Boys Before Flowers: Episode 12

243 February 10, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

EVER so much better. Does one writer get the odd-numbered episodes, and another the even ones? Because this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed Tuesday episodes are much better than Monday ones. (Only one person is credited for scriptwriting this series, so this is a rhetorical question.)

Don’t get me wrong, it was still flawed and cheesy, but I don’t mind cheesiness. Over-the-top cornfluffery is part and parcel of this drama at this point. It just has to make sense in the context of the story. Episode 11, in its context, did not make much sense — and we shouldn’t have to fanwank a story to make it comprehensible.

I think I’m just going to excise Episode 11 from my memory, to the extent I can without plot difficulties.

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EPISODE 12 RECAP

Jae-ha admits his villainy and claims credit for everything. He points out the irony of a guy losing his girl at his own mother’s order. It’s too bad Jan-di turned him down, because Jae-ha was planning on splitting the money (from Madam Kang) with her. But, “The moment you rejected my proposal, the goal in my game became one thing: Gu Jun-pyo.”

Jan-di asks why he’s bent on revenge — what exactly did Jun-pyo do to him? Jae-ha answers that technically it was his brother who was wronged — he was F4’s rooftop victim. He’s nearly crippled now, “but he smiles whenever he talks about you.”

It seems his feelings for her were genuine, however: “Yeah, I wanted revenge, but as we became friends, I thought that if you came to me, the revenge didn’t matter.”

Jun-pyo bursts in, his foremost concern for Jan-di’s safety, and asks Jae-ha to let her go. At Jae-ha’s instruction, the guys beat the heck out of Jun-pyo. Sobbing, Jan-di screams for them to stop.

Jae-ha offers to send Jan-di away — if Jun-pyo begs for mercy on his knees. Since begging won’t help Jun-pyo (ostensibly they’ll continue beating him after letting her go), Jan-di yells at him not to do it.

More thrashing. Now Jae-ha instructs him to vow, on camera, that he’ll give up Jan-di. Jun-pyo spits blood (and whoa, fake-blood overload there), saying, “I can’t do that.” Incredulously, Jae-ha asks, “Do you want to die?” Jun-pyo responds, “I don’t want to die, but if you’re going to kill me, what can I do.”

For what it’s worth, since he’s being paid off by Mama Kang, I doubt Jae-ha means to kill him — just maim him a little. Or a lot. Grabbing a chair, Jae-ha demands that Jun-pyo give up Jan-di.

As he swings the chair downward, Jan-di jumps forward to protect Jun-pyo, crumpling to the ground when the chair breaks across her back.

And then, F4 to the rescue! (Arg, no, this is not ALMOST PAAAARADIIIIIIIIIIIIISE. Perhaps the production heard our complaints, because at least we get the instrumental version of the song. But still.)

On the upside, we get to see the F4 boys kicking some ass. Woo-bin takes out several thugs, while Yi-jung is so smooth he delivers a few swift kicks with his hands in his pockets. Even the gentle Ji-hoo gets a bit of action, but in keeping with his sensitive image, he subdues Jae-ha by twisting his arm rather than throwing a punch.

Jun-pyo, badly injured, clutches an unconscious Jan-di.

When she awakens, she’s in a hospital bed, while Jun-pyo sits in a wheelchair at her bedside. He says she nearly scared him to death, which is a sentiment she returns: “Why did you just take the hits? You said you could take on more than ten guys like that with no problem. Liar.”

Jun-pyo: “Idiot. Stupid. Double-digit-IQ dummy. How could I do that when you were captured? I’d rather get all my ribs broken than let them damage one of your fingers. But still, why did you rush in when I was letting them beat the hell out of me? What if something happened?”

Jan-di repeats his words back to him (double-digit IQ, dummy), and they proceed to bicker, which is how we know that all is well.

When Jan-di returns home, her mother and brother are sobbing and their home is in shambles. At first I thought this was Madam Kang’s doing, but turns out Dad got dragged off by loan sharks. (I assume the family took out private loans to stay afloat, although we know there were gambling issues in the past too.) The debt collectors threatened to sell Dad’s organs if they don’t come up with the money right away.

Without other options, Jan-di’s mother swallows her pride and begs for help from Madam Kang. True to her warning, Madam Kang does not issue second chances easily, and coolly says that everything has its systematic order: “Wrongs must be apologized for, debts repaid, then help given. I am a businesswoman, so I cannot abide calculations and procedures that are not conducted properly.”

Mom prostrates herself on the floor; Madam Kang looks pleased behind her paper but shows no emotion to Mom, who takes out a parcel. It’s a bowl of salt, which she pours over her own head, pleading for forgiveness.

Even Madam Kang looks surprised at that. Satisfied now, she extends a hand to Mom. Knowing how frightening she can be, any sign of kindness coming from her is especially ominous.

With Madam Kang’s money, Jan-di’s father is freed. With somber faces, Jan-di’s family explains to her how they got the money — and everyone knows what that means for Jan-di’s relationship with Jun-pyo. Mom argues to keep the money but Dad insists upon returning it, saying that he’ll handle their debt one way or another.

