Dr. Champ: Episode 13

by kaedejun

WHEE! And we all know why. It’s because Kaedejun finally got her long lasting wish of getting to recap a Kim So Yeon-kiss. Yes. She can now die happy.

But before that, we want to know how the showdown goes!

Do Wook smirks at the idea of having to discuss Kim Yeon Woo with a pubescent little boy (who happens to tower over him).

Ji Heon: To me, there’s no one but Dr. Kim Yeon Woo.
Do Wook: So?
Ji Heon: So don’t mess with her.
Do Wook: Are you saying this while knowing what it means?
Ji Heon: You have someone else you like. Eating dinner together and such is considered as “messing with her.”
Do Wook: *rolls eyes* Don’t misunderstand. Yesterday’s dinner was because of work. But…how did you know I have someone else I like?
Ji Heon: I heard it. From Kim Yeon Woo.
Do Wook: It makes me feel bad that you two were talking behind my back like that. But I’ll make a note. There’s no one for you but Dr. Kim Yeon Woo. Happy?

He adds that he already broke up with Hee Young (or rather, they never started anything in the first place), and makes note of the fact that Ji Heon must be feeling better mentally since he’s concerned over a woman. It appears that though Ji Heon won, it’s a cheap win, since Do Wook gives Yeon Woo up so easily.

Yeon Woo on the other hand, isn’t quite as willing to give up Do Wook. She waits for him at his office, brewing coffee, because she wants to go back to doing treatments with him. He sees her with different eyes… as a pest. And he doesn’t like coffee at all.

Meanwhile, Taek Woo’s annoyance towards Go Bum increases two fold when he hears about what the jerk did to the lunch lady. The judo boys discuss about Ji Heon’s improvement and speculate that Coach Oh just might have a tiny beating heart; Taek Woo begs to differ – it’s because Coach Oh has no choice but to go with the “second best” with Sang Bong out.

Yeon Woo calls Hee Young out for a talk. Purpose? She wants Hee Young to hold on to Do Wook. She’s the only one who can keep him at Taereung, since he’s leaving because of her. (That’s a hefty assumption, Yeon Woo.) Hee Young doesn’t want to be further entangled in this mess; in fact, shouldn’t Yeon Woo take this chance to confess her feelings for Do Wook?

Yeon Woo thinks Hee Young is being unfair towards Do Wook – if she wasn’t going to get back together with him, she shouldn’t have led him on by wavering in front of him. That’s when Hee Young confesses that his crippled state is because of her, and so she feels to guilty to date him. She warns Yeon Woo not to tell Do Wook, since he doesn’t know that she knows. Do you realize who you’re talking to? It’s Yeon Woo, Miss I-Think-I-Know-What’s-Best.

Do Wook and Yeon Woo head over to the gymnastics arena to check up on athlete Lee Kyung Woo, whose ankle has been miraculously healed without a proper visit to the doctor’s office. Her coach says that Kyung Woo is mostly healed – but that’s not completely healed. She didn’t even tape up her ankle, which could be at risk for further injury. Since it’s also the day that a lot of media outlets will be coming to photograph and interview her, she has no time to visit the medical center.

No problem! Yeon Woo will do it right there!

Except…Yeon Woo does a shoddy job of it, since she’s not taping it in a secure way that would prevent future injuries to her muscles. Do Wook pushes her aside and tapes it up himself, expertly, tightly, and neatly. He orders her to learn it correctly, not just imitate how others do it.

Ji Heon visits Coach Oh to receive permission to go out. He wants to visit Sang Bong. Just so happens, Yeon Woo and Do Wook are already there, seeing him. Do Wook is trying some reverse psychology on him, saying that it might not be so bad for Sang Bong to stay immobile on the bed. He’s already got upper body strength, so if he gets on a wheelchair he can start moving. He’s already got two gold medals, so he’ll be rich for life. Yep, not a bad life at all – except that you can’t walk.

Sang Bong glares at him. That’s the reaction Do Wook wants, and he tells him that laying down is not going to solve matters. If he wants to change his fate, he needs to do it now.

As they leave, they pass by Ji Heon, who’s trying to enter the room. However Sang Bong’s father is pushing him away, saying, “I don’t ever want to see your face. It would be best if we didn’t see each other again for the rest of our lives!”

It’s a harsh statement to overhear, and Do Wook suggests that Yeon Woo go have dinner with Ji Heon instead. However, Yeon Woo is insistent that she eat with Do Wook tonight – she has something to say.

Dun dun duuuun – she spills that Hee Young knows the true cause of Do Wook’s injury. She explains that Hee Young simply feels guilty and feels that she can’t be with him. Do Wook is all, “So? What do you want me to do about it? Hold on to her instead?”

He’s pissed she’s butting into his personal life, but she admits that she has no power in making him stay, even though she wants him to. The implication is clear – the balls are in Hee Young and Do Wook’s court. It’s just a matter of who wants to throw it first.

Yoo Ri is sick – with fever and with the cough. Hee Young gives her some medicine and tells her to rest, and that’s when she’s called to the medical center. In the dead of the night. To see Do Wook.

To sum up, Do Wook knows that she knows, and calls her cruel for refusing to apologize still. In his opinion, she ought to say that she will never hurt him and stay by his side forever. (Even if you’re being sarcastic, you’re expecting too much, Do Wook). Hee Young defends herself: she had considered feigning ignorance, or begging at the knees for forgiveness, but she couldn’t bring herself to do either of those options just to be with him. She tells him straight off – they’re not happy with seeing each other anymore anyways, but only see painful memories in each other.

Do Wook miserably says that he wanted it kept a secret because he knew how horrible she’d feel. Hee Young tenderly hugs him, and finally whispers, “I’m sorry.” And then she sends him away, to someone who will hopefully make him happy.

In a cute interlude with Taek Woo and his lackey, the two of them complain about having to carry the large water coolers. It’s supposed to be Go Bum’s job, but that jerk has thought it unfair for him, the maknae, to do everything himself. To increase Taek Woo’s hatred of him, the lackey mentions that Go Bum is from a rich family. Guy’s got looks, money, and balls. To stand up to authority, I mean…

The two of them see the small car that zips around the village left empty and decide to drive it over to the arena instead of carrying the coolers. That also means they steal it from Bom Jang and his important guest. Heh!

The rest of the team spy Ji Heon at practice early and compliment on his improving form. Even Go Bum is impressed, because Ji Heon has shown great mental strength to be coming back to practice even though his friend is paralyzed on a hospital bed. Ji Heon grabs his uniform and then tosses back his towel. “I don’t think I can give up exercising because of you,” Ji Heon says in a low voice. “I will definitely defeat you.”

Yeon Woo gets a call at work from her mother. Because Mi Ja has been busy boasting to her customer about her daughter working with famous athletes, one of them asked if she could get an autograph. Yeon Woo quickly hangs up on her, much to the amusement of the other nurses. To save face, Mi Ja pretends that Yeon Woo agreed and will get her the autograph.

When Yeon Woo goes to see Do Wook in the office, she’s hoping he’s changed his mind about leaving. Not true, says Do Wook. The next patient, Kang Jun Suh, comes in with a cough. Yeon Woo notices in his medical records that he has an abnormally large heart, which causes concern on her part. She wants to run tests, but Do Wook overrules her. His heart is typical of an athlete’s since he exercises a lot. If she doesn’t know this, she needs to read up on more sports articles.

The judo team begins their hazing of Go Bum. It’s the same trick they did to Ji Heon and Woo Ram, where they have to run to the top of the mountain and come back down in fifty minutes. Of course, Go Bum wants to show off his speed and pushes past Taek Woo and the others. The others quietly fall back, giggling at the thought of Go Bum seeing no one waiting for him at the top of the mountain.

Ji Heon is the only one missing from this hazing session, and he has tried to go visit Sang Bong, but is unsuccessful once again. Bumping into the two doctors, he hands Yeon Woo a small envelope and asks her to give it to Sang Bong for him. Do Wook advises that Ji Heon concentrate on his training, and leave the persuasion to him and Yeon Woo.

In Sang Bong’s room, Do Wook opens the envelope. Inside are pictures of the beach. Pictures of the sunrise, the sunset, the beach during the summer, the beach at night, and finally, Jeju Island. I wipe small tears away from my eyes at this loving bromance. Sang Bong closes his eyes, painfully remembering his plans for vacation with Ji Heon after the competition.

It’s unfortunate that the accident intertwined his and Ji Heon’s fates, and now, if one cries the other will be sad, and if one smiles the other will be happy. Sang Bong laments, “Why did it have to be Ji Heon?”

It’s now late in the evening and Go Bum hasn’t returned from the top of the mountain. The boys start worrying, wondering if he got lost or got hurt. Much to Taek Woo’s annoyance, the boys all start heading up the mountain in search of him with flashlights. They reach the top, calling out his name, but there’s no response. All of a sudden, they see a dark figure sitting on one of the jungle gym bars. It’s Go Bum.

Why is he sitting there all alone instead of going back down? He was waiting for the team to come up, since no way in hell was he going down a mountain in the dark all by himself.

The next day, Bom-Jang congratulates Do Wook – the dinner meeting paid off! They got a bigger budget! Bom-Jang even pinches Do Wook’s cheek! Do Wook frowns, but he can’t resist the smile from growing on his face.

And there’s more good news!

Sang Bong calls the two doctors in to his hospital room: he will start rehabilitation tomorrow. His goal: to walk out of the hospital room on his own two feet. He knows it will be hard, and so he’s going to spend all his efforts into healing himself. He won’t worry about Ji Heon anymore. Instead, he’s leaving it to Yeon Woo to look out for Ji Heon.

Ack! More tears in my eyes! This time of pride. Even Do Wook has a huge smile on his face as he walks out of the hospital.

They call Ji Heon out to a restaurant, and he’s none too happy to see Yeon Woo there with Do Wook. But he is stunned to silence when Yeon Woo tells him of Sang Bong’s decision. He wonders if this means that Sang Bong will be able to walk like Do Wook, but Do Wook can’t promise that. Either way, it can’t be worse than lying in bed forever. To celebrate, they eat!

After dinner, Ji Heon indicates that he wants to talk to Do Wook. Alone. Is it about Yeon Woo again?!

Ji Heon thanks Do Wook. Sincerely. But he still hates him to the core as a man.

Hehehe. Do Wook gets the hint and orders Yeon Woo to drive Ji Heon back to the village, calling him a “little kid.” Hehe – and Yeon Woo still doesn’t pick up on the hint! She hurries Ji Heon into the car, but he hits his head at the top of the car as he slides into the seat. Teehee – and Do Wook is oh-so-amused by all this. As am I.

Ji Heon sits uncomfortably as Yeon Woo drives, because he has motion sickness. (Say whut? He never complained before…) Afraid that he’ll throw up in her car, Yeon Woo pulls over and they take a walk on a pathway overlooking the skyline.

As Ji Heon takes in deep fresh breaths, he notes that Yeon Woo is always eating with the director and sitting next to him. Yeon Woo picks up on his jealousy and realizes that’s why Do Wook describes him as a little kid. So petty. He looks up at the sky; there are no stars. Yeon Woo takes out her phone and product placement for Samsung Galaxy S! opens up an app that allows them to see the constellations in the sky. Even though it’s cloudy, the stars are still there.

They move on to horoscopes, and Yeon Woo reads his:

“Sagittarius. Today is not a good day. you’ve heard good news regarding an acquaintance, but you feel tormented because there’s nothing you can do. Everything that happens around you is depressing. You may have an unexpected dinner date, but the energy you get from the food is not good and you may get indigestion. The unlucky streak will continue for a while but there is a way out. First, when you feel frustrated, look up at the sky.”

Ji Heon rolls his eyes upwards. Yeon Woo continues:

“Second, squeeze your left thumb, where all the bad luck has accumulated.”

Ji Heon quietly squeezes his thumb.

“Last, touch your elbow with your tongue.”

Ji Heon turns away and tries to lick his elbow with his tongue. Then he realizes that he’s just being stupid. Yeon Woo laughs at him for being so gullible, and that brings a wide smile to his face.

Ji Heon smiles!!! And I’m not the only one cheering! Unfortunately, he also feels a tad guilty for being so happy right now. But a phone call from Do Wook to Yeon Woo bursts his little happy bubble. They have an emergency regarding Kang Jun Suh.

Ji Heon holds her back, and insists that she come back after she finishes her work with Do Wook. Yeon Woo tells him to just catch a cab and go home, but she looks back to see his forlorn figure sitting on the wooden fence.

