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Pinocchio: Episode 2

Agh, they’re so cuuuuute. Now that our backstory is in place, the second episode actually brings our leads together onscreen, and I’m happy to say that their dynamic is adorable—their bickering relationship is funny and heartfelt, and I really like both characters. It was impossible to tell from the first episode alone if the show would reel me in, but by the end of this hour, they’ve got me.

 
SONG OF THE DAY

Coffee Boy – “너는 깃털처럼 가벼워서” (Because You’re Light as a Feather) [Download]

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EPISODE 2: “Ugly duckling”

Last-place student Dal-po wins his first round of the TV quiz show, wiping the smirk off of the first-place champion and surprising everyone in their class. As the audience claps and the cameras turn to him, he narrates in voiceover that after suffering those cruel events with his family, he vowed to never set foot in a broadcast station or exchange words with anyone even remotely associated with a network.

He says he was so resolute that he thought he’d never break his own rule. “The reason I broke that vow and am standing here now… was for a secret I wanted to protect more than that vow.”

Rewind two weeks. It’s an average morning at Grandpa’s house, as Dal-po and In-ha get ready for school. They try not to roll their eyes TOO hard when Grandpa makes Dal-po promise to look after his niece and for In-ha to listen to her uncle.

In-ha bursts into a bout of aegyo to ask Grandpa for allowance money to buy a bike of her own, but Grandpa just counters that she doesn’t need one when her uncle gives her rides every day. The silent look they exchange would say otherwise, but Dal-po snaps her mouth shut before she can tattle on him.

In-ha gets into the cart on the back of Dal-po’s bike—the same one he was too little to pull her in as kids, which is not the case anymore. They wave to Grandpa as they leave, the very picture of sweet country charm… until they’re out of sight and In-ha demands to be let out, and Dal-po complies readily.

He doesn’t even hesitate before riding off without her, and she stomps in frustration. Ha, is this what they do every morning? Dal-po does stop eventually and looks like he might turn back to pick her up, but then he spots Dad watching them from a distance, and keeps going without her.

Dad looks on as In-ha runs to make the boat to school, and she barely makes it before takeoff as always, earning another complaint from the captain about making the entire group late for school again.

She just glares at Dal-po who’s sitting on the boat leisurely, and asks why he hates her so much—what is she, some blood feud enemy of his or something? What a thing to ask. He deadpans that of course she is, and she gets even huffier, if that’s possible.

Dal-po’s quiz show opponent Chan-soo seems to have a little crush on In-ha, and when she arrives at school in a funk over her lack of a bicycle, he offers to give her an extra one from his house. He warns her that it’s old, but she’s so excited that she just clasps his hands in delight and says she’ll take it.

She’s over the moon when he brings her the bike, and when she sees Dal-po approaching and a puddle of water between them calling her name, she takes off with an evil glint in her eye. She runs right through the puddle to splash him… only he sees her coming and dodges out of the way, shielding the mud splash with her school forms that he was about to deliver. Foiled again.

In-ha looks over the form that asks what her dream job is, and when she sees that the counselor has suggested lawyer, prosecutor, and judge for her, she chooses lawyer and starts to write it down. But her friend asks how a person who can’t lie can be a lawyer, and Dal-po asks her to consider what would happen if a Pinocchio like her had to defend a murderer.

She doesn’t see what would be so hard about that, and imagines herself in a courtroom, defending serial killer Min Joon-gook (cameo by Jung Woong-in). She starts by saying that if there’s even a shred of doubt, he should be found not guilty… except he also told her he committed murder and wasn’t sorry about it. HA.

Suddenly Min Joon-gook roaaaarrrrs, and familiar music cues his outburst, as he leaps over the witness stand to attack In-ha. He strangles her neck, swearing that he’ll kill her and the bastard who gave her a lawyer’s badge too. Is it wrong that I miss Min Joon-gook a little?

In-ha shakes herself out of the waking nightmare and immediately erases “lawyer” from her page. Dal-po snarks that she’d be the kind of lawyer to get stabbed by the clients she defends, and when Chan-soo suggests she’s pretty enough to be an actress, Dal-po chimes in again to ask how she’d get through scenes where she has to play dead.

In-ha imagines herself as the heroine in a melodrama, where the hero carries her lifeless body through a field. But of course she hiccups through every single take, until the director has a total meltdown. She sighs and erases “actress” too. Chan-soo encourages her that there will be lots of future careers for her to choose from, while Dal-po tells her she’ll basically be unemployable.

Their teacher tells the class that their school will be sending a student to a TV quiz show, and they’ll all be taking a trivia test to find the contestant. After school, Chan-soo shows In-ha the bike bell he installed for her, and hems and haws before blurting out that if he goes on that quiz show, he’s going to confess that he likes her.

She’s startled and starts to answer him, but Chan-soo covers his ears and tells her he hasn’t said it yet, so she can’t answer yet. Ha, that’s adorable. He scurries away, and she’s so floored that she doesn’t notice Dal-po watching from a distance.

In-ha talks to her mother in voiceover (we don’t know if this is something she actually says to Mom or just thinks to herself), and says that she received her first confession from a boy today. But she thought it would feel different—fluttery—not strange like this.

That night, Dal-po finds her upside-down against the wall, which is her thinking pose whenever she has a problem.

Elsewhere, Hyung takes a moment’s pause along his water delivery route when he sees Dad’s wanted poster pinned up on a bulletin board. He asks what the date is today (it’s nearing five years to the date of the fire), and rips the wanted poster down.

Everyone in the class takes the trivia quiz, and Chan-soo beats In-ha by just a few points. But the real surprise is Dal-po, who decided at the last minute to break his All-Bbang streak, and scores 100. The whole class reels to find out the results, and Chan-soo is doubly deflated since he’s just lost his big confession moment.

Feeling vindictive, Chan-soo starts to spread the rumor that Dal-po cheated on his test, and even stole the original to do so. He doesn’t have to do much to fan the flames either, since the others are quick to jump to the worst conclusions about Dal-po.

He takes the scorn in stride, not caring much when they whisper about him being a cheater or a gangster or a psychopath. That is, he’s fine until one guy says he heard that Dal-po’s father was a criminal too. It strikes a nerve and Dal-po snaps.

He slams the other kid against the wall and growls at him to go ahead and say it again, and he’ll rip him to shreds. That only confirms the kids’ worst suspicions about him, and even the teacher refuses to believe Dal-po, having already decided that he’s a liar and a cheater.

He locks eyes with In-ha while the teacher scolds him out in the hall, and the minute she averts his gaze, she starts to hiccup uncontrollably. It lasts for days, and by the time Chan-soo is on the TV quiz show winning the first round to become the new champion, In-ha is still hiccupping.

The MC asks Chan-soo how it feels to win, and that’s when he points at the camera and says, “Choi In-ha, I like you a lot!” The whole class chants at her to accept his confession, but In-ha just sighs and looks over at Dal-po’s empty desk with a long face.

She hangs upside-down in her room again that night, and tells her mom (via text message) that she’s been hiccupping for days and it’s a new record. She knows what she has to do to stop, but doesn’t have the courage to do it, and wonders if anyone’s ever died from hiccups before. She decides to hell with it, and chooses survival over pride.

At school the next day, Dal-po gets called into the office to write an apology for cheating, and he asks why he should apologize for a thing he didn’t do when they’re just rumors. The teacher tells him to prove the rumors false then, and Dal-po flashes back to being surrounded by reporters demanding the same, and Hyung’s response then: “Why do I have to be the one to prove it?”

