silent_whispers

7/10 - This show balances it's character well.

My ID is Gangnam Beauty definitely balances it's characters and stories well. I feel like many might say it's slowing down, and it does feel slower. But it's because we're seeing everything happening with all the characters, their connections, and it feels so great! What I love in this episode that it showcases Kyung Suk awkwardness and outcast status. Even showing that because he's lived rich he doesn't quite understand how the world works. Finding out that Mi Rae is a bargain hunter and that she scrimps and saves. The persona of the cool and aloof male lead isn't the reality. The reality is that Kyung Suk doesn't really know how to interact with others, doesn't like to, and doesn't just have everything fall into place. He needs to find a place to live and get a job, that just doesn't happen because he's the amazing lead who has connections. It's very real and refreshing!We're getting to see under everyone's stereotype. Accept for Soo Ah. We're only getting small looks into her. We know she lied about where she lives and that she's living in a poor area. We see this older lady pop up to drop of groceries, but Soo Ah is cruel to her. What we do see is Soo Ah's attention turning to another fellow chemistry student. The "fat" one (gosh she's so beautiful!!!) who is starting a budding romance. Apparently it's not just Mi Rae that Soo Ah can't stand taking attention from her. It's any girl who takes the attention of a male away from her. Interesting.It's also interesting that Soo Ah still can't get in with Kyung Suk. He still doens't trust her. So what this episode was truly about is the kind of date that Kyung Suk and Mi Rae went on. I loved how Mi Rae is realizing that while she's never had male friends, she knows she can't just be friends with Kyung Suk. Even going as far as to use straws as chopsticks to avoid a hand craze in the popcorn bucket. (Yeah, that really happens in real life!) It's also nice that Woo Young has already met Mi Rae's parents and the mom clearly approves. The issue is at this point that won't be helping the second lead out. There's also more friendships moments that I love between all the girls!

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7/10 - Decent woman friendships!

Soo Ah so far has been the beautiful snake in the grass working against the lead. This episode also highlights it after using someone to try and track down Mi Rae's pictures and finding none she befriends someone from her old Middle School. Of course it's the jerk who Mi Rae confessed to and in my mind started the true bullying. The one that reveled in calling her "Hulk" and "Gross". So far we know Soo Ah lives in a poor area and lied about where she lived. So I still believe that there is more to Soo Ah. Because this episode hints at more. From the support and friendships the girls in the Chemistry Department are forming. To Hyun Jung coming to Mi Rae's defense. Coming face to face with the bully and standing up for Mi Rae. She's still even going with her gut about Soo Ah and making sure Mi Rae thinks about it. Then the girls start rallying and standing up for themselves!! Letting those jerks know what's what!Hye Seong is also very well realized. From her response to Mi Rae about her surgery and saving her I have know doubts that this might be a flawed woman, but the stereotype that her husband projects about her might very well be the surface. Stating that her beauty seemed like a gift. Until it turned into a different kind of prison. The theme becoming more fleshed out. Her advice is so important. To date a lot and to be very thoughtful before marrying. Which is the opposite advise that women have been told. Because if you mention a seemingly "high" number of men you dated it's so judgmental. You know what? I thought Hyun Jung was being setup to a fall for a second lead, Woo Young, that only likes Mi Rae. Hyun Jung and Woo Young have great chemistry! Not to mention I genuinely think they would be great together. I have faith that the writer will skip Hyun Jung and Mi Rae's friendship breaking up over Woo Young, but instead let Hyun Jung and Woo Young become a couple. They're clearly becoming friends!Speaking of friends. Kyung Suk and Mi Rae are clearly becoming great friends. That whole shirt changing thing proves that Kyung Suk knows how Mi Rae thinks! I love the conversations these two have together!

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5/10 - Ye Hua would know where his son was!

There is something that always indicated sloppy writing to me. When a character does something that is so uncharacteristically like them to move a plot along. For instance. Ye Hua is a smother-hen. Bai Qian is gone in the mortal realm anywho. Ye Hua would definitely have a guard on his son. 24/7! Just the fact that he's left alone with out favorite tree spirit is a joke. Bad writing to move the plot along. Xuan Nu is insane as a villain. Bai Qian has done nothing to her, but be nice and she's out for revenge. I'm also wondering if Xuan Nu doesn't know that the little Riceball is the Crown Prince? I mean, what can she be thinking. Not to mention where the crap is Li Jing? Not to mention if Li Jing is not around wouldn't someone give him a heads up on his crazy ass wife? I mean she's been holding on to her dead son for 300 years! She should be on some kind of crazy watch. That said Ye Hua is really pushing the boundaries with Bai Qian. He's almost a bully! Though I understand he's impatient to get the woman he loves back. Though he shouldn't assume it's all clear for him. Though it's clear Bai Qian is interested. Ye Hua is clearly trying to figure out how to keep her happy with out exposing her to the evil of the Celestial Realm and palace. After Ye Hua's push to sleep with Bai Qian for the night I really thought that was hickey and not a scar!! It really looked like one. Other random note I think Bai Qian makes a great master! So I think it was very clear how the trail of beauty was gonna go. However, I didn't quite expect Dijun to be the beauty who falls into the water and Feng Jiu would save him! It's all so sweet and I'm glad things in the mortal realm are turning out much better for Dijun and Feng Jiu then Bai Qian's trail. *knock on wood* This episode was a lot of fun! I think Xuan Nu's evil plots could have been put on the back burner. Or better done.

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7/10 Very good.

I took an obscene amount of notes for this episode! Because I thought there were so many important bits. Like the emphasis on the tea that Bai Qian was served before she apparently fell asleep and Riceball ran off. To a brothel! Ha-ha. What a little joker. He may have accidentally gone in there, but he knew something was up after. It's kind of fun Bai Qian was the catalystfor that and no a man. Too funny. I really thought someone had dosed her tea though with all the Ghost Tribe assassination attempts. Which I believe is all a setup. Man has Su Jin become elevated! She's got two evil villain songs. It's weird she's become one horrendous and amazing villain, but I still can't stand watching her most of the time. They need to cut back on her dialogue and screen time. I ain't watching for her, but I get she's the reason there is so much strife. However, she went to crazy new lengths. I mean to frame someone for raping you just to keep Ye Hua there for a couple of days. WTF! It's horrible. She needs to be checked into a mental institute. Not to mention that Heavenly Father new what was going on, but wanted to still strike at his Second Son to make a point for the fact that he's happy in life. Because that's an insult to him? I mean. Heavenly father actually thinks rape and falling in love are the same crime!? Holy cow. No wonder the people in the Celestial Realm are fudged up! "You were merely kissed once or twice."
Can I just say how much I love this more transparent Ye Hua. He is so sweet with Bai Qian. It's touching he realizes that he has to make her fall in love with him again. On the other hand I am a bit bothered he realizes it's a good thing she can't remember due to his betrayal of her. Still I'm enjoying it. The way he just leapt out of no where to protect her from a handsy mortal, and then steals those kisses. >_< At least Ye Hua realizes that he fudged up bad when she was a mortal.So beyond the disciples more deities were attacked. Or is it just all deities that were once disciples? Though the list who knew Bai Qian was a disciple is very short. This new story is interesting and I'm wondering who is trying to cause strife between the Ghost Realm and Celestial Realm. So Feng Jiu has been in the mortal realm for 2 years now. It moved me when Dijun admitted he felt snared by her and avoided her. Their whole interaction was so sweet and intense. I love how Feng Jiu shyness pleased him. At least the core Dijun is there. So the Star Lord is mapping his mortal life. I'm wondering if Dijun planned for Feng Jiu to be part of it then? Or if the Star Lord is definitely going a bit off the map? At least it hasn't turned into a nightmare like Bai Qian's mortal life.

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7/10 Very good.

Yikes. So Su Jin is relying on her status becoming higher by becoming the Heavenly Father's consort. She's lucky he's only going to honor her role as consort in name. Though I wish she'd smarten up and listen to her step-mom. She needs to find a man who loves her. If Ye Hua hasn't developed those kinds of feeling in 70,000 years, then he's not going to. This is a trope in dramas I hate so much! So much! Moving on I love the Ghost Princess, but it looks like Xuan Nu is going to through her under the bus to try and get Li Jing's love. Which is stupid. The only thing having is sister "betray" him will do is to make him even colder. Though the idiot is totally fine getting drunk and having Xuan Nu trick him again. The whole sex while wearing Bai Qian's face is beyond creeping me out! Speaking of Bai Qian. She burned the house down! Holy cow! While I laughed so hard, it's still annoying how dumb she has to be made here!!!! Argh!! At least she immediately new Ye Hua was something other. Though it's interesting she leapt to the Lion instead of the Dragon. Not to mention I don't know why he couldn't trust her with his secret as the dragon. Isn't lying to her a form of betrayal? Just clue her in to kind of what you are Ye Hua! She didn't freak at the giant dragon, I think she'd love it if she knew it was you. I hate lies for the plot device. The woman always gets over it too fast and the guy doesn't grovel/apologize right. Poor Feng Jiu. She's being honest and brave to Dijun, boom! There's company to her confession! Silly girl. Always double check. Still hilarious and cute. Su Jin's schemes to be with Ye Hua are pulling him away from Bia Qian awfully fast. Not to mention she's now lost and wandering around looking for him. *sighs*

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Happy couple time! The rest of the episode no-no-no.

Ugh. The reality is that Strong Woman Do Bong Soon has been a mess with the storyline from the start. Somehow it still managed to create a very compelling story.



So first off I'm super happy with Bong Soon and Min Hyeok making it official. They're a couple! Min Min! Ha-ha. I love seeing them getting starry spacey in love with each other. True the heart thing on the beach was tacky, but it was cute. They're too cute!



The rest of this episode was dedicated to stupidity. Firstly why would no one stay with an old victim and make sure she got to her destination. Okay, so the "official" police think that the bad guy is caught. However, the other guys--Gook Du's team--think he's out there. He always goes after his missing brides. Why on earth would they ever let her be unprotected. Bong Soon? Why?



Not to mention almost every action they take with him. It's stupid. I found myself so bore with this episode.



Especially as the male leads keep telling Bong Soon not to do anything and to basically be a simple protected female lead. No. Can't work together to solve this. It also looks like MIn Hyeok will be making her a necklace with a hidden tracking device. WTF.



This is gonna go to a bad place fast for me. At least there's a chance for Min Hyeok and Bong Soon to work together on this.

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Well that as dull.

Well that as dull. Truly I miss the fun and whimsical feel of the romance. Now it's just descended into the normal dramaland, er, drama. Very typical and annoying. After all the guy once again does what he think is best for the female lead. Choosing the meanest and harshest way to do it. Instead of being truthful and letting her decide and being an equal.



Truly a shame. Not to mention it feels rushed and a 180 for the romance and development of the story. With 1 episode left guess that's the only way to do it.



On that note I love how supportive her family is. Especially Asuka's little brother. He's been so sweet this episode.

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The shoe shot was total product placement.

The shoe shot was total product placement. But I actually like those shoes so it's all right. ^_- Moving on.



Han Kyeol's reaction to her song was at first frustrating and then turned into this amazing epic thing. I do believe that this episode helped to show him a bit more human, and that he is in fact humanly flawed. He's brash and says hurtful things first. Rarely backing down after he's done something harsh.



That flower wall that So Rim was walking along, I really hope it exists! That could turn anyone's day around. Not to mention So Rim and Han Kyeol's getting together and the scene with the kids in the park. Have they already had their first kiss? That whole scene really confused me. They did such a good job of covering up the kiss, if it was a kiss!



Jin Hyuk and Yoo Na have a very interesting relationship ahead of them. I do feel bad for Yoo Na. I like that the writing is addressing the pressures of the woman having a age limit and basically a sex symbol type of thing. It's sad, but very real.



Oh, and the quick picture swipe on the cell phones always gets me. I had to turn it off because I would always accidently take pictures.



The teachers in this show are crazy. I don't think any teacher has the right to judge a student and tell them to get out. Even in harsh Korean culture. Pretty sure he could really get in trouble. At least it's made up for by the crazy awesome home room teacher. I am glad he stood up for So Rim and even helped her out.



So the love triangle is now setup and the lies. ^_- I'm curious how Jin Hyuk will handle it. Very cool. This is definitely a solid feel good drama.

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I found this epiosde boring.

I found this episode boring. It was right on the cusp of emotional brilliance, but I felt like it didn't quite reach what I wanted.



That said I love the face offs between Hana and her conscience. Or "other selves". I feel like we get a taste of her devil and angel sides all at once.



It's also interesting to find Mugi more interested in Hana as she takes a step to becoming Akane. If you think about it that's what's happening. Mugi knows Akane is a man eater and that's apparently his type. Hana has taken this freaking little journey in response to Akane winning over Big Brother. She wants to become the woman that has stolen the man she desires.



I feel like these too should have realized they like each other.



Though I do have to give this episode points for pushing them in the right direction. Simply confess and move on one way or another.



I felt like too much time was spent on the pigtailed girl. It showed that Mugi may be a bit better than Hana that he turned her down. Though she was just a silly tangent that wasted an episode.



Overall I'm curious if the confessions will just be over with, or turn into a poop storm of awesome and glorious messed-up-ness. Bring it.

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I love it when the second leads become tentaive freinds!

I love it when the second leads become tentaive friends! Especially when they can hang out with the female lead and have a good time. It means more when the male leads know more about each other. Because it feels more human. I loved the whole eating scene and them all having fun together. Ki Tae also gets a glimpse of how wonderful it is to not be alone.



The moving thing was that Ki Tae realized how scary and horrifying the situation would be for Jang Mi. The way he rushed over. Though Yeo Reum's cute "none' confession was so cute! I like that he knows what is going on, but still wants to pursue Jang Mi. He's very open about liking her. No hesitation to comfort her. That's why I have it bad for him!



Though this episode does a good job of showing how well Ki Tae and Jang Mi know one another. It's not just him rushing to rescue her. Their conversations on the phone and teamwork. Not to mention how they're unconsciously manipulating each other. Not like his mom, but just to a nudge.



Which leads me to thoughts of whether or not Ki Tae's mom knows she's being so deftly manipulated by Se Ah. Man Se Ah is such a scary second lead. Because she ensnares and forces people to do what she wants.



My heart broke a bit for Hyun Hee. Especially since Hoon Dong acted so childish when he found out about Jang Mi and Yeo Reum, and assuming she is involved with Ki Tae as well. The way he so willingly broke Hyun Hee's heart to get back at Jang Mi. It ticks me off how upset he is when he was so willing to toss her love aside and then turns around claiming he loves her. When he just wants her because other men now want her.



The best moment had to be Yeo Reum and Ki Tae sleeping together! Especially when Ki Tae wakes up to find out who his surprise snuggle partner is. Ha-ha! Even making sure that Yeo Reum's bottom half is clothed. Ha-ha! He wants Jang Mi not you Ki Tae!



I do have complaint about Jang Mi not being able to see around her. The guys seemed fine when they got there and waited to pull out their phones as lights. She also went to a dark place instead of where light could come in. Maybe her absolute fear of being left alone made her blind? You know fear taking over and ruining rational thought. Either way a bit lame as it's not full addressed.



That was annoying female damsel thing, but I do like how much role reversal this drama has! Such as wrist grabbing for all ages, the girls have been initiating quite a few kisses, females giving piggyback rides, and so on. It's so refreshing. Not to mention that this is a bit more mature than standard dramas.



The ending is the kicker though. As Ki Tae realizing looking at Jang Mi sleeping with her head on Yeo Reum that his heart is picking up. Is it true emotion? He's not okay because he realizes he might be falling for Jang Mi? Or will pure denial take over.



How am I going to get over how stinking cute and awesome Yeo Reum and Jang Mi are together! What a wonderfully developed love triangle.

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One of the best drunken scenes ever, that come hither dance!!!

One of the best drunken scenes ever, that come hither dance!!! Yes, yes!! Strong Woman Do Bong Soon may not be the most brilliant show and a bit all over the place. True. I'm having so much fun though! Sometimes that's all you need.



My gosh! Min Hyeok and Gook Doo getting totally wasted was brilliant. What was more brilliant was Bong Soon's bored expression as she watched them "duke it out" during the games. She was so bored, they wouldn't let her drink, and then she had to carry their wasted butts to the care. Then too the house! The brilliance was followed up by Min Hyeok realizing he got tossed on the floor while Gook Doo is well taken care of. Not to mention them finding out what they did in while drink. Gook Doo's sexy come here dance and then both of them dancing while apparently having some kind of Cinderella fantasy was perfect.



"Wow, she even put a blanket on him. I got tossed on the floor."



What's even better is Bong Soon's mother! (Oh, and it looks like we're meeting granny!) This woman just wants her daughter to sleep with Min Hyeok. Unfortunaely Boon Soon is still totally set on Gook Doo. (Espeically now that she found out his single. ^_- I'm so proud of the girlfriend for not two timing and for coming out so fast that she likes another man.) Her thought that the guy must be ugly to hid his face was hilarious. Oh, and did anyone else notice the vegetables all the old woman had? Tee-hee. Korean penis jokes, so on the sly.



I also loved everyone's fantasies about whom would taking advantage of whom when Min Hyeok, Gook Doo, and Bong Soon all stayed under the same roof. Poor Gook Doo was the victim in two fantasies, while Min Hyeok was more worried about Bong Soon pouncing on Gook Doo. Smart man. Bong Soon playing weak to get Gook Doo to open the jar was priceless. (Oh, and don't you love what Min Hyeok has done to the chopstick?)



So it's 100% confirmed only the women of Bong Soon's family get super powers. I thought so, but I just wanted that confirmation. Also, MIn Hyeok claiming Bong Soon was his girlfriend was so obvious. Still put a smile on my face.



On that note I have grown use to the over extended super strength that Bong Soon has. However, even if she had that strength that car would have rolled, not spun. Ever. I just wish that beyond silly dumb strength the reactions to the strength would be more realistic.



Oh, and now we see the face of the creeper! Is it odd that I really like his fluffy hair? I just want to pet it. The reveal was creepy, but then they did that whole weird breathing thing as he moved into the neck of one of his "brides". This episode was a little too obsessed with vampires. I thought he was gonna break into Count Dracula's (Count von Count) laugh at any moment. 1, 2, brides-wah-wah-wah. (I am unsure how to spell out Count's laugh--google it Ah, ah, ah. Makes sense.)



Overall a very funny episode. With yet another crazy cliffhanger that is YET AGAIN going to be a long wait! I mean really! That's just man. Not only do I have to wait to get more of Granny Bong Soon, but there's a knife to one of my character's throats!

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We're burying Woong Cheol today.

"We're burying Woong Cheol today." I really like how all of the guy's stories are getting weaved through the cases. Though now the cases are kind of their stories. Still super cool.



Jung Moon's is clearly going to be the "last" with the big reveal of who wants him dead.



That siad I loved the gang politics and even after being saved Woong Cheol's big boss is ready to kill the Bad Guys anyway. Though I'm super curious what Goo Tak's connection is to him, it's probably all going back to 2 years ago. (AKA 2012)



Clearly men don't have to worry about be stashed in trunks. I already knew all of the basics to cover for popping the trunk with or with out the built in release. The tale light trick is basics! Ha-ha. Oh, well. Now they'll all be prepared in the future, especially the big bad gangster boss.



So minor complaints Goo Tak spits way too much! Even an old western doesn't have this much. Plus, I'm very curious about cops firearms checks in Korea. In America if you disarm you're gun you have to report it and so on. There's a whole lot of paperwork and accountability if that bad boy gets fired. I'm seriously wondering how Goo Tak gets away with it.



Though the minor details have never really mattered to the show and I think to a degree this writer. (He wrote the script for Vampire Prosecutor.) This is such fun though and I love the cast. Mi Yeong digging around for the truth about Goo Tak is very interesting and I wonder if when she finds out how much trouble she's going to find herself in.



