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Our Blues: Episodes 11-12

Our Seoul lady returns to her home this week with a brighter future, and the people of Jeju continue their daily lives. While some find love and deepen their relationship, others break apart and change. Things cannot stay the same forever, and sometimes even the strongest friendships get tested and fail.

 
EPISODE 11-12 WEECAP: Dong-suk & Sun-ah, Young-ok & Jung-joon, Mi-ran & Eun-hee

After losing custody of her son, Sun-ah decides to remain in Seoul to rebuild her life and parts ways with Dong-suk. They share their goodbyes, and while neither of them may have gotten their perfect happy ending, this unexpected reunion gave both of them a glimmer of hope for a better future.

Learning from her past regrets with her dad, Sun-ah opens up about her illness with her young son and explains how she is sick but loves him very much. She will appeal the court’s decision, but she assures her ex-husband that it will happen in the future when she can be the one to support their son and not the other way around. Though her struggle with depression will be ongoing, Sun-ah takes Dong-suk’s advice, and slowly, the lights turn on in her dark world.

Dong-suk returns to Jeju with one old wound healed, and he takes over Sun-ah’s house project. However, the biggest hole in his heart continues to fester. The mere sight of his mom still enrages him, and Ok-dong’s continued silence contributes to their rift. At this rate, Dong-suk’s claims to shed tears for her only after her death may come true.

Moving on to Young-ok and Jung-joon, the new couple makes plans for their first trip together, and despite all the naysayers warning him about Young-ok being a liar, Jung-joon trusts her. They take a ferry to a smaller island where they bike along the shore and share a picnic. Enjoying each other’s company, they agree to stay the night, but make a pact to not sleep together while they are drunk.

Over drinks, they talk about what they want from the relationship—e.g., being respectful, only drinking with each other—and Young-ok’s last stipulation is to keep things bright and fun. Jung-joon asks about her parents, so she tells him that they used to be artists but quit after she and “Jae-ang” (a.k.a., disaster) were born. He wonders who Jae-ang is, but Young-ok excuses herself to use the bathroom.

While she is gone, her phone rings, and Jung-joon accidentally knocks it off the table, causing it to answer. Too curious to ignore, he picks it up, but the other person does not reply. Jung-joon hands the phone over when Young-ok comes back, and she steps out to have a chat with her caller. She tells them that she will visit next month and hangs up as Jung-joon joins her outside.

Jung-joon asks who the person was, and Young-ok tells him that the rumors about her having a man or a child are false. Her answer is enough for Jung-joon, and he assures her that he can accept anything else from lecherous family members to debt collectors. She smiles at his cute response and mentions how she has sobered up. Dropping his beer, Jung-joon jumps up from his seat to prepare the bed since he sobered up as well, heh.

Young-ok’s relationship with Jung-joon strengths after their trip, but her bad reputation with the other haenyeos plummets further this week. Her greedy habits have ostracized her from the group, but Young-ok dismisses their words as groundless complaints rather than advice.

Breaking the rule to come up for air after every catch, Young-ok stays under for much too long and gets her foot stuck in a net. Thankfully, the other haenyeos come to her aid, but someone else gets tangled in the process. As the leader, Choon-hee stays behind the longest and manages to free them in time.

This accident is the final straw, and the other haenyeos threaten to quit until Young-ok leaves the group. Choon-hee agrees with the consensus because she knows from experience that Young-ok’s greed and lack of fear will lead to her death. Young-ok begs Choon-hee for another chance since she wants to dive, but Choon-hee finds it difficult to believe a liar’s apology.

Young-ok says that she never lied, so Choon-hee asks for an explanation about her parents and wonders if they are even alive. Young-ok tells her that they died when she was twelve in a car accident, and everything she told the others about them being an artist and selling clothes were true. Choon-hee asks about the other rumors concerning the incessant calls, and Young-ok chokes out an answer between her sobs. The camera moves away, and the identity of the caller remains a mystery for the viewers.

While I think the haenyeos can be judgmental, in this situation, Young-ok is undeniably in the wrong. She was warned multiple times to stick with the group and follow the rules, yet she blatantly ignored them and endangered the others’ lives. Her foot getting caught in a net was an accident, but by staying under for longer than advised, she put her life at risk unnecessarily. Choon-hee’s reasons for kicking her out seem fair, but from her expression at the end, it seems that Young-ok might get one more chance to mend her ways.

Eun-hee’s best friend GO MI-RAN (Uhm Jung-hwa) pays a visit to her hometown, and everyone except Ho-shik calls Eun-hee the maid while Mi-ran is the princess. Originally, Mi-ran was supposed to go to Paris to attend her daughter’s graduation and travel the world with her, but her plans fell through so she brought her packed bags to Jeju, instead.

Though Mi-ran tries to tell her friend about the canceled trip, their conversation gets interrupted at every turn, so she sticks with a simple answer: she is too busy with work to attend. Unaware of the truth, Eun-hee silently judges her for being selfish.

Mi-ran stops by Choon-hee and Ok-dong’s place to drop off presents, and stays over for dinner, too. She vents to the older ladies about her daughter for using her dad to cancel the trip because her stepmom will be there, but even after all that, she still understands her daughter’s position. Choon-hee and Ok-dong take Mi-ran’s side since paid for her education and living expenses, but Mi-ran thinks her daughter is a kind person.

While Eun-hee prepares dinner for Mi-ran, her friend calls at the last minute to tell her about the change in plans, so Eun-hee gives away all the food to her helpers. Stomping to her room, she writes an entry in her diary about her friend—the eternal star of their town who everyone loves—and wonders how she truly feels about her now.

As students, Eun-hee loved Mi-ran. She saw her as her reliable supporter and was able to attend high school and get her GED because of Mi-ran’s efforts. Eun-hee always felt loyal to her as a result, so she helped plan Mi-ran’s three weddings and cared for her after childbirth because that is what friends do.

However, in Ho-shik’s eyes, Mi-ran was never kind to Eun-hee, and he remembers the day back in high school when Mi-ran threw away Eun-hee’s lunch because she “complained” about the food. Mi-ran called her a moocher, which irks Ho-shik to this day, but Eun-hee says that worse things have happened.

Staring at her friend frolic on the beach, Eun-hee recalls the last time she saw her. A year ago, she received a text from Mi-ran after her third divorce saying that she wanted to die, so Eun-hee flew all the way from Jeju to check on her. She entered her apartment fraught with worry, but Mi-ran jumped out laughing with her friends: it was prank. If that was not terrible enough, Mi-ran then introduced Eun-hee as the biggest pushover who is at her beck and call.

Eun-hee may have been conflicted about their relationship before, but it’s clear that this incident has irrevocably damaged their friendship. I already hated the way everyone put down Eun-hee to praise her friend, so I was appalled when Mi-ran did the same thing. Eun-hee’s hesitation to accept her friend again and the building resentment towards her is understandable because this was not an isolated event.

Everyone sees the pair as the odd match, and it is always Eun-hee who is deemed lesser (except by Ho-shik who fell in love with her instead of Mi-ran like the others). It’s draining to hear your own friends call you “the maid,” so the fact that Mi-ran also introduced her as a pushover with no mention of the word “friend” must have shattered Eun-hee. Not only was her self-esteem hurt, but Mi-ran’s action tainted their memories as well because now, Eun-hee is left to wonder if her best friend ever considered her a friend in the first place.

After seeing Ho-shik’s memory, it seems that Eun-hee and Mi-ran always had an unbalanced dynamic, and while that may have been sustainable as children, it turned more toxic as they grew older. Mi-ran is generous and loving, but she is also selfish and mean-spirited. She tends to put her own feelings above her friend’s which is why she could pull such a cruel trick on her and then forget about it. To Mi-ran, love comes naturally, and I get the impression that she sees Eun-hee’s sacrifices as givens because of their history together. I don’t know what the future holds for these two friends, but maybe it’s time for them to let go.

 
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The writer keeps giving us Mina X Woobie crumbs once again! I love how Jung-Joon keeps getting excited for little things with Young-Ok! And blurts out his confessions nonchalantly! Heheh... he's exactly the kind of men I love, what a good-natured derp! ^^

I'm sussing a twin sibling for Young-Ok back on the mainland (who keeps calling), and quite likely with a congenital physical impairment. Which is how her parents died from overwork trying to pay the twin's medical bills, and now Young-Ok has been shouldering that since she was 12.

While I sympathize with Mi-Ran over being frozen out by her daughter for a 'better step-mom'... that is absolutely NO excuse for her to be not just a shitty friend, but a shitty human too.
You can be sooo many things when you're born rich, but nope, she chooses to be a Passive-Toxic Friend instead. Way to go! :/ Heck, even Soo-Ryeon was a better friend to Myung-Hee in Youth of May!

