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Fated To Love You: Episode 8

Fated To Love You is a fairytale come to life, one that gives grand romantic gestures the kind of magic we didn’t even realize we’d been missing until now. Watching Gun and Mi-young navigate the ups and downs of their relationship never ceases to amaze, even when a blast from the past comes to shake things up. Whoever said romance was dead has clearly never seen this show.

As for ratings, Fated finally broke into double digits with 10.6%, almost an entire point higher than last episode. Joseon Gunman stayed in the lead with 11.9%, while new kid on the block It’s Okay It’s Love clocked in at 9.1%.

SONG OF THE DAY

INFINITE – “Diamond” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 8 RECAP

Gun pulls Mi-young back into his arms when she moves to leave, and a long moment passes where Gun looks pained, physically pained, as he resists every urge to kiss her. All the while we hear the sound of their hearts racing: Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum.

Then, finally, Gun grabs her into a closer hug that lets him bypass her lips as he claims through clenched teeth that this is a breach of their contract, and that they should just sleep.

Of course, he’s the one who looks like a convulsing inchworm as he struggles to stay on his side of the bed. A little while later, he leans over Mi-young, amazed to find her snoring happily in dreamland.

“You worry-free snail,” he remarks with a small chuckle before cuddling up next to her. She remains asleep and unaware as Gun watches over her with one hand gently massaging her shoulder. Aww.

After grinning at the wedding band on his finger, Gun soon finds he’s not the only one taking a morning jog when Daniel passes him on the trail. Not one to be outdone, Gun tries to prove his alpha status by out-running Daniel… only to end up huffing and puffing trying to keep up.

“Why… are you… in my neighborhood?” Gun asks accusingly, all while pumping his arms like a marathon runner. Daniel dismissively says this is his neighborhood too, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking the high road—they take their competition off-road, leaping over shrubbery and other obstacles like gazelles.

When Gun starts to lag behind, he calls for them to give up. Daniel: “There’s no such thing as ‘giving up’ in my dictionary.” Gun: “I’ll buy you a new dictionary!” Hahaha.

They both end up stopping due to leg cramps, leading Gun to agree to contact Daniel about their business collaboration while Daniel apologizes for the whole not-a-priest thing. You’d think this would mean a truce, but Gun proves the fight’s not over when he literally pranks Daniel instead of helping him up. Hah. Boys will be boys.

Daniel invites Mi-young to his art exhibit in order to apologize and gain forgiveness, but judging by her happy expression as she looks over all the installations, she’s not holding it against him.

But when the paparazzi start filing up the stairs to take his picture, Daniel hurriedly pulls Mi-young into his arms so he can keep his back turned to them. In order to preserve her identity, he asks her to crab walk with him to the nearest hiding place.

Waltz music accompanies their awkward dance as Daniel ushers her to the nearest exit, promising to follow her soon. When she asks if he’ll be okay facing the mob by himself, he replies that it’s the least he can do for his new dongsaeng as her honorary oppa. Aw.

Mama Yong and Son don’t get a warm welcome from the head elder when they try to make light of the possibility that Gun could lose his position at Jangin Chemicals, since the elder is tired of dealing with their crap—enough to warn them that if they don’t clean up their act, he’ll make them disappear.

We find Gun and Mi-young leaving another prenatal class, this time about making baby food, and it’s extra adorable how Gun knows when to expect Mi-young’s tummy to growl. He promises to take her wherever she wants to eat…

…Which turns out to be a joint for fermented skate fish. Hah. Gun toughs out the stench while Mi-young chomps down happily, her smile brightening even further when she notices that Gun is wearing his wedding band.

After she tries and fails to feed him some of the potent dish, she asks him if he’s thought of a nickname for the baby. She suggests something quite off the wall: “Keddongie” which kinda-sorta translates to “dog poop,” but without such a negative connotation.

Gun, of course, is completely against this nickname no matter Mi-young’s reasoning that the old-fashioned and countrified nickname would mean good luck, but warms up to the idea once she mentions that she was called the same thing growing up—and look how healthy she turned out!

He thinks back to when she outran him during the dog chase, and agrees to nickname the baby Keddongie for now. It’s cute how he even addresses the baby when he gets dropped off for work: “Keddongie, I’m leaving!” So. Cute.

Gun seems loathe to leave Mi-young for the office, so he decides to just take her with him. And he’s so happy to show her off too. Gun takes stock of all the eyes on them and ignores her request to stay behind by taking her gently by the wrist: “Kim Mi-young, you’re not a post-it anymore. Don’t hide behind me, and walk proudly next to me.”

Taking her hand properly this time, Gun proudly leads her all the way to his office, only to find someone sitting at his desk…

“Surprise!” Se-ra says as she spins around to face him. Before Gun can react, Se-ra jumps to her feet to engulf him in a hug. “I missed you, Gun!”

When Mi-young turns to leave, Gun stops her. Se-ra looks confused as she asks who she is, and Gun’s expression is serious as he says, “Se-ra… That person—…”

“…I’m [Grandma] Wang’s secretary.” Mi-young purposefully interrupts, which is probably the first time in this series I’ve ever wanted to shake her by the shoulders. Let him speak!

Gun’s face falls as Mi-young continues the lie, which Se-ra totally buys. When he gets a private moment with Mi-young outside, he asks her the same question we’re all wondering: Why did she stop him?

But Mi-young is thinking from Se-ra’s perspective, and doesn’t want Gun to hurt Se-ra’s feelings by telling her the truth. Everything about Gun, from his face to his voice when he asks, “What about you?” is so incredibly tragic. She’s being so selfless that he’s having to remind her to think about how she feels, not just about how Se-ra might.

After Mi-young leaves, Gun spends a long time outside his office collecting himself before he lets himself in with his trademark laugh. Se-ra pulls him into a chokehold as she asks whether he’s soooo happy to see her that he could die from happiness.

“Yes, I’m going to die from happiness,” Gun parrots back, with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. After bringing up how Gun hasn’t been as devoted to her as he normally is, Se-ra tells him that she’s here on holiday for five days.

She doesn’t seem to notice how his smile fades when she kisses him on the cheek, and instead insists that he not work for as long as she’s visiting.

After watching Mi-young zombie her way out of the office building, we find Se-ra giving Gun a tour of her hotel room. Just when she starts to tell him how hard it was to be away from him, Gun takes her by the hands like he’s about to tell her the truth, but Se-ra keeps talking about how much she realized she needs him.

Mi-young tries to hide her sadness as she reads to Keddongie from the children’s book. She’s not as obsessive about checking her phone as Gun was, but she still sighs to find no missed calls or messages.

Gun stays with Se-ra until she falls asleep (no funny business), but before she dozes off, she says, “You know the only person I can lean on in this world is you, right? Let’s get married. I’ll marry you.”

His expression is pained as he takes in these words—if only she’d said them sooner. But he leaves a note on her bedside telling her that they need to meet tomorrow because he has something to tell her. Good for you, Gun.

The next morning, Mama Yong finds Mi-young chopping onions for a side dish alone, and doesn’t hide the fact that she knows Gun didn’t come home last night. “Do you think he’s cheating on you?” Mama Yong asks, clearly hoping to get some good gossip.

But Mi-young, of course, covers for Gun by claiming he was at the office. Mama Yong takes this chance to prey on Mi-young through pretending to commiserate with her as a fellow mistress—after all, they’re both “the other woman,” aren’t they? And “other women” always have to be prepared to leave, because that’s their fate.

Unbeknownst to Mi-young, news of Gun’s affair has spread in that passive-aggressive way most loved by Korean media, where they give every detail of the story without specific names. But Mi-young, aka Employer “B”, is being portrayed as a woman who purposefully approached CEO “A” with the intention of getting pregnant.

When she steps outside to take a walk, she’s hounded by members of the press who snap photos and ask invasive questions based on the rumor that’s been spreading. They follow an increasingly-nervous Mi-young down the street, until Daniel spots them passing by the cafe and roars at them to leave her alone.

Of course, they’re intrigued by the handsome man who steps in front of Mi-young protectively, and start hounding him with questions. They don’t seem to buy it when he tells them that he’s Mi-young’s neighborhood oppa, and he even spells it out for them: “Neighborhood PLUS oppa! Neighborhood oppa!”

Once Daniel escorts Mi-young inside the cafe, he gets the good-for-nothing media junkies to make like a tree after he threatens them against taking oooone step onto his property.

While Gun waits for Se-ra to finish her interview so he can talk to her, his thoughts inevitably drift to Mi-young when he finds a stray post-it note on the floor.

But he’s forced to leave early when Doctor Moon calls him with urgent news (about his mother?), so he leaves Se-ra a text saying that they’ll have to talk later.

Mi-young apologizes to Daniel for causing him trouble, but he brushes it off by saying that he’s always available anytime she wants to go for a walk in the future. He’ll protect her. (Aww.)

Gun rushes through a hospital and bursts through the doors to find “Mom,” aka Mi-young’s mom, in an exam room. Awwwwww, that’s who he was so worried about? What a perfect son-in-law.

Even though they’ll need to operate on Mom’s kidney stones, Doctor Moon and Mom have to reassure Gun that everything is going to be okay when he almost has a panic attack. Mi-young is the last one to the hospital room party, even though Mom didn’t want her to know she was there—it was her unni Mi-sook who spilled the beans.

Gun drives Mi-young home from the hospital, and an attempt to ease the awkward silence with the radio fails when literally every station he turns to happens to be talking about bad relationships.

He tries a CD next, and freaks out when the song “Que Sera Sera” comes on (because of Se-ra, get it?) so much so that he has to beat the dashboard to get the darn thing to turn off.

Finally, Mi-young breaks the tension by sincerely thanking Gun for today. He’s left a little confused, and more than a little guilty about the Se-ra issue still hanging over their heads.

It’s sad when Mi-young says goodbye to him outside Lee Manor, knowing that he’s going to meet Se-ra… but they’re both surprised when Se-ra meets them outside the house with gifts for him and Grandma Wang.

But when Mi-young tries to duck out of the situation, Gun stops her. Se-ra knows something’s up as Gun holds Mi-young in place, and he looks into Mi-young’s eyes all but pleading for him to not do what he’s about to.

“Se-ra,” Gun begins. “This person… is not my grandmother’s secretary. The truth is…” Mi-young desperately whispers for him not to say it, all but shaking in fear.

But despite Mi-young’s protests, Gun turns back to Se-ra: “I got married. This woman… This woman is my wife.” Yiiiiiiiiiiiikes. Here we go…

Se-ra reels in shock and disbelief, and it’s only when Mi-young sincerely apologizes that the truth really sinks in. She drops her umbrella and almost faints on the spot, but Gun grabs her before she can fall.

“Tell me it’s a lie,” Se-ra chokes through her tears. “Please… please tell me it’s a lie. You were the person that would do everything I wanted, weren’t you?”

Gun can only tell her he’s sorry, and can’t help but follow her when she runs off in the rain. When he catches up to her, she tears into him about deceiving her like this—how did it feel to see her face again after he’d gotten married secretly? Was he always this cruel?

But before she can continue, Gun interrupts, “I’m having a baby. That woman… she’s the mother of my child.” Se-ra stops, completely stunned into silence.

Later that night, Gun watches his home videos with Se-ra and opens the gifts she dropped outside the house. He starts laughing when he reads the note that accompanies the cufflinks she bought especially for him, before his laughter devolves into wretched sobs of grief.

Mi-young, left all by herself, curls up in the corner of their bedroom and cries.

After fielding more gossip-mongering from Mama Yong the next morning, Mi-young puts a smile on her face as she follows Gun to the gate to see him off for work. He’s wearing the suit she set out for him, along with the cufflinks Se-ra gave him. Oh no.

