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.
Nan Gil is coloring a picture. He narrates that, in order to be with Oma, he decided to marry Hong Na Ri. It’s a picture of Na Ri, Nan Gil and Oma holding hands. He labeled each person and wrote “Family.”
Time has passed. They’re older. Na Ri is waiting for the rain to stop. Nan Gil arrives with an umbrella. He tells her that the lady from Hong Dumplings told him to bring it to her. As she says ‘thank you’ he quickly walks away. Na Ri leaves and Nan Gil runs in the opposite direction, hands trying to shield his head from the rain.
More time has passed. Na Ri leaving for college. As Na Ri drives away, Nan Gil watches her go. He’s now the scowling boy from the Director’s picture. He narrates that it was only after parting with her that he realized she was his first love.
Director arrives to claim a teenage Nan Gil. He climbs out of the car and Nan Gil and the house matron give him a bow. He tells Nan Gil to be a man and call him Abeoji right away. They shake hands, climb into the car and drive away. Oma runs after the car, trying to catch up with them so she can say goodbye. It’s obvious that it’s breaking her heart to see him go.
Nan Gil narrates that Director adopted the children indiscriminately and raised them to be a gang who despised each other. Teen Nan Gil in a rumble in a warehouse. He has a bloody lip. He’s across from a kid that could be Bossman. Nan Gil’s getting pounded on by a kid much bigger than him. Switches to adult Nan Gil, still in the warehouse, fighting. It’s just one big melee. Director watches from above.
Later, Nan Gil sits at a desk, writing Oma a letter. He lies and says that he’s been fine. Then he touches the cut on his cheek and sighs.
Na Ri with Dong Jin at college. They walk, holding hands. Nan Gil has waited just to catch a glimpse of her when she leaves class. He's dressed in black, with a black leather jacket. She doesn’t notice him.
♬ Now I ♬
♬ am having one of those times ♬
♬ Because I miss you ♬
Nan Gil watches her go, longing in his eyes. This hurts to watch.
Back in the warehouse. They’re using weapons this time. Nan Gil’s face is pretty bloody. They fight.
♬ I feel like I'll go crazy ♬
♬ When you want to run immediately ♬
Nan Gil tries to run away, but all of them chase him. He’s able to keep them all at bay.
♬ I can't forget your warmth ♬
♬ I can't forget because it's you ♬
♬ Because it's you, I can't forget ♬
Nan Gil is sitting in a car, staring with longing at his rear view mirror, watching Na Ri walk down the street. She’s now a stewardess.
♬ That scent that was so warm ♬
She doesn’t even notice him. Nan Gil narrates that the person he’s loved for a long time is walking by.
♬ Sometimes ♬
He narrates that because he’s trapped in darkness, he can't look at her anymore. Oh, my gosh, he’s ripping my heart out.
Nan Gil walks out of a prison.
♬ If you call me, then I'll go wherever, even to the ends of the earth ♬
He sighs, closes his eyes and raises his head to the sky. He narrates that in order to return to Oma, he had to pay a heavy price. What kind of price? Is that why he went to prison? To get away from Director and go back to Oma?
He arrives at Hong Dumplings.
♬ But love is still alive ♬
Inside, he takes off his hat, ruffles his hair and smiles at Oma. Oma is overjoyed to see him. She hugs him tight. And that smile is so wide on his face. He doesn’t want to let her go.
Oma shows him the notices from Dada Finance: Reminder of Debt Payment and Notice of Seizure. She asks him if it’s really serious. He looks at Oma and says that she trusts him, right? He needs to become the head of this family.
Later, he shows her the marriage registration. Oma thinks it’s crazy. Who would believe this? He should just say that he’s her adopted son. He replies that that makes the fight even harder legally. He’s already explained that the land all has to become his. He’ll protect it. Is it because she feels like it's (he’s) a waste? Oma replies what would be a waste? He can take all of it. It's because she feels sorry toward him.
Nan Gil smiles at her and says that it doesn't seem like she feels sorry at all. He tells her that it looks like she’s holding back from laughing. Like mother, like daughter, he knows how to make them feel better. She has to smile. She says that the documents are one thing, but he’ll be Na Ri's stepfather later! He sighs, nodding. I get the feeling that Oma knows about Nan Gil's feelings, and that she's possibly hoping that something might work out so that Nan Gil with legally be her son, finally. Nan Gil says that with her personality, Na Ri will faint. Just thinking about it makes his head hurt! He adds a groan as he says it. He asks Oma to keep it a secret from Na Ri, since she’ll marry soon. Oma sighs.
After they’ve gotten married. Posing for the picture. Uncle is taking the pictures.
Nan Gil is running to the hospital. He narrates that you can't predict anything in life. Inside, he finds Oma, but she’s been covered by a sheet. He has to look to make sure. A voice declares that Oma’s time of death was 17:30 on October 8, 2015. Tears start to fall from Nan Gil’s eyes. He whispers “Oma” and buries his face in her shoulder as he hugs her. He weeps. He asks her how she could do this, tears running down his face. Ripping my heart out again.
Oma’s funeral. He finds Na Ri sitting on the floor. He narrates that as he sent Omeoni off, he made a promise to protect Hong Na Ri. With that promise...my long-lasting love... also came to an end. I’m not sure what that means. Maybe his hope of love with her?
Back in the present, with Nan Gil in a daze on the ground. And that was a nice flashback sequence to explain things. Most of which I suspected. Na Ri pleads with him to come to his senses and tells Ran Sook to call 119. His hearing returns to normal. She pleads with him again. He reaches over and put a hand on hers. He sighs. He says that he’s fine, so don’t call 119. Don't call them no matter what. She asks if he’s okay for real. He says that it’s really noisy and sits up. Na Ri helps him to his feet as she tell Ran Sook to go get the car.
Na Ri wants them to go to the hospital. He asks why he would go to the hospital. She replies that he’s acting weird right now. He looks up and says that he’s allergic to the sun. Whatever. She responds, “Yeah, right.” He sucks some air between his teeth at her and says that he doesn’t think they're close enough to speak to each other bluntly like that. He has to go knead the dough. He’s busy. And I laugh because it’s so ridiculous. He’s going to walk off – and knead the dough – but Na Ri grabs his arm. She tells him not to be sick. He looks at her.
There’s a pause and she lets go of his arm. She says that she’s worried about herself, so she’s saying it to be selfish. Just in case...don't ever get sick (using informal speech). Nan Gil doesn’t say anything. But his face looks touched, like inside he wants to cry because she cares. She says that she doesn't have anyone... She doesn't know what's going on right now...just don't ever get sick. He lets himself smile and says that he won’t get sick. He didn't want to say this because it sounds like he’s bragging about himself, but he’s almost too healthy...super healthy. She can’t help but smile as he says that he doesn't even remember when he last had a cold.
And in Appa voice, he tells her that she doesn’t need to know what’s going on. Don't worry too much. He tells her to be well and live well. He’s going to leave again, but Na Ri speaks, saying that, ultimately, he’s telling her not to think coming back home but live alone by herself. And he wants her to eat well and live well? Nan Gil asks why "eat well and live well" sounds like "don't think coming back home" to her? Why the extremes? He says that it’s because her heart is all twisted, even her hearing is twisted. That's why she can't sleep and is so stressed out!
Na Ri cuts him off “–And getting wrinkles!” Which cracks me up. The wrinkles again. He blinks at her. I think he’s a little surprised she did that. Ran Sook arrives with the car. Man, that took her long enough. Especially for someone who is supposed to be driving a man who collapsed in the road, driving him to the hospital. Na Ri pauses before getting into the car. She tells him to please go knead the dough he so desperately needs to do. And don't fall again. She gives a quick ‘bye.’ They drive away. A really pathetic-looking Nan Gil watches them go. It’s like she just abandoned him or something.
Na Ri’s watching him through the rear-view mirror. She says that he must feel uneasy because this super-persistent Hong Na Ri stepped back too easily. Nan Gil is just standing there watching her drive away – like so many other times in his life. Sniff. He must feel guilty and uneasy. Once they turn the corner, Nan Gil turns and walks the other way.
The Director plugs in the thumb drive that Nan Gil brought. It pulls up a Borrowed-Name Bank Account List.
I had a suspicion of what this is, but looked it up: Borrowed-name accounts are used for money laundering, slush funds, political bribes and tax evasion. Here's some links:
EasyToLearnKorean.comSo Nan Gil having this information is bad. For Director, that is. Dang! There’s a lot of them.
KoreaJoongangDaily
YonHapNews.co.kr
Director closes his laptop and in anger, throws it to the ground. That makes sense. Because that will fix things. He shoves everything off of his desk, grunting as he does. Then he pants.
A few minutes later, Bossman is there. Lawyer and the 2 Bruisers enter. Director has his back to them. Director turns around and says that Go Nan Gil...knows about the borrowed-name bank account list and how much and where all the money is flowing. Even recent transactions. If that information gets out, they are done for. They all look at each other. Director says that the list and its contents, only the people in this room know about. So who is helping Go Nan Gil? And Director seems to be looking at Bossman, who is looking at little guilty in his micro-expressions.
Ran Sook and Na Ri are driving. Ran Sook asks what’s going on. Na Ri doesn’t know what she means. And Ran Sook is smiling a conspiratorial grin. Ran Sook says that Na Ri and Nan Gil were acting like a couple in love. That moment where Na Ri couldn't take her eyes off of him and kept looking back through the mirror? That's what she’s asking about! Na Ri asks who was acting like a couple in love? The two of them? Ran Sook takes umbrage at Na Ri referring to her and Nan Gil as “the two of us.”
Ran Sook asks if Na Ri if she needs a man that desperately after getting dumped. But that isn't the guy! Na Ri has to grab him and take him to the police! Calmly – and channeling Nan Gil – Na Ri tells Ran Sook not to get upset. If she gets upset, she’ll get stressed, won't be able to sleep, and will get wrinkles.
Na Ri says that it's to take one step back to go two steps forward (lose the battle but win the war). She says that she is Hong Na Ri. From now on, she’s going to take care of things one by one and she’ll persistently ask him until he answers. She’s going to hold onto him so he can't run away and badger him with questions. Are you sure it’s not kisses that you want to badger him with? Heh.
Now back at home and cleaning out her refrigerator, Na Ri finds herself thinking of Na Ri taking her hand to lead her from Dada Finance. Taking a bite of cucumber – and she looks really pretty right now – she acknowledges it – to no one in particular. He was a bit cool that time and she fluttered a little. But why does he keep showing up! Because the man is awesome.
♫ Je vois passer le joli chat. (I see the cute cat passing by) ♫
♫ Qui sort de l'arbre mais je suis fou. (And coming out of the tree, but I'm crazy) ♫
Na Ri is pulling clothes out of her closet. Her mind drifts to Nan Gil carrying her when she couldn’t see.
♫ Avec le vent d'Afrique, s'il m'emporte (Crazy, with the African wind, if it blows me away) ♫
♫ Pour toi, je suis déjà là ! (For you, I am already there!) ♫
She thinks of Nan Gil drunk and falling into her arms. She screams for him to get out of her mind!
♫ Très étrange, je traverse [...] ton sourire (How weird, I'm crossing [...] your smile) ♫
Na Ri’s phone rings. She’s excited to answer it, until she sees that it’s Duk Bong – and not Nan Gil – that is calling. She makes a face and answers. Duk Bong asks her if she’s forgotten something. She doesn’t know what he means. He says that she promised to call him. She said that she received something from the court... yo (to make it formal – like lawyer to client, not because he likes her and is using this as an excuse to call) Just what was it?.. yo.
All Na Ri will answer is an ‘ah.’ Duk Bong asks if she testing her microphone, with all the ‘ahs.’ Considering, Na Ri suggests they meet and talk. Duk Bong sits up a little; she wants to meet? Na Ri adds that it’s a bit complicated. Duk Bong answers with an ‘ah’ and it’s Na Ri’s turn to ask about the microphone test. Duk Bong asks where she wants to meet. She answers that she’ll be there in a little while and hangs up. Duk Bong starts to ask *where* is there, but she’s hung up. Frustrated, he looks at his phone and asks it what kind of a woman only says what she has to say and hangs up?!
Duk Bong grumpily imitates Na Ri: “Let's meet and talk.” A smile spreads across his face. She wants to meet up. He looks across the room and Duk Shim is standing there, staring at him. And holding her camera. He yells at her for startling him. She says nothing and leaves the room.
Dong Jin is meeting Yeo Joo. And what is he wearing? A black sweatshirt with a huge set of gold lips on the chest. Why? Why? Why would a man wear that? Yeo Joo enters and her dress is so short that she’s wearing bloomers underneath so her underwear won’t show. Ridiculous. ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees is playing on the speakers. It looks to be a mani-pedi salon. She apologizes for making him wait – sort of. Dong Jin asks why Yeo Joo wanted to meet in a place like this? Yeo Joo doesn’t answer.
After a pause, Yeo Joo asks if Oppa got the money he lent Na Ri Sunbae. Uncle. Na Ri sunbae’s Uncle. He distractedly answers that he did. She said that she heard that Na Ri Sunbae took out a loan from a loan shark. She has Dong Jin’s focus now. He wants to know who said that. Yeo Joo says that it seems like a lot of debt payment reminders are being sent to the administration office. There are rumors about it everywhere. His face says that he’s blaming that conman for getting Na Ri in trouble. Yeo Joo bravely smiles and says that Oppa must be upset, right? She’s upset, too.
Dong Jin looks at her – and the music ‘skips’ - he seems to have a revelation about being manipulated. He says that if Yeo Joo’s really upset, then she can't say those kinds of things in a place like this. Yeo Joo’s face tries not to react – but it really says ‘what the heck just happened!’ She stumbles to try to keep up the illusion, starting to look like she’s going to cry. She wasn't going to tell him but she thought he needed to know.
And at that moment, Shi Eun, Mi and Kyung enter the salon. I let out a little yelp, because they’re going to be busted, but maybe Yeo Joo planned it that way. Shi Eun sees her and says Yeo Joo’s name. When Yeo Joo sees Shi Eun, it goes from innocent school girl to ‘whatever’ girl in an instant. Dong Jin turns around to see who just spoke and Shi Eun sees him. She’s shocked. Na Ri enters the salon and immediately, Shi Eun spins Na Ri around so she doesn’t spot the cheaters.
Shi Eun isn’t successful and Na Ri sees Dong Jin. He stands as she says, ‘ah.’ Shi Eun is surprised by that reaction. What’s with that expression? Did Na Ri already know? Na Ri’s face answers that. Shi Eun starts to lunge at Yeo Joo, but Na Ri catches her and says that they should leave. Shi Eun doesn’t want to. She walks over to Dong Jin – and it’s obvious that she’s angry – and tells him that this is a place they come to regularly because of the group discount.
Dong Jin looks at Yeo Joo, demanding an explanation. Baby-faced pouting as she meekly says that it really is just a coincidence. Sure it is. Because you're not manipulative and conniving at all. Shi Eun shrieks “A coincidence?” She is going to give Yeo Joo a good beat down but Na Ri stops her. Shi Eun can’t believe how strong and cool Na Ri is being. If it were her, she would have thrown Yeo Joo off the plane.
Dong Jin steps closer to Na Ri and asks to talk. She says that she doesn’t anything to say. Wrist grab out of the salon – with Na Ri protesting, of course, loudly. Shi Eun confronts Yeo Joo. She says that nine years just doesn’t disappear. Yeo Joo doesn’t want to hear “9 years”! If you take away the time where they knew each other in college and the time he spent in the army, it's not a lot of time! Shi Eun can’t believe that just came out of Yeo Joo’s mouth. Kyung whispers to Mi that Yeo Joo is crazy.
Outside, Dong Jin stops dragging Na Ri. She thinks of Nan Gil’s drunken declarations that even if dirt goes into his eyes, he still won't accept that jerk! She jerks her wrist free. Dong Jin apologizes. He didn't know they came there often. Na Ri replies that there’s no need to be sorry. The two of them are free to go wherever they want. But, since the both of them lack judgment and courtesy, she’s a bit embarrassed. Dong Jin sighs, drops his head and apologizes again. Na Ri answer that she said it was fine.
Dong Jin wants to know if Na Ri has money problems. Did Uncle possibly borrow money from loan sharks too? Na Ri asks if that’s what Yeo Joo said. They talk about her? Dong Jin sighs and asks where the ‘financial group’ is. How much does she owe? Na Ri wants to know if he’s asking out of curiosity or to pay it back, because she can't stand either option. Dong Jin protests that Na Ri can't handle loan sharks! She needs to get her house back from that con man and sell it.
Na Ri jumps on him for calling Nan Gil a con man. What does he know about it so that he would call Nan Gil that? If it weren't for Nan Gil, she’d… She stops herself and says that she doesn't want to talk about Nan Gil with him. Yeo Joo emerges – and her short, short, short skirt is killing me! Little girl voice as she says, “Sunbae, I won't come here again.” Na Ri turns around and looks at her. She can still talk in that tone in this type of situation? It's admirable. I love that Na Ri just called her on it right there.
Na Ri starts to walk away but stops. She looks at Yeo Joo’s purse. It’s the same as her purse, except it’s red instead of Na Ri’s beige. She tells Dong Jin that his taste is consistent. At least he gave Yeo Joo a different color than hers. Dong Jin cringes at his mistake. And I think Yeo Joo is a little humiliated. I don’t feel bad at all. Na Ri shakes everything out of the purse – so that it clatters on the ground – and shoves it into Dong Jin’s chest. She says that it's time for her appointment, so she’ll leave first. Yeo Joo glares at Dong Jin and he sighs.
Na Ri arrives at the house with a huge suitcase. I’d say she’s planning on moving in. She rolls it into the restaurant and complains about how heavy it is. Like that's Nan Gil’s cue to come take it. Nan Gil give her ‘boo-ya’ (what is that?). She complains about her back. Yong Kyu smiles widely and waves as he greets her as ‘Daughter.’ She greets him and the other cooks. Nan Gil is looking at her luggage – with a face that’s asking what it’s doing there. Heh. Nan Gil, in a demanding tone, says that he asked what this is!
Na Ri answers that rumors that she was involved with loan sharks spread around the company, so she was fired under reason of indecent conduct as a flight attendant. I gasped. Yeo Joo is evil. Nan Gil processes that and she smiles a small smile. Nan Gil wants to go clear things up with her company. She answers that he seems like a parent of a student. Nan Gil replies that all Na Ri has to do is submit a document that declares that she’s got no liability or responsibility of debt! Nan Gil wants to go. He’ll work it out for her.
Na Ri completely ignores him and says that it would be best for her to unpack her things in her room, right? Nan Gil wants to know why she would unpack anything?! They should go to Seoul, right now! She turns to him and innocently says, “I'm lying.” His face reads: I can’t believe you just did that. Na Ri adds she took a leave of absence. She’s hard-working and good at her job, so they can't fire her that easily. Nan Gil’s face says that he’s mad. She complains about her back as she leave and Nan Gil sighs with frustration.
Na Ri moves in. Nan Gil is standing there, hands in his pockets, watching her unpack. He’s slouching a little. She asks if he’s going to keep standing there like that? He sighs with frustration and starts to leave, but returns to say that he runs a dumpling shop. Not looking up from what she’s doing, she says that he’s always kneading. He says that there are established rules at the shop. But if someone suddenly says that they're taking a long-term vacation one day, that employee would look really, really irresponsible.
She looks at him and says that he’s a boss from hell then. He should worry about what situation arose that would cause the employee to do that. Bad things usually happen all in one morning. Just like debt of 1 billion won came to her doorstep suddenly one morning. He answer’s that it’s his debt. Na Ri turns around to look at him. Exactly. That’s what she’s most curious about. Why is he going so far as to act as someone else's stepfather to take care of their debt? She says that with her personality, she wants to ask him that right this instant, but she has a lot of time. He gives her a frustrate groan and leaves.
Na Ri goes to visit Duk Bong at work. She’s looking at the model for the resort they want to build. Duk Bong smiles and asks if it isn’t cool. Na Ri asks about the lake; it will disappear? He says that there's no need to make a lake on an architectural model. She nods like she’s buying that one. He casually says that since she has so much interest in the resort, she’ll probably sell the land right after she wins the lawsuit. Na Ri tells him to withdraw the marriage annulment lawsuit. Duk Bong counters that he already submitted it. Why is she changing her mind?
She explains how Dada Finance is saying that my Abeoji is in debt to them for a deal he made using the land as collateral. They said she has to take responsibility for that debt. Duk Bong can’t believe that Nan Gil did that: that Dumpling Boss is doing all sorts of things at his age! But why is she trying to drop the lawsuit? Make him pay for it! Na Ri clarifies that it’s not that father. It's her biological father's debt. She’s talking about her biological father that abandoned her and Oma twenty years ago. It's his debt. So how, if he left them, was he able to use the land as collateral 15 years ago?
Duk Bong processes what she said and asks how this woman has no luck with fathers? She glares at him. He says that Dada Finance is a legal organization, but the way that they operate is all illegal! If you get caught up with them once, you can't ever get out of it! Duk Bong gets an idea. He sits on the coffee table across from Na Ri. He tells Na Ri to keep her father's debt a secret from her stepfather, Go Nan Gil. Since what happened with Dada Finance is in the past and she’s got a stepfather now, then all she has to do is say she has no responsibility.
Na Ri replies that Nan Gil also knows about the debt with Dada Finance. He said that he became her stepfather because of it. Her father on paper. Duk Bong asks what that means. Na Ri replies that she’s saying that the only person she trusts right now is Nan Gil. Duk Bong blinks – I don’t think he likes that answer. He tells Na Ri that he will look into it a little more for her, so don't trust Nan Gil for now. Her that her trust came too quickly. It hasn't been that long since she called Nan Gil a con man, so why does she believe him already? She moves way too fast! "When in doubt, doubt some more." Have she never heard of that before?
Hong Dumplings. Nan Gil and the boys are packing up one of their internet orders. Nan Gil gets a text from Na Ri. She tells him to come to the playground for a minute! More like an order. And his face says that he’s wondering what she’s thinking.
Nan Gil goes over to the playground. Again with the hands in the pockets. She asks if he knows why she called him there. He tells her to just tell him the reason. “Come to the roof after school.” “Come to playground after school.” He knows what that means, right? Nan Gil sighs and tells her to not make him tired and just tell him. Na Ri answers that she’s saying they should have a fight there. As in a brawl, not a yelling match. She doesn't know what she's asking for.
Nan Gil responds that he’s too tired to even talk anymore, and they’re not in the type of relationship to– Na Ri interrupts him to order him not to speak to her informally from now on. What? Is she trying to move this into a man-woman relationship? Nan Gil’s eyebrows raise. She continues that she wants him to answer honestly all the questions that she asks from now on. Nan Gil’s eyebrows haven’t dropped. I bet he’s trying to figure out what she’s thinking, since she’s acting out of character.
Nan Gil asks why he has to do that. Na Ri wasn’t expecting him to ask that. Na Ri answers that everything's been revealed! Nan Gil asks what exactly has been revealed. Na Ri replies - like it’s obvious - the fact that he was acting as her father! Nan Gil (finally) figures out what she’s thinking. Na Ri continues that he could have told her that he was acting as her stepfather when she was throwing a fit, calling him a con man and a gold digger! Nan Gil asks what the point of saying it would be. It would just make her emotions tangled. He didn't tell her so that she’d feel at ease.
Na Ri asks him if there was a reason why he just had to become her father? And I wonder what she’s trying to figure out. He answers that he thought that becoming her family would be a better way to protect. Na Ri says that the mother that she knew would have never have come up with that kind of lie. Nan Gil answers that Oma knew that this was the only way to solve the problem.
Na Ri doesn’t like that answer: So he’s saying that she trusted him more than her own daughter. What exactly was his relationship with Oma? How long has he known her? Nan Gil just looks at her – and doesn’t answer because he doesn’t want to lie. Although I still don’t know why he wouldn’t just tell her what he showed to the audience. Does he think that would reveal how he’s loved her for years and watched over her? Okay, that might be a bit unsettling. But I think he’s scared that she’s not going to return his feelings ever. Na Ri shifts on her feet slightly, a little uncomfortable. She thinks, “ What the heck? Why are his eyes boring into me?” She steels herself, telling herself not to look away. If she does, she’s losing to him.
Nan Gil’s expression – or lack there of – hasn’t changed at all. He asks if she’s asking because she really doesn't know? Is he actually going to tell her about his feeling for her? Na Ri answers – starting to look a little flustered – asking what she doesn’t know. A pause. He’s still just looking at her. He answers that she must really not know. How disappointing. He turns around to leave just but she jumps in front of him. She holds out that handkerchief. Go Nan Gil from Class 3 of 1st grade.
Nan Gil’s not looking at her anymore. He’s staring at the handkerchief. And he’s thinking about Oma. He almost looks like he’s about to cry. She asks again exactly how long he’s known Oma? Nan Gil smiles softly to himself and then looks up at her, still wearing the small smile. Na Ri wonders again what's with his gaze. He looks down at the hankie, gives her smile that’s a shrug and sits down on a swing. He looks off into the minute before saying anything.
Turning his eyes to her, he says that he grew up in an orphanage. Hope Orphanage. There goes any leverage Duk Bong might have had, at least with regards to him being an orphan. He doesn’t know that she’s seen the tattoo, aka that he was a gangster. Na Ri recognizes the name. Hope Orphanage was the orphanage that Oma used to volunteer at. Nan Gil says that Omeoni came almost every day and took care of him. He owes a huge debt to Omeoni. She hasn’t noticed that he’s calling Oma ‘Omeoni’ and not ‘her omeoni.’
Na Ri processes this. So they met at the orphanage. He chuckles and says that it's all water under the bridge. She doesn't have to pity him just because he grew up in an orphanage. No, she should feel sorry for the life he lived after that. He got more than enough love from Omeoni. Na Ri asks who's pitying him – a little indignant, there. He blows air out at her as he gives her a ‘whatever’ look. Na Ri sits in the swing next to him.
Oma said that our dumpling shop was also an orphanage a long time ago. Omeoni told him. She said that she started doing volunteer work because it made her think of the past. Na Ri says that she remembers that place. That makes Nan Gil laugh. Na Ri never even came there. Na Ri wants to know how he knows that? Does he remember her from when she was younger? And instead of saying, ‘yes’ – Nan Gil replies that it’s because she always came alone!
Na Ri smiles slightly – thinking of the memories of that time. She says that she got mad sometimes because Oma was always doing volunteer work. She’s a bad person, isn’t she? Nan Gil smiles at her and says that he got mad when Omeoni went home and wasn't at the orphanage with him. Now they’re sharing that smile. Na Ri says that Oma must have been tired on both fronts. Nan Gil smiles more widely and looks down. He has such a cute smile.
Na Ri says that he went to Seulgi Elementary School, didn't he? Where'd he go to middle school? She’s a much older senior than him, right? She doesn’t sound like she minds being older. More like she likes the idea of being older so she can order him around. Nan Gil stops smiling. He stands and says that they shouldn’t focus too much on the past. He’s her stepfather right now. You never know when someone from Dada Finance will come there, so he’s saying they should stick to their roles.
Nan Gil thinks it’s settled so he starts to walk away. Na Ri calls after him that she can't act like that. And I chuckle. Women can be so difficult. Heh. Nan Gil stops walking but doesn’t turn around. If he was that close to Oma, why didn't she know about him? Why doesn't she remember him at all?
Nan Gil turns around and “I Want You” starts to play. He starts walking toward her, and she steps backward every time he does. She can't act, and she’s curious about so many things. She starts to look very uncomfortable. Heh. Being curious about a lot of things means that she’s interested in him.
♬ You don't know me as much as I know you ♬
He’s backed her into the frame of the swings. Does she possibly... Indignantly, Na Ri asks “What? Possibly what?” And that gaze of his never moves! He replies that he’s saying this because he’s worried. She knows that she can't be interested in him as a man, rig– She yells “ya!” at him to keep him from finishing that sentence. Nan Gil makes a correcting “Uhuh.” They’re not in a relationship where she can just talk like bluntly that. Particularly since she told you to stop talking banmal to her. He says his catch phrase: ‘I'm going to knead the dough.’
He starts to walk away but Na Ri grabs his arm. Nan Gil looks at her hand and then her.
♬ My eyes keep on going toward you ♬
Na Ri is not looking in his direction. And he almost looks hopeful there.
♬ I think I love you more than I love myself ♬
Na Ri says that in this situation, she’s not supposed to ask questions, but she just needs to be thankful, right? Nan Gil replies that she doesn’t. He’s just doing what he has to do, so she doesn't need to thank him. Na Ri looks like she wants to say something. Nan Gil adds that if it's too hard for her to act, then she doesn’t have to. But he hopes that she won't speak banmal to him. Na Ri kind of rolls her eyes at this.
♬ It doesn't matter what other people say because this world is a liar ♬
Nan Gil walks away, glancing behind him briefly. He sighs. I see she really doesn't remember anything. Na Ri looks down at the pen she was holding. What’s with the pen?
♬ Will you trust me as much as I trust you? ♬
♬ Because I'll give and receive love ♬
Duk Bong sits at home, looking at his dossiers on Nan Gil and Na Ri. Methinks he’s a bit jealous. He sets them down, frustrated, and thinks about Na Ri said that the only person she can trust right now is Nan Gil. A thought occurs to him. He enters his sister’s room, without knocking. Actually he throws the door open. He is definitely jealous. She twists the screen of her laptop away from him, so he can’t see the picture of Nan Gil. Duk Shim sighs and says that she told him not to just suddenly barge into her room! It's annoying!
Duk Shim starts to sigh dramatically and says that it’s an invasion of privacy! She’s going to report him to the police! Leaning against the wall, Duk Bong says that he wants to ask her something. Why did she come there? Duk Shim has turned back to fiddling with Nan Gil’s picture. Duk Bong says that he’s asking why she left that big house in Seoul City with Mom and Dad and come there to stay with him. She looks up at him and replies that he’s not even interested in her the slightest bit. Why is he suddenly curious about something like that?
Duk Bong comes closer and sits in the seat next to her desk. She, of course, moves her laptop so he won’t see the picture. Not that it’s not being reflected off her glasses or anything. He says he’s just asking because he’s curious. “The only person that you can trust in the world is me.” Would she do it because of that? She looks at him and gives him a ‘Jeez.’
Duk Bong leans in and asks if he’s right. I actually think that he is, but she doesn’t want to be rejected so she’s not going to admit it. Duk Shim doesn’t answer. And because Duk Bong doesn’t understand that family actually means this – Duk Bong asks what's up with that kind of thinking, seriously? Because any hint of vulnerability was rejected – Duk Shim shuts her laptop and asks why he’s acting like this. Is he feeling sick? Acting like they’ve got such a loving brother-sister relationship.
She gets up, takes the laptop and climbs into bed. She hides it under the covers. She grabs one of her mangas and starts reading. Duk Bong wants to know what the deal is, then, with Hong Dumplings. Duk Shim looks at him but looks back at her manga when he stands up and steps closer. Does she trust Hong Dumplings? She can’t help but smile as she answers ‘yes.’ Duk Bong gives her a hard time about how her expression changes just from hearing about Hong Dumplings. It’s interesting that he keeps referring to Nan Gil as Hong Dumplings.
Duk Bong asks what it is about that slacker that makes her trust him so much? Duk Shim takes offense at him calling Nan Gil a slacker. Duk Bong’s the ultimate slacker. Duk Bong can’t believe she just said that. Who's the one who gives her her allowance? Duk Shim cringes a little – even though I don’t think Duk Bong would ever hit her – and Duk Bong stops. I wonder if that reflex is courtesy of dear, old Dad.
He changes the subject. Where did she put her bike? Did she lose it again? No answer. She don't carry around anything but Hong Dumplings in that brain of hers. She points across the room where her bike sits. Even though their house is big enough for her to leave it in the garage. Duk Bong wants to know why she brought her bike into her room? Did Hong Dumplings find it for her (when she lost it)?
Duk Shim tells him to not make a scene and LEAVE!!! Probably in frustration because he is clueless that (1) she’s picked on by the other kids, and (2) that it was stolen. And Nan Gil noticed. She starts shrieking loudly and flailing her arms. He leaves without a word, slamming the door behind him, and she acts like she wants punch him.
Na Ri is now using ear buds to listen to the conversation that she had with Nan Gil. Nan Gil’s muttered ‘she really doesn't remember anything’ is muffled and unclear. He's definitely saying something. He's saying, "Something, I see". I see? "You're annoying, I see"? "You're pretty, I see"? Na Ri sighs. What is she thinking? She replays it. Na Ri writes down “something?” Something… Something.. Replays it again.
Her phone dings. It’s Dong Jin. She answers. I wouldn’t. You’ve got better things to do than to talk to that cheater. Dong Jin is still wearing the black sweatshirt with the gold lips on it. Dong Jin says – sounding sad and possibly drunk, he is in a bar – that she answered the phone. Na Ri replies it’s because they've still got some things left to take care of. He agrees. I definitely think he’s drunk. He took care of the installment savings that they invested. She doesn’t say anything.
Dong Jin says that he sent her the savings and interest. She wants to know why he sent all of it. He should have taken out 30,000 won. Dong Jin sighs and admits that Nan Gil already paid it back. Of course, Na Ri is surprised. She asks why Nan Gil would do that. When did he pay it back? Then she decides she doesn’t want to hear the answer. She hangs up. Dong Jin is left hanging. Heh.
Na Ri wonders why Nan Gil would pay that back? She decides to go find out. She steps outside and starts to walk towards the office. But she hides when she sees Nan Gil come out. He’s got his hands in his pockets and a towel hanging from his neck. What’s with all the hands-in-pockets lately? Is that his pensive pose? Nan Gil stops walking and looks in her direction. She dives out of sight. He waits for her to peek at him before continuing. Na Ri decides to follow him.
Nan Gil heads into a greenhouse – the kind with the plastic rather than glass, they have them all over the countryside in Korea – and she sneaks in after him. And… she gets rained on when the sprinklers go off. She lets out a little shriek at getting wet. Nan Gil realizes she came inside and turns down the sprinklers. He asks what she’s doing there. She verbally stumbles around, trying to think of an explanation. Nan Gil takes his towel and starts to pat her with it.
Na Ri takes the towel and moans that she got all wet. She wipes herself off and sits. Nan Gil tells her that she should get up. I have this strange feeling she just sat on a pile of manure or something. Nan Gil tells her that she’s sitting on some natural fertilizer that he made. And I laugh loudly because it was. She jumps up and he starts to laugh. He leans in, sniffs, and, with a teasing sound in his voice, asks what he could have made it out of. As she hisses, he laughs even more. A real, relaxed laugh. It’s such a nice laugh.
She says that this is the first time she’s seeing him smiling. Well, he’s smiled before, but not like this. She smiles slightly as she says that it looks good. That kind of smile you give a man when you thinks he’s cute/attractive. Nan Gil immediately stops smiling. And I laugh really loudly. Now all business, he says that she should at least put some effort into her acting. They’re not in the type of relationship to say something like that, right?
“It's nice to see you smile.” What kind of relationship do you have to be in to say that? You can say that even to someone you've just met. "Omo, it's nice to see you smile!" What's wrong with it? Nan Gil admits that that's true. He announces that, regardless, he’s keeping his promise with Oma right now, so it's like they’re meeting each other for the first time. They don't have any relation to each other. So they’re not in a relationship where they see each other and talk in a place like this, either.
Na Ri doesn’t like the sound of that. Is he feeling like he’s suffered a loss now? I think she means that he’s being petulant. Then why did he pay back that 30,000 won to Dong Jin when he has no relationship with Mom? He answers – like it’s totally obvious – that Uncle borrowed it. Oma would have wanted him to pay it back.
Na Ri responds that this is why she keeps feeling like she owes him a debt and that she has to be thankful to him. Na Ri says, “Thank you. I mean it. I'll pay you back.” Nan Gil can’t help but smile but he looks away to try to distract her from seeing it. Does she know about strawberry flowers?
Nan Gil proceeds to show her around the greenhouse. And they’re squatting close together. She doesn’t seem so bothered by the closeness this time. These are strawberry flowers. Over there are pumpkin flowers. Those are eggplant flowers. They're prettier than roses, right? Na Ri smiles – because she think it’s (he’s) pretty cool. These pretty flowers become fruit. They become strawberries and pumpkins, get vines, and become heavy with fruit. They get uglier and uglier, but they're much more beneficial than flowers are. That's what growth is.
She asks him if he’s telling her to grow up? Nan Gil asks if it came out that way. That's not what he meant. If not, then what *did* he mean? Nan Gil replies – and I chuckle because here it is again – there's no need for her not to be able to sleep, get wrinkles, and get stressed out because she’s getting older. Because that means that she’s developing into a person beneficial to the world. Aw, that was really sweet. It’s not that you’re getting older and uglier, but you’re getting better (and more beautiful) as you age, so you don’t have to worry. She asks if he thinks that will comfort her.
Nan Gil crosses his arms and sighs, considering. He answers that if she’s going to pay the money back, she’s got to be useful. No matter how he thinks about it, taking a leave of absence and coming to her hometown just to get older by the day isn't beneficial to her existence. Heh. If she pays back the money, he’ll sign her up for a marriage matchmaking service. And he grins widely at that last comment. She lunges at him and he jumps backward. She stands up.
She announces that he sounds like he’s putting dots on the strawberry and drawing lines in the pumpkins. What? A marriage matchmaking service? Is he telling her to go get married to just anyone right now?!
Switch to Na Ri in a wedding dress and Nan Gil in a tux.
♬ Slowly, little by little, love you ♬
He holds out his hand and says, “Let's go.” She answers, “Yes, Abeoji.”
♬ I’ll take a step to you, love you ♬
They begin the walk down the aisle, the guests clapping as they do.
♬ Come closer ♬
♬ I've never thought about us ♬
This is getting me a little verklempt. I hope this isn’t the only time we see them getting married through a dream sequence.
♬ You and I, our relationship ♬
The groom steps down to meet them. Momentarily, I was worried. I thought it was going to be Dong Jin or something, but it’s Nan Gil.
♬ Just you and I, the two of us ♬
♬ The two of us, forever ♬
Na Ri looks at him, smiling like a bride in love, and when it sinks in, she is shocked. She looks back at Abeoji and it’s Nan Gil, too.
♬ I want to live here with you so badly I could die ♬
She looks at both of them, grabs her head and screams. I am laughing. I'm also wondering if this is symbolically indicating a shift in their relationship.
♬ You don't know, you still don't know ♬
Back in the real world, she screams and hides her eyes. And I am rolling. She starts muttering. Ah, what in the world is she thinking? Has she gone insane? Nan Gil is watching her wig out and has no idea why: What's up with her? Na Ri’s still muttering to herself. Wait, no matter how good a person's imagination is, this isn't right! Nan Gil frowns at her, because she’s muttering incomprehensible nonsense. He stands up.
Nan Gil tells her not to think useless thoughts and that they should go. Na Ri acts like she didn’t have any thoughts. He just leaves her there as she protests that she didn't think anything! He turns off the lights. She stands there and protests that she can't see anything!
Outside, Nan Gil stops, clutching his heart. He tells himself to get a hold of himself. Aw, he was having a moment, too. I guess that long-time love isn’t over. Hee! Na Ri exits the greenhouse and he quickly drops his hand and makes his face expressionless. She doesn’t notice. Aw, that means all the times where he's worn no expression, he might have been hiding his feelings so she won't see them. She angrily tells him that she almost fell because she couldn't see! He looks at her, gives her a ‘sheesh’ and quickly leaves to knead the dough. He just quickly left, but he always uses that as his excuse to exit, so it felt like it was an unspoken “knead the dough” moment.
♬ Slowly, little by little ♬
The next morning, Na Ri stumbles, half-asleep, to the refrigerator. She’s still in her PJs. She drinks water straight from the pitcher. Then she notices that Nan Gil and the boys are sitting at the counter eating breakfast. Nan Gil’s face is killing me, the silent ‘woman, what are you doing?’ Not only is she drinking straight from the pitcher but wearing that. Na Ri swallows and quickly puts the water back. Yong Kyu greets her good morning. And that makes it less embarrassing. He marvels at how, even when Daughter drinks water, she has a great spirit. He laughs. Na Ri’s embarrassed to be looking so unkempt and scurries off. Nan Gil yells after her to eat and go back to Seoul!
I think I figured out why Nan Gil keeps telling her to go back to Seoul. Before I thought it was to keep the secret, but since the secret’s out, now I think he’s saying it so that she doesn’t figure out his other secret, that he’s in love with her. She stops on the stairs and tells him not to worry about cleaning. She'll take care of the cleaning from now on. With that pleasant stewardess voice. Nan Gil puts down his chopsticks, annoyed. From now on? She gives his a smile and goes upstairs.
Duk Bong arrives at Hong Dumplings. They’re not open for business yet. Nan Gil is sitting at a table, folding dumpling boxes. Duk Bong greet him and Nan Gil doesn’t reply. Duk Bong sits across from him. Duk Bong says that he heard the story from Miss Hong Na Ri. Ah... Nan Gil knows that he’s representing Na Ri as her lawyer, right? Nan Gil doesn’t bother to look up from his folding and says, “So?” – in a voice that asks why Duk Bong’s even bothering talking. Get to the point, dude.
Duk Bong continues that he heard that Nan Gil knew all about Na Ri’s father's debt. Hong Na Ri seems to think that this land is the collateral, but looking at how clean Nan Gil’s circumstances are, he doesn't think that's it. How much is the debt? Flatly, Nan Gil asks why Duk Bong doesn't stop caring about other people's debts? Instead of saying that it’s 1 billion won. And he’s probably thinking that Duk Bong should worry about his own problems, like to his sister.
Duk Bong says that he’s thought about it carefully. Why would Go Nan Gil become Na Ri’s stepfather? Nan Gil looks at him. Wow, he did something great. Otherwise, every day would be a living hell for Na Ri. Duk Bong says that he’s totally touched. Nan Gil’s looking at his folding again. But then, Duk Bong thought again. Nan Gil’s opponent is Dada Finance. Masters of illegal actions. Nan Gil could have just sold him this land and taken care of the debt. Could Nan Gil be trying to show Na Ri that he is strong? Nan Gil looks up again.
Duk Bong says that it looks like he’s already shown her that he’s strong. So, why doesn't he just sell it now? Nan Gil answers, calmly, that he said he’s not selling. Isn't it illegal to keep asking him to sell it? Duk Bong asks Nan Gil’s reason for not selling it. Is it because if he sells the land, he’ll have to separate from Na Ri? Or because his old memories will disappear? Not response from Nan Gil, except he switches to look at Duk Bong’s right eye and then back to his left. Duk Bong’s actually pretty clever and perceptive, although I don’t think either of these statements is it. But he’s close.
Duk Bong says that Na Ri seems to believe that Nan Gil became her stepfather to help with the debt. She was really touched by it. Duk Bong wonders, if it was for the debt, did Nan Gil have to become her stepfather? Or, is there another secret that he’s not aware of? Nan Gil calmly says that they’re not close enough to share secrets.
Nan Gil goes back to folding until Duk Bong continues and asks if it’s first love? One-sided love? Or someone he’s cared for his whole life? Nan Gil freezes then and just looks at Duk Bong. Duk Bong leans in a little and says that they say love can conquer all, but it can't beat Dada Finance. They look at each other.
Na Ri walks up. She asks what's with the atmosphere? In unison, the men ask “What atmosphere?” Na Ri replies that it looks very unfriendly. Duk Bong agrees, it looks unfriendly. He thinks the Hong Dumplings President needs to be friendlier to him. And in the context of what they were talking about, he’s saying that because he thinks that Nan Gil’s going to need his help in order to beat Dada. Nan Gil looks away. Na Ri asks why Duk Bong’s said that. Duk Bong asks if she knows how many people come visit his museum? Most of them come here to Hong Dumplings.
This fact is interesting to Na Ri, but, looking at Nan Gil, she announces that she’s going out. Duk Bong comments on her change to using banmal with Nan Gil and how she tells Nan Gil she’s going out. He’s annoyed. He stands and tells her to stop by the office before she goes back to Seoul. He has something to tell her. It's very important. Nan Gil looks away and wordlessly, sarcastically imitates Duk Bong. Which cracks me up. Duk Bong glares over at him and leaves. And why couldn’t you tell her there?
Once he’s gone, Nan Gil stands up and, glaring at the door that Duk Bong left out of, irritatedly says that their situation isn't anything to brag about. When did she tell him? He looks at her as he answers that Duk Bong’s a lawyer, so she had a consultation. Not skipping a beat, he suggests that, when she comes back, she should bring back some Korean beef tail to cook.
That seems like a random, odd request. I wonder why he might suggest that? So I thought I would investigate:
Maangchi.com provides a recipe for Seolleongtang (설렁탕), or ox bone soup. She says that growing up, she used to have to drink it every morning and night in the winter. Also,
Koreans like to joke that if a Korean husband sees his wife making this soup, he starts to get nervous. He knows he’s going to be eating the soup for days or even weeks!Hipfoodiemom.com gives a recipe for Kkori Gomtang (꼬리곰탕), or oxtail soup. She says that it’s the perfect soup to have on a cold day.
“Why she is making this? Is she going to leave home for days? Maybe she will visit her parents or take a trip with her friends?”
So, when he sees the wife boiling bone soup, he may say ask: “Where are you going?”
BeyondKimchee.com gives a recipe for Ox Tail Bone Marrow Soup (소꼬리 곰탕). She says that
Every winter my mother simmered bone marrow soup for two days saying that there was no better food than bone marrow soup to withstand the harsh winter of my hometown in Korea. She believed that bone marrows have a magical power to strengthen our physical resistance to fight against the cold.Koreanbapsang.com gives a recipe for Seolleongtang (설렁탕) and says that it is a staple in Korean households, especially during cold winter months. It takes time to prepare but
Maybe her belief was right, or maybe it was the tremendous amount of clementine oranges we ate during the winter. For any reason, we spent most of our winters without much sickness.
There are several types of bone marrow soup in Korea. Selungtang (설렁탕), Gomtang (곰탕), and the Sagol-gook (사골국) are the common names you might heard of if you like Korean bone marrow soup. The main difference is the type of bones used and the addition of meat in the simmering process. Sagol soup is made with bones only and the marrows inside the bone makes the soup quite milky. Selungtang contains chunks of beef such as brisket or flank steak simmered with the bones. Gomtang is general name of bone marrow soup that can be considered in both ways.
Yes, it takes nearly two days to complete, but you can make a whole batch to last. The bone marrow soup freezes beautifully and can last months.
The result is totally rewarding! A few dollars’ worth of beef bones makes lots of rich and nourishing soup. Legend has it that this soup was created because King Seonjong of the Joseon Dynasty wanted to feed a large number of people after an ancestral worship ritual involving a sacrificial cow. Let me tell you — the King had the right idea! You can feed your whole family and still have some leftover to freeze for later use.So it’s used to promote health in winter – maybe I should make some, considering how sick I always seem to get.
Na Ri is surprised by this request. And come to think about it, it’s something a wife/mother makes for her family. A little familiar, Nan Gil. Heh. He says that before it gets cold, he and his employees need to improve their immunity. Did he do that other years? Probably not. Heh. Na Ri looks horrified. She’ll have to boil it for a whole day. Do they have a pot big enough to make it? Na Ri purses her lips in irritation. She’ll have to boil it in a cauldron the old-fashioned way.
Na Ri turns toward him, smiling like a stewardess. She says, in stewardess voice, that the tails aren't enough for everyone to eat. Not according to what I just read on the internet. She’ll add the beef leg bones and boil them long enough. So until their faces are covered with beef oils, they all should eat it all throughout the fall and winter. All together! She knew that last part would bug him. And it does.
Nan Gil asks, “All throughout winter?” There’s a pause and then he shout with frustration, asking just until when is she going to do this?! Na Ri leaves. Nan Gil watches her go and groans with frustration.
Yeo Joo is working out. She calls and in her Oppa voice, she asks what he’s doing. He answers that he’s exercising. He is actually at home. She says some nonsense about the type of exercise she’s doing and how she should be taking care of her body, too. Anything to get him to think about how hot she is. I roll my eyes. On Dong Jin’s end, he is not smiling. Because he’s starting to figure out what a manipulative minx she is and how stupid he was to buy it. She asks about dinner. A pause and Dong Jin says that since the encounter with Na Ri, he doesn't feel very good. On her end, the Oppa smile falls away and Yeo Joo is annoyed.
Yeo Joo rolls her eyes and silently exhales to stay calm as Dong Jin says that he can't seem to concentrate on work and he’s starting to feel guilty. Starting to feel guilty?! Oppa smile back in place, she says that she understands. Calling him Oppa, she says that he is a warm-hearted and good person. No response from Dong Jin. Yeo Joo presses her Bluetooth closer to her ear and there’s nothing. She continues. Oppa wants to be alone, doesn’t he, and not meet with Yeo Joo anymore. Wow, she is really manipulative! That’s skill.
Dong Jin says that it's not that he doesn't want to see her... He stops and thinks a moment and then agrees. Yes, he needs some time to himself to think. Yeo Joo smiles bitterly and forces the Oppa smile on her face. She tells him, “All right.” She adds that she’s going to be busy for a while, so it works out well. She tells him to go into his own cave and emerge victoriously, coming back being all cool, Oppa! He smiles and thanks her.
After they hang up, Yeo Joo rips off the headset with frustration and turns up the treadmill she’s been walking on. Her guy friend comes, turns it down and asks what’s wrong. Yeo Joo complains that Dong Jin is starting to feel too much guilt and so he won’t see her! He didn't feel it when he was cheating on Na Ri. Why is he feeling it now? Friend replies that she said he was a nice and perfect Oppa. She snaps back that there is no one like that on earth. Friend says his guilt proves he's a nice Oppa. You're being weird.
Yeo Joo replies that it’s not guilt. It's because the woman he was cheating with has become the real girlfriend. So, now he doesn't want to keep her or throw her away. She's unappealing now. Friend says that appeal is supposed to go down with time. After several *years* not a few months. He turns her treadmill back up and tells her to run. And I could care less about the adventures of Yeo Joo.
Na Ri is sitting with a halmeoni, her recorder pen running. She’s helping halmeoni peel some kumquats.
I’ve never actually seen a kumquat. Go here to see one.
Na Ri starts to ask halmeoni about Hong Dumplings. When Na Ri says that she’s Oma’s daughter, halmeoni calls her a wedge moth larvae. Halmeoni explains that a wedge moth stays still and then stings you with poison before it leaves. Oma used to say, her daughter is like that bug. She shoots out poison like that. Wow, that’s harsh. Na Ri is a little shaken. Still on her quest, Na Ri smiles and says that she’s not like that. She only speaks sweet words. Halmeoni smiles at her. She asks halmeoni what kind of a woman was Oma?
Later, as she’s boiling the oxtail, she listens to what she recorded earlier in the day.
Man: Nan Gil? Nan Gil from Hope Orphanage? I don't know him.
Na Ri: The one who currently owns Hong Dumplings.
Woman: Oh, Nan Gil. Yes. He's a dapper young man. He used to live in Hope Orphanage.
Na Ri sets 4 bowls of seolleongtang on the table. The boys marvel and giggle with delight. Almost frowning, Nan Gil watches her distribute them. She gives him a special stewardess smile and bow before walking away. Nan Gil watches her go and makes a noise that says that she’s being weird.
More seolleongtang. I wonder how many days it’s been. Yong Kyu tries not to groan as he says that it's beef soup again. Nan Gil sighs, miserable. Yong Kyu says that they are going to get really healthy and thanks her. She gives Nan Gil the smile and bow. Heh. I am enjoying how she’s driving Nan Gil crazy and being so pleasant at the same time.
Nan Gil hurries after her as she leaves. He asks where she keeps going every day. Is she interviewing everyone? Is that what she’s doing? Is she going back to Seoul? She answers that he told her to grow up. He silently groans. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s not leaving, or because she took what he said the wrong way. She turns to him and asks if he knows that the pumpkin and eggplant flowers have meanings to them. Nan Gil thinks but doesn’t know. The eggplant flower means the truth. She loves that meaning. Na Ri proposes they be honest with each other.
Nan Gil answers that before it gets cold, the garage need a full cleaning. Heh. And I love how he’s now answering with something, just not an answer to her question. That way he’s not just remaining silent. Na Ri responds that he should remodel the entire house! Nan Gil strongly says that this is what he’s saying. If he was her, he wouldn't stay here to do this hard work. He would go back to Seoul and live comfortably. She hmmphs at him and walks off. Nan Gil groans with frustration.
Duk Shim is sitting on some stairs, looking at the shots in her camera. A couple of kids run up the steps, each one bumping her as they pass. Duk Shim makes a face. She looks over and spots Na Ri walking. Duk Shim isn’t happy about it and starts following her.
Na Ri heads into the Robot Museum and comes across Soon Rye. Soon Rye, of course, recognizes her, but tries not to show it. She tries to just bow and leave but Na Ri says that she’s at the museum to see Soon Rye. Soon Rye asks what it’s about. Na Ri says that it can wait until Soon Rye is finished. If she could spare a few minutes... Soon Rye immediately says that she’s sorry. She doesn't have time or anything to say. She walks away.
Determined, Na Ri follows her. When the village elders speak of Hope Orphanage, Soon Rye’s name keeps coming up. Soon Rye says again that she doesn't have time or anything to say. Na Ri asks why Soon Rye hated Oma so much. Hmmm… Soon Rye spins around and practically shrieks, “Why? Can't I hate her? Does the entire neighborhood have to like her?” She starts fanning herself to calm down.
Na Ri isn’t offended. She answers that Soon Rye can hate Oma, if she likes. It just looked like there was a reason. Soon Rye stops fanning and says that she just hates her. And she hates her in the most hateful way possible. Heh. Now with the voice she uses with Duk Bong, Soon Rye says that this is her place of work. Will Na Ri just leave?
Duk Bong has been listening from above. He calls out that Team Leader doesn't like him either. Soon Rye stops and glares at him. One of her glares, at least. She eyeballs him several times and walks away without saying anything.
Duk Bong comes downstairs. Na Ri says that it’s understandable for Soon Rye to not like President Kwon, but Oma was seriously an angel. Duk Bong wants to know why it’s understandable for Soon Rye to dislike him. Really? You have no clue. Just because you’re not invested in anything emotionally, form no real attachments to anyone and act like, and are your father’s son, she has no reason? Na Ri hesitates. It's a bit mean to explain it...
Duk Bong assures her that it’s okay. Tell him truthfully. Na Ri hesitates again. It’s obvious that it’s not going to be pleasant. She bites the bullet. He’s kind of sarcastic and unlikable. Duk Bong answers that Na Ri’s pretty old. Way to take it like a man. Sarcastic? Unlikable? How old are those words? These days, it's called chic and tsundere.
Wikipedia: Tsundere is a Japanese term for a character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing a warmer side over time.
TVTropes.org says that the Japanese term tsundere refers to a character who "runs hot and cold", alternating between two distinct moods: tsuntsun (aloof or irritable) and deredere (lovestruck). The term was originally used to describe characters who began with a harsh outgoing personality, but slowly revealed a soft and vulnerable interior over time. Over the years the character archetype has become flanderized, and is now generically associated with a character who flips between the two emotional states at the slightest provocation, and usually at a specific person rather than a general sociability problem.
The tsuntsun can range from the "silent treatment" to "lovestruck kindergartener who pushes you into the sandbox." The reasons behind a Tsundere's behavior vary widely, but usually boil down to the conflict between their feelings of affection towards a love interest, and their reaction to having those feelings.
Duk Bong adds that he’s exploding with that kind of charm. Really? I have not seen that at all. I've seen where you think you're charming. Na Ri looks away and says that she’ll pretend that she didn't hear that. Duk Bong asks what she’s so busy with that she can't answer her phone? Looking at him, she says that she was meeting up with some people. Why? Duk Bong says that he withdrew the marriage annulment lawsuit. Duk Shim’s ear perk. Marriage? Cancellation? Withdrew...a lawsuit?
Outside, Na Ri sits on a bench. Duk Bong sits on the bench’s back, so that they’re facing each other. He says that he thinks he knows why Hong Dumplings's President became her stepfather. Na Ri is definitely interested. He asks – more to himself – if he really has to tell her. Looking at Na Ri’s face, he caves. Bad decision, dude. Good for Nan Gil, bad for you.
Duk Bong comes around to the front of the bench. He says that Na Ri Nan Gil grew up there and were right next to each other since elementary school. Na Ri says that she knows. He’s surprised that she does. But then... Doesn't Na Ri get some kind of feeling? Na Ri says that she doesn’t. And I don’t think she’s following.
Instead of just coming out and saying ‘I think you’re Nan Gil’s first love,’ he tries a different tactic: Duk Bong talks about how elementary school class reunions are a worldwide trend right now. Why does Na Ri think that is? It’s got to be millennials. I barely remember vague memories of people from grade school. Na Ri doesn’t know. Duk Bong says that it's because you don't forget the things you saw and felt when you were younger. Na Ri still isn’t quite following.
Duk Bong sits next to her. With some space between them. He says that if someone does something that's so shocking that no one in the entire world can understand it, then what does she think the reason would be? Na Ri asks if the reason that Go Nan Gil became her stepfather is that shocking. No, it’s shocking because a young guy became the stepfather to a woman 3 years older than him. Duk Bong says that Nan Gil got married when he was still young and in his prime. He's not cancelling that either.
This is news to Na Ri. He’s not cancelling it? Why is this news? He told you that you had to stay married because of Dada Finance. Why would he cancel it? Or maybe she’s just playing along to see what Duk Bong knows and is thinking. I like that answer better. Duk Bong answers, “Of course not.” He's also insisting that he'll take responsibility for everything while just making dumplings and living like a Buddhist monk. He also definitely has to fight with Dada Finance. They practically kill people for not paying back. Of which Nan Gil is quite aware. Half of his childhood was spent fighting them. And why wouldn’t his dossier have shown who he was connected to at the time he went to prison?
Duk Bong asks what the reason might be that Nan Gil’s doing all this? And what’s the reason you’re explaining it all to her? Do you think that she’s going reject him once she knows? I don’t think so. Doesn't she get a hunch? Na Ri thinks about it. He's not being the noble idiot. That's not why he's doing this. But it is going to backfire.
Nan Gil is working. A text from Na Ri orders him to come to the lake! Nan Gil sighs with irritation and mutters to himself. Yong Kyu reads the text over Nan Gil’s shoulder and then drapes his arm there, hugging him like they’re brothers. He says that he really loves it that there's a person that ties Boss into knots like this. He loves it! Makes living worthwhile. Hmm? Nan Gil shoves him away by the face.
Na Ri is sitting on a bench. She thinks back to sitting there with Oma. Oma says that people tell a lot of lies as they live their lives. They fool other people, and they fool themselves. That's why you need at least one place where you can face the truth. Na Ri in the past is also wearing an orange sweater. Na Ri can't ever lie here. That's why this place will become the most comfortable, free, and beautiful place in the world. Is that why Nan Gil referred to it when he talks about never leaving?
Nan Gil arrives. He’s thrown a tan sweater over his Dumpling clothes. He looks at her with a sad but hopeful look on his face. He’s carrying a box. Na Ri notes that he knows this place too. Then he'd also know that you can't tell a lie here. He says that it’s why he has something to give her. Omeoni’s handphone. He holds out the box. He still hasn’t gotten rid of it yet.
Nan Gil continues that before Dada Finance knew that Omeoni was alive and kept contacting her. He couldn't give it to her because he was worried that they'd get in contact with her. Na Ri looks sad and still hasn’t taken the box. Nan Gil says that he didn't think he had the right to get rid of it, since Omeoni was her parent. Na Ri agrees and takes the box. She says that she’ll take care of it. Nan Gil sits down on the bench and they stare out over the water.
Na Ri says that she heard that Dada Finance is dangerous. She doesn't know what promise he made with Oma or when he made it, but Oma isn't here. He’s paid it back. Still looking at the water, Nan Gil monotonely says that he made a promise to Omeoni at her funeral. He looks at her. That he’d protect this place. Na Ri asks what the place means to Oma. He chuckles and asks if she wasn’t going around trying to find that out.
Na Ri shoots right back, asking him if he was hard on her for not going to Seoul because he knew that. Nan Gil starts to take issue with her saying he was hard on her but stops. He admits he was. Since he can't lie there. Now that’s an honorable guy. He tells her to find out for herself what this place meant to Omeoni. Interested in the answer, he asks if she’s found anything.
Na Ri answers, “My nickname.” Nan Gil wasn’t expecting that: Nickname? Na Ri says that Oma always called her Puppy and Pretty Puppy to her face. Oma told others that she shoots venom out of her mouth. All Oma did was talk about her behind her back. Nan Gil chuckles. Omeoni always called Na Ri Pig's Toenail around him. And that’s better. She said that Na Ri was sharp and scary even though Na Ri was her daughter. He chuckles again.
Na Ri sums up: so Oma talked about her behind her back and made fun of her. Nan Gil’s smile gets wider. Na Ri says that she’s going to have to act like Oma and badmouth Oma to find out more about her. Nan Gil stops smiling and looks at her. He nods and looks at the water again.
After a moment, Na Ri looks at him and tells him to make her a promise. He looks back and asks ‘what?’ with his expression. If he comes out of Dada Finance scared, he’ll quit. He considers her face and then says ‘okay.’ Na Ri says that she has another one, too. If he suddenly wants to quit living like a Buddhist monk making dumplings and wants to leave one day, he can. I honestly don’t think that he will ever do that. Na Ri and Oma were his only family. He’s not going to abandon them to go back to the dark life he was living. Nan Gil wants to know about ‘Buddhist monk.’
Na Ri says that someone said that he's living like a Buddhist monk at such a young age. Does he have a girlfriend? Nan Gil huffs and looks away. Has he ever dated someone? He blows out even more air with a face that says she’s being ridiculous. His leg begins to bounce. Na Ri asks if he’s ever gone on a date? He gets up and quickly leaves. She calls after him that that means that he hasn’t! Heh. He can't walk fast enough.
Na Ri goes back to her room and opens the box. She’s changed into her PJs.
♬ Because it's you ♬
Na Ri picks it up and looks at it.
♬ Because it's you, I can't forget ♬ ♪
♬ That scent that was so warm ♬
♬ Sometimes, I ♬
Na Ri looks through the pictures on Oma’s phone.
♬ When I'm having a hard time or get tired or need a place to lean on ♬
They all have Oma genuinely smiling in it.
♬ Smile for me ♬
Seeing them makes Na Ri smile, even though she’s sad at the same time.
♬ If you call me, wherever it is, even to the ends of the earth, ♬ ♬ I will go ♬ ♬ My foolish love ♬
I think I have something in my eyes. They’re starting to water. Soo Ae is doing an amazing job of acting without saying a word.
♬ But love is still alive ♬
Fades to black. And I have to go cry now.
Another day. Nan Gil and Yong Kyu step outside and see Na Ri. She smiles and widely waves at them, giving Nan Gil a nod. Yong Kyu remarks on Na Ri’s vigor. Nan Gil mutters. From so early in the morning... That thing, seriously. It's nothing but a sad story.
Na Ri is outside Seulgi Supermarket, clapping and singing with some of the village elders. A car drives up. Na Ri is using a bottle as a microphone.
♪ Is it autumn?
Wow, that was off pitch.
Bossman gets out of the car.
♪ Time past makes me cry
He smiles to himself at the group. He doesn’t look like such a bad guy here. Maybe I’ll start calling him Wan Shik, particularly if he’s really been helping Nan Gil all this time.
Na Ri hands the ‘mike’ off to someone else. She spots Wan Shik smiling and clapping with the group. When she approaches him, he pleasantly waves. He asks how she ended up there? She recognizes him from Dada Finance. He says that it looks like she’s having fun playing. He'll see her later, then. Not particularly menacing.
She tells him to wait. They sit down for some makgeolli. Na Ri drinks some. Wan Shik looks at the bowl with disdain and puts it down. Elders are still singing in the background.
♪ Tavern that doesn't have a number of address
♪ An untimely rain coming down
Na Ri finishes her drink and pulls out her microphone pen. Like he’s never seen one of them before or will know that he’s being recorded. She starts it and asks what that legend is. He’s as clueless as I am as to what she's referring to. "Legendary Go Nan Gil." She’s asking what that legend is.
♪ A weeping willow whips
Wan Shik chuckles at the irony - he wants to answer but he can't answer because of Nan Gil. He bites his lower lip as he considers answering.
Duk Shim is in Hong Dumplings, eating. More like watching Nan Gil and vaguely stuffing food in her mouth. Yong Kyu walks over and blocks her view. She tries to look around him. He smacks a cup of water on the table and says that, regular customer, water is self service, but she never seems to get it herself. She’s looking away, like she does with Duk Bong. Yong Kyu puts his hands behind his back and, channeling Nan Gil, he says, “Student! Sit up straight.” Duk Shim smacks her spoon down on the table and glares at him. Her unmoving stare starts to make him uncomfortable and he backs away, muttering that he wasn’t doing anything. She makes a face at her back. And does Yong Kyu possibly like her? Or is he just imitating his hero, Nan Gil?
Nan Gil spots Wan Shik as he drives up and gets out of his car. Meaningful look between them. Like they need to talk, not like they’re shooting daggers at each other. Nan Gil goes outside, which Duk Shim notices. Nan Gil gets in Wan Shik’s backseat. Wan Shik says that Obeoji told him to tell Nan Gil that he got the present. What is he going to do from now on? Nan Gil looks out the window and says that he already told Wan Shik that he’s not going anywhere else. He’s going to keep on living there making dumplings.
Wan Shik looks down – he’d been looking at Nan Gil through the rearview mirror – and says that Obeoji thinks that someone has been helping Nan Gil, starting from the time Nan Gil submitted his adoption dissolution request. So he *has* been helping Nan Gil. So what was that threat in Director’s office then? Nan Gil looks at Wan Shik and says that that means that Director’s suspicious of Wan Shik first. Wan Shik sighs as Nan Gil tells him not to come there too often so that he won't get suspected. He tells Wan Shik to be careful – but it doesn’t seem like there’s any love lost there.
Nan Gil stops when Wan Shik says that he met Hong Na Ri on his way there. Nan Gil closes the door. And the protective face he had in Director’s office is back. She asked him what the legend of Go Nan Gil was. And he said that like he was enjoying Nan Gil’s discomfort.
Na Ri is still sitting on that bench. She thinks of Duk Bong’s question: When a person does something so shocking that no one in the entire world can understand it, what does she think the reason would be? Thinks of Nan Gil’s indecipherable mutter that she’s been trying to figure out. Something hits her and she starts to run. Momentous music begins to play.
In the car, Nan Gil says that he asked Wan Shik, didn’t he? Oh, and I’m afraid she’s going to see Nan Gil’s dark side come out. I thought this was supposed to be a light rom-com. How is angst in Episode 5 not melodrama? He asked Wan Shik to never meet up with Hong Na Ri. That last part comes out as almost a growl. Wan Shik chuckles and says that Nan Gil overreacts as soon as that woman is even brought up. Does Nan Gil think he would tell her about prison? Oma didn’t seem to mind about it, why would Na Ri? I bet at some point Na Ri will stumble across Nan Gil’s letters to Oma. I can’t imagine that he got rid of them or that Oma threw them away.
Nan Gil leans forward and places a hand on Wan Shik’s shoulder. He exhales. And Wan Shik looks a little nervous because it's definitely a threat. Nan Gil says that he’ll take that as Wan Shik’s rejecting his request. He tells Wan Shik to look forward to what'll happen in the future. As Nan Gil gets out of the car, Wan Shik says that he seriously didn't really say anything! He’s telling Nan Gil, Hong Na Ri asked him first! Nan Gil stops to glare at him though the open door. With an expression that reminds me of an angry tiger. Wordlessly he firmly shuts it Wan Shik internally groans then drives away.
He passes the running Na Ri. Phew. Tiger Nan Gil didn’t come out. Thank you for not going too melo, drama. Seeing Nan Gil, she calls his name. He stops. She catches up with him – music stops – and has to catch her breath. He asks what’s wrong. He looks genuinely concerned.
Looking at his face, Na Ri thinks, “I'm sorry I couldn't remember anything, Go Nan Gil.” She reaches up and grabs him into a hug.
♬ Now ♬
Nan Gil protests with a ‘wait.’ She won’t let go. Nan Gil squirms and asks wh-why she is doing this, huh? He pulls on her arms to try to get her to let go.
♬ I am having one of those times ♬
His face says he has no clue what’s going on, is worried and worried about how this might look.
♬ Because ♬
♬ it's you ♬
And the episode ends.
Thoughts
Wow, that was a lot that they packed into an hour.
- There were developments on the OTP romance front.
- Na Ri moving into the house is great. It isn't exactly cohabitation, since Nan Gil sleeps in a separate building, but it's pretty darn close. The changes in their relationship are leading to romance. That wedding sequence was awesome, creepy and funny all at the same time.
- Na Ri is starting to really fall for him. He was popping into her thoughts before - particularly the times when he was taking care of her and not acting like Dong Jin. But now Na Ri has more of an idea of what Nan Gil has really been doing: She knows about Dada Finance. She knows about the 30,000 won. She's knows the implications of what he’s done and that it was to protect her. The way the episode ended makes me think that she realizes more of the extent to which he’s protected her.
- Nan Gil’s starting to weaken his grip on that part of him that loves her as a man. His grabbing his chest and telling himself get a hold of himself, that’s not the actions of someone who’s keeping his heart as her Abeoji only.
- It was quite funny, Na Ri asking about Nan Gil's love life. I don't think he never dated because of her. I think he never dated because of his life and not wanting to pull a woman into that. He gave up Na Ri because he didn't want his darkness to infect her. He wouldn't do that to some other woman that he loved less. He’s not that type of person.
- Na Ri’s quest to find out why Oma referred to Na Ri as a wasp moth and a pig's toenail when talking about her to other people. Nan Gil thought the memory was funny and considering his affection for Na Ri, I don't think he would have viewed it that way if Oma hadn't said some other nice things as part of her explanation. He knows the answer but wants Na Ri to find it out for herself. I think it’s for her benefit and will only benefit her memories of Oma.
- Speaking of Nan Gil laughing, his laughing at her sitting on manure was so sweet and heart melting! I definitely hope this show will have plenty of his laughing rather than focusing on the drama with Dada Finance. I don't want this to be a melo and it's starting to feel like it's moving into that territory.
- The episode ended with Na Ri seeming to remember her past with him, him being her protector and looking out for her. I wonder if maybe she noticed him in the past and put the sightings together until just then.
- We solved the mystery of what was behind Oma and Nan Gil’s marriage. We got Nan Gil's back story. Wow, it was sadder than I expected. Particularly because it looked like Nan Gil spent half his life brawling, especially since they seemed to gang up on him. Oma was really sweet to 'adopt' him. Why didn't Oma formally do it? Na Ri? Her ex? It was obvious that she loved him like a mother when she hugged him and welcomed him home. I wonder if, at some point, Na Ri is going to stumble across Oma's letters and see what Nan Gil's life was like. Not that I expected Nan Gil to tell Oma much, but Na Ri will be able to read between the lines.
- We solved the question of Oma’s handphone. Nan Gil kept the phone to keep Na Ri from finding out about Dada Finance. It shows good character, that reason, and that he gave it back to her, unasked, after the reason was exposed.
- We still don’t know why Nan Gil wants to worry all by himself. Why won't he share the burden with Na Ri? Habit? Part of that locking up his heart and staying focused on protecting her like a father would?
- We've gotten more of a clue of why the lake is so special to Nan Gil. It's a no-lying zone. There aren't any hidden motives. It's a place where he doesn't have to protect himself because it's safe. It's a place he associates with Oma, more than that, with his Omeoni, who he could always rely on to love him. It's the one place that he can rest and be at peace. I think we’re going to be visiting the lake more in the future. I like the idea of there being a place where you *have* to tell the truth, even when you don’t like it, and I can see Na Ri using that to get answers from the protective Nan Gil.
- We still don't know what is causing Nan Gil's episodes. I'm suspecting more that they're brought on by being around the Director (the panic attack theory). Although, why did he have one when he met Dong Jin? Did he see someone that brought it on? Or is it a physical result of head trauma from the brawling?
- The plot has thickened on Soon Rye's ties to Nan Gil. People associate her with the orphanage. She previously warned Nan Gil about what Duk Bong was doing. He knows her in some way more than Duk Bong's secretary. There's no affection there for him. But I wonder if she worked at the Orphanage, if she was the woman who let the Director take him and other boys. But I also wonder if, perchance, she might be his mother. She hates Oma, for some *strong* reason. I mean, she lost control of her emotions when Na Ri pushed just a little bit. Hating Oma because of how Nan Gil loves her as his Omeoni, that could explain things. Or was she tied to the orphanage where Hong Dumplings now stands? Did its closure make her end up at Hope Orphanage and powerless to refuse to yield to Director's demands.
- But Nan Gil’s backstory is incomplete. We didn’t see anything beyond the fighting. We don’t know anything about the dark time when Na Ri wasn’t in his life. We don’t know what his legend is. I suspect it’s his tenacity and cold-bloodedness when fighting. It could be referring to that last scene where Nan Gil was encircled and holding all of them off.
- I have to say it: Tiger Nan Gil is scary. And I think the Director knows it, too. Wan Shik definitely does. Even though Nan Gil promised Na Ri, she gave put the condition for his quitting to be Nan Gil being scared. I don't think he gets scared of them, because he used to be one and has dirt on them. So he's not going to have to honor that promise.
- We still don't know what Nan Gil did that ended him up in prison. He described it as having to pay a heavy price. What was the price? Time in prison or something more? And why didn't Director ooze over and ingest him back into the fold once he got out? The Director knew where he was. Why didn’t he go pull him back in?
- We know that the Director is one evil, conscienceless dude. Total psychopath. Literally. (See below who the reasons why.) I mean adopting boys and forcing them to physically brawl daily. That's seriously twisted. He needs to get taken down and to disappear. The number of lives he’s ruined.
- We know what was on the thumb drive – dirt on the Director. That was a lot of accounts. My questions now are:
- Why is Wan Shik helping him? Considering how they interact, it doesn't seem like Wan Shik's doing it because he likes Nan Gil or because Nan Gil’s threatening him. He also doesn't strike me as someone who had the ambition or drive to take out Director in a coup. When they were in his car, it struck me as almost brotherly, which technically it would be if they both were adopted by ‘Father.’
- What other dirt does Nan Gil have on Director?
- What is Nan Gil's plan to deal with Dada Finance? And why did he tip his cards? What else does he know about their dealings? He can't be planning on staying Na Ri's stepfather forever.
- We’ve discovered that Bossman Wan Shik might not be so creepy after all. I have stopped calling him Bossman, after all. He seemed unthreatening when he visited Na Ri, almost nice. And his interchange with Nan Gil in the car says that he likes to goad Nan Gil – as brothers like to do – but he doesn’t mean Nan Gil any harm. I wonder how many other ‘brothers’ of Nan Gil’s we are going to meet. Could Bruiser be one of them? I’m thinking of the look he gave Nan Gil when he said that he had to escort Nan Gil inside.
- There was development in explaining Duk Shim and Duk Bong’s relationship. Duk Shim is seriously bordering on the creepy side of stalking. (Nan Gil has to have noticed it. He noticed that her bike was stolen and where it went. He figured out what Na Ri was doing without her telling him.) But I think that he makes her feel safe, in a way she wants Duk Bong to but Duk Bong won't. Their conversation and non-verbal revelation that she moved there because Duk Bong's the only one she can trust, that's pretty huge. I think it's true. For all of his self absorption and lack of attentiveness, he still cares about her. He doesn't try to play games (beyond what he'd normally do with anyone) or try to manipulate her. My impression of their Father definitely says that that's not the house that they grew up in. Any man who would break the sanctity and safety of therapy isn't someone that is bothered when manipulating others and hurting them. He's only concerned with pleasing himself. Which explains where Duk Bong learned to be like that. The difference between the two is that Duk Bong seems to be a nice guy when he's not being a jerk. He doesn't purposely angle to hurt people, which his father does.
- We also got more of a picture of how clever Duk Bong is. He’s pretty astute for putting all the pieces together to get to the first love, although I don't think he's right about why Nan Gil is staying. I think if he ever finds out about Nan Gil's past with Dada Finance that he'll get the big picture - possibly before it's even explained to us. He also has obliquely offered his help, although it's not out-and-out but more 'sell me the land and I'll deal with Dada.' I think that will change as time goes on.
- And because I have to mention it: It seems like Dong Jin finally is starting to wise up about Yeo Joo. Not that I want him to step in the mix in going after Na Ri, because he threw her away for his own ego. That part of his character isn't going to change no matter how much he says sorry. But I want him to wise up because I am sick of Yeo Joo and all her scheming. We still have to endure 11 more episodes with her it it. I am whining a little at that thought of hearing her Oppa voice one more time.
Normally, the first love trope annoys me. I mean, why is that first love the only one that will make you happy? Why can't they move on? Why if they've left it behind, do they pick it back up once they meet again? I can barely remember my first love. His name was Jeff and he had brown hair. That's about it. I think I was 5. But in this case, it kind of makes sense and it doesn't bug me at all.
- He's an orphan. Oma chooses to become his Omeoni when not even his own family wanted him. She is loving and kind.
- He initially hates the girl who really is the child of his Omeoni. His affection for Omeoni bleeds over into his feelings for the girl and, as Nan Gil said, it was only after Na Ri left that he realized she was his first love. She was the bright spot in his very dark and sad life.
- He continues to stay in touch with Omeoni even after his life becomes a daily struggle so his love for Omeoni never waivered.
- He gives Na Ri up, to the point that when Na Ri's going to get married, he's just accepted things. His affection has turned mostly platonic and brotherly. Which is why he is so familiar with her and comfortable being close to her.
- He knows how much Omeoni loves Na Ri and how much he loves Omeoni. He wants to protect both of them, particularly Na Ri once Omeoni has died.
- Being around her again has started to awaken those feelings he gave up on, particularly because she's accepted him as her family.
Side Note: What’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath? This is taken from MedicalDaily.com.
Sociopathy, while severely the less understood of the two disorders, can be congenital or acquired. Psychopathy, meanwhile, is generally considered a confluence of genetic and chemical imbalances. Psychopaths lack the proper neurological frameworks to develop a sense of ethics and morality. Sociopaths interact with their social worlds in a meaningful way, but their moral compasses needed a massive tune-up yesterday.
Psychopaths are dangerous. They’re violent and cruel, and oftentimes downright sinister. They show no remorse for their actions, usually because of a lesion on a part of their brain responsible for fear and judgment, known as the amygdala. Psychopaths commit crimes in cold blood. They crave control and impulsivity, possess a predatory instinct, and attack proactively rather than as a reaction to confrontation: A 2002 study found that 93.3 percent of the psychopathic homicides were instrumental in nature (meaning they were more or less planned), compared with 48.4 percent of the homicides by people who weren’t psychopaths.
Sociopaths are a different breed. They, too, may suffer from their mental illness as a result of lesioned brain regions. Upbringing may also play a larger role in a child becoming a sociopath versus those that are diagnosed as psychopaths, or the slide into dementia on the other end of the spectrum. Sociopathic behavior is manifested as conniving and deceitful, despite an outward appearance of trustworthiness or sincerity. Sociopaths are often pathological liars. They are manipulative and lack the ability to judge the morality of a situation, but not because they lack a moral compass; rather, their existing moral compass is greatly (yet not always dangerously) skewed. Pemment, for one, says this could point to both a social and neurological component.
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