Dal-po repeats the words now, and the teacher responds exactly as the reporters did: “Because you’re the subject of the rumors.” Dal-po looks around the room and sees a female teacher standing nearby, and tells them he’s going to walk out of here and spread the rumor that he saw the two of them having an affair.

The teacher starts to stammer, and Dal-po tells him to go ahead and prove the rumor false. Teacher immediately asks defensively why he should be the one to prove it, and Dal-po makes his point beautifully: “Because you’re the subject of the rumor.” He slides the letter of apology over and tells him to write one too, and walks out. Of course, once outside, Dal-po starts to worry that he went overboard and yells in frustration.

Meanwhile, In-ha has been working up the nerve to do “it,” whatever it is that’ll stop her incessant hiccupping. Dal-po arrives in the hallway outside their classroom just in time to see her fill her cheeks with water, and spray it all over Chan-soo’s congratulatory cake.

The whole class comes to a dead stop, and In-ha beams to discover that her hiccups have stopped. She tells Chan-soo that she’s sorry but she can’t accept his confession, and tells all the kids to apologize to Dal-po for accusing him when all they have to go on is a rumor. Aw, were you hiccupping the whole time because you didn’t jump to his defense? That’s so cute.

Chan-soo tells her to prove it, so she counters that if she does, he has to split his quiz show winnings in half with Dal-po. Chan-soo agrees, but wants to add a condition if she can’t prove it. He searches for an idea, and comes up with the thing that Dal-po always says: “If I’m right, I get to slap you ten times.” (It’s the thing Dad always used to say, and the thing Dal-po in turn says to Chan-soo on the quiz show.)

Dal-po snarls and In-ha starts to get flustered, but before he can intervene, she declares that the bet is on. Chan-soo warns her that he’s not going to play nice just because she’s a girl, and when he throws a basketball past her, she lies that she’s not scared at all, and hiccups to a round of laughter from her classmates.

She stalks off, mortified, and Dal-po finds her on the stairs wondering to herself if she’ll really get slapped. She decides she’ll just take the hits then, and Dal-po watches her with a smile, not letting his presence known.

After school, Dal-po sees Chan-soo give In-ha’s bike a petty kick, and notices the creaky old bike’s brakes fall apart. He stops In-ha on her way out, but she launches into a defensive explanation about how she didn’t defend him because she wanted to—she had to do it to stop her hiccups.

She doesn’t let him get a word in edgewise, and tells him not to misunderstand, and she really really had no other choice. He asks what he would misunderstand about the situation, and she just says, “Do I have to say it out loud?”

He gives up and just sends her on her way, figuring that if she has eyeballs, she’ll see that her brakes are broken. Naturally, she gets on the bike and rides away without a second thought, and Dal-po is left to run after her.

It’s not until she’s riding down the road at a fairly high speed that she discovers her brakes are out, and she starts to panic. Dal-po rides as fast as he can to chase her down, and manages to cut her off before a bridge and yanks her off the bike before it goes crashing down into the ravine.

He breaks her fall, and In-ha yelps to see that her ankle is bleeding, only to turn around and realize that he’s bleeding from his head, and unconscious too. She shakes him repeatedly but he doesn’t wake up, and by the time he stirs awake, he’s riding in an ambulance with a bandage on his head.

He opens his eyes to see In-ha crying, asking the paramedic if her uncle is going to die. The paramedic says wryly that it’s really just a minor scratch, but she won’t be consoled, and wails that it’s likely brain damage: “He can’t become an idiot! He’s already the outsider—if he becomes a dummy too, he’ll be too pitiful!” LOL, her melodramatics are hysterical.

He finally mutters at her to be quiet, and she asks who she is and how many fingers she’s holding up. When he ignores her, she decides he has amnesia, and he finally has to squeeze her lips shut so he can apologize to the paramedic and ask to be let out.

They walk home in silence, and Dal-po finally notices In-ha hobbling behind him because of her ankle. He turns around and stoops down to offer a piggyback ride, and carries her the rest of the way.

On the boat ride back to their island, Dal-po takes his head bandage off because he doesn’t want to scare Grandpa, and tells In-ha to only tell Dad that she hurt her ankle riding her bike, and nothing more.

He asks her for a bandaid for his forehead, and when she helps him put it on, he tries not to look at her. In-ha confirms that Dal-po’s test score was really due to his skill, and realizes that it means he’s been playing dumb all this time. She asks why, and he says that her real uncle was dumb.

She can’t believe he pretended to be stupid just to keep Grandpa from collapsing, and then wonders why now—what made him break the act? He doesn’t answer, but tells her not to worry about getting slapped, because there’s no way that’s happening. She steals a little glance at him and smiles.

The next day, Dal-po kneels before his piggybank to say that regrettably it’s her lot in life to have her stomach split by the master who feeds her, and winces before taking a knife to cut it open. Hee.

He tells Dad that he’s spending the night at a friend’s house tonight, and In-ha wonders what he’s up to since he doesn’t have any friends. She snoops in his room and doesn’t find anything amiss (ha, his report card really is all zeroes), until she finds one academic book among the stash of comics that catches her eye.

She wonders what he’s doing reading something like this, and goes to the library where he borrowed it. She flips through book after book in the library, only to find that Dal-po has checked out every single one of them at one point or another.

She starts to collect the library cards (I’m cringing for the librarian who has to replace those), amazed that he’s read every volume in there. She begins the laborious process of photocopying all the library cards and making a poster to prove that Dal-po earned his perfect score legitimately.

Dal-po, meanwhile, has gone to Seoul—to broadcast station YGN, where he takes the trivia test to try out for the TV quiz show. We already know he gets chosen to be Chan-soo’s challenger, and he leads their speed-quiz round. All the kids in their class are amazed, and even In-ha’s dad sees the program on TV while shopping at the market.

It comes time for the final question, where either of the boys could win. Chan-soo leaps to answer first but only knows one of a four-part answer, and when Dal-po takes his turn, he purposely names the other three and pretends not to know the last. Everyone watching can tell that he’s doing it to mess with Chan-soo, who has no choice but to get the question right and win, but feel defeated all the same.

Everyone in the class is quick to jump ship and believe in Dal-po now, and In-ha looks around at her classmates with a smile, as it sinks in that Dal-po found the best way to prove the rumors false after all, and to save her from getting slapped.

She beams and declares it the coolest thing ever, and when her friend asks if she’s talking about Dal-po, she clarifies that she means the power of broadcast TV—in one fell swoop, Dal-po proved to anyone watching what the truth really was. Uh-oh, I’m pretty sure this is the last thing Dal-po wanted to have come out of this. She takes out her form and fills in the future career goal in ink, declaring that she’ll never ever change her mind about this one.

Dad calls Grandpa to make sure that he didn’t watch TV today, only now realizing why Dal-po had asked him to keep Grandpa busy that day. But what they don’t know is that Grandpa has discovered In-ha’s poster detailing why Dal-po is smart and earned that perfect score all on his own merit. Oh no. Gramps can’t die too! Don’t do it, Show.

The PDs of the quiz show program complete the final paperwork with Dal-po and Chan-soo, and Dal-po doesn’t seem to recognize reporter Gyo-dong, who’s now a PD. Gyo-dong asks why Dal-po threw the match when he could’ve won, and Dal-po tries to play dumb but Gyo-dong tells him that broadcast television isn’t some joke.

Dal-po holds the elevator door open long enough to answer, and his tone turns dark as he says that he doesn’t consider it a joke: “Broadcast television is the thing that can kill a person with just one word. So how could I dare think of it as a joke?”

He says he didn’t answer the last question because if he had, it would mean he has to step foot in this station again—a place where people arm themselves with microphones and cameras and repeat rumors based on hunches. He screams that it’s disgusting to be breathing the same air as those people, and that’s why he’d rather die than have to return to this place. He lets go of the door and the elevator heads down without him.

Dal-po’s outburst leaves Gyo-dong in a daze, and his thoughts naturally drift back to that cliff on the day they discovered Mom’s suicide note and Little Dal-po’s shoe. Hyung had railed at them, blaming every last one of the reporters: “You killed them! You killed my brother and my mother!” Chan-soo starts to apologize for Dal-po, but Gyo-dong says he’s right.

In-ha gasps when she comes home to find her Dal-po Is a Smartypants poster laid out on her desk, and hurries to check on Grandpa. He seems totally fine though, and accepts her lie that Dal-po is coming home from his friend’s house tonight, even though she has to suppress her hiccups. Grandpa says it looks like rain, and worries that Dal-po didn’t take an umbrella.

The bus ride home from Seoul is an awkward one for the boys, and finally Dal-po tells Chan-soo to say what’s on his mind instead of stealing glances like a boy with a crush. Chan-soo says he’ll just ask him three things then: Did he pretend to be stupid all this time? Yes. Why did he break his All-Bbang streak all of a sudden? To go on the quiz show.

Chan-soo doesn’t get it, and asks if he really hates going to the station that much. Dal-po confirms that he does. So when Chan-soo asks why he had to do the quiz show then, Dal-po says he already asked his three questions and doesn’t answer.

The clouds roll in as Grandpa predicted, and In-ha sees Dal-po’s umbrella still hanging on its hook. She shakes the idea out of her head and says that he deserves to be rained on, only to hiccup. I love that she can’t even lie to herself with this condition.

Dal-po gets to the bus stop in the pouring rain, wondering if he’ll freeze to death trying to get home. But then when the cars and buses clear out, he sees In-ha asleep, waiting for him. A smile creeps across his face, and we go back to the two weeks when all of this began…

When Chan-soo first offered his bike and In-ha held his hands in gratitude, Dal-po bristled, but pretended to be asleep. And then he overheard Chan-soo’s not-a-confession, and when it came time to take the test, he couldn’t help himself.

He thinks back to In-ha’s question on the boat: Why did he show his brains now, all of a sudden? Back in the present, he says it out loud though no one is around to hear it: “Because I like you.” Awwww.

In-ha wakes up and waves at him, and comes running out into the rain, only to find her umbrella broken. He chuckles and disappears, then suddenly reappears with two giant traffic cones that he sticks on her head.

He takes the other one and they wear them as hats, which is pretty impractical but so cute. She tells him not to misunderstand, because Grandpa forced her to come. He points out that she’s hiccupping, and she lies again that it’s because she’s cold.

She stops to ask what it is he meant to say, back on the quiz show when he addressed her directly but got cut off. He searches for something to say, and comes up with: “If I win, don’t get off my bike from now on.” She wonders what he means by that: “You’re not… possibly…”

They stand there in the rain staring at each other, and Dal-po narrates: “When I look back on it now, that’s the moment I should’ve left. It was a feeling I shouldn’t have kept in my heart, and a person I shouldn’t have met.” An insert to the form on In-ha’s desk reveals what she wrote down as her dream job: “Broadcast reporter. Reason: Because I can’t tell a lie.”

Back in the city, we see Hyung skulking outside their ex-neighbor’s house—the man with Pinocchio syndrome who reported that he saw Dad after the fire. He narrates addressing their father, that today the statute of limitations on his case runs out.

He hates the people who did this to them, but even if it were to make everything they said about him true, he’d prefer that because it would mean Dad were alive and could come back to him. He clutches Dad’s wanted poster in the rain and cries, “I miss you, Father.”

And now, five years after the fire, the rain washes away a mound of dirt to reveal the skeletal remains of one last firefighter. (I don’t know what Dad’s doing all the way out here when he was clearly at the center of the blast, but the point is that he died that day, without a doubt.)

Dal-po (voiceover): “Before those feelings grew bigger, when I could still turn things around, I should have left.”

Back at the bus station, when In-ha hesitates, Dal-po asks if she’s jumping to conclusions of her own. He says in any case, he didn’t win so she can just keep not riding his bicycle, and tells her not to misunderstand. She gets all huffy and insists she did nothing of the kind! *hiccup*

She hides in her cone out of embarrassment, and he just smiles as he watches her flail about. He narrates: “I thought that this thumping in my heart would quiet after time, and that once it did, I could leave. But that was childish misconception, and an excuse to linger by her side.”

 
COMMENTS

Lee Jong-seok is never better than when he’s working with this production team, and I’m so happy to erase Dr. Whozit from my memory. The downside is that when he’s doing his voiceovers, I hear Park Su-ha (his I Hear Your Voice character), and that’s a connection that’s hard to shake. It’s a positive association, but it’s also very familiar, and I think the writer is going to have to stretch a little to differentiate Dal-po. I don’t find his character to be confusingly similar, but when he’s narrating, there’s something inherently Su-ha-esque about the internal monologue. Maybe it’s just a thing that’ll fade with time?

The high school story is where I’m feeling the first sense of attachment to the characters, and I’m loving In-ha’s begrudging sense of honor. I find it cute that she blames her Pinocchio syndrome for forcing her to stand up for Dal-po when he’s been wronged, when really, it’s her internal barometer of right and wrong that determines whether or not she hiccups. Because it’s not a condition that relies on absolutes—if she believes a thing down to her bones, it is truth, and if she doesn’t, it’s a lie. So the fact that she withstands ridicule by her classmates to defend Dal-po is a sign of her good character in two ways—that she finds it wrong in the first place, and that she then bravely speaks up for what she believes in. While I agree that she’d probably end up stabbed by a client, being a public defender might not be such a terrible career choice for her after all.

The one thing that made me look forward to their young adult years after high school was Dal-po’s scene with former reporter Gyo-dong. We all suspected that Gyo-dong would be our principled reporter based on his trajectory in the first episode, but I’m glad to know it’s true. He wasn’t very different from Cha-ok five years ago, when he was arguing for the same things that she was, and only had a more principled boss to stop him. But what’s important is how that event with Dal-po’s family changed him, and what he learned about his profession and the power of his voice. I’m curious to learn why he’s the PD of a quiz show now instead of a news reporter, and overall the Dal-po/Gyo-dong matchup is the one thing that doesn’t make me sad about leaving the high school years eventually. Well that and the possibility of Dal-po reuniting with Hyung, but I feel like they’re going to tease that for close to an eternity.

What got me about the central romance was how their feelings grew out of a genuine bond, because no matter how much they pretend outwardly to hate each other, they’re family and they look out for each other. I can’t believe Dal-po got such horrific grades all this time just to keep Grandpa in good health, but then it’s just as cute that after all that, he can’t let it go when the other kid might win In-ha’s heart. I do want to see him be more conflicted about his feelings, but I’m sure that angst is well on its way. For now their mutual feelings (and inability to confess, of course) is enough to get me onboard, especially when he looks at her like she’s the cutest thing he’s ever laid eyes on.

 
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i love this drama..i love park shin hye can't wait for more episode..

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I love the 2 leads as a couple but there's something kind of off about the drama...some of the premises are really forced like all the rumors that people are automatically believing just for the plot to move forward

I do like the PSH and LJS as a couple though...

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Yep, that rumor thing about Dal-po cheating was ridiculous. Even the show couldn't hold back from pointing out how nonsensical it was by contradicting right away.
This was not just a plot thing, though (if they just wanted to keep Dal-po from "winning" the nomination quiz, there would have been much easier ways). They wanted to expand their "TV is bad" topic there.

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there's not much chemistry... compared to the chemistry of LJS and Lee Bo Young.

that's the missing piece...

but...i like this drama

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you know the story and characters are different right? How can you expect them to be the same

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Exactly. Chemistry is 90% writing and depends on dramatic composition to build up ...

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there isnt chemistry at all AT EPISODE 2 between LJS and Lee Bo Young.

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Oooooo I loved this episode. At least the first episode got the backstory (to the backstory lol) out of the way. I enjoyed it a lot, but it felt like a littttttle something was missing. But I really liked the build-up to the quiz show this episode. Especially since I thought he might be doing it for some larger purpose...and then it turns out he really just likes her after all! I love them both! Park Shin-hye looks like she's having fun with this role :) I agree that it's hard to not to see Su-ha in Jong-suk, but I am sensing some differences and I don't think it's just the hair LOL.

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I too hear Su-Ha's voice. Maybe the writer wrote this with LJS in mind. Maybe Park Su-Ha was a great character, written so well that it stuck as a barometer.

I felt something was missing as well!! Right now, I have decided it was the Mop Hair. It was rather distracting. Even if it was a wig, they could have styled it better. Do teenagers ever have that kind of hair?

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barometer? LOL. What is that actual word that I really want to use?

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I'm actually enjoying it, think it has potential. However I still think the wigmaster should be shot, or at least drummed out of the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (if there is such a thing in Korea).

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The wig on Lee Jong-Seok is bugging me out big time too. Even more so because of the fact that the wig & hair goods industry is a billion dollar business.

When will the tentacles of Dr. Stranger fade away and remnants péter dans la main? If Doctor Stranger hadn't happened, maybe they could have used that particular hairstyle for Dal-Po during his high school years.

Does it seem like Lee Jong-Seok has been plagued by some screwed up hairstyles lately?

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Yes! WHO is his stylist?? I do not have that strong a willpower to blend the Mop into the whole story. It is like an illusion that hijacks your view. Lol. His best hair is school 2013..in my opinion.

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Yes! Yet I can't believe the PD let that happen. Maybe I watch too many ANTM or Project Runway. Styling could make or break a photoshoot or an outfit. If they want Dal Po to be a ragmuffin, they can do so with less hair. I am sorry that I make this such an issue. Lol.

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It was bad on the kid version, too.

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Guhhhh. Like it! Lee Jong-seok's narration leans a little Su-ha, but the separation is there for me. Yes! And though I'm getting a little nervous about Park Shin-hye moving into the more melo adult life, I gotta trust that the writer is going to carry though with this female lead like in "I Hear Your Voice".

Like it!!!!

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I'm onboard! I think this drama is going to tug at the heartstrings hard, and I don't mind tagging along in the journey. Especially when Dalpo and Inha are adorbs!

I can't wait to see them interact as adults, and I think the brief high school introduction was able to flesh out what the viewers need to know about their relationship. I'm actually interested to find out what made Dalpo decide to become a reporter (since we all know Inha's motivation now -- her syndrome, her Mom, and her admiration for what television can do) especially when he so blatantly declared he wanted nothing to do with any television station. I hope it's not revenge, since his character has been resilient so far. I'm thinking maybe it's his older brother who might have those tendencies. Anyway, bottom line: I'm anticipating next week's episodes!

That said, can we just take a moment to talk about Park Shin Hye's skin though? Seriously.

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I hate her because her perfect skin. Guess what I saw it in real life. Hater her even more haha
JK I love her skin ( and PSH too of course)

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Her skin is even better in real life! No wonder she gets so many cosmetic/skincare CFs.

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This drama will hit over 20% ratings, all the PSH haters will take a back seat, and she will cement her position as Korea's no. 1 actress who wholely deserves her popularity.

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like :D

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No offense but No. 1 actress is going a little overboard. But I agree that I'm enjoying her in this bright role compared the dull that was Eun sang. And finally some chemistry! Her and Jong seok are really adorable together.

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Hopefully their chemistry will show up also in their kiss scene.

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I'm her fan and I'm enjoying her character here but I find your comment cocky tbh.. Cant you guys be less childish and act more mature?..and..No they can't hit 20%, no drama can hit that percent. plus Mr.baek rating is much better than them so far.

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it's hard but don't say they can't.... LOL We never know

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I never bother too much about ratings but correct me if I'm wrong but didn't IHYV hit 20%? And Wang's Family too. Just to name two.

I've watched Mr Baek and I think it's trying too hard to be funny yet not at all. Certainly not in the same league as Pinocchio, IMO.

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The Heirs, You Who Came From the Stars, Empress Ki all went above 20%.

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You're right about Wang's family but it was a weekend drama, the ratings are always higher (it stayed around 40+ and almost hit 50% around the end)

It IS possible to hit 20% but I don't see it happening yet. We'll see

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Thanks for confirming.

I'm not trying to say Pinocchio will hit 20%. I don't really care too much about ratings. I was just replying to OP when he/she said 'no drama can hit that percent'.

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while she is doing ok here, it s a bit too much for fer fans going around with the slogan "PSH is Korea's no.1 actress"

just let others enjoy her performance here without annoying them with these kind of statement. sometimes, fans' behaviors/statements are those of the reasons many have negative feeling toward certain idols/actors/actresses

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not all her fans said like that. the one said that maybe was just newbie who thinks popular=best even PSH never talk like that she always praise her senior.. btw i love to see her character here.. i really enjoy the drama..

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I don't think this represents her fans because I've seen one people in the fandom said such thing...
Either newbie or troll

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To any normal, logical person, fans's statements and behaviors should reflect only on the fans themselves, not the actors/actresses they stan for. Just as viewers' negative statements about the actors/actresses they hate reflect on them, not necessarily the actor or actress.

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OT but ... Your username. Yes. Bring back the Shitty Hunter. xD

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THEY ARE SO CUTE.

Sorry for the caps lock but i have to scream using words to get my point across.

I hope it did.

Did anyone else find it funny when Dal Po started to tear off his bandages, the blood was only on the outer layer and not the inner ones? I mean, you would have thought blood was supposed to come from the wound which is on his skin, but... lol.

I'm onboard for the cute romance and reunion with his Hyung too. I'm just glad that Hyung didn't let the incident change his real personality, in which he said he hopes that he can kill the people who maligned his dad but he didn't. (Or will he... ) Crossing my fingers and hoping for them to overturn Dad's case together using real evidence!

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HAHA I caught that, too! (the bandage) HAHAHA

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haha I was laughing at that during the scene more than PSH's dorkiness.

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It's only 2nd episode and there's "kilig" already... Im not complaining! I LOVE it...

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I remember last year when Voice was about to premiere I took notice of it, but delayed watching because I didn't think the premise sounded that intriguing and just because I loved Dream High (the writer's other drama) it didn't necessarily follow I would love Voice. But I did, so so very much so going into Pinocchio I fully admit to having high expectations and trying desperately to lower them and avoid disappointment. But so far so great! And thank you so much Girlfriday for picking this up, I was hoping you would since it was so much fun not just watching Voice but then getting to come here, read the recap, your comments, and everyone else's. It just made my experience for that show even better.

So about the skeleton in the mud: I was thinking perhaps it was the shady factory owner and his boys. When they were talking outside the police station with lightning flashing ominously (as if I was creeped out enough by their conversation) I fully expected them to make Dad disappear so there would be no chance they would be found out. So when the skeleton showed up, I was thinking that they must have either found his body and buried him or found him alive, finished him off, and then buried him..cause as any pirate worth his salt will tell you: dead men tell no tales.

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OOH good point.

