Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 12
by girlfriday
It’s an episode of breakthroughs and baby steps for everyone, though none more than our heroine who takes some bold new leaps, fueled by the power of one cheerleader puppy who really does believe that love conquers all. But what’s great about this story is that love isn’t a magical cure-all for Dok-mi, but a boost of much-needed courage to start opening her door.
EPISODE 12: “The wind blows. I like you.”
KISS! *rewind* Tears fall as their lips meet, and they pull away slowly. Suddenly a noise from the doorway startles them out of the moment. (Drat that timing.)
Dok-mi goes to see what it is, and finds Jin-rak’s flipbook of post-its on the ground. Aw, it’s as if its sticky quotient symbolically got sapped the second Enrique kissed her. Poor Post-It Man.
She picks them up, and Enrique notes how like Jin-rak those post-it notes are: “Slowly, one by one, bit by bit, carefully, carefully coming closer. But I’m not like that. I’ll never forget your face when you were looking at the ocean. So I’m going to take you to better places, to eat tastier things, and I’m going to be next to you, looking at your face and laughing and chatting.”
She doesn’t answer, but she notably doesn’t look upset about it either. She actually looks pleased at the prospect of going outside. He now takes note of the fact that in her confession she said she liked him in the past tense, and though he used to care about those technicalities before, he decides he doesn’t care: “I remember very clearly, you said you like me!”
While he chatters away on his own, Dok-mi smiles and thinks to herself that the old Ke-geum is back. Seconds later, he says aloud, “I think I’ve returned to normal.” He was right—their telepathy is back.
He beams: “Because you like me, I feel like I can solve anything in the world.” He leans in close to say, “Ajumma, just keep liking me, and I’ll like you more, more, more, more.” HE’S SO CUTE.
Jin-rak and Dong-hoon go out to eat after their PD visit, and Dong-hoon thanks him sincerely for the credit on their webtoon, but says even still he has to quit. He admits now that he has to support his family, and all those nights that hyung thought he was out clubbing, he was really working.
He describes the endless string of late-night jobs he’s had, all to pay the family bills, but also to keep his days free. “Because of my dream. Because I had to draw during the day.” He says, head hanging, that perhaps dreams aren’t for people like him. Dong-hoon, don’t make me cry!
Jin-rak can’t believe it, and asks how much he needs. Dong-hoon laughs at the offer, coming from the guy who can’t even make rent, but Jin-rak says he’s actually a rich heir who ran away to chase his dream. Lol, he sounds like he’s kidding but I don’t think he is.
What’s funnier isn’t the reveal, since we all suspected as much, but the fact that the prince-playing-manhwa-pauper line is something they’ve said to each other countless times as a joke, so Dong-hoon doesn’t take him seriously and they just railroad right over it.
Jin-rak says Dong-hoon can’t quit because now he can’t draw this webtoon without him, and this is his first start at realizing his dream, his life goal. Dong-hoon runs off to work, and promises to think about it some more.
Back in Dok-mi’s apartment, Enrique announces that they’re dating now, and busts out the dictionary definition of the word. HA. The definition describes people who are in love, and Dok-mi’s eyes widen at the word, thinking to herself: “Love? I said like!”
As if he can hear her thoughts, he says that “like” and “love” are practically the same thing, and goes round and round in circles till he gets to the end result, which is that they’re dating now. She just gapes silently, wondering if he really can read her mind.
He declares that their first order of business is to unpack her things, but Dok-mi says someone’s coming to see the apartment tomorrow, and it’s too late to back out. He whines that she’s running away, while she says she’s just finally chasing her dreams, like a squirrel who finally gets to crack open the nuts it saved all winter long.
His point is a valid one—why can’t she open her nuts here? He asks if she’s going to write children’s books where the hero runs away from all his problems, and says that all the cool books he’s read are about characters who go out into the world and face their problems. “I want you to write books like that. And I want you to be like that.” And that is why we love you.
She just gets avoidy and tells him to go home because it’s getting late. He says he can’t because there’s a soccer match on tonight and his hyung’s tv is soooo old. She gives him a hairy eyeball: “I saw the new wall tv.” He crosses his arms over his chest, feigning shock. “You’ve been watching all this time?” Hee.
He switches to writer-editor mode, suggesting that they work on a new lecture, using his professional voice. When that doesn’t work, he whines that he’s injured and she’s throwing him out into the street where he might have a horrible accident. And then he bites bandaged hand for effect. This guy.
He announces online that he’s going to do a fan meeting especially for game addicts, but only under one condition: they have to bring a parent with them. Yay, he’s listening to her suggestion.
Jin-rak trudges home and pauses in front of Dok-mi’s door, but can’t bring himself to ring the doorbell.
Suddenly a noise in the hallway brings everyone outside. It’s a drunk Do-hwi, at first knocking on Jin-rak’s door, slurring that she’s ready to be honest. But when he comes out, she says that there’s someone else she really wants to be honest with, and starts calling out for Dok-mi.
Enrique goes inside and urges her to face Do-hwi, because the problem isn’t going to go away on its own. He promises to be right by her side, and says she can do it.
So the four of them relocate to Jin-rak’s apartment, where the boys sit off to the side. Do-hwi launches into a totally defensive rant, asking why it’s so hard for Dok-mi that she lives this way, why she let the rumors grow without explaining herself, like it was her own fault. Gah, I want to slap her.
She admits that she made up a lie when those popular girls took an interest in her, but accuses Dok-mi of being the one who lied about their teacher (Do-hwi is still under the delusion that he liked her and not Dok-mi.) and that all people lie, like it’s some defense.
Jin-rak gets so antsy that he says he can’t take it anymore, and starts to get up. But Enrique stops him, whispering, “She’ll speak. She has to.” Dok-mi wrings her hands the whole time, growing more and more agitated. So do the boys, waiting and waiting, wondering if they need to step in. Finally, she gets up and speaks.
Dok-mi:It was hard for you? Should I be comforting you? Should I say sorry? Transfer? How could I bring up a transfer to my grandmother who was barely holding on, waiting for me to graduate? The rumors that grew more each day, the lies, the looks that turned me into trash—that’s poison. I ate poison every day. DID YOU NOT KNOW?! I was dead then. I’m not pretending not to know you now. That girl isn’t here anymore! SHE’S DEAD! SHE’S GONE!
Do-hwi breaks down, crying that Dok-mi was always stronger than her, but she needed other friends, to be accepted and not an outcast. Dok-mi: “Was I not enough for you? It was always just the two of us, but I was good with just you. More than ten friends, or a hundred, you were enough for me.”
I think it’s that realization that finally sinks in for Do-hwi. Enrique smiles in this bittersweet way to himself, sad but proud of her for finally saying it.
Dok-mi goes back home, and though she’s still shaking, she sighs in this way like she’s finally let go of a burden. Enrique approaches her carefully, and presents her with a cup full of dull pencils, saying that the best time to sharpen them is when your heart is feeling pointy.
He tells her try it—to think of each dull pencil like her bumpy heart, and as she sharpens them, her heart will calm down in the process. So she gives it a try, whittling them by hand as she thinks of Do-hwi, while he watches over her with a smile.
She walks him out to her door, and they promise to say good morning from their windows. She thanks him for being by her side today, and he counters that she was the one who stayed by his side, holding up his bandaged hand.
He tells her to go inside, but she lingers and declares, “I want to try going outside. Out into the world.” Yaaaaaaaaay!
He’s so happy he just grabs her in a hug, holding on for a good long while as he says they have so much to do now.
They say goodnight, and he starts to walk down the hall, turning back to look one more time. This is the moment that kills me: instead of shutting her door and running inside like she always did before, she stands there, holding her door open, lingering and wanting to see him just a little longer.
They stop every few seconds to look again, or to wave, wanting to make the day last just a few seconds longer. It’s maybe the cutest thing ever.
The next day, Enrique meets Jin-rak and the boys start blaming each other for Dok-mi wanting to move. Enrique says that Dok-mi seems to trust him, so he’s going to try trusting him one more time.
He adds a thank you for bringing her to the hospital yesterday, and Jin-rak insists it’s the last time he’ll do that. Enrique says that Dok-mi is ready to come out into the world, and is asking for help, so they join forces to try and get her not to move.
Jin-rak gets an idea that involves their neighbor lady (because they’re under the impression that she’s the landlord though that seems wrong by all indication), so the four flower boys come knocking on her door.
They ply her with dessert and then start ask for her help in getting the prospective tenant not to take Dok-mi’s apartment, say by raising the security deposit a gazillion times or something. She just stares blankly, wondering what she can do.
The security guard ajusshi is there to stop them from saying it outright, and jumps into the conversation… by confessing that he loves her? Ha, anyway, it sends her running. He tells the boys that she can’t know that they know that she’s the landlord. Enrique wonders why there are so many people here who need to hide their identities, with a sidelong glance at Jin-rak.
They decide to try and scare the prospective tenant then, and Enrique suggests that if it’s a man, they’ll tell him the building is leaning, and if it’s a woman, that there’s a nut job living next door. All eyes turn to Dong-hoon to play the part. Hee.
On their way out, Enrique asks Dong-hoon if he wants a part-time job, because he needs someone to film his talk so he can put it up online. Dong-hoon already knows about the addicts and parents talk he’s planning, and wonders if anyone will even come.
Enrique: “Why wouldn’t they, when they have the chance to see my genius, adorable face?” They try really hard not to hit him, and Jin-rak tells Dong-hoon to un-follow his tweets.
Jin-rak only agrees to come after hearing that Dok-mi is coming, though he doesn’t think she’ll come to such a crowded event. Enrique comes knocking when it’s time, and she reacts as expected, not wanting to be around so many people. But Enrique asks SO CUTELY that she can’t say no. Jin-rak’s jaw drops to see that she really came.
Enrique gives his talk and then gets the whole group to play dodgeball outside, which is really sweet. As they watch from the sidelines, Jin-rak tells Dok-mi that he’s really happy to see her outside, and thinks that Enrique invited him just so he could see her this way.
Oof, I feel terrible that he doesn’t know about them. It’s not anyone’s fault, but it makes his already embarrassing crush even more embarrassing. He runs out to join the game, draping his coat over Dok-mi’s shoulders and tripping on his way out.
Enrique’s fangirl comes up to Dok-mi and calls her by name, saying that she’ll let her in on a secret—that Enrique isn’t a person but a fairy (or perhaps an elf is better suited for imagery?). She says that Enrique has the power to make people around him happy, like he did today with all these people.
The girl says that an elf’s life is hard though, because people don’t believe in them, so he’s always lonely, but he can’t let it show because he always has to be bright. “That’s why an elf is always surrounded by light. He has no shadow, no darkness. If those things are around an elf, he disappears.”
The last part shakes Dok-mi a little, like she’s afraid of being that darkness. And I’m not sure that the girl didn’t say it intentionally that way either. Damn, if she turns out to be a pernicious stalker, that’s going to be annoying.
After the event, the foursome stands at the bus stop, and there’s this really awkward moment where Jin-rak looks over at Dok-mi with moony eyes, and then she looks over at Enrique, and this is just getting uncomfortable.
Jin-rak decides to leave first with Dong-hoon, not wanting to freak Dok-mi out with too much pressure on her momentous big venture outside. Dong-hoon sighs that if she’d care to watch his webtoon, she’d fall for him instantly.
She and Enrique spend the day out, shopping and watching movies, and she has moments of fear like when strangers bump into her, but Enrique does a good job of looking out for her. I like that he just dusts her off and urges her to keep going.
Hm, and it looks like that fangirl is going to be a problem—she follows them all day with a dark expression, cataloguing their date.
Jin-rak goes to see Do-hwi, who is at least appropriately melancholy and not her usual self. He admits that he doesn’t understand her, but he knows that being honest is difficult, so he credits her with that.
He thanks her for her liking him, but tells her to stop now. Do-hwi doesn’t fight it this time, saying that she watched his webtoon, and his heart for Dok-mi was evident.
As we watch the end of Dok-mi’s date, complete with a window meeting to say goodnight, she writes more of her work in progress:
A sunflower that smiles up at the sun every day eventually turns into a little sun. A clamshell that’s been playing all day with the ocean gets patterned with grooves in the shape of affectionate waves, little by little. Things that are ardent grow together in likeness—that woman now understands this a little.
Dong-hoon hangs out at his usual club, waiting to be called to work, when suddenly his PD arrives, dressed up in a sparkly skirt. She declares that she had a nightmare, but didn’t want to disturb his work with a phone call, so she came in person. Heh.
Some mean girls brush past her with a snarky remark about how the standards have dropped at this club, and Dong-hoon jumps in to defend her loudly, saying that her dark circles are attractive. Aw. Our already-smitten PD swoons even more.
The next morning, Dok-mi gets no drawing on her milk carton post-it, but just a note asking her to watch the webtoon “Flower Boy Next Door.” She gives it a look and sees scenes from her own life, from milk cartons to trash sorting to Enrique and Jin-rak, and the security guard’s hat rack.
She stops at a drawing of Jin-rak standing at her door. It reads:
If I put my hand there, I can feel her, hiding away behind the tightly shut door.
Is she happy in there?
Someday, won’t there be a trace of my hand here on this closed door?
Awwww. That drawing of his back at her door just makes me want to cry.
Enrique marches over a little while later, annoyed that Dok-mi missed their good morning window date, and huffing to himself.
But when he reaches her door, something shocks him and he starts frantically banging on the door and calling out for her to answer.
What is it? Did she move? She’s not inside, or at least not in the living room, and there’s no answer. Dong-hoon and Jin-rak come out wondering what the commotion is about, but then Jin-rak sees it…
Written on her door in giant red letters is the message: “DIE.”
COMMENTS
Holy moly, thanks for giving me the creeps. Ugh, I’m still shaking the shivers offa my spine. *brrrrrrrrr* How many stalkers does a guy need before he hires someone burly to start knockin’ some heads around? Poor Dok-mi. If this is Enrique’s crazy fangirl, it’s extra annoying in that she’s messing with a girl who’s just barely started to come out into the world, over her own crazy delusions. If it’s Do-hwi (though I think that’s too extreme, even for her), at least there’s a personal reason the attack is directed at Dok-mi. GAH. Stop scaring her back into her rabbit hole, people!
That external conflict aside, I thought the episode was a really nice string of positive consequences that came from Dok-mi taking that one very important step in confessing her feelings. She thinks letting him go is what’ll make him return to his old self, but all he really needed was to know she likes him back. And it’s nice to see that the effect for her is like a floodgate, as I hoped it would be—her first leap is to put her heart out there, and when Enrique returns her feelings, she’s ready to conquer the world. It’s what Enrique says out loud, that we see happen in her life more than his—once she conquers that terrifying fear, going out into the world and standing up for herself with Do-hwi are suddenly not so scary anymore. And of course, it helps that she’s got her own personal cheering squad urging her to do the brave thing at every turn.
This is the crucial difference that makes me love Enrique, and why I’ve always been on his side from the get-go. While Jin-rak thinks she needs protecting from the world, Enrique pushes her to be courageous, to speak up for herself, to be strong, to overcome her own problems. What he wants is not to become her knight in shining armor, but for her to become the brave heroine of her own story, to face the world head-on. His speech to her about becoming like her own characters in the stories she wants to write just got me *right here.* I love that he both urges her to face Do-hwi, but stands back and waits patiently for her to speak up for herself when the time comes. It’s painful for them all, but he knows—jumping in to save her will only keep her in that scared little shell longer and longer. That insight that he has, not only about Dok-mi, but about people, is his true gift.
I really liked the bittersweet parallel between Jin-rak’s and Dok-mi’s passages, in his webtoon and her work in progress. They’re actually the most similar characters, and I thought it really nice that their writing reflects a similar way of seeing things, like the hope of leaving traces of oneself behind. (Though I thought it nice that she’s actually a step ahead, in seeing how things might grow together and change each other rather than just leaving a static mark.) It’s heartbreaking, really, to know that Jin-rak’s feelings are only growing as Dok-mi’s relationship with Enrique is taking off, and I hope for his sake he finds out sooner rather than later. It’ll crush him either way, but I want there to be time for him to find his happiness too.
RELATED POSTS
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 11
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 10
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 9
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 8
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 7
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 6
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 5
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 4
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 3
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 2
- Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 1
Tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
Hello Dramabeans series
![[2022 Year in Review] The Bean Count](https://www.dramabeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/beancount_2022.png)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
51 Cloudy91
February 13, 2013 at 12:16 AM
This episode was fantastic!!! And now we have to wait 7 days... I can't!!! I have to know if I have to kick girl-stalker!!! Nice recap anyway... I loved the sweet hallway moment too!!! <3
Required fields are marked *
TS
February 13, 2013 at 9:21 AM
They'll probably blame Doh-wi.
Required fields are marked *
52 Ivy
February 13, 2013 at 12:28 AM
Love this drama! SO inspiring with so much heart!! I'm worried about the characters what with the dangerous stalker-girl, but I know everything will be fine :)
Required fields are marked *
53 Sajen
February 13, 2013 at 12:37 AM
it's obvious fangirl is a crazy stalker as she freaking changed herself to look like Seo Young I mean she even started to carry around an instrument case, so most likely she's the one who wrote die on poor Dok Mi's door.
Required fields are marked *
54 mrshobbes
February 13, 2013 at 12:53 AM
CANNOT tell you how many times I replayed the whole bit of Donghoon "negotiating" with Enrique on his price as videographer, Jin-rak stating Enrique should stop this ridiculousness of wanting to hang out together, and finally Enrique's aegyo-bustin' with Dok-Mi to go to the lecture. Cracks me up AND makes me clasp my face in utter feels. SO. CUTE. OMGAAAAAAAAAH.
I even really, really appreciated how the reveal of the message on the door came about. So well done! My heart hurt at seeing Enrique's utter panic, even if I didn't know what the hey he was panicking about.
Required fields are marked *
jademwong
February 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
I agree about the reveal of the message on the door. It was so well-done. My heart was literally jumping out my chest when Enrique got all panicked and we saw the empty apartment and then jin-rak came out and was also shocked and the whole time I was just panicking too and I didn't even know what I was supposed to be panicking about! Lol
Required fields are marked *
55 k-soup
February 13, 2013 at 12:58 AM
oh it's bland. I need more flavors! I'm so greedy :D
Required fields are marked *
56 Minty
February 13, 2013 at 1:08 AM
i read just now that YSY sang a song for this drama... is it the one playing while they were choosing shoes and buying chocolate?... what is the song called?
Required fields are marked *
kumi
February 15, 2013 at 12:13 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PE7_weJ58Jg
Required fields are marked *
57 Julia
February 13, 2013 at 1:16 AM
I can't believe how much of this drama happened in the hallway. Must have driven the camera guys nuts.
Hallways are transitional places, and the characters of this drama are all going thru changes. The writers were very creative in how many things they had happen in that hallway.
Kudos to the set designers too, as the apartments felt lived in and real.
Required fields are marked *
iZzie :)
February 14, 2013 at 10:50 AM
It's a good thing they filmed on winter. All the lighting setup's heat in that cramped space would turn everyone in it into dumplings.
Required fields are marked *
58 SuziQ
February 13, 2013 at 1:18 AM
Dok Mi was slowly coming out of her self imposed prison because of Enrique's insistent nature;however, he has to return to Spain where his parents and Seo Young are living. What will happen to Dok Mi then?
Glad she was able to tell off Do Hwi, her friendenemy, and Jin Rak told her to get lost. I don't think the curse was written by Do Hwi. It's probably the Panda Hat Fan Girl. Her talk of Enrique as a fairy and how he has to disappear was weird. She's stalking Enrique everywhere, so I think she became a nut case.
I think the guard is the landlord; otherwise, why is he so nosey and misdirects by saying the other adjumma is the landlord? Can't the guard help find out who wrote the graffiti curse on the door?
Required fields are marked *
owl
February 13, 2013 at 11:30 AM
That fairy story was weird! The way she said that he can't have a shadow near him or he will disappear was aimed at Dok Mi in a very creepy way. Apparently she has assigned herself the role of his personal shadow guard to keep the light around him from getting blocked. Psycho fangirl
Required fields are marked *
59 Ilynne
February 13, 2013 at 1:35 AM
I really love this drama! I'm not only saying this because I'm a huge fan of Park Shin Hye, but also because the flow of the story becomes very interesting as new episode from the drama comes out. And yes, the preview is really somewhat creepy and it really makes me can't wait for the next episode anymore. This recap is very helpful. Thank you very much :) Hwaiting!
Required fields are marked *
60 jam
February 13, 2013 at 1:47 AM
I really do enjoy this series. I've been fan of shin hye since tree in heaven.
Required fields are marked *
Ennayra
February 13, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Me too! That's the first drama I ever finished.
Required fields are marked *
61 Ash
February 13, 2013 at 2:20 AM
I have never loved Enrique more than when he encouraged Dok-mi to have that talk, promised that he would be right there, and then stood back while she handled it for herself. I love that quiet trust so much more than white-knighting to the rescue. Killed me dead.
And Park Shin-hye is just knocking it out of the park every time. I recognize myself to an almost uncomfortable degree in Dok-mi's character, and seeing someone get that shade of introversion so *right* is a rarity. I want to give everyone involved a nice, shiny trophy.
Also, I can't remember the last time a kiss only ratcheted up the tension like this. Usually it's the breaking point where chemistry falls off and Plot takes over, but here? It's only made them more aware of each other and a bit awkward in a way they weren't before. AND it gives me fizzy scenes like saying goodbye in the hallway and goodnight through the window. (Which, way to bring that one full circle, Drama. Before it was a replacement for social contact; now it's a method of communication.)
Man, as long as nothing goes horribly, horribly wrong in the last two weeks, this is going in my top-10 list for sure.
Required fields are marked *
62 emmy
February 13, 2013 at 2:49 AM
Thank you for your great insights as usual.
This episode was such a good one. Each character touched my heart in different ways.
Dong-Hoon really touched my heart in his conversation with Jin-Rok. I love how sincere he was and what a generous heart he has despite having very little. I really hope their webtoon will be a success and both of them can continue pursuing their dreams.
Jin-Rok is such a gentleman. I love how his affection for Dok-mi is so unselfish, in the sense that he is truly concerned for her well being, even if that means giving her time with Enrique.
Finally, Enrique and Dokmi's relationship is certainly the best part of this show. I love how they inspire each other to grow and to become better people, even if it means going through challenges and going through pain. Knight in shining armour stories may be terribly sweet and romantic, but it doesn't make you a better person, it doesn't force you to acknowledge your limitations and attempt to improve yourself. I love stories like FBND where couples grow together and challenge each other.
Required fields are marked *
63 sweetspring
February 13, 2013 at 3:49 AM
last episode it was Jin Rak's moment to shine, ep 12 was all about Enrique's CUTENESS. Seriously suffering from cuteness overload. played several times the last part where Enrique's pleading for Dok Mi to come to his lecture at the squirrel thing he does with his mouth like he's nibbling some invisible acorn ohhh the CUTENESS!!! *faints*...
... and love how both boys get they're chance to win over the viewers heart while trying to win Dok Mi's. Its a pretty good day in k-drama land when you cant make up your mind who deserves the happy ever after with the heroine between 2 male leads coz they're both freakin adorable and lovable.
Required fields are marked *
64 abby
February 13, 2013 at 4:08 AM
am I the only one who suspects there was omething with Watanabe? He said he couldn't sleep, and when people asked why he made this weird face and then someone else changed the topic... Maybe it's time for his intervention in the story, at least give the poor foreign more lines, no Drama?
Required fields are marked *
Lizzy4e
February 13, 2013 at 8:22 AM
Good Point.
I totally forgot about him not sleeping.
Is he a crazy stalker? is he the landlord? or is he in love with Dok-mi like everyone else? lol
Required fields are marked *
Ennayra
February 13, 2013 at 5:44 PM
Most of the time I forget about Watanabe. That would be really cool if he was actually the landlord. Anyway, I hope he has some major role in the story that's yet to come.
Required fields are marked *
65 Nilechoclat
February 13, 2013 at 5:02 AM
I want to say I am in love to this drama The feeling inside me increases every episode so beautiful drama the story is amazing
In my opinion DM says Good bye to her old self and to the small place that accompany her and start to change herself to be someone really deserve E I think she didn't runaway but she want to challenge her fears by self without protection she want to prove to herself that she can overcome her past with start to accomplish her dreams I love DM seriously this character is full of emotions I really like her :D
Required fields are marked *
66 CaroleMcDonnell
February 13, 2013 at 5:39 AM
oh my gosh! I loved this episode! I love the writers!
Around this time in a drama, we sometimes get a lot of wheel spinning to cause "complications" and often the complications just annoy me because they really aren't organic to the story. But wow, this time! That ending!
It was not only organic to the plot but kinda hidden in plain sight. Sure, I was wondering what-all Little Miss Fangirl with the guitar case was doing. But I thought she was innocuous and a benign presence. But this danger was always there, lurking. I don't know what her guitar-case (which is probably empty) means in the great art as communication as honesty as heart-connection theme but dang! These writers are totally bringing it!
We always worry about our enemies harming us or our friends misunderstanding us or frenemies...but wow...stranger danger!!! Stranger manipulation! Especially strangers who think they understand us. Gotta do a perverse fangirl squee here: YES!!! This girl is gonna do major damage! Sure, things will end well for our OTP but the fangirl thing just rounds out the "connection/understanding" theme soooo well.
Required fields are marked *
67 thursdaynexxt
February 13, 2013 at 6:14 AM
Totally agree about that moment when Enrique stood back and let Dok-mi stand up for herself with Do-Hwi - aww, he understands her so well!
But I'm puzzled about a couple of things - when he first walked into the Addiction seminar, Enrique had this indescribable look of apprehension on his face - was it purely and simply just concern on account of how Dok-mi might react to so many people?
Stalker Girl is clearly nuts, but even so, she seems to know an awful lot about Enrique, or thinks she does. (And how did she know Dok-mi's name when she sits next to her during the Dodge Ball game?) I think she has a point about Enrique's mission to make people happy (although "fairy" is not exactly the term I'd use...)
If Dok-mi's the shadow with an inner flame of flickering creativity, then is Enrique like a bright light, with some darkness hidden within? Of all the hidden identities so far, Enrique's past is still shrouded in mystery. Will the drama have time to explore his issues? And (speculating wildly here) what, if anything, does Stalker Girl know?
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 13, 2013 at 2:57 PM
That look of apprehension when he entered the seminar was something that reached out to me, especially so because no one else in the vicinity noticed. He was alone with his fears then... and how he swallowed it all up in a gigantic effort of a forced smile and bravado made it more heart breaking.
As he mentioned before "He has failed and has been rejected and how thinking himself special is such a bad thing" for people to perceive. His genius is all he has to console himself when others shun him. His achievement at game design, is the result of years of love, creativity and effort and to be told that his beloved work are the devils spawn, how must he feel?
Somehow, just because he's a positive and gifted person, people tend to believe he's immune to negative emotions. That when he fails or is hurt rather than feeling sorry for him, people's reaction is more of a sense of satisfaction much like what we feel "when the mighty has fallen", like it's about time he did or he's been on top for so long. Sure he's hurt but his is lesser than ours (remember the scene with Jin-rak as they were going home from the hospital). I think that is part of Enrique's shadow.
Stalker girl knows Dok-mi because she's been watching him and she's read the webtoon. She even told Enrique about it. She may know more about Enrique since she has been his saeseng fan long before he arrived in Korea. She seems to believe that she knows what is best for Enrique and that is when having a stalker becomes such a hassle.
Required fields are marked *
Gidget
February 13, 2013 at 3:37 PM
The writer has told us that: Enrique designed games to make friends but lost his childhood to game design. His reaction to game addiction was to say relationships were the most important thing in life; but that PARENTS also needed to take responsibility for understanding the world of their kids. He had parents who were worried about him; but he had to send his ex-crush to their house because he had been reaching out but couldn't get in touch with them. He had someone he showed love to for 10 years, who treated him as though he was invisible. He is surrounded by the cold love relationship a celebrity has with fans: people seeking you because they want something from you; people invading your space because they want the illusion of being close; people demanding the persona, while dismissing the person; and living at constant risk of having these same people - the ones you have dedicated your life to pleasing - turn on you when triggered by the slightest rumor or mis-step.
Required fields are marked *
thursdaynexxt
February 14, 2013 at 3:09 AM
Oh, yes of course! Thanks for the reminder - I'd completely forgotten that the girl had approached him at the airport.
Just another excuse to go back and re-watch all the episodes while waiting for next week :)
Required fields are marked *
Gidget
February 13, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Fan girl was the one to take Enrique to the hospital after his accident. Enrique left the hospital with Dokmi.
Required fields are marked *
68 Xianzhongfan
February 13, 2013 at 6:50 AM
I actually like the scene in the cinema when DM shielded her face and turned towards E. Previously she would have turned the other way (if she does come out to watch a movie at all) and I think E noticed the change and that's why he gave that smile which was the same smile when he watched her sharpen the pencils. He knows she is gently peeling off her protective layers.
Required fields are marked *
69 dany
February 13, 2013 at 8:06 AM
If Enrique is happy, I am happy, too. :)
Required fields are marked *
70 Steph
February 13, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Oh man, today I found out that someone I like got together with the other girl. And for the first time in my life I feel the embarrassment and hurt of the second lead instead of cheering on for the first lead. I really want to congratulate them as friends and even give them a photo of them unknowingly laughing together. I planned to give it to them when they became official. But it kinda hurts. And although I've back out like Jin rak before this happened. It feels horrible still. And I just can't bring myself to cry cus it's too embarrassing, even to let my self cry alone in the room without anyone looking.
Required fields are marked *
Waca
February 13, 2013 at 8:17 AM
Do cry, you will feel better afterwards. It's worse keeping it all inside. Am sending you lots of cookies to support you. I hope you'll be fine.
Required fields are marked *
Maris
February 13, 2013 at 8:41 AM
Liking or caring for someone always leave you open to both joy and Pain. There is nothing to feel embarrassed about. I feel for you and admire you for thinking positively despite your hurt. Please take care, Steph. A warm hug coming your way.
Required fields are marked *
skelly
February 13, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Loving selflessly, and letting go, is one of the hardest things for a human being to do - it is the highest order of behavior, 'agape', revered by all religions. So please don't be embarrassed, but feel good about the fact that you are capable of love and kindness.
Required fields are marked *
Ennayra
February 13, 2013 at 6:00 PM
I couldn't possibly say this better. Virtual hugs to you, Steph.
Required fields are marked *
Steph
February 13, 2013 at 7:30 PM
I guess I feel bad for even going in between their budding relationship in the first place. Thanks guys, I feel better now because of u, and Jin rak lol
Required fields are marked *
Julia
February 14, 2013 at 12:24 PM
@Steph - sending you a
*hug*
This drama makes me think about my life, like a friend on my shoulder. I relate to the characters, but more than that, I am applying lessons learned from FBND. Can a drama make us grow as people? Maybe so. Insight gained that makes us more sympathetic to others has to be good.
Required fields are marked *
Maris
February 16, 2013 at 2:02 PM
I can relate to what you are saying. I feel not only this drama but its the vast array of opinions that have been expressed in such a wonderful manner as a result of watching it. It has been an eye opener and an enriching experience.
Required fields are marked *
71 Lizzy4e
February 13, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Love the symbolism of Jin-raks notes dropping to the floor with Enrique and Dok-mi’s kiss.
Dong Hoon sharing his money issues with Jin-rak was a great step for their relationship.
Dong Hoon is kind of a great guy.
Enrique is the prefect gentle yet insistent steamroller that Dok-mi needs to move forward thru the fear. “I liked you” becomes dating and love to Enrique the steamroller. Dok-mi is being drug along for the ride, fortunately it is a good ride going in the right direction with someone she is safe with.
The scene in the hallway with all the flower boys lined up, well that was perfection.
That Dong Hoon is a fine looking fella. (okay, it is best to give credit where it is due.) it is Ko Gyung-pyo that is the fine looking fella) Not that they aren’t all pretty because they are. In a herd of pretty it would be hard to stand-out but this third banana is making great use of his screen time. Hope this leads to more opportunity for this actor.
And the other stand-out is the webtoon editor Kim Seul-gi, I hope to see this actress in supporting roles all over the Kdrama landscape. Lead roles would be nice too but if she is in supporting roles she could be in 6 or 7 dramas a year while with leading roles she could only be in 2 maybe 3 dramas a year. And then there would be the audience burnout factor if she is a lead in multiple dramas every year.
Required fields are marked *
ys
February 14, 2013 at 11:58 AM
For me the actor playing Dong Hoon stands out not because of his cute looks--that's just a bonus. He brings so much to the character and script that he stands out as an actor among this cast of great actors. I've been enjoying his performance from the start, but I was unexpectedly moved in this ep when he was telling Jin Rak about his moonlighting jobs and how he would never treat people the way he's been treated by the rich. I look forward to watching his career grow.
Required fields are marked *
72 TS
February 13, 2013 at 8:34 AM
Not watching, but reading recaps, because, oh, IRIS 2 hasn't started yet.
Anyhoo, "...all people lie, like it’s some defense." Er, yes, it is. The way to handle the world is to accept other people's flaws and work around or even with them. Expecting others to be perfect and live to your own standards is a recipe for depression and anger and the comcomitant problems. (Oh, hello, Agoraphobic Ajumma.)
Dok-mi should've stood up for herself ages ago, fought like a demon with Doh-wi, made up, and then the two of them could've been besties forever, just like Nam-Heung.
Required fields are marked *
Waca
February 13, 2013 at 9:05 AM
WTH? Do you realize what you're saying? Like it is so easy to fight up against a whole bunch of bullies!
People are all different, and we are not even on matters of defenses. It is not a matter of accepting people's flaws or whatever. When you are naturally kind-hearted, when lies are not natural to you, how do you expect to fight against the liars?
You know why there are people like Dok-Mi? Because most people are like you. When people like Dok-Mi get hurt again and again, all that you people say is "oh well, that's how the world works. You should be less naive. You shouldn't be a child." These persons are not children, they are not naive either. They do not either expect people to be perfect. But because they are kind, people will use them again and again, and will trample over them. Naturally these person would get tired of it, and in the end, they would end up like Dok-Mi.
You are just like Do-Hwi, you don't even try understanding. It seems you are blaming depressive people to have brought depression upon themselves. Well, helloooo, that's not how it works. And by the way, depression is not only about your mind, it's a real sickness. And about, agoraphoby, that often comes with depression, it's not either something to joke about.
You find it normal that people lie? I don't. If people would stop lying and trust each other a bit more, the world wouldn't as ugly as it is now. So instead of saying that the depressed people brought it upon themselves, you should be trying to change the world at your own scale. Like, stop the lies. Or, why not? Trying to help out a little the more fragile persons so as to prevent them from falling into depression.
Required fields are marked *
seto.
February 13, 2013 at 9:38 AM
No.
Required fields are marked *
dayoldbagel
February 13, 2013 at 12:06 PM
lol...yes, all people do lie to some extend, but not all lies are equivalent. This was a lie that somebody told about their supposed best friend, a person that only had one friend in her life, that ended up turning the entire school against her. Yes, nobody is perfect and friends should overlook each other's minor lapses and maybe try to understand the bigger ones...but this, to me, does not fall into either category. It wasn't even simply a moment of bad judgment or weakness, it was something that she must have kept up for a while even when dok mi's pain had to have been pretty evident. This was not a case of somebody expecting perfection out of a friend and then being devastated when they fell short...just of somebody expecting their best friend of what was probably more than 6 years to not fuck you over just because she is having a hard time...high, idealistic expectations indeed... To me, you're whole everybody lies thing as a defense of do hwi is almost like somebody using the line "everybody breaks the law" as a defense for murder.
Required fields are marked *
Gaby
February 13, 2013 at 7:10 PM
Have you been in Dok-Mi's shoes? If you have did you stand up for yourself?
I know I haven't so I don't really know what I would do. Do you seriously think it's that easy to stand up for yourself when everyone is against you? When it's you alone and no one to give you support. Even if she did stand up for herself would it have stopped?
You come off as a know it all. You don't try to understand and come up with your own conclusions.
Required fields are marked *
Steph
February 13, 2013 at 7:18 PM
I think this is something only people in Korea would understand. The bullying there is horrible. And if you're a target in one school, rumors follow you to the next school. In some cases, especially these, even the ahjummas on the streets, your neighbor, your classmate's mother will diss you. And you are alone in this, for 3 years. Yes, you can stand up for yourself, but it is your word against your teacher's. unless you lodge a report to clear your name. Which still may not stop rumors. People are not as accepting in Korea. They label people. Look at the drama I miss you, for the first few episodes. Bullying is like that, and the teachers don't stop it.
Required fields are marked *
iZzie :)
February 14, 2013 at 12:07 PM
I was bullied in school. I was made fun of for the pettiest reasons, mainly for being the smallest in the class. It's not easy to be in a classroom where all the students in it are chanting the silliest nickname they've come up for you for the day. The yelling drill into your ears. And the crumpled papers thrown at you chip away from your self esteem. It didn't stop even when I stood up and fought back. Our teacher then had to come in between to prevent violence from happening. The main bully was my first best friend and we were friends since pre-school. Imagine the pain I felt when I learned that she was the one who started rumors about me. Just like Do Hwi, she found new friends and one socializing mechanism she oddly learned was to diss her old friend. Her stories is what turned the majority of the class against me. Think about what that does to a young mind.
The bullying only stopped when I grew taller than my bullies. Funny how that happened. I still laugh at how inanely power shifts. But what that betrayal did was leave me with trust issues which I fight to this day. Even those I consider my best friends now, I occasionally doubt their sincerity. I know that's unfair, but it is an ingrained bad habit.
The difference between Dokmi and I is that she didn't have a support structure around her when all the bullying happened. Her family broke apart and all she could lean on was an ailing grandmother. My family had my back. My parents were there to run and cry to. My brother even confronted a bully for me - it took all the powers of my grade school self to stop him from getting into a fight. All that support and still some emotional spears went through. Imagine if it happened to you but no one was there for you.
It's not easy to stand up when you feel that everyone is against you. Even when I dared to fight my bullies the fear was still there. Behind the facade I put up, I was SO scared of getting hurt. It was a big step for me but inside I was cracking thinking how stupid it was to put myself in harm's way. But that was all I could think of to make the attacks stop.
Fight and make up? When someone you trusted so much turned everyone against you, making up is the last thing you would want to do. To this day, that former friend/bully of mine deal with each other in the most civil but insincere way. When we talk the world smells of plastic.
Dealing with hate with a young mind is not easy. Heck, it's not even easy for grown ups.
Me, I'd give Dokmi credit for merely surviving and still stepping out of her shell once in a while given that in her young mind, when all the bad things happened, she didn't have anyone to guide her.
This drama is not about telling a story on how we'd want to be: if you are mistreated, you should do this, you should do that. You should think this. What it does - apart from being a rom-com - is presenting us a picture of a person who was hurt and what that kind of hurt does to people. The kind of person that Dokmi represents is not something that's plucked out of the vacuum. There are real people who go through what Dokmi has gone and is going through. Count yourself lucky if you're not one of them. I count myself lucky that I wasn't alone when the bad things happened to me.
"Expecting others to be perfect and live to your own standards is a recipe for depression and anger and the comcomitant problems."
Please tell that to the bullies.
Required fields are marked *
Julia
February 14, 2013 at 12:32 PM
@ iZzie Thank you for sharing. ((())) Clapping for you.
Required fields are marked *
Koi94
February 15, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Bravo, Izzie. Well said! I, at the ripe old age of 40, was involved in one of those Mean Girls scenario, labeled a gossiper, when all I did was confide to one person. This at a so-called grown-up level within a the setting of office politics. I was floored because I was the one that everyone always got along with, forever the diplomat, and never carried a mean thought about anyone. So, you'd think at my age and with my experience I'd be equipped to handle such malice. I was in a state of emotional distress for months, maybe even a year.
So, I can't even begin to imagine what it will do to a young person, the guts and courage it would take for that person to make it through High School. When you are a teen ager, you obviously don't have the perspective that someone in their twenties would have. It's difficult to look beyond the promise of a better tomorrow. All a young person knows is the here and now, and if it's filled with pain, the outcome is sometimes the unimaginable.
Required fields are marked *
73 Waca
February 13, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Thanks for the recap, girlfriday!
I like Enrique, but I am not convinced he's best suited for Dok-mi. I mean, you all think it's great for him to encourage Dok-Mi to get out into the vast world and be courageous on her own...but imo, it is better for her to be protected from the world. I know it sounds stupid and medieval (like, the girl has to be protected by the guy), but I would say the same thing if their genders were switched.
Why? Because I am just like Dok-Mi. I know I am less strong-minded than her, but I still feel a lot like her. And I do know I would not be ok if someone would push me out in the world like Enrique does. As a friend, I think he would be extraordinaire. But as more, I think he would turn me mad. That, and the fact he's so puppy-like and childish, while Dok-Mi is so mature...how is it possible to love a guy so kid-like? I don't understand it.
I know that being secluded is bad and going out in the world is good...but that is only from your perception. My perception is the reverse. Why would I want to go outside when the world is so full of horrible persons? It doesn't need to be crazy stalkers or bitches like Do-Hwi. Normal people of everyday life are cruel, egoistical, and back-stabbing. Like Dok-Mi, if a friend would bring me out to watch the sea, I would love it. But forcing me to go interact with all these selfish people, I would hate it. Just as Dok-Mi said..."More than ten friends, or a hundred, you were enough for me.” I can count on my fingers of only one hand the friends that really support me. Unluckily for me, they now live far from me. All the others, who had said to be my friends and who left me down the moment I got sick, they all are so keen on counting lots of friends, while not seeing these will only abandon them as soon as they will have a problem. Most people are empty. If going into the world means smiling and chatting happily with empty people just the way Enrique does, I would rather stay at home all alone, or with someone like Jin-Rak.
This show makes me so conflicted...I really do love it, I love the characters, and the story, and everything, and even if I prefer Jin-Rak I am actually ok if Dok-Mi choses Enrique, but...this show makes me also want to cry. I know it's fiction, drama always are fiction, but it is hard to watch something that we can so much relate to while knowing that in real life, no one will come.
I will never have a neighboor watching me for three years, completly lovestruck like Jin-Rak. In real life, people like Dok-Mi, people like me, will never have an Enrique coming out from nowhere and helping us to get out of our shell. Or maybe it does happen from time to time, to some lucky people. But most of the time, it doesn't. The real world does not work like that.
So I don't know anymore...is this drama giving me strength to go and see what it's like outside? I already know how it is. I always have my heart in my hand and each time, people always throw it away. I am tired of it. If there is no Enrique, and no Jin-Rak, what can I do?
So what is the purpose of that show, tell me? Is it to give courage to people like me? Because it's not working. To make them dream more unrealisable dreams? Because that's just cruel. Or to tell normal people to please go and watch over people like Dok-Mi? Because that will never work. This show, I love it so much...but it makes me cry.
Required fields are marked *
TS
February 13, 2013 at 8:51 AM
Sounds like watching this show is aggravating your pain. Maybe give it a break and focus on what you can do from your own home at least, and then work on baby steps going forward.
And I hope you find realistic support, like a counseling group.
Required fields are marked *
Waca
February 13, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Thank you. I'm sorry about my answer to your previous comment. You sounded a bit rude, but apparently I just misunderstood you. :(
Required fields are marked *
TS
February 13, 2013 at 9:27 AM
It's okay. I would've loved to have cited some articles in support of my comments and included my own experiences, but I don't have time to research and write extensively on anything not work.
Again, I hope you get the support that works for you. :)
Required fields are marked *
Gaby
February 13, 2013 at 6:59 PM
I've read some of the comments from TS and your not the only one who thinks his/her comments are rude. Some of the comments I've read come off as looking down on others.
Maybe I just misunderstood as well.
Required fields are marked *
Geurae
February 13, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Oh, but there's a major difference between you and Dok Mi. She said that she would try to go to the outside world, and who better to help her along the way than Enrique. that is why I think Enrique is a good fit. There's this part of Dok Mi that badly wants to go out and venture again, she's just scared.
Also, I can't stress enough on how Enrique is not just a chattering energetic puppy. He does have his serious moments.
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 13, 2013 at 3:45 PM
There is a certain difference in what people quantify/qualify/define/consider as mature in this drama.
For me:
Having childlike qualities doesn't mean childish.
Could someone write to me how someone like Dok-mi who has chosen to live a life of bare existence can be more mature than Enrique?
How is Jin-rak more mature than one or both Dok-mi and Enrique or even Dong-hoon other than being ahead in years?
I'm not one to talk but I do wonder:
Does pretending to be happy when one is really sad make one an empty person?
Is someone who agrees with you always and accept you for all your fault better than someone who sees them as what they are as "faults" that may need righting?
If people out there are all so bad, how far out there have you gone and how many have you associated with? To those you were with, how did you treat them?
Is being mature more important than being on the same page?
I too am a shut-in but not as bad as Dok-mi more less than you. I have my own trauma that I often leave sleeping in the past where it belongs. I have a job that doesn't allow me to be alone and I have friends I occasionally bond with. But mostly, I live in my room and through my computer. I have a car I don't drive. I have lived far from family and although I'm a member of the NBSB association, I have always had fantasies of my own hero cum lover. Thing is, I am painfully aware that it is rare for one to drop in my door step out of the blue and I know in my heart that I have to put myself out there so I can change and so maybe mature.
But I am not prepared to do it, will I ever? I don't know yet. But like Dok-mi, I too am a squirrel. Through the years, I have been saving little nuts of courage so one day I too can open that door and see the world with or without a man in my life.
To be honest, writing this is the most dramatic/exciting my life could ever get. lol! (^^^)
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 13, 2013 at 3:53 PM
That is why considering how boring my life has been, if ever i get the LUCKY chance of having to choose between an Enrique and Jin-rak, I'd go for Enrique all the way. Not only is he stimulating and adorably hot, he is a young, self-made rich man who promises to take me to places. Of course, he has to foot the bill. lol!
Jin-rak on the other hand ran away from the wealth he was born with to pursue a dream inside the four walls of the apartment. I'm not belittling his dream, it's just that I'm already capable of staying in a room happily on my own, it's travelling that I can't afford.
Required fields are marked *
Gidget
February 13, 2013 at 3:57 PM
You're doing better than you're giving yourself credit for. Here you are, reaching out, helping us understand a world outside our own. That says a lot for who you are.
Required fields are marked *
Steph
February 14, 2013 at 4:00 AM
The writer could have meant it for other purposes but it was produced just to entertain, sadly.
If you notice, Enrique is insightful and mature like dok mi, and knows her struggles because he is like her. I know it's hard to understand but he just treats the same emotions differently. I am like Enrique. I tend to overdo on the aegyo and expose people's bad intentions because that's the only way I know how to deal with it. People like us are very affected by what people say and do because we trust people too much and are very willing to love. You can either decide to not trust anymore, like dok mi. Or like Enrique, stare every single problem in the balls hoping to make it seem less significant to others and then to yourself. We are afraid of silence so we talk, afraid of being rejected so we smile.
I wanted to shut myself out many times, but because of religion and daily work it was difficult so I just gave up. Though I do admire people who are able to stay alone like dok mi and be independent.
As for jin rak and Enrique being by her side... I agree, I have always heard starry-eyed people say that their success was due to coaching and pulling by someone. And I wish I had someone who believed in me. That's why I said this show is for entertainment. Because irl, you have to believe in yourself to step out before anyone believes in you. Everyone's too preoccupied with themselves to be helping someone who has fallen.
But I have come to realise that sometimes, people in art, drama or whatever, make things to express a thought or an idea. In fact most philosophers and poets write beautifully, the human condition but have no means or answer to solve existential questions. Yet we love them simply because they painted the picture that was in our minds for so long and expressed them in words that we never thought of.
Sometimes, just the fact that "someone has felt like this before" or "someone observed the same thing as me" can be enough. Cus we feel a little less weird and alone. Its just amazing that our ideas and mind sets that make us who we are, can refined and defined by someone we never met.
Required fields are marked *
Steph
February 14, 2013 at 4:12 AM
Oh, when I say I'm like Enrique, I don't mean I am an enrique. I think I would never dare to be as intrusive as he is unless I have a reason to. Which he does, so fair enough. Notice, that he doesn't do that to everyone. Just dok mi and the other girl.
Required fields are marked *
iZzie :)
February 14, 2013 at 12:59 PM
"So I don’t know anymore…is this drama giving me strength to go and see what it’s like outside? I already know how it is."
Nope. When we stay in our shell, we only form an opinion of how the world is. We sure know facts, we go through experiences from what the world gives us, but it's not all that. While we stay secluded, the world turns and changes. The hardships are not for punishments. It's for us to be strong. Take the human bone. If you don't exercise, your bones won't get stronger. Athletes, football players especially, have the strongest bones. Martial artists break bricks with practice and bone-building. Our personalities are like that. You don't get tough by having life easy. Take it from a formerly-sheltered/bullied person like me. I often force myself to go out of my comfort zone and I find it worth it every time. I still feel scared. Nervous-wrecked, yep. I still think more than twice before sticking with a decision, it irritates me. My fear doesn't go away. But what I do is to try to not think much of the negative things, but focus on what good things I get/experience. After all that fuzzing and everything is done, I look back and laugh at myself for being so ridiculously frightened over non-problems.
"I always have my heart in my hand and each time, people always throw it away. I am tired of it. If there is no Enrique, and no Jin-Rak, what can I do?"
Love yourself first. Leave some for yourself, if you're that afraid. Learn from the mistakes that you've had with the people you've dealt with. Lower your expectations on other people.
"So what is the purpose of that show, tell me? Is it to give courage to people like me?"
Yep. Apart from entertaining, yep that's what it's trying to say. It's giving you the POV from the outside so you can see how you are and how you should be dealing with your world.
"Because it’s not working."
A drama can't change your life. Only you can change your life. It will work if you'll allow it to. It will work if you will try to find faith in yourself.
"To make them dream more unrealisable dreams?"
Only you can put a limit to what you can achieve. If people discourage you, it's on you to believe them or not. Still the decision lies on you. We can't achieve all that we dream of. But doesn't it bother you when you go through your life not even trying? Or giving up too soon?
"Because that’s just cruel."
That's just one way to look at it. Or you can also stop being cruel to yourself and start believing that you can do things that you set your mind into.
"Or to tell normal people to please go and watch over people like Dok-Mi? Because that will never work."
Right. Nothing will work if the person in need doesn't help herself too.
"This show, I love it so much…but it makes me cry."
Then cry. Cry it all out. But remember that even though it mirrors real life, this drama is still fiction. The story is still being steered to entertain. You, on the other hand, have your hands on your life's steering wheel. Which direction you wish to go for is entirely on you. Whether you amuse yourself with the weirdness of the world or allow yourself to get scared is your decision.
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 14, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Anyone else think this thread has become some kind of healing camp? I'm totally refreshing this thread every day to see more wonderful posts.
This drama has done a good job of threshing up issues that concern viewers in daily life but more interesting is that I'm starting to find that what the viewers has to say is becoming as in interesting or dare I say more interesting than the show itself.
Similar to what Steph said about the great poets, the writers in the comment section do not offer all the right answers but ohhh they write so beautifully and sincerely.
Kudos to you all especially to the recappers.
And Waka, Happy Valentines Day! I don't know how to help you, heck, I doubt if I could or would. But I genuinely hope you can smile a little today for yourself.
Required fields are marked *
Steph
February 15, 2013 at 4:07 AM
Me too! Hahha I've left comments before, but this is the first time that I keep coming to check back on the comments section, lol
Required fields are marked *
Carrie
February 19, 2013 at 10:27 AM
i don't know, i think having an enrique would be awesome. after my mom died when i was 19, i ended up getting getting super depressed and dropped out of college, moved back in with my dad, got an easy job, and was basically a shut in. it wasn't good, but i didn't have energy for anything else.
i had a friend who would literally show up at work in the morning (we worked together) and say "so, what are you making me for dinner tomorrow night?" she'd invite herself over for dinner about once a week for MONTHS, and got me and my dad to have fun evenings. if she had done it differently it would have been super annoying and intrusive, but it was truly awesome. she just didn't give up on me. at anytime i could have said "dude - back off" and she would have, but i needed that pull to get me out of my shell.
i'm going through another tough time now, and wish that i had her around to bug me into happiness. sometimes a steamroller of love is what we need.
Required fields are marked *
74 Mar
February 13, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Correct me if I am wrong and missed something-
Do hwi-when she showed up as Pink Chicken, did it not seem as if she were stalking Jin Rak, that she was after him because she knows hes a rich heir? Coming across Dok mi was happenstance? So if that is the case....how and why did he get on her radar? I'm wondering if that is going to be resolved.
I'm starting to wonder if the security guard in the owner.
Redeeming the mean girl just annoys me in dramas but I am sure that this will follow the normal k drama pattern and redeem her. At least she didn't try to kill Dok mi (glares at the writers from Rooftop Prince). I still keep expecting the teacher guy to have molested Dok mi reveal.
As much as I enjoy Enrique in this drama, I have had a couple of Enrique's in my life. Lovely people. Can really be fun. But they do not turn off. Will drive you crazy and GIVE you anxiety. As much as you miss the good moments of knowing them, they bring so much drama, and you do not realize how frenetic and disruptive they are in your life until they are not in your life anymore, and how much you DON"T miss that.
And if Dong hoon doesn't ruin the PD for all other men, I will be severely disappointed!
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 13, 2013 at 4:03 PM
That is why I like the Enrique in this story because he does turn it down a notch when need be. He is not like all energizer bunny's out there and the show has done so many moments to show us that he has other dimensions to him that complements Dok-mi.
I could see them as a couple that would let each other grow as the years pile up. As for passion and sizzling chemistry, this show was never about it which is kinda in keeping with the low key ambiance in this drama.
Required fields are marked *
Ennayra
February 13, 2013 at 6:55 PM
I like Enrique because he turns it down too. I've been friends with exactly one energizer bunny kind of guy, and once you got to know him, by no means was he "on" all the time.
Required fields are marked *
thursdaynexxt
February 14, 2013 at 4:07 AM
"Complements" - exactly the word I think of in connection with these two. What's the point in looking for a 'soul mate' who adds nothing to who she is as a person right now and doesn't challenge or stimulate? Might as well just buy a mirror!
It's always been about the internal life and insights of these characters. They've always been honest with each other from the beginning, to the point of bluntness - I think at one point Enrique asked why she was so nice to everyone but him. But they still managed to recognise and connect with each other. As javabeans eloquently put it, "What’s interesting to me about these two is that they’ve always been on the same wavelength, but it’s the communication part that gets in the way".
(If you want sizzling YSY kisses, I'd recommend watching Me Too, Flower!)
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 14, 2013 at 3:43 PM
I'd watch "me too flower" if only I liked the heroine in the drama. I have certain biases I am won't to let go. Yes, shallow. I know! :(
So I'm hoping YSY and PSH will surprise me somewhere along this drama but if it doesn't it won't affect my general opinion of the OTP.
Required fields are marked *
Mar
February 14, 2013 at 6:22 PM
I adore Me Too Flower, one of my favs. What was wrong with the lead female character that you did not care for? I love the lead female character, grumpy, cranky and depressed, with a messed up family just like real life, and job issues, with an imaginary idol friend that comes out of his poster to comfort her.
thursdaynexxt
February 15, 2013 at 3:15 AM
Haha, not shallow at all! I had the same problem with Cheongdamdong Alice, couldn't finish it, even though I usually love MGY to bits. While we're being shallow, I must confess that I really enjoy watching the wonderful, sensational winter fashions in kdramas! (sometimes more of one and less of the other)
But I am in awe of the heart and soul that people put into their comments here. And I'm especially thankful to jb and gf and everyone involved for providing a place like DB!
Steph
February 15, 2013 at 4:35 AM
Yea I felt that she was flat and boring.not flat in chest size, I meant character hahahha I dunno, some actresses are just kinda dull. Yup, admit I'm superficial too. I just can't watch certain actresses cus they bore me to death
Ennayra
February 13, 2013 at 6:58 PM
About the security guard, I had wondered that too. I mean, he does care a lot about that complex. Where does he live? It seems like he's always there.
I'm also loving the PD and Dong-hoon. Their scenes make me laugh.
Required fields are marked *
75 sirena
February 13, 2013 at 12:18 PM
I am happy that Dok-mi was finally able to confront Doh-hwi and express her hurt and anger. Although I was never bullied as a child or a young adult, I do remember a time when I was in the fourth grade and two classmates made my life hell for a brief period. The ridiculous thing is that it began as a misunderstanding. I remember feeling anxious about going to school. Thankfully, I was able to mend things between me and one of the girls.
I applaud Dok-mi because I know that (for some people, including myself) it is not easy to stand up for yourself and confront people. It is easy to say that Dok-mi should've confronted Doh-hwi and the other bullies, that she should've denied the rumors. But remember, Dok-mi did not even have the support of the teacher that she respected so much. Perhaps, if he would've had the courage to deny the rumors and stand up for Dok-mi, then Dok-mi might have been able to do the same.
I believe that Enrique is the much needed sunshine that will help Dok-mi to blossom and grow. He understands when to push and when to ease off. I love him!
On a side note, I'm loving Dong Hoon and the PD as a possible couple. They would be so cute together :)
Required fields are marked *
76 meanrice
February 13, 2013 at 6:11 PM
This episode was filled with firsts for me:
The first time I actually appreciated Enrique's Aegyo and his energy. I want to see Ke-Geum and Joo Won in an aegyo off.
The first time I wish someone slapped someone in a Kdrama. In my head, Dok Mi slapped the red out of Do Hwi's hair.
The first time I felt Dok Mi and Enrique belonged together. I was not on either ship beforehand, but I am boarding the gangplank on this one.
Dong Hoon and the PD - more time with them please. They bring the noise and the funk so to speak. Weren't they both on SNL?
Watanabe, there has to be a point to his character right? There was something in this episode when Dong Hoon asked him, when did you have time to make dessert (what was it a cherry crumble?) and he gave a vague brush-offy answer.
Required fields are marked *
77 ajj
February 13, 2013 at 6:31 PM
My poor poor Jin Rak..thought he'll be with PD Dark Circles but well Dong Hoon and her are adorable together.
Required fields are marked *
78 Kiki
February 13, 2013 at 6:57 PM
I KNOW Enrique is the OTP, but I just think Jin Rak is the cutest. He's dresses like such a schlub, all those t-shirts and old sweatshirts and sweatpants. Hair messy, always looking like he just woke up. I love it. He reminds me of warm blankets and pillows and general cuddly things.
Required fields are marked *
79 Mylasan
February 13, 2013 at 7:17 PM
There are some posters who thinks that JR is suitable to Dok Mi just because he's serious in life like Dok Mi. But From Episode 1 to 12, I never saw JR having an intelligent conversation with Dok Mi. Everytime, he's with DM, he 's always stuttering and what's he saying doesn't make any sense at all. Even his confession to DM in Episode 5 was rehearsed and taken from the internet. All his talks are about how he likes and stalks DM for three years. Never that they have a conversation about realities in life. In the hospital, instead of saying positive things to DM to overcome her insecurities and fear, he instead talked how pathetic he was before like DM as if it’s ok to be that way. Even the webtoon he created lacks originality. He really never install his ideas on thewebtoon but just write and draw what he sees everyday on DM’s life. Even about the traces that he wrote didn’t come from him but it’s what DM told him
Some posters say that Enrique is childish but I don't think that way. He may be acting and talking like a kid but all his conversations with DM do make sense and really helped DM a lot. He may act and talk like a kid but his thoughts about life is really serious unlike Jin Rak who wasted his life for three years by stalking DM and not doing at all.
As to devotion to Dok Mi and how the two men see DM in their eyes. As to Enrique, he sees the true DM as well as her inner thoughts. While JR on the other hand, sees not the true DM but the DM he fantasizes in his mind.
JR may be older than Enrique but emotionally, Enrique is ahead of him. As to accomplishments in life, Enrique has accomplished so much considering he’s still very young. How about Jin Rak? What did he accomplish? Living in an apartment with a monthly rental? A webtoon that lacks originality and ideas? Stalking DM for three years? Sorry to say this but for me, JR is a poor loser and it’s just a waste to let DM be with him because there’s no way he can help DM because he himself needs help.
Required fields are marked *
Mylasan
February 13, 2013 at 7:48 PM
Just want to add this coz I forgot to write.
JR is always thinking of quitting before even trying while Enrique is alway’s trying his best and doesn’t know the word “quitting”. A good example of this is when Enrique told JR that he invited DM to attend his lectures and JR told Enrique that it’s impossible for DM to attend coz there are a lot of people there. But Enrique proved him wrong when he tried his best to persuade DM to join him on his lectures and he succeeded.
With an attitude like JR who’s very negative compared to Enrique’s positive thinking, DM is definitely very suited for Enrique.
Required fields are marked *
unik
February 13, 2013 at 8:01 PM
hahaha! I have had the same thoughts but I have always tried to soften the blow to be fair to the guy. lol! Man that was rough. I'd expect many to contradict this post but you have my vote. Just, ease it up a bit he's already loosing the girl! :)
Required fields are marked *
Mylasan
February 13, 2013 at 8:49 PM
@unik
I'm just sharing my thoughts, sorry if it's a little bit rough coz not that good in writing and choosing of words. But still, I stand to my opinion that Enrique is the man for DM and not JR.
Required fields are marked *
Angela
February 16, 2013 at 6:44 PM
OMG THIS SO MUCH.
Required fields are marked *
80 mari
February 13, 2013 at 7:55 PM
I am really drawn to this drama, and definitely added to my all time favorite list. But what made this stood out from the rest of my other favorites is that how I can really relate to the characters especially Dok Mi.
And I know some find Enrique annoying, but there is no denying that he is the right one for Dok Mi not because they are the OTP of this drama, because they fit each other.
Lastly, comments about Enrique being childish is something I cannot agree with. The more apt term would be child-like. There's a huge difference between those two even if both have the word "child". To say that Enrique is childish would mean he lacks maturity and we all know that is not true.
Two more weeks, 4 more episodes to go I cannot wait to see how it all ends.
Required fields are marked *
81 Naomi
February 13, 2013 at 8:21 PM
tq gf,
I am still hoping that dok mi and oh jin rak ! will be
together.
Dok mi did not show the love vibes to enrique,
but oh jin rak show distinctly to dok mi
jin rak rak ! fighting !!.
Required fields are marked *
Alouise
February 15, 2013 at 10:39 PM
I agree! Aja! Aja!
Required fields are marked *
82 jademwong
February 13, 2013 at 9:29 PM
A-Ma-Zing. These eps just keep getting better and better. The flower boy lineup was replayed several times on my part; perfection should be admired imo xP and the tiny scene with DongHoon and PD? Oh lordy, I need to see them get together before this drama ends.
I love how well written and thought every character is, not just the main leads. I want to see all the peripheral characters get more screen time but I know there just isn't enough for all of them. Can't believe there's only four episodes left >_<
Also, thank you for the fantastic recap!!
Required fields are marked *
83 tarianant
February 14, 2013 at 8:27 AM
(kitten + rainbow)100 < Anrike in love
Required fields are marked *
84 Sajen
February 14, 2013 at 8:44 AM
so first of all am I the only one that thinks the security guard is the landlord?
second did anyone see the preview looks like Dok Mi is going to be a noble idiot.
Required fields are marked *
85 Enriqueforever
February 14, 2013 at 5:54 PM
Does anyone know the title of that background music when Dok Mi starts to write in her blog or whatever??? It's always stuck in my head and I can't find it anywhere!
By the way, I don't think the fan-girl is the reason at all. Dok Mi probably thought she's doing Enrique some good by leaving him and not stopping him from reaching those achievements in his life... In other words, I think she's going to be a noble idiot!
Required fields are marked *
Koi94
February 15, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Yep! That background music is stuck in my head on replay. I've started tapping on the keyboard, just to get it out of my head!
Required fields are marked *
86 Mae
February 14, 2013 at 6:27 PM
About the security guard ahjussi being the secretive landlord, nope, you're not the only one thinking that.
I love episode 12, not just because of the cuteness overload, but also because it showed just how right Dok Mi and Ke Geum are for each other. When Enrique was at his lowest, Dok Mi was there for him; in her own quiet way comforted him. And then when it was Dok Mi's turn to face Do Hwi, Enrique stood by her side. Sure, Jin Rok was there, too. But, if it wasn't for Enrique, I doubt Dok Mi would even set her foot out the door to face her former best friend.
I really like Enrique's character right from the start. His first scene, making a paper cup robot to cheer a kid, that was ADORABLE. And just like what others wrote before me, child-like and childish are not the same. And just because he acts like an energized puppy, it doesn't mean he's immature. His way of thinking is quite grown up. His decision to come to Korea was his own way of letting go of his first love; he even tried to give SY and Tae Joon some time to work things out. Even in Dok Mi's case, when he thought she was running away because of him, he was willing to disappear from her life.
Some may feel that Jin Rok is so much better for Dok Mi. But seriously, just watch that scene where Dok Mi and Enrique left the apartment to go to the Game Addicts/Parent event. The way DM jumped in surprise when she saw JR and Dong Hoon. Her horrified and not so pleased reaction was all too telling. She reminds me of a frightened squirrel and she'd probably would have run back to her apartment if it weren't for Enrique. Then compare the scene where she lingered by the doorway, keeping her door wide open and watching Enrique walk away, a lovely soft smile on her face. Action does speak so much louder than words.
What's making me nervous is whether Dok Mi or Enrique might decide doing something just to protect each other from harm's way. Enrique may feel that it was his fault that made Dok Mi a vulnerable target for his stalker fan. And Dok Mi might be convinced that she doesn't deserve to be by Enrique's side, even worse, she might even believe that by being with him might cause his downfall after all, she did think that the reason Enrique got hurt last time was due to her. I hope I am wrong. Coz I seriously love this drama.
Required fields are marked *
87 Julia
February 14, 2013 at 10:24 PM
I just watched Ghost Sweepers. Was that Kim Seul Gi (Webtoon editor from Flower Boy Next Door) who played a possessed woman in Ghost Sweepers and got to tangle on the bed with Kim Soo Ro? Ah, so that is what will happen to her if she doesn't get some sleep soon. Hope we get to see how pretty she is in FBND without panda-eyes.
Guess I am just going to have to wait for "21st Century Family" to get to see more of Kim Seul Gi. That or figure out a way to watch SNL Korea. The clip of Kim Seul Gi and Jay Park was just a tease to make me want more.
Required fields are marked *
88 rahimah
February 15, 2013 at 4:03 AM
oh...she finally talked her heart out to Do Hwi..
I'm so proud of her..
I hope Enrique could find her..
Wounderful recap!
Thanks so much!
Required fields are marked *
89 Lilian
February 15, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Sometimes it is good to be alone to think but all of us always needs a friend to lean on, someone to trust and I like that part of their relationship! Being a friend first, rather than a lover.
Required fields are marked *
90 Koi94
February 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Your recaps are so well written, thank you! thank you!
I love this show! In a way, it resurrected my love for K-dramas. Or more like reinvigorated would be more apt. It's the first drama where I felt the OTP are really a couple. In the real sense of the word, for me anyway, a couple are two people who are partners in this life journey where they help each other grow and progress. They back each other up and support each other. That's what Enrique and Dok Mi had been for each other. They complement each other. I love how they are actually always attuned to how each other was feeling. From the beginning Enrique realized Dok Mi's social fear, and she was the only one who seemed to be aware of his heartbreak with his first love. I get the sense that they belong to each other. And weirdly enough, I somehow sense this with Dong Hoon and the PD as well.
Required fields are marked *
91 Alouise
February 15, 2013 at 10:36 PM
I love reading your recaps -- thank you so very much!
Also -- am I the only one who is rooting for Jin Rak? I know there's no logic in the idea that a longer love is a truer love, but he's had so much heart and faith that I really want him to be rewarded!
*sigh.
That being said, I think Enrique is better for her overall mental stability. Can't wait for the next installment!
Required fields are marked *
92 wonk banten
February 16, 2013 at 4:13 AM
Very cute and nice
Required fields are marked *
93 oi-Orang Indonesia
February 16, 2013 at 5:15 AM
I was impressed how the drama without many actors and without a lot of complicated storyline,could create such a stir mixed feelings now
Required fields are marked *
94 purin
February 16, 2013 at 9:37 PM
This episode is so... I have been rewatching the previous episodes because I'm so desperate T____T
My favorite scene from the episode was most probably when Enrique gives Dok mi the mug of pencils to sharpen, and stays with her quietly, offering support and love as she slowly calms down... he really is exactly what she needs. In contrast I couldn't help but think of the hospital bed scene where after she tells Jin rak about her school days, he has no idea what to do or say and is just really dumb about it. Though Jin rak's affections for Dok mi is so heartbreaking and lovely, so far he isn't what she needs and in the space of four episodes I don't think there's enough room for him to change so much. His relationship with Dok mi has more parallel in my opinion with Dok mi's nonexistent dream relationship with Tae joon. She is his muse and his ideal girl, but in terms of understanding who she really is, he doesn't come close. Dok mi can be cruel and brusque and a little bit cheeky too (inside her head), but whilst Enrique has some understanding of this, I don't think it features within Jin rak's headcanon of her.
Back to the episode,
The tension in the scene where Do hwi and Dok mi finally confront eachother was so amazing, I felt my heart seize up. To be honest I can really empathise with Do hwi's situation, being a teenager is a time when you really feel the need to seek acceptance from your peers and Do hwi and Dok mi did not have that. People view situations in different ways and so whilst Dok mi could be indifferent to the bullying, as long as she had Do hwi, Do hwi just.. isn't this type of person. When you view things from her perspective, compared to Dok mi, Do hwi was always the less strong, the less talented, the more affected by criticism half of their duo. When it came down the lit teacher, it was the breaking straw to what Do hwi could handle. She must have felt herself the lowest of the low. And when it seemed that if she gave up Dok mi she could solve all of her problems, though it wouldn't have agreed with her conscience, she would have swallowed it and it would have felt like the right thing to do at the time. How Dok mi handled the situation however, she didn't defend herself at all and Do hwi would have felt more and more uncomfortable. When you lie you dig yourself into a deeper and deeper hole, as said in a previous episode. Compared to Dok mi, Do hwi could only have felt uglier and uglier as the situation escalated, but what could she have done?
They understand eachother now and whilst the chances of a full reconciliation is quite low I think the both of them are on a improving pathway now. Even if nothing else, Dok mi will not faint at the sight of her friend in future.
Something else about Do hwi, I think she's been pursuing Oh Jae won because of his potential rich heir status, in the episode where she was hiring an office, one of her posse snarked with a "Are you going to take out another loan?" It became more serious for her after she met Dok mi, and it became like a semi competitive thing again; I don't think Do hwi ever really got rid of her feelings of inferiority.
In the terms and conditions for the "compensation", one of the points was "you must attend cooking classes" I think? I don't remember exactly but I have some recollection of this... Anyways, with Watanabe's dodgy comment about not sleeping well, there is probably something going on there... (please let him be the building owner)
My heart fluttered a little when Dong hoon made his confession about working really hard every night in order to realise his dream. If you watch episode two, when Watanabe talks about why he's in Korea, Jin rak whaps Dong hoon on the head and exclaims "Look at our neighbour working so hard to achieve his dream whilst you're wandering around with your lusty thoughts all the time." Ahhhh I've never watched a drama with so much foreshadowing n_____n <333
The writers really are so great, with the inclusion of the different types of stalkers and with this new death threat thing ohmygod.
Required fields are marked *
kumi
February 17, 2013 at 2:58 PM
I wish the two girls could understand that whatever happened in the past is just "water under the bridge". That holding to insult is so detrimental to each of them.
Due to some psychic weakness people stick to their insults, because they think that it will make them more protective. It is a kind of "weapon" against the offender or whoever caused pain to them. But this "weapon" is first of all causing pain to themselves. It's like carrying sizzling hot coals in one's bosom. And all one has to do is to clearly understand that I don't have to burden my consciousness. Nothing good comes out of it. I will feel better, if I just forgive that person.
I'm glad that at least both girls have let each other know through what pain they have gone. When the opposite side comes to understanding that pain, it makes it easier to forgive. If not, still it's better to forgive and forget. Water under the bridge has gone. There's no need to carry the burden of mortification.
Required fields are marked *
95 JC
February 17, 2013 at 4:09 PM
I adore this series, but I feel like the stalker plotline seems a bit contrived. :/
I was pretty happy with what they've chosen to do with Do Hwi's character so far, and so I'll be pretty mad if crazy stalker chick gets a nice redemption storyline.
Required fields are marked *
96 Joy
February 18, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Why is no one mentioning the scene where Dok Mi finally bursts out at Do Hwi? Let's stop talking about the crazy stalker for one second and talk about how Park Shin Hye delivered her lines with such intensity and depth.
Required fields are marked *
97 Brittni
April 7, 2013 at 6:50 PM
Dittoes all around on the hallway goodnight scene. Normally, these types of scenes can be so saccharine as to be overbearing, but here, because of the personality Enrique has, it was really endearing. He wasn't being overly dramatic or loud, just appreciative of her confession and the closeness they've finally copped to. I have to admit, I kind of expected him to go overboard and cheesy as he walked down the hallway. Because he was actually dialed down by their mutual revelations, kind of in awe of the place he now has in her life, it made it all the sweeter to see. They're both at first blush and seem unsure of what that means, but are also willing to walk together to find out.
I have to say I don't think her reaction to the webtoon would have been positive pre-Enrique. She had made going unnoticed an artform. She took the pain of being overlooked and began to wield that anonymity as a weapon to shield herself. Having a light thrown on her suddenly and without pretext would have sent her into a scampering for safety tailspin - had she not been lit within by Enrique. Being around his bubbly personality allowed her to self-permission to smile here, in this moment, and step toward the past only when it appears in front of her as a hurdle.
Am I alone in wishing the PD character would have her own show? She is so bafflingly bad at human interaction, but so adorably genuine in making an effort that I just love her. When she was dancing in the club, the handcuffed stage dance from Mary Stayed Out All Night popped in my head. I thought that scene was cute (because of how bad Wi Mary was), but the PD is even worse, munching as she walks through the club, doing a dance, then trying to fakeout club employees as she steamrolls her way in.
I also love that she's not a pushover, like when she grabs at the girl being snarky at the club. She's got backbone and is completely clueless about love. It's like she was kidnapped by angry, yelling aliens who returned her for being way mo' betta' at it than them. I swear, I'm waiting for her to wipe her mouth off with the back of her hand, grab a guys face, and sucker kiss him. It cracks me up how out of place she always is, yet seems oblivious to it and makes herself comfortable. I also want to pat her head when she gets all Hoonstruck, eyes as bright as a ten year olds watching fireworks.
Required fields are marked *