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Oh My Venus: Episode 11

Trust these two to turn a bad situation into an excuse to canoodle. But while hiding can feel safe in the short term, eventually you have to come out and face reality, no matter how difficult it may be. What a blessing to have people who love you enough to help you hide, and help you again when it’s time to face the music.

EPISODE 11 RECAP

In Uncle’s office, Uncle tells Woo-shik that it’s best to grab your opportunities as soon as they present themselves. Woo-shik calls PD Go with a short, decisive message, “Broadcast it.”

So when Young-ho pulls up to his villa, the paparazzi are already screaming about the leak that he’s John Kim. Manager Min drives them away quickly, leaving the minions to do damage control.

Grandma also gets the news, as well as Young-ho’s father, while Young-ho stops on his favorite bridge for a moment to think. There are sure to be articles on the scandal tomorrow, and he knows that the truth won’t enter into it much. Min agrees that people care more about knowing details than facts, and the “truth” will become something very different from reality.

Min suggests that Young-ho go to ground for a few days, so Young-ho shows up at Joo-eun’s place looking weary. He tells her that he didn’t want to go home because of all the reporters, and she invites him to stay with her, in “a place outside your world,” echoing his words when they first met. She hugs him, and he relaxes into her like he’s finally home.

Young-ho sits on Joo-eun’s bed and notices how sexy she looks in her dress, and I love how she’s all You’re not the only one who can be sexy. But it’s obvious his leg is paining him, so Joo-eun urges him to sleep now and worry tomorrow. He complies, but not without a final flirtatious comment and a request for a dimple-pop from Joo-eun.

Once she leaves the room, he succumbs to his pain, groaning in agony. Joo-eun knows he’s suffering, but she gives him his privacy, remembering that Young-ho explained that the pain is all psychological. She calls Joon-sung to tell him where Young-ho is tonight, and when Joon-sung asks about Young-ho’s knee (he knows him well enough to know this stress would cause a flare), Joo-eun starts to cry.

Joon-sung advises that she pretend not to know — it hurts Young-ho even more when the ones he loves are in pain. By now Joon-sung is also fighting tears, and admits that Young-ho is like a father to him. Joo-eun says he’s awfully precious to her too, and they agree to take good care of him.

We see now why Joon-sung is so devoted to Young-ho — they met when Joon-sung had gotten on the wrong side of some thugs and had been shot and badly beaten, and Young-ho had happened to drive by and see him bleeding in the street. He’d stopped to help Joon-sung, and he’d taken him in and told him to call him “hyung.” Even when Joon-sung had cursed and screamed at him, Young-ho stayed calm and explained that he had a weakness for people in danger. He’d saved Joon-sung’s life and given him direction.

Overcome by the memories, Joon-sung lies down for a moment, and wakes to find Yi-jin lying beside him. Today he just sighs and asks her to leave him alone, but she says that she’ll just stay here quietly. Joon-sung sighs again, but lets her stay, and she seems to understand that simple company is what he needs.

In the morning when Young-ho emerges from Joo-eun’s room, he finds Ji-woong and Joon-sung in her living room, pretending that they’re not waiting to see him, not at all. And then they totally throw Joo-eun under the bus, tattling that she told them to act like nothing was wrong, ha.

She makes the boys an unhealthy breakfast which they practically snatch off the spoon, but they’re impressed when she’s the one who suggests they go work out together next. She takes them to the park and makes them wear visors over their faces (ha, just a glare from her makes even Young-ho obey her orders), and leads them in a climbing exercise with a group of ajummas. It gets even funnier when the ajummas start barking orders at the guys, too.

They’re attacked by the ajummas weilding some sort of massage tool, which they rub into the guys’ stomachs to help with digestion. Joo-eun goes after Young-ho’s abs herself, throwing his own words back at him, and saying that his abs are hers and he can’t say no (Young-ho: “Are you going to take responsibility for my abs?” Is that a trick question, sir?).

Young-ho finally asks if this is Joo-eun’s way of distracting him from all the John Kim kerfuffle, and she reminds him that he once said that the body has to be tired for the heart to be at ease. She accidentally falls into his arms and he’s all Not in front of the kids, so she does it again and he blushes behind his visor. So cute.

When it’s time for Joo-eun to go to work, she jokes that she’ll take care of Young-ho if he becomes poor and unemployed, and angles her cheek for a kiss. But after she’s gone, Manager Min shows up looking like gloom and doom.

As they feared, Young-ho’s identity as John Kim and the scandal with Anna Sue were leaked to the press, and Anna Sue’s people in the US have released a statement denying their involvement in the leak. Min himself personally visited many Korean press entities, but he can’t get to them all. But at least there won’t be any false statements made, so that’s something.

Min says that the elders want to speak with Young-ho, and Young-ho wants to go dressed as he is. But first Grandma talks to Min alone, asking him who the lady is that Young-ho’s been spending time with. She takes him to task for not nipping that in the bud, still determined to have Young-ho move into her house and marry the girl she wants.

Meanwhile Young-ho kneels before his father, begging forgiveness for upsetting the family elders. Dad tells him to get up off his knees — he’s spent too many years worrying about them. Aww, Dad ~sniffle~. He advises his son to protect his company position just until the upcoming anniversary celebration, when his director position will be cemented.

Joo-eun is shown an old case file of a pregnant woman who was suffering domestic abuse and killed her husband, and is shocked to see that the photo is of Joon-sung’s birth mother. Back then nobody cared that she’d been abused, and she’d been given the full sentence. She had given birth to her baby in prison and had to give him up. We see her now, taking the trash out in a thin, tattered coat, and she finds a bag with a brand-new, beautifully warm coat inside, waiting for her.

She runs to the street and sees Joon-sung still there by his car, and she thrusts the coat angrily at him. He ducks his head and says that she just looked cold, and though she looks touched at his concern, her pride won’t let her accept it. By the way she fights tears and tells him never to come back, I highly suspect she knows exactly who this young man is to her. As she leaves, Joon-sung has to struggle not to cry, himself.

Back at Joo-eun’s place, Young-ho answers the door (and in the process noticing that Joo-eun’s saved both bandages from him) to find Hyun-woo with little Min-joon, needing a babysitter. She stiffly apologizes for calling him a bum before, and leaves him with the kid.

Uncle not-so-subtly pumps Dad for information on Young-ho and this whole John Kim situation, and Dad shuts that right down. Uncle tries to get Dad to sign the documents that Young-ho refused to sign without reading, but Dad refuses this as well, saying that it’s no longer his job.

Young-ho face-chats Joo-eun to fuss at her for not doing as he asked and finding a new place where men couldn’t find her… then pans the screen down to Min-joon, ha. Min-joon begs Aunt Joo-eun to come home because this guy keeps making him exercise. Young-ho complains, but without any heat, about the babysitting, but Joo-eun tells him it’s good to relax and chill out.

Joo-eun tells Hyun-woo that her nanny is Joon-sung’s birth mother, and Hyun-woo is beside herself wanting to help the woman get away from her abusive husband. But they’re hesitant to just confront her for fear that she’ll disappear.

Soo-jin walks into the restaurant with PD Go right behind her, there for some sort of meeting. Joo-eun and Hyun-woo nearly get in a fight with them, but they leave without serious incident.

Joo-eun arrives home to find Young-ho and Min-joon both asleep (and cuddled with You Bastard), and Young-ho wakes and sleepily opens his arms for a hug. Joo-eun complies, sitting in his lap for a snuggle, though she warns him not to even think about anything R-rated happening while he’s here. Poor Young-ho.

He takes this well, but he asks her about the couple ring he noticed is still on her vanity. Joo-eun offers to get rid of it if Young-ho wants, but he just pulls her back to his lap and says not to if she doesn’t want to.

After they send Min-joon home, Joo-eun says again that because of his being intensely scrutinized right now, there won’t be any erotic shenanigans between the two of them for now. Besides, she’s a good girl whose mind controls her body. Young-ho respects her wishes but challenges that last statement.

He sleeps on the floor while Joo-eun shares the bed with You Bastard, but he gets up to tilt her head when she snores, like he always does. He gets on his laptop to check the news stories about himself, confirming that for now, they’re refraining from speculating about any possible scandals.

Manager Min calls to tell Young-ho that he’s still managing the press and the board of directors for now, and to keep laying low.

Soo-jin sits at home alone, and Woo-shik lets himself in when she refuses to answer the door. He knows that she met with PD Go as Gahong’s lawyer to confront him about leaking the John Kim scandal, but she doesn’t want to discuss it with him, and begs him to leave.

She goes to her room, leaving Woo-shik to let himself out, but stops herself before taking her usual packet of pills. She lies on her bed, despondent over her empty life.

But in the morning she’s back to her nasty self, criticizing Joo-eun’s messy desk and dropping the bomb that the Gahong anniversary party may not happen tomorrow if they can’t find Young-ho by then. She’s put the clues together that he must be John Kim — it explains Joo-eun’s recent weight loss.

Soo-jin tells Joo-eun that she’s demanded to see PD Go’s proof of John Kim’s identity, and warns her that it was actually Woo-shik who provided the information to the press.

Joo-eun arrives home that night just in time to catch Young-ho in his robe, and one flash of those abs is all it takes to make her gulp and lose her train of thought. HA, she actually sees him in a halo of light, and not even his nagging about her cleaning can snap her out of it.

Later, just seeing him sitting on her bed working gives her ideas, and she accidentally asks if he has a bed scene tomorrow, instead of a party scene. Young-ho is aware of Joo-eun’s discomfort and laments his excessive sexiness, and she’s suddenly willing to relax her rules a little to allow for some kissing.

Young-ho turns his face away and whines that he’s tired, just long enough for Joo-eun to start to flounce off. But he grabs her back down and flips her onto the bed, and hovers over her with a warning that she started this.

Just when it starts to get good, the doorbell rings (because of course it does, grrr), and they hear Manager Min’s voice. Young-ho sits up with a sigh that it’s time to go back to his own world. Joo-eun asks if he’s going to the party tomorrow, and he says that he may have to be distant with her. He leaves, promising that their erotic night together will happen very soon.

At the anniversary party the following evening, Uncle and Woo-shik nervously wait to see if Young-ho will show, and whether the board will appoint him director. Woo-shik sees Soo-jin arrive, but for once he doesn’t look happy to see her. Joo-eun shows up looking gorgeous in a form-fitting dress, but Soo-jin notices that she looks nervous and keeps checking her phone.

Everyone rises as Grandma enters, flanked by Dad, but Joo-eun grows worried when she doesn’t see Young-ho with them. Her texts and calls go unanswered, and we see that his family hasn’t been able to reach him, either. Even Ji-woong and Joon-sung, who also came to the event, don’t seem to know where he is.

Joo-eun runs out of the hall looking for Young-ho, even checking the men’s bathroom. She grows increasingly worried, but she finally finds him in a dark office, sitting on the floor in pain.

