She Was Pretty: Episode 4
by LollyPip
Secrets only get harder to tell the longer you keep them, as Hye-jin and Ha-ri are finding out. The pressure starts to get to them, leading to uncharacteristic behavior from both of the best friends. And as we start to learn more about all of our main players, it starts to seem as though the ladies may not be the only ones keeping very old, very serious secrets.
EPISODE 4 RECAP
Sung-joon sees Hye-rin in the cafe and smiles, seeing how much she resembles the Hye-jin he remembers. The real Hye-jin comes in looking for her wayward sister, sees the two of them meeting, and hurriedly rushes out. She watches from behind a sign as Sung-joon tells Hye-rin that he knows her sister.
She makes her escape and calls Sung-joon, hoping to get him out of there before Hye-rin says anything to give away Hye-jin’s true identity. Her story that Chief Editor Kim wants to talk to him works, and after he leaves she scurries in to confront her sister.
Luckily Hye-jin got there fast enough, and Hye-rin didn’t tell Sung-joon anything personal about her, such as where she really works. She tosses some money at Hye-rin for food and rushes back to work.
Sung-joon scares the daylights out of Chief Editor Kim, who didn’t really call for him, and Hye-jin has to quickly apologize to Sung-joon for her “mistake.” Chief Editor Kim notices that Hye-jin still looks unkempt, and asks her to try to look a little more Most-like.
Sung-joon is frustrated by the messy reports he’s given by the team, and he decides that from now on, the three-minute rule applies to project proposals as well. What’s this guy’s obsession with three minutes?? He shoots down anyone who tries to defend their current system, until Shin-hyuk asks how he expects anyone to offer honest opinions in this kind of environment. That’s what I’m sayin’.
Sung-joon barks that if he wants to be comfortable, he can stay home. He throws out all of the proposals and asks Reporter Cha if she’s contacted James Taylor for the collaboration, insulting her when she says she hasn’t been able to reach him. He takes the project from her and sails out, and Hye-jin wonders what happened to Sung-joon in America to make him like this.
Sung-joon must be more unsettled than he’s letting on, because he listens to “Close To You” in the car later that day. He notices that the sky is particularly beautiful today and takes a picture, while at the office, Hye-jin notices the same pretty sky outside the building window.
She pulls out her own phone, but her shot gets photobombed by Shin-hyuk, hee. He watches her take pictures of the sky and smiles at her, and remembers seeing her on the bus recently. He’d smiled at her then, too, watching her head loll as she fought sleep. He’d seen her give up her seat to the elderly ajumma, and the expression on his face is a mixture of amusement and admiration. So cute.
Back at the office, Shin-hyuk watches Hye-jin take pictures of the sky and repeats her words as he studies her face, “That’s right. It’s pretty.” Oh ~swoon~.
Ha-ri sees a family celebrating a birthday in her hotel, and remembers when her own mother was alive and her family was happy. She ignores a call from her father, still upset over his slap the other night, but she smiles when Sung-joon texts her the picture of the beautiful sky.
That night she asks her date if he noticed the sky today, but he’s annoyed that she interrupted his groping. She admits that those kinds of girly things aren’t like her and disappoints him by leaving without allowing any skinship.
Hye-jin scolds her for her short skirt, but Ha-ri says it’s her body, her life, and she’ll do what makes her happy. Sing it, sister. Later Hye-jin tells her about Hye-rin’s near slip-up with Sung-joon, and she’s confused when Ha-ri seems more upset at the idea of being caught than she is herself.
The girls play listlessly on the playground while Hye-jin natters on and on about hiding from Sung-joon, and how she’d be so humiliated if he knew that the person who he looks down on is his old friend. Ha-ri asks what she thinks would have happened if she’d just gone and met him herself that first night.
Hye-jin isn’t sure, but she does know that it would have been awkward if they’d met, then found out they were working together. She admits it’s probably better this way, still thinking that Sung-joon thinks she’s gone. Ha-ri starts to tell her that she’s seen Sung-joon again but Hye-jin cuts her off — he doesn’t like her anyway, so it’s probably best to stop thinking about him so much.
The next morning Hye-jin recalls Chief Editor Kim’s request to be “more Most-like,” wondering exactly what she means by that. She takes some time to try a few new things with her hair, but when she gets to work and runs into Sung-joon, he asks if she’s playing a joke. Damn, he’s so mean.
Okay, to be fair, when we see how much makeup she’s slathered on I can see his point, but the hair isn’t so bad. Not any worse than her usual frizzy mop.
Jun-woo yells in excitement that Sung-joon got the meeting with James Taylor. It’s only for an hour at the airport between flights, so Reporter Cha mutters that he’ll never get him to agree to collaborate in that small amount of time — just as Sung-joon walks in. Awkward. He barks at her to let him handle it.
He says that he’ll need a driver to the airport later so he can review on the way, and everyone hunkers down and hides. Shin-hyuk whispers to Hye-jin that she’s got a hole in her shirt, and when she raises her arm to look, it looks like she’s volunteering to drive, HA.
He actually had a reason to do it — the way she’s so nervous around Sung-joon, he thought it would help them get closer so she could relax. But when Sung-joon realizes who’s driving he’s not at all happy to see her.
He settles in to read while Hye-jin drives, and the silence makes her nervous. He ignores her weird attempts at small-talk, he finally asking her to stop talking so he can concentrate. The problem is, he concentrates so hard that he doesn’t hear her ask if they’re going to Incheon Airport, so she just assumes and heads that way.
It’s the wrong airport, of course — they should be going to Gimpo. And once you’re on the road to Incheon it’s very difficult to turn around, and there’s only one place they can get off the road, so Sung-joon urges Hye-jin to drive fast. Naturally, they hit traffic.
Sung-joon calls Reporter Cha to meet James Taylor at the Gimpo airport, but she’s gone to an event. He tells the office to send whoever can get there fastest, but falters when Hye-jin jumps out of the car and appears to be buying food from a streetside vendor.
But instead she practically drags him out of the car, grabs his wallet out of his pants, and gives a man on a scooter some money. She plunks Sung-joon onto the scooter and screams at them to GOGOGO, and she’ll meet him at the airport when he’s finished. That was pretty quick thinking.
Hye-jin arrives at the Gimpo airport just as Sung-joon is leaving, but he’s on the phone and ignores her when she asks if he got here in time. He tells the person on the phone that the meeting was successful, causing Hye-jin to bounce with excitement.
Despite Hye-jin’s save and the fact that it’s not her fault they went the wrong way, Sung-joon starts to berate her, asking if she’ll take responsibility if the project fails. He’s yelling by the time he’s finished and refuses to listen when she tries to say that she asked him where to go. He snarls that people who work hard but have no accomplishments are pathetic. Like her.
Fed up, Hye-jin gets her things out of Sung-joon’s car and says she’ll find her own way back to the office. But she stops him and offers to tell him the kind of person she hates the most — people who don’t listen to others and who look down on those who aren’t as skilled as they are. Like him.
She says that she asked him several times which airport to go to, and it was him who didn’t listen or answer her. She tells him this wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t ignore and belittle her at every turn. Good girl.
Ha-ri’s father comes to see her at work, and she looks wary but joins him for dinner. He apologizes for the slap, but when his wife calls Ha-ri notices that he doesn’t say he’s with her. Dad says that Ha-ri should apologize to her stepmother but she interrupts him — she was taught that the person who was wrong first should apologize. Dad says that Ha-ri should make the first move, and that’s enough to make Ha-ri stand and leave.
After work Hye-jin texts Ha-ri to meet for drinks, and sighs at the pouring rain. She watches as Sung-joon also leaves but jerks back out of the rain, and they both stand awkwardly, reluctant to step out into the downpour.
