I Do, I Do: Episode 10

by gummimochi

The show has gained its footing and just in time. This episode cushioned the crazy antics of last episode by adding more cute and more heart. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten why we fell for you in the first place, drama. Both leads have to face one crucial question: Will love or career come out on top?

Ratings are holding still at 10.4% for Episode 9 and 10.5% for Episode 10.

EPISODE 10 RECAP

Ji-an steps in as Tae-kang hurls insults at Dr. Without Borders, his hands still gripped on his collar. He starts explaining Eun-sung’s McCheaterson ways but stops mid-sentence when she sends him and icy stare. Fuming, she orders him to follow her.

Now outside, she lets out her anger while Tae-kang protests that he thought he caught Eun-sung cheating red-handed. She retorts that even if Eun-sung was, Tae-kang shouldn’t have let his fists fly first. Her words sting: “Who the hell are you? Are you such a pathetic bastard?”

Tae-kang doesn’t see the point to apologize to anyone who won’t take responsibility for their actions and Ji-an repeats again that she’s no one’s possession. With that, she orders him to apologize.

After a smart kick under the table, Tae-kang braces himself and serves an apology no one finds believable. His further attempts aren’t any more genuine than the last. Fed up, Eun-sung rises, stating that they’ll need to settle compensation.

He throws out an arbitrarily high sum ($1000) for his wimpy injuries, Jun-hee adding fuel to the fire that he has emotional repercussions as well. On the sidelines Choong-baek begs his friend to plead for forgiveness on his knees but Tae-kang puts his foot down, unwilling to compromise his pride.

When Ji-an steps up to pay for it herself, Tae-kang insists that he’ll pay. “It’s better than running away like a coward.”

Problem is he can’t scrounge up the money with his credit cards wiped. So he sidles up to Choong-baek who brushes him off that this is Tae-kang’s lesson. Now Ji-an will think of him as pathetic and like a child. He leaves his buddy in the dust.

Jun-hee’s eyes nearly pop out of her head when she learns that not only is Tae-kang the father, he thinks that the baby is Eun-sung’s. Getting a headache out of the complicated triangle, she instructs Ji-an to cut ties with Baby Daddy (i.e. fire him). Ji-an’s already tied down because of the pregnancy – does she want to be dragged down by its father?

Tae-kang has no means to provide child support or be of any reasonable help. She should be lucky if he doesn’t live off her her money. Ji-an comes to his defense, “He’s…not that kind of kid.”

At Jun-hee’s argument that he balked at the compensation, Ji-an counters that it’s no small sum – doesn’t she remember the woes of working for less than minimum wage? Things are tough and finding new employment is difficult which Jun-hee interprets as empathy towards Tae-kang.

She advises Ji-an that marrying Eun-sung will solve all of those problems to which Ji-an tells her to get out.

Ji-an sits in her shoe closet examining her sketches (all of Tae-kang aww). She mutters to Ankle, “What am I to do about your father?” She receives a text from Eun-sung about an expecting mothers class.

Eun-sung, who’s out on a run to take his mind off of things smiles and laugh at her curt reply, “Yes.”

The next day, Ji-an spots one of the other mothers reading her autobiography and gets caught in her attempt to sneak away. She doesn’t want to be recognized and Eun-sung comes to the rescue with a quick change of wardrobe much more demure than her high fashion.

She has trouble in Lamaze class and gets polite laughter after she introduces herself as “Ankle’s mother, 13 weeks.”

Dr. Without Borders leads the women through a mindfulness activity. Ji-an raises an eyebrow at the whole “imagine your happiest moment” concept at first but complies when Eun-sung gently reprimands her to concentrate.

The recent picnic date in the park comes to her mind; memories of sketching under the shade, falling asleep on Tae-kang’s shoulder. Realization settles in as her eyes flutter awake… hm maybe she does have feelings for Tae-kang after all. About time, I’ll say.

At the office, Na-ri looks curiously over a studious Tae-kang memorizing shoe jargon. When he greets her, he immediately notices her shoes (the same ones she picked up in the trash) but she cuts him off before he can verbally recognize them, telling him that she bought them. Then she makes it a point to walk backwards to show them off.

She calls him into her office to present him with a spankin’ new pair of golf-style dress shoes which are much better than the casual sneakers he wears to work. Tae-kang’s grateful for the gift but then she pouts and puts out her hands, explaining that if one giveth one must also receive. HA – I love you more like this: less evil and more bumbling cute.

Eun-sung concludes that Ji-an isn’t gaining enough weight on her pregnancy timeline and he brings her to the jokbal restaurant to put on some pounds. They find it closed to Ji-an’s dismay… which is when Tae-kang and Na-ri come walking in their direction. Hellllooo awkward four-way stare!

Na-ri wonders how Ji-an managed to keep such a catch (cough) under the radar
and asks about Eun-sung’s bruise. He dismisses it as getting in a tussle with a dog (namely a chihuahua) and Tae-kang silently seethes.

The fact that Tae-kang’s already sporting the new dress shoes and digs in that VP got it for him and that it’s brand name. She calmly dishes back, “I thought they were knockoffs.”

Ji-an’s annoyance meter rises when she hears that the two are quite friendly and when Eun-sung orders for the both of them. There’s no need to be embarrassed because she’s beautiful even if she gains weight.

He offers to pay for their meal (Tae-kang is downing his water by this point) and when Tae-kang is asked what they should get, he whispers, “The most expensive thing. Double it.” Then Eun-sung orders it. HA!

I love how they exchange stares all, Two can play this game, buddy.

Don’t you love it how all women’s arguments take place in front of the bathroom mirror? Ji-an gives a passing compliment to Na-ri’s reformed shoes, figuring it’s Jake’s handiwork. Na-ri corrects her that she found a designer who has great sense, passion, and good-looking to boot. Who’s that? “Park Tae-kang.”

Na-ri is sad to hear that Tae-kang is still lacking as a up and coming designer in Ji-an’s eyes and advises that she treat her one and only team member better. He could be a hidden gem after all.

But Ji-an throws that idea back at her – is she really keeping an eye on her own team members? They’re giving their all– and Na-ri interrupts, observing that Ji-an’s gotten bigger. To avoid the confrontational question, she pettily wonders if it’s because Ji-an’s older.

“And you don’t think you’ll get older?” Ji-an retorts as Na-ri gasps in horror. Bragging about youth is simply petty and Na-ri does look a little older than her age…

She best take care of herself or else she’ll find herself looking like an ajumma the next moment. “It’s called ‘Conservation of Self Healing.'” Hehehe…

The boys are having their own battle at the table. Eun-sung assures Tae-kang that he needn’t worry about the compensation; it was just a scare tactic. Tae-kang, on the other hand, has a more pressing question on his mind: Is he really not going to marry Ji-an?

Tae-kang doesn’t find Eun-sung’s answer that he respects Ji-an’s opinion acceptable. He calls the Doc out that he’s giving that pathetic excuse because Eun-sung doesn’t want to get married.

Then Eun-sung asks (in banmal) what he should do. Should he propose to Ji-an this instant? Go ahead and get a marriage license? Move in with Ji-an and send out wedding invitations? Is this what Tae-kang imagined?

No, it’s not because Tae-kang sighs in response, “I just… want her to be happy.” Awww.

So Eun-sung concludes that Tae-kang wanted something more like out of a drama and says, “Don’t worry. Whether it’s a soap opera or a melodrama, it’s our movie. So we’ll film it ourselves.”

Tae-kang can go shoot his own movie and he tells him to stop butting in. Seriously you should be giving these talks to yourself, Dr. Without Borders.

Then when the ladies return, he twists Tae-kang’s words by mentioning that Tae-kang asked when they were going to get married. Damn it Doc! Grave meet bigger hole. Ji-an stares at Tae-kang to gauge his reaction and she rises from the table with Eun-sung first, mistakenly leaving her phone behind.

Ji-an asks the question I’ve got burning in my head too, “What was that?” He answers that if they’re going to trick people, they might as well go big or go home. But he’s noticed that Ji-an is especially concerned around Tae-kang – is it because he’s the father?

Ji-an admits to it and turns back the question onto him: Is that why Eun-sung acted like that to him? “How childish.”

What Eun-sung can’t wrap his head around is where Tae-kang stands in her life. Does she have feelings for him? These are all questions you should be writing down in your own self reflection journal.

Ji-an answers that they’re only have a biological tie. “It’s just like getting sperm from a sperm bank. Not a man, but an organism without meaning or value. He’s like a speck of dust. You satisfied?”

…which is the same answer that Tae-kang overhears not too far away, having stepped outside to return her phone. Once he’s gone, she stammers, “How much has he heard?” Angry, Eun-sung tells her to ask him herself.

Na-ri clocks Tae-kang’s mood and comments that the two look good together. Tae-kang scoffs at her comment that Eun-sung must really like Ji-an. In her eyes, she thought Ji-an as pretty for the first time.

Women who receive love are more radiant than those who give it. “Which is why people are attracted to those already in a relationship.”

Dad marvels at the shoes (Tae-kang gave them to him as a gift, aw) as Tae-kang watches television about non-Korean married women. That sparks him to ask what kind of woman Dad would approve of.

He gets the classic, “It doesn’t matter as long as you’re in love,” answer, even approving someone who’s much older. What about a woman pregnant with another man’s child then?

Dad’s face grows stern and soon Tae-kang finds himself in a headlock between Dad’s legs.

How adorable is it that Tae-kang leaves her a pint of milk on her desk asking that he needs more time to work on his high heels report? Ji-an lets out the smallest of smiles and then runs through his 200 sketches. She sighs deeply, conflicted about having to fire him.

The pregnancy hormones seemed to have shifted into higher gear because now Ji-an has the nose of a bloodhound, super sensitive to any strange smells. She starts lurching to everyone’s astonishment.

Naturally the first conclusion in dramaland is preggers (which no one explains but I’m amazed how quick everyone is on the uptake to suspect this) … and then Tae-kang pretends to gag with her.

With the power of suggestion, everyone else starts wondering if the food’s gone bad and gags themselves. He gets scolded for his actions.

Ji-an mutters that he didn’t have butt in but Tae-kang’s sharp enough to know that she’s truly grateful. This time he accepts his reading assignment without complaint, flipping through the pages for a sneak preview.

Noticing that he’s back to wearing his old sneakers, her lips curl into a half-smile to hear that he’s given them away to Dad. And then he does the sweetest thing ever, presenting her with a small gift: erasers that are perfect mini replicas of the very first pair of shoes she ever designed.

Ji-an is clearly moved but she doesn’t show it, “Who told you to make these?” Returning them, she ices that if he had this kind of spare time, he could have spent it on his shoe design training. He throws them in the trash and leaves.

Madame Jang calls the next minute and Ji-an turns down the opportunity for a major broadcasting network to do a documentary on her life. Jake tells Na-ri that he loves the work of this mysterious designer, citing that it reminds him of his own first design.

Bong-soo pulls Tae-kang aside to let him know of a new job position that’s perfect for his father. Tae-kang tells him that it’s impossible because Ji-an will recognize him as the man who makes knockoffs. But one detail of what the salary is makes Tae-kang gasp in surprise.

Cut to: Dad in a wig and a drawn on mole. I torn between this and Tae-kang in drag last episode. Dad’s reluctant that the disguise will work but changes his tune when he hears about the salary. Like father, like son.

They walk down the hall totally, I’ve got this, wary of anyone who might recognize them. They allllmost make it past Na-ri who stops them. She gives a curious look and starts, “Those shoes…” then lets them go. You can almost see the phew on their faces.

The staff has finally figured out that Jake never intended to incorporate them into the design process when Madame Jang comes to visit. Ji-an’s away and she waits in her office. She notices the old lady’s face covered up and gives off what is a seemingly pissed off expression.

Then she wonders at the prenatal vitamins and medications left on the coffee table. Her eyes flicker. OH NO – does she know?!

Next thing we know, her secretary reports that it’s true – Ji-an’s pregnant.

Ji-an and Tae-kang are busy shopping around for fabrics. These two should just drink health drinks all the time. So darned cute. Tae-kang gets overly sensitive about anyone who comes near Ji-an and then ends up covering her with his body so she doesn’t get hit. Instant backhug.

He follows her like a loyal puppy, even suggesting they take a little break, insisting that he’s fine.

Aww, Se7en is returned to his happy parents’ arms for the first time and the staff celebrate his survival. Eun-sung thinks back to when Se7en grasped Ji-an’s finger. Her earlier words about how childish he acted towards Tae-kang tug at him and he sends her a text to celebrate Se7en’s discharge from the hospital.

Which of course for Dr. Without Borders means he can drop by with food in hand. But then he sees Tae-kang driving into the parking lot with Ji-an sleeping in the car.

Tae-kang gently wakes Ji-an and when she’s too tired to get out, he walks over to her side of the car. Ji-an jolts awake when he moves to lift her and Tae-kang tells her that he’s doing it thinking of the baby’s welfare.

Very slowly, she places her arms around his neck and allows him to carry her out of the car. Eun-sung looks on with disbelief and shock. He places his hand over the car door but then lets go.

Tae-kang carries her all the way to her bed. He asks if he should call “that person” (Eun-sung) and tells her that these are the times where she could call upon the father. Hey that’s you!… but you don’t know that yet.

Her indifference towards it makes Tae-kang ask if there’s something wrong with Eun-sung. He’s got a good job, money, and pretty good-looking… Ji-an asks, “Do you want to see me with him?”

Tae-kang tells her that it’s better off than facing it alone and it’s not like he can be by her side forever… Gah, why are you trying to break my heart?!

She declines his insistence to stay longer to cook or clean and she grants him to take photos of her shoe closet so he can practice his sketching. The sketchbook’s in there!!

He snaps photos of the shoes and smiles when he sees his mini erasers next to their real-life model.

Ji-an sits on her bed, loneliness slowly sinking in. She absent-mindedly grants Tae-kang to look through her sketchbook. She runs in… but Tae-kang’s seen all the sketches he needs to see.

He holds them up and asks why she drew them. She says they’re nothing and squeak-whispers, “Hand it over.” He stands there frozen, and she takes the sketchbook from him.

But as she turns to leave, he whirls her around and tells her, “Let’s be honest to each other for just 1 minute.” He repeats his question why she drew sketches of him. She stares back at him, silent.

Tae-kang gazes into her eyes and he carefully pulls her into a tender kiss. After they break apart, both of them need to catch their breath. Then Tae-kang says, “I’ll be going.” and actually LEAVES?! THAT’S IT?!

Outside, he breaks into the biggest smile, his hand on his heart, “I thought my heart was going to burst!” You’re satisfied with that wimpy little kiss?!

Eun-sung is still in his car, shell-shocked.

Dad celebrates his recent hiring with Choong-baek and Bong-soo over a drink. The others worry about Tae-kang’s reaction towards Dad’s employment. So they all freeze when Tae-kang bursts in, “Dad!” thinking that he’s upset… but then Tae-kang pulls Dad into a hug, “I love you!”

They’re interrupted by Na-ri and Jake’s arrival. Tae-kang stares wide-eyed at the opportunity they’re offering: a chance to study abroad and work as an intern in Jake’s company, all expenses paid.

Jake explains that he’s seen Tae-kang’s potential and genuinely impressed by Tae-kang’s work with Na-ri’s shoes and the design in the Reform Contest. At Tae-kang’s gape expression, he reminds Tae-kang that this is usually the moment where the person wells up with emotion, touched.

He excuses himself to the bathroom and lights up. This is like the best day of your life in both the personal and career sense, kiddo.

Ji-an thinks back to the kiss, placing a finger over her lip. Madame Jang drops by to visit and hands Ji-an a sushi dinner with a smile. Damn you, woman; I don’t know that much about pregnancy but I know sushi is no good if you’re preggers!

Ji-an stiffens as Madame Jang picks up a prenatal education book from her coffee table. Before she can tell the truth, Madame Jang cuts her off with a smile, “Congratulations… on your marriage. When’s the wedding?”

Apologizing that she should have informed Madame Jang sooner, Ji-an tells her that she plans on raising the child alone. Madame Jang continues to play dumb, telling her that Ji-an has built up her reputation as a successful gold miss and now she’s going to be a single mother? Can she introduce her as a future President of the company now?

Which is when Ji-an firmly replies, “I will give up on the chance to be President.”

COMMENTS

Aw, yeah. I love this dilemma. The workaholic gives up the top of the career throne while the family man has a chance to advance his career. I was wondering why the writers were pulling the thread to this inevitable truth that Tae-kang really needs to hear at this point; about the truth of Ji-an’s pregnancy. But I’m going to continue to roll with it for now… don’t ask me why, but I’m curious to see how the writers will handle the grave they keep digging themselves further in. Don’t you know you stop at 6 feet under? No? Still digging?

I love that Ji-an took that stance of choosing motherhood over running a company which might have been her initial dream. I also love that she didn’t skirt the issue when Madame Jang came to see her, just hinting that she might know about the pregnancy without actually outright admitting that she does. This is her way of taking ownership for her actions, being firm on her decisions, ready to face the consequences that come with them.

It makes me wonder if Ji-an ever looked to Madame Jang as a mother figure at all given that she kept her own at arm’s length for a while. Though it’s beyond me why she should if this is true because there’s hardly any kind of mother vibe I get under that thick armor of conniving eeevvviiiilll. But it would make an interesting turn of events of learning more about motherhood and to be a good mother from her biological mom than one who doesn’t know love. What kind of mother, nay what kind of person would send Na-ri on a blind date with a jerk?

I loved how Ji-an’s realization that she may like Tae-kang played out during Lamaze class and especially in front of Dr. Without Borders. We got teeny hints that suggested that she didn’t hate him but in this episode from defending Tae-kang to the sketches to the tiny eraser shoes we can tell she cares just a wee bit. What’s great is that her happiest moment is the two of them sketching at the park which perfectly mirrors an earlier episode when Ji-an imagined herself drawing with her imaginary daughter. You might gripe that “why is she still being mean to Tae-kang” and I’m with you on that issue but if something taps your cold Medusa heart, wouldn’t you think that vulnerability was you acting out of character?

So I’ll be honest – I was spoiled about the kiss (and for a spoiler-free girl like me I was NOT happy about it) so it didn’t quite have the same ‘sqqqueee’ effect it could have been. But I appreciated how gentle Tae-kang was and despite my initial “THAT’S IT?!” outburst, I realized that even placing his head near hers is just about a great as a feat as taking the first steps on the Moon. I just wanted moar.

What I would do to be swept off of my feet.

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• I Do, I Do: Episode 3
• I Do, I Do: Episode 2
• I Do, I Do: Episode 1