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Radio Romance: Episode 9

Su-ho is reaching the uncomfortable point where if he wants to be closer to Geu-rim, he’s going to have to let her into his world. That’s a particularly scary thing for him, since it’s something he’s never done with anyone before. He’s happy to be open about his feelings for her, but when it comes to telling Geu-rim his darkest secrets, will Su-ho be strong enough to be honest, or will he retreat back into his safe little bubble and shut her out again?

 
EPISODE 9 RECAP

Su-ho confronts PD Lee, saying that the way he’s acting around Geu-rim, people might mistakenly think he likes her. PD Lee replies, “That’s correct, though. I like Song Geu-rim.” But then he adds, “What if I said that?”

He brings up the contract that Geu-rim signed, saying she’d do everything Su-ho says, implying that Su-ho misunderstands her attentiveness to him as interest. Su-ho just asks if that’s how it seems, and he tells PD Lee to stop touching her and speaking banmal to her.

PD Lee says he does those things to everyone, so Su-ho asks if he likes Geu-rim or not. PD Lee laughs, “I said I like her. I also like you. Isn’t it natural for a PD to like his writer and DJ?” Well, that’s clear as mud.

Geu-rim starts awake to find Su-ho standing over her, and he fusses at her for sleeping in the hallway. She reminds him that he’s a famous actor and shouldn’t be following her around, and he snaps that he does plenty of other very important things. He yanks off the blanket from PD Lee and tosses it away, shoving the one he brought at her.

She gets a call from Eun-jung, the teenage girl with terminal cancer. Geu-rim and Su-ho find the girl sobbing that she doesn’t want to be on their radio show anymore. She tells them that her first love stopped responding to her calls and texts, and she thinks she got dumped.

Geu-rim thinks Su-ho should try to persuade Eun-jung to be on the show since she’s his fan. He asks what Geu-rim will do for him if he does, so she says reluctantly that she’ll do anything he wants. She immediately regrets it when he demands that she grant him two wishes.

Watch the video

A deal for two wishes

 

Su-ho gets Eun-jung to tell him that she was planning to confess to her first love on the radio show. He gets hilariously jealous when he says he thought she liked him, and she says she does, but not as a guy.

Eun-jung says that she texted her first love asking him to come to the show, but he says he’s too busy to talk. Su-ho sympathizes, and the two bond over how shabbily their loves treat them.

Su-ho mentions that he can’t stand how “that guy” treats Geu-rim, and Eun-jung knows he means that “homeless-looking PD,” ha. She asks about Geu-rim, and Su-ho pouts that all she thinks about is radio. OMG, these two are so cute.

When Geu-rim joins them, they inform her that she’s intruding on a private conversation. She asks if they’re telling her to leave, and gets two suspiciously angelic nods in reply. She goes, annoyed, and they go back to their very serious conversation about first loves.

A few minutes later, Su-ho calls Geu-rim to report that Eun-jung will do the show. She’s thrilled that the show is on, but he’s more concerned about getting his two wishes, hee.

In Su-ho’s room, Jason notes how much Su-ho has changed, and the fact that he hasn’t asked for sleeping pills in weeks. Su-ho asks where he’s changed the most, and Jason says that he doesn’t just answer questions according to script anymore, but engages in actual conversations. He adds that Su-ho’s started liking someone, closely watching Su-ho’s reaction.

The next morning at JH Entertainment, Su-ho firmly tells his parents that he won’t be doing that drama, or anything else, with Tae-ri. His mother calmly warns that he’ll lose advertisement deals if he doesn’t show his face, and tells him to quit radio right away. But Su-ho says he plans to keep doing the show.

When they’re alone in the elevator, Mom says that they already signed a contract for the drama so he’ll be responsible for what happens if they break it. Su-ho asks why he should be responsible for something he didn’t sign, and Mom fires back, “You’re not my son, but I’m responsible for you.” Whoa, damn.

With the worst timing ever, Dad asks if they can get a role for Da-seul, his mistress, in the drama. Mom tells him to handle his own messes, because she’s already got her hands full with the biggest mess he created — Su-ho. Dad tries to butter her up, but he only succeeds in causing her to snap, and she smacks him with her purse over and over.

When the elevator door opens, they’re once again the perfect family. Dad stops Su-ho and tells him to do the drama as Mom says, but Su-ho says that he really wants to stop all this. He even begs Dad to stop cheating on Mom, but Dad just says to obey his mother.

PD Lee and Geu-rim find Su-ho back at the hospital, camped out in Eun-jung’s room signing autographs for the other teenage patients. Eun-jung’s mom looks on, and she gets a text from Eun-jung’s father saying that he sent money.

Ha, Eun-jung plays up her friendship with Su-ho to impress her friends, coaching him to act natural and smile at her. Geu-rim and PD Lee watch through the door, and Geu-rim notices that Su-ho keeps rubbing his right temple.

They set up to air the show from an auditorium at the hospital. Geu-rim’s mom is in the audience, as is Eun-jung’s mother, and even Jason comes to watch. Su-ho is still rubbing his head right before the show, but when Geu-rim asks, he says he’s fine.

Eun-jung sounds like a pro as she talks about how she’s spent most of her life in the hospital. She says that a lot of people cry when they have to come to the hospital, but she doesn’t, because if she cries then there’s someone who cries more than her. Sadly, she tells Su-ho that that person was supposed to come today, but they didn’t.

She adds that she’s doing the show anyway because she knows they’re listening. She says he’s her first love, but that he hardly ever comes here. She turns to the mic and says, “Dad, are you listening?” Wait, her first love is her dad? I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Eun-jung explains that because her mom takes care of her full-time, and her dad works to support the family, they can only get together once a month. She tells Su-ho that she’s jealous of his family because they’re always together and smiling. Geu-rim notices that Su-ho looks frozen, so she sends him a note to respond naturally.

We see a man on a delivery scooter, listening and smiling proudly to hear his daughter’s voice on the radio. Eun-jung says sweetly that she’s a little mad he didn’t come today, but she’ll forgive him since he’s her first love.

