85

Mystery Queen: Episode 9

Tensions and stakes are high as the many players invested in Jang Do-jang’s case try to outmaneuver each other, and no amount of bromance can distract Wan-seung from the fact that he’s forced to choose between two terrible outcomes. All of that will cease to matter, however, when a new, brutal crime disturbs the recently regained peace of Seol-ok’s neighborhood.

 
EPISODE 9 RECAP

In a darkened theater, an actress gives a sad but hopeful monologue, and a young man sits in the front row, looking as though he feels the message is just for him. It’s Hyun-soo and a young Wan-seung; after the performance, she takes off her wig backstage, freeing her long hair, and he watches her through a gap in the curtains. When she sees him, he smiles and walks away.

In the present, Wan-seung arrives at his darkened apartment, greeting Hyun-soo’s picture as he enters his bedroom. He drops heavily onto his bed. “Where should I wait now, Hyun-soo?” he asks into the dark.

Buying some water for himself at a convenience store, Joon-oh sees some boxed meals and buys them for his colleagues. Slacker Cop complains that their superior comes to the substation whenever he’s free, but Earnest Cop says he likes it because Joon-oh always brings them food.

When he comes in, Joon-oh notices a man sleeping on the station bench with newspapers over him, and thinking it’s a drunk, he uncovers him. Wan-seung groans at the rude awakening and the sudden cramp in his leg, which Joon-oh obligingly grabs and stretches for him. Wan-seung asks if Joon-oh’s house is nearby, and when the latter says yes, he follows him out of the substation.

As they walk, Joon-oh asks Wan-seung if he really caught No Doo-gil by himself, saying that he saw Seol-ok there. Wan-seung feigns ignorance and finagles his way into Joon-oh’s apartment for the night. He admires how neat everything is and comments that Joon-oh is practically ready to get married.

Wan-seung checks out the bathroom, marveling at the bathrobe hung on the door, saying he didn’t know people actually wore those or the pajamas Joon-oh is currently clutching to his chest. Joon-oh retorts that they’re comfortable and tells Wan-seung not to touch anything while he’s in the shower.

Joon-oh emerges to find Wan-seung eating his food and wearing his pajamas. Joon-oh sighs and gets out another set, which Wan-seung complains are matching—he has no desire to wear couple pajamas with him. Joon-oh snaps that it was a two-for-one deal.

Wan-seung, noticing that the side dishes are from Kyung-mi’s store, says that something smells. (Joon-oh says it’s Wan-seung, and tells him to go take a shower. Ha.) Wan-seung asks suspiciously if Seol-ok bribed him with side dishes, but Joon-oh says he paid for them himself before telling Wan-seung not to eat out of the containers. He comes to the table and arranges some side dishes neatly on a little platter, and Wan-seung teases with a smile, “Wanna marry me?”

Joon-oh asks in frustration why Wan-seung won’t just leave—nothing has worked out for him since they met, he says, but Wan-seung keeps eating, unperturbed. Joon-oh leaves him to it and goes to his dresser, where he sees a report titled “Investigating with Civilian Experts” and quickly hides it. That night, Wan-seung lies awake on the couch, his cheerful demeanor gone.

Ji-won arrives early to work the next morning, and has just boarded the elevator when three of Jang Do-jang’s goons appear and hold the doors open. The young man who confronted Kwang-tae and Dong-ki in the first episode asks Ji-won why she hasn’t been to see Jang Do-jang in prison. She says coolly that it’s unnecessary, and they get into the elevator with her.

Seol-ok peeks into her bedroom at her sleeping husband. She wonders how much he knows, then puts on a smile and cheerfully wakes him up for breakfast. Ho-chul is quiet and watchful this morning, and after escaping to the bathroom, he remembers the ticket he found in her pocket and thinks to himself, “Seol-ok, I know you went to Sunhae Island.

We see her perspective of that scene now: She saw him find the ticket, and she thinks back at him that the ticket doesn’t prove anything. She resolves to tell him that she lent her purse to Kyung-mi, saying to herself with a smile, “Oppa believes everything I say.”

When Ho-chul comes to the table, he watches her as she bustles around the kitchen, thinking that if she uses Kyung-mi as an alibi, it would mean that she really is hiding something from him. As Seol-ok brings breakfast to the table, she reconsiders her plan of using Kyung-mi, since she doesn’t know what her friend told Kyung-suk yesterday. She remembers Ho-chul noticing her muddy shoes and realizes that he knows for sure that she was on the island. Stalling for time, she calls Ho-soon loudly and repeatedly.

Jang Do-jang’s chief minion goes to visit him in jail and relays that Ji-won said he’ll undoubtedly end up in prison if he goes to trial for attempted murder—so she’ll make sure the case never goes to trial. She’s promised that Jang Do-jang will eat dinner at home tonight. Jang asks about “the woman by the locker,” and tells his minion to find out everything about her. Uh-oh.

Ho-soon notes that her brother is home unusually late this morning, and he says he’s auditing the Seodong Police Station today. Seol-ok, flustered, wonders how she’ll manage to testify now. At Seodong, Wan-seung and Kwang-tae wait outside for her arrival, with Kwang-tae asking agitatedly why it’s taking her so long and Wan-seung promising him she’ll be here once she makes breakfast.

Just then, Ji-won calls Wan-seung and tells him to stop Seol-ok from testifying; he calls her crazy and hangs up on her. She sends him a picture of himself and Seol-ok at the lighthouse, and he calls her back immediately, telling her not to drag Seol-ok into this. Ji-won says Wan-seung knows how Ha & Jung will use these photos—if he makes Seol-ok testify, does he think she’ll be safe? This time, she hangs up on him.

At Seol-ok’s house, tension rises even higher when Ho-chul asks why they had to go to an island to work on Ho-soon’s thesis. Seol-ok wonders how much he knows and says innocently that they went with Wan-seung. Ho-soon’s jaw drops, and Kyung-suk asks who that is. Seol-ok is careful to describe him as a detective who works “under” Ho-chul, saying he spent the whole day helping Ho-soon with her thesis and that she somehow lost her phone in the process.

Ho-soon sips her tea and watches this conversation in fascination, noting Seol-ok’s intense eye contact with Ho-chul (Ho-soon’s verdict: She’s lying). Ho-chul asks if Wan-seung has mentioned anything about testifying, and Seol-ok says piously that she’d never do anything like that as a prosecutor’s wife.

Ho-chul tells her to stay away from Wan-seung and scratches his neck, which Ho-soon interprets as a sign of irritation (Verdict: He won’t tolerate any more lies). Seol-ok says she’s going to stay home so she doesn’t run into Wan-seung, but Kyung-suk says she has to at least go to Kyung-mi’s store (Verdict: Both lies). Ho-soon shakes her head and goes to her room.

A fuming Wan-seung shows up at Ji-won’s office to tell her to leave Seol-ok alone, but she claims she’s just doing her best for her client. She asks why he cares about Seol-ok so much—if he really wants to catch Jang Do-jang, he can just make her testify. Wan-seung denies any involvement with Seol-ok, but Ji-won pointedly gives him Seol-ok’s phone, saying she found it in her car.

Wan-seung says that Seol-ok is just a citizen with a strong sense of justice, and he can’t endanger her. Ji-won tells him to choose between Jang Do-jang and Seol-ok, since the gangster is currently digging up information about the prosecutor’s wife. Ji-won says she doesn’t want Seol-ok to get hurt either, because that would make Wan-seung feel guilty. It’s him, not Ha & Jung, that’s putting Seol-ok at risk, says Ji-won—has he forgotten what happened to Hyun-soo? Wan-seung looks stricken. Okay, you’re permanently on my shit list, lady.

After Ho-chul leaves, Seol-ok wonders how she can give her testimony. She decides to go into Ho-soon’s room and record it on the younger woman’s cellphone, sending the audio file to Wan-seung.

Ho-soon asks bluntly if Seol-ok is cheating on Ho-chul with Wan-seung, and Seol-ok scoffs at the idea. Ho-soon is skeptical, but Seol-ok says she’s just testifying to help Ho-chul’s career. Ho-soon calls her out on her obvious lie, and flustered, Seol-ok tells her that it’s bad manners to point out when someone lies before flouncing out.

Kwang-tae calls Wan-seung to warn him not to come back to Seodong Police Station since Ho-chul is there, so of course he heads there right away. When Wan-seung arrives, Ho-chul is demanding to see all kinds of random documents, and Wan-seung tells him to stop wasting their time. Ho-chul says that he’s just as busy as the police and tells Wan-seung to release the suspects held illegally.

Knowing that he means Jang Do-jang, Wan-seung exclaims that the man almost killed someone. Ho-chul asks if he has evidence of that, and Wan-seung almost tells him that he has the victim’s testimony before remembering Ji-won’s words. Ho-chul says that he knows Wan-seung doesn’t have the victim’s statement and tells him to release Jang immediately, threatening to have Wan-seung thrown in jail for contempt if he doesn’t comply.

As Ho-chul walks back to his car, he calls CEO Ha’s secretary and tells him to let his boss know that Ho-chul put off all his important work and did this as a personal favor. CEO Ha is hobnobbing with a high-ranking police officer, who introduces him to Captain Jang, the head of the Seodong Police Station.

Outside Kyung-mi’s store, she and Seol-ok grin at posters for Inspector Woo’s show, which is happening today. Seol-ok begs Kyung-mi to close the store early so they can go see it, but Kyung-mi firmly refuses. A bit later, they notice customer JOO-YEON buying only vegetables today, and the young woman confesses that she’s on a diet—tomorrow is her first ever blind date.

Joo-yeon says excitedly that going on a blind date and wearing shorts were the two dreams she wanted to achieve after moving to Seoul from the conservative countryside. Kyung-mi looks at her with fondness and nostalgia, and Seol-ok asks if Joo-yeon wants to watch the store this afternoon. She readily agrees, and Kyung-mi tells her that the side dishes are on the house.

Jang Do-jang is released, and Kwang-tae sighs in frustration that they’ve lost their chance at him as he wonders why Seol-ok backed out of her promise. Wan-seung sits dejectedly at his desk, staring silently at Seol-ok’s phone. Kwang-tae wonders briefly if Seol-ok is in danger from Jang Do-jang, and Wan-seung abruptly leaves.

Wan-seung comes to Kyung-mi’s store looking for Seol-ok but finds only Joo-yeon, who recognizes him and asks if he’s caught the panty thief yet. Wan-seung finally remembers her and says they’ll catch him soon. Joo-yeon says that another pair was stolen two days ago and tries to show him a picture, but Wan-seung tells her he’s being transferred, directing her to talk to Joon-oh instead. Disappointed, Joo-yeon looks up the price of a CCTV camera, dismayed at how expensive they are.

Seol-ok and Kyung-mi excitedly find seats at Inspector Woo’s show, and once there, Seol-ok shushes Kyung-mi, who’s apparently only here to ogle the man. Suddenly a voice down the row asks disdainfully if Inspector Woo has ever actually caught anyone, and they look over to see Wan-seung. He smiles and nods in greeting.

After the show, Kyung-mi gets her book signed as the other two watch. Wan-seung throws shade as usual, and Seol-ok asks why he’s even here. He gives her back her phone and asks if she’s seen any strange guys around. She says she’s only seen Wan-seung (ha), and relieved, he tells her that he’s going back to his original position. She tells him that it’s all due to her, and when he retorts that he saved her life, she insists again that she saved herself on the island. He tells her goodbye, and she watches him walk away.

Seol-ok catches up to him outside and asks if the police were able to lock up Jang Do-jang with her testimony, but he tells her they couldn’t use it after all. He adds that she shouldn’t get involved with the police again and to delete his number, and she says she’ll do it right now as she takes out her phone.

They tell each other to stay out of trouble, and Wan-seung tells her that since she won their bet, he’ll look up that case she asked about. Touched that he remembered, she tells him that it’s the Shinim-dong taxi driver case from November 14, 2007 before thanking him sincerely. He tells her not to worry about erasing his number and says that he’ll call her when he has the information.

Wan-seung goes to his regular hangout and drinks alone, the elderly proprietor asking him where his “wives” (Kwang-tae and Dong-ki) are today before telling him to slow down. He asks her to make him ramyun, and he practically inhales it as he remembers the past.

Young Wan-seung waits outside the theater for Hyun-soo and confesses that he likes her. She says he distracts her so much she can’t act, and as time passes, he eventually stops coming to her shows.

She misses him, and some time later, when he shows up with a present for her and a scratch on his face, she invites him back to her apartment. Hyun-soo makes him ramyun, and as he eats, she touches Wan-seung’s face. “Don’t get hurt anymore,” she says, and they smile at each other.

Back in the present, Joo-yeon walks home alone, and suddenly feeling uneasy, she calls a friend and asks her to stay on the phone until she gets home. A man follows behind her in the dark, and although she doesn’t see him at first, once she realizes he’s there, she runs for her life. We see a flashback of the same man stealing the magenta underwear Joo-yeon told Wan-seung about with a creepy smile on his face.

Joo-yeon reaches the gate of her building and locks it behind her, peering out at the empty street. Once she assures herself that the man is gone, she goes up to her apartment, sighing in relief as she enters. “Oh, the laundry,” she remembers, and goes to retrieve it from the roof, leaving her front door slightly ajar. Noooooo girl, forget the laundry! Close the door!

She’s in the middle of collecting her dry clothes when she feels as if she’s being watched. Panicking, she runs back to her apartment and locks her door—but the man is already waiting for her in the dark hallway. He muffles her screams with his hand and drags her into the bedroom as she struggles.

At the substation the next morning, Wan-seung tells the others not to throw him a farewell party, and Earnest Cop assures him cheerfully that they weren’t planning on it. Joon-oh heads out on a drunk and disorderly call, and Wan-seung tags along with him, asking for a ride to his car nearby. Joon-oh asks in alarm if he’s planning to spend the night at his place again, but Wan-seung ignores that and gives him Joo-yeon’s magenta underwear, telling him to take over her case.

Wan-seung says he has bigger fish to fry back at headquarters, but he tells Joon-oh the serial theft case will be good experience for him. He pets Joon-oh’s head and tells him not to miss him too much, and when Joon-oh cringes and tells him to stop being so clingy, Wan-seung pulls his ear and says he’s cute.

At that moment they receive clarification on the radio that the incident Joon-oh is headed to is actually a murder, and Wan-seung says he’ll come too. They enter the apartment, and Wan-seung’s expression slowly changes as he sees the victim’s body, laid out on her bed with tape covering her face. CSI Na tells Wan-seung that they’ll be able to identify her once they remove the tape and do an autopsy.

He turns to look at a wall covered in her pictures and a calendar next to them with a note on today’s square: My first blind date. Looking devastated, he leaves the room and goes up to the roof. “Bigger fish to fry? You crazy bastard,” he says, disgusted with himself. “I should have caught the thief back then.”

Joon-oh joins him and tells him it’s not his fault, but Wan-seung says that he’s wrong—he doesn’t even deserve the title of detective. Joon-oh tells him he can’t prevent every crime, but Wan-seung asks him if he could say that to Joo-yeon. “She’s only twenty-three. She’s never even been on a blind date. Today was going to be her first!”

Wan-seung says he should have stopped it, that a proper detective would have, and he vows to catch the psycho who did this. He runs down the stairs to a balcony that overlooks the street and spots Seol-ok, who has come to deliver Joo-yeon’s forgotten side dishes. They stare at each other.

 
COMMENTS

Mystery Queen reminds me of a domestic mystery novel like the ones Agatha Christie used to write, and I find that fitting and delightful for a drama inspired by Sherlock Holmes, however loosely. Like Christie’s books, this world is populated with interesting characters who slowly reveal their secrets as we get to know them. The difference is that our civilian detective and her partner/frenemy detective are among those we’re discovering, instead of just being puzzle-solving ciphers that observe everyone else from a cold distance. I think that’s to the show’s benefit, because although the cases are unusually well done for a procedural drama, it’s the slow peeling back of layers from our two main characters, their history, and their relationships with the people in their lives that keeps me coming back each week. I love how the writing gives us subtle clues about each character without spelling out what kind of person each of them is in black and white terms, at least not right away.

I’ve gushed about how much I love our crime-solving duo ad infinitum at this point, so I’ll talk about our second leads this time. Firstly, Ji-won has been unlikeable and a bit out of touch with reality since the beginning, but she made my blood boil in this episode. In a single conversation with Wan-seung, she managed to blame him for her own blackmail and threats, revealed that the only reason she doesn’t want Seol-ok to get hurt is because it might increase Wan-seung’s attachment to her, and told him that the greatest trauma of his life was his own fault. This is a man she’s proposed to multiple times. Even leaving aside the engagement-napping, that’s a level of crazy I don’t believe I’ve ever seen before. And I really can’t forgive her for putting that look on poor Wan-seung’s face.

Ho-chul, on the other hand, is a more subtle villain, and it’s clear by this episode that he’s the kind of typical corrupt prosecutor that we’ve seen in countless dramas already. What I find interesting about him is his dynamic with Seol-ok, which is clearly not as amicable as it seemed when we first saw them together. The breakfast scene was an obvious illustration that they constantly lie to each other, and neither of them seems to feel guilty about it, which is not a sign of a functional relationship. These two are headed for a massive and long-overdue blowup in the near future, and a part of me is looking forward to it. It will be painful for for everyone involved, especially for Seol-ok when she realizes how he’s been living his life outside their home, but it will hopefully be a catharsis she needs, and a necessary one for her to move on and be her own person.

This was a doozy of an episode, and the writing, acting, directing, and music continue to be near-perfect in every scene. I was especially impressed by the sequence at the end, when Joo-yeon was followed and attacked by her stalker. It was terrifying, exactly bringing to mind the uneasy feeling of walking alone at night that’s so familiar to women who live in cities, and bringing to life the worst possible logical conclusion to that fear. Joo-yeon’s story was heartbreakingly sad, and the show did a great job of making her human and lovable to us just when it would give her death the most impact. I had wondered if the panty thief storyline would simply be a throwaway comedic beat; I’m glad that we returned to it in an example of the all-too-real, often tragic consequences for women whose complaints about stalkers are repeatedly dismissed by the police. One theme that has emerged over the course of this show is that of violence against women and the various forms it takes, and I can’t express how much I love that the heroine who takes up the cause of these victims is a badass, smart-mouthed housewife who doesn’t allow anyone to underestimate her.

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , , , ,

85

Required fields are marked *

haven't finished watching this episode yet but I just want to say....

This show deserves so much more love.... It really does...

8
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like the show weaves the detective work with SO's family life, as if reminding us that work is not everything. Many a time, we see a one dimensional aspect of the characters either at work or at home, but not both, as if both can't coexist together. I hope SO will find a way to fulfill her dreams and yet keep her family at the end.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I hope we also get a young SO's love story with her husband. We all know he is kinda shady already so i wanna know what kind of person SO married.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Unless the situation changes, I am nearly wishing for the OPPOSITE outcome with regards to SO's family - that it must shake up or break up.

If there is any message embedded in this drama, I really, really, really don't want it to be... "women and wives, no matter how smart, passionate, successful, outspoken and skilled you are, when at home you need to defer to your husbands and family, not show your true personality, keep domestic peace and be passive. This is the only way you'll deserve a good family."

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The music playing during the part when Wan-seung first discovers the body is SO ill-fitting like I can't. Clearly the slow-mo is supposed to convey the gravity and tragedy of the situation but you've got some feel-good funky jazz in the bg? What?

I will say that while I despise the slow pacing of this show, in a way I also respect the assuredness in the writing. I agree with you about the show peeling back layers of its characters. Nuanced human moments like that scene in one of the earlier episodes where Seol-ok cries quietly and briefly before running her errand tell a beautifully subtle story of normal people living their lives, each with their separate, small tragedies. I also like the way the backstory to Wan-seung and his noona-love are told. It's sweet and melancholic without being saccharine, which is the way I would describe this whole drama.

4
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I completely agree with you about the music placement in that scene, @ bambi! I was like what!?! It was totally inappropriate especially since we the viewers got to know the victim from her previous interactions with the main characters and the music totally disrespect the tragedy that befell her. They should put the music director in a time-out until he/she learns her lessons.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's not just this episode. The following episode also has some ill-fitting music that has me scratching my head. I wonder what's up with the person arranging the music in these two episodes. Did they change the person doing it? Or was the person thinking of some other emotion when arranging the music?

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same happens in episode 10. Background Music and SFX is the strongest part of the show and here they did the biggest dumbest mistake they could. What was director and editing team thinking about?
The writer does pretty well in relationships department.
Husband-Wife inner mind games. Mother-in-Law oblivious. Sister-in-Law analysing it in real time. Then the way characters Profle is filled with different emotions and actions. I say it again - Police work is weakest part of the show.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed that the police work is the weakest part of the show. I watch this the same reason I watch Sherlock - not for the unimaginative mysteries but for the characters.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really enjoyed Wan Seung and officer Hong's last scene. "Detective..." "Detective? Do you think I'm a decent detective?". It's the first time Wan Seung recognizes he's a big failure as a detective: his obsession with Jang Do Jang made him completely unfocused. It was about time he realized it. It's the first step towards a willing collaboration with Seol Ok.
Glad we saw more of officer Hong and got to explore more his relationship with Wan Seung this time instead of the one he has with Seol Ok. The scene in his apartment was awkwardly awesome.
Just last week I thought Ji Won and Ho Chul were redeemable and now I changed my mind again. They both won't hesistate to act extremely shady just to get what they want. That's the kind of attitude our two main characters deserve to stay far away from, especially after the tragedies in their past.
What I like about the drama is that nothing seems to be added just because. Even the smallest thing might become important later on. Like: the sister in law being able to tell when someone is lying? I say it might be useful in the future to solve a case.

