Boys Before Flowers: Episode 18

270 March 9, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both (and add a dash of the embarrassing) and there you have: A typical episode of Boys Before Flowers.

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Leessang – “JJJ” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 18 RECAP

At the pool, Jun-pyo forcibly removes Jae-kyung’s arms from around his waist, but she wraps them around him again.

Jun-pyo faces her, and we can see he’s changed somewhat because his tone is almost gentle when he says, “You’ll find a guy who’s right for you.” (He tempers that by adding, “Since you’re not so ugly.”) Stubbornly, Jae-kyung insists, “I don’t want anyone else.” She asks cautiously, “Is there someone you like?” He responds, “Yeah.”

Jae-kyung just nods, so he wonders why she’s not asking about the girl. She’s already guessed, though, and her reaction is revealing of her character — despite her straightforward personality, in this she chooses denial over facing the truth. Jae-kyung shoves her fingers in her ears and shouts, “I don’t want to hear. Ahhh, I can’t hear, not at all.” And she runs off.

Jan-di doesn’t see the rest of their conversation, because she had turned and left after witnessing their hug. In shock, she sits alone in a daze, which is where Ji-hoo finds her.

He assesses her mood and takes her aside to a quiet corner. In true Ji-hoo fashion, he doesn’t ask questions and waits while she sits and fidgets with nervous energy. Jan-di looks at her shaking hand and mutters that the stupid thing won’t stop. Ji-hoo takes her hand in his grasp and tells her, “It’s not stupid, so don’t scold it too much.” It’s a really sweet gesture.

Ji-takes starts to play his guitar, until eventually Jan-di falls asleep on his shoulder. After a little while, Ji-hoo moves aside and leaves Jan-di to continue sleeping.

When he steps outside, he notices Jun-pyo exiting the hotel; soon afterward, Ji-hoo gets a text message from him reading, “I’m leaving first.”

Alone in the hotel suite, Jae-kyung smothers her sorrows in ice cream, and who can blame her for that? Although, if she were really serious she’d be using the big spoon, is all I’m sayin’.

Jae-kyung recalls all the signs that indicate that Jun-pyo and Jan-di used to date, such as the first meeting in Macau when Jan-di admitted she’d come to see her boyfriend. Looking over the couple rings she’d planned to give to Jun-pyo, Jae-kyung compares the inscriptions on the rings to the one on Jan-di’s star-moon necklace.

And now for some (unintentional) hilarity. I’m sorry, this whole section was almost too embarrassing to watch, even if it did finally feature more Woo-bin. On the downside to having more Woo-bin is that it felt like they were shoehorning in a Woo-bin Story of Drama and Angst purely because fans want more Kim Joon, and while I fully support that cause, I only wish it had been handled in a more skilled way.

Basically, Woo-bin parks his car along a bridge and thinks back to a recent encounter where he had been drunkenly walking the railing while Yi-jung looked on in worry. Woo-bin is wallowing in a bout of self-pity because — get this! — he’s embarrassed about his background.

Woo-bin says in a defeated tone that he’s only considered part of F4 because of his association with the others (uh, and what about the construction empire he’s inheriting, conveniently forgetful writers?). His shady associations make him ashamed — but only with his F4 friends. While he doesn’t care what other people think of him, sometimes “I feel so embarrassed that it irritates me to death.” (Irritate to death? That’s like saying something is extremely mediocre, or the best average.)

Frustrated, Yi-jung pulls Woo-bin off the railing, and pushes him against his car — and who else wondered for a second whether these two guys were going to make out?

Yi-jung’s mad now, demanding, “Is that all we are to you?” He thinks friendship runs deeper than that, and that they should be able to rely on each other and not feel ashamed.

You’re right, Yi-jung, because you shouldn’t be the ones feeling embarrassed — that’s for US to feel, watching this scene. (It is so, so uncomfortable.)

But now that Woo-bin is sober, he reflects back to the bridge scene fondly, and calls Yi-jung.

Now the tables are turned — Yi-jung is the one who’s drunk and in a foul mood. He staggers from his table at a club, nearly falling on top of one woman sitting at another table. When the girl recognizes Yi-jung, she’s flattered at the attention, and he comes at her with a kiss. This does not go over well with the men at the table, who shove Yi-jung aside angrily. Drunk as he is, Yi-jung is in no state to defend himself, and the guys get carried away beating him — one even stomps on his hand, hard.

Woo-bin to the rescue! He arrives in a blaze of fury, with a group of gangsters in tow. The club guys back off quickly as Woo-bin’s mobster henchmen offer to take care of them, but Woo-bin vows to take care of the bastards himself.

Woo-bin growls that in damaging Yi-jung’s precious hand, they may have destroyed something that’s irreplaceable. Woo-bin fights them, then takes Yi-jung away to get treated.

At the resort, Jan-di and Ji-hoo are greeted at breakfast by a cheerful Jae-kyung, who announces that she couldn’t sleep at all because “last night was a hugely historic night for Gu Jun-pyo and Ha Jae-kyung.” That’s not exactly false, but is intended to plant the wrong idea in Jan-di’s head. Jae-kyung compounds the innuendo by saying that Jun-pyo left early because he was embarrassed (over their supposed Big Night together).

So, Jae-kyung has decided on her battle plan — to take charge and do whatever it takes to win Jun-pyo. For what it’s worth, she seems conflicted about misleading Jan-di, but that doesn’t stop her.

Jan-di and Ji-hoo take a detour to a Buddhist temple, where they write wishes for good fortune on tablets. It’s sweet that both Jan-di and Ji-hoo’s wishes are for each other rather than themselves: Ji-hoo wishes that Jan-di will be accepted into medical school, while Jan-di’s is for Ji-hoo to “always be happy.”

