Yong-pal: Episode 15

155 September 24, 2015January 23, 2016

by HeadsNo2

Our heroine assumes full control of her empire after dishing out a taste of what she had to go through at her brother’s hands, leaving it up to Tae-hyun to remind her that with great power comes great responsibility to not be such a terrible person. It’s surprising what Tae-hyun’s willing to tolerate in his significant other, and short of murdering his family and eating his sandwich, I don’t think there’s much Yeo-jin can do at this point to change his opinion. Lucky her.

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VIXX – “Beautiful Liar” [ Download ]

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EPISODE 15 RECAP

Tae-hyun and Yeo-jin spend a restless night in their respective rooms, each thinking of what the other said—Yeo-jin with her talk of revenge, Tae-hyun with his reason and compassion.

He glances at the rings he bought and considers texting her but doesn’t, while Yeo-jin hesitates before dialing his number, unable to get what he said about stopping her revenge against underlings like Chief Lee out of her mind. But her call goes straight to his voicemail, since Tae-hyun’s just taken another call.

It’s Chae-young on the other line, calling him from the hospital and begging him to help her. Yeo-jin is pissed that Tae-young didn’t answer his phone, and calls up a lackey to find out who he was on the phone with. She must have his phone tapped, and is not happy to find out that he left after getting a call from Chae-young.

Tae-hyun finds Chae-young sobbing and alone in the most desolate hospital waiting room ever (we all know Hanshin isn’t a real hospital, even in this fictional world), sobbing as she asks him to save her husband, who’s currently undergoing some macabre brain surgery in the operating room.

After watching the procedure from the observation deck, Tae-hyun assures Chae-young that her husband will be fine: “This isn’t like you. Cheer up.” But all that does is give Chae-young an existential crisis: she doesn’t know who she is anymore.

She thought she was herself when she was the shallow chairwoman’s wife, but now that everything’s changed, she realizes she feels bad for Do-joon. She swears under her breath that if anything happens to him, she’ll never forgive Yeo-jin, which doesn’t register with Tae-hyun until she says more directly, “Yeo-jin did this.”

At first Tae-hyun doesn’t believe it, even when Chae-young says that Yeo-jin was the only other person who knew where Do-joon would be. Still, Tae-hyun tries to make excuses, only for Chae-young to look him dead in the eye and tell him that she saw it herself. It wasn’t just a random attack, it was planned.

While Secretary Min updates Yeo-jin on the goings-on with her husband and sister-in-law, Do-joon’s doctor addresses the two of them on how the surgery went. Everything should be okay, even though Do-joon has a hole in his skull the size of an irradiated softball.

But during the transfer from recovery to ICU, Tae-hyun and Chae-young lose track of Do-joon, since Hanshin is where people go to die. They finally figure out that there’s only one place where he could be: Yeo-jin’s old room. And they’re not allowed inside.

Out of the hospital room comes the chief of security, and a suddenly healthy-looking Chief Lee, now overseeing Do-joon’s care. They’re keeping him the same way they kept Yeo-jin, with no visits allowed. Claiming to speak for Do-joon, the chief of security tells Chae-young that her husband has agreed to grant her the divorce she wanted.

Tae-hyun catches her when she faints in despair, which is exactly how Yeo-jin sees them when she and her retinue come up to the restricted area. Yeo-jin spares a hard glance toward her husband before marching into Do-joon’s new prison and ordering Chief Lee to lessen the coma-inducing drug’s dosage so her brother will be conscious enough to hear her.

Yeo-jin waits until she’s sure Do-joon can hear before she leans over his prone body much like he once did to her with an eerie smile on her face. She mentions how Chae-young is causing a scene outside in an attempt to see him, musing that she must’ve come to love her husband now that he’s in here. For whatever reason, that thought is very, very funny to Yeo-jin.

Satisfied now that Do-joon is experiencing the same pain he once put her through, Yeo-jin says she’ll keep him there for a term of three years—and then she’ll slit his carotid artery like he did to her. Chief Lee, who wielded the glass shard that almost killed her, bows from across the bed: “I’m sorry, Chairwoman. I deserve to die.”

Yeo-jin just levels a terrible smile at him as she tells him to thank Tae-hyun, not her. But as she leaves the VIP floor, she sees Tae-hyun at Chae-young’s bedside and just glares at him before marching onward.

Chief Lee does end up pulling Tae-hyun aside to thank him for putting a good word in with Yeo-jin and thus saving his life. Having learned nothing from the past, Chief Lee also promises to be like a loyal dog to both him and Yeo-jin from this moment forward.

Yeo-jin attends the shareholder’s meeting that will decide whether she officially takes Do-joon’s place as CEO of Hanshin Group, which of course is met with resounding support. As she’s sworn into her new position of power, Tae-hyun sneaks in the back and watches the last of the ceremony.

He accompanies Yeo-jin to her fancy new office, for the most part seemingly in denial that he’s married to a monster. He does allude to the struggle with morality when he talks about his time spent on the VIP floor of Hanshin, a floor he describes as an ongoing crime scene.

Listing off the terrible things that happen on that floor in the name of money, Tae-hyun doesn’t release himself from blame for taking part in those crimes as the hospital’s pawn. When Yeo-jin says he could’ve quit if he hated it so much, he doesn’t deny it, and says it was his choice to stay.

Instead of losing his medical license and having his sister die, he says, he chose to stay. Yeo-jin knows what he’s getting at and insists that he and Chief Lee are not the same because Chief Lee did what he did for himself, but Tae-hyun disagrees—his choices were for his own benefit too.

And besides, Chief Lee and the late hospital director are probably the biggest reasons why Yeo-jin is still alive today. He tells her the story of her hospital admittance the way it was told to him, and how every resource the hospital had was used to save her. Without the hospital director overseeing the surgery, he doesn’t think she would have lived.

At the time, Chief Lee was embroiled in a medical malpractice suit that wasn’t going in his favor, and wasn’t welcome in most operating rooms because of it. He was almost sent away from Yeo-jin’s room, only to be called in at the last moment by the hospital director, who knew that Chief Lee had the skill to save her despite his reputation.

We’re walked through Tae-hyun’s story in flashback as he tells it, watching as Chief Lee was directed to perform a difficult procedure on Yeo-jin, and how she lived because of his success. But despite the historic surgery he performed, he had to go back to court the next day, too tired and too unprepared for what would be thrown his way.

Just when the case was looking bad for Chief Lee, Hanshin sent a team of lawyers to defend him. “A lifeline was tossed down to a man in hell,” as Tae-hyun describes it. Chief Lee was so happy he cried and cried in court, though he was also sad knowing that he’d be forever indebted to Hanshin and thus under their control. (Why are we in Fuzzyvision when the camera’s back on Tae-hyun and Yeo-jin?)

Therefore, Tae-hyun adds, the situation Chief Lee was in when he put her into a coma and the situation he was in when he went into her room weren’t so different. “He was as desperate as I was,” he says, but mentions how Chief Lee fought to keep him away from the VIP floor, knowing what it could do to him.

This is all to remind Yeo-jin that while her father’s money played a part in saving her, all the doctors who took part in her surgery—even at the expense of other patients who died without treatment—are to thank for her sitting in front of him now. Specifically, Chief Lee was imprisoned on the VIP floor just like she was—but now she wants to kill his spirit too?

Tae-hyun pleads for her pity on Chief Lee, claiming he’s more a shell of a human being than a doctor anymore, but Yeo-jin fires back that he wasn’t a doctor the day he locked her up. If he was forced into it, that was the price he paid for his sins.

“Then… what price will you pay for the sins you’re committing now?” Tae-hyun asks. That gets Yeo-jin thinking, especially when Tae-hyun reminds her that she’d once told him she would destroy the prison that is the VIP floor of Hanshin. That’s why he wanted to help her get back to her throne, and why he said that day that he’d found a reason to do so.

“That place was also a prison to me,” Tae-hyun adds emphatically. “Now release your brother from that prison.” He’s already lost everything and has no hope of gathering allies to fight against her, so anywhere he goes will be like a prison to him.

Tears well up in Yeo-jin’s eyes as she says that she isn’t imprisoning him because she’s afraid he might lash out at her, but because she can’t ever forgive him for what he did to her. “Yeo-jin-ah,” Tae-hyun says softly. “Stop your revenge and come back to me. Back to the Han Yeo-jin I love.”

Yeo-jin doesn’t agree that she’s gone anywhere, but Tae-hyun says her anger is pushing him away. She thinks for a moment before deciding, “You should give in.” He won’t, and urges her to give in as the one with power. He trusts her to do the right thing. Hopefully that isn’t a mistake.

Secretary Min, who may have overheard their whole conversation, reminds Tae-hyun outside that he’s not to be weak to anyone except Yeo-jin. When Tae-hyun replies that he won’t be weak to anyone, Secretary Min whispers his goodbye after Tae-hyun’s gone. (Uh oh.) Meanwhile, Yeo-jin tasks Min with finding out if anyone died at the hospital on the day she was brought in for surgery.

Tae-hyun visits Chae-young in her hospital room to tell her that he’s talked to Yeo-jin, and that she needs time to get over her anger. He’s confident that she’ll change her mind, though. Chae-young admits that she found it hard to forgive her husband at first, but that she feels pity for him now. She hopes Tae-hyun can find it in his heart to forgive him, too.

Meanwhile, Secretary Min worries that Yeo-jin may lose her resolve when it comes to Do-joon, and doesn’t even like that she’d wait three years to kill him. He wants Do-joon dead, but plans to use someone else to do it.

Tae-hyun fights against the idea that he has to attend Yeo-jin’s inauguration celebration party that night, but in the end relents—the head maid tells him to invite some friends if he’s nervous, so he invites his nurse buddies from the hospital.

But that’s not all, since a tuxedo’d Tae-hyun and his well-dressed wife welcome the priest, nun, and the child they bonded the most with from the church. Good Yeo-jin is all smiles when she’s on Tae-hyun’s arm, telling him that she’s glad he invited who he did.

Nurse Oh tsks at Tae-hyun for being so lovestruck, and even more so when he admits he hasn’t given Yeo-jin the ring he bought her yet. And much to my happiness, Tae-hyun’s also invited Doo-chul and his lackey, who hand him an envelope of money as a belated wedding present.

The party is crashed when CHAIRMAN CHOI of Daejung Group shows up, all fake niceties as he congratulates his almost daughter-in-law on becoming chairwoman before he pulls her close enough to whisper menacingly, “My child, we have much to talk about, don’t we?”