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love WS and Officer Hong's interaction in this episode, especially in the apartment. So cute! I wish we have more of such interactions, even if they last only for 10 minutes in the show. It speaks volumes of the way they have come since they have first met. One of the best things about this show is how they manage to stay heartwarming and familial despite it being a detective/mystery show.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the slow build of this drama, and the comedic interludes which in this episode was between Wan-seung and Joon-oh. Hehe.....that "proposal"... :D

The scene with Joo-yeon was really terrifying I could only barely watch.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Seol-ok wake up and see how she's been living her life, especially in regard to her husband and in-laws.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am also looking forward to SO's realization that her manner of living with her in laws is not the way to go. Maintaining a false front of familial harmony is not true happiness. The way they were all lying to one another and knowing that they were is so painful to watch. Since when is a family like this?

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

And the more I watch, the more confused I get about her husband. Is he the good guy, the bad guy, the oblivious guy?

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed! So little is revealed about him still! I'm basically watching to find out these things:
1.) Husband: What's hubby's deal? Is he real deal evil? Just corrupt? Does he love Seol-ok? Did he before? What's the deal about him seeming like a bachelor?
2.) Overarching crime: Is noona actually dead? Or did she/her body disappear? Why is Wan-seung obsessed with Jang do-jung? Why is JDJ so rich and influential when he's, according to the cops, just a small-time mob boss?
3.) Family: Will sis ever have to pay back the money she conned? Will her skills be put to good use for one of Seol-ok's cases in the future? Will any truth ever be revealed in this household? And what repercussions will they have? I mean, the sister knows a lot already, hubby has a lot of suspicions, and mother-in-law has shown a lot of love, caring, and understanding in the past towards Seol-ok. Realistically, how much would anyone in that family lose? On the surface, the status quo may change dramatically, but really it'll just change to the reality that already existed under their charade of a home life.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It looks like she is finally starting to wake up a little bit. How far it will go remains to be seen. In some ways she is just as air-headed as her sister in law.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Kwon Sang Woo is just so ADORABLE in this... i'm so happy he is being goofy and cute! please stay in romcoms... he and Choi Kang Hee are so cute together, too!

7
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like it when he displays his comedic chops! He is fast becoming one of my fave actors. He has chemistry with everyone in the show, including Officer Hong. It's such a joy to watch him interact with the other characters in the show.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah! He's so attractive when he's in the rom-com department.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm very confused by this show at the moment. Even if they continue to keep what Hosoon went through from Mum and Hochul, why hasn't Seolok talked to her about it? The girl was in love with a guy who tried to murder her. I know she was unconscious for it, but still! Can she get some therapy please? I feel like the current reaction the writers have given to her character is more appropriate to her dumping a guy she used to really like and missing those good old days.

7
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Frankly, it's not a very horrifying experience for HS. The perp romanced her, and before burying her, he drugged her, so she was unconscious throughout the ordeal. Even if she knew later on that her boyfriend was the serial murderer, there would still be this disconnect in her because she only heard of the news, not lived through it.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm pretty sure I'd still show a little bit more emotion if I found out the guy I was in love with was a serial killer...

Also I know that the people around me would want to talk to me about it if they knew. I just doesn't seem realistic to me that Seolok hasn't reached out to her at all (at least on screen - which is where it counts on a tv show). Although I haven't seen ep 10 yet.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

There is no reaching out in ep10 either - I am beginning to think that despite Seol Ok's expertise in solving mysteries, she is as much oblivious to the rest of the world as her sister in law is.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah, there is for sure a bit disconnect there. Perhaps she has not really come to grips with what her idiocy led her into.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Girlllllll why would you go get laundry late at night?? Especially when you heard someone following you??

Absolutely loveee the Seol-ok House interactions at breakfast!! It was great seeing Seol ok and Ho-chul trying to outsmart one another while Ho soon pinpoints the fact that they're lying! Absolutely brilliant!!

10
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Those scenes at the house in the morning were ace. What tension filled ones. Much more than the crime scenes which are typical. WN Seung , God, what the hell does he do as a detective?? Not one clue not one lead he comes to find or search for. He is just a filler till Seol Ok comes into the pic with her crime solving skills. I wish she becomes successful professionally and they become just partners , he her junior. No romance please. She way too better than him.

And the young Wan Seung is hot and handsome. Who is that actor?

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Plot holes!! So what happened to the money taken by ho soon from so many ppl n her job is now gone family doesn't know, nothing is addressed??....

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I guess that is why she is moping around the house? Although, I can't remember, did she have it in cash? She could just return it to the corresponding parties.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Finally she shows her ability as an expert in psychology when she pinpoints lies of Seol Ok, husband and mother in law. I'm satisfied. lol. Yeah, breakfast scene is the highlight of this episode, I think, besides the death of the cheerful woman. What a pity... Although not much progress in this week episode, hopefully that was worth for the big revelation in the remaining episodes. I'm looking forward to Seol Ok and the team (?) (I kinda confused with special unit in episode 10 actually) for solving this case.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Dear women, please don't walk around at night when there isn't anyone (witnesses) around!

-Fellow Woman

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Who are the actors who play the young Wan-seung and Hyun Soo? They are attractive. Names not listed in asianwiki hence asking. Thanks.