A monk happens to be watching, and smiles at them in approval. The man tells Ji-hoo a little cryptically that Jan-di is like a lotus flower whom Ji-hoo should treat well, as she will “make you a family.”

Meanwhile, back home, Dr. President Grandpa Yoon has heart trouble. (It wouldn’t be a PD Jeon drama unless somebody has random heart trouble?)

When Jan-di arrives home, she finds her family in low spirits and her parents packing. They’ve realized they can’t support the family by living and working in Seoul, so they are going to move away to work and will send money back to Jan-di and Kang-san, who need to stay to continue school.

They name Jan-di the official head of household, to which Kang-san mutters, “Since when wasn’t she?” Truer words, dude.

Here’s an odd and interesting scene. In the morning, Jun-pyo finds to his surprise that Jae-kyung is directing his servants, which he finds intrusive. Undaunted by his lack of enthusiasm, Jae-kyung steers him to sit at the breakfast table. She’d thought long and hard about what she could do for Jun-pyo — which isn’t easy because they both grew up rich and privileged — and considered what she’d like for herself. The first thing that came to mind was how she hates eating breakfast alone.

Jun-pyo thinks back to his own childhood, how he always had to eat alone in the big dining room and how he hated it. It’s quite interesting because he stares at Jae-kyung in a new way, like he’s seeing her for the first time as a potential friend — or maybe more, a kindred spirit who understands him more than he’d anticipated.

He agrees to eat — a little reluctantly, as though he doesn’t want to feel kinship with her — so she excitedly serves him, which reminds him of breakfast with Jan-di’s family.

Jae-kyung presents Jun-pyo with the couple rings, and asks him to put hers on her finger. Jun-pyo reads the engraving, and the J ♥ J inscription reminds him of the same thing he’d put on Jan-di’s necklace.

This is a nicely acted beat, because for a moment you’re afraid he’ll actually go ahead with it, and Jae-kyung looks at him in nervousness, hoping he will. But the engraving is what snaps him out of it, and Jun-pyo puts the rings back inside the box and hands it to Jae-kyung. He leaves, saying, “I have somewhere to go.”

That turns out to be Yi-jung’s studio. Yi-jung’s right hand has been broken and he now wears a cast. He looks around his studio, as though missing it now that he can’t do anything, and remembers working alongside Eun-jae in the past. Even with Eun-jae, he’d displayed flashes of his current playboy attitude, telling her that girls are like math problems — they make him wonder how to figure one out (suggesting all girls can be easily reduced to a simple answer). His comment causes her smile to falter.

When Jun-pyo visits, Yi-jung is in a lost, bitter state of mind. He says, “It’s over,” referring to his career as a potter (which I don’t understand because yes, his arm is broken, but broken arms heal, no?). In any case, he compares his forced retirement to that of the swimmer with the bum shoulder, which makes Jun-pyo ask sharply if he means Jan-di. Yi-jung: “Is there any other swimmer we know?”

Yi-jung thinks, “It looks like you really came to your senses in Macau. Stuff like love or innocence never applied to people like us from the start.” Jun-pyo, however, just wants a straight answer from Yi-jung: What is wrong with Jan-di and why?

Yi-jung tells him that it was the blow from the chair that did it: “You don’t know how much Jan-di cried after she heard she wouldn’t be able to swim anymore, do you?” This hits Jun-pyo hard, but Yi-jung continues in his dull monotone: “People like you and I have nothing to give the women we love but hurt.”

Reeling from this news, Jun-pyo heads to the school pool, where he battles his guilt over Jan-di’s injury.

Meanwhile, Jan-di manages to find a new room for herself and Kang-san — it’s not a great location, but it’s what they could afford. Brother and sister promise each other to do their best so their parents won’t have to worry.

Madam Kang is traveling on a business trip to Vancouver, so before she leaves, she instructs Mr. Jung to keep a strict eye on Jun-pyo and to report to her at the first hint of something odd. Mr. Jung agrees, although by now it’s clear his loyalties to Jun-pyo trump those to Madam Kang, which we can see in his expression when he sees Jun-pyo sleeping with his pink curly-haired doll.

Mr. Jung also leaves a folder in Jun-pyo’s possession that shows recent photos of Jan-di, meaning he’s still keeping tabs on her and having her watched. I suppose this is supposed to be Romantic, not Stalker-Creepy?

Thus Jun-pyo has no trouble finding Jan-di’s new home, where he shows up in the morning as she’s returning with her brother from their delivery run.

He makes up the excuse that he’s not here to see them; he’s here because he’s also moving into the building. It’s not a total lie — he really IS moving in — but it’s obviously because of Jan-di.

Jun-pyo explains that this is a sort of test of life experience for the Shinhwa successor. He’s supposed to try fend for himself and experience independence for a while. (Yunno, leadership skills and building character and all that.)

This means he’s their neighbor; he’s taken a nearby apartment for himself.

Ga-eul continues with her pottery classes. Eun-jae reads Ga-eul’s dejected mood and guesses that she’s pining over the guy she likes, and urges her to confess her feelings before it’s too late. Ga-eul answers, “I’m afraid. He’s very different from me.”

Wisely, Eun-jae responds, “Love doesn’t work if you hold back. And it won’t remain hidden even if you try to hide it.” Ga-eul senses that Eun-jae is speaking from experience, so she asks why it didn’t work out for her. Eun-jae says that although she wanted to stay with her man, in the end she couldn’t — she kept wanting more than he was willing to give.

Jan-di comes home to find a huge stock of household supplies, which she guesses came from Jun-pyo. It’s cute that he knows how she’d respond, so instead of saying he got them for her, he makes the excuse that he bought too much for himself so he’s just “throwing it away” by dumping it in Jan-di’s apartment.

And then, he is distracted by the wonderful, wonderful smells of cooking ramen. The three settle down to eat, but Jun-pyo takes an instant liking to the noodles (it may be his first experience ever) and quickly scarfs down the entire pot, then asks for more.

