that part where Youngdo and Tan was facing each other in the room, I was like, KISS KISS KISS KISS!

I love Lee Min Ho, but in this drama, for some reason I'm captivated by the cruel but charistmatic Yong Do. Why?!!

I agree about Eun Sang just wanting to secure her future. Her defense mechanism for handling hardship seems to be to go into self-preservasion mode. Her character was so jaded the first couple of episodes that I expected them to have a big back-story of how she got that way. I half thought she was going to be from a formerly well-to-do family that went bankrupt and that's why she's so bitter. But then they softened her up a bit and haven't really touched on her past (why is that, by the way, we know something about pretty much everyone's history but hers? Lazy writing or do you guys think they are saving that for later?)

Somewhere in her 18 years of life she made the decision that her life is never going to get any better (she's said that several times) so she might as well get what she can while she can.

You are making some good points NathanJ. Good food for thought. At the moment though, I can't prove you wrong.

I also agree with Z that I would have liked to find out more about ES's background. Why is she the way she is? What happened to her dad? Was he ever in the picture?

Yes , the drama is very slow. It seems to me that this episode was again just to show the setttings of the school"s( and the society's) division for parties: rich and poor. The poor by now are divided: CY keeping his neutrality, the bulied guy just bearing through it all alone, KT disguising himself as the rich , and now ES trying to maneuver through the battleflield. If they just unite, it will be a strong oppsition wing, which is perfectly able to overthrow the rules of this school.
BY now, all these participants ( and especially KT) dissapoint. They don't take the challenge. They just hide and evade and run away. i hope they will face the problem in the next episodes. They need to, otherwise the love story can't evolve neither.

I agree that Eun Sang does come across as being, to an extent, selfish and very focused on her situation -perhaps to the exclusion of her mother's and the bullied kids' well being. To me, though, that is very realistic. And I rather like that she is being a real teen, warts and all, and not some whitewashed Candy heroine. Everybody has a journey they need to make here, and she's no exception. Hopefully we will be able to see her grow as a person, too, not just as a love interest.

They've been back to school for exactly ONE day!

On this day, we see that KT has left behind his bullying ways. Ppl don't change overnight. Most change incrementally. Give him a few more days, perhaps something else will happen.

CES is in new surroundings. On this days, she learns for the 1st time the caste system at Jeguk High. She doesn't even know where the school office is. With 2 alpha males fighting for her attn, and the threat of exposure over her head, she has a very full plate. I'd find it unbelievable if she has the mental, physical and emotional energy to fight off the bullies in front of the whole student body, like Superwoman, that is after she has helped her mom do her housework, and gone to her various part-time jobs.

It isn't even impatience to expect CES to do sth about the bullies on the 1st or 2nd day of school; it is downright super unrealistic.

I don't feel that all she cares about is getting a future. I feel that what she is doing is to try to keep her nose above water.

I guess what've enviable is also in the eye of the beholder.

But let's refresh what the drama actually tells us abt her situation:
She lives in a maid's room w her mother becos they don't even have the required deposit to rent a place, however small, however shabby;
From it she has to travel 2 hours EACH way to go to her own school--that's how far their own neighborhood is from this current one;
They don't have 1 Mill won (<USD1000) to their names, which means no buffer of any kind-- if mom gets sick n can't work, they'd be out on the streets.
I think those are pretty desperate straits.
If she can at least graduate from a high school that opens doors, she has hopes of not having to wash dishes and deliver chicken the rest of her life.
What kind of a human being would let go of that chance in her situation?
I know (of) sb like that. He is on drugs.

Wow, your points on Eun Sang are very depressing characterization but when looked at the whole seem accurate. I do hope she will grow out of it, and realize that what makes her special is the warmth she has and has received from her mom. Teenagers, Arghh!! Thanks for your wonderful insight.

I have to agree with you, NathanJ. At best Eun Sang is annoying. I get the desire for wanting a better life and feeling compelled to do almost anything to get it but the writer has Eun Sang's character dang near bipolar. She's no nonsense and tough one second and practically cowering in fear the next and not because of her new peer group. To think about it, I believe much of Eun Sang's personality is rooted in fear. She's not tough, she's afraid to engage and expect more out of life. This is a girl, who 2 episodes ago, hoped for a stable low waged job. Eug Sang just wants to get by, which is commendable to a degree, but it presents a flaw in the writing. Now the writers are required to build up hope where there is none.

