Sly and Single Again: Episode 9

by odilettante

The show reminds us how fun a rom-com can be, as Jung-woo struggles with his jealousy after finally piecing together the clues that the woman Seung-hyun likes is actually the same person as his ex-wife. Ae-ra also discovers who Yeo-jin intended that necktie for, but Yeo-jin (and Seung-hyun) begin to realize that perhaps you need more than just a fancy gimmick to have your confession of love be taken seriously.

EPISODE 9 RECAP

Soon after her ex-father-in-law’s funeral, Ae-ra returns to work. After sharing a brief solemn greeting with Jung-woo and his entourage, she overhears a couple office workers gossiping that Jung-woo and Yeo-jin are supposedly dating. The rumor is apparently fueled by the way his family treated her like a daughter-in-law at his father’s funeral, which has got to sting, considering how Ae-ra was treated as the ex-daughter-in-law.

She meets with Seung-hyun (who’s sporting a snazzy new hair-style) on the rooftop, where he hands her a soda and then screws up his courage to ask her straight-forwardly, “Do you like the CEO?” Fiddling with the tab on the soda can, Ae-ra evades answering by instead asking him why he wants to know. Seung-hyun admits he’s been asking himself that same question, and repeats his question. After some hesitation, Ae-ra finally answers: “No.” Then she immediately demands to know why he’s so curious, and acting upset like a child since the funeral.

As he’s defending himself, Ae-ra discovers the soda can tab stuck on her finger (presumably from the soda he gave her, even though the tab is clearly still on the can she’s holding — but what are continuity errors when there’s an excuse for skinship). Seung-hyun helps to cut it off, teasing her about putting it on her finger because she was wishing for a proposal. Their cute moment is interrupted by Team Leader Wang, who assigns Ae-ra to work on an extra project, insisting that Ae-ra’s go-getter attitude from the funeral means she could do both projects.

Later, Team Leader Wang invites Yeo-jin to the mobile shopping team’s workshop that weekend, assuming that she will refuse. But Yeo-jin surprises her by accepting the invitation, couching it as an excuse to get closer to the employees. Over dinner Yeo-jin invites Jung-woo to join them at the workshop, too. He declines, joking that the employees would be uncomfortable around him — and just when I’m relieved that she’s not pressing the issue, she pulls out the gift box with the necktie.

He thanks her by saying that he’d been planning to buy a new necktie, but Secretary Gil is always too busy. Yeo-jin takes that opportunity that she’d be happy to pick out his ties in the future. Jung-woo ignores the awkward confession-that’s-not-really-a-confession and thanks her for her consideration, telling her that he thinks he saw her at the hospital taking care of him. “In fact,” he adds, “whenever I was going through a hard time, you were always at my side.” Oh, if you only knew who was really there all night (and who was responsible for picking out that necktie).

Ae-ra is working overtime due to her double-assignment, and as she returns to the office after a late-night snack run, she runs into Jung-woo. They have what is probably their most sincere greeting yet before they ask at the same time if the other has eaten dinner. Jung-woo just came from dinner with Yeo-jin not too long ago, and yet cares enough to join Ae-ra for a meal.

They end up at his apartment in the Dontalk building, where he gives her grief about the big spread of food she bought just for one person. That reminds them of her penchant of making too much food when they were first married, and then when Ae-ra gets up to get a drink, she finds a packet of coffee mix. It reminds her of the coffee she would make her for her father-in-law, and Jung-woo seems aware of where her thoughts have gone.

But the pensive mood is broken when Ae-ra watches the footage from when they were shooting the Dontalk CF and Jung-woo, embarrassed, tries to find any excuse to get her close the laptop, and the way they end-up bickering like an old married couple is oddly heartwarming.

After their late-night snack, Jung-woo is asleep on the sofa, curled up like a child. Ae-ra gently covers him with a blanket and removes his socks, as I’m sure she did many times when they were married. Perhaps the evening with her ex-husband ends up being inspiration, because in the morning she presents the project she worked on all night: a coupon for couples to have a favorite memory drawn personally for them. Seung-hyun proudly points out that Ae-ra thought of it all by herself, but Team Leader Wang refuses to give out any extra praise than she has to, and reminds them to focus on the workshop instead.

As Ae-ra heads to the elevators, she sees Jung-woo already going up — and wearing the necktie Yeo-jin gave him. Oh no!

On the rooftop, Ae-ra broods over this revelation, but is caught by Seung-hyun (who adorably mimics her frowny face). She chides him for being overly concerned, and he admits that he can’t help but care, since it’s role at home to (literally) smooth out furrowed brows and bring back smiles.

He then demonstrates this for Ae-ra, but, oh no, again! Jung-woo happens to see them looking super cute and happy together, and he returns to his apartment, shaken by this discovery.

