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Rescue Me: Episode 5

Sang-mi is about to find out how impenetrable the walls of Guseonwon are to her cries for help. While she fights for her own safety and freedom, Sang-hwan struggles to find his own way through the world, and all of his doubts and regrets will need to propel him to make significant changes if there’s going to be any hope left for either of them in the end.

 
EPISODE 5 RECAP

In the dead of night, the van carrying Sang-mi and Jeong-gu back to Guseonwon pulls off the main road and changes course to an unknown destination as Disciple Jo eerily tells Sang-mi that they’re just going for a drive.

A loose screwdriver rolls out from under the seat, and Sang-mi arms herself with it, suspecting that Disciple Jo is plotting something nefarious. She tells Jeong-gu to hold on tightly for safety and lunges forward to stab the driver in the shoulder.

The driver loses control momentarily, and Disciple Jo attempts to thwart Sang-mi’s attack, but as he does, she stabs the screwdriver right through Disciple Jo’s hand.

As a result of the scuffle inside, the van flies off the road and tumbles down a hillside, rolling several times before coming to a stop upside down.

Sang-mi is the first to come to her senses, and she quickly releases herself and Jeong-gu from the wreckage so that they can make a run for it. “We’re going to play hide and seek,” Sang-mi tells Jeong-gu. “You have to hide where those people absolutely can’t find you.”

Back at the van, Disciple Jo stirs and ties a crude bandage around his bleeding hand as the mute (deaf?) driver, who’s revealed to be Disciple Jo’s brother JO WAN-DUK, boils in silent anger at Sang-mi. But Disciple Jo responds with a series of slaps as he tells Wan-duk (half-using sign language) to calm down and reminds him that he once told him not to rebel against his older brother (him) or their father.

Meanwhile, Sang-mi leads Jeong-gu through the woods as the Jo brothers give chase. She asks to see Jeong-gu’s phone with the incriminating video of Disciple Jo’s attempted rape, then tells the boy that if he goes with her to the police station, she’ll get him a soda. An excited Jeong-gu asks for ten cans, and Sang-mi promises to give him just that once they’re safe.

In the darkness ahead, Sang-mi finds a set of train tracks and confirms the all-clear before turning to tell Jeong-gu to follow… only to see the Jo brothers standing next to him.

Terrified, Sang-mi trembles as she declares, “You are evil.” But when she threatens to turn Disciple Jo in to the police, he just laughs and says that Sang-mi’s talking like a child, but then he takes a second to admire her and comments nastily, “Your body has fully bloomed though.”

Sang-mi tries to run, but Disciple Jo effortlessly throws her to the ground as Jeong-gu cries. Jo deletes the incriminating video of himself off Jeong-gu’s phone right in front of Sang-mi’s face.

Just then, the sound of a train approaching pierces the air, and Disciple Jo menacingly reveals his plan, “Now, let’s send Jeong-gu to the promised land.”

Sang-mi screams for Jeong-gu to run, but he wanders closer to the tracks on his own accord in an effort to get closer to Sang-mi, who repeatedly sobs, “No! NO!!” with each step. But all poor Jeong-gu says is, “I like soda,” before the full-speed train plows right into him. Oh my God.

Beyond distraught, Sang-mi calls out for Jeong-gu to hide carefully in the afterlife, using the same hide-and-seek song he liked, and promises to come find him again someday. “Found you,” Discple Jo says with a hand on Sang-mi’s shoulder, as a crude way of playing along.

Later that morning, Disciple Kang arrives to pick up the remains of the stranded party. After slapping Disciple Jo harshly, she worries over Sang-mi’s health, reminding Jo that Sang-mi is “special.” Jo assures her that there’s not a scratch on Sang-mi’s body, and Disciple Kang’s demeanor completely changes as she ushers a numb Sang-mi into the car.

They drive back to Guseonwon together, and a despondent Sang-mi hands over her cell phone at Disciple Kang’s urging (“You need to desert all worldly things now.”). Once they arrive, Sang-mi barely has the strength to put one foot in front of the other as Disciple Kang guides her to meet with Father Baek.

Dad is waiting in Father Baek’s office, but before Sang-mi can tell him what happened, he admonishes her for acting out, asking if the devil is controlling her.

He is fully engulfed by the cult’s religious teachings, and both he and Disciple Kang tell Sang-mi that they will never give up on bringing her to accept New Heaven’s God. They relentlessly badger Sang-mi into begrudgingly choking out the cult’s mantra, “Our wishes will be fulfilled,” in response to their concern for her.

Father Baek arrives to fawn over Sang-mi, but Dad steps in to repent for his daughter’s sins. Father Baek tells him not to worry and that Sang-mi’s safe return is a happy occasion, since it means that she is now safe from the evils of the outside world.

Father Baek warns, “We are always capable of falling for the devil’s temptation. The devil comes to us with an innocent mask and tempts us very strongly.” Disciple Kang and Dad rave in agreement.

Disciple Kang leads Sang-mi back to her room, but Sang-mi stops at Jeong-gu’s door to take one last look and wails in grief when she sees his abandoned bed and soda cans inside. She’s stopped when Disciple Kang leans down to warn her to be quiet during the silent prayer period, adding menacingly, “Don’t forget that your mother is also here with us.”

Back in his office, Father Baek confronts Disciple Jo about Jeong-gu, telling him to repent for his sins to New Heaven’s God, which Disciple Jo half-heartedly agrees to.

Father Baek also tells Disciple Jo to allow Sang-mi to leave Guseonwon. Disciple Jo opposes this completely, arguing that Sang-mi is already obsessed with escape, but Father Baek is unrelenting as he says that New Heaven’s God knows all.

When Disciple Jo continues to argue, Father Baek smacks his hand down on the top of Disciple Jo’s head and forces him to his knees, despite Disciple Jo’s indignant resistance. Father Baek prays to New Heaven’s God, “Although we pray to you in repentance, there are still moments when the evil greed of human beings takes over our souls.”

Practically hissing as he reaches the end of his prayer, Father Baek concludes, “For those poor souls, please help them get rid of the evil in their minds. Please guide them with your merciful power, so that they can fully obey your words.”

This act completely pacifies (or terrifies) Disciple Jo, who quickly agrees to bring Sang-mi to a new home in Muji.

In the church sanitarium, Mom sways back and forth as she repeats a verse from New Heaven’s God to herself until Disciple Kang enters to administer Mom’s medication.

When she sees Disciple Kang, a crazed-looking Mom instinctively opens her mouth wide as if conditioned to do so, and quickly downs her pills before showing her empty mouth again.

Meanwhile, Yong-min treats Detective Lee to another dinner, hoping to bring attention to some troublemakers who are getting in the way of Yong-min’s development plans. Detective Lee swears loyalty to Yong-min again, who looks more like a mob boss than a governor at this point.

Back at Guseonwon, Disciple Jo recounts the story of the car accident to the congregants, dressing it up with religious imagery as he claims he received a divine message from New Heaven’s God during the crash.

He turns the story into a sermon to emphasize New Heaven’s God’s grace in allowing him to escape without significant injury, and the believers wallow in it, singing the praises of their god.

In the church, Dad prays alone as he asks for New Heaven’s God to protect Sang-mi, pledging everything — including his life and soul — so that their family can be together again on the day of salvation. Sang-mi witnesses his prayers and leaves as he sobs over his bible, which bears a picture of their family taped on the outside.

Back in Muji, Sang-hwan visits his mother, who’s still comatose in the hospital. He apologizes for not coming to visit her more often, explaining that it was hard to be reminded of what happened whenever he came back to Muji.

Their quiet moment is interrupted by the arrival of Yong-min and his campaign manager, and his father looks especially flustered to see Sang-hwan there when he wasn’t expecting to.

Sang-hwan notices the campaign manager caring for his mom and stops her to question why she would do that, clearly suspicious. Yong-min says he told her to do it, but Sang-hwan says that not just anyone should be able to touch his mom like that.

Yong-min hastily agrees, and rushes to massage his wife himself. He tells Sang-hwan not to worry his mother, but Sang-hwan replies by bringing up his father’s promise to help Dong-chul, which prompts Yong-min to clear the room so that he and Sang-hwan can talk privately.

Once they’re realtively alone, Yong-min argues that he did his best, but he explains that since the bully became a cripple because of Dong-chul, getting him out of prison is a difficult task.

Sang-hwan doesn’t buy it, so Yong-min says he’ll talk to the warden again, but Sang-hwan interrupts with the news that Dong-chul is getting out today. Disappointed with his father, Sang-hwan adds, “If you really did your best, how can you not know that?”

Sang-hwan states that he expected that his dad’s election win would result in his mom’s health improving and Dong-chul getting out of prison. But, with a defeated sigh, Sang-hwan concludes that nothing changed.

Meanwhile, Dong-chul is released with a group of other prisoners. Dong-chul is the only one without a welcoming party, and though he acts cool about it while walking away from the prison, when he eats jjajangmyun alone later, he can’t hold back his tears as he scarfs down his meal between sobs.

On Sang-hwan’s favorite pier, Sang-hwan and friends order jjajangmyun for themselves. The gang reminisces about enjoying some with Dong-chul, making Sang-hwan look regretful as he remembers how much Dong-chul loved jjajangmyeon.

In the sanitarium, Sang-mi tends to her mother as Dad and Disciples Jo and Kang arrive to bring Sang-mi back to Muji.

Sang-mi refuses to leave her mother behind unattended, but Disciple Kang reveals that Sang-mi will only spend the nights outside of Guseonwon, and return during the day to continue her daily routine.

Sang-mi insists they bring Mom with them, not wanting to leave Mom in Guseonwon’s care, and she desperately urges Mom to pull herself together so they can all leave together.

But Mom is too far gone, and she pushes Sang-mi away: “I’m going to live in paradise with Sang-jin!” Exasperated, Sang-mi tries to convince her mother that this is hell, which only makes Mom more frantic as she cries over and over again that she’s in paradise.

Mom begins to sing a chorus of a religious song with mad fervor, which Dad and the disciples are more than happy to join in on, leaving an overwhelmed Sang-mi with no one on her side.

As they drive into town later, sans Mom, Sang-mi asks to pull over so she can use the restroom, and Disciple Kang convinces Disciple Jo to oblige.

They pull into a rest area, and though the owner initially rebuffs them, she changes her tone when Disciple Kang mentions that they are from Guseonwon. Sang-mi heads off ahead of Disciple Kang, who the owner holds back to return a lost wallet.

On her own in the bathroom, Sang-mi recalls watching her brother and Jeong-gu’s deaths, and ponders her parents’ fall into the teachings of the cult.

Overwhelmed, Sang-mi can’t stomach thinking about it any longer and retreats into the stall, retching. She pulls her head out of the toilet and collects herself before something nearby piques her interest.

A short time later, Disciple Kang enters the restroom, but Sang-mi doesn’t respond to her calls, and Disciple Kang soon realizes there is nobody in the locked stall. Finally noticing that the nearby window is open, she realizes that Sang-mi escaped.

We find Sang-mi sprinting down a back road as Disciple Kang returns to an annoyed Disciple Jo, who realizes what happened before Disciple Kang says a word.

Meanwhile, Sang-hwan and gang are at a convenience store together, and we see Sang-mi attempting to cross a busy street to get to a convenience store herself.

She seems to spot something inside the store, and Sang-hwan looks out as something catches his eye as well.

Sang-mi dashes to the middle of the street and throws her hands in front of a police car. The officers who emerge are none other than Officers Choi and Woo, and Sang-mi begs for their help.

We see Sang-hwan heading outside the convenience store, but instead of running into Sang-mi and the police, he runs into the group of bullies from high school instead. Sang-hwan confronts them for avoiding him.

He says they seem to be doing fine, but they reply that they are the real victims here, having missed out on college entrances last year because of what happened with Sang-jin, while Sang-hwan was unhindered.

Furious at their audacity, Sang-hwan grabs one of them by the collar, and when the bully blames Dong-chul for crippling their friend, Sang-hwan punches him in the face.

Sang-hwan tells them all, “Listen to me carefully. It wasn’t because of Dong-chul. It was my fault.” He yells at them one last time to confirm that they understand before letting them go.

In the police car, the officers prod Sang-mi for information so they can take her home, but Sang-mi has nothing to give them.

Just then, Officer Woo receives a call from someone and turns to ask Sang-mi if she is from Guseonwon, which prompts a frightened outburst from Sang-mi. She tries desperately to escape the car, pleading with Officer Choi to help her.

At the station, Sang-mi starts to ask Officer Choi if someone from Guseonwon contacted them, but before she can finish, Dad and the disciples run out of the station to collect her.

Officer Woo quickly hands Sang-mi over to them, but Sang-mi frantically appeals for his help by grabbing onto his arm as she declares the disciples to be the murderers responsible for Jeong-gu’s death.

But Officer Woo ignores her by turning to the disciples and responding as if Sang-mi’s a lunatic, clearly having heard from Guseonwon that she’s crazy and not to be trusted. Fully believing the lie, Officer Woo signs that such a young girl would be so mentally unstable after witnessing such a horrible accident.

Though Sang-mi says that she’s not crazy, she doesn’t help her case when she beats at her father’s chest and begs him to help defend her. But Dad is on the church’s side, and he tells her to get ahold of herself. “The things you see right now are all lies made up by devils!” he raves.

When Disciples Kang and Jo grab her by the arms, Sang-mi screams that it’s their fault that her mom and dad are like this as Dad just looks to the skies and prays in a trance-like state for New Heaven’s God’s intervention.

Weeping now, Sang-mi clutches at her father as she begs him to snap out of it. “If you keep doing this, I think I’ll really lose my mind,” she wails helplessly, sliding down to her knees.

Dad takes the opportunity to place his hand on Sang-mi’s head in the same way Father Baek did to Disciple Jo earlier as he prays desperately for New Heaven’s God to help Sang-mi overcome the devil inside her. Even this proves to be too much for a nervous Officer Choi, but she’s pulled away by Officer Woo for interfering.

The other disciples hold Sang-mi in place as Dad brings his hand down over and over on Sang-mi’s head, trying to draw the devil out of her, and Sang-mi finally collapses, unconscious.

The disciples take Sang-mi back to their van and Officer Woo lightly remarks on what they just witnessed, but Officer Choi looks unsure as to whether they did the right thing.

Back at their usual restaurant, Jung-hoon and Man-hee wonder why Sang-hwan is so upset today, and he reveals that it’s because today is Dong-chul’s prison release day.

The boys try to cheer him up with more food, but the owner scolds them, saying they still haven’t changed a bit since high school. Sang-hwan mournfully agrees, “She’s right. Years have passed, but nothing has changed.”

Back in the van, Sang-mi awakens from her unconsciousness and spits more venom at her father and the disciples as she calls them devils living in hell. “You’re just like them,” she tells her father. “You’re a devil just like them.” Her father doesn’t flinch, and instead reveals his dislike for living outside of Guseonwon, since he feels ill when he is in the city now.

Disciple Jo tells him it is because of the evil souls in Korea, and the disciples and Dad share a round of praising New Heaven’s God while Sang-mi remains powerless to do anything. Realizing now that nobody around her is willing to listen to her cries for help, Sang-mi looks truly and utterly broken.

While the van cruises through the back streets of Muji, they accidentally collide with Sang-hwan, Jung-hoon, and Man-hee on their motorcycles.

Disciple Jo offers to settle the accident with money right away, but since Sang-hwan is studying law, he retorts that the accident is actually fully the fault of the van driver, which induces Disciple Jo to dig deeper into his wallet.

Unappeased, Sang-hwan tells Disciple Jo to get out of the car and apologize properly if he is truly sorry. Disciple Jo complies, exiting the van and bowing deeply to the three boys.

Disciple Kang gets out of the back seat and offers her own apology, but the boys try to milk a little more cash out of them, with Jung-hoon casually mentioning that his dad is a police officer.

However, Disciple Kang notices that the boys smell like alcohol, and she encourages them to call Jung-hoon’s dad and check their blood alcohol levels. The boys relent and agree to settle on the spot.

Just then, another car drives by down the street, and Sang-mi is temporarily illuminated by its headlights and she softly whimpers, “Rescue me.” Sang-hwan looks into the van, eyes full of concern.

 
COMMENTS

Rescue Me really revels in its ability to be absolutely, unflinchingly brutal. I suspected Jeong-gu might meet his demise at some point in the future, but watching it actually happen in such a horrifying way left me yelping in shock at my screen. It’s hard to even imagine what was going through Sang-mi’s head at the time, watching the closest she had to a friend just be obliterated in front of her eyes, while chillingly, Disciple Jo just chuckled to himself in the immediate aftermath.

Building the atmosphere is perhaps what this show is best at, though, so I probably shouldn’t be surprised that they managed to deliver even more despair when I finally felt that there was very little they could do to surprise me, but I appreciate that they are letting us soak in the dreariness so much. The absolute misery that permeates this world is so thick and full, and it’s a testament to the excellent world-building that both the writing and, in particular, the directing accomplish with deft hands.

It was interesting to get a closer look at the relationship between Father Baek and Disciple Jo, if only briefly. That Father Baek asserted total dominance over Disciple Jo with relative ease, and that Disciple Jo so readily changed from the diabolical schemer we are used to seeing into a docile servant was one of the more shocking events of the past hour, and one I’m curious to know more about.

Are we really to believe that Father Baek holds some divine power over him, or is there some other factor which contributes to Disciple Jo’s submission? Disciple Jo doesn’t strike me as the type to submit himself so easily to anyone, so whatever Father Baek does have, it would need to be incredibly compromising for Disciple Jo to surrender himself to Father Baek so fully, and I wonder what could possibly be so burdensome.

But with Jeong-gu now gone, Sang-mi is left completely alone, and New Heaven’s God seems content to sap any semblance of hope she might be holding onto out of her by throwing hardship after hardship at her. How long can Sang-mi hold out before she is broken completely and gives herself over to New Heaven’s God? Or worse, how long can she hold out against whatever Father Baek plans to use her for?

It seems up to Sang-hwan and friends to be Sang-mi’s savior now, as even the police are swayed by Guseonwon’s stories. I think Sang-hwan is being a bit too hard on himself, though. He claims that nothing has changed since high school, but that’s not totally true. Sang-hwan himself is more willing to stand up for what he believes is right, whether that’s admonishing his father for broken promises, or confronting bullies for treating others poorly.

Sang-hwan certainly learned from his failure to defend Sang-jin three years ago, and he’s taking it upon himself to change how he takes responsibility for those who need his help to defend themselves. Now he’ll need to do the same for Sang-mi, and after he already failed her once, I can’t imagine he’ll let himself fail her a second time.

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Seo Ye-Ji is an amazing actress...
WOW

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I didn't like her in Moorim School tbh but there is no deny that she is killing this role. I can't even think of imagining anyone else as Sang Mi. She plays the character so well!

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Denying*

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Pretty average acting. Put any no-name actor there and they will show the same expressions.

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Honestly, this sort of role isn't as easy as it looks. Overplay it and you come across as comedic, underplay it and you look like a block of wood.

I think Seo Ye Ji is doing a remarkable job. She's managing to come across as dignified in an absurd situation and I'm certainly feeling the tug-of-war between her personal safety and her family. Her fear, her disgust and her desperation all seem right on the mark.

It would be easy to miscast Sang Mi and ruin the entire tone of the show. They didn't.

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Also, I think her deep voice is really adding to her character. It might seem like something silly, but honestly, it works, lol.

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That cover photo for this episode's recap perfectly describes how my reaction was when I watched this drama. Jeong-gu's death is a bit brutal to me and I can't imagine how Sang Mi felt to see two deaths clearly in her own eyes within 3 years period.