Hye-jin finally opens her umbrella, and it’s the same one that Sung-joon bought for Ha-ri/Hye-jin the night they met. It’s very distinctive, with a print of the Renoir painting “Dance in the Country” that reminds him of Hye-jin. Ha-ri had given it to Hye-jin, its rightful owner, and she only realizes that she’s using the umbrella from Sung-joon after she walks out into the rain. She turns back, but he’s already gone back inside.
She stops at a pojangmacha to wait for Ha-ri, but Ha-ri is swimming laps at the gym. She stops in the middle of the pool and slowly sinks to the bottom, curled into a tiny ball of hurt. On her way out she runs into Sung-joon who just joined the same gym, but she’s in no mood to talk. She starts to walk to her car, but Sung-joon pulls up and asks her to hang out a while. She tries to decline but he begs, so she finally relents.
Shin-hyuk apparently loves the rain, skipping through puddles and singing on his way home. He spots Hye-jin at the pojangmacha and joins her. She’s pretty drunk and attacks him for getting her stuck with the driving duty today.
Ha-ri notices a set of rackets in Sung-joon’s car, and he takes her to a grassy area to play. She tries again to tell him she’s not in the mood to hang out but he doesn’t listen, so she hits the ball with him.
Ha-ri drops the ball several times and complains that she’s at a disadvantage in her short skirt, so Sung-joon wraps his jacket around her waist. His close proximity seems to affect her, but he doesn’t make any other moves and they continue playing.
Later, Sung-joon mentions that he met her younger sister. Ha-ri plays along and even agrees to go out to dinner some time, the three of them, but the reminder that she’s not the real Hye-jin deflates her mood again.
Sung-joon finally asks why she was crying earlier — he could tell from her face. Ha-ri says it was nothing important, but when they see a happy little family walk by, Ha-ri asks what Sung-joon remembers most about his mother. He says he remembers her cutting his fingernails, which he still struggles with since he’s left-handed.
Ha-ri says softly that it must have been difficult not to have his mother, especially when he was young. He says that it helped that a nice girl named Kim Hye-jin was with him at that time. He smiles at the memory, but Ha-ri looks guilty.
Hye-jin is well and truly drunk by now, and she slurs to Shin-hyuk that she’s drinking because of that crazy Sung-joon. She stomps on the umbrella he gave her and vows to “tell him everything,” which prompts Shin-hyuk to note that she talks like she’s known him a long time. Hye-jin hollers that she does know him, but she passes out before she can say how.
Dying of curiosity, Shin-hyuk follows her as she staggers home, bellowing about Sung-joon all the way. She dumps out her entire purse on the ground looking for her phone, determined to call him right now and tell him the truth.
When Sung-joon takes her back to her car, Ha-ri tries one more time to come clean, but she ends up fibbing that she’s engaged. His face falls when she says she can’t see him anymore, but he suddenly asks when she’s taking him out for dinner, since she lost a bet on their game. Ugh, he doesn’t ever listen. After he leaves Ha-ri tells herself that she can just tell him the truth next time, but it seems to be getting harder for her to justify delaying it.
Hye-jin finds her phone and drunk dials Sung-joon, and she slurs at him in banmal while Shin-hyuk tries to keep her from falling over. He really should take her phone away, but he’s curious to hear what kind of past she has with their boss. She yells down the phone to Sung-joon that she’s Kim Hye-jin… THE Kim Hye-jin. He’s so shocked he has to pull over, and tells her to repeat that.
Hye-jin has the hangover from hell in the morning, and she doesn’t remember a thing from the night before. Ha-ri tells her that she came home making a loud scene and that she threw up all over Shin-hyuk, who took her all the way home. Ha-ri hadn’t quite seen his face as she’s wrestled with the flailing Hye-jin.
Hye-jin heads to work still feeling awful and takes a call from her mother, who tells her they’re having a little party to celebrate her employment. When Hye-jin hangs up and sees her call history, she’s horrified to see that she called Sung-joon last night. She suddenly remembers telling him that she’s the true Kim Hye-jin, and when Shin-hyuk walks past her, she asks him if she really called their boss last night.
He says that he does remember something, but he assures her that she didn’t say all that much. We see that she’d just yelled her name several times, which didn’t sound like much to Shin-hyuk, but he took her phone away when she started slinging insults. He’s still curious and digs for information, but now that she’s sober Hye-jin just tells him that she did it because Sung-joon is so mean.
Sung-joon sees them bickering and remembers the call last night, but of course all he heard (because he doesn’t listen) was Hye-jin calling him names. He’s cornered in the Most office by Chief Editor Kim, and tries to decline a party celebrating his collaboration success with James Taylor, but she says that she has something important to tell him.
For some reason she specifically tells Jun-woo that he has to come, which makes So-ri think that he’s the secret chaebol. She decides to focus her gold-digging on him from now on.
Hye-jin is told to take some files to Sung-joon, and she gathers her courage and apologizes for last night. He just says that she made a drunken mistake, and that he’ll pretend that nothing happened. He adds curtly that they’ll forget the airport incident as well.
That morning his regular barista had told him that when he’s focusing on something, he doesn’t hear or see anything else. Now he remembers Hye-jin saying that she asked him multiple times which airport and he didn’t answer her.
At the party that night, Chief Editor Kim notices that Sung-joon isn’t drinking, but he says he has things to do and needs to leave soon. She insists he have one drink before he goes and, annoyed, he kills it in one shot and leaves.
Shin-hyuk follows Hye-jin out when she gets a call from Ha-ri, so they both witness Sung-joon collapse like a rag doll. Shin-hyuk piggybacks him to his hotel, complaining the entire way, and whines for water when Hye-jin just wants to get out of there. She’s surprised to see nothing but water in his fridge.
Shin-hyuk somehow ends up with Sung-joon’s card key but decides to give it back to him later. Hye-jin is concerned with seeing only water in the fridge, realizing that she’s never seen Sung-joon eat. Shin-hyuk bounces around her trying to get her attention, and Hye-jin finally blows up at him.
She wails that he jokes all day and even got her in trouble by joking around, and he looks chastened as he stammers that he thinks of her as a little sister. She firmly tells him that she does NOT think of him as an oppa, and Shin-hyuk apologizes. Okay, puppy Shin-hyuk is annoying, but kicked-puppy Shin-hyuk makes me want to give him a hug.
Hye-jin continues, telling him to go bother his own little sister and leave her alone. She begins to storm off, and a small voice says from behind her, “She died. When she was six years old.” Oof.
When Hye-jin turns back around, Shin-hyuk smiles and says it’s nothing, and turns to go. Hye-jin is desperate to apologize but she can’t find her phone, and remembers that she set it down up in Sung-joon’s kitchen. The key card is in Shin-hyuk’s pocket so Hye-jin is reduced to trying random key codes on Sung-joon’s door, with no luck.
She gets a sudden idea and tries the date for International Left-handers’ Day, and it works. She creeps in and quickly grabs her phone, but knocks the glass from Shin-hyuk’s water off the counter. Moving fast, she catches it in midair.
Ha-ri is working late, and a coworker notices that an MP3 player that was reported lost was never claimed. She decides to return it to the customer’s room herself. On the way to the customer’s room, Ha-ri sees a man in sloppy clothes shuffling down the hall. She assumes he’s homeless and hustles him out, but a coworker sees her and tells her to apologize immediately — this is the long-term guest from the room that Ha-ri was just heading to.
Ha-ri realizes her mistake, and we only now see the man’s face… it’s Shin-hyuk! He doesn’t hold her slip-up against her and just takes his MP3 player back, but before he goes he comments that her voice sounds familiar.
