Taxi driver remarks that Sung Joon looks like he came from overseas. Not sure why, but he just heard him talking in English so that could be it. Sung Joon replied that he’s returned to Korea after about 15 years. Driver says what I was thinking: Wow, that's quite a long time. He asks why Sung Joon is back. Sung Joon replies that he has things to do, and something that he must find. That part at the end, from the way he says it, he’s thinking of Hye Jin and the puzzle piece.
Switch to the elevator. We see what happened after Hye Jin got off. Sung Joon got Pretty Girl’s attention (taps on her shoulder) and asks if PG is busy. She plays with her hair and says that she’s not. Half smiling (half ticked) Sung Joon asks if – since she’s not busy - how about getting back her conscience now? Bam! That was awesome. PG can’t believe it. Everyone looks at her, waiting for her to get off. Even though they were perfectly happy to let her stay before Sung Joon said something.
PG gets off the elevator. The guy who tells her to get on the elevator (while keeping the door from closing) is Shin Hyuk. With a smile on his face. Whenshe hesitates, he wordlessly tells her to get on – in that conspiratorial way that friends talk to each other. Sung Joon is looking at some papers so he doesn’t see her face. She smiles and says that it’s a relief.
Back to Driver, who asks what Sung Joon’s there to find. He replies, “My umbrella.” And I swoon just a little. He came back to find his umbrella. Totally called that!
Back to the present, with Sung Joon smiling pleasantly at them. Hye Jin dives for the floor and scurries backward to hide under a desk. Which gets a big laugh from me, especially because Shin Hyuk just watched her do it. Ha Ri asks what’s going on, but all Hye Jin can think about is how Sung Joon told Ha Ri that he’s so glad that his friend Hye Jin is such a cool person. ‘Cool person’ echoes several times.
The girls of the office are drooling. And loud enough that everyone can hear them talk about how cute he is. PG – who the cast list says is Han Seol (Shin Hye Shin) – can’t believe that the rude guy from the elevator is the new Deputy Editor in Chief?! Shin Hyuk goes over to the group – I’m really surprised that he didn’t say anything to Hye Jin. Introductions. Which is good, so we know who is who. Joo Young and Poong Ho. Joo Ah Reum (Kang Soo Jin).
Then the future rivals meet: Feature Editor Kim Shin Hyuk. He adds – trying to look so humble – that he doesn’t know why but people just love calling him this team's ace. Then he smiles, like he did in the museum, like it’s totally obvious that it’s true. His co-workers roll their eyes and Poong Ho calls Shin Hyuk a natural-born crazy kid. Which gets a fist bump from Shin Hyuk. Sung Joon replies that he especially hope they get along, then. Shin Hyuk nods obligingly.
Seol hides her face as she introduces herself. Sung Joon looks at her funny. Joon Woo says that he’s the youngest on the fashion team. Hye Jin is still hiding under the desk. She quickly makes a break for the door, which Shin Hyuk notices. And thinks is odd. I love Siwon’s exaggerated expressions that he has Shin Hyuk do! And the drooling trio are Jung Seon Min (brown hair), Park Lee Kyung (blonde hair) and Lee Eun Yung (glasses).
Sung Joon says that he’s there just to get a sense of the work environment. Tomorrow he will start working properly. They’ll have a group meeting before noon tomorrow. Everyone should attend it. Everyone agrees and Shin Hyuk asks that Sung Joon please take good care of them.
In the stairwell, Hye Jin is trying to stop freaking out. She slaps her face with both hands, hard, and says that it’s not a dream. Heh. What to do?!! She repeats this about 5 times. She tells herself to calm down and make sense of things. But it doesn’t work.
Ha Ri calls back. She’s shocked, too. Why is he there, since she’s in the fashion department. Then she remembers that Sung Joon said that he worked in the field of art directing. So that field is also this kind of field... I love how she talks with she’s putting things together. Ha Ri asks the obvious question: So, from now on, Hye Jin will have to see Ji Sung Joon's face every day? On the same team? As his subordinate?
Hye Jin whines as she says that that makes her even crazier. What does she do if he recognizes her? No matter how much she’s changed, there must be some childhood facial features left in her! In a matter-of-fact tone that best friends get when they’re helping you chill – Ha Ri tells her not to worry. Hye Jin was such a doll when she was young, now those traces have totally disappeared– she stops because that sounds bad. She adds that she doesn't mean that Hye Jin has become weird or anything like that... Hye Jin doesn’t take offense.
Ha Ri assures Hye Jin that it won't show so she shouldn’t worry! Hye Jin’s still freaking out. It'll be worse when he gets to know her name. What should she do?! He’ll be able to tell. Hye Jin desperately wonders if she should change her name. Ha Ri thinks that’s a dumb idea. Change her name, my foot! How many Kim Hye Jin's are there in the world? Just in her hotel there are three. Good point. Also, think about it, he thinks his first love Kim Hye Jin is her, right? On top of that, he thinks that his first love Kim Hye Jin went to study abroad. Hye Jin is calming down.
Ha Ri adds that Sung Joon shouldn’t suspect anything because of all of that. I don’t know (said in sing-songy voice); he’s pretty smart. Plus there were times during dinner where it seemed like he knew something was off. He’ll dismiss the idea. Hye Jin’s a little calmer. But only just a little. She worries because just now her knees went weak when she saw him so she ran away. How is she going to face him everyday? She groans.
Ha Ri is now talking to herself: It's obvious that her stifling personality will get worse. Such a good friend! She knows that Hye Jin’s insecurity is her weak spot. Back to the phone, she declares that there's only one solution. Solution? What solution? Just grab it. Grab what? His pants.
Switch to Hye Jin down with Manager, on her knees, pulling on Manager’s pants and begging him to please cancel her transfer to the Editing Team! Please... Kwang Hee (elevator jerk) has to fight with Hye Jin to get her to let go of Manager’s pants. But she’s strong. Manager says that there’s nothing he can do. Even though don’t you have *two* interns? Isn’t one sitting just right there, texting on her phone? There is no department that can beat the power of the Most Editorial department!
Does Hye Jin know why it's like that? Hye Jin shakes her head… and lets go of the pants. Manager says that it’s the really loud chief editor. That eccentric ajumma? Hee announces that ajumma’s name is Chief Editor Kim Ra Ra. Manager says that he doesn't know if it's Ra Ra or Ru Ru, but anyway, that Chief Editor– he stops and says that this is actually the company's secret. He’s not sure if he can– Of course you can. Hye Jin starts to jump up and down as she begs.
Manager says that Ra Ra is the Jin Sung Group Chairman's younger sister. She got divorced in Italy about a year ago, and came here to be the Chief Editor. Even though she goes shopping and parties all day long, and even though she's just a nominal Chief Editor, she has none other than the Chairman backing her. Manager mutters, resenting Ra Ra’s good fortune. Hye Jin goes back to begging. Manager seems like he’s changing his mind… but he tells her to write her resignation letter. Seriously. Another intern. Right there.
Hye Jin has no choice but to go back to The Most. She peeks in through the glass in the door. Poong Ho is in a chair; it looks like he’s sleeping. Sung Joon is nowhere to be seen. Shin Hyuk walks up and jumps backward, surprised. Then he wonders if there’s something she’s looking at, so he decides to look, too. And makes me crack up. He asks what she’s doing, which startles her. She jumps, which startles Shin Hyuk. The hands are killing me! And his astonished face! He declares that she surprised him. In the US, we would say it almost gave her a heart attack. In Korea, they say: My baby almost dropped out of my womb! Which is even funnier since he’s a man.
Shin Hyuk asks what she’s looking at. If it's something good then they should watch it together. With the face and tone of a conspiratorial best friend. He kills me. She waves her hands ‘no’ and says that she wasn't looking at anything. He remembers. Tapping his tooth, he asks if her front tooth okay? He gives her a smile. And I just saw an editing thing – during her response, he had his hand on his chin, but right now, Shin Hyuk’s got his arms crossed. She doesn’t understand the reference. He welcomes her to the Editing Team. He adds that it may have something to do with him or not – wow, Shin Hyuk is vain! He assumed that she was trying to peek at him. Wow – so he may throw her the suggestion of buying him a meal sometime. Then he takes his closed hand and opens it while making a popping noise with his mouth. He smiles and goes inside. Dork! But I love him already.
Hye Jin wonders why he just said that. What? Throw what? Then she realizes. She goes inside and asks if he’s the reason why she has to work there? That’s even worse. His sly way of saying she owes him for getting her the job. She goes inside and asks. Shin Hyuk’s now leaning over a desk, working on a computer. Instead of answering that, he announces his name: Kim Shin Hyuk. His name isn't "excuse me" or "this person" but Kim Shin Hyuk. He stands up and adds: Who knows? When Jackson calls him, he may come to Jackson and become a flower. He has crossed his hands in front of him so that they form a bird. The bird flies away. He walks away. As I am cracking up.
He’s referencing Kim Chun Soo's famous poem ‘The Flower’
Before I called her name,
she was nothing
more than a gesture.
When I called her name,
she came to me
and became a flower.
Like I called her name,
will someone please call my name
that suits my light and fragrance?
I, too, long to come to her
and become her flower.
We all long to be something.
You, to me, and I, to you,
long to become a gaze that won’t be forgotten.
That’s really pretty. And deep. And he’s obliquely hitting on her!
Hye Jin wants to know: Who is Jackson? We know he means her, because he called her Michael Jackson because of her pants and shoes.
Shin Hyuk is now cleaning a counter. She goes over, says excuse me, and starts to ask again. Shin Hyuk announces: Or she can call him Reporter Kim. A flower or Reporter Kim. Again, she tries: If it's because of Reporter Kim– Shin Hyuk interrupts again – it’s like he’s not even paying attention to how she’s acting right now – and says that he feel like the word "because" may not be the appropriate word choice. Does she know what department is the core of the magazine? She quickly replies that it’s the Management Services Team. He answers “The Editing Team. That's correct.” He cracks me up.
As he starts to make coffee, he says that they needed a part-time worker in Jin Sung's core, central team and considering that fact, he thought that, instead of a random part-timer, it may be better to pick the intern who has worked for them at least once. He just tried asking and the boss said okay, too. She looks at him. He nods, confidently and says that he knows. She’s so thankful, right? Hye Jin winces a ‘no!’ Shin Hyuk finishes, saying that "thanks to him" rather than "because of him" may be the most appropriate expression. He pours a cup of coffee and offers it to her. It's free. He smiles.
Hye Jin has him put the cup down. She begs him to please ask them to cancel the transfer request. Joo Young has entered and sees her. She tells Hye Jin to come and see her for a bit. Hye Jin asks if she means right now. Joo Young’s expression says that she can’t believe Hye Jin just asked that. Like she’s supposed to work on Hye Jin’s schedule rather than the other way around. Joo Young asks if Hye Jin want to come next year, then. Hye Jin says she doesn’t and follows Joo Young.
As she walks away, Shin Hyuk notices her feet and is amazed. She's Michael Jackson today as well. Wow, Michael Jackson! A little dancing and a spin from Shin Hyuk.
Now at Joo Young’s desk, she asks how Hye Jin did the revision and editing last time? It didn't look like it was her first time trying. Hye Jin is nervously looking at where Sung Joon is sitting. She replies that her father runs a private press and she helped him with work sometimes. She tries to change the subject, but Joo Young ignores her. Seems to be a lot of that going on. But it kind of makes sense to me. They deal with irrational, moody people all the time and are used to not reacting to freak outs.
Joo Young says that it's the 20th anniversary of the magazine in three months, so it'll be hectic creating the special edition. They were thinking about selecting a part-timer, but Hye Jin can translate, revise and edit, and if she’s from Management Services, her computer skills are probably fine, so she’s perfect for the job. Until the anniversary special, Hye Jin should stay there and work for three months. Three months again. Sung Joon has 3 months. And the job is for 3 months. Hmm… Joo Young turns to her work. And Shin Hyuk is now sitting at his desk behind her.
Hye Jin tells her that she should hire a part-timer as she initially planned. She would be grateful if Joo Young could send her back to the Management Services Team. Joo Young says that as an intern she knows that Hye Jin won't run away. Part-timers jump at the chance to run away when the work gets tough, so it's hard to trust them. That doesn't mean Hye Jin has to be an assistant. Just do simple translation and light work. That will do.
Hye Jin isn’t persuaded. She says that she’s never even touched the cover of a fashion magazine and she doesn't know a single thing about this particular area. Simply put, I am stupid. Stupid. Joo Young pulls out the magazine. It’s a fashion-oriented, lifestyle monthly magazine that targets the people in their 20s to 30s. And Korean for lifestyle is ‘lifestyle.’ Another issue. It is also a licensed magazine that is published in about 30 different countries. Three more issues. 30-40% are translated manuscripts from New York headquarters. The rest are articles that are relevant to the particular country they are printed in.
They are divided into three big chunks - fashion, beauty and features. Pages of magazine flip to Fashion pages. Fashion focuses on fashion trends, shows, shoots, pretty straightforward. And why am I looking at a bunch of why models right now? More pages flipping to the Beauty section. More white girls. Beauty, simply put, is about beautification, make up, health, well, things like that. Page flip to Features. Features are basically everything excluding fashion and beauty. I am really being bothered by the preponderance of white people in this magazine. The articles are in Korean, but everyone is white. Even the arguing people in the feature. (Which is written by Shin Hyuk.) Movies, cultural events such as exhibitions, social issues, interviews, lifestyle content.
Joo Young concludes that if she knows this, then she already knows half of what there is to know. No problems now, right? Hye Jin says that there are still many, many problems... Sung Joon walks out of his office. Hye Jin gasps and dives under Joo Young’s desk. Which gets a good laugh out of me. Joo Young asks what she’s doing. A normal response. Hye Jin says that she thought she had dropped something. But she didn’t.
She stands up. Sung Joon is looking at Joo Young, so she quickly turns around and walks away. Sung Joon asks Joo Young – who he addresses as Reporter Cha – to come along to the afternoon’s magazine shoot to see the set and check out the photos. Joo Young offers to schedule a separate time for him. Sung Joon declines. Shin Hyuk rolls into frame as he watches Hye Jin run out of the office again. He blinks and mutters that she's going out like that again. Does she have the stomach bug? And I thought I would get out of one scene without laughing but: He puffs his cheeks full of air and blows it out of his mouth with a ‘raspberries’ sound. Why? So funny.
Hye Jin is now in a bathroom stall, freaking out. Ha Ri’s plan didn’t work. The drooling trio enter, gushing over how cute Sung Joon is. Did you see him properly? He's totally just WOW! Did you see his proportions? I thought a model had come to greet us. When he just stands still his charisma is amazing, and when he smiles he's so cute! Seon Min wonders how he became the Deputy Editor-In-Chief at such a young age? In her stall, Hye Jin makes a frustrated motion.
Lee Kyung says that she heard that he was amazing at the New York headquarters. Hye Jin thinks to herself – again making a frustrated motion – Then he should have continued being amazing in New York. Why did he have to come here?! Um, to find you. Eun Yung goes girly over his name. Lee Kyung thought that her life would end with working overtime at night, with her skin rotting, but she can't believe this day has come! Hye Jin groans and says that they are are lucky that they can be so happy about this.
She texts Ha Ri:
Plan "Begging" failed. I am currently sitting on top of the toilet lid hiding from Ji Sung Joon.Ha Ri groans. This is driving me crazy. She texts back:
Get up immediately! I'm telling you won't get caught! Are you going to keep sitting on the toilet lid like an idiot? Until when are you going to be avoiding him?Hye Jin sighs, because Ha Ri is right. She can't avoid him forever. She starts back to the office, telling herself that she will never get caught. From now on she won't avoid hi– She spot Sung Joon walking toward her, looking at his phone. She immediately screams and runs in the opposite direction. Not calling *attention* to herself at all. She jumps on the elevator.
Only to discover that the man before *wasn’t* Sung Joon, because he’s in the elevator. She’s too late to get off and so she’s trapped in the elevator with him. Sung Joon is also reading something on a tablet. Hye Jin wonders who was the guy she just saw? She must have thought he was Ji Sung Joon because she was paranoid about avoiding him. She’s going crazy! She sighs loudly and mentally begs the elevator to hurry up so she can get off! She has to get off!
And… the lights flicker as the elevator stops. This is a message to tell him the truth! Not only did you happen to be working with him, but now you’re stuck in an elevator with him. Hye Jin starts furiously pressing the Up button. Sung Joon goes back to his tablet. When the button pushing doesn’t work, she starts pounding on the doors and yelling that there people stuck in here! Please open the door. Please save me! Save me! This gets Sung Joon’s attention. He grabs her wrist and pulls her away from the door.
There’s a look of recognition on his face – so he *did* recognize her, wow, good man! Hye Jin tries to hide her face – which makes her looks crazy. He asks – his voice sounding confused: Kim Hye Jin? She looks at him, eyes wide. Completely shocked, floored, terrified of his reaction. He says that he understands that she desperately wants to live but wouldn't it be safer not messing with the door? He looks down at her badge and says her name again, adding “–shi” (Miss) on the end. Aw, so he *didn’t* recognize her. I am sad. She looks at her badge and hides it.
Sung Joon reaches over and presses the Emergency button, announcing that the elevator here has stopped. Is anyone there? They ask what floor and Hye Jin shoves him out of the way to announce that it’s the 18th floor. My subs says that ‘Eighteenth! Eighteenth!’ sounds like a swear word. Sung Joon looks at her, a bit surprised at how freaked out she is, and goes back to his tablet.
Hye Jin cowers against the opposite wall of the elevator. She pats her forehead and neck with a tissue and leaves part of it behind on her forehead. Which Sung Joon is going to point out but she’s going to interpret as more recognition on his part. She starts to nervously, loudly, bite her teeth together. Which gets Sung Joon to look at her again. She probably never did that when she knew him before, because she wasn’t really insecure back then. She clamps her mouth together to make herself stop.He points out the tissue. Hye Jin asks herself if she’s breathing right now?
Oh no! I'm really not breathing. Breathe, Kim Hye Jin. Wait, but how do I breathe again? You're going to die like this! Breathe!He asks if she’s not feeling okay? She begs herself to breathe! The lights go out. Sung Joon mutters. Finally Hye Jin breathes. He asks if she’s perhaps claustrophobic? A logical conclusion. Run with that, Hye Jin!
Hye Jin sags to the floor of the elevator, panting. He puts an ear bud in her ear and their song plays. Oh, my gosh, that’s so awesome.
♫ Why do birds suddenly appear? ♫
She’s stunned and starts to calm down.
♫ Every time you are near ♫
She looks at him.
♫ Just like me, they long to be close to you ♫
He says that he thought it would help her a bit. And I’m getting a little verklempt.
♫ Why do stars fall down from the sky ♫
Somebody taught me this.
♫ Every time you walk by? ♫
When I listen to this song, I feel a bit better.
Memory of them in the rain.
♫ Just like me, they long to be close to you ♫
♫ On the day that you were born, the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true ♫
In the present, they look at each other.
♫ So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold, and star-light in your eyes of blue ♫
The elevator doors open and there’s a flash of their younger selves, smiling at each other. Guard asks if they’re all right.
♫ That is why- ♫
Sung Joon unceremoniously pulls the bud out of her ear and wordlessly leaves the elevator. Hye Jin just sits there.
Hotel where Ha Ri is the assistant manager. She wonders if Hye Jin is still on the toilet. Her phone rings. Caller is named “That Woman.” Ha Ri debates answering it and then doesn’t. She turns around to see That Woman standing there. They look at each other.
And go for coffee. That Woman says that she assumed that Ha Ri would avoid her call, but seeing it in person doesn't make her feel great. Ha Ri’s face says that she’s just waiting the conversation out. That Woman tells Ha Ri to answer, from now on, when she calls. She won't be contacting Ha Ri without occasion. Ha Ri tells That Woman to go ahead and explain what the occasion is. Her voice is very controlled and even. Tell her why she (That Woman) bothered doing something like contacting her. That Woman smiles and says that Ha Ri speaks so prettily, as always. Mom? Stepmom? Ha Ri chuckles bitterly to herself and defiantly says that being consistent is her strength. That Woman stops smiling.
Does Ha Ri know that her father's birthday is next week? Ha Ri sips her coffee and doesn’t look at That Woman. Shouldn't Ha Ri show her face at least once during such events. She’s still her father's daughter. That last sentence is almost coaxing. Ha Ri laughs again. That Woman says that her words seem to be funny to Ha Ri. There was nothing to laugh about in what she said though. A woman walks up, recognizing That Woman. Ha Ri uses that and excuses herself. Woman asks That Woman if that wasn’t her daughter just now? That Woman sighs. No answer, so I’m still not sure if she’s the Mom or the Stepmom.
Hye Jin slowly enters the Most Office. Sung Joon walks by without noticing her. Joo Young asks where she went without telling her. They’re going to the studio. She tells Hye Jin to carry a box of props and follow her. Hye Jin asks if it’s right now? Joo Young sighs and rolls her eyes. She tells Hye Jin that, for her information, she hates repeating herself. Hye Jin starts to walk with her, but she pointedly says “box” so Hye Jin goes back for it.
At his desk, Shin Hyuk is still trying to figure Hye Jin out. He shakes his head and mutters that Hye Jin’s constantly not in her right mind, huh?
Sung Joon is up with Ra Ra. It looks more like her boudoir rather than an office. She says that he first has to go check out the studio. She’s holding a machine that is misting her face. He replies that he’s going to go there in the afternoon since there is a photo shoot. She puts the mister down and dramatically says, in Italian, that style is simple and the details are luxurious. Bravo. She tells him that he is very MOST-like. Omo, but their Chief's skin is a little, a little dry! Does he want to try this? Try it, try it.
He points the mister back at her and says that his skin is not dry. She still wants him to try it and puts it closer to him. He puts it back. I don’t think he likes that it’s mist. It’s like rain. And rain freaks him out. He says that he thought she had something to say. She hears the no-nonsense in his voice and stops. She says that he probably already knows since he heard it. On their team, the Deputy Chief Editor must play a role as a virtual Chief Editor as well. She leans forward – and the leather of her skirt crunches – and says, with a conspiratorial tone, that she is there through nepotism. She starts to cackle.
Ra Ra smacks his knee, which he doesn’t like. Sung Joon non-verbally, with a wave of his hand, orders her to stop it. He says that he knows. Like it’s not a laughing matter. I wonder if the guy on the phone was her brother or his boss in NYC. Not laughing, he says that he knows. Grabbing her back for support, she sits up and says that it would've been nice, if he laughed with her. She clears her throat and tells him to lead our Most Editing Team by taking full responsibility. He nods and says that he will. She goes back to misting her face.
Sung Joon adds that there are some conditions. Misting, she asks what conditions. He replies that for now, she can just promise him something. The team members should never know about what he’s going to say there. This gets her attention. And we don’t get to hear it, either. I think the magazine’s going to be closed unless they do well.
Photo Shoot. Lots of white girls. Sung Joon is watching over Joo Young’s shoulder. In English, Joon Woo tells a model to change into a new outfit. Joo Young confers with Sung Joon about the photos they’re looking at. Close by, Hye Jin is standing, holding the box of props and sadly looking at Sung Joon. Joon Woo starts calling for some water. Hye Jin hurries over with the water and starts helping to fan the models.
Someone yells asking “Won't you come out from there?!” Upset director. Is she in the way? Sung Joon walks forward and sternly asks who the heck wears shoes on set?! It was Sung Joon! Wow, this is a whole other side to him. Kinda mean. The whole set has stopped moving to stare at them. Hye Jin looks down and sees the marks her shoes have made. Joon Woo mutters, “Oh my God!” Joo Young cringes, because she realizes that Hye Jin didn’t know. Hye Jin cringes, muttering “eotteokay” and starts to step off the set, but realizes her shoes are going to leave more marks. As she pulls off her shoes, she apologizes.
Grabbing her wrist, he yanks her off set as he yells for her to come out immediately! Then he stops, staring at her. He realizes it’s the girl from the elevator. She looks down at the floor. One of her socks has a hole in it. A toenail, painted blue, pokes out. He sees it too, even as she tries to hide it. He chuckles at how odd this girl is. Joo Young clears her throat as she steps forward and says that she should have told Hye Jin in advance. Sung Joon releases her wrist with a fling. She apologizes and says that Hye Jin doesn't know...
Sung Joon interrupts her to say – in a hard, impatient voice – that he didn't see Hye Jin earlier during the members' introductions. Is this woman part of their team? Joo Young says that she's not an official employee, yet. She transferred from Management Services for three months– Again Sung Joon interrupts to say what a relief. It sounds like she will be somebody who has nothing to do with him. He walks away. And that has got to doubly sting since it’s *Sung Joon* rejecting her. Joo Young says that making this kind of mistake once is more than enough. She’ll let Hye Jin off since it's her first day here. Hye Jin bows and apologizes as Joo Young walks away.
Joon Woo comes up and tells Noona not to be too sad; he rubs her back slightly for comfort. He gives her a ‘Fighting!’ She nods. She sighs and holds where Sung Joon yanked her by the wrist. She looks over at where he’s consulting with someone and nods.
Ra Ra enters – with her huge heels – calling out Buon Pomeriggio! (Good Afternoon in Italian.) People greet her and she says, “Ciao Signore e Signori (ladies and gentlemen)!” They bring her a plush pink chair to sit on. She sits and someone immediately spritzes her with moisturizer. She flings her purse at the girl, who almost doesn’t catch it. Joon Woo hurries up with her coffee. Joo Young approaches with a table for Ra Ra to look at. Ra Ra likes the concept. It's very MOST-like.
She looks up and adds that they should clear that out. Joo Young tries to figure out what Ra Ra’s talking about. The blue bucket? No, that. The red basin? No, no, no, no. That. The woman who's cleaning the floor? Hye Jin is fiercely scrubbing the floor where she marked. Yes, that. Joo Young calls for Hye Jin and waves for her to come. Ra Ra majestically waves at her to come. And I’m surprised because it’s the way Westerners wave, not Koreans.
Ra Ra pulls the bangs away from her eyes as Hye Jin comes to stand before her. Who is she? Joo Young introduces her. Ra Ra puts her hair back. Hye Jin bows deeply and introduces herself. Ra Ra groans, “Oh, Mama Mia! That hair.” She says that she’s about to feel nauseous. Her hair really doesn't look "MOST." Ra Ra repeats that she’s about to feel nauseous. That hair... Hye Jin awkwardly crunches some of her hair together as she says that she was born with malicious curls. Sung Joon, who wasn’t paying attention, looks in their direction.
Ra Ra notices a fuzz ball stuck to her sleeve. Cringes from the group. Hye Jin awkwardly mutters that it’s been a while since she bought these clothes as she plucks at her shirt. Ra Ra exclaims ‘Mama Mia!’ again and groans. This scruffy hair and fuzz balls? Seriously. The day is coming when you have to stand beyond a radius of 2m from these tedious fashion illiterates. Stupido. This is extremely shocking. She adds that she likes anything that is ‘brillante’ (brilliant), ‘scintillate’ (sparkling). She likes things that sparkle. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, and people. Whether she’s there for three months or three hours, if she’s in their team, she should look just a bit more "MOST." Then, she will feel very refreshed. Does Hye Jin think she can do that?
Hye Jin says that she can. Joo Young has a very forced, cheerful smile on her lips. Hye Jin adds that she’s not so sure what it is to look "MOST"... Ra Ra says that she’ll leave it to her, then. She flicks her hand to tell Hye Jin to leave her sight. Joo Young calls for Hye Jin to comes to her, but it’s not far enough. Ra Ra yells for Hye Jin to go behind the model...! Then she says that they should try to sprinkle some flowers. That will be more "Most"-like.
Shoot progresses, with falling flower petals, that Hye Jin is making happen. Ra Ra wants to try fluttering some cloth behind. That will seem more "Most"-like. Hye Jin and another set hand wave a yellow curtain behind the model as the photographer works. Looking at the results, Ra Ra says that they should take all of those out. As expected, having it simple is the Most. She walks away. Joo Young announces that they will end the shooting. Great job everyone! Clapping.
As Hye Jin rests her arms and rubs her shoulder, she looks in Sung Joon’s direction. He looks over at her and her eyes drop to the floor. He sighs and walks away. As he goes, she watches him walk away.
Now at the bus stop, she looks at the beautiful MOST model poster. She tries not to cry. Ha Ri calls her name. She’s arrived with her car. Ha Ri says, voice sounding concerned, that she couldn't stay put just watching her. Nothing unexpected happened, right? No answer. Wait... There was a big deal? No answer. Ha Ri grabs Hye Jin’s face (like a mother) and asks why Hye Jin looks so devastated? Hye Jin laughs and says they should go.
In the car, Ha Ri remarks how Hye Jin should buy a lottery ticket. How could they two meet at the same company? Hye Jin sighs and says that the next three months are going to be like today, right...? She tells Ha Ri to bury her under fair ground with sunny place. She’s going to die by her blood drying out. Graphic image. Ha Ri clucks at her for worrying. She stops Hye Jin from preventing herself from breathing. Hye Jin says that when she’s with him, she can't even breathe correctly. She breathes deeply and says that now that she’s thinking about it, she’s short of breath again. She urgently tells Ha Ri to roll down the window! Hurry! Hurry!!
Hye Jin breathes deeply with her face out the window. Ha Ri wonders what Sung Joon was doing in America to come here and be a Deputy Editor in Chief? A car rolls up beside them. It’s Sung Joon. Of course. God is trying to tell you something, Hye Jin! As Sung Joon starts to look in their direction, a motorcycle rolls up between them, blocking his view.
♫ Even when I cover my eyes, as though I can still see you ♫
The light changes and Sung Joon drives ahead.
♫ I can feel your presence ♫
Ha Ri turns left.
♫ The words "missing you" are filling my heart ♫
At home, Sung Joon is looking over the results of the day. He is not happy. He leans backward, grabbing his forehead.
♫ But I can't say anything ♫
He massages his neck. I love that he is doing something so very normal right now.
♫ Even if you think of me from time to time, ♫
♫ and even if you miss me from time to time ♫
It starts to rain. He gets up to look out the window.
♫ You can smile at me once in a while ♫
♫ Even this longing heart feels like love ♫
♫ I can't let you go ♫
Flashback to that day in the rain. They arrive at Sung Joon’s house. He thanks her for coming with him. As she shakes out her raincoat, he gasps and points, saying “Yo-your hair!” It has become very wavy and frizzy. Much like her hair today. She gasps when she realizes that it’s gone all frizzy. They head to the barber shop and as they leave – her hair looking normal again – she says that she doesn’t look like her dad at all, except she inherited this maliciously curly hair. She usually comes there once a month and straightens her hair, but they said the effect of the cream she uses is long-term, so she just dries her hair these days. But now after the rain, her hair exploded like a bomb. She notices that he’s stopped walking behind her. He’s cowering under the awning of the shop, picking at his hair.
He doesn’t want to leave because he doesn’t like his hair cut. She tells him that he looks good! She says that, anyway, suddenly the thing she hates the most in the world is walking in the rain. That makes the ‘despised thing’ comment make sense. She tells him to keep her hair a secret. He will.
In the present, Sung Joon smiles at the memory. And doesn’t realize that Hye Jin today described her hair as maliciously curly, just like she did back then. As he thinks about his umbrella being in England, he looks out the window.
Hye Jin is lying with her head underneath a chair. Ha Ri enters and asks – a little appalled – if she’s doing that?! Hye Jin says that she’s thinking she should just write a resignation letter. Ha Ri sighs, walks over, and pulls Hye Jin out from under the chair. She asks if Hye Jin sent her right mind away for adoption, right? How can she say she wants to quit when she just entered the company? Hye Jin sits up and says that she lied so much and if he finds out that she’s the real Kim Hye Jin then... The thought of it horrifies her. She moans that she needs to look for another job quickly! Ha Ri sighs and says that Hye Jin is making her want to drink. She gets up and goes to the fridge.
Hye Jin has turned on her laptop. She screams. Ji Sung Joon sent her an email! Ha Ri hurries over so they can read it:
Hye Jin. Are you doing all right? Since I hadn't heard from you in a while, I was curious about how you were doing. It’s only been maybe a day? That’s a while? He has it bad. It's raining here. How about London? You really hate the rain, so doesn't it annoys you that it rains all the time? I'm just curious. Please let me know how you are. I'll be waiting. I miss you, Hye Jin.That last part made me gasp. “I miss you, Hye Jin.” Man, if that isn’t a declaration of love, I don’t know what is.
Hye Jin frets over what to do, but Ha Ri has an idea. She sends him a picture.
Sung Joon. It's me Hye Jin. I'm quite late replying, aren't I?He smiles as he reads it.
Sorry. I was so busy while adapting here that I almost lost my mind.He laughs at that part.
But, I think I fit more in London.He stops laughing at that idea.
Being here is great, isn't it? What do you think? Looking at my picture, I look really excited, don't I?Picture of Ha Ri by the London Bridge. I know this because I’ve been there.
A bit disgusted, Sung Joon tells the picture that it's true. She looks so, so excited. He chuckles again.
Hye Jin can’t believe Ha Ri sent that! Ha Ri sighs and groans that she can't believe she’s using her trip to Europe for things like this. Hye Jin groans. Ha Ri points out that since she did it, now Ji Sung Joon will only think that Kim Hye Jin is in England. Even if he meets one hundred other Kim Hye Jins, they'll all just be strangers to him. No doubt whatsoever. Game over. Hand motion to indicate that it’s done. Ha Ri tells her that she should stop worrying about Ji Sung Joon now. Okay? And she better not dare say that she wants to write a resignation letter. Tisk at her and meaningful head lunge. The kind where you’re threatening to hurt someone if the don’t stop.
The next day, Hye Jin is walking down the hall toward the Most Offices. She tells herself that Ha Ri is right. Being a coward is pointless. There's no way this will be exposed. No way! Just as Sung Joon walks up. He steps in her path. He sighs as she looks up at him (rather than his feet). And he’s not smiling. She deeply bows hello and tries to walk past her, but he steps in her way again. She moves again and he continues to block her path. She avoids looking at him and he seems to be trying to look at her face.
He asks if she knows that they hired her, a college graduate minor intern, instead of a part-timer, right. He laughs – and not in a kind way but more a sarcastic one – and says, as he leans against the wall, that when he found out that there was no Santa Claus, he wasn't even this shocked. Did she think she could hide forever? Sounding like he’s figured it out, but he hasn’t. She looks at him. Tense music plays. He leans in closer and says her name. He asks if she thought she could hide until the end?
She starts stepping backward, but he walks forward to keep the distance the same. I wonder what *he’s* talking about. She asks how he.. He takes her by the shoulders and shoves her (mostly gently) up against the wall – to stop her from walking of course. He calls her Hye Jin-a! Which is familiar. He notices his hands and pulls them off her shoulders. He blows on them to clean them off. He says that he means, if this was the state she was in, she shouldn't have allowed herself to be exposed. He gestures at her hair as he says it. Is she imagining this? Because he’s being kind of mean right now and I can’t see him doing that. Sung Joon says that she should've continued to hide well, so she wouldn't be caught. Her eyes are starting to tear up as he tells her that she really has no manners.
And then she wakes up from her nightmare. I had a feeling.
Ha Ri returns from her run, listening to Sorry, Sorry by Super Junior. I wonder if it’s in all of Siwon’s dramas. It was in ‘Oh, My Lady,’ too. She sits in the living room and wonders if Hye Jin has gotten up yet. She yells at her Wife, asking if she’s up. She enters Hye Jin’s room to find her finishing up her letter of resignation. Ha Ri asks if she’s lost her mind and grabs the letter. Resigned, Hye Jin asks for it back. Ha Ri calls her an idiot and reminds her that she’s failed a hundred times to get into this company. She said that her dream was to be an office worker. She said that her wish was to get a nosebleed from working overnight! She said that she would work at that company until she’s dead! What's the matter with him that she really wrote a resignation letter?!
Hye Jin replies that it’s not all about Sung Joon. Sung Joon was a friend as precious to her as Ha Ri is. She doesn’t know what she should say to explain it... Just... Between the two of them, there is something special that just they both know. Hye Jin says that she doesn't want to break this special thing, nor does she want to live in fear that she might. Not laughing, Ha Ri tells Hye Jin that Hye Jin sure makes her laugh. All of those beautiful memories are just a manipulation of our brain. This nonsense is nothing but as a beautiful memory of a delusional Photoshopped image!
Hye Jin starts to write another one. Ha Ri takes it away, too. Didn't Hye Jin say that she’ll only have to stay there for three months, and then she goes back to her original team? Why is she doing this because of him?!! Hye Jin yells that it’s not because of him. It's because of her! She asks if Ha Ri isn’t going to understand her? Well it's normal if Ha Ri doesn't. She says that she knows that this is a dumb thing to do but whenever she’s with him, she feels like a sock with a hole. Aw.
She thinks of when Sung Joon saw the hole in her sock. What if he realizes? Wouldn't she be caught? She feels embarrassed and poor, so she shrinks not even knowing that she is. She’d end up hiding and concealing herself over and over. Like a sock with a hole. She doesn’t want to be a sock with a hole anymore. That’s so sad. Both of them have tears in their eyes as Ha Ri stops arguing.
At work, Hye Jin approaches Seul Bi (pretty, worthless intern) who is putting on mascara at her desk. She asks if Manager is there? Nope. Manager went out and won’t be back until around 2PM. Hye Jin sighs and leaves the letter on Manager’s desk. The letter says:
I'm sorry, Manager. I'm here to tell you that I will quit the Editing Team today. I am sorry that I'm quitting before repaying you for choosing me. I'm really appreciative.She walks down the hall towards the Most offices. Shin Hyuk walks up behind her. Chuckling to himself, he creeps up and yells to scare her, which he does. Laughing, he says that, as he expected, this is the best way to wake himself up. He laughs again. She glares at him, thinking that if it weren't for him... If he hadn't brought her there... Still smiling, he pulls a wrapped sausage from behind his eat and says “sausage?.” Why was he wearing a sausage behind his ear? She declares that she’s not going to eat it! He replies that he’s asking her to cut it open. So why did you look like you were offering it? He makes an astonished noise, like she can’t believe that she would assume he was offering it to her. Even though he totally looked like he was. She thought he was giving it to her? He wiggles the sausage in her direction, declaring that it’s very precious to him!
Hye Jin stops. Why is he suddenly talking informally to her? Matter-of-factly (with out his ‘I’m charming smile) he says that after meeting each other 3 times, speaking informally will be the first step to a proper society. He asks if she’s, by any chance, never heard this saying before? Schopenhauer said it.
Arthur Schopenhauer was a 19th century German philosopher best known for his book ‘The World as Will and Representation,’ and for his pessimistic views of human nature.
Biography.com says that “Schopenhauer's writing focused on an extended investigation of individual motivation. Unlike Hegel, Schopenhauer believed that humans were motivated by their own basic desires rather than broader social trends. He considered human action directionless, and saw desire as the root of suffering and pain. Artistic contemplation, he argued, offered a temporary reprieve from this pain.”
Wikipedia says that “(t)he transcendental idealism of Immanuel Kant served as a formative basis for his thought, and he considered himself the only true inheritor of Kant’s philosophy, rejecting the contemporaneous post-Kantian philosophies of German idealism.”
Schopenhauer has been cited as an influence for: Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Leo Tolstoy, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Erwin Schrödinger, Sigmund Freud, Joseph Campbell, Albert Einstein, Carl Jung, Thomas Mann, Jorge Luis Borges, and Samuel Beckett.
The more I read about this guy, I think I remember him from a class I took on Russian intellectual thought.
Okay, back to the show…
Hye Jin looks up, like she’s trying to remember who Schopenhauer is. Shin Hyuk puts his hand over his mouth like he’s shocked. He starts to squeak as he asks how she could not kn– Even kindergarteners know it! She then pretends that she remembered it. But Shin Hyuk snaps his fingers because he just remembered. He was mistaken. He says that it wasn't said by Schopenhauer but by that person. Hye Jin asks who. His eyes bulging wide – like he’s extra pleased with himself – he says that it was him… just now. The way that he says ‘Pangeum’ cracks me up. Like he’s going to do the mouth popping thing again. She looks at him like he’s crazy as she says, “What?!” As he basically sings ‘I’m sorry,’ he starts to dance with a package of kimbap that he pulled out of his pocket. He smacks it into her hand and tells her to have one. When she has no energy, it’s better than eating sausage. It has only passed the expiration date by one day, so there shouldn't be any big problems. He gives her a double-fisted fighting and adds another smile before walking away.
Thoroughly annoyed – as any woman would be – she’s about to throw the kimbap at Shin Hyuk’s back when Poong Ho stops her. But not because she’s about to throw it at Shin Hyuk, but because he’s about to throw food. He tells her not to do that with food. Why does he look hungry right now? He tells her to give it to him, since she’s about to throw it away. She mentions the expiration date. Poong Ho doesn’t care. That makes it ever more yummy. He looks at the package and says that it expires tomorrow.
Hye Jin follows Poong Ho inside. He mentions how Seol and Hye Jin are wearing the same outfit. Hye Jin mentions how she got it for cheap at Dongdaemun. Seol is offended. It is not a knock off! How is it the same? Protesting to Poong Ho, Seol says that hers is 100% cashmere, and Hye Jin’s is definitely acrylic fiber, just by looking at it. Poong Ho shrugs and says it must look similar because the color. Seol is further insulted. How is the color the same?! Hers is a luxurious red and Hye Jin’s isn't even red. What’s up with that?! These people don't even know the basics... Seriously. And I am wondering how Poong Ho is in fashion when he can’t even tell this stuff. Although the colors and style are very similar. Seol snaps at Poong Ho that if he has time to compare, he should cut his hair! Instead of scratching your head with that stick.
Sung Joon enters, greeting everyone. Hye Jin bends down to hide behind a plant. He reminds them of the staff meeting that will be held in 10 minutes. Everyone should attend, and not one person should be missing since it's the first meeting. All the girls start touching up their makeup (except Hye Jin). Joo Young walks over to Hye Jin and tells her to, from now on, take the minutes of the meeting. Hye Jin is surprised that she’s going to have to go. Joo Young asks if Hye Jin didn't just hear what the Deputy Chief Editor said? Everybody must come. Hye Jin grabs Joo Young’s wrists, which earns her a look from Joo Young, but then reconsiders saying anything about quitting until the end of the day. She tells herself that she just needs to endure it today. Only today!
Staff meeting. Hye Jin is in the back, taking notes on a laptop. Sung Joon asks for a report on what the magazine’s going to do for the 20th anniversary special issue. He adds that for the meeting, they should limit each person's discussion to three minutes, so that the meeting doesn’t go longer than 30 minutes. Shin Hyuk claps. Joon Woo comments on the American Style (in English) and gives Sung Joon a thumbs up. Sung Joon is smiling. And why do I think he’s about to lower the boom like Tabatha does on ‘Tabatha’s Salon Takeover’? http://www.bravotv.com/tabathas-salon-takeover
Sung Joon suggests that they start, pointedly putting down a small sand timer on the table next to him. Dang! He means business. More than a few people are surprised, including Shin Hyuk. First up: Beauty Team. They say nothing. He asks if he didn’t just say ‘Beauty Team’. Ah Reum snaps out of it and suggests showing celebrities' rooms to twenty readers; it’s an item that can naturally expose beauty or fashion items or even lifestyle. Sung Joon shoots it down: It's hard to even ask a celebrity for an interview. Revealing a celebrity's room? On top of that, to twenty people? It really seems like it is very impractical. Out! (Out is in English.) Fashion Team’s turn. Lee Kyung says that she is planning out the colors from each brand that will be useful for the Fall-Winter season. Sung Joon nods and says “Out!”
Eun Yung proposes focusing on the history of plagiarism in the history of Korean literature. Out! I’m at least with him on that one. Shin Hyuk makes a face to cringe. Joo Young starts to reference London, Milan, Paris. Out! Jong Ho mentions how camping is trending nowadays, yeah? Out! Seol brings up the eyeshadow trends in the fall... Out. Joo Young: The reality of the fashion people's– Out! Joon Woo ‘ums’ and gets an Out. Seon Min: Lip balm scents that men want to taste... Sung Joon tells her to go and taste it for herself. Out! Joo Young crosses her arms, starting to get annoyed.
Sung Joon sighs, blowing the air through mostly-closed lips. No one says anything anymore. He says that he suddenly remember that word. He uses his foot to accentuate every syllable of: (To-tal wreck.) Hye Jin practically falls out of her chair. There’s a pause. Sung Joon points at Hye Jin and tells ‘You at the end’ to go. She’s busy typing the notes, so she doesn’t realize he’s talking to her. Ah Reum smacks her table to get her attention. She looks at Ah Reum and realizes that he was talking to her.
Sung Joon chuckles sarcastically and asks if Hye Jin is asleep right now? She quickly waves her hands and says that she’s not. He asks why she doesn’t then get herself together and share her opinion. They don't have a lot of time. Hye Jin mutters something, but it’s not loud enough. Sung Joon leans over to Lee Kyung and asks if she can hear Hye Jin. Wow, he is a jerk as a boss. Joo Young rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed, and says that it’s because Hye Jin is from the Management Services Team and is just there to help...
Sung Joon completely ignores Joo Young and orders Hye Jin to do it quickly. She isn’t sure what she’s supposed to be doing and asks, “What?” He asks if she can't talk? Or is she a kindergarten student? He points both his index and middle fingers at his head, pokes his forehead with them as he asks if she’s mentally challenged. Wow, really a jerk. Right now, if I was Hye Jin, I would start being a little ticked and reconsidering my resignation. Hye Jin again asks, “What?” Sung Joon says that he’s curious as to why she's making someone else answer for her.
Quietly, Hye Jin says that it’s not like that. Sung Joon replies that if it's not like that, it's fine. In any case, he’s hearing that she's someone who will not contribute to this meeting, so she should just leave. Again with the sarcasm, he tells her not to just contaminate the oxygen in the room. She looks at him. And looks a little hurt. The others cringe for her. Shin Hyuk speaks up, asking what he means. There's a bunch of oxygen, and it feels nice. He points to the air purifier and says that it’s running very well, right? Poong Ho taps him with the stick to stop.
Sung Joon chuckles and, looking back at Hye Jin, he asks – a little more nasty tone. I really don’t like Deputy Editor Sung Joon – why Hye Jin’s still there? She wordlessly stands, bows and leaves. She says to herself that she just got kicked out by him, right...? No danger of him realizing you’re his Hye Jin now. Go get your resignation back.
In the meeting Sung Joon looks at their magazine. The information that you can get in a few minutes by searching on the internet. He pulls out some pages. The articles are simply long and boring, which makes you yawn. Rips up another magazine. Using the same article from 2 years ago, More pages. He loudly groans and says articles that are pretentious without any substance. More pages. Shin Hyuk looks down and nods.
Tossing the hull of the magazine to the floor, Sung Joon declares that what's left to see is just… this much? In the number of subscribers, sales rate, popularity, trends, and advertising income, there's no country in which "Most" is not on top. Except for Korea, which probably has "New Look" as the top? Again with the sarcasm, he says that he gets the reason after seeing today. Shin Hyuk speaks up and says that that's because in New York, they will do anything to increase sales without taking into account the cost of coupons or inserts. He smiles and gives a eyebrow raise, like he’s going to get Sung Joon to agree.
Sung Joon answers that as much as coupons and inserts are expenses, if a magazine isn't good enough to be receive them… this evidence tells them that there is a big problem. Shin Hyuk smiles and nods, like he’s seen the light. Sung Joon tells them that if they have any opinions to express, he still has the room (the time) to hear things like explanations or excuses. Joo Young chuckles and tells the Deputy Chief Editor to listen here. She doesn't know how things are in the US but, the articles with information easy to read for Korean readers are...
Sung Joon claps his hands to interrupt her. She made the articles by using the reader's requests, but the result came out like that? Joo Young is ticked but stops talking. Shin Hyuk smiles and gives her a consoling pat. Sung Joon announces that they will have another meeting tomorrow morning. No one looks like they’re looking forward to it. Seon Min looks like she wants to cry. They must discuss why “Most” has been pushed from the top spot and what they need to do in order to get to the top again. They’ll meet again after they think of solutions. He exits the meeting.
Joo Young is clearly angry as she stands up. Ah Reum moans about how there's already so much work just with preparing the 20th anniversary special. How is she supposed to do her wedding preparations? Lee Kyung wonders why he’s suddenly acting up like that when he was fine yesterday. Eun Yung replies that the way he talks is so annoying. Shin Hyuk points out that it's not like he necessarily said anything wrong. It'll be interesting in its own way. Poong Ho replies that it sounds like it's going to be interesting and whacks Shin Hyuk on the head with his stick. Shin Hyuk winces but doesn’t do anything else. He’s the last one to leave the conference room.
From her desk, Hye Jin sadly looks at Sung Joon in his office on the phone. Did she just get treated like an idiot? His words ring in her ears: can't she talk? Or is she a kindergarten student? Or, is she mentally challenged? In his office, Sung Joon tells his caller that he understands. He will proceed like that then. He glances in her direction and sees her watching him. He hits his remote and the glass changes so that you can’t see inside his office. She sighs and says that she’s right.
Sung Joon is working. He loudly sighs. His hand hits his mouse and the picture of Ha Ri is still on his screen. It makes him feel a tiny bit better.
Out in the office, everyone is playing a game to see who will buy lunch. And Shin Hyuk really seems to be the life of the party. They’re really enjoying it. Until a credit card gets slapped down on the table. It’s Sung Joon and he looks ticked. Shin Hyuk gasps and looks at Sung Joon with his hand over his mouth. Sung Joon sternly tells them to go and use this to eat lunch. Joon Woo is shocked that the Deputy Editor In Chief is buying them a meal. Poong Ho whacks him on the head with the stick for talking. Sung Joon replies that during the meeting nobody seemed to be capable of speaking, but it looks like when they do such useless things, they have so much energy. And the good mood is over. He adds that he’s giving it to them so that they can quickly finish their lunch break and start working instead of wasting their time on such worthless things. He walks off.
Ra Ra enters an accessory store with a loud ‘Buon Pomeriggio!’ (Good Afternoon!) Shopping spree time. Her hair is now half pink and half lavender. I like it. She tries to get her nephew to go to dinner with her, but he won’t. What’s the point of living in the same house if he won’t even let her pretend to know him at work? He hangs up on her. Angry, she asks what's up with this punk? Her one and only nephew thinks she’s nothing more than a piece of dog poop! Jeez. The salesgirl quickly reminds Ra Ra where the new items are and they go to check them out.
Seol is also in the same store, buying a new outfit. She puts her hands over her mouth at this bit of news: There is a son of Jin Sung's company in their team?! I bet she’s going to think it’s Sung Joon. I’m wondering if it’s Joon Woo… or maybe Shin Hyuk.
Hye Jin is outside, getting a delivery. Joo Young calls her to bring her the package quickly. She ends up walking into Sung Joon, who catches her before she crashes into the pavement. She tells him thank you. He rolls his eyes and drops her, saying that he thought only her work skills were lacking but it looks like her eyesight is lacking too. He walks off. She asks herself what just happened. He just bombarded her with rude talk! Angry and hurt. She notes that, now that she thinks about it, starting from a while ago, he's been slowly driving her mad. Does he think that just because she doesn't talk back that she’s an idiot? She decides that she’s going to say something.
She witnesses Sung Joon walk straight into a glass door, hard, and fall to the ground. How did he just walk into a glass door? Sung Joon looks down at his tablet, gets up and walks through the open door. Hye Jin’s a little shocked, but she hurries in after him. She says ‘Deputy Editor in Chief’ several times, but he completely ignores her. Then he walks into the security stile. He looks down at it, like he didn’t realize it was there. Then he notices and looks at Hye Jin.
Hye Jin notices and points out the blood on his forehead. Sung Joon wipes the spot off with his thumb, looks at it and then asks if she has something to say to him? It takes her a second, but she starts. She has a lot to say. Firstly, she apologizes for making a mistake in the studio yesterday. Deep bow. But, she’s not there because she wants to be. The team needed her so because I came here suddenly without a choice, she didn't have time to find out what her role was and why she had to attend the meeting. So there is absolutely no reason to be hearing offensive insults such as "You're contaminating the oxygen, your eyesight is bad, you're a kindergartner," from a Deputy Editor in Chief who has no knowledge about her circumstances!
Still frowning, Sung Joon asks what she wants to say. It was all in her head. Come on, Hye Jin! Start fighting back already. She hesitates and he tells her that if there isn't anything, then never mind. He walks away. But she follows him, into the elevator. He’s reading on his tablet again. She starts. And is no where near as elegant: She does apologize for what happened yesterday at the studio, but... um… she feels like if she just stays still she’ll become rendered an idiot, and... um... she does feel wronged in some respects, but... uh... she’s actually in the Management Services Team...
Sung Joon asks if she comes from abroad. Weird question. She says that she doesn’t. Then why can't she speak without saying "uh" and "umm"? Does she have a speaking disability? Hye Jin can’t believe what a horse’s rear end he’s being. Neither can I. He’s worse than the kids that used to make fun of him. He tells her that she should come back after reorganizing what she wants to say or she should finish talking within 3 minutes. He doesn't like wasting his time with useless things. She gasps. She replies that she knows that he doesn't like her because of the mistake she made in the studio yesterday. He holds up his tablet – like it’s supposed to stop her talking – and replies, “As long as you know.” He goes back to reading.
She asks why he hates her so much? Harshly, he says that it’s her poor work skills, lacking quality, unprofessional attitude, and most importantly the fact that the name of somebody like her is Kim Hye Jin. He feels like it's a name that's too good for her. Whatever the team you are currently in. If she’s lacking in quality then she is not qualified to work and if she doesn't like this team, then leave! Please! He’ll fire her anytime. The doors open and he leaves. Hye Jin can’t move.
She heads into the bathroom, where she begins to splash water on her face. His words keep playing in her mind. Finally she stops. That bastard isn't the nice, innocent Ji Sung Joon she knew. Will her precious memories feed her? Will they give her a salary? She shakes her head. First love, her foot! He’s now just a stranger to her with the same name! She starts to pat her face off. She hears him tell her that if she doesn't like the team, then just leave! He'll fire her anytime.
Out loud, Hye Jin says, “Fire? You're gonna fire me?” She laughs and says that she’ll never leave this company! Even if she dies, there's no way she will allow herself to be fired by him– She remembers her resignation letter. She realizes that Manager is about to return. She gets there right as Manager picks up the resignation. She screeches for Manager to stop! ‘Chariots of Fire’ plays as she rushes for Manager. She grabs the letter out of his hand and violently rips it to pieces. Manager’s mouth hangs open. Spastically, she asks about his lunch and then hurries out of the room. Manager’s mouth is still hanging open. He says that she must be having a hard time in the Editing Team.
Seol is sitting at her desk, thinking about the news she overheard: Since Editor-In-Chief Kim Ra Ra is the younger sister of the Chairman, this means that the son of Jin Sung company's Chairman Kim Tae Seob is on our team. The son from this wealthy household that is in construction, finance, distribution and even owns a baseball team, is really there among them? She looks around at the men. Kim Poong Ho? She refuses to believe it. Kim Joon Woo? Is it him? Yeah! He's always wearing good clothes too! He gives off a subtle rich vibe! Apart from those two is there another person with the surname Kim–
She turns around to Shin Hyuk’s face blowing a huge bubble of bubble gum. It pops and he if amazed that she actually went out to buy a new set of different clothes. Could it be... Kim Shin Hyuk? That’s what I’m wondering. He tells her that she’s amazing. Bravo. He holds up his hand for a high five. She gives him one. He gives her a smile and walks away. Seol thinks that Shin Hyuk doesn't look anything like a rich kid. Seol inwardly groans. Oh, who could it be? She needs to quickly snatch him up before other girls hear the rumors and pounce on him!
Ra Ra arrives, overloaded with bags. Joon hurries over to carry them for her. Sung Joon starts to walk by but she stops him. She tells everyone to free up their schedules for tonight. Now that our Deputy Editor in Chief is here they need to have a wild welcoming party! Very Most-like! Everyone looks really excited. Sung Joon says that he doesn't have time, because he has to work. She asks about tomorrow. No, he has something to do. She asks about the day after. He replies that for the time being, he will continue to not be free.
Ra Ra starts to encourage him *not* to be like that – since it’s a very Korean thing for the staff to go out together – but he interrupts and says that it’s his welcoming party, so under his authority he will count his party as being done already. He announces that he’ll take his leave, since he has a meeting to attend. He walks away as Ra Ra protests. Ra Ra laughs that it's not like today is the only day. She walks up to her office, singing ‘O Sole Mio.’ Poong Ho puts in his earplugs and Shin Hyuk puts on noise-cancelling headphones. They’re not powerful enough to drown out her voice.
Drooling trio lean in to gossip. Did you see that? Did you see that? He was so arrogant and rude to the Chief Editor just now! It's not Ji Sung Joon, but it's Crazy Joon, Crazy Joon. Hye Jin agrees: That's just right! Crazy Joon. Like he's been well off since birth. All of them say that he's handsome and charming but he's not that handsome. His personality is weird too! His personality! It's not even weird it is a failure level! As Hye Jin talks, the girls start stifling a laugh…
Sung Joon has walked in and is listening. Hye Jin asks if Sung Joon’s a scone or chicken breast? Why is a person so dry like that? The girls wave at her to stop, but she’s oblivious. Is he Choi Min Soo? What is with that crazy sand-glass? Hye Jin turns around to see Sung Joon’s frowning face. She loudly screams. She starts to mumble an apology. Sung Joon wordlessly – a sour look on his face – walks over her desk and pulls the file he needs from under her. He waves it pointedly a couple of times and then blows her cooties off. He walks off. Shin Hyuk has to cover his mouth not to laugh.
Back at the admin offices, Seul Bi is spritzing her face. Manager thinks about how crazy Hye Jin was acting, ripping up the envelope. He wonders what was in it.
Everyone is busy at work as Ra Ra watches from her office. She thinks back to her conversation with Sung Joon – the one from the beginning of the show:
First, just promise him, she will never let the team members know what he is about to tell her. She puts the mister down to pay attention. He says that 3 months from now, Korea's Most will be discontinued. Yup. I knew it. He’s there trying to save the magazine… That’s why he’s being such a butt, to try to get them to wake up and save the magazine. Phew. At least there’s a reason instead of him turning into a jerk. Ra Ra asks what that means. He says that the New York headquarters have already made the decision. Three months from now, Most Magazine will no longer be produced in Korea, and the Most Editing Team will be disbanded.
Ra Ra pulls her bangs away as she asks what he’s saying. He says that there is a way to stop this. If they are able to reach the top spot in the industry within the next 3 months, the decision will be deferred. That is why he's come to Korea.
Flashback within a flashback of him pouring over the magazine. He says that before he arrived, he analyzed the reporters on the team. He thought that since they are all unique and are skilled editors, the mission would not be impossible. He says that he will do whatever he can to push them to their greatest potential. But, in order to do that, she has to leave everything up to me from now on. He says that if a 20-year-old magazine is discontinued, the chance of its team members getting hired elsewhere is nil. And of course, this will mean he also will have nowhere to return to. So his job is on the line, too. The conversation at the beginning makes more sense now.
Switch to Sung Joon walking with a man. This is probably in the present now. He says that they should go through that process as planned. He will report to the New York office. Man agrees.
Ha Ri is walking and wondering if Hye Jin really did it, turned in her resignation letter. One of the hotel workers gets her attention, so she turns around before she runs into Sung Joon.
Outside the hotel, Sung Joon bows goodbye to Man and goes to get in his car. Meaningful music plays. Ha Ri walks out of the hotel and talks to one of the doormen. Sung Joon starts to drive away. He spots Ha Ri in his rearview mirror.
Ha Ri goes back inside. She greets some guests and then Sung Joon does a wrist grab as he says Hye Jin’s name. Both have shocked faces. Episode ends.
Thoughts
Ah! He saw Ha Ri. How is she going to get out of that one? Especially, since she works at the hotel and everyone calls her Manager *Min.* This is getting so messy. That’s probably how he’s going to learn the truth: because of Ha Ri’s real name.
Last episode, it ended with Sung Joon saying that this was the beginning of the hidden picture game. This episode we see Sung Joon starting to get puzzle pieces. Her name is Kim Hye Jin. The maliciously curly hair.
Parts of this episode really pulled at my heart: the song to calm her in the elevator, his writing after they’d been apart for maybe a day. Parts made me really hate him: the way he acted during the staff meeting. Wow. And parts made me more certain that he’s still in love with Hye Jin as much as she is in him: yelling at her and telling her that someone as much a loser as her has the name Kim Hye Jin. That part would have ripped out my heart if it had happened to me.
It does point out how much he values Kim Hye Jin, that he would get so irritated at someone with her name that is so horribly inept. It’s like he keeps thinking ‘why can’t you be my Kim Hye Jin?’ And ironically, she *is* his Kim Hye Jin. Now I’m seeing the reveal as happening after he’s been a *real* jerk, really hurtful, said some things that he’ll definitely want to take back and that hurt her very much and then the truth is there. She nods the ways she does and says that it’s her. He is horrified as she tells him that she knows that is so disappointing that she grew up to become this. Disappointing. And then she walks away before he can recover from the shock. Once she’s left the building, she runs and can’t hold back the tears anymore. He comes after her, but he’s not fast enough and she’s gone. Then when he tries to grovel and apologize, she won’t let him, putting hurtful words in his mouth of things that he’s already said and he remembers how she stuck up for him when they called him fatty and is hurt even more that he’s become that. He’s so stunned that she walks away again. Then he has to cry about how horrible he was to her and how much he really made her feel horrible about herself. Then he gets Ha Ri to help him, even though she shoots daggers from her eyes at him when he shows up in front of her. Him describing just how much he loves Hye Jin is what gets Ha Ri to relent and help him win Hye Jin back. I really hope they have him grovel. I hate it when k-dramas don’t make the guy who’s acted like a jerk to grovel before the girl relents.
This episode made me love Ha Ri even more, as she tried to Hye Jin to not run. I wonder when Hye Jin gave up on her appearance. She used to straighten her hair. Why doesn’t she now? Why does Hye Jin let people treat her like that? Because she’s not that terrible looking. Tame the hair and tone down the cheeks some… I was really hoping that Ra Ra was going to give her a makeover right then, but no such luck.
I also wonder what happened between Ha Ri and her family. I’m leaning more to That Woman being her mother rather than her step-mother. But what happened? And why is she so estranged from her father that she wasn’t even planning on going to his birthday party? And did Dad actually let her go live with Hye Jin, like Ha Ri said, or is it the result of defying Dad and that’s what the rift is about?
There’s the mystery of who Ra Ra’s nephew is. It would make sense for it to be Shin Hyuk. It’s like he’s unruffled by anything – the only way really rich people who don’t worry about money do. He looks schlubby like it’s on purpose. And he’s so much a goofball that I can see him hanging up on Ra Ra when he’s done with the conversation.
I did like the fact that Hye Jin may get treated like crap by people (and seems to let them do it) but she still has enough self-worth to know that stressing out over Sung Joon isn’t how she wants to live. I look forward to him continuing to get her mad, so that she starts fighting for being treated right by the rest of the world – how she left the elevator was a perfect example of how Hye Jin settles for being treated like she’s less. I hope these bumps with Sung Joon get her to stand up rather than roll over.
I’m glad, at least, that we got an explanation of Sung Joon’s terrible behavior. It’s not that he’s a jerk, but he’s being one so that the team will get so angry that they start performing to their potential. Gordon Ramsay must have leant Sung Joon his notebook. And he’s risked his job to try to give them a shot. Three months and 3 chances at this thing (I’m thinking that’s 3 magazine editions.) I’m wondering why New York has decided to close the magazine since it’s so successful internationally. They’re making serious bank off of it. But then, Sung Joon wouldn’t have a reason to be there.
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