144

Beautiful Mind: Episode 9

Having realized the value of emotions in medicine, our hero characteristically works hard to acquire what he lacks. But some things can’t be earned through honest effort. What we don’t know can hurt us. As Young-oh begins to comprehend the worth of what his disorder took from him, he becomes desperately vulnerable to getting hurt.

 

 
EPISODE 9 RECAP

It’s 1988, and Dr. Lee walks into the lobby of one of Hyunsung’s country hospitals where a man carrying a child on his back pleads with the receptionist to let him admit the boy.

Hospital policy requires that he pay his old bills before he can use their facilities, but the child, crying with a splitting headache, clearly cannot wait until the man finds the money. Dr. Lee, more concerned about the patient than hospital policies, asks to see the boy’s reports, which his guardian hands over gratefully.

Dr. Lee and a colleague look over the reports, and the colleague notes with surprise that the child has the same illness that Dr. Lee’s son suffers from. A stunned Dr. Lee asks the child’s name and the guardian replies: “Lee Young-oh… He’s the 205th child at Grace Home Orphanage. Lee Young-oh.” (His name is derived from that number, with “Lee” meaning two, “Young” meaning zero, and “Oh” meaning five.) He tells the doctors that the child’s parents abandoned him because of his illness, so he grew up in their center.

Dr. Lee asks for an OR despite the receptionists’ protests, stating that he will take full responsibility for what happens. As he wheels the boy into surgery, his colleague stops him. He warns Dr. Lee not to perform such a dangerous operation on the child in an effort to save his own.

Dr. Lee retorts that the child has been abandoned by his parents, but he will not give up on this child or his own. He promises to save the boy’s life. His colleague watches him take the child into the OR with concern.

Some hours later, when Dr. Lee comes out after successfully finishing the surgery, he sees his wife watch the boy being wheeled out. He greets her happily, convinced that he’s found the way to save their son, but she’s in no state to listen. While he was operating on the boy to test out the procedure, his own boy passed away.

Reeling from the loss, Dr. Lee walks the hospital corridors in a daze. His colleague finds him and tells him that he’s made a mistake during the surgery. He must have accidentally touched Young-oh’s frontal lobe, says the colleague, and because of that, the boy will always be emotionally disabled.

The colleague wants to inform the boy’s guardian from the orphanage, but Dr. Lee stops him. He’s the boy’s guardian now, he says. He tells his colleague that he traded the life of his own son for the life of this abandoned boy, which is why he’ll devote his whole life to helping Young-oh live like a normal person.

In the present day, Suk-joo announces the successful completion of stages two and three of their regenerative medicine tests. When someone from the press asks him if they really succeeded in regenerating stem cells, which has been impossible up until now, Suk-joo thinks back to the moments after the death of Dr. Kim’s little daughter.

Assistant Manager Chae had swooped down on him like a vulture waiting for weak prey, and told him to make his decision. When there were countless little children in the world their research could save, he asked, was being a good person more important to Suk-joo than being a good doctor?

Decision made, Suk-joo stands before the press and firmly says that both the test stages showed positive results in all the patients, and their research has already earned FDA approval. Even though his conscience may smite him, Suk-joo’s made his bed.

The senior doctors and Nurse JANG MOON-KYUNG sit in the break room sharing snacks and gossip when Young-oh walks in on them, startling Nurse Jang into standing up and handing him someone else’s coffee from the table. But he only wants to know about his outpatient schedule, and leaves. Just as they all start moaning about how awkward that was, Young-oh returns to the room.

Nurse Jang leaps up again, and this time Young-oh takes a snack from the table, saying that he knew they would all welcome him back. Pfft. Did he think the spread on the table was for him?

While the hospital board votes for a new chief director, the two primary candidates face off in person. Dr. Lee asks Assistant Manager Chae if it was really necessary to announce their research to the world. The assistant manager tells Dr. Lee to focus on the research, and to leave fulfilling Chief Director Shin’s dreams to him. Dr. Lee returns that Chief Director Shin’s dream was to make surgeons redundant in the world, not to claim the fame of being the first to succeed in regenerative medicine.

Then, Dr. Lee leans forward and asks Assistant Manager Chae if he knew about Chief Director Shin’s diabetes, since Shin was so secretive about it. Assistant Manager Chae just says that it was already proven that Dr. Kim was responsible for Shin’s death. Dr. Lee smiles and says that he was just confirming that the assistant manager wasn’t really close enough to Chief Director Shin to claim to have the same goals about their research.

The results of the vote come in, and Director Kang congratulates Dr. Lee on his new position as chief director of the hospital. Later, Assistant Manager Chae asks Director Kang whether this was his decision or his father’s. Director Kang tells him bluntly that Dr. Lee is paranoid about the hospital’s reputation and would keep Young-oh in line. The assistant manager smirks that Dr. Lee wouldn’t be able to do much when patients finally find out that they have a psychopath for a doctor in this hospital.

Young-oh reads the advice of a card that champions empathy as the first medicine. He decides to try out the steps outlined on it as he attends to his patients that day, along with a bewildered Nurse Jang. When a man who’s recovering from surgery comes in complaining about shaky eyes and bad headaches, Young-oh guesses that he must still be struggling with alcoholism.

The man denies it, but instead of his usual brash approach, Young-oh tries following the steps on the card to deal with this patient. Look into the patient’s eyes and greet him warmly, it says. Young-oh leans over the table and smiles at the startled patient, asking if it’s hard for him to come to the hospital.

Be courteous and listen to the patient, it says. Young-oh (still leaning uncomfortably close to the patient, ha) says that he’s the man’s doctor, and is ready to listen to anything he has to say. Young-oh asks him gently again if he’s still drinking.

The man just gets more belligerent, and demands that Young-oh write him a prescription for his medicine so he doesn’t have to keep coming to the hospital. Think from the patient’s perspective, says the card, but Young-oh has had enough. He tells the card that there’s nothing to think about, and finally straightens up.

Back to his old form, he asks the patient if he doesn’t know how harmful alcohol is for someone recovering from brain surgery. Pulling the man forward, Young-oh says that he doesn’t want to be a doll who smiles at his patients, or a priest who listens to their confessions. He says that he’s a doctor, and he’ll decide what’s good for his patients.

He tells the man to come weekly to the hospital until he can really give up alcohol. If the patient doesn’t follow his directions, Young-oh tells him, the only doctor he’ll be seeing is a mortician. Chastised, the patient leaves, and Nurse Jang smiles in relief as she says that Young-oh now seems like himself again. Young-oh scoffs at the empathy card and tosses it into the trash.

Jin-sung has been transferred to the Violent Crimes Unit and is greeted with comical dismay by her new colleagues. They complain to Team Leader NOH SEUNG-CHAN that she’s unpredictable and works too hard. When the team leader praises her for finding the suspect as she’d promised, they tell Team Leader Noh that he can mentor her, and quickly leave before he can protest.

The team leader tells Jin-sung that she should focus on learning to be a detective first, and reopen the Hyunsung case later. Jin-sung looks at him in surprise, and wonders if he also suspects that the case has not yet been resolved. Before he can answer, they hear a dispatch about an armed robbery in progress, and take off to deal with it.

They park in front of the jewelry shop and watch the robber threaten the staff with a knife. Team Leader Noh observes that this is the man’s first offense from the nervous way he holds himself. They confront him, and the robber puts the knife down. Then he looks up, and Jin-sung recognizes him as LEE SANG JOON (Seo Joon-young), the suicidal patient who’d attacked Young-oh in the hospital. He smiles at them before suddenly losing consciousness.

They take him to Hyunsung, where Young-oh examines him. He correctly guesses that the young man has an illness, and that he tried to kill himself before because his disease had progressed to an intolerable degree. Patient Lee violently refuses any treatment, asking only to be allowed to leave the hospital.

