Mi-rae's Choice: Episode 12 » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps

102 November 20, 2013January 24, 2016

Mi-rae’s Choice: Episode 12

by gummimochi

What a doozy of an episode. ‘Tis the season for our characters to get in the holiday spirit as they wish for a Christmas miracle, hoping that this year will be better than the last. But with everyone hoping for happiness, it isn’t just the naughty who end up with a lump of coal, and there’s nothing like an extra serving of noble idiocy to dampen that holiday cheer.

And then there’s the ratings, which looks even bleaker than before as Episode 12 logged in at 4.7%.

SONG OF THE DAY

Urban Zakapa – “니가 싫어 (I Hate You)” [ Download]

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EPISODE 12 RECAP

Shin’s eyes grow wide at the DNA results confirming both Mi-raes are the one and the same. Even more surprising is the revelation that Ajumma is from the future and that they were married.

Ajumma Mi-rae recounts how Shin had transferred to another broadcasting network with the prospect of more money and an anchorman position. But Shin’s stubbornness had led him to quit his job and they were left with a mountain of debt.

Shin asks if that’s what she meant when she once said that he’d be ruined. Ajumma nods. “But… we were still happy.”

A series of flashforwards show us that they indeed were a happy family with their son Geon, who learned his first words fairly quickly because he took after his father. But later on, their unhappiness had led to an estranged relationship with Oppa and she had hated how her once successful husband was now reduced to hosting local neighborhood gigs.

The occasional spat had eventually evolved into frequent quarrels, and they were also arguing that night of the accident. Shin had seen their toddler son wander away from them but did nothing.

“But… I did, too.” Ajumma tearfully admits, becoming increasingly distraught as she says she had so wanted to blame everything on Shin. But she had also seen Geon walk away and thought nothing of it, letting their argument trump their concern for their child.

Ajumma breaks down in sobs, still wondering how she also let that happen. Shin starts to raise a hand to comfort her but stops himself, blown away by the gravity of her confession.

Elsewhere, Se-joo apologizes for eavesdropping, but he heard everything. To that, he delivers the classic second-lead speech: “Don’t you see me? I’m standing right next to you, but why isn’t it me?”

He knows it was silly to act like friends again, but he was afraid she’d push him away otherwise. Mi-rae apologizes in turn, saying she must have ignored his feelings for her because she found his friendship both comfortable and pleasant.

Se-joo asks why Mi-rae likes Shin, and if what Ajumma told her had anything to do with it. Mi-rae denies it, but Se-joo asserts that he was the one who met and fell for Mi-rae first. “If there really is such a thing as destiny in this world,” he says. “The fact that I knew and liked you… that’s destiny.”

Mi-rae asks Se-joo to stop liking her, and he replies that although he can accept it if his feelings aren’t returned, he won’t stop liking her. What’s hard for him is to see Mi-rae unhappy—only when it’s certain that Shin considers her precious, when he’s the one to make her happy, will Se-joo let go of his feelings.

He offers her the wine he brought to congratulate her narration, but Mi-rae hesitates to take it, so he sets it down on the bench before leaving.

Mi-rae waits outside until Oppa and Ajumma return, and they gently help an exhausted Ajumma inside. Then Oppa wraps his sister in a hug and tells her that she has to be happy, words that puzzle her.

The production team brainstorms ideas for the Christmas special at work, tossing around the possibly to subvert the idea of spending the holiday alone. Writer Bae hints that there may be romance brewing in this very room, and when Jokey PD asks if Shin has someone special, he answers no.

Mi-rae invites Shin out to lunch, where she prattles on about how Shin has yet to congratulate her for her first writing feature. He does, though his words sound empty and distanced, and she grumbles that Shin always expresses himself with words, whether it’s praise or his feelings.

He asks her what she wants as a present then, and she teases that in these cases, he should surprise her with a thoughtful gift. That gets him to laugh, and he promises to do so. And Se-joo sees the two together as he passes by outside.

Mi-rae apologizes for being angry with him at their MT, and tells him that she’s going to follow her heart from now on. Though Oppa may disapprove of her choice of Shin now, she’s certain things will get better in time. Or not, if things pan out the same way again.

She laughs thinking about how they met and thanks him for giving her a chance at work. She knows Shin was always looking out for her even though he doesn’t say it. Shin remains silent through all of this, as she wonders how all those small decisions led up to this moment together.

She asks to spend Christmas together, but before Shin can answer, a child trips near their table and Mi-rae immediately tends to him. Her motherly behavior reminds Shin of how Ajumma cried in front of him.

Then he receives a call from another broadcasting network asking to meet him. Aha, now it’s up to Shin to determine his future. Shin looks back at Mi-rae, but we don’t get to hear his answer.

Writer Bae practically tears her hair out over the mountain of work for the holidays, yet relieved that everything is pre-recorded. She tosses a possible throwaway line that something big will happen for the year’s end. Then Mi-rae asks for restaurant recommendations and makes a reservation for two.

It’s a little sad to watch Yoo-kyung doll herself up to see Se-joo, but the reason she’s smiling is because he’s called her out first. They meet at the bar, where Se-joo mentions that he’ll make his return as the head of YBS soon, having postponed it before because of Mi-rae.

He plans to spend some time at his Jeju resort like he did in the summer. Yoo-kyung sighs that she almost went too back then, and that gets her cogs turning at how the Fated Accident changed everything afterward.

She asks Se-joo if he met anyone while he was down there, and he simply smiles in return. He reminds her that she’ll always be a good friend to him no matter what (sigh), but his sincere praise earns him a couple of points. Yoo-kyung slaps on a smile, and teases him that she’s told him that she doesn’t want to stay friends.

Mi-rae finds Ajumma Mi-rae sleeping in her bed and lies down next to her, worried that her older self might actually be sick. Mi-rae apologizes to her and promises to work hard at her own happiness, so that her future self doesn’t have to go back in time again.

Shin ignores a call from the recruiter at the other broadcasting network, and then calls them back.

At work, the way Oppa reels in pain makes me uneasy. Both Se-joo and Shin call in absent today, and we see that Shin has decided to meet with the recruiter after all who repeats the same job offer that Ajumma had warned him of, word for word. Eek Shin, don’t do it!

Yoo-kyung heads up to see Chairman Lee and tell her the entire truth about Ajumma Mi-rae. As expected, the chairman find the story absurd, but she’s not at all interested in whether it’s true—all she wants to know is if this information is useful or not.

She’s sharp enough to pinpoint Yoo-kyung’s intention for telling her all this, and reminds her that even if Mi-rae was out of the picture, Yoo-kyung wouldn’t be able to take that place next to Se-joo. Ooh.

Yoo-kyung laughs and insists they’re just friends, but the chairman just smiles back at her. Meanwhile, Se-joo takes his trip and walks along the seashore, thinking of his memories with Mi-rae.

Mi-rae texts Shin, whom we see sitting with Ajumma Mi-rae, and he confirms that a recruiter came to him like she said. He’s not looking for advice, and now that he’s had some time to think, he’d like to ask her one more thing: “Why didn’t you go back [in time] to the day of the accident?”

He points out that she could have saved their son then, and guesses that something much bigger must have happened than that. Ajumma nods. But of course, we don’t learn what it is.

Mi-rae meets up with a former co-worker at the call center, and gets worked up at the comment that Shin must be playboy. The lady doth protest too much, methinks. That’s when Shin appears, but he brushes past them after a few words.

Mi-rae and Se-joo miss each other in the office hallways by just a few moments later that evening. Se-joo sits at her desk and texts her a reminder about tomorrow’s recording before setting down his resignation letter.

They both arrive to work tomorrow (and that yellow angora sweater reminds me that I’m still subject to this curse) and Se-joo walks towards her with his head hanging until he looks up and smiles at her.

They film the Christmas special that aims to show how singles can enjoy spending the holiday alone, and Mi-rae is adorably awkward in front of the camera. They spend their not-a-date together from the movies to the amusement park to shopping and Mi-rae loosens up as she enjoys herself.

They wrap up filming later that evening by the Han River, and Se-joo stops walking to say that there’s one thing he hasn’t said yet. Mi-rae braces herself, and he smiles, “Merry Christmas.”

She sighs in relief at that, and Se-joo tells her that he’s saying it early because he may not be around to say it when the time comes. Then he steps forward to hug her just as fireworks burst in the sky around them.

He pulls away and tells her to take care. He then walks away so that she doesn’t see him well up with tears as Mi-rae continues to watch the bright lights display.

The entire team is in a gloomy mood at the news of Se-joo’s resignation. Not only that, Shin is still on personal leave, and Mi-rae texts him a reminder about their dinner reservation on Christmas Eve.

It’s officially Christmas time, and Mi-rae narrates that ’tis the season for people to dream of a miracle: that past friends will return or lovers who will call in after a long while. “A feeling that all miracles will come true that day. To hope that this year’s Christmas will be the happiest one yet.”

Writer Bae smiles in approval, and then carefully mentions that Shin is taking an extended leave. He’ll return soon enough, and tells Mi-rae to work things out with him then.

Moments later, Mi-rae receives her small miracle in the form of Shin’s text to meet for dinner as planned.

So Mi-rae dresses up for her big date, only to arrive at the restaurant and see Shin accompanied by another woman. Oof. That better be for work or we’re going to have words, Shin.

Elsewhere Yoo-kyung spends her evening alone when one of her bosses calls her over to join his party and hangs up before she can decline. Ugh, it’s one of those ajusshi parties callin’ over a pretty lady, isn’t it?

Sure enough it is. Thankfully Yoo-kyung turns her heel, having changed her mind, when she runs into Se-joo at the same club (his chaebol buddies called him out to play). Appalled, he asks, “Are you still going around to meet chaebols?” Dude.

Offended, Yoo-kyung stalks off a few steps before whipping around to retort that yes, she does. “Am I not allowed to come to places like this?”

That’s when her boss comes to collect her, and Se-joo watches her with a stern look on his face as she sits down and accepts drinks from the businessmen. He joins his blue blood buddies for drinks all the while distracted.

Yoo-kyung on the other hand, entertains her party in song and dance, and I’m relieved that the ajusshis aren’t excessively drunkenly handsy with her. Se-joo walks out to catch the last few minutes of her performance before she brushes past him.

Se-joo follows Yoo-kyung out and finds her crying in the sidewalk. She asks if he doesn’t find her laughable for entertaining a bunch of older men with her fake smiles.

Se-joo apologizes for misreading the situation back there, and tells her that he’s never thought of her as a girl like that. Still crying, Yoo-kyung says that he’s free to misunderstand, because it doesn’t matter to her whether he thinks of her like that or not anymore.

Mi-rae sits alone at the restaurant just a few tables away from where Shin is sitting with his own attractive company. She tries calling him and watches as Shin checks his phone… and ignores it. Gah! Shin! You better have a good explanation for this!

That’s enough of an answer for Mi-rae, and Shin looks up as she leaves. Now his not-a-date tells him to relax—she’s here as a fan, not as a broadcasting vice-president. Then they clink their wine glasses for the umpeenth time in two minutes. You’re not trying to crack those poor things on purpose, right?

Mi-rae walks back home in a daze and sees two glasses on the table. But Ajumma Mi-rae is nowhere to be found, and her phone buzzes next to Mi-rae when she calls it. Man, what a lonely Christmas after all.

That’s because Ajumma is at the hospital with Oppa, who had collapsed earlier from pain. She asks why he didn’t say anything earlier and suggests they get him checked out. But Oppa tells Ajumma not to mention anything to Mi-rae.

So Mi-rae spends the rest of her evening at home watching her own segment on TV. Shin sends off the broadcasting exec and finds himself in the midst of a light snowfall.

Then we get a montage of our characters holding out their hands to catch the snowflakes, which gives us some really nice shots.

Mi-rae confronts Shin on his way to work outside when she sees him next. She asks him what happened last night and mentions that she saw him eating with someone else.

Shin curtly answers that he was busy and says that she’s slow on the uptake—he sent enough signals her way for her to pick up on what’s going on. Those were mixed signals!

He says Mi-rae was able to see it for herself, but Mi-rae doesn’t understand his sudden cold attitude. She brings up his confession, and he dismisses those words as a careless thought.

It’s actually heartbreaking as Mi-rae asks if she was the only one who’s had all these feelings then. Shin answers: “That’s right.”

Mi-rae blinks back tears as she asks if something happened, but Shin tells her that when a man truly likes a woman, he’ll chase after her. But that isn’t the case here.

It takes all of her composure not to break down in tears then and there, and Mi-rae walks off, stupefied.

As for Shin, he walks back into the building to a meeting of broadcasting bigwigs, including the chairman. He’s here to introduce the new face and director of YBS. Which is when Se-joo walks in, suited up for his grand entrance.

COMMENTS

Oh, Shin. This isn’t the kind of Christmas surprise I was looking forward to. *grumble grumble* At this point of the show, I should have been prepared for this turn of angst, but let’s be honest—no one actually welcomes noble idiocy when it comes to crash the party. And yet, I’d still say that it’s a good thing that the show evokes such strong emotion in me because that means I’m invested.

The saving grace in this situation points to whatever Shin learned from Ajumma Mi-rae about what else happened in the future that spurred Ajumma to time-travel. And this is the twist that I like: that we were led to think that a death and resentment was the primary motivation, only to find out there was something else. It wasn’t something I necessarily anticipated, and puts me back on the intrigue train with Ajumma Mi-rae.

Speaking of revelations with added depth, Ajumma’s admission came as heartbreaking and pleasant surprise for a character I’ve had trouble connecting with for most of the series. For myself, it was the moment that she also admitted responsibility for their son’s death, the regret of letting something else distract her that she lost what was most precious to her. It would be easier to shift the blame to someone else than admit fault, to resent someone else while trying to keep the self loathing away. It’s a beat that I can sympathize with and acknowledge that she still has a long way to go.

But to Ajumma’s credit, I love her interactions with Oppa, which could have been shunted aside. Rather, it gives the siblings a chance to reconcile from their once-estranged relationship, and I think it’s fair to say that Ajumma is dealing with a changed brother, perhaps due to her changed present self. I don’t know what’s ailing Oppa at the moment, but all I know is that his own health makes me nervous.

Se-joo’s return as the head of YBS should be making me excited since it also means some power conflicts I’ve been looking forward to… only that we’ve been hearing him take up his power suit for eons now. There isn’t much I can say with his conflict with Yoo-kyung aside from his friendship with her oddly reflects his with Mi-rae. And while I did another fistpump for Yoo-kyung when she walked away from Se-joo again, a part of me wonders if she’ll come running if he calls (though I imagine it’ll be difficult now with the social and professional divide between them).

At this point, I’m going to light my optimism candle and hope for a good explanation as to why Shin is giving the Mi-rae cold shoulder. And maybe put Shin in a corner until then.

102

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1 Redge

November 20, 2013 at 4:11 AM

I wonder if Shin dies in the future? Even after the death of their son he and MR still stayed together after 20 years...maybe they decided to stick it out but the guilt became too much for him and he killed himself? And Oppa would've been dead too, leaving MR all alone. That could be why she chose to go back, because being alone wasn't worth it?

Idk I honestly have little hope left over this show, I wish many revelations came earlier rather than now. :/ I'm just sticking it for Yoo Kyung at this point, I love her.

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2 lassie

November 20, 2013 at 4:11 AM

Ouch...this episode hurt.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 6:56 AM

It sure did!

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3 yanii

November 20, 2013 at 4:20 AM

Finally we get a revelation! Only took 12 episodes, better late than never. Wish, it'd come earlier, this episode should happened like 5 episodes ago, or we should have been given a cold opening or something. Now I just don't have much empathy for FMR's plight, I mean the death of your son is better devastating, but why did the show have to hide it from us for this long, when we all knew that's where it was headed.I am still confused though, the thing thats clearly more devastating to shin than this, must have been more tragic enough for her to avoid marrying him (i.e. negating their suns birth in the process). I am sure Shin dies, he is a rational man, and I think he's tryna save them both the heartache.

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yanii

November 20, 2013 at 4:22 AM

* Pretty not better
*son's* not suns

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GoldenDiva

November 20, 2013 at 12:13 PM

Sadly I agree ? but he didn't hve 2 break her heart th way he did ?

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4 elza

November 20, 2013 at 4:24 AM

eh. disappointed, a lil. hm.
its gotten predictable.

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Bailey Otaku

November 20, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Literally my reaction! I don't know if it's even right for me to be upset, since I'm so confused.

Heirs is no better! (off topic)
What is going on with these dramas?

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5 Viki

November 20, 2013 at 4:30 AM

This episode is the most depressing of them all....wahhh, what a depressing Christmas for our characters...

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docster6

November 20, 2013 at 7:08 AM

It was the most depressing episode I have ever watched out of all the Korean Dramas I have watched. We had overcast skies all day in Southern California and I was truly depressed. I watched the show without English subtitle at first and from all the great acting I was a wreck, not even knowing exactly what happened. I love YEH and her great acting made it even worse. Her acting at lunch, expecting an affectionate gift from Kim Shin, all cheerily treating him to a lunch and recounting all the nice moments that they had. Wow, that hurt me so bad (I am a guy, by the way). The way she did her hair, added perfume, to get ready for her big date....made what Shin did super cruel. I don't think I can accept him back after that. Of course, the roof top conversation when Shin told Mirae that she is stupid, he deserved to be locked up in prison. I don't have any sympathy for guys like that. That is not a noble idiot, he crossed the line.

By the way, gummimochi, you look fantastic in your yellow sweater. You and YEH are both very beautiful.

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gummimochi

November 20, 2013 at 7:43 AM

Oh, lol. That's not me in that sweater -- It's Hwang Jung-eum from when she was in Full House 2 :)

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thursdaynexxt

November 20, 2013 at 12:47 PM

hehe, too bad Mirae straightened out her hair. Otherwise, they could have looked like twins!

What with FH2, MHIYD and even Uhm Jiwon in Thrice Married Woman - it's definitely the Year of the Perm!

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Q.rious

November 20, 2013 at 7:47 AM

What are you guys talking about? *curious* :) Where can I see "gummimochi" in the yellow sweater?

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Q.rious

November 20, 2013 at 7:49 AM

OK OK, I've seen it now. Didn't clikc the link just now.

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windsun33

November 20, 2013 at 12:02 PM

I have decided that Shin is a total asshole and that Mi Rae should move on. While there may or may not be valid reasons to break up, the way he did it was lower than whale poop.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 1:41 PM

Mi-rae's heart pines for Shin irrespective of his hot & cold mood-swings and push & pull antics.

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Bailey Otaku

November 20, 2013 at 7:21 PM

I think he was only doing it to protect her, based on what future Mirae told him... (That basically he, and his unwavering stubbornness will be the cause of her future misery, and torment).
No one wants to hear that--even if they stand for "truth, and justice" like Shin.

T_T I wish someone would be brave enough to make a romantic melo without the cliche love polygon...

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lemondoodle

November 20, 2013 at 10:58 PM

They aren't even together, so they can't break up lol. From the start he's been told he's a bad person who is terrible for her, that they had a bad marriage, their son died and then whatever other mystery thing happens.

He has reasons to do it and it's not same vague thing, but stuff that really happens (and FRM is proof). He also didn't automatically do it when he learned what FMR had to say. He went out to lunch with her and even agreed to go out on Xmas eve. He thought it out and considered what he thought was best for her.

If you want to break up for noble reasons then you better at least do it right to end it quickly. A few minutes of pain now will save her a lifetime of pain later. Even from the standpoint of someone who likes Shin and ships him with Mirae it's hard to argue that her life would be much easier if she married someone else.

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Julia the Berkshire Beanie

November 21, 2013 at 7:06 AM

Since I don't like the OTP, I found them being split apart refreshing. I guess I got too much caught up in the thought that they had a lousy marriage where they fought, so I never bonded to their pairing.

If my future self, having lived with the man, came back at threat of her life to stop myself from marrying him, I'd believe her. Anything else is self-hatred. Who can you trust if you can't trust yourself?

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August

November 21, 2013 at 9:22 AM

"If my future self, having lived with the man, came back at threat of her life to stop myself from marrying him, I’d believe her. Anything else is self-hatred. Who can you trust if you can’t trust yourself?"

Absolutely!

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6 RaineeDays

November 20, 2013 at 4:30 AM

Still hoping for the mother of reversals where the second lead gets the girl. Lol. If time-travel is possible, maybe Se-Joo and Mi-Rae together is possible, too :) only 4 more episodes til we find out!

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eva

November 20, 2013 at 5:44 AM

same hope here as well ...;-)

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Julia the Berkshire Beanie

November 21, 2013 at 7:09 AM

The thing that stands in the way of MR-SJ pairing is MR herself. Love is a mysterious thing. Who hasn't chosen to be with someone all our friends warn us is a bad choice because we were beset by hormones? MR has the hots and hero worship for Shin, and no matter how great SJ is, MR doesn't want him.

Sigh.

But the good news is that maybe one of us can get SJ. I'm sure there are a few Beaners who are a better catch for SJ than a woman who doesn't see SJ's great qualities.

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addictedtoyou

November 23, 2013 at 4:12 AM

Is there a queue? XD

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7 thursdaynexxt

November 20, 2013 at 4:40 AM

Yay!! Thanks for the recaps! Big improvement from Ep 11 - maybe the writer has a time-travelling version of themselves too?!

I can safely say I loved Mirae in this episode - something I've not been able to say unreservedly before. She decided to lay it all on the line and go all out for the guy she likes, and I respected her for that, despite the way it turned out.

Loved spunky Yookyung too, as always. I think the karaoke scene paved the way nicely for her and Sejoo to become a good partnership. Speaking of Sejoo, I really felt so sorry for him when he said goodbye to Mirae and went back to his chauffeured car. It felt like the princess (prince, sorry) going back to his gilded cage/prison. Still waiting for Shin-Sejoo bromance...

Although the characters talk about destiny and whether or not they believe in it(or want to believe), the show is living up to its name in one important respect - it's all about the choice the character makes that changes their lives. It's not Mirae's Fate, it's Mirae's Choice.

As for Noble Idiot Shin, I wonder what terrible thing makes him acquiesce in Future Mirae's plan? What's so unimaginable that he would agree to give up the girl he loves and the son they would have together, to the extent that he thinks it's better that they have nothing to do with one another? It must be a life-or-death thing, but I'm not convinced it's about saving his own life. In the earlier episodes, FMR reproached herself for carelessly telling Mirae to go and die "again" - what's that all about?

Am scared for Oppa - is that why he first asked if they've found a cure for cancer in the future? I no longer think his life/death has anything to do with FMR's time travel or Shin's actions in pushing Mirae away, but darn it, please don't kill off my favourite character!!

Hope the show keeps up this momentum until the finale!

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CaroleMcDonnell

November 20, 2013 at 7:51 AM

wow! the cancer question! yes! hadn't seen that before.

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8 CaroleMcDonnell

November 20, 2013 at 5:11 AM

Loved this episode. Felt so much. Very emotional.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 7:05 AM

Hi Carole,

I missed reading your comments yesterday!

