meatball_head

The throwing up scene has me worried. Could she be pregnant?

He seems to be turning his head in a different direction, i.e. towards his studdy mate, but probably won't like being cheated on. They might break up before things become that serious, though.

Generally, I think it's best if he moves out, their arrangement isn't the best and he'll probably feel less insecure if he can stand on his own feet.

Right! I love your insight and look forward to your comments :)

It looks like Jong Hyun isn't always Mr. Nice Guy and with all the stress in his life, Soo Young might find him not as good as she first thought. I just don't think he's naturally bad, but situations can bring out the worst in people. Particularly if he learns that she harbors feelings for Sang Soo while being in a relationship with him and he has already lost much of his power.

That's the funny thing, I think this show points out how class differences don't really go away. Also, the mothers aren't that close. The friendship is built on the fact that Sang Soo's mother stood up for Mi Kyung's mom, winning her admiration. However, it feels like a relationship that the latter is humored by. She's too catty of an individual to abandon the notion of class altogether but is bored and wants to spend time with someone outside of her usual circles. This by no means indicates that she would be fine with calling this same "friend" family. I think that is when her claws will come out, because it would concern her daughter's future, and after all she is in the dominant position of patronizing Sang Soo's mom, so she holds the power. She's richer and if Sang Soo wants to marry Mi Kyung, there will be conditions, like maybe he goes to work at her dad's company. She might even tell his mom to stop working at the spa since that is beneath them.

Also considering that Sang Soo's mom lied about where her son worked, it wouldn't be a reach to think that Mi Kyung's mother will assume she planned the marriage, orchestrating it for their benefit. After all, they stand to gain from marrying into a rich family. I really hope it doesn't come to this, but my point is that even if they spend time together, it doesn't mean that the consideration of class is gone. Sang Soo's mom has never been introduced in a public setting to Mi Kyung's mom's friends or colleagues because she isn't on that level. She's just a friend to pass time with, but not of her class.

I think both Mi Kyung's parents will push against the match if it proceeds to talk of marriage, but her mother will be easier to convince since she takes her side. Her dad is a different story.

That's true. Irrespective of his feelings for Soo Young, he shouldn't cheat while dating Mi Kyung. He agreed to it and at the very least should end the relationship, first.

I think the relationship between the mothers will sour since they are from different classes, but I could be wrong. Maybe Mi Kyung's mom will be happy that he's her friend's son? Something in me doubts that, and the dad will probably not think Sang Soo is good enough for his daughter. If they do accept, he'll immediately try promoting him or giving Sang Soo a better position so that it reflects well on them. I wonder why there's such strain between the members of that family.

Right? The way she was eyeing the boxes piled in her room was telling, she's starting to crack. I wish she hadn't invited him to live with her, their relationship wasn't ready for that, but they are about the get the crash course version of knowing each other. You can see Soo Young forcing herself to be cheery at certain parts because she knows Jong Hyun is watching. Meanwhile, the past scenes of her at home have been somber and contemplative in tone; it's her quiet place and she's unwittingly opened up her sanctuary to an almost stranger.

Now she feels like she needs to be positive and upbeat for him, but it won't last long. I think Jong Hyun fills her with optimism as she considers how life could be, but a leopard can't change their spots. Until she addresses past trauma, she'll carry the baggage from it that continues to inform her decisions. It's holding her back from being her most authentic, fulfilled self and no one can fix that but her.

Thank you! I did notice! He looked annoyed when he caught Soo Young repeatedly glancing behind him, which was surprising, but I guess it goes to show that Sang Soo and Soo Young aren't as discreet as they think they are. If Jong Hyun has noticed, there's no way that Mi Kyung doesn't know.

I can see why you like him, he's not a bad person and might be the most genuinely innocent character so far, but he's stale to me. He surely doesn't deserve to be cheated on, I don't think anyone does, but things may be heading in that direction given that Soo Young lied about staying over at a friend's place. That little detail keeps sticking in my mind because she doesn't have many close friendships, so who is she meeting? Maybe she really did need some space and quiet time, but I don’t know...

This does boil down to honesty; Soo Young and Sang Soo are just lying to themselves. I do think Jong Hyun will get his happy ending, finally passing the exam and getting his happily ever after. I can picture the final scene of him in police uniform, either saluting Soo Young as promised, or casually walking alongside his female study buddy who obviously has a crush on him as they head into the precinct to work. I think this puppy will be fine in the end.

Agreed! He's just going throught the motions with Mi Kyung.

Thank you! Your comment made my day. 😊

She would probably break down. You're right, it's too much to handle and she'd be giving them the power to affect her.

I think the final scene was a foreshadowing of what is to come, possibly at episode 10-12 given the pace of this show. I must say, Sang Soo is looking NICE! He needs to wear that grey/black checked suit everyday. 👀😍 We didn’t see the hotel hallway when Soo Young arrived, so I don’t know if they meet each other in this instance, but it definitely amped the ante. I waited with baited breath because their chemistry is making me such a simp. I love this show; I know I mentioned that already, but I am all in with these messy characters and their stories. The theory that Soo Young didn’t know about Sang Soo’s background was confirmed this week by her comment that he and Mi Kyung are at the same level. She thinks he’s better than her, and that inferiority complex won’t let her think differently. Ironically, the man she thought would share her world view is different from what she expected and worse yet is changing before her eyes.

Hers and Jong Hyun’s relationship isn’t what it was last week; it seems a lifetime has passed, the light having left his eyes. He’s demoralized, vulnerable and more disadvantaged than when we last saw him. This is not the bright security guard with a quick word of encouragement or pick-me-up. Now, he can barely motivate himself and I couldn’t help but notice the balance shift in their relationship. Soo Young has adopted the role of caretaker, mothering and encouraging him through this crisis as he eagerly soaks it up...to the detriment of their relationship. What sparse attraction existed between them is quickly fizzling out and they seem more like room-mates than lovers. The awkward moment of hesitation following his shower as he hovered outside of her door spoke volumes, and I wonder where they can go from here.

Clearly, Sang Soo is in love with Soo Young and she is fighting against her feelings for the handsome bank clerk. To be frank, any other union is a waste of time since neither is giving 100% of themselves to those relationships. I think the bits of commentary peppered throughout are red herrings. For instance his mother’s comment about not marrying her passionate love and his colleague agreeing to the arranged marriage serve to make viewers believe they won’t end up together. However, I disagree. These two are alike in interesting ways, like their shared tendency to bury their emotions and push ahead irrespective of feelings, which is a trait that Sang Soo learned from his mom and Soo Young cultivates. He’s not looking for saccharine optimism or upward social mobility from his partner, but someone who can share his emotional burdens without being overwhelmed.

Soo Young has repeatedly shown that she’s made of strong stock and is sensitive enough to build a partner up while maintaining a relationship. There are times when she just takes everything on her chin with zero complaints, it’s like she expects to do everything on her own and is quite capable of that.

Meanwhile, his current partner is doing her best to convince him that she’s the perfect girl, solidifying their relationship without actually meeting his emotional needs. She’s pushed the gas in terms of progress in the relationship and keeps jumping the gun. She kissed him during the hike, when it was impossible for their coworkers not to notice, making their dating public, and showed up unexpectedly at his apartment, insisting that she would not be going home. I could not help but notice how this would have been so poorly received had it been a man imposing his presence on a female lead; we’d call the cops on this stage 5 clinger, ASAP. Instead, Sang Soo goes along with it, like he half-heartedly complies with most of her demands, which further proves to me that his heart is just not in this relationship.

I think Mi Kyung is quite an interesting creature. She’s said time and time again that she notices everything and I agree that much doesn't escape her. The meeting with her mom at the bank was enlightening because we saw how she really feels about taking Soo Young’s job, which is absolutely unrepentant. I don’t want to belittle her by saying she is unaware of the effects of her actions and the ever-present smile belies a calculating mind. She’s a strategist, buying the painting Soo Young loved only to keep it hidden away in the bathroom, and just in time for her visit, while giving her a generic birthday present when that same painting would have gone a long way in proving how much she valued their relationship. Not to mention taking every opportunity to let the other woman know that Sang Soo is hers, i.e. feeding him chocolate only when Soo Young was in the car, mentioning that his clothes were at her house, and consistently placing them in awkward situations.

Like the painting, Sang Soo ‘belongs’ to her, ready to be propped up when need be and shown off for maximum effect. There’s a spirit of covetousness within her that makes me wonder if Mi Kyung’s main motives stem from a need to possess that which others desire.

Mi Kyung isn’t dumb and the way she brought up their shared university experience makes me believe that this was also a dig at Soo Young who has no higher education. Especially since she went on to talk about Jong Hyun failing the exam, which along with his measly agricultural schooling weren't natural points of discussion and served to show how much he paled in comparison to them. These two really can’t be friends, not with the way Mi Kyung casually reminds Soo Young that she is her superior. At first it was taking credit for her efforts and stealing the job, then gifting the second-hand necklace, and finally throwing the rug haphazardly down while acting oblivious to the effort it took to make and deliver. I was happy that Soo Young asked her about the painting, but just like taking the scholarship away from those less privileged, I don’t think Mi Kyung wants to understand how she hurts others; she’s just not interested.

This to me proves that hers and Sang Soo’s relationship won’t last, and that she does much of these things out of a sense of insecurity. She’s over-estimating the extent to which she can push Sang Soo into committing to their relationship, and for the most part he takes the path of least resistance. That is, until Soo Young appears. This man can’t think straight around her and his lingering feelings for her are the single variable that will mess up Mi Kyung’s carefully cultivated plan. She is playing the long game, I don’t know if “winning” Sang Soo is the only prize for her, but Mi Kyung is a woman on a mission. Sadly, I do believe that she’s trying her best to seem like a good person, but her pesky true nature keeps showing through. I can’t wait for things to inevitably come to a head.

Part of me thinks that the epilogue scene in episode 8 is of Sang Soo breaking up with Mi Kyung. He meets her at the hotel and tells her it’s over, and then maybe goes to see Soo Young? I don’t know, it could be him arriving at the hotel to find Mi Kyung cheating on him with his work bestie/her ex, we will have to see. As for Soo Young, I think Jong Hyun’s closer proximity is making her feel claustrophobic. She and Sang Soo both enjoy their quiet time and are deeply contemplative individuals. I don’t think having demanding partners will serve either of them well and their breaking points might soon be reached. I can’t wait for more!

🎀Stray Observations 🎀

🎀 The creepy boss is back and probably planning his REVENGE!!! Yikes, I am praying for you, Sang Soo!

🎀 There is another office romance brewing, possibly between Mr. Ma and Ms. Bae. I see you, show, this is an office of love. Lol I’m sorry. 🙈

🎀 Sang Soo is actually pretty awkward lol he didn’t know what to do with himself in that fish market. I hope he sees that he and Soo Young can be awkward together.

🎀 Jong Hyun is just not doing it for me, sorry but he seems like such a kid, I don’t know what to do.

🎀 It looks like there’s a funeral next week, judging by Soo Young and Sang Soo’s all black attire.

Have a great day!

I don't think having an inferiority complex makes you a bad person, but it's what you do with it. Soo Young is getting in the way of her own happiness by self-sabotaging relationships before they begin.

I think what you said was fair. People shouldn't be hate-watching since it's just a waste of their time, and if they genuinely don't like the show, it's okay to drop it.

Right!? It's easier to like a character when you have the full backstory immediately, but harder when there isn't much to go on besides their questionable actions. Soo Young is like this, we get to know more about her as the story progresses but until the end there will be uncertainty. I was proud of her for speaking up against the boss with such grace and composure! She's made of strong mettle and I applaud her for doing that.

Likewise, I'm really interested in the history between Mi Kyung and Sang Soo's friend; it's so cold between them and he definitely knows more than he's letting on. I wonder what she wants? Is the endgame just to have Sang Soo and be married, or is there more? I don't know how everything will play out, but it's sure to be interesting. Please let me know what you think and thank you very much for your kind words. I hope you have a great day!

Nicely put, thank you. 💖

Thank you! 🥰

It goes both ways. The colleagues shouldn't be bringing personal feelings into the workplace and should do their part to create a productive and conducive work environment.

Actually, the show highlights the different ways people use each other in this very workplace. The kinder boss busting his butt for the promotion doesn't have the connections that the creepy boss who married into a rich family does and is therefore disadvantaged in his bid to advance in the company. Additionally, Mr. Mal and his associate notoriously brown-nose, not to mention the many after-hour "meetings" which are about stroking the client's egos enough that they continue to patronize the bank. Most characters are using each other for their personal gain.

You also said that she ostracizes herself instead of building relationships that could help her climb the hierarchy. How is this not using someone? Especially since in doing so, she would need to ignore the very awkward, if not negative workplace atmosphere that has been created. She isn’t made of stone and deserves as much consideration as anyone. Why is the onus on Soo Young to sit and grovel when they can't do her the courtesy of not talking badly about her in the workplace? What about that is professional? What you suggested is unfair.

Thank you! You shouldn't have to put up with nonsense and borderline harassment because of a job. She's never complained about being alone at work, it is evidently draining on her, but she gets through it the best way she can. I think her greatest sin in the eyes of most viewers is her rejection of Sang Soo. Even though the later episodes explain why she thought shutting him down was the right reaction and his reservations were explored, many think it's unforgivable that she would walk away; how dare she deny him?

I didn't like that she agreed to date the SML, but I could understand her motives. That's the thing with this drama, you might not agree with their actions, but they make sense from a human standpoint. The tropey female lead that wins over the hearts of her surly co-workers, all the while charming the male lead with her enthusiasm and zest for life is better saved for other dramas. Soo Young is tired. She's a woman trying to do her job and live her life, I wish people would stop demonizing her because she isn't a candy.

It's so telling when those critics stand up for Mi Kyung like her whole goal in getting close to Soo Young isn't because she wants the most recent gossip on Sang Soo. An added bonus to this familiarity is her ability to play on Soo Young's insecurities, making her think that she and Sang Soo are more serious than they are. Because she smiles more and is easier to deal with, viewers prefer the character, even though she's conniving and calculating. This is the female lead that puts people at ease because her archetype is familiar to us and I can't stand the misogyny.

So basically she should use people to her advantage? I don't think I would want to have lunch with co-workers who back-bite me. The ajhumma who sticks up for her is nice, and Soo Young was willing to get to know Mi Kyung who extended a hand of kindness, but the other clerks are openly hostile and belittling. They talk about her like she isn't in the room even when she is, and say worse things when she's away. Would you honestly want friends or close colleagues like this?

I admire her keeping some distance from them, especially the rude woman at work who talks without thinking. You need to know what to allow and cut out from your life, and if that makes her toxic, so be it. I'd rather she be straight-forward and alone than surrounded by "friends" who hate her just because there's a promotion available.

What did she do wrongly that they always have something negative to say? Even when the creepy boss forced her into the meeting in front of the team, they had the nerve to allege that they were having an affair. I mean, come on! Soo Young can't win with them. She shows up, does her job and goes home. The people at her workplace should be deserving of her company because the way they are now, I'd dodge them too.