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Yumi’s Cells: Episodes 11-12 Open Thread

As our couple faces some big changes, they come to get a different perspective on their relationship with each other. While circumstances bring them closer together, they also expose their vulnerabilities and fears.

 
EPISODES 11-12 WEECAP

As expected, Woong has sold his apartment and is using the money to fund his company and keep it afloat. He’s no less devoted to his work, and doesn’t even see this as a bad thing — it’s a sacrifice he’s more than willing to make to assure his future success.

While it’s a logical move for Woong, Yumi is shell-shocked and upset. First that he never told her anything about his financial struggles, and second that he insists on living in the office, even after she tells him to stay with her. In the first of many do-or-die situations this week, Woong and Yumi have a stand-off over where he will now live. Yumi and her cells (often led by Emotion) want Woong to stay with her. Meanwhile in Woong’s village, words are getting harder and he resorts to learned behaviors for his parents’ marriage. Yumi wins this round, Woong caves, and he agrees to stay with her.

Their cohabitation actually turns out to be wonderful — for them, and for the narrative. They not only get to enjoy each other’s company, and everyday domestic things like cooking and eating together, but they seem to be a really good balance in terms of lifestyle. In other words, Yumi is a bit of a messy housekeeper, and Woong? He’s the opposite.

My favorite part of the show this week was seeing Woong’s total programmer brain bring algorithmic order to Yumi’s apartment. The pots and pans are organized by size order. The dishes and all the cabinets are similarly sorted and ordered. He’s also insanely good at cleaning and takes pleasure in having everything tidy.

And hijinks, of course. Woong comes out of the shower shirtless and staring at Yumi in the bed… except it’s not what she thinks. He’s troubled by the fact that the art on the wall is not centered over the bed, and makes sure to deal with that straight away lol.

Woong’s financial position also sheds light on the advice he gave to Yumi about transferring to Marketing. She’s smart and understands this, and eventually decides to take the risk for herself. Woong is nothing but supportive, buying her a fancy bluetooth keyboard for her first day (even though he’s broke) and even forgetting his own birthday in the process.

Woong stops by the apartment to drop off the gift before pulling an all-nighter, but Yumi is there secretly preparing him a birthday meal. They’re adorably confused by each other’s behavior, but the conclusion is Yumi being so touched by his sweetness that she blurts out the question that’s long been pondered in her Cell Village: “Do you want to get married?”

Woong is completely speechless, and you can imagine how that’s taken by Yumi and her cells. However, it might look like Woong is stunned and trying to wiggle his way out, but in reality, his cells are fighting for Yumi. While his algorithm is trying to weigh his objections, his Love Cell even dives into the sea to bring up the long-forgotten Marriage Desire which has been sitting on the seafloor. However, right before the Love Cell gives the okay for Woong to respond to Yumi’s question, he’s encircled by sharks, taunting him with his true fear: that if they marry Yumi will be forced to suffer any hardships with him.

Yumi closes the subject, pretending like nothing is wrong, but Woong knows (yay) that he has to address this A.S.A.P. before his non-response causes big problems in their relationship. He’s all set to have a chat with Yumi the next night, but those plans quickly change. Instead of going out for drinks alone with Woo-ki, Woo-ki pulls up in his little car, overflowing with Daehan Noodle employees: Ruby, Yumi, and Bobby.

Yumi’s had her first day in the Marketing department and Ruby being Ruby, soon the evening’s plans ballooned into all of them going to a wine bar together. So, instead of drinks with his friend and then a long talk with Yumi, Woong winds up totally drunk, and getting jealous when he sees Yumi and Bobby together.

Not only is Woong pretty hilarious when drunk, but his cells, trying to keep him conscious, are equally funny. While he’s struggling to keep his eyes open, Yumi and Bobby are sitting at the other end of the bar. Yumi witnessed Bobby’s (awful) girlfriend dumping him cruelly the night before, and she feels for him.

But nothing is that simple of course — a new busybody co-worker in Marketing is sure that Bobby is having a secret office romance with Yumi (despite both of their objections). It’s not true, but it puts something in the air, as does Yumi seeing his breakup. And then there’s the office gossip that Bobby likes someone at work with a “u” in her name. And then there’s the moment outside the wine bar.

Woong is barely conscious, hanging onto a telephone pole, and Bobby is trying to get a taxi with his app. Yumi shivers, and Bobby takes off his jacket and gives it to her — with her boyfriend right there! Granted, Woong is toast, but this is either completely platonic, or completely ballsy. Woong marches over, but is so far gone that instead of flipping out, he takes off his own jacket and gives it to Bobby lol.

