Se Ah is walking away from Bon Café. Yeo Reum comes running after her. He hands her back the money. I knew he liked Jang Mi. Se Ah says that she found out everything she wanted to know thanks to him, so he can take this. Now she knows what Ki Tae's up to. It’s at this point that Ki Tae and Jang Mi arrive. Ki Tae says Se Ah’s name and asks what she’s up to. Jang Mi asks Yeo Reum if he’s betraying her. He starts to try to explain. Se Ah declares that Ki Tae’s relationship looked so interesting, she wanted in on it, too. Ki Tae angrily replies that money solves everything, right? Jang Mi can’t believe that she was betrayed and played *for money*?
Se Ah asks what about the pair of them? Why were they putting on the show? Yeo Reum declares that everyone should raise their hands and take turns talking. Jang Mi sadly says that she was the only sincere one again, right? Only her again? She walks away. Yeo Reum calls her name and starts to go after her, but Ki Tae steps up to him and tells Yeo Reum to keep out. Se Ah says that she’s very sorry. Ki Tae turns around and practically yells at Se Ah about taking pleasure in fools out of people? She snaps back, asking why he kept a secret from her? Ki Tae doesn’t answer but runs after Jang Mi.
Jang Mi and Ki Tae end up at an outdoor café. He pours her some Soju. She’s not saying anything, just sitting there, staring at nothing. He tells her to drink up. She loves liquor. He takes a shot of the Soju. Ki Tae reminds her that he said Yeo Reum’s no good. She didn't listen to me. She should've learned her lesson from Hoon Dong. Another guy like that… Geez. How come she doesn't learn? She keeps choosing the bad boys. Jang Mi nods woodenly. Ki Tae tells her that they weren't bad to begin with but she made them that way. Jang Mi silently starts to cry.
Ki Tae says that she did it by doing them favors and going running whenever they call. She’s always sincere, like a fool. Ki Tae declares that a girl telling the guy she likes him first is the worst. Jang Mi says that he’s right in everything he said. She sighs and says that she’s an idiot. Ki Tae tells her to become a bad girl instead. Don't just give. Take things and dump people. She sadly nods and says that he’s right. She should dump people. Him. He chokes on his Soju. She says that she does all his favors and comes running when he calls. She was always so sincere. Ki Tae shifts in his seat uncomfortably. I think he realizes that she’s right and he feels bad. Jang Mi declares that she thinks he’s the worst. She started the fake relationship because of him and acted like a moron. And…
Jang Mi declares that they should just end it. Ki Tae replies, with a smile, that people would think they really were dating. She replies, that like you said, she’s going to try being single too. She gets up and walks away from the table. Ki Tae looks bothered as he watches her walk away. He takes another chug of Soju.
Jang Mi gets home and sags down onto her bed. She nods to herself and says that she’ll become single.
Ki Tae goes home and sinks into his couch. He unbuttons the top button to his shirt and says to himself that Jang Mi said that she hates being single.
Hoon Dong is at the bar, drinking. Hyun Hee is with him. He declares that he’s single. He drunk whines that Jang Mi doesn't know how he feels. Neither does his mom. His friend, whom he trusted, steals his girl. He starts to cry and chugs another drink. He’s truly single, totally single, really single. He has no one. Hyun Hee pours him another one and declares that he has her.
Hyun Hee helps the very drunk Hoon Dong back to his room. As they flop on the bed, he calls her Jang Mi and asks where she’s going. She says that she’s Hyun Hee. He says he knows that she’s Hyun Hee. She asks if it’s okay that she’s Hyun Hee. He asks what’s wrong with her. She’s so nice. She replies that actually she’s not really. No she’s not. Is that ok? Hoon Dong mumbles that he likes bad girls. She leans over and starts kissing him. And it progresses.
Ki Tae’s kitchen, making breakfast. He’s very precise in making his breakfast. As he sits down, Se Ah calls. He declines the call. He drinks his coffee. She sends him a message. She asks him to guess who she’s with. It’s Mom. They’re at the beauty salon. Stylist is trying to get Mom to try something new. The classic style is boring. Mom asks Se Ah what she thinks. Se Ah replies that classics are classic for a reason and it's great to have your own style. Gag me. She’s totally buttering Mom up. Mom tells the stylist to just color her gray hairs as usual.
Se Ah steps away because Ki Tae calls. She says that she just ran into Mom at the hair salon. Sure she did. Sure she did. Mom wanted some style advice. She didn't say anything else. Yet. Ki Tae is not amused and asks if she’s threatening him now. Isn’t she embarrassed? She laughs and asks how he can be mad at her. He’s the one ignoring her calls. She tells him that he shouldn’t be treating her this way. In her distress, his secret might just slip out.
Se Ah is clearly enjoying this but Ki Tae is not. He asks her to get out of the salon. Even though she’s not even facing Mom and is no where near where Mom is sitting… Se Ah announces that, gosh, Mom wants help with her shopping, too. They’ll be going to the mall afterwards… the department store.
Jang Mi is hard at work, cleaning the counter tops. Supervisor comments, please, on how Jang Mi is full of energy today. She looks up and sees Hyun Hee let out a big yawn. Supervisor says Hyun Hee’s name in admonishment and tells her to work hard! Dang. She is *really* polishing that countertop. Putting her whole body into it. Hyun Hee tells her to take it easy. Once she marries the doctor, she’ll be a VIP customer. Not stopping her scrubbing, Jang Mi says that she’s going to marry her work. Hyun Hee wants to know why Jang Mi is saying that… Did Ki Tae find out about her kiss with Yeo Reum?
Jang Mi stops scrubbing, remembering the kiss. She throws down her rag, disgusted with herself and mutters that she fell for that kiss. Hyun Hee tells Jang Mi that she should've chosen one and gone all-in. You mean like you did with Hoon Dong when the body wasn’t even cold yet? Hyun Hee declares that Jang Mi was too greedy. Jang Mi declares that it’s over with both of them. Bitterly she declares that she’s tired of guys. She starts scrubbing again.
Yeo Reum shows up and tells Jang Mi they should go eat together. He’s got his charming smile on. Jang Mi looks at him and asks why she should eat with him? He laughs and replies that she said she liked him. She makes a noise to stop him from talking and, after glancing around, drags him off. He’s wearing a huge smile as they go. Hyun Hee watches them go and shakes her head.
Ki Tae arrives, out of breath. He asks Hyun Hee where Jang Mi is. Hyun Hee replies that she went out with a customer. Ki Tae asks which way they went and when Hyun Hee points, he runs after Jang Mi. Hyun Hee can’t believe that Jang Mi still has two guys chasing her or that Jang Mi isn’t loving it all.
Jang Mi and Yeo Reum are walking. He repeats that he wants them to go eat. Jang Mi stops and turns around. She asks when it all started. When he asked her to pick out an outfit? He’s still smiling as he asks, “What?” Jang Mi clarifies: When did his lies start? When he got her shoe out of the pool? Or when he called her to eat late at night? Yeo Reum’s stopped smiling. She tells him that he cooked for her and got her off-guard for his own purposes. And he even kissed– She stops and says that he received money for all that.
Yeo Reum says that he was about to give it back. Jang Mi doesn’t believe him. Even if he was giving it back, it still means that he got it in the first place. He says that it was a joke. She can’t believe he thinks she’s a joke. Yeo Reum says that she’s really embarrassing him. He hates having to explain everything. I’m feeling a bit sarcastic when I say ‘poor baby.’ I like Yeo Reum, but he owes her an explanation. She tells him that he’s so frivolous; she was serious. He looks at her and seriously says that if he’s serious, she’d let him go anyways. Then he put on the big smile again.
Mom and Se Ah are happily walking together at the mall. Which annoys me. I'm sure Se Ah arranged this part, too. Mom spots Jang Mi talking with Yeo Reum and recognizes him as someone who works at Hoon Dong's restaurant.
Jang Mi tells him to stop chasing her around and to tell Se Ah not to worry about her. Yeo Reum stops smiling. Mom decides to butt in and tells Jang Mi to tell Se Ah herself. Mom asks why Yeo Reum is following Jang Mi around. And what did she mean about Se Ah? Jang Mi says that she’ll explain everything.
Right then Ki Tae finds them and he declares that *he’ll* explain everything. Mom says that something is definitely going on. Se Ah says she thinks she should explain everything. Ki Tae says her name to stop her. Se Ah says that it’s nothing crazy. Jang Mi says she’ll explain. Ki Tae says he will. Mom tells everyone to be quiet! And then looks at Se Ah to tell her to proceed.
Se Ah says that she asked Yeo Reum for a favor, to find out about Jang Mi and Ki Tae’s relationship. Ki Tae sighs, because he knows the jig is up. Mom looks at Ki Tae with a small smirk on her lips, since she knows she has him now. Se Ah says she wanted to know she should buy the couple as a wedding gift. Everyone looks at Se Ah, surprised.
Se Ah says that she wanted to get them something they needed but didn’t want to ask directly, so that it could be a surprise. Mom sighs, disappointed. Mom asks Jang Mi if that’s what she was going to say. Jang Mi glances at Ki Tae several times as she tries to think of what to say. Ki Tae answers instead, saying that Jang Mi felt uncomfortable about being congratulated by her fiancé's ex. Se Ah says that she was wrong. She looks at Jang Mi as she says that she didn't know it would cause trouble. She apologizes. Then she takes Mom ways, to do more shopping.
Jang Mi and Ki Tae go to the food court. She asks Ki Tae if he’s okay. He sure looks okay. He just stuffed a huge spoonful of rice in his mouth. He wants to know about what that she’s asking. Jang Mi says that he and Se Ah must've been close enough at some point to consider marriage and she paid a guy to pry into his life. He declares that it’s happened before. Like it’s nothing disturbing. With Se Ah? Or done by other people? Either way, that’s pretty messed up. Jang Mi’s thinking the same thing I am: Jang Mi asks him why his family is all messed up. Jang Mi tells him to go ahead and tell Mom the truth.
Ki Tae asks Jang Mi if she wants him to marry someone he doesn’t love. Jang Mi points out that Se Ah knows now, too, so he’ll get caught soon. He tells her not to worry; Se Ah wouldn't use her power like that. Jang Mi tells him to keep her out of his power struggle. She repeats that they are nothing now. She taps her tray with her chopsticks and says that they shouldn’t be eating together either. Waving his spoon at her, he says that she’s the one who told him to eat before he goes. She didn’t remember do it, until he reminds her. Jang Mi nods her head and says that she did tell him to eat. She was worried about him. Ki Tae looks at her, surprised to hear that.
Yeo Reum arrives at the table with a tray full of food. Without asking, he sits down next to Jang Mi. She’s surprised he’s still at the store. He says that he’s hungry. Ki Tae glances over at Yeo Reum. It’s obvious he’s telling himself that he doesn’t like this guy. Jang Mi puts her chopsticks down and declares that she’s repeating herself. And she uses hand motions to emphasis. The pair of them are OUT. And out is in English. She stands up and declares that she’s only going to think about herself. Unless you need to tell Ki Tae to eat again… She declares that she won't get swayed by other people's business. She grabs her tray and walks off, with Yeo Reum asking if she’s leaving.
Not looking up from his food, Ki Tae tells Yeo Reum to stop tormenting Jang Mi. Yeo Reum mutters, “Look who's talking.” Or something like that. They cast glaring glances at each other. Outside, Jang Mi is muttering to herself about the pair. She just wants a quiet life alone. What's with them?! Sounds like Ki Tae now… She takes her shoes off and throws them to the ground with frustration. Hyun Hee approaches and offers Jang Mi the drink she’s carrying. Hyun Hee declares that she wants to talk about something.
Hoon Dong wakes in the hotel, sheet barely covering his nakedness. It takes him a moment to realize he is not at home. Then he notices that he’s naked and cringes. He grabs his phone. There’s a text that says, “Good job, Oppa.” That's not tacky, not at all. Hoon Dong is not happy. He throws one of his little fits and pounds on the bed. He also slaps his head and then he sobs.
Jang Mi is surprised. Hyun Hee says that she knows Jang Mi is shocked over her getting together with Hoon Dong. She declares that she was hesitant to. Really? When? Back at the club? Because you’ve been chasing him ever since the wallets. Jang Mi asks if Hyun Hee remembers what he did to her. Hyun Hee does. She also knows that Jang Mi is over Hoon Dong Oppa. Jang Mi repeats that she is. Hyun Hee says that she won’t see him if Jang Mi doesn’t want her to. Whatever. You are totally two-faced. Because Jang Mi is more important to her than Hoon Dong.
Hyun Hee adds that it’s just not right for Jang Mi to object. If Jang Mi’s over him, why not let him go? Jang Mi has two guys who are crazy about her anyway. Jang Mi protests that she’s worried about Hyun Hee. Jang Mi knows what he's like. Hyun Hee – because she is delusional – says that Hoon Dong might not be a bad boy with her. All Jang Mi can say is, “What?” Hyun Hee declares that she’s going to dust him off and recycle him. Then she smiles and walks off. Of course, Jang Mi doesn’t see Hyun Hee for who she is, so she gets absolutely livid at what Hoon Dong’s done to her friend. Jang Mi declares that she’ll kill him.
Hoon Dong is carefully creeping up to Bon Café. The man is hiding from Hyun Hee. I shake my head. After scanning the restaurant, he slowly creeps inside. Yeo Reum sees him. Hoon Dong asks if any girls ask for him. Yeo Reum replies that none did, just like always. Hoon Dong makes a mess for Yeo Reum to clean up for the dig.
Hoon Dong goes to Chef and asks to add the Cuatro Kimchi Cheese to the menu. Chef is clueless. Hoon Dong explains: the one he made for the wine meeting… the fusion dish with 4 types of cheese. Right as Yeo Reum enters the kitchen, Hoon Dong declares that his dish was popular. Didn't chef make it? He drops the dishes he was carrying. Hoon Dong and Chef glare at him as he apologizes. Hoon Dong orders Chef to set a price and add the dish. Chef thinks at remembers it was Yeo Reum’s kimchi. He yells that Yeo Reum’s a jerk!
Hoon Dong exits the kitchen to be confronted by Jang Mi. He desperately tries to flee and finally does, squirming out of his jacket and leaving her holding it. It’s quite hysterical to watch. She takes after him. When he runs down the stairs, he hurts his knee, so he starts limping as he runs. Jang Mi takes off after him on her bike. Finally she cuts him off. He tries to dodge her again, but she gets him by the scruff of his shirt. Little kid fit. He asks why she’s after him. She asks what he did to Hyun Hee. Is he serious about Hyun Hee or not?
Hoon Dong can’t believe that Hyun Hee told Jang Mi about what happened. Jang Mi pokes him and asks who else Jang Mi would tell! Has anyone suffered from him like her?! Hoon Dong takes offense at ‘suffered.’ He declares that she is his one and only last love. She can’t believe him, his nerve. I can’t either. Jang Mi asks why he went after Hyun Hee. Hoon Dong mutters that he was drunk and made a mistake. Now indignant, he declares that he’s become an alcoholic because of her. She holds up her hand to silence him. She clarifies: He was drunk and he what? He replies that he made a mistake.
Jang Mi can’t believe it. She screams at him, that he slept with Hyun Hee! Hoon Dong starts to stutter as he realizes that Hyun Hee didn’t mention that part. Not that Hyun Hee totally didn’t get him drunk so she could seduce him or anything… Jang Mi grabs his hair, screaming that he’s a jerk! Hoon Dong eventually ends up on the ground where she starts beating him for sleeping with her friend. He screams his protests. Eventually he stands up again. She grabs him by his shirt and demands that he promise he won't hurt Hyun Hee. Hoon Dong’s ready to do whatever. AS she slaps him, she tells him to stay away from Hyun Hee.
Hoon Dong mutters, asking if there’s a possibility of her liking him again if he does that. She smacks him in the head and asks why they can’t have a peaceful ending?! Hoon Dong starts whining, asking how? It's not over for him! He slept with Hyun Hee because Jang Mi wouldn't accept him! He whines that he’s so annoyed and stomps away. Jang Mi can only stand there and with her mouth hanging open. She’s so frustrated, she throws a little tantrum, too. I can’t wait to see Ki Tae throw one. Heh. She grabs her bike and starts to walks away.
Jang Mi comes across Chef dressing down Yeo Reum outside Bon Café. Yeo Reum is so brave. Yeo Reum smiles and says that hyungnim wouldn't come out of the restroom. Anyway it went ok. Chef can’t believe he just said that. He tells Yeo Reum that his kitchen smells like kimchi now. Even though you didn’t smell it, until Hoon Dong asked about it… Yeo Reum tells Chef that he didn't know they'd enjoy it so much. He’ll give Chef the recipe without telling Hoon Dong. Chef calls Yeo Reum and punches him. Does Yeo Reum think this is a street stall? How dare Yeo Reum do that? Chef walks off in a huff as Yeo Reum holds his nose.
Yeo Reum notices Jang Mi watching. He turns his back so she can’t see his bloody nose. She hurries over and asks if he’s okay. He tells her to go. It's embarrassing. She grabs a napkin from her purse and offers it. He tells her not to come any closer. He says that it’s all her fault. But doesn’t explain that reasoning. He walks away.
Se Ah and Mom are at a café, getting coffee. Mom declares that she’s just old. She can't keep up with the young mindset. Mom can’t understand why Se Ah would be getting Ki Tae a wedding gift. She asks what’s the truth. Se Ah replies that she can say this: the guy she wanted to spend forever with, she still wants to. And didn’t I call that one? But he's marrying someone else. It's hard for her to be ok with it, but she can give him a gift. Wow, in some ways, that’s really like Mom. Which may be another reason why Ki Tae doesn’t want her: she settled for less than what she deserved (even if it was at his hands) and he can’t respect that. Mom declares that Se Ah must not want to tell her. This woman. Like a dog with a bone. Se Ah says that she has another appointment and has to get going. After Se Ah leaves, Mom sighs.
Where does Se Ah go? To see Ki Tae. Ki Tae is at work, watching baseball on his computer. She pokes her head in, asking if he’s not going home. He isn’t. But you said that you like living alone, being alone. She comes is and looks over his shoulder. She tells him that the game isn’t live and she should watch it later. Ki Tae says that he wants to now. She leans in, putting an arm on his shoulder. She says that she saved him once. A little give-and-take, please. He pulls her arm off his shoulder. She tells him the final score, just to spite him. I hate that! He didn’t like that his team lost.
Se Ah pats Ki Tae on the shoulder and tells him to come on. Not looking at her, he asks her what she wants?! She looks at him and says she wants a life partner. He looks at her. She leaves his office. That was not the conversation they had three years ago.
Ki Tae has gone to the hospital. Admitting nurse asks questions:
Does he smoke? No.
Drink? Sometimes.
How often? 2-3 times a week?
Do he have morning erections?
Ki Tae can’t believe that she’s asking that question. And neither can I. When he says, “pardon?” She repeats “erections” like it’s a matter-of-fact question, like did he blow his nose. She marks down no = bad, and he makes her change it. Has he had sex in the last 3 days? Where is he? What kind of questions are these? Ki Tae says that he’s been busy with work so not in the last 3 days. She passes him a cup.
Next, we’re treated to a darkened room and moaning from a tape that Ki Tae’s watching. He’s really uncomfortable. Finally he looks at the cup and sets it down loudly on the table. He leaves the hospital, rubbing his forehead from the stress/humiliation, with Se Ah following behind him. She calls his name so he stops. He asks her what she’s doing. She’s taken this joke a bit too far! She’s serious as she said that she didn't bring him here as a joke. She doesn’t want marriage either, but she wants a life partner. She declares that she loves herself so much, she wants to live with someone who's just like her. Ki Tae blinks at her. She tells him that he has great genes. Who could want more?
Ki Tae laughs with disbelief. Is she serious? A baby's not a toy! It’s a living person that’s born! Se Ah declares that she can give the kid everything a person should have. He looks at her like he still thinks she’s crazy. She says that she won't pressure you. She won't tell anyone he’s the biological father. It’s her dad's hospital. She’ll make sure it’s kept secret. Ki Tae reminds her that single women aren't allowed to get sperm donations here. She tells him, fine, and says that if he’s going to be so legalistic… they should sleep together. Ki Tae can’t believe he just heard that. ‘The world is going crazy.’
Se Ah tells him to choose. Put it in a tube or sleep with her. He can hardly speak as he tells her that she’s insane. And then she pulls it out… It’s either that or she can tell Mom about his con job with Jang Mi. She tells him to give it some thought and walks off. Wow, she really is like Mom.
Ki Tae gets a phone call. He doesn’t recognize the number, but once they identify themselves, he’s polite and bows through the phone.
Chicken Shack. Oma and Appa are working, wondering what went wrong with Jang Mi and Ki Tae. Did they do something careless? Well, Oma’s talking. Appa’s writing. He told her it’s her fault… acting silly at the hospital. She starts yelling at him, asking what he’s done for Jang Mi. Appa yells back that he’s doing something now! Ki Tae arrives, a six pack in hand. That’s who was on the phone. Appa tells Oma to close the Shack.
Ki Tae and Appa eat fried chicken and drink. Appa asks if Ki Tae feels uncomfortable. He sure looks uncomfortable. For someone who doesn’t like Jang Mi, he sure looks worried about making a good impression on Appa. Ki Tae says that he’s not uncomfortable. Allergic to chicken? Ki Tae protests that he isn’t and starts stuffing his face. Appa protests that it’s not that good, but Ki Tae says that it is. Appa tells Ki Tae that Jang Mi might be considered a common girl to some people, but she's his one and only daughter. And this might the talk of a commoner, but please take care of his girl.
Ki Tae nods and asks Appa for a favor. Jang Mi dumped him. They take another drink of Soju. Appa says that he’s sure that Jang Mi didn't mean it. She's scared of marriage. He doesn’t get along with Oma. That traumatized Jang Mi a long time ago.
Flashback to Jang Mi as a 5 year old. Oma and Appa are yelling, fighting. Jang Mi can’t help but overhear. Oma exits the bedroom with a suitcase and tells Jang Mi to have a happy life with her Appa. Appa tells Jang Mi to live with Oma. Later, Jang Mi is alone and drops a glass, cutting open her feet. She stands there crying for Oma.
Appa declares that Jang Mi was stuck there, along, for three days. She was starving and scared. She thought they had left her. Well, didn’t you? Ki Tae remembers Jang Mi saying that she almost died home alone when she was 5, which is why she doesn’t like to be alone and why she worries about people who are alone. Ki Tae looks like he feels really bad for Jang Mi. Appa declares that Jang Mi was hurt by bad parents. That's why Jang Mi’s negative about marriage. Appa asks him to please comfort her. He’s asking Ki Tae for this favor.
Appa starts to bow with his request, which shakes Ki Tae out of his thoughts. Ki Tae waves and tells Appa to please don't. Appa says that when he thinks of that incident, it breaks his heart. Appa says that he tries to make it work with this witch for Jang Mi, but it's not easy. Appa waves his hand and says that he can't believe he’s saying all this embarrassing stuff. And I’m wondering, as Ki Tae’s looking at Appa, if he’s wishing that his Dad were more like Appa. Appa tries to make it work instead of going out and getting a girlfriend. They drink again.
Jang Mi gets home. She asks Oma why she left Appa alone at the restaurant. Oma is applying facial cream. She says that Appa told her to leave because Ki Tae was there. Jang Mi immediately runs downstairs… to find a very drunk Ki Tae with a very drunk Appa. There are 8 used bottles of Soju on the table. Eight. They are apologizing back and forth to each other. Ki Tae can barely lift his glass. Jang Mi hurries in and takes the Soju. Appa asks why she’s there, since this is drink between the dudes. She yells at Appa about Ki Tae being drunk. Drunk Appa asks Drunk Ki Tae if he’s drunk. Drunk Ki Tae declares he’s okay. Appa pours another glass.
Ki Tae starts hysterically laughing at Jang Mi and then starts to fall asleep on Jang Mi. She chugs Ki Tae’s latest glass. She tries to get him up but Ki Tae falls on the floor. Appa tells her to leave Ki Tae and have a drink. They start discussing Ki Tae. Jang Mi says they are not a good fit. Ki Tae just sits on the floor and laughs.
Jang Mi take Ki Tae home in a cab. He can barely walk, so she drags him and his dang long legs out of the taxi. Ki Tae is bombed out of his gourd. He’s staring at the stars, doing yoga poses. He gets Jang Mi in a headlock and sings her name over and over as he messes with her hair. She gives him a piggyback ride up to his apartment. She asks him when this fake act end! He says hello to Nemo. She dumps him on the couch, and he plops his legs on top of her to pin her to the couch.
Jang Mi yells at him, asking Ki Tae why he drank so much. He sighs and says that he was so sorry. What did he do? Jang Mi declares that dragging it out will make it worse. Mom will be disappointed to find out it was all fake. He sighs an “okay,” eyes shut. Jang Mi shoves him and tells him to just marry Se Ah. She still loves him. Half-asleep, Ki Tae says that he can’t. She's just like Mom. I knew it! Jang Mi’s confused because he was going to marry Se Ah before. He says that’s because she’s just like Mom. She tells him that he’s confusing her again.
Ki Tae sighs and opens his eyes a bit. He looks at her and closes them again. Then he stands up and declares that he wants to be alone. But not after they have a moment and it really looks like he wants to kiss her. He stumbles off toward his bedroom. She mutters at him and then hurries over to help when he pushes on the door handle and goes crashing to the floor. She helps him up and onto the bed.
Ki Tae rolls over to stick one of his legs in the air – like he’s going to kick at her – and declares that he wants to be alone. He does kick at her. Heh. Then he starts to take his shirt off. Jang Mi covers her eyes. She turns around so her back is to him. He kicks her in the rear. She looks at him to see him try to take off his pants. More hiding her face. Ki Tae tries to pull off his pants but rolls off the bed. She sees it and gets him back on the bed.
Jang Mi starts fighting with Ki Tae for the pants. Of course, she’s not looking so it’s a whole lot of pawing at his legs. He yells at her to stop touching him! She yells for him to stay still and pulls the pants the rest of the way off. He’s got his hands down around his shorts, so I’m wondering if what he was watching earlier is influencing that right now. She hurries to pull his comforter over his to cover him. He protests and kicks it off, to get her to cover him again.
Finally Ki Tae settles down. He mutters that he’s not hurting anyone. He doesn't want anything extraordinary. He just… wants to be alone… in this house. And that makes me feel bad for him. He doesn’t want anything extraordinary. Like being in love like what he secretly wishes for isn’t possible, because of his screwed up parents. It being real would be extraordinary. She asks him if he loves being alone. His reply is to ask he if she can't just leave him alone. She tucks him in and leaves, looking a little sad. Once she leaves his bedroom, Jang Mi stops, thinking. After a minute, she heads to his kitchen with a smile on her face.
Next morning. Hungover Ki Tae wakes up. He stumbles out of bed to find his kitchen an absolute mess. He mutters Jang Mi’s name like it’s a curse. He rubs his head vigorously and goes to make coffee. There’s a note: Don't drink coffee. Have soup! He goes looking for the soup. He mutters that now he has to do the dishes. He finds another note that says that she cooked rice too. He sighs and says that he doesn’t eat rice for breakfast. He’s frowning, but he’s really hungry. Next thing we see if Ki Tae pigging out on what she’s cooked. He can only pat his stomach when it’s done. He does to the fridge and there’s another note: If he feels less hung over, they should meet the parents and tell the truth. Ki Tae closes the fridge. He doesn’t like that idea.
Ki Tae looks around his apartment. Things fade to...
[3 Years Ago]
Ki Tae declares that it’s this one. He’s with Se Ah. She says that it’s smaller than she thought. Really? That place is bigger than the house I rent. He says that it’s special to him. He says that he was here alone when he was little. He remembers those times as his happiest moments. Wow, that’s really sad. For a little kid to feel that way. He says that when he comes there he feels comfortable. It was for a short while, though.
Se Ah’s looking at the place. He walks over and puts his arm around her. Ki Tae tells her that he wants to live with her for a long time. What does she think? She smiles and leans into the embrace, telling him that they should live there, their newlywed home. They hold each other and smile.
Mom is at home, telling Halmeoni, Aunt and Dad that Se Ah still has feelings for Ki Tae. Halmeoni can’t believe it. Aunt declares that that's great! Se Ah’s the great daughter-in-law Mom wanted. Mom disses Aunt with the tea and dismisses her, because Aunt agreed to do Mom a favor. Aunt leaves. Halmeoni asks what Mom is cooking up now. What if Ki Tae finds a real reason to live alone? Mom declares that she has a reason to get him to marry Se Ah.
Jang Mi’s at work, cleaning. Hyun Hee is watching her phone, unhappy because it’s not ringing. Jang Mi tells her to stop waiting. Hoon Dong won't call. Hyun Hee looks sadly at Jang Mi. Jang Mi asks why Hyun Hee made such a mistake? Hyun Hee is puzzled by ‘mistake.’ Jang Mi declares that she nearly killed him. Hyun Hee is upset now. She protests that Jang Mi’s annoyed with him, which is fine, but Jang Mi really won't let him see her?! Jang Mi protests that she doesn’t want Hyun Hee to get hurt. Hyun Hee bitterly replies that she knows. Jang Mi’s Oppa’s true love. She’s just a mistake. Hyun Hee starts to cry and says that it might not have been a mistake. It could've led to a relationship. Uh, no. But it became a mistake because of Jang Mi. He ran away because Jang Mi butted in! She walks off, crying. Not manipulative at all.
Ki Tae is at work. He thinks of Se Ah’s ultimatum. He starts to consider donating, when Jang Mi appears. She walks up so quietly that she frightens him. He asks her why she’s there. She tells him that they need to go to his house. He wants to know why. She can’t believe that he can’t remember the night before. Ki Tae’s a little worried there… until she clarifies. Jang Mi declares that he said he was sorry and regretted it. She wants them to beg. Ki Tae can’t believe that that’s the only way. Jang Mi says that she’ll say it if he can't. He promises to go after his next three appointments.
Yeo Reum is taking out the trash. It’s very heavy. Jang Mi picks some of it up and he asks why she’s doing that. She said he’s out. She says that she’s just helping him. He smiles. As they walk, she asks him what he meant, that it was her fault. She was bothered by that? Yeo Reum says that they shouldn't talk around trash. It should be all romantic. And Aunt is watching from a distance. Aunt calls Mom and tells her that she was right. Jang Mi’s with the restaurant part-timer.
Ki Tae’s done with his appointments and looking for Jang Mi. She’s not there. He calls her. She says that something came up. He wants to know what. She replies that it won't take long. Then he hears Yeo Reum’s voice and asks who she’s with. When she won’t tell, he knows that it’s Yeo Reum and asks how she let herself get hooked again. She says that it’s not like that. What is it then? After he was paid to date her? Jang Mi replies that he was going to return it. Ki Tae sputters indignantly and says that she just said she wanted to be single! She tells him to wait 5 minutes. He yells back, “No!” and angrily hangs up his phone.
Ki Tae is in his car. Aunt calls and says that she’s got some info for him. It's at least worth $200. He agrees, too exhausted to argue. She tells him that Mom’s sent her on a mission to find out about Jang Mi and Yeo Reum’s relationship. He asks where she is. She laughs and says that event if she’s a double spy she can't tell him that. She gets off the phone and gets yelled at by a policeman for where she’s parked.
Ki Tae mutters to himself that Jang Mi’s going to tell Mom anyway. Then he looks at his tracker app and sees her location. She’s just told Yeo Reum everything. He can’t believe she wasted all her precious time going through all that. She says that she was a moron. She declares that she will end everything. Yeo Reum’s doubtful; she’s here talking to him because of a small nosebleed. Jang Mi declares that she’ll end it with him too. He starts laughing. She asks him why the nosebleed was because of her? He explains about the Cuatro Kimchi Cheese dish. It’s her fault because he made it with her kimchi. So he made it for her? He remembered she enjoyed the cheese gratin and kimchi. He doesn’t say anything but the way he’s avoiding looking at her says that it’s true.
Jang Mi concludes that Yeo Reum wasn’t really dating her for the money. She inspired him. He laughs and says that it was another girl. Someone he knew long ago. Her kimchi pancakes were awesome. She made him kimchi pancakes when she abandoned me too. Everyone has a taste or smell they can never forget. Her kimchi pancakes are like that to him. Jang Mi says that he must've loved her a lot. He smiles and says that it's not a girl he loved. She gave birth to him. She doesn’t know what to say. Seeing her face, Yeo Reum asks Jang Mi if it’s too heavy. He gets up to leave, but she grabs his hand. He declares that that’s awkward. Not caring, Jang Mi tells him thanks for telling her something heavy. She stands up and tells him that it’s nice, getting to know her. They look at each other, smile and hold hands. Then he teases her, like what he said was a line. She knows it wasn’t, so she goes along with it.
Aunt is there, taking pictures. Yeo Reum sees her and chases her. Then he stops so that he can run with Jang Mi. He totally could have caught her if he hadn’t have gone back for Jang Mi. The girl is running and Ki Tae runs into her. A struggle with Ki Tae yelling at Aunt that she’s heavy. Then her hoodie comes off and reveals that it’s not Aunt. Se Ah appears and tells Ki Tae to let the girl go. She’s got a smile on her face. Shady! Super shady! Girl gives Se Ah the memory card and goes.
Jang Mi and Yeo Reum arrive. Jang Mi can’t believe it was Se Ah and not Mom. Se Ah tells Ki Tae that she felt it wouldn’t be easy for him to decide, so she got hard evidence to strengthen her case. Angrily, he declares that she hasn’t changed at all.
Flashback. Real Estate Contract. Se Ah announces that she bought the place next-door. She thought the apartment was too small for them. They can extend the place. He sighs and says that he told her that it’s precious to him! How can she decide on her own? Se Ah replies that his family didn’t have enough money. She didn't want to give him stress. He can’t believe that she did a background check. She smiles as she says that when he puts it that way, it sounds bad. They should share all that as a future couple. She adjusts his collar as she says that she did his job for him. He should come to her hospital for a health screening too.
Ki Tae protests and she tells him not to be so sensitive. She asks if he has any deep dark secrets. Don’t let her know about it if he does. She can use that against him. He sighs. Demo guys pour in. She point where they should start. Ki Tae asks what she’s doing. She replies that she told him, she’s putting in an extension. Angrily, he throws the contract to the ground. He runs in and tells the men to get out! When she says his name, he yells that she needs to get out, too!!!
Present. Ki Tae’s staring daggers at Se Ah. He declares that she did that to him three years ago too. She says she did and he pushed her away like this three years ago too. They stare at each other. Jang Mi’s watching the whole thing, feeling badly for Ki Tae. She spots a spying Aunt. She remembers how Mom said that if she got proof, she would make him marry whoever *she* wanted. She also remembers how he said he can’t marry Se Ah because she’s just like his mom. She declares to herself that she gets it, why he loves to be alone, why he hates marriage.
Ki Tae sighs and tells Se Ah to suit herself. Spill the beans to Mom if she wants. Aunt is curious. What beans? Ki Tae tells Se Ah to reveal everything. He doesn't care. Jang Mi is starting to freak out because Se Ah will reveal everything. Then she tells herself that it was bound to be revealed anyway. She’ll stay put. She won't butt in. Yeo Reum watches Jang Mi struggle and smiles.
Jang Mi remembers how desperate Ki Tae is to stay alone.
Se Ah’s going to call Ki Tae’s bluff. She pulls out her phone to call Mom. He just waits. But they’re interrupted by Jang Mi. Jang Mi walks up and declares that she’s been very patient because the two of them are old friends. But if she keeps bothering Ki Tae and swaying his mom, she won't take it anymore! Puzzled look from Ki Tae. Aunt is fervently listening and Jang Mi knows it. Jang Mi declares that Gong Ki Tae is her man.
Ki Tae starts to say something. Jang Mi walks over to him. He backs up but she keeps coming. He asks what she’s doing. She replies that she’s a moron. Then she plants a kiss on him. And after a second, Ki Tae pulls her close and kisses her back. For not a few kisses either.
Thoughts
The episode ended on them kissing. And not just a kiss. Several of them. And most of them were not tight-lipped. But what does this mean? Was he kissing her back because he was swept up in the moment? Or was he doing it for Se Ah’s benefit? I mean, he closed his eyes and you don’t do that in k-dramas without meaning it. And both of them did blinking, too. He blinked when she kissed him and then she blinked when he started kissing her back. And I wonder what Yeo Reum’s thinking, since he knows that Jang Mi did it because she felt bad for Ki Tae. Complicated!
I think this was the first time where the opening sequence was totally misleading. Or maybe that's Ki Tae's hazy recollection of the incident...
This episode gave us more of the backstory as to why they are the way they are, and what happened between Ki Tae and Se Ah back three years ago.
Jang Mi:
Of her parents, I think I like Appa much more. He seems much less shallow. His regret over the incident was evident in how he talked about it. I just can't see Oma talking about it the same way.
That had to be so painful to be rejected by both her parents and then be abandoned for 3 days, plus to be wounded on top of it... That would lead to a lot of insecurities, which can explain some of her clinginess. I also think that's part of what's really drawing her to Ki Tae. As much of a cad and a jerk that he is sometimes, he's also pretty real and honest with her, too. And she can relate to the kind of pain that he's had to deal with in his life. She’s had to grow up with parents who are so wrapped up in themselves that they often forget to meet their child’s needs.
Conversely, I think she likes Yeo Reum because he's genuinely nice and kind to her. She's a nice and kind person, but it doesn't seem that too many people are nice and kind to her. (Especially not manipulative Hyun Hee.) What she remembers of Hoon Dong are the times that he was nice and kind, and that is how Yeo Reum is. Once Ki Tae gets this part down, it's going to be no contest for Jang Mi's heart (sorry Yeo Reum!).
Ki Tae:
His experience was different, but just as revealing. The place he lives, for some reason, he got away from his family's strife and felt safe and happy there, because he was alone. And what happened with Se Ah is so telling into why he's the way he is. He brought her into his sacred place and she treated it like it was garbage. He trusted her with his heart and she didn't protect it at all. She is so very much like his mother. She completely disregarded his feelings and didn't understand why he objected to her plans for the expansion. Plus, she did a background check to find out his money situation. It says that you're not in love with someone, but you have other reasons that you're marrying them. He gave her his love, and just like with his parents, she let him down. That was really telling how he said he was going to marry her because she's like Mom and someone Mom would approve of, but it's because she's so similar to Mom, he couldn't possibly marry her.
One of the saddest things I think happened on this show was when Ki Tae is drunk and mutters that he’s not hurting anyone. He doesn't want anything extraordinary. He just… wants to be alone… in this house. Like real love is a myth and hoping for something that could make you that happy, something that extraordinary, it's impossible. All he wants is to be left alone in a place where he feels safe and at home. And since no one has ever shown him a safe place with them, he feels like it's not possible.
I think this is another reason why Ki Tae's really connected with Jang Mi, because she makes him feel safe. She may yell at him, but time and again, he has been obnoxious to her and she's still cared and worried about him. She saved his life because she was worried about him. That was it. She just cared that he was okay. She keeps caring about him, even when he's an absolute jerk. She doesn't punish him for it. Se Ah and Mom take a vulnerability and use it but Jang Mi doesn't. So, like his apartment, she's someone he can be safe around... to be weak... to be vulnerable. She'll protect his heart because that's who she is. She also can understand that he hurts because she did the same thing with her heart and was disappointed, too.
Plus, Jang Mi can't scheme to save her life. She's too real and obvious. That's what Mom and Se Ah do all the time. The scheme to manipulate him into fathering a child with her. The scheme to strand Jang Mi at Ki Tae's work so Mom could matchmake. Jang Mi wouldn't do either and even if she tried, she would mess up and expose herself. She couldn't just coincidentally run into Mom at the salon. She wouldn't encourage Mom to manipulate Ki Tae. She doesn't do secrets (for the most part); or rather, I should say, she wants to live honestly rather than manipulating people.
Other Thoughts:
- Funny, Jang Mi hunting Hoon Dong down to beat him for abusing her friend. In spite of myself, I'm starting to like him, because he's so earnest in his shallowness. In contrast, I still don't like Hyun Hee, because she acts all sweet and nice, but really she's calculating and manipulative. I don't have such a strong negative feeling toward Se Ah, because I can see how desperate she is. She and Mom. They do these things because they think it's the only way to get what they want. And I guess you could say that about Hyun Hee, but it doesn't seem the same. I think it's because I don't think her feelings/love is sincere. Maybe I've misjudged her, but from the beginning, she's liked Hoon Dong because he had money. I can't see Mom or Se Ah going after someone who did that to one of their friends. I think Se Ah genuinely loved/s Ki Tae, which is why she settled, and I think Mom genuinely loved Dad, before he did what he did and in her mind, being a good wife and mother means that she does what she does.
- Love a drunk Ki Tae! He's funny (and uninhibited) and he sings Jang Mi's name. Love that they had their father-in-law, son-in-law drinking moment.
- Almost kissing moment while Ki Tae is drunk - heh. And then a real kissing moment at the end.
- Jang Mi cracking me up trying to not see a half-naked Ki Tae. Heh.
- Love that even though he protests, he really doesn't want to be alone. That's why he complains, but still eats the food she made for him.
- Hopefully, there will be a girl for Yeo Reum at the end of this, since he's not going to end up with Jang Mi. I'm glad that he's sincere in his interest in her, even though he's still quick to act like he doesn't care about anything.
- Really shady that Se Ah sent a photographer -- she's totally like Mom.
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