The episode starts with EMIL screaming at Bok Nyeo. Hye Gyul’s crying loudly. The other kids are shocked and upset and Sang Chul is fighting his urge to DO something. Then we’re inside the house with Bok Nyeo trying to say goodbye. Sang Chul looks more upset this time that Bok Nyeo is leaving, almost like it’s going to rip his guts out. I could be reading into it, but that’s what it looked like to me. When Han Gyul and the other kids arrive, Sang Chul almost looks annoyed that they’re interrupting him trying to convince Bok Nyeo to stay. Han Gyul and the other kids ask Bok Nyeo to stay and be their mother. And we get the answer…
Not yet, I guess. Sang Chul practically scolds them for asking her so suddenly, but Han Gyul wants to know why they can't do anything for the ones they cherish. Because she's just the housekeeper, they can only watch when something happens to Bok Nyeo-nim. And they have a real problem with that. Your dad does too, he’s just in denial. Se Gyul asks Bok Nyeo if she doesn’t want to be their mom. They want to take care of her the way that she takes care of them. Doo Gyul adds – and gets me teary eyed – that their mom would be at peace as well, if Bok Nyeo-nim was their mom. Sang Chul’s face looks like he’s a little choked up.
And Bok Nyeo’s answer is…. No. She’s sorry, but she can't be their mom. She can't be anyone's mom. Se Gyul then changes their request, saying that they won't ask her to be their mom right away, if she just promises to forget what EMIL said about following those who died. Sang Chul finally pipes up and apologizes, explaining that the kids are worried about what just happened, what might happen to her. Hye Gyul gives Bok Nyeo a order to forget about it. Bok Nyeo doesn’t agree, but says she understands. Doo Gyul, with a little desperation in his voice, says that she promised them. Bok Nyeo leaves.
Ji Hoon’s place. Tae Shik is telling Ji Hoon that Bok Nyeo will give up now on becoming the mom of those children.. It’s interesting that he doesn’t realize, like the Euns did, that the encounter with the EMIL could very well drive Bok Nyeo to end her life. Ji Hoon declares that he needs to confirm whether Bok Nyeo still thinks that he is Seo Ji Hoon as well as how attached she still is to that household. He grimaces as he thinks of her caring for Hye Gyul like a mother would.
At the Euns’ house, Han Gyul is looking at her mother’s picture. As she strokes her mother’s face, she thinks, “Mom is also fine with this, right? Bok Nyeo-nim becoming our mom.” The boys come downstairs and ask if Bok Nyeo is there yet. They then hear Bok Nyeo tell Hye Gyul that she will be late if she doesn’t hurry. The kids are surprised. Bok Nyeo is helping Hye Gyul dress for school. Han Gyul asks about the day before and Bok Nyeo tells them that she has forgotten about it because they ordered her to. Han Gyul and the boys smile at this statement.
Ji Hoon and Tae Shik are meeting by the Han River. Tae Shik reports that Bok Nyeo is still attached to that household, but he adds that he can’t be of any more help. Ji Hoon hands him a briefcase full of cash and compliments him on his efforts, since the deception couldn't have gone so perfectly without him. They’re quite pleased with themselves, pulling it off.
Bok Nyeo is cleaning and the phone rings. Someone is calling about the authentication certificate for their father's seal. Bok Nyeo hangs up the phone and goes back to cleaning.
That Woman is making a presentation at work, focusing on the efficiency of the kitchens in the new complex they are working on. Ji Hoon challenges her work, in that belittling way of his, asking her about kitchen workflow. As Song Hwa squirms, Sang Chul jumps in and says that he’ll survey the full time homemakers. But Ji Hoon doesn’t want to let Song Hwa off the hook and eventually works his remarks around to That Woman’s aspirations for a relationship with Sang Chul, and thus becoming the kids’ mother. He’s practically smiling as he tells her that she caused their real mother's death. In good conscience, of course. Sang Chul interrupts and tells Ji Hoon that he's displaying very bad manners with what he’s saying, but Ji Hoon doesn’t see a problem with it, since he’s the boss (CEO).
That Woman pipes up and says, “The housekeeper was not enough-- Now, do you want to make fun of me?” That Woman yells that she said she would be their mom and she even stalked Han Gyul at her school to ask her about it! Okay, she didn’t say stalked, but I’m editorializing. Sang Chul’s a little shocked at this news, which Ji Hoon makes a point of pointing out. And then, That Woman gets too emotional to continue with her presentation, so she rushes from the conference room. And Sang Chul chases after her. Like an idiot.
Sang Chul asks That Woman what Han Gyul said and That Woman reports that Han Gyul told her to go get permission from Sun Young (her dead mother). That Woman whines that isn't that telling her to go die? No, it’s basically telling you to go shove it. And you know that. But you’re a manipulative shrew so you’re going to play on Sang Chul’s feelings to manipulate him. I wonder if they worked this whole thing out beforehand to manipulate Sang Chul… I wouldn’t put that past either one of them. That Woman whines and says that it would have been better for Sang Chul not to know. And then whines something that intimates that she’s going to quit because Ji Hoon’s picking on her.
Ji Hoon arrives out into the lobby, where Sang Chul and That Woman are. Right as That Woman whines about quitting, Bok Nyeo appears. She’s brought an envelope. She gives That Woman a nice good stare and then presents the envelope to Sang Chul, telling him that it’s the authentication certificate for the seal he spoke of. Bok Nyeo excuses herself, but not before shooting a little glare That Woman’s way. But before Bok Nyeo can leave, Ji Hoon calls after her to get her to stop. He wants them to consult with Bok Nyeo regarding the workflow design for their proposal, since she’s worked at many different houses. Of course, Song Hwa will have to pay Bok Nyeo a consultation fee. That Woman fumes at that suggestion and Ji Hoon adds, that it’s not just his opinion, but an order. Then Ji Hoon walks off. Song Hwa is seething and Sang Chul isn’t so happy about this either.
Later, That Woman and Bok Nyeo are finishing with their consultation. That Woman tells Bok Nyeo that she’s grateful for Bok Nyeo forcing herself to help. Bok Nyeo replies that she’s welcome, since it was hard work to listen against her own will. That Woman asks about Bok Nyeo’s pay rate, but then cuts Bok Nyeo off as she is answering the question. That Woman tells Bok Nyeo that she will be paid ten times her daily wage. Bok Nyeo replies that That Woman should pay Sang Chul since she was under his employment during this time. Heh. Then Bok Nyeo leaves.
Han Gyul is walking down the sidewalk when she gets a call. It’s Sang Chul. He meets her at a park and asks her about what she said to That Woman. Sang Chul wonders if Han Gyul was a little too harsh on That Woman. And I say NO. We know it’s That Woman’s fault that your wife killed herself, even if you don’t. Han Gyul declares that she HATES That Woman. Sang Chul shifts uncomfortably. Han Gyul asks Sang Chul if he hates Bok Nyeo. Sang Chul replies that Bok Nyeo rejected him. When did that happen? Did I miss something? Han Gyul tells him that Bok Nyeo will reconsider, if he’s determined. And if he's not thinking to re-start with That Woman again.
Later in the evening, Sang Chul’s out drinking with Dong Shik. Lots of soju. Dong Shik tells Sang Chul that if he still likes her, then he should just honestly say so. Sang Chul protests that it's not because I like her (that he’s drinking). Before Dong Shik can get an answer as to what Sang Chul means, That Woman shows up. Dong Shik makes up some lame excuse and leaves them alone. And I don’t understand why he’s match-making them, since he likes That Woman. And because she isn’t the least bit vain or self-centered… That Woman asks Sang Chul if he’s there drinking because of her. Sang Chul starts to yell at her about trying to take the place of his wife. Doesn’t she have any pride? Why does she keep making him feel sorry?! Wouldn't it be better for her to dump him like she did before? She replies that she did throw it away (her feelings for him). Sure you did. Sang Chul sighs and tells That Woman that the children are asking Bok Nyeo to be their mother. That Woman can’t believe it.
Bok Nyeo is preparing to leave for the day when the phone rings. She puts back on her apron and answers the phone. It’s That Woman. After Bok Nyeo says that Sang Chul isn’t there, That Woman replies that Sang Chul’s at *her* house and can’t Bok Nyeo come there and take him? Bok Nyeo’s practically glaring through the phone. Because it’s completely logical that she brought him back to her house instead of using that cab to take him home.
Sang Chul is passed out on the couch when Bok Nyeo arrives. As Bok Nyeo looks at Sang Chul, That Woman congratulations Bok Nyeo on making her dream come true. Bok Nyeo asks what That Woman means, and her face isn’t quite as dead as it used to be. That Woman replies that she heard that the kids asked Bok Nyeo to be their mother. She quips that Bok Nyeo may have captured the children's heart, but she may not be able to capture Sang Chul’s heart. It’s still That Woman’s and she wanted to show Bok Nyeo that clearly, that their dad-stone is in her grasp. Bok Nyeo leaves where she's standing to go stand before That Woman. Very uncharacteristic of Bok Nyeo to engage like this. Bok Nyeo demands that That Woman give *it* back. That Woman takes that to mean Sang Chul’s heart, but she’s literally talking about the dad-stone. That Woman needs to give it back, since Hye Gyul is looking for it. That Woman denies having it. Because she’s a liar. And then she adds that it would be too late to return it, anyway.
Bok Nyeo brings Sang Chul home in a taxi. Back at her house, That Woman takes the Dad-stone out and looks at it. The next morning, Bok Nyeo serves Sang Chul some hangover soup. Han Gyul asks Sang Chul where he went, that he drank so much. He claims he can’t remember. Bok Nyeo frowns. She whips out the taxi fare receipt and mentions that they shared a taxi and she paid the fare. Se Gyul asks her where they went and Bok Nyeo tells him he can ask his Father. As the kids press, Sang Chul says that his film had stopped, so he can't remember well. Of course, Hye Gyul doesn’t understand and asks what that means. Bok Nyeo obliges, explaining that people who are very drunk and are too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their mistakes the night before, in order to make the excuse that they can't remember, they say their film stopped. So then the kids try to figure out what embarrassing and shameful thing their Appa did. Bok Nyeo just stands there, no help. And I love that she’s no help. Heh. Although he really was too drunk to know better.
Sang Chul’s face looks like he’s being persecuted, or at least abandoned by Bok Nyeo, and he tells her not to be like that and just say that nothing happened. Bok Nyeo is still wearing her frown, but she makes an announcement instead: if they still want her to, she can become their mother. That last part she looked at Sang Chul and he’s surprised. I guess she didn’t reject him after all. All the kids are super excited. Sang Chul is still stunned. He asks why she suddenly decided to do it. She looks at him significantly, like she can’t believe he doesn’t know. Hye Gyul turns to Han Gyul and asks if she now has to find a stone for Bok Nyeo-nim. Which would be really cool. Hye Gyul’s super, super excited. Bok Nyeo almost is smiling. She definitely ‘feels’ like she’s happy.
Bok Nyeo escorts Sang Chul out front as he sets off for work, He’s still stymied. He stops to ask her if she really meant it, about becoming the children's mom. Does he look so pathetic? Bok Nyeo responds that, yes, she thinks that he’s greatly pathetic, so if she becomes the children's mom, please don't do such a thing. She adds, “By the way…” steps forward so that she ends up about a foot from his face, reaches up – at which point he winces – and smoothes down his bangs. She flicks the debris off the shoulders of his jacket. She steps backward. Sang Chul is looking at her in complete shock. When’s that smile going to bust out? You know you like it, Sang Chul!
Bok Nyeo tells Sang Chul that his hair is okay now. Sang Chul sputters that she doesn't have to do this. She replies that as the wife, it is something she should be doing. He sputters that he will pretend that he didn't hear he announce that she'll become their mom. Instead of saying anything else, Bok Nyeo just turns and walks back in the house. I am rolling.
The kids (minus Hye Gyul) are walking to school. Doo Gyul definitely thinks there’s something going on between their Appa and Bok Nyeo. They all still can’t believe that Bok Nyeo agreed.
Sang Chul’s stopped at Dunkin Donuts. That Woman is there, eating. He’s meeting That Woman. Really, Sang Chul! What are you thinking? Unless it’s to ask her what happened, because you really *can’t* remember. Still!!! Oh, he wasn’t meeting her, they just ‘happened’ to run into each other, just like she just ‘happened’ to show up at the tent bar last night. He does ask what happened the day before and says that he doesn't remember very well. She tells him that when he got drunk, she took him to her house. She adds that nothing happened when Sang Chul becomes alarmed. She tells him that she called Bok Nyeo to come collect him. Sang Chul’s annoyed that it was Bok Nyeo that she called. She snaps that she can’t very well come to his house.
That Woman tells Sang Chul that she warned Bok Nyeo not to drink the kimchi liquid… That the decision of the mother will be up to the father. The light goes on for Sang Chul and when he mutters, “It was because of that...” That Woman wants to know what. Sang Chul – stupidly – tells her that Bok Nyeo said that she'd become the children's mother. He keeps talking to her like they’re friends. She cannot be your friend, dude, especially because she’s trying to get you back. And your kids hate her. That Woman asks him what his response was. Sang Chul reacts like it’s a crazy question, responding that it’s not possible, because he’s not in the position to even think about that. Work is busy and it hasn't been very long since he’s been widowed. And make some more lame excuses. None of that stuff mattered when you were chasing That Woman after your wife died, dude. Sang Chul says that if his father-in-law found out, Grandpa would rip his face off in a rage.
That Woman isn’t buying it either. She asks Sang Chul if those are the only reasons… Not because he *doesn't* like Bok Nyeo. He says that she's a good person, but, it's not like that. That Woman suggests that Bok Nyeo is a “goose killer.” That she weaseled her way into the house, won over the kids and will evenutally she will get around to the goose dad. Isn't that the likely scenario? Sang Chul replies that Bok Nyeo isn't that kind of a person. But That Woman’s smug. And then she says that the only thing left for her is to stare at the chicken she chased on to the roof. Sang Chul tells her that Bok Nyeo said herself that she has no thought of becoming their mother. That Woman isn’t buying it. Sang Chul tells her that she seems to misunderstand Bok Nyeo greatly and That Woman retorts that it’s his faith in that woman that seems to be deep.
Bok Nyeo is walking down the street. Ji Hoon pulls up and gets her attention. When she tells him that she’s going to the courthouse, he mutters under his breath about Sang Chul making his housekeeper do everything... Curious, he asks her why she’s going to the courthouse. She says it’s because she needs an an application for marriage. Ji Hoon isn’t sure how to react to that. Bok Nyeo walks on.
Ji Hoon gets out of his car and stops Bok Nyeo. He asks if the application is for Sang Chul’s marriage to That Woman. She tells him no. When she says that the application is for her, because she’s getting married, he looks like he’s barely controlling his rage. He squeezes out asking who she’s planning on marrying. He’s visibly stunned when she announces it’s Sang Chul. She walks on and he stares after her, almost looking striken. He can’t believe it.
Back at his house, Ji Hoon is listen to one of his records. It’s that theme from ‘The Great Gatsby.’ He looks like he’ll crumble at any moment, that or lose his grip on his sanity. He thinks of when Bok Nyeo served him the porridge and translated the lyrics. He picks up a picture off the coffee table. It’s a picture of Bok Nyeo, smiling. She really does have a pretty smile. He talks to it, asking, “Park Eun Soo, what do I have to do?” He explodes with rage as he shouts, “How long am I going to have to wait behind you?!”
The TV Station. Mrs. Nosy is meeting with Writer Kwon. She wants to know who her ‘opponent’ is, the woman her husband has been seeing. I can’t believe it, but Writer Kwon says that the opponent is *her.* Kwon tells her that there are more besides her, that approaching her was just strategy. Mrs. Nosy asks if it’s over between them. Writer Kwon answers yes and mentions the *12* women that Mr. Nosy has cheated on her with. Mrs. Nosy sputters, asking Writer Kwon if she’s scared of retribution (since she’s been revealed as the mistress). Kwon says no, since the show she works on deals with all kinds of criminals and murderers. Mrs. Nosy can’t speak a response to that.
Han Gyul and Woo Jae are at Dunkin Donuts. Woo Jae pulls out the number to Soo Hyuk’s delivery place and then his phone. Han Gyul asks what he’s doing. He replies that he doesn't want her not to see altruism that's to die for. Heh. I love him. She notices the delivery number and asks if he’s going to request Sunbae Soo Hyeok to make a delivery. She tries to stop him, but he pulls the phone out of her reach and says that he has to call Soo Hyuk like this to be able to see him. He asks what she wants to order, but she just sighs.
Soo Hyuk pulls up, delivery in basket. I find it interesting that it’s okay to deliver food to an eating establishment in Korea. Or maybe that’s just for dramas. Two thugs walk up and ask about his dropping out of school. One pats him intimately on the neck and asks if Soo Hyuk really thinks he can pay back his father’s debt doing deliveries. Soo Hyuk isn’t looking at him. He slaps the guy’s hand away. In response, the jerk kicks the bike over on top of Soo Hyuk’s leg. Then he laughs. Soo Hyuk tells that he said he’s not doing that sort of thing! The two guys go over and grab Soo Hyuk, just as Woo Jae and Han Gyul come out. They try to leave with Soo Hyuk, but Woo Jae gets in their way. Soo Hyuk tells them to pretend they didn’t see anything, but Woo Jae’s not going to back off, even after the main thug grabs him by the collar threateningly. Stare off! And I guess all those years living with him mom gave him the guts to stare someone like this down.
Later, both Soo Hyuk and Woo Jae are wearing face bruises and a split lip. They’re sitting with Han Gyul standing, looking at them. Soo Hyuk asks him why he got involved. He cracks that he likes to show off a bit, trying to play what he did off. Han Gyul asks Soo Hyuk if he’s really going to work at a bar. And I don’t think it’s a drinking establishment type of bar you’d find on Main Street, more a massage-house type of bar where people don’t just get massages. Woo Jae tells her that if he was going to do it, he would have already done it. Soo Hyuk’s looking down, embarrassed. Woo Jae turns to him and asks him that he’s not going to do it, right? Then he tells him to hurry and say that he won't do it! Soo Hyuk’s eyes are misty as he says that running errands doesn't earn much money. Plus the bike is ruined.
Han Gyul whines, “Sunbae...” Woo Jae declares that he will try earning the repair fee for the motorcycle. Soo Hyuk laughs and stands up. He asks if Woo Jae is going to keep pretending to be nice in front of him? Soo Hyuk says that he won't do anything stupid, so they should stop worrying and go home. Soo Hyuk leaves. Next thing we see is Soo Hyuk approaching the bar where the thugs work. When they see him, Thug #2 asks him why he resisted when he was planning on coming. But Soo Hyuk has something else different in mind. He asks if they have a usable guitar.
Gatsby Investments. Sang Chul, Dong Shik and That Woman stand before Ji Hoon’s desk. He’s looking over their proposal. Ji Hoon tells them that their bid must succeed in winning, no matter what. When Sang Chul replies that there’s no way to ensure their bid will win, Ji Hoon tells him to make it happen, even if he has to bribe or hold someone's hand. Outside in the hall, Dong Shik asks Sang Chul about what will happen if they fail. He asks about Grandpa, whether Sang Chul’s reconciled with him. Dong Shik encourages Sang Chul to grovel. While he has the chance.
Bok Nyeo’s preparing food in the kitchen. I’m surprised everyone hasn’t gained a bunch of weight with how much Bok Nyeo is in the kitchen. The kids are entertaining themselves in the living room. Hye Gyul wants to know if it’s okay to start calling Bok Nyeo Omma, but Han Gyul says they have to wait until Sang Chul approves it. Doo Gyul wonders if Appa sees Bok Nyeo as a woman. Han Gyul says she isn’t sure, but she feels like Bok Nyeo agreed more because she’s mad at Appa about something. Sang Chul arrives. He’s already eaten. Bok Nyeo brings over some fruit, looks Sang Chul up and down, doesn’t say anything and walks back into the kitchen. And I laugh. She *is* mad. Normally she would at least acknowledge him with a “you came.” Sang Chul kind of notices. He sits down.
