Reach of Sincerity: Episode 4
by Helcat
Our couple grow ever closer, as they bond over a new case, and an old secret. Jung-rok might still be rigid, and unobservant when it comes to women, but our whirlwind of a heroine is strong enough to get through his cracks. It’s clear Jung-rok enjoys Yoon-seo’s upbeat antics, and Yoon-seo seems smitten by our rapidly thawing hero. It won’t be long before everyone else figures out what’s going on either, though Yoon-seo needs to get there first…
EPISODE 4 RECAP
Jung-rok and Yoon-seo’s eyes lock, before they break shyly… and neither of them realize that someone is watching them from afar.
Back at the office, Ms. Yang and Ms. Kim grab Yoon-seo to weasel the details of the trial out of her — and to slyly ask if Yoon-seo thinks that Jung-rok is more handsome after his impressive display in court. Yoon-seo is noncommittal.
But she has a big smile on her face as she stares at him through the window, and says, “He’s not handsome.”
Later that night, Jung-rok bids Yoon-seo a good weekend. Dismayed at the idea of not seeing him, Yoon-seo thinks quickly and asks that he tutor her in the law as a reward for her good work. Even Yoon-seo looks surprised when that works, and is giddy about seeing Jung-rok the next day.
Doubts creeps in about why she made such a plan later, but just one text from Jung-rok has Yoon-seo back on cloud nine. When Yoon-seo explains to Hyuk-joon that she is studying with Jung-rok, on the weekend no less, her bad acting almost gives the game away as to the real reason. But luckily, Hyuk-joon thinks it’s all part of her revenge plan and praises Yoon-seo — because spending all week with her, and then all weekend as well, is exhausting. Ha!
The next day, Yoon-seo frets about what to wear — because she looks so good in everything. Like an angel, in fact. I’m dying.
But when Jung-rok shows up in his casual clothes, it’s Yoon-seo that is wowed over how good he looks. Yoon-seo’s imagination runs away from her as she pictures an intimate scene of them studying closely together.
But this is Jung-rok, so the reality is very different and he sternly lectures Yoon-seo from afar on the dry details of the law. He doesn’t even take her hint when she tries to entice him next to her. Yoon-seo wilts.
She isn’t beaten yet though, and persuades Jung-rok to try a different method of study — by watching a legal movie at a drive-in theatre. You go, Yoon-seo.
After she sighs over how cool the paralegal’s clothes are, Yoon-seo is delighted to learn that Jung-rok didn’t actually ban her from wearing color, not even pink, but from uncomfortable attire. Jung-rok points out that it seems like Yoon-seo didn’t need him here to watch the movie.
Caught out, Yoon-seo fibs that she wanted him here to explain any parts that she didn’t understand. But when Jung-rok asks for follow-up questions, she is stumped and pretends to stretch, looking away. Which is why Yoon-seo doesn’t see where her hand comes down to rest – right on top of his.
Yoon-seo is charmingly flustered as she yanks her hand back and insists, “I’m not the kind of woman who takes advantage of the dark.” Jung-rok calmly tells her he knows that.
Yoon-seo tries to cover her embarrassment by asking who has the right to a shared armrest. Jung-rok tells her that the law doesn’t have the answer to everything. Very aware of the small space between them now, the pair look away from each other.
After the movie, Jung-rok buys some street food, and Yoon-seo watches from the car as a woman comes up to talk to Jung-rok. After, Yoon-seo asks with a feigned lightness if Jung-rok knew her, and doesn’t like the answer — that the woman wanted his number.
However, Yoon-seo is appeased when Jung-rok explains that he declined. She laughs in relief that Jung-rok seems to have a wall up where women are concerned.
Yoon-seo tries to take a sip from her closed bottle — and Jung-rok notices. Aww, his face breaks into a huge smile at her goof. Yoon-seo is delighted at the sight, and tells him this is the first time she’s seen him so happy.
Back at his apartment, Se-won catches Jung-rok staring fondly down at his movie ticket. And Se-won loses no time in pestering Jung-rok about his date. Se-won rightly points out that it makes no sense to ‘study’ the law by watching a movie, ha.
Despite feeling foolish, Jung-rok can’t help but smile when Yoon-seo texts him a thank you for helping her out. On the other hand, Yoon-seo is feeling very pleased with herself, and goes into raptures thinking about all the sweet moments with Jung-rok.
On Monday morning, Yoon-seo tries to be cool, and greets Jung-rok, but just when she tries to get closer to him, Attorney Yeon interrupts. Jung-rok drily asks if Attorney Yeon deliberately waits for him to show up to work, since they always seem to meet in the elevator.
Attorney Yeon calls a team meeting to let everyone know that he has been ‘strong-armed’ into appearing on TV. And he needs a second lawyer, turning eyes on Jung-rok – who instantly refuses the job and leaves. Attorney Yeon mutters he didn’t even cushion the blow by smiling, which prompts Yoon-seo to dreamily reminisce, “Wouldn’t he smile in front of someone who makes him happy?”
Remembering where she is, Yoon-seo hurries after Jung-rok, leaving Attorney Dan and Attorney Choi behind to fight over who gets the TV spot.
As they leave, Jung-rok and Yoon-seo run into Yeo-reum, who invites them for coffee. Yeo-reum surprises Yoon-seo by knowing who she really is (thanks to blabbermouth Attorney Choi). But it is Yeo-reum’s easy camaraderie with Jung-rok, and his easy smile, that has Yoon-seo bristling. Of course, Jung-rok doesn’t notice, and just encourages Yeo-reum to meet up with Se-won soon.
Afterwards, Yoon-seo notes that Jung-rok isn’t wearing a scarf. When he replies that he likes winter, she pettily asks, “Are you sure you don’t like summer?” (a play on Yeo-reum’s name as “yeo-reum” means summer in Korean).
Still cranky, Yoon-seo accuses Jung-rok of smiling too much, which he points out isn’t something he’s heard before. Yoon-seo huffily walks off, leaving behind a befuddled Jung-rok.
At the prosecutor’s office, rising young lawyer Lee learns that the handsome Se-won used to date Yeo-reum for seven years, but they broke up two years ago. She snidely suggests that perhaps they broke up because of Yeo-reum’s bad personality… just as Yeo-reum appears behind her. Prosecutor Lee doesn’t look repentant, even as Yeo-reum warns her about her nasty temper.
Using her newfound knowledge, Prosecutor Lee casually asks Se-won about his relationship with Yeo-reum, hinting that things that are broken can never be put back together. When Se-won replies that he can’t stand to see broken things, Prosecutor Lee thoughtfully murmurs that she should just become broken then.
The Always Law crew go out for lunch, and Attorney Yeon is still stuck on who to choose for the TV appearance. Ms. Kim puts a vote in for Attorney Dan, but when Ms. Yang voices her preference for Attorney Choi, Mr. Lee hurriedly agrees with her. Attorney Yeon muses that he thinks Attorney Dan would be better, before he gets pulled away on a call.
Attorney Dan confides to the team that she really wants to go on TV so that she can get more clients. She explains that Attorney Yeon has been suffocating her with his complaints about her performance… just as Attorney Yeon appears behind her and peevishly gives the TV slot to Attorney Choi. Womp womp.
Attorney Choi is delighted though, and immediately scurries off to tell his mother the good news. Attorney Dan watches in disgust as he even begins to cry. When Choi sees Dan watching, he smoothly tells her that any of his colleague’s grief is like his own… and walks away with a big ol’ smirk.
Later that evening, Jung-rok sees Yoon-seo working past leaving time and tells her to go home. Yoon-seo, still vexed about Yoo-reum, irrationally gripes about how important leaving time is to Jung-rok, and how many important people he has in his life, before flouncing out.
Yoon-seo is so worked up that she spends the car-ride with Hyuk-joon complaining about it. Hyuk-joon, finally catching on, asks Yoon-seo if she likes Jung-rok. Hyuk-joon stuns Yoon-seo into silence when he tells her it seems as if she is jealous. Yoon-seo hadn’t even considered the possibility, and scoffs that she should be careful from now on before anyone gets the ‘wrong’ idea.
The next day, Ms. Yang asks Yoon-seo where Jung-rok is. Yoon-seo overcorrects and assures everyone she doesn’t know because it isn’t like she likes him.
The rest of the team gather round the TV to watch Attorney Yeon and Choi on the panel show. But a hangdog Attorney Choi shows up at the office and explains he got booted because there were too many people. Attorney Dan doesn’t even try to contain her glee, ha. Attorney Yeon’s appearance doesn’t go well at all, and he gets too nervous to say anything. Oh, I’m cringing for him.
Later that day, an anxious young woman — Seung-hee — shows up at the law firm, looking for Jung-rok’s help. Clearly uneasy, Seung-hee asks that Yoon-seo, as a woman, sit in for the meeting – and explains that she thinks her ex is stalking her.
Seung-hee says that at first, everything was great, because her ex seemed to know just what she wanted. But she found out the reason for that was because he was going through her phone, and broke up with him. He wouldn’t accept that. Even when Seung-hee changed the code to her door, he somehow kept finding his way inside her apartment.
Jung-rok gently tells Seung-hee that this might not be enough to get a restraining order. Yoon-seo, rightfully outraged, demands to know why there isn’t a law to protect people from such actions. Seung-hee timidly admits that her ex used to put sleeping pills in her drink so that he could go through her phone.
Disturbed, the confession causes Yoon-seo to flashback to the time of her scandal – and her memory of a powder being poured into a drink.
Late at night, Ms. Yang takes a shortcut through a dark tunnel. She screams bloody murder when someone puts his hand on her shoulder from behind – but it’s just Mr. Lee. They walk to the bus stop together, where they spot a small patch of grass. Mr. Lee ponders, “Like us waiting at this stop, that grass may be waiting for a bus named Spring.” Lol.
On the bus, to Mr. Lee’s delight, Ms. Yang falls asleep with her head on his shoulder. Spotting that her shoe is undone, he reaches down to tie it (how long are his arms?) and wakes her up at her stop. Aww.
At Jung-rok’s apartment, Se-won resentfully watches the latest news about a powerful CEO and his gambling charges. With ire, Se-won complains to Jung-rok that defense lawyer Choi Yoon-soo is famous for taking such dirty cases. Choi even took a case defending the vice president of Jeguk group, Lee Gang-joon, after Lee got caught up in a drug scandal with an actress – Oh Yoon-seo.
Jung-rok is shaken to hear that Lee stalked Yoon-seo, and when she rejected him, he framed her as a drug user. Lee got away with everything because he was so powerful.
With this new understanding, Jung-rok tries to take Yoon-seo off Seung-hee’s case the next day. But Yoon-seo has other ideas, and adamantly asks Jung-rok to trust her to do a good job. In the face of her insistence, Jung-rok has no choice but to accept.
Later that day, Yoon-seo meets up with Seung-hee at her apartment to gather evidence about her ex. Yoon-seo reaches down to pick up a fallen bottle of water…
…And reels back in shock when she spots Seung-hee’s ex hiding under her bed. I just got chills.
Maddened, Seung-hee’s ex jumps out and grabs Seung-hee, ranting about their break-up. When Yoon-seo tries to pull him away, he turns on her, fist raised. Just as Yoon-seo flinches away, Jung-rok appears from behind and tackles the ex to the ground.
The ex is safely taken away by the police. It was just lucky that Jung-rok was there because he wanted to gather information from Seung-hee himself.
Jung-rok confirms to Yoon-seo that Seung-hee has enough evidence now for a restraining order. Yoon-seo anxiously asks if that will be enough to stop the ex, but she still looks downcast when Jung-rok agrees that it should be.
Understanding, Jung-rok reassures her, “Stealing someone’s privacy and forcing your feelings on someone else is wrong. So the one who did that should suffer. The victim shouldn’t have a hard time. So stop suffering, forget about the bad memories and live a happy life for your own sake. Do you understand?”
Yoon-seo, somewhat confused, asks why he’s telling her that – but she does look comforted by his words. Pulled back into the present, Yoon-seo notices the cut on Jung-rok’s neck, and insists on treating it for him. Ha, Yoon-seo proudly tells Jung-rok she knows exactly what she’s doing because she played a top surgeon in a drama once.
The tension in the air heightens when Yoon-seo leans in to put the disinfectant on the cut, their faces so close together they are almost touching. Awkward, Yoon-seo says that Jung-rok can do it himself if he feels uncomfortable. Almost too quickly, Jung-rok says no, and they sneak adorable little glances at each other as Yoon-seo leans in again, blowing lightly on his neck.
The cute continues that night, as they trade sweet text messages back and forth in bed. Although Yoon-seo informs him that she only cares since he got hurt because of her, the big grin on her face tells a different story. Jung-rok smiles, and promises to get better quickly so she won’t worry.
But all is not well… as their text message conversation pops up on a computer screen in the apartment of a young man. Yoon-seo and Jung-rok, blissfully unaware that they are being spied on, bid each other good night.
COMMENTS
Aww, this show is really sweet.
Yoon-seo and Jung-rok have very quickly moved beyond the bickering stage, largely because Yoon-seo is crushing on him so hard without even realizing it. I do love that she engineered her own date with Jung-rok, at the movie, in this episode (and it gave me welcome memories of a very similar tactic being used in Queen In-hyun’s Man), though she seemed to be running more on instinct here than tactics. Because of course, Yoon-seo doesn’t even recognize her feelings for Jung-rok yet — the top star couldn’t fall in love with a normal person first. So instead, Yoon-seo projects them onto Jung-rok.
Watching that progression continues to be delightful. There was a lot of comedy to be mined from Yoon-seo’s growing awareness of Jung-rok running straight into his obliviousness regarding women. The running theme over Jung-rok’s smiles was a cute one as well – and not just because Lee Dong-wook looks adorable. Yoon-seo is a naturally cheery person, but she also uses her smiles – as a way to hide her feelings, as an actress, and as a woman. She understands their power, and knows that Jung-rok isn’t someone who smiles easily, so knows what it means when he smiles – whether that’s for her or for Yeo-reum.
I’m getting fonder and fonder of Jung-rok as well, with his gestures of understanding towards Yoon-seo. Sometimes completely missing their mark – and at other times, hitting dead on. His speech about perpetrators being the ones who should suffer, not the victims, was very affecting and genuine. Even if it was a tad simplistic, it was a lovely sentiment that came right from Jung-rok’s heart, wanting to help Yoon-seo heal. And Jung-rok is definitely looking at Yoon-seo differently now, and not just because he’s realized he underestimated her. The chemistry was in full force between them when Yoon-seo was tending to his cut – I got quite the thrill when Jung-rok told her to keep going.
That’s not to say it’s all sunny. There are hints of darkness to the show, although I’m dubious right now whether it will be able carry off the heavy storyline lurking in Yoon-seo’s history. For example, I was interested to see that the show highlighted how difficult it still is for people – and mainly women – to get protection from romantic partners or exes via the law. But Seung-hee’s story was wrapped up very neatly, with help from an obviously crazed ex and a credible witness – and that just doesn’t happen often in real life. The show pulled its punch at the last moment in this case-of-the-week. I don’t especially think this storyline should have gone any bleaker, because I would like it to stay on the lighter side. But it does give me pause about how well they will handle Yoon-seo’s own stalker, Lee Gang-joon. But holy smokes, what a twist. We all knew there was a mystery behind Yoon-seo’s ‘scandal’ and the fact it has been uncovered this early in the story makes me think the meat of the plot will be taking Lee down. And I’m even more impressed with Yoon-seo’s continued optimism in the wake of this reveal. Yoon-seo isn’t unrealistically cheerful, she’s just determined not to let Lee continue ruining her life. That takes real guts.
RELATED POSTS
- Premiere Watch: Reach of Sincerity, Legal High, Trap
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Tags: Lee Dong-wook, Lee Sang-woo, Oh Jung-se, Reach of Sincerity, Shim Hyung-tak, Yoo Inna
![[K-drama Treasure Hunt] Heart-fluttery bottle opening](http://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kdrama-treasure-hunt.png)
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1 Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
February 17, 2019 at 1:23 PM
That ending definitely spiced things up!
I'm not yet sure if this stalking subplot will be nicely executed, and I always do feel iffy about thriller elements within rom-coms (think SWDBS, WWWSK), because things are always either too convenient or overshadow the rom-com part. So I hope this show won't do either, but I'm also not holding my breath.
I totally got "YOU" vibes (the American TV show) from that last scene though.
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dramamad
February 17, 2019 at 9:00 PM
on the sites i was watching, the commenters were of the opinion that this (stalker angle) takes away from the story. but i agree with you - this takes it to a new level, in a good way. Plus i'm sure we'll get to watch KJR be a swoony protector/ knight in shining armour. I mean, whats not to like about that?!
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latebloomer
February 18, 2019 at 6:24 AM
I think it's pretty clear already that KJR is going to be the one to take down the stalker ex who framed YS. Before this is over, he's going to clear her name and put the stalker behind bars.
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OldLawyer
February 18, 2019 at 12:11 PM
It is not just KJR who will take him down. By himself he is not powerful enough to do it. This is why we have the two prosecutors and perhaps also the office manager who is a retired detective. And, if I am right it will not detract from the romance - in fact it will be the way that the two prosecutors finds their way back to each other- and maybe even how the office manager finally finds his way into the head secretary's heart as well. It is the old confronting a common evil/danger theme.
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javinne
February 21, 2019 at 9:48 PM
Thinking about SWDBS... it was definitively a horror. I hated so much the thrill part of the story that I always fast forwarded it from the very beginning. And the only thing I liked it was when the kidnapper was caught, and yet I didn't feel it was well executed. (SIGH)... Writers!
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2 Ally
February 17, 2019 at 1:23 PM
My favorite parts of this episode were Oh Yoon-seo talking to herself in the mirror. That last screencaps where she is choosing her outfit for her Saturday “study” time was so surgery sweet, I’m sure my glucose level went up by 100. And she definitely knows she’s falling for him and hopes he’s falling for her too. The petty jealousy she has which is manifested by her pouting is also freaking cute. Yoo Inna is so affable in this, I really can’t believe it. I think she’s the most likable as I’ve ever seen her and I really liked her in QIHM as well. I do like the fact there is some mystery in the wings to keep this story moving, but I’d be okay with them going on misunderstood “campus” dates every weekend too! And @helcat, that’s a great opening paragraph!
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🍙 kimbap noona
February 17, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Her genuine lament that she looks "sooooo pretty" all of the outfits she picked was so self-absorbingly hilarious!! 🤣
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Ally
February 17, 2019 at 4:52 PM
The thing is she's not delusional, she DOES look pretty in everything! Some of us *raises hand* would just look like narcissistic pricks doing the exact same thing! Lol.
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Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
February 17, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Yoo In-na was super cute and funny in QIHM, but if you slow down and think about it the way she schemed for kisses and lied to the time traveler should have been pretty off-putting.
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Dramaholic
February 17, 2019 at 6:56 PM
It was one of my favorite moments too. Her genuinely getting frustrated and that cute pouty wiggle when she just can't manage to look a little less pretty than usual was so adorable and funny at the same time
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3 Andrea
February 17, 2019 at 1:44 PM
The scene with the stalker-ex hiding under the bed scared the living daylights out of me, holy crap. So creepy.
I'm living for the chemistry between our leads though; creepy stalker-plotline aside, this episode was adorable. When Jung Rok smiles I melt like butter on warm toast.
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thatstp
February 17, 2019 at 3:01 PM
I screamed out. I wasn't expecting that at all.
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WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Me too. I may have screamed in Lawyer Choi style.
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lezah
February 17, 2019 at 8:25 PM
I screamed like I was watching a horror movie. I thought she had found some hidden camera (hidden in a tissue box a la Hwayugi style) and was wondering what it was... and then they cut to him looking like a horrifying gargoyle crouched under the bed. I think I gave myself a heart attack because I watched it at midnight. 😂
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4 Moonbean
February 17, 2019 at 1:47 PM
Woohooo! The last scene of episode 4 quadrupled my interest in this drama. The girl who was stalked and drugged was a very good way of introducing Jung Rok to Yoon Seo’s past scandal. Of course he is firmly on her side, didn’t even question the various version of events. I was already thinking being a lawyer he should be instrumental in clearing her name and setting things right for her but didn’t have any idea how that would happen until that last scene showing the creepy guy tapped into her phone and is still obsessed with her! So it’s not just clearing up past events anymore, the problem is actually ongoing.
As I wrote in the ratings if they haven't kept this reveal from us until the end of episode 4 the ratings may not have fallen.
And how cute were the jealous antics?
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Moonbean
February 17, 2019 at 2:24 PM
PS. I was wondering why there was so much messaging between the leads and in a tone that shows them much closer than they actually are when they are face to face. Must all be for the benefit of the stalker.
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 17, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Yes! My thoughts exactly ~ it gives a different tone to the previous innocent texts of someone else is reading them ~
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5 🍙 kimbap noona
February 17, 2019 at 1:57 PM
OMG now I am totally having my own QIHM parody running in my head of YIN pulling on LDW's tie engineering a kiss!
Please Show, don't be stingy with kisses, and I don't mind some toes being stepped on in the process either!! 😘👔😚👣❤️️
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6 Alice
February 17, 2019 at 1:58 PM
I absolutely love Yoon Seo! She's so cuuute!! And she's making him falling for her so slowly that he won't realize 'til it'll be too late fot both of them. I LOVE IT!!
Can't wait for wednesday!! I shouldn't have started this drama! I should've done a super binge watching in April!
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7 OldLawyer
February 17, 2019 at 2:11 PM
This is my favorite show right now. It just keeps getting better.
One of the things that struck me about these last two episodes is this: Very gradually- but more and more often- we are seeing Lawyer Kwon smile. His facial expressions even when he is not smiling are becoming more relaxed and less Reaper-like. Oh Yoon-seo makes him smile- she has already changed his life. From their conversation over tea it is clear that Yoo Yeo-reum, our beautiful prosecutor, was never able to do that. Oh Yoon-seo has now fallen in love with Lawyer Kwon- and her jealousy is on full display. She does not see that, as the woman who makes him smile, she has absolutely no need to be jealous of Prosecutor Yoo. Pretty Prosecutor might as well pack it in right now because it is game over.
Perhaps it is a very good thing that Kim Se-won has now stated his intention to win Yoo Yeo-reum back.
Oh Yoon-seo turned her weekend study session with Lawyer Kwon into a movie date, without even admitting to herself that this is what she really wanted. One thing is sure here: She really is way smarter than she acts. Another thing- Lawyer Kwon has really already fallen for her and has reached that point where he cannot say no to her.
As they interview the girl who wants a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend she has a flashback which gives us the first clue regarding Oh Yoon-seo’s scandal- her drink was drugged. Good thing these guys are fictional characters- I was more than ready to punch them out. Maybe it just a protective guy thing- or maybe I am taking personal offense because just a few bad guys make all the rest of us look dangerous and suspicious. Apparently, the Chaebol was named Lee Gang-joon, a vice president of the Jae Woo Group (Daewoo?) - and he was defended by a lawyer that neither Prosecutor Kim Se-won nor our lawyer Kwon particularly appreciate.
We don’t quite see battle lines drawn yet but the forces which will come Oh Yoon-seo’s rescue are starting to muster.
The reason I say this is because apparently the folks at the prosecutor’s office are aware that Lee Gang-joon stalked Oh Yoon-seo and when she rejected him he essentially framed her for the drug stuff. We haven’t met that lawyer yet- his name is Choi Yoon-soo, but what do you want to bet that he is the sort of lawyer who gives the rest of us a bad name? I am fairly sure that it is Lee Gang-joon that we see staring out the window at the end of the episode.
Take heart- Lee Gang-joon may think that he has the big guns here, but wait till he sees what Oh Yoon-seo will be bringing to this fight. A happy ending is pre-ordained for this story.
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8 Lord Cobol (Kdramas, like water, flow downhill)
February 17, 2019 at 2:50 PM
I wonder if he was really there to protect her, just in case, but wasn't ready to admit it
Oh dear, watch out for the guy with the magic elastic arms.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
February 17, 2019 at 3:02 PM
Those were definitely 'magic' arms!! that's 'stretching' the logic too far!
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suk
February 17, 2019 at 3:28 PM
I was genuinely concerned about his arms in that scene. I even tried to physically re-enact it, but I couldn't.
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OldLawyer
February 17, 2019 at 4:01 PM
I am fairly sure that tis is one of those moments which call for "suspending our dis-belief".
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tsutsuloo
February 17, 2019 at 7:31 PM
There's an imaginary button for that. I press it all the time while watching k-dramas.😉
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Dramaholic
February 18, 2019 at 3:48 AM
"I wonder if he was really there to protect her, just in case, but wasn't ready to admit it"
I thought that too. That scene when she asks him about his sudden appearance at the house he looks like he got caught off guard and hurriedly answers some excuse.
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9 WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 5:14 PM
I’ve concluded that nerdy and professional is my ideal type. It helps to look like Lee Dong Wook. He’s totally grown on me. 😍
It’s hilarious how they don’t realise they like each other. Lawyer Kwon clearly cares but he’s too professional to think about having a romantic relationship with her, for now. He even took the trouble of finding a classroom with a board. 😂
I have a tiny suspicion about Yeon Seo’s manager. He’s the only one with possible access to her phone and apartment, and he’s the only one who knows that Yeon Seo met up with Lawyer Known to “study”. Could he be working for the stalker ex? Call me paranoid, but he lied once and I’ve had niggling doubts about him ever since, even if he is Yeon Seo’s cousin (if my subtitles were correct).
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Milk
February 17, 2019 at 5:29 PM
I really thought of him as a good guy so if this were true, I don't think I'd ever have guessed it.
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WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Oh yes, I have no evidence at all. And it’s also possible her ex has been tapoibg her phone for a long time. 😰
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WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 5:37 PM
*tapping
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 17, 2019 at 6:09 PM
My first thought was that he must’ve had her kakaotalk up on his desktop for YEARS now.
And I totally agree about nerdy professional. I may have screenshotted his study outfit. For, ahem, research purposes.
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thatstp
February 17, 2019 at 7:27 PM
Please pass along your findings. I think I might agree with your conclusion if it is: He is 🔥🔥🔥
WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 7:29 PM
Yes, please do. Findings can the published in BORJ, the peer-reviewed Beanie Oppa Research Journal.
WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Ugh, just don’t put me in charge of editing typos.
technicat
February 18, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Although that impromptu seminar wasn’t what Yeon Soo was looking for, it shows a great deal of interest on Jung Rok’s part. He’s demonstrating he thinks she’s smart and capable enough to learn all this legal stuff and that he wants her to succeed. He lives for this stuff so he’s sharing his passion. And a top lawyer like him doesn’t give personal tutoring sessions. Normally he’d bill a thousand bucks an hour!
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Juna
February 21, 2019 at 1:02 AM
Yes, the subtitles did say cousin, but I think it was the CEO's "cover" since the rest of the staff weren't supposed to know Yoon Seo was "on assignment" and still had her manager with her.
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10 Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 17, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Ahh this show is so very cute ~ it is definitely my weekly vitamin ☺️
That university date killed me ~ from YS’ trouble getting ready, to JR’s casual look (jeans with that coat and scarf swoon~), to his outright lecturing her (I laughed so loudly, it was so in keeping with him), to his believing her reasons for a movie date (his brain just doesn’t get flirting).
I was a little put out by JR saving the day so neatly at the end ~ I wanted to see YS defend herself, or things at least not to have the case tied up in such a neat little bow. Show the difficulties! It makes me a little wary for how they will deal with YS’ story ~ I feel they are building up to the second couple helping the leads with that case, which apparently is still active from the creepy guy at the end.
So, any one else thing they were hinting at the stalker throughout the episode through camera angles? Like, when he put the scarf on her at the beginning and suddenly the camera was watching them furtively from farther off? I’m not sure if that happened in other episodes, but it struck me thinking back ~
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tsutsuloo
February 17, 2019 at 7:42 PM
I thought the same. Why would Jung Rok suddenly appear—deus ex machina—because that doesn't happen in the real world. (I heard myself say that and I know how silly that sounds in the context of a drama but ...)
The fact that Yoon Seo is there to help the client is what's full of possibilities. JR could've shown up moments later, after YS brought him down by kicking kneeing him in the groin—a skill she learned from one of her dramas. She'd still be flustered and freaked out but delighted that her muscle memory retained her training from the drama. Then JR would be the one do apply first aid. Now ... imagine Jung Rok gently blowing her neck as he carefully disinfects her cut. *wiggles eyebrows*
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 18, 2019 at 2:41 AM
... why aren’t you the writer?
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tsutsuloo
February 17, 2019 at 10:21 PM
Ah! But just one episode per day, right?😜
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 18, 2019 at 6:50 AM
... sigh... I had to rewatch the cute parts last week to make my vitamin last... only 4 episodes is so bad for my health...
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Ally
February 18, 2019 at 5:01 AM
Yes, the weird, shakey camera angle from behind the tree when he was putting her scarf on was definitely suspect. I noticed that at the time too. Then it clicked at the end of ep 4 that she was still being stalked. So scary.
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11 Mich
February 17, 2019 at 5:21 PM
can i be anymore in love with a drama at this point?!
one location:
— Weekend law classes [E4]: Seoul National University of Science and Technology [서울과학기술대학교] (https://koreandramaland.com/listings/seoul-national-university-of-science-and-technology/)
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Ally
February 18, 2019 at 5:03 AM
Really, I’m surprised that such a prestigious university allows drama filming. Thank you for these little location Easter eggs!
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Mich
February 18, 2019 at 7:49 AM
most welcome ^^ always fun to discover something new! more locations (and universities!) for this drama here: https://koreandramaland.com/jobs/?search_keywords=%22touch+your+heart%22&submit=
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12 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
February 17, 2019 at 5:29 PM
I liked this episode so much. Yoon seo's jealousy and subsequent pettiness toward Jung rok were just delightful to watch. It's such a simple plot, but Yoo Inna infuses her character with so much likeability that you just keep rooting for her. She's so good at this role, flirtatious and funny at the same time. The serious couple is boring me, while the other wacky characters are hilarious. And that guy who's in love with the single mother keeps bursting into poetry every now and then. The green turf of grass on the sidewalk caused him to wax lyrical about spring and the bus, or something like that, and it was too bad that she cut him off and said "Here's the bus". He said something about the beer foam on the lips and the dying of the night in the drinking scene in Episode 2, too, and I was incredulous that this scruffy, nondescript guy could come up with lines like those, so totally out of place and so hilarious.
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Blue (@mayhemf)
February 17, 2019 at 5:49 PM
The second leads are outright boring.
Yeah, the office manager is quite funny but cute. I do hope he gets the woman. They seem like stable people who can be in a Good relationship.
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 17, 2019 at 6:14 PM
I had this moment during the bus scene where I was thinking he might turn out to be stalking her (as a twist since the case was about stalking, I thought they might try to go into the line of chivalry and obsessive/possessive behavior)? And when he stayed on the bus because it WAS just on his way, I breathed a sigh of relief. I like our poetic former detective. I hope the two of them have a happy ending ~
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OldLawyer
February 17, 2019 at 7:45 PM
At this point in the story we have just established that the second leads are second leads- and we are supposed to see them as being very serious people. The fireworks should come later.
I love the office manager/head secretary couple. This could be a really sweet side story. Plus he is a retired detective- I have a feeling that he will be another important ally for Oh Yoon-seo in the showdown with the evil Chaebol.
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13 Abbie
February 17, 2019 at 6:26 PM
This show is just so darn cute I can't get enough of it! And every time Lee Dong-wook smiles my fan girl heart just melts and I swoon! I am loving this so far! Thanks for the recap!
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14 Dramaholic
February 17, 2019 at 7:04 PM
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15 Dramaholic
February 17, 2019 at 7:11 PM
We all knew that LDW looks great when he smiles and this episode (my favorite so far) highlighted that fact.
What I didn't know that he can also look this adorkable smiling like that. When YS peevishly tells him he doesn't look that great smiling but he ends up smiling anyways I am pretty sure both me and YS thought "Please stop slaying my poor heart like that"
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16 Dramaholic
February 17, 2019 at 7:16 PM
Also am I the only one who was cracking up at his obsession with a white board?
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WishfulToki
February 17, 2019 at 7:33 PM
Nope. I was dying at how earnest he was in teaching her. 😂
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 18, 2019 at 6:52 AM
I definitely started cracking up. Then had to rewind so I could actually read the subs 😂
When she suggested he sit down, and his look of total, utter confusion “but the board is here?” 🤣🤣
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
February 18, 2019 at 6:52 AM
Oh, and she thought the lecture hall was being considerate of her, not his teaching style haha
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17 lezah
February 17, 2019 at 8:22 PM
On Yoon-seo: Oh, this girl and her campus romance fantasy. 😂 I just KNEW it was gonna be a boring as hell lecture style lesson because this is JR we are talking about. I like that we got a bit more insight into her drug abuse scandal, because I think that’s what the show is setting up as the conflict/villain situation. First I almost shrieked when they showed stalker bf hiding under the bed like some reptile and then I was CREEPED OUT beyond words when I realized that YS’s phone was being bugged?! Oh gawd. That’s screwed up on a higher level. And YS’s so precious, I just want her to have a nice, sweet romance and a successful comeback.
On Jung-rok: ok is he really that dense that he believes she wanted to watch a movie to... “study”? 😂 I had the exact same reaction as Se-won. Actually, given how he’s so squarish and stuffy, I could believe he actually really believed YS’s ridiculous explanations. The other itty bitty hopeful part of me thinks that an inner voice in his head thinks her excuses are utter bull but he’s just going ahead with it because she’s fun to be around and he’s been alone for ages. I’m good either way because he’s adorable. The way they both reacted when their hands touched? 😍
The “JR saves damsel YS” thing - twice in 4 episodes (thrice if you count creepy lawyer senior at the restaurant)! I’d like to see YS be the hero for once. Or stand up for herself. That’d be cool.
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moana
February 18, 2019 at 5:09 AM
"I'd like to see YS be the hero for once." Please, drama gods. We've seen how capable she is - just let her be the one save the day. Jebal.
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18 nightmoon
February 17, 2019 at 10:10 PM
Yes, that ending! Ep 3 lagged a bit for me. Finally, something to spice the story up a bit.
I actually saw a spoiler about this ep before I watched it about how creepy it was the stalker could access 'her' phone. I didn't pay attention to who it referred to but figured it was our lead. Then the girl with the stalker ex showed up, and I figured it was in reference to her. Honestly, I was disappointed. I like fluff but a whole show's worth might be even too much for me. I was so happy at the end that there might be a hint of a thriller aspect to this show! (My fondness for melodramas is coming through, I think.)
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19 Nonso
February 17, 2019 at 10:56 PM
So first thing first. I didn't notice someone looking at them in the beginning. How did i miss that?
Now that they are both aware of each other lets move on to the good things.
Geez😮😮the scandal guy is spying on them. I wonder how it's going to play out because i was under the impression that he's out of the picture.
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Clauie
February 18, 2019 at 3:20 AM
Me i thought It was just some paparazzi lol didn't come to mind that it was her stalker CEO 😱
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tesshan
February 19, 2019 at 2:43 AM
I think he might be overseas but he still has a good grip on YS life...or so it seems. He knows what she is doing and it is very scary.
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20 DoubleFault
February 18, 2019 at 7:47 AM
"And I’m even more impressed with Yoon-seo’s continued optimism in the wake of this reveal. Yoon-seo isn’t unrealistically cheerful, she’s just determined not to let Lee continue ruining her life. That takes real guts."
Great recap, @helcat! YIN as Yoon Seo is just running away with my heart. I just love her portrayal of Yoon Seo from the get go. It's great how committed YIN to this character, from the bad acting, to her somewhat pettiness, up to the earnest and heartfelt moments. She just delivers every single time.
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technicat
February 18, 2019 at 2:21 PM
One thing I noticed the last two episodes is how good she is at expressing herself while she’s all mummied up in her disguises, sometimes even without talking. There’s a lot of good physical acting, but without overdoing it.
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KSJung
February 19, 2019 at 1:18 PM
I agree, Yoon-seo is a lot stronger then what first impressions led me to believe and YIN is on top of her game without going over the top with her character, which could have been easy to do given her character's nature (not meaning to be snarky but somehow Hwang Jung-Eum comes to mind when a character can be way overacted).
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21 Yashashree Jadhav
February 18, 2019 at 11:03 AM
I have been loving this drama so far. It is literally everything that they promised it to be.
Yoo In Na x Lee Dong Wook romantic chemistry: check
cute office setting: check
easy watch: check
this is really a good drama to watch in the middle of the week when I don't really want to watch something heavy.
They story line is interesting enough to keep watching it and the fluff is so fluffy I might turn into Agnes from DMe series.
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Yashashree Jadhav
February 18, 2019 at 11:07 AM
Also Yoon Seo's character is impressing me with the way she is handling the negative things thrown her way. She reminds me kind of of a character in a book Pollyanna (not quite that level of optimism, but similar ish)
and I like that Jong Rok is both smitten enough by her (not that he has realized it) that he wants to be with her and do things for her, but he now respects her as his secretary and as a person who is capable of the tasks he gives her. And he is so mindful of her past and checks in with her without it sounding like a pity check in (which could have easily been the way it could have gone).
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Kafiyah Bello
February 19, 2019 at 4:52 AM
This!!!! It's one of the few times in farmland were the trauma isn't initially paralyzing. It is utterly refreshing.
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22 amara
February 18, 2019 at 4:50 PM
CUTE
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amara
February 18, 2019 at 4:53 PM
it's a really cute feeling rn. and i love the camraderie in the office. my fav stuff in these dramas is the found family aspect. like the idea that yea they could all be friends in their adult lives.
yoon seo is so impressive. she may be an "airhead" (whatever) and an atrocious actress but her memory is amazing and she's sharp and a quick learner. i look up to her so much.
i know her past is hard but she's survived. also a user above stated that she save him and i agree!! please! in the drama re-enactment when she jumps in front of the bullet i was like THAT'S MY GORL. also, the court scene. it's not that they need to prove to be strong but yoon seo is learning how to grow on her own and she is an independent kind girl.
their chemistry is really great so i just love watching them. and how sweet he is with her now.
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23 tesshan
February 19, 2019 at 2:42 AM
And we finally have the bad guy! It will be interesting to see how this storyline develops. The bad guy is someone very powerful and it will be interesting to see how out little law firm will be able to handle the pressure...because I assume the baddy will do something to get his opponent out of the way. YS is very good with people and I really like the fact that she has a brain that works!
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24 fromanotherstar
February 21, 2019 at 3:18 AM
I really wasn't interested in this show as I never watched Goblin and all... But because of the reviews I did start and I have to say that I'm loving it! I like how kind and haed working she is, and I thought I wouldn't mind the quiet ML that much, but he is such a good contrast with the talkative and friendly actress.. And of course it was even more amazing when they were hanging out together and he started to smile!
It's a cute romcom and I'm here for the ride, for sure!!
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25 MikeyD signed up
February 22, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Better than episode 3. This show might rise to the level of 'guilty pleasure' yet. Its almost worth it just to watch Yoo In-na giving the role her all. She seems to be 'inhabiting' the part like a method actor.
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26 pinkflakes
February 23, 2019 at 2:29 AM
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27 zk
July 4, 2023 at 1:40 PM
"how long are his arms" 😭😭😭
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