Her smile immediately fades, not just at the cufflinks, but because Gun completely ignores her. It’s like she may as well not be there at all, which makes it all the more tragic when Mi-young waves after the car anyway.

Grandma Wang seems to know something about yesterday’s events as she sits Mi-young down to invite her to an upcoming party, where she’ll represent herself as Gun’s wife. “In this household, you are the one and only daughter-in-law,” Grandma stresses.

She apologizes to Mi-young for how she’s been treated since marrying into the household, since she knows it hasn’t been easy for her. But Mi-young claims that she’s under no such stress, only that she’s worried about not being able to help Gun more.

After taking a long look at a picture of him and Se-ra he’s kept on his desk for years, Gun decides to hide it in a drawer. He seems to have forgotten that he also put Mi-young’s heart-shaped lollipop there, and flashes back to the moment she gave it to him in Macau.

Manager Tak comes rushing in with all the papers that have been publishing hateful rumors about how Mi-young forced her way into the family/company, and seems at a loss when Gun demands that he block the articles.

Grandma Wang takes Mi-young to the formal gala, proudly introducing her as Gun’s wife and the new madam of Jangin Chemicals. Things start to go downhill the moment Mi-young is left alone, not only because she’s unaware that her douchey ex-boyfriend Lawyer Min is in attendance, but because all the well-to-do ladies are spewing vitriol about her based on the rumors.

Poor Mi-young hears all their insults and swallows her pain, but seems dangerously close to breaking. To make matters worse, her attempt to leave is foiled when she runs into that friend of Se-ra’s she and Gun saw outside of the prenatal class. The one who treated her like dirt.

Things are no different now, since the girl chucks her drink in Mi-young’s face as she calls her an embarrassment to her gender. Lawyer Min is right there to rub it all in, whine, and gloat at the same time.

But when tough-as-nails Mi-young doesn’t fold under his harsh words, Lawyer Min takes to the podium to publicly embarrass her in front of everyone in attendance by pointing her out as the woman from all the rumors. You inconceivable douche. I can’t even.

He’s relentlessly hateful, and just when you wish Mi-young would just turn tail and run, we hear a familiar slow clap…

…It’s Gun! I never thought I’d be so happy to see him. And Lawyer Min couldn’t look any unhappier to see him. Serves him right.

Gun takes over the microphone to address what’s on everyone’s mind: his relationship to Mi-young. He loudly announces that the crowd is right about them getting married because of the baby, along with Mi-young having been a contractor at a law firm, and soundly puts those rumors to rest as he sarcastically praises the audience for being so astute.

“There’s one thing you all don’t know about her, though: That woman is… a very strange woman,” Gun says. After living together, there’s this peculiar reversal about her. The more you look at her, the prettier she becomes. It’d be boring if she was just pretty, but on top of that, she’s cute, adorable, and extremely kind. Because I’m so sorry to know such a strange woman all to myself, I’m going to say it here in person.”

He snaps his fingers, and one of the musicians begins to play a tune on a traditional haegeum familiar to anyone who’s ever seen Chuno. I will never get tired of these throwbacks to Jang Hyuk’s past. Keep ‘em coming.

As the song plays, Gun saunters toward Mi-young while telling everyone the same thing her mother proudly declared when all the factory workers were pressuring her into the marriage: Mi-young isn’t the smartest, she wasn’t good at her studies, and she was especially horrible in math.

Gun:“But that woman… she really knows how to be sincere to others. And that woman takes good care of someone who’s hurting and knows how to sympathize with them. So she might be plain, but she’s very special and precious—my lovely wife, Kim Mi-young. Everyone, I introduce you to that Kim Mi-young.”

After that mic drop moment, the audience applauses while Gun leans in to tell Mi-young that a diamond like her doesn’t belong with rocks like these. And then he winks at her. (Quick, bring me my smelling salts!)

He gets her the hell outta there and takes her to a scenic spot where he plays a classic tune as he asks her for a dance, seeing as how they’re all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Mi-young finally smiles as she places her hand in his outstretched one. He pulls her close for their dance, and uses his fingers to count down from 3…2…1…

Then with a snap of his fingers, the sky around them suddenly lights up with fireworks. They both smile and laugh as they dance, while Manager Tak heaves a happy, relieved sigh nearby. (I’m not crying… it’s just been raining on my face.)

Gun asks if things have been difficult for her lately, before clarifying that he wasn’t avoiding her because he disliked her—he was sorry because he wasn’t yet ready to go to her.

“Thank you for waiting for me,” he adds as he looks into her eyes. “And for being by my side now.” It’s this last line that has Mi-young in tears, and Gun’s reaction is to simply brush them away with his fingers as he tips her face toward him to kiss her…

…Just as we flash back to Mi-young telling Daniel: “The better he treats me, the more afraid I become. The better he treated me, the more he made efforts for my sake… the more afraid I became. That I might depend on him too much… that he might be mistaken in liking me. That, on the day we promised, I might not be able to send him away.”

 
COMMENTS

To preserve the integrity of this recap, I made a conscious decision to leave out any incoherent fangirling I might’ve been experiencing at any given moment because it would’ve taken over like a cancer. But now that we’ve reached the comments section, I can finally say: THIS SHOW WINS AT EVERYTHING.

I’m so enraptured with Gun and Mi-young’s romance that it isn’t even funny at this point, especially since this episode took their relationship to so many extremes—and all without giving us emotional whiplash. I’d been dreading the day Se-ra returned because I was worried that whatever Gun felt for Mi-young was so fragile and new that it would undoubtedly shatter when his six-year flame showed up. And as much as I love Gun, I was a nervous wreck thinking of how much of a jerk the show could make him while getting away with it, even if that would fly in the face of the man we’ve seen him to be thus far.

And the very reason why this show remains such a rewarding watch is because Gun and Mi-young are so fully realized that they’re not just going to act and behave the way other dramas have conditioned us to believe they would. It’s like magic, the way those two interact. Whether it’s just one look from Gun asking Mi-young to think about herself for once, or the way she cares for him so much that she would rather suffer and be miserable just so he can be happy, they share a connection that’s palpable to those of us on the other side of the screen. That’s the stuff true romances are made of, and this episode proved that Fated is destined to be one of the greats, the kind of drama we’ll find ourselves revisiting whenever we need to remember what being this in love with a story and its characters felt like.

But what am I saying all that for now? We’re still lucky enough to be living this as it happens, which is both a blessing and a curse when the future is still such an unknown. Even if dramaland laws mandate that happiness like this can’t possibly last for twelve more episodes, I can still love Gun and Mi-young just as they are, right in that moment. I don’t have enough superlatives for the way Gun stayed true to himself and told Se-ra everything, even though we know how hard that was for him. All he wanted was to hear the words Se-ra said to him this episode, but it was too late—and the fact that Gun knew that, grieved for it, and moved past it is what makes him so unbelievably endearing that coherency becomes impossible when describing him.

This was also a wonderful episode for Mi-young, and even if it’s been stated before, it’s worth repeating: Jang Nara is absolutely killing it in this role. My heart broke for her when she tried so desperately to stop Gun from telling Se-ra about her, and again when she stood in the midst of all those people refusing to let herself break, even though it’s hard to even imagine how alone she must’ve felt. Which is what made Gun’s save all the more poignant and perfect—but it wasn’t enough just for him to swoop in and carry her away from all those vultures. No, he made sure that they knew just how special Mi-young is.

Then came the slow dance by the river, Gun’s apology, and those fireworks. I’m sure we’ve all seen plenty of on-screen romantic gestures in our time, regardless of where we hail from. And well-timed fireworks weren’t likely to reinvent the romantic wheel at this point… or so I thought. That was B.G. (Before Gun). Now future heroes will have to top that act, to which I say: good luck trying.

 
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As I watch this and squee, I find myself wondering how many times you died of happiness when YOU watched...it's like you are Mary and the show is Song Jae Rim.

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This must've been for ALL those pains Heads have had to endure painstakingly recapping shows that turn into wild rides (read: incoherently insane). Thanks for the recap, and dear Drama, thank you for your existence!

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LOL. BTW Where's Mary?
and HN2 please make recaps for FTLY come out sooner!!!!!!!!!
Thanks and well done for all your hard work

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Hmmmm, I think the fact that HN2 wrote such a squee worthy, brillant recap within 24 hrs of the show is beyond my expectations & grateful. If you need it any faster, I believe you need to catch a flight to SK and watch it LIVE

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HEADS2NO...calling HEADS2NO....

this is gonna sound SO fangirling...but do you know of a way/address/phone to send my words of gratitude to show?

i have never been so moved by a drama as to send a show a thank you (other than through watching & commenting).

i am in AWE of this show...it's as if the universe came together to bring planet Earth a rom-com story to entertain and teach and reward human beings with a 20 hour gift. a gift, I believe, the world needs atm.

Everything about this drama is brilliant:
*the writing
*the casting
*the super cheerful wardrobe
*the directing
*the actors and their craft
*the location (by using the Korean dialect/ideograms, it gives so much more play in the exchange between characters and provides a deeper meaning of the dialogues)
*the food (it would be far-fetched to pass off that 'couples morning sickness' scene in USA...but Korean food smells...sometimes it smells a LOT such that we could (kinda) believe that scene)

I would very much appreciate a way to contact show to express my gratitude and encourage show to continue.

sincerely,
one weird texas chick who is fangirling to the max. (sorry and pls enjoy)

oh, and btw, thanks so much for your recap <3

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I feel the SAME! I should definitely send my gratitude... but I don't know how... except for writing comments! I mean, It's the least I could do for a show that's making me sooo happy!

I am completely in love and in awe with everything about this show! Actually, I make your words mine! ;)

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If you are grateful to this drama than try watching Baby Faced Beauty. Jang Nara is the lead actress too. She plays the same kind of character but the story is different.

The morning sickness scene wouldn't be far-fetched in America b/c it is an actual phenomenon called Couvade syndrome. It happens to couples all around the world.

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Not a response to this comment but I just wanted to mention a correction in the episode recap.

In the morning after Se-Ra finds out about Gun's marriage, Mi-Young sets out an outfit for him but Gun chooses to wear a different suit with the gifted cuff links, which is why Mi-Young is so downcast when she sees Gun in the morning.

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He also wasn't wearing his ring, I believe.

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I think he did wear his ring, you can see it glistering in that scene, and later on in his office when he's holding the candy. I think it was just about the cloths in this scene; he's didn't use the cufflinks either, as far as I can see, and even if he did, Miyoung wouldn't know how they looked like.

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In the morning , when Mi-Young showed him off , he was wearing a different suit and tie , not the ones she had prepared for him. And he wasn't wearing his wedding ring either. That is why she felt sad. Not to mention that he gave her a cold shoulder and he didn’t even look at her or say something before he left. Regarding the cufflinks – she couldn't have known from whom they were and what they meant. When he came to the party , he had his wedding ring on his finger .

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@Nik; I think he was wearing his ring in the morning; it's on his left finger; he's wearing it later in his office too, and as you mentioned, he had his ring on at the party too. In the morning his left hand isn't really showing, maybe that's why there's some confusion, but if you look closely you can see it glistering at one point. I think the reason Miyoung was upset, is as you also mentioned, because of the different cloths he chose to wear as opposed to the cloths she prepaired for him, and of course the way he was ignoring her.

I'm repeating myself a bit, but maybe my first post wasn't clear;)

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Thanks for the recap! Just hope Sera does not turn into a evil second female lead~ Be a cool girl, Sera!

