110

Romance Is a Bonus Book: Episode 7

It’s an hour of relationships. Those beginning and those ending, some false and some as yet unrealized. It makes for an interesting character hour as our heroine discovers that just because her heart was broken, it hasn’t stopped fluttering.

 
EPISODE 7:”Tell Her I’m Waiting Here”

Though startled by Seo-joon’s sudden invitation for a dinner date, Dan-yi promises to meet him in ten minutes and rushes off. Eun-ho’s mood dips further when he realizes Dan-yi left the book he’d given her behind.

As everyone else knocks off work, Ji-hong texts ex-wife Seong-ah, also hoping for a dinner date. Alas, Seong-ah ignores the invite and instead seeks out a partner to go clubbing. Everyone politely declines and since Seong-ah won’t acknowledge Ji-hong’s solitary hand in the air, she heads home for the evening.

Dan-yi also tries to take her leave, but Eun-ho is struck with a sudden pettiness and assigns her some extra work that just can’t wait. Meanwhile, Seo-joon is still waiting outside as rookies Hoon and Ji-yul leave. Hoon invites Ji-yul to dinner, but she shoots him down to meet with friends.

Checking over Dan-yi’s work, Eun-ho guesses it was Seo-joon that called her out. She grumbles that held her back because he knew, then warns him there’s no food at home so he’ll have to eat out.

Dan-yi smacks on some lipstick while waiting for the elevator. Joining her, Eun-ho says that it’s cold and wraps his scarf around her. She meets Seo-joon downstairs and Eun-ho coolly warns Dan-yi not to stay out late, but watches sadly as they walk away.

Hoon sits down for dinner alone at home when there’s a sudden knock on the door. The visitors claim to be real-estate agents, but the glam woman and her assistant who push their way inside hardly seem interested in the property. She identifies herself as Ji-yul’s mother and is stunned when Hoon doesn’t seem afraid.

Hoon proudly answers Ji-yul’s mom’s questions about his living situation, his siblings, and his parents, Mom’s dissatisfaction growing with every response. She tearfully suggests he’s after their family money and Hoon turns the dramatics up to eleven, crying that he only cares about Ji-yul.

Mom screeches for him to break up immediately, but Hoon threatens to run away with Ji-yul if Mom persists. Sinking to the floor he sobs for her to just let them be together (and to please take off their shoes, hee).

Arriving home, Eun-ho fidgets anxiously and starts to dial Dan-yi only for his rational side to materialize across the room and chide him for his lame behavior. Eun-ho whines what should he do, then, and Rational Eun-ho suggests they think on it.

Meanwhile, Seo-joon takes Dan-yi to a small, independent bookstore. He likes how personal it is Dan-yi agrees she prefers it to the big commercial stores. Dan-yi steps away to smile at a sudden flood of texts from Eun-ho.

At a restaurant, Seo-joon pulls out the book Dan-yi had been looking at in the store. She smiles at the inscription he’d added about their date and Seo-joon presents her with his finished painting. Dan-yi clarifies whether they’re just friends and Seo-joon insists that he wants to date her.

Dan-yi feels he should know that she’s divorced and Seo-joon’s expression freezes as his silverware clatters to the floor. Oy vey…

Eun-ho is startled awake as Dan-yi angrily flops onto the couch next to him. He’s confused when she confesses that she told Seo-joon she’s divorced and he reacted poorly, but is pleased Dan-yi favors his response. In his own home, Seo-joon wallows over the evening’s events, thinking back to Dan-yi’s expression when he dropped the cutlery.

Seo-joon had quickly tried to backpedal, claiming to suffer from carpel tunnel. Unfortunately, Dan-yi’s next bomb–her 12 year old daughter, Jae-hee–results in a spit-take. In the present, Eun-ho cheerfully declares Seo-joon is no good while Seo-joon kicks himself for picking that moment to cough.

There’s more, however, because Dan-yi had also told Seo-joon her true age, guessing that the gap between them was pretty big. Seo-joon attempts to brush it off, but is cut off by a sudden onslaught of hiccups. After that, they’d taken a cab and Dan-yi had declined Seo-joon’s offer to walk her home.

Beaming, Eun-ho tells Dan-yi not to waste her time on such a loser. Dan-yi nods sadly, guessing Seo-joon won’t call her, anyway. Eun-ho face falls as Dan-yi admits she had started to develop feelings for Seo-joon, grumbling at her poor taste in men. As she shuffles off to her room, Eun-ho looks at the painting and the book Seo-joon had given her and mulls over her words.

When she returns, Eun-ho tells Dan-yi not to be bothered by Seo-joon. Dan-yi admits she understands his feelings, thinking Eun-ho would feel the same way if he found out he was pursuing a much older, divorced, single mother. Eun-ho declares that none of those things ever bothered him… and Dan-yi assumes he’s talking about some other older, divorced, single mother and tells him to snap out of it. Hehe.

Determined, Eun-ho asks, “What if I keep liking her?” Dan-yi snaps at him to come to his senses and Eun-ho yips back that he just has, screeching she’s too dumb to understand his feelings, anyway.

It’s business as usual during the morning meeting until Ji-hong (who’s sitting dramatically on the windowsill) starts reciting poetry. While everyone else ignores it, one team member explains to Hoon and Ji-yul that Ji-hong has a “poetry illness” and will periodically insist on publishing poetry despite it always losing money.

Jumping up, Ji-hong declares this time is different… and hands out water purifier brochures. Everyone quickly clears out and Ji-hong follows Jae-min back to his office. The person selling the purifiers is one of Ji-hong’s poet buddies and he begs Jae-min to buy one to support a struggling artist.

Jae-min snaps at Ji-hong to stop focusing so much on helping others, and worry about the people around him. Instead of Ji-hong’s brother in jail, or his brother’s kids, Jae-min barks that Ji-hong should’ve been more concerned about his own wife and children. He’s sick of Ji-hong insisting they publish poetry when it never profits, and orders him to grow up.

Ji-hong hangs his head and shuffles out of the office, passing ex-wife Yeong-ah at the door. Since the meeting was cut short, Yeong-ah hands her report to Jae-min to review. Afterwards, however, she asks to speak with him as a friend and nails him for berating Ji-hong when he’s having a hard time.

Yeong-ah tells Jae-min that he doesn’t need to comply with any of Ji-hong’s requests, but he doesn’t have the right to lecture him. She cries that she divorced Ji-hong, not because he was a bad person, but simply because it had become exhausting to be his wife. Ashamed, Jae-min offers her a tissue and after Yeong-ah leaves the office, also begins sobbing.

In the break-room, Ji-yul marvels at the affect Hoon had on her mother after their meeting. Hoon urges Ji-yul to take this opportunity to find her freedom, offering to continue their dating ruse in the meantime. Thrilled, Ji-yul pulls him into a hug (or three) but pulls away when Hoon hugs her back.

Dan-yi approaches Yeong-ah with an idea for the company blog. She wants to present books in a power point style and when Yeong-ah and Hae-rin approve, Dan-yi asks to be in charge of uploading the content. Her request is granted, and Yeong-ah starts to ask her to the club in exchange, but Dan-yi isn’t dressed to go out so they take a rain-check.

Jae-min sees Ji-hong is scheduled for a lunch meeting with Poet Choi and confronts him, unsure why he’s buying someone lunch if they’re not publishing his works. Ji-hong argues they can still consider his prose, but Jae-min refuses.

Ji-hong snaps that Jae-min is too focused on money and vows to buy an expensive lunch out of his own pocket. He chides Jae-min for being inhumane and storms out. Eun-ho calms Jae-min and runs after Ji-hong, handing his own credit card over to pay for the meal.

Eun-ho adds that he’ll help Ji-hong get Poet Choi’s prose published and Ji-hong wonders if they’ll ever publish poetry. Eun-ho gently points out that poetry just isn’t profitable and Ji-hong laments that it’s a dying industry. Eun-ho promises to join him and Poet Choi after his meeting.

Ji-hong calls Poet Choi but gets his voicemail. He tells him where to meet and sits down to wait at the restaurant. Back at the office, Dan-yi thinks about Seo-joon’s reaction to her confessions, frustrated that he still hasn’t called.

At the same time, Seo-joon sits in a hospital waiting area, his finger hovering over the call button. Unfortunately, he can’t think of what to say and is soon called away by a nurse (as the guardian of another patient–presumably his mother).

Eun-ho loads up a shopping cart while Ji-hong finishes his drink at the restaurant. He tries calling Poet Choi again to no avail, and sets out to visit his home. Eun-ho is already there, unloading groceries from his trunk and the two men carry them up to the rooftop apartment.

The landlady calls out to them and, noting Eun-ho’s expensive attire, casually mentions Poet Choi is three months behind on his rent. She’s also brought food for the poet and the trio knock on the door.

There’s no answer, so the landlady unlocks the door and Ji-hong stumbles backwards in shock. Jae-min answers a call from Ji-hong and apologizes for their spat. He tells Ji-hong go ahead and expense the lunch and that they should publish Poet Choi’s prose… but Ji-hong chokes out that Poet Choi is dead.

Ji-hong blames himself for not treating him to a better meal last time they met, or checking up on him sooner. He flashes back to their last meeting, where Poet Choi had complained that someone had uploaded his entire poetry book on the internet, his voice trembling as he notes that he’d be rich if he could even make 100 won (10 cents) a poem.

Ji-hong:“Sometimes, he realized he was writing poems that no one was interested in, but he had to keep going. Poems knocked on his heart every day, and he had to write them down on paper. That’s who he was, and that was how he could live. But just like that, the world lost a beautiful person.”

Later, at the office, Yeong-ah stares at Ji-hong’s empty desk, snapping out of it when Dan-yi approaches to report her progress with the blog content. Jae-min eyes Ji-hong’s desk and Hae-rin tells him it’s been 4 days. He asks Yeong-ah if she’s tried calling him, but she keeps her eyes glued to her work as she nonchalantly replies “no.”

Hae-rin drops a stack of papers on Ji-yul’s desk and tells her to read through the poetry submissions and write up a report. Ji-yul asks how and Hae-rin snaps that she has no intention of wasting time teaching Ji-yul when she’s not passionate about her job.

Ji-yul wonders how Hae-rin can judge whether or not she’s passionate. “If you wanted to learn, you’d look up and study the reports written by senior colleagues instead of asking me!” Hae-rin barks. Ji-yul starts to ask where to find the reports but Hae-rin’s glare silences her.

Dan-yi scribbles a note to Ji-yul to follow her and leads her to the library. Ji-yul glances over a report and thinks it looks easy. Since there’s a lot to go through, Dan-yi offers to help. Ji-yul notes Dan-yi goes above and beyond her job as a temp and Dan-yi smiles, “Everything I learn will come in handy one day.”

In the break room, Hae-rin complains to Eun-ho about one of her writers that’s missed her deadline. Eun-ho tells her to be patient, since the person most upset about missing the deadline is actually the writer.

Changing the subject, Hae-rin invites Eun-ho to dinner. Eun-ho declines, as he has plans. Snapping her fingers in front of his face, Hae-rin attempts to hypnotize him into agreeing. Eun-ho returns the gesture, insisting that he has plans.

Seo-joon places an order to the flower shop as Eun-ho interviews author Yoo Myeong-seok on his podcast. The bouquet is done just as Seo-joon arrives at the flower shop, but Hae-rin stands and claims it as hers.

The shopkeeper confirms it, but recognizing Seo-joon, Hae-rin insists he take the bouquet, adding that he owes her now. After he leaves, Hae-rin cancels the second bouquet and follows after him.

In a private room at a fancy restaurant, Eun-ho presents Author Yoo with expensive cosmetics for her birthday gift. A waitress comes and he places an order for two, but smiling sneakil,y Author Yoo says to make it four.

Seo-joon stops outside the restaurant to ask Hae-rin why she’s following him. He eyes her suspiciously when she denies it and Hae-rin balks, “Did you think I was a pervert.” Taken aback, Seo-joon says he didn’t, but Hae-rin insists that he now owes her a second favor for his mistake and stalks past him. Hee.

Of course, she’s headed for Author Yu’s birthday dinner and smirks that she’d told Eun-ho they’d have dinner together. Seo-joon walks in next and Hae-rin grins, “Fancy meeting you here.”

Seo-joon hands the bouquet to Author Yoo and asks if the bundle on the table is her manuscript. He reaches for it only to be strongly rebuffed by Eun-ho and Hae-rin, who point out that he’s from a different company.

Author Yoo laughs at the banter and announces she wants Seo-joon to design her book cover. Seo-joon says he’ll decide after seeing how they treat him and Hae-rin points out he owes her 2 favors. Eun-ho declares he also hasn’t decided yet, and levels Seo-joon with a glare.

After dinner, the women head home and Seo-joon suggests Eun-ho give him a ride, since they’re neighbors. He adds that he wants to see Dan-yi and has a present for her.

Eun-ho bluntly replies that he doesn’t want Seo-joon to see Dan-yi but Seo-joon is adamant. Eun-ho suggests that Seo-joon’s reaction during the date was his subconscious rejecting Dan-yi. Undeterred, Seo-joon hops into the car.

Pulling up to the house, Eun-ho hopes that Dan-yi isn’t home. As Seo-joon gets out, Eun-ho wishes he’d thrown away his conscience and refused Seo-joon a ride, noting that he’ll definitely regret it. Seo-joon asks Eun-ho to give Dan-yi his gift and tell her he’s waiting.

Inside, Eun-ho skirts Dan-yi and escapes to his room. He mutters that Seo-joon can wait all night. Pulling out the gift–a large stuffed green onion–Eun-ho shoves it into his closet… thereby summoning his rational apparition again.

Rational Eun-ho points out that Dan-yi likes Seo-joon. “Love isn’t about possession,” Rational Eun-ho says, “You can’t have her just because you want her.” Eun-ho argues that he’s already regretted letting her go once. He refuses to let her go again, but Rational Eun-ho reminds him how Dan-yi has been staring at her phone waiting for Seo-joon to call.

Eun-ho exits his bedroom and shoves the stuffed green onion at Dan-yi, telling her it’s from Seo-joon and he’s waiting outside. Dan-yi brightens and asks if she looks okay before running out the door. Dan-yi greets Seo-joon and they both smile as Eun-ho looks on from the window.

 
COMMENTS

Ask and ye shall receive! I wanted more Seo-joon and the show has delivered. I find Seo-joon to be such a pleasantly quirky character but when his smile fades, I can’t help but wonder what dark secrets he’s hiding. This hour we learned he has a sickly mother, but the show is stingy with Seo-joon’s story. I’m surprised how quickly the relationship between Dan-yi and Seo-joon has come around. I had originally thought he would be just a pleasant, but ultimately bland, too-perfect second lead. I’m glad that’s not the case, and considering the way the show has handled characters and relationships thus far, I should hardly be surprised.

I’m curious how this will play out going forward, though. Dan-yi is unwittingly breaking Eun-ho’s heart a second time and because he puts her happiness above his own, he’s letting her. If our two leads are meant to end up together, something is going to have to give. I do think Seo-joon genuinely likes Dan-yi, but the fiasco at the restaurant gives weight to Eun-ho’s argument that Seo-joon’s having some trouble accepting Dan-yi’s background. I have a feeling his connection with Eun-ho’s father and dogged pursuit of what happened is going to shoot him in the foot, but we shall see.

Is it bad that I’m really digging the dynamic between Seo-joon and Hae-rin? I’ve never been a fan of second leads pairing up (since most often it’s just a lazy way to wrap everything up in a big happy bow) but there is a definite chemistry between Seo-joon and Hae-rin. Of all the characters, they’re the only two that have experienced a proper meet-cute. I adore Hae-rin and I just want her to be happy so badly. Unfortunately, that’s not possible with Eun-ho, whose heart has always belonged to Dan-yi and shows no signs of changing in the future.

I enjoyed Eun-ho’s inner turmoil this episode as he literally argued with himself over how to deal with his feelings towards Dan-yi. Despite his declaration last week that he doesn’t want to tell her how he feels until she reciprocates, Eun-ho is feeling a lot of pressure since the appearance of a rival. It had to hurt, how easily Dan-yi seemed to push him aside in favor of Seo-joon. It doesn’t help that try as he might, their close relationship seems to actually work against him.

Dan-yi is grateful to Eun-ho, but after being so close for so long, it’s natural to take their relationship for granted. Whenever he expresses affection or care, she interprets it as that of a younger sibling. Eun-ho has loved Dan-yi for a long time, but always held back at the last minute, falling back on her belief that they’re just friends. It has become their norm and Dan-yi is now incapable of understanding his feelings beyond that carefully crafted narrative.

It breaks my heart on the occasions when Eun-ho musters the courage to speak to Dan-yi frankly, praying that she’ll respond in kind… only to be shot down because she’s misinterpreted his meaning. After her disastrous date with Seo-joon, Eun-ho tried to convey that he’s never once been bothered by their age gap, that she was married to someone else, or that she has a child–because to him, she’ll always be the woman he fell in love with. But Dan-yi either can’t or won’t acknowledge his intention. It’s become a pattern with Eun-ho’s serious moments being written off and I can’t decide whether Dan-yi is just dense, or purposefully ignoring it. Either way, Eun-ho has a tough road ahead of him.

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , , ,

110

Required fields are marked *

I'm not going to lie: my interest in this show was waning when I started this episode. (Like many others) I'm pretty bothered that Dan-i has absolutely no clue that Eun-ho likes her. I totally get not liking him back, not seeing him as a man (WE WILL COME TO THAT LATER THOUGH WON'T WE <3), but I don't get her being so utterly clueless. Anyway, sorry, that's not my point. My point is, my interest was waning.

And then PARK HOON SAVED THE DAY. The scene with him and Ji-yul's mom was SO ridiculous but also SO excellent. I think I physically sat up straighter and leaned in for it. I love it. Then Ji-hong defended poetry in the face of commercialism, and Dir. Seo defended Ji-hong in the face of Pres. Kim, and Hae-rin was just too cute when manipulating Seo-joon and---basically, Gyeoroo, this is now your show. Tell me your stories, I am here for it.

I will also say this: the show could not go wrong with more Rational Eun-ho appearances.

15
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Rational and hot is a total turn on. lol.

7
reply

Required fields are marked *

If one Eun Ho is good, two Eun Hos styled differently and both looking hot is absolutely great!!

7
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sigh. I don't even know what this show is trying to do but I'm completely over it.

I can totally see how Dan-i dated and married a dickhead without even realizing, because she's still clueless at 37 yo. I don't even know how she can be taken seriously after that.

Me personally, I don't like Seo-joon, but I did feel that the scene with him overreacting like that was so contrived and not at all in character.

Hae-rin is fast becoming my favorite person in this whole drama, even if she deserves a few knocks on the head for her totally silly behavior when it comes to that stupid unrequited love of hers.

It's also like they've forgotten they're writing about a 37 yo woman and the 31 yo man that loves her, NOT people straight outta high school or college.

I am annoyed the show seems to be aiming to put Seo-joon and Hae-rin together because
1. He don't deserve her.
2. This whole second leads get together as consolation prizes is so 2000's to me. Whyyyyyyy are we still employing this trope?

The dynamics at this publishing company really annoy me. It's like the writers either don't know how publishing (or business really) works/ they're having a hard time weaving moving and quirky personal histories/character traits into their workplace and characters. Well at least it may work for others but it's certainly not working for me (which begs the question - why am I still watching this show?!)

Anyway.
I wish this show was about Hae-rin because the rest are frankly not worth it.

3
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

So it's not just me. I am still on ep 4 because I have lost motivation to catch up.

It really is not a great show.

And I agree about Hae ring, she deserves better and all her awesomeness is wasted on liking that wet nap that is Eun ho.

I predicted on a earlier recap that Hoon was gonna step up and know how to handle Ji-yul's Mom. Those two and their relationship is really nice.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I’m also not a fan of Seo-joon. He seems like a nice enough guy in general but his behaviors are all (and always) too calculated. His only impulsive reactions were his overreactions to her declarations, and no matter how much he tries to convince himself those physical reactions were all coincidental I believe his body was telling the truth. Also why is Dan-I so ready to date again after saying not too long ago that her daughter and job would be her life from now on? Shouldn’t she be more apprehensive about starting anything with someone completely new in her life? It would be different if it were someone she was already close to and knew well...ahem...Eun-Ho. She knows barely anything about Seo-joon but she has no hesitation whatsoever to dating him?? Not buying it. If anything he shouldn’t be more than a rebound.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Meh

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Meh indeed. I like Hae-Rin, I like the side characters, and I like Dan-Yi. Seo-Jun is semi interesting only because he has some mystery. As for Eun-Ho, as a character he is rather bland. Hmmm

2
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

I mean, it's not BAD.
I really enjoyed the Ji-yul/ Hoon stuff, for example but couldn't work out what the Death of Poetry stuff was ABOUT, other than a lament that people aren't buying poetry anymore. Except - people never bought poetry. That's not new.

In fact, despite the mature characters I'm left with the feeling that this writer is almost... not green but... immature in the way they approach characters and relationships. Does anyone know what else they've written? Is it similarly immature?

2
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I Need Romance 1, 2 & 3
Discovery of Love

and Five Enough, which kind of surprises me, but then not, because that one is a family drama that also has a divorced mom with an ex who basically abandons them. But in Five Enough, the children of both leads are front and center and pivotal in their relationship.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

*makes no comment on the I Need Romance series*

*silently sighs at everything being explained*

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't think poetry is that unpopular historically. At least, not in East Asia.

2
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh that's interesting.

Do people actually spend money to buy volumes of new poetry though? I know that certain classical poets sell but I always thought that poetry volumes never got large runs or mainstream success.

Could poets make a living off poetry?

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I spent money on poetry! While high school and university student I preferred to buy contemporary poetry books to prose. I'm not typical consumer - adds, promotions, "magic words", recommendation on book cover don't move with my mind. I love to take a book by hazard, open it and read a little bit from it.

In the past, at least in Europe, poetry was selling quite well, don't know now, but the market is full of thrillers, literature noir, which sell well.

2

Yes. I own many columns of poetry, and have been very frustrated that many of the poets featured in Kdramas don’t have volumes of their poetry translated into English. (I still randomly check to see if the anthology of poems featured in Goblin has been translated, because if it ever is, I will immediately buy it). Many poets also teach, lecture, and/or write novels to supplement their income. I knew a famous poet in Soth Carolina, and he taught at the University of SC, gave paid lectures, and wrote a novel that was made into a well known movie ( in which he had a cameo role as a small town sheriff).

I love poetry, and although I was meh at first, I love this drama more each episode.

0

Except Rupi Kaur and rest of instagram "poets" ;)

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Jealous Eun-Ho is cute, and as you put it, it is a little sad that whenever he tries to be honest, it doesn’t get through to Dan-yi. Though perhaps what’s needed is a good, blunt “noona I like you” because she seems a bit dense. Or maybe she is pretending because she’s afraid to ruin their friendship.

I am surprised by the comments because I do still quite like this show! And maybe it’s me and my love for cliché tropes, but I do think the Seo-joon-Hae-rin pairing could be cute because she’s so spunky. I’d really like to know his backstory and why he’s so interested in the bestselling author though. (Illegitimate son? That’s me and my cliches, lol).

Also I really like the description of Poet Choi. Poems knocked on his heart everyday. Such a lovely description.

18
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

My love of cliches must be showing as well because illegitimate child is exactly where my thoughts went for Seo-Joon!

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

That and Eun Ho quoting the poet who says the moon is beautiful instead of “I love you” we’re both lovely, and what makes me really enjoy this character-driven drama.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I’m thinking maybe legitimate son or grandson, because of the comment the doctor makes to Eun Ho in one of the next few episodes.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

It’s meant to be it’s called entertainment

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am really enjoying and loving this drama so much, and it is pricking on my conscience. I am one of the guilty ones who sometimes download e-books, films, etc. for free. People do make a living out of writing. I guess the effort, time and energy they put into it should have commensurate financial rewards. Life lessons that perhaps will make the world a bit fair and better.

10
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Same. Felt bad about all those books that I read for free websites.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love that you also felt a pang of conscience. Unlike others, I found this episide to take the drama to another (higher, deeper) level, not only with the Poet Choi storyline, but also with the tension between art ans commercialism within Gyeoroo.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Crying fest's and cursing skillzs.
I didn't realise I wanted to watch a drama just like this till I started this, and LJS's face is the bonus of this gem of a book (drama).

6
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

True.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

You know a drama is bad when the sole purpose of watching it is because Eun ho/LJS is a major cutie pie.....

4
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

They finally ate the pineapple 😂.

Kidding aside, I am glad LJS took this drama even if the story does not solely revolve around his character. It just shows he focuses more on the story as a whole, or maybe it was because of LNY hehehe

I like that the drama touches on various topics (book industry, intellectual property of authors, girl power, marriage, being single, careers, rich mothers controlling their daughter's love life and a lot more) without being condescending. I don't mind it a bit!

It's a welcome break from the intense stories and plots of recent dramas. So relaxing 😁. It's nothing new, yes, but I think the simple storyline portrayed by excellent actors makes it something refreshing. It may not be for everyone but I think a lot of people are appreciating this break, with the romance as a bonus book of course 😍.

And as a last note, anyone notice the way DY put her lipstick before meeting SJ? It was the same action she did in the bathroom when she was drunk and before talking to EH outside. 🤔🤔🤔

19
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

LoL... I also noticed the whole pineapples and dragon fruit which always on the kitchen...

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

15
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

agreed! also i love your username!

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

guys, give this drama a chance! Episodes 7 and 8 should be watched back-to-back. Episode 8 has a very satisfying ending!

8
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

agree episode 7 & 8 should be watched tgt as ep 4, 8, 12 marks the milestone of change in most of dramas

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

The lack of love toward Dan-i makes me so sad :( I can kind of see where it's coming from - when we watch it, we think she's so oblivious to Eun-ho's feelings toward her, and we hurt with Eun-ho when we see her inadvertantly hurting him with her actions. However! Dan-i completely won me over in that first episode, when she was remembering her crying self by the door, utterly heartbroken, so I will forever be in her corner (unless she does something truly unforgivable).

Let's remember some things - she's 37 years old and has been out of the dating game for quite some time. She met Eun-ho when she was in...middle school? At the very least when he was in middle school, so their relationship has always been, from her point of view, more sibling like. When we are so used so something, we don't think about what other meanings it could have, especially from someone we have regular contact with. When we as viewers see their relationship, we think it's so obvious that Eun-ho loves her, because that's all we know. But from her POV, there's never been a sudden behavioral shift. They've known each other for so long, kept in contact with each other for so long, that any changes in behavior will be gradual. And when these things happen gradually, the other side frequently won't notice, I think, simply because we are less likely to notice minor shifts. But those minor shifts add up over time to the point that we, as viewers, just sympathize so much with Eun-ho and wonder HOW Dan-i can't see it? But considering their history, I think it makes complete sense.

Also! This woman is a mother, she's also taken care of Eun-ho before (just as Eun-ho has taken care of her). I'm sure that on some level, she can't believe that he would be in love with her. She's older than him; she has a daughter; she's restarting her career. I almost think she believes she's not good enough for him; that as her dongsaeng, she wants the BEST for him. And objectively speaking, it's not her (but I can't wait for her to realize his feelings and for her to allow her own to blossom!!). From that perspective, I think it makes perfect sense for her to be so oblivious to his feelings.

20
8
reply

Required fields are marked *

I like Danyi too and agree that just because we see his love so clearly doesnt mean she would.
The reverse sure happens alot. Someone thinks they are in a happy loving marriage for 20 years and one of the spouses decides they are not or have never been in love.

7
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh, I agree with this whole-heartedly. I mean, think back to how and when they met. I don't think its so much that she was consciously rejecting him as a potential suitor--I think that the last time she was single if she noticed that he was interested in her (he was still in high school when she introduced her future husband to him) she thought it was little crush (if she noticed at all) and that he would outgrow it. Now that she's feeling so undesirable (she said in this ep that she thought Seo-joon was her last chance to date/at love FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE) I think it makes sense that she's not recognizing the way that Eun-Ho is looking at her.
And, then, she may be one of those people who just don't see it. I'm 35 and I don't notice when someone likes me. You literally have to come and say it directly to my face, "[isa] I like you and want to kiss your face off". Id still be all...wha? There are people like us out there! We exist! Maybe in our own little bubble but we're here!

18
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hahah yeah, with how their relationship is, I think Eun-ho _has_ to make it super clear on his end. Also it makes me so sad that Dan-i is so down on herself and her prospects, romantically! I know k-dramas usually don't delve into these issues too much, but for a woman who has put her career on the side and made her family her entire life for years, her view of self must have been negatively impacted as well. To the point that she can't see how people (like Eun-ho or Seo-joon) would view her that way without it being told very clearly to her 😭

6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Actually, she was in high school and he was in elementary school. I think that's why he's still his little brother in his mind. At least that's how I understood it. If I'm wrong, I'll gladly accept someone correcting me.

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Im pretty sure you're right---thats how old they were when they met. They have a 5 year (right? she's 37 and he's 32?) age gap when they met--thats a huge amount of time. And the age when ages dont really matter in your friendships/romantic partners she was married and wasnt thinking of anyone other than her husband. I know, for me, it wasnt until I was in my 20s-early 30s that being friends with people who werent my same age didnt really matter anymore. You dont make friends at school---you make friends at work and who knows how old those people are going to be. You start dating the people around you---who knows how old those people are going to be. So, it would seem to me anyway, that even though he's grown up right before her eyes he'd always be in that bubble of before. Until he smashes it with some face caresses or something.

8
reply

Required fields are marked *

I know what you mean, I have cousins with similar age gaps and part of me is always in disbelief that they are grown up now, somehow I still see them as kids.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for speaking up for DanYi.. I also don’t have any problem with the plot.. enjoying the stories at Gyeoro. I certainly admire Eun ho character- he’s a great Man who has compassion for others.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't understand what people complain about. I could totally relate to Dan-i being dense about Eun Ho feeling as being in her shoes once. It's not easy to just think 'oh maybe he likes me' unless you are the type who full of yourself. if Eun-ho is stranger, I guess it's pretty easy to know someone intention , as Dan-i toward Seo joon (she knows that guy after her). But we haven't seen Eun-ho taking clear action on his feeling except when he's talking to himself. Yes, he's nice, buying Dan-i stuffs, a little bit protective, but it needs more than just being nice and caring to know someone who has been good friend to you for more than 15 years (they are practically sibling) is actually has feeling for you. 15 years! No one will think you're being shy for 15 years. If nobody confess in 15 years, then both of you are in friend zone. Period. Eun-ho needs to spit it out and loud, otherwise he will lose his timing. I am sorry, but I think Reply 1988 already taught as how cruel 'timing' can be in ones relationship. So yeah, the whole, Dan-i so clueless etc, I don't buy it. I will be surprise if Dan-i could know Eun-ho intention just from this 7 episode alone.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

This was really my least favorite episode so far. Everything felt so disjointed. I'm really just trying to figure out where their going with this Coworker divorce thing.

But I really liked the next episode, episode 8. So I forgave the show a bit. And Hae-rin really is the best part of this show. You really wouldn't expect her to be so weird. I always re-watch alot of her parts.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

In an earlier recap, I wrote I liked that the show was about second chances for people older than our usual rom com drama leads? Well it's not.

What the show promised during the early episodes was a story about a divorced woman with a kid getting back on her feet + finding new love. Or so I'd thought.

But it's none of these things. Replace Danyi with a younger, 21 year old intern who has to take care of her ailing grandma and you've still got the same show. And I'm not interested in this story especially when the show is pretending to be something it's not. I'mm pretty much done with this show.

5
13
reply

Required fields are marked *

Your comment makes me feel better about dropping this at episode 4.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yeah. The absentee daughter should have been a major clue. As @saturtledaisy said, her struggles were over after ep 2.

Me thinks you can rest easy.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

21 year old taking care of grandma.

My Ahjussi, lol.

4
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

Good catch. 😊 But Jian (do I remember her name right?) had a distinct personality.

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

And her problems weren't solved by shacking up with a rich genius who looks like a model.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

hehehe - my comment was just a random out of the blue tribute to the well written female character, but now I'm enjoying imagining Ji An in Dan yi's place. This is hilarious.

0

I really like Danyi and the show.

I adored Jian. And am now trying to picture her working at the publishing house. Lol. I love our CEO but think she'd terrify him.

4
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

She's the opposite of the Ki Doong-Ji Yool pair. The funny scenes that would provide !

1

Jian is 24 years young, LoL...

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

The only reason I haven't dropped this is because it's a mindless piece of nothing I can watch on Sundays. But after episode 8 I am really tempted.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Maybe try Touch Your Heart? If you want to replace one mindless piece with another? I do think Touch Your Heart has more heart - but also it makes me want to tear my hair out just a little.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm not up for tearing hair. RiBB has its myriad problems but it never annoys me - it's far too shallow for that. It's kind of like my 2019 Evergreen.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Evergreen??

That hurts.

😂

2

indeed, it truly was the side stories that shined in this one. really surprised at Park Hoon and how... passionate(?) he was in the face of adversity (i.e. Ji-yul's mom), and Team Leader Seo, despite being freshly divorced from Team Leader Bong (and we had no. clue. of this union). And Seo-joon... haha poor misunderstood fellow. Eun-ho was too kind to not lock the car door behind him.

locations:
Byeolcheck Bookstore [별책부록 서점]: https://koreandramaland.com/listings/byeolcheck-bookstore/

Hwasumok [화수목]: https://koreandramaland.com/listings/hwasumok-chinese-restaurant/

House Yonghyeon 1il 4sa-dong [용현1.4동]: https://koreandramaland.com/listings/house-yonghyeon-1il-4sa-dong/

also, if anyone is curious about 'flower language' in K-Dramas: https://koreandramaland.com/flower-language/ (we've added this ep's flower scene in it too!)

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am glad DanI told SeoJoon the truth on their first date. It makes it more realistic and is only fair that he knows from the first official date.

I am all for HaeRin and SeoJoon. I think they have chemistry and would be great for each other. He was more himself in the few minutes he was with her than the few hours he's spent with DanI.

JaeMin was right to lecture JiHong about work but he should have stopped at work while at work. Talk about personal things as friends outside of work. JiHong was wrong to yell about making money when he knows books in physical form are dying out. Deriding JaeMin for always being a salesman was insulting. It's literally his business. JaeMin has to make sure it succeeds at all cost. JiHong wouldn't be able to support his brother's family if it weren't for JaeMin being a salesman. Idk, men who don't put their wives first irritate me more than almost anything in the world.

EunHo is a better person than me. I never would have played errand boy for another man. I wouldn't try to stop him but I wouldn't have been the go-between. That mess with the car could only happen on tv. Like dude, have some self-respect. There is no way SeoJoon should have jumped in the car and asked for a ride from a man he insulted.

Now for, what was the highlight of the episode for me, Hoon!!! Hoon is the friend we all need and should want. I don't understand why the mother didn't like that he had 4 sisters. I mean I know the hierarchy thing but who's to say the sisters would be mean. I loved that even after all the intimidation tactics, Hoon still asked them to respect his humble home and take off their shoes 😄. I think JiHul's mom might start to like him before or instead of JiYul. I am looking forward to how this plays out.

7
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Whoa. What's with the hate towards this show ? I'm not a die-hard fan of any of the leads (or side characters for that matter), but I think this show is well written, well acted and thoroughly enjoyable. The music in particular is lovely and synced well with the scenes, which is sometimes painfully lacking in K-Drama. Is it 100% realistic ? No, and thank goodness for that. If I want realistic, I'll watch documentary. Or Roma.

20
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hahahaha does it look like hate? Some of us tend to analyse things to a T or enjoy debating over whether something is working or not (looking at you, G =.=) but overall you're right - I'm not looking for realistic in dramas either. However, by my own subjective standards, it's hard to suspend disbelief & just enjoy a show sometimes.

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think for any show where we can barely muster a 'meh', 'hated' is not the word.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

@R.D. (....sniffle...) I LOVED Roma

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm actually one of the ones loving this show and our two leads.

It is so romcom and I love that.

I would love if the daughter showed up and am very curious as to her relationship with our hero.

However, I dont want this to be too realistic. I'm not sure how it is in Korea but usually a single mother living the minimum wage of an entry level job means poverty. Instead of watching Danyi be giddy because of two men we'd be watching her be forever chasing her tail trying to decide can I do with out garbage this month to keep the water on?

This show has just been a fun bright spot for me each week.

17
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

I agree with you.

7
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Me too.

6
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am one of those who agrees that it is not yet time for the daughter to introduce herself. It is not that her mother has abandoned or forgotten her. One of the reasons why Danyi was worried about getting a job was to pay for her daughter's school. and although the drama does not show Danyi's communication with his daughter, it does not mean that the relationship does not exist. They are seen in previous chapters, they keep in contact and have a good relationship.
So I hope that at some convenient time we can see her interact with her mother and Eun Ho.

3
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

But isn't the whole point the story of a divorced mum finding love again? I do not want the daughter to show up at a convenient time when the couple has already sorted out their relationship between themselves and all they need to do is to get their loved ones to approve. She should show up at an inconvenient time so that we can see how love can flourish with that hurdle on the way.

3
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

Eun Ho has been a part of Dan-i’s life for two decades. It’s not possible that he doesn’t already know her daughter, as he apparently visited Dan-i’s home (when he was drunk and probably on other occasions). I figure he has known her since she was born.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Yes, but knowing him as mum's donsaeng is quite different than accepting him as mum's younger boyfriend.

0

"Yes, but knowing him as mum's donsaeng is quite different than accepting him as mum's younger boyfriend."

I doubt she views him as "younger," as he would have been in his mid to late 20s, and working full time like any other adult, when she was old enough to recognize and remember him.

It's unclear how close in time Dan-i's divorce and the daughter being sent away for school (because she was being bullied in her school in Korea) are, but based on what we know, the husband/father abandoned his family. Dan-i believes that her husband isn't even living in Korea, and he is providing zero alimony or child support. He just disappeared until Eun-ho finds him, and then he finally - after over a year - contacts Dan-i and sends her some money for child support. It's not believable that the daughter knows where the father is, and is having contact with him during that year that Dan-i thinks he's left the country with a woman, so the daughter is also abandoned by her father. Not one thing suggests that he establishes a relationship or communications with either Dan-i or the daughter after Eun-ho finds him, beats him up, and basically forces him to send $ to Dan-i.

So, in light of the fact that the daughter has only known Eun-ho as an adult friend of her mother, and apparently has no contact with her father, it's unlikely she would see Eun-ho as some "younger man" coming into her mother's life.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Loving the whole Gyeoroo team! If only my workplace was half as interesting as theirs.

Not yet sold on Eun Ho and Dan Yi ONLY because the show haven't went on exploring their possibility as an item YET.

And yep, I did like the meet cute between Seo Joon and Hae Rin. Seo Joon did grow on me this episode. That disaster of a date was hilarious!

5
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love Hae Ri and I would like her to feel fulfilled in finding a love that corresponds to her. Eun Ho is an excellent man, but his heart is already occupied by Danyi.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

the scene with park hoon and the mother absolutely killed me. i was on my lunch break at my office and laughing my freaking ass off, causing a ruckus. he really went for it and it paid off, it was comedy GOLD

12
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

right?!?!?!

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

But please take off the shoes!! I fell off the sofa literally.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

That last screen cap of Seo Joon in dazed lamentation to man's best friend is just golden.

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the last two chapters. Dan-i finally has a clue of Eun-Ho likes her!! The story finally developement.
Also, i really enjoy the scene of revelation in the restaurant and really doesent expected this reaction, i reaalllly love it!!! So sorpresive and, the thing just they are: its hard find a Drama that sorprise you. Was perfect not just for what happened, in way that told us that was brillant.
The scene of the disco and after party was very funny and intense, i realy like how show us everything, piece by piece.
Also, i like Eun-ho alter ego, because is just one, not "the bad and the good guy advice".
I really enjoyed the last chapters!! <3

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am still delighted with this drama. I find it increasingly interesting.
and I also agree with the comment that I like this drama to focus on the stories of various characters. Although I would also like a little more attention towards Eun Ho and Dan Yi.

6
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have officially joined team meh. The characterization is too inconsistent; these characters don't feel like people to me. Dropped after ep.6

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Comment was deleted

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

And the Academy award for Best Performance by a Fake Boyfriend goes to: Park Hoon. Alone in his apartment he was suddenly faced with Ji-yul’s mother. What followed was absolutely epic comedy. It looks like Hoon has mom’s number. Given his now proven ability to think on his feet Hoon may be a much more formidable fellow than we have previously believed. What will happen when Ji-yul realizes this?

The restaurant scene with Dan-yi dropping on bomb after another on poor Ji Seo-Joon was almost as hilarious.

Did you note that as Ji Seo-jon was talking to Dan-I Ji he revealed that “It was just me and my mother.” The hypothesis that he and Cha Eunho may actually be (the equally illegitimate) sons of author Kang just got a little boost. It would be kind of fun if the two male leads suddenly discover that they are half-brothers. In some ways they are already acting like rival brothers.

Perhaps the sweetest thing about this episode was seeing the beginnings of the story of Song Hae-rin and Ji Seo-Joon getting a proper start. Hae-rin does not have to tiptoe around Seo-joon and he is firing right back at her- you can see the sparks starting to fly with more to come in the future. This is not a case of fan service- Iit is the second leads who appear to be living a classic rom-com story. The story of Eunho and Dan-yi is actually very different- those two have a huge history together which binds them together and yet they also have to overcome that same history in order to come to that place where they can love each other happily.

This history is why Dan-yi refuses to see Eunho’s little confessions to her as expressions of romantic love.

This story is expanding to be something far more than just older people getting second chances. We are getting lots of side stories like the office couple who just divorced and the tragedy of Poet Choi.

15
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I appreciate your analysis and take on the drama - it's completely different from mine & has upped the drama a bit. I'm still close to dropping it, but I gotta say I like it more when you put it in those words.

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Actually I did not mean to downplay the importance of the older woman re-entering the workforce and having a romance issues- If anything I suspect that the writers have simply throttled back that part of the story to make room for all of the other threads to be woven into the tapestry. Almost certainly we will see more of that as the various parts of this story work themselves out.

What I am seeing is that this is less of a story about a single couple and a little more of an ensemble show. For instance, before we thought that Ji Seo-joon's locked room would somehow be a major factor in his relationship with Dan-yi or maybe Eunho but now I think it will be the 'crisis' which tests his romance with Hae-rin. BTW- you get to see what is inside there in Episode 8.

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've thought from the beginning that EunHo and SeoJoon were probably brothers. Can't wait to see what is really going on. Like you said that theory just got a boost. Why else would he be looking for Writer Kang and treat CEO Kim rudely while trying to find out information?

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

To everyone on the fence: please give ep 8 a watch before you drop this show! I absolutely loved it!

2
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I have seen it and it is even better than episode 7.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

@hunneybunny @oldawyer @greenfields @charlieblue17 @veravera @thatstp @moonbean

It's definitely worth watching Episodes 7 and 8 and to keep on. The rounded characters are lovely. With patience, I trust that the story threads (each of which I find interesting in themselves) will come together slowly, bound neatly into a bonus-of-a-bonus book!

3
reply

Required fields are marked *

I've pretty much been in love with this show since Episode 1, perhaps because it's been a while since I've watched a cute romance-y sort of drama. Is it the magic of Lee Jong Suk? I don't quite know, but I've been enjoying all their interactions nonetheless.

Keep doing you, show!

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love almost every characters here. The story on the poet is so touching, a reminder for us to respect copyrights.

Seo Joon reactions were such a hoot in this episode. He has always been portrayed as such a swoony Prince Charming (in front of Dan Yi, at least) , like picking up shoes, green onions, stray dogs in such a cool manner, that seeing him loosing his cool is so unexpected.

Park Hoon is another character that never fail to make me smile. I remember seeing this guy in another drama as a secretary/best friend kinda role. Can anyone remember? Anyway, please make this guy a spoke person for that peanut snack, I am already a fan.

7
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

He was the hilarious secretary to Lee Sang Yoon in About Time.

1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I dig this drama, I do. I think what I was lowkey expecting was a drama like Younger or I think the Kdrama Baby Faced Beauty where the poor middle aged woman was going to rejoin the workforce over a barrel of lies. She was going to pretend to be early 20s and whacky hijinks would ensue as she tried to keep her real age a secret and navigate falling in love with her best friend ---or the more age appropriate 2nd lead.
I love that thats not what this is. Finding a job is freaking hard. Finding one that doesnt suck and pays you what its worth when you're desperate? Freaking sucks and I think that they showed enough of that in the first eps, and again when Eun-ho found Dan-yi's notebook with all of the jobs and 2nd interviews she had been on.
I think to shrug the drama off with a, all of her problems were solved by moving in with her best friend is somewhat doing a disservice to the character. Or maybe I just relate to her too much :)
For my part I have been there (and in some ways still am) in a place where you have to juggle how much of your education to actually put on a resume. Put it all and scare off the hiring manager because you have more education/experience than they do? Put none of it and make it seem like you've been bumming around the last 12 years? A happy medium? Where exactly is the medium and what makes that bish so happy?
I was thinking that maybe I was ready to see Dan-yi have a set back at work---but we've seen that. Then I was all, well maybe she needs a bit more of a struggle--but she was homeless for the first eps. What more struggle does she need? Maybe her optimistic bubble needs popping? But when the only thing standing between you and unemployment is faking a smile--and your bum of an ex has only given you alimony once? And your daughter was bullied so badly in South Korea (where dramas make excessive bullying seem like a daily occurance) that the only and best option was to send her to a different country...? Yeah, fake that smile and keep trying.
I can see, I can---why some would find the drama and Dan-yi in particular, meh. But for my part she seems realistic to me. I'll tell you who doesnt seem realistic Eun-ho and his sexy self. Nope. Dan-yi should be getting hit on some dude a decade older than her who is bald with a big belly and b.o. Decide if you want a piece o' that or to be alone forever.

8
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

I think you summed up the reason I find DanI realistic, I identify with part of her. Being a single mother (which is TOTALLY different from being a mother that is single) and putting on a smile every morning is what I did even though 5 out of 7 mornings I wanted to cry in frustration, fear, sadness and sometimes loneliness. I mean fake it until you make it right?

I don't think all her problems were solved by moving in with EunHo either. All that did was give her a temporary reprieve. I mean damn...she deserves a break, let her have that one.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

This drama is fun. I can't take the characters seriously but I like them. Some scenes are a little bit exagerated like the restaurant one or Eun Ho speaking to himself (I mean why showing this personality trait after 7 episodes...) or all the poetry debat (art vs money).
But I reallly liked Hoon against the mother! Ji Yul doesn't deserve him or the help of Dani honestly, she doesn't make any effort.

0
7
reply

Required fields are marked *

Rational Eun Ho only showed up now because Dan Yi is now really and officially dating Seo Joon and Eun Ho is struggling with how to deal with that. Before that struggle there was no need for him. Eun Ho was thinking he will just wait until noona would reciprocate his feelings but he was suddenly hit over the head with the fact that someone else might just steal her away from under his nose yet again.

4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh the poetry read real to me. Poetry isn't as popular as it used to be. I would think at least one person in this particular industry would have some over the top feelings about it.
Honestly, until APAD last year the only time I hear anyone talking about poetry is my angsty teens.

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

No, I understand the poetry theme but poetry debat, employee who gave his resignation for it, death of the poor poete, all together it's kind too much for me.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I will say the dead poet and quitting of the job that was all....a lot. I chocked it up to heightened emotion?

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Agreed.

1

JiYul has a lot of growing up to do but it will never happen if her mother doesn't let go a little.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hopefully her knight in dramatic armor can buy her a bit of space to grow up a little.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I did love the scenes showing Eun Ho’s inner struggles about his jealousy of Dan Yi and her date. Two sides of Eun Ho debating is hilarious. Of course it’s Eun Ho’s regrets over that day he persuaded Dan Yi to go back to her wedding is making him act this way and Dan Yi also accepted she has regrets over that day but that day is long gone now and the events must follow a different course even if in the end they will lead to the same outcome.

As much as Eun Ho was delighted with the outcome of Dan Yi’s date I don’t think he should get her because he is her only option and as much as I don’t like the love triangle, the second lead, nor his relationship with Dan Yi that dinner date was grossly unfair to Seo Joon. First of: what is wrong with being surprised by her divorcee status or child? As far as he knows it came out of nowhere. Surprise just shows unexpectedness, there is no judgment or disapproval involved. After her reveal of the divorce Dan Yi should have given him time to digest it before piling on the fact that she has a child and she is much older than he thinks as well. She should have broken these to him more gently, maybe after dinner when he wasn’t eaing or drinking. I felt sorry for the poor guy. Regardless, as we are not even at the halfway point I was sure he would bounce back and date Dan Yi for real for episodes yet to Eun Ho’s ire as that is the MO of this screenwriter.

It must be so difficult for Eun Ho to witness Dan Yi’s excitement and happiness when Seo Joon finally showed up. Dan Yi is so dense. How can she not understand Eun Ho’s very blunt statements that he likes a divorced older woman with a kid??? The reason they got Eun Ho to be clueless for a year as to Dan Yi’s divorce was so that she will be ready for a new relationship. She had no reason to think of Eun Ho as anything but a donseang when she was married. But the situation is very different now; however, Eun Ho has really bad luck because right when he finally has a window of opportunity another eligible suitor shows up!

I wasn’t thinking of it before but after seeing Seo Joon force his way into Eun Ho’s car after their dinner with the writer I’m looking forward to a bickering bromance. Therefore, I did not like the reminder “SOME UNDESIRABLE TIES ARE MEANT TO BE FORGED THEY SOMETIMES BECOME A KEY TO A SECRET” at the end credits. I really am not interested in that’s toryline in the least. I am curious about Eun Ho’s role in this but not at all in Seo Joon’s involvement.

Hae Rin and Seo Joon were much cuter together than both Hae Rin and Eun Ho as well as Seo Joo and Dan Yi. Of course they were given a sort of misunderstanding mixed meet cute but I like them so much better as a couple.

Park Hoon - Ji Yeul omma scene cracked me up. What a pair! I want to see more of them together. Great subversion of the rich mom rejecting her offspring’s suitor scene. Regarding a real relationship Hoon is definitely very willing, but Ji Yeul is either oblivious...

3
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

like all the females in the show or is ignoring it.

I saved the scenes I found most touching in this episode to last: conversations between President Kim and the divorced couple Ji-hong and Seong-ah. These people are family who deeply love, mercilessly tease and bluntly criticize each other.

@Sunny, I truly hope that Dan Yi turns away from Seo Joon because she realizes she has feelings for Eun Ho rather than she is disappointed in some way in Seo Joon because to me that isn't true love. What if he was perfect? Does that mean she would have stayed with him? I don't like love triangles to begin with but the resolution to them that annoys me the most is when the second lead proves to be unworthy and that is why the heroine chooses the hero. Eun Ho deserves much better than that!

5
reply

Required fields are marked *

Great recap.. I have been waiting for it. Thank you. This drama is at top of my list. I appreciate the subject of book publishing and the tough lives of writers, poets.

5
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I for one, am enjoying this show. I like that its balanced and not focussed on leads romance.
I really like Dan-I. I like that she is mostly mature, has little quirks, looks at the positive and tries to move on in life.

I totally get it why Dan-i does not see Eun-Ho's feeling for her. She met him when he was a little boy and she was a bully. He did put his foot down and they both have found a balance in their relationship, with each trying to boss over occasionally. He is family to her. Brother-like family member. Overbearing at times (e.g when she came to him after the divorce/loss of house, he was not being a friend trying to comfort her but was being a family asking a million questions), caring at times and annoyed at times.
There is no reason for her to ever thing he would like her.
I am really interested to see how she will snap out of this and accept the new dynamics.

I also am invested in her career growth. AS someone who took a one year sabbatical, I know all too well how hard it is to get back to work force. The pain is real. 7 years is a long time. And to start from scratch is painful.

And I love all the side characters in the publishing house. Love them all ; )

3
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I am so enjoying this drama everyone has their fun cute not so perfect type characters that makes the drama relatable cos i am not perfect too.
I like LJS drama as i can learn a lot from it - this drama taught me respect, the book industry, what you see may not be what it is. Respect property rights.
It is understandable to have fond feelings between dani and seojoon. He met her when she was in need and like a shinning knight gave her the pair of shoes. He saw her frustrations n she is indeed a beautiful lady n feeling very down all wet with rain water. That's a man instinct to protect. That's the first stage of attraction. Next is the revelations of what we are. When dani disclose her status n age, i am perfectly alright that sj was shocked but his excuses that his wrist has some pain even dani didn't believe in. subconsciously he rejected dani hence the triple reactions. It's like he has to become someone who has to accept her instead of being true to himself.
I see his interaction with haein is more of himself like he can show what he likes or dislikes. And haein fought back cutely. That's a better cos after the first stage of attractions, the reality sets in - each other preferences n values. He n haein is in this stage if they clear this n sh they be attracted to each other that foundation is much stronger. I am all for this.
Slowly EH is reviewing to Dani about his feeling for her, it is touching as he respect her feelings n so cute his jealous reactions n the 2 EH talking to each other is gosh - love it. I like it that this drama is rationale. EH looks more like more mature than Dani. Both LJS and LNY are so good looking n acted so well. So are all the casts.

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

what are the songs in this episode? There's one in particular I'm looking for and it's during the scene of the writers death.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Okay, I see I'm not the only one who wants Eun Ho to DO something, besides whimper to himself and argue with his rational side. Dan-i's ignorance of his feelings is understandable, as he just keeps talking about "the woman I like"--just say it, dude!, but she needs to use that brain that is so apparent at work. Aish!
I don't mind the hint at second lead pairing, because they seem to suit each other so well. Yes, it's a tired trope, but sometimes it works. (Witness High Society, where the second lead couple stole the show and were really the only reason most people continued to watch it.) And I'm all for the happy ending for all--why do the second leads have to suffer to make us happy?
I love the workplace dynamic, and all the quirky characters, but right now my favorite character might be Park Hoon. He's so extra, and so driven, and this week he was a bright spot in a depressing atmosphere. Thanks, Hoon!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Love that romance is a bonus book
So much

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *