Maids Episode 1

 

It was a dark and snowy night. A woman with bare, bloody feet stumbles along. A mysterious man with a cocked hat offers her a pair of straw shoes. Don't think he's a good Samaritan as he then promptly ties the woman up. Unable to deal with her fallen status in life, the bound woman runs to the edge of a cliff and throws herself into the water to drown herself.

 

We go back now to when the woman, Gook In Yub (played by Jung Yoo Mi) was a Somebody with a fine house, fine clothes and servants to wait on her. She's not about to ride in a sedan chair that's got peeling paint.

 

It's the Defense Minister Heo Eung Cham's birthday and a feast is being prepared. The servants are all running around with their tasks. One maid, Dan Ji (played by Jun So Min), is taking a break so she can roll around in the hay with the boss's son, Heo Yoon Seo. I can't say that I blame her as the guy has very nice shoulders. He gives her an expensive ring he lifted from his sister's room.

 

Upstairs, Lady Yoon (played by Jun Mi Sun) is meeting with a matchmaker to discuss a potential candidate for her daughter, Heo Yoon Ok (played by Lee Shi Ah).

 

Somewhere again, our mysterious guy from the beginning, Moo Young (played by Oh Ji Ho) is having a meeting with Lady Han (played by Jin Hee Kyung). It appears Lady Han is also in the mood for a roll in the hay. Moo Young's honor is saved in the nick of time by the timely interruption of the lady's son, Kim Eun Gi (played by Kim Dong Wook).

 

 

Moo Young is heading back to the Defense Minister's house at the same time that In Yub's sedan chair is being carried through the streets. Suddenly a pair of CGI bulls start stampeding through the streets. It's up to Moo Young to come to In Yub's rescue. She thanks him by slapping him with some daisies and ordering Moo Young to help carry her in her chair.

 

 

While everyone else is heading for the party, it appears that In Sub's father, Gook Yoo (played by Jun Noh Min) is heading for an execution. The story is set during the Strife of Princes and Gook Yoo is having to walk the razor's edge as to which prince he is loyal to.

 

 

Back to the party. The Defense Minister is enjoying the Finance Minister Kim Chi Kwon's birthday present: Ga Hee Ah, the new It Gisaeng in town. Right in the middle of this stag party, In Yub barges her way in. With her dance interrupted, Ga Hee Ah leaves the area. As she passes by Moo Young she stops to give him a look. Does she recognize him from somewhere else? Or does she just want a roll in the hay like everyone else on this show?

 

 

In Yub is here to beg for the Defense Minister's help in getting Gook Yoo back home alive. Later, believing her begging has been successful, In Yub hooks up with her gal pal, Yoon Ok. The girls go to take a look at Yoon Ok's prospective husband. In Yub is shocked to see the guy is Eun Gi as they had made plans from childhood to marry each other.

 

Ga Hee Ah runs into Moo Young again. She did know him from the Before Time. She offers him a business partnership but he turns her down.

 

Yoon Ok shows her dark side as she tells In Yub that Gook Yoo is really dead. Then Lady Yoon comes in to twist the knife even more as she's furious over In Yub interrupting the celebrations.

 

In Yub wraps herself up in what is left of her dignity and tries to leave only to find Dan Ji has been wearing her shoes. In Yub refuses to wear the shoes after they've touched Dan Ji's feet. (I keep wanting to type Jan Di instead of Dan Ji.) The problem is how to get out to where the sedan chair is without walking on the ground. Moo Young offers to give In Yub a piggy back ride out there but In Yub is offended. In jest Moo Young asks if she wants him to roll out a silk carpet for her. In Yub says sure, that'll do.

Surplus Princess Episode 1

Surplus Princess tanked, so naturally I must watch it.

 

 

Kim Ha Ni (played by Jo Bo Ah) is walking alone along the shore and thinking how it has been 100 days since she has arrived here. Well, I thought she was alone until a man's hand reaches out to grasp hers.

 

After she turns into bubbles, we go back 100 days to when Ha Ni was a mermaid, the 18th princess in the undersea kingdom, and... she had a waterproof smartphone. Because, yeah, that makes perfect sense.

 

Ha Ni is swimming around the (filthy, I'm sure) Han River because she has the hots for human Kwon Shi Kyung (played by Song Jae Rim, the assassin from Two Weeks.) She finds his ass delicious and wants to take a bite out of it. Shi Kyung is a TV chef who is filming his show by the riverside. Ha Ni may have some competition from Yoon Jin Ah (played by Park Ji Soo) who works behind the camera and gives Shi Kyung longing looks. Gotta watch out for those longing looks.

 

Shi Kyung is taking a break between filming when he slips, knocks himself out, and falls into the water. Ha Ni comes to the rescue of ... his cell phone, then she gets around to rescuing him in the form of a hot makeout session under water. Ha Ni even works in a butt grab. You go, girl! Er, mermaid.

 

Darnit, they're interrupted by Jin Ah diving in herself to rescue her boss/love interest. Ha Ni sinks deeper underwater before she's seen, keeping Shi Kyung's phone.

 

Later that night at Surplus House (what kind of name is that?) we're introduced to Lee Hyun Myung (played by Ohn Joo Wan.) He plays his computer keyboard like a concert pianist as he fills out job application after job application. Jin Ah comes into the room and gets all kissy with him. But, I thought you wanted to get all kissy with Shi Kyung?

 

A roaming band of hippies complete the scene as they serenade Jin Ah who is planning on moving out of the hippie compound. There's Do Ji Yong, law school graduate and hard core gamer; BIG (real name not given at the moment); and the owner of Surplus House, Lee Seon Gyo. Throwing a wet blanket over everything is the last resident to appear: Ahn Hye Young (played by Kim Seul Gi.)

 

Shi Kyung is brooding in his shower (cuz this is a Kdrama after all), thinking about his time underwater today and the specific memory of a butt grab. A delivery guy from an all night dry cleaners returns Shi Kyung's clothes along with what they found while cleaning the suit: a large and sparkly fish scale.

 

Ha Ni has successfully unlocked Shi Kyung's smartphone. On the phone she finds information about a party Shi Kyung and DJ Random White Guy are throwing. Because when you think of high end cuisine, you think of dubstep. Ha Ni would love to go to the party but her fishtail is holding her back.

 

Ha Ni goes to her boozer of a sister, the 17th princess in the undersea kingdom, for advice on how to become human. The barfly sends Ha Ni up a canal to find Witch Ahn Ma Nyeo. (I'm feeling sorry for Jo Bo Ah. I know that canal, just like the river, has to be filthy. I hope the actress didn't pick up any waterborne di--

 

AHHHHHHH! THERE'S A SPIDER ON MY LAPTOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Okay, killed it. Now where was I? Oh yeah. So Ha Ni finds Ahn Ma Nyeo (played by Ahn Kil Kang who will forever be Jilsuk in my heart.) Ma Nyeo is a wanted witch since he stole the secret potion that can turn mermaids into humans. He refuses to help Ha Ni and makes a less than dramatic exit.

 

Jin Ah is unpacking in her new apartment when Hyun Myung stops by hoping for some Moving Day Nookie. Suddenly Jin Ah's mom shows up so Jin Ah shoves Hyun Myung into a cabinet. He gets to overhear Mom constantly putting him down as an unemployed loser.

 

Jin Ah has moved into the same apartment building where Shi Kyung lives and she's doing everything she can to "accidentally" run into him.

 

Hyun Myung has been feeling down in the dumps lately. All those "Thanks but no thanks" texts from his job applications aren't helping any. But wait! One text is positive. He's at least gotten an interview. The hippies work as a team to cobble together a suit for the boy.

 

The morning of his interview, Hyun Myung calls Jin Ah for some moral support. She's easily distracted by Shi Kyung and hangs up on her kinda-sort-almost boyfriend. Shi Kyung comments on Jin Ah's perfume which gives her hope.

 

Lastly we get Hong Myung Hee (played by Jin Hee Kyung), CEO of JH Food Corporation. There's also Jin Ah's boss who is frighteningly awesome but I haven't got a name. (I had to look up Attack on Titan's theme song.)

 

Ha Ni hasn't given up on the witch and has been hanging around that filthy canal for days now. She attempts to bribe Ma Nyeo with pearls and stuff. When that doesn't work she simply drags the former mermaid into the water and threatens to drown him if he doesn't hand the potion over. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

 

Animation and Xanadu-worthy special effects show us how the potion give Ha Ni legs. And then promptly throws her down hard on the ground. OMG, now we're getting Terminator music as a naked Ha Ni starts her life as a human.

 

Well, that wasn't so bad. It was kind of cute and funny. Don't know why the show didn't do so well.

Temptation Episode 20

Alright, let's get this baby wrapped up.

 

Suk Hoon considers releasing the bribery recording to the press. Let public opinion hold court over Min Woo.

 

Min Woo is trying to get a large loan from Suk Hoon's bank so he can take over Se Young's company.

 

 

Se Young asks Hong Joo to stay at least for one day at the summer house. They need to have a long talk. The sparkly shoes make a return appearance as Se Young returns them to Hong Joo. Hong Joo refuses the shoes as they (symbolizing Suk Hoon) are more suited for Se Young.

 

The next morning Hong Joo is preparing to leave the summer house. This is when Suk Hoon arrives. He offers to give her a lift to the nearest bus stop. During the uncomfortable ride Suk Hoon gives Hong Joo the heads up about the upcoming bribery scandal involving Min Woo.

 

Once back in town Hong Joo goes to Min Woo to try and warn him but he's too big of an ass to listen to her. The media reports the bribery scandal. Min Woo's company's stock takes a hit. And what if that huge loan from the bank is called in?

 

Min Woo tries to take it out on Lawyer Choi but before he can get adequately worked up, Choi calmly hands in a resignation letter. As a final shot, Choi brings out the Foreshadowing Hammer and hits Min Woo with a "We all pay for our sins in the end" speech.

 

Suk Hoon moves out to the summer house to take care of Se Young and help her work on jigsaw puzzles.

 

The board of directors has removed Min Woo from office. Min Woo is drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Mama Im has taken Roy to Boston and Ji Sun is taking the girls to her mother's house. He's all alone.

 

Se Young's follow-up exam isn't good. Her cancer has spread. Myung Hwa prescribes chemotherapy but Se Young refuses it. Myung Hwa enlists Suk Hoon into talking Se Young into changing her mind.

 

(As someone who recently lost a very good friend to cancer, this is kind of making me mad that Se Young isn't fighting her disease with everything she has. And the excuses the writers have given Se Young are all rather weak.)

 

It's time for the re-opening of the hotel in Hong Kong. Young Chul asks Suk Hoon if he can get the boss there for the gala. Rumors are already spreading that Se Young has some kind of fatal disease but an appearance by her would put all of it to rest.

 

Min Woo tries to get Se Young's woe-is-me ass out of bed and on a plane to Hong Kong but in the end he takes the trip by himself. Min Woo is also going there and asks Hong Joo if she'd like to come along. Hong Joo politely declines. That ship has sailed, Min Woo. Let it go.

 

Se Young discovers Suk Hoon has completed her jigsaw puzzle except for one piece. He's left a note telling her the only way she can get the last piece is to come to Hong Kong and get it from him.

 

And so we come full circle, back to the scene of the crime, as everyone (well, except for Hong Joo) is in Hong Kong. Yes, you knew Se Young would put on her best dress and show up for the grand reopening. She demands her puzzle piece back. Suk Hoon won't return it until she declares her love for him.

 

Temptation Episode 19

We start with the scene where Se Young, knocked out and already cut open, begins to internally bleed. Myung Hwa and the surgical team start to act panicky. (That's not a good thing. You don't want your surgeons to panic easily. You want them to calmly order a blood transfusion while they take care of the problem.)

 

Meanwhile, back at the office, things are going to Hell in a handbasket. The company could be facing bankruptcy. The boardroom panics. Lots of panicking in this episode.

 

 

After nearly shitting her pants, Myung Hwa comes out to inform Suk Hoon and Se Jin that the surgery went well. You call that going well?

 

Min Woo revels in the news concerning Dong Sung's troubles. They'll probably have to sell off some of their subsidiaries and Min Woo is in the mood for some shopping. Lawyer Choi recommends caution instead. Surely you don't think Min Woo is going to listen to him.

 

 

A whole day has passed and Se Young still hasn't awakened. Suk Hoon is naturally worried about this. To add to his woes, Young Chul informs Suk Hoon about the company troubles and Min Woo circling like a shark. Turns out before she went into surgery, Se Young wrote out the necessary papers to give Suk Hoon the powers he would need in case the company hit any rough spots. I would consider bankruptcy a rough spot.

 

Ji Sun and Mama Im are now thick as thieves. Min Woo isn't jumping on this bandwagon, though. At least not yet. He's still hung up on Hong Joo and promotes the new Samsung phone as he shows Roy the pictures of his wife he still has. Hong Joo is having her own flashbacks to good times with Min Woo and the kids.

 

Daddy Yoo hears how the family company is about to collapse. He plans to head down to headquarters, which is also at the same time that Suk Hoon rides in on his white horse to save the day. Surprisingly, Daddy Yoo throws his full support behind his daughter's gigolo.

 

Min Woo arranges to have a meeting with Hong Joo. He tells her all about Se Young's company being on the verge of collapse and wonders why Hong Joo isn't happy about it. Isn't this what she wanted? Hong Joo has had a change of heart and now asks Min Woo to stop what he's doing. Min Woo declines and then orders her to come back to him. How dare she leave him before he has a chance to throw her away. Things are starting to turn ugly when luckily Hong Gyu happens by and is able to spirit his sister away.

 

Suk Hoon does business stuff and saves the company. Just in time for Se Young to finally wake up. (Miraculously, she doesn't have Kdrama Amnesia.) She's planning to go to the family's summer house to recuperate but Myung Hwa insists Se Young have a professional to take care of her. Se Young asks if she can have former nurse Na Hong Joo for the job. Oh yeah, that makes total sense having your boyfriend's ex-wife tend to your delicate health.

 

After learning from big mouth Park Han Soo that Min Woo was having an affair with his ex-wife, Hong Gyu swears revenge. He and Han Soo get pictures of bags of money being unloaded from Min Woo's car into another man's vehicle. It's bribe money to pay an insider to help scuttle Suk Hoon's plans for saving the company.

 

Ji Sun continues the foreshadowing in this episode by being the umpteenth person to warn Min Woo to stop going after Se Young's company or he'll end up hurting himself. Min Woo continues to ignore all these warnings. We've got another episode to go, after all.

 

Min Woo's bodyguard strongarms Han Soo's camera away but don't worry, Lawyer Choi was recording the illicit meeting between Min Woo and the insider. Choi gives the recording over to Suk Hoon. He also gives his blessing to Suk Hoon's relationship with Se Young.

 

Hong Joo accepts the nursing assignment although she hasn't been told who her patient is. When she gets out to the summer house and discovers Se Young is there, Hong Joo demands to be taken back to the city. Se Young fakes a pain attack which causes Hong Joo to go into automatic nursing mode.

Temptation Episode 18

Se Young breaks up with Suk Hoon.

 

Hong Joo has just about reached the end of her rope with the Kang clan.

 

Ji Sun admits she's still in love with her manwhore of an ex-husband.

 

Se Young's medical condition grows worse and she's rushed to the hospital. Myung Hwa again urges her friend to go ahead and have the surgery.

 

Hong Joo goes to the hospital to make a tentative peace with Ji Sun. As she's leaving, Hong Joo spies another patient, Se Young. She tries to make some sort of peace with Se Young as well but it doesn't work out.

 

Hong Joo takes her one suitcase and leaves Min Woo.

 

Suk Hoon accepts the business offer to go work at the main bank branch in New York City.

 

Se Young puts out the story that she's overseas on business while she's in the hospital. She finally breaks down and tells at least Se Jin about the surgery.

 

Hong Gyu, angry over his sister's second failed marriage, goes out and gets drunk. It's up to Suk Hoon to see the young man home. This gives Hong Joo and Suk Hoon the opportunity to have a "Where did it all go wrong?" talk. She breaks down and tells Suk Hoon about Se Young being in the hospital.

 

Suk Hoon rushes to be by Se Young's side.

 

Everybody is eating Hello Kitty ice cream cakes.

 

There's a crisis going on at Se Young's company. Sensing their weakness, Min Woo decides to attack. All this while Se Young is going into surgery. And just to put some frosting on that ice cream cake, while under the knife Se Young suddenly takes a turn for the worse.

Temptation Episode 17

Suk Hoon realizes Se Young has seen him and Hong Joo talking. Se Young drives off in embarrassment. After a short search, Suk Hoon finds her down at the Han River and explains the situation to her. So, that little drama is taken care of pretty quickly.

 

Se Young is preparing herself for surgery.

 

Myung Hwa, the only OB/GYN in Seoul, confirms Ji Sun is pregnant and advises this could be very dangerous for the woman's health. Ji Sun is determined to risk her life for her ex-husband.

 

Speaking of which, Min Woo drops by Suk Hoon's office for some smiling and threatening. Suk Hoon explains it was Ji Sun, not Hong Joo, who tipped them off about the secret files at the summer house. Min Woo promises Suk Hoon he'll have revenge. Suk Hoon graciously offers to send Min Woo cigarettes while he's serving time in jail.

 

Min Woo tries to end things with Ji Sun. She tells him about her pregnancy. He has his doubts the child is his.

 

Myung Hwa tells Se Young that the tumor has spread. Instead of taking out the tumor, they need to scoop out the entire reproductive organs and need Se Young's permission to do this. She asks for some time to think about things.

 

Hong Joo returns to the mansion and her marriage.

 

Ji Sun tells Mama Im about the new baby which she is sure will be a boy this time. She asks her former mother-in-law for help in getting Min Woo back. (I don't understand why Min Woo is worth all this. Ji Sun was so miserable with her marriage and his cheating. What makes her think he'll be any different the second time around?)

 

 

(Once again I feel the overwhelming need to comment on Min Woo's style. Take a close look at this picture. He's wearing a polka-dotted tie, a deep blue blazer, and what appears to be checked pajama pants.)

 

Anyway, Min Woo is trying to pressure the bank into firing Suk Hoon. The boss comes up with an alternative and asks Suk Hoon if he'll transfer to the New York branch for a year or so until Min Woo calms down. Suk Hoon asks for some time to think about things.

 

Suk Hoon and Se Young have a drink together but neither one talks about what is weighing on their minds.

 

Se Jin gets to leave the ice cream parlor job and come work for Se Young.

 

Mama Im, with a little help from Yoon Ah, the girl who hates everything and everyone, begins her campaign to push Hong Joo out of the family.

 

Ji Sun gleefully informs Hong Joo about the baby. She suggests the two women simply go back to their original husbands. Hong Joo tries to slap Ji Sun but the other woman deftly intercepts the blow. But, ick, blood starts running down Ji Sun's legs. No need to show a close up of that, Show.

 

Se Young learns from another source about Suk Hoon's offer to go to New York and his reluctance to accept it. Thinking it would be better for him to leave the country, and knowing she is the primary reason he's staying, Se Young takes on the role of Noble Idiot and starts giving Suk Hoon the cold shoulder.

Temptation Episode 16

Hearing about the huge tax audit, Suk Hoon goes running to Se Young's side. She assures him she's not a bit worried about handling the audit. What she is more worried about is whether Suk Hoon is still in love with his ex-wife. She asks about the wedding ring she saw at his apartment. Suk Hoon convinces Se Young that the only person he cares and worries about right now is Se Young.

 

Daddy Yoo presses his daughter to meet with Kang Min Woo and plead for mercy. Se Young would rather eat dirt.

 

Hong Joo takes the kids (well, minus Yoon Ah the hater of everyone and everything) to the summer house. She stumbles upon evidence that Ji Sun has been here.

 

Min Woo tries to bond with his young brother-in-law by offering a job. Hong Gyu says thanks but no thanks. As he's leaving the office building Hong Gyu spies Se Jin arriving. She's come to meet with Min Woo and do what Se Young was too proud to do: beg. Min Woo refuses to have the audit called off. Se Jin has no choice but to kick him in the shin.

 

Downstairs in the lobby she runs into her boyfriend. Se Jin asks Hong Gyu to use his hacker skills to bring Min Woo down a notch.

 

Suk Hoon meets with Go Dong Shik, a former prosecutor who had previously tried to investigate Min Woo's secret slush fund. Note Go is now a "former" prosecutor, thanks to trying to tangle with Min Woo. Suk Hoon offers Go a second chance at the case.

 

Hong Joo goes to Ji Sun's department store to give her rival a good bitch slap.

 

Se Young finally swallows her pride and goes to Min Woo. He won't use his influence to get the fines reduced unless Se Young gets her ice cream out of China. That's too much to ask and Se Young refuses.

 

The writers have realized Suk Hoon and Ji Sun have had very little screen time together. Time to rectify that before the end of the show. Suk Hoon has a meeting with Ji Sun to ask for her help in bringing her ex-husband down.

 

Se Young's medical problems are getting worse. Myung Hwa fusses at her friend that the surgery can no longer be put off. Se Young still holds back. She doesn't want to be out of the game at this critical moment with the company.

 

Mama Im is back on the You Should Have A Baby wagon with Hong Joo.

 

As usual for her, Ji Sun immediately reports to Min Woo about her meeting with Suk Hoon. Min Woo wonders how Suk Hoon knew the summer house is where the slush fund files are hidden. To cover her own ass, Ji Sun points the finger at Hong Joo as the culprit.

 

Se Young continues to worry that Suk Hoon is spending time with Hong Joo when really he's stalking Min Woo. Min Woo goes to the summer house to empty the safe of all the incriminating evidence. Before he can get away, Min Woo is cut off by Suk Hoon, who demands all the documents. Min Woo realizes now Ji Sun was used in order to force him into action.

 

Oh yeah, fist fight! Oh no, why are we not shown?! Hey, Show, go back to the action!

 

The investigation begins. Min Woo is taken in for questioning. Now that her enemy has been dealt with, Se Young calls a meeting to have her staff start to prepare for her absence. Naturally Young Chul has to tell his friend, Suk Hoon, about this. Suk Hoon goes to ask Se Young what she's up to, where is she going. She won't tell him about the surgery, brushing it all off as simply her need to take a vacation after the stress of the audit. Suk Hoon buys her story.

 

Min Woo, released from custody, returns home. Totally believing his ex-wife, Min Woo accuses his current wife of being the one who betrayed him to the authorities.

 

Despite the risks to her own health, Ji Sun is pregnant again. Gosh, Min Woo's swimmers are da bomb!

 

Hong Joo moves back home. (I don't know if this was her choice or if Min Woo threw her out.) She stops by Suk Hoon's apartment building to talk about all the drama. Suk Hoon is rather cold with her, saying nothing is going to be solved by them meeting like this.

 

And of course this is when Se Young drives up and sees them together. 

Temptation Episode 15

Kang Min Woo decides to take Ji Sun up on her offer of a late night drink at her hotel room. He doesn't know Park Han Soo is following. Na Hong Joo calls Han Soo and makes the P.I. tell her where her husband is. Hong Joo asks her driver for two things: to take her to the hotel and to lend her his cell phone. She goes up to confront the guilty couple. Min Woo goes on the offensive. How dare Hong Joo have him followed!

 

When Min Woo finally makes it back home it is to find Hong Joo packing up all her stuff (in one suitcase, naturally) and planning to leave. Min Woo begs for her to stay so he can explain. For whatever reason, she does stay.

 

Suk Hoon may have found some leads in his investigation into Min Woo's shady business dealings. Somehow the summer house where Min Woo stashed Roy is an important key. He's sitting outside the house when he spies Min Woo arriving with Ji Sun. Suk Hoon agonizes over whether he should tell his ex-wife about this or not. 

 

Hong Joo has an unexpected encounter with Se Young. To my mystification, Hong Joo scolds the other woman for dumping Suk Hoon. But... I thought that was what you wanted, Hong Joo?

 

Ji Sun appears to agree to work with Se Young in destroying Min Woo. (I wouldn't trust her.) Se Young asks about Min Woo's slush funds. Ji Sun says secret stuff like that would have been handled at the summer house. If there is any evidence to find, it would be there.

 

Hong Joo and Min Woo make up and agree to work on their marriage.

 

Suk Hoon runs into Min Woo. He requests that this whole revenge business between them not touch Hong Joo. She's been hurt enough already. Min Woo wonders aloud if Suk Hoon is hoping to get back together with his ex-wife. At long last I get what I want - Suk Hoon decking Min Woo in the kisser.

 

Se Young's old pal, Lawyer Choi, warns her that her company will be tax audited very soon thanks to Min Woo.

 

Se Young suggests to Suk Hoon that they somehow get Hong Joo to search the summer house for evidence. Suk Hoon declines, not wanting to get Hong Joo involved in any skullduggery.

 

The sparkly shoes make a reappearance as Se Young keeps having dreams about Suk Hoon getting back together with Hong Joo. Se Young goes over to his studio apartment for some reassurance, only to find the wedding ring Suk Hoon couldn't bring himself to throw away.

 

The tax men, with their ever-present blue boxes, descend on Se Young's company and start carting things away for the audit.  

 

 

I still don't understand the whole point in the beginning of Hong Joo borrowing the driver's cell phone.

 

 

Temptation Episode 14

First and foremost: What the hell are these things supposed to be?

 

While Suk Hoon and Se Young continue to enjoy their rural retreat, we the viewers go back to the golf course. Kang Min Woo is wearing plaid pants, but since he's playing golf he's allowed to get away with it. He purposely runs into Daddy Yoo and assures the elder man that all these rumors about Se Young paying a man for sexual favors can't possibly be true. Daddy Yoo grabs his chest and falls to the ground.

 

Se Young has just gotten back from her trip when she gets the news about her father. She rushes over to the hospital. While Dad has passed the critical point, he's still unconscious. Se Young calls Suk Hoon for emotional support.

 

Min Woo, changed out of his plaid pants, drops by the hospital to give his condolences. Se Young as already heard that he was the last person her father talked to before being stricken. Knowing somehow Min Woo is behind Daddy Yoo's health crisis, Se Young swears vengeance.

 

Suk Hoon has come to the hospital but knowing how much Daddy Yoo dislikes him, he decides not to go inside. Daddy Yoo wakes up and asks Se Young if it is true she paid for Suk Hoon. When she can't deny it, Daddy orders her out of his sight. Se Young asks to come back to the company since he's so sick. Daddy says no way Jose so Se Young agrees to break up with Suk Hoon.

 

 

Se Young goes to break the news to Suk Hoon. She explains she needs to sacrifice him so she can get back into power at the company and take on Kang Min Woo. Suk Hoon is stunned yet understanding. He tells Se Young that once this fight is over, he'll take her back.

 

Min Woo is slightly rattled to learn his old nemesis is back in charge.

 

Remember that bank that turned down Se Young's loan application? Well that's where Suk Hoon has now gone to work. He's using his position to snoop around in Min Woo's finances. 

 

 

With the shoe now on the other foot, it is Se Young who is calling Ji Sun to ask for an alliance. Ji Sun is holding an art exhibit and invites Se Young down so they can talk further. Also attending the exhibit is Hong Joo. Everybody has their claws out. During all the snipping and snarking, Se Young makes the announcement about how she's broken up with Suk Hoon. Ji Sun tries to give Hong Joo some jewelry but the other woman refuses the gift.

 

Later that evening, Ji Sun has drinks with her ex-husband as she tells him all about Se Young wanting to team up to destroy Min Woo. She also tells him about Se Young and Suk Hoon breaking up. Before she leaves, Ji Sun gives the jewelry to Min Woo and tells him to give it to his wife. Ah, so now Hong Joo will know her husband has been meeting with his ex-wife.

 

Just in case she didn't get it the first time, Hong Joo has a meeting with Park Han Soo. Since she's the sister of his best friend, Han Soo feels he should warn her about Min Woo meeting with Ji Sun. Hong Joo asks the P.I. to continue to keep tabs on her husband.

 

Min Woo's company is throwing a party. Hong Joo decides to wear the necklace he/Ji Sun gave her. Suk Hoon attends the party as a representative of the bank. Se Young is also there in order to show off her ugly dress. Ji Sun party crashes because we simply must have the entire cast in one room.

 

Suk Hoon and Se Young struggle to fight their attraction and to stay far away from each other. Hong Joo revels in rubbing Suk Hoon's nose in his business as well as personal failure. Ji Sun drops hints to Min Woo that he's more than welcome to join her at her hotel room for drinks.

 

Suk Hoon is staring at Se Young. Hong Joo is staring at Suk Hoon. Min Woo is staring at Hong Joo. No one is winning this staring contest.



Temptation Episode 13

Now that he's found her prescription meds, Suk Hoon is worried about Se Young's health.

 

Min Woo and Hong Joo have barely gotten back from their honeymoon when Mama Im starts hounding them about having a child. This is when Hong Joo drops the bombshell on them that she's unable to have children. (Min Woo already has four kids. I think they should be talking about vasectomies instead.)

 

Mama Im continues to fuss at Hong Joo. The newlywed should stop doing housework and start being lazy like all the other Real Housewives of Seoul. Hong Joo breaks down and signs the pre nup agreement.

 

Natuur Pop Ice Cream continues to get shoved down our throats.

 

Se Young (wearing a really gaudy jacket) still has some collateral and contacts. She plans to start anew in the hotel business. She's unaware Min Woo is still shadowing her moves and plotting her downfall.

 

 

Under Mama Im's orders, Hong Joo is out shopping for expensive clothes. She doesn't realize she's at the department store Ji Sun got from the divorce settlement. I don't like Ji Sun's dress. Gaudy must be the fashion trend for Fall in Korea. Anyway, Ji Sun announces her plans to get custody of her two oldest children. She asks Hong Joo to help by persuading Min Woo into letting his daughters go. Hong Joo refuses to get involved. (This is the second time you've sought an ally, Ji Sun, and the second time you've been turned down flat. You need to rethink your strategy.)

 

Despite their hostile encounter from last time, Hong Gyu asks for his ex-brother-in-law to join him for a talk. After asking for advice about what to do with Se Jin, Hong Gyu informs Suk Hoon that is was Min Woo who was behind the scandal being leaked to the world. When Suk Hoon goes to confront the man, at least Min Woo doesn't deny anything. Just to stick the knife in a little further, Min Woo thanks Suk Hoon for Hong Joo; she's such a wonderful wife. (See, if this was an American soap opera, Suk Hoon would have decked Min Woo in the mouth at this point. But this is a Korean soap opera so all Min Woo gets from Suk Hoon is some pocket change as a wedding present.)

 

Se Young and Suk Hoon have their first couples' fight.

 

 

Min Woo is wanting to get some from his new wife when they're interrupted by Yoon Ah, the daughter who hates everything and everyone. Hmm, I'm picking up the vibe that Hong Joo isn't too disappointed with the intrusion.

 

 

Se Young has put in for a large loan to get her business started. Not only does Min Woo get the loan application turned down, he also swoops in and buys the land Se Young was hoping to build her hotel on.

 

Se Young and Suk Hoon have no choice but to go on a camping trip up in the mountains. Suk Hoon wants to ruin the perfectly lovely view by building a hotel here. (Boo, I say. Leave nature alone.)

 

A leopard can't change its spots. Min Woo has been out carousing with other women. Ji Sun makes sure Hong Joo gets the photographic evidence. Again, Min Woo doesn't deny anything. He likes women. Hong Joo should have known this when she married him.

 

The next day Min Woo runs into Daddy Yoo at the golf course. Min Woo tells the old man something but we don't get to hear it. Guess that's for another episode. Whatever it is Min Woo said, Daddy Yoo is so upset he grabs his chest and collapses. Its the big one, Elizabeth!

Temptation Episode 12

 

It's the morning after Se Young invited Suk Hoon up for some "coffee."

 

Over at her place, Hong Joo is thinking back over her acceptance of Min Woo's marriage proposal. (What she should be thinking about is why a rich guy like Min Woo gave her such a teeny tiny diamond engagement ring. Cough up some carats, boy!)

 

Se Young and Suk Hoon try to play it cool at work so no one will suspect they're a couple. That never works. I'm speaking from experience. There is a couple I work with that started their affair back when the man was still married. They were so not discreet. Everybody was talking about them. You can't keep secrets like that from the workplace. But I digress...

 

For friendship's sake, Park Han Soo tells Na Hong Gyu about Min Woo having Suk Hoon and Se Young investigated.

 

 

Se Young's aged father has donned his jacket from the 1970s and come to the office to chew her out over her affair with Suk Hoon. Daddy Yoo threatens to take away Se Young's presidency if she continues her scandalous relationship. 

 

Hong Joo introduces her new man to the family. They are not enthused. Min Woo tells his intended he's got the goods to take down their enemies. Hong Joo says that's the best wedding gift ever.

 

Se Young invites Suk Hoon over to her place for more "coffee." (Is the coffee maker a new sponsor of the show?) He can tell she's worried about something and presses Se Young to share her problems with him.

 

Hong Gyu tries to warn his sister away from Min Woo, only for it to dawn on him that Hong Joo has gotten pretty ruthless herself. Later, Hong Joo meets with her ex in order to give him back his wedding ring, making sure Suk Hoon sees the engagement ring on her hand as she does so.

 

 

Hong Joo just comes right out and tells all about her plans to use Min Woo's wealth to destroy Suk Hoon and Se Young. Suk Hoon has a very valid point when he replies that destroying him isn't going to make Hong Joo any happier. He wishes her well and walks away like a boss. Suk Hoon stops at a trash can, intending to throw the wedding ring away, but in the end he just can't make himself do it.

 

Ji Sun is plotting on getting custody of her two oldest children. She tries to talk Se Young into becoming an ally in the fight against Min Woo. When Se Young turns her down, Ji Sun falls back on the only weapon she has: reminding Se Young she's not a mother. This needles Se Young into going back to see Myung Hwa. I LOL'd at Myung Hwa jubilantly congratulating Se Young on finally getting laid.

 

Daddy Yoo isn't backing down with his plan to remove Se Young from power.

 

Mama Im tries to get Hong Joo to sign a prenuptial agreement. Hong Joo storms out as politely as she can.

 

 

Hong Joo's wedding day is the same as the emergency board meeting Daddy Yoo has called together. Is this not the most miserable bride you've ever seen? Min Woo tries to cheer her up by telling Hong Joo her worst enemies will be facing hellfire today. He's put it out on the internet all about Se Young's affair with a married man. (If its on the Internet it must be true.)

 

Se Young is voted out of her job. In solidarity, Suk Hoon quits his job.

 

We don't get to see the ceremony but Hong Joo and Min Woo are now married. (HJ, your first order of business as a wife is to burn all of Min Woo's clothes. He's back to wearing a hideous paisley shirt.)

 

The episode ends with Suk Hoon discovering a bottle of medicine at Se Young's apartment, but the subtitles didn't tell me what the pills were. Argh!



Temptation Episode 11

The episode begins again at the party right when Na Hong Joo came back into the room and was trying to be civil with her ex-husband. Only this time we get to see a little more as Hong Joo goes outside for some fresh air and Suk Hoon follows her. She quickly notices the very expensive watch on his wrist and figures it is a gift from his rich lover. Suk Hoon tries to ask how Daddy Na and Hong Gyu are doing but Hong Joo cuts him off. They are none of his business now.

 

Suk Hoon tells her he had a lot of time in Brazil to think about things. Things like how their marriage was falling apart long before Se Young made her offer in Hong Kong. Hong Joo accuses him of not fighting hard enough for their marriage. (Like you did any fighting!)

 

Up on the balcony, Se Young is watching the couple when Min Woo and his Technicolor blue suit come over to hassle her. He brings up her company's financial straits. She brings up his recent divorce.

 

 

Hong Joo and Se Young run into each other in the ladies' room. Se Young tries to warn the other woman about what kind of a man Kang Min Woo is. While she doesn't say the word "shit," Hong Joo implies Se Young is full of it from breaking up a marriage. Se Young reminds Hong Joo of the incident in HK when Se Young saved the woman's life. Hong Joo cries she would rather have died and gone to hell then rather than be in the hell she's going through now. The kind of hell she hopes Se Young will soon be in.

 

So now we're back to the table scene where Hong Joo outs her rival in front of the other guests. Suk Hoon grabs Se Young's hand and confidently declares he was a married man when Se Young fell for him but his marriage was already over before they became a couple. Min Woo excuses himself from the room and drags Hong Joo out with him.

 

The next day at work, Suk Hoon and his team present their battle plan for the Ice Cream Wars. They're going to start putting the cone on top of the scoop. (Yeah, that's sure to help sales.) Suk Hoon slips his boss a note asking Se Young out for a date this weekend.

 

 

Mama Im continues her matchmaking between Hong Joo and Min Woo. The Show continues its product placement of this new gadget that instantly prints your cell phone pictures. (Back in my day we called that a Polaroid.) Oldest sister Kang Yoon Ah continues to hate everyone and everything.

 

 

Suk Hoon and Se Young are out on their cutesy date when they bump into Na Hong Gyu. Awkwardness all around. Hong Gyu asks the couple if they started dating before or after Suk Hoon's divorce. How dare Suk Hoon be out having fun when Hong Joo's heart is broken. Hot head Hong Gyu goes into the ice cream store where Yoo Se Jin works and breaks up with her. For once I feel sorry for Se Jin. She's innocent in all this and has no idea what the problem is.

 

Han Ji Sun comes for her visitation with the two oldest daughters. I had no idea TGIF was in Korea. Yoon Ah shows her mother the instamatic picture of Min Woo with Hong Joo. Ji Sun goes over to the OB/GYN office to bitch slap Hong Joo. Min Woo isn't officially divorced just yet so Hong Joo better fack the buck off.

 

The Ice Cream Wars are starting to turn in Se Young's favor. Min Woo decides to have Park Han Soo keep tibs on Se Young to find something that can be used against her. Hong Joo calls Min Woo to tattle about Ji Sun. He meets with his not-yet-ex-wife who is demanding a department store in the divorce settlement if he really wants Ji Sun to leave Hong Joo alone.

 

 

Even though Ji Sun just said the divorce isn't final, that doesn't stop Min Woo from popping the question to Hong Joo. She's brutally honest with him. She's doesn't love Min Woo but she is willing to marry him so she can use his money and power to destroy Suk Hoon and Se Young.

 

Elsewhere, Se Young takes the big step of inviting Suk Hoon up to her apartment... for coffee.    

The Night Watchman Episode 5

As Rin continues to relax on his boat out in the middle of the water, the Three Phantoms stand on the shore, yelling out to him to not accept the position over the Zao shrine or to catch cold. Rin ignores them but he has trouble ignoring the two water ghosts who loudly plot to pull him down under the surface so they can play with him. Hmm, its like the Three Phantoms are unable to travel across the water to go to Rin's rescue. (Not that he needs rescuing as Rin incompetently starts to row his boat away from the sprites.)

 

King Ki San has ordered Moo Suk to become Rin's bodyguard. Moo Suk doesn't like being a spy but he's a devoted servant and will do as he's told.

 

Soo Ryun climbs over the wall to escape her house. She promptly runs into her father, Minister Park Soo Jong. Before leaving for her volunteer work at the peasant's clinic, Soo Ryun makes it clear to Dad that she's loved Rin for ten years and her heart's not going to change, so there. (So, what was the purpose of her climbing over the wall?)

 

Rin stops over at the clinic to ask Soo Ryun for some medicine for his headache. (Here's a suggestion, Rin: loosen that headband. Why do the men in these historical dramas wear headbands to bed?) Also showing up at the clinic is Do Ha, who calls Rin a dried up radish and demands her bracelet back. Rin scolds her for not being more respectful of his noble status. Do Ha shoots back she doesn't have time for this nonsense as she needs to prepare for the Shaman Showdown at the temple. Now give her the bracelet back or she'll beat the crap out of you.

 

Rin accuses Do Ha of being a sham and having no spiritual powers. This is when Moo Suk shows up and comes to Do Ha's defense. I hope no patient is dying at this clinic because everyone is too busy arguing with one another. Moo Suk informs the prince he's here to be Rin's bodyguard.

 

Do Ha returns to the inn where she spots the ghost of a gisaeng. The shaman starts to stay something but then shrugs, ain't my problem.

 

Oh good, Sang Hun is back. Darn, he's got a shirt on. With the news of the Zao shrine being rebuilt, Sang Hun has a flashback to when the BiJang/Nightwatchmen soldiers were all slaughtered by the king's soldiers, more than likely under Minister Park's orders. Blaming himself for his comrades' deaths, Sang Hun works out his frustrations with some sword work. Take that, you weeds! Oh no, his physical exertions cause his old chest wound to bleed. Please don't die on me again, GatMan.

 

Rin, accompanied by his unwanted bodyguard, attends as judge at the shaman testing. Even though Do Ha has changed her hairstyle and is wearing local garb, Rin still recognizes her in the crowd. Sadam is also at the tryouts. Moo Suk recognizes Sadam from before. (When Rin and the ghosts were listening in to Ki San and Sadam in the library, I don't believe Rin could see Sadam so the guy is a stranger to the prince.)

 

Rin presents the contestants with a challenge. A man is brought in who has been suffering from a headache for the past TEN YEARS! No medicine has yet been able to cure him, so the headache must be caused by something otherworldly. Whichever shaman can cure the man gets the job at the temple.

 

Do Ha and Sadam are sent in to examine the patient. Both of them can see the ghost of a woman jabbing needles into the suffering man's head. (Hmm, the woman looks familiar.) Sadam reports to the prince that the patient should be arrested for murder. Surprisingly, Do Ha backs the villain up. Rin yells at them both. They were supposed to cure a person, not accuse him of a crime. The prince declares they have both failed the test.

 

Moo Suk is about to throw the couple out when Rin spots the ghost Do Ha had just described. Ah, the woman is familiar. She's Lady Kim and she used to work in the palace back when Rin was an annoying child actor.

 

Everyone goes to dig up her grave. After studying the remains, Moo Suk determines the woman was killed by...  wasp poison? Okay, I'll go with it. Sadam begins to wonder if perhaps Rin can see ghosts. 

 

Now that he's caught, the headache sufferer starts to sing like a bird. He had been paid to kill the woman. Rin demands to know who ordered her assassination. The murderer starts to stutter, "It was... it was... "  Sadam glares at Lady Kim's ghost, casting a spell on her. She rushes to the killer's side and stabs her needle into the side of his head. To everyone else the man simply drops dead.

 

(Some viewers are jumping to the conclusion it was Ki San who ordered Lady Kim's death. I'd like to point out that A) he was just a child at the time, B) why would he want her dead?, and C) Minister Park was the real power behind the throne. If anyone would have ordered her death, it would have been him, not Ki San. Yet the question would still be Why? Why did she need to be killed?)

 

Despite all the spectral drama, Rin fails Do Ha and promotes Sadam. Sadam reports his suspicions to the king about Rin's sixth sense. Ki San and his guard go to confront the prince. The king demands to know if Rin was lying when he said he couldn't see dead people. Before his brother can answer, Sadam shows up with Do Ha in tow, claiming she is the prophesied one who will cure Ki San of all his nightly woes. But Rin recalls their real plan of casting out the demons from Ki San and into another person.

 

Despite his protests, Ki San still doesn't believe Rin and is ready to chop his brother in half. Moo Suk, taking his bodyguard duties seriously, leaps in the way and blocks the king's blow. Ki San calms down a little bit but still orders Rin to be taken into custody. Moo Suk takes his prisoner to a very nice room in the palace. Rin tries to act all cool and nonchalant but secretly he's worried. Not just because of his uncertain future, but also because he doesn't have any anti-ghost deterrents here like he does back at his house.

 

After another split personality conversation with himself, Ki San is more than willing to set Rin free. The king doesn't want to have his brother's blood on his hands. Sadam, with the help of his magic incense, casts a spell on Ki San to change his mind. Meanwhile, one of Sadam's cronies is sneaking around outside the palace, planting talismans and curses as evidence.

 

Queen Dowager Pain-In-The-Butt hears all about Rin's supposed cursing of Ki San. She goes to the king (and interrupts his menage a trois) to defend the prince. Ki San, jealous of how much more his grandmother loves Rin than she does him, tearfully orders her out. Before she leaves she senses Sadam in the shadows. (Hmm. Does Queen Dowager Pain-In-The-Butt also see dead people?)

 

At the next royal court, Sadam is called in to testify against Rin. Minister Park argues they shouldn't be listening to a lowly Taoist priest. Ki San insists everyone should listen to the shaman. Elsewhere, Rin wakes up in the middle of the night and ... looks around. Seriously, Show, you need to work on your endings. You're getting as bad as Chinese dramas.

Temptation Episode 10

Time has passed since Suk Hoon left for Brazil. The Ice Cream Wars haven't been going well for Se Young's company. Now that's she's a Single Lady, Hong Joo complains about all the men flocking around her. (Yet another difference between Korea and America.) Suk Hoon returns from South America (with not a trace of a tan) and asks Se Young if he can have his old job back. Se Young is miffed because not once did he bother to call or write her all the time he was gone. Suk Hoon tries to apologize by giving her some coffee beans.

 

Now that they're both single, Min Woo starts going after Hong Joo. Now that Suk Hoon is back working for her, Se Young is playing hard to get.

 

Suk Hoon upsets his boss at work by suggesting the company stop trying to expand into China and concentrate more on the homefront. Suk Hoon tries to apologize by taking her on a jog and giving her some more coffee beans from Brazil.

 

Se Young is needing a cash infusion but can't find anyone willing to loan her the money. She calls a previously unseen character, Chang Tae Sung. He's newly engaged and invites Se Young to a party he's throwing.

 

If the show isn't promoting Se Young's refrigerator, its promoting ice cream as Hong Gyu stops by Se Jin's workplace. He leaves, totally missing his former brother-in-law in the store doing some research on ice cream flavors. Se Jin asks Suk Hoon if he'll be nice enough to take Se Young to the party.

 

Mama Im sends presents to Hong Joo in an effort to apologize for last episode. Hong Joo personally returns everything to Mama Im and stays around to visit with Roy, who seems to be getting along better with his younger sister. Mama Im secretly approves of how well Hong Joo interacts with the children.

 

Min Woo asks Hong Joo to the party.

 

 

Look at that suit he's wearing. Please tell me you're not wearing that suit to the party, Min Woo. Oh no, he is. At least Suk Hoon is wearing a tux. Se Young gives him the watch she picked out last episode.

 

 

 

They make their entrance into the party. Of course they run into Min Woo and Hong Joo. Stares are exchanged. Upset, Hong Joo dashes out of the room. Tellingly, Suk Hoon stays by Se Young's side. Min Woo catches up with his runaway date and convinces Hong Joo she shouldn't run away. She has as much right to be at the party as they do.

 

Hong Joo steels herself and goes back in to the party. She and Min Woo join Suk Hoon and Se Young. They make small talk, laced with strychnine. Later, everyone is sitting down with the host of the party, the man Se Young is desperate to borrow money from. Hong Joo acts like she's never met Se Young before and in front of everyone asks if the rumors she heard are true, that Se Young broke a marriage up. Oh, now you grow claws.

 

To everyone's surprise Suk Hoon speaks up and answers yes, the rumor is true and he is that married man Se Young fell in love with.

Temptation Episode 9

Got my mocha frappe from Mickey D's (two for one coupon!), now I'm ready to sit back and watch some Korean soap opera.

 

 

Both Suk Hoon and Hong Joo give up too easily on their marriage. He violently throws the wedding rings to the ground and storms off. My biggest beef is with Hong Joo who did nothing to fight for her man. The first sign of another woman sniffing around and Hong Joo folded like a cheap suit.

 

Young Chul did such a good job on the Hong Kong hotel deal that Se Young promotes him to ice cream management. Young Chul asks who will be taking over his old job and kind of hints to her that Suk Hoon would be an ideal candidate. She should really reconsider accepting Suk Hoon's resignation letter as he's going through a hard time right now with a possible divorce on the horizon. That's a big mouth you got there, Young Chul. Real friends don't gossip about their friends' marital problems to the boss. Especially when said boss has the hot pants for said friend.

 

 

The cicadas continue to take over South Korea as Suk Hoon and Hong Joo attend divorce court.  They fill out all the paperwork and watch an educational film.

 

 

 

Thanks to Suk Hoon's tip off, Min Woo is able to meet with the real Doo down in Hong Kong. But Min Woo isn't here to talk about the hotel. He's got a new plan in which his business group and Doo's join together to corner... the Asian ice cream market. (I'm sorry, but I can't take this seriously. When I think of fortunes won and lost I don't think of Fudgesicles.)

 

However, this leads me to a story this guy at my work told of someone he knew who served in the U.S. Army over in South Korea. The soldier fell in love with the popsicles made locally near his base. They were the best popsicles he had ever had. The popsicles were made from the water of a nearby lake. One day the soldier went to this lake only to discover this was where the town's prostitutes went for their group bathing. He never had a popsicle again.

 

While in Hong Kong, Min Woo gets a call from Park Han Soo with an update on Ji Sun. She's heading for Bangkok for a vacation, and she's not alone. Min Woo orders the P.I. to follow her. (Call me old-fashioned, but Ji Sun just had a baby. How can she leave the child behind so easily?)

 

Se Young is at home having dinner with her family. Sister Se Jin complains about having to scoop ICE CREAM all day at work, yet she's brought an ICE CREAM cake home for them to eat. Dear Lord, the product placement in this episode.

 

Leaving the ICE CREAM behind, Se Young drives over to where Suk Hoon is staying and asks him to come out with her for awhile. Maybe they'll go get ICE CREAM. Se Young fusses at Suk Hoon for giving up so easily on his marriage. She also apologizes for her part in causing trouble between him and Hong Joo. Suk Hoon tells her the divorce has nothing to do with her (even though it does). Se Young informs him she still hasn't formally accepted his resignation in case he wants to come back to work for her. Suk Hoon warns her not to wait for him but Se Young says she will. Then her saxophone player starts to play a song that sounds so familiar but I can't think of the title, which irks me.

 

 

A month just flies by and the next we know it, Hong Joo and Suk Hoon are before a judge who quickly finalizes their divorce. Out of the blue Suk Hoon tells his ex-wife he's moving to Brazil to manage a coffee farm. As a parting gift, Suk Hoon gives Hong Joo some shoes. (Interesting, as I was just reading an article about Korean superstitions and one of them is to not give your love interest a gift of shoes as it will make her run away from you. But then, they're already divorced so the point is kind of moot.)

 

Suddenly the day is saved by ABBA.

 

 

Se Young and Myung Hwa are out shopping. Se Young stops to look at some mens' watches, prompting Myung Hwa to ask about her friend's forbidden crush. Once she learns the man is now divorced, Myung Hwa does a 180 and pushes Se Young to go for it.

 

Ji Sun is back from Bangkok. Min Woo good-naturedly confronts his wife with pictures of her and her boy toy. Min Woo has already had the divorce papers drawn up, giving him full custody of the their three girls he barely spends any time with. Ji Sun threatens to fight back and drag his family through the mud. Min Woo threatens as well, promising to ruin her lover's own marriage as well as jeopardizing the man's job at a university.

 

Musical interlude.

 

Ji Sun moves out of the house (she's allowed to take the baby until the little girl is old enough to walk) but may not be moving out of the show as she continues threatening to destroy the Kang family.

 

Young Chul breaks the bad news to Se Young about Min Woo and Doo being in the ice cream business together. Se Young vows not to surrender, even though Min Woo's company is bigger. 

 

Mama Im asks Hong Joo to have tea with her. Im wants to know just what is between Hong Joo and Min Woo. Is the younger woman expecting to get some money out of the family? Offended, Hong Joo stands up for herself and walks out. This only impresses Mama Im more as Hong Joo isn't like all the other women Min Woo has been involved with.

 

 

Suk Hoon (and his one suitcase) is at the airport getting prepared to leave for Brazil. Suddenly Se Young calls out his name and stops him. She swallows her pride and begs him not to leave the country but it's not enough to sway his mind. Suk Hoon does give her a goodbye back hug, though, and asks Se Young to wait for him.