Feeling guilty, Dad asks, “You really like Jun-pyo, don’t you?” She answers, “You’re more important, Dad.”

Dad: “I’m sorry, for being a burden to my daughter’s love.”
Jan-di: “Who said anything about love?”
Dad: “It is. That’s love, Jan-di. That makes him as dear a person to you as your dad.”
Jan-di: “If I’m not sure of that myself, how can you know?”
Dad: “I’ve been Dad to my pretty daughter for 19 years, how could I not know?”

I really like this scene, when Jan-di returns the money — the emotions are played just right, not too extreme or melodramatic. Jan-di’s tone is respectful, and Madam Kang’s is likewise measured and civil. She suggests that in Jan-di’s situation, it would be wise not to stand on her pride foolishly. But Jan-di turns to go, and Madam Kang seems almost a bit desperate when she offers more money.

Madam Kang: “Fine, let’s make a deal.”
Jan-di: “Please don’t insult me or my family anymore.”
Madam Kang: “Then do you really mean to date my Jun-pyo?!”
Jan-di: “I think that’s between the two of us.”

Madam Kang struggles to maintain her composure, then offers, “Fine, let’s be honest with each other. I admit that we have caused problems for you and your family. So please accept that you are not suitable for Jun-pyo.”

Jan-di nods: “Yes, Gu Jun-pyo and I are very different. I admit that.” Thinking Jan-di is agreeing, Madam Kang smiles, but it fades as Jan-di continues, “But do you know this? The two of us are in the same place, looking at the same thing. I made him a promise that you would never be my excuse for breaking up with him.”

Madam Kang says that this is an unprecedented opportunity to collect a high price on a “worthless” commoner family’s pride. Now Jan-di’s insulted: “I hadn’t known pride had a price. Then how much is your pride worth?” Madam Kang: “Unbelievable.”

Jan-di: “I hope you will change your thinking that commoners’ pride can be bought with money. People’s hearts can’t be bought, either. You don’t know that, do you? But Gu Jun-pyo knows that now.”

Jan-di is so distracted on her way out that she doesn’t even notice Ji-hoo, walking right past him. Sensing yet another Jan-di emergency, he cheers her up by making pancakes (using her recipe), which is his cure for the blues.

You know what else is a cure for the blues?

Skiing, apparently.

All of a sudden, our main cast is enjoying the snow at a winter resort, where Jun-pyo teaches Jan-di how to ski (she’s by far the worst). It’s kind of cute how she’s going so slowly that he walks alongside.

Later that night, the guys notice Jun-pyo fiddling with a necklace, contemplating it intently. Woo-bin jokes that Jun-pyo’s bound to screw up when he tries giving Jan-di the gift, and although Jun-pyo tells the guys to knock it off, he seems worried about that very thing.

Therefore, Ji-hoo takes it upon himself to set things in motion, to help Jun-pyo get over his nervousness by forcing them together. Ji-hoo first sends Jan-di on an errand — getting coffee — then calls Jun-pyo out.

The tactic works, and gets the ball rolling. Jun-pyo manages to figure out the rest on his own — he drapes his jacket around Jan-di, deliberately putting her hand into the pocket so she finds the necklace, which she draws out curiously.

Idiot Jan-di is back for a moment, because she thinks it’s HIS, and teases that it’s way too feminine for him. (Jun-pyo’s facial reaction is hilarious.) He tells her it’s hers.

He says, “There’s only one like it in the world, so if you lose it, you’re really dead this time.” Jun-pyo had designed and ordered it himself, and explains its meaning: He’s the star, and she’s the moon inside, because Jun-pyo the Star won’t ever leave Jan-di the Moon. Somehow that sounds rather possessive in English, but it’s pretty sweet in Korean.

Taking advantage of the romantic moment, Jun-pyo leans in to kiss her, but cough/sneezes at the last moment. Jan-di returns the jacket and puts it over him; Jun-pyo reaches a happy compromise (symbolism!) by sharing.

Jan-di worries to Ga-eul, because hearing that Jun-pyo made the necklace specially for her adds to the pressure to keep it safe. Ga-eul thinks that’s a happy problem: “If someone told me, ‘I made this for you’ and gave me a one-of-a-kind keepsake, even if it’s just a piece of glass, I’d be so happy.” (Yi-jung, are you listening?)

Speaking of whom, Ga-eul spots Yi-jung heading out with Woo-bin and has a sudden desire to ski, dragging Jan-di onto the slopes.

The Jin-Sun-Mi Trio, who happen to be at the same resort, overhear the necklace conversation. As always, they are overcome with envy, particularly Ginger (whose real name isn’t actually Ginger — I think it’s Jin-ju; it seems they use the English names as their shtick).

Keen to stir up trouble, Ginger orders her underlings to swipe the necklace, which they do by knocking Jan-di down, then helping her up clumsily. With Jan-di distracted, they swipe the pendant.

Having skied further down the slope, Ga-eul looks up at Jan-di in concern, so when a careless snowboarder barrels down the slope almost drunkenly, Jan-di notices first. She shouts a warning.

Nearby, Yi-jung hears Jan-di’s yell and spies Ga-eul about to be hit by the snowboarder. It’s a good thing he just happens to be unstrapped to his snowboard at the moment, as we all do in the middle of a ski run, so he can run at her and push her out of harm’s way.

Worriedly, Yi-jung asks, “Miss Ga-eul, are you okay? Wake up! Can you hear me?”

Ga-eul slowly opens her eyes, obviously not hurt but taking her time to appreciate this. LOL. It’s adorable how she can’t hide how much she’s enjoying this situation.

Hey, it’s hard having a crush on a guy like Yi-jung; let the girl savor the moment, right?

There’s trouble brewing at home, referenced indirectly in a phone call from Madam Kang to her husband. Something’s wrong with Shinhwa Group, and Madam Kang insists she’ll manage the problem, only to have the line suddenly go dead.

Worried, she tells Mr. Jung that things don’t look good, and instructs him to locate Jun-pyo. They’ll have to leave the country immediately.

Back at the resort, Ga-eul notices Jan-di’s missing her necklace, which sends Jan-di on a panicked hunt all over her room. The Mean Girls find Jun-pyo, slyly saying that they’re pretty sure she lost his special necklace. Or maybe she threw it away.

Jun-pyo comes upon Jan-di mid-search, and asks why she isn’t wearing the necklace. She hems and haws at first, then comes clean and begs for forgiveness: “I’m sorry. I was definitely wearing it, but I don’t know when I lost it.”

He asks, “It wasn’t because you wanted to lose it?” — because this is becoming a pattern, and he’s growing frustrated. “You do this every time. Whenever I try to get closer, you trample my heart like it’s nothing. Do I still mean so little to you?”

I can see his point, but Jan-di’s got one too, since this really wasn’t her fault. She says, “Don’t misunderstand. That’s really not how it is.” But he tells her that her behavior is getting really tiresome, and leaves.

I was a little worried that his words sounded so serious, but he’s just venting; he seems much less upset outside. (He gives a snowman (snowgirl?) a Jan-di-like hat and flicks snowballs at it in irritation.)

Hearing footsteps, he thinks it’s Jan-di and starts to go off on how the necklace was one of a kind — but they’re his mother’s employees, here to collect him. Jun-pyo refuses to go, beating them off when they try to force him to leave. Ultimately, though, he is subdued into going.

Jan-di goes around the ski lodge asking everyone if they’ve seen her necklace, and runs into the Jin-Sun-Mi girls. They give her a “tip” — someone posted a notice about finding the necklace — and direct her to the location.

Using that information, Jan-di heads off, leaving just before the latest blizzard warning comes in. Okay, wandering outside is pretty stupid of her, but for once I can’t be too irritated with Jan-di because I would probably want to do the same thing. The thing that DOES irritate me, though, is that apparently the cold has also robbed her of the ability to walk upright, because she falls over every few feet for no discernible reason.

Ga-eul finds Jan-di’s note and alerts F3. Although they worry for her safety, they’re unable to go out looking for her because the paths have been blocked.

With the weather worsening, one of the Mean Girls starts feeling bad. They didn’t intend Jan-di physical harm, but Ginger maintains the hard line and says Jan-di had it coming.

Ji-hoo overhears this, and guesses they’ve done something to Jan-di. Eyes bulging (sorry, not his best look), he demands to know what they did.

F3 call Jun-pyo to let him know the situation. As he’s currently being driven away by his mother’s men, he has to lie to get them to pull over (for a bathroom break), at which point he gives them the slip by disguising himself in someone else’s clothing.

He hitchhikes back to the resort, then takes a snowmobile to the slopes, pleading with Jan-di mentally to hang in there — as he promised (with the star-moon analogy), he won’t ever be able to ditch her. I wonder if Lee Min-ho is getting tired of delivering bad dialogue. It’s to his credit that he commits to it fully.

When the snowmobile breaks down, Jun-pyo continues on foot until he finds Jan-di collapsed in the snow. She must be emitting her mysterious power to call heroes to her side whenever she’s in trouble. She needs a beacon like the Bat Signal. A Jan-Distress Call, if you will.

Barely conscious, Jan-di recognizes Jun-pyo and mumbles weakly, “I came to find your heart. I didn’t lose it on purpose.” (Okay, that line was kind of sweet.)

Jun-pyo carries her on his back, urging her to stay awake. Coming upon an empty cabin, he tries to warm her up quickly, stripping off her soaked outer clothing. Holding her to him, he tells her, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. It’ll be fine. I’ll protect you.”

Wow, they were just itching to get Lee Min-ho topless again, weren’t they?

Some time later, Jun-pyo has built a fire and given his dry clothing to Jan-di to keep her warm, shivering while he remains cold. When she pushes the jacket toward him, he rejects it. She urges him to take it, so once again they (symbolically) share the covering.

Jan-di: “I’m sorry.”
Jun-pyo: “If you’re sorry, that’s good enough. Don’t forget I saved your life this time.”

She asks (half-joking, half-meaningfully), “How should I repay you?” A bit surprisingly, he answers, “A lunchbox,” by which he means the ones she eats every day: “Actually, the first time I saw it, I wanted to try it.” Jan-di promises to make it for him: “Let’s pack lunches and go on a picnic, the two of us.”

(The Law of Kdramas says: If a kiss in a semi-romantic moment is messed up earlier in an episode, it must be made up for in a more romantic moment later.)

In the morning, Jan-di and Jun-pyo make it back to the lodge, relieving their worried friends. Ji-hoo hands over the star-moon necklace, which may be symbolic of his letting go of Jan-di (I think?).

It’s nice that Jan-di and Jun-pyo have already resolved their issue with the necklace, so its return doesn’t magically “solve” their relationship problem. Instead, Jan-di and Jun-pyo trade small smiles, which Ji-hoo notices with a little sadness.

So when they return home, Jan-di packs the lunchboxes for their promised picnic, and omg it’s JUN-PYO RICE!!

I had thought the Jun-pyo-face chocolates in Episode 10 were the adorablest things ever, but the Jun-pyo dosirak totally wins the Jun-pyo-face-shaped-foodstuffs category.

Jan-di waits for a while, although she does so uncomplainingly, remembering how Jun-pyo waited in the snow for four hours. She isn’t aware of the latest news that Daddy Gu has suddenly collapsed while on a trip to China.

Jun-pyo, who’s about to leave with his mother to his father’s bedside, asks Ji-hoo to pick up Jan-di. Ji-hoo urges Jan-di to hurry, because they only have half an hour before the plane leaves.

Unfortunately, they’re too late. Some distance from the airport, Ji-hoo pulls over and Jan-di watches the Shinhwa plane take off.

Jan-di cries (saddened at not having the chance to say certain things to him, like how much she likes him), while Ji-hoo comforts her.

From the plane, Jun-pyo sends her a text message, which reads:

“I’ll come back soon.
Stay there, and wait for me.
I love you, Geum Jan-di.”

COMMENTS

This is a tiny point, but one thing I was disappointed about was the fact that we won’t get to see Jun-pyo’s reaction to the Jun-pyo Rice Face Lunchbox.

I really appreciate how Madam Kang is being portrayed, particularly in this episode. Lee Hye-young is acting the hell out of the character, and she gives her a complexity I wasn’t expecting. I thought the Japanese Kaede was fantastic, but Madam Kang manages to be scarier, yet also more vulnerable at moments. That’s unexpected. Case in point: the conversation when Jan-di returned the money, which both actresses acted with nuance.

Yes, I love that Mama Kang is evil, and scary, and possibly a little too obsessed with her son. But I also love that she’s being acted as a human, not a live-action Cruella de Vil (pointy collars notwithstanding).

You know, I’m a fan of the Ga-eul and Yi-jung pairing, but I agree with sentiments that this relationship is being built on shaky ground. I’m not sure their development is occurring completely logically, although I don’t blame this on writers throwing them together based on fan response. I’m pretty sure they were going to make this match from the beginning (although they were probably waiting to see how viewers reacted). It helps that they’re a side couple, so fans are more willing to accept bumps in continuity. (Arm socks? Where did THAT come from? I know they were a present from Ga-eul — but more importantly, WHY?)

Still, despite the shortcomings I find myself rooting for them — I think part of why the Ga-eul and Yi-jung pairing is compelling is because it hasn’t been done before. (Yes, some complain that this isn’t “canon,” but if it DID follow canon I’m sure we’d get complaints on the other end saying that this is yet another disappointing non-romance. If fans were disappointed that the two never got together in the other two dramas, why disappoint a third time for the same reason?)

Since they may be diverging from the previous storyline, we don’t know how this is going to end. Maybe they won’t end up together, but because this feels like new ground, it keeps people interested. At least it does for me.

SPOILERY(?) SPECULATION

Stop here if you don’t want to read speculation for future episodes.

As you may know, Episode 13 is going to jump ahead in time. Apparently F4 will be attending university, but as they are already in their last year of high school, I’m not sure if they’re jumping one year, or several. But if Jun-pyo’s father ends up dying, this sets him up nicely to take on the mantle of Shinhwa Group leadership. I’m sure he won’t take over completely — his mother is more than capable — but I can see how this presents a different kind of conflict. As much as I enjoyed the Japanese Hanadan, I never really bought Doumyouji as running the company, but I can see Jun-pyo take this position believably. It probably has to do with how Jun-pyo has been shown to be serious and smart on occasion.

243

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1 rainey

February 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM

Thanks.

I love that for the Jun-di couple, happiness is a steady stream of bickering.

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2 Flyd

February 10, 2009 at 8:43 PM

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RECAPS. You're the best!

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3 meikisis

February 10, 2009 at 8:45 PM

Oh yah.. The real JanDi is back with this episode!!!!

I think from all the 3 Boys Before Flowers version.. this version shows the prettiest necklace!!!
Wow, the bling! Okay, just imagine its real.. You cant help but admire how cute it is! Hahaha! Knockoffs are in the works right now... lolz
The necklace in Taiwan version's is like blahh.. like a spider's web or something..
In the Japanese one... its okay i guess... just a little too plain from someone who's suppose to be super rich. I'm sure you can argue with me with this one..

Thanks for the recap again!
Can't wait for the next half of the show!

