345

Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food: Episodes 1-6

JTBC’s current Friday-Saturday romance Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food is so everything right now that Laica and I just couldn’t let this one go by. Unfortunately, the international release schedule has left some of you unable to join the party yet, but I get the feeling this party is going to go on for a while, so hang in there!

Arm yourself with all your squees, I solemnly swear you’ll need every one…

 
EPISODES 1-6

Laica: Our heroine is YOON JIN-AH (Sohn Ye-jin) is one of the most competent managers working at a coffee franchise headquarters (where she has pretty terrible co-workers). She runs into her best friend’s younger brother, SEO JOON-HEE (Jung Hae-in), after he returns from a sojourn abroad. They instantly grin at each other, and I am already so here for this.

Saya: Not gonna lie, we fought over who was going to take this show (and who gets to own puppy Jung Hae-in). The great thing is, there’s very little beating around the bush with their attraction, and they slip very easily from their old relationship into a rapturous new one. Since their respective company offices are in the same building, they cross paths a lot.

Laica: Meanwhile, things are complicated by Jin-ah’s recently ended relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who not only dumped her with zero explanation, but whom she soon discovers has been cheating on her with another woman. (The revenge she gets on him is momentary, but delicious.) And yet this fetid piece of human refuse is nowhere near being done causing her grief.

Saya: The ex is such a sleazy vomitous scumbag, I cheer every time he gets beaten up (which, for our collective satisfaction, is more than once). But even though Jin-ah breaks it off in no uncertain terms, he keeps crawling back like the putrid maggot he is, begging her to take him back. Horribly, it culminates in a sexual assault that was probably the hardest thing to watch in this show so far.

Laica: Yeah, that was really tough. I was impressed with how unflinchingly ugly and disturbing they made it, but it was horrifying exactly because of that realism. I also really appreciate how this drama deals with workplace harassment, which Jin-ah and her female co-workers face daily from their male superiors; it’s rare to find a drama that deals with both sexual assault and sexual harassment, and shows that they are two different kinds of violence that affect women in really insidious and difficult ways.

Saya: We’ve just left off Episode 6 with the company president calling up a meeting of female employees to hear their accounts of workplace abuses (which has the pigs appropriately worried). When we first meet Jin-ah, she’s constantly at the beck and call of her male superiors. She appears to be the one upholding the sexist system, but then, rather splendidly (as of Episode 4), she’s also the one to break it by refusing to play along any longer.

Laica: Jin-ah’s also facing pressure at home, especially from her mother, who is obsessed with the idea of a Seoul University-educated, lawyer son-in-law, and is even willing to overlook the cheating ex’s cheating if there’s hope for Jin-ah to make a “good” marriage before she gets even more ancient than her 35 years.

So when Jin-ah does get together with Joon-hee after a lot of heated glances and tense silences, where a lot goes unsaid but both are clearly dying for each other—it’s not surprising that they keep it a secret from everyone they know.

Saya: It’s tough when you know exactly how Jin-ah’s mom is going to receive it—and that’s not a woman you want to pick a battle with unless you’re going to win. But though she tells the parentless Seo siblings that she sees them as her own kids, she’s always looking down on them behind their backs. But I do love that Jin-ah’s dad quietly has her corner, and I wonder if he’s cottoned on to their relationship already.

Laica: I confess, I have high hopes for her dad being the only sane and supportive one once the news breaks. Her younger brother thinks only about his own comfort most of the time, and everyone is clearly going to have a fit when they find out two people they all considered as close as siblings are actually dating and (gasp) going on overnight trips together.

And I’m cringing in anticipation of how hurt and angry Jin-ah’s best friend and Joon-hee’s sister KYUNG-SUN (Jang So-yeon) is going to be when she finds out that the two people she loves most in the world have been lying to her in such a significant way.

Saya: I feel like in her heart, she’d love their relationship itself, but the real-world considerations are so intrusive that it’s never allowed to be as simple as that. But it’s pretty great how the couple has been able to come out to Joon-hee’s friends already during their camping trip in episode 6.

Laica: That camping trip warmed my heart! I loved how at first Joon-hee’s friends’ girlfriends were super deferential and very awkward, and after a night of hanging out and talking about life, they were hugging her and calling her a girl-crush. Jin-ah is awesome.

Saya: Yesss. I was afraid they’d be mean to her, but I howled with laughter when she was asked her age and replied dryly that she was on the verge of 40 years old—well played, Jin-ah, well played!

Laica: But the spectre of the abusive ex-boyfriend hasn’t completely receded; he sends an extravagant bouquet to Jin-ah’s work, which a furious Joon-hee intercepts and shows to Jin-ah’s brother, SEUNG-HO (who is also his best friend).

