I loved all of ep 7 except when Jake WTH came in...okay...I know why he's there at ep 8, but I can't console my self....And I agree with the boundary issue...how could he trick her into the ultrasound?...It must've been difficult for JA...now that's not fair...that said, I'm Loving our loverboy Tae Kang....

Maybe it is only me but I am little bit fed up with that continous "cold heart attitude" from her. She never smiles or shows a little bit of emotion (just in the shoe scene and it was for few seconds until she protected herself again with that cold apperance) The contrary she is still very hard and cold with her words in front of TK.
I am also fed up with that kind of "childish" attitude from TK. I think she needs a stronger man. A man with a strong attitude to "break" that "barrier" that she has around her.
The drama is becoming a bit boring....

I'm stopping: I'll marathon when it's done and get the lost cause over with in one painful weekend.

No more anticipation for me, I'm sure that Kim Sun-ah will continue to act her heart out and the script and production won't keep up with her. Too bad.

I think the writer has to make her that way for quite a while to make it real...it's true one might be forced into pregnancy, but one can't force oneself to change overnight....self discovery is usually slow and painful...i think it's realistic...

Hope the writers will make Tae Kang and Ji An a more believable pair in the future. He just seems so far from an ideal partner for her at this point that I'd rather she end up single. Anyone else think that Eun Sung and Na Ri could end up meeting in the future? They would be perfect together - someone who desperately craves attention with someone who has a lot of attention to give, ha!

For me this is the weakest episode of the series... the one that makes or breaks a show... I got over it ( I cringed too much) because episode 8 was gold.
Ep 7 was the bridge between set-up and actual plot, each character have its own trajectory, even though the passing was a bumpy one. I would love to see the show keeping the motherhood as a main plot, but this ain't a jdrama therefore here we go with usual kplot.

Even I am pro choice, I found myself in the situation that we can't have children, yet I keep my conviction. However Hwang JiAn isn't that desperate to give up the baby, it is her chance at motherhood, more in her situation any mom would fight for her baby more than she does, because she is at the age when chances to have a baby are slim without premature menopause at horizon. It wouldn't be beneath me to marry one of the boytoys just to please the society, but in my country the husband is considered the father or if not married the father is simply "unknown". Legally speaking is more complicated than it sounds. I would avoid the doc because he is as manipulative as she is, but more he forces himself into her life - for me it is guy I would put in the "spam" category - not only now... but from the beginning - sometimes it is nice to see the hero doing stuff against heroine's wishes, but he is at creepy stalkerish level - in a situation that even a stalker would be nice to have around.

Tae Kang is still a child and a young horny lad is a bad choice for any woman near menopause, HOW could she even see him as man, so I can understand her attitude against him. Don't get me wrong my husband is 4 years younger than me, but for JiAn TK is all kinds of wrong even in her eyes... this is her drama: she can't even consider him as father nor husband nor even friend because she can't relate to him, she ain't no Knight in Shining armor to save the damsel in distress that TK is right now. It is fun to see him trying for the best doing everything wrong - but this will wear out soon.
But the DOC annoys the hell out of me.
BTW who is the actor playing Jake Han? I loved that finally someone can speak English with a good pronunciation ( the second was the heroine of Marriage Plot ) !! There are so many Korean-American actors with terrible pronunciation but this time at least his lines were believable.

I myself enjoyed this episode and episode 8. Although the pace of this drama is not fast, I like the little moments that gives us another insight into the characters; for example, I like how Tae Kang tries his best to care for Ji An. Although it seems difficult to perceive how he might fall for someone who does not treat him well, I think, overtime they will make a good pair. TK is warm, kind-hearted, devoted to his family (his father) and tries to maintain positiveness, whereas Ji An is cold and not very good in handling personal relationships. I think it is TK's personality that will soften Ji An and help her grow as a person - in areas where she is lacking. I also like to see Ji An struggle between her career, and trying to care for the baby. I like that she didn't succumb to her father's words - to choose the baby or her family - but told him calmly that she will think about it and we know what her answer would be. Also, if anything, I think Ji An is great for doing what she loves, which is not often the case in today's society. Shoes are her passion and I can only imagine what she is going through when her career "plans" seem to fall apart. This a drama that makes me excited to see the characters evolve from where they were to where they will end up.

i love this drama....

I think Episode 8 sold TK (without the spoilers) for me. He, you know, respects boundaries. I don't get that feeling with the doc and I shook my fist at the screen again in Episode 8 at him.

The writer's weakness is clearly characterization. She's kinda new to the game, but if she wants to make compelling dramas, she needs compelling characters that are not all flaws, stereotypes or virtues.

I know how I would fix each of the characters to keep their flaws, but at least make them more compelling.... (Here are my writerly suggestions)

1. The father. OK, he can be a jerk and be all imposing, but if you watched Sweet 19, those traditional values can be illuminated with a background of tradition. Play up the traditional angle. You can do it in these methods:
A. They have a family home he wishes to preserve that's been in his family for generations. He's already gotten the disappointment that Ji-An is a girl, but he wants to protect it from a cousin/relative, so he wants Ji-An to have children quickly. (This makes his character more compelling)
B. He's grown up in the atrocities of war, his family had everything and always talked of privilege, of the old life before the war. (This gives him something to harp on Ji-An about *Why* he's so harsh on her instead of just yelling.) He wishes to return the family to such times. (See Queen Elizabeth II)

It won't make his outburst more forgivable by a long shot, but motivation gives the character dimension and the actors won't get bored and have nothing else to go on. I personally like option A a lot. You have a house to show already from the location. If you go on about how it was in the family straight for generations, it helps. If you add something like the makjang that Evil Second Lead's mother is the one that wants it... it helps the conflict have richness.

2. Fix the mother
Eyeroll from her saying Yeobo--instead, I would have her back up her husband's position and maybe have her background be maybe option B from previous? That would make a tough wall for Ji-An and explain her cold exterior--she's never really gotten support so she had to meek it out for herself all her life. It also would explain the lack of friends evenly. If she has no one to turn to, it also brings sympathy.

3. Fix Eun Sung
He needs subtlety. I want him to be traditional AND move the heart at the same time. So he can be a doctor, yes, but I think the Knight that moves in the background type would be good for him. So he backs up Ji-An in front of her parents, giving her someone on her side, and warming her heart. (Instead of constantly fighting her), yet has a conflict/is torn over her decision to have the baby. He wants to support her, but by the time you get to his confession, you *feel* for him. Because he loves this woman, but he is prolife, yet he was always *dreaming* of having kids with her. (You can facilitate this with *his* dreams* of the future by showing them.) And dammit--make them go out on more dates. Make him win her little by little even if he has to claw at it WITHOUT overstepping boundaries. He also could use a background story on *why* it must be Ji-an. (You don't have to make it makjang, just a throw away line.) I love heroes that suffer a little to get the girl, but show patience at the same time. (See the drama Prosecutor Princess... OMG, that's the definition of background prince... (though he was also his own worst enemy))

4. Fix TK's father.
Man is a stereotype useless mess. I think background on the character is necessary. For example, how much he and his wife really wanted Tae Kang. And *occasionally* he could play (I know, I shouldn't say this) Noble Idiot syndrome for his son *and* have it work. I would like their relationship to look just a bit functional at times. It doesn't have to work 100% of the time, but it should work once in a while, so it doesn't look like they are just perpetually dragging each other down. Also if you add a few lines about how he misses his wife, etc, that would help out.

5. TK
A bit too bumbling/inept. Getting better in Episode 8. I like his shadow knight stuff, and his honesty is showing through. I could have done without the exposition by his father explaining his character. (Which isn't a spoiler since we already know). I would like him to show he can succeed at something, or that he has a glimmer of talent, but is raw around the edges. You can see that kind of thing in such dramas as Baby-Faced Beauty. Her talent was good, just raw around the edges. That way you *believe* he could support Ji-an's decision. This would be instant character arc AND enhance his function in the story (Antithesis to Eun Sung)

I think one can do all of that for the space that was already given *and* hit all of the plot points at the same time. If the doctor wasn't stalking right now, but shadow knighting and sending flowers, making Ji-An laugh even a little smirk to the side, I'd feel for him, even through his traditional values.

Characters are one of the things I know how to do well... you just have to cram a few lines of dialog here or there to get some background in so people UNDERSTAND the character, but doesn't mean they will AGREE with the character. But Understanding will get you far when writing characters. Understanding makes bad characters palatable, even on screen. (Which is why Na-ri isn't quite selling it. Her motivations aren't clear. That's the writing's fault.)

And there are plenty of examples *in Korea* to help flesh out the characters and then take on their own twist over time. Good actors can take character background very far. I have faith in these actors to be able to do that, but the writing needs to throw them a bone.

Thank you for the recap, Gummimochi!

I just noticed this. GD&TOP's song "Bbeoki Gayo", if I'm not mistaken, was inspired by the same phrase from My Lovely Sam Soon. Aaaand then there was this line in the song that went "...Sweet Medusa" Hihi! I just loved how it's all intetionally (and unintentionally) connected to each other :)))

Thanks gummimochi for the recap!

I love this drama so far but I believe the doctor fell in love just a little 2 fast. I am all for team sexy heels/cute baby. I could live in her closet!!!!! KSA yay!!!!

''After a small tussle over her coverup, it’s only after he applies the cold ultrasound gel that he deadpans, “Oh it’s cold.” This part of your petty revenge, man? " = no, actually it's cold, no matter what the doctor wants.

the only reason i am still with this drama is because of ksa (i love her) but man this pacing is killer... we are the HALF WAY POINT and its like all that has happened could have been done in 4 episodes tops! the fact that we are still in character/story development mode is really driving me insane I mean seriously was there really a need to introduce this Jake character... we already know that Na-Ri is still an overly entitled like child ugh... what more.

but just like i hated twilight and yet i finished the series so i can properly bash it... I will do the same with I DO I DO.

Bu if things don't turn around by this week I am officially placing this drama in the "you've just been punk'd" folder

I don't really understand all the "hate" TK gets. Sure, he is still immature, and the fact that he seems to be pretty inept is also kind of annoying. The show told us that he was smart, but they haven't shown us yet. Show us please!

But apart from that, he's got plenty of good characteristics. He's able to stick with a job that's in many ways degrading and demeaning. Yes, he was on the verge of quitting a couple of times, but he didn't. I consider myself a pretty responsible person but I'm not sure I could survive in a work environment like that. Being able to put your pride aside to get the job done seems like something only an adult would be able to do.
He's also kind and respectful of Ji-an's boundaries, more so than that Doctor. He respects and loves his father and would have gone to jail for him. He screws up but accepts responsibility for his mistakes.

Why do you guys hate him so much? o.o I've known plenty of relatively "old" people who act way more immature and despicable than him. He's not perfect by a long shot, but he sure is better than all those stupid playboy jaebol stereotypes. At least he works.

As always ... great job on the recap, Gummimochi! Since I'm a big fan of KSA, I'll stick it out and keep watching along with reading gummi's fab recaps. Here's hoping it gets better.

this keeps coming up in dramas, what or who exactly is daddy long legs?

and I totally love Ji-an, I can't really see her with either of the two guys in the long run, but so what, she would be awesome on her own with her "ankle" (which is a weird name to call your unborn baby, possibly a mistranslation on viki?) she should find some girlfriends to support her and other mums to learn from

Thanks for the recap, don't get bore I'll say it every week :)
you highlight the USG scene, which is to me kinda awkward, but KSA never failed me to laugh and being touched.

one note to who said that KSA's acting is flat, well the character's cold, and lonely, and can't find other actress play cold as natural and felt not evil as KSA. No character detail portrayed, that's bad.

I Felt big part of disappointed here, yeah but sometimes life didn't go as we want and planned like this drama, like how JA's fathers face the fact that JA's pregnant out of wedlock and how he treats his wife, or JA's attitude toward TK which is getting viewers nerve (well you know you need stronger heat to melt iron right?), then TK's character which is overreact sometimes but inside he really is mature man. You guys used to watch Kdrama which has perfect character of one of the lead at least, but not in this drama, each lead has likeable and unlikeable personality. Which is this is a challenge for the actors to fight the story itself.

when you noted all kdrama love life style, actually in reality it didn't go so, majority Korean male are passive people and more to how to survive (based on a confession of Korean singer in my country), you can noticed why K-actors stand single or having no serious relationship. That's it this drama isn't Korean dreams, but reality, so they much or less didn't favor this drama. And this is my worries, from history, fashion drama isn't Korean favor, you can note "style" and "fashion king".

Back to the episode, I felt TK start to throw his immature style after he knows there's other guy, and the heartbeat lyrics, he knows for sure the meaning yet he claims no love to JA, how innocent. Then hoping that Jake didn't fully follow NR's war toward JA, he has good reputation right, he shouldn't help the dirty way.
I'm bit frustration here, the scene that I wish there didn't come out and so much scenes unpublished in the drama. *sigh*

Thanks for the recap gummimochi!

oh dear, why are we losing support for this drama? I thot it is getting better every chapter. KSA is awesome.....pls support her if not for the drama! KSA hwating!

thanks again for the recap

i've been enjoying it so far but i think i'm going to shelve this one for a bit and come back to it later. the gripes with the doctor (def some troubling boundary issues) are the same ones i have and the concern with the parents is another.

i know this is a romcom and her pregnancy is essentially a plot device but a part of me is wincing at the expectation set up in this drama that a baby is going to be the sole impetus for ji-an's "magical" transformation and everything is going to be just so awesome. this isn't a"bad" thing (i can shut my brain down and go with it. i sat through secret garden) however it's one of few tropes i cringe at every time i see it

(unpopular opinion) not all women are meant to be mothers, marriage and child-rearing shouldn't be the apexes of womenhood, and not all women magically become perfect/loving/warm human beings as soon as they're pregnant. the expectation that she's going to transform from medusa to a proper lady after all this has me cringing.

like zsa is correct in saying that the drama is realistic in showing that slow change but i personally have a feeling that change is going to be handled poorly now that we're halfway through the show.

ji'an is about to sacrifice a career she's loves*** and has devoted her entire life to it. this isn't an easy decision to make. the show not getting much mileage over that internal conflict really bummed me out. i'd like to see a bit less of KY and the doctor at this point and have a few episodes dedicated to a bit more self reflection. we got one episode of her oversleeping in her shoe den or whatever but that was it.

***i don't know if korea works the same as other many other countries but as soon as a woman has a child and gets married, she's essentially taken out of the workforce, and put to raise a family. there's an expectation thrust upon her that she will delay returning to the workforce until her children reach school age. for many independent women, this creates a bit of a burden on her husband as she remains dependent on her husband's income to help sustain this change.

granted, times are changing and this might not be the case with all women (thank god). some husbands are more than happy to step up and push equal time in child rearing and don't call raising their own child as "babysitting". however women (especially in the states) deal with the unfortunate reality of diminished earnings and losing financial autonomy after choosing to start a family as the corporate world isn't that accommodating. the business world pushes a crap ultimatum on women (work or family) and i thought that this conflict would be at the forefront of this drama but we get comedy and what's shaping up to be a love rectangle.

either way, i'll still read the recaps and come back to this drama as i actually like the actors.

I'm really curiuos about this drama..
can i ask when will be the next recap?

Am I the only one that thinks that Yeom Na-Ri looks exactly like SHINee's Taemin?

Does anyone else notice the way JA shakes hands. She doesn't really grip the other person's hand and just let her hand slide...it's pretty detached, but when she shook ES hands during their goodbye, it was still the same....so he hasn't captured her heart...hehe...it's just something i noticed...

TK's imagined bedroom scene had me laughing hard.
I actually like this drama and will continue to watch. Sure it is flawed and some of the characters are a PITA *cough* mom and dad*cough*, but I am entertained.

The story is a little messy...at this point, who can help JA? The doctor is doing what he knows how to do, and TK is trying so hard to do what is right...but the age thing is too much for me. And who needs this Jake guy...yuckeroo...and who needs Nari for that matter? and the parents of both JA and TK...
I think that the struggle that JA had about whether to keep the baby or not, is the only real thing in this drama. I have several older friends who terminated their pregnancies when they were young, and all of them still suffer from the decision they made. In keeping the baby, she may jeopardize her career...Nari would gloat...at least the doctor has the means to take care of her if they eventually get together. Can you imagine if JA and TK would marry? Cute as he is, they'd be living off her savings and in her place...and who's going to take care of the baby? At this point, I don't really want to know...THE recap however, is always priceless!

I don't like TK's and JA interaction - he's OTT and she's too cold.

TK is a real pain in the bum - a real baby - childish, immature and dumb. For real. The only character I truly like is the doc (not just because he's nice to look at...). He seems to at least have his head on his shoulders as well as his heart - if slightly off centre, in the right place.

The parents are one-dimensional and boring and JA's friend seems 'on'/'off' about JA having her baby.

OH man does her dad suck or what? Thanks for the recap looking forward to the next ep!

Wanted to add a few more points here:

KSA character I hold in the same regard as Meryl Streep's Devil Wears Prada Anna Wintoar-esque inspired character & Sandra Bullock's the Proposal character. A career driven businesswoman in a predominantly male position has to gain a thicker skin in order to succeed and not be ruled by emotions when making critical decisions. Therefore I find the comments of her "one noted character" a little to harsh because this is a multi-facet character with many layers (like an onion). On the exterior she's this cold, hardcore boss that was able to mold her collegues to toe the line and pushes them to suceed (coming off as standoffish and robotic) while on their interior and personal side they are lonely, sensitive and most of loving. This is a very complex character to portray and not many actress could have pulled it off without coming off as extreme biatches. So Kim Sun Ah is doing a bang up job with this character.

Mostly I am having a huge (H U G E) problem with the story's pace and development as it is really really really lagging.

I think they spent way to much time building this story between Jian and Eun Sung aka creepy doctor (which surprisingly I don't find creepy at all, overbearing yes but not creepy). I think his character is one that saw something he wanted and went full steam on it. And knowing the full measure of Ji-an, after their first conversation that was pretty revealing, he’s way ahead became very clear… lest not forget that had she not been preggers then this story would have ended up with the Good Doctor as the main and not second fiddle.

Now getting on the Tae Kung character a little: yes, I agree that he is that loveable, slightly gullible, a little clueless dork that Ji-an just happened to stumble upon. And I totally buy that he is somewhat fond/falling for her despite her flaws. As any non-virgin could tell you, you kinda hold your first in a higher regard especially during those first few rose tinted months. So his being intrigued/taken by her and not wanting to own up or fess up is totally within that character. It is said the last person to find out they are in love is oneself.

In regards to Jian and TK interactions: even when she’s at her nastiest, he is still there. I think the breaking off of the teams was a good thing for their story development but more on that in episode 8. What I find somewhat disturbing is that theya re building this as a one-sided love for TK so far. He’s the one fantasizing and thinking the possibility and she’s telling everyone and her mother that she is pregnant but him.

All in this “love” triangle (without bringing in Na-Ri who is acting way to into TK) they haven’t really built up the rivalry much and we are on episode 8 people… we are half way there!

They need to hurry this up.

I really enjoyed episode 8 and I'm loving the drama. I like the slower pace because it really lets us learn about each of the characters especially Ji An.

I feel protective of Ji An and I like her very much. I think she and I would get along well in real life because I am not put off by people who seem cold on the outside or intimidated by people who have passion for their work. Most people who seem cold on the outside are extremely deep feeling or even neurotic, (even more so than those who seem outwardly gregarious and friendly), but they just keep it all inside.

Also, unlike others I actually don't think she's Medusa. She's not that mean of a boss. She's just someone who has a lot of responsibility and is serious about her work. Meryl Streep in Devil Wears Prada was 100 times worse than her. Plus Ji An treats all her employees and Tae Kang way better than any of the office staff treat Tae Kang. She's hard on them, but gives them opportunities, like the competition they are working on. She is never just downright degrading to them like the staff and Jake Han (what a douche) is to Tae Kang.

I find it disheartening that people think that Ji An is *not fit* to be a mother just because she has been so career driven up to this point...

I really appreciate how much time the drama has spent on the pregnancy and how Ji An responds to it as well as others. I feel like by treating the pregnancy with real seriousness it is not a device used simply to bring two very unlikely people together. Instead the pregnancy is how we learn about each of the main characters and especially Ji An, whose innermost thoughts, fears and struggles we know. I just really, really like Ji An. She feels real and she feels adult. Like she's lived life and learned a thing or two although like everyone else, there is still so much to learn.

I really like Tae Kang also. I feel like most of the dramas characterization energy is sucked up by Ji An and so Tae Kang is drawn with really broad strokes, but I don't mind. I like the actor playing Tae Kang so I admit my own bias, but I find Tae Kang funny and loveable, albeit often time irritating goofball. I don't think he is irresponsible at all, but just trying to figure out what to do with his life and how to do it. He has some really great virtues, such as loyalty and respect, respect, respect! He can work on the other stuff. Plus I think he would make a good Dad given how good of a relationship he has with his own dad and the fact that he is willing to take on the role without having to be told to do so because it's a responsibility.

Eun Sung confuses me. How can you yell at someone telling them how horrible they are one day and then the next day be taking care of them and keeping their secret. He needs to get his rap straight. He is emotionally manipulative towards Ji An and that really irks me. Are you the supportive friend with deeper feelings or are you jilted possible lover? Get it straight and stop giving us whiplash already. Also what role is he proposing he has in her life by continuing to be by her side as Ji An's pregnancy?

...looking forward to the next episode.

I feel like giving up on this drama. I completely lost all interest in the drama after the first half of this episode. I don't know if it's just me but the karaoke and drunk scenes felt so friggin' long! Way to stall the drama with boring and pointless scenes! There's not much comedy either. I enjoy watching Ji An and Eunsung more so than Ji An and Tae Kang. When Ji An and the doctor shook hands, it was her who didn't want to let go of his hand. Along with his and her confession to him about how she can see herself with him in the future clearly shows that she's interested in him. But her visit to the doctor was annoying. Seriously, can this woman just stop thinking about her damn shoes!?Anways, Tae Kang and Ji An together is just soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring! If this goes on like this in episode 8, I am seriously going to stop. As of right now, I am only doing this for the doctor and Yesung's song. Haha.

Love the ending! Super funny.....but I am definitely getting an eerie feelung from the doc. Time for u to give up and forget.

Who is playing Jake Han? I have searched everywhere, but can't seem to find it. Thank you! :-))

@Sweeta jake han is oh min suk (/seok) n doesnt anyone think he looks like a mature(older) Im seulong frm 2AM??

Well I'm a late comer to the series and let me tell you this. That Jake character is a TOTAL D-BAG. OMG, how obnoxious can you get?

Okay that's all.

I'm still watching but so far it's pretty hard to relate to these characters. They frustrate you to the high heavens and you sit there and think, "how can people treat each other like that?" Well I guess it's true. Life is a "rat race."

SMH