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Thirty But Seventeen: Episodes 19-20

All the progress made in the last few weeks seems to get undone in this hour. In Woo-jin’s case, it’s because trauma that goes ignored and buried can’t help but resurface until it’s confronted. For Chan, it’s because denial is preferable to coping with feelings of jealousy. And with Seo-ri, it’s because getting what we want doesn’t always fix everything in our lives. For each of them, the only way is forward, but not all of our trio may be prepared to take those next steps.

 
EPISODE 19: “Schumann’s Träumerei”

In voiceover, Woo-jin considers how he’s grown to enjoy living in this house with his found family. As we return to Woo-jin and Seo-ri in the darkened kitchen, both recall the hints supplied to them, by their friends and their own interactions, that they might just like each other.

They look into each other’s eyes and then… they’re interrupted by a gurgling stomach. Seo-ri just ate, so Woo-jin must admit that he’s the culprit. Seo-ri breaks away to find him food, but he wants to show her the coupon they won first.

The coupon is a perfect solution to his hunger, so he and Seo-ri agree to go get ready and head out for their free ddeokbokki.

Chan has settled down for his own meal with his team after training and all that running. His friends wonder if he feels okay, since he’s sweating profusely and not really focused. He starts seeing double Deok-soo right before he collapses on the floor.

Just as Woo-jin and Seo-ri are about to leave, he receives a call from the boys about Chan’s collapse. Woo-jin rushes to the hospital and leaves Seo-ri at home, forgetting that she doesn’t have a phone to get any updates from him.

At the hospital, it turns out Chan’s just got a severe case of indigestion. Coach comes in to herd Deok-soo and Hae-beom away, and also to let Woo-jin know how Chan’s been overworking himself in training, which likely also contributed to his condition.

While the rest of the family deals with this emergency, Jennifer meets with the mysterious woman from her past at a temple, who brings along an older man in a wheelchair. He’s glad that Jennifer has come, and the pair stands outside while Jennifer stands before a grave marker in the temple and cries.

Chan wakes up in the morning to the sound of radishes being grated. Woo-jin has prepared a radish drink for his indigestion, one that he used to prepare for his nephew when they were both younger. When Chan hears Woo-jin’s still empty stomach grumble, he tells his uncle to worry about his own gut.

Chan registers that Woo-jin’s presence here at the hospital means that Seo-ri spent the night at the house alone, and the now concerned Chan shoves his uncle towards the exit to send him home.

Seo-ri has spent the night on the couch, waiting for news. She jumps when she hears the door, but it’s Jennifer, not Woo-jin. Jennifer does have a phone though, so Seo-ri finally calls Woo-jin.

Woo-jin receives the call and passes the phone to Chan, interrupting his jumping jacks demonstration. Chan brightens to hear Seo-ri, safe from the island and her evening alone.

As Woo-jin leaves, he reminds his nephew not to work too hard. Chan notes the house slippers still on Woo-jin’s feet, and sighs.

Jennifer is glad that Seo-ri made it back home and has heard from Chan. Seo-ri asks about Jennifer’s own days off, and Jennifer hesitantly tells her she had to see someone. Jennifer quickly changes the subject and tells Seo-ri that the violin shop called to let her know that her violin is fixed.

Seo-ri abandons her dough to go pay for her violin. She dumps her savings out on the repairman’s desk and offers to pay the rest at a later date. But our gruff, kindly violin repairman doesn’t want any additional money. He tells her to leave what she has and take her violin, after she cleans off her hands, still caked in dough from her rush out the door.

He also tells her to never come back. Seo-ri catches the kindness hidden in his comment, and promises that she’ll never let the violin deteriorate again.

Outside the shop, she runs into Conductor Shim, who wants to talk with her.

Chan finds his friends eating bread on a bench as he’s released from the hospital. Woo-jin found time to buy them the bread while he picked up the radishes, though still managed to not feed himself.

Chan receives a call from Woo-jin to check in, and the boys rush at Chan screaming thanks at the phone. Woo-jin reminds Chan to call Jennifer to reassure her that he’s okay and to ask about her recent days off.

Woo-jin says it’s the least they can do as family, and this concept makes Chan reconsider the last few days. He thinks back to a recent “family” chicken dinner with everyone there, Woo-jin’s nonchalant response to the polaroid in his backpack when Chan asked about it, and the moments he caught Woo-jin and Seo-ri looking at each other.

Chan explains all the clues away as normal “family” behavior and scolds himself for overreacting. His friends watch on as Chan waves his hands at himself, until Chan steals their bread in retaliation.

Seo-ri has retreated to the office roof with her violin. She’s absorbed in her thoughts, as she recalls her earlier encounter with Conductor Shim.

The conductor tracked her down with an offer, for Seo-ri to play a piece in the music festival with him. The director of the festival made the offer when he heard about Seo-ri’s story. But instead of being excited for the chance to play in public, Seo-ri looks dejected.

Woo-jin finds her on the roof, but Seo-ri’s response to his greeting is lackluster. Woo-jin spots the violin, but when Seo-ri’s response is underwhelming, he assumes that she was unable to get it fixed. When she tells him it’s fixed, he can’t understand why she looks so upset.

Hyun joins the pair to ask for help cutting a shirt, and he mistakes each of Seo-ri’s mutterings as responses to his questions. “What if I ruin it? What if I’m not qualified to do it?” Woo-jin understands what she’s talking about though.

Seo-ri is a distracted mess at work, nearly sitting on the floor before Woo-jin swivels her chair under her. Woo-jin stands by and watches, not sure what to do to help.

Jennifer is also preoccupied with her own concerns. Deok-gu races to get her attention when the pot she left on the stove boils over. As she tries to shut it off, Jennifer burns her fingers on the lid. Deok-gu looks on with his expressive little eyes in concern, not unlike Woo-jin as he watches Seo-ri.

Hyun finally decides to just send Seo-ri home. Woo-jin is worried about her making it home though, when Seo-ri can’t even seem to find the door.

He chases after her and offers her a ride, but Seo-ri wants to walk to take some time to think. Woo-jin pretends that a child’s toy in the trash is something he needs to take home to turn into “art,” and he needs Seo-ri to protect it in the car while he drives home.

When they get home, Seo-ri almost loses the toy as it starts to roll down the hill, and worries about his important art project. Woo-jin groans, “How can this be art? I was worried you’d get hurt.” He asks Seo-ri if this is about the violin.

She’s surprised that he knew, but he says that obviously, when someone who gets excited about something as little as ddeokbokki isn’t excited about her fixed violin, something’s wrong. He says it’s frustrating for him to stand by and be of no help to her, because he knows that he can’t help with anything concerning the violin, so all he can do is worry.

At Woo-jin’s words, Seo-ri snaps out of it. She seems excited to head inside and do what she needs to do rather than just worrying. Woo-jin’s not so sure how he helped, but he accepts Seo-ri’s thanks.

Violin in hand, Seo-ri begins to practice. She remembers playing with Conductor Shim as a child, confident, and that image transforms to her as an adult. But now, instead of playing, she saws at the violin with her bow. Conductor Shim’s face melts into disgust, and a string snaps.

Thankfully, Seo-ri wakes from this stress dream. Her violin is still intact, but the dream and all of her recent struggles are enough for her to push the violin away.

Elsewhere in the house, Jennifer receives an encouraging text from the mystery woman of her past, who encourages her to move on with her life. Jennifer opens up her music box and sets the ballerina up. Just as a single tear rolls down her cheek, Seo-ri stops by to ask to use her phone.

Seo-ri notices Jennifer’s demeanor and asks if something is wrong. Jennifer reassumes her stoic countenance and says that she’s always okay.

At a café, Conductor Shim shares the news about Seo-ri playing in the festival with Tae-rin. Tae-rin rushes to the bathroom in a panic to try to collect herself. She recalls a moment from the past, one where she considered smashing Seo-ri’s violin in a jealous rage. She swings the violin high in the air, but then drops her arm limply to her side instead.

In the present, Tae-rin exits the bathroom, just in time to overhear the conductor’s phone call with Seo-ri, who has declined the invitation to perform. Tae-rin takes this as her moment to appear gracious, so she returns to the table to say that of course they should try to help their good friend. She pretends to be disappointed as the conductor shares that Seo-ri has declined to participate.

Seo-ri, meanwhile, turns her focus to her work planning the festival instead of participating in it. She pulls out the plans for the classical portion and begins adding handwritten notes.

Woo-jin returns home and wants to check in on Seo-ri, but he worries that it’s too late at night and doesn’t knock on her door. Instead, he heads up to his room, where he finds a sticky note from Seo-ri thanking him for worrying about her. He wonders if she’s really okay now. At the bottom, the note says to turn over to the other side. Woo-jin does, and finds a final note: “I really am okay now.” He smiles.

Seo-ri hears scratching at her door and lets Deok-gu in. He’s here on delivery, as Seo-ri finds a sticky note from Woo-jin on the edge of the door frame. His says that he’s glad that she’s feeling better, and then there’s a cut off word. At the bottom, his note says to turn it over, and it says, “This time I really did mean to say fighting!” Seo-ri smiles at the excellent callback to the last sticky note he left on the bookshelf.

At the office the next day, Hee-soo is impressed with Seo-ri’s extensive (and attractively arranged) notes for the classical stage. Woo-jin needs to head to the factory to check in on the stage production, and when Hyun says he can’t come along, Seo-ri volunteers in his place.

At the factory, the workers there are impressed with Seo-ri’s ideas and even recall her idea with the rosin from the stage fiasco previously. The man asks her if she’s married, and when she says no, he excitedly says, “My son isn’t either!” Woo-jin’s face freezes as the man’s words echo in his head.

 
EPISODE 20: “Performing at the festival”

The factory worker sits Seo-ri down to brag about his tall doctor son who even has an apartment in Gangnam. Woo-jin throws his shoulders back and butt out in an effort to seem taller as he listens in.

When the man goes to show Seo-ri a photo on his phone, Woo-jin interrupts by calling him, even as he stands just a few feet away. Woo-jin splutters out all sorts of interruptions to prevent him from sharing the photo, until Seo-ri gets a chance to admit she’s not ready yet to be dating anyway.

The factory worker finds Woo-jin later, and chuckles that Woo-jin’s feelings are really transparent sometimes, ha.

As Seo-ri crosses the factory floor, a “stone” wall tips over towards her. Woo-jin runs, throwing paint on his shoes and pants as he dives for her. The factory workers grab it before it falls on her, and point out that it’s just a styrofoam wall, not real stone. All the same, Seo-ri has instinctively crouched in an effort to protect her hands from injury.

Outside, Woo-jin brings Seo-ri water and says that she should take care of her scraped up knees. Seo-ri responds that she only cares about her hands. Then she admits that she wants to try, and Woo-jin knows immediately that she means to perform in the festival. He admits that the director contacted Hee-soo and Woo-jin already about it, but they didn’t want to mention it since Seo-ri hadn’t brought it up.

Protecting her hands proved to her that she isn’t ready to give up, but Seo-ri is still hesitant about balancing her work at the design company and practice. Woo-jin reminds her of her own words, that you never know until you try, so you should give everything a chance. With his encouragement, Seo-ri commits to working hard towards her goal, and he nods that she’ll be able to end her intermission soon.

Seo-ri fusses over Woo-jin’s ruined jeans and shoes, and he tells her she should be more worried about her injured knees. “Don’t ever get hurt in any way,” he tells her. Seo-ri notes his earnest feelings, and then laughs at him as he struggles to open his still locked car door.

Back at the office, Hee-soo is excited for Seo-ri’s opportunity and promises to hold the classical program planning meetings when Seo-ri isn’t busy at practice, and makes Seo-ri promise in return that she’ll really stand out on the stage.

As Chan returns home from training, he’s scouted by the coach of the top national rowing team. While his friends want to congratulate him on the scouting over food, Chan is more focused on getting back to training so that he can get first place.

Chan leaves the boys at their table, where they consider working hard as well to earn a team medal. They worry that they’ve wasted away their time together, but Chan returns to the table to collect his forgotten phone and reminds them that there’s still time to work hard together. They stand and shout, “Medal! Medal!” until they realize they’re a little loud for a restaurant.

Chan can hear a violin from the street outside his house, and finds Seo-ri out in the yard practicing. When she sees him, she rushes over, but it takes a moment to catch his attention, as he remains in thrall of her playing.

The two sit down and trade stories, catching up on all the things that have happened to them over these last couple of days. They smile and laugh, Chan brags a bit about the scouting, they show off their blisters of hard work, and both agree to remain dedicated to their goals.

Jennifer has made an epic seafood spread for Chan, but he’s already dashed upstairs to exercise. Woo-jin stops in to tell him not to work too hard, and even tries to muster a “Don’t think, feel!” But it’s really awkward and both he and Chan shudder.

On her way to orchestra practice the next day, Seo-ri envisions the notes of the song she’s practicing in the sky and begins to dance down the street to it, just as she did when she was younger. Woo-jin spots her just as a rogue bouncing ball hits her in the head.

Woo-jin rushes up to her, but Seo-ri is still smiling, since her hard head is at least useful in protecting her from injury. When he asks why she’s so distracted, Seo-ri explains the way she pictures the music. She trails off as she considers how weird it must sound and then darts off for practice, leaving Woo-jin smiling at her back.

In his memories, images of young Seo-ri distractedly dancing through the streets start to emerge, but Woo-jin doesn’t let them surface as he heads to the office.

In a meeting, Tae-rin tries to argue against including Seo-ri in the festival. She backs down quickly though when she sees how eager the director is to include Seo-ri.

In mismatched shoes, Seo-ri arrives at the noisy orchestra practice. Conductor Shim introduces her at the front of class, while Tae-rin watches on nervously.

Time passes. Seo-ri works hard staying on top of work at the design studio and also with the orchestra. Woo-jin and the team plan the stage and lighting for the festival. And Chan keeps on rowing with his team.

The mother of the boy Chan saved, who also happens to be Seo-ri’s aunt, gives Chan a call. Chan is washing his face, so he asks Seo-ri to answer his phone, though they don’t recognize each other. He washes off the soap as quickly as possible to speak with the woman, who thanks him.

Chan acts cool while on the phone, but once he hangs up he’s eager to not-so-subtly brag about the woman calling him a savior to Seo-ri. Alas, Seo-ri is already on her way to her room.

After hanging up, the woman asks her son when he wants to go thank Chan in person for saving him. But her son’s already fast asleep in the backseat.

