on DB and to gain new perspectives that I wouldn’t have otherwise if I watched the drama alone.

So thank you all, Hearties, for walking this path together for the past 2 months.

I’m pretty new to k-drama and have mostly been lurking on DB, but this show is the first one that moved me to write this much. I hope there are more good ones to come.

I’m still digesting Ep 20 (and 19).Since we don't wanna break GF's spoiler policy, I'll come back on Ep 20's recap to share my thoughts… looking forward to yours!

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it felt rushed, very much so...they needed four more epi to make it a proper one. i'll tell one such reason for why i think so---how can you celebrate your love just right after your best friend had died? they needed to prolong the grieving scenes a bit...i thought the love scenes between Ah-Ha couple came too quickly after shi kyung's death. i wanted to see more of jae shin (although i am kinda happy with how she ended up picking up the pieces of her life and move forward a strong woman, albeit an empty, lonely hearted one)

also i am kinda disappointed with sth...how come we didn't have any scenes with jae ha and jae shin together after shi kyung's death? i thought that was a much needed one since jae ha kinda knew about their feelings. the brother's shoulders were missing. considering how logical and realisic TK2H always is, this seemed like another gaping hole after the quick celebration of Ah-Ha love. and mom disappeared too :/

i still love TK2H...my favorite so far for all the reasons you have mentioned----brilliant cast, acting, direction, cinematography, costumes, locations, scripts, careful thought put behind creating the characters into realistic ones who you could really respect in real life, and sooo many more. Still i thought the last two epis could have been better.......if this was some other kdrama i wouldn't have even said this, because i wouldn't even have much expectations from them.

But TK2H has delivered soo brilliantly, pushing and teaching us to expect beyond any horizon regarding their awesomeness and capability that i want to say this for them----i expected much much more. perhaps, a few more epi could have been a cure. maybe. You yourself have set your standards very VERY high, unlike any other, a one only you can reach and no other kdrama can.

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@ Tashfia - agree with you on some of the points. The lack of break between SK's death and JH/HA date - someone in this forum pointed out that time have passed because they are no longer in mourning colors. which makes sense. For us non Korean viewers may be it wasn't obvious.

I suppose one technical way out woul have been a fade out to white after the shot of JH's salute, then we fade into the JH shopping scene. a minor detail, but it would have helped with the transition. I've more to say but let's meet at ep 20's recap (it shd be coming out really soon, since RP's out)

;)

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"5. the learning of high manners (amaze at the the politeness of the regulars and the tolerance of different opinions)"

That's so true, lovecityhall!

In this cyber world where so many abuse the anonymity it affords, it's been both refreshing & heartening to experience this amicable exchange of ideas and opinions. The intelligence and wit of the discussion were the whipped cream and cherry on top!

You guys will be missed sorely.

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Totally agree, babes!

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Loved everything you said. The whole experience of watching this drama, from one emotion to the next was even more meaningful (for me, at least) because we get to share it with each other.

What a lovely post.

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It's good to hear from someone who's not raving and ranting! Agree with your take about the journey. Looking forward to continue that journey with you next thurs!

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I m very excited about the meeting next week! I don't have any clothes with heart so I m going to wear a hairband a la Kim hang ah. See you!

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Thanks for the post. It helped me.:)

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I don't think anyone is actually going to give up on watching the finale. Despite this episode's weaknesses, it still not diminish the impact this drama has made.

I think it will live on as one of the ground-breaking dramas and become a legacy many other dramas will follow. Kinda like Shitty Hunter with spectacularly gut-wrenching killing of second leads, thus causing us to have conniptions in K2H from the deja vu.

And I agree about the richness of diverse opinions and the maturity of the commenters in reading and accepting them. I have never seen such a high level of intellectual and emotional content from a drama's recaps.

Thank you for a memorable ride, all!

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Finally finished reading ALL the comments. Right now, I would love to give mine. I have been wanting to do so since 7 am this morning, but just didn't have the time. So here goes (pls bear with me. I have lots to say):

Reglest my dear, I love you for your level-headedness and Felisa for your comment. I am glad that you didn't just get mad at the writers and the show and refused to watch the show anymore.

The fact that this drama can get this kind of response only goes to show how great it is. To those who only love this show because of SK and JS, I feel that you have missed out on something wonderful. It's like eating the cherries on the cake, but missing out on the delicious cake altogether.