Even though Yumi is 100% devoted to Woong and gives me (and him) zero reason to doubt, the presence of Bobby is definitely not negligible. It also shakes up Woong’s self-confidence. He’s humiliated to be free-loading off of his girlfriend, and despite their total happiness living together, the episode ends with the bomb-drop that he’s moving out next week.

With one more week to go, I’m a) sad that this adorable show will be ending; and b) beginning to wonder if we’ll actually get a wedding (or at least a proposal) for our OTP at the end of this drama. I love that we’ve travelled with this couple for so long, and went through their ordinary ups and downs with them. That their conclusion might be marriage makes me quite happy, so I’ll be watching with fingers crossed next week.

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I was expecting to see more of Naughty Cell because of the cohabitation hijinks but was disappointed when I didn't see his antics. My new favorite is Housework Cell (aka Procrastination Cell) 😆 🤣 😆 That scene when Yumi cleaned hurriedly and hid her laundry under the bed was hilarious 😂

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Naughty cell is best in small doses I think :) I prefer Naghtysaures more anyway;) besides he is all about doing about doing the naughty and physicality not about the low key everyday cohabitation couple stuff.

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I loved the under bed cleaning method especially because I found a pair of pants under a bed yesterday that I’ve been “searching” for since early March 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

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😆 🤣 😂

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Most realistic relationship show ever. In any language.

I feel so sad for Yumi and Woong at the end of the last episode. Woong is setting himself up for tragedy if he actually moves out, against his interests, and doesn’t discuss his fears.
Oddly though, I identified more with Woong in these episodes than with Yumi (twin perfectionists letting pride get in the way 😖)

It’s hard to pick a favorite scene this week but the one where Woong gave Bobby the jacket was pretty perfect. I definitely got faked out thinking they were about to fight.

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Even as I feel the dreaded breakup looming on the horizon, I can appreciate this drama for presenting to us a very ordinary couple with their equally ordinary problems and trouble. I can't blame Woong's worries for their future financial problem, it was a much too real problem to be solved by the power of love alone. At the same time, I also can't blame Yumi's simple wish for them to live together for a long long time, whatever condition they find themselves in. I guess I can see why people who have read the webtoon dubbed them as "a perfect couple who meet at the wrong time".

Sometimes love doesn't conquer all, though, and Yumi's Cells has always proven itself to be much closer to real life than any other romcom out there. Just like how the drama managed to convey the continuously changing dynamic between a couple (something that is ve~ry rarely explored in dramaland), I'm curious to see how they are going to portray this next (unavoidable) stage of Yumi's relationship with Woong.

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Having just come off watching Squid Games I must say its a pleasure to watch a show where the chance of a character being shot in the head is negligible. Also, after Squid Games, the deliberate pacing of Yumi's Cells is refreshing.There's no place else I have to be so I'll just hang out with these characters for awhile.

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They take such delight in each other. I dont want to witness a fallout.

I've admired Woong's cell system as it is so different than my way of being, but finally saw some real drawbacks to it, besides his omissions.

The coat scenes were wonderful. And I loved the moment when Woo-ki called out the fact that he and Ruby aren't really friends. 😂

Kim Go-eun is really hitting it out of the park.

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Ugi's bluntness paired up with that cute face of his is just HA!

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When he called Ruby out I was cracking up.. She was going on and on about how she was sad and missed Yumi and he said Really, because I saw you having fun in the hallway earlier.. HAHAHA 😂🤣😂🤣...

Yumi wasn't even surprised.. Ruby is a mess.. That wine trick was genius.. she was going to get her quality time in.. even if he is not interested

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Haha... Ruby is a hot mess. A harmless hot mess behind her foxy facade. And I'm glad Yumi saw through her (the way she smiled in exasperated fondness at Ruby's exaggerated monologue is such a mood!). She has been a loud, cute addition to the more low-key dynamic between Yumi and Yi-da.

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exactly.. I was cracking up at her " By-By's"

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I keep waiting to find out who at the office is Woo Ki’s actual crush!

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Me too. I wonder if we will ever know. I thought it might be Yumi's manager but that turned into nothing.

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I did too. Please tell me it’s not Mr Nosy Pants in Marketing 😕

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Although it would be sad as it would be unrequited, but I was hoping Woo-gi's crush was on Bobby for no other reason than because they are the top two handsomest men at Daehan Noodles.