Young-oh looks at his CT scans and tells Jin-sung later that there really is no problem. Confused, Jin-sung asks what he means, and Young-oh says that the patient has stage four lung cancer, which has spread to his brain. The patient has also developed tolerance to chemotherapy. So, Young-oh says, since the patient refuses treatment and the hospital has no treatment for him, there is no problem.

Jin-sung controls herself with effort, and only says that Young-oh has a habit of saying things that sound right initially, but which end up being completely wrong when someone pauses to think about it. Drawing from her own experience with a fatal illness and her determination not to burden her family, she tells him that everyone wants to be treated.

Nurse Jang attends a VIP patient, YOO OK-KYUNG, who seems to get her kicks in life by insulting and demeaning the people around her. Dr. Oh comes in with her test reports, and Patient Yoo refuses treatment from him because he isn’t from an impressive university. But as soon as a frustrated Dr. Oh leaves, the woman gets a headache and faints.

Suk-joo is Patient Yoo’s attending doctor, and he asks for a neurosurgeon to examine her. Young-oh replaces Dr. Oh and listens to her case history. She has lung cancer and the targeted treatment caused a tumor to form in her brain. Suk-joo recommends gamma knife radiosurgery to remove the tumor, but Young-oh disagrees.

Young-oh notices the similarities in this case with Patient Lee’s, down to their acquired tolerance to chemotherapy. Suk-joo asks Young-oh if there is no treatment then, and Young-oh says that there is one, but it is both expensive and illegal. Suk-joo immediately knows that he’s talking about the experimental drug osimertinib, and is against using it. Young-oh argues that the drug is not illegal due to safety concerns, but because it’s expensive.

Suk-joo states that health care should not discriminate between classes, but Young-oh counters by asking why equality only applies to the sick. He points out that the medicine exists, and even though money is not an issue for Patient Yoo, she must die because it’s illegal. Young-oh asks why he must follow such a law.

Suk-joo forbids Young-oh from administering an illegal drug to his patient, and switches Patient Yoo’s neurosurgeon back to Dr. Oh. But surprisingly, even Dr. Oh points out that using osimertinib is the only chance the patient has to live.

Suk-joo says again that it is illegal, and the penalty for using that drug will fall on the hospital. He explains further to Dr. Oh that if the hospital becomes mired in such things, then their research into regenerative medicine will suffer. Making his priorities clear, Suk-joo says again that he’s against it.

Jin-sung stops Young-oh on his way to his office to ask a question, and he asks her if she is just living in the hospital now. Jin-sung asks him what he would do if Patient Lee wanted to be treated. She brings out some lottery tickets she found in Patient Lee’s clothes and explains to Young-oh that this shows the young man is holding onto hope.

Young-oh takes the lottery tickets and tells her that it may represent hope to ordinary people, but he doesn’t see it that way. As he turns around, Jin-sung says that if Young-oh’s not willing to help, then Patient Lee really has no chance.

Young-oh pauses, and then says that there is another option. Even as Jin-sung suppresses a triumphant smile, he drags her close and says that the option is costly, dangerous, and highly illegal. He adds that the detective in charge would have to meet the doctor in charge very often. Aww. Is he trying that line again?

As Young-oh asks Jin-sung if she understands what he means, Min-jae watches them from a distance. She walks away looking like she’s holding back tears when she bumps into a resident. He helps her pick up the contents of her spilled purse while she quickly hides the ring Young-oh had given her behind her back.

Young-oh thinks on Jin-sung’s words about the hope of ordinary people and visits Patient Yoo late in the night. When she begins to bluster about him disturbing her sleep, he gets her attention by telling her that her tumor will help her sleep for a very long time.

Thus silenced, she listens as he explains how dire her situation is, and that there’s only one treatment that can help her. When she learns that it’s illegal, she asks if she’ll be punished for breaking the law, but Young-oh assures her that the hospital will take responsibility.

According to Suk-joo’s wishes, Dr. Oh prepares to perform a biopsy on Patient Yoo. When he gets to her room though, he finds Young-oh waiting. Young-oh points out the risks of a biopsy, and Dr. Oh sends out the staff to immediately prepare the OR, saying that he’ll never allow Young-oh to take the patient into surgery.

But when Dr. Oh wheels Patient Yoo into surgery, Young-oh is waiting inside. Young-oh says, “Shall we begin?” Dr. Oh nods, having made his decision. During the operation, Dr. Oh explains why he changed his mind. He confides to a surprised Young-oh that his wife had died of a brain tumor in a similar situation.

Back then, a biopsy had been his only choice, and he deeply regrets not going against hospital regulations to administer the life-saving drug to his wife. Together, the two doctors work to insert a small tube and deliver osimertinib directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Much later, Director Kang gets a phone call that tells him how much he’ll have to pay as penalty for using an illegal drug. He calls Young-oh to his office and bans him from treating patients. Director Kang spells out to him that he needs a doctor who’ll help him earn money, and not one that puts a patient’s health first.

Patient Yoo is wheeled into the office in the middle of this tirade, and observes that if that is the case, then the director will have to let Young-oh keep seeing patients. She explains that because of Young-oh, she’ll be donating an amount far above the cost of the penalty.

As Young-oh winks conspiratorially at Patient Yoo and walks away from the stunned Director Kang, the director asks if Patient Yoo understands how much money they’re talking about. She nods, thinking back to the night before, when Young-oh visited her.

He asked her if she would like to gain what she never had before — honor and respect — because she’s spent her life demeaning others. He warned her that it’d be prohibitively expensive, but she just shrugged and said that the more something costs, the more valuable it is.

Patient Lee suffers a collapse and Jin-sung calls Young-oh to ask him if his offer of an alternate treatment was still open. Young-oh speaks to Patient Lee alone and asks if he’s really given up on treatment. Young-oh coldly sums up his dire reality, adding that even if Patient Lee wanted treatment and got surgery, he would still have to fight to keep living.

Young-oh asks one more time if Patient Lee has made peace with this truth before getting up to leave. Behind him, the patient quietly sobs, and says that he wants to live. With tears in his eyes, he adds that he could never afford the treatment, but he still wants to live.

Young-oh leans over him and reads the truth on his face. Then he tells the patient that they’ve found a benefactor for him before walking away. Patient Lee lies in his bed weeping from relief and newborn hope.

After Patient Lee’s operation, Jin-sung visits Young-oh in his office to say that the detective in charge has come to see the doctor in charge. She cheerfully reports that the police have reached a settlement and Patient Lee won’t have to go to prison. She thanks him and puts a lottery ticket on his desk. She says Patient Lee had gotten it for him, since meeting Young-oh was like winning the lottery for him. But she adds that if Young-oh wins, they need to split the money evenly.

Young-oh opens his drawer to put the ticket in and notices Jin-sung’s bottle cap ring sitting there. He looks up and asks if she really thinks that a lottery ticket can represent hope. Jin-sung thinks about it and says: “Anticipating that tomorrow will be different. That is what hope is to me. In that sense, you are the most hopeful person I know. You are different every time I see you.”

She tells him to call her if he wins the lottery and leaves. Young-oh repeats her words — “Call me!” — to himself and smiles. Then he thinks of what she said before, about him being different every time she met him.

Suddenly, the smile leaves his face and he runs out after her. He stumbles almost blindly down several flights of escalators and grabs her before she can reach the hospital entrance. He pulls her into his arms and hugs her desperately. Jin-sung goes still in confusion.

As she belatedly begins to ask what is going on, Young-oh lets her go. He checks his pulse in dawning disappointment and states that he felt nothing. He observes with resignation that she was wrong. Just as he’d thought, he says, he’s incapable of changing. He promises to call if he wins the lottery and slowly walks back to his office, leaving a stunned Jin-sung staring after him.

Assistant Manager Chae and Dr. Lee’s old colleague from his previous hospital watch Young-oh come up the stairs. The colleague says Young-oh has grown up better than he’d expected. Assistant Manager Chae just says that Young-oh seems dangerous to him. The colleague wonders with genuine worry on his face about how Young-oh would react if he ever found out what his father did to him.

