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Entertainer: Episode 7

It’s debut time for Ddanddara Band, and, well, let’s just say reality doesn’t always match up with our dreams. It’s going to be a little harder for them to make themselves known, and it’s going to take some creative thinking and willingness to trust each other. Success is reached by many different roads, and the Ddanddara family may just have to pave their own.

 

EPISODE 7 RECAP

Though Seok-ho had successfully convinced PD Park to give Ddanddara Band a spot on a live broadcast, he’s told that they can’t make it happen after all — CEO Lee has blackballed him. He asks to be allowed to speak with the station’s new executive director, but PD Park says it won’t do any good.

The executive director isn’t just letting CEO Lee roll over him though, and asks for a meeting. He’s newly in Korea, and Joo-han laughs that he just doesn’t understand how this stuff works or how powerful KTOP is. He accompanies CEO Lee to see SBC’s new executive director — it’s a slap in the face to be summoned, but CEO Lee is just curious enough to go anyway.

Seok-ho is already lurking around the executive director’s office trying to get in to see him, and security is called to escort him out. So when he sees CEO Lee and Joo-han as he’s being manhandled by the guards, it’s just that much more humiliating.

CEO Lee sits down with the new executive director, who turns out to be the nice man who encouraged Seok-ho in the restroom earlier (I knew it!). He repeats KTOP’s threat — if they put Ddanddara Band on television, KTOP will never allow their idols on that network again.

He says that this has caused him to get in trouble with his bosses and insulted by his subordinates, and while he’s smiling, it’s obvious that he’s very much more happy about this. He apologizes for calling CEO Lee to him, but it’s just that he’s so very busy finding replacements for all the KTOP singers that won’t be on their music shows any longer. Oooo burn.

He makes it clear… CEO Lee can go ahead with his threat, and the network will go ahead with allowing Ddanddara Band on their show. The executive director clarifies that he’s not affiliated with Ddanddara or Mango, he just likes their music. This guy is awesome.

CEO Lee looks like he just sucked a lemon, but before he can take his ball and go home, the new executive director reminds him that his threat doesn’t only include barring KTOP singers from their music shows. It also includes banning them from appearing on variety shows, and he’ll make sure that all KTOP idol actors currently acting in dramas are replaced immediately.

It’s obvious that CEO Lee didn’t think he’d have to actually carry out his threat, and he says the executive director is going too far. The new director agrees, but says that KTOP is being unreasonable, so basically, he started it. HA.

Seok-ho is still in the lobby when CEO Lee and Joo-han leave, barely giving him a glance. But PD Park calls and gives him the good news — Ddanddara Band will be the opening act for next week’s live music stage. Seok-ho runs out of the building, whooping at the top of his lungs.

The boys mope in their studio, too disappointed to practice. Finally Jae-hoon gets up and starts playing his drums, and the rest of the guys can’t help but be lured over to play. They’re enjoying themselves so much that when Seok-ho arrives, he hides to just watch them, enjoying music for music’s sake.

He finally joins them with a strict expression, and tells them not to stop — it’s a live stage, so they need to practice as much as possible. It takes a second for it to sink it, but when the boys realize they’re going to be on television, they celebrate wildly.

CEO Lee refuses to take this lying down and tells Joo-han to make sure that Ddanddara Band is barred from any and all other performances. He also wants a meeting with his prosecutor friend — he intends to have Seok-ho investigated for manipulating Jackson’s album sales.

This could also implicate KTOP, but CEO Lee is willing to risk it just to ruin Seok-ho. He also invites Mr. Byun to come speak with him again, recalling how he accused him of killing Ha-neul’s brother Sung-hyun.

Mr. Byun is smart to be wary of why he’s been summoned here. CEO Lee offers him an envelope of cash never to mention Sung-hyun again, but Mr. Byun isn’t impressed… is this all Sung-hyun’s life is worth to him? He asks if CEO Lee is really afraid of Seok-ho, or if he’s actually scared of Ha-neul becoming famous and learning the truth of his brother’s death. He flings the money back at CEO Lee and walks away.

The next order of business for Ddanddara Band is to come up with a concept, and of course the boys don’t agree. Jae-hoon and Yeon-soo like the idea of tuxedos, but Kyle has something else up his sleeve.

Joo-han receives a USB file in the mail with no return address, and he’s shocked when he sees the pictures of a drunk Jinu being led into a taxi by Ji-young, the same photos Seok-ho got from the fan club president. Sure enough, Seok-ho sent them, and he says to his own photo of Joo-han watching it all happen to prepare himself.

Kyle’s concept is bad, it’s so very bad. Cowboy boots, lycra pants… oh honey, just no. Seok-ho asks Geu-rin why she didn’t stop him, and she moans that they even had to ride the bus with him looking like this.

Seok-ho runs into the executive director in the SBC restroom again, though he has no idea who he really is. PD Park joins them and gapes at Seok-ho’s casual attitude with the new boss, and mouths to Seok-ho that that’s the new guy.

Horrified, Seok-ho runs over and introduces himself, but the new executive director is just all Yeah you said hello already. He tells Seok-ho to chill, that he doesn’t need his gifts — he’s allowing Ddanddara Band to perform because he likes the music, not because he’s interested in Mango or the band in particular. Further, he did it to put KTOP in their place.

He does tell Seok-ho that he was impressed when he saw him on his knees apologizing to PD Park, but it was nothing more than that. This is business, not personal.

So the band goes with the tuxedo concept, and they all plan to meet at the salon for haircuts. Yeon-soo leaves Chan-hee with Seok-ho’s mom, looking nervous and scared, but little Chan-hee adorably cheers his daddy on.

Looking sharp, the band show up at SBC and brace themselves for their debut. Seok-ho gives them a little pep talk in the dressing room, and then it’s time for them to go onstage.

They look amazing, and sound even better. In the back of the audience we see that Joo-han is there, while CEO Lee watches on live television, looking furious. Even Jinu and Ji-young are watching the show, both alone and unhappy for their own reasons. And hee, I just realized that Jae-hoon’s gigantic sunglasses are to hide his face in case his mother is watching.

The band celebrate their successful debut, but they all frown when Seok-ho goes into teacher-mode and starts correcting their tiny errors. Man-shik finally pulls him up and tells him to compliment them. Jae-hoon has to go before his mother notices he’s missing, and everyone realizes that Yeon-soo isn’t there at all.

Awww, he’s running to get his son, the one person he really wants to celebrate with. Both of their faces light up when they see each other through the restaurant window, and I’m not crying, it’s just raining in here. ~sniffle~

Everyone is disappointed when there’s not one single mention of their performance online the next day, but they perk up when they hear that they’ve been invited to be the guests on a radio show.

CEO Lee has dinner with his prosecutor friend (Eeee, it’s Oh Jung-se!), and suggests that he do an investigation into ratings-boosting of songs. The prosecutor sighs that it’s hard to get evidence, so CEO Lee hands over a stack full of evidence proving that Seok-ho manufactured Jackson’s ratings.

He claims to be ashamed that his company would do such a thing, and is willing to accept the consequences of turning in his own employees. After all, he didn’t do anything wrong — he points the finger squarely at Seok-ho.

Seok-ho gives Geu-rin a company credit card for expenses, and when she sticks it in her pocket and says she doesn’t own a purse, he grabs her and takes her shopping. She gasps at the price tags but Seok-ho mumbles for her to be elegant for pete’s sake, they’re mostly here to look.

He does buy her one outfit, saying she can’t just wear jeans all the time if she’s going to be the band’s manager, and also gives her a cute little wallet for the credit card. She shamelessly asks if he’s going to put some money in it, and he snarkily puts in one coin. Ha.

Geu-rin shows up at Mango in her new duds, and five male jaws drop at how pretty she looks. Ha-neul looks a little jealous when she says Seok-ho bought the clothes for her. Seok-ho just goes back to his desk, though he does say to himself that she finally looks like a woman.

The problem is that Geu-rin only has that one outfit, so she wears it every day (she washes it at night, she swears!). Seok-ho asks if she’s protesting, hinting for more, but she says she isn’t. She asks if she doesn’t look prettier, and Seok-ho just says, “Don’t you have a mirror at home?” Ha.

Out of nowhere, Geu-rin says she has a confession to make: “I think I like you.” Well, that escalated quickly. Stunned, Seok-ho stammers through several false starts before he finally tells her that she confessed wrong. Really, that’s all you got?

