The Atypical Family: Episodes 5-6
by Unit
As our atypical show hits the halfway mark, our con artist heroine struggles between staying professional or giving into personal feelings, while our superpowered hero finally picks a side. But like with a house of cards, all it takes is a slight breeze for everything to come crashing down.
EPISODES 5-6
We resume for the week with Gwi-ju and Da-hae’s “let’s see if we end up falling in love” kiss — which leaves Da-hae flustered from a combination of guilty conscience and heart flutters. As for Gwi-ju, if the moment was a tape, it’d be worn out due to the amount of times he travels back to it. But the Nile is a river in Egypt whose waters steer him into declaring that the kiss was “meh” — and this earns him a deserved punch to the face by Da-hae. Lol.
Gwi-ju insists that Da-hae keeps the marriage registration thingy from Man-heum, but when Man-heum’s wrist watch goes missing from the family vault, the search leads her straight to the marriage registration form. Oops! It’s obvious that Da-hae wanted to spill the marriage tea, so as payback, Gwi-ju informs his family that Da-hae — who they thought was alone in this world — has a (non-biological) family.
Sauna Mom adopts an ex-convict with a heart of gold persona to visit the Boks when she learns that they are digging into her, but her attempt to gaslight the family fails to hit the mark. Dong-hee is all for kicking Da-hae out, but Man-heum is reluctant because she saw Da-hae wearing the family’s ring in a dream. “What if she stole it?” Dong-hee asks. “The dream wasn’t telling you she’ll be a part of our family. It was telling you she’d steal from us.” Loool. Have I mentioned how much I like Dong-hee? Man-heum needs to listen to her daughter more.
Gwi-ju is also not convinced that he saved Da-hae from the school fire as she claims, but she evades all his questions about the incident. Gwi-ju was unable to save anyone even though he returned to that moment countless times, “So how could I have saved you?” he asks. “Because you love me,” Da-hae replies, and I rolled my eyes so hard, they fell to the back of my throat. Does she realize that she was a high schooler back then and this man was already someone’s father? Despite Gwi-ju’s pleas for Da-hae to come clean, she doubles down and makes him out to be the bad guy for doubting her. Still, Gwi-ju wants to trust Da-hae and save her — although he’s worried that he’ll mess things up in the process.
“You won’t,” Soon-goo assures his son. “Whatever happens with [Da-hae] can be undone. You can always go back in time to fix it.” Must be nice to have a re-do option for your life choices. Soon-goo adds that Da-hae might lead Gwi-ju back to his daughter, and true to Soon-goo’s words, Gwi-ju’s return to a Da-hae moment — the kiss, obviously — leads him to the family vault where he sees Yi-na taking Man-heum’s watch!
Gwi-ju wonders if Yi-na is being bullied at school, and why she never tells him anything. Because you never ask, duh! But this is not a bullying case per se; Yi-na just wants to have friends, and she stole the watch as a gift to get into Miss Popular’s good graces. As a school bullying victim, Da-hae worries that the same thing is happening to Yi-na, but our mind reader assures madam con artist that she is fine. I’ve never been a fan of Da-hae’s manipulation and I read all of her actions as calculated ways of endearing herself to the Boks. But when it comes to her interactions with Yi-na, she’s mostly genuine, so I no longer mind as much.
Da-hae visits Yi-na at school to assess the situation with Miss Popular, but Yi-na warns Da-hae to keep her mouth shut otherwise she’ll expose her as a fraud. Ha! Blackmailing a con artist? I love it! I agree that Yi-na needs to talk to someone about the imbalanced nature of her “friendship” with Miss Popular, but the problem is there’s no one to have that conversation with. Da-hae is the most likely candidate, but you can never fully trust a con artist, and the rest of the Boks are nothing to write home about.
While Da-hae is a first-hand witness of the other Bok superpowers, nothing could have prepared her for the reveal that Yi-na is a mind reader. How do you even con someone who can read your mind? LMAO! Da-hae freaks out and goes through all the stages of meltdown as she tries to evade Gwi-ju — who also came to the school to check on his daughter — and she ends up getting locked in the gym’s storage room. A flashback reveals that Da-hae’s bullies locked her in the school’s storage shortly before the fire, and in the present, her storage PTSD kicks in. Just great!
Thankfully, Gwi-ju finds a panicked Da-hae in the storage, and via her traumatized words, he confirms that she was the student his firefighter sunbae was going back to rescue when the building exploded. Sunbae died before he re-entered the building, and if Da-hae made it out of there alive, “It seems like I’ll have to be the one to have saved you,” Gwi-ju says. This PTSD storage scene was pretty emotional, and for the first time in three weeks, I felt sorry for Da-hae. Chun Woo-hee carried the scene so hard, I actually empathized with a scammer. Wow! I guess Da-hae is slowly growing on me.
Now that Gwi-ju has confirmed his savior status, he becomes a changed man. He’s suddenly working out, cleaning his room, and making breakfast for Yi-na — which she doesn’t eat. I know Yi-na hardly eats at home, but would it kill Gwi-ju to persuade her to take a bite or at least give her a snack or something? If this man puts in as much effort in Yi-na’s diet as he does in his unrelenting attempts to convince Da-hae — who has moved out of the Bok mansion — to return, maybe the girl won’t be so averse to sharing a meal with the family.
