Hundred Million Stars From the Sky: Episode 11

by TeriYaki

Moo-young and Jin-kang have a connection that can’t be broken and Jin-kook finally understands that. Jin-kook has made it clear that he will never accept a relationship between Moo-young and Jin-kang, even though she still holds out hope that her brother will change his mind. Determined to keep them apart, Jin-kook comes up with a plan that suggests that he may be even more dangerous than Moo-young.

 
EPISODE 11: “The housewarming party”

After hearing about the suspect that Jin-kook shot over twenty-five years ago, So-jung wonders how he managed to endure the trauma alone. When Jin-kook reminds her, “I had Jin-kang,” So-jung is struck by the fact that if the boy at the hospital hadn’t disappeared, the little girl would never have gone to Jin-kook’s house.

Jin-kook shares that when Jin-kang first came to his home, she didn’t smile or talk, and he wasn’t sure that he’d done the right thing. But one day, he woke from a nap and found Jin-kang asleep next to him, grasping his fingers.

In the present, Jin-kang holds Moo-young’s hand as they cuddle together in bed. Moo-young asks how Jin-kang learned that Jin-kook wasn’t her real brother and she answers that it was when she was in high school and needed to produce her documents. Jin-kang saw that her birth was registered several years after she was born and when she added that to other clues, she pieced together the truth.

Moo-young understands that it must have been a huge shock, especially for a teenager. Jin-kang explains that she discovered the truth the day before she was scheduled to have her scar removed and it was the reason that she changed her mind, she feared that she would somehow lose herself.

Moo-young embraces Jin-kang tightly as she reflects, “It’s strange. We’re here to find your memory. But it feels like I’m finding myself here.” They gaze at one another tenderly until Jin-kang remembers something and teases, “Do you want to see something really cute?” Jin-kang grabs her phone, but it’s dead, and it turns out the cute thing that she had in mind was her childhood photo.

A designated driver arrives just as Jin-kook gets a phone call from Jin-kang’s boss. As Jin-kook and So-jung are driven home, he’s bothered by CEO Hwang’s explanation that she couldn’t call Jin-kang because she went out of town.

Jin-kook calls Detective Gun and to ask about Moo-young’s interview earlier in the day, disturbed to learn that it was rescheduled so Moo-young could visit his hometown. Jin-kook tells So-jung that Jin-kang went to Haesan with Moo-young and asks, “What should I do if she did?”

In the morning, a taxi drops Moo-young and Jin-kang off in their neighborhood but he doesn’t want to leave her. Jin-kang runs home and Jin-kook joins her in the kitchen when he hears her come in. She pretends that her team ate his kimbap but Jin-kook informs her that CEO Hwang called him since Jin-kang was out of town.

When Jin-kang admits that she went to Haesan with Moo-young, Jin-kook reminds her that she promised not to see him anymore. Jin-kang confesses that she likes Moo-young which triggers an angry outburst from Jin-kook, “How dare you say that!” Jin-kang begs Jin-kook to listen to her, but he shouts that he can’t understand why she chose Moo-young over Cho-rong.

When Jin-kook orders Jin-kang to end things with Moo-young, she walks away. Furious, Jin-kook reminds her, “Who has raised you until now? Can’t you see how desperate I am?”

Jin-kang snaps and tells Jin-kook that she’s sick of living with the constant guilt, “I know I’m your life’s burden. I know I owe it all to you. I know it too well, so please stop.” Looking stricken, Jin-kook insists that Jin-kang has never been a burden and begs her to take back her words. Jin-kang can’t do that and retreats to her room where she breaks down while Jin-kook clutches his chest in grief.

At the station, Jin-kook asks Detective Gun about Moo-young’s upcoming interview. Chief Lee warns him to mind his own business and everyone is stunned when Jin-kook bellows, “You stay out of my business…What’s the problem with a detective asking about a suspect’s investigation time?”

At lunchtime, Cho-rong informs So-jung that Jin-kook won’t be out and shares that he’s been acting strangely. So-jung is touched by his kindness when Cho-rung offers to have lunch with her instead. She brings ups his breakup and reminds Cho-rong that life isn’t fair, especially when it comes to relationships. So-jung runs off to search for Jin-kook but when she finds him, she doesn’t go to him.

Moo-young texts Jin-kang at work, asking her to send him her “cute” picture. When she finds it, Jin-kang gazes at the image of her and Jin-kook until a call from So-jung interrupts her.

So-jung meets with Jin-kang over coffee and shares that she’s never seen Jin-kook so depressed. So-jung confirms that Jin-kang went to Haesan and that she had an argument with Jin-kook when she returned. When Jin-kang confesses that she was the one who was overly harsh, So-jung assures her that Jin-kook will understand.

A look of worry crosses So-jung’s face when Jin-kang voices regret that she attacked Jin-kook about raising her, “I should never have done it to my brother. Never.” Jin-kang then asks So-jung if she knows why Jin-kook hates Moo-young, because it’s not like him.

After Moo-young finishes his police interview, Jin-kang texts that Jin-kook learned about their trip to Haesan and that his friend asked to see her. Moo-young stops by the Violent Crimes unit with a drink for Jin-kook, but he isn’t there. Moo-young looks wistful when he sees how well the rest of the team gets along and pays special attention to a recruitment poster outside.

Moo-young looks up and sees Jin-kook watching him. He holds out the drink but Jin-kook gets right to the point, “I told you to stop seeing my sister.” Moo-young won’t be swayed and then points at the poster and reminds Jin-kook that it was his dream to become a policeman.

Moo-young’s dream is crushed when Jin-kook declares, “You’re a murderer.” Jin-kook tells him to stay away from Jin-kang and Moo-young realizes that his resulting disappointment means that he’d hoped to win Jin-kook’s heart. Aware that he’ll never have Jin-kook’s approval, Moo-young decides, “But you’re just you, not Jin-kang. You’re just her brother, after all.”

Jin-kook still believes that Moo-young fears nothing because he cares for nothing and claims that he’s the opposite. Jin-kook ominously warns, “Because I’m afraid my sister will get hurt, I’ll do anything.”

Jin-kook promises that he’s done talking while Moo-young makes it clear that he intends to keep seeing Jin-kang. As he walks away, Moo-young suggests, “You do what you want, and I’ll do what I want. If it’s not all talk, I’m curious what you’ll do.”

Alone on Moo-young’s roof, Jin-kang recalls So-jung’s confession that she agreed with Jin-kook, Moo-young wasn’t a suitable match for her. When Moo-young arrives home, he lies down next to Jin-kang and as they clasp hands, it’s obvious how much they missed each other.

Inside, Moo-young and Jin-kang have instant noodles since she couldn’t eat all day because of her worry over Jin-kook. When Moo-young calls the situation complicated, Jin-kang expresses her wish that they could jump into the future where he’s won her brother over.

Moo-young carefully points out that at their age, they don’t need Jin-kook’s approval. The way he sees it, “You are you and that man is that man.” When Jin-kang tries to explain away Jin-kook’s behavior, Moo-young reminds her that he’s used to being rejected and asks her not to force things.

Jin-kang is stung by Moo-young’s claim that rejection doesn’t hurt him and when she starts to cry, she announces, “I should go.” Moo-young tells her, “Bye,” but after Jin-kang stalks off, he runs after her. Moo-young is out of breath and soaked in sweat by the time he reaches her house and he’s forced to return home when Jin-kang doesn’t answer her phone.

When he gets home, Moo-young finds Jin-kang waiting for him and as he closes the distance between them, Jin-kang calls him a liar for claiming that he’s used to rejection. Moo-young hugs Jin-kang tightly as she confesses that she can’t bear it when he says things like that and reminds him, “I’m on your side, you know.” When Jin-kang learns that Moo-young sprinted all the way to her house, she has him promise, “You won’t do that again, right? You’ll tell me not to go even if I try to leave next time, right?”

Jin-kang complains that she’s thirsty so Moo-young picks her up and carries her inside for a bottle of water. Jin-kang looks around Moo-young’s place and understands why the cat ran away, there isn’t anything there that makes it feel like a home. When Moo-young confirms that he has a little bit of money, he’s suddenly worried when Jin-kang gets a crafty gleam in her eyes.

Even though it’s late when Jin-kang gets home, she lingers outside of Jin-kook’s room before disappearing into her own room. In the morning, Jin-kook hears Jin-kang’s alarm and is about to knock on her door when she returns from the market.

Jin-kook hurries to wash up when Jin-kang suggests that they can have breakfast together. As they eat, Jin-kang apologizes for her outburst the day before and asks Jin-kook to give Moo-young a chance, but he doesn’t say a word and leaves for work.

Jin-kook tells So-jung that Jin-kang will never break up with Moo-young. So-jung mentions that Jin-kang might know the truth about her relationship with Jin-kook and he thinks about So-jung’s concerns as he drives to the prison to visit Yoo-ri.

Jin-kook questions Yoo-ri about her impression that Jin-kang was an orphan, like Moo-young. All Yoo-ri remembers is that Jin-kang mentioned that she didn’t have parents and that a sister moved abroad, leaving her with Jin-kook. Yoo-ri questions why Jin-kook is so interested in what she overheard, annoyed that the purpose of his visit wasn’t to see her. Jin-kook pretends that he wanted to visit before her trial, but Yoo-ri calls him out as a terrible liar.

When Yoo-ri asks if Moo-young is dating his sister, Jin-kook assures her that he’ll never approve of them. Yoo-ri warns that Jin-kang won’t ever be able to end things with Moo-young because, “Women who fall for Moo-young can never get over him.”

Yoo-ri’s psychiatrist, Dr. Yang, submits a request to visit Yoo-ri in prison, but is turned away since she can only have one visitor a day. Dr. Yang runs into Jin-kook outside of the prison and he explains that her mother asked him to visit Yoo-ri because she won’t see a lawyer. Dr. Yang assumes that Jin-kook came on official business, but learns that Yoo-ri’s case, along with her accomplice’s, were turned over to the prosecution.

Dr. Yang asks about Yoo-ri’s accomplice and is disturbed when he learns that it’s Kim Moo-young. Dr. Yang confirms that Moo-young was born in 1989 and confesses that he might know him and excuses himself.

Moo-young and Jin-kang shop together for the things that he needs at home and the poor guy is overwhelmed. When Jin-kang explains that they’re only buying essentials, Moo-young assumes that they’re done shopping until she points out that they still need to buy food.

Moo-young suggests that they can just eat out but Jin-kang ignores him to ask what delicious food he has planned for his housewarming. Moo-young protests, “I’m really not this kind of person,” but Jin-kang doesn’t notice because she’s distracted by a cute, stuffed cat that finds its way into the cart in spite of Moo-young’s objections.

Dr. Yang returns to his office to review the news coverage about Yoo-ri’s accomplice and Moo-young’s eyes remind him of the young boy at the lake.

At home, Moo-young sees Jin-kang’s stuffed cat and takes out the childhood photo that she tucked into its pocket. Earlier, Jin-kang told Moo-young that she made him a copy of her photo with Jin-kook to help him feel closer to her brother. Moo-young smiles as he remembers seeing it for the first time and then realizes that there’s something familiar about the hospital in the background. Moo-young has another childhood memory — this time he walks away from Haesan Hospital, wearing a large sweater.

Dr. Yang visits Jin-kook at the police station to find out more about Moo-young, but Jin-kook explains that he can’t discuss the investigation. He reminds Jin-kook about his book and informs him that the boy named Myung-ho in chapter two is Moo-young.

It turns out that Moo-young is very special to Dr. Yang because he inspired him to return to medical school and study child psychiatry. Dr. Yang confesses that if Moo-young was involved with Yoo-ri’s crime, it means that he made the wrong decision years ago.

So-jung recognizes Dr. Yang as he drives away and wishes that she’d gotten his autograph. Jin-kook is surprised to learn that Dr. Yang is so famous and when they go to the cafeteria for lunch, he shares the fact that both Yoo-ri and Moo-young were featured in Dr. Yang’s book.

So-jung remembers that Moo-young’s story was so sad that it made her cry, but nothing more. Jin-kook explains that Dr. Yang wanted to know how Moo-young and Yoo-ri knew each other.

So-jung asks Jin-kook about the visit with Yoo-ri and is relieved to hear that Jin-kang doesn’t know the truth. When So-jung suggests that Jin-kang should be told that Jin-kook took her in, he gets upset and rejects the idea.

So-jung points out that Jin-kook has become overly sensitive and he agrees, and proceeds to blame it on Moo-young. Jin-kook admits, “Since I met him, I’ve felt like something is closing in on me.” Jin-kook thinks it must be karma and admits that worrying about Jin-kang is driving him crazy.

At the brewery, a coworker catches Moo-young looking up recipes for a housewarming party. After work, Moo-young goes grocery shopping and when he can’t decide which wine to buy, he texts Jin-kang, “White wine or red wine?”

Jin-kook calls Jin-kang with an idea for dinner but she has to break the news that she’ll be late. When Jin-kook sees Moo-young in the same grocery store, he follows him and overhears Moo-young tell the butcher that he needs enough meat for both him and his girlfriend. Moo-young notices Jin-kook as he continues to shop, and again when he checks out.

Jin-kook completely ignores Moo-young as he leaves the store, but watches him exit the store from his car. Jin-Kook thinks of Yoo-ri’s warning that women who fall for Moo-young can never get over him.

Jin-kang brings traditional housewarming gifts to Moo-young’s place, toilet paper and laundry detergent, as tokens of good luck. She’s pleased at how his home is shaping up and is impressed by the ambitious dish that Moo-young prepared.

Jin-kang reunites with the cat doll while she waits for Moo-young to finish dinner and when she notices that her photo is gone, she asks, “Where did my brother go?” It turns out that Jin-kook is at home, eating dinner alone, eerily calm.

Once his dish is on the stove, Moo-young shows Jin-kang that the photo is now in his wallet. Moo-young asks about the hospital in the background and when Jin-kang identifies it as Myungsung University Hospital in Haesan, he experiences another memory — this time a man in a doctor’s coat places his hand on Moo-young’s shoulder and asks, “Hey, kid. Where are you going?”

Jin-kang can sense that the hospital means something to Moo-young and he confesses that he just experienced another memory. He wonders if he was a patient there and Jin-kang thinks it’s possible since it’s where she was treated for her burns. Their conversation is cut short when it’s time to eat.

Jin-kang pulls out her phone to take a photo of their dinner and then poses with Moo-young for another picture. He pushes her at the last second and then takes Jin-kang’s phone and gasps that her head is so big. Moo-young teases Jin-kang playfully as she tries to recover her phone, while Jin-kook spies on them through a window.

They’re about to eat until Moo-young realizes that he doesn’t have a wine bottle opener and runs out to find one. Moo-young looks happy as he leaves on his errand, while inside, Jin-kang samples his dish and forces herself to wait for his return.

With wine bottle opener in hand, Moo-young waits at a crosswalk and notices Jin-kook on the opposite side. Jin-kook won’t look at Moo-young and when the light changes, Moo-young walks towards Jin-kook with an amused smile.

Just before Moo-young reaches the opposite side of the street, Jin-kook walks to the crosswalk and brushes against him. Moo-young grimaces and clutches his side before falling to the ground. Jin-kook turns to glance at Moo-young with a knife in his hand, expressionless, even though there’s blood on Moo-young’s hand and he’s writhing in pain.

At Moo-young’s place, Jin-kang promises the cat doll that Moo-young will be back soon. Meanwhile, out on the street, Moo-young reaches out with a bloody hand to steady himself, but collapses and loses consciousness.

 
COMMENTS

Jin-kook! What is he doing?! First he creepily spies on Moo-young and Jin-kang, and then he stabs Moo-young out on the street. Jin-kook has been unwavering in his condemnation of Moo-young, labeling him a murderer and evil, but right now, he’s the one who looks like an evil murderer. Jin-kang still has hope in her heart that Jin-kook will come around and accept Moo-young, but Moo-young knows better because he’s a cynical realist, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in his situation.

Slowly but surely, the focus has shifted from Moo-young’s potentially criminal machinations to Jin-kook’s half-crazed retaliation. Every time Jin-kook lectures Moo-young, I just know that everything he says will come true because of his actions, not Moo-young’s. Jin-kook believes that he’s better than Moo-young because he cares about people, something he still believes Moo-young isn’t capable of, therefore his actions are justified. The problem with his reasoning is that, at this point, Moo-young is more aware of his wrongdoings than Jin-kook is of his. Actually, Moo-young is making progress and with Jin-kang’s help, his outlook as a caring human being is better than Jin-kook’s, who stubbornly maintains the secrets that hold Jin-kang back.

Now that Jin-kook has attacked Moo-young, my fear is that Jin-kang will be the one who ends up hurt. If Jin-kang is close by the next time that Moo-young is threatened, I don’t think that she will hesitate to protect Moo-young and try to prevent Jin-kook from doing something unforgivable. Even though it looks like Jin-kook, Moo-young and Jin-kang are headed for a showdown, perhaps it’s still possible that they can find their way to a happy ending. We still don’t know if Moo-young and Jin-kang are somehow related, but since Moo-young didn’t recognize her in that childhood photo, I’m hopeful that they aren’t.

What Jin-kook doesn’t know is that both Jin-kang and Moo-young are aware that he’s not Jin-kang’s real brother. That means that he doesn’t appreciate how much Jin-kang has worked to maintain his secret and why Moo-young can so easily dismiss him as his girlfriend’s brother. In trying to hold onto Jin-kang, Jin-kook risks losing her forever, one way or another. Please, Dr. Yang! Use your skills to prevent something terrible from happening before it’s too late.

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