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Radiant Office: Episode 14

The decision of who gets the permanent job is made, but the lucky pair can’t even be happy for themselves as they watch the unlucky loser deal with rejection yet again. It’s difficult to celebrate your own good fortune when you know that it comes at the expense of a good friend.

 
EPISODE 14 RECAP

The employee evaluations are in, and it falls to Woo-jin to deliver the news of who will be offered the permanent job with Hauline. He surprises the office by telling them that two candidates have been chosen instead of only one, and he announces their names: Kang-ho, and Ho-won.

There’s a long moment of shock, as it hits everyone that not only have Kang-ho and Ho-won gotten the jobs, but Ki-taek has not. Ki-taek heroically keeps it together long enough to send his friends a brave smile and a thumbs up, but he leaves the office when he sees Ji-na’s disappointed expression.

Alone in his office, Woo-jin thinks about his conversation with Hyun just before making the announcement. Hyun had decided to hire the two with the highest scores, since the sales team rookie quit and the marketing team didn’t get a new hire during open recruitment.

He claims that he’s doing this to support Woo-jin while they launch the new high-end line. But considering that Ho-won was the candidate with the second-highest score, it seems a bit convenient that Hyun suddenly decided to hire two people after seeing the evaluation results. Still, Woo-jin is happy that Ho-won is staying.

Kang-ho and Ho-won tentatively approach Ki-taek, who congratulates them genuinely. Ho-won apologizes to Ki-taek, feeling guilty that he put up with everything while she caused trouble, yet she’s the one who was hired. Ki-taek sweetly says that she got the job because she deserves it, and he sighs that there’s always next time. Awww, both Ho-won and Kang-ho burst into tears.

Later, Ki-taek locks himself into a bathroom stall and sobs as if his heart is breaking.

Kang-ho calls his mother to give her the good news, and the first thing she says is that she’s been telling her friends he’s an intern to save face. His happiness pops like a balloon, and his eyes go down and his voice goes quiet, suddenly looking like the old suicidal Kang-ho. Oh no. His mom tells him she’ll pick him up this weekend to take him home.

Ki-taek is silent that evening when Hyun treats the whole office to dinner, and Manager Park gushes that work is much more fun now that Hyun is their boss. Hyun says he’ll expect good work out of them, pointedly quipping that there’s no such thing as a free lunch for Ho-won’s benefit (he said it to her when she confronted him about revealing their connection).

He shakes everyone up again by announcing that he’ll use the new high-end furniture project to decide who’s qualified to head the department, regardless of current rank. He smirks when Woo-jin agrees that the better workers should be rewarded, but his expression goes dark when Woo-jin continues that it shouldn’t just apply to the employees.

Woo-jin explains that sailors will only work their best under a great captain, saying that he looks forward to seeing Hyun’s abilities. We’ll just consider that gauntlet thrown, then.

Ho-won finds Woo-jin waiting outside her apartment when she arrives home, and she explains that she was talking to Ki-taek and Kang-ho when he fusses at her for being late. He’s such a mother hen! Woo-jin gripes that the guys didn’t walk her home and she deadpans that the dark streets are scary for men too, ha.

Woo-jin gives Ho-won a gift, and she opens the box to see a gorgeous pen. He tells her that an official Hauline employee needs a good pen for all the times she’ll be signing her name and taking responsibility for the things she authorizes. All together now: Awwww…

Ho-won says that it’s starting to feel real all of a sudden, but she wonders why he didn’t just give her this gift at work in the morning. Woo-jin makes about eighteen excuses at once, trying to look smooth and failing utterly. Finally he leaves, and Ho-won smiles dreamily as she goes inside.

Up in her room, she uses the new pen to sign her name in her diary. She thinks that it can be scary when a good thing happens after a long stretch of only bad things, hoping that this feeling isn’t just a dream.

In the morning Hyun presents Ho-won and Kang-ho with their new red badges, marking them as permanent employees. Kang-ho is tearfully grateful, but Hyun notes that Ho-won seems subdued and asks what happened to all that bravery from the day she threatened him. Hyun gives them their first assignment as new employees — to organize a design contest for the new furniture line.

In the restroom, Ho-won switches her black temporary ID for her new red badge. She thinks to herself that it’s just a different color, but somehow she still feels like an outsider. Thinking about her future, she wonders if she’s traded her pride for the badge.

Ji-na finds Ki-taek in the stairwell, where he apologizes for not being a better man. Anticipating his rejection since he didn’t get the job, Ji-na angrily snaps at him, and he gives her the most heartrendingly sad smile as he says that she’s too good for him.

In a private meeting with Suk-kyung, Woo-jin asks if this new premium line is really necessary since they just launched Hauliz. He reminds her that the idea was scrapped once already for not showing enough potential profitability, and he says that she’s fully aware that it will be a struggle to make it work.

He asks bluntly if she’s pushing this so hard because of Hyun. Suk-kyung explains that as a woman, she’ll never be evaluated purely for her skills, so she has to take advantage of the opportunities she’s given if she wants to advance. She tells Woo-jin not to judge her until he’s looked into the unfair treatment women receive at Hauline, and he sincerely apologizes.

Ho-won’s brother Ho-jae is in town for a wedding so he comes to Hauline to visit her, and Woo-jin happens to see them hugging in the lobby. HA, he’s so jealous. He’s much happier as he drives them home after work, knowing now that the cute boy is family and not a rival.