When it comes to single parents and romance, I’m more interested in the parent’s relationship with their child than I am in the sparks between them and their new partner. I feel parent and child should have a bond outside of a third party, and I’m not a fan of how the show anchors Gwi-ju and Yi-na’s relationship around Da-hae. It’s almost like Gwi-ju cannot be a good father without Da-hae in their lives, and that’s unfair to Yi-na. Maybe I’m being a little harsh on Show, but the whole “Da-hae will lead Gwi-ju back to Yi-na” thing is not working for me. And with this setup, Show better have a damn good reason as to why everything and everyone orbits around Da-hae.
The main OTP is not doing anything for me, but the Yi-na and Joon-woo pairing is where all the cuteness is at. Joon-woo could tell from Yi-na’s eyes that she didn’t mean it when she called him a jerk last week — and no, he has no ancestors with the Bok last name. Lol. Yi-na is already flustered by the transparency of her feelings, and when Joon-woo confesses that he likes her, my baby girl doesn’t know how to react. Awwww. But Miss Popular overhears the confession, and that’s the end of her “friendship” with Yi-na. I’d say good riddance, but she was Yi-na’s only friend in the world, and Yi-na is understandably hurt when Miss Popular calls her creepy because she always seems to know what she (Miss Popular) is thinking.
Man-heum has another precognitive dream, and you know it’s serious when the biggest Gwi-ju × Da-hae shipper warns her son to call off marriage plans with Da-hae. But Gwi-ju insists on seeing things through to the end, and he proposes to Da-hae. Becoming Mrs. Gwi-ju will move Da-hae a step ahead to the end goal of conning the Boks, but her feelings for Gwi-ju have gotten in the way of the con, and she’s reluctant to proceed with the marriage.
Da-hae claims Gwi-ju’s superpower makes her uneasy, and in case his proposal stems from a sense of responsibility, she tells him that he doesn’t have to save her. I mean, she’s alive and well in the present, so who exactly is he saving? “The fact that you’re alive proves that I’ll save you one day,” Gwi-ju replies, and I’d be lying if I say I understand anything about this past and future saving business. Perhaps in saving Da-hae, Gwi-ju will also be saving himself from the bad memories attached to the school fire. And since everyone and their parents are getting saved, maybe someone can save me from my confusion and mixed feelings about this drama (and save us from the Kopiko PPL that has snuck its way into the show).
Unlike Da-hae and her cold feet with Gwi-ju, Grace is still full-steam with Dong-hee. But Dong-hee is nobody’s fool. She might tell off a sleazy client harassing Grace at the gym, and share a meal together, but it doesn’t mean she trusts Grace — not even with her discovery that Grace is connected to Da-hae and Sauna Mom. Dong-hee tells Grace about her plans to stop Gwi-ju and Da-hae’s wedding, and Grace rushes down to the Bok mansion in time to stop Dong-hee from announcing that she found the family ring in Da-hae’s luggage. Dong-hee topples over the first floor railing in the ensuing struggle, and Grace is shocked to see her float midair thanks to her superpower.
Blissfully unaware of the drama going on in the house, Gwi-ju and Da-hae walk down the aisle, and our groom tells his bride that he’ll remember the moment for a long time as a happy one. This is Da-hae’s breaking point, and she declares that she is a fraud. *Insert dramatic music* No one saw this coming except for Man-heum the dreamer. Heh. “I’m sorry,” Da-hae says to Gwi-ju. “You can’t save me.” Great! Way to break a man’s heart after he finally found hope that he can change the past. This sucks for Gwi-ju, but it was bound to happen, and I’m glad Da-hae owned up to the con herself rather than leaving him to find out from a third party. Now that everything has been said and done, will Gwi-ju sink back into depression or will he grab the reins of his life and forge ahead? We await the second half of the show to give us answers.
RELATED POSTS
- Premiere Watch: The Atypical Family
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- Meet the superpowered Atypical Family in new teaser
- Chun Woo-hee meets Jang Ki-yong’s Atypical Family
- Although I’m Not a Hero hints at superpowered secrets
- Script reading for healing fantasy Although I’m Not a Hero
- Jang Ki-yong loses his powers in Although I’m Not a Hero
- News bites: January 26, 2023
Tags: Chun Woo-hee, Go Du-shim, Jang Ki-yong, Oh Man-seok, Park So-yi, Soo-hyun, The Atypical Family
![[Cast Away] A conwoman is possessed by an upright politician](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/castaway_header1.png)
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1 Blue (@mayhemf)
May 20, 2024 at 5:38 PM
The show grew on me. I quite enjoyed this week’s episode. I still don’t get Gwi-ju and his obsession to save her while she is all well and alive.
Also, Wasn’t that the reason he lost his family?
Also, why is he allowed to drive!!??? I am not convinced he has complete control over when he can go back. What if he thinks of a happy moment while driving????
I loved the scenes between In Na and Da Hae! And I am also enjoying the Grace and sister scenes. I can a great sismance blossoming in the future.
Finally, she came clean. This changes everything!!
JKY’s hair galloping while he runs, is its own character.
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FlourPower
May 20, 2024 at 6:05 PM
Well, I take it someone must have saved her, because she was locked in a burning building that shortly after collapsed. The question is who. She seems to remember a symbol (tattoo? drawing?) on the neck of the person who saved her, but Gwi-ju doesn't have that mark (or at least not for now), so she seems to have decided it wasn't him.
