Boys Before Flowers: Episode 22
by javabeans
You can tell we’re in the home stretch of the series because today gave us several flashback montages summarizing storylines from the course of this drama, as though to say, “Remember this? Look how far we’ve come.”
I’ll admit my Boys Before Flowers fatigue kicked in about eight episodes ago — that’s when it started being more fun writing about the drama than actually watching, and let’s face it, it’s always more fun the other way around (the balance did swing back in the other direction in the past couple episodes, so yay!). The flashback montages brought back some nostalgia, and made me feel the tiniest twinge of sadness to be saying goodbye to this drama soon, craziness and all.
SONG OF THE DAY
T-Max – “나쁜 마음을 먹게해” (ballad version), from the Special Edition additional OST and featuring Kim Joon on the narration. The title can be translated “Thinking Wrong Thoughts,” but the full connotation is something like, “I keep thinking, against my better judgment, these feelings that I know are wrong.”
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EPISODE 22 RECAP
Jun-pyo pleads for Jan-di to tell him not to get married. She doesn’t respond and is called away by an usher saying Jae-kyung is asking for Jan-di, so she leaves without a word. However, from her expression — upset, frustrated — we can see she’s not going to beg Jun-pyo to call the wedding off. He registers this too, to his disappointment.
Jan-di’s (non)response here confuses me a little. I understand her conflict and why she feels she can’t ask him to give up everything for her — but what I don’t get is why she looks pissed, as though she’s mad that he asked. (In my mind, she should have played this scene as being torn and anguished, and instead it comes off vaguely bitchy.)
F3 share Jun-pyo’s letdown — from their chagrin here and the way they were willing to let him break his own arm, it’s obvious they hoped Jan-di could put a stop to this. Meanwhile, the guests wait outside, growing fidgety the longer they are kept waiting, while Jae-kyung sits in her bridal chamber nervously.
Jan-di is led away by the attendant to meet Jae-kyung, but finds herself kidnapped instead — she’s grabbed by one guy and shoved into an elevator with several more. Mama Kang then sends Jun-pyo — still wrestling with his dilemma in the waiting room — a text message with a simple warning: a photo of Jan-di being restrained is accompanied by the words, “The groom is taking too long.” Her implication is clear: If Jun-pyo doesn’t go through with the wedding, Jan-di will come to some kind of harm.
Therefore, she smiles smugly when the groomsmen enter the chapel, followed by (a very tense) Jun-pyo. Next comes the bride, who takes her place by Jun-pyo at the altar.
The minister begins the ceremony, breezing through the opening. When he gets to the part where he asks for any objectors to speak now or forever hold their peace, he isn’t expecting a response and is therefore startled when Jae-kyung raises a hand to get his attention.
The parents are stunned; her father tries to hiss out a warning to her, but Jae-kyung says that she has an objection. She looks around and guesses that there must be others who also have objections, at which point Ji-hoo stands up, followed immediately by Yi-jung, Woo-bin, and Ga-eul.
Jae-kyung: “I cannot marry Gu Jun-pyo. No matter how I look at it, I don’t think I’m suited for marriage right now. I’m sorry to cause so much trouble with my fickleness. Dad, everything is my fault, so please carry on your business with Shinhwa Group. President Kang and Gu Jun-pyo, I’m truly sorry. Please forgive me.”
Tamping down her anger, Madam Kang walks out, followed by the rest of the guests. Confused, Jun-pyo asks Jae-kyung what she’s doing, which she answers with a simple explanation: “I’ve always been a pretty cool person.” Jae-kyung calls her bodyguard Chen to check in on Jan-di, who has been liberated from her kidnappers and is taken to a yacht.
Freed from his obligation, Jun-pyo dashes out of the chapel to the yacht, where he finds a surprised Jan-di waiting alone.
He grabs her in a relieved hug, and I can’t help thinking she doesn’t deserve this, seeing as how she put up no fight and hasn’t really earned his devotion. Still, the key to enjoying what follows is to accept their happy reunion, so I’m doing my best to let this point go.
The yacht sets sail, and from a distance (her hotel room, perhaps), Jun-hee watches, pleased at this turnout.
Yi-jung drives Ga-eul out to the shoreline, amused at her uncontrollable sobbing — Ga-eul has been overwhelmed with emotion at Jae-kyung’s lovely gesture.
After she stops crying, Yi-jung broaches the topic she’d brought up the day before, about how he’d failed to meet Eun-jae three years ago. He tells her, by way of explanation, “I don’t believe in happy endings.”
This spins us into a flashback: Three years ago, he had walked into his studio, flirting with a couple girls, and found Eun-jae waiting. Much like Ga-eul had reacted in a similar scenario (and the similarity must be intentional), Eun-jae had been flustered, accidentally breaking a pot and cutting her finger in her haste to leave.
Yi-jung had chased her outside and asked what she had to say. She’d said, “I have a favor to ask” — but we don’t get to see the rest of this scene so we’ll have to wait to find out.
Meanwhile, more continuity fail (or extravagant waste of resources win?) as Ji-hoo takes out his white horse for a ride — did he ship Rui over to Jeju along with the cars? Ji-hoo thinks back to punching Jun-pyo the night before, and we now see the tail end of that conversation, after Jun-pyo admitted that he couldn’t let Jan-di go:
Jun-pyo: “I’d thought that it might be better to send her to you rather than stay with her when I make things so difficult for her. I didn’t even want to imagine it, but if I had to, I thought the other person must be you, that you were the only one it could be. But still, I can’t do it.”
He returns from his ride to see Jae-kyung waiting to talk to him. Asked whether she regrets letting Jun-pyo go, Jae-kyung answers with her usual cheerfulness, “The moment I let him go, I’ve been regretting it to death.”
Ruefully, she tells him, “I was rooting for you, but I’d hate to have given up for nothing, so I can’t do that anymore.” She mentions how she’d asked Jun-pyo whether he would choose friendship or love, and he had answered that he wouldn’t give up either. Ji-hoo smiles a bit at that, because it’s a reminder that Jun-pyo is still committed to being his friend.
Jae-kyung says philosophically that there’s a saying that people generally get as much as they strive for. She and Ji-hoo didn’t get their way because they weren’t ambitious enough — they didn’t exert their wills and backed off. (By the way, it’s not a negative or positive thing to be ambitious in this sense — it just means that Jan-di and Jun-pyo’s True Wuv trumped the other factors.)
Jae-kyung is leaving for New York tomorrow, so she asks him to deliver something to Jan-di — the star-moon necklace. Jae-kyung muses, “You don’t know how much I’d hoped that the JJ stood for Ji-hoo and Jan-di.”
She wishes him luck, and leaves.
Jan-di and Jun-pyo arrive at a villa, which has been lavishly decked out in a romantic display — candles, fancy food, rose petals arranged in a heart configuration. (I believe Jae-kyung has handled the arrangements.) Their initial reaction is to sneak looks at each other uncomfortably, as though embarrassed with the overt romanticism.
But never fear, they get over that soon enough. They sit down to eat, flashing happy smiles at each other every other moment. It’s adorable. Jun-pyo rises to pull Jan-di to her feet for a dance, and Jan-di asks the question I’ve been wondering:
Jan-di: “I’ve been wanting to ask you something… Why me? I’m not pretty, and I don’t have money, a distinguished name, or anything. Why did you like me?”
Jun-pyo: “Because I have all that.”
Jan-di: “What?”
