Great guitar music plays in the background. It reminds me of something that they play with spirited Latin dancing. Love how it signals that they're about to battle. Gun Woo plods down the stairs, wearing a frown and straightening his hair. Comb? He stops and glares at Jung Joo, who is mopping the floor. She stops and glares back. He pulls up his sleeves, as if preparing for battle. She goes back to mopping the floor.
Gun Woo says that he agrees that they should divide the space, but shouldn’t they adjust the ratio somewhat? Maybe not exactly 50-50, but at least 40-60... In answer, she mops his feet. I am really laughing now. Go, Jung Joo! This makes him step backwards. He protests that she should consider his height! I looked up Yoo Yeon Suk's height and he's 6' tall. The average height of a South Korean is 5'8". Of a North Korean: 5'5". She stops mopping pointedly. He throws out ‘30-70!’ but it’s more fear than bluster. She tells him to sit. He answers: 20-80. No more!
She puts down the mop and sits at the table. Gun Woo won’t look at her, until she asks her question: Why did he come? Not what he was expecting, I don’t think. Jung Joo tells him to be honest. Falteringly, he admits that he has a little more debt than he said. But Hyung found out about it. How much did you lose with the horse racing? Jung Joo protests that he said he’d pay his debt back with the deposit she gave him. Was there more? Gun Woo shoots back that it just happened that way. Why does he always say that, like he has no responsibility for or control over how things turn out?
Gun Woo says that Hyung took care of the debt but then seized all the rent from his building in Seoul. So he has no money. Hyung even cut off his credit card. All of his funds are tied up, so he has nowhere else to go. The way he’s fiddling with his fingers is killing me. Heh. He’s really not used to having to admit reality. Jung Joo asks why Gun Woo doesn't have anywhere else to go. He has the resort that his rich brother owns and the mansion that his sister lives in. Gun Woo answers that he doesn’t know. Noona told him not to come! He understands that Hyung is doing this to him out of anger – but I don’t think that’s really the reason, it just is coming across like that – but isn't Noona being too harsh? Indignantly, he declares that Noona won't even pick up his calls!
Jung Joo isn’t swayed. She says that she’s not going to take him in either. Go, girl! Gun Woo’s face says that he can’t believe she’s saying that. He declares that she can't do that! When she first came to Jeju Island, he let her use his bathroom and kept her luggage safe. Has she already forget about all that? Jung Joo looks away because she doesn’t want to get swayed by his puppy-dog face. Gun Woo adds that he lent her this beautiful restaurant for super cheap! Jung Joo answers back, “So what? What, what, what, what, what?!” Is he saying that he wants it back? Gun Woo answers, like he’s insulted, that he wouldn’t do that! Does he look that petty to her?
Gun Woo again asks Jung Joo to let him stay there, just for the time being. Seeing that she stacked up the wine crates to divide the room, she was already mentally prepared for this! She protests that she can't even give him a paycheck! Gun Woo is smiling now, since he knows that he’s charming her. He says that he’s not asking. He’ll help until Jung Joo’s settled there, so just give him enough for pocket money and gas. So, is she going to be your Hyung now? Jung Joo tries to protest more but Gun Woo’s smile has gotten wider. He says that they should go grocery shopping for the ingredients today. Then he stands up and takes the posture of a waiter. It’s hilarious. He calls her “sajang-nim” – which means business owner (see here for an explanation) – and says that he’ll get ready and come downstairs. He drags out the last syllable as he bows deeply. Heh. Then he runs upstairs before she can argue.
Jung Joo and Gun Woo at the market. [Hallabong Oranges: 50,000 won for five kg!] To translate, that’s about 11 pounds of oranges for $45, or $4 a pound. Dang! Expensive! Jung Joo agrees, because that’s exactly what she said: So expensive! Jung Joo starts to get some of the cheaper oranges, but Gun Woo puts them back and tells the shop keeper that they want Hallabong oranges. Good ones, please! He sure is eager to spend someone else’s money.
Looking at mel. Gun Woo slaps Jung Joo’s hand for considering what’s out. He asks the shopkeeper about better ones. Gun Woo is undaunted when he hears that they’re more expensive: That's okay. They'll take 1 kg. Why is Jung Joo letting him get away with this. Or is he spending some of that 50,000 won she gave him? He orders five abalones. The biggest ones, please. Jung Joo starts to object, but Gun Woo whines that he's going to make an abalone dish, so she should buy it for him! He has a recipe in mind, but he has to try it out. Jung Joo protests that even if he comes up with a new recipe, how can they sell something so expensive at her restaurant? Good point. Gun Woo ignores her point, grabs her wallet and pays the fish monger.
Jung Joo stops and looks at aprons selling for 10,000 Won. She asks the shopkeeper if she couldn’t get a little discount? Gun Woo tells Jung Joo that the apron looks really old-fashioned, like she’s being ridiculous. She’s swayed but saddened. Gun Woo notices. He looks at the apron again.
Oh, my gosh! That food! I want some right now! Gun Woo has served up his new recipes for Jung Joo and Poong San. Poong San groans with pleasure and declares that he can taste the ocean. It's the best! He gives Gun Woo a thumbs up. Jung Joo reaches up and makes Poong San put his hand down. She clears her throat and says that the marinade for the grilled food is sweet and really delicious. Hearing ‘sweet,’ Gun Woo frowns. Ji Won doesn't like sweet dishes. Jung Joo doesn’t catch that last sentence, but Gun Woo says that it’s nothing when she asks.
Jung Joo tells Gun Woo that no matter how much she thinks about it, his dishes can't be on the restaurant menu. She tells him to stop coming up with abalone dishes and try the conch noodle soup. Gun Woo is unphased and says that he’ll make it for her. They should've bought the conch earlier. Jung Joo wants to know why they would buy it, when conch are all over the place if you just go out front. She declares that she’ll go dig for them. Gun Woo practically laughs as he says that they’re really hard to collect. Since it's not even that expensive, he’ll go out and buy some. Jung Joo answers that since she can collect them for free, why would they buy them? They should save every penny they can. Gun Woo watches her go, shocked that she’s going to do something difficult.