Doo Gyul wants to know if Sang Chul has decided about Bok Nyeo-nim becoming their mother. Of course, they all approve it, but it’s his decision. Sang Chul looks at Bok Nyeo in the kitchen. She stomps fiddling with the fruit to look at him, the question on her face. He turns his face back to the living room and announces that he I can't do it. The kids are disappointed. Han Gyul asks him if he’s thought about it. He replies, “What is there to think about? It's just something she said while she was angry.” Han Gyul wants to know what he means by angry. Sang Chul doesn't answer.
Bok Nyeo brings in the marriage license application and his seal. She tells him, practically with a smile on her face, that since she’s already stamped it, all that’s left, is for him to stamp his seal. Sang Chul’s jaw is hanging open. Hehe. He takes the paper and it’s all there, including her seal. She tells him to let her know, once he’s decided. Then she plops the seal and ink pad down on the coffee table and goes back to the kitchen. The kids are smiling but Sang Chul is confused.
Happy Company. Grandpa’s visiting Director Hong. It looks like he’s just come from the bathroom. He asks her how much she charges. She tells him she doesn't make money deals with close acquaintances and he shouldn’t try to butt in. He protests that he’s asking because he doesn't like the bathroom. Director Hong glares at him and complains right back. Suddenly Auntie arrives. She’s freaking out about Bok Nyeo saying that she'll be the children's mom! Instead of Unni! Hearing this, Director Hong starts clapping and is really happy. Grandpa’s response? She's going to marry Mug Face?! Unni whines that Sang Chul hasn’t decided yet. Director Hong wants to know what is there to decide, since he’s not going to find someone else like her! She clucks at Grandpa for him to grab hold of Bok Nyeo before she changes her mind. He swats at her as he blusters. She cluck that off course he wouldn’t want it, because he’s very picky. He whines back, “Who said that I don't like it?” which makes Director Hong very happy, because that means he *does* like it. Unni wants to know what to say to the kids, but Grandpa just wants her to be quiet so he can think.
Sang Chul is at Grandpa’s business, Royal Commbath. I guess he decided to follow Dong Shik’s advice. Grandpa asks him if he’s there to announce that he’s getting remarried. Sang Chul tells him he’s not going to do it. Grandpa wants to know why not, because he’d rather do it with that woman, Yoon Song Hwa? Goa heard that they were working together. Sang Chul replies that he won't do it with that person as well. Their relationship is just co-workers now. Grandpa asks why he’s come, then? Sang Chul tells him that he knows he lacks a lot as a son-in-law, but he’s confident that he won’t disappoint regarding business matters. Grandpa’s not sure where this is going. Sang Chul explains that with their plan for remodeling Chinatown, they’re going to need someone trustworthy to do the bathroom and kitchen.
Bok Nyeo is leaving the Euns for the night and Ji Hoon conveniently jogs up. He asks if she’s going to fight with Yoon Song Hwa to become the mother. He asks her if she has confidence in winning and she replies that she does. He asks her if she’s fallen for him, since he doesn't seem to have much merit. Bok Nyeo replies that to her, Sang Chul’s better than him. He wants to know why, since he’s got a clean marital record, is tall and young. Is it because he has too much money? Or is she trying to become their mother? She’s doing this because of him, to throw him off? She replies that he’s right. When he asks her if that’s true, she doesn’t say anything and just walks away. Fury rages on Ji Hoon’s face as he watches her go.
Gatsby Investments. The next day. Sang Chul’s doing a presentation. Grandpa is there. Sang Chul is speaking business-ese and concludes. After it’s over, Grandpa says that everything is great, except for one thing. He leans toward That Woman and tells her to see him for a moment, together with Sang Chul. Outside, Grandpa declares that before he hold hands with this company, there's something he wants to confirm. Whatever happens between them is none of his business. They just have to promise him that even if they get married, she will not be the mother of the children. Sang Chul answers that he already told Grandpa that he’s ended it. That Woman doesn’t like this at all. Pointedly, he asks That Woman, “You heard him right? The words that he has "ended" it?” Grandpa tells them he’s considering giving permission to Bok Nyeo. That Woman asks him if she needs to write up a contract and he sarcastically answers that yes, she does. Then he’ll believe it.
Now Sang Chul and That Woman are walking down the hall. Being her usual witchy self, she snarks that Sang Chul should be happy, since now he even has the elder's permission. Sang Chul tells her it’s nothing like that and she shouldn’t jump to conclusions. That Woman doesn’t like that answer. They enter Ji Hoon’s office. Sang Chul reports that Grandpa is thinking it over. Ji Hoon think it’s a sure bet, since Sang Chul is the son-in-law. And to twist the screws, he asks whether Sang Chul signed the marriage registration. Of course, That Woman freaks out. Sang Chul wants to talk to her about it later, but Ji Hoon thinks they should talk now. Sang Chul mutters that he isn’t sure why Bok Nyeo did it, bringing out a marriage registration, saying that she would be their mother… That Woman is seething. Ji Hoon chuckles and, looking at That Woman, he remarks, “The player that even pushed out the previous wife, are you being defeated by a housekeeper?” She looked so strong, but she must not be… That Woman’s practically livid and Sang Chul is uncomfortable.
Bok Nyeo and Hye Gyul arrive at the butcher shop. Mr. Butcher is happy to see her. Mrs. Butcher not so much. Hye Gyul shares her good news: her Appa and Bok Nyeo are getting married. Mr. Butcher drops the meat he was holding. Mrs. Butcher starts giving Mr. Butcher a hard time for being shocked. Mrs. Butcher gives her what looks like a huge ham hock and Mr. Butcher is surprised when Bok Nyeo actually accepts the present. Bok Nyeo and Hye Gyul leave and Mr. Butcher is sad.
Sang Chul arrives home. Bok Nyeo is waiting by the door. They greet each other. Sang Chul tries to head for his bedroom, but Bok Nyeo steps in his path. She asks him if he’s eaten. He says he'll go and wash up first and tries to escape. She steps in his way again and asks if he’s signed the form. He asks her why she’s being like this. She answer that the children want it, so he should please sign it quickly.
Sang Chul is hiding in the bathroom again, reading the newspaper. There’s a knock on the door, so he finishes. It’s a self-flushing toilet. Nice. It’s Bok Nyeo. She announces that she’s prepared underwear for you to change into. He awkwardly takes it. And she asks him if he’s signed yet.
Still at the office, That Woman is in with Ji Hoon. He wants to know whether That Woman wrote down the wrong address, so that she went to Sang Chul. That Woman tells him not to worry. She will clearly tell Bok Nyeo where her place is. It’s when she says stuff like this that I really hate her.
Bok Nyeo is taking out the recyclables. Sang Chul comes after her and asks her why on earth she’s being like this?! He understands her saying to be their mother, but marriage? That's too much. Is it something to get him to come back to his senses since he went to Song Hwa that day? He replies that he’s right; it's for him to snap back to his senses and not betray the children that he loves again. Sang Chul can’t say anything to that so Bok Nyeo goes to finish what she was doing.
Bok Nyeo is vacuuming. That’s nice, the on/off switch is on the handle rather than the canister. The phone rings. It’s That Woman, wanting to meet. Of course, Bok Nyeo agrees. The place? A café in front of That Woman’s apartment, called Sugar Cafe. As Bok Nyeo gets off the phone, something about the name tickles her memory. There's a frequent shopper’s card – the kind you stamp per purchase – in one of the kitchen drawers. It’s stamped 5/13. Isn’t that right around the time that Sun Young met with That Woman and That Woman told her about the affair? Is That Woman finally going to get caught?!!!
Han Gyul arrives home, so Bok Nyeo tucks the card in her apron. Han Gyul notices the unsigned Marriage Registration. She tries to tell Bok Nyeo that Sang Chul not signing isn’t because he doesn't like her. Bok Nyeo asks Han Gyul the date that their mother died. Bok Nyeo’s thinking the same thing I am.
While at Sugar Café, Bok Nyeo buys a cake and produces the card. And then the meeting with That Woman, which ironically – or maybe not – takes place at the exact same table as her meeting with Sun Young. Except this time, Bok Nyeo’s sitting where That Woman was sitting. That Woman says she heard about Bok Nyeo shoving a marriage license in Sang Chul’s face for him to sign. Bok Nyeo says she did. So That Woman plops a large bag on the table and tells Bok Nyeo that it’s a wedding gift, so she can take her armor, her jacket off. Bok Nyeo says that she will decline the gift. When That Woman asks why, Bok Nyeo says that for the sake of being the supportive wife, she will not accept any bribe by his subordinates.
That Woman laughs and tells Bok Nyeo to wake up. She can be the mother, but she can't be the wife. That sounds vaguely familiar to what she told Sun Young. She says that Sang Chul doesn’t think of her like that. She’s the one with the Dad-stone. She accuses Bok Nyeo of always having the agenda of being the children’s mother, so as to torment CEO Jang. Isn’t she just using them as substitutes, using the children to fulfill her greed? Bok Nyeo is expressionless. That Woman declares that she might have a little fun playing mom, but in the end, she’s just an obstacle to the children.
Now Bok Nyeo is walking home. She thinks of finding Sun Young’s suicide note, how Sun Young wrote, “If I'm an obstacle, I'll disappear for you.” And That Woman is so confident that she’ll never get caught.
Bok Nyeo arrives home. When Han Gyul sees the cake, she wonders if it’s Bok Nyeo’s birthday. It isn’t. Bok Nyeo’s brows are scrunched so Han Gyul knows there’s something wrong. But Bok Nyeo won’t answer as to what the problem is.
The kids are enjoying the cake. They tell Bok Nyeo to buy it again. But Han Gyul notices that Bok Nyeo’s still burdened. Later, while Bok Nyeo is hanging up the laundry to dry, Han Gyul approaches her on the patio. Han Gyul’s noticed that the cake wasn't from the our neighborhood store and she’s worried that Bok Nyeo met up with EMIL. Eventually, she wheedles who Bok Nyeo met with (That Woman). When Han Gyul pushes, Bok Nyeo admits that That Woman called her an obstacle. Bok Nyeo looks very sad, but I can’t tell if it’s because she’s worried it’s true, or because she knows what the words mean (that That Woman is to blame for Sun Young’s death). Han Gyul gets offended. She notices the similarity to the suicide note and thinks that That Woman quoted it on purpose. Han Gyul asks Bok Nyeo to please show her how That Woman could never become their mom.
The next day, Bok Nyeo goes and buys another cake. She gets her card stamped again. There’s a complimentary cake with a tenth purchase. The fact that Sun Young had that card stamped says to me that she was completely clueless and was planning on living a long time after the day she met That Woman. Bok Nyeo notices the security camera and asked to see its footage. When Bok Nyeo says it’s because she lost something, they agree to send it to her.
Later, the email with the footage arrives on Bok Nyeo’s phone. When did she get a cell phone? The video’s only supposed to be 975KB – that’s a small file. Han Gyul arrives downstairs, so Bok Nyeo puts the phone away so the girl won’t see what she’s got. Han Gyul asks what Bok Nyeo was looking at, but Bok Nyeo evades the question.
As Bok Nyeo is walking home, she decides to call That Woman and ask her to meet. That Woman is working late at the office. Dong Shik and Sang Chul are also there working. That Woman wants to know why she would bother meeting with Bok Nyeo. Bok Nyeo replies that she found proof that the last person Mrs. Woo Sun Young met, before she passed away, was her, Ms. Yoon Song Hwa. She freaks out a little bit.
That Woman shows up at the Sugar Café a little early, to find out that the CCTV recording doesn’t have any sound. She sits in the same spot she sat those many months ago, but this time she sees the camera. She remembers meeting with Sun Young. And Bok Nyeo arrives. That Woman snaps at Bok Nyeo, asking her what she’s trying to pull. Bok Nyeo pulls out the phone out and plays the video. That Woman can’t believe that it’s a perfect view of her with Sun Young.
That Woman still has to pretend like it’s not damning evidence. She asks what Bok Nyeo thinks that it will prove with the video; all it proves is that they met! Although, why didn’t you say something about it, if it wasn’t a bad meeting. If it was so innocent as you’re acting, you wouldn’t have not said anything and hidden it. That Woman tells Bok Nyeo that she doesn't even know what they said. Bok Nyeo almost breaks her stoic face as she says that she can tell . . . by the shape of That Woman’s lips. That Woman sputters about lip reading. So Bok Nyeo begins:
“After all, I'm only an obstacle, no?” That Woman, with horror in her eyes, asks what Bok Nyeo’s doing. “When you left to Philippines with the children, weren't you giving up on your husband's fidelity? Go ahead and call Department Head eactly at midnight. I'll get the phone and leave it connected. Which cake do you think will be lit tonight?” And this is why IHH! She’s so smug and nasty and evil. But, of course, it wasn’t her fault that Sun Young killed herself. She didn’t tell the woman to do that… Please, give me a break. You have no soul.
That Woman can barely speak as she asks what Bok Nyeo’s true identity is. She asks if Bok Nyeo wants to go that far to remove her oxygen mask and get rid of her. She starts screaming – because she likes to manipulate people with her dramatics – that Bok Nyeo should take it (the mask), the children and Eun Sang Chul, all of it! That's been her target from the beginning! That Woman tells Bok Nyeo to do as she pleases, expose her or not, but it won’t bring back the dead. She should tell it all, if she so desires. Bok Nyeo responds, “I understand.” And I laugh so hard that I almost fell off my bed. That was so totally awesome.
Bok Nyeo stands up and reaches for her phone. That Woman jumps up and grabs Bok Nyeo’s arm, begging Bok Nyeo not to expose her. She’ll do anything! Bok Nyeo looks at her like she’s a roach carrying its roach babies on its back. Bok Nyeo pulls her arm loose and starts to walk away. That Woman declares that she did it because she loved. Which kills me. Because she doesn’t know what love means, she’s so selfish. And that was the exact *wrong* thing to say to Bok Nyeo. Her husband and son are dead because Ji Hoon ‘loved’ her. Bok Nyeo spins around to look at her. It’s the most animated I’ve seen Bok Nyeo’s face be yet. She looks angry, the kind ‘where your eyes bulged because you’re mad’ angry. She declares that those are the words she hates the most… “Because I loved...” That she did it because she loved.
And the episode ends with Bok Nyeo looking like she wants to slap the snot out of That Woman, who richly deserves the aforementioned beating. More than once. With a brick.
Thoughts
Yes! Finally Song Hwa’s been busted! What I really want to see happen is Song Hwa be so paranoid that she outs herself to Sang Chul accidentally and he finally sees her for the loathsome piece of human garbage that she is. I don’t have a hatred towards mistresses, although I don’t really respect them. My loathing of Song Hwa comes from more than just the fact that she took up with a married man. It comes from the fact that she has no real conscience about anything and is just about her own pleasure. And I’m not just talking about the sensual kind. I’m talking about anything that would make her happy. This whole thing started because she decided to stake her claim and get the wife to get lost, so that Sang Chul wouldn’t feel guilty that he was betraying his wife and children, that her idyllic relationship that didn’t really demand anything from her, that it could stay the way it is. She revealed the affair, not just by telling Sun Young, but by letting Sun Young hear her husband betray not just their marriage, but everything that she’d given him. She revealed the affair so that she could continue to get what she wanted. And when something bad happened, she was able to quickly wash away any guilt she might have had about the effects of her actions. She keeps saying that she loves Sang Chul, but she just loves herself. She was perfectly okay with him selfishly loving just her and abandoning his children, before and after Sun Young’s death. She continues to try to manipulate people to get what she wants and she definitely is all about manipulating Sang Chul to get him to give her what she wants. She doesn’t care if he’s happy, just so long as she gets what she wants.
Not only do I loathe her because of that selfishness, I loathe her because of how she treats people. She has no hesitation in making someone feel badly, or inferior. In fact, she uses her perceived superiority to manipulate people all the time. She has no problem focusing on and capitalizing on other people’s faults and she has no problem using people. She had no problem bullying a girl that was going through a hard time after she discovered that her mother killed herself because her father had an affair. She had no shame, since she’s the woman that the aforementioned girl’s father was having an affair with. She had no problem kicking Sang Chul to the curb when he started to be in a place where he needed something from her, instead of her being able to use him to feed her ego. She had no problem using both of her bosses to get ahead and get the things in life she wants. She has no problem destroying other people’s happiness, so she can get what she wants.
Looking back at what I just wrote, I noticed that I used the phrase (in one shape or another) “to get what she wants” at least four times in the previous two paragraphs. And that’s what I think sums up Song Hwa for me.
The other mistress, we’ve been exposed to her less, but the thing that epitomizes the depiction of Song Hwa and Writer Kwon is their indifference to the pain that their selfishness has caused the women they have sinned against. Neither woman has cared about who got hurt by their actions and both decided to out the affair to the wife as a manipulative power play in their adulterous relationship. Mr. Nosy is portrayed more as an idiot than someone manipulative and conniving, even though you have to be manipulative and conniving to get away with sleeping around on your wife. Sang Chul’s trespass is portrayed more as something that happened because no one was around, like he did it and got away with it because there was that great distance in his relationship with his wife already. But unlike Mr. Nosy, he felt badly about it, when he was actually real with himself. I think this difference in perspective and portrayal of the male and female side of adultery says a lot about the power politics in Korean culture. Or American culture, for that matter. The adulterous women are portrayed as so much worse then the men, almost as if it’s their fault that the man strayed.
And I’ve expounded greatly on the evils that are That Woman. Who I really do not like. But other things happened in this episode, too. Bok Nyeo told the kids that she would be their mom, which freaked Sang Chul out because that means that she would treat him more as a man and less as her boss. And from several of his statements, it seems like he believes that she could never really see him or like him in that way. He keeps excusing away the growing intimacy in their relationship, probably because he feels like running away from that level of depth in a relationship like that. With That Woman, there was no depth. And I think, with Sun Young, there wasn’t that depth either. My impression is that for most of his life, Sang Chul has run away from those things where he might fail or might reveal what a loser he perceives himself to be. I think part of the reason why he likes Bok Nyeo is that she’s seen him at his worst and hasn’t told him that he’s a loser. And she believes and expects him to be better. I think the Sun Young would have been this support – she defied her father to marry Sang Chul, so she isn’t afraid to love that deeply – but I don’t think Sang Chul ever let her be it for him. That’s why I like this very realistic evolution of his character from being someone who his in the bathroom to avoid his fear, to being someone who will eventually fight for what and who he wants. Because I do think that a showdown will happen between Sang Chul and Ji Hoon before the series ends.
And finally Song Hwa was busted. So when is the truth about Ji Hoon and Tae Shik going to come out. And how crazy is Ji Hoon?!! Crazy, crazy. Not just a little off, but CRAZY. Right up there is the EMIL. I don’t see how this woman can be the way she is, or feel justified in how she treats Bok Nyeo. True, she’s been manipulated by Tae Shik, but still. There’s no reason for anyone to act that way.
The other plot line – Soo Hyuk and his mess – was touched on and I like the solution that he finally came up with. I really despise his father for (1) being so selfish that he doesn’t support his family, (2) being so selfish that he thinks that he can take whatever he wants from the family he abandoned, (3) that he racks up debt and doesn’t feel obligated to pay it, and (4) that he feels perfectly justified and entitled to pimp out his son to cover his debts. The show’s done a good job of making both boys likeable, to where I don’t know who I’m rooting for to end up with Han Gyul. I’m still leaning towards Woo Jae, though, because he’s never used Han Gyul, unlike Mr. Choi Soo Hyuk.
A final thought – I love how Bok Nyeo is finally melting her frozen exterior and slowly coming back to life. I can’t wait to finally really meet her and I really hope the writers give me a satisfying conclusion to this story! One where I can see Bok Nyeo happy and smiling with her family, the Euns. Maybe they could end it on Grandpa and Director Hong’s wedding. With Bok Nyeo pregnant and she and Sang Chul happy and in love. I think I’d really like to see that.
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