In This Episode…
Jung-hyuk has an unintended house guest who has special needs (like hot water bathing and meat twice a day) and a conspiracy in the making to unravel — just how did those 3 grave robbers happen to be run down by a truck, just like the truck that killed his brother? Turns out that he’s a super elite, son of a high muckety-muck in the Party, enough to have a general get him out of a mini kangaroo court and get access to a priority ride to whisk home in an emergency. Se-ri is overwhelmed by the situation and indulges in a brief spell of tears in front of Jung-hyuk after a fright, but is back to being inquisitive and unintimidated as she gets acquainted with her surroundings and his squad, spoiling the ending of Chuno for one. Just when her luck appears to run out, Jung-hyuk saves the day and makes a bold statement — “Would you not point a gun at my fiancée?”
Impressions…
Robin: As Dorothy, er, I mean Se-ri continues to experience this land out of time (as she knows it), she’s a little bit annoying (calling every 2 minutes to ask about items that a generally well-read person might understand to be unusual in a small, obviously poor village in North Korea, like body wash and scented candles) to being smart and quick-witted enough to identify the means to save herself. Sure, flirting with Jung-hyuk isn’t effective (and raise your hand if you chortled when he counter-thought about whether he should just kill her), but sizing up the who’s who of his squad and letting them know she’s willing to work with them if they’ll help her makes me like her all the more. I can’t wait for more “drama talk” time with the Choi Ji-woo fan (but I can only blame his poor taste in leading actresses on his being 10-plus years out-of-date on his drama watching).
When we see how sure she is that her disappearance will cause a major outcry offset by how hard her family is working to keep her status absolutely on the QT, even if we are treated to the very funny scene of her oldest brother’s wife in the church, it’s clear that that is one rotten family and something is behind all this secrecy. The fact that she thought taking hold of her father’s hand at her 1-year-birthday future divination celebration was a good thing (she even named her company “Se-ri’s Choice”) makes it even more an omen of ill things to come.
Chingu: Lots to love about this episode but I think my favourite scene was where she’s about to bash him over the head with a plant and then just bursts out crying when she sees that it’s him..I loved that finally we see that beneath all that bravado and cockiness the girl really IS scared and is reacting..as any one with any common sense would..at finding herself in this dangerous pickle! I so related to her in that moment!
Course..who could resist further evidence that beneath the beautiful deadpan face is a soft heart…so adorable in all ways..bras..candles..cream..what more could she ask for..lol?? Ok..scented would have been perfect I guess. His thoughtfulness and willingness to please comes almost a little too early (for me)..I think I would have preferred maybe another episode or two before those traits were in evidence..but I will take it.I think that the scene at the beginning where she’s trying to use her charm on him while he’s wondering if he should kill her didn’t work as the writers hoped..empty threats rarely do..and we ALL know that this guy doesn’t kill..at least not until he has no other choice!
Robin: This episode gives us a little more to drool learn about Jung-hyuk (along with the village ladies), but it was odd that Lt. Commander Jo did not know that he was an elite — even odder that he did not suspect that he was with an impeccable record and a blank family record. Jo and his boss at the State Security office should have been more circumspect and respectful because they should certainly know what those things add up to: ELITE. But enough about that, let’s talk about Jung-hyuk; he cooks (nangmyeon noodles from scratch!) and shops for her (was that product placement?), picking up illicit SK skincare, and tacitly approves getting her back home with the help of his men. Plus, he too has a tragic past… an older brother dying in a mysterious car accident, rammed by one of those monster trucks, it seems, and an application to go to a music conservatory for piano, it seems. Omo! Did he give up his piano career to join the service to track down the mystery of his brother’s death?
The smaller moments of the episode were amusing too, like the search and (non)seizure of illicit goods like the talking rice cooker (didn’t Hyun Bin do commercials for Cuckoo rice cookers a while back?) and outing of a cheating husband, but the best ones are those with the men (and boys) of the 5th squad. So far it’s just the baby (who doesn’t even have briquettes to light fires at home), the drama addict, and the drinker who’ve gotten much to say/do, but they’re a cute bunch.
Chingu: The neighbours are interesting (and all my favourite actresses too) but I think that I can only take them in small doses..however…I can take LARGE doses of those sweet soldiers..hehe..they are just so adorable and so individual (something that isn’t always the case in other dramas)..they have been nicely fleshed out and we instantly know what their weaknesses are which makes them really interesting from the very beginning.
Robin: I’m not keen on the introduction of the swindler to the mix yet, but I find it intriguing that people looking to hide out from the law would be a profit item for NK, and I like Kim Jung-hyun as an actor (glad to see he’s back from his earlier troubles), so let’s see where this takes us.
Chingu: Love the final twist..though have no idea where they go from there!! Will ANYONE ask the question: “what is your fiancée doing hiding in the kimchi cellar”??? Probably not..lol..at least not until they get over their shock..can’t help but admire his quickness though..he had to think of a story while he was getting out of his car cause he would have had no idea whether she was caught or not would he?
We Talk Dramas All Day 