Taking Eun-jae’s advice to heart, Ga-eul decides to be honest about her feelings. Despite his cool greeting, Ga-eul isn’t deterred and asks him to go out on a date with her. Yi-jung reminds her that they already did that, so she clarifies that she means a real date, not a fake one.

Yi-jung maintains his dismissive demeanor, but Ga-eul tells him she’s not joking. She confesses, “I like you.”

For a brief moment, it looks like Yi-jung is surprised (and more affected than he’d like to admit). But he covers that up with his usual defense mechanism, which is to push her away and act the cold-hearted womanizer. He says thanks, but recites his list of dating “rules”:

Yi-jung: “One, I don’t mess with nice girls. Two, I don’t mess with foolish girls. Three, I absolutely don’t mess with girls connected with my friends. Ga-eul, you know all three apply to you, don’t you? My answer is no.”

She starts to protest. He says, “You know the way out.”

Hurt, Ga-eul leaves, but his expression when he’s alone tells us that he’s lashing out because of his inner frustration — he’s kind of like Jun-pyo in that, actually. For Yi-jung, it’s not that he can’t have Ga-eul, but he’s afraid to pursue anything with her, so he keeps her away. But similarly to Jun-pyo, he has enough presence of mind to feel self-loathing over it.

That night, Jan-di’s studying is interrupted by a scream coming from nearby — it’s Jun-pyo, and the Big Bad Shinhwa Multimillionaire has just seen a roach. Okay, they are pretty gross, but Jan-di takes care of them easily and shoots Jun-pyo an annoyed look.

When she starts to leave, Jun-pyo hastily asks her to stay and keep him company. So she does, sitting by until Jun-pyo has fallen asleep. She tucks him into bed, then heads back to her apartment.

She has an unexpected guest — Jae-kyung, who heard about her move from Ga-eul. Frankly, I’m not sure what point this serves (probably a clumsy setup for a future point) because the obvious conflict is that she’ll realize Jun-pyo lives next door. But instead, we just get an abrupt transition from Jae-kyung’s visit to the next scene, which shows Jan-di in the school library.

While browsing the bookshelves, Jan-di comes across Ji-hoo napping in the aisle. When he wakes up, he notices the Matisse book she’s holding; he takes an interest in her mention of a school report, because this is something he can help her with.

Since his family owns several art galleries, Ji-hoo closes one to the public to allow Jan-di its exclusive use.

In the gift shop, Jan-di looks over a gift set of a ceramic lotus flower, which reminds her of President Yoon’s puzzle, so she asks Ji-hoo if he knows why lotus flowers bloom in mud. Unbeknownst to Jan-di, her wording echoes the monk’s words, and Ji-hoo thinks back to his comment that Jan-di will make him a family.

Afterward, Ji-hoo falls asleep while resting on an outdoor bench because apparently he is narcoleptic in this episode. Working off Ji-hoo’s sleeping profile, Jan-di sketches him while he dozes.

When he wakes, she gives him the drawing, which he says is so good it merits a present in return — he hands her a gift box containing the ornamental lotus blossom, and answers her question: “They say that even though lotus flowers bloom in mud, they make the world clean and fragrant.”

Jan-di thinks, “Their name is pretty, and so are their actions.” Ji-hoo: “You’re like that.”

At home, Jun-pyo busily packs his clothing. With Madam Kang still in Vancouver, he asks Mr. Jung for his cooperation in keeping quiet to his mother.

Jae-kyung bursts in, so he tells her exasperatedly that she should call and ask permission instead of barging into his room. This doesn’t faze her, and she flops onto his bed and makes herself at home.

In annoyance, Jun-pyo tries to pull her up — Mr. Jung leaves them to their privacy — but instead, he ends up losing his balance.

Jun-pyo falls, hovering over Jae-kyung.

She asks, “Want to make a bet with me?”

COMMENTS

Someone commented in a previous episode thread that it’s almost like Lee Min-ho and Lee Min-jung are trying to suppress the great chemistry they have together for the sake of their characters, and I have to agree — they do have chemistry, which is problematic since their chemistry threatens to outstrip the other couples. (I think Jun-pyo and Jan-di have chemistry too — only, we’ve barely seen them acting together in the past six episodes, which tends to erase that from our short-term memories.)

What’s interesting is that the whole Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung courtship is meant to be unsatisfactory, or at least should point to why these two aren’t right for each other, or at least why they’re less right than Jun-pyo and Jan-di. Textbook Kdrama Studies should tell us that they are supposed to be perfect for each other on paper but not in real life — kind of like how Ji-hoo’s the perfect guy for Jan-di but won’t work out because she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings (anymore). But it’s starting to feel like Jae-kyung really is the right girl for Jun-pyo, and that confuses me. Not that I think the production is going to flout convention and actually put them together — oh hayell no — but because I’m not seeing why we are supposed to be rooting for Jun-di over Jun-kyung, except maybe “because we’re supposed to.”

For instance, think of all of Jun-pyo’s and Jae-kyung’s interactions together. If we were starting this drama with “season 2,” you’d think that Jun-kyung was the ultimate pairing rather than the foil. Even the way Jun-pyo is treating Jae-kyung is softening, and he has a few moments of real connection with her (whether they’re romantic or even just platonic, in a human-to-human way). So why are they pushing this angle when I’m trying to root for the “real” ultimate couple?

We also have a similar issue on the flipside, with Ji-hoo and Jan-di. I know this may sound like a diss, but I don’t mean it that way — it’s more like glass-half-full thinking — when I say that I’m almost glad that Ji-hoo isn’t played by a stronger actor, because then I’d be completely confused about the mixed-up love lines in this drama.

To wit: Imagine someone like the silently broody Jung Il-woo (a la Return of Iljimae) or gentle Ji Hyun-woo (from My Sweet Seoul), or sure, Jang Geun-seok (Beethoven Virus) casting longing glances at Jan-di — I’d be on that ‘ship so fast my head would spin.

As it is, I’m liking their dynamic a lot — not necessarily the actors’ chemistry, but the characters’ relationship. One of my favorite moments is when they each write their wishes for the other person, because it’s poignant that they both would rather wish for the other person’s happiness more than their own. I’m guessing the monk’s prediction actually means Jan-di will restore Ji-hoo’s family (i.e., mend the bridge with his grandfather), but the other meaning (suggesting they’re going to marry) is an interesting thought. In theory.

270

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101 CyNurse

March 10, 2009 at 12:08 AM

I like the second half of the episode. Jun Pyo is so cute and endearing.

And I do hope they pursue the Yi Jung-Ga Eul tandem next. Yi Jung reects Ga Eul a couple of times already. It will be refreshing to watch him pursue Ga Eul (like Jun Pyo pursued Jan Di) for a change.

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102 shannen

March 10, 2009 at 12:12 AM

thanks Java beans!

i am glad they gave WooBin (meaningful) scenes here, but it's also a bit funny..i do agree with everything you pointed out :) your comments are always something to look forward to..

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103 peony

March 10, 2009 at 12:21 AM

Thanks for the great recap. You always sum everything up so well and I totally agree with you.

1 - Woo Bin's story line is confusing because we haven't seen anything about his life (outside of F4) to understand why he's embarrassed to be a gangster's son.
2 - The relationship between JunPyo and JK is starting to bother me because they seem like the right fit but I'm still rooting for JanDi.
3 - I love how JiHoo really cares for JanDi and puts her fist but It's so obvious that she's totally heart broken over JunPyo. It's very interesting how patient he is with her and how he takes care of her knowing that he is going to lose in the end. Usually when a guy does this he's deemed whipped or a totally loser. But in this case you really see where is he coming from and how much he cares for her.

I can't wait for episode 18.

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104 ditzy12

March 10, 2009 at 12:21 AM

I'm getting really confused with the JD-JH relationship. In the library scene, when facing the sleeping Ji Hoo, she mouthed the word "Oppa". She has never even called JP that. What happened to SunBae?

All this JD and JH quality time is driving me nuts.There are just so many innuendoes? Where is all this leading to?

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105 Cindy

March 10, 2009 at 12:22 AM

i agree with your point about the confusion in the pairing at this point in the series. at times i get so frustrated with this show that i'm contemplating giving up on it. and i know it does no good to do this but i can't help but compare this to hana yori dango season 2. i dunno what the stupid writers and production team are trying to do with jaekyung and joonpyo but that scene with the breakfast seems entirely counterintuitive and going against what is meant to happen in the end. i know what the writers are trying to do. they're trying to fuck with the viewers so that when jandi and joonpyo eventually find their way back to each other, it;ll seem so much more dramatic and satisfying. and maybe it'll make sense later but in the meantime it's sooooo frustrating to see the writers going WAAAAY overboard with it and totally losing sight of its emotional core. in HYD, never did i ever think that domyouji was thinking about any other girl beside makino. and even when makino was confused about domyouji vs. hanazawa rui, she wasn't spending constant time with rui either. rather, she was contemplating what to do in order to follow her own heart. going by the writer's script and goo hyesun's portrayal, i don't see how anyone who is supposed to believe that she isn't into jihoo. i can't see the jandi-jihoo chemistry thing though, unlike most people. but mostly because i can't imagine any girl who's obvious enough to fall for his CHEESY BAG OF TRICKS. its weird because i really liked kim hyunjoong on "we got married" but i absolutely despise his Rui. i liked how rui was so fucking cool and when he did things for makino, it felt nice and romantic, not desperate and cheesy. kim hyunjoong has never once been able to express rui's aloofness and it will always disappoint me about BOF.

i also dislike how the show has turned jandi-jaekyung friendship almost TOO friendly. in HYD, you always felt shigeru's loneliness and desire for makino's friendship but makino always was reluctant pretty much until when shigeru left. i understand what BOF is trying to do but in attempting to make jandi seem angelic, they have also taken away her backbone and any kind of personality.

ugh, so fed up.

don't even get me started on the yijung angst that is SOOO CHEESY and the horrible editing in this entire episode. also, thanks for replacing cheesy music with EVEN CHEESIER MUSIC. i can honestly say i absolutely hate this show right now but will i tune in next week? you know it! it ain't crack for nuthin'

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106 hanamichi-san

March 10, 2009 at 12:24 AM

feeee-yu! for a second there i feared that JP would accept the stupid couple rings. after JK presented the ring i found myself screaming "oh my god. oh my god. DON'T ACCEPT IT!"

yep. the woo bin/ yi jung scene was hard to digest. its weird how the PD went with that scene just to express a little 'non-homo man' love. hahaha

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107 Shizuki

March 10, 2009 at 12:33 AM

as for kim joon, even though the (love)scenes with him and kim bum were absolutely retarded and the storyline completely illogical and tacked on, i kinda liked the performance we got out of him in spite of the shitty storyline. so it just makes me wish more they would give him a storyline that actually made sense. the great thing about his character is that in the manga, he's the force that holds F4 together and attempts to solve all their problems. here, he's just kinda useless. i'm not sure why the production chose to leave that part out, but it's pretty effin' stupid. and if they left it out simply because he's less popular than the other actors and they wanted to give more airtime to the names that would sell more CF contracts, then i hope this production team never makes another drama again.

i don't mean to be so hard on this drama considering how obsessed i am. but i guess i'm just lashing out because i've never been this obsessed with a program as badly written as this. especially cos i just finished watching dal ja's spring for the first time and to go from that to this is just painful.

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108 docmitasha

March 10, 2009 at 12:34 AM

Javabeans, thank you thank you for making me laugh so hard. Specifically in the Woo Bin sequence and the 'narcoleptic' line. I can always count on ya on doing that, and BOF just makes it easier ha!

Um, so Jan Di didn't faint or pass out or hurt herself in this episode? Isn't this a first for wonder woman? *Applause*

If we all didn't already know how this ends, the chemistry between the 'wrong' couples would have generated much more interest and buzz, because we'd keep wondering who'll end up with who. As you said, I just don't buy why Jun Pyo and Jan Di are meant to be: yes, they have chemistry, yes they are cute together, yes to some degree they can care for each other, but I really don't think they've ever been shown to understand each other. So, in some ways, the fact that we all expect an ending and are just wondering how they'll do it in this version kind of takes away form the fun...

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109 sugarpunch

March 10, 2009 at 12:37 AM

LOL. I think there will soon be a fan club for yijung-woobin pairing :S Really think that Jandi should end up with jihoo, but who said love was easy? ><

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110 dash

March 10, 2009 at 12:40 AM

and 1 more thing....

is JH's grandpa having a heart problem or something? if so, why were he clutching his right chest? ain't it supposed to be the left chest....hehe...or is it just me....lol....

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111 tsukasa, come back!

March 10, 2009 at 12:50 AM

one thing i liked about tsukasa is that they showed how after makino and him became separated, he went back to his old ways. it showed how much she really touched his life. it upsets me at times to see goo joonpyo sitting idly by like a big ball of pansy as jaekyung just pesters him again and again and he just weakly calls out "monkey!". i kinda want to see him be a jerk again. it'll show how much geum jandi affects who he is as a man.

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112 Tay

March 10, 2009 at 12:50 AM

I think grandpa has chest problem not heart problem right cos he is holding to his right side of the chest not left where the heart is. unless he got different body structure than us lol...

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113

March 10, 2009 at 12:57 AM

nah...i still think that jandi/joonpyo couple is the best
if you weigh it out, yes it seems that the past couple episodes have been centered on Jaekyung and Joonpyo, but the scenes between joonpyo and jandi are more meaningful.
Plus, jaekyung is kinda annoying throughout the episodes, which makes her an unfavorable character to most people.

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114

March 10, 2009 at 12:59 AM

and to shizuki, i assure you that there were far more worsely written dramas than this. There has to be something good about the drama that keeps you watching. so get over the badly written script or whatever.

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115 dash

March 10, 2009 at 1:07 AM

@#113 - Tay

lol....yeah, probably chest prob...though usually in any other drama, that kind of scene with all d med is usually for heart related problem....

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116 Liv

March 10, 2009 at 1:08 AM

So when I commented after the last episode, I believe I might have used the words "please throw Woo bin a bone". I was clearly too hasty with my words - really guys, there is no need to force it. If you can't give us a decent scene, you don't need to give us one at all. Although I'll admit I did get great pleasure from screaming "KISS HIM DAMNIT! KISS HIIIIIM!" at the screen.

Also, I love how blase Jan-di was about finding Ji-hoo passed out on the library floor. Ji-hoo is the only character who could be found lying motionless in a public place without this being the intro to a hospital scene. Also, I think if I was wandering around my school library and saw a disembodied limb in a secluded corner, I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, not investigating the scene.

I'm relieved that Ga eul confessed her feelings to Yi jung though. Now I know that I should give up my vain hopes for those two ending up together because its clear they are going to follow the HYD storyline. My focus can now return to the main couple: Yi jung and Woo bin.

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117 monday

March 10, 2009 at 1:09 AM

Thanks! I've been waiting for your recap all day.

LOL, I totally thought the same thing when the Mr. Jung gave the file to Junpyo.
"I suppose this is supposed to be Romantic, not Stalker-Creepy?"
In reality, it would be stalker creepy!

It seems we can praise Lee Minho forever and a minute. I applaud his facial reaction at the breakfast table. He did so well shifting his look from irritated, to understanding, caring and just as you said, " like he’s seeing her for the first time". This totally did a number to many of us. Good Job!

As for the Woobin scene, I'd say "Thank you for more Woobin time! But that was so unnecessary!" lol. Agreed w/everyone's comment.

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118 Akiddo

March 10, 2009 at 1:21 AM

#92 Lena

I totally agree - Tsukasa never looked at another girl. At most he felt guilty not being clear with his feelings. He always knew Makino was the one. GJP is losing his mojo. Where is the obsession!

Maybe the scriptwriters really want us to root for the alternative pairings? In that case then - Jihoo fighting!!!!!

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119 jolee

March 10, 2009 at 1:33 AM

Thanks for the recaps! I always love your comments!

As for the Woo bin scene, what made me full of question marks was Yi Jung screaming at him to get off the rail, when clearly there was another barrier on the other side. Sure its dangerous when hes drunk, but the way he was yelling, you'd expect him to be jumping off the bridge, not casually walking on an inside rail. *extra cringes for the entire scene*

There were a bunch of cute moments. I like how they incorporated Joon pyo's stuffed cat. It would have been sweeter if Jandi discovered it in his rooftop bedroom.

What really got to me was the music. While I do appreciate the new variety and better choices in music, does there really have to be something playing in EVERY scene? I think there wasn't one point in the show devoid of music. Yes, it helps make a scene, but it would enhance it even more if they didn't beat the dead horse with it, if you know what I mean....

Though theres lots of flaws, I have to say, the show is seriously addicting! Can't wait till tomorrow's episode!!!

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120 Two Cents

March 10, 2009 at 1:35 AM

Okay, just food for thought to everyone above who say Junpyo is leading towards Jae Kyung. My take on the breakfast table scene was that yes, he did see that Jae Kyung feels the same loneliness, but the look he gave her was more like, I feel your pain but I really can't force myself to have feelings for you because the person who showed me love and closeness is Jandi, ergo the scenes at Jandi's house. Compare the look he gives Jae Kyung in this scene with say, episode 3 where Jandi gets drunk. Junpyo is all goofy smiles. He can't help but smile when he is around Jandi. Or the scene where he looks at Jandi at the auction in his house and sees her interest in the goggles. There is luv showing in his eyes that you don't see when he looks at Jae Kyung.

That being said, I wish Junpyo would stop being such a wuzz and stand up for what he wants already. If he doesn't learn to be a man and stand up for what he wants then he deserves for Jandi to end up with Jihoo and he can keep the annoying monkey girl. I'm sorry, but I find her annoying.

And I agree with comment #112- they should highlight more how much Jandi is the element that influences Junpyo to be a better person.

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121 Shizuki

March 10, 2009 at 1:38 AM

@115

i really hate it when people argue against complaints of bad quality by saying there's actually worse out there.

well DUH.

the great thing about life is that however good or bad something is, there's better or worse out there. i don't really give a shit though. the point is what's in front of me and right now, what i have in front of me is the worst thing i've seen in a long time that i'm still hopelessly addicted to. the script is poorly written, the editing horrible, the music gives me a toothache, and KHJ is still a pain in my backside. but i continue to watch because it's too late, i've already been hooked and am dying for my next fix, hoping against hope that somehow things will get better and the characters will somehow regain some sense again so i can go back to loving them and realizing that me caring about the characters hasn't been in total vain. i understand that on paper it's pretty stupid: if you think something is bad, then stop watching it. the answer is obvious. but based on most of the comments on this page, the answer is anything but. so yeah, don't tell me to "get over the bad writing". the very fact that i am a loyal viewer gives me the right to give a damn and criticize bad writing.

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122 ozchick

March 10, 2009 at 1:38 AM

Thankyou! Been soooo looking forward to this! God, i'm really starting to lose interest in this show, which is disappointing considering I had really high hopes in the beginning. I agree with most of the comments here, the story is being dragged too far and the main couple need to get together ASAP. Nevertheless, I look always look forward to reading your recaps and will genuinely miss this show when it's over (despite all its many shortcomings)

Thanks again!

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123 mcjayjay

March 10, 2009 at 1:44 AM

first off, i love the soundtrack on this episode
is it just me or is it getting much better???
second, im very very worried about the fiance and junpyo relationship, when he looked at her like that at breakfast, i was like holy crap he's softening. Surprisingly i am softening to the jihoo and jandi relationship. they really are amazing friends, and right now, if they could be more, if thats the direction the drama is heading at, i wont be as devastated as i would have a couple of episodes ago. I love jihoo's simple sweet gestures and moves and how he treats jandi. and like you said, we have barely seen any jandi/junpyo scenes lately..

I really am worried the drama wouldnt make junpyo and jandi end up together...

oh and yijung, he needs to snap out of it and just date gaeul!..

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124 zuyyin_kawaii

March 10, 2009 at 2:03 AM

day by day i'm waiting for GP and JD moment..but the storyline is starting to drag. the drama seem lack of a touching scene where we can really feel it..feel the situation. Compare to Japan version, it does give a touching feeling when we watched it. The K version, have a good actor but the storyline uhhh..somehow dissapointed...i wish they could give JD and GP more moments together, because it is about the love story of GP and JD and how they effect in each other life..how there are meant to be together..and how strong and deep the feelings of both of them..where they should make a starting point where JD make a move a confession to admit her true feeling toward GP and GP could truely know how JD feels at him verbally. And their love could grows more and deeply...but somehow so sad that they dragging the storyline and we become bore but still i am still wacthing it faithfully is it is my most fav manga adaptation. But i am so hoping that GP with JD..if they changed the it uwarrrrrr i am sooooooooooo dissapointedddddddd....

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125 queenbee

March 10, 2009 at 2:13 AM

Sometimes I wonder if chemistry is defined by dressing sexily and harassing the main actor :)). IMO, JK and JP are identical in terms of characteristics, that's why they will not end up together. You need another half.

Anyway, I watched the preview of ep 19 and recognized that the movie is based on the manga, Jandi will be Jp private maid and maybe Ji Jung and GE will be just a memory

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126 MoMo

March 10, 2009 at 2:32 AM

Totally loved your reviews. Thanks a lot. I agree with you on the JD-JH and JP-JK relationships. I believe it is because the two couples are so similar in lot of ways. So the chemistry between the two couples are somewhat expected. But then that is the very reason why JD doesn't love JH as JP doesn't love JK. JP is more suited with JD because they complement each other. What JP doesn't have, JD has. They are cut to fit each other. Two peas in a pod do not have the same shape but they fit the pod just right. Sorry for the rambling. Clearly, I have been Joondified! Can't wait for tonight's show.

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127 wen

March 10, 2009 at 2:34 AM

This is the first time that I am commenting here. So to kick off, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to javabeans for recapping the series. It’s really interesting reading everyone’s different take on the same story.

But I am mightily disappointed with the story telling and script writing for BOF. They were given a great story, 2 great productions for reference and YET, we are presented with such a dichotomy of a drama! The story either speeds along leaving us with no breathing room or gets stuck in no man’s land (like right now). I’m just wondering if the writers were to finish the script before filming started, it might have been a better story/drama. I find none of the delicate nuances typically found in a K-drama (which made the genre so unique) present in BOF. Why so?

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128 j

March 10, 2009 at 2:46 AM

you should seriously become their consultant/advisor sorta thing.

& as for the monk saying "she'll make you family"- although i haven't watched it yet; the impression i get 4rm your recap seems like it's in terms of an oppa/dongseng relationship. bc that's how jandi kinda treats it already. although jihoo has other motives... but in the end, it'll be confirmed of that. bc we all know jandi & junpyo will end up together, again. xD

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129 cosmopolite

March 10, 2009 at 2:52 AM

More Yi-jung and Ga-eul PLOT PLZZZZZZZZ

:) :)

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130 Daphne

March 10, 2009 at 3:23 AM

Firstly, I think this episode isn't as exciting as the previous ones.