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When Woong moved the bed in order to get the poster centered I was sure he’d freak out because it then changed his floor cleaning algorithm. It freaked me out, now there were 3 new inches of uncleaned floor 😲

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Woong moving the bed was easily my top 3 favorite scenes... 😍😍😘🥰

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And it was such a good fakeout w Yumi (and all of us) thinking he was ready for Naughty Times 😂

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The “u” name is Yumi, isn't it? My pet peeve is people who like people who are taken. I don't care that the heart wants what it wants. If she's off-limits, don't like her.

I agree with Bobby -- Ruby is funny. I laughed so hard when Woo-gi distanced himself from her, "I'm not close with her at all." Bobby is sweet to play along with her, "By-by!" I can't believe she didn't take the opportunity to call Bobby "oppa."

Chores Cell is my new prime cell.

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Lol, you can't control who you like.. 😂🤣😂🤣If the heart could control whom it likes or love.. Wars would not have been fought, families would not have been broken up.. Dynasties would not have been destroyed.. Liking someone is uncontrollable. However, Babi has never really mad a move on Yumi technically. Yes, he does some flirty things but to me he acted way more flirty with Ruby than he has with Yumi, I think he is keeping respectful boundaries and is waiting for her. Babi's character is actually really kind and sometimes his kindness is misconstrued. Yes, he gave her his coat which was not okay but I honestly think he would have done the same had it been Ruby or any other female shivering out there.

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One thing about Ba-bi that confuses me is that he’s telling his co-workers he likes someone at the office. If it’s actually Yumi, what is he hoping to accomplish by seeding that info with the biggest office gossips?

If it’s not Yumi, I hope it’s Wu-gi, and Ba-bi’s girlfriend broke up with him because he was living a lie.

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But I think Babi GF broke up with him because she was interested in someone else. She was the opposite of Yumi.. Kinda cold which is why I thought Babi liked Yumi because she seems like a warm person

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I can see why he likes her. But I don’t get what he’s doing. For one, she’s with someone else, so he probably doesn’t have a shot.

For another, if he does like her and wants to pursue a relationship with her, he needs to just be up front about it. Turning his interest into office gossip is not cool, and leaves Yumi in the position of having to defend herself from odd rumors.

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I am so sad this drama is not getting the recognition it deserves, it is crazy creative and touches alot on real human relationships in a way that other K drama's don't. This is a hard one because I actually really love Woong and he and Yumi are fantastic together. Yumi is not perfect and is flawed, she should have NOT sprung the marriage question on Woong especially when he is going through a hard time but she did a spur of the moment thing but it cast a pall over their relationship. Woong really needs to be less insecure, proud, and speak up more.

I have to say that the new marketing character Han Byeol is annoying and funny, we all know someone that NOSY. Also I agree with @missvictrix that his meddling did put a voice to what we were all thinking that something more is going on with Yumi and Babi. The Yumi and Babi loveline is there, its almost like an undercurrent.
The wine bar was hilarious with Ruby and her By-By's and hitting on Ugi. The scene where Woong puts his coat on Babi is GOLD.. Woong is so sweet and he was quick to pick up that undercurrent between Yumi and Babi. I will miss this show too.. but like Emotion Cell said.. Yumi Season 2... Cant wait for it..

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Agreed. I don't see many people talking about this drama but it's one of the best slice of life of dramas I've seen a while. I like how it manages to stay light and sweet. I think the addition of the cells was really creative and I'm so looking forward to season 2.

I'm really going to miss ABH and KGE's chemistry.

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The Dramas Over Flowers podcast hosts said they were avoiding Yumi's Cells like the plague, or words to that effect. The impression was they considered themselves too 'cool' for the show, based on nothing but the synopsis.

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Yumi Cells is cool.. very cool actually because its not your run of the mill K drama.. The cartoon cells don't take anything from the drama for me, they just add too it. If anything this drama is unique and because its unique that is what makes it cool. As for the podcast host, I will share a quote from Keith Richards " If you've gotta think about being cool, you ain't cool. " 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️ just saying.

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This drama is really fun.

I think it's sad they didn't really make officially the fact they're living together. I don't think it's an issue and Woong shouldn't feel ashamed. In a couple, sometimes, the one with the more money helps the other and maybe after, it will be the opposite.