 
COMMENTS

Young-oh had insulated himself in the belief that his unemotional brain was superior to those clouded by feelings. But the more time he spends with Jin-sung, the more he begins to value those same emotions. His fierce pride and determination to never become the monster his father dubbed him as had kept him from seeing just how much his disorder deprived him of. But now that the realization is dawning on him, it’s probably the worst time for him to find out that he has his adoptive father to blame for his condition.

This episode revealed so much of what drives Dr. Lee. He lost his son while testing out an operation that could cure him, and then found out that he’d damaged his guinea pig in a clear case of malpractice. I can’t say I have much sympathy for him, but I can see how such a tragedy would push a man of his resolve to fixate on Young-oh’s “normality” as penance for what he’s done. I believe he both hates and loves Young-oh — the child he both harmed and saved while his own boy died.

Suk-joo has clearly turned to the dark side. He made a bargain with the devil in Assistant Manager Chae’s guise, and despite the lingering uncertainty we see in his eyes, he’s consciously chosen to go down a path that leads away from all that is good and right — every principle he held dear before this. We saw him transform in this episode from one of the most empathetic doctors to one who will go to any length to forward the cause of the stem cell research. He’s in a terrible state of mind right now, and if Jin-sung manages to prove the corruption behind the research and bring it to a justifiable halt, Suk-joo would be stripped of the only thing that’s keeping him going right now.

Did anyone else feel a smile of satisfaction spreading over their face when Min-jae observed Young-oh with Jin-sung? I have said previously that I understand her motives, but I also feel strongly that she took the easy way out. She held on to a grudge for years and got her revenge, but she never tried to help Young-oh the way Jin-sung is doing, even without the deeper emotions that Min-jae had felt at the time.

And while I’m uncertain about the ethics of what Young-oh pulled off in this episode, I can’t help but admire his efficiency. Now that Young-oh knows that a deeper look into the patient’s psyche makes him an even better doctor, he uses his coldly analytical brain to judge how much Patient Lee wants to be cured and then pulls the threads together to make it happen. While I laughed at his attempts to mimic empathy by memorizing steps, it just pushed home for me again how badly he wants to feel the emotions that he sees glinting out of Jin-sung’s eyes whenever she feels something deeply. Even as I clapped in happiness that they finally hugged, I felt his hurt when he realized that no matter how much he wills it, his mind blocks the emotions he desperately wishes he could feel for Jin-sung.

 
RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , , ,

144

Required fields are marked *

Will KBS really cut the number of episodes of BM? :-(

0
17
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know right? I was in tears when I read the news. They dare not! BM is my number one obsession at the moment??.

Saying a prayer to whatever drama gods will hear...

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Go leave a message on their official instagram accounts "mylovekbs" and "kbsworldtv". They may not listen but at least we can let the crew and cast know that their hard work is being appreciated.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hey Beanies,

Just wanted to say that I'm feeling pretty down about the episode cuts too. I look forward to recapping BM every week and don't want any of the plot lines to get shafted because of a soulless, corporate decision based on ratings.

Anyway, lots of love to the cast and crew. They have worked hard and given us a really great show so far. Even if KBS can't appreciate them, they have us to champion their awesomeness.

Yours in solidarity,
Festerfaster

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wish I could show kbs the middle finger. My strongest desire is to kick them in the gonads !

But I am acutely aware of my powerlessness as an international viewer. The only choice left to me is to fast forward to stage 5 acceptance from stage 1 Deep denial.

0

They have all but 100% confirmed it. I feel so so bad for Jang Hyuk Oppa and the whole team really. It's one thing to have bad ratings, it's another thing to shorten a show. It's like KBS decided to kick my precious little puppies while they were down.

I'm holding out a TINY TINY bit of hope that they won't, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

0
12
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just been confirmed, it will be shortened from 16 to 14 episodes, last ep on 2nd August.

0
11
reply

Required fields are marked *

My heart just sank. :-(

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

DIE KBS DIE.
That's how mad I am right now. Soulless, corporate, scheming ********!

0

:'(

A pox on KBS!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

And a plague of locusts with a side of famine...

Step right up and get your voodoo dolls here!

0

Sigh.
I will try and look at the bright side.
I was constantly worried the writer would disappoint me if the writing went crazy towards the end, but now, I can put any unhappiness at the show squarely on the shoulders of KBS.
I guess we will all just appreciate the show even more after this. I just hope some how our love for it will be passed on to the writer, cast and crew so that they know that KBS may not appreciate them, but there is a lot of love for them out there. ❤️

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Not bad, I'll blame KBS and not anyone else too. But I'm still sad. Why don't people in South Korea like this kind of show?

0

Noooo! How are they going to wrap up the research, YO and his dad, YO and JS, JS and SJ, Chairman Kang and his dad, MJ...all in 4 episodes!!!! I think we need a directors cut! So sad...

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

And what about Jin-sung's investigation of the guy who was run over???

I have a feeling there's going to be a time jump to allow her to make detective before pursuing the vehicular homicide.

0

Nooooooooo. Its the only drama that i am obsessed with right now. I love it. I stay awake till 2 in the night waiting for the subs and then watch it before falling off due to sheer exhaustion! And then watch it again the next day in case i miss it

If the show is critically acclaimed then even without ratings let it run its natural course. In the end you do build up goodwill for your channel. Isn't that what TVN did and look at its ratings now

i'm so so mad. damn you KBS! Feel esp bad for the actors who are doing a phenomenal job

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

omg. my heart sank too. I hope this news didn't disheartened all the cast and crew too much. I enjoyed the drama despite its flaws. What drama didn't have flaws after all....

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Omg no u must be kidding isn't there a way to stop this??

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I sincerely hope that KBS doesn't shorten the eps. I feel it would ruin the whole premise of the show if everything was rushed. ?

It's also been a long time since I've been excited for Monday to come around. KBS please don't cut it. >.<

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Does anyone know how can we stop KBS about shortening the episodes??????? :'( I love this drama so much and I have a dream to be a surgeon and psychologists and thus drama is like the best drama ever for me!!!!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap! Loved this episode, and Young-oh ripping his patient a new one cracked me up - I swear, I've seen that bit so many times now and still laugh at all that mental snorting Young-oh went through trying to follow that empathy card.

And his pick-up lines! Boy sticks to what works, that's for sure. I giggled when Jin-sung came to report to him about the case and he was like "come in and report to me properly".

I hope Jin-sung gets a clue from that hug!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The scene with Young-oh trying to follow the empathy card, deciding to toss it aside, and then ripping into his patient for not giving up alcohol after brain surgery was golden!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope the low ratings in S. Korea won't deprive Jang Hyuk of the much deserved best actor award for the network this year.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I will definitely vote for him to get daesang

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sadly I think this year's KBS Daesang would go to one of those actors in that drama that hit 40% ratings.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

We don't have to hope for Daesang, we already know who will win.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap Festerfaster!

I LOVED the last scene- how perfect was Jang Hyuk in his portray of YO! He managed to give such a nuanced performance that I really FELT YO's deep desperation to feel some emotion. All the while he still managed to stay completely in character- I can't believe how much he can portray with just a look. He has completely sold me- I truly believe now that JS could be the one for him and I'm eating my words about the worry that their romance wouldn't feel natural.

I Need to gush a bit because I feel like I must express some love for this show which KBS is treating like an unloved bastard child. Bleah to them. There are many people here who appreciate you Show!!! ❤️❤️❤️

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Exactly,like BM is Young Oh and kbs is the nasty chairman trying to cut short his stay in the hospital.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I could feel his desperation in his eyes too and not just his words. It was so well acted. I was so impressed by Jang Hyuk!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

You guys are kidding me, right? They are really going to shorten up the episodes? ???
This is becoming my favorite airing drama right now.
I was so happy that Young Oh was improving and then with this news I'm sad now.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Shortening the episodes. Really frustrates me. It's as though Korean drama watchers sometimes have zero taste. The biggest turkey drama of the season Doctor Crush gets ratings while this flawed by very interesting and well acted drama is being cute. Shame shame. This is why I'm happy that more and more often we see drama production being done prior to airing. It eliminates tampering with the original story like durin production and also insures that drama writers (which I believe to be very lazy) have to flesh out their stories and get them right before we see them. I'm bummed...