And at this juncture, I would like to remind my dear fellow hearties why we love this show. It's not just the fantastic acting, or the characterization or the cinematography. It's also the way the show brings us on a roller-coaster ride again & again. And the funny thing is that, some of us responded like HA- bring it on, we want more, while some of us reacted like JH - no more! Remember how many of us said that this drama is not for the faint hearted? Well, i think the writers delivered on that point.

Episode 19, if nothing else, was certainly a roller-coaster ride for me. My emotions were riding high, only to be brought so low. At the start, I was so sure that SK would NOT betray JH. However, the look of shock and confusion in JH's eyes kinda made me doubt myself. If they had a code, & it was used, then why did JH look so betrayed? So imagine my immense relief when SK pointed the gun at BG. All I say is that JH's acting is as good as LSG's! He sure took me for a ride!

Then of course there was the delightful moment when the SK, NK soldiers and international soldiers came out and HA took Bon Bon out. At this juncture, I had a feeling that BG had something up his sleeve. Only I didn't realise that it WAS literally up his sleeve. I actually expected him to pull out a gun. Maybe it was the look in his eyes. All these actors are SO good in signaling us information with just a tiny movement of their facial features.

In any case, when nothing happened and he was handcuffed, I was lulled into a false sense of security, esp when SK and JH looked into each others' eyes and smiled. The bromance was so beautiful, it hit me hard and I was chanting to myself, "Hug", "Hug!", "Hug!" But before they could hug each other, my rollercoaster took a quick swing and plummeted down at 120 km per hour! The execution of that scene was swift and unexpected. I gasped as I am sure the rest of you did too. NO! Not SK! He can't die. But that's this show for you.

Like some of you, I didn't shed much tears at this point of time. I was simply too shocked. I really cried only when Sec Eun appeared, cause I realised that he is now al alone. So when JH hugged him, and promised to be his surrogate son, the flood gates opened.

We feel so much for SK because the writers have not merely focussed on just the principal characters but the secondary ones as well. I have not watched that many dramas, but I think that this is rather unusual. In fact, I think that the romantic scenes between the 2OTPs were just as many as the OTPs. I counted. Thus, we feel so much at his passing away.

Then they gave us the lovey, dovey between JH & HA which was LONG overdue. But the timing! As so many of u pointed out. Even all my love for LSG and the Ah Ha couple could not take away the feeling that it was callous and insensitive. Initially, I could not enjoy it as much as I wanted. But their natural charm made me smile in the end, and I was glad for them. Just felt that without SK's death, I, as well as dozens of viewers would have loved the scenes more.
At this point, I feel that the writers did not do justice to the OTP. Even their kiss at the end was shorter than the kiss SK gave JS. We certainly didn't enjoy it as much as the garden scene btwn SK and JS.

Then the roller coaster went round and round with the ICC scene and finally took another fall with the cliff hanger ending. My fellow hearties. I feel that the show DID NOT fail us. Remember, that this drama is NOT for the faint-hearted! C'mon, let's be fair!

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@crazyajhummafan - *muah* that's a great assessment!! =)

K2H never promised to be a rose garden.... true Hearties, UNITE!!

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esp when SK and JH looked into each others’ eyes and smiled. The bromance was so beautiful, it hit me hard and I was chanting to myself, “Hug”, “Hug!”, “Hug!”

Yes I was so asking them to hug each other too! They cut to their smiling faces was timed so well, just enough for you to crack into a smile yourself, and bang! you feel like you were the one who had been shot.

I have to say that as much as it is not fan service to arrange the scenes this way with ah-ha couple's date, it was the only way to do it.
And the writers are really. ballsy. Wait till you watch the last ep ppl!my heart almost stopped (again).

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@crazyajhummafan: Thank you for your eloquence. My experience and emotions mirrored yours. Well said!

Having just finished Ep 20, I feel kinda let down, anti-climatic somehow. For now, I attribute it to a lot of dialogue which I didn't understand and therefore couldn't relate to the emotional roller-coaster that the BGM alluded to. Looking forward to GF's recap tomorrow for more clarity and hopefully closure.

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What a wonderful wonderful post, @crazyajhummafan! I also commend you for your level-headedness in trying to make sense of what just happened in this episode.

I'm still at a loss of how I'm gonna reconcile Shi-kyung's death with everything that has happened so far. I was so optimistic that he was gonna live that's why the blow, although hinted, still left me reeling so much from the pain. (Just thinking about it again brings tears to my eyes.) Ah. Is there a reprieve from all this? I just hope they won't let Bong-gu roam free after all the evil he has done 'cause if they did . . . reality truly sucks.

But you're right. It's not for the faint-hearted and we're still here 'til the end. Let's walk that last mile, comrades!

Love your post, Seonsangnim! *Like button clicked 100 times*

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Shi-kyung has to die to resolve the karma between the 2 families. Because the sins of the fathers are visited on the generations. The timing of the death feels a little careless, but that's nothing compared to Michigan, yeah just got to slot something in whatever, wherever. Sigh. I really love this show for the writing and how the characters and their stories were developed. So as much as we love Shi-kyung, I think in our heart of hearts, we all saw this coming.

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Sigh .. I agree with you, I was expecting that .. I was like plz don't kill him but I felt like they are gonna do it :/

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Eun Shi Kyung death doesn't solve anything not even for family matters. That makes no sense. Bong Gu's death solves the whole mystery.

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I agree that using Shi Kyung's death as a resolution of karma between the two families is redundant. Eun Skunkretary's dismissal and re-instatement also closed that chapter. And Shi Kyung's discovery of his father's betrayal, denial and accusations thrust at the latter and final acceptance and return to his father... well, that was also another loose ending all tied up.

So essentially, there was not much dust left to clear. Again, it just points to rather weak plot development ... sigh.

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can anyone tell me if there is a live twitter feed for the final episode?? i'm squirming in my seat. praying and hoping earnest death is a ploy (though, i do not put my hopes too high) sighhh.....

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anyone knows where i can find live twitter feeds for the final episode?? :)

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I would like to add in some observations regarding the 'conspiracy theory' that has been going around. I certainly hope that it's true and I think that it might be true for the following reasons:

1) The lovey-dovey scene between JH and HA was so out of place. Initially, I felt that if the writers had wanted to kill SK, they should have done it after this scene and the long awaited date. It would have been better received, the date I mean. It was also so out of character for the OTPs to behave this way. They could have had a quieter and more somber date. Hence, I have a sneaky suspicion that SK is not dead. To date, even though the writers have come up with some lame plots, they have been true to the characterizations.

2) Did anybody notice that JH bought a red tie? And that he wore a light grey suit, instead of his regular black? In fact, when I realized that he was shopping for clothes, I was taken aback, because it was after SK's memorial. (I know some time has probably lapsed between the 2 scenes, but it couldn't be more than a month?) Then it hit me that this was because JH was no longer in mourning for his hyung. BUT why wasn't he mourning for SK? His right hand man? Unless, SK is NOT dead.

3) No further mention of SK by the OTP or Sec Eun. Rather strange and out of character again.

Unless the writers have turned lazy, I think there are going to be surprises tonight. So far, this drama has more or less brought in the unexpected. I hope they will not fail us. I am even optimistic enough to hope that they will grace us with a song from Seunggi and JJS! then my love for this show will be complete.

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#2 - that's a great observation! I truly hope that the conspiracy theories are all true. I can even forgive the writers for running us through the Mother of all wringers if they're gonna give us that.

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Live Recap and Screenshots of the 20th (and final) episode of K2H. Eeeeeeeek >.< I can’t wait for the finale tonight. Just 25 minutes left until it starts!! How will things end for the royal couple and the lonely Princess T.T ? I rarely say this, but I really hope John Mayer dies in the worst way for killing SK. http://goo.gl/YpLzJ

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i knew this was going to happen...the previous episode has given us enough tips--the fast reconciliation, the sweet acknowledgement, the goodbyes--and yet,it doesnt make it any easier to deal with. even now, my mind is still in denial and i cant help (like most of you) but wish that they can-- somehow...anyhow!-- bring him back...i know its impossible and yet i dont care! i would accept any excuse the writers will come up with so long as sk lives!please...just give us back our earnest bot!!!

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Hearties are you ready for the final ride? I m waiting for the show to start soon. Going to neglect my kids.

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LOL...... i thought you still mourning cos of SK died.hehehe.
get your rifle, lets kill Bong Goo.....!!!!

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I woke up this morning and I saw myself in the mirror ! I was shocked!!!! I looked like a person who was in mourning - not sleeping , not thinking, grieving, feeling high and low and crashing - my eyes are so red and puffed up and all energy drained from me. I am spent.

I repeat - I am never going through this again....
this drama did all these things to me.

So after this - I vow to get my life and sanity back.

So to all TK2H, Hearties - we met, we fell in love, we part - I will never forget you.

----I will come back on these pages and visit you again when I am restored.

