Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 13 Recap

Crowded street in Seoul. People are out in various dress. Some are completely bundled up. Some sport nothing by a light jacket – they must be tourists. Nan Gil is wearing only his black suit. He makes a call to Wan Shik and asks where Wan Shik is. Wan Shik says that he’s at Dada Finance. Nan Gil says that he’s going to the address Wan Shik told him about. Wan Shik asks if he’s going alone. Nan Gil tells Wan Shik that Director will be the most suspicious of Wan Shik once he’s done.

Wan Shik tells him to just do well. He’s hanging up. Wan Shik sighs and heads into Director’s office. Bunch of bruisers are there. Wan Shik tells them that Nan Gil is coming. Wow, I did not expect that double-cross. All the bruisers leave except for Bruiser.

Na Ri rides in the taxi. Does she really want to see her father? She arrives at the nursing home. Which looks like a hospital to me. She meets Seamy, who is so excited to see her (and a little emotional). Seamy says that she’s the one who called and tells Na Ri to hear about their relationship from Abeoji personally. Na Ri nods.

Na Ri comes face-to-face with Abeoji. And she's looking at a different picture this time. Oops. Seamy narrates that when Abeoji fell from the rooftop, he hurt his head and his memory isn’t that great. Abeoji walks by Na Ri, not recognizing her. Well, she needed a picture to remember what he looks like – and he looks pretty much the same – it’s only natural that he wouldn’t know what his grown-up daughter looks like. Seamy says that Abeoji hasn’t stepped foot out of the nursing home for five years and just worked as if he was dying. Am I supposed to feel sorry for him? I don’t.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 12 Recap

Episode starts with Nan Gil (and Yong Kyu) running to rescue Na Ri, him catching a taxi. Wan Shik closing in on Na Ri. Why is she just standing there? Bruiser notices that Wan Shik isn’t around. Bruiser 2 reports that he went to Hong Dumplings. Bruiser tells Nan Gil via Joon to go to Susaek. Taxi driver asks where Nan Gil wants to go… Joon asks if Nan Gil’s at the restaurant. He acts like Nan Gil is there, says that he’s scared – which he might be but I think it’s a bluff – and asks that Nan Gil come quickly. Nan Gil gets what he’s saying – go save Na Ri – and tells Joon to wait a little. So, Nan Gil heads home.

Duk Bong has stopped by the house. Inside, Na Ri asks where Nan Gil is. Wan Shik replies that Nan Gil wasn’t there when he arrived. She asks if Nan Gil knows that Wan Shik is there. Smoothly, Wan Shik asks if he really needs to give notice when he’s visiting a friend? He tells her not to be Nan Gil. She immediately replies that she’s there because it’s her house. Wan Shik’s phone starts ringing. It’s Nan Gil. He doesn’t take the call, which stresses Nan Gil out even more.

Wan Shik repeats that it’s dangerous for her to be near Go Nan Gil. He tells her to get herself together, settle her debts and leave peacefully. Na Ri’s phone rings. She immediately answers it and tells Nan Gil that it’s her. Trying to sound reassuring, Nan Gil says that he’s almost there. He asks that Na Ri give the phone to Wan Shik and get out. She agrees and holds the phone out to Wan Shik.

Outside, Duk Bong is trying to reach Na Ri but gets the busy message. He finally notices Wan Shik’s car.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 11 Recap

Instead of showing us Na Ri’s answer to the question ‘Do you think their marriage legitimate?’ the episode starts with Nan Gil and Na Ri returning from their getaway. Why the time jump then? I’m irritated. The smiles that they were wearing when they were away have left and been replaced by awkwardness. Because he can’t stand the silence, Nan Gil asks if he should show Na Ri the pictures he took when he gets on the bus. Na Ri didn’t see him take any pictures.

Nan Gil says that they’re proof of their time together: Quiet sea, waving sea, sunset sea. Trying to sound like she could care less: Na Ri replies that it’s fine. He can send them to her. Nan Gil smiles at a thought and says that there's a saying that a certain day is equal to your whole life. Yesterday was like that for him. He thanks her. Na Ri doesn’t smile.

She remarks on how much more at ease he seems since he thinks this is over. He thanked her, but she’ll say she did it as a dutiful daughter to a parent. This makes Nan Gil grin slightly. Na Ri asks if he could exchange yesterday for the whole life that he’s lived? Sounding a little indignant, almost Appa voice – he replies that, of course, he can’t. It was really hard to learn how to make dumplings and knead dough.