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hear-hear to your "biggest turkey drama of the season Doctor Crush" comment. That show is SO disappointing! The bad music and forced comedy scenes make me want to run screaming into the night.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I watch Doctors but lets be honest, if quality is to be noticed Beautiful Mind wins hands down and is miles ahead of them in every department from acting to writing to editing. This is just sad.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too! I watch doctors just to watch it. It's entertaining but it's not as gripping as Beautiful Mind.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That's why Doctors fans keep asking BM fans not to compare the two but we never hear the other way round lol..

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Haha you're so right. But honestly not comparing is kinda hard: both have a doctor/hospital setting and are aired at the same time. God, both show even started on the same day!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I consider Beautiful Mind one of my all tine favourite dramas, right up there with Brain, in fact. It's a heart-wrenchingly beautiful heart strings-tugging type drama that reveals the complexities and nuances behind the human being, and reveals that we may all be, in sound way or another, deeply selfish creatures. The most wonderfully ironic thing behind this is that the catalyst for this realisation is Young-Oh, someone deprived of what we assume makes humans humans- their emotions. He is a fundamentally flawed and genius character, because he shows us what we think we are, what we may be and how much we protect the expectations and stigmas of society onto ourselves, unwittingly.
Pit this against the droll Doctors, with its (and I'm not sorry to say this) one-dimensional story line and overly simplistic characters and the ratings game becomes deeply frustrating, even bordering on nonsensical.
Maybe this is what they call 'dumbing down the masses'?
Or maybe I'm becoming as cynical as Young-Oh!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sorry wrote that in a rush! *time *some way *project the expectations

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is seriously the most underrated Kdrama of the century - everything about it is so good, from story to directing to acting! Love it to bits!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

And the way YO treated that alcoholic patient really cracks me up.. poor YO, dang it with the behaviour card! Just sock him in the face!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Because after the news from KBS I'm more motivated to highlight how interesting the show is, please do check out my blog post on this episode and the medicine behind it.
They did pay a lot of attention to detail for YO's frontal lobe injury and I just wanted to give credit to the writer and prop person for a job well done in this aspect.

https://mydramalesslife.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/beautiful-mind-episode-9-medicaps-the-good-parts/

Also, Jang Hyuk has made YO's character come to life- in the blog post I highlighted the features of a person with frontal lobe problems and YO is almost exactly what was described. Even if you don't see my blog, check out this link to appreciate how uncannily accurate YO's character is.
http://www.neuroskills.com/brain-injury/frontal-lobes.php

Spreading the love for this show ❤️

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for that post! I love that you made the effort so we could appreciate Young-oh's character even more! Damn KBS for being idiots who can't appreciate the gem they had!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

You are welcome! ?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is great stuff! So much goodness from this drama and the attention to detail! Thank you!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

As someone who wasn't particular convinced by (or invested in) the Young-Oh/Jin-Sung love line at the start of the show, I'm finding their budding romance pretty darn cute now. I'm interested in how the writers will develop Young-Oh and Jin-Sung's relationship without magically curing Young-Oh's medical disorder.

It's a shame about the show getting its episode order cut, but I'm looking on the bright side and hoping that this will keep the plot moving forward (without stagnating in filler episodes or meaningless conflicts.)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

best drama so far this year and kbs decides to shorten it WTF. Jang Hyuk better get nominated for that daesang or i would be more pissed off

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you guys about korean tv ratings being so nonsensical sometimes. Specially with the case of Doctors and Beautiful Mind. Personally I think the cast of BM are better actors than those in D. And even the story is more compelling than the cliched "romantic" story of D. I guess it only goes to show that the korean audience can be realed in easily with a gangster surgeon jesus heroine and an older hero that just kisses an old student of his out of nowhere without the showing us how it came to be (what is sexual harassment).

Jang hyuk is really killing it as Young Oh. ❤️

0
13
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agree

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

While I agree with you that ratings don't necessarily reflect the quality of the show, I hope we won't keep comparing shows and putting down other shows while trying to express our love for BM.

It is KBS who is at fault here for not giving due credit to the hardworking and talented BM team. It has nothing to do with other shows at all.

We can express our love for BM without resorting to putting down other shows or criticizing the tastes of other people who may like something else.

Just my 2 cents because I really hate it when it becomes a "war" between fans of different shows. We can like different things and still get along! Save the anger for KBS! Hehe.

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

I defnately agree with you!!! Don't blame to other show as our beloved drama BM got cut.This fault is from KBS itself. Peace!!!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agree! Rating is one thing, but KBS is to be blamed here. They are the one decided to shorten the drama. We all know it is a business but why cannot they give support for the team. KBS really too much lately, remember when they wanted to extend Neighbourhood Lawyer and I was glad that the actor, Park Shin Hyang disagreed.

Korean TV stations need to realize, the idea of extension of the drama clearly not a good thing and similar goes to shortening the drama.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think Another Miss Oh is a perfect example of show that shows why extensions are not necessary......KBS is too much lately. Trying their best to extend Lawyer Jo, trying their best to get a DOTS season 2 and cutting BM, sigh! I am slowly loosing respect for their upper management.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, KBS must feel too proud with themselves with the success of DOTS.

But it is amusing to see how Park Shin Hyang refused with the extension, and the writer of DOTS responded that she already told all stories in DOTS and nothing more for DOTS 2. LOL.

The production for BM should just announce instead of shortening the episodes, what about the last two episodes to be released online. Probably this is how to stand up against KBS. But I don't think it is possible, isn't it?

0

+1000000000

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

TV ratings not necessarily because that drama is the best and so good. Imo, audiences want a straightforward drama to watch during their leisure time. They are not watching because the drama is really good. I guess, they are watching BM too, on their laptop or tab.

But you don't have to putting the other show down. I am a fan of Kim Rae Won, and cannot help to think he is just an accessory to Park Shin Hye in that drama.

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

KRW was so good in Punch- very disappointed with his role in Doctors- just a bf. At least actors his age like jang hyuk, psy trying more challenging roles

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

He had done this kind of roles in his earlier days of acting. Poor boy, so hard for him to gain more recognition.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Its not putting down per se but comparison in most cases, they are both similar yet the writing and acting in once is far better in one compared to the other. I won't comment on ratings because as an International viewer what I say will hardly matter.
About Kim Rae Won, yes he is an accessory to Park Shin Hye in doctors, its all about her there not that I mind, Hye Jung is a kick-ass heroine. He does very well with very little to do. I hope he choses a cable drama next with a solid story. Honestly I get why he chose this, it will get him added popularity and you need to take break from the heavy roles and play the fan favorite nice guy once in a while to keep a balance in your career but I can't help but notice how underutilized he is in the show given his range which is why I just hope he heads to TVN or JTBC in the near future. They allow more tight and solid storytelling compared to the traditional ones and better scripts and characterization too.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes he should do cable dramas. I don't mind with PSH but I feel like KRW is too underutilized here.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

We still have 10 episodes to go, let's hope he'll get more to do and show more range. I still can't imagine he signed up just to play a (one dimensional) happy character or be part of a popular drama especially since this doesn't have success/high ratings written all over it from the get go (the teacher-student thing, no popular writer, no big hallyu stars etc.) and unless he has found a good fortune teller who told him this will be an instant hit there must be a reason he chose this role.
Anyway, sorry for going off topic, back to BM. :-)

0

I'll add my bit to the chorus of love for BM here. It's such an underrated gem. Not to mention the wonderfully nuanced performance from Jang Hyuk who is arguably the best SK actor of his generation.