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If Sera is a decent person like Gon is, she'd know, upon reflection, that she has been a delinquent GF for the last few years, always putting her career ahead of Gon n her relationship w him. However, she seems to be a rather self-centred person, by what she says to him in this ep.
"You are the only one I can depend on."
"My life can't be good w/o you."

Her coming back to him is about making her life better, not out of love for him. So, if she continues to be that self-centred, which I think she will, she'll likely turn nasty, bcos she'll blame him for betraying her, blame MY for taking Her man, instead of taking responsibility for her part in not holding up her end of the relationship.

Did she say at 1 pt that she'll be here for 5Ds4Ns his time? Gon is supposed to be happy w an occasional rendezvous for years to come?

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She even said "You're the man who does everything I ask for."

Selfish, much?

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Sera just expects him to drop everything n go off w her for 5 days, n be thankful for it.
She is here on a 'long vacation' for 5 days.
She wants to get married.
And make that a long distance marriage, putting ballet b4 him? And ignore the pressure fr his family to provide an heir?

I'm not sure that's such a good offer, even if it wasn't too late.

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THIS IS WHY I HATED HER CHARACTER SO MUCH IN THE ORIGINAL!!!!!

I...I JUST....I CAN'T....AFIDSHGOIDSLFISDHGOIDSIFHSIDFHOSDHIOGHSDIHGAIFODIHGIODSHOIFJDOSIGHOIDSJHSDIFOIDSHGOOISDHGOIHSDGOIS

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I don't know why all of the letters went off the page like that, lol.

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This version of FTLY is, by far, waaaay better than the original. I love how Gun has more balls than the Taiwanese counterpart. And this "big reveal" scene gave much more heart.

Tbh, iv watched like a million romcoms that iv become so jaded but FTLY hit me in all the right places!!

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Amen, Reena. A. MEN.

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What's 5Ds4Ns?

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5 Days 4 Nights

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I think that's a little bit harsh on Sera.

What did Sera do that was so bad?

1. She and Gun were happy together. Yes, Gun wanted to marry and raise a family, and so, probably, did Sera. But Sera also wants to see how far she can go with her passion for ballet. She is an elite level ballerina, and she has worked her whole life to make it as far as she has.

If Gun respected her at all, then wouldn't Gun be supportive of her lifelong desire to become a prima ballerina?

2. Has Sera been a delinquent GF? I cannot say how anyone would know that. Sera and Gun were happy and in love with each other. How can anyone say that Sera has been delinquent? Because she didn't want to get married right when her once-in-her-lifetime opportunity to become the prima ballerina appeared before her?

3. If Gun is anxious to get married because of his career and his position with his company, then what is the difference between that and Sera, except that Gun has already made it because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and just wants to keep what he has.

4. Sera's coming back to Korea was to see Gun, because she LOVES him. She has always loved him, and Gun has always loved Sera. Isn't that what couples do, if they are apart for a while?

5. Is Sera self-centered? Yes, but everyone is self-centered. Gun is self-centered, and so, in fact, is KMY. KMY, however, has a personality issue that she is uncomfortable when others are uncomfortable. That doesn't mean she is not self-centered. It means that she is 100% self-centered because the reason she is helpful to others is because she feels more at ease when others around her are happy.

6. Finally, Sera was going to marry Gun. She knew Gun was about to propose, and now she is going to do it.

Oh but whoops, some random girl got knocked up by accident, and now Sera's life and dreams with Gun have been obliterated.

And people now want to call Sera "self-centered?"

Really?

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samsooki:

totally agree with you. all of us self-centered. and (imo) self centeredness is totally to blame for SeRa+Gun downfall.

i think SeRa took Gun for granted.

he was always there for her and did everything for her and she just fell into the rut of thinking that he WOULD always be there for her...and that he would wait for her until she finished her 'thing'.

well, we all know what happens when we take things for granted...those things mysteriously get taken from us.

that's why show is called "FATED" to love you. Gun wasn't looking for romance from another...neither was KMY...and SeRa just wanted to put her romance on hold until she finished her 'thing'. fate happens.

great post, btw. i appreciate you.

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oops samsooki:

dang that auto-correct!

i meant to convey that i don't (do not) think that self-centeredness was to totally blame for the SeRa+Gun downfall.

I think

1- SeRa took Gun for granted that he would always be there

2- Gun was finally in a place where he was ready to commit/settle down. i.e., the so-called practice proposal in the Macau garden that MiYoung overheard.

3- MiYoung finally mustered the courage to start dating with the hopes and end goal of getting married.

so again, loved your post.

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I agree as well -- I hope they can keep this character smart and ambitious without being evil.

Also, as much as I am enjoying the characters and the performances, the show is starting to seem a little too careful to me. There's no real tension or conflict among characters who have a lot to be tense and conflicted about.

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Hey AJ, why do you say there is no conflict?
Add far as I know, there's still a lot of conflict in this show. from the last 10s if the ep, it's obvious that yeah, there was a grand gesture, fireworks etc.. BUT does Gun Live her now? KMY doesn't think so. And I don't think Gun is fully in love with her yet. He just finished mourning his 6yr relationship.
So what if the thing that forced them together goes?
I am actually dreading all the conflict, angst, tension that's still to come

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even though they loved each other, it didn't seem that they were on the same page. both wanted different things that they couldn't compromise on. sera doesn't strike me as the type of woman who'd give up her dreams because she's a married woman now, like you often see in kdramas where it's seen often that the woman quits working when she gets married eg Love for Money, Married Not Dating. while gun wanted to get married and have kids, which was why he couldn't be happier by the news that sera was coming back bc he thought they were going to finally settle down. Soometimes it's just best to to understand that and that'll be better if you let each other go. Couples don't break up because they don't love each other.

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Totally agree, except that there was no reason to break up.

No reason until some unknown girl and Gun mistakenly got into bed together and had the sex and then got the baby baking in the oven and then got the ring, and now Sera is toast.

Now, there is nothing. Sera got burned because someone who worked in a soap factory started drugging people.

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samsooki, I disagree. I think there was a very valid reason for them to break up (long before Mi Young came along). They did not want the same thing in terms of their relationship. Gun was ready to get married and settle down. Se Ra wanted to pursue her dream of being a ballerina. Both dreams are perfectly acceptable dreams to have, but not necessarily compatible in this context. When you're in a relationship, both people need to be heading in the same direction, and Gun and Se Ra were not. I don't blame either of them for that, because it's not anyone's fault. But so far, it looks like Gun has made the most sacrifices in the relationship. He's put all of the things he wants aside to support Se Ra. Without being pushy or controlling or manipulative. But up until this episode, Se Ra has shown little concern for what Gun wants. She's mostly been interested in her own needs. And I Do fault her for that.

It's selfish to keep someone in a relationship when they aren't getting what they need out of it. Se Ra is beautiful, talented, intelligent, interesting. She should have zero problem finding someone who wants the same thing in a relationship as her.

Dreams are great and should be pursued. But not at the expense of others.

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@ 2.1.3.4.2 OhSoEnthusiastic:

There may or may not have been a valid reason to break up, but those kinds of reasons exist in every relationship.

But what is true is that they were NOT broken up. They were just in different places. Was there any indication that Lee Gun was dumping Sera or vice versa? Of course not.

This is the question - if Gun had not been drugged and hadn't impreggerated KMY, then would Gun and Sera have been together? Answer? Yes.

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I can't blame Se Ra for putting her career first. Like most athletic careers you have to live and breath your sport- it defines your life and your time at the top, no matter how talented you are, is very short.

I find her selfish because she expects Gun's life to revolve around her as her's does ballet. She comes into town with no notice and he's supposed to drop everything and entertain her for the week? I know he's a dramaland CEO but that's a bit much.

Maybe he's done so in the past so she doesn't think this time would be any different despite the proposal that didn't happen because she ran off to New York but I find her entitled attitude towards Gun combined with her handling of the NY offer and her snobby friend off-putting.

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I agree with your points. It's hard to know for sure what / who is selfless/self-centered b/w Gun and Sera. I think the Korean version makes that balance more ambiguous (intentionally) than the TW version. It is a very big deal in Korea (or any Asian country) to be the first in the nation to break out, be the star at a (supposedly) top ballet company in NY, and essentially bring honor to your country. That is a huge deal. If your life had been all about that dream up to that point, and all you had to do was take that next step, who honestly wouldn't? Yes, Sera did it albeit in a selfish manner but the drama's bias is rather edited in favor of KMY as a lead. (Which is to say, she could have said and talked to LG about it; and she still would have left. Would that make a difference to the plot development - likely not.)

Being the top in your sport is a lot of sacrifice and actually requires a huge support network. A lot of top players and athletes make it out because their loved ones understand this and commit (and sacrifice) themselves to that goal. And if not married, their potential life partners would/should understand this - it's part of the package, so to speak.

Also the title and plot line of the Korean version, as someone astutely pointed out, is that life/sh*t happens such that all of sudden everything that you thought was supposed to happen falls apart and everything you once knew begins to go jarringly out of place. All the what-ifs in retrospect that shoulda/coulda/woulda are so much more poignant in the Korean version than the TW version. So Sera here is treated more fairly in the plot development than in the TW version, such that at this stage people were less sorry for her plight and she was a character that was much harder to sympathize with.

I actually appreciate and enjoy the characterization and thought that went into K-FTLY. It definitely is far more subtle and thoughtful in how their main characters figure a way out of their accidental affair. I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of the TW version; but understood its outsized popularity. But seeing the K-version now made me realize the deft handling by the actors here of their role. But it is almost an unfair comparison: JH and JN are very very seasoned actors. Ethan Ruan was a practical newbie at the time (TW-equivalent of LG) and Chen Qiao En (TW-version of KMY) though seasoned in romcoms is actually quite formulaic (i.e., a very good and popular one-trick pony at the time).

I've always been a fan of Jang Nara. Seeing her here made me realize and appreciate her more so. I get why her peers would see her as a post-it, wallflower-type girl. The meekness is a well defined character arc in K-FTLY, brought to life by JN's acting talents. In T-FTLY, it felt less like a personality flaw and more like a simple, superficial character device.

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I agree with all of this, but when Se-ra said to "cancel all his meetings/take the week off," I'm pretty sure she was kidding and knew it was an egregious request. That's why she's shocked that Gun "agrees to it."

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Everything you just said. In Caps.

I find it disturbing that people, I'm assuming mostly women, in 2014, are crit-ing SeRa for making the career she'd worked her whole life for a priority. And Gun is a chaebol, again it's 2014 and the digital age. He could literally work from anywhere if need be and he wanted to see her while she was touring. Yes, she poorly executed her decision to go to NY by not having a detailed conversation with Gun, but the decision to follow her dream? Go SeRa. In no way did she take that decision lightly, but she did not need permission to make it. As she and Gun had been dating for 6 years, there should have been no conflict over this, as he should know, understand, and support her ambitions. Yes, it is understandable that Gun would have been bummed that his proposal plans went to heck. Yes, SeRa should have had a more detailed conversation with Gun.The conversations they needed to have could have been done long distance. If the situation was reversed, I wonder how many people would have a problem with a male character making a career choice? Would it have been okay if Gun suddenly had a work issue to deal with and had to bail on the proposal trip?

But I find the conflict is completely contrived for a long term couple that should know and understand each other. Which makes the writing on this interesting and worth a look at its purpose. How many times have we seen this happen in real life when couples realize that they have fallen in love and spent years with each other and it takes a situation like this to make them realize that they want and need very different things in life?

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"And Gun is a chaebol, again it’s 2014 and the digital age. He could literally work from anywhere if need be and he wanted to see her while she was touring."

