ShelleyB_xoxo

Family reunion — secrets, stepbrothers, and first kiss chaos

Episode 13 is a whole mix of chaos and feels — from broken facilities to a family reunion that drops major truth bombs, all while the FL is quietly falling in love in real time.The biggest reveal? The Rival Lead (RL) is actually the ML’s older stepbrother. It was hinted before, but now it’s confirmed — and he announces it after purposely entering the ML’s mystery game. The FL tries to warn the ML, but only ends up getting herself in trouble because she’s snuck in without a ticket. Classic “trying to help” backfiring moment.We also get another important clue: after the ML’s father died and his mother remarried, the ML tried to break into his stepfather’s safe. He was caught, and the RL — still not fully aware of all the connections — assumes the ML is just a thief. It’s clear the RL doesn’t have all the facts yet, which makes his confidence feel… premature.What really stings is the glimpse we get of the ML’s relationship with his mother. She’s been more of a mother to her stepson than to her actual son, and the ML has been forced into the outsider role in his own family. I’m genuinely questioning her “mother card” here, because she didn’t step up for him when he went to America to study either.On the softer side, the FL is clearly falling in love with the ML little by little — not because of big declarations, but because of his actions, his care, and the way he consistently shows up for her. And then, under the influence of alcohol, she swoops in for their first kiss. Honestly? Whatever she was drinking, I’d like some.With the stepbrother reveal and the safe incident resurfacing, it feels like we’re circling the real truth about the ML’s father’s death — and not everyone in that family is ready for what’s coming.

Read More

When it all comes to light — connection, clues, and silencing attempts

Episode 8 feels like the moment everything starts clicking into place — and it’s a lot. After Ra-ik rushes to find out Choi Jae Hui’s condition, he’s devastated to hear it’s being labelled a suicide attempt, complete with a note. Ra-ik can’t believe it, and honestly, neither can I. It doesn’t match the person he knew, and the whole thing immediately feels off.Lost in his misery, Ra-ik ends up on Maeng Se-na’s doorstep — soaking wet, feverish, and on the verge of collapse. When he wakes up and finds Se-na lying beside him after staying up all night to treat his fever, it’s impossible to deny their connection. They’re drawn to each other in a way that feels quiet, instinctive, and real.Ra-ik becomes determined to uncover the truth, and Se-na agrees to help him. As they retrace Choi Jae Hui’s steps, the “suicide attempt” begins to look even shadier — especially when it’s revealed he left a voice message for Se-na. That doesn’t read like someone tying up loose ends… it reads like someone trying to leave a breadcrumb before being silenced.Based on the hints so far, my suspicion keeps circling back to the CEO. It feels like he’s behind a lot of what’s happening — but by the end of the episode, I’m also questioning myself. He’s clearly hiding something that would deeply hurt Ra-ik, and it seems tied to a secret involving Kang Woo-seong. That doesn’t necessarily make him the murderer, but it does make him dangerous.In the background, I’m still unsure what path Kwak Byeong Gyun will take. Will he follow in his father’s footsteps and help prosecute an innocent man, or will he actually do his job and pursue the real killer? I’m hoping for the latter. I’m also not ruling out the ex-girlfriend’s father — he’s powerful, he dislikes Ra-ik, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is all part of a scheme to push him away from his daughter… though let’s be honest, the daughter isn’t exactly stable either.And the missing phone detail? My brain is absolutely spiralling. Kang Woo-seong’s phone is missing, and there was an object that looked suspiciously like a phone hidden behind the picture frame near the girlfriend. It really made me wonder if she has it — but I still can’t figure out why she’d keep it… yet.The more we dig, the more it feels like someone is systematically removing threats to a hidden truth — and right now, that “truth” seems bigger than a single crime.

Read More

Competition Time — do or die, memories, and family bombshells

Episode 12 is pure “do or die” energy. Competition time is here, and the Rival Lead (RL) is convinced he’s blocked the ML from participating by doing an exclusive interview and dropping “suggestions” that he believes match the ML’s plans. It throws the team completely — but the FL refuses to let the ML give up.One of the sweetest moments comes when she explains why she loves living in the lane, even in an old apartment with a million issues: it’s the memories. That emotional grounding is exactly what the ML needs, and it reminds us what their work (and their lives) are really about.The ML and his team manage to turn the tide, and what I loved most is that their company shows up as a unit. Even though the ML had given them time off, everyone turns up anyway — because it’s about the people. Their entrance timing is perfect, the momentum shifts, and the ML wins the competition. The RL really thought he’d won through sneakiness, but watching it backfire is incredibly satisfying.Of course, the victory doesn’t mean peace. The RL is practically green with envy, and it’s obvious there’s a deeper connection between them. The episode drops a major bombshell: the ML’s mother is with the RL’s father. And then we get another unsettling lead — the RL’s company may be connected to the ML’s father’s death. Suddenly this rivalry isn’t just professional… it’s personal.It also feels like the RL’s interest isn’t random anymore. Seeing the mystery game leaflets the best friend slips in with the coffee seems to have tipped him off, and once he connected that thread back to the ML, the snooping started to feel purposeful.And we can’t ignore the FL’s best friend’s husband either. Something still feels off. He invites her to a reunion and acts all lovey-dovey, but the moment they mention the “junior sister” he reconnected with at the conference, he looks uncomfortable. That reaction didn’t feel like nothing.This episode made it clear the competition wasn’t the real battlefield — the real fight is going to be about history, family ties, and who’s willing to play dirty to win.

Read More

Misunderstandings — sneaky injuries, proud wins, and snooping rivals

Episode 11 leans hard into misunderstandings, but in a way that still feels sweet. The ML and FL are getting closer and closer, and you can genuinely see the ML melting under her care. That said… let’s not forget how sneaky he is — he’s still letting her believe he’s injured when it’s pretty clear his hand is fine. Sir, be serious.At work, the ML tells the FL she’ll be credited as the designer on their plans, and she’s completely over the moon. It’s such a satisfying moment, especially after everything she’s fought through to be taken seriously in her career.After the argument with her father, the FL gets a call from her aunt trying to set her up on a blind date. It feels like the father arranged it, and my first reaction was irritation — but we don’t know the full story yet. What we do know is the FL loves her father and doesn’t want to stress him further because of her choices.Of course, the ML overhears the blind date situation and assumes the worst. He thinks she’s standing him up and heads into the office, when in reality she’s already turned down the blind date and is planning a surprise for him instead. It’s frustrating for a moment, but the payoff is genuinely sweet.The Rival Lead (RL) also shows up at the FL’s best friend’s coffee shop, snooping like a detective. He uncovers that the ML and FL are living together and even finds the address — and that “same lane” detail feels like it’s pointing to something bigger than simple curiosity.That “same lane” detail doesn’t feel like a throwaway — it’s giving shared history vibes, and I’m not convinced the RL is digging just for fun.

Read More

It’s all about trust — history, insecurity, and crossed wires

Episode 8 is all about trust — and how quickly it can fracture. The ML’s studio goes head to head with the Rival Lead’s (RL) company in the design competition, and we begin to understand just how much history exists between them. The RL’s company was founded by the ML’s father and another partner, which explains the tension and unresolved resentment simmering beneath the surface.The RL, true to form, enjoys sowing discord. He deliberately implies that the FL would be easily swayed to his side — something that couldn’t be further from the truth. His company had already dismissed her as not good enough during interviews, while the ML was the one who recognised her potential despite her lack of experience. That contrast matters.Unfortunately, things unravel when the ML implies a lack of trust — and before he can clarify, the FL has already begun to distance herself. Her reaction is understandable, and the ML seems genuinely thrown by the sudden emotional distance.Fate (and the game) intervenes when they cross paths again. The FL is helping her best friend’s husband with a business deal involving a shady client — complete with uncomfortable physical contact — and ends up chatting with the ML as part of a game mission. It’s here that the misunderstanding is finally cleared up: it was never about him not trusting her, but about not trusting the RL.While the clarification brings relief, the emotional impact lingers. Trust doesn’t reset instantly, and this episode does a great job showing how fragile it can be when old wounds and outside interference are involved.It feels like the real battle isn’t the competition itself, but whether trust can survive when history and manipulation keep getting in the way.

Read More

Closure — choosing yourself and drawing the line

Episode 7 delivers real closure, even though it’s painful to watch. The FL is forced to stand by and witness her ex-fiancé’s wedding — an already cruel situation made worse when his mother locks her in a room, terrified she might expose his two-timing. What hurts most is that the FL endures it in silence, afraid that speaking up could negatively impact the ML and his company.The turning point comes when the ML refuses to let her carry that burden. He makes it clear that she doesn’t owe anyone her suffering — she can do what she wants, and she doesn’t have to endure anything for his sake. And with that permission, she finally exposes her ex-fiancé’s lies. It’s messy, painful, and incredibly freeing.Injured and emotionally drained, she’s taken home by the ML, and it’s here that his softer side really shines. He quietly gets her medicine and calls her best friend without making a big deal out of it — small, thoughtful actions that say far more than words ever could. He’s clearly softening toward her.Just as one villain exits, another enters. This time, the threat is tied directly to the ML — the heir of a rival company. It’s obvious there’s more to the ML’s past than he’s letting on, and this newcomer seems intent on using that knowledge to his advantage. He’s already trying to sow discord between the ML and FL, and while it looks like it might work… something tells me the ML won’t be that easy to shake.Closure comes at a cost — but it finally feels like the FL is standing on her own terms.

Read More

When admiration meets reality — awkward, earned, and amusing

Episode 5 delivers peak second-hand embarrassment in the best way. The FL discovers that the ML is actually her favourite architect when he turns his chair around during the interview, leaving her completely flabbergasted — especially after spending the previous night enthusiastically singing the company’s praises. Painful? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes.Although she’s initially hurt by the deception, that feeling doesn’t linger for long once she’s offered the role. Importantly, it’s made clear that the decision has nothing to do with personal feelings — her interview answers, attitude, and work ethic align perfectly with what the studio is looking for, which makes the moment genuinely satisfying.The episode leans into comedy through their parallel inner monologues, with both of them thinking increasingly ridiculous things about the other. These moments add a lot of charm and keep the tone light without undermining the professionalism of the setting.We end the night with a drunk FL being driven home by the ML, and between his slightly odd behaviour and her lack of experience, it feels safe to assume that office gossip is about to have a field day. The setup is playful, awkward, and full of promise.

Read More

The paths we take — choices, detours, and quiet understanding

Episode 4 takes a deeper, more reflective turn. We learn that the FL is genuinely talented as an architect and has even won several awards, making it all the more painful to realise how circumstances diverted her from the path she once envisioned for herself. It’s a sobering reminder that ability alone isn’t always enough when timing and opportunity fail you.Now standing at a crossroads, a new job opportunity appears — only to be undercut by a misunderstanding. What she believes to be an architect role turns out to be an assistant to the general manager position instead, which isn’t the future she was hoping for. It’s a quiet but very real disappointment, and the episode lets that moment sit without overdramatizing it.On the ML side, he finally comes clean about renting her apartment — a confession prompted after she has to rush over following a call from property management when the neighbours start suspecting he’s shady. It’s an oddly amusing situation, but it also leads to something more meaningful.There’s a subtle moment where the ML softens, and what stood out most is how easily he senses that something is wrong with her — just from a glance. No big gestures, no dramatic speeches, just quiet awareness. It’s a small moment, but it says a lot about the path these two are slowly walking toward.

Read More

Game on — damsel moments, smug wins, and mixed signals

Episode 3 leans fully into chaos. The FL realises the ML is back in the game, rushes in after him, and promptly ends up trapped in a haunted house — only to be rescued by the ML. For a moment, she’s clinging, shaken, and very much in damsel-in-distress mode, and it’s undeniably sweet… while it lasts.That sweetness is quickly overshadowed by the ML’s sneaky side. He chains the FL to a chair, wins the game, and shows not a single hint of guilt — just pure smug satisfaction at beating her. It’s funny, irritating, and very on brand for him.Outside the game, the FL gets a much-needed reality check: the game isn’t real life, and she shouldn’t get too sucked into it. Meanwhile, the ML remains determinedly aloof and distant, which eventually turns into a comedy moment when he suddenly wants to rent her apartment. There’s clearly a reason behind his behaviour, but for now, it’s frustratingly unclear.Unfortunately, the FL slips back into pushover territory when an absurd amount of money is offered for the rental. It’s too good to turn down — even if it means temporarily living in the storeroom of her friend’s coffee shop. Practical? Yes. Ideal? Absolutely not.The push and pull is entertaining, but this episode makes it clear that the real challenge won’t be the game — it’ll be finding balance between fantasy, reality, and self-respect.It feels like the ML is keeping his distance on purpose — not out of disinterest, but because getting closer might mean losing control of the game he’s so determined to win.

Read More

Finding her spine — courage, chaos, and near misses

Episode 2 shifts gears in a really satisfying way. After losing to the FL, the ML disappears from the game, leaving her thrown off and frustrated. His replacement is… serviceable, but nowhere near as sharp or savvy, which only makes his absence more noticeable. Determined to beat him again, the FL asks for the game schedule — competitive instincts officially activated.We then jump into the present day, where the confidence she’s gained from the game starts to spill into real life. In a moment that felt long overdue, the FL quits her job. Her boss has been treating her like a maid and actively blocking her path toward becoming an architect, and watching her finally walk away was incredibly satisfying.Jobless and unsettled, she returns home only to be met with chaos — her parents arguing with her ex’s partner’s mother, who has the audacity to demand money. Thankfully, this time the FL isn’t a pushover. She shuts that down swiftly and verbally, and it’s clear she’s already changing.The tension between the ML and FL continues to build through a series of near misses — him checking out an apartment in her building, another encounter at the waterfront — just enough to keep anticipation simmering. The OST remains on point, perfectly underscoring the mood.Final thought: the FL’s interaction with the ML, even in absence, has had a real impact. She’s starting to stand up for herself — and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch.

Read More

Six episodes in — everyone’s suspicious and nothing is clear

Episode 6 leaves me genuinely unsure of who the murderer could be — at this point, everyone feels like a suspect. We learn that Ra-ik’s mother and Kang Woo-seong signed a contract behind Ra-ik’s back, which only reinforces how little control he’s ever had over his own life. There’s also something increasingly cagey about the CEO that’s becoming harder to ignore.We also get more insight into Maeng Se-na’s past, particularly the regret she carries about the last time she saw her father. These quieter moments help ground her character and add emotional depth amid the growing tension.Things come to a head when Ra-ik discovers Se-na’s fan merchandise, making it impossible to ignore that she’s his fan. Whether this reveal was intentional or accidental remains unclear, but it undeniably shifts the dynamic between them. As for Park Chung Jae, the drama hasn’t confirmed anything, but personally, his behaviour reads as deeply protective — perhaps even driven by unspoken feelings — which adds another layer of uncertainty rather than clarity.Six episodes in, the pacing is starting to feel slow. I understand the need to peel back the layers carefully, but I’m still left asking the same questions: why was Kang Woo-seong murdered, who did it, and why is the romance between Ra-ik and Maeng Se-na moving at such a cautious pace?Right now, it feels like the drama is deliberately withholding answers while tightening control around Ra-ik — which makes me think the truth will ultimately be about ownership and power rather than passion.

Read More

It’s all in the past — healing, clarity, and quiet triumph

Episode 27 is overflowing with sweetness, with just a sprinkling of annoyance to keep things interesting. After the FL swoops in and rescues the ML, we’re given a bittersweet look into his past and the family dynamics that shaped him. Power struggles are everywhere, yet what’s quietly amusing is that the ML — despite not being fully invested in the competition — still manages to outshine everyone else with ease.One of the most satisfying developments is the ML’s decision to return to medicine. It’s clearly where his heart has always been, and being with the FL has helped him unravel the weight of his past and refocus on what truly matters. Their relationship feels strong, healthy, and grounding — and it shows. They’re both glowing in a way that feels earned.And yes, the first kiss deserves a mention. Low-key, simple, and spontaneous, set against the city skyline — romantic without being overdone. A perfect reflection of their relationship.The episode closes with the ML’s irritating uncle complaining to the FL’s father, and honestly, those two deserve each other. Watching them stew in the same pot is mildly satisfying, though I’m very ready for their long-overdue comeuppance. The ML’s grandfather’s plan is starting to surface, but it’s clear there’s still more beneath the surface — and I wish he’d speed things up just enough to deliver a proper dose of karma.It feels like the grandfather’s restraint is intentional, letting the power players expose themselves fully before he steps in — making whatever consequences come next impossible to escape.

Read More

Oh dear lord — second-hand embarrassment unlocked

Episode 3… oh dear lord, the cringe. The FL’s suitors are truly something to behold. I couldn’t stop laughing, especially at the childhood friend who thought re-enacting a dramatic general scene as a gift was the move. The second-hand embarrassment was real — equal parts hilarious and painful to watch.We thankfully get less screen time from the deadly sisters this episode, though they’re very much still plotting in the background. That quiet menace never really leaves.Meanwhile, the ML continues to play his cards close to his chest. Even so, it’s already clear how smart and observant he is — in such a short time, he understands the FL better than some of her so-called suitors ever have. Cringe aside, this episode does a good job highlighting that contrast.

Read More

Playing your hand — memory loss, manipulation, and dangerous smiles

Episode 2 really feels like a game of strategy — playing your hand at exactly the right moment. Our ML falls straight into a deadly trap and loses his memory, landing him firmly in the FL’s hands. She clearly knows more about him than she lets on, but instead of turning him in, she rescues him and quietly installs him as a stable boy. Bold choice.Meanwhile, the FL’s sisters continue plotting like it’s their full-time job — honestly, her siblings are lethal and no one feels safe around them. Just when you think that’s enough scheming, the potential suitors enter the picture, and their plotting is almost as bad as the sisters’. Everyone here has an agenda.This episode makes one thing very clear: showing weakness in this world is dangerous, and it could easily be your downfall. Tension stays high, alliances feel fragile, and I’m very curious to see who plays their cards right next.🔍 Current Theory:I think the ML has genuinely lost his memory, but his cleverness and instincts are still very much intact. Even without his past, he knows how to survive, read people, and adapt — which makes him even more dangerous.

Read More

Gentle flirting — closeness, comfort, and quiet understanding

Episode 18 is full of gentle flirting and soft moments, and it’s easily one of my favourites. Watching the ML follow the FL to the mountains and jokingly appoint himself as her skiing coach was both sweet and natural — the kind of closeness that feels earned rather than forced.We thankfully only get a small dose of the SML, who spends his limited screen time moping over the fact that the FL now clearly has a boyfriend. The irony, of course, is that he didn’t pursue her properly when she was single, so this really changes nothing. Consistency, if nothing else.What really grounds this episode is the insight we get into the ML’s background — his complicated family history involving his grandfather, his mother, and the loss of his father. The fact that their parents have now met (the important ones, notably not the FL’s father) adds a quiet sense of seriousness and stability to their relationship. It’s warm, gentle, and emotionally reassuring.

Read More