Why would J-pyo move in to the house next to Jan-Jun& her brother all of a sudden. Maybe he wants to be close to her and all but it kinda doesn't really make sense. I mean in the Taiwanese version, San Chai and Dau Ming Sze were already back together when he moved in but Jun-pyo wasn't even back with Jan-di.

And that Jae-kyung chick. She is an embarrassment to the Japanese and Taiwanese of the same character. I never thought of her character to be so 'cheap'. (No offence to those who like her) In the Taiwanese and Japanese version, they gave up on Dau Ming Sze/Doumyouji after the scene in the resort. But I don't understand why is the Korean version a long winded with this Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung's one sided love engagement.

But I did like Jun-pyo's softer side in this episode. He actually fell asleep in the 'lousy' apartment. Unlike Dau Ming Sze and Doumyoji who left and complained that they didn't sleep at all to the other F3.

I also hope that Wu-bin/Kim-jun gets more lines and appearance.

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131 cheonsa

March 10, 2009 at 3:29 AM

Thanks for the recap, Javabeans. Same sentiments, as always.

Yes, the WooBin-YiJung bridge scene was really embarrassing and so completely out of point. Even without that sequence, he would still have gone to YJ's rescue anyway. It's solely for the sake of having more WB screen time.

What irks me the most is the positive development of the JP-JK relationship. Somehow the JP-JD magic - which used to induce me to rewatch their scenes many times with fondness - is gone. JP's heart wavering and softening toward another girl - even just a little - is just not right. I'm sad that the dogged single-mindedness of the harsh and violent Domyouji character who has a soft spot for only Makino has gone off-tangent here. It's bad that I cringe everytime there is a JP-JK scene and I'm left disappointed after the JP-JD scenes this episode. This shouldn't be the case - it's going against both the essence of the manga and textbook Kdrama studies (as you put it so well).

I had so eagerly read the manga after being hooked on BOF and I actually find myself more drawn to the manga than the current BOF storyline now. Besides, I like the cool Shigeru character so much more than the selfish, immature and annoyingly clingy JK. Seriously, would someone who is supposed to be cool and well-travelled shamelessly throw herself at a man who is in love with someone else even after being rejected?

I so want the JP-JD element to be terminated asap and let us have some real meaningful JP-JD bickering sweetness which I hope the next portion of the story in JP's house would be full of.

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132 Shrimp

March 10, 2009 at 3:31 AM

"To wit: Imagine someone like the silently broody Jung Il-woo (a la Return of Iljimae) or gentle Ji Hyun-woo (from My Sweet Seoul), or sure, Jang Geun-seok (Beethoven Virus) casting longing glances at Jan-di — I’d be on that ’ship so fast my head would spin. "

I say AMEN to that!

I still havent watched this episode coz im still waiting for episode 19 to be uploaded=]

Then again thank you very much for yer recaps=]

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133

March 10, 2009 at 3:45 AM

Ji Hyun Woo would totally complete the longing stare. His longing stares in Rainbow Romance were waht made me finish that God-awful drama XD (oh and HwanHee) XD

Anyway, he doesnt have the look, it'd be awkward ANYWAY

I havent watched this show since ep 8 I just read your recaps.

I have watched th elast two adaptations and the chemistry between the two snt like this. The way theyve made it it's like they fit eachother but in the last two dramas they added a little slap stick and certain glances from the lady to keep us from wanting them to be together!! Here they just keep adding tension scenes from what I've read. I actually did watch the ep where they meet and he drags her instead of Jandi

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134 reverie

March 10, 2009 at 3:54 AM

yeah....
start to confuse on who supposed to be with whom....
*even start doubting, will it end up like the real hanadan?

dramabeans,
I was looking for your comment on the scene when (after he refuse to wear the couple ring) JunPyo walking down the stair, remembering that all the thing JaeKyung did was similar to his (when he tried to woo Jandi). For the moment, I thought he change his heart.....*woooo....that will give me a heart attack.

....oh, the music is getting much much better...... thank GOD

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135 cheonsa

March 10, 2009 at 3:56 AM

sorry typo - it's JP-JK element to be terminated, ASAP.

It's crazy but I miss the days I was so hooked on BOF and JP-JD so very much. I love this adaptation so much more than the TW or JP versions simply because of the actors and the Kdrama romance x-factor. I'm crossing my fingers my addiction will regain its intensity soon.

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136 kayla

March 10, 2009 at 3:57 AM

i totally agree... JK is a really good character that she's really hard to hate. at first i thought, oh yeh it's okay. its more real this way - that she's realistic, not blatantly annoying...

and i must admit im starting to root for JH just coz he treats JD so well! he is so so sweet... though you are right about JH seeming good on paper, but your heart will always tell you who to like... we can change our feelings just like that.

sigh, its gonna be a long ride i think before they undo what they have done and get JD and JP back together...

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137 meiruo

March 10, 2009 at 4:23 AM

I've been a silence reader of javabeans drama recaps since 2008...but today i feel the urge to write a comment...i really really like your review on a drama and fortunately most of your comments are really speak out what I had in mind. Thanks javabeans for all those recaps, and wonderful and fantastic comments.

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138 MK

March 10, 2009 at 4:30 AM

Thanks again for the insightful review! =D

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139 AKI

March 10, 2009 at 4:33 AM

I have to thank you so much for all your recaps! And the songs too! They're awesome! The recaps saved me time from watching the actual thing. But I'd watch it all when I have time :D And a faster internet connection x) I'd know what to expect without having this heavy feeling of not knowing what would happen. Love you. ♥

Plus I think Kim Bum is super cute so the pictures really help xD

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140 lily

March 10, 2009 at 5:15 AM

Good review.