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4 Empress80

February 10, 2009 at 8:45 PM

Thank goodness the show redeemed itself a bit from last nights disastrous episode.

Did anyone else find it unfitting when the "Paradise" song came one when the rest of F4 came to help Jun-pyo and Jan-di? Usually in those kinds of situations you want some butt kickin music to come on but for some reason the PD and editors wanted to use that song. Boggles my mind. Totally irritating. Sometimes the soundtrack totally sounds decades behind the actual show.

As for Jan-di.....did she really think she would be able to find her necklace in that mountain during a snowstorm? Seriously, she must have a below 100 IQ sometimes. Hello.... big ol' mountain....inches of snow falling. Was she going to sift through all that? Pabo.

And although they never really mentioned Jun-pyo's dad, I wouldn't have guess that he was still alive and kickin. Just figured he was deceased. I wonder if they will keep him around long enough. It would be pretty cool if he ended up supporting his sons relationship with Jan-di and put his wife in check. Maaan, her evil eyes scare the living daylights out of me.

I can't wait for the second half of this series. I want them to bring on the dramatics. I think that Lee Min-ho will do great when his character has to contemplate between his love and his family business obligations (that is if it follows along with the manga storyline). Also, I'm anxious to find out how the writers will develop Ge-eul and Yi-jung's relationship. Those two are just too adorable together and Kim Bum needs more screen time.

Thanks for the recaps Javabeans! Only 5 more days till the next episode. Darn this show...it has totally cut into my study time one Mondays and Tuesdays.

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5 BOFfan

February 10, 2009 at 8:50 PM

I mean, how many lives does this Jandi have anyway? Just in the past two episodes alone, she has nearly died several times, but there is always some amazingly handsome man there to rescue her. (no fair) No wonder she is so exhausted. Anyhow, this episode was way better than 11. I can't wait to see what happens next.

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6 retchell

February 10, 2009 at 8:51 PM

thank you thank you! i've been waiting for this.

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7 Liv

February 10, 2009 at 8:52 PM

Thanks for the recap - its cleared up some confusion about certain parts of the plot (as the video I was watching was missing some subs). That said, although it wasnt as frustrating as episode 11, I'm still missing that warm happy feeling I had during earlier episodes. In fact, I when I wasnt rolling my eyes (....because looking for a tiny silver necklace on a mountain during a snowstorm in the middle of the night, aided only by the directions given to you by 3 people you know hate you, makes sense), I was bored at times.

That said, Madam Kang is AWESOME. And perhaps its because deep down I want to be an evil controlling rich powerful matriarch, but Im not as....offended by her as i was by Doumyoji's mother.

Also, so we dont get anything else from the Ha je/Jae ha storyline? Thats it?

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8 ainoviere

February 10, 2009 at 8:53 PM

Thanks again for the speedy recap! I can't wait to see how they'll treat the transition from high school to college.

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9 Aye

February 10, 2009 at 8:54 PM

I don't know about you but I was pretty bothered by poor lighting in this episode. I get that they want to make things dark and moody but they should at least make sure the viewer can see the actors' faces (expressions) properly. And I'm not just talking about the scene in the beginning, there's poor lighting also during the scene where Jun-pyo gives Jan-di the necklace.

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10 anon

February 10, 2009 at 8:55 PM

thank you so much
i look forward to reading your recaps every week!
they are basically my sentiments exactly!!

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11 maria

February 10, 2009 at 8:58 PM

before i get into my leeeengthy rave about how this epi made up for last night's WTF-ery soooo much, i just want a head count.

after seeing them beat up jae-ha and those guys (if you weren't too distracted by the ALWAYS-inappropriate "almost paaaraaadise"),

WHO HERE, NOW, FINDS WOO BIN ALARMINGLY HAWT??? :P

oh and liv!!! i did NOT drink a drop.. well, okay, i cheated a little.. were ski clothes supposed to count? :P in any case, jan-DUH is gone and jan-di's back! WOO!!

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12 lostshoop

February 10, 2009 at 8:58 PM

thank you so much again for this recap! ♥
i was slightly bothered by the choppy transitions and lack of fleshed-out emotion in moving scenes. i understand the production team's constraints and that they want to stay true to the manga though. better than yesterday for sure.

^ maria:
yes, i find woo bin hot! i want to see more of him, a lot more xD

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13 glalam

February 10, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Loved it! Completely redeemed itself from epi. 11

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14 skekk

February 10, 2009 at 9:00 PM

I'm so glad you are doing these summaries! There were so many cute lines that weren't on the Viikii translations!

Oh my gosh!

After I watched this episode, I too decided to erase this episode from my memory. So if someone asks me what happened in episode 11, I'll just say I have no idea what they are talking about.

Thank you!

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15 pearl

February 10, 2009 at 9:02 PM

LOL! I cracked up when you mentioned that Ginger's real name might be 진주. I can totally relate... but I don't know if that's good or bad right now. 진주 is my name and when I was younger my babysitter's granddaughter used Ginger as a nickname for me. XD

Anyways, thanks for your summary!! I can't watch the episode till Thursday at the earliest. D: I'm really looking forward to the second half of the series! But PLEASE NO amnesia!