Jun-pyo: “Money, name, looks — I have all that. I don’t need that from you. All you have to be is Geum Jan-di.”
As Jan-di looks through a telescope at the stars, Jun-pyo points out Sirius, known as Orion’s dog (part of the Canis Major constellation) and the brightest star in the night sky. He jokes that it’s like him in that respect, so Jan-di laughs and claims a star for her own. Jun-pyo identifies it as Procyon, the brightest star in Canis Minor.
Jan-di asks how he came to like astronomy, at which he suddenly grows quieter. When he had been younger, his father had sent him a telescope with a card telling him to study the stars, so that they could watch them together later.
Jan-di guesses that his interest stemmed from father-son star-watching dates, but he says no — they never went. Believing that promise, Young Jun-pyo had studied his hardest.
Jun-pyo: “But do you know what I got for Christmas a few years later? A telescope. That’s when I realized that he didn’t send his gifts and cards, but that his secretary did.”
Jan-di senses his hurt, her smile fading in sympathy. But when he asks, “Do you know what my dream is?” she manages to answer lightly: “Going to watch the stars with your son.”
Jun-pyo laughs, “You’re so simple-minded,” before he says solemnly, “To not make promises I won’t keep. Jan-di. I’m sorry for hurting you.” And then, “I love you.”
You know, all the lovey-doveyness is pretty much expected stuff, but the whole thing really brings a smile to my face. I’m just so glad to see everyone looking happy for once (even if the actors, poor things, look visibly exhausted).
This giddy vibe continues the next day, when our happy couple relaxes together. They’re visited by their friends, who are likewise relieved to see that all is well in the land of Jun-di love.
Ji-hoo is glad that Jan-di is once again able to laugh, and tells her so. He also hands over her the lost star-moon necklace, and although it’s crossed his mind that it’s suspicious that Jae-kyung had it all this time, that’s all moot now.
Instead, Jan-di is alarmed that Jae-kyung is about to depart any minute now and rushes off for the airport. Although Jae-kyung more or less steamrollered Jan-di into their friendship, Jan-di has developed an affection for her, and a part of her feels guilty for taking away the man Jae-kyung loved.
They make it just in time to catch Jae-kyung before she boards — who, by the way, is looking around with a heavy heart, as though half-hoping that they would come to see her off even though she purposely didn’t tell them she was leaving.
Jan-di scolds her for trying to go without saying goodbye, and Jae-kyung admits that she doesn’t handle them very well. With some affection, Jun-pyo tells Jae-kyung to take care, and thanks her.
Jae-kyung:”If you two break up, I’m going to feel so wronged I’ll die. So if you want to split up, you have to report to me and get my approval.”
The two ladies hug, Jan-di openly crying and Jae-kyung holding her tears back. She rushes off before she succumbs to tears, and boards the plane.
Once seated, Jae-kyung takes out the shoes she’d found in the Macau airport, which remind her (flashback montage!) of her first encounter with Jun-pyo. She thinks wistfully, “I know this was originally Jan-di’s. But let me have just this one thing. I should have a memory to cherish for myself, shouldn’t I?”
And then, everyone’s back home.
As punishment for the broken engagement, Madam Kang has ordered her men to keep Jun-pyo confined to his room, where he sees the news reports speculating on the uncertain future of Shinhwa’s merger with JK Group.
As for Jan-di, she’s once again homeless, knowing that she’d better get out of Gu Manor ASAP, before Madam Kang acts. Once again, Witch Mom beats Jan-di to the punch, arriving at the restaurant to deliver Jan-di’s luggage.
She is in a high temper, and accuses Jan-di of being even more sneaky than she’d given her credit for, acting innocent and then pulling off a sly move behind everyone’s back. Even for Madam Kang, the accusations are pretty strong, but we see why: she shows Jan-di a newspaper announcing that the merger, like the engagement, is off.
Mama Kang’s voice drips vitriol as she tells Jan-di that she doesn’t realize just how much damage she’s done, or on what scale. She threatens, “It’s best you not expect me to let this go easily. I will make you realize exactly who you messed with, and make sure you regret it to its fullest.”
This scene is interrupted by Grandpa Yoon, who rebukes Madam Kang for going too far. Although I doubt she feels sorry for her actions, Dr. Yoon’s presence has a chastening effect, and Mama Kang bows her head out of respect for him.
And then, her temper is mollified entirely when Dr. Yoon announces that Jan-di’s business is his business because “she’s my grandson’s wife-to-be.” This is news to everyone, including Jan-di, but most of all Madam Kang. Ever the shrewd woman, she contains her surprise, quickly guessing that she need not interfere if Dr. Yoon’s words are true. Perhaps this is one battle she can win without even trying.
Grandpa Yoon brings Jan-di home with him, turning the tables this time by pressuring her into staying. She and Ji-hoo both feel the awkwardness of the setup, but are overridden by Grandpa’s insistence that Jan-di remain with them.
However! I do like this next turn, because Grandpa Yoon sits down with Ji-hoo to explain that Jan-di has nowhere to turn, and he wants to help her. Ji-hoo is about to explain that Jan-di might be uncomfortable here, but Grandpa pre-empts his argument. He says that Jan-di’s presence doesn’t have to mean anything. In fact, he’s opposed to Jan-di and Ji-hoo being together (I don’t think it’s a classist statement, but more that he thinks they’re not suitable together).
Ji-hoo is startled, but smiles to himself — well, that potential problem worked itself out nicely.
Now we see the rest of Yi-jung’s flashback explanation of why he never met up with Eun-jae. She’d handed him a letter and asked him to meet her the next morning, leaving with a hopeful smile.
Yi-jung had walked back inside and put the letter on the counter to read later, but a phone call from his distraught mother had distracted him. He’d grown annoyed at her familiar histrionics and urged her to give up on his father, and when he ended the call and turned to serving his guests tea, his irritation caused him to spill tea on the counter. He’d tossed the papers that had gotten soaked, accidentally including Eun-jae’s unopened letter with the pile.
Mr. Jung approaches Jan-di with a puzzling request, which Jan-di accepts sympathetically, happy to oblige. This is a favor he asks of her personally, which has nothing to do with Madam Kang or Jun-pyo — he’d like her to act as companion for a man in a coma. He’ll pay her for her sitting with the man and talking to him occasionally, as a part-time job.
The man is described merely as someone “like family” to him. Jan-di is unsure why he’d ask this of her, but Mr. Jung explains that what the man needs is a warm spirit, and she’s the warmest person he knows.
Jun-pyo hears from Mr. Jung that Jan-di’s staying with Ji-hoo, and while that’s not an ideal resolution, he understands that it’s the safest place for her at the moment. He texts Ji-hoo (on Mr. Jung’s phone, since his has been confiscated): “I’m relieved that she’s staying at your house.”
Ji-hoo, however, can’t shake an ominous feeling. After reading the message, Ji-hoo wonders aloud in his empty house, “Jun-pyo, then why am I feeling so uneasy? I feel afraid.”
As Jun-pyo is currently under house arrest, he’s cut off from the outside world, and namely Jan-di. Woo-bin runs into her at school, and sighs over the rough patch they’re all going through right now — Yi-jung is still unable to use his right arm, and Jun-pyo’s locked up. Perhaps he’s even referencing the actors’ real-life haggard expressions, because he points to himself and says his face is suffering from all the worry.
Still, Woo-bin assures Jan-di not to worry too much about Jun-pyo. He tells her to hang in there, and also thanks her for helping Ji-hoo: “I’ve never seen him looking as relaxed as he has these days. Thanks to you, he found his grandfather.”
Jan-di approaches her new companion position with enthusiasm, caring for the unconscious man and reading aloud to him. One particular passage strikes a chord in her:
Jan-di: “The most unfortunate encounters are like those with fish bones. The longer the encounter, the more the fishy smell sticks with you. The encounters to be most careful with are with an open bloom, because while it’s open it brings cheers of joy, but as it wilts, it gets thrown away. The most beautiful encounters are like those with handkerchiefs. They wipe away your sweat when you are tired, and your tears when you are sad.”
That last example makes her think of Ji-hoo (flashback montage!), who’d always been there for her in her times of need, whether to lend her support or wipe away her tears. Jan-di smiles at her patient, saying she hopes to be a handkerchief type of person for him, too — and Mr. Jung watches from the doorway, pleased.
This scene is a bit random, but at this point I’m just rollin’ with it. Jan-di struggles to cut her bangs satisfactorily, which is when Ji-hoo walks by and offers his assistance. Naturally he is a master of this skill — ain’t nothing he can’t do, is there? — and he finishes the job successfully.
Jan-di returns the favor by volunteering to help wash his car (which, of course, eventually degenerates into a water fight).
Afterwards, they sit outside and relax, while Ji-hoo reads from a book of poetry. One poem catches his attention, and he starts to read aloud: “I wanted to tell you…”
He pauses there, hesitating for a long moment, trying to decide whether to continue. Finally he decides to go for it, and keeps reading: “…that I love you. I wanted to shout it aloud. That’s all.”
But when he looks over to see Jan-di’s reaction, he sighs because she’s fallen asleep and therefore hasn’t registered his indirect confession.
Meanwhile, Ga-eul is busy with a new project, spurred by her last encounter with Yi-jung. It looks like his cast is off, but for whatever reason, he hasn’t regained the use of his arm. (I’m guessing that it’s a case of paralysis stemming from a psychological block, rather than a medical reason.)
He’s packing away his pottery items; she thinks it’s cowardly of him to quit so easily. He says in a dull monotone, “It doesn’t matter anymore.” She fires back, “It matters to me!” Ga-eul recites his own words back to him, harking back to his analogy likening a person’s heart to the clay-firing process. The clay, like people’s life experiences, is supposed to be strengthened by the fire.
He dismisses it, saying, “I must’ve been talking crap.” Ga-eul isn’t willing to give up on him, though, and announces her intention to return to him the use of his paralyzed hand. In pursuit of that goal — like I said, it must have a psychological basis — over the next several nights, Ga-eul spends all her time going from building (apartment?) to building, working to the point of exhaustion.
Woo-bin and Jun-pyo put their heads (and fists) together to devise a plan to slip away from his bodyguards. Jun-pyo heads out, feigning a careless attitude when he tells the bodyguards he doesn’t care if they follow him — he’s just going to be hanging out with Woo-bin.
Of course they follow, trailing Woo-bin’s car on the road. They don’t count on Woo-bin’s mafia underlings cutting in out of nowhere, however, and find it impossible to continue their pursuit.
And so, Jun-pyo earns an afternoon of freedom, and calls Jan-di out for a date. Unfortunately, she’s just assured a mother at the clinic that she’ll watch her young boy for the afternoon, and finds herself in a bind.
Her compromise: she brings the boy along on the date. Jun-pyo is surprised (“What is that thing?”) and disgruntled that their precious time together is going to be usurped by this kid, and it’s adorable to see him try to deal with being left out. He pushes the boy aside a few times, wriggling his way between Jan-di and the kid to claim her attention (which is all done in fun).
Eventually, he warms up to the boy as they spend the afternoon at the zoo.
COMMENTS
First of all, it’s worth pointing out that the scenery in recent episodes has been really beautiful. Perhaps this is one marked benefit of making a drama with unknown actors (or little-knowns) — you save money on acting fees to spend on location shoots, like in Macau, New Caledonia, and Jeju Island.
Often, a drama will boast of its foreign location shoots, but I find that many times those segments are pretty unremarkable — they seem either superfluous (and have no impact on the story), or the locations don’t look that different and are therefore wasted. Not so here, where the location shoots add to the rich, luxury-world feel of these characters’ worlds. (There’s nothing more laughable than seeing a drama depict mega-rich characters when everything actually looks quite shabby, right?)
I don’t have huge complaints with Jae-kyung’s exit from the drama, if only because I’m so glad she’s gone! I should be satisfied with that and not look the gift horse in the mouth, so to speak.
But maybe I’ll peek a little, because I do have one main issue in this episode, and it’s the way Jae-kyung shoulders the responsibility for Jan-di and Jun-pyo’s continued romance. Let me make clear that I totally get that in the manga, Shigeru is the one who stops the wedding to spare Doumyouji the consequences of backing out himself. However, here the lead-up has been different, and therefore the way this unfolds puts a different spin on events, and it’s one I don’t like.
Without making further comparisons to Hana Yori Dango, I think it’s problematic (or just frustrating) that Jae-kyung’s actions are the reason Jun-di get back together. Jan-di had her chance to tell Jun-pyo not to get married — the least provocation would have been enough to get him back — but she didn’t. Yes, she was kidnapped so who knows if she would have acted eventually, but I’m putting my money on no. She would have sat back and let her Grand Love marry someone else, and then moped for the rest of her life about it like some whiny martyr.
Jun-pyo, to his credit, tried harder, and I’m not sure you can blame him for walking down that aisle after Jan-di failed to respond to his last-ditch plea. Furthermore, I think there’s a good chance that if Jae-kyung hadn’t spoken up, he may have found himself unable to take his vows. Fortunately for him, he didn’t have to find out, thanks to Jae-kyung.
And lastly, I know a lot of people are dissatisfied with Jae-kyung the character. I agree that her arc was waaaay too long, and she never should have been given such a huge presence on the show. I’d have preferred some of the other guest players to be given a longer run (Haje, for example) and hers a much shorter one, to feel more balanced overall.
But, in her defense, I think that the actress Lee Min-jung probably played this character as well as she could be played. In the hands of anyone else, I think Jae-kyung would have been even worse, and supremely irritating instead of just mildly so. Thanks to her bright effervescence, Jae-kyung came off as flawed and human — and yes, very selfish — but she also had some depth, which I appreciated.
Still, thank goodness that’s finally over! I was afraid I’d be burnt out on this drama at this point, but thankfully I’m finding myself catching a second (or third?) wind in this last stretch. I’m staunchly spoiler-free (which is becoming SO FREAKING HARD to do these days, curses be to the Internet!), so I’m only speculating when I predict we’ll probably have one big storyline and perhaps a minor one left in the remainder. Bring it on!
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Tags: Boys Before Flowers, Gu Hye-sun, Kim Bum, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Joon, Lee Min-ho
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
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51 queen_of_the_game
March 23, 2009 at 11:12 PM
why are GJP & GJD together although they haven't realy done anything for each other that's worth sacrificing everything that they have?....hmmmm i guess it's just the same as if someone fell in love with a bad boy...you know that he's know good but you still love him anyway...because...you know it's him who can make you happy...it's him whom you love the most...that no matter how the people around you say its not worth it... you still fight for it....so thats love....it may not be as realistic now a days but once upon a time that kind of love did exist....
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52 asdf.