You're cute. What you may not have seen, is that they've represented Gun as the CEO who successfully turned around a consumer products conglomerate. Running that type of enterprise isn't something you can do sitting at home in your pajamas with a laptop and a good wifi connection. ;-)

"In no way did she take that decision lightly, but she did not need permission to make it. As she and Gun had been dating for 6 years, there should have been no conflict over this, as he should know, understand, and support her ambitions."

It wasn't just a proposal trip that got messed up. After 6 years of waiting, she had committed to return to Korea to start a family. And she unilaterally bailed on that commitment.

You're right. She's still single, so she had every right to do that with her life. But if she lives her life like that, she should expect to remain single. Making unilateral life-altering decisions may have worked for her in high school and college relationships, but it won't work for her as an adult. :-)

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@Gidget

"You’re cute. What you may not have seen, is that they’ve represented Gun as the CEO who successfully turned around a consumer products conglomerate. Running that type of enterprise isn’t something you can do sitting at home in your pajamas with a laptop and a good wifi connection. ;-)"

Please do not be condescending or put words in my mouth because you have a different opinion. I did not say he could or should run the business exclusively in pj's with a laptop and good wifi. I worked for a Fortune 500 Company for 10 years in a Corporate Headquarters. Most CEO's generally work out of a base office HQ, or split their time between bases. They travel extensively and quite literally run the business on the go. Someone at Gun's level would not think twice about traveling and handling business from the "road" as he made time for his personal life.

My understanding was that she gave herself a time limit to secure a level of success, and if she did not meet it, the agreement was to come back to SK. However, she received the position she was seeking. As I said, she did not handle it properly, but that does not mean she should have bailed on her dream.

Alpha's in long standing relationships make unilateral decisions every day lol.

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@Mar
If the situation was reversed, I would tell the female to run for her life, away from the guy and find somebody else. If you're ready to settle down and the guy bails, then it's a sign that he is not ready, and he just plans to string you along.

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@Mar

I didn't mean to be condescending. I simply didn't fully understand what you were suggesting. And the response wasn't intended to be entirely serious. Still, sorry for saying it in a way that caused you to feel bad.

BTW I've also worked with a lot of corporate CEOs and, until they retire, they definitely don't do a lot of personal travel. Most rarely take vacations. If they're traveling, like you said, it's to one of their corporate offices or to a client's. Even if they wanted to take a quick personal trip their work calendar leaves them nearly zero control over their personal time.

And, hate to say it ('cuz I may take a lot of bullets here), but the men marry women who are willing to support their career and carry most of the responsibility at home. That's not saying they' don't respect women or are living like Neanderthals. It's just the practical reality of what it takes for them to handle their responsibilities. (Just reverse the roles if the CEO in the marriage is the woman. The work demands / family dynamics are still the same.)

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I agree with Awe :

1. Se Ra is not self-centered she just took Gun for granted sometimes .. not that she wanted to but I guess that is her challenge as ballerina. And Gun being a supportive boyfriend understood that and stay by her side.

2. But as it is fated for Gun (not that he & Mi Young planned it) he has to marry someone else and fall for her unexpectedly. Gun being a nobleman insisting that he is not his playboy father is trying to prove he is not that ( he mentioned this once to Grandma).

3. I guess Se Ra has to come to terms with that fact, it's Fate or else the drama won't be called that ;)

4. Thank you for the recap & emo sharing comments :)

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I appreciate the fact that you're trying to see things from the perspective of SR's character. However I also think there's more nuance to the notion of self-centeredness than the post takes into account.

What people are noticing about SR isn't a self-centeredness issue, it's a character issue. A healthy personality has self esteem (considering oneself to have inherent dignity and worth). An unhealthy personality is selfish (only caring about satisfying your own desires and goals, regardless of how your actions impact others).

SR has established herself as a selfish personality. She makes life-altering decisions based only on her own desires and then unilaterally acts on them without consultation or compromise. Being married to someone like that would be relationship hell.

Gun waited for her for 6 years. She had promised to return to get married, at a time that was critical for his career and perhaps for his ability to father a family and carry-on the family name. However, as soon as she returned she started to get cold feet. Then she secretly took a job offer and left the country. She didn't talk to him about changing their plans, delaying marriage, or about getting married and having a long distance relationship. Instead she expected him to accept her unilateral decision and obediently wait for her. That's selfish. Really, really selfish.

This episode she also made a couple of comments that helped us understand the selfish underpinnings of her personality:

Her comment about the cufflinks: 'we're like cufflinks, we're no good without each other'. That's both sappy and flat-out unhealthy. And demeaning, since by extension it implies his existence would be pointless without her.

Her comment about him saying what she wanted to hear: 'you're the person who's supposed to do whatever I want'. Uh, sorry cupcake, no he's not. If you want that, get a dog.

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And I should clarify. I like SR as a character. I hope they take the high road with her, which to me means:

1) Her trying to redeem her relationship with Gun, once she finds out that his marriage is attached to a contract (there has to be a reason they're keeping that thing sitting around in his den).

2) Her learning good lessons about how selfishness impacts an adult relationship...about the importance of finding a man that has a suitable career that'll mesh well with her own... and moving on. *lookin' at you Daniel*

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I agree with everything you've said...except about the cufflinks. I think that was actually a sweet gift, and between any other couple, I would love it. But if you add it up with all of the other issues in their relationship, and it is concerning.

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the SeRa-->Gun-->MiYoung triangle is another reason that makes show even more brilliant.

SeRa is not bad person, nor a victim
Gun is not bad person, nor a victim
MiYoung is not bad person, nor a victim

how many couples TRY or WANT to create a baby and can't?

how many couples have unplanned pregnancy even though they practice birth control?

how many couples get preggers from one night stands?

So, show has this added conflict to make us think about:

does a soul choose his/her parents
OR
does a soul's karma determine soul's fate & family

i really wish i knew how to send my gratitude to show...because it's just so....brilliantly executed!

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There is nothing wrong for a woman to put her career first, absolutely nothing.

Here we've a guy who adores the ground she stands on, will do anything that makes her happy. Sera knows that and is stringing him along, with occasional visits to Seoul, while he is the head of a traditional family that expects him to get married and produce an heir asap.

If she is honest and is Not self-centred, she'd tell him that "Ballet is my life, I like being the first Korean to be the prima ballerina in NYC Ballet, and will Not come back to SK any time soon. It's going to be a long-distance marriage, and children will be out of the Qn for a foreseeable period."

If Gon was not so blinded by his love for her, he should know that about her w/o being told. But he is blind, so he is hoping vs hope, as we've seen w his prepared proposal in Macau.

By self-centred, we usually mean a lack of consideration for sb else. In this case, Sera hasn't really considered Gon's situation and needs, whether they be family obligations or emotional needs.

In a love relationship, it is very easy for the one who is loved more to take advantage of the one who is loves more. It takes a principled and conscionable person to curb that temptation.

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Wow samsooki, are you my FTLY twin? I had the exact same thoughts as I was watching the break up scene, then reading unsympathetic comments on how Sera deserved it.

Although I have to say, it was really due to the break down of communication that ruined their relationship. Sera did string Geon along, and Geon blinded by his love for Sera didn't confront her about it. When one partner becomes dominate over the other without compromises to balance their roles out, the relationship naturally wouldn't last. By not bringing the issue up, Sera continues to believe that Geon is supporting her, when in fact, he's really not happy that she's chosen her career over him.

This is not even mentioning the fact that he's kept her in the dark about having a ONS with someone else for weeks "out of kindness."

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When everything is said and done, Sera is still one of the victims in this whole situation just as much as KMY. Don't get me wrong, I love the OTP. However I can't help but feel Sera's sadness and heartache. As many of you have mentioned, being the prima ballerina is what she has worked her whole life for. Maybe the drawn-out, long distant 6-year love is due to the fact that she is not ready, she is not content at being married and settled down when her career is still holding out for that ONE big chance. Unfortunately, that big chance comes at the worst opportune time of her love life. It maybe selfish but there was no argument that Gun and Sera were in love. If that accident between Gun and KMY did not happen, he would continue to love Sera and wait for her to come back. We see how torn and hurt he felt during this whole ordeal because his love for Sera was deep. Now, when she realizes that she needs him more than ever and is ready for marriage, she loses him forever! This is so sad.
I think KMY sympathizes Sera's situation and feels her pain. She certainly does not feel good being the catalyst that breaks their relationship.
We don't know how good or how evil Sera's character turns out to be, but that's beside the point. In my view, Sera needs as much love and comforting as KMY would.

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agree with you and heonheemoon regarding sera.. had she been the female lead of another story, i bet the reaction will be 180deg different and everyone will be sympathizing with her..

that being said, saw someone mentioned that the 3 of them are victims - which i agree totally.. the scene in the rain, it's equally heartbreaking for all 3 of them.. i love how this show make us feel for all the characters, it made them more real.. i think what made it really "click" for me, was the what-if's in the situation.. what-if sera went to macau and accepted the proposal, what-if geon never met MY, what-if..... (the list can go on).. like someone else mentioned here, it really resonates with the title of the drama, and this is fate that things turned out this way..

on putting career first, i have read an interview of a very famous dancer, and one thing she mentioned that struck me the most was that - she is extremely glad that she met her husband, and also very sorry to him, because he is always second to her career.. so such things are very much real and i love that the writers capture this perfectly in the character of sera..

so back to the what-ifs.. what-if the MY incident didn't happen? i'm 100% sure geon will continue to be his self-sacrificing self and wait for her forever.. which is just so so so sad...

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I think Sera was more hurt by the fact that they've had a good, strong relationship -they trusted each other, they were everything for each other and you can glimpse that in the video) and yet, he hid something that big to her until now!!! well, that's how I view the scene when she learns the truth: beautiful, intense, well played scene!
My heart breaks for all three of them, maybe even more for MY because she can see how intense their relationship is and clearly appears as "the other woman" , the "outsider" ...

The problem with Sera is that she took Gun's love and support for granted. I don't blame her for trying to achieve her dream but she should have given something back to Gun, like a promise that she would marry him, she shouldn't have left him like that// Gun has been very supportive, he's been waiting for her for a long time. Even if Fate hadn't come in, how long could he have waited for her to come around?! No guy can wait forever...

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Well... I can't really predict in this drama, but in the taiwanese version, the previous girlfriend was back because due to her end career. Bottom line, i wonder if sera was back because she can't dance anymore or because she really wanted to go back...

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I think it's now that Sera's performance won't be good! My guess is that she's going to be deeply affected by what she's learnt! She won't be able to concentrate and perform well...

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I absolutely agree that Sera has every right to be mad and lash out and be frustrated. She has every right to choose her career over love if it means a once-in-lifetime opportunity. She seems to be a decent girlfriend and Gun wouldn't have wanted to marry her if she wasn't a nice girl.

BUT what makes her unlikable in my eyes is excatly that one sentence, “You’re the man who does everything I ask for.”

That let her seem self-centred in that way that she takes him for granted. She takes Gun for granted and doesn't even think about giving, but she constantly takes from him. She takes and takes and takes and takes because she knows that he'll always does everything for her, but she doesn't give him anything remotely close to what he gives her (if at all).

That's what is different towards KMJ, because she gives and gives and gives and gives without even wanting anything in return. Like Gun already said, they are a lot more similar than they think.

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Sera is a twisted and lost soul thus she will reek hell upon those who do not fit into her pictorial selfish bliss. This recap hit all the buttons I felt while watching ep8 and somewhat saddened on what MY will be subjected too in the coming eps. This show if continues at this level will be re-watched to relive the art of love & romance.