Da-hea seems to lay all the cards on the table around In-na. For one thing there's no point in trying to hide anything, but also in those moments she seems more concerned about In-na's wellbeing than anything to do with herself and her adoptive mum's schemes.
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Isa is always time travelling
May 21, 2024 at 2:10 AM
Maybe he doesn't have the tattoo yet 🤔
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I would prefer it if someone else was the savior.
If ML and FL have to fall in love, it will be more interesting if there is no past connection. (I know, this is Dramaland).
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.
May 21, 2024 at 3:45 AM
What do you mean no past connection?! Blasphemer! Blasphemer!!!! [said in a high pitch, barely intelligible scream with red eyes and white foam bubbling around the mouth for proper effect]
Hide before Dramaland god condemn you to be flogged in public.
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Isa is always time travelling
May 21, 2024 at 5:36 AM
🤫 There are some precedents... But they are hard to find 🤫
vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 6:02 AM
He definitely saved her, even if this drama is trying to subvert some expectations and tropes it is STILl a kdrama and I don't think they would stray from this.
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Elin~auditor
May 21, 2024 at 8:39 AM
I thought it was a cut or scratch and that whoever it was got it during the school fire. If it's Gwi-ju, he doesn't have it because it hasn't happened to him yet - he hasn't reached the moment when he goes to the past and actually takes action during the fire. I think it's also possible that as @Yunami says, the firefighter sunbae saved Da-hae, although my impression was that the building collapsed on him before he went into it. The fire events have been kept deliberately confusing so far.
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Yu-nami
May 21, 2024 at 6:08 AM
I think she was saved by the firefighter who swapped his shift with Gwi-Ju so that he could go and see his new baby. The death that lead him into his downward spiral.
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Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 6:41 PM
"JKY’s hair galloping while he runs, is its own character."
Love this. That scene totally reminded me of various dog food ads (the dulux dog springs to mind) where their hair bounces like this as they bound along 😂
I haven't found Gwi-ju that attractive so far, but the exceptions were the 'wet hair' scene - yowser! and the wedding look - that was swoonworthy... I fear we may be cursed with a return to depression and accompanying trackie-daks (Aussie for tracksuit pants) and mop-like hair though...😒
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.
May 21, 2024 at 4:11 AM
I'd always go for long hair whatever the context. But what I found attractive about Gwi-ju is his transformation (not in a "he's=so-hot sense). In a completely different style, he reminds me of Dong-shik in Psychopath Diary whose sole belief that he is a predator in disguise completely changes his behaviour and the energy he brings to the room (and by extrapolation the perception others have of him).
For Gwi-ju, I see the same phenomenon. He starts as somehow stuck in the belief that he not only can't save anyone (which was already a source of point in his first memory-travel experience as a child) but that his failure to save others led to the destruction of his family. So, when Gwi-ju says I can't do this or that, I've got depression, it's not just the words of someone who's been depressed for 7 years. It's the truth that he's feared all of his life, the harsh reality that he is not a saviour, he is someone who brings pain (as he explains in his earlier memory, his happiness meant someone else's tragedy). But Da-hae's words get to him, and while she is a scammer, there is no denying that she has intrigued him enough to reopen his memory-travel power, and then he found the hope he's needed all his life, the hope that he can be a saviour. Just that little shift in his thoughts was enough to bring back his brighter side to the surface over the last few episodes. It's not Da-hae per se, it's the fact he can interact with her in the past, and I think he loves that chance more than he loves her for now. He had a complete different energy and brightness to him. (and he's about to lose it again)
I can already picture his sad little mop-hairdo in the next episodes. Argh, poor Gwi-ju-sshi. I'm available anytime he needs someone shampooing his hair. And I can even put a few cute ribbons in it so Gwi-ju can truly embrace his sad princess era with style. You can be depressed in grey tracksuits with little bows in your hair, bae.
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vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 6:05 AM
I also just really love grumpy MLs who push away their feelings and refuse to admit when they're falling for someone, even though it's obvious they are (I mean, my favorite ML is Nan-do from My Holo Love sooo this tracks for me)
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Elin~auditor
May 21, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Hair has its own character arc and I’m enjoying its development at least as much as that of most other characters.
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.
May 22, 2024 at 9:13 AM
Hair is probably the 6th member of the family on the poster!
vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 5:44 AM
It started out as more symbolic - he's never saved anyone and learning he actually will makes him feel not helpless for once. But, this is also someone he's growing to care for
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2 Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 6:18 PM
Thanks @unit for a fantastic recap and for the brilliance that is 'save us from the Kopiko PPL that has snuck its way into the show'! Indeed.
Clunky Kopiko PPL is one of my favourite 'unintentionally funny' bits in many shows,🤣 but this one didn't have all the usual set-ups - i.e. ostentatious yawning, detectives on stake-out trying to stay focused, candy's working late for evil boss, etc.
It was positively unmotivated, much like our ML for the first 4 eps.... 😁
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hacja
May 20, 2024 at 6:41 PM
I'm a huge fan of Kopiko PPL's myself, so much so that when I'm going to have one, I ostentatiously yawn and say to my wife "I could use a little lift!" Fortunately, she likes Kopikos a lot, (more than I do--I like the PPLs) so she still (fake) chuckles at this tired joke. We both liked this insertion of Kopiko precisely because it lacked the usual lead up.
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Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Lols ;) As I've now watched some of Be Melodramatic (thanks to other Beanie recommends🙏) I like to think they realised too late into the shooting schedule that they had neglected to include the compulsory PPL and so just threw it into the scene randomly...
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Elin~auditor
May 20, 2024 at 11:14 PM
I came away with HUGE admiration for Dong-hee/Claudia Kim acting like the Kopiko was the best thing she'd ever found in the sofa cushions. She managed to look genuinely delighted and momentarily diverted from the family meeting by such a lucky accident!
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3 Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 6:35 PM
I'm so glad we got our FL con confession as the mid-point - as it gives a decent amount of time for the OTP to find their way back to each other (although I have to admit I'm not super invested in their love story yet). 😞
I have not struggled with Da-Hae's character as much as some others, because it always seemed clear to me from the outset that she was 'reluctant' to complete this con, and wasn't as ruthlessly committed as her 'mother' or as cavalier about other's feelings as her 'sister'.
When we learnt that she was in fact being forced to do these cons to pay off her father's debt that made total sense to me. Also the previous two husbands seemed like genuine assholes, so... 🤷♂️
It was also clear that she did care about Yi-na somewhat and was becoming a little attracted to Gwi-Ju. And of course, most importantly, she was actually telling the truth about the shopping centre hand-holding and the flowers.
I actually struggled more to sympathise with some of her actions in Ep 5 when she set up the fake marriage registration and then left Yi-na behind as part of her ploy to make Gwi-ju want her back.... so the self-sacrificing confession at the wedding was an important beat for me.
I hope to see more scenes that make me invest in the central relationship because they are not the characters keeping me here at the moment. That is more Yi-na, Dong Hee and even Grace....
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hacja
May 20, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I see a lot of growth in the character of Da-Hae, so I've come to like her. In fact I like the sister, and Grace seems to have a conscience, and then of course its impossible not to root for In-ha.
I've even come to like the Sauna Mom. Sure, at times she's sinister, but she's also sort of funnily world weary. Also-- got to admit, I find the actress Kim Geum Soon pretty attractive.
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.
May 21, 2024 at 4:18 AM
I do somehow like Sauna Mom and Sauna Uncle because no matter how scummy they are, they have still looked after a kid. And in a way, they've been a more stable and caring family than what Da-hae has had growing up.
Sure, they have a vested interest, but this isn't without caring for her too.
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Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 7:59 PM
...(correcting errors) I hope to see more scenes that make me invest in the central relationship of the OTP because they are not the characters keeping me watching at the moment.
That is more In-ha, Dong-Hee, Grace and even con-bro (weird love triangle incoming??)....
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Yu-nami
May 21, 2024 at 6:14 AM
Yah, I am not sold on their 'love story' as well. I would rather they unpack the family's issues..it might not be everyone's cup of tea as people tend to favor romance. I think this drama would have been fine without it.
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zindigo
May 21, 2024 at 6:32 AM
When the premise of this drama as first announced way back when, I was kind of hoping for a Mary Poppins-esque FL. The romance really isn't necessary to the story.
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4 Procrasti-NationFirstCitizen
May 20, 2024 at 7:12 PM
I still understand nothing about the time travel but I'm still along for the ride. I liked this show from the get-go, and more as I've watched these 2 eps.
My problem with live watches is that I'm often so exhausted at the end of day that I watch in a daze, and need to rewatch during the week. Which is good for keeping me going until the next week, I suppose.
I think he was aware of the wedding outcome before he stood at the altar- his mum might have told him while doing up his tie, because she said something about ripping the bandaid off.
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Procrasti-NationFirstCitizen
May 20, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Ugh I pressed Post before finishing my essay 😆
The interactions between Da Hae and I Na, and with his sister, are the highlight of this show for me. So glad I Na's "friend" has shown her true colours, and the boy has told her his feelings. (Do 13 year olds like other kids that way? I'm scared for my own almost-13 now LOL) I'm also liking the characterisation of scammer mom.
Of course, the fantastic cinematography and music add to my fascination- I still haven't found the title track anywhere, but that song by Lee So Ra has already been added to my Kmusic playlist.
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.
May 21, 2024 at 4:20 AM
some kids do like other kids at that age.
I didn't. I didn't see the point of it (I've met 13-year olds and I didn't find them likeable). But I remember some classmates holding hands and kissing.
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alasecond
May 21, 2024 at 2:33 AM
i genuinely think when mom said this is painful journey... she was referring to FL's pain..
that FL must go through this breakup, pain, realization for it to end with actual love.. and ML might be on it
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5 hacja
May 20, 2024 at 7:31 PM
Thanks, @unit you've expressed my feelings about this show right now pretty exactly. If Gwi-ju is to show himself in anyway redeemed, he has to make an effort with Yi-na. Otherwise, why should we root for him to get together with Da-hae? Right now, I don't care whether he sinks back into depression or not, if he continues to neglect Yi-na. Of course its likely that the show is is making him unappealing on purpose, with further episodes showing continued growth; but if we're supposed to sympathize with his depression now because his powers have heretofore not allowed him to save people, then I'm not having it!
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6 Aigoo-ka-choo
May 20, 2024 at 7:46 PM
Apols - it seems I have quite a lot to get off my chest this week :)
I'm really hoping we are not going to get Gwi-ju reverting to his inert, comatose, depressed self again as a result of this reveal of Da-hee's betrayal.
I so appreciated the beanie discussions in earlier eps about how his character is reflective of someone with PTSD rather than 'just' depression, and I completely agree BUT there are still things I found frustrating about the choices made in his portrayal.