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I never thought about the possibility of Fireman Dad being murdered, but that's a good plot point! The factory owners/workers were so sketchy that it's certainly within the realm of possibility. Whatever happens, I just hope Dal Po has the chance to publicly clear his father's name.

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Ooo... would be great if the manager now becomes an important person, so Dal Po and In Ha must face a big obstacles to solve his dad mystery.

So this drama basically a "you are all surrounded" mix with "spotlight". I like it!

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IHYV team always got Lee Jong-suk a superb pairing xD
The boy has superb chemistry with both Lee Bo-young and Park Shin-hye <3

Can't wait for next week!

P.S. : I wish PSH keep up the good job. I forgot her Cha Eun-sang while watching Choi In-ha. Well done, girl!

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Smart Dal-po is cutesexy, mop hair and all.

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Awwww the father did die :(
For some reason I thought he either got amneisa or was plotting Allan to prove his innocence... I've been watchin to many makjang lately.. Ahaha!
In Ha & Dal Po are sooo cute! I'm loving the relationship!

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A plan *

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I still believe he didn't die, because it is true that someone saw him walking on the raods after the accident (the neighbour with pinnochio syndrome). The camera didn't hide it too, and indeed showed the father's face. I have this very strong feeling that the skeleton didn't belong to the father, unless the production team wants to play us out. It will be really confusing if he really died. Then, who did the neighbour saw walking on the roads when he was in the bus? The events dun match up.

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These two are ridiculously cute. I already love them. Then when we found out he likes her, I love him even more. He knows she is the daughter of his enemy, yet he still likes her. That's true love right there. And I love her for finding out more about him. Her library cards research and proof poster were such sweet gestures. I'm a sucker for geniuses. I'm glad he told her the truth about pretending to be dumb for Grandpa's sake. He even admitted it to Chan Soo, too. For a split second, I thought Chan Soo would have taken the high road and purposely get the answer wrong, but I overestimated him. What kind of game show lets contestants have two turns?

This is how rumors spin out of control. High school is like a never ending game of telephone. Please don't have Hyung do anything stupid. Thanks for the quick recap, girlfriday!

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Haha I had the same question! But overall I really loved this episode.

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what kind of game show lets contestants have two turns?

I used to participate in quiz shows when I was young. When you got a question that needed an answer in parts, the usual rule was that a team could say part of the answer if they knew it, like Chan Soo here, but if you could not answer completely then the question is passed to the next team....if they know the rest of the answer and heard your part, they can give the conplete answer in all parts and get the full points.

It's just that Dalpo did not do the normal thing and passed on the answer's final part which Chan Soo already said. That's why it went back to Chan Soo, it's actual quiz rules but just an unusual situation. The writer did not just put in whatever rules she wanted.

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Episode 1 good but episode 2 is great!!
I really like Dal Po and In Ha...
Oh gosh, their chemistry is really good. My intuition is right, LJS and PSH have great chemistry together.

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dammmnn cute.

Shin Hye and Jong Seok are doing well in the chemistry department. They somehow click, which is not always true with shin hye and some of her costars. I believe it's a combination of their character interactions and relationship (where the audience can understand and believe the romance) as well as the auras of both shin hye and jong seok as actors. They're a good match.

Aside from my love for Dal-Po, i could really see In-Ha becoming my favorite Shin-Hye role -- this writer is always good at giving us characters we grow to love, despite being rough around the edges or flawed. She always manages to make her actor/actresses shine by giving the characters charm. Case in point: lee bo young as hye-sung, lee jong seok as both dal-po and Soo ha, Kim Soo Hyun as sam dong; heck, people even said they found suzy endearing as Hye-Mi. Actors give life to characters (and try to make the best of what they're given), but this is one of the more rare and special moments where the writer provides platform for these actors to showcase their strengths and talents so that they can shine.

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So true about the writer :) I think the Nine/QIHM/TTM team also do this!

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I personally think she has chemistry with all her leading men just the script in Heirs doesn't really showcase it. They are a lot better offscreen when you watch their BTS

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I too are completely settled in my love for this show. Both leads are doing a great job, the writing is on point and thus my heart strings are sufficiently pulled. I hope they keep it up. Can't wait to see how it develops!

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Is there a hope for Jin Se-yeon if she is cast in Park hye-run's drama, just thinking.

Anyway the writer is a charm, I love all her previous works and Pinocchio is a magic again.

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er, if she can act... LOL which I don't think it's the case
Sorry not sorry

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PSH is at the same level as JSY, but she is doing well here. So far, if she gets weepy she'll probably suck like she did in the heirs.

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I find PSH to be A LOT better than JSY. Just my opinion though. Her character in Heirs was poorly written. But I enjoyed her a lot in FBND and You're Beautiful.

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please! she might not the best actress but don't deny that girl can act!

No one can win with the role CES in Heirs even if it's JJH. All CES did was crying

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Uhm, come on. PSH is far from being a 'great' actress, but she's arguably better than JSY.

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I didn't like her in Heirs but unlike Jin Se Yeon, PSH has never looked like she was auditioning for a botox cf. Not even in Heirs. She may cry too much but at least there was facial expression!

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I don't think you can compare PSH and JSY.

PSH uses a very stable, clear-cut schematic acting method and she is very solid with that.
JSY tries to be much more subtle, she seems to be using _some_ real acting techniques ("real" as in: trying to replicate real emotional expressions instead of stylised emotion indicators), but she is not very good with them (to put it charitably).

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Woah, nice analysis. I agree!

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finally some logical analysis

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"tries to be much more subtle" is a really, really generous assessment of whatever JSY does onscreen, since most of the time she seems to actively avoid making any facial expressions apart from a few set ones.

The commenter who said she looked like she was auditioning for a botox cf may be on to something (is she afraid of developing lines on her face?)

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I'm not sure what's real acting is when her face is expressionless most of the time

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An apt commentary and an even better adept observation.

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Doubtful. I have seen many of her works(gaksital, five fingers, age of feeling, Dr. stranger) and still i wonder how the girl keeps getting these offers. Those are still mystery to me. She has paired with all the popular leading men and i never felt the chemistry with any of her costars. The girl cant emote basic emotions to begin with. She needs to work a lot on her acting. Getting cast in PHR's drama wont do any magic for her.

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Interesting logic on park shin hye, if she does wrong, it is his performance. if she does it well is the writer

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Honestly, I always think PSH is a good actress, but once she has a crappy script her skills get water down (no pun intented:)). I liked her a lot in FBND, and I like her in this drama too, so far. But both shows have a nice script as well, and give her something to work with. Cha Eun Sang on the other hand wasn't a character; she was just there, being tossed between the (horrible written) lead boys.

I guess you could say she needs a good script, before she can showcase her talents, but I guess that goes for most actors/actresses. A crappy script can make even the better actors out there look bad; (I'm not a fan myself, but everyone seems to praise Joowon a lot, but most would rather eraise L7GCS from their minds. I'm sure there are other actros/actresses that have dissappointed in a role one way or another some time in their career).

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I think what makes a character that was acted out very well is the director too. If the director understood the story and the characters, he will demand it from the actors. Coaxing and guiding. Good actors too will absorb the character and become that fictional person. Lee Ang directed great actors with a fantastic script in Sense and Sensibility. Life of Pi was a storytelling gem that remained one of the most influential movies of all time in my list. I never cried so hard watching a movie. And that was just one guy and a whole bunch of CGI. Peter Jackson is another great storyteller.

Good actors like Kim Woo Bin in the terribly written/directed Heirs made that bully very real to me. I was absorbed in that character. I totally forgot that he was Woo Bin. His scenes were the only reason I watch Heirs. His low, calm and menacing tone/threats remain in my memory as the one of the most unique speech/voice tone patterns as a bully. Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs always is the number one calm psycho in my book.