He gasps that he might be very late to the party, and Joo-eun says that everyone is waiting for him. He resists her, but she reminds him that if he’s still fighting the pain, then he hasn’t reached his limit yet. Her words remind him of her saying the same thing about herself when he’d pushed her too hard at a workout.

Joo-eun takes Young-ho’s face in her hands and forces him to look at her, and says that he can do this, if he believes he can. The way he looks at her is as though she’s his only lifeline right now.

And soon, he walks through the door into the hall, ready to face his future.

COMMENTS

The way these two continue to grow stronger together is just amazing to watch. As time goes on they are moving from trainer and pupil, to friends, to dating, and now to two people who may not know it yet, but they deeply love each other. It’s so obvious in how they look at each other, think of the other first, and are always there for each other. It’s beautiful to see their relationship grow and change, almost by the minute, into something so fierce and strong.

In fact, I just love the whole little family that’s forming around Young-ho — Joo-eun, Ji-woong, and Joon-sung all obviously love him so much, it’s tremendously heart-warming. He had the boys before but it seemed like he always kept them at arm’s length. But Joo-eun’s addition to their circle brought a warmth that’s pulling them together on a more emotional level. It’s more gradual than the growing relationship between Young-ho and Joo-eun, but Ji-woong and Joon-sung are also slowly becoming something closer to friends than colleagues. For a man who’s been saddled with a cold biological family (though argument can be made more and more that Dad is a lot more caring than he lets on), I hope Young-ho eventually understands that he’s got more love and family than he ever dreamed, already right there and just waiting to love him unreservedly.

Speaking of which, I’m so glad we finally got to know more about Joon-sung’s backstory, because he’s been such an enigma. Seeing he and Young-ho meet under such dangerous circumstances spoke a lot of where Joon-sung ended up as a young man on his own, and he’s very lucky that he met someone who not only gave him a chance, but gave him a purpose. It’s interesting how he came out roaring and fighting, literally cursing Young-ho to the high heavens, when in reality he’s such a gentle and sensitive man. It really goes to show how a tough life can make a person into something they’re not, and how just a little kindness can allow them to be who they really are. It’s no wonder he wants to know his birth mother so badly — he probably grew up thinking nobody loved him or would protect him, but now he sees someone who needs protection, if only she’d let him give it to her.

Anyway, it’s good that Young-ho has such a solid support system, because I have a feeling that this whole Gahong situation is about to go sideways pretty fast. I always worry that there will be Noble Idiocy or forced separation or both, when a drama reaches this point, but I’m relatively hopeful in this case that it won’t happen. Young-ho and Joo-eun and their little family are too committed and too bonded to let anything get in between them. I hope, and I think we have a better than even chance, that they handle any problems coming their way by becoming even closer and stronger.

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Am I first?

I just want to say - I can't wait for JooEun to figure out that "ma'am" = "ahjumma". lol

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Depends on where you're from. Its not supposed to mean "your old", its just a respectful way to talk to someone who is older or higher status than you.
Ma'am is something thats respectful and I don't think anyone should ever be offended by being called ma'am.
I definitely wouldn't seriously call my friends "ma'am" but I guess it could be equated to "noona" or "unni" in a way...

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I think ahjumma or the more respectful ahjummoni would be closer. (DramaFever's translation in Healer of Ahjumma as her given name which Healer did not know was awkward -- they should have had him say "ma'am" that whole time. She was sorta his boss, even).

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Yes, I noticed that too in Healer. And I did think - the subs did not reflect the real relationship dynamic between them.

Then recently, I also noticed the same thing in some of the subs for Answer Me 1988. From time to time, the kids call each other variations of nicknames, but the subtitle simply uses their given name, and so subtle directions of affection or animosity, and nuances of the relationship are lost in translation.

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I've seen women here in the U.S. get offended by "Ma'am" in exactly the same way that Korean women do with "ahjumma". Sure they're respectful terms, but women on the cusp of not quite being there yet can take it to mean you're saying their youth is behind them.

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Love this pairing!

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Wonderful, as always. Thank you again, Lollipip!

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Aaah - I spelt your name wrong!

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Just love love love this show to bits!

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Me too

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Thank you for the recap! I just want Grandma to stop meddling in Young Ho's relationship. Our OTP just set my screen on fire!

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Thank you for this recap. Love this episode & love Young Ho's family! They are so adorbs! So glad this drama has a realistic couple with actual feelings and honest about desires and doing what grown ups actually do!

Not to rush anyone for the next recap or give a spoiler but I am nearly busting to say something about Episode 12!!! Ahh! :X

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LOL me too! I am literally dying for next monday but will say no more until the recap is out. Don't want to spoil it for the other beanies..

This episode was great. I am the loving the little family that is forming, joo eun is really the glue that is bringing everyone together. I love how young ho calls the boys 'their kids' because it shows how he and joo eun are already forming the parent side of the family SO CUTE!

Dad is turning out to be quite soft on the inside, reminds me a bit of young ho before he met joo eun. This was also seen in a scene in the next episode SPOILER when he looks so proud that young ho refused to sign the papers about that medical centre for VVIPS END SPOILER

Thanks for the recap, Lollypip!

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"I love how young ho calls the boys ‘their kids’ because it shows how he and joo eun are already forming the parent side of the family "

AGREE 100%

and I go 'aww' everytime he calls them ''kids'' or ''boys''.

Their little family is the second-best (after the lead's chemistry) in here!

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Thank you, Lollypip, for extricating meaning from 6o minutes of lacklustre writing and a world fleshed out so unconvincingly that I really don't care anymore whatever happens to Gramps, Soo Jin and any of these chaebol whatevers. I'm not even sure why I'm watching it anymore - I think it's just the completist instinct, not to want to leave the storyline dangling. Perhaps the hustle of Christmas will wean me off it hereon.