Saya: It’s so creepy that her ex encloses an intimate selfie of the two of them in the card he sent with it. Ugh. SO UGH.

Laica: I KNOW. They go to the ex-boyfriend stalker’s apartment and find his computer full of similar photos. Joon-hee smashes all of the worm’s electronics, and Seung-ho beats him to within an inch of his life when he finds out about the sexual assault. Seung-ho wants to report it to the police, but Joon-hee insists that he’ll take care of it. Okay, dude, not smart and not a good strategy to keep your relationship on the down-low.

Saya: When Jin-ah finds out about the photos, she pretty much has the same reaction as the boys and ends up at the police station, where Seung-ho and Joon-hee come for her. Joon-hee immediately launches himself at Stalker-ex and is thrown out. Jin-ah tries to block him when he pushes his way back in… but he wraps his arms around her instead.

 
COMMENTS

Laica: Eeeeeeee! I am so ready for everyone to find out, even though I understand why Jin-ah is reluctant to weather the coming storm (and let’s be real, it’s always the woman who gets the worst of it in these situations, so it’s much easier for him to say he wants to shout it from the rooftops). But how delicious was Jin-ah’s colleague Geum Bo-ri’s reaction to finding out about these two? I can’t wait until the angst blows over and Kyung-sun is watching them just as fondly, as they metaphorically rot the teeth of everyone in a thousand-meter radius with their sweetness.

Saya: I was so surprised when I looked up the characters to find that Joon-hee is 31. Thirty-one!!! I mean, yes, Jung Hae-in is fifteen (he is!!), but… 31!! It’s a four-year difference between people in their thirties! In other words: meaningless.

Laica: Okay I looked it up, and no, he’s actually 30 in real life. You scared me, woman.

Saya: Get away! What unicorn blood is he drinking and where can I get it?

Laica: Tell me about it. But to your point, yes, all that ado over four years is ridiculous, and I hope somebody brings that up once everyone starts wailing and gnashing their teeth about The Scandal of it all. In the meantime, where can this noona get a Joon-hee of her very own?

Saya: If I find one, I’m not telling you.

Laica: Likewise. It’s every woman for herself out here.

Saya: May the best noona win.

RELATED POSTS

Tags: , ,

345

Required fields are marked *

At long last! What we've all been waiting for: "NOONAS OF DARKNESS!" finally hits the screen.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just logged in to say this is the only drama I'm watching right now, love it!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I thought his character was supposed to be 25 years old? I thought one of the episodes did clarify this? Or is Saya talking about real life?

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

He is 30 in real life. His character is 31 in the drama.

2
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Well... his character is *maybe* 31, despite what they tell us. All of his friends seem to be in their early 20s. I assume his 3 years away in America was either college or immediate post-college employment. So they're sending mixed signals.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the billiards scene of Joon-hee and
Jin-ah‘s brother. And the bar scene with them and their colleagues. Jung Hae-in is swoon worthy!

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I haven't seen much of Son Hye Jin's work but is she always like this with all his leading men? They're extremely cute together! Even in behind the scenes clips and interviews. Oh, and Hae In is amazing. I want to give him a hug every time he's angry and teary-eyed in the scenes.

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This noona is also looking for her own JHI :)

1
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

obsessed with this right now

How Did I Fall In Love With You
Backstreet Boys

Remember when
Never needed each other
The best of friends
Like sister and brother
We understood
We'd never be alone
Those days are gone
Now I want you so much
The night is long
And I need your touch
Don't know what to say
Never meant to feel this way
Don't want to be
Alone tonight
What can I do to make you mine?
Falling so hard, so fast, this time
What did I say?
What did you do?
How did I fall in love with you?
I hear your voice
And I start to tremble
Brings back the child that
I resemble
I cannot pretend
That we can still be friends
Don't want to be
Alone tonight
What can I do to make you mine?
Falling so hard, so fast, this time
What did I say?
What did you do?
How did I fall in love with you?
I want to say this right
And it has to be tonight
Just need you to know
I don't…

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hip hip hooray the recaps are finally here!! :)
I don't have much to add .. mostly agree with what everybody else has said here..

I am obsessed with this drama.. just can't wait until this weekend.
The chemistry between the OTP is amazing.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

OMG loving this series. The sweetness of it gives me the giggles and although i'm still not fully convinced a younger guy would be ok for me I can see this drama maybe changing my mind towards that. Jinah and Joohee are so cute together. I am really loving them as much as i'm scared for the reactions of his sister and her mom. EEk

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I love the clothes they wear in the show. What do you suppose is the reason for so many black and white pairings? There was one scene where she's wearing all white with black shoes and he's wearing mostly black with white shoes. Then many many scenes of black and white suits or sweaters.

