She Was Pretty: Episode 16 (Final)

155 November 12, 2015January 23, 2016

by LollyPip

Life as a supporting character isn’t all that bad… and sometimes if you pay attention, the supporting characters have the best stories of all. We all get to choose whether or not to be the supporting characters in our own story, or if we aspire to be more. And that’s really what She Was Pretty has been about all along — learning to play the leading role in your personal life story, and living your life in your own spotlight.

EPISODE 16 RECAP

A young Hye-jin gives a presentation in school, all about her dreams of being a writer of children’s stories. Adult Hye-jin says in voiceover that people ask you your dreams when you’re young, but as you age, fewer people ask. Holding onto your dream until you become an adult isn’t easy.

But before she forgot her dream entirely, she was given a wonderful opportunity — to join a group of writers on a year-long project. She’d left her job and pursued her dream, though it meant leaving her best friend Ha-ri and her fiance, Sung-joon, behind for a while.

The writers are very accepting of her, and love her fresh ideas. She keeps in frequent touch with Sung-joon as he wraps up his business in the States, and they even eat “together” through video calls. They miss each other terribly, but their love stays strong through their separation.

Slowly, as it stops being necessary to maintain a professional image, Hye-jin stops covering her bright complexion with makeup and her vicious curls grow back in. She gets a call that someone has arrived in town, and rushes on her bike to meet them. Aww, I was hoping it was Sung-joon, but it’s Ha-ri, taking a break from school to see her friend.

Ha-ri notices how happy and at peace Hye-jin is here, though Hye-jin gives Most all the credit. Without having worked at Most, she wouldn’t have met her mentor and gotten this offer.

A pickled radish makes Hye-jin smile sadly — for some reason, she thinks of Shin-hyuk and their final goodbye, when he’d hugged her and whispered in her ear. He’d asked her to think of him… not all the time, since Sung-joon would get jealous, but whenever she sees a pickled radish. Hee, that’s so Shin-hyuk.

After seeing Ha-ri off, Hye-jin tries to call Sung-joon but his phone is turned off. She tries to video chat him that night, but he’s still not answering, which isn’t like him. She tries texting him, worried that the little cold he mentioned earlier is more serious than he let on.

In the morning she’s still gotten no reply, and by now she’s worried sick. She spends the day distracted, calling Sung-joon’s phone repeatedly, but it stays turned off. She’s sent to pick up the illustrations for their book, and on the way her over-active imagination kicks in. She imagines Sung-joon with a terrible fever, passed out and alone, or stuck in his car in the pouring rain with a panic attack.

She tries calling Sung-joon one more time, and finally he answers. Hye-jin peppers him with questions, but he just says that her pink sweater is pretty today. Wait, what? And then he’s there in front of her, and Hye-jin runs through the rain to hug him, not caring that she’s getting soaking wet. She literally climbs him like a tree, as he grins happily.

They find shelter in a cafe, and Sung-joon says that he felt like he was dying from missing her, so he decided to surprise her with a visit. Even better, he’s gotten all of his business settled and is back for good. He jokes that he just couldn’t be cool enough to wait a whole year, so he’ll wait here for her to finish her project.

When she asks about his job, he says with shifty eyes that she’ll have to support him. Why do I think he’s pulling her leg? Freaking out, Hye-jin does some quick calculations, but Sung-joon was pulling her leg, and he says that he already has a place to stay and a job lined up while he looks for a permanent home.

Awww, he’s the new Chief Editor of Most! The team are thrilled to have him back, and further shocked to hear that former Chief Editor Kim is getting married. HAHAHAgasp, she’s found herself a hot young Italian model — that’s awesome, especially when he calls her “noona” in his Italian accent.

Seul and Joon-woo are still dating, and they go out for a little coffee and PPL. At mention of Sung-joon, Seul pouts that she’s jealous, clearly angling for a proposal of her own. Joon-woo is endearingly dim as usual, but he cheerfully agrees that of course they’re getting married. Within the year, in fact. It’s cute that suddenly it’s Seul who wants to keep things small (and inexpensive).

Back at school, Ha-ri has been kept busy fending off a younger man, but he continues to contact her and bring her coffee while she’s studying. Aww, he’s adorable.

Hye-jin prepares to go home to see her family for the night, and tells her mentor that it’s a very important day — today is the day she keeps a promise to herself. When she gets home she hears that Dad went to the bathhouse, and gapes when he’s followed in by Sung-joon. HAHA, this is where he’s staying?! Sung-joon is all wide-eyed innocence as Hye-jin’s whole family defends him from her fury for keeping this secret, and he jokes that he had to stay here, because he always obeys his elders.

During dinner Hye-jin gives her father a bank book, saying that it’s money she saved to buy him a new printing machine. Her parents tell her to keep it for her marriage, but Sung-joon sweetly says that she doesn’t need to bring anything to their marriage but herself. Hye-jin persists until her father reluctantly accepts the money.

