74

High Society: Episode 15

When a triumphant return should be a gamechanger for this series, it turns out that it gives us more of the same dynamics we’ve come to know. Even if everyone’s responses to this turn of events may differ, it also does little to overturn the business politics already set in motion. Because evidently you can reappear onscreen as if nothing had happened in the time in-between, and believe that an original goal can still be realized.

It actually astounds me how this is at all possible, but we’re also talking about a show where it’s never too late for its leading lady to change her ultimate goals in life.

SONG OF THE DAY

BEAST – “그곳에서 (At That Place)” [ Download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

EPISODE 15 RECAP

Upon hearing the news that Chairman Jang has collapsed again, Joon-ki drops Yoon-ha off at the hospital. Being told that he needn’t be so kind to her, he gets out to ask her why things still feel unresolved between them.

She has no reason to point fingers at him when they both felt the grass was greener on the other side. Furthermore, she’s already erased the period she was in love with him from her heart, which she says was a pointless period of her life. She thought that love would help her deal with her reality.

Hearing that pains him, and though Joon-ki agrees, he didn’t want to keep living in his present reality by choosing love. While he’s optimistic that they could overcome their differing perspectives someday, Yoon-ha believes that won’t be the case.

Yoon-ha wonders if Chairman Jang is in critical condition when she hears that no one, including family, is allowed to see the patient. Just as Ye-won entertains the idea that this incident could also be a part of their father’s plan, we turn the clocks back to fifteen hours prior.

Since previous attempts to make contact have proven unsuccessful so far, Chairman Jang believes formerly missing Kyung-joon is too cunning to fall for the line that his mother has fallen ill (as opposed to the chairman himself).

Ye-won isn’t surprised to hear that her father has tracked Kyung-joon down. Her brother will have no choice to return to Korea, and Chairman Jang is notorious for never forgiving anyone who’s betrayed him.

She is willing to chat with Yoon-ha, who asks when unni started dreaming of eventually taking over the company. Ever since their father manipulated her by grooming Kyung-joon as heir, Ye-won replies. That’s how she learned to use others, too.

After saying that she always thought their mother loved her other children more than her, Yoon-ha wonders if Kyung-joon might return or stay in hiding. Ye-won doesn’t care either way, and she certainly never considered Yoon-ha as a formidable rival.

But according to Yoon-ha, maybe she should; she’s found a way to preserve herself while also being a chaebol’s daughter, and now wants to be where Ye-won is: in line to take over Taejin. Really? You just acknowledged how terrible you were at the job you have now.

Ye-won is willing to humor her little sister, telling her that the only way to oust her from the succession line is by beating her sales records. How convenient that Yoon-ha can fall back on the one idea that could allow her to do just that, otherwise known as Ji-yi’s social media promotional video.

And to get that going, she calls Joon-ki into her office, asking if he remembers when she first brought him here. He does, but he recalls that her original goal in joining Taejin wasn’t about rising up the corporate ladder.

But Yoon-ha says that’s changed now—she’s decided to live in the reality she was born into. She wants to come out on top even though she doesn’t know how to deal with working with other people. To that, Joon-ki advises that one needs to be capable to work in a group setting.

When Yoon-ha asks for his help in that regard, Joon-ki agrees. He’ll hand over the promo video to her once it’s complete, and she’ll put that up in her brand-new social media account where it will make waves online. Uh, they both know that an online following doesn’t just appear out of nowhere, right?

She worries that him helping her will put him in an awkward place with Ye-won (even though she just asked him for his help). But no need—Joon-ki is content with being useful.

After being rebuffed by her son, Chang-soo’s mother declares that Chang-soo is sure to be shocked by the decision she’s made. Next thing we know, she’s sitting with Ji-yi, going from feeling offended to tickled pink by her roundabout way of doling out compliments.

Still, the reason why Chang-soo’s mother is here is to let Ji-yi know that she can see Chang-soo again. Seeing her son utterly broken-hearted may have weakened her resolve, but she reminds Ji-yi that this does not mean she approves of them getting married one day.

Gaining approval from Chang-soo’s mother is enough for Ji-yi though, as she tearfully admits that she’d lied about her claims to liking Chang-soo’s mother earlier. The latter figured as much, adding that she’s usually very sweet to people.

Although Ji-yi believes Chang-soo’s mother to be a good person, she won’t get back together with Chang-soo. Just like how Chang-soo’s mother would never approve of their union, neither would Ji-yi pursue a marriage that was opposed by her fiancé’s family.

She’ll follow Chang-soo’s mother’s words of stepping down if she truly loves Chang-soo, and have a normal happy marriage with someone of her own station. Chang-soo’s mother can hardly believe her ears.

Back at the office, Yoon-ha and Joon-ki engage in flirty banter thanks to that video. It makes him happy that they can speak so freely with each other again, and Yoon-ha admits that it reminds her of back when they were first dating. The entire exchange puts her in a good mood and she laughs again while watching the promo video of herself.

Chang-soo lets out a deep sigh when his mother makes an unexpected visit to tell him about how Ji-yi didn’t want to get back with him despite her approval of them to date. He tells his mother to stay out of his love life from now on, then wonders why she’s always so suspicious of other people, Joon-ki included.

He’s not trying to lecture his mother, but he believes there’s a difference in living a long life vs. a wise one. He’d like it if his mother would stand by whatever decision he makes, even if she doesn’t like it.

He was the one who always gave into his mother; he still very much loves her, but he’s growing up with each passing day and will take care of her one day. He breaks into a smile when he sees how those words move her.

Now vice chairman of Taejin Group, Ye-won is pleased to hear that Kyung-joon may not return to Korea. Little does she know that he already has, as Kyung-joon arrives home to greet his very shocked mother. Astounded, Madam Min can only ask, “Did you have a good trip?” When he says he did and that’s all he has to say, she drops the subject and turns away.

But Kyung-joon trails behind her, knowing that there’s more to this conversation. He still doesn’t know what to say though, so Madam Min fills up the empty space by asking how he could’ve done this to her.

He apologizes that he put himself first in his disappearance, and says no matter how torn up she’d be about her children, she couldn’t possibly love them more than she loves herself. As a fellow parent, he understands the idea of trying to live out one’s dream through their child.

He’d been groomed to be an heir ever since he’d been a boy, a destiny he’d known that he could never escape from. Tears welling up in her eyes, Madam Min confesses that she was wrong to love her son more than her husband. She’d been willing to sacrifice parts of herself if it meant that Kyung-joon could be happy. “But what is this?!” she cries.

Left upset about being left in the dark about Chairman Jang’s ongoing health, Lady Kim agrees to leave behind her life here. Her voice becomes shrill when Mama Lee overestimates her age by a decade.

Ye-won is mostly amused when Kyung-joon walks into her office alive and well. She doesn’t buy the whole “I left to carve my own path” excuse, and asks what he had hoped for when he supported Yoon-ha to become the Taejin Group heir.

Kyung-joon doesn’t believe that their youngest sister is as naive and inexperienced as Ye-won thinks, but she’s tested out that theory herself. He says Ye-won only sees things she wants to see, when in fact he knows a lot more than she thinks he does. He does a lot more too, words which earn a double eyebrow raise out of Ye-won.

Ye-won portrays the perfect obedient successor to a T when she meets her father. It wouldn’t surprise me if it pleases her when she brings up meeting Kyung-joon, and Chairman Jang is all, Kyung-joon who?

Joon-ki is taken aback by Kyung-joon’s surprise return, and when the latter recognizes him as Yoon-ha’s boyfriend, he explains that he and Yoon-ha are no longer together.

When Yoon-ha is invited to appear on a popular beauty TV show, she agrees since that will help boost sales. But that smile turns upside down as soon as she meets with Ye-won, who delights in pointing out how little Yoon-ha has contributed toward the company ever since she started working here.

At the threat that her job could be in jeopardy, Yoon-ha argues that Chairman Jang appointed her to this position. But times have changed now that Ye-won is vice chairman—the power cards are in her hands now, but Yoon-ha can go tattletale to Daddy if she still wants to.

Two can play at this game with Yoon-ha tossing back that that’s exactly what she’ll do. She lets the idea of Joon-ki being fired bounce off of her too, and asks if it’s okay if Joon-ki works for her instead after Ye-won fires him.

Ye-won thinks back to an earlier conversation with Joon-ki when she’d transitioned from asking about his work experience to any lingering feelings for Yoon-ha. She’d like to see her little sister live the normal and happy marriage she’d been dreaming of (in other words, booted from the company).

In order to do that, Joon-ki would seemingly help Yoon-ha out, and Ye-won had added that she always takes care of her own people. Joon-ki had been hesitant towards the idea, and when he’d ask what would happen if he’d refused, Ye-won had replied that he’d be looking for work elsewhere.

Yoon-ha agrees to doing an interview on top of her TV show appearance, eager to gain as much exposure for the campaign as possible. She likens her struggle to climb the corporate ladder to Papa Choi’s humility in keeping his job (not the same thing, Yoon-ha), and she’ll need someone by her side in this ongoing war with Ye-won. Won’t Joon-ki be that person?