Jung Joo has changed into overalls and is carrying a big basin for the conch. Gun Woo hurries out of the Warm and Cozy, carrying something. It’s the apron that she was looking at. Aw, that’s really nice. She wants to know why he bought it, since he said it looked old-fashioned. He smiles, pleased with himself, and says that he thought it would look good on her, so he bought this with his own money. Jung Joo can hardly stifle her smile.
Gun Woo proceeds to put the apron on her, even though she protests. He is totally oblivious to it making her uncomfortable (because she likes him). Just wait until you realize you like her back! As he puts the apron on her (with Poong San watching the whole thing) he says that if they were in Seoul, he'd call in a favor with a designer he knows and would have gotten her an awesome one that was custom-made. Poong San’s head cocks as he watches Gun Woo. Gun Woo finishes and looks at his handiwork. He tells Jung Joo that even the apron looks pretty, now that she’s wearing it. She can help but smile a schoolgirl smile as she asks, “Really?” She quickly catches her fangirling, clears her throat and picks up the basin.
As she’s about to leave, Gun Woo tells her to be careful and not to overwork herself. Think of it like a workout and go easy, okay? He’ll make the dough and wait for her. Her smile is so cute. She tells him, “Okay.” She waves goodbye and Gun Woo waves back. But they don't like each other at all. Poong San walks over to Gun Woo and asks him if he likes Jung Joo. He's an observant one.Gun Woo totally misses Poong San’s question. He answers that Jung Joo is a nice girl. Gun Woo tells Poong San that he should volunteer to do the hard work so that Jung Joo doesn't have to. Poong San’s face starts to protest. Gun Woo continues that Poong San should clean the restaurant, do the dishes... and especially the toughest jobs! Clean all the ingredients on his own and don't make Jung Joo do it! I love how Gun Woo indignantly emphasizes that last part. Gun Woo walks back into the restaurant. Poong San mutters that he did all that on his own anyway. Gun Woo didn't do anything! Then he wonders what is going on?
Jung Joo starts the harvesting of conch. Or trying to. It’s a lot more difficult that she expected. Mayor walks along with Yoo Ja and Bok Nyeo. (Yoo Ja is the younger lady diver.) They’re talking in Jeju dialect about the diving school. Yoo Ja notices Jung Joo. She’s surprised that Jung Joo didn’t go back to Seoul after the roof of her house flew away. She's hanging in there. Mayor says that it looks like she took over the restaurant by the beach. They’re surprised. Bok Nyeo guesses that Jung Joo is trying to harvest them herself and sell them. Yoo Ja adds that Jung Joo’s wrists won't last if she keeps working like that. She's got an inexperienced grip, her squat is off-center... She'll come down with body aches if she keeps working like that. Bok Nyeo agrees.
Mayor takes their words to heart and decides to do something about it. He goes over to Jung Joo and tells her that she’s not supposed to hold it like that; she’ll end up hurting her wrists. He illustrates the proper technique. Jung Joo is happy at how easily the conch are coming. Mayor and Jung Joo share smiles. The ajummas talk to each other about how good the pair look together and laugh. Uh-oh. Jung Joo soon strays from the technique and Mayor scolds her. You're not supposed to hold it like that! He mutters in Jeju dialect: It's driving me insane. Is she an idiot?
Jung Joo knows that wasn’t complimentary and calls him out. He denies it, but she’s sure. He can’t believe she caught that, but he switches the subject to yell at her about being slow to learn. Why can't she do this? What's so hard about going like this? She pointedly puts down the tool and glares at him. He stops, declares that he doesn't care. He says to forget it and starts to leave.
Jung Joo stops him by grabbing his jacket. Where does he think he’s going? He already cursed her out, so he should teach her until she gets it right. I love her logic and the fact that she's not too proud to get him to help her. It doesn’t take Jung Joo very long to pick up the technique. Mayor tells her that it looks easy, but it's hard to dig for turtles' hands. Jung Joo’s confused. Aren't these conches? She came to get conches. Mayor points out the conches and then pounds his chest in frustration: So frustrating! Is she stupid? (in Jeju dialect, of course). Jung Joo tells him that she doesn't like hearing curse words. She thanks him for letting her know.
Mayor brushes himself off and rubs at the back of his neck. Jung Joo is struck by how familiar he looks. Is he sure they haven’t met before? His pose and the feel... All this feels very familiar. He immediately puts his hand down. Jung Joo is sure she’s seen him before... To save himself, he tells her that she can use that sort of pickup line with someone in Seoul but if she flirts with just anyone here, she has to marry them right away. Clever. He tells her that if she doesn't want to marry him... Those lines of 'I've seen you before,' 'You look familiar'... Where would she have seen him before? He’s adamant as he tells her not to ever say that she’s seen him before, okay?! She nods submissively, but as he walks away she mutters, annoyed. What nonsense. If he wasn't the mayor, she would...
Mayor pauses and glances back at Jung Joo. He tells himself that there’s no way that she would recognize him. Fade into some of Jung Joo’s old co-workers talking about Mi Ra’s blog. They look and see a post about Jung Joo (complete with picture). They find it hilarious and decide to show everyone.
Jung Joo is hard at work and has collected a lot of conch. Mi Ra’s blog says that in order to make one bowl of conch noodle soup, she (Jung Joo) must have shed so much sweat. Mi Ra taking lots of pictures and smiling. Jung Joo finally notices Mi Ra and her picture taking. Mi Ra waves and Jung Joo leaves. But not before Mi Ra takes more pictures of her. It’s really obvious that she’s taking pictures of Jung Joo now.
Mi Ra’s scarf blows away. Sadly, she declares that if the wind wants it, she'll let it go with the wind. Mi Ra waves goodbye to her scarf as she tells the wind to take it. Jung Joo thinks she's a little odd. She's not the only one.
Back at Jung Joo’s old job, her co-workers are looking at the blog. It looks like Jung Joo catches conch for a living in Jeju. She said she'd open a cafe. Why is she digging for clams? They wonder if they should call her when they go to Jeju Island for the workshop? It'll be fun! Sure, they don’t want to humiliate Jung Joo at all.
Gun Woo has finished his conch noodle soup. I want some. Poong San eagerly eats. Poong San can only give an enthusiastic thumbs up. Jung Joo declares that it’s the best! Gun Woo smiles, pleased with himself. Jung Joo says that they should only have conch noodle soup for the lunch and dinner menu this weekend. Gun Woo stops smiling. She wants them to work on the weekends? And just the noodle soup? Jung Joo says that she’ll harvest the conches, wash them, make the broth, and cook the noodles. Then she can serve them. She starts to compute how much money she could potentially make. Gun Woo smiles uncomfortably. She’s the boss now, so he can’t really argue, can he?
Jung Joo is hard at work, cleaning the conch she’s collected. Gun Woo and Poong San are skeptical. But Poong San isn’t sure since they’ve never been open on the weekends. Gun Woo tries to be positive: since Jeju Island is a tourist spot, maybe it's possible that 100 people come? Poong San isn’t sure since this isn't a tourist area. Gun Woo starts to chew on his thumb, worried.
A sign announces: [Warm and Cozy 'Conch Noodle Soup']
Graphic announces: [First Day of Business on the Weekend]
Jong Bae arrives with a package for Poong San. Jong Bae notices the lack of customers. Jung Joo says that it’s probably because they haven't advertised much yet. Jong Bae says that he does promotional posters, so she let him know if she needs some. Jong Bae looks at the lack of customers and says that the Warm and Cozy is in desperate need of some PR. Jung Joo asks him how much it would cost to put up a sign out front.
Gun Woo comes down the stairs, dressed in black. The box is another figure. I wonder why they're putting this in here? Gun Woo looks in the cash register and sees that they didn't make all that much from being open on the weekend. What is Jung Joo going to do about all those conches? She's so ambitious.
Gun Woo goes outside, where Jung Joo is saying goodbye to Jong Bae. He gets in his car to leave, but Jung Joo stops him. She gets in the car and says that Jong Bae is going to lend her some promotional materials for cheap, so they need to follow that truck. Gun Woo says that he has to go to the airport now. What's at the airport? Gun Woo smiles and says that Ji Won's coming today. Sure she is. Oh, wait. She’s moving there and instead of paying for a taxi from the airport, she’ll get Gun Woo to give her a ride. He has to go pick her up.
Jung Joo asks if he really has to go, since they’re open for business? He points out that they don't have any customers. Besides, they're supposed to have a break at this hour. She mentions how much gas costs for going back and forth to the airport. Gun Woo smiles and says that’s why he took gas money. Like it’s okay that you took money from the register, since it’s not your place anymore.
With Gun Woo gone, Jung Joo checks the register. It is basically now empty. She is not happy. Nor would I be, especially since he’s going to pick up Dead Face. She calls Gun Woo a jerk. She is not wrong right now.
Dead Face arrives at the airport. She calls Gun Woo and asks where he is. He says that he couldn't come because he’s busy. Wait, what? She tells him that it’s okay. And immediately he pokes his face in front of her and asks if she’s really okay with that? Dang, if he can’t be super charming. She pretends to be upset – even though her expression is frozen – and he says that he wanted to see how disappointed she’d get. He likes it when she looks disappointed. That’s not dysfunctional at all. Because then it looks like she expected something from him. She asks if she looked okay with it, he would have just left? He nods. She says that she should have cried then. Gun Woo says that if she had cried... [thinks a moment] he would have carried her on his back. Charmed smile on Ji Won’s face.
Gun Woo takes Ji Won to Hyung’s hotel. He wants to help but she won’t let him. Even though she was more than willing to let him help her at the airport. Hmmm… She says that she’ll call as soon as she’s settled in. That’s a blow off, if I ever heard one. Don’t call me, I’ll call you… Gun Woo answers that he’ll come pick her up right away then. Dude, can you sound any more desperate? She tells him that, no, she’ll come to him. Go make something delicious and wait for her. Wow. I hate her so much. Gun Woo nods and agrees to that. She tries to leave, but he wants to watch her go.
Dead Face meets with Hyung’s assistant. She meets some of the other members of the PR team. Who are both men and who look like they’re going to start competing over her. She's not that pretty. Gack. Assistant says that Hyung is in a meeting, so she can greet him later. Dead Face answers that she called Oppa ahead of time. And then, when they react to her use of Oppa – especially Assistant – she laughs, like it was an accident – rather than an intentional thing which I am sure that it was, because she never does anything without some plan behind it – and says that she's used to being so friendly with him since she was little. She should address him as President Song. Assistant smiles and says that Dead Face must be very close to the president on a personal level. Dead Face smiles broadly and looks down – like she’s humble.
Hyung is in his meeting, but he is preoccupied and not paying attention. He’s thinking about Hae Shil. Flashbacks of their encounter as Enya’s ‘Only Time’ plays. He shakes his head, because he needs to focus. He looks up at the PowerPoint and sees Hae Shil, sitting there in her wet suit. I like the new song that’s playing, but I don’t recognize it. He asks why she didn’t give him her number. Look! He’s a black pearl! Too bad for you! Mirage Hae Shil smiles slightly. He says that she already picked it up. She should've just opened it up. Mirage disappears and it’s back to the meeting. Hyung sighs and irritatedly drinks some water.
Hae Shil is meeting with Mayor at the Sorang Lady Diver School. They’re discussing the applicants for the lady diver school this year. There are a lot of them. Mayor points out that most of the applicants live outside of Jeju. There are a few foreigners, too. She looks at him and asks whether this has become part of the tourist package. It’s obvious that’s exactly what she *doesn’t* want. Mayor sighs and says that a lot of people applied for it out of curiosity... but surprisingly many young people want to seriously learn the skill.
Mayor asks Hae Shil to please meet with them in person and find some hidden pearls in the bunch. She notes his use of ‘pearls.’ She says that she picked up a black pearl and just let it go. She smiles as she remembers her encounter with Hyung. Yes, I was hoping they would do something with that! She remarks that if someone like that comes here and learns the skill at least... he'd be able to get by.
Dead Face is meeting with Hyung. She mentions introducing herself to the PR team. But not her Oppa slip. Like Assistant isn’t going to mention that at some point. She's worked for Hyung long enough not to be intimidated by that Oppa relationship. Hyung tells her that she’ll be busy and he’s sure she’ll do well. He suggests that they find some time and eat a meal with Gun Woo. She says that she was planning to go to Gun Woo’s restaurant today. Would he like to come with her? She’s totally got her ‘catch-an-Oppa’ face on. Really? I roll my eyes with annoyance. Really? Why would he ever want you? Because you can 'smile prettily'? Because stupid hormonal guys buy into your flattery? He's much more substantial than that. Hyung remarks that they’re battling it out these days... If he goes, Gun Woo will think he’s giving in, so they should go together after some time passes.
Dead Face says that Oppa’s employees only know him as a strict boss. They probably have no idea that he’s a good older brother who takes care of Gun Woo. Lay on that flattery. Hyung laughs and says that even Gun Woo doesn't know that. Dead Face says that she’ll be well aware of it, so he should be a nice guy who takes care of her, instead of a strict boss, right? Not manipulative at all. I wonder if she stays awake at night planning this stuff… She adds that she came all the way to Jeju Island because she believed in him. Hyung smiles and says that he didn't invite her there as a longtime personal friend. He called her there as a capable employee. Dead Face reacts to the fact that Oppa isn’t biting – at least not yet, she’s probably thinking. She covers by saying that she knows that. That was her personal greeting to him. She’ll work hard, Boss!
Gun Woo arrives back at the Warm and Cozy. There’s one of the inflated wavy things that vaguely looks human out front – they’re called air dancers. He’s not pleased. Jung Joo is working on new signs advertising Conch Noodle Soup. Why is she using that pink, though? Maybe they don't have Pepto Bismol in Korea. Gun Woo asks what she’s doing and says that the air dancer looks cheap. She doesn’t care if it looks cheap. She put it there hoping it would catch people's attention immediately so that they can at least get one more customer through the door. He can’t believe her answer. And is she really going to put that sign she's making up in front of their restaurant? Don’t you mean *her* restaurant? She answers that she’s going to put up two: one there and one at the corner of the main street.
She mentions how he took all of the money from the register. He can’t have spent all of it on gas, did he? She wants the rest to buy more paint. He refuses, saying that he has to buy abalone with the rest. Actually, he doesn't have enough. Do she have any more money? He says it in his charming voice, trying to weasel some out of her. She isn’t biting. She scolds him about the abalone. She told him those can't go on the menu because they're too pricey. He counters that they’re not for the restaurant's menu... Ji Won’s coming and he’s going to make her an abalone dish. Way to persuade the girl that likes you: you’re trying to wine and dine another girl.
Jung Joo catches on to what Gun Woo was doing earlier: Did he practice those abalone dishes last time for her sake? He’s totally clueless as to why his answer of ‘yes’ might be upsetting. He asks if Warm and Cozy is some kind of noodle shop? He kicks the sign as he says that it’s embarrassing! This knocks the paint can over, with paint spilling all over her apron and shoes. The minute it happens, Gun Woo is shocked and sorry.
Jung Joo looks at her clothes and then yells at Gun Woo that she’s going to run a noodle shop! She made this new sign to run a noodle shop! He protests that he doesn't want to just make noodle soup! It's no fun! People eat what he makes and they become happy... That's what he finds interesting and that's why he cooks! Jung Joo answers that it must be nice to live solely for pleasure, but she can’t do that. She's going to make this restaurant turn a profit. She’s going to take off that pretentious sign he has on the outside of the place and make a new one that's easily recognizable and run a noodle shop!
Gun Woo asks who said she could do that. Jung Joo responds that she’ll do what she wants with her own restaurant. Why can't she? This is her restaurant that she rented after paying 50 million won. If he doesn't want to make noodle soup, then he should leave! He answers that if he lets her use this restaurant for a measly 50 million won, she should run it properly then! He adds that he lent the place out to her because he felt bad for her – wrong thing to say, that it was pity – but now she wants to do whatever she wants.
Jung Joo tells him that if he doesn’t like it, give her her money back. Give her back her money! He's a bum who doesn't even have 50 million won right now either! Gun Woo gets insulted over her calling him a bum. Does she really think that he doesn’t have that much... He declares that he’ll bring 50 million won to her right now... and she can leave right away with that! And make sure to take that flapping thing with her! He storms away. Jung Joo sighs and looks at her apron.
Gun Woo is driving, annoyed, mostly at himself. Because he really doesn't want to leave.
Hyung is in a meeting. An assistant comes in and tells him that Gun Woo requested a check-in. What should he do? After Hyung confirms that he’s been staying with ‘Miss 100 Won,’ Hyung tells the man not to give Gun Woo a room this week and send him on his way. Note: this week. The other men in the meeting look at each other and nod approvingly. They get back to work, but Hyung looks bothered.
Jung Joo has gone inside and is trying to get the pink paint out of her apron. She’s not having much luck. She sighs. Poong San mentions the basin full of conch. He doesn't think they can sell all of them. What do they do about the leftovers? Throw them out? Jung Joo can’t let all that work go to waste. She’s going to take them to Jong Bae’s fish restaurant. Segue to Jung Joo setting off with the huge, heavy basin on her head. Poong San offers to take it, but he has to stay there and cook.
Those guys from the meeting are now talking about Hyung and Gun Woo. The younger brother President Song mentioned... he's the youngest brother from a different father, right? It can't be that he's coming on board with a title at this resort, right? Other guy points out that this is a business built by the Song Family... So if he brings in a brother with a different last name, the other Song family members won't stay quiet. Now that he thinks about it, all of President Song's mother's children had different fathers. That has got to be embarrassing. It’s embarrassing in the States, but it has got to be even more so in Korea.
They continue that Mrs. Baek Se Young was infamous before she passed away. She had a daughter with actor Cha Min Gook and no one even knows who the youngest child's father is! That’s doubly shameful. Wow, imagine how Gun Woo feels. The older ones at least have money and family; he doesn’t really having either, just what scraps they throw him. No wonder he's like he is. The kid’s name was Baek something, after his mother's surname. Wow, he doesn’t even have his father’s last name. There's a rumor that he's the son of a baseball coach who used to be a famous baseball player. There were rumors that he's the son of some artist or the chairman's son of Jin Group. For a man trying to build up his own base Hying wouldn't bring in a younger brother who's surrounded by rumors.
And Gun Woo has overheard the whole thing. Poor Gun Woo. He tries to ignore it, but the point about not having his father’s last name really bothers him. After they leave, Gun Woo leaves, too.
Noona is out shopping. Her companion has just found out that her older brother is the Noblesse Hotel president. Since her surname is Cha and his is Song, he never even considered it. Boyfriend? Boy toy? Matter-of-factly, she replies that her siblings have the same mother but different fathers. Guy is impressed. Her mother is amazing. How many men did she have? Then whose son is her younger brother? She answers that her mother had a man with the most money (Song), the most handsome man (her father)... and the last man was supposedly the worst man in the world. She asks him if he like the watch he’s tried on and then decides to buy it. He helps her by taking her credit card to pay. Boy toy.
Jung Joo is struggling with the basin. It’s really heavy. She spills several conch and in the process, drops her phone. Poong San calls, so she flips off her shoe, answers and begs for him to help her. He’s called to tell her that they have 3 customers. And he’s excited at that. Jung Joo cries that she’s in so much pain! She feels like she’s dying… She’s dying! Please, comes and help her! Poong San is understandably concerned.
Mayor rides up on his moped and helps by grabbing the basin. Relief! Jung Joo grabs the phone and tells Poong San that she’s fine now. She hangs up before he can say anything. Mayor stands there, shocked that she was carrying that huge basin on her head. He mutters to himself (in Jeju dialect – JD) that this lady is really frustrating. Is she stupid? But he helps her anyway. Woman who buys them says (in JD) that she buys from somewhere else, but she bought Jung Joo’s for Mayor Hwang. Jung Joo bows gratefully. It seems like everyone on the island really loves Mayor. Jung Joo thanks him.
She starts to leave, but he stops her. Is she just leaving? If she’s thankful, buy him a noodle soup. His face says that he’s irritated. As they're served, Jung Joo tells Mayor that if he really wanted a reward, he could've asked her to go to her restaurant. After paying for noodle soups worth 7,000 won each, what does she have left? He asks if it looks like he wants to be treated to a reward? He means, she should consider the hearts going back and forth.
Jung Joo doesn’t get what Mayor means. She says that even though he’s single, she has no intention of having hearts go back and forth with him. He puts down his chopsticks, annoyed. He says that he's not talking about hearts between them. He’s talking about between the owner of this noodle shop and Jung Joo. She was considerate of Jung Joo and bought Jung Joo’s conch, so Jung Joo shouldn't just say thank you. Jung Joo should buy her noodle soup and gush about how delicious it is, then mention that she's starting a restaurant in Sorang Town now, so please take care of her. It's important to build relationships like this. Wow, he is really smart. I can understand why he’s so popular now.
Jung Joo follows his advice and it works out well, with shop owner promising to come by and visit Jung Joo’s restaurant. Mayor points out that the noodle shop is also pretty far from the Olle Trail. There are a lot of successful restaurants that are not near Olle Trail. So that place is a big hit? Mayor nods and says that it’s the best noodle soup place around. It's not that packed now, but it's completely full during lunch time.
Jung Joo is surprised. The noodle soup Gun Woo made was much better. Mayor is doubtful. Gun Woo’s lazy with his business... How can he cook properly? He doesn't seem to have any desire, so he looks like he'll be lazy in cooking, too. Sometimes outsiders like him open restaurants as a hobby. But they always get bored and leave quickly, after messing up the atmosphere of the town. Jung Joo is quick to defend Gun Woo. His food is no joke. It's really delicious! Mayor has never stopped by and tasted any of it. The mayor doesn't extend his hand. That's why that outgoing guy can't get along with the town's people. How about that for a rebuke? Mayor scratches his head, chastened.
Someone Mayor knows says hello and concludes that because Mayor is with a girl, he must have been set up. Mayor denies it. Guy doesn’t believe him. Mayor smacks Jung Joo to get her help. She denies it, too. Man laughs and bids them farewell, but it’s obvious that he’s still skeptical. Later, Jung Joo says that now that she thinks about it, she’s a little upset. She doesn't want to be misunderstood as someone who was set up with him. But he had a serious face and kept denying it... so it was more embarrassing for her. Mayor sniffs and walks closer to her. In a low voice, he says that once you're misunderstood here, you have to get married. Really? Is Jung Joo going to marry him? She protests that it can't happen! Mayor responds that they’re settled then.
Mayor thanks her for the food. He clears his throat and says that he took her advice about the attitude he should have as a mayor to heart and he’ll stop by to taste Mr. Baek Gun Woo's food. She replies that he might not have a chance anymore. They had a fight and she impulsively told him to quit. Because of that damn abalone! When Mayor hears abalone, he takes her over to Jong Bae’s shop, where he sells abalone wholesale. That, and sea cucumbers, sea squirts, octopus and all. Jong Bae says that she should come often. He'll give her a good price.
Jung Joo goes to pick some abalones, but Mayor corrects her. For abalones, big, oval shaped ones are good. Hae Shil arrives with some seafood to sell. Jong Bae, in JD, clucks at her for working on the weekends. Jung Joo notices that Hae Shil’s abalone are much bigger than the ones she’s looking at. Mayor explains that the wild ones that the lady divers catch are on a different level from the farmed ones like Jong Bae’s. Prices are different, too. Jung Joo ponders the difference. Mayor asks if she wants to buy the wild ones. Jung Joo answers that she doesn't need to offer wild abalone for that girl. Heh. She hopes that if she brings these, Gun Woo won’t be mad anymore.
Jung Joo heads for the hotel. Gun Woo’s car is in the parking lot, so he has to be there. She misses the sign about the workshop that’s in town: 2015 Sunghan Apparel Spring Workshop. The convention with all her old co-workers in it.
Poong San calls Gun Woo and tells him that Jung Joo went to the hotel to look for him. Gun Woo says to tell her to forget it. Poong San tells him to stop being so mad. She was really sick, but she went there looking for him. Hearing that she was sick, Gun Woo gets concerned. Poong San says that she called earlier and said she was hurting like she was dying. Shortly afterward, she she said that she was fine. Didn’t Poong San call her? He’s sneaky. But he knows his hyung.
Jung Joo is looking for Gun Woo. She stops to take an elevator. Guess who is also there? Dead Face is waiting for the elevator as well. When she tries to answer the phone, she drops her iced coffee all over the floor. Jung Joo grimaces because she got splattered. Dead Face is also upset, more that her clothes got splattered. She doesn’t even apologize for nailing Jung Joo with her drink. Just another reason why she's classy. Jung Joo offers one of her wipes to Dead Face to help her clean off the coffee. Dead Face takes it without bothering to say thank you. The girl is just rude. Jung Joo starts to try to clean up the mess. Dead Face rolls her eyes.
The elevator comes and Dead Face gets on. She's like that person who left their trash in the stairwell of a parking garage instead of carrying it just a few feet to a trash can. Like there's a maid that comes along after them and cleans up their mess. Jung Joo is able to catch the door before it closes. She can’t believe that Dead Face can leave it like that. Dead Face says that the maids will clean it up. Did I call that or what? Jung Joo sighs and says that it will take a while. What if someone passing by steps on the ice and falls? Dead Face spilled it, so she should clean up a little. Dead Face looks at the mess on the floor again and says that ice will melt if you just leave it. Then she smiles and says, “Okay.”
Jung Joo is placated. She turns her back. Dead Face presses the elevator button and the doors shut before Jung Joo can stop them. Dead Face smiles, pleased with herself. Some other people almost fall on the mess, so Jung Joo can’t leave it.
As Jung Joo’s cleaning up the ice, her old co-workers walk up. Manager recognizes her and explains that they’re there for the company workshop. Snotty girl – who wanted to embarrass Jung Joo and laugh about it – asks if Jung Joo works there, too. Jung Joo assures them she doesn’t. Girl asks if Jung catches conchs. Jung Joo’s surprised they know. Girl says that Jung Joo’s picture is on Boo Mi Ra's blog. She wondered, but it's true.
Gun Woo arrives, obviously looking for her. He holds back when he sees Jung Joo talking to them. Jung Joo explains that her customers said they can't eat farmed ones anymore, once they tasted wild ones, so that’s why she does it. Snotty girls snicker. Gun Woo doesn’t miss that. He feels bad for them looking down on Jung Joo.
Jung Joo walks the group out to their tour bus. She wishes them a great time and safe trip home! Manager says that they are going to Jusang Jeolli Cliff and offers to drop her off on the way.
Jusang Jeolli Cliff was formed when lava from Hallasan Mountain erupted into the sea of Jungmun. There are beautiful rock formations and the blue sea beyond. For more information, go here.
Jung Joo tries to wave them off, but Snotty Girl2 points out that she doesn’t have a car. Just then a horn honks. It’s Gun Woo in his convertible. He tells her to get in, with a smile. Then he chastises the owner for carrying these things all by herself! He jumps out of the car and takes the basin. Then he ‘notices’ the people and asks who they are. She explains that they are her old co-workers. Gun Woo puts down the basin and gives them a polite bow as he greets them. He announces that he’s the chef at the restaurant that Jung Joo manages.
Manager is impressed and Snotty Girl recognizes Gun Woo as the chef on Boo Mi Ra's blog! They’re really impressed that the Warm and Cozy is hers. Gun Woo responds that *his* Jung Joo is the owner. SG calls Jung Joo ‘Unni’ and says that she really wanted to go there! SG2 asks if they can come and visit. All charm, Gun Woo says that his boss's guests are welcome anytime. Manager declares that Jung Joo is amazing and they’ll come by this evening. Gun Woo tells Jung Joo to hurry up and get in! Polite bowing goodbye. Gun Woo opens the door for her respectfully and they drive off. That was totally cool.
Silent car ride. They both want to start the conversation but hesitate. Gun Woo asks about Jung Joo being sick earlier. She called Poong San and said she was hurting like she was dying... Jung Joo remembers and assures him that it’s no big deal. She’s okay. Is she really okay? When she nods, he declares that he was startled. Because he thinks that she's just playing tough guy being end-stage with cancer.
Jung Joo starts to bring up what happened earlier: she said harsh words when they fought earlier… So, she’s sorry? She answers that she bought abalones. He likes that she bought five. He mentions her saying that she’d take off the sign and only sell the noodle soup starting today. People from her company are coming. Should he really only make the noodle soup? She answers that he’s the chef! Since they’ve already showed off with the sports car, he should show off with his cooking, too. He likes that idea but acts nonchalant. He calls her ‘Boss’ and says that he’ll make really great dishes so that she can keep your head up. Wait for it. She smiles and says, “Yes, Chef.” That makes them both laugh.
Feverish working in the cooking. And lots of shots of food being prepared. It’s making me drool. Gun Woo has Jung Joo sample and she loves it, which makes him smile. Does he ever smile this much with Dead Face? The company workers arrive. They’re all impressed with the Warm and Cozy. Food is served: octopus salad, braised flatfish, boiled pork with scallion salad. And the main dish: abalone rice! Someone cries that their mouth will have a feast tonight! Twice. Jung Joo looks over at Gun Woo. He smiles at her and gives her a wink. Keep her head up indeed. He's making me want to melt.
The Mayor runs into Yoo Ja and Bok Nyeo and notices that they haven’t sold all of their catch (abalone) and, remembering how Jung Joo really wanted some, he asks the ajummas for a couple. Uh-oh, he’s about to head to the Warm and Cozy, where the underwear employees are.
Jung Joo walks into the kitchen area and sees Gun Woo happily cooking. She thinks about how Gun Woo said that people eat the food that he makes and become happy. That's what he finds fun and that's why he cooks! She asks him if he’s having fun and he happily nods, a big smile on his face. This makes her – and me – smile. Why is he just so darn cute when he smiles? Her, too!
Mayor arrives at Warm and Cozy with the abalone. He sees that it’s busy and goes to investigate. Jung Joo comes outside and asks if he came to have dinner. He says that he's going to try the food and see how good it is. He brought the ingredients, too. She asks if she can put up a recommendation sign, if Mayor likes what he tastes. Wearing his annoyed face, he says that they go through a selection process for that. It doesn't happen with a personal request. She makes a disappointed face.
Old Manager yells at Jung Joo that they should take a picture together! Mayor asks if they’re people that she knew. Why, yes, they’re from the company she used to work for, Sunghan Apparel. Mayor starts to freak out. He should have just told her instead of denying it. Clueless Jung Joo asks Mayor to take the picture (so she can be in it). He doesn’t want to, but can’t make it obvious. Head scratch. He has to stop doing that. It’s going to give him away.
The group poses – and hand Mayor a real camera instead of a handphone – and ask Jung Joo who the Mayor is, because he looks familiar. Mayor hears them and scratches his head like he does when he’s nervous or uncomfortable. Ooops. I told you, dude. Give yourself away. Manager figures it out first: Red clay man! Mayor’s horrified face makes me roll. Manager yells: The biggest hit item of 1998! The red clay underwear model, the red clay man! Everyone is super excited (and Jung Joo is glad to finally know why Mayor looks so familiar). Mayor is frozen with horror, but manages to snap pictures anyway.
Jung Joo walks Mayor out. He explains that when he was young, he stayed in Seoul for a time and did underwear modeling just once for a part-time job. How can they recognize him right away after looking at him just once? It’s not just once, dude. Jung Joo smiles and says that the red clay underwear that he modeled just once is the best of the best sellers of the company. There is this big picture of him hanging in the company showroom. Everyone there saw his face coming to and leaving work. That's how they recognize him. Sheepish, Mayor says that the town people don't know about it. Jung Joo promises to keep it a secret.
Jung Joo tells Mayor to go in and eat. He doesn’t want to, because they’re giving him peculiar looks. Plus, you don’t want Gun Woo, especially, to find out. He’d enjoy torturing the Mayor over it. He promises to come another time. Before he goes, Mayor makes sure that Jung Joo will keep his secret. Gun Woo comes out to see Jung Joo ‘zipping’ her lips shut. Mayor catches him looking and makes a really obvious signal (scratching his nose while pointing at Gun Woo) to Jung Joo to take care of Gun Woo. Silently, she assures him not to worry. Gun Woo's interest is piqued.
Mayor leaves and Gun Woo wants to know what that was all about. Jung Joo tells him that he doesn’t need to know. Gun Woo hisses at her and ‘yells’ at her that if she becomes friends with the mayor, the townsfolk will try to put them together! Jung Joo answers that she heard that once you get involved with someone, you have to marry him right away. Gun Woo doesn’t like that at all and calls Mayor shameless for telling her that. Who is he telling to marry him? She shouldn't talk to the mayor anymore. Okay? He’s not jealous at all. Jung Joo remembers the food that Mayor brought and wants Gun Woo to make bar food with it. He adamantly refuses! He gives her a monkey raspberry before walking off in a huff. Which totally made me laugh.
Ugh! It’s Dead Face. Why are we seeing a scene about her? Dead Face is in her apartment. She thinks about Gun Woo driving by with Jung Joo and them being happy together. It was a girl next to him. What is she going to do? Just go back to Seoul!
Poong San drives the Company people back to the resort. Cleaning up, Jung Joo thanks Gun Woo for all that he did. He shrugs it off and says that it was no big deal. She mentions how he used all five abalones that he was going to use for his friend. He tells her not to worry. He doesn't know when Ji Won will come. She remembers that Mayor brought some. Gun Woo asks if Jung Joo likes grilled abalone with sweet marinade. She does. He shakes his head and tells her that she has the taste buds of an elementary school kid. Heh. He suggests they have a drink with sweet, grilled abalone. She’s surprised that he wants to make it for her (instead of saving it for Dead Face). He promises to make a delicious grilled abalone.
Jung Joo says that she will clean everything up quickly while he cooks, but Gun Woo tells her to forget it. She was sick. Then he clucks at her about wearing such a thin jacket when it’s cold outside. She might catch a cold. She starts to argue when he hisses at her and tells her to go upstairs and wear something warm! After making drinking motions to each other, Jung Joo heads in to change clothes.
Jung Joo debates what to wear and eventually settles on a red sweater and a cute necklace. Since Gun Woo is cooking, she sets the table and includes two wine glasses. She wonders if she went overboard. Not at all. Get that boy to fall in love with you. Gun Woo arrives with the abalone. Even though Gun Woo was thinking Soju, he agrees that the mood is good for wine. Jung Joo starts to get the wine, but Gun Woo stops her with an arm grab. He tells her that he handed over the whole restaurant after drinking champagne. Don't expect him to hand over something again today. What?! A little racy there, Gun Woo. Jung Joo acts insulted as she protests that she doesn’t know what he means. She goes and Gun Woo wonders if he should light a candle. Is romance brewing?