He thinks back to when Seung-hyun was describing the girl he liked, and as he’s realizing that Seung-hyun likes Ae-ra, the glass of water he’s pouring spills everywhere. Jung-woo hurries after Secretary Gil to ask him about a situation “a friend” is in, where a “friend of that friend” is dating “the friend’s” ex-girlfriend.

Secretary Gil sees no issue with this, because it’s not like the friends are related by blood. This is not the answer Jung-woo is looking for, and amends it so that the two friends are “practically” brothers. Secretary Gil: “Like you and Kook Seung-hyun? Why, are Na Ae-ra and Kook Seung-hyun dating?”

Jung-woo tries to laugh off his discomfort, insisting that that isn’t the case at all, but Secretary Gil proves he’s the most observant person in this show by insisting he knew something was up when Ae-ra and Seung-hyun kept spending so much time together, despite being “just” colleagues. He also catches on right away that Jung-woo is jealous (despite Jung-woo’s protestations to the contrary), and cheerfully reminds him that jealousy isn’t attractive.

If Jung-woo could see Ae-ra and Seung-hyun on their cozy date that evening, he’d probably be hideous with jealousy (or as hideous as Joo Sang-wook could possibly be). Of course, it’s not a “date” date, as Seung-hyun uses the excuse that they’ve finally received their first paycheck as the reason for going out, and when Ae-ra balks at the pricey menu, he explains it’s the fee for listening to the live jazz music.

They’re well into their date-that-isn’t-a-date, and Seung-hyun has been regaling her with stories from his travels when he hops up on stage to use the piano. He plays a simple, childish tune, and just when Ae-ra is amused as his boldness of pretending to know how to play the piano, he launches into a lovely rendition of Yiruma’s “River Flows In You.” Ae-ra looks pretty charmed by his skill.

Jung-woo is stalking, er, waiting for Ae-ra to return home when he sees the two of them happily arrive from their not-a-date. He later awkwardly calls up Seung-hyun just to ask him to get together for a drink sometime, but is shocked to hear Seung-hyun tell him that he’s going to confess to that person he likes. (And is Seung-hyun painting a “couple picture” of him and Ae-ra, using the selca he took from the police station as reference? Pffft.)

Workshop time!

The buses of Dontalk employees pull up to the villa — as does Jung-woo in his car. He explains that he wanted to take part in the discussion of the mobile shopping’s plans for growth, but we know it’s so he can keep an eye on Seung-hyun and Ae-ra. True to his word, he leads the meeting discussing the ways users are interacting with the mobile shopping site, and asking how it can be improved. Team Leader Wang subtly throws Ae-ra under the bus, but Ae-ra honestly points out that they won’t gain more user loyalty by just offering luxury items that people will buy only once in their lifetime — instead the team should focus on smaller, everyday items.

Everyone is either shocked or cringing at Ae-ra’s honesty in front of the CEO and the director, but Seung-hyun pipes up as Ae-ra’s cheerleader to say he approves of her idea, and even though no one joins in with him when he applauds, Yeo-jin says she’ll think about it.

After the meeting, it’s all fun and games, although Jung-woo and Yeo-jin just watch from afar. But Jung-woo looks distressed as he watches Ae-ra and Seung-hyun having fun together — and when Seung-hyun catches Ae-ra to keep her from falling down the hillside, he’s about ready to leap up from his seat at the sight of their skinship. Manager Kam invites him to join in, and he politely declines.

But then he’s suddenly leading the charge in a game of “red-light, green-light,” intent on beating Seung-hyun to be the first to reach Ae-ra. Which he does, and as she chases him around the grounds, he evades her capture until she has him cornered before ruthlessly tagging him out. Her happy face at announcing the CEO is out of the game is contrasted by Yeo-jin, now sitting alone and distant from the fun games everyone else is playing.

Meanwhile, Min-young is using the excuse that Ae-ra is away to have a date with Soo-cheol Oppa, and it’s pretty cute how nervous the both of them are to just share a meal at Mom’s restaurant. Mom and (especially) Dad seem to think it’s pretty cute, too, as they watch from the kitchen.

The Dontalk employees are also prepping for dinner, which is being made by none other than the CEO himself — and the adorkable Manager Kam, who adds the special ingredient to make any meal taste better: ramyun soup powder.

Jung-woo learns about Manager Kam’s family living in the States, and that despite it being hard to be away from them, he still faithfully sends money to them because that’s what one does as the head of the family. Jung-woo seems touched by this, and suggests that they should go out for a friendly drink sometime. Aw.

Team Leader Wang reveals that she has an ability to tell fortunes through tarot cards, so after dinner, everyone gathers around to get their fortunes read. Seung-hyun goes first and selects “the star” card. She reveals that his secret is going to be exposed: “If you’re having a one-sided love, you’ll get caught.” She goes on to explain that, according to the card, his unrequited love could be two-timing him, and it’d be better to just cut her off from the start.

Next is Ae-ra, who selects “the moon” card. Team Manager Wang finds it curious when Ae-ra protests that she’s not a two-timer like the fortune says, and interprets the card as two wolves competing and betraying each other to win over the tired and tortured sun who is stuck in the middle with no escape. Ae-ra: “Then what should I do?” Team Manager Wang: “What else is there to do? Seduce one out of the two. Then you can get rid of the remaining wolf.” Well, that’s one way to handle the situation.

Team Manager Wang then invites Yeo-jin and Jung-woo to have their fortunes read, but they decline, with Jung-woo insisting he doesn’t believe in superstitious things like fortunes. Except he privately seeks Team Manager Wang out later to have his fortune read, anyway. Ha!

Seeing her distressed look at his card, indicating that it’s not a good fortune, he laughs it off, saying he doesn’t believe in fortunes and it’s only just for fun (even though it’s obvious he’s dying to know what it says). So she lets him know that a huge disaster is headed his way, and that he’ll be faced with enormous change that will cause him to wander, crazy and lost. Just as she’s about tell him how it will end, Yeo-jin interrupts them. Nooooo! Couldn’t you have waited one more minute?

Ae-ra and Seung-hyun are washing dishes, and he tells her to come out to the back yard in an hour. When she asks why, he cryptically answers she’ll find out then. She grumbles at him, thinking that he wants to stay up all night, but she’s too old for that. He insists that it’s important, and she says that if it’s that important, he should just tell her now. He refuses.

Outside, Yeo-jin asks Jung-woo why he hasn’t mentioned the rumors about them dating. He apologizes because he didn’t want her to get hurt by them. She reminds him how thankful he was for her always being by his side, and says that so long as he’s there protecting her, she’ll be fine. But Jung-woo is distracted by the sight of Ae-ra and Seung-hyun leaving the kitchen, and he thinks up the only reasonable excuse to get her away from Seung-hyun: sending the intern out to buy makgulli. Of course, the CEO needs to join her on this trip to make sure she buys his favorite brand.

So while Seung-hyun creates a romantic mood for his confession, Ae-ra and Jung-woo argue over brands of makgulli as Jung-woo stalls for time. Ae-ra finally has had enough, and leaves him behind in the supermarket. He chases after her, faking a leg injury from when he saved her during the CF photoshoot — only to have her remind him that he originally hurt his shoulder, not his leg. Ha!

He continues to stall, insisting that he enjoys being outside. Finally he asks why Ae-ra is so impatient to get back: “Do you have an date?” When he presses to know who it is, she snarks that it’s with her boyfriend. He calls her bluff, so she amends it a colleague who’s also a really good friend.

Jung-woo then pulls the CEO card and insists that office romances are forbidden, and Ae-ra threatens to leave him outside. He stops her to tell her to listen to the sound of the rain. Except it turns out to be his phone’s ringtone. Lol.

Ae-ra goes to get the snacks he ordered, and as she’s returning, she finds Yeo-jin there with him, having spotted Jung-woo as she was returning from a walk. Ae-ra quietly slips away. Jung-woo is none-too-pleased that his companion has been swapped out, and even though Yeo-jin attempts to make pleasant small-talk, he quickly excuses himself.

Ae-ra finally meets up with Seung-hyun — only he’s just finished packing up all the cake, candles, flowers, and wine he’d set out for his big confession. He marvels at her timing — it’s not worth it to set it all out again, but since she’s seen enough, he can’t take it back.

Still, she’s pretty clueless to his intent as he begins:

“I’m going to tell you honestly how I feel about a certain someone. I thought about it a lot and worked up the courage, so listen carefully. There’s someone I find my gaze drawn to — I keep noticing whatever she does. I’m curious about where she goes, and I analyze her every expression. When she smiles, I feel happy. When she’s sad, I worry. I want to make her laugh — and when she laughs at something I say, I feel happy. I fall asleep thinking about her, and when I open my eyes in the morning, she’s the first person I think of. Aren’t you going to ask who that person is? It’s you, Ae-ra. That person is you.”

Swoon.

Ae-ra struggles to accept Seung-hyun’s confession, and tells him not to pity her because she’s a divorcee. She says that he doesn’t need to worry about her, playfully slugging him in the arm, but as she goes to leave, he pulls her into a back hug.

Jung-woo is walking by at that moment, and sees them…

…and Ae-ra sees Jung-woo.

COMMENTS

I really enjoyed this episode — primarily because it feels like the show has finally found its footing. Yes, the script is still rather loose (and I try my best to wave away continuity errors, really I do), but the characters are much more fun to care to about now than they were a few episodes ago. In fact, as much as I’ve been a champion of Jung-woo and Ae-ra just learning to forgive each other and move on, I’ve actually reached a point where I wouldn’t complain if they got back together.

Sure, there’s a lot of work to be done, particularly regarding a little something that we call “honesty.” After all, there’s going to be a pretty severe reaction when he finds out she had a miscarriage. Or at least I assume there will be. I hope there will be — as I hope that there’s a good reason why she didn’t tell him about it in the first place.

But I loved the chemistry between Jung-woo and Ae-ra this episode. My favorite moment between them was when they were sharing their late-night snacks. Yes, there was teasing and banter, which is what I very much want in all my rom-coms. But I also could see the familiarity between them, which reminded me that they had been married for a few years and had, at one time, truly loved each other. There was also vulnerability — learning from the mistakes of their pride from just a few episodes ago, and letting each other in again, even if it was just to share a meal. Undoubtedly the tender action that made Ae-ra take off Jung-woo’s socks and tuck a blanket around him was largely spurred by the fact he looked like a helpless child, so soon after his father died. But I do genuinely think these actions aren’t unfamiliar to her — I could easily see her caring for her husband as a new bride, after he’d spent a long day trying to get his product launched (after all, as much as she was against him leaving his secure job, she did support him for years, so she had to have had some hope at first that he would succeed).

My only real regret about the episode is that I’m now having to accept that Yeo-jin is the classic second lead, determined to keep Jung-woo and Ae-ra apart. I’ve been rooting for her, because she seemed to have a clear head on her shoulders and she seemed to genuinely like Ae-ra (and respect her as an employee) — but now it’s becoming more clear that her passive-aggressive manipulations are perhaps crueler than any outright move to stake a claim on Jung-woo. Honestly, that necktie really bothers me. Jung-woo considers honesty to be one of Yeo-jin’s best traits, yet she’s kept it a secret that she knows who Ae-ra really is and uses that information for her own purposes. She also still hasn’t told him about her prosthetic leg, which still bewilders me, because she’s making it into this huge deal that I still think would be a huge deal only because Jung-woo would be bothered she felt she had to hide it from him (and not because of the leg itself). I used to think of her as a fairly forthright person, but now that she’s keeping all these secrets for unfathomable reasons, I just don’t know any more.

Honestly, I had to make up a little chart to remind myself who knows what, and who knows who knows what, and who doesn’t know what, because trying to remember all the secrets and secrets-that-are-not-quite-secrets-anymore was getting confusing.

But thank goodness for some truly honest people! Seung-hyun finally confessed! And while the failed overly dramatic confession “event” was a bust (which totally cements him as the hopeless second lead, in case there were any doubts… sigh…), I really did appreciate that he refused to wait any longer to tell Ae-ra how much — and why — he likes her. I’m just hoping he doesn’t totally become a jerk after she refuses him (as her body language from that back hug would indicate) — or, even worse, she doesn’t try to use him to make sure Jung-woo doesn’t fall in love with her again. Because if she was the noble idiot by instigating the divorce in the first place (which we still don’t know why she did, but it does seem to be hinting that way), then I can see that she would be the noble idiot once again, thinking Yeo-jin would be the best person for him now, and finding any excuse to push him away.

This is why we need more of Secretary Gil to immediately cut to the heart of the matter and drop truth bombs, like, every ten minutes.

I did love the fact that the show seemed to remember that there is a supporting cast who can do more than merely move the plot along. I was so happy to see that they hadn’t forgotten that little moment between Min-young and Soo-cheol from episode 5 — I still think this will be a quirky and entertaining couple to watch (not to mention it will drive Ae-ra crazy). Team Manager Wang is still a total pill, but I got a big laugh out of her fortune telling skills.

My favorite supporting cast moment, though, was with Manager Kam and Jung-woo. I will have no problem if this show makes them friends, because I could see a little bit of the old Jung-woo in Manager Kam — and I think the fact that both men are so earnest and always wanting to do the right thing means they could be a good support for each other. I just want more people in Jung-woo’s life who aren’t awed by his CEO status, because I like him best when he’s not playing at the hot-shot CEO, and is instead the guy who follows his passions.

And if that passion turns out to be winning back Ae-ra, well, I think I might actually be ok with that. She was the one who pursued him the hardest when they first got married, so it seems only fitting that this time he should be the one working harder to pursue her.

Game on.

RELATED POSTS

• Sly and Single Again: Episode 8
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 7
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 6
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 5
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 4
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 3
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 2
• Sly and Single Again: Episode 1