Now, if the writer wants Eun Sang to be ambitious then amp it up and take her there. Let the character become cutthroat and conniving. Show her rise to overthrow Rachel and all the other brats. I want to see her adapt to her surroundings and really get down and dirty. Possibly depicting what that world can do to the innocent. On the other hand, if this isn't the objective then give her a sense of nobility. To fulfill the prerequisite Boys Over Flowers comparison, Jan Di never compromised her integrity. Eun Sang has yet to show any. She regularly disrespects her mother, Kim Tan and if she truly believes Young Do is an ally then its only matter of time before herself.

Besides from the lack of plot and dimension in this drama, this drama is in desperate need of a hero. Someone, anyone, with a pulse that is not afraid to show it. There isn't anyone to be found (out of this way too big cast( possibly CY?)) but I think that's what secretly keeps the audience around because you want someone to rise up out of the self-indulged muck and become a real human.

Are ppl here (NathanJ and Z e.g.) familiar with Softy on Cadence? The link to her blog is provided by DB at the bottom of the page. She currently has a series of posts called: Reading between the lines on Heirs. Those posts do a really good job at exploring the subtleties of what is happening in this show, and the psychology of the chars.
She isn't calling them Recaps cos they are more than recaps. She interprets for you what their actions and non-actions (staring, contemplating) mean.

Younger viewers might enrich their viewing experience by reading those posts.

Hmm.. I guess I can understand CES. I have a classmate who didnt come from a well-to-do family and she's really bitter about it. She hates her parents because she blames her parents on the fact that they are living poorly. In her head, teenagers are supposed to enjoy their years and not work all the time and having to worry if they can afford to send her to university. She feels that she has to grow up faster than every one around her and this makes her an angry person. It's like she has to work extra hard to cover for her parents' 'mistakes'. Other kids can go on school trips and have many things that are givento them, but she has to live without that just because she was born into a poor family. Once, she did so much Over Time in her work that she earned more than her dad during her holidays and her dad had to borrow from her to help cover their family's expenses. So I can understand why CES turned out like that. I am not saying that excuse her behavior, but when u grow up like that, you kinda just look at what u can do to survive.

That WOULD be interesting. YD coming to...that I would love. Even if K&E go to pot.

The show has not said he told him about his two moms, lol. Personally I think YD just happened to find out one day and was seriously, and rightfully, pissed that his BFF had hidden this for years. Especially is KT had known details of YDs own happy home life.

Still, he should be over this by now. He sure holds a grudge.

Another note: EunSang may not have done anything to stop the bullying, but she is still the only person in that entire school who checked to see if he was okay. She was fuming during the entire scene, but also scared out of her mind because she knew that if people knew her background, SHE would be the one getting bullied.

As for YoungDo, the extremes to which he goes with the bullying (physically and psychologically) is shocking and cringe-worthy. The drama is clearly setting it up so that he'll also fall for EunSang, so maybe the wounded boy inside with the mean exterior will start to show as we progress. Interesting to note that Tan probably bullied kids to that extent in the past as well.

maybe YoungDo is jealous that Tan has 2 moms and he doesn't have 1

It was late at night, and I was tired. :(

KDaddict,

Thanks, your answers make sense. KT looked so lonely on his bed. I liked that image of him, in a fetal position, on his big bed. It makes me wish ES was there with him, and he would have his arm around her, and they would take a nap (and he would feel better). I love it when they do that in Kdramas.
Some of those actors just look so adorable when they sleep (or pretend to be sleeping, though with how intense their shooting schedule is, I would not be surprised if they took advantage of it to actually sleep, like HB did in SeGa in ep. 13). Joo-won (sp?) had a scene like that in Gaksital (he was sleeping), and he looked sooo cute and adorable...

Or if HJ would take a nap with KW. I was so hoping something like that would happen when she was in his room. There is just something about a man sleeping with total abandonment with the woman he loves, because he trusts her, and he knows and feels that he can be vulnerable in her presence. Lovers in Paris had a scene like that (he slept on her lap) and it was so lovely, and well filmed as well.

Thanks Z!

Hello Adette,

I don't remember how many mns in it was, because this time around, I didn't write it down. I remember hearing something that sounded like "shona [sp?]" and it caught my attention, because I have heard that word before (doesn't that mean "your majesty" or something like that?)
I could be wrong, of course, but that was what I thought I heard, which was why I was asking.

Thank you for your response.

Faye,

I am glad to have been able to help you see Madam Han in a different light, because I do think that she is more than how you describe her. Remember how I was saying that when I watch a Kdrama, I try to understand the characters and what the writer is trying to say to us? Of course, our opinions are subjective and debatable, which we do here (debate our opinions), but I like that we can learn from each other when we share our views.

1--You have to think about where KT's mom comes from: she is not from the same social class. When she was at the elite country club, her sister spoke with an accent (and Madam Han shushed her), which tells us that they are not originally seoulites (not from Seoul, but from another province, maybe the countryside), they come from a lower social class, which Madam Jung (2nd wife) makes a point of reminding her often.

2--She is not established in that household, and she might never be, ever. One translation early on called her the "little madam," so we know she is not the real one, Madam Jung still is. As long as she remains legally married to Chairman dad, she will be (the big Madam, that is), and the one known as the Madam, evidenced by how Rachel's mom calls her and treats her.

3--So, Madam Han is fully aware of that, and she does try to fight it, problem is she has no weapon, no arsenal. That is evidenced by the fact that she feels intimidated when KW is around (remember ep. 1, when she tried to get rid of her wine when KW was coming? Question: why was that?) After all, KW is only 31, and with KT being 18, we can safely assume that she is much older than KW (she looks much older).

4--Yes, Madam Han is fussy and overbearing, but again, ask yourself "why is that?" I believe that it is because she doesn't know what to do. Her "husband/lover" doesn't really give her power, she is not known in their circle (meaning respected, especially since KT is considered the child of wife 2), and she is not the kind to try and do social work, aka helping others. She admitted to ES to not treating her mother right (so she knows that herself), and she spends her days, learning English, drinking wine, and being at the elite country club (is what we have seen her do so far). So, she is very limited and helping others might have given her a purpose, imho.

5--KT therefore becomes her pawn, her piece like in a chess game. If it were not for KT being born, she could not be in that house, having servants, she just couldn't. He is the reason she leaves in that opulence, and the reason she is tolerated. Remember what ES's mom told her, when ES was asking who was in control in the house (to know how she should behave?) I can't remember exactly ES's mom answer (I would have to reread it or rewatch it to really know). Her answer however was a really good one, and was very telling.

5b-- I do believe that Madam Han does love her son, however she is also desperate and envious (very) of others. Remember what KT said about his mom when he was in the US? "She always wants what other people have: their bags, their husband, etc..." and probably their reputation and their social status. She wants to be recognized and acknowledged, she basically wants to belong, she wants status, and the society in SK keeps telling her, she doesn't have any. As human beings, we tend to want what we don't/or can't have.

5c--She then shoots herself in the foot by using (or trying to) KT to advance. She does want to make sure that KT will have the same privileges as his brother, and she should not worry about that, because he does, and he will. As twisted and machiavelic as Chairman dad is, he kinds of loves his sons, in his twisted ways, and he wants them to live well. (I take it back, I am not sure he knows what loving someone is. No one has been happy with him: not KW's mom, not wife 2, not KT's mom. And as KT told him, his sons don't even like him).

6--The leverage that Madam Han seeks (that you mention), she doesn't have it. Why do you think she drinks so much? It is to forget or deal with her reality, the same way people use medication or drugs.

7--About this: "And sadly, it just diminishes her in Tan’s eyes, doesn’t it?"
It does, because KT sees her for who she is. Remember that KT is emotional intelligent, he knows how to read people, and he knows who they are, deep inside (most of the time). He could read ES and know at times how she would feel. He asked her in this ep. if she cried (when he told her about who he was). Pay attention to the tone in his voice when he asked (I watch dramas with headphones on). His tone was gentle, and it sounded like he was not only asking, he was making a statement as well, because he already knew the answer. And ES did not answer which was an admission in itself. There was a lot of subtlety in that scene, and that was very telling. He was also watching her intently when he asked that question, because he was trying to read her at that moment. Also look at how GF wrote his question/statement in this recap: very telling.

I am a nanny and I have worked with children for a very long time. I do that a lot, talking to them and watching them, to see if what they say matches their body language. KT does that as well. Go and rewatch that scene, and you will see what I mean :-)

Faye, I have more to say. Unfortunately, I have to go for now and temporarily stop. I will be back, so please come back later, to see if I was able to finish my thoughts :-)... Thank you!