At work, Hee-soo, Woo-jin, and Hyun are struggling with the design of the classical stage. Hee-soo asks if Woo-jin read over the notes, and turns a sharp eye on Hyun when she suspects that he never copied them. Hyun nudges Woo-jin’s foot in desperation, and Woo-jin covers for him.

When Woo-jin asks about the notes, Hyun can’t even remember what notes it was that he was asked to copy.

The next day, Woo-jin and Hee-soo meet with the director and Tae-rin to discuss the stages. Hee-soo almost hands over a mock-up of the design, but Woo-jin stops her. He knows it isn’t right yet, and he asks for more time.

The director says that classical stages are all the same and there’s no need to try to do anything original, but Tae-rin wants to wait and see what they can do. The director agrees, but he says the stage won’t matter, that people are going to be fighting to get tickets regardless.

Even Tae-rin is surprised by his comments, but when asked, the director says that she doesn’t need to know what he means by it.

On his way out, Woo-jin gets a text reminder of his appointment with his psychologist. His thoughts are interrupted however, when Conductor Shim finds him in the lobby. The conductor wants to thank him for reuniting him with Seo-ri.

Seo-ri is distractedly walking again, and Woo-jin shows up just in time to prevent her from falling over a construction sign. In parallel, we see Seo-ri’s memories of when her friend Soo-mi would yank her out of similar situations.

Woo-jin is surprised to hear her mention a friend, and he asks if she’s lost contact with everyone from her past. She nods, and Woo-jin recalls his talk with Conductor Shim earlier. The conductor was sad for Seo-ri, and thinks about how different her life would have been if she hadn’t been in the accident.

Seo-ri shows off a bruise she got from practice, and Woo-jin stares at her. When she asks why, he responds, “Because you’re pretty.” As she blushes, Woo-jin drags a stunned Seo-ri through their gate.

Woo-jin and Hee-soo are still struggling with their stage design. While Hee-soo steps away for a break, Woo-jin discovers the notes Seo-ri left. He also recalls how Seo-ri said that she “saw” her music as she walked.

Suddenly, he has the inspiration that he needs, and she bolts to find Seo-ri. Hyun says that she left for mail duty, and Woo-jin runs after her.

At the hospital, the man in the hat returns to Seo-ri’s room, now occupied by an elderly man. The nurse spots the man there, and recognizes him as the man looking for Seo-ri earlier. At the mention of Seo-ri’s name, the man turns to face the nurse.

At the office, Hyun knocks over Seo-ri’s notebook, and when he picks it up, he spots the orchestra photo from Conductor Shim. He wonders which of the students might be Seo-ri when she was younger.

Woo-jin finally finds Seo-ri blithely walking down the street. She doesn’t notice the woman ahead of her watering her plants, and it looks likely that she’ll get sprayed right in the face.

Woo-jin, on the opposite side of the street, shouts to warn Seo-ri. As he does, he recalls a similar moment, calling to help young Seo-ri, though he’d called her Soo-mi then. Woo-jin drops as a panic attack consumes him.

Seo-ri heard his last yell though, and runs across the street when she sees him panic. Images of the past rush at Woo-jin, and he recalls his psychologist encouraging him to disassociate Seo-ri with the girl from his past.

He looks up, and whispers “Woo Seo-ri” as he looks up at her. He dives into Seo-ri’s shoulder for support, tears tracing down his cheeks.

 
COMMENTS

Ack! I desperately wanted him to call her Soo-mi by mistake! There’s just so much everyone avoids talking about in this show, things that would resolve all conflicts so quickly. But alas, that’s the whole point of the show, right? Easily resolved misunderstandings aren’t what we’re here for.

Even so, the more that Seo-ri reveals, and the more she acts like her old self, the more Woo-jin struggles with keeping Seo-ri and the girl from his past separated in his mind. While Woo-jin has lightened up, he still hasn’t dealt with his trauma. Hopefully he keeps that appointment with his psychologist and they are able to talk through a few things.

So much is going on for everyone in the house, but I couldn’t help but notice that things seem to be brewing around Jennifer, maybe particularly because Jennifer managed to dodge talking about herself so much in this episode. Jennifer has been this group’s rock, but all the things keeping them busy are also keeping them from noticing that their foundation needs some support from them too. I doubt that Jennifer will be the first to ask for help, so it will be up to them to notice something is awry.

The women in the show have been so strong. While Jennifer is their zen strength, Seo-ri has been their perseverance, always able to cope and keep a smile as things get bad. So it’s nice to see Woo-jin step in to take care of Seo-ri when those moments of self-doubt knock at her. And I like that it isn’t about finding a solution for her. It’s about supporting her. Little things, like grabbing a chair before Seo-ri deposits herself on the floor, are ways to help without taking control of others’ problems, and taking away their agency as well.

Chan maybe still doesn’t get this yet. Chan still thinks of Seo-ri as someone who needs his protection, and in this way he may have been correct in thinking of her like his baby chick. I wonder more and more if he’s actually feeling romantic love, or if this attraction is more like a response to the changing relationships in Chan’s life. Chan’s used to taking care of his uncle, and when his uncle starts to take control of his own life again, Chan finds replacements in Chick Jr. and Seo-ri. That he can’t even imagine Seo-ri staying at home by herself for one night is so telling of what he thinks of her. Chan doesn’t want to have a real relationship with Seo-ri. He just wants to take care of her.

Love (sticky) notes made me squeal, but the shining moment of this episode was Seo-ri and Chan’s reunion. Little Chan’s been left all alone with his feelings and no reassurance from Seo-ri for a while. It’s nice to see them reunite and realize how much has happened in the couple days they’ve been apart. They reflect back at each other the same giddiness and feelings of accomplishment. They’re so similar, down to their shout of “Don’t think, feel!” in unison. Now if only Chan can figure out his feelings without any big confrontation.

 
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Seo-Ri and Chan's reunion in the garden was LOVE. Definitely my favourite scene.

Other random thoughts - Seo-ri and Woo-jin are always on the wrong side of the road. Discuss.

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😂

But seriously, I wish they'd stop doing that. I keep anticipating another vehicle of doom every time that happens. At least sometimes they have a bridge so they don't have to run out in traffic.

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Yeah I think it is about his TRAUMA but they did it three times this episode.

Ah, I love this show and I enjoy every minute of it but I really feel like it's stalled. I honestly could have done with them bringing up his trauma before they had yet another series of missed meetings and romantic interruptions.

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ToD has ruined us all. It is said that kdrama watchers are the most cautious when crossing the road.

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Are we? I know I have dramas to blame for getting my phone stolen ~ I had it held out in front of me watching “A Love So Beautiful” just right for a thief to easily grab it.

We need drama insurance plans.

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Indeed. We need coverage because every time we cough we have to go to the hospital. Amnesia is very common so we must beware of high insurance prices.

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And yet @justme in the most-recent episode of Time, the male lead grabs his head and drops to the floor, writhing around in agony. Instead of calling an ambulance the female lead runs to the store for a panadol.

I haven't checked my insurance coverage so I'm not sure if I'm covered for the inevitable long-term coma.

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Seriously, your phone was stolen while watching ALSB???

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omg, reading Ally's comment made me realize you meant it! (Coco, dear friend, im sorry it happened ! ) <3

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@ally-le @justme

Yeah, back in February I was watching ALSB on the train and at a stop a teenager ripped the phone from my hands and headphones and ran off. It truly was a scene from a kdrama, as it was a Friday night in a busy snowy city and i chased them across the platform in my kitten heels and nice dress. Another woman also had her phone stolen, and I comforted her sobs as we sat watching the snow fall, waiting for the next train.