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

I also found it interesting. But I have no answer for it. Still, the white clothes she wears is really beautiful. Although of course, she would look beautiful with whatever she wears because she is the beauty one.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm a typical 'guy' who doesn't notice this stuff but even I thought to myself 'That white long coat with the faux skirt lower part (she's wearing skinny jeans underneath) is really cute'.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you for taking this series.

and maybe off topic and I don't want to be seen ungrateful, so thank you again for doing a recap of this series, because more and more I find this site to become dead.

It will take a lot of time for doing recaps (time you can't spend on other things in your busy life :-)), a lot of effort, so I'm really grateful for all the recaps I've read in the previous years. But lately there is less and less here. If this will go on, there will come an end for this beautiful site :-(

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Son Ye-Jin and Jung Hae-In are blowing me away with their chemistry! Love the direction, the writing, everything about this drama!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Been reading almost all comments here, a lots of you here have been having very interesting discussions! :)

Before I came here I hated Jin Ah’s mom so much, but after reading about your points of views about why she might act the way she does, I feel like I have a better understanding of her now (but Ofc not completely due to cultural differences), so I don’t hate her as much anymore. I guess this is why everyone - even the dad - puts up with her xD

Anyway loving this drama so far, the dad is so precious.. he is so unusually open minded, gentle, level headed for being a korean parent (at least in dramaland).. looking forward to today’s episode ! One more reason to love fridays and saturdays ^ ^

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Better late than never. Finally finished episode 6 and caught up to all the comments..so here's adding more to it:

1. Jung Hae-in just slayyy me right in the heart. Joon Hee was so mature and so ready going into the relationship. He clearly adores her, and obviously crazy about her. By ep 6, I thought he's obviously devoted more into the relationship than Jin Ah - she's still cautiously careful, and feels like she's shouldering more burden once the relationship is out in the open. But l like seeing her gaining more confidence during the trip and how she bonded with the younger girlfriends. It can be awkward, but it CAN be done.

2. I love the OST when I first listened to it (without listening to the full lyrics), but it keeps getting repeated and like some of you, now I'm getting more frustrated at it LOL. I wish they have different/more OSTs, or at least change the song to a different one. It feels like it takes away the mood. Lyrics are powerful thing, and having such irony disturbs the overall viewing experience.

3. I was wondering which direction the show would take going forward, since they cut short the flirts and the couple was formed as early as episode 3. But I like the direction of the show so far. Love is not just about falling for each other and live happily every after - it's the everyday process to continuously BE in love that matters - and I like how the relationship progress and how they slowly letting other people know about their relationship - it started with a co-worker, then friends, and later, the family. I liked the different reactions we got from those who started to know about their relationship (Ms Geun, the friends, the girlfriends) - mostly surprised at first, but once the acceptance has kicked in, I really liked the mutual respect they have for the couple. It would take a much more difficult route when it comes to the family's acceptance, but they have each other to rely on.

4. Can I say how much I LOVE the endings of every episode so far? I don't know why I love the endings, since they're mostly so mundane, but I'm really liking the cliffhangers! It always gives me the feeling of wanting to watch the next episode immediately!

2
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I just rewatched ep 1-6 to get another dose of all the swoony moments and realised that Joon Hee is portrayed as a smoker even though there are no scenes of him actually smoking. That kinda ruined it a little for me.

1
6
reply

Required fields are marked *

In 'My Ajusshi' the male lead is also portrayed as a smoker who never smokes. His lighter doesn't work, his pack of cigs is empty, and his brothers berate him over it. In narrative terms, I guess its an excuse to get him onto the building roof in the middle of the workday so often.

2
reply

Required fields are marked *

the "smoker who never smokes on screen" is very popular in kdramas. I suspect it might have to do with not wanting to perpetuate the false sense of "sexiness" and "virility" of smoking to the general public, and yet (for whatever plot-related reason) needing the character to smoke.

Interestingly enough, old American cartoons had characters smoking ALL THE TIME and the newer ones NEVER smoke --> sending the message of "smoking is bad for your health" to kids.

1
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

@Mike, @kethysk, I'm pretty sure it's a legal thing both here and in Korea that people can't be shown actually smoking on tv (they can smoke in Korean films). Until maybe five or so years ago I don't think they even showed cigarettes or their packaging on TV shows but that's loosened up a bit. IRL, smoking is very common 😷

1
3
reply

Required fields are marked *

lol @ "irl, smoking is very common"
oh, I know... dating a smoker... *le sigh*

0
2
reply

Required fields are marked *

Are you in Korea? Cool! That's actually what I meant, smoking in Korea is extremely common, LOL.
I've been watching a lot of old movies lately and am amazed because everyone was ALWAYS smoking. I mean, everyone and ALWAYS. I give today's actors a lot of credit for coming up with something else to do with their hands. 🙄

2

ooooooooh !!
no, no, I'm not in Korea, @bbstl ! I misunderstood.

