Playful Kiss: Episode 16 (Final)

294 October 21, 2010January 24, 2016

by girlfriday

Show, I didn’t expect you to take the snail’s pace thing quite so literally. But here we are in the finale, and well, loose ends get tied, double-knotted, and bow-tied for good measure. It’s an entire episode of getting everyone’s ducks in a row, with not even a hint of conflict to drive us home. But then, if we’re comparing it to Episode 15’s idea of conflict, I should just thank my lucky stars that no Lee Da-hae Lite harlot showed up in this one. [I was thinking Song Ji-hyo, myself. -jb]

The end is nigh. Will Robot Boy get his heart? Will Ha-ni become a nurse? Will we end on a kiss to end all kisses? [Will javabeans fall asleep waiting for something to happen, already? -jb]

FINAL EPISODE RECAP

The newlyweds ride their couple bikes to school (how cute and totally ridiculous is that?) where they run into He-ra. She notes that Seung-jo isn’t wearing his proof-of-takenness wedding ring, and he nonchalantly says he’ll put it on when the marriage is certified.

At that, He-ra beams, taking the opportunity to goad Ha-ni about the fact that she technically still has a chance with Seung-jo, since legally, they’re nothing. She rushes up to Seung-jo, linking her arm with his, and throws Ha-ni a neener-neener look for good measure. Haha. She makes me laugh (because this isn’t mean-spirited), but it would probably annoy me less if it weren’t for those infuriating good-for-nothing honeymooners who kept doing the same thing all last episode.

Seung-jo fills He-ra in on his plan to use the marriage certificate as motivation for Ha-ni to get into the nursing program, and she marvels at Ha-ni’s single-minded pursuit of all things Baek Seung-jo. Yeah, you and me both, babe. [You two marvel, while I gnash teeth. -jb]

Seung-jo says that it’s a given that a planet will orbit a star…making me and He-ra gag. She seems surprised to discover that he’s quite the narcissistic macho guy. I know. You were blinded by all the Sartre. But college boys do that sort of thing. That’s why guys learned all the major philosophers at my school. You think you’ve seen the upper limits of nerdiness until you see a boy using Nietzsche to land a girl in bed.

Duckie continues to get his noodles stalked by the new girl. She seems quite smitten with him (who wouldn’t?) but Duckie wants nothing to do with her. He says that he’s got someone in his heart already and dismisses her soundly. Open your eyes, dear Duckie! Living breathing girl, totally into you, and not in love with Baek Seung-jo!

Looks like Juri’s got a budding love interest as well, in a guy who comes by regularly to get his hair trimmed just a teensy bit each time. Dude, you should probably ask her out before you end up with an army crew cut. Min-ah laments being left out of the dating loop. It’s okay. You’ll be gettin’ busy with In-soo in your own sitcom soon enough.

Ha-ni sighs that her marriage certificate will never see the light of day at this rate, because a spot has to open up in the nursing program for her to even take the test, let alone pass it. Mom decides to take matters into her own hands, and just go register the marriage themselves, without Seung-jo. Sheesh. I know everybody loves Mom, but her level of controlling is downright scary. She makes most Korean moms seem like docile kittens in comparison. And that’s saying a LOT. [It’s funny that she’s endearing because she’s always on Ha-ni’s side… but objectively speaking, yes. Scary. -jb]

Ha-ni has to do some maneuvering to get Seung-jo’s ID card out from under his pillow, and when she and Mom head down to the registrar, it turns out that Seung-jo already had it done. At home, he cops to using it as motivation for Ha-ni to get into the nursing program, and adds that messing with Ha-ni is his greatest joy in life. Hahaha. Points for that, Robot Boy. Ha-ni swears she’ll work her hardest. [I hate that she’s so worried about “disappointing” Seung-jo, when he’s the one who dicked around to use their marriage status as manipulation. Really, Seung-jo? You have a right to “disappointment” here? -jb]

Duckie’s girl-to-be Chris comes to see Ha-ni at school, and tells her that Joon-gu is her dreamboat. Ha-ni wonders if maybe she’s mistaken because his food is so good (HA) but finds that she’s really smitten. [I adore that Chris’ appellation of choice is an affectionate “Mr. Bong.” It’s like they’re a cute married couple already. -jb] When asked about the girl he likes, Ha-ni quickly says that there’s no such person, and agrees to help her win Duckie’s heart. Aw.

Duckie is busy making strides of his own, opening up a lunchbox branch of Dad’s noodle shop. Ha-ni brings Chris to the grand opening, who publicly asks Duckie to ask her to stay in Korea, but Duckie, idiot that he is, blurts out that there’s no one for him but Ha-ni. Uh, AWK-ward.

It’s enough to send Chris crying, and me wishing the floor would open up and swallow Duckie whole. It also raises Seung-jo’s jealousy meter, which is awesome, especially in light of his assy blindness in that arena during their honeymoon.

Duckie finds himself looking for Chris when she stops stalking him, and curious about her. Ha-ni calls him out on it, but he insists that it’s like he said—Ha-ni is everything to him. He reiterates his I-am-your-home sentiment, making me die a little inside. She heartbreakingly tells him that she’s married now—Seung-jo is her home. Wow, so simple, and yet soul-crushing for Duckie.

Ha-ni thanks him for always being there for her and listening to her all these years, and she asks him to listen to her one last time. She tells him to stop insisting that he knows himself and knows his heart, and to just sit for a while and really ask himself what his feelings might be, where the wind might take him. It’s a really sweet moment, not just for these two characters, but for the kinds of questions that 20-year olds really ought to ask.

Kyung-soo gets drafted, and he shyly asks He-ra to write him letters if she’s ever bored. She is her trademark curt and haughty self, refusing to throw the guy a bone. He finally asks her not to cry alone anymore, and she calls after him, saying that maybe if she’s really bored, she’ll go visit him in the army.

He gets a warmer response from Ha-ni, who is sad to see him go. Kyung-soo thanks her for teaching him a lot in the ways of love, especially changing his mindset that it’s okay to make mistakes and be rejected, and that it’s worth risking those things to love. Cute. He leaves Ha-ni with a farewell present—he’s going to take his roommate with him to the army, opening up a spot in the nursing program. Now it’s just up to her to pass the entrance exam.

Looks like Juri’s silent sweetheart is headed to the army as well. Heh, I was joking about the crew cut, but it turns out he really needs one. He shows up for one last haircut, finally breaking through to her. She backhugs him, saying that she’ll wait. I’m just going to assume that those aren’t the first words you’ve exchanged besides “Trim a little off the top.”

Ha-ni asks Seung-jo to help her study like the old days, leading to CPR practice and much cuteness. He smiles adorably as he drops her off for the test, proud that she’s come so far.

She aces the written part, amazed that Seung-jo pretty much knew exactly what would be on the exam. But the oral exam is a giant mess, compounded by the fact that the main interviewer is the same cranky lady from her university entrance interview. She calls Ha-ni a dummy-killer (yeesh, you need a vacation, lady) and Ha-ni announces to her family that she must’ve been reaching for the stars, and that she’ll find some other major.

Seung-jo sighs that he really wanted to take Ha-ni on a date [per their deal to go on a date if she passes], but a promise is a promise. He suggests that maybe going out for dinner doesn’t count. Ha-ni perks up immediately. It’s so funny how she’s still amazed that her husband likes her. Haha.

On her way to meet him for their date on Christmas Eve, she witnesses a motorcycle accident, and gets to use her CPR skills on a non-dummy. She fights past her fears and saves the woman’s life.

Duckie races to the airport, finally realizing that he probably shouldn’t spend his youth pining away for a married woman. Chris is there waiting for him, having gotten off the plane already to keep her heart from breaking. Duckie gets a kiss on the cheek for coming to stop her (although he insists he’s simply there to send her off), and thus begins a new and much healthier love for good ol’ Duckie.

Dad has a quiet drink alone, sweetly caressing the bronzed hands and feet of his wife and daughter. I don’t know what it is, but these Dad moments totally get to me. This is where this drama’s strengths lie, and I really wish it had capitalized on more of this tone. [It helps that Kang Nam-gil is SO good at the poignant fatherly love angle. Seriously — see Who Are You? for exactly this kind of heart-tugging relationship, except with way more momentum and emotional impact. -jb]

Ha-ni waits in the emergency room to make sure the patient is okay, and the doctor praises Ha-ni for saving the woman’s life. She breathes a sigh of relief and rushes off to meet Seung-jo, thinking he must’ve left hours ago.

But she finds him there, waiting and worried. It’s not the most dramatic moment, but it’s a nice beat, showing that she doesn’t have to worry that he’ll run off at the first sign of trouble. He really is her home now, and he’ll be waiting for her.

He sneaks them into a closed parking lot after hours, upping his cool factor in Ha-ni’s eyes. Seung-jo: “Do you think there’s only one or two cool things about me you didn’t know? You’re in trouble now.” Haha. He announces that she’s under his spell. Yeah, where’ve you been for the last four years, buddy?

Ha-ni says that she was originally planning to become a nurse because of Seung-jo, but she felt something different today, in saving a life. She feels a purpose and a calling, and plans to start from the beginning, applying to college all over again so that she can get into the nursing program.

I like that they went this route, which is far more realistic than Ha-ni threading a needle and making it in on her first try. Moreover I like that she feels a sense of purpose now, separate from and greater than her desire to follow in hubby’s shadow. [It’s also particularly sweet that Seung-jo gives her a little credit, too, calling her his sunbae in the professional realm, since she’s already saved a life — and killed one mannequin, lol — while he has yet to meet a patient. -jb]

Seung-jo tells her that every day is like Christmas when he’s with her (aw) and then they kiss, with Seung-jo teasing her for being so forward.

