Ep7 (there’s a lot packed into this episode)

Short takes
– piano piece was Balad No. 1 in G minor (Opus 23) by Chopin. This from Wikipedia

As a whole, the piece is structurally complex and not strictly confined to any particular form, but incorporates ideas from mainly the sonata and variation forms. A distinguishing feature is its time signature. While the other three ballades are written in strict compound duple time with a 6/8 time signature, Ballade No. 1 bears deviations from this. The introduction is written in 4/4 time, and the more extensive Presto con fuoco coda is written in 2/2. The rest of the piece is written in 6/4, rather than the 6/8 which characterizes the others. It is also considered one of Chopin’s most technically and musically demanding works.

– timing is everything in this drama. It’s subversive (like the piano piece) because all things being equal, EH should be paired with single mom SH and JY with Woo. What’s more their boss/secretary pairing is also taboo. But it looks like EH and JY are not going to be conventional and will be going against the tide.
– Loved how they walked instead of taking the car. Walking gave them the opportunity to speak to each other (side by side) and get to know each other as equals. Taking the car would’ve distanced them (boss in the back, secretary in the front). I really like how the writer gives us insights into their thoughts. JY mutters, “I’m doomed” when she realizes what she’s doing by suggesting the walk (intimacy) rather than the car (distance).
– Young girl taking their pic is probably a foreshadowing? Of Byeol bringing them together? Girl claims to be an expert in photo taking but is obviously not given how blurry the image of JY and EH are. She had focused on the background instead of the 2 of them. The 2 of them will have to consider the “big picture” (society, workplace, friends, family) before they can get together. Still I loved how JY saved the pic anyway. I think the fact that it was blurry made it unique. It’s childlike confidence/instinct. I think in the end Byeol will be the deciding factor for them. Just like the little girl. If she thinks they should be together, then regardless of what everyone else says, they will be able to weather the storm together.
– Dating in the workplace. 😂😂😂. The way JY tried to eavesdrop to find out what EH’s view was. JY is acting out of sorts. Losing her usual laser sharp focus. I am glad that she was decisive in dealing with it. In her usual brusque but honest manner she revealed her feelings and then took ownership of it – “I will deal with it on my own”.
– Woo seizes the opportunity and adjusts her collar too. 😂😂😂. The paper cut on his finger? Emblematic of JY freezing EH out. I love that JY is just as honest with Woo when he presses her about their relationship. She was firm but kind. “I want our relationship to last. I don’t want things to get awkward”. Friend zoned.
– JY refuses to do Chairman’s bidding to rubber stamp his appointment. It looks like @Fern guessed right about the potential hostile takeover of Peoplez by CW CEO.
– You are my Destiny is the OST from My Love From the Stars. Very dramatic 😂.
– JY blocks the sun and shields EH. Her turn to let him sleep.
– SH lists EH as “Daddy Yu” on her phone. She subconsciously views him as a good dad and that’s what attracts him to her? JY on the other hand, views him as a man first. It’s subtly different but an important detail.
– EH’s heart to heart with MA’s hubby was a nice interlude to help him clarify his thoughts.
– One Fine Spring Day synopsis. I believe in this movie the leads part ways in the end. It’s fitting that EH refuses to go there this time. He wants their relationship to last.
– He turns round. Refuses the offer of movie with SH. JY runs to the movie theater and he back to the office. Then the meeting across the road. He sees her before she does. He turns to see her. They are making their own movie. He moves towards her (his confession this time). This scene was so good. Not just because of the hug (his) and kiss (hers) at the end but because of the build up. Very well done. This writer/PD combo has built on each other’s strengths. The drama never slides into overly corny despite the known tropes. It gives us enough reality and depth to join the dots for ourselves.

Great points @nrllee!

@Fern and I were thinking about procrastination last episode we see the timing thing played out a lot in this episode.

Su Hyun and Dir Wu waited too long. They were too comfortably close to their ‘target’ and did not think they needed to take action until a rival showed up.

It’s as you say, that Su Hyun sees EH more as a great dad, handsome to boot, someone to rely on… but maybe not so much as a love interest in himself. In the same way, I wonder what is in Wu’s mind. He’s looked up to JY for years and is used to the idea that they should be paired up, but he does not seem like he’s in love.

He finds out that he has more in common with the one-sided lover, Su Hyun than he does with JY. At least SH offers to drink with him, something I don’t think JY would do.

@nrllee, thank you for the information about the piano piece. All I could think about it was that it mirrored JY’s stress levels, but you gave the reasons: subversive timing and unusual phrasing.

@Growing Beautifully, I also wondered how much ‘in love’ Wu is with JY. I think he admires her and maybe has a bit of a crush, but she isn’t going to let him into her private life. Mostly, he likes to have fun and I can’t imagine them doing anything silly or whimsical together. I thought the scene where he hanging out at the school, playing with a musical toy, when SH appears as if summoned. It’s a bit of a parallel between the piano concert. And they might both be Seventeen fans with their rendition of ‘Fighting.’

@GB @Fern. I really enjoyed this episode. I like that JY as a female lead isn’t wishy washy. She was direct with EH and she followed through with it. She knew a confession by Woo would make things awkward between them so she very wisely affirmed that she still wanted his friendship as it stands now. No further. She closed that door. I liked that despite the rebuff, Woo salvaged his pride with that quip about going on a blind date to lighten the mood. This drama is only 12 eps long so there’s no time for too much angsty wallowing. I liked that EH and JY had their public display of affection with no qualms. I think their relationship is somewhat different from the cosmetic company lovers? They looked to be colleagues of equal standing? JY is the CEO and he’s her secretary? She may be construed to be giving him preferential treatment if the office finds out? I tried to think about scenarios where this would play out in real life and all I can think of is the doctor whose wife is the receptionist and helps with the books. It may work in that sole proprietorship setting but honestly I can’t see it being condoned in a corporate world.

Questions to be answered
– why EH’s wife left him.
– what happened to EH in that fire. Did JY’s dad return to rescue him?
– what happened to Woo’s brother?
– I wonder if EH would be a stay at home dad whilst JY works in the end. Role reversal. He’s got all the suitable attributes.

I find myself admiring the strength we see in both of their characters and I look forward to their being close and supportive of each other. I hope they will be a tight knit couple who can manage their challenges and not succumb to kdrama misunderstandings and stupid break-ups.

@GB I thought the way his waiting for her was presented throughout the episode was well done, particularly during the photo scene where he waits for her to take the step closer to him. He had been telling her to take care of herself and she does, in declaring her feelings for him and then acting on them in the last scene.

@ nrllee I liked your comment about them making their own movie, perhaps one that defies kdrama tropes! or subverts them. @ fern, no phone call or TOD as you commented, and they defy convention to show PDA.

I am still very curious about what happened in his marriage. If they separated within a year of marriage, Byeol would have been very young or not even born yet. An unusual timing for a marital breakdown. What happenned?

@Fern, that’s a good point about Wu in the playground with the musical toy and meeting Su Hyun. They seem to be more on the same wavelength with each other than either might with their so called unrequited loves.

Just continuing from my notes …

Against the side story of a secret office romance at Diane Cosmetic that had gone sour but which had been found out by all the colleagues (who do not seem to know that the couple Han Ah and Jin Guk had broken up) we have the struggle of JY fighting against herself over liking EH.

It’s clear to us that she faces the same risks that Han Ah and Jin Guk did and still do. They might date in secret and be found out. They then might break up and the office might still be pushing them towards each other. The solution was that they might have to totally be separated to stop the rumours and gossiping, ie one would have to quit their job.

However I’d really like if the plot went the other way ie, they come clean with everyone and tell them that they are dating so there is no need for secrets and rumours. I feel that with JY’s nature, she might prefer that. This reminds me that in the lift from EH’s house, when JY and EH were ‘caught’ by the children and Su Hyun, they first pretended not to know each other but then asked each other why they did that. Maybe this time they might choose to not hide at all???? It’s more in line with how upfront JY is.

I’d like that EH then finds a new secretary for JY and himself gets another suitable role in the company (after all he is also called a director) or they headhunt a great company for him to work at.

But all this, of course is apart from what CEO Oh and Career Way might be plotting.

I look forward to finding out if @nrllee’s and @MM’s questions get answered and if our OIP can circumvent the cringey scenario played out over the romance of Han Ah and Jin Guk.

EPISODE 8 (No Spoilers since this is the first post on Ep 8)

Well, well, well, we do get some answers to our questions.

In addition, we consider the work-life balance of workers, and also the fun or cringe of office romances.

I was tickled a lot during this episode and even shed a tear.

4 more episodes hence the heavy conflict is upon us and the need to use the smarts of Peoplez to stem the tide.

The preview gives the clue that our ‘worst’ fears on EH’s trauma are probably true.

@GB Ep8 was great. I shed a tear too 😢. Leaving you with EH’s final gesture – how to stand up for your woman using your brain not brawn. 😍. Will break down my thoughts later.

@nrllee yes and once again Dir Wu was just a few seconds too slow in the uptake. He was coming forward, likely to remonstrate with his nasty ‘father’, but EH broke the impasse elegantly by sliding in, between the bullish Oh and JY and taking the blame for not clearing her appointments. He was apologetic and polite. Nothing to fault with there. I’m glad JY brought EH with her.

Ep8

The aftermath

– Our leads have light banter interspersed with heartfelt revelations. I really like how the writer ensures that their relationship never dips into corny territory. It stays real and consistent with their characters. Boundary setting (tweaks allowed along the way).
– I loved that EH didn’t keep Byeol in the dark but sought her opinion on his relationship pretty much straight away. He realizes that they come as a package deal. Any relationship that he gets into would undoubtedly involve her and keeping those communication channels open is paramount to future success.
– Our second leads are getting closer together commiserating over failed romantic ventures. And they are starting to open up to each other and connect over shared past experiences. We find out that Woo’s brother is deceased.
– Poker faces at work 😂😂😂 to hide their relationship. Loved how they have to tweak and work out where that fine line of work starts and ends. I like that they keep it light hearted and their banter makes their growing fondness delectable.
– EH’s wife left because she felt trapped and suffocated in their new life as parents to a baby. She never looked back and never contacted them again. Once again this was divulged with little fanfare. JY paying EH a compliment in the end which caused him to blush. EH receives information about the fire in his past. I guess he will have to reveal to JY that her dad was the person who saved him and perished as a result.
– Children are always watching. 😂😂😂 Byeol’s “basic” observation of the changes in EH leads her to deduce that he has a woman in his life. 1. The excessive mirror checking. 2. The constant phone checking. The power bank on the phone 😂😂😂 to ensure he doesn’t miss her texts. And final giveaway 3. The black hair tie that’s not hers. Elementary my dear Watson. Busted big time.
– Back hug ((SQUEAL)). More banter. 😂😂😂…the build up to a kiss…and then…I’m hungry 😂😂😂
– I like how direct JY was to MA when confronted about EH. She didn’t hide it. She gave MA her answer. Yes he comes as a package deal but she likes the man that he is now (his past is what made him who he is now). It was astute and left MA with no other choice than to just run with it.
– Getting to know each other through night time conversations. Just lovely.
– @GB yes you’re right about Woo being a step behind as usual. It looked like he was going to step into that tense situation between his father and JY at the event but yet again EH beat him to it. Giving JY the escape route she needed. Shouldering the blame by admitting to mixing up her schedule hence necessitating her departure early.

@Fern I think MA was probably in denial and didn’t want to believe it until she had to. I can understand her point of view. As JY’s friend she didn’t want to see her get involved in a “complicated” relationship. I am glad JY stubbornly stood her ground though. It’s her life and she’s in charge. It’s refreshing to see her own the responsibility of the choices she makes. She has moral courage to stand up where others would’ve bowed.

I really like LJH’s acting here. He would always play duplicitous and untrustworthy characters in the past. And his comedic timing is impeccable. He was great in Stranger and Stranger 2. His character there was opportunistic and had no moral compass. Yet the audiences loved him regardless. So much so they gave his character a spin off series because he was so loved. It’s a testament to his acting. I am glad he’s flexing his rom com wings now. He’s doing well.

Han JiMin has always delivered consistently as an actress for me. I am glad she took this role. It fits her like a glove.

@FERN Yes I also think she is planning to write a book about how her son is not biologically hers.

@GB Rather than Byeol feeling that Jy is intruding on her relationship with her dad it might be that she feels he is intruding on her relationship with JY. What fun that could be! Also the females vs the male dynamic.

@fern was that the dress with the shoulder wrap. That dress looked very much like the one the FL wore in WtPR.

I am wondering if the reveal to each other about the fire might instead highlight their similarities. Did he lose his parents in the fire? They were both growing up without parents.

@nrlee There is one scene form Stranger that I particularly remember of LJH. He is in the ML’s office and seems to be able to roll his eyeballs! I have enjoyed HJM in many dramas.

@monmor, I thought that EH’s wife’s ‘suffocation’ had to do with her not having the same sort of feelings for her child that EH clearly did. It’s really sad, but it does happen. Not just to humans but to other creatures, too. I’m no expert, btw.

In humans, it can be a result of post-partum depression, which @Welmaris mentioned in an earlier post. I think there could be other reasons as well, such as a lack of the temporary hormones after birth that help a mother bond to a child, or panic or stress. If these things are recognised and treated, there may be no long term effects. If she really didn’t want a child and only recognised that after the birth, that would certainly result in a feeling of suffocation. Tragic for all affected.

@MM @Fern. That was what I thought was implied when EH’s ex said that she felt suffocated. I believe the story was that EH and his ex were College sweethearts. They were the “it” couple on campus (I think EH’s sunbae the owner of the bookstore mentioned it). They got married straight out of College and had a baby – I think? Something like that. Maybe baby was unplanned. Or maybe his ex had different expectations of what it meant to be a parent. Whatever it was, when she looked at that scene of EH trying to settle the crying baby, she decided that the life she envisaged was not what was before her. So she felt “suffocated”. Like she was drowning and couldn’t breathe. She felt trapped and had to escape. It happens. Perhaps she had Post Natal Depression as suggested by Welmaris. Not much else was given to us. I think the writer didn’t want to explore the whys too much. She gave us enough to know that EH was trying his best and it wasn’t anything that he did (he wasn’t a drunk and wife abuser) or didn’t do (he left her to care for the baby on her own without helping) that was the primary reason for her walking out. Just like I am not sure we will get more information about Woo’s brother who died. We just know he passed away and for some reason Chairman dad didn’t seem too perturbed and just moved on in life. That was Woo’s accusation. So the writer tells us enough for the plot to move along at a steady pace without getting too muddied by the details. There’s only 12 episodes in this drama so she needs to be succinct and disciplined with her story telling.