Definitely emotional for all the characters and one of the better episodes of MHIYD.

I replied back to you regarding ALICE in C...
Episode #10
22.2.1.3.5 August
November 13th, 2013 at 5:35 PM

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CaroleMcDonnell

November 20, 2013 at 7:44 AM

Oh, i'll go check back. Have been sick. Nasty fibromyalgia relapse...so stuck in bed.

This was definitely one of the better episodes, and one in which I thought..."I so wish they hadn't strangled and straitened themselves by calling this rom-com. Something in this episode really felt as if this drama could've gone to super deep places if it wanted to."

Am not sure what the Korean equivalent to a dramedy is, but this chapter/episode felt like it. It hadn't occurred to me that oppa was sick. I keep wondering if the writer dropped hints along the way in previous chapters that I missed.

Not sure what else happened after the baby's death to make Future Mirae just give up. Must be a doozy.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 8:18 AM

Yeah, MHIYD definitely missed out on taking advantage of several opportunities to explore and go deeper with the characters. Instead, the writer just showed flashes of it or just skimmed a little bit off the top/surface in previous episodes.

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DDee

November 20, 2013 at 8:46 AM

I so agree with you. This episode really feels like what this drama should've been from from the start. With this episode, it showed its true face--thoughtful, a little melancholy, mature, and good humoured.

I loved this episode, eventhough I can see why many will complain about it's pacing. But I love its tone. The antics in the subway and the undercover op just never really felt right to me even if they were entertaining.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 9:32 AM

Hope you get well soon!

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thursdaynexxt

November 20, 2013 at 12:25 PM

Oh dear, hope you feel better soon, Carole!

Yes, I'm scared to think what might have happened - and why she waited so long after the baby died to come back. Or was it just that she had to wait that long for the time machine to be built?

Between "Secret" and MHIYD, the dramas are definitely not kid-friendly this season, are they?! Poor Carole! :D

I think FMR must've been pretty desperate, though. She said earlier that the time machine wasn't very accurate and she could've landed in the Ice Ages or something, so she was prepared to risk that much to get back.

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DayDreamer

November 20, 2013 at 2:46 PM

Hope you get better soon! *gives a virtual hug*

But yeah, totally agree with you that this is what the drama should have been. The writer has been really slow in getting to this point. Also, thankfully, the show didn't settle for "baby died so that's I went back to prevent my coupling with my husband." With that promise of something more dire and irreversible without the time machine, I can stick to this drama. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

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9 tata

November 20, 2013 at 5:21 AM

I cried at the scene of Ajumma's confession :((

And the part where Mirae's oppa is in the hospital. Ajumma telling him that she really didn't know his condition and asks what if the cancer relapses. Its so saaaad.

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10 jeannie

November 20, 2013 at 5:31 AM

Me too. I am hoping for a reversal when the second lead gets the girl but the twist somehow tells me otherwise. The real reason why FMR came. I guess she should be crazily in love with Shin and that is why she travelled back to save him. After the death of their son, he might be in despair and ended up in self-destruction. Thus, in order to prevent her beloved Shin from dying or ending up in self-pity, she came to prevent the relationship from happening. She mentioned that it was for MiRae that she came but in actual fact, she came for Shin. She loved him so much that she doesn't want him to go through all the pain. That's how I think it will progress...

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11 soyabeans

November 20, 2013 at 5:48 AM

The ending in ep 11 and the start in ep 12 are slightly different. In ep 11, when Oppa tossed the DNA report at Shin, I actually wondered why wasn't he curious enough to open the envelope...

Felt really bad for Mirae at the restaurant scene. Heartbreak! I was really rooting for Shin all this while but his behavior in this ep really pissed me off. So cruel.
Another irritating typical idiotic scene that I dislike from many dramas and hope won't ever appear in Mirae's Choice is when the guy and girl are in the car, they would be arguing, then the guy suddenly stops driving and asks the girl to get out.

I'm disappointed with the ratings, considering that there's some solid acting from most of the cast. But well, around this time last year, one of my fav dramas - The King of Drama - had pretty dismal ratings too :( Maybe the Korean audience just don't like male leads with that kind of greasy hair? hehehe

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ByTheWay

November 20, 2013 at 7:02 AM

Yes, solid acting indeed! Even from that PD Lee Jae Soo... when he's not irritating (like when he flirted with Mirae earlier on and lashed out at Shin for the transfer), he actually is quite funny (like when he teased Shin). Also Miranda's bodyguard, that young announcer (what's his name??!), the waiter from the bar, etc.

But the most solid acting award from me for this drama will go to Lee Dong Gun! Will we see him in KBS Drama Awards later this year? Will he win anything?

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nittionde

November 20, 2013 at 7:18 AM

This is not really related to this episode, but on Cool Kiz, they're playing basketball and there are some tall actors in there. Would be awesome if LDG could join in, even for a while! YEH seems good at it too. I assume it's really LDG and YEH who shot the ball into the basket in that earlier episode (either 5 or 6).

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docster6

November 20, 2013 at 8:25 AM

YEH is a very good basketball player. She (he in Coffee Prince, that series) played basketball for one hour against Choi Han-gyul because he placed a penalty on his coffee shop workers for being lazy. YEH (Go Eun-Chan) didn't quit for one hour and that won the admiration from her (his) boss. In that episode, YEH made a bunch of baskets. Yes, YEH is quite good at the short-distance baskets. Choi Han-gyul in Coffee Prince is really good too, he is 184 cm tall (he said in the show) so he is an even 6'. He has cross-over dribbles and fade-away jump shots too. Yes, Kim Shin is a really great basketball player, very fluid in his motion.

I am sure this is just me, and me only, but I noticed that YEH has huge hands. I saw that when she is waving good-bye to someone, in Coffee Prince, in Lie to Me, in this Mirae's Choice series (when he waved goodbye to Se-Joo after watching his featured film). That means if she were a basketball player, she would be like John Stockton, a great assist point guard. I am exaggerating too much, I think.

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nittionde

November 20, 2013 at 8:44 AM

Oh yes, now that you've mentioned it, there's that basketball scene in Coffee Prince. I didn't notice her hands but I remember having the impression that YEH is one mighty strong lady coz she carried Gong Yoo on her back when he was drunk in one of the scenes.

By the way, I've come across many instances of commenters thinking that they're the only one having a certain thought/observation but usually it turns out that there would be someone out there who also shares that same thought.

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mel

November 20, 2013 at 1:21 PM

Yonghwa plays basketball as well. one of his fav sport. really good at it
he said if he doesn't become celebrity he probably continue playing it

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gummimochi

November 20, 2013 at 7:50 AM

You are right that the ending for Episode 11 and Episode 12 are different! I thought that my eyes had deceived me.

I'm still giving Shin the benefit of the doubt here because I want to know what the reason is before being too harsh on him, but yes, his behavior is still cruel. We can only wait and see (and until then, boy be on thin ice)!

Ha, I'm not sure if the greasy hair you're talking about affects the ratings, but let's hope not, eh? :)

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thursdaynexxt

November 20, 2013 at 12:32 PM

Hahaha, LOL, so after all those viewer complaints about YEH's ahjumma perm here, the ratings actually come down to the GUY'S hair?? It's such a whacky theory that it might just be true :D

"Another irritating typical idiotic scene that I dislike from many dramas and hope won’t ever appear in Mirae’s Choice is when the guy and girl are in the car, they would be arguing, then the guy suddenly stops driving and asks the girl to get out." - yes! Drives me wild too.
I watched a drama recently where the guy leaves the girl stranded in the middle of the highway, no less!! (Think it was Pasta - though, considering Chef's personality, it would be just his style)

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12 Annie

November 20, 2013 at 6:26 AM

One secret revealed and another one to keep us all hanging! I'm raking my brain trying to think what could be so horrible that causes Shin to push away the woman that he loves. Given the way I am now feeling about this drama (mix of loving and hating it), it better be a gut wrenching and mind blowing reason!

