Poong San asks what brings Jung Joo to the Warm and Cozy. Geon Woo went out for a bit. She says that she came to borrow something. She asks again about how many customers they get because of reservations. I wonder if she's wondering how her business will do, based on how well the Warm and Cozy does. Poong San answers that whenever Ms. Boo Mi Ra talks about Geon Woo's restaurant in her blog, they get a rise in reservations, so he expects that they’ll be busier in the next week. Jung Joo is surprised to hear that the novelist, Boo Mi Ra, comes to the Warm and Cozy. Poong San replies that she’s a regular.
Later, Jung Joo looks at Mi Ra’s blog. She's written all sorts of posts about Sorang Town. There’s a post about Geon Woo. Mi Ra says that Chef Baek at the Warm and Cozy is a romantic guy. He's said that he met his first love in Jeju, on his 19th birthday. Man, the food he’s cooking looks good! And he’s smiling. Squish! Like a gust of wind that runs through Jeju’s beaches, she made an impressive entrance. Uh-oh. How did he meet Jung Joo and Ji Won on the same day? Jung Joo has made the same connection I did. His nineteenth birthday... was the day she went looking for him and claimed to be his twin. As ‘Love is the moment!’ begins to play, Jung Joo chews on her thumb.
Gun Woo appears and Jung Joo tries to act casually. He’s brought a step ladder that Jung Joo had asked Poong San to borrow. Gun Woo asks why Jung Joo didn't come for lunch. Why the interest, Gun Woo? She tells him that she just had a cup of ramen. Gun Woo sees the insta-ramen and yells at her for eating stuff like that. You are what you eat!
Gun Woo notices that she’s pale and asks what’s wrong with her face. Is she sick?! She smiles awkwardly and says that she’s just a bit dizzy. Just a little love sick. Gun Woo immediately reaches over and feels her forehead for a fever. Just the thing to make her more dizzy. Jung Joo leans backward to avoid being too close to him. He asks if they should go to a doctor. She says that it was just because she was looking at something on the internet for awhile. An article about you and how you met your first love.
Gun Woo wants to know what she was looking at. Boy, he’s not nosy at all. Jung Joo can’t say what it really was, so she makes up something: she saw something that made her angry. Gun Woo begins to lecture her on her eating habits. You can easily get angry if you lack calcium. Is that what my problem is? Gun Woo sighs and says that a bowl of mel noodles would be perfect for an occasion like this. Jung Joo isn’t familiar with the term ‘mel.’ Gun Woo tells her that she’s become a true Jeju local when you can enjoy the taste of mel. Gun Woo realizes that he hasn’t had a bowl of mel noodles yet this spring.
Gun Woo asks about the ladder: what is she planning to do with it? Jung Joo’s planning on fixing the roof since it’s going to rain. She’s going to cover over the holes. Gun Woo yells at her that she shouldn't do temporary fixes! She should do it properly when she fixes it! Gun Woo tries to take the ladder but Jung Joo says that it's fine. Gun Woo want to know what she’s going to do if the roof flies away after she fixes it up. Does she know how strong the winds are here in Jeju? She shouldn’t do a half-ass job! Gun Woo decides that he’s going to do it instead and starts rummaging in her tool bow.
Jung Joo gets a phone call. It’s Jong Bae calling to talk about his construction estimate. Gun Woo tells her not to make any immediate decisions. They should decide after they talk that evening, while they eat something delicious. They should have a party. A party? Gun Woo declares that she’s a Jeju resident as of today, so for a welcome party, he'll whip her up something really delicious! He tells her to go meet Jong Bae; he’ll repair the whole roof for her. As she leaves, he yells at her that he’ll wait for her with dinner ready. Jung Joo walks away with a funny (yet happy) look on her face. Okay, it was more a giddy jog, since she’s convinced that she’s his first love.
Gun Woo tells himself to feed her something delicious and tell her everything. Tell her what? What does he need to tell her? He gets to work on her roof. And for all his bluster, it doesn’t look like he has any idea what he’s doing either. He mutters, asking why it isn't working. Should he have called in a professional? And there’s a nice *big* hole in her roof now.
Phone call. It’s Dead Face (Ji Won). I’ve decided to call her ‘Dead Face; since she shows no really expressions at all. When he sees her name, he debates on whether he should answer. I bet if Jung Joo was around, he wouldn’t. He didn’t last time. But Jung Joo is not around. Gun Woo answers. She asks why, since he knows that she’s in Seoul, that he hasn’t called her. She’s disappointed. And I hate you. You just are calling for an ego boost. Gun Woo hesitantly says that he was a bit busy. Dead Face says that she was joking.
Dead Face sighs and talks about the weather. How's the weather on Jeju Island? Gun Woo says that it’s really beautiful. The weather there can be fickle but when the sea is calm, and it's warm out like today, it's the best. And now for the reason for her call. Should… she come to Jeju? And even how she asks makes me bellow with annoyance. I hate her! And I don’t usually hate second leads, but she is the worst! She asks it so manipulatively. Gun Woo, because she’s done this to him before, asks ‘When?’ With a ‘smile’ on her face, Dead Face says that if she leaves right now, she should be able to have dinner there. Will he make her something delicious? Of course. Is she really coming right now? She tells him that she’ll call when she arrives in Jeju.
Gun Woo can’t believe that she’s finally coming for dinner. He is so excited that he almost falls off the roof. Speaking of the roof… Gun Woo ‘debates’ for two seconds and then runs off to cook Dead Face that meal. Did I mention the really huge *hole* in the roof now?
Gun Woo runs for his restaurant and immediately starts cooking. Shouldn’t you wait to see if she really makes it? She’s bailed on you before, when one of her Oppas calls. He yells at Poong San about the mangoes they got from the farm. Poong San asks if mango’s going on the menu that evening. Gun Woo declares that they’ll be closed tonight. Someone's coming. Noticing Gun Woo’s mood, Poong San asks, with baited breath, if it’s Mok Ji Won, by any chance? Gun Woo practically crows as he nods. Gun Woo thinks and decides that they need champagne. Will Ji Won's favorite champagne be available in Jeju? Probably not, since she only likes expensive things.
Jung Joo gasps as she reads Jong Bae’s friend’s estimate. This dude really is Jeju’s jack-of-all-trades. It's double the budget she had in mind. Jong Bae says that floor-to-ceiling windows are expensive to begin with. There’s at least a 30% mark-up on Jeju (because of importing it from the mainland). Jung Joo can't afford it. Couldn't he look into cheaper ones? Window-man asks where anyone could find anything cheaper than these? Jong Bae sounds indignant as he asks WM to help Jung Joo out. Please check for her. WM responds in Jeju dialect that Jung Joo should come back in about two days. Jung Joo is grateful.
Jong Bae remarks about how it looks like it’s going to rain (in Jeju dialect). WM answers that he should be eating a bowl of mel noodles on a day like this. Jung Joo hears ‘mel’ again and asks what they are. Jong Bae takes her to the market: ‘mel’ are anchovies. Jong Bae says that in Jeju, people make soups, braised dishes, and pancakes out of anchovies. That doesn’t sound appetizing at all. Maybe I'm just jaded from how they make pizza stink, but I do like Ceasar Salad and the dressing has anchovies... So maybe it would be good. In Seoul, people dip pork in salted shrimp, right? In Jeju, they dip it in salted anchovy sauce. Jung Joo decides to buy some. From the look on her face, I’m wondering if she’s getting it for Gun Woo to cook for her, since he’s making her dinner tonight. Oh, wait, he’s not. But she doesn’t know that.
Speaking of the idiot… Gun Woo has changed his clothes and suddenly remembers that Hyung said that he couldn’t use his credit card. Where is he going to get the money for the champagne? He notices Jung Joo’s bag, the one he was holding for safe keeping, the one that has a gold key in it. He calls someone and says that he’s going to be paying cash, so please don’t tell Hyung, since it’s at Hyung’s hotel. As he leaves, we see that he’s taken the gold key. And I want to throttle him. Not only is he blowing Jung Joo off, but he’s stealing from her right now.
Hyung is hard at work. His assistant tells him that it’s not easy to find PR professionals. People with experience don't want to come all the way to Jeju Island. Why not? It’s really beautiful there! That would be a cushy job. Hyung says that a friend who worked at The Pierre Hotel in New York is back in Korea. Assistant declares that working at The Pierre Hotel means the highest level of experience.
I’d never heard of The Pierre and so I looked it up. It is an actual hotel: ‘the iconic U.S. flagship of Taj Hotels on New York's Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park.’ For more information, go here.
Dead Face is at the airport. Hyung calls her and she calls him ‘Oppa.’ And she actually looks a little less dead in the face. I think it’s the eyes. And why is she calling him ‘Oppa’? Gag me. She’s very happy that he called. He says that he needs to talk to her. Can she make some time? Of course Ji Won can. And she’s got her ‘I’m gonna snag me an Oppa’ voice going. She’ll come to the resort right now. And blow off her dinner with Gun Woo. Because that’s what she does.
As she walks out of frame, Gun Woo enters the airport. He calls Dead Face and asks if she’s arrived. She apologizes and says that she doesn’t think she can go to Jeju Island. Something suddenly came up at her dad's hospital. Wow, she couldn’t just tell him that she was going to see Hyung. No, she has to lie about not even being there. Wow. Really hate her. Gun Woo is obviously disappointed. It’s in his voice (and his face). And he was so happy just moments before. She tells him that she really wanted to see the Jeju scenery in the springtime. She’ll make sure to visit him before spring is over. She promises. Then she adds a perfunctory, ‘Sorry.’ It’s *so* not sincere. Gun Woo is disappointed but laughs at the irony. She did it to him again. He gets a text that the champagne is ready. He groans. You don’t have to pick it up, you know.
Jung Joo arrives at the Warm and Cozy. There’s a sign that says that it’s closed. Jung Joo is confused since Gun Woo says that he wanted to have a party. She comes in asking how he can have more days off than days open for business. She stops when she sees the romantically dressed table for two. Uh-oh. A violin version of ‘Moon River’ is playing. Jung Joo scurries over to look at the spread on another table. Poong San enters and tells her that they’re not open for dinner tonight. She asks what’s going on. Poong San says that Gun Woo was making some *special* dishes tonight. (And Korean for special is ‘special.’) Jung Joo is surprised that Gun Woo prepared so much for a party.
She looks at the table with all the food and smiles. Gun Woo has arranged a bunch of chocolate-covered strawberries in the shape of a heart. Aw, he knows what I like. Heh. Isn’t he going just a little bit overboard for Dead Face? Like this one dinner is going to sweep her off her feet and get her to be in love with you? She’s not that substantive. Jung Joo coos about how pretty it is. Poong San says that it must be Geon Woo's heart. It's for his first love. She asks if he knows about Geon Woo's first love. Of course, Poong San does. He hears about it every year on Geon Woo's birthday. He met her on his birthday. Jung Joo looks at the strawberries again with a smile. Uh-oh.
Poong San continues that even though Geon Woo looks like the type to smile for everyone, he's a real romantic once you get to know him. Isn't it touching? Jung Joo answers that it is. She takes one of the strawberries and looks at it. Poong San asks if the strawberry heart isn’t really pretty? Gun Woo’s first love likes cute things, so he put a lot of effort into it. Jung Joo says that it is cute. Poong San says that the strawberry probably tastes super sweet and melts in your mouth. Jung Joo bites into the strawberry. It is sweet.
Poong San has returned to the dining room. He lets out a shocked, “Noona!” Freaking out, he asks why she’s eating the strawberry. He whines that she’s ruined the heart! Why would she taste it? It's for the girl that Geon Woo likes! His words sink in, that it’s not her that’s Gun Woo’s first love. I love the fact that she's disappointed but isn't crushed by it, even if it is her fantasy prince leaving again. Poong San worries since Gun Woo will be there soon. Jung Joo asks if the girl Geon Woo likes is coming there. Poong San says that Gun Woo went to pick her up at the airport. Mok Ji Won. Geon Woo's first love.
Jung Joo’s shaken. She starts to put the strawberry back but Poong San yells at her to stop and tells her to just eat it. She does, partially to hide her disappointment. And shattered heart. Poong San says that the Warm and Cozy's beginning started with Ji Won. Geon Woo followed her to Jeju Island. But before he opened up the restaurant, she betrayed him and went to New York. As he continues, Jung Joo looks like she’s trying not to cry. Poong San says that Gun Woo kept saying he'd sell this place right away, but seeing that he's still here doing business... Maybe he was waiting for her to come back. She sadly nods that she understands.
Poong San points out the chocolate on her lips and as she wipes it away, he asks why she ate something that isn't hers. He notices the bag that she’s holding and asks why it is. She says that it’s nothing and goes to put it in the fridge. And then get out of Dodge. As she shuts the fridge door, she shakes her head at what an idiot she is.
Gun Woo picks up the champagne. As he’s leaving the hotel, he hears Ji Won’s name and sees her, waiting for that meeting with Hyung. Wow, sure looks like this is her Dad’s hospital. If the hospital has turned into a hotel and moved to Jeju Island! He hears an assistant tell Dead Face that Hyung will come down as soon as the meeting is over. Now he looks like he wants to cry. Not only did she blow him off, but she did it to come see his Hyung. He pulls out his phone and calls her and watches her decline his call. Played again. He can’t help but bitterly smile at what a fool he is.
Jung Joo returns home to see the roofing project abandoned. She climbs up to the roof but immediately has to climb down because it starts to rain. She runs inside and looks for something to catch the rain as it falls through the roof. She barely saves her luggage from getting drenched. She looks for her raincoat and realizes it’s at Gun Woo’s house. She hurries there and as she finds it, she discovers the empty key box on his bed. She immediately knows what he’s done and declares that Gun Woo has really lost his mind!
It’s now night and the rain is really coming down. Jung Joo can’t sleep because she’s hungry. She remembers the ramen that’s outside, so she hurries out into the rain to grab it. As she comes back inside, she mutters that it’s not like Gun Woo’s going to cook for her. So why did he throw out her ramen? She decides that she’s going to go get her mel and make herself anchovy ramen!
When she gets to the Warm and Cozy -- does he not lock it? how did she get in? -- she discovers Gun Woo asleep on some chairs. This annoys her. She goes over and asks if the party is over already? He just got plastered and fell asleep? She notices the bottle of expensive champagne. She tells him that if the party is over, they should talk. Gun Woo stirs. Jung Joo says that she didn't want to interrupt him having a cozy time with his first love. But if it's over, they need to talk. I like that her voice isn't bitter with disappointment, just indignant at how he's acting.
Without opening his eyes, Gun Woo whines, “Why?” Like she’s being a big pest. Her gold key? He took it, right? Still not opening his eyes, Gun Woo mumbles that he borrowed it for a bit. What? How does this constitute borrowing? Jung Joo asks what he did with it, once he borrowed it? Did he sell it? Gun Woo says that he sold it and used the money. He doesn’t even sound sorry. She asks if he used the money for the champagne. Gun Woo grunts a ‘yes.’ She starts to slap him as she asks how he can sell it! Has he lost his mind?
Gun Woo sits up and protests that she said that she couldn't stand to see it and she'd sell it soon! Wow, how he rationalizes. If you really felt like it was okay, you would have told her beforehand. And wouldn't be acting like this. Gun Woo says that he’ll pay her back in cash. Jung Joo doesn't say anything. I would be shocked, too. Then it's settled, right? So stop bothering him... and leave. He says that last part with a wave and lays back down. Jung Joo declares that the more she sees of him, the more messed up he is. This gets his attention: “What?” She yells at him that he conned his family. He steals other people's things. Then he pretends like he doesn't know what he did wrong! He always lies, too. Isn’t he embarrassed? Gun Woo makes a face like he can’t believe that she’s yelling at him. On the worst night of his life.
Jung Joo demands that he pay her back right now. He hisses at her and goes over to the register. He says that he’ll pay her back. For now, 100 won. He tosses it on the floor, telling her to take it. Wow, I would want to hurt him right now. That's super denigrating to do that. She's hurt. Rightfully so. He grabs a 500 won coin and throws it towards the entrance. He tells her to pick it up and leave. She nods and replies, “Fine, I'm a beggar.” Because she takes everything he gives her because of his pity, so she must have looked like a real beggar to him. Gun Woo sighs because that’s not why he did it, and he didn't mean it that way and doesn't see her like that, but he’s too prideful to say sorry.
Jung Joo tells Gun Woo that he’s seriously trash. He looks at her, hurt. She declares that he did a perfect job at keeping his old promise. So she does remember. He’s become a real jerk, real trash, and a real bastard. But this… is too dirty... so she won't pick it up! She kicks the coin at him, gives him a look of anger with her chin trembling, and storms off. Gun Woo can’t believe this woman and then groans because he’s been a jerk. There’s an ‘Aish!’ and head scratching with frustration.
Jung Joo returns home to find that the roof has gotten worse. She climbs up to the roof to try and fix the panels that are trying to fly away. Back at Warm and Cozy, Gun Woo is drinking some water. He notices how bad the storm is and sighs. She couldn't have gone back there in this weather. But he knows that she would, because she doesn’t have anywhere else to go. Gun Woo heads out into the storm, yelling for Jung Joo. So, even though he's prideful, he's still kind. He finds her lying on the roof. Immediately concerned, he starts yelling at her to come down. It's dangerous! She yells back for him to leave her alone! Gun Woo starts climbing the ladder. She needs to come down! What if she falls? He grabs at her and she slaps at his hand, but the movement makes her slide off the roof. Luckily Gun Woo’s body was there to break her fall. And then her roof blows away. All Jung Joo can do is scream, “No!”
Gun Woo takes her back to the Warm and Cozy. She sits, staring ahead, in shock. He comes downstairs and offers her a towel. She's non-responsive. He smiles softly and drapes the towel over her head. She starts to weep. He sighs, feeling bad for her. He starts to walk away but can’t. Because he may be an idiot, but he’s still kind. He decides to cook her something and discovers her mel in the refrigerator.
Gun Woo cooking. I don’t know why, but the sight of Gun Woo cooking makes me happy. I want some mel noodles! I hate anchovies, but that looks so good! He makes a bowl for both of them and tells her to eat. She takes a sip. He asks if it’s ‘Maendorong ttottot.’ He explains that that’s what 'warm and cozy' means. In the Jeju dialect, it means that it's warming and puts you in a good mood. He tells her to eat. He’s hungry.
Jung Joo can’t understand how he’s still hungry. He stole gold to prepare a feast, and he’s still hungry? Not looking at her, but his food, he tries to sound nonchalant as he says that he didn't get to eat. Ji Won didn't come. Jung Joo processes this. At least that explains why he was grumpy and drunk. He notices that she’s still not eating and tells her to hurry up and eat while it's still warm and cozy. Heh. I want mel noodles! Gun Woo, come cook for me!
Jung Joo says that she thought 'warm and cozy' was a French phrase. But it was a phrase in the Jeju dialect. Gun Woo replies that it’s the phrase that his dad taught his mom. And because Jung Joo’s dad never taught it to her, he’s *not* Gun Woo’s father. She asks if his father was from Jeju Island. He nods and says that that’s what he heard. Did his mother tell him that? He replies that on their birthday when she came to see him, that was the first and last time that his mother told him about his father. I wonder who he is and if we're going to find out the answer to this mystery, particularly since Mom is dead now.
Flashback to Mom’s revelation and Gun Woo’s shocked face. She pats his cheek. And I want to punch her. She drops a bomb shell and then just pats his cheek. Ugh! He sits alone and Ji Won approaches. Gun Woo says that now that he thinks about it, it was also the first time that he saw Ji Won. She actually looks like she feels bad for him. I didn't think her face could do that. Ji Won puts her hand on his shoulder and asks if he’s okay.
Back to present. Gun Woo says that now that he thinks about it, the day Jung Joo came to see him was a pretty historical day for him. He heard about his father... and met Ji Won, too. Jung Joo is smiling at him. It was a really happy day for him. He chuckles lightly and says that it was... a really happy day.
Hyung and Noona are out having drinks together. Noona says that she thinks that's when Gun Woo started to change, when Mom told Gun Woo about his birth father on his birthday. Hyung says that it was a shock to him, so it must have been worse for Gun Woo. Noona urges Hyung to go easy on Gun Woo even if he causes trouble. He sighs because he knows she’s right. So they know who Gun Woo's father is. I wonder if he's someone important. Why else would it have shocked Hyung? That would explain the picture, too, if it was taken at an event.
Back at the Warm and Cozy, Gun Woo and Jung Joo have moved on to liquor. Lots of liquor. Gun Woo pulls out the second bottle of champagne. Jung Joo tells him that he’s buying that. He has to pay her back for her gold. He grunts an ‘okay!’ at her. As he unwraps the cork, he mentions that the key wasn’t seven don, but five. Jung Joo can’t believe that those cheapskates took off two years! Those dirty bastards. Pop goes the cork.
Gun Woo praises her for leaving her job without any lingering feelings! Jung Joo moans that if they'd take her back, she’s go back and work there. She starts to hit her head on the table. Gun Woo puts his hand in between her head and the table and tells her not to do that! Aw. Jung Joo sits up suddenly and cries that it hurts here – she pats her head – and here – she pats her heart. It pains her so much. That really gets Gun Woo. He looks like he wants to cry. He’s probably thinking about how she’s going to die.
Jung Joo says that, no, feeling pain isn't a big deal right now. The lid to her house... flew away into the sky. Heh. That sounds funny how she said it along with the hand motions as illustration. What does she do? Gun Woo tells Jung Joo that she can put the lid back on. He waves his hand over her head for emphasis. With a new, pretty one! He grabs one of the bottles and holds it over her head as he suggests the color blue. She shakes her head and whines that she doesn’t have the money! She didn't have enough when she had the lid... Money to buy a new lid... She doesn't even have the tiniest bit at all. Gun Woo looks distressed over this news. She starts to ‘laugh’ as she says that she has to live without a roof. When it rains like today... she just has to get rained on.
Jung Joo starts to cry over it. People... How long do people live anyway? Gun Woo tells her not to worry! He slaps his chest as he says that he’ll cover her from the rain! He’s tall! And I find it ironic that he’s saying this but doesn’t like her at all. He holds both his hands over her head, as if to shelter her from the imaginary rain and declares that he’ll cover her like this. She stops crying and makes him put his hands down. She sadly says that by the time Jung Min came back – her good-for-nothing cousin – she wanted to fix up the house. So that when the coffee comes from Brazil... she could try leading a good life. That was her dying wish. And Gun Woo is visibly bothered by her mentioning her death again. Jung Joo declares that her last dream... flew away just like her roof did.
Gun Woo asks her if it’s really her dying wish? She nods. So he offers her the Warm and Cozy. What?! Aw, Gun Woo. Does she want it? Jung Joo can’t believe that he’s offering it to her. He asks if she wants him to give it to her. She asks if he’s serious and when he nods, she accepts. Now she’s happy. She tells him to give it to her then. Gun Woo declares that he'll give it to her! They stumble to a room in the back. Gun Woo says that she can make this into a room. She can live in there. She smiles and says that it's a normal room that has a lid. Gun Woo says that she can give the 50 million won she has as a deposit. He’ll pay his debt with it and go back to Seoul and she'll stay there and run this. Shattering glass sound effect. He’ll lend it to her!
Jung Joo hisses at him and declares that if he’s going to lend it to her, he has to lend it to her until she dies. Gun Woo can’t believe that she’s talking about dying again. He says that people don't die that easily. She could live a long life. She smiles and says that she’s really going to live a long life. But... can he really lend her this place until she dies? Gun Woo looks like he’s trying not to cry. He steps forward and hugs her and declares that he’ll lend it to her until she dies. So don't die right away. He starts to drunk cry and tells her not to die. She starts to pat him in comfort and says that she won't die. She'll live a long life.
Next day. Hyung’s at a staff meeting. The hotel is having a problem with guests smoking in the resort, even though there’s a no-smoking policy. Hyung says that simply telling guests about the policy isn’t enough, they should also say where the guests are allowed to smoke. The staff talk about how smoking isn't a habit people can easily hold off on just because they're told to. Quitting smoking is hard. But CEO didn’t seem to struggle at all when he quit three months ago. They ask what his secret is. Hyung says that it's a matter of willpower… ironclad willpower.
Hyung is out for a drive. His driver tells him that he’s really proud to be working for Hyung. Even with the way he quit smoking. Once he puts his mind to it, he sees it to the end. Hyung notices that he’s holding his pen like a cigarette. He tells the driver to stop the car. He wants to go for to walk and cool his head, so Driver can go back. Driver doesn’t want to, but Hyung tells him to go. Hyung sneaks over to the edge of the pier… and pulls out a cigarette. Doh! What a phony! And he was so pleased with how they were praising him for his willpower!
Hyung tells himself that it's only a matter of willpower. He swears to the sea: This is the last one. This is really the last time! This is the end! The end! He tries to light a match, but the breeze keeps blowing out the match. The sea is trying to tell you something. He climbs over to steps on the edge… and slips on some seaweed. He falls into the water and flounders. As he sinks below the water, he tells himself that he should've quit! Will he die like this because of a cigarette? I wonder if he's going to smoke after this. A mermaid with red flowing hair starts swimming towards him. Whitney Houston sings, ‘I Will Always Love You.’ I hate that song. Long story, involving hearing it 2-3 times a day for a whole summer.
Camera pan and we see that it’s one of the divers. She grabs Hyung and brings him to the surface. We hear her yell at him to open his eyes! As he opens them, she’s still got Ariel hair and the song is playing. He smiles. And then the scene changes. It’s Hae Shil. Hyung coughs up the water. She helps him to sit up and asks if he’s okay. When he groans that he is, she slaps him. Twice, once on both cheeks. She yells at him that he must live! He must live no matter what it takes! Life is so precious! How can he think of dying? He holds his cheeks and stares at her. She’s visibly upset. She tells him to get up and follow her. They head to her fire.
As Hyung warms himself, he asks if she’s a diver. Not that it’s obvious by the wet suit or the seafood that she has right there… He tells her that she might have gotten the wrong idea... He stops and sneezes loudly. Hae Shil tells him that he feels cold because he’s alive and breathing. She makes him eat some abalone. And I know what abalone looks like because a friend of mine from Korea, her father's farm grows them and exports them. She tells him that he can eat this delicious food because he’s alive and breathing. Another piece. She tells him that she doesn't know why he jumped into the sea to die... but he should gather his strength and live on.
Later, Hae Shil drives Hyung on her ATV. He’s wearing a woman’s track suit. Hehe. It doesn’t fit at all, is pastel and girly, but at least it’s dry. Hyung’s clothes are in a sack. A flag on her ATV says 'Sorang Lady Diver Association.' The back of Hyung’s jacket reads 'Sorang Fishing Town.' She drives him to a bus stop. He gets off and she hands him 2,000 won and tells him to take a bus from there. He takes the money because he has no other choice. He declares that he doesn't even have a wallet right now and his cell phone doesn't work either, so he'll accept this for now. He declares that he’ll pay her back. How can he contact her? Do lady divers have business cards?
Hae Shil tells him that he doesn’t need to pay her back. Hyung smiles and assures her that he’s not asking for her number… just to pay her back 30,000 won. She rolls her eyes – like she doesn’t believe him. He asks what the most expensive thing that lady divers catch. Abalone? Sea squirt? Whatever it is... Even if she sums up all the abalones, sea squirts, conches and sea cucumbers she might catch, it will still be less than the price for saving him. Wow, he’s not prideful at all about how much he’s worth or how desirable a catch he is.
Hae Shil looks at him and says, in Jeju dialect, that since she fed him abalone, he must feel somewhat energized now. The eye rolling says that she thinks he’s an idiot. It's not lost on Hyung. Hyung tells her that she worked hard to catch the black pearl and she’s throwing it out without even opening it? It looks like she’s fighting back a smile now. But wow, Hyung, calling yourself a black pearl. Wow. She tells him to have a good life and drives away, not looking back. He yells after her that he’s that black pearl! A huge black pearl! Like he’s insulted that she doesn’t find him impressive. Heh. I like her.
Mayor stops by Jung Joo’s house to check on her. The roof looks terrible. Inside looks bad, too. He’s concerned.
Jung Joo wakes up, not at her house, but in that room at the Warm and Cozy. It takes her a minute to realize where she is. She starts to chew on her thumbnail as she remembers Gun Woo giving her the Warm and Cozy. What it a dream? She comes downstairs and he’s left the contract, signed, and stamped, on the table. There's... really a contract here. She remembers them signing it and shaking on it.
[Property: Warm and Cozy]
Rent deposit: Fifty million won]
She pulls out her phone and checks her bank account. There was a transfer of fifty million won. She remembers the transaction, with Gun Woo dramatically crying, “Send it!” and her dramatically making exploding sound effects as she does. It’s quite amusing and cute. I like that they're cute drunks. She cries with disbelief. All of this... is really... her restaurant now? She checks out everything. There’s a note from Gun Woo on the fridge: I'll leave this restaurant to you until you die. Live a long life, Lee Jung Joo!
Mayor rides by to see Jung Joo come out of the Warm and Cozy. He’s happy that she’s okay, but starts when she screams. She can’t believe that it’s really her restaurant! She starts dancing around excitedly.
We switch to Gun Woo, who is having breakfast with Ji Won. What is he doing?! He tells her that he saw her on Jeju Island the other day. She paid a visit to Hyung’s resort, right? So that’s why. Wow, their relationship is disfunctional. Ji Won looks like she’s trying to figure a way to weasel out of her lie. She says, “Ah, you saw me?” Gun Woo answers that he did. He was going to get mad for her not recognizing him right away. But he’s over it now. He’s sure that she had her reasons. Because she always has a reason for it later on. Wow, that’s really quite enlightened for him. And he’s being so pleasant, too. Hot coals on her head! That's why he called her out there. He's got something to tell her, too.
Dead Face tells him that he should've come said hello. Like it’s his fault for the situation. She went to the resort that time because of a job. Not that you knew that when you blew him off, because Hyung didn't say that. And why didn’t you just tell him that instead of lying? She smiles and says that she was thinking of working on Jeju Island again. She was going to surprise him, but he found her out. Yeah, *that’s* why you lied, for him. Sure. Gun Woo clarifies that she’s coming to Jeju Island. Dead Face says that she’s going to work with Hyung's PR team starting next week. Isn't that great? Gun Woo looks like you could knock him over with a feather. Now she can come eat at his restaurant every day. Sweetly, she asks if she can come. He tries to recover by chuckling awkwardly and saying that of course she can. Anytime.
Gun Woo goes off in search of Noona. He finds her at the salon. What is going on with the rollers in her hair? He begs her to give him 50 million won. Is he thinking of giving it back so he can go back on his deal with Jung Joo? She smiles and says that Hyung said he'd come and he really did. She smiles again and tells him no. Gun Woo can’t believe it. Why? Why not? Noona says that she heard about his gambling in horse racing and Hyung will cut her off, too, if she lends him money. Ouch. Hyung has all the purse-strings. But at least it seems like they all get along, even if they are only half-siblings.
Jung Joo has gotten to work with Poong San on the new menu. They’re going to sell some simple salads and sandwiches for the time being as she figures out what they should sell going forward. Poong San agrees to stay and help out. He asks if she knows how to cook. She says that she’ll learn. What can't you do if you put your mind to it? Poong San asks if she’s really planning on turning Warm and Cozy into a place that sells conch noodle soup or chilled sea bream soup? She is. They have to sell something that makes a profit! Putting it bluntly, what Geon Woo sold didn't make any money! Poong San stifles a smile. You know he’s been thinking it for a while.
Jung Joo says they will just... make something from the free ingredients from the sea… that's how you turn it into a profitable business. She grabs his shoulders and says that they should make money together. The look on Poong San’s face says that he can’t believe – in a good way – that she’s talking to him like it’d be a partnership. He says that he’ll go downtown and get them some vegetables. Jung Joo carries the groceries inside.
She finds food boiling on the stove. Gun Woo steps up to the stove and asks if she’s arrived. Shocked, she asks what he’s doing there. He matter-of-factly asks, “What else?” He’s cooking. He asks what she wants to eat. Just say the word. He’ll make her everything. He smiles, full of charm. Jung Joo just stares at him, stunned.
Gun Woo set a lucky money tree on the table and tells Jung Joo to earn lots of money! She thanks him. But didn't he say he was going back to Seoul? Gun Woo sits – and his body language says that he’s about to spin a tale. He is… He says that he did, but then the Warm and Cozy appeared in his dreams. He didn't know it, but this place must've taken up a big place in his subconscious. She replies that because he suddenly showed up, she was nervous that he might go back on his word over the contract they drew up while they were drunk. Gun Woo declares that even if they were drunk, it's still a contract! Does the legal system evaporate like alcohol does? Plus, would he have bought this tree if he was going to go back on his word? It’s not like you haven’t lied before. Or weren't planning on doing that if Noona had given you the money. Lucky for him. If he did that, it would have ruined his relationship with Jung Joo.
Gun Woo declares that if he was going to go back on his word, he would have gotten a lawyer and taken her to court. Jung Joo says that it’s a relief then. Gun Woo asks what that sound is. What sound? He smacks his hands together and says that the exhaust hood must be acting up again! Gosh, seriously... He pretends to look at it, and after glancing in her direction – to see if she’s buying it – he slaps the hood and says that he knew this would happen! It's broken again! Jung Joo looks at it and says that it seemed perfectly fine before. He tells her to listen - you hear that? She asks if it’s not supposed to sound like that when it’s turned on. Gun Woo declares that, no! It used to be super quiet! Gun Woo apologizes. He should have fixed everything before handing it off to her. He’ll fix everything that needs to be repaired in the next few days. She tells him that he doesn’t need to.
Gun Woo’s face says that he’s scrambling for something to convince her to let him stay. Door bell rings, saying that someone has entered the restaurant. They chatter that they heard this is a great restaurant and they can make you anything. Jung Joo starts to apologize that they’re not open, but Gun Woo cuts her off and says that they can eat. Please have a seat. Jung Joo tells him that they only have sandwiches. He replies that he’ll cook then. Wow, lazy ant is becoming industrious! It annoys me that it's because of Dead Face, but that will change soon. The customers came for a meal. So they can't feed them bread and send them away. He tells her to go check on them!
Poong San enters and is equally shocked that Gun Woo is there. Gun Woo asks him what he’s doing. He needs to go and take the customers’ orders. Poong San asks Jung Joo why Gun Woo’s there. Especially because he’s working when he doesn’t have to. I love that I'm not the only one that notices that this is out of character for Gun Woo. Jung Joo says that Gun Woo was worried, so he came by. Poong San doesn’t believe it. Jung Joo says that Gun Woo showed up suddenly and started working when she didn't tell him to. Poong San replies that Gun Woo doesn't even do what's required of him. But he's doing work he doesn't need to on his own?
Jung Joo goes and gets some onions. She wonders why Gun Woo’s there, since it doesn't look like he came to take back the restaurant. More customers. Lots of cooking. Wow, it’s busy today. Jung Joo’s menu is a hit. She smiles as she looks at Gun Woo cooking. Later Poong San mutters to himself that business was really great. Why did Geon Woo really come? Both of them think it’s fishy.
Jung Joo comes across a suitcase. Gun Woo enters, scrubbing his head with a towel to dry it, and says that it’s his. She should change the showerhead. It feels like he’s really washing up when the water pressure is good. She asks why he took a shower there. He replies – like it’s only common sense – that he’s staying there for a while. Didn't he mean that he would just take care of the restaurant? His house... That place is rented. As soon as he left, someone else moved in. And why don’t I believe him?
So he’s going to sleep there? Gun Woo protests that he wouldn't ask her to sleep in the same bed together. He pulls out a cot. Tada! Here's another cot! She didn't know, did she? She protests that he can’t stay there when it's so uncomfortable! He tells her not to worry! He’s not that difficult. Like he’s totally clueless to the fact that it’s co-ed living. He tells her to get comfortable and sleep inside over there. He'll be a little uncomfortable and sleep near the door. He starts to lie down on the cot. She grabs him and tells him to stop saying nonsense and get out. He looks at her and she indignantly points.
Gun Woo slowly plods down the stairs. He tells himself that he knew he'd get kicked out at least once. So he knows what he's doing. Man, he uses people's politeness against them. If he wasn't so kind and nice, I would call him super-manipulative. Dead Face calls and he smiles as he answers. Idiot. He asks if her moving preparations are going well. Switch to Dead Face, who isn’t doing anything – other people are doing it for her. She declares that she’s a little tired today. He says that he should've helped before he left. Does she need anything from Jeju? He’ll have it ready for her! She tells him that they should go buy them together when she gets there. Ugh! I hate her. Dead Face sighs and says that she’s excited about his restaurant. Gun Woo tells her that he will make her anything she wants. Dead Face says that it will be seafood, all the way. Abalone? He declares that he’ll have the freshest one ready for her.
Jung Joo can’t sleep because Gun Woo’s suitcase is still in her room. From the size of it, it doesn't look like he'll be staying for a couple of days. She chews on her thumb.
Downstairs, Gun Woo can’t sleep. Because he’s trying to sleep on chairs instead of that cot. He mutters that Jung Joo is stricter than he thought. What should he do... Heh, I love that he's realizing that she's not a pushover. He sneaks up to the room to get something out of his suitcase. Without opening her eyes, she asks him what he wants. He says that it's still a bit chilly outside so he’s going to look for something to wear. She sighs, irritated, and rolls over, putting her back to him. Why don’t you take the suitcase with you?
Gun Woo acts alarmed over a noise just now. Jung Joo doesn't move. What sound? Something just flew by this window! She replies that it's just a stray cat. Gun Woo says that it might be a burglar. She sits up to glare at him. He said that there are no thieves on Jeju Island. He protests that that was the old days. That's not the case now! Since a large number of people from the inland came, this isn't a safety zone anymore. Large number of people? She answers that she locked the door, so it's fine. Gun Woo protests that he’s nervous about sleeping out there... and about leaving her in here by herself.
Gun Woo starts to lie down on the floor, saying that he’s going to sleep there. Jung Joo blocks his spot with her foot and tells him to get out. Heh. He protests that something horrible could happen to him while he’s sleeping out there! She answers that if he sleeps in the bedroom, she could attack him and something even more horrid could happen! Get out! Get out! Get out right now! She starts kicking him, which makes him get up and scurry to the door. He glares woefully at her before leaving.
Jung Joo still can’t sleep. It must be cold outside... She gets up to bring Gun Woo another blanket, but he’s no where to be found. She returns to her bedroom to call him and notices that his phone is buzzing in the room. He’s hidden himself under a blanket and is on the cot. He reaches up and grabs it so that it’s under the blanket, too. She sighs and hangs up. She lets him stay there. She turns off the light and goes to bed. He thinks he’s gotten away with it, but she smiles because he hasn’t.
[Recipe Three]
Today, it's Mel Noodles.
- Add chopped greens and Napa cabbage in boiling water, then add garlic, pepper, and anchovies in that order. Boil that for about 10 minutes.
- Once everything is cooked, season with salt and pepper.
- While the broth is boiling, sauté julienne carrot in a skillet with salt, water, and pepper.
- Cook the noodles in boiling water and dip in ice water so that noodles become nice and chewy.
- Place the noodles in a bowl and pour the anchovy broth.
- Garnish with sautéed carrot, greens, Napa cabbage, dried seaweed, and crown daisy.
Then you're done with anchovy noodles! Have a warm and cozy night!
Thoughts
Our episode ends with Gun Woo and Jung Joo living in the same place, sleeping in the same room. And love's not going to sprout, is it? Not like that's a k-drama cliche or anything.
The thing that I find interesting about Gun Woo is that he is an incredibly charming, personable person. It's easy to like him... and forgive him when he's oblivious to how he's hurting someone else. I think it's because he genuinely likes people and that comes across, even when he's clueless to other people being annoyed with him. I don't think Gun Woo would be near as likeable if Yoo Yeon Suk wasn't playing him. Like I can't see Hyun Bin being able to make Gun Woo that likable. (And I love Hyun Bin, but he has a different energy.)
I think that Jung Joo is the first person that hasn't just let Gun Woo's charm get him out of consequences. I mean, his Noona and Hyung sort of give consequences, but it seems like Jung Joo is the only person who has ever really called him out. I don't think that anyone's called him trash before because of how he's treated them. At least not as an insult, but as a statement of fact.
Like a typical guy, when she calls him on his behavior, he gives her the whole 'why are you making a big deal out of this?' act, but she doesn't back down -- which is one of the reasons that I like her. She isn't afraid to see life like it is (rather than Gun Woo living in his world of no consequences) or to name it what it is, but she's also not afraid to stand up for herself. But even when she is like that, she's also really quick to forgive, because she knows that holding onto wrath is pointless. And I think only a person like that is going to help Gun Woo grow up and be the person he can be.
It's telling that Noona and Hyung noticed a change in Gun Woo after his 19th birthday. That means something about the identity of his father changed things for him. Made him live more in his fantasy world of no real consequences or pain (that his family's money provides for him). That, plus meeting the great manipulator, Ji Won. Boy, do I not like this girl. Usually, even when the second lead is despicable, they're played with a little bit of redemption. Not so with Dead Face. I just find her despisable, because she's not someone who is only found in the ultra-rich. I went to school with girls like her. I still run into people like her: people who are only nice to the people who they think can get them something, the power players of the group.
Now that I think about it, I don't think that Gun Woo would have necessarily been drawn to Dead Face, if he hadn't been at his lowest. It's that she saw him and was kind when he was at his lowest, that's why he can't let it go, because of that fear that no one is going to like the worst of him. But in his relationship with Jung Joo, she keeps seeing him at his worst and accepts and forgives him anyway. And that's what's going to make him really fall in love with her, because of how he doesn't have to worry about there being something that will drive her away. I mean, his track record so far: He's used her more than once. He's stolen from her. He's lied repeatedly. He's let her down when it's really important. But she still forgives him and likes him. She also doesn't punitively punish him for his transgressions, unlike everyone else. Unlike Dead Face. She gives him just punishment and then lets it go, instead of beating a dead horse. And that's what he needs more than anything. Real unconditional love, the kind that believes in the best of you and calls you to that instead of ignoring where you fall short.
And why does she like him? I mean, he's pretty likeable, but why does she put up with it? Most of this 'Thoughts' response has been about Gun Woo, but Jung Joo deserves some analysis, too. Out of the two, she is much more mature, which means that she's going to have less growing to do, but why does she keep putting up with him instead of kicking him to the curb? I think it goes back to what I've said before: it's because at the very worst times in her life, his kindness has been the thing that's allowed her to keep on going. When she was 19, he gave her a watch that allowed an excellent student go to college, and now, when she has absolutely nothing, his acts of kindness keep her going. Seeing the sunrise; if she hadn't have done that, she would have quit with despair. Yes, his suggestion caused the peril, but he also went above to get her there, so that she would know that everything was all right. And now, when she doesn't have the money to fix up the shack her cousin bought, he's given her a beautiful restaurant that doesn't need any fixing and would be extremely successful if Gun Woo actually ran it for profit. No one in her life has ever given her something that valuable and Gun Woo just gave it to her without it being her idea. How could you not fall for someone like that?
And I think that her backbone is going to actually mean that at some point, he's not going to be able to just smile and get out of things, but he's going to have to grovel and work his way out of the dog house. Which will be good for him, for them both. It will come when Jung Joo realizes that she does deserve good things. Because right now, I don't think she sees life that way. When Poong San burst her bubble about not being Gun Woo's first love, it was almost like she expected it to happen, like of course, Gun Woo wouldn't really be in love with her. Life isn't supposed to favor her. All her life is just supposed to be disappointing. And that's not right. But that's what all this is going to teach her. Unlike in Seoul, where she was on her own, alone, on Jeju, she's going to become part of the community, the family. People are going to value her and stick up for her and love her for being her and realize how muc worth she really has. That's going to help her realize that she does deserve nice things, to be loved well, and that's going to get her to 'demand' that Gun Woo treat her right.
But what else has happened in this episode? Besides Dead Face blowing Gun Woo off. (I hate her, really I do. And I hate how Gun Woo just keeps falling right into it. I was hopeful when he ignored the call before, but he's not there yet.) We have Hyung secretly trying to smoke and falling into the sea, almost drowning, and meeting Hae Shil. I love that she's not impressed and that it bugs him that she doesn't care that he's a black pearl, she threw him back without a single glance back. I hope they do something with this!
It also brought up the question of Gun Woo's father. I think he was someone important. Why else would it be shocking to Gun Woo and his siblings? But *who*? Why would that rock Gun Woo to the core and lead him down the road he's on, where he won't care about anything to keep from being hurt. It would be ironic if it turns out to be the Mayor's dad. Or a former Congressman. Or something like that. I wonder who Jung Joo's mother is. She's probably from Jeju, too.
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