She gets upset when he doesn’t give her an answer straightaway, and then responds to the news of hearing that her not-so-dead brother dropped by with a flat, Oh yeah? Did he punch you? followed by a warning that Joon-ki better watch out.

Yoon-ha runs back to her office to find it empty, though there’s a note from Kyung-joon that he’ll see her at home.

Chairman Jang isn’t thrilled about meeting his prodigal son, scolding him as soon as they’re alone. Citing that their goals as father and son have never aligned, Kyung-joon explains that he’s been a long-time investor in a different company. He’s worked hard to achieve his dream, even if it isn’t the empire his father has created.

He plans on taking his own path from now on, and hadn’t considered that time could be on his side. His father is only human after all, powerless against time—had he realized that earlier, he would’ve never attempted to run away and live a different life.

This will be start of a new war between them, Kyung-joon continues. There’s emotional pain visible in Kyung-joon’s eyes as he says the words, but Chairman Jang is willing to take his son head-on.

Ye-won is displeased to hear Joon-ki’s hardly making any progress. Upon hearing that Yoon-ha isn’t much of a threat, Ye-won asks if Joon-ki knows her sister better than she does, or perhaps still has feelings for her. She’s willing to give Joon-ki another shot, however, although this time it’s more to test him than Yoon-ha.

Joon-ki finally responds back to his father’s texts, calling him “Dad” vs. the more formal “Father” address. Speaking of texts, Ji-yi gets one from Chang-soo, who asks to meet her in person.

He picks her up after work, and when Ji-yi says she wants to keep this conversation as short as possible, he complains that she’s gotten worse in the time they’ve been apart. She gives in to going out for a delicious meal, and Chang-soo squirms at the plate of chicken feet.

He complains that there’s nothing for him to eat here, then eyes her when she says it’s easier to date people within one’s social class. He already knows that Ji-yi has met with his mother and what that conversation entailed. He acknowledges that he left Ji-yi to fight those battles against his mother alone while they were dating because he didn’t rein his mother in.

He’s never “moved neighborhoods” in his life and doesn’t know the first thing about it, and she tells him not to then. Moving should never be a hasty decision, because one could be locked into a place they don’t want to be in.

Chang-soo says she can move in to his neighborhood then since she’s used to it, to which Ji-yi replies that it’s way too expensive. She’s given it a lot of thought ever since they broke up: there are some concepts that get understood without an explanation between those of the same social class.

Even her mother had told her how much easier it was to marry someone of a similar background, Ji-yi says. That’s how the rest of the world lives their lives, so they should do the same. Bringing up the story about the frog and the scorpion, she suggests they both live instead of choosing someone who would bring the other down.

Chang-soo remains silent to all this despite being the one who called her out because he had something to say. Following her speech, Ji-yi carefully raises her eyes to meet his gaze.

Still, Chang-soo seems pleased that Ji-yi truly had feelings for him. He wonders why she dated a playboy rather than a good guy, to which she scowls that she was probably better suited for a playboy.

When Chang-soo calls to request that Yoon-ha fire her, she decides to stay out of it. She runs into Joon-ki, who’s also working late doing research for her. Taking that as a sign of loyalty, she cheerily bids him good night.

He calls out her name, and when she spins around to face him again, he says that he hopes she beats Ye-won. Little does Yoon-ha know that Joon-ki’s already prepared his resignation letter.

Chang-soo is already waiting on the rooftop when Ji-yi arrives home. At the sight of her sniffles, he asks if she’d been drinking. She has, and he seems okay to keep talking if she’s had one bottle of soju. But she’s had a bottle and a half, which Chang-soo takes as his cue to leave since she’s a bit too tipsy for a sensible chat.

When Ji-yi tries to stop him, Chang-soo immediately covers himself up. Hehe. She insists that it was only one bottle, then regales him with a sad twist to the frog and scorpion story: When the scorpion reached the other side of the river, it saw the frog.

He doesn’t believe that she’s had just one bottle, but finds her inebriated behavior downright adorable. It’s nice to see them both smiling for once, and he says he came because he had something to say, but it’s a conversation for when they’re both of sober minds.

She tells him to say it now, claiming that today would be his last chance to do so. He doesn’t quite get what’s gotten into her, especially when he feels he explained himself and his mother well enough. He even offered to meet her at her level and move to her neighborhood.

But Ji-yi still holds fast to the idea that she won’t marry into a family that opposes their marriage. Chang-soo: “Can you live without me?” Ji-yi: “I can.”