March 23, 2009 at 11:15 PM
i have to disagre with those who said that jan di didn't deserve that hug.
she did afterall fly all the way to macau just to talk to junpyo just to be called a stain in the end. i don`t think i would`ve put in so much effort into a now defunct relationship where there`s clearly no room for me.
i did however want her to yell at junpyo & say "why would you want to stop a wedding for a stain you want to erase?" or "if i told you to stop, can you really do it? even so, is it worth it?" or something along those lines.
the silence just didn't cut it for me. i think this was one of the few rare moments i actually wanted to hear jandi scream. gosh, let all that angst out!
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53 aya
March 23, 2009 at 11:16 PM
i know the yuki-sojiriou-sara story has something to do with buildings and the top of it and messages. i have watched meteor garden/meteor rain and hana yori dango....
BUT YIJUNG DIDN'T BECAUSE HE NEVER READ THE LETTER. GAEUL WOULD NOT KNOW SINCE YIJUNG DOESN'T KNOW AND HE COULDN'T TELL HER.
SO HOW COME GAEUL IS GOING FROM BUILDINGS TO BUILDINGS THEN?! HOW DID SHE FIND OUT?!
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54 giaht
March 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM
i just have a feeling that Jun-pyo father will set up everything at the end.
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55 GNIZAMA
March 23, 2009 at 11:17 PM
I have to disagree with you dramabeans about Jandi doesn't deserve JunPyo.
I think Jun Pyo is really being overrated. I think people like the actor that play Jun Pyo n not JP himself.
YP the source of JD misery so far! I find JD confusing for falling for JP instead of Jihoo. All JP is doing is talk and talk. He talks about how he want to stick with Jandi and make her happy even though being with him may cause her trouble. Then, the boy actually shows up at the weddin/want to break his arm (yeah, such a lovely idea JP !! to have Jandi ending up with a dude with one-arm). Many commented in earlier episodes that they like how JP is portrayed as a smarter character comparing to the Japanese counterpart. However, I don't see his smartness here. He's just not someone who can make decisions. If he's in trouble or he sees Jandi's in trouble, all he does is cry, look sad or frustrated, not knowing what to do or call Jihoo. He's kinda pathetic! He doesn't really take risk where it is needed. Do something big and I don't mean a get away to a new foreign location, cuz that's the only he does best so far. He only does the sugarcoatin stuffs so far,like talkin openly about his feelin for her. I mean at this point, I don't know where he got the gut to say how he has to take care of thousands of employees. How can he take care of anyone when he can't even take care of himself and the one he claimed to love most.
Seeing Jandi N JP together is kinda weird. Cuz I don't know what keep their relationship strong to the point that even Jihoo can't break into Jandi's heart. It wasn't love at first sight. It wasn't because they went through hardship together, it's Jihoo n Jandi who have been providing each other's support! The drama is addictin but iono......
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56 Angela
March 23, 2009 at 11:18 PM
you know what after reading and watching this drama I'm actually hoping for JP to lose his memory so JD will have a chance to prove that she really does love JP and fight for him...that's what I want to see. I hope that will be how the story goes because the beginning was JP showing his love for JD. in the middle is when they suffer and the end is JD's turn to show her love for JP...
I want more WB too!!! love his voice!
JH is so handsome in this episode!
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57 elisa
March 23, 2009 at 11:18 PM
hi javabeans, as usual prefer your recaps than watching the drama. it came to a point that it is so painful to watch. although am glad that Jandi and Junpyo are together again I do agree with you that the way it was developed for them to be together is extremely lacking.
i have ranted enough in the previous episodes and now i have decided to accept all the loopholes and inconsistencies...that is why it is a "drama" right.? but i was so hopeful that they (the writers and director) would have made it in such a way that the teen crowd would be the only ones who would believe that this can happen. they forgot there are adults and desperate housewives viewing and should have put some effort to lessen the gaps and developed the characters consistently. the first season was so much fun to watch and presently am a little sad that it had to end this way.
#30 BOFfan i believe Grandpa is using reverse psychology on Jihoo so that the guy would confess his feelings....AAAARGHHHHHH, jandi stupid girl how can you sleep at a time like that. remember junpyo never grovelled to ask for your forgiveness for calling you a stain....so why the heck are you getting back to him just like that!!!
hahahaahahaha (really developing bipolar personality watching this series) ....anyway, thanks again javabeans.
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58 vern529
March 23, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I've never seen, nor read, any of the versions (like #12 Mei) and I was trying resolutely to remain spoiler free. I gave up at the end of last week. In defense of my weakness, with the internet it was "SO FREAKING HARD" that it was next to impossible. I commend all you "spoiler free" people for your strength to resist temptation.
I also find that I am letting inconsistencies I would normally condemn a drama for slide with this one. And I have to admit that I am feeling really torn between JH and JP. I realize that JD will probably will wind up with JP, but part of me keeps rooting for JH. To be so divided, this late in a drama, is unusual for me.
One thing I am certain about, GE must wind up with YJ.
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59 Court
March 23, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Thank you, Javabeans, for yet another extraordinary recap. I know you're spoiler-free, but I've been afraid to read comments b/c they may contain references to Hana Yori Dango, which I haven't watched, or another spoiler, so excuse me if someone else has said this already.
I was so hoping for a Jae Kyung - Woo Bin union. I loved their chemistry in the episode where Woo BIn and Yi Jung try to woo Jae Kyung away from Jun Pyo. I think they would have made a perfect match - both families are in construction and both are obviously skilled fighters. Plus, Woo Bin needs a girl!!
Second, I have absolutely fallen for Jun Pyo aka Lee Min Ho. I kept looking at him wondering who he reminded me of and then I realized he's exactly how I picture a Korean Darcy!!! The hair, the bearing, the posture...can't you see him dressed in Pride and Prejudice's Regency era clothes? His imperious air...his profile...wow. I love that he hasn't Michael Jackson'd his nose like so many other Korean actors and actresses.
Can't wait to see more!!!!!
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60 ozchick
March 23, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou so much!
Ahhh, i'm going to be sad and relieved at the same time when this show ends. To be honest, I barely registered interest in this show, but when I realised how UNBELIEVABLY goodlooking these 4 guys were... lets just say I was sold.
Okay, now onto more serious matters. Yes, this show isn't perfect. It's had many flaws and 'what the hell?' moments, but damn, is it addictive. I always anticipate clicking onto your site and reading your hilarious and insightful comments (and everyone else's also) and then afterwards watching the episode itself. Mondays and Tuesdays are LOVE for me. Anyway, onto a couple of things:
1. I do wish GJP had more of a backbone in dealing with Mama Kang. During the last few episodes he just came across as weak and pathetic to me and boy I missed the GJP that we first saw! However, the boy HAS matured greatly and it's nice to see that. Still, being assertive once in a while won't hurt. I love him nonetheless though!
2. Not a great fan of Jandi's character. I thought she was awesome during the first few episodes, but then bam! She completely transformed into this silly, oblivious and defenseless weakling, willing to just stand by and do nothing. It greatly irritated me and I hate how the female leads are always depicted like this.
3. Jihoo is LOOOOOVE for me. I know a lot of people are saying how he and Jandi should end up together, but I think that she doesn't deserve neither he or Junpyo. I just feel she hasn't done enough to deserve the love these two feel towards her. Jihoo has done so much, yet Jandi hasn't really reciprocated much in return (okay, maybe she has, especially in bringing Jihoo and his grandpa closer and all) but still, I just don't FEEL IT. And I haven't been feeling the love between Junpyo and her either lately. Perhaps if the two had more scenes together earlier I may have felt something, but them getting together now just doesn't feel natural. It's as if they were just thrown together because circumstances permitted it, not because they wanted to. If that makes sense.