I also find OJS and SMN's chemistry sadly underused - so many of the flirtatious encounters seem trite, and I wish they'd stop throwing the word "sexy" at each other again, because he's soooooo sexy, yanno and she's so seeeeeexy now... makes my gums hurt.

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LOL. You and I must be the only two ppl who are not swooning.
Even with sensational chemistry, it takes decent writing to make things seem/feel somewhat convincing.

"60 mis. of lacklustre writing"...
I literally forget what happened at the beginning of the ep before the 60 mins are over.

"I really don't care anymore whatever happens to..."
I think we don't care cos the world this show creates feels like it has the texture of soap bubbles.

"I'm not even sure why I'm watching it anymore.."
I know why I'm watching: SJS + SMN, plus the completist instinct, like u said.

Merry Christmas!

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In RL it is like this: You find your partner and love him, you like, in the best case, everything about him and you are friends and lovers for life. Others wonder what you see in him.

Loving a drama is the same. You see nothing in it, so stop viewing and wondering what is wrong with you. We who adore this show fell in love for many reasons you obviously can't see. It happened a lot to me, too, mostly with shows that are hyped beyond believe here at DB (KMHM, I Remember You, INR3, I Hear Your Voice to name just a few).

To me OMV is a rare gem showing a respectful adult relationship without artifical push and pull between the OTP and at the same time oozing a sexiness rarely seen in Kdrama.
Also we got a female heroine that knows what she wants and who she is. She doesn't need a man to complete her. She got a carrer and tons of self-esteem from the get-go.
Young Ho otoh is concerned about her health and already likes her before she loses the weight, he even misses her chubby cheeks once they are gone. He is not the typical male looking for the prettiest babe in the room, even if she is empty inside.
Soo Jin is the character that demonstrates that you can fulfill all the demands of the society for beauty and still be deeply unhappy.

I love the messages this show gives us. There are many more, for example the helplessness of a woman after she was stalked, as the Korean law is rubbish concerning this matter or the police wondering how a woman like she (= fat) could get stalked at all, which highlights the superficiality of society.

All those subtle messages and critique wrapped in a show focusing on giving us lots of sweet couple scenes and extended couple scenes with their self-made family.

Whatever it is that doesn't work for you, this show is among the best I've seen in Kdrama and hopefully the writer will not bow to some ratings pressure and eff this up.

Also. So. Ji. Sub. Whatta man!

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I think you've highlighted all the important points. Couldn't agree more.

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I like this show, and I love how you point out the good sides of this drama.

However, in my opinion, one CAN'T ask others to stop watching a drama if they can't feel the same thing. It's their choice to whatever they want to do and whatever they want to comment on, as long as there is not someone being killed or something with their action (just an extreme example, because having different opinion about kdrama is not that serious issue for me to ask someone to do something that I think it's best).

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MY BAD. so sorry. I read 'viewing' as 'watching'. (where the edit button when we need it?) (feel like I'm a Steve Harvey here lol). Again, so sorry for misread your comment above :)

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@caramelts

In this context - viewing and watching were used with very similar meaning. So you didn't misread.

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@Newbie

Actually, it also happens that you find a partner who seems to like you, and you seem to like him, then some where along the way, things aren't quite going how you want it to, and for the life of you, you're confused because hey, it all was so good at the start, or on paper, it sounds like it should work, but somehow it doesn't. So you spend lots of time, talking and talking about it with your friends, because surely, surely, it can't be that bad, right? right? Or maybe you're talking about it in order to be able to articulate how you feel, so you can find it in yourself to end the relationship.

I'm in agreement with some of the qualities you've mentioned in the main characters. I too, like that Joo Eun is spunky, doesn't beat herself up, loves to enjoy life and is helping the guys learn to do so too. And there are aspects of Coach-nim I like too - that he seems kind at heart, that he liked her before she lost the weight, and that he knows about seeing beyond appearances.

But for me, the main characters are let down by the world that was halfheartedly built around them. So many scenes just look like stock scenes but don't show real growth for the supporting characters. They're doing a bit more now for Snake, which is nice - but up to this point, as adorbs as Henry Ma'am Ma'am is, we still have no real idea who he is and he has had no real journey. And that's just one example. Nothing is much developed for Soo Jin, Woo Shik, Joo Eun's friend - nothing enough that really makes the story richer.

The show has a lot of messages, sure, and I do agree with them as messages. It is the fact that the show itself - the writing, the plot, the world it builds - is just not done well enough so it makes those messages, and the central characters, ring false. It's like loving plums and apricots, but having them stuffed in a cake that's too dry and not rich enough. I can pick at the fruit, but it doesn't make the whole cake very satisfying.

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+1

<But for me, the main characters are let down by the world that was halfheartedly built around them.

For me too. I agree with many good parts mentioned by Newbie, but I also see all the parts that are just... lacklustre and can't help thinking 'This could have been SO much better'. It's not a "fantastic" drama if you end up skipping the scenes that don't involve the main couple, no matter how good the scenes with the main couple by themselves are. It's a missed opportunity!

In my case, I also see a lot of similarity (of basic ingredients) with It's Okay It's Love, where the world built around the main couple (also in a properly adult relationship) worked and many of the cliché/stock elements (chaebol + chaebol family politics; love triangle) were done away with... so I know the (nearly) full package (or delicious, moist fruitcake in your terms) IS possible, but it's just not happening here.

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Dramapanda, you've stated what I've been thinking right along. The writing (or translation?) is lacking and there are too many contrived scenes where I just see the "acting."