He deflates when she says that he bought her clothes, is a true mentor, and that he totally rocks! Ha, he keeps thinking she’s confessing her feelings when really, she’s just so dim that she doesn’t realize how her words sound. She’s got him so twisted up, it’s cute.

When it’s time for the band’s radio appearance, Seok-ho is upset to learn that again, someone is trying to bar them from performing. What’s even worse, they’ve been replaced by another performer — Jinu.

Seok-ho almost seems to give up when he sees Jinu, but Ha-neul notices something that makes him sit up and take notice… a small tattoo on the back of Jinu’s neck. He saw that tattoo on the guy he pulled off Ji-young the night of the incident. Angry, he nearly goes after Jinu right there, but Geu-rin’s hand on his arm stops him.

In the car, Ha-neul listens to Jinu’s interview through his headphones, and he texts in a question to be asked on the air: “The tattoo on Jinu’s neck is impressive. Last autumn in Busan, I couldn’t see it well because it was dark in the house.” Jinu goes cold and starts to shake, and ends the interview without warning.

He goes straight to Joo-han, who yells at him for ruining the interview after they worked so hard to get him on instead of Ddanddara Band. Jinu just screams that Ha-neul saw his tattoo that night, and he knows it was him in that house.

Ha-neul comes to Seok-ho alone and tells him that he understands now, why he ran away and hid. He tells Seok-ho to cheer up, and Seok-ho grins that Ha-neul is already acting like a star.

Joo-han’s looking pretty worried these days, and his hands shake so badly he can barely insert the latest anonymous USB he receives into his computer. This one contains the photo Seok-ho’s been staring at, the one that shows Joo-han himself in the background while Ji-young puts an obviously incapacitated Jinu in a taxi. Joo-han is so scared he starts to hyperventilate.

Geu-rin visits the radio station to beg for another chance for Ddanddara Band, and the PD explains to her that it won’t happen — Seok-ho got on KTOP’s bad side, so KTOP is determined to keep Ddanddara Band off the radio. She tells Geu-rin that Seok-ho only got the TV gig because he knelt and apologized, which is news to Geu-rin.

She rushes back to Mango and tells Seok-ho that she heard what he did, and says that she wants to be a great manager like him. Seok-ho shyly grins that he is pretty awesome, but he tells her not to be the kind of manager who kneels.

Kyle frowns at some posters of LEE SANG-WON (cameo by Seo Kang-joon), the supposed “Genius of Juilliard,” who’s doing a concert in Korea soon. Yeon-soo and Chan-hee see him putting gum on his old classmate’s posters, and ha, Kyle just runs away embarrassed.

Sang-won is on TV later doing an interview, and Yeon-soo asks if Kyle knew him at Juilliard. Chan-hee tattles about the gum, but Yeon-soo is jealous Kyle is friends with someone that famous. Kyle corrects him — they are not friends.

But Geu-rin gets an idea and shows Seok-ho, Min-joo, and Man-shik the interview, and suggests they ask if Ddanddara can do a guest appearance at Sang-won’s concert as a way to promote the band. It’s Sang-son’s first Korean concert, so there should be lots of reporters. It’s actually a pretty great idea.

The problem is Kyle — he’s not interested. Seok-ho argues that it’s a good way to introduce Kyle in particular, and that he went to Juilliard (wow I had no idea… ), but Kyle says that Sang-won made his time at school miserable. They were the only Koreans studying classical guitar, which automatically made them rivals. What’s worse, Kyle always came in second to Sang-won.

With tears in his eyes, Kyle begs Seok-ho not to make him ask Sang-won to be a hanger-on at his concert. Seok-ho agrees to drop this plan and think of something else, but Geu-rin wants to try talking to Kyle one more time. Ha-neul says no, that he’s never seen Kyle this upset, and besides it’s not worth hurting him worse when they may not even agree to let them in the concert.

Seok-ho follows Kyle outside to tell him they’re canceling this idea, apologizing for not asking him about this in private first. Kyle cheers up and they go back in, but later Geu-rin corners Kyle to talk about the concert idea anyway.

She thinks it’s a good idea because KTOP can’t stop the concert, and they can’t get an interview or performance anywhere else. But if they can gain fans, more places will request them despite KTOP’s efforts. Kyle says that he wants their band to succeed, but this is the one thing he can’t do.