Sung-joon watches Hye-jin do the dishes adoringly, and pats her hair and tells her she’s pretty. He kisses her forehead, and the both dissolve in giggles at the idea of kissing in her parents’ house. When Sung-joon waggles his eyebrows and talks about feeling “that newlywed feeling,” Hye-jin hip-bumps him clear into the next room. So cute.

Hye-jin sleeps on Hye-rin’s floor while Sung-joon takes her room, but she scoots over to slide the door open between the rooms — to see Sung-joon on the floor right in front of her. They get all giggly again and hold hands through the doorway, and go to sleep like that.

Sung-joon drives Hye-jin back home the next day, and she finds that her parents slipped a different bank book into her purse with a note. It says that they couldn’t help her pay for college, so they’ve been saving for her marriage for ten years.

Awww, they had the money for a new printing machine all along, but her marriage was more important to them. Hye-jin bursts into tears, and Sung-joon says how happy he is to be joining her wonderful family.

Sung-joon hasn’t changed much, and walks into Most reading his tablet and tossing out a distracted “good morning.” He goes into his old office out of habit, where Reporter Cha — now Deputy Editor Cha — has to kick him out of what’s now her office.

The bright-eyed new intern asks if Ten was really a part of their team, and Joon-woo assures her it was true. They all miss Shin-hyuk, and wonder where he is now.

We catch up with him, busily working on a new novel in a hostel somewhere in Europe. He still wears the knitted beanie he conned Hye-jin into buying for him. A fellow traveler recognizes him as Ten, but Shin-hyuk pretends he’s not, and tosses his rubber spider to the guy just to see his reaction. Never change, Shin-hyuk… never change.

Hye-jin is called “Writer Kim” for the first time, and decides she likes the sound of that. Their book is published and we see the title: “The Story of a Peeping Girl.” It’s a throwback to her first meeting with Sung-joon as children, where she’d seen the peeping girl in the puzzle he was working on, and now she nearly cries to see her name listed as one of the authors.

Sung-joon really hasn’t changed, and terrorizes his team during their meeting. They all snarl behind his back, but then he passes out wedding invitations, and everyone gasps in surprise. But if it’s shocking that he’s getting married, it renders them speechless to see that the bride is their own Hye-jin.

Ha-ri invites Hye-jin out for dinner on the eve of the wedding, and jokes that someone might get mad if she keeps calling Hye-jin “wifey.” Ha-ri has her own news — she got a job at a nearby hotel, all on her own merits. After dinner, Ha-ri presents Hye-jin with a garland and bouquet of flowers that she made herself, and they take pictures together.

And then it’s Sung-joon and Hye-jin’s wedding day, and they both look nervous and happy. They walk forward into their future together with love and confidence.

Some time later, we see Hye-jin hard at work in a little mini-library, surrounded by notes and books. She’s still working for the writers’ group, and Sung-joon comes in looking for a little attention. She’s too deep in concentration to do more than throw him a tiny kiss, and he complains that she’s not his “kissing maniac” anymore.

He slowly leaves the room whining loudly about how loooonely he is, and finally Hye-jin grins and closes her laptop. Sung-joon gets a mischievous glint in his eye, and drags her out of the room for some marital shenanigans.

Shin-hyuk’s newest book is published, which Hye-jin reads, and sees that it’s dedicated to “My best friend, Jackson.” She recalls him saying that he thinks they’re really good friends, and she cries happy tears thinking of their friendship.

Sung-joon and Hye-jin hurriedly pack a picnic lunch, and rush out the door. He makes her laugh at his horrible singing in the car, as in voice-over she repeats her original thought that some people are meant to live life as supporting characters.

But now she thinks that maybe it was herself who decided she was a supporting character, and that she gave up too easily and let life dictate her path. People say that life is not a fairy tale, but what’s wrong with dreaming of a life that is like a fairy tale?

Hye-jin and Sung-joon sit on a gorgeous hillside for their picnic, where he continues teasing her, this time about her cooking. Hye-jin continues that, if you don’t turn off your own spotlight, and don’t give up on your dream, then something that’s very like a fairy tale could happen. Such as finding a first love, and fulfilling a childhood dream.

The two lovers walk through the trees, and stop to kiss and cuddle while Hye-jin reads her latest children’s book out loud.

A few years later, a little girl skips through the rain in bright yellow galoshes, followed by her father carrying a very familiar-looking red umbrella. The two stop at a red light, and when the light turns green, the little girl crows happily, “It’s a go!” She has her mother’s ruddy cheeks and viciously curly hair, and it’s obvious that in her daddy Sung-joon’s eyes, she’s the prettiest little girl in the world.

COMMENTS

While I still think that Episode 15 could have been a nice open-ended finale, this actual finale episode was full of the cute and sweet closure I was hoping we’d get. There was some concern among viewers of twist endings or even tragic loss, but I’m happy that none of those things happened — instead we got to see all of our characters find their own little happy endings.

It’s strange because usually I feel a bit of a let-down when a show wraps things up a bit too neatly, but in this case I’m happy to see everyone get the ending they deserve. I try to avoid reading any articles or information about a show while I’m recapping it, so as to keep my perspective free from outside influence, but in this case I couldn’t help but hear some of the theories and become worried. So just this once, I’m giving the show a pass for giving us the slightly saccharine ending, because at least nobody died, am I right?

There were quite a few loose ends in this show that never were addressed again, though now I think that possibly, as a viewer, I was just giving the show more gravitas than it intended. Things like Sung-joon’s hinted-at eating disorder – which I suppose, in the end, wasn’t an eating disorder but just an extension of his tendency to forget to take care of himself when he’s focused. I mean, the guy drinks out of vases and walks into doors when he’s distracted, so it’s not hard to think that he’s just too preoccupied to go shopping. It’s a bit disappointing because I think the show could have been… more. But in the end, it was what it promised to be, and it delivered a sweet and lovely story about a pair of old friends how found each other again and found love. I can wish that the story had been deeper, and explored darker themes, but I can’t complain that we didn’t get exactly what we were promised.

I do admit that I’m happy that Hye-jin went back to her original look, because one of the best things about She Was Pretty was the message that pretty isn’t just on the outside, it’s also on the inside. Hye-jin didn’t need her childhood beauty or a fancy makeover to attract not one, but two good men to fall in love with her. Her inner beauty, her positive spirit and generous and loving nature, were what made her pretty to the people who could see beyond her (really, not that bad) looks to the woman inside who was completely deserving of love and adoration. And one of my favorite things about Sung-joon was that not once, not one time in the run of the show, did he make mention of her looks. Not when she got her makeover, and not when she went back to her curly hair and freckles. All he ever said was that she was pretty, which is the thing that proved to me that he was the right man for her. In his eyes, she was pretty, because he was never looking at her external looks, he was always seeing the beautiful person on the inside.

There’s not a lot to discuss plot-wise that hasn’t already been said, but I’m leaving She Was pretty feeling satisfied, and with a happy and contented afterglow. Sung-joon and Hye-jin’s love story was lovely to watch and fun to discuss, and I’ll remember them — and that adorable little moppet their love created — with a lot of fondness.

155

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51 K-Drama Lover

November 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM

Oops posted without having finished.. Sorry! :o
Anyways I am happy with how it ended it was the perfect for this! And I am glad the show didnt do any of things it could have done but instead chose the real happy path. :D
No two friends fighting for the one guy, making the makeover a big deal for the lead guy, the second lead becoming a different guy just cause he couldn't get the girl, instead calmly stepped aside. Or especially, anyone dying at the end! I was really crossing my fingers for that to NOT happen. No, I can happily leave this drama and it's characters with a happy feeling, because it left me feeling like they will live on. In the fairytale like life THEY chose. :)

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52 RK

November 13, 2015 at 12:05 AM

I first thought : something is missing, it's too soft. And you know why? No murder, no twisting plot, no really bad chaebols, no parents who disagree the relations between the lead etc. And I LOVE IT. It's only a simple rom-com, and we almost relate to the characters, because, technically, we are the peeking girl, or just the minor roles. We could relate but this is dramaland so there are dramas' basics too, of course, huh. But, there is only love, and friendship, and relations. Second chance, and choices. In one-word : life. And I love the fact that Kim Hye-Jin stays herself at the end and the writer-nim didn't give her a miraculous solution for her face. Honestly, it's a really rare thing. I don't even know if there is a drama with a character who,from the beginning to the end, stays in the same shape...! So yes, I first thought that something was missing, but that was just because of the angst-less plot. And I feel really good right now. I even smile during the last scenes, and believe me, it's a rare thing too!

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bbstl

November 13, 2015 at 7:12 AM

Hi RK! Like you, I was feeling the same way, it's too soft and it can't stay this way. Waiting for the other shoe to drop...because we couldn't get through a kdrama without a big giant angsty twist, right? Now I'm thinking that the twist really was that (surprise!) nothing bad happened. They fooled me good! Now that I can relax I think maybe I should rewatch it!

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53 August

November 13, 2015 at 12:54 AM

Looking for a sweet and lovely story about a pair of old friends...then watch She Was Pretty.
In the mood for a deeper story that explores darker themes...then I recommend watching Kill Me, Heal Me.

So glad She Was Pretty ended up being another successful drama for Hwang Jung-Eum, Park Seo-Joon, & Choi Si-Won. An example of hope - the ratings started out in the 4% range and continued to increase ending at 15.9%.

You Do You Kim Hye-Jin - curls or straight hair - rock on and ignore the haters!!! Be yourself. Be confident. Embrace your inner beauty and be the best version of you that you can be.

Overall SWP was an entertaining drama and I enjoyed watching it. Did I fall in love with SWP? No, more so along the lines of me just having an appreciation for it. Thank goodness for a sweet and happy ending. With the added bonus of the OTP both being of legal age! Writer Jo Sung-Hee, I applaud you for choosing to take the unconventional path with Hye-Jin & Ha-Ri's best friend/girlfriends/sisters bond/roommate relationship; Shin-Hyuk's unrequited love for Hye-Jin; writing 2nd leads with a mindset to stand or fall on their own merits and the determination to forge ahead in their own lives despite not knowing the outcome; thumbs up for the way the OTP separation was handled - in this day and age people in long distance relationships not ony use Skype but other forms of technology to communicate; and the personal growth we witnessed not only manifested from the main leads but exhibited right down to the rest of the supporting cast of characters. A talented cast of actors & actresses. What a welcome surprise for many of us in that we were fortunate to see a handful of scenes with the OTP engaging in skinship.

"It’s a bit disappointing because I think the show could have been… more."

With this drama I feel a disconnect and I'm still trying to figure out why? I think the main reason is probably because of the initial introduction to adult Sung-Joon. His personality, attitude, behavior, actions, and how he treated people who were not Hye-Jin (his first love from childhood/aka Ha-Ri passing herself off as HJ). The harshness, dismissiveness, and sometimes cold exterior from Sung-Joon, especially the way he treated 'real' Hye-Jin in the beginning and the midway point of the drama (before the fake vs. real Hye-Jin ruse was revealed) came across as being too extreme for the situation at hand...just unnecessary and way overboard. Therefore, it became somewhat harder to warm up too, fully embrace, and reconcile this hidden side of SJ's adult personality - a warm, affectionate, and sweet natured man head over heals in love with the real adult Hye-Jin.

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

After all SWP had the MOST (pun intended) ingredients: positive underlying messages about embracing your inner beauty, true friendship; it was inspirational...

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August

November 13, 2015 at 12:54 AM

Continued...

After all SWP had the MOST (pun intended) ingredients: positive underlying messages about embracing your inner beauty, true friendship; it was inspirational at encouraging one to pursue their dreams; it advocated living life on your own terms by shining brightly as the main lead in your own story and not letting one's insecurities force oneself to just faint and shrink into the background. Showcased a female lead that wasn't a Candy nor was Hye-Jin chased by loan sharks. Hallelujah, she was actually from a stable home environment (that just happened to be a working class family) with good parents and even a teenage sibling thrown into the mix. Plus having the added bonus for us as viewers: no worries about being subjected to the old tried-and-true kdrama clichés/tropes of terminal illness; viperous villains; backstabbers in the workplace; evil mother-in-laws; vengeful and antagonistic 2nd lead(s). Even the reveal of TEN & the Chaebol son - a flip of the script that played out in an unexpected way.

Calendar Quotes in the finale:
Success is never final.
Life is a long lesson in humility.
The language of truth is simple.
Love will find a way.

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August

November 13, 2015 at 1:09 AM

For the record, I've resolved my earlier misgivings. I accept and acknowledge Sung-Joon & Hye-Jin's love for each other.

Last but not least, Cheers to Choi Si-Won for another fun character and memorable performance as Kim Shin-Hyuk. You did well, I can hear you now saying "Jackson."

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54 HopelessRomantic

November 13, 2015 at 2:18 AM

Thank for the recap LollyPip! :)

SWP is a fairy tale in a modern time. The ending was what I imagined it to be and even more. My cheeks was hurting from so much grinning while watching the final episode.

I love that the writer presented us HJ-SJ’s relationship with such simplicity. No expensive gifts. No spectacular vacation getaways. Simple scenes such as talking in the park and having a picnic were enough to make their love story sweet and romantic. Even their wedding (wedding invitations included) and their home were simple. It conveyed a message that you can be happy and contented in life even without so much. I also loved the fact that HJ brought out the best in SJ and SJ on the other hand brought out the best in SJ. In life, we need someone who will not only complete us but someone who can bring out the “best” in us.

One of my favourite scenes on the final episode was the scenes at HJ’s home. How sweet it is of SJ to still keep in touch with HJ’s family even when he was abroad (him living with them for a while without HJ knowing was an indication of that). It only shows how much he loves and values HJ. A person who loves your loved ones is the sweetest. In my country, there is a saying that getting married is not just a union of two people but a union of two families. It would have been nice if we were able to see how SJ interacts with his family for us to have a glimpse of how is SJ as a son. Who knows it could have been the trait of SJ that HJ fell in love with in the first place?! (hmm..we never know). Nevertheless, I would like to think that the way he treats HJ’s family is the same way he loves and treasures his own family. This is actually an irony for me since we’ve got to see HR and SH’s interactions with their family but none for SJ, poor SJ.

And of course my favourite scene of all time was the father and daughter crossing the street. The shortest but the sweetest scene of the drama. Who wouldn’t love the little HJ right? Hahaha!

SWP wasn’t a perfect drama but it will definitely stay my heart for a long time!

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HopelessRomantic

November 13, 2015 at 2:21 AM

sorry for the typo should have been *I also loved the fact that HJ brought out the best in SJ and SJ on the other hand brought out the best in HJ.*

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55 Star

November 13, 2015 at 2:41 AM

meh....this drama was so-and-so. Nothing special to be honest....only great thing was Siwon.

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jam

November 13, 2015 at 8:58 AM

ha..ha..ha.. it gave me the laughs

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56 Aida

November 13, 2015 at 3:29 AM

Heehee Sung Joon the character was a bit of an ass! And somehow the actor had issues with emotionality so it was a double blow to the main lead male! Which made it so easy to fall for Siwon's personality.

I keep remembering Sung Joon being horrible, horrible! - to Hye Jin, like when he saw her open-toed socks, and just the times she was so lame in his presence and he acted like a dickhead (that airport scene where she missed the way)

Oh my gosh even all those would have been excusable, but then the way he discards Ha Ri the second he realizes she's a fake! Even Shin Hyuk never did that, but treated Ha Ri humane even then.

Long story short, much as I enjoyed the drama, didn't like the way Hye Jin and Sung Joon were written AND portrayed. Honestly, Shin Hyuk was the shining star of She Was Pretty.

Maybe it was all the mystery surrounding him, or his physical attractiveness and in-your-face sex appeal, but as an actor he was hard to ignore. Not perfect, but at least worth watching every episode. Which Sung Joon and regrettably Hye Jin were not always so end to end.

Well done for the great recaps!

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57 Sophia

November 13, 2015 at 4:09 AM

Aw...the sweetest drama I've watched in ages. Definitely going onto my all time great rom com drama watchlist. ?
Thank you Lollipip for recapping this drama! ?

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58 Tripletsnoona

November 13, 2015 at 5:20 AM

I have enjoyed this drama very well, but the few last episodes kind of lost the sparks for me? As time went by I'm actually more interested in the second leads... And other than Shin Hyuk's reveals of who he is and Ha Ri making up with her family and finding her own passion, I kind of felt like they are neglected.. Especially HR after SJ knew that she's not HJ. But I guess that's why they're called second leads, huh? I suppose the writers were going to go to the common directions, coupling the first leads and second leads, considering they were dropping these banters between SH & HR early on... but SH's love to HJ got dragged too long that it's too soon for SH to fall OUT of love and IN love again with HR, and the same thing goes to HR and her crush for SJ. I was kind of disappointed because I thought they would've looked good together, the writers could've just made an open ending for them. Lol, me and my shipper heart.

Well, happy endings are not always love-related when it comes to second leads, are they?

Anyway, thanks for the recap!

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59 Colors

November 13, 2015 at 6:12 AM

I liked how they "used" the daughter's hair to make the beauty point because the actress's hair style wasn't enough (though she kept her redish cheeks and I liked that).
Her clothing style got better (thou shoult not be Jackson anymore) and it looked like she went back to her natural hairtstyle, except she didn't really:
pic from ep 1 (from dramabeans) http://i1058.photobucket.com/albums/t413/javabeansdb/drama/2015/other/other1/shewaspretty1-00377.jpg
pic from last ep (from dramabeans) http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/uu26/dramabeans/drama/2015/SWP/SWP16/SWP16-00046.jpg

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60 cinnamon

November 13, 2015 at 8:18 AM

> This drama is not perfect, yes, but at least, most viewers are satisfied with the ending.

> How lucky Kim Ra Ra is...lol

> Maybe I'm the only one here who are happy HR has that young boy who adores her. I believe she deserves to be loved and cherished in a heart-fluttering way. I can imagine how HR feels...

> This drama gives a positive vibe on how a family should be. HJ's family is just wonderful..a warm and sweet pus thoughtful family.

> It's good HJ has her original curly hair. It's not a typical k-drama standard of beauty (straight--or sometimes wavy--neat, shiny, glowing kind of hair). We don't have a salon-look hair everyday even when we're sleeping.

> Oh, HJ sleeping next to a door with SJ on the other side is cute. It gives me an anticipation-mode-on feel.

> And, the hillside where HJ and SJ have their picnic is just awesome. It reminds me of Winter Sonata, not because it's like Jeju but how a drama introduces us to a beautiful place.

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61 frabbycrabsis

November 13, 2015 at 9:56 AM

I burst into tears when we saw that Shin-hyeok dedicated his latest book to his, 'Best Friend, Jackson.' I wouldn't have been happy with his ending if that hadn't happened.

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62 vanilla_latte

November 13, 2015 at 10:55 AM

I really enjoyed watching this drama for all the lovely sweet moments between the OTP. The scenary was just beautiful, i.e. the beach, the arboretum, and of course, the final picnic spot. So romantic! It makes me want to visit Korea, like ASAP! I'm also in love with the OST, and listen to it smiling on my drive into work. So, it's been a great 3 months for me watching this drama. I'll rewatch the cute episodes when I need something warm and fuzzy. Thanks for the recaps, Lollypip!

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63 j9

November 13, 2015 at 1:53 PM

BEST ROM - COM EVERRRR!!! XD.
I feel like the writer granted all my wishes of what I would love to see in a Rom - Com. It was almost like he had been reading our posts from past kdramas and this one and giving is things that we wanted. So just "in case" you or someone from your team may be reading these here goes:
Thank you writer Nim (Jo sung Hee) for throwing in some new refreshing ideas for the leads - the top of the list was the girlmance (womance, whatever you want to call it). Even though we lost faith in HaRi, Hye Jin didn't. There bond ended just as strong as it was in the beginning. It was so lovely to see for a change.
I loved how the second lead wallow away (we didnt see him again) in his sadness, because he didn't get the girl.
Thanks for letting SH and HJ keep their friendship.
Thanks Siwon and Hwang Suk Jung for playing your roles so well and making me laugh out loud so many times. I don't think I laughed that many times in any kdrama.

Thanks for picking such a great cast.

Thanks PSJ and HJE for playing your roles so well, that we could "feel" what you're characters are feeling just through your expressions in your eyes.

Thank you writer Nim for not giving us long drawn out angst or silly last minute angst that would keep out OTP apart.
Thank you for resolving issues early on - not letting our main male lead brew in misunderstandings, and for letting him be so honest, up front and to the point.
Thank you for letting us see our OTP as a couple, talking things out, sharing with each other etc. Thanks for letting us see a little of their wedding day, and a glimpse of life after marriage, and their adorable little girl.

Thanks for giving us a simple Rom-Com and making me smile and leaving me with warm fuzzies at the end and even throughout.

I think this will be my 'go-to' Rom- Com after I watch one that I get frustrated with, or didn't care for the ending, or the ending leaves me unsatisfied. (I was satisfied with this one couldn't have asked for more)
I'm sure I'll be watching this one again and again. :)
Rainbows and Unicorns :)

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nicnac

November 17, 2015 at 1:09 PM

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64 arjoon

November 13, 2015 at 2:14 PM

i dont knowe i love the begining but the ending become very boring

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65 Beez

November 13, 2015 at 2:57 PM

I personally preferred Shin Hyuk but in the very last episode with the lame fake spider, I realized he would eventually get on anybody's nerves. And he and HyeRin together would just be too TOO MUCH!

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66 Aye

November 13, 2015 at 5:50 PM

I have to admit the show did get boring toward the end but this final episode brought back all the good stuff, reminding me why I loved it so much! So cute! Go Jackson!

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67 Rabbitlover

November 13, 2015 at 7:40 PM

Did anyone noticed that park seemed so tired in this episode? Particularly that scene when he was whining about being lonely..

Anyway it was a nice episodes....sometimes we just need series not too series and about love and human

I think he was fine with her because once he was not very handsome guy...a chubby child and people made fun of him. But she didn't care about that...

So both in their hearts they were pretty...

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68 eidazura

November 13, 2015 at 10:40 PM

She Was Pretty...I'm truelly and still falling in love with it...

I think this drama showed different sweet side of kdramas which is always related to beauty and handsome,the rich and the pauper,tense and revenge in corporate world and love war and friends backstabbing etc...

Its flows sweetly until the end...makes me feel lovey dovey just as simple as who I am...

What makes me stay watching?Certainly because of onion couple...hehehe...how they learnt and grew...being matured and thoughtful ...but within it their childhood memories goes lively as well...

SWP being wrapped up and I will continuing watching it until i find another new heart catching new kdrama...hehehw

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69 eidazura

November 13, 2015 at 10:55 PM

I'm gonna miss sung joon and hye jin . .:(
Every week I waited for wednesday and thusday just because of SWP...

I love the messages carried out from this drama.It wasn't tense or heavy or either too lovey dovey melodrama...just nice to go with its flow....

I'm glad every characters learn from their experience and how they act maturily...

p/s:I love Sung joon,hye jin and kim rara the most...but its really unbelievable...nobody characters to be hate in SWP...only a bit annoying with someone on certain characters when they get bad and mean...but begin to love them towards the end...so unbelievable

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70 Celine

November 13, 2015 at 11:40 PM

I think this drama wrapped up pretty well with happy endings for everyone, but I would've liked to see Shin Hyuk have more screen time and perhaps a happy ending for him too. He played such a big role in lifting the mood of the drama and making it funny; he definitely deserves a better ending than just rejection. They didn't even keep in touch! Okay maybe it's because I'm biased toward Siwon, but I really liked his character and truly felt for him in the last few episodes. It really broke my heart to see him sad and his song really complimented his character. I liked him the most in this drama. Good drama, nevertheless.

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71 Keanini

November 14, 2015 at 4:58 AM

I CRIED WHEN IT ENDED HUHUHUHU :'(

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72 aa132

November 14, 2015 at 9:26 PM

This is the best that I have seen.
What is the name of song when Hye-Jin and Hari eat together in restaurant?

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73 Lunatic4KD

November 14, 2015 at 10:02 PM

OK - we got a sweet fluffy ending - a typical k-drama stock happy ending. Yay for that ...but I'm in the camp of "it could have been so much more"...not entirely sure WHAT more it could have been but the build-up of potential greatness was really something to build an anticipation for a satisfaction beyond blah normalcy.
I 100% came here to watch Park Se-Joon and Hwang Jung-eum together after their phenomenal chemistry in Kill Me Heal Me and I was one of the first episode viewers feeling self-righteous about loving it despite the low 5% ratings in Korea. I felt downright smug as the ratings rose all the way to 19% and was eager waiting for some kind of really wonderful twist and deeply intelligent denouement to the story.
But I kept waiting....and waiting...even for Park Seo-Joon's proven ability to be an amazing kisser. A recent interview proved that he felt like he was kissing a "wall" when Hwang Jung-eum stuck to the innocence of her character.
In the long run, NONE of that matters because I received the totally unexpected gift of discovering how phenomenal an actor Choi Siwon is!!!!!!!!!!! This came out of left field. I knew about Super Junior but never paid much attention to Siwon. Now I am sitting up straight and marking my calendar for two years from now when he re-emerges from the military and steps back into acting. YES - drama gods - please create a role worthy of Siwon because we have a major manly talent on our hands for the future.
Thank you She Was Pretty for slamming Siwon into our general consciousness at this incredible level.!!! Years from now, idol actors are going to study SWP as the benchmark for how to do a final project before military service. Oh YES, indeed !!!

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74 GAF

November 15, 2015 at 9:12 PM

Thank you so much for your eloquently written recaps and insightful ways to simply state the essence of each episode. There are many little details that you have extracted out to shed light on that I may have never even given a second thought to. I didn't even realize that SJ never once commented on HJ's outward appearance changes, thankfully. Otherwise I definitely would have never looked past him being such an arrogant prick in the beginning of them working together at Most. Anyway keep up the good work. Fighting!

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75 Eileen

November 16, 2015 at 6:31 AM

Apart from the funny and romance parts of the drama, I learned something from the drama. Like Artist Renoir, X and O theory, "it's ain't over till is over " statement, positive attitude towards life and work. To be proactive in pursuing our dreams and be the lead role of our life. Slight disappointment in the last episode, too many flash back. No interaction between HJ and SH, wedding scene is too simple. It could be a better closing if it show a more complete wedding with guests like the most team, HJ family & HR. Certain scene seems unnecessary but perhaps the director wanted to showcase the beautiful autumn scenery. Nevertheless, it is a very enjoyable drama, thanks to the hard work of the production crews and cast members.

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76 Kit

November 18, 2015 at 2:28 AM

I loved the ending but I felt like like the drama didn't give me everything i wanted in an overall sense mainly due to the fact that it left me a bit confused with some minor things but overall it was great. I just really wish that shin-hyuk had gotten a better ending i mean he really deserved a happier ending.

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77 Omotoferankdrama

November 19, 2015 at 4:28 AM

l loved this drama so much even though v nt seen it yet.Thank you drama beans for your recaps.This drama is definitely on my to watch list. I LOVE PARK SOE JOON

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78 Moony

November 19, 2015 at 12:30 PM

1) I was kinda disappointed that the drama didn't explored much with Hari's step-mom role. It would've created greater conflict in the drama (i even thought she'd be the one to divulge Hari's secret to Sungjoon). I don't mind the candified moments, but i find bitter truths to be more compelling in a drama. [Just a personal preference, guys.]
P.s: I agree with LollyPip - I'm hungry for deeper, darker themes.

2) I squeal so hard seeing the friendship bet. Hari & HyeJin @ ep. 15/16 especially. Totally warmed my heart.

3) Somehow deep inside, i expected ShinHyuk to be there at the wedding... He oughta be the best man, yeah?

So far so good for She Was Pretty. Not the best. Kill Me, Heal Me takes the cake for 2015's best drama. Teehee~

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79 Kang Tae Su

November 21, 2015 at 9:42 AM

For some reason I actually prefered her with the ruddy cheeks and big hair. This drama was absolutely great, comes a close second to pinnochip for me. ?

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80 Ghap

November 24, 2015 at 3:13 AM

I hate the fact that hye-jin went back to her old self...curly hair!!!:(:(í ½í¸¬í ½í¸¬
sung-joon is Baeí ½í¸í ½í¸í ½í¸í ½í¸â¤â¤â¤

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81 Nikhila Chandran S.S.

November 24, 2015 at 11:09 PM

Hello all..this is my first time am commenting here..am Nikhila from Kerala(India)..it's been only 2.5 months since am into Korean dramas world.. hv seen 37 k dramas by nw in Tht time.. N I loved reading recaps n discussion here for many shows I saw..

Coming to she was pretty show..I watched on recommendation frm my frnd.. Till epi 9 this show was bang on for me..Bt few things Tht happened in ep 10 n 11 ws disappointing for me.. I really wanted to quit show too.. Bt bcoz I Very very very much loved SH n SJ characters,for those two guys sticked till end..

I had seen Siwon's show "oh my lady" before n there I did like him..Bt here he totally won me as his fan.. for me SH is best char in SWP..truly well written well enacted multi dimensional char..i got teary eyed only two times here n Tht ws for SH- 1)outside hospital scene of SH-HJ and 2)SH ka farewell to HJ post his identity ws revealed.. I thought I could never see him in last epi..Bt those few glimpses on last epi I loved it..

Coming to SJ..I LOVED his journey too in this show..my 2nd most fav char.. ep 13 totally belonged to SJ..his LOVE understanding care respect to HJ is totally admirable n aww worthy at many times.. for me his best scene ws his "proposal" feel type scene during the picnic..truly heart touching Tht ws..

N coming to bromance..I hv never enjoyed bromance this epic much before..for me the best effortless chemistry I found b/w SH n SJ..I also loved Hw their bonding ws portrayed throughout this show..

Love story of SJ HJ ws overall sweet..Bt I seriously felt disappointed in the way Ha Ri matter was handled after truth ws revealed..N wht added GHEE to fire ws HJ ka mahanta(noble) act..I felt it ws unfair towards SJ..though HJ ws lucky as SJ ws understanding all along..

Overall I will remember this show solely for SH,SJ n their bonding..

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82 Chum

November 25, 2015 at 7:38 AM

I am heart broken.
Can I be your Jackson, my beloved Shin-hyuk?

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83 Rabbitlover

November 28, 2015 at 8:07 PM

I was watching witch romance....park really was like a youngster in that series...way too skinny..he looks so much more manly in this series...and just right in weight....I noticed improvement in acting as well..

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84 rochinipark

December 4, 2015 at 8:11 AM

This is a good change from all the different themed dramas out there. It certainly did well on the romcom aspect. And this drama makes me wanna see Kill Me Heal Me somehow.

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85 asha

December 11, 2015 at 12:26 PM

So its just me that got really disappointed around the final 5 episodes !! tbh the episodes toward the ends started to be the same and we only got to see a normal love story !! I was even wondering why they made 16 episodes anyway ...still am not hating on the drama ..it was so cool and funny but as I said toward the end it was really kind of .......boring...... just to say my opinion and again am not hating cuz I love all the actors and actresses :)

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86 amaebi

December 13, 2015 at 11:29 PM

May I ask a perhaps-unrelated-question here? I notice that bank books were passed freely, from Hye-jin to her father and, in the following day, another one from her parents to her. I cannot be wonder, how they could cash out with just the bank book? Is one’s signature (or chop) not required to withdraw cash from a Korean bank? Or did I miss something along the way?

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87 Deevya

December 19, 2015 at 5:25 AM

Awsum drama... sorry to d leads who did gr8 job but still d only 1 I ll miss aftr its wrap up is Siwon (TEN) <3
just Love him.. brilliant acting .. so much that I cried in all his finale scenes.. be it his date wid hyejin before his announcement as TEN or the flashbacks that both of them had <3
shinchhh.... he made me laugh.. cry .. Go Awwww... Go eeuuu.... & all other sorts of expression!! :D :) ;) :'(

just wanna say Hats-Off Siwon!! I really Respect u aftr watching She Was Pretty!
All the best for ur military training !

& hey I nvr had such a bad 2nd Lead syndrome everrrr .. his way of saying "JACKSON" is still playing in my ears!!

ahh... cant get over him I guess!! Aja-Aja--- FIGHTING!!! <3

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88 GrnDrgns&Appls

December 28, 2015 at 6:56 PM

I loved the finale. It's nice and refreshing nowadays to have a show that has a happy ending - all wrapped up in a pretty bow. There have been too many dramas (and movies) where they leave an open-ended ending or try to ambiguity. I feel like these types of endings are overdone, gimicky and are not satisfying. I'm not watching these dramas to learn a great life lesson (although at times they do spotlight a good life lesson like here), learn to be more philosophical or wish - gosh, life isn't complicated enough so I need more of THAT in my drama life too. No, I'm watching dramas mostly so I can let go of my stress for just a few hours and enjoy a definite, clear, unadulterated happy ending. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting that.

So, yes. The ending for She Was Pretty was absolutely, tied-in-a-red-bow, perfectly happy and complete - all with a wedding, marriage and a kid to boot. And that just made me love this drama more. Who can say no to a very happy ending. So fairy tale like.

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89 GrnDrgns&Appls

December 28, 2015 at 6:59 PM

I feel like this drama was all about fan service to those who love PSJ and HJE. So many cute, adorable, squeal-worthy moments. Just loved them all.

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90 Yeti

January 16, 2016 at 11:13 PM

The only thing missing was a Hye-jin/Most reunion :(

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91 Nyein Nyein Myat

January 20, 2016 at 6:48 PM

Shin_hyuk:'(

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92 Mtnsunshine

February 12, 2016 at 5:46 PM

This is the first time I saw Siwon and I absolutely fell in love. This show defines second lead syndrome. Overall I really liked this show but I think the writers made major mistakes in the pacing of the episodes. The love story was basically resolved two thirds of the way through. The last four episodes focused on whether Most would survive, which actually wasn't enough to stretch out over so much time. They should have shifted the focus to the friendship between the girls, or made Siwon more of a rival, or spent more time on the Ha Ri and Shin Hyuk characters. The show could have stopped at episode 15. Although I know Korean dramas don't really do sequels it would be fun to see another drama centered on Siwon's character, although it wouldn't happen for two years. Sob.

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93 Asih

July 27, 2016 at 7:01 AM

Is there any person who know the college student that give the coffee to Hari?

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94 chimchiminie

February 26, 2017 at 8:58 PM

Guys, I beg you. Please recommend Kdramas that are just like this one -- light, sweet, effortlessly funny, lovable couples (I've seen DOTS), realistic. Thank you guys!

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