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That IS a scene from a kdrama, especially the snow-falling-while-comforting- a-stranger part.

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@ally-le it was a scene from the heart warming drama of my life.

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But the scenes where they run to each other are so good! They're smart they use the bridge !

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I feel like the opposite side of road thing is so that the Bridge of Significance can sometimes come into play and make the audience feel sentimental. Also, it's nice to always see them so excited to see each other.

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You're right and I should know that by now, but every SINGLE time I think omg this is the time one of them is going to dart out into traffic and get smushed 🚛

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I agree with you. That bridge is significant because they connect thanks to it. Also many scenes involves the bridge like Woo-Jin watching Seo-ri while they were young and she did the bunny thing at the moon.

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Ooooohhhh, another non-human character enters the lexicon! Welcome Bridge of Significance!

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HAHAHAHA CHINGU! I WAS THINKING THAT TOO. btw I got off the fence two weeks ago. But I think I might just get back up there. Nothing much happened in this episode. If we keep getting 1 episode a week, this might make me lose this show.

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I saved up two episodes so I could watch them back to back. Because if I'd been drip-fed this over two weeks I'd be really annoyed. In a way, a lot happened because she's back playing music, she's kicking goals at her job and the house will not be sold. But at the same time, almost nothing happened.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - this show should not have moved forward with the romance plotline so soon. His trauma (the road) is still between them and I feel like we should have dealt with that earlier than this. So much of this show seems to be Woo-jin and Seo-ri running around Seoul with each other or after each other or in search of each other. I'm finding it a little tiresome. I'm not back up on the fence (yet). But I'm hoping next week's episodes focus things a bit more.

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Yes! (You put it so eloquently).

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Same. I am ready for stuff to move forward too. Also, I feel like the doctor completely disappeared which is a waste of potential drama in my opinion.

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Something tells me they had to move the romance plot forward so they can support each other when she finds her aunt and uncle (who I think is the one who paid her hospital bill) and the ensuing fallout.
Oh and about that missing doctor - surely he will show up again, right?

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They might have written him off the show? Or maybe hes the son of that ahjussi!

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Which... people can support each other without being romantically interested. I think the real reason is they wanted him to fall in love with who she really is rather than his fantasy memory of her. In that respect, I can get behind the decision. I think it's just the running around and interrupted confessions and missed connections that are annoying me. There's so many of them.

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I don't agree. I love how the trauma was unexpectedly brought up. The last scene was awesome, poignant and meaningful.
To me this episode was the best since the beginning. We saw the caring and supportive sides of Woojin, probably thruthful to his real personality. He has come to this point, which is a lot, but he cannot escape his pain so easily, he is not healed yet. So amongst the steps forward, there will be at least a few steps back. And it's not by chance that his trauma is bothering him just when he is opening up to people and falling in love. They didn't start the romance too soon, everything is consistent and well-thought in my opinion.
However something positive happened too: although he was in pain, he called Seori by her name, for the first time.
As for Seori, you summed up it well. But we also witnessed a reminiscence of her own trauma for the first time, when she was scared of the fake wall falling. So I guess she will go through harsh times soon.
The actors said from the start that the show was about two people healing each other, that this would take the whole story to happen. Hence I've always expected it to take time, and I think this drama takes things seriously despite its general light tone.

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The catching up of past few days was surely the most favorite scene.❤️
Thank god! they cross the bridge usually to meet up or else I'll be so anxious for the Truck of doom.🤣

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This drama does a wonderful job of shaping the characters and the way they interact with each other to feel very real. Seo-ri's maturation as both an adult and a teenager is very natural, even if her moods are extreme sometimes. She's solving problems for herself, and she's not losing her perseverance. In a way, Seo-ri is combining all the best aspects of being youthful but also a mature adult, and using that to be independent. And although Woo-jin isn't the adult he physically is, he's still confronting his feelings for Seo-ri with a lot of respect for himself and for her. His childish crush hijinks are still too adorable though! Woo-jin obviously showing how much he likes Seo-ri at the factory was so cute!! I just hope his trauma and misunderstandings don't ruin his relationship with her.

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Your last line is what I'm concerned about what after learning the truth he starts blaming himself for her lost 13 years (but thank goodness she has not dead)
I love how both of them are living their last 13 years of life and maturing together.

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That is exactly what I wanted to say. I honestly see the wonderful and reused "noble idiocy" coming. He will say: because of me, she lost all these years in coma. I don't deserve her, bla bla bla and with his personality, he won't even explain, but hurt her so that she goes away.
I am soooooo NOT looking forward to it 😒😒😒😒

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Now I'm wishing that he'll just find out once Seo Ri is already established so the burden will be lesser and he'll not go on the noble idiot path! Hahahaha. Maybe, it'll be on episode 19? HAHAHAHA. What a torture!

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I like how it's not just her personal growth as an adult, but as an adult within society. She is very good at her job and is an asset at her workplace.

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An excellent recap - thank you!

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My favorite moment was when Woo-Jin uses the word ‘family’ while talking to Chan. Him asking Chan to call Jennifer.
It’s really nice how he has now included Jennifer, SeoRi, Chan’s Friends as part of his family/inner circle.

Btw, whatever happened to our doctor friend ????

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If doctor friend came into the picture, a lot of misunderstandings would be cleared up, and everything would be neatly solved. But this drama doesn't tend to like to do that, so we should just enjoy the complicated ride with maybe too many twists and turns for now. I honestly don't think doctor friend will play a very significant role anymore, at this point. He really should have tried harder to look for Seo-ri! She's still living there!

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It's been over a month. He must be so worried! I wish someone can let him know Seo-ri is okay.

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Man, that poor actor's fans must be really frustrated!

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I feel like I'm just waiting for his cameo! Poor Hyun Tae! :(

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The way he included her also shows how much he has come out of the shell from staying alone to staying with all the people now.
Kim Hyun-Tae the doctor friend doesn't have one scene also since past few episodes even the cute Fang has more scenes.

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Things I loved in this episode:
* Chan's awestruck expression as he heard then saw SeoRi playing that violin. Poor puppy is deeper inlove. 😍
* SeoRi returning back to her old self as she prepare for the festival. All the clues are there for WJ to figure out.😄
* WJ considering Jennifer as part of their family so he reminded Chan to give her a call.💕
* SR Aunt getting closer to meeting SR. I bet it will happen in the festival as SR is on stage playing the violin beautifully.
* WJ eavedropping as that foreman was extolling virtues of his own son hoping that SR would agree to a blind date. And WJ making all attempts to disrupt that blind date from happening.😂
* The best thing is foreman figuring it out and teasing him after.😅
* WJ so worried about SR that he made up a whopper about that bogus art piece just so he can drive her home.😂
* SR choosing to perform at the festival despite her initial apprehensions. Go SeoRi!😀
* Finally that last scene when Woo Jin struggled with his past and piecing together all the similarities/ clues. ***hugs***

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* Chan's awestruck expression as he heard then saw SeoRi playing that violin. Poor puppy is deeper in love. 😍

Let this be a real life lesson to anyone fostering a talent or discouraged while practicing an instrument. You may just make someone fall in love with you if you keep practicing! 😜 I’m serious. My husband wouldn’t have taken a second look at me if I didn’t play an instrument better than he did.

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Hi @ally-le Ally. I decided to give 30B17 a try after reading your comments to the episodes 1-2 recap and I am glad I did.
Question o/t then again maybe not. You have a musical background.
What do you think are the chances that a musician in Seo-ri's situation could perform at orchestra level? At the upcoming festival for example. At the time of her accident she was a very talented high school musician. (Perhaps she was considered a child prodigy.) Then comes the lost 13 years of education, training and performance. The head of the festival and conductor are willing for her to perform but I guess I am asking if SR could really perform at a professional level.

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I’ve had to suspend my disbelief at this point, not as a musician, but as a physician. I’m not a neurologist, but I’m fairly certain that she would have had some neurological deficits after waking up from a 13-year coma that would have made it improbable, if not impossible for her to play at the level she was at. Just like it took her months (probably years) to learn how to walk again, it would take her months to years to learn how to play again.

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good lord your comments are starting to get annoying

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She's a side character that's very essential to SeoRi's past - and I think her screentime's just enough. And to be quite honest, it's not like the actress playing her is captivating. Take the actor playing Hyun Tae. with the little time he's shown on screen, he still managed to leave an impact, and he's always at the back of my mind. Kim Tae Ri? not so much. She's just a juxtaposition of how good SeoRi was as a violinist - that her career could've been SeoRi's.

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I guess I didn't explain it well. She's only important in a way that it gives us viewers a window of SeoRi the violinist at 17. Actually take out KTR character and I dont think it will affect the plot at this point. Perhaps the writer has something bigger planned for KTR - that's something only time could tell. But for me, KTR is only an ingredient to the story that adds a bit of flavour - take it out, nothing much is impacted. Also, the actress is very monotonous in delivering her lines. It could also be she's not given much to work with. I've seen her only once in a sitcom from way back - and I don't see any improvement. I'm only judging her from what I'm seeing her in this show. But so far, she's not very impressive [yet].

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I agree with you. Her character is beyond pointless. She adds nothing to the show. She is also a bit of a glaring anomaly in the show. She is the only one who seems mean-spirited and jealous in a way only the guy trying to get Seo Ri drunk was. I don't understand her point. I share your frustration, every time she comes on screen I get annoyed.

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It's weird how the drama seems to care about her point of view, but has no idea what to do with her. I've already accepted that she is just a side character, like Seo-ri's aunt. I hope Seo-ri's music will heal her jealous wounds at the festival and they can be friends.

I'm still baffled at her jealousy since it seemed like the older girls in the flashback, who should probably feel more envious about such a young talent, were actually admiring Seo-ri.

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The reason for her jealousy is because her mother kept comparing her to violin prodigy Seo Ri. Rin Kim will never be good enough for her mother and her criticism has affected who she is as an adult.

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The title of the episode and the piano background music at the beginning is Schumann's "Träumerei" (Opus 15, No. 7). The title translates as "Dreaming" or "Reverie" and is part of a collection called "Scenes from Childhood" that are deceptively simple sounding and imo extremely difficult to play well.
Here's my favorite version, generally played by Vladimir Horowitz as his final encore.
https://youtu.be/qq7ncjhSqtk
It takes a genius player to not glop this up ☺️

I wonder why it was chosen as the title for the episode?

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Thanks! This show (as well as a radio program I listen to) has me on a classical music kick lately ~ my knowledge is quite lacking though, so I appreciate any recommendations/explanations!

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Oh, super! Do you find you like anything in particular so far, like orchestral performances, or piano solos, small string groups, solo instruments with orchestra, choirs, opera? Or certain composers or periods?

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Give me anything by Chopin... I love his music.
oh, and Eric Satie.

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So, usually I’m a big jazz fan, give me saxophones, trumpets and big bands any day. But recently I’ve been pulled in by the strings ~ violins (I used to not understand their popularity), string quartets, etc. Solo instruments with orchestras are really cool too, and I’m finding stuff by searching for names I know I’ve liked. Like Lindzt, Stravinsky, Bernstein. Any recommendations for specific songs or groups or composers or anything is much appreciated!

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Okay! @pakalanapikake and @ally-le and other musical Beanies, what do you recommend for @hotcocoagirl?

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So, to start, there’s a plethora of violin music on YT and the easiest way to get started is finding chamber groups and violinists. The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields has been putting out amazing chamber music for decades and Vivaldi is probably one of the most popular violin composers, so together, the Four Seasons is what I thought of first for you.
https://youtu.be/T-UUGCGlyYU

For violinists, the most recognized of these would be Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Hillary Hahn, and Ray Chen. So for a lot more meat, here’s Ray Chen playing the Sibalius Violin Concerto: https://youtu.be/BmDVH2rWinM
Freakin’ amazing. I couldn’t play this in a million years if I practiced 24 hours a day.
And the Bruch Violin Concerto which I did attempt to play at one point, very poorly! The Finale is the most famous movement here. Hillary Hahn does it well:
https://youtu.be/KDJ6Wbzgy3E

Then, because Korea has some of the most amazing musicians in the world, and because Superjunior’s Henry is an amazing violinist and pianist in his own right, and because he’s a showman, I have to recommend you find him. I’ve been watching him recently, after I started watching Kdramas and listening to kpop. Here’s a YT mix for you to get started:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjH00fwZMQA&list=RD2xbhnaGYo_M

That should keep you busy for a while, I think!

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I totally forgot composers! If you listen to St. Martin in the Fields, you’ll figure out the best and most popular violin/string composers are Bach, Vivaldi, and Corelli. For solo violin, Mendhelsohn, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms.

But for something off the beaten path, Ysaye wrote some violin sonatas dedicated to violin virtuosos, which are heart-tugging, difficult, and gorgeous. And here’s an up and coming Korean violinist Bomsori Kim playing one of them: https://youtu.be/6sx9COOISjU
She’s crazy good too, so look her up if you have time!

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😁 I knew those guys would pick out great stuff for you. My expertise mostly includes people singing, so I'll lay low for the time being. BUT since you mentioned Bernstein, maybe try some Aaron Copland, who is a natural step between Dvorák and him:
https://youtu.be/Nqt6xqDSKmo
"Fanfare for the Common Man", one of his most famous pieces, was included in Senator John McCain's funeral today.

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Thanks y’all! @ally-le and @bbstl and @pakalanapikake

I’m bookmarking this page so I can slowly make my way through all these suggestions!

(Ally, though I did know of Henry from Super Junior’s violin prowess and have listened to him play before, I will be looking him up again with all the others here! For some reason I never saw appeal in violins before (I play piano/guitar myself, so I guess I always skewed that way before)

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For me, the violin has never sounded sweeter than when this guy plays:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVrkc6zRzEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTc-KoBAKts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtDJuQ9oawU
Really, nothing compares....
(David Garrett)

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Shoot, I just found this South Korean prodigy—she’s phenomenal! https://youtu.be/kmV2hj-I7Xo

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@zzthorn September 1, 2018 at 1:11 PM

Many thanks for the pointers to David Garrett. I really enjoyed the "Carmen Fantasie." He's having a blast while playing. I love it. ;-)

@ally-le September 1, 2018 at 2:34 PM

Holy moly! SoHyun Ko blew my doors off. Her tone is so clean, crisp, and expressive. Stunning. Thanks for posting it. ;-)

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@pakalanapikake, Here is SoHyun Ko playing the 1st violin part of the Bach Double, all three movements, when she was 8 yrs old! https://youtu.be/rlmseKuTCuM

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@bbstl, @hotcocoagirl,

I've posted a bunch of pieces on my fan wall that you might enjoy, starting here:

http://www.dramabeans.com/members/pakalanapikake/activity/593115/

Earlier I posted Dvořák's symphony "From the New World" and Ferde Grofé's "Grand Canyon" suite, along with the pieces that Seo-ri wrote program notes for in this episode.

For classically-influenced progressive rock, check out Emerson, Lake & Palmer; Renaissance; the Moody Blues. For classical spoofery: Professor Peter Schickele and P.D.Q. Bach; Barbara Stewart & the Kaminsky International Kazoo Quartet aka Kazoophony (LP circa 1976). For classical music performed on Moog synthesizer, Walter/Wendy Carlos: Switched-on Bach.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched-On_Bach

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🤣 how I loved PDQ Bach!

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Hi @pakalanapikake. As a radio person you probably remember the radio show ADVENTURES IN GOOD MUSIC with Dr. Karl Haas and his famous deep-voiced introduction of Hellooooo Everyooone.
(He explained that he used that all purpose intro because his show was broadcast at different times.)

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@marcusnyc20 Bong-soo, September 2, 2018 at 10:01 AM

Alas, I never had the pleasure of hearing ADVENTURES IN GOOD MUSIC, that I know of. Dr. Haas sounds like an interesting host, according to the Wikipedia entry for the show. It must have been syndicated on at least one station in the NYC area.

When I was in Hawaii, I occasionally used to have to air a syndicated concert program recorded live at Lincoln Center in NYC and hosted by Milton Cross. That's as close as I got to hearing Dr. Haas. Thanks for mentioning him. ;-)

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@bbstl
Thanks for sharing!! It was a beautiful music. I need to hear more of it.^^

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This is another favorite from the same group, "Von Fremden Landern und Menschen", "Of Foreign (or Strange) Lands and People" played by Martha Argerich.

https://youtu.be/XMs7o19C-YM

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Lovely! Thanks, @bbstl!

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So far this drama has been very much about the characters rather than the plot, which suits me fine because I love character-based shows over ones that focus on the plot, but I feel like in the second half the plot will start moving a bit. The characters and their struggles have been well established by now, so I'm happy to see signs of it starting to reach the meaty parts of the show.

I really felt for Woojin in the last minutes, because it's clear his trauma is starting to bubble up unavoidably now, and as much as I worry what that means for our cute main pair, I'm ready to see him start working through it. I'm not sure if he'll find out Seori's identity in the next 2 episodes, but I think it'll build much faster in preparation for the big reveal.

Also, what does everyone think of the director's comments about everyone scrambling to get tickets? Personally I'm wondering if he's going to market it with Seori's journey (since the conductor clearly knows why she disappeared for such a long time -- maybe he said something to the director? idk) because I can't figure out what else could be the big draw. Maybe if he highlights her rivalry with Rin Kim but then again, it's not like anyone knows they're rivals?

idk I definitely feel like the festival is going to be where all the realisations happen. Maybe she'll meet her aunt there (since her aunt is coming to Seoul to thank Chan). Maybe Hyung-tae will be there too. They've made far too big a deal about this festival for it not to be a major point of action.

All I can say is that from here on out, things are going to get real. Seori finding out Soomi died in the accident, Woojin finding out that the Soomi he admired was actually Seori, who has been living in his house for months... Seori finding her aunt and uncle, finding out why they essentially abandoned her... Ah, I can't wait!

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I thought the same thing about the director. I think he’s going to market Seori’s story as a “comeback” of a violin prodigy or something like that.

I hope that even though I’m sure a lot of things are going to happen / be revealed before the festival, that it doesn’t have a negative impact on Seori’s performance. This is her chance to get back on the path that she had to take an “intermission” from & I want to see that happen for her!

I’m also worried about our favorite nephew & uncle duo. Chan deserves so much happiness but Seori isn’t the one for him & I don’t want to see him get hurt. If Woojin were to find out that Chan is in love with her + when he finds out that she was also his childhood crush that he thinks died...I don’t know how he’s going to handle all of that information. Knowing how much he cares about his nephew & Seori, I’m really worried.

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I'd hope that everything would happen either while she's performing (meaning, while she can't be affected by it) or afterwards (where it won't hurt her performance). But who knows... I actually really hope that it doesn't happen like this but it's just the feeling I'm getting from it right now :/

I think eventually, Chan will end up a bit hurt and upset, but ultimately he loves his uncle and cares for Seori too much to let it severely fracture their relationship. Woojin is definitely a worry though. He's been burying his trauma so deep for so long that finding out the truth can go either two ways at first: it could destroy him or set him free. I'm expecting a lot of angst over the coming weeks.

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My heart dropped when Conductor Shim lamented to Woo-jin about the accident having robbed Seo-ri of her bright future as a violinist. You just know that Woo-jin is gonna replay Shim saying "The time she lost cannot be compensated." a gazillion times in his head.

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Ugh yep. I'm surprised though that the conductor knows, yet there wasn't any kind of indication that he knows/how much he knows... I mean, I guess it makes sense, maybe Seori's aunt and uncle let him know since she couldn't come to practice anymore, but it's just odd that he seems to be the only one (aside from doctor Hyung-tae) who knows anything about her.

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Even I feel that the director will market her comeback after 13 years of Coma and that will leave me too angry but may be as you say the plot centers around that festival so everyone will meet there.

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It'd be a pretty dog move on his part but yeah I just feel like there's been too much emphasis on the festival for it to be irrelevant as a plot point tbh.

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“The director will market her comeback after 13 years of Coma”.... yup, that’s what I have been thinking. Why else will people be scrambling for tickets and Tae Rin did not know what he was talking about?

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"Maybe Hyung-tae will be there too."

If Hyung-tae happens to be the tall, good-looking doctor with an apartment in Gangnam who's the foreman's son, then he'd have a good reason to be at the festival.

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I thought so, too, but the subs said something about the son being a doctor of oriental medicine?.. My Korean isn't good enough to tell if it was a mistranslation.

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Ah, I didn't catch that-- thanks.

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Yup, unfortunately (for us), the man said 한의사 – doctor of Korean medicine. So it's not Hyung-tae.

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Bummer, that would have been such a fun way to finally get him back in the story.

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hyung tae is the doctor who wanted to move seo ri into a room at the hospital where he worked and tried looking for her at her old house

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I don't know about many viewers, but when Woojin started calling the Ahjussi-worker (who was scrolling through his phone to show SR his son's picture), I laughed out loud that I actually snorted. It's one of those unexpected actions of Woojin that is actually so-very-Woojin! and SeoRi's constant "AHH Cham-cham!" love that as well!

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Honestly, I snorted too. The wannabe father-in-law was so persistent and funny. I love setups like that.

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How many episodes does this drama actually have?

I read on many sites (asianwiki, mydramalist, koreandrama.org etc) state 32, but DramaFever and Dramabeans(on premiere week post) stated 32.

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The show is of 40 (20- 1 hour) episodes.

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Yang Se-Jong's acting is amazing. The last scene where Woo-Jin cried, he did it so well and realistically. I can't wait until this drama is back on regular schedule next week, these past few weeks was torture!!!
I know there's 20 episodes left, but I hope they speed things up a little bit. I just want Woo-Jin to know that Seo-Ri is his crush from when he was young but the process of finding out is beautiful. I'm just so happy to see them living their lives again after 13 years.
Where's Kim Hyun-Tae he's just totally lost not having even one scene in past few episodes. What the point of having her friend from middle school if he is not playing any important role that takes effect in her life even Fang have a bigger effect.
Finally now we are sure that Jennifer's husband/lover died during the collision accident. Her deceased’s husband memorial name was showed Kim Tae-jin.
I loved the catching up garden scene between Chan & Seo-Ri.😍
Woo-Jin's jealousy was too cute to handle.

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Thank you! I was pretty sure that the memorial was for Kim Tae-jin, especially with Jennifer's father-in-law being in a wheelchair, but I couldn't read the name on the tablet.

Kim Tae-jin had to have been Kim Tae-rin's oppa, right? It looks like Tae-rin has been through the ringer emotionally and physically-- she needs a healing arc, too.

And my heart really went out to Jennifer this episode. If Seo-ri had had more life experience, she might've been able to see through Jennifer's "I'm always okay" mask.

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@bebeswtz helped me to translate the name.^^
I never though about that possibility but in drama-land anything can be possible. She surely needs a healing arc.
I'm happy that Jennifer is mingling with the family coz she really needs that kind of good people around her.^^

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🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

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All I can say is, thank you, drama gods, for featuring dorky male leads! Woo-jin is gold, he is a precious mumbling puppy and I'd take him over obnoxious alpha type any day of the week!
On a side note, one episode per week was frustratingly too little. If they'd showed these episodes back to back, the pacing probably wouldn't have felt a bit off.
But still, I love this show and I'm happy I gave it a chance. I'm in love with all three leads and when I grow up I want to be as cool as Jennifer.

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One episode by week is hard ! There is to many elements I want to know ! Like even if they show the life of Jennifer, we can't understand what is happening... It's frustrating.

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I think from next week (coming) it'll be back to 2 episodes a week ^^

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Aww, Seo Ri has mentioned missing her friends from the past several times now. I love the current family but I also want Seo Ri to reconnect with the past (the good parts, not the tragic part). I love the show, but I feel like it's handling of people from Seo Ri's past is somewhat annoying - the almost meeting of her Dr friend several times - I don't think he's a major character, but somehow the obviously cheesy set up of them not meeting irked me somewhat, and Rin Kim isn't really compelling as a villian from the past either, either something BAD happened, or Rin Kim is just super sheltered to be that traumatised by some girl that overshadowed her when they were both 17 *rolls eyes*.

I love everything else though

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Thanks so much @abirdword.

I'm thinking that besides the pre-empting of the show, making this a 20 episode series may be the reason this very nice show, is somewhat lacking in impact and tension. Strangely, Chan has changed his mind that Mr Gong actually does like Seo Ri !!! ... (sigh) so this conflict is being kept back for later. Along the way we seem to have lost side characters that should have had more going for them such as Ri An and Hyung Tae. I'm guessing that with half the series more to go, the show is also keeping them on the back burner for later conflict. Anyway, I hope that they come back. Ri An will probably have to help take Chan's mind off his one-sided crush and Hyung Tae will probably be placed as the 3rd wheel between Woo Jin and Seo Ri to up the conflict again.

At the moment all we have for some 'new' conflict, is the impending visit of Seo Ri's aunt, and poor Tae Rin picking at her hands nervously as Seo Ri picks up her violin after a 13-year hiatus. Whether Tae Rin is given something else to do, is anyone's guess. The best parts continue to be the OTP's efforts to navigate a romance as adults, while they still feel like they are 17, and Chan's relationship with uncle and Seo Ri.

I find it quite troubling that Seo Ri whose thinking is mature in other areas, becomes a scattered dork when it comes to music. She skips along on roads with music in her eyes/mind so that she does not even see the dangers around her. It seemed safer when she wasn't being musical. I'd have thought that after that bout in the hospital, she'd try to avoid any accidents that might land her in it again. Still it's one of the ways that should remind Woo Jin that this is the same girl he crushed over, that is, if he's not doubled over in a panic attack.

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My hope for the next couple of weeks is that Tae-rin finds out why exactly Seo-ri didn't play violin for 13 frickin' years and it helps her regain focus, appreciate how lucky/privileged she'd been. And then they become friends and pull each other up instead of tearing down. That would be my ideal scenario. But so far the stars do not point that way...

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@captblackdog
Yup! That would be an awesome turn of events and so nice a twist away from the jealous 2nd lead trope. I also had this thought some episodes ago and I mentioned it on one of the recaps. Unfortunately, as @Aotearoa Ajeossi @stuartnz has pointed out from an insider perspective, it's not likely to happen. We need a last minute change in script to make our dream Tae Rin-Seo Ri partnership come true. 😉

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I want to see them become chingus, too. They're passionate about the same thing and had great synergy when they "met" on the phone (resulting in Seo-ri getting her job).

I'm hoping that Tae-rin's character will be a bit of a fake out, like how Miss Yellow Shoes was made to look like a stalker who confronted Jennifer, but turned out to be a nice sister-in-law reaching out to her.

Tae-rin looks like the classic jealous rival who sabotages the female lead, but I really don't think she's here just to be a villain. We've mostly seen her being fearful, not hateful. I thought it was significant that young Tae-rin stopped herself from smashing Seo-ri's violin, and that we were shown not only her mom's horrible text message telling her to observe Seo-ri to find out what she's lacking, but also shown all the bruises on her legs. I can't believe (or at least don't want to believe) that a show that is so full of kindness and compassion, that's all about growth and healing, would let Tae-rin stay traumatized by herself. I see her as being in the same boat as Seo-ri, Woo-jin and Jennifer-- another one of the walking wounded.

I thought Tae-rin must be related Tae-jin, Jennifer's late husband, and that that was going to be part of her healing arc, but we didn't see her at the memorial, so ???

BTW, speaking of compassion, I thought it was very dear of Chan to give up eating chicken because of Chick Jr.

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True, what you say about Gangnam Beauty's antagonistic character. I still dislike Soo Ah intensely, but at least she has got a meatier and more meaningful role than Wang Ji Won.

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This week's episode was a missed opportunity to resolve some of the major plot mysteries. Instead, the show is tenuously drags them out. The main characters are dragging through the present because they cannot resolve their past. For example, Jennifer's back story could have been wrapped up in a few minutes of conversation at the temple. Apparently, the male bus accident victim, Kim Tae-jin, was close to her (husband?). Jennifer is just now starting to find her personal closure and acceptance of the event and its ramifications. She needs to figure it out so she can help WJ and SR when their time comes to find closure of that incident.

I still cannot get out of my mind that there is still a connection between Kim Tae-jin and violinist Kim Tae-Rin. Since there is a theme of "the missing aunt," could Jennifer be Tae-Rin's aunt? TR's irrational, jealous anxieties caused by her mother need a cathartic release. Maybe a reunion with Jennifer's zen would work.

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This show has had some forward momentum, but instead of taking a mile it has taken a millimeter. Take the mile show, take the mile. That way the romance can feel like a romance instead of a teenage crush (which to be fair, may be the point). Solve some mysteries.

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I feel like I'm being uncharitable to call her childlike in this episode when she displayed quite a lot of drive and resilience and was pretty open and honest about her feelings. But there's still something very childlike about her - especially the dancing through the streets and the mismatched shoes.

I think they're going for "artistic" in a particular above-the-world kind of way and I remember that their female lead in High School King was also annoyingly weird and clumsy in a way that also seemed juvenile.

Which is to say, a few episodes back during the whole beach conversation I was well and truly on this ship. But now I'm back to feeling like she's too young and is simply too busy growing up to think of romance. I found myself a little bored with his smitten puppy thing too, even though I often enjoy that in a character.

Basically, I feel like this has been badly paced from the beginning.

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I don't want to get too introspective because mostly I think this is a delightful romp. But my problem from the beginning (other than the pacing) has been that every moment where the two leads are really connecting and we see them learning to turn to each other, they smear some kdrama over it and it just becomes an OTP moment instead.

But these two episodes were particularly bad for the pacing, the contrived OTP moments and the running around in lieu of plot.

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It's also one of the few episodes where I haven't spammed the wall with a whole heap of gifs because there was little that inspired me to do so.

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No I agree. I think they have kept her too childlike and him to grown up. I want them to meet in the middle. I think learning that her friend died will do that. I think learning about whatever happened with her uncle will do that as well. There are times she seems even younger than 17 and there are times she seems 55. I want the happy medium and hopefully in the next couple of episodes we will get that. I hate to say it, but I do believe this drama needs angst, ha.

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To me the highlight of this episode was definitely the last scene. Yang Sejong took me by surprise and litterally pierced my heart with his wonderful acting. The way he acted this scene was so intense, realistic and sincere that I was deeply shaken. I couldn't even talk for a few minutes after this ending scene. What an extraordinary actor.
I like the pace of the show and this kind of painful scene makes it obvious for me why the plot takes time to develop. One cannot heal quickly from the past, not just after a few changes, even for a good-natured person like Woojin.
It's true I don't care at all for the doctor friend nor for the jealous violonist rival. Woojin and Seori are enough for me, they move me a lot, especially Woojin.
This drama gets better every week and is becoming one of my favorite this year.

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everything being preempted is frustrating meeeeeeeeeeee but it is still so cute it rly gives me good feelings so at this point ill watch whatever lol

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The Bach Double Violin Concero makes another prominent appearance this episode and ties in well with the title of the episode and Schumann’s Scenes from Childhood, because it was Seo-ri’s flashback scenes with her slipping along and ‘seeing’ music in the sky as a child that echoed through this. The second violin part is the one that she is playing which is found in the Suzuki violin series book 4. Which I just happened to hear lastnight at my daughter’s violin recital, played by a 14-year-old and the violin instructor. The first violin part is found in book 5. There was a time that I probably listened to every rendition of this piece when I was relearning it to play as well, and this is the most fun one I found on YT: https://youtu.be/RNZKwKRUb7U

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What a blast, that was so fun! One of the comments is even "30 But 17 brought me here!" 😁

@ally-le,is there any realistic way that she'd be ready to perform this piece? That seems so goofy to me.

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Nope, there wouldn’t be any way, but this is fantasy, so I’m letting it slide. It took me a couple months to relearn this and memorize it when I played it a couple years ago, and I hadn’t played it in 14 years, so about the same time as her, but I wasn’t in a coma!

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Of course, she was in a special geeeenius coma!😂

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Though it is the only drama I am watching now, I still cant digest the fact that woo jin couldn't recognize Seo Ri !!!!! I mean come K-Drama leads can recognize their childhood love after 15-20 years later just by looking once. When I first started watching k dramas I used to find this sooo odd. And here he cant find any similarities?? She is a girl, she cant even grow a beard. Its like you cant recognize someone from their school album!!!

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I'm a high school teacher. Sometimes 5-10 or more years after a student graduates, he or she looks very different from when in high school. Sometimes they look just the same. Even the mannerisms change somewhat as a person matures from a teen to an adult. So really, even though it "seems" like a person should be able to recognize a crush from teen days, it doesn't always work that way. I'll have to agree though, that girls/women seem to be a little more recognizable after a decade than boys/men.

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But Woo Jin can recognize her, at least he keeps associating her with teenage Seo Ri which prompts his triggers, but his doctor told him to think of them as different people.

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I hope Ahn Hyo-seop refers to Yang Se Jong as Mr.Gong or Samchun for the rest of his life. I love the uncle+nephew pairing. The way Woo-jin rushed to Chan's side and fussed over him reminds me a bit of the brother relationship in Reply 1997.

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I rewatched episode 1 and realized Woo Jin has never seen 17-year-old Seo Ri with her violin, so he has no idea his childhood crush plays.

In his memories, images of young Seo-ri distractedly dancing through the streets start to emerge, but Woo-jin doesn’t let them surface as he heads to the office.

I reckon this was meant to be a flashback and not his memories. I figured Seo Ri's mismatched shoes would trigger his PTSD, but unfortunately (fortunately), Woo Jin didn't notice. I am dying for both of them to find out already and for Woo Jin to stop living with this misplaced guilt. In spite of this, even if Seo Ri is alive, she was in a coma for thirteen years, so Woo Jin would still feel guilty. Why hasn't Seo Ri searched online for her accident ever since Chan let her borrow the internet?

As heart-fluttering as Woo Jin is, I honestly do not want them to get together or kiss until he knows who she is. "I could never tell what went on in your mind, but today was an exception." Between the almost-kisses, the jealousy, and the "because you're pretty," there is no way Seo Ri doesn't know Woo Jin's feelings when even the chief knows. I adore how Seo Ri is rubbing off on Woo Jin "점.점.점." and how she scares him every time she exclaims "참참!" (I also adore Hyun's catchphrase 두든.) I really hope the riding toy dog art object makes a reappearance.

I was so disappointed we didn't get to see Chan call Jennifer. Woo Jin is an absolute sweetheart to remind his nephew to ask Jennifer how was her day off. I squeed when Woo Jin said, "Did I buy the chicken for you? I bought it for the rest of the family." Thanks a bunch for the recap, @abirdword!

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I think him thinking that she is dead can also have an impact on him recofnizing her.

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I agree that this is an important factor.

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I agree with all the ideas you beanies have about the festival and I assume a lot will happen there.
I am not sure if the director is marketing the comeback story...if he is there should be posters and ads about it, no? Or maybe only the insiders in the music industry know and are trying to get tickets but if that was the case red hear lady (forgot her name) would be aware of it, no?
The auntie might be in Seoul and get a ticket from Chan to see his friend perform or maybe she does go to this kind of festivals to remember her niece? I wonder if she knows that SR is alive. I don't think she seems to be the type of person that abandons her niece...I am really curious about that part.

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Poor Jennyper. I want there to be more with the violin repair man. Tae Rin is a punk. What happened to Hyeong Tae and Ree An? Could Hyeong Tae be the set builder's doctor son? I suppose not because I don't know if he was the same kind of doc. I still love this fam! Great stuff. :D

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HT is a neurosurgeon, which is what was translated. The set builder’s son is a traditional medicine physician.

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Other thoughts I had this episode:

The make up artist(s) of this drama give them very white, too-light makeup.

It sounds like, "Don't think, BEER!"

Hearts were shooting out of Chanie's eyes when the door opened and Seo Ri came through!

<3

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they're all so cute lol

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