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Once more- two more episodes that drew us in to their stories.

Mi-ran's daughter needs to grow up, but so does Mi-ran. If Mi-ran's daughter is becoming a lawyer, then I fear for her future clients. Eun-hee may be too much of a lady to slap Mi-ran down literally but she needs to confront Mi-ran and really put her foot down, completely severing their relationship if that is what it takes.

Mi-ran should not cut her daughter and ex-husband any slack either. That too is part of growing up- facing the truth and making a rational choice about it, even when it is hard.

Above all Eun-hee deserves real respect. Whatever she was when she was young, she has certainly advanced far beyond that as the years passed. She is definitely no longer anyone's maid.

Young-ok obviously has a tragic situation- and we are not yet given the full details.

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Above all Eun-hee deserves real respect. Whatever she was when she was young, she has certainly advanced far beyond that as the years passed. She is definitely no longer anyone's maid.

Well captured. She's even in a better place than the rest of her school set. But then, it's Mi-ran. They've come a different way so it is hard to break away from that gratitude despite being in a better place. If only she can convince herself that she has repaid ( it's really uncomfortable using this word as it sounds like use-me-I-use-you term when it was just a pure innocent friendship but there is none coming to my head at the moment) Mi-ran enough for her help since at the moment, that is what it seems like - she is doing anything in her power since she is eternally grateful to Mi-ran. She has to damn the past and state her mind.

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Friendship is not servitude.
Loyalty is not servitude.
Friendships can also be toxic relationships.

You can understand as a teen why Eun-hee wanted and needed to be Mi-ran's friend since Eun-hee was poor and all the other kids looked down on her. She had no true friends so she had to settle for a mean one. But they are now adults, and Mi-ran should have learned to grow up instead of riding her selfish, pretty privilege into the ground.

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Mi-ran does not want to see it but she never really grew- but Eun-hee did

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I'm really happy on where Dong-seok and Sun-ah are currently. They're making peace with themselves and others. Little wonder her ex agreed to let her raise the child without an appeal. Too bad it took a divorce and loosing the lawsuit and what-have-you with Dong-seok to get her to this point.

I really thought Dong-seok and his mom would have that talk they needed to have when he came to her stall. For someone who wants to know why desperately he equally doesn't want to give room a discussion. Is it when she says she's really dying that he'll listen. That's if he even listens then. His resentment runs really deep. And that resentment will leave him with unanswered questions that might plague him till he departs this world. I wonder how he'll raise a family if he has this unresolved trauma.

I was definitely sure Eun-hee's reaction were genuine but best doormat ever, that's a very toxic way to view a friend who made a conscious choice to be at your beck and call. This exactly mirrors Ho-shik and In-kwon's feud - In-kwon really looked out for Ho-shik many times just as Ho-shik looked out for him as his power could. In-kwon saved him from the hands of collectors yet that statement he made ruined everything between them two. Eun-hee knows she is not a maid. But with regards to Mi-ran she is or is it was now. For someone like Mi-ran who helped her achieve the level of education she attained, being called a pushover by that same person runs deep since they are the persons who personally know how hard you tried to get there. If Ho-sik knew about this recent incident, hell be damned if he doesn't come for Mi-rans head😂.

Need I say, Young-ok had it coming for her. And her nonchalant behavior to the reservations of the older haenyoos doesn't make it easier to feel for her with respect to the incident. Still, very nice rapport with Jung-jun, who is proving to be a very good boyfriend - getting the assurance he needs without having to pry deep into her bottled down feelings. Although such surface transparency + bright and fun wouldn't be enough in due time, he takes it in with stride. Will Young-ok however walk with his stride? He seems like he is someone more than bright and fun.

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It's good to see Seon-Ah in a relatively better state of mind.

I found the conversation between Dong-seok and Jeong-jun funny knowing that Woo-bin and Min-Ah are actually the ones dating.

Young-ok seems like a sweet person but she definitely took it too far and put others at risk. I agree with others saying that the caller is surely her sibling who has some sort of disability/impairment.

Watching them calling Eun-Hui Mi-ran's maid was infuriating even before we were told the back story and seeing how Mi-ran looked down on Eun-hui's job when they were in the car heading for the beach also goes a long way to show who she is as a person even now.

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I laughed when Dong-suk asked Jeong-jun if he thought she was pretty. It seemed like Woo-bin’s little laugh was real.

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😂 I thought so too

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I really liked how Sun-ah's story ended. I'm glad she realized that it's not about what she wants/needs but what her son needs. Her ex may not have been able to handle her depression, but I'm glad he recognized her determination and told her that he would give her custody when/if she got better. They are both doing what's best for their child and that's a nice note to end on.

Young-ok clearly needs money to support her sibling, but I'm with the haenyeos right now. She's put herself and others in danger one too many times.

Eun-hee and Mi-ran's is a toxic friendship. I've been in the same dynamic, the "plain" friend of the popular student, the pushover. It's not a fun place to be, and it's hard to break free from that dynamic. I'm kind of rooting for Eun-hee and Ho-shik. He clearly still cares for her.

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It's nice to see Seon-A understanding that her "recovery" shouldn't depend on her son. It was nice to see her ex-husband to understand her a little bit.

Dong-Seok is so angry and keeps it for him. He was angry against Seon-A, but it was a misunderstanding. He should really talk to his mum, at least to express his feelings in a discussion and not just screaming at her...

I don't really buy Yeong-Ok - Jeong-Jun's couple. I don't feel any special connection between them.

Yeong-Ok seems to suffer emotional blackmail by the caller. But it doesn't justify her behavior in her work. I hate people who are always late. It's easy thing to get at time, it shows respect. But she can't do it. She doesn't follow their rules. She should quit not because of her personal life, she didn't lie and she didn't have to justify it, but because she's not professional.

I was hoping for a great relationship between Eun-hee and Mi-ran, we got a bittersweet one...

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I hear it often, people who are appreciative for the help or favor they've received from someone they consider a friend, only to end up in something akin to a hostage situation. Everyone involved gets caught up in this dynamic where one person always seems to have the upper hand while the other one seems stuck and powerless to get out. What's tragic is that for many people this lasts a lifetime. I'm reminded of this situation when looking at Mi-ran and Eun-hee. It is truly sad and these two women need to have a discussion to either part ways or go forward together with a different perspective of what a friend is and isn't.

Speaking of discussions, I'm wondering if the day will come where Dong-seok talks with his mother. Because if anyone needs to have a chat, it's these two people! But with his anger, which runs deep, and short fuse, who knows if it's even possible.

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for real with dongseok and his mom...i don't know to feel frustrated over dongseok being rude to elderly or to his mom who never say a word to her son who suffered like does she not has any guilt or something

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Mi ran is the WORST. The evil, yes, evil, associated with tricking your friend into traveling insanely far just to see if she would is disgusting. Then Eun Hee being worried that she might die, just gross. I have no idea why she hasn't confronted her. I am so glad she has someone on her side.

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Ok I’m throwing in the towel. I am ready to drop this show. Deong-sok is starting to get on my last nerve plus I’m so done with Yeong ok’s mystery caller. With all those famous stars at the helm, I expected so much more. Being shown at the same time as The Liberation Notes highlights its bad script which has more holes than a swiss cheese.

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I’m glad Sun-ah decided to stay in Seoul, get a job, and work on getting healthy and fighting for her son. Dong-suk’s advice about physically tiring herself out each day was excellent. I believe we all get into trouble when we’re idle or spend too much time alone with our thoughts.
I still can’t warm up to Young-ok. I really don’t like how dismissive and arrogant she is towards the other haenyeos. And yes, her refusal to listen to their advice about not being greedy is foolish arrogance on the part of Young-ok. She can ignore their judgment regarding her personal life, but not the life-death advice regarding her chosen occupation. She claims and cries that she wants to be a haenyeo, yet she refuses to follow the rules. Not good.
I don’t like Mi-ran. Full disclosure, I have a “friend” who is just like her, someone I have known since age 10. So, yes, I am biased. I know Mi-ram’s life isn’t perfect as she tries to let on, but her treatment of Eun-hee is deplorable. So she gave her a ride and a sandwich as kids. So what? Eun-hee does not need to sacrifice her self-respect in the name of “friendship”. Eun-hee is a successful business woman. She can buy her own food and she has her own ride. I don’t like the way the men treat her either. Personally, I’d kick all those losers to the curb. But it’s a small island and they all work together, so I doubt that will happen.

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