Na Ri notes that the bus is coming. Nan Gil says that there's something that he couldn't tell her because he was afraid it would ruin the mood. Na Ri replies that she knew because she saw him looking depressed all of a sudden. There’s a pause. Looking grim, Nan Gil says that he thinks he’s going to lie to her some time in the future. So she can't be with him. Aw, and this is why I love Nan Gil. He hates the idea of lying to her. Dong Jin didn’t, but he doesn’t want to betray her trust like that. He adds that he’s just going to protect her land and that's it. Cheerily, Na Ri tells him that she’ll see him in court.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 10 Recap

Episode starts with the confrontation with Weasel. For those of you who missed it, I’m calling Uncle Weasel now, because of what he’s doing right now. Weasel tells Na Ri that Abeoji died last year. Na Ri’s shocked face. Nan Gil asking what Weasel is talking about. Indignant, Weasel say that he’s telling Na Ri what Nan Gil hiding from her! Na Ri looks at Nan Gil, asking for an explanation. Nan Gil looks pale. Trying to hold it together, he says that Weasel told him that Weasel saw Abeoji last spring. Weasel’s indignant face says ‘uh-oh.’ He forgot about that. How could Weasel see someone who died a long time ago then? Weasel protests – but it’s so obvious that he’s been caught in a lie – who is Nan Gil saying saw whom?! Nan Gil looks at Weasel, pleading for Weasel to stop.

Nan Gil is actually really patient with this guy, given everything. He’s trying to get Weasel to stop lying, not for himself, but for Na Ri. He knows Weasel is being twisted by Director. Given what I know about Nan Gil, he’s begging Weasel to stop for Weasel’s sake, too.

Na Ri says that she remember Weasel saying it, too. Weasel is really surprised. Na Ri says that Weasel told Oma and her that he saw Abeoji. He said he thought Abeoji was still gambling. Bad lying from Weasel. No, that time... he could have mistaken him... He remembers what Wan Shik said about the death certificate and says that he confirmed it! How this man can lie with such bluster. Just like Yeo Joo, he’s so used to twisting people’s emotions to get him what he wants. Nan Gil gets more worried when Weasel says this. Na Ri wants to know would show Weasel Abeoji’s death certificate? Especially since he’s not related to Abeoji.

Nan Gil tells Weasel to come talk with him. Na Ri tells Nan Gil no. This is about Abeoji. Uncle and she are going to talk about it. Weasel tells her that there's no need for her to go through heartache because of a father that she hasn’t seen in over 20 years. Na Ri declares that she’s not hurting. But how could Weasel suddenly show up and say, "Abeoji died"?

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 9 Recap

Sorry for the delay in these. For some reason, Blogger decided to leave them as Drafts rather than publishing them.

Episode starts with flashbacks. Na Ri arriving home, drunk. At the hospital, Nan Gil telling her that he’s her step-father. Na Ri deciding to trust him. Nan Gil getting called out by Duk Bong about her being his first love. Na Ri asking what his feelings are now. Nan Gil sitting by her bedside in the hospital. Director telling Nan Gil that he and Na Ri are ill-fated. Nan Gil’s confession and the kissing. Na Ri proposing that they start for real. Him asking her to wait and her agreeing to. Don’t know why we needed the recap, but okay…

Episode really starts out by the lake. Nan Gil asking the Director what he supposedly did to Na Ri. Director reminding him of the printing shop incident in Euljiro. But this time, we get to see what happened.

A group of Director’s thugs arrive. They all have steel bats. Nan Gil is with them, but he seems less eager to do what they’ve set out to do. Wan Shik leads the way and Nan Gil’s in the back. They burst into a room where men are playing poker. They get challenged and Wan Shik strikes the first blow. Smiling, he asks them “What printing shop?” He’s heard that they’re playing the loan shark behind his father's back. He tells them they don't have a work ethic. For running around behind Dad’s back.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 8 Recap

Episode Eight begins with Na Ri’s return to the house. Still in the car, Duk Bong says that he’ll buy those books for her. She says that it has to be those books. He tells her to go get the books and come back out. He’ll wait for her out front. She tells him not to wait. He replies that if he doesn’t wait for her now, he feels like he won't get another chance. And they both know they’re not talking about the books. If she’s uncomfortable with him being in front of the house, then he’ll go to the museum. So she can give him a call when she’s done. Duk Bong insists that he’s not half joking and half serious here. Aw, poor Duk Bong. I think she’s the first girl he’s wanted to date that he ever really liked.

Na Ri says that she’s not just going to get the books either. She knew why she came back, too. Duk Bong says they should negotiate. Aw, his poor face. Not that I want him to get the girl, but I feel bad for him, just the same. He says he won't wait for her and will go straight to Seoul so that she won't feel uneasy. In exchange, she’ll put some time aside for him later. He’s got something to say to her. She agrees – if only to get out of the car.

Duk Bong brings her the suitcase. She says that she’s leaving and practically runs back inside. He tells at her to make sure she gets in touch with him this time! It’s like he’s not even there. He mutters to himself that she should at least answer him.

Na Ri walks towards the books. She sighs and looks at them. Nan Gil arrives. They are going to show it again. Whee! Nan Gil says that he thought she wouldn't come. She says that she’s taking the books. He says that he call her because of the books. He says that he decided that if she came back, he would tell her everything. She turns around and says that he should tell her.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 7 Recap

Our episode begins right where it left off: Nan Gil and Na Ri in her room, her bags packed, Nan Gil pretending that he’s happy that she’s leaving. Na Ri asking if the Nan Gil of the present likes her now. Nan Gil takes a step forward and reaches up like he’s going to cup her face.

Logic Na Ri appears, dressed in black, and declares that this is too fast... No.These ideas about timing are a result of human's biases. Think about all the things she and Nan Gil been through together. He would be embarrassed to say he likes her.

Nan Gil’s hand gets really close to her face and then… pushes aside her bangs to pull off a piece of cucumber stuck to her forehead. Why would he move that slowly if he was just going after a piece of cucumber?! He asks what it is. She clears her throat and says that it’s no big deal. Something just stuck on her. Nan Gil is considering the cucumber and asks she was doing a facial. He leans in closer and says that it doesn’t look like anything changed. What a slam! He’s so wrong, especially since he keeps pointing out her wrinkles.

She leans backward and tells him not to try to change the subject. He tells her that she’s right. He’s remembered her a long time and he still likes her. I am really surprised he just admitted that. What is he planning? Na Ri looks at him with a stunned look. Like he’s talking about cleaning gutters – Nan Gil says that it’s like a beautiful memory. Meeting in your hometown and liking someone? He doesn’t know the Hong Na Ri that lives in Seoul and he doesn’t don't want to know her. Ow, that was cold. And he is so lying. Na Ri’s face says that she doesn’t like it, either. He says that he doesn't like her, miss her, or long for her. He thinks of her as a stranger. And he is so lying!

Bring It On Ghost Episode 2 Recap

I need something to lift my mood. I finished Episode 6 of ‘Sweet Stranger and Me’ and watching Nan Gil’s heart break is breaking mine. So, fingers crossed that this show will do the trick. If the last episode is an indicator, I think it will.

Bong Pal is walking down the street, a frown on his very bruised face. He stops to look at a group of grade schoolers loading into a bus. Seeing a mother with her son makes him think of his own mother.

Bong Pal as a boy, waving to his Oma, who is across the street. Oma’s gesturing at Bong Pal and a ghostly shape appears behind her. It doesn’t just shove her into an on-coming car, it throws her into it. So much for starting this episode with something funny. Bong Pal remembers Oma’s eyes as we hear the heart monitor indicate that she’s dead.

Bong Pal crying at Oma’s funeral. A creepy ghost apparating in front of him and grinning evilly as he slides away in fear. Why didn’t Oma come and see him if he can see ghosts? Poor Bong Pal. At first I thought this ghost was Oma, but it’s not. Just creepy. He hides under a table and cries.

Bong Pal at school. Teacher asks why he doesn't ever play with his friends. He’s always playing by himself in the corner. She coaxes him to come play outside. They play the Korean form of Red Light, Green Light, where he hides his face and says that the moogoonghwa flowers have bloomed! But everything goes bad as he turns around and the ghost from Oma’s funeral appears. I really can’t tell if it’s Oma or not. It just seems strange that she would look so menacing to him, if it was his Oma.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 6 Recap

Episode 6 starts with Na Ri sitting on the bench. Tender music plays. She’s putting the pieces together.

If someone does something that's so shocking that no one in the entire world can understand it, then what do you think the reason would be?

She really doesn't remember anything.

She gets up and starts running. It’s in slow-motion this time.

♬ Right now, ♬
♬ I am having one of those times ♬

We go back to her conversation with Wan Shik. The Legend of Go Nan Gil, huh? He tells her to hear it from Nan Gil directly. He promised not to say anything. Which gives more weight to my theory that they’re brothers in spite of their upbringing. He just likes to give Nan Gil a hard time.

♬ Because I miss you ♬

Na Ri says nothing and leans in. Wan Shik looks down and says that one thing's for certain. He's someone to be sorry for.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 5 Recap

Episode starts where the last left off: Go Nan Gil sweating, swaying, Ran Sook threatening him and him falling backward to the ground. That had to hurt when he hit his head, even if it was just for the shot. That’s asphalt. Na Ri is very worried as she asks him to come to his senses. No response from Nan Gil.

Fades into a little boy, sitting off by himself as all the other kids play. His back is to them and he’s looking out away from the home where he lives. Nan Gil narrates that he was a child that was abandoned without a given name, birthday, or family register. Oma is walking by and spots him sitting by himself.

She takes him somewhere else to talk to him. He was sitting like that because other kids were making fun of him. If they make fun of him next time, just say, "I've got a mom too!" Aw. Oma is so sweet and kind. Nan Gil replies that Oma is Hong Na Ri's mom. Oma thinks for a moment and says that she can be Nan Gil's mom too.

Na Ri is sitting on the top of a jungle gym, watching a plane fly by in the sky. Even then, she wanted to fly. Nan Gil says that he was jealous of Na Ri because she was Oma’s real daughter. Camera pans back to see Nan Gil staring at Na Ri as she stares at the plane. Some boys use a slingshot to hit her leg with a rock. Nan Gil makes an angry face. He narrates that he didn't like other people harassing her. Nan Gil uses his own slingshot to peg the kid who shot her with a rock in the rear as he’s running away. Heh.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 4 Recap

Okay, so I stayed up way too late to watch this episode, because I *had* to see what happened, so I am recapping this while watching it a second time.

Episode starts where we left off: Nan Gil is drunk, Yeo Joo has just left, and Na Ri has come outside. He calls her Hong Na Ri-da. He’s smiling really goofily at her, with such affection. I want one. Na Ri tells him to go inside. Nan Gil agrees and collapses onto her, resting his chin in the crook of her neck. She catches him and isn’t sure what to do. And her face is asking why this is making her feel strange. Or did I just read into that? Nan Gil mumbles her name and asks that she believe only him. Just him.

As she stands there, holding him up, she wonders what he wants her to believe him about. Um, that he’s not a conman. That he married Oma and is genuinely looking out for her. That he’s got her best interests at heart. The list could go on. Nan Gil is just standing there, snuggling with her, a small smile on his face.

Headlights. Nan Gil shoves her out of the way and gets tapped by Duk Bong’s car. She asks if he’s okay. He smiles and holds up his fingers that he’s okay. Duk Bong gets out and sputters, asking if they’re okay. Na Ri starts to chew him out, until she realizes that it’s him. She strongly declares that someone almost got hurt. Be careful! Duk Bong apologizes: It was dark, so he didn't see Nan Gil.

Bring It On, Ghost Episode 1 Recap

Series starts with Park Bong Pal (Ok Taecyeon) walking down the street. He stops. In the alley to the left, a thief is running, loot in hand. Police are running in pursuit. Bong Pal takes off after them. Taecyeon can run. Bong Pal narrates that there are a variety of people that exists in this world… Thieves… Cops… Thief throws some trashcans at the cops and they go down. Bong Pal just jumps over them and keeps running.

Thief and Bong Pal dance around a table. As thief rounds the corner, he runs into someone and falls to the ground. Instead of stopping, Bong Pal keeps on running. He stops for a moment and then we see people being shoved out of the way… by nothing. Oh, wait. Black mist appears and it’s a really ugly looking ghost in a suit. He expels what as got to be some nasty breath. Bong Pal narrates that there are ghosts. Ghost like him that are part of this world. Bong Pal yells at Suit Ghost to stop.

Bong Pal ends up in an empty building. There’s a growl. Bong Pal looks up to see Suit Ghost drop down to the ceiling to attack him. Instead of screaming or trying to scoot out of the way, Bong Pal the ghost right in the face. I watched it three times and it made me laugh every time. The look of shock on the ghost’s face. Heh.

[Episode One]

Next day, Bong Pal is curled up on his bed facing the wall. Phone’s alarm wakes him. He staggers into the bathroom – and I already know I am going to like this show. He’s scratching his butt. That's totally a real person thing to do, but it just strikes me as funny, too. He’s barely awake as he sits on his toilet and brushes his teeth. The bathroom door creaks open slowly (and loudly). Bong Pal stops brushing and looks in its direction. He narrates that he sees ghosts, as the ghost *floats* in the doorway.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 3 Recap

As expected, the episode picks up right where we left off: Nan Gil on the phone with Uncle, telling him to disappear. This time he calls Uncle his uncle, which to me shows his sense of allegiance and loyalty to this family he’s married into. Nan Gil hangs up, clearly bothered by the last conversation. Na Ri watches him take off his shirt and the tats are revealed.

Na Ri thinks about what Duk Bong said to her in the car: She’s going to accept him as her stepfather? Hong Na Ri, Go Nan Gil is a bad guy. Fine, they should say he married her mom out of love. In that situation, he would leave. A young guy like that, yearning for her mom for the rest of his life, in that house? No way. I knew he was going to use the car ride to work on her. Duk Bong offers to help her get rid of him. So altruistic of him, since Nan Gil is what’s standing in the way of his construction permit.

Na Ri answers that Nan Gil will leave when he wants to. Hmm… she’s not expecting him to stick around. Because of her father (and her relating with Nan Gil like a father) or because of Dong Jin, too? Duk Bong mutters that she’s really a frustrating woman. He declares that when he looks at Nan Gil, he looks like a con artist from head to toe. Really? I don’t think so. He’s been too genuine to be one. He ask why Na Ri trusts Nan Gil? To himself: Does she have the same taste in men as her mom? Na Ri hears that one and is not amused.

He knows he just said something he shouldn’t have. He apologizes: What he just said... may have been too harsh. Na Ri answers that not everyone who gets on a plane is a happy traveler. Someone having to go on a work trip they don't want to take, someone leaving after a break-up, someone who has no choice but to fly... everyone has their story. Here’s that logic coming out. Rather than reacting emotionally. As a flight attendant, you start to see their expressions. People can't hide their expressions. The photo of them together, and their smiling expressions... I believe in that.

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 2 Recap

We start Episode Two where we left off: on the roof and Nan Gil telling Na Ri that he’s her stepfather. Na Ri laughs at how ridiculous that sounds – and I would, too, in her situation. A man she’s never met, who is *younger* than her, is living in her house and saying he was married to her Oma. And Oma never said anything about it. I do have to give Nan Gil some credit because I already trust the guy, that he’s not up to something shady, which says loads about who he is. One could easily be suspicious, but I find myself wondering why he married Oma and why he’s decided to stick with being Na Ri’s stepfather. Does he owe Oma a debt? Is that why he did it? Is he secretly in love with Na Ri? Probably not yet, but I think he probably does love her by proxy. 

Nan Gil doesn’t even flinch at Na Ri’s scoffing. He continues: because he’s her stepfather, he won't have her lose her sight due to stress, have malnutrition, and have insomnia. So, he’s going to continue to meddle. He tells her to go back to Seoul. Why is he trying to get rid of her? He says that he’ll let her know when the test results come out.

Na Ri can’t believe what he’s saying. She’s speechless. And yet, talking. Nan Gil sighs and says that he was going to tell her little by little. Doesn’t work with a Band-Aid, either. You gotta just rip it off. Na Ri breaks into banmal and (with sarcasm in her voice) asks how old he is. He corrects her use of banmal: he’s her stepfather. Isn't speaking informally to him disrespectful? She tells him that he should've done his homework better. Oma passed away. How can she have a stepfather when Oma already passed away? Just what *is* his identity?

Sweet Stranger and Me Episode 1 Recap

What better way to break a recapping hiatus than a show starring Soo Ae and Kim Young Kwang?

Our story starts in an airport. Which makes sense since Na Ri is a stewardess. Yes, I said stewardess, because the Korean word is derived from it. Soo Ae looks great. And I love the uniform. Very chic. Looks like she works for Asiana Airlines. As Hong Na Ri (Soo Ae) steps off the elevator, Henry’s I Want to Enter Your Heart (니 맘에 들어갈래) begins to play. Henry's song really works in portraying how cool she is.

♬ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ohh ♬
♬ What up girl? ♬
♬ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ohh ♬
♬ That's right ♬

Na Ri narrates that walking in her uniform attracts the attention of men, women and children. As Na Ri walks by people stop and stare. A guy looks over his sunglasses at her, in awe. Most of the people she passes are slack-jawed.

♬ When I see you, girl, it's about you ♬
♬ Ooh ooh ooh ooh ohh, it's about you ♬

She's joined by other stewardesses, including Do Yeo Joo (Jo Bo Ah). People continue to stare as they walk by.The confidence with which these women walk. They’re pretty darn cool. You might think I’m being facetious when I say that being a stewardess is considered cool. I’m not. Being chosen as a stewardess is a big deal in Korea; there are girls I met whose dream job is to be a stewardess.

My Next Recaps: Sweet Stranger and Me, aka The Man Living in Our House

It's been a while since I did anything k-drama related. As mentioned in my previous post, I was not happy over how She Was Pretty turned out. But after almost a year, I have moved on. My recovery has been helped along by a several other k-dramas:

Moonlight Drawn By Clouds and Jealousy Incarnate. These two I watched during a recent trip to Korea. Yes, I got to go to Korea for work and I loved every minute of it! It was really an interesting experience, watching a k-drama and not understanding what anyone is saying. Luckily, they replay the drama at least once during the week (with MDBC it was several times and a couple of marathons), so I was able to rewatch after downloading the subtitles. I have to say, I didn't need any subtitles to be stunned when Yeong cut his eternity bracelet in Episode 15. Or to react to Na Ri and Jung Won's kiss in Episode 14. But it did help me to understand what the heck Na Ri kept saying right before that and *why* Ra On was pointing a dagger at Yeong in the first place. Being in Korea for 3 weeks gave me a lot of insight as to why they do what they do in the dramas we watch. Like the U-turns that cars make. They actually happen in Korea *all* the time.

Splish Splash Love. After reading what girlfriday was watching over on Dramabeans, I decided to check out this drama that I had never heard of. Love it! The story of a girl who doesn't feel confident in her academic ability (especially in math). She freaks out before Korea's equivalent of the SAT/ACT exam and, after jumping in a puddle, travels back in time. She coincidentally appears as the king's advisors are doing a ceremony trying to get the spirits to bring some rain after a 3-year drought. She literally lies to save her life and becomes the king's advisor. Primarily on the subject of math. (Oh, the irony!) If you have an afternoon, it's an easy and enjoyable watch, since the series is less than 3 hours. Good things come in small packages.

Weighing in on SLS (Second Lead Syndrome)

In my previous post, I talked about my severe case of Second Lead Syndrome) SLS over Shin Hyuk in She Was Pretty. Choi Siwon did an outstanding job of making this annoying goof-ball lovable and yearn-for-able. (Counting the days until August 18th of next year!) His performance in this drama made me not be able to wait to see his next drama, hopefully where he gets the girl! (Maybe Hwang Jung Eum?) Today, I thought I would discuss other dramas that have given people SLS. If you've never heard of SLS, here's the definition by The One-Eyed Kin blog

Second Lead Syndrome (SLS) is known as the overwhelming support and admiration given to the second male lead of a drama or an anime to win the lead female and succeed in whatever endeavor undertaken when,

1. The female lead shows no signs of liking the second lead.
2. When the male lead has secured the affections of the female lead.
3. When the second lead has no chance of winning over the female lead.

I would add to this definition that it occurs when the female lead is *conflicted* over which man to choose, even though her heart belongs to the lead (as inexplicable as that might be).

Recovering from a Severe Case of SLS (Second Lead Syndrome)

Hello, my k-drama friends. I have returned.

You've probably noticed that I haven't posted anything since November of last year. I stopped 2 episodes short of completing the recap for She Was Pretty and haven't posted anything since. There is an explanation for it... Not that I lost interest in k-dramas or recapping, or I got too busy with other parts of my life, it was just that I was so disappointed by Shin Hyuk not getting the girl that I just couldn't finish.


I thought about moving on to another drama, but I just couldn't. Something about leaving a drama unfinished didn't sit right with me (unless, of course, it's She's So Lovable or The Heirs). I kept telling myself that I would go back and finish it but never did. Normally, I don't have this strong of a reaction, but Shin Hyuk was such an *awesome* guy (and annoying in the best way) and Sung Joon treated Hye Jin so horribly more than once. 


Sung Joon in various stages of meanness. Belittling, condescending and finally outright mean.
Yes, Sung Joon did soften and apologize, but he only seemed to like Hye Jin because (1) she was his first love that he couldn't forget, and (2) she was pretty. All the time that she looked like herself -- red cheeks, tons of freckles and crazy frizzy hair -- he was not interested, but once she looked socially acceptable, he became interested. And then he grew to love her socially unacceptable appearance. Shin Hyuk, on the other hand, *always* thought she was beautiful and never treated her like crap.