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I'm nervous what Se Ra and her friend might do in the upcoming episodes.... I don't think they're the types to sit back and do nothing... I feel nervous for Gun & Mi-Young (more so for MY).. :'(

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About Sera's friend:

We can tell sth about a person by the friends she keeps. Sera's friend who feels that she has the right to order a secretary to throw away her empty cup for her, and also to splash a drink on the face of the woman Gon marries, does not reflect well on Sera. I hope Sera is nothing like her, and is a mere acquaintance, not really a friend.

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I don't know... I don't see Sera as evil as you! she's so much better written that her Taiwanese counterpart who was selfish to the core...Sorry, but it's impossible to like her or even feel pity for her...whereas I feel sorry for Sera: she's not the beauty queen I expected, in the video she made with Gun, she looks really cute and refreshing to me and I can see why Gun fell for her although she's not absolutely gorgeous! I don't know... like all the other characters, she looks ..normal, likeable, very "human" actually. maybe there's an arrogance about her, she's very self centered but I'd say that's normal for a top ballerina like her! She seems nice too and not as haughty and nasty as her friend!!
I sincerely hope they won't make her as "evil" as the TW character but very "real" on the contrary. The way all these characters are written is what makes this drama refreshing and fantastic!

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I am truly addicted to this show. I got up at 3 AM because I knew that would be the earliest that dramafire would/could have ep. 8 out in subs. I literally cheered when I saw it listed and did a dance. Then I prepared for the fall out and the fake out. I literally watched the opening three times with completely different emotions each time. The running competition between Gun and Daniel was hilarious. I can so see them being best frenemies. I also love how Gun LOVES Mi-Young's mom. He was running faster in the hospital to find her than when he was competing with Daniel.I cringed when Se Ah turned up--all the air seemed to leave the room, especially after the adorable snail-invited he gave her to see his office and how Gun took Min Young's hand. I am curious about them being watched in the monitors. Was the control room keeping everyone else on other elevators? With all that surveillance someone had to know that Se Ah was in his office, right? The car ride was so awkward, and his grieving over what could have been with Se Ah was good. However, what I love best is how he immediately comes out of his funk once Manager Tak tells him about the rumors being spread about his wife.

And can I have a manager Tak? I on't be greedy and ask for a Gun or a Daniel but just Manager Tak. I know my life would be so much better (and better organized) with him in my corner.

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Manager Tak is also appearing as Big Kang in Jang Bori, and he is just as adorable over there as a former gangster/all-the-time teddy bear

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Mgr Tak was also has a cameo in MnD as a playboy friend of HD ...trying to hit on the girls as they were in the club.

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i'll assume that you're watching Marriage not dating as well because you keep on mentioning Se Ah in your comment :))))

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Yup, I noticed that after I had posted and laughed out loud at myself. Two female characters who I want to remove from the lives of my two favorite OTPs at the moment have names so close to each. Coincidence? I think not.

However, I do NOT think that this Se Ra is as cray-cray as Se Ah in Marriage Not Dating!

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Yeah, Se-Ah is special...in an icky way 3:

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SeAh = Say Ai-brow

that chick has some mean looking eyebrows...she's is the exception to "a lot of space between the eyes"...otherwise she would be a unibrow

those eyebrows could be corn-rowed b/c they are so thick.

creepy.

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:) They're my two favorite OTPs at the moment too!

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I was at the edge of my seat worrying that Se Ra would be waiting in the office, but I thought, with everyone else monitoring Gun and MY so closely in the elevator, surely Manager Tak would have tipped him off. Sheesh!

I'm grateful that when MY left dejectedly, the camera did not pan to the usual scenes of the office folks gossiping spitefully. Yay!

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sorry, had to add on. I totally am hoping they'll be frenemies. Daniel seemed more amused than sore about the prank Gun pulled!

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Daniel is great. Makes me wish he had more of a role to play in the drama than just being Daddy Long Legs.

Isn't it tremendously lovely to have no bad guys n angst in a show?
His step-mother and her son don't count, cos they are so ineffectual in hurting him; they r no threat.
Lawyer Min is despicable but he only gets to be a toad for 2 mins. each time before Gon shows up to put him in his place.

That leaves Sera. What's she gonna do?

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Yeah! I would so like to keep it this way, with Daniel staying strictly oppa. I would also like Se Ra to stay nice. I can accept if she were to suggest "why don't you get divorced after the kid is born and we can raise him up as our own, or you can visit the kid if MY takes custody". That would be a logical solution for her to propose without being vicious.

I was pretty worried about the step mom and step bro initially cuz they scored 2 pretty bad ones: the incriminating photo of Gun and MY in bed, and the Yeoul contract. But after the kimchi fridge bit, I guess they can't be taken too seriously. Who knows, step mom might eventually start rooting for MY too hahaha. I think she's more interested in moving their position forward than actually hurting MY.

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I need me a neighbourhood oppa. Pronto. Just not that of the oppa-saeng kind ;)

Also, Jang Nara is so tiny that I keep forgetting this, but she is about 5 years older than her neighbourhood oppa! :O Frankly, she looks underage to be with either of them!

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I'll take a neighborhood oppa too, please.

Preferably one as good looking as Choi Jin-Hyuk.

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I find this interesting as well because I am always at a point in dramas like this when I think, they have enough to go through, do we really need a villain to make the plot interesting? I mean they have really not known each other very long, Mi Young is pregnant, he has not had good, present parenting. Anyone who has been a newlywed and/or has had a newborn knows that there is PLENTY of drama in that all by itself. Who needs crazy second -leads and corporate take-overs?

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well put, trotwood.

i agree.

hoping show only gives SeRa a couple of epis of "crying & WTFs" and then sends her packing to ballerina world.

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Omg I freaking love this show..I cry ..then I giggle like mad.. And Heads hail the BG ;-)

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Someone needs to shove that Lawyer Min's head into a toilet where it belongs.

Just saying.

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I gladly volunteer for the job.

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This series is Pure Bliss!

MY may be meek, but she exhibits the fruits of the Spirit: Love is patient, love is kind, love is never boastful, love is humble, long-suffering....The true qualities of love.

He is a decent, caring, giving, loving guy. That he is also sexy, rich and can rap is just a bonus.

Too bad for his GF that she missed the boat. Her loss, MY's gain. GF is the trophy wife. MY is ultimately the better wife. More power to MY!

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Well said KAddict - especially the 1 Corinthians 13 allusion. I've been thinking about how unbelievably strong Mi Young is in her ability and insistence on protecting everyone around her from pain, even when it is from themselves and at great cost to her.

And HeadsNo2, what can I say but "Chapeau!" I just love how you put your finger on the very thing that accounts for Mi Young and Geon's infectious charm:

"Gun and Mi-young are so fully realized that they’re not just going to act and behave the way other dramas have conditioned us to believe they would. It’s like magic, the way those two interact. Whether it’s just one look from Gun asking Mi-young to think about herself for once, or the way she cares for him so much that she would rather suffer and be miserable just so he can be happy, they share a connection that’s palpable to those of us on the other side of the screen."

Thank you.

This drama leaves me with a heart full and eager to overflow... [*sigh*]

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[I'mma go ahead a repost this from yesterday since I was just bursting with soo many emotions after watching Ep.8 and I could not wait for the recap.]

Fated To Love You what have you DONE to me?!?

You are so beautiful, so perfect, so… [okay, only poetry that echos Geon's feelings for his wife can say what is whirling around inside me right now so here goes nuthin']:

풀 꽃 – 나태주

자세히 보아야 예쁘다
오래 보아야 사랑스럽다

너도 그렇다
________

Grass Flower by Na Taeju

One has to look closely to see its loveliness
One has to gaze for a long time to discover that it is lovable

You are just like that.
________

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Yay! School 2013 reference ! Maybe Jang Nara is just magical or something :D

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I agree wholeheartedly. You know I think that scene was pretty brilliantly executed on the intertextual level: while the haegeum player was the love theme from Jang Hyuk's "Chuno" (비익련리 (比翼連里)) [oh, DO be still, my beating heart!], Lee Geon was consoling and publicly reclaiming his ostracized wife with words clearly allusive to the poem Go Nam-Soon recited to console his ostracized classmate Han Yong-Woo in Jan Na Ra's "School 2013."

I live for this kind of structural reciprocity in a narrative. For in addition to all the feels this drama is evoking, I find this kind of attention to storytelling details, even at the intertextual or meta-narrative level kind of arousing.

There! I said it! >.<

***T.M.I-itis induced flight! ***

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I am waiting for the moment when the show reference 'Successful Story of a Bright Girl'...they have to reference that show somehow cause its Jang Hyuk & Jang Nara's first appearance together.

Also I hope that Jang Nara finally get to kiss Jang Hyuk for real. I remember when she was interviewed during the 10th anniversary of 'Successful Story of a Bright Girl' that she said her big regret was that the kissing scene between her and Jang Hyuk was fake as she was too young then to do a proper kiss. So here's hoping the kiss this time around is real and passionate, I mean she is already 'at a much older age' (to borrow Jang Hyuk's word!)

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Did anyone else think it cray-cray that MiYoung "suddenly" had a craving for pickled onions the night LeeGun spent with SeRa?

Could it be that the RIDICULOUS amount of onions she was chopping was to mask the tears of sadness about the SeRa-->LeeGun-->MiYoung reveal?

Too coincidental for me to believe, which makes me appreciate show for even the hint of this sublety.

Again, this drama is such a gift.

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HeadsNo2 ~

Thanks for the recap. Jang Nara is so convincing, it's easy to forget that she's acting.

She really transformed at the dinner, from mouse to minx. Lose the glasses, let her hair down, and voila ! Sexy.

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Just finished watching the episode....

Jang Nara is so lovely as the shy bride....she does that expression so naturally and amazingly...Gun is seriously turning into a great hero and totally opposite to what I expected before starting this show....these two are pure magic!

And I'm glad that his aunt and cousin doesn't get much screen time... :D

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They aren't his aunt n cousin, but his dad's mistress n illegit son.

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LOL....I know!
Haha....actually I couldn't find a better word to describe them and hence used aunt and cousin ;)

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EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! That last scene? I melted into a pile of goo haha

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You gotta love Mi Youngs quiet dignity at all times. She is so lovely ... how do people even DARE to be mean to her.

The way Sera found out was very sad ... but luckily it was not through the various scandal newspapers, which I was anticipating since the reporters started following Mi Young around. Now she will have some time to process the whole thing and I am sure she will be back stronger, whether it is good or bad.

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And seriously - I watched the episode before I went to sleep, so I spent the night dreaming about various kissing scenes between LG and MY. Let's just hope that that was some prophecy dreamin', cause the show has been quite withholding on that front :)

Normally I don't care about kisses that much (because drama kisses - meh), but all. this. teasing. and. nothing! For god's sake! They had sex already!

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Also the expressions on Jang Hyuk's face in today's first scene...when Min Young turns back on bed and they come face to face....wow....so romantic and sexy!

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Love Jang Hyuk for being able to convey so much with that look in ONE (right) eye:
urgency, frustration, restraint, hesitation.....

My goodness! It's so rewarding to watch real actors doing real acting! (Instead of some of those young ones and/or idols whose acting has ruined so many dramas for so many of us.)

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sorry se-ra, but you don't deserve him...

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That's why I like this show. They portray true love. And how beautiful it is. MY's kindness is her strength. And I wish there are guys out there who are like Gun. I want to marry someone like him. :)
P.S. The family scenes always won me. They are so touching.

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omg that jogging scene made me laugh so hard

thanks for the recap!

What a lovely drama.

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Que Sera Sera was stuck in my brain for hours after watching this!

Anyone else noticed that Chuno soundtrack at the announcement scene? Nice touch there.

