The King 2 Hearts: Episode 14
by girlfriday
I love a drama that lets its secondary characters shine, proving once again that a king is only as strong as the people who stand behind him. With sidekicks this good, who needs heroes?
SONG OF THE DAY
King 2 Hearts OST – Hyun Seong (Boyfriend) – “오직 너만을” (Only You) [ Download ]
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EPISODE 14 RECAP
At the WOC, Jae-ha draws the USA ball and everyone cheers around them, as the team shoots nervous glances around the room. At the palace’s banquet to kick off the peace conference, Bong-gu’s minion peels off the label on the ball in his hand: “USA.” They chuckle, as evil villains are wont to do.
Secretary Eun flashes back to his conversation with Bong-gu, when he threatened to tell his upright son that his father is cavorting with the villain. Secretary Eun freaks out and counters that he’ll spill the beans about everything, which makes me think you don’t understand what you’re saying. You’re going to stop him from outing a secret alliance by… outing a secret alliance?
In any case, the banquet hall is filled with tension from both sides, as Jae-shin takes a deep breath and comes out onto the stage. The orchestra cues up and starts to play… Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” aka Jae-shin’s trauma-trigger. Eek.
She starts to tremble, and Mom looks over at Secretary Eun, asking why the music selection was changed at the last minute. Oh please don’t tell me you changed it. Aaaand, of course he did. AUGH. Ajusshi!
Flashback to the reason for Bong-gu’s threats—a simple song request for the orchestra. Now Secretary Eun shoots him a look, and Bong-gu makes a huh-face at him innocently. I’m sorry, but Bong-gu’s face, plus this music… anyone else hearing “Kill the waabbit, kill the waaabbit, kill the waaabbit”?
Jae-shin pulls herself together and approaches the mic anyway, which is exactly when Bon Bon the Butcher enters the room, right past Shi-kyung, and pops a chocolate in her mouth.
Jae-shin freezes and turns her chair around to get off the stage, but in her haste she hits something and falls right out of the chair. Flashbulbs go off. The guards scramble to block the view, and in the commotion, the assassin strolls right out.
Or so she thinks, until Shi-kyung follows his suspicious instincts and stops her before she gets to the door. Thank goodness for you.
Jae-shin’s fall ends up on the front page and the prime minister calls Jae-ha to tell him about it. He also adds that they have to let the U.S. win the WOC—they are important allies, and they can’t go around beating them in war games when they depend on American military support.
Jae-ha finds that ridiculous, besides which, the bigger problem is that they CAN’T beat them, even though they desperately need to. That’s enough to appease the prime minister’s fears for now.
Hang-ah marches up to Jae-ha and grabs his ring hand, asking what it’s made of. She and Dong-ha deduce right away that the USA ball was magnet-filled, citing a similar case in the World Cup.
She’s like, whadja wear that stupid ring for, anyway? Right? Stupid need for bling. But he says it’s the king’s ring, as in, must be worn for all official king business. Really? Then how come we haven’t seen it before? Just admit it went with your outfit.
He snaps back that SHE’s the one who said to just grab the first one he caught. She thwacks him in the chest, yeah, but if something felt off, you should have tossed it away! I love their adorable bickering. But it’s spilled milk anyway, so they decide to start strategizing, and look around for Kang-seok.
He’s busy sitting on the toilet, making faces. But he happens to overhear an unfortunate conversation, between two American team members and an Israeli soldier, who tells the Americans that they’re lucky to be matched against such an easy team, since Korea’s a war-torn country that has no chance of winning.
But by the time Kang-seok comes out all peeved, the guy who badmouthed North Korea for being aligned with Iran and made snide remarks about the Japanese occupation is gone, leaving the Americans to shoulder the awkward misunderstanding.
They try to clear the air, but Kang-seok is so riled up that he takes a friendly gesture as provocation (though I don’t know where in the States a pat on the back of the head is a way to greet a stranger), and he attacks. Oh no.
Cut to: Kang-seok getting bitchslapped by Hang-ah. Dayum. She rails into him for being so stupid as to raise a fist, and when he defends his reasoning, she just gets more livid, kicking and punching him as she yells that he’s risking everything for his pride.
She rips the Korean peninsula patch right off his uniform and tells him to get out. Aw, you can see it now, the regret on Kang-seok’s face, but it’s too late, and Hang-ah screams that he’s disgraced his country, and points at the door, shaking in anger.
Jae-ha comes out and stands between them, calmly telling her to stop. He says that he’ll handle it, and she apologizes for Kang-seok’s behavior. Jae-ha tells everyone else to leave the room so he can talk to Kang-seok alone.
Meanwhile the Americans kick up a fuss with the WOC officials and ask Korea to be banned from what was supposed to be a friendship game, which they turned into a brawl.
Jae-ha sits with Kang-seok for a while, and says that he knows what Hang-ah is like, and she’s under so much pressure. Kang-seok says it’s okay, but Jae-ha prods—yeah, but truthfully didn’t it piss you off to be hit like that, without her listening to your side?
He has to prod a couple of times and Kang-seok finally does agree that the hitting was kinda sucky. As soon as he admits it, Jae-ha asks how he thinks the American soldiers feel then. They were just going to the bathroom and got struck by lightning, out of nowhere. Ha, so smart.
Jae-ha suggests that they apologize, and says that if Kang-seok doesn’t feel up to it, he’ll do it himself. Even Kang-seok doesn’t think it’s right for the king to be apologizing, but Jae-ha says too much is on the line—the monarchy, their countries’ peaceful coexistence.
“Hang-ah and I would have to be split apart. We wouldn’t be able to see each other for the rest of our lives.” Kang-seok looks over at him, struck by what is probably the first display of sincerity he’s ever seen from Jae-ha.
The team minus Kang-seok lines up face-to-face with the U.S. team, as the WOC declares that Team Korea will get ten points deducted for their misconduct. Well that sounds fair. But the American general is hungry to turn this into some international incident, and decides he wants a formal apology from Jae-ha, as king.
The Korean general tries to stop him, but Jae-ha is willing to comply, whatever it takes to get them back in the competition. So he addresses them as the king and begins the apology, biting down on his words…
And then Kang-seok storms into the room to interrupt. He bows at the waist and offers his deep regrets and asks that they forgive him just this once. The American soldiers in turn apologize and bow.
The only one who’s still upset is their general, but the U.S. team leader declares that it’s enough for them, and puts out his hand to shake Jae-ha’s, and then they all hold hands and sing kumbaya. Okay, maybe not, but it’s just as cheestastic.
Shi-kyung is busy interrogating the suspicious girl whose pockets turn up a recorder and a bag of chocolates. He says that they’re drugs.
What? You mean those are funny chocolates? Uh… wouldn’t that make an assassin kinda lazy? Or even maybe forgetful of who her target is? Dude, I totally came here to kill someone… I think… Ooh pretty lights!
She thinks they ought to check, and eats one, and then has an orgasm. This is the strangest interrogation ever. Don’t you people have handcuffs?
He reaches for the recorder and she slams her hand down on top of his, and leans in close. She tells him that there are endless ways to kill a person, and says that recent work involved a sunset and a fireplace. Clearly not afraid of getting caught for her crimes.
She says that she’s working on a new idea—death by fear, panic, and calls herself an artist. What sells it is Shi-kyung’s reaction, because he takes her at face value and thinks back to Jae-shin’s reactions both tonight and back in the ambulance. Finally, someone making connections! He orders them to cuff her. You sure did take your time with that.
He asks Jae-shin to ID her photograph, and says that the woman has been in country three times, and the dates conspicuously match up with Jae-kang’s killing, the ambulance incident, and now tonight’s appearance. Excellent. This is why you’re on the case, smartypants.
Though she can’t remember anything from the night of Jae-kang’s murder, she does remember the ambulance and tonight. He shows her the photo. It instantly strikes fear and she nods. That’s the one.
She asks if he has enough to detain a foreign national, and says that she’s not ready yet to testify in an official capacity. What? Okay, I was sympathetic to all your fears up till now despite the princessy behavior, but you won’t testify to try and catch the person who might be responsible for killing your brother? Seriously? He says he won’t push her to do so.
Shi-kyung returns to his office to find Dad lurking around in the dark. He demands to know why he’s being a cowboy and holding foreigners without proof. Shi-kyung tells him that she’s an agent of Club M, the people behind the king’s murder.
Dad flips out and tells him to back off, and Shi-kyung just pushes back, “Father, what are you afraid of?” This, actually, as is written all over his face. He grabs the phone and orders that Shi-kyung be reassigned outside the palace at once.
Way to show your hand, Dad. Now he won’t suspect you AT ALL.
But Shi-kyung just whips out his top-level clearance card, given directly by the king. It supercedes Dad’s orders, so he’s going to continue with this investigation and Dad can’t stop him. Niiiiiice.
Bong-gu takes a leisurely bubble bath and delights in everything proceeding according to plan—the WOC (which he insists they allow to be played fairly, since there’s no chance in hell Korea’s winning) and his assassin’s “capture.”
Meanwhile Team Korea takes a boat to a deserted island, where the games will take place. Jae-ha braces himself, repeating over and over that they can do this. Hang-ah agrees. And then he breaks down and whines, “Aaaaah, it’s the U.S.! What are we going to do?” Hee.
The rules of the game are simple: both teams get dropped off on the island, and each team is given one set of keys. The only way off the island is one raft boat, requiring two keys to unlock. They have to get the other team’s key and get off the island to win. In the case that neither team gets to the boat in time, they’re scored on a point system.
They pack their gear, which each person gets to choose among their supplies, as long as it’s under the total weight limit. So… no rocket launcher for Kang-seok? Boo. Jae-ha and Hang-ah put their peninsula patches on each other with smiles, and they arrive on the island.
Each general, North and South, leads his team in a different cheer, and Jae-ha laughs that maybe they ought to work on reunification on the go-team cheer front. Heh.
Shi-kyung gets briefed on Mia (thank goodness, she has a real name), who goes by “Bon Bon” in Club M. She’s British SAS-trained, and yes her chocolates contain drugs, but they’re laced with something they can’t even identify.
The prime minister calls Secretary Eun in a panic—Club M is holding a press conference. Oh no! Not A! Press! Conference! Sigh. Shi-kyung watches as Bong-gu’s minion demands their agent’s release, and Dad storms in to give him a big I-told-you-so.
It’s a friggin’ dude in front of cameras, not a sign of the apocalypse! But Dad insists he release the prisoner at once and apologize to Club M, because the palace’s dignity is at stake. I really think you ought to worry about your own dignity, sir.
The upshot is that Club M has the means to cause a giant ruckus over something like this, and it’s essentially bait that gives them cause to throw their weight around (and what Bong-gu wants).
Dad tells Shi-kyung to fix it, and lick the bottom of their boots if he has to. Great advice for your son, there. Lick the terrorists’ boots! For dignity! It’s seriously killing me how much you’re destroying your son’s devoted pillar of fatherly trust.
Secretary Eun personally bows in apology to Bong-gu, and then Shi-kyung comes in with Mia in tow. Bong-gu yells at him for mistreating someone he considers his own daughter, and Mia turns to whisper in Shi-kyung’s ear that Jae-shin begged for her life like a coward “that night.”
She asks if he’s slept with her yet, and coos that maybe he hasn’t because she’s crippled. Shi-kyung balls his hand into a fist, quaking in anger. Bong-gu thinks to himself, “Hit her! That’s it! Hit her!” And we see a camera trained right at them, hidden from view.
But thankfully Shi-kyung doesn’t fall for her bait, and tells Bong-gu that he regrets his actions, but maybe next time he comes to the palace, he ought to bring a more appropriate bodyguard.
He calls her insane, and names the incident that got her kicked out of British special forces. She glares and says that shooting was an accident. Shi-kyung: “Oh really? Then what about your mother’s death?” She snaps and screeeeeeams at the top of her lungs that she’ll kill him, as she gets hauled away.
Bong-gu watches all this with a keen eye, suddenly very interested in the tin soldier with balls of steel. He asks his name, and perks up to hear it. He turns to Secretary Eun: “Son?” Shi-kyung looks over at Dad curiously.
Bong-gu puts his arm around Shi-kyung and leads him to the next room, where he calls him sharp, and wonders why he’s wasting his time following Jae-ha around. “Why? Because he might spill a few leftover crumbs from his cookies? But he has no strength. Come to me. I’ll give you some. I have lots of cookies.”
Ha. Creepy Cookie Monster is weird but kind of awesome. You’re trying to buy the ONE person who can never be bought. Silly man, what’s a bot gonna do with cookies anyway? Shi-kyung turns to him without changing his expression, “I’m sorry. I don’t eat rotten cookies.” *GASP* So. Badass. Aaaaaah! I love it!
Bong-gu walks away with a grin, but it continues to bother him. He flashes back to Jae-ha’s video letter and his declaration that he has people who believe in him. Bong-gu mutters bitterly that it must be nice. I love that Jae-ha is STILL taunting him remotely, via Shi-kyung. It’s so awesome.
Back on War Games Island, the team discusses strategy. Jae-ha: “Let’s copy the key!” Hahaha. I will admit, that’s the first thing I would say. His team lets out a collective sigh. What, are they going to whittle a copy, out of aluminum?
He’s like, fine, we can just swim back! Hang-ah: “We took a boat for three hours to get here.” Jae-ha: “Did we?” Pffft. He adds that there’s a way around the kill sensor that they’re wearing, since there’s a digital reset.
Everyone gapes, and Hang-ah’s the first to call him out for his cowardice, saying that they have to win fair and square. Jae-ha’s like, what’s not fair in war? Was Yi Sun-shin unfair because he built turtle ships in secret? Ha. Well when you put it that way…
She counters that cheating is different in this case, and he’s the king. But Jae-ha’s got too much on the line to worry about ethics, and reminds her that they have to WIN to be engaged. He takes her hand.
But she turns to him, resolute, and pulls away: “I’m sorry, but I won’t be engaged that way. I want a man I can respect. I’ll only get engaged if you win fair and square.” Jae-ha asks, pained, “Respect? Then what am I? A coward?”
She looks away. So does Kang-seok. Dong-ha averts his eyes. Damn, there’s your answer. He steps away as Hang-ah and the rest of the team plan their next move.
But the Americans have been descending on their bunker this whole time, and they reach the perimeter. They shoot a putty camera at the window and watch. Inside, the team asks who should carry the key.
Jae-ha tosses it on the table, still pouting that he doesn’t want the responsibility since he’s a pathetic coward, and asks “Northern team leader” for the easiest assignment. She turns to him, “Are you going to be this pissy the whole time?” HA.
He says it’s his strategy, and suggests games to determine the key-bearer. They finally play rock-paper-scissors, and Young-bae loses. He doesn’t want the responsibility, but Jae-ha just pats him on the head and says the dumbest-looking one should carry it so they’ll never suspect. Ha. Don’t be mean to Young-bae!
The problem is, the Team U.S. sees this whole exchange, so they know exactly who to gun down for the key. Team Korea splits up into three pairs, with Jae-ha and Hang-ah fighting over who gets to drive the ATV. (“I’m still the man!” Well if you have to say it like that, I dunno…) They head out in different directions, leaving Young-bae and Dong-ha at the base. Noooo!
As soon as they’re alone (and Dong-ha sits on the toilet), they get ambushed. Young-bae scrambles and hides under a desk, but eventually gets discovered, and with no other choice, he pulls the key out… and swallows it. Whoa. Hardcore.
Team Korea reassembles in the aftermath—no Young-bae and no key. They technically haven’t lost yet, since the Americans have to get the key out of their prisoner, which they can’t do if they “kill” him. Young-bae screams at them to go ahead and try to get the key, and yells, “But guess what? I’M CONSTIPATED!” Hahahahahahaha.
He tells them they can wait all day, but he’s not going to be pooping on their watch, and then the Americans have a debate about the best way to make him defecate, which I swear, I’m not making up.
Apparently they think the characters need to be racist to make us root against them (lame), and so they launch into theories about how Asians must be structured differently because their eyes are different. (Cringe, cringe.) And also, what the hell does that have to do with intestines?
Anyway, it makes them sound like idiots, which I guess is the point (thanks, oh-so-subtle writing), and then one of them takes out a swiss army blade and Young-bae freaks out. They hold him down and open his shirt, and he screams.
But they’re not psychos, and they tell him to calm down—they’re just going to give him an enema. Ew. Ew. Ew. Don’t you guys have laxatives or something?
Hang-ah discovers the camera and then Jae-ha answers a call from the other team, telling them to give up. They say they’ll have the key in a few hours, so there’s no use. That finally angers Jae-ha enough to light a fire under his ass.
Speaking of asses, the key is out. Aw, poor Young-bae. Ow. Ow.
The U.S. team heads to the shore like it’s in the bag, only when they get there, the boat is nowhere to be found. Score one for Team Korea. Elsewhere, Hang-ah and Not-Shi-kyung come ashore with scuba gear.
The Americans split up, and Kang-seok baits two of them, drawing their fire. Dong-ha and Jae-ha sneak into the U.S. team’s bunker and while Dong-ha keeps an eye on Young-bae, Jae-ha gets to work building something out of a lightbulb and his cell phone. Are you making real bombs? Is that kosher?
As Hang-ah rides through the woods, we hear Jae-ha tell her in voiceover that this mission needs teamwork, and it’ll never work if they don’t trust each other. “Trust me. And I’ll trust you.”
COMMENTS
Well, not the most suspenseful ending that could have come out of that scenario (you couldn’t give us a nice mission-fail cliffhanger?) and not the most eventful episode given the amount of story we usually get crammed into an hour. But I like the return to the WOC team and all the personalities pitted against each other, and I love that Jae-ha has an arc even within the games. He’s the guy who’s going to go for broke, rules be damned, which makes him a cheating coward at the outset (a nice callback to the whiny prince of yore), but he’s the one to come up with the crazy twisted plan when push comes to shove.
While other people are straight-shooters, Jae-ha comes at everything sideways, which is a great source of conflict for the couple, and also gives him the best chance of turning the tables on the game. I liked their war ethics debate, because it’s literally love and war compounded into one scenario—what’s fair, what’s right, and how do you walk away with both the win and the girl? Jae-ha thinks all he has to do is win to get both, but Hang-ah makes it clear that he has to win with her respect intact, otherwise, it’s moot.
And that’s a relationship I can root for, because she’s forcing him to be a better man. (I love that the second Hang-ah confirms his love, she constantly uses herself as the carrot—I won’t marry you unless you beat Bong-gu, and I won’t marry you if you cheat to win.) The war games are just a metaphor, but it’s an extension of what kind of king he’ll be—will he be the kind of leader to win at all costs, even without honor? Or will he live up to her challenge to be fair and honorable and still succeed? It’s counter to his instincts, but that’s why she makes him a better person by challenging him. She’s uncompromising in the same way that Shi-kyung is, and while the rest of the team might have turned a blind eye and let him have his way, she doesn’t let him get away with anything.
There are actually a lot of parallels between Hang-ah and Shi-kyung, especially now that they serve such similar functions for the pair of royal siblings. Take Jae-shin, for instance, who gets handled with kid gloves by her family, but gets taken to task by both Shi-kyung and Hang-ah in crucial ways, with no leeway for her self-pity. Without them forcing her to face her fears head-on, she might never be on the road to recovery. And that uncompromising stance is the perfect antidote to Jae-ha and Jae-shin’s entitled upbringing. Like Jae-ha learned from his first love, all everyone sees is their titles. But someone like Hang-ah doesn’t give a rat’s ass what your title is, but she DOES care if you’re going to be a cheating weasel. How kickass is a heroine who can say, Be a man I can respect, or else I walk away?
I actually found myself wondering what Shi-kyung would have said during the all’s-fair-in-love-and-war debate, but mostly I can only picture him gasping at Jae-ha’s suggestion to cheat, all quivering lip and pouty, “Jeo-haaaaa!” Perhaps it’s better that he wasn’t there. At first it did make me sad that he wouldn’t be in on the team reunion, but when we got our first Shi-kyung/Bong-gu scene, I realized how much more he’s doing as the lone good guy, left to deal with all the baddies. It tickles me to no end that Bong-gu immediately saw his value, and made him an offer to join the dark side, only to be slapped in the face by his loyalty to Jae-ha. *FIST PUMP* I will savor that moment for a long time to come. I always knew you had it in you, Earnest.
RELATED POSTS
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 13
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 12
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 11
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- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 9
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 8
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 7
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- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 2
- The King 2 Hearts: Episode 1
Tags: featured, Ha Ji-won, Jo Jung-seok, Lee Seung-gi, Lee Soon-jae, Lee Yoon-ji, The King 2 Hearts
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51 sweetiehunnybee
May 3, 2012 at 9:55 PM
OMO that was friggin hilarious the part wherein the key was was swallowed and the other team getting it out of him hahahaha. This show was fantastic even with the tensi0n they crack a nerve for laughing LOL thanks GIRLFRIDAY!!!
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 10:13 PM
I was so shocked when he swallowed the key! I knew he was going to do something with the key when he yanked it off his neck, but to put it in his mouth! That I totally wasn't expecting O_o hardcore stuff
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Sofia
May 4, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Yeah! Totally BADASS! I thought he was simply going to hide it or something but I couldn't believe it when I saw him swallowed it!! haha! I LOVEE him!! He is so cute and now HARDCORE!
Can't believe we are friday going on saturday.. Wednesday is so far away!!! :'(
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 5:10 PM
I thought he'd hide it as well....and when he put it in his mouth I had a quizzical look!! Yes, one has to hit me in the head with such kinda info for me to.get.it!!
yeah, he IS hardcore! I totally aww'ed when the US team were successful in obtaining the key and one of the guise said that he wouldn't take the medicine and was crying!!
Love the entire WOC team. Have to applaud the writers to not only developing the secondary characters but also these side characters.
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:13 AM
I don't know what it says about me but I was not shocked when he swallowed the key ... I would have done the same! LOL. I did giggle like mad when he shouted that he was constipated. Too bad the humour was lost on the Americans.
reglest
May 4, 2012 at 9:48 PM
Each of Korean WOC team member definitely has their characters. :) (except non-shi-kyung this time)
For Young bae, I'd like to gave this insight for him:
since 1st episode, we know that he is a kind of sincere country boy. Remember when he took off his socks to prove the royal inspection that he isn't lying? And remember when the north team need to escort the south team at the -faux-war-at WOC training-? Young Bae almost crying when he said that he really want to help them. Even at the farewell WOC training, the writer present him as a naive sincere boy, almost crying because the separation, and give Shi Kyung Ppong-ppongi.
And again, in this episode he show his sincerity to protect the key, SWALLOW it. Kinda idiot, but you know how sincere he is. I'm happy that the writer don't just build it in one moment, but developing it one by one through 'random scenes'
And I'm fallin for this character too. Ok, is there any character that I'm nopt fallin in this drama???
Oh..yea..Kim Bong Gu..and his -constipated-looking-righ-arm man
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 2:25 AM
Agree with everything you said esp how the writers build up each character throughout the drama. Was it you, reglest, who also commented how tight the writing for this drama is, how everything sort of loops back to an earlier scene? The more the drama progresses, the more impressed I am with the script. Seems like nothing is redundant or carelessly tossed in to fill up time.
Can I just add how much I love that scene when he tickled JH in ep13? The way he did it just made me laugh. Reminded of of the funny pose Dong Ha made for their group photo at the end of their training in NK. These guys are so fun together and add a really nice element to the whole drama. Best thing is reports from the set say they really do get along in real-life too.
reglest
May 5, 2012 at 5:02 AM
@babes:
I love that scene so much too, and i kept rewind it^^
He was like ,"bangapsumida, Lee Jae Ha dong-ji", then he tickles him. Aww~ that's so cute of him, the scene shows us this WOC team is really close each other, too bad Shi kyung isn't there.
Now you reminds me about Dong Ha's funny pose. And, until now, Dong Ha doesn't have that much spotlight to enlighten his character. But it's palpable that among the original WOC members, he is the most easy-going one, his pose at the group photo, how he pout when Shi Kyung outsung him, and how he follow Jae Ha's instruction to make Hang Ah fall for him. I'm still waiting for the writer to give him a spotlight, but even not, how the writers build his character is already more than any usual side character drama.
Lhej
May 5, 2012 at 6:51 AM
I thought I was the only one falling for Yong-Bae? I also awwwww-ed when he kissed their logo before putting it on.
reglest
May 5, 2012 at 12:56 PM
@lhej:
THAT! I think that scene deserve more attention!
Do you notice when Kang Seok put his logo, he slap it not once, but twice? And in the 2nd slap he uses that expression, 'the kind of proud expression', and like he won't let it go. Young Bae kisses his logo, and happily put it into his arm. This is maybe ridiculous, but what I got from that short moment is, they really want Korea to get united. And perhaps the portrayal is what the writer want to deliver to us.
Just a little explanation, the logo is picturing Korea as a united country, no border and no line separating North and South. So when they put it with proud and kiss, for me that is how much they want the korea unified
miss_buttercup
May 5, 2012 at 5:53 AM
when he said he was constipated, I couldnt help but laughed. I mean, just seeing him swallowed the key made me feel like I was constipated myself! Young Bae is a great character.
and yes, I agree that the writers did a good job in developing every characters in this drama. Every characters are presented for a reason, especially the supporting ones. Young Bae was first depicted as a simple sincere guy. and here we can see that again *his gutsy act with swallowing the key*.
And I'm glad the writers makes HA stays true to her character *tough soldier outside-fragile and all cute in her own way inside*. At the beginning she's the badass HA, then cried buckets of tears when she's involved romantically with JH, but she kicked ass again once she's in her uniform. *at first I was afraid that the writers would just make her character had to cry more buckets of tears, but thank god they didn't :D*
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 6:43 AM
@reglest: Hope Dong Ha gets a bit more screen time too but as it is I already like his character very much in that unlike Earnest Bot, he has always had a less formal relationship with Jae Ha, both before and after his ascension. I mean, the way he plotted and supported JH's mad hare schemes in Jeju Island regarding playing with HA's feelings and in most other scenes involving both of them, I get the feeling that he doesn't quite hold JH in as much reverence as Bot, which I sense is what JH needs more of - regular guy pals.
That's why I was a little puzzled when the 2 teams left on their ATVs the to go on patrol, Gong Ha gave a formal bow to JH.
On that point, I really expected more of the Korean WOC team in terms of tactical moves. Why go on a patrol? Seems like their strategy was more defensive than offensive. Were they just waiting for the US team to come to them? Must quallify that I don't know anything about military strategies. Just seems strange to me.
babes
May 5, 2012 at 6:58 AM
@yellow buttercup: How I love HA's character too! Just love, love, love. Way, way, way more than Gil Ra Im.
I'm so happy to see how secure she is in her relationship with JH now. Before the whole being thrown out of SK, miscarriage and proposal episodes, she was still very deferential to JH, very careful in her words with him. Now, we see threatening to beat him up for daring to talk about his first love, giving him a piece of her mind for wearing the stupid ring, rolling her eyes at his pathetic chickening out type of schemes to win the challenge. I just love their relationship now.
*Smiling right now, just thinking about how she wanted to drive the ATV and JH said, he's still the man. Yah, right! We all know who has more b... when it comes to the battlefield (though our king may just prove us wrong in the next episode. In which case, bravo to you, JH!)
And how can this yeoja look so at home in both fatigues and a wedding/engagement gown? All I can say is, JH, you are one lucky guy. You didn't exactly get your hot librarian dream girl but got something much, much better IMO, a G.I. Jane femme fatale!
topper
May 3, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Young Bae is so gutsy. And I think the actor portraying him is doing well.
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ravens_nest
May 3, 2012 at 11:29 PM
So hardcore! I was really shocked that he really swallowed it. That's some serious dedication, man.
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52 sweetiehunnybee
May 3, 2012 at 9:58 PM
weep why another wednesday and thursday seems to be long if this has already a dvd here in the philippines I would just have to watch it in one day without sleeping:)))
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53 djeedjes
May 3, 2012 at 10:00 PM
I like the story but your ( GF&JB ) recaps always make the drama better. Seriously.
That's why I actually want you recap all dramas out there :D I wish we can find technology to clone you girls!
I agree. I didn't like the idea Shikyung didn't join the WOC, but he does better role by staying at the palace at this moment. Now I just can't think (yet) how to deal when he finds out his father's relation with Bonggu....heartbreaaakkk.
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54 WvR
May 3, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Thanks for the recap. I'm glad that you also thought that Jae Shin should be up to testify to put away the killer of her brother. I thought I might be mean for thinking that she should despite the trauma she went through.
And the American team dialogue is pretty bad. I like how you said that the purpose is to make the U.S. team sound like idiots, because when I heard it, I thought of what the writer must think Americans say about Korean people.
I also felt that it just ended without any hook or pull for the next episode.
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topper
May 3, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Why did people feel that the American team sound like idiots? They sound like what soldiers would say, and they were pretty fair in my opinion.
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AnnMichelle
May 3, 2012 at 10:11 PM
I am with you. See my comment on #56. It's an interrogation. You use whatever you got to get what you want. I think the writers' treatment of the US team is good. Hey, most of them even sound like Americans!
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em
May 3, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Do you think all Americans are white or caucasians? They also have different way of talking depending which states they come from.Overall I think it's decent and isn't this a black comedy or satire.? Of course there'll be prejudices on both sides.Just don't be carried away. I still like this episode especially when the king suggested all those tricks.He just couldn't change overnight. Glad Ha is there to anchor him.
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miss_buttercup
May 5, 2012 at 5:55 AM
totally agree. I can't say it better myself
techvet
May 4, 2012 at 12:13 AM
The notion that the racist remarks were made under the pretext of an interrogation never entered my mind since the scene did not come across as an interrogation. They found/"had" the key, and didn't need any information from the Korean soldier. I've heard of adding insult to injury but, not to provoke a bowel movement. HA! Sorry.
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AnnMichelle
May 4, 2012 at 1:07 AM
People under duress would/could lose control of their bowel movement.
Can't believe I just typed when discussing a K-drama! Sorry I don't have a nicer way to put it.
bern 75
May 4, 2012 at 6:34 AM
u're right AnnMichelle, and we do have to take this with a pinch/large dose of (drama) salt haha ;)
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55 topper
May 3, 2012 at 10:06 PM
I think there are a lot of people misunderstanding the dialogues between the US soldiers and their hostage Young Bae. It is all scare tactics even if you may cringe at the racial undertones. Just POW interrogation, and no rules of engagement was broken.
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 10:17 PM
I took it as scare tactics as well, the racial undertones I didn't think much of it to be honest. I just found the whole defacating thing too funny.
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AnnMichelle
May 3, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Hahaha, we even used the same words - tactics and interrogation! Like minds think alike.
Also I think the challenge given is quite clever. It's very game like. It's not something that can be won with brute force necessarily. Therefore team united Korea has a decent chance of out-smarting the US.
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Saima
May 3, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Thanks for your analyses! If you who's served in the military is not offended then the rest of us should take in stride!!
Coming from someone who's not American and East-Asian....while watching I did cringe and hoped the American viewers wouldn't get offended! Hopefully your comments will serve to assuage their opinions on said remarks!!
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maria
May 4, 2012 at 2:13 AM
rightly said topper.
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:51 AM
Just out of curiosity, would such interrogation tactics still work when there is a language barrier? Like when Young Bae screamed that he was constipated and that was totally lost on the Americans. And when they started on about cutting his stomach and he was clueless and only panicked when he saw the knife.
How do you conduct a success scare tactic when the other party does not understand you? Wouldn't it make more sense to use actions and body language to scare the shite out of them? It would be visually funnier too in the scene. And we would not have to be subjected to the poor dialogue.
Sorry, I get nerdy about info like that.
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emmy
May 5, 2012 at 11:45 PM
I was wondering the same thing.
In fact, during the Kangseok- toilet scene, I was wondering how much English the average North Korean would have been exposed to, and how much he would have understood.
Even as a native-English speaker, I had to listen closely to that scene. I'm guessing that a lot of the foreigners used in the drama are not native speakers, and some have a very heavy accent, or speak very haltingly.
I think you have a good point about body language. I wonder how one mimes "constipation" though! :D
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Duncerblur
May 6, 2012 at 3:49 AM
Heh, I guess they would have had to be really anal about it? (Drum roll! Sorry for the bad pun .. LOL)
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56 AnnMichelle
May 3, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Dear Girlfriday,
Thank you again for a great recap.
I have to admit I was a little uneasy about this episode. The task the writers set out for themselves just seem too daunting for me. Given that the united K team has to win, for our drama's sake, how to make the US team lose convincingly? Not easy.
But I feel they did a decent job at it. The one glaring hole was the part with the racist remarks. But, to give the writers the benefit of the doubt (okay, also because I like them too much so I am going to be biased that way), couldn't the US team was trying to scare him, using intimidation as interrogation tactics?
Another thing is I have developed a nervous response to that crazy woman assassin (I refuse to dignify her with a name), pretty much like the princess's. Whenever she shows up, with that heavy eye makeup and the disgusting chocolate, I want to go to the bathroom.
Other than that, I am good. Thoroughly enjoying our JA and HA and the rest of the WOC team, and the newest couple - SK and BG!
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emmy
May 3, 2012 at 10:28 PM
With regards to the racist comments, I think it might be possible that it's just a show to freak out Young-bae. I didn't get that impression, but that could be due to the bad acting more than anything else. In any case, Young-bae cracks me up.
I'm with you on the nervous response to Bon Bon. That woman inspires fear... She's off her rocker as much as Bonggu has, and the scary eye-shadow and freaky piercings don't help either.
I do love how they play they play that cheery song during her interview scene. It's such a funny juxtaposition!
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:18 AM
I think I am more disturbed by the fact that she's supposed to be ex-British SAS but she speaks with an American accent. Or is it a pseudo Canadian-American accent? Hard to tell because I kind of space out when she'son. Someone hand me some of those chocolates ...
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MsB
May 5, 2012 at 4:24 AM
Yes, she sounded American to me too. And I never zone out. She is so evil! Plus this was the most we ever heard her talk. She barely talked before! Of all of the foreign characters, she is the most interesting! You have to admit that!
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:57 AM
LOL, she is a darn lot better than the Roger-Moore wannabe right-hand henchman or the pretty-but-vapid Tara. Still, I think she would have been more interesting & scary if she stayed silent all throughout, like Kein in Sin City.
Her speaking and screeching (that was soooo uncool) kinda ruined her mystique. It is also partly the actress fault as she utilises the speech patterns of William Shatner and David Caruso ... total fail.
Jenlikeskettlecorn
May 3, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Yeah, as I was watching I wondered at first if it was a tactic too, but it went to a weird place for sure anyway. Also it's so hard to tell through all the bad acting!
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bern 75
May 4, 2012 at 6:36 AM
oh your comment about wanting to go to the bathroom when Crazy Woman Assasin comes on screen - LOL!!
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57 pigtookie
May 3, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Love it. The characters on this show do not experience sudden change of hearts but show real signs of growth that make their accomplishments that much more satisfying.
I haven't watched this episode till the end yet, but I do not mind that it doesn't have that hook to the end, for a Thursday episode. There's enough tension and pacing going on in the plot for me that I don't need them to drop another bomb so fast. To me, a story that flows smoothly is pretty important, and I think it limits a writing/editing team to have to pace the story in that it needs to keep us in suspense at the end of each episode. For once I preferred that it left us with a message between the couple and leaves us questioning how Jae Ha will turn the tables on US.
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 10:25 PM
I like that OS between the couple during the last few seconds of the episode as well. And really, even without a "hook" for the next episode, I'm still anticipating it. Really want to know what Team Korea is planning to do.
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58 almontel
May 3, 2012 at 10:21 PM
i totally love the scene between SK and BG....way to do it!!! i wanted to spit on BG's face so bad and i really do hate SK's dad...
i didn't like the ending either...wish it was a cliffhanger and all..
thanks for the recap!
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59 nabithoj
May 3, 2012 at 10:23 PM
Had to look up what "enema" is...lol
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 10:25 PM
same here lol :P
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em
May 3, 2012 at 10:53 PM
That's a medication or a solution that they give to the rectal area for bowel movement.
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Minea
May 4, 2012 at 12:13 AM
eeep! hahaha. too much information there.
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MsB
May 5, 2012 at 4:26 AM
Boy, where can we get an enema patch!?
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reglest
May 5, 2012 at 5:13 AM
I'm checkin my dictionary again when they talk about enema, but bring out 'patch' LOL
fatraspberry
May 4, 2012 at 12:02 AM
LOL me too. XD
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:28 PM
haahahahaha.
Looks like you're not the only one nabithoj.
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60 Jade Butterfly
May 3, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Can someone ,PLEASE , get into writer nim's head & tell me the rationale of persistently showing us Bonggu's Bathing Scenes & him in the raw? Wassup ?
Writer nim's , by now, as proven to be quite on the ball & attentive to details to d point of every stroke & push of the actors so , why this srange need. That Bonggu , knows he's 'unclean'(Evil) and psychologically , has a need to be washed of his sins? Waa , so spiritual ?
Anyone wt a plausible answer why we keep getting this Eyesore sight?
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61 Jade Butterfly
May 3, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Sorry for typo errors , I'm disturbed by too much nakedness of Bonggu .
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Saima
May 3, 2012 at 10:50 PM
It's safe to say that all of us would like to erase naked Bong-gu from our memories. hahaa
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JBB
May 4, 2012 at 8:14 AM
Him along with the tub scenes of Cha Chi Soo's dad.
That which has been seen, cannot be unseen.
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Minea
May 4, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Pfftt! so true. I need a pensieve to remove THAT memory.
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62 Faye
May 3, 2012 at 10:37 PM
This is, to me, the weakest episode to date. And its definitely because of all the cringe worthy scenes involving foreigners. The bad acting coupled with terrible dialogue for those scenes were just too much. The only possible exception would be SK's scenes with Bonbon. I mean the actress that plays Bonbon was not great, but she wasn't too terrible either. And atleast the dialogue there was okay.
On the other hand, the SK/BG scenes were definitely the highlight of the episode. For some reason, I was on the edge of my seat during those scenes. I was afraid the SK would be tainted by BG simply by being in the same room with him.
But my personal pet peeve about this episode? The bubble bath scene with BG!! Why oh why do my eyes have to suffer another one of those??? Show, that is NOT my idea of fan service!! Can't you give me another JH in a bath scene instead? Or maybe a broody shower scene with SK? That one would at least satisfy my curiousity about what's underneath all that royal guard uniform.
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Saima
May 3, 2012 at 10:51 PM
We keep gushing about our very talented cast and this realization hits home when we have many a pathetic poor foreign actors on-screen. I'm like, 'i don't care what you have to say...PD-nim just insert a text as to what happened and I'll be FINE!'
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Minea
May 3, 2012 at 10:51 PM
Show, that is NOT my idea of fan service!!
--> hahaha! that was fan DIS-service. I, too would like to know what's underneath all that uniform. You naughty girl!
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trixicopper
May 3, 2012 at 11:02 PM
At least this time there were a LOT more bubbles. :)
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AnnMichelle
May 3, 2012 at 11:24 PM
I noticed that too. Hahaha. Compared to Jae Ha's, this bubble bath is seriously more bubbly! And they are those, what, HARD bubbles?! You can't break them with a splash. Thank goodness I say!
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Faye
May 4, 2012 at 4:30 AM
hahahahaha... I can't help it. JH and SK brings out my inner pervert! ;-P
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sally_b
May 3, 2012 at 11:40 PM
@jasmine - re: "Show, that is NOT my idea of fan service!! "
Right On !! I don't even like to see Bong-gu *in* clothes...much less out of them.
Please tell me that our Korea-team will have to get in and out of wet-suits for this island mission...something...anything....gah.
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fatraspberry
May 3, 2012 at 11:42 PM
I agree. I'm not a big fan of this episode either. haha probably because of the conversation by the foreigners which mostly kinda weird and makes no sense, especially that conversation about how to make Young Bae defecate, which is completely ridiculous. LOL.
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63 k2h5ting
May 3, 2012 at 10:39 PM
I watched ep 14 this morning.
Great! Lee Seung Gi is so handsome. I hope ep 15 soon
there is a dangerous case. seung gi -ji won is a perfect couple.
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64 hpn88
May 3, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Yep, Shi-kyung might just be one of my all time favorite drama characters EVER after that Bong-gu scene.
Where do I find one?
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65 maeye86
May 3, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Shi Kyung the bot gets more air time this time and able to show us his intelligence and integrity.
But on the other side, Jae Ha with his intelligence but lack of integrity.
This show brings out the best of everyone character! This show is FTW!!
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66 Jade Butterfly
May 3, 2012 at 10:50 PM
I can't look at Young Bae the same way as I did in the early episodes anymore. Not after he SO coolly shot all the suicide bombers like they were rubber duckies at a game at d amusement park! One kill per shot !
Everyone on the good side , has their amazing strength !
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leelee
May 3, 2012 at 11:44 PM
Ha, you've beaten me to it. I was about to say the exact same thing, and he's gotten more impressive for me in this ep. The guy's just as hard core as Kang-seok, only in a different manner. One of the many things that I like about this show- each character shines on their own right
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 3:20 AM
Agree!! I love the writers! This drama has the most number of characters that I like. I even like Bong-gu and Bong Bong now. I mean because they really scared me to death. And I love Bong-gu's interaction with Jae-ha and Shi-kyung sooo much!
And these characters are all layered. Yoonbae is so cute, yet he can be hardcore too.
Seriously, this drama is no perfect, but omg if its not sooooooooooo good!
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67 sasa
May 3, 2012 at 10:56 PM
How I wish to see HA open up a huge bottle of SOJU woop ass on BonBon...the whole time she was all up in SK's face, i kept imagining HA planting her combat boots upside her face and saying "NAGA!!!!!!!! if i even spelled that correctly...oh wellls...
Anyways, first time post...lurker since the beginning of this insane and off the hook drama...and in it for the long and crazy/awesome ride. BIG Kudos to the actors/actress and TK2H...thank you
2 thumbs up and fist pumping for this recap GF...thankUUUU!!!!!
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JBB
May 4, 2012 at 8:59 AM
girlfight!
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68 Augie
May 3, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Thank You GirlFriday for your recap.
This episode plot of stranded in an island and the whole game thing remind me of the 1N2D old episode. esp when Seunggi get left behind in an island. haha
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 3:09 AM
Omg, me too! The game definitely reminded me of 1n2d! Maybe because Seunggi is in it.
When the US officers were so happy that they got the key only to realize that the boat was gone, that kind of situation happened a lot on 1n2d LOL ^^ And one of them was when Seunggi hold the flag and hiding behind the wall, and the team who didnt see it thought they made it. Did Seunggi teach Jaeha that? :D
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saranghae_12
May 4, 2012 at 7:45 AM
Awww...the good old 1n2d days. I miss the show, miss the boys, even evil PD Na. Hope Seunggi finds time to show us his variety persona in the latter half of the year. I will need my weekly dose of the emperor after this drama ends. Btw, since he is becoming recognized now as a great actor, would this lead to a possible movie career?
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Osi
May 4, 2012 at 8:05 AM
Oh, I hope it would. And I hope it would be in a festival movie with strong directing, writing, editing, etc, in which he could show his acting and being recognized by movie critics. *prays
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 9:40 AM
I would say breaking into the movie scene is highly likely. A negative character/villain with depth would be an awesome choice. If that happens I hope he still does dramas. There's nothing like falling in love with a character and watching them grow during the series.
He's been pretty smart about career choices. He became a household name by doing variety shows, sings, and has starred in two hit dramas in the past and this one is receiving critical acclaim! Prior to enlisting in MS if he does another memorable drama role it'll be wonderful!!
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saranghae_12
May 4, 2012 at 6:55 PM
would he then become a quadruple threat?keke
reglest
May 4, 2012 at 9:55 PM
Me and friend talk about this last night, what about character 'L' from Death Note? That'll be definitely perfect as negative character. I can portray his cunning smile in top L character.
Or..as manga adapatation, Tsuruga Ren from Skip Beat (not that Taiwan version which uses Siwon please!)? Tsuyruga Ren has beautiful smile, but also have thios evil-dark-devilish aura that m,ake the main protagonist shivering for fears
kekeke
reglest
May 4, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Haha, totally!!
Don't you heard what game does jae ha Suggest to decide who will hold the Key?
Mukjibba (advanced rock scissor paper), Kkung-KKung-Ta (non sense word game), Gong-Chil-Pang (the james Bond game)
I was literally LOL-ing when he mention all of it!
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miss_buttercup
May 5, 2012 at 5:58 AM
yeah, me too. It's like hearing Seunggi suggesting a game in a 1N2D episode.
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saranghae_12
May 5, 2012 at 9:44 AM
I hope his hyungs are watching this show. They would really be so proud of him. He's gone a really long way from the shy maknae that they all loved.
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69 Jade Butterfly
May 3, 2012 at 10:58 PM
By the way , as a lady , I feel , wuri Hang Ah has to stop using her 'If-u-don't-____-I-won't marry-u' Card .
Its like the 'Break-up' Card , say it once/ twice , its scary & effective. Say it all d time , you might just incur a reply of " What the... , Ok then ! " Thats reality . But good thing , this is Kdrama fantasy world. So he's just gonna quake in his boots . Writer nim , can we cap this line! Today , i seem to be addressing Writer nim alot. Hee!
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ravens_nest
May 3, 2012 at 11:37 PM
Hmm...I think the mitigating factor for me is that she doesn't use the ultimatum for a petty/inconsequential argument. I liked her response to Jae Ha's cowardice because Hang Ah was dead serious. Her tone and past behavior bolster her ultimatum. I can truly see her refusing to marry a man that she feels she cannot respect. And that's something that I can respect too.
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 11:49 PM
^ This! definitely how I feel too :) She's using that card on things that really matter to her (or for indirectly boosting Jae-Ha's confidence) She's not throwing those words around just to get her way.
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dcmbr
May 4, 2012 at 5:17 PM
JH did leave her like 3 times, lol, and she endured a lot of bashing and criticism, so I say she can use the card all she wants, :)
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 2:37 AM
Totally agree with what ravens_nest said too.
The first time she said that was to give him a push, a reason to fight on. It used as a reverse pyschology tactic. This time, I think she totally means it. I could never marry a man I didn't respect too.
Having said that, I winced for JH when he said "So, I'm not respectable?" and everybody looked away. Poor baby!
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:31 PM
ravens_nest with you on everything you said!
it's the purpose in what she says...
love and respect hang ah even when she starts the bickering LOL
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70 Dukdam
May 3, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Regarding the racist portrayal of the US soldiers, if the writer's only intent was to show them in a negative light, I don't think they would have been given that 'kumbaya' moment earlier in the episode.
And another thing to bear in mind... I don't think the writer would have actually written the English dialogue word by word. Actually, I don't think the dialogue came across as that stupid and racist in the Korean subtitles...it was quite like the banter you'd expect to come out of the mouths of Koreans soldiers in a similar situation.
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 2:47 AM
I felt the same way too. When Jae-ha talked with Kang-seok regarding him hitting the US officers, and he said 'They were just going to the bathroom and got struck by lightning, out of nowhere.' That was great writing there.
In this drama, I see that the writers are not biased to either South Korea or North Korea or even other countries. All characters are layered. There were good action and bad action from each country.
South Koreans can be scary, Hang-ah is afraid of them. North Koreans can be hot-tempered and aggressive like Kang-seok. One of the US officer suggested killing Yoonbae, but the other countered that this is a Championship and even if this is a war, they wont do that. And they actually requested to have a fair game and forgave the Korean team.
Their racist remark, it does seem like their interrogation tactic. Or maybe, they really thought it could relate to how they could get the key. They spoke quite fast, and Yoonbae didnt even look affected by it. He was more scared instead when they took out the knife.
If we think back, there were a lot of times when Jaeha's remarks about North Korea were offensive as well. Like how they were poor, and when he said to Kangseok, "Is your leader a dog?'
I feel that the writers are trying to be real here and I applaud them for that.
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JBB
May 4, 2012 at 9:04 AM
As someone who personally knows a person who has gone through professional interrogation training, that is exactly what they do.
They are trained to scare a person and to use what they don't know against them. They won't cut the guy up, but if they get him to think that they will, they can use it to their advantage.
It's all about messing with their minds.
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 9:43 AM
I remember that dog comment. When he said it I went, "no, he d'int!!" So horrified!! hahaa. The thing is viewer's perceptions of NK aren't great so those comments didn't linger with them...yes, all of us found them to be offensive but they were taken matter-of-factly!
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show2007
May 4, 2012 at 7:06 PM
Well said Dukdan and Wanne. I felt the same way too. I guess that's what made "us" different. People can see things so differently. I never find the conversation is racist. If you have every watch any American Military related movies or series. Those are the tactis they use as the interrragtion. I don't see a problem here! Beside, the writer is not dumb, who would have written a racist commends via a drama to US? This drama itself is controversial enough, they do not need to add more salt on it.
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:35 PM
Omg it totally hit me when you said that the writer was only intending to show u.s. in negative light.
Perhaps the translations were a bit off in degree of cringe.
i remember wondering why koreans always threw around 'bastard' like it was nothing but if we said it it would be waaay more vulgar.
Perhaps it was one of those moments -- and the translator tried to find words in translation of what is not meant to be as intense.
Then again the writers are usually straight-forward with their dialogue.
Who knows.. i'm just excited to see the moment Team K kicks u.s. ass. Im trusting the writers to make it a good one, considering, U.S. are one of the top WOC competitors if not the top.
HOw are they going to do this?!
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Saima
May 5, 2012 at 10:11 PM
I read in one of the comments here: that the poster thought the dialogues delivered by the US WOC team weren't as bad if going by the Korean subtitles! So, I believe it's one of those lost (or added in this case) in translation instances! Which is sad if the writers' true intention was to get the point across but not hurt the int'l community's sentiments! :/
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71 fatraspberry
May 3, 2012 at 11:28 PM
EUN SHI KYUNG! <3 when he said "really? what about your mother's death?" I swear, the way he said 'death' was frickin hawt! He's so badass in this episode, I love it!!
And I cracked up during the foreigners' conversation about how Asians structures are different judging from their eyes, like WTF.. it doesn't make sense.XD
I can not wait for the next episode! EarnestBot was crying in the next episode preview I wonder why..
Anyway, thank you GF for your recap!! it's wonderful as always. :D
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Raine
May 3, 2012 at 11:43 PM
haha I agree with you, seriously that foreigner's conversation is too hella funny
I was totally engrossed in trying to make sense of what they're saying that I totally didn't think anything about the racial undertones, that whole convo was just too funny... I was literally LOLing
that whole Asian structures are different part lol I was like wtf that didn't make sense at all XD
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fatraspberry
May 4, 2012 at 12:07 AM
LOL IKR? it's so ridiculous. XD
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 1:48 AM
I thought that was funny too because its just ridiculous. And I freaked out when they took out the knife. I thought they want to cut open his stomach!
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72 AnnMichelle
May 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Am I the only one who thinks Jae Ha has every right to think his 'dirty' and 'dishonest' tricks?
What's with you people, WOC team?! Don't you want to win??? This is a competition! Anything NOT against the rules is fair! (And I bet the rules book is full of loopholes.)
I am sorry. But I totally relate to Jae Ha's motives.
Dear Jae Ha, you are welcome to be on MY team anytime. In fact, I believe you will be the one who saves my day any day!
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ryuu99
May 3, 2012 at 11:39 PM
it's very cowardly. if you were a soldier and then some soldier-wannabe who has had no serious training would say "let's cheat" in probably the biggest military competition on earth, just so his engagement would go through, how would you feel?
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shl71
May 4, 2012 at 12:54 AM
Agree. War may be dirty, but there is an honour code, and this isn't a war! It's a competition. Everyone hates cheaters, no matter how well-intentioned they are.
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AnnMichelle
May 4, 2012 at 1:11 AM
I would feel the guy must REALLY want to get engaged! :)
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ravens_nest
May 3, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Maybe...but I'm pretty sure tampering with the equipment that signals your "death" when you get "shot" is against competition rules. Jussayin' :/
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leelee
May 3, 2012 at 11:57 PM
lol, me too @ AnnMichelle. With so much at stake, and Jaeha's character, I can totally relate to Jae ha's motives. But that's the reason why HA is there-to motivate him to succeed by doing the right thing.
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emmy
May 4, 2012 at 12:20 AM
I think his attempts to "play dirty" is consistent with the way the character was written.
If you would recall the first few episodes of WOC training, he was always trying to take the easy way out.
I loved his "I'll run the first 2 km of the 60km and they will get me to stop" mentality. His tricks get even funnier just because they always seem to backfire on him.
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:39 PM
LOL. i remember that!!! thinking they'll get him asap.
Oh god, Jae Ha, you have come a long way.
Just to revert back to the way you were in WOC training.
But i like this. Because this gives way for more character development and more bickering. Yay.
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Anonymous
May 4, 2012 at 4:20 AM
Because cheating is disgraceful. You already said it's a competition and competition is not just about winning. It's about competing with each other using our skills. That's the spirit of sportsmanship.
Plus Jae Ha is the king of South Korea so a higher moral code is expected of him. Can you imagine say Prince William goes to participate in some competition and is caught cheating? The entire nation will be disgraced and Prince William will lose all respect from people.
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Jenlikeskettlecorn
May 5, 2012 at 6:20 AM
I agree with all of you about the suggestion of cheating, but I'm also putting it out there that Jae Ha now also knows Hang Ah well enough to know deep down she wouldn't put up with any of it. I saw it mainly as a symptom of Jae Ha's constant verbal diarrhoea and propensity to whine, and that whining as being a result of being immensely worried about losing.
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Saima
May 5, 2012 at 10:20 PM
True! When he started his rant that they should copy their key I started laughing. I very much like how he still reverts back to his old self....it not only provides some comedic relief but also makes the viewer aware of how far he's come from the fella who'd run his mouth off. Obviously, he now has Hang-ah who'll keep a tight rein on him and I want to think that he'd know better than to pull off these tricks.
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Bali Dancer
May 4, 2012 at 6:16 AM
Agree.. USA cheated too with that camera...
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 8:45 AM
I thought about that too...
But, we won't know if they played dirty....if they'd inserted it in the dialogue b/w JH and HA (when they discovered the camera) then perhaps we'd have known that the US cheated...since, they didn't mention anything I'll say we just presume that the US WOC team played fair!
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dcmbr
May 4, 2012 at 5:21 PM
I questioned that too, unless according to the rules that's not cheating?...
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malta
May 6, 2012 at 6:55 PM
How so? Hang Ah saw the camera and none of them said that the US team cheated. They just exclaimed that wow, that team really does have sophisticated equipment....
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 8:41 AM
You were not the only one!! Let's seek comfort in knowing that there are a few of us who'd wanted him to take the easy way out. hahaaa
BUT his suggestions were ludicrous, really! I believe he was doing it for the laughs and trying to undercut the tension and nervousness!! He's a genius and their brain functions differently....having worked with gifted children it's amazing the way they approach problems vs. regular people. So, we'll never know what his purpose was for those hilarious suggestions. It's also heartwarming that despite being King he opens himself up for ridicule which is something he should be lauded for!
Also, he's not a coward for trying to think outside of the box...after he's been crowned King we've been witness to many a times when he's done crazy brave things in the name of love for his hyung and Hang-ah! Anyone remember the Ep 11 DMZ crossing...
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 2:45 AM
Sorry, AnnMichelle, gotta disagree with you on this. The end never justifies the means. Especially for JH, as the king of a nation. How can he command the respect of his people if he's known as one who cheats to win at all costs? Where's the honor and integrity of the royal family? Jae Kang would probably roll in his grave if he did that.
As for HA, even if she takes back her words and marries him, this play dirty incident would forever be etched in her mind and may fester and become a big problem in their relationship down the road. I mean, how are you going to trust a person like that? Just putting myself in her shoes...
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:24 AM
There's being smart and all guerilla-tactics to win but there's also a code of honour (not so much to your opponents but to yourself) in any battle. It's the self-drawn line you draw for yourself so that you can fully justify your actions to yourself and face your own image in the mirror every morning.
It's also when you realise your team-mates might beat the crap out of you for crossing that line.
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malta
May 6, 2012 at 6:52 PM
Except the dirty tricks wouldn't get them to win. They would just be disqualified and disgraced. Not to mention come off as not believing in themselves and that they can actually face the US team fair and square and win. Also Jae Ha shook hands with the US team captain earlier in the episode when the US team captain said give us a fair fight, don't just pretend to lose. I think that would also mean give us a fair fight don't play dirty and we won't either....
Winning fair and square is always more satisfying. Always. When you win from playing dirty you feel...dirty.
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73 sandrouu21
May 3, 2012 at 11:31 PM
thank you! :)
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74 IsItWednesdayYet?
May 3, 2012 at 11:43 PM
Thank you so much GF!
Love your recaps as always!
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75 Sofia
May 3, 2012 at 11:45 PM
Thank You!! :)
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76 Swye
May 4, 2012 at 12:17 AM
I have been thinking about what could have possibly happened that changed our once spunky princess to such a wreck. I feel like just near death experienced, although a very traumatic event, can't possibly cause such complete mental break-down. Does anyone else think that her panic attacks are a result of something more than just jumping off of a cliff? I couldn't help but wonder if she was sexually violated too. I hope not, but I feel like for a character who was so strong and spunky in the beginning to now have mental breakdown by just listening to some music, there needs to be something more to the story than we know...
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reglest
May 4, 2012 at 3:14 AM
I feel like for a character who was so strong and spunky in the beginning to now have mental breakdown by just listening to some music, there needs to be something more to the story than we know… « I can't help but to think the same. At first I think it might be some PTSD after jumping off the cliff, but no, then it can't be triggered by music, what is the relation between it?
I'm rewind my episode 13 here, and there is this flashback, where I thought they do 'something' to her. I hope it's not sexual abuse, it's too painful if it is. Though with this writer anything can happen :(
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show2007
May 4, 2012 at 7:09 PM
I doubt it. If it really happens, the doctor could have find out if she has been rape or not?
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reglest
May 4, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Yes, I hope so.
but I wonder, what kind of torture that she had endured before to make her, someone that bold, to suffer at PTSD from the music?
Hopefully this question will get answer, and executed well
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ravens_nest
May 4, 2012 at 4:56 AM
I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure Jae Shin's suffering from symptoms of PTSD.
We're not talking about Jae Shin surviving a regular car accident as a near death experience. To be honest, even those accidents can cause PTSD in survivors. We're talking about her having been threatened by assassins and her own leap off of a cliff leading to her paraplegia.
The terror and pain she must have felt when that happened must have been overwhelming. Not to mention the fear that would have run through her knowing the assassins were there to kill her brother and the Queen. And of course there's the ever present fear that they will come after her again.
There's plenty there to cause her to have the panic attacks she displays at a triggering noise and at the sight of Bon Bon, the person who's executing it all. No need to fall back on that old cliche "woman's trauma" that writers so often use to "deepen" a female character's story.
PS. I sincerely hope these writers don't do that. It's really lazy writing if you're only doing it to make a female character seem more nuanced and not because you actually want to explore the topic of rape. Stay classy, writers...I beg of you. :/
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Dorotka
May 4, 2012 at 11:56 AM
When I was pregnant with my 2nd kid, I quite suffered from the morning sickness (= was sick all day all pregnancy). And I also often played 1 CD with children songs to my 1st kid... I still get sick when I hear that CD, although it has already been a couple of years. And we are talking about a happy event of expecting a planned and wanted kid.
With Jae Shin's traumatic experience, I don't wonder... though I want her bold self back.
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:27 AM
I agree about the effects of music on the psyche. There are some pieces of music that have such strong emotional and psychological influences on me brought about by associative memory.
I can feel for Jae Shin's PTSD, especially coupled with her paralysis. Although it is frustrating for the plot development, it is also quite realistic.
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Tk2hfan
May 4, 2012 at 2:11 PM
I've been thinking for a while now what the matter is with Jae Shin. I have all sort of scenario's, but I definitely dont think it's something to do with rape or something like that.
She wouldn't jump off a cliff with such a confidence like the normal and bold princess if she were to be raped...
THose assasins traumasized her by saying or doing something that became of her like now.
I have been watching the preview of ep 15 a billions time trying to figure out what it is with the Princess...
Just telling.
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Swye
May 5, 2012 at 2:03 PM
I been thinking about it some more since I wrote this and reading up a little on PTSD, and I agree with everyone above in that it's unlikely to be physical violation, but I still feel like she went through more than what we saw. Maybe you was made to watch the King die the slow death while she waited for her own? In one of the episodes Bong gu tells Jae Ha that his hyung died clueless and commented on how he was drinking away in happiness. How would he have known that the King was drinking wine at the time of the death lest he video-taped it? (He could've found out through the media I guess, but knowing him I feel like he would want to see it himself). Ahh... I don;t know. Lets see how the story unfolds from here.
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gretac
May 5, 2012 at 4:45 PM
JS certainly suffers from PTSD, but to make it more complicated, she has clearly been programmed via something like hypnosis or brainwashing, to associate the music and BB's face to extreme terror and, in BB's words, panic. The music plays, and she has been programmed to fall immediately into a flashback of terror, but worse, into an amorphous flashback where she can't really remember what happened. Remember, JM's goons had a long afternoon and evening to work with her - it wasn't until SK realized she hadn't called to meet him at 7 pm that he realised she was missing and something might be wrong.
So she can't just "get over" her fear and step up to the plate: there's too much unconscious programming.
I keep thinking: don't they have psychologists in SK to work w/ PTSD and deprogramming? That's what the poor woman needs! and should have been having all this time.
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77 sweetiehunnybee
May 4, 2012 at 12:29 AM
hey I saw the episode 15 preview! come on what's with that bombing how can jae ha survive that?
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78 fee
May 4, 2012 at 12:31 AM
Thanks GF for the recap. You're the best!
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79 emmy
May 4, 2012 at 12:33 AM
I had a sudden thought about the racist banter among the American soldiers.
I think it all fits into the dark comedy aspect of K2H. Dark comedy makes fun of "taboo" subjects, i.e. racism. Had the American soldiers made those remarks under normal circumstances, there wouldn't be any humour and it would sound annoyingly racist.
However, given the hilarious context in which they made the remarks (Young-Bae forcing himself to swallow the key, proudly proclaiming his constipation and the entire discussion on how to extract the key from Young-bae), it makes light of the scenario and lends a humorous angle to the politically-incorrect remarks.
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alexis
May 4, 2012 at 8:28 AM
I don't know, I feel that people do say those kinds of things (racist remarks) in reality and I've seen and heard much worse so it doesn't really affect me as much. The writers are so gutsy to put it in the script though.
Overall, this episode was kind of disappointing and as much as I love this show to bits, I feel that sometimes there are large plot and logic holes which I tried my best to ignore but became so glaringly obvious, especially in this episode. The writers are so, so good when it comes to emotional/human connection scenes but the action scenes are kind of disappointing. Or maybe it's the editing, I dunno.
I'll tell myself to move on and hope for an explosive episode next week :D
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80 leelee
May 4, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Thank you very much for the great recap as usual, gf!
A lot of people here are so invested in the drama, so I understand where all the complains are coming from. Having been treated with all the awesomeness in the previous episodes, we are all anticipating a better one to come up next, so having it fall short of the expectations is a tad bit disappointing. I also feel that this episode is a set up for greater treats that will come our way (crosses fingers). Overall, it's still a great episode-for me that is.
I honestly watch the show all for the love of uri Puppy, so I am overly biased and thus not give much of an insight, thus reading the comments here and finding people loving the drama are quite a bonus for me.
I just have to mention that I am still bewildered as to why I always feel tickled to no end just watching at our OTP's smallest interactions, be it just simply looking at each other or hand grazing. I've watched both BL and MGIG and didn't have the same reaction, although I also loved the pairing. This couple continues to amaze me because of so much dynamics in their relationship. q
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leelee
May 4, 2012 at 12:50 AM
*so I am overly biased and does not give much of an insight
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AnnMichelle
May 4, 2012 at 1:19 AM
Count me in! Although I also like LSG with SMA and think there are moments in MGIG where the two transcend acting and get into OTP realism (remember the closed down fountain scene?).
But Jae Ha and Hang Ah really top it in TK2H for me. Can't get enough of them together.
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 2:07 AM
I love Seunggi and Minah in MGIG. They were adorable together. My most favourite scene of them was when Daewong back hugged Minho, when she turned into a monster and wanted to kill Hae-in. Also, during their last day when Minho put cream on Daewoong's face and Daewong tried not to cry. I have a lot of favourite scenes actually.
BUT, Seunggi and Jiwon, they're making me hot by just looking at each other! Their chemistry is out of the world!
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leelee
May 4, 2012 at 7:50 AM
That closed down fountain scene was so heartbreaking, my tears just fell without me noticing it
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Lhej
May 4, 2012 at 3:57 AM
I agree this couple's chemistry is undeniably sizzling!My favorite scene with them in this ep. was when they were fighting over who gets to drive the ATV, Hang-ah holding onto Jae-ha's waist made me squeeeeeee!!!!!
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Raine
May 4, 2012 at 5:10 AM
I giggle whenever there's interaction between our OTP too. Touching of any sort makes me all giddy lol.
Although our OTP didn't get much screen time in this episode, I love all of their interactions. Hang-ah hitting him for wearing that ring, our OTP slapping on each other's shoulder badges (I love how Jae-ha's puts the badge on her so gently and Hang-ah just slaps on his haha), Jae-ha's "Hang-ah..." when Hang-ah's getting angry with Kang-seok, and of course the hand-holding, the hideout bickering, and the ATV scene ^^
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leelee
May 4, 2012 at 7:53 AM
Jae-ha's Hang-ah ya sounded so sweet to my ears, I kept on repeating that scene for the nth time
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 8:48 AM
The badge scene was SO.CUTE!! And, when Jae-ha smiled I thought the sun had risen. hahaaa. That was a beautiful sight to behold.
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Jenlikeskettlecorn
May 5, 2012 at 6:22 AM
Yes, this! I'm totally into the casual/intimate way he calls her "Hang Ah-yah".
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 7:07 AM
As a relatively new k-drama addict, I kinda get that Koreans are usually very formal in their address. Either they call a person by their full name or with a -shi at the end. When they are on first name basis, that indicates a certain level of familiarity, right?
Noticed that JH started calling her Hang Ah-yah even when he talks to others about her about they slept together. Was thrilled to hear him calling her so intimately.
Call me crazy, but small details like this just makes me enjoy the drama even more. hehehe!
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:46 PM
i just have this crazy intimate scene playing in my head where he swoops in close to her face, whispering "hang ah ya.." and then kissing her passionately.
Yeah. i bet all of K2H fanbase will be dead by then.
leelee
May 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM
"Yeah. i bet all of K2H fanbase will be dead by then"
@Ilikemangos-yeah, but I'm sure we'll all resurrect, crowd here make 2000 comments, lol. Btw, belated happy birthday dear
leelee
May 6, 2012 at 10:59 AM
*and make 2000 comments
ilikemangos
May 6, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Leelee , thank you so much! =)
HAHAHA. those would be our souls making those 1000+ comments
reglest
May 7, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Like you said before, THIS IS our soul writig, we only revived in next king's Day! LOL
81 piamari
May 4, 2012 at 12:49 AM
Thank you again gf for the recap. So proud of our earnest bot!
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82 Rona
May 4, 2012 at 1:02 AM
I am in agony waiting for Episode 15 and 16 on Wednesday/Thursday next week........ :((
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83 kristine c.
May 4, 2012 at 1:05 AM
Earnest Bot FTW! :)
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84 kumon
May 4, 2012 at 1:10 AM
another awesome recap. thanks Girlfriday!
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85 qq
May 4, 2012 at 1:24 AM
Hahaha. reminds me of that david and goliath t-shirt that says, 'come to the dark side. we have cookies.
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86 babes
May 4, 2012 at 1:35 AM
To fellow fans of the inimitable Miss Ha Ji Won, I'll like to share one of my favourite videos of her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJ5ldEYN-c&feature=BFa&list=PL38CC631B13B2DB27
Love the song too.
Someone said in a comment somewhere that he/she is addicted to her laughter. I am too. Just love the positive energy she gives off. Suffice to say there's no other actress in the world whose works I follow and will continue to follow so closely.
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Anonymous
May 4, 2012 at 4:26 AM
Great video, thanks! I am a huge fan of hers too. I am watching TK2H for her and now looking to As One movie. HJW FTW.
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87 h311ybean
May 4, 2012 at 1:56 AM
Totally random thought: If the WOC featured crazy quests and games like on 1N2D, I am sure His Majesty's team would have the edge :D
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saranghae_12
May 4, 2012 at 7:54 AM
They should play hackey sack and the elephant olympics!Lol.
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crazyahjummafan
May 4, 2012 at 9:04 PM
They played Scissors, paper, rock (or stone). that's what it's called where I come from.
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88 A
May 4, 2012 at 2:04 AM
OMG to think that it's going to end in 3 weeks is already making me sad. I've never been so invested and addicted to a korean drama in agesssss. It's going to take me a long time to get over this drama and Lee Seung Gi and Ha Ji Won.
Although I want it to end (with a happy ending of course) I also don't want it to end? If that's making sense at all.
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wanne
May 4, 2012 at 2:55 AM
Ditto. Cant believe there's only 3 weeks left..
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:48 PM
OMG please do not bring up the ending time T__T
It makes me sad just thinking about it.
*sigh
WHAT am i going to do?
It's gonna be another city hunter withdrawal.
Oh god how did i even deal..?
Why can k-dramas include more of a good blend of action/heart/humor?
Swear to god these things come by rarely.