In dramatic terms 'passive' characters are notoriously hard for audiences to identify with - the very definition of a protagonist (from Ancient Gk) is someone who 'struggles' against obstacles - i.e. they are always actively trying to do things, even if they don't succeed. So the show is trying to portray something that is inherently tricky anyway, but that can still be done.
My issue was that from my experience working with people with PTSD, CA or past trauma, there is almost always a keen sense of regret that they are letting down the people they love. They may feel those people would be better off without them, or hate the fact that they may be a burden. They are self-critical about their own performance.
What I didn't get in the earlier eps with Gwi-ju is any real sense that he was trying to ensure that Yi-na was looked after, even if it wasn't by him, or that he was really tormented by how much he was letting her down. I'm not saying that none of that was there, but in my view it wasn't dramatized in a way that helped me to empathise with him.
Another screenwriting/psychology truism is that we sympathise with characters whose flaws only damage themselves (for e.g. we can feel sorry for someone who self-medicates with alcohol/drugs to deal with trauma, but we're much less likely to if they drive drunk and hurt/risk hurting someone else).
I can totally feel sympathy for Gwi-ju's stagnation in response to his PTSD, but I struggle much more with accepting the ways in which he has emotionally (and literally) abandoned his child as a result.
OK rant over, here's some delicious fried chicken and beer to make up for it!! 🍗🍺
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hacja
May 20, 2024 at 8:01 PM
I have, perhaps unfairly, accused Jang Ki-yong of not acting this role very well, but I still think that could be part of it.
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DancingEmma
May 20, 2024 at 9:49 PM
Thanks for this insightful, professionally-imbued and thoughtful comment. I have meant to start watching this but haven’t had a chance as yet. You made me feel more certain.
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vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 5:58 AM
"What I didn't get in the earlier eps with Gwi-ju is any real sense that he was trying to ensure that Yi-na was looked after, even if it wasn't by him, or that he was really tormented by how much he was letting her down"
Gwi-ju's response is EXTREMELY maladaptive. He's so terrified of hurting people that he can't act, and just avoids his feelings or trying to be productive in any way. He can't realize that I-na needs to be protected because he won't let himself think or feel anything. He avoids by drinking, which short-term IS a pretty darn effective way to avoid. I honestly see him as a very realistic character, but maybe it's because I specialize in treating PTSD and see this all of the time.
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vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Also, remember that Gwi-ju isn't a typical case. He's literally been transported back to his trauma and had to relive it, and his inability to act, over and over again. That I think would make many people despondent.
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Martine
May 23, 2024 at 5:50 AM
I love that PTSD was brought up because it makes so much more sense than depression. His superpower is simply a stand-in for PTSD. His sister's power is a stand-in for having lost your joy in life, therefore your lightness, and the mom's superpower is a stand-in for having lost the wisdom to lead her family as head of the household.
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Aigoo-ka-choo
May 22, 2024 at 6:15 PM
I totally appreciate what you are saying in terms of a real world diagnosis for our ML, and my point may not have been very clear.
Essentially my issue is nothing to do with how 'realistic' his behaviour might be, but how it is DRAMATISED.
This is a drama, not a doco on PTSD (and frankly even in a doco, there would be talking head interviews with experts such as your good self, that would explain this so that viewers could understand and empathise.)
A drama has different needs for making characters sympathetic and I don't think they've handled this very well here. I don't think it's that hard to make a character with PTSD sympathetic, I've seen various portrayals that have done this, but I don't think these filmmakers have nailed that brief and the combination of writing, directing and performance isn't delivering as effectively as it could. That's likely why some viewers have struggled with Gwi-ju...
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7 Kathryn51
May 20, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Comment was deleted
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8 Kathryn51
May 20, 2024 at 7:55 PM
@unit, when I read your recap regarding Gwi-ju and Da Hae, specifically . . . ”and I rolled my eyes so hard, they fell to the back of my throat." I could do nothing but give you cyber-applause.
This “romance” leaves me stone cold. I actually like the idea of con-lady Da-Hae gradually – and then suddenly – having a guilty conscience. But I’m confident that I will never accept that Gwi-ju will ever deserve “hero” status . To date, “VICTIM” is the only personality Gwi-ju reflects. “I’m a victim of guilt” – so please fogive me for neglecting my family and disappearing over and over again while my baby girl and wife were alone and then virtually abandoned that daughter for another seven years. Writer-nim – do you honestly consider this “romantic” and “healing”? GAAAAAHHHHH – I can’t.
Meanwhile, I am fascinated by all of the other characters in this drama because every single one of them has a specific/individual personality other than "victim". I’m not crazy about a "crush romance" between 13 year olds, but Moon Woo Jin andPark So Yi are charming and the mom in me wants to just fold the two of them in my arms.
Finally - many feel that Father Eom Soon Gu is suspicious but maybe writer is laying it on a little too thick. Yi-na trusts him more than anyone else in the family and after 7 years w/her power, please don't try to convince me that she wouldn't have figured him out as a bad guy before now. Really - please.😊
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9 kd6606
May 20, 2024 at 8:28 PM
All this time-travel seems circular. He is told something happened so he goes back to see if it happened which makes it happen. What am I missing?
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10 Kurama
May 20, 2024 at 8:57 PM
I'm just watching for Yi-Na, the poor girl is so deprived of love, she prefers spendind time with a bully and talking to a scammer than her father...
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11 Bunny Sonaki
May 20, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Mixed feelings is the exact word to describe my feelings about the show. I admit the drama is addictive and Da-hae is growing on me somehow. But the Bok family minus I-na are plain stupid. You know the woman is a fraud but you still go through with the marriage. Man-heum and Father are unbearable. And I can't even understand what Gwi-ju is thinking. Character-wise I am not fond of the drama but the mystery part is well-written.
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Kathryn51
May 21, 2024 at 9:31 AM
I think Mom knew exactly what was going to happen and figured it was the only way to convince her son that Da Hae was a fraud,
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Jingbee
May 22, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Because that is exactly what she dreamed so she made it happen.
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12 .
May 21, 2024 at 4:34 AM
So, I might be completely wrong on this one. But I seem to vaguely remember that Shin Min-a character in Our Blues is a depressed mother who is fairly useless at being a mother. Admittedly, her character is excused for the depression because of the trauma of witnessing her dad drives into the sea. Even in the recaps, there was a deeper understanding for what she was going through, compared to the general feeling we get for what Gwi-ju has been going through (which was to not only witness multiple times the same traumatic loss but also to desperately try and fail every single time to save someone; perpetually feeling like he is the reason why those he cared for died because he couldn't save them)
Our Blues depressed mom was tragic as a mother. I'm not sure in what ways Gwi-ju has been worse (sure he drinks but we've never seen any hint of being uncontrollable or violent; he just drinks to get numb) but there's an element of unfair bias against him. We were much more lenient with Shin Min-a's character.
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Seon-ha
May 21, 2024 at 4:52 AM
I'm not watching this drama, but I'm here to give tons of opinions. Just joking. Well, joking-lite, anyway.
I have been waiting on the sidelines for this glow-up, tho, so went over to check.
They looked a wee bit much like siblings at that wedding--has that been bugging you at all, Cecee? I'm thinking of watching this after it has completed its initial run...
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.
May 21, 2024 at 5:12 AM
What's bugging me even more is the fact the majority of comments are about what a terrible, bad, awful dad he is... but then if you switch to Our Blues suddenly she's a poor, depressed woman that people fail to protect and understand... And I'm just thinking: How is it fair? Why is his depression not taken seriously and never seen for what it is, while if you take a cute girl, then suddenly viewers become 100x? Why is she excused for her inadequacy as a mother and he still needs to prove he can be a caring dad?
On the chemistry point: We haven't yet reached a completely honest and transparent relationship (I mean, she's a scammer, so no wonders) But I don't know... I tend to not see chemistry where others claim it's here (see King the Land How boring was that? What chemistry where? I don't see it but the story was writing with not one ounce of intelligence so that might have ruined it for me) and I have no problem with Gwi-ju/Da-hae scenes together. I don't see it as swoon-worthy (thanks fuck, I hate swoon), but I find them captivating together. The glow-up is not about Gwi-ju suddenly turning into Prince Charming. He looked the same before. But I find he brings more energy and more intentional presence, while he looked and behaved like he wanted to numb himself from the world before. Also, I do have that strange fascination about wanting to put a little kawaii bow in his hair, not sure why. Gwi-ju deserves a little bow. He deserves to feel he's worthy even if he hasn't saved anyone.
I-na does deserve a massive fucking bow too... but I remember I started writing a long comment about I-na's own perception of herself and her own sense of guilt (as she expresses it when we first met her, and the fact that she doesn't want to "be saved") but then it got too long and I got tired half-way through typing.
Anyway lots of thoughts and little coherence from me. You're most welcome!
Also honestly has nobody watched Dr Who is? How is time travel confusing?
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Kurama
May 21, 2024 at 5:37 AM
I think there was a difference in Our Blues, she was trying to be with her kid but she couldn't as she put her in danger.
But in his case, nobody is really trying in the family.
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Seon-ha
May 21, 2024 at 5:38 AM
Yes, I hear that. If all genders were equal in their inherent relationship to power, then greater equity would reign. As it is, expectations do differ. That's no reason for anyone's empathy to flag, however, if it has been raised!
I also hear you saying that there is little patience for our ML's possible growth at this point in the drama...I find this happens quite a bit when things aren't going totally to tropey-plan. Is that what you're finding? Is this perhaps another reason that this drama would work best as a binge because it will be clearer where we are headed? (Asking for a friend, obvs).
Next question, are we 100% sure that we know who Yi-na's genetic mother is?
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hacja
May 21, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Oh, I'm sure there will be growth in the ML In that way, its going exactly as tropey-planned. There is a problem, though, in that even if the character becomes a happy go lucky, caring Dad, Jang Ki-yong will still be portraying him as a depressive sufferer of PTSD. That his acting forte.
Seon-ha
May 21, 2024 at 8:15 AM
@hacja I see you have avoided my more pointed last question...
hacja
May 21, 2024 at 8:28 AM
@attiton If by last question, you mean the one about Yi-na's genetic mother, you are right, a nice twist would be that he went back into the past, and because Da-Hae is the only one he can touch, slept with her and Da-Hae gave birth to Yi-na. However, I think Da-Hae was in high school at the time, unless she had also gone back to the past as an adult woman, which could be. Or maybe Yi-na as an infant could have gone back to the past.
I think any concerns about chemistry between the leads, not to mention a loving father, could be alleviated by a mass traveling back to the past. At least that's the lesson I learned from squeeing during Lovely Runner.