Also, in the car scene, one of the radio dj's Jung Joon Young, mentioned on 1N2D that he likes Jang Nara. (They were asked to say which female guest they would like to appear. Of course, everyone answered the usual girl groups, like SNSD, Suzy, etc. The maknae answered 'Jang Nara'!). So, Jung Joon Young's appearance here was a meta reference, too.

Anyway, this drama is criminally underrated. It should be having a 20% rating by now.

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also the lady dj with the husky voice is of course Jang Nara's long time best friend from the nonstop 2 days

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Before Gun (BG). Heads , you need to copyright this. LOL

I'm so in love with this drama. I also worried that Gun will turn as a jerk toward MY and start to pursue Sera again. But from the moment he start seeing Sera again, he always want to tell the truth. Credit to Gun and his growth this ep. The firework dance scene also so beautifully done.

This is also maybe the first time I root for both first and second male lead. Gun is adorable but Daniel is so charming too as neighbor Oppa. If only my neighbors were Jang Hyuk and Choi Jin Hyuk. LOL

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We need to move to Kangnam and be able to afford to live along the roads where many stars live.
When I heard that Jang Hyuk married his pilates teacher when he took classes in Kangnam, I wished for months that I were a pilates teacher who could move there.

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Oh yeah, right I need to move to Seoul right now where I can meet chaebol at every turn in every situation. I'll live in Cheongdamdong there where many idols, agencies and celebs living. *dreaming

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HOW CAN THIS NOT HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE?
So perffffff.

Wait. I'mma cry for a while.

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passing you my box of tissues. It's still half full.

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Thanks dear *sniffs* *wipes nose*

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Aw. I love how this drama brings people together. So beautiful.

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THANKS FOR RECAP headsNo2!

GREAT EPISODE!!!!

Died laughing when Que Sera Sera played while they were riding in the car!

You are right about the potent and papable feels of this fun series!

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squeeeeeeee!!!!!!
this drama is killing it!!!!!

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i was so mad at that girl who splashed water into miyoung's face, like guuuurl who are you again?

i love that this version remains loyal to the plot of the original but still changes some minor things that makes it better (for me. i'm honestly starting to prefer this over the tw version, altho i love that as well). manager tak, for example, is different from the tw because he's pro miyoung lol while the other is like a devil whispering to the lead guy.

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The romance feels so.....real. The chemistry between the 2 leads is DAEBAK! The characters could have been pretty unlikable (at least on paper)..a mousy doormat and a chaebol who seems like a jerk. But the way the actors transform into such wonderful characters onscreen - what a joy to watch. The show handled the breakup of Sera and Gun very well - truly sad but without the makjang flavour. Just profound sadness among all 3 involved.

I don't know how the show can keep up the intensity but if it does - this could be one of the best romance dramas ever to come from Kdramaland.

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Thank you for the recap! Was waiting for it.
Question though: I thought LG didn't wear the clothes prepared by MY. The tie was different. Not sure though, guess need to re-watch (as if I need another reason to).

I must have watched this episode like 5x already, and I keep replaying that last scene. I keep sighing and I just melted when LG referred to MY as his "precious wife", coupled with him telling her that she's a diamond among rocks.

And Jang Nara is absolutely nailing this role. We know she's fragile, but also has this inner strength, and it is so beautiful to see. I was awed by her expressions during the last scenes. It was the face of a girl who have never been so lucky, she was so giddy, and at the same time overwhelmed with emotions. I felt her.

And Jang Hyuk is just perfect. Lee Geon is a prince charming who rescues damsels in distress but needs to be rescued as well. I feel him: his loneliness, his struggle, his sincerity. Love love him!

This show, what a roller coaster of emotions. The running scene was so hilarious! And the car radio scene, too!

I melted at the end. What an episode!

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I re-watched the part. I think he didn't wear the clothes which were prepared for him. At first I thought it was just the tie, but then I went back and noticed that the suit was different as well. MY was noticeably disappointed about that too.

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I thought so, too. Didn't notice the cuff links though.

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Yeah he didn't wear the clothes she prepped for him. This was why he apologized to her about being distant. He was ignoring her then. One more thing i noticed, i love jang naras character. When Gun was crying in his batcave, mi young was crying for him and that he is hurting. She wasn just in the corner of her room crying about being lonely and left alone. Goes to show how great her character is. She is listening to him cry outside his room wanting to comfort him but doesnt know how... :'(

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Yeah, MY probably doesn't even know about the cuff-links and what they look like.
And, watching it again, I don't think those were the same cuff-links as the ones Se-ra gave him, which if they are different ones, I think was a more believable move on the part of the script-writer, since Gun was ignoring MY, yes, but he didn't turn away from her wholly to pursue his relationship with Se-ra in this episode.

When MY and Gun are in a fully-requited love relationship at the end of this series, it is such a nice picture to think of MY often picking out his suits for him as a supportive wife. :)

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Agreed.

Mi Young waits outside the door to the bat cave, listening to him cry and powerless to help.

The next day, he puts on a different suit from the one she lays out for him, but he also does not put on the cufflinks Se Ra gave him.

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I think Gun reverted back to his old self and ignored MY's selection for him to wear to work as well as ignoring her.

Even though Gun was Prince Charming to MY's Cinderalla at the charity event, Gun did not kiss her on the lips, only on her cheeks. So he is not completely over Sera and MY's apprehension is well founded.

I would be surprised Lawyer Min still is employed at Jang Chemicals after trying to publicly disgracing the CEO's wife. Show him the unemployment line.

Sera decided to take her job in NYC as a ballerina and she comes back for 5D4N as if poor Gun is there to do her beckon call. She has jerked him around for 6 years and calls him cruel. She is horribly self centered and selfish. Their relationship seemed one sided where it was always good for her, but Gun had to keep waiting for her attentions.

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For me, I think Lee Gun was kissing her tears away.. like telling her everything's gonna be alright coz he'd alway's be there for her juz like how she's there by his side. And maybe he did not want MY to feel uneasy should he kiss her and move their relationshhp to the next level.

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I will never tire of Jang Hyuk's HSL (hearty sageuk laugh)

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Me too! I was slightly annoyed by it in Episode 1, but it grew on me. I love it when he laughs like that in front of Mi-young and Mi-young just smiles. It's like me, smiling at Jang Hyuk's laugh.

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I'm so addicted to this drama! I stream it live, go on Soompi to read live recaps, watch the subbed episodes that come out more than 10 times a week every week and read the Dramabeans recaps (I keep refreshing the page, once every 5 mins, but FTLY is always the slowest to come out).

I must say, Jang Nara was amazing. The way she teared when Gunie-sshi came to her rescue while holding her feelings in. WOW. She's a brilliant actress. I never thought she'll be THIS good. All her crying scenes were awesome!

Jang Hyuk's character, thankfully, did not become a jerk in this episode. I thought he would, but the episode ended on a good note with a long overdue kiss (though it was on the cheek only...).

I'm hoping ratings hit daebak for this drama; I enjoy it the most out of the 3 in the same time-slot and it's not even close. The Snail couple is fantastic. Their chemistry just blows you away. It's even a step up from Bright Girl. They really make you feel like they're in love. A pity Hyukie is married in real life. Anyway, this drama is the best I've watched so far this year, and it seems like it's receiving an overwhelming lot of love from the international community. I'm really happy that it's the most commented on drama recap on Dramabeans :D

P.S.

Some interesting points which were missed out:

1. The DJ on the radio commenting on the story about an unfaithful guy is Jung Joon-young, a mega-fan of Jang Nara in real life. He urges the girl who called in (and calls her his ideal type) to go to him.

2. The 2nd DJ condemning guys juggling multiple relationships is one of Jang Nara's best friends, Park Kyung-lim.

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kkyyou - thanks for the interesting points. One question: last scene Secretary Tak is hiding with head of law firm. Law firm head says, "I am a lawyer, why am I here?" What is the inside joke to that?

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I was wondering the same..

infact i thought, lawyer is there..means..Jang hyuk is going to do sthg soon.. a drastic step...

[SPOILER DELETED]

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I'm sorry but some of us have not watched FTLY (TW version) and would appreciate NO SPOILERS PLEASE....thank you

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I took it to be a meta joke -the guy's a lawyer, a successful one, why is he helping a client setup fireworks?

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Really happy, >200 comments, I really wish it'll receive this much love in Korea. Fighting!

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Thank god for this show. I've been so scarred by Doctor Stranger (and some spoilers that Taiwanese version was sorta melo) that I've been pretty worried that the show will turn on me at any moment.

Gun was quite a gentleman in the way he tried to be honourable to both Se Ra and MY. It's not easy, and to be honest, I don't fully have a particular stand as to whether I'd like the guy to give up on his love just like that. Being responsible about the kid is one thing, but to decide to give up on the person you love most also doesn't fully quite seem right... I am grateful that the show doesn't prolong the hiding and secrecy for too long. I suppose we might have more episodes of Se Ra trying to get him back (I'm guessing! Since plot summary says so) but so far the plot has been doing a good job of introducing difficulties to the protagonists and helping them to overcome those in a believable and humane way. Thank you, thank you, for not wringing our hearts along the way.

I get the sense that Gun isn't fully in love with MY yet. But he does care for her very much. I think it stems from his initial admiration of her character, supplemented by respect to her as the kid's mom and his wife, and that the tender moments between them has made him more willing to try to make the marriage work. I'd call it endearment and tenderness, not quite love yet. Like I said, I feel torn between rooting for 'true love' (Se Ra and Gun really cared for each other and Se Ra was in her own rights a pretty wonderful character) and the OTP (because MY is so amazing!) and I'm glad the way the show has approached love is more nuanced and thoughtful. No bitchiness. (Although, I hate the douchebag lawyer so much, and that annoying friend of Se Ra.)

I was wondering if Gun's mom were alive after all, and it was so cute to find out that it was MY's mom whom Gun was all worked up about. Very sweet and filial of him.

My gripe for this episode was the party where every one was insulting MY for so long and... why hasn't Grandma showed up at all? I'm glad that Gun came to the rescue again! Hehe it was hilarious to see how douchebag lawyer did a complete about-turn when he saw Gun.

More than your recap, I loved your comments, HeadsNo2! This was so well-said "but it wasn’t enough just for him to swoop in and carry her away from all those vultures. No, he made sure that they knew just how special Mi-young is."

By the way, does anyone have translations for what Se Ra wrote in that gift box?

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O-T, I too was worried about Gun giving up on Se-Ra. One thing I made me come to terms with this growth was the fact that throughout this series MY has shown Gun what it means to stand beside someone even though it is not what you personally want to do. She has done that in front of the elders, with his mother and also in choosing to leave after the baby is born. He may not love her but I am sure he respects her. It is that respect that he is responding to with breaking up with Se-Ra.

Gun knows that respect deserves equal respect, I don't think his actions demonstrate that he is in love with MY more than Se-Ra or that he has forgotten her. More it is to illustrate that MY has a legitimate place in his life, and since he is attracted to her he wants to give this relationship an opportunity to grow, if not just for himself than also for the baby and the family he is creating in the process.

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You've said it better than I did. Thanks! (=

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>Gun was quite a gentleman in the way he tried to be honourable to both Se Ra and MY.

Oh, I disagree. The gentlemanly thing to do would have been to call Se Ra and tell her immediately after the wedding - not weasel around until she shows up unexpectedly. And leaving his pregnant wife standing in the rain while he ran after Se Ra? Not ok.

I didn't care for his party rescue, either. Seemed to me that it was too little, too late. It would have been gallant if he'd said "I'm thrilled that we're pregnant! You should be congratulating us, not whispering about us!" Instead, there were nothing but backhanded compliments - she's not pretty, she's not smart, etc. Ugh. Poor Mi Young - she's tied to this jerk for the rest of her life (because of the baby).