Pushing the issue, Geu-rin asks him to do it for Ha-neul — he worries all the time that the band is suffering because of him. She offers to ask Lee Sang-won for the favor herself, but they’re interrupted when Seok-ho hears her and yells at her to get out. Geu-rin is fired.

He’s more furious than she’s ever seen him, as he spits that they don’t need a manager like her. He orders her again to leave, immediately.

COMMENTS

While that seemed harsh at first, I actually understand why Seok-ho fired Geu-rin. Not only was she pressuring Kyle to do something he’d already made it clear he was uncomfortable with, she was deliberately undermining Seok-ho’s decision to drop the plan, and his promise to Kyle that he wouldn’t have to ask his rival for a handout. Seok-ho knows what it feels like to go to someone on your knees and beg, and I think he wants to spare Kyle that humiliation. So for Geu-rin to turn around and try to secretly push Kyle, she was crossing so many lines I can’t even count them. She completely deserved to be fired.

What I love most about Ddanddara is that, despite their rough beginnings, they all really seem to like and respect one another. I keep forgetting they’ve been together for a year now, half of that time while Seok-ho was gone and they were on their own, which of course would knit them together in a tight family unit. It’s heartwarming to see, for example, how quickly they’re willing to drop the concert idea if it makes Kyle unhappy. Even though it would be good for the band, it’s not worth it to them to sacrifice one of their members just for exposure. Though Geu-rin tries to push him into it, the rest of the band respects Kyle’s feelings, and I think that quality in them as a whole will serve them well when (if) they do finally break into the music industry.

I do understand Geu-rin’s desperation though — it’s kinda sad that after all that work to debut, nothing came of it for Ddanddara Band, though I imagine it happens that way for a lot of musical groups. It would be unrealistic to expect them to be an instant hit, and it forces them to get creative with their exposure in order to gain a following. I think that watching them fight to get on stages, bumping up against the might of KTOP at every turn, will be entertaining to watch. But they have to do it in a way that preserves the dignity and agency of all Ddanddara members, otherwise they’re no better than KTOP, forcing the talent to perform like trained monkeys, and do as they’re told without any input in how it happens.

I think a lot of my dissatisfaction regarding Entertainer in the first couple of weeks was because the show is so much different than what I expected. I was anticipating something much more like Dream High or Persevere, Gu Hae-ra — a lighthearted show with lots of music, centered around a group of plucky kids trying to make their big break. What we’ve been given is still good (and definitely improved in the third week, and seems to be maintaining a much smoother track now), but the gulf between what we expected and what we got was so wide, it created a dissonance that made it difficult to follow at first.

I actually like the story line of Jinu and Ha-neul being at odds with one another over one terrible incident that made victims of them both, and how the ripples from that night are still causing them problems a year later, affecting their personal and professional lives. It’s not a bad story, I just wish we’d been given some idea that this was not a light summer romp, but a more serious look into the dark underbelly of the music industry. But now that we’re firmly into the meat of the plot and understand where this story is taking us, I actually find it very enjoyable, if a bit whitewashed. It’s not a predictable plot line, and I have no idea where the show will take it, which keeps me watching and interested.

Also, now that I’ve seen them together one-on-one a few times, I actually don’t find the Seok-ho/Geu-rin pairing to be terribly problematic. Yes, he’s much older than her, but putting aside the social implications and power imbalance, their mutual attraction is kind of cute. I would like to see them have more actual chemistry (or I should say, more from Hyeri… Ji Sung is doing just fine on his end), but their bickering is adorable and they’re moving slowly enough that it’s believable. The hitch is that I like the idea of Geu-rin with Ha-neul better, and same goes for Seok-ho and Min-joo. In both cases the pairs have a history together, they’re more age-appropriate, and there are already feelings there. I wouldn’t be mad if the show let Geu-rin and Seok-ho explore a little attraction and flirtation, enjoy the excitement of something new, but in the end realized they really loved their old friends. Can we make that happen, Show?