.
May 21, 2024 at 10:14 AM
However the situation is turned, I still see no neglect. I see a kid who doesn’t want to be around her family because (in her own words) her birth brought them misery. She clearly states she doesn’t want to be rescued (a comment on her dad giving her a soft toy a year until he is ready to be the hero she needs). But in times of need, she calls them (which I don’t imagine a neglected kid being able to even consider as an option) I see a dad who can’t escape survivor’s guilt and who’s feeling worthless because he’s been forced by his own brain to reive the same traumatic thing actively without being able to save a soul. Perhaps, I only see what makes sense to me 🤷🏻♀️
Well, I think we were sure about Yi-na’s mom, yes. It is implied that Da-hae was in high-school when Yi-na was born.
I believe binge-watching is a better option for this one. Unfortunately I have already started and cannot stop! Well… Will have to stop because I have my mom coming over this weekend. But I do enjoy the emotional awakening of Gwi-ju and of Yi-na too (in a different kind)
Hanamana
May 21, 2024 at 10:56 AM
We are 100% sure who is Yi-na's mom. We've seen her in the hospital after giving birth with the baby and Gwi-joo.
vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 5:53 AM
I don't see it as physical chemistry, but emotional. They have this really sweet emotional connection, even if Gwi-ju denies it (omg, I loved how he kept going back to the kiss that he claimed to have hated.)
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Yu-nami
May 21, 2024 at 6:20 AM
This is why I think the show could have done more to depression and PTSD among men and what that looks like, to tackle the stereotypes that exist around these issues.
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hacja
May 21, 2024 at 8:16 AM
@cecee Re KTL: Apparently a kiss so hot between Junho and Yoona that it turns on the sprinklers and floods the soup, ruining a perfectly good meal, leaves you unmoved. You must study inorganic chemistry.
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.
May 21, 2024 at 9:49 AM
I died of boredom before reaching said kiss
vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 5:55 AM
It was barely a glow-up. I was like, you can't even cut your hair for your WEDDING, Gwi-ju?
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hacja
May 21, 2024 at 9:16 AM
It was just failure to cut, it was failure to even comb! This is becoming one of my pet peeves with kdrama MLs. They have this beautiful, full head of hair, and they bowl-cut it, or don't comb it, or perm it and die it orange, and then when they do make an effort to get fancy, they load it full of product, or as we used to call it, "greasy kid stuff" (This phrase was from a Vitalis hair care ad in the 1960s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3s284_8JvQ&t=24s
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.
May 21, 2024 at 9:50 AM
I feel victimised having a similar hair (lack of) style 😭
Dylan [is crying bc of Umi no Hajimari]
May 21, 2024 at 6:43 AM
So I'm not alone in following with the recaps without watching the drama itself? But based on the comments and where the show is going, I'm getting really tempted to watch this!
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13 vienibenmio
May 21, 2024 at 5:51 AM
I was REALLY worried about the wedding happening so quickly, but this show always manages to surprise me and subvert my expectations. I love that Da-hae already revealed the deception, and the reveal that insomnia mom knew more all along than she was letting on. Ditto I-na, although I think we all saw that one coming.
Gwi-ju needs to stop saying "wow, this is such a happy day that I'm going to revisit again and again." It seems like a jinx, lol
Did Dong-hee lose weight from a massage? Is the message that her weight gain wasn't actually a real physiological thing but some sort of supernatural psychosomatic response? That made ZERO sense to me, but I'm glad she's happier. I also love how smart she is compared to the rest of her family. She picks up on stuff so much more quickly! The only one as smart in this drama is Ki-ho, who isn't dumb enough to know that I-na wasn't lying.
Speaking of I-na, that was hard to watch. oh, honey. Is Hye-rim REALLY sinister? A lot of people seem to think she is on Reddit. But, she hasn't really overtly asked for any of the things I-na has done to bend over backwards for her, right? There are things she's thought, not realizing that I-na could read the thoughts, and she's a teenager so she's gonna be more self-centered. Granted, she could have turned down the gifts. I was like, why haven't you asked Ki-ho out before this? It sounds like it's less her being upset about I-na and Ki-ho than, like, she's just creeped out that I-na can sense her innermost wishes? That's fair, actually.
Also, I know that I-na is cute, but I think it's kind of soon for Ki-ho to have a crush on her. I would have liked him to be befriend her more first. He barely knows her. Actually, this whole episode I was thinking I'd prefer I-na to have a healthy family life than a boyfriend, even if it IS Ki-ho.
That flashback with the fire just really got me. I actually teared up. I haven't cried during a drama since Castaway Diva (Ki-ho, good job picking 'em). I also loved the other time travel stuff. It was really self-centered of Gwi-ju not to realize that asking Da-hae about her trauma would upset her. The shoe tying thing made up for it. I also think it's fakey he's in as good of shape as he is, but he IS a kdrama lead sooo.
Finally, i love seeing Da-hae's moments of sincerity. I had this feeling all along that she really did care for I-na, and this episode we saw that she does.
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ar_arguably romantic
May 21, 2024 at 5:15 PM
I think some of Dong-hee's weight was likely fluid retention from something wonky with her lymphatic system and the massage helped drain the fluid. I love Dong-hee too. Both for her and Gwi-ju - seems like all it takes is for someone to notice them and drag them to do something that shifts their confidence just enough to find their way to a happier ending.