Chang-soo appears surprised by that answer too, and tears fill her eyes as Ji-yi proclaims that she’ll never love him again and die alone. He asks if she realizes what decision he’s made so that he can be with her, the plans that he’s set for them.

Ji-yi figures that they’ll try to work it out at first only to end things anyway. When he has nothing to say to that, she asks if he felt hurt by that answer. “Yes,” he replies. She claims that she said all that to hurt him, because that’s the current state of her heart.

She can’t bring herself to get back together if they’re going to part ways again. “We won’t break up again,” Chang-soo softly replies. Ji-yi doesn’t believe him though, because while money is unchanging, people’s hearts can easily change with time.

There are tears in Chang-soo’s eyes now as he asks if he made her into this: “Did you become like this because you loved me?”

Unable to be near him, Ji-yi walks away, and Chang-soo says the words: “I love you.” It stops her in her tracks, but she says she’s drunk right now and she’ll forget everything he said tonight. Left outside with his broken heart, Chang-soo lets the tears fall.

While the TV host finds Yoon-ha endearing (because someone should) Joon-ki hands in his resignation. Ye-won sees this as a lost opportunity—perhaps one needs to lose everything he has before coming to his senses.

Joon-ki believes one never loses everything in life; rather people try not to make the mistake that a part of their life is their everything. He doesn’t answer when asked if he still has feelings for Yoon-ha, though acknowledges that he feels at ease with this decision of leaving this position (and essentially his ambition). The things that he thought needed to be fueled in his life seem to be stronger than he’d originally thought, he says.

Yoon-ha drops by Ye-won’s office to gloat about how her sales records are higher than when unni first started. But everyone including Ye-won knows Yoon-ha didn’t achieve that on her own—plus, she just missed Joon-ki who just quit.

Shocked by the news, Yoon-ha runs back to Joon-ki’s desk, only to find it empty. She misses him at the elevator by mere seconds, then travels down to the parking lot just in time to see him drive off.

 
COMMENTS

Given how Kyung-joon’s “death” spurred so much angst within the Jang family in this series, one would think that his reappearance would bring with it a similar impact. Instead, much like the rest of the conflicts in this series, there’s a lacking oomph in its execution. But first things first: What in the actual fuck, Kyung-joon? Did you expect things would pick back right up where you left it?

What nags me most about his Lazarus return is how his re-entry essentially negates the entire emotional rollercoaster his family went through during his death/disappearance. His MIA status devastated his family—his mother and Yoon-ha in particular—and the explanations for himself leaves much to be desired. I don’t blame him for trying to escape the prison that is living with his crazed chaebol family, and yet he doesn’t take responsibility for the trauma he’d left in his wake. Stranger still are the unequal responses among his family members to his return. I can understand Ye-won being more amused that her former rival was caught in the act than anything else, but then we see Yoon-ha respond to her brother waiting for her with an Oh yeah, that’s cool statement when she had sobbed over his supposed death for hours.

Which brings me to Yoon-ha, who has decided to contradict herself for the umpteenth time by changing her life goals in the eleventh hour. I don’t quite get the purpose of hanging a lantern on her original intentions (of holding onto her job until Kyung-joon’s case was settled) and then brushing it under the rug a moment later. So even though she now possesses an eerie self-awareness in that she knows how terrible she is as a mid-level manager, she now wants to run an entire conglomerate. Because she wants what unni has. Why now of all times, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine. But I suppose any goal is better than none at this point. Even if she doesn’t have to work for it (seriously, everyone else does all the work, but she gets the credit).

Even sadder is that Yoon-ha isn’t the only person leaving us confused in this hour. It’s evident that it’s up to Chang-soo to do something about his separation from Ji-yi. He’s made some baby steps, but I can’t help but wonder what decision he’s said he made. He doesn’t say what that is outright in this hour (likely so that it can be resolved in the finale), but we know that it must involve Ji-yi. What’d I hate to see is him using a form of that guilt trip he used on his mother (“Remember, I chose you”) to get back together with Ji-yi. That’s not how I want for this couple’s reunion, especially since they still have the potential to defy some character elements we’ve seen in past dramas between this rich guy/poor girl romance. Something has got to give, and at present, it doesn’t seem like Chang-soo is willing to fully let go of either.

However much it pains me to say it, I’d rather see Ji-yi be alone if Chang-soo is unable to make an informed decision that’s healthy for their relationship. I never want love to be a sacrificial lamb between two characters I truly care about, but neither do I want that unintentional sting drag them both down either. What’s a girl got to do so that she can get that ending Ji-yi mentioned, where the scorpion safely crosses the river and sees the frog waiting for him?

