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Go Back Spouses: Episode 10

Another week, another bucket of tears at my feet. The more amazing Jin-joo’s family is, the heavier the knowledge of her mother’s death weighs on our hearts. Our couple starts to take notice of the things they’ve been taking for granted in their lives, and both Ban-do and Jin-joo struggle, in their own way, through a painful anniversary from the future.

 
EPISODE 10: “You can’t take anything for granted”

We start our episode in the newlywed days of 2004. Jin-joo cuddles Ban-do in appreciation as he uses his knowledge of pharmaceuticals to manage her medications. But in 2017, his same efforts go unappreciated by Jin-joo. Ban-do begins to narrate: “At one point in life, we begin to take some things for granted, because we get comfortable and used to them.”

Jin-joo begs Ban-do to change his shirt, since the one he has on is dirty. Ban-do’s already late and doesn’t really care, but Jin-joo insists and pulls him back in to change. Jin-joo’s efforts to take care of him earn her a long sigh rather than appreciation. Ban-do continues: “We consider the kindness of our love and the happiness we have as something we deserve, and we take them for granted.”

The scene moves to the day of Jin-joo’s mother’s funeral; Jin-joo watches as a mother and daughter walk in to the funeral together. Ban-do watches Jin-joo’s crouched figure from inside, as his narration continues: “But we only realize this after we lose everything. That someone’s existence was not supposed to be taken for granted.”

As the episode title credit rolls, we get a brief glimpse of a later scene: Jin-joo and Ban-do stand facing one another outside Jin-joo’s house, lit by the streetlights.

We return to 1999 and the group’s trip to Gangneung. It’s now morning, and Jin-joo and Ban-do are the first to rise. Ban-do hints at their history with Gangneung and the fireflies, but Jin-joo dodges the topic and turns it to how fresh the air is. Rather than get upset about not having his moment with Jin-joo, Ban-do just says that he’s glad that Jin-joo saw them and is enjoying the fresh air. (How surprisingly mature, Ban-do.)

Nam-gil is the next one awake, and watches on as Jin-joo and Ban-do sit together in awkward silence.

Meanwhile, Seol busies herself loading up the van (and making sure there’s no room for Jin-joo to sit, ha). Dok-jae worries that Seol was drunk enough to cause mischief again last night, and even as Seol denies it, she finds several phone keypad buttons in her pocket.

Dok-jae’s cell phone is indeed Seol’s victim, and Dok-jae gives chase. Jae-woo comments the two should date, but Bo-reum says that Seol can do better, and Jae-woo can’t disagree.

Jin-joo notes the scruff on Ban-do’s face and comments on his hasty shaving job. Ban-do complains that the past lacks six blade razors, and Jin-joo chuckles at his excuses. Nam-gil watches the entire exchange, and Ban-do tries to play up Jin-joo’s criticism as concern for him.

Nam-gil is surprised when Jin-joo doesn’t offer to ride back to school with him, but don’t worry, Seol has his back. Seol says there’s no room left in the van and disregards the guys’ protests as she slams the van door shut.

On the road, Seol and Bo-reum laugh at the boy’s obliviousness of their ploy to give Jin-joo and Nam-gil some alone time. Seol shoots her judgmental eyes at Ban-do as she declares that Jin-joo needs to meet a nice guy for once, while Ban-do just drives in silence. He’s caught up in his memories of how the firefly viewing was supposed to go, and how Nam-gil had ended up in his place.

In Nam-gil’s car, Jin-joo’s thoughts are on the same scenes. As Nam-gil thinks of their moment last night, he recalls how Jin-joo ducked out of the embrace to race back to the cabin, making the excuse that they should go drink.

He breaks the silence for some small talk, but what he really wants is to get Jin-joo’s opinion on his shaving technique. Jin-joo leans in to confirm that his face is nice and smooth, and Nam-gil smiles at her attention.

Back at home, Jin-joo joins her parents for some TV. The news talks about the upcoming Michael Jackson concert in Seoul, but Jin-joo doesn’t show the same enthusiasm for the event as her parents. Dad gets up to try out his dance moves, and then Mom gets up to demonstrate her superior moonwalking skills.

The next morning, Mom makes tomato and carrot juice for her daughters by hand. Jin-joo is touched, and then enraged when her sister refuses the lovingly made breakfast. Jin-joo cuts her off at the door and demands a talk.

Jin-joo asks her sister to appreciate their mother more, because she won’t always be with them, and she doesn’t want her sister to have any regrets later. Jin-joo’s thinking of her mother’s funeral, and how her sister had sobbed beside her. Jin-joo returns from her thoughts, but the idea of Mom dying has unsettled her sister, who walks off.

At school, Ban-do calls the national weather service for earthquake predictions. It seems he’s trying to figure out what phenomenon sent him back to the past. Frustrated with the lack of information, Ban-do heads to the library for some research.

He starts with some Stephen Hawking, but when the theory gets a little too esoteric, he turns to a more pop culture take on time travel.

Meanwhile, Nam-gil can’t find the cat he usually feeds. Instead, he finds Jin-joo eating alone. Nam-gil states aloud the similarities he sees in the cat and Jin-joo, though Jin-joo doesn’t catch it.

She does take note of the loud growl from Nam-gil’s stomach. Although he insists that he’s not hungry, Jin-joo shoves some of her breakfast into his hands, and they eat together.

On the way inside, Jin-joo’s back begins to hurt and she jets off for the restroom. Ban-do sees her from across the way and recognizes the symptoms.

In the restroom, Jin-joo discovers that she doesn’t have any sanitary napkins (ah, so these are period-related symptoms). She tries calling Bo-reum first, but when no one answers, she tries Ban-do next.

Ban-do is already at the pharmacy purchasing painkillers for her, and he reviews the ingredients to get the ones that will be the gentlest on her stomach. He gets Jin-joo’s call, and doesn’t hesitate to pick up a box of pads for her as well. He even remembers that she prefers ones with wings and swaps out for the right kind, as the ladies in line look on in shock.

Ban-do arrives at the restroom, but he’s not sure how to get the supplies to Jin-joo without going in. Dok-jae and Jae-woo spot him, and Dok-jae springs on Ban-do in a sneak attack, sending the box of pads flying out at Bo-reum and Seol’s feet.

Ban-do plays it totally cool though, and picks the box up and hands it over to Bo-reum to deliver to Jin-joo like it’s no big deal. Once he’s alone though, Ban-do gasps out his embarrassment (so close to actually being adult about this, ha).

Ban-do finds Jin-joo in the empty classroom ready to take her medication, and he replaces the soda she was going to drink with the cup of water he’s brought for her. To help with the pain, he hands over his backpack for her to rest her head while he massages her back. Jin-joo worries that they’ll be caught, but Ban-do says they aren’t doing anything wrong.

He presses in further, and asks if she’d like to kiss. When Jin-joo turns him down flat, he says that they shouldn’t feel guilty for being “caught” doing anything less than a kiss scene. Then he just returns to massaging her back, as though he’s slipping back in to an old routine, and Jin-joo can’t help but notice. She thinks back to all the times he was there for her when she was in pain, massaging her back even late into the night.

As Jin-joo clasps her hands under her chin, Ban-do can’t help but notice the empty ring finger where her wedding ring once was, and the empty space on his own finger. Heading outside, Jin-joo marvels at how pretty high schoolers are “nowadays,” and Ban-do chimes in, “You’re pretty too.” He tries to cover a little, saying of course she is because she’s 18 years younger, but Jin-joo still relishes the compliment.

They stop when they spot a group of teens smoking. This triggers a memory for Ban-do, when he and Jin-joo spotted another group of teen smokers in the future. Ban-do wanted to intercede, but Jin-joo held him back, warning that teens were scary and that she couldn’t bear losing him. This sentiment held Ban-do back, and as he returns to 1999, he just keeps walking without a word to the students.

In the evening, Dok-jae and Jae-woo gather around the computer for some porn viewing. Dok-jae is envious of Jae-woo for having a girlfriend, but Jae-woo says that Bo-reum isn’t like that.

Bo-reum isn’t perfectly innocent, since she and some other of the girls in the dorm have gathered for their own night of porno. The girls’ eyes go wide as they watch, and one of the other girls is surprised to hear Bo-reum is so inexperienced, since she has a boyfriend now.

Back in the boys’ room, Dok-jae vents his frustration that Jae-woo hasn’t done it yet, saying he doesn’t have to protect Bo-reum like a cultural asset.

The next morning, Ban-do seems shaken by the date on the calendar, June 25. Coverage of the Michael Jackson concert scheduled that day continues to play on the TV at Jin-joo’s house, where Jin-joo sits in a daze while her mother folds laundry and sings. Inspired by her singing, Jin-joo suggests they go to karaoke in the middle of the day, and the whole family is giddy at the proposal.

On campus, Ban-do walks with a ticket to a ballet and b-boy performance. He flashes back to the moment when Seo-young invited him to the event, where she’ll be performing with the b-boys they encountered on their previous date. He’s quick to take credit for this union, and said he’d certainly attend.

However, now Ban-do seems upset that it’s occurring on this date. Even so, he’s on his way to the show, until he’s distracted by Ye-rim, who pulls up alongside in her car. He tries to walk away, but she just has her driver drive apace with him. She stops him in his tracks when she asks if Jin-joo is okay, since she heard that Hyun-suk tracked her down and hit her.

Meanwhile, Jin-joo and family are at karaoke. Jin-joo lingers briefly at the front desk to make a request before joining with midday drinks. Mom gets the mic and belts it out all afternoon.

Back to Ban-do, who storms into the medical students’ lab and kicks Hyun-suk to the floor. When that doesn’t keep him down, Ban-do pummels him with punch after punch. “Do you think I let you win before because I’m that weak? How dare you touch her!” he demands in between blows.

Ban-do remembers that fateful night in the future, when Hyun-suk was the one to punch him after Ban-do accidentally threw Ye-rim to the ground, and how Hyun-suk gloated about the show he had put on and looked down on him.

At karaoke, Jin-joo’s dad finally gets a song in, and he serenades Mom enthusiastically. Jin-joo’s grudge begins to soften as her sister points out how much in love their parents are even now. As they’re leaving, Jin-joo stops back at the front desk to pick up the tape she asked them to record of their session. Awww, now you have Mom’s voice anytime you feel lonely.

Dok-jae and Ban-do are out for drinks to help Ban-do cool down, but it doesn’t seem to help. Ban-do walks home alone and thinks back to a few nights ago when he walked Jin-joo home. He realizes that she reached out to him when Hyun-suk attacked, and he hadn’t been there once again for her.

Ban-do punches a tree in frustration. His attention is caught, though, when he hears passersby discussing the Michael Jackson concert. Hmmm.

Meanwhile, Bo-reum makes it back from her date with Jae-woo too late, and the dorms are locked. They have no choice but to get a motel room for the night, and one look at Bo-reum on the bed has Jae-woo settling down on the floor. Bo-reum mistakenly assumes Jae-woo has no interest in her, but in reality he’s reciting the national anthem in his head to keep his thoughts occupied.

Jae-woo bolts up suddenly and leaves on an unknown errand. When he returns, Bo-reum is asleep and Jae-woo hovers over her. His hands scoot up her skirt, and Bo-reum wakes up, her thoughts panicked. But then she opens her eyes, and sees that Jae-woo just retrieved medicine for her scrapes from cheerleading. Relieved, Bo-reum kisses and hugs Jae-woo. They sleep next to each other in the bed, sweetly holding hands.

In her bedroom, Jin-joo places the tape of her mom’s singing in her desk drawer. Jin-joo is surprised by a phone call from Ban-do this late at night, who waits outside the gate.

Ban-do stands with a box of grapes in his hands. “Why am I like this?” he asks. “Why can’t I do anything right?” He tells Jin-joo that he’s always been sincere, but even now, everything’s just a mess, just like ten years ago.

In flashback, Ban-do reveals what’s been bothering him about today’s date—in 2009, the night started out great, with a successful sale after a long night of wining and dining some doctors. On his way home, though, Ban-do spotted some teens bullying a classmate, and he stood up for the kid. Ban-do started to scold the students, but he was interrupted by a call from Jin-joo.

It was that call, the one where Jin-joo begged Ban-do to come home right away. While she was still on the phone, the students stepped in and started a fight with Ban-do, Jin-joo still on the phone to hear the pummeling.

Ban-do and the students were hauled into the police station. Ban-do begged the cops to let him go, but it was no use. Jin-joo rushed in to the station to get her husband, but seeing the lineup of bruised teens and her struggling husband sent her into fitful tears. “Why are you always doing this?!” she screamed.

At the funeral, Jin-joo blamed Ban-do for making her miss saying goodbye to her mother, since she’d had to pick him up at the police station instead. The two sobbed at the funeral, brimming with regret.

We fade back to 1999, Ban-do in tears as he confesses his feelings to Jin-joo. He says he’s been trying so hard to live a good life, but all he ever does is feel sorry. And then his last confession: “I missed my mother-in-law just as much as you did.”

The couple’s moment is interrupted, however, as Mom opens the gate and finds the two together.

Epilogue

In 2009, Jin-joo’s mother’s funeral was overshadowed by the news of Michael Jackson’s death on the same day. The news media latched on to fact that he died exactly ten years to the day from his Seoul concert in 1999 and covered the event nonstop.

Jin-joo narrates over scenes of her watching the news in her funeral hanbok: “The day my mom, who was like the universe to me, disappeared, the rest of the world was paying attention to something else. And my sorrow seemed to be ignored just like that, as something petty and normal.”

Three months after the funeral, a weary Ban-do braced himself outside their apartment before he donned a falsely cheerful demeanor. He brought the pork slices that Jin-joo likes for dinner, and he hurried off to change so that he could make them for her, but Jin-joo never budged from her place on the couch.

Ban-do found Jin-joo’s assortment of photos of her mother lying on the bed, and his fake smile faltered. On the couch, Jin-joo huddled into a ball, the two of them so close physically but neither willing to talk about their sorrow.

COMMENTS

Guys, I could barely keep it together to write this recap. I just kept crying.

The reason for Ban-do’s failure to show up for Jin-joo is so much more painful than I expected. It’s not just that he wasn’t there, but that Jin-joo had to go pick him up instead of going to see her mother. He inadvertently asked her to choose between her husband and her dying mother, who was the world to her. She had to listen to her husband take a beating over the phone, a beating that she had warned him against and begged him not to risk, for her sake. June 25 was a night she could have lost both her mother and her husband, and it’s the intensity of her deep love for Ban-do mixed with the sorrow of the loss of her mother that has fueled her anger and isolation.

From Ban-do’s perspective, he’s just been trying to do what’s right and good all this time. Protecting a kid from bullying isn’t a bad thing, but even good intentions can contribute to bad results, and he’s been beating himself up for it ever since.

Jin-joo’s family is so incredibly warm. The moonwalking scene was so real and lived in, just a bunch of goofs being lovely with one another. It makes the stark contrast to Jin-joo’s future all that more poignant. Jin-joo grew up in the most incredibly happy and caring household, and now she feels incredibly alone. After losing her mother, she isolated herself from those who she felt didn’t understand or share her pain, and that included her husband, who put on a cheerful face after the funeral, and her father, who found a new life partner just a year after her mother’s death. Even the closest of families can break down completely when a major trauma tears them at the seams.

Jin-joo’s talk with her sister was so heartbreaking. Jin-joo just can’t impress on her sister what it will mean to them later when Mom is no longer around, but it’s Jin-joo who has been letting her grudge with her father prevent her from fully enjoying these happy days with her family again. Jin-joo has a special place in her heart for what her mother meant to her, but it also seems as though she refused any other care from those who didn’t match up with Mom.

The show plays a lot of the things from the past for gags, but it doesn’t forget that the most mundane artifacts from years gone by can also be the most painful, like a song that you’ve heard in a different context in the future, or what Michael Jackson means for you in 1999 in contrast to 2009. I really liked the way this event was woven into the shape of the narrative, and though I had my suspicions early on what was going on with the date, the impact at the end of the day with Jin-joo at the funeral watching the news and Ban-do arriving with grapes was perfectly resonant.

I’ve been rooting for the main couple from the beginning, as tempting as second leads may be, but this episode really filled my heart back up with my desire for everyone to just finally talk it all out and make up. Jin-joo and Ban-do have just been so lonely, but each scene with a doting Ban-do assures us that it hasn’t always been that way, and that Ban-do has been wanting to find a way back to the good times for a while now.

On a lighter side, it was also a nice touch to see something like menstrual cramps featured in the show, not only as something that can impact a woman’s whole life, but also as something that a husband can also help care for. Ban-do doesn’t leave Jin-joo alone to deal with her “lady issues,” he’s always there to massage her back and pick out the best painkillers for her. He’s committed to her comfort, as he pointed out, because he’s there to care for her for life.

There was something deeply satisfying about Ban-do finally giving Hyun-suk the beating he deserves. From the very first episode of the show, we’ve been told that Ban-do was impulsive and quick to get into a scrape. But we’ve been with adult Ban-do this whole time, the one who pushed down all his anger at this man in order to make money for his family, so the restraint has been understandable. So while it doesn’t solve any actual problems, I was super pleased when Ban-do’s fist made contact.

I’m starting to think that very little will actually change in the future, and I honestly think that will be the most satisfying. Tragedy will still strike, but I want to believe that Jin-joo and Ban-do are learning to cope and look to one another to help unburden their struggles. Hyun-suk may still be an intolerable jerk, but Ban-do won’t have to grovel anymore. Mom will still be gone, but I’m hoping Jin-joo will reconcile with those she’s turned away from. Though I really do hope a few small things, like the tape Jin-joo recorded of her mom’s singing, will be able to slip through the cracks.

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I am with you. This episode is just so.... how do i put, it just so good, in a sense, of it can makes us cry a lot, and smile at the same time. While some of the commenter here rooting for the 2nd lead, which i do think nam gil is a good person, but reality no body is perfect. Nam gil maybe good in the past, but we never knew in future. Ban do, remind me a lot of my own husband. Especially the last part when bando cried. To him, he did the best that he could, but somehow the outcome is not good. This happened because both has been hurt. A marriage is like that. You may end hurting each other but at the end, your spouse is the one who can bring you comfort. I hope the ending will bring good ending for all of them.

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Yep cue the kleenex. This episode hits home for anyone who's lost someone close to them. Thank you for the recaps. Love this show. I think it's one of the best ones this year. Jang Nara is killing it. I also cried buckets in the last drama I saw her in (Fated To Love You). I'm not too sure how they're going to wrap it all up partly because I'm not sure if the main couple will be OTP and partly because of the timey wimey stuff. But somehow, I'm okay with this couple learning to let each other go if it comes to that.

Also, who remembers where they were when you first heard that MJ died? That was the biggest news for so long.

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I still do remember the moment quite clearly.. I used to watch a morning news show but I couldn't that day because my mom wants to watch TV. The TV happen to be on the channel and I was at the kitchen, smiling that my mom choose to watch it because I hear familiar voice. Suddenly my mom exclaimed "Michael Jackson passed away" I didn't quite catch her saying..so I thought she was mentioning about his last tour and I was blabbering away about it being sold out..and how I wanted to go. I looked on the TV screen and was so shocked. I remember going on radio and internet.. literally nothing else matter that day.

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Hmm, but i feel that the "shinier" scenes that are given to Nam Gil are always used to highlight how Ban Do and Jin Joo used to be in the past! And thus shows the contrast between the two relationships - JJ feels more motherly towards NG (who I suspect likes that bc of the lack of mother figures in his life), but Jin Joo and Ban Do are truly in love.

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OK, so Bando was pretty much a jerk in 2017, but before then, the poor guy tried so hard and just had the worst luck and was so beat down by it. The last scene with the grapes just killed me. Also when Jinjoo told him that he was never there when she needed him, that really, really had to hurt, partly because he know it was true to some extent. It doesn't excuse his 2017 behavior, but I do feel sorry for what he went through.

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I dont think ban do was the only one to blame for 2017. All the jerky things we saw were from jin joos point of view. Its just like what ban do said at the beginning, they start to take each other for granted. They communicate less. Jin joo cannot move on from her mother's death and isolates herself (yes at a certain point, its unhealthy). This episode was great.

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Yes, definitely! Jinjoo shut down after her mother's death and only focused on Bando keeping her from her mom's deathbed. She didn't remember all the times Bando WAS there for her, for all the little things (like her cramps), and doing his best to support their family. So his subsequent lashing out at her verbally is understandable, he is only human after all, although it's not really an excuse.

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Geez, @abirdword, you're getting all the sad episodes, aren't ya? :( *sends an endless supply of tissues*

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Seriously, I've run out of tissues over here. I was so jealous you got to cover Nam-gil's fist pump! I watched it at least three times ^^ But I'll take one for the team if it means we get a sweet, satisfying reunion for next week!

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thank you both for the wonderful recaps!

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you two both are kind and wise people. thanks for the recaps. it is fun to read recaps and be more understanding about the drama

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I’m starting to think that very little will actually change in the future, and I honestly think that will be the most satisfying. Tragedy will still strike, but I want to believe that Jin-joo and Ban-do are learning to cope and look to one another to help unburden their struggles. Hyun-suk may still be an intolerable jerk, but Ban-do won’t have to grovel anymore. Mom will still be gone, but I’m hoping Jin-joo will reconcile with those she’s turned away from. Though I really do hope a few small things, like the tape Jin-joo recorded of her mom’s singing, will be able to slip through the cracks.

I agree with this totally. This is why I'm completely behind the OTP. My SLS was cured immediately after the fourth episode (it only lasted for an hour lol). Then again, I also feel that the focus of the show is really not about starting a new romance in the "past". It's about all the lessons they learnt from their regrets and mistakes. What I'm curious about right now is really whether their actions will have any impacts on the present/future. It wouldn't make sense if there's too much of a turnaround, since then it would be a hell of a second chance, and that doesn't fit the vibe of the show at all. But it'll be too sad if nothing's changed too. So I'm with you in that I hope that the little things stay.

This episode is one of the best along with episode 8. Hopefully the show keeps up it's momentum. In any case, it's already my top drama for 2017.

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*its momentum*

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It was a heavy episode, but very heartfelt. Nonetheless, I missed Nam-gil

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Gosh how I love this drama. I feel so bad for Ban-do and Jin-joo and want them both to be happy. I hope they can find a way to open up and forgive each other and find contentment in their relationship again. Both were jerks and mistreated each other in 2017 but that was really just the behavior of two very wounded, hurting people no longer able to communicate normally with each other. We are seeing how much they are still attracted to each othher care about one another deep down. Now if they can just start living that way again. I see Ban-do recognizing this - I just hope Jin-joo does too. (And I think she does but is just a little slower acting on it).

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Thank you for the recap, abirdword.

I never thought I'd be crying this much watching this show but it never fails to get me to tears every week, from Jin-joo having her mom's singing recorded to Ban-do at that door with the grape-box, I was seriously a mess! It’s never easy to lose someone but having no one to share that sorrow with is what makes it even harder, Jin-joo suffered alone because she blamed Ban-do for what happened, like abirdword said, though unintentionally, he made her choose between her mom and him, her mom didn’t even get to see her for one last time, that hurt her bad and she never got over it because she never talked about it, Ban-do was hurting too but he tried to keep his cheerfulness in front of her, he felt guilty and that’s why he didn’t talk about it, too, they just let each other hurt alone and silently!

I loved seeing how Ban-do took care of Jin-joo throughout the years when she had her cramps, it was really so sweet, even now him knowing exactly what she needs from just one glance at her shows that he never stopped caring, both of them actually, they still care for each other, it’s just that they got used to these little gestures of love and care so much that they stopped appreciating them!

Since next week is the last week for this show (which, sniff), I really hope our couple gets to talk, they have so much they need to say to each other, they need to learn how to forgive and accept their mistakes, I just really want them to be happy again, and together!

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Wow. I just... Why is everyone blaming Ban-do for this failed marriage? I mean, yes, he did behave badly in 2017 but there are two people in marriage and this episode very clearly shows how he's tried, tried and tried to be a good husband, to provide for Jin-joo and take care of her and yet he has failed in both regards. He does bear a responsibility but he also had a very bad luck, as some of you say.

I do appreciate the recaps, but... maybe I just interpret things differently. What choices did Ban-do have at the end of the episode? Those teens were BEATING another one. That is not same as smoking, that is a serious crime and kind of alluding that Ban-do should have just ignored seems rather cruel and would actually be a crime on itself because if you witness a crime and do nothing, you are an accessory to the crime. He could've called the police and waited, which would've given teens more time to beat their victim and who knows what damage he would've suffered. I mean, when the poor boy manages to leave thanks to Ban-do, he's clearly terrified.

What Ban-do did was NOT forcing Jin-joo to choose between him and her mother. What he did was RIGHT. What he did was something anyone should do in that situation. And you know what? I'm 100 % sure Jin-joo would've done the same. Smoking is one thing but I cannot believe Jin-joo would have just stood by and let one kid be bullied and beaten by others.

Besides, even now that I re-watched the episode, it does not look like Ban-do ever called Jin-joo to the police station. He looks surprised by her coming there and keeps insisting he "has to be somewhere" trying to leave. Jin-joo could've gone to her mother, too. She could've called the station/hospitals to find out that Ban-do is ok and then head to her mom and pick Ban-do up later. Now, I do not blame her for her reaction at all, she didn't think straight, which is very understandable in her situation but other ways to handle the issue did exists. Cellphones did exist.

What I feel is that Jin-joo is rather quick to blame Ban-do for all the misery in her life. I did not see Ban-do do the same and even when he did say Jin-joo made his life pitiful, it was retaliation to Jin-joo saying it first. In 2017 Ban-do ignores and underappreciates Jin-joo severely but Jin-joo seems to almost hate him and she can be somewhat vicious in her anger. She does not give Ban-do any credit for trying nor does she give him any room to feel, especially to grieve his mother-in-law. And boy does she know how to hold a grudge! I mean, in 2017 it has been what, 10 years since the mother died? And Jin-joo still hasn't forgiven her father for finding another companion. She refuses to understand other viewpoints but her own, things are done her way or she will judge you and bear a grudge against you for years and years.

This failed marriage isn't only about Ban-do failing to be there for Jin-joo. It's also about Jin-joo judging Ban-do, not giving him...

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Just wanted to say I totally agree! Ban-do didn't have a choice and did the only thing he could have done. It was definitely a situation of no good deed goes unpunished.

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I agree that Ban-do isn't to blame for everything. Both parties were at fault for their failed marriage. I think the reason why BD is disliked is because he tried to move on with his first love while Jin-joo was suffering from being apart from their son. I too think that he's tried to do everything he can at that time.

The drama is also written by a female writer, so it's natural that Jin-joo's feelings are more intricately written. Perhaps that and the fact that JNR is just a likeable actress contributes to more good feelings toward her character. But like you, I think they share the responsibility for the breakdown in their relationship.

On why she was at the police station, I think she has to bail out Ban-do in person, so a call isn't enough. Anyway, it's just terrible luck that they didn't get to see her mother for the last time. It's definitely not BD's fault, because I feel that anyone with a conscience would have intervened.

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Yeah, I do get why she's there but I just think bailing him could've waited until the morning, for example. Even though Ban-do did love his mother-in-law, I'm pretty sure he would've understood Jin-joo if she had gone first to her mom and only later bailed him out. However, phone call would've been necessary to ascertain that Ban-do is alright and not in some hospital beaten to pulp.

I have to say I suspect Ban-do is more blamed is partly because... viewers are women. So it's easier to sympathise with the woman and blame to guy. I dunno, I feel like the writer is doing a good job showing both having faults and responsibility for the failed marriage and in my opinion show is very sympathetic towards Ban-doo. Maybe it's just me then that I feel bigger disconnect with Jin-joo's character. Don't get me wrong, I like her a lot (and I like JNR, she's great here) and I totally understand her but... I do not see similar growth like Ban-do. It's like she grows into herself, she gains confidence and gets to be the motherly, wise person, but we're in episode 12 and I have not really seen her reflecting upon her failings in their marriage. In essence, it seems, like they BOTH blame Ban-do, her and him himself, too, and this is not a good start for a new attempt at love. I truly wish next episodes will show Jin-joo regretting and reflecting upon some of her choices during the marriage, too.

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Exactly! From the very beginning I noticed that BD's behavior towards JJ in 2017 had to have an explanation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not justifying it, but I do think that his feelings for JJ started to slowly fade because she had blamed him all along, and the resentment between them eroded the relationship. She made a choice and she was the one responsible for it, not BD. The thing is that JJ wasn't able to forgive herself and projected her anger onto BD. She could have bailed him later if her mom was in critical condition. I'm pretty sure BD would have been completely understanding if she had made that choice.

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I honestly didn't like Ban Do in the beginning of this series but what happened in this episode definitely isn't his fault. As the episodes kept rolling, wow, Jin Joo just won't let it go. She keeps telling her sister to appreciate their mother now but doesnt give the same affection for her father. What if due to this time travel, if they go back to the future, it's Dad who dies instead of Mom?

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Well put. I agree with every line you wrote. I've felt frustrated that some have been blaming Ban-do for everything, when both were at fault, and yes, timing hasn't been on Ban-do's side like ever.
From episode 1, one could tell Ban-do has been trying (as well as Jin-joo) his best to make it work, but he got entangled in that web of misunderstandings, and I get why he went ahead with the divorce. Even his own family didn't give him the benefit of the doubt, and it's no wonder he felt so defeated.
Also, I know there are a lot of Nam-gil shippers out there (and I respect that, everyone has their biases), but I simply cannot warm up to him. I don't understand in what way he is better than ban-do and why does everyone seem to feel that jin-joo would have been happier with him? We've only ever seen the 1999 version of Nam-gil, and who is to say that he wouldn't have made jin-joo unhappy? I mean, the original 1999 version of Ban-do was also helplessly in love, treating Jin-joo like a queen, and well 18 year later, a lot of their bitterness stemmed from their financial constraints and emotional baggage. Nam-gil has a lot of that baggage too, just look at all that semi-repressed anger, and I wonder how he would have handled poverty. So far throughout the series, Nam-gil has showed warmth only towards Jin-joo and the abandoned cat, but I feel that ban-do has positively touched more lives. And I completely understand why ye-rim developed a crush on him, I mean the way he handled the situation both at the dance (when he claimed he was ye-rim's boyfriend to spare her further heartbreak and mortification) and later at the coffee shop. He cares about others (even complete strangers), and that makes me care for him. He's my kind of hero.

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What that boy needs is a mother. Whether he knows it or not, that's why he is so attracted to Jin-Joo.

Ban-Do and Jin-Joo can play at being 20 again, but they're not. They can't be anything other than what they are--INSIDE. Either of them pursuing a romantic relationship with two kids would be seriously creepy. They just can't go there...thank God.

I have to admit, I love that fantasy element. Who hasn't wondered what it would be like going back to high school or college knowing what you know now. I mean, it would be awesome, right?

Except not. You'd feel like a stranger in your own skin. You couldn't really talk to anyone. And wouldn't you start to find everyone and everything silly, banal and ultimately dreary?

Sure, you would finally have a chance at that hot guy. But you're 38. You KNOW you're 38. So you could/would/should enjoy it for a bit, but ultimately, aren't you just a middle-aged perv?

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The one sour note that this drama strikes with me is the way that the Ye-Rim character is used. It is clear that the guys, and the drama writer, consider her undesirable and pathetic because of her (lack of) looks. The guys' faces always seem to fall when they see her. Then they muster up their resolve and try (and sometimes fail) to treat her like a human being. The only desirable thing everyone sees about her is her wealth and they act like it's a struggle (and, in Ban-do's case, too much) for that to overcome her looks. Even Ban-do and Jin-joo readily used her to get at Hyun-Seok; their primary motivation was revenge, not a desire to help her. Every time I see her character, it occurs to me that she could have used her wealth to buy herself plastic surgery to turn herself into the typical society-approved doll. But she didn't. And that takes guts. I wish that the drama would give her points for that instead of playing her looks for laughs and pity.

Many people probably will disagree with me.

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I agree with you on everything you said, especially the part related to Nam Gil. He's the typical tusundere character, the kind who is nice and sweet to a few ppl only. I also feel like he's very pushy. He often orders around JJ and expects her to follow them without questioning. And like you said ban do has touched more lives!

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I love this thread! Everyone said everything I have been feeling since day 1.

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Even I felt miserable watching Ban-do and Jin-joo drowning in their respective misery after Mom's death. It should be a burden that they share, a moment where they could lend support to each other, and be each other's shoulder to cry on. I can understand, though, why Ban-do would prefer to paste a mask of happiness in front of her wife, what's with his immense guilt for not being there when Jin-joo needs him the most. His only goal was to relieve Jin-joo's pain by being the lightness in her life for her. On the other hand, I can also understand how she would misinterpreted it as her husband trivialized her sadness by just living his life merrily like nothing happened.

It was such a huge relief (even if it was 10 years too late) when Ban-do admitted through his tears that he missed his mother-in-law as much as Jin-joo. That he also felt miserable. That they were actually not alone in their sadness. It was relieving and freeing. One huge step closer for our OTP to rebuild their broken relationship.

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Well.. no two people grieve the same.

JJ's grief over her mom's death probably doubled tripled with the fact that she didn't get the chance to say goodbye. If she said her goodbye, she might be able to let go. Like what @abirdword said, she grieved by isolating herself, not letting anyone enter, especially BD whom she probably held the biggest grudge.

BD, on the other hand, probably thought that he had to show strong face in front of JJ. The only way he could think of to cure the sadness was by being cheerful and pretended that everything was back to normal. But things were never back to normal, no?

If only they have talked about it openly and supported each other through their griefs, things might be different.

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One more thing, though... I have accepted Jin-joo's almost complete romantic disinterest in Nam-gil but honestly I feel this is a flaw in the series. However, in my opinion, this is a flaw stemming from the drama culture itself instead of this particular writing. Drama heroines just are very innocent and almost asexual, thinking sex is something dirty and "omg I'm blushing here, noo, not meeee!!" Another example is Because This Is Our First Time, a series which I adore, but a 30-year old virgin who thinks of herself pervert if/when she feels sexual desire... Come on.

If you guys were sent 20 years to the past and were wooed by this handsome, awesome dude - could you honestly say you would not at least feel some temptation? Considering, you KNOW what sex is and how it's done. And this especially after a bad break up, when you feel unloved and unwanted. Most people would at least feel better getting attention after years of neglect, but Jin-joo is almost bothered by it. And do not tell me this is because of her kid, these are two separate issues. Clearly she's not going around crying for Seo-jin all day long so she does have some time and some thoughts to spare for other issues, too.

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It is THE primary difficulty with these travelling back in time stories (especially if it is a significant like 15-20 years) It isn't that one is unhappy with the first time around, but you'd carry the weight and experience of the additional years. The perspectives and quality of decisions change. The entire conceit about these drama's is that they expect their protagonists to fix "just one thing" in their lives. The truth of it, if it could happen, is that your goals, expectations, maturity, attitude change so much in that period, that the second time around would be completely different.

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Her innate ajumma-ness sees him as a kid though? Like... kid. "Not in my league" kid. How can she see him romantically, much less think about having sex with him? That's like... kid. No. The end.

She's all wrapped up in her own issues - SeoJin, Mom, finding herself, trying not to burst from BanDo's taunts, navigating 20 again, etc etc - that she can't be bothered with the kid.

To her, they're almost 20 years apart. And her head is like, "NO".

(If you're referencing to Because This Is My First Life, JiHo got so worked up because she can't think of anything else, can't concentrate and can't work because of SeHee. LOL. I don't think her frustration is because she simply felt sexual desire.)

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how could you think about sex at all at this time.

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awww Ban Do...he won me back with the back massage. I'm a sucker for these small acts of love. I hope they work their relationship out and also learn that sometimes it is not about simply doing what you think is best for the other person but you have to also let the other person know what you think and feel too.

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The last time I watched a JNR drama was Fated with love. Her crying scenes were so heartfelt that I bawled with her. Hubby was shocked to find me bawling in the middle of the night. *so embarrassing*

Go Back Spouses is a surprising gem of a drama. Very poignant and relevant to the everyday couple. The decisions we make have a ripple effect on our future. All the what ifs, should haves and would haves. Despite having a chance to change their lives, our leads seemed to be hanging on to the memory of their past future - both the good and bad.

Nam Gil is such a dreamboat! His attraction to Jin Joo has something to do with her maturity, vulnerability - and her maternal instincts. Maternal love is what he sorely lacks in his life so his fascination with Jin Joo is not a straight forward crush. Poor boy may remain single all his life if he cannot find anyone that match up to Jin Joo in the new future!

Hope the drama ends with a satisfactory conclusion!

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I can't believe (or don't want to) that this gem will end next week. Whyyy??! I can't get enough of them.

Since @abirdword already said everything I wanted to mention in this episode I will just share my thoughts for the final week. There's actually 2 type of ending I'm seeing for this show, first, they will not go back to the future/present and they will just start anew and be successful which eventually will also lead to marriage and say hi to our cute Seo Jin again. Second, They'll come back to the future/present and see all the changes happened to their lives because of all the things they did in 99' and get back happily together. Either of the two I'm pretty sure they will be back in the arms of each other simply because they are still in love and this story is about restoring relationships.

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I'd take either scenario, as long as Seo Jin is still in the picture. Also, it won't only be their lives that change..their friends now have different futures, too, no? And maybe mom can somehow survive to see her grandson?

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I cried when bando lost it and kicked dr park. Eventhough dr park has yet to do anything he did in the future, it was still satisfying and heartbreaking to see bando hit him. Bando has surpressed his anger before, but when jinjoo is involved he just went beserk.

And the grape scene in front of jinjoo's house. Man...bando breaking down, thinking he's a failure despite his sincerity and hard work. How he misses his mother in law just as much as jinjoo does. I just felt so bad for him. It seems no one was on his side, even jinjoo. Huhu

Only 2 episodes left. I'm not prepared to part from all these characters. However, i'm all in to see bando and jinjoo happy once again~

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Always on Nam Gil team. But the scenes when Ban Do massaged Jin Joo during the cramp, back to future when Ban Do massaged Jin Joo while holding his sleep, and how he carefully picked medicine for Jin Joo is melting my heart..

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While I'm really quite taken with Nam Gil and his quiet charm, I honestly don't think Nam Gil and Jin Joo will stand a chance. Jin Joo loves her son Seo Jin too much to risk the possibility of him not existing if she pursues an alternate future with Nam Gil. It's also pretty clear that Jin Joo isn't romantically interested in Nam Gil at all. Hoping that the fallout won't be too heartbreaking for him and that his storyline will be satisfactorily tied up.

Now to Ban Do... I found him quite unlikeable for the majority of the drama (esp when you put him beside someone like Nam Gil). He has some significant character flaws and has made very serious mistakes in his life but for that very same reason, I feel that he is so much more 'human'. Nam Gil fits the stoic drama prince cutout to a tee while Ban Do seems like the everyday guy we see around who has both a jerky and a very gentle side. So while I swoon whenever Nam Gil comes on screen and do wish that he finds a noona who can take care of his precious cat-loving heart, I also find myself rooting for Ban Do to find ways to make the reality he eventually returns to a tad bit more optimistic.

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Continuously amazed that GBS have managed to maintain its 5.0 average user ratings. Hahaha. GBS deserves all the love it gets. A very poignant, heartfelt and heartwarming drama indeed~ 😊

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I know I'm writing a lot of comments but there's still one thing that baffles me... Why is Seo-jin so young? I mean, I get it from the show's perspective, it's a lot more heart wrenching to watch parents losing a baby than, for example, a teen (I do NOT mean to diminish parents' grief over losing a child of any age, but emotionally speaking people respond more to babies).

But what about the time frame of the marriage? Ban-do and Jin-joo have been together for almost 2 decades and married for around 15 years or so. It doesn't sound normal for a Korean couple to wait this long to have a child. And to wait until their marriage is already failing... Because it must've been. Jin-joo's mother dying didn't start their problems, obviously marriage was already strained because when Jin-joo comes to the station, she immediately goes into "let's blame it on Ban-doo again" mode. So this has been going on for awhile and only became worse after the funeral. And then they decide to have a baby in the midst of it? Or, was there a problem in conceiving? Was Seo-jin a lucky accident, "finally"?

And what was Jin-joo doing all this time? Has she been a house wife ever since they married? I suppose it's normal for Koreans but for me it sounds slightly odd if there are no children because how much of work it really is to keep a small apartment clean, feed your hubby and clothe him? Did Jin-joo ever have a job? If she did, what was her job? Could she do it again or could she maybe do something else? Obviously being a housewife is not her calling so maybe it would be good for her to do something else, too...

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I think they were trying for years to have a baby. I seem to remember a conversation between Jin-joo and Bo-reum early in the episode count to that effect. It is also possible that I am misremembering and projecting.

As for Jin-joo working outside the home -- I think she did have a job before Seo-jin came along. Maybe not a career, but definitely a job. There was a flashback scene to early in their marriage when Jin-joo is going through bills and says that they won't be able to cover them even combining her paycheck with his. (This scene I am sure I am remembering correctly.)

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Yea... I found it odd too. I think Seo Jin might be a key reason why Jin Joo and Ban Do reconciled after Mom's death. Given how much JinJoo blamed Ban Do for Mom's death, its no wonder their marriage didn't dissolve sooner. It could also be that the couple's finances were stretched so thin that they thought it unwise to have a child.

I'm not sure if JinJoo actually graduated college in the original timeline since it was fleetingly mentioned that the two married early. If that was the case, it could be that JinJoo dropped out of school after marriage to either be a home-maker, or to lessen the family burden since she's expected to be independent after marriage and wouldn't want her parents/BanDo/she herself couldn't afford to continue paying for her college education after. That might explain why she didn't have much of an actual career. It could also be possible that even if she did graduate, she hastily took whatever job was available to her just so the young couple could pay their bills. That sort of compromise or giving up of dreams seems to be a recurring theme in both JinJoo and BanDo.

Plot wise, having a young child might also make the possibility of Jin Joo pursuing a different reality with Nam Gil slightly more viable then if Jin Joo already had a fully grown child with an established presence in the original timeline, though not by much really. Seo Jin's existence has pretty much sunk the JinJoo-NamGil ship from the beginning.

Overall though, there are some pretty huge plotholes that need to be clarified.

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Just a little clarification on Jin Joo's past, it was hinted that she did work before giving birth. There was a part in episode 3 where she was trying to balance the family expenses with her pay cheque. So it shows that she did work. Also, I would think Jin Joo is the better student among the two of them, because even Cheon Seo who is on scholarship has remarked that Jin Joo is a smart kid in episode 2. So it makes sense for Jin Joo to say that she wished that she has studied harder to become a lawyer, doctor or prosector, because it is achievable for her, also why Ban Do was speechless when she mentioned that everyone knows that you can be a prosector if you studied hard enough. Another hint that it is something not unachievable for Jin Joo. Another hint was how Ban Do when met Jin Joo during their blind date again, told her to study harder so that she can be a doctor, lawyer or prosector. So far... the past has painted a very good future for Jin Joo, being recognized as the prettiest of their faculty, and with a brain to match the look, which is probably why she could get away with her snobbishness and immaturity.

Being the one with better qualification despite both being college graduates, it is highly possible that she is the one who earns more in the family, because she seems unimpressed by Ban Do's pay and compared it to be nothing more than a pack of gum and even added that if she is to sell gum, she would probably earn even more than him. So when she gave it up to take care of Seo Jin, it hurts their family further, and Ban Do will have to work harder to make ends for his family.

The grieving of her mother is something I don't see her getting over with or Ban Do as well. But it is stronger for Jin Joo because there was anger involved. I know she could have chose to bail Ban Do later but let's thinking about it, you got a call from the police station saying you are needed and your mother is on the death bed. For all she knows, Ban Do might have been harmed, it was that unknown and fear that made her chose husband over mum. So she is understandably upset when she saw Ban Do got into a fight with teens. She did not give him a chance to explain but jumped to her own conclusion... and Ban Do probably never explained to her because he felt guilty of not letting Jin Joo see her mother. He did no wrong but it is how the outcome came and bit on his sorrow causing him to swallow his hurt.

I am not saying Jin Joo is right but in the face of it, be it Jin Joo or Ban Do, it is acceptable and likely for them to feel the way they felt. It only hurts that they did not choose to communicate but used their understanding of each other to hurt themselves when they started to feel bitter towards each other.

The reason why GBC is great is they don't show perfection but how people react in the face of tragedies and troubles. How the love is eroded by time and leaving only bitterness for them. I agree that Jin Joo needs her own enlightenment...

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No, I totally agree with you about the whole police station situation. In my opinion there were other ways to handle it for Jin-joo, but I can totally see why she went with the one she did. As I said previously, she wasn't thinking straight considering the circumstances and who could blame her, her mother was on her deathbed, after all. It's almost like both of them, Jin-joo and Ban-do were trains on a collision course and even though you see where things are headed into, there is nothing you can do... Both reacted exactly how their personalities in such circumstances would.

For me GBC is so wonderful because it doesn't only show how both parties are at fault when it comes to their failed marriage but it does it a way that almost forces audience to sympathise with BOTH of them. You understand how each of them feels and where they are coming from. This makes it impossible to judge either of them, in my opinion. I just feel immensely bad for them. :(

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Yes yes! I think what makes GBC so successful is how the writer forces us viewers step into their shoes and feel for them. They are both imperfect and there are many times you know that they could have done it better... but chose to react childishly to each other. Yet, at the same time you learn at the later part of the drama, they never really fallen out of love with each other at all despite how they tried to hurt each other with their words. They have both tried their best and messed up, but they still love each other, making us feel so bad for them.

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The severe menstrual cramps and backache are probably due to endometriosis. She is also anemic. So I'm guessing she had fertility problems. Was the baby a happy surprise? One thing for sure, that baby was desperately wanted and loved.

Mr. ROTC didn't stand a chance.

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This drama makes me miss my mom a lot. I also used to say my mom is the only mom who wakes up early in the morning and makes us sandwiches to take to school then work and she prepare coffee to each his glass, my friends were surprised that my mom is doing that, i was proud of my mom, she's like a best friend to me, maybe better.

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I have heard and read accounts of couples who go past their difficult situations, survive or make the marriage much better. It takes courage, commitment, understanding, love and respect. My heart is getting ready for JinJoo and Bando to reconcile, even when I don't really understand why they fell for each other in the first place. I knew that Bando will be the guy Jinjoo returns to as Mom already mentioned Bando as her favourite. I am still Team NamGil. All the way. If I am a mom, I would like my daughter to date gentle NamGil. He seems to understand and accept JinJoo much better than Bando. But hey, mothers can't control who their children choose to be marry.

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I always remember my mom saying this a good boyfriend does not always make a good husband. She always told me and my sisters to imagine our lives, 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now, with kids, in-laws, health issues etc that may come with life and see if the boyfriend will be able to stand with one through those life issues. I have never had SLS because I know that marriage can change the best of people & I am not sure if NamGil was married to our female lead what changes would have happened to their characters

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Sure to be fair, a marriage can change the best of people. There must be a reason why Jin Joo and Bando chose each other but maybe they were unprepared for the challenges ahead because they never communicated really well. Coming from someone who was married once before, I personally feel that divorced couples can just peacefully say goodbye to all the bad and good from the other person, be grateful and learn the lessons, then move on with an open heart to life. I only saw Jin Joo falling back into a habit of seeing Bando as her husband and it is only natural to think of the good memories. But never do I feel that she wants a reconciliation. She may be nostalgic and sentimental, but never pining, I think. It is fine to just remain divorced and be good parents to their baby.

Bando has his good points and bad points. Jin Joo probably had depression post mom's death. Bando was condescending putting JinJoo down, further demoralising her. Sure he tried his best. She tried too. I just feel exhausted looking at them. They didn't even address his put downs, her mistrust and depression..yet.

Yes Nam Gil might change to a horror after marriage. His Mom Issues should be addressed as he harbours resentment. This might be repeated in a future relationship. Other than that, he is a young man in love. I am very much waiting to see mature Nam Gil in the final episodes.

A good boyfriend/potential husband to me, is an equal, motivated, driven, kind, committed, understanding and accepts the other partner, self-sufficient,respected and respects me, sense of humour. I don't care for emotional abuse. I have a friend who is confused about her love for her emotionally abusive husband and counselling helped her decide to finally leave him. Even so, she kept missing him but really, she was miserable being married to him. Unless her ex makes an effort to not put her down, we remind her that her new boyfriend is lovelier.

But I know my support for Nam Gil is among the minority. I respect everyone's support for the OTP. It happens in real life, although rare. This drama represents the few couples who reconcile after divorce.

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Jin Joo being struck with depression post the death of her mother was so hard to watch, even though it was just a tiny epilogue :'( Ban do attempting to reach out to her by putting on his chirpy face made me sad too. It probably exacerbated their r/s issues caused by mom leaving this world. I am so so sad and depression is so awful. Maybe thats why she doesnt seem to care much for herself in the first episodes, even tho she probably got better...

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Thanks for the recap. I came to this show a bit late and two weekends ago binge-watched and cried through so much of it.
I'm not going to say anything different than whats already been said. I don't think the marriage is doomed, it was just off track by their distracted lives and taking each other for granted, and I have confidence that they will end up back together again.
What gets me every episode is how Jang Nara is expressing her love and grief around seeing her mom again. It has made me cry so much seeing her grief and relishing being around her mom again. I find myself wishing my mom was here so I could just sit and be with her.
Yeah, this show has brought up a lot of feels for me about my own life. But overall I'm loving it and sad it has to end.

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I was a complete mess after watching this episode. I so want them to have a re-do of life, but at the same time I just want them to pick up where they left off. I think they’re wiser now, albeit going back to their past selves (physically). I am not a believer of second chances, but these two are so endearing I want them to really patch things up and become lovey dovey all over again.

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I hate you show, for making me want to sink my SL ship. Just kidding - love you for it.

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i'm with ban-do when he started massaging jin-joo at the back to ease her pain. as a chronic sufferer of these periods, any little thing helps, a lot!!!

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Me too, terrible cramping. Is it bad to wish for early menopause?

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As someone with a failed broken long-term relationship behind me, I've been wondering what I would do if I were in JJ's situation. And I realised it's all to do with what happens with the time slip.

If my ex and I managed to go back in time and rekindle our love, and then return to the current day with the possibility to get back together, that would be really tempting.

But if I had to live through those twenty years all over again (so I was never going to skip forward back to today), I would make a different choice. I would want to try out a completely different life, because I would be too worried that - even with perfect 20/20 hindsight - we would fall into the same traps and patterns all over again and I couldn't even bear to think about that. If I were her, I would concentrate on my studies and get myself a kick-ass job instead.

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Am I the only one hoping for Dok-jae and Seol to get together? Her drunken antics are super adorable.

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Thanks for your recap and comments, @abirdword!

Mom really knows how to moonwalk. I loved how Kim Mi-kyung boogied with her daughter in OH HAE-YOUNG AGAIN, too.

Ban-do's ministrations for Jin-joo's cramps were so sweet. ;-)

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I hope i can see some romance scene for bando and jinjoo..we know that they are still loving each other but need some room to express the feeling. Go bando...!

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I keep thinking about what will happen next. It doesn't seem like they would actually explain things to Mom but I think she might believe them and be able to help them if they did.

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I haven't had time to comment on this episode even though it's one of my favorites so far, but wanted to at least add something before moving on to ep 11! I loved the morning scene of Jin-joo and Ban-do. It was just so peaceful and felt like a true turning point for them, though I'm hoping this heartwrenching end scene will be even more of one. I appreciated how Ban-do was just satisfied she saw the fireflies and didn't devolve into petty jealousy (lol, alllll that's saved for Nam-gil!).

Thanks for the wonderful recap @abirdword. I was one of the few that knew this gem might only be 12 episodes, but I'm still no where near ready for it to end!

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