If the show keeps going the way it does, it will be one of favourite K dramas of all time.

The writer has done amazing things with making the OTP work after all the clamour against the female lead.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh no. Cutting the episodes for this show is a really, really sad news. This is also my favorite show from the ones airing right now. The story has really gotten more interesting. Although it was showed/hinted in the previous episode that YO was adopted by his father and his "anti-social disorder" was caused by an accident, it was not yet revealed how it happened. Finally, after 9 episodes, the show established the reason for why this show is based on Frankenstein. YO's father really is the creator of the monster in YO.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Apropos of Dr. Frankenstein, it just occurred to me: The elder Dr. Lee seems to exhibit affect as flat as a pancake -- not the greatest role model for a kid whose limbic system has been injured. Officer Gye, on the other hand, is the very soul of spontaneity and expressiveness. I can't help but wonder if interacting with her on a regular basis might not help LYO establish new neural connections that function as detours around the injured areas. I realize that brain plasticity may be out of the question now that LYO is no longer a little kid, but what the heck...

And I'm still holding out hope that he was misdiagnosed...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I"m finding it really hard to believe that Young Oh doesn't feel anything. He seems to care about right and wrong. He uses his logical brain to come up with solutions to save the poor guy when there is no obvious benefit to him. He could have just fixed the rich lady. If feelings aren't involved did he save the guy because of Jin Sung, his father? Because he still wants to be 'good' in his father's eyes? Or Jin Sung's? Does that indicate that he's 'feeling' something or is it meant to be manipulative.

To me it feels like he likes Jin Sung, not just because he sees her usefulness to him. Otherwise why keep the bottletop ring?

Loving this show so much, I hope that it doesn't get shortened but that if it does it doesn't impact the core relationship story too much.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

KBS has confirmed that BM will be shortened from 16 to 14 episodes. But I have confidence that writer-nim will give us a well-rounded ending despite the cut. Perhaps less emphasis on new patients cases.... Crew and cast fighting!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Man, I'm 0 for 2 on my crazy drama theories this week, but I'm excited for the prospect of more deeply conflicted relationships to mine! Who wants to join a prayer circle? Please don't shorten the show!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I ranted about the ep cuts in Bring it on Ghost comments. And I'm doin it again. Don't destroy my Mon-Tues happiness. I'll go In Rang hulk crazy.This is my fav drama after I remember you. I rarely watch the raw and then the sub n I did for this drama. I don't even care if I can't understand the meds jargon. I watch the eps again and again. I need my YO. He's soo cute when he tried to be empathetic, the looks of Nurse Jang was so funny. I love the romance too sweet and simple. He need to realise that heart and brain is different things, the hormones the thoughts might made him indifference but the heart feels it, it gets warm and touched and you'll love. Love is located in the heart not brain
Btw: I told ya Suk Joo will go to the dark side. I just love his train wreck. Go evil! Then regret it later.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

My previous comment got swallowed!
I'm grieving for the show because it got cut but I now must try to give the writer/actors/crew as much credit for the good stuff- it's the least I can do.

I decided to move my medical rambles to my blog, but do check it out because for episode 9 especially I was very impressed by the attention to detail by the props person and writer.

Also, Jang Hyuk has really brought the character of YO to life, and he is portraying a person with frontal lobe problems wonderfully- I highlighted it on my post as well.

I will treasure the last 4 episodes.

0
20
reply

Required fields are marked *

0
19
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm a bit confuse, is Young Oh then actually suffering from a right frontal lobe damage and not left OR from both left and right?

I also am a bit confuse with the fact that YO is exhibiting emotions like anger but he supposedly not able to feel any emotions or comprehending other people's emotion. But his actions and words corresponds with his emotions, ie when he confronted Min Jae. Can anyone help explain this, please?

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The show doesn't explicitly state which side of his frontal lobe is damaged. But based on the brain scan in the drama it seems like his right side is damaged more than the left.

Also, medically speaking, people with right frontal lobe damage can exhibit signs of "pseudopsychopathy" which I think was what the writer meant for YO's character to be.

Of course this is only me guessing because only the writer and Jang Hyuk would know what the "real" character of YO is supposed to be :)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love your blog Michykdrama! Thank you so much for being so dedicated to BM! I will ask my medical questions there! Now I feel like I should have gone to medical school! But I am too squeamish with blood! All those "scalpel" "irrigation" "suction"... too much for me!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for the love and encouragement! I'll do my best to answer any questions as soon as I can, and as best as I can. ?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Will check for you!Are you by any chance a doctor? ;) It is so hard for me to understand the medical terms but it will be a good thing to expand the knowledge.

I actually love the idea if KDrama starts to shorten the drama like Jdrama, 12 or 10 episodes will be good, so can avoid unnecessary dragging. But the idea of shortening the episodes from 16 epi to 14 epi definitely a bad idea. I just hope the team stay strong. BM is not the only drama that has a low rating. KBS should not do this.On the other hand, if the drama has 50 episodes for e.g I will be glad if it get shorten unless it is really good.

I hope despite of low rating, Jang Hyuk oppa will get award at KBS Award this year too. He deserves it. Maybe like Kim Hyun Joo last year, even her drama had a poor rating, she managed to get few awards, and she was even nominated for daesang at SBS Award.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh you are a doctor. ;)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Haha. Yeah I am but I'm not working at the moment that's why I am so free to watch dramas and stuff. Will probably be starting work again by the end of the year so I'm enjoying my free time now by watching as many dramas as I can! ?

0

@Michykdrama,

Thanks so much for your interesting and helpful blog post. I didn't expect to learn how to orient myself to read a brain scan when I logged on to DB this morning -- but that's one of the delightful aspects of hanging out with Beanies... I'm always learning something new.

I'm also glad to learn that the show is doing well with the medical details and props. Sometimes it the little goofs that are most distracting -- and damaging to a show's credibility.

0
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

Glad you stopped by and that you learnt something! ?
The drama isn't without flaws but I felt like I needed to give some credit where it was due ?
And because Oppa Jang Hyuk. ? I need to get more pictures of him as YO to keep. Hahaha.

0
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

JH is the reason I'm watching... His nonverbal expressiveness is truly phenomenal, and I really wanted to see how he would portray a person incapable of reading others' feelings as well as his own. It is nothing short of amazing to observe him at his craft... although I've had to resort to a lobster bib to keep from drooling all over my keyboard. ;-)

0

@PakalanaPikake,
Agree, Jang Hyuk's acting as Young-oh just blows me away. I've always known he's a solid actor, but I think this role tops anything he's previously done (even Chuno). He manages to say so much with so little, and it's been a real privilege to watch him in this. I cannot imagine anyone else being Young-oh, that's how much Jang Hyuk has owned the role.

0

@junny,

Ah, the operative word is indeed "privilege." Forget about the amputation of 2 episodes for a moment. I'm grateful that KBS aired this drama in the first place.

I agree that this role constitutes a new high-water mark among JH's performances I've seen (GREAT AMBITION, CHUNO, FATED TO LOVE YOU, SHINE OR GO CRAZY, VOLCANO HIGH, DANCE OF THE DRAGON, OLD GOODBYE). It was his turn in the "His Concern" segment of FIVE SENSES OF EROS that sold me on his ability to deftly and movingly express internal emotional states wordlessly... The role of LYO takes it even further.

I got to thinking about other actors whose performances have floored me as they conveyed emotion wordlessly with subtlety and impact. Two come to mind: Cha Seung-Won in MY SON, and Yoon Tae-Young (playing a deaf mute) in THE KING'S DAUGHTER, SU BAEK-HYANG. It would be interesting to see how they would have approached LYO.

In the final analysis, Jang Hyuk has brought Lee Young Oh, #205, to life with some lightning bolts of his own... and no need to "send up the kites"...

0

@PakalanaPikake,

I did not know Jang Hyuk was in Five Senses of Eros! Hot damn, Kim Kang-woo is in there as well. Must get my hands on this film.

