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Hyena: Episodes 11-12 Open Thread

With two weeks left in our story, you can really feel Hyena getting poised for a final culminating battle. Clients, cases, characters — and the past — are all coming together in a whirlpool of plot goodness for the (too few) episodes that remain.

 
EPISODES 11-12 WEECAP

I’m not sure what Hee-jae was hoping for when he confronted Geum-ja over her real name and implied he had learned about her past. Well, yes I do, he wanted to break through the wall she built, see her vulnerability (again), and above all, protect her. As expected, none of those things happened. Instead, she’s mad as hell, defensive, and they’re back to fighting for real — until he apologizes (sigh, I love a man that can apologize. Stop that, Hee-jae!)

Before we dig into the drama and depth of this week’s episodes, I need a moment to talk about the comedy. Hyena has always struck a really strong balance between its lawyer gameplay (so to speak), its intimate character-driven moments, and its sense of humor.

This week, though, I giggled a little more than usual, and most of it was because of Joo Ji-hoon. The weird flurrying of his hands when he one-upped Attorney Ma, and the way his posture changed when he was talking to Kevin about his closeness to Geum-ja — both really funny moments of physical acting, and Joo Ji-hoon is killing it. We also had some great girl power fist bumps this week, and Attorney Ga cradling his cracked phone and muttering curses in the Song & Kim hallways. Hah.

There was also not one, but two, spit-takes. Spit-takes are some of the slapstickiest bits of humor you can add, and they can be a little much, so I love how Hyena balances theirs with moments of emotional depth. Especially in the scene with Hee-jae and his brother, the physical comedy was complemented by Hee-jae’s more serious impulse to center himself by seeking the people who know him most. He did it a few episodes ago with his father, and here we see him do it again, looking for someone to recognize and ground him after the beating he took this week.

Geum-ja’s case — the successful acquisition of Gnosis by Kevin’s AP EON — went off not only without a hitch, but with a dramatic flourish. Geum-ja basically crushes creepy cult mother while simultaneously rescuing the daughter and freeing her from her past. I loved Geum-ja’s commitment to doing this even when everyone thought she was just using the daughter for the case. It was also a great mirror for us to see a little more of Geum-ja’s heart through this parallel.

In comparison, Hee-jae’s bill around inheritance law causes not only political problems, but a lot of navel-gazing angst for Hee-jae. The congressman he’s working with tells Hee-jae, “I thought you were a cattle dog but you’re a hound” — and it’s just another ding to Hee-jae’s self-concept, and in line with yet another criticism he receives from Geum-ja. It’s so true that little moments like these that make you question yourself tend to pile up, and we’re seeing them take a toll on Hee-jae. So, our pompous but fragile hero turns up on Geum-ja’s doorstep and blatantly asks for comfort. Yesss. I am ready!

Just when we were heading for another fantastic, intimate scene between the two of them, we (and they) are interrupted by the returning scoundrel that is Issume CEO Ha Chan-ho. As much as I hate seeing this guy again, I really appreciate the drama keeping these characters and relationships continuous rather than episodic. And if he didn’t create a (gross) splash before, it’s all chaos now.

Hee-jae and Geum-ja are called to a horrific crime scene where Chan-ho is covered in blood and wasted, and his mistress, Seo Jung-hwa, is dead. Our attorneys have to be on Chan-ho’s side (how is this guy a functional CEO, by the way?), and it’s time for our team to get at it. There’s an incredible amount of politics, bargaining, and under-the-table deals happening around Issume, and it’s kind of awful how it’s all strategizing and no heart.

The Issume plot nicely pulls together the conflicts going on inside our leads, though, and I love it for that. For those of us that were pretty disgusted by Geum-ja’s early disregard for Seo Jung-hwa as a human (as opposed to a chess piece), this week we saw that she really was affected by her decision, made an attempt to warn Seo Jung-hwa, and even feels partially responsible for her death.

This week’s episodes really started to give off the feeling of things coming to a peak. With previous cases intersecting, Kevin Jung getting involved in the Issume plot — and becoming a foe to Hee-jae — the stakes are getting higher. I no longer trust Kevin or Attorney Song an inch, but I’m all for more shady subterfuge forcing our leads to reveal how much they care about each other. Which is exactly what we get in a fantastic close to this week’s episodes: the most heartfelt love confession ever from Hee-jae, and a clear sign that Geum-ja cares about him (and his integrity) by warning him about the plot against his father. It’s going to get wild, folks!

 
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what if i skip all thsi and just watch them be cute and in love

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Or really sexy and in love. Please writers, make this happen.

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Every time Song Lawyer was on screen and plotting I was distracted by thinking "When will we see more of Geum Ja and Hee Jae?". There are only 4 more episodes to go and so much plot is still on hold (the mysterious building, the issues with her father, everything happening at Song & Kim) that I am dreading there won't be quite enough time left for them to amply be cute, sexy and in love...

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Missvictrix is SOOO FAST! :))) The subs are barely out for ep 12, I just finished watching it a sec ago and the weecap is already here :D

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I am impressed by how fast this weecap is. I haven't even started watching yesterday's episode yet.

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I really hope that Ha Cha Ho did it, otherwise it sends the wrong message about domestic abuse. I din't like the storyline before and I don't like where it seems to be going now.

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Yup. Hoping for the same. JGJ needs to learn the lesson that some things cannot be justified due to her own trauma, no matter what her intentions were. Otherwise it'll feel like a cop out. Chararcters can only grow when their actions have consequences. YJH is already on his own growth journey with that tax law thing. Hope Geum-ja's plays out in a satisfying manner.

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I want him to face the consequences of his actions, what gives him the right to treat another human being like that. It is disgusting and Drug/alcohol abuse is no excuse.

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I am not sure about messaging but for me this show brings to light all that goes on behind closed doors. Corporate law and politics in many parts of the world is this dirty. Also, we all have different standards on different things in life — so in some cases GJ just wants to win while in others she might want justice. Not justifying anything but just stating that corporate dealings are never white. They are Always about 100 shades of grey.

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I understand that and agree. When I talk about messaging I mean as it pertains to abusers and their victims. Most abuse victims are killed by their abusers unless they leave and I want that to part of the message. However, if the message is that some shady all powerful conspiracy did the killing, it dilutes the abuse that occurred. That poor woman was physically and emotionally abused by that drug addled sociopath and realistically he would have killed her regardless, and I want them to show that. So that the horror of abuse is at the forefront, not just this massive conspiracy to make money.

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Makes sense but I don’t think that will happen. The scene where the drunk/abusive client is sober and talking to GJ in the police station, that sort of becomes clear. He is obsessed with that woman but “I couldn’t have killed her”!!

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And it will be all about issume. My guess is... GJ’s past is also related to issume but that is just speculation.

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Yeah, that is why I'm annoyed, lol. Sigh. I also believe you are correct on both counts about Issume.

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I fully agree with you @kafiyah-bello. Although it's shown that Jung Hear was about to run away with Ha Jun Ho, it's very clear taht she would have eventually died at the hands of Chan Ho or killed herself. I also agree that making itself seem like a conspiracy kind of dilutes the reality of such situations.

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❤️😍

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I replayed that confession scenes at the end of ep 12 multiple times. Probably gonna do so for the rest of the week until new episodes come. My heart ♥️

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That confession was amazing. It was simple yet so powerful. I'm in love with Joo Ji Hoon now

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You ain't the only one!!

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a solid mature non-cringey confession.
LOVE.

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Perhaps someone has noted this before, but what’s going on with the director’s obsession with drinking (of all sorts) and cups? They haven’t re-used the same porcelain pattern once, although there have been rather seamless plugs (actually, the PPL has been exceptionally well incorporated, even to the explanation early on of the impecunious attorney’s lease on her Mercedes) for branded coffee and water. I am impressed by the attention to detail in addition to all the glories of acting, dialogue and plot that others have noticed. But these folks are the most well-hydrated on TV.

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Yes the PPL is so slick, I an hoping they reveal the name of the coffee brand, the drinks looks so yummy. I need to buy the phone strap wallet thing.

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Yes to buying that phone strap wallet! Me too!

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Also I want those pretzels with cream cheese

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I have been noticing the porcelain too! Some of those pieces are just exquisite. It also has to do with the overall opulent setting and colors chosen for the show - the rich navy blue background, the wood-panelled rooms. Nicely done, show.

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HA during 11, I actually said to the cat, “there’s a lot of tea on this show. And coffee”. And water, and liquor too!
The teacups are quite beautiful, I wondered whose patterns they are ☕️

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I am also loving the humor of this drama. The cracked phone had me giggling.
When a show makes you laugh, cry and actually invested in its politics it means it's doing a great job.

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I love Attorney Ga, he is so funny and the scene where he and his girlfriend were shading Hee-Jae was hilarious

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Nothing beats Hee Jae's spit take at Tumi wondering how Attorney Ga is so perfect. Man I cracked up at that

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*Yumi

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Thanks for the recap!!
Hee-jae's confession was very sweet and I'm glad that Geum-ja tells him she cares for him too.Finallly!!!
The writer can make it up to us,if we get heaps of 🔥🔥 scenes with Geum-ja and Hee-Jae in the next two weeks ;)

Each episode, I'm impressed with the production team, every scene is so well thought out and exciting to watch. I can't remember the last time I've been so gripped by a kdrama, that I've watched it all in one sitting.

One of my favourite scenes in ep 11 was the apology phone call between Geum-ja and Hee-Jae in the car/taxi. I really enjoyed the way this scene was filmed and in fact the whole episode, mirroring Hee-jae losing himself and following orders with Geum-ja making her own decisions and winning the case.

Slimeball Song is infuriating to watch, how can he be so devious. I don't know how they can take him down, he seems to be so many steps ahead and he has definitely bugged the office or hee-jae's phone.
Even if we get rid of Song, wouldn't Lawyer Kim act the same way if she was the sole owner?

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Guem Ja saying taht she's too old to deal with drunk ex boyfriends was so damn cool

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oh i must admit some GJ lines here are savage asf !

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This was discussed a few weecaps ago, but I think now we are definitely headed for Song & Kim to be replaced by Jang & Yoon, or even Jang & partners / Jang & Co., where she takes over the real estate and the firm itself.

I was also wondering if the show would revisit the Issume disaster, and this is how it does it. I agree JGJ needs to understand where and how to draw lines. How they will resolve it in terms of her character development will be interesting to see.

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i was kinda pissed that the story doesnt focus more on Geum Ja's past which is 1000x more interesting than the whole Song & Kim story :v prepare guys for rushed and probably open ending..hiks

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I am looking forward to seeing what drives Hee Jae - we have so much of JGJ's backstory and her motivations, but HJ is a bit of an enigma in that regard. It's not money (given that 'reasonable spending pattern' comment and his seeming lack of interest in the bonus). Perhaps he wants power and control, but he's ambivalent about it and seems almost reflexively defensive about politicking (as seen from the reaction to his brother). His loyalty to Mr Song might be his only clear motivation so far. It'll be interesting to finally see what his family background is like, how/why he opted to be a lawyer instead and how his bond with Mr Song developed.

ALSO HJ AND GJ BELONG TOGETHER AAAAH

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He wants to grow out of his family’s shadow and be recognized for his own merits.

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Love love love

This review, the couple and the tight storyline. I think they have been given the space to delve into their own journeys because the focus is character growth. Love/bickering is a part of it but not all of it. Oh and the storyline does make one curious.

Yay... bring it on!

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Too much to cover n too few episodes left. I wonder if there will be any scenes squished in where these two don’t bicker about work and have a regular date day.

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I would wonder what a normal date according to them would be! They are such adrenaline driven characters and seem to be workaholics to me :)

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Thank you for the fast wee-cap! I just finished ep 12 and am struggling with how many truly disgusting characters there are in this show (except the team of course) and growl when they are on screen. But at the same time I can't stop watching!
And that confession at the end. This show is so well done in every way..

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These episodes were so amazing. First things first, Guem Ja cares about Hee Jae and admits it. That was most adorable and heartfelt. I love how Hee Jae understands Guem Ja almost completely and accepts her too. It was very evident this week. When he calls her to apologise, it was just too sweet and mature. And the scene where he enters Guem Ja's horse and asks if she's saving up to buy a building. He just knew instinctively. Also when Guem Ja tells him taht what he feels for her is pity and not affection and that she wants none of that pity, he tells her that he loves her for who she is. Also that scene where he says that he hates her antics but he loves her, which is pretty messes up, that was gold. Also I love the fact that we're seeing Her Jae develop and realise taht things may not be as simple as he believes them to be. Also I agree with @missvictrix Joo Ji Hoon had great physical acting here. Also I think Hee Jae really cares about his family bans has a healthy relationship with them. I agree with one of the beanies that he didn't become a prosecutor because he wanted to carve his own identity and he realises that that's identity isn't what he thought it to be

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Heejae is someone who involuntarily seeks validation to boost his ego from Geumja and his family.
But both give him similar reaction to what he has been doing with his privilege which is making him questionhis actions
My concern has been whether his feelings are true for Geumja or some slow revenge scheme orchestrated by Song ideology.