The whole chaebol subplot could have been dropped and more time given to develop the secondary characters. SJB's character seemed to be successful and happy as a trainer why does he need that corporate world at all?

I feel envious of those who think it's the best drama ever. I really wanted to feel that way, too.

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@dramapanda

+1

Now I've figured out what else this drama is lacking. I was actually okay, or enjoyed everything this drama has or shows us so far, but starting from ep.11, the not-so-well-done writing etc is more obvious. I noticed it through the not-so-much story behind those characters you mentioned earlier. Sigh.

Anyways, it's been a good ride for me. Hopefully, the final will be satisfying.

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I have to agree as well - all the ingredients for a perfect recipe are there, but it comes out flat and tasteless to me. I really wanted to enjoy the richness and I can't put my finger on why, but my cravings aren't being satisfied!

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Mayhaps my mind is in the gutter (although I think the show purposely sets us up for that line of thinking), but it seems to me JooEun could've easily taken Yong Ho's mind off his knee in the first few minutes of this episode *wink**wink*

Also, the subs that I watched implied that YongHo was asking JooEun a two-fold question - 1) is she holding on to the couple ring because of lingering feelings for Im Star; and 2) is that why she's been reluctant to advance to "comfortable and erotic nights".

Of course, all of that could be just me reading into it because I also thought those ahjummas in the park were reaching a bit low with those tummy massagers from the boys' reactions. lol

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I understood the scene about the couple ring just like you! Wonder which subs are the best.

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The word "canoodle" isn't used enough in this world.

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Word.

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Oh this episode was cute! Damn that kiss on the bed was hot, first time I've cured Chief Sexy Min that's for sure.

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*cursed (not cured - he's not a ham)

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LOL

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HAHAHA!

But yeah that kiss scene was very hot. :)

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*cursed (not cured – he’s not a ham)

But if he was I bet he would be delicious. ;)

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It's Christmas - hams should be kissed (and then eaten!)

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Not meaning to spoil anything but after episode 12...I'm praying our writer will give us an awesome erotic night for our couple..third time is a charm right!!! Love their chemistry and that bed scene so sexy yet sweet:)

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Can you please do a recap for splash splash love?!

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Seconding this request. I need to know more of the historical context behind what the King was trying to do (who he was). The story itself was cute, and I've finally met a male lead who's not completely clueless.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great
I am planning to talk about it in coming OT unless there is recap for the show.

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Perfect little show! The chemistry between the OTP is wonderful!

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that would be awesome! just watched the second episode and absolutely loved it. :)

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thy, your wish is granted by girlfriday. :)

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Can someone please explain why the Anna ____/John Kim relationship is such a big deal? I feel like this scandal is lost in translation. (Maybe poor writing because I don't get why a relationship between 2 consenting non-committed adults in a completely different country would be news.) As American, watching from a western perspective, a relationship between them seems like a non-issue.

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I'm with you on this, as it befuddles me and because it's hard to believe in, so much of the plot falls down.

However, based on the bits of info I've gathered, it might be a big deal because:

a) Anna Sue is a reality TV star. As an American starlet, she's probably not deemed suitable for a love interest. Rough unfair associations are that as an American, she'd be morally loose. As a starlet, she'd be morally loose as the entertainment industry could be considered a morally loose, low-class industry.

b) John Kim is supposedly the heir to a conservative Korean conglomerate. The Korean rich family supposedly has its own hierarchy of power and snobby ideas of what's deemed acceptable as a love-interest for their scion - i.e.. also rich, Korean, highly educated etc.

c) John Kim, as b) is not suppose to moonlight as a personal gym trainer, probably a job deemed far too lowly, or even when associated with the entertainment industry, or too flashy, for his background. (Compare I guess, Carlos Leon and say, an Ivy League CEO.)

d) Also the very existence of a "love affair" reported in the general media, is probably deemed not a good thing by the conservative Korean family in the show, as personal affairs, especially those which hint at sexual dalliance, must be strictly private and not food for general gossip. It's all about reputation and dignity, I suppose.

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Thanks so much for sharing. I've been wondering!

So it boils down to - the Prince must marry the Princess of choice and cannot be seen to have any flaws (health, scandal, moonlight... Sexy abs :p)

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I'm willing to bet Young Ho was never in a relationship with her. Something else is going on here. He never confirmed an affair, Joo Eun cut his word of when he tried to talk about it while they were with her friend at the cafe and she grilled him if he is a good partner.

The whole Anna Sue thing is a pretty bad plot device, because they took something, that would be big in Korea, and copied it into the value system of another country (the 'American' talk shows about the 'scandal' in ep 1), but it is a non-issue to us Westerners. I think most Korean viewers will not think about it for a second and they are the main audience.

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No, I don't think Coach-nim was in a relationship with her. I think he did her a favour to help her when she was in need (similar to how he said he can't help himself from trying to help those who are in pain). But in that scenario, Anna Sue probably fell in love with him and may have suggested they were closer than they actually are, or was trying to cling onto him.

It is a pretty bad plot device - not in the original idea itself - who knows, but certainly in the way it's been hinted at without any commitment in the writing. I think there is always a possibility that through thoughtful writing - there can be a storyline about the media, reality tv, perception of the public, and also about how men who tend to swoop in to rescue women - well, they have to be prepared that they're playing up to a fantasy and it's likely the woman might fall for them? But none of that, or more, was explored - so poor Anna Sue remains an oddly named, under developed plot line. Personally, this is irksome - because why go there, if you're not going to spend time to make the reference worth anything?

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He absolutely definitely was never in relationship with her. It's so obvious, which is yet another reason why it's such a lame scandal.

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Yes, Dramapanda, I figured that many of the reasons you listed played a role in the scandal. The only thing I'd add is that maybe Anna Sue is/was married? If that was the case it would make sense why the American media was making such a big deal about it.

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Not sure, Maverick. I didn't pick that up in the narrative so far, but I could have missed it. Most of the information about Anna Sue was pretty scanty, and it was that she was on a reality show. And there are some "dodgy pics" of her with John Kim in his hoody. (LOL)

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Dramapanda, thanks for answering my question. I appreciate how you addressed my question without being condescending. Answer easily could have been very dismissive.

I'm struggling with the writer's choice of this scandal to produce conflict.This relationship doesn't feel significant enough to shake Korean entertainment and business communities to their cores like the writer wants us to believe. His relationship with Joo Eun, who was fat, is an attorney but doesn't come from a wealthy family, seems more newsworthy. I think the treatment of this plot line doesn't carry much weight. Admittedly, I didn't catch all the little tidbits surrounding Anna Sue like possible drug use. But still, this feels lazy for two reasons.

1. If the writer was really trying to convey all the reasons you stated, and everyone agrees with, then this plot line is fairly obvious. Korean viewers are probably sick of it. 2. Again, for all the same reasons, foreign audiences have not been made to feel the impact of the scandal so we don't get it. Ultimately, it feels like a cop out.

I love the cute and appreciate the mature relationship between our leads. The corporate/family drama feels manufactured and contrived. So I guess question should have been why should I care about Anna Sue & John Kim?

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@Evw09

No worries. You asked a genuine question for information. It's probably a question that's been echoing at the back of most people's minds, when they've calmed down their heart palpitations about imagining erotic nights with OJS.

it's only recently that I heard about stories like Tablo's case, or even got a stronger grasp about how conservative the press are in Korea. Again, how much of my impressions are built from dramas or drama sites, and how much that is reflected in real life, is another question.

I like your point about it perhaps being more scandalous that Joo Eun is a lowly fat lawyer. I've seen some fan responses on the internet that are pretty nuts - where they tear down a rumoured potential love interest out of jealousy or some insane sense of ownership. Perhaps that storyline would have been more interesting to explore, especially since it would be based in Korea and have some kind of real reflection on the media and netisphere. The character of Anna Sue hasn't been made real, and the fact she's far away in America- makes it all the more distant, so it has no real impact.

I'm not sure if I'm one of those in the camp who think the relationship between the leads is mature. I find a lot of their interactions juvenile and cringeworthy. They're meant to be in their mid-thirties, right? Sleeping head to toe etc - I think the last time I heard of that was probably back in school camp.

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<I’m not sure if I’m one of those in the camp who think the relationship between the leads is mature. I find a lot of their interactions juvenile and cringeworthy. They’re meant to be in their mid-thirties, right? Sleeping head to toe etc – I think the last time I heard of that was probably back in school camp.

I think they were selling it as mature initially but now that it's time for the two characters to sleep with each other, they are back-pedalling and giving as if "chaste" characters (making the characterisations a bit inconsistent). I do agree some of their earlier interactions are also pretty juvenile – sometimes you could sell it off as flirting, but sometimes it's just silly.

By the way, "erotic night" cracks me up – who the hell says "let's have an erotic night???" That sounds right out of a p*rn movie.

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-By the way, "erotic night" cracks me up – who the hell says "let's have an erotic night???" That sounds right out of a p*rn movie.>

Bwahahahha....I was thinking that too... alongside the number of times the word "sexy" was thrown around... Imma thinking - you know, grown ups just get sexy and do what they do...they don't necessarily stand around and throw those words up, just to see the other person blush. What's all the blushing about?! It's so funny, this chaste Korean rom-com trying to be sexy, like a woman wearing sexy underwear for the first time and not quite sure which bits are meant to go where they go...

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I'm a little over a one-year old newbie to kdrama but being bedridden for that year means I've watched A LOT of Kdramas. Because there were so many things lost in translation, I started following some of the Korean entertainment news sites like Koreaboo and even the celebrity news on DramaFever and Viki.

While we may not think it's a big deal, actors and kpop idols aren't allowed what we think of as normal relationships until they marry. Whenever it is discovered that two stars are dating (usually they've been secretly dating) and it is A BIG DEAL. So for this character to 1) have a secret identity as a lowly personal trainer; 2) be dating; and 3) foreigner and a westerner on top of it...! As a wealthy chaebeoul, his marriage is to be arranged by his family to benefit corporate mergers. Welcome to how they do it in Korea and dramaland.

Google Bi Rain and Kim Tae Hee. You'll see it says they were "caught" dating (although the fact that he was in the military plays into that somehow as well). Song Seung Heon was caught going to visit his latest co-star in the middle of the night. I wonder if they were in a real relationship or if they have to pretend for a while that it's a committed relationship so as not to be condemned and have their careers hurt by a casual-physical thing. We'll know if they announce a split soon. And I only think that relationship didn't cause a bigger scandal because of his age. The fans seem to have moved on to the younger kpopers.

It reminds me of 1940's and 1950's Hollywood when stars married in secret and kept it a secret (until they divorced). With more people believing in the sanctity of marriage as a forever thing, it stopped young women and men from fantasizing about stars who were off the market. That destroyed careers. I think with Koreas more conservative climate, it's the sane thing.

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You made a good point comparing the situation the old Hollywood.

Hope, you'll be better soon!

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I feel like the drama milking the chemistry between the two leads, that's for sure! Not that I'm complaining, but I want MOAR!!
I want a comfortable and racy night ASAP!
Please writer-nim, don't only give us kisses, hugs and few cuddling, we need some more action! Hahaha

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you naughty gurl...
; )

i thought we loved the fact that kdramas were so "clean" by american tv standards...

but, i'm with you on this topic with this particular drama!
: D

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I believe that in the first episode, the news report said she had drug problems, too. It might make Young-Ho look like he is irresponsible and involved in illegal activities.

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Great recap! Thank you so much! I love love love this drama as well! The actors, character portrayals, etc...I'm so impressed! Beautifully done so far. Kudos to everyone!

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Thank you LollyPip for a great recap! I did not get some of the nuances of what was going on until I read you.

I do delight in this OTP pairing which feels more real than some others. Their characters growing closer naturally, organically is such a pleasure to watch, plus of course all their together moments.

I had hoped that the 2nd leads would also have had more chances to develop. The occasions where they are shown to be not merely cardboard figures to push the conflict have become fewer and far between. It's a pity that Soo Jin keeps reverting to her unpleasant, insecure self when she could have had a great frenemy-to-besties growth by now, and joined the gang with Hyun Woo and the boys.

I'm finding that the show is trying to bring in too many ideas and plot points, most of which are great in themselves, but rather messy when all brought up in the same show. We want to see the development of healing for so many wounded souls and bodies, and we seem to be getting quite a bit of public health services messages in the course of this. We've even been invited to think about how everyone suffers and not to judge people by appearances ... topics of some weight that require a more time and exploration and which I hope get addressed again in the course of plot points below.

On the list is the:
* continued empowerment of Joo Eun (who was never a weakling) and how she continues to heal her friends
* some resolution for Joon Sung and his mum and her abuse,
* better family relations for Young Ho,
* more 'extended' family time with the guys and Joo Eun and I'd like the family to ultimately include Soo Jin and Woo Shik,
* an acceptable resolution for our OTP despite the usual chaebol manipulation.

To all the above we also have the strange addition of Yi Jin with her crush/obsession, which appears superficial and unnecessary, and at the moment is a weakness in the story. How about giving us more Min and Young Ho bromance instead? :)

I'd like the show to bring all these points together for a satisfactory resolution, and am hopeful.

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Agree with all your points. Never knew I needed to see So Ji Sub staring at a child so badly in my life. Please ditch the CF girl storyline, Joon Sung already has enough going on in his life.

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I've been catching up on this series and backtracking the recaps. Thanks, LollyPip! =)

Love this series so much. The leads are amazing and I love the side characters (Henry). Teehee~

It's definitely refreshing to see the main couple being so open and honest with each other, and I love their natural progression in getting closer to each other. I also like that the various characters have a chance to show us their back stories... Jooeun, Youngho, Soojin, Joonsung, Youngho's dad... Really makes the plot more interesting than just about losing weight and finding love.

Anyway, I love how much Jooeun is influencing everyone around her, especially Youngho. They complement each other and she's someone Youngho really needs in his life. I have no doubt that together, he will overcome his psychological pain. It's great to see that Jooeun's words and only experiences and determination have left such a deep impression on him. That will spur him on to overcome his struggles.

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thank you Lollypip for the amazing recap every week!

but then again why does Manager/Chief/Secretary Min have to disturb the MUCH AWAITED EROTIC NIGHT -sad-

it was a very good episode....Young-Ho & Joo-Eun's relationship keeps getting stronger....
i just hope Young-Ho's grandmother will accept Young-Ho's decision of having a relationship with Joo-Eun and will not push that other girl on him.

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THANKS LollyPip!

(1) Can't say I enjoy the writing nor the illogical reasoning between some things (grandma needing to chase the DIL out for eg, and being as chilly as ice towards her in public).

(2) The unnecc drama in the entire family esp the irritating plotting uncle who's not even family - just kick him out alrdy

(3) Disliked the 'fake' feel of the candy Ep 9 even when it featured so much lovey-dovey ... it just felt too CF.

Thankful for Ep 10 and Ep 11.
Really loving the always present chemistry, and ESP the wonderful fluid organic flow of this OTP - you can feel the growing support/care they have for each other, looking out for each other ... always making time no matter how busy. Very heartwarming, and rare in OTPs - it almost feels genuinely real-life.

Enjoyable easing and flirting, so well played out by SJS and SMA ... Ep 11 delivered one of the sexier kiss scenes in Kdrama, and those scenes are always so comfortably enjoyable fun with these bantering 2, even while smouldering hot.

Have that erotic night alrdy please!

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Our OTP is stronger and hotter by each ep

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Am I the only one who is confused whether John Kim and Anna Sue really dated or it is just a scandal?

I mean we saw them holding hands in pictures but Young Ho never really denied or explicitly stated to which extent the relationship between him and Anna stands.

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I actually thought they didn't because he told Joo Eun that they were only firends (she said 'friends who kiss' not him) and he looked kind of outraged when JE told her bff Hyun Woo he just stopped dating a famous westerner. I feel like YH would be too much a gentleman to refute the statement publicly, but I hope we get clarity from him. I can see JE and YH talking about it (cos they rock the communication thing).

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Ahhh okay it makes sense and thanks for replying! And also in this episode Manager Min and YH were talking somewhere along the line about Anna Sue rumor becoming the truth with more people talking about it. And I thought it indirectly hinted that YH and Anna Sue were never in the relationship.

Hopefully we get to see JE and YH talking about it like you said and won't mind seeing some fluffs out of it.

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Yi-Jin's stalking of Joon-Sung is not cute, it's annoying. I don't want her and Joon-Sung to end up together. But it appears that's the direction writer Kim Eun-Ji is headed. Enlighten me--what's the purpose of her character?

"Joo-eun is shown an old case file of a pregnant woman who was suffering domestic abuse and killed her husband, and is shocked to see that the photo is of Joon-sung’s birth mother. Back then nobody cared that she’d been abused, and she’d been given the full sentence. She had given birth to her baby in prison and had to give him up."

"Joo-eun tells Hyun-woo that her nanny is Joon-sung’s birth mother, and Hyun-woo is beside herself wanting to help the woman get away from her abusive husband. But they’re hesitant to just confront her for fear that she’ll disappear."

I might be confused and may need clarification on this...
Joon-sung’s birth mother, a victim of domestic violence, served time for killing her 1st husband. Now the nanny for Hyun-woo, she's remarried and is in yet another domestically violent relationship suffering physical harm/abuse from her spouse???

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@ August:

Not uncommon for victims of abuse to find another abusive partner.

Apparently some victims of abuse have so little self-worth that they feel love and attention when they're getting beaten - it means they're loved enough to warrant beating!

Twisted I know.

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@ jusash

You're right it's not uncommon. The first time around Joon-sung’s birth mother found a way to escape even though it was a hard lesson in life to go through. And no denying the hard times she encountered. It was probably the worst experience for her and certainly not the most ideal situation to be in. But Joon-sung’s birth mother is choosing to stay with her 2nd husband and suffer through the patterns of abuse/cycle of domestic violence again.

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She might even feel like she has to be in another abusive situation as some kind of penance for her act of self-defense.

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THANKS LollyPip!

(1) Can't say I enjoy the writing nor the illogical reasoning between some things (grandma needing to chase the DIL out for eg, and being as chilly as ice towards her in public).

(2) The unnecc drama in the entire family esp the irritating plotting uncle who's not even family - just kick him out alrdy

(3) Didn't really enjoy the 'fake' feel of the candy Ep 9 even when it featured so much lovey-dovey ... some of those scenes felt too CF.

Thankful for Ep 10 and Ep 11.
Really loving the always-present amazing chemistry, and ESP the wonderful fluid organic flow of this OTP - you can feel the growing support/care they have for each other, looking out for each other ... so mature. And always making time no matter how busy - very heartwarming, and a maturity in communication so rare in OTPs - it almost feels genuinely real-life.

Enjoyable easing and flirting, so well played out by SJS and SMA ... Ep 11 delivered one of the sexier kiss scenes in Kdrama, and those scenes are always so comfortably enjoyable fun with these bantering 2, even while smouldering hot.

Have that erotic night alrdy please!

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This entire show is one giant sexual innuendo forreal. It's like crack I tell you, crack!!!!!

I honestly just watch it for the two mains and the side guys and skip all the business stuff and the ex-bf and girl.

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Your recap is much more better than the actual show! Thank you!
I really love the leads and all the messages / realism that the show gives in each episode...but somehow, I just expect more from the writing of the plot.

Henry's character needs his own backstory.

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This drama is really great on so many levels. The structure and pacing deserves a special nod. Most rom-coms have the pattern of kooky things keeping the couple apart too long, then they get 1 episode of dating then get pulled apart until a sudden reconciliation at the end of the series. Here we're seeing a mature relationship develop. It's going slow because they want to take thing slow. It's very natural and organic, and yes there are complications but it's all unfolding with consistency.

I was excited Sung Hoon got a part in this, and then worried his part would be small but it's actually a great part. He gets to show this huge range of emotions, act as a marshmallow as well as a tough guy, really bust out all the chops. Everyone's acting is good but he's really getting to show off.

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I have to agree on this especially about Sung Hoon. Didn't know anything about him and I was surprised that he had a part in Faith. Will look forward to him getting roles like this that will showcase his talent.

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I agree about the main couple's mature relationship. <3

I haven't seen Sung Hoon act before, but I'm pleased that I get to see his acting here. ^^

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While the show will definitely not provide you the drama that is mostly seen in Kdramas, it makes up for it by how awesome the two leads are. I appreciate all the things that this show tells us and for that reason alone I love this little gem of a show. I can actually see why other people find it lackluster which is understandable. I don't care about the second leads at all since they are not really affecting our leads that much. But Chief Min! Why do you have to disturb at that very moment?

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I'm waiting recap of episode 12...it's already Friday...Are You busy preparing Christmas Eve,Lollypip...Well,Have a Great Holiday then Everybody..Good Recap,Nice Show..

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I smell amnesia... I don't know guise everything is too damn good to be true.

Every time i see out OTP, I lowkey side eye the drama gods because they'll give us amnesia I just know it!!

I am already crying!!

I need to calm myself

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Lo o o ve this episodio. OMG información was dying so Hot! !!!
Lo ve this couple so much

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Plop!! No entiendo por que se siguen preocupando por Ana Sue!!, (que ya ni se menciona) personalmente estoy disfrutando de la quimica entre SJS y SMA, la trama me encanta y la relacion cada vez mas fuerte entre ellos.me parece dulce y fresca al punto de sentir que espio a una pareja real, en realidad estoy sorprendida de ver a SJS tan cariñoso y SMA realmente tan humana dulce con el pero fuerte y equilibrada en la vida , y en respuesta a la gente que desea una escena de cama explicita ,creo que en parte es un tema cultural o es que acaso solo los chicos se pueden guardar y los mayores deben ser todos ardientes y xxx ?? Algo asi no tiene mucho sentido . Me encanta esta serie!!

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