In voice-over, Hye-jin says that when two people first meet, an intersection is created between them. At some times, those intersections are hard to see clearly — you can’t predict that a person’s existence will make things more complicated in the future.
In Sung-joon’s suite, Hye-jin notices his framed puzzle of “Dance in the Country” with the one missing piece. She leans down to gently touch the puzzle, but Sung-joon suddenly comes up behind her and demands to know what she’s doing. In surprise, Hye-jin knocks the frame off the table, shattering it and the puzzle inside.
She whirls around to find Sung-joon standing very close, and she starts to step backwards — into the broken glass, with her bare feet. Sung-joon quickly grabs her and yanks her forward, right into his arms.
COMMENTS
Shin-hyuk is still killing me, especially now that we’re learning a bit about him personally — this guy is just the sweetest thing. I love how he already likes Hye-jin so much, just exactly how she is. He seems to find her more endearing the quirkier she is, which is fantastic and wonderful because it means he sees who she is and appreciates her. He doesn’t need her to change in order to like her, not like SOME people, and I love how he seeks her out so often. It speaks highly of the person Shin-hyuk is under all that silliness and immaturity, though I’ll admit that that childlike, carefree air that he has about him is a big part of what makes him so adorable. Now I’m ready for Hye-jin to see it, and stop thinking of him just as that weird guy at work, which I hope this misunderstanding will accomplish. Ooooh crap, there it is — the Second Lead Syndrome. It’s got me.
I’m getting a little less tolerant of Sung-joon’s treatment of the Most team, who really seem like a talented and nice group of people. I know that his strategy is to push them hard to do their best because he believes they can, but it’s making me uncomfortable how abusive he can be (though I believe it’s supposed to, for reasons I’ll explain soon). Constructive criticism is one thing, and being a tough boss is sometimes necessary for the sake of success, but calling people names and refusing to even read their reports if it takes longer than three minutes isn’t the way to motivate people. I was willing to let him slide for a few episodes thinking that we’d see him relax a bit once he’d settled in at Most, but he really doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Shin-hyuk has a point and I’m glad he voiced it — how are they expected to feel comfortable enough to do their work in such an atmosphere?
But Sung-joon’s biggest fault, that’s already driving me crazy, seems to be that he doesn’t listen — not to his employees, not to Hye-jin, and not even to Ha-ri. She’s made several huge slip-ups that would make anyone wonder if this was really their childhood friend, and he’s just not hearing her. Even when she tried to tell him multiple times that she didn’t feel like hanging out, he ignored her wishes and did what he wanted anyway (and I don’t think it makes it better that she eventually relaxed and enjoyed herself — the lady said no, more than once, and he should have respected that). He didn’t listen when Hye-jin asked where she should drive him and it nearly caused a huge problem at work, then he didn’t listen when she tried to explain. He’s got a bad habit of ignoring people, even putting himself in danger by blocking out the world (he’s going to break his nose if he doesn’t stop walking into windows), and he’s not going to ever make a connection with anyone until he breaks that habit and starts to engage with others.
I’m starting to think, especially with the few little hints we’ve had, that something terrible happened to Sung-joon in America (not to mention possibly developing an eating disorder). We know he’s a sweet person deep down, because he was such an adorable little dude when he was a kid and seemed quite sensitive, so seeing him grow up to be this man who seems to have no compassion whatsoever just feels wrong. We see him soften around Ha-ri, so that side of him isn’t completely gone, but I’m guessing that he had something happen to him while he was away that made him put up all these walls. It sounds mean but I actually hope that’s the case, because he’d better have a damn good excuse for the way he treats his coworkers, and especially Hye-jin. I want him to be wounded, because without some really extenuating circumstance, if I see him being hateful to people much longer I’m going to have a hard time forgiving him later. He’s lucky that he does have that history with Hye-jin because I think that, by the time he realizes who she truly is and wants to make amends, that history is going to be the only reason she’s willing to give him the time of day.
I’ma bit disappointed that we have four episodes under our belt but our main couple still hasn’t done much besides yell at each other. They’ve spent more time with the second leads at this point, especially Sung-joon and Ha-ri. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the show was going in totally different directions with the pairings, and I hope that Sung-joon and Hye-rin’s relationship kicks in soon. Sung-joon does seem to be at least thinking about how he treats Hye-jin, which is good. But not much has happened plot-wise since the first episode, and we aren’t any closer to Sung-joon discovering the truth about Hye-jin and Ha-ri than we were three episodes ago. It’s to the show’s credit that I almost didn’t notice there’s been very little forward plot-movement, because whatever faults it may have, the show is just so darn cute that I’m enjoying it anyway. But as Shin-hyuk just learned, cute only gets you so far, so I hope that next week we start to see something actually happen to bring Sung-joon and Hye-jin together.
RELATED POSTS
- She Was Pretty: Episode 3
- She Was Pretty: Episode 2
- She Was Pretty: Episode 1
- Press conference day for rom-com She Was Pretty
- She Was Pretty on the cover of a magazine
- Laughter and tears for She Was Pretty’s second leads
- Hwang Jung-eum on building her character for She Was Pretty
- She Was Pretty’s first teaser doles out sweetness and kisses
Tags: Choi Siwon, featured, Go Jun-hee, Hwang Jung-eum, Park Seo-joon, She Was Pretty
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51 CC
September 26, 2015 at 11:51 AM
I love this drama but I can see how many have the second-lead syndrome. I don't have it-- I mean from the beginning I knew who was meant to be with who. Hopefully the two leads become closer in the upcoming episodes and Sung-joon falls for his real lady for who she is now, not for her looks. I'am waiting for that. Waiting for him to fall in love with her all over again. That is what will make this awfulness all worth it ( hopefully ;P)
Like it was mentioned,Sung-joon must have that great and sensitive personality within him because he can't be a complete ass now all of a sudden without some explanation.
As for Hye-jin, she needs to stop worrying so much about him finding out and let it happen how it should. SHE WORRIES ME TO DEATH LOL. I love how he has ZERO clue and she is still panicking. I think she will hate his guts once he already starts having feeling for her. Thats going to be fun to watch but also --- what will happen once he finds out? Will he be happy, sad, mad ??
Love this drama-- so quirky!
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Aida
September 26, 2015 at 2:21 PM
Sorry, but falling for her for who she is now? And just what could that be? Because from my perspective, right now Hye Jin isn't doing anything to make us root for her. She's not exactly the brightest, despite her potential which she showed at the beginning (hence her move to intern for the editing team)
Seriously, she has major personality issues she needs to fix FIRST. You have to ask yourself, would I like ME? Would I fall in love with ME? Before I expect anyone else to. Right now I wouldn't want Sung Joon to fall for her the way she is. But when she gets more confidence, yes. And with confidence comes the calm, bright thinking she needs to excel in any environment.
I keep comparing She was Pretty to Twenty Again, which is unfair. But the heroine in Twenty Again (No Ra) Even with being the underdog, she has her shining moments where she surpasses expectations. Sadly, Hye Jin has never had a single moment in 4 episodes. Which is sad really.
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olive
September 27, 2015 at 6:19 AM
in the defense, Hye jin doesn't exactly want him to fall for her, it just the ashamed feeling she wants to avoid when he knew the fact, like when you used to have good score in high school but can;t accepted in university and meet you old colleges- who doesn't do as good as you but accepted in SKY university,
Hye jin try to get over it and she already in it, she learn the magazine, she try -once-make up, she did good, sung joon try to let go
Hye jin maybe not the perfect girl, but isn't that the point? how a girl who used to understand it better become someone who doesn't understand anything now, how she can re-gain her life again,
twenty again is sweet cause it feels nice and likeable but she was pretty is quite harsh because it gives some bad reality on lead pov that maybe will have better development,
not all people are born and grow with attitude, some people need to find it again and I find that interesting to follow
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Cocoboo
September 26, 2015 at 2:53 PM
I'm waiting for Sung Joon to fall for the present Hye Jin too. That will take time, of course. I'd like to see them brainstorm together or combine good ideas for the magazine. Can't wait for them to learn more about each other and see all the good things.
Disappointed that Hari keeps prolonging the truth. Not looking forward to the brewing drama/angst.
Shin Hyuk is such a funny, silly guy who has his cute moments, but I'm not having second lead syndrome either.
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gem28
September 27, 2015 at 2:39 AM
Hye Jin isn't doing anything to root for her? She hasn't made mistakes lately. She struggle in the new environment initially but she is catching up. The whole airport fiasco was one hundred percent Sung Joon's fault. The smug jerk didn't even once admit to the fact. In fact, it was Hye Jin's quick thinking that saved the project. For that, the girl didn't even receive a small acknowledgement but Sung Joon called her mentally disabled yet again and insulted her further by calling her a hard working good for nothing with zero accomplishments. Lets not forget, Hye Jin is a management intern with little experience with the world of magazine but at least she is making an effort. Sung Joon on the other hand has so far scared those around him to the point most in the magazine permanent team don't really want to interact with him. I think most wouldn't want to be around Sung Joon at this point. Hye Jin may not be perfect but she doesn't repel people. I agree Hye Jin could improve a whole lot but I hope she does that for herself not for a pathetic, rude guy like Sung Joon.
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52 Chirene
September 26, 2015 at 12:10 PM
I'm totally in for"second lead gets the girl"
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53 annflln
September 26, 2015 at 12:44 PM
I WANT Shin-yuk and Hye-jin ended up together!! lol
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54 Garrdan75
September 26, 2015 at 1:26 PM
I absolutely LOVE THIS SHOW!!
I've rarely been taken so quickly by a drama as I have with this one...especially with my emotions.
I've switched back and forth between feeling so terribly sad---teary heart clutching---and then boiling bouts of anger at Sung Joon's despicable attitude towards Hye Jin!
Many have mentioned that there must be a sound reason for his behavior...mental and emotional issues stemming from his childhood experiences in being an overweight and neglected child. Slowly hints and evidence are surfacing...LET'S GET ON WITH IT!!
First time watching Siwon and whoa...wow!! His Shin Hyuk is adorable! Love, love his portrayal. I'm on board with those who are favoring him with Hye Jin!!
Bet he'll be the one to "make her over"...
True that Sung Joon has not won fans among many of us with his bully and mean behavior...hope it won't be long before "truths" surface and I can begin to like him a bit...'cause right now---no way! If the storyline revolves around him and Hye Jin as the main pairing... I hope that he will fall for her as she is now and not before there's any makeover with her appearance.
Shin Hyuk likes her as she is...he sees her inner beauty and sweetness---Sung Joon should also!
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55 Bea
September 26, 2015 at 1:34 PM
How will hyejin lose the red cheeks? In the previews she doesn't have them lol. Just really curious because she most likely will get a makeover as she looked different in the previews
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earthna
September 26, 2015 at 5:27 PM
A bit of bb cream will fix it.
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susan
September 28, 2015 at 9:01 AM
In real life rosacea can be treated with IPL - something readily available in Korea.
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56 Kyla
September 26, 2015 at 1:34 PM
It's official, I don't like this drama and I'm dropping it. I totally dislike the main leads, what's the point. The freak out ish is stupid and irritating, God please, frizzy hair is not ugly, dirty hair is. Then I don't even know if those red paints on her face is blush, freckles or whatever, just kept wishing it would disappear. I'm still wondering how they could say someone like that is ugly
Korean beauty standards are ridiculous.
The male lead, what are you doing!!! Are trying to be stoic, boring, annoying and a major arse all at the same time because you're sure good at it right now.
I like the second leads. But still dropping the drama. I find highly unappealing. Even the story is not making a lot of sense more like I'm not buying it. Sheesh.
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pam
September 26, 2015 at 4:56 PM
do so...as in right now!
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57 gadis
September 26, 2015 at 3:30 PM
Hahaha, I do love how absorbed Seongjoon was with his tablet. It's like a running gag in this show. But then they turned it around as the first heartfelt moment between him and Haejin. It's a good thing that he acknowledged his mistakes at the airport and even give a roundabout apology.
Passed-out-drunk Seongjoon is sooo hilarious. I laughed so hard when he just collapsed in the middle of corridor.
And I have to say I'm glad that Hari finally met Shinhyuk, that means their full rectangle story can get on full swing next eps.
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58 Aida
September 26, 2015 at 3:37 PM
Ugh I don't want Shin Hyuk to fall for Ha Ri. I don't want EITHER guy for Ha Ri. Let Hye Jin have them both **heehee** Also, now that Shin Hyuk and Ha Ri have met, I'm so happy there was no instant "zing" chemistry like he had with Hye Jin. And if they're going to give us the old love-triangle runaround, then by all means, Shin Hyuk has to go for Hye Jin asap.
Someone mentioned somewhere...Shin Hyuk should totally use his richboy status and give Hye Jin a much needed makeover soon. That would be TRILL. LOL
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growingbeautifully
September 26, 2015 at 7:26 PM
@Aida
The old makeover to spite the unappreciative male lead thing? LOL. Well, yeah, I think I'd kind of like that, to see everyone's jaw drop. I'd want Hye Jin to walk into the Most office and make a grand entrance with Shin Hyuk.
But after that, I'd like her to just be herself and continue to know how great and lovable she is, without having to be Most anything for anyone. :)
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Aida
September 27, 2015 at 8:52 AM
@Growingbeautifully yes, we definitely need to see her looking super MOST at least once :D and then she can work on the natural Hye Jin... To the point she can still be quirky and fun, but less cringey and shrinking like a sock with a hole LOL
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Cocobeans
September 27, 2015 at 12:32 AM
nooo, not the sudden makeover by rich boyfriend. I want the proces to be gradual, by HJ choosing herself to do something about her looks again and the girls and boys at work helping her with it little by little.
THEN they can come with a make over, preferably suggested by some fashion big shot who says he sees potential in diamonds in the rough.
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Aida
September 27, 2015 at 8:57 AM
Come to think of it...not sure she can know what to do with herself if she suddenly gets the 'bombshell' do-over :D she'd probably trip over in her heels!
I like your idea about Hye Jin unexpectedly catching the eye of some fashion whiz who will suddenly give her a new look. This would build her confidence, when she realizes someone sees potential in her. Good one, hope the writer already thought of it!
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59 goldeng
September 26, 2015 at 3:59 PM
In this drama is happening something similar to what happened in Big and that pissed me off In that drama and its bothering me here... in Big, the boy who switched bodies was quite mature at first but then he became some obnoxious child and here, baby Hye jin looked like a smart, calm and kind girl and then out of the blue, its portrayed like a crazy loud grown ass woman just because shes "nervous" around a boy... Wth? I feel no one could sit down with Jung Eum and tell her she should tone it down... i cant really blame her cuz most actresses and actors do things over the top but well, it at times makes sense if the characters are actually hyper...
Sung Joon as a person who doesnt listen to others n all aspects of his life is a smart move from the writers cuz if he actually listened to ppl, hed pick on this whole mess in a heartbeat! At times I think he kinda knows Hari isnt Hye jin but is playing along to keep his good memories intact And evn when hes druving me crazy too, I wanna think that just as calm Hye jin became a loud ball of nerves, sweet Sung Joon became an obnoxious being...!
And the best for last:shin hyuk! Ohmaagaaawt i love him! he reminds me of youre beautiful's Jeremy but i hope they dont let him get brokenhearted cuz ill just cry a river... :(
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earthna
September 26, 2015 at 5:27 PM
Memories of big that I don't want to remember... /cries in a corner
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60 Jennifer
September 26, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Maybe Shin-hyuk is the lead?
This is 2015. Please make this drama less predictable. Do a role reversal and have Shin-hyuk be the actual lead. Please pretty please.
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61 Jyc
September 26, 2015 at 4:57 PM
There's a theory in Twitter that I read yesterday: s/he said something about Sung-joon probably having developed a literal hearing problem because of probably his dieting while in the States. I liked what LollyPip explained about this lack of compassion with Sung-joon, but it would be quite a nice twist if it turns out that he was actually having that hearing problem.
Something I hate most about "Second Lead Syndrome" is that people cheer for their puppy at the EXPENSE of the male lead. I experienced how bad that got in School 2015, and being an active reader here and the tags on Twitter, that's kind of off-putting. But I guess that's something I would have to live with because it's part of the show.
I am still thoroughly enjoying this one because of its comedy hijinks and sentiments. I really want it to be good until the following episodes so that I will not drop another show this year. I don't want to be disappointed anymore. Hahaha.
Fighting, She Was Pretty! :)
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62 earthna
September 26, 2015 at 5:30 PM
Sungjoon hears what Ha Ri says though. He might have a hearing problem but he can still make a choice. He's focusing on Ha Ri when they are together but ignores Hye Jin when she talks (obviously, he wouldn't hear her).
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earthna
September 26, 2015 at 5:30 PM
@jyc
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63 earthna
September 26, 2015 at 5:32 PM
When Sung Joon said "Let's pretend that yesterday's event didn't happen", I really wanted to just punch him in the face. No, son. You don't just forget things. You apologize for what you did wrong. You don't just pretend it didn't happen.
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growingbeautifully
September 26, 2015 at 7:20 PM
@ earthna
I had the same thoughts. Some things cannot be brushed off as mere mistakes to be forgotten, especially when one's mistakes led to another undeserved put down of the innocent party. I'm waiting to see if he is ever shown to be big enough to acknowledge his bad attitude and to apologise sincerely.
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earthna
September 26, 2015 at 7:51 PM
Exactly! And the bgm playing seemed like they wanted the viewers to go awwww at that moment. Ugh. I hope that Sungjoon becomes a better human being in the next episode. I understand that he's been through hardships and is struggling even now but that is not an excuse to treat people badly. We always have a choice. Situations may differ and our own experiences can shape our values differently but we can always choose one thing from another.
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fabdrama
September 27, 2015 at 2:15 AM
@earthna and @Growingbeautifully, preach! It was incredibly insulting for him to just brush it off, while he has seen how much Hye-jin was distressed. Seriously that character gets worse by the second, how can we ever root for him in the end? *scratches head*
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Cocobeans
September 28, 2015 at 12:23 PM
he's his own evil twin brother? TUM TUM TAAAAA !! *cue dramatic telenovella music *
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64 Young
September 26, 2015 at 6:27 PM
I just wanted to point out a misunderstanding about Sung joon not listening to Hari when she was lying about her fiancee not liking her meeting other men. You can see from the sound effects and Hari's expression afterwards that she was only IMAGINING/THINKING about telling Sung joon about the fiance lie. SHE DIDN'T ACTUALLY TELL HIM ABOUT THE FIANCE. When Sung joon talks to her after that scene she's zoned out and says "What?" so we can tell that that lying about the fiance scene DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAPPEN.
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65 Saya
September 26, 2015 at 7:10 PM
Maybe sung joon was bullied (and badly) for being overweight when he moved to US and no one like hye jin to cheer him up there. That's the only reason I cant think for his (probably) eating disorder, the reason why he is starving himself now. And I am swooning for shin hyuk and am preparing myself already when that day come, when his heart is broken because hye jin and sung joon
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66 growingbeautifully
September 26, 2015 at 7:17 PM
Thanks Lollypip!
Individually, I like our 4 main characters. Among them, I find Sung Joon and Ha Ri more like real people and Hye Jin and Shin Hyuk as caricatures, that may also be why it will seem more appropriate to pair them this way, regardless of how matters proceed from here.
I was just thinking about truth. The most antagonistic person in this foursome is Sung Joon. He is hiding truth from the company, however in the relationships one-on-one, he is the most truthful. The face he shows when he, taken unawares, sees Hye Jin's sister, Hye Ri, is his genuine face. He is genuinely happy and delighted to meet Hye Ri who looks like Hye Jin and is connected to his happy youth. We need to know what happened with Sung Joon, that his present self shows joy in meeting a person, only when that person is related to Hye Jin.
Shin Hyuk for all his good-humored wackiness is hiding his true identity from everyone, eschewing being recognised as the nephew of the Chief Editor (son of the Chairman?), possibly so that he is not treated differently from the rest. It will be nice to know what hurts he may be hiding behind his wackiness. We seem to have caught a glimpse of him feeling repentant at the joke he played on Hye Jin, and therefore I hope for greater depth to his character. At least family-wise, he seems like his ebullient and outlandish aunt's nephew, which is a nice consistency.
Both the girls seem nervous at lying. Hye Jin continues in the lie to Sung Joon, now to prove her ability without him knowing who she is, but it is Ha Ri who has the most to hide, having foolishly taken on the role of protecting everyone but herself. She who has been shown to be incompetent in hiding her nervousness when she lies has now to actively lie to her best friend and Sung Joon, whom she is becoming too aware of. She's getting her motives in a twist and I believe is going to have a hard time convincing herself and her friends about her nobility in hiding the truth.
Hye Jin is enigmatic - Her decision to lie to Sung Joon, has changed her from a relatively competent, prepossessed (even when a child), sedate individual to one who acts wildly terrified and over-nervous. Her lack of knowledge in a new department coming off looking like ineptitude, is exacerbated by her guilt. Now if she becomes competent, it is driven by resentment and anger against Sung Joon. Not that much better a motive but better than continuing to be treated like dirt.
We know (wise viewers that we are) that all these relationships are going to fall through unless each person reveals the truth(s) first and lets the others relate with them based on those truths. But I'd like to delay Hye Jin's reveal. Sung Joon should come to respect her as herself, without the 'first love/best friend' label coming into play. He has to be made to consider how he regards people who are not from his happy past.
It's a bit slow, but we've had 4 episodes of set up for this conflict of...
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growingbeautifully
September 26, 2015 at 7:17 PM
cont'd...
It's a bit slow, but we've had 4 episodes of set up for this conflict of juggling truths and lies on the road to hopefully building a relationship or two or four that will last. Let the tower of lies come crashing down! :)
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ara
September 27, 2015 at 6:26 AM
I think the "lies between the wall" is what aggravating viewers and what make me really afraid,
each day, the lies piled up and who knew what gonna happen, between the rude unfortunate occasion between sung joon-hye jin lies truth and hari and sung joon hide with lies, between hari-shinyuk there sincere feeling,
that's why I think many people root for sincere feeling but this simple problem actually what can reach people heart the most, how to re-define yourself after a slump and when you think you can't go back.
I remember one point hari said about hye jin that think make up is for show off and her pov tried to change, so it gonna about finding themselves again
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growingbeautifully
September 27, 2015 at 8:03 AM
Yes, I remember in an earlier episode, I was commenting on finding the missing piece, ... finding oneself. This is definitely one of the themes of this show. Not only on rediscovering one's true self but also putting oneself back in the place where one belongs, (as in the jigsaw puzzle), where one is not afraid to be exposed, in the open and honest.
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ara
September 28, 2015 at 12:23 AM
see each others flaw after sugarcoated memories is poisonous and this drama tells it really good then,
and that experience is indeed painful
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Elle
September 27, 2015 at 11:59 PM
They are all caricatures. I want Sung Joon and Hye Jin paired together because they are both neurotic. I don't care if he has a genuinely good side and a jerk side. It only makes him a psycho. Hye Jin lets Sung Joon affect her life so much that it is an insult to women. Dramas already lack smart independent women whose lives aren't defined by men. Hye Jin is the total opposite.
I will still be fine if Sung Joon and Hye Jin continue to dislike each other. This drama is cliche to the max so they will fall in love. Sung Joon will flash his genuine good side because he is in love - trope. Hye Jin will find life beautiful again because Sung Joon loves her - please grow a backbone!
Give me Ha No Ra or Han Yeo Jin anytime!
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67 mals
September 26, 2015 at 7:35 PM
my point of view,this episode gives the detailed characteristics explanation for these four lead. At first I am not interested in plot,while watching ,it quite interesting.
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68 marmari
September 26, 2015 at 8:00 PM
Dear Hwang Jeung-eum: Please, please, pleeeeeeeze stop SCREAMING. It is not funny, it is not inventive (check KMHM), it is not endearing. It is just SCREAMING. And, it is getting really, REALLY old just 4 episodes in--to the point where I catch myself flinching every time you come one screen. I fear for my sanity (and my hearing) in a couple of more episodes if this keeps up.
Choi Si Won: You're killing it.
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69 lovinit
September 26, 2015 at 9:05 PM
I have a feeling that we won't have to deal with second lead syndrome because I think that Shin Hyuk's love interest will be Hari and not Hye Jin. I think that Shin Hyuk's emotions towards Hye Jin is more like a sisterly love because, as he says, "she reminds him of his younger sister who died". Looking at the preview for episode 5, Hari becomes friends with Shin Hyuk and asks him to become her fake fiance (maybe so she can lie to Sung Joon??) So I think those two will have something going on and hopefully I won't have to deal with second lead syndrome and Shin Hyuk being heartbroken.
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qui
September 27, 2015 at 8:39 AM
Where did you see the preview for ep 5?
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lovinit
September 28, 2015 at 3:17 AM
It was up on the she was pretty mbc official homepage on Thursday/Friday but it seems like they deleted it...Not sure why they did that but it's not up there anymore sorry!
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70 vanillasalt
September 26, 2015 at 10:58 PM
At this point i want Sung joon to end up with no one, he's such an anus to hye jin and a sweetie to ha ri and im just likE WHO ARE YOU REALLY?? I feel like next episode he's gonna be all tsundere and be like " it's not like i wanted to prevent you from stepping on glass or anything.."
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71 fishnchips
September 26, 2015 at 11:18 PM
I concur with the theory that something happened in America for Seung Joon to be such a jerk. Besides his abrupt change of personality, it looks like something must've seriously scarred him in order to turn him into such a non food-loving, control freak.
I hate to say this since in real life weight loss is perfectly normal and healthy once someone decides on it, but in kdrama it always comes after a serious trigger pushes someone into determinator mode, and I think that's what happened with Seung Joon. And I don't think that trigger was friendly.
This isn't 'Get Karl Oh Soo Jung' where the initially fat character decides to become an awesome person out of spite from his scorned love. Seung Joon said himself --and we also saw for ourselves, in the very first episode-- that he stumbled across the box of his memories while moving to Korea. He hadn't been living his whole life thinking of improving himself so he could meet Hye Jin again, or anything like that. He's obviously lived a great portion of his life having compartmentalised Hye Jin and those memories into that one little box, and has only recently taken them back out.
Thus, it makes sense to theorise that something happened to scar him severely, to the point where he focused on nothing other than becoming the best he can be. That's why he's so scornful of wasting time, and so prone to concentrating so hard he isn't aware of anything else. It's also a good explanation as to why he shut out the part of his heart that's still that sweet chubby boy with a torch for Hye Jin- he had no time to give his childhood memories when he was basically trying to recreate himself.
That said though, I think there's another reason, as a writer, that Seung Joon is being so harsh. It's because just like Seung Joon has romanticised his memory of her, Hye Jin may have romanticised her memory of him, too. Sure, little Seung Joon was sweet, but maybe he also had his moments he didn't listen, his moments he was frustrating, his moments he was a control-freak. Obvs he wouldn't be as jerk-ish as he is now, but nobody, child or adult, is 100% perfect and if the two were really close as kids, then they both would've known each other's flaws AT THE TIME. Now, however, both Hye Jin and Seung Joon only seem to remember the great things, the admirable things about each other, and barely remember the flaws.
I think the point of these two meeting up again with this semi-clean slate is so they can see each other for their flaws FIRST (albeit magnified) and then be re-introduced to their good sides. That's how a healthy relationship is built after all, seeing a person for who they really are.
If Hye Jin and Seung Joon had met up originally, then who knows, they might've had just a frustrating connection as Ha Ri and Seung Joon, both being too caught up in showing/receiving affection to/from someone who's a 'dream come true' to see each other for who they really are. That's always...
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ara
September 27, 2015 at 6:28 AM
see each others flaw after sugarcoated memories is poisonous and this drama tells it really good then,
and that experience is indeed painful
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72 marenmaren
September 27, 2015 at 5:42 AM
i ship shin hyuk with hye jin and ha ri with sung joon.
but i think the writer is genius. i think the writer deduces that we will like the the 2nd leads that's why she/he creates insert these line:
"In voice-over, Hye-jin says that when two people first meet, an intersection is created between them. At some times, those intersections are hard to see clearly — you can’t predict that a person’s existence will make things more complicated in the future."
maybe he/she wrote these scenario giving another possible otp shin hyuk and ha ri.
i really hope all of them will be happy!!
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73 arin
September 27, 2015 at 7:13 AM
i guess i am one of vry few people who are fine with the loud hwang jung eum.
i find her character in kill me heal me is worse n unbearable sometimes..
since it is a romcom ,,,her character suits the concept for me,,
and it is supposed to be funny n she is funny,,,
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74 Ashee
September 27, 2015 at 8:05 AM
I have a Second Lead Syndrome Actress...
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75 Aida
September 27, 2015 at 8:42 AM
I think it would be unfair to blame Ha-ri for anything. Since she never asked to be mixed up in this fiasco. She was only doing a best friend a favor. Now she's sinking I'm deeper than she planned. In matters of humans you can't predict what can happen. So I blame Hye Jin for being a coward and not meeting Sung Joon that first night.
At worst he'd have been repelled by her and shove off. Big deal. The end. But now her lies are growing into more lies and she's dragged her best friend and possibly, her little sister in it too. So Hye Jin is the guilty part here hands down. Every else has secrets yes but nothing that can really harm anyone.
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76 chi
September 27, 2015 at 9:16 AM
The last two episodes have been dragging, but I'm still looking forward to next week. The teaser showed us some soft Sungjoon, so I'm still rooting for him :D I hope we will get to see more childhood stuff, because those were my favorite bits of the drama till now (and the sisterhood).
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77 Z
September 27, 2015 at 9:27 AM
1) I'd like to know just how many lifeboats the writing team has prepared to get is off the soon to be sinking Shin Hyuk ship. Because we've been given absolutely no reason to care what happens to Sung Join at all.
2) "We'll just forget about that other thing that happened" is not an apology for screwing up then trying to blame it on! I was so annoyed when he just declared
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78 amara
September 27, 2015 at 9:58 AM
he's a dick. i'm watching the show because i'd like to know what goes on but it's real annoying having male leads that are assholes.
since it's clear that she's smart, she can writer, she passes her tests with flying colors but cannot seem to do her job around him it's frustrating. hopefully by next week she can be way more competent. frankly, she should have known where to go. however, if she was double checking he should have answered her.
there is no chemistry between sj and hari though i suspect there will be between shin hyeok and hari. i do want to see something btwn sj and hj grow but i want sung joon to really have a reason to explain his abysmal behavior. i know he has to save the company but he has been abusive and following the pattern of manpain so i'm an asshole but jk not really in kdramas is such a fucking chore.
hye jin and hari are a treat, as usual. when hari said it's her life and she could do what she wanted i was so happy. anyway i'm going to keep watching because it's interesting but good lord sung joon deserves a punch.
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79 Dissenter
September 27, 2015 at 2:29 PM
I just marathoned the first 4 episodes of She Was Pretty and went to dramabeans to see if anyone else hates SJ as much as I do. It's been good reading. :P
I don't just hate SJ because he's a cold and rude but competent and successful ass. If that were the end of the story, I would have just found him boring. Almost every Kdrama male lead shares this persona. Done a million times - yawn - boring. I hate him because he's a hypocrite. For someone who experienced bullying because of his appearance to, in turn, bully others because of their appearance is so wrong. Don't give me this - he's just being hard on her because he wants the company to succeed. He's made it clear a couple of times that the reason for the abuse is because she's unattractive. And don't give me this "he's built this perfect image of HJ and is insulted that anyone unattractive can share her name" excuse. That completely goes against what the HJ of his memories stood for. HJ didn't and doesn't treat people based on their looks. Otherwise, he wouldn't have had even 1 friend as a child.
And him being nice to HR doesn't lessen my aversion to him. News bulletin - guys who are complete jerks but act nice to the one girl they want to court, are still complete jerks. Focused courting does not into a romantic prince you turn.
On the other side of the spectrum is SH. I don't even know if I can focus on writing anything about his because I'm too busy swooning over his quirky, sweet, sexiness. *Sigh* Choi Siwon, why are you giving me second lead syndrome?! Unfortunately, we all know SJ is the male lead and will most likely end up with HJ, even though there is NO chemistry between the two of them right now and they had more chemistry as brother and sister in KMHM.
Alright Show, this is what you need to do. Stop focusing on throwing hints at SJ of who the real HJ is. That's not the point. SJ needs to fall for HJ (1) before he ever finds out that HJ is the real HJ and (2) before HJ gets a makeover, if she ever does. That may be your only chance at not having everyone throw popcorn at their screens when the leads hook up. Even if you do accomplish that, there's no guarantee there will not be a mass popcorn attack on TVs when that sad turn of events must take place. And another thing. Don't think that with a few interested looks from SJ and a couple of manufactured reasons for HJ falling into SJ's arms that you're going to be able to get your audience off the SH ship. It's pretty hard to overcome the whole being-a-hypocrite-and-abusive-bully character trait, no matter how good he looks!
Koh Joon-Hee's look and body remind me of Pyeon Jung-Su, except without the permanent obnoxious smirk (of PJS). I like HR's character.
I was thinking about the ugly concept, and HJE's hair and make-up from Full House Take 2 would have fit the bill better than her look here. I still don't understand what those pink spots on her face...
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Dissenter
September 27, 2015 at 2:30 PM
I still don't understand what those pink spots on her face are supposed to be.
Add me to the list of people who are getting tired of HJE's shrieking and over the top acting. I understand it's a rom com and a bit of over the top acting is required to pull off the comedic moments, but I think it can be done with - less, just less. But I love HJE's so much that I just instantly (try to) forget those very loud and very obnoxious scenes as soon as they pass. Lucky for her, she's already won me over with the quieter and sensitive moments from Secret and KMHM.
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panshel
September 27, 2015 at 10:07 PM
Apparently, the pink spots on her face are supposed to be freckles.
http://a3.files.xovain.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTEyNjE5NjYzMTIzNTE0ODky.jpg
I am one of the few people who does not mind Hwang Jung Eum's over the top acting. Not here nor in Kill Me, Heal Me. I understand it's only done for comedic purposes, much like the slapstick comedy prevalent in Japanese doramas. Obviously, if a real intern acted this way, she would be fired on the spot.
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Dissenter
September 27, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Thanks. That answered that question (about her face).
I usually enjoy over the top slapstick humor. For instance, Nodame Cantible, and other good Japanese comedies have zany and over the top humor. I loved 'em. But, even over the top acting requires a certain "finesse". I'm not saying do a away with it (keep the zany, please), I'm just saying dial it back a notch or two. If HJE could just learn to hone her comedic acting, she would be brilliant.
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Dissenter
October 3, 2015 at 1:12 AM
I was just thinking of why? Why is HJE so obnoxious in many of her comedic moments in her dramas. She conveys such real and beautiful sincerity and groundedness in the serious moments of her dramas. I absolutely adore her. But during some of her comedic moments, it's almost a maniacal forcing out of energy (best captured in that above screenshot of her face when getting SJ to get on that motorbike). It's so forced that's it's not funny. I know she's going for slapstick humor. I just think she overshoots it. I wonder if the answer to the why is because she's a naturally serious person? Actors draw from themselves in creating characters. Maybe she's just too grounded to understand the quirky. For over the top comedy to be successful and funny, the stops have to be sharp, the screaming needs to be well timed, the outrageous behavior needs needs a well-timed quirky twist. I wonder if she can't grasp the quirkiness and so she tries to achieve it by furious exercising. It's like she's in the middle of introductory acting class and the teacher said let loose and go crazy.
I'm just bored and brainstorming out loud.
80 namedx
September 27, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Back at the office, Shin-hyuk watches Hye-jin take pictures of the sky and repeats her words as he studies her face, “That’s right. It’s pretty.” Oh ~swoon~.
Double swoon. <3 <3 <3
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81 Aida
September 27, 2015 at 4:38 PM
I really want SJ to find out who Hye Jin is while in her current state lol. So all her lying will be for nothing. Funny he can't recognize someone he knew so closely once. How plausible is that? I mean how can he fall for the thin cover up that Ha Ri is actually Hye Jin? Makes no sense but we watch anyway.
Meanwhile, HJE should stop acting like a freaking cartoon character. Her worst antic is that teeth clacking she does when she's extra nervous. Talk about high strung.
Ooh, and sorry I don't feel the friendship between Ha Ri and Hye Jin feels real. What friend lets her bestie go around looking like that? It's more than swiping on some leftover lip color over Hye Jin's mouth. Anyway, their whole BFF thing is not so believable to me at all. Not feeling it tbh
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jam
September 27, 2015 at 5:00 PM
me too, although they are very sweet to one another,since episode one, the question why she would let her bestie look horrible when she can always help her do the make-up etc, lend her some fashionable clothes, shoes,bags.Is there something behind it, that HR wants HJ to be with her to let her beauty stand out more? I think when they were young HJ is way more beautiful than her, she is the star of her school and HR is just ordinary.I do hope that the show can explain this in the coming episodes, i'm really curious.
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jam
September 27, 2015 at 5:08 PM
btw, i love HJE no matter what she does, and laughing out loud during her scenes is a proof that she is not only a good dramatic actress but also a superb comedic actress, and thinking that only few can juggle those kinds of roles, makes me appreciate her more ,she's like the female Jim Carrey,OTT but veerrry veeery funny.
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Aida
September 28, 2015 at 2:38 AM
Funny enough Jim Carrey was considered much of an 'overactor' especially among film crews lol. But he made a successful career for a long time out of it. Not everyone likes it though. I loved HJE in Secret. She was awesome in that melodrama. Especially when she cried. But in KMHM she was a whole different entity, now here again in She was Pretty. I'll say it again, her acting is really bad. Like she's on meds or even drugs lol. But by all means I can't expect you to hate it too just because I do.
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jam
September 28, 2015 at 4:00 AM
i don't know, maybe i have a shallow taste when it comes to comedy, since my gauge is when an actor made me laugh,she/he has done his homework,but i respect your opinion about it,that's for sure.
Cocobeans
September 28, 2015 at 12:43 PM
funny you should say that, i watch we got married, and the newest couple is Kim So Yeon and actor Kwak Si Yang.
Now, Kim So Yean is a veteran actress with 21 years in the business (she was in IRIS) , a 36-37 year old woman, yet when she was introduced to her (6 years younger ) rookie husband, and even now, she actually DOES ACT LIKE THAT. like a living cartoon character and so over the top..the woman even stuck her head in the fridge to "cool down" over her husbands good looks. it starts around 4.38 min
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55XHyNkiTw8
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82 jane
September 27, 2015 at 8:40 PM
i binge watch 3 eps last night and finish reading this recap so that complete all four. I think Sung Joon's character is purposely made so curt and mean as a plot device. An magazine chief editor wouldnt be like that, they are jugglers, managing multiple things at a time and are highly sensitive to their surroundings, so in real life this person will be able to multi-task and not walk into doors and answer questions from two person at the same time.
Its strange that all the second leads are very likeable people and I think it speaks volumes with the experience of the second lead, the director and the script.
I just hope the rest of the eps hold up because they cant keep this identity secret as a plot point for the rest of 12 eps.
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83 Kim JS
September 27, 2015 at 10:04 PM
why you comment same thing with different id?
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84 daunt_lyss
September 27, 2015 at 11:12 PM
Do you guys know the guitar background music playing when the main character was trying to take a pic of the sky as well as when her friend was sitting on the steps reminiscing?
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85 fishnchips
September 27, 2015 at 11:17 PM
Whoops, surpassed the word limit last time. Something else I wanted to add: I'm actually getting surprisingly annoyed with Shin Hyuk.
I adore him most of the time (who can't adore that puppy honestly) but he really pissed me off this week. It grated at my nerves how much he was treating Hye Jin like an idiot, how one-sided some of their interactions were. She was right to blow up at him.
Shin Hyuk has great intentions, but whenever he wants Hye Jin to do something, he doesn't sit down and try to talk to her about it, no, instead he takes advantage of her gullibility to trick her into behaving the way he wants, be it by telling her she has a hole under her arm or that heads are actually tails. The sheer manipulativeness under all his aegyo and eccentricity disturbs me.
I don't doubt that Shin Hyuk sincerely likes her, but finding someone adorable isn't the same as respecting them as an adult. And so far, I haven't been happy with the amount of respect that Shin Hyuk's showed Hye Jin. There's a line between meddling and manipulative, and right now Shin Hyuk's only getting away with tiptoeing that line with his tricks because he's a man-child who means well (and, let's face it, he's too adorable to be annoyed with for long).
But part of me is really worried about how things could turn out later. Shin Hyuk and Ha Ri have both shown a dumbfounding capacity to push until they get what they want because they're convinced they know what's best, all the while ignoring any looming consequences in the horizon. And you know what they say about roads paved with good intentions...
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86 btsxfangirl94
September 28, 2015 at 5:29 AM
How can anyone watch this drama??I want to punch the main girl every-time she comes on screen..her overacting is unbearable to watch!
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87 Emmygold
September 28, 2015 at 7:06 AM
thanks for the recap! i don't like HJE nose... freaks me out!!! sung joon is a total jerk too... shin hyuk is killing the show and i love him!!!!
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88 Alessar
September 28, 2015 at 8:12 AM
Some of the editing this week was poorly done. Ha-ri's snap out of her internal sequence where she considered saying she was engaged and going back to reality was too abrupt and unclear. A lot of people think she actually said it and he ignored it.
There were also 2 outright continuity errors. During the flashback to the sequence where the bus had stopped and Hye-rin was giving her seat to the grandmother, when the camera goes to show Shin-hyuk watching this, the background in the window behind him is moving.
Then at the airport, after Hye-rin has gotten to Ginpo with the car, Sung-joon is in the car and gets out and slams his driver's door angrily. Then he opens the rear door and she takes out the bags of puffed rice. Then the camera perspective pivots and the driver's door is open again as he slams the rear door and gets back in the driver's seat and she runs up and yells at him that she did ask him which airport to go to.
Overall I am liking the show, but not as much as I expected to. I'm firmly on Team Shin-hyuk. I think we're going to find out both he and Sung-joon have had a really tough time but SH has chosen to put a smile on his face and be a bit wacky whereas SJ has become an ice cube. Both he and HR are so extremely unlikeable it's hard to stick it out until they mellow.
I am really enjoying the editor in chief. Her Sailor Moon's Mother wig this week was a riot. That actress was really fun in Mask as one of the department store ladies. Her heavy use of Italian to come across as a Euro-Fashionista is slaying me. Likewise Jung-woo's accent perfect "Yes Ma'am" impressed me.
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89 taemoni
September 28, 2015 at 9:56 AM
Hye Jin hair and clothes are a mess. She does work at a fashion magazine. I feel a though the writers placed her in the wrong job setting for her character.
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90 Aida
September 28, 2015 at 11:55 AM
I just saw some shots of the four leads on an Instagram feed.. Hye Jin had sleek brown hair, in power suits and her body draped over Shin Hyuk (looking smoking in a bespoke suit and moustache)
Yes yes yes I want to see that soon!
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91 fangirlingoppas
September 28, 2015 at 7:15 PM
Not again. The secong lead syndrome. Huwaaaaannnggggg siwon-nie~~~~~
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92 Misza Yoseop
September 29, 2015 at 12:32 AM
-SHE WAS PRETTY-
1. I ship the "friendship goals" of HJ and HR more than the romance between the male actor.
2. I hope HJ and SH will be pair together. (same goes to HR and SJ)
3. The second lead syndrome doesn't get me at all. Tbh, I prefer HJ with SJ. But, who knows some twisted plot from the writers.
4. TEAMSheWasPretty.
5. Aja aja fighting!!!
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93 Oolong
September 29, 2015 at 10:17 AM
I guess I'm in the minority that I find Shin Hyuk annoying. If a guy snuck up on me and was scaring me constantly at work, I would want to slap that guy.
And I don't think he cares about Hye Jin based on his behaviour. It feels more like he's intrigued by her and she is his source of amusement. I couldn't even take his comment about her reminding him of his deceased sister seriously.
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94 David
October 1, 2015 at 7:23 PM
Sung-joon previously dropped Hye-jin on the asphalt! He deserves no second chance.
Alas, this is male dominated Korea. So the mostly male writers like to add scenes with roughly yanking the woman's wrist or arm or tossing the woman around is merely romantic foreplay.
He dropped her on the f**cking asphalt!
Is this another Korean drama about a woman with such low self esteem that she will settle for anything some guy wants to do to her?
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95 Sophia
October 17, 2015 at 1:18 AM
Loving this drama! ?
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96 Bethan
February 17, 2016 at 4:17 PM
Does anyone know the music that plays when Han Ri is in the swimming pool? I've listened to the soundtrack, and it's not there, which seems a bit odd.
Thanks for any help!
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