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , ,

74

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap! I think I might have mentioned it before (in a previous recap), however how interesting that JK seemed to have been at TG long enough to help YH achieve something, before leaving. YH’s attitude in this ep. made me shake my head some: I guess the “I will take revenge on you, and make sure you can’t work in this industry,” did not last, not that I thought it would. Interesting how that vanished, when JK became a resource that she could use. There is also the fact that she brings (proudly), her numbers to YW, yet she does not give credit where credit is due. JY also has a lot to do with how much YH has been able to accomplish.

Good for JY for standing her ground with CS, and his mother (or at least for continuing to do so). She continues to have some of the best lines in this drama. Also, Oppa is back! I was happy to see him back, and I really love what he had to say to his mom, that was well said!

1
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

ji yi was really good, she didnt back down cause she wasnt gonna settle with a whole family hating her and a guy that may eventually break up with her even if they can date.

1
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yiji Yiji Yiji Yiji
I love this girl. Actually I enjoyed this ep (and next) because all(Yoon ha?) were getting on my nerves less. Thanks for the recap.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ji Yi should have her own show, dump everyone else in this farce.

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree and disagree. Yi Ji-yi is a very decently designed and portrayed instance of a certain archetype, for sure. But I feel that many other aspects (or characters) of the show also deserved much more attention.

For example, Ye-won is a fantastic character IMHO, it's just that her arc has no topical connection to the other themes and she happens to be even more sidelined than Yi Ji-yi.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True, Ye Won had the potential to become a really sinister/tragic character but her arch was reduced to nothing and we never really get what happens to her. Its like she disappears in the midst of chaos that this drama is. I think there was a good potential in the Jang family drama. If they had not focused on the mistress or the parents instead just explored the mothers relation with her daughters or the sisters relationship with each other, something meaningful could have resulted. Ye Won was ambitious but she had her reasons, solid reasons for that. Yoon Ha, God only knows what she is or by what logic she functions in life. Kyung Joon, biggest jerk on the face of the earth and lacks responsibility.
As for the character of Ji Yi, I didn't like her at the beginning and then somewhere down the line I think the actress, Lim Ji Yeon understood viewers sentiment or took a different approach to her acting and everything changed. Ji Yi isn't anything new in dramaverse but she is well sketched and there was a certain amount of lovable quirk and restrain in her portrayal and the natural chemistry that she shared with her costar that really elevated her character. Sadly, for UEE and Sung Joon, the exact opposite happened.

1

@Windsun33

Agree with you completely. Joon Ki and Ji Yi are the only characters making sense at the moment. The chaebol heirs are all over the place. What does it say about Chaebols when their heirs who are supposed to be strong and leaders can't even commit to a goal and stick to it? Not experiencing enough hardship is not good for the soul. Smh. (I'm being ironic, btw)

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

i disagree, for me the only good things about tis drama were ji yi and changsoo. the leads not so much, they didnt have chemistry and on top of that there characters were really poorly developed.

0

Part of the problem also is that they basically switched themes once they got past the "chaebol working as a commoner" phase. After the first couple episodes it just randomly drifted towards a bunch of the usual cliches.

0

Good observation about YH failing to credit JY and JK for their contributions. From a lifetime in the work world, I can say that YH is behaving like a typical manager. I thought she was supposed to be egalitarian! What a laugh!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the recap! I also found the family's reception of Kyung Joon's come-back so weird and disconnected. And everyone has seen him back before Yoon-Ha did. And she "respond to her brother waiting for her with an Oh yeah, that’s cool statement" indeed! She was not even surprised when Joon Ki told her that he had just run into her brother.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

My only question after watching the entire drama, "What have I been watching exactly for the past 8 weeks??" I won't write much but at least Chang Soo-Ji Yi, they sort of stay true to their character till the very end. But what was the central conflict for the central couple or the point of Yoon Ha's family drama and how did it get resolved?? I am still scratching my head trying to make sense of it all.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Anyone only reading the recaps still for Jiyi and Changsoo? I sure am lol

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I watched the damn thing for these two only. I don't remember shipping a couple this much in a long time. Cherry on top, these two get along really well off-screen as well.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too. I don't know how much acting experience these two have but every one of their scenes, light or heavy, felt real and emotionally true. You completely understood how and why these two fell in love.

I wonder how much of the problem with UEEE's performance came from a lack of chemistry/comfort with Sung Joon. I only mention this because I thought she was marginally better in the scenes with her mother and his mother.