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But KWB have the best character in Heirs, especially if you compare to PSH's CES.
KES sucks with her female leads but her male leads can definitely shine. I give her that

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So much cute this episode. I am sincerely hoping that this show becomes my new k-drama crack.

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I agree with ilikemangos -- this writer gives her female leads charm.

I disliked PSH in Heirs. I wasn't impressed. I LOVED Lee Jong Suk in both the School 2013(?) and IHYV, so I was all set to love him in Dr. Stranger -- which I couldn't watch after the second episode it was so boring.

I love this writer's dramas! I love LJS again and PSH is very cute in this drama too which redeems her from Heirs.

But I hope, please please, that PSH will kiss better in this drama with LJS than LMH. Let's find out!

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Yes! The writer gives her characters charm! Agree! Couldn't watch Dr. Stranger after the a few episodes even though I was all ready to watch LJS's acting. I now fully understand how a good writer gives the actor and character depth.

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Thanks for the fast recap!! I'm actually really loving Pinocchio, it's surprised me in a good way. Admittedly I was doubtful of PSH at first, but I really like her character here, I hope she can get more characters like In Ha in the future, 'cause I personally think she's doing a great job. Not the best actress, true, but she plays In Ha well. I'm happy with this drama so far, but I really, really hope it's not going to go with the 2014 trend of starting of fantastic then totally losing itself at the end (It's hard to admit, but even Dr. Stranger had a really good start) I was worried it might turn out like Your all surrounded, which was also good at first, the it dropped everything that made it so good at the start, and let things run on. However, I do have faith in this writer! I'm really hoping this drama will do well! once again, thanks for the recap :))

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LJS+PSH<LMH+PSH

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Well explained...

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not even a little bit

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Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye looks good make another equation...

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not all of us are good at math. it's one of life's harsh realities

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LMH + PSH < JGS + PSH

She'll always be Go Mi Nam to me.

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"You're Beautiful" was the first K-drama I watched, and it made me fans of all the leads, so I'll always have a soft spot for it. That being said, JGS + PSH as romantic leads = no. Besides the character of Hwang Tae Kyung being an emotionally abusive, self-centered ass who did NOT deserve to get the girl, JGS, as talented as he is, just cannot convincingly sell a love pairing.

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Hwang Tae Kyung was an emotionally abusive self centred ass who didn't deserve to get the girl......what was Kim Tan then?

I was not a big fan of Tae Kyung but he was never even half as disturbing as the hero of Heirs, I don't remember him confiscating his gf's passport or getting another kid beaten up by an abusive parent.

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Is it just me or does the father of Dal-po and the father of Gil Ra-im (from secret garden) is the same person and they are both firemen that die in an accident! Here is a picture from Gil Ra-im and her father.
http://images4.fanpop.com/image/quiz/647000/647866_1310975992452_312_161.jpg

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It's not just you they're both played by Jung In Ki.

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Also, Dal-po's real hyung is one of the cops under Jung In-ki's leadership in Gap-dong.

Not to mention Jung In-ki was the man with black glasses who saves Lee Jong Seok in Dr Stranger.

So yeah, it's a small world.

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Does anyone else think Park Shin-hye looks even lovelier than normal when she hiccups? Is that just me? Is that weird?

I want to say the teachers at their school are incompetent. If he's been doing the work and getting all the answers wrong that's a big flashing neon sign, if you genuinely don't know you'll still get get some right. The only ways to get zeros are to know the answers and purposely get them wrong or not do it at all. If he's just sleeping through classes and not doing anything the teachers are still incompetent as no competent teacher would just let a student sleep through class.

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I think we can assume in Kdramaland, pretty much all teachers, all cops are extremely incompetent…so he's just one of many.

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Recently as I attended an open house event for a new business...I was introduced to and had the chance to converse with an Educator. Sadly the topic of our conversation was similar to this. She was highly upset by the mother of an eighth grade student that claimed to be unaware, or simply didn't pay attention to, or take it seriously the fact that her son was unable to read. The mother fully admitted to picking up on her son's behavior of asking her to read for him but she didn't think anything of it. As you can imagine, the Educator was totally flabergasted by this - not just the failure by the parent to recognize and do something about it, but also the failure by the system...all of his teachers and administrators from the previous grades.

Our discussion really weighed on me. Earlier this week, I saw a high schooler with just a notebook and a folder - no books whatsoever. I couldn't just ignore what I was witnessing. So I approached and asked where are your books?

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by any change anyone know the song when In-ha goes to the library and checks out that Dal-po has read all the books in the library. Its around the 39:00 minute mark. Thanks

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A good show that I will adore until its last frame. Thank you in advance, Park Hye Ryun.

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I love the story. Journalism, sensationalism, censorship, public opinion influenced by the media..all relevant. Views are sometimes influenced by what we read or watch by the tone of how it was reported. Journalists that are on the field and report the truths based on hard facts are often celebrated in a bias media. Don't forget the people on social media. How much is truth? How much is pure speculation and assumption?

I love the writer for trying to get this one message across, both in IHYV and now Pinocchio, that that there are many sides to a story. This is what I get, for now, at least to me.

I can't help but think of the ferry incident and the concert deaths, suicides that followed, that happened this past year. I watched the news on KBS World, plus from other international and local networks, and saw differences from each network and thought about their effects on me.

On a lighter note, I am probably the only one not yet sold on the couple. Maybe soon. Just not the past two episodes.

Maybe I miss IHYV. I should watch it again. :)

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Was it just me, or there was a ferry/boat shown in that big screen tv when Dal Po was in that TV station?

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Didn't see that!!

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I love Park Shin Hye's character here. So so so soooooo cuuuuute!!!!! And I agree that there are similarities between Park Soo Ha and Dal Po. But as long as they stay cute I'm in!!!

Not expecting too much but I hope PSH's future kissing scenes here will improve *double cross-fingers*

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The traffic cones over their heads made me think of a certain wooden puppet with his pointy hat, haha. And JS's hair mop only enhances the Pinocchio imagery for me

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I'm just glad they didn't make a female lead dumb. I'm tired of seeing the heroines as girls who don't do so well in school and see romance as their main focus of life. In Ha has a goal, and that to me seems considerably better than sweet and spunky Candy type girls who aren't so bright but have winsome personalities. I'm in no means saying that school and grades mean everything in life. I'm just tired of dramas showing a message that you don't necessarily have to be smart or driven to get the cute jaebol in the end.

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What is it with the chronic flashbacking disorder in K-drama? In a back-story flashback, there is another flashback to a scene we already seen just a few minutes ago. I hope they are through with that after these two opening episodes and it doesn't go wild (like in "Nine").

There was a clever combination of dishonest storytelling and flashbacking though: Dal-po's love "confession" collage towards the end of the episode. Very well done there, with only a minimum of foreshadowing in the original scenes and a very concise resolution via the flashback montage.

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Yes, there is too much flashback. Something that bores me lately is when the character has a reaction and we are shown a flashback of something that just happen to explain his behavior. They think the audience is stupid or something.

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I find the flashback scenes pretty annoying too cos it just cuts here and there, kinda ruining the flow but I got to admit that I was pretty impressed by how they link the questions in the quiz to the flashback so seamlessly.

And even if they repeated a flashback, its seen from another person's POV revealing the characters' individual thoughts and emotions in that scene. Who knows that the once ambitious and slightly cruel Gyo-dong who tried to sensationalise the news has changed after seeing how Ha Myung's brother react on the cliff?

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I am so in love with this drama already it's actually frightening me. I don't usually like "your parent caused the death of my parent" drama, but here it's so. well. done. All the characters have such distinct voices and the plot is just...everything is just...agh, I have no words. Dal Po's ending voice over... *dies*

But does anybody know the name of the piece of music playing during that moment when we see In Ha's career paper and dad's skeleton? I've got goosebumps...

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Those courtroom pictures looks like a mash-up of IHYV and Miracle in cell #7. hehe

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This is a really nice character for Park Shin Hye... When she did the aegyo for grandpa, I replayed 5 times.

Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye are soooooooo cute together!

I really like the island setting in the story, the last few scenes were so pretty with the sunset and everything.

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I finally had a chance to watch both episodes last night. I really like this drama! It has a lot of promise. The childhood and teenage-era scenes have been very engrossing so far; hopefully the present-day will be as well.

The highlights, for me:
*Both leads. For some reason I haven't been the biggest fan of Lee Jong-Suk in the past - I know this is shallow, but a lot of it stemmed from his face seeming weird to me (too much PS?). Maybe I've just gotten used to it and am able to focus on his acting now. In any case, he's really impressing me. I love both his warmth toward Grandpa and In Ha, and the way he portrays the damage he's suffered. That scene where he just lets loose on the producer at the broadcast station in the elevator was amazing - the look on his face and the way he delivered the dialogue sent chills down my spine.

I've always been a fan of Park Shin Hye (a minority opinion on this board, I know), and this role is only cementing that status for me. I'm glad she has a chance to play a different character than before. Her spunky personality and uniqueness are really drawing me in.

*The conceit of the hiccups is one I thought would wear thin, but surprisingly, it's working! I love that In Ha, as tough and mouthy as she tries to be, has such a deeply honed inner sense of justice that she has an actual physical manifestation of her conscience. The fact that she can't "lie" (or refrain from doing the right thing) even to herself is both touching and hilarious.

*That scene of In Ha spitting water on the congratulatory cake - gold.

*The fact that Dal-Po likes In-Ha, and that he did this whole scheme because of that. I genuinely didn't see that coming. The voice-over makes me concerned about what's coming down the pike for them, though.

*The social commentary on how dangerous the media can be in swaying public opinion. It was always true of TV, but even more so now that rumors/gossip spread so fast through social media. A serious issue addressed very well and realistically.

I was kind of heartbroken the firefather father seems to be dead after all. I wonder why the neighbor thought he saw him? Just someone similar, I guess? Hopefully Dal-Po gets the chance to clear his name.

Thanks for the recap!

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Every time somebody mentions LJS and PS I am really tempted to post a childhood photo of him. There are several pictures of him when he was just a boy (probably 10-12?). You can see for yourself to make a decision.

http://37.media.tumblr.com/05ed72006d364a31bfa2fccb692cc088/tumblr_mkfc0eC57T1s4x9hgo7_500.jpg
http://31.media.tumblr.com/2b66be756884aafbbef62ac8c89c452c/tumblr_mkfc0eC57T1s4x9hgo1_400.gif
http://31.media.tumblr.com/afb5f593cef5276bb310768ce7988eb9/tumblr_mkfc0eC57T1s4x9hgo6_400.gif
http://37.media.tumblr.com/39ce71a34e754720d4d5d2865f891f93/tumblr_mkfc0eC57T1s4x9hgo3_400.gif

Another picture I used to have that's not so commonly seen though, is a gem. It is totally identical. Even more so than the ones above. I just went to my picture file and it's not there so I probably stored it somewhere else. If I can find it and still remember this post I'll put it up here.

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I really do not want to see mourn Park Shin Hye again in a drama, but I do not care if a scene like the ambulance, it was really amazing, I'm vindicating my mind any criticism of her, it was not his performance his fault was always the choice of papers ... great drama

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Am I the only one to see throwback images to many of Jong Suk's previous dramas in this episode? I actually delight in recognizing them.

His outburst at the elevator scene gives me the chills. And those eyes that conveys so much love in each drama. Is that why PSH is so much better here than in Heirs?

I'm not so fixated about her lack in talent in kissing. But if everybody's not happy with that, maybe then they should just not make her kiss. I'll be a grateful soul I tell you. Yeah, leave the kiss scenes out. Keep those lips off my boy!

As for Dal po reminding of Soo Ha because of the narration, I beg to differ. I for one love the way he talked. But I've noticed his enunciation is different here. I miss the way he used to speak!

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Teen Dal Po reminded me of LJS's teen character in I Hear Your Voice.

Re PSH and the alleged awful kissing - I truly think it's just international fans (and particularly, the ones on this board) who are fixated on this. She seems very popular with Korean fans and that issue isn't brought up in Korean fan discussions of her. If the situation really calls for it, let her have the kiss. If it's not so great (debatable), I don't think a few moments should overshadow hours of performance.

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Please! She is always good. Just the role is doing her justice here...

And please keep all your guys she doesn't need any of their lips. Some fangirls ...

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Hello! My first comment here after being a silent reader for awhile! I am loving what I see at Pinocchio so far! I do agree with Girlfriday we are seeing a little bit of su ha in Dal-Po here in the narration, and with the Parody of the court scene from IHYV, I genuinely believe that the writer will pull us away from the association in the next few episodes!

I like it that PSH hiccups are a sign that she likes Dal-po even though she insistently disagrees and find excuses. It makes the whole story less wishy washy like in some dramas where we have to play guessing games on who likes who. No sign of a second lead male syndrome for shippers to be on board yet but i cannot be more glad that the drama will focus on LJS and PSH! Great chemistry!

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Uhh.. it's so good! I'm definitely in.

Ep 2 was hilarious. Well, Ep 1 too. Aside from the ambulance scene (I'm laughing so hard there. Park Shin Hye can really pull off Choi In Ha! Kudos to her), I also love the part where the female reporter in YGN tv station talk and laugh.. and "so I'm the only one that find it funny" LOL so hilarious!

Pinocchio is really really great. For all the people who are still not watching it, please stop whatever you guys are doing and go watch it. Stop being doubtful and watch it first. The feelings is amazing.

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Its been so long since I've laughed out loud and swooned in one episode. Love this show, I really hope this writer/pd can pull off the magic they did with their other dramas.

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Umm... Am I the only one who thinks that LJS's nose looks incredibly weird and plastic and while his acting is great, the story is great.. just looking at him gives me this uncomfortable feeling similar to looking at Michael Jackson? I don't want to knock the story by all means I am a HUGE fan of PSH!! I loved her in You're Beautiful and HeartStrings and Heirs.. Just... I can't get past the aesthetics!!

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Stop this assumption. I've replied to a post about this a few posts up but it's awaiting moderation as I've linked a few pictures of him when he is about 10-12? Before taking a look at those pictures, please don't spread unfounded rumours. You will be able to recognize him at first glance on the pictures even though he was so young there.

I'm not replying this simply as a fan. I'm ok with PS. Afterall, 80% of Korean actors/actresses seems to have a job or several done. But to harp on it when you have no evidence, geez that's juvenile. And, are you the one who ALWAYS mention the MJ thingy every time there's some discussion on LJS?

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but he stands out more with his pointy nose though. I like the guy but still bothers me at time... especially next to PSH

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I hope I get what you mean when you say 'especially next to PSH'.

I understand when sometimes an actor's look gets in the way of us liking a show but it also should not be a reason to overwrite an actor's acting based on his looks.

On the other hand, no matter how pretty or handsome an actor/actress is, once the person can't act, it'll totally ruin the show for me.

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She said I like him though, but it's true nose can be distracting, especially in those close-up.
I don't mind PS but some cases are just overdone....
And did you imply Park Shin Hye can't act? Because I'd disagree

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>>>Right
No, it's a general statement. She's not an outstanding actress but she's still ok, just like many others. I was bored out with two of her dramas but it could be a combination of factors.

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Just reading the recaps still, but I don't really have any complaints with where this is going so far. The cameo was as awesome as I'd hoped, the whole fantasy sequence was fun actually.

But will Lee Joo-seung (Chan-soo) be the new eternal highschooler? He played one in Blade Man too. I hope he won't be. He may not be ready for a lead role quite yet but the not-quite-second-lead-with-crush-on heroine should not become his trend. If nothing else, give him a noona-romance; he was really cute with the coworker in Savvy.

Warning: do not where street cones as hats, its dangerous. When I was about 5 I wore one while me and my friends were playing freeze-tag and I ran into a tree in our front yard very hard. I went inside crying but even my mom giggled at me because it was so ridiculous. Admittedly it would have been funnier if it wasn't my head, but yunno, word to the wise...or unwise rather.

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Following an AMAZING premiere, comes an equally interesting and beautiful ep 2.

Man, its been so long since i enjoyed a drama whole-heartedly. Both ep 1 and ep 2 made me feel so many emotions and i am totally invested in this drama. Everything seems point perfect. Great script from a talented writer, amazing leads and supporting cast who brings it to life, awesome cinematography and direction. The camera capturing all the beauty of the scenery..so lovely.

And what an amazing episode getting to know the leads. No, scratch that..falling in love with the leads. Lee jong suk and Park shin hye are soooooo adorable. Such cuties. The chemistry is so explosive between these two.

Lee jong suk as dal po is great.. his repressed emotions, his confrontation with gyo dong in the elevator, his embarrassment over in ha's crying in the ambulance and HIS LOVE FOR IN HA is conveyed so well. I am really looking forward to how his future befolds. And then Park shin hye as CHOI IN HA.. It took me few episodes to love jang hye sung fully in IHYV, but in choi in ha's case, i completely FELL IN LOVE WITH HER as soon as she appeared.

Park shin hye is really amazing as choi in ha. Before the start, i was wondering how she is gonna manage hiccuping believably..but after watching the episode, i can say SHE TOTALLY NAILED IT. I don't know what scene to pick as a favorite one of her,cause i completely enjoyed her performance as choi in ha. She was lively, blunt but not rude, extremely adorable and hilarious. Her aegyo in front of her grandpa asking for a bicycle is just the cutest. I wanted to squeeze her face too. The way she ran chasing dalpo when he abandoned her and left with the bicycle. Her dream sequences as a a lawyer and actress was extremely hilarious. She totally proves as a talented actress. And that ambulance scene, Oh my.. i don't know how many times i repeated it..still thinking abt it, makes me smile.

Park shin hye is just soooo beautiful. Damn, so pretty, without even wearing any makeup. She looks so young, can easily pass as an high schooler.

These two, LJS and PSH are the cutest. Too perfect together. Such great chemistry. I am really looking forward to the coming episodes, How their lives as reporters going to be.. how they are going to face all the obstacles that are sure to come.

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Fantastic episode. Loved it all around. Thanks for the recap!

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Love this drama after my love from the star .. I find new drama look so weak like my lovely girl .. Just boring .. And pinocchio just kdrama comebackk :D:D i watch pinocchion and i have big exam for my life .. Pray for me . Love all of you . Kamsahamida

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Thank you writer for giving Park Shin Hye such a good character. I have never doubted her acting. There is not a hint of Cha Eun Sun in Choi In Ha. I am enjoying the show and it's actually better than my love from another star.

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acting wise, LJS and PSH are growing. Hope this drama will give them a chance to show a bigger range =)

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I'm really enjoying it! Park Hae-ryun may have written another Su-ha in Dal-po, but somehow he fits so seamlessly into this story that I don't really think of Suha when I see Dal-po. Goes to show that the writer really is the most important thing about tv (as if Dr Whatsit was not lesson enough).

PSH is SO much easier to watch here, and her chemistry with LJS is great right off the bat - there's none of the blankness I got off her and LMH in Heirs, it looks like she is genuinely comfortable with LJS and that shows, for both of them. I really like her character, and she's great in her scenes with LJS and nails the hiccuping.......the only flaw is that her perkiness in the classroom scenes sometimes seems a bit overdone/self-conscious. I don't know whether it's the effect of the school uniform, but she's decent in her other scenes and I hope this issue will be ironed out next week when they ditch the school uniforms.

And then next week: LEE YUBI!!!!! I'm really looking forward to her.

I also second all the comments about Park Shin-hye's skin. What vampire blood does she drink to keep it so clear and glowing?!

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The perkiness annoyed but then again, I'm easily annoyed by PSH so I never know if I'm just being nitpicky with her. I felt she was trying hard to be cute cause she was supposed to be a teen. I hope she will tone it down in the rest of the show.

LJS was ok as always for me. Funny I don't get the Suha vibes at all and I hope he gets even more distinct.

What really let me down was the lazy sloppy writing though, I expect a lot more from the IHYV writer. I hope it will really improve.

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So happy with InHa! LOVEEEEEEEE my first love with Go Mi Nam has been re-ignited! PSH and LJS has tons of chem - please don't let her character turn into CES later and whoever thinks LMH and PSH has more chemistry than PSH and LJS... *sigh* let me borrow u r computer/glasses they are different than mine!

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So good. So cute! I've enjoyed all the shows from this writer. Park Shin Hye's character is adorable. While she resembles the one she played in Heirs, she is so much less annoying. I was so confused the amount of desire she provoked from all the male characters in Heirs.

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Good start! I can't wait for the next episode.. So many questions, did his big brother recognized him on tv? How did he survive the suicide fall with his mom? Is the mom alive?

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The show is easing itself in quite well with this episode. This one is actually pretty good—good enough at least that it reassures me, unlike what I’ve seen yesterday, that the show can manage to have plenty of heart without being overwrought. I like with what I’m seeing as far as character trajectory goes with Ha Myung being tempered with the tragedies from 5 years ago and having been naturally sharpening himself (or is he another natural genius type?) to the current iteration of him which is stronger but nonetheless bitter. Come to think of it, that actually kind of sounds like a superhero origin story. And I expect him to be exactly like that—a modern day *hero*, one that only seeks and stands for the truth. I’m also excited as to how he would reconcile his hate for television and ultimately use it as the medium to correct the very things that have left him scarred in his youth.

In Ha herself has all the makings of being an adorable lead and although there is a risk of her becoming the token vanilla quirky female which draws attention for herself, she does have plenty of room for growth too, which makes it an interesting prospect to see how she can actually use her syndrome to her advantage, instead of it just being a quirk. Early on she already discovered the power and perhaps even the*beauty* of mass media, that it’s just easy to root for her and how far she can succeed with her new-found ideology and profession.

The romance is also just as easy to root for. Even though there is inevitably going to be angst between the two leads, it is comforting to see that there is a zilch of awkwardness both character-wise and between the actors. I can definitely see them clicking and the result onscreen is apparent as being organic. I’m also happy to see an animated Park Shin Hye and a more restrained Lee Jong Seok here, which are the opposites of their previous equally jarring performances. Pinnochio couldn’t have come at a better time for both to redeem themselves, although that is not to say that they have lost any star power, on the contrary both Heirs and Dr. Stranger have solidified each as stable drama stars, but coming at a price of enduring unfathomable scripts.
Wednesdays are not just going to be a hump-day anymore.

There is now something to look out for.

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I just noticed that Jung Seok's hand is so red in the first picture! Loving the drama so far though!

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