Ho-jae’s plan is to stay with a friend, but Woo-jin sees an opportunity to earn brownie points with Ho-won, so he offers to let Ho-jae stay at his place for the night. He mischievously teases that Ho-won can show Ho-jae around his apartment, purposely making it sound more intimate than it really is. Naughty boy.

Woo-jin orders way too much takeout, and when Ho-won makes a comment about so much “sin,” he asks what she means. She explains that their mother says if they don’t finish their food, they’ll have to eat it all in the afterlife. Woo-jin decides they’ll just have to eat it all, but he hardly touches the food as he enjoys watching the siblings interacting comfortably.

Suk-kyung and Kang-ho get off work at the same time, and Suk-kyung asks if he’s moving out of his place with Ki-taek now that he got hired. She tells him that she was also a sheltered only child, and that she moved out when she got her first job. She says with nostalgia that it was difficult, but that she felt like a real adult for the first time.

Kang-ho thinks about those words as he gets back to the small, messy place he shares with Ki-taek. His mother calls to say that she’s on her way to bring him home, and for the first time in his life, Kang-ho tells her no. He says that he wants to stay and stand on his own two feet, and he promises to visit her regularly.

Ki-taek finds Ji-na waiting for him outside his house, and she cutely fusses at him for walking with his head down. They go to the park to talk, where Ji-na tells Ki-taek that after she broke up with him, the thing she missed most was hearing him ask if she’d eaten yet.

It’s a simple thing, but Ji-na says that besides her parents, Ki-taek is the only person who ever cared to ask. She promises to be good to him and love him, but Ki-taek is still too ashamed to accept.

He reminds her that she saw where he lives, and he says that he can’t imagine ever being able to do better. Ji-na says they can do it together, but Ki-taek argues that he doesn’t want to make the woman he loves live that way. He says that if he ever has a daughter, he’d never let her marry a guy like him, his voice shaking with stifled sobs.

Ji-na reminds him that he once said love was enough, but the painful reminder just makes him angry. He asks what happened to the girl who didn’t want to bet her life on him. Crying, he says that now he understands what she meant, and he turns to walk away.

Ji-na runs after him, throwing her arms around his waist and apologizing. She sobs that she regrets saying that, and Ki-taek asks why she’s still making him cry. They stand that way for a long time, unable to overcome the pain they’ve caused each other.

After dinner, Woo-jin and the siblings sit down to play Go Stop, which Woo-jin admits he’s never played. Ho-jae warns Woo-jin not to play with Ho-won if he really doesn’t know the game, but Woo-jin doesn’t listen. As Ho-jae teaches Woo-jin the rules, Ho-won suggests they make a small bet with a wolfish look in her eye. Uh-oh.

Soon she’s taking Woo-jin’s money with obvious glee, telling her brother not to go easy on him because he’s big on things like fair play. As Ho-won and Woo-jin bicker and taunt each other, Ho-jae grins to himself, joking that they have the same competitive, outspoken personality.

Woo-jin walks Ho-won home later, and she thanks him for letting Ho-jae stay with him. She says that Ho-jae is younger but he acts like her oppa, and Woo-jin recalls that Ho-won called him “oppa” once, though she obviously doesn’t remember.

Ho-won continues that Ho-jae has given up a lot of things for her, like college, so now she wants to help him do the things he wants. She promises to work hard at Hauline for Ho-jae’s sake, and Woo-jin actually giggles at her over-the-top sincerity.

Later that night, Woo-jin gets up for a drink, and Ho-jae sits up to talk to him. He shyly asks if Woo-jin and Ho-won are close, and Woo-jin stammers that of course they’re close, purposely avoiding the real question he’s being asked. HA, the Sure, whatever dude look Ho-jae gives him is hilarious.

Suk-kyung makes a presentation outlining the premium brand that Hyun wants to develop. When she’s finished, Woo-jin asks facetiously if launching the brand automatically means it will sell. He points out that buyers of high-end products want prestigious brand images, and that image isn’t made overnight.

He wonders why they should cut back on their existing, profitable lines, to focus on a product with a high risk of failure. Hyun speaks up to say that high risk means high returns, and he tells Woo-jin not to be contrary just to be contrary. When Woo-jin continues to argue, Hyun announces that the marketing team will no longer participate in this project, and that Suk-kyung will run it from now on.

Sensing that something is off, Manager Park pulls Suk-kyung into his office to ask if she’s bypassing him and taking orders directly from Hyun. He doesn’t believe her when she denies it, and he tells her not to forget who got her this far.

In another private meeting, Hyun orders Woo-jin to shut down the discount line, even though Woo-jin says it’s very profitable. Hyun says that he relies on his instincts, but Woo-jin argues that his instincts know nothing about the furniture industry.

Hyun reminds Woo-jin that he also came here from a different industry. He makes it crystal clear that he intends to run a company that follows his orders, so if Woo-jin wants to keep working here, he’d better fall in line.

Kang-ho gets a new hairstyle (thank goodness) to go along with his new outlook on life, which of course earns him some teasing from Yong-jae. His and Ho-won’s design competition is going well, since the winner will also be offered a job. They feel bad for the applicants, knowing that they’ll only have their ideas appropriated by the company.

Ki-taek watches them, heads together, discussing how difficult it is to get a job. Ji-na watches Ki-taek watching his friends and she makes a sudden decision. She stands, loudly calls him “Oppa,” and invites him to go get coffee with her. She pretends that the “Oppa” just slipped out, and when Yong-jae expresses shock, she announces that Ki-taek is her boyfriend. HA, jaws drop all over the office.