That is the famous F4 ? you put Akira and Soujiro together to make them look ...Gay. LOL People may complain about other F4 but at least they looked like real friends.
JP & JK have more chemistry than the lead couple and their relationship looks threatning to the lead one...Good. Now how will the PD do to make JK disapears ? Suddendly the girl (who has not yet really showed she could know JD and JP are in love) will suddendly say she doesn't want to marry JP because....and the storyline can continue ?
What is that ? "I am sorry I love you" ?

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141 heejung

March 10, 2009 at 5:17 AM

omg, i just noticed in this episode that her brother's (who is adorable btw) name is kang-san, which makes jis full name keum kangsan. HA.

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142 lily

March 10, 2009 at 5:27 AM

And people why are you worried isn't this drama a version of HYD manga? Isn't this version the one which "follows the best HYD manga" ? Isn't it the more "realistic drama ? So why are you worried for JP-JD couple, if they end together ? Don't you know in the manga the characters are supposed end together ? Don't worry they will be together at the end. The question is how the Kversion makers will manage this storyline...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA

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143 downwithBBFfever

March 10, 2009 at 5:28 AM

@Two Cents

I agree with you. I don't see Jun Pyo giving Jae Kyung any look of love. The look at the breakfast table to me is empathy rather than love. On the other hand, Jan Di is the one that makes his heart beats faster and he just wants to do all sorts of "crazy" things for her like taking off to New Caledonia or even Hokkaido on a whim for a short getaway. Also, I keep recalling the scene at the bar where Jan Di got drunk. The look he gave her then was classic love - silly goofy grins and all.

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144 Angela

March 10, 2009 at 5:29 AM

I agree with everything you said about this episode.

When that Woo Bin/Yi-Jung scene came on, I was trying really hard not to cringe. It seriously came out of nowhere and seemed very awkward. When Yi-Jung pushed him onto the car, all I could think about was the potential for a Gay Boys Before Flowers Parody...

And the crushing of Yi-Jung's hand just seemed so convenient. As soon as he staggered to that table, I knew what they had planned, though I prayed they'd take it in a different direction. How did they even know to step purposely on his hand? If they did know who he was, you'd think they'd know better than to attack someone so influential. It's just stupid and pointless.

And honestly, the relationships are starting to make me mad. You're right--the alternative pairings are getting too much attention, and the actors have way too much chemistry with one another. All I keep thinking is how horrible this would be if someone competent was playing Ji-Hoo's role, and how (for once) I'm actually NOT liking Jun Pyo's fiancee. In all the other versions, I liked her because I never really saw her as a threat, and because I knew how the story turned out... but now, she drives me nuts because she's almost *too* good. Thank goodness the Taiwanese version didn't go overboard like the Korean one... if Vic's Rui had been acting like this one, I'd have jumped ship in seconds.

They really need to wrap this up. It's doing more harm than good.

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145 Imee

March 10, 2009 at 5:50 AM

Thanks for the great recap and comments Javabeans!! The Yi Jung and Woo Bin scene is really out of place .I am also beginning to wonder why the PD is extending Jae Kyung's role as JP's fiancee as both Taiwanese and Japanese version showed that her character gave up on JP after being spurned by JP in the resort. In both MG and HYD, the fiancee is only in a few episodes but I am getting nervous with the Korean version as JK is still here and having more quality time with JP than JD. I also liking JH and I am a little afraid I am secretly rooting for him though I still love JD and JP. I hope the PD"s would include that Japanese scene later on where Tsukasa (JP's character) would kneel down and beg Rui (JH's character) to let go of Jan Di.I also think that of all the 3 versions, Japanese Tsukasa is the most faithful.I can't see JP falling for another girl like the Taiwanese version.Noticed still some swelling on JD's lower lip so that is most probably why JP ate her Ramen.Just like an old song Jan Di will be Torn Between Two Lovers!!!!

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146 GeeNie

March 10, 2009 at 5:59 AM

Ok...so before I had somewhat of a major, MAJOR problem with Jandi's character because she was so weak. I haven't fully seen the Japanese original, but I've seen the Taiwanese remake and in there, Jandi's character was a really strong girl, in all aspects. It made the pairing a lot more believable. Whereas so far in this version, Jandi's been a weakling and that's one of the reasons I think that it's so much more believable to pair her with the quiet, supportive Ji-hoo.

Although I really did like her finding a new apartment for herself with her brother. It shows something of a strong side to her...although not very much.

But whatever. I still don't like Jun-pyo's fiancee, whatever her name is. I just can't like her. I didn't hate her so much in the Taiwanese version...but I really hate her in this one.

And of course, thanks for the recaps!

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147 Syb

March 10, 2009 at 6:08 AM

thanks for the review! i was expecting it!!

ps: I love how you narrate the recaps! jaja

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148 jae

March 10, 2009 at 6:12 AM

Ga Eul, that's gotta hurt! TT.TT

A little surprised on the loopholes they're presenting.... gah~ Hopefully, the Tuesday episode will redeem the series (yet again). Waaah~~ And damn, Jae Kyung's persistence and insistence is getting more and more annoying. I mean, it's supposed to be that way, but I didn't feel this way in the previous versions.

Thanks for the recaps javabeans! ^^

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149 Liyana

March 10, 2009 at 6:21 AM

OMG !!!! I love this episode!!
And i cried when yi jung push gaeul away, (did i spell her name rite..?)..
anyways, finally we get to see some jandi and junpyo's moments!!!
I hope junpyo won't lost his memory like the Japanese version...
-JP fiancee's is really really getting on my nerves !! She's nice and all, but i just don't like her !!!
Haishhhh, can't wait fr the nxt episode !!