As the end credits roll, we see: Duckie and Chris together, Min-ah making it big-time with her web-toon in book form, Juri’s boyfriend returning from the army, He-ra visiting Kyung-soo, parents on vacation, and Eun-jo with a new crush (birth of Seung-jo 2.0, gah). [I know! The setup is obviously an echo of Ha-ni and Seung-jo, but I like to think that younger bro learned a little something from watching his hyung. Plus Eun-jo always had a little more EQ than Seung-jo anyway. -jb]

We come back to Seung-jo and Ha-ni in the car, where Seung-jo finally declares out loud: “I love you.”

GIRLFRIDAY’S COMMENTS

It’s pretty funny if you think about it, how marriage came before the “I love you,” but I suppose it’s something that he said it of his own accord, without any prodding. Not all the growth that I wanted to see from Robot Boy (just thinking about the wedding prep and honeymoon raises my blood pressure), but it’s not like I expected him to mature overnight.

Ha-ni showed some forward movement, even in her tiny snail way, and even though the emergency rescue was so obviously shoehorned in, at least she admits to having chosen nursing for Seung-jo, and now feels a new sense of purpose in pursuing it for the right reasons.

What I wanted to see more of was a change or a growth in their relationship post-wedding, which we only really got in glimpses. Would it have killed you, Show, to put in a real-life conflict, no matter how small, that indicates a significant change?

Overall this series never went past tepid for me, because the conflicts never dug deep enough to really grip me. I enjoyed the setup and the characters, and particularly loved Jung So-min’s portrayal of perpetual underdog Oh Ha-ni. Kim Hyun-joong’s Baek Seung-jo was a little touch-and-go for me, though objectively he has shown improvement in his acting chops. I’d be lying if I said he was good, but he’s…better. What I did enjoy more than anything was their cuteness as a couple, because they brought out adorably surprising things in each other.

I know the drama’s tone was always meant to be light and follow a slice-of-life format, but I wish it had dug just a little deeper emotionally, in its storylines. Ha-ni’s relationship with her dad, for example, wasn’t overly dramatic or overly hammy, but played just right in terms of depth. Whenever the drama showed those types of connections, it made me want to see more, and I would’ve gladly traded many of the superfluous moments of side business for some more emotional beats between characters.

In the end, I do like the drama for what it is—playful and light, but then it also keeps me from loving it, because it never ventured out of that safe zone. Show should’ve taken a note from Ha-ni: it’s worth the risk, even if you fall flat on your face.

JAVABEANS’ COMMENTS

What a weird drama. I don’t quite know what to say at the end of it. Barring the genuinely horrendous first episode, I had a lot of fun watching these characters bumble their way through courtship and young-adulthood in a low-key, histrionics-free way. But on the other hand, despite a tone that suggests slice-of-life realism, the drama isn’t very realistic at all, so you have something that’s not quite compelling on the drama front, but also not quite compelling on a reality front, either.

I can’t deny that there was something very watchable and cute about the slow (slow, slow) relationship build-up, but ultimately this drama sorta feels like a big ol’ empty shell to me. There’s just so little beneath the surface, and what there WAS in the way of true heart was often overshadowed by silliness (witness Episode 15’s Honeymoon Hell). It was promising until the last few weeks, when it became apparent that things were just happening because they were happening, not because they were driven by actual narrative purpose. Even slice-of-life stories are propelled by conflict, escalation, and resolution — the cornerstones of all stories since the beginning of time — but in so many episodes, I just felt like Playful Kiss was pushing chess pieces around the board without any strategy. No attacking, no advancing, just pawns being moved around.

I understand that this show is based on a previously existing story, and I understand that there’s a burden by the makers to stay true to the spirit of the original. Even though I have mentioned several times my reason for not wanting to compare this to prior versions, I understand why fans continue to do so — you can’t have a remake and expect the fans to ignore what is being remade. That said, quite frankly I don’t really care about the previous versions; I’m watching THIS drama. I want this drama to make sense, and have narrative substance, and tell a fully fleshed-out story, and show growth and progression, and be entertaining. If, in the course of “being true to the original,” this drama sacrificed its opportunity to tell a good story, well, then I think that’s a failing of the show. What good is it to be a purist if it just weakens the end product?

I’m being a little harsher on this drama than I had intended to be, considering I got many hours of smiles and cuteness out of this show. I don’t regret watching it, and at times I felt warm and giddy for the characters, particularly Ha-ni, who made me think back to my own adolescence with fond nostalgia, a little bit of horror, and a lot of relief to be beyond that now. However, I don’t think entertainment and critical thinking are mutually exclusive, and if I have to shut off one for the sake of the other, then what’s the point? I’d rather have both.

So, what’s the bottom line? This was a cute show. I liked it. Sometimes quite a lot, but most of the time with a sense of detachment. I think I would have evaluated it much higher if we’d ended on a stronger note, though, because the last few episodes really dragged it down. There was easier-to-watch, better-paced material in the middle stretch, but the last couple killed the last of my patience.

294

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51 yumi-chan

October 21, 2010 at 10:51 PM

The original one was bad and this one was just as bad. Waste of time- ONTO SKK!

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kaye

October 21, 2010 at 11:01 PM

and . that. was. HARSH.

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soad

October 21, 2010 at 11:06 PM

as much as i'd love SKK, i think bashing other dramas is way too low to pull that off. These two dramas have different genre and PK may not be as good as SKK, it leaves a good feeling as a human being.

I don't want to compare those two because they are different.

i like PK...i love SKK...both give me satisfaction in different ways...

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CHshe

October 21, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Go... shooo... not welcome...

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52 kooriyuki

October 21, 2010 at 10:55 PM

am i the only person who couldn't care less about duckie? =X somehow he irritates me and i really couldn't care less if he gets christine or not. i quite like he-ra on the other hand; i find her underlying childish behaviour pretty cute.

anyway, PK is a drama that, i'd suggest to people who have high threshold of silliness, who had serious crushes before, and who would like to relive their adolescence/young adulthood once again.

thanks to javabeans and girlfriday once again for the recaps! :)

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53 Porcelain

October 21, 2010 at 11:05 PM

"I just felt like Playful Kiss was pushing chess pieces around the board without any strategy. No attacking, no advancing, just pawns being moved around."

JB, u summed it up but thanks for the series recap...

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54 okitokki

October 21, 2010 at 11:10 PM

i liked this show well enough... my only complaint is that they tried to cram the plot from the 20 episodes of they kiss again into 2 episodes of this. no. just no.

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55 CG

October 21, 2010 at 11:22 PM

well said Javabeans & Girlfriday. As much as I want to love this drama, I feel like it fell short terribly. At the end of the day, the drama is about nothing..no real angst..no real conflicts..ho hum.

Even with all the cuteness from HJ and JSM, my heart didn't feel tugged as much as I would like to. Why? because no angst, no real conflict, and the plot is beyond cheesy..downright unrealistic. Don't get me wrong..I love the chessiness of K-drama but this one is so out of touch with reality that I can't connect with the characters.

I am not convinced that BSJ loves Ha Ni. I question if their marriage will work out. they still need a lot of maturing to do, especially on BSJ part. so what's the main purpose of this drama again? i have no clue!!!

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56 dhea RE

October 21, 2010 at 11:24 PM

like this drama even though I wanted this play longer, life and their struggle after marriage .. I wanted to know if there are further described skuelnya first person to shout my love ..
I love PK .. I love you guys so mate, I hope you are reunited in other dramas ..

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57 haru

October 21, 2010 at 11:45 PM

Detachment is the one thing I don't believe I really much experienced with PK. Though I did yawn at it at first as mere cheapcute pr0n, somehow it managed to cheerfully strong-fluff its way into my withered old world---a lot like Hani. Poor script, uneven acting, strange editing, sketchy normative value, yet with something so lovable despite itself that made me root and hope for it to be better.

Thanks, GF & JB, for the recaps! Certainly made watching PK even more enjoyable.

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58 danna

October 21, 2010 at 11:47 PM

well if the hoi hoi couple were the cutest couple of 2010 then this was the cutest drama of 2010! (well so far)...i'm oretty much wholly satisfied since i had not been expecting much..and unlike what i had thought the ending wasnt rushed....thank you guys for recapping...wonder what's next on your agenda...i'm guessing not Daemul or Fugitive :P....well in that case u gotta take a well deserved break...at least until MSOAN starts...lol...or unless u plan on doing the drama following this

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danna

October 21, 2010 at 11:54 PM

p.s.....jung so min is my new found love!!

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sajor

October 22, 2010 at 6:27 AM

agree!

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59 TeaCup

October 21, 2010 at 11:49 PM

Regardless of its weaknesses and shortcomings, PK has it's own unique magical charm that puts you under its spell. Fluffy and lighthearted, it surprisingly manages to entice, grab and pull you in. It's so amazing how a simple storyline can evoke such symphony of emotional response. To me this simple drama is exceptional to have that effect on us.

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60 sue junnie noona

October 22, 2010 at 12:02 AM

I love the hard work... I dun wanna complaint! They ave worked hard on this production. It's over no more regreting... DVD come quickly!!!!

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61 Dele

October 22, 2010 at 12:05 AM

"She tells him to stop insisting that he knows himself and knows his heart, and to just sit for a while and really ask himself what his feelings might be, where the wind might take him."

Gah, how true is that. I feel like out of all the characters even though Ha-ni is "the dumbest" one she taught me a lot and I went through that adolescence nostalgia as I watched her grow. Honestly, I don't know why I like this drama, but there is just something sweet even under all the nonsense that makes me smile.

"It’s a really sweet moment, not just for these two characters, but for the kinds of questions that 20-year olds really ought to ask."

Even at 23, I'm asking myself those questions. It's okay to just sit on it a while and let life carry you away till you figure out where you want to go...

Thanks GF&JB as always for the recaps, the funny, and of course the awesomeness that is all of you!!!

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62 Runa Mamoto-Resurrection

October 22, 2010 at 12:21 AM

pk was entertaining i must say....very light and calm. bsj and ohn made an adorable couple. a pot and a lid... opposites do attract.
i also love your narration of the drama. thumbs up!

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63 jeankaycee

October 22, 2010 at 12:30 AM

thankg gf for the fast recap!
and to jb as well for the comments!

thank you for sticking with PK til the end.
i know that you dont feel attached this drama but still you gave chance to it and try to enjoy what the show has to offer.

as we all know episode 16 is for tying the loose ends of all the characters stories whether its the OTP or the supporting characters.

the show is not perfect, its so far from bcoz of its glaring flaws but i set it aside because this show have touched me so much and in so many ways that i come to love this show with its good and bad side.

also, the lucky charm of this show are its wonderful cast, from the leads, sencond leads to the supporting cast, they played the part so well that you have invested your feelings to them. KUDOS TO ALL OF YOU!
you make watching playful kiss a fun time.

special shout out to Kim Hyun Joong for having a positive improvement and redeeming yourself from all the BOF mess. im positive that you'll continue to improve and looking forward for your next projects
.
and of course, Jung So Min, this girl have nailed it! i love her take on Oh hani's character. she's the anchor of this drama. im sure that JSM's star will shine more brightly in the coming days!

i will surely miss this light, fluffy, fun drama!
thank you for many little bits of inspiration that you have imparted to me.

SARANGHAE PLAYFUL KISS!

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64 soad

October 22, 2010 at 1:01 AM

Being a nurse, I somewhat laugh at how Hani gave a CPR to the person who got an accident because that is not the proper way to do it. What BSJ said, you should be careful in moving the patient if you suspect that there is head/spinal injury. Also, practicing chest compressions in a live person is very hurtful LOL (the part where they practice CPR on bed). I put aside all these observations and JUST ENJOY the show for other dramas also have flaws like that when they shoot a medical related scene. (e.g. showing an ECG with an asystole (flat line) and then they were able to revive it coz). This is just an observation, not bashing the drama because i did enjoy watching it...just can't help myself commenting about it.

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Ami

October 23, 2010 at 9:33 AM

I'm not a nurse or in the medical profession but I've learnt CPR so yeah.. me went, "Are you sure the woman has no broken ribs before you perform chest compressions on her??" *in horror* ..but I decided to leave logic at the door to enjoy that scene and I cried watching Hani save a life. Love that girl.

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65 TeaCup

October 22, 2010 at 1:02 AM

A BIG THANK YOU to JB and GF for doing PK's recap. You and the rest of commentators made the PK viewing experience memorable and FUN! I never participated in writing comments until I started watching the drama. Cannot explain it but PK caught me pleasantly surprise.

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66 Rens

October 22, 2010 at 1:09 AM

This is off topic, but I'm pretty sure a boy referencing Nietzsche will win me over. Easily.

I don't really have that much to say about the drama, it's cute albeit not memorable. Although I did feel there were some nice character development moments in this episode. First with Ha-ni failing her nursing exam but wanting to retake it next year, not because of Seung-jo, but because she truly liked being able to save someone. I like that once she gets into the course, it'll be for the right reasons.

I love that Seung-jo has opened up and turns out to be a massive dork all along! with cheesy lines to boot! That cool and collected thing was just due to his complete lack of social skills. haha

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67 Purpleclouds

October 22, 2010 at 1:13 AM

I'm "overseas"! I love this drama! It was fun and nice, like gourmet vanilla ice-cream with strawberries.

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68 TeaCup

October 22, 2010 at 1:35 AM

I'm on a roll....
My utmost appreciation to all of the PK characters. In the past several weeks, you have been a big chunk of my life - you made me smile, laugh, teary, giggly, fuzzy and happy. Lost hours of sleep, played PK's OST in my mind, replayed the playful kissing episodes countless times --- No regrets for this crazy addiction. Thank you!

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69 minsun

October 22, 2010 at 1:35 AM

I'll miss PK!!! Felt so sad when I clicked on "Part 6"--both wanted and didn't want to see the end!

I just started watching WGM because everyone was talking about it...now I know why you guys say that KHJ is quite different in real life. And after watching WGM i love SJ more!!! SJ is cool...KHJ was so funny but he was a bit clueless as a husband heh.

Now I'm hooked on WGM because I can't get enough of this boy... and I miss him alreadyyy bugoshipta !

Hani was so wonderful I totally love her. Just watching her every expression makes the show worth watching...she is so cute and lovable--which is really hard to pull off given her character's 'stupidity/clumsiness'! She totally nailed it... Hani's Appa totally rocks. He makes me tear whenever he has those fatherly moments...

can't wait for Nov!~

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70 minsun

October 22, 2010 at 1:37 AM

"KHJ was so funny but he was a bit clueless as a husband heh."

--i meant in WGM

in PK he was a sweet husband. love his proud smile when Hani went to take the exam, to want to see her outdo herself and test her strengths, despite what everyone else said about it being too difficult for her.

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71 samina05

October 22, 2010 at 1:50 AM

yup, cute is just the word I would describe this drama. It's not addictive or a squeel turner for me like the other dramas. With regards to it being a remake, since japan and taiwan have already done this drama, I guess this drama dragged too much considering that it was only slated for 16 episodes. The Arjoe version was also dragging especially the first but this version had a many verrrry uneventful episodes then on the final 2 episodes they cropped it up even including some parts of the second season/volume just to tie up loose ends.
The emotionl quotient was indeed lacking although that was the main deficiency of the main lead, but this drama lacked just that...depth. A quality to keep viewers anticipating the next episode. But over-all, it was just average.

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72 Stephanie

October 22, 2010 at 2:01 AM

I don't mean to compare to previous versions but it is so obvious that the stuff the director left out or failed to elaborate on was essential to the drama. I am fine if the director framed it differently or added a few bits here and there, (in fact I expect him to) but you can't just take a few plot points and blast through them. It MIGHT have worked if SJ was a better actor but generally, the writer seemed confused at how to squeeze everything together. I got a sense he/she gave up in the end.

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73 Lurkee

October 22, 2010 at 2:15 AM

Dear JB & GF, thank you very much for recapping PK!!!

It's weird but I find BSJ sexy with his wedding ring on!

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74 love

October 22, 2010 at 2:27 AM

oh man awesome drama . i really want to see more of there marriage life together.

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75

October 22, 2010 at 2:33 AM

Dead on with what you commented on JV! <3

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76 Pkfanatic

October 22, 2010 at 2:57 AM

Thanks for the recap... I'm going to miss this drama.. This was soo much better than the Taiwan version. I'm still definitely follow the extended versions of this drama in you tube...to all the fans, don't be disturbed by the low ratings since its already a hit in overseas... It will definitely be shown in twelve countries...so playful kiss congratulations and thanks for bringing this special smile in our faces..

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77 Sisneyace

October 22, 2010 at 4:10 AM

I know it was at times a little silly and Lord knows the 1st ep made me want to hurl something at my tv but in the end I really loved this drama. It made me laugh and even tear up (Duckie made me. The org duckie did too) It wasn't deep make me think drama, but it gave me an hour to escape my life into a light and sweet dream land. What more can you ask from a show?

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78 justkat

October 22, 2010 at 4:37 AM

Thanks Girlfriday and Javabeans for recapping and providing us with the opportunity to give our rants and raves. I have really enjoyed the whole experience.

The comments have been so nice to read and it made PK so much more special to me. I'm going to miss that so very much.

Thanks again. I'll be back when another kdrama catches my fancy.

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79 thay

October 22, 2010 at 4:56 AM

Hi everyone!I am a new fan of PK!although I have to admit that I don't like the 1st episode,but then I tried to watch this drama again starting from episode 2.hell yeah,.I'm hooked!I enjoy this as much as I enjoy MGIG which I watch before...I really like Jung So Min here and I guess it's not annoying to watch Kim Hyun Jung although in some scene he really looks like a robot,hehe..but I'm still fine with that...overall,I love this drama!

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80 justkat

October 22, 2010 at 4:58 AM

This episode was super sweet. This was the cherries on top of that chocolate shake. I always put extra cherries on top of my chocolate shake.

I love closure. This episode was an homage to Oh Ha Ni. She really is the catalyst of change. She brought joy to everyone's life....dunno why but I think her little interactions with Tennis Sunbae is so fun to watch. I suspect I have a very serious girl crush on JSM...she made PK for me.

I'm so glad that there was an episode to show life after coupledom/marriage. The CPR on the bed ending to a cuddle session made me squeee...so cute. Eun Jo berating them with his "you have a pre-adolescent next door" made me lol. My tween does that to me and my hubby with the same embarrassed expression.

I liked the scene where OHN ran into BSJ's arms for a much needed hug. I do that all the time. It's just so nice to be held. I just love the way this couple shows affection. OHN really hugs and BSJ's hands...one holding her tight, the other one holding her head. Gaaahh....I love those kinds of hugs.

The make out session in the car...loved it. OHN is so much more aggressive now that she knows BSJ loves her. That makes up for all the mopey times.

I guess that's it. I'm happy everyone gets their happy endings. I know I did.

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CHshe

October 22, 2010 at 6:34 AM

How about cherries on strawberry cake? Yeah I get it... It's freakingly sweeter than chocolate.

It's good to be hug. Simple, isn't it?

I love how simple gesture can show a lot of affections and a depth of feeling. I actually freezes the moment OHN slides that door and found her 'home' waiting.

The way BSJ is looking at her, full of care and love.

For OHN it's such a strong feeling of relief and secured. So subtle yet strong...

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justkat

October 22, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Doesn't matter what it's on or in (vodka), I always want extra cherries. I get upset if I get a dessert and they forget my cherries. Same thing goes for dramas.

Hugs are the best...and of all the kdramas I've watched, I think PK has the best hugs. The look natural and reciprocated...not stiff or one sided.

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81 djinni

October 22, 2010 at 5:05 AM

as much as i looked forward to pk every week.... im glad its over. sigh.

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82 chahaya

October 22, 2010 at 5:13 AM

thanks for you guys's recap. I had fun with this drama. It's not a best drama but I didn't regret watching it while gigling and smiling :)

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83 sm1leitsamy

October 22, 2010 at 6:16 AM

hmmm, i couldn't get past the first half hour of this series... so i've been reading your recaps which are super fun ^^

wow.. the wedding was... too soon i think. i agree with you about super--duper-scary Mom... i mean, SJ's not a kid anymore, and there needs to be a point where she stops intervening in her son's life... on one side it can be cute and caring, but it's not even a little intervention, it's EXTREME... every time the Mom was mentioned, she goes and do something crazy and tries to force the kids together, and i'm like.. WTH...???

and i saw Who Are You!!! ahh such a great drama..!!
anyway, thanks for the recaps!!

watching SKKS and waiting for the english subs for ep 1 5... omg so much spoilers out, soooo agonizing, but the wait is totally worth it haha.

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84 weissman

October 22, 2010 at 6:33 AM

For me not every drama has to be about life or death, family crunching moments. It was nice to see what amounted to a fun enjoyable drama about love and growth

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85 Sammi

October 22, 2010 at 6:45 AM

This last episode seemed kind of rushed but overall it was a light cutesy type of show that you can just watch and escape from the real world for a while without thinking too much. I am jealous that JSM got to make out with KHJ even if it was just "acting". Wish I was an actress. Lol ^^

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86 rainyrainy

October 22, 2010 at 7:32 AM

Didn't like the last two episodes but still loooved the whole drama and loved KHJ/BSJ-JSM/OHN interraction :)
gonna miss this show even though there's till be the 9 extra episodes .
JB and GF thankuuuuu for ur recaps , helped me , the non korean , to understand better the show and the feelings of each charactere .

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ha ni

October 22, 2010 at 8:16 AM

really?.. 9 xtra episodes?.. omo!! i don't know anything bout that.. can u tell me other info?..

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rainyrain

October 22, 2010 at 11:44 AM

it will be on the playfull kiss channel , every extra epi will last 10 minutes and here's the link http://www.youtube.com/ytkiss

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rainyrain

October 22, 2010 at 11:46 AM

and yeah forget to add , those extra channels will be subbed on viikii and gonna start on the 2nd of november :)

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rainyrain

October 22, 2010 at 11:47 AM

I mean extra episodes

87 Happy girl

October 22, 2010 at 7:37 AM

I have always love the drama - It started with a kiss. The first Japanese version, i watched it in primary school, then followed by the taiwanese version in secondary school. Finally, the korean version now, when i am working. I hope they will continue to work on this drama.. even many years down the road... if the storyline is good, i would still watch.. For the time being, i will miss this cute and fuzzy drama...... BSJ and OHN fighting!! I love this couple... :)

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88 x0mi07

October 22, 2010 at 7:51 AM

if they wanted to stay true to the original, they should've....>,< they shouldn't have ventured to copying scenes which were exclusively found in the taiwanese version and not anywhere else... they should've made chris a stronger character (because she is... she was supposed to be seungjo's betrothed). they were supposed to go to hawaii and find that couple... and seungjo would've apologized for being wrong. he would've been worried sick and all that jazz when she got lost in hawaii... they were supposed to have a pretend baby, then a real baby... nori should've come back as he should've... and then they would've ended it exactly as the anime ended it BECAUSE the anime was the one with the best ending in both anime and drama lands combined.

they should've stayed true to the original. that being said, hyunjoong's portrayal was somewhat true to form... except irie-kun in the anime/manga never even showed the slightest interest in the japanese version of haera... not one bit... there would've -- no... should've been enough character growth because there were only 21 episodes (22 mins each) in the anime and they managed to pull it off quite well... this drama was meandering and trying it's best to get the ratings... horrible first episode and in the end because it was so lost and tried so hard to please everyone that it ended up pleasing no one.

i usually buy all kim hyun joong-related dvds but i'm seriously rethinking this one.... *sigh*

thanks for the awesome recaps gf and db!^^ saves me from watching the show...^^ <3 <3 <3

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89 Happy girl

October 22, 2010 at 7:53 AM

By the way, the supporting actors/actresses in this drama is good. The mom, Hani dad, duckie, He-ra, the little boy EJ etc.. I am able to connect with them... The story is too rush, it would be better if there is 20 episodes. But i think the show ratings affected the whole drama.
I grew up watching this drama and BOF... Btw, i did not watch BOF as i think the first episode sucks, maybe i should give it another try to watch the rest of the episodes, just like this drama, i may find the reason to like it afterall.

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90 M

October 22, 2010 at 8:10 AM

Aigoo~ I couldn't finish this series. Stopped at ep. 12 and just read your recaps instead.

Thank you JB, GF for the recaps! :)

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ha ni

October 22, 2010 at 8:13 AM

i'd suggest watch it.. :) it's cool to read the recaps but it's so fun to watch the episodes.. :) oh well, just a suggestion..

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91 ha ni

October 22, 2010 at 8:11 AM

I really love Playful Kiss! I really am hoping that they'd add some more episodes because I love it! I just can't get enough of it! And I am wishing that the sequel (the part 2) would soon be made and be out! I just can't wait! I'm watching it over and over again. :)) I LOVE PK! :)) I LOVE BSJ and OHN :)) I love BSJ's MOM and OHN's DAD :)) and I LOVE EUN JO :D I JUST LOVE IT <3

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92

October 22, 2010 at 8:15 AM

i agree with javabeans and girlfriday. the storyline wasn't very smart, it wasn't very deep, and there was little character development, but it had it's moments that made you remember your own self and relate to hani or joongu and smile. it was sweet most of the time, but te ratings it got were very much to be expected. i enjoyed watching it overall, but it's not at the top of my list.

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93 Khris

October 22, 2010 at 8:47 AM

im sad its over. this drama made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. it brightened my day and was quite an effective stress reliever. although theres really not much back bone to the story, the cuteness and seung-jo's adorable smile (which were rare precious moments) made me look forward to Wed and Thurs.

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94

October 22, 2010 at 9:00 AM

What can i say? i'm hooked ever since the first time i watched PK. Can't wait for the special youtube edition and more of seung jo's diaries now.....

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95 okie dokie

October 22, 2010 at 9:48 AM

Thanks for recapping! I didn't expect to like this Drama too much. I didn't fall in love with it or anything, but it was cute. I think JSM's portrayal of Oh Hani was awesome! I couldn't finish ISAWAK because I just wanted to tear Ariel Lin's face off. For some reason, with Oh Hani, she made me cringe sometimes, but there was something redeemable about her. And the mom. I know people had problems with her. But for what she was, she was hilarious! I really did love her. I was also surprised by Hera. She was more fun and cool than I initially thought she would be.

Overall, the drama, to me, was just a happy one. Although, I did wish that Oh Hani discovered more of an identity separate from BSJ, but what can we do.

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96 Meix2

October 22, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Thank you so much for the Re-caps.

I love this drama and like alot of you have said before... it's cute and fluffy and sometimes... thats just what you need. Having said that though, I could never really appreciate the story of PK as i had seen all its previous incarnations... I'm not saying they were better but it's like reading the book before the movie... the impact of the story is just lost 2nd and 3rd time round. I wonder if I would have enjoyed PK more or less, if it was the first 'Kiss' version I saw.

(Plus, it hurts to know 'what should have been', i.e. how the story actually unfold in the manga, and major disapointment at what PK didn't show).

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97 Bloop

October 22, 2010 at 9:54 AM

I actually found this drama easier to connect with then any other Korean drama I've watched so far.

One of the reasons why I love it so much was because of its simplicity and lack of melodrama. Cause for a lot of the middle folk in this lifetime, the most any of us have to worry about in our early 20's is finding a significant other and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their life. And that's what this show showed us. Just regular people trying to figure out what their calling in life was.

I was able to identify with the characters more cause the biggest worry that I'm dealing with is trying to decide what to do with rest of my life. I've never had an evil mother-figure manipulating me, I don't have someone out to sabotage my life, I highly doubt I'm going to inherit millions and then have to fight for my right to keep it. My troubles are the mundane things that the show presented to us. And that's real life.

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blue horizon

October 22, 2010 at 10:10 AM

i totally agree, sister! that's one of the reasons PK tugged at my heart in such a big way!

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Arfina Irdina

October 23, 2010 at 2:33 AM

Very true. It's pretty realistic, I think. To be honest, I really get turned off if a drama has too much angst and I feel that most of the Kdramas are too over the top with their plots. That's what I call unrealistic! Anyway, looking forward to the 9-epi on youtube. PK Hwaiting!

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98 meteorflower

October 22, 2010 at 10:07 AM

i feel so sad that this drama is over

PK greatest strength is the adorable cast

go back to viikii to watch

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99 lollipop

October 22, 2010 at 10:14 AM

sigh.. this drama could have been so much. i love the plot and the filmography was pretty beautiful if you ask me. the cast was very pleasing to the eye. i really think it's too bad that it went against other competition and fell short in ratings, and THEN had to get cut and rushed into 16 episodes. i think the ending episodes would have been so much better (and so would the ratings) if they just let the director do what he wanted with 20 episodes or so so that at least there wouldn't be a bunch of rushed endings.

sigh... what a pity. khj was so pretty to look at. the couple was beautiful too.... and eun jo was just the most adorable thing in the world :D