As Jung Joo gets the wine, she spies her reflect and primps a little. She catches herself and scolds herself. What is she expecting? Throat clear.
Gun Woo went with the candles. Nice holders for the tea lights. He’s happy with how the table looks. A car arrives. Car? Please, no. Arg! It’s Dead Face. Gun Woo goes to investigate who just arrived and is surprised to see Dead Face. Although, I guess I shouldn’t be, since she was thinking about him with another girl and wants to make sure that she can string him along forever. He smiles because she finally came. And completely forgets about Jung Joo. Dude.
Jung Joo hurries out with the wine to find Gun Woo and Dead Face sitting at ‘their’ table. Gun Woo happy small talk. Jung Joo wonders who the girl is. Gun Woo feeds Dead Face Jung Joo’s wild abalone, after saying that, of course, he made it for Ji Won. Who else would do this for Dead Face other than him? Jung Joo can’t believe it. I can’t either. Oh, wait, I can. That boy has a total idiot spot when it comes to Dead Face. Jung Joo disappointedly looks at the wine and the episode ends with Gun Woo and Dead Face laughing in the background.
[Recipe Four: Abalone Rice that's Full of Oceany Fragrance]
- First, trim and wash the abalone.
- Soak the rice and sweet rice in water, then drain in a colander.
- Saute abalone lightly in sesame oil and pour in refined rice liquor.
- Mix the rice with other ingredients (abalone, lentil, chestnut, shallot, ginkgo nuts, jujube)
- Add stock in at a 1:1 ratio and bring up to a boil.
- Once it's up to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it rest for 15 minutes.
- Make the seasoning sauce by mixing chive, pepper, soup soy sauce, pepper flakes, sesame oil, and a bit of honey.
- Serve the sauce with rice.
Thoughts
Of course the writers have to fake us out at the end, get up all hopeful for a little romance and then stomp that hope into the ground by having Dead Face show up. Gun Woo! I want to hit you! How is he so clueless? Why does he have such a blind spot for this obnoxious girl?One thing that sticks out in this episode is the pair's attitute towards money. Gun Woo -- the rich boy -- has no problem spending money, since he's never really faced any true consequences of life without it (like eviction, starvation, delayed gratification). He's never had to budget or plan ahead, since he's always had funds to fall back on. Even now, even as Hyung has cut him off, he knows that it won't last forever and eventually his cash flow will start up again. If he got sick, Hyung will pay for the doctor. Jung Joo, on the other time, counts every penny and goes sofa diving for 100 won coin (that's like hunting down a dime, which I have done). She is very concerned about prices, because she doesn't have any hope of future income. This directly dictates her decisions, and I think that her hard-working nature is starting to rub off on Gun Woo. I don't know if it's because he thinks she's sick, or if it's because she's his friend, but he's startws doing things that he doesn't necessarily need to do, because she wants him to.
And man, I hate Ji Won. I can't say it too often. It just grows and grows. They laid the seeds for what's developing: Ji Won is Oppa-hunting with Hyung. After all, he's the richest guy she knows. I so hate her. I hate how she constantly uses Gun Woo and how he puts up with it, like a dog begging for table scraps, and that's all she's throwing him. 'Go cook me something and wait for me to show up. I'm not saying when I'm coming. Just sit by the phone...'
One thing that I find interesting is how Gun Woo just expects Jing Joo to rubber stamp whatever he does. I need the money from the register to buy stuff for Ji Won. I need more money, because Ji Won is coming. I can bail on the restaurant because I need to pick up Ji Won at the airport. I want to stay here. Of course, you'll let me stay. I think he's so used to getting his way that he just assumes that people will go along with it... eventually. I hope he grows out of that soon.
On a somewhat different note, I think that Jung Joo and Gun Woo are perfect for each other in all the ways that count. She's more serious; he's more fun loving. He's more impulsive; she's more calculating. He's optimistic; she's pesimistic. She's industrious; he's lazy. She's more reactive to other people's moods; he's learned to ignore them. And, even though it's more obvious with Jung Joo towards Gun Woo, they accept and like the other for who they are, with all their faults. (Because she has issues, too, which Gun Woo puts up with. His are more obvious, but she's far from perfect.) But most importantly, they are the family that the other one has been looking for. For Jung Joo, she really doesn't have anyone. Yes, she has an aunt that she helps support and a bum of a cousin, but she doesn't have parents. And with the way that her aunt treats her, if she didn't exist, it wouldn't be any skin off of Aunt's nose, save for the lack of income. Gun Woo really doesn't have anyone either. Not really. Yes, there's Hyung and Noona, but they don't really seem to have much of a relationship. And Hyung isn't boasting to anyone that Gun Woo is his brother. Gun Woo's mother is dead and his father is not in his life. And is apparently a really bad guy. The worst of all. Not only that, people talk about him and he's supposed to not care, even though he does. And what they talk about is stuff that's really embarrassing and humiliating and nothing he has control over, but Jung Joo doesn't care about all that. She doesn't care about what his money can do for her, or how she can use him. She just likes him because of who he is. Like the fact that he can cook and enjoys what he creates (more than anyone else's cooking, which makes him special not because of his money, but because of him).
The incident with Hyung's co-workers talking about Gun Woo really made me realize just how much in the world that he's had to pretend doesn't bother him. It has to be terrible, not knowing exactly who your father is, everyone knowing you're a bastard, people constantly talking about it, judging and looking down on you. Not having at least a family name to cling to, with that support. That's even worse in some place like Korea, where they judge you on your family and not just on who you are. He has no stability, no control, so he's become someone who doesn't really care about anything, won't care about anything, because when you care, you're vulnerable and can be hurt. He's gotten so used to ignoring social conventions that when he moves somewhere where abiding to them will actually gain him something, where people are judging him not on his parents but on *him,* he doesn't know how to navigate that. And I think that Jung Joo is teaching him that.
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