One really nice aspect of this drama for me was the three older actresses playing the moms, all of whom got to play characters that were more interesting and fleshed out than usual. How nice to see a chaebol mom with a sense of humor.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am watching/reading it only for them. I don't care about the other couples' romance nor their families!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just from the comments, I think most of us are.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

this is one badly made drama...

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought it was ok at the start but it became really wobbly about 6 episodes in. It's really just ... not holding together.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm used to watching dramas and realizing I got the sentence wrong when I read the subtitles.

This is the first one where I've routinely wondered if the subtitles were also wrong, since the characters were so all over the map.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the first time in my entire life of watching kdrama, the second leads has so much better story than the real leads, I just couldn't be bothered with their characters. It bored me to death. If it is not for Park Hyung-Sik, I'd have dropped watching this crap long time ago.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

same, and park hyun sik was a stand out for me, i feel like with him learning to further hone his acting skills more projects he will get better and better and become a really top notch actor, at least i hope so, he really has the potential to. like someone said in another ep recap, he kind of reminds me of ji sung.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

My money says he's immediately going to be offered a male lead role after this. Of course, the right material has to be available but I think scripts are going to start flying in his direction.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kyung Joon and his entitled attitude annoys the hell out of me and Yoona JUST admitted she's terrible at her job. Yewon somehow turned into the sane person in her family

1
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thoroughly agree about Gyeong-joon. This guy is just too much.

Now watch Ye-won getting the short end of the stick for the series' final. Being the only sane person will not go unpunished by the writer, I'm sure.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wonder what is in the writer's kool aid. Gyeon Joon just turned from the one lovable, reasonable person in this family to a selfish jerk. His excuse that his mother doesn't love her son more than she loves herself because that's how he feels about his own offspring takes the cake! Not everyone is like you Gyeon Joon! At least acknowledge that your mother had her heart broken by your disappearance and beg her forgiveness. Ugh. I can't even!

It would have been better at this point if he didn't come back at all. For once, I feel sorry for his mother considering all the anguish she had to endure about his disappearance.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

And the actress playing Ye Won could give lessons in how an actress should walk -- I wish they'd made her character more interesting.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

She's mainly a film actress which explains how she managed to make something out of nothing. Her role was so minor to begin with but it was her acting that tranformed it into a woman with an actual name; otherwise, she would have been UEE's "other older sister" :-)

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh, yeah. I didn't realize it but you're right. Her part is actually terrible. She's making it work anyway. Props to her.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ye Won deserves the VP position. Kyung Joon should just step aside and focus on the companies he invested in or whatever he was telling their dad. I'm ok with Yoon Ha working her way up now that she has the ambition, maybe she can be a contender in a few years. Right now I can't see anyone else other than Ye Won.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I want YeWon to get whatever she wants. She's the only one trying.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm really loving this drama &the characters.
Can't wait for next epolisode.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm just watching this drama because of jiyi and changsoo. i have to stop myself from rolling my eyes when everyone else (yoona and her baffling family) is on screen. just what happened to the intriguing premise??? the plot gets thrown out of the window, i guess:'(

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

That was one of the biggest disappointments. The show started out with a lot of hype about the undercover chaebol girl making it on her own, but that entire plot line just totally evaporated very quickly and turned into an incoherent mess.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

this episode was soooooooo... bleah.
I'm soooo disappointed.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

me too ,I actually like this drama, it is sooo different from the typical dramas that somehow it feels new.And I think the reason it garner soo much negative reviews is because it does not follow the typical formula that ppl r used to.the characters r not perfect so all the more reason that I like it .And no matter how we r hurt we don go around revenging ppl so I don understand why ppl disappointed that youna didn't do revenge. And also youna did admit she was not good at her work to her father in the previous episodes , that's actually why her father is as harsh with her as he is to her other siblings.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

sorry her father isn't as harsh

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I kind of like this drama too and I do think it is a bit different. I won't say it's perfect. It has it's serious flaws and loopholes and nonsense. However, I feel like it's not overly dramatic and a bit more realistic.
Life is more often toned down like that and real life people are hardly ever consistent. People change, people boast about things truly believing in them and then they abruptly change their mind.
People's reaction to shocking things are also usually more toned down than the ones we see happening in dramas/movies.
That is ofcourse from my experience and my take on it.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lol, you really think that the drama is getting so many bad reviews because it is not the same formula that people have been used to and because the characters arent perfect but flawed ?
I came to watch that drama because it promised such things ! What do we have left now ? Crap !

I dont care about Yoon Ha's revenge because she is just so poorly developped as a character. In the beginning, she talked big about how great her independence plan is but when ONE guy trick her, she put all the blame on him and decide to be in revenge mode ? Dont ever get me started on her work ethics. It sucks so bad and although she admits it, she still has the guts to claim that she wants to have what's her sister has whereas the latter is clearly qualified for the position ? I cant believe she actually boasted the sale numbers as her own whereas it was all her subordinates' works. So despicable.
So yeah, I was hoping to get a badass Yoon Ha working from the bottom and succeding at the very top thanks to her own skills but what we got at the end is a spoiled and arrogant chaebol who believes that working part time jobs while living and eating in a fancy villa is equal to being a commoner. What a joke.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

this drama is such a trainwreck.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This drama is a mess but I am not dropping it just so I don't add one more drama on my growing "dropped/on hold" list. I feel like I'm back in high school watching General Hospital except this cast has better hair and makeup.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I seem to be doing a lot more recap reading than drama watching lately.

Could it be because dramabeans has better writers than the actual shows?

(That's my guess.)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

You may be right :P This season has had a LOT of bad shows and only a couple of real standouts.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

disappointing series!

it had so much potential in the premise but the plot and characterisation somehow just fell apart and failed to evoke any strong feelings...

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I may have a similar feeling towards this show. It had a lot of potential and it had a very different approach than most other K-dramas, but unfortunately, it failed as a show.

The writer loves to design her shows from a relationship-driven approach and has quite a sociological mind.

However, there is way too much stuff crammed into the miniseries. Tons of different relationships are developed here and there, but there is very little cohesion between them and not nearly enough focus on the more important ones. There is a lot of wisdom in the show, but it's so muddled in between the different character and plot arcs that you barely notice it. The character design really suffers from the lack of focus too.

It's extremely hard to make a clever, sociological show with tons of well-developed characters that is mostly relationship-driven. But it's not impossible, just look at the previous show in the time-slot.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Plus, because this drama tried to break from "the formula" and failed, it will be harder for other shows to do that. Basically the same excuse execs make about why we don't have women lead superhero films, because the ones that we've had have done badly. (Completely ignoring the fact that they were BAD FILMS to begin with.)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed. I was really looking forward to this drama for its premise and cast, but the execution fell flat. What a waste.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm only here for jiyi-changsoo couple hahah i don't think i can move on fast from them, their off-screen chemistry also drives me fangirling over them hahahaha

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Love this drama and the actors had done good job especialy yoonah and jong ki caracter are too difficulte and they did a great job .and as you say no one is perfect

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Jongah couple is the best for me and i watch this drama only because of them .good drama but 16 ep is not enough

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Till the very end, I laughed hysterically at this drama. Not quite sure what I've been watching for 16 weeks. Kyung-joon's return, wow... how anticlimatic. It's rather strange how I didn't really connect with anyone in this drama. Very odd indeed. Most to all of them were surface level. It's painful.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"and she’ll put that up in her brand-new social media account where it will make waves online."

That was exactly what my boss thought. Pfftt.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Did anyone else find it funny that all her good ideas came from Ji Yi, while she just stumbled around as a useless parachute figurehead?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Only for the second lead couple I decided to continue watching.
To me basically nothing has been happening since YH brother went missing.
The main lead never had any chemistry and I never understood what there goals were. There was no change in their characters. They are still the same.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I feel sorry for Sung Jong and EEu. Their character description may only need them to look bored at all times, no other expression required.
And i actually like them both before this.

Eeu's makeup doesnt suit her. It ages her and make her face look dull. Boohoohooo...she looks much nicer in HoGu's Love even when she wore mostly casual.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

When Yoonha's cool reception of Kyung Joon happened, I had to rewind a bit to check that I didn't miss anything in the episode. It felt disconnected.

Watched for Jiyi-Changsoo

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I honestly don’t know what to say??? O_o… it’s good that I didn’t waste my time watching the rest of the show (stopped at ep 4)… instead I just read your recaps. I feel that High Society is the younger generation of Empire of Gold but with good 2nd leads. I really didn’t see the chemistry between the leads as I was expecting… I have not seen YH do anything useful besides bragging about how she wants to take her sister down… YH is no different than JK for using each other. Of course, JK scarifying for YH just so she can have something to brag about. I am just watching this because of the 2nd leads…it’s good the JY is pushing and pulling but every relations can only last long if you both meet half way… I hope CS will sacrifice a few things for JY..

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

A drama with potential but failed to deliver. I thought the drama will be about power struggle but in the end, we see nothing. If they are not going to give us a closure on YH's family why waste so much time on their family members. Too many things going on, the mistress, the family members and two couples, i don't even know what is the focus.

I am watching only for the second lead now. Cliche or not, i still find them enjoyable as PHS and IJY has great chemistry.

But why so many crying scenes? Uee and IJY i can understand them for having so many crying scenes, but why so many crying scenes for PHS too? SJ only got one, PHS had so many. lol. Not that i mind, i do pity CS when he cries.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Am I the only one who's on the older sisters side? I mean yea she's shady but let's be freakingn real all those super rich people are they didn't get rich being nice. I'm just so mad that she's made to be the bad person. I mean I understand her, she's first born and then disregarded bc of her younger brother simply because he's a man, Korea for you. But dude what the brother did was fucked up. Like seriously boo hoo you were going to be rich like all of Yoon Has family wants to live their lives away from the company but they still want to have their riches. That family is too much. At least the older sister is trying to work up to prove herself to her dad. I'm just here for Jiyi and Changsoo. Please let Changsoo be assertive!!!

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Only thing I really have against her is she put out some bad products that were aimed at use on children and then covered that up.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Nope! Romantically I am on Chan Soo and Ji Yi's side. Professionally I am on Ye Won's side.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for tje recaps!!!
It's such a mess. Ji Yi and Chang Soo is my only reason for keeping up with this show... I stopped at episode 2. Does UEE really act like that? She's so beautiful, but In all the stills in this recap she looks the same- bland and just staring off the camera. I feel nothing. Ugh such a shame.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It makes me a sad panda that this stupid show is actually getting fairly decent ratings.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've been barely watching this for the second couple, but there haven't been enough cute moments between them lately :( I'm really going to miss watching them together and fangirling over the couple both on and off screen.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just watched the finale episode of this drama. So glad to be done with this drama now. Such a mess but strangely reading k-netizens comments they all really loved this drama. There were even comments on wanting a second season of High Society too...!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ηahaha...Maybe they're right. A 2nd season could allow the writers to elaborate on their initial idea.
I don't believe that the story they did have in mind was this one. Something went really wrong after ep. 6, then it seemed like things were back on track in ep.11&12 and the resolution which everyone here expected week after week is in ep.20+... :-)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

How much I enjoy reading your recap just in that as much as I adore the cast, the story is really lacking in writing that I don't feel a pull for it.

When the story is very lacking in writing, it makes the acting hard especially when the character are not being consistent nor developed.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sigh.. this drama could be great if it's done differently. Everything is just so inconsistent and the story is all over the place. I keep watching this show in hope that it'll get better but I guess I'm disappointed once again.

I think I would prefer the story to go crazy like maybe Ye Won actually killed the big bro in the beginning or maybe Yoon-ha became crazy bitch who craves for power and she has ACTUAL ability to fight for the company director position. But alas, she's not capable, she's just all talk.
There's no real tension.

The chemistry is not there and I think that's my biggest problem. I've always liked Sung joon so I'm sad to see how he performs in this show, just not strong enough.
And for UEE, I really liked her in Ojakgyo Brothers with Joo Won, so cute - so endearing. But here.. can we move on to next scene?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm watching this because of the kiss scene! Both main characters really know how to kiss! Hahaha.
I think UEE & Sung Joon are the best kisser in Korean Entertainment.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

i so agree!!! a lot of couples in K-dramas should learn from them

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

wait till you see Jk's kiss with uee in the final ep!! woo hoo - hawt!! for CS and Jy, the best kiss was the one in the car after they got caught in the rain - woo hoo!
YH's family is seriously dysfunctional. only half of them felt sad over GJ's 'death' and even less seemed happy when he returned from the "dead". explain's Yh's delusional ideas about love.
anyway, love this series for cs/jy. that was the only thing making me plough through all 16 hours. the other stories were just not engaging enough.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

...having said that, something someone said above did strike me - that this show does not stick to the usual k drama formula. it is content to let the days and feelings of the characters play out. it actually feels very organic and unforced. and thank goodness there was no makjang! it feels fluid and it's true that none of the characters really grew except maybe mother jang abd jk. YH talks alot in her monotone but it seems very contrived. Even CS , i felt that he was still the same old except that he learnt what people actually tot of him. however, i liked CS best because he was able to add layers to his acting and every gesture, every word, smirk, and seductive wink was perfectly timed and delivered. he never over nor underacts. kdramas should promote him to the hall of fame!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can someone pls give details on the OST and ending songs for the final ep?! Thx!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

changsoo had great chemistry with his mum, too. hehehe

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *