Our episode starts with Sang Chul and Bok Nyeo down by the riverside. Sang Chul acknowledges the hurt of the past, but asks her if they shouldn’t continue to live because of them. He tells her that *he* and the children are waiting. Well, maybe I put the emphasis there, but I think it’s significant that he singled himself out. Sang Chul asks her to return to them, which pulls her attention away from the flowing river to look at him.
And we’re back at Ji Hoon’s house. He’s still looking out the window with that crooked cop, Tae Shik, standing behind him. Maybe that’s why the mother-in-law has been so spiteful to Bok Nyeo for so long, because Tae Shik fed the poison, working for Ji Hoon. Tae Shik asks what Ji Hoon plans to do, since he’s killed Seo Ji Hoon. Ji Hoon’s got the crazy eyes going as he declares that it’s time to save Bok Nyeo.
Sang Chul returns home. The kids are waiting for him and want to know what happened. What did the police say? He tells them that Do Hyung isn’t Ji Hoon. All the kids sigh with disappointment, because that means that Bok Nyeo still isn’t coming back yet. Hye Gyul asks if Sang Chul told Bok Nyeo that she was waiting for her. Sang Chul tells her that they need to be patient, because Bok Nyeo needs some time. None of the kids like that answer, especially Hye Gyul.
Hye Gyul walks down the street with her backpack and holding a pack. It’s probably the same stuff she was carrying last time when she tried to leave with Bok Nyeo. I’m not quite sure where she’s going, since they don’t know where Bok Nyeo lives. But it’s sweet just the same. Hye Gyul’s sitting at the amusement park, waiting for Bok Nyeo. Eventually, Bok Nyeo appears and asks Hye Gyul why she’s there. Bok Nyeo’s face looks less dead. The rest of the kids appear shortly after Bok Nyeo does. Hye Gyul begs Bok Nyeo to come back to their house. She’s pleading that she won’t ask any strange questions or tell her to eat yakgwa (that Korean cookie Bok Nyeo likes) or try to get Bok Nyeo to eat with them. Bok Nyeo’s eyes are glassy as she looks down at Hye Gyul. The other kids walk up and Han Gyul basically scolds Bok Nyeo and Se Gyul tells her that Hye Gyul has been waiting there every day. Bok Nyeo looks back down at Hye Gyul.
Back at the house, everyone is eating breakfast, that Sang Chul has put out for them. Basically it’s toast and some rolls. The cuckoo clock strikes seven. And I wonder how I’ve never noticed the clock before. The kids look expectantly at the door and then sadly, because nothing. But then the bell rings. Everyone’s excited as Hye Gyul goes to answer the door. But it’s the lame housekeeper that quit a little while ago. She’s just there to get her scarf. Which she asks if they’ve seen, even though it’s hanging on the hook *right* by Han Gyul’s head. She mentions that someone’s outside. Could it be Bok Nyeo? Hye Gyul opens the door and it is. She races to throw open the gate and wrap her arms around Bok Nyeo’s legs. And I get a little choked up.
Everyone has come outside now and they all thank Bok Nyeo for coming back. Sang Chul tells her that she should have come inside quickly if she was there. But before she goes in, she makes sure to declare that she's *just* their housekeeper. She is not part of their family. She won’t ever eat with them and she won’t ever smile. And I say, yeah, right. It’s gonna happen, Bok Nyeo, whether you like it or not. Everyone is fine with her terms, as long as she’s back. Hye Gyul pulls Bok Nyeo inside, with the other kids following after them. Sang Chul smiles as he watches them enter the house. Life is good.
Everyone stands in the doorway want watches Bok Nyeo take off the hat and her jacket, even though Sang Chul ‘tries’ to get them to leave, by tell them that they’re embarrassing Ms. Bok Nyeo. Not that they pay any heed to him or that he stops standing their as Bok Nyeo prepares to get to work.
At psycho Ji Hoon’s house, Ji Hoon and Tae Shik are watching the Robert Redford version of ‘The Great Gatsby.’ Gatsby is pulling out all his wonderful clothes, showing them to Daisy, and she’s eating it all up. Ji Hoon is giggling to himself with pleasure, probably putting himself and Bok Nyeo in the Gatsby-Daisy roles. Tae Shik looks a little uncomfortable. It’s then that he decides to tell Ji Hoon that Bok Nyeo is back as Sang Chul’s housekeeper. Ji Hoon’s face is now visibly disturbed.
Bok Nyeo is washing dishes. A little boy announces, Omma! It's delicious! Startled, Bok Nyeo turns around and sees her son and husband eating at the table. Both of them are smiling. And the little boy is *so* cute! Appa announces that Omma's the best, right? She's always preparing delicious meals. They tell her that she’s the best, complete with a thumbs up. Bok Nyeo’s close to tears as her son and husband discuss going to the amusement park. There’s a shrill noise, from the kettle on the stove, which distracts Bok Nyeo and when she looks back at the table, they’re gone.
Ji Hoon’s Lair. Ji Hoon looks upset and he sighs. Tae Shik asks about Bok Nyeo being at the house. Ji Hoon’s just staring ahead and he answers that it’s better that Bok Nyeo be tethered somewhere and than drifting aimlessly. Tae Shik tells him that the Euns aren’t going to let go of Bok Nyeo so easily; even Sang Chul seems to treat her as part of the family. Ji Hoon’s face reads disturbed as he nods and declares that he’ll have to make them let her go.
Bok Nyeo is teaching Han Gyul how to cook. Hye Gyul and Se Gyul are at the table, coloring and studying, respectively. Doo Gyul arrives and is impressed. He wants to learn too and suddenly her son – who would be Doo Gyul’s age now – is asking to help make mandu, too. Bok Nyeo stares at her son, a pained look on her face. She does notice that she’s cut herself with the knife she was using. Hye Gyul rushes out of the room – probably to go get the first aid kit. Everyone is bothered by what’s happened.
Auntie arrives. Oh, Auntie. Well, I was right about Hye Gyul. Hye Gyul arrives with a band-aid, which Han Gyul applies to the dazed Bok Nyeo’s finger. Bok Nyeo can’t stop staring at the spot where she saw her son. This is the first time Bok Nyeo’s made a mistake. When Bok Nyeo snaps out of it and starts to chopping again, Han Gyul tries to take over the chopping. Se Gyul tells Bok Nyeo that she doesn't look well. She still tries to act like she’s fine, but Hye Gyul grabs the knife-weilding hand, making Bok Nyeo drop it. She pulls Bok Nyeo out of the kitchen, and the other kids help escort Bok Nyeo to the table to sit.
Bok Nyeo notices Auntie. Hye Gyul happily announces that Bok Nyeo has returned. Auntie declares that this is why she’s there. Auntie does something right and tells Bok Nyeo that it was a good decision that she came back, since the kids missed her a lot. Auntie says that she’ll cook dinner. Doo Gyul mutters that he’s nervous. Heh.
Back at home, Auntie tells Grandpa that Bok Nyeo’s back. He doesn’t exactly look happy. But at least now you’ll have an excuse to go see your girlfriend. Auntie’s not that happy now because the kids are treating Bok Nyeo like she’s their mother. Grandpa calls Sang Chul ‘that mug’ again and mutters that it must be because Sang Chul is so incompetent that the kids want to give their affection to someone else.
At work, Sang Chul is introducing Dong Shik, calling him a new member of the family. And they have two other staff members besides That Woman. I’ve decided to call Song Hwa That Woman because I really hate her and that’s what they do in k-dramas when they don’t like someone. That Woman. Dong Shik says that at JK, there's nothing but leftover soup because all the best staff is gathered there now. Heh. That’s pretty clever. Like how he lumped himself in there. Ji Hoon enters and immediately puts a damper on the mood.
Now Sang Chul and Ji Hoon are at a bar, drinking. Ji Hoon just has to ask about Bok Nyeo. Is she doing well? Sang Chul wants to know why he’s asking, since he said that he couldn't handle her. Ji Hoon says that it’s because she never apologized for dragging an innocent person to the police station. He’s got that forward stare talking going which I think we’re going to be seeing a lot of from him. He wonders why he keeps being interested in her, since he thought she was a really strange woman. Sang Chul doesn’t say anything and looks down at his drink.
Now Ji Hoon’s looking at Sang Chul and smiling. Always a bad sign. But it’s almost a signal of when he’s in stalker mode, gathering information. He asks Sang Chul why Sang Chul thinks Bok Nyeo never smiles. But she smiles sometimes, right – like during comedy programs. When no one is watching? That would be a NO, dude; she never smiles. If she did, it would be around the Euns or Director Hong. Sang Chul tells Ji Hoon to stop playing around with Bok Nyeo. Ji Hoon asks if Sang Chul’s upset, because Bok Nyeo’s *Sang Chul’s* housekeeper. He adds that the first one to make mischief wasn't him, but Bok Nyeo. Back to stare talking. And, no, dude, that was you. Like you have been for *years.* I still can’t believe that cop is that dirty! Telling Bok Nyeo to just come forward and confess. I wonder what Ji Hoon would do if she decided to do that. He’d never be able to rescue her from prison. Sang Chul tells Ji Hoon that Bok Nyeo sees him as the face of her enemy who killed her family. Darn, right! So Ji Hoon needs to please stop treating this as a laughing matter. Ji Hoon glances at Sang Chul and sighs.
Back at Gatsby Investments… Man, that was a dark bar! I thought it was nighttime. Ji Hoon’s looking over some prospectuses while Sang Chul and Song Hwa stand and wait. He’s not happy and wonders if he hired the wrong person, glaring at Sang Chul. He’s upset over the proposal that Neo China choose to accept. Sang Chul, of course, apologizes, but Song Hwa asks what specifically is wrong with the proposal. Ji Hoon blusters about not having to and then puts in a jab at Sang Chul, telling him that if he lacks the no confidence, he should quit now. They exchange a look. Sang Chul gathers up the proposals, bows, and leaves the office.
Outside, Dong Shik is looking over the proposals, while Sang Chul sits at his desk and the two co-workers watch. I wonder if they’re going to have any lines, or just be like living furniture. He can’t see what the problem is with what they gave Ji Hoon.
Song Hwa has stayed behind and is asking if maybe the problem isn’t just Ji Hoon’s warped attitude. Ji Hoon replies that she’s right. He’s very uneasy about making a total mistake in choosing them, since they’re not working well together. She calls him out, asking if this is because of Bok Nyeo. Ji Hoon ‘can’t believe’ that she’s asking whether he’s being unreasonable due to that strange person Bok Nyeo (or whatever she is). She’s practically smiling as she answers that it’s her women's intuition. Ji Hoon chuckles and stare talks that it's scary, women's intuition. I wonder if he’s thinking of his relationship with Bok Nyeo. Song Hwa asks if he’s admitting that this is the reason he’s acting this way. He mutters that regardless of what he says, she’s not going to believe him.
And then That Woman smiles as she says she’ll send Bok Nyeo to Ji Hoon’s side. He’s skeptical but That Woman brags that she knows Sang Chul very well. Ji Hoon needs to stop playing mind games and tell Sang Chul that his feelings for her are sincere. She’ll do the rest. Ji Hoon tells That Woman that she looks really cool at the moment. She ignores his compliment and says that she’ll take it that the project is moving forward the way it is. She bows and leaves. He smiles as he watches her leave and his lip twitches.
At Happy Company, Grandpa is visiting his girlfriend, Director Hong. Or rather, he’s staring at the broach *she has pinned to her chest.* Director Hong sighs. I guess Grandpa’s *always* been an idiot. It sounds like they’re talking about when they broke up back in the day. He’s indignant and she’s justified because he’s an idiot. But Grandpa changes the subject to Bok Nyeo being back as the housekeeper. He asks if Bok Nyeo’s back to start something with Mug Face or to use the kids as hostages, taking over the mother’s position. Director Hong glares at him and tells him that he has a foul mouth. Grandpa blusters. But before they can really get into it, and by it, I mean kiss, Bok Nyeo shows up.
Bok Nyeo looks first at Director Hong and then at Grandpa. She greets him. He doesn’t really look at her. Bok Nyeo holds out the weekly commission for Director Hong. But before she can leave, Director Hong tells Bok Nyeo that she did well, really well. She keeps calling Grandpa orabeoni (an old term for oppa). Bok Nyeo is looking at Grandpa again as Director Hong says that he’s *that* orabeoni, the one she told Bok Nyeo about a long time ago… when she was a housekeeper at the Bongsoori Rice Mill. He used to fix machines. Bok Nyeo’s squinting as she’s looking at Grandpa now, and he takes offense. He wants to know how Director Hong described him. Bok Nyeo of course answers; she said he was a twisted donut.
When Grandpa gets upset, Director Hong mutters at him that she wasn’t wrong, since he came to the wrong conclusion and became all twisted up for *48 years.* Grandpa blusters about her calling him warped. Bok Nyeo’s practically smiling as she looks back at Director Hong, who tells her that if Grandpa says something strange to her, that she shouldn’t take it to heart. Bok Nyeo responds that she understands. Grandpa blusters. Bok Nyeo tells them to please continue what they were doing before and leaves. Heh. I really think I’m going to like the real Bok Nyeo. She’s witty.
At his apartment, Ji Hoon is in bed. He’s having a very bad dream because he’s twitching and sweating. And the way he’s sleeping on his bed, it’s not long enough so his feet are hanging off the end. You'd think the man would buy a bed long enough.
Sang Chul arrives at work. Everyone greets him, including the living furniture. He notices that Ji Hoon is absent. Dong Shik tells him that Ji Hoon called in sick. That Woman says that he probably hasn’t been able to eat anything. She wonders if they should send some porridge over. Dong Shik immediately jumps up and says he knows where they can get some killer porridge, but That Woman doesn’t want it to be store bought. After all, he has a wonderful housekeeper. Why don’t you just go over and make it yourself, Song Hwa, since *you’re* the one who thinks it should be homemade. Sang Chul almost glares at her as he sighs uncomfortably. She pushes the envelope, asking him if he’s reluctant to lend her. Implying that he has feelings for Bok Nyeo. Sang Chul asks to speak with her alone. He’s not happy.
Out in the hall – where it’s so private – Sang Chul *is* upset. But That Woman’s not going to be dissuaded and keeps pushing, basically asking if it’s jealousy. When he says she’s speaking carelessly, she responds that she wants to hear his answer properly today so she can confirm whether or not he has feelings for Bok Nyeo, who *she* calls ‘that woman.’ Sang Chul sighs. And then That Woman uses all her best manipulation techniques, asking if he’s going to run away again. Telling him that she can understand him leaving her so he can be a father, but she can’t forgive him if he’s left so he can move onto another woman. Like it happened that way and that you *ever* were happy that he left you to be a dad. I hate her so much. She is what makes women ugly.
Sang Chul sighs and says that That Woman is misunderstanding. It’s because Bok Nyeo's like a mother to the children, that’s why he’s concerned. So That Woman asks that if she's like the kids' mother, then, isn't she like his wife? Sang Chul asks her how it’s so for her to move on like that. He’s a little scared about liking someone, but she must not be like that. No, it’s not. She’s selfish and only cares about her wants. She doesn’t care about anyone else. Not really. She tells him that he needs to prove it.
We’re at the TV station and Mr. Nosy is asking Writer Kwon why she’s doing this? Writer Kwon sighs. He protests that she misunderstood about what he saw, him with another woman. After all, women just throw themselves at him. She knows that. And she’s one of those women, which is why she was sleeping with you. Way to point out how much of an idiot she is. She laughs and tells him not to be concerned; it's not like she’s a good wife or anything. No, you’re just a spiteful mistress. Wow, they’re really slamming the women who have affairs. Writer Kwon asks him if his wife said anything. He looks at her concerned and says that Mrs. Nosy hasn’t.
Mr. Nosy asks if they can get together after he’s finished taping. Because he’s totally smoothed it all over… Writer Kwon mutters that they’re a very interesting married couple. Not really. I actually think she’s quite typical, where the wife doesn’t want to believe that she’s been betrayed, so she tries to ignore it. Then she tells him that she’s used up all the bath salts his wife gave her and in the process, discovered that he’s a complete bubble (a man without substance). Heh. And then she dumps him. But as she’s walking away, Mrs. Nosy calls.
In what looks to be behind the television station, Mrs. Nosy is meeting with Writer Kwon. She wants to know just why Writer Kwon has told her what she did. Writer Kwon thinks it’s strange that Mrs. Nosy hasn’t done anything to find out if it’s true or who it is that he’s sleeping with; shouldn’t that be what a typical wife does? So have you done this before, Writer Kwon? Mrs. Nosy replies that she’s not a typical wife. She’s worried about Mr. Nosy’s life being destroyed if it gets out, him being a public figure and all. Writer Kwon can’t believe that *that’s* what she’s worried about. Mrs. Nosy asks if Writer Kwon has a grudge against Mr. Nosy. And we all know the answer to that one is YES. He cheated on her. Not that she isn’t the other woman, but no one cheats on her! Instead of admitting it, Writer Kwon tells Mrs. Nosy that she’s very interesting. She must have already known about her husband's cheating, with her reaction, so there’s nothing more that Writer Kwon can do for her. Like you’re doing it to help her out. You had no problem laughing at how stupid she was when you thought Mr. Nosy was yours, but now that he’s cheated on you, too, you’re trying to help her? Please. Mrs. Nosy ends up begging Writer Kwon to keep quiet and Kwon tells her that she’s really pitiful. Mrs. Nosy’s face doesn’t disagree.
Sang Chul arrives home. Bok Nyeo is in the kitchen, cooking. She seems to cook a lot. Sang Chul is stupid and lets himself be manipulated by That Woman. He suggests that Bok Nyeo go to Ji Hoon’s and make amends for everything, how it ended at the police station. He even adds that Ji Hoon’s so bothered by everything that he’s not eating well. Bok Nyeo is looking at Sang Chul like he has two heads. Sang Chul suggests the porridge. Bok Nyeo asks him if it’s an order. Haven’t you guys picked up on the fact that when she asks you that, it’s a *bad* idea. Sang Chul tells her that it is. Immediately, Bok Nyeo stops what she’s making and sets to work on the porridge. And Sang Chul feels terrible. Which he should.
As Bok Nyeo stands outside Ji Hoon’s house, she thinks of different encounters with him: the restaurant, at his home where he said he *was* Ji Hoon and at the police station. She rings the bell and Ji Hoon can’t believe it’s her when he looks at the monitor. His face almost reads like he’s amazed that That Woman was able to work so quickly.
Back at the house, Sang Chul’s just told Han Gyul where Bok Nyeo went. They can't ignore him when he's sick, since they live so close to each other in the same neighborhood. Don’t you find that the least bit fishy? Of all the places in Seoul, he picked *right* by your house? Han Gyul – of course because she’s a smart cookie – doesn’t think this is a good idea. Sang Chul says that now that the misunderstanding is cleared, there's no reason to hate him. Han Gyul asks Sang Chul if he’s trying to play matchmaker. Sang Chul scoff the guy-in-denial ‘no,’ and says that Ji Hoon sure seems interested in Bok Nyeo, *the way he keeps talking about her.* That’s a clue that he’s a stalker, stupid! Han Gyul asks him if that’s what he’s really trying to do. Sang Chul doesn’t answer.
Bok Nyeo enters Ji Hoon’s house. He’s sitting on the couch and he looks at her, sulking. He notices the porridge and asks if Sang Chul sent her. Why *else* would she be there? She doesn’t answer but heads into the dining room to take off her cap and jacket. Ji Hoon asks her where she spends her money, since she’s always dressed the same. He asks about the hat, adding that it looks like a man's. Bok Nyeo steps in the kitchen and starts unpacking the porridge as Ji Hoon says that he’s been biting his tongue all the while, wanting to ask her about it. Ji Hoon claims that he has the right to ask her that much since he went to the police station and all. Bok Nyeo says nothing. Then he asks her why she calls herself ‘Bok Nyeo,’ since he saw at the police station, that she has another name. Yeah, right, that’s when you knew that. Nothing from Bok Nyeo.
Ji Hoon huffs to himself at her silence and wanders over to his record collection. He has a really old record player, the kind with the horn-like speaker. He pulls out Frank Sinatra’s “All Alone” and plays it. He stands there and listens to the music with his eyes closed. Was this song in 'The Great Gatsby'? And, yes, it was. Ji Hoon goes over to the table where Bok Nyeo is placing the food and asks her if she knows it. She says it’s the theme from The Great Gatsby, “What Will I Do?” Ji Hoon mentions Bok Nyeo’s English-speaking ability and says that it’s been hard to explain the emotion of the English language song to speakers of Korean. Bok Nyeo recites some of the verses:
"What do I do?"
"If I were to become a photograph, and I can only speak of my torment."
"Alone I'm to dream of you, and there is no way to fulfill that dream."
"What do I do?"
Ji Hoon looks visibly sad. He’s crying as he eats the porridge. He says that it’s been a while since he’s eaten this. Bok Nyeo’s eyebrows scrunch and Ji Hoon can barely swallow his food, he’s so emotional.
Bok Nyeo returns to the Euns, where Sang Chul seems to have been pacing, waiting for her. He asks if Ji Hoon’s okay and if the man said anything. Bok Nyeo rattles off a few of Ji Hoon’s questions. Sang Chul marvels at how Ji Hoon is different from him, since even though he’s wondered the same thing, he never thought he should ask. Because you’re basically a nice guy. Easily manipulated, but a nice guy. Sang Chul wants to know if she answered him. Bok Nyeo says no. Sang Chul wants to know if Ji Hoon said anything else and is bothered that the man didn’t say thank you. He can’t believe that all Ji Hoon said was that the porridge was warm when eating.
The high school. The girls are all squee-ing that Soo Hyuk has come back. Unfortunately it’s not to start attending classes. He’s at the office, telling someone that he wants to drop out. The teacher is ticked, because all Soo Hyuk does is bounce around with a guitar, with a wind of futility. He calls Soo Hyuk a punk and asks the boy if the world's that easy?! Soo Hyuk calmly replies that that's why he’s dropping out, because life isn't easy. He claims that his parents are okay with it. I don’t think his mom is.
The stupid Oppa girls are all watching outside the office, muttering about Soo Hyuk dropping out. Han Gyul stands at a distance, upset. Her Oppa, Woo Jae arrives. He *hasn’t* heard why Soo Hyuk’s back. After Soo Hyuk’s done in the office, they corner him outside. She asks hi why he’s leaving, why all the people that she cares for leave? Woo Jae jumps in and asks Soo Hyuk if he’s really decided. Soo Hyuk is set, he doesn't really care about other things. But he’s a little sad about the band and someone, which he says while looking at Han Gyul. He tells Woo Jae to take care of her. Soo Hyuk turns and starts to walk away, but Woo Jae runs after him and grabs his arm, spinning him around. He tells at Soo Hyuk, asking him why he (Woo Jae) has to take care of her, since she likes him (Soo Hyuk). Ooh! That hurts!
Soo Hyuk looks at Woo Jae a little surprised, both at Woo Jae’s words and the fact that Han Gyul still likes him. Since he thought she liked Woo Jae, what with her calling him Oppa and all. Woo Jae says that he wanted to have a fair fight, but with Soo Hyuk, he’ll just win lamely by default, like a coward. He calls Soo Hyuk a punk. Soo Hyuk replies, insinuating that he’s not really dropping out, just taking a short vacation. He slaps Woo Jae on the arm and walks off.
Back at the house, Bok Nyeo is cooking. Hye Gyul arrives and wants to help, despite Bok Nyeo telling her that it’s dangerous. Bok Nyeo gives Hye Gyul the job of cutting out the cookies from the rolled out dough. Hye Gyul reports that she will carry out her order. And Bok Nyeo almost smiles. Bok Nyeo turns to take something off the opposite corner and Hye Gyul decides to take the cookies out of the oven, *without using an oven mitt.*
The next thing we see is Bok Nyeo bursting out of the house carrying Hye Gyul. She runs down the street to the hospital, in such a hurry that she didn’t even bother to put on her shoes, so she’s running in her socks. She runs by Han Gyul and Se Gyul and they chase after her, but she’s too fast. She ends up running by Ji Hoon, who ends up taking the pair to the hospital. As they’re driving, Bok Nyeo is visibly upset and sad and as Ji Hoon drives, he keeps thinking of Bok Nyeo’s son screaming for his Omma to save him, which *does* bother him. He remarks that if someone were to see her, they'd think her was Hye Gyul’s mom. She doesn’t really react, just looks tenderly at Hye Gyul. Who isn’t crying, just sitting there, even though she’s just badly burnt herself. He snaps that she should at least wear some shoes! She asks him to please hurry. Heh.
At the hospital, Hye Gyul’s hand is wrapped and she’s sleeping in a bed. The doctor says that there shouldn't be any other problems, since they came so quickly. He comments that daughters getting scars are most worrisome to mothers and then says that Hye Gyul can be discharged. Ji Hoon looks at Bok Nyeo looking down tenderly at a sleeping Hye Gyul and frowns, especially when he looks at her feet and the holes that are now in her socks. He asks why she’s so out of her wits, since it wasn't even a life or death situation. Her face still twisted with concern, she turns and thanks Ji Hoon for bringing them and then goes back to watching over Hye Gyul. Sang Chul arrives and is visibly worried. Bok Nyeo apologizes for the accident and Sang Chul notices that Ji Hoon is there. He says that it was to repay for the porridge and then leaves. But before he exits, he turns to look at Bok Nyeo caring for someone other than him. He frowns.
Back at his house, Ji Hoon’s throwing a fit about her being a mother again!!! He smashes a bunch of stuff in his kitchen. He screams that she can't be someone's mother!!! Then breaks some more stuff, accentuating each thing with a furious scream.
Bok Nyeo and Sang Chul arrive home with Hye Gyul. The kids and Sang Chul watch Bok Nyeo tenderly put Hye Gyul to bed. Hye Gyul opens her eyes and asks Bok Nyeo to stay with her that night. Bok Nyeo decides to read a book instead and Hye Gyul places her burnt hand on Bok Nyeo’s. Bok Nyeo is visibly fighting getting emotional. Hye Gyul falls asleep as Bok Nyeo reads.
Sang Chul gets a phone call; it’s Ji Hoon, who invites Sang Chul over. Ji Hoon then serves him a hot beverage. As they sit, Ji Hoon says that earlier, Bok Nyeo seemed like a real mother. Sang Chul responds that Bok Nyeo must have been really shocked, too. Ji Hoon stare talks as he says that he ‘realized’ why he was so caught up by her ridiculous murder play. He figured it out: she's similar...to someone he liked. Sang Chul nods and tells him that he’ll pass that slong to Bok Nyeo. Ji Hoon says that he’s really like to make Bok Nyeo smile. Sang Chul reacts slightly to that so Ji Hoon asks him why that’s a problem. Doesn’t Sang Chul want to see her smile, just once? Doesn't Sang Chul think she'll be really pretty if she smiles?
Sang Chul just looks at Ji Hoon for a minute and then he questions why *he’s* never thought that way, wanting her to make her smile again after knowing of her painful memories. Like it’s a bad thing that you are respecting her. The stalker wants to force her to smile. You want to give her time to decide to do it on her own. Ji Hoon asks about Bok Nyeo’s ‘painful story’ and Sang Chul explains about the mother-in-law telling her that until she dies, she should never smile. Ji Hoon is visibly bothered by this bit of information. Sang Chul – because he’s an idiot – declares that Ji Hoon must really like Bok Nyeo, because he even thought of that. Ji Hoon then asks Sang Chul to *help him* so that she can smile again. What is he thinking?
Driving home, Sang Chul’s a little bothered by Ji Hoon liking Bok Nyeo. He keeps thinking about Ji Hoon declaring that he wants to make her smile.
Ji Hoon’s now meeting with Tae Shik. Ji Hoon is stare talking, his face reading like he’s almost ready to explode. He wants Tae Shik to send that person now. I’m guessing the mother-in-law. Tae Shik wonders if that’s a good idea, since that person doesn't seem normal. Ji Hoon’s bothers that he saw Bok Nyeo being a mother. Tae Shik’s a little confused by that statement. Ji Hoon looks at Tae Shik and declares that he doesn't have time to wait.
Sang Chul arrives home, where Bok Nyeo is baking. He looks at her and thinks of the time where he asked her if she doesn’t have anything like a heart and she answered that she threw things like that away somewhere. She notices him and asks him if he needs anything. He’s awkward as he says no.
A car is driving down the street. Inside we see the mother-in-law, with a sour expression on her face. How can Ji Hoon possibly think this is a good idea? This woman is evil. I really am worried that this is going to hurt Bok Nyeo some more and drive her back into her shell.
Sang Chul has changed his clothes and walks back into the kitchen. The kids are all there, hanging out with Bok Nyeo. This puts a big smile on Sang Chul’s face. They’re making the pizza.
EMIL (Evil Mother-in-Law) stops in front of the Euns and rolls down her window. Because even though her car is clean, that clear glass she’s looking through is causing problems. Her lips are shuttering with anger.
Bok Nyeo’s serving up the pizza. Everyone is excited to eat. Sang Chul declares that Bok Nyeo-nim's cooking is the best, along with the thumbs up – just like Bok Nyeo’s late husband. All the kids agree, with Se Gyul giving her an enthusiastic two thumbs up, several times. I was expecting some sort of reaction from Bok Nyeo, but she’s just serving the pizza. Hye Gyul asks her to eat with them and Bok Nyeo announces that it's recycling collection day. Everyone sighs that she won’t eat with them.
Bok Nyeo goes outside with the recyclables. I like that they recycle in Korea. EMIL emerges from the car and when Bok Nyeo notices EMIL, her emotionless mask shatters. She drops the stuff she was carrying. EMIL announces that Detective Lee came by and they've closed the investigation. As EMIL starts to be evil, the pain is evident on Bok Nyeo’s face. EMIL accuses Bok Nyeo of weaseling out of paying for her crime.
Inside, everyone notices that Bok Nyeo isn’t back yet. Sang Chul gets up and looks out the kitchen window. He sees Bok Nyeo and EMIL. Bok Nyeo’s face reads very upset. Outside, EMIL declares:
One day I went to church to pray that you would be judged. Another day, I went to the Buddhist temple and prayed that you would relive your life as a devil. If not that, I even had a shaman perform a ceremony for you have a sudden death! Heaven's not paying heed!Wow, this woman is seriously disturbed. And evil. There’s no way that anyone deserves this. *She* wasn’t the one who caused the fire nor did she physically take their lives. Even if it was caused by an affair, no one deserves what this woman is dishing. Bok Nyeo looks like she’s about to cry. I can’t understand why she doesn’t fight back or at least NOT listen.
Sang Chul and the kids come outside. Bok Nyeo has fallen to her knees in front of the EMIL. I really wish I was there so I could go out, get in between the two and tell the EMIL what a scum bag she is and how ashamed her son would be of her behavior. Bok Nyeo is crying. She asks EMIL how she should live, with tears streaming down her cheeks. EMIL screams that Bok Nyeo should follow them, the people she killed. Sang Chul steps up and asks, “Who exactly are you, elder?” EMIL replies that that miserable woman was her daughter-in-law. Hye Gyul yells at EMIL, “Don't bother our Bok Nyeo-nim!” This gets the EMIL’s attention and she stares horrified at Hye Gyul. It’s almost as if it snapped her out of her frenzy, that someone would *defend* Bok Nyeo.
Sang Chul starts to lay into EMIL. Respectfully, of course. This is Korea, after all. He’s much nicer than I would have been. He asks EMIL how she thinks Bok Nyeo’s been living, because of what the EMIL said. He tells her that just because she told Bok Nyeo not to smile, Bok Nyeo cannot smile. Sang Chul tells her that what she said just now is a bit harsh. EMIL starts sputtering about Bok Nyeo having another family and then she starts screaming at her, “How could you live like this?” over and over. She starts shaking the weeping Bok Nyeo. Hye Gyul crying loudly. Everyone’s upset, but no one stops EMIL from screaming and shaking Bok Nyeo. What’s up with that? Why does no one stop this crazy hateful woman? And in the distance, Tae Shik steps around the scene to observe. He even chuckles.
The kids are sitting in Hye Gyul’s room. Doo Gyul is sitting in a chair, fists clenched, looking like he’d really like to punch that EMIL. And this is why I love this boy: he’s fiercely loyal and isn’t afraid to stand up for his family. They’re worried about Bok Nyeo and can’t believe how badly EMIL acted. Outside, Bok Nyeo is once again stone-faced and is cleaning up the mess from the dropped recycling. Sang Chul starts to help her, but she announces that it’s her work. Then she apologizes for causing such a disturbance. How did you cause the disturbance? You weren’t the one screaming like an insane woman. Jeez. Sometimes these people. Sang Chul tells her that it’s alright since his family has shown her many of their shameful sides. He laughs and says that it wasn't even much of a commotion. Then he asks her whether she’s going to pay attention to what the EMIL said. Bok Nyeo’s face reads a pained ‘yes.’
The kids are really starting to worry that Bok Nyeo will do what the EMIL told her to – kill herself – since Bok Nyeo doesn’t smile because the EMIL said not to. They are flustered because they want to protect Bok Nyeo-nim. By the front door, Sang Chul is watching Bok Nyeo take down her hair and take off her work apron. He’s hurting for her. Dressed to leave, Bok Nyeo goes and stands in front of Sang Chul. She announces that she can't cause them trouble any longer. She asks Sang Chul to tell the children that she was thankful. He asks her if she really has to go this far. Then he tells her that he wants to hold onto her… If only for the children. Not for himself or anything. But for the kids. Sang Chul mentions how, when Hye Gyul was hurt, she was acting like a mother, and that she knows the heart “our” children have for her. He knows what she does for the kids.
Then Sang Chul tells her that they can't only think of themselves. If they were her family, what happened earlier, they wouldn't have just let it go. That’s why you need to marry her, dude. That would stick it to That Woman, Ji Hoon and EMIL. Sang Chul apologizes for not being able to do anything. He sighs about not being able to protect even a single person properly – his wife, the kids, That Woman or her. Han Gyul has come down the stairs and is listening now. Significant staring between Bok Nyeo and Sang Chul.
Over at Ji Hoon’s, Tae Shik is reporting that as expected, EMIL arrived. In just a mere moment, Bok Nyeo put herself in hell and now she's giving up. I really don’t get how Ji Hoon’s brain works. You want her to retreat even more into being a dead person? Because that’s what she’s going to do… But Tae Shik wonders if they’re pulling out too many tears. Stare talking, Ji Hoon announces that since it's come to this, the tears that have fallen, have to finish falling. Without leaving one drop. So that Ji Hoon can laugh again. And more than anything because Ji Hoon really wants to confirm... Something that we don’t get to hear.
Bok Nyeo says the Korean informal goodbye: “Then...” But the kids come downstairs and give their father and Bok Nyeo a hard time for trying to let Bok Nyeo run away. Han Gyul announces that they (the kids) have a request. They want to protect her. So... Please be their mom. Bam! Sang Chul’s a little shocked at this request. That Woman is going to be livid. But Bam! I think it’s pretty awesome. Hye Gyul takes Bok Nyeo’s hand and asks her to please be their mom. And I’m a little emotional. Sang Chul looks like he doesn’t know what to say. But he also has a face that kind of says, “Let’s do it!” Bok Nyeo looks from one child’s face to the next.
And we don’t get an answer because the episode ends!
Thoughts
I think this is the reason I am not Korean, because I would have stepped in between Bok Nyeo and EMIL and chewed the woman out. I would have told her that she’s been acting shamefully and that her son and grandson would be appalled that she was treating someone they loved like that. Sang Chul’s statement that they didn’t do anything because they weren’t family I think is revealing at how Korean society treats elders.
And speaking of elders, Grandpa just needs to get with the program. He and Director Hong crack me up. I wish it were a little more obvious what exactly happened between them, but I think it’s humorous that Bok Nyeo knows all about it. And that when she walked in on them about to kiss, that as she left, she told them to go back to whatever they were doing. Heh.
I'm glad that Bok Nyeo finally went home and I hope that she decides to stay. I'm really scared that she's not, because she seems to have that self-flaggelation down. I still can't believe EMIL! Praying that she be cursed, that she would die and then ranting that the heavens aren't listening - like that *isn't* a sign that maybe Bok Nyeo's innocent...
I really don't get Tae Shik. Why is he helping Ji Hoon? And why is he enjoying tormenting Bok Nyeo? How could he have manipulated things that much? And how crazy is Ji Hoon? That stare talking happens so much now. Plus his fit that she can't be a mother!!! I do like that he's tormented by what he's done, as he heard the son's screams as he was driving Bok Nyeo and Hye Gyul to the hospital.
The flashbacks are really intense, as far as Bok Nyeo remembering her dead family. They hurt my heart when she sees them, because for the first time in her life - except for Director Hong - she was truly loved. I really don't see how Sang Chul cannot be suspicious of Ji Hoon. How he 'casually' brings up Bok Nyeo to milk for information. Stalker much?
And That Woman!!! IHH! Truly. I can't believe how selfish she is. How selfish both the mistresses are. Ridiculous. But the more Song Hwa tells Sang Chul that he's in love with Bok Nyeo, the more he's going to be convinced that it's the truth. She's stupid. And unbelievable!!! She won't stand for being dumped for another woman, but she was okay with him doing it to be a good dad? Really? Not from where I am sitting were you *ever* of that frame of mind. Revisionist, much?
They keep referring to The Great Gatsby in the context of Ji Hoon's 'relationship' with Bok Nyeo. And I wonder how it's going to play out. In the book, Gatsby is aloof and young and very, very rich. He's in love with a woman based on a romantic encounter of about 5 years ago. He spends many nights staring out at her dock, hoping to one day rekindle their lost romance. His extravagant lifestyle is an attempt to impress her in the hopes that she will come back to him. The narrator, Nick, arranges a 'chance' rendezvous and Gatsby and Daisy reestablish their relationship. There's a confrontation where Daisy's husband reveals that Gatsby's money comes from criminal activities like bootlegging and Daisy leaves Gatsby to go back to her husband. Then Daisy accidentally kills her husband's mistress by hitting her with Gatsby's car. The mistress's husband thinks it's Gatsby who did it so he fatally shoots both Gatsby and himself. How is that going to play out? And how is that romantic? Or something that you would want a parallel to be draw with? Ji Hoon is really crazy. And is this foreshadowing the end? A bad death for Ji Hoon? Auntie accidentally buying it?
We briefly saw Woo Jae and Soo Hyuk, with Soo Hyuk dropping out of school. I hate that this kid is suffering like this. When will he talk to his mother? And I was really shocked that Woo Jae went against type and called Soo Hyuk out as his rival, instead of merely pining for Han Gyul like most second leads do.
What will Bok Nyeo choose? And how much longer before Sang Chul realizes that he has *feelings* for Bok Nyeo? And when will he see Song Hwa for the worthless woman that she is? When will he stop being manipulated by her? And when is the world going to know that Do Hyung is REALLY Ji Hoon and Tae Shik is one crooked cop?
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