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It's Seo Kang Joon, not Kang Seo-joon! :)

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Ack, you're right, I goofed his name up! I've asked the Overlords to fix it :)

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First things first- the father son duo are soooooo adorable. i was squeeing the entire time.
Not having been a big fan..sorry a fan of Ji Sung, he seems to me damn good in this show. like carrying the heart on hi sleeve. as for Hyeri, I just cant see her as an adult..that too opposite Ji Sung... she seems like a kiddo mentee or something

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am i the only one who really want to see how they will make jisung adn hyeri love grow and in a same time i still can't get their chemistry ??

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Nope, not alone. :) Ha, and I honestly think that while she has begun liking him, she doesn't correlate that with her admiration for him as a professional. To me, that makes the lack of fiery sparks more understandable. I dunno what'll happen with it (I once read a manga where she liked the main guy the ENTIRE time and then switched in the last ten chapters...) but I'm enjoying it, whatever it is.

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i'm enjoying the show so far though the developing relationship of hyeri and jisung's characters doesn't feel romantic to me. I think a growing affection and understanding are present but the love line seem to be heavy-handed. We'd have to wait and see how they'll work it out. Really hoping they'd make it feel natural though.

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Aaaaah!! It's here!! Thank you thank you! :)

I really liked this episode. Like, a lot. A lot a lot. It's just getting better and better, really. :) :)

My favorite part was probably their first performance. It was vastly different from, say, "You're Beautiful" performances, which came off (to me, at least) much more polished and performance-y looking. In contrast, Entertainer's first performance was a lot less wow-factor. In a good way, I promise. While you could tell it was an actual performance--a good one--(from the TV footage on screens inside the screen...), you also saw the managers frequently, and I feel like we knew the band more personally--like how it might feel to be up there on that stage for the first time. I've had a (very little) bit of experience in the behind the scenes of a performance, and it's SO different from the other side. Everything is rushing rushing get this done, that fell through--this is last minute-but-oh-well-let's-hope-it-works. But those watching don't even notice. I like that back-stage vibe the drama gives off, whether they're on the stage or not.

Aaaah, I just love this show so much! Am I being too easy to please, or has it really turned itself around so much for the rest of you, too?

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Sorry but I feel the exact opposite....
kang min hyuk should relax and concentrate on the song.. It feels like they are forcing him to see hyeri.. I get it you have tragic past and feelings for her but please focus on singing the whole band depends on it...
kang min hyuk in heart strings on drums and that single song was so natural and cool.. Just give that guy drums he'll be happy...
Side note: kyle or someone should grab mike when there is a chorus..its feels they are just playing recorded song back stage ( Damn you oh hae young again .. was I sound deaf before?? )

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I can relate. I never cared about the sounds before. Now, everytime I watch a movie or a drama, I am always particular with the sound effects they produce and the BGM of the show. And it's all because of Another Oh Hae Young...LOL

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Wooo! Me too! Me too! I luff Entertainer. So agree with you on their first debut performance.

I liked the fact that their debut stage was not massive nor was there a large audience. A stage too small would appear too shabby and a bigger stage would be not very realistic. So this was the perfect size befitting their rookie status.. But what I loved most was the prettiness of the set up. Our boys dressed in sharp formal tuxedos; the lovely stage with glittering lights and puprly flowers ; flower petals drifting around and lovely colours and sparkles all wrapped up in sort of a dreamy-hazy backdrop; the reflection of the stage in our drummer boy’s black glasses; Chan Hee’s appa’s adorable smile -I felt that all of this perfectly showcased the wobbly first steps of our youthful band and of their still -to- be- unveiled future (being a bit poetical here ..sorry .. I got carried away a bit :) )

Ah!The episode that cinched my love for this show was episode 6 though. Where our scruffy little band first recorded their album .The tone at that particular scene was so whimsical (and reminiscent of the You are Beautiful vibes) and that’s when I fell totally in love with the “Ddanddara” even with its’ many imperfections.

Now I ‘m off to go stock up on my arsenal of pitchforks and saucepans (cast iron ones with a heavy bottom) and brooms (the ones with the bristliest mops). We can’t let the villains come harass our bunch of puppies now. Can we?

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Psh. Never. Never! Defenders, forward! And I'm loving more and more that they're called "Ddanddara" (as I understand it it has a kinda bad connotation). It's just such a juxtaposition with what they really are. (And I liked the poetical, I got the same feeling exactly.) :)

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You are forgetting that in "You're Beautiful", An Jell was supposed to be a well-established band when the girl joins them. So it's obvious that their performances should be professional and polished.

