Switch to a bustling Joseon village. Time freezes – again, I’m loving the stop 3D camera work! – and Min Joon emerges from one of the buildings, adjusting a hat and then his belt as he is now wearing typical Joseon garb. I guess he wants to blend in… He walks past all the frozen people, observing them with a contented expression. He reaches a group of young men playing an ancient form of hacky sack. He takes the sack and tries it, not being nearly as successful. Then he puts it back where it was, closes his eyes and sighs, unfreezing time. Not that anyone would notice that he just showed up next to them out of nowhere.
Min Joon wanders around the marketplace and comes upon a shell game. He sees the man cheat, pushing the ball out of the cup that people have bet on and into another one. He smiles, amused by the trick. The bettor, who lost, holds out a bunch of money. He declares that it’s money for his daughter’s medicine and if he loses this, he’s going to throw himself into the Han River and die! And the cheater is ready to take his money. Min Joon squints and uses his abilities to send the ball back under the right cup, the cup that the man had bet on. The man is overjoyed at the money he’s just won. Min Joon smiles to himself, happy. This is a dramatically different Min Joon than the one we meet 400+ years later. He seems light-hearted and content. And he gets involved. The cynical Min Joon would have let the man lose the money, since he really shouldn’t have been betting it in the first place if it was that important.
That night, Seo Yi Hwa is studying. Or rather, her mother is making her copy a very dull book detailing the lives and various ways that people died. Is she telling her to follow her husband and die too? Yi Hwa doesn’t think that this idea is very fair, since she became a widow at the age of fifteen, in the flower of maidenhood! Later she’s fallen asleep. Someone sneaks into her room and grabs her, covering her mouth with his hand.
Yi Hwa later wakes up in the forest, hands bound and mouth gagged. Whoever kidnapped her has his face covered, but it looks like he’s preparing a noose to hang her with. She’s able to free her hands and pulls her binyeo (hairpin) from her hair to use as a weapon. As her kidnapper reaches for her, she slashes at him, cutting him across the face. She takes off running. Her kidnapper is momentarily stunned but then begins to run after her. He pulls an arrow from the quiver he is wearing and shoots it at her, aiming to kill. But just as it’s about to hit her, she disappears.
Later Yi Hwa wakes to find herself lying on the ground. This time she isn’t gagged or bound. She screams and jumps up, preparing to run again, but realizes that the man standing near her isn’t her assassin, but Min Joon. She is *really* dirty. She recognizes him as the man who saved her when she was in the palanquin. She asks him why he’s there and was he, perhaps, the one who helped her just now. He says nothing but walks forward and begins to take leaves from her hair. She wants to express her gratitude and gives him her name.
With this, Min Joon suddenly floats into the air, raising several feet off the ground. His face reads something like ‘crap, I didn’t want her to know I was an alien!’ He slowly sinks back to Earth. He steps forward and hands her back the binyeo.
Fade from the binyeo in Yi Hwa’s hands to it being displayed in a museum. The curator (or teacher) is lecturing, with students vigorously taking notes: This hairpin is an important folk artifact. The official designation is “Crystal Bamboo Hairpin.” He describes how it was made and point out that the point originally would have been crystal, but for some unknown reason, it broke and became lost. On the outskirts of this crowd is Min Joon, pretending to be looking at some vases but really listening to the lecture. He then stares at the hairpin, a look of longing there. The teacher states that they assume that the binyeo was created around early 1600. Nothing is known about its owner. Min Joon swallows, almost sadly.
The teacher mentions that all the artifacts displayed in this room were donated by an anonymous sponsor when the school was established in 1914. Min Joon walks away as the teacher adds that because there were many artifacts that were so meaningful and valuable, the school moved heaven and earth trying to find the donor, but ultimately, they were unsuccessful. And I feel a little sad for him. 400 years of being alone, of watching life go by and not really being allowed to be part of it.
Now we pick up where the first episode left off. Min Joon is in the elevator, thinking of the girl that looked like Yi Hwa. The doors open and Song Yi is standing there. Their eyes meet and they look at each other for not a short moment and then Min Joon says nothing but exits the elevator and walks past her. She calls after him to get his attention. He stops and turns around. It’s almost like he’s wanting a connection in spite of himself. He could just ignore her. She tells him that she was so surprised earlier that she didn’t say what she had to say properly and that she’s the type of person to make a fuss unexpectedly if she can’t say everything she wants to say. Not spoiled at all are you? Min Joon just looks at her. Which irks her. She comments on how he doesn't even respond when a person is talking to him. Then she starts to make small talk.
Song Yi asks him how old he is. He responds, asking if he has to answer. She scoffs some, calling his manner of speech rude. She gives him the fact that she has a young-looking face, but she’s turning 30 the day after tomorrow, and he’s younger than that. She doesn’t know whose nepotism helped him get his job, but since she’s got a few years on him, his informal speech is a bit much. Min Joon mutters that Song Yi is like the river banks of the year of Byungja, implying that she's out of her mind. She, of course, gets offended, since she’s trying to be reasonable and polite. She misheard him and thinks that he just insulted her, calling her a “bitch.” He matter-of-factly replies that the 13th year of King Gojong's reign was called the year of Byungja. She’s baffled how this relates. And I have to laugh at the tone he gets whenever he’s lecturing her. Because it’s a lecturing tone. Somewhere between irritation, condensation and information. Almost as if he expects her to know these things and now has to tell her what she already should know. Which, to me, is a very positive thing, because he assumes that she has a brain and knows how to use it, rather than looking at her as just a very pretty face.
Min Joon continues: There was a drought that year in Joseon so all the dams dried up. People started calling them arrogant dams. She can’t believe he’s now talking about some legend or something. Where’s he going with this? And I love that she said that! I’m wondering this, too! Just like his class lecture! What is he saying? She’s arrogant? Min Joon replies “Arrogant dam.” It’s the origin of the word arrogant. Back then, when they saw a person who acted recklessly without knowing their facts, they would call them this: “Acting like an arrogant dam in the year of Byungja.” Completely appalled, Song Yi isn’t looking at him as she mutters that he can’t use present-day swears, but he can use swears from the Joseon era...? While she’s muttering, Min Joon decides to leave for his apartment. She notices his exit and yells after him, since *she’s* not done yet, but he just goes inside his apartment. She mutters that he’s crazy.
Entering her apartment, Song Yi’s still muttering about his attitude. And this is why I already love her. Because This is such a *normal* female thing to do. I hate it when heroines are always sweet and happy and put upon and never really get irritated or grumble about it. And because Min Joon can hear everything, he hears her retort. He, of course, stops to listen and shakes his head as he tsks about her behavior. He climbs into bed and that night has a stressful dream. It makes him sweat, it’s so stressful.
In Min Joon’s dream, he sees a woman’s shiny silver shoes, stumbling backward. She falls backward, over a balcony and into the water below. Min Joon wakes with a start. The next day, he tells Young Mok about the dream. Since they’re both walking on the college campus, it would appear that Young Mok is also a college professor. Young Mok puts two and two together and suggests that just like 12 years ago, wouldn't this maybe be him seeing what will happen in the future? Or it could be because he’s leaving soon; it’s a sign that he should use his special abilities to help those in need or having a difficult time. Or, like last time, it could be that you’re going to run across Yi Hwa’s reincarnated self again. Since that’s the first and last time something like this happened for you.
Min Joon considers his words and ironically asks if anything would change. Young Mok doesn’t understand what he means. He tells him about the gambling man. Flashback to the Joseon era. The man he helped win the money to pay for his daughter’s medicine is back, with the daughter in tow. It’s Yi Hwa. The cups guy is horrified as the man says he’ll bet his daughter in order to play. Both of them look much worse than the last time we saw them. The cups guy tells him to get lost if he doesn’t have any money. Yi Hwa’s father growls that because of this my house was ruined and my wife ran away. Yeah, it’s *the game’s* fault that it happened. Not that you were reckless and gambled things you shouldn’t have because you wanted easy street instead of working for a living. Of course, it’s not *your* fault for being a lousy father, husband and human being.
Yi Hwa’s Father rages that now all he has is this useless daughter, so he should at least exchange her for something else!! He grabs at the cups guy, like it’s his fault. The cups guy and his friends shove Yi Hwa’s Father away. He falls to the ground. The cups guy yells that he should have stopped when he *made* some money. Even though the cups guy is crooked and is actively trying to cheat all of his patrons, he’s still right. No one made Dad gamble his money away. It’s not cups guy’s responsibility to know how much money Dad had to spend. Dad just lays on the ground and throws a fit while Yi Hwa cries. All this is witnessed by Min Joon, who walks away destroyed that his little bit of help seems responsible for destroying three people’s lives. When it’s not. He didn’t make Dad gamble. And Dad would have lost Yi Hwa’s medicine money, meaning she’d already be dead at this point, so what you did was still good. Aw, Min Joon suffering from an overarching sense of responsibility, which why he’s now running from any type of responsibility for the sufferings of his human beings.
Back in the present, Min Joon concludes that just because we help them a bit, nothing is going to change for the good. In the end, things that are bound to happen will happen, bad things will become worse. From that, and what he’s said before, I’m guessing that he got to watch Yi Hwa die of some painful sickness. And possibly his time her was a self-imposed exile.
Women’s shiny silver shoes. On Song Yi’s feet. She’s getting her makeup done on the studio set. Manager’s talking about a Chun Song Yi's special! She rolls her eyes, not getting it, and says that she’s special from deep down in her bones. Why does she need to do a special to prove it to people? Manager responds that some people are still doubting her, saying that going to school is all for show. Which it IS. The special Manager wants to do is a 24-hour, day-in-the-life piece. It would quiet the haters and give her a more friendly image. And I’ll stop you right there, because she’s not friendly or very pleasant to be around. In fact, she can be quite dour most of the time. I love her despite of it, but she’s not a happy person and her life reflects that.
Side note: I’ve loving the hat that Stylist is wearing. It’s green with a face on it. The tongue is sticking out. Love it.
Song Yi snaps about pandering to get a more friendly image; is she running to become neighborhood representative or something? Song Yi’s dead set against doing it… until Stylist says that her rival, Han Yoo Ra is just waiting for her to decline this offer so she can do it. Song Yi scoffs about Yoo Ra being special. She quips that instead of “Han Yoo Ra’s Special,” it should be “Han Yoo Ra's Nooooormal,” noooormal. She tries to say Normal in English, but it’s not really that clear. And her tongue trips and rolls all over saying that R. Imagine a rolling no-norm-mal. It wouldn’t now what she was saying except for the subtitle. But Manager wants to prop up Song Yi’s currently fragile ego, so he gushes over how much better her English is since they got her a native speaker as her English teacher. Song Yi decides to do it, if only to not submit Yoo Ra to public ridicule as people laugh over hearing “Han Yoo Ra’s Special.” And, she’s going to do it as a present for CEO Ahn’s birthday. She grabs a mirror and as she admires her reflection, she muses that it’s not a bad idea of having a friendly image sometimes. Heh. I still can’t get over how she said normal.
We switch to Han Yoo Ra, who’s hearing the news that Song Yi agreed to do the special (and she *won’t* be). She snaps at the messenger. Se Mi arrives and greets Yoo Ra, calling her Unni. Yoo Ra barely acknowledges her and then, as she’s leafing through a magazine, she decides to make Se Mi feel small. She asks her why she isn’t working these days. Se Mi immediately gets the snub but replies that she’s doing a drama. Yoo Ra’s friend (or stylist, not sure which) remembers that Se Mi is in a drama with Song Yi.
This jogs Yoo Ra’s memory about *who* Se Mi is and so she tries to milk Se Mi for information on Song Yi, like why she chose to do the special documentary. Se Mi doesn’t know. But then... she “happens” to mention that Song Yi views Yoo Ra as a rival and wants to outdo her. If Song Yi doesn’t like a dress, the minute she hears that Yoo Ra’s interested, she has to get it first. She says that Song Yi is a child like that, with a cheerful lilt in her voice. When Yoo Ra starts to steam over the fact that Song Yi is doing it to spite her, Se Mi is completely surprised that she would think that. And you’re this type of girl: the secret back-stabber. That’s why karma’s not smiling on you…
So, the filming’s started. Song Yi passes Min Joon in the lobby, dressed in sneakers and sensible clothes. She exits the building and is ‘surprised’ to see all the reporters and the film crew. Her manager and stylist help her pull out her bike, which she ‘uses’ when she doesn’t have any work scheduled. After all, she is the ambassador of “Protect the Green Forests.” The crowd murmurs at how cool she is. She comments about how she’s not wearing any makeup and how they’ve started filming so early…
Flashback to earlier. A makeup artist is applying Song Yi’s make up, and she has to make it look like Song Yi doesn't have any make-up on. Song Yi grumbles about how HDTV makes it all the more difficult since you can see everything. The makeup artist should cover all her pores and basically act like she’s doing Photoshop with makeup.
Back to Song Yi in the crowd, pretending to naturally look good. Min Joon has come out and is unlocking his bike. The reporter asks her how she looks so good naturally. The crowd totally eats up her spiel about eating healthy and taking vitamins. I’m just waiting for something to happen which will shatter this illusion she’s creating. And there it is. She goes on to say that she also uses propofol (a drug which some actresses in Korea have been prone to abusing and which was part of the mixture of drugs that killed Michael Jackson). Immediately that gets a reaction as Song Yi continues with how its effects are the best and it makes her body feel like flying, she feels so good.
Manager quickly steps in and interrupts and then ‘privately’ asks what she’s talking about (and if she wants to end up in jail!). Song Yi holds up the bottle of pills she’s talking about and it’s porpolis, an anti-aging drug she got in Australia. Song Yi doesn’t think there’s much difference and Manager almost loses his cool. He snaps at her wanting to end up in jail?! And she leans in and through her teeth asks if he just yelled at her?!
Manager turns around and announces to the PD that Song Yi must have been confused propofol and propolis. Isn't our Noona so cute? Everyone laughs. Manager wants the PD to edit that part out, but PD and his assistant don’t want to because it’d be a shame to waste it. As Song Yi is waiting she notices Min Joon shaking his head and getting on his bike.
Now Song Yi is walking with the camera crew, pushing her bike along. And no one thinks it’s weird that she’s not riding it. I can see it now, she tries to ride and flops horribly, totally showing herself to be a liar. They’re on the campus now. Manager is trying to keep people from taking pictures. The PD asks her if she gets along well with the other students. Of course she is. She may be a celebrity off campus, but at school, she’s just an ordinary student.
Manager is looking up people on his tablet and whispering their names to Song Yi so she can act like she knows them. She ends up messing up again, addressing one of the professors by her first name. She tries to cover herself. Manager asks the PD to edit that part, too.
In class, everyone is turning in their papers – which they’ve used binding combs to hold together. Song Yi gets up last to turn in her paper. The class almost collectively murmurs at her acting normal. She’s very pleased with herself. As she walks away, Min Joon thumbs through her report and then calls her out in front of the whole class for plagiarizing. He couches in the fact that she probably doesn’t know any better, with missing class so much. Double slam. Not cool, dude. I understand that it annoys you that she’s trying to skate by, but you don’t have to bust her in front of everyone while the camera crew is there.
Flashback to Manager handing her the report and telling her that even a ghost won't know all of what they’ve included, since they copied and put it together stuff from so many different sources. So she didn’t even *try* to do the work. Come on, Song Yi! Manager says that it’s been put together by and expert and the professor will never know.
In the present, Song Yi protests that she didn’t plagiarize. Min Joon starts: the introduction on the first page is from a thesis published in 1999, Using Davidson's Philosophical Psychology
and Comet Theory and Seeing Terms of Cause in the Logic of Love. Copied verbatim. He starts to refer to specific quote from the thesis which were used in her essay. The cases and examples she used are from a thesis published in 1996 called “Love Attitude Scale.” Did he maybe write one or both of these papers, that’s why he’s so familiar with the theses? Then he compliments her on the great technique she used in cutting and pasting it all together. Dork. Did not have to be extra belittling.
People in class start texting as Min Joon tells her that the conclusion is pulled word-for-word from a thesis from 1956. He continues that Song Yi also skillfully plagiarized some research articles, like Reporter Kim Ki Suk's article that was published on The World of Thought (Sasangge Monthly) in November 1953, titled, “Phenomenology of Love, Eros and Agape”. I’m *really* wondering if he wrote that one. He closes the report and declares that her essay gets a zero. Does she have any objections?
Class is over and Min Joon leaves among students exiting, muttering about Song Yi’s zero. Manager is ticked. As Min Joon walks down the hall, he hears some girls gloating over Song Yi’s humiliation. One of them took video and they decide to upload it to a notice board with the title “Zero Song Yi.” They’re giddy with how quickly people are commenting, slamming Song Yi. He remembers back to some of the stuff she barked at him the night he got onto her about the singing. Min Joon feels like a jerk. Because it was a jerky thing to do. The girls are about to repost it somewhere else, when Min Joon causes the phone the video’s on to drop to the floor with a crash. Ooops. Broken phone.
Song Yi is still in the classroom. She’s seen the video of her humiliation and read some of the cruel comments. She anonymously tries to defend herself, that she’s only human, but she’s quickly called out for it. Manager arrives to apologize and to get yelled at. Instead she just tells him to get out. Manager can’t understand how Min Joon knew. He also is uneasy at how Song Yi’s treating him, because she’s *not* yelling at him and instead to get out and leave her alone. Manager reluctantly complies, feeling bad for Song Yi. Just in time for her to get a text notifying her of the latest shopping spree of her mother’s that she’s just paid for.
And, on cue, there’s Mom picking up a small bag with something very expensive inside. Who should also be at the department store? Omma. Omma starts to raise small talk, which Mom falls for and then Omma asks her if she doesn’t know about the special Song Yi is shooting right now.
Unni, perhaps... You don't know? So this is where Se Mi gets it. Wow, they’re both so sneaky. Mom makes up some lie that, of course she’s planning on being part of the documentary, where she eats together with Song Yi and In Jae. And perhaps Son-in-Law Lee. Which definitely bugs Omma. They dicker about whether or not Mom can call him son-in-law.
