Series Review - My Lovely Girl, aka She's So Lovable

This series started out light and breezy. Nothing much really happened but it was something you could enjoy without thinking too much.

Rain stars as Lee Hyun Wook, a brilliant, successful composer-producer who dropped out of sight three years ago after the tragic accidental death of his girlfriend, Yoon So Eun. (It really is tragic and accidental. No one could foresee a truck blowing a tire, flipping over, causing another truck to jump it and flip over and slam into a parked car on the side of the highway.) He still gets panic attacks whenever something reminds him of that day (like a song on the radio). So Eun's only surviving family is her younger sister, Se Na (Krystal Jung).

I Confess. I Have Strayed...

In the last couple of weeks, I have watched 5 dramas from Taiwan and haven't recapped anything.

After the ending of Marriage Not Dating, I ended up taking a break. While I love recapping, sometimes just experiencing a drama -- without having to stop and recap it -- is what I feel like doing. So I got on Netflix and found Princess's Stand In (aka Jin Da Hua De Hua Li Mao Xian or Jin Da Hua's Extravagant Adventure or Substitute Princess or King Flower).

Substitute Princess


Substitute Princess tells the story of Jin Da Hua (Nikki Hsieh), a woman desperately in need of plastic surgery. Everyone who doesn't know her calls her ugly because of the huge wart on her face and her horrible buck-teeth.  (It's bad, so bad.) Since childhood, she has been in love with Lin Guan Jun (James Wen), but he only looks at her like a sister, even though it's obvious to everyone how she feels (she's not subtle). Right after it's revealed that her father owes over NT $2 million in gambling debts, she meets Ouyang Tai (aka Terry) (Chris Wu). His fiance, Du Liang Yan (also played Nikki Hsieh), has been badly injured in a mountain-climbing accident and it will take her a year to recover. In order to keep Liang Yan's condition secret and to retain his position as General Manager of the corporation Liang Yan's father runs, Terry offers to pay Da Hua's family's debt and give her the opportunity to get plastic surgery. All Da Hua has to do is fill in for Liang Yan until she recovers. To save her family and to try and catch the eye of Guan Jun, Da Hua says yes.

My Acting Favorites

As of 13 Sep 2015.

The Actors (in alpha order).

Cha Seung Won	Choi Jin Hyuk	Gong Yoo	Joo Ji Hoon
Joo Won	Lee Min Ho	Lee Seung Gi	Lee Sun Kyun
So Ji Sub	Sung Joon	Yoo Yun Suk	Yun Woo Jin

1. Cha Seung Won - He made the list because he is an amazing actor. In You're All Surrounded, the way he said so much without saying anything was one of the reasons I loved this drama and his character. We see him young and idealistic and then 11 years older and beaten down by life and he made you believe it. I can't say enough about how much I love this man's acting, which is why he's on my list.
2. Choi Jin Hyuk - I liked him as the serious Woo Duk in Pasta, even before his changed his screen name. He completely won my heart (and a lot of other people's) with his performance in Gu Family Book, to where I cried for him after one episode and cried even more after his redemption. His ability to be effervescent and joyful and then self-contained and dark make him an actor I enjoy watching.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 16 Recap

I am so sad that it’s the end. I love this show and these characters. Groan!

It’s a stormy sky over an outdoor wedding. Jang Mi and Ki Tae stand looking at each other. And immediately, I suspect it’s another fake out. She’s in a beautiful wedding gown and he’s in a tux.

Sad song sings:

♫ We have to break up like this ♫

Jang Mi declares that they should drop it. Ki Tae’s surprised she’s saying that and she says that she really means it.

♫ We can't even speak to each other ♫

He asks if she has no regrets. Nope. He sighs and says that he’ll really drop it. She says to drop it.

♫ But I want to leave our memories here ♫

He nods and tells her, “okay.”

Marriage Not Dating Episode 15 Recap

The episode starts with an opera aria and highlights of some of the scenes that Jang Mi has made: grapefruit in Ki Tae’s face, pounding on the bathroom door at Bon Café and hitting Ki Tae in the nose with the bottle, beating Ki Tae at his Harabeoji’s memorial. I notice all these involve some sort of pain for Ki Tae. Jang Mi’s voiceover says that she’s good at making a scene, making things ugly. We see Jang Mi, fuming, lip quivering with rage. She’s at work and the voice over says that she didn't want to cause another scene in front of him but…

Jang Mi approaches a horrified Ki Tae and Mom seated. She carrying some makgeolli. They scream, “No!” as Jang Mi hurls it all over them. Then she hysterically cackles as she thinks, “People don't change.”

[Episode 15: Two Women who Loved One Man]
And back to the clothes all over the floor from the night before. Jang Mi gets up to go to the bathroom, wearing Ki Tae’s shirt. Mom is standing in the apartment. They see each other. Jang Mi tries to pull the shirt down so it doesn’t look so bad. Ki Tae emerges, pulling on his robe, squinting. He’s shocked, too, to find Mom in his apartment. All he can do is say, “Mom,” and try to get his robe tied closed.

Mom turns around, without a word, and leaves the apartment. Jang Mi furiously tries to get on her underwear as she yells at Ki Tae to hurry up and get dressed! Her underwear is not cooperating. It’s because it’s Ki Tae’s underwear, which he points out. Roll on the floor funny scene of them trying to get their clothes on. Jang Mi pulls on shorts first and takes off running after Mom. Ki Tae quickly follows.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 14 Recap

Episode begins with Ki Tae sitting on his couch in a salmon suit. A reporter asks him about the apartment. She heard that it has special meaning for him. He replies that when he was young, he lived there by himself for a few days. They are memories of happiness and warmth, nice and comforting. That’s probably why, after becoming an adult and he’s in the house alone, his heart feels at ease there. That’s such a nice way of expressing that you feel comfortable: my heart feels at ease. Reporter asks if that’s why he still wants to live alone there. Ki Tae smiles slightly, chuckling to himself.

Door bell starts to ring insistently. Reporter and Ki Tae glance in its direction. He tries to talk over the doorbell ringing. He says that recently, some woman has started coming there and, after she flipped this house upside-down, she ruined the innate meaning of the house. He almost looks mad at that.

Pounding on door now and Reporter points in its direction, face asking if Ki Tae wants to get the door. Ki Tae groans inwardly. He says that ever since that woman started coming there, he’s come to be uncomfortable and dislike when he’s in this place alone. Reporter weakly says, “Yes.” Ki Tae’s pace looks like he watch to punch the bell ringer. Then he smiles, almost looking bitter, and says that he’s come to want to be with that person.

[ Episode 14: Sorry for not being cool. ]
Switches to:
[ Episode 14: Thanks for not being cool. ]
And that takes on a whole new meaning, given we ended the last episode with Jang Mi asking for a cool relationship, meaning not serious.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 13 Recap

What is this!!! Writers!!!

Episode opens with a haunting song playing and no other sound as we see Jang Mi furiously hitting Ki Tae over and over. It’s a fight with finger waving and frustrated arm throwing. Ki Tae gives Jang Mi a hard head poke. She mouths a rebellious, “what?” and Ki Tae answers back. He walks toward her, messing with his collar, and shoves her shoulder hard. She takes off running and he sighs in frustration. He runs after her and catches her, yelling, “What!” More furious shouting by Ki Tae with Jang Mi looking afraid.

What psychologically manipulative head trip was that? Especially since their relationship is supposed to be becoming HAPPY!!!

[ Episode 13: Do Not Rely on Anyone or Have Expectations ]
Switch to Hoon Dong and Hyun Hee leaving their wedding. Everyone cheering, clapping. Ki Tae is desperately searching the crowd for Jang Mi.

♬ There’s nothing more to lose ♬ 
♬ So I cry ♬

He tries calling Jang Mi again.

♬ The one tear drop that is you, fills my eyes ♬ 
♬ Love, that one easy word, ♬ 
♬ is like a tear to me ♬

Marriage Not Dating Episode 12 Recap

The episode with Ki Tae chasing after Jang Mi somewhere outside. They’re both dressed up, but I can’t tell why. He calls her name and she stops. He wills her to turn around and she does. He stares at her, not knowing what to say.

♬ Even if it's the first time, Even if I am born again ♬

They awkwardly try to start talking at the same time.

♬ It can't be only that kind of person ♬

Awkward pause and they tell each other to go first. Come on, Ki Tae! Be the man!

♫ To my sad life ♫

Ki Tae winces and tells her to go first.

♫ The person who gave warmth ♫
♫ You are someone I'm grateful for. ♫

They just look at each other.

♫ For that kind of person, I give my heart, ♫
♫ I'm happy no matter how much it hurts ♫

And Ki Tae’s face looked like he was about to propose. For reals.

[ Episode 12: Will sincerity be understood? ]

Marriage Not Dating Episode 11 Recap

This episode does not start with what I expected it to.

♬ Will you marry me? ♬

Episode starts with a glowing, heart-shaped sign labeled, “LOVE.” Silver balloons that spell out LOVE attached to the fish tank.

Discovered that my subs have the wrong lyrics in them. The song that’s playing is the one Jang Mi was singing in the very first episode: “Will You Marry Me?” by Lee Seung Ki. My subs have got the lyrics up from “Stop the Love Now” by Ben (BeBe Mignon), the one that plays when crazy things are happening. And *then* they put the right lyrics, which threw everything else off. I’ve adjusted accordingly. And it was really annoying trying to fix the song part...

Holy crap! Ki Tae has decorated his entire apartment with balloons and hearts. There’s some sort of balloon-shaped heart wreath that has blinking lights… a teddy bear… a trail of petals rimmed by candles, which lead up to a big glowing heart. Ki Tae purposefully steps into the petal-heart and stands there.

♬Do you want to live with me forever? ♬

And I have to stop watching for a minute out of sheer shock. It’s worse than when Jang Mi decorated the hotel room, which might be the point, to propose Jang Mi-style.

Ki Tae looks at the bouquet he’s holding and smells it. He smiles.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 10 Recap

From watching this opening sequence, I think Jang Mi has lost her mind…

Our episode starts mystery music playing. It’s at Mom’s house and it’s raining heavily outside. Everyone is there (but Dad). Jang Mi asks Mom if something – we can’t see it – has special meaning for her. Is it really... important? Mom says that it is. With a hint of exasperation, I might add. I’m getting a little nervous because Jang Mi’s got closet crazy eyes going on. Mom tells Jang Mi that she has to treat it preciously also. Brief stare off and then Jang Mi grabs what looks like a giant egg or vase or something. As the dramatic music plays, Jang Mi lifts it over her head. Halmeoni is shocked. Ki Tae yells Jang Mi’s name. Mom’s mouth is hanging open. Jang Mi smashes. We hear a crunch that sounds like broken glass. Mom can’t believe that Jang Mi did it. Ki Tae is shocked and Jang Mi looks at Mom with satisfied eyes.

[ Episode 10: What You Must Never Let Anyone Find Out Even Until the Last Moment. ]
Oh, good, I thought they were going to leave what happened with this out… Back to Ki Tae kissing Jang Mi by the stuck car. Her eyes close.

Yeo Reum arrives back at the room to wake Hoon Dong up. Hoon Dong mutters something about listening and when Yeo Reum gets more insistent, Hoon Dong plants a huge kiss on him. Hoon Dong releases a grossed-out Yeo Reum and flops back, laughing. Yeo Reum picks Hoon Dong up and dunks him in a water barrel. So Hoon Dong is awake now.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 9 Recap

The episode starts with our six main characters sitting together, sipping something – probably alcohol by the way Hoon Dong clinked cups with Hyun Hee. Hoon Dong is sitting across from Hyun Hee, Ki Tae across from Se Ah and Yeo Reum across from Jang Mi. Hoon Dong is smiling at Hyun Hee, but it almost looks like it’s for show. Ki Tae keeps peeking over at Jang Mi and Yeo Reum is just enjoying the beach. He smiles over at Jang Mi. Hyun Hee is slightly smiling, Se Ah is definitely drinking beer since she’s using a glass and she’s thoughtfully (sadly) looking at Ki Tae, Jang Mi is sitting almost with her back to Se Ah, drinking.

Jang Mi’s voiceover declares that today they are all spending a night together in a faraway place. Jang Mi glances over at Ki Tae. Ki Tae’s trying not to look at Jang Mi too much. And before the day ends, all six of them will kiss someone. That kiss will confirm the love of some people and cause pain to others. Things like this are a common occurrence on a summer trip. What trips are you going on? That kind of stuff never happened on my trips to the beach. And man! That’s a lot of bottles of alcohol!

[ Episode 9: In a Faraway Place, One Night ]
We jump back to Jang Mi in the wedding dress, running into Ki Tae on the street. This time the sad music plays, there’s no words from Ki Tae and Jang Mi immediately jumps into the car and drives off with Yeo Reum. Oma watches her go, shocked. She asks Son-In-Law Gong, why Jang Mi is acting like that. She stops talking when she notices Se Ah. Se Ah asks if Oma is Jang Mi's mother. Oma says that she is and asks who Se Ah is. Ki Tae starts to try to come up with something. Se Ah interjects, introducing herself. She starts to say that she’s Ki Tae’s– when Mom interrupts and declares that she’ll say it. Se Ah could totally have just been about to say ‘chingu/friend.’

Marriage Not Dating Episode 8 Recap

Episode begins with the curtains parting to reveal Jang Mi in a wedding dress. Wow, they are really taking this too far. This song really reminds of the 50s.

♬ From you ♬
♬ a flower name is emitting ♬

Shot of Mom sitting on the couch of a bridal salon. Jang Mi think how Mom called her name like a flower. And Mom sweetly says, “Jang Mi,” which means rose in Korean.

♬ Like another thorn ♬
♬ You maybe ♬
♬ resemble a rose. ♬

[ Episode 8: Marry Me If You Can ]
Mom is hard at work, scrubbing out the refrigerator. It already looks spotless, but she’s scrubbing just the same. She pauses as she thinks of Ki Tae yelling at her that he’s not okay with what they’ve done and how Jang Mi can never be alone! Mom starts scrubbing more furiously. Halmeoni comes up and asks if Mom is okay. Mom pauses her scrubbing. Halmeoni tells her that she’ll make herself sick. Did something happen that made her upset? Mom finally replies that she thinks that she lost… That Ki Tae is serious about Jang Mi. Halmeoni gives her an ‘I told you so’ and asks what she plans on doing now. Mom dejectedly says she can’t do anything else but let them marry. Halmeoni really likes that idea. Mom adds to herself, “if it can be done.”

Marriage Not Dating Episode 7 Recap

Episode opens with Ki Tae operating, from the first episode, where he got squirted in the face with blood but didn’t waiver in his focus. He narrates that he was really okay. Next, Ki Tae driving crazy, running a red light and then almost plowing down pedestrians in a crosswalk as he says that he usually didn't waver for most things. He wasn't really afraid of anything either. We see Ki Tae running inside a building and trying to get the glass doors to open. He says that there was no door that he couldn’t open… (Ki Tae frantically searching with a flashlight in the dark.) until he met that girl. Then he stops and frantically yells Jang Mi's name.

[ Episode 7: Even though it's not okay, it's okay ]
Aunt and Mom are sitting on the couch. Aunt has her phone out. She’s trying to prepare her Unni for what she’s about to see. Will she really be okay? Mom is sure that she will be, but Aunt isn’t so sure. Halmeoni asks what’s going on and Aunt shows her the picture, with a conspiratorial grin. Halmeoni starts laughing and clapping and Aunt compliments herself on her camera work. Mom grabs the phone, looks at the picture and cringes. She gets a headache from the picture of Jang Mi and Ki Tae going at it.

Ki Tae is lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He’s thinking about the kiss. So we get to watch it again. Hee! Plus the uncomfortable awkward glancing at each other after the kiss finishes. Ki Tae starts to try to say something when Jang Mi mutters for him to be quiet. Aunt is watching. Then Ki Tae spots Aunt. Ki Tae wipes the kiss off his lips as he quietly tells Jang Mi that he thought she was kicking him away. She replies that it was because he really didn't look okay. Oh, and in light of what I was saying with my comments last episode, that gets me even more, how much she cares.

Back in the present, Ki Tae blinks and then sits up in bed. Split screen with Jang Mi sitting up, equally distressed. They fan themselves because it’s so hot. They both get up out of bed. Ki Tae goes to the refrigerator and chugs some water. Jang Mi grabs and chugs a beer. Yeo Reum is cleaning a sink at work. Se Ah is drowning her sorrows at a bar. She drinks. Back to Ki Tae drinking ‘One Water.’ Jang Mi drinking. Yeo Reum stops scrubbing and sighs. Se Ah drinks. Ki Tae finishes his water. Jang Mi finishes her beer and mutters to herself that she must be crazy.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 6 Recap

What?! This can’t be what it looks like. What it looks like is… Jang Mi and Ki Tae are in his bedroom, undressing each other. Then they climb underneath the comforter. Ki Tae kicks off his jeans and shoves them out from underneath the comforter. They are so *not* having sex. But the heck is going on?

[ Episode 6: Am I Single or Not? ]
Se Ah is walking away from Bon Café. Yeo Reum comes running after her. He hands her back the money. I knew he liked Jang Mi. Se Ah says that she found out everything she wanted to know thanks to him, so he can take this. Now she knows what Ki Tae's up to. It’s at this point that Ki Tae and Jang Mi arrive. Ki Tae says Se Ah’s name and asks what she’s up to. Jang Mi asks Yeo Reum if he’s betraying her. He starts to try to explain. Se Ah declares that Ki Tae’s relationship looked so interesting, she wanted in on it, too. Ki Tae angrily replies that money solves everything, right? Jang Mi can’t believe that she was betrayed and played *for money*?

Se Ah asks what about the pair of them? Why were they putting on the show? Yeo Reum declares that everyone should raise their hands and take turns talking. Jang Mi sadly says that she was the only sincere one again, right? Only her again? She walks away. Yeo Reum calls her name and starts to go after her, but Ki Tae steps up to him and tells Yeo Reum to keep out. Se Ah says that she’s very sorry. Ki Tae turns around and practically yells at Se Ah about taking pleasure in fools out of people? She snaps back, asking why he kept a secret from her? Ki Tae doesn’t answer but runs after Jang Mi.

Jang Mi and Ki Tae end up at an outdoor café. He pours her some Soju. She’s not saying anything, just sitting there, staring at nothing. He tells her to drink up. She loves liquor. He takes a shot of the Soju. Ki Tae reminds her that he said Yeo Reum’s no good. She didn't listen to me. She should've learned her lesson from Hoon Dong. Another guy like that… Geez. How come she doesn't learn? She keeps choosing the bad boys. Jang Mi nods woodenly. Ki Tae tells her that they weren't bad to begin with but she made them that way. Jang Mi silently starts to cry.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 5 Recap

Finally, I’ve recapped up to what I’ve watched. I’ve been dying to see what will happen after the big blow out at Ki Tae’s and how he’s going to make it up to Jang Mi after being such a turd.

The episode starts with Jang Mi and Ki Tae standing in the street. He calls her name and she turns around to look at him, soaked. She tells not to come near her. He looks like he feels bad about something. Of course, we don’t know exactly what, but it’s probably not the incident at Harabeoji’s memorial service. He asks if she’s okay. She blinks and it’s obvious that she’s not. She shakes her head and tells him not to come near her. He says her name again. Tears are forming in her eyes as she says that it’s all because of him. That definitely makes him feel bad. He softly says that he’s really sorry. He steps forward again and she takes a step back, repeating that she told him to leave. He asks her why she’s like this. She’s crying as she tells him to go. She begs him to go.

[ Episode 5: Words that I Can Only Say to You ]

[ One Day Before the Typhoon Invasion ]
Jang Mi and Yeo Reum are still asleep at Bon Café. Hoon Dong is unlocking the doors, the noise from which wakes Yeo Reum. I can tell it’s Hoon Dong because of his shoes. He looks over at the sleeping Jang Mi and smiles. Another lock disengages and Yeo Reum realizes that someone is coming in. He tries to wake Jang Mi, but she’s out. Yeo Reum hides as Hoon Dong comes down the stairs.

Jang Mi groans and Hoon Dong hears. He discovers her sleeping. Of course, he’s going to think that she’s there because of him, because that’s how his brain works. When he realizes that the person under the blanket is Jang Mi he leans in closer, at which point Jang Mi wakes up and starts thrashing about violently because she wasn’t expecting to see Hoon Dong. He starts yelling because he’s yelling. Hoon Dong asks her why she’s there. She wonders why she’s there, too, until she sees the hiding Yeo Reum, who motions for her to keep quiet. Hoon Dong doesn’t notice.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 4 Recap

I have to say that I really like how this show gives you just a snippet of something to start with. I know I’ve said this at some point before and I usually hate it, but with this series, it really pulls me in. This episode starts with a doozy of a situation. It’s Harabeoji’s Death Anniversary. Jang Mi is screaming at Ki Tae and beating him. What the heck is she doing?! His aunts are trying to stop her. She screams that she suffered and worked her butt off today for him! He ends up taking a dive into the ceremonial table and knocking Harabeoji’s picture to the floor. Action freezes. And I can’t believe that she did that.

[ Episode 4: For Whom We Cook Pancakes ]

[ D-4: 4 Days before the Incident ]
Jang Mi is helping a dehydrated Ki Tae walk down to his car after rescuing him from being trapped in his bathroom. He tries to make her leave him alone and to walk by himself, protesting that he said he’s fine, but he can’t stand without her help. Jang Mi ignores him and picks him up for a piggyback ride to the taxi. They come across Se Ah, who has just arrived. Ki Tae does not want Se Ah to see him getting a piggyback ride, much less from a girl, so he shoves himself off Jang Mi. Man, he looks bad! Really ashen. He tells Se Ah that nothing’s wrong, even though there obviously *is* something wrong.

Jang Mi immediately blurts out that Ki Tae collapsed in his bathroom. Se Ah is immediately alarmed and asks where he’s hurt. He pulls away from her touch and says he didn’t get hurt anywhere, trying to assure Se Ah that he’s fine. Jang Mi immediately answers that she thinks he hurt his head. Ki Tae’s a little shocked and Jang Mi sputters that he was acting weird. Flashback to him holding onto her for dear life. Both Jang Mi and Ki Tae look uncomfortable with the memory. Jang Mi protests that it's mental confusion or something. Anyway, he's not normal.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 3 Recap

The episode starts with dramatic music. Ki Tae’s hand flops, the way k-drama hands flop when a character has lost consciousness on the way to dying. Jang Mi’s finger presses the bell of his apartment. She’s pounding on his door, calling his name. Panning upward from Ki Tae’s hand, we see his face; he’s unconscious and his lips are ashen and chapped. Jang Mi furiously tries to open the door. Another shot of Ki Tae’s lips and an anxious Jang Mi. Finally the door opens and she sees Ki Tae. A knife flops on the floor by her feet. Did he slit his wrists? What’s going on? A shocked Jang Mi softly says Ki Tae’s name.

[ Episode 3: Being Happy on Your Own ]
Correction:
 [ Actually… Surviving on Your Own ]
Speeding car drives down the highway, with Ki Tae and Jang Mi inside. They are both anxious. She asks if they’re going to confess everything. Ki Tae says that he'll take care of it. She doesn’t want to make things worse. Ki Tae says that he'll take care of it. She wants him to be careful so that no one gets their feelings hurt. He tells her to leave it to him.

Mom is sitting on the couch at Jang Mi’s house while Oma gets them some juice.

[ Two Days Before the Incident ]

Oma brings out the tray with the juice on it and apologizes for not having much. Mom apologizes for barging in out of the blue. Oma says that normally she would be working at the store, but today she was feeling lazy. Her lower stomach was hurting, too, and that was probably because she was meant to meet Mom! Oma laughs heartily. Mom doesn’t. Oma tells Mom that’s she glad that Mom came. Jang Mi kept saying she was going to bring home the guy she was going to marry. Oma was curious because there was no news.

Marriage Not Dating Episode 2 Recap

Steaming vegetables. Mom is cooking. Halmeoni comes into the kitchen and asks if it’s a special day, since Mom is cooking up a spread. Mom answered that they might have a special guest. Halmeoni notices the ‘might’ and asks if they’re coming or not? Mom replies that if the guest doesn't come, they'll make a good chunk of money. Whichever it is, it's a good day. Heh. She’s funny. Halmeoni nods and understands that it’s that day.

Ki Tae is ripping through traffic, anxiously glancing at his watch as he does. Aunt is on the phone saying that she’s at the real estate agency and she’s there to the rental contract in Mom’s stead. Those two obnoxious ladies are waiting with the realtor. Wearing sunglasses inside. I find that so annoying. Aunt says that the time was set for 10AM. She was told to sign it if he wasn’t at the house by then. Ki Tae promises that he’s on his way. He asks Aunt to wait a bit. More crazy driving. Mom answers the phone and tells Aunt to sign it at 10 AM sharp. She is not budging! Aunt pulls out her seal and breathes on it. Ki Tae arrives at the house and runs around to drag a girl out of the car.

Rental Agency. Aunt gets a call and then apologizes that they’re no longer going to be leasing the apartment. Breathing hard, Ki Tae rushes into the house, announcing that he’s there. Halmeoni and Dad are smiling, looking to meet Ki Tae’s girlfriend. They stop smiling. Mom comes out and greets them. Jang Mi is hiding behind Ki Tae. She steps out from behind him and looks a torn-up mess. Mom stops smiling. Jang Mi’s wearing torn white short-shorts and a purple lace halter and carrying friend chicken. What is she wearing? And what’s with her hair? Jang Mi’s wearing a sweet smile, though. The family can’t help but be slack-jawed.

[ Episode 2: People Management ]

Marriage Not Dating Episode 1 Recap

I started watching this show without the intention of recapping it, but I’ve liked it so much that I’ve decided to tackle it as my next recapping project.

Our first episode starts with the really cute intro. Then it switches to our heroine, Joo Jang Mi (Han Groo), who is in court facing a stalking charge, and the hero, Gong Ki Tae (Yun Woo Jin), who is running hard toward the courthouse. When the charges are read, Jang Mi laughs like she can’t believe this is happening to her. Ki Tae reaches the courthouse and tries to quickly enter, but security stops him. Jang Mi laughs even more at the absolute ridiculousness of her circumstances as the judge asks her if she acknowledges that she’s been convicted of stalking. A sweating Ki Tae hands over his wallet and struggle to get his watch off.

Jang Mi answers the judge that she’s the crazy bitch. Judge looks up at her surprised. She must've been insane. Ki Tae tells the security guard that he’s sorry, but he’s in a hurry. He has to go testify for someone. The guard asks his relationship with the defendant. Jang Mi’s got crazy stalker eyes going on as she declares that this is what she told that bastard… Zoom in on Ki Tae. Is he the bastard she’s talking about? He’s just swallowed hard. Shot of Jang Mi. Back to Ki Tae, who tells the guard that she’s his fiancée. Jang Mi says (what she told that jerk): “Let's get married.” Great way to set it up that she’s talking about him and calling him a bastard.

Ki Tae stumbles in the courtroom and Jang Mi seems surprised to see him there. He looks at her and smiles.

[ Episode 1: How to Break up in a Civil Way ]

You're All Surrounded Episode 20 Recap

It’s the last episode and we’re probably going to spend all hour taking down Moon Bae, rather than having some fun. Sigh. Which is why I guess I put off watching the show for a week or two.

We start right where the last episode ended, with Pan Suk taking off his hat and uniform jacket and declaring that even though it’s illegal for him to release information before charges have been filed,  there is no other way to uncover the truth of this case. Then he starts the briefing. Sa Kyung arrives, a pained look on her face. Toad looks upset/angry and Eung Do is there, supporting his hyung.

Pan Suk announces that not long ago, Chief was murdered, a murder disguised as a traffic accident. The truck driver confessed that someone ordered him to kill her. The Prosecutor's Office has concluded that Yoo Ae Yun is behind this accident, too. Reporter1 clarifies that he’s talking about politician Yoo Moon Bae's daughter; Chasung's Yoo Ae Yun. Lots of murmuring when Pan Suk confirms it.

Pan Suk continues that on the day of the incident, Yoo Ae Yun was forcibly admitted into a mental hospital. It’s possible that she could have ordered the murder in advance, but if that's so, they’re curious about the motive behind the murder. The prosecution has not been successful in revealing this. On the day of the accident, Chief had a recording related to the Masan School Nurse case. Pan Suk says that he’s going play it for them now. I don’t know why they keep taking pictures. Pan Suk hasn’t moved. The pictures are all going to look the same.

You're All Surrounded Episode 19 Recap

The last week of ‘You’re All Surrounded’…

Night. Episode starts with ambulance arriving at hospital. A car arrives right behind it, with Soo Sun driving. Dae Goo rode in the ambulance with Chief. Miraculously, Chief still has a heartbeat. Soo Sun and Dae Goo run with the stretcher as far as they can go. Dae Goo looks terrible.

Replay of the dump truck slamming into Chief’s car. Chief saying she’s sorry and calling Dae Goo 'Ji Yong.' Dae Goo crying and begging her not to die. Chief saying that the recorder is in her r-r-o-o-om as blood gurlgles out of her mouth. Dae Goo covers his face with his hands as he remembers what’s just happened.

The rest of the team, plus Sa Kyung, Toad and other detectives, arrive. They’re all concerned about Chief’s status. A detective reports to Toad that Traffic Operations said that the driver of the dump truck fell asleep at the wheel. Doctor comes out and says that they stopped Chief’s internal bleeding and they’ve transferred Chief to the ICU. Doctor reports that things don’t look good. Everyone reels. Pan Suk and Sa Kyung try hard not to cry. Dae Goo clenches his fists tightly.

Dae Goo leaves the hospital with Pan Suk behind him. Dae Goo stops and without looking at Pan Suk declares that Chief was Detective Seo. She admitted that and that she took the recorder that Boots left behind. Dae Goo looks at Pan Suk and says that Chief confessed everything and went to see Moon Bae, where the pair argued and right afterward Chief got into an ‘accident.’ Dae Goo declares that it's definitely not an accident that was caused by someone sleeping at the wheel. It was a murder attempt that was hidden as an "accident." After gaining speed at the intersection, the driver hit Chief's car precisely!

What Does That Mean: My Use of Idioms, Colloquial Expressions, and Slang

I've noticed that if you're reading my blog, you might not be from the United States. I've had readers from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkey, India, Moldova, and South Korea to name a few. As someone who has lived in a country where the native language is not English, I understand how difficult it can be sometimes when less formal forms of speech are used. So, I thought I might do a post explaining what some of my informal English means.

I know that I'm using these in my writing, so I'll attempt to define the ones that I use. If there's any that you would like defined or explained, please make a comment and I will add it to the list.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 20 Recap

Episode starts with Bok Nyeo slapping Aunt. Aunt getting mad. Sang Chul arriving. He asks what’s going on. Aunt screams at Bok Nyeo, asking why she’s doing this!!! I'm wondering that, too. Bok Nyeo tells Aunt to get angry just like now. Don't force herself to smile. Don't mind what others think and don't hide her upset feelings. Don't just play the good aunt, if she wants to really protect her nieces and nephews. Aunt lets go of Bok Nyeo’s jacket and asks if Bok Nyeo is trying to get her mad on purpose. Bok Nyeo asks if Aunt was going to forget her promise to worry about her nieces' and nephews' future. Doesn't her marriage hinder that promise? Aunt is stunned.

Bok Nyeo leaves the bridal store. Aunt is thinking. Sang Chul asks if she’s okay. Aunt replies that she thinks she knows why Bok Nyeo did that. Her love for the kids was foremost, but her methods were wrong. When the kids forgot Oma's birthday, she didn't reprimand them properly and just sent them off. After doing that, playing the role of an aunt, she just said bad things to. Bok Nyeo. Aunt declares that she going to start being a proper adult to the kids. She’ll scold them when they need scolding and praise them when they should be praised. She will really be her sister's replacement. Sang Chul’s happy that Aunt isn’t mad.

Gyul House. The kids are looking at Oma’s picture, telling her sorry for forgetting her birthday. Which is a perfectly normal thing for kids to do. At least in America. Unless an adult reminds them. They present Mom with birthday presents. They feel bad for how Aunt must have felt to. Bok Nyeo arrives and asks what they’re doing. Han Gyul explains about forgetting about Oma’s birthday. Bok Nyeo asks why they’re caring about their dead Mom's birthday? Do they even know *her* (Bok Nyeo’s) birthday? Bok Nyeo asks Se Gyul if he’s written that letter yet. Se Gyul says he couldn’t… but he couldn’t write it to Oma either. "Mom... Why did you abandon us and commit suicide?" He couldn't write it like that.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 19 Recap

The episode starts with Sang Chul’s nice speech: He tells her that he wondered whether it may not be love. But no matter how much he thinks about it, he doesn't think that it is. Neither of them is in a situation right now to love someone. He wonders why. But, I f it's not love or family, why would he worry about her? Why would his children look for her so desperately? He says that he’s realized that the reason why she became a housekeeper was so that she would live as someone else wanted, doing what they want instead of what she wants. He tells her she doesn’t need to return as their housekeeper if she’s like that. But, she MUST return to them. Out of her own volition. He asks her to please return to them. As the children's mother. As his wife.

Bok Nyeo looks at Sang Chul. Probably thinking that he’s crazy and doesn’t know what he’s asking for. But he does. He looks down and pulls out the marriage registration paperwork. He’s signed it and stamped it. She starts to answer, but he interrupts her, telling her to please forget what Old Bat said about not creating a new family. Blaming herself for her family's death is a cross she can choose to bear, but no one can force her to bear that burden. He starts to add something about Old Bat, but stops. He tells her that he won't listen to her refusal now. He tells her to please think this over carefully and if she can't come immediately, to take some time. Whether it's one year or several years, they'll wait. Aw. That makes me a little verklempt. Sang Chul says that they’ll keep her place open.

Bok Nyeo walks from their meeting. She thinks of awful Old Bat’s ‘request.’

Sang Chul’s told the kids about the marriage proposal. Se Gyul asks if Sang Chul likes Bok Nyeo now. Sang Chul pauses and replies that love can mean many things. He may not be in love, but he gets concerned and worries about Bok Nyeo now. He feels sad, hurt and pity for her, too.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 18 Recap

The episode starts with Ji Hoon discovering the camera, a horrified look on his face. Bok Nyeo arrives downstairs. Sang Chul sees the video she took and he knows she’s inside. Sang Chul immediately sends the video to Song Hwa. He tells her to hand the video over to the police immediately. Song Hwa asks if Bok Nyeo is okay, but he’s not sure. He’s going to go find out. Go Sang Chul! Save your woman.

After watching the video, Song Hwa approaches the detective that she had been talking to at the station. She says that she doesn't have to wait for Detective Lee Tae Sik. She asks that he be arrested immediately instead. Then she shows the guy the video. Cop looks like he’s shocked at what it shows.

Tae Shik is looking at the ladder to the second story. He gets a phone call. Busted! His life is over. And I think he’s looking for payback. Inside, Ji Hoon is clarifying Bok Nyeo’s feelings: It's not that she liked him, it’s so she could get the goods on him? She tells him that he’s correct. She played for it… the way to prove that he’s Seo Ji Hoon… the way to finish him off. Tae Shik hurries inside and tells Ji Hoon that there’s a big problem. Song Hwa has handed over the evidence and the police coming!

Tae Shik declares that this time, there is no way out other than for Ji Hoon to turn himself in. Given the look on jihoon’s face, I think the crazy is about to come out and say, ‘Oh, yeah? Watch me!’ He tells Tae Shik to take Bok Nyeo outside so he can think. As Tae Shik turns his back on him, Ji Hoon grabs an empty wine bottle and then smashes it over Tae Shik’s head. Tae Shik crumples to the floor. Is he dead or justs unconscious? Bok Nyeo turns around, startled. Ji Hoon’s look is murderous. Plus, he’s holding the neck of a broken wine bottle.

You're All Surrounded Episode 18 Recap

As I start to watch Episode 18, I am suddenly grateful that I put it off until today, because I will only have to wait until tomorrow to see what happens to resolve the cliff hanger. I will really miss this show and these characters! A Lot. A Ton. Couldn’t they get a 20 episode extension so that we can see romance and roommate hijinks?! And Pan Suk and Sa Kyung get remarried? Tae Il and *Gook* get a girl? And, of course, Dae Goo/Ji Yong and Soo Sun being happy together? Maybe just a Season 2? This is the second Lee Seung Gi series that I want a second season of (the other being ‘Gu Family Book’). And it’s totally do-able. So hear-me, drama gods! We need more ‘You’re All Surrounded’!!! Okay, on with the recap…

The episode starts with Dae Goo in the interrogation room with Ae Yun and Slimy. Dae Goo changes the question to ask Ae Yun who he resembles more: Shin Ji Il or Kim Hwa Young? He pulls out the photo of Ji Il and Hwa Young together and slides it across the table to where Ae Yun can see it. Ae Yun leans forward, staring at it with horror. Her breath starts to quicken and she glares at Dae Goo with hatred. The gang is watching her intently behind the glass.

Dae Goo leans back and crosses his arms. He says that on the day of the murder, she was at his house. There is a witness who saw her leave. Ae Yun keeps her mouth pinched shut. But her husband and his mother were pretty close twenty seven years ago. There’s a wince from Ae Yun. Dae Goo says that a year later, he was born. Is this a coincidence? Ae Yun’s chin juts out with anger. Dae Goo mentions how Ki Jae is quite familiar with him. Why does Ki Jae keep calling him "hyung" when no one told him to do that? Dae Goo chuckles and Ae Yun’s getting madder. Perhaps because they share a bloodline? She smacks the table, lunging at him, and screams, “Ya!” Dae Goo doesn’t flinch.

Slimy says that these questions don't seem to have a direct relationship with the case. Dae Goo asks Slimy if he’s sure and suggests they do a DNA paternity test to confirm whether Ji Il is Dae Goo’s father. Ae Yun sneers at that thought. Dae Goo leans forward and asks her if she’s scared and dislikes that idea, too. Dae Goo declares that the money that she and her father gathered by bloodying their hands – he holds up one of his for emphasis – is she afraid that it might be handed down to him? Ae Yun glares and shifts in her chair.

You're All Surrounded Episode 17 Recap

Yay! Tae Il made it through surgery! The episode starts with a sleeping Tae Il, cut on his nose, split lip, and huge bandage on his left cheek from where he got stitches. The team is waiting for him to wake up, with Gook sitting by his side. Like a good pah-te-nuh should. Dae Goo is with them. So he didn’t go after Ae Yun. Good. Gook adjusts Tae Il’s hair as he anxiously waits. Gook wants them dead for what they did to Tae Il and to Tae Il’s face! Eung Do reminds Gook that Heaven helped Tae Il; if the knife had gone in half a centimeter more, he would have been in big trouble. That is really fortunate! I was worried there, because his mouth was all bloody and that usually happens when you’re bleeding in your lungs. Pan Suk is standing beside Eung Do and he does not look happy that someone hurt one of his kids.

Gook takes comfort in what Eung Do said. He wonders what they should do now that the pendant is gone. It doesn't mean they have to stop the investigation, does it? Soo Sun declares that will never happen. They also have a witness. With gravity, Dae Goo declares that they definitely will catch them. They’ll make sure that what's left of their lives will be spent rotting in prison.

Tae Il starts to wake up. Even before he opens his eyes, Tae Il tries to get out of the bed. After Eung Do calls him a punk, Tae Il answers that his mind is fine. Everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief, except for Gook, who starts yelling at Tae Il for being so dumb! Once they took the pendant, he should've just given up after they took the pendant. Why did he have to chase after them, so they could stab him. And then… instead of leaving it alone, he grabbed a hold of the guy’s leg to get hurt even worse? Gook calls Tae Il punk more than once. He must be really mad and Gook never really gets mad. Once he’s done yelling, Gook corrects himself and tells Tae Il that he did well. Eung Do chimes in that that is being a detective. He declares that he is proud of their Tae Il-i.

You're All Surrounded Episode 16 Recap

Having to use DramaFever subs, so I have a feeling I’m going to be missing some stuff…

Our episode starts right with the dramatic ending from the last episode: Pan Suk, with just a touch of a smile on his face, holds out the necklace to Ae Yun and puts it on the table. She visibly looks horrified to be seeing it. Pan Suk tells her she knows the pendant. She sets her face and looks at him defiantly and asks, “What if I do?” As Pan Suk tells her that she should know it because it’s hers, Dae Goo sits next to him trying to contain himself, his fist clenched. Pan Suk says the pendant was found in the house of the school nurse murdered in Masan 11 years ago. He asks Ae Yun to explain that. She laughs haughtily, like she can’t believe they’re bothering her with that, and asks them who’s saying that that pendant is hers.

Pan Suk chuckles with disbelief as Dae Goo rattles off the pendant’s pedigree: Henri Jeong's 2002 Limited Edition. Only-for-You Series. The Moon and the Northern Cross... It's a pendant made just for her. Is it not? Ae Yun laughs that same laugh again – which I’m finding means that she’s freaking out – and tells them that they are hilarious. Hilarious? Why would that be hilarious? Condescendingly, Ae Yun says that it was made for her, but *that* pendant isn’t hers. Pan Suk and Dae Goo look at each other like they can’t believe this woman. Pan Suk sighs and says that they checked with the designer, so she should be honest. Why did she go there that day and what happened?

Ae Yun plops a box on the coffee table and tells them to open it. It’s an exact replica of the pendant. As Pan Suk and Dae Goo are shocked, Ae Yun sits there smiling at them, with a look that calls them idiots and says ‘did you really think you could get me with that?’ Now what they need to do is that both of them back to the designer to ask which one *he* designed or if he designed both. He’d have a record of it. Cockily, she asks, “Enough?” She says that it’s their turn to explain where they picked up this fake. She should know who copied the work that she paid tens of thousands of dollars for. Um, don’t you already *know* who did it, since you are the one who had a copy made? Pan Suk replies that they don't know which one is real and which one is fake. Good man! He says that if she’s that confident, they should get them checked by the designer. Obnoxiously, cockily, she asks, “Why should I?” Pan Suk’s the one who's wondering.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 17 Recap

The episode begins with an upset Hye Gyul crying, telling Bok Nyeo that she hates her! She runs to Auntie for comfort and a crying Bok Nyeo leaves the room. Ji Hoon burns his Polaroid picture of Eun Soo. Sang Chul follows Bok Nyeo outside, where she is crying. He asks her back if she’s really not going to tell him what's going on? Bok Nyeo doesn’t respond but goes back into the house.

Sang Chul is hailed by Mrs. Nosy. She asks if something is going on Bok Nyeo. She’s been behaving suspiciously recently. She mentions how her tiny nose couldn’t get bigger. Heh. I love that she’s acknowledging that she’s nosy. She mentions how Bok Nyeo has washed all of Hye Gyul's summer clothes and ironed them. Like she’s not planning on being around to do it.

Sang Chul leaves Mrs. Nosy and goes to his room. He calls Director Hong. Bok Nyeo takes one last look around the kids' rooms. Sang Chul learns that Bok Nyeo plans on quitting, although Director Hong thought she had already given notice. Director Hong says she thinks Ji Hoon asked Bok Nyeo to quit and tomorrow, the pair are going to her father’s gravesite in her hometown. Director Hong assures Sang Chul that Bok Nyeo has already completed the change-over with the new housekeeper. Sang Chul can’t believe it, that she even did a change-over.

Auntie is telling Hye Gyul to let go of her anger towards Bok Nyeo, Han Gyul tells her that Bok Nyeo-nim was doing it for her benefit. Doo Gyul offers to make her something yummy. She’s still upset. Bok Nyeo comes down the stairs. Her face clearly shows that she feels bad that Hye Gyul is hurting. Auntie asks if Bok Nyeo is leaving. She says that she will leave for now. Auntie and Han Gyul try to get Hye Gyul to say goodbye but Hye Gyul repeats that she hates Bok Nyeo. She stomps off to her room and shuts the door.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 16 Recap

The episode begins in the grocery store, with Bok Nyeo declaring that she doesn’t want to lose Ji Hoon. A tear runs down her cheek. His voice, thick with emotion, tells her to hold on to him. If she doesn't want to lose him – he holds out his hand – she should hold that hand. Bok Nyeo takes it. And my skin crawls. Ji Hoon looks almost overwhelmed. Doo Gyul, Se Gyul and Han Gyul are at the store and see them holding hands. They are horrified. Ji Hoon declares that he will not let go of her hand until she lets it go. Suddenly, Hye Gyul smacks their hands apart and declares that Bok Nyeo’s hand is hers! They both look at Hye Gyul as she holds Bok Nyeo’s hand. Ji Hoon asks Bok Nyeo if he’s going to have to compete against the little kid.

Ji Hoon and Bok Nyeo are walking, with Ji Hoon carrying 2 bags of groceries. He asks if he should throw the bags away, because they’re stopping him from being able to hold her hand. That would be sweet if he wasn’t a stalker. He mutters that their beginning was spectacular, but full of spectators. He looks behind him and the trio are following them. They duck out of sight, but not before they’re seen. Ji Hoon remarks how they seem like children guarding their mom, who is having an affair.

Bok Nyeo tells Ji Hoon that he can leave now. Ji Hoon doesn’t want to because they've finally became a real couple. He wants to do everything that others do. Taking her home... picking her up... talking on the phone until the cell phone is on fire. Who does that? Teenagers? That almost makes sense since he's stuck in teenage infatuation = real love. A car drives up with Sang Chul inside. He stops and asks them how they ended up there together. Ji Hoon declares that Bok Nyeo’s become his stalker. Sang Chul doesn’t know how to respond to that. He tells Bok Nyeo to get in the car and he’ll take her home. Ji Hoon interrupts him to say that he and Bok Nyeo have more to talk about. Then he suggests Sang Chul take his kids a ride home instead. Busted.

Suspicious Housekeeper Episode 15 Recap

It’s been a while since I’ve watched this series, but I’m picking up where I left off… The episode begins with Bok Nyeo holding out the marriage application. Sang Chul just awkwardly looks at her. She tells him that since the date has expired, she'll say it never happened. Sang Chul can throw it away or rip it up, whatever he wants. Han Gyul asks if Bok Nyeo’s picking CEO Jang instead of Sang Chul. She answers that she is. Sang Chul asks if she’s really going to date Ji Hoon and she says that she’s going to do it *well,* too. None of the family likes that answer, including Sang Chul.

Bok Nyeo leaves the house and gets in Ji Hoon's car, although her face looks like Ji Hoon makes her skin crawl. Ji Hoon is happy. The kids, who have followed her outside, are not. They’re worried. As they drive away, Ji Hoon asks about what Bok Nyeo’s wearing. Is it a uniform or something, since she wears it every day? He says that he thought that this was a date, but maybe that was just him. I hate how practically everything out of this guy’s mouth is a manipulation. Bok Nyeo answers that it’s a date. Mr. Jang Do Hyung's and her first date. He looks at her and then smiles to himself.

They go to the movies and watch a comedy. Everyone – but Bok Nyeo – is laughing. He gives her a hard time about not eating the popcorn. They’re spotted in the theatre by Mr. and Mrs. Butcher. Who are out on a date. Aw, I like that Mrs. Butcher is now being nice to her husband. I bet he would have taken her out a long time ago if she had been nicer. Mrs. Butcher wonders if Bok Nyeo is two-timing Sang Chul, since they’re supposed to be getting married, but Mr. Butcher mutters that she’s not that type of woman. Aw. Mrs. Butcher remarks that Bok Nyeo on a date is more interesting than watching the movie. Heh.

You're All Surrounded Episode 15 Recap

The episode starts back with Soo Sun kissing Dae Goo as the gangsters cheer them on. As she pulls away, Dae Goo can’t take his eyes off of her and pulls her into a real kiss. Hand on the face and everything. Back in the van an amazed Eung Do marvels at the pair's dedication to the investigation. Pan Suk mutters about Soo Sun saying something about not eating the rabbit. He laughs. Gook is freaking out as Dae Goo kisses his crush. Tae Il tries to convince him that it's just for business! By the length of the kiss, I wouldn’t believe it either. Finally, Dae Goo stops kissing Soo Sun and then they stand there awkwardly, him looking at only her and her avoiding his eyes.

The team drives back to the station. No one is saying anything. Gook is in the way back, dejectedly staring ahead at nothing. Boy, if you didn’t have a complex about being inadequate with Tae Il, you will have one now with Dae Goo getting your girl… Pan Suk commends them on a job well done. He’s in a really good mood – laughing and everything – because they even managed to help Team One right after the Yoo Ae Yun case closed. Soo Sun tells him she would like treat the whole team to dinner to show her appreciation for helping in her mom's case. Pan Suk and Eung Do like that idea and Eung Do tells them to go ahead to that fried chicken place in front of the station. They’ll meet the kids after their meeting is done. Tae Il says “Yay, chicken!” while waving Gook’s hand, but Gook is practically catatonic. Well, maybe not totally, because he just poutily flopped himself to face the window. Dae Goo and Soo Sun avoid looking at each other.

Beer mug clink! The four are sitting at a table, Tae Il across from Soo Sun and Gook across from Dae Goo. Dae Goo and Soo Sun are still avoiding looking at each other, even though they’re sitting right next to each other. Soo Sun thanks them for all their hard work. Dae Goo says that she shouldn’t thank them because they couldn't put the handcuffs on Ae Yun's wrists. It really bugs him because the investigation was ended by Moon Bae's apology. Soo Sun has decided to be positive about the situation; instead of half a failure, she’s going to view it as half a success. They're rich and powerful people who know how to game the system. Making Mom feel better only possible better because they were on the case. None of them want to accept her thanks.

You're All Surrounded Episode 14 Recap

Episode begins with Ae Yun looking at the dossier her secretary gave her on Dae Goo. She’s freaking out because he’s Ji Yong and not only that but he’s right outside. She swallows hard and calls Moon Bae. She asks him if he knew all along that that woman's son being alive. Moon Bae jumps from his seat, shocked and his chin quivers. Looking at Dae Goo, she asks Moon Bae what happened. How can that woman's son be alive? Wow, she is cold-blooded. She knew about the plan to bump Ji Yong off. A thought runs through her mind, making her eyebrows flutter, and she says that Moon Bae knew all along and didn’t say anything. Aw, you’re upset because it looks like Appa lied to you. I don’t feel bad at all.

Moon Bae takes a breath and then asks Ae Yun where she is and how she found out. He orders her to come to his office. Right now. And he looks like his world is falling apart. I don’t feel sorry for him either. Scuzball. Ae Yun looks like she wants to cry. And I still don’t feel sorry for her. Just thinking of Mom’s face makes me not feel sorry one bit. Ae Yun looks over at Dae Goo and composes herself. She gathers her stuff and goes and changes her clothes.

Dae Goo is now waiting by Ae Yun’s car. When she exits the elevator with her driver, Dae Goo again repeats his request that she come down to the station. She tells him to move – which he doesn’t – and then pushes by him to go to her car. As Dae Goo watches her drive away, he says, “I'll see you again tomorrow.”

Ae Yun arrives at Moon Bae’s office. She asks him what happened. Didn't Appa tell her that it had been taken care of? It’s almost like she’s scolding him. They sit and Moon Bae says that he only found out recently, but she shouldn’t worry because he doesn't know anything yet. Ae Yun scoffs at that notion. Because she’s a haughty witch. She sarcastically asks Moon Bae how he knows that; did he *ask* Dae Goo? Ae Yun tells Moon Bae that he must be getting old; he used to be razor sharp. Moon Bae scrunches his eyes closed and adjusts his glasses. His snotty daughter is probably giving him a migraine.

You're All Surrounded Episode 13 Recap

The episode starts right where it left off last time: Dae Goo at the house of Yoo Ae Yun, there because the woman assaulted Mom. Moon Bae rolls up and is horrified that Dae Goo is on his doorstep. Dae Goo shows her the video footage of her beating Mom. She’s even still wearing the clothes she had on when she beat Mom. Ae Yun and Son lean in and look at video while Father looks really annoyed. Son sigh and asks in an annoyed voice if Ae Yun caused trouble again. Again? Really? She shoots a look at her son. Moon Bae rolls down his window. Still looking like he’s freaking out.

What’s Ae Yun’s answer to Dae Goo’s question? She looks at Dae Goo and haughtily asks what he’s doing (blocking her path). That's her answer. She isn’t even ashamed. She orders him to move. He could arrest you right now, although how he was planning on transporting her, I don’t know, since he arrived by taxi. Why not take the van? And another reason why I love Dae Goo: Dae Goo doesn’t move but stays right in her path. He asks Ae Yun where the victim is, because she’s missing. Ae Yun’s reaction? Even more annoyed, practically yelling at Dae Goo for bothering her with this. Moon Bae gets out of the car.

Dae Goo, undeterred by someone powerful yelling at him, raises his voice as he says that the victim's whereabouts are unaccounted for! Father decides to step in a diffuse the situation. He asks Dae Goo about being from Gangnam Police Station. Dae Goo immediately diffuses and looks at Father respectfully. Moon Bae decides to assert himself, asking what’s going on. Dae Goo and Moon Bae look at each other as Ae Yun wears a look of ‘you’re in trouble now. He’s going to take care of this!’ Please don’t tell me they are married. He’s way older than she is.

Master's Sun Episode 5 Recap

The episode starts where we left off last time – Joong Won holding Gong Sil so she doesn’t have to see the ghosts from the bus accident. Their theme plays. And I’m still a little touched by it, that he came to rescue her. After a moment, she apologizes. Joong Won takes her by the shoulders and puts her shoulder length, only to notice that she’s still clutching his jacket tightly. He looks at her with raised eyebrow and she tells him that holding on to him is what helps. He takes her hand and tells her, “Let's go.” Then he leads her away from the accident.

Gong Sil is surprised that he’s holding her hand but says nothing. She doesn’t want to jinx it. After a bit, Joong Won asks if they’re far enough away for her to be okay. She thinks so, so she lets go. She takes a step away from him to peer around and then smiles because she sees no one. She says there’s no one, grabbing his hand again. The theme fades away – like Gong Sil’s illusions about what’s going on – as Joong Won looks at her and asks why she’s grabbing his hand again if they're not there. She reluctantly takes her hand back and Joong Won proceeds to adjust his cuff and cuff link, like it’s all out of place because she was touching him. Doofus.

Gong Sil feebly says that her hands keep wanting to reach out and touch his body. Heh. I love how there’s all this double innuendo going on. She means it most innocently, of course, but I wonder if the writers sit and think of racy ways to say things just for giggles. Joong Won snaps that he’s not some cheap shrimp cracker that she can touch however she pleases, even if her hands can't keep off of him. She replies that he’s right, he’s an extremely expensive CEO. Heh. Gong Sil mentions how she thought he was too angry with her that he would forbid her from ever touching him again. Because of the whole lying thing. Which she did quite innocently and wouldn’t have done if she *knew* the deal with Hee Joo.

You're All Surrounded Episode 12 Recap

The episode starts with where it left off: Dae Goo hurt and hiding under the truck. Boots with Dae Goo’s gun, bending down to catch and kill him. Headlights of the white car pop on and wheels squeal. The car zooms forward and collides with Boots, who rolls over the hood and collapses onto the ground. Dae Goo sees him land. The hit man – literally – exits the car and shoves Boots to the ground with his foot and begins to strangle him. Boots looks over at Dae Goo and reaches for Dae Goo. Flashbacks of Oma’s murder.

Dae Goo squeezes his eyes closed and turns his head away. Hit man continues to strangle Boots. And I am impressed at how real this scene is – Boots’s face is really red, the way it would be if you were cutting off the blood flow… And then – something I didn’t expect – Dae Goo karate kicks Hitman in the face to knock him off of Boots. Hitman scrambles to his feet, but Dae Goo stumbles to stand in between Hitman and Boots, clutching his arm as he does. As soon as he comes face to face with Dae Goo, Hitman runs. What does that mean? Why wouldn’t he come after Dae Goo? Especially since Boots was there to kill off Dae Goo? Does it have something to do with who Dae Goo’s father is? Is there more than one power player here? A war between two corrupt powers, where one is protecting his flesh and blood from the other, and the other doesn’t know it? Hmmm…

Dae Goo doesn’t bother to try and chase after Hitman’s car. But when he turns around, Boots is holding his gun on him. Boots stands up and tells Dae Goo that he’s an entertaining kid, saving him and all. He laughs and says that there was a time when he was like Dae Goo, jumping in blindly to save his friend. And how was he repaid? The world just threw shit back in his face. So, kiddo shouldn’t resent Boots when Boots kills him.

Pan Suk arrives with Soo Sun in the car. So did he put a tracker on Dae Goo? How did they know where he went? I hope they answer that later. The pair are scanning the garage for any sign of Dae Goo or Boots.

You're All Surrounded Episode 11 Recap

The episode starts where it ended last week: Boots at the door. Dae Goo standing behind it, holding a bat. The creek of Boots’s glove as he grips the knife and then the fight in the bedroom. I re-watched the last episode to see if they reshot any of this, but I don’t think so. The fight spills out into the living room. There’s a standoff. Boots has lost his knife and Dae Goo stands, threatening Boots with the bat. Dae Goo says, “It's you. You're Boots.” Boots smiles and wonders… is he? Dae Goo looks at him a moment and says that he never forgot Boots voice, not for one moment. Boots isn’t smiling now.

Dae Goo tells Boots that he killed Oma and Dae Goo can see the scar under his ear. He (Boots) killed Oma. Boots smiles again and calls Dae Goo ‘kiddo.’ He remarks on how Dae Goo has grown up… but when Oma died, Dae Goo just hid under like a coward and watched her being killed, right? His mother gave up her life to save him, but all he did was watch. Does Dae Goo remember?

He’s totally baiting you, smiling like that! And Dae Goo falls for it. Dae Goo yells and lunges for Boots, but Boots is ready and disarms Dae Goo by slamming him into the wall. They struggle, with Boots kicking Dae Goo into the coffee table. Dae Goo picks it up and throws it at Boots. And it doesn’t break. Sturdy table! Boots punches Dae Goo several times, knocking him to the ground. Dae Goo yells and goes for Boots, who gets him in a choke hold. But Dae Goo is able to throw Boots to the ground. Dang! He just totally smashed the TV! Seriously! That flat screen is toast. The pair are throwing everything they have into this hand-to-hand battle, but Dae Goo ends up on the ground. Boots pulls out a switchblade.

Downstairs, Pan Suk has arrived. His phone rings. It’s Gook. The trio is right behind him with chicken and beer. Pan Suk asks if Dae Goo is home. When Gook says he is, Pan Suk announces that he’s going up. Without waiting for them. The trio decides to go get more chicken since Pan Suk is there.

You're All Surrounded Episode 10 Recap

The episode begins with Soo Sun beaming, waiting for the bus. She remembers Dae Goo telling her that his “friend” Ji Yong gave her this message: “You're right. There's a reason why I have to hide it. So please don't try to inquire any further, at least for a while.” Once on the bus, she starts to text Dae Goo with another question for Ji Yong, but then hesitates because he might yell at her for asking too many questions. I don’t think so. After all, you made him cry. Which made *me* cry, thinking about how alone he’s been all these years… Soo Sun thinks back to when she was younger…

Younger Soo Sun is walking, rocking some pink headphones. She’s probably singing something by Lee Hyori again. Her friends come running up, yelling her name. She doesn’t hear them until they grab her. Those are some good head phones. They tell her that someone died in her neighborhood. She’s horrified when she finds out that it was Ji Yong’s Oma that died and that Ji Yong disappeared the night before. Right after she saw him at the high school.

Soo Sun hurries down to the police department. She tells a policeman that she saw Ji Yong the night before. But Pan Suk isn’t there, so the policeman takes her statement. She tells Policeman that she saw him at the high school and it seemed like he was being chased. He went into the science lab, but wasn’t there when she went there a short time later. She mentions seeing a man with a scar on his neck coming from the science lab, though.

Wait… what’s Chief doing there? She’s walking down the hall, dressed like a detective, although she has the same hair style, and something about the mention of a scar catches her attention. She thinks. The detective asks if Soo Sun Ji Yong’s friend. Why does Chief look concerned? What is she doing there? Did she work with Pan Suk before? Soo Sun says that they were just acquaintances. Policeman asks if there was anything else about the man with the scar. Soo Sun describes him as all in black and wearing a hat. And Chief looks really interested. Why does she look so interested? I’m getting a bad feeling… She writes down her name and school and the Policeman sends her on her way.

You're All Surrounded Episode 9 Recap

The episode starts where we left off: Pan Suk and Dae Goo staring at each other at the Morgue. Pan Suk walks over to Dae Goo and Dae Goo is doing everything to look calm. I can tell by the look in his eyes, the tightness of his shoulder muscles, and the big swallow he just took that he is freaking out, especially since he just lost his only lead to Oma’s killer. Pan Suk repeats himself, calling Dae Goo Kim Ji Yong and saying that he’s alive. At first he says, “You are alive after all.” Which implies that he had no idea that Ji Yong was alive, meaning that Boots *didn’t* tell him that Dae Goo was Ji Yong. And if Boots didn’t tell him, they must not have been working together at all. Dae Goo please realize this later.

As Pan Suk is saying that he’s alive, the look of fear and longing in Dae Goo’s eyes makes my heart ache. Is the secret *finally* out? Twitch from Pan Suk as he mutters Ji Yong’s name and I think if this goes on for too much longer, Pan Suk’s going to break down. And then… Dae Goo asks, “Who?” Pan Suk repeats the name, Ji Yong, and asks Dae Goo if it’s really him. Dae Goo goes with this, responding that he’s asking who this Ji Yong person is. Pan Suk doesn’t saying anything as Dae Goo says that Pan Suk’s been sneaking around, going places like the orphanage like a cat in the night, investigating him, and if Pan Suk wants to know something, he should just ask directly. Which he just did… I’m just saying. Dae Goo bows while Pan Suk blinks and tries to get out of there.

But Pan Suk’s not just going to roll over, especially since he’s practically positive now that Dae Goo is Ji Yong. He asks Dae Goo why he was at the morgue. Dae Goo turns around to answer and spots Gook walking down the hall, so he lies and says that he was at the morgue for the autopsy of the poor dead guy. Gook sees Dae Goo and it’s like he was expecting Dae Goo to be there. Gook starts when he sees Pan Suk and asks why Team Leader is there. No one says anything. Gook holds out the results.

Pan Suk goes and checks out C.G.’s body. He sighs. Eung Do arrives. Pan Suk asks the medical examiner if Dae Goo also come and identify C.G. just now. Medical Examiner says he didn’t. But Pan Suk still has a bone that he’s got a hold of.

Dae Goo is walking with Gook and Tae Il. He thinks, “I saw the employees change shifts. I should be okay.” His face doesn’t look so certain. Gook gets Dae Goo’s attention and Tae Il asks Dae Goo why he’s at the Morgue. Dae Goo says it’s because he just wanted to see them. Gook’s surprised that he’s saying something nice. That should immediately make them suspicious.

[Episode 9: Top Secret.]

You're All Surrounded Episode 8 Recap

Last episode ended with that amazingly heartwarming smile by Dae Goo as he watched Soo Sun dance, and then a flashback to right before the rumble. This episode doesn’t start there. Instead it starts with Pan Suk entering a really quaint café where he seems to know the owner well, although it’s been a while since Pan Suk’s been in. Pan Suk is also *not* wearing his green flack jacket and jeans but a nice black shirt and dark grey blazer. Pan Suk takes a seat, chugs some water and sends a message to Eung Do that he’ll be back in a couple of hours.

We switch to Sa Kyung who is standing by a wall of paper decorations. She is dressed up in a cute jean jacket, white skirt combo. She takes a glance and it’s a quarter to seven. I realize that we *didn’t* miss their big date! She looks excited and I guess Pan Suk looked nervous before. She can’t help but smile as she messes with her hair.

Pan Suk looks at his watch and it’s 7. He’s waiting, waiting. More water. Guest come in and leave. The water bottle gets less full. At 7:28, he checks his phone. No message. Where could she be and then he realizes that she’s gone some place else. He mutters, “Chin cha! Darn it!” and runs out of the restaurant.

Sa Kyung isn’t smiling anymore. After she looks at her watch, she leaves where she was waiting. Pan Suk calls and she doesn’t take the call. She also turns the phone off.

Pan Suk is running up lots and lots of steps. He stops to catch his breath and then runs up some more. And luckily she’s on the same steps. They see each other and he smiles. She doesn’t. He starts toward her and she’s just going to walk by him but he grabs her arm and stops her. He tries to get her to listen but she tells him that she was foolish for thinking people could change. People don't change. Then she sarcastically tells him that at least he tried. It's better than not showing up at all. She tells him game over and wrenches her arm free. Arg!

You're All Surrounded Episode 7 Recap

So, last episode ended with Dae Goo kissing Soo Sun to stop her from outing him to Pan Suk. This episode starts with Soo Sun’s tent. We get to see a replay of the kiss about five times and Soo Sun tries to make sense of everything.

Then it’s 24 hours earlier and Mom has come to visit. So Soo Sun brings the boys up to her house/tent and explains her situation. Dae Goo, being Dae Goo, is sitting in her one lawn chair, like he’s above being concerned about it all. Do I see the roommate hijinks coming? Please? She’s begging them to help her by acting like she lives at their place for one night. I find it interesting that living in a tent is more scandalous that cohabitating with men… Gook and Tae Il are, as Tae Il puts it, “Cool” with it but Dae Goo says no. Soo Sun tries her ‘Oppa’ whine but when he stands firm, she threatens to throw herself from the roof. He tells her to go ahead; it’s not high enough to kill her (only 3 stories) but she’ll break every bone in her body. She asks again and Dae Goo still refuses and then… she asks his forgiveness, because Mom’s already at the apartment. Dae Goo is not happy.

Switch to the apartment, where they are grilling meat with a Korean Foreman grill. Or I should say that Dae Goo is the one grilling the meat. Mom *really* likes him, as illustrated by her feeding him the eel tail and slapping him on the rear. Dae Goo is not used to this physical contact. He glares over at Soo Sun, who knows that she’s in the dog house with him already without her adding to things. She nags at Mom to stop feeding Dae Goo. She answers saying that sons love when their mothers feed them.

Gook gushes over Mom’s cooking and reaches for another piece of meat, only to be stopped by Mom’s chopsticks. She smiles and, without taking her eyes off of her new ‘son,’ Dae Goo, tells Gook that there are only six pieces for each of them. Gook smiles and withdraws his chopsticks. Tae Il offers Mom some red wine, which she chugs. He offers her some more and she’s amazed at his beautiful complexion (complete with facial carress). Tae Il’s a little uncomfortable. Mom tells them that they remind her of an old adage: “A breath of fresh air.” Then she laughs which tells me that Mom holds her liquor as well as I do. Mom wonders how they allow co-ed housing. Gook goes for more meat, only to be stopped by the chopsticks. Mom picks up the piece of meat, blows on it, and then offers it to Dae Goo, who has to eat it to be polite.

You're All Surrounded Episode 6 Recap

The episode starts with Pan Suk in jail. He’s chilling in the cell, laying on the floor, waiting for when he’s released. Not stressing at all. Eung Do and the gang arrive with the arrest warrant for Shin Myung.

As Shin Myung is leaving his house, they arrive. Soo Sun presents him with the arrest warrant – through a closed window – and motions for him to get out of his car. He sits there so Dae Goo opens up the door and pulls him out. He slaps the cuffs on Shin Myung as he reads Shin Myung his rights. And I find it interesting that Shin Myung is still in the country, considering Frog didn’t issue the no-fly order. I guess the twat was arrogant enough to think he’d get away with it again. I really liked it – in spite of myself – when Dae Goo shoved the arrest warrant in the guy’s face. Shin Myung wears a cocky sneer as Dae Goo reads him his rights. Wonder what that means? Hi-fives from everyone but Pan Suk, who sighs happily.

Dae Goo meets with a detective, trying to hunt down creepy threat guy who’s been missing for 6 years. Dae Goo adds that he was working with a different agency up until a month ago, but they’d gotten nowhere. Does this mean no more S?

Pan Suk is waiting on the steps of Sa Kyung’s apartment building. He stands when she arrives. She barely wants to look at him and doesn’t even let him tell her about the arrest. She’s already heard. He looks pleased, in his stone-faced way. She tells him, “Good job,” and tries to go in. He asks her to dinner. He’s hopeful. She replies that she doesn't feel like it as usual. Way to kick a puppy. But she relents a little and asks him for a drink instead. At the restaurant – with meat! – they don’t look at each other and tender music plays. Pan Suk says he’s always wondered why she came to Gangnam Station, since she must have known he was there. She sighs and asks him why he thinks she came. He doesn’t know. He says that it seems that from the moment they met until now, he’s never known her, but he wish he did. Wow. That’s deep and sad. So sad for him. She glances over at his sadness. She tells him that tonight, they should just drink.

You're All Surrounded Episode 5 Recap

Okay, so I did something a little different this time around recapping. I watched the episode and now I’m recapping it. I jotted down some reactions while I was watching it, but not many.

The episode begins with Dae Goo starting at his war board as he thinks about the phone conversation between Thug and Pan Suk. Thug taunts Pan Suk, telling him that it's been a long time… Team Leader Seo. And Pan Suk hasn’t forgotten his voice has he? Pan Suk asks if he’s back for good and Thug again taunts that it turned out that way and they should meet.

Dae Goo thinks about Thug in his home, talking to someone on the phone. Does he still think that Pan Suk was working with this guy? It sure looks like it. And his eyes are glossy thinking about Oma and this guy. S calls Dae Goo. Dae Goo repeats what he texted S, that Thug is back (although they’re calling him the man with shoed feet, which is just weird. Of course, he’s wearing shoes. Viki translates it as “Boots” which makes more sense.). It sounds like S questions this, because Dae Goo adamantly insists that it’s him and he wouldn’t forget Boots’s voice even if 110 years passed (not just 11). Dae Goo mentions the acid and says that either Thug or Creeper Threat man will have the scar from it. It’s Thug, Dae Goo. Creeper wouldn’t get his hands dirty. It would ruin his manicure. Dae Goo’s sure they’re going to contact Pan Suk soon, so he’s going to start watching him 24/7. (Pan Suk restless, sitting on his couch.). As Dae Goo watches Pan Suk do nothing, he looks haunted and angry and not just a little determined.

His stalking is interrupted by the arrival of his roommates and Soo Sun, who are all loudly, drunkenly singing. He stomps out of his room and shushes them, using a pointed finger to his lips for emphasis. Soo Sun joyfully greets him, throwing open her arms to grab him in a hug, but he stops it with two fingers to her forehead. Her saying “Par-teh-ner!” and ending in a squawk cracks me up and I have watched it at least 5 times. He demands to know what the ruckus is about – because Dae Goo is 85 and these young whippersnappers are being too loud! He glares at Soo Sun as he has why she’s there. Even though it’s totally obvious to everyone *but* him: they’ve brought their celebration back to the flat so that Dae Goo can be a part of it, too.

You're All Surrounded Episode 4 Recap

  
The episode opens with Yoon Jung getting loaded into an ambulance. Yay, at least she’s not dead! Phew! And Stalker got caught by Sa Kyung! Way to go, woman! He doesn’t look upset at all. Psycho. Stalker spots Dae Goo, who looks really upset and freaked, and obnoxiously bows to him. Eung Do approaches them and asks them how they knew where to go. The Missing Persons Unit just happened to be on patrol and caught the stalker trying to escape. What kind of unit is the Missing Persons Unit, since they were on patrol? I thought Missing Persons looked for Missing People… Eung Do mentions that they got to Yoon Jung early, but her wound is deep. Sa Kyung is staring at them.

Sa Kyung approaches and asks Eung Do about the tape recorder and hidden camera they found in Yoon Jung’s bag. They realize that Soo Sun and Dae Goo didn’t just happen there on accident.

[Episode 4: It's okay... It's not okay.]

You're All Surrounded Episode 3 Recap

The episode starts with Pan Suk’s buzzing phone. Dae Goo’s trying to not freak out as Pan Suk’s looking at him. The tension is broken when Gook’s phone goes off – it’s his mother, who he tells that he’ll call later. It gives a plausible reason why Dae Goo’s phone might be going off. And not be a clone of his own. Eung Do asks Pan Suk what should be done with the four. Pan Suk sighs.

And he must have let him off, because… Dae Goo’s now sitting at his desk in his room, staring at the phone that almost gave him away. He sighs, relieved.

[Episode 3: There are no rookie detectives.]

Conference Room. The four are standing outside waiting. Soo Sun and Gook are actually trying to listen, but Dae Goo looks angry, like always. They (with the exception of Dae Goo) are trying to convince themselves that they didn’t just get themselves fired.

Inside, Cha is beginning his meeting of the detective's unit. He declares what’s happened a huge mess. He mentions how it could have led the station to be filleted by the media again. He declares that spitefully, he wants to discharge them to regional stations. But it would be like pouring cold water on the overhaul effort by the Chief before it starts. Chief frowns at that remark. Cha says that he wants to hear what Pan Suk thinks should be done. Chief agrees that they should hear Pan Suk’s take on things. She says that she’ll respect his decision. No pressure, particularly in light of their conversation the other day.

You're All Surrounded Episode 2 Recap

We start back where the first episode started: the car chase of the criminals. The group is stuck in a traffic jam and Soo Sun cheerfully comments on the traffic. Pan Suk tells her to put out the stroboscope (siren). Stroboscope! Hehe. She pulls it out of her bag and plops it on the top of the van. Eung Do tries to tell her that it’s not secure, but then the van moves and the siren falls off the hood and shatters on the ground. Gook’s really upset because it’s his and it was a limited edition! And why is there a Starbucks label on it? Why would Starbucks be selling sirens? And Gook waited 2 hours in line to buy it. Really? What about Amazon or Ebay? Eung Do clucks at Soo Sun about not bringing the siren. I guess that it wasn’t a siren after all but just a mug. Really, Gook?

The radio announces that there is a violent disturbance on Gangnam Road. Dispatch immediately. Pan Suk replies that they’re on their way. Then he tells everyone to take out their handcuffs. The group proceeds to start waving the handcuffs out the window to get cars to move out of the way. I wonder if that would work in America? Everyone except Dae Goo think it’s pretty cool how they can get the cars to move out of the way. I think it’s pretty cool that people respect the police enough to do that.

We see our criminals. They’re sitting in the middle of the road, facing each other, having a staring contest. And they’re *sitting* in chairs, blocking traffic. When they see the van coming, they jump in their car and zoom off. High flying car. Gook gets kicked out. I wonder where they were all going together before all this happened. Soju bottle and driving on the wrong side of the road. Ramming the car. Chase on foot. Holding Gook at knife point. Dae Goo points the gun and the others tell him to lower it.

This time, we see what happens: Dae Goo does but then pulls out his taser and shoots Gook, which also gets the criminal, since they were touching, so they both fall to the ground, twitching.

[Episode 2. The Reason We're Not Detectives.]

You're All Surrounded Episode 1 Recap

A bunch of new dramas have premiered and I have decided to recap this one because it’s a comedy and stars Lee Seung Gi and Cha Seung Won. I’ve been watching a lot of dramas lately, so a comedy will be a nice change.

The episode starts with a car chase. Almost immediately, I am put in a good mood by the soundtrack; it sufficiently infused with guitar that I’m reminded of the awesomeness that is ‘Starsky and Hutch.’ The bad guys – who are wearing wife beaters and sporting tattoos – almost run people over and majorly tear up the front end of their car. I think it’s a Jag, but I’m not sure. It looked like that hood ornament. Like typical k-dramas, they’ve covered up the car logos. They’re being chased by a silver *mini-van.* A van people. Not a Crown Vic or some sort of car with a V-8 engine, but a big, boxy Hyundai mini-van.

Seo Pan Suk (Cha Seung Won) is trying to get Ji Gook (Park Jung Min) to be more daring in his driving. There’s flash of Eun Dae Goo (Lee Seung Gi) and he looks irritated. There are *six* people in this van, all yelling things at the driver. They get stuck behind a big city bus and a disgusted Pan Suk tells Gook to pull over. He kicks Gook out of the van and leaves him in the street. Gook is not amused. Pan Suk is driving like a mad man, weaving in and out of traffic, and Dae Goo is even more annoyed.

Pan Suk is able to catch up with the bad guys and the van orders them to pull over. They immediately comply like all bad guys do… No, they throw a Soju bottle at the van, causing Pan Suk to serve into oncoming traffic. Dae Goo irritatedly fastens his seat belt. Pan Suk pulls back over into the right lane of traffic and rams the bad guys’ car. Dae Goo groans over his whiplash.

100 Year Inheritance Episodes 49-50 Recap

Forty Nine.

Se Yoon after the crash, Chae Won waiting at the airport, looking for him. Why she wouldn’t be at the *gate* since they have a ticket for the same flight… Se Yoon’s heart stops.

Mom returns home. Dad asks where she went. Mom declares that she met with Chae Won and gave her a plane ticket. Dad can’t believe she did that. She did it to protect the last bit of conscience she has. Dad says that he feels bad, but she’s making things more complicated. Mom asks him for a divorce. Wow. That’s really big for Korean chaebol society especially. You just don’t get divorced. Phone call. The news that Se Yoon is in the hospital, close to death.

Chae Won at the airport, wondering why he’s not picking up the phone, She tries to find out if Se Yoon got on the plane, but they can’t tell her because of the Personal Information Protection Act. Phone call from Mom. News about Se Yoon’s accident.

Mom and Dad arrive at the hospital. They hear about his cardiac event and now he needs brain surgery. Even with surgical intervention, 60% of patients still die. Mom starts to weep and beg the doctor to save him. Chae Won arrives. Mom can barely sputter about the surgery. Chae Won immediately starts to cry and beg Se Yoon to forgive her for not going to him sooner. And Dad, I hope you feel like a heel! Chae Won begs Se Yoon to give her one more chance. Finally, Dad looks sorry.

Oma and Appa arrive at the hospital. No one can tell her that Se Yoon will be all right after the surgery.

100 Year Inheritance Episodes 47-48 Recap

Forty Seven.

Episode starts where we left off: Oma’s left home. Chae Won’s sought out Se Yoon and Se Yoon’s dropped the bomb that besides meetings for work, he hopes that they don’t run into each other. Then he turns to go inside work. Where I guess he has his job back because he didn’t marry her. She calls after him that she’s sorry. He doesn’t around. Tearfully, she says that she knew he would get hurt but she had no other choice. She couldn’t go through with the wedding once she heard Mom went to the hospital in an ambulance. Se Yoon sighs and states that it’s not that he doesn’t understand her feelings… He just hasn’t forgiven her yet. He’s too tired to go on now. Ouch! He was sure that he’d stay be her side until the end but he supposes that he overestimated himself. He turns around to face her. She’s crying. He sighs heavily and tells her that if Oma calls, he’ll contact her. Then he bows and leaves and Chae Won weeps.

In his office, Se Yoon is staring. He tries calling Oma and gets a message. But he doesn’t leave one. Dad comes in, on a tear. Is their company a playground! Dad starts to bluster and Se Yoon sadly states that the marriage didn’t happen. And that Mom got rushed to the hospital from OD’ing on anti-anxiety medication, which Dad didn’t know about. Se Yoon asks Dad if he’ll reconcile with his wife if Se Yoon agrees to go to America. Wow, dude, get a clue at how sad your son, your wife is. Se Yoon declares that he’ll go as early as next week if Dad promises he’ll reconcile.

Oeharabeoji’s bedridden at Oma moving out. Oehalmeoni can’t believe it. No one knows how to find her and Appa is heartbroken and feeling like it’s his fault. Which it is. And we have to live through him yelling at her about being disappointed yet again. He cries and begs her to come back. I hate how he whines when he cries. The phone rings and it’s Oma. She apologizes for the shock but she won’t come back. She’s sacrificing herself for her children’s happiness. Appa whines, what about him! But Oma’s made up her mind; this way Se Yoon and Chae Won can get married. Appa whines about her not caring about him at all. But Oma won’t budge and after thanking him for giving her a family and a beautiful daughter like Chae Won, she hangs up. Then she turns off the phone so he can’t call her back. Oma leaves on a bus.

100 Year Inheritance Episodes 45-46 Recap

Forty Five.

EMIL is arrested. She tells the reporters that they are an honest and reliable company swindled by a crooked supplier. They’re the victims in this situation and will be seeking damages! Chul Kyu makes a nice scene and Joo Ri feels sorry for herself. Chul Kyu says he’ll take care of it. At the police station, EMIL protests at the implication that she turned a blind eye to buying illegally imported mugwort.

Asst Yoon is giving Se Yoon a report about what’s happened with EMIL’s noodles. Asst Yoon leaves and his assistant brings in the wedding invitations that they ordered. Se Yoon is tormented because what Dad has threatened.

Mom is meeting Oma at a café. She’s brought video and albums from Se Yoon’s childhood. She tells Oma about Dad’s ultimatum and declares that she will follow Oma and Se Yoon’s decision unconditionally. Oma asks after Unni’s health. She explains what Se Yoon said while drunk and that her heart is broken. And then she apologizes for saying she’s having a hard time in front of Oma. Oma’s starting to weaken in her resolve, so she wants to leave first. But before she goes, Mom just wants to retrieve one photo out of the album that she’s giving Oma, since it’s ALL the pictures she has of Se Yoon’s childhood. Oma agrees. Because Oma is awesome. Mom takes Se Yoon’s 100 day picture and thanks Oma. Oma leaves with the sack of stuff and Mom sadly looks at the picture and cries. Oma glances back before leaving.

At home, Oma immediately watches the video. His first steps. Crying Se Yoon. Chae Won stopping by to see Oma cry.

100 Year Inheritance Episodes 43-44 Recap

Forty Three.
Chul Kyu crowing. Chae Won glaring. Weird comment about them being siblings. Chul Kyu wonders what he could mean. And come to think of it, they resemble each other! Which is not possible because they are not blood related! Chul Kyu declares that God helps those who help themselves! And he’s not acting weird at all. EAIL runs up and interrupts them. She pulls him aside and tells him to keep his mouth shut. Chul Kyu’s still cocky as he says goodbye. As soon Se Yoon leaves, Chae Won wants to know what’s going on, but EAIL is shifty and runs off.

Chul Kyu gets home and is elated at how heaven is on his side!

Oma and Oeharabeoji are talking. He tries to get her to tell him what’s bothering her. She denies anything is wrong. Oeharabeoji wants them to set the wedding date for Chae Won and Se Yoon soon, since he doesn’t think he has much time left. Oma wants him to go to the hospital, but Oeharabeoji won’t since he think he can still withstand the pain.

Se Yoon gets home and says good night to his parents, but before he does, he asks Mom if she knows the whereabouts of Oma’s son. Dad repeats Mom’s lie – and I don’t think he knows the truth either which is going to make this worse. Dad is amazed at Oma’s resilience and Mom looks like she’s about to throw up. She excuses herself to lie down. And you would think Dad would know his wife a little better after so many years that he would sense *something* was wrong. But then again, maybe he didn’t know her at all. After all, he didn’t know that Se Yoon was his son…

YAIL and Manager come home from there “dinner.” He asks why she divorced and hearing her reason, says some more charming things. At least she finds them charming. I think he’s full of it. As he leaves he kisses his finger and taps it to her lips. After Oppa’s gone, YUnc asks her what she’s doing. They snipe at each other and then he notices that she’s dressed up and wonders what she’s up to. She can’t be out on a date, because who would want used goods like her? Really charming, YUnc. YAIL thinks to herself what a loser he is compared to her Oppa. You are in for a rude awakening, YAIL.

100 Year Inheritance Episodes 41-42 Recap

Forty One
EAIL leaves the diary. Oma finds the diary. Oma catches a taxi before Mom arrives home. Mom goes looking for the diary and it’s not there. And Mom’s hoping that the maid brought it in. But she hasn’t. In the taxi, Oma opens the diary. Out flops a picture of Director with pregnant Oma and pregnant Mom. Oma can’t understand why Director sent her the diary so she starts to read it. Mom calls EAIL freaking out. EAIL tells her she left it. Oma arrives home and rushes into her room to continue reading.

From Diary: January 5, 1983. Mom and Oma came to visit the orphanage. Both of them are pregnant. Oma is depressed, even as she’s pregnant. And the girl playing her is really two-dimensional. Director tells Oma to stay there after the baby is born, since Oma’s alone. Mom is so happy; she wanted to help Oma, but because of her MIL, she didn’t offer. Oma declares that she can’t handle this! How can she raise a baby when the father is dead! She declares that she has no confidence to raise this child! Mom tells Oma that she’ll figure things out for Oma when the baby comes. Director mentions how Mom hasn’t had her baby yet. Mom declares that she’s 10 days overdue.

And as the picture is getting taken, Oma’s water breaks. And then Mom goes into labor too. Babies are born and Oma is taken to the hospital, so Mom’s tending to both babies. Mom’s baby has the lavender anklet. It’s laying really still on the blanket. Mom’s holding Oma’s baby, who’s wearing the pink anklet. Mom’s baby starts crying. Mom decides he needs to eat. But then the baby dies.

Mom’s sneaking with dead baby into room where Oma’s baby is. Mom can hear her EMIL saying that EMIL can’t stand for this and she’ll have her son have a baby with someone else! And wow, that this would even be acceptable. She starts crying and tells her baby she has no other choice. And then Mom switches the babies.