I’m reposting what I’d written in the Open Threads.

1. Team Jun or Team Doc?

Of course, I’m Team Jun.

But I get why both men are suspicious of each other. To Jun, the Doc is a dubious character because of 1) his interest in Rara, and 2) his interest in him. Jun thinks the Doc has been following him because he stopped by his sandwich shop.

To the Doc, however, Jun is the suspicious one.

Jun strikes him as a secretive and uptight fellow. He recalls when Jun didn’t want his injuries treated in the hospital, presumably because he didn’t want any record of him. The Doc thinks he’s on the run. Because he’s truly concerned about Rara, he’s right to be suspicious of Jun’s background.

But the Doc is right to feel affronted by Jun’s line of questioning. As @Fern pointed out, the Doc won this encounter here since the Doc had a “legitimate right to be in front of his own apartment building.”

Nevertheless, I like the way that Jun stood his ground. Considering that Doc was older than him (and thus entitled to respect), and he’s a doctor while he’s a “part-timer,” he wasn’t at all intimidated by the Doc’s social status. This tells me that he’s used to dealing with people of Doc’s stature.

2. The star earrings

I’m paying attention to all the star accessories and props.

3. Hide-and-seek

I like this scene because Jun can see through her lies.

Jun: Do you like playing hide-and-seek?
Rara: What? Hide-and-seek? No, I hate hiding.
Jun: (talking right behind her) Then, what are you doing?
Rara: (squeals) Gosh. My goodness. Hey, you frightened me.

She whacks him but he holds her wrist. Good for him! I don’t like it when the guy cowers as the girl hits him…especially in this kdrama where Jun seems to be putty in Rara’s hands. He needs to be able to stand up to her.

Jun: Did you do something bad? (avoids looking at him) What’s going on?
Rara: Well, the thing is. I didn’t get the job at the academy.

He looks surprised but restrains himself. I’m glad he didn’t nag her, “I told you so” or insult her “Who didn’t see that coming?” when she’s already suffered a setback.

Rara: I’m going to find another job soon, so don’t look down on me. Okay?

Then she runs off to his house. She’s embarrassed. A few days ago, she wouldn’t have felt like this. I take this as a sign of her growing up. It’s become important to her to maintain Jun’s good opinion of her.

Jun: Ya! Ya! How is she so unpredictable? I didn’t even get to tell her.

What’s so cute about this? He wanted to “stage” his handiwork to her before she saw it.

4. The treehouse

I like that he didn’t just build her a bed; he designed and crafted a treehouse for her, with windows. He was probably inspired when he saw her looking out her window at the stars.

He painted flowers climbing up the wall. He hung a door sign with her name on it. He made a doorbell for her.

He placed flowerpots on the windowsill. There’s even a dreamcatcher to protect her from bad dreams.

And he made sure she had stars dangling from the window.

Rara: Thanks, Jun! Thank you so much! (running to hug him)
Jun: (shies away)

credit: moonlightdream’s tumblr

Rara covers up his rejection…and this is definitely a rejection, as we all know…by transferring her enthusiasm to Mimi. Mimi becomes her proxy.

Rara: (gushing) Hey, Mimi! Oppa Jun has some serious skills, doesn’t he? I thought he was just a handsome guy.

He begins to blush. This reminds me of the time he shampooed her hair and she called him handsome. He was embarrassed by her compliments and threw a towel on her face to make her stop.

Rara: (continuing) But he’s generous, and he can even build a house. Look!
Jun: Can you not say stuff like that out loud?

She just grins at him. She knows her trick worked. Since she couldn’t thank him directly, she talked to Mimi as if he was out of earshot.

Jun: (continuing) I fixed this up because I needed it, not to get a compliment. I did this for myself, not for you.

Ha! He isn’t fooling anyone. How silly is that? If he fixed the room simply for his own needs, then he didn’t need to go through the trouble of making a door sign with her name on it.

Besides, when she asked him if she made it for her, he replied, “You can come and hang out with Mimi whenever you want.” Of course, he made the treehouse for her.

But Rara can see that he’s embarrassed so she pretends to agree with him.

Rara: Okay! I won’t get the wrong idea. So stop there.

It’s obvious that Jun liked watching her reaction to his gift. But he didn’t want any physical contact. For her, hugging him is a casual thing.

But for him, even a friendly hug is uncomfortable, most likely because his feelings for her are more than friendly. Something is preventing him from being spontaneous with her.

5. The piano

The piano arrived. Rara thinks that Jun bought it for her, but Jun said no.

They find out that the anonymous DDSSLLS sent her the piano. Then, a follow-up text from DDSSLLS arrives, saying, “I sent a small gift. I hope it cheers you up.”

What irritates me about this text is the understatement. DDSSLLS is humble-bragging because the piano is not a small gift, by any means. 

At first, I thought that the piano came from the Doc, and that he’s the mysterious DDSSLLS, because he’d been smiling as he passed by the piano on the sidewalk that Rara had been playing on. But the director could be trolling us here to let us believe that the Doc gave it to her. The director already trolled with the spooky music before.

pic

One thing for certain, the piano couldn’t have been from Jun because he didn’t have enough money to purchase it. He was still saving up for it when the piano arrived. When he asked the piano movers who gave it, he was just surprised as Rara was to learn that DDSSLLS had bought it.

Then, when she wondered aloud how DDSSLLS could have discovered her address, he looked concerned and chased after piano movers. He asked the movers from where the piano was delivered.

6. The cosmetics set

As for the cosmetics gift set, it isn’t from Jun either. Although he thought of Rara when he saw the display at his store, he didn’t buy it for her. He’s surprised and confused when Rara texted him to thank him. He doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

If he’d left the package on her doorknob, then he would have known what she was talking about.

The cute part about this is that whenever something good happens to Rara, like the arrival of the piano, and now the cosmetic gift, she instantly thinks that it’s a present from Jun. I mentioned in the comment section that she regards Jun as her “Daddy Long Legs.”  She attributes all good things as godsent…or “Jun-sent.” He anonymously showers her with gifts and favors.

So when she saw the package at her door, she immediately thought it came from Jun. She gushed, “He knows how to touch a girl’s heart.” And she texted him.

Rara: (text) Jun, you really are the best. Good good good!!
Jun: (confused) She’s so random. (texts her back) Did you have fun today?
Jun: (she doesn’t reply so he sends another text) Are you sleeping?
Jun: (this time, he sends an emoji) questioning face
Jun: (and again) Did you get any students?
Jun: (texts one last time) Everything’s okay, right?

He’s acting like a clingy boyfriend here who doesn’t know when to end the conversation.

7. Lala Piano Land

I like that Jun suggested the idea of opening a piano academy and named the school for her.

She couldn’t decide, “Love piano? No. Star piano? No. I don’t like that. Mozart? No. Muse?” He then proposed the name, “Lala Land.”

I’m not Korean, but I know that in the Korean language, the “R” sounds like “L” and uses the same letter. So he was suggesting that she used her own name. Lala Land is Rara’s land. lol.

Also, in English, Lala land is an idiom. If you say that someone is from “lala land,” it can signify that:

a. she’s from Los Angeles, which is abbreviated as L.A. As you know, L.A. is associated with Hollywood, movies, and actors. There’s a connotation that people coming from “Lala land” don’t live in the real world, but in the world of movies and entertainment.
b. she’s living in a fantasy or make-believe world.

In this sense, Lala’s land means Rara’s make-believe world of happiness and dreams.

I hope naming her studio “Lala land” doesn’t jinx their relationship though. You see, there was a movie made a few years ago with the same title. In that movie, the couple eventually went separate ways to find their own destinies. I heard somewhere that when the couple met years afterwards, she was married to another man, and he was starting a business on his own. The finale wasn’t well-received as far I heard.

Knowing that this kdrama is a romcom, I expect Rara and Jun to end up together.

8. HaYoung’s mom

I like that Hayoung’s mom gives Rara encouragement AND a dose of reality that she needs to embark on her new project.

She told Rara not to buy more pianos. She should wait until she had more students before purchasing additional pianos. “Live within your means, not in a fantasy world,” is one of the best advices Rara has received so far.

— This alludes to that “Lala Land” interpretation of living in an unrealistic world. I like @Fern’s view that Hayoung’s mom was a “single mom so she understood the value of reflection.”

Rara answered that she didn’t say she’d buy a piano. She was only thinking about it. “A piano is expensive, but thinking doesn’t cost money.”

But Hayoung’s mom had an excellent comeback. She said, “That’s right. You need to do some thinking, Rara. It doesn’t cost money, so please do it often.”

She wasn’t mean; she gave Rara good advice. Rara’s father and piano teacher, Ms. Gong, didn’t do her any favors by sheltering her from reality.

9. Erik Satie’s “I Want You”

Jun must feel a tinge of jealousy as she reads the congratulatory note Doc sent her. “May the piano sound from Lala Land fill the entire world.” He orders her to start working.

Jun: Get up from that chair! And you need to clean. From the dishes to the mopping, there’s so much to do.
Rara: I’ve never cleaned such a big space before. Among all the things that need cleaning, I was thinking about what I could do, though. Sukyeong said I should think more.

Ah. Rara listens well to advice.

Jun: So? So what will you do then?
Rara: (backs up towards her piano and sat down) I shall play the piano to lift your spirits as you work.
Jun: What? Hey, am I your servant or what?
Rara: “I Want You.”

Suddenly, his heart starts thumping loudly again. For a wild second, he thinks she’s addressing him.

To me, she’s only teasing him, but I think in a “friendly” way. I don’t think she’s fully aware that he’s fallen for her. It would be mean-spirited of her to be joking like this like this if she knew of his infatuation.

And as usual, Rara causes his heartbeat to race, and in the same breath, to plummet.

Rara: (continuing) That’s the title of this piece. I heard it at the concert in the lobby when I was in the hospital. Isn’t it so lovely?

Jun blinks his eyes, and snorts. He knows that he overreacted again to her innocent remark.

Jun: (Pfft) Yes.

I like how the camera’s movement looked like the camera was waltzing to the music. She was playing the music as he cleans up the place. Their conversation comes as a voiceover.

Rara: I heard Erik Satie composed the song because he was so in love with someone. What do you think?
Jun: It’s uplifting.
Rara: He was madly in love with that woman until the day he died.
Jun: What about the woman?
Rara: She was very popular. I think she got married at few times.

Jun pauses and watches her play. BTW, do you heart that ringing sound in the background? It’s as if this moment was a flashback.

Jun: That’s sad.

Why is it sad? To me, Jun thinks it’s sad because he sympathizes with Satie’s predicament.

a. Satie’s love was unrequited.
b. Satie’s beloved fell for other men, instead of him.

He probably thinks that he and Satie have a lot in common, falling for an unattainable girl.

Later on, Jun learns that she and the Doc had lunch together. His first reaction is “What? Why?”

Then, he tersely hangs up on her, making Rara wonder what was wrong with him. She doesn’t know that Jun intended to drop off lunch for her.

10. The tea set

This looks like a cozy and restful scene to me: he’s watching her put away her things.

Jun: If you’re going to use those, should we keep them in the kitchen?
Rara: No, I’ll just keep them here. It’s a teacup set my parents used to use. I want to use it with my future husband, too.

This is an interesting comment to make. If I were Jun, I’d interpret this as an unconscious or unguarded message that she didn’t consider me as husband material at all.

lol.

Whenever she states things like this, it can be interpreted by Jun that he’s been friendzoned. She isn’t being coy. She’s being candid and straightforward (or as Jun said, “simple-minded”) that the tea set it to be used with her future husband. The tea set is precious, and she wants to keep the tradition of drinking tea with her husband, whoever he might be.

Rara: (continuing) Although my first attempt failed (embarrassed laughter) By the way, what do your parents do?
Jun: (thinks for a second) I don’t have a family.
Rara: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. (he just smiles) Jun, just think of me like family. Well? How does it feel? It gives you strength, doesn’t it?

She wants to cheer him up. She doesn’t know that he has family that he wants to disown, or at least temporarily forget.

Jun: (looks away) Even thinking about it gives me a headache. I hate it when others try to meddle in my life. Drop this family topic. Just run this academy well. And pay me back.
Rara: (whining) I get it. Gosh, how am I going to get students?
Jun: Exactly…
Rara: (bouncing back) I’m sure there’s a way. I’m tired now, so I’ll worry about it tomorrow.
Jun: Pfft.

This scene demonstrates what the Doc sensed in Jun. He’s secretive about his past. And when people try to ask him about his past, whether it’s out of curiosity or concern, he becomes defensive.

11. Being comfortable 

The Doc wants to Rara out to lunch. As she begins to admit that he makes her uncomfortable, she suddenly recalls putting Jun in the same uncomfortable spot when she lingered at his workplace and pestered him. So, with that remembrance in mind, she accepts Doc’s invitation.

During lunch, the Doc offers to solve her financial problems by stepping in as her guarantor. He says, “I can also lend you money. I can even pay off what you owe him.” He says he’s doing this because he trusts her to pay him back. Interestingly enough, his reply doesn’t state his actual motive for helping her out. Without skipping a beat, she turns him down flat.

With a smile.

Rara: But I’m just going to keep borrowing from Jun.
Doc: Why?
Rara: How do I put this? I’ll give you an example. Let’s say I’m playing the piano while he’s cleaning. I think I’d enjoy playing the piano. But if you were cleaning, I’d be uncomfortable. I’d feel like I should clean, too. You know what I mean?

lol. I love how she envisions the scenario.

Jun is sweeping then he exhales in exasperation. He turns around to face her with a disapproving look. But she smiles at Jun and continues to play — as if coaxing him to smile at her.

In contrast, the Doc is sweeping but he exhales with a happy face. When he turns to face her, he has this huge smile, and goofy look on his face. But instead of smiling back, she stops and gets to her feet to help him sweep the floor.

One difference between the two men is that she doesn’t have to pretend to be a good girl around Jun to win his approval. Even when he disapproves of her, she isn’t anxious or afraid.

Doc: (sighs) So in conclusion, you feel comfortable around him. But not around me.
Rara: Is that it?

She wondered, “Is that it?”

To me, her response is similar to Jun’s response during the piano academy launch party.

That time, the Doc wanted to know the relationship between him and Rara. He thought that Jun was helping Rara out of sympathy. But he misinterpreted Jun’s feelings for her. But before Jun correct his false assumption, they were both called away to eat rice cake.

But…it’s NOT true that Jun helps Rara simply out of sympathy. That’s false. He said so himself.

And although she isn’t exactly sure why she chooses to accept Jun’s help, it’s also NOT true that she does it entirely out of comfortable-ness. That’s false.

There were times when she wasn’t comfortable being dependent on Jun (i.e., when her hands were in bandages, when she got lost, when she lost her job, etc.) but

To me, her “Is that it?” doesn’t signify an agreement. It’s a noncommittal response because she senses that there’s something more to her feelings for Jun, but it’s too early to tell.

12. Her first piano student

He offers to be her first piano student.

Rara: You’re back already? Don’t you have a night shift today?
Jun: I changed my schedule.
Rara: Why?
Jun: To learn piano. Here’s my lesson fee. I’ll be your very first student.
Rara: Jun. Thanks, Jun. Seriously, thanks so much! (runs to hug him)
Jun: (steps back)

credit: moonlightsdream’s tumblr

Rara: Mimi! Isn’t Jun so awesome? I thought he was just a handsome guy. But he’s generous, and he can even fix up a house. And look, he wants to be my first student.

She’s absolutely touched by his gesture. She was tired after a long day of drumming up business for her school. Did you notice that she sings praises of Jun, but she does it like a nursery rhyme? She repeats the same lyrics, but adds a new line at the end. lol.

Jun: Hey! Can you not say stuff like that out loud.
Rara: Isn’t he the best?
Jun: Gosh, seriously.

He’s flustered again.

As it turns out, he isn’t the first student because the Doc barges in on them. Doc starts playing Eric Satie’s “I Want You” as Jun looks on with a grim face. I think he’s beginning to realize that Doc is a better match for Rara.

The following day, he can’t concentrate at his part-time job. He looks miserable as he returns home. But he hears Rara playing the piano, and he breaks into a run. Outside the door, he tidies his hair like a schoolboy.

Yeah…he’s definitely infatuated with her. The second he walks in, he’s blinking his eyes at the sight of her. lol.

Rara: You’re here?
Jun: Yes. Why are you here? You don’t have any lessons today.

Rara: Ms. Jin made gimbap so I stole some for you. (he keeps quiet) Just kidding. She told me to drop it off for you. Come have a sit.
Jun: Pfft. Gosh.

I like how he would go “pffft” every time she did something unexpected and funny.

Rara: I’m going to watch you eat gimbap.
Jun: Stop. You’re making me sick.

lol. He doth protest too much.

She’s teasing him. She knows it makes him uncomfortable when she stares at him, but she wants to get a reaction from him. There’s a warm familiarity when it’s just the two of them.

13. The rain scene

credit: deokmis’ tumblr

What’s not to like about this scene? It could be raining cats and dogs outside the house, but it doesn’t matter for him because she’s there with him.

But what makes this scene memorable is the fact that he hid the umbrella so they could share one small umbrella. I like that. He seized the moment.

Jun: I’ll walk you home.
Rara: (eyeing the umbrella) Are we sharing the umbrella?

Jun looks at the umbrella, as if he doesn’t get what the big deal is.

Jun: (with a straight face) Yes.
Rara: (examining the umbrella) This is umbrella is quite small. We’ll get soaked.

Jun stares at the umbrella with big eyes. Ooooh. He’s so guilty!

Rara: (continuing) I hate getting rained on. Hold it well, okay?
Jun: You’re so demanding.

lol.

I like the way he frowns at her. He’s good at looking aggrieved when it’s his scheme all along to share one umbrella. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, what else he’s been hiding from her.

14. Goodbyes

There’s no explanation here because we’ll find out soon enough in the next episode why he didn’t want her to say goodbye to him.

credit: moonlightsdream’s tumblr