City Hall: Episode 9
by samsooki
(written by Samsooki, editing, layout, design and City Hall dreams by 0timelost, cleown, and mead33)
(This is what you get when you mix a little bit of Michelle Obama, Sailor Moon, an old rich Korean woman together with Mi Rae)
City Hall: Episode 9 – What It Means To Be A Civil Servant, What It Means To Be A Woman.
To neutralize Mi Rae as a wild card in the upcoming Mayoral election, Joo Hwa has just offered Mi Rae a job as a mascot / cheerleader for her Victory Party’s candidate. Mi Rae, incensed at constantly being treated like a fool by Joo Hwa, rejects the offer. Mi Rae declares that SHE will run for Mayor, and she will just have to become Wonder Woman to do so! Joo Hwa is in disbelief, but recovers more than a little of her classic sneer in deriding Mi Rae’s threatened action.
Joo Hwa: You think wearing star spangled panties is all it takes for anyone to become Wonder Woman? All those people with a dot on their nose, will they be like Jeon Ji Hyun? And what about Min So Hee? She’s totally crazy just like you.
(Note: This is actually pretty funny, as City Hall writers continue to poke gentle fun at other Korean dramas and actors/actresses. Joo Hwa is referencing both the lovely actress Jeon Ji Hyun’s now-removed tiny birthmark on her nose and the popular hit drama series, Temptation of Wife. In Temptation of Wife, the character of Min So Hee is a paranoid lunatic who also has a dot-sized birthmark on her nose. Btw, Temptation of Wife is one of those dramas that turns your brain into a sandglass with your brain cells leaking out as you watch. People might label it as a “mak-jang” drama but I think it is more appropriately named a “crack-jang” drama, due to its addictiveness and resulting brain damage.)
Unfazed by Joo Hwa’s derision, Mi Rae gives Joo Hwa a pat on the shoulder and leaves, noting that Joo Hwa’s fear is clearly showing. With her plans completely backfired, Joo Hwa can’t help but look worried.
Ah, but Mi Rae is a wily one. Back at the Mexico and Chicken Restaurant, Mi Rae admits she said all that just so as to piss off Joo Hwa and put a little scare into her. Who would vote for Mi Rae anyway?
Meanwhile, Jo Gook is playing a round of golf with Governor So, the provincial governor whose jurisdiction covers Inju City. Governor So introduces his man who he wants to be the next Mayor of Inju City. Jo Gook politely refuses to manage the campaign of the Governor’s man; he’s already got a candidate in mind to become Mayor, and this particular candidate doesn’t even know how many political parties there are in Korea. Governor So is outraged that Jo Gook would pull this kind of double-cross.
Even Soo In is confused by this maneuver. Jo Gook’s candidate wouldn’t be Shin Mi Rae, would it? How can that make any sense? Not happy to be asked about Mi Rae, Jo Gook responds: did it make any sense for Soo In to betray Jo Gook? (Uhh, what does one thing have to do with other?)
In any case, it looks like Jo Gook has gotten over Soo In’s backstabbing, as Jo Gook admits that if BB had asked him to do the same, Jo Gook would have done it too, but done it better. Right down to the stylish suits, the penchant for backstabbing, the hair parts on the same side of the head, and even the faint mustache and beard outlines, Jo Gook and Soo In are alike, and it seems that both like Mi Rae too.
Meanwhile, things are moving quickly in Inju City. Joo Hwa gets her dad to run as the Victory Party’s nominee for Mayor. And on the other side of town, Boo Mi tells Mi Rae about that certain job that she is trying to get for Mi Rae. Boo Mi took all the remaining money that she had, AND, all the money that Mi Rae gave to her (which was all the money that Mi Rae had), and used it to pay for the Mayoral election application fee! Mi Rae, obviously, freaks out. She cannot run for Mayor!
Later that night, Jo Gook meets with Boo Mi and gives her an envelope full of cash, to reimburse her and Mi Rae for the application fee. But Boo Mi refuses to take the reimbursement money. She asks Jo Gook: does the former Deputy Mayor think that Mi Rae can win? Jo Gook nods. Boo Mi responds, ruefully, that she doesn’t think Mi Rae can win. Boo Mi explains herself:
Boo Mi: Mi Rae is too simple-minded, too naïve. She goes around helping anyone and everyone, and she spends all of her time trying to take care of everyone – from taking part-time jobs to donating money to schools, making snacks for the children for their field trips, rice cakes for people having birthdays. And most of all, 365 days out of the year, Mi Rae is never fake; she is always sincere and real. I have never once seen a mayor like that in my whole life.
Jo Gook: And so?
Boo Mi: And so, that’s why I am putting all of my own money in. That’s why you should take this money back. And that’s why you must make Mi Rae the next Mayor.
(That rocks. Boo Mi is one fierce and loyal ahjumma. I said that I want to grow up to be like Jung Do, but I change my mind – I want to be like Boo Mi.)
With that, Boo Mi heads back to the porridge shop where she is working part-time. Mi Rae and Jung Do are waiting for her. They tried to get back the application fee from the city election office but to no avail. The money is now gone. Mi Rae screams at Boo Mi, wondering how she could just waste all their money like that!
Boo Mi doesn’t back down and yells back:
Boo Mi: It ISN’T wasted! If you get 15% of the vote, all of your money will be refunded. So you, you must get over 15% of the vote!
Mi Rae: 15% comes so easily off of your lips! Is 15% the name of your dog? Do you know how hard getting 15% is?!!
Boo Mi: So work HARD and I am telling you, you WILL get 15%! Work your hardest to get 15%, and then work even harder to win the election. Work your hardest to win the election, and then when you are Mayor… get me my job back.
Mi Rae: (speechless, in tears)
Boo Mi: I was a good civil servant, you know. For our country, I was loyal and did my best. For the citizens, I acted righteously and I worked hard for them. In my work, I was creative and conscientious. At my workplace, I acted respectfully and spoke credibly. And in my life, I act honestly and cleanly. I swore an oath to keep all those things, and I kept all of them. And so you have to get me my job back, do you understand?
Mi Rae despairs. Everything Boo Mi has said is right, but Boo Mi has just laid the responsibility of her unemployment squarely on Mi Rae. It is too much for Mi Rae, and she cries out that now all the people that Boo Mi got signatures from will be disappointed in Mi Rae, and questions how she can show her face to anyone. It is a heart-tugging scene, as Boo Mi’s hopes for (and demands on) Mi Rae have frightened Mi Rae beyond even her own strength and courage. Mi Rae cannot deal, and runs out of the porridge shop.
Jung Do has been silent the entire time, but now he questions Boo Mi.
Jung Do: You didn’t, by any chance, meet with the former Deputy Mayor, did you?
Boo Mi: Yes, I did. In the beginning, I did start this because of him, but as I went around getting signatures, I realized that this was the thing that I actually wanted for Mi Rae all along, and so…
Jung Do (interrupting): I know YOUR intent quite well, but did you even once stop and think at what the former Deputy Mayor’s objectives are? Don’t you know that he wants a Mayor that he thinks he can easily manipulate?
Boo Mi is speechless for once, as she starts to realize how big of an error she might have made. This is a really, really good point by Jung Do. (Note: Boo Mi and I both got so caught up in the moment, we BOTH totally forgot about Jo Gook’s penchant for doing things that benefit him first. Thank goodness for Jung Do to keep us all grounded!)
The following day at the market, Mi Rae is selling her fish and trying to calculate how many votes it will take to get to 15% – it is a whole lot. As Mi Rae starts to despair again, a familiar person is walking through the market, with his child and his mother to boot! Jo Gook is making his rounds, giving smiles and handshakes. Rang looks adorable in his capri khakis, but Jo Gook’s mom could not be less thrilled with being used as a political prop. Jo Gook sees Mi Rae, and he greets her rather awkwardly.
Jo Gook: It has been a long time.
Mi Rae: Yes.
Jo Gook: (says nothing)
Jo Rang: Who is that, daddy?
Mi Rae: (looks curiously at Rang, it is her first time seeing the child).
Jo Gook: Oh. This noona is… your dad’s… colleague. (Note: in this context, “noona,” or “older sister” is merely a polite way to talk about a stranger)
Mi Rae is rocked by Jo Gook’s portrayal of their relationship, but hides it behind a warm smile to Rang. Before Jo Gook can finish introducing his mother, Jo Gook’s mother snaps that she knows who Mi Rae is since she reads the newspapers. With that she storms off with Rang as the smell of baendaengis is too much for her nose – Mi Rae doesn’t even get to properly introduce herself.
(Being able to make a good first impression to a potential future mother-in-law might be important to any woman, but in Korean culture, it is vital because the wife is expected to join the husband’s family, leaving her own behind. Historically, this would mean that the wife would be directly under the supervision, care and control of the husband’s mother. So first meetings are doubly important for the wife-to-be. But Jo Gook introduces Mi Rae as a “colleague” and Jo Gook’s mom takes the cue and doesn’t wait around long enough to meet Mi Rae. And so Jo Gook has just obliterated any chance that Mi Rae might have had at making a good first impression. Mi Rae can only interpret that as Jo Gook saying to her that they have no chance to be together.)
Outside the market, Jo Gook and family start to drive away when Mi Rae dashes out to stop the car. Even if she has no chance at a relationship with him, even if she has been labeled by Jo Gook as being nobody special, Mi Rae still needs Jo Gook’s help.
Mi Rae and Jo Gook have their face to face, and Mi Rae asks Jo Gook if he believes that she can win, and if she cannot, whether she can at least get 15% of the vote, and if she cannot even get that amount, whether Jo Gook can give her the application fee. He responds that there is no way that Mi Rae will lose, and so she shouldn’t think like that.
Jo Gook then asks what Mi Rae would be willing to give him, if he helps her to win the election. Will Mi Rae agree to whatever Jo Gook wants? Mi Rae sighs and nods.
Jo Gook: You haven’t even asked me what it is that I will require from you.
Mi Rae: I already know.
Jo Gook: You know?
Mi Rae: Yes.
Mi Rae: As guys get closer to me, they all want the same thing.
Jo Gook: Really?
Mi Rae: Yes. They all say “Get lost!” or “You should find a good man, I am not deserving of you” or “Wouldn’t it be better if we were just like brother and sister?”
Jo Gook: Who are these jerks anyway? You should call them up so I can deal with them.
Mi Rae: Oh, but there is another guy too. He’s the worst of them all.
Jo Gook: Why are there so many of these jerks?
Mi Rae (staring straight at Jo Gook): Yeah, this guy says, “Oh, this noona, she’s your father’s colleague.”
Jo Gook is truly shaken by Mi Rae’s words which hit him squarely in the heart. He looks hurt and betrayed by her comments. But honestly, WHO is the one who has done the hurting and the betraying?
Mi Rae continues – she isn’t some 20-year old girl who will hang on every word of a guy who takes her on a camping trip. So he needn’t look so serious at her comments. But Jo Gook has a few stunning words in return.
Jo Gook: These days, I’ve been doing things that I’ve never done before. And in living this life of mine, I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before. Doing the things that I did with you took a lot of courage for someone like me. Don’t you see that?
Mi Rae (frozen by his words).
Jo Gook: I admit that I am not a good man, but I hope that you won’t see me like a person that you would despise.
That has got to be one of the best responses in the history of responses. Mi Rae feels, well, she feels about what she looks like. She has had her heart crushed and inflated, twisted and straightened, and forever altered by this man, who is just so hard to understand. When he speaks the truth, it hurts. When he lies, it hurts. There is no getting around pain when Mi Rae hears words that come from Jo Gook, but no matter what, if he starts speaking, Mi Rae’s heart opens up again.
Back to the furious pace of this episode! The election nominee deadline has passed, and the candidates are gathered at the city election office to give slogans and to announce their platforms. Without further ado, we proudly present the candidates for Inju’s mayoral by-election:
Clockwise, from the top left: Candidate #1 for the newly revamped Victory Party, Joo Hwa’s dad! Candidate #2 for the Purity Party, the man that Governor So wanted! Candidate #3 for the Sovereignty Party, Father Time himself! And Candidate #4 for the Citizens’ Progress Party, well, some guy:
And Candidate #5 is… not present. Where is Mi Rae on this important day? She has searched out Jung Do, to ask for his help. But Jung Do is not convinced that Mi Rae knows what she is doing, especially since her top priority seems to be getting her money back. Jung Do challenges Mi Rae about her lack of educational background and experience. Who would be willing to vote for her? Undaunted, Mi Rae challenges back:
Mi Rae: Was Mayor Go’s education poor? Was his work experience bad? Politics! What is that anyway? Isn’t it, “For people whose lives are poor, to help them get better lives, and for people whose lives are good, to ask them to help out.” Isn’t that what it is about? At the very least, I am confident that I can do a better job than Mayor Go in that regard!!
Well, I dare say that Mi Rae has got a little bit of Boo Mi fire in her eyes now! Jung Do agrees to help out with Mi Rae’s campaign…but of course, now we have two cooks in the same kitchen. Two savvy political guys, graduated from the academy in the same year, with completely different ideas on how to make Mi Rae into the next Mayor of Inju City.
First issue to resolve – what is going to be the overall photo concept for the campaign? What kind of image should Mi Rae portray? Progressive Jo Gook likes the Hillary Clinton and the Michelle Obama looks. Traditional Jung Do likes the “dignified and noble older Korean woman” kind of look and also the “Korean freedom fighter Yoo Gwan Sun” look. They start to dress Mi Rae like a doll. Hehe!
Fortunately, Mi Rae gets the final say and she scraps these contrived looks for something that actually means something to her. the final photo concept ends up being a picture of Mi Rae, taken by Boo Mi during one of the Miss Baendaengi contest event. And to convey the Wonder Woman concept, her friends photoshop in a tiara to the hat. The words read, “For the future, let’s pull for Mi Rae! Wonder Woman Shin Mi Rae! We ask this of you, Inju City!”
Right off the bat, Mi Rae receives some good news. Candidate #3’s (Father Time’s) check has bounced and he is out of the election! Mi Rae’s chances have just risen!
As Jo Gook is driving Mi Rae home after a long day, he receives a call on his cell As Mi Rae curiously looks on, Jo Gook’s side of the conversation ends like this: “Mmmhmm… I miss you too.” Mi Rae can only hear a few bits and pieces of the conversation, but she has a pretty good idea of exactly who Jo Gook is missing. Jo Gook suddenly stops the car and tells Mi Rae to get out, as he has a meeting to attend. Mi Rae can only watch as Jo Gook speeds off, away from her…
and towards …
During their walk through the park, Jo Gook tells his fiancée frankly that he is using her to ensure that BB will help him ascend the Blue House. Go Hae answers that it is okay if he uses her, but in return, she would like to be by his side when he enters the Blue House. This is the bargain they have made with each other.
Go Hae also offers to help finance Mi Rae’s election. She gently asks Jo Gook not to refuse her money, since if he does refuse, then she might get the wrong idea about the relationship between him and Mi Rae. It is a difficult choice for Jo Gook, as Go Hae seems to be the key to both his ambitions and Mi Rae’s ambitions. And what Go Hae asks in return will keep him and Mi Rae apart forever.
As a very troubled and sad Jo Gook is driving back to Inju City, his thoughts go back to a recent memory of the camping trip that he had with Mi Rae. And now we are able to see what happened on that overnight trip, between the two of them that night.
It looks like both of them are unable to sleep, especially Mi Rae, who has a man close enough to her that she can feel his breath. Jo Gook pretends to sleep though, perhaps to give Mi Rae some measure of comfort.
But Mi Rae, in a surprising move, rolls over and Jo Gook quickly closes his eyes.
Mi Rae tentatively reaches out, like a fish testing a baited hook, and then falling back quickly. Jo Gook does not awake, and so she reaches out and strokes his face.
Mi Rae can barely breathe. Almost on their own, her fingertips start tracing his eye brows, and then his cheek. As her fingers touch his lips, Jo Gook’s hand grabs Mi Rae’s!! CAUGHT!! Jo Gook, the clever fisherman, has caught his very first baendaengi!!
Jo Gook (sleepily): Keep that up, and you will get jumped…
Mi Rae rolls back over to her side of the tent like she is on fire. As it is, she should take comfort in the fact that any other human being would have actually burst into flames. Mercifully, Mi Rae is let off of the hook by Jo Gook who volunteers to sleep outside…and the scene shifts to the present again…but this memory is no longer Jo Gook’s alone, but Mi Rae’s as well! She too has been thinking of that night they spent together camping.
Mi Rae’s eyes falls on Jo Gook’s jacket, which is still hanging in her room. Mi Rae walks over to the jacket that told her more about Jo Gook than any of his words. Shouldn’t she return the jacket? Given the events of the day, it is clear to Mi Rae that the jacket, like the unspoken promise it held, would very likely remain empty.
The next day, it is campaign finance awareness day for Mi Rae. Both Jung Do and Jo Gook finally agree on this critical point: If Mi Rae wants to have any success at all in this mayoral election, she will need to borrow a lot of money, quickly – in the neighborhood of a quarter million dollars!
To that end, Jo Gook takes Mi Rae to a hotel room to meet with a VIP sponsor. Mi Rae is fearful and sickened, thinking that Jo Gook is trying to make her spend the night with some sleazy guy. Mi Rae is now not only hurt by Jo Gook, she is disgusted by him. But as Mi Rae stands up to go, the VIP sponsor enters the room:
Comments –
If Episode 6 is the episode that made City Hall the drama series that cannot be missed, then Episode 9 is the episode that makes City Hall the drama series that must be loved. I absolutely LOVED this episode. There are so many scenes that were so brilliant, with the OST songs and lyrics matching the scenes, the powerful acting by everyone, the wonderful pacing, and the balanced direction by the PD and staff.
While Mi Rae’s and Jo Gook’s feelings for each other are easy to see, the relationship itself keeps running into the reality of Jo Gook’s world. He needs Go Hae, not just for her money, but because she is the key to keeping BB on Jo Gook’s side (or, rather, the key to keeping BB from being Jo Gook’s enemy). The only thing that his fiancée wants in return is for her to be there by his side when he enters the Blue House. That’s the arrangement, and that’s what Jo Gook has agreed to do. But that means that Mi Rae will be left alone, only able to dance with an empty jacket.
And as we see, there are lines that Mi Rae simply will not cross. She will not sell her body or her principles for money or for power. And if Jo Gook goes down an unethical road for the sake of his own ambition, it is extremely unlikely that Mi Rae would sell out for his sake either. And this makes Mi Rae and Jo Gook potential enemies.
Sitting back a moment, and reflecting on Mi Rae, it is hard to imagine how Mi Rae’s heart can take so much. As a guy, perhaps, I try to parse and break things into manageable pieces, to organize and to compartmentalize. One thing has got nothing to do with another. But for Mi Rae, her heart mixes everything together, and her emotions are the result of the love she holds in her heart for everyone in her world. And her holding onto the promise of the jacket, despite everything that tells her otherwise, it is her expression of what it means to be a woman.
The one to watch for in this Episode: Boo Mi.
If everyone in government service had as much fire, passion, and integrity as Boo Mi, how much better of a world would we live in today?
While recapping this episode, I went back to the Boo Mi scenes with Jo Gook and with Mi Rae, and I feel like her words should be etched in stone and put in every government office, as the very essence what it means to be a civil servant.
I said this before, but Boo Mi is one fierce ahjumma. And while every girl should have a friend like Jo Gook, I think that every person should have a best friend like Boo Mi.
On To Episode 10!
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Tags: Cha Seung-won, City Hall, Kim Sun-ah
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1 ar
July 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM
thanks for the recap! Boo-mi's meeting with Jo Gook is one of my fave parts of CH!
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2 pinksoysauce
July 27, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I'm addicted to these recaps more than I am to the drama (is that possible?!) Seriously, this is like, my fifth time coming on to Dramabeans today. :)
I loved this episode; it was one of my favorites by far. The eloquent moments contrasted nicely with the upbeat ones and the plot progressed at a great pace. I'm starting to like Joo Hwa a lot more too - under the annoying, clever face is a pretty amusing, cute character that really makes you laugh.
I wonder if Soo In will become more involved in the Mi Rae-Jo Gook-Go Hae love triangle, although I suppose that he's too minor of a character to do so, and that would complicate things quite a bit more.
Thanks Samsooki, Dramabeans, 0timelost, cleown, and mead33!
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3 jusash
July 27, 2009 at 1:11 PM
it just gets more and more interesting fr this point on. haha .. it would be interesting to see what transpires if Soo In actually DID make more of an effort romantically in Mi Rae's direction.
I am an eager addict to all these recaps too. MUCH THANKS for keeping them coming!
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4 din
July 27, 2009 at 1:15 PM
the 1st pic reminded me of jung il woo dressing up as a girl in return of iljimae :p
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5 mzpakipot
July 27, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I absolutely love this episode especially the bonus scene from their camping trip. I was literally screaming when this episode airing live. lol
I appreciate a lot of your input Samsooki and Team. I like how you explain why Go Hae and Jo Guk need each other for their own agenda. I didn't realize till you mention that It could also mean to keep BB at Jo Guk's good side. Coz he's been trying most of his life to gain his love/trust from BB.
I also like that part when Jo Guk showed a little bit of jealousy when Mi-rae called Jung Do on his phone. Now Im not so sure, if that look on his face was jealousy.
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6 ockoala
July 27, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Samsooki recap team: it was all worth it, the interminable (perfection can't be rushed, I know, I know) wait for the Ep. 9 recap has culminated in this - the richest emotional recap yet. And Samsooki, your prose has transcended alongside Ep. 9, as we viewers are elevated to another level of CH intensity. Bravo on a job splendidly done. We readers are so lucky.
I am putting aside the politics and the mayor-election issues for a bit, as I found the central focus of my attention in this episode recap was the emotional introspection and verbal/non-verbal cues that bring our hero and heroine into each other's orbit in tighter and tighter concentric circles (both plot driven - the mayoral election needing JG to assist MR, and the internal character-development, after the camping trip recollection, both are really thinking and feeling a lot about their connection).
When Jo Gook speaks or shows the "truth", in those rare instances, MR doesn't stand a chance, if her heart isn't about to pop out of her chest, then it's because she is still too wary to fully let go of her reservations. His response to her when she is stroking his face (OMG, Oh my lord, does that JG know how to elevate sexual tension to the nth degree - tent, nightime, tender face stroking - must dunk myself in cold water now), and his response to her when she flatly tells him how often men disappoint and hurt her. Man, he has got to get his act together and figure out what he wants from MR.
I know how his attraction to her is at odds with everything in his life. He's the "Renaissance Man" whose partner is suppose to be the elegant Go Hae, yet he cannot stay away from MR, his political goals need a wife who is both politically and financially connected, yet he is drawn to a woman who has none of that, just heart, will, character and personality.
The JG-MR emotional journey is impossible to turn away from, no machinations, contrivances, third party lure - just a man and a woman finding a connection so unexpected yet so intoxicating.
Sigh, City Hall, you had me at "if you keep that up, I'm going to jump you." Growrrrrr.
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7 Janie
July 27, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Oh here it is...
High 5 to Candidate #5 -- the Wonder Woman!
oh I lady against 4 men, go Mirae go!
It came as a total surprise & delight when they/she decided to post the "tiara" poster for the election... so unconventional, unexpected, great choice!
This Joo Hwa lady is such a character and I am loving her, can't help but notice her circle of people are all mainly male...
Thanks 0timelost, cleown, and mead33 for another captivating layout etc... just love the ladies touch to it... Samsooki is so blessed to have you gals... and of course thanks to Mrs. Samsooki for sparing hubby to write this manuscript ^ ^
off to reading it and hear what he has to rant about in this episode...
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8 Bolt
July 27, 2009 at 2:53 PM
"This is what you get when you mix a little bit of Michelle Obama, Sailor Moon, an old rich Korean woman together with Mi Rae" Hehe....this got me interested now. Will find time to watch this drama.
BTW, why no Sarah Palin?
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9 birdscout
July 27, 2009 at 3:07 PM
The face-tracing scene in the tent is one of the most memorable in this drama for me. This recap makes it that much more special.
Thanks Team Samsooki!
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10 Sonam
July 27, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Jo Gook is so cool and calculating it's hard to believe he's falling for someone like MR. The way things are developing seem too convenient for the writer an director.
As a woman I really hated that scene of MR dancing with his jacket. I want to MR to have some dignity and cool for a change. Why is she always made to look like the village idiot? I hate that dialogue where she says all men tell her to get lost...etc. And then what he said in reply. Unless it's a calculated reply.
The drama is fun but is kind of illogical. It's only working because of the two great leads. CSA and KSA. I started watching City Hall for KSA but stayed because of CSA. He's brilliant even with the awful too tight skinny pants. Who wears skinny pants suits? Maybe aging rock stars like Mick jagger and Ozzy Osbourne.
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11 questions987
July 27, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Why do I love this drama so much? JG annoys me with his bi polar treatment or MR but I love him to death.
When I watch the two together, my heart aches with them when its sad, and skips a beat when it's exciting. I don't cry for MR when he breaks her heart because I know his is breaking too but I do want to punch him for being stupid when confusing the poor girl.
I don't understand why I love this drama so much, seriously - everything else pales in comparason now. Even dramas that I love and can watch over and over and cry everytime I see them don't compare to City Hall.
Okay I'm going to watch Episode 9 again.
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12
July 27, 2009 at 3:25 PM
@bolt
LOL First Susan Boyle and now Sarah Palin. I don't know why but it's hysterically funny. LOL You remind me of Thundie's prattle.....you can't be her, can you?
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13 Sonam
July 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM
KSA looked so fabulous when they were doing makeovers of her image. I want more scenes like that where she looks fabulous and is fabulous so I understand why JG is falling for her. I don't want her acting too cutesy and too naive. 36 is too old for that.
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14 Ariel
July 27, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Your a guy?!!! Seriously? Sorry if I sound gender bias but your recaps are so there, from the feelings of the characters to the mood of the scene your really really good (can't emphasize this enough). Your recaps made me laugh out loud, get a little teary eyed (just a little since I'm reading this in the office) and make me long for the next episode. I hope this will not be your last recap for DRAMABEANS. Hey shoutout to Javabeans you have very exceptional friends. Thanks for sharing.
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15 ockoala
July 27, 2009 at 3:42 PM
@ 13 Sonam
"I want more scenes like that where she looks fabulous and is fabulous so I understand why JG is falling for her."
All in due course, my dear, to borrow Samsooki's pearls of wisdom lobbed at me awhile back. =-) Yes, as of episode 9, except for the Baendengi pageant, Mi Rae does look alternatively blowsy, frumpy, and weekend casual, which only serves to really press home the point - why is JG attracted to her? I am all for making our heroine pretty (okay, another admission from mz. ockoala, I know it was to make a very important point in the drama and the real world - but I still can't get over how god-awful they made KSA looked in MNIKSS), but City Hall is a journey, and Mi Rae really is a country girl at the beginning, not sophisticated like Joo Hwa, and definitely not like Go Hae. But she is true to herself, and the poster picture hammers home the point, she doesn't need to project a made up image, she needs Inju to accept her as she is.
Another aside: I LOVE the understated one upsmanship between JG and Jung Do, which was been percolating for many many episodes now, their interactions are so priceless. It really came to a head here when they both try to manage MR's campaign, and insult each other along the way. Boys don't like to share their toys! And JG, if we were not sure before that he's jealous of the friendship/interactions between MR and JD, it's clear now, he's one jealous type of guy!
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16 meenuby
July 27, 2009 at 4:10 PM
@8 Bolt
Because, IMHO, Sarah Palin is a joke.
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17 mzpakipot
July 27, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Mi-rae as a country girl (in general, a girl being a country girl), she has a limited mentality of what's considered as cool and uncool. But she does things or say things with heart and sincerity. So that scene of her dancing with the Jacket may seem irrational or you could say, "err, who is that woman dancing with a jacket, she must be a nut-head!" As much as I wanna defend her action, yes...i would think so otherwise. But because she lives in a small country village she can do what ever she pleases, and she's inside her property (frontyard). Some country girls are ignorant. They live a simple life. Just my 2cent worth, and you may take with a grain of salt. ^^
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18 langdon813
July 27, 2009 at 4:53 PM
“If you keep that up, I’m going to jump you.”
See, if Jo Gook said that to ME, I would have jumped HIM, and Go-hae be damned.
Great job as always, Samsooki (our resident GUY! ;-) ) and kudos to the rest of the team too!
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19 Samsooki
July 27, 2009 at 6:04 PM
@14, ariel -
LOL! My wife got a kick out of that comment and @7 Janie's comment about my wife "sparing hubby to write this."
@18, langdon813 -
If I were single, which I am not, but if I were (but I am not), and Shin Mi Rae traced my face in a tent in the middle of the night (which would never happen because I am not single and I am not a crazy person living in a fantasy world), then I also would not have just volunteered to sleep outdoors, Jo Gook be damned (but I am married and so I am not even contemplating what I have typed). :)
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20 bbm
July 27, 2009 at 6:06 PM
they sure like to put in snippets and reference do they...
the jeon jihyun mole thing, and one other thing i remember is this
"Is 15% the name of your dog?"
i believe this line also spoken by KSA in MNIKSS, when Binnie asked her to return the money...
btw, i watched KBSW last night n saw KSA in entertainment relay, She is sooo gorgeous... tall and lean... and her personality is just soo lovable...
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21 langdon813
July 27, 2009 at 6:28 PM
@19, Samsooki
But, my friend...that is precisely why The List was invented!
The strictly hypothetical, should-you-ever-get-the-opportunity-which-you-won't-but-just-in-case-you-do, get-out-jail free, his-and-hers "People You're Allowed to Cheat With List" that every couple has; which must be updated on an annual basis with the appropriate clauses and loopholes.
Come on, now! You're a lawyer, you understand these things!
:-)
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22 alodia
July 27, 2009 at 6:59 PM
정말 감사합니다. 멋진이요.
Ok, i totally ran out of words, so i'm restorting to Korean instead. :p
Thanks again Samsooki and your cool girls 0timelost, cleown, and mead33
---
"(That rocks. Boo Mi is one fierce and loyal ahjumma. I said that I want to grow up to be like Jung Do, but I change my mind – I want to be like Boo Mi.)"
>>> I soo love Boo Mi since day one and I want her to be my bestfriend. But yes, definitely ep9 is HER episode - with Jung Soo Young's superb acting seasoned with the best-est dialogues.
"She has had her heart crushed and inflated, twisted and straightened, and forever altered by this man, who is just so hard to understand. When he speaks the truth, it hurts. When he lies, it hurts. There is no getting around pain when Mi Rae hears words that come from Jo Gook, but no matter what, if he starts speaking, Mi Rae’s heart opens up again."
>>> i guess no one can put this into words any better than Samsooki (and the girls!) Dang! I even wrote this on the margins of my planner so that I can read it over and over... now it's official my favorite writers are as follows: Kim Eun Sook, Kim Do Wo, Samsooki
"Candidate #3 for the Sovereignty Party, Father Time himself! And Candidate #4 for the Citizens’ Progress Party, well, some guy"
>>> puhahaha these two candidates always make me laugh whenever they appear - even how they appeared on today's recaps! hahaha
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@2 pinksoysauce
I’m addicted to these recaps more than I am to the drama (is that possible?!) Seriously, this is like, my fifth time coming on to Dramabeans today.
>>>it's possible! i guess i am too. i usually visit DB once a day to check her updates, but since CH recaps started, I visit every 10mins. hehehe
and yes, so far, from ep1-9 this is the episode with such a great pacing and direction. NOTE: so far - and more to come!
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@5 mzpakipot
I absolutely love this episode especially the bonus scene from their camping trip. I was literally screaming when this episode airing live. lol
>>>exactly! exactly! i was like OMG OMG OMG!!! something more happened! again, clever writing and direction!
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@6 ockoala
Samsooki recap team: it was all worth it, the interminable (perfection can’t be rushed, I know, I know) wait for the Ep. 9 recap has culminated in this – the richest emotional recap yet.
>>>Agree! Worth all the wait! It's not that I want them to rush, but to be perfectly honest, everytime i go to check DB, a frown is plastered to my face everytime I do not see City Hall: Episode 9. Just imagine my squeals to see it today. Yeah we are indeed lucky!
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@11 questions987
I don’t understand why I love this drama so much, seriously – everything else pales in comparason now. Even dramas that I love and can watch over and over and cry everytime I see them don’t compare to City Hall.
>>>Ditto. :( but i wish after some months i can recover and i can enjoy other dramas as well (or old dramas again)...
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@17 mzpakipot
yeah! she's inside her property. she lived in inju for 36years on the same neighborhood. for 36 years there has been no stupid mutt invading her privacy on her front yard. who would have thought someone will be watching from afar?
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23 alodia
July 27, 2009 at 7:07 PM
@20 bbm
“Is 15% the name of your dog?”
i believe this line also spoken by KSA in MNIKSS, when Binnie asked her to return the money…
>> i think it's a common korean phrase/expression for something easily/casually said (someone please correct me if i'm wrong). and yes, she said it in mnikss, is 20million won the name of your dog (w/c, in another clever writing, became - literally, the name of samsoon's dog) -- oops! was it Yi Young Unnie who said it? oh no! i used to remember almost every scene and every dialogue in mnikss. city hall ruined it! :(
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24 angryparsnip
July 27, 2009 at 7:08 PM
@19 , Samsooki. . .
OMG ! I enjoy your re-caps ( I am not watching CH because no channel where I live carry it and will have to wait for Drama Fever hope hope) but your answer to @14 made me adore your writing even more so funny cute.
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25 ockoala
July 27, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Okay, everyone, I've watched and thought about City Hall enough times that I think I've caught all the witty references, subtle meanings and unspoken gazes, and understand what it means. However, after reading Samsooki's take on the meaning of what Jo Gook said to Rang about Mi Rae:
Mi Rae (staring straight at Jo Gook): Yeah, this guy says, “Oh, this noona, she’s your father’s colleague."
up until now, my take was the opposite of Samsooki's. Perhaps this is where not being Korean or understand Korean totally hinders my comprehension. I thought that when JG tells Rang that MR is his colleague, it is a compliment, since she is unemployed, plus when they worked at City Hall, she was just a10th level secretary. No diss on JG being an elitist, but isn't it more likely that the directors, vice-mayor, mayor, congressman, etc., would not consider a secretary a "colleague" but a subordinate. Hence, the introduction that she is a colleague of the great Jo Gook, #1 in his class at the academy, is to raise her social standing with his son and mother.
And with her using that phrase to express disappointment and frustration with JG, it's because JG is still confusing her. Why compliment her, raise her status with his family, if he ENGAGED and nothing can happen between then. Why is he raising her hopes up (instead of down, which is what Samsooki thinks).
I don't know, I don't know, I am so confused now. But in a good way. Haven't we been dissecting CIty Hall here on dramabeans since episode 1 recaps started, and how exhilirating that City Hall is such a rich tapestry of well-written, well-acted drama.
Love to hear thoughts on this interaction.
@ langdon813:
I remember that episode of Friends! The List. I'm highly suspecting that Megan Fox is on my hubby's list. Ha ha. The charged scene in the tent, I don't think any person here would have not literally jumped Jo Gook's bones (the gentlemen readers, please pretend you are hot blooded ladies). And the fact that is is shown to us viewers an entire episode later, is soooo tantalizing.
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26 Samsooki
July 27, 2009 at 8:39 PM
@25 ockoala -
That's interesting that you had the opposite take.
From Mi Rae's perspective, the relationship between the two of them isn't based on respect or class. I think Mi Rae would be the last person to think that one's social caste and/or economic power is important in terms of who someone should be with. She sees Jo Gook not as a comrade or a friend, but as the person she is falling in love with.
And so Mi Rae wouldn't see it as a compliment, but as a reminder that she should not fall in love with this man. He will break her heart, he will tell her to get lost or to just be friends with her, to find a better man than him. Now, it could very well be that Jo Gook sees his comment, "this noona, she is your dad's comrade" as being complimentary to Mi Rae (in fact, it is actually likely that he DOES think he did a good job in thinking quickly for a reasonable compromise answer), but Mi Rae cannot see it in that way.
I don't want to generalize too much, because nothing is true for everyone, but I would think that a Korean woman in her 30's, who is falling in love with a certain man, and who finds herself about to meet that man's mother for the first time... well, if that man introduces the woman as "oh, this noona... she is a comrade of mine..." that kind of introduction might crush that woman's heart, as it would rip to shreds any hope that she will be married to this man. If a man doesn't properly introduce his woman to his mother, then that woman isn't his woman. Mi Rae may not know much about a lot of things, but she sure as heck will know that much.
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27 mzpakipot
July 27, 2009 at 9:00 PM
"Mi Rae rolls back over to her side of the tent like she is on fire. As it is, she should take comfort in the fact that any other human being would have actually burst into flames."
Mi-rae's so cute, she was so embarrassed. Is she on fire with desire..? lol
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28 iwul
July 27, 2009 at 9:03 PM
i love this drama ...vewry-very much ..CSW and KSA good acting .
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29 ockoala
July 27, 2009 at 9:15 PM
@26 Samsooki
Great explanation. It's fits with Mi Rae's reaction, she is not happy with what JG said, regardless of what JG's intentions were (i.e. to compliment her in the eyes of his family, or to distance himself from her in the eyes of his family). And our Jo Gook has been a very hard to read person in many instances thus far, and the devil is in the details.
This then leads me to think of how the first meeting could have happened - how could JG have properly introduced MR to his mother (in any way that could have left MR with a chance to transcend the role of "noona" "comrade" without giving that away at this as yet inopportune time), given again that he is engaged, and she knows it. As such, how to introduce a female person to his mom, that would not give away the subtleties of the burgeoning relationship that he can't divulge given his status as an engaged person?
And I still am not sure why he need to bring his mom and Rang to the market to meet MR, or was that trip just a political meet and greet like his mom alleged?
Good times, City Hall, you keep me on my toes. Btw, I've now seen JG's car (it's an Infinit G35) almost one a day, and it's always the same color. If I could add another cast member to City Hall, it would be Jo Gook's car. Just think of all the interesting encounters that have happened involving that car up until now. *petting the car* nice, car, nice, car.
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30 Beng
July 27, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Hi Samsooki, it's nice to hear a guy tells how a guy thinks as well as how the mind of a woman works =). I think i'm liking your side comments more than the story itself. I'm only reading your recaps and haven't watched the series yet. But i think It won't be the same anymore once i really watched it.
Thank you so much =)
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31 nixxochick
July 28, 2009 at 12:28 AM
thanks for the recaps!
i actually finished watching this drama about a week ago and i LOVED it soooo much and now reading your recaps makes me look at certain scenes with a differnt light, thanks!
now is it just me or can Jo Gook be any hotter/sexier?
lol :)
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32 Sueyip
July 28, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Jo Gook: It has been a long time.
Mi Rae: Yes.
Wonder how long it was that they haven't met??? Anyway, was wondering too
how Jo Gook should introduce Mirae. Why was she offended? And I just love
that scene in the tent. That was indeed a naughty Mirae.
Once again, thanks samsooki and team for yet another beautifully written
recap. Am addicted to your recaps now.
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33 GuMi
July 28, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Aother great recap. thanks to the all City Hall team.
Loved CSW's acting in this episode. The subtle way his eyes showed JG's inner struggle while introducing MR : it was only a few seconds long, but you could clearly see him trying to decide what is MR to him? how to introduce her? he couldnt come up with anything better in such a short time so he used the ill fitted "comrade".
CSW's acting ability is just amazing. I loved him in that scene. After all that they have gone through it was great seeing the cool, sophisticates JG struggling to describe MR.
The next scene with JG and MR was also awesome: JG jealous of all those losers MR dated and angry because they didn't value her gets labeled the worst of the lot! But his response is shocking: JG in a moment of honesty tells MR that lately he has been acting in a manner strange to him and it took a lot of courage - couldn't MR see that?
A shocked MR only stares at JG.
I could see what JG meant by saying in episoe 8 that he doesn't like being honest. whenever JG is honest its hard to deal with it:
-"I missed you"
- "I used the Mayor election as an excuse to go on a trip with you"........
Why is it its so much easier for us to expect JG to be the bad guy- like MR did at the end of this episode? that to see the other side of JG: the warm, romantic man lurking inside of him? Its all his fault for beig such a complex character...
About JG and GH relationship: I don't see any love between. They have a business arrangement.
JG needs GH financial support to run for President. He needs her but its not in order to keep BB close. The reason JG decided to run for election was to show BB how far he could go without him.
During the election I didnt see GH helping JG in any way. I wondered if she helped him financially? whenever they talk about the issue of election & backing its mostly for the Presidents position so I doubt she helped him in his run for Congressman.
So JG needs GH but he also has feelings for MR. the situation makes MR - as always- the most vulnerable, and MR knows it.
The flashback scene was used as a reminder : MR and JG can spend time together, have fun, but they cant go ant further than that.
They were both remembering that night, MR was dancing with JG's jacket - KSA was awesome as usual !! with "Anxious Love" playing in the background making the scene even more heartbreaking :
"I love on my own, I let go on my own
I've waited so earnestly for you, but we are ill-matched
An unfortunate love
If I have you by my side
If I think about you If I love you
You seem like a person that won't stay long
If I let you go If I leave you
You seem like a person that will love me more
Anxious love
Even so, I like this love"...
That part of the song fits the scene. It shows how JG and MR are the ones holding themselves back because they feel they are not suited for one another.
They come from different backgrounds, have different ambitions & ways of trying to achieve them etc...
But they are also alike: they both needed something (a Typhon?) to make them break free and realize their true potential. So MR & JG both dare to run for office even if the odds & elders are against them
"....Anxious love
Even so, I like this love"...
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34 epyc
July 28, 2009 at 3:41 AM
The more I re-watch CH, the more pitiful I find JG's character is. Thank God he meets MR. He is the pawn of his own ambition which is squarely tied with his longing for BB's acknowledgement and acceptance. All his self-contradictions as being tough and formidable in the exterior and the rare slip of his tenderness and weakness in those countable moments of truth come from this. And we've seen quite a bit in this episode. There is no doubt that MR is and will be the change agent.
The market trip is a revelation:
>Jo Gook: It has been a long time.
>Mi Rae: Yes.
This is the first time they see each other since the hair ruffling scene. Despite all the behind-the-scene works he has done to get MR up running for the mayorship, they haven't seen each other for quite a while. And in-between he has also resigned from the deputy mayor's position. Given he's not a running candidate, this outing with his mum and son to meet and greet is odd. JG is missing MR but he needs - again - an excuse. The market outing is yet another means of his way of "I miss you". He looks intensely into the rear mirror after he's out of the market as if expecting someone to appear in that mirror. At first, this might be seen as his watching his mom in the mirror but you'll see that the second his sitting at that driver's seat, he's looking into the mirror right away..... except our dearie MR does the unexpected by springing up in front of the car instead :D
I'm also interested to read Samsooki's take of introducing MR to Rang as the Dad's colleague. I gather the word can be translated as both colleague and comrade. My interpretation is actually similar to Ockoala that he is somewhat trying to find a neutral description and comrade might be the best in the circumstances as at a social level similar to his and also colleague-like in terms of their working relationship at the City Hall. But this does rub MR in the wrong way. I however like Samsooki's insight on the implications on potential in-law relationship. We do not see JG's mom a lot but this market outing is by far the most telling on how she despises politics and how she rather runs a bar than being a nun!
There is something in the BM and JG scene that makes it a standout which I love and love. It is perhaps the honesty. BM simply rocks and who wouldn't want to have a best friend like her. Her words of MR deeply affect me as a viewer and I can't help to think it will have the same effect on JG who appears a bit nonchalant there. In fact this is one of those rare moments that JG doesn't put up his air.
Following the hairclip-rewind, we have the tent rewind in this episode which is so tantalizing. The feeling and attraction between the two is undeniable but both knows how impossible a pair they could be, sigh!! I now want to re-watch Ep 9 again right away.
On the comments about MR not cool to dance with the jacket in her garden, her idiotic village look etc, this kinds of explain why City Hall was received less well by some viewers here initially. This echoes the earlier criticism of MR flashing in her swimming suit in Ep 2. I wouldn't coin everyone here as feminists but I guess most of us want to see a strong, cool and progressive woman. That said, if MR is another of those, JG would have NEVER fallen for her. This story is about how he finds his soulmate in this most unlikely person (365 days for real without pretension and with a heart of gold) in a most unlikely place (rustic Inju where etiquette is probably the last thing on people's mind other than Joo Hwa).
Watching City Hall is therefore like travelling a journey with these two people. In the end you feel you have been enlightened through this journey.
@ 10 Sonam - Trust me, at the end of this journey, you will feel proud to be in the same gender as MR!!
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35 rambutan
July 28, 2009 at 3:43 AM
The showdown between Jo Guk and Jung Do in how to package Mi-Rae to the public as a mayoral candidate is the highlight of this episode for me. The wit, the intelligence of the banter and exchanges, and flawless execution of this scene show yet again why The City Hall is special, and why this drama is a worthy benchmark against which other dramas should be judged. What I am afraid is that most others will fall short in most respects.
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36 bspanda
July 28, 2009 at 6:12 AM
Geez I cannot stay away from Dramabeans!!! Recap time - once again an awesome job recap team! Hmm where do I start. Oh before I do....where are my manners
To Mrs Samsooki (sorry if you post under a different alias!)
Have to share the thanks from upthread for allowing Samsooki to spend time on this, and the other amazing stuff on JB, when he could be taking you for a nice day out, shopping and/or dnr! *a round of applause!* *hugz*
Can I cyber-treat you to drinks and/or any food you like, as a small show of thanks? Cheers! Cause you too are awesome, sharing Samsooki like this! :) BTW if you can share the secret of how he manages to post continually awesome stuff here, keep a job, as well as have some resemblence of a life it would be much appreciated! I am struggling, hence sleeping through CH (shameful!) - and my posts have never been anywhere near the coherant 'gold Samsooki' standard.
Back to City Hall...
KSA - really she is such a great actress. She shifts from the fiesty, to the comical to the emotional, all while making me not only believe in what Mi Rae is going through is real but FEEL the emotions Mi Rae is going through as well. And in Ep 9 there is a hell of a lot of emotions.
Loved how Mi Rae gave it to Joo Hwa. The stunned look on that usual smug face was priceless. Am still curious on how Jung Do ended up being married to Joo Hwa? Really hoping that later episodes can explain how she became the annoying selfish smug face she is here! Surely she was a nicer person when they first met - that flashback scene in the eariler episodes showed glimpses of that.
Boo Mi - what a friend! A true friend who can see what is the right thing to do for their friend. Even if the friend cannot see it for themselves. Sure she may have be manipulated by Jo Gook to enter Mi Rae, but there was a reason she believed in Mi Rae. The argument between the two friends was so raw, each with their valid points. The fact that Boo Mi was so passionate about why MR had to be in it, really showed the level of friendship.
The Market scene.
Ok I don't think that JG knew that MR was going to be there. He sort of stopped dead in his tracks and stopped the political hand shaking when he saw her.
The struggle for how to introduce her........well............. I thought he as an complete a-rse! Yes I get it, it was hard for him to confess what their relationship is, as undefined as it is, out loud given he is engaged et al. But a comrade/colleague? Was she not at least a 'friend'? What a complete smack in the face and stomp on the heart of Mi Rae! Esp when they both know they each have feelings for each other! I was so angry, sad and hurt for MR. To be so completely disregarded. JG you may be smexy, and conflicted but that was hurtful. Disrespectful stupid (smexy) fool! So wanted to jump in, and instead of jump you, i wanted to slap you HARD!
The Talk
One of the best scenes (and there were plenty good about this whole ep!). The way he was jealous and so offended by those who had hurt her in the past "Who are these jerks anyway? You should call them up so I can deal with them."
MR was able to so 'casually' deliver her message, making it seem light when obviously it was not. Then it was his turn to have HIS heart crack/broken to realise that HE was one who hurt her the most. He looked so stricken. HAH Take that Mr Insensitive! It was so deserved for him to feel a fraction of what he inflicted.
Then of course Jo Gook's response was KBAM!
While it revealed to me the feelings that JB had for MR, really I wanted it to hurt him for waaaayyyyy longer (on screen)!!! I wanted him to be devastated for more than 2 secs. Why did it have to come back to MR having her heart crushed again? Twice in one scene. He was the meanie!!! What is with JG??!!! One minute he makes heartless comments to her, next he makes her feel bad for his heartfelt comments. Made me feel bad too! Damn it!
Posters -
Geez what light comic relief! So cute the poses and faces KSA made. C'mon if you did not find her lovable then you are blind and heartless! The final poster was hilarious. And had not even noticed the Wonder Woman crown until I saw it on the recap.hehehe
Re: Go Hae
She is the devil. He is making a pact with the devil. I know this will come to bite him, and Mi Rae, in the future. A yah!
Flashback
Absolute WINNER for best scene in this ep, if not the series so far! . OMG - the awesome C H E M I S T R Y. Tension. Wordless!
"Jo Gook (sleepily): Keep that up, and you will get jumped…"
Arrggghhh!!!! That nearly killed me! Think I simulateously had pick my jaw off the floor whilst squealing in delight!
Mi Rae really! You so should have kept it up!!! He was so smexy, so close and
to be jumped by that smexiness.....oh la la
(OK I need to take a deep breath, cold shower and calm the hell down....)
I am totally loving MR/KSA and JG/CSW. Mi Rae for all her spunk and courage needs to learn the ropes from JG for the political game. I totally get that. Jo Gook knows how to play the political game, he is the guru. A damn smexy one. And both have chemistry together that could power the whole of Inju City
BUT
(and this was a HUGE but....) there was something that really bugged me about this ep. The last scene.
Mi Rae - How coud you allow let yourself to be lead to hotel room to meet a possible VIP sponsor - thinking that you might have to sleep with said VIP - by the man you love!?
WTF? Huh?
NO matter how smexy he is and in love you you are - what are you doing!!?? How can you follow your man, or continue to love him, if you thought he was going to have you sell your body for the political good? What type of man would that make him? And what type of woman are you if you allow him to do that?
And NO Mi Rae is not the only one that needs major a%$e kicking here!
Hey Jo Gook!!! Jo Gook - what man are could to mislead her like that?! How could you do that to her? Especially after your mixed signals! And the crap you pulled at the market! I know you are a master manipulator. You are also mean bas_tard! Your smexiness does not excuse you! Glad you got punished in the tent and you didn't get to jump her! (LOL)
Of course we know it was just the female devil in the end, but still! Mi Rae in this moment in this ep was made to appear less than a Wonder Woman but rather more like the Ditzsy 2nd place Miss Baendaengi being cluelessly lead. And that it so not lovable.
(of course I know this serves the plot but it totally got under my skin)
Deep breath....Phew! Ok now that i got that out of my system
- I LOVED this ep!
Don't want to end my comment on this ep on such a downer. So I'll rave about how much I love the unspoken power of the silent pauses. The glances. The looks. City Hall is the masterclass on how it is done.
Seriously they say a picture speaks a thousand words. A glance between the leads in City Hall speaks so much more. It speaks volumes and volumes in a 3 second glance. *sigh* So powerful and lovely.
Did I say I loved this ep? LOL Bring on Ep 10!!!
(I actually just slightly ahead of the recaps..cannot wait to rant on the next eps!)
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37 vrosemarie
July 28, 2009 at 7:23 AM
I was pretty sure you were a lady too! LOL
But you write AMAZING recaps!! (So does Javabeans of course!) I always look forward to City Hall recaps these days... I hope you had as much fun writing them as I do reading them!
Random: I thought she was doing ellen degeneres at first when I saw the pic with blond hair... XD
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38 Bolt
July 28, 2009 at 7:38 AM
@12 Who is Thundie's prattle? You mean thunderbolt, the coach potato? I have google and found a coach potato appeared as Thundie's prattle?
No, Bolt is named after the dog as in the movie Bolt. OK, will change my name to Agent Darwin as in G-Force after this posting to avoid confusion.
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39
July 28, 2009 at 12:47 PM
@Bolt. LOL again.
Love your humor.
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40 ockoala
July 28, 2009 at 3:50 PM
@ 36 bspanda
"City Hall is the masterclass on how it is done."
Bravo, truer words have never been spoken. My sentiments exactly. CH is what happens with the stars align, the right actors, right script, and right director all collide and create a cosmic explosion of awesomeness.
Another thought on how Mi Rae looks so far in this drama. I know many Hallers are also super KSA fans, and just adore her to pieces (and why not, she seems so funny, cool, great actress, the accolades just keep coming). So, KSA fans may be inclined to think MR looks cute thus far because KSA is truly adorable, and attempts to dress her down are useless to mask her star quality,
I'm not a KSA fan before CH, so I did see her as Mi Rae, this simply, country girl who is quite sassy and without artiface from the get go. She was not pretty or attractive to me, but as I watched MR face all the challenges and explore her relationship with Jo Gook, she becomes more and more attractive to me even without a show makeover. This is why this drama works, because KSA melts into MR, and MR's transformation is gradual yet believable. When JG looks at MR, and us viewers see him unable to stop watching her and thinking about her, she's a compelling force to him.
I think MR looks very pretty in episode 9, her beauty truly shines from within as we continue to see how strong, direct and loyal she is. In the tent scene, both JG and MR were beyond attractive, the tension was so strong you could cut it with a knife.
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41 hanjanman
July 28, 2009 at 5:32 PM
It’s only now that I realize how relentless and yet so perfect the pacing in this particular episode has been. How could so many things transpire in only a single episode? I wouldn’t have realized it if it wasn’t for this recap. Thanks again Samsooki and the gals! And I would also like to say thank you to GuMi for translating the lyrics for Anxious Love. I’m amazed at how even the songs for this drama fits the scenes like a glove.
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42 Ariel
July 28, 2009 at 9:15 PM
Hi Mrs Samsooki,
I'm really, really curious does having a husband who is able to analyze and verbalize the feelings of our City Hall characters more "aware".
This paragraph right here, it just grabs me, it's so spot on.
"Mi Rae feels, well, she feels about what she looks like. She has had her heart crushed and inflated, twisted and straightened, and forever altered by this man, who is just so hard to understand. When he speaks the truth, it hurts. When he lies, it hurts. There is no getting around pain when Mi Rae hears words that come from Jo Gook, but no matter what, if he starts speaking, Mi Rae’s heart opens up again."
You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
This is what Mi Rae has been feeling all along, what a lot of women has, have and will be feeling a thousand years from now.
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43 omo
July 29, 2009 at 7:17 AM
I was waiting for the water to boil but then I went away for 2 days and then what do I see? CH recaps Ep 9! Yipee! Hmmm...wonder if I should go away more often.
If there was ever a confused JG in Ep 8, in Ep 9, I definitely see an even more confused JG. So, how can a confused JG straighten out MR's thoughts? Can anyone blame JG? Can anyone blame MR if JG is confusing her?
JG couldn't have learned anything about love from BB nor GH. Could JG's mom teach him anything about love when he was younger? Looks like she didn't either because she seems bitter about JG following BB's footsteps. For sure, JG couldn't have known what love is from reading his political textbooks.
Even though I see a confused JG here, I can't fault him for being dead honest.
The market scene : JG could have just brought Ah Rang but he brought mom along knowing very well mom hates the smell of fish. So why did JG bring mom? Is this a shy JG here? Ah Rang alone would not have been a good enough cover to see MR again?
@ 36 bspanda, JG knew MR was going to be there at the market alright. In Ep 8, he was stalking MR at the market because MR is now unemployed and the only thing she can do now is to help her mom out by selling baendengis at the market.
Oh...the continuation of the tent scene. While all of you were screaming and squealing OMGes, I. PASSED. OUT. I couldn't breathe while watching that scene in Ep 8. Tracing JG's face told me one thing. This is one gutsy woman.
Quote : Jo Gook (sleepily): Keep that up, and you will get jumped…Unquote.
That's not a JG in love. That's Animal/Basic Instinct 101 and he didn't learn that from his political textbooks either. BUT he was gentlemanly enough to sleep outside the tent. Such willpower.
Again @ 36 bspanda, I do agree with the rest on what's being said about MR's character. MR is one gutsy woman and I think she was more curious about who the sponsor might be. If MR had entertained thoughts that JG really had ill intentions when he brought her to the hotel, the MR I know would have been well prepared to kick JG....and perhaps the sponsor...where it would hurt most.
Our JG, who is confused about what he is feeling, is taunting and provoking MR to no end.
Dear Recap Team, thanks for another love recap so well done. This gave me another chance at entertaining thoughts of kicking JG where it's most tender.
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44 Janie
July 29, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Another captivating recap that gathers yet another enthusiastic and vocal crowd beholding the romance of JG & MR. Almost every paragraph and respond is a laugh out loud moment... plus everyone has such great perspective on things, job well done!
Oh cute Rang boy... hope those adults won't do anything damaging on him emotionally..., last I heard at Job Well Done, poor little Byul girl is now suffering from eating disorder due to all those family saga bickering and beating up at each other...
Haven't seen JG's fiancee for a while... glad she showed up and I miss her :) aish... could never be sure if I spell the f -word correctly, will just call her JG's financial planner then... looking forward to her dealing in the next epi
Just curious... is there any significant on why JG suggested mom to open a flower shop or it is just a passing comment?
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45 Eeefu
July 29, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I have a "technical" question here which has puzzled me for a long time: how does a candidate get assigned a number in an election? Somehow I got the impression that she's assigned as #5 before other applicants submitted their applications.
And I have another "technical" question about the trip : why would they not bring two sleeping tents? Do they expect something to happen? ;)
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46 fishbud
July 29, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I don't think Jo Guk went to the market to see Mirae in the first place, but just happened to run into her unexpectedly. Grant it, he was glad to see her, but at the same time, the situation was rather awkward -- he looked like he was getting his hand caught in the cookie jar. Mirae was supposed to be his little secret until the right time comes. But as if fate played a cruel joke on him, he ran into her while he's towing his kid (which she only heard people to rumor about, but now happen to see that the kid really exists) and his mom (who also have plenty of rumors floating around about her) around doing the publicity tour. What would a guy do in this situation?
What can she be introduced as, considering they have yet to get into any sort of commitment with each other. After all, Jo Guk can't quite introduce Mirae as his "girlfriend" while he still has the "fiancée", can he? So the "colleague" thing seemed to work out for the best in this situation...being a rather appropriate and polite term. I disagree that by Jo Guk calling Mirae "colleague" obliterated any chance that she might have had at making a good first impression with his mom. I don't think it was his intention to hurt her or sabotage their relationship and potential relationship with his mom in any way by calling her "colleague". This is mainly because Mama Jo doesn't seem interested in being at the Market in the first place, so regardless of whether Jo Guk introduced Mi Rae as "friend," "girlfriend," "colleague," or whatever, Mama Jo could careless.
Beside, judging from the guilt and regrettable look he had on his face when he said it, it was obvious Jo Guk had to do it out of necessity. Mirae may be sure of her feeling toward Jo Guk, but it's clear that he wasn't. He is obviously still very much conflicted about his feeling and his motive, and he certainly confessed that mixed emotion to her later on when he responded to her confrontation with him about referring her as a mere colleague:
"These days, I’ve been doing things that I’ve never done before. And in living this life of mine, I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before. Doing the things that I did with you took a lot of courage for someone like me. Don’t you see that?"
I hope Mirae sees even an ounce of Jo Guk's sincerity in that remark. Comment like that is what makes Jo Guk a much more complex and interesting than any characters in this series. He is my favorite character out of them all. I like character of Mirae too, but she seems to be too much of archetype most of the time. Jo Guk, on the other hand, is always hard to predict which turn he'll take. He can be a good guy one moment and turn villain on you the next. I'm amazed at how well CSW was able to understand the complexity and the depth of Jo Guk's character to be able to portray it out so well on the screen :)
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47 epyc
July 29, 2009 at 4:27 PM
@ 43 omo
"The market scene : JG could have just brought Ah Rang but he brought mom along knowing very well mom hates the smell of fish. So why did JG bring mom? Is this a shy JG here? Ah Rang alone would not have been a good enough cover to see MR again?"
Yes, this is the first time our seeing a SHY JG. It would be good to see this scene in slow motion, ie from the point he is approaching MR's stall onward. We can see he is already half expecting to see MR as he walks closer and - bling - his eyes meeting MR's. It looks like an uncomfortable look but I agree with omo that it is more shyness than anything else :D. There are only two occasions our seeing a shy JG. This is the first one and then the other one in a future episode.
omo, I also like your confusion analysis. We often query why JG is doing those mean and cruel things to MR. It is because obviously that this could be his VERY FIRST TIME falling in love, something not in political textbooks, something he has not planned for, and worst of all, with a lowly 10 grade country pumpkin civil servant. Picture yourself in his shoes. This formidable man, for once, does not know his heart or want to acknowledge his feeling until probably in these last two episodes.
@ 44 Janie
JG's mom is a fascinating character who unfortunately does not get a lot of coverage in the drama but we can deduce that:
* she was given a huge amount of money by BB to disappear from the public's eyes, as seen from the scene in Ep 2 outside the Mexicana restaurant (where she used to run or work in that bar with young JG playing around there aspiring to be a waiter when he grows up!)
* she hates hypocrysy, as seen from Ep 3 (?) when GH visiting her and Rang in Inju. Or, in general, she hates hypocrysy in association with power pursuit and hence her remark to JG in the market why taking them out for such a circus.
* she wants to do something for a pass time. JG would of course like his mom to run something without scandle, ala a flower shop rather than a bar.
In many ways, JG's mum is very similar to MR's character.
@ 45 Eeefu
Different countries have different practices but most will do a draw to decide the candidate number because of such perception as number one having advantages being the first to appear in a voting paper than those last on the list.
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48 fishbud
July 29, 2009 at 4:31 PM
@44 Janie - Any significant on why JG suggested mom to open a flower shop or it is just a passing comment?
My take on this is because JG wants something that is more reputable and presentable as a career for his mom. Based from what we know so far from what JG revealed in various flashbacks, his mom was probably a bargirl or salon girl of some sort before. Plus she also mentioned to him that she wants to open bar when he dismissed her and suggested that she should open a flower shop instead. JG wants to get politics, therefore, he will need that picture perfect background and picture perfect family (thus the fiancee, the kid, and the homely mother). Having a mother who runs a bar obviously would be a political suicide. Making her runs a flower shop will put her into the June Cleaver role that most voters will approve of.
@45 Eeefu - “technical” question about the trip : why would they not bring two sleeping tents? Do they expect something to happen?
To answer "technically", it was probably just a simple "plot device" the writer intended on using to bring the two characters together to develop their relationship further as well as to drive the plot along ;)
To answer based on my own common sense, it's probably because 1) Mirae forgot, 2) she doesn't own one, or 3) she was hoping something would happen between them (less likely, since she was hesitant to go with him in the first place) :p I'm leaning more toward the forget or doesn't own one, after all, when you pack for the last minute trip, who really thinks about packing a tent? Looking at her bike, she didn't pack much. Plus she probably already knew he packed the tent and sleeping bags and everything, and being a man, he might be chivalrous enough to let her sleep in the tent :p
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49 epyc
July 29, 2009 at 4:32 PM
@ 45 Eeefu
One tent or two tents - we need to ask JG because he is the one planning the trip :D
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50 epyc
July 29, 2009 at 4:56 PM
@ 46 fishbud
The market scene can really draw in different interpretations! My take is based on JG having not seen MR for a while and their last encounter was the very awkward hair ruffling scene. In that encounter, he told MR 'you won't be able to handle the truth' and then the famous line of his using the mayor thing as an excuse to go on the trip with her. We all squeal at the 'excuse' line at first viewing, surley a heart stopping moment. But now, I think, the 'won't be able to handle' remark is actually more relevatory. He must have already internalised at that point after cross-examining himself at the things he did lately and realised his heart is drifting.
After the hair ruffling scene, he's pulling all the threads to enter MR into the mayor election - but he hasn't spoken to or seen MR. He needs an icebreaker, a natural one. The market is the obvious place where MR will be, as explained by omo. His going there alone doesn't make a lot of sense and so, he rounds up the mom and son to go to the market as a meet-and-greet session (albeit as a FORMER deputy mayor which is the loophole because he is no longer in an official capacity to do this and he is not running as a mayor himself).
I do agree with your assessment about the 'colleague' introduction - which is neutral or the best description from JG's perspective but not from MR's point of view though.
Nonetheless, in Ep 9, JG remains a confused man. He has some sense of where his heart is drifting to but it is not yet a watershed .....
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