She changes the subject, asking Su-ho what he and his family talk about. In his mind, Su-ho hears his mother saying he’s not her real son, and his father telling him to obey her orders. Seconds tick by, but he finally speaks: “Um… I’m not sure. Today we talked, but I can’t remember it. I don’t think it was a conversation.” Oof, he looks so lost.

Both of Su-ho’s parents are listening, and at the music break, Dad says he thinks they should let Su-ho keep doing radio because he’s really good. Mom barks at him to shut up, insisting that Su-ho has to do the drama.

Eun-jung’s dad speeds to the hospital, and he sits with his wife just as the show goes back on the air. Having recovered a bit, Su-ho asks Eun-jung for some final thoughts. She says into the mic, “Dad, I’m sorry for taking away your first love. I’m sorry for making you take all my tears that I won’t shed. Dad, stop crying for me now. And I miss…”

Her words trail off as she looks up to see her dad, smiling down at her through his tears. She breaks into a beautiful smile and breathes, “He’s finally here.”

When the show is over, Geu-rim tells Su-ho that her father died in a car accident. She says it was sudden, and that she couldn’t speak a single word that day, so it broke her heart when he said that he can’t remember what he said to his family today. She fusses at Su-ho for not knowing about her father, sure that she told him back when they first met, but he insists that he remembers and she never mentioned it.

PD Lee wants to go out and celebrate. Geu-rim promises to make him soju bombs, but Su-ho snaps peevishly, “Don’t do that.” Hee.

Su-ho’s mom calls Tae-ri and tells her to make sure Su-ho quits the radio show. Tae-ri yells at Mom to do something about it herself, and they hang up on each other.

At the station, Seung-soo is worried because their idol DJ has gone missing again. Writer Ra decides to let Tae-ri DJ the show, and when Tae-ri sneers that they’re using her as a backup, they tell her that it’s because she’s their most popular guest. It works, though Tae-ri acts like she’s doing them a huge favor.

Secretly, Writer Ra despairs that all Tae-ri inspires is negative comments. Geu-rim innocently suggests that she have Tae-ri respond to the comments on the air, saying that Tae-ri is a good speaker.

Su-ho goes out to celebrate with everyone after the show, and it’s not long before the drinking games start. Su-ho is hilariously dismal at them, but he’s too competitive and prideful to admit defeat. He insists on taking his penalty soju shots until he passes out on the table.

Tae-ri asks about Geu-rim, and Seung-soo says that she’s positive and hardworking while Writer Ra grumbles that she can’t write (Seung-soo: “How would you know? You never looked at her stuff!”). Tae-ri and Writer Ra wonder how Geu-rim managed to land Su-ho as her DJ, figuring there must have been some sort of contract involved.

After Jason and Hoon-jung leave, Geu-rim looks after Su-ho, still conked out on the table. She feels bad about letting him drink so much, and PD Lee starts to snap something about how many other people will protect him, but he stops himself mid-sentence.

Geu-rim thought it was strange that Jason would leave without Su-ho, and sure enough, he heads to the art gallery to meet up with Su-ho’s mother. He asks if Su-ho knows that JH Entertainment put him through medical school.

He says that while studying psychology, he learned that when a person can’t win over one person, they try to fulfill that obsession through others. “That’s why you’re taking everything from Su-ho,” he concludes. “Even me.” Dammit, that’s what I was afraid of.

When PD Lee steps out to make a call, Su-ho stirs. He slurs that he wants Geu-rim to make him soju bombs, and not anyone else. She tries to stop him from talking, but she leans in close when he says that when he sees her, it puts him in a good mood.

He says, “That’s when I figured out that it’s better to feel good than to look good. I’ve always chosen what looked good, which is how I got here. But all of that stinks. So I don’t need to look good. I want to feel good now.” Aww, he’s so sweet.

PD Lee rejoins them, but Su-ho isn’t finished with his confessions. He grumbles that he’s still annoyed that Geu-rim wouldn’t get lost when he told her to, “But now that I tell you I like you, you try to run away.” Geu-rim looks up at PD Lee guiltily, as PD Lee looks away and tries to appear unaffected.

He drags Su-ho to the bench outside and asks Geu-rim if they should just leave him here. Geu-rim argues that they can’t just dump a top star, ha. She asks if PD Lee recalls her telling him about her first love, then gestures to the half-unconscious Su-ho like, “There’s the charmer right there, I’m so proud.” PD Lee sighs heavily, watching Geu-rim for a moment as she looks at Su-ho fondly.

In the morning, Su-ho wakes to find PD Lee beaming down at him. As he leaps up, PD Lee parrots his own words that (from his behavior last night) people might mistakenly think he likes Geu-rim. Su-ho repeats PD Lee’s words as well, that he does like Geu-rim, but he adds that it’s not because she’s his writer or because of her contract to obey him, but that he likes her for who she is.

He tells PD Lee again to stop touching Geu-rim and speaking banmal to her, even if he does it to everyone else. PD Lee says that he’ll do as Su-ho says when Geu-rim reciprocates Su-ho’s feelings.

Su-ho practically runs out of the building, then decides that PD Lee and Geu-rim live too close together. He heads to the realtor’s office and says he’d like to buy the building, but when the current owner shows up, Su-ho is dismayed that it’s PD Lee, PFFT.

He storms home ranting up a storm, which Jason finds delightful. Su-ho complains that Geu-rim won’t call or text him, or answer his calls. Jason remembers that her mother is being discharged from the hospital this morning, and Su-ho runs right back out again.

As Geu-rim helps her mom pack her things, Mom asks if she’s been dating, having sensed that her daughter is hiding something. Geu-rim admits that something is up, but she’s interrupted by Su-ho before she can give Mom any details.

LOL, Su-ho is so transparent, and Mom asks Geu-rim if he’s the guy. PD Lee bursts in seconds later, and Mom asks if he’s the guy, but Geu-rim says he’s not. The guys bristle at each other and argue over who gets to drive Mom (and Geu-rim by extension) home, until Geu-rim says they plan to take the bus.