1

Calling all the pretty noonas (and oppas?) watching this show. We'd like to extend an invitation from Poemies to join us for...

THE BEANIE POETRY SLAM
Lately several beanies have been posting some outstanding poetry on their fanwall, some inspired by dramas and inspiring others to look at life through different lens. I think it’s time we get a real party going.
What is a Poetry Slam: “A slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. Participants perform their original work and are judged by members of the audience... The audience’s job is to keep the mood supportive, energetic and encouraging to all participants.” (From readingagency.org.uk).
Open to: All beanies.
Hosted by: Forgotten Poets Society and Island of Neutrality.
When: Poems entered until Wednesday 3 May will be considered. Winners will be decided on how many upvotes they receive and announced in next Open Thread.
Theme and Style:: Any, we love reading your poetry.
Instructions to participate: The OT Thread will be the main base for the competition. Beanies can submit their entries in two ways:
1) Directly on OT Thread 549: http://www.dramabeans.com/2018/04/open-thread-549/ At the top write ‘POETRY SLAM ENTRY” in bold.
2) On your fanwall, but add a permalink to the OT thread so people can find your poem and upvote it. Also state this is a ‘POETRY SLAM ENTRY” Kindly tag @wishfultoki so I can be sure your poem is entered successfully.
General Rules for participants and for audience:
- No flaming.
- No inappropriate language.
- Only one entry per person please.
- Add a warning below if your entry contains any drama-related spoilers.

Do you feel something in the rain? Please share it in poetry for us! We'd love to hear from you.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I don't know if I'm the only one disturbed by how JH is so violent all the time? If anything, he's starting to scare me. Having said that, I'm only at ep 6. :/

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thank you so so so so much for this!! This year's dramas have been very meh but this one knocked it out of the park! Oh the feels and JHI's puppy love eyes! I was confused when Jin Ah said she was almost 40, so thank you for the clarification. Also did not expect JHI to be 30!!! (We're the same age *squeallll*)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I literally just started watching this last night. It's been on Australian Netflix for a while I just hadn't taken the plunge. Well it was so cute and awesome that I marathoned the first 4 eps last night and could have gone further if a) it wasn't 12.30am and b) I had to get up for work at 5am.
There are only 8 episodes released on netflix as yet so I'll have to go slow and steady otherwise the wait will drive me mad!!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Stupid question, how to watch, newbie here thanks!

0
4
reply

Required fields are marked *

Dramafever website just uploaded the full series under the (awkward) title 'Something in the rain'. For free with commercial breaks.
https://www.dramafever.com/drama/5173/Something_in_the_Rain/

1
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

It will also finally be available on Netflix in Europe on June 2nd.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Can you see it yet? It's on Netflix US now too.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oops, also called "Something In the Rain"

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

This is the third K-drama I've watched this week where the pair were 'secretly dating' and one of the pair was doing a terrible time hiding it.
I recall many years ago I was secretly dating a coworker, myself. Then she threw a house party, got a bit tipsy, and gave me a big old passionate kiss goodbye on the doorstep right in front of a colleague. Ah, giddy times.

0
1
reply

Required fields are marked *

HA! So much for keeping it on the down-low, then 😘

I'm having so many laughs at all the close calls these two are suffering, their lives are way too intertwined to pull this off for long.

0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Hi all, I'm finally here having seen 1-6 and am probably talking to myself because I'm the last Beanie to do so.
So, I love it and I adore how in love he looks. I love the girls at her office and dearly hope those IDIOT male managers are going to get stuffed because the Chairman will turn out to "get it" 🤞🏽, please? I'm pretty horrified at how much drinking our main characters do every day 😵 seriously. I wonder when the ex bf ever acted like someone she'd want to date? He's so yuck.

I don't want to discount the real problem that is PTSD but I think this soundtrack is in danger of giving me PTSD especially if I have to hear Stand By Your Man one more time 😰
What the hell were they thinking with that🤦🏼‍♀️⁉️

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i am having a hard time trying to get to a drama i want to watch...... all i get is the blogs...... cant go to the drama and episode i want to see..... do i have to add "watchtv" ???? your site is not easy to navigate.....

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Love this post and the banter between you two!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I started this drama but then never ended it so unfortunately I'm having to watch it on Netflix now instead of Dramafever. I feel like something is up with their subtitles. I don't know Korean but based on all the other dramas I've watched the translations don't seem as accurate.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I wanna see sonething in the rain episode 1

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I really like this drama

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

👌👌

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *