meatball_head

Right? I thought his mom was doing a good job of keeping the boundaries between her and Mi Kyung's mom in place, but I have a sense of dread that their growing closeness could really complicated things, especially since Sang Soo met her dad, too. I hope they don't get engaged, but I see it going down that road because her dad is a fan of him and Mi Kyung is gong-ho for anything.

I think it was Soo Young since she kept smiling up at her while she did the spa treatment. She was more cautious of Mi Young, in my opinion since she's obviously upper class, but tried to engage with Soo Young more.

I took the statement to mean that they both stick out/haven't really found their place within the branch, or they're outsiders. I don't know how much she knows about him personally besides his reluctance to rock the boat.

I still think the assumption is that Sang Soo comes from a middle to upper class home. I got the vibe from their earlier conversation that they both just wanted to be average and live uneventful lives and maybe be content. It's possible that she knows, or could be in the dark about his circumstances but only time will tell.

I will say that his mom really liked Soo Young when she visited the spa lol I could see the match-making wheels in her brain turn.

Right? It could have been a typical k-drama script with easy characters and a clear ending, but I like that instead this show is interesting, pun intended, and keeps me looking forward to what comes next.

I agree. It isn't fair to rate until at least the half-way mark, but I refrain from doing so until the story is completely done.

I agree, hopefully Sang Soo can prove himself to be different. Even if they end up hooking up, I want them to end up together and not just be a fling since anything less drives home the point that she isn't good enough.

Defeat? She's never heard of the word lol

Exactly what I thought! She wanted commitment, which SML promised, but quickly reneged on. Honestly, I think it may have to do with his parents and him not being able to stay in the city. Regardless, he broke up with her and I don't think the relationship is so far developed that Soo Young would be fighting for him.

She's confused and probably wants an explanation, but she won't be devastated. I saw her relationship with SML as a compromise, he's comfortable and fits what people expect of her, plus he's nice and reliable in the sense that he shows his affections clearly. It's like they've been saying, people choose comfort a lot of the time over relationships that take work.

He might since he was honest about not being 100% into the relationship. The question is whether or not she will LET him break up with her. I think the SFL is determined to make it work, his reservations aside.

Thank you for your comment. The way I see it, she doesn't like the SML more, but feels comforted by him. He was there when she had a chaotic and stressful day and touches her heart with admittedly sweet gestures. My problem is that she likens him to her late brother, which was the initial draw and catalyst to take him somewhere nice for dinner, *bing bong*, since her sibling never ate well. She feels kinship with him and thinks he's on her level, so to speak, since they are both abused and taken for granted within the workplace and possibly life.

This distinction is what separates her and Sang Soo, because till date she assumes he is like the other employees coming from a wealthy home with a good education. If anything, he may be worse because Sang Soo tries to act differently but was afraid of not fitting in. I enjoy this show because the character growth is slow, but evident which makes it realistic to me. He didn't magically give up his misgivings, but is actively working on them and becoming the person she needs him to be. Thankfully, he finally stood up for her in a way that counts!

On another note, Soo Young is in more obvious need of therapy because her relationship to male figures was ruined due to her dad's believed infidelity. The only male she truly loved died tragically and she is constantly put down by those around her, both male and female who remind her of her inferiority. No matter how hard Soo Young works, there is a decided limit that she cannot break through. Even so, people belittle her efforts, never appreciating the diligence it takes to go over and beyond in a job that does not reward you for the same. Worse yet, they compliment her on her looks, but rue the fact that she is not well educated and comes from a poor background, not taking her seriously. The world at large does not see her value and watching her slowly fold in on herself during the flashbacks was so heartbreaking. She tried to put herself out there, but people were quick to remind her that she did not belong.

When I see her with Jong Hyeon I sense a clear wave of relief that she does not have to second-guess or undervalue herself based on other's perspectives. He isn't out of her league, if anything he's a little below her, and she knows where she stands with him. He is the one taking the initiative, even with their peck, but it was light and fleeting, a surprise act of affection which summarizes their relationship. He is a reprieve, harmless because she doesn't feel those intense emotions with him that she does for Sang Soo and she lies to herself that this is enough; he is easy. The same can be said with Mi Yeong, she's funny, rich and light-hearted, things that people keep saying are important. On the contrary, I don't think Sang Soo wants easy, not deep down, and neither does Soo Young, but she doesn't know it yet.

Soo Young is like a drowning person reaching out for anything sturdy to hold onto. I disagree about her decision to date Jong Hyeon, but only she knows what was going through her mind and the breaking point that was reached. However, I don't think this means she is over Sang Soo. If she was, she wouldn't still think about or be awkward around him; it is because she recognizes his feelings as being similar to her own that she doesn't know how to act around him. Case in point, the charge in the air when the light went off in the storage room and their hands brushed for those seconds; also her lingering fingers on his chest and meaningful stares say it all. Sang Soo is dangerous, someone she could fall right into and be reckless with, but Soo Young doesn’t have that to give. She is battered and drained from the world around her and just wanted someone warm to run to. You meet your basic needs first, and the need for comfort outweighed a passionate affair with a co-worker far above her “league.”

This is why Sang Soo is frustrated; because clearly there is something between them, but they're both such giant dolts that everything keeps getting in the way. I love this for both the ML and FL since their chemistry is the best that I have seen from either of the actors, hence my frustration when people dismiss it. Sure, she made a hasty decision, but as many point out - there are 16 episodes to go and with such a multi-layered drama, much can still change. I wouldn't call anyone out as of yet, let's see what happens.

Are people wishful thinking that there is no romantic chemistry/business left between Sang Soo and Soo Young? These two have clear chemistry and romantic tension, it is only a matter of time before something happens between them and their restraint breaks. I get that there might be fans of Mi Yeong and her mad hatter demeanor, but let's not take it so far as to say the feelings between Soo Young and Sang Soo aren't clear as day.

The chemistry between them is palpable! This is why the side romances feel like a drag since they don't share the same appeal as the main couple.

He's a SML because he is billed after Yoo Yeon Seok. Yoo Yeon Seok also has the majority of the scenes, and most of the story is from his and Moon Ga Young's point of view. Jong Hyun is a side ML in this drama, the second choice for lack of a better word as is Geum Sae Rok (SFL). Yoo Yeon Sook is likely going to end up with Moon Ga Young, but we will see how things play out.

I loved the point you made, why should she bend to him when he's so reluctant to stand up for her in public? This is made worse by the fact that he is in almost every conversation where they're talking down to her and says nothing. Sang Soo is analyzing everything, but I fear that by the time he figures out what he wants, she will be too far gone. Which may just happen since she hastily agreed to date the security guard, who makes me cringe everytime I watch him. I like the complicated relationships between characters and feel frustrated at the same time lol but don't encourage Soo Young to bend to a world that treats her poorly. Absolutely not, girl hold your head high!

Thank you!!

In an ideal world I'd get my wish of having every baddie put away by episode 9 and episode 10 for resolution and happy endings. Now I just hope the ending is a happy one and makes sense. 😪

I don't think so, he'll become king and maybe marry Heo's niece.

Especially after taking her job! I know she likely didn't actively steal it, but she knew. I kept scratching my head thinking that the necklace was adding insult to injury because it was PMK giving her discarded/used goods as though that is what she deserves. The timing was awful and for her to say that it was a "thank you and sorry" really shows how out of touch she is. Why would that make her feel better? If anything, it proves that the world and PMK to some extent see Soo Young as inferior, she comes second and gets the leftovers or jobs no one else wants. I don't like this "friendship" at all.

I find myself looking forward to this drama every week. It's understated, but comforting in a warm way, plus the OST is bomb. If Soo Young and Sang Soo can get past their misgivings, I think they might just end up healing each other. I ship them!

LOL I'm not a fan of either of them! I dislike the security guy telling Soo Young what to do and pray that she doesn't date him out of pity. Mi Kyung should be watched, this girl knew who Soo Young was before hand as well as the dynamics of the office. I don't think anything happens accidentally with her.