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OMGGGG i just found out this forum..cant be more excited!! hi guys if you love Kim Hye Soo & Hyena I dedicated my instagram @khs_fan to post random silly things related to both.I also just finished making a super melancholy Jung Geum Ja (solo) fanvid in B&W :) check it out on my Yt channel
~~~
agree with you missvictrix!! ep 11-12 so dry asf! i was dizzy swallowing all of the information thrown to the viewers ALL AT ONCE -_- yo,i was kinda worried that there's a kiss in EP 8 i told my friend (usually in Kdramas kiss is shown around 10th or 11th eps hh)..Hyena must be very careful coz starting from EP 8 viewers will be demanding MORE...i was afraid that if the writer didnt carefully craft the story..the latter episodes will be shaky... aaaand i guess my thought came true -_- ep 11-12 weak asf..constant drinking,phone calls and way way too many things to be solved..everytime Song & Kim building scene appears on screen.. arghh my head's gonna explode!! Where the heck the romantic sceeeneee??? every JGJ YHJ scene in both eps are lame asf. Also JGJ felt guilty that SJH was dead?? we dont feel it!..we aint given the chance to FEEL HER GUILT (not enough story development/scenes).these eps ironically flawed at best. wkkawkkw I even sent personal message to Kim Hye Soo official account (@junggumza) and tell her paragraphs long my honest feelin about eps 11 &12 T_T..it's not a critic just a thought from a fan.well everybody's sayin the same thing basically..but hey,the plus point is hyena still rakes moderately 11% rating which isnt bad anyway :) thanks for reading.come by my IG anytime :)

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Hey! I am not sure about the weak part for the last two episodes. Personal view: this series is about ambition and how love isn’t about kisses and dates. I feel too much office romance can be cheesy but this series balances it with our ambitious heroine who keeps reminding the hero... when will u be a lawyer for this case!!
I would rather have less than more... the last scene of ep 12, apology scene of 11 — am happy.
They are too complicated as characters to have a simple romance. There was a hint of things getting hot in ep 11 but the phone call changed it all. The personal and professional is so intermingled in this show.

Bottomline: I didn’t think 11/12 were weak. They will adding to the thrill of the show.

Also in the corona times, I am scared for the poor actors :)

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hahaha yea i was joking with a fan..the writer rushed his idea coz of corona outbreak..i dont say it's weak but we expect something better..the scene at geum ja's okace can be improved actually..i know in kim hye soo dramas you have to be VERY PATIENTLY waitin for romantic scene..hahah the fans were hungry for both YHJ-JGJ off work moments.which is not muchhhhh...even off work they are still talkin bout work -_- this frustrates the viewers (swear to you my IG friendos are pissed with the latest eps!!) at least YHJ could talk bout his struggle and all...and JGJ comforting him lol.instead there were cases after cases...its much better to focus on JGJ background or Kevin motivation...sigh...and I dont think we would get any rom scene unless it's already the last ep T_T

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okace typo -_- *office

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:)

Waiting for the next episode... impatiently!

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Thanks for the speedy weecap, @missvictrix!

#1: in ep11, Geum-Ja asks Ji-Eun "how much it has gone up by?" while staring at the Song & Kim building from the intersection. Am I the only one who suspects that she's planning to buy the building with all her savings, or something similar???

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I can't get enough of Hee-Jae and Geum-Ja's non-work-related interactions! Like, that sexy kiss feels like soooo long ago!! More, please !

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i had in mind the ending Geum Ja and Hee Jae will be having their own firm lmaooo

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I noticed the "building" remark too.

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I second the request on sexy kisses.
My imagination had unconsciously run wild and I found myself disappointed when Hee-Jae didn't know about Geum-Ja's scar........😅

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I just love these two leads!😍♥️😍

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Scenes on repeat because they give me all sorts of feelings:
(1) drunk ex-boyfriend apology phone call
(2) I honestly hate your antics but I still like you which is fucked up
(3) Do I look like I need comforting? Then go ahead. Comfort me. (Gawd, I died here.)
(4) The mother of all confession scenes at the end of episode 12 (I have rewatched this a ridiculous amount of times and I cant stop.)

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So there's a Kevin Jung in Hyena and another 1 in Nobody Knows.

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I only started watching this on Monday and am already at ep 12. WHAT AM I GONNA DO TILL NEXT FRIDAY??????
On a more serious note, loving the unapologetic bitch trope in a female lead. Hope to see more of them. ❤️

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Can someone be a friend and shed light regarding my confusion? Does the abused daughter of the church lady gets to keep 1 billion or she totally donated all the money to charity?

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