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Lhej
May 6, 2012 at 8:21 PM
I felt the same way. When I read that there's a new drama (I Do, I Do) following TK2H.I thought my world stopped and realized that there will be an end to this amazing drama. I'm not yet ready to be parted with my one true love! Ottoke???
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reglest
May 7, 2012 at 12:57 AM
Me too Lhej TT___TT not ready yet to be apart with this drama
89 Ushaki
May 4, 2012 at 2:06 AM
Thanks a million for the recaps! I am simply in love with this series and can never get enough of it! And your recaps keep me going since I cant understand much myself! Eun Shi Kyung is so cute and simply amazing! I just love the guy! Once I've seen this series, I plan to watch What's up next since I couldnt catch it earlier! So wanna see more of thos actor, hehe! And Im loving the dynamics between the four- Hang Ah and Jae Ha, Shi Kyung and Jae Shin! What humane and well done characters! And in the current line up, K2H and RTP are my all time favorites!
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crazyahjummafan
May 4, 2012 at 8:51 AM
If BG was really smart, and I hope he's not, the surest way to hurt JH is to get rid of the PEOPLE who love and support him. I hope he isn't!!!
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90 random person
May 4, 2012 at 2:24 AM
I'm just wondering...what does Bong Gu have up his sleeves? His scene after SK made the rotten cookie remark scared me. It seems like Bong Gu may go after the people around JH in an attempt to make JH go berserk and behave like him.
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AnnMichelle
May 4, 2012 at 4:16 AM
Yes, I am worried about that too. I remember in the MBC official TK2H site I read something about the queen mother was also in danger (or words to that effect). That's really scary.
Sometimes I wonder if the motives of the villains (BG and Secretary) are maybe a little too 'simple.' I mean if BG is just hell bent to make JH's life miserable, then that's kind of petty. If he also really wants to be king somehow (though I really could not come up with a possible scenario), then at least the goal, despicable that it is, is more worthy. The same goes for the Secretary, but to a lessor extent. Especially now with Shi Kyung in the mix, the stake for Secretary is high enough.
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Raine
May 4, 2012 at 5:16 AM
Been wondering about that too. Is there some inner motive for everything Bong-Gu's doing? Or does he just like making Jae-ha's life miserable..? but that would be weak plot-wise... But even if there is some kind of motive, I wonder if it's even possible to show that and resolve it in the remaining 6 episodes (omg so sad just thinking about that ;_;)
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gretac
May 5, 2012 at 5:06 PM
I think his motives are 2-fold, from what we already know.
1- He initially was presented as a big player in the corporate-military-industrial complex on the world stage, and so has high stakes in keeping military conflicts going, both in terms of money and power - hence wanting to keep the North-South conflict alive.
2- Now he has suffered a major narcissistic injury (or two or ten) at the hands of JH, so JH is his target: he has to take him down to reinforce his delusion of superiority, without which he is nothing.
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gretac
May 5, 2012 at 5:09 PM
and actually, there's a 3rd motivation:
3 - He's a psychopath, which basically means he gets his entertainment from manipulating others, with no ethical/empathic qualms
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91 wanne
May 4, 2012 at 2:48 AM
Thanks Girlfriday for this recap!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this drama!!
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92 seprienna
May 4, 2012 at 3:27 AM
so far this drama has been entertaining.
and i'm enjoying every single episode out of it..
going to admit one of the top recommended drama of the year.PERIOD>
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93 gg
May 4, 2012 at 4:04 AM
haha to be honest the game reminds of the games they play in Running Man - get the key from the other team and win! they do that all the time in RM
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94 ann
May 4, 2012 at 4:16 AM
bon bon or whatever her name is hard core, during the interrogation, i seriously thought she would jump Shi Kyung! and I am ready to pull her hair out!
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95 ann
May 4, 2012 at 4:24 AM
Alot of sites are doing a recap/ review of this drama and everytime they are shinning reviews , the actors are just LOVE and I am glad that the producer / director isnt fazed with the ratings game and still decides to stick with the original story line , I love how edgy this drama is.
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gretac
May 5, 2012 at 5:16 PM
"I love how edgy this drama is."
Yes!
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96 ann
May 4, 2012 at 4:28 AM
i only have one complain please STOP WITH THE BONG GU BATH TUB SCENES!!! More bath tub scenes of Jae ha is always welcome :)
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Jane
May 4, 2012 at 6:19 AM
And a SK bath scene, pretty please!
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Ann
May 4, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Or both to seal that bromance :)
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Or one of Hang Ah and Jae Ha.
*passes out
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Saima
May 5, 2012 at 10:22 PM
YES PLEASE!!
reglest
May 5, 2012 at 11:19 PM
*blank* I read right, aren't I? *flies to heaven*
Raine
May 6, 2012 at 5:49 AM
As much as I want that to happen like the rest of you, it's never going to happen in k-drama land *cries*
97 Plain Jane
May 4, 2012 at 5:43 AM
In fact, not just Hae Ha, Hang Ah is really anxious to win the WOC too.
In the scene when she punished Kang Shi, I have never seen her so angry! I mean, wow, scolding, hitting, pushing, the whole nine yards. Her nerves were on edge when they got the US team, and now, her own countryman, the one who's supposed to be the most reliable, most stoic, made this kind of mistake (shows how KS was nervous too).
And then Jae Ha just said, "Hang Ah-ah." She immediately stopped and looked to him to seek comfort and assurance.
Then the intimate heart-to-heart between Jae Ha and KS: Hey, I knew what it's like; I have been beat up by her too. So cute. JH's gentle psyche needling, after Hang Ah's hot punches, completed the treatment of Comrade KS.
These two, brains and brawn, indeed.
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Saima
May 4, 2012 at 9:11 AM
That was some beautifully compelling acting by Ji Won!! She captured every nuance of the myriad of emotions Hang-ah was going through. And, when Jae-ha called her name 'so gently' she started getting teary-eyed. oooof. So lovely, our OTP!! Love that the writers haven't written two-dimensional characters. The roles that our OTP plays w/in their rel'p keeps changing....sometimes she's the source of strength for them to pull through and at other times he's the pillar!! <3
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Raine
May 6, 2012 at 5:57 AM
Agree with you, Ha Ji Won's great in that scene. It's like you can feel all her emotions from her eyes: Anger+disappointment+sadness+anxiety. And when Jae-ha came walking in and called out her name, you can see the little shift in her emotions, getting more teary-eyed and softer.
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Ann
May 4, 2012 at 9:57 PM
They really complement eachother, hang ah keeps him in line whenever hehas the urge to choosing the easy way out of a difficult situation, while Jae ha subdues hang ah when her temper gets the best of her. It reminded me the scene where jae ha played the piano with hang ah explaining how bach and gonoud were born in different times but they made beautiful music together, like them, they have imperfections but together so PERFECT!
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reglest
May 5, 2012 at 5:40 AM
@plain Jane:
It's more than a plain angry, IMO
Kudos to Ha Ji Won. In that scene, I catch not just anger, but a sadness, a disappointed feeling toward her team mate, her eyes told so, it's not just angry eyes, but more likely a pair of eyes that angry of being disappointed.
I noticed that since preview, she told someone to out, but her tone, and how she wave her hand is different when she was angry (or at least how she angry to Jae Ha ). After watch that scene, and see it clearly, she already had that teary eyes even before Jae Ha come in, her emotion indeed burst out when Jae ha come in, showing how she feels embarrassed about that disappointment. This is why Jae Ha's word have the most effect in her, it's not just shooting down her temper, but put her in the guilty side not just about controlling the team, but also about 'ehem' their engagement.
I love Ha Ji Won, she could compelling the nuance, there is subtle difference of her anger, plain, hurt, or disappointed. Again, kudos! Not only for her, but also for the director and editing team who places every little detail to get noticed
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babes
May 5, 2012 at 7:13 AM
*I love Ha Ji Won, she could compelling the nuance, there is subtle difference of her anger, plain, hurt, or disappointed. Again, kudos! Not only for her, but also for the director and editing team who places every little detail to get noticed*
Me too! Me too!
I kinda wish that when this drama ends, I could give them all, every single one, both in front and behind the cameras, a BIG STANDING OVATION AND SHOUT BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!
My love for this drama is just bursting out of my lil' ole heart!
*Sigh*
Gonna be soooo...ooo sad when the curtain comes down.:-(
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reglest
May 5, 2012 at 3:42 PM
yea...it's just three weeks anymore right? *long-heavy-breath* Can't believe it'll be end. I'll miss everything about this drama.
The director is so good, he took the best angle to support the nuance, and how he take every little detail...like how Hang Ah moves her hand, or in Jae Shin scenes, how she was trembling and gripping her wheelchair when the 'valkryie' music start. The directing, audio, lighting and don't forgot the editing was so GREAT. That little detail might be forgotten in other drama, but here, each effort shown by our actress/actor is counted to intensify the situation.
As you @babes: I want to give BIG STANDING OVATION AND SHOUT: BRAVO!!
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98 Jane
May 4, 2012 at 6:19 AM
I am so scared for Shi Kyung right now. I mean, now he is really under BG radar, not only as the son of Secretary Eun, but as a loyal subject of Jae Ha's.
I just really hope they don't kill him. Not only because I am biased and love him, because he is my favorite character. But because he is the love interest for jae Shin and after all she has suffered I really think that killing SK would be just too cruel...for her and us
Another thing, how come we get 3 BG bath scenes and no SK??????
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Duncerblur
May 5, 2012 at 4:30 AM
If they kill Shi Kyung, I swear I will do a John Mayo & shoot my telly.
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ilikemangos
May 5, 2012 at 9:54 PM
puahahaha.
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Saima
May 5, 2012 at 10:23 PM
I hope you have a spare one lying around! =)
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99 p3rk3le
May 4, 2012 at 6:26 AM
that, is one of your best recaps!! loved your every word, and that says a lot considering this was quite a slow ep for me.. :p
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100 Anon
May 4, 2012 at 7:20 AM
Wow, really had a fun time reading your recap and all the comments. I just wanna add that I loved Seung Gi's portrayal of JH so much. The fridge kiss, bubble bath, his winks etc etc are firmly etched in my mind. Seung Gi yah, you have made me one obsessed fan !
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