Out in the parking lot, Su-ho and PD Lee both try to get the ladies to accept their offer of a ride while Geu-rim insists they can get themselves home. Eun-jung runs out to say goodbye to Geu-rim’s mom, and she gives Su-ho a kiss on the cheek to thank him for making her happy yesterday.

Eventually, Mom consents to let Su-ho drive her, while Geu-rim rides with PD Lee. Mom tells Su-ho that when he spoke about his family during the radio show, she could tell how he felt. She says he has a warm heart, which makes Su-ho look thoughtful.

When it’s time for Tae-ri’s radio show, she seems prepared to address the negative comments people have posted about her. Seung-soo is worried something will go wrong, and as soon as the first comment comes in criticizing Tae-ri, she drops to banmal and starts bragging about how many commercials she’s made, lol.

Things just get worse as Tae-ri curses and threatens the listeners, and Writer Ra and Seung-soo have identical panic attacks in the studio. They cut her off with a song, and after the show, Tae-ri says that she wants to kill Geu-rim for suggesting this idea for the show.

She goes down to the van JH Entertainment provided her, only to overhear her new manager telling someone on the phone how she’s got no future and that she’ll probably be fired. Tae-ri just asks him to get her something to eat, and she fights back tears when Joon-woo doesn’t answer her calls.

Su-ho’s father has dinner with Da-seul, where he brags that his wife does everything he says, then looks utterly terrified when she walks into the dining room and joins them. Having anticipated this, Da-seul hands her a package of photos of herself in compromising situations with Su-ho’s father, intending to use them to pressure Su-ho’s mom into casting her again.

Su-ho can’t stand the sight of PD Lee taking Geu-rim and her mother into their building, so he uses one of his wishes to get Geu-rim to go to dinner with him. They end up running into Su-ho’s father on his way out of the dining room, and the coward sends Su-ho in to handle his mother.

He arrives just as his mother slaps Da-seul several times, so he grabs her hand to stop her. She gathers up her dignity and leaves, and Su-ho exits right behind her after grabbing the photos from Da-seul.

During dinner, Su-ho seems to be trying too hard to be cheerful, but Geu-rim admits that she’s upset on his behalf and wants to leave. They find a spot overlooking the city, and Su-ho starts to say that he’ll use his second wish to take Geu-rim somewhere nicer next time.

Geu-rim stops him and apologizes for asking why he laughed when it wasn’t funny back when they were kids. She says that she only acted like she knew everything, but she didn’t. She tells him that her father died when she was fourteen, then her mother lost her sight when she was fifteen, admitting that she selfishly feels a bit better to know that she wasn’t the only one suffering back then.

They take a walk, and Su-ho says that he refers to his mother by her title because she isn’t his birth mother. He tells Geu-rim that she told him on his ninth birthday when his father was on vacation with his mistress, and that this is the big secret of the family everyone envies so much.

Undaunted, Geu-rim tells him, “This is something I’ve learned about you — that even if you aren’t talking, you are actually talking.” She says that she used to think his silence meant he was ignoring her, but now she knows that when he was telling her to get lost, he was really saying things like, “Help me,” “Hug me,” and “I want to cry.”

As she speaks, Su-ho’s eyes fill up with tears, but he doesn’t say a word. Geu-rim continues, “When you look at me without saying anything, like you’re doing now, I want to hug you.” A single tear falls down Su-ho’s face, and Geu-rim steps in and pulls him into her arms.

Watch the video

Speaking without words

 

COMMENTS

I can’t help but hope that PD Lee, or whoever is in charge, decides to broadcast Su-ho’s show from the road on a regular basis. Su-ho does so much better when he can connect with his guests on a personal level, both on the show and off. Actually being with them in their own environment gives Su-ho a perspective that having them in the studio wouldn’t provide, and it shows him how he can affect others instead of just acting for a camera and never seeing the impact he has on people.

That hug was so sweet — I liked it better, and thought it meant more, than the kiss a few episodes ago. It’s so gratifying to see Geu-rim finally taking steps towards Su-ho, and not just because it shows Su-ho that his feelings are reciprocated, but because the poor boy just needs some affection so badly. He’s been utterly alone his whole life, with nobody he could count on or trust with his love. It’s a miracle that he’s waited for Geu-rim for so long, even when he had no hope that she would ever feel the same for him. Even when Geu-rim tried to put up professional barriers between them, Su-ho still didn’t give up. And I understand why — Geu-rim is the only person he’s ever met who cared about him for himself, without wanting something from him. And his love will never be flashy or obvious, but he shows it through his tenacity in never doubting or giving up on his own feelings. It proves how strong his feelings are, and how much he needs her to love him back, that he’s been able to be so consistent despite his personal background. So to see Geu-rim finally responding positively is extremely satisfying.

Speaking of, I just adore how Su-ho’s feelings for Geu-rim come not from her being pretty or anything superficial, but simply because being with her makes him happy. It actually makes sense that he doesn’t value good looks very highly, because he’s spent his life surrounded by beautiful people, and it means nothing special to him. He loves Geu-rim because she’s the first and only person who only cared about him as a person, but also because she’s taught him that looking good (both physically and socially) don’t make a person happy. Su-ho may not be the easiest person to be around, but he’s got his priorities firmly in the right place. Considering his upbringing and the fact that his entire life has been built around appearances, it just goes to show what a deeply decent person he is, that he never internalized any of that and even instinctively rejected it. I’ve mentioned that I don’t mind the reunited-first-love trope when it supports the story’s current events, and this is a perfect example — without having met Geu-rim when he was young, Su-ho probably would have grown up to be a very different person now.

Meanwhile, Su-ho’s mom seems to be getting more desperate as her hold on Su-ho slips, and although she seems calm on the surface, I think she’s like a duck, paddling like mad underneath. You can see in her eyes that she’s not as confident of her hold on Su-ho as she used to be. I think that something she said in this episode revealed the true nature of their family… I’d been thinking she was possibly a second wife and that Su-ho was his father’s son from a first marriage, but then she called Su-ho the “biggest mess [her husband] has created.” That sounds like Su-ho is probably the product of one of his affairs, and that she decided to raise him, for whatever reason. I’m guessing it’s because Mom (and I call her that for expediency’s sake, not because she’s any kind of mother to him) saw his moneymaking potential as an actor, even at a young age. They definitely owe a large part of their success to his talent, and I think she’s scared to lose the money and power that come from the years of treating Su-ho like a business commodity instead of a person.

I’m scared that, once Su-ho makes it crystal-clear that he has no intentions of being used anymore, Mom is going to absolutely lose it. She’s already proved that she has no problems ruining someone’s life if they threaten her iron grip on her husband and son, and Geu-rim is going to end up right in her line of fire. I have no idea how Su-ho plans to keep her from destroying Geu-rim, and probably the entire radio station by extension. Surely he’s fully aware of what his mother can and will do when she decides to turn her wrath on Geu-rim, but he’s shown no fear of the repercussions of his decision to keep doing the radio show. I just hope he’s got a plan up his sleeve to stop her.

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F**k his 'parents'. Suho deserves better! That hug was everything and then some </3 ;_; Broke my heart and mended it too lol.

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The scene in the lift was heartbreaking. He didn't need to say anything. His eyes spoke volumes-the pain and desperation! I just want him to stop hurting.
I agree that he's a very decent person and a big part of that credit goes to having met GR when he was young. Hopefully he will continue doing radio and see for himself what changes he can make in people's life firsthand and by extension change his own life.
Jason-I'm still not convinced he's a bad guy. Hopefully whatever he's doing doesn't affect SH too much.
And no episode will be complete without mentioning YDJ- He's just all kinds of adorable.Luff him!

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Yeah, I also don't think Jason is a bad guy. He should just 'fess up to Suho. I bet Suho can pay back his education loan from JH or whatever. Maybe Jason thinks that he has this under control. But, when Suho comes to know, it'd hurt bad.

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I'm curious about Jason. Why do I feel we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg with him?

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He could be tied to the mysterious childhood friend who died. I think he's one of the good guys. I'm rooting for him.

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His mum makes me want to hug my imaginary kid. I don't understand her she should have divorced her husband to start of with when Suho was a baby the first time you catch him leave him I don't understand her. Your husband and child don't even call you wife, honey or mother and you want to continuously be unhappy in those situations. At some point she stopped being the victim.
Also Suho and Geurim legit love them

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I think it has a lot to do with her sense of pride. She doesn't want to be the poor, pathetic woman whose husband cheated on her. She needs to have leverage over her husband and thus, redeem her dignity. And that's how she's amassed so much power over the years. She's a really broken person on the inside too. I hope to see her change for the better as the show progresses. Today's radio show was really so nice. I think it struck a chord with her, and slowly but surely it will continue to affect her. Also, I am so impressed with the two main leads' acting. YDJ is always playing a goofy, upbeat character fully of energy and charm, but to see him convey so much emotion with his gaze is really a testament to his acting skill.

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I agree with your assesment of mother. She comes across as a broken person to me as well. The acting I agree has been exceptional all around for this drama. Its been perfectly cast.

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That ending was really special. I was so moved by the kindness and empathy Geu Rim gave him—she offered it easily and freely and without any conceit. That was essentially a love declaration, but one without any romantic coloring (though there could be some romantic feelings in there, too). That’s what I really liked about it. It was just pure compassion—something Su Ho has maybe never felt in his life. You could see above all the gratitude in his eyes. Gah I cried. Just like Su Ho.

I don't think I agree with LP that it was his first love with Geu Rim that saved him. I think that takes credit away from Su Ho. I think he is just good person with endurance and even stubbornness to not fully lose himself. Maybe their moments augmented it, but I think even without that he'd not just have gone to the dark side.

I don’t get a romantic vibe from PD Lee, though I don’t get a fully platonic ones either. It’s some sort of nether land for him. And I don’t even think he necessarily doesn’t want Su Ho to be with Geu Rim, he just wants her to not be forced or disrespected. I loved how he said he would stop putting his arm around her when she made the decision, not because Su Ho didn’t like it. And I love how both him and Su Ho point out when the other is not giving Geu Rim the respect she deserves, because they both struggle with that at times.

I loved that the radio came back into focus. The story with the daughter and father was so sweet. More than that I liked that it was important narratively. Su Ho continues to find his voice as he hosts the show. It tied in nicely to the final scenes. Geu Rim, during the show, kept telling him to act naturally, but he was acting naturally. And it was her connecting those moments in the show with what she saw of his true family dysfunction that allowed her to finally come to understand him and understand where she’d been wrong about him.

I was a little wary last week, and this episode had its weak and slow moments, but it totally won me over again. Praise Jason!

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Yes! You touched on everything I wish I could articulate, especially Geu-rim's compassion.

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Geu Rim's compassion has been one of the the most understated things about this drama. I had a problem with people labelling her as just another plucky, energetic female lead when she's proven to be much more. Her actions and words have affected me as deeply as the pain and suffering of the male lead. I'm glad they finally focused on how the two leads draw from each other outside of a simple romance. They have a work relation of respect and hierarchy, a childhood friendship of joy, pain and bittersweet memories and a present yet undefined relationship of compassion and healing.

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+100 upvotes!

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I hardly remember anything being said in the last scene, all I could focus on was how freaking cold she looked. Get the girl some warmer clothes.

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Based off of this week's weather forecast, It'd be at least 40F at night! Her hands looked like she probably couldn't feel them.

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There's a scene of her hp in next ep that shows -5 degrees Celsius.. heh..

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This is one reason I dislike live filming. They have to film irrespective of how cold or hot it is. The episode had to be out by a certain time and actors have to film irrespective of weather.

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Thanks for the recap!

This show is surprising me with its depth and warmth. Without being didactic, this story (especially this episode) makes me want to be a better person. It is so much more than the cute rom-com I was expecting. For me, this show is about connecting as humans. I once heard a wise person say if you assume everyone you meet is in some sort of pain (emotional or physical), you'll be right most of the time. I love how each of the main characters recognize that in their own way and try to lift those around them, teaching Su-ho by example.

PD Lee with his example to know the people and decide what story they need to hear. Mom "seeing" Su-ho's warmth and potential. Geu-rim's ability to hear Su-ho's pleading in his silence.

I completely agree with @lollypip that the conversation and hug from Geu-rim was more meaningful than the previous kiss. The ending scene of the episode makes me root for this couple because I can see how this could be a healthy relationship despite all the crazy we all know is coming.

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Ohmy, can't help but to shed some tears with that little girl and her daddy's scene. Somehow I quite expected that the "first love" she was referring was her dad but it didn't stop me to feel so down for them, at a young age she'll be taken away for good from her parents who's fighting will all their might.

Okay, about So Hoo's mom (who's not his real mom and never will be) don't give us the drama of 'because I can't get the love and respect that I should be getting from your father, I'll be a monster to you' please stop! There's no valid reason to ruin someone's life regardless if you are hurting or whatsoever. And his dad, oh don't get me started with it, he doesn't even deserve to be called a 'dad'. He is selfish and immature in all ways! I just hate him.

Lastly, the otp, glad they're here to save the day. I love that he is opening up to her and the scene when he cried, Geu Rim said all the right things and it feels so satisfying.

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I can sympathize though because when you hurt because of a person and that person seems to not care at all about your hurt but seems happy in their life a part of you would want to hurt everything related to that person. I think her steps are extreme but what I'm trying to say is that I understand where she's coming from and why she's hurt. This whole episode made me cry a lot.

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LOVE this drama so much! It's helping me recover from missing Just Between Lovers.

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This is what I'e been feeling too. Its much more than a light romcom and I wish more people would appreciate it. Both this and JBL.

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Thank you for the recap, LollyPip.

I already talked about the elevator scene with @superwhopotterlock but just wanted to say that it was so heartbreaking! His dad is just.. UGH, so selfish, so frustrating, he doesn't realize what he's been putting his son through, he doesn't care how much hurt he's been giving him, Su-ho is literally just paying for his father's mistakes, and I think one of the reasons he agrees to do everything is because he might feel guilty towards his not-mother, he allows her to use him, take her anger out on him because she can't do it to his dad, those few minutes in the elevator must've felt so suffocating, having to see and hear all of that, being called a "mess" something that needs to be dealt with and taken responsibilty for, it must've hurt real bad! Doo-joon did such a great job there, you can see how broken he is just from his face!

I decided to trust Jason, I don't think he wants anything to harm Su-ho, he seems to genuinly care about him, even his talk to Su-ho's not-mother didn't convince me that he's helping her out.. I'm not really sure what she wants from him, but it looks like she wants to take away everyone close to Su-ho, maybe she does blame him for everything, maybe she really was happily married until one day her husband brought his son and everything changed for her, maybe she is doing it because she is hurt too!

I love Geu-rim for that hug, Su-ho just really needed it, it wasn't easy for him to try and open up and talk about his twisted family, I'm sure he didn't really want her to see that so it took a lot of courage to finally talk, it was both lovely and very comforting for Geu-rim to say those words, to understand him even when he doesn't say much, to know what he truly means with his rough words, to actually get through to him.

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Ah.. That tears from Ji Soo's eyes... touching moment.. I sort of got emotional watching this ep.. I'm sure this isnt that great as many kdrama has already shown it.. but i still liked the way Geu rim brought those tears in Ji soo's eyes a much needed one.. sometimes a little tears can relieve stress.. Also Eun Jung & Ji Soo's moment brought out some one for Ji Soo whom he can talk freely about his emotion... Well i feel bad about PD as its completely one side unlike in others atleast they will have a chance..

I really feel pity for Tae Ri come on Joon Woo, Tae Ri needs you more than anything or anybody.. At times, we just need a person whom we can rely on completely who will not judge us or let us down.. Joon Woo you are one such person to Tae Ri, probably you are aware of this as well, then what stops??

Ok now i understand the connection between Jason and his smile in the previous episode.. Hope next ep brings more about this.. Now i really want to know real villain of this drama, its not his mother for sure, who is just a control freak & not that extreme, as per my view..

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Feeling so proud watching Su ho open up & even better is that Geu rim brings out that change in him! A functional couple in dramaland!

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Her acting is so spot on ! So subtly delivers all the emotions so well !! Episode 10 is up in kissasian but still raw am almost tempted to watch ! Gah!

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Great actress! Always has been!

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It was not the father / daughter story which touched me the most during the sending, but when Suho was not able to reply... and the seconds were ticking...

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Secretly, Writer Ra despairs that all Tae-ri inspires is negative comments. Geu-rim innocently suggests that she have Tae-ri respond to the comments on the air

Uh, isn't it supposed to be the evil person who makes the trap suggestion to spoil the good person's plans, or did I get it backwards somehow? Anybody but Geu-rim / Kim So-hyun and I'd wonder just how "innocently" she said that.

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I think it's a good concept - to take on negative comments boldly and honestly. And, I fully expected the show to be a hit because of the novelty factor, and for Writer Ra to benefit from Geu-Rim's idea (and, of course, not give credit). I still think that might happen. But, either way, no one anticipated Tae-Ri's level of crazy. I quite like the actor playing her - presents a good combination of vulnerability, insecurity and a whole lot of (attempted) manipulation.

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I've seen this done so well it's some of the best radio/podcast there is. The problem wasn't the idea, it was the notion that a spoiled brat like Tae Ri could pull it off.

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I think I was a bit sceptical of the show at first. I mean, Kim So Hyun is barely out of her teenage role and Do Joon is obviously way to old for her. That, and the lack of response/expression from Geu Rim after all the kiss, confession and the discovery of Do Joon being her first love? I was getting impatient here waiting for some of her feelings to be revealed.
But then I noted that the calm in her reaction was reflecting how mature her character is. And now when she hugs Do Joon I don't feel that weird too-much-age-gap feeling again. I honestly feels that Geu Rim is somewhat a mature woman with strong personality that capable of shouldering Su Ho's misery. I love them, they're just cute together.

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Yes! Geum rim is a strong, mature woman! That's what I've been thinking too! Cool, chic young woman who can handle his childlike actions or confessions!

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I am SO impressed with Kim So-Hyun's acting. She may be way younger than Yoon Doo-Joon, and her youth did show in some of the earlier episodes. But, in that final scene, I totally saw her as a mature, young woman who was equal to the vulnerable man she was supporting.
And, that little girl playing Eun-Jung was so good too. I am sure it's great to have KSH around as a role model.

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That little girl also had Kim Yoo-Jung as a role model in Moonlight Drawn By Clouds. She played the little princess who became mute after watching someone get murdered. I’m rewatching it now and recognized her. She was good then, and only getting better. I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of her. (I’m like a mother hen with all these kid actors.)

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If I didn't know better, I'd say this show had three writers. This episode was so good! Everyone, even the "bad guys" were so much more nuanced than previously. I haven't seen you since ep 6 show, welcome back!

I will admit I rolled my eyes when PD Lee and Suho started measuring dicks again though. Enough, guys!

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Lol. That’s the best part! Both are adorable trying to one up the other.

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I disagree. It was mildly amusing for a bit but it reflects badly on both of them.

It reminds me of that scene in the fantastic Jealousy Incarnate when the female lead is digging for octopus in the mud and the two male leads are trying to get to her to "save her" and they end up battling it out in the mud. Then when they get to the object of their affection, she's covered in mud and octopuses and screeching at them because she lost her catch. If you ever wanted to demonstrate that this behaviour has literally nothing to do with the woman involved, that was the perfect way to do it.

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No, it absolutely doesn't have anything to do with the girl, which is why I find it humorous. It's about their egos and pride and petty jealousy and everything but the girl. They're acting like little kids, not adults here. But I'm hoping the story gives us a reason to cheer for their friendship/relationship, however misguided their actions are. And I can see them joking about this later when all is said and done, and have a laugh about it. And I still think that they're pretty cute doing it. The glint in the PD's eye during the whole-whose-car-will-they-take?-scene makes me think that he's partly just egging Su-ho on which he likes to do. I haven't seen Jealousy Incarnate, but might just look for that scene!

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I've been thinking all the while that there is nothing adult about either the PD or JSH because they've both been acting like children since the first episode while GR has been the calm headed adult this entire time who rolls eyes at all their silly antics and never gives them time of day.

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I disagree with you. It doesn't reflect badly at all because in Korean society if you're not competing your losing. I don't think you have any Korean friends which is why you are not aware that the entire society is built on competition. Its been honed into their system since they were born. This kind of petty competition is actually much nicer to watch. You know its dumb, the lead female knows its dumb & to some extent I'm sure the two male leads know it to be dumb as well. They just can't seem to help themselves being petty.

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This show is by a new writer but it could be a team of new writers. They could have one main writer and a team helping her write. Doubt they'd let a completely new writer do all the writing by herself. So you may not be entirely off the mark about the writers. However I feel the unstable writing is one of the alluring things about the drama. The whole team including the writer, director, actors etc. seem to be growing along with the drama.

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@ChinguMode: You're not alone - I can't help but roll my eyes every time they take out the measuring tape again because I keep thinking that we're past the childishness. I've started skipping those scenes because I enjoy the show much better without them. I've been trying to figure out why I've found it particularly annoying here, since there's almost always a bit of petty competition between love rivals in any drama. Maybe it's just been too overdone. Also, I think it's 100% about the girl, but devolves into silly antics that exclude her from the situation. Your parallel to the octopus scene in JI was pretty spot-on.

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I think the reason it's annoying me is because, as you said, we're supposed to be past that. It seems shoehorned in as though somebody thinks it's funny and has asked for those scenes. Episode 9 was really great until the measuring tapes came out and it felt kind of pasted in. These two have had too many honest, adult conversations to degenerate in the next scene.

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I am really giggly over the slow stepping romance between Su-Ho and Geu Rim. It pretty has to be slow, since it seemd like Su-Ho is very new to all of this and is approaching Geu Rim pretty my like a 13 year old boy would try to get his first crushes attention. And it looks like Geu Rim understands that about him.

Also, PD Lee...you are the bizzaro world mirror image of Su-Ho. PD Lee seems to have just as many secrets as Su-ho it seems. And if you turn out to be like some secret Chaebol and not really some 'homeless looking PD' I think I may like you more for not showing any of it.

That being said, I'm having a really hard time getting too happy for the OTP because of all the looming bad stuff ahead of them that have to do with Mom CEO, Dad, Tae-ri, Joon-woo Manager and Jason.

But looking at all of these characters that surround Su-Ho I have a little sympathy for them. They all seem to be the product of being people who where let down and broken. None of them seem inherently evil. They all just seem to be carrying around so much hurt. They all seem to be different sides of Su-Ho.

All in all, I'm steeling myself for the adorable cute fest that's about to happen with the OTP, and trying not to think about any of the hard stuff that will befall them in the future.

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My favourite part of this episode was when he turns to his father and tells him to stop hurting his mother. That was so amazing! For him to cut through all the abuse she's made him endure and see that his father's behaviour is the problem was extraordinary.

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Exactly! His Mom may be the most hurt out of everyone. She may ACTUAL love her cheating husband. Otherwise, why doesn't she just leave him? It wouldn't look bad on her if she left him for cheatng. Plus, she's always has all her emotions in check, except when it comes to him.

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I mean, she's a woman who takes her anger at her husband out on his child so she's not the greatest human being alive. But his father is worse and that's such a refreshing realisation for a kdrama to have.

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+1000 this. Kdramas (and other stories) are always quick to blame the evil step-mother, but this one takes the time to really tell us how it starts.

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Maybe because we see so little of the father we have been forgiving of him but I've always found him to be worse of the two parents.

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This was such a good episode. Great recap and inisghts into the characters. Thanks LollyPip!

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I think this is my favorite episode so far simply because Su-ho let himself cry and be vulnerable in front of someone he really wants to trust and build a relationship with. That scene was so beautiful because he just needed someone to tell him that he was worthy of affection and he deserves a bunch of cuddles too. Geu-rim please make sure to give him a lot of hugs (I love how she admitted that when he looks at her with that gaze she feels like hugging him). I love that she offers her compassion and sympathy without any pity, and how she has no conditions to it.

AND JASON I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE TRUSTED YOU URGHHH!😡 Ok, I knew this was coming but I'm still disappointed. He does seem to feel bad though so I hope he comes clean to Su-ho because if Su-ho managed to forgive his manager hyung, hopefully, he'll be able to forgive Jason too ( though I'm annoyed he has to in the first place when these people betrayed him)

That scene when Su-ho and Eun-Jung are complaining to each other about their first loves with so much seriousness was hilarious and I fell in love with Su-ho even more. Geu-rim was like tell me too! LOL

Can PD Lee please stop being so vague. Lol, I totally understand Su-ho's frustration with him.

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And that scene in the elevator broke my heart. I get why the mom is so controlling with her dumbass cheating husband, but sighhh does she really have to take her nastiness out on Su-ho. His silent look of resignation and acceptance when his "mom" said "you're not my son, but I take responsibility for you." broke me. Ok, but why does Su-ho have to take responsibility for his dumb dad's cheating?? I wonder is Su-ho knows his birth mom

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I know it's mean of me, but can I say I actually liked when Mom snapped in the elevator? Because for once she looked human. I kinda feel bad for TaeRi, she's just doing what she's doing because she wants to be what she once used to be, it's sad. And, I love SooHo, and as much as I want him and GeuRim to be a thing, he needs to learn to be on his own first, im glad she's helping him by just being there, but I don't want him to go from one guardian to the other, he needs to learn how to adult first.

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She also looked really affected by the radio interview as well. As I said above, this is the first time these characters have any real nuance. I actually went and googled the writers because I was convinced this episode was written by somebody else.

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I think it’s deliberate how tropey they made this, it was almost comical, but now it’s settling into what the writer really intended. I think I saw it initially with the little boy in the closing school. I was hoping it would morph into this reflective, healing, and dialogue-driven show and I think it has.

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I think the tropey setting was a setup for what is to be a subversion of those very tropes. This drama actually feels the most cliched and least cliched at the same time. Its a beautiful contradiction that I've been enjoying.

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BUT, what about the anonymous letters?????
Who has been murdered?

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Thanks @lollypip for the recap. This was the best episode of the series so far and the hug scene at the end was beautiful.
One complaint. Please stop with the alcohol abuse. I did not think the drinking scene was particularly funny. Yes it allowed Soo-ho to make a confession of sorts and have the dialogue about it is better to feel good rather than look good. After all that there there was some talk about leaving him, come on. (Yes, he is an adult and can make his own decisions.) A picture of SH passed out on the internet would not have been good. Can you imagine Manager Kang's reaction. SH better get Manager Kim back. Rough weather ahead.

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Thanks for the recap!
Cried a little at the ending which is so beautiful when Geu Rim's words really echoed how he feels and then that single tear that runs through his cheek...

I wonder why this episode hints at the probability of our Soo ho being sick. Nooo.. I can't bear at the thought of something really extreme happening to him! Any theory anyone?

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"I wonder why this episode hints at the probability of our Soo ho being sick."

I've been wondering about Su-ho's holding the right side of his head, too. The conspiracy theorist in me speculates that the actor known as Ji Su-ho may actually be a changeling as it was actually Su-ho who was killed in the accident, and it's his ashes in the urn at the columbarium, not Woo Ji-woo's. (I seem to still be under the influence of Joon's middle school friend's misidentified remains in BLACK, har!)

Another possibility is that one or both of Su-ho's parents have been physically abusive. Or he may have been injured on the job, and was not given adequate medical care because of a filming deadline.

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I've also had suspicions that Su-ho is a changeling. Maybe an illegitimate brother of the real Su-ho swapped in to maintain the perfect family image. Knowing the father's history of cheating it's one possibility.

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I'm so glad to know I'm not the only person thinking this way. There could be several half-brothers. I can't help but wonder if PD Lee is a half-sibling.

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I've had that thought also. And where do Jason and Jun-woo fit into the puzzle? The relationships are just too fraught with weird tension.

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@egads March 3, 2018 at 7:02 PM

Su-ho and Jason have known each other since high school. I suspect Jun-woo might be the sibling of Su-ho's dead friend (despite the different surnames).

I agree, there is a lot of tension with all these folks in the picture, but with nebulous relationships to Su-ho. We've only got three more weeks, so Writer-nim better giddyup and start spilling the beans.

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I just love how Suho's personality came to light in this episode and how much he likes Geurim just because she makes him becoming a happier and better person. I sometimes pity Taeri who just probably wanted attention and care but couldn't have them and that's why I think she became a bitter person. Honestly, I think the mother is just angry that her husband keeps having affairs and mistresses and I think that near the end, she would probably open up on how actually she was feeling all this time.

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am I the only one who think Doojoon's performance in this is not that good? He basically used the same expression for every scenes he had

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I think it is how the character is written where Su Ho is a person somewhat unable/used to not revealed his emotion. I like it when he showed bit by bit emotion to Geu Rim and people around him, makes it funny how awkward he is when he's being expressive and then second guessing all the impulsive things he did. Lol.
And I think this one character is somewhat a challenge for him since all this while he'd been playing bubbly characters on other dramas.

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I beg to differ. On the contrary, Doo joon has definitely created an impact through his acting in this drama. You may look up other comments by the netizens. I don't even know him before, but his performance is what keep me watching this drama.

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I think he acts with his eyes more than anything in this drama. His role here is different than any other I’ve seen. He’s a different person entirely from the fast-talking, affable, man-splaining Dae-young in the Let’s Eat series. I’m totally affected by his acting here, very subtle, but I get it.

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The performance from both leads has been exceptionally good. There is no doubt about that from any angle.

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Some viewers criticized Lee Min-ho's portrayal of Choi Young in FAITH as being wooden, but he, too, was another character who had had a tough early life, and was not very expressive to begin with. LMH's performance was actually highly nuanced, and as the show progressed, little glimpses of his evolving inner life shone through, not only in relation to the Great Doctor herself, but with his mentor in the Red Moon Army, King Gongmin, his Woodalchi warriors, his badass auntie, and the deposed young king.

At the beginning of the show, Su-ho wore a fake smile 24/7. He has gradually replaced that mask with slightly more spontaneous expressions. It also depends on who he's around as to how expressive he is. Notice how deadpan he is as he steps out of the elevator with his parents after Stepmother beats Father with her handbag, while they slap on fake smiles just before the doors open. He ain't smiling, which is what he would have done in the past. For him, this is a huge step forward.

As @ally-le pointed out above, Yoon Doo-joon expresses himself with his eyes. Very eloguently.

I get the feeling that Su-ho was raised to be "not seen and not heard" -- so of course his ability to express his feelings never really got a chance to develop. He's learned from a very young age to not anger the adults around him. One of the classic adaptations to that kind of early life experience is to stuff feelings deep down and out of sight of oneself as well as others. When the only recourse a person has to such a painfully isolated and emotionally neglected childhood is to deny the pain as a survival strategy, they often are unable to identify their feelings. If you don't know how you feel, what kind of expression could you put on your face? A socially-acceptable one. (Check out Alice Miller's Thou Shalt Not Be Aware for insight into adaptations to survive child abuse.)

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One more thing. I try to first watch the episodes raw so I can pay attention to his eyes and subtle expressions. Later I read the subtitles.

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Cute. Just that. Kim So Hyun is what's keeping me here.

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My favorite episode thus far. Thanks, @lollypip for the quick recap!

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my new list of kdrama male character i want to hug badly:

1. taek
2. su -ho

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I think his mom is as fragile as Suho as a person but unfortunately she has no one around her to help and support her. She is acting tough, etc because she needs to protect her family, business and image, and her shitty husband who has been cheating on her for years is nowhere around to help her..!
I believe that she loves Suho but she just doesnt know how, therefore she does what she is doing right now, obssesing on Juho's life and trying to "own" people around him.
What she needs is to learn and understand how really to win over someone's heart genuinely not by force like she does now... and lastly divorce that useless husband!

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This guy deserves the kdrama version of an Oscar, because intellectually, at the moment, I don't want her to end up with either of them. They are both man-children who fight over her as if she is a prize to be won rather than an actual, living, breathing human adult who can make her own decisions and take care of herself (which, in fact, is what she actually IS). But the neglect he experienced and his subsequent abject misery makes me want her to be with him just to provide him comfort (all props to the actor, because it isn't the writing doing the heavy lifting here). Which isn't a healthy foundation for a relationship AT ALL. But I'm still rooting for it the way you root for the good guys in a mystery murder, because the need feels THAT GREAT.

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Su-ho's manipulative, controlling stepmother and his useless, doormat of a father are definitely not receiving "Parents of the Year" awards anytime soon.

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Does anybody notice that PD Lee seems to know something about Su-ho? I remember he seems to have a strong reason for wanting Su-ho as his dj and this episode, he drifts off mid-conversation when talking about Su-ho with Geu-rim when he got drunk ("...Plenty of people will protect him, so..."). I really what to know and hope they uncover this pretty soon.

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I've been thinking that is this drama really 16 episodes? There is many things that need to be uncovered and a lot more healing to take place with SH, Mom, PD. Can they fit it all in such a short time?

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im curious about Su Ho always rubbing his right temple

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Brain tumor? Hope no!

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"Wait, her first love is her dad? I’m not crying, you’re crying" I feel you!

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This was a tearjerker episode in all the good ways! I need more of this show asap!

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This was a tearjerker episode in all the good ways! I need more of this show asap!

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Thanks for your recap and comments, LollyPip!

Geu-rim stops him and apologizes for asking why he laughed when it wasn’t funny back when they were kids. She says that she only acted like she knew everything, but she didn’t.

I was really glad when Geu-rim apologized to Su-ho. For a while now I've been feeling irritated with her, but couldn't quite put my finger on the reason why. This scene addressed one of the burrs under my saddle. I don't know whether it's the subtitles I've been reading, or perhaps her tone of voice, but I've gotten a subtle sense that the scriptwriter thinks her awareness is greater than Su-ho's.

There have also been times when she pontificates about radio. Just as it drives Su-ho bonkers that she's so fixated on the medium, it irritates me, too. Quit talking about writing and just write your own material already.

Has anyone else noticed that it's ironic that Su-ho has to have a scriptwriter to put words into his mouth after there's been so much emphasis in the drama on his finding his own voice? What's the difference between his delivering the lines that Stepmother has decreed for him versus what Geu-rim writes for him? Why can't he write his own material? And why can't she be a DJ herself?

I was also glad that Geu-rim realized that silence can speak volumes. Oftentimes what goes unsaid is more important than what is spoken aloud. Many people are deathly afraid of silence, and compulsively prattle on and on to avoid encountering it. It's as if every nanosecond has to be filled with sound. But sometimes the deadest air is that which has no void into which a person can fit a word edgewise. Conversations -- and relationships -- suffocate when they have no breathing room. Pregnant pauses provide the antidote to verbal asphyxiation. Sometimes in life, words are utterly inadequate to express intense emotion. All too often, words fail us. Which is where eye contact, a pat on the back, and a shoulder to cry on come in handy.

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I freakin love this show!

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