I don't know how to describe how I really really really hate Sang Mi's dad. Yes, those people who manage Guseonwon are bad, but I think the ultimate culprit in this drama is Sang Mi's dad and to me, he's beyond redemption. He's such a loser who wants an easy way out and what he did to his wife and Sang Mi is unforgivable. He also abused Sang Mi when he did that so-called exorcism to get rid of the devil. I don't know how many times I feel like punching his face, but I tried to calm myself by reminding myself that he's just a fictional character.

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I felt Sang Mi's pain when JG died. No wonder she fainted and later vomited with these horrible things happening.

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He really angers me too. I understand that the cult is very manipulative, but ultimately he made the choice to follow their beliefs. No matter how difficult their situation was, he took the cowards way. It's so sad to continuously watch Sang-Mi beg him to snap out of it. I can't wait for her to ditch him and the rest of those crazies.

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That makes two of us. I can't wait for Sang Mi to bring her mom along, but ditch her dad with the rest of those maniacs.

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I really like the way they're portraying Dad in this. He and Sang Mi are opposites from the moment we meet them - he looks like a kicked dog, and she looks both wary and resigned. Then we find out he's gotten swindled, by a guy who's so unafraid of Dad that he laughs at him on the phone. Dad is the kind of guy who spends money he doesn't have on a shaman rather than hospitalization because he wants the fast cure. Dad's weak and ashamed and it's burrowed into his core.

Sang Mi, on the other hand, seems to be the sharpest member of the family. From the very start she's clearly skeptical of her father's decisions but follows for the sake of the family, and attempts to cheer them up. When everything starts falling apart, she's the voice of reason as both of her parents go further off the rails.

I like what they're doing with Dad because he's weak. For a lot of reasons that were entirely his own fault, he ended up in a powerless position, and then these religious people came along and told him he was worthy and chosen. They relieved him of the stress of his wife's illness, they fed him a story where his son's death wasn't a tragedy but a necessary step to salvation. They've exploited his shame at being such a failure as the head of his house, and have cast him in a role that he sees as his daughter's champion but is actually his daughter's jailor. And the worst of it is that Sang Mi KNOWS that he thinks he's being a good father to her, and she doesn't want to hurt him because he's still her dad.

This is absolutely how cults hold onto people. They exploit cultural patterns (Sang Mi being handed over to her Dad by the police over her protests), brainwash people into enforcing insane and isolating rules, and exploit weaknesses. They've got Sang Mi both ways - access to an invalid mother and mental control over a domineering, fanatical father whose entire focus is on her.

After being let down by everyone in that damn town, Sang Hwan is her last, best hope, specifically because there's a debt between them and he knows she wouldn't ask if there was any other option. If he hadn't appeared when he did, I think Sang Mi would've succumbed to the control of the cult.

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Oh my God you've said everything I was thinking and feeling, except way more coherently lol. No pressure, but would you consider registering so I can keep up with your insights? I always enjoy reading your well thought-out comments.

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Thanks! I'll think about it, you'll certainly know if I suddenly get out of the grays.

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Thanks! That's all I ask lol

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I think that shaman episode did a very good job of showing what a weakling the dad really is. It was far too realistic, and was just freaking creepy.

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Now that I think about it you are right! It's dad's fault that they lose everything they have, he's also the one who choose to accept the help offered by the cult. They could've stayed in that ugly first house a little bit longer. But Dad and Mom wanted a better place even though their daughter felt uncomfortable. I mean..how long exactly they live in this world?? Nothing ever comes free in life.

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This show does a perfect job of portraying not-bad, also-victim people as the source of evil. If you think about it this father is no different than the mentally ill mother. I mean, yea, she can't make decisions but her getting in this state was because she was weak-minded and let the death of her son change her. The same happened with her father, we simply see more actions from him and that's why we don't see him as a victim.
This type of parents are really the scariest for children, because at some point kids understand that this person loves them and in their own way does everything for them. Any child of incompetent parents can confirm that alcoholic, abuser parents are a lot better than them, because in second case child can at least hate them without feeling guilty. Plus, at some point you can easily ditch your clearly abuser-selfish parents, but with incompetent parents it's a lot harder (like Sang-Mi staying to save her mom)

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It's so frustrating because you're screaming at her to just run away and not worry about her parents, but at the same time you understand exactly why she's staying. I couldn't leave my mother, either.

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She did tried to escape. Then as soon as she is captured she start father-rant. Then oh my mother starts then after a few minutes she is trying to escape. Consistently Inconsistent she is.

I like this show's comedy.

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Although, seeing how Sang Mi was talking to her dad, she seems about ready to ditch him. That seems to be the reason they're separating her from her mother: she has no remaining loyalty to her dad, but since she can't easily see her mom, her anxiety will cause her to behave. I think sending her out to the real world is their last attempt to break Sang Mi. She will see that the outside world is no better, that she is still trapped, and this will sap her will to fight back. These people are expert manipulators.

Hopefully she gets help and doesn't fall for their strategy.

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The dad is not all that fictional. In fact, it is far too common for cults to use their dumb parents to drag in the rest of the family. Just one of many examples http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=20825

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Thanks for your recap !

I thought Jeong Gu would die at some point but not that fast. His video and photos were important proofs but the show judged it was too easy.

It hurt me to watch Sang Mi trying to escape twice. She can't escape because no one is on her side and the church is deeply involved with the police and common people. If she doesn't go crazy by the end of this drama that will be a miracle. Unlike her parents who depend on the cult. I've given up on her father who made bad decisions for his family.

Father Baek is the most mysterious and fascinating character in this show. I don't know if he actually believes in Almighty or if he's that good of a conman. He must know about Disciple Jo's actions right ? I mean, how can he not when he controls everybody ?

Dong Chul eating jjajangmyeon alone broke my heart. His friends didn't pick him up because they feel guilty but I'm sure he would be happy to see them. I hope the best for him !

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Father Baek is an interesting character. I also think he knows what Disciple Jo did, which is why he asked Disciple Jo and Disciple Kang to move Sang Mi to live in town because it might be dangerous for Sang Mi to stay at Guseonwon because of Disciple Jo, but it's also dangerous if Sang Mi somehow managed to reveal the ugly truth about Disciple Jo to people at Guseonwon. I don't exactly know what's Father Baek's true reason, but I think he's a strategist. He knows what to do to make sure everything is in his control.

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I didn't think about him sending SM to town was because of Disciple Jo. That would make sense. Father Baek knows to manipulate people really well anyway.

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I was HORRIFIED when I realized Dong Chul's friends didn't come to pick him up! What the hell is wrong with them! Get rejected again, fine, but you did wrong and you apologize for it until he forgives you! They must know his grandmother died.

But I do have to admit, it's somewhat true to life for that to happen. People suck.

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well said but he is gone too far and will not likely ever see logic or reason now that he has found his calling in religion as the champion her daughter needs to fight her demons. So, I really wouldn't mind if truck of doom
claims him.

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Me too! And the fact that the other two apart from Sang Hwan didn't even know it was his release date. WTH!
I mean there's loneliness...and then there's Dong Chul eating jajjangmyun by himself. Oof, my heart.

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It makes me remember the second lead in Suspectious Partner. He was chasing his friend who ignored him for YEARS, because he wasn't scared of rejection and actually cherished their friendship.
When the restaurant Ajumma told boys they didn't change since high school I wanted to applaud loudly.
Really, they still suck as friends and as righteous as Sang-Hwan seems he still lives off his father's dirty money.

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Did you see how he mixed TWO bowls? One for his grandma and one for him. That's when I realized she must have passed away. I bet they'd promised to eat jjajangmyeon together on his release day. The saltiest bowl of noodles ever consumed :'(

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Ugh ikr. It was so painful to watch him eating alone :((((

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I cried so hard right along with him in that scene. As soon as he mixed a second bowl I knew it was for grandma who is dead. It was a call back to his birthday, her remembering, the jjajangmyeon she brought, and her being his favorite person in the whole world *gets misty eyed just thinking on it* His friends ooohhhh. I already went off on soompi on why their choice was selfish and all kinds of wrong. Like, come on now. How many betrays must this boy (and us audience) forgive you for!?!? What was all that talk of "stand tall" if you wasn't going to be there for your selfish-scared-to-be-rejected-feelings...

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His friends are the worst for that decision. I already went off on soompi on how it was all so damn selfsh. They can't even reason that it was for Dong Cheol, because if it was for him, they would be there. They would show up and let him reject them. Scream, yell, cry, curse, throw fist; they would let him do wha the needed to do, to forgive, to cope, to be able to let go and hopefully they rebuild something new and better together.

But noon, these grown men, make such repeative bad decision. You didn't show up, yet again! Because of your fear of getting rejected and having your friendship truly be over. Your fear of facing the burnt of your choice to not be there 3 years ago. It was all about them, and their feelings, and it was so damn disappoints (also realistic). It angers me because this will be the 3rd time Sang Hwan has not been by Dong Cheol's side when needed (the roof top-and how Dong Cheol was the only one arrested, then let go-, the pushed that bully down a hill, accidental back accident, which you witnessed. the push was actually to save your life since bully was coming at you with a rock, and the crippling was an accident in no way intentional because we just rolled opposite way. You saw it all, you told his lawyer you would be there. You gave your word, and it was all for not. You hesitated, you missed the timing. You chose your corrupt dad, you weren't there. And now this, not being there when he comes out) I raged (and then the other two not even remembering. They could/should have been there if not Sang Hwan and his all "woe is me he rejected my prison visits...duh, after what you and your daddy did"). Still so mad at these choices and would completely understand if Dong Cheol chooses to be done with them and the "friendship". Let them remain "some guys I knew back in high school" (not really cause I need/they need his passionate, no fear, go in and fight for those in need, edge to save my girl).

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I said it earlier whatever crap Baek spout he somehow believe in a bit of it. All the magical acts are acts of his belief in the fictional almighty. They know from human society's point of view they are doing much wrong but their belief whatever amount it to makes them believe in it.

Ppl are too much concerned for beautiful heroine and handsome hero but cult is the one that build the structure of the story.
Ofcourse they needed a brand and pale skin virgin mary who attracts everyone's attention is perfect for the cult.

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I think that "pale skin virgin Mary" is what the cult wants to keep her around for - a false image.

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Sang-Mi's reaction to Jeong-gu's death...oof. ? That was painful to watch, especially Sang-Mi's cries as she lay there...feeling helpless...defeated.

There is something definitely going on between Father Baek and Disciple Jo. I have a feeling that it's far from being religious. Disciple Jo is a creep and I'm not convinced that he has changed into a "better" man because he has repented. I think that's all bulls*it because I think he's using religion as an excuse to cover up all his dirty deeds. He does not believe in God or the Boat of Salvation at all. He's sticking around Father Baek because he might know Disciple Jo's weakness/secret.
That's the vibe I'm getting anyway.

There's something fishy about Sang Hwan's dad too. Like Sang Hwan said, his mum hasn't gotten better after dad's election...as dad promised. I'm getting the feeling that he doesn't really want Sang Hwan's mum to get better. He is probably using the "doting, lovable, loyal husband" image that the news portrays him as to milk in public sympathy and gain their trust. If this drama is about sinners than he is the biggest of them all!

Poor Dong-Chul! ? Finally out of prison and still so alone! I wish his friends had come to see him even if he had refused to see them while he was in jail. They knew he was being released but they didn't even go to check on him?? Sooo mean!

The scene with Sang Mi and her dad was just brutal! How could he do that? His mind is so twisted now that he's just gone. The dad she knew (albiet a weak and helpless one) is gone and been replaced with a psycho who doesn't care about what pain his daughter is feeling!
I think he's fully entered the cult because it was the easy way out. He didn't even bother to fight back because after the loss of his son and his wife's mental state..he was the only one to protect his family. It was too much for him. In the end he's not only pitiful but selfish.

Seems like I said a lot of negative things. But I love this show! I desperately want Sang Mi to escape this hell because I'm afraid that she'll end up with a mental state worse than her mother's!

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Seeing some parallels between Sang Hwan's dad and Father Baek coming!

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Yup! Both seem to have dark secrets and both are using their power (political and religious) to justify their means! Sad really, because without their powers they are nothing!

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I felt the parallel between Father Baek and Sang Hwan's dad coming when dad used "Father" as his campaign slogan. He uses his wife to gain sympathy !

I totally agree with you on Sang Mi's dad being selfish and pitiful. What's wrong with dads in this show ?

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I know right! This is including Dong Chul's alcoholic father (wonder what happened to him...actually I don't really. Glad that's he's not anywhere near Dong Chul) and Jung Hoon's dad who's a pathetic excuse for a police officer!

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Jung Hoon's dad is the worst police officer. We're introduced to him as complacent, incompetent, and lackadaisical. His first line is "there's a drunk man here," referring to himself. ... So why do I keep expecting better of him??

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I did see a tiny bit of hope in that female cop that was there, but I don't know if she has the guts to go against the senior cop.

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Yeah, I have pretty high hopes for Officer Choi. Even from the first episode I could sense her discomfort with the cult (and their insistence on gifting their drink (tea? health tonic?) despite it being against regulations.I predict that she'll help out the gang later.

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I got the impression that Sang Mi's dad had a more traditionally patriarchal view of his role in the family, and as soon as he started experiencing failure, he let that infect him. After that he started making decisions almost like a gambler would, pursuing the quick wins or risky bets with the hopes of being able to become the responsible father-figure again.

But he made bad bets, and then his son died, and then his wife went mad, and he STILL kept making idiotic wagers (like paying the shaman with funeral money).

And then the religious people appeared and told him that this was all part of a plan, not his fault at all, the will of God. They tell him he can be the head of his family again through religious fervor and that the family can be reunited through his faith and leadership. This is the most appealing thing in the world to a weak, disappointed person like Dad - all of the details like bills, food, care of his wife, lodgings, all of those things are taken care of. He can just devote himself full-time to this mission of leading the way to God. After a lifetime of failed missions, this is one he can do.

And that's how he ends up terrorizing and jailing his daughter while believing that he's just showing her the responsible, loving discipline of a devoted father. He's got way too much invested in this storyline to give it up now. If he gives it up, he turns back into the guy whose businesses failed, who got swindled, whose son suicided, and then entrapped his remaining family in a cult. There's no way he'll voluntarily come to that conclusion.

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Exactly! He can't accept his previous life...he can't go back because he hates his past self. It made him weak and pathetic. Here, he feels like he has some control in making decisions about his wife and daughter. It's like he's been given a second chance at life with everything already laid out for him. All he has to do is believe. No wonder it was so appetizing to him!

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Exactly! So many cults work this way. They find a way to exploit people by offering them exactly what they're missing. Jim Jones was able to amass his following by encouraging interracial marriage during a time where couples were still ostracized (and sometimes even killed) for it. It's not much focused on, but that was the source of his church's appeal. People needing a different narrative than the one society offered willingly followed a clearly unstable man down the path of no return.

Guseonwon's focus is being a warm and friendly place as a relief from the harsh realities of "Hell Joseon". Society is an evil, cold, unsympathetic place, but Guseonwon styles itself a refuge from the storm. No wonder they're drawing so many in.

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Yeah, i don't think Sanghwan's father is innocent either. Also, does anyone else think that Sanghwan's father is cheating with his secretary/campaign manager??

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Me! I thought that too. They looked way too lovey-dovey as they entered Sang Hwan's mum's room. And they were shocked to see Sang Hwan there...as if he had caught them! And the flowers the assistant was carrying...seems like that wasn't even for Sang Hwan's mum!

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Right? I was suspicious in previous eps but when they walked in together this ep I was like ???☕ There is some tea to be spilled here. My shady senses are tingling.

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Disciple Jo said "don't rebel against me and father." Who is father? Is it possibly Father Baek? That would explain the control Baek has over him but not the age gap. My brain is spinning with theories lol

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I think that Disciple Jo is hanging around Father Baek because basically as long as he "repents" he can keep on doing evil things freely, instead of facing consequences like jail, because Father Baek has the power and connections to protect him.

I am more curious as to why Father Baek is keeping Disciple Jo around. An easy answer would be that Disciple Jo is the one that does the dirty work for Father Baek when it needs doing. Or possibly Father Baek has a plan that requires something from Disciple Jo (similar to how he seems to have a plan for Sang-mi, something to do with how the whole congregation is supposed to get "salvation").

But with this show, most answers seem to be less straightforward than these, so I do not really know what to expect.

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This is such an amazing show - I swear I held my breath throughout the entire episode. I think the writers are really trying to push both Sang Mi and us.. to a point of total despair... really really hoping that the boys will jump into action quickly!!!

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I know that Sang Mi is young and immature and all, but to stab the driver of the car you and a young child (who just got out of a hospital untreated) are riding to purposely cause an accident? That's just dumb. She might have killed them all because of that. Instead of hiding the evidence and biding her time to escape with Jeong Gu, she pulled that stunt. Seong Hwan is not any better. He knew that it was his friend's release day from prison but he didn't even attempt to see him. I really like the premise and the dark tone but it's becoming hard for me to agree with the characters' actions.

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[SPOILER REMOVED]

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If I'm remembering the scene correctly, the church jerks aren't driving home - they've taken a detour that Sang Mi notices and Apostle Jo says something weird in response.

I think she's stabbing him out of desperation because she's pretty sure they're taking her somewhere to either kill Jeong Gu (who saw too much) or do to her what Apostle Jo was filmed doing to that other woman. And remember - she doesn't know that there are orders for her not to be molested.

@Imprint - ohhhhhhh! I genuinely did not get that was what was happening in the epilogue, I thought Dong Chul was watching Sang Hwan at Sang Mi's place. Makes a ton more sense now.

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That wasn't an epilogue. it's a cut scene from what will happen in ep 7. They do their previews like that at the end of every episode. They show you a cut scene, then the preview of scene to come in the following 2 eps.

At first I too thought Dong Cheol was seeing Sang Hwan at Sang Mi's, then I realized what was happening. In my humble opinion just as with his last minute decision to run to the trail. He's too little too late. A day late and a dollar short. I mean this can be made up for somehow. But the betrayals of 3 years ago, and then the big betrayal of not being there when they all know/knew Dong Cheol has no one.

What good are Sang Hwan's words ("stand tall") when he has no follow through and they all come down to pretty much of nothing. You can be sorry all you want, and feel all the guilt (which show you have a conscious) but it doesn't negate your actions. I just, Sang Hwan has this privileged mind he's not aware of that really irritates me.

Like his being all "tell a teacher" as if he hasn't seen/isn't aware that teachers/staff ain't going to do a damn thing but turn a blind eye and deaf ear if you will, and will instead most likely help with the cover up. Or speak for yourself as if he isn't witness to how the cops are corrupt and won't listen, like why does he think he is never taken in for questioning although he always at the scenes of these crimes and a witness of these incidents? "I don't see you as your dad" well thank you but it's still true everyone else does and that gives me disadvantages and you advantages you don't seem to want to acknowledge. "Stand tall" then you don't even come as witness to the trial like you told his lawyer you will/would and had the waiting on you (why give that hope?), and stopping the bus...look at all the good those words did. 3 years of sitting you jail and you're still unable to really stand up to your father and then you couldn't even pick him up from jail...I like Sang Hwan, and he tries to be a good guy, but he is trying every one of my nerves (doesn't help that I find Taec's acting serviceable at best).

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Sang-mi decided to stab them when she asked where they are going and Disciple Jo just gave her a vague answer. It was so obvious that they are going somewhere to dispose of evidence (in this case, Jeong-gu). Jeong-gu will die either way but she probably thought there was more chance of them escaping if she cause the car to crash. She did tell Jeong-gu to make sure he holds on tight. That's the best safety measure she could come up at that moment.

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Yeah it's definitely out of desperation and urgency if the situation. Altough it's not a succesful attempt, honestly I'm glad she did that. It showed us Sangmi's true character. She's brave, smart, and willing to do anything to save herself and Jeonggu. She chose to seize the opportunity presented in front of her even though she didn't know the end result instead of giving up and accept whatever fate they'll face. That action make me root for her even more than before.

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I believe everyone is shady. I've had nothing for contempt for SangMis father for awhile. If life is to damn hard and you check out of your parental duties. Thats bad, but lying to the only remaining family member that gives a crap, saying it's all for her and a minute later telling her it's all her fault. Well I wash my hands if you. The one I wanted to punch this episode more then any one else was that cop who couldn't trouble himself to even listen for one minute to a young woman who so desperately needed help. Sorry for the rant. This show gets me so worked up

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But I'll be half crazy with waiting by next Monday when dramafever gets them up.

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This was an amazing episode and it certainly raises the feeling of despair, hopelessness and terror for our central character. I am extremely happy and want to applaud the writer for subverting the inherent damsel in distress scenario. Yes, Sang Mi needs saving but that is not because she lacks sense of agency or due to her being weak. Even after 3 years in this God Awful cult, she has held on to her sense of self, confidence in her judgement of characters and is willing to act to save herself and others. She tried her level best to save Jeong Gu, tried her best to make her father see reason and tried to get her mother out. But the forces of evil are too strong, have reasonable amount of influence around the city, too manipulative and have resources. The best she can do is stay alert and calmly plot her steps forward. One thing is certain, without outside help, this is near impossible for her to escape the church especially because of the pathetic, trash for a human being, abusive, zealot that she calls her father. He didn't want to get his wife psychiatric help, instead she let the psychopath's in the cult promise her salvation and drug her to turn her into a complete lunatic. This is one show where I hope there's no redemption act for the father. He doesn't deserve Sang Mi's love, respect or sympathy. I hope she can throw him in jail when this is all over. That is where he belong, in jail. Another sociopath is Sang Hwan's father. He is going to make things difficult for Sang Mi. He is equally sinister and pernicious as Spiritual Father. At any rate, the show is solid. I am bracing myself. Things will likely keep getting more terrifying and bleak for Sang Mi for a while. I hope she can hold on to the inner strength and sanity for a bit longer.

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Awwwwww thanks for the recap. To be honest, I haven't watched this episode yet! I could still feel sooo creepy watching ep 1-4. And I came here for some spoiler; just to prepare my heart. ☺️

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That "Hide yourself well, I can see strands of your hair" scene gave me goosebumps. I was just trembling. Seo Yeji did an awesome job. You got to give it to Sang-mi. I know she's on the verge of going crazy but she's still holding on to every bit of hope. Even if every time she tries to escape, the whole universe seems to go against it. I'm glad that the friends finally saw her again. At this point, I don't really care. Somebody save her from those evil creatures!

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I think she is hoping against all the evidence that her parents will snap out of it, but I think she is also rapidly losing that hope and will have to make a read decision soon.

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I want to know what the heck is up with Apostle Kang. I can't tell if she's a true believer or just a great actress who is in on the scam.

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Perhaps she's just incredibly loyal.

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Right??? Is she truly devout? Or is she a messy bish won lives for drama?

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*who

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I think she's in on the scam. Nothing "good" she does strikes me as genuine- it's all to get people on their side (gifts to the cops), get donations (she accepted money Father Baek rejected), or get converts (turning fundraising into proselytizing). To me it seems like she, Father Baek and Father Jo are in on the scheme together and her role is to gain trust and make them look good to the community.

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*Disciple Jo

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I agree this show can be brutal at some points, it is delivering what it promised and even more. I honestly can't wait to see all of those horrible people, especially disciple Jo, suffer and fall. I wonder if the screw driver going through his hand was meant to be some sort of symbolism giving that is the same spot in the hand were Jesus is nailed in the cross.
I have praised WDH in the past for his acting and I will do it again XD the scene with him crying while eating jjajangmyun was great, you could really feel the pain his character was experiencing with the loss of his grandmother. Another person I have to praise is Seo Ye Ji, she is doing an amazing job. Her acting when she was telling JG to hide was chilling she is a great actress with her eyes, you can see the emptiness an numbness her character is experiencing right now. Thank You for the recap Regals :)

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I was nervous before this premiered that it would be too tame and cheesy. Korean dramas can sometimes avoid going too dark or realistic with malevolent characters.

I was so very wrong. I should have been worried about the nightmares- because this s$&! is terrifying. I have to take a deep breath before hitting the play button each episode. Someone hold me because I'm afraid of where we are heading!

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What makes it most terrifying is that it is an excellent and accurate portrayal of how many cults actually work. Truth can be pretty scary.

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Spot on. I even find myself side-eyeing my own religion at points because because I recognize aspects of it in the cults actions/teachings/followers. Hahaha

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I had been wondering why Sang Mi couldn't run away. The reason is her parents. Only Jeong Gu's death made her realize that she needs to act before another tragedy befalls her family. This is why she had put up with all the craziness til now. To us, her parents are hopeless but I try to understand why Sang Mi insisted not giving up on Dad.

Dad's character is the most frustrating I've come across in dramas. More frightening is that such people exists in the real world. I hate to admit that I've called him names - stupid, gullible, weak, loser and coward. I began to think that his intellect and personality predisposed him to join a cult. Reading up on characteristics of people more likely to fall into the grip of a cult led to these:
- period of significant stress
- failure of personal relationships
- death of a loved one
- gullibility
- lack of self-confidence and unassertiveness
- naive idealism
- younger in age or the elderly
and more.
I think it's easy to see why and how Sang Mi's Dad fell. Leaving the cult and the aftermath are a lot of difficult than simply waking up to one's senses or heeding the voice of a loved one.

I needed to understand this because initially I couldn't see how a drama can spend 16 episodes on saving Sang Mi.

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Yes, the cult got to the parents during their weakest, lowest points. It is safe to say, though, that in dad's current state, he is no friend of Sang-mi. If she finds a way to escape, then efforts can be directed toward saving her parents. I am hoping that an outside force can work on exposing the cult; perhaps Detective Lee and Officer Choi might be that outside force. There are hints that those two are uncomfortable with things going on around them. There is also something in the next episode, but I'll wait for the recap.

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It will have to be cops from outside, it is pretty obvious that the local cop is one of the worst excuses ever for a cop, and is in the palm of the cults hand.

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I give up to watch or read recaps of this drama. Cause my brain say yes but my heart and my stomach say no.
Goodbye dongcul ah~
Let's walk on flower path in the next drama.

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Wow. I can't think of any punishment "good enough" for Disciple Jo. He's a monster. I, too, am curious how Father Baek could have such control over him.

Even one screencap of Dongchul crying is enough to get my eyes misty....

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The police really dropped the ball on this one. An adult says she is in danger and does not want to go with the people who are attempting to claim her. They have no proof that she is mentally unstable besides their word. At the very least you are obligated to not force her to go with them. If you feel she is a danger to herself or others, take her to the hospital or place her in custody while things get sorted out. "Things" like psychiatric evaluations showing a history of mental illness, or a list of the medications she takes to help manage that illness. Anything proving she is ill other than the word of the very people she is desperately trying to get away from.

I was so, so, so deeply frustrated watching this sequence. The woman officer was the only one looking uncomfortable, and she still didn't do anything. I think I have heartburn now.

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Yes, police procedure is non-existent. But Officer Woo is a fool who does not want to put in the extra effort if there is a convenient explanation for the "problem." I'm hoping that Officer Choi (the female character) will find the strength to do something, and that she will team up with Detective Lee.

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Me too! I posted something like this up thread before I saw your comment.

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I wondered the same thing, but I'm in the US where the prevailing culture is extremely individualistic as opposed to Korea where family is more important. After reflecting I started to wonder if I'm supposed to chalk it up to bad police work, a different culture, or just something I need to put my suspension of belief cap on for. Could anyone offer some more perspective on this?

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I keep thinking what I would do if I were in Sang mi's shoes. I'd probably run as fast and far as I can. Leave all these cult mess and never look back.. but Sang mi's a filial daughter so she'd never follow my bad example. Heheh. I mean her father is an adult and he made his decision, he chose the cult. As for her mom, that's when the doubt arises.

I don't think there's ever a way to bring down the cult from the inside. All the members are already so deep into the delusion and fanaticism, even the ordinary townsfolk and police are so out of it. It upsets me that Sang mi couldn't find help even from the police. You'd think these are the people who can aid her, but no, they turn away and conclude that she's crazy

The only plausible solution to this is flee from the cult, and destroy it from the outside. Publicize their cultic ways and sins through, hopefuly, sang hwan's friend's channel (forgot his name).

And when will sang mi and dong chul meet again? I'm waiting for this reunion. Pleaaaase..

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Thank you for the recap. I missed Dong chul this episode...
And I hate Sang mi' s father. He is such a weak and stupid man.

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I mentioned on a fellow Beanie's wall that I hated Sang-mi's father for the first time. At this point, he is no parent or friend to her; he is her enemy.

I was disappointed at Officer Choi's weakness. She knew that something felt wrong, but she did not do anything. I guess hierarchy comes into play here (still, at some point, someone has to take a stand). Her superior, Officer Woo is a fool. But more importantly, Gunseonwon is a convenience to him by helping to "clean" up the city, so he doesn't really question anything.

I'm kind of hoping that, just as the boys work together to save Sang-mi, Officer Choi will team up with Detective Lee. While the former group will team up to save Sang-mi specifically, the latter two could team up to tear down that cult and arrest its leaders.

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Ok but I think I hate Disciple Kang even more than Jo. She puts on a civil facade which makes her evil actions even more chilling. When she asked Sang Mi for her phone I really wanted to slap her. I got the feeling maybe Sang Mi sent the video of Jo's attempted rape (?) from Jeonggu's phone to her own. So that moment communicated a lot of hopelessness. I'm hoping that Sang Mi gets to spray that stupid perfume in Disciple Kang's eyes one day.

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I for one find Almighty Father and Apostle Kang, to be far more cruel, evil, sinister, and deadly than Apostle Jo.

Apostle Jo is straight forward in who he is. Those jerri curls and "our wishes will be fulfilled" does not hide the man he is. At every turn when someone has slighted him in some way, he's made us know what lurks beneath. Also he doesn't lie to himself or deny who he is. He is not a believer in none of this, he is there for some kind of purpose/gain and he makes that known to Apostle Kang and Almighty Father in his words and actions. With him you see is what you get and what. The other two however.

They are snakes with shiny red apples. Wolves in sheep clothing and what not. They play psychological games and lead you the slaughter almost without you noticing. Apostle Kang detests Sang Mi. The woman does a good job of trying to hid it, but boy does she hate the girl. The looks of irritation she gives, the watchful eye, the remarks to her father that further keeps her prisoned. Did you guys see how she hushed Sang Mi when she was grieving because it was "moment of silence for prayers." she hates th girl. I don't think she buys the whole Sang Mi is special bit. She knows as does Apostle Jo and even Almighty Father is that the "special" thing about Sang MI is her virgin purity that Almight wants to corrupt. The man wants to dick Sang Mi and make her his child bride. They can all lie about chosen ones and paradise yada yada bulls*** but when it comes down to it, he was attracted to her and wants to bless her in/with his unholy seed. Almighty Father is the worst to me because he knows what Apostle Jo, Apostle Kang, and the whole of Guseswon is doing and is about. He is the puppet master, the big brother if you will of the whole thing. He knows that Apostle Jo rapes women, he knows that Apostle Jo tormented and killed Jeong Ju. He knows of the taking of money and land, the abuse, the lies, the manipulation, the deception. He is a major player in it all; yet he acts innocent. He is complicit. These people are going his dirty work for him "god sends evil people to do good work" he is the most vile. To sit knowing all this, being in control of all this, yet acting an innocent. Acting as if he is right and holy an the is chosen. I hate him the most out of everyone including apostle Jo. He is silent. He is complicit. He is the oppressor and the tormentor and the all powerful Oz behind this all. I don't think there is punishment big enough for all that he has done and continues to do.

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That black bean noodles crying seen--standing ovation for Woo Do Hwan!

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Sang-mi's father makes my blood boil... same with the police. The cult leaders are evil from the start so their cruelty doesn't phase me as much. Seeing Sang-mi's father pretty much abandon her emotionally just makes me want to punch him in the face. Same with Officer Choi. I can see that she'll probably help Sang-mi in the future, but that doesn't mean she should neglect her feelings. I just think that if I saw some random girl on the street clearly distressed and worried, I wouldn't just hand her off to the first people that claimed her. The part that makes me so angry is that her father and the officer had/have good in them, so they should step up and protect her. Is it too late to hope Dong-Chul sees her one day and carries her off into a cult-free sunset?

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The death of jeong-gu should have saddened me and it did but I was totally thrown by the fact that the train didn't stop. even if ocn does have some limits to its gore not to show the blood or parts there is no way the train would not have stopped once it hit something, there's no way the driver would have been able to keep going once the blood hit his windshield even. I just...what. it really threw me out the episode.

This episode i finally saw that father baek was indeed the leader and not a pawn of jo and the women. it was interesting to see that interaction between him and jo. i really wonder what their past is. i wonder what they are wanting to obtain through the cult, and even if I see father baek is the leader now, i still wonder if his goals are the same as his subordinates.

my heart continues to break for dong cheol :(

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Did anyone notice SH dad holding hands with the lady right when entering the wife's room?

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