Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 9
by javabeans
Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it also brings a lot of heartache—and nobody’s even left yet. That’s the theme in today’s episode, where the tide starts to shift and roles move around a little: Enrique eases up on the pushing and Dok-mi gets some breathing room to process that. In the end, it turns out we all just want to be wanted.
SONG OF THE DAY
Roy Kim, Jung Joon-young – “먼지가 되어” (Become dust), which was used in this episode. [ Download ]
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EPISODE 9: “I love what I know. I know what I love.”
Enrique’s taken aback at Seo-young’s sudden decision to return to Spain, but his hyung doesn’t even bat an eyelash and gives her a terse goodbye before driving away. Ouch, that’s pretty cold. Here I’d thought Tae-joon had been refusing to consider a relationship with her because of Enrique, but now I’m back to wondering if he just doesn’t like her.
Seo-young holds it together to wave him goodbye, then admits to Enrique that it hurts sending away your first love. Ackkkk. What a thing to say to the guy whose first love YOU were. I don’t hate Seo-young, but she is so egocentric that I can’t really work up much empathy, either.
She walks off, and despite Dok-mi’s earlier words that it’s not Enrique’s duty to always be her shoulder to cry on, she tells him now to follow and comfort Seo-young. After all, she asked him to go with him, which means she wants him to stay with her.
Enrique says he’s of no help right now and she wants to be alone. Then he turns that around on Dok-mi, asking whether she’s ever asked someone to stay in her moment of need. She should give it a try: “There’s somebody who’d really like hearing you say that, who’d like it so much it would send him flying off into the universe.” I’m not entirely certain whether he means Jin-rak or himself.
Dok-mi bids him a polite goodbye, which sparks his temper—she’s always just saying goodbye, so impersonally. Frustrated, he asks, “Can’t you be a little sad? ‘It would be nice having you around longer. Your meddling caused me no end of trouble, but I’ll think of you sometimes.’ Can’t you say something like that? Even if it’s just to be polite, you could say it.”
She replies, “I’ll… think of you sometimes.”
Dok-mi heads back home and peers over across the way, just as Enrique enters his hyung’s apartment. She snaps the curtains shut before he can see her and hurriedly grabs a pin to fasten them shut, pricking herself and drawing blood.
Enrique looks out his windows at her closed curtains. Seo-young surprises him by showing up, and she guesses that Dok-mi was the woman he’d mentioned vaguely earlier, when he was ranting about the woman who turned his internet keywords into trash.
He denies that there’s anything between them, but then complains that all Dok-mi had to say was bye. He pouts at the idea that she could care less about him leaving.
Seo-young asks if he’ll be able to leave after all, but he barrels on to say that he probably should, as soon as possible.
Aw, Jin-rak looks over the newest character designs by Dong-hoon, his now-partner, and grudgingly admits that they’re good. Even better than his own, in fact. He grumps that at least he’ll still be fully in charge of writing the story, though.
Ryu’s menu for today’s cooking lesson is fondue, and the neighbors gather in the kitchen. Enrique’s absence goes noted, and Dok-mi casts a sad-looking gaze at his empty spot… only to have him come by anyway, bearing wine and his usual cheery attitude.
Enrique tells the group he’s leaving soon, and at least they react as you might expect, exclaiming that it’s a shame and that he should stay longer. They drink a toast, and after a little prodding (okay, a ton) by Enrique, Dok-mi drinks as well. And drinks. And drinks.
Soon the whole party is tipsy and in good spirits, and Enrique gives her a big hug and says encouragingly, “You have to live well. Come out into the world, okay?”
Then it’s off to the noraebang, and they all head off in good spirits. Even Dok-mi goes, tottering along tipsily.
Jin-rak pulls Do-hwi aside to ask how she knows his real name. He finds her voice familiar somehow, and wonders if she knows him from before. Did she get a complete facial reconstruction? Lose a ton of weight or something? Heh.
When Do-hwi lurches forward, he instinctively claps two hands over his mouth protectively, which hilariously do nothing to allay the misunderstanding when Enrique spots them looking cozy. From his angle it’s a definite kiss, and he gapes in shock. How could he? What about Dok-mi? Two-timing beast! LOL.
Enrique begs him to reconsider carefully, because he can’t get between these two ex-friends in a sordid love triangle. Jin-rak swears up and down that he doesn’t like Do-hwi in the least and that they weren’t kissing, although his explanation sounds a lot like a lame excuse: “That wasn’t even a kiss! I didn’t even open my mouth!”
Since Enrique’s leaving soon, he urges Jin-rak to straighten everything out (and dump Do-hwi, heh) and look after Dok-mi. He begs earnestly like this would be the biggest favor—and that strikes Jin-rak as mighty odd. His expression suddenly growing serious, Jin-rak notes that he’s quite out of line and overreacting: “I’ll act not because of your request, but with my heart and my sincerity.”
He adds in a hard voice that Enrique had better not show up in front of Dok-mi anymore. Ooh. Something just changed in the air between them.
Then Jin-rak takes up the mike to bellow his song… and Enrique grabs another mike to join him. Omo, is this… a sing-off?
They belt out “Becoming Dust,” a rock classic by Kim Gwang-seok (which was turned into a dueling duet for Superstar K 4). First it’s Enrique getting the better of Jin-rak, who finds himself shoved to the side, and then Jin-rak comes back and shoves Enrique aside, and there’s a lot of elbows and shoving going on. The oneupsmanship leads them to get more and more aggro, until they end in a rock banshee wail-off. HA.
Dok-mi looks like she’s enjoying herself, then stumbles on home afterward while the two boys look on in concern. Jin-rak sticks by her side while Enrique makes sure to keep Do-hwi from interfering. He tries to remind her that their mutual first love is why their friendship went sour in the first place, and urges her to let this crush go so she can reconcile with her friend.
Do-hwi barks that you can’t put time limits on love, citing that her online shopping mall runs 24/7. Ha. She scrambles for a better reason and blurts that Dok-mi likes Enrique! Yeah! She totally said so!
I don’t think he believes it, though for a long moment it sure looks like he wants to. Still, Enrique promised to butt out, so Do-hwi should too.
He gives her an idea to help her reconciliation efforts, though, and proposes throwing Dok-mi a party. She loves the idea, or at least the part that includes Jin-rak showing up. Man, she is like a dog with a bone. You can’t accuse her of getting distracted from her goal.
Then Seo-young shows up, and to Enrique’s bewilderment, the two style mavens instantly recognize a kindred spirit and gasp in admiration of each other’s clothes. Pfft. Now this is a pairing that makes sense.
Enrique chuckles to himself to think how Dok-mi would look wearing that kind of clothing… then visualizes a trendily dressed version of her (waving and pouting at him) and realizes she’d look good. He shakes his head of the disturbing thought.
Jin-rak walks Dok-mi home, and she’s sobered up by the time they reach their building. As they pass the security guard’s booth, she relates the story of the first time she was there, when she was apartment-hunting. She’d seen a hat-shaped mark on the wall, and when the security guard entered he had hung his hat right over it. He’d been there long enough that his hat left a mark, and it made her think, I want to live here.
Jin-rak asks, “There are traces of us here too in this neighborhood, on this road, don’t you think?”
They arrive at their own doors, and Jin-rak speaks up while he’s got the moment to say that he hates winter. The other three seasons of the year, Dok-mi leaves her windows open, and he can smell her cooking in the air and feel her presence nearby.
Jin-rak: “It feels like you’re right next to me. I just want to be with you for a long time. Then like that hat mark, my traces might remain. All you have to do is stay there, just like now.”
That’s so sadly sweet. Just like Jin-rak.
That night, they all settle down to work in their respective homes, as Dok-mi looks up at the tree Enrique painted on her ceiling. Enrique starts working on a photo collage, while Jin-rak writes the story of his hero deciding to leave traces of himself for his Rapunzel. There in his latest drawing is a security guard station, with a hat-shaped imprint in the wall.
Enrique sits in on one last meeting about his newest game, and tries to scramble for reasons that the project needs him to stick around. He hits upon one and practically giggles to himself while trying to complain that it’s suuuuuch a pain but he’ll have to bite the bullet and remain here. Only to have his highly efficient staff assure him that they’ve got everything under control. He pouts.
Do-hwi orders her minions to prepare the party, wearing a rather cruel look on her face as she vows to use the occasion as a reason to “send her off for good.” Yeesh. I know she can’t mean to kill her, but it sure sounds like Kill her. Then Seo-young drops by as invited and Do-hwi’s all smiles again.
Enrique drops by Dok-mi’s door to hang a bag on the knob and slip a folded-airplane note in her mail slot. Then he makes a BIG to-do shouting to Jin-rak’s door that he’s heeeeeeeere, hyuuuuuuuung!, it’s ENRIQUE! Ha. Dok-mi hears the commotion from inside (how could she not?) but Enrique is dragged off soon enough.
Jin-rak takes him for a last meal together at Ryu’s cafe, where another customer happens to butt into his conversation (and then out, just as suddenly). She’s wearing a panda hat just like Enrique’s, and he compliments her for her fashion sense. Ha, he would.
That’s where they are when all the boys simultaneously receive Do-hwi’s video invitation to her party. Dok-mi gets the same invitation, as well as a heartfelt (sounding) text asking her to come to the party so they can have an honest talk about what happened back then.
Dok-mi’s softening toward Dok-mi with the overtures, which frankly makes me think this is ultimately going to be terrible. Eep!
To help Jin-rak’s courting of Dok-mi, Enrique urges him to try wearing a different style to the party, and presents… a photo of Tae-joon. Hehe. He also gives him the advice on how to appeal to Dok-mi more by knocking on her door and drawing her out, letting her see the world. His voice grows wistful as he adds that Jin-rak should occasionally acknowledge that he knows her pain, assure her that he won’t ignore her, and send her signals asking, Can’t you come a little closer?
Jin-rak gives him a USB drive as his goodbye, tells him not to open it till he’s in Spain.
Dok-mi adds a new passage to her work in progress that night:
“Sometimes people who believed they’d just be passing each other by remain afterward in the heart. It isn’t until after the separation that the depth and weight of the encounter is truly understood. That woman believes that life is the repetition of that belated realization.”
The next morning, Jin-rak leaves another note on Dok-mi’s milk carton. The drawing is the same as the last time, with the man making his proposal to the woman, with a bigger and bolder heart this time. The message reads, “The day of the party! I’ll wait at 5.”
Across the way, Enrique thinks of his airplane note and watches the clock, eagerly waiting some kind of activity at Dok-mi’s window. He packs as he waits… and waits… and waits… his smile growing droopier by the minute.
Dok-mi has been working all night and misses both notes entirely, while the guys pop out periodically to send worried looks at her door and window. But she’s bleary-eyed and exhausted, and goes straight from desk to sleeping bag.
Finally, Enrique’s bag is packed and he can’t stall any longer. Head hanging, he heads out with his suitcase behind Seo-young.
When Dok-mi finally wakes up, she finds both notes. Enrique’s reads: “I’ll wait at the window at 9 o’clock. I want to say goodbye with a wave and a smile! I made a game and left it outside your door. Do as the dice say!”
Rushing to the curtains, she finds his apartment empty. It’s deflating, perhaps more than she knows. She looks at his window almost tearily, while Enrique trudges to the waiting taxi and takes one last look around. Flashbacks of their shared moments remind us—and her—of his promise to show her the world, how she lashed out at him, then how she told him she wanted to spare him pain, and how she said she’d think of him sometimes.
Dok-mi retrieves the bag from her doorknob and finds that Enrique has made a Chutes and Ladders type board game, using photos of them. She rolls the dice and starts to play. Aw, each space on the board is a plan to do something—to ride bikes at the Han River, to circle the city by bus, to go camping. That’s so sweet; he wants to draw her out one small step at a time, but the game aspect also sort of reflects her tendency to experience life vicariously. It’s like he’s getting her to play first in theory, and then, hopefully, for real.
One square on the board is to go to a party, which reminds her of Do-hwi’s invitation. She reads Jin-rak’s note too, and seriously considers it.
Jin-rak does his best imitation of Tae-joon by dressing up in a suit (“But why do I look like a loser?”), but gets called in to the office by his screaming PD. He worries all the while, especially since he saw the milk carton gone and knows Dok-mi read his note. He can’t be late for the party, not after he promised to wait for her.
He hardly focuses on the meeting at all, even when his PD is sarcastically congratulating him for dropping to one-star reviews. As if his accusations of plagiarism (of Enrique’s game) weren’t bad enough, he’s also been too transparent about the bad guy in his webtoon—you know, that successful character from Spain.
Meanwhile, Enrique’s at the airport, dragging his feet all the while. Seo-young mentions Do-hwi and Dok-mi’s odd friendship, and wonders what was meant about “sending her off” at the party. There was something in the way Dok-mi said it, which reminds her of how they “sent off” one of their classmates at their high school graduation, which is basically a euphemism for a Carrie-like humiliation, it seems.
Enrique perks up—what does she mean? Details, details!
Then, they’re approached by a familiar face—panda hat girl, here shyly admitting that she’s actually Enrique’s fan. He’s happy to greet her, though confused to hear her refer to the Flower Boy Next Door webtoon that he happens to be featured in. It’s news to his hears, but she informs him that it’s the work of the manhwa writer who’s embroiled in those plagiarism claims, who may have a prior record of fraud and who is definitely depicting Enrique unfavorably.
It’s 5 o’clock by the time Jin-rak gets out of his meeting, and he takes off running. At the same time, Dok-mi heads over to Do-hwi’s office, remembering the offer to talk about their past and clear the air between them.
Do-hwi’s all smiles when Dok-mi arrives and welcomes her in… just as a figure appears behind her shoulder.
OMO. It’s their old teacher. Oof, and goddamn. That’s just cruel.
COMMENTS
Yiiikes. Well that just puts Do-hwi into a whole new category of hateful, doesn’t it? Prior to this episode I’d mostly considered her an annoying but ultimately harmless presence. She was pretty mean in the past, but her role in the present was more irritating than anything, and despite the fact that her mere existence is painful to Dok-mi, I do think Dok-mi’s stronger than she looks and able to handle that. In fact, she needs to in order to heal properly and move on.
Thus I was fine tolerating her antics, plus as comic fodder she was off looking ridiculous most of the time anyway. We have seen signs of a more pernicious nature brewing under the surface, but this is the first time they’ve really come out. And I am not amused. A bumbling idiot is one thing, but now she’s gone into outright cruelty, and for what? The affections of (yet another) guy who doesn’t like Do-hwi back, whom Dok-mi doesn’t even like? Yeah, this girl learns nothing. You’d think that since she knows nothing, there’d be nowhere to go but up, but some souls are just closed to improvement. Sad truth of life.
I loved seeing Enrique’s despondence in this episode, not because I enjoy his pain but because it echoes in Dok-mi’s written passage about not understanding the depth of something until it’s gone. I suppose one might wonder why he doesn’t just stay and impose his presence when he’s had no trouble doing that thus far, but there’s a different in intent and depth of feeling. He’s vulnerable this time, and clutching at straws for just one tiny, measly sign. Any sign. He’s finally backed off enough to let Dok-mi have her say in things, which I like to see as well—you need to back off for the person to actually figure out how they feel, to distinguish whether what they’re feeling when you leave is relief or disappointment.
And the poignant part is that Enrique’s despondence is mirrored in Dok-mi’s. Without him buzzing around all the time, she can feel the void of his absence, and it’s lovely, in a melancholy sort of way, how they start missing each other before they’ve even left.
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Tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon
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51 SuziQ
February 4, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Loved the karaoke dueling sing off. They should have had PSH sang too.She has sung in other dramas and has a lovely quality in her singing voice.
Enrique was trying to find any little reasons to remain in Seoul. When Seo Young told him about Do Hwi's dastardly evil plan, he jumped at the chance and ran back to Dok Mi immediately. It's so sudden, I don't think Dok Mi is emotionally ready to confront her former teacher. Do Hwi who has no conscience should get kicked out by Enrique and Jin Rak.
Distance makes the hearts grow fonder, but in Enrique's case, he has a 30 days visitors visa. Sooner or later, he has to return to Spain and leave POOR Dok Mi alone to her own devices. Is it better to have loved or never to have loved at all?
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52 amie
February 4, 2013 at 10:28 PM
Was it just me but did anyone else think that the board game that Enrique made was super adorable!!!!
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Jenn
February 5, 2013 at 4:03 AM
Oh yes, I'm hoping the last spot on the board says something like "Come visit me in Spain!"
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owl
February 5, 2013 at 2:07 PM
And so low tech compared to his cutting edge gaming life - cutting out pictures with a scissors and glue, so cute. So much thought. Aw, Enrique, you charmer boy you ~
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Maris
February 5, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Yes! It was tailor made for DM. That is why it was even more thoughtful and showed how much he cared about her. Since he knew that once he left, there is no one to pull her out of her shell. This was reminder for her to get out more and try out different things. A perfect gift for her. It's unfortunate that the first time she used it was when she accepted DH's party invitation.
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53 onyxx
February 4, 2013 at 10:48 PM
ughhh... i hope Dok-hwi gets the gut-wrenching comeuppance she richly deserves! this girl wouldn't know what "restraint" means even if it bites her in the ass!
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54 (permanent) visitor
February 4, 2013 at 11:05 PM
I've been wondering about the webtoon. At first I thought that, of course, Jin-Rak would change things up enough so that it was just based loosely on real people/events. But now it seems as though he's basically just writing down what others are saying and doing - but somehow making himself the central character? Did he not think that anyone would see it? I mean, the internet's a pretty big place, but it's also, yunno, public. Is he seriously that bad a writer that he can't come up with his own stories? Because it's looking more and more like that's the case.
On a different note, I really loved the part where Enrique was talking about how to get closer to Dok Mi - because it was really more about helping her, as a friend more than a lover. Or at least, as a friend *first*. Jin Rak never thought that far, and even though he may say that he wants to protect her, he's just being selfish wanting to keep her in his little bubble. Enrique cares enough to think about what would be best for HER.
I love Kim Ji Hoon but not Jin Rak. Seriously, Show, you expect us to believe nobody kissed him until now?! Pppffffttt. >___>
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Still for Jin Rak
February 5, 2013 at 5:18 AM
I think that Jin Rak uses the webtoon as a release, kind of like a diary. He didn't mean any harm by it, and using real life as inspiration for art is a pretty common practice. The fact that he didn't change anything with regards to his main characters was admittedly a bit short sighted. However, he's not well-known, and the Internet is a big place. Obviously, he didn't think it would make the rounds.
The majority of comments I've read about Jin Rak have been disparaging. From what I've gathered, it's because he didn't step up sooner. I honestly don't understand how viewers can feel this way and still root for our heroine... They are basically the same person. When applying the story from the drama, I see them as two elephants that understand each other by nature. Enrique is more like the trainer that teaches the lonely elephant how to speak a language that is foreign to her.
I like that Jin Rak hasn't tried to "fix" her. He cares for her just the way she is.
My hope is quickly dwindling, though. Please don't tell me this will be another Kang Shin Woo. I'm setting myself up for massive disappointment by gunning for the second lead. Again. Come oooon Tvn, surprise me!
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Conny
February 5, 2013 at 5:30 AM
I feel the same way. Especially after the car scene when Enrique says 'he doesn't speak Korean anymore, he found himself a girl elephant and they only speak elephant now'.
To me, that pretty much summed up the up the relationship between JR and DM. After all, I believe she understands JR perfectly. Has she not been holding on to his milk carton notes all this time?
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Geurae
February 5, 2013 at 5:59 AM
But Enrique.... Little does he know that he's an elephant himself.
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(permanent) visitor
February 5, 2013 at 8:18 AM
After reading more comments and thinking some more about it, and realized I actually DON'T dislike Jin-Rak, just his approach (plus I'm not writing this at 2:30 am, ha!).
He is much more observant and thoughtful than, say, his roommate, and he did recognize Dok-Mi as a person worth knowing, when others just dismissed her as someone who was weird or boring because she was quiet. (Not everyone can be Enrique) The problem with his approach though, is that it means no one will really get close to Dok-Mi - himself included.
I think the process Enrique described of gradually drawing her out wasn't so much about changing her as it was giving her reassurance that not all the world is a scary place; that he DOES understand her scars and doesn't want to belittle or ignore them; that there are such things as friends or people who can be depended on. His game, for example, wasn't meant to change who she is as a person, but to really help her be more functional in the world (riding a bike, taking the bus around the block).
What I got from the elephant metaphor wasn't that some people are elephants and others are not, but rather that the need - and rewards - of empathy and communication are universal. I think Enrique was trying to remind Dok-Mi of that fact, since she had been living so long without them.
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pogo
February 5, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Exactly! Something in her life does need to change, she can't keep living with that old wound forever, and that's what Enrique was trying to do - not change her, just help. Jin-rak's vision of Dok-mi sees her shut-in-ness as central to her character, which is why I can't quite root for him even if I appreciate what he did with the milk carton post-its.
And I suppose, re: the webtoon, if JR was writing it with the names changed, he may have figured no one would figure out just who the characters were in real life. Though it's often REALLY obvious when you know the people in question, here there aren't too many people who do so he must have figured he was safe. But Enrique is too much of a public figure, and the identifying details were too obvious ------> Jin-rak busted (which is sad, because I liked that bromance and now poor E's feelings will be so hurt)
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(permanent) visitor
February 5, 2013 at 2:11 PM
I did like the milk-carton notes. And, if Enrique had never appeared, do I think she should have dated Jin-Rak? Oh hell yeah! He's cute (well, hot) and adorable, and that probably would be a step in the right direction for her. He might have gotten to know her as well as Enrique - eventually.
unik
February 5, 2013 at 2:06 PM
I love you. We have the same sentiments especially about the metaphor. It was about being unable to be understood or heard, the loneliness that comes with it and the happiness you find when finally after much effort you are able to communicate to at least one being.
Initially, I don't dislike Jin-rak. He is also a unique character. His intentions were pure and his adoration genuine but his image of Dok-mi as a whole is a bit of a misconception, thus, his ways of going about it with her is also misguided. You don't know how bittersweet coffee is just by inhaling it's aroma and you don't let it sit in the table to cool for a long time because in the end, you end up with a bland taste.
Yet, he sat for 3 years and would have sat for another 3 if not for an outside force. Even after all the changes that have occurred, he still of the firm belief that coffee should sit in the counter brewing.
There is a certain dissonance in wanting the person you love stay close by and unchanged for your sake. Knowing that she exist is different from making sure that she is living.
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unik
February 5, 2013 at 2:41 PM
Why make it seem that Dok-mi doesn't need "fixing", when it is fairly clear from the way she is barely living that she is in essence broken?
"Jin-rak loves Dok-mi just the way she is?"
Does he love her just the way she TRULY is or the way she is as he sees her? If Jin-rak allowed himself to really get to know the many facets of Dok-mi, he might still fall for her but then again he might not if he is firm in adoring that pedestal he made of her.
Wanting her to remain "unchanged" is basically looking but not seeing. What Jin-rak overlooked in his 3 years of spying, Enrique recognized and acted upon in a day. That he missed that something was dysfunctional with the way Dok-mi was living doesn't make him bad, he's just not right for her.
And yes, being a hermit and living without a connection with the world around you and the people inhabiting it IS dysfunctional. Even Dok-mi knows it, how else would she stoop to ogling her neighbor. Because she desired at least one connection to someone outside that window even if it is one-sided.
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Still for Jin Rak
February 6, 2013 at 4:52 AM
I didn't say that Dok Mi doesn't need fixing; her introversion is definitely extreme and relatively unhealthy. However, I believe that Jin Rak has been giving her the agency to fix herself.
I like that he never barged in and demanded a change. It's pretty clear from the premise of his webtoon (in the initial pitch) that he hopes to help her ease into society organically. He's been slowly and patiently laying the foundations of trust and understanding through years of post-it notes. The fact that she has been collecting them shows that she has been unconsciously letting him in for a while.
Near the beginning of the drama we see her go out to the rally, which was clearly a first. This was a massive step, which I believe indicated that she was heading in the right direction without anyone forcing her hand. Not to mention that she recognized Jin Rak as an ally (through nodding).
I also was very careful in saying "cares for" rather than "love"... He wants to get to know her better. He thinks about her all the time. He worries for her. He understands her. He sees the good in her. He recognizes her value. These are all characteristics of the potential for love, rather than actual love. Now that he's interacting with her on a personal level, I can honestly say he is falling in love. Not while he was a satellite orbiting her little world.
I would have believed in that interpretation of the elephant story as well (and on some level I still do), had Enrique not explicitly stated that he was going to be her trainer, which strikes me as foreshadowing...
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unik
February 6, 2013 at 3:47 PM
So you do acknowledge that somethings got to change. But from what Jin-rak said "I wish you stay where you are and do not change" or something of the sort completely negates that idea. From my point of view, he wants to be part of her current reclusive life, not change it.
The post-it tells it so, she wants a connection outside that room that's why she has been putting it in her wall just like all the other post-its in her life. The thing is, she doesn't know or dare to go out of her safe bubble to get hold of that connection. As you say she has accepted those post-its for years which gives the signal that she maybe ready for a more upfront approach but thing is Jin-rak has no concept of timing. If left to his own devices he'd continue like that for years not wanting any change because to a certain extent he also feels secure in such set-up. He gets to keep his fantasy image of Rapunzel intact.
Btw, the precursor for the rally was not Jin-rak so he doesn't get credit for that. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's mr. guard's threat that got her out of the room and the dwindling supplies.
He may recognize her value, worries about her and wants to get to know her more but he most certainly do not understand her like he thinks he does. Understanding only comes when you get to a certain point at knowing a person's motivation in doing things. All that he has are preconceived notions gathered from years of stalking. The post-its as foundations for trust and understanding are very flimsy. The fact that Jin-rak chose to be anonymous in all the 3 years speaks of cowardice and distrust and his own insecurity. How can you make someone understand you when you are not even willing to share your identity? Is that a trustworthy act?
Knowing her on a personal level didn't start until Enrique barged into her life. He was the catalyst for change for both Jin-rak and Dok-mi because as you say they are both elephants who for some unfortunate circumstance speak different dialects. lol!
Enrique thinking himself a trainer is part of his "special" mindset that he was an elephant once and therefore should share his knowledge on elephant phenomenon. Meeting a mute elephant made him think he's not one anymore which by the way is incorrect thinking. He's just an elephant who has great timing and genius ability in learning different elephant dialects.
The thing about Jin-rak is he wants to know more of Dok-mi but in turn do not put himself out there for her to get to know. How many of us viewers know about Jin-rak's past from his own mouth more than from any accidental/forced revelations from other sources. Whereas, Enrique gave Dok-mi his biography for her to peruse. He literally laid his life in her hand. The guy gives as much as he gets and that's why I'm on his side.
Still for Jin Rak
February 8, 2013 at 12:18 AM
Sorry I'm replying out of order, there was no "reply" button under your response, this time.
I vaguely recall Jin Rak looking at a picture of Dok Mi, and seeing her smiling. He wished she would smile again, and wondered what made her the way she is now. I don't think he wants her to remain an unhappy recluse. He does want her to stay beside him, though.
You're absolutely right about the timing thing. Jin Rak is really, really, REALLY terrible at it. However, from my perspective, he wanted to make a move, but was petrified that it would make Dok Mi uncomfortable in her own home.
That's where Enrique has a serious advantage. From the beginning of the drama, his careless, pushy, and impulsive attitude with regards to Dok Mi could be contributed (in part) to the fact that he could walk in and out of her life at minimal cost. I mean, the guy's got an expiration date before heading back to Spain. What happens in Korea stays in Korea. But Jin Rak lives next door to her. I don't know if you've ever had a crush on someone that lives/works/frequents the same place as you, but there are some very real consequences to take into consideration before making a definitive move (doubly so when dealing with a hermit). If things go wrong, it is absolute hell for an indeterminate amount of time. Clearly Dok Mi's home is her sanctuary, and I don't think Jin Rak wanted to ruin that for her.
Hmm... as I recall, Jin Rak asked Dok Mi to simply attend the rally, as he would take over the ringleader position on her behalf. Details are fuzzy, I marathoned the first 5 episodes. If I'm wrong, my bad! Either way, I do remember she acknowledged his part by nodding, which I saw as a potential breakthrough for their relationship.
Admittedly, I did hesitate before writing the word "understanding", but then the box example (e.g. not taking the box on Dok Mi's behalf, and explaining 'why' to Enrique) came to me, and I did. Perhaps "empathize" is a better word than "understand"... Yes, he gleaned a lot of information solely through observation, but I believe the blanks he filled in regarding her personality have been pretty accurate.
I think the post-it notes were leading somewhere. The two main characters were beginning to interact in the cartoon, and were clearly made as stand ins for Jin Rak and Dok Mi. What's obvious is that we've gotten very different impressions when it comes to Jin Rak's personality... Where you see "cowardice, distrust, and insecurity", I see a very gentle, considerate, albeit shy human being. He's an introvert. Perhaps he's not the best at communicating verbally, but he wants to share something with her. I kind of see it as beautiful. Not all personality types would be receptive to that kind of gesture, obviously, but Dok Mi is, and I would have been as well. Art is such a huge part of his identity, and offering it on a daily basis provides understanding/insight before proper introductions are necessary. (Which parallels Dok Mi's expression through writing.)
Ahahaha "Elephants that speak different dialects" I love it! Ahahaha
Yes, Enrique is definitely acting as a very effective catalyst. However, that's all I want him to be. Jin Rak's character was made to be a bit mysterious, but one thing the audience can be perfectly clear on are his feelings regarding Dok Mi. Besides, the slow reveal regarding Jin Rak's backstory mirrors Dok Mi's.
I thought it was poignant when Jin Rak exclaimed something along the lines of "why does everything come so easily to that guy?" It's hard for someone with an introverted personality to compete with someone as extroverted as Enrique. He may give a lot, but he gives it to everyone, which makes it less special. Yes, he literally handed her his life story... Before he sold it to the rest of the world.
55 b1
February 4, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Cant it be.. that Dok Mi was somehow abused by the teacher way back.. and he wanted to at least apologize to Dok Mi that he took the chance to see her even through Do Hwi's invitation? Or he believed that Dok Mi and DH are friends again and that DH is helping him to apologize?
I really think that there's more to the Dok Mi - teacher story that almost made attempt suicide
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Mystisith
February 5, 2013 at 4:01 AM
MTE! That teacher is giving me the creeps.
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Maris
February 5, 2013 at 7:26 PM
What took him so long? Why did he not do it right after leaving school when he knew what it would be like for DM to face everyone in school on a daily basis specially when she was just a young student? Why did he not follow her to the hospital to make sure she was ok? Surely he knew that he was the reason for her collapse? Where is his conscience that he sent the apology through E? Was this that trivial a matter for him? A writer is very sensitive, observant, expressive and articulate person. He is able to see things which normally a person just passes by. What sort of a writer can he be? I dislike him as much as DH. They live for themselves even at the expense of others.
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56 yohan lei
February 4, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Oh my! I want to strangle Do Hwi! She's so cruel, she deserves to be in hell!
The karaoke scene was hilarious but we can see now the brewing rivalry between Enrique and Jin Rak over Dok Mi.
I love the way Dok Mi and Enrique are slowly realizing their feelings for each other.
Hahaha...the scene w/ Dong Hoon and the PD, so funny too.
Wow, guys, thanks a lot for all your thoughts/comments about this drama. You really made my day...it is as if I'm interacting with all of you.
I love this drama soooooo much. I am not as excited in watching kdrama as it is now. I can't really wait for every episode to come...and it's already halfway. So sad when it ends. It seems like I'll be rewatching it again and again. Haisz.
Oh, thank you very much JB for the awesome recap. I'm really waiting for it after every episode including the reactions of our fellow FBND followers/viewers.
I'm excitedly waiting for tonight's episode. Tomorrow again.:)
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57 Hubba_Hubba
February 4, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Thanks~
So I rewatched episode 2 and when we first see Do Hwi, we hear some guy tell her -over the phone or in a flashback- "I looked everywhere to find it. It didn't take that long. Its been 3 years since he moved," and then watching this episode where JR says her voice sounds familiar just confirmed my suspicions.
I suppose she had a secret crush on him 3 years ago but just watched him from afar and never confessed. Then he left and changed his name b/c of his 'fraud' problems and she paid someone to find him again. I wonder what her story was and why he knows her voice.
It seems that everyone in this show has someone they "peek at everyday."
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58 Momopeach
February 4, 2013 at 11:41 PM
I really liked Yoon Shi Yoon's singing here =]
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watashiwachiaki
February 5, 2013 at 4:15 AM
yeah he's singing voice here is better than when he sang at the Baker King's special (in which Joo Won outshined him XD )
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pogo
February 5, 2013 at 1:26 PM
yeah I was surprised by how nice he sounded, ha.
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59 rhiaa
February 4, 2013 at 11:51 PM
Do-hwi really CANNOT let go, can't she? Is the 'scar' of her first love (when in the first place she didn't even bother to get explanations from Dok-mi, she just up and left) too much that years later she is still intent on punishing Dok-mi? Why can't she just leave her alone? She just went up a level of hatefulness.
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60 ajj
February 5, 2013 at 12:03 AM
Just who is the old Jin Rak?
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owl
February 5, 2013 at 8:14 AM
...and what was that reference that he (the old Jin rak) and Do hwi may know each other from another place and time?? Another loose end - what about the person who stole Enrique's phone - is there more to that?
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61 pshaw
February 5, 2013 at 12:09 AM
Been meaning to ask this for the longest time ....
... but ....
... what's with ms. editor and the sash?!!?
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62 Avon
February 5, 2013 at 12:42 AM
Enrique is the one who can protect Dok Mi regardless of his child-like ways, but he is sensitive, mature, protective and intelligent.
Jin Rak maybe older, and more experienced but he lacks initiative to protect the character of Dok Mi.
Yoon Shi Yoon....the best fit actor for this drama.
Park Shin Hye .... does extremely well as Dok Mi.
I can't wait for episode 10 and its nearing episode 16, the final one, and....... i will miss them.
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63 Mary Sara
February 5, 2013 at 12:46 AM
off-topic:
I read that Kim Ji Hoon and Goo Hye Sun are sweethearts? Of course, they will deny it. But, the story is floating around in Korea way way back when they were in training. He for SM Entertainment, while she with YG Entertainment.
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joybells
February 5, 2013 at 11:08 AM
I looked it up and yes there a tons of news about them dating!!
I think they make a really cute couple. :)
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64 bair05
February 5, 2013 at 12:46 AM
Do Hwi that &€#%*|>£ !!!! Just she waits until I find a way to go inside a computer...
On a good note, I liked, no loved how we start to see Enrique in love with Dok Mi, it's so sweet and sad at the same time. I hope he and Jin Rak find out Do Hwi's real personality and blow her off for good
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65 Odile
February 5, 2013 at 1:12 AM
There's a part that I don't understand...
I know both girls had a crush with that high school teacher, but there must be something more that I'm not getting cause it's really dramatic... Can someone explain that entire segment?
And, is Jin Rak a fraud? What is his objective and game?
As of this episode, Enrique knows that Jin Rak doesn't like him... correct? -battle is on-!
Thank you very much!
Odile
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lol
February 5, 2013 at 1:24 AM
I don't think Dokmi ever liked the teacher
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66 Naomi
February 5, 2013 at 1:34 AM
thanks jb
Oh jin rak what a romantic confession - cooking aroma, herbs and aromatic smell and the korean words he choose woah !!. I don't korean language but the words sound nice to the ear !!.
First time to see jin rak and dok mi locked eyes together at the footpath and also their eye contact between 402 and 403 doors.
Dok hwi's should pack her on-line clothes and send her off to timbuctoo !!.
I like the group photo at ryu's - look at jin rak and dok mi ?..... cutey pie !!
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67 Sajen
February 5, 2013 at 1:40 AM
can't Jin Rak leave instead of Enrique, please. Also something I've been thinking about and kind of really want is for Seo-young to become Dok Mi's new best friend because whereas Do Hwi is and most likely always was a terrible person, just you know hidden at first, Seo-young despite being perhaps a bit self-centered strikes me as a genuinely good caring person.
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68 seara
February 5, 2013 at 2:39 AM
Thank you javabeans for recap :)
Can't wait to watch today episode >_<
I hope both jin rak and enrique know how EVIL is do hwi
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69 Sasha Triman
February 5, 2013 at 2:49 AM
For me...it's kinda
Dok Mi = Seo Young
Jin Rak <3 = Annoyrique
Annoyrique = Tae Joon
I'm pretty sure Jin Rak already know his place for Dok Mi and he's trying to protect her from Annoyrique who has to grow up. You cannot just come to someone's life, interfere them and leave because you like to pretend everything is positive which it's not.
and I think Seo Young has every right to say whatever she want because Annourique never tell her how he actually feel. If you decide to stick around your first love like that, SUCK IT UP!
I really hope The teacher situation will be a favor to Dok Mi. PLEASE!!!
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Geurae
February 5, 2013 at 6:05 AM
"Annorique" what in the actual....
I can't believe you are justifying Jin Rak's actions when they are more extreme than Enrique's. your views are obviously biased.
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70 mojobobo
February 5, 2013 at 2:55 AM
Sorry, I know this is rather late in the day but would someone be kind enough to tell me how old Enrique and Dok Mi are supposed to be?
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a fan
February 5, 2013 at 11:41 AM
I think Enrique should be 27 ( 10-year first love) but in the webtoon Dokmi is a few years older than him but I'm not sure about her age in the drama...
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pogo
February 5, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Do-hwi sends a message to Dok-mi saying something about a 'five-year reunion', going by the subtitles - if that means 5 years since they were in school, they'd be about 23-24? And Enrique maybe the same, or a little older (depending on when his 10-year first love started).
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mojobobo
February 5, 2013 at 6:04 PM
HAHA thanks friends :) Funny how he keeps calling her ahjumma. Kekeke. NEXT WEEK! IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!
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kathy
February 6, 2013 at 11:25 AM
In the webtoon, Enrique is younger than Dok Mi so if Dok Mi is 24, he's maybe 22 or younger than that.
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71 leramjoy
February 5, 2013 at 3:09 AM
The restaurant where Enrique's telling Jin what he should do reminds me of My Sassy Girl...Thanks JB! :)
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72 Jacintha
February 5, 2013 at 3:23 AM
tq jb
there we go again !! jin rak and his sageuk language !!.
Fisrt time dok mi had an adult conversation with jin rak about the hat leaving a mark and ...........
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73 Venus
February 5, 2013 at 3:43 AM
Oh Do Hwi Do Hwi Do Hwi...if this is a sageuk drama, I would love to see you drink ten cups of poison as a punishment for being an evil friend while Me as a TV viewer will be chanting "chug!" "Chug!" "Chug!" Bwahahaha
Thank you Javabeans for your wonderful recap & lovely snapshots ^^
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74 faye
February 5, 2013 at 3:44 AM
I was thinking about this show the other day, and you know what I realized? Nothing much really happens. Think about it: in most K-dramas, there are these larger-than-life, almost epic situations: princesses returning to the throne, global chaebols, evil interfering mommies, grand plans for revenge on the Korean government figures that betrayed you - just to name a few. But this show is essentially just a look into the everyday lives of everyday, average people becoming involved with each other in organic, mostly natural ways. People with normal foiables and quirks and strengths and weaknesses (with the exception of Do-Hwi, who's evil on an epic scale - yet even that is not unheard of). If you think about it, it's essentially just a very mundane version of "Rear Window." It should be so boring if you're used to the typical rhythms of K-drama.
Yet . . .here we find ourselves waiting on the edge of our seats for every new episode; discussing and analyzing every detail and character; disbelieving that we're past the halfway point. I think it's such a testament to the wonderful job the writers and actors are doing. I hope this is a trend K-drama producers and directors note and reproduce: when you create a story and characters that are multi-layered and touching, relatable and *real,* you don't need the flash of the epic dramas.
This episode was another great one. I know he's going about it the wrong way, but poor Jin Rak - his feelings are so strong, and I think he does care for Dok Mi, even if he's not the best one for her. Love how Enrique is gradually coming to the realization that he likes Dok Mi, even if he's not there yet.
That sing-off? Oh, so wonderfully giggle-inducing. Nothing has been as amazing since the Britney-Justin post-break-up dance-off.
And Do-Hwi remains, as I've said before, beyond redemption. I may be biased because I was a Dok-Mi type and had a Do-Hwi type in high school, and what I learned from her is that there are people in this world who will do cruel things to you, who will in fact seek out your weakest point and do something to maximize hurt in this area, and they will not do it not because you've done something to them, not because they've been abused in their past (a favorite drama trope), but simply because they like hurting people. Those types of people can never be reformed. That's why I just knew from the second Do-Hwi invited Dok-Mi to the party that the teacher would be there - just *knew* it. I only hope that Dok-Mi uses this opportunity to move past her trauma over what happened in high school.
Someone else mentioned that Enrique is only in Korea on a 30-day visa. Is anyone else wondering/hoping that Dok Mi will go with him?
Can't wait to see what happens next.
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a fan
February 5, 2013 at 11:38 AM
I love your comment. Sometimes I see people complaining it too slow or have no plot... I wonder if they really pay attention to the drama because this is what the drama about, everyday's life of Dokmi and how her life changed after she met Enrique. It's real and beautiful.
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Ennayra
February 5, 2013 at 3:04 PM
I love your comment too. And I was especially interested in your POV as a Dok-mi type in high school. I was quiet in school (okay not that quiet), but luckily didn't run into any Do-Hwi types, so I appreciate your insights.
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Faye
February 5, 2013 at 5:12 PM
Ennayra, I went to an exclusive all-girls' school that was very clique-ish, and I was the too-tall, too-thin, super-studious, uncool nerd who was considered very weird because of the things I liked (research and science, museums, art, classical music, different languages). Most people just ignored me (except when they needed help studying), but there was one girl who just couldn't stand me -- at the time I always thought it was me, but in hindsight I realized she just liked to bully people she perceived as vulnerable.
Anyway, at 33 I am now way past high school, and am blessed with a successful career, a wonderful husband, and great, true friends. I'll probably never be the life of the party, but I am very far from where I was. And yet . . .a few months ago, my husband and I were at a party and we ran into my Do Hwi. I hadn't seen her in years, and she had never met my husband. When she saw me, she actually came up and tried to introduce herself to my husband, and gave this cruel little laugh and said, "I'm sure you heard all about me! I used to torture Faye so much in school." And despite all my accomplishments, at that moment I almost started trembling, and all the pain and humiliation of high school came rushing back, I'm sorry to say (although my husband saved the day by shrugging and lying, "Oh really? I've never heard of you before!").
Anyway, the point of this TMI rant :) is that I know how realistic this story is because so much of it is mine. Kudos to Park Shin Hye for portraying the emotions of her character so well. She is really showing such emotional growth and maturity in this role. I see the emotions on her face and I know they're real, because I've felt them all.
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Fangy
February 5, 2013 at 6:38 PM
Thanks for sharing. :)
Hope that episode with your Do Hwi will make you stronger... glad you also have your Enrique (a.k.a your husband) who stood by you and did the right thing!
Fighting!!
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Mystisith
February 6, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Sorry for not having been a friend by your side when you were a student and at the party: We apparently have much in common in terms of personality and background. Thing is, I could never understand bullies of that kind and unfairness triggers my "revolt and protection mode". Funny how bullies just shut up and respect you if you can be fierce and cold, just ONCE. Despicable cowards.
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Maris
February 5, 2013 at 7:33 PM
Exactly my sentiments. You expressed them so well.
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75 watashiwachiaki
February 5, 2013 at 4:21 AM
thanks for this recao ^^
glad for more Wata-san screen time on this ep =)
I think most of what I thought while watching has been said and stated by the fans....
So I'll just say, it's amazing how this show is loved by fans!! I mean wow! as soon as an episode appears online 100+ fans would comment right away! =)
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76 rainaraina
February 5, 2013 at 4:27 AM
Dunno but thinking of stop watching since Jin rak is not going to end with DM , don't want her to fell in love with E :(
find it so unfair for JR after a silent love of three years someone comes and just take her infront of his eyes :(
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peaches
February 5, 2013 at 9:57 AM
just like enrique said in the beginning episode, love isn't like a plane. you can't wave your ticket at someone and say this is my seat.
just because you liked someone first, doesn't mean you "get dibs" on them. do hwi said pretty much the same thing again, in her shopping mall comment to enrique.
i don't think the fact that he liked her for three years justifies his love to be requited, or his creepiness for the matter. and dok mi isn't being "taken", she has a will too. she clearly likes enrique as well.
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77 DHM
February 5, 2013 at 4:31 AM
I really want to know what's on the flash drive Jin Rak gave to Enrique.
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Conny
February 5, 2013 at 5:34 AM
I think it's his apology for the way he portrayed Enrique in the webtoon so far. Or maybe a complete webtoon on how he wished the story had played out?
Maybe it explains who JR really is, since that's still quite the mystery.
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Carrie
February 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM
I think it's the webtoon, too.
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78 lili
February 5, 2013 at 5:52 AM
Love this episode...Do Hwi and Seo young are just pissing me off, I hate this kind of girls!! No, like seriously, who do they think they are? They think they're all that just because they're fashion? Popular? Talkative? Outgoing? They are downright annoying, I just want to whoop their a**es and send them to HELL!!!
Do Hwi doesn't want to reconcile with Dok Mi whatsoever, she wants Jin Rak. Period. She would use any means to get what she wants...she must think she can control Dok Mi's life, just back off already, you have no fuc**** rights on her life!!
Concerning Seo Young, though I'm relieved she warned Enrique about Do Hwi so called reconciliation party, my hair literally raised up when she implied that it was like Dok Mi's fault for being weird and that she kind of deserve this kind of punishment...I was like WOW. Hey missy, just put yourself in the shoes of the one being picked on, ok? It's not funny at all. I know what I'm talking about, just because you're the quiet one, don't like to talk much, you're labelled as annoying and boring. Is that fair? Every person is different, thanks God or this world would be boring...moreover if you take time to graze the surface, you will find that this person is not that boring and there's more than meets the eye.
Finally, Jin Rak did went overboard when he asked Enrique to back off but I do understand his dilemma...the guy has watched Dok Mi for three years and suddenly another guy barged into her life, taking an interest to her, kinda forcing her to come out of her shell and is successful at it. Can you blame the guy? He is just afraid of losing her, he feels threatened by Enrique's pushiness towards Dok Mi. His confession in the corridor was the sweetest thing ever, it did make up for his jealousy earlier on imo *biased Ji Hoon fan*
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Sammy
February 5, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Ohey, finally, someone who says something about Seo Young. (I totally forgot to say something about that XD) Aish, Seo young... Everybody is so scandalized about Do-hwi that they totally forgot about her (me included). She's annoying, if for the sole reason that she finds Dok mi annoying just for her quietness.
Yeah, I agree with what you say about Jin rak. Yes, he went overboard. Does he deserve all the hate talk? IMO, no. I'm totally agreeing with you. He's just insecure. Poor Jin rak. *hugs*
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pogo
February 5, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Concerning Seo Young, though I’m relieved she warned Enrique about Do Hwi so called reconciliation party, my hair literally raised up when she implied that it was like Dok Mi’s fault for being weird and that she kind of deserve this kind of punishment.
Especially considering that she herself had a phase when she could have been considered 'weird' for not speaking at all for three years after her parents died.
I want to not hate her, I have my fingers crossed that she's just a bit self-centred and can be trained out of it.
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lili
February 5, 2013 at 2:38 PM
Sorry but that's not a legitimate excuse...I can understand her pain but it is right to hurt others just because you're having a hard time or feel bad about yourself? I don't think so...It has always been the same excuse over and over again "If she/he bullies you it's because this person herself is hurting deep inside" Inflicting pain to others is like a stress reliever for bullies, they feel much better about themselves after doing it and regard it as a total normal thing. Why should I feel any sympathy for this kind of person? I'm sure not.
@Sammy : We're on the same wavelength^^
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pogo
February 5, 2013 at 6:54 PM
I'm not excusing her, it's just ironic that she says what she does given her own past. It's too Mean Girls for my liking.
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lili
February 6, 2013 at 12:00 AM
Sorry if my answer sounded rude, it was not my intention ,it's just that this kind of characters anger me so much grrrrr XD
79 Peridot
February 5, 2013 at 6:42 AM
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I did not find satisfaction with the explanation of Do-hwi and Dok-mi's past. I also wondered about the characterization of Do-hwi and was hoping to find more depth in it, wondering how someone who was ostensibly a friend could turn 180 degrees over a misunderstanding. There were glimpses of slightly more depth in the past Do-hwi versus the vain Do-hwi of the present. Now, I am truly curious. What kind of person is she truly? In another site, I came across the idea that she has sociopathic tendencies. We do see that while Do-hwi may be a comical character to watch on screen, there are moments when hints of true cruelty emerge. I do not know if I am giving too much attention to a character whose existence on screen may merely be to force the heroine to face her pain and emerge all the stronger for doing so. I am wanting more and am not feeling satisfied with this angle of the story.
I really enjoyed the theme of leaving one's mark in the individual worlds of those with whom one develops some sort of relationship or with whom one comes in contact. I feel like the type of imprint Jin-rak wants to leave is a subtle one. One that might not be immediately noticed or remembered but that upon careful reflection is noted. For three years he has been a passive observer of Dok-mi, perhaps wishing that she could take note of his small gestures (e.g., his leaving messages on milk cartons). He does not expect much, only that Dok-mi remain where she is for a while longer so that he can leave traces of his presence in her life.
The mark that Enrique leaves, in contrast, is one that will be more easily noticed when the source of that mark leaves (and indeed, Dok-mi's mark would affect Enrique in the same way).
I just like the idea of all of us being connected in some way and each of us leaving behind different traces (whether faint or more apparent) of ourselves.
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a fan
February 5, 2013 at 11:32 AM
the painting on ceiling is a symbol of Enrique mark in her life
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80 DAEBAK!
February 5, 2013 at 7:09 AM
all i want to say is thank you
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81 njet90
February 5, 2013 at 7:39 AM
Tae Joon and the teacher could be brothers!
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Sammy
February 5, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Oh heck no! If that's so... if that's so.... gah. No. Just no. I will be really mad and disappointed if that's where the writer plans on going.
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Faye
February 5, 2013 at 5:17 PM
I think Naz just meant they looked alike enough to be brothers, not that the show will actually make them related -- I thought the same thing.
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Fangy
February 5, 2013 at 7:08 PM
They shared the same style!
Hmm... your statement made me pounder though...
Initially I thought (like many of the commenters) that only Do-Hwi is the one who had a crush on their lit teacher, and Dok-mi just happen to be the teacher's fav student since she is good in her writing. Due to the teacher's room incident, Do-Hwi misunderstood that Dok-mi had tried to snatch the teacher away from her, and her jealousy that the teacher showed more concern to Dok-mi snapped her to turn into a bully against Dok-mi.
However, when I realised the similarity between Tae-joon and teach, perhaps Dok-mi did had a crush on the lit teacher too? Probably not to the extend of a real r/s with him, but a crush nonetheless. And hence, Dok-mi was unable to defend herself during high school when she was confronted by the bullies. With her crush leaving her alone to fend for herself and the isolation and taunting by her (ex-)bestie, Dok-mi shutted herself from the world.
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82 boholAnna
February 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Love all the music in this drama!
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83 kumi
February 5, 2013 at 9:04 AM
I want some "papua new guinea" :)
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Ennayra
February 5, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Lol! I forgot about that part until I read your comment. Hilarious.
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84 Lilian
February 5, 2013 at 9:10 AM
Oh wow! I would love to have a game like the one Enrique made for Dok Mi! So fun , unique and cute. During this episode, I was a little overwhelmed by the "extreme" antics of Enrique but I felt that the exaggeration somehow did fit with his character. Can't wait for the next episode.
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85 Jaama
February 5, 2013 at 10:15 AM
So ... I've been following everyone's opinions here from the start of this show and... trying SO REALLY hard to understand the reasons why I should not be annoyed the hell out of Jin Rak. Honestly.
But no matter what, , from the very beginning, I get more and more and more annoyed/creeped out by him every time I see him in action.
Maybe I just don't have the sweet tooth needed for this? Or maybe it's the fact that he always, always seems to just do everything to APPEAR like a prince on the white horse, while not actually being it in reality?
The way I see it, he is trying to keep her to use her as a source of inspiration for the made-up story of his life (which now has taken the form of the webtoon).
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86 sirena
February 5, 2013 at 11:11 AM
I loved the Karaoke battle between Enrique and Jin-rak! The war for dok-mi's affections has officiallly been waged :) Personally, I'm hoping that Dok-mi and Enrique end up together because I'm just not feeling Jin-rak as a love interest. On another note, I'm dying to find out more about Jin-rak's background. Who is he? And how does Doh-hwi know him?
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87 pogo
February 5, 2013 at 1:18 PM
The look in Enrique's eyes when he was looking at Dok-mi pretty much killed me, this entire episode. I know they've both gone Egyptian for now (living in the land of denial and all) but it's beautiful to get to see how much he needs her too, and how he's having a hard time keeping his usual cheery face on when it comes to her.
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88 TS
February 5, 2013 at 2:33 PM
I really wanted to like this show. I love dramabeans' recaps, so I thought they'd bring me back in, but no. Maybe in another time and another mood?
Because it seems like you'd need to identify with Enrique and DM *not* to think, as I do, "shut up." (W/DM, that's her inner dialogue, since yes, she's a mostly silent agrorahobic observer etc.)
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89 Ennayra
February 5, 2013 at 2:55 PM
"He’s finally backed off enough to let Dok-mi have her say in things, which I like to see as well—you need to back off for the person to actually figure out how they feel, to distinguish whether what they’re feeling when you leave is relief or disappointment."
That summarized the whole episode beautifully. I don't think I quite realized what was going on until I read this. And that's only one of the reasons why I love reading recaps after watching the episodes. Everyone's got such insightful things to say here on dramabeans. ;-)
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90 cheers
February 5, 2013 at 3:16 PM
this drama never ceased to amaze me, they all are v cute yoon shi, ji hoon the Jap guy & jo pyo? oh sorry if i mess up his name but u guys know who i'm talking about jin rak's roommate but i just get so annoyed with the actress who plays do hwi nahhhhhh she can be eliminated from this drama for all we care! anyway the last epis was just both touching & fun - yoon or enrique cracks me a lot as well as the facial expression on kim ji hoon's face most times! i hope dok mi will soon find happiness & not always coped up in her apt! if i were her i also wldn't know who to choose betwn jin rak & enrique, they're both adorable & sensitive in their own way!
thnx for recap DB et al
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91 ar
February 5, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Thanks for the recap! I'm sad that Enrique is going to find out (if he hasn't already figured it out) that it was Jin-rak's webtoon that features Enrique as this horrible guy. And all this time, Enrique was trying to help Jin-rak.
I love all the Enrique and Jin-rak scenes where Enrique is like this overeager puppy and Jin-rak tries to hate him. That karaoke scene is asthma-inducing hilarious! Right up there with Dokko Jin's Heartbreaker with the "I cannot believe this is happening" factor! Those two guys must have had a blast filming it!
Dok-mi, I'm cheering for you!!!!!! I hope you squash Do-hwi and that teacher (really, he just abandoned her like that!). I was pretty annoyed at Enrique for forcing this Do-hwi and Dok-mi reunion, and I'm glad that he now knows that Do-hwi is out to get Dok-mi. So sad that now that Dok-mi has ventured out a little, she's going to get hurt. I hope she'll take a cue from Enrique at brushing and laughing the pain away and basically give Do-hwi and her horrible plans the finger!
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92 anklegirl
February 5, 2013 at 6:44 PM
I am the female version of Jin-Rak...so Team Jin-Rak!!!At least he's better than pillar from FBRS.
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93 Valleydale
February 5, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Naz said, "Tae Joon and the teacher could be brothers!", and I said, for real! I was wondering when someone would make note of that. At first glance, I really thought Tae Joon hadn't gone to "the island" after all, and was now about to reveal that he'd really had a secret crush on Dok Mi all along. When I realized that he was the teacher at the center of all Dok Mi's high school trauma, I wondered for the first time if she might have actually harbored an innocent school-girl crush on him. Certainly, Do Hwi openly told Dok Mi of her own crush for this teacher. That he only seemed to have interest in Dok-Mi seems to be the catalyst of Do Hwi's raging jealousy. Obviously though, there's more to the story than that which we currently know, otherwise, why would this teacher show up at Do Hwi's party after all this time, wanting to "talk to Dok Mi? I can't wait to find out more. But yeah, Do Hwi is seriously scary. It takes true pathology to be so pernicious.
I'm loving the tone this drama strikes. So deliciously poignant. It seems so fluffy on the surface, but depth of each main character can be heard to run like a current just below all the while. And so many questions:
*What is Jin Rak's mysterious past? Why did he change his name? Who are the men who tracked him down, and what do they want of him (they are obviously not lawyers or law enforcement, but persons with whom he's involved in an uneasy standoff)? How is Do Hwi involved with his past life? What does she know, and why doesn't Jin Rak recognize her? Is he a runaway chaebol?
*Who is Enrique's scary anti-fan? Is the person who stole his phone, and the creepy panda-girl stalker fan one and the same? What's the story there?
I absolutely love Enrique, and really have a hard time mustering up any affection or respect for Jin Rak's character. Who's hoping Dok Mi will go to Spain with Enrique in the end (after all, she does harbor dreams of seeing the world. Spain would be a good start)?
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94 Kiki
February 5, 2013 at 10:08 PM
I love how unhinged the PD is. That whole Papau New Guinea thing was just wacko.
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95 poyo
February 6, 2013 at 1:25 AM
The part when Enrique hugged Dok-Mi and wishes for her well being was so sweet !! I was awww-ing the whole time during that part.
Cannot wait for the love line between Doon Hoon and the panda editor as well. (newwwww, it cracked me up when I was watching it hahaha)
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96 Brittni
April 7, 2013 at 7:41 AM
I have to (grudgingly) say Jin Rak is losing his charm. I was definitely not jazzed about him spouting how much he appreciates and knows Dok Mo, and yet is writing a webtoon about her that she would not be pleased to find she was starring in. If it were me, I'd almost feel like the butt of a joke to have the guy next door who's trying to stake his claim in me secretly writing about his successes and stumbles in a very public way. Now, his firsting is getting a bit archaic, as though the decision falls between he and Enrique, rather than being exclusively Dok Mi's choice.
I did notice the symbolism in him having the post-it on the milk outside of her door, while Enrique's note is actually put inside of her apartment. Rather nice little story parallel there. Enrique has never asked or waited for Dok Mi to decide he has a place in her life, he insinuates himself in it and challenges her to move him if his presence bothers her. Jin Rak, on the other hand, has a bit of idol worship going on after watching her for three years and building her up in his mind. The devotion is sweet, but the version in his mind is not the person she is and his assumptions about her will have to be pulled from his eyes like wool at some point down the line.
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