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13 miri

November 20, 2013 at 6:29 AM

My God ... finally some revelation, but not enough. I only stuck it out through your wonderful recaps and gave up watching this show a long time ago. This is why the ratings are dismal. Who could slog through this meandering mess that started off with such possibilities. If the show is about choice, it would be nice if it was not destined with the first leads and could mix it up some.

If the next episode picks up pace, maybe I will revisit and watch future episodes.

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14 momosa

November 20, 2013 at 6:30 AM

After 12 episodes, I see SeJoo likes Mirae very much, Mirae likes Shin very much but I'm don't see the reason why Shin likes Mirae as much and why YK likes SeJoo as much.

I'm wondering who are the leads? And a little confused as to what this show is about?

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History

November 20, 2013 at 6:51 AM

The lead is... Future Mirae!

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lemondoodle

November 20, 2013 at 8:45 AM

But YK specifically said why she liked SJ when he asked her.... YEH and LDG are the leads, though I like how everyone has a story-line and aren't there specifically just to revolve around the OTP.

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15 grey

November 20, 2013 at 6:34 AM

Well, i agree with soyabeans. i like this drama a lot. And still wondering why the ratings are so low. I like king of drama too and the ratings were so low. Do korean viewers love melodrama than comedy romantic?

I wish mirae could be with shin, but in other version. Shin has already known what will happen with mirae and him, if he still doesnt want to change. Just a thought ha5

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llij1990

November 20, 2013 at 6:56 PM

Right @grey and @soyabeans.

I really dont get why the ratings are low. :( The cast are very good. and I am really thankful that Yonghwa chose to be with MHIYD than The Heirs (No offense Heirs fans). This made his acting improve A LOT.

Why do Koreans don't like this drama? It seems like only the international community appreciate LDG, YEH and JYH (Sorry JYH fans here).

Thanks for the recap gummimochi! Although I already have the copy of the episode, still I do not have the courage yet to watch it because episode 11 is heartbreaking. I wish Yookyung the best with her loveline with Seju..

Please do not stop giving recaps and comments. Thank you!

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16 Sajen

November 20, 2013 at 6:37 AM

How do you express rage in eloquent words? However it is let's pretend that's what I just did.

First of all there's no such thing as "the" future, every single decision you make from brushing a single hair out of your eye to going to work, to murder brings to existence millions of possible futures. The very act of traveling back in time creates millions of possible futures and most likely changes the future you come from. So what happens if someone comes to you claiming to be from "the" future, you mostly ignore them because, just going back in time makes anything they say moot. Not these people though and that's so frustrating.

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windsun33

November 20, 2013 at 12:11 PM

That is what made "Nine" a great time travel movie - it had a feedback loop so the hero could actually see what was happening when he changed the past. This show has no such mechanism, so in reality FMR is shooting blind - she has no idea how much might have already been drastically changed yet she keeps on going on her tunnel vision quest.

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17 Cris

November 20, 2013 at 6:44 AM

What could be that reason? I'm getting curious. If it's not about their son then, what could it be? And it actually affected Shin very much that he immediately changed his mind.

From what I read so far, many are actually saying that Shin might have died. But, if the reason of his death is related to what happened to their son, I think Ahjumma should have just went back to that incident and saved their son. That way, she could have saved their son and Shin as well. Second, it can't be that Future Mi-rae will die... because the Future Mirae actually boarded the time machine and went back and is alive.

I think that 'big reason' has nothing to do with either of them dying or anything to do their son. It's something else. I think it should be related to with SeJoo and Yoo Kyung. Their could be a reason behind why Ahjumma is trying to switch everything up- why she's trying to push Mirae to Sejoo and Shin to Yoo Kyung. If her agenda was to make Shin not marry Mirae she could've succeeded that by not making Mirae cross paths with SeJoo and Yoo Kyung. I mean, in the 1st episode, why would Ahjumma even bring Mirae to Jeju Island? She was trying Mirae to purposely meet SeJoo.

Anyway, that's just my theory. Hope you guys got my drift. hehe

Thanks for the recaps!

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18 Cris

November 20, 2013 at 6:47 AM

*anything to do with their
*THERE could be a reason behind

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thursdaynexxt

November 20, 2013 at 12:39 PM

"Second, it can’t be that Future Mi-rae will die… because the Future Mirae actually boarded the time machine and went back and is alive."

Yes, I was trying to get my head around that too, cos I feel like the writer's given us so many red herrings that I can't see the kernel of truth in all this. (Added to which, why is Present Mirae the last to know?? Pleez someone just tell her already!)

Maybe FMR knew she might be about to die, and that it would have far-reaching consequences (I'm tacking this on since I'd rather not think she time-travelled just to save her own skin), and that's what made her decide to undertake such a risky mission?

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19 Skwon

November 20, 2013 at 6:48 AM

SPIT. IT. OUT. Aujumma Mi-rae. It feels like a cheap trick the writer is using over and over and OVER again.

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windsun33

November 20, 2013 at 12:12 PM

Another version of the tried and true "birth secret" trope I guess.

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20 hi

November 20, 2013 at 6:49 AM

Heartbreaking episode
I wonder it's Romantic Comedy or Tragic Comedy?
Please do not prepare a sad ending for us. We trust you 12 episode! Mirae come back for Hop not for ruin!

and also sad for rating every drama which i've had watched had low rating :(((
Tanx for your recap

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21 Norule

November 20, 2013 at 6:51 AM

Omg! Both shin and sj looked soooo totally drop dead gorgeous! Especially shin...theres something about his character that has swooning quality to it..sj has it also but not as lethal. Call me shallow but shin and sj that keep me reading this show recap. Eye candy indeed!

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22 ste92f

November 20, 2013 at 6:53 AM

IMO, Shin acting like that was for MR not to like him anymore. Well, since he heard what will happen in the future from ajumma, maybe he just dosen't want to see MR sad.

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23 lemondoodle

November 20, 2013 at 7:03 AM

It is noble idiocy on Shin's part, but for once I can hardly blame him. Noble idiots usually do things for vague reason that might never happen, what happened to Shin and Mirae actually happens and we have the woman in pain from the future as proof and history repeating itself with the job offer. So how do you get over that?

A reversal for SJ to win her heart just won't happen though. I don't even get why anyone who actually likes SJ would want it to happen. Mirae is actually sort of cold and unfeeling towards SJ. She likes him when he's around because he makes her comfortable, using him despite known it's wrong, but when he's not around she's too busy moping about Shin to care much about him. If she now goes back to Seju because Shin upset her that would just make her a pretty crappy person.

Anyway, I think it's Shin's death. That's what stopping him. He can't change himself and future if he's going to die anyway. He's not being mean to save himself, but because he wouldn't be able to be there for her for her in the future so he'd rather give up so she can move on to someone else. All three men in her life treat her she has to be protected and taken care of and can't do much on her own. I'm pretty sure ajumma is all alone because everyone is dead in the future and that's what her brother and Shin want to prevent.

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momosa

November 21, 2013 at 4:56 AM

The thing is this show has open up unlimited possibilities because there were no heaven interference, only slight hint of it in the form of 'fate'. We see nothing of those repercussions unlike Queen InHyun or Nine.

So Oppa and Shin could make it alive if there are meant to be dead at some point just like the hundreds of train passengers that should have died but alive.

And yes, even though LDG & YEH are to be the OTP, it seems Jung YH has more screen time than LDG, making us unable to stop swooning at cool Se Joo while Shin continues to be an idiotic and YK more pathetic than ever. Is it the bad writing or directing or editing that is less than satisfactory?

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24 Q.rious

November 20, 2013 at 7:29 AM

Can anyone tell me, the DNA results are for Future Mirae & Oppa or is it Future Mirae & Present Mirae?

From that report, would KS know it's referring to Future Mirae? I mean, nobody said anything about the report to him, Oppa just threw it to him.

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25 Mia

November 20, 2013 at 8:32 AM

I really enjoyed this ep, especially the FMR's scenes with Shin and Oppa, as well as Yoo-kyung's scenes. Also loved Seju's scenes in Jeju. It was so full of longing. I was really hoping Yoo-kyung would try to meet him there after realizing the importance of her canceled Jeju trip. Just the way Seju was looking at the waves on the shore, I thought maybe he'd get an alternate memory of falling for Yoo-kyung. It makes me wonder if they really are each other's destiny. Despite FMR altering the timeline Mirae and Shin still fell for each other. Meanwhile Seju is showing no romantic interest in Yoo-kyung. She wants him but he doesn't seem drawn to her at all. He saw a beautiful free spirited woman playing in the ocean and fell for Mirae. Then you have Shin who developed no romantic feelings for Yoo-kyung after the accident. Nothing prevented Shin and Mirae from falling for each other. It seems just like with the toy, Seju fell for the shiny bright object that is Mirae and just continued to fall after getting to know her. And it makes me wonder if any random woman that looked pretty and sweet playing in the ocean in front of his house would have fit the bill.

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Lindy

November 20, 2013 at 10:09 AM

I haven't yet watched this episode, just read the recap but to answer your question, yes, any random woman that looked pretty and sweet playing in the ocean in front of his house would have fit the bill. With Yoo-kyung in the first time line and now with Mi-rae, Se-joo has not fallen in love with a real woman but with his own anima. An anima is, in most basic terms, the feminine part of a man's personality. Human emotions, feelings etc are neither masculine or feminine but we have assigned them gender labels.

When a man sees a woman who "triggers" his anima, he might project this feminine part of his personality onto the woman. He is essentially looking at himself but, unfortunately for both parties, there is a real woman standing there with her own personality. Many woman aren't aware that this is what is going on but a clever woman who is out to trap a man, like Yoo-kyung in the first time line, will become that anima deliberately. But it is a facade and, when real life intrudes as it always does, the facade becomes impossible to maintain and leads to feelings of betrayal and unhappiness for both parties. This is why I think both first time line marriages were doomed to failure, not just Shin's and Mi-rae's.

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26 DayDreamer

November 20, 2013 at 8:37 AM

Just when I had given up this drama, it finally picked up. Thank you, August, for encouraging me to watch this episode. It certainly was what I had been waiting for.

Despite being a pretty good episode, I still feel most invested in Yoo Kyung only. It's her that elicits this pang in my heart and her that I wish to see happy the most. I think it's that I've had enough of the Shin-Mirae-Sejoo-Ajhumma circling around one another and repeating their hot and cold methods (warming up at some point and then being frosty and unapproachable at another) for much too long. YK does none of that. When she's rejected, she doesn't hide away nor take back her confession. She is what she is. And it made me sad that she was being viewed as a gold digger by Se-joo's grandma when all she was doing was being honest about FMR's ulterior motives. Yes, YK also hoped that by revealing this, maybe it would give her a chance with Se-joo but she didn't push it when the grandma made it clear that she wasn't going to be with Se-joo.

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August

November 20, 2013 at 9:53 AM

DayDreamer,

You're welcome! Glad Episode 12 was worth watching for you. Let's hope that Episodes 13 - 16 maintain or exceed the standard set by this episode as well.

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Genki Escapist

November 20, 2013 at 9:11 PM

THIS. I keep hearing of people going on and on how Yookyung is a manipulative little liar full of ill intentions, when in reality, she has been the most straightforward among the leads. Everyone else is playing the push-and-pull, wishy-washy game, but she's only going forward.

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27 applecrumble

November 20, 2013 at 9:12 AM

Just some of my random thoughts:

1. >> and she grumbles that Shin always expresses himself with words, whether it’s praise or his feelings

Yet she rejected his almost-kiss last time.

2. Wonder why Miranda doesn't seem to like YK.

3. Will Shin accept the MTN offer?

4. MTN is part of the Home Group and if I recall right, it's that party that YK attended last time when she discovered SJ's identity.

5. Wonder if Shin has any feelings for Ajumma after her confession. After all, she's supposed to be how Mirae will look like in the future. What if there's gonna be a kiss scene between Shin and Ajumma? Gasp!

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28 windsun33

November 20, 2013 at 12:21 PM

I am not sure why poor YK keeps getting the shaft from everyone. From what I can see, she is actually a pretty nice girl trying to do the best she can in a world that tolerates blatant sexism. She has not done anything evil to Mi Rae, in fact she seems to like her even though they are rivals.

As far as ratings go, I think it deserves better than 4.7, but I can't see it being better than 8 or 9'ish given the weird plot setups.

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Genki Escapist

November 20, 2013 at 9:16 PM

All I can think of in the Yookyung matter is that many viewers have adopted a protagonist-centered morality POV, such that anyone who could be a rival to the protagonist in any way is automatically evil, because really, Yookyung is a pleasant girl relying on herself to survive.

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29 Lindy

November 20, 2013 at 12:28 PM

I am liking this show more and more. It's written by adults for adults and really expresses well the complexities of life and human relationships. I like that things are being revealed slowly and the whole bittersweet, melancholy tone it sets.

I just am so confused as to what is the other thing Shin asks Future Mi-rae. Pretty perceptive of him to realize that there is something else though. The death of a child in a horrible accident you blame yourself for seems pretty much impossible to trump. So what is it. It can't be Shin's death (suicide?) after little Gun's death because preventing his death would stop that. I think it must have something to do with the original deal Future Mi-rae made to get into the past and it's got nothing to do with her past at all. But she's correcting her own future instead. This is the reason the time cop who looks and acts like an accountant is following her. But its obviously enough to make Shin blow Mi-rae off in the cruelest way imaginable.

It's also nice to know Future Oppa wasn't such a heartless bastard after all. He's sick and he wants to make sure his sister and nephew are taken care of if he dies. I still don't get the not communicating for 20 years thing though.

Also Future Mi-rae tells Shin that he never even appeared on-air in his anchor job with the new network because of a fight with the management where he quits. Well, the management seems to be a very attractive woman who seems to like Shin very much. In the old time line he was either engaged or newly married to Mi-rae. Maybe sexy Vice-Pres made a play for Shin or even harassed him sexually (it does happen) and he's quit not out of stubborn pride but out of loyalty to the woman he loves. He is a man of high integrity after all.

Also It's good to see Future Mi-rae own up to her own faults. She also saw their child wander away but she's now admitted to blaming Shin 100%. She doesn't want him to take any old job so, really, it's her pride and stubbornness that's been on the line all these years, not just Shin's. He's carried the burdens of her failures though.

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jestss

November 20, 2013 at 3:48 PM

The not communicating for 20 years thing... I assumed that he died? He has cancer, after all. FMR never found out, and thought that he'd permanently cut ties instead.

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30 confused

November 20, 2013 at 12:44 PM

Am I the only one who is confused at the low ratings and thinks that the they don't do the drama justice?

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Lindy

November 20, 2013 at 1:21 PM

I'm pretty confused as well. I guess a lot of people say that they might want some fresh angles on standard story lines but when a attempt is made to put a fresh spin on old material, they get turned off because it's not hitting all those familiar story telling beats. Scriptwriting can be pretty formulaic so it's discouraging to see low ratings when something slightly out of the norm is tried.

I think something like Mi-rae's Choice might prove to be popular with overseas audiences though. But how much this counts in Korean TV ratings, I don't know. The fact that Dramafever, like Netflix, is moving into creating original content and co-productions is a sign that things might become a little less dependant on Korean ratings and perhaps a little more experimental. All it's going to take is one breakthrough show in the foreign market. (not Heirs although I do like it)

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31 Kit

November 20, 2013 at 2:38 PM

Flops I actually love this show so much, it's one of the only cases I see noble idiocy working. Because for him, as much as he's concerned, he really is doing the best he can for her, triply (supposedly) secured by his own wife from the future.

