My problem with this kdrama is that I think KNOW, every week, I’m getting played by the director+writer and I’m still falling for it.
Every Tuesday night, they toss me a bone of dilemma and, me being a female dog (aka bitch), I gnaw at it all week until I’ve a toothache by the time Monday evening rolls in again. 🐶
This was the first bone they tossed at me three weeks ago, on Tuesday March 13, at the end of Episode 4. I couldn’t make sense of it even now.
Shihyun told Taehee that she should be able to recognize him because that was their third encounter.
credit: ahjummanshies
SH: You don’t have to thank me. (for getting rid of the pervert)
His phone rings. It’s the pervert demanding his payment.
TH: Was this a setup with that pervert
SH: What?
TH: Why did you let him go? I couldn’t take him to the police because of you. (Because he threw the pervert off the bus).
SH: Well, I…
TH: Ohhh, and you’ve checked my background too. If not, how did you show up at KyungJoo’s place yesterday? And how did you end up on this bus?
SH: You must not remember at all. This is the third time we met. And the second time we met on a bus.
Her face expressed surprise.
SH: You finally recognize me. Nice to meet you. Eun Tae Hee.
Three times? Huh?
I don’t what vexed me more: that this guy does not know how to count or that he has selective amnesia. How can he have forgotten that he almost ran over her on the evening of the his father’s engagement when he’s seen the bandage on her knee?
Until now, I still haven’t figured out why SH said three times, and it keeps me awake at night….
Then, two weeks ago on Tuesday March 20, at the end of Episode 8, the director/writer left me another bone to ponder.
Shihyun told himself, “Inside me, a secret started to grow.”
At first, this confused me because I was uncertain what his secret was.
a. Did he mean that his and SJ’s secret plan to seduce TH was now set to begin because he’d confirmed that TH liked him?
b. Did he mean that he was going to keep his feelings for TH secret from SJ and SJoo? He started to like TaeHee but he knew that SJ would vehemently oppose this.
To me, Option B became clearer in the succeeding episodes. He was going to try to keep his SJ in the dark about his ongoing courtship.
In Episodes 9 to 12, we saw the following happened:
he hid from SJ and SJoo that he helped and found TH a place in his apartment building.
he pretended that he and Taehee hadn’t seen each other for quite some time, and that they were distant acquaintances.
he didn’t want TH joining them on their weekender at the villa. He tried to keep her away from his friends.
Also, he also didn’t want to tell SJ that he was going stargazing with TH at the villa. SJoo advised him to get permission from SJ but he made a joke about it.
SJoo: Get permission fom SooJi.
SH: What permission? (Feigning ignorance. He knows very well what SJoo meant. SJoo meant to run this idea past SJ and get her approval.)
SJoo: If you started this game together, you have to end it together. It’s always been like that. (SJoo’s championing SJ. Earlier, SJ was upset because she felt that SH was misleading them.)
SH: I don’t need her permission. Do you all want to come?
Here, SH is deliberately being obtuse. He’s jokingly saying, “Do you REALLY want to join me on a date with a girl?”
SJoo: You don’t even mean that. (Meaning, he knows that SH is purposely evading questions from SJ about TH)
Personally, I like that SH defied SJ and he made his own decision to see TaeHee. He was aware that he was courting SJ’s wrath but he did it anyway.
It was obvious when SH asked TH whether something wrong had happened at the villa
or if SooJi had said anything to her
that he expected SJ to sabotage his romance by spilling the beans about their wager. He wanted to be counter whatever SJ said to SH.
👌 Good job, SH!
Last week’s bone of contention occurred at the end of Episode 12 televised on Tuesday March 27. But this time, I was pleased with it.
While waiting for TaeHee to finish her phone call with her dad, SH went to the rooftop where he congratulated himself, saying “I deserve full marks.” His laughter made him sound cocky.
I know some viewers found this scene worrisome and have taken this to mean that SH was gloating about his success in seducing TH. However, I suggested that he was only referring to something innocuous like his surprise for TH. There were fairy lights and a living room set out there on the deck. 😆
My guess was he had planned a surprise event for Taehee to make up for the one they missed at the villa, AND for not being able to take her the following day because of traffic.
You see, back in Episode 5, when he called her up to tease her with “hana, dul + hang up,” he was up in the rooftop, too, but there had been no lights in that corner. But now, the lights and the couches were there, making it a more inviting place to spend a starlit night.
No fairy lights. 
He either put those lights up himself (but we know that he wasn’t a handyman) or hired the maintenance people to do them. Unfortunately, TH left before he could show her the surprise and she didn’t return.
As for his laughter… well, why can’t a guy laugh?? There’s no law against laughing. 😆
My guess was he felt pleased about his handiwork but sheepishthat he went through all that trouble for her. It was such a stupid and romantic thing to do and he probably hadn’t done this before for a girl.
It’s noticeable that he’s laughing more nowadays, especially when he’s alone like a demented person, whenever he contemplates about Joy…I mean, TaeHee. He’s definitely having more things to smile about, with her around.
This newfound joy actually started on their first encounter. He stifled a laugh when he saw that she was knocking her sleepy head on the window. He had been in tears a few moments earlier so he was himself surprised that he was amused by something…or someone. She made him temporarily forget his trouble.
To me, one of the sweetest things he did – and totally un-Valmont-like – was to sketch TaeHee. This was TaeHee as he remembered her on that first bus ride.
credit: hyoominie
In a way, this sketch of hers was like a bone for him, too. It drives him slowly mad everyday.
gifs: hyoominie’s tumblr
“My guess was he had planned a surprise event for Taehee ” I thought this part was clear. Not sure if the surprise was meant to make up for the villa or just continue his game of seducing her or both or whatever. But I thought it was obvious he was just proud of how well he prepared the place for TH. There’s even a telescope there to see the stars as they couldn’t at the villa.
i just wonder what will writer do abt their relationship. i mean they had two big problems that would cause them to break up again and again. the first problem is abt the bet and the second is abt TH’s mom and SH’s Dad relationship. which problems will be revealed first?
I’m just wondering how strong TH to handle all those problems?? and how the writer will do abt the story. we know theres many episode left(10 eps) I can not think how complicated it is. and how hard for them to stay together. and there is also always SJ who will be the wall between SH and TH
Oh? This kdrama is only 16 episodes (or 32 episodes by MBC count)? Thank goodness. I thought this was a 20 episode show like Korean Odyssey. Thank goodness!
I don’t know how this writer can embroil the characters in more intricate scenarios. She/He’s bordering on the makjang as it is – hahaha – and I detest makjang plots. The worst plot for me would be … hmmm… if TH and SH are revealed to be blood-related? siblings?
I admit that when I see SeJoo sporting a new black eye or a cut on his face, I feel terrible. Had that been me, I would have ran away from that despicable father a long time ago or lived quietly as a mouse in that household – seeking permission for everything and anything I do – like if I can breathe in another direction.
TH’s mom and SH’s dad are irresponsible people, too.
To be honest, I find this show can be very confusing at times. The writing, editing, pacing can often be off. I’m forced to watch the episodes at 2 different sites with 2 different sets of subs just to understand what is going on in each episode. Yeah, his remark that he gives himself grade of “100%” was just patting himself on the back for the awesome job he did decorating the rooftop for their “stargazing” date event. But because viewers don’t see him doing any preparations combined with somewhat ambiguous dialog that could also mean he’s proud of seduction technique, then this scene can also come off as negative for viewers.