On Dong Man: I'm so, so curious as to what happened in November 2007. I'd originally thought maybe he'd accidentally seriously injured someone with his kick, but after his conversation with his father, I'm not so sure. He got eliminated from something? PSJ gets me with his tears all the time, and when DM said that he couldn't continue with taekwondo because he was so afraid that he would want to do it again. I imagined that suppression, how badly he must have wanted to do it, and how it must hurt to force himself not to, and my heart broke for him.

On Ae Ra: KJW is devastatingly charming when she's holding the mike, or maybe I'm just biased. (I love her!) I honestly felt so angry with the doctor trio (who are they to decide that they get to mete out "punishment" when they'd been the disgusting jerks in the first place?) that I kind of cheered silently when she broke their mirrors and they got beat up.

Overall, this episode made me really want to root for AR and DM, for AR to realize her dream of being and announcer, and for DM to want to get over whatever emotional burden he has. I honestly love how they're always there for each other no matter what. They may bicker, but when DM realized something was seriously wrong, he wasted no time in rushing to where she was, and that honestly touched my heart. And that hug at the end? Agh.

The other 2 characters kind of took a backseat in this episode though and somehow I didn't find myself missing them at all, which may be the only iffy thing I feel about this show.

DM and AR's friendship feels so real to me! That's definitely the highlight of this show so far.
-Way to go AE for standing up to her catty friends, and doing it in a smart way.
-Aww, I wish CWS was in this for longer than just a cameo. I'm really liking his character.
-Okay, I can't handle AR's awesomeness with the cars, and DM's awesomeness in sticking up for her. I know we've talked about how violence isn't the answer, etc. etc., but I was cheering them on so hard.
-And that look DM gave AR when she chewed out those guys at the police station. I love how he lets her stand up for herself without trying to insert himself into the situation unnecessarily. He will stand up for her if she needs it, but he knows she's perfectly capable of standing up for herself too.
-I seriously could go on and on about their friendship and the way they comfort and encourage each other, but I feel like I'm starting to sound like a broken record, haha. I'm so excited to see more of their relationship and to see it develop throughout the show!

"The way she broke each of those jerks’ mirrors before telling them that she would pay for the repairs made me love her even more than I already did. "

Agree with you on this, Lollypip, and thank you for the speedy recap! I've to admit that my mind went "ouch" the moment she broke the car mirrors, because she would definitely be on the losing end if they called the police (especially more so because the doctor trio are assumably rich/influential), and she's not in a position to take on hefty repair bills, but I liked the concept that it was important enough to her to repay their jerk-titude and stand up for herself, more so than the money itself. She's such a badass and I love how she went all "cuckoo" and scared them into settlement. I really like her so far!

Okay! I love this drama so much!! The characters are so relatable! ???

Ae-ra was practically glowing the moment she grabbed that mic and I was in awe watching how easily she commanded everyone's attention. Now I really want that girl to achieve her longtime dream because I know she has the ability to make it come true. I like the fact that it isn't an unattainable dream, it just something that fall by the wayside while she was busy living her life. And looking at how happy she was at the stage, I bet she'll do a great job as an anchorwoman. After all, someone who loves their job is bound to be great at it.

I really appreciated her spunk and sass. When she knows she is right, she won't back down and let other trampled on her. She isn't afraid of calling other people out of their BS, and has a way to say the truth in a blunt way that sometimes makes people uncomfortable. (Like that scene when she was drinking with her 3 school friends) I feel like I live vicariously through her because God knows how many times I want to say those things and confront people directly if only I have the courage to go through with it.

These recaps are so fast!

I'm really enjoying the show. The characters really shine and I especially love Ae Ra! Kim Ji Won is nailing her awesome badassery! I'm glad she's getting more chances to shine. I feel like she's so underrated!

Really excited to see how they grow. All for dramas with great character development! :)

I am officially in LOVE with this show! They are #couplegoals. Their relationship makes me smile just remembering scenes after I watched. Even my 6 yr old son has taken to watching just the ending scenes with the kids and asks me, "mami whats next?". lol

I'm loving Kim Ji Won!! She's so good! And omg @lollypip yesss her character does remind me of oh hae young! So messed up but badass I love it! These type of characters feel very authentic to me. Loving this show so far! Thanks for the recap LollyPip ?

This show is hitting all the right notes for me. I adore the cast and their struggles. The friendship between Ae Ra ad Dong Man makes me laugh and smile. He may not realize it, but that "Hang out with me!" was totally a confession.

I was so into AR and her cool character this whole episode that I forgot about the second couple until you mentioned it lol, I really didn't miss them.

She was a badass in the police station when she shoved the coach and threatened that jerk to follow him to the rest of his life if he didn't drop the charges.

Sigh, I just love Park Seo Joon so much.
I loved when the three catty girls were impressed so much with AR to want her to MC their own weddings. She doesn't have to be an announcer, she can be a success in other ways with a mic in her hand. I'm glad to see that DM doesn't have to become a MMA superstar, he can become a taekwondo instructor and be a success as well. Although I expect the show will get us closer to their dreams cuz, you know, it's a drama. I'm very intrigued by the story of DM's father and what happened and Dong Hee, it sounds tragic.

I want to call out their apartment building, I've never seen anything like it in a kdrama in all its mint green Art Deco glory! Its really unusual. I hope it becomes a bit of a character as well.

Aw what lovable wackos. I replayed their morning walk together and the end scene over and over and over. I just feel as though I've been waiting to meet these characters. Whether he's putting her in a headlock or hugging her like a little boy, gahhh, I just love them.

And I totally didn't expect this, but they made me cry already. I just felt so horrible seeing Dong-man's spirit so defeated. And clearly Ae-ra becoming a blubbering mess and his "Can't you speak properly?" is a recurring thing and I love it because it both makes me laugh and makes my heart ache. I love that she's so strong that she will almost never break down with anyone but him. The end hug proved that he's just the same. So it already gets me in the gut whenever they support each other.

This episode made me realize how much I've missed Hwang Bora. She's hilarious. I can't help but fall for character here too. She perfectly encapsulates that friend that you can't stand most of the time, but can't help but care for when all is said and done. And how much do I love the sweetheart Choi Woo-shik's character turned out to be? Tell me they aren't cameos. If they are, can they be recurring?

That said, they did have more screen-time than the second leads this episode so I hope that becomes more balanced next week. I just really want to see the Fantastic Four together soon. I love the feel of this show so I don't really mind the show taking it's time to introduce our leads' struggles and their relationship first. I like how it feels like their lives have really been going on all this time and like I've just been dropped into their world. The characters are so delightful that I want to stay to see them fight whatever struggles that come their way!

Thanks for the super speedy recap, @lollypip! I love all the things in this episode, even though I do wish our second leads had more screen time. As other commenters have said, weirdly I didn't find myself missing them too much because there was other nice meaty stuff going on, like with the Dress and Ae-ra hosting and of course, the cars scene (and everything afterwards ?). But I definitely want more of Seol-hee. I don't understand why the relationship with the boyfriend must be kept a secret. I mean, six years? And she still has to endure seeing a lady trying to ask her man out to her face. I can't wait to see her grow.

I want to find a friend like Ae-ra. Scratch that, I want to be like her. More than being such a cool person to be around, above all else, I wish I had her fortitude. The ability to just stand up for yourself while knowing when to pick your battles is something I always struggle with, but she makes it seem almost effortless. Love love love.

It's so great though that she continually drops her defenses when Dong-man's around, and she's the one restraining him from causing too much trouble because she knows he's got her back and she's protecting him right back. I love the push and pull of their relationship, and how with a few words of encouragement, after the rough day they've both had, he just breaks down and tears up, and the show of vulnerability which showcases the trust and respect between them just really gets at me. Especially the last thing he says, about getting her to spend time with him instead, is so great because it could be a confession but it doesn't have to be because their level of closeness is just that much. Arghh, so great. Next week can't come soon enough.

Kim Ji Won and Park Seo Joon are awesome.....

this show really brought out the aegyo. who knew how a chokehold could still look so cute?

I am trash for this drama & it has made me fallen even more in love with KJW.

Maybe 2 years later, they'll be in that same position in that last screen-cap but this time, DongMan'd be complaining about her being so fearless and worrying about his little baby in there.

LOL, my imagination runs too fast.

Oh! So it goes both ways?
In the first episode it was her feelings for Dong Man that were obvious. And i thought it would take a couple of episodes for Dong Man's to show, yet he showed them sooner and i loved it. They're even now.
For a moment there i thought Moo Bin posses a great threat for our cute pair of friends, but now i think otherwise.
Thanks @lollypip for the recap.

Actually, I do think that both Dong Man and Ae Ra are aware of their feelings for each other, just that they don't think it's mutual and have chosen to hide their feelings and protect their friendship instead. Perhaps it was a matter of timing. Ae Ra was clearly excited at the taekwondo match when Dong Man threw his uniform and she caught it thinking he was confessing to her. Then Dong Man in this episode tried to convey his real feelings but changed his mind later.

I love the both of them together. Theirs is a relationship that nothing can break.

Props to PSJ and KJW.... that conversation at the park KILLED me. When DM offered to be AR's "playmate" my knees totally turned into jelly... GAH how is this only ep 2? How do I wait an entire week???

I was cheering for Ae Ra went she took control of the mic and felt so proud with her trademark hair flip! She is goals for exuding confidence on stage. When I saw Dong Man fight for her (literally), I was smiling from ear to ear. Looking forward to follow their budding romance and please have more friendship scenes...I'm a sucker for friendships.

It's such a relief that after watching the first two episode, I can say that Fight My Way has (hopefully) liven up to the expectation! Woot woot! I'm so scared that after all the hype of its teasers, the drama would turn out disappointing, but now it doesn't matter anymore, I can safely say that I LOVE my Monday fix!

This is literally my new addiction apart from suspicious partner... Too many great shows coming out at the same time whew

Omg. Kim Ji Won's aegyo was gold! I watched it at least 3 times!

I love this drama is hilarious but has the little emotional beats to get your heart! The best types of rom-coms!

Thank you for the recaps Lollypip! I too also felt AR was like OHY, except because the tone of the drama is different, it's like watching OHY with more comic components. Kim Ji Won is so good here!

Ah, I did feel in the first episode that DM seemed to like AR as more than a friend. While she calls him when she "needs" him, he always goes to her and does what she asks. He is so devoted to her, yes, he needs to realize what it is/means. But I think he might actually be aware of his feelings, but because they have stayed as they are, friends, and she has been dating, it's always stayed in the back seat. I wonder if he has loved her all along, but either circumstances or timing were never right. He is single, and even though that mysterious/divorced woman seems to be a part of his past, maybe it ended because he didn't love her so she married another?? Or was it the scandal/traumatic event from 2007? We can speculate so much, I'd hate to see them going in circles, if she reappears in his life when AR realizes her deep feelings for him...argh...please don't let another 10 years go by! Anyways... whatever it takes.

What I really appreciate in this drama are the friendships. CS can be so annoying, but she and AR had such sweet moments in this episode, you understand why they are friends, and that even though they may bicker, they can appreciate each other. Even the little group of girlfriends seemed quite snobbish, and probably just are, but can recognize and appreciate AR's talents. I guess in life, you do have all kinds of friends!

Ah, but Park Seo Joon was so good here, I almost cried in the scene with his father. And the last scene, he is so vulnerable. He does need his spunky AR to be next to him. Now that she is free of the leech, I hope she will have time for him! He so needs her!

Oh, but I am smitten with this show. I feel like Dong Man is already aware of his real feelings for Ae-ra (his broken just hang out with me! at the end of the episode) and he was holding it in because she was with her jerk of an ex. Or maybe he feels like he doesn't deserve her as more than a friend because he's living a "third rate life" and he thinks that she deserves more than he can give her?

All I know is: I could not watch Dong Man in the ring. I knew that he was going to lose (hello! He was fighting a trained and active fighter when Coach said that Dong Man hadn't touched his gear in 10 years) and the jerk he was fighting was going in jealous because the Coach is biased towards Dong Man. Within a few seconds of that "fight" he had to know that even if Dong man is/was good once upon a time he hasn't fought in a long time. He was wailing on Dong Man because of his stupid jealousy of Coach's preference. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime down the line that guy got in trouble during a fight creating a scandal of his own for fighting dirty or something.

As for the other couple--I wonder if there's a no dating policy at their work place? And if there is I wonder why she didn't move to a different job (his seems slightly higher up the food chain than her customer service representative job, and it can't be that hard to get another customer service representative job)? Or, how long have they both been working there? I only ask because it can't be fun/easy to be with someone for 6 years and have to hide it. Also, did she go on the business trip with him? Was there no business trip and they were taking a trip together?

When you abandon your dreams for too long, they tend to become rusty. It becomes harder and harder to get where you once used to be and this realization has hit Dong Man pretty hard this episode.

The first two episodes have been slow going, but I like where this is going so far. There's a lot of potential for the cute - I just hope we don't get served a crappy love triangle in there. That would be so blah.

I for once don't think main leads are in love with each other (at least Dong Man), they have been best friends for 20 years, I would have the same reaction if someone tries to hurt my friend (unfortunetly without using Taekwando), it wouldn't exactly mean that I have romantic feelings to him/her.

On another note, can we copy Ae-Ra and give her to every drama lead who was too good for female lead? I just love her that much

Choi ae ra is so badass! I didn't expect her to kick those side view mirrors. I am so happy we are getting amazing female leads, between her and eun bong hee , I am a very happy woman!

Their friendship is to die for! Knowing and being friends with someone for 20 years is like amazing! Usually once one part of your life Is over ( like school, college), you will stay in touch with your friends but it won't be the same like seeing them everyday and sharing everything with them. I tell this because, I graduated last year from college and started working now and I am barely able to meet my friends. There is something comfortable and familiar about meeting friends who have known you longer that you don't have to pretend to be anyone else than who you are now. Its like what you said last recap, LollyPip, when you meet someone new, you tend to hide some part of yourself, so its not the same like meeting old friends. So, I think all of us should atleast have one or two friends who have known us for a long time, so that we ll able to remember us as who were before we became a working professional , or mother or wife. Sorry for the rant here. :P

Ae-ra honestly made me swoon. Multiple times​. I feel a fast she-crush coming. Thanks entire scene where she was confronting those jerks, both in the parking lot and in the station- I couldn't stop clutching my heart.

Ae-ra, you can be my MC any day.

thanks for the recaps LollyPip!

I love this show - the characters are funny!

I ROFL when i saw that DM saved Ae Ra in his phone contact as "error" (Ae Ra sounds like error!) - too funny!

Wonder if DM and AR know that SH is dating JM?

Now i have something to watch on Mon-Tue (including The Lookout/Guardian).

Gosh this episode flew by! I was so surprised to find it finished. It was hilarious and bittersweet. I guess I can say that this kdrama is one romcom with more true to life elements than I've seen in a romcom in a long time. Both Dong Man and Ae Ra are struggling to find their place in this world. They are both not innocent or naive, yet not jaded and cynical, not hardened by the world yet. What a happy balance!

And that scene where DM hugs AR just gets me. Nothing beats having an encouraging friend to lean on when the world gets you down. I love, love both of them. I love the 2nd leads too but want to see more of their interactions as a foursome. I think I'm going to fall in love with this drama.

Did the doctor trio think she needed to be punished because she was impersonating/ standing in for the actress? To me that seems like a little bit of twisted logic.

ahh I wish Moon-bin was a permanent character!! I relate to his nerdy/shy personality so much :) I could definitely see a character arc for him learning how to stand up to others too ~

I have only 6 words to describe this show, THIS SHOW IS SO FRICKING CUTE! That is all.

When he threw his gi top (I think in the first episode), I honestly thought it was a freudian slip that he over threw it even if the "intended" target was the one he declared his intent to then. I think even then he already knew where he heart lay, but everyone is telling him this other woman is the better choice, and given their "I'll never marry you" childhood exchange, he may have long felt she would say no if asked even to date.

I do think when we find out about the announcer ex that she may have left him the same way her boyfriend felt it was ok to cheat on her because they both were tired of the other constantly being an obvious receiver of attention. Her ex even described DM the "not boyfriend friend", to his older girlfriend in the car after that scene. (At least that's how it translated in the sub I watched.) So I think it's obvious to everyone but them how the lead couple feel for each other--including to both their exes.

The only thing that annoyed me in this ep was the chair in the parking lot. Where the heck did that come from? Did the guy keep it in his back seat or trunk just in case he needed it? XD

This show is a GEM! The story, the acting, the music (so well queued), the pace, the emotions ... you name it! Crossing my fingers that it stays this way or better! ツ

I love this show so much already!! And what I lovethe most (other than the amazing characters and chemistry) is that it's and ode to anyone that has ever had big dreams only to not achieve them later on. It's never too late to try, it's only late if you decide it is!

They so remind me of myself five years ago and of millennials' problems after college in the US generally. Does Korea have a similar group?

Welcome back (to my arms), Park Seo-joon. You don’t know how ecstatic I am to see him at his best again. His Go Dong-man is so next-door neighbour, so relatable, and it’s to PSJ’s credit that he can make normalcy this swoon-worthy. I’ll take Dong-man over any unrealistic third generation chaebol anytime, because if you can wear a simple white T-shirt plus jeans and still look like a million dollars, then you’re hot, full stop. Kim Ji-won’s performance is also so winning I just love her. She has won my allegiance since her turn as an aspiring singer in the underrated “What’s Up” and I’m so glad she finally gets a chance at a leading role and makes the best out of it.

As for Dong-man and Ae-ra, I totally believe that they have a 20 year friendship with their comfortable rapport; and coupled with their unshaken support for each other, I haven’t seen a more perfect for each other couple from the get-go in a long time. He has her back, and she got his. This drama reminds me of “The bottom of 9th inning, 2 outs”, one of my favourite friends to lovers stories. If these two can keep up with the explosive chemistry, and provided that the story doesn’t go haywire half-way through, Fight My Way is a sure candidate for best rom-com this year. Manse!!!

Very good 2nd episode. I really like the rhythm and the interactions. The mystery about DM past is also intriguing. He must have hurt his brother or something happened to the brother that caused DM to compete and maybe cheat/agree on a specific outcome? If he really injured someone it would be weird that he still raises his hands against other people, no?
I like the little scenes about them as kids. Very funny indeed.

Two episodes in and I`m already in love T______T Please be still my heart.

So so so in love with Ae Ra! I love that we have yet another strong heroine in a drama. I hope she stays that way throughout the series. She doesn't take crap from anyone who treats her like shit, and at the same time, she knows her limit. She calls out for help when she knows she cannot do it on her own, and that is when her hero comes to the rescue in a heartbeat. Ae Ra has her fair share of saving Dong Man, and I loved how he smiled secretly behind the bars when she threatened the guys if they refused to let him go. They got each other's backs and they're not ashamed to ask for help. The epilogue where it showed that it used to be Ae Ra who shooed bullies away from him was such a big contrast in what they are now - Dong Man, who has become much taller shooes bullies away from her now. So can't get over them.

I wish Moo Bin will fall for Ae Ra and that's when Dong Man will realize his true feelings for her. I think Hye Ran is going to be Ae Ra's turning point since she's back in the picture again. So can't wait for that moment they realize they're into each other!

I know violence isn't the answer but every slap On dong man gave that creep filled me with happiness. I actually couldnt stop laughing the entire time .This episode confirmed it for me, I LOVE THIS DRAMA!!!
I love both leads,the female reminds me of oh hae young and jang mi from marriage not dating, and i loved them so i have high expectations.I hope my heart isn't in pieces at the end of this.

Mini Ae Ra and Mini Dong Man are sooooooo adorable!! ❤️❤️❤️
The little actress is awesome. I like her.

I really love these two characters foreals. We can see them tease each other and bicker, but they don't do it constantly. We can already see how close they are and how much they care for each other.

I don't mind that we haven't seen the Fantastic Four all together yet. More time for us to learn about Ae Ra and Dong Man is good.

Glad you mentioned OHYA, @lollypip! One of my faves. Both OHYA and this drama feel so real and relatable. ^^

I feel like the are both pretty thick when it comes to their feelings. I read a k-netz comment mentioning how dong man and aera act more like boyfriend and girlfriend. And I do agree with that, there have been little moments where you think, are they feeling something more before they quickly shut it down. They just don't realize it. Also that women that dong man avoided is apparently his first love, I wonder what happened between them for him to be like that. Did she break up with him? Was there a falling out? Does he stilll have feelings for her? Was it one sided from dong mans side?why is she interested in him again when she could have anyone she most likely wanted considering dong man isn't some rich guy, with status or connection. Also it's true we haven't seen more of seolhee and joo man, though that's likely to change next week,it's clear his not ready to commit to a marriage even after 6 yrs, I'm looking forward to their story as well. I love the little flashback scenes at the end and through the eps. It's great seeing their past selves.

In some alternate universe, I'm kinda wishing we could get a love story between Kim Ji-won's character and Choi Woo-shik's. He's so adorable and so beta-male that I can't help but root for him to get the girl. Or is it just me?

I'm in love! ? I am absolutely loving this drama and KJW is so beautiful, my eyes feel purified whenever I see her on screen! But more than the pretty, pretty, pretty visuals, I am also loving the characters, especially Dongman and my girlcrush, Ae Ra.

Its so easy to see that both Dong Man and Ae Ra are special -- they shine so brightly when they do what they love but somehow, they lost their way and had to settle. I am looking forward to their journey to get or live their dreams and passions and yes, also to finally realize that they love, like in-love love, each other. KJW and PSJ's chemistry is ???-- I am hoping we don't have to wait like 10 episodes later for a kiss!

Is anyone else also awww-ing over Park Moobin? Is it true he's only a cameo??? I really like the character! He's a smart doctor, a nice gentlemen but his awkward nerdiness is such a nice foil to Dong Man's brash, not-so bright but big-hearted athlete! I was actually thinking I wouldn't mind Moobin being the second lead!

I am also interested in Sulhee and Jooman's relationship especially now there's a hot coworker hitting on Joo Man -- omo, if he accepts her advances and breaks Sulhee's heart, I'd want Sulhee to do this image transformation and make him realize his mistake!