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16 I♥BBF

February 10, 2009 at 9:03 PM

Wow, this new Pet Shop Boys song would be perfect for this show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI3bHzHBX5c
(love, etc.)

Javabeans, I think you will like this song (based on what I can tell of your taste in music).

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17 Empress80

February 10, 2009 at 9:03 PM

OH MY LORD! The Jun-pyo rice was ADORABLE! That jan-di sure is talented.

I'm really curious as to what she'll make next.

I'm sure if Jun-pyo would have seen this rice he would have put it in his drawer with his chocolates, half eatin apple and can of coffee.

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18 joonni

February 10, 2009 at 9:03 PM

You noticed the Ji hoo sad look too. I thought I might be reading too much into it.

So many things happened in one episode!

Someone get a better writer!

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19 tiki

February 10, 2009 at 9:04 PM

aaaah this was sooo much better! i'm so glad they gave jan di's parents more screen time.. i especially liked the scene with her father.. so touching! <33
and i really really hope we see some REAL developments between yi jung/ga eul... i'm sooo looking forward to their (potential) romance! they better not let us down (again)!

the fight scene with F4.. so hott.. i totally loved how they each had their own particular style! (though was it just me or did jun pyo sort of look like the Joker? his lips were so red! O_O scary.)

that kiss was really cute,too! (i know i definitely don't mind seeing lee min ho half naked again hahaaah XD)

can't wait until next week!

(btw, is it sad that i've been sitting here for a few hours periodically refreshing for the recap? -_- if i didnt see it, i'd go and refresh until a BOF banner came up =X *obsessed*)

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20 Fluffpuff

February 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM

Oh my goodness i've been refreshing and refreshing your page to see your review! Haha okay that sounds stalker-ish. But i loved this episode. And your recaps!

Lee Min-ho topless again. I'm sure the producers know how much fans want to see this.

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21 jo

February 10, 2009 at 9:05 PM

wow..I have given up watching it a long time ago. But I do read your reviews, they're more fun than the drama itself. =)

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22 Ladyhu9zz

February 10, 2009 at 9:06 PM

Jung Eue Chul did a great job doing double duty!!
I want Lee Min Ho doing that as well~ That would be sooo kick A**. =)
IT would be great seeing Min Ho playing the Kunisawa Amon character from the Manga. Plus a chance to see Min Ho in a totally different style~ =)

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23 dramafreak19

February 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM

Madam Kang is awesome and Kim Bum needs a LOT more screen time.

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24 PILK

February 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM

"This is a tiny point, but one thing I was disappointed about was the fact that we won’t get to see Jun-pyo’s reaction to the Jun-pyo Rice Face Lunchbox." - So true! Will Jan Di keep it to join JP's trove of Jan-di food/gifts?

The scene of JP, Jan Di and Ji-hoo after the night at the lodge was very good. No dialogue, just the return of the necklace and a sense that cosmic forces were aligned properly amongst the three.

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25 Sue

February 10, 2009 at 9:08 PM

"Woo-bin takes out several thugs, while Yi-jung is so smooth he delivers a few swift kicks with his hands in his pockets. " OMG, I almost busted a gut laughing when I read this line. And yes, ditto on the "Arg, no, this is not ALMOST PAAAARADIIIIIIIIIIIIISE."

I enjoy the Ga-Eul Yi-Jung pairing as well, but I'm just a smidge tired of the wet-eyed Ga-Eul running to the F4 to rescue Jandi. It's like, um . . . what happened to the sassy chick who told off Yi-Jung in Ep. 4?

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26 Empress80

February 10, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Ditto to # 18 & 19...........

After I watch this show I always wait for javabean's insight on the show.

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27 jassarah

February 10, 2009 at 9:10 PM

As always, thanks for the fabulous recap. I'm also a fan of the Jun Pyo rice (sooo funny), maybe Jan Di will make it or another edible Jun Pyo concoction soon. Also, you've totally mastered the Laws of KDramas, that is so true.

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28 Prongs

February 10, 2009 at 9:10 PM

I REALLY want the Ga-Eul/YiJung relationship to work out.

The development was kinda weird though since we saw a bit of her "I'm not falling for your pretty-boy ways" .....and then she does. I admit she was probably touched by the numerous ways he helps her out, but still....armwarmers?

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29 Liv

February 10, 2009 at 9:11 PM

@maria - HA! Ski clothes totally count :P I totally forgot though....I think Im going to have to rewatch this episode now (now where's that wine opener?)....

Also Javabeans, I think your statement that every sort of costume/uniform for every single sporting activity shall be present. Shall we take bets on what the next sport will be?

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30 Jasmine

February 10, 2009 at 9:12 PM

Just Wondering. In a previous post, I think when it mentioned the casting for Gu JunHee, it was mentioned that she was heir to the Shinhwa corporation. Was that wrong? Is that mantle automatically going to JunPyo because he's actually in Korea or because he's male?

Anyone know?

Seriously, loved this episode. And F3 beating up the bad guys in the beginning was HOT.

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31 Suzo

February 10, 2009 at 9:12 PM

i love your comments i always check here a couple times on monday and tuesdays to see if youve written a summary. they always crack me up.

but seriously, how fake was that blood the four lines of syrup dripping from my forehead made me skip past the scene cause it was so fake ... and when i got the courage to rewatch that scene, I saw him spit out blood from his mouth that was apparently SO sticky it just dangled around six inches away from his mouth.

thanks again for your summary~

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32 Lucille

February 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM

Thanks for the recaps. I really liked this episode. We saw a touch more of JD feelings. But hey, did anyone else have an Austin Powers flash back when that snow boarder was mowing down Gaeul. I couldn't help but laugh because in my head I could see a guy screaming and a steam roller mowing him down at .001 mph.

While I am enjoying watching this series, I think I may be missing some small things.
1. Does JP know about any of the things his mother has done?
2. What happened to the guys who kidnapped JD?
3. What are her parents doing now since the food stall was destroyed?
4. What happened to the mean girls for stealing her necklace?
5. What was the deal with the old man in the shop?

I feel like there are a lot of issues where I am not getting closure.

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33 Akiddo

February 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM

Thanks javabeans. I have been waiting for your recaps the whole morning to make sense of what i watched without subs!

Definitely made up for the sloppy episode 11. The chemistry is getting better and better. Hope that the 2nd half deviates from the original eg. amnesia etc. and give the audience something fresh. K dramas are great at dramatic, romantic, heart wrenching moments.

Like the last scene best (even though i cannot figure out why JP couldn't call her first to say good bye!) as Goo Hye Sun did a great job - i wanted to cry with her :((. Somehow i feel more for the Rui/Ji Hoo character this time. He seems to suit Jandi better.

Another drought till next monday.

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34 retchell

February 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM

“If someone told me, ‘I made this for you’ and gave me a one-of-a-kind keepsake, even if it’s just a piece of glass, I’d be so happy.” (Yi-jung, are you listening?)

you're awesome, javabeans!

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35 aceyyy

February 10, 2009 at 9:13 PM

The music got SO much better; however it was also like instrumental version overload (not complaining, cos it was so much better, but the contrast is SO stark compared to the other episodes) - it was like new toy, let's overuse it!

I actually really really enjoy watched Madam Kang in this series. She is cool, gorgeous, evil, yet... a mother. Also much more compelling in terms of the look than Madam Kaede.

Lol at the fake blood overload, but i LOVE that for the makeup scene, we just get to listen to it from JiHoo's unintrusive perspective. I like it. Subtle and leaves some things to our imagination.

However I think there's something missing in this drama... usually lead-character interactions in dramas I enjoy make me go doki doki, but possibly as an inevitable consequence of rampant schizophrenia, I find it really hard to do that. Jandi never seems quiiite as into it as Junpyo, who sometimes seems obsessed or out of it. I just.. I dunno

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36 Bisquit

February 10, 2009 at 9:14 PM

@BOFfan #5 - I guess Jandi is a cat XD Just... more than 9 lives.... 90?

We are officially half way :o

And you know how whenever there are those time jumps, there are those things when the characters get make-overs....

Oh Geum Jandi~~~~~~~

And maybe a new ost for the second half... >:)

For some reason, in this pic:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm96/javabeans122/drama/kkot/bbf2/kkot12-216.jpg

I keep thinking her hair looks better wet and messy.. o.O

That aside, when viewers say this is like the Japanese version, than others say its more like the Taiwanese version, than others say no, its like the manga more.. I guess its just being what it is: The Korean version XD The version with all the elements of other versions (yet... with major flaws of its own XD)

So, the flaws I'm getting used to. No; I come prepared mentally when I'm about to begin the episode I hardly notice them now XD ('cept for Jandi moments when i'm like ".........." the moments its impossible to ignore since she does things so obviously ">:O" at times. I still think she's cute at times ^^)

So now I'm waiting for the next episode........ *goes crazy*

I wonder how theyre gonna do it :O

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37 jackieee

February 10, 2009 at 9:16 PM

aww that's too bad that he didn't get to see Jan-di's lunchbox offering.. Im sure he wouldn't have eaten it! (maybe put it with the cookies??)

can't wait for the time jump!! i wonder how they're going to try to make them look older. i bet one of them is going to wear glasses. i mean, lee dong-wook sported a pair after the time lapse for the last couple of episodes... ^-^

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38 BOFfan

February 10, 2009 at 9:16 PM

BTW, thanks Javabeans for your recaps. Hilarious as always about Yi Jung being unstrapped to his snowboard in the middle of a run and your regret at not seeing JunPyo's reaction to Jandi's rice creation. LOL... me too. I also forgot to mention, I guess the PD is trying to resurrect Woo Bin's character as he was kicking some serious butt in the action sequence. ha ha. i feel sorry for him, b/c they don't give him much character development. hopefully, we'll see more of him later on.
And the look on Ji Hoo's face as he is questioning the mean girls?... priceless. someone put his eyes back in!

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39 EUNWHUI

February 10, 2009 at 9:16 PM

thank you for the great recap! :)
yes, this episode was SO much better than yesterdays... oh jeezus.
but oh god. jandi + junpyo CONFLICT starting from episode 13... T_T

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40 Bumming arnd=)

February 10, 2009 at 9:18 PM

Probably its annoying for some, but personally I find it really hilarious how Jan-di makes a lot of sense sometimes like a mature grown-up and how she suddenly reverts back to a silly kid, esp so when she asked Jun-pyo about the necklace..LOL..really glad to see more of Yi-Jung n Ga-eul scenes..haha..tis couple is soooooo CUTE....and i like the way how Ga-eul is portrayed as a smart and slightly mischievous gal here..altho she likes Yi-Jung, she's not totally throwing herself at him like a total despo as in previous versions..this Ga-eul has more brains..i like=)

n yes..Thanks for the recaps!!!=P

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41 Bisquit

February 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM

@Jasime - #29

"Is that mantle automatically going to JunPyo because he’s actually in Korea or because he’s male?"

I'm guessing cause he's the male.. you know, cause the last name things and pass it down to his son - > grandson.

Where if it was his sister who received the corp... if she got married, wouldn't it go to to her husband?

---

Oh. And if there is a several yr time jump, I guess this would be a plus for GHS since she wouldnt have to worry about acting as a teen and she would look her real age more :/

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42 aceyyy

February 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM

@35 Biscuit:
Hehe I noticed she looked good there too, but I attributed it to the shirt. She wore one in the twilight photoshoot too, and it suits her? Come to think of it, I think she'd make a more compelling lawyer (looks-wise anyway) than Makino...

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43 orr

February 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM

this episode was quite... dramatic. but i can't wait for that time shift to happen. i can totally see him managing a company in a gong chan (from My girl) way. aka totally hawt.

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44 Debbie

February 10, 2009 at 9:19 PM

Thanks for the recap! I always find myself giggling or even laughing out loud while reading your recaps.

Anyway, I don't understand Korean but I have, since the start of BOF, gotten myself into a habit of watching BOF raw (i.e. no english subtitles), then watch it with subtitle. I like to watch a BOF episode raw because I love to see the acting of the actors. I find that by watching it raw first, you feel the emotions that the actors try to convey more deeply and strongly by looking at just their facial expressions and not the english subtitle that is streaming at the bottom of the screen. To that end, I have to say that my favorite part of episode 12 is this: I LOVED the smile that was exchanged between Jan Di and Jun Pyo after Ji Hoo handed the necklace back to Jan Di. To me, the smile exchanged between them was an acknowledgement of their mutual love, feeling and respect for each other. I don't know how I got that from that scene, but that is what I got from watching that scene raw.

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45 lynn

February 10, 2009 at 9:20 PM

your recaps are too funny, i laughed so much at the law of kdramas

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46 anon

February 10, 2009 at 9:20 PM

I dunno... Actually I'm quite disappointed with this episode. I mean with the way they've resolved JaHae story arc. Is that it? I think it could have been better. and the part suddenly they are skiing.. plus the evil trio also at the same ski place. and the snow blizzard is actually not a 'blizzard'. MinHo half naked is too fan-service for my taste. and the way they've add some filler scene; YiJung-Gaeul in particular.

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47 anner

February 10, 2009 at 9:20 PM

lol @ #32,
A drought, indeed!

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48 Lila H

February 10, 2009 at 9:21 PM

"...while Yi-jung is so smooth he delivers a few swift kicks with his hands in his pockets."

LMAO at this part. He must've had years of martial arts training. Still, his combative style fits perfectly with his character. He's extremely elegant and it's makes sense that he doesn't like to get his hands dirty, even when fighting. Contrast that to Woobin whose jumping around and doing flying kicks.

* * * * *

As for the Gae-ul/Yi-jung, I find them MUCH more interesting than the main couple. I mainly watch this show ONLY for those two. They have more chemistry and are more compatible than the lead pair. (I know everyone raves about the Jandi/JunPyo coupling because they're blinded by Lee Min Ho's looks)

If G&Y don't end up together, riots might explode b/c those two have a vocal and avid fanbase.

It's about time they departed from the previous 2 BOF versions and the manga.

* * * * *

Episode 12 was a BIGGER DISAPPOINTMENT than episode 11. The story jumped from pt. A to pt. D, and so many things were not tied in well. These last two episodes have been a hodgepodge. I assume it's because filming just finished a few days before, and the editing of the episode was only completed a few hours before airing.

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49 annieee

February 10, 2009 at 9:22 PM

i was really disappointed that jun pyo didnt get to see that lunchbox too. my heart sank when jan di dropped the lunchbox onto the floor in her frenzy to watch the shinhwa plane take off. this episode was significantly better than yesterday's, but as always, the inappropriate and overplayed music ruins an important scene. but as dramabeans mentioned, at least they're giving us the instrumental ver. it only makes it that much more tolerable. *__*
one thing i dont get is how jan di's father could be released from the loan sharks if jan di returned the money back to ms. kang. can anyone clarify?
mighty excited for the second half of the show, but i am praying that they don't make jun pyo get amnesia like in the manga. cause i really cant imagine hot-tempered, arrogant jun pyo suddenly forgetting everything. plus, dont we have enough amnesia-related plots in kdramas already?