My Fair Lady: Episode 12

96 September 24, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

Was it just me, or were the last ten minutes of this episode the weirdest, choppiest, awkwardest sequence of scenes ever? They came across tacked-on and badly edited. Totally felt out of step with the rest of the episode, which marred an otherwise significant ending scene.

SONG OF THE DAY

Lee Soo-young – “추억 안녕” (Goodbye memory) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 12 RECAP

Hae-na wakes up with a start to find herself in Dong-chan’s room. She doesn’t recall calling him last night in her drunken state, crying that it was scary in the hotel room alone.

She makes an attempt to save face with Dong-chan by saying that she ran away. However, he has already heard the truth from the housekeeper and knows she was kicked out.

Dong-chan is optimistic that the chairman will have cooled off by now, and grabs Hae-na to take her back home. She protests, still feeling the sting of her grandfather’s rejection, but he insists, and drags her all the way home.

Hae-na puts up a fuss, but it’s mostly for show. When she arrives, she makes it clear that she’s only here because Dong-chan forced her. However, she waits expectantly for her grandfather’s welcoming embrace… only to be turned away. Mr. Jang conveys the chairman’s message that Hae-na is to be turned out (again), and even Dong-chan is stunned.

Still, Dong-chan prods Hae-na to keep trying to win her grandfather over, encouraging her that she can change his mind. She’s feeling hurt and tired, so she snaps at him to leave her alone, and heads off without him. She warns him not to follow her and trudges down the street.

Dong-chan follows at a distance, watching as she stumbles aimlessly in her high heels and sits down on a bench. She maintains her haughty air, but he appeals to something she can’t deny — her hunger.

Over lunch, Dong-chan gently chides Hae-na for her excessive drinking these days, and her habit of drunk-dialing him. Embarrassed, Hae-na recalls the almost-kiss in the bar the other night, and covers up by lying that she doesn’t remember a thing. She adds that she used to have a drinking habit of kissing (“like with puppies or cats”) and that she hopes she didn’t make any kind of mistake with him. Put out to be lumped together with pets, Dong-chan answers that she didn’t.

Dong-chan also wonders why she hasn’t called Tae-yoon yet. He assumes she has fought with him and tells her to make up with him. She can stay with Tae-yoon, too, since they’re going to marry anyway.

Operating on that assumption, Dong-chan gives Hae-na advice on how to make up with Tae-yoon — she should say she’s sorry and tell him she loves him. Dong-chan doesn’t notice her hesitation as he talks about love and how, “In hard times like this, you need the help of those you love.”

Tae-yoon broods over his troubled relationship, causing Su-ho to wonder if he’d made some kind of mistake. Tae-yoon says no to the mistake, but he did say something he shouldn’t have. Even if it’s true, he shouldn’t have been the one to ask Hae-na whether he was really the one she likes. However, he is ultimately undeterred, and vows, “I won’t lose. I don’t want to lose.”

It’s bad timing, then, that leads Tae-yoon to arrive just as Dong-chan is about to slip away. He had intended to leave before Tae-yoon arrived, but now he worries that Tae-yoon will get the wrong idea and be upset to see him.

Dong-chan’s right on that score: Tae-yoon is wound up tight and angry. The distance between the couple in the above shot is ample proof of their status at the moment.

Although Hae-na explains that she didn’t tell him she was kicked out because she was ashamed, he’s most upset that she told Dong-chan first. He wonders bitterly, “Are you unable to do anything without his help?” He sighs in aggravation, “Why do you keep turning me into the bad guy?”

Confused and uncertain, all Hae-na can do is apologize. Having done that, she gets up and leaves. After a moment, Tae-yoon chases after Hae-na, but it’s too late and he’s lost sight of her.

Dong-chan is called to meet with Mr. Jang, who confides that there’s another reason for kicking Hae-na out of the house. Grandpa Kang believes she needs to encounter the ways of the world to grow stronger, since she has lived such a sheltered life. However, he also believes she needs someone to help her — meaning Dong-chan. Mr. Jang reveals that Grandpa Kang wasn’t able to get his heart surgery after all, and asks him to return to his position as Hae-na’s attendant.

Because Dong-chan had left Hae-na with Tae-yoon, he’s surprised when the latter calls him to ask worriedly if he’s with her. Realizing that she’s out there alone and unaccounted for, Dong-chan races off to search for her, wandering the streets anxiously.

Little does he know that Hae-na has returned to his (Eui-joo’s) house, having nowhere else to turn. However, she chickens out and turns to leave — just as Dong-chan appears at the base of the hill and starts climbing the steep staircase. Embarrassed, Hae-na furtively seeks out a hiding place, crouching down behind a wall.

Dong-chan spots her and stops her from slipping away, and in his relief and worry, he ends up shouting — where the hell has she been?! Does she know how concerned he’s been?! Attempting to salvage her pride, Hae-na lies that Tae-yoon has found her a new place to stay, and she was only dropping by to say goodbye.

Of course, having spoken to Tae-yoon earlier, Dong-chan knows the truth. He demands, “Why are you lying? Did you think i wouldn’t know you left him on bad terms? Why are you so foolish?”

Unable to hold back her tears now, Hae-na admits, “I don’t have any place to go, and Grandfather and Tae-yoon both treat me coldly. Why am I so pathetic? I couldn’t think of anyone but you. That’s why I came.”

Dong-chan hugs her, and she sobs into his chest.

For the time being, that means Hae-na will be staying with them. That night, Dong-chan calls Mr. Jang and accepts the offer to resume duties as Hae-na’s jibsa (again). For what it’s worth, Mr. Jang feels that Grandpa Kang is being too hard on Hae-na, but Grandpa insists that this is the only way to make her learn.

Unsurprisingly, Eui-joo is not happy to be housing someone she dislikes so much. Still, she agrees to let this go, telling Dong-chan that she knows that if Hae-na left, he’d scour the city looking for her.

But Dong-chan doesn’t mean to treat Hae-na as a princess; in the morning, he gives her a rude awakening (literally and figuratively) by telling her she will have to earn her keep. For instance, in order to pay for the cost of housing her, she must take on chores like cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

Back in the lap of luxury, Chul-gu rejoices at the latest news of Hae-na’s fall from grace. The official word at the company is that Hae-na is away in the U.S. for work-related “training,” but he has found out the truth about her ejection from her grandfather’s house.

While the family cackles gleefully, Su-min stands up to his family, fed up: “You’re too mean! Are you that happy to see her leave? Dad, I can’t stand you! Mom, you too! Noona, you too!” And in the very cutest thing ever, Su-min sighs in resignation (“Hmph!”) and walks off.

(This scene is really only worth it for a long-awaited glimpse of little Wang Seok-hyun!)

Eui-joo tells Tae-yoon with some satisfaction that Hae-na is staying with her. She admits that she originally opposed the situation, but has since changed her mind: “I want to get revenge.”

Tae-yoon has a vastly different reaction from Eui-joo’s amusement, as he finds her conversation tiresome. What does she want from him? Eui-joo chides him for his difficult personality, then proposes that they team up together. After all, their goals are in alignment.

Irritated, he turns her down flat, saying he’s too busy to waste his time with things like that.

Part of Hae-na’s induction into living with Dong-chan and Eui-joo is finding a job, which includes helping out at the flower shop. She does not do well there.

(For instance, when she breaks a pot, she lifts her chin defensively and says it’s the fault of the tiny store, not her. It’s another example of Hae-na’s annoying habit of passing off her mistakes onto someone else and refusing to take responsibility. Yeah, Gramps, your real-world training is sure paying off.)

Now that Eui-joo has told him where Hae-na is, Tae-yoon arrives at the flower shop in a pissy mood. Fuming, he drags her away for a talk (more like a tirade) and demands to know why she’s here with Dong-chan again, and why she keeps disregarding his wishes. Tae-yoon says, “I told you I don’t like you worrying over him, or being with him, or thinking he’s a good person. So why are you with him?!”

After he gets that out of his system, however, Tae-yoon calms down, his scowl softening. He feels regretful since he’d actually come to apologize, not to blow up at her.

At that, Tae-yoon hugs Hae-na and says he’s sorry. Hae-na answers that he doesn’t have to be, since she understands the source of his reaction.

Watching from a distance, Dong-chan assumes that they have made up, a bit sad at the scene.

He finds her later that night sitting glumly in an empty neighborhood playground, and asks if something’s wrong. He thought she’d made up with Tae-yoon; why is she sitting here alone?

Hae-na says that she did make up with Tae-yoon, although she doesn’t sound too excited about it. To cheer her up, Dong-chan attempts an impression of her grandfather, which succeeds in bringing a smile to her face. He continues that with a series of goofy gestures and childish antics, which make her laugh.

Next, Dong-chan tries to get Hae-na a job as a sales clerk in a clothing store, but this doesn’t work out well, as Hae-na doesn’t do well with authority. His (almost parental) insistence that Hae-na get a job kicks up a dust-up between them, and she feels he’s being too hard on her. He soothes her wounded pride with lunch and explains that he only wants her to be able to support herself.

When the conversation veers into the topic of mothers, Dong-chan asks if she has any memories of hers. Because her mother died when she was young, Hae-na only has one memory, of when she was a young child crying because she was scared. Her mother had come to hug her: “I don’t remember anything, but I remember that feeling. It was warm.”

Dong-chan asks if she misses her mother, and she replies, “I don’t know. I’m fine as long as my grandfather’s around. If he lives for a long time, I have nothing to fear.” (Which, of course, means that Grandpa’s death is almost a sure thing in this drama. Not that we’re surprised.)

Speaking of whom, Tae-yoon pays Grandpa Kang a visit to inform him of his intentions to marry Hae-na. Grandpa approves of the idea of marrying Hae-na off soon (although he still wants her to get a taste of the real world). However, he feels that Tae-yoon’s parents are not likely to approve of the match. Tae-yoon promises to gain their consent.

Hae-na happily receives a visit from the housekeeper, who is pleased to see Hae-na looking so good. Even though Hae-na pouts about all the horrible work she’s forced to do, her good mood shines through, and the housekeeper figures this is because she’s in love with Tae-yoon. She explains that she had always wished for someone to love Hae-na for herself, rather than as the Kang San heir, and is relieved that she has found it in Tae-yoon.

Hae-na doesn’t contradict her assumptions, but it’s clear from her expression that she doesn’t quite agree with those sentiments.

If Eui-joo has a revenge on the agenda, it’s either still being planned or very, very mild. For now, she enjoys bossing Hae-na around and making her do chores, like preparing dinner and doing the laundry.

Hae-na muses to Dong-chan that making dinner is not a skill she is likely to need, but he tells her that she should learn anyway. Hae-na explains that she hates doing things that she’s not good at, and would rather not bother in the first place. Dong-chan counters, “Do you know when you’re prettiest? It’s when you can’t do something well, but you clench your fists and throw yourself into the task, even if you do it all wrong.”

Echoing the housekeeper’s words (because this drama thinks we are dumb and cannot figure it out), Dong-chan tells Hae-na that he prefers seeing her stumble and falter over seeing her in her grandeur.

To drive in this theme even further, we see Hae-na sitting awkwardly in her finery when Tae-yoon brings her to meet his parents. Despite their misgivings about Hae-na, they find themselves liking her and treat her warmly, to Tae-yoon’s relief. Hae-na accepts their compliments uncomfortably, not saying much.

However, dinner is cut short when Hae-na receives a phone call: somebody has been in an accident and is injured. From her reaction, we can guess who, although she doesn’t explain who. Too upset to worry about being polite, Hae-na rises in a haze of panic and excuses herself, apologizing to Tae-yoon’s parents as she rushes out.

Tae-yoon follows her outside to ask who has been hurt. When she doesn’t answer, he guesses that it’s Dong-chan. Distraught, Hae-na apologizes and hails a taxi. Along the way to the hospital, she remembers all the times they’d spent together in montage of their cute/romantic moments.

When she arrives, Hae-na races into the hospital, looking around frantically. She spots Dong-chan walking down the hall and asks whether he’s okay, near tears.

Dong-chan is fine, having only suffered minor injuries, and is taken aback at the intensity of her reaction. Now that she sees that he’s not gravely injured, Hae-na’s embarrassed for overreacting, and turns to go.

Dong-chan follows, not fully comprehending the source of her panic, and wonders why she left her date with Tae-yoon. At that, Hae-na faces him with tears in her eyes and answers, “Because of you. I came because of you. I was worried, and I missed you.”

Dong-chan starts to realize what she’s saying just as Hae-na grabs his lapels and presses her mouth to his. He stands still in shock, unable to react.

I will just say: LAMEST KISS EVER.

It’s lamer than the stiff closed-lip-press of Delightful Girl Chun-hyang, the embarrassed (and embarrassing) child’s play of Full House, the “oops-I-tripped-and-fell-on-your-mouth” coincidence of Hana Yori Dango. LAME LAME LAME.

But it would appear that Dong-chan agrees with me, because when Hae-na pulls away — perhaps disappointed in his lack of reaction — he grabs her back, and gives her another, more feeling kiss.

COMMENTS

The second kiss is much better than the first, which I know is the point. And the kiss scene feels like the expected cliffhanger-ish ending of a typical trendy drama episode. However, the context made the scene feel disembodied: The last ten minutes of this episode were SO BIZARRE.

It feels like those last ten minutes (starting from Tae-yoon “surprising” her with a meeting with his parents) were Frankensteined from another script, and the transitions were weird and jerky. What was the whole point of building up Tae-yoon’s parent’s opposition when they ended up having none? Why did they bother with Tae-yoon’s short phone call to Hae-na, then the super-short car scene, and then the restaurant chit-chat? Worse yet, then they threw in ten seconds — completely out of nowhere — of Dong-chan getting into a car accident FOR NO GOOD REASON. He’s driving, and then OOPS! I’m sorry car I didn’t see you there! Good thing you were there to plot-contrive us to the hospital!

(Like I said before, the scenery and angles continue to get prettier while the plot grows odder. I think the director has given up.)

As for the issue of Hae-na’s “tough love” lesson from Grandpa: Yes, it’s needed. I think Grandpa has a good point about needing to force Hae-na into reality in order to grow up. I think he’s being shortsighted and foolish for trying to groom her into taking over the corporation at the last minute, which is ridiculous, but on principle the lesson is not a bad one.

However, what’s the deal with sending Dong-chan to her (again)? Yes, it must feel nice to have a trusted employee keeping an eye on Hae-na, but that totally negates his elaborate “lesson.” The thing is, you can’t even really blame Su-ah for thinking Hae-na is unworthy, because she is. Hae-na is an emotional weakling without Dong-chan — and while I suspect that this development was meant to show his importance to her, it’s coming off as dependence and weakness, which I hate. Grandpa isn’t teaching Hae-na to fend for herself, he’s giving her a crutch.

In the beginning, Hae-na was a raving bitch but at least she wasn’t dependent on someone and she didn’t crumble under every emotional hurdle. Now, Dong-chan has to be there to pick up her pieces and build her back up again, which is really irritating. So all that said, I can’t even root for Hae-na to take over the company. Gu Jun-pyo was also a spoiled brat, but at least he was shown to be smart and business-savvy. Hae-na is, by her own admission, ignorant — but worse, she’s also uninterested.

You may say I’m looking too deeply into a silly drama, but (1) I hate the attitude that a light-hearted drama doesn’t deserve intelligent treatment, because that just lowers the bar for ourselves. Make something as good as it can be, I say, and don’t put up with failure merely because that’s how the landscape is. (2) I think there are fundamental story problems that just don’t work, and I don’t even think one has to delve deeply to find them. They’re right there on the surface.

Lastly, one thing about Eui-joo: Her approach to “revenge” is a little immature, and somewhat unworthy of her. I thought in the scene with Tae-yoon that although he’s fussy and narrow-minded, at least he’s more mature with his unwillingness to play games.

But then I thought of Eui-joo in the context of all those other hateful second women leads in other trendy dramas, and I appreciated her more. Moon Chae-won is making her “jealous other woman” role playful as opposed to deranged and possessive, so for that alone I’m thankful.

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51 MEIKO**** ^-^

September 25, 2009 at 9:12 AM

^-^

Now that I have watched both episodes and took the time to think, I understand better what the confusion, strange scripts and fast changing of emotions JavaB and others are talking about...

It's more obvious now that the storyline is a little "all-over the place", makes me mumble, "oh yeah, whatever happened to this.., and that...???"

But, oh well, Am still EXCITEDLY waiting for the next ep!!! ^-^

THE KISS.... well, am looking forward to a more "ooohhh" kissing scenes!!!

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52

September 25, 2009 at 9:25 AM

\"It’s lamer than the stiff closed-lip-press of Delightful Girl Chun-hyang, the embarrassed (and embarrassing) child’s play of Full House, the “oops-I-tripped-and-fell-on-your-mouth” coincidence of Hana Yori Dango. LAME LAME LAME.\"

Are you on drugs or something? First time I actually see some major bias from you.
MFL is no masterpiece and it has a looooooooot of mistakes, but to compare that kiss to those sucky drama kisses is just wrong and just seems more malicious than anything else. I sense just too much bitterness in that remark...perhaps you were just mad that DC kissed HN first? <--LOL

Some dramabeans followers really need to have their own opinions, cause I noticed that most just agrees on EVERYTHING she says like puppets.

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53 tuesdhei

September 25, 2009 at 9:54 AM

finally the kiss... still doesn't top the CP kiss...though the kiss that everybody has been waiting for finally happened.

thanks for the recap javabeans!

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54 Katrin

September 25, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Yeah, the plot has got a lot of flaws, as all of you pointed out, I won’t repeat your resentments here. But still … I really enjoy “Lady Castle”.
And I liked this episode a lot because of all those scenes between DC and HN. It’s so sweet how DC still pushes HN towards TY. He really acts like a friend and hardly steals longing side-glances at her. If I was HN I would never have guessed that DC still liked me.

I agree about the lack of smooth and reasonable editing in the last scenes; they felt rushed, but I don’t mind because I was rewarded with a cute ending scene. I liked the kiss, by the way.
(I didn’t understand Dramabeans in the way that she thought of the whole kiss as lame but only of the first part when HN kissed DC. To me it was more like a joke when she said, DC probably felt the same and thus grabbed her and kissed her again. So I don’t understand why some members have problems with her remark.)

TY’s character came out strong and interesting at the beginning but now he meets the typical cliché of the clinging love opponent who rather rushes into marriage than being realistic about the foundation on which he wants to build up a lasting relationship. I’m not sure if his acting would be better if the script gave him the chance. His face is just too faultless – or too young? – to show real anger.

Actually HN has been sort of playing with him for quite a while and now is even betraying him by kissing DC. However I still can sympathize with her even though she isn’t very capable of anything and not really interested in doing something seriously, either. But she is cute and humorous and has a good heart. I would be spoiled, too, if I had been pampered the way she had been. She doesn’t have to be perfect and I don’t mind her depending on DC. I don’t think she relies so much on him because she is dumb but because she is emotionally attached to him.

But I don’t like about her that - although she had been rather straight forward about her feelings towards TY at the beginning - she hasn’t been able to realize that she loves DC. After feeling so desperate about DC in ep. 9 she should have seen clearly what’s going on. Why was an accident needed? I am just happy that she took the initiative and not DC. In this way it’s more balanced.

I really wonder how the plot will go on. I guess, DC will reject a relationship as he can’t provide for her the living standard she is used to.

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55 bamboo

September 25, 2009 at 11:11 AM

i may be just among a number of ppl here who appreciated ep 12 ... i really liked ep 12 which i just finished watching and the KISS...it's nice & sweet! I'm liking this drama overall...if you always look for a perfect script, scenes, etc etc. you may as well do your own production! Too bad that you guys find so many flaws, this is after all fictional story, and am tired of ppl complaining every now & then. Just give me pls a title of Kdramas that's flawless anyone? Maybe I was not a Kdrama fan yet at that time but my first drama that i got addicted to was Lovers in Paris & that was good but disappointing and confusing ending...but...i still liked it coz the good outweighs the BAD!!! end of story!

thnx for the recap javabeans oh btw i think when i watched it it wasn't choppy, actually the laundry scene was sweet, they acted like husband & wife already; this ep is a lot better than the other ones so maybe i'm just oblivious to imperfections?

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56 s hee

September 25, 2009 at 11:16 AM

@7 i agree me too first time in many recaps that i wld disagree with javabeans, and as you indicated the kiss was tasteful, decent compared to the aggressive or violent as i'd put it in comparison to CP's kiss! I actually liked the sweet moments here and i agree with Biscuit, i can't believe javabeans didn't find it so!

i can't wait for the next episode, it seems forever to come, let's just enjoy it coz i know i am & my friends and siblings too so i guess you can't please everyone!

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57 md

September 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM

the first kiss as described (haven't watched any of the episodes) reminds me of the kiss in 9 end 2 outs at the end of episode 15. the guy is so shocked that he doesn't kiss back and she pulls away.

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58 Kristina

September 25, 2009 at 1:31 PM

OH THAT KISS!! FINALLY AHHH!! I replayed it soo many times! I agree with JB those two need to practice kissing because it could have been soo muuuch HOTTER. Yup yup lots of practicing hehehehe

@27- Omigosh that kiss with Park Kyu and Beo Jin from Tamra episode 13 WAS SOOOO HOOOOTT!!!

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59 crzy4YOONS

September 25, 2009 at 1:50 PM

i always have high respects for javabeans and a huge fan of her recaps and comments but this time i think i wld have to say i'm a little disppointed that if i can single out one or two of your comments here if i may quote: "This series is really only worth it for a long-awaited glimpse of little Wang Seok-hyun". I think this is a bit exaggerating with all due respect cause I find this epis with more intimacy between the two characters. Then your comment about the kiss being the lamest kiss ever -- i think again that's without merit! I find the kiss of hyena to be so shocking for dong chan as it's rather unexpectedly ...then he dashed to grab her & that kiss I thought, and this is just my opinion, was tender and tasteful!
Matter of fact I can't wait for the next episode...this drama is one of my favorite dramas, whether it's got some flaws or as you say the director must be giving up which i really think may not be so, overall I'm loving this drama let alone the actors!
Thnx again for your recap! Cheers!!!

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60 ColleenF-h

September 25, 2009 at 2:36 PM

I will admit that I have only been reading the recaps and not watching the show. So, I watched the last 10 minutes and was dissappointed. I thought I was having problems with it because YEH had such amazing chemistry with Gong Yoo. Now I realize that the writing of the story is bad but there is no chemistry between her and either of the leading men. Yes, they are actors so the should be able to create some heat, but there is nothing to build a fire with. I feel really bad for YEH because she is so very charming and this project is just so bad.

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61 miny

September 25, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Oh God I love you. I have been trying to reply for some time now, but my comment has grown into a novel of Tolstoyesque porportions which I am now trying to form into a review.

I come here every time I finish an episode and am SO surprised to see that we agree on (almost) everything.

Kinda spooky.

Like.

Ferrealz.

Thank you very much for all this. I'm trying to finish what I started now. I'll get back to you.

Peace out.

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62 J

September 25, 2009 at 4:06 PM

I agree that the part when Hae Na met Tae Yoon's parents was kind of out of nowhere BUT the kiss was DEFINATELY NOT THE LAMEST of all (Don't let me start on the Full House kiss). Imo, the Eui Joo/Dong Chan kiss was almost the same too. She made the attempt to kiss him and he didn't respond. The first kiss is supposed to be kind of awkward. Then, the second kiss was just perfect. It was sweet and tender. I could feel the love. Anyways, thanks for the recap as always :)

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63 emma

September 25, 2009 at 4:27 PM

purely from the last sentence alone
moon chae won always plays the jealous one! Let's get her the main role next time..

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64 got2talk

September 25, 2009 at 5:20 PM

@50 I'm thinking the same thing, it's not lame at all...actually it's kinda nice, and like you said tender. I prefer to see tender kisses like that as opposed to an aggressive one! I agree too don't compare those kisses of LMH & GHS in BOF; Full House or Coffee Prince even. Maybe i'm just too old fashioned but the kiss on ep 12 is not even close to lame! I liked it so much that I had to rewound it a few times when I watched ep 12! Furthermore, dong chan was shocked that she kissed him and his kiss was just as good as the other Kdramas i've seen like Park shin young and Kim eun jeun in Lovers in Paris, that was a tender one as well! Pls don't underestimate these two great actors, after all it lies with the director himself how they do a certain scene, so if you have someone to blame -- blame the director not the actors!
loved it and look f/ward to watching the next episode, and I dread to think it's ending soon! thnx for your recap!

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65 Javabeans

September 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM

To clarify:

I said: "This SCENE is only worth it for Little Wang Seok-hyun!" (Not this SERIES.) And it's true, the whole cousin/uncle plot to overtake the company is not only lame, it's always handled in a slapstick and ridiculous way. Little Wang Seok-hyun makes the scenes worth it.

Note that I said the FIRST KISS IS LAME. And it really is. She was standing there pressing her face against his for a good 5 seconds and there was just... blankness. If you re-read what I wrote, I wasn't actually commenting on the second kiss, though I later noted that it was much better.

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66 Sunshine

September 25, 2009 at 6:57 PM

Could be they are conscious of their kiss to viewers.

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67

September 25, 2009 at 8:59 PM

Well dramabeans did you expect her to just start tonguing Dongchan eventhough she was not certain what his reaction would be? Hae-na tentatively kissed Dongchan hoping for a response and as you can see he didn\'t even respond back and you expect her to just start moving her lips to humiliate herself even further?

That first kiss was appropriate for that moment. Since you are overly analytical about every detail, you should have understood why the first kiss was like that and how it was appropriate for that specific scene.

I think some people who are watching this drama are just the most anal korean drama viewers I\'ve ever seen. it kinda ruins it for everyone else who enjoys this series. We watch dramas to help us unwind, not because we wanna nitpick and criticize every single detail.

For the most part I usually enjoy and anticipate your post.

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68 Javabeans

September 25, 2009 at 9:04 PM

What I have noticed:

People LOVE when I analyze and deconstruct and "nitpick" when my comments are favorable. They call me annoying, narrow-minded, anal, and overly critical when my comments are unfavorable. You can certainly disagree with my opinions but I won't alter how I think based on whether people will agree with me; that makes for half-assed and wishy-washy commentary. We're all free to share our opinions, but let's also remember not to get so personal about a television series.

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69 littlebunny

September 25, 2009 at 9:09 PM

Once again, good recap JB! Thanks.

Oh how I wished Gong Yoo ( I know I know..he can't 'coz of the military issue) was chosen for the DC part. It would have been great despite the poor script writing and directing Hayyy..and mind you.. he's no overacting...good for those longing for CP2.. as we get the feeling there won't be one.

Sorry DC fans ..just my thought though..peace..

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70 ahem

September 25, 2009 at 10:26 PM

Dramabeans that's actually not the case it's just that some people can detect a bitter or malicious commentary when they see one & are willing to point it out. While many followers of your blog will just take your words as if it came from the bible, some would not.

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71 oh please

September 25, 2009 at 10:49 PM

it's so obvious that some fans can't separate their attachment to the drama from the actual quality of the drama. the story is poor, the directing is confusing, the acting is ok but not enough to make up for such bad writing with huge holes in the story like what happened to haena in the past and what about taeyoon's bad relationship with his family? its so stupid to get mad at someone (jb or whoever) for pointing out the obvious flaws that most people can see clearly. i dont see any maliciousness or bitterness (@ #70) in the recap, only some joking at the weaknesses. get mad at the drama for not being as good as it could be, but don't shoot the messenger for pointing it out! not all of us are so in love with yeh or ysh that we will be blinded to a bad drama.

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72 bluebird49

September 25, 2009 at 10:55 PM

Thanks!

This episode was cute! Some parts confused me but i gave up on My Fair Lady making perfect sense. Now I just watch for the eye candies. (YSH and JIW!) Hopefully things get better in eppie 13.

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73 kiss my a ss

September 25, 2009 at 11:04 PM

@oh please no one is denying that MFL has big holes and disappointing to some extent. But it still doesn't stop me from pointing out a BS commentary when I see one.

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74 lin_cp

September 26, 2009 at 12:06 AM

yawn ... such a disappointing episode ....,.. awful acting and awful kiss .... i feel like quitting now but theres only 2 weeks left thank god

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75 theedie

September 26, 2009 at 12:24 AM

ah, the obligatory sitting alone in a playground at night. That rarely fails to show up in these kinds of dramas.

And I agree with you about the lame kisses in Delightful GIrl Choon-hyang and Full House. While they're my favorite dramas out of a whole bunch I've seen, they're the ones with the worst kisses. Dramas back in the day were really chaste and you had to beg for tongue. Nowadays we're finally getting bed scenes and what not. I know I was shocked to see the things I saw in My Name is Kim Sam Soon. YEH is actually a pretty good kisser, or maybe she happens to be paired with guys who know how to kiss. I've never seen a drama she was in where there was a bad kiss.

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76

September 26, 2009 at 2:23 AM

yup! have to agree with you! one of the LAMEST KISS scenes i've seen.
even with their eyes closed, they both looked like they were "trying so hard" to enjoy the kiss. YEH had better, if not the best, chemistry with Gong Yoo.

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77 BO

September 26, 2009 at 2:53 AM

Hey People, lets please cool it. We all appreciate Java Beans summaries and commentaries. JB this is axactly the reason you are getting these "reactions". You just have a way with words and thats that!

Please continue as you are. Who wants only good commentaries? Each of us have our own way of reacting or responing to even the same situations. That's why we are individuals- with our own perspectives. . .We just have to respect each others point of view.

Now the drama continues to unfold . . . . .

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78 deng

September 26, 2009 at 5:52 AM

javabeans, i will certainly agree when you said lets not get too personal... and i think some people here are just loyal fans to some cast members that they cant not say anything if their fave idols get attacked... im just having fun reading the comments. The good and the bad.

this episode wasnt so good...the kiss was stiff...

i would have preferred that she broke up with TY before she is going to start anythign with dong chan..

i think in the comments of the earlier episodes it was mentioned that haena is getting weaker... I can see that. She has become this person who is confused, so dependent, so hard headed, such a bitch...who still doesnt realize how to work with people. I assumed that by now she will start to become mature and take responsibility. I dont see that happening with how things are going now. I dont see how she can take over the company with her attitude...Maybe a life changing thing that will happen in the next episodes?

And dong chan, are you just going to stay in the flower shop all your life?

anyway AS LONG AS THEY WILL MAKE A GOOD FINALE........

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79 Hermosa

September 26, 2009 at 7:47 AM

i think those kisses are in sync with the development of their relationship. uncertainty and hesitation yet full of sweetness, with just the right amount of passion. About the choppy plots editing, i do agree with that! blame it to the scriptwriter/editing team. and yes BoF and Fullhouse, crappiest kissing scenes ever!

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80 Athene121

September 26, 2009 at 10:14 AM

I actually liked this episode -- sure, it was all over the place, but so were the characters' feelings. Hye Na's feelings are running all over the place, too. She KNOWS deep down she has feelings for someone who's not Lawyer Lee and the conclusion of the drama is what the whole point of this episode is all about. I get that the hospital scene is bit contrived. But it kind of echoes a similar scene earlier in the episode when Hye Na stumbles over to Dong Chan's house not knowing where else to go while all day long he has been searching frantically for her. He rushes to her, asks her angrily where was she, and it's clear that he loves her, too (yes, we noted his sad reaction when he sees Lee and Hye Na hugging). I guess he never expected a similar reaction from her at the hospital. Even though he tried his hardest to get rid of his feelings and fight them, I guess that's over with now that it's clear that Grandpa Kang doesn't have much time left. Just my 0.02, but I guess I'm the odd apple in the barrel in this group. :)

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81 lurker

September 26, 2009 at 10:49 AM

some people... this is JAVABEANS' blog and she has every right for her own views. Just because she isn't a drone just worshiping your idols, you shouldn't be so demanding in HER BLOG. It's okay to disagree with her, but to accuse her is just so ludicrous.

and why do you all just pick pieces of her review and get all sensitive about it, she said it was the "lamest. kiss. ever" but she did say the sequences later on for the second kiss was better.

Geesh people, if you want just rosy comments about your idol go to his/her fan thread and rave there all you want.

Javabeans is putting all her hard work here to summarize and recap this K-drama for us. I do not see any bias in her reviews, the fact that she's giving this drama a chance is enough for us to be thankful.

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82 Athene

September 26, 2009 at 11:35 AM

Oh, yeah -- one more thing. I understand JB's point about 'lamest kiss ever' -- but let me have a crack at some analysis here:

I think Full House and HanaDan's version was even worse -- no feelings involved whatsoever. At least the MFL's lame kiss had *some* feelings on the surface: Sure, it was awkward -- but that's the point. On some level, there're still barriers and class differences -- they were still in their lady and butler roles, So neither of them are sure whether it's acceptable to be together, to hug, kiss and hold each other. I mean. It only looks lame b/c he doesn't return her kiss. But I do like how she pulls away as if she was remembering, "Oh, that's right. He *had* feelings for me, but he doesn't anymore. I forgot. That's why he doesn't want me. I shouldn't have done that... " And walks away. Kind of reminds me of how Veronica Mars first kissed Logan Echolls and then she's like, "Wait.. what did I just do...He hates me ... remember?" until Logan proves her wrong and grabs her and pulls her back into a deeper kiss.

And then the second kiss is even better not because visually it looks good (sure, the two Yoons do look attractive and good, hehe) but because of two things: 1) It's a breakdown of social/class differences and they are just a guy and a girl who love each other; 2) it's like the man takes over ... whee!

Finally! Yay! It's not one-sided anymore. -- for either side, that is. Can't wait for next week.

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83 Athene

September 26, 2009 at 11:39 AM

Oh, and can I just say that I also loved the freeze frame on the kiss scene? Take me back to Episode 9! Or whatever episode it was when they were in the street, she almost gets ran over by a truck, and he grabs her into a hugging position. There's some kind of blurry effect on the last freeze frames for these two scenes. Actually the part when she finally sees him walking down the hospital hall -- it's kind of similiar to Dong Chan finding a distraught Hye Na walking down the street after she ran away from the host club. The camera kinda runs behind them. Role reversal! :) Ok, I'm done, I'm done.

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84 Soulwave

September 26, 2009 at 12:36 PM

I like JAVABEANS recap more than see MFL series
My virtual MFL of the ende: DC DEAD , TY quit , HN live alone with her Grandpa.
HOW ABOUT IT ?
THANKS JAVABEAN WONDERFULL ALL DRAMASRECAP.
SKIP YOUR SMILLING

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85 Piper

September 26, 2009 at 2:16 PM

I have not even watched this drama yet, but looking at the screencaps, what is up with YEH's hairstyle? I feel like taking a scissors and chopping off the little bun at the bottom of her hairline. It's really annoying that YEH's hair is so distracting. Either keep your hair long or cut it off YEH. This fake bob cut is silly!

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86 thirty

September 26, 2009 at 2:23 PM

@81 totally agree with you.
Everyone have an opinion, Javabeans too, and this recap reflects that... you can like it or not, but it is how it is...
Javabeans, keep your excelent work, I always read your recaps, it's interesting to find diferent points and views.
And people, stop whining because someone dares to dislike YEH character, MFL or the kiss or whatever, let's be objective, we're not five years old, defend your point with arguments and respect other opinions, let's not make this a drama, ...it's only a drama (lol).
OK, rant over, I love Eun-hye...but let's face it I watch MFL more because of duty and support. Chapter 12 was OK, still I don't find the chemistry between the leads, sorry it's not there, and that kiss was not "lame" but "weird".. I didn't feel anything... kind of lack of spirit, lack of sense..
Your recap make me remenber my disappointment about the last Full House kiss... and Hana Yori Dango ...so boring jejeje.

Please don't throw eggs at me, I'm just seting my opinion, it's nothing personal...sometimes I find some of you guys overly sensitive, when it comes to these issues. Peace & love.

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87 leslie

September 27, 2009 at 12:57 AM

i agree with JB, i gathered that with all that tension and foreplay (fighting/arguing we saw thru out) that their first kiss would be, how do u say, aggresive/unexpected.,.
none the less, the kiss is acceptable, lame sure, but finally i get some action....
i appreciate u JB...i live this stuff(sh!t) ,,,,,

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88 rainerust

September 27, 2009 at 8:51 AM

I think the plotting is really getting from bad to worse, which makes me feel bad because I do think that MFL has an excellent cast - from YEH to JIW to MCW. I agree when you say that it feels like the actors don't understand their characters any longer - when even the director has given up trying to link the plot, we know something must be wrong (since I don't understand the characters either).

I recently went through 28 episodes of Shining Inheritance, just because everyone was throwing up comparisons of the two dramas, and I have to say that, I see some similarities, but only in the usual rich-poor plot concept, since there are obvious dissimilarities. (I have much to say about Shining Inheritance, but won't comment here since this is obviously not the right outlet) However, I do appreciate MCW's acting in both dramas; in fact, I do think that she's well on par with YEH, although fans may disagree.

The casting chemistry is the only reason why I'm even still watching this drama, although if it gets any more ridiculous, I may just give up and read your screen recaps so I don't have to go through the pain of unraveling a meaningless plot.

I haven't watched Episode 12 yet, so I've just completely gone ahead and spoilt myself with your recaps, but I do hope the story starts getting better...in whatever number of episodes left they have to work with.

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89 BO

September 27, 2009 at 11:13 AM

Citing similarities of MFL with Shining Inheritance can't be helped because of the similarities of the story with just a little twist on the characters.The similarities starts with the male leads of both drama. In my perspective, both are not suitable male leads (face and acting value) while the female leads are just right including the 3rd female wheel. And both are predictable stories. however, since Shining Inheritance has more episodes, the characters were more developed (to the point of boredom).

I'm surprised, SI rated much more than expected. I was more into MFL than SI though , at least the cinematography is better, dresses are more fashionable and sophisticated, and most of the leading characters are easier to the eyes, and less torture time (16 eps only)

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90 engl

September 28, 2009 at 12:08 AM

i'm kind of interested in this drama but i guess not enough to actually resume watching .. i guess i'm satisfied with your recaps, which are wonderfully detailed by the way! i think i agree with you that the director has probably given up.. im actually not liking the main character at all.. i just feel sorry that she was so spoiled that she ended up being such an emotional wreck.. this is the first drama that i have watched that i despise the main lead.. i usually dont watch a drama if that is going to be the case and seriously, in the beginning, it looked like hyena had it all together and would be a strong independent woman .. guess not.

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91 Omelete

September 28, 2009 at 6:50 AM

I have watched this episode. I think it is awesome, but there is a little bit awkward. How DC can know that Hyena is staying in that hotel. There is no scene when DC got phone from Butler Jang or other Butler. But overall it is awesome and it is very warming at the ending.

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92 Kgrl

September 28, 2009 at 3:20 PM

@52, 70: Commenters who agree with JB aren't doing it because she's the "oh Mighty One" (She is to a few ^_^) but because they've found a person who doesn't go "OMG!" "AHHH!" "OOOO!" at every turn. There's enough of that at Soompi, AllKpop, etc. If you can't agree, then voice your opinions. But be mature doing it. If you can't stand the criticisms, then skip her comments. But don't drag innocent people into it.

@73: No need to resort to derorgatory language. It only serves to degrade your opinion.

I'm not getting TY and EJ anymore, well, TY for a long time. He's fine for like 5 episodes while HN prounces around with DC (and he was perceptive to know something isn't quite right), but suddenly he's not, and has to resort to such extremes? And EJ got annoying in the last few eps - though I can understand her dislike of HN (the woman is just a troublemaker for all involved), but what happened to the realistic and rational EJ? Seem like TY and EJ are being sacrificed. *sigh*

JB: I'm sure you're magnanimous enough to let go of spiteful and demeaning commenters, right? Think of it as adding spice to your blog (life? lols), and what's a blog or life without a bit of color. ^_* Keep it up, you know you're a voice for many of us less articulate and/or motivated to do what you do. Fighting!

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93 littlebunny

September 29, 2009 at 12:21 AM

Thanks for the recap JB.

I don't know but I find the last three episodes (10-12) a bit disturbing again.

Getting away from the much talked about kissing scene issue, I think I now understand why Jung Il-woo is confused with his character in MFL. It's so apparent in this episode that Tae Yeon acting ( too cold and less concern) the way he did to Hae Na (in time of her crisis) isn't believable and unlikely to happen in real life. Is there any other way the writer can make the two lead characters (HN & DC) get hooked up in a more believable way? Come on.. give us some credit here as viewers.

First, they messed up Hae Na's character, then Tae Yeon's, third, whatever happened to Hae Na and her cousin little Wang Seok-hyun not showing enough scene (two of them together) to justify why he adores her that much..were starving and been hopelessly waiting for that. He's one of the reason why I wanted to see MFL after Yoon Eun HYe. We are so NOT HAPPY right now.

I think so much focus has been given to DC's character that they should have named this series after him (My Butler not My Fair Lady). I'm sorry if I'm being a bit sarcastic, I'm just letting go of some emotions here as I really feel bad for YEH and JIW. Peace!