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14 pliplipli
May 21, 2024 at 12:37 PM
all the romance chemistry in this drama is with yina and her crush. I love both leading actors but they are not doing anything for me.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:54 PM
They have a long way to go (half the drama) but the OTP has slowly started to twinkle, maybe they will shine soon.
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15 GySgt213
May 21, 2024 at 1:01 PM
"Show better have a damn good reason as to why everything and everyone orbits around Da-hae."
I would not count on this. At all.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:52 PM
Ha ... it would be a
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16 GySgt213
May 21, 2024 at 1:52 PM
I hope Yi-na eventually gets a good female friend her age.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:50 PM
She's trusting and relying upon Da-hae which is one person more than who she can rely upon in her family. Hopefully as she gains confidence, I-na will open up and be able to make friends.
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17 lapislazulii
May 21, 2024 at 4:27 PM
I'm not watching this show but had say "But the Nile is a river in Egypt whose waters steer him into declaring that the kiss was “meh” — and this earns him a deserved punch to the face by Da-hae. Lol." is a line that deserves a 👏 👏 👏 👏
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:47 PM
And just for this you should hang out in the recaps!! 😍
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18 ar_arguably romantic
May 21, 2024 at 5:26 PM
I actually love this drama now. I'm really digging the push and pull of not only the couple but of the two families. Sometimes Sauna Family has the upper hand, and sometimes Rich Family does and I sort of cheer AND jeer for both teams since there are likable and dislikable elements to both families. I find this tit-for-tat tension a lot better than some shows where it seems like the bad guys are just winning and cackling until the final few episodes. I loved how they had Da-hae totally freaked out by Ina's powers. That's what you get for scamming!
I loved how Ina pretty much allowed Da-hae to scam the family because she wanted to get back at her grandma for being so power-obsessed and because she was curious to see a con artist in action. That was a my favorite scene. Ina can be a tough cookie like her Auntie Dong-hee, whom I am hoping will form a friendship with Grace.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:40 PM
What a wonder expression "cheer and jeer for both teams". 👏👏👏👏 Yes, indeed that is exactly what we're doing!! 😂
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19 Miju
May 22, 2024 at 7:20 AM
I haven't been able to pin point as to why but theres something that keeps me coming back to this drama every week. I'm like a curious cat with a head tilt watching everything play out with sparks of emotion every now and then. Not my typical drama watching pattern, pun intended.
Yi Na and Dong Hee should be leading this family is what Ive concluded. Gwi Ju's approach to Yi Na needs to be 100% more proactive or as much as his pursuit of Da Hae and saving is; pre teens do need their space Gwi Ju but youve given more than enough of that to last a lifetime so I think its time to change tactics.
Did connect with Da Hae for the very first time in these episodes so thats a plus..? Was also glad she chose to come clean herself. Id like to think Gwi Ju will not regress in response, but I'm not too sure.
As for why everything seems to revolve around her, I too hope we will be given a good reason, but I'm not betting on it.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:37 PM
The drama is very engrossing in an atypical way. While watching the episodes I don't think I'm that invested but then through the week I keep on wondering from time tontime as to how we'll progress and on drama days I keep refreshing the app to check if by chance the drama has been uploaded a little earlier. 😊
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20 Jingbee
May 23, 2024 at 1:24 PM
Liked episode 6, this is the best episode so far where it seems to me that all the context and background since ep 1 now clicked into place and we now have a story journey to start. Now that the scammers have been outed and the Bok powers have been restored though altered, time to sit back and see how the writers will unfold the rest of the story. Will there be twists and turns? I hope there will be. Show, please be as atypical as you are now and ignore the comments expecting you to be a typical romcom.
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🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:32 PM
I like that even halfway through the drama we are not yet clear about where we're headed but are excited to be led by the show with its atypical characters and progression.
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21 🌸 Cera (@Seeker) 🌸
May 26, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Thank you for the recap.
The back and forth between the OTP has now started sparking a bit. Da-hae's excellent forehand technique 🎾 was a perfect response to Gwi-ju's assessment of the kiss as Meh!!
Initially curious, Gwi-ju seems more and more intrigued and enamored by Da-hae in equal parts. While he was always obsessed / pulled back to the school fire and bemoaning his inability to actually do anything, even the mere though that he may have actually saved someone, even if she claims it was only possible because he loves her 🙄 is in a way comforting to him. He's inspired by this possibility to actually try and do something about it. Thanks to K-drama magic
and Da-hae's true lovehe is instantly un-depressed and un-alcoholic and voilà ready to marry Da-hae.I-na is the real star of the show. TBH I'm more interested in her and Da-hae's relationship. I'm not surprised that Da-hae sees herself in I-na and wants to protect her. This savior complex is something what Da-hae shares with Gwi-ju although both have been seemingly incapable of saving anyone yet (or so they think) but I do feel that ultimately the person they need to save is themselves.
While Da-hae had an inkling about I-na's ability earlier, the reveal has her all panicked and running to the
saunahills screaming and shouting. 😂I'm not sure if I'm impressed or meh about Gwi-ju's attempts to woo
is that what he was doing?Da-hae for marriage (with I-na's blessings and support) but when they are finally walking down the aisle, Da-hae pulls the plug on that with a reveal of her own.I'm more and more drawn to the drama every week and the last scenes are invariably a great hook.
See you next week drama. Be good.
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