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Lol am sorry but you should go recheck the meaning of the word "jerk".. If Gun is a jerk, i wonder what you would call past drama male leads..

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>If Gun is a jerk, i wonder what you would call past drama male leads..

Heh. Very unflattering names indeed, is what I call them.

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HarmonyFB I would counter your argument that he was not a gentleman. While I agree that he should have told Se-Ra immediately, I don't know that doing it over the phone would have been appropriate. After being in a relationship with someone for 6 years, breaking up in this way is NOT something you do in a call or a text. I was happy he made the choice last episode to fly to NYC to tell her. She just made it to Korea before he could make it to the USA.

Remember in Dramaland time his marriage to MY is probably less than a month old, while the baby has to be at least 2 months old. He has had, optimistically, 2-3 weeks to deal with all of the personal stuff in addition to all of the stuff going on with the elders, and the business ventures. I am sorry if she, WHO LEFT HIM, was not on his priority list for such a serious conversation.

Also for as dishonorable as Gun was, leaving his wife in the rain does not bug me. MY did not want him to tell Se-Ra, the least he could do is to explain his actions in person. Yes it sucked for MY to be in the rain, but she was in front of her house and could easily have walked inside.

The Party Rescue scene while it was not the best "exclamation" it was accurate to the character. I don't think Gun would have asked for congratulations from people he feels are beneath him. He likes to control the situation, he felt it necessary to have them acknowledge MY on who she is the truth of her. While it was humiliating, above all it was accurate.

I believe that in choosing to stand up for someone in light of their faults IS gallant, even if it is not our westernized "Cinderella" Disney stylized moment. It showed me that Gun, despite knowing the criticism and talk, recognized and confirmed what WAS special about MY and that is more unique than saying something about the baby and them as a couple. He was trying MY the person, not merely as his wife or the mother of his child.

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Well said, robyn! I think you hit the nail on the head!

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He did want to tell her before the wedding, but then he found out that Se Ra was just beginning her first performance. Given how much all that meant to her, it's quite understandable that he would rather protect Se Ra, allowing her to at least bask in that moment, and to tell her later. Don't forget that he had instructed Manager Tak to book him a flight to US so that he can talk to Se Ra too.

He also tried to broach it when Se Ra sprung the surprise at his office, but it was ultimately MY who stopped him. That would have been confusing to anyone, to at least warrant a "okay let me figure out how to do it properly response".

I know the part b/n wedding and surprise might have taken longer than it should. Here's my guess: he had initially tried to do the whole divorce contract thing. It was partly influenced by the silly snail paranoia, and likely also because he was trying to find solution that allows him to be responsible for the kid (and preventing an out-of-wedlock situation for MY) whilst still trying to hold onto his love for Se Ra.

Given his personality and how the plot unfolded, I'd given a bit more room for the fumbling. A one-night-stand affair and an unwanted pregnancy are pretty scary and complex situations to handle. I would hate to be in any of their shoes. And all three actors have managed to portray the difficulties of each character. I'm a girl, but if I were Gun, I would keep trying to figure out how I can take care of MY and the kid, while still trying not to lose my love.

I would agree that a more straight forward party rescue might have been better, and less stressful on MY - she looked like she wasn't sure how he was going to react, since his exaggerated laughs and sarcasm were a bit confusing. But I'm willing to overlook it for the fact that he's trying to stand up for her publicly.

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It wasn't the best Back Off, She's Great! speech ever but it was similar to the one MY's mother gave.

I think that's a deliberate choice by the writer to illustrate that like her mother Gun wont let people push MY around but the way they do it nips at MY's self confidence.

But maybe having watched the TW version I'm seeing an edge where there isn't one and Gun speech isn't meant to be anything other than heartwarming. IDK it's too early to tell.

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I disagree. He called her before the wedding. Sara was about go on the stage. the stage manager was keep reminding her how soon she need to go. Gun did not say the truth for Sara's benefit. Also whole conversation was lead by Sara. She only talked about what was happening and how she felt.

Only thing that I can say is that Love is timing.
Sara had her chances but she opted to choose her career instead.

I think Ep 8 shows us the growth and maturing Gun.

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I had the same reaction to the party 'rescue' that you did. I thought it was a really damaging way to deliver a compliment. And in the moment, the scene made me mad. It thought 'writer, you expect me to feel good about THIS?'

During the second half of the episode I was thinking that the writer was employing a whole lot of manipulative tropes in order to generate a stronger positive reaction to it's end. (Lower our expectations using the leaving for work scene, take us even lower when he starts listing her faults, then reverse the dialogue into a compliment and have a nifty fireworks show so you can heighten the high.)

However, after reading the comments here, I learned that the benefit/event scene was also laden with a lot of meta that - had I seen the shows the writer was referencing - would have made me have a much different impression of the tone of Gun's 'rescue'.

The comments here also helped me see that his apology for pushing her away wasn't a generic statement about their marriage, but specifically referred to treating her coldly that morning. So the fireworks might not have been the annoyingly tropey and presumptive confession that I thought they were. Rather, they could be seen as a gesture of apology that was as swift as it was grand. And that's really cool.

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He mentioned the "not smart, not good at math, etc." stuff because that was EXACTLY (almost word for word) what Mi-young's Mom told the islanders when they were trying to force marriage upon Mi-young. I think he was trying to pay homage to that and show that he respects her as much as her mom does--I bet Mi-young would recognize that.

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I disagree that Gun is not honourable. From various scenes Gun has shown that he was trying to tell Se Ra about his wedding but it's never been an easy and perfect timing for him to break the news (e.g. before Sera's 1st ballet performance). In another scene, he even planned to pay her a visit at NY to see and tell her in person. I think he is quite thoughtful about telling this to Sera as he know it would be nothing to Se Ra but heartbreaking news.

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Sera wrote about the cuff links!!! How glad she is to have found them, imagining him wearing them; telling him not to lose them, for losing one makes the other useless, like the two of them (herself and Gon).

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I think my subs didn't have that last sentence. Now I totally understand why he burst into a laugh+cry :(

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FINALLY!!!! Been refreshing the DB page since waiting for this recap.
I sincerely don't think I can explain how much I have fallen in love with this show. It makes me laugh out loudly, it makes me smile, it makes me FEEL. OMG, the FEELS..... They are never ending. I love love Gun and his snail.

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Thanks so much for the recap.. and OMG, how much do i love this show? enough that i stay up late to read live recaps, and wake up early to check if dramafire has the episode subbed! i smile when i think of how grand Gun's gesture of affection to MY is.. i am happy to see this development but i know that this happiness is like stepping on thin ice.. most likely to break anytime.. with 12 more episodes to go, i think it is realistic to prepare for some kind on angst and pain in between.. but i hope nothing happens to baby gap deong.. let him be born well..

I watched the taiwanese version and thought it was great..but now that i am watching the korean one, it suddenly paled in comparison.. and i am loving MY's character more than Xinyi.. MY is kind hearted but willful at the same time.. she can be self sacrificing but not to the point of stupidity (which was somewhat true for Xinyi's character in the taiwanese version).. and Jang Nara's portrayal is awesome.. i think she has the most expressive eyes! and she is so totally charming! this is the first time i have ever watched her but she has easily become one of my favorites..

though i initially found Gun's character annoying, i am now in love with him.. he is honest and sincere.. and he knows just how to treat his wife..

kudos to the writers.. may they be able to unfold the next 12 episodes without going into makjang territory.. i seriously don't want to be disappointed again, what with some romcoms starting out great only to end as bitter disappointments (cough.. Prime minister and I..cough)

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Me too! This is the first time I've seen Jang Nara in a drama, and she made me a fan quickly. Her acting as MY's character is Awesome! Tremendous!

HeadsNo2, thank you for this recap of another wonderful episode. You hit on the mark when you described the 2 lead's connection as "palpable". I love how they make us feel the range of emotions they show on the screen, and bring us along in their journey of life and romance.

And I agree wholeheartedly when you said, there's no more superlatives left to bestow on this drama.

Fated To Love You, please keep on being lovely!!!

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Since this is your first time watching Jang Na-Ra, I recommend checking out other recent kdramas - School 2013 and the 2011 kdrama Babyfaced Beauty.

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Thanks for the quick recap. Wow!....that was just so sweet of Gun....complete with fireworks for his wife~ A girl like Miyoung deserves that. It was good to see him announce proudly to Sera and to everyone else that Miyoung was his wife. I didn't like Gun at first but now I do...

And CJH in orange shirt....sooooo hot. *_*)

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The outfits of the three leads are downright loud. Them colours. But I totally love it. I absolutely adore MY's bright pants and floral skirts/dresses and Gun's extravagant bow- ties and Daniel's checkered suit jackets and orange shirts. It totally goes with zippy/fun concept of the show (and if one more person out there tells me that the TW version turns melo, Imma spam your comment fangirling over Jin Se Yeon. Yes, that's a punishment).

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Sera just expects him to drop everything n go off w her for 5 days, n be thankful for it.
She is here on a 'long vacation' for 5 days.
She wants to get married.
And make that a long distance marriage, putting ballet b4 him? And ignore the pressure fr his family to provide an heir?

I'm not sure that's such a good offer, even if it wasn't too late.

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THIS SHOW IS THE BEST.

It deserves so much more than its current ratings because the directing, characters and the main pair is one of the best I've seen in recent years!!

SPREAD THE WORD FOR EVERYONE TO WATCH IT!!! <3<3

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All this tension; it's killing me, and I love it!
The jogging scene was brilliant comedy, how both kept running until they fell down (Gun deliberately running a few steps more, he had to win!) and then they just talked business. It's good that Gun, even though he sees Daniel as a threat, can still seperate professional and private Daniel.

I'm curious to what Se Ra is going to do now. I think she has taken Gun's presence up till now for granted. She even said that he would do everything she asked. Now that he has married Mi Young and thus won't be hers anymore, she will need to come to terms with it. I'm not sure that she can. I don't see her as the one dimensional evil second lead, but I don't think she'll let it go easily.
Since the beginning I've felt as if the relationship between Gun and Se Ra was more one-sided (Gun putting in more effort than Se Ra) and it has always been easy for her. Why wouldn't she want back the person who almost seemed to worship the ground she walked on? I have confidence that the writers will write it well, because I don't want to hate Se Ra, just dislike is enough.

About the scene in which Gun was ignoring Mi Young when she was sending him off to his work, I think she looked so sad, because he was not wearing the clothes she had selected for him. She had selected a plain suit with a blue and black tie, but he wore a striped suit with a red tie. I think Gun thought it was not right to wear the clothes Mi Young had chosen for him, while he was still thinking about Se Ra. It's considerate of him, but also painful for Mi Young who wants to help everyone.

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Lee Gun is the best male lead character I've seen so far. You're right, HeadsNo2. To the future heroes, how are they going to top this?

I gladly eat my words now for those times that I had doubts of Jang Hyuk taking on this role. He acts with every inch of his body naturally cue-ing into every emotion required perfectly. I'm floored and I can't think of anyone else able to play this role so well. Even his laugh is becoming endearing.

As I've mentioned before, Jang Nara is absolutely fabulous. Let's just say, I feel and react to every emotion she expresses.

I've no complains at all with this drama. It really is pushing all the right buttons for me. Every part and every interaction is a gem. There's nothing left to say. It's that perfect up to this point.

By the way, I thought it's only going to be 16 episodes. Am I being misled?

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Forgot to mention...I don't think Lee Gun wore the ensemble that Mi Young laid out. Not sure about the cufflinks though.

Anyway, there were some parts where the subs were somewhat confusing and I had hoped to get clarification from the recap. So thanks HeadNo2 for the clearer picture. :)

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What I think I enjoy the most about this show is Gun. He is truly behaving like a gentleman. Throughout the series he has had the opportunity to walk away from responsibility, from sense, and to be less than honorable. He is the rare K-Drama hero who lets his pride guide him to what is right, rather than what is easy. I think that is why this character is resonating with so many people. Too often in live we all take the easy way out, rather than choosing the more difficult honorable path. This episode showed me that he cares not just about MY but also about himself and that his name and person is something of substance.

I don't know where the story will move from here, and while that is really exciting I am also cautiously optimistic. One thing that I wonder is Gun seems to be an authentic and trustworthy person, when he gives his word or puts something he cares about on the line he seems to throw himself into it. But he also has this manic side that while not contradictory to his personal view of himself could be viewed as contradictory to an outsider. MY in that last scene talked about not getting too emotionally invested in fact

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I second what you said about Gun's character.

I've been trying to recall the last time there was a chaebol lead who was truly well-mannered and had a good attitude to everyone (okay exception of stepmom but that's understandable), not just the female lead and the few impt ppl in his life.

Heirs? Nope. Secret Garden? Nope. Boys Over Flowers? Nope.

(Okay the shows I've watched are pretty limited hehe, so if there are actually other wonderful chaebol characters, pls shout out!)

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Continued from post above...

MY in that last scene talked about not getting too emotionally invested. In fact, she seems like now she is the more cautious one, it is self preservation. I wonder if the advise of her Step-Mother-in-law will prey on her and if that will be something the couple has to work through in the future. I think she is the one less invested at this point. I wonder if, how, and when Gun will win her over. I don't think he has yet, because I don't think she is looking at this marriage as anything more than an obligation that she was maneuvered into.

While the relationships is developing nicely she has not yet learned to make choices for her own best interest. And how can you love someone else if you do not first love who you are without that person.

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Both JH & JNR are owning the characters, yo. Their nuances clearly depict the type of person their characters are. Gah!

And if I'm not mistaken, during Gun's private breakdown over Se-ra, Mi-young was actually crying beside the door to his man cave. Aww... This girl is so selfless it's a biiit bordering masochism, yeah? Yo baby's there m'kay?

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I came into this remake with some pretty low expectations, and I've never been more happy to be proved wrong. IT'S PERFECT. Everything about this version just makes me love it even more than the original, which I didn't think was even possible. Jang Nara and Jang Hyuk are off-the charts-amazing with their characters. I'm beyond excited (and a little nervous) to see the rest of the story unfold, but no matter how it does, watching these past few episodes has been pure joy.

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it's indeed nice to come in with low expectations but come out very pleasantly surprised! really happy with this version.. i am so glad i decided to give it a try.. but now i am again experiencing the agony of waiting.. why is wednesday is far away?

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........."To preserve the integrity of this recap, I made a conscious decision to leave out any incoherent fangirling I might’ve been experiencing at any given moment because it would’ve taken over like a cancer. But now that we’ve reached the comments section, I can finally say: THIS SHOW WINS AT EVERYTHING."
Thank you for the recap!! I agree!!!!

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@HN2 Next time fangirl away! We're all doing it anyway.

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If there ever was one character that needed their own theme song then that would be Se Ra and I would suggest Single Lady by Beyonce. lol I kinda, sorta but not really feel sorry for Se Ra but her situation is her own doing since she lived in the notion that Lee Gun is hers and hers alone. I guess calling dibs only works when you're a kid.
I was a bit annoyed to see Butthole lawyer again. I really thought we'd seen the last of him a few episodes back. I hope we see Se Ra's bitch friend again though because I want to see some sweet sweet revenge on her. A good slap from Grandma or Mi Young's mom would suffice. This is the first episode that I actually found Mi Young to be a bit exasperating. Her selflessness is a good trait but there should be a time and place for it.
I am enjoying this drama a lot but enough with the "how many times can I hurt my wife's feelings then coolly make it up to her" situations. Daniel is still a mystery to me. All I know is that he is a famous designer who happens to love the color orange and he is looking for his long lost sister that may or may not be our Mi Young. Looking forward to more episodes.

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Crack. crack. crack. crack. This is my drama crack!!

Even though the story line is simple and I have seen the Taiwanese one (granted had to FF to some episodes) I'm just SO obsessed with this one. Gun and Mi Young are just fantastic, seriously Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara are killinggggg it. And Choi Jin Hyuk too. I want a neighborhood oppa!!!!

I have to admit though I don't think they've developed Sera enough...yet? Because I know she chose ballet over Gun, but it seems...crazy that she would give that information to the media? Or was that someone else who gave the rumors to the media.

And there was no preview right? Ugh. Til next week then.

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Thank you drama for existing and for taking me to one hell of a rollercoaster ride. I was squeeing and laughing out loud during the first few minutes and the next thing I knew I was angry at Se Ra and crying so much when Gun started describing Mi Young. And the dance and fireworks at the end were classic. I can only sigh and say awwww.

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I think everyone already took all the words that I wanted to say!
The show leave me breathless especially the firework scene! Absolutely made me cried with pure happiness! I think this is the only show that really made me melt like a puddle I have watched hundreds or romantic asian drama but this one is the BEST! I mean BEST! the character's chemistry is unphamtomable I can't ever describe it! Even the smallest side character tug my heart, how can they create Lee Gun and Min Young so perfectly! I can't say many more words! I'm just over the moon!

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Thank you so much for the wonderful recap. I enjoyed reading it and all the comments. It's enriched my viewing of this drama series. I simply love the show!

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OH THE FEELS, THE FEELS! I thought I was going to burst with happiness at the the end of this episode, even fully knowing that I was being manipulated by the show at every turn. Happily and complicitly manipulated! It's like a long, slaking guzzle of cold, sparking water, this drama---one in answer to a thirst you didn't even know you had. So satisfying.

I'm not one to go back and re-watch drama episodes, generally speaking. But FTLY so continuously calls to you while you await the next episodes, that you simply must revisit it in order to endure. This is literally my first Drama Crack since Secret Garden in 2010. And it's been TOO FRICKIN' LONG! Now that I know dramaland is capable of still delivering this kind of high, I suspect the end of this show will leave me feeling like a junky jonesing for his next hit.

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I second that! FTLY is QUALITY crack...not good for health but the high factor is amazing and you keep coming back for more. Hahaha...oops..I am officially an addict!

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hehe. Quality crack.

This is the blue ice. The real stuff that Mr. White puts out!

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I'm not watching this show (although by the sounds of it, I should start) but I just wanted to say I'm so glad you got a good drama to recap, Heads. Yay! I felt so bad that you had to suffer through so many terrible shows. Now the universe is making it up to you. I hope this one stays awesome!

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It's official... I just melted into a puddle.

The "you cad ~ wave back to her!" is all gone.

Seriously, this show satisfies!!

And I'm really hoping we get one more ep of sweetness... though midpoint often dictates ... a twist..

I will erase the last 10 seconds of her talk with Daniel..

Gun, I applaud you!!!!

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What a wonderful recap, HN2.

You guys are daebak too!

There were so many awesome points to this drama.

But I am particularly appalled by lawyer Min. The depths that people will go to give themselves even an ounce of twisted self-worth - i.e., "as long as I am better than you, I don't care how low I go," makes me want to puke.

BUT I LOVED THE 3 2 1 fireworks! I was wondering, what's the countdown for.... wow, near-swoon, big grin, aww. If I weren't married with 3 kids, I would be like, "KMY, there's a phone call for you, it's your sister, she wants you to go back home for a while, but don't worry, I'll hold down the fort with my Gunnie for ya."

Who gets Gunnie AND the neighborhood oppa?! She gets TWO oppas and most people don't get even one.

But there are warning clouds on the horizon.

The mistress mom of the bastard son, she had a very interesting and probably heart-felt point.

If. If, and if again, if Lee Gun and Kim Mi Young are not married when the baby is born, then practically, the baby will be in the same place as mistress mom. Then the only words of advice that would be based on actual experience would be coming from the mistress mom.

If and if again that does happen, then her words of "be careful, and protect yourself" should hold true.

Kim Mi Young - my own word of advice as you seem to know instinctively. Don't get too close to Lee Gun, the closer you get, the harder your fall will be, if he cannot stay with you. And not even the neighborhood oppa will be able to block that fall.

What an awesome drama.

Can you believe it? Episodes 1 and 2 were really great and fun. But Episodes 3 and 4 were better. Episodes 5 and 6 better still. But what can top Episodes 7 and 8???

HN2 and Gummi fighting!

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LOL on the "phone call from sister"..... Is that from Mrs Samsooki ....to " hold down the fort with Gunnie" for ya(MY)?
BTW, I thought they DID marry- at least in front of her friends & relatives.... AND most importantly, Grandma, who acknowledges their union ( & definitely NOT the mistress& Gun's father).
Hehe, @samsooki, I think there's a line more than a mile long for wanting, NEEDING, the neighborhood/marriage oppas..... I'm near the end here( darn work slows me down & I was late ), please join us ^.^

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I am so grateful that they didn't make Gun's character a douche bag.... on the contrary, he is a complete nonchalant gentleman who is honest and true to his feelings....

I didn't expect him to straight up trying to confess to Sera that MY is his wife and they're having a child together or straight up putting MY in her rightful place as Mrs. Lee (I love how they call her Madam)

I can't see anything going wrong with their story, and I can see Gun eventually falling in love with her, but usually when things are looking up, it's just a step away from rolling down hill... *ohhh gosssh*

I wish this is a daily drama where I can watch it every day

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Total y in love with this drama -- the story and actors synced up in one perfect blissful entertainment. :) I have not watched such a heartwarming drama for a long time.

Till then, in 5 days we will see what's next....more love...more giggles...more (happy) tears.

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I LOL-ed so hard at radio part and Que Sera Sera :D
the storyline of this drama is simple..... but the execution from the cast and the comedy part that they put in every episode is great which makes me always not get enough of every episode. The Jjangs is indeed jjang!
Fighting K-FTLY! :D

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Wow..Thank you so very much for the excellent recap. You expressed everything and every emotion I felt as I viewed that amazing episode. I've come to the conclusion Gun has done great damage to the average male species. I think we females now have this false hope that we can really find a Gun type male to bring us the same ecstasy. It 's not a crime to dream. Thank you again for all you continue to do.

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I. am. in. love. Totally and completely in love with Gun. Can I keep him please?

Here's a man who cherishes, honors and respects his wife and he hasn't even admitted to himself that he loves her yet.

Where can I steal him from, please?

The scene with the song "Que Sera Sera" literally had me in stitches. I was roaring with laughter. Probably woke the neighbors up as I just couldn't control myself.

How glad I am that Gun didn't listen to his wife, but took the trouble of introducing her to his ex. I was afraid the drama was going to go the conventional route of lies and deceit and I'm really glad they decided to be honest.

Fated to Love You is an unexpected treasure (pleasure) I literally had no expectations going in to watch this drama but it has so many pearls of delight in most of the scenes. I hope it keeps it up!

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you got it perfectly, he RESPECTS HER!!! Isnt that just one of the most wonderful things possible??
GAH!!!!! GUN fighting

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I would just like to share with you all that this drama made me so crazy with happiness last night that I actually managed to fall out of my chair and sprain my wrist. And then, went and finished the episode before I even thought about what to do with my wrist lol. That is how much I love this show. It's so magical it just takes alllllllll my pain away :)

And seriously that line, "It's me, Gun-ee" (lol does not sound as awesome in english) has got to be the best thing ever!!!!

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