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Yikes, I'm not okay with Geu Rin's firing.

Seok Ho left for SIX MONTHS, and during that time Geu Rin not only rallied the band, she got them accommodations and has been basically acting as their house mother. He has the two women in his life to thank for holding things together (and progressing them!) while he had his little mental breakdown at the seashore. She's inexperienced but her instincts are better than average, and frankly Seok Ho hasn't done much to guide her in managerial skills. For her to screw up once and get fired is nuts and short-sighted and frankly cheap, because there's no way it's going to stick.

This drama is so bizarre. I want to like it, and I like a lot of pieces of it, but it feels hollow and weird.

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But that was her seriously going against her superior's order. What do you call that, serious insubordination? Even in traditional offices, that wouldn't be tolerated because it's a serious breach of trust and teamwork that may cause trouble if leaked out.

Her being the "mother of the house" has nothing to do with her being their manager. She may be fired but no one's telling her to go away or sleep on the streets. It's not as if HaNeul will stand for it anyway.

Her pulling the band together for 6 months doesn't mean much since nobody asked her to do that and it wasn't jer responsibility as a manager. Her being fired just means that professionally, she's not allowed any say anymore, not that she's not allowed any say as a relative and close person to the band.

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I'll have to agree with you on this one. Yes, she did some wonderful things before. However, as a manager she went against direct orders and did not consider the feelings of one of her charges. She asked him to do it for Ha Neul, and that is part of the problem. As a manager she has to treat all the boys equally. She is not there yet. I'm sure once he calms down he'll give her a second chance, but she'll have to learn to see the big picture, not just HaNeul.

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Seok Ho just said "let's not do this then" and Geu Rin said it was too bad not to pursue it - it's Ha Neul who then urged her not to push, but Seok Ho just got up and went after Kyle.
Geu Rin didn't witness anything between Seok Ho and Kyle, and she has no idea how he acts with the band members individually. So no, I don't think she realized this was meant to be a totally ruled-out possibility.

In a traditional office, unless the boss says flat-out "dead topic, that's it" I wouldn't by any stretch of the imagination rule out a team leader probing the possibility. Kyle flared emotionally, and while we have the benefit of seeing that Seok Ho's management of the situation was the right way to go, Geu Rin doesn't know that. She's trying to fill the role of manager with scant training.

Her being house mother and organizer for six months makes her the glue, not Seok Ho. She found and rented their house, she manages the finances, she cooks the food and got practice space. I actually find it much more shocking that none of the guys immediately jumped to her defense when Seok Ho went off - maybe that's a cultural thing, but his reaction seemed massively out of proportion.

And this is without even mentioning that in the very next episode, he clearly still has this exact promotional angle on his mind. So Geu Rin was RIGHT, it IS too good of an angle to just pass up, they just didn't have the team dynamics down enough to work through it. Geu Rin correctly read Seok Ho's ambitions, she just didn't know that he was saving the right to push it through for himself.

As a manager, she had the wrong instinct because she needs to always be on her artist's side: that's fair. But Seok Ho is responsible for training her and he's dropped the ball, and to vent your anger on a subordinate you failed is a terrible, terrible trait in anyone with power.

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I like how this drama invokes so much emotions within us.
For one, I like that Seok Ho is waaaay overprotective with his boys and we all know that Geu rin has a special place in his heart. (No matter how small it may be as of the moment). So let's all Calm down as I'M sure that Seok Ho will somehow find a way to fix whatever mess he has done. And Geu rin is smart. She know's where he's coming from. I'm sure she won't take it too hard.

Anyway, based on the preview for episode 8, I'm interested to know how deep Ha Neul'S feelings are for Geu rin. Really, it's still blurry for me at the moment.

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Thank you for the recap, Lollypip!!

I really liked this episode - a lot of people were put in their place and Seok-ho had the upper hand after quiet a while. I like how the band is bonding with each other and were respectful of Kyle's wishes instead of being angry at him.

Yeon-soo and Chan-hee are so cute - I swear if anyone causes them to be unhappy/cry, I will go after them with a pitchfork.