Yong-jae’s objection to Ji-na’s public confession is loud and dramatic, prompting Gu-gong to ask if he likes Ji-na. Yong-jae doth protest too much, which gives Gu-dong the giggles, which only makes Yong-jae scream louder. I knew he liked her.

Ki-taek is the only person who isn’t delighted, and he orders Ji-na to follow him outside. He asks how she’s going to deal with the fallout from this, and Ji-na says that she’ll say that her boyfriend was studying for the civil service exam, but now he works very hard for Hauline.

Ki-taek is surprised that she doesn’t seem embarrassed of him anymore, but Ji-na counters that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about when her boyfriend is kind, loyal, and loves her to death. Ki-taek is completely disarmed, and he finally gives in.

Kang-ho and Ho-won meet with one of the design contest applicants, who apologizes for not submitting her designs through email. She explains that whenever she does, she’s never sure if it went through, so she’s brought her submission in person.

She asks if she’ll be given special consideration during open recruitment if she wins the contest, seeming desperate to get a job. Kang-ho and Ho-won both see themselves in her, and they wish her luck.

Ho-won takes her submission down to the design department, where it’s immediately thrown into the trash. She’s told not to accept any more submissions that don’t follow the guidelines.

After another PPL break, Ki-taek asks Ho-won and Kang-ho why they’re so down over the contest. Apparently no winner was chosen last year, and with the promise of a job offer this year, they feel bad for the applicants who are placing such high hopes on winning.

Woo-jin confronts Suk-kyung when she reduces Hauliz’s supply order as Hyun instructed. He’s upset that the marketing team is being left out, but Suk-kyung apologizes, saying that they have to make room for the new premium line inventory.

Manager Park is suspicious when he comes to speak to Woo-jin and finds Suk-kyung in his office. After she leaves, Woo-jin tells him that Hyun seems to be issuing all his orders through Suk-kyung now. To save face, Manager Park pretends that he asked her to do it since he’s been so busy.

Manager Park prepares to barge in on Hyun, but Hyun tells secretary Kkot-bi to send him away. After Manager Park slinks off, Yong-jae pops up from his hiding place behind Kkot-bi’s desk. He demands all the juicy info on this situation, but Kkot-bi just says dryly that if he’s caught gossiping, he’s done for.

Manager Park meets former-CEO Han for dinner that night, though Han is still irritated at him, knowing that Manager Park planned to take his job after forcing him out. He guesses that Hyun is using Suk-kyung to cut Manager Park out of the loop. He tells Manager Park that Hyun’s plan is probably to do something so big that it elevates him to a higher position, and that he’s most likely decided that Manager Park is of no use to him.

The teams assemble for their weekly meeting, and they’re all surprised when Hyun joins them. He orders the marketing team to put their upcoming promotions on hold, but Woo-jin argues that it’s nearly off-season so the new promotions are needed to maintain sales. Hyun tells him to just make up the difference some other way, and Gu-dong judiciously stops Woo-jin from saying any more.

Because the premium line is adding so much work to their load, Manager Park asks Hyun to let the sales team hire some more employees. But Hyun says that there will be no recruitment in the second half of the year. Ho-won reminds Hyun that the design contest promised to hire the winner in the next open recruitment, and since the company will own the copyright of the winning design, the applicants are entering primarily for the chance at the job.

To be fair, she wants to tell the applicants that there won’t be a job for the winner, but Hyun forbids her to say anything. Hanging her head in frustration, Ho-won blurts out that this is fraud.

She stands to say that if they promise to hire the winner with no intention of doing so, many hopefuls will apply when they could expend their energy elsewhere. She repeats that she thinks they should be told there will be no recruitment.

The others all try to get her to stop, having said her piece, but Ho-won isn’t finished. She accuses Hyun of using people’s desperation to deceive them, then reminds him of something he’d said during his TV interview. He’d said that he realized what he should do after meeting the three of them, and it had led to his philanthropic gesture to get them jobs.

She repeats her request to remove the promise of recruitment from the contest, adding, “Hauline must remain an honest company.”

COMMENTS

Ugh, I hate him I hate him I hate him. How did I ever think Hyun was a nice guy? He used to seem so open and sincere, but now he’s just a nasty little bully, charging into Hauline and making all these changes without caring if they hurt the company. He doesn’t give a damn about the company or whether it does well long-term; he only cares about starting a luxury line of product that will make him look good. But you can’t launch a new high-end product without marketing it, and he’s hobbling Woo-jin and his team to the point that they aren’t allowed to do anything. He’s undercutting everything that keeps Hauline afloat, and it’s inevitably going to backfire on him. The sad part is that I do think his getting Ho-won, Kang-ho, and Ki-taek their jobs at Hauline was mostly meant as a kind gesture on Hyun’s part, but somewhere along the way he’s started putting his sick need for Daddy’s approval above everything else. He’s so desperate for his father to pay him some attention that he actually believes that building this premium brand will change Chairman Seo’s mind about him for the better, even if he burns Hauline to the ground in the process.

On a more cheerful note, it makes me so happy to see Kang-ho finally starting to smile. I didn’t realize it before, but I don’t think he’d smiled at all until this week’s episodes. But now he’s finally feeling as though he has worth beyond the status his accomplishments could grant to his parents, so I’m ridiculously proud of him for standing up to his mother and deciding not to move back home. He’s taking his own accomplishments for himself, which is exactly how it should be. He can keep living with Ki-taek and learn to be his own person, instead of the blank, human-shaped object that he was under his mother’s thumb. I’m just so glad that he’s finally found the strength to be his own person, and even gladder that he didn’t have to suffer another crisis to do it, as I feared.

On the other hand, Ki-taek broke my heart in this episode, several times. I just so badly wanted him to get the job and find his self-confidence. He’s just the sweetest, most earnest, bestest friend ever, and he deserves only good things. It’s so like him to be genuinely happy for his friends even in the middle of his own disappointment — the scene where they were crying and he was comforting them was just such a perfect depiction of how their friendship works. Then later when Ki-taek was watching Ho-won and Kang-ho discussing their contest I kept expecting to see jealousy or resentment on his face, but instead he smiled. He’s just incapable of any bad feelings for them, because he’s that pure of a person.

And if you’d told me several weeks ago that I’d be cheering on Ji-na in her quest to get her man back, I’d have thought you were nuts. But she’s really changed, and it’s obvious that she truly loves Ki-taek and isn’t afraid to let everyone know it. She’s realized that having someone who loves you to the ends of the earth and back is just as important as being financially stable. I particularly enjoyed her loud announcement that they’re dating, when she was the one who had initially warned him never to let anyone know they used to be a couple. It proves that she’s not ashamed to be associated with Ki-taek, and in fact is proud to have it known that they’re together.

I do believe that Ki-taek has a point, that stability is also crucial to a successful relationship, but I also think that he’s still very hurt from Ji-na’s initial rejection over his lack of prospects. Now that he’s going to be unemployed soon, I don’t blame him for not wanting to open himself up to having his heart broken again. Ji-na had her job cut out for her, convincing Ki-taek that she’s not the same money-focused girl she was when she broke up with him, and that she just wants to be with him no matter what his income happens to be. So it made me so happy when she publicly announced their relationship, proving to Ki-taek that not only is she not ashamed of him, but that she’s actually proud to be with him.

But it’s Ho-won I’m the most proud of, because she’s lost a bit of herself lately in her quest to get this permanent job. She’s forgetting the lesson her terminal illness scare taught her, that it’s important to stand up for what’s right even if it’s not the popular thing to do. She never really expected to be hired, and I think that everyone assumed Ki-taek was getting the job, so being hired at his expense shook Ho-won up pretty badly. But she’s vowed to give her best to Hauline, and that means speaking out when she sees an injustice. All this time I’ve been expecting that Hyun’s greatest opponent would be Woo-jin, but after this most recent outburst, I think Hyun would be smart to worry about the pint-sized tornado he’s just hired.

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Sadly, in the past I have run across a boss or two that mirrors his actions - so intent on establishing their authority that they end up making bad decisions without knowing what is going on.

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A close family friend who has been working harder than anyone at her company for most of her life finally got into a good place with her difficult boss. And then he was replaced with an even worse one that acts exactly like this.

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Bosses like Hyun exist in real life, unfortunately. They think they're smart and know how to run things, but in the end it's the employees lower down the food chain who suffer. The more Woo-jin tries to do the right thing, the more determined Hyun is to crush him. It actually shook me up a little, seeing how things played out this week and drawing parallels with my own work situation.

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I feel you, junny.

Every character in this show exists in real life. Ho Won is a rarity though. A junior, newly confirmed employee standing up to the CEO almost never happens. I see this act more of an inspirational one.

Suk Kyung, Woo Jin and Manager Park should be the ones to band together and stand up to Hyun. However, it's also realistic that people don't always fight for what's right, they look after their self interest first.

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Hooray for the brave women of Hauline! Every one of them gets a chance to shine and stand up for themselves (even Kkot-bi in her own way).

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Oh gosh, that thumbs up and smile Do Ki Taek gave the other was so heartbreaking!

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Go Ho won Go ! ?

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Great ending! Go girl! The spunk is back. :)

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I'm wondering how Ho-Won's "101 Introduction Stories" can move her superiors? Did it something that influence Hyun's decision to suddenly hire two people instead of 1?

And the Trio keeps amazed me with their sincere friendship!

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I think you're right, Hyun gave a pretty weak rationale at the beginning of the episode for arbitrarily expanding the hiring to two and just two. It seems reasonable by any objective standard (setting aside the wacky politics in this place) that Howon would have placed #2--by pure professional qualifications, Kangho would be first, and while Kitaek would be a great buddy to have at the office, skill and impact-wise, he seemed unremarkable.

And Howon does excel at making an impression. Hyun is already fascinated with Howon's sincerity, honesty and earnestness (qualities he doesn't seem to have but I wonder if he's going overboard on that in an archvillain way as a form of rebellion to his father who pretty much told him he lacked those qualities) and admires her perseverence. He's driven in his own way, but again, as his father criticized, he opened and shut his hospital dispassionately while Howon professes a loyalty and love for Hauline (which I don't completely get myself, but I'm more like Woojin, changing jobs every time I don't I get pissed off). I think that compilation of stories and her heartfelt appreciation for just the opportunity to be there was a little reminder to all the seniors who've become jaded by the politics and machinations and the struggle to survive and ascend.

To bookend that, at the end of the episode when everyone else (except her other passively observing admirer Woojin) was trying to get her to shut up (some to protect her for her own sake, including Sukkyung, I think) Hyun actually encouraged Howon at the end to keep going with her Mr. Smith Goes to Washington speech. I love how she stands up then walks around to the end of the table to face Hyun across the whole length of the table to lecture him about honesty. As the series progresses, she keeps taking it up a notch. Now she's out Woojining Woojin.

This is such a commentable show due to the writing, and I notice new things on each rewatch. There's lovely structural symmetry, like I mentioned above, and as another example, at the beginning of the episode when the trio is commiserating after the hiring announcement and Kitaek and Kango admit maybe keeping their mouths shut wasn't the best strategy. Then Howon goes the other direction in passive self-doubt.

And that's another nifty piece of writing. The hiring outcome wasn't entirely predictable (we probably could have had a betting pool), but after the fact you realize it had to be this way. It would have been too easy any other way. If Howon had lost, she'd be fine--she was already resigned to it, and she has enough confidence now both from the job and her near-death scare. Kangho didn't really need the job--his problem was his family, and he's out of the house (I believe 90% of kdrama problems would be solved if everyone just moved out of their parents' house). If Kitaek got the job, he'd get back with Jina really with no repercussions over their breakup.

But with these results,...

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Oh, I hit the comment length limit. There was more, but you get the idea.

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Amen to all your comments. 'Now she's Woojining Woojin' wow..what phrase!

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I also wanted to remark on how as she bowed her head after her objection was initially dismissed by Hyun, her hair covered her face, and then she came out guns blazing. That was like a superhero moment. Very artfully done.

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I've been expecting them to hire two people since the permanent guy left, though.
I was wrong about who would get the spots, but I like the writer's way even better than the scenario I was hoping for (and how often can you say THAT about a drama?!)

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I thought I figured it out as well, but I didn't expect this outcome. I can't tell you the number of times that I know what's going to happen and it does. This episode really did well for character growth and development.

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I really love to laugh at assistant lee lol.

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My thoughts whilst watching this episode:
1. I must drink this "G" drink. Everybody seems to need it to get through their day.
2. Ho Won's bro is cute
3. The dgaf, you guys crazy woman is back!

This was a solid episode though. Very good character development. Some things I still don't get, but I can look past them.

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Maybe all of us should buy it :)! I was shaking my head (but still laughing) at the product placement in this episode. Subtlety was hiding in a corner somewhere :).

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The PPL has been very obvious in the recent episodes. I let it slide because everything else about the show is awesome ?

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I agree :).

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I find myself craving a Subway sandwich and wanting to wash it down with a bottle of G. (Seriously, I don't get upset with product placements. Dramas got to make enough to pay their employees. Maybe "God of Noodles" should have hawked more ramen or fast food.

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Especially this episode! Lol, Ho-won legit said "I feel like I can live now!" after drinking this amazing G drink. Clearly we've all been missing out!

The pen PPL this episode really worked on me though.

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Clearly.

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The first time I saw, I totally believed that it would have some relevance in the story because they lingered on it so long!

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I liked the PPL cause it's so appropriate. Theyre working afterall and this energy drink is the best way to recharge. Also, HoWon's brother is soooo cute! I'm getting kang Haneul vibes from him. Is it possible to wish for a season 2 of an office drama? I love you RO!!!

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They do need to get their energy back after having it drained in that workplace. About Ho Won's brother (Eun Ho-Jae), I get the comparison to Kang Ha-Neul. I think it's the smile. They both have nice/similar smiles, but I think I like Oh Kwang Suk's (Eun Ho-Jae) more. It's just something about the guy. Watching the siblings interact at Woo-Jin's place was probably what sold me. Was looking to see what else he was in and I saw Jealousy Incarnate. I can't remember him being in there. Anybody remember him from there and who he was?

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He was in Let's Eat and is a member of Kpop group Bigstar.

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I totally got Kang Ha-neul vibes from bro too! He reminded me of his Angel Eyes character.

I hope we get to see more of him, both in the show and in future dramas!

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He's so cute right? Swoons!

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I hate myself for loving Dr. Seo and Ho Won's dynamic. she's toying with Satan and watching him react is the most addictive thing this Spring. I don't know which one of them, Hyun or Woo-Jin, were more turned on by her outburst. omo!

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hahahaha...you killed me. that last sentence. it's true. i saw the way woo-jin looked at her when she made her move and it was his sort of subtle awestruck moment.

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That's so well said! Omigah, i died at the flash of admiration slash look of adoration that Woo-jin gave!

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uh oh this comment is giving me some fanfic ideas... :D

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I soo agree I think Dr. Seo is deliciously venomous and he kind of admires Ho Won's audacity. Woo-jin was like yeah she can get it.

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Loving Ho Won all the more for standing for her convictions! You go girl! ?❤️

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I wish all the best for our three friends. Poor Ki-taek! I hope that good things come his way.

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Slow clap for Ho-Won! Her courage and honesty is really inspiring! She doesn't hesitate to say her piece to her superiors even when she had just been permanently hired.. No wonder Woo-Jin is so smitten with her :D Also the relationship between her, Ki-Taek and Kang-Ho is friendship goals.

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Yes, there comes a time when you must stand up for your principles. A person can only take so much.

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Yet I saw far more people in that room trying to get her to shutup than supporting her.