Kang Jun Suh was admitted to the hospital due to difficulty breathing. The coach begins to suspect that Yeon Woo may have been right after all, and that the problem really was the enlarged heart. However, the tests come back proving that the heart wasn’t the cause. The coach is relieved, and holds Jun Suh’s hand. However, that triggers another panic attack and everyone is shooed out of the room.

Outside, everyone is worried. If Jun Suh doesn’t stop hyperventilating he will never be able to compete in handball again. The coach is distressed, and as he rubs his knees in frustration and worry, Do Wook and Yeon Woo both notice the white powder on his pants and hands. It’s rosin allergy. Though Jun Suh may have been playing handball for 15 years, did the coach recently change to a different brand of rosin?

Do Wook congratulates Yeon Woo for figuring out the cause, but she’s a little miffed that the coach, who had been blaming Do Wook the entire time for his “misdiagnosis,” didn’t even thank them for figuring out Jun Suh’s problem. Do Wook likens them to sherpas; they lead the mountaineers up to new heights, and may do it several times, but they are never recognized. The mountaineers/athletes are lauded, but it’s OK, because in the end the mountaineers/athletes know that it’s all thanks to the sherpas/doctors.

To celebrate, Do Wook suggests getting a drink together, but Yeon Woo remembers about Ji Heon. (Yay! She’s thinking of him now!) She makes a call to ask if he’s still there, but suddenly the phone cuts off. Knowing him, he’s probably still there waiting for her. Do Wook is mildly impressed that he’s so patient and sends her off. It’s sweet that he really doesn’t care if Ji Heon gets the girl.

Of course, Ji Heon IS there. His phone died on him, and he’s freezing cold. He asks for her hand to help him up, but once he stands, she awkwardly lets go.

Yeon Woo: Why did you wait here this long?
Ji Heon: Because there’s something I wanted to do.
Yeon Woo: What? Do you want to look at stars again?
Ji Heon: No.
Yeon Woo: Then what?
Ji Heon: You might regret that you even asked.

And he leans in for a kiss.

Kaedejun: SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I’m floating in the air like a big yellow balloon…aberdeen_angus, you’re gonna have to tether me down again.

Comments:

AW HELLS YEAH! Sang Bong is talking again and choosing to get back on his own two feet! Ji Heon is out of his depression rut! Hee Young and Do Wook are reconciled! (sort of.) Hee Young’s scenes are reduced to just ten minutes out of sixty! Yeon Woo is thinking of Ji Heon finally! And the KISS!

I’m in heaven.

But on to the one thing that was bothering me in this episode. I don’t know how I feel about Yeon Woo becoming the “fluid” member of the love square that will help catalyze Hee Young and Do Wook’s relationship. I’ve said before that Do Wook is the only “fluid member” of the love square that can catalyze Ji Heon and Yeon Woo’s relationship. However, it seems like the writer is trying to do the same for Yeon Woo, perhaps to balance out the relationship square. I think it’s making Yeon Woo seem more pathetic than she really is. Do Wook is funny because he’s so actively playing the role of matchmaker between Yeon Woo and Ji Heon, so his role works. However, Yeon Woo is not as effective towards Do Wook and Hee Young’s relationship, simply because she has the extra baggage of liking Do Wook. Her motivations for making him stay and confronting Hee Young are more emotionally complicated. It’s not working for me, and I would rather if she focused on herself more than worry about Do Wook. Do Wook isn’t going to do anything with Hee Young (it seems), so he has every freedom to meddle in her business as a way of extracting himself from the love triangle that he doesn’t even want to be in anyways.

That said, I’m glad that she chooses not to drink with Do Wook and goes to search for Ji Heon. At this point, she knows Ji Heon too well, and can’t ignore him like she used to. To think, we only have three more episodes left. I’m kinda antsy at wondering how this series will end. All signs are pointing towards Do Wook’s impending departure, but I really wonder if he’ll really leave. K-drama Law states that he won’t. But rules were made to be broken.

RELATED POSTS

• Dr. Champ: Episode 12
• Dr. Champ: Episode 11
• Dr. Champ: Episode 10
• Dr. Champ: Episode 9
• Dr. Champ: Episode 8
• Dr. Champ: Episode 7
• Dr. Champ: Episode 6
• Dr. Champ: Episode 5
• Dr. Champ: Episode 4
• Dr. Champ: Episode 3
• Dr. Champ: Episode 2
• Dr. Champ: Episode 1