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know who plays the young HWS role. There is no information either on the drama website nor korean wiki.
For Hyun Soo, she is played by Lee Si Won. I've watched her in several dramas. She act in School 2015 as a sister whose her sibling died in the class and in Beautiful Mind as a nurse.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks. She is good looking. Now hope to get the young Wan Seung actor's name. Hope some reader out here knows.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

She is a heart Surgeon in Beautiful Mind. I kept on thinking where i saw this noona and bang within second of reading your comment i remembered her.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Interesting that she's just 2 years younger than the actress who plays Ji-won, but the flashback is supposed to be a long time ago.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Joo Yeon's character is a breath of fresh air... her excitement over wearing shorts and finding a boyfriend is so cute and honest. so I cant help but feel bad that she had to be a victim.

But I have to say that my favorite character is Joon Oh.. thank you writers for that shower scene!

5
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Joo Yeon's case is indeed refreshing. We seldom focus on this type of cases as they are petty crimes and usually not worth a second look. I am glad how the show emphasizes the fact that crimes are crimes, no matter how serious they seem to be. Even insignificant crimes like stealing panties should not be underestimated.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

But on the other hand, the panty thief is not the murderer.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

That's why, what happened with her leaves a big emotional impact not only on characters but also on Audience.
And this case is feels quite real - Often police ignores petty crimes and this leads to something big in future.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

One is Good, Two is Better, Three is Best! Seol-ok, Wan-seung & cutie Joon-oh. I love this trio! Let's go out and catch bad guys together lol

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I was seriously angry at Joo-yeon for not closing her door. She was followed home, and someone has been taking her underwear regularly. She should have been more afraid for herself then! It isn't her fault that she was targeted, but it was her fault that she was murdered in her own home. I don't mean to be too horrible, though, because her death was heartbreaking and I hope that man gets slapped in the face with justice.

0
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

She made a mistake and unfortunately, she paid for it. But let's not try to victim blame on? Even if she'd gotten away that time, he would have just kept on pursuing her until he killed her. The blame is on him and solely him.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sometimes, I think shows don't make sense. She feels she is being followed, someone has been stealing her panties, and yet she is not vigilant enough to lock the door behind her?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am unsure whether there is 1 or 2 guys involved. Because scenes of 2 random unknown guys have been shown so far.
I don't think door did matter. Why? Killer is following her on street and as soon as she starts to run he goes in slightly different direction --> i.e nearby building. Then both are on roof and again Joo-Yeon runs down to her apartment and killer is already there. Surely killer is using Window and jumping off from buildings.
The only thing Joo-Yeon could do was leave that place and rent somewhere else or spend some days at her friends house till police solves this case.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

What was her mistake? She ran home because someone was following her. Then she went to get the laundry, and saw that someone was there. She had no way of knowing that it was two different people.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

She was drunk and she felt that someone was following her so she ran away. Then she got home and it *seemed* to her that no one followed her after all, so she felt safe and ran upstairs to get her laundry. Plus, she's drunk! People fixate on weird things when they're drunk. She was obsessed with her panty collection when she was lucid (magenta pink!), what more while drunk? :)

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know why but this show just doesn't seem to do it for me. I think it might be because of the names. Being obsessed with mystery novels and Sherlock Holmes, it's just so jarring to me to see the tongue in cheek references without an iota of the original icons is off- putting to me. I'm trying to give it a chance but watching it makes me feel impatient and edgy so I guess that this show isn't going to be for me. Oh well.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am honestly so mad that such a lovely girl had to die. Does there have to be a murder for the police to take a crime seriously? I like how this drama portrays the true reality of the police. Many, many, times "lesser" crimes of stalking, peeping toms, underwear thieves or even domestic violence are ignored by Police until it escalates into murder. One would think that the job of the police is to prevent crimes when they can, and protect people.

I can't help thinking that a more brightly lit area, CCTV cameras placed at strategic positions would've served as a deterrent for the underwear thief. I guess it's high time for Wan seung to learn some hard lessons. He won't be so quick to dismiss such 'minor' crimes in future.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

It has been obvious to me for the past couple episodes that the panty thief is not the murderer.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

How did you come to that conclusion? I've been confused about the perp for this case

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Just one of the more obvious clues is that she saw him on the roof, ran back to house, and the attacker was already inside.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ah I see. I thought that was one of those confusing drama-editing moments where they wanted to up the thriller factor and had the perp appearing everywhere cuz jump scares are spooky. It's hard to trust drama editing sometimes... You just never know.

0

Well... we now know why Ho soon no longer has breakfast with her family. Poor girl! I can understand why she often treats her sister in law with contempt when she sees the dysfunctional family dynamics on a daily basis. Wonder when the big reveal would finally come? Its about time that someone lets in some fresh air of honesty into that house.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wonder if it is because she is afraid that she will end up in the same totally stifling dysfunctional situation.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seol-ok is not married to Ho-chul that's why the sister-in-law is treating her like the typical unnie (see Deokson and her older sister in Reply 88).

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I find myself disagreeing strongly with Laica on MQ. This episode really brought things to the point where I have given up on this series.

a) ABSURDITIES. Completely abandoning realism in the recent kidnap/serial murder case. First, (minor point) SO and SH mysterious dirt repelling, self cleaning clothes but they conveniently forgot to make the shoes out of the same self cleaning material. Second, SH was drugged unconscious and SO was hit in the back with a spade to unconsciousness and partially suffocated. In both cases, neither would have been released from a hospital (for several days at least - you know, for minor things like potential bleeding in spinal cord and to wait for drugs to clear the system). There is no way in that SO was even walking (much less pushing a cart) with a bruise that size, but there she is merrily making breakfast the next morning.

b) MAJOR INCONSISTENCIES. JDJ's bad guy profile is steadily increasing. Now he has big league henchmen (and is called President Jang?) Which begs the question from Episode 1, why would a major crime leader be caught ROBBING LOCKERS AT NIGHT to recover missing drugs? Surely a job for a minor henchman? Secondly, SO has lived with HC since her school days and HASN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT HE IS but she also happens to be a queen of detection. That's one LARGE blind spot. Finally, it was a freaking kidnap/attempted murder - it is incomprehensible for both SH and SO to cover it up from the family and given this is a major serial murder case, police would have been making multiple interviews for the both of them making any attempt at concealment both ridiculous in the attempt (for any intelligent person) or absurd in the writing of the drama should they succeed beyond 12 hours.

ON THE DRAMA ITSELF. The pacing is pretty bad and there is hardly any development of the antagonists which is fairly important for the HC and JW characters. So far all the "bad guys" are just "bad". Multiple instances where SO's motivations are nebulous and actions are somewhat schizophrenic.

Rather than the show peeling back the layers as Laica suggest, it feels to me like we started with an onion, peeled back the skin to discover a carrot, then dug deeper to find a tomato. The show is pretty unfocused.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with many of your comments. I am liking the show, but some of the plot holes and inconsistent behavior makes no sense. Your (a) points are totally correct, but long ago I decided that in k-dramas victims either heal miraculously fast, or lie in a coma for decades. It makes no sense, but I have learned to live with it.

4
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am not asking for realism for realism sake and sacrificing it for flow and pacing makes sense. And neither do I expect every character to come with detailed back stories.

In this case, however, hiding her activities appears to be some key plot point so making an absurd unreality move the plot forward is poor writing.

Similarly with HC and JW, their repeated interactions and close relationship with the leads throughout the drama appear to be important story and plot points. Having them be unidimensional characters with unexplained motivation, therefore, is also poor writing.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I keep on feeling like this is a rookie writer with a lot of potential. They have a lot of things they want to explore and either love this genre and wants to write in it or chose the mystery genre as a way of expressing the themes they want to address. Them being a rookie explains the pacing and plot issues.

I'm also surprised that the writer appears to be a man (judging from their name - Lee Sung-min) because I've been repeatedly moved by their insight and empathy with women, especially female victims. In addition to this episode, Seol-ok calls out the husband's friend in the crime with the domestic abuse for standing by and doing nothing when the wife was being abused, shining light on a more deep-seated cultural problem and hypocrisy with the words, "So it's ok as long as she's not dead?" The writer humanizes the victims, who are all too often just a female body to be carved up and served to detectives as mysteries to be solved.

For me, these human moments really get to me, and I am able to forgive the draggy pacing and plot holes the size of Australia. I think this writer definitely has potential and I'd want to see what else they pen in the future.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes to all of this. So MUCH YES.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's interesting to the extent Seol-ok wishes to maintain the emotional status quo in her household.

We've seen her lie to her mother-in-law in the past about her outings with officer Joon-oh. In this episode it became evident that lying to each other is a common denominator for Seol-ok and her husband ---- lying to each other and lying in their daily lives to get through the day. ..... You'd think that after going through such an ordeal with her sister-in-law, some discussion would be had. If not with the family, then at least a private, one-on-one with Ho-soon to process some of what they'd had gone through the previous day. But no. ..... Apparently anything that may upset the husband and in-laws is avoided by Seol-ok. She avoids rocking the boat, so to speak. To do so would disrupt the harmony and, I suppose, the happiness she believes they have.

Seol-ok, may be in for a bit of an awakening, or at least I hope so, and it may actually come courtesy of her husband. We'll see.

5
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

"..Apparently anything that may upset the husband and in-laws is avoided by Seol-ok.." - I think that is what makes me think that despite her crime solving skills, she is actually pretty pathetic. She does have a special talent for picking out some of the ugliest dresses in the universe though.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

You know, it's interesting, this family dynamic of hers. I think on some level, she is aware that "all is not as it should be" or "could be". ....... A few episodes ago, her friend asked her why she went on about her daily life as she did. Another couple of episode later (I forget the exact scene exactly), Seol-ok says that people ask her why she live like she does. Both times she didn't seemed perplexed by the questions nor did she refute the content implied in the questions themselves. There's an awareness there on her part, it's that she has chosen, thus far, to not do anything about it. Instead she goes about her daily life in the manner in which we've seen.

As for the wardrobe, I mentioned a little while back that it seems to be serving as a manifestation of the quirky undercurrent present in the drama and more specifically of Seol-ok's personality.

4
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah. Seol Ok is very aware of her family dynamics and the kids each tells. Heck, she even made wan Seung her husband's deputy when covering up for the sis in law's shenanigans, thus her husband knowing she is lying to some extent.. But losing people to live with, living alone is what she dreads most. Hence the domestic scam continues. What I disprove of is kyung mi repeatedly telling her not to divorce. That is not the way and her best friend should have understood, known even though she is beset by lack of companionship.

And I am quite quite taken in by her dressing. It's her own unique qurky way. What is wrong with people criticizing?? That she should dress like a model like all the assembly line creatures in dramaland?? It's ridiculous this sort of criticism and for a show that shows a very intelligent woman as a lead. Men be damned.
And what

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Typo. Lies not kids. And the last and what should be not there. Ahh, it's not easy typing using phone.