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Ho Won is a gem and Hyun knows it. That's why he was or still is attracted to her. However, he's too full of himself to see where and why their friendship went so wrong. Hyun knows the value in a person, his problem is that he uses people and have no qualms about it.

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i completely agree with you on this. this was why his dad was so against him taking over the company in the first place.

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This show is one of the better ones in terms of having a love take a back seat to solid friendship.

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I literally clapped for HoWon last night. I was watching in my phone and after that scene, I put it beside me and clapped my hands. I know I looked silly but I didn't care. My thoughts were, "SHE'S BACK!!!"

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Ho Won did something which none of those senior management executives dared to do during the project presentation. Woo Jin was an exception there but Ho Won really took it a step further. She just refused to be shut down and it's for a very good cause. Hyun might think it's a small matter that the applicants don't get the truth but it's things like this which can do a ton of damage to its image.

I'm not sure if Hyun is still seeking his Dad's approval because the latter might never wake up. Beyond Dad, Hyun's biggest problem lies with his inferiority complex. The conflict between that and his ego brings out the ugliness in full force.

I love that Woo Jin reminded Hyun that he's as much an employee of Hauline as Woo Jin is. Both work for the company. Hyun on the other hand thinks he owns Hauline and can do whatever he wants.

Now, we see very clearly why Dad refused to consider him as a successor. This guy who thought nothing of opening and closing a hospital in a short span is not an asset to Hauline, he's actually very dangerous.

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Well-said @outofthisworld about Hyun's inferiority complex. I think that's the reason he's seeking Dad's recognition all these times.

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But you kinda can't blame him for having an inferiority complex. Chairman Seo chose his other son in the divorce then blames Hyun for turning out like the mother that raised him. Seems like he treated his company and employees more like family than his second son. None of that excuses Hyun's actions but I can understand him.

Like LollyPip, I can't believe at the beginning of this series I actually liked Hyun. He's going to drive the company into the ground. I kinda feel like he doesn't care if he does because he can always go back to being a doctor.

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I thought Ho Jae's visit was very well written. Often, kdrama siblings appearing out of nowhere are either a pain in the neck or too protective. I also love that Woo Jin truly enjoyed watching the Ho siblings' interactions and closeness. He and Ho Jae will make great brother in laws, especially since Woo Jin doesn't have any sibling.

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Yup, in most dramas when some relative shows up they are being chased by debt collectors or some such thing. Nice to see something a bit more realistic for a change.

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IKR! Family members usually bring some kind of drama. Good to see love and support portrayed in this way, especially from a male sibling.

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I really liked Ho-jae's appearance in this episode. He and Ho-won were so sweet together, and I love that Go Stop scene - it cracked me up, Ho-won on the way to cleaning Woo-jin out and Ho-jae just having this knowing grin on his face about how things really are between his sister and her boss.

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Ho-jae just having this knowing grin on his face about how things really are between his sister and her boss.

Yup, that was cute. What was even cuter though was Woo-Jin trying to rationalise his "closeness" to himself soon after.

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Yay for awesome sibling dynamics! Just watching him serve his sister, caution Woo-Jin about her competitiveness etc was cool to see. We usually get the threats and evaluations.

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"I think Hyun would be smart to worry about the pint-sized tornado he’s just hired"... So damn agree with you lollyPip

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I really really hate Hyun so much and I hope his wakes up and just kick him out...

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I got headache everytime Hyun appeared on my screen lol
And got healed when Woojin smiling head to toe for Howoon
So, can we get more episode for Kang ho and Mrs Cho story and more Woojin Howoon?

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Although I am loving the slow and natural progression of Ho Won and Woojin's relationship, I extremely cannot wait for the actual romance to begin!!!! ? The way Woo Jin is looking at Ho Won is killing me AHH SO EXCITED FOR THEM TO GET TOGETHER

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Plus "Woo-jin recalls that Ho-won called him 'oppa' once." HE REMEMBERS!!!

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I think it'd be hard for him to forget that moment to be honest. He practically had a heart attack when she said it haha.

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"worry about the pint-sized tornado he’s just hired"... Beautiful and VERY TRUE... I was a bit worried that she is losing her spirit and calming down... Maybe that was the calm before the storm....
I ve officially lost all hope on this guy Seo Hyun.... I tried to trust him to the maximum.... But this episode tested my limits and it won..... He is really despicable..... Woahh... He has to step down a notch and observe how things work and then make management decisions... All his interactions, should I say arguments with WooJin made me hate him more and more....

Lastly the cutie pie of a brother, I love him.... He is such a dear that I wanna have a younger brother like him..... He really acts like a Oppa like How Won mentioned.... He gifted her a dress when she was initially hired ans his maturity when he confronted Woo Jin was awesome.... He is such a cute darling boy I would like to have for myself....??

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I loved the look on Woo-Jin's face when Ho-Won was speaking truth to the power. Total adoration and love.

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I wish that Lollypip should have captured the screencap of Woo Jin look of adoration at No Won when she speak up at the last scene. Lol.

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*Ho Won

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People like Hyun are everywhere in many organizations, that's the sad truth. But, I do feel sorry for him too. I think he is acting the way he does because of his own family background. I hope he will change for the better in the last two episodes next week. I miss the sweet doctor.

At least, in this drama, there is an understandable background story to why Dr Seo is acting and behaving that way. He makes me think that he just needs to be hugged and pampered and to be told that it's ok, everything will be okay, you don't have to be so angry at everyone, and life's going to be fine. In the real world, some people are just being bossy and total jerks because they are just that, jerks! Like my current bosses. And unfortunately, I really don't know how to hold my tongue either so it is fight till the end. Can't wait for next week's episodes!

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I'm really hoping Hyun is testing them, to see who will put the company first rather than just protecting themselves and their jobs.

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i hope that is true. he should be cleverer and nicer. he used to be a doctor anyway.

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Do think that Ho Won has always he is a nice guy and a nice doctor whom she have a little crush on. How irony. And the guy whom she used to hate so much turned out to be her current crush now ! Lol !

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*had always thought that

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Was cackling up so bad on the way the Eun sibling made this "Ah.." sound everytime Woo-jin lists his excuses. Dunno how they can made a meek sound implies such knowing & disbelief ?
The bonding time is super cute, so weird they this otp hasn't even get together and I can imagine their marriage life already! What Ho-won did in the meeting is akin to what Woo-jin did in the company dinner; gauntlets, thrown. These two really belong together...
Loved Ji-na declaration and the reaction of their colleagues, somehow feels Ji-na and Ho-won kinda have each other's back now. Soo happy for Ki-taek, he really is the sweetest oppa and totally deserve all the love he gets.
Am glad they explore more about Kang-ho & Suk-kyung.

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I was originally really taken aback Dr. Hyun's sudden change of character, but now I'm thinking it was a smart move for the plot of the drama. The bad guys aren't always dressed in black gangster clothes and look like loan sharks, the sad reality is that the true villains are people you once trusted, people who seemed to genuinely care and look after you but did them all with secret motives to elevate themselves and thus take advantage of you. Hyun is an icy antagonist perfect for this role because he's like an everyday bad guy in the form of a boss abusing his power. BUT! He shouldn't have driven Howon home from work, made excuses to see her at the office, or see her in the hospital if he was going to majorly screw them over. His first and final act of benevolence should have been the Hauline jobs, because now there's something in us rooting for him to wake up and go back to ~kind Dr. Hyun~

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Don't forget, before this we had the most sexy and hot villain in K-dramaland. It's Mo Tae-gu in "Voice" Hehehehe.

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I was kinda hoping that Howon wouldn't get the full-time position so that Howon and Woojin can finally get together :P I think that their boss-subordinate relationship is one of the reasons they've been unable to confess to one another and start going out. How would they be able to have a relationship if both of them remained in the same workplace, given their company culture? On top of that, I think Howon will be able to really shine in a different workplace where her voice can be heard and is actually valued and there isn't as much messy corporate politics involved (maybe a smaller company or start-up). I think that the end of this episode might set the story up for Howon voluntarily quitting because the current company practices go against her personal beliefs and work ethics (and then perhaps Ki Taek getting hired to fill the position?) and getting a job elsewhere. Go Ah Sung is a such a powerhouse and super adorable at the same time - love her!!

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This episode was so sweet. Especially the sibling scenes with Woo Jin. I adored the sibling interaction and Woo Jin watching them being adorable. I would watch an entire episode of just that. And Ho Won standing up for what she believes in yet again, right there is the reason why I just loved this drama from the start.
Sad that only 2 more episodes are left.

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Gosh, the siblings are so cute together. I was smiling like a idiot throughout their scenes. I also love how Woo-jin already tries to win over Ho-won's family.

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Me too. They were utterly adorable.

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At this rate the confession (if there's any) will probably take place at pojangmacha or the road side to HW's place. Or worst, the drama will end with both of them staring each other across the street somewhere, smile knowingly.

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I dislike the idea, but that can be true regarding the past progression. But I won't complain. :)

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The interesting thing about this drama is that it hits much closer to the truth about the internal workings of a Korean company than most dramas do. Most - at best - just give a few lines of lip service to issues such as the glass ceiling and deception in recruiting. And BTW, Hyun is a scumbag.

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I can't believe this show is going to wrap up next week. I've really enjoyed this journey with the crew at Hauline. I see in the comment thread of where I'm watching the drama that many are unhappy with the slow development of the romance between the leads, but I actually think the slow move from ugh to like to romance is much more realistic and downright sweet. I'm totally fine with it not being so romance centered.

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Same. Also, they clearly like each other and the show gives us adorable little scenes each episode displaying that, so I don't see how there isn't 'romance'. They're pretty much already dating, he's just too clueless to realize it. She knows that and so she's too shy to take the next step. I honestly kind of find that dynamic to be the most adorable thing ever.

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Its funny when hyun will conforting with the howon side he never seen before( the team seen tons of it) .

But for woojin howon, they are not even dating but ofc liked each other already but they are too sweeeet now. Wonder if they started to date, ofc will be soo cheesy. I liked the growth of their relationship, its not soo fast bc remember they used to hate each other. So for 2 ep left, wonder what writer-nim had in its head for these 2

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The thing about this drama is that YOU JUST NEED TO WATCH IT. The small moments in between the big ones are totally worth it. I love EVERYTHING about this show. It makes me happy just knowing that this drama exists. It may not be a ratings hit but it definitely deserves more than what it gets.

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Yeah :) Just thinking about this show makes me smile.

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Though there is a lot of power struggle and politics in this 'radiant' office but I love the trio's never-dying friendship even when competing for the full time position. And I also love Woo Jin. As compared to his character in Drinking Solo, I ddefinitely like his character here much more !!

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On the romance... It's the small things that count... I really love the cotrasting personalities of woojin the chief, woojin the scaredy cat (mouse) and woojin the innocent oppa... ???

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Thanks for the recap! This episode is one of my favorites. It was just packed with great character moments!

Ki-taek is just too precious for this world and that smile you mentioned affected me in just the same way. I love how much he cares for the people around him. He's always considering people's needs before his own. When he couldn't even cry in front of Ho-won and Kang-ho and instead offered them comfort, while he was left to cry alone in the bathroom-- he just completely destroyed me.

"...but he hardly touches the food as he enjoys watching the siblings interacting comfortably." - I actually didn't notice this at all so thanks for pointing it out! Woo-jin is honestly so sweet sometimes. I loved when he blurted out several excuses all at once! And I want one of those pretty pens. Seriously though, this man is so clueless to his feelings and it would be frustrating, if it wasn't so hilarious and endearing.

This episode was all about the women though. Especially Ho-won, who has proven once again that she is a force to be reckoned with!

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Am finding it very cute that Woo-jin seems to take pleasure in feeding Ho-won every time he can; a commenter here said he is a mother hen, so true ?

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Not forgetting his fussing over Ho Won not locking her door too !!

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Bless Kangho's comma hair, Hoya is hot again! I'm really going to miss this show which is such a ray of sunshine. I'm sure I'll be a little dissatisfied in the end because there seems like so much to wrap up in two episodes. It's really lovely to watch a drama where (almost) all of the characters feel realistic and loveable in their own way despite the flaws. I just want to beg the showrunners please please please please let me have one little Woojin x Howon date before we leave.

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Quite frankly, I still dunno what Hyun's deal is. Is it like that of a teenager who was not allowed to drive their dad's prized sports car then when the dad is out they go and take the car for a joyride and have it destroyed in the process? Just for the kicks and petty revenge of sorts? That's the only logic or rationale that I see behind his actions--that is, if his actions were at all logical. Is it because the Chairman treated the company more like a son than he did his actual son? Argh! At any rate…Love love love Ji Na and Ki Taek. I love the fact this time Ji Na stuck to Ki Taek even when he is seemingly out of prospects. And I definitely want a friend like Ki Taek. Ha! Thank goodness for Kang Ho saying no to his mum! I squealed loudly for him there. Everyone in this show has endeared me to them, even Manager Park mind you, but not Hyun since I still don't get him.

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I think Hyun's issues are linked to his parents' divorce. He might have seen it as a rejection from Dad and it's not helped by the fact that he sensed(correctly) that Dad doesn't really like him. I don't know how to explain except that it's possible for a parent to love a child but not like the child? His life sadly centers on winning Dad's liking and approval. Perhaps this lack of confidence with being loved for who he is has led him to 'devalue' things like sincerity and human kindness with no strings attached.

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I worry about Hyun giving Suk-kyung the premium line project. If it doesn't work out (which it doesn't sound like it will), she'll take the fall for it.

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I love Woo Jin's character - such an everyday guy, fairly unusual in K-drama-land where there are either bad guys or good guys. This one is mostly good, efficient and kind, but also self-righteous, quick-to-judge, and mean at times. Very believable! I hope everyone who was concerned about Ha Suk-jin playing yet another arrogant guy is happy after seeing the character development.

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I agree. His character here is much better than the one in Drinking Solo !!

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Hyun character portrait the real of Top Management in working environment. However business don't do such charity.. It's all about profits. Right or wrong is just another book story chapter to tell.

Ho-won is bold and blunt, this one can be great or disaster. Even though one day Hyun harm her (which is I doubt it), she always have a guy who will fight for her honor, Mr Good looking's Seo.

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Business world,Managers doing things to uplift themselves shows ultimately most humans are self centred creatures, well except for Ki Taek.

Really loving this drama and the flow of the story. It just feels right. Will miss this little gem when it is over. Hope to see Go Ah Sung again without too long a gap in a drama. She does them only rarely.

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Poor Ki Taek... Woo Jin should at least give him a good reference letter. He worked so hard.

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Maybe he will give him one when his contract is up.

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Why does this show have to end???????

Top quality here, cant believe the staff of dramabeans are not watching it, if they do in the future, they're in for a nice surprise :)

Ki Taek and Ji Na broke might heart, cheers for a great example of relationship grow.

Kang Ho, well done boy, yo have just taken the first step to be in control of your own life

Ho Won, please just kiss the man already, you are awesome!!!

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Seriously? They know someone isn't going to get the permanent position and they just announce the results like that to the whole office? Are they really that mean and insensitive? Sure, eventually everyone will know the results but there are much nicer ways to deal with this.

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This post has 99 comments and my love for R.O can't let it be. Allow me to post the 100th comment. I LOVE YOU DRAMA!!

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Haha, I was wanting to do just the same thing! :D

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And I love you too for wanting to do the same! ???

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I honestly am not someone who cries several times during an episode but I found this episode so sad... I actually had a box of tissues next to me especially with the moments with Ki Taek and Ji Na. Honestly I didn't like Ji Na at the start but over the last 2 weeks I have found myself falling for her character more and more.

Ki Taek is like a big brother for both Ho won and Kang Ho, these three characters have such a unique bond and I am sure I wasn't the only person who felt completely devastated for Ki Taek.

He is legit one of my fav characters in this show (a lot of characters I love but he has a special place in my heart) and the small heart breaking smiles and the way he congratulated the other two for getting their placement just broke my heart.

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