I avoided Dance of the Dragon because I don't like the actress, but I guess I should give it a go...

0

@junny,

I watched FIVE SENSES OF EROS on DramaGalaxy.tv. They have a lot of older Kdramas. (Currently watching 1% OF ANYTHING there.)

FSOE consists of 5 short films, including "The 33rd Man" which was a hoot. "I'm Here" was touching, with a twist at the end. "In My End Is My Beginning," later made into a full-length movie, and "Believe in the Moment" failed to connect with me. I think it might have been the subtitles... There was a spoken outro at the end of the flick that was not subtitled, as I recall. I wonder what I missed...

A businessman boards a train, and notices an attractive woman seated nearby... who is discretely noticing him. At her destination she gives him her business card after he's managed to get up the gumption to ask for her phone number. Watching his inner process of screwing up his courage and going for broke to speak with her on the train, and later on the platform, was really well done.

Cha Hyun-Jung played the female lead in "His Concern." I thought she was terrific. Man, can that lady wink... IIRC, she's the curator and web designer of an art gallery. This figures in the plot and conversations that unfold... but I didn't catch on until watching it the second time. Reading subtitles was a challenge, and I didn't initially remember the wording of the exhibition description, so didn't recognize when JH's character was referencing it later.

DANCE OF THE DRAGON: (Also on DramaGalaxy.) This sounds a bit like BALLERINO (on Viki), but with the prospect of JH's terrific martial arts skills a la CHUNO. Country bumpkin goes to Singapore to pursue his boyhood dream of becoming a competitive ballroom dancer.

I enjoyed seeing Kim Eung-Soo as Tae's dad. Yeo Jin-gu was ueber-cute as young Tae. The story itself was a bit sappy... but I enjoyed watching JH move, not only on the dance floor, but when practicing the Shaolin forms -- totally lovely. The dance competition was a nice showcase of tango skills. The man on the roof practicing his forms was played by an actual grandmaster. Nice touch. Great music. A nice, mostly relaxing flick. I would have gladly watched JH mopping the floor. The way he throws himself into both the role and the dancing is something to behold.

Tae's dance instructor's boyfriend was an obnoxious bully who misused martial arts. I could have done without that plot thread, but that would have obviated the Shaolin showdown.

In digging around on YouTube for the OST, I came across a vintage clip of JH learning to tap dance. It was a behind-the-scenes look at preparations for a 1950s-style American dance number -- but it was not from GREASE as far as I could tell. It might have been for a variety show or something. Enjoy!

PTME - Jang Hyuk's tap dance (2003)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvtxRRABVBc

0

@PakalanaPikake,

Ohhh I recognise this youtube clip! It's for Please Teach Me English, one of Jang Hyuk's earlier films. Lee Na-young was his leading lady, and they were hilarious together. It was one of my earliest Korean films and I still remember it fondly. Seeing it brought back good times! Thanks for sharing!

And thanks for the review on Five Senses of Eros and Dance of the Dragon. You've made me want to really watch FSOE, Jang Hyuk's segment sounds really wonderful and I'm also interested in checking out I'm Here (for Kim Kang-woo). I'll put Dance on the watchlist as well.

0

@junny,

Thanks so much for identifying the source of that clip! I'm thrilled! It looks like a lot of fun. I'm aware of PLEASE TEACH ME ENGLISH from the listings in AsianWiki, and just added it to my watch list. (In a past life, I taught ESL, so this will be fun to watch.)

I'm so glad that seeing that clip was a fond blast from the past for you. ;-)

Re: FSOE

The first segment,"His Concern," gets pretty darned steamy, FYI... but I thought it was tastefully done, and the sentiments expressed were lovely enough to just maybe convince one of the reality of love at first sight. ;-)

0

Thank you so much for your explanation! I'm glad the drama is accurate. Just 2 quick questions?
-what does "pseudopsychopathic" mean exactly? Is it related to being a psychopath?
-is there a cure for this? Yes I know I'm hopeful

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Pseudo usually means superficially exhibits or behaves like, but examining further it is actually another condition or characteristic.

So pseudopsychopathic means a person manifests behaviors usually seen, observed, or associated with psychopaths at first glance (overtly) but not categorically psychopathic when examined thoroughly (through use of more specific tests or against stricter standards).

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you so much for explaining this! So basically, Young Oh shows psychopathic signs but he is not a psychopath. This made my day.

0

I really like Park So Dam's portrayal of Jin Sung. She's so natural and sincere.

On another note, shortening the drama to 14 eps??!!! It's already on the 10th ep, only 4 more to go?? I really hope the writer would be able to end the drama smoothly.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

She is good and promising young actress. Cannot wait to see her Cinderella's drama too.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for the recap!
I also think BM is such a beautiful drama, I hope they don't cut it short. I think the first episodes were a little rough and didn't grab the audience as fast as Doctors did. Granted they were needed but even for myself, I had to sorta force myself to watch the first episodes as everyone said episode 6 is a turning point. I slowly marathoned the first 5 episodes to be on the same page as everyone. I was like, ok, gotta make it to episode 6! I'm glad I made it as now it is the show I look forward to the most. I think the cast is older, except for PDS while Doctors has all the extra young actors, each with their own fans...so I understand rating wise why BM is suffering. But that's actually what I really appreciate in BM. The actors are "real". The grandma is old and wrinkled, the daughter in law is "fat" and not wearing a fat suit! There is no patient looking like JiSoo! PDS is not wearing tons of makeup or dressed in the latest fashion. Jang Hyuk is, well he is just the amazing Jang Hyuk that he is! So I really appreciate the cast, main and supporting for keeping it "real".

I really like how JS is so perfect for him. In his world of logic and analyzing/reading/memorizing, she is a breath of fresh air. She is spontaneous and simple--in the best way! I like that he can depend on her and she is always there for him. Even though they are so different they can meet on the same level. I really hope it will be a happy ending for them. KBS please let them be a little longer!

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I so agree with you on the the actors being 'real'. I cant watch Doctors because i just find the doctors and patients unrealistic looking, they are too good looking and neat.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Too true?

I agree with you both. One of the things I loved so much about BM is how realistic looking the cast members were. They even had a plus sized nurse!! And average looking people that you see on the streets everyday, unlike Doctors, where everyone was so good looking, they looked photoshopped.

I just love this drama so so much, I watch it raw, then I watch it with uncompleted subs, and then I watch it all over again when it's complete.

My heart breaks that this diamond in the rough won't have a chance to fully shine. What a shame, KBS!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Bless this drama!

Anyways, loved the last sentence of the recap... He desperately wants to feel something for Jin Sung. ToT

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The shortening and lengthening of episodes sucks....just leave the shows alone!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

OH NO NO NO!!!! DO NOT CUT BM PLEASEEEEEEEE... This is the best drama after I bewitched by Signal.

Come on Koreans people!!! Doctors? Really? Those story about Lollita Complex?

I guess the marketing is one of the powerful key. Whyyyy repeated cliche romance always won the audience favor rather than the WELL DAMN GOOD SERIOUS drama like BM,

I noticed DOTS, D, UF are too much overrated by the power of marketing + hallyu stars while the story wasn't well written enough.

Still tho... I don't understand why Koreans has bad & dumb taste with drama.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Shame on KBS for shortening the episodes of Beautiful Mind! I really enjoy this series and it's the first time I've watched Jang Hyuk and not be annoyed at his tendency to be over the top.

The scene where Young-oh asked Jin-sung does she live at the hospital now cracked me up! I'm glad someone finally noticed she is there all the freaking time!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I half-expect Director Kang to charge the good officer rent. ;-)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think I cried a little when YO realised that despite wanting to feel something for JS, he felt nothing after hugging her.

Its such a terrible fate. We grow up with the belief that if just work hard enough we can do anything, overcome any obstacle. But how do you fight your own brain ?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Noooooo... I'm so heartbroken at this news.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

What in the world! I love this drama so much! What is wrong with KBS?! Argh! Shortening it may possibly change the storyline. I want to see all the details!!!

Aside from the horrible decision of the day and great story told by great cast and crew. JH is killing it portraying YO:).

And doesn't Seo Joon-young deserve some recognition for his minor role? Don't know what it is about him but he captivate me in everything I've seen him in. And this episode made me want to see more of him on screen.

Someone get this man a leading role ASAP!

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seo Joon-young is my puppy! LOL. He always doing well in his dramas. I even followed his daily dramas just to watch him and Lee Yoo Ri.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wanted to watch this drama,but I don't think I will anymore. BM fans are kinda annoying. just becos your show has low rating, doesnt mean u should trash the other one that's doing well. You guys keep trashing Doctors on every site,but they don't seem to care.

0
12
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kind of reminds me of Kill Me Heal Me fans doing the same thing to Healer fans back then for being overly popular here on DB and internationally. Except Healer had lower ratings than KMHM. The fan war was terrible...I had bad memories. People should just chill out! Each drama is good in their own right and everyone has different tastes for dramas. Since this is a BM thread, I tend to agree with the masses here...this drama plot wise is much better than Doctors. Definitely an underrated drama. Ratings dont necessarily equals quality. Healer had lower ratings than KMHM yet it was great drama. I Remember You is another classic example of low ratings yet an absolute gem just like BM. Let's not start another fan war here okay?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think comparisons were always going to be inevitable. Two medical dramas airing simultaneously on rival stations. They were just asking to be compared.
I haven't seen Doctors and I have no interest in doing so as judging from everything I've read, it isn't my cup of tea.

No doubt drama fans can get passionate about their favourite shows but not everyone is bagging the other drama. As international fans whether we watch something or not doesn't really seem to have much impact on these executive decisions. It certainly has no impact on the ratings whatsoever.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah why did all of you put the Doctors drama down because they have good ratings and trash South Korean people cause they don't like BM...oh dear!!! I loved both dramas Doctors and BM. So peace for everyone especially BM's fans!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Not watching BM, fair enough your own choice. But I suggest make a decision based on your own taste instead of fan wars. Comparisons are inevitable and look carefully, people aren't trashing actors here. Mostly the story and scripts of both shows. Watch the first two episodes and you'll know right away if BM is watchable or not. I watch both shows but I tend to fast forward Doctors a lot. I could write reasonable and legitimate reasons behind doing so but what is the point, it won't change the outcome for BM or Doctors. One thing, I won't make an excuse for is cheesy writing just to cover up the lack of plot and overall lack of interesting conflict which is what Doctors is right now but BM has solid story that needs proper closure so I don't know what to say. I hope the writers can finish it all in 4 episodes.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

A good drama is not afraid of compaison.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I mean comparison

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

'trashing Doctors'-No. It's called constructive criticism. And anyone who has half the mind would see Doctors fails disgracefully in the intellectual department, even more so when it is in stark contrast with a brilliantly poignant drama like Beautiful Mind.
And for those who think Doctors and Beautiful Mind shouldn't be compared, OF COURSE they should and will be compared-because hello, they have the same air time for God's sake!

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know right?

I have had this argument plenty of times. It's logical and obvious to compare two medical shows airing at the same time!

It's a no brainier!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

+9000

Well said. I was one of the 1st who compared both shows because of same genre,time-slot and in competition. Both claim themselves to be Medical Drama and hence comparison was inevitable.

Beautiful Mind forced me to google many medical terms. It helped me learn about many diseases and Illnesses. In my views that makes it a Proper Medical Drama. A drama where you are interested in the profession itself.

The other one is romance-porn and nothing else. It doesn't even deserve any mention.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Constructive criticism? Really? I might be looking at the wrong places, but what I'm seeing is Beautiful Mind fans calling Koreans stupid just because they prefer Doctors over this and how Doctors should get the cut instead. Heck, no offense, but your comment is basically insulting people who enjoy Doctors by calling them mindless people who have no intellect.

I understand that comparisons are inevitable. Two shows competing for the same spot are guaranteed to have some competition and comparison. But I'm failing to see any of this "constructive criticism" you're talking about.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Not stupid, no, but the huge gap in ratings tells the obvious: people seem to prefer romantically orientated, cliched dramas over ones that are inherently intellectual. That's seems to be the trend everywhere, not just in Korea. And it doesn't mean people are stupid, of course. It's just terribly unfortunate, and frankly, because I'm a Marxist, for me it's the sad reality of a capitalist society that people are encouraged not to think deeply. Of course this isn't restricted to the dynamics between Doctors and Beautiful Mind. It applies to the workings of wider society too, but cinema is a key driving factor.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

i wasn't exactly saying that you were, but please notice that there are other... extreme haters who do in fact call Koreans stupid for preferring a more light-hearted drama. Like, I'm all for intellectual stuff, but on the television I and a lot of Koreans prefer something that is easy to watch, especially after a stressful day.

Of course, that doesn't apply to everyone, but from the ratings and how Koreans are regarding work it's mostly because of the preference of having a lighter drama over something that requires them to work even more to watch. But hey, I'm only one Korean. What can I say for a bunch of others?

0

festerfaster, thanks for a lovely recap!

This episode was a veritable CHUNO reunion, what with LYO (Dae-Gil), Dr. Oh Kyung-Jin (Hye-Won's brother, Kim Sung-Hwan), and Violent Crimes team leader No Seung-Chan (slave gunman Eop-bok) on deck. It's kind of weird to see them not wearing Joseon threads. ;-)

Dang, LYO's backstory -- and his adoptive father's -- is so doggone tragic. If ever there were a case of "no good deed goes unpunished," this is it. With more than a dash of the cobbler's children for the elder Lee's deceased son and wife...

Suk-joo might as well change his name to Dr. Faustus now that he's in league with Mephistopheles -- er, Assistant Manager Chae. I have a sinking feeling that the stem cells are contaminated and give rise to other cancers -- in the brain, for instance.

I just hope that no one gets the bright idea to try to rewire LYO's frontal lobe with stem cells and he ends up doing a Flowers for Algernon number.

LYO's earnest paint-by-numbers approach to empathizing with the alcoholic patient cracked me up -- and reminded me of the touchy-feelie management BS that was such hot stuff in the business world a couple of decades ago. His default approach was actually the correct way to address the patient's denial (it ain't a river in Egypt).

In a deliciously ironic twist, VIP patient Yoo, who treated Dr. Oh Kyung-Jin so atrociously, ends up having him as her surgeon after all... the only sawbones on staff who'd had a family member in exactly the same boat. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when she got that newsflash. Preferably from LYO, hehehe.

I'm semi-bummed out to learn that KBS is chopping episodes, drat it. How many are getting the axe?

I can only hope that writer-nim surgically excises only non-essential elements and spares the weight-bearing structure. What a smack in the chops for the cast and crew... I've been tickled to bits with JH's performance and now am irked to be deprived of the full run of his razor-sharp portrayal of the feeling-impaired physician. He's not unlike Do-Kyung devising the sound effects for sunlight in OH HAE YOUNG AGAIN. ;-)

Question for Korean speakers:

When Jin-Sung went to her new post in the Violent Crimes Unit, I was intrigued by the speech patterns of the detective who was freaking out over her arrival. Was this an example of saturi, or slang -- or just hysteria? Thanks for any insights you care to share. ;-)

0
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

Two episodes are getting the chop.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

@Lilium,

Thanks! I didn't see it mentioned until after I posted and then went back and read items that appeared since I started to compose my own message.

By any chance are you a botanist or gardener? Lilies are among my very favorite plants. ;-)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

No, unfortunately. I've got a black thumb. ;)
But I'm a kind of lily in real life. :D

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"I just hope that no one gets the bright idea to try to rewire LYO’s frontal lobe with stem cells and he ends up doing a Flowers for Algernon number."

My literal number one fear now. Though considering how they're painting the research all kinds of 'bad' right now, this is hopefully not a direction they'd be going for.

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Young Oh knows the stem cells treatment isn't working. So I don't think he would let anyone mess up his head with it.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for that reminder. Must have been my paranoia talking. ;-)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

No I don't think they will do that. Already we see signs of YO starting to break out of his shell emotionally because of JS. I think that the writer is trying to tell a story to challenge the preconceived ideas of society of certain people- in this case YO being a psychopath- and show that we shouldn't typecast or give up hope on someone just because of a label they are given. To use the stem cells as a "miracle cure" would undermine that whole message.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks -- that makes a lot of sense. I'm getting a better handle on the story so far.

The idea that a medical professional pigeonholed young LYO -- and could even have misdiagnosed him to boot -- opens the door to examining how socialization and education can entrap a person and saddle them with a false persona. It looks to me as if the elder Dr. Lee brainwashed his ward into acting as if he were living the worst-case scenario -- whether or not it was appropriate for the child. A ceaseless DIY regimen of proactively monitoring and stifling emotional expression for decades has theoretically rendered LYO "safe" to let out in polite society.

It occurs to me that Dr. Lee has transplanted his own emotional demons into his young charge, and has never taken him to other practitioners. Alas, Dr. Lee cannot give him what he himself lacks -- emotional warmth and a role model capable of full-spectrum emotional expression. LYO has grown up in an emotional desert among physicians with the same kind of outlook as his adoptive father, and then gone to medical school. Aside from his time in grammar and high school, he apparently hasn't been exposed to non-medical folk.

Luckily, he has crossed paths with a policewoman with a kind heart. She's an astute observer and judge of character owing to her profession, but she's not a god-like medical expert... and is truly a breath of fresh air for LYO. I like where this is heading...

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Like everyone else I really wish they wouldn't cut this down to 14 episodes. I am really enjoying this and I think I've watched that last scene about 20 times.

I do have one comment to make about the bottle cap. No one has picked up on the handkerchief. I would venture to say that is the handkerchief she gave him after he cut himself.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yup, same handkerchief. Nice little shrine he has going there. XD

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

One of the finest Kdramas I have seen.
So far, Well written, well acted, well directed...

I love how each episode has a theme (title?), say,
Episode 9: The doctor should save the patient by whatever means.
Episode 10: ... the body never lies.
Yet, each episode contributes and fits perfectly on the show's overall narrative/theme/conflict (the trials and the Lee's relationship)

It is a pleasure to watch this show, noting how with later episodes it only gets better.

Jang Hyuk as the lead delivers a spectacular performance. I cannot think of anyone else who could pull off this character as well as he does.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Is it such a financial loss for them to let the drama run its course? After all the difficulties they had with casting, getting this to air and working under the tightest of schedules, it's a big slap in the face for everyone making this drama work against all odds.

As for the ratings, most of the more interesting, solid shows from last year that aired on the big 3 had absolutely crap ratings, but somehow they're only cutting this one. They should just air shows like this one, IRY and The Village on cable then, where they might just find some appreciation, and just leave the conventional and easy to watch shows for the big 3. I can't help thinking that if Signal had aired on KBS, we would've seen very different ratings.

I thought it's a good thing we were seeing more diversity in genres and stories on the public channels, but their audiences don't seem to be receptive to that, and cutting less successful shows only serves to paint the drama as a failure, as the ratings might indicate. Sticking with the drama till the end, on the other hand, would re-affirm the network's confidence in its quality and respect for the people who genuinely enjoy this kind of genre, but only have the opportunity to see it once in a blue moon.

As someone who's been watching drama for many years, it is frustrating to witness the lack of appreciation by the general public for critically well-received shows that make the drama landscape interesting again.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

@festerfaster,

Did anyone else feel a smile of satisfaction spreading over their face when Min-jae observed Young-oh with Jin-sung?

I got my Recommended Dietary Allowance of Schadenfreude. ;-)

But what's up with the ring? She should have returned it. Tacky, tacky, tacky...

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I guessed she actually still has feelings for him? Given her face and the fact she kept the ring.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Boy, I must have been tired... Yep, you're right. ;-)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

If she has feelings for him, she has a damned fine way of showing it. She just kiboshed any chance of her having a relationship with YO and shot herself in the foot.

I am quite sure he hates her now (who wouldn't?) but is just being a gentleman about her betrayal.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I see what you mean but don't forget she loved him first, then discovered that he lied to her, so she must have felt really bad about it (she probably felt cheated because he lied to her the entire time they dated). Then she somehow decided to use him the same way he used her. She must have hated him, but to me that doesn't mean that deep down she didn't love him at least a bit. And now she understands that she was wrong or maybe she just feels bad about not being the one able to change him. Anyway I don't know but I don't think she has any hope with Young Oh and she must know it (the woman is smart) and yes I also think that Young Oh hates her and yet manage to control himself so well. Anyway sorry for the long answer

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't think anyone made copies of the thumbdrive that JS gave SJ in the last episode. If YO/JS did, why didn't they bring it up now? It's being ignored but one would've thought they'd release it to the public especially when there's so much publicity about the stem cell regeneration.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Good point- what happened to the thumbdrive. They should have a duplicate esp Dr Lee

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

HSJ said that the evidence in the thumbdrive was not enough to prosecute the hospital

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Is there anyway that we could petition to stop the cut?I really enjoy watching this.well written and executed.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Together, the two doctors work to insert a small tube and deliver osimertinib directly into the cerebrospinal fluid... oh boy thanks for the medical detail!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This episode was great. And your recaps let me have more enjoyable moments with this drama. I'm Sorry for cutting .many people loves BM and kbs must respect and consider that .

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Since my outrage is being perfectly expressed by the many commenters on this page Im going to concentrate on this episode. (It looks like Im the last commenter so no one's going to read this anyway!)

Today's Theme

In continuation from last time's theme discussion. I found the writer's take on the concept of Good vs Bad to be interesting.

This episode subtly challenges our long held beliefs of what is good and what is evil.

- Take Sukjoo for example. He is righteous principled compassionate all the things that embodies goodness.
You would expect him to take a stand against the corrupt practices of this hospital to pursue justice for the murder victims. Yet his actions run contrary to his very nature.

- Ironically it lee young oh who is hell bent on exposing the hospitals misdeeds. Lee young oh who is morally deficient, manipulative, self serving. A psychopath who feels nothing and cannot empathise nor has any interest in people. It is in his best interests to ignore everything and loss if he doesn't.

Interestingly the show's resident psychopath is a decent human being while the rest having no frontal lobe accidents are the real psychopaths (read monsters). Sadly Sukjoo too now falls in this category.

I personally don't believe people can be categorised into two boxes Good ✔️ Evil✔️.
I find the good to be idealistic and the selfish one's to be realistic. Its is they who have a higher chance for survival in this world.

The writer doesn't preach her views rather she just puts it out there. Its upto each one of us to take what what we want from this show.

Thats what I love about this show. It is so rich in content that I have the enviable freedom to pick any strand and chew on it for hours. This drama has multiple themes running that I could keep coming back for end no. of discussions in a single episode and not get tired. Its a never ending supply of brain food kinda like your Game of thrones minus the sex and violence (fortunately)

Sadly I will never get this chance to do it with another show and days for discussion & analysis are shorter.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

"The writer doesn’t preach her views rather she just puts it out there. Its upto each one of us to take what what we want from this show."

Well put. This is probably my topmost reason for enjoying this show. :)

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It is a great drama... But from the beginning the drama face some problems like the delay of the main actress who was filming two drama le films (not sure) while the crew of this drama has started script reading preparing and even filiming that when I thought some thing bad is gonna happen even though I love the lead actor and second actress in lead... So I stopped watching it from the started waiting for the last episode to watch in one weekend .... But the news stared that kbs wants to short it and cut 2 episodes.... Why will you do that if others crew and produces works so hard...

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

They will regret this decision in years to come. By then it will be too late

0
reply

Required fields are marked *