Wow it has been such a surreal journey with you all.

Thank you for baring your mind and hearts - comrades, kindred spirits, friends and global neighbours.

If even in a drama forum we can be at peace and find something in common - it is a great thing!!!!
considering what is happening in "real world " right now.

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@luvs - there is still ep 20 recap!! u have to meet us Hearties there!!!

See you on the other side!

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@bern -

LOL i meant after this drama ends --- i am going though the end bravely..i have invested so much, i won't be a coward.

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=) hope u enjoyed it. i took a breath after it to savour... and came to the conclusion that i did.

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Watching episode 20 ionair.tv! AHHHHH OMGGGG! D:

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Okay. That pissed me off Show. You had to kill off one half of the couple that I actually watch this show for? Fuck you. Loved the Shi-kyung and Jae-shin pairing. Heh. Obviously I'm not a big fan of the death of protagonists. Sigh.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk3HugwIaV8
yaaaaaaaaaaaay......i'm late...aaaiiiish...!!!!

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it's okey friends - go ahead and rant and rave and wail and pour out all your grief and fury at the writers -----

afterwards we can analyze this story when we put our thinking caps back.

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Wow, you put into words so eloquently what I felt. This development should have come at least a couple of episodes ago and not at the last two. Seeing an episode like this, I would normally think there's maybe another 3 more to go, not the finale being the next one!

And clunky is so true... and WTF, Michigan? Seriously? They could have made the bombing more realistic, even an US embassy in Korea or a US battleship or attacked some US soldiers near the DMZ would have been far better.

AND I do feel angry about SK's death, precisely b/c of what you stated. WTF was the point when BG got out anyway? Just to make us cry and bleed? I could have accepted his death (still wouldn't have liked it) if at least in was at the end game. I seriously felt like throwing stuff at the computer.

There were, as usual, some really really fine moments, especially dealing with SK and his death. When LJH lost it and ordered him not to die... who would have thought that LSG could bring so much raw emotion to this role... LJS breaking down with HA... EK and LJH scene.

But overall, this episode left me a little bit dissatisfied, more WTF instead of DAEBAK.

Thank you so much for yet again a fantastic recap.

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the writers must be thinking too much about reality (tensions between N and S Korea present day) and want to put out the issue in this drama.

i am not sure about the timing though, I agree with Girlfridays analysis - this scene does not belong in episode 19. If anything they could have inserted this after the proposal scene, or maybe instead of the WOC games ---or even the kidnapping and escaping scenes....
anyways my mind is too tired to analyze further--

its just the feel of epi 19 - is not right.
i feel the same as most of you - i could not enjoy the JH /HA date scene because i was still crying over SK 's death. Although I realize there are longer time gaps in the story--but putting all those in the same hour - is kinda hard to digest emotionally.

Up until epi 18 - this is the best story and drama for me, but epi 19 is a little bit greedy ? sadistic?ambitious? for the writers -- I am not sure.

But I praise the acting as usual - especially for LSG and the actor for Eun Tae - and JS, one can't help but symphathize with their characters. Ji WOn was the prettiest here too - ahh and that sniper thing oh lala .
She makes us believe.

The cutest thing was their telephone conversation - these two are falling in love - clearly!!!

And that kiss and embrace - someone did a slo-mo of it --- it's a wowwwwww.

I am officially ranking Lee Seung Gi side by side with Gong Yoo in the best kisser list in kdrama land.

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"I am officially ranking Lee Seung Gi side by side with Gong Yoo in the best kisser list in kdrama land."

Really?! hahaa

I think we haven't seen enough of Seung-gi display his kissing skills, heh, to put him up there. Although now nobody'll hate on the boy that he's a bad kisser! :P

I feel like the fridge kiss this one was heavily edited as well.

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Yes!! Gong Yoo and Lee Seungi Gi. Best specimen of Korean men... :))

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Soooo....I just saw ep.20....
As much as I love K2H, I gotta say, I am just a little disappointed with how they ended things! *sigh*

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agree!!
Only I think, not little but BIG dissapointed with the ending!

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really?!! fuck!

I will believe that this show only had 18 episodes!! What a disappointment....from start of the series we were went through the wringer...all for finishing with a whimper!!

I'm still reserving judgement until I watch the final episode subbed...but blechhhh this puts a damper on my mood!!

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Nooo! That makes me super sad!!

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wow! really?! ok, that's a mood killer. I was looking forward to this show ending in a high note despite that stunt (called Shi-kyung's death). Now i'm truly at a loss.

@Saima

"….from start of the series we were went through the wringer…all for finishing with a whimper!! "

my sentiments exactly. I just hope it's not as bad as it seems.

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What happened?

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er, not sure what happens in the final eps yet but based on the comments above, they're saying it's a disappointment.

But let's be the judge of that. :)

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I think in the process of getting emotionally invested, we forgot that this drama IS a black comedy; It's not a romantic drama whatsoever..So whoever that wishes for happy endings for both couples is watching the wrong drama. All in all they wrapped u things pretty decent and this drama will stay one of my all time faves! :)

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THIS!

I understand all the shocking hearties mourning for SK's death, but come on, don't drop this drama like a hot potato just because you wanted a happy-ending-fairytale-like.

I will miss this drama and you hearties!
:)

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I couldn't agree more with you. I love the ending and this drama is now safely placed in the top 3 of my favorite k-drama list.

It's totally fine to mourn SK's death and he will forever be in my top list of favorite K-drama character. But let's see beyond that, don't let his death prevent us to see & analyze the messages of hope that this drama is trying to convey, even until the last scene of episode 20.

Love story in this drama is like the cherry on top of the cake.

This drama exceeded my expectations in many ways. They gave each character so much depth so they shine beautifully in their own way. We root, we cheer, we cry for them.

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Hearties don't be so beaten! They were many who liked the end and personnaly I loved it. :) Just wait and watch for yourself! ;)

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really?!!

merci beacoup for this!! Breathing a sigh of relief. muahhhss

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Ooh, that cheers me up. Thanks for chiming in!!

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I loved it too. No spoilers here, but I was completely satisfied. Stayed true to what this show has been from the beginning.

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agree... it reminds us why we love this drama in the first place. It stays true to the way it starts.

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ok, there's still hope. Whatever the ending is, I'm ready. I still love K2H unconditionally.

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Whew, unconditional love--something K2H delivered.

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the end was good and i love this drama, but as I know SK is dead and I didn't want it to happen I expected that !.. SK death is not necessary but the drama needed that I guess! to make it realistic they just have to make a sacrifice against defeating the villain! I guess it's just logic beside SK is just so good to be true in this world .. everyone was expecting that someone is gonna die anyway

anyway it was a really good drama and I enjoyed it so much till the end tho I wanted another episode to mourn SK ;___;

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I thought it was great. I enjoyed JH's entire journey, he became a great( and might I add smart as hell) King, Husband, and father. This drama is called K2H, it was centered around his journey of life, growth and love and becoming a King for the people, thats exactly what we got. It was HIS story. Not to sure what kind of ending was expected or wanted. I do wish a couple more episodes were included, but mainly because I hate to see it end.

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Couldn't agree more!!

Jae-ha was an epic K-drama character!! He received so much misery at the hands of BG but it was his drive to forge on, persevere, and work with his wife to pave the path for a united Korea (in the future) that got to me!! T_T

TK2H, thank you for this wonderfully enthralling and cathartic ride!! <3

Now i'm gonna and sob my heart out!!

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Not my kind of ending....still puzzled, whatthef*&^??

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im right now trying to not to cry into my soup at the restaurant...dont care the looks i get...i dont wanna hear any logic...earnest need not have died...really...he just did not!!

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I am royally pissed off!

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@ Pissed Jane

"Royally pissed off!"

Sounds funny to a not so funny fact.

As a suggestion: What you think about visiting the writers - no, better the whole film team - and force them to re-shoot the last two episodes?!?

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This may sound extreme. If after watching Ep 20 I am disappointed I will let TK2H writers know via MBC of shortchanging us in the process!!

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k, i take this back!!

This angry comment was posted after reading initial reports!!

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I hope it's good sign ^^

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@ reglest:

Just finished watching Ep 20 and have been sobbing. In the past 2 months TK2H became such a dear friend....not seeing my favourite characters on-screen has turned me into an emotional mess! T_T

If this isn't indicative of my love for this drama I don't know what is!!

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It feels like saying goodbye to a very dear friend. omg. A kdrama never got me hooked like this before.

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Are you serious? Just like that? Shot in the chest? It's over?

What?

WHY??!

WTF?!?!?!!?!?!

Why is it always the characters that I love the most that die?!!?

First the Prosecutor, then Prince Yang Myung and know Shi Kyung?!

*Has A Mental Breakdown*

WHY T.T?

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Heck, I can't focus any more. I'm hopelessly overtired and I guess I just look the same as the most of you.
And to crown it all I can't overcome to watch episode 20. I don't know when I'll be able to finish this drama. I'm not ready yet. Shi Kyung's death came fast but not unexpected. What makes it hard to deal with him gone is the speed the drama went ahead. Don't get me wrong, but I wish the death scene would have taken longer. That Jae Ha would have hold him longer in his arms, so that we have more time to memorize this crucial scene. Whereas the people in the drama have days/weeks to cope with his violent death, as a viewer I don't have that luxury, unless I take this time.

It's cruel. Currently I can't watch Shi Kyung's/Jo Jung Suk's face without feeling a suffocating pressure in the chest ... and then the tears are coming mercilessly.
Damn, am I that traumatized?
Gah ... Where is the safety of my writers point of view when I need it the most?

Anyway, I came here to call (again, in case my other post were lost among all the other hundreds) everyone of you Hearties to join me at Interpals.net, a site for international penpals and language exchange. Membership is free and in my opinion it's the best alternative for all those who dislike facebook.
There I would love to continue our discussions and dreams about TK2H!!
My name is there is Chetheara as well. :)

By the way, I'm drawing a new portrait of Shi Kyung. This time the proportions are okay. But since my hands are still shaking I can't finish the details as fast as I intended to.
I'll upload it at deviantart ASAP. Just search for "Eun Shi Kyung" if you are interested. Any comments are appreciated of course! ^^

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Oh, just realized the comments are kinda messed up!!

To get the correct chronology pay attention to the date and time!!

And write the name to whom you are answering!!

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Episodes such as this make me wonder if writers write for themselves or for the viewers (another recent example: Feast of the Gods ending - ugh!). With the live shoot system and the immediate availability of viewer feedback, it would certainly seem possible to craft a satisfying ending for the viewers (and at the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about?!).

With that being said, the strong (dare I say VIOLENT, by some) reactions to EK's death and JS's continual suffering are quite a testament to the way these characters were written and more so, the way they were so brilliantly portrayed by Jo Jung Suk and Lee Yoon Ji. We truly care about them and what happens to them. Yes, this is a drama and their ends were certainly dramatic but as for satisfying...NO. The disappointment over EK/JS almost make me not care anymore about what happens to JH and HA. Almost.
I'll still be watching...

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after SK death I felt like I don't want a happy ending

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omg there was legit bawling every time I read this (and I decided ofc that I wanted to put myself through the torture of reading this twice). Which makes me so so so so so so sad.
My heart is torn between what they did with this that ripped my soul out and stomped hard on it, and the fact that it was so beautifully written and acted and directed. (Because I would burn this show down with my rage and hate if they didn't do justice to Bot's death - so that's the one saving grace about it all. It did make my cry bucketloads even when I knew it was coming the second time around.) I completely second a few comments saying that trying to find a good reason for this death is as hopeless as searching for a meaning as to why soldiers die on the battlefield or why there is war and people die because countries fight over OIL SUPPLIES. But gdi this is dramaland, it's my happy place. LET ME BE HAPPY HERE WHY DO YOU HAVE TO RIP MY HEART TO SHREDS? ):
Other than my eternal discontent that they KILLED PRECIOUS EARNEST BOT (I swear, my two favourite characters were Big Bro and Bot and they had to go kill both of them off?!) WHICH DIDN'T SERVE ANY PURPOSE IN THIS EPISODE (so you arrest Maniac for a second there but he seeming pressures his way out of it again?!) AND MAKES ME WANT TO KILL SOMETHING AND HURL SOMETHING AT THE AUTHORS, AT LEAST USE PRECIOUS EARNEST BOT AS A GOOD PLOT DEVICE PLEASE. ):

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if the writers wanted to portray and more realistic story - they did succeed in this.
Soldiers die, kings die, there is evil and they are no answers to everything in life. There is plenty of sorrow and pain too. Life is moving on.

This is what attracted me to the drama in the first place - so I am not really complaining much.

If I had wanted a fantasy - I would watch SeGa and the like. or if i don't want to think I watch coffee prince of BOF again _ nooooo LOL.

In all fairness to the writers - they did a splendid job. with K2H. The best Kdrama I ever watched.

SK as a character will be forever enshrined in our collective memories of Kdrama. That would be better than living on and becoming irrelevant ...

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I meant the character Shi Kyung is better dead and a hero forever, than perhaps living on and becoming irrelevant --

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yikes forgive my spelling and typo errors - you get the context -
i am so tired , i can't see straight.

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No, you see straight ... I agree with you :)

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Hearties, calm down please...
I feel the suffering, but I thought it's because we don't understand the language. I believe it'll be much more acceptable if we understand the language.
And.. I truly think...this drama should be 24 episode instead of 18 episodes that you mentioned, yes I'm greedy :)
Since I sense many potential that isn't dug enough...because of the 20 episodes.

There is beautiful comment in soompi, I'll posted it in epi 20 recaps tomorrow, because I don't want to break our promise with GF. Well... But I can sense GF will a bit rant tomorrow.. But still, I'll post it since it's portraying & conveying our feelings.

Truthfully, the ending make it easier for us to cured from TK2H syndrome, and I have some dug facts that I don't share here before...so..let's wait for tomorrow...

All I can say is..this is a pleasant journey :)
I love you hearties <3

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It is indeed a beautiful journey. Thank you.:)

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I cried watching this episode during ShiKyung-JaeShin moments, and cried again reading the same parts in this article. T_____T

I'm forever hating them writers for killing my favorite character and didn't give the others a longer time to mourn for him.

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In reality someone like Bong gu should and probably would have been cuffed behind his back!!they should have expected some sort of retaliation...

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This comment is from the K2H Soompi Forum. I was appeased and relieved of my sadness after reading it, more so after watching the final episode (raw) via YouTube.

"vi4
Fan accounts / staff comments about TK2H last 2 episodes:

1) The staff from the production crew expressed this: After finish (watching) the last 2 episodes of The King 2 Hearts, you would be able to understand better why Lee Seung Gi received praises for his acting.

2) The kissing scene in Ep 19 is additional scene. It wasn’t in the script originally.

3) In the original script, Jae Ha did not manage to save Hang Ah successfully from the Chinese detention centre, Hang Ah was (supposedly) moved away by Bong Goo. It’s really scary, a classic scene (like this) was almost not shown.

4) The Korean fans mentioned that the director added in the kiss scenes with this way of thinking: Okay okay okay, you all have made so much ‘noise’, just enjoy the additional kiss scenes and ‘leave’!

5) Seems like from dcinside, there is 1 fan who said that when Si Kyung was dying, Seung Gi cried very terribly, he was still crying after the director shout for ‘cut’.

6) There is yet another fan account for what happened after the shout for ‘cut’ scene: After the shout for ‘cut’, (Seung Gi) wasn’t able to recover from his emotions immediately, he cried for a long period of time. After the filming had totally ended, he was still in the same position, not moving at all. When he got into the car and greeted the fans, his voice was completely hoarse.

cr: lsgairenint

I got closure that even though Jae Ha didn't really mourn SK as much as we wanted, but Seung Gi was crying for a long time after that tragic scene.
Post edited by lenasoon at 4:02PM

The King 2Hearts - a real gem written by a very gutsy writer."

Thank you all Hearties for this great experience, Gf for your recaps, last but not least the TK2h cast and crew, MBC, PD, writers et al....it was an amzing journey, bumpy at times but gratifying ride nonetheless. Hope to meet some of you if not all in the not-so-distant future in K-dramaland. All the best. :)
 

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#5 and 6: aww!! c'mere, Seung-gi I'll be your shoulder to cry on!! heh

#1: I started watching Ep 20 and couldn't agree more. At this point, we've just come to expect him to rip his soul out and deliver the goods!! <3

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really nice to hear this. awww LSG was really into his Jae Ha character.

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I am sorry why is John still alive? HE has a gun and enough guys around him with guns to turn him to dog food? And NO ONE FRELLING SHOOTS THE SOB WHO KILLED the second in command of the guard? Really. They call it sucide by cop. So again why was John Meyer still alive?

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Man bot is not dead. I bet $5 he got hit in that book and survived and is working in the shadows. No I am not in denial!!!!!!!!

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you know what cam to my thoughts as I was walking this morning?

Wow, I am really mourning the death of "fictional soldier - SK" who dies in the line of duty.

I thought, in reality, soldiers everywhere die everyday - have I given any thought of hem? They, too, are someone's sweetheart, friend, son, brother. Yet we send our young men to war, for what? Why can't N and S K be one? - as an example - what have we achieved in all these wars going on? War is evil. evil exists that is why we have pain and suffering.

In the story , evil is represented by BG. why did he kill SK? - there was no valid reason except he just wanted to. greed, selfishness, avarice, hate?

The antidote is love and respect and honor and choosing to do the right thing - our story delved into all this - and that's why I cried, and loved, and laughed, and cringed, and recoiled, and wept, and wailed, and all in this drama.

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dear, it's very beautifully put. gah, you got me teary

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K2H definitely led us to a place where we delve not just into the story and into the characters' lives, we went beyond the roller coaster of emotions, and ended up examining the issues it presents about life, love and human nature. I'll forever cherish this experience.

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I LOVED THE LAST EPISODE. One of the best endings in dramas I've watched.

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I don't totally understand why everyone is so mad. Didn't we all kind of know that Shi Kyung was the most likely to die. I've been worried and commenting about it since episode 12 or even before. I agree that his death sucks. And I'm sorry that he didn't get to be happy with Jae Shin, but this drama has never been one to tie things up in a nice happy bow.

People, especially soldiers, die in the line of duty every day. Shi Kyung knew that risk and went into it with his eyes open. Yeah, it breaks my heart because I loved his character and I don't feel like his sacrifice was worth what we got out of it, but that's life. And this drama has been very true to that.

I also agree that it felt jarring that the other characters seemed to move on quickly. But this drama has done time jumps like that throughout the series. Days, weeks, months pass in the drama in minutes for us. It was just harder for the viewer to accept after the death of a beloved character.

This drama has been awesome for me from the beginning and the hours of enjoyment I've gotten won't be erased because of the death of one beloved character. This will still go on my list of favorite dramas.

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The events that happened have made us so sad, I cannot even write anything positive about this episode! I have to vent because I am so sad. Sad for Jae Shin whose life is already screwed up but now has to live the rest of her life without the love of her life; sad for Hang Ah who has been removed from her love. Why not just kill her too?! Ok, too harsh, again grief talking. Dang! I'm hoping he (ESK) is part of a death squad (for Bong Gu) too but we can hope, can't we?! I would have been happier if ESK still died but him and Jae Shin had married and he would have at least left her with a child! Some bit of happiness!

I am not even upset about the role of the US in what's happening; hell, Wall Street commands our everyday life for real here. So if you are reading this to try to determine whether or not to watch this, just think that these reviews are just our grief talking! I wore black to work because I was in mourning! Peace!

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I watched the ending and its great!!!!! I am satisfied with the entire story, it makes sense.

I forgive the writers about SK - and truly I can understand - if looked at the big picture.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL DRAMA!!!!!

Thank you hearties !!!!!

I will take time to ruminate and write my debriefing about the K2H series after Dramabeans write their own ending recaps.

Thanks for opening this forum for all of us.

Love you all Hearties....

My advise? look at it from the big picture. It's awesome, and I am sorry for posting stupid, foot-in-the-mouth comments - I have thought about it some more and I want to take back some words - but the forum does not allow me to.
SO for people who are basing their decisions to watch or not to watch this drama because of what someone else has posted - do watch the entire series, and make up your own conclusions.

The King 2 Hearts is the number 1 drama for me Ever!

And Lee Seung Gi? I am your fan forever from now on. Blessings to your career and life.
HJW - you are my BFF :)
SK - you are my hero
JS - you go girl, life is worth living!
Eun Tae - I forgive you
BG - you are hopeless tsk tsk
Dong Ha - and the rest of the WOC team - you are awesome men.

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I am crying as I read this. I wonder how my reaction will be once I watch the episode.

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WHY DID HE DIE.

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Shikung comes back in finale. that's my guess. oooohh~ from the dead.

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Oh, Show! I did forget that you're supposed to be a dark melodrama with a pinch of comedy and not a rom-com, hence, that's where I made the ultimate mistake. I hoped against all odds that you would give us viewers a happy ending with all the protagonist intact. I really wanted Shi-kyung to live because he was my favourite character. And I've fantasized of a HEA for he and Jae-shin. Think of the different principles of parenting they would have if they actually get married! Maybe that's just me.

I invested way too much feelings for a character fated to be a martyr.

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Now, lets express our love to the awesome jo jung suk.

@jojeol

That's his real twitter, folks.

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GIVE HIM BACK TO ME. NOW.

This is like the most effed up death in a kdrama I've ever seen. This is worse that when they killed off my daddy long legs in City Hunter. I started to fear this when he was going out doing really happy things before he left like hanging out with dad and kissing Jae Shin. I was like. NO. IT'S COMING. And then I was reduced to sobs. :'(

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