Tae-hyun is refused entry to the private meeting between Evil Yeo-jin and Chairman Choi, where she reveals that she knows he used his son to mock her and steal confidential information, while he reveals that he knows Do-joon conspired to kill his son. Therefore, he wants her to turn Do-joon over to him.

She refuses, and Chairman Choi becomes more and more enraged as he talks about how she lived while his son died, and how his wife went insane because of it. If she still refuses, it’ll be war between them—and Hanshin isn’t what it used to be, not after three years under Do-joon’s control.

But Yeo-jin claims it’s because he didn’t have the One USB that business was bad, and just her mentioning that she now has it changes Chairman Choi’s tune. “Han Do-joon must die by my hand,” Yeo-jin grits, and suddenly the chairman agrees wholeheartedly on the basis that he be allowed to extract his pound of flesh from Do-joon’s hide.

Also, he wants Do-joon dead within three days. If not, Chairman Choi threatens, there really will be a war between their companies. He leaves like that, passing Tae-hyun up in the hallway.

Inside, Yeo-jin clenches her jaw and kicks something.

COMMENTS

I remember being worried last week that the story wouldn’t know what to do with Tae-hyun once it switched the focus to Yeo-jin and her affairs, and this episode didn’t do much to allay those concerns. While he performed the same duty he’s been relegated to since Evil Yeo-jin reared her head—playing the voice of reason for one long conversation before backing off—it does seem like a waste of the cunning he displayed much earlier in the series. Where’s the Yong-pal who’d take action to help the helpless even when the risk was great? Where would this show be if he’d started out just being the guy who makes moral recommendations in a lilting and totally low-pressure voice instead of the hero who takes action?

I’m not 100% on this, but if I found out I was married to someone who indirectly caused the death of one man and chemically incapacitated another, I’d be a bit more freaked out than Tae-hyun is. It’s hard to get a good peek into his thoughts when it comes to Yeo-jin, though it seems like we’re to take it on faith that he loves her so much he’s willing to look past what’s essentially become the two-faced nature of Yeo-jin. Maybe her turnaround wouldn’t be so hard to swallow most times if she wasn’t sending stone cold glares toward her husband in one scene only to be smiling like an innocent child the next—the shifts between the two radically different sides of herself end up coming off as jarring, and at times mildly confusing.

Of course Yeo-jin has a right to her vengeful feelings, and what strikes a bizarre note with me as a viewer is why I don’t feel more for her plight in taking down those who’ve wronged her. There’s never been any doubt that she was wronged in more ways than a person should ever be wronged, yet her quest for vengeance feels oddly juvenile when it theoretically shouldn’t. However flawlessly(?) she’s been able to pull off the death of Chairman Go and her brother’s comatose state, the Yeo-jin who stomped/kicked/punched something when she didn’t get her way in that final scene seems to be the Yeo-jin making all the dangerous decisions as of late. The same way she took vengeance on her father with the tennis racket is how she’s handling her current affairs, though I’m not sure if she realizes that ending lives is a lot different than ending her father’s ability to watch her hit a ball with a fancy stick.

That being said, Tae-hyun is handling Yeo-jin’s shift toward bloodthirstiness almost too well, and while he’s not doing much about it, at least he’s reminding her that morality exists. He knows the revenge she seeks is empty, that the people she’s trying to destroy have already destroyed themselves from within, but getting Yeo-jin to see things the same way is a tall order. I don’t know if spending so much time on Chief Lee’s life story was strictly necessary, but part of the flaw in Tae-hyun’s moralizing is that he’s telling her not to do something without giving her another plan of action that she finds even remotely acceptable. Yeo-jin may be many things, but easy to please is not one of them.

Yeo-jin doesn’t seem keen to take it on Tae-hyun’s word that Chief Lee would live out the rest of his life suffering in a prison of his own making, as would her brother, supposedly. It’s definitely a sticky spot to be in when it comes to doing what’s right versus what’s just, and neither side so far has come up with a solution that satisfies both. It’s up to Yeo-jin to decide whether she’ll be the bigger person, and up to Tae-hyun to decide whether he’ll make bigger decisions. With any luck, we’ll see more of the latter. Alternatively, more tuxedos would suffice.

155

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1 pandafats

September 24, 2015 at 8:14 PM

Yeaaa Chief Lee's life story seemed unnecessary.. I need badass yongpal and his trusty sidekicks back in action

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 7:55 AM

Lol. Yong Pal in 'action' was treating baddies and treating chaebols. In a way, with this YJ arc, he's still doing that... taking care of Chae-young can count. I don't think he's too much in the background of this story. I think he's been on an even keel with YJ.

watching YP only treat baddies and chaebols for the entirety of this series would've gotten old real fast.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 10:38 AM

I agree with you. What can we expect Yong Pal to do? Turn in his wife? In terms of cunning and bravery he is superior to YJ, but in terms of tactical mindset and cruelty YJ has Yong pal beat. The issue is she is cruel and tactical. This means she has no reserves when it comes to acting out her plans while he doesn't have that luxury as a humanistic doctor.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 12:03 PM

@9dragons. Exactly! This is where Yeo Jin was brilliantly written. Every word out of her mouth has been tactical and unyielding as far as her revenge is concerned. Tae Hyun, probably in these moments, is to be a healing well for her. I think it's okay for the kind of story we are being told now.

Tae Hyun had to have a personal life too. Dogged by a variety of stuff. Not just taking risks to take care of people. Especially now that his sis is safe.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM

Chief Lee's life story is necessary to reinforce the idea that we are all not without flaw or merit. This man in time of crisis was skilled enough to save YJ when he faced a bleak future. He was prepared to lose his medical license and likely face prison. He was saved and forever indebted to the higher ups of Hanshin, becoming their puppet.

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 3:55 AM

I agree with this.

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2 Annika

September 24, 2015 at 8:16 PM

I want more Yongpa!!!:(

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fanwho

September 25, 2015 at 4:11 AM

+alpha

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3 Ivoire

September 24, 2015 at 8:21 PM

Such an interesting episode. Thank you for the recap!

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4 susan

September 24, 2015 at 8:25 PM

Looks like the Drama Fairy got a toothache this episode and left her duties to the Exposition Troll and the CF Leprechaun.

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Melissa

September 24, 2015 at 10:12 PM

I think the Drama Fairy is delayed by the Extension Ghoul.

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rinoak

September 25, 2015 at 6:58 AM

Guys, it's 'Exposition Goblin' remember? lol

http://www.dramabeans.com/2010/09/my-girlfriend-is-a-gumiho-episode-12/

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susan

September 25, 2015 at 9:21 AM

:-) I didn't, but I do now!

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5 Confused

September 24, 2015 at 8:30 PM

I feel like the show should have been called Yeo-jin rather than Yong-pal.

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NoIdeaName

September 24, 2015 at 9:49 PM

It seems to be leaning that way

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gem28

September 25, 2015 at 12:55 AM

Bigned watched all the episodes at a stretch upto 15, yayy. I liked the show's initial setting. Something went wrong in the middle and I don't buy the romance. I miss Yong Pal in action. I don't think I signed up for watching Trophy husband and the revenge of Yeo Jin.

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Confused

September 25, 2015 at 5:16 AM

Yes, I wish the show had made up its mind from the beginning about whether it was going to be about a night doctor who hangs out with gangsters and leaps over buildings or whether it was going to be about a slightly-murderous woman on a revenge trip. The change in pace, focus and central conflict was jarring. Also, I don't buy the romance either but the show keeps insiting that Jong-pal is just looking at his wife through some THICK as rose-coloured glasses.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 8:10 AM

Hahaha! I think this show should be called 'Yong Pal & Yeo Jin' (No matter how cheesy it sounds) with no apologies cos its very much a show with both characters extremely central to it. Like i said prior, I don't think Yong Pal has been relegated to the background... Yeo Jin is at the forefront now cos she's also been crafted as a complex character who the show's central character happens to get involved with.

I knew before coming into this show that it wasn't going to be all about Yong Pal 'leaping off buildings', treating gangsters and rich people with secrets on the downlow. The synopsis said... this was what he was doing UNTIL he got himself involved with a rich heiress who had been deliberately put to sleep by her family.

So I knew shenanigans would ensue. The show hasn't done anything it didnt promise.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 10:48 AM

Some people don't buy the romance because it breaks through the cliche of two people playing the does he or she love me game, no misunderstandings that split the two apart, and no one sided decision making when it comes to couple issues. YJ and TH always talk it out like a mature couple when they have couple problems and the two has unwavering faith with each other.

When two people meet as strangers that used each other then ended up as a couple that can put their lives on the line for each other. They skip the whole cliche development pattern. This was one of my favorite depiction of a mature couple, knowing what they want and getting it.

The fact that he rejected president go's funds to secure YJ safety shows that in a way she is above his dying sister in terms of priority. YJ was willing to forgive those people til they target TH.

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I like strawberries

September 25, 2015 at 5:11 AM

It really should and it's been better for it.

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6 Anna

September 24, 2015 at 8:32 PM

Yaaaas at that beautiful liar song choice

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7 Yahya

September 24, 2015 at 8:34 PM

Not to spoiler but yeah next episode (16) is heartbreaking for Yong Pal true lines and for all supporting actror/actress

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Arhazivory

September 24, 2015 at 8:39 PM

Vague - yes.
Spoiler - yes.
Necessary - no.

I prefer to start watching with no preconceptions.

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8 Arhazivory

September 24, 2015 at 8:38 PM

Finished watching this a few hours ago. Yeo Jin....I get what you mean in not being able to empathize with her in that way. No matter how you spin it, she has blood on her hands.

I suppose Yong Pal doesn't feel outright repulsed by her because he sees her as being pitiful and he himself has dabbled in illegalities. He said it too that they're all criminals on the 12th floor. His hands are tied by his status and he's out of his league in this harsh business world so I can understand why he's taking this approach. It's not like he can Yong Pal his way into the business meetings and take over. He's appealing to her in the best way he can and I admire the fact that he still lifts a hand to help the Chairman's wife which shows that he's still well in control of his own actions.

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no name #6

September 24, 2015 at 9:49 PM

Yeah, I agree. He's doing what he can. The point may be that he's limited in what he can actually accomplish.

But I do feel like Tae Hyun should be allowed to express some frustration or something other than gentle prodding to give up revenge. I mean, he does it well, and she's going to take that sort of thing better from him than anyone, but he should be more annoyed given his situation, I think. Just a scene here or there, and it doesn't even have to be with Yeo Jin present. It would make me feel better about his character.

It's like he's walking on thin ice, and he knows it, and behaves accordingly around her, but he needs a sounding board to let us hear the other side of things. He doesn't have that as a character right now. Taking him out of the hospital took away his nurse noonas. Maybe bodyguard can be his confidant. :)

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naomi123

September 25, 2015 at 7:18 AM

@No Name #6

I feel like TaeHyun has sort of transferred his cunning to understanding YeoJin's personality. He took heed of Min's warning to be weak to his wife and although he disagreed, he may have realized that get through to her shouting or forcing her won't work anymore. So yes, he appears to be walking on thin ice, it's all for good reason.

I like the idea of him having a sounding board, but I think he's a little too savvy to allow himself to confide in anyone, whether it's his nurse noona's or his bodyguard. If he did that, it would cause his lady love to at best lose face and at worst open her up to punishment under the law.

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 9:03 PM

Have to be contradictory here: since when does Tae Hyun need help expressing his feelings---they are all hanging out there for the whole dumb world to see! "Gentle prodding"? Every glance, every word expresses so much---it's all there and he doesn't need an expository companion to convey what he directly shows. There is no need to "tell about it"; he's living it!

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Shuerei

September 25, 2015 at 3:44 AM

Arhazivory

"I suppose Yong Pal doesn’t feel outright repulsed by her because he sees her as being pitiful and he himself has dabbled in illegalities."

I especially like this phrase and you are right on all the points.

- he was appreciative of YJ's decision in keeping chief lee alive even though he noted she has yet to forgive her enemies.

- even as he pleaded with her to forgive, he doesn't see himself as more righteous than her.

- when he was saving YJ, he was a key player but now this corporate setup is totally out of his league, so he can only appeal to her that being meek and forgiving isn't necessarily weak and powerless.

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9 legere

September 24, 2015 at 9:13 PM

I wonder how HYJ will react once she finds out she was the reason for his mothers death

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 8:15 AM

I'll tell you what... its in ep. 16 and it's a sight to behold.

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10 KDaddict?JCW

September 24, 2015 at 9:16 PM

I've liked this drama from the start. In particular, I like that it is part action, part medical drama, part romance, part chaebol war, etc., w/o boring me w however many eps of it just being one genre. I've been entertained by all the turns it takes, tho many have been disappointed by its changing nature.

All the supporting chars are great, except for Min. Haven't seen that actor before, and find him to be stiff and way too obvious. The OTP is winsome. The 2nd couple is also perfectly cast. I enjoy their acting.

So Hanshin is not believable as a hospital, the innards look like dry sausages when they operate, and Lee has a miraculous recovery. I can laugh those moments off and still like the show, cos they in no way affect the foundation of this fictional universe of the drama.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 1:19 AM

I agree that this has different genres thrown into it and yet the writer pulled it off.

You didn't like Min? I enjoyed watching him, he has this inscrutable face which only reveals his true emotion when pushed to the extreme. I think years of working in this job might have made Min poker face but it's quite funny to see him side by side with Do Joon's dramatics. Perhaps I am wrong because this actor was even more stiff when he was in My Beautiful Bride. He has a bigger role here.

I was imagining the Koreans watching the surgical scenes and eating their blood sausages, ewww.

Chief Lee probably was physically well for a while, just that he kind of lost his marbles. After watching this and next ep, I still think he's not his normal self. But then, I think he has been losing his sanity for some time already.

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 9:45 PM

@SS---I'm starting to think we might have a mutual admiration society thing going on here---or just maybe, like minds enjoying---cause Secretary Min has been way cool this entire time! And I really don't think he's done yet, by a long shot---

As for Chief Lee: at first I kinda wondered if he was "over the top" in his portrayal, but now, nope---the "marbles" have definitely scattered---and I feel he did very well in his portrayal of a once idealistic, yet egotistical Doctor who couldn't bear the burden of guilt his betrayal of his ideals entailed. And he did try to warn Tae Hyun off---and here comes the BUT---right now he is a loose cannon and I'm really not sure of the part he'll end up playing in the last two episodes.

There are some very important variables at play as we come to the last two episodes: Secretary Min, Chief Lee, Detective Lee, CY, the gangsters, assorted chaebols...this is going to be interesting down to the last minute!

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SS

September 26, 2015 at 2:19 AM

LOL! yeah I like that :D

I think Jung Woong In carried his role well. The guilt, self-disgust and a man reduced to a shadow of himself were evident all along. When I watched raw, I thought Chief Lee's backstory was a filler they inserted for extension. But when I watched with subtitles and comprehend, I found it interesting. Even if it was a filler, I am glad the writer took the opportunity to show how people like Director Byung and Chief Lee weren't always men with no substance or value. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball or you make a misstep and it changes your life forever.

There were viewers who felt that TH was overly sympathetic to Chief Lee. TH has always been the type who blames the circumstances rather than the person. Moreover, TH must have seen Chief Lee as his future self if he continues to work on the 12th Floor. A once talented surgeon who becomes a shell and no longer a doctor.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 8:49 AM

Well, ditto to all of this @KAddict...JCW. lol!

+100000000000

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11 growingbeautifully

September 24, 2015 at 9:17 PM

Thanks Heads! I enjoyed reading you.

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KDaddict?JCW

September 24, 2015 at 9:35 PM

Hi there @GB,
Cheer up and have a wonderful weekend. Happy Mid-Autumn Fes! Enjoy your mooncakes, eh?
See u on the 20Again thread.

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growingbeautifully

September 26, 2015 at 7:42 PM

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12 Sera The Ms Temper

September 24, 2015 at 9:56 PM

I'm done watching epi 16, but I won't give any spoiler here. I just want this dama ends nicely, definitely not because it is boring but too many heartbreaking that I dunno it is bearable or not.

The most interesting and weird thing is how ppl turn to empathize on HDJ and CY. Mybe we don't really see how bad HDJ was actually, he is really bad but not a smart villain. The other interesting thing is how ppl see YJ as a bitch or bad woman because she is seeking her revenge now in her own way. I am still with YJ and her vengeance,no matter what. It is not easy to forgive and maybe it is not a time to forgive, yet.

Anyway I still enjoying this as much as from the beginning. Our Yongpal sure is a kindhearted . Well, a doctor s need a kind heart, right? But I just hope TH would not thinking so negatively about YJ.

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cmak

September 24, 2015 at 10:36 PM

It's funny you say that because I do find myself empathizing for Dojoon and Chaeyoung despite myself and their machinations (though Chaeyoung didn't necessarily wrong Yeojin). I think it is the fact that Dojoon had evil intentions, but was terrible at executing them. He wasn't an evil mastermind and he doesn't seem beyond redemption, especially after getting released. And technically, he hasn't actually killed anyone by this point.

I don't like when people criticize female characters as "a bitch" when they decide to take matters into their own hands, but Yeojin is straight up killing people to satisfy her anger so in that sense I find it difficult to continue supporting her in her cause because there are other ways to get back at people.

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Chanelboy loves Jackson Wang A LOT

September 24, 2015 at 11:22 PM

@cmak : Do Joon technically succeed killing one man. Yeo Jin's ex.

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cmak

September 24, 2015 at 11:52 PM

Oh yes, totally forgot about that. How did I manage to do that when they showed that car accident scene at least 3 times per episode in the first 10 episodes ...

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coffeeboysgirl

September 25, 2015 at 5:45 AM

huh hwang nurse and the director??? he technically killed Yeojin too or at least he thought so...before realising she was alive. He also rejoiced in the fact that she was dead....

Sera The Ms Temper

September 25, 2015 at 12:06 AM

U shouldn't be sure about YJ killing all ppl, yet. I agreed for her to be do the same thing towards her brother i.e lock him in 12th floor. Not everyone will have a pure n kind heart that easy to forgive. Yes she has other means e.g to leave it in law, but this story unlike some other stories already telling us how easy their law to be manipulated and how ppl with power can do . up to 16th epi, I still want to believe she didn't do the killing despite of her admission to it , when TH asked about it.
DJ and CY for me are similar to YJ, just they are not holding power as much as CY.

But each character has their own stories that we will sympathize with, regardless how good and bad they are.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 10:59 AM

I don't understand how can you doubt that she is notstraight up killing people. She even admitted she was ordering deaths to her husband. I like the fact that she knows that TY isn't repulsed by her because she is indescribably confident that she is number one in his heart. Yes even above his sister. Recall, TH chose to give up president go's funds to secure YJ safety leading YJ to be awestruck when she heard the news.

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13 Chanelboy loves Jackson Wang A LOT

September 24, 2015 at 9:58 PM

One most important lesson we got from Yong-Pal :
"If you one of noble heirs, relatively closed either have any affliation or affair with gigantic group's squad, or maybe simply you are chaebol yourself, just try to get fit and healthy all the time, don't get sick, save drive 20km/h, don't go around in the street without protection, don't use public telephone, just don't go to hospital. "

Then you are safe.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 8:18 AM

Ok... This made me hahahahahahahaha! :D

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14 Au3reyoo

September 24, 2015 at 10:21 PM

I guess that now because Taehyun doesn't have anything to worry about anymore (his sister's medical fees) he doesn't need to move around and/or do crazy things anymore. He seems more subtle and refined now. Like at this point, I honestly think he's TOO forgiving towards Yeo Jin... (I almost wish he would fight back against her at some point or do SOMETHING) but I guess, this just shows that he loves her THAT much that he's willing to oversee all her evil doings. Idk I'm not really feeling it though, their love seems a bit... rushed?

I miss the desperate and somewhat reckless Yong Pal in the beginning, I mean at least it kept me on the edge of my seat. :/

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cmak

September 24, 2015 at 10:30 PM

I definitely agree that the loveline doesn't feel as organic as it should be. He's saying all the right words, but I can't feel the emotion or weight behind them. Their relationship developed so abruptly and now they're married wuht?

I guess it's a serious case of "love is blind" because he clearly cannot see she is a straight up murderer ...

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 1:31 AM

I don't think their love was rushed. There's no rule to determine the speed at which one must fall in love.

If anything, I think this drama is a lot more realistic than any drama out there. You have these 2 people who are attracted to each other and started their friendship out of loneliness, inter-dependency and finding some common grounds. Then being thrown into a crisis where one saves the other's life, that friendship quickly blossomed into love. We can't judge whether it's true love or not but given the circumstances, it certainly went far beyond infatuation. That was all fine when they were holed up in a safe haven, far away from the real world.

Now that they are back to reality and have to face some major obstacles, their love is tested. The fact that they stayed true to themselves and not give up everything for love, is quite refreshing.

The writer doesn't give fairy tales or easy solutions. I find TH and YJ's relationship to be more real than contrived.

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Shuerei

September 25, 2015 at 6:21 AM

@SS

+ 1,000,0000
Indeed major testing. I must admit that while I was rather disturbed at the twists, turns, moods and progress, I appreciate that they are all grounded in reality. So we get a rich and complex landscape of motivations and desires.

The show gives us Biblical fundamentals about forgiving your enemies. At the same, it is transparent about human emotion which is more unpredictable than storms when they are faced with greed and mercy.

Love blooms like lavender for our couple but relationship is not a bed full of lavenders and roses all the time and especially when challenges and truths are harsher than one could possibly bear.

I want to reflect on the debate that the love was rushed and contrived. For me, I am convinced with @ SS on everything about the romance. In a world full of clandestine relationships, one night stands, adulterous affairs, bickering marriages, in contrast, our OTP is taking it as slow and as chaste as they could.

I think viewers hoping to see redemption arcs throughout the show would be disappointed but that's the fact of life. Those who want to see a revengeful heroine glorified in her pursuits will be let down. Others who wanna see more of YongPal's sister are tuning to the wrong show. Some who are not convinced by the love story or pace would best stick to a typical rom-com. And if one expects TH to deliver non-stop actions, then yongpal is not the right show.

This is a show about yongpal. An ordinary man who is not a hero by design or default and yet made the choice to save. A charming doctor who fell in love with his beautiful patient, vice versa. A loving husband who struggles with a wife and marriage beyond his dreams and nightmare. And a woman who strived to claim all that was lost to her and in doing so, may sacrifice and lose the most important things in life.

Like TH, I trust the writer and hope that the ending would be a beginning for the characters and a lesson for the viewers about treasuring what is most important in our lives.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 6:56 AM

Good points @Shuerei!

Honestly, I don't know how the writer is going to do it but going by all the clues and setups, I am hopeful for a happy ending.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 12:14 PM

@Shuerei...SS. Oh I wish I could tell Yeo Jin, Yeo Jin-ah, youve had a really intense and painful couple of years but now, right here, may you find pleasure everywhere, and may every moment you spend with TH make you smile. I hope your days are filled with laughter, giggles, chuckles, guffaws and chortles. Don’t ruin your happi ess with a frown, rude word or dark clouds.
May your deepest and wildest dreams come true each oday and every day.

May the words of love people say to you from here on out bring never ending smiles to your face :). Cheer up.

SS

September 26, 2015 at 2:26 AM

@Affie

How I wish too! But this drama never cop out. Otherwise, they should be making babies to fill the empty rooms of Han Manor already.

Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 10:03 PM

Yessss!!! This is your post that I wanted to come back to later and savor---wish I could have said it so well! So true, although I have to say that at first I think he was more into her---and I still want to see the max in Yeo Jin's caring love; this really and truly must be put out there. Go for it, writers, and KTH---keep the faith!

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:00 AM

Thx Audrey!

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Audrey

September 26, 2015 at 8:52 PM

Very well said @SS---can't really add a thing to what you expressed cause it was just perfect. Thanks for putting it out there for all of us!

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15 cmak

September 24, 2015 at 10:27 PM

"Of course Yeo-jin has a right to her vengeful feelings, and what strikes a bizarre note with me as a viewer is why I don’t feel more for her plight in taking down those who’ve wronged her. There’s never been any doubt that she was wronged in more ways than a person should ever be wronged, yet her quest for vengeance feels oddly juvenile when it theoretically shouldn’t. "

This is EXACTLY how I feel watching these past few episodes. Ended up marathoning the last 4 episodes because I was on the fence about continuing with the show, but figured I might as well finish since the end is so near.

I very much understand Yeojin's situation and am all for a good revenge drama (City Hunter, anyone?), but it's really hard to root for someone when she decides to stoop to the same low level as her enemies. She's fighting tooth for tooth, literal blood for blood. There are certain shows/movies that call for blood vengeance because thematically it fits (e.g. Kill Bill), but I wasn't expecting such dead-on-the-head revenge from Yeojin. Kill all those who wronged her basically.

I miss the action and high intensity of the first few episodes. Definitely thought it'd be more house call action fighting doctor than coma awoken woman hellbent on payback. At least it's bringing back the ratings of yesteryear. Here's hoping for the next one!

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fay17

September 24, 2015 at 10:51 PM

exactly..this has become an in house drama with yeo jin mainly on the leash with her blood thirsty revenge plot now..it just seems like she's slowly becoming a shadow of her brother...and I miss the yongpal from the first several episodes too...was't it about yongpal who makes house call each night into rich clients anonymously? Where did that plot sink into?

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Au3reyoo

September 24, 2015 at 11:14 PM

Right?! I feel like the drama has completely submerged into Yeo Jin's side of the story. I don't mind really but at least make it worth it!

Don't toss away such a good character (Yong Pal) to the side for another character (Yeo jin) that's just gonna disappoint or bore us.

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Miranda

September 25, 2015 at 9:30 AM

I wish they went a little more into the fact that Yeo Jin is basically in the same state as a prisoner who was in solitary confinement for three years. Not just solitary, but being actively tormented by Weird Nurse and Evil Brother. And if she was able to feel them touching her... That's terrible, knowing that someone's not just got total control over you, but is free to actually manipulate your body.

The way Yeo Jin is being acted doesn't have that layer, it's just straight bloodthirsty chaebol, which is weird because I think that Tae Hyun's storyline is meant to be supporting the idea that she needs mental healing. So... Yeah. I think Kim Tae Hee might be missing an element of the story here.

I wish we had Parkour Rooftop Stealth Doctor back.

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growingbeautifully

September 25, 2015 at 10:04 AM

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 8:00 PM

Good comment @Miranda about the need for more dimension from KTH, although I don't strictly agree that she is playing "just straight bloodthirsty chaebol"; I do think she needs to add a more elemental way of conveying her character.

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:26 AM

@Audrey... I like what you said... Guess what I think though...:) I think KTH is fine. It's Joo Won I have a slight disagreement with. Lol. KTH is playing YJ as a pained, hurt and misunderstood woman who has been mistreated by her fiance, father and brother. She loves TH but you have got to understand how cautious she might unconsciously want to be in expressing the full extent of her love

TH has been so understanding and I've had no qualms about him standing by her thus far. But I still think he doesn't really see the full magnitude of her emotional scars...

I really really really love how KTH is playing YJ. But of cos...would I mind if she dug deeper into the character? Of course and absolutely not!

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16 ObsessedMuch

September 24, 2015 at 10:48 PM

I had lost all hope for this show around midway, but this episode and the next(ep 16) got me interested again. Yong pal could have been such a great show. Instead, we just got splashes of greatness amidst things gone wrong.

I really didn't get the romance. The start of their love was rather abrupt(specially from Yeo Jin's side) and their relationship has remained vague. Maybe that's what the writers were going for(in which case, congrats to them), but that has made me not care much about the lead pair.

The main leads and supporting actors are amazing but I don't understand the characters fully. They aren't fully fleshed out. At one moment I feel bursts of empathy for some characters, and the very next moment, I feel like I couldn't care less! Ah! My confused mind!

Confusion aside, I am now looking forward to the last two episodes.

On a side note, someone ('confused') said above that this drama should have been called YEO JIN instead of YONG PAL! So true :P.. I miss the bad-ass doctor moments!

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fay17

September 24, 2015 at 10:52 PM

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papercutss

September 24, 2015 at 11:04 PM

to be able to fully empathize with such characters, one must've gone through the same - or similar - circumstances as them, or at least try to live with the mindset of such character.

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ObsessedMuch

September 25, 2015 at 9:59 AM

@papercutss I haven't had such an interesting life- yet! :P.. So no, I don't empathize with them because I have gone through such situation myself or even have the same mindset. Its most probably because the actors did a good job or the writers wrote a particular scene brilliantly. I just wish the brilliance was a consistent feature though! :)

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cmak

September 24, 2015 at 11:49 PM

I just need to comment on the romance even though the thought didn't fully hit me until ep. 16 (which I just finished). Will try really hard not to give away any SPOILERS though!

This may be the first drama where I wish the main characters don't end up together. After watching episode 16, I REALLY did not get any romance at all from the two leads. Maybe it's the age difference or the serious lack of chemistry, but I just don't believe them selling themselves as a viable couple. I can totally see the "they're better off on their own paths" direction working in the last two episodes, and would fully support this because that would seem more natural than giving them a happy ending. Whenever they're in the same scene I feel zero emotion for the two, which makes me sad because they're both good individually.

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Audrey

September 24, 2015 at 11:59 PM

I watched episode 16 before I posted my comments below and have carefully refrained from any spoilers because I hate that; I suggest you re-watch episode 16, because I must respectfully suggest that you missed the import of the whole final scene.

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Sera The Ms Temper

September 25, 2015 at 12:15 AM

I actually not really mind if they don't end up together. But definitely not because of lack of chemistry. the issue on chemistry is up to our own imterest and preference. Here,the plot seems to going that way, they love each other but they may need to choose their own path. Still, I pray they will still end up together.

I am getting the similar vibe watching this (esp the second half of drama) with Empire of Gold.

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Miky

September 25, 2015 at 3:42 AM

I was also thinking exactly of Empire of Gold as Vibe in the later part something that i dind't mind at all because i loved that show and minority to have a lead women smart and even revengeful in contarst with all the dormats leading ladies dramalands usually present us,from time to time i really really welcome and even as evil as Yeo Jin is i still like her rather than mopping,i'll take the smart,scary one all the time...while watching it i was really curious if the writer will take the same direction to the final as the one from the other mentioned,aka both parting ways in a definitive matter with divorce and all with Taehyun continuing his carrer and living a normal life and finidng love with a person of his own background while Yeo Jin will be let alone as the Head of Hanshin and living alone in her own castle as she can't leave now being the sole hair and toss her identity away to live a middle class type life,for some reason i think at this point this might be the final intention even if i find it very sad myself as i want a happy ending for both of them even if it's too good to be like that,i'm a sucker for happy endings

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Dot

September 25, 2015 at 11:37 AM

I honestly don't miss the bad ass doctor moments. So many of those were ridiculously unbelievable to the point of stupidity. But I do miss when Yongpal had a purpose and was doing shady things to achieve it.

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17 Sera The Ms Temper

September 24, 2015 at 10:53 PM

I just want to say go watch epi 16. The recap here took quite sometime but not blaming the recapper, definitely appreciate it. Maybe u will see that YJ is not that evil..she is not the usual type of heroine that will make u comfortable to see, she Is not likeable either. But deep in her heart, she is still have a heart. She is not only doing the revenge, but she is now taking down the real enemy. Don't forget she is the chairwoman in a big corporation. I still believe her heart. If I were in her shoes, if i need to choose between my lover and my company, I will no doubt choose my company. This is a responsibility that u can't neglect for your own sweet life, not only because to protect your own power but it is more than that.

The thing is mybe this drama is unexpectedly went to revenge plot which are too depth. I will be more than happy if this drama is based on life in corporation,and all the battle of power. Actually I am enjoying this revenge plot much better than the first half of drama which was mostly about Yong pal's life. i dont like medical drama for my own preference.

Maybe just maybe, the title should be Yong Pal and His Queen of Crocodile. ?

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Chanelboy loves Jackson Wang A LOT

September 24, 2015 at 11:27 PM

@sera : couldn't agree more.

I also have said this but, watching Yeo Jin as giant group's chairwoman, how she makes decision even betrayed her heart, willing to sacrifice her loved ones and put blood in her hands even she doesn't want it, for the sake of HanShin, so much alike Gwanghee (CSW) in Hwajung : he said " I'm this kind of man, I will leave you alone even u put ur life for me, bretrayed you over and over again just for the sake of my Joseon".

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Sera The Ms Temper

September 25, 2015 at 12:23 AM

I miss a lot Gwanghae and watched Hwajung because of him. After he was dethroned I didn't watch Hwajung coz I already knows the plot that will be, since I watched Cruel Palace.

I know right, she can't choose what she wants to do. She may lost her loved ones, but she will still do what she needs to do. Similar to Gwanghae. And to add, similar to Lee yo won character in Empire of Gold.

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18 papercutss

September 24, 2015 at 10:59 PM

The writing of this drama is incredibly well written. The lines, they're so raw and real. In a real world, you cannot always be forgiving, especially to those who destroyed part of your life. I find Yeo-Jin's character a lot more human than Tae-Hyun's. Of course, it doesn't mean that I adore his character any less. If I was imprisoned for 3 years in a state of conscious coma, I will be just as revengeful, maybe even more, as Yeo-Jin. I will make sure to punish those who punished me. An eye for an eye.
I can fully empathize with Yeo-Jin's character, I can also understand why Tae-Hyun is trying to persuade Yeo-Jin from carrying out her revenge. Nonetheless, idk why some of the viewers are complaining about the plot, It seems fine and very well developed in my eyes.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 1:53 AM

I love the lines too. Not a word wasted!

Some dramas you can just kind of tuned out but this one, you really want to peel your ears when they talk.

Viewers are complaining about plot for various reasons but the main reason or the one which may be behind all the grouses is that this drama is just not what they expect. And it's actually an awesome thing.

After years of drama watching, I can more or less guess what's going to happen next. I even buy into unrealistic stuff so much all in the name of drama. Not saying that this drama does not have parts which stretches your imagination like the miraculous recoveries or high tech VVIP room but where it matters, this drama is as realistic as it can get.

The writer is also one step ahead of the viewers, you can see comments in other forums guessing what's going to happen next. Often, we got what we did not expect.

So if one prefers the usual melodrama or mostly action or romance, you may not like this.

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bumkim

September 25, 2015 at 6:49 AM

I'll give you +1M for that! Haha

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19 Audrey

September 24, 2015 at 11:05 PM

In this specific episode, there is some tension in the beginning as a carryover from Do-Joon's "accident" in the previous scene. Well, maybe not "too" much tension because we know beforehand that he will most definitely survive and end up ensconced in THE room. It's probably important in the overall scheme of things, that CY blames YJ but, hey, we knew this would be the case. Big duh there. And Tae Hyun wouldn't be himself if he didn't try to turn Yeo Jin aside from her path of destruction---again all necessary stuff and well worth the verbiage to get it all out there. Then we have the celebratory party, where Tae Hyun brings his "friends"' who are all a reminder of an earlier time shared with Yeo Jin (well, except for Doo Chul and lackey, but they are still part of the plot exposition, I'm thinking). Then the tension gets way cranked up with Chairman Choi and his ultimatums---nice end of episode and very attention getting to say the least---and also, very necessary plot wise; like, were we actually going to have a three year time lapse in this drama, anticipating a later vindictive death scenario? Wasn't ever going to happen. So, what's my point in all my meandering comments? This is an intelligent drama and everything done and said, leads inevitably to the next concept and idea, and get this: it all hangs together as a whole, with every type of scene, be it chaebol conflict, romance, doctoring, Yong Pal-ing, all of it is necessary for the execution of the whole story. And watch for this: by story's end we will have come full circle, back to Yong Pal.

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bunny

September 25, 2015 at 12:17 AM

I love what you said, Audrey. This writer has not failed me so far, and I am looking forward for next week!

I don't know what people are thinking when they complain about Yong pal show turning Yeojin show, but there really is a need to get a closer look on her, in order to know the depth of Tae Hyun's love for her - beyond green hills, back hugs and kisses. I am actually laughing when people complain about too much yeojin AND complain about too little soo hyun.

Watching Yong Pal is like going to a good doctor that your friends recommend, sometimes you just have to wait a little to see that the medication works. Switching doctor or stop medication all at once will not do any good to you but being half way cured. Besides, it won't be recommended in the first place if it is no good. We are in ep 15-16, people. Even if we have detour, it is only necessary for us to get where we want to be. Two more episode and we are there.

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 6:50 PM

Hey, @Bunny, I really like what you said: "...there is really a need to get a closer look on her, in order to know the depth of Tae Hyun's love for her..."; well put!

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 2:15 AM

I can't repeat myself enough. I just love reading your comments @Audrey :D

Honestly I was concerned about the extension which I felt was forced upon the writer. Now that we have seen eps 15 & 16, I must say that he handled it as well as anyone possibly could given the situation. I can't agree more with you that Yong Pal is an intelligent drama. Everything that is done and said can be linked to something suggested or said in the past or lead to a development in future eps.

I have tried to analyse dramas before and often it ends in frustration because there were so many dead ends, inconsistencies and plot holes. The worst of all being those of character and plot inconsistencies. Although it's hard to watch YJ and TH suffer in these recent episodes, I like that they are truly consistent as characters.

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 7:20 PM

Thanks @SS! Been enjoying your input immensely, as always, and will go back and re-read all once I've read through all available comments.

Got something that's been bothering me for awhile and it has to do somewhat with character consistency and Kim Tae-Hee: I think she's doing a bang-up job and has honestly put paid to her nay-sayers about her acting ability. BUT, yes, big "but", and here's why: as @Bunny said by focusing on her we see more clearly the depth of love Tae Hyun has for her---what has to be conveyed, expressed more vividly by Kim Tae-Hee is her feelings for Tae Hyun. I'm not talking about over-the-top acting because that would be bogus and never fit this story with its subtle nuances (which Joo Son is totally expert at conveying, like Wow---he is just so amazing!). Kim Tae-Hee needs to dig deep, way down inside of her and match in her character, the quality of emoting that we're getting from Joo Won. This is so crucial for the last two episodes, for ultimate believability of the relationship between them. She is honestly going to have to crank it up a notch, without doing maudlin, contrived acting. We need to SEE her love in play. And all I gotta say is: "C'mon, Kim Tae-Hee, you're doing great---now just reach for outstanding!"

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 10:17 PM

Make that "Joo Won" please---sorry, mea culpa---dumb fingers!

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20 heartily

September 24, 2015 at 11:16 PM

I,for one, enjoy immensely where the story changing into a smart revenge story. Then again, I admit, I haven't watch many revenge drama. I like a lot the conversation between Tae Hyun with Chairwoman, especially the part where "The one with power is capable giving in. While the one without power is surrender"

True, the drama transform from Yong-pal who could save the whole hospital or whole town from radiation ( i was rolling my eyes on this episode) to Tae Hyun, the 'wife' of the Chairwoman who can just preach moral ramifications of her actions.

I, for one, eager to see how the writers gonna resolve the finales. I love the twists and turns all lately episodes.

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21 Chanelboy loves Jackson Wang A LOT

September 24, 2015 at 11:17 PM

I agree with you how I wanted so bad this drama can wrap up nicely and peacefully. Put the plot aside, I do feel all people in this drama (in ep 5/6 recaps someone already mention it that how this drama has so many sad/lonely/full of torturing soul in their own) haven't found the peace they looking for .

Yong-Pal : he victim-blamed himself for his sister disease, his mom's death, and being yong-pal himself solely all bcs he has no power. He's lonely, always fight alone for his own. :(

Yeo Jin : since she's born, she's fated to be alone standing to her crown, liking or not she has to have the ice cold crocodile shelter to protect her, which ironically, also set her apart from her loved one.

Do Joon : another sad tragic issue of abandoned child, so pitiful and lack of acknowledgement of his existence, hunger for power to kick out his loved ones from his life . He is the total opposite of Yong Pal, where Tae Hyun hunger for power to protect his loved ones (Tae Hyun didn't hold grudge, he won't using his power to hurt people he cares but those betrayed him, current exp : Yeo Jin )

Chae Young : I think she's the most tragic in this issue. Having a weak followers Dad, she's bcm trading-goods for her family, lost her lovers, trapped in living hell which she doesn't even know what she wants, power/love, lost her own identity who she is. She's just a pion in this game of giants.

Dr. Lee : as ep15 clears it out, he is a downgrade version of Tae Hyun who doesn't have too much choice to be a hero like TH.

Of cz all another side characters also not having bright upbringing, like YJ's Dad, even YJ's ex's Dad also still very sad how his son died and willing to put ups for revenge, creepy nurse, etc.

The only positive charc : TH's bodyguard, Do Chul, and Ssintia.

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:36 AM

You are right on all these points. I can't wait to see if next week s eps will give everyone a positive ending!

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22 Chesens

September 24, 2015 at 11:17 PM

I'm leaning towards wanting a tragic ending for this show. I think it would be more poetic that way. Yong Pal dies and Queen Yeong Jin lives alone in her empty house for the rest of her life.

Much like Michael Corleone at the end of Godfather 3.

I mean, Yeong Jin can't be the ruthless queen of crocodiles and still have her cake, right?

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gaeinalee

September 24, 2015 at 11:58 PM

Uhhh, that was on EoG ending too.. with infidelity by male lead in between.
*groann*
*pleasenotagain*

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23 Yahya

September 25, 2015 at 12:22 AM

Maybe because Plagiarism issue make the writer and the director "change" the yong pal true line...all the awkward romance moment, misplot, mispace start from episode 7 is hard to accept.

Shit i was very exciting for the first 6 episodes, but that issue is ruin this great show !

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gaeinalee

September 25, 2015 at 12:30 AM

Ahh, is that what really happen? No wonder I get lost since ep 7 or 8 due to the story rhythm changes.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 2:07 AM

In Korea, almost all hit dramas will be hit(pun intended) by accusations of plagiarism. We don't need the official rebuttals , not that there were none, but if anyone read that webtoon and watch this drama, they will have a good laugh. It's a cheap shot at publicity by the people behind the webstoon or worse a stunt often used by rival parties to discredit the drama.

I think it's perfectly alright not to enjoy this drama. If you think the writer has gone crazy, that's still your right to an opinion. There's just no need to blame it on something which was dubious to say the least.

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kalel

September 25, 2015 at 2:53 AM

@SS

You're right about plagiarism in K-ent, it's a never-ending issue. But, there is no pruduction team anywhere on this planet who's not afraid of lawsuits brought against them by anyone, even if it's an absurd and far-fetched case. Possible restraining order, however, obtained by any individual/company (a rightful owner of royalties or not) is the actual death of the whole project,
Who can be absolutely certain that something like that did not happen here, considering the fact that this is an on-going series after all? There was a distinctive adjustment to the plot/pace/direction/editing, you name it, which seemed off and unexpected. K-dramaland is full with people who are after successful projects in the name of free publicity, as you stated, but I'm sure there are insiders who are ready to do anything for money and fame as well,- I don't have YP in mind though, I only speak in general terms on this matter.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 3:15 AM

I didn't keep the link but I read that SBS made an announcement denying plagiarism and talked about suing the party who brought about the accusation.

I don't see any disconnect in the plot. It's just that the drama didn't go the way some people expect. Because of the emphasis on the character Yong Pal in the first few episodes, YJ being in coma and all, viewers think it's a medical cum action drama. But if you read the synopsis on various sites, it has been described as medical human, melo, romance and DB used the word dark. So we had all that, right? Before it aired, the official SBS website even gave story outline on how YP would save a heiress imprisoned in a coma who's bent on vengeance. I guess no one took it seriously then :D

In ep 5, YJ said to TH she will destroy the VVIP room/12th floor place. Along with the people who locked her up. So YJ in full gear on her revenge path now is not plucked out of nowhere. It has always been there.

The thing that was off to me was the tone between the first 6 episodes and the following 3. But those episodes were essential to the whole story. I said this many times and won't repeat.

I agree they could have done a better job at editing.

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24 gaeinalee

September 25, 2015 at 12:46 AM

..Where’s the Yong-pal who’d take action to help the helpless even when the risk was great?..

I miss the old Yong-pal too. Not that I say the current Yong-pal changed completely, but he seems more tone down on his action, more contemplative. He's more YJ keeper, her moral keeper, but still not the same old YP I miss.

2 more to go, and I still hope the writer will end it with a bang, just like the opening.

Heads, thank you for voicing the questions and the recaps..

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25 Justme

September 25, 2015 at 2:11 AM

It's impossible to please everybody. In the earlier episodes when the story focus on yong pal, people ask and complain when will yeo jin wake up from her comatose, up to the point they mocked that the actress didn't deserve her pay check. When yeo jin wake up, people are still complaining, asking when she'll start her revenge. When she finally up on her revenge mode, now they say they didn't want her revenge story and wants the story to be back to yong pal. *sigh*

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 2:16 AM

+1000

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growingbeautifully

September 25, 2015 at 2:34 AM

LOL! Maybe different people were saying those things at different times? LOL.

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kalel

September 25, 2015 at 3:12 AM

That's why pleasing everyone in entertainment business is practically impossible. Creators need to have focus on their projects and ignore several factors,- especially, too young viewers who, by using the Social media, viciously attack on anything and anyone for any reasonable but, mostly, unreasonable purpose.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 3:23 AM

I agree!

Whatever a drama sets out to be, I hate it when the writer pays too much attention to what's popular and destroy his creation in the process. Worse are those dramas where they bring in a new writer to salvage. They never turned out well, do they? If we let the writer do his/her job, at least it would please some people although it may not please all. Those who dislike can always choose not to watch.

Attacks on social media are incomprehensible but I heard that some are actually paid to do so. Rivalry? Then, you have those fandoms who are way too obsessed with their bias or drama fans who need to thumbed down other dramas.

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Jon G.

September 25, 2015 at 4:59 AM

That's the difference between a theme park and a television drama. You can always add a new major attraction to a theme park, but in a drama, you need to consider the story, the characters and the narration when you try to make major changes in your concept.

Or, as Neil Young put it: "Never ever listen to your fan base."

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 9:18 AM

@Justme...SS. omg. Looooooooooooooool! You are completely and absolutely right! +100000000000

I want everyone who was wishing YJ would turn dark on this thread tocome back on here and hail the hell out of her! Cos she is hitting it out of the park!

Plus... I don't think the writers, producers or anyone changed this show concept AT ALL. They have done to AWESOME a job thus far for me to think its all a fluke.

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26 azurebliss

September 25, 2015 at 2:42 AM

'Yongpal is an intelligent drama.'
'You can't please everybody.'
'People will always complain.'

+1000

Also, Dojoon did killed Seunghoon. However in Yeojin's case, did she really killed President Go? I've always been a bit confused, was that man poisoned or did he killed himself? It was suicide right? Of course one could argue that the note ( tht yeojin gave? Or was it Pres Choi?) led him to suicide. Other than Pres Go(?), who else has Yeojin killed? (Minus DJ n Chief Lee, I count them as attempted murders lol)

Nurse Hwang and the Director's death were Pres Go's doing right? These murders are all jumbled up in my head. The last time there were so many deaths/attempted murders (for me) was Punch.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:14 AM

YJ kidnapped President go, likely physically tortured him in some manner forcing him to write a note to his father, the note has the words written save me and president go desperate to save his son slit his own throat. Short answer: YJ forced president go to commit suicide. Yep, she as dirty as the rest.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:17 AM

She also buried president go's right hand hit man alive because the guy target her husband. The man was going to prison anyway. So she killed him out of spite rather than for practical reasons.

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:41 AM

@9dragons. Nope. I disagree. YJ isn't as dirty as them. I don't even think she gave any kill orders. She just took advantage of the situations as they turned out.

I really think Sec. min took some liberties. And Prez Go's note could have been from anyone. Let's see if we will find out more in the final eps.

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27 SS

September 25, 2015 at 2:56 AM

"Tae-hyun finds Chae-young sobbing and alone in the most desolate hospital waiting room ever (we all know Hanshin isn’t a real hospital, even in this fictional world)"

I am not getting the joke. CY wasn't waiting in the A&E part of the hospital where I supposed you will have a crowd 24/7. She was in some obscure waiting area. My guess is this is where during the day, patients wait to see their doctors? DJ was brought in at night, right? Or am I missing something?

Anyway, I wanted to say how I really like what they did with Chae Young's character in this episode although I don't like CY.

In the previous episode, I find it quite hard to believe that CY really had a change of heart where DJ is concerned. Thankfully, in this ep, CY expressed her existential crisis. She spent 3 years pretending, taunting DJ, scheming to get back at him so much that she forgotten who she really is.

Now that she has lost everything, she feels aimless. Her primary goal then was to get back at DJ and wrestle power from him or YJ. But having won against DJ didn't make her feel triumphant at all. I guess things would be different if she had actually gotten TH and shared power with YJ. I bet she wouldn't even think of DJ then.

Alone, she was just happy to find someone who actually cares about her. And that person is DJ. We can't deny that it is comforting to find another in the same pathetic situation and lick each other's wounds.

So CY thinks she loves DJ but I think she's just confused. In real life, there are simply people who don't make sense.

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28 I like strawberries

September 25, 2015 at 5:03 AM

YP has been such a smart drama with great vision and characters from the getgo. I can't wait to rewatch to catch all of the easter eggs. I love that our OTP love each other unconditionally. TH is a genuine good guy who isn't sanctimonious and YJ is queen of the crocodiles with a heart of gold. Both are wise beyond their years in their own ways. For characters that exist on such extremes of a spectrum (TH being too idealistic and YJ being too cynical), they're actually quite believable and motivations completely sympathetic. How they've managed to be in a relationship for most of the drama's run with always new revelations is refreshing... the writer is so so so good with dialogue and it's underrated in a lot of ways. YP is known for its action, but I think the way the characters talk to each other and then the show delivering so it's not just telling and not telling has been the VVIP of the drama.

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I like strawberries

September 25, 2015 at 5:05 AM

and then the show delivering so it's not just telling but showing as well*

this is what happens when I attempt to form thoughts at 7 a.m.

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29 Affie

September 25, 2015 at 6:19 AM

Thanks for the recap!

1. YJ's office and the lavender garden are the same ones in Hyde, Jekyll and Me.

2. The frontage of the mansion is kinda like the same one in Heirs.

And I just want to thank those little things for reminding me that this is just a drama cos I was sucked in real good for this is week's episodes.

I lost myself utterly.

I agree with Heads on the main point of not feeling YJ's bloodlust of a vendetta. Yes. Ur bro wanted to kill u. Yes. You were in a coma for three years. Yes. Prez Go and Do Joon plotted to have you killed...

But hey... U didn't die, did u? Basically... There's other punishments you can mete out to these people than to go 'all-kill' to the extent that you need a voice of reason. A constant one, at that. It got annoying. Like Heads said... I wanted her to be given options. Heck, I wanted her to think up some of her own. Since she's so smart. In the end... I feel YJ is super vindictive and very hard to please entirely. Which upset me.
Lol! But I love that she is such a strong FEMALE character! Headstrong and stubborn!

Yup. She broke the k-drama mould.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 7:02 AM

Yes, @Affie, I am also upset that YJ has taken such a vindictive path in her revenge. I like her to be strong and smart but she has crossed the line if she really wanted Chief Lee and DJ to die. This is why TH is desperately trying to stop her.

There are people who blame TH for not understanding YJ enough and how she is right to seek revenge on those who did her wrong. I think TH understands her and would be willing to give her time to get over her hatred but time wasn't on his side. Once YJ actually kills. he would have to face to the fact that YJ is a murderer no matter how much he loves her. I don't see how patience could work in this case.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 8:03 AM

correction: if she really killed Chief Lee and DJ.

It's okay to wish death on someone but not actually kill them.

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Aigoooo

September 25, 2015 at 9:20 AM

The only way this drama will have a happy ending is if YJ did not have anyone killed because that taints the purity of her character. She's already walking that fine line by going after Chief Lee. At least nothing is concrete yet as far as her having actual blood on her hands.

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:23 AM

Did you watch ep 16 yet?

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claire

September 25, 2015 at 7:07 PM

maybe ur the one whose not watching it closely. she admitted in ordering to kill dojoon but its not true. its dir min's doing and reported to daejung group. she just lied to save taehyun for blaming himself.

Vgy7*uhb

September 26, 2015 at 9:37 AM

warning! this reply contains ep 16 spoiler..

@claire, 29.1.1.2.1

Yeojin did not lie. She admitted in ordering to kill Dojoon and technically that is true. Because as she had confessed to Taehyeon, she did knew that he was trying to save Dojoon and that Sec. Min was giving information to Daejung. And that she used Taehyeon and Sec. Min so that Daejung would be able to get their hands on Dojoon without them knowing that it was Yeojin who actually handed Dojoon to them. In Yeojin's perspective, by playing along and not interfering (act of omission instead of commission -- borrowing Audrey's words in 32.2.1) even though she knew that Taehyeon and Sec. Min's actions would lead to Dojoon's death is basically the same as ordering to kill Dojoon.

That is what I understood in their confrontation. And I think she was brutally honest to even admit to Taehyeon how manipulative she was in using him and Sec. Min to make it look like she had nothing to do with it (in Daejung's perspective).

30 wenyen

September 25, 2015 at 7:24 AM

disappointed. I stop watching this now.

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31 sundaexstory

September 25, 2015 at 7:36 AM

Woah I love this drama!
Anyway I think even though Yong-pal seems to be not so active, he actually is still risking his life to help others (poor Chaeyoung), just maybe not so showy.
As for Yeojin "stooping as low as her enemies", I think this is understandable. Her point of view is an eye for an eye. Three years for three years, then.

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32 Minnie

September 25, 2015 at 7:47 AM

This is a long post, but looking at everyone's response to Yeojin's character, I need to get this out. Judging from HeadsNo2 and the other commenters, I'm probably in the minority, but I don't find Yeojin's character "evil" at all and I think the response to her recent actions might be one to her portrayal by Kim Tae Hee rather than her actual character.
I'm usually a silent lurker on this website, but I find it unfair to judge her for wanting revenge. Not that I condone murder, ever, but I'm actually surprised that she isn't MORE keen on going on a murderous rampage. I mean, I've heard stories of people going slightly off their rocker after only several months of solitary confinement, but she was technically in one for 3 YEARS, reliving her fiance's death every day. And let's take a look at the two people she's targeted: President Go, he of the shoddy construction materials that have probably killed tens if not hundreds of innocents, and Dojoon, who might not have had as high a body count but not for lack of trying. Again, I don't condone murder in any scenario, but they kind of had/have it coming and, frankly, the world is a better place without them.
And another thing, leaders are either feared or loved, and in that respect, I don't really see what choice Yeojin has in choosing to be feared. The last time she chose to trust in the "love" from those closest to her, she was being manipulated in a sick power play by her fiance and brother AND she was forced into a conscious, paralyzed state for 3 years. Yeesh, I wouldn't trust anyone after that either, and I kind of resent Taehyun for making light of that fact. One thing I do agree on, though, is that I want this couple to find a middle way, a solution that doesn't require Yeojin to sell her soul to the crocodiles (alligators?). Hopefully, the last three episodes will resolve that problem.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 8:35 AM

@Minnie. Wow. Thanks. Thanks a lot for commenting cos it has given me a new perspective on YJ's arc. I think I understand her more given your take on her situation and I dont necessarily think you're in the minority. I think they are people that genuinely like that this is the path she has chosen cos all those people deserved it.

I think I also really, really like that you mentioned how KTH is playing the character out to us. She is extremely resolute and unyielding and while I love that, glimpses of ability to let the matter go would probably help those who consider her to have completely crossed over to the 'evil' side. YJ seems to have no hesitation to not forgive these guys or to completely annihilate them. Which doesn't help if... hello... you are not the actual villain in this show. Lol. We are supposed to root for her here. And people will respond to a moral dilemma better than an outright meanness if the character is supposed to be a progressive one.

I still love this show to bits tho! And I think KTH is an awesome actress. Her transitions are mind-blowing!

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 8:53 AM

I don't blame her for having the worst thoughts about revenge. But I want her to stop short of killing DJ and others because I cannot reconcile a murderer getting scot free and living happily ever after with TH.

I am not trained in legal matters but I think there is no excuse for murder except on grounds of self defense or plead insanity.
So far, I think she's innocent of murder. Even if she's the one who sent the note to President Go, it's he who chose to take his own life. For Chief Lee, TH stopped her so technically, she hasn't killed anyone yet.

Tae Hyun wasn't making light of her pain, he just doesn't want her to reach the point of no return.

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 7:53 PM

Thanks again, @SS for your comments, and I agree with your assessment about no actual blood on her hands and that's a very important concept. Also, there's always been the ambiguity of who actually ordered what on whom---and my money has always been on Secretary Min as the culprit. I remember a scene where good old Min actually asked her what to do about such-and-such character and her response was basically, like why are you bothering me with that? So, if her "sins" are real, they are actually acts of omission and not commission; i.e., "letting" Min act on his own steam without her getting actively involved---and really, hasn't she been "playing" the player, namely Secretary Min?

And thank you so much for your statement: "Tae Hyun wasn't making light of her pain, he just doesn't want her to reach the point of no return." Like, hello people, do you even have the faintest grasp of who and what Tae Hyun is, to be able to even try and make such a ridiculous statement! Once again I have to say this: are we even watching the same drama!!!???

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SS

September 26, 2015 at 12:11 AM

@Audrey, I understand your frustration. We are on the same page with regards to this.

It's interesting and quite shocking to read comments like "Yeo Jin suffered and so she has a right to deal out any kind of revenge she wants including killing." or "If TH understood her pain and love her, he would have let her be." "TH should be a good husband instead of going against YJ." I might have paraphrased some of these but I didn't make them up. They weren't posted on this blog but elsewhere.

So, there are people who not only condone YJ killing but berate TH for trying to stop her.

I know we are only discussing dramas but I find it pretty disturbing.

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33 Sharine

September 25, 2015 at 8:41 AM

I can't even buy them as OTP... which is why I stopped watching since ep 6

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 9:05 AM

I buy them so much as an OTP with a love dogged by obstacles I can'teven explain it to myself! Lol. I totally get a 'destined to be together' vibe from them!

she was with someone who she thought she was so in love with only for it to be a farce. She tries to kill herself and ends up in the hospital and by some twist of fate, out of all the hospitals in Seoul, Tae Hyun happens to end up working at Hanshin where at some point, no matter what, he was very likely to run into the heiress of this hospital... Plus, his mother doesnt get a heart attack on any other day but the same day Yeo Jin tries to kill herself and doesn't succeed. Spin it any which way, these two would have someway, somehow had to have met! I really love how it sounds on paper. I wish I could write fan ficition off of it. Hehe.

But

get why someone wouldn't buy them though.

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Aigoooo

September 25, 2015 at 9:28 AM

I can sorta agree. The build up of the romance was a bit mishandled. There was not enough quality time between YP and HJ to really establish the blossoming romance. On the writer's defense though, it's hard to get that ball rolling when half of your OTP is in a coma for a good chunk of the first act. lol

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:34 AM

Well. We are suppose to believe that two people confronting death multiple times will be able to drop their pride and be certain of their feelings for each other. The two never said they loved each other because they knew their loved for one another exceeded the unnecessary ring around the rosy normal couples have.

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34 Miky

September 25, 2015 at 8:50 AM

I for one love love this show even more this second half,it has that Empire of Gold Vibe and i love it....Also might be a minority but i like to see Yeo Jin in action,the smart and scary one in place of a dorrmat that is far too much in dramaland...like mentioned in a post above while watching it i was really curious if the writer will take the same direction to the final as the one from the other mentioned,aka both parting ways in a definitive matter with divorce and all with Taehyun continuing his carrer and living a normal life and finidng love with a person of his own background while Yeo Jin will be let alone as the Head of Hanshin and living alone in her own castle as she can’t leave now being the sole hair and toss her identity away to live a middle class type life,for some reason i think at this point this might be the final intention even if i find it very sad myself as i want a happy ending for both of them even if it’s too good to be like that,i’m a sucker for happy endings also i've read that Stephanie Lee will return in the last episode!!!!

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35 joeyuel

September 25, 2015 at 9:12 AM

Where is everyone who wished joo won some rest? Now that he's carrying lesser scenes than he used to everyone is complaining? more of bad yeojin helps to create tension which should be destroyed by the genuine love between the otps. I wonder how Cynthia,Doochul and the nurses will fit in this though? episode 17 and 18 are ones to really look forward to.

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36 Alessar

September 25, 2015 at 9:34 AM

I think the #1 problem with this show can be traced back to the liveshoot system. This show went into live shoot almost immediately so they A) could not keep delivering the action elements that drew us in initially and B) everything had to be rushed and sometimes that may have lead to not the best choices in the dramatic structure.

There were some things early on that didn't make a lot of sense - like why didn't they just spirit her out of the hospital captivity and denounce her brother? But those questions were eventually answered - because A) company would take a rep hit and B) he'd just have her committed because the world this drama takes place in is C) super duper corrupt. But that's a lot to swallow. And now we have Evil Yeo Jin and she's seeking vengeance, not justice. And the vengeance is not something most of us are getting behind.

At the same time, Yong Pal has been revealed to be not an action hero doctor but a precious cinnamon roll, too good, too pure for this world.

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no name #6

September 25, 2015 at 6:14 PM

Re: precious cinnamon roll. You forgot "delicious". He is also delicious. :)

I do agree though that there have been some issues, and it's really easy for me to believe that most of them are due to the tight schedule and unpredictable nature of live shooting. It really makes me wonder how much better the show could have been with a little more lead time. Oh well. I like it anyway. The writer had a plan. I just think it could have been executed a little better with a little more time and planning.

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Alessar

September 30, 2015 at 12:59 PM

Right. Overall it feels like if they could have just written most of the scripts and then done 1 round of editing for pacing and consistency it would have elevated everything. If it had all been shot in advance it would have been magnificent.

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37 Aigoooo

September 25, 2015 at 9:37 AM

I like this drama well enough to not drop it but it sure has slowly and steadily de-valued for me as time went on. It's not a bad show by any means but it's not a consistently good show either.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 12:36 PM

@Aigooooooo. Oh aigoo. I think, the consistence of the goodness of this show is a relative construct. They are things that could have been better. Maybe... The productive value? As far as I'm concerned, it has an awesome realistic unprecedented dialogue and storyline that is such a breath of fresh air from the k-dramas I'm used to.

In that respect therefore, I would call it an excellent show, it being a multiple genre show and all. It was a task to successfully pull everything off convincingly from the get-go... And having gotten into it from the start I can say without a doubt that this is one of best, bar none, k-dramas I've had the opportunity to watch in recent times.

But

I'm open to suggestions of other k-dramas 'of this multiple genre' type that you consider were better executed than this one :)

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 8:25 PM

Thank you @Affie! Very well put and a few ++++ would be totally inadequate to express how much I'm with you on your assessment of this drama. And really, I actually defy anyone to come with a multi-genre drama that comes even close to this one (sorry, I maybe a teensy-tiny bit belligerent and defensive of this great drama--- but only, of course, a wee bit ?).

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 5:49 AM

Lol. Aww... You are not belligerent at all @Audrey. I have and always do enjoying discussing this show with you. Your perspective is so worthwhile!

Looks like I can't seem to hazard any guesses as what it likely to happen in the last eps... Lol. Omg. Can't wait for wondering... Any guesses? :)

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Audrey

September 26, 2015 at 8:12 PM

You know @Affie, I'm not really sure I even want to hazard guesses at this point, on this one drama. Usually I would be speculating and wildly trying to pull intelligent threads together cause it's fun. Must ponder some more: do I wish to really strain my brain or just be happily surprised? Decisions, decisions...

38 jeps

September 25, 2015 at 11:27 AM

Mahalo for the recaps!
I like this show, but I see Yong-Pal as having a “savior” complex, both in his profession and his person relationships. As a doctor he goes to extremes to save his patients, even if it means breaking rules or laws. He goes to extremes to save his family. He is devastated that he was unable to save his mother and puts his life on the line to save his sister. Then he falls in love with a woman who requires a superman to save her, or maybe he falls for her because she needs a superman. Regardless, when he finally saves her physically, he discovers that she is not the damsel in distress that he imagined… Does he give up? No, he recognizes that she is still imprisoned psychologically and he goes into savior mode yet again. Can he save her? Will his growth arch include understanding that he cannot save everyone? Stayed tuned for next week’s episode…

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9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:47 AM

I disagree.

I don't think savior complex applies to Yong Pal. Before the story he ran against the law plenty of times minding his own business as implied by his run in with the rape victim. He splashes water on his face because he was frustrated that he cared and reprimanded himself to mind his own business after saving her. He also ignored her afterwards til she threaten the lives of everyone in the hospital.

YJ is a special case. She is his wife, lover, girlfriend, and friend. Love is blind, stupid and deaf. Love is irrational and thus gives one the strength to see past everything.

I also think it's believable that he wants to save his family at all costs.

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39 9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:49 AM

I think you don't understand what a savior complex is.
A messiah complex (also known as the Christ complex or savior complex) is a state of mind in which an individual holds a belief that they are, or are destined to become, a savior.

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40 9dragons

September 25, 2015 at 11:51 AM

Tae-hyun finds Chae-young sobbing and alone in the most desolate hospital waiting room ever (we all know Hanshin isn’t a real hospital, even in this fictional world).

I don't understand it was late enough at night that DJ questioned why he was release at that hour. The waiting was room was in front of the OR. I don't think any patient will be operating this late or at least have their acquaintances waiting this late.

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41 Curious

September 25, 2015 at 3:09 PM

More than anything, I hope the writers do the backstory of how and when the relationship between Yeo-jin and her Oppa turned so so so very sour that they are both willing to kill one another. Considering how close they seemed as children.

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Affie

September 25, 2015 at 5:26 PM

It turned sour for Do Joon when he witnessed his father playing favourites between him and Yeo Jin preferring her to him though he was the Eldest. Also the fact that she was the true heir to the conglomerate and not him since he was a child of his dad's previous marriage.

It turned sour for YJ when Do Joon kept her in a coma for three yrs so he could run the conglomerate. And when she found that he tried to kill hed twice and caused the death of her fiancé.

Thats about it... no backstory that hasnt been already told thus far... but 2 more eps to go so.. yup... fighting Yong Pal!

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42 Affie

September 25, 2015 at 5:20 PM

*wipes tear. Cant believe this show is almost over...:(

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43 Curious

September 25, 2015 at 6:10 PM

Yeo jin's reason is obvious and recent, i was more referring to Do Joon's reasons for hating her so much that he conspired with an outsider to trick his little sister. Espcially if i think about it in the context of what we have been shown, i.e. when the young siblings were consoling one another after the brother had just received an unfair telling off from dad, there is no sign of Do Joon blaming his sister. Plus the fact that Yeo ji gave up tennis because of that incident is a well known fact to everyone. So it just seemed like they were on one anothers team. But yea i guess maybe overtime he just got sick of being treated like the spare child. You may have a point and i might be overthinking it :)

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Audrey

September 25, 2015 at 8:49 PM

No @Curious, I really don't feel your over-thinking this one, but I am inclined to think we are still missing a vital puzzle piece, which will be revealed---it would be nice to have that loose end tied up, because I saw what you saw: they were "buddies", so something had to have happened to alter the relationship between them.

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SS

September 25, 2015 at 11:59 PM

Hi @Curious

I also wondered about how DJ and YJ's relationship soured to this point when they seemed loving enough in their childhood.

It was only after watching ep 16 that a thought came to mind. Not going to give spoiler here but suffice to say that in ep 16, I saw how brilliant Yeo Jin is. She's far smarter than anyone in HSG and her father was right in choosing her as the sole heir. She will not only be able to survive but she makes a formidable Chairwoman. DJ is a far cry from her.

Parents don't often do right by their children. Favoring a brighter child and one from your true love always begets trouble at home. Over time, DJ lived more and more in the shadow of his younger but more intelligent, gifted and more loved sister. It must have gnawed at his spirit to the point where no love was left.

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Affie

September 26, 2015 at 3:52 AM

Hi, Audrey, SS, Curious! Amazing ladies... I like the discussion. I'm all for more exposition on DJ and YJ's relationship going sour. But does anyone think DJ creates his own pain? I'm of that opinion largely. I can't for the life of me TELL what Yeo Jin herself did to him to make him so hell bent on taking her out of the equation?

Does anyone think he imagined it?

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SS

September 26, 2015 at 8:37 AM

Your take is possible. All his complains are told from his point of view. We don't even know if his Dad really treated him badly save for scolding him over the tennis accident. Even if his accounts are partially true or true, he probably suffered from victim mentality.

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44 Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:44 AM

I just feel strongly that DJ was the crafter of his pain. And eventually, destiny.

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45 Affie

September 26, 2015 at 4:48 AM

YJ would have willing given up the company for him.

He could have had it alllllllllllllllllll.

Rolling in the deeeeeeeeeeeeep!!!

:) :) :)

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46 Charmaine Goh

September 26, 2015 at 6:21 AM

Perhaps I'm the only who's happy to see the story shift to Yeo Jin. I don't see why everyone is missing Yong Pal and complaining that the plot turned bad after Yeo Jin began her revenge. Reminder that Yeo Jin is the female lead not a random flower vase and it was Yeo Jin (even by simply lying there) that drove most of the suspense starting from episode 2. Essentially without Yeo Jin there would be no story, and since there was Yeo Jin there can't be no Yeo Jin focused plot line.

*side note* after Joo won literally did all the acting while his co star simply slept in bed (and whose only challenge was to not move) it's nice to see him get a break and led Kim Tae Hee display her acting which actually shines more as evil Yeo Jin.

anyway continuing, yong pal hasn't become irrelevant throughout this quest for revenge, because no yong pal = no doo chùl = tae hyun would have never made it to the funeral in time=end of Yeo Jin. And despite his passive presence Tae Hyun brought an emotional element to reign Yeo Jin in, despite being unsuccessful ultimately. He wasn't just trophy husband.

Also Yong Pal is illegal, just because Tae Hyun is a great person with an amazing heart it doesnt give him free reign to help gangsters escape and rich clients clean up their business...And he doesn't like it either, it was just for his sister.

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no name #6

September 26, 2015 at 11:27 AM

I think maybe a lot of us have made Yong Pal into more of a symbol by now. "Yong Pal" is who he was when he was allowed to truly practice medicine. It encompasses not just the "quack" side, but his rebellious streak in the hospital too. Saving patients even though they can't pay and things like that. Yes, the helping gangsters was illegal and true, he wouldn't have done it without his sister's medical bills. But I am certain that he took a sort of pleasure in those house calls, because he could really help save someone's life. He was already limited in the hospital setting by bureaucratic red tape, but on the 12th floor, he was even more limited in his ability to truly help people.

I agree that Tae Hyun isn't irrelevant even without "Yong Pal", but I would like to see him return to his doctor roots. I think that's where some of the calls for the return of "Yong Pal" are coming from. He said he would never give up being a doctor. Well, the 12th floor almost made him do that, for all practical purposes. And marrying YJ has made it even worse in a way. The show needs to find a way for them to compromise so he can go back to doing what he loves.

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47 some1outthere

October 1, 2015 at 7:00 AM

hi, does anyone know who chairman choi is?? like which drama he's been in ><

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