0

I'm close to believing that Seol-ok is not married. And that her claims as a "prosecutor's wife" is as dishonest as her claim that she has a PhD.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can I just say that after watching this episode, I feel like Seol-ok lied about being the prosecutor's wife? Remember,she lied about having a PhD? And then in the early episode, Wan-seung said that he knew Ho-chul is single? We never heard Ho-chul claimed that Seol-ok is his wife only that he drives her (sometimes) to and from work. That's why the VIU title is more fitting for this drama "Queen of Mystery" because of Seol-ok's character instead of "Mystery Queen."

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just don't think that's the case. There is plenty of evidence to suggest they are married. Kyung-suk calls Ho-chul Seol-Ok's husband to her friends, and we all know Kyung-suk isn't the type to make up something like that when she's already disappointed Ho-chul married someone like Kyung-suk. And then, Ho-soon asks if Seol-ok is cheating. Why would she say that if they weren't married? Kyung-mi makes comments about Seol-ok's husband being unattractive. Do you really think Seol-ok would lie to her only friend about being married?

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think they're a married couple but not sure how/how much their 'affection' for each other stands. It's interesting though that everyone who knows Ho-Chul at work thinks he's still single.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can anyone ID the floral top Joo-yeon is wearing?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Favorite part of this episode is when Wan Seung went to book concert to see Seol Ok. I know that I said I wasn't sure if I want them to have loveline because she's married, but urgh the electric pull is so strong with these two.

The bittersweet goodbye and WS's sad look, the delete-my-number-but-wait-don't, the touched look of SO when WS wants to help him with her dad's case, and the subsequent scene where WS drinks his heart(break?) out. I find it quite cute that from the flashback we found that WS always have a thing for noonas.

3
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

That's a good point, Seol Ok seems to bringing up parallels with WS's old flame, even to the extent that his evil wannabe fiance is exploiting his protectiveness of her. I was keeping an open mind about Ho Chul, but considering he seems to be corrupt and in this episode with apparent unconcern just released the person (well, the first person) who tried to kill her and might attempt it again, staying married might be hazardous to her health.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I always ship them from the start but that's just because the actors have so much chemistry with each other. We never see them show any romantic interest in one another, coz she's married, but it's been hinted by the show itself all along. Now that we see how evil her husband actually is, I do hope she finds the truth out soon and breakups with him. At this point, I really want our two leads to be together.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

It's really amazing that they can show absolutely no interest in each other (Seol OK seems sincerely puzzled at the thought that Wan Seung could be considered attractive) but yet they're so great together. It didn't bother me in the early episodes that he pushed her around and was so gruff, because that's the way he is with everyone (opposite of Ho Chul, chivalrous on the outside and lying on the inside). And she gives it to WS as good she gets, which again is the opposite of the home situation. Anyway, whatever happens with her marriage, I'm confident WS has her back.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have a feeling that there won't be any love line, we are more than halfway through and other than WS showing immense care to SO (like in ep 10 where WS noting down SO's cab number), nothing leads to romance so far. I am guessing the romance will only be hinted at the end of the series, perhaps after divorce and some time lapse. Best we can get for skinship is probably something less romantic like CPR. How I wish this show would go on for few seasons like American drama so we can get more cases, AND has time for blooming slow romance.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

LOL at your prediction of 'otp-first-CPR-kiss' pretty clever indeed.

0

I feel like the crimes they are showing are almost too over the top with their violent nature, in compensation for the humorous moments we have. Myung-hee, the victims buried alive, and now Joo-yeon. It makes it very sad to watch.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree. I had the same problem with Do Bong Soon. In this series it's better executed and more believable, but that makes it more depressing.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It hurts me so much when higher-up authorities are the corrupted bad guys. So sad but so True!

The way Ho-Chul was using his power over the detectives makes me wanna jump in and pull his hair. I hate hate hate him and people like him. Can't wait for the moment Seol-Ok discover his true color, wondering what she'll say/do about it.

I didn't care about Joo-Yeon when she was first introduced in the drama. I even think she's a little loony. But, GOSH, her back story in this episode-though lightly touched in the course of what? 2 min-makes me shed some tears when she's attacked. How can I bond with a character this much when I know so little of her?

is it just me or this episode has a slower pace than the previous ones?

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

As much as I love this show, and how it talks about female victims, I kinda wish these types of shows didn't forget that men can be victims of these types of crimes too. Another example is the drama Voice by OCN. In Voice all the crimes happened in reality so I can't fault it for only focusing on crimes that involved either women or children, but I do wish that it is not completly forgotten. Such as I hear here in the US where a lot of people still believe that men can't be raped, or that froced penetration isn't rape, or believe that most dosmetic violence/ abuse affects moslty women (when in reality is very much 50/50). I just wish people won't forget that anyone can be a victim.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like this show more and more. It really is unfolding like an Agatha Christie novel with a hint of sherlock style. I love it!
And SO's family is amazing, are they all experts in crime field or what lol.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ohhh Joon-oh is too cute too handle! The way he set his house is so adorable! Also, the matching pajamas, LoL.

Hopefully this show will answer our questions: Seol-Ok's husband & their marriage, Hyun-soo Noona, JDJ, and Wan-Seung family. Everything is still scattered to me.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Why isn't recap of ep 10 up yet??

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow. It took me 10 episodes to realise that Detective Ha is not played by Yoo Ji Tae. I could have sworn it was the guy from Healer.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

anybody know the name of the actress that played the girl that died, joo -yeon...

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *