Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 11
by javabeans
Another tag-team recap! With the uproar regarding this drama dominating headlines for the past several days, girlfriday and I thought to both weigh in on all the insanity. Only, this episode actually isn’t that insane, considering the circumstances. It’s chock-full of meta commentary, though, with references to killer shooting schedules, overworked stars, and diva attitudes. Some of it’s surely intentional, but even more of it (seemingly) the result of crazy coincidence.
SONG OF THE DAY
The Black Skirts – “외아들” (Only son) [ Download ]
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EPISODE 11 RECAP
So Myung-wol and Kang-woo go off-script, ending in teary goodbye. Only, it turns out that the blank didn’t injure her after all; it was just that she and Kang-woo were so caught up in their real emotions that they ad-libbed in the death scene that way. Um, okay. That’s a letdown. I like our idea better.
In-ah gives Myung-wol crap for ad-libbing, saying that rookies like her ought to stick to the script. But just as soon as she says that, the director declares that he and the writer have decided to keep the scene as is, finding it more emotional and real, and commends Myung-wol on her ad-lib.
Myung-wol has been in listless spirits since the shoot ended, and winds up at the Han River, where Ryu finds her, because even in North Korea you know that that’s the best place to brood. Must’ve been a detail she picked up in all her Hallyu contraband crackdowns.
She’s so tired she rests her head on his shoulder and asks him to allow it for a moment. Aw, poor emotionally repressed Ryu and his sad consolation hug.
Spy Mom and Dad are giddy to hear about the fantastic reception to Myung-wol’s exit scene, until Dae-kang tells them that the ad-lib means her character chose love over duty. Gulp. The spies are not blind to the meta of this scene, and Hee-bok asks what happened to the other North Korean spies. Dae-kang cheerily mimes a massacre, saying they died up front, of course.
After sending Myung-wol along, Ryu broods at the river and receives a text from her asking if she must continue the mission. He texts back that she ought to rest and adds, “Reality is different from acting. For us, there is no beautiful ending. The only choices we can make are to succeed in our mission, or die with honor.”
He concludes by saying that he will let her actions slide today, but not in the future — then, it will be betrayal.
Kang-woo drives off, apparently having gotten a haircut in the time between leaving set and getting in his car. He’s upset at his own emotional reaction during the shoot, and although he hasn’t completely accepted that he’s in love with Myung-wol, he knows things can’t continue thusly.
He calls In-ah to break up with her, pointing out that they both know his heart isn’t in it. He asks her to beat him till she’s satisfied, but to end things between them.
In-ah answers that she doesn’t care, that it doesn’t matter if he likes her or not: “Just use me.” She won’t accept his decision, but he tells her he’s going to go public. He’ll take all the heat, so she won’t be harmed.
Surely there’s a meta wink built into this conversation:
Hee-bok: “Will it really be okay? Surely she won’t give up her mission.”
Ok-soon: “No way. She came all the way to the South Korean entertainment industry for the mission. Would she give up so easily?”
Hee-bok: “Right?”
Ok-soon: “Let’s not worry needlessly, and focus on our duty.”
With that, they bust out their laptops and get ready to plaster the Shiri 2 message boards. Ha, I love that somebody’s mission involves killing and/or marrying a famous public figure, while somebody else’s mission is to write internet comments.
Chairman Joo finds In-ah crying at home, and she sobs that she can’t break up with Kang-woo. So he calls Kang-woo for a talking-to, and throws his liquor in his face when Kang-woo tells him that he broke up with In-ah because he doesn’t love her.
Despite Joo’s threatening tone, Kang-woo is unwavering, so the chairman takes a different tack and threatens to mess with Myung-wol’s career. If Kang-woo wants what’s best for her, he’ll keep that in mind.
At home, Myung-wol apologizes for her ad-lib. Kang-woo starts to speak up, but remembers the chairman’s threat against her and stops himself.
Myung-wol’s death scene receives such overall interest from the public that viewers demand that she be brought back. Even the writer admits that she felt it was a waste to lose her after that moving scene.
The producers put their heads together to try to find a way to make it happen, rejecting the initial suggestion that Kang-woo wakes up with Myung-wol safe and sound because it was just a dream. Or that In-ah jealously reinvents herself to look like Myung-wol. HA. You totally know these were the cast-offs from the producers’ scrambled emergency meetings.
President Kyung is pleased with the massive interest, as Myung-wol is poised for stardom. Of course, now that means In-ah’s camp might kick up a fuss, since they won’t be pleased that her planned storyline will be pushed aside by the newcomer. (Ha, shades of East of Eden…)
In-ah’s alarmed to hear what the writers have come up with: Myung-wol barely survives, but has amnesia and forgets all about her love, and sets out to kill Kang-woo. She’s so upset that she fires her stylist/assistant (who was, admittedly, dumb enough to say she joined Myung-wol’s fan club after the episode aired).
In-ah storms off muttering, “This is ridiculous! Is television a joke? How can you change the plot midway through?!” Har har. Is this episode a big ol’ therapy session for the writers?
Peevishly, she calls her grandfather to whine, but Kang-woo intercepts her and concedes: He’ll do things In-ah’s way, if she leaves Myung-wol alone.
In-ah can’t believe he’s still acting in Myung-wol’s interest, and points out that things don’t add up about her. She mentions the lookalike in his Singapore Showcase footage and starts to go off on a tirade, but Kang-woo throws In-ah’s own words back at her, reminding her that she’d said none of that other stuff mattered as long as he was with her.
Fine. She concedes. But he has to cut ties with Myung-wol entirely, and he answers that he was planning just that.
Myung-wol is thrilled to hear that she’s staying on for the drama, and President Kyung says that they’ll have to draw up contracts right away. She’ll provide a car for her use, at which point Kang-woo appears to chime in — with In-ah on his arm — to request that Myung-wol get a new home, too.
President Kyung agrees, since there’s an empty apartment that’s ready for immediate use. Myung-wol agrees to move out by the end of the day, and Kang-woo tells himself that this is all for the best.
Ryu follows up on the old article mentioning the ancient books, which includes a report about an accident. He tracks down an eyewitness, who remembers the day clearly and describes seeing a man being chased, who was then hit by a black car. He’d told this to the police, but they’d cleared away the accident site and ruled it a simple hit and run.
It’s not a whole lot to go on, but Ryu gets to work scouring databases for original police reports, and finds the crucial clue: In the victim’s pocket was a note bearing the word “Goblin.”
Kang-woo and In-ah go on a date to a cafe, obliging the fans who watch them from outside the window. In-ah’s in her element, loving the attention and telling him to work in a little fanservice. Kang-woo offers up a sickly smile, going along uneasily.
When he arrives home that night, he finds memories of Myung-wol all around, like the game she played and the milk she drank. Frustrated, he tells himself to stop thinking of her but loses that battle by heading to the company-furnished apartment, stopping short of ringing the doorbell.
New promos are shot, replacing In-ah with Myung-wol as the primary actress, and Myung-wol is crowned the newest “CF Queen.” In-ah stews in her jealousy.
At Spy Central, Hee-bok asks Ryu what the higher-ups think of Myung-wol’s new entertainment gig, and he replies, “They’re plenty confused…but right now there’s no other way, so they’re going to wait and see.” Haha, I do love the way this episode is sneaking in all sorts of meta. He adds, “But there are suspicions that she may have other intentions.” Such as defecting to the South.
[…and the baton is passed! Girlfriday, taking over…]
In-ah hazes Myung-wol any way she can, throwing around her sunbae weight to make her life on set as uncomfortable as she can. When Kang-woo tries to intervene with a simple, “Can’t you think of what it was like for you as a newbie?” she flips out and demands that the PD kick the rookie out of the stars’ dressing room.
The PD tries to talk her down, so she asks Kang-woo pointedly whether he agrees with her. Kang-woo sighs, looking over at Myung-wol. He tamps down his real feelings and coldly says that In-ah is right. After all, stars have their levels, and someone like Myung-wol who rose to fame overnight with no effort might get a big head and think she’s more than she is. Ouch.
It has the desired effect and Myung-wol apologizes and gets up to leave, spilling her makeup box in the process. It clearly pains Kang-woo more than anyone, and he has to turn away from her to keep his distance.
Myung-wol goes outside to put her makeup on in the hallway, and shrinks in embarrassment at the passersby, gaping at her. Aw, she looks so lonely sitting out there.
But then Ryu shows up, folding screen in hand, and puts it up around her to give her some privacy. Aw, so sweet. He says in his matter-of-fact way that he hasn’t been able to find a door yet (ha) so then he stands guard with his back to her, to fill in as the human door. Gah, you’re killing me.
Myung-wol looks up at her human door and smiles. Kang-woo comes out to check on her and sees everything, as he and Ryu have a silent stare-off.
Ryu reports to Chairman Joo about his investigation, having come to the conclusion that it was no accidental hit-and-run, but a murder. He asks if he recognizes the name Goblin, and clocks Chairman Joo’s nervous reaction, spilling his coffee.
He says that there’s only one clue that remains from the scene of the crime: the victim had a piece of paper with “Goblin” written on it. So it’s looking more and more like the hit-and-run victim is Kang-woo’s father, and explains why he’s been searching for the Goblin his whole life.
It’s seeming likely that the Goblin might be Chairman Joo after all, though he doesn’t give away anything other than nerves at hearing the name.
Myung-wol and Kang-woo do a photo shoot and the photographer tells them to look longingly at each other like lovers who can’t be together. Ha. They wrap and In-ah shows up to be the buzzing fly that she is and claim Kang-woo for a date.
Myung-wol is so exhausted from her tight schedule that she starts to get woozy on her way off the set, and accidentally spills something on In-ah’s dress. The princess freaks out and raises her hand for a slap, and Myung-wol blocks it.
She finally stands up for herself, saying that she’ll replace the clothes if necessary, but she isn’t someone to be treated this way. That just ignites In-ah’s fury all the more, and Kang-woo steps in to squelch the impending disaster.
He grabs Myung-wol’s hand away and gives her a lecture about professionalism, saying that she’s not the only one who’s tired and working late nights. Oof. It’s a little too meta, really, in light of what’s going on in the real drama outside the drama. Is it life imitating art, imitating life, imitating art?
He gets carried away (like going too far to try and cover up his bleeding heart) and demands that she get down on her knees and apologize to In-ah. Even In-ah thinks that’s too much, and that’s saying something.
She drags Kang-woo away, leaving Myung-wol reeling from his harsh words.
At the same time, Ryu stops by her apartment with a bag full of food, and in true Daddy Long Legs fashion, just leaves it hanging on the door. He thinks to himself, “Please, Comrade Myung-wol, become strong. And don’t show any more tears.” He leaves his handkerchief behind. Aw.
But just as he turns to leave, he sees her collapse at the end of the hallway.
Kang-woo ends up wracked with guilt over his blow-up, and ditches In-ah. He rushes over to Myung-wol, running like a madman. See, this is what happens when you overreact.
He runs up to her door, but finds Ryu walking out. He demands to know what he’s doing there, and Ryu tells him that she’s sick. He blocks Kang-woo from going in. “Don’t bother her anymore. Don’t you know why she’s like this?”
Kang-woo still refuses to back down, thinking that it’s all the more reason for him to go in there, if he’s the source of her pain. But Ryu counters it’s the reason he can’t let him pass.
Ryu tells him that the best thing for Myung-wol right now is to stay away, and tells him to go in if he likes. Well that pretty much seals it. Kang-woo just crouches outside her door, berating himself but unable to go any closer.
He apologizes over and over, and says that he can’t stand to watch any more of her suffering.
In-ah arrives outside Myung-wol’s building, having guessed this is where he fled to, and Dae-kang gives chase. They run up and find him crouched like that in front of Myung-wol’s door, and he essentially gets caught red-handed in his true feelings.
He tries to stop In-ah, but she glares at him angrily, “I won’t ever forgive the two of you.” It’s not really news to her, since she knew all of this from the get-go and claimed not to care, but it’s probably another thing to be confronted with it so head-on.
The next morning Kang-woo finds that Myung-wol has been effectively wiped out from showbiz, having been cut from the drama and all her CFs in one blow. His agent confirms that it was Chairman Joo’s doing, and she wonders what Myung-wol must’ve done to get on his bad side.
He storms over to confront Chairman Joo about his petty maneuver, and demands he put everything back. Chairman Joo simply threatens to bring Kang-woo down with her unless he backs down, asking if he wants his true backstory revealed.
Kang-woo tells him to do as he likes, since it can’t stay hidden forever. Chairman Joo can’t believe he’s willing to go down in flames along with Myung-wol, and dangles the final piece of bait he has: a cushy Hollywood movie-album combo deal. He tells Kang-woo to choose wisely.
Myung-wol hears about Kang-woo’s career hanging in the balance because of her, and her agent asks her to talk Kang-woo out of making a career-ending mistake. In-ah tells her to just disappear, since Kang-woo isn’t likely to back down, and her grandfather will crush him otherwise.
Kang-woo holes away and drinks, and his agency worries that he might not show for his showcase the next day, where the Hollywood agent is set to appear.
Meanwhile Myung-wol ponders her decision as she watches her spy parents from a distance. Stick around for her mission and her comrades, or disappear to protect Kang-woo? She takes out Ryu’s handkerchief and holds on for dear life, trying not to show tears.
Kang-woo stumbles home drunk, and Ryu is waiting for him outside. Aw, did you wait all night so you could see him? He asks Kang-woo how long he’s going to be like this, because he’s just making things harder on Myung-wol.
Kang-woo takes issue with Ryu defending her, even saying her name, and takes a big swing with his fist. He’s totally drunk so it has no chance of landing, of course, and Ryu blocks it with his hand, like Hulk-to-Smurf. It’s pretty funny, if not for Kang-woo’s bleeding heart.
He lands on the ground and Ryu tells him to start being honest with himself about what he really wants. Kang-woo: “What about you? Are you honest? You want Han Myung-wol too!”
Ryu answers, “Everyone’s method of love is different.” Kang-woo asks why he’s even saying any of this to him. Ryu: “Because there’s nothing I can do for her. But you can.”
He ponders the major decision in front of him, and the next day, preparations for the showcase begin on faith that he’ll show up.
Meanwhile Ryu tasks Hee-bok with a side mission, to find someone called the Goblin. Hee-bok immediately perks up at the name, and tells him that Kang-woo came looking for the Goblin too. The dots, they are a-connectin’.
Ok-soon interrupts them with news of her own: Myung-wol left her a text saying “Sorry,” and now she can’t find her anywhere. Ryu runs over to her apartment and finds a note addressed to him, apologizing for betraying country and comrades, and promising to accept her due punishment.
Everyone bites their nails as they wait, and finally Kang-woo appears for his concert. The press goes in for a live interview on his way into the venue, as scheduled. He doesn’t give the usual response though, and says he wants to share something precious to him.
He takes out his baseball and shows it on camera, saying that it was a gift from his father. He confesses that his dad isn’t a doctor, and he’s not the perfect boy next door, as his image would have them believe.
He tells them that he’s an orphan, and that everything about his past has been fabricated, along with his current relationship with In-ah. He says he longer wants to hide behind lies.
Shaking, he takes off his sunglasses and looks straight into the camera.
Kang-woo: And moreover, I don’t want to lie to my heart anymore. Han Myung-wol-sshi, are you watching? Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi … Han Myung-wol-sshi! I love you.
Swooooooooon.
GIRLFRIDAY’S COMMENTS
Aw, a love confession! And in an all-or-nothing way too, just outing everything about his past, the fake relationship with In-ah, AND his feelings for Myung-wol all in one blow. No need for three separate press conferences when the reason for them all is one and the same.
It’s surprisingly a much more coherent episode than I expected. They made great use of Kang-woo’s angst and his attempts to stay away from Myung-wol as a way to cover up for the fact that she wasn’t there for a lot of the scenes. So her absence becomes his futile attempt to keep his distance, all the while obsessing over her even more. Gotta say, it’s a nice recovery without jumping any sharks.
This drama’s always been meta-on-meta, and I like that they don’t shy away from pointing out the real scandal surrounding its production. Rather than try to cover it up, they call attention to it in the fictional world. Interestingly, some of those plot points were even shot before the production crisis, but they’ve chosen to heighten the conflict rather than hide it. I think it’s a clever way to not let the scandal steal the show, and a good source for some much-needed laughter too.
JAVABEANS’ COMMENTS
Who would’ve thought this episode would be as…normal as it was? In fact, I wonder if viewers watching this episode down the line, out of context of the current news cycle, will even notice a difference. The tone, the acting, and the general feel of the episode was pretty consistent with prior ones. (Eric’s haircut aside.)
Then again, they had shot a good amount of scenes with Han Ye-seul, so they were able to complete the story that they’d intended without too many changes to the original idea. (I’d read the written preview for Episode 11 when it was released last week, and it pretty much described what we saw.) Now, I bet Episode 12 would have been crazy if it had to air this week, but with Han back in Korea, it’s looking likelier that she’ll rejoin the production and we’ll get the story we would have gotten had she not left.
I think this episode almost becomes an entirely different beast when you watch it through the lens of the current context, because it’s then that certain lines of dialogue and statements pop out. Such as when Kang-woo berates Myung-wol for not acting like a professional, or when she’s overworked and the photographer comments that these schedules are so killer that it’s almost a problem to be too successful in this industry.
I bet there’s a whole separate argument in there somewhere, about the value of an artistic form when removed from its context, and whether it’s more complete when standing on its own or if the context is as much a part of the story as the artwork itself. I totally don’t have an answer to that, but it’s something worth pondering.
RELATED POSTS
- KBS speaks about Myung-wol the Spy’s future at press conference
- The Script Doctor is in: Myung-wol the Spy
- Myung-wol the Spy unable to complete shoot, to air special
- Myung-wol the Spy gets an extension, sort of
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 10
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 9
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 8
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 7
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 6
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 5
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 4
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 3
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 2
- Myung-wol the Spy: Episode 1
Tags: Eric, featured, Han Ye-seul, Jang Hee-jin, Lee Jin-wook, Myung-wol the Spy
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101 Startulle
August 17, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Eric LOOKSS sooooooo tired!
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102 babyfat
August 17, 2011 at 6:56 PM
ooohhh !! i get your drip now " ha, shades of East of Eden " Grace take over the female lead to Dong Chu and left Lee Dae Ha in the shadow so she left and they written LDH out of the drama - Oh !! you are good ...lol
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103 sarang
August 17, 2011 at 6:59 PM
I commented back a while ago after reading the recap, but now after watching the episode I can't help but feel uncomfortable for HYS. I understand portions of this episode was filmed earlier before the whole fiasco took place but I can't but think the writers purposely readjusted the script and added those demeaning comments and remarks. I've counted and almost every single thing that happened in the fiasco was written into the drama, her being late, being unprofessional, being the only one not tired, IA referencing changing scripts and complaining about the PD etc. It just feels like a slap to the face. On the contrary if the episode was filmed (all of it) prior to the whole fiasco that is probably the reason why HYS did what she did.
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FMV
August 17, 2011 at 8:08 PM
you could be right. but again these are just speculations.
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meix2
August 18, 2011 at 2:08 AM
I'm beginning to agree more and more. When I read the recap, I was already thinking something was off.
It was stupid for KBS to allow the episodes to broadcast without someone realising that some of the dialogue will re-ignite speculations about HYS and her working conditions. I felt alot of E11 came across as malicious and underhanded... which, of course, may or may not be what is intended, but that's what came across to me as a viewer.
Saying that, I'm also not beyond thinking that KBS orchestrated the dialogue BECAUSE of the debate it'll cause. That's why we're still talking about it, right?! It's weird that someone commented about 'the slap', because I'm sure if I watch SMW from the beginning, I'll start to see things in a whole different light.
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104 Abbie
August 17, 2011 at 7:38 PM
I loved this episode, especially all the meta on meta dialogue we got. I'm really concerned on this whole Goblin thing. It's been a while sense he was mentioned. I also think it took guts for Kang-woo to out himself in the end, and am proud of him for doing so, all for the sake of love!
On another note, I'm glad HYS has returned to Korea, and that this madness can be over. Hopefully. Lets not count our eggs before they've hatched!
JB, GF, thanks for the recap!
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105 tomo
August 17, 2011 at 7:49 PM
I feel so bad for her.
I admit that when news first came out of her being a no-show on set, I did judge her and think she was being unprofessional.
But as the entire situation escalated and additional information was revealed in piecemeal, I realized I had been hasty in my haphazard assessment. I had unquestioningly accepted biased information from non-HYS sources to be completely true.
Reading the recap of this episode, the meta-on-meta seems to overstep the bounds of being funny, to being cruel. :(
p.s.
I don't know if anyone raised this question, but why has HYS's manager been MIA? I thought managers breath, eat, and sleep along the same schedule as the stars they work for. I know HYS's management company is SidusHQ, who I personally feel failed at their job, but isn't a manager a separate entity? Or is it someone from SidusHQ? I'm genuinely curious about how this works, if anyone could fill me in.
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106 Jen
August 17, 2011 at 9:21 PM
I can't stand it anymore! Seriously, I just lost my self-controlled patience to Kang woo. How can he lambasted Myung wol every time they met. Before he slapped her in the public and now he ordered her to kneel for forgiveness to In-ah?!
In addition, I sensed strange about this series. Some of the dialogue of Kang woo and Myung wol were pertaining to the real life issue. For instance, Kang Woo said: "You're not the only celebrity who feels tired and have a sleepless nights." Then he sermoned her about professionalism. I can't explain but I think they are hiding something or perhaps the issue that has been swirling around in Korean entertainment about the absence of Han Ye Seul in the set was just a mere act to boost the series ratings?
Is it me or this series is just strange?
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107 Aimey Trasmonte
August 17, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Thank you so much for the recap...
I'm a regular reader of ur blog...but this is the first time I'm dropping a comment....:)
Once again thank you for all the recaps you have done...and waiting for more...
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108 Lea
August 17, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Wow! Who would think that there are conflicts between the production and the lead actress. This episode I would say is the turning point of this drama. I've been waiting for something like this to happen. So the issues, the DRAMA outside of the drama are like diamonds in their rough form just now polished by the creativity of those who are behind the scenes. Impressive! Now that Han Ye Seul is back in Korea (according to you) then I don't see any reason for this series to turn to something that's way far fetched unless Han decides to be stubborn. I'm not using any harsh words aginst her since I don't really know her side of the story. Actually, I commend her for not saying too much about the people involved in the issue (during her interview in LA). She's a great actress and things happen. That's just how I see it.
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109 Lea
August 17, 2011 at 11:34 PM
let me just add...
She has a reason for leaving. It may not be the best way to resolve the problem but that's probably the only way she thought she could do to make KBS or the industry see her point. She's just human and she has her limits. It was unfortunate that there were a lot of people who, after reading just one article featuring the voice of just one side, judged her and said so many unnecessary comments-- calling her names etc. Han Ye Seul was raised here in the US. There is no doubt she will be more strong headed than most---
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110 natngnear
August 18, 2011 at 12:40 AM
I'd give super bonus to the staff who put all this together for ep.11
Like JB&GF said, if you hadn't heard the news regarding HYS leaving, you would have never noticed anything. It's quite smooth and a good build-up for Kangwoo's emotions :)
They made a perfect counter-act of the issue to keep the show as hilarious by adding all those criticisms!! I still laugh and bang my head on the bed, kekeke... this time not at some NK vs. Hallyu jokes, but at all those lines.. haha
Oh, I was thinking of Kangwoo's lines about Myungwol not the only star here, etc... Wonder if that's the last episode they filmed. If that was intentional to criticize Yeseul, I'd say it could be the cause of the snap -- this-is-too-much-i'm-not-going-to-film-anymore!
(sorry for adding in a little out-of-topic) let's get back to the story!! Can't wait for next week!
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111 pistachione
August 18, 2011 at 2:56 AM
THanks for the recap..It seems like I'm watching the real drama but still it would be better to watch it. hehe...I just don't get the chance to watch this at work. I ope ep 12 will be out sooner. Yipee!! Good vibes to everyone! Just enjoy! ~.^
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112 K@T@M!
August 18, 2011 at 3:29 AM
OMO!! OMO!! OMO!!.....Kang-woo FIGHTING!!^^
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113 babyfat
August 18, 2011 at 4:22 AM
Chapter 11 was so great - i can feels the emotion going thru - and the comments above was correct - Eric since thinner in this episode - he's just look exhausted - I love this drama and I hope all the casts please be strong and stay healthy - you are doing a great job .
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114 weissman
August 18, 2011 at 5:47 AM
The latest from Korea
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/08/eric-and-han-ye-seul-reconcile-during-lunch-break-after-spy-myung-wol-filming
While I am glad that it apears that things are back to some what of a normal pace, I guess its because I am from rge US that I felt really bad for Leslie that she had to kneel down in from of people I wonder how real that is)
For those of you that don't know Han's real name is Kim Ye-Seul-Yi, while her English name is Leslie Kim. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, I will always support a US actor! Especially in a case like this.
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115 Christine
August 18, 2011 at 5:52 AM
Intrigue or no intrique, as long as Eric is in it, I shall support the drama up until the end.
I'm just hoping that the issue with the lead actress gets resolved soon and amicably, that is.
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116 mjfan
August 18, 2011 at 6:44 AM
wow!!!!!!!!! this episode was awesome!!!!!I didnt really like the way kang woo was purposely harsh and cruel towards myung wol , and those meta comments also were too much , but generally , they pulled it up very well.one last word ,I totally support HYS and I believe she had a reason , so people calm down now as every thing is back to normal and she already apologized (too much apology , in my opinion) I hope the drama get better ratings because it really deserves it......................
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117 cheonsa
August 18, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Thanks for the recap, ladies.
Wow, just one word: cruel. It was uncomfortable to watch. I can almost feel HYS's pain and humiliation (yea, all I see is HYS, not MW) having to act out what she is feeling awful about and being told off in the face about what professionalism is. And Kang Woo's words mirroring exactly what Eric tweeted.
Must have been the last straw on the camel's back.
Knowing the context certainly made this episode more affecting. But it stole my attention away from what really mattered - the process of KW and MW dealing with and coming to terms with their love for each other, so the wow factor of Eric's confession was totally lost on me.
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118 lin
August 18, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Just really glad that HYS has returned. Can't imagine watching this with Myung-wol killed off or someone else replacing HYS! Not sure why the ratings are low, I find it pretty enjoyable!
Everyone on the set, Hwaiting!~
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119 SuziQ
August 18, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Episode 11 was interesting considering all the drama was being played out in the background for real.
HYS is back and is back filming. Supposedly she kneeled down and apologized for her actions.
Will we ever know what really happened?
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120 hunterbear
August 18, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Wow, after watching ep 11 last night, all I could think was how humiliating it was for Myung wol aka HYS. IMHO the metas weren't a little distasteful in the light of recent events. It's really no wonder she felt like she had to get away.
On a lighter note, what was with all the smoldering looks between Ryu and Kang-woo in this episode? Dang it. I almost wish HYS stayed away so they could turn this into "Operation Kang-woo and Ryu bromance." Sigh.
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121 hunterbear
August 18, 2011 at 1:40 PM
*were, not weren't
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122 ninji
August 18, 2011 at 2:02 PM
I wonder if everything could be easily solved if he no longer were a hallyustar. Because then North Korea probably wouldn't want him anymore. And Myung Wol could keep her Kang Woo. Mayhaps. I want that.
Or no it's not wacky enough.
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123 NN
August 18, 2011 at 7:18 PM
I've been enjoying the show and am just glad it's getting back on track! Hope rest of the episodes will continue to be engaging. HYS fighting!
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124 revenant
August 18, 2011 at 8:16 PM
I was really shocked at how well this turned out. Before I watched this episode I read a whole bunch of random posts regarding the HYS drama where posters were attacking the writers for being juvenile in the subject matter but it seems to me the whole "tiring life of an actor" was already in the story line and they just used it to their advantage when they ran out of footage of HYS. As far as the running away thing, from what I can tell it might be 'similar' but it's totally unrelated to the issue at hand because Myung Wol is leaving due to her wanting to protect Kang Woo, NOT because she is tired. Overall I'm really proud of how everything has been handled, especially Eric. I've gained so much more respect for him out of all of this. I really don't think that someone who is 'new' to the drama or who watches it a few months/years from now will even notice.
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125 FathuPixy
August 18, 2011 at 9:32 PM
I love this drama..
it's very disappointing to see the bad ratings,,
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126 jesymphony
August 19, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Hard not to watch this episode in light of all the drama surrounding it, but focusing purely on the episode in the flow of Spy Myungwol-
HOMG I NEARLY CRAPPED MYSELF FROM ALL THE ANGSTY TENSION. I loved, loved, looooveeedd this episode. Kangwoo's turmoil was heart wrenching, and in my opinion Eric was just so fabulous at being, well, emotionally torn. I could feel the pain both Kangwoo and Myungwol were going through, and man was I hating on In-A and her douche grandfather. And Ryu, oh Ryu how I love thee even though I ship Myungwol/Kangwoo like a crazy person.
I was seriously worried about how the writers would handle the irl drama and how this episode would edit together considering the lack of footage, but for me personally it was one of the best episodes of Myungwol so far. I just love me some angst, particularly when it's on the side of a lovesick guy.
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jesymphony
August 19, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Not to mention there was that one part, when Kangwoo is in his apartment right after he asked Myungwol to move out and all he can see is her, and Ryeowook's song for the OST played. Such perfection right there, the music and the moment. And when he ends up at Myungwol's place and that one camera shot of his hand reaching out to the doorbell...
GOD I LOVE THIS SHOW.
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127 Lilian
August 19, 2011 at 1:31 PM
wah...as expected , I loved the meta parts!
Awesome and the thing is..even if u didn't know about the delay and everything, the whole thing seems coherent, coz Kang Woo has always used anger to hide his feelings and InAh is just InAh....with her princessy attitude!
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128 Inasal
August 19, 2011 at 8:54 PM
should I be watching a movie/drama where people are supposedly deprived of sleep just to come up with an episode...
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129 weirdnshort
August 20, 2011 at 7:08 AM
I was thinking it'd be a train wreck but the ironies and coincidence of the script and real life was so interesting. I was surprised it worked very well. lol now I'm half thinking it was all for publicity cuz it all worked well for the plot (thought that is most likely false - why would an actress tarnish her image for a show?)
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130 amy_kyne
August 20, 2011 at 8:32 PM
I've watched this episode a couple of times already and i still cried at the end due to the honest confession...i just love eric's acting n i am now, a full blown eric mun's fan hehe ;p but still, i don't understand why the ratings doesn't show how great this drama really is...i've even managed to convert a non kdrama follower to watch this kdrama n she's totally hooked....anywho, can't wait to watch the upcoming episodes n read your recaps =) kudos to both of u...
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131 am
August 21, 2011 at 11:39 AM
I don't know if the writers are taking a jab at Han Ye Seul, the PD's, the higher ups...but there is a great force propelling all of this. haha!
I guess this is art imitating life. From my perspective, I've only started watching the series because that's how I watch dramas. I wait for them to end then watch them, but your recaps reeled me in!
If I wasn't aware of all the issues surrounding this production, I never would've thought there was something going on. This episode was really good in my opinion. I highly enjoyed it.
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132 Myn-Zi
August 21, 2011 at 7:19 PM
i will just say this......I NEED MORE MYUNG WOL THE SPY, i feel like im about to die with this ending!! finally i get to see a drama with my idea of a perfect confession and i have to wait for the next episode....i could just die!!!!!!
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133 Myn-Zi
August 21, 2011 at 7:24 PM
p.s ppl who keep referring to AKP[allkpop] u do know akp is a biased site and has been reported on in korea for having biased articles and so forth ...
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134 Zinabean
August 29, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Daddy long legs... I miss City Hunter. :( when u mentioned the name I smiled then started sobbing. :(
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135 guest
August 31, 2011 at 4:05 AM
To tell he truth I thought that the first 4 ep. were very boring but now the more I see this drama the more I like it.
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136 Jennifer
September 12, 2012 at 1:42 AM
The thing that's kind of killing this drama for me is that there are a lot of situations where I feel like the characters are making logic leaps that I just can't tap into. For instance, Kang Woo spends this episode being all tragic over the fact that he's making tons of sacrifices to protect Myung Wol's career. But, and he's well aware of this, she only got the career so that she can marry Kang Woo. That's literally what everything in this drama has been about, only he's aware of it now, and it drives me absolutely nuts that he's still acting like he's not. At least talk to her, for pete's sake. I realize that Kang Woo has a tendency to ignore the obvious (dude, she's a spy. She's not even a good one. Seriously, how are you missing this?) but this seems a bit much. I think Kang Woo might be stupid.
To be fair, this is usually the point in dramas where I start to lose interest. It's gotten well past the fun point and now it's all romance and angst and I'm not really into that. Unless they decide to give me some actual development between In Ah and Ryu because I've been waiting for 11 episodes for that to happen.
P.S. Okay, I'll give Kang Woo the benefit of the doubt on the whole spy thing since he's not privy to what I'm privy to. But for reals, if my stalker knew how to do intense martial arts, I'd be hiding somewhere they couldn't find me, because that craps scary. How did Kang Woo NOT freak out that he not only has a stalker, but he has a very dangerous and persistent stalker? Who is dead set on marrying him? That's just messed up.
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