Hwi Kyung is at work. He just happened to check his social media feed and sees a story about Song Yi. He decides to give her a call, of course. The boss stands up from behind the walls of his cubicle and announces that they should have some coffee. Hwi Kyung’s co-workers go down the line, stating their order. Hwi Kyung isn’t paying attention. The guy in the next cubicle taps to get his attention and calls him Rookie. He then rattles off the list of what everyone ordered, obviously expecting the Rookie to go and get their orders. Hwi Kyung ‘catches on’ and adds his order. The rest of his coworkers can’t believe that he didn’t realize that *he’s* the one that’s supposed to be going and getting the drinks. The guy tries to get his attention again, but he’s busy typing a message to Song Yi. He looks up and sees them all staring at him and smiles. He waves and declares that he will drink well (thanking them for the drink)!
The guy tries to get his attention again, but Hwi Kyung’s phone rings again. It’s Se Mi. Of course. He holds up his hand to the guy, telling him to hold on, and replies that of course he can talk. Without another thought, he gets up and walks out to the hall, ignoring the guy. He misses that his boss is ticked at his insolence, but the guy tells Boss that he will deal with him.
Se Mi’s asked Hwi Kyung if he remembered what day it was. He’s clueless. It’s Se Mi’s birthday and he can make it up to her for forgetting by taking her to dinner. Not manipulative at all. He replies that of course he will because *she’s his best friend.* Whose birthday he doesn’t remember. And if she’s your best friend, you should be asking her to marry you, not some girl you’ve been chasing since you were a teenager. Hwi Kyung declares that he’s going to buy her the most expensive food he knows. Se Mi’s about to get really excited but deflates when Hwi Kyung wants to invite Song Yi, too. Se Mi sputters that Song Yi will be busy because of all the internet chatter about her. When she's sensitive, it's better that they leave her alone. Hwi Kyung isn’t sure but Se Mi declares that she knows Song Yi well, so he buys it. Se Mi’s wearing a big smile now.
Song Yi’s riding in a taxi. As she arrives at her destination, she pulls out her wallet and looks at the picture inside, or her and her family, back when they were all happy. Is she going to visit Dad?
We’re at what looks to be a comics book store. The owner, President Hong Bok Ja, is played by Hong Jin Kyung. It’s Jin Kyung’s first drama but she’s not new to show business. She’s a well-known radio DJ and model who has also made the foray into singing. The girl can *definitely* model. Bok Ja is skinning an orange and a guy is telling someone to order something at full price. He grabs a bag of potato chips and waves at her, like she’s just supposed to be okay with him eating free food. He greets his buddy. They are both wearing track suits. But not Hyun Bin track suits like in ‘Secret Garden.’ Not that they’re attractive – how can a mauve tracksuit on a man be attractive – just that they’re not quite to that level of tacky. The woman – who is wearing a sweater made out of quilted granny squares – declares that it feels like her eyes will rot. She signs and throws down her orange as she declares that she needs to purify her eyes by looking at hot guys.
Onto the internet, and Big Bang. Hong is happily browsing and notices a story about Song Yi. She groans and declares that this girl becomes the number one search if she's just eating. Then she groans because of what all the netizens are posting, calling it internet bullying. I like her already!!! She’s ticked that people are talking smack about her friend. Nodding, she readies her fingers and goes to work, defending her friend: She declares that she’s been friends with Song Yi since middle school and they are misunderstanding Song Yi. She hasn’t become rude because she became famous. She was *always* rude. She chortles to herself. A voice asks if there’s something she’s getting excited about? She looks up and it’s Song Yi. Oops face.
Bok Ja brings Song Yi a bowl of instant ramen and something to drink. Song Yi is sitting in her VIP room, reading a manga. I wish I could tell *which one.* Bok Ja wants to know why Song Yi’s there? Song Yi replies that she’s moved into the neighbor. Bok Ja rolls her eyes and replies with an ‘as if’ before telling Song Yi to eat the ramen. Bok Ja asks if Song Yi’s allowed to eat ramen like that. What about her shooting schedule the next day? Song Yi just hold up her glass and tells Bok Ja to pour the Soju. Bok Ja makes a face but does it.
Song Yi is obviously upset, as she’s staring off into space with a burdened look on her face. She chugs the Soju and Bok Ja winces. Bok Ja remarks that she saw the latest on the internet. She asks if Song Yi is upset because she got a zero. It’s not like it’s Song Yi’s first time. Song Yi replies, calling her Bok Ja, and saying that that’s not the reason. Bok Ja interrupts, apologizing for interrupting, but she’s got a new registered name: Hae In. Song Yi needs to call her that. Song Yi doesn’t reply but slips her ramen broth. Bok Ja makes a face and sighs. Sorry, Hae In, I'm going to be calling you Bok Ja, too.
Song Yi declares that she doesn’t understand it. So she’s been paying attention to what her friend was saying… She doesn’t get how people can be so nice and sweet to her face and then be so cruel behind her back. Bok Ja scoffs, like she can’t believe that *this* is what’s bothering her. *Of course* people are like that. Song Yi looks at Bok Ja, a sad look in her eyes, and asks, “Just why would they do that, Bok Ja?” Bok Ja starts to reply that it’s because she always chooses to do things that deserve it, but stops when she sees how hurt Song Yi is. Bok Ja sighs and instead replies that she doesn’t know why people do that. Song Yi mutters, “Awful bastard,” obviously thinking about Min Joon.
Min Joon is out playing mahjong with Young Mok and two other old men. After one of the guys clucks that Min Joon’s trying to play out of turn, Min Joon takes the man’s discard and wins the game, to the surprise of the table and the entire game parlor. Someone asks if Young Mok is Min Joon’s father and Young Mok claims he is. Although he looks old enough to be his grandfather. A really old man todders up and asks if Min Joon is Kim Woo San. A look of recognition on Min Joon’s face. Flashback to the old man as a young man, losing to a smiling Min Joon. The man grouses that Min Joon doesn’t even lose *once.* He has been playing it for 400 years; he's bound to have figured out how to win. Back to the present where really old guy is staring at Min Joon, perplexed. Then he asks if Min Joon is Kim Woo San’s grandson and Young Mok is happy to play along and claim that Min Joon *is* Kim Woo San’s grandson and that he inherited his grandfather’s mahjong skills. Min Joon tries to hide his smile while old guy scoffs at the idea and Kim Woo San had mahjong skills, since *he* won whenever they played.
Min Joon is bothered by Old Guy claiming to have beaten him and Young Mok laughs at this poke at Min Joon’s pride. And who knew that Min Joon would be so prideful about something like this? Min Joon smiles and replies that he doesn’t see how what Old Guy is true, since his ‘grandfather’ told him that *he* not Old Guy, was Gyeongseong province's greatest mahjong player. Old Guy tells Min Joon that his Harabeoji lied. Min Joon replies that his haraboeji wasn’t someone who would lie about that. Old Guy’s now swinging his cane around, asking Min Joon if Min Joon’s calling him a liar. Min Joon just has to take it as Old Guy rants about how he was the greatest!
Later, Young Mok’s laughing. Min Joon’s muttering angrily about how Old Guy LIED. Min Joon even remembers Old Guy (Kang Sam Shik) and how he was a liar even back in the old days. Min Joon remarks how back then just seems like yesterday and how no matter how long you live, there's no person that would say life is long enough. Everyone says it feels as short as taking a nap and even though he’s lived on Earth for 400 years, he doesn’t have many memories to take back with me. Young Mok brings up the girl Min Joon met 12 years ago (Song Yi – but only we know that, he doesn’t know her name). Aw, what a good friend. Young Mok tells Min Joon that he’s looking through graduation photos from around that time to try and find the girl.
Min Joon tells Young Mok that he doesn’t need to bother with trying to find the girl. Young Mok replies that Min Joon said that he wanted to see her once more before he leaves. That’s a really good friend. Min Joon replies that he is curious, but, if Fate wants their paths to cross, doesn't Young Mok think it will. If he leaves before meeting her again, then it will be because there was no reason for them to meet. That’s what he’s learned from his years on Earth. I wonder what happened to make him this pessimistic. It must have hurt him very badly that he doesn’t even want to try.
Min Joon sits down to read a book. His apartment is MASSIVE! With a really nice view. And an artificial stream running through it. The lounging chair Min Joon sits in is under A LIVE TREE. But Min Joon hardly looks at the book before he stops to look up through his skylights at the stars above. He hears the traffic noises from outside and people bustling. He remotely turns on some classical music – and we see he has a fireplace, too – and closes his eyes to listen and relax. While he is at peace, some of the plants grow.
And there’s beeping. From his front door. He sits up, wondering who that could be. It’s Song Yi, *really drunk.* The door announces that the password she has entered is incorrect. Song Yi can’t believe it. Even the door to her apartment is against her! She mutters to herself, talking to her hair about not coming downstairs. Min Joon’s now watching her as she sways and tries to get into his apartment. More incorrect beeping. Song Yi mutters that the door dares to lock her out. She stands up and dramatically declares, “Open...Sesame!” complete with hand motions. Min Joon laughs, a little incredulous. Song Yi gets even more dramatic as she continues to command, “Open...Sesame!” And the door opens. Song Yi laughs because she can’t believe it worked.
Out steps Min Joon, who rolls his eyes and replies that of course it opened, since *he* opened it. She steps forward, leaning on the door and calls him the curse master of Joseon. He replies that he’s not the kind of person who curses. It’s the second time today that someone’s claimed something wrong about him. He actually looks bothered that she would think he would be a person who curses. She shouts that he is the curse master! She wants to know why he’s in her house. He replies that it isn't her house, but his. She can barely stand but she leans in and, after flinging her hair at him as she pulls it out of her face, she asks him if it feels good, giving her a zero and utterly embarrassing her. She mutters that he’s someone that would let out dark blood if someone were to stab him, implying that he’s a bad person.
Min Joon looks uncomfortable, probably because he feels bad about what he did. She starts to mutter more insults and he starts to protest, but she cuts him off and tells him that he’s not only one who cursed in Joseon. She can do it, too! She mutters what he muttered at her when he ‘cursed’ at her the first time, except she calls him jukbang (punch) instead of bangjuk (river banks). He corrects her and she yells back, “Whatever!” before pushing her way inside. He stands there for a moment before realizing that she’s in his house now and runs after her.
Switch to Se Mi, who’s making herself purty for her ‘date’ with Hwi Kyung. It’s 10 til eight. Switch to Hwi Kyung, who’s driving in his car, still trying to get a hold of Song Yi. He’s talking with Manager, who reports that she’s not answering *their* calls either. He sighs, frustrated and does a u-turn on the highway. And I am surprised that he doesn’t have an accident, since he cuts across a couple of lanes of traffic with cars driving in them. But of course, they don’t honk because u-turns like this are so common. You see them all the time in k-dramas!
Min Joon walks into his living room to find it now very messy with Song Yi’s belongings. He signs as he surveys how she has made his world a mess. Ooo, nice symbolism for his personal inner turmoil. She’s going to turn his orderly world upside down. And Song Yi’s *really* made herself comfortable on the couch. One leg is hanging over the back of the couch, while the other is propped onto one of the pillows. And I think Song Yi’s gone to sleep. He sighs again and starts to pick up her things. Song Yi shifts and rolls over, exposing a bare neck and shoulder. Min Joon’s eyes bulge a little and he grabs her scarf quickly and tosses it so it covers up her bare skin. Aw, you can take the boy out of Joseon, but you can’t take the Joseon out of the boy… Her phone rings and he answers it, which of course upsets Hwi Kyung, who is the caller, that a strange man is answering his Song Yi’s phone!
Next thing we know, Min Joon is letting Hwi Kyung into his apartment. Hwi Kyung practically runs Min Joon over in his haste to get inside. Hwi Kyung sputters at Min Joon, complaining about how the man should have just quietly sent Song Yi home when she came to there drunk. Wow, Min Joon looks really tiny compared to Hwi Kyung. Maybe it’s that huge Doctor Who scarf Hwi Kyung is wearing. Min Joon replies, also irritated, that he answered Hwi Kyung’s call and let come get her *to* send her home quietly. Shouldn’t Hwi Kyung be saying thank you? It is the scarf. Hwi Kyung doesn’t know how to reply, but shoves past Min Joon to go ‘rescue’ Song Yi from his rival’s couch.
Hwi Kyung can’t believe how Song Yi’s sprawled out on the couch and her stuff is everywhere. Hwi Kyung huffs and turns to look at Min Joon, asking him if he’s *sure* he didn't do anything to ‘his’ Song Yi. Min Joon rolls his eyes without rolling his eyes and tells Hwi Kyung to just hurry and remove her from his house. Hwi Kyung is offended that Min Joon would refer to Song Yi as if she was some garbage that needed to be taken out. Hwi Kyung walks over to Min Joon and demands to see his phone, since, of course, Min Joon would have taken scandalous pictures of the hottest actress in Korea!
Min Joon just looks at Hwi Kyung and then replies that if, according to what Hwi Kyung says, that Song Yi is that famous and great, why should he believe Hwi Kyung and just let Hwi Kyung take her? Hwi Kyung blinks. He can’t believe it. Min Joon continues: because she's the hottest star in Korea, who knows what Hwi Kyung’s going to do to her. Hwi Kyung protests that he’s Song Yi’s boyfriend, calling Min Joon a bastard. And he’s interrupted by Song Yi, who sits up, half asleep and tells them to shut up because she’s sleeping.
Hwi Kyung sighs and rushes over to her, asking her if she’s aware that she’s sleeping in a man's house. Min Joon sighs. She looks over in Hwi Kyung’s direction and asks why he’s there. Although I can’t tell if she’s talking to Hwi Kyung or Min Joon, since they’re both in her line of sight. Hwi Kyung gathers up her stuff and helps her walk out of the apartment and across the hall. But he misses her wallet, which has been kicked under a chair. Min Joon stares after them and uses his telekinesis to cover up that bare shoulder again. Wow, he is really bothered by her bare skin. Heh.
And because of his super hearing, Min Joon gets to listen to Song Yi and Hwi Kyung’s conversation and Hwi Kyung helps Song Yi get into the right bed. Hwi Kyung asks what she would've done if Min Joon had done something weird to her, since the guy looked shady. Min Joon tries to take a shower but hears Hwi Kyung *not* leaving. He cranks up his shower stronger to try to block out their conversation. And he’s wearing a *towel* in the shower. I guess he’s *really* bothered by the idea of them doing something that would cause Song Yi to be all-the-way naked.
Hwi Kyung arrives back in Song Yi’s living room after getting himself a beer and finds her asleep on the couch. He sits down and tries to make up a good reason to *stay,* but Song Yi’s asleep. He looks at her and gulps and takes a swig of the beer. Or rather, the *whole* beer without stopping. He leans over her and goes in to kiss her. Min Joon has gotten himself a glass of water and pauses because it’s gotten quiet over there. Hwi Kyung’s about to plant that kiss when, without opening her eyes, Song Yi asks him if he wants to die. Heh. You are *so* not her boyfriend. Hwi Kyung opens his eyes and asks if she wasn’t sleeping. So then Min Joon is treated to Song Yi abusing Hwi Kyung as she chases him out of her apartment. Min Joon enjoys that part. But he *doesn’t* like Song Yi. Not at all.
Outside of the apartment, Hwi Kyung finally looks at the time and sighs… and calls Se Mi and starts to explain that Song Yi got drunk and went into the neighbor's house. Double ouch. Not only did he not show up, but it was because of Song Yi. Again. Se Mi lies and tries to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, since her shooting ran long. She hangs up before it becomes too obvious that she’s crying.
Hwi Kyung arrives home in time to run into his hyung – who at times really looks like he could play Sung Joon’s brother in a drama. Hyung claims that he’s arriving so late because it's a service day at the animal shelter. Hwi Kyung calls Jae Kyung the Gandhi of second-generation cheobols. Hyung gives Hwi Kyung a hard time about never being around. Hwi Kyung sighs and says it’s because he’s busy because of his woman who he can't control. Hyung correctly calls him out, saying that he’s always running after her. Hwi Kyung retorts that at least he has a woman. By the way that they’re teasing each other, it’s obvious that they’re close. And Jae Kyung seems much less sinister. Maybe I was wrong about him. But the animal shelter excuse sounds like a line.
Hwi Kyung asks his hyung when he’s going to remarry. Jae Kyung’s been married before. Why do I keep thinking this guy is sinister? He sees really nice here. I’m sitting here wondering: did he get rid of his first wife because she displeased him? Jae Kyung teases him about his new job and Hwi Kyung whines about the position he’s been given. Hyung got the position of a general manager when he started; Hwi Kyung is forced to work as a new employee.
Jae Kyung mentions how he never thought he would end up as the heir to the company; he thought their mutual big brother would inherit the company. Hyung says he wanted to be a veterinarian. Something happened to their big brother: what? And did hyung have something to do with it, because he really *did* want to inherit the company? Wow, I am suspicious of smiling hyung. Hwi Kyung tells his brother that he knows what hyung has sacrificed and that he’s worked hard. Hyung starts to add that this means that Hwi Kyung should do the same, but Hwi Kyung stops him and tells his hyung that he is a perfect person, impossible to follow. Hwi Kyung doesn’t want to follow him. Hyung laughs and pats Hwi Kyung on the chest with affection.
They begin to walk toward the house when hyung gets a phone call. Hyung acts all chipper as he tells Hwi Kyung that he has to get the call. Hwi Kyung happily smiles and goes inside. At least this interchange makes me like Hwi Kyung more. He is genuine, just clueless. Hyung’s smile immediately fades when Hwi Kyung is no longer watching. The caller is identified only as ‘K.’ It’s a woman’s voice pleading: “Please save me. Get me out of here! I'm sorry. I'll never do it again. I swear.” Hyung’s face is impassive as he listen to her pleas. She continues: “You're not a bad person like that.” Which makes hyung smile because he *is* bad like that.
Hyung replies that of course, he’s not a bad person *because compared to those he’s killed so far,* there are a lot more people he’s kept them alive, even though he wanted to kill them. Holy makanoly! I was right! That is so freaky. Good job, Shing Sung Rok, for portraying someone so slickly shady that everyone around him is oblivious but he just felt off. I can’t believe I was right! Jae Kyung smiles as he tells the woman that she belongs to the group he’s keeping alive, even though he wants to kill her. So she shouldn't beg him but thank him. Oh my gosh, he is so evil! And creepy!
The next morning, Min Joon pauses as he leaves for work (he’s carrying a briefcase, which why I think he’s about to go on campus) to look at where Song Yi was laying the night before. He sighs and notices the wallet. He decides to open it and see the picture of her as a little girl, the girl whose life he saved, the girl who looks like Seo Yi Hwa. Gentle music plays as he looks at it, and looks more closely because he’s not quite believing what he’s seeing. Flashes of when he saved Seo Yi Hwa’s life, things that we haven’t seen yet between them and him saving Song Yi.
Min Joon leaves his apartment with determination, only to encounter Manager who identifies him as “the professor who gave my Noona a zero.” Min Joon demands to know where she is. Manager wants to know why he’s asking and then thinks that Min Joon might be changing Song Yi’s grade. Min Joon grabs Manager’s shoulders and yells as he repeats his question.
We see Min Joon rip out of his parking space and drive. He is speeding, weaving in and out of cars. And of course does not get a ticket, because this is all legal in Korea. Otherwise, they wouldn't do it on k-dramas, right?
Song Yi is somewhere getting her makeup done. Stylist asks if she got in the face with something, because her face is immensely swollen. Song Yi mutters that yesterday, she drank SoMaek (mixed drink of Soju and a beer) and ate ramen noodles. Stylist clucks that thinks that Song Yi should postpone shooting for the day. So she’s at the studio. Song Yi replies that she can’t and then she gags and rushes off to vomit.
Coming out of the bathroom stall, Song Yi pauses to rinse out her mouth. Yoo Ra enters the bathroom and frowns when she sees Song Yi. Song Yi greets her, calling her Unni. Yoo Ra demands that Song Yi go to a different hair salon. Song Yi turns to look at her and ask Yoo Ra is she really just said that. And this is why I love her. Because she doesn’t let anyone push her around. She demands her respect. Yoo Ra basically asks if she’s that stupid, that she doesn’t understand when she’s being addressed. Song Yi wants to know shy she should move to a different hair salon. Yoo Ra replies that it’s because when they run into each other, she gets pissed off. Song Yi smiles slightly and replies that she feels the same way, so Yoo Ra should switch.
Yoo Ra steps closer to Song Yi and demands to know how Song Yi dares to put a tone in her voice when her sunbae is talking?! Song Yi steps closer and replies that she’s sorry that she put that tome in her voice when some old unni was talking, but she just had to clarify something, put something straight: It is true that Yoo Ra is older but she’s *not* Song Yi’s sunbae, since Song Yi’s been working 12 years, since she was 15, and Yoo Ra’s only been working for about 5. Yoo Ra makes a face because she knows Song Yi is right.
Yoo Ra tries to bait Song Yi by accusing Song Yi of having an inferiority complex when it comes to her, but Song Yi doesn’t take it. She replies that she might be stupid, but she sure as heck doesn’t feel inferior but rather superior. Yoo Ra can’t imagine why, since Song Yi only acts in clichéd dramas and people only watch to bad-mouth Song Yi. This doesn’t phase Song Yi, who replies that people *only* seem to be talking about her and her dramas, rather than the dramas which only net a 4% audience and no one remembers anything about. Song Yi’s insult hits home and Yoo Ra starts to get really huffy and defensive. And she starts to cry a little. Not that I feel bad for her, because Yoo Ra brought the insults on herself. If she’d just not been obnoxious, Song Yi wouldn’t have felt the need to defend herself and go on the attack.
When Yoo Ra starts to sputter, Song Yi cuts Yoo Ra off and tells Yoo Ra that she knows that Yoo Ra’s been spreading false gossip about her. Song Yi says that she has enough to sue Yoo Ra for defamation of character but she decided not to, so Yoo Ra needs to knock it off.
Song Yi leaves the bathroom. Yoo Ra runs after her and starts throwing hair products at Song Yi, hitting her with several bottles. The rest of the salon is shocked by Yoo Ra’s behavior. At least it wasn’t hair pulling. That always looks so stupid. Song Yi turns around and Yoo Ra sneers that Song Yi is chasing after S&C’s second son. Song Yi says that it’s not a rumor, although it’s backward; the chaebol son is the one chasing her. Yoo Ra says that Song Yi’s mother is mooching by riding on the connection, even after she’s made money selling Song Yi. Song Yi growls through almost gritted teeth that Yoo Ra shouldn't mess with her family. Yoo Ra snarks that she might just become one of Song Yi’s family. What does that mean? Yoo Ra tells Song Yi that if she can’t eat it all, then she should just give up already.
Song Yi steps a tiny bit toward Yoo Ra and replies that it’s not that she can't eat it all, but she won't, and unlike some people (Yoo Ra), she isn’t looking to live off other people; she does just fine on her own. Yoo Ra has run out of words and decides to take action. She raised a hand to slap Song Yi and it’s stopped by Min Joon, who seems to have just appeared out of nowhere. Min Joon is staring intensely at Song Yi, who is shocked to see him there. Dramatic music is playing.
Song Yi wants to know how Min Joon ended up there. His response? “Let's go.” Yoo Ra starts yelling at Min Joon. Can’t he see that she’s talking to this bitch?!! He completely ignores Yoo Ra, his eyes continuing to look intently at Song Yi. Song Yi knows that something’s up. Yoo Ra keeps shrieking and so Min Joon works his telekinesis, exploding all the lights in the salon simultaneously. Everyone ducks, except for Min Joon, who steps forward and grabs Song Yi’s wrist, pulling her out of the salon.
Now they’re outside on the balcony. Min Joon is just standing there, staring at Song Yi as she tells him how shocked she is at the moment. How did he even know she was there? Why did he come? Because she accidentally barged into his house the night before? Is that why he’s there, to talk about it? She tries to act like it’s nothing, announcing that it’s a mistake and can happen. As she’s talking, he pulls out her wallet, open to the picture of her when she’s younger. He demands to know who the girl in the picture.
Instantly angry, Song Yi grabs the wallet out of his hand and asks why he’s looking at someone else's picture without permission. He yells his question again, “Who is this?” She replies saying that she doesn’t have to answer him. She goes to leave and he grabs her, shoving her against the wall, still intently staring. She yells at him, asking him if he’s crazy! All he says is, “You. Who are you?” Intense staring as we hear Min Joon’s voice over about fate from the first episode: “If you want to, and even if you don't, things are bound to happen. Earthlings call it as fate.” And the episode ends with the “You are my destiny” song.
The Extra
Song Yi is being interviewed. She laughs. The question is about her first love. It’s from the documentary. She laughs and says that the question is so tacky. She says that she didn't have anyone to call a “first love.” When she was young, there could've been a BIG accident, but some ajusshi saved her. She doesn’t remember if he’s good-looking, but he was quite tall, and the gentle and warm type.
Switch to Min Joon, sitting in his study, fiddling with a pen. The type of girl he likes? None. But there is a type he doesn’t like: Drunk women. And I laugh. Women who don't behave when drunk; he hates them more. Women who act like they know everything, women who act ignorantly or boast a lot, he hates them a lot. And the worst? A woman that has all those features. And her name is Song Yi.
Switch to Song Yi, so says that the moment with that ajusshi, it was the best. Even if it was a short moment, it was very mysterious, but very warm at the same time. I guess she means that it was very comforting and touching. Song Yi says that she still remembers, but she's nto sure if that ajusshi will remember her, but she’ll recognize him right away. Like fate. Her filming ends and as she stands, Min Joon rides by. She mutters to herself about him being a bastard. And it will be awesome when they finally realize they like each other.
Thoughts
And I’m continuing to love this show!
We get to see a little more of Min Joon's background, as we see why he came with his people to Earth: to collect samples of plant and animal life. So does that mean that they're studying Earth, or merely cataloguing it? And why didn't any of them notice when he would sneak off to mingle in the village?
The man who came to Earth is definitely different than the one who we have come to know in the present day. This one was happy, light and joyful, and optimistic, helping the man not get cheated.
I find it interesting Min Joon's reaction when he connected with Yi Hwa: he started to float. What does that mean? That he's attracted to her, that he feels connected? And she didn't look very freaked out. And who kidnapped her?
Plus, Yi Hwa's father tried to sell her. What a gambling jerk. I felt very bad for the girl, especially since she looked sick. I wonder what accident happened that Min Joon feels responsible for? Is that why he's met her again all these years later?
As we see how Min Joon has had to live all these years, never being able to truly connect with people, because they will age and he will not, I feel a little sad for him. That has got to be a hard way to live. And he has one friend: Young Mok, a man that he's trusted with his secret. I wonder how Young Mok ended up gaining Min Joon's trust. I feel a little sad for both of them, because they will be losing their best friend when Min Joon leaves. Part of me hopes that somehow Min Joon ends up staying on Earth, with Young Mok really acting as his father since he's ageless.
I think it's great that, despite themselves, Min Joon and Song Yi have a connection, an attraction. And they both have an understanding of what it's like to be completely surrounded by people and to be utterly alone. Song Yi has definitely made me a fan (and I already liked Min Joon). I now can take Hwi Kyung, since I see that he's just naive and a little self-involved, but he's good hearted. The person I find myself liking less and less in Se Mi, because that girl is manipulative! She seems all nice and then she slyly slips some jab in there... Is she like that because of her mother, or is her mother like that because of her lack of success.
And, wow, Song Yi's mom is a piece of work. She's just getting worse and worse. I feel very bad for Song Yi that she's related to someone who has no problem using her as much as possible. That is one selfish woman. Which is another reason why I love Song Yi. Some people would break because their mother 'didn't love them,' but Song Yi won't break for anyone and stands up for herself. She potentially could be my favorite heroine, because she has no problem standing up for herself.
And Goodness! How right was I about Jae Kyung?!!! He is evil with a capital E! Wow. And everyone around him is clueless. I don't know what it is, but now I wonder if he killed his older brother to become the heir to S&C and if he killed his first wife because she displeased him. And who was the woman pleading with him over the phone? Who is K? Could she be the first wife, locked away like Mr. Rochester's wife? Or is she just some random woman that his henchman 'K' takes care of for Jae Kyung. I still can't believe I'm right.
There is so much I love:
* The fact that it's almost like they *are* living together, because he can hear everything that she does, every conversation that she has.Some Things that I'm Less Fond of:
* The fact that he is not impressed by her Hallyu status and will ignore her
* The fact that he expects her to use the brain she's been given, unlike everyone else who seems to only value her for her pretty face
* The fact that Song Yi does things that are so normally female and that make me like her all the more and that she is secretly goofy
* The fact that Min Joon totally busted her for cheating and plagarizing
* That even though Min Joon busted Song Yi for plagarizing in front of everyone, he felt bad about it; that he feels bad when he realizes he's being a jerk and hurting her
* That Min Joon is bothered by Song Yi's bare *shoulder*
* That the writers are being consistent about his powers, that he uses them sparingly because he's trying to blend in
* That we've met Song Yi's one true friend, Hong Bok Ja
* That we keep seeing the cost of what his life on Earth has been for him: not only does he not connect, but he has to swallow his pride when someone is incorrect about him or his past
* Song Yi's rivalry with Yoo Ra, just because Yoo Ra doesn't really seem like a legitimate rival for Song Yi
* That Se Mi is so conniving and yet acts so innocent. I want the girl to get her man, since her man is *never* going to end up with Song Yi. But every time she quietly, sweetly does something to destroy Song Yi, I like her a little less.
* The fact that Min Joon busted Song Yi in such a public and humiliating way; he could have at least done it in private, so the whole world wouln't know
* The fact that I *still* don't know what Min Joon's supposed to be professor of
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