4. The whole Ga-eul and Yijung thing has been blown completely out of proportion. It was cute in the beginning, but now it's getting tiresome watching these two and the situation being dragged out. I just fastforward their scenes now because it just doesn't interest me. I also don't understand why Gaeul would fall for a guy such as Yijung who appears completely pathetic in my eyes. He hasn't exactly treated her with love and respect so why the hell is she still standing by him? I don't feel sorry for him and although I do love Kim Bum, his overacting irritates me at times.
5. Continuing on with the whole Gaeul and Yijung thing, if they didn't focus so much on this, perhaps they could've added a plot for our beloved WooBin who just hasn't had enough screentime. I think he's an awesome character and of all the f4 guys I would choose it would definitely be him!
6. I've had a love/hate relationship with JaeKyung. Initially, I was rooting for her over Jandi, but then I would jump back onto the Jandi ship again. Nevertheless, despite appearing selfish at times, I do think she was a great character and not at all selfish as she appeared to be. It was clear that she was torn between the love she had for JunPyo and her friendship with Jandi but my admiration for her character multiplied when she stopped the wedding, indicating that her maturity had much grown from when we first met her. She will be missed, but damn! It's about time she left the show because it was being dragged for way too long and I was beginning to jump ship again back to Jaekyung and Junpyo.
Okay, so there's my rant. Looking forward to Tuesday (i'm about to pee my pants i'm so excited) but i'm going to restrain myself from watching until Friday because I have a stupid exam! Gah!
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61 momo
March 23, 2009 at 11:39 PM
hey javabeans. thanks for the recap, as always i'm finding myself nod along to a lot of your points. as usual, there were cute moments, but i still found myself a little unsatisfied at the end. a lot of the fans in recent episodes have wondered who would end up with who and the fact of the matter is, we shouldn't have to wonder that in the first place. yes, they dragged out the Jaekyung thing but that was not the biggest issue. it was that during those "Dark times", it never felt to me like the two were as equally in love with each other as before, nor could i figure out why they would be. too much had happened and neither of them seemed to have faith in each other, but especially Jandi (although it was understandable why). even now that Jundi is in one piece, i can't really remember why they deserved each other in the first place. like you said, the fact that Jaekyung was the ultimate person who got them back together dramatically changes the nature of Jundi's love. and i fail to see what Jandi has done to deserve Junpyo and in the past i also at times failed to see what Junpyo did to deserve Jandi. and the only reason viewers are still rooting for Jundi shouldn't be just because they're the main couple and well, thats what it was in the manga. considering that it's the core of the story, it should be persistently evident to the viewers.
don't get me wrong, i don't like Jihoo and i don't want Jandi with him either. but i'm merely pointing out the fact that the writers have really failed in this aspect. so many viewers have lost sight of why Jundi should be together other than, well, that's how it's supposed to be. but in HYD, i never once felt like they should be with anyone except each other because you really felt how much they loved each other. i dunno. this week it was nice to see them back together. but it frustrated me that Jandi did nothing to hold on to him. so even after they reunited, it seemed SO anticlimatic because I feel like neither really did much to fight for the others' love. and when Madame Kang was unleashing her fury, Jandi as always said NOTHING. this bitch has NO backbone and it's getting to be actually painful to watch.
hope tonight's episode is better..........
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62 crazylazybum
March 23, 2009 at 11:47 PM
"I’m guessing that it’s a case of paralysis stemming from a psychological block, rather than a medical reason" WAHAHA
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63 tounge
March 23, 2009 at 11:56 PM
just wondering if anyone knew the song played at 18:00 ish mark in this episode? ive looked up the ost but cant seem to find it. :(
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64 freak
March 23, 2009 at 11:56 PM
JP pisses me off for some reason...
i dunno.
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65 esztokam
March 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Thank You! I watched the show yesterday and I don't speak Korean but I understood most of it.
@59 Court You are right! Jun Pyo is the Korean Darcy! and yeah, Woo Bin needs a woman and a real happy end!
I hope we get the happy end for Ga Eul-Yi Jung!
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66 jj
March 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM
#62 Tounge
do you mean the one that plays when jandi & JP are at the villa/room?
that is called "make you my lover/gf" by ss501 from the Ost 2
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67 sopi
March 24, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I always love your wonderful recaps~
but i'm one of the people who believe Jandi deserved more than just that hug
on the ship.
For Jandi, JP's actions were totally confusing and irritating since Macau.
First the big "stain of my Life" break-up, the gorgeous & rich Fiancee who happens to be nice to Jandi too, Witch Mom's continuous attacks and humiliations, JP's unexplainable and frustating reactions to all of it..........
I think my last straw was the "breaking arm" strategy, and I was actually
screaming when JP asked Jandi "I will stop if you want me to do so!"
As if it only takes Jandi to decide and no one will get hurt and everything will be OK!
Oh... you stupid stupid young boy, wrong time, wrong question!
And I believe Jandi was thinking so too.
(Big Sis suggested the right answer but maybe it takes more time
for him to grasp it fully.)
But... it's just drama, and I like the turmoil the characters are putting me into!
I actually like the unselfishness of Jandi and also our torn-apart-between-love&family hero JP.
They are a stupid but lovely couple and that's why i'm still watching this show.
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68 asikg
March 24, 2009 at 12:08 AM
I was also disappointed with JanDi's reaction. I expected her to be a strong character, but as for now she's the biggest dissapointment. She gets kidnapped too often;she gets into all kinds of trouble too easily and needs saving too often; but the most annoying thing - not fighting for The Love! As for now, she was strong only when she fought JunPyo, then there's NOTHING. Is PD trying to make me believe that she's that unique only because she works in different places and doesn't complain? If she's special, then only because for some unknown reason JunPyo fell for her and because he's unable to let her go. She shouldn't be accepting things so easily, I want to see her fight for herself and for her man! That's the JanDi worth JunPyo. But now girl.. ugh ,no. If I want him to be with you, then it's only because HE wants it. You, as for now, simply don't deserve him.
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69 ice chocolate
March 24, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Thanks for the recap..
Just wondering, are they bring the blanket from Jun Pyo's room to JeJu?
And I like Mr. Jung. I think he is the first person who knows Jan Di's quality, from the first day he came to Jan Di's house. So he supported quietly to Jan Di, and help her as long as he could.
And I used to be love spoiler. When I buy the book, I'll see the last page, because I love happy ending. But with, BFF,.. spoiler is no good, because all I have to do is waiting for the next week. I wish BFF is play 4 times this week..
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70 Namie
March 24, 2009 at 12:17 AM
First of all, I love your recaps!!!!! I have kind of stopped watching the drama because I got SO frustrated with the writing and the editing and the pacing but your recaps keep me in the loop lol. If they had spread out the episodes more maybe they could have come up with a better product (and the main cast might not have had so many near death experiences).
I disagree with you about Jandi being undeserving of that hug. I would have not let that wishy washy, wimpy JP back into my life after he insulted me, ignored me and stood aside while his trifling mama harassed me and my family. The Japanese version is sooooo much better in this respect. You always felt Domyoji's unflinching devotion to Makino. He actually had balls unlike JP.
I hate how Jandi has been going through these episodes like a zombie. I wished she would have shown more resolve and stood up to people like annoying JK and rude JP.
Ugh!! I just can't root for the main couple anymore like I want to. The last 8 episodes have been a disaster in terms of characterization. I remember watching the Caledonia episodes and wanting JH to get the heck outta the picture. I never dreamed that I would do a complete 180 and start rooting for his bad acting butt to get the girl. lol
No comment on the pathetic Ga Eul and Yijung debacle.
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71 Tay
March 24, 2009 at 12:19 AM
the is the 2nd time that a monday episode rocks lol...i particularly liked these scenes :
the car washing part - JH and JD look so enjoyable
the zoo part - JP acted so jealous over a kid makes me almost fell from my chair
i hoped that tues episode will be good as well...
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72 rescel
March 24, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Again, thanks for your recap!
I also want to share my own reaction/analysis on this episode.
Why did Jae-kyung expressed her objection to the wedding? In the previous episode, Go Jun-pyo told her that he can't marry her, that's why he knelt and begged for forgiveness (precisely because he is not willing to spend the rest of his life with her and that he will only love Jan-di until he dies). JK already anticipated GJP's response if asked by the minister, "Will you, GJP accept JK, etc., etc...." She initiated the objection to pre-empt GJP's negative response. Why insist on marrying a person whom you already know loves somebody else so much? It's like living in hell for the rest of your life! She's aware that their marriage may end up in divorce, so why would she go for it? She's smart.
Wow, this dialogue is cool!
Jan-di: “I’ve been wanting to ask you something… Why me? I’m not pretty, and I don’t have money, a distinguished name, or anything. Why did you like me?”
Jun-pyo: “Because I have all that.”
Jan-di: “What?”
Jun-pyo: “Money, name, looks — I have all that. I don’t need that from you. All you have to be is Geum Jan-di.”
Although many feel that GJD doesn't deserve GJP's love, but love is it! Love is hard to describe. But here, Jun-pyo explained it clearly. He has everything, except for one - GJD. Flashback: GJP had always been in control of everybody's life, until he met GJD. Then he realized that his life revolves on her. Love happens when we least expect it!
On Grandpa saying, "For a child like JanDi to be paired with someone as stoic as you, I'm against it." It's not that he doesn't like Jandi for Jihoo per se. (In the previous episode, he set up a date for the two which ended in a wedding photo shoot). He merely pointed out their differences, i.e., Jandi as a warm person, and Jihoo is cold and indifferent. Grandpa is insinuating that if Jihoo loves Jandi (if course, he knows) he should express his feelings.
I do like seeing Jihoo and Jandi together, but we know that in the end it's going to be Jandi and Junpyo.
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73 el
March 24, 2009 at 12:24 AM
@Javabeans re:(By the way, it’s not a negative or positive thing to be ambitious in this sense — it just means that Jan-di and Jun-pyo’s True Wuv trumped the other factors.)
Solid review, especially the dissatisfaction with Jaekyung shouldering the continuation of the romance. But one thing I had an issue with was your interpretation of how Jaekyung used the word 'ambition' in her conversation with Jihoo. I saw it much more as something like 'we were too nice to try any harder', or 'we liked them too much to try any harder'. Maybe I'm looking at it too much from Jihoo's pov, but honestly I didn't even see Jaekyung as so selfish as most people seem to have, even throughout her entire arc. My two cents.
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74 estelle
March 24, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Thank you so much Javabeans... =)
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75 Namie
March 24, 2009 at 12:28 AM
And another thing (this is my last rant I promise), I know this is a teen drama and Korea is more conservative with TV than America but what the hell is up with the boring, lame kisses going on in this drama.
This drama seems to give us one kiss every 4 episodes. At least make them good kisses. I don't need to see any serious tonsil hockey but a little passion would be nice. I've had steamier practice kisses with my bathroom mirror. lol
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76 djeedjes
March 24, 2009 at 12:29 AM
thank you!
Yes it's hard to not reading those spoilers - I like them but sometimes spoiler kills the mood all the way - so I'm trying not to read them all...
I think u already guessed who's the man in coma, and heeeeeeeeeeeeeellllllllll, why should this happened!
and we only have 3 more episodes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know how they will cramp all of the stories left, but I want more Jun Di's romantic scenes! ( and also So Eul's. Please please give them a happy ending!!! )
Anyway. Realizing that we only have 1 more week to enjoy Monday and Tuesday makes me and my friend sad.
There's no interesting trendy drama up will air soon, so sad.
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77 dyane
March 24, 2009 at 12:32 AM
thanks for the recap. today's was a fun episode.^_^
btw, did anyone else find it weird that the newspaper YiJung threw away in a flashback that supposedly happened 3 years ago was dated February 7, 2009?*lol*
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78 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz
March 24, 2009 at 12:34 AM
that's pretty cool.
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79 ank
March 24, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Thanks so much for the summary.. I enjoyed reading it !
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80 elmo
March 24, 2009 at 12:50 AM
LOL
you're so right
i've seen some taiwanese dramas where i'ts set in a super rich environment and im feeling, "uh didn't she wear this yesterday?" come on it's just CLOTHES and they couldn't even provide
so far, i think this drama satisfied me in terms of clothing sets and general richness that it's trying to depict
though jun pyo is the only family has maids, everyone else just hangs out by themselves in their mega mansion, maidless
but jan di could have been prettier in all of this =_=
i know i complain a lot because i think shes not very pretty but uh..especially in the lovey dovey moments!!
SHES NOT VERY PRETTY (in my eyes)
..oh wells i'll let it..go
and i hope some good SOEUL action happens soon
3rd time's the charm!
thnx JB for your awesome recaps!
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81 mashimaro
March 24, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Javabeans, the way I see a lot of this drama is the growing up into men of the F4. I thought that was why they spent a lot of time doing flashbacks to when they were children. I think Jan-di is waiting for Jun-pyo to stand up to his mother and act like a man. That is why she looked pissed because she was waiting for Jun-pyo to act like a man and take control of the situation rather than being pulled around by others. Looking at the drama this way makes a lot more sense in my opinion ^^
Thank you so much for the re-caps. I can't believe how many people are just waiting for you to finish every time!
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82 elmo
March 24, 2009 at 1:01 AM
okay for those that haven't seen meteor rain, i havent read hte manga but what happens is that at a certain time of day, the light hits a bill board and the bill board says
"i love __(yi jung)__" while in the tw version it's SEIMENS which is the guys' name in the drama and also (use to be before bought by benq) a brand of cell phones..
is that what ga eul is looking for?!
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83 purple :-)
March 24, 2009 at 1:14 AM
oh why or why are kisses so flat in Kdramas??...i mean..i dnt wanna sound like some perv but thats my only complain probabl xcuz im used to U.S. media where they kiss like..well they kiss im not asking for porn just more realistic i suppose like more passion..eh ..that was pretty much my only issue with this episode im glad their all happy and i cant wait for GAEuls moment yess hopefully they kiss.. :-) even though their kiss might be lame :-/
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84 Aish
March 24, 2009 at 1:29 AM
thanks for the awesome recap javabeans! i apologize in advance for the long ass rant, though...i just have to get it off my chest!
poor jandi! her character is always being attacked for not being 'strong,' 'worthy' or 'deserving' enough for jun pyo's love by all the lee min ho, i mean goo jun pyo fangirls, lol. i completely disagree though. i mean, look at all she's had to go through because of goo jun pyo's attention/affections:
(1) being harassed at school by the tarty trio
(2) being bullied/brutalized by her fellow classmates anytime gjp decides jandi shouldn't "act like you know me anymore" (episodes 4, 7 and eight)
(3) her family losing their business and their primary source of livelihood to the point where they lose their house and have to move to a fishing village, leaving poor jandi and kang-san all alone to fend for themselves
(4) getting kidnapped and injuring her shoulder to protect jun pyo to the point where she has to give up her dream of swimming
(5) after learning she can no longer swim competitively and not hearing a word from jun pyo after 6 months, gathering up her courage and going to macau and confronting him directly, only to be called a "stain" that he wants to erase (and not breaking down emotionally in front of him, which imo, is the kind of inner strength the manga's makino never possessed)
(6) bravely confessing her feelings to him at his birthday party only to be humiliated afterwards when the fiancee is unveiled and idiot gjp grabs the wrong girl's hand
(7) jun pyo constantly giving her mixed signals - ignoring her in macau, then asking her if she really wants to see him married so quickly, etc..., and then back to ignoring her...dating the fiancee, kissing the fiancee, and then rescuing jandi with the whole i couldn't bear to see 'another man' save you again (*pukes*)
(8) basically being called a 'slut' or loose woman every time darth mama kang is within the vicinity
(9) and let's not forget the 10 billion jobs this girl works b/c her family can no longer make ends meat (all courtesy of darth mama and, therefore, indirectly, gjp), while still volunteering at Dr. Gramps clinic and now taking care of Mr. Jung's 'hyung-nim' and managing to be a full-time high school senior trying to get into medical school
If anything, goo jun pyo is least deserving of jandi reciprocating that hug. he doesn't deserve her love and, if anything, he should be groveling on his knees and apologizing, which at least he did do in this episode, for all the crap jandi has had to endure just because of him. he's right when he says he may have 'looks, money, and status'...but in reality, he doesn't really have 'everything.' if the situations were reversed, if gjp and jandi's personalities were the same but now jandi had it 'all,' and gjp had to go through even half the crap that she did, he would be in his tenth consecutive emotional breakdown by now. yet, jandi continues to persevere and retain her optimistic and hard-working nature but she's still called 'weak,' 'zombie-like,' and a pansy version of makino...ughh...it frustrates me to no end because (1) she's just a kid (i mean she's only 17/18 years old) and (2) for anyone, let alone a 17/18 year old kid, to have to endure all the crap that she's had to and not completely breakdown is an amazing feat in itself...it speaks volumes about the kind of inner strength and 'weed-like' nature she has.
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85 bjharm
March 24, 2009 at 1:30 AM
as Javabeans has said before Jan-di never stands up for herself but will for anyone else, I think there going to be fireworks next episode as the witch starts to attack not Jan-di but her friends .. super Jan-di to the attack..
As for her lack of any reponce to Jun-pyo pleads for Jan-di to tell him not to get married why should she, for 22 episode she waited for him to get a back bone and do something other than throw hissy fits, while she in turn has suffered under the attack and pressure from witch mother and more, frankly if that not proof of her loving him I do not know what is.
The man in the coma..of course we all know who that is, no more need be said.
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86 Mai
March 24, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Yay, another great episode, eh? =D
I agreed with you on the part that Jandi looked pissed and it was not exactly the right kind emotion you thought the scene deserved. But maybe it was from the anger she had that Junpyo was trying to break his arm.. I don't know but our Jandi is different from the other versions. She's very selfless... She thinks about others before herself, such as her happiness. But we all know Junpyo's quite the opposite which makes them compatible enough... =/
So the wedding scene, Jae Kyung must've known what was going to happen if she hadn't objected, but then again it looks planned. At first she looks uneasy and hesitant but eventually gives in to her best guts. [If that made any sense..] Junpyo looks like he's going to pass out, like seriously. He looks so exhausted from all this drama! Haha.. [But is it just me or does Goo Hye Sun look tired?] Anyways... I felt like maybe it was just me but when Mama Kang sent him that text following picture, I was glad, she'd at least know that it wasn't because he came for her or anyone else but for Jandi's safety. I do feel that the much rejoice after the wedding was into ruins and Junpyo was once again a free man! Haha, that Jandi didn't deserve to a point but then again, it seems like she wanted him to come his senses if he had really loved her. Not because she tells him to, Jandi isn't the type to say something to get someone to do something. Also in this case, there's Jaekyung and like you said before she'd put anyone's happiness before hers. And I think in this case it was Jaekyung's. =)
For Jaekyung, I never really thought she was annoying, although they did put her in too many episodes which were unnecessary since in the original she appeared then left understanding the situation. While for Jaekyung they make her selfish and stupid.. =/
Gaeul is so funny in a very cute way. Yi Jung probably feels the same way. Haha, but our Yi Jung is having some issues in the head? That sounded weird but oh wells.. .The love story seems typical.. I thought about it and I was like if Eun Jae knew he was the way he was with girls and such... Why would she continue to like him and pursue but then again the same goes for Gaeul, because Yi Jung is actually a very caring person, especially if he sees you as someone special enough for him to care about. So lets be glad Gaeul is the only other girl besides Eun Jae that Yi Jung seems to care about. =D
Woobin FINALLY gets some scenes of more dialogue? =) I love Woobin's cool character, Kim Joon acts it well. =D It was totally cool and cute? At the same time when Junpyo and Woobin were trying to escape the guards Mama Kang had on him. Haha, he must feel so lucky to have such a wide range of friends. =D
Ah!! I know who that guy is!! Haha, Mr. Jung you are one smart guy! =D But I wont say anything, because it is indeed a spoiler. =D
Grandpa Yoon, why'd you have to say that in front of Mama Kang? Ugh.. I was like why? Now you just gave her a whole new and improved motive. Mama Kang is a whole lot sneakier and eviler than I really gave her credit for. She's really out there to kill. I mean its like business with everyone no matter who it is. It's like if you're in my way, you either move or I'll make you. Which is quite scary...
Jihoo... Poor Jihoo.. He's so in love with Jandi and she doesn't even know it! Argh... But I thought his indirect confession was cute. =D
But you know I always thought about it and I was like man, how can Jandi just fall asleep? I mean no matter where she is she can still fall asleep even in the most odd places.. =/
Okay.. So this reply was just random and out of place but I had to comment! =D Great review definitely cleared some things up for me. =D
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87 Akiddo
March 24, 2009 at 1:37 AM
#84, #85
Totally agree!! She loves the bad boy too much. For all that she has gone through - how did she manage to last so long?
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88 lol@Akiddo
March 24, 2009 at 1:43 AM
@ 87: yup, i totally agree with you! it seems like some viewers have selective amnesia when it comes to all the things jandi has had to endure because of jun pyo. and yet the poor, never experienced the warmth of a 'real family' bad boy always comes out scotch free.
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89 Tangy
March 24, 2009 at 1:52 AM
Gawd. Where to begin?
My sentiments run along the lines of several others - Akiddo, IcanhazGJPyo, Panshel, Gnizama ...
I thought I'd be totally for the Jun-pyo & Jan-di pairing at the beginning of the series, but lately I just don't see what the hype is all about. In my opinion, I don't think Jun-pyo has done all that much to deserve anyone. He just comes across as a complete wimp. There's no reason Jan-di has to sit there and tell him what to do, if he's so in love with her he should have gone down fighting. At the very least he could've stood up to Mama Kang. And c'mon, when the bride objects and all your friends do too, why don't you try growing a backbone and objecting as well? He gets punished in the end anyway, and Jan-di still receives the brunt of Mama Kang's anger. What's there to lose? When he stood there and said nothing, I swear I wanted to smack him hard enough to see stars. If his love for Jan-di is so epic, why not gloriously fight for it? Needless to say, the hug and kiss scenes following the wedding really did nothing for me.
I just don't see the "grand love" between them, he doesn't make much of an effort, she doesn't make much of one either. If I was so in love with someone, there's nothing I wouldn't do in order to win that love. And frankly, Jae-kyung and Ji-hoo's feelings for their respective loves just comes across as so much stronger. They're both willing to sacrifice their love for the happiness of their loved one. I love that about them, it's just so sweet. And not nearly as frustrating to watch either.
Further, since (to me at least) there's not much there to begin with, I don't see why Jan-di would choose Jun-pyo over Ji-hoo. Consistently Ji-hoo has been there for her, always watching out and taking care of her. Their relationship is so serene and sweet. Whereas, with Jun-pyo everything is always so turbulent. Maybe it's just me, but I'd choose the guy that was always there for me and that I got along with really well.
Argh. It's annoying and frustrating, because I really did love Jun-pyo and Jan-di together previously, but since introducing Jae-kyung, I'm seriously wavering towards the Jan-di & Ji-hoo pairing. It just makes more sense. And I feel that Jan-di and Jun-pyo have really outgrown each other. It's like they've grown farther apart rather than closer and that they're just clinging to feelings of the past that don't entirely suit their current relationship. I don't think they can just go back to how they were before Macau, they're different now and their relationship just doesn't seem strong enough to last.
Ah, well, Needless to say, I'll most likely be disappointed with the end of this drama as the Jun-pyo & Jan-di coupling seems inevitable.
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90 sleeplessinwgtn
March 24, 2009 at 1:53 AM
I agree with the comments that JD & JP didn't do much to end up with each other. The other guy/gal did even more so these two, who are meant for each other as per the Japanese manga, will get together. They did not show enough kick-ass attitude that the Japanese drama characters exhibited.
Altho the settings of the K-version is much nicer and the actors/actresses prettier/handsomer and costume much better, the portrayal of the characters in the Japanese version and even the Taiwanese version (esp. Shan Cai) show more strength in character.
Having said all that, I wouldn't miss the K-version for the world.
....
Why is it that JD and JH have more sweet memorable scenes than JD and JP? It feels so unfair to JH but we all know how the end will turn up... roughly
...
Thanks for your insightful recap.
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91 deadandgone13
March 24, 2009 at 2:02 AM
love ji hoo part..but...pitied him...he shud be wit jun di..he deserved her..better than jun pyo..but alas..we already know the ending..(pstt~~is it possible to change the storyline) LOL~that shud make a major different..in the gud way....of course..sigh...whhhyyyyy...???ha3.if she pick ji hoo..she'll hav a happy life..calm..w/o mdm kang of course...and wouldnt feel hurt for every 2 days!never live in fear...and again.madam kang free!less money..but happy...im more than happy to have that!!jihoo...hwaiting!u shud get the girl ji hoo!.if u gonna act again..or..i'll die !!hahahhaha!~~~to much sacrifice...too much sadness..n yet u live!!*clap*clap*
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92 lady maddie
March 24, 2009 at 2:05 AM
very beautiful recap...thanks!!!
thanks that jae kyung already leave in the story...
and i hope korean version of f4 will be very happy....
im excited!!!
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93 lady maddie
March 24, 2009 at 2:08 AM
i agree w/ #90....
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94 ella
March 24, 2009 at 2:36 AM
JK is out, and Umi (whatever her name in Korean is) is next. I honestly don't want to think how they're going to do the memory loss arc. It's either going to suck so much or the opposite. I'm hoping they'd make it bearable.
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95 heejung
March 24, 2009 at 3:27 AM
i wonder what happened to the whole issue of all the employees' lives being in junpyo's hands. it was such a big deal in the jdrama... this one just kinda mentioned it then totally forgot about it.
that being said, i think junpyo and jandi look adorable together! they're really natural. i heard that gu hyesun and lee minho are actually dating... cute. but i do wish that junpyo's character was a little more proactive, although i can understand the reason why he couldn't speak out at the wedding while jaekyung was doin her thing. it had to look like it was all her fault, otherwise everything would totally fall to pieces. if that hadn't happened, tho, i think junpyo would have said no to the vows.
cant wait for 23.... ><
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96 deadandgone13
March 24, 2009 at 3:34 AM
how come everybody hate jk?she fine...funny doh~i like her character.shes adorable n impossible to hate...~n she can be a gud wife to junpyo..n she really love junpyo..her feelings is pure n honest n if they really gonna get married i bet she can be a gud wife for him..which not so many rich girls can do dat..~
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97 metella
March 24, 2009 at 3:37 AM
I think you're being too harsh on Jandi... well, okay, in this drama, she's not very spunky but I understand why she doesn't say anything to Junpyo before the wedding. She openly declared her love for him in Macau, regardless of the consequences ... he, on the other hand, hasn't done anything that would openly contradict his mom in front of the world. So I guess the reason she is looking away, a bit angered is because she's angry with him for not stepping up if she really matters to him (and she has been for one or two episodes if I recall correctly ...).
I was also a bit annoyed that Jaekyang was the one to break off the wedding ... it seems like every chance the main couple get to step up is being swept by the story line or the other characters gravitating around them taking the big decisions for them. And you end up liking the secondary characters better and relating more to their personal issues (for example, Jea kyang or Ga eul), since they seem less cowardly in addressing it.
Anyway, I really enjoy watching this show ! It's like watching a soap opera, only it's better, because you know the story won't unfold forever !
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98 lilolele
March 24, 2009 at 3:40 AM
I"m glad you posted this song, it's one that caught my attention while watching!
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99 deadandgone13
March 24, 2009 at 3:42 AM
the way they suddenly introduced JP's dad in the story will have tons of bearing on tipping the scales to JD's favor. at least when it comes to Mama Kang.
can't wait for the ending, yet i feel so sad that this is about to end (sigh!).
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100 cheonsa
March 24, 2009 at 4:25 AM
thanks for the neat recap, javabeans! This comment of yours about jihoo - "Naturally he is a master of this skill — ain’t nothing he can’t do, is there?" really cracked me up! haha, that's exactly what crossed my mind when he picked up the scissors and twilled it around his fingers..i mean, c'mon!!..but then again, it's just part of this inexplicable allure of this drama - it's so ridiculous that it actually becomes endearing.
i also totally agree that it just not right to have jk shoulder the responsibility of them getting back together. this is supposed to be a love story of two strong-willed individuals whose love triumphs over all. to have them both give up when faced with the ultimate test of their love for each other just doesn't do the manga justice.
something i've been feeling since rewatching the first 12 pre-macau episodes over the past week is that i wish the script had been written, refined and finalized way before shooting started. the first 12 were great but sadly, they were then followed by a big convoluted pointless mess of 8 episodes and suddenly all the great bits are squeezed into the last 5 episodes! the second half seems disconnected from the first half. the fiancée arc, no matter the length, could have been better used to strengthen and define JunDi's love further rather than dilute their relationship to the point of making their reconciliation this episode somewhat meaningless. jun pyo's declaration of love seems somewhat empty and their kiss a non-event - in comparison to their previous swing and cabin kisses. which is such a waste! with such great looking actors and some really great actors, sets and location shoots, this show, if more well written, well thought-out and well paced, could have been a classic - the kind you would be watching many years down the road and still be relishing every moment. sigh..
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