Their cohabitation was nice to see. I want a Woong for my appartement too!

I'm really sorry for Lee Yubi, Ruby must be so hard to act. They always laugh in the BTS because of her :p

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I thought the same about them living together. When Bobby asked if Woong was visiting, I was waiting for Yumi to say, 'we live together'. It seems like it would help solve Woong feeling like he's living off of her. (but maybe not, he has so much pride...)

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first like all eps so far this is a perfect example of a slice of life drama. All the parts work so well together. I do think Bobby likes Yumi..its seems quite obvious to me. Maybe that is what woong on picking up on subconsciously. A secure nice man, compared to his financial struggle. I think there may be a break-up on the horizon, but they will get back together in the end.
Also I felt like woong was upset when yumi said he was just visiting.His internal voice even said it's obvious he lives with her. I know South korea is still quite conservative in some respects (but progressing!) , but is it still so taboo to live with your significant other before marriage in 2021? Like would she be judged negatively?

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Woong actually was glad that Yumi solved the situation for him. In the webtoon, woong was the one who lied about it. He couldn’t tell his friend (not Babi in the drama) that he was living in his gf’s house because of his pride

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ahh that makes sense. cause with the drama we didnt get that sense

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Can someone explain how Woong has such a chiseled body but I don't see him working out? The science behind that is...something.

Also, Yumi has been receiving some hate but for some reason, she doesn't entirely irk me. I wouldn't do some of the things she does or even say what she says half the time, but as an outsider who isn't Korean, she is saying things I often hear my Korean girlfriends say and even her reactions just look familiar. Not every woman is the same though, so if I consider the little known about her background (terrible break up, insecurities, sheltered life, etc), then her character adds up. I think many people are critiquing her in light of Woong when he is his own person and has his own share of experiences while the same applies to her.

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Two things absolutely delighted me in these two episodes. Yumi’s Housework cell is every bit as lazy as mine, lol.

Also, I got a huge kick out of Drunk!Woong being even sweeter than when he’s sober. His cell command center needing to power up whenever he blacked out was really clever too.

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According to my googling: "At the time of writing, tvN has renewed Yumi’s Cells for season 2! Filming is currently underway now with the aim of a potential early 2022 release date. Given the modest ratings over the weeks, and the condensed 14 episode run-time, this has certainly come as a nice surprise."

So HURRAH! But.... I think this may indicate that it will have an open ending with a "who does Yumi plan to marry?" for season 2

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Hmm I thought it was going to start Dec 31st ( season 2) at least that is the date that is up on drama cool

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But they started filming season 2 even before season 1 was aired lol so regardless the ratings it was going to be 2 seasons I think lol Also it’s more of a TVing show so they care about the revenue on OTT more so than TVN ratings. The show is doing good on tving and iqiyi worldwide

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Why doesn't this drama get more love? Why do people prefer old-fashioned romcoms full of cliches? Is this really the preference of most people here? Is it the animation that keeps them away? I doubt that. Does slice of life only interest them when it has an ensemble instead of a couple? Any theories?

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Personally, the cells creep me out and I hate their design and yes, they’re enough to keep me from watching.

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That's understandable.

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I actually like the cells, and the mix with animation is a breath of fresh air. I don't have any theories but I was thinking maybe because it is just too much of a slice of life , there is nothing much to talk about ( no tragic or traumatic back stories, no revenge storylines, no amnesia, no birth secrets, no TODs, no evil chaebol families, no domineering mother in law, no serial killers, no games of death, and no childhood connection).

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Yes, it is very realistic, it's a natural ordinary relationship between very relatable people. I was trying to remember if people here usually dislike that kind of thing.

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Oh.. in db.. not too sure. I was speaking about the drama ratings in korea. but now that you mention it, made me think. I like slice of life though, i gravitate to that genre.

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I think the animation is keeping some people away. However, I'd really like them to try it once because that grows on you eventually. This show is very simple without the cells and they are the best part of it but it being a slice of life rom com is a fresh change. While I may hold out hope for more such dramas, given the ratings, it is less likely to happen.

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Slice of life is my absolute favorite genre but it's not the most popular here. I also think the animation is keeping people away. Tbh I found it childish the first two episodes and then I was charmed. The way they use the cells is very fun and clever.

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I was not sure because people love Reply and HP and they are in that genre but as ensemble, so I thought they should have another reason.
Their use is so clever! Sometimes they give some very subtle and interesting ideas about the workings of the main couple's minds.

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