140

Romance Is a Bonus Book: Episode 4

Our publishing heroes settle into their new living and working arrangements, and even have time to spend time with some friends, new and old. Dan-yi starts to find stable footing in her work and is even finding those who will encourage her efforts, while Eun-ho harbors secrets, including one that is surprisingly important to a certain book cover designer.

 
EPISODE 4: “Even If the World Turns Its Back on Me”

It’s a hangover-type morning for Eun-ho, as he wakes up in bed with some hazy recollections of hugging Dan-yi the night before. Eun-ho ducks under the covers as Dan-yi barges in and demands his presence at breakfast. “Did I teach you to get drunk like that?” she asks.

Flashback to Eun-ho’s first drinking excursion with his noona after he turned the legal drinking age. Dan-yi takes him out to a bar where she has a VIP account, and the waitstaff bring out bottle after bottle of alcohol for them to train with.

Dan-yi starts by demonstrating the proper way to open a wine bottle, except it’s not the right way at all. Eun-ho deftly opens the bottle for her and replaces their wine glasses with the correct ones for red wine. Eun-ho drinks down their whiskey as a pro, but it’s when they get to soju bombs that Dan-yi excels. Soon the whole bar is cheering for her as she drinks shot after shot, until Dan-yi stands in the hallway, banging on the men’s bathroom door.

Eun-ho redirects her to the ladies’ room, and when Dan-yi returns, she’s smeared her bright lipstick well off her lips and onto her cheek. “Do I have something on my face?” she asks, and leans in up to Eun-ho’s face. He looks at her a beat before wiping away the smear for her and heading back to the bar.

As Eun-ho tries to cash out, Dan-yi dashes to the front and declares that she will pay for the drinks of the entire bar. Eun-ho grimaces as he reaches back into the sleeve for more money. Once they’re outside, Eun-ho asks Dan-yi why she blew her money like that. Dan-yi replies that the money was from a gross client who groped her during their meeting. Eun-ho offers to find the guy and beat him up, but Dan-yi is just happy to spend the money on a fun night like this.

They rise to head home, and Eun-ho wraps Dan-yi in his jacket. She protests and then chases after Eun-ho, smacking at him with the empty sleeves of the jacket as they laugh.

Back in the present, Dan-yi asks Eun-ho where he went last night after drinking at home. Eun-ho responds vaguely, “where the girl I like lives.” Dan-yi tells him he should have just stayed the night there, and as Dan-yi laments how long it’s been since she’s had sex, Eun-ho’s cheeks redden.

Eun-ho tries to dig for details about his actions after he returned home, and Dan-yi confirms the hug. Dan-yi calls him gross as he spits out his food, ha. After breakfast, Eun-ho tucks Hae-rin’s red bra into a bag to return to her, and of course Dan-yi peeks in. Eun-ho tells her to mind her own business, and Dan-yi nods, even as she pulls Eun-ho’s coffee mug right from his hands and drinks from it herself, haha.

Eun-ho has the chance to return Hae-rin’s clothes to her in the parking lot. She’s surprised, since he previously told her to just leave them there, but Eun-ho tells her she can’t show up drunk at his house anymore, since he’s now living with a woman.

The new book has officially launched, and Dan-yi passes out copies to Gyeoroo employees. For those who know, they can’t help but see Dan-yi’s book blurb on the cover and think of the way that it was taken from her. When Dan-yi delivers Director Ko’s copies, the director tells her that while it might look like she stole from her, she’d actually had the exact same idea herself before the meeting. (Sure…)

Dan-yi holds her ground, and solemnly says that she would have appreciated it then if she’d been told that before the meeting happened. But then Dan-yi says that she’s trying to be understanding. She tells Director Ko that the Inuit don’t have a word for excellence, because nothing can be perfect, just like humans. Dan-yi leaves Director Ko staring after her.

In the afternoon, Eun-ho takes the new recruits to the printers to witness what happens to books that don’t sell. Towering mounds of shredded paper and damaged books surround the group. Eun-ho explains that so much works goes into a book’s production, not just by the author, but the entire production team, but that storing books that don’t sell only costs them money in the end.

Cut the moment when Eun-ho presented a new book, Joys and Sorrows of Work, to Jae-min. He breathed in the smell of a new book and declares to Eun-ho, “We made this.”

Cut to another moment in the past, when one of Gyeoroo’s authors was revealed to have committed sexual assault. Everyone on the team rushed to the warehouse to do damage control, even though it was their day off (Director Ko rushing in with the salon hair drying bag on her head is amazing, ha). Jae-min asks his dream is, and they promptly respond that he wants to make sure the books he makes are read by everyone in the world.

Back in the present, the new hires all suggest ways they could avoid the destruction of all these books. But discounts and donations, there are industry reasons why they all don’t really work. The shop hands over the money they receive in return for the shredded books, and it’s not a lot at all, especially for two truckloads of books. Before they leave, Dan-yi slips a a tattered copy of Joys and Sorrows of Work into her bag.

As they leave, Hae-rin arrives, bag with the red bra inside in her hands, and asks Eun-ho to join her for a visit to her parents for some kimchi. While those two split off, Hoon volunteers to drive everyone else back in the company car.

In the car, Ji-yul muses whether Eun-ho and Hae-rin are dating. Dan-yi is unwilling to contribute to the gossip and Hoon… well, it seems that he just got his driver’s license the day before, and he’s hunched over the steering wheel in concentration as he creeps down the busy street, the other cars on the road honking and swerving around him.

In Eun-ho’s car, Hae-rin pulls up some info on the book cover artist Eun-ho is supposed to recruit. She’s learned that instead of design, Seo-joon attended school for Korean literature, and she managed to get his phone number. Eun-ho groans when he sees the photo and recognizes Seo-joon from the encounter in the bookstore.

While those two debate him, Seo-joon spends his evening painting at his home. His current work is of a very familiar figure standing in the rain as she drinks a bottle of soju.

Back in the company car, Hoon can’t bring himself to switch lanes and take their exit, so he pulls over the side of the road instead. Dan-yi’s license has expired, while Ji-yul is desperate to make her blind date so that her mother will continue to give her an allowance. They all want to flee, but they’re unsure about abandoning the company car.

Cut back to the same scene, and now Hoon looks quite comfy in the driver’s seat, so much so that he lifts his foot up onto the steering wheel to drive. The camera pulls away to reveal the tow truck dragging their car behind it, and they all smile.

Hae-rin’s parents greet Eun-ho warmly when they arrive at the family restaurant. Eun-ho’s so comfortable here, he even gets up to deliver more kimchi to waiting customer, while Hae-rin watches with a smile.

Dan-yi considers the possible relationship between Eun-ho and Hae-rin as she rides the bus home, and gets out an erasable marker and doodles out all of the connections she’s spotted on the window. She assumes that they must have reconciled the night before after a breakup and smiles to herself as she wipes the ink into a smear.

As Dan-yi walks the rest of the way home, a familiar golden retriever off her leash pads up to her. Dan-yi uses her scarf as a makeshift leash as she wonders where “Mr. Umbrella” is. Seo-joon searches the park for his dog, and smiles as he spots Dan-yi with her.

Dan-yi holds out her hand jokingly for reward money, and Seo-joon shoots back that she still hasn’t been by to return his umbrella. As they walk together, Seo-joon asks if Dan-yi has come up with a name for his dog. She names herself as Green Onion, Seo-joon as Mr. Umbrella, and suggests Geum-bi for the goldie, a reference to the rain that fell when the two first met. Dan-yi offers to retrieve Seo-joon’s umbrella, and he suggests joining him for ramyun instead.

Meanwhile, Eun-ho and Hae-rin pack up their kimchi and head towards home. Hae-rin calls her mother silly, but Eun-ho says that he likes her mom because she reminds him of his own mother, even though his mother wasn’t warm-hearted like Hae-rin’s. As they walk, Hae-rin considers slipping her arm through Eun-ho’s, but then she recalls that he’s living with a woman now, and draws back.

As they pass a tonkatsu restaurant, Eun-ho spots a familiar face–Dan-yi’s ex-husband Dong-min. Eun-ho stiffens, and he sends Hae-rin home ahead of him. The smile fades from Dong-min’s face as Eun-ho steps inside. Dong-min tries to explain himself, but Eun-ho’s heard enough, and he grabs the man by the hair and then chases him down in the kitchen.

Dong-min sits at the table, his face bruised and bloodied from Eun-ho’s beating. Eun-ho confirms that Dan-yi only knows that Dong-min was seeing another woman, not that he’s working here, or that the woman he was seeing is now pregnant. Eun-ho demands that Dong-min send Dan-yi child support and alimony, and threatens to become a regular customer if he doesn’t comply.

Eun-ho’s surprised to see Dan-yi hasn’t beaten him home, but it gives him the opportunity to send Dong-min her bank account information for the child support. He looks at her vanity, with the samples of makeup to tide her over, and his sighs when he finds her wedding ring tucked into a drawer.

Meanwhile, Dan-yi’s ramyun date continues, and she spots the painting of her that Seo-joon is working on. She asks if she can have it when he’s done, and he nods. They sit to talk, and Dan-yi’s eyes dart to the digital locks on the door to another room in Seo-joon’s apartment. Seo-joon notices her attention, but Dan-yi says that he doesn’t have to explain anything to her.

Seo-joon points out that they don’t know each others names, but Dan-yi seems more comfortable with their cute, neighborly nicknames for one another. Dan-yi says that knowing each other’s names usually means getting to know more about someone’s past, and she isn’t interested in discussing her past. She’d rather just become good neighbors with one another, and Seo-joon smiles.

Eun-ho isn’t thrilled when Dan-yi reports back from her ramyun date, especially when he hears it was with a man whose name she doesn’t even know. But when Eun-ho tries to explain the nuances of what “stay for ramyun” means, Dan-yi just pouts that she only got to eat ramyun and no one made a move on her. But she tells Eun-ho that she only needs one person in her life who knows her name and all of her past.

Dan-yi retreats to her room, but Eun-ho can’t help but follow. He asks her directly, “The one who knows you so well, it’s me, right?” Dan-yi replies that of course it is, and Eun-ho leaves her room spinning and grinning.

The next day at work, Dan-yi arrives early to clean and then continues her marketing trends research. Yeong-ah takes note, and recommends a good book on social media and marketing. When she asks about Dan-yi’s interest in marketing, Dan-yi almost spills her experience to her, and then instead lies that she used to intern at a big marketing firm.

While Dan-yi gets to work at Gyeoroo, Eun-ho and Jae-min are off to their lunch meeting with Seo-joon. Jae-min thinks he’ll be helpful at this meeting, unaware of who Seo-joon is, and he bets his monthly salary against Eun-ho’s naysaying.

Jae-min’s confidence slides right off his face when he spots Seo-joon across the cafe, and the meeting goes from bad to worse when Seo-joon offers to work for Gyeoroo, but only if they share what really happened to Kang Byeong-jun, the author who disappeared right after leaving all his publishing rights to Gyeoroo.

Jae-min seems apologetic, while Eun-ho turns defensive and forcefully grabs Seo-joon to reject his inquiries. Seo-joon replies that the meeting has been worth it, since now he knows Eun-ho has something to hide about it.

Eun-ho and Jae-min grab drinks after their unsuccessful recruitment efforts. Eun-ho is frustrated with public perception about the whole ordeal, while Jae-min reminds him that it was Author Kang’s books that launched their company. Eun-ho snarls that they give all of the profits from his books to charity. Jae-min apologizes that Eun-ho is the one who has to carry the heavy burden of this. Jae-min asks if he should join Eun-ho to go see Author Kang, and Eun-ho says he plans to go alone.

After drinks Eun-ho pulls over to smoke. He leans against a bridge overpass, a sign pointing to Gapyeong over his shoulder.

At home, Dan-yi signs up for her first social media account, and then notices that Eun-ho hasn’t returned home yet. She shoots him a message as she looks for him at the gate, saying that she’s waiting for him. Eun-ho, who made it home and is sitting in the garden, watches Dan-yi as she wanders through the garden, singing to herself. She turns and spots Eun-ho and joins him to look up at the moon.

He turns to Dan-yi and asks her if she’ll stand by his side, even if the whole world turns against him, and understand that he must have had something he wanted to protect very much. Though Dan-yi doesn’t understand the context, she smiles and nods.Eun-ho asks Dan-yi to sing to him. She sings the song she sang to herself as they gaze up at the moon together.


 
COMMENTS

I will be the first to admit that not a lot of plot happened in this hour, but allow me to also be the one to say that I don’t care at all, because instead we got some amazing moments with great characters. Some have known each other for years, others are just starting to get to know one another, but every moment of this episode was in effort to serve these characters and who they are. And I loved it.

Many dramas struggle when they try to keep the plot pulsing from the very first intriguing moment until the last episode’s final dying gasp. By not offering us much of anything in that realm, this episode instead concentrated on establishing the foundation of these characters and their relationships. I can’t think of a better decision, because when they do finally give us a conflict or some longer plot purpose, we will be so very invested. I’m pretty sure I’m already prepared to fight on behalf of basically everyone at Gyeoroo.

I can’t help but be reminded of one of my all-time favorite Japanese dramas, Long Vacation, from the running in a wedding dress opening to the quirky, domineering way Dan-yi treats her quieter and more refined dongsaeng. Dan-yi doesn’t have as big of a personality as her Japanese counterpart Minami, but she has just enough of that spark and disregard for rules that makes me love her.

Another parallel I see is the way we’ve drawn up a perfect little love cube, where everyone is adorable and wonderful and there are no evil witches or interfering parents, just four people who are trying, but the real romance is super obvious to all of us watching. It’s no one’s fault that Eun-ho’s heart already belongs to another, but it’s his heart’s dedication, not anyone’s ill intents, that is going to cause the most pain.

Although, I do wish the fact that Eun-ho lost his mother wasn’t being added in at certain touching moments, as if it explains his attraction to his noona. I don’t need an excuse for this young man to want an older woman in his life, show! These two have a deep and meaningful relationship, we don’t need any more reason than that.

The more that I see of Eun-ho and Dan-yi, the more that I love them together. I normally love a second lead, but this guy is so perfectly milquetoast, I can really only love him as a neighborhood friend. Meanwhile, Eun-ho and Dan-yi are already casually sharing coffee from the same mug and yelling at each other to remember to wear their slippers. Dan-yi just bulldozes over him sometimes, like any good older sister might, but it also keeps her unfairly ignorant of his feelings for her. It’s my favorite kind of pain, where no one is trying to be malicious, but each casual word from Dan-yi’s mouth can either make or break poor Eun-ho.

This mystery of the disappearing author makes me laugh, and I’m uncertain whether or not it’s going to play out as a real dramatic storyline or the eventual punchline. There’s no reason for me to be invested in it yet, but the characters are so into all the intrigue, like they want to be part of a thriller novel and haven’t been told yet that they are firmly in a rom-com. At first I could only assume that Author Kang had to be someone we’ve already met, but now I’m not so sure.

And milquetoast as he may be most of the time, Seo-joon showed some venom when it came to that meeting with Eun-ho and Jae-min. He’s got locks on his doors and a strange loyalty to this mysterious author, but will his connection be enough for bad behavior? Don’t make me take Geum-bi away from you, Seo-joon. Eun-ho’s involvement in this disappearance is going to have to be real bad for me to switch sides in this romance square.

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , ,

140

Required fields are marked *

That was the most satisfying ass whooping I've ever seen (Even if I didn't see it all). #thatisall

14
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

It was actually too painfully true for me.

In the 37 years that I have practiced law I have met a hundred men (if that is what you can call them) who are just like Dong-min- including the new woman who is either pregnant or has already had a child with him.

And as satisfying as that punch in the face might be, in the end you know that they are not at all happy (as Dong-min surely is not) because their lives are the existence which Mephistopheles describes to Dr. Faust: "I am in Hell, nor am I ever out of it".

9
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

While very true, the person that did the punching felt very happy. Especially considering Eun Ho has never liked Dong Min.

Dong Min is less than a man (totally agree with you) but the people I really don't understand is the mistress and her parents. I'm sure the reason the restaurant is in her parents' name is to avoid paying support. You would think that since she fell in love with someone else's husband the least she could do is make sure the woman and her child (who is also the child of the man she loves) are taken care of. It pissed me off when the mistress objected to Dong Min paying child support and alimony. Her parents are a piece of work too. There's no way I'm going to help my daughter put another woman on the street, welcome the man who left his wife and child only to give him the opportunity to do it to my pregnant daughter. Dong Min deserves to feel uneasy if not for the rest of his life then at least for the next 10-15 years.

7
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

We see these characters in Korean dramas all the time and they make zero sense to me. Why would any woman be interested in a man who would completely abandon his own children? If I met a man with children, him taking care of them properly - financially and emotionally - would be a given. If he didn't, I'd be horrified. Why would I want to be with that kind of man?

7
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Isn't the point that Dan-i married a sleazeball? Totally not surprising that his girlfriend and her parents would not be the kind of people who would think like you.

2

@lindag You are absolutely correct. If Dong Min and mistress were capable of decent thought they wouldn't have done what they did.

2

@lindag @thatstp
It's not just this show or this character. We constantly see women in kdramas tolerating - even insisting on - men abandoning their previous children. I don't understand it. No woman I know would be like this. They'd be horrified.

3

@leetennant Yes and sometimes it is expected of a man to leave his kids behind when he marries his second wife. I often wonder if they really feel like that in Korea.

2

Not all women would- nor even most women. But yes, in my professional experience I have met a number of such women.

If it is any comfort to you, in the long run things tend to blow up in their faces.

And so you are a member of the majority of women- the ones who are wiser than that.

2

I can assure you- again from my professional experience- That people like the new woman definitely exist- and do act precisely in this way.

The reason I prefer to watch mostly comedies and almost never anything heavier (with some exceptions) is that I get to see too much of the rest in my work. I am proud and challenged by the things that I do- but the big drawback of being a lawyer is that at least some of the time you see people at their worst.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

That ending! I loved everything about it… How Dan-i was worried and waiting for Eun-ho outside, how he was just watching her… And afterwards when he asked her to sing again, and then the soundtrack song started, it was such a beautiful moment… It’s a Roy Kim song, isn’t it?

Btw, there’s more to the Umbrella-cover guy that we don’t know, right? I mean, when he’s with Dan-i he’s cute and nice, but he came pretty strong during the meeting with Eun-ho and the CEO, didn’t he? Is it all because he wants to know where that author is? Who’s in the wrong here, Umbrella guy or Eun-ho?

4
25
reply

Required fields are marked *

I find him anything but milquetoast. More like "creepy stalker". That whole thing with him having a brand new Golden Retriever and carrying around her shoes and somehow "coincidentally" seeing her to give them back. If they told me that he had planned it all because he'd seen her going in and out of Eunho's house I'd believe it.

21
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

When I saw him painting a picture of her I raised an eyebrow. And then she was just all like "Cool, can I have this when it's done?" Um.....

10
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

DON'T ASK ABOUT THE LOCKED DOOR

I mean, it's not a thriller or anything. I doubt his intentions are malicious. I just think all their accidental meetings are deliberate and his life is a veneer - he's like a bad book with a good cover. And that is his specialty after all.

11
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Do you think that Mr. Umbrella is somewhat related to the missing Writer Kang? and the room is related to Kang as well? like they used to live together...

3

This one is interesting. It could make sense. He knows what people want to see in order to sell himself/books. But is his cover genuine?

5

I don't think it's surprising that an artist wants to paint a surprising event in his day like a barefoot woman drinking soju in the rain.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I couldn't believe Danyi went into the apartment of a guy whose name she doesn't even know, to "eat ramyun", and that guy has a weird securely locked room in his place. He could be a serial killer for all she knows. The only reason we know he isn't dangerous is cause this is a romantic comedy and not a thriller.

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

It seems that Seo Joon and the writer might be related. I'm guessing either father/son or brothers. Eun-Ho is a little hot-tempered and Seo Joon had already pushed his buttons being flippant with CEO Kim. In this instance, I would say Eun Ho was wrong for grabbing him.

Idk if I even care where Writer Kang is. lol.

1
15
reply

Required fields are marked *

i’m thinking dani and the missing writer are related—aren’t their last names both Kang (pls correct me if i’m wrong). and i think the artist guy is creeping on dani because he knows it. somehow.

5
13
reply

Required fields are marked *

bear in mind that literally *not one* of my theories about a kdrama has ever been right. lolol. i am THE WORST conspiracy theorist.

8
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like when we think about theories, because, really, some of them are way better than the actual plot! You know those dramas with not much a plot, if we could interfere with our theories, they would turn into a fast-paced-thriller-romance-with-some-unexplanable-supernatural-situtuations in no time :)

7

In another life I'd wanna be a K drama writer that only writes the first half of dramas with all the questions, then reads all the beanies comments and chooses the best theory amongst them and pretends that was the plan all along.

21

Oh I'm always wrong about everything.

1

@lmcamargo @ultramafic SAME SAME SAME!! i LOVE it when beanies get going and i TOTALLY have had the thought, too, that some drama writers are doing way more work than they need to. They just need to get a beanie account and ride on our coattails hehehe

4

Yes they both have the same last name but how would they be related I wonder? Can't be father and daughter because her father died right before her wedding. Now you have my head spinning!

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Did you see his body??

8

Did 👏 you 👏 see 👏his 👏body?

jk jk i was thinking it could be the grandfather--age-wise and all. BUT THEN AGAIN..............

4

I think the writer discovered that he has either dementia or Alzheimer and decided to retire before he starts writing sh*t and turns into laughing stock. Eun-ho is visiting him in the hospital/retiring home or something of the sorts.

5

I was thinking the same thing maybe Writer Kang is Dani's father. It was weird to mention her father's death in the 1st ep (it didn't come out naturally to me like they made that line on purpose to inform the audience). We didn't know how old this writer is nor dani's father's job, they purposely not let Mr umbrella know dani's name, and the reason why the publishing was given to that company was because he trust eunho and maybe give it as a stepping stone, he might have really died or something happened that he wanted eunho to be successful in return so there's someone to provide and protect dani when he's gone

5
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh, I had not read your comment before, haha. I commented in another comment below, but yes, I also think that it may be the father of Kang Danyi.

2

This is too makjang for this drama, I don't think the writer is in anyway related to Dan-i. So far the drama is more of slice-of-life then melodrama and I hope they stay that way. Remember, it is supposed to be a show about books, writing and creating, birth secrets would be unnecessary.

2

It is true that Dan-yi and the writer who chose to disappear have the same family name- but Kang is apparently a fairly common family name (Kim being the mot common). Song and Lee are fairly common Korean names. They are also fairly common Chinese names- and English family names as well.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lol, didn't read your comment here, and I commented above, LoL. Ah, my bad...

I have the same thought as you....

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love everything about the ending too
I just like the fact that they know each other so well, and how they respect about each other. I don't even care if the plot not moving so much, if I can look more about all of the character. I just hope that Hae-rin would be mature enough to handle her crush.

6
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

If Ji Seo-joon- the book designer- comes to work at the publishing company Hae-rin will have someone else to have a crush on. One who just might return her feelings before that show ends.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

will put in my thoughts a little later, but here are the locations in this ep (more to come):

Green Cloud Coffee Shop: https://koreandramaland.com/listings/green-cloud-coffee-shop/

Duksung High School ('teaching' Eun-ho to drink): https://koreandramaland.com/listings/duksung-high-school/

Ssangdaepo (drinks after meeting): https://koreandramaland.com/listings/pork-restaurant-%EC%8C%8D%EB%8C%80%ED%8F%AC-%EB%B3%B8%EC%A0%90/

more RIABB locations here: https://koreandramaland.com/jobs/?search_keywords=%22romance+is+a+bonus+book%22&submit=

8
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can I just say how much I love Eun Ho's respect for those around him? He stood up for Chief Kim, stepped in for the publishing underlings without embarrassing Have Run, and even makes sure little pregnant Missy won't get hurt. He's not perfect but his baseline seems to be respectful and I really like that.

19
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

* Hae Rin, not Have Run. Good gravy autocorrect.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved this episode..I love little tidbits I get to see of Dan-Yi & Eun-ho's past...

Also, just like you, my heart will break if Eun-ho's love, dedication is rejected..You can clearly see his devotion..It's like when Dan-yi got married, he moved on professionally but personally, he was standing right there where Dan-yi left him.. That's why no serious relationship for him..

Dan-Yi is such a bully but in a good way..She drinks his coffee, tell him what to but love him to pieces.. Similarly, Eun-ho looks tough from outside but when it comes to Dan-Yi, he melts like a butter.

I love Publishing house's president too..He is amazing.

I find 2nd guy creepy..Not getting a good vibe..His whole approach to me from the beginning looked dicey.. Finding Dan-yi's shoes, offering her the same shoes, buying dog, locker room & his motive to know about Author Kang.

I disliked how he didn't shake hand with the President/CEO. That was rude..How on the pretext to meet Eun-ho for job he kept on asking about Author Kang.

I didn't like his attitude & I can understand why Eun-ho was angry because through out their meeting, he was out and out rude.

Loved the last scene.. Dan-Yi waiting & Eun-ho staring at her with admiration & love..That scene was beautiful & I think Author Kang is either related to Dan-Yi or Eun-Ho..

Thank you for the recap

12
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seo Joon's rudeness is what makes me think he is the son or brother of Writer Kang. He's been polite to every other person we've seen him interact with.

3
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

that might explain why he hates the G publishing house so much, too

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Seo Joon has a different family name: "Ji". If there is a connection it is more likely that of a childhood friend. But the key point is that he thinks that the publishing company might know where Writer Kang is.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah, but it could be his mother's last name.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

"You can clearly see his devotion..It's like when Dan-yi got married, he moved on professionally but personally, he was standing right there where Dan-yi left him.. That's why no serious relationship for him.."

Eun-ho the embodiment of the word "wait".
Or maybe "patience"?

8
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

That would also explain the fact that while he is competent professionally anytime noona mentions sex or intimacy he gets embarrassed. He must still feel like a teenager in that sense next to her.

8
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the drama I can't wait for the ship to sail... :)

The scene in the car with three rookies kind of reminding me Junki's driving Rebecca in "Wohoo Waikiki" :))

7
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I still laugh out loud when I remember him driving Rebecca!

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Rebecca is a "cursed" car, LoL. But Junki loved it very much... Wondering if Rebecca still with Junki in Season 2.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

That would be fun if she is. I do know that most of the original cast will not be in the second season- but we will see Jun-ki.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

And now for the whole "I'm on the FINSE" part of this comment section.

I'm on the fence, guys. This episode didn't change that.

The whole section with unwanted and misused books - one of which was Joys and Sorrows of Work - being shredded because they would never be bought and Dani saving one was just so heavy handed.

I'll give them some credit, I was struggling to reconcile the two parts of the show. But, here it is. Dani is a used book y'all. Her career, in all its complex glory, was being fed to the shredder but she's acted just in time to save it - just like she's acted just in time to save herself.

She's the book with the coffee stain and the poorly-designed cover who needs a refresh so people will look inside for her wonderful contents.

I mean, as far as metaphors go I like it. It was just a bit heavy handed is all. And that goes for a lot of this show's writing.

The things about a lot of these elements though is that they could make a wonderful show if they can stop it all being so... contrived. And if they could stop playing RomCom Bingo, that'd be good too.

11
17
reply

Required fields are marked *

Really I almost cried at all the books being shredded. I didn't even look into the underlying reason for it. I was just sad. Something you might like is, they seem to be villainizing the 2nd male lead, which is a change from the female lead. We are meant to not have 2nd lead syndrome, that is a change.

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

If that is where it's going (and I hope so 'cause guy is kind of creepy) it will be a welcome change. Mind you, I can't remember the last time we got a drama with the asshole male lead and perfect SML. It's been a while (thank God).

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

You might be right. Mr. Umbrella isn't really a compellig 2nd lead. It occurred to me that Eun-ho is already the second lead. Dan-yi chose her first lead poorly, so now this second lead has the chance to become the leading man.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh I like that, Eunho does act like a second lead, the best friend who quietly does nice things for Danyi.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

The scene with them shredding the unwanted books ache me.. I love books, and I never know that they could be destroyed like that...

4
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

It was book-horror instead of book-porn 😞😭

5
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Snuff film

Disclaimer: I apologise for this comment. I even went to rabbit and asked them to talk me down but they refused and instead egged me down. Rabbit is evil, you're all evil. But also I'm evil.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

You've done well.

Also, dead. 😂

3

🤣 This is why I should stay off of rabbit. I don't need any encouragement.

0

I actually fast-forwarded through the book shredding part, because it seemed so silly. So I didn't even see her save the book. But your theory of her as a book is great, and fits.

I know there are so many elements of romcom, but their interactions feel so natural, and their characters so realistically flawed, that they don't seem all that contrivance-y and cliche-y. I think it's also because there's so much cute and fun and all those turtlenecks. But I do worry once the cute and fun turns into angst the issues of the show will become so much more glaring. Guess the only thing to do is to keep on the train until it's time to jump off.

6
reply

Required fields are marked *

for what it's worth, i saw that scene as a moralizing one---not as a metaphor. Like, I think they were preaching at people STOP RUINING BOOKS YOU WONT BUY. It was a bit heavy-handed even for that, though, I felt. It didn't occur to me to view it as a allegory of Dani until I read your comments, Chingu---I may rewatch with this in mind now.

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well the book was literally called Joys and Sorrows of Work so for me it was unsubtle.

Having said that, my other more shallow response to this was "who does this in a bookstore??". Do bookstores in Korea let you take a book off the shelf and just read it while drinking coffee and water?

5
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode in which George goes to the toilet with the bookstore book and is forced to buy it. It was okay to read it in the store though.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

In Italy there are that kinds of bookstores, but I have never seen so damaged books on the shelves.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree about the used book metaphor and really appreciate this change - for once, a female lead is someone with a past and regrets. (I know this is not the first time, its merely a rare time)

Because dramaland's leads are usually so young, the focus is on youth and getting it right the first time. What about those who are older, who made mistakes? They're sorely underrepresented in dramaland. And the signal that sends out - the pressure to succeed, to marry right, etc in your youth and in the first go - is no good. Not for the young people watching, and not for older people.

Not enough fiction tells us that its ok to make mistakes. To be wrong, to start again. Your life still has the same value at 37, 47 or 57, that it had at 27 or 17. I love this message, and therefore love this show. If this is taken away, my heart will crumble.

16
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

It is a lovely message, male or female, young or old.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I enjoyed another drama with an older woman who discovers that she made a mistake- "Twenty Again".

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the simple moments we get to see between these two. That last scene was so nicely done. I remember in the first episode I wasn't sure if he liked her in that way, and yet each episode we get more and more aware of just how deep his affection goes. He is so good at the quietly pining thing, it's not even fair. I like that he trusts her enough to be able to express his love for her, even if it is in a way she interprets as only brotherly/friendship.

I'm curious how she will react to a confession from him. On the one hand, we started the show with her as a runaway bride, and we know she has trouble addressing overwhelming situations or emotions. On the other, she has been actively working to face things head on, but will that translate to her emotional/romantic life? I fear it will not go well, and Eun Ho is in for some heartbreak before she can deal with the new feelings that will surely come with suddenly being forced to see the man you saw as a younger brother as someone with romantic potential.

6
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

However, what with that scene when she was pretending to be drunk - she was clearly hoping for a kiss from him - I think Dan-yi did have some romantic interest in Eunho before her marriage.

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too, I think that Dan-Yi has a romantic feeling toward Eunho. But she is to afraid to acknowledge that feeling, maybe their age gap and how other people thinking be her big reason to decide marrying DongMin

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

While the love angle does not grab me yet I did find Dan Yi’s adjustment to work life after such a long break and how she dealt with her idea being stolen very interesting. I am hoping this story line will maintain its level and won’t turn out the way treatment of women storyline turned out in Pretty Noona (what was that spitting thing they did in My Ajusshi?). I did like how Dan Yi told one woman she was disappointed in her and the other, she understands that no one can be perfect. Neither reaction was offensive, but showed the respective parties she deserves much better. I did also like her determination, seeking and taking on constructive criticism, reading and trying to catch up with the developments she has missed while she was on a break.

Hae Rin must be wondering who the woman Eun Ho is living with now. While I am looking forward to the revelation I hope the seeds of a friendship is sown between Dan Yi and Hae Rin before that happens as it is bound to change the way Hae Rin views Dan Yi. Eun Ho also purposefully misled Hae Rin which makes me wonder if he is aware of her feelings for him (she is quite obvious, so he should be). Maybe a period of thinking he is living with a woman will help cool down her feelings for him.

On the other, hand Dan Yi’s reaction to the possibility of Eun Ho and Hae Rin dating due to the red bra incident says volumes about the nature of her feelings towards Eun Ho. So far she hasn’t viewed him as a man, a potential partner. If she has any romantic feelings towards him at all so far she is completely oblivious to it.

One thing I like about their relationship which hasn’t been used effectively that much by noona romances yet is the reversal of roles regarding experience in love and embarrassment. Kdramas usually feature the inexperienced and shy females (to the point of turning into wooden blocks while being kissed). I laughed every time Dan Yi made Eun Ho blush with her comments about sex. And I cracked at her reaction when Eun Ho explained the meaning of a ramyun date to Dan Yi. Yes, give us a woman who enjoys and misses sex and isn’t ashamed to say it Kdramaland! Who knows, she may be well-rewarded with an eager young lover who will end her drought. :)

On the swoony side of things Eun Ho continues to look out for Dan Yi in and out of work. When he runs into Dan Yi’s sleazy ex by chance he chases him around until landing one good punch and convinces him to pay child support and alimony.

“Meanwhile, Eun-ho and Dan-yi are already casually sharing coffee from the same mug and yelling at each other to remember to wear their slippers”
@abirdword I did write at episode 3 recap that they are acting like a brother and sister but when you put it like that, it sounds more like the actions of a long-time couple.

I don’t have SLS syndrome (I hardly ever do), but I thought Seo Joon was unnecessarily aggressive and unpleasant regarding the missing author and acted contrary to what we saw of him so far...

6
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

oops... Didn't realize my comment was cut off..

I don’t have SLS syndrome (I hardly ever do), but I thought Seo Joon was unnecessarily aggressive and unpleasant regarding the missing autor and acted contrary to what we saw of him so far with Dan Yi towards Eun Ho and his boss. I wonder what that behaviour has to do with the locked room in his house. I don’t know what to think of about this storyline yet as they are keeping it a secret from us as well and have implied that Eun Ho is at fault somehow.

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

It is possible that Seo Joon was friends with the author- who suddenly disappeared (on purpose). Author Kang has a different family name than Ji Seo Joon so he is probably not a brother or father (unless Seo Joon was his illegitimate child- perhaps author Kang was running away from his responsibilities?).

My theory is that Seo Joon is simply a deeply obsessed fan who has fixated on finding author Kang. The locked room may be his 'evidence vault'. Someone with Seo Joon's creative abilities probably has a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome or something like it- and that hyper focusing ability which is both a blessing and a curse to such people may make it easy to obsess over something or someone. Seo Joon is not a perfect man second lead like Daniel Pitt in "Fated To Love You" - a man so great that when the female lead turns down his marriage proposal every single viewer is convinced that he has gone insane. For now, I think we should just accept that Seo Joon has an obsession with Writer Kang.

The nice thing about this story is that every single character has flaws, even the second lead.

1
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I meant that she (he female lead) has gone insane.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

You know I really couldn't car less about what Seo Joon's relationship with writer Kang is. Nothing really justifies or excuses his rude behavior. Whatever his circumstances are writer Kang is an adult and unless he is locked up against his will a la Misery he must have made his own choices and decided not to share his reasoning with Seo Joon and the rest of the world. So Seo Joon has no business pestering others about it.

I am more curious about Eun Ho's role in the whole affair.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"Who knows, she may be well-rewarded with an eager young lover who will end her drought. :)"

I would die. Please cable tv gods, let this happen.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well, in the previous noona romance of the same screenwriter I Need Romance 3 which also aired on TVN it happened.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

So then we just have to hope the actors are willing to do the love scene.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Maybe I'm very wrong, but my theory is that I think Danyi actually also felt a romantic attraction towards Eunho.
She seemed very drunk hitting the wrong bathroom door. Suddenly, Eunho helps her. But once she entered the bathroom she did not seem so drunk anymore. For me, I saw that she was in perfect balance and I even thought that I had seen her think of a small plan to keep attracting Eunho's attention to her. I feel that he deliberately painted his lips wrong and then asks Eunho if there was something wrong with his face, haha. And then he kept playing with his little dongsaeng.
It's a crazy theory, but those are the feelings that I have of the relationship of both. If both wanted, the question would be: why did not their relationship advance to that level? hehe I still do not have an answer to that. I will continue to observe and enjoy this magnificent drama about how the beautiful story of these two beings I love develops. (and see how correct or incorrect my ideas are)

7
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

that's my theory too when I saw Dan-yi at the bathroom. Dan-yi not that stupid to runaway from her wedding or regretting that actually she was not run away before if she marry for love. I thought she just afraid to lost Eunho if she honest about her feeling. And their age gap is to big to be accept by society and she is afraid that it would be affecting Eunho's future.

4
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have a feeling that their age gap is not that big, no more than five or six years, judging by their childhood flashbacks. The actor's gap is bigger, that's for sure.

0
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

In the story, it's 5. With the actors' actual age, the gap is 10.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Some age gaps feel bigger depending on stages of life. In the learning to drink scene, Eun-ho would be a high school senior or college freshman and Dan-yi would be a working woman. That's quite a big gap in society's view and in life experience for the two people.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True, but at this point in their lives they are somewhat equal.

1

Long Vacation!! I was little back in '96 so dramas/series were waaay of my radar... now, 23 years later, I've just got the series and actually saw the first ep (that gorgeous traditional wedding dress/kimono!!!) and I'm already in love with with Minami (Yamaguchi Tomoko), and Kimura Takuya looks SO handsome!

4
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

@cafe99 @abirdword Because of your comments I sooo wanna start watchng Jdramas! And an old one! I didn't even go far back with Korean dramas, can you imagine if I start with Japanese tv from the 90s!

3
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have a few jdramas from the '90s in my list: Nemureru Mori, Long Vacation, Kyosokyoku/Concerto (the 3 of them with Kimura Takuya hehe), Virgin Road (with Wakui Emi and Takashi Sorimachi) and Nisennen no Koi (with Takeshi Kaneshiro). They seem intereresting, and I think that the context, time, clothes, mindset of those years "move" to the screen and to the drama too and it's a plus to watch.
I like a lot of jdramas, my faves were:
> Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (2011) -- this is a very good drama
> Quartet (2017)
> Hirugao (2014)
> Furenaba Ochin (2016)
> ON Ijo Hanzai Sosakan Todo Hinako (2016)
> Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu (2016)
> Unmei ni, Nita Koi (2016)
those are the ones I recall now, but there are plenty more.

4
5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Those are all great recs. Some other 90s dramas I'd rec are:

Beautiful Life (other kimutaku drama that I sobbed through)

GTO (the original one from 1999)

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

My watching list just gets longer and longer!

1

Try Tokyo Love Story (1991).

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I watched Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu and enjoyed it, it was a good change from the kdrama pace, and I LOVED the dance at the end!
I just found Long Vacation online and I'll start it today. The cover with both main leads reminded me of old Bollywood movies... I dont't know if you're into it, but the main actor in Long Vacation has some Shahrukh Khan vibe from his old movies...
I checked Soredemo, Ikite Yuku and it seems amazing, but too heavy for this moment in my life, where real life problems are coming all at once... So I'll enjoy Long Vacation for now :)

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

@Soredemo, Ikite Yuku (2011) , omg, I say this again and again, I really adore this drama. You have great taste.*thumbs up*

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm officially sold on this drama, I love female lead and like rest of the characters. My only complain was singing scene, why they kept poor Lee Na-Young outside with bare legs! I got shivers just looking at her, and she seemed sooo miserable.

6
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I loved this episode and I am really loving this show.

The Writer Kang angle is really not clear to me but this much we do know: He wanted to disappear. But nothing in this show indicates that the writer and Dan-yi share anything but a common family name- which is not as common as "Kim" but is shared by a lot of people in Korea. Seo-joon's family name is "Ji" so writer Kang was not his father or brother. Yet he has some sort of connection or fascination with him, which will presumably be why he comes to work at the publishing house. Which will allow our love quadrangle to move forward properly.

Meanwhile Hoon has thoroughly embarrassed himself in front of JI-yul. This seems like a setback but maybe it is the opposite- a Hoon who thinks that he has lost his chance just might stop letting his insecurity drive him to puffery and start simply being himself. Then he and Ji-yul could actually get to know each other.

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yay!! Shoutout to one of my favorite shows-Long Vacation. I love Minami and Sena.
I’ve only watched snippets of this show and so far Eunho and Danyi’s relationship makes me smile but also gives me an ulcer. They seem to be very important to each other but there is also a lot of secrets and unsaid things between them which worries me-a LOT! Eunho’s devotion is sweet and lovely but also painful to watch. I like Danyi as a character and Eunho as a character and I love them together but I don’t know why they are such integral parts of each other’s lives. Maybe I just didn’t get it from the snippets and recaps! I hope the show gives us more background on the main characters as well as their relationship.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Lee Jong Suk should glue himself in the Noona project, he always great in this theme. In this drama I feel like I can see how Park Soo Ha become adult and care about his "noona".

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Loved this episode as well. Interesting bits of info about the book industry as well.
I wonder what Mr. Umbrella is hiding. He is sweet and cute with DY but he might have shown his true colours during that confrontation in the cafe.
The missing author might be EH's real father? If I remember correctly he said his mom was not very loving and he mentioned his stepdad but no info about his real dad. Maybe the author is his dad and he gave him the rights to all his books because he was feeling guilty? That would explain why EH is the one that has to bare the burden of it all.
The digital locks in Mr. Umbrella's house are suspicious as well, same with the story that he just got the dog.

4
9
reply

Required fields are marked *

@tesshan
I too got the vibe that Ji Seo Joon was more invested in the missing writer than he bothers to admit. He may have a personal stake in knowing where the writer is. However his main aim in agreeing to meet Eun Ho was to suss out if he was guiltily hiding info on Kang's whereabouts, possibly because Kang would reveal Gyeoroo's nefarious secret(s) if found.

1
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have a feeling the nefarious secret is that he has Alzheimers or some other degenerative disease. He gave them the rights to his books; in return, he asked for privacy and for Eun Ho to take care of him. That's why he disappeared -- because he wanted to. And that's why President said the burden is on Eun Ho. And @tesshan might well be right about thinking that he is Eun Ho's father. That could explain why he would make a deal like that.

6
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

That theory makes a lot of sense. The writer may want to protect his dignity and be remembered as a great literary writer and not as someone whose greatness was eclipsed by some kind of disease. However, maintaining that secret would undoubtedly be a very heavy burden for those who want to protect it.
If this were so, without a doubt, Eun Ho is someone to love even more.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

But I think maybe it's more about Kang Danyi's father than about Eun Ho's father. I say this based on Eun Ho's conversation with Danyi at the end of the chapter. When he tells her if he would give the benefit of the doubt to some kind of decision that others would not understand.

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought he was asking if she would be the one person who would understand him if everyone else turned on him and made false assumptions about why he did what he did.

4

I felt that he said that because he had to make an unpopular decision, one that would get him misunderstood and which could lose him 'friends' even. It was likely a decision that had to do with mysterious Writer Kang.

2

Her father was an attorney who helped him get his inheritance? Do I remember correctly? He had some issues with his mom regarding that and her dad helped. No?
I assume he probably made some unpopular decisions (maybe even related to writer Kang) and as we now know he has some secrets (just like she has).
The Alzheimers theory might be plausible. I found it interesting that he ended up on that bridge smoking after he told his boss he was going to see author Kang. Did Kang commit suicide and that is why EH stopped at the bridge or is Gapyeong going to have some other meaning later on in the show?

3

@tesshan
Those were my questions too. I thought it strange that he should sit at that bridge 'while going to see Writer Kang'. The road sign behind him was maybe a red herring?

3

Interesting theory. Something is definitely up with the way CEO Kim asked Eun Ho if he was going to visit "him" alone. But if Kang is Eun Ho's bio-dad then why is Seo Joon so interested in him? OOOOOOOOO what if they're really brothers? You know it's not a k-drama without a birth secret. lol

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

The version I watched had subs also for the ending credits...I found the bit about him being afraid she would realise that his hand was shaking while he was wiping off the lipstick from her face super cute!

8
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

At some point I have to go back and watch the end credits. Credits are usually either long or spoilery or worse long and spoilery but this time they sound really cute and offer some insight to the characters.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yup the type written insight into our Lead's thoughts are so much fun to read. They aren't exactly spoilery I think. I also like the way they 'look' (as per my comment below). 😃

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

i love that bit, too! <3

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks @abirdword. I want to say thanks to the makers of this show who have lovingly depicted something of the world of the makers of books and done so, soooo beautifully.

The metaphor of "people are books to be opened" is finally stated explicitly. We may browse the shelves but never open the books. We may go for the books that look familiar (as Dan-I did with the marketing books) but familiar may no longer be suitable for the current situation. We may also not allow ourselves to be opened and read by just anyone. But still "we are like books, we wait for someone to find us and open us to see what's inside."

And finally the title makes sense to me. We all need people, and sometimes, we get a bonus when the one we need is the one we can romance. People are books and Romance is a Bonus book.

I love how Dan-I and Eun Ho chose each other as the one person they needed, who had opened their pages to each other, and regardless of the contents, would give the benefit of the doubt and hang on to each other; who would trust in each other and not give up. I like the clear, trusting way that they smile at each other.

The assurance of not ending up shredded by at least 1 person who knows one's name, is such joy-inducing, peace-giving comfort.

I also really like the beautiful images:
-Of corridors of book lined shelves.
-Of the flattering lighting on people who search among shelves and book piles and read.
-Of the pride, hope and joy over a brand, new book being presented (by Eun Ho) like a precious gift for royalty

But sandwiched among these is the shocking reality of mindless book destruction. A sad comment on how people may end up treated, (like Dan-I by her ex) like objects which are costly to keep.

And a big Thumbs Up for how at the end of each episode, we get a type-written epilogue of sorts, making us privy to the thoughts of our Leads, (some of which we'd never guess), while each closing character shot takes on the quality of a drawing on a textured paper page. Simply lovely!

11
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I also love and I am very grateful for that detail at the end of each chapter.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Koreans seem to love mysterious writter trope.

I'm curious to see Dani as a mother. For now, I can't picture her with her child.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Something that surprises me in this show. Our leads are shown to be smokers. They may not actually be 'able' (allowed) to light the cigarette and puff on it, but they have them about their person from time to time. It's so rare, that it's noteworthy!! 😉

4
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree. It's very rare. I was surprised too.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Surprised and disappointed.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Why disappointed?

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

There's so much more of that going on in kdramas lately, I wonder what has been relaxed about the anti-smoking rules on tv.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

What is the freaking ost for this episode?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

You guys I must be really obtuse but what exactly is Eun Ho's relationship with Hae Rin that she left a bra at his house? When he said "you left your clothes" I thought, okay, there could be reasons for that. Like getting caught in the rain? But just a bra? Wth?

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

When she is out drinking, she has gone to his place to sleep it off.

She wants something more and he is not interested.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you, I was being really obtuse!

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

in my made-up head canon, I imagine that she showed up drunk at his place and threw up all over herself ^^ Thus, she needed to borrow clothes while she washed everything at his place

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks, abirdword! Kdrama logic must have escaped me for a while as I just couldn't make that connection and of course you are right 😆

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm such a bookworm and this drama brings out the all the good reasons on why I love books. The mention about the selection of head copy, cover, the process of the 'birth' of a book and it's end..it hits the right spot.
Of course, delicious Lee Jong Suk and Mr Umbrella just make everything else better. I love Lee Na Young too. Undecided on which ship I should be on but as of now, I'm on Da-ni's survival ship. You go girl!

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

sigh, again..why can't there be an edit button here. =(
ignore the double 'the'

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you @abirdword for the recap! I am so grateful for the recaps for giving me the chance to see others appreciating this show!

I think this show needs the viewers' full attention to really see and appreciate the story that is unfolding. Not because the actors are not portraying their roles well (because they are!), but because I think they are using subtle details instead of "in your face" storytelling. Maybe that's why some (including me) can watch the episodes several times over. (But then again, maybe we were just focusing on LJS the first time around 🤣.)

Unfortunately, this style may not be everyone's cup of tea.

I am eagerly waiting for the story of writer Kang and how they will show KDY and CEH's transition from Noona-Dongsaeng to a ❤️ relationship.

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sorry accidentally upvoted my own comment 😛

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

"the fact that Eun-ho lost his mother" I feel like they included this in the plot so that there will be no disapproving parents like "Pretty Noona who buys me food". It seems like dramas don't know how to right parents that aren't controlling psychos.
Plus LJS's parents never survive his dramas, he's always an orphan.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

right = write

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

As I wrote in another comment, this drama improves episode after episode.

It sometimes seems that the show struggles to find its path (rom-com? slice of life? maybe mystery in the future?), but it's not a problem to me, it has some warmth that makes it perfect to watch at the end of the week.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is one drama that i kept rewatching n enjoying even more.
I can understand EH's reaction when he n CEO was trying to recruit the 2nd lead - the 2nd lead shows no respect for the CEO ad he has already form judgment that the CEO got rich becos of the disapeared writer who has given up his publidhing rights to CEO. However what he did not know is that all profits from there was donated. EH probably handled the acquiring of the rights n has reason for it n to protect the matter n writer. But 2nd lead using the recruitment to get CEO n EH to disclose that they had to protect. Which if i were EH i would get annoyed too.
I think Dani has feelings for EH as she was not totally drunk. But EH was panicking as he kind think Dani would be angry if he plants a kiss on her and she already has a boyfriend.
It is a relatable drama where most of us do have friends that are in platonic friendship just like them. Afraid if cross over, what if don't workout loose the friendship or even rejected.
Dani blub for the new book, i believe 1 more person has seen it. It is heartening that EH let Dani develop where ahe wants to n the other person is the marketing manager who gave Dani to read more upto date books on marketing.
I also like how EH comfort Dani when her idea was stolen....a blub does not mean competancy. That puts Dani into perspective to read n catch up in marketing trends which she has lost touch for 7 years. I look forward to seeing Dani becomes the copywriter/ marketing person that she used to be.
I like it that how Dani comfort EH, how she sings to him. I can imagine when they were young she sang to him as well.
LJS n LNY are absolutely beautiful n full of chemistry. When i see Dani cry n LJS was about to cry too, my heart just melt n i almost cry too. That's how moving their acting. I also like the CEO fun guy. The 2nd lead actress n all other casts acted very well. The chemistry in this drama is over flowing that it is a joy to watch them.
Looking forward to ep 5 n 6. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Ps- CEH is my ideal type...hahaa

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This reminds me a story with a very close friend. Im scared!!!! jajajaja. I love the story, i really do.
I completely understand Eun-ho and his behavior, i saw the 5 chapter and the final is...omg, i feelted the same with this very close friend. If doesent work... how us ending?

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Even though I'm a fan of the American series "Younger", which stars a divorced single mother pretending to be starting her first marketing job at a publishing house, I didn't realize that "Romance Is A Bonus Book" is based on that series. That said, I am in love with the pace of this drama and the amount of time we spend with our two leads (is it just me or do they look like siblings?) talking to each other. This feels like a drama made for book lovers. Fingers crossed that if we don't avoid most drama cliches, we at least subvert them. I'm all-in on this one. Here's the Forbes article about the Younger/Romance is a Bonus Book derivation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2019/01/27/how-does-romance-is-a-bonus-book-compare-to-younger/#7d1642591093.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The ending when eun ho told dani that “the moon is beautiful” - it’s a Japanese literary reference for “I love you”. There was this author soseki, he apparently told his students who were doing some translation work from English to Japanese, to translate I love you to 月が綺麗ですね, because being subtle and indirect is more Japanese. This expression remains well known in Japan. Too bad dani didn’t get his meaning.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Some one knows the name of the music?

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really want to know if you found the name of the song in the background of cafe? Please share if you know

0
reply

Required fields are marked *