Because we already know that there are dark episodes ahead, it’s become more imperative to focus on these heart-fluttering moments and savor them while we can.

Even as I list them down now, I see that a number of heart-fluttering moments already have a hint of sadness in them. For instance, when WH and YJ watched the romantic sunset together, YJ mused about the time when her time in the sun would end.

And I can see that their words, and even their silences, have consequences. Dialogues and promises will signify something more in the future than what they seem at the moment. To me, they’re actually harbingers of trouble, like when YJ promised WH that she wouldn’t leave him to be lonely ever. There’s a looming irony in such overconfident assertion.

But oh well. This is to be expected of course in a kdrama. We’re in the 5th week after all. The story has to go down before it can go up again. So fighting!

Note: I was having trouble uploading pictures earlier so I delayed this post. Will probably edit when I can tonight.

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1. He rescues YooJung from Kang Hye Joo…

and singles her out as the “person I love.”

Kang Hye Joo is like a natural disaster. In the event of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, snowstorms, and earthquakes, we evacuate our loved ones first. WooHyun’s first concern after seeing Wannabe Wife and YooJung together is to get YooJung safely out of the room and as far as possible from the destructive force of Wannabe Wife.

As for Wannabe Wife, the least interaction with her, the better. She wants his love and attention. It’s right that he distances himself from her.

However, MY problem with this fluttering moment is that WH fails to grab this opportunity to enlighten YJ about the situation. He returns home to work on some wood-working project while he allows YJ to go home, ignorant and confused about the Wannabe Wife’s interference. He leaves her in the dark of his impending engagement.

In a way, WH’s behavior is consistent with his coping mechanism. Often when people face a threat, they either have a fight or flight response. Too often, WH chooses flight or avoidance. He doesn’t confront the problem head-on and put at end to it all. Just count how many times he’s warned his mom or dad to stop doing X, and his parent still continued X with impunity. 🤪 He opts to withdraw or isolate himself.

I’m sure this coping tactic worked well when he was younger but now that’s an adult, with a woman to protect, he needs to change and stick around to fight. (Thumbs down 👎 to volunteering with “Doctors Goodwill Volunteer.”)

Had he taken the time to come clean with YJ and to explain his dysfunctional family, he could have averted the fall-out in Episode 10.

2. His letter and the breakfast food

Not my idea of breakfast 😂 but…

His letterhead says, “Your smile completes my day.”

His letter:

I see you everyday through dramas and movies, and I haven’t forgotten you for a single day. Eat well and hang in there. Don’t be sick. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to keep the promise that I made to you last time about coming to see you at your shoot. This time, I’ll keep the promise I made with you to go to the beach together. I won’t make you wait long, I promise. I really miss you.

She answers, “I really miss you.” And begins to eat heartily.

This is heartwarming because he senses that YJ is taking their separation badly and takes care of her. Like a boyfriend.

3. Meanwhile, at his place, he sets his table for two.

He used to set this for his mom. But now, it’s for YooJung. In Episode 7, his mother had given him her blessings.

4. His love disease

The fainting spell is cheesy but 🤷‍♀️. With hands on his forehead, he looks like a damsel-in-distress given to swooning when he describes his complaints to his doctor, Stephyung. “I can’t get in touch with her. She’s gotten her cellphone and computer taken away. She’s monitored 24/7.”

He even nods his head, like a long-suffering lover, when Stephyung’s wife exclaims that YooJung is basically “locked up.”

“Ooohh. The pain! The unbearable pain!”

Dr. Stephyung’s prescribes, “You should swoop in and make a big move to turn things around. Do it!” He recounts how he won his wife’s hand, as if his story is something to be emulated. According to him, he used up his allowance to pay for their escape and they ran away to Gangwon-do, leaving the parents no choice but to give their permission immediately.

But, as silly as Stephyung’s whole escapade was, I think WooHyun’s hopes for the same outcome is even sillier! lol. He thinks he too can easily persuade YJ’s Unnie to change her mind and allow them to date.

YJ complains: I can’t see the face of someone I miss and I can’t hear his voice either. I’m not even allowed to go out. I thought I was going to die from frustration. But still, it’s so nice to be with you like this. (Notice how her grievances echoed his earlier complaints to StepHyung? lol)

Encouraged by his StepHyung’s story and advice, he tells YJ, “When I go to Seoul, I will negotiate with CEO Han.”

See that? In a peculiarly naive confidence, he thinks the YH’s Unnie will capitulate as easily as the parents-in-law of his StepHyung. Because he ran away with YJ and they love each other, Unnie has no choice but to give her permission immediately.

YJ is the more realistic one. She says, “It’s not going to be easy,” and he tells her, “Until we go to Seoul, let’s forget it all and enjoy our time.”

She agrees, “All right. Let’s not think of anything. Just be as is.”

5. Secret Cupid

In Roman mythology, Venus is the goddess of love and Mercury is the messenger of the gods. They have one offspring Cupid who’s known as the “mascot” of love. He delivers the love messages between lovers. Here in this kdrama, the secret Cupid is the new trainee at YJ’s company.

This is heart-fluttering because it tells us that he’s finding CREATIVE ways to contact her. We want him to show resourcefulness. In the previous episode, it was YooJung who contacted his Stephyung’s wife to arrange a meeting with him. So now it’s HIS turn to demonstrate initiative. When there’s a will, there’s a way.

6. Couple cute expressions

When YH finds out that her Donsaeng is helping her go on a trip with WH, she looks astonished. The expression on her face is adorable, and she reminded me of a fluffy puppy excited for treats.

Meanwhile, WH is pacing in his apartment and waiting anxiously for her call. lol. Who says this guy isn’t handsome? I don’t care. To me, he’s handsome whenever he wears the goofy smile that she gave him.

I thought this is sweet because they’re behaving like 30-something star-crossed lovers. Only in kdramas…🙂

7. Clothes!

I’m sorry I miscounted. He buys her three dresses and one hoodie.
I thought this is cute because he only approves of “conservative” dresses for her.

Notice that?? No plunging necklines and backless dresses? hahaha.

She’s “his” woman alright.

8. Couple cute expressions, pt 2

I like that they both have these huge grins on their faces when they looked at each other.

But YJ gives me butterflies when she glances at him again as if she finds him simply irresistible. His eyes are already on the road but she has this “I love this guy!” look pasted on her face.

Then, in the next instant, she’s initiating physical contact. With one hand, she holds his arm, and with the other hand, she turns over his hand to interlace fingers with him.

To me this is a sign that she’s profoundly happy to be with him.

Typically, when a woman clings to her man’s arm, it shows dependence and femininity. YJ relies on WH and feels protected with him beside her. When she moves to intertwine their fingers together, she’s showing a desire to feel close to him. She’s missed him a lot and she can’t wait to connect with him.

Of course, he’s just as thrilled as she is about being together — and holding hands.

9. Perusing a toddler’s hanbok in public

This is cute because it tells me that he considers having children in his future. And when he’s already considered children, then he’s already considered marriage, too. And when he’s considered marriage, then it’s because he’s found someone he can envision settling down with.

See the domino effect we romantics can dream off just at the sight of a guy holding a toddler hanbok?

Of course, it’s also possible that he only picked out that toddler hanbok randomly, accidentally. 🤪

10. Looking beautiful

I explain this already:

11. Eating street food

… because eating street food is a de rigueur in kdramas.

Besides she looks like a 1950s diva (even with her ridiculous get-up) slumming it with a commoner.

12. High five (flashback from Episode 10)

This isn’t heart-fluttering exactly but I think it’s funny so I’ll mention it here.

This is a high five. You point your five fingers up high in the air to slap hands with another person to celebrate a feat.

This is when your high five gets rejected. You’re said to be “left hanging”. Hahaha, Tom Brady!

This is high five with a superiority complex.

But THIS is holding hands up in the air. It definitely isn’t a high five.

It’s funny because he really intends to give her a high five to congratulate her, but she wants to hold hands with him instead. He’s quick-witted however and switches to locking fingers with her.

Just like when they held hands in the car, YJ initiates the hand-holding. As I’ve said before, she’s the hands-on, handsy person while he’s the arms-wrap-around hugger.

13. Watching the sunset

I wrote about it elsewhere but I’ll repost here so it’s easier for me to find it later.

WH: Delicious! It’s really delicious.
YJ: Oh no!
WH: (teasing her) Can you eat like that? (tries to take it away)
YJ: I’m fine! (pushing his hand away) I love this stuff. I just couldn’t eat it because I have to take care of my body. But I really love it and really enjoy eating it. And what’s there to worry about? I’ve got a running partner now. A pale-faced looking man. (I think she’s teasing him that he almost didn’t survive their marathon last time.)
WH: I’ll have to decline no matter how much you like it. (teasing her back)
YJ: (peeved) Really? That’s so disappointing. (he just laughs)
WH: (looking at the sunset) Wah!

YJ: I’ll have to wane one day, too. I wonder if I can do it beautifully like the sunset.
WH: Why do you think you have to wane? You can just rise as the sun in the day and rise as the moon at night?
YJ: Just that I can’t be the twenty or thirty-something Yoon YooJung forever. Someday, (I’ll be) someone’s mom or someone’s grandma? It’ll be a bit scary and dreadful.

I think this is cute because he was looking at a hanbok for a toddler girl in the market earlier. They both share a vision of settling down and having a family.

WH: Grandma Yoon YooJung would be more elegant and charming, I think.
YJ: Right?
WH: Yes.
YJ: Aigo. WooHyun, you’re such a charmer. Oh my! I think a grandma is a no. (suddenly turning serious) I want to ask you something and you will answer honestly, right?
WH: (nodding)

This reminds me of the Truth or Consequences game again.

YJ: If I weren’t a star and had nothing, would you have still liked me?
WH: (pretending to be stumped for an answer) This is some troublesome question.

Now, he’s done this to her before. When she asked whether that Chaebol daughter was pretty, he also teased her, answering that she had a unique beauty.

To WH, she’s again asking a serious question with no-brainer answer so he teases her. But his answer is important to her not only because she needs reassurance of his lasting affections, but also because she’s considering whether to give up her money and fame for him.

YJ: (pretending to be unconcerned but looking sad. She sighs.)
WH: (chuckling) If your heart and your gaze are the same, I’m sure I would have liked you.

Meaning, it doesn’t matter to him if she’s famous or rich. He likes her for her goodness (her “heart) and her sincerity (her “gaze”). This reminds me of their first breakfast conversation. Back then, YH told him that she could partly understand people by looking at their eyes, and that she also put her heart and the things she wanted to say in her eyes. He then pointed out that she should have discerned her ex’s heart in his gaze better then. She agreed, “That would have been better. I was so blinded by love that I couldn’t read it well. So I wrote and read it the way I wanted, and that’s how I ended up here.”

It’s clearer now that, because of her past experience, YJ proceeds more cautiously with WH now.

YJ: (smiling happily at WH’s answer) My ramen is all swollen. (then repeating herself as she inches closer to lean on him) My ramen is all swollen.

I told @agdr03 that I thought there were two interpretations here. Literally, her ramen noodles are overcooked so they’ve become “swollen” or soggy and mushy. But I think that she’s also referring to her feelings. She’s overwhelmed by his declaration “If your heart and gaze are the same, I’m sure I’d have liked you” that she feels all mushy and gooey inside…just like the noodles.

And that’s why she puts away her ramen, scoots over to his side and rests her head on his shoulder. She’s like a limp, mushy, overcooked (or overwhelmed) noodle who wants to canoodle. lol.

14. Sharing a room

Innkeeper: It’s this room. Perfect timing. I’ve got just one room left. (WH sees her flushed cheeks.) You said two days, right?
WH: Yes.
Innkeeper: Think of it as your own home while you stay and rest well. Oh, I’ll bring you another blanket.

Me: What for?? The blankets already inside the room won’t be used anyway. 

WH: Why is there only one room?
YJ: I know. Why is there only one room? (they look at each other) He said only one room is left. (she leaves to go to room)
WH: I guess I’ve got no choice. (follows her)

Inside their room, they start unpacking. He avoids looking at her, but she’s studying him.

WH: I didn’t create this situation on purpose so don’t misunderstand.

lol. I think HE’s the one who misunderstood her question earlier. He thinks that she suspects HIM of plotting this, so they can share a room together. He thinks she’s worried that he’d take advantage of her.

No. To me, when she said, “I know. Why is there only one room. He said only one room is left,” she’s only parroting what HE said AND giving him the answer. He had asked a rhetorical question, “Why is there only one room?” And she copied his rhetorical question and then answered it. “Why is there only one room? BECAUSE the innkeeper said there was only one room left.” Obviously, all the others were taken already by other travelers in the night.

See that? What else could she say? She could hardly make small talk or make light of the awkward situation.

YJ: I think it’d be more of a misunderstanding if you leave me alone.

Good point! She meant that if he had caused a fuss earlier and objected to sharing a room with her, the innkeeper would find them both weird.

Moreover, if he fussed about their sleeping arrangements, SHE herself would begin to misunderstand him, too. Like this:

a. he was protesting too much. Was he feeling guilty about something?
b. he thought that SHE was going to pounce on him. How dare him! lol.
c. he likes her but is not physically attracted to her. What?!

WH: Then…we can sleep her together?
YJ: (nods head, smiles secretly).

15. Falling in love

WH: When you’re in love, they say you’re FALLING in love, right? Do you know why?
YJ: No, I don’t.
WH: When you fall into something, you dig deep and you’re at the bottom.

lol. I thought he was going to crack a joke here! Something cheesy like. “Do you know you fall in love? Because you can fall in a pile of cow poop, or you can fall in the deep blue sea. But the best place to fall…is to fall in love with me.” lol.

YJ: If you dig into a person deeply, then you’ll discover that person’s ugly sides, too.

WH: But still, let’s not hate each other and push each other away. I hope we can always trust each other. (she nods in agreement)

The important thing to remember here is that he’s preparing to disclose his family background. This is a lead-up to his confession.  He anticipates YooJung to get hurt and angry when she finds out about his connection with Kanghan and Choeso groups so he’s making her promise not to hate and push each other away. He’s asking her to stick with him even when she sees his “ugly sides”.

I already commented on his need for someone to stick with him. Three weeks ago in the comment section with @Agdr03, I discussed this fear of being abandoned in my post re. the YJ’s father’s marriage advice.

YJ’s father counseled him that “Dating, you should do with someone you like. Marriage, you should do with a good person.” I questioned his meaning and the relevancy of this advice to the story.

This is what I wrote back three weeks ago (with minor edits). I still stand by it.

Dating = need a likable person
Marriage = need a good person to make union last. Goodness works both ways. (Awesome point there!)

WH needs a good person. Hmmm… why? So far, I can only come up three reasons. Did I get everything?

A. bec he’s searching for someone who can restore his faith in marriage after witnessing his mom’s failed marriage.
B. bec he has abandonment issues after his dad left them. If YJ has daddy issues bec of the fire, he too has a deep-seated anger bec of his dad abandoning him for 30 of his 32 years of life. That’s why he’s agitated whenever YJ leaves without a word.
C. bec going forward, he needs someone who’ll stick by him, (as you said, @agdr03) whatever happens, the good and the bad. This good person will have to be open-minded, give him the benefit of the doubt, and find the GOOD in him, too.

Remember, too, he shouted at his father for abandoning his stepbrother bec HE failed to live up to expectations. According to stepmom, stepbrother has been good child, but bec of constant insecurity that the father would withdraw love and support, the stepbrother made mistakes. In WH’s mind, however, his father shouldn’t have abandoned son bec son made mistakes. He grew angry at his father for doing that.

Given WH’s pre-requisites for a good woman, I think YJ’s weakness will be #3. Oddly enough. 😂

Based on her track record, that is, her refusal to forgive her dad for the death of her mother, she isn’t the type to stick with it through “thick or thin.” After the accident (or the “thin” part of life), she cut off her Dad and now, we learned that she even banned her brother and friend to have contact with him. So in Dad’s mind, she’s not exactly a “good person” in the sense that she’s unforgiving, pitiless, heartless, unforgiving.

But in a curious way, both YJ and WH are similar. They lack … hmmm…a quality of mercy?

YJ can’t forgive her dad in the same way that WH can’t forgive his dad. Look, I understand that they were badly hurt by these people. But at some point, their angry towards both fathers is warping them into “bad people.”

As it is, every time YJ offers help to WH, he turns apeshit crazy (or bad person). If she finds out that WH has been consorting with her “mom’s murderer” — the same person she BANNED her brother and friend from meeting — then will she turn into a queen bitch and also ban WH from meeting him? Or separate from him?

Their childhood traumas can make them future “bad persons” unless they resolve the problem and remove this anger festering within them.

16. The Ring

I already explained that here. I might copy-and-paste here later when I’ve time.

17. The Kiss

WH: I have something I have to tell you.
YJ: Is it something serious?
WH: To me, it’s really something difficult to say.
YJ: If it’s something serious, let’s talk about it tomorrow. Today, let’s just talk about fun and enjoyable things. (he gave her a look) That look!

He thinks it’s time to confess BUT he accepts her reluctance to broach a serious topic right then.

WH: Alright. What do you want to do tomorrow?
YJ: Tomorrow? You’ll do whatever I say? (nods) Then, I want to try something I’ve never done. Fishing?
WH: Fishing? (nods) And?
YJ: Also, have you tried zip lining? The one where you slide down? (he shakes his head)
WH: Okay, let’s try that. Tomorrow I’ll escort you like the Queen. Just entrust yourself to me.
YJ: What the … Queen? Seriously! I like princesses though.

Just useless info. I’m told that “princess” is a term of endearment for girlfriends in Korean. Gong-ju-nim.

Anyway, I like how they’re laughing like this before the kiss. He changes his position and then moves her to face him. It doesn’t take her long to figure out what he intends to do: smooch. Smooth. 

It reminded me of that scene from Pride and Prejudice. Except of course MacFayden kisses better. lol.