I love how the ahjumma has gone around actually telling people, because we get to see people get hold of their own lives. Mirae's shaping up well, and now so is Shin. Yookyung poor thing seems to have given up, but she has an underlying hope that Sejoo will see her differently once he sorts out his former feelings.

Shin for the moment knows most of the plays that are happening. I'm guessing he doesn't take the job, but it may not be just because of Mirae - we realise even in the last timeline, Shin isn't ruined because of Sejoo, and as he said, he really is the best in their broadcasting company. And in this timeline, the two of them have more respect for each other in the workplace even though the love lines got mixed up. Plus Mirae has made both of them more invested in the team itself, who are really starting to bond well. Their whole world is changing around them because of the girl they love, which is great.

And. Sejoo is the type to not mix his social and work life, except Yookyung already crossed that barrier and she's his only friendly link on both sides. She'll be there when you realise how amazing she is :')

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32 SuziQ

November 20, 2013 at 4:26 PM

OMG!The most depressing episode ever! So dismal...

Poor Geon dies. Oppa has cancer. Se Ju gets rejected from Mirae. YK gets misunderstand as a party girl by SeJu. Mirae gets dumped by Shin. Shin plays the noble idiotic and dumps Mirae and may take a job with MTN which will cause is ruin? FMR gets stuck in the future with sick Oppa, and knows their future is bleak.and it's during the most depressing Christmas...OMO..my head is so confused. Who's the OTP?

Did the writers write themselves into a corner?

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33 Karin

November 20, 2013 at 4:38 PM

I was thinking if cheating could be the other reason ahjumma mirae wants her to marry sejoo.. Is that possible?

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loveprevails

November 20, 2013 at 8:06 PM

I was thinking along that line as well. Infidelity. But this reason would put Shin's character in extremely hot water as he is already treading very precariously close to the line at the moment. Could Yoo Kyung be the temptress then since Ahjumma Mirae is pretty nasty towards her?

But what if it's Mirae instead that did the 'boo boo' most likely with Se Joo? Hmm...maybe they fell in love later in life. Because why did Ahjumma Mirae choose Se Joo? Quite flimsy if the reason is just money but never know, it's still possible.

Oh well, 4 more episodes. :)

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lemondoodle

November 20, 2013 at 11:08 PM

I don't think Yoo Kyung would risk her comfy life and rich husband for an unemployed depressed guy who spends his life watching tv. Seju as well wouldn't have many chances to interact with MR considering she was just a normal woman working multiple jobs. As we both know Seju also seems very loyal and Shin seems like the last person in the world who would cheat.

FMR didn't really care if it was Seju one way or the other. She knew how he fell in love and that he was rich. When she thought he was not an option she was ready to move on anyway. Though it having something to with YK and SJ would possibly make FMR's reasons less terrible than randomly deciding to ruin a happy marriage because she didn't like the looks of Yoo Kyung .

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windsun33

November 21, 2013 at 3:04 AM

I don't really see YK as that kind of girl. As far as FMR - I am convinced by now that she is wrong about a lot of things.

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34 cklara

November 20, 2013 at 5:40 PM

to be a low rating drama has a lot of repercussions and discussion on the web which shows that the drama has potential.maybe this drama deserved 100 episodes in its complexity and slow development , but when the ratings are so low the writers go in panic as TV channels and end up spoiling the drama and although the last chapters have been amazing the Korean public will has completely turned its back which is unfair because the actors have done a wonderful job

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35 barbjean

November 20, 2013 at 5:56 PM

I love this show. It took us on a downer this week but I really like these characters. In the recap you state that it evokes strong emotion in you so you must be invested and I agree. I was crying last night with them over the loss of the son. I really like all the characters and this world they've created.

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36 coco

November 20, 2013 at 6:03 PM

I don't understand why future mi rea didn't tell present mi rea the truth. Why did she tell shin. I know you could say that she told mi rea that someone is going to die, but she didn't say who and didn't explain the whole situation to her like she did to shin. I'm kind of getting tired of secrets from the future.
On a better note, I have to say it's the first time I actually like the second lead and I don't want to ring her neck. She's sweet and vulnerable ( I might even like her better than the lead.... I did say maybe)
It's the first time I see the actor playing se joo, play a character like this one. He's kind of a jerk I don't like him.Shin may be annoying but he has his principles and sticks to them. I hope we learn everything soon and that relationships can be mended cuz this episode just ripped everything apart

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37 Min

November 20, 2013 at 7:24 PM

Well Oppas condition worries me because he's been asking about whether there's a cure for cancer in future only to get a negative from MiRae... I hope it's not that... I'd hate that A LOT.

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38 Celticheart47

November 20, 2013 at 8:07 PM

As far as the ratings go, and I may be way off base but, back in the day, Neilsen would select 10 households to represent 1,000, 10,000 or 100,000 households to "average" their ratings. Also, it was based on real time viewing. Today, in most countries, Korea included, most young people go to school or work and are not at home when most dramas are aired, so they record them. Recorded shows are usually not included in the ratings. Martina and Simon , in one of their shows, said that the average Korean either doesn't know about or doesn't care about K-pop, idols, and I think that includes the younger generation of actors and entertainers. It is basically the older, retired, not working population that is home in front of their tv's when most dramas are aired and I bet most of these older people will be watching a "family" type drama or variety show instead of a drama with young people or idols. Idols and young people are ok in family dramas when they are not the lead and really far down on the kdrama food chain. Have any of the contemporary, gritty crime dramas done well? I'm thinking ten, vampire prosecutor, ghost, heck even chosun police 3 (and if anyone knows where I can watch it please tell me), chosun x-files, etc. Has any of these great shows done well in the ratings? Or how aqbout a relly great romcom like Protect The Boss. I think what gets the ratings is family oriented drama with a painfully high number of episodes and or historical dramas with also way too many episodes. I will exclude Dong Yi, Queen Seon Duk, Jajungwon, Jewel in The Palace, Hwang Jin Yi, and Emperor Of The Sea because these are just to great to past up just because of their lenght. Immortal Yi Sun Shin, Yi San, and The Great Sejong are also worth the time invested but most of the fifty or more episode dramas are just too long. Short historicals are good too.
This does cut both ways. I really wanted to see Ahn Jae Wook's latest drama, Light and Shadows but it seemed no one was subbing it, but yet it apparently was getting very high ratings in Korea. So the series Korea gives high rating to won't get subbed and the series that is quick to be subbed is the ones that the Korean public doesn't support.
Long story short, this drama will probably do very well internationally, it is probably doing well in Korea but it is probably by those people recording and not those actually watching it so it will not make it into the ratings. Also KBS World started showing it well after it had been shown in Korea.
I Know I got side-tracked but my point is that the dramas and or shows we like may never get the respect they are due. I think the shows geared to the older population of Korea will do well in the ratings and the shows geared to the younger people will do well internationally.
At Least KBS will see the show to the end and not just cancel it due to low ratings like what happened to Ultimate KPOP survival (which strangely I liked).

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39 applecrumble

November 20, 2013 at 10:10 PM

During the scene where Shin was carrying the kid and then he passed the boy to Mirae, what was that thing in Shin's mouth??

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QRain

November 21, 2013 at 6:13 AM

Snack, maybe. :)

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August

November 21, 2013 at 9:45 AM

Possibly a toy for the baby.

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40 Julia the Berkshire Beanie

November 21, 2013 at 6:57 AM

Fans of YK, look away, I am in full rant mode against her.

YK is STILL choosing to use her girly charms to advance her career. Pfft. No sympathy from me. She used these charms to try to snag two men (while not really caring about either when she started) and to get promoted to a reporter role her skills wouldn't have gotten her because she is willing to trade her dignity for career advancement.

Sexual harassment does occur in the workplace. Sometimes the power difference between the players makes it hard for the subject to object. But I still think that if a person never says no, actively flirts, and accepts benefits from the arrangement, that they have lost their high moral ground. YK put herself in that after hours bar. YK was an active participant.

Watching YK singing, I thought how very inappropriate she would be as a chairman's wife, having already flaunted her charms to wealthy men who are SJ's associates. There are women men play with, and women men marry, and YK is still putting herself in the first category with her slutty behavior. Right in front of the man she supposedly loves, she shakes her booty for other men, then wants comfort that she did it? Gah!

I am glad Grandma can see thru the manipulative YK who has been using passive aggressive tactics to get what she wants, no matter who it hurts. YK is not pure of heart and SJ deserves much better than her. YK calls SJ cruel, but she is the one who keeps rubbing up against him to try to seduce him, and he never gave her reason to assume that he loved her. YK is making the big gamble to get what she wants. Sadly, SJ is too kind hearted, protective, and sweet to really resist such a direct attack from a talented gold digger.

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hippy

November 21, 2013 at 3:47 PM

This is why I find it funny when some people say that yookyung deserves better man than seju. Lol! I used to feel for her but not after this episode. Im happy that grandma doesn't like her.

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ktiep

November 21, 2013 at 9:08 PM

@Julia the Berkshire Beanie I totally agree with you about YK. When she turned down SJ's offer of friendship, I thought, "You fool! He's the best thing that ever happened to your career." I don't see SJ having a lot for friends, or enjoying the ones he has, so he was very trusting to confirm his friendship would last with her.

I will be very disappointed if he softens to her and they end up together.

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chickletta

November 23, 2013 at 9:16 AM

Hmmm... I suppose none of you YK's haters have ever lived in Korea and tried to make it in any profession. YK is, I would say,rather a norm. In Korea when a boss calls you out to party with him you go and you are expected to be pleasant and flirty. It was her boss who called her to join them. She did her duty, smiled and danced, then quickly grabbed her coat and left. My Korean girlfriends in the business world, as capable and smart as they are, if they are young they all wear flirty and girly masks and they cannot reject to go to company meetings. That's just the way the cookie crumbles in Korea. Same goes for me. I am not Korean but I work for Koreans. Our dinner meetings often end in a bar then a noraebang and all manner of flirting and complimenting is going on. It is a norm here. You're thinking and judging Korean world as represented in the drama from an absolutely Western perspective. YK is quite decent, actually. She is the one who refused to ask the poor family to change their clothes to save their faces. That shows thoughtfulness. Wanting to marry rich is not a sin, and many Korean girls are very open about it. In this society, this is still the most surefire way to 'succeed.' So, I say, go YK and use all the tricks in the book to get the guy you deserve. And I'm actually seeing that he's about to have a change of heart about her.

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41 midwest mz

November 21, 2013 at 2:07 PM

I know that I might be the only one, or perhaps in the minority??? But . . . . I do so hope that Shin believes older Mi-rae, and really cuts younger one loose!

There has been change in the character Shin, and perhaps we could call it growth. Though, something about spots and an animal changing?? The character still seems ’me’ driven, which could/would hurt those closest to him.

Yes, Se-joo has not been totally on the square with Mi-rae, but he has shown feelings in varying ranges. He has been steadfast, even though rebuffed. Mi-rae’s growth and fashion have come a long way, thankfully. How could they not work well together????

On not camera talked about scenes . . . . Didn’t older Mi-rae mention or say something about Shin having a future relationship with Yoo Kyung? Perhaps an affair, or one with someone else? Thus after all she has given to him, and they had gone through he basically tosses her away and is ‘me’ driven again? Also oppa asked older Mi-rae about cancer being cured in 25 yrs? Her reply, early detection cancer almost totally being cured, but late stage cancer still not totally wiped out?? Possibilities for either cliff hangers?

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42 Amelia

November 22, 2013 at 3:19 AM

Why MHIYD's rating gets lower every episode? Sigh!!!
But, whatever ... I still love them. :-)
YEH, LDG & JYH Fighting!!!

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43 August

November 24, 2013 at 6:25 PM

What song was Se-Joo probably listening to while walking along the beach (seashore) reflecting on his memories with Mi-Rae?

"In My Mind" by Heather Headley

In my mind I'll always be...

Only time will tell if I'm...
But in my mind I'll always be...

They say if you love something you've got to let it go
And if it comes back then it means so much more
But if it never does at least you will know
That it was something you had to go through to grow...

In my mind, in my heart, in my soul
(In my mind, in my mind, in my mind)
Baby, you should know
You're in my thoughts, you're in my prayer
(In my mind, in my mind)

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44 August

November 25, 2013 at 10:16 AM

What song should Na Mi-Rae familiarize herself with like statim?

"I Wish I Wasn't" by Heather Headley

[Verse 1]

I'm home alone again
And you're out hanging with your friends
So you say
Somehow I know it's not quite that way
It's getting pretty late
And you haven't checked on me all day
When I
called you didn't answer
Now I'm feeling like your ignoring me
I wish that you were home
Holding me tight in your arms

And I wish I could go back
To the day before we met
And skip my regret

[Chorus:]

I wish I wasn't in love with you
So you couldn't hurt me
it just ain't fair the way you treat me
No you don't
deserve me
Wasting my time thinking bout you when you ain't never gon change
I wish I wasn't in love with you so I
wouldn't feel this way

[Verse 2]

When you touch me my heart melts
And everything you did wrong I forgive
So you play me and take advantage
Of the love
that I feel for you
Why you wanna hurt me so bad
I believed in you that's why I'm so mad
Now I'm drowning in
disappointment
And it's hard for me to even look at you
And I wish that you were home
Holding me tight in your arms
And
I wish I could go back
To the day before we met
And skip my regret

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
Said you care about me
But from what I see
I ain't feeling that
So I disagree
Gave you all my love
And understanding

And you're treating me like your enemy
So leave me alone
Don't want nothing from you
Just go back where you came from

This house is no longer your home
You are not welcome no no no more

[Verse 3]

Hear you knockin' at the door again
I'm wonderin' should I let you in
I open up the door and see
The flowers for me
So
beautiful in your hand
Please stop begging me to take you back
I've always been a sucker for romance
And before you know
it I concede
You're all over me
Oh no here I go again
I wish I wasn't in love with you
So you couldn't hurt me

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45 Sittie

November 26, 2013 at 8:43 PM

If only the story was all about there family about there son her marriage.. So love LDG and YEH that i want them to theme up with a new love story again....

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46 Ennayra

December 8, 2013 at 6:30 PM

I like the way Yoo-kyung acted in the scenes with Se-joo - I think they were realistically done. I didn't much like the scene with her and Miranda. There was no point in her going to see Miranda, and I think so far her character's been smart enough to figure that out. Don't go rewriting the characters, Show.

I really hate how the writers are holding back the reason why ahjumma Mirae really chose to time travel. If Shin gets to know, we should get to know. Ugh, bring on the melo. Let's just get it over with.

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47 August

December 21, 2013 at 9:41 PM

"What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas Lyrics" by The Emotions

Tis the season to be jolly
But how can I be when I have nobody
The yuletide carol doesnt make it better
Knowing that we wont be together

A silent night, I know its gonna be
Joy to the world but its gonna be sad for me

What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas time?

The children can play with their new toys
While their little hearts burst open with joy
And lovers can kiss beneath the mistletoes
The choirs can sing those glorious songs of old

But what is left, oh, for me to do
Now that its Christmas and I dont have you

What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas time?

Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas?
What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas?
Ooh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas?

Oh, what do the lonely do at Christmas?
What do the lonely do at Christmas?
Oh, what do they do, what do they do at Christmas ?