Faye, PART 2 of my analysis of KT's mom:

7--I made a mistake, I meant to say that KT is emotionally intelligent, not "emotional intelligent."

8--Besides seeing his mom for who she is, KT (I believe), actually loves his mom. In a previous ep., we saw him tell his mom that he missed her, which is huge. He might even like her some, which is why he lets her sit with him, when he eats. However, her constant hovering when he is around annoys him and makes him not want to spend time with her. And that is why I said that she shoots herself in the foot, in the way she handles her relationship with KT. She doesn't allow him to just be himself, when he is around her. And she is definitely not "his soft place to fall," as Dr. Phil would put it. Rachel could be that soft place, however he doesn't love her, he doesn't like her, and he doesn't want to give her false hopes about them. I do wish that he would treat her better though. She deserves at least that.

Let's also remember that KT is 18 (17 in Western age, which means he actually got engaged at 16, wow!), which also means that he is trying to figure things out (for himself), and he is at that period in one's life when s/he is trying to become independent from his/her parents. So the hovering mom is doing, again is not helping.

9--About this you said, "even though she’s a mistress, I can’t help feeling somewhat sorry for his mother." I am actually of two minds about Madam Han: I do feel sorry for her but only to an extent. She exists, but she is not to be seen, she is not really heard (by no one really), and she has no power. She cannot go to public functions with KT's dad, or be seen in public with him, even though she is the one who takes care of him, and of his home. That has to be hard. All she can do is be in that house, drink, shop, and she can't make herself conspicuous in public. People (outside of the house), don't know who she is.

On the other hand, if you think about it, she is living a pretty good life, especially compared to ES's mom. I would fee more sympathy for her if she treated people better: the people who serve her, her son, etc... She does have money, she could do good things with it, if she wanted to, and no one would have to know. Wealthy people donate and help in their community and around the world all the time, and they can do it anonymously if they wish. It would give her a purpose.

She can continue to learn English (she could even hire a private tutor), she can learn how to crochet :-) (OK, I was being facetious here). I was going to say that she could travel, but she has to take care of chairman daddy, so she might be limited there maybe..., but you get my point. She could take a real interest in her son, besides figuring out how to use him. The poor boy wants someone to talk to (about his life and about ES). I LOVE to talk, he can call me or come visit. I am also a good cook, I think we would have a good time :-). And as you know, I pay attention to details, so what is not to like? :-)

I find KT's mom to be an interesting character. She is not very smart, emotionally or otherwise. She doesn't really care about others either, except if it threatens her life in the house (ES's mom). She does inform us however a little bit about why KT is the way he is. She is in his circle of influence, because she is closely related to him. This is just my 2 cents anyway.

Do you know perhaps see why I said yesterday that I approach Kdramas the way I would a literature class :-)? And why I said that I like to think my way through them? Also, DB always makes a point of listing who the writers and PDs of an upcoming dramas are and they list some of their past work. From what I read about KES (writer of this drama), she likes to use metaphors, subtle meanings, witty banter, themes (the little mermaid in SeGa, the Dreamcatcher in this one) in her dramas, so I always try to think about the underlying things/topics/themes/issues she might be trying to convey. Reading recaps of the drama on different blogs, and reading various comments, help me understand the drama and the characters in it, better.

I hope you enjoyed reading my dissertation, because I enjoyed writing it :-)... I hope to read back from you :-)

Hello Rachelle,
Good to hear from you again and thank you for coming back to answer more of my questions. I will be back later to respond. Just wanted to let you know.

Hi again Rachelle,

This is late too, but I wanted to respond. Also, I hope that you saw that I responded to your comment below (that you wrote after you were at the school, during the filming).

What are jamborees? If I may ask, how long would you say you have lived in Korea? Also, I actually gave you my email address, so you can also answer there, so some (or all of your) next answers can remain private. I just find it so fascinating that I am communicating with someone who LOVES kdramas, lives in SK, and reads and comments on DB. That is just awesome. And with the email, we could get to know each other better, if you are so inclined (just a thought).

I absolutely love this, "I’m a total KDrama addict and devote almost 5 hours everyday to watching them," because I have done the same thing. Spending a lot of time watching and dissecting a Kdrama, that is (and there is no shame in that, that is how we learn). In your email, could you please tell me where you read your recaps, if you read them at other places besides DB? I have also watched Kdramas raw in the past, and then the subbed version, when that became available, so I understand how you go about watching your Kdramas. I also take notes when I watch Kdramas and that allows me to be thorough when I ask my questions or write my comments.

To this, "There are so many KDramas sometimes it’s hard to juggle life around them," I agree. I wish I could be paid to watch Kdramas and talk/write about them :-)... I do find the pacing of this drama slow as well, however I have settled into it, and I have accepted them for what they are (the drama and the pacing). I am not against ALL the staring scenes, however I do agree that we don't need ALL of them. By now, we know how KT feels about ES. I kind of like how evocative at times this drama is.

How old is your son, who is in grade 4 (what is the age of a child in grade 4 in Korea, is what I really want to know?). You could answer that in the email as well, by the way. Interesting that his female classmates are into it (the drama) :-). I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Hello Hachiko, I will be back to respond. Just so you know.

Hello Hachiko,

Sorry for the late reply. I explained to Rachelle why it is so, and you can read my last comment to her to find out why :-) (So I don't have to repeat myself).
Those orange-colored speakers in KT's room are intriguing, are they? I am glad we got answers to that question.

Regarding your thoughts on YD, I had the same version (that you wrote), when I watched ep. 5. I find your analysis in your 2nd paragraph interesting. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think as we keep watching the drama, we will find out more about YD and his motives :-). I hope you will see this response :-)

That is awesome!!!!! I will be back :-)...

Hello again Rachelle,

I can actually be back sooner than I thought. I am sooooooo happy for you, that you actually got to see them, got your pictures, and got to be around while they were filming and hanging around. Which of course, brings the question: how was that like for you? What did that feel like, to see them, etc... Did you see them act? Did you see PSH and the rest of the cast? Were there a lot of people from the school (like you) there?

Also, I know the pictures are blurry, but would you be willing to share them so I can see them too? I could give you my email address, and I promise, I am a safe person, promise :-).

About this, " I also saw CJH in the elevator." Were you in the elevator with him, when you saw him, or did you see him from a distance?

And this: " I was in heaven. Very satisfying for my inner teenage fan girl." Wonderful, just wonderful!!!! At times you know, it is the simple things, really that truly make our day. I totally understand, and I would probably feel the same way, if I were in your shoes. So please, enjoy your fangirl moments and I would say savor them actually. You got to see them, and see some of them film. I always wonder what it is like to be on a set. Not that I am glamorizing it or romanticizing it, but it is just that my inquisitive mind wonders what that must be like to film a scene, with all those people on the set (the crew), the lighting, the assistants helping with the lines, etc... and it seems that you got to see that, YAY!!!! I am genuinely happy for you.

About this," I was shaking soo hard most of my pictures turned out blurry." Did you take the pictures with your phone, or with an actual camera? You must have felt overwhelmed when you saw them, maybe? (you tell me :-) ) So, are they as handsome in person as they look in the drama? (LMH, KWB, and CJH).

About this, "Is it sad that at my age I still get so excited over this?" NO, it is NOT :-)!!!!! You got to experience something that many of us wish we could, so not only would you not be the only to feel that way, but it is not sad at all, not at all. It simply means that you are still alive, and you still appreciate simple things :-). I wonder what your son would say or think of this :-). Thank you so much for sharing this news with me, and us :-). I hope to read from you soon.

Hii Rachelle, I read your comment and wanted to post my opinion(reply-sorry,if it's not okay), too.
Wow, just WOW! You must have been very excited to be on the set. I mean, It happened to me once here in India - near my house - one of the top Herione was shooting and boy, was it exciting! I didn't know what to say or express,you know.. She was beautiful even without make-up and we all loved her. You must have felt the same way,right?
But too bad,I was in school then so I didn't have mobile on my own to take a pic(neither a camera). Still, lovely moments of life,aren't they? The nervousness, the happiness,the joy of seeing a star/making movies..it's JUST nice memories to have. SO, don't worry about Age.. AT ANY POINT IN LIFE! It's just a number :-)

Note: If possible, please share(savor) it in the way you like most-like,writing a diary. Not only this, but all the moments you experience/which gives you warm,fuzzy feelings.

Enjoy Life!