I still find the loveline scenes cringeworthy. I definitely like Ha-neul and Geu-rin better than Seok=ho and Geu-rin. To me it seems that Seok-ho's first and foremost passion is music and he needs to be able truly achieve his potential by making the Ddanddara band successful. That's why it is difficult for me to see his attention possibly divided between the band and his love life.
I don't intend to sound mean and rude, but I can't say this any other way, lol- both the band and Seok-ho need to go a long way before love comes knocking on Seok-ho's door.

I loved the director! he gave it right back to KTOP and I just loved seeing KTOP landing on their asses for once.

However, I am not sure about what Ha-neul did was right in sending that message though. He is still guilty in the eyes of law and it would technically be easy to find out who sent that message to Jinu. Unless he wants a blackmailing charge against him as well, he should have kept his cards close to his chest or at least inform Seok-ho about it.

I need more songs from the band!!

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About that last part... There's no evidence that HaNeul did it though. And to anyone who doesn't know anything, it's a harmless bit of information.

If they wanted to go against HaNeul, they'd have to expose themselves first.

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It would be really hard to go after Ha Neul for blackmail. Right now as far as the law's concerned, Ha Neul attacked a girl alone in an empty house. For Jinu to press blackmail charges, he'd have to say he was there at all, which opens up a much more complicated question: why was Jinu there? Is he the guy referred to in all of Ha Neul's "I was helping" testimony?

Also, all Ha Neul said was "I saw your tattoo in Busan and now again today". I don't think you can be charged with blackmail unless you demand something in return.

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I actually understand Seok Ho firing Geu Rin. This drama has spent so much time having some of the characters understand the concept of boundaries and the power they hold. From Seok Ho crossing a boundary with the songwriter which made the latter commit suicide. To Jinu not recognizing his boundaries by drinking alcohol after he took antidepressants, thus leaving him as fodder for the blackmailer, to Ji Young crossing the boundary with Hanuel's friendship and setting him up as her assailant, to Jae Hoon setting his boundary and deciding that even if the band doesn't take off, he won't be going back to the nightclub and leaving Chan Hee with that life. So it only stands to reason that Seok Ho who has experienced yet another lesson in boundaries (letting his down, by pleading on his knees so the boys can get their chance) would be so quick to see what Geu Rin can't. That what she's asking for is crossing Kyle's boundaries without respect for how he feels. She's the band manager, not just Hanuel's manager which means the care and love and dedication she has towards Hanuel should also apply to the other members of the band. Crossing someone's boundaries just because you're doing it for someone else's is not right, especially when you didn't even give said person enough time to think things through. Hanuel got his time to think. Seok Ho got his time to think. So why is it so difficult for Kyle to have his time to think?

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I totally agree--especially since I think a part of the magic of them is that they don't just want to play music--they want to do it together. The WANT to let down those boundaries and be honest with each other--that they want someone to really support them. What Ha-neul said to Seok-ho about wanting to play with HIM as a manager goes for the entire band. It's about the music, yes, but it's mostly about the people. Those they play for and those they play with.

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Hul...KTOP is totally SM. I wonder if Korean stations can't just replace all SM's artists instead of banning hardworking kids. There are many idols in Korea for crying out loud.

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They have the craziest and most vocal fans though.

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Entertainer is getting more and more interesting and I'm so happy for Ji Sung.

That look that Seok-ho had when the band had their first debut (on national TV), aawww, he's really like a proud father.

I'm hoping for Seok-ho & Min-joo pair at the end too, it's always nice to have best friends turn couple.. Geu-rin and Ha-neul pair is also really cute.
Anyway, for now, I'm just happy to see the friendship development on the boys side. Looking forward to more!

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I just love the scene where Seok-ho and Kyle race each other. He may be the leader but he can definitely relate to them emotionally which makes this family all the more endearing.

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@ my

Check this out. I love and adore Kyle & SukHo's bromance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFWhHczp37D/?taken-by=l0vekd

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You like the idea of Geu-rin and Ha-neul together? They're practically brother and sister

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Its not like she was adopted as a baby and the grew up together thinking they were blood from what we know it seems when she was adopted. Geu-rin and Ha-neul were at the age where they could completely comprehend that they weren't blood-related

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Exactly. She was in middle school, which means 12-15 or something.

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@lollypip Thank you for this recap.

I am just loving this show. TBH, I don't get why it gets bad publicity.

It has heart and soul. Writer is trying not to push lovelines down our throat and making sure that bandee, mentor relationship is upfront and given more attention.

I like that GauRin (Green) is in awe with SukHo, and SukHo is a bit smitten with her as well. Maybe her innocence is the underlying attractions?

Ep 7&8, loved the interaction between SukHo and Kyle. They have similar personalities and that is what makes it so endearing.

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Loving Kyle in this episode. He has become my favorite character in this drama.

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Seo Kang Joon should have cameoed as a pianist. While Geu Rin's idea was genius (KTOP can't touch Lee Sang Won), I, too, understand why Seok Ho fired her. She was over the line by completely disregarding Kyle's feelings. She was only looking out for her brother's best interest when she needs to be a manager for all of them. Thanks for the recap, LollyPip!

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There's probably a "no piano" clause in everyone's contracts at this point. ; )

I really like their single. I caved and went over to Apple and bought it on I-Tunes. (I normally only buy from amazon but I make rare exceptions for K-pop.)

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I'm still not at all sure that the drama is heading toward the pairing of Sukho and Geu-rin. It feels like the energy is mutual admiration but not physical attraction and I'm frankly surprised that so many people think they are being set up to be the couple. I'm going to give the writer and director more credence for knowing what they're doing with this, given the so-obvious immaturity of Hyeri and maturity of Ji Sung - who is once again amazing in this role.
Whatever is going on, I'm thoroughly loving it - and looking forward to Seo Kang-joon's part. The previous reader was right - he should have been a pianist, unless SKJ has someow mastered guitar for the role, as he mastered piano for Cheese in the Trap (despite showing basic ability previously in RoomMate). Love Seo Kang-joon and can't wait to see him occupying the same screen space as Ji Sung.

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"I wouldn’t be mad if the show let Geu-rin and Seok-ho explore a little attraction and flirtation, enjoy the excitement of something new, but in the end realized they really loved their old friends."

yasssssss I completely agree I didn't even see it like that but it would be awesome if the love lines happened like that

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I found that Monstar, Heartstrings, Dreamhigh still better than this, LOL at someone bring "Your Beautiful A.N Jell" offcourse it's different, bcz Your beautiful is so much fun to watch, and has awesome OST's just saying, that drama is a legend... don't even thing to compare to something that has no conection LOL

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To each his own. I tried to like You're Beautiful because everybody said I should. But I just can't. I hated the story, the characters, and the music was trite. I like Park Shin Hye, but her singing left a lot to be desired.

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I like you are beautiful too but heartsrting?!!!!! Heart string was one of the worst drama that i seen, bad acting and bad and childish storyline. I like shinhye but her acting was so bad in that drama, i cant Believed that yonghwa's role at that drama too, because he acted so facticious there, even storyline was so simple and childish.... This drama have many drawback but it, s much more better than heartsrting for me

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Thanks for the recap, LollyPip!

I love this ep and so happy they finally debuted. They are like one family and they really care & respect each other. They readily accepted Kyle's reason for not approaching Lee Sang Won for the guesting. I can understand Seokho's decision to fire Geurin. Adding to your list, I'd say it's a big no-no to try to instill guilt in Kyle, suggesting if he doesn't do this, he's blocking the band's potential opportunity and also making Haneul feel worse. As a manager, she can't disregard a band member's feelings and favour one over another. Going against what the CEO already said is just one aspect of why she's wrong. At least it's good to see everyone working together and fighting this through as a team. Love how Seokho cares for his members individually.

Love the exec. director! Putting CEO in this spot is perfect. Serves him right for making the threat.

Yeonsoo-Chanhee are the cutest daddy-son pairing ever!! Love how excited YS was to see his son after performing and the window scene is all kinds of fuzzies.

Love seeing Joohan squirm when seeing those USB pics.

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That was pure manipulation on Gue rin's part. It was just plain ol' ugly, even if it was not her intent to harm. It was thoughtless and selfish.

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Any one else notice it's nice tv director from Pinocchio to the rescue again !

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Who wants to send a clear message to the writers that we would like Han Eul with Geurin to become a couple at the end of the show? You can reply under this, hoping that the writers read it! So let's start a petition!

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