33 Comments
Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

Another great article from you, thank you so much!

I agree that the mentoring structure depicted in this show is very healthy - something I wish to see more in real life, more experienced people taking responsibility for their younger lot...

Ughhh, we really should take Jun-wan out for drinks and talk some sense into him! I also insist that the writers must give him a hell of a happy ending, something akin to S01E12 WG kiss. And Ik-jun playing a Switzerland here is annoying. Understandable, but annoying, and it will blow in his face one day.

It is a cliche but E06 is my favorite episode so far. So many relatable stories, such an uplifting message. We have a long wait ahead of us - let's hope it will be worth it!

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I would love to take him out for drinks -- as long as it doesn't involve alcohol. :D It was such a wrongheaded move by Ik-sun and now Ik-jun's complicit. I hate the entire situation. One whole year... I agree: there'd better be something good around the bend for him.

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I was right in expecting that this episode would be all about the interns/residents and we see a glimpse of the Lacking Five as interns.

I'm glad that this episode was light and ended on a happy note because a heavy episode would just be too much for our poor hearts, given that there's a delay in airing episode 7.

I'll wait for your next post if you're writing an in-depth analysis in the next few days. HP is shown in my country at 10 PM and I end up watching until 1 AM for rewatch. As a result, I'm tired by Friday morning and can't think much and my only desire is to just watch the latest episode again. Hahahaha!

The song they performed this week is indeed very uplifting.

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Lol, after last night, I'm trying to convince myself that I would really enjoy the show more in the morning... Maybe the hiatus will help us rewire )

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Totally agree, Anne! A rewire will help us. Hospital Playlist is taking too much of my head space because I also rewatch all the BTS. Hahahaha! But I'm not complaining. :)

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I'm too old to be messing around with my circadian rhythms to stay up later than 11. :D

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I’m usually asleep by 10 PM but HP is an exception 😂

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I used to make exceptions but not anymore. :P

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I have been waiting for your post and as always, it is awesome!

My respect for medical professionals continues to grow with every episode. In addition to their dedication and hard work, they also have to deal with a lot of insecurity as they continue to move along the path of their career. The new fellows do not feel confident enough to lead surgeries, as they were all just residents a month before. This feeling, in a way, may even be more burdensome that what the new interns feel - The interns have a lot of supervision, and are not expected to do tasks that would put the patients' lives in great danger, but a wrong cut of the a fellow's scalpel could lead to a failed surgery, even death. And thinking about their general ages, it is definitely not an easy feeling to have in your mid-30s, when many of your non-doc friends have become very secured in their professionals and are making calls with confidence and ease. I know some ppl were questioning why GU would make those self-disparaging comments in the recent episodes, but to me, it just made her more human. She might have been given some innate ability to deal with the stress and workload, but she still needs more than those to become a great surgeon - she needs experience, lots of experience, to hone her skills, to better care for others, and to build her confidence.

About Junwan, I definitely felt for him when he told SW and IJ that he was not over Buldogi yet. I feel that in addition to his need for long-term companionship, he also needs a closure. The decision to end the relationship was made for him and he was given no chance to fight or to accept it (I agree 100% to all the things you said in your post!). I hope he will have the closure he needs soon, whether or not he and IS would be reunited, to at least finish the limbo state he is in now.

Although it would be quite an inconvenience to the newly wed, I do think it would be hilarious for GU and Junwan to become housemates, though. I always feel that they are very similar and I would love to see their interaction, especially doing mukbang together :P.

I also noticed that the comment about Jeongwon being "all by himself" was repeated a few times this episode, and it started in the earlier episodes. It hit me also because it appeared that he should have more help now with more people in GS, as well as at least one fellow. Was this to continue reinforcing the level of trust / comfort he has with GU since he included her in his OR (but this point was already clearly noted in S1E12), or is it building up to something? I would like to hear your thoughts if you also noticed it.

One last comment - as much as I understand GU's decision to choose HPB, I do miss her and JW in the OR together. They just feel so in sync!

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I miss them too... such a great team... but oh well, I love Gyeo-ul with Ik-jun too... :)

I think, the authors chose to give her trouble this episode to stress that it is really, really hard to become a good surgeon. With so many assisted surgeries under her belt and the long hours she spends at the hospital when she's not on call, one can think that she's already got it, an ace in her field. But no, even the star GS resident needs much more experience to do solo work. I hope that they will give her a win too.

As for Jeong-won's workload, I loved the explanation that when operating on kids, the surgical site is usually so small that assistants can't do much to help - except maybe tie up in the end. It's not him hoarding all the work, it's just a very difficult (and responsible) specialty.

Sorry for barging in on your comment, it's just so good, I couldn't go away with just a like :)

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

Barge in anytime! I enjoy reading all your comments as well, including this one. Thank you for mentioning that even GU the star GS resident needs more experience. I believe they will give her a win; she is so humble and willing to learn, and I believe she will continue to grow fast.

And thank you for the explanation on JW's workload. It is no surprise there are only <50 pediatric surgeons in SK (I think the real number may be even lower than 40?). Having to do thing wells by yourself with such limited space / added fragility must be really tough. I could just imagine GU texting him / hugging him after the surgery with "good job; I am so proud of you"! :)

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

Im just imagining how Gyeoul is watching the neonatal surgery with all the others, looking at Jeongwon's very broad, 54 cm shoulder span, and going 'thats my man' in her mind.

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That scene was beyond words for me what with the pretty standard epic moment BGM and many others watching the surgery. I must say that is the moment I found Jeongwon to be the hottest 😂 I envy Gyeoul

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By the way, this surgery (Esophageal Atresia repair) was the one Gyeo-ul chose to assist Jeong-won with in S01E10 after the fake proposal scene. So she knows the procedure well :)

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AA, I think JW being "all by himself" is HP showing that he continues to be one of a kind. Although he has a fellow to help him, he will always be a rare breed. He really is a special doctor.

In the NICU surgery, we can see Gyeo-ul towering over and looking at JW while explaining what's happening to the resident. The scene tells me that while JW is a rare breed, he now has Gyeo-ul looking after him, completely understanding and appreciating who he is and what he does. He is a rare breed but he is not alone.

I feel that Gyeo-ul choosing to specialize in HPB instead of pediatric surgery also builds that case. JW will always be one of a kind but Gyeo-ul will always be there by his side.

Just my two cents. :)

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That was a most poetic explanation 🥰😭

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

To add, the same "towering over" is seen in the GS room. Gyeo-ul is sitting down, doing her paper, and JW comes in, going behind Gyeo-ul, looking over what she's doing. It's a parallel of them looking after each other.

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I love your interpretation! Yes, I did feel that GU's comment to YB was a contrast to how much she understood JW and his work, vs. the actual fellow.

I also sensed that when JW talked about himself being the only one, it was not with a sense of burden (as in S1), but a sense of recognition. Being a ped surgeon is a special calling. In S1 the calling also appeared to have come with a burden, both physically and mentally. But in S2 it seems to have become his source of motivation as he now has fully accepted the calling (vs. priesthood) and will use it for the goodness of more and more. I think while they have not shown much, GU is taking care of him as well so he could get recharged by being with someone who fully understands, accepts, and appreciates him. They are so blessed to have found each other!

Okay, I too need clear my head space. HP is also taking too much of mine 😂.

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AA, I really love discussing things with you and the other regular commenters here. 🥰

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Same here!

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Do you guys feel like since he got attached Jeongwon is emotionally at a better place? 2 things stood out for me - S2Ep1 when he told Gyeoul that everyone needs to move on (ref. Yeon-U's mom), and Ep 6 when Junwan is telling him about little Changmin dying - he was like "dont you have to go?" When Junwan is reluctant to leave and meet Changmin's parents.

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Great observation, Koreanoona! It definitely looks that way.

He is still Buddha but he's a much more grounded Buddha. Hahahaha! :D He acts more relaxed rather than formal (in S1).

In S1, he wasn't shown chatting or being cordial to residents/fellows. He wasn't definitely a snob but he was always formal. In S2, he's now shown as a bit more chatty. In E6, he greeted the new residents, he chatted with the female fellow while they were walking together. In E5, he was shown thanking the medical team profusely after the procedure.

Even in the bank, he chatted more in S2 vs S1.

Subtle changes but definitely influence of being in a relationship with Gyeo-ul. :)

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I always thought that Jeong-won (I said this in Soompi last year) would marry Gyeo-ul and build his own pediatrics team one offspring at a time. That's how he's going to fill his pediatrics hospital.

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

I loved this episode and the message of patience in learning and gaining experience. Even the best surgeons made newbie mistakes (I laughed so hard at the drawer mistake). And the choice of song this week is so uplifting! I cried midway through the song because I just started in healthcare (exploring a mid career switch) and have already made numerous silly mistakes 6 days in, so this is a great reminder that this is all new and I will need time and patience to learn and be good at what I do.

Junwan - I so wanted to reach out to give him a hug when he matter-of-factly said he misses his ex. Poor guy - what a place to be in life now, especially since he hates being alone.

Jeongwon - I squealed when he said he is planning to propose. Are we really gonna see a wedding at the end of Season 2?

And - are Songhwa, Ikjun and Uju really going camping in the next episode??! (how are we gonna wait 14 days?!)

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Be blessed in all your endeavors in your new career! 🌹

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I am someone who is of the opinion that we'll have WinterGarden wedding by the end of this season.

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

Another great one from you, thank you as always!

This episode just reminded me of my own blunders and all, and it was such a fun and breezy watch. My favorite blunder here will always be Hongdo's Richardson, out.

I'm happy that Gyeoul chose HPB as her Sub-specialisation, IkJang mentor-mentee relationship is just Jjang!

Jeongwon is still a ticking time bomb as he doesn't realise that he toggles between jondaemal and banmal on that scene with Gyeoul and the 4 new Residents, hence the chirping bird sound of Gyeoul. Speaking of that scene, was it just me who thought there was a lingering gaze with the tall guy resident to Gyeoul? The female resident was vocal, hence that is obvious, but the guy with Gyeoul it seems to be subtle.

As for Junwan, I really felt bad for him that I'm fine if he crashes WG's newly wedded space. I'm still not fine with the noble idiocy of Iksun, but clearly Junwan is all for her, so might as well have them get back together after they sort things out.

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Aki, yes, there was the lingering gaze from the male resident. The male and female residents might be the catalyst with the WinterGarden finally revealing their secret relationship. Hahaha! Gyeo-ul will be pressured to make sure no one comes near Jeong-Won. JW will be this petty jealous teenage boy who will make sure no one makes a claim on Gyeo-ul. After all, even Ik-Jun wasn’t spared from his pettiness when Ik-Jun called Gyeo-ul 오리 in S2E2. 😂😂

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O, so there was something more to that look and the bird chirp for GU! The use of jondaemal / banmal is such a special thing with the language / culture and I wish I could understand Korean to appreciate it - the translations (both Eng and Chinese) just do not tell us when they switch between one and the other :(.

And yes on the gaze by the new guy (Geon)! I think he also assisted JW in the surgery. Not sure if the gaze was intentionally written, but I think it is totally understandable for someone else to admire GU as well (since so many of us outside the show do :P)!

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Agree with you, AA! I enrolled in Korean classes to understand the language better because I feel that the English translation also misses something.

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Wow, that's dedication! I may start taking some lessons as well - my teenage girl is self learning Korean (amazed by what teenage brains can do by watching youtube and following their fav Kpop groups) and she is challenging me to take the proficiency test with her - this is the "official" reason and I am sticking to it, hee hee hee.

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Go for it! 💯💯💯

I’ve always wanted to learn a 3rd language. I’ve tried studying Spanish and French but I wasn’t as committed. Now that I’m into K-Drama and OST, I figured that it would be better to study Korean since I can learn the words and sentences by watching K-Drama and listening to OST. Plus, I’ve been to Korea twice and I really fell in love with that country. 🥰

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Jul 23, 2021Liked by 40somethingahjumma

Thanks for the encouragement. Korea is the place my daughter really wants to visit and we were supposed to go last year but had to abort due to COVID. But now we have more time to prepare and she is eagerly showing us all the places we should visit / food to eat when we finally get to to. Praying that we can all travel without worries soon.

I was blessed with a few opportunities to visit SK but mostly short business trips. Last trip lasted only 3 nights and I had to spend most of the time between office and hotel. But I did get to at least shop at the Incheon airport to fill my suitcase with gifts 😭. I definitely owe myself and my daughter a longer, more in-depth trip!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

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