(On censorships I'm so surprised they haven't been blurring the guns, but the knives are getting super blurred.

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Totally right this is like the Korean Suicide Squad!

Osaka is right. Totally right this is like the Korean Suicide Squad! Which still happens to be my favorite comic. (Don't mention the movie to me.) It's pretty promising and fast paced! Just what the drama doctors ordered.



"If you beat a good person, it is violence. But if you beat a bad guy, then it's justice."



First off, let's be honest. This is some serouis man candy. All the flavors for everyone! I love it. Jung Moon by the psychopath serial killer is interesting, though I guessed he'd be the smart guy. Tae Soo is of course the sexy assassin. Woong Cheol the brute force. I actually loved the vibes between Tae Soo and Woong Cheol, and have high hopes for some bromance.



Though I was hoping for the female (cough*token female*cough) to be another "bad guy" I think Mi Yeong has her own bite as she is a female police officer. Woman in the work force have it hard, cops especially so. Though I'm a bit worried that I see her put as supporting in the cast instead of main.



The music is both horribly tacky and so on point! It kind of fits the vibe of this show so I won't gripe to much. The church music when the bad guys first came in was silly, but then I loved it during the fight scenes.



The main key to being on the Suicide Squad is that you're a murderer, which all of these Bad Guys fit the bill to. I'm surprised they went that far. Though I wonder if they're going to make a twist and have Jung Moon not be? I also like the added mystery that in 2012 all of these people, including Detective Goo Tak, have a secret past?



Now let's go find this serial killer that's killing innocent woman! Because the birth of this unit is because that police officer was killed by him.

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Oh, I can see why this would need 19 episodes instead of 18.

Oh, I can see why this would need 19 episodes instead of 18. To end Behind Your Smile in episode 18 would feel very off to the pacing of the show and the characters. Though I was initially very excited about the end coming near. Others are speculating that it will be 20. I think the writer can pull it off no matter the length.



This was a very awesome episode. Starting with Xin Yu piecing things together that Yi Ting won't tell her. She goes to touch his face, but ends up doing this lame baby slap to get "justice" or whatever. Made me laugh so hard. Moving as Xin Yu states her mom needs to pay and her actions lead her there. (Yi Ting needs to realize that Xin Yu doesn't hide from the truth.)



Then the face off between Tang and Xi Ting! Woza. Scary foes. Not to mention Xi Ting truly sticking it too him during the interview. Oooo, so clever. If they push Tang to far something cray-cray may happen. After all I think he killed a man.



Switch to cute scenes in which Qian Ren has Yi Ting nursing him and nods for him to blow on his soup. I love how much these two warm up in this episode and it doesn't feel so forced seeing Yi Ting goofing off with his brother. Qian Ren is awesome in that he now wants Yi Ting and Xin Yu together. Even collaborating with Uncle Taing to get them to go stargazing and Yi Ting to "make moves!" Oh, man the previews got me all a flutter.



(Oh, and see the bullying nad Tourette's Syndrome was brought up again! Xin Yu has had her own hardships!)



This was also a great episode for Xin Yu to change people and make up. Lin Man and Xin Yu's conversation was so moving. Especially as she asked her mother to give up her plans and give her the USB. I loved that her mother decided she loved Xin Yu more than the games. Then Xin Yu and Xiao Yue got to make up too! It was hilarious that poor Yi Ting got stuck in the background listening to them makeup and cry. Though it should teach him that being open and truly asking forgiveness is all it takes. His excuse that he can't share is thoughts and emotions is a lie, boy's to proud! Though I have to say it was weird having Xiao Yue protect the place from break in and "hurt her ankle". Man the girls in this drama have glass ankles!



(Oh, and after everything I would never leave that USB plugged in and open! What if Tang sends a spy!)



This was a wonderful episode. I totally get why there very well might be more episodes. I welcome it. As long as it doesn't go past 20. (Because that is going way too far.) The character development of Behind Your Smile is something I truly admire and I love how much I care about these characters.

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