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.

Bok Nyeo declares that this won't do. They don't listen to her. She tells them to follow her. She takes them to the suicide spot. She declares that she has something to ask them and Sang Chul. They have to decide. Their dead Mom or her. Bok Nyeo pulls out the Mom Stone. Hye Gyul asks why she has it. Bok Nyeo asks whether there isn’t a lot of problems, since there are two mothers in one household. She says that the mom stone isn’t needed anymore and since they can’t seem to throw it away, she’ll do it herself, in the spot where Oma fell into the river.

The kids beg Bok Nyeo to stop. She asks why she shouldn’t throw it away. The kids still resent their Mom. She left them and committed suicide. Han Gyul declares that it wasn’t suicide. Mom would have wanted to live. At first, she must have felt betrayed and went to the river to die, but she must have regretted it right away. Doo Gyul agrees that Oma must have wanted to live in the end, because she thought about them. Se Gyul agrees that Oma just couldn’t get out. It wasn’t suicide but an accident. Hye Gyul says that she misses Oma. Han Gyul declares that they can’t ever throw away Mom's stone. She asks for it back.

Han Gyul says that she thinks she knows what Oma was thinking: "My brave Doo Gyul... I want to encourage him." "I want to praise smart Se Gyul." "For the cute Hye Gyul, I want to hug her once more." "My eldest daughter Han Gyul, I want to teach her this and that." Bok Nyeo declares that she didn't know they thought of Oma like that. So they have to choose: Bok Nyeo or dead Oma. The kids choose Oma.

Sang Chul arrives and asks what Bok Nyeo is doing. She explains that she was giving the kids the choice: their dead Mom or her. Sang Chul should choose too. Is it his dead wife or her? Sang Chul can’t understand what she’s saying. Is she suggesting that they should completely erase that person? Han Gyul says that she’s already decided. No matter how much she likes Bok Nyeo-nim, she can't erase Mom. That's why Bok Nyeo-nim should please leave.

Han Gyul starts to cry and asks Bok Nyeo what she’s doing. Why is she pushing them this far? Should she really hear the words "get out"? Bok Nyeo answers that since Han Gyul said for her to leave, she will leave. She declares that since they all have decided, even if they take it back, it's useless now. Bok Nyeo leaves. Sang Chul goes after her.

Han Gyul wonders if this was what Bok Nyeo was pushing for. Is this what she wanted to hear? That they won't throw Mom away. That we will never forget Mom.

Sang Chul catches up to Bok Nyeo. He asks if Bok Nyeo’s plan was to return the children to Oma. Is it because of that that she played the bad mother's role? And must she leave so painfully? She doesn’t answer but instead asks him why he proposed to her. When he said it wasn't love. Could it be that, not as a wife, but he wanted her as the children's guardian? Sang Chul sighs. Bok Nyeo tells him that since he can’t answer, his proposal is null. She starts to go.

Sang Chul asks Bok Nyeo whether she’d stay if it was love. If he tells her that it is love, would she stay? Bok Nyeo looks at him. He declares that neither of them have let go of their wife and husband. But they should still insist that it is love? He likes her, worries about her, pities her. He misses her every now and then. It bothers him and it drives him crazy. And Bok Nyeo’s face says that she desperately wants it to be real and not just because it’s convenient. Sang Chul declares that even if he put all these words together, "I love you" doesn't encompass that.

Bok Nyeo replies that it's a bit lacking. It's about 0.1 g too light than the words "I love you." Sang Chul says that if he could hold her with “I love you,” he should say it, but his conscience still wouldn't allow him to say it. Even though he may lose her because of this, he still can't handle it. That's why, he has no choice but to let her go. He says he’ll explain to the kids, but he also wants a favor. Even though they’re going their separate ways, would she say goodbye properly to the kids? It's almost Christmas. Bok Nyeo nods.

Aunt arrives at Gyul House. And doesn’t fall coming in the door. The kids apologize for forgetting Oma’s birthday. Aunt admits that she was really upset. She says that from now on, when they do something wrong, she’s going to scold them when they should be scolded and say "no", when it's a "no." Ms. Bok Nyeo told her that in order to protect them, she shouldn't just force herself to smile...

They tell Aunt that Bok Nyeo taught them that a mother is not something they can change to another person easily.

Later Sang Chul arrives home. They tell Sang Chul they understand what Bok Nyeo was doing and asks if she can’t stay. Sang Chul says that he’s letting her go. Bok Nyeo can't be a part of our family at this point. Hye Gyul sighs sadly. Sang Chul says that Bok Nyeo needs time to mourn her husband and son. And they need time, too. Then they look at Oma’s picture.

Christmas time. They have Salvation Army bell ringers, too! I thought that was strictly an American thing, but apparently it's not. Sang Chul is out shopping for the kids. He spots some women’s gloves. He calls home and asks if Bok Nyeo is there. She is, making them a cake. Hye Gyul is trying to tickle Bok Nyeo, so she can see Bok Nyeo smile. Bok Nyeo just looks at her. Han Gyul asks if Bok Nyeo really doesn’t want any presents. She doesn’t.

Aunt is meeting Dong Shik. She’s back from cancelling at the wedding hall. She’s not going to get her money back. Dong Shik suggests moving the date to next year. Aunt’s confused. Dong Shik suggests that next year, they can do it. Heh. Smooth. Aunt smiles.

The Nosy family is camping. Mrs. Nosy still looks ticked at Mr. Nosy. As she should be. He’s being all nice now, since she was going to take him to the cleaners.

Sang Chul watches Bok Nyeo ice the cake. He goes and looks at her stuff by the door. He wonders about her bag. Bok Nyeo said it was her husband’s. The kids arrive and decorate the cake. Bok Nyeo leaves them in the kitchen. Her son calls her name. He comes down the steps and says that Dad bought him a watch because he’s going to grade school. His friends are all jealous. Dad bought the hat too. Bok Nyeo about bursts into tears. She almost falls over, but Sang Chul steadies her. When she looks back at the stairs, her son is gone.

Han Gyul proposes that they all take a picture together, including Bok Nyeo. Bok Nyeo declines. Han Gyul asks that Bok Nyeo leave them with ONE picture. Bok Nyeo looks really emotional. She makes her take a picture and Bok Nyeo is getting more overwhelmed.

Later, Han Gyul takes Bok Nyeo outside, where the rest of the kids and Sang Chul have costumed themselves. They start acting really weird and goofy. I am laughing really hard. Bok Nyeo fights not to laugh. Bok Nyeo swallows and declares that dinner is ready. She goes inside.

Dinner is a spread. Which I want to eat it, looks so yummy. They compliment her and she says that today, Han Gyul and Doo Gyul helped. Han Gyul asks Bok Nyeo to eat with them. Everyone agrees. Hye Gyul gives Bok Nyeo her seat. Bok Nyeo finally agrees. Someone’s stomach growls and it turns out to be Bok Nyeo’s. Han Gyul asks Bok Nyeo if there isn’t something she wants. Bok Nyeo says that there is something… She asks Hye Gyul for her stone. Hye Gyul slowly takes it out of the box and is about to give it to Bok Nyeo, but then she quickly puts it back in the box. She says that if she does, Bok Nyeo will leave. She’s starting to cry.

The kids ask Bok Nyeo to rethink not smiling for them. Doo Gyul says that if she leaves like this, they won’t have repaid her yet. Bok Nyeo replies that she has already received plenty. They gave her the strength to live. She says that she has no choice but to live bearing the responsibility for her husband and son’s death. Old Bat! Sang Chul asks Bok Nyeo for one last request. They want to see her smile. She still doesn't think she shouldn't smile, does she? Her husband and son wouldn’t want her to live without smiling. He asks her to smile, for them, her husband and son. Sang Chul says they can't let her go like this. Because she might live like she was doing before, like a robot.

After a moment, Bok Nyeo declares that she will carry out their order. She closes her eyes a moment and tries. Nothing. She tries again. Her cheeks twitch. She looks at Sang Chul and it’s a small smile. It’s a really pretty smile. She smiles at each of the kids. Doo Gyul is trying not to cry. I am though.

Sang Chul tells her that she has to keep her promise. Wherever she goes, whatever she does, she has to be happy. Han Gyul tells her that she can’t just do whatever she’s ordered to do. And she can never think about dying; she has so many, many people who love her. Bok Nyeo says that she understands. Doo Gyul thanks her for helping him figure something that he’s good at. If he becomes a chef, she has to be the very first to try my cooking. Se Gyul asks her to praise him later when he gets into a good university and Hye Gyul wants to make sure that she can call Bok Nyeo when she doesn’t know something. Bok Nyeo agrees.

Han Gyul tells her that if she hadn’t have come, their family might have fallen apart. Bok Nyeo starts to cry as Han Gyul says that just like she protected them, they want to protect her, too. Just like they depended on her, if she’s having a hard time, she should lean on them. Bok Nyeo says that she understands. A crying Doo Gyul says that if Bok Nyeo call them, they'll come running, no matter what. If anything is wrong, she has to call them. Se Gyul says that if she has a difficult problem, he’ll solve it for her. Hye Gyul tells Bok Nyeo that when Bok Nyeo gets hurt, she will blow on your boo-boo. Bok Nyeo understands. Sang Chul asks her to keep smiling like that in the future, always. He says it’s his last request… no, it’s an order. Bok Nyeo looks around the table at the family that she loves and who loves her.

The Butchers are hard at work. Soo Hyuk arrives. The agency told him to graduate and then come see them, when Scumdad can't interfere. Soo Hyuk says that it’s okay; it’s no fun if it goes so easily. Mrs. Butcher asks Soo Hyuk if wants to stay at their house? Mr. Butcher definitely likes that idea. Soo Hyuk smiles and tells them thank you for helping him. He admits that he was envious of Woo Jae. Mrs. Butcher asks why, since Han Gyul likes him more. Soo Hyuk replies that it’s because of them. And he calls them Mother and Father. A little verklempt! The Butchers smile.

The kids do last little traditions with Bok Nyeo. They play cat's cradle and Sang Chul joins in. I so miss knowing how to do those things. Se Gyul tells Bok Nyeo that they are connected just like this. Bok Nyeo goes to sleep with Hye Gyul. Hye Gyul wakes up and takes the string and ties their hands together. She goes back to sleep and Bok Nyeo opens up her eyes. She silently cries.

Sang Chul leaves his room and catches Bok Nyeo extracting her hands. A sleeping Hye Gyul calls out for Oma as Bok Nyeo’s hands go. Bok Nyeo gets up and leaves the house before anyone else. And Sang Chul is waiting there for her. He thanks her for granting Hye Gyul’s last request. She tries to leave quickly, but he tells her that he’ll bring the kids to the terminal tomorrow, so they’ll see her then. She starts to go again, when he asks her to stop. He offers her the gloves he saw for her. He says that that time, when he took her out from the fire, he was surprised. Her hands seemed like they were frozen. He puts the gloves on Bok Nyeo and smiles at her.

Happy Company. Director Hong tells Bok Nyeo to reconsider. Bok Nyeo says that no one’s making her, she’s just not ready to let her husband and Joon Ho go yet. Director Hong understands. She asks to see Bok Nyeo’s smile just once, too, to put her heart at ease. Then she changes her mind, because it might make her cry.

Director Hong grabs one of the yakgwa cookies and puts it in Bok Nyeo’s hand. She tells Eun Soo that the reason she called her Bok Nyeo was that she didn’t mean misfortune, but for Bok Nyeo to become a person who brought luck. Out of all the kids that Director Hong watched over, Bok Nyeo was the most pretty and the one who smiled brightly. Bok Nyeo says that she understands as Director Hong tries not to cry.

Grandpa is working. Director Hong shows up, crying, because Bok Nyeo left. Director Hong declares that she couldn’t hold onto her. Even though Grandpa was with a customer, he puts his arm around Director Hong and comforts her. He reminds her that they met again after 48 years. Bok Nyeo’s not dying. Grandpa asks but Director Hong says that Bok Nyeo won’t say where she’s going. Only that it’s some place where no one knows so her heart can settle down.

Gyul House. Hye Gyul is no where to be found. Sang Chul sends the kids ahead. They arrive and apologize. Bok Nyeo notices that Hye Gyul isn’t with them. They says that she’s coming with Sang Chul. Sang Chul finally finds Hye Gyul hiding in a small basket. The bus arrives but Sang Chul hasn’t arrived yet. Bok Nyeo is looking for them. Hye Gyul declares that if Bok Nyeo doesn’t see her, Bok Nyeo won’t go. Sang Chul gets Hye Gyul to go by telling her that this isn’t the last memory that they want Bok Nyeo to have.

The bus is about to leave. Bok Nyeo looks at each other kids and boards the bus. The bus pulls away. Hye Gyul starts running beside the bus. Then she trips. Bok Nyeo sees her and gets the bus to stop. She hurries to get off the bus. She asks Hye Gyul if she’s hurt. Hye Gyul says she won’t cry anymore. She will send Bok Nyeo off happily. Then she gives Bok Nyeo the Bok Nyeo-stone, telling her to put it back in the box later. Bok Nyeo agrees. Bok Nyeo has something to give Hye Gyul; it’s a note that says that she really likes Hye Gyul. They hug. Hye Gyul asks that when Bok Nyeo comes back, she needs to ring the bell 3 times so Hye Gyul will know it’s her. Bok Nyeo agrees. They hug again, with Bok Nyeo crying. Sang Chul and the other kids have arrived. She thanks Sang Chul for everything. He bows to her.

[ 1 year later ]

Christmas time again. The family is out looking at the night sky. They spot Polaris and think of Bok Nyeo. Han Gyul narrates that they are waiting for Bok Nyeo to return to them. Hoping for that kind of miracle to happen.

Han Gyul is walking with Woo Jae and Soo Hyuk. He says thanks for holding onto him to the end. Woo Jae tells him to give up on Han Gyul then. Soo Hyuk replies that he’ll do everything except for that. Han Gyul smiles. They boys walk off ahead laughing, trying to headlock each other. Han Gyul thinks that we are all waiting for something. Such as a person who can be our strength, just by being with us. They yell at her to hurry up.

Grandpa and Director Hong are out walking together. He stops and opens his coat wide and says that the wind is chilly. Director Hong tells him that he’s embarrassing her but then she snuggles into the coat with him and they walk some more.

Aunt is wearing a different wedding dress at the bridal shop and she’s also wearing a big old smile. Dong Shik thinks she’s beautiful, of course. It's obvious on his face. She is clumsy but he catches her and they kiss. Aw.

At work, everyone is celebrating the end to receivership.

Song Hwa is off building houses with Habitat for Humanity and is happy.

The boys are busy studying. Doo Gyul has a chef’s outfit now and Se Gyul has the special smart school uniform. Hye Gyul is working on her workbook. There's a drawing of her and Bok Nyeo holding hands. She thinks that today is the day Bok Nyeo-nim left.

Later, the family is working together to prepare breakfast. The doorbell rings. It rings again. It rings a third time. Hye Gyul hurries to the door, expecting Bok Nyeo. It’s not. It’s the woman who just moved in next door. Hye Gyul is really unfriendly because she’s so disappointed as the woman asks that they be great friends. As she starts to close the door, she spots a familiar jacket. It’s Bok Nyeo. Everyone rushes outside and Hye Gyul gives her a big hug. Bok Nyeo has a big smile for her. She’s wearing the gloves from Sang Chul.

Bok Nyeo stands up and Sang Chul asks Bok Nyeo-shi – a small surprised eyebrow raise from Sang Chul at that one, heh – he asks her to please never leave 'US'. Aw. She asks him if that is an order? Sang Chul smiles and says that it is. She smiles back and says that she will carry it out as ordered. Smiles all around.

Thoughts

Yay! The writer ended things well. And man, I cried a lot this last episode! So glad about the growth of different people on the show. And where things ended up. For everyone. Scumdad in jail. Soo Hyuk with a good family. Bok Nyeo happy. Song Hwa doing something worthwhile. Sang Chul confident and secure. Grandpa and Director Hong dating and Aunt engaged to someone she loves (Dong Shik). I think the kids did a great job, with Doo Gyul holding a special place in my heart because of how he openly loves the people he cares for. Not quite sure why Mr. and Mrs. Nosy were even in a subplot, but I didn’t mind Mr. and Mrs. Butcher because they added to the story by being a thread with Woo Jae, Soo Hyuk and Han Gyul.

Choi Ji Woo did a great job as Park Bok Nyeo. She did really well communicating with micro-expressions. And I’m so glad that Lee Sung Jae did a great job as Eun Sang Chul. I hated him as the villain in ‘Gu Family Book.’ Song Jong Ho also did a great job as Seo Ji Hoon. His charming crazy was terrific.