One of my favourite things about the franchise is how it brings together two strangers who would otherwise never meet save for a common cause and spins a poignant tale about a connection that is not defined by blood but pathos and community.
Aaaaand I press "heart" with a very satisfied smile on my face... Seriously, I'm waiting for your reviews with the same bated breath I save for the show itself.
And I'm sorry that I'm yet again adding a long-winded meandering comment to these succinct and well-rounded observations of yours, but I just have to. :) This show makes my head burst with thoughts, and I have to share them... somewhere. (Not on Twitter for sure. Hosplay Twitter is in the sulk rn.)
So, despite this episode is somewhat heavy, I like where things are going... except for the Ik-sun's line. I totally share your detest toward noble idiocy. Except, in this case, it's not even noble. It's the sort of crisis situation when you are so scared and overwhelmed that you get rid of the ballast. And Jun-wan is not that, dear! I was gutted when we found out that she's been lying to him over the phone too. Gutted. Theirs was such a beautiful mature relationship in S1, and it suddenly came to THIS point... why? Because no matter how old you are and how experienced you are, you sort of regress to a more childish state when it comes to really stressful situations... But Jun-wan didn't. He took the news of the male chingu, and her lie about the exam, and even the sudden breakup like a class act. Ugh, I love this man, and I want to give him a hug.
Another notable thing for me was that his friends, seeing him most stressed out ever, didn't try to coddle him or trespass his boundaries. They offered help and support, each in their own way, but they didn't push it on him. And Ik-jun's call to his sister... do you think he knows about them? I got the feeling that he does, but the show keeps being very ambiguous about them. If he didn't know, he wouldn't probably discuss Jun-wan's gf with Ik-sun (that's not funny or amusing). But if he did, why did he say what he said to her? That was pretty hurtful. I need to rewatch this, but with each episode, I just love Ik-jun more. SO. MANY. LAYERS in this onion-like man.
As the WG expert, what do you think about the preview? What's your take on the issue they are going to explore with them this time?
my god i agree! i am contemplating leaving hosplay stan twitter because it has gotten a bit toxic :( people seem to have these grand expectations about how the show should be :(
I just want to see where the writers take me. I might enjoy it, I might not, but it's their work, and I don't want to dictate to them what to do. (At the same time, I don't want to dictate to fans what they should feel, so here we are, in this brilliant blog, contemplating ;)
Anne, I love your insights. Like you, I'm confused whether Ik-Jun knows that Ik-Sun is the girlfriend before her phone call.
At first watch, I felt that Ik-Jun knows. He has always been an astute observer so it doesn't make sense to me that he wouldn't suspect this. But Ik-Jun saying the girlfriend is selfish is also not like Ik-Jun. He's not the type to badmouth anyone. And he wouldn't say it to his sister if he knows that she's the girlfriend. Aigoo! I'm confused! Hahahaha!
Regarding the preview, sigh, I don't trust it. Hahahaha! I don't think there will be a serious issue with WG. PD Wonho's previews have always been a trap. It edits lines and places it in a different scene.
Example: In S2 ep 2 preview for ep3, we saw Gyeo-ul hugging Jeong-won, saying "What if people see us?" But in ep 3, that line was uttered by Gyeo-ul while they were in the car. Hahahahaha! I should stop watching the previews. I get annoyed with the trap! Hahahaha!
I admit they trapped me this time... too many angsty faces *sigh* I have a hunch that they might continue the story with the Ik-jun's patient Gyeo-ul observed in E4. The one with the enema, where her people component glitched again. She might feel frustrated because of this. (I know I would.) Guess, we will just have to wait and see...
I was just telling myself last night that I must stop watching all Hospital Playlist previews hahah! But gosh I must say their preview making skills are great since it reels in people to watch the next episode. So many questions! We need answers!!!
I'll have to make this quick because I've got company tonight.
I used to think that Ik-jun knew about Jun-wan and Ik-sun but after the last episode, I'm not so sure. That reaction at the end threw me for a six. Plus he said that the girlfriend was inconsiderate and selfish. Apparently all that trolling was just trolling. Which is odd because Ik-jun is a bit of a busybody and yet he didn't want Jun-wan to talk about his girlfriend. I thought it was because he didn't want Jun-wan to tell him that he's dating his sister.
I have learnt better than to trust HP previews. Especially when they're decontexualized this way. They tell me nothing. But if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that Gyeo-ul did something that she's embarrassed for Jeong-won to know about or that she is worried about something that she did that would make him think less of her.
I was waiting for your review! I agree with you that WG is not really cringey. I read a lot of complaints on twitter about how S1 gyeoul and jeongwon are possessed in S2. I really do not see how it is OOC for them to act in love. I believe that there is more to come in their relationship dynamics so I am really excited for the next episode. Thanks again for your thoughts!
Sam, Hosplay Twitter is fertile ground for fanfics. I don't mind the recaps and the analysis on Twitter but when they start projecting their own feelings and dictating how WG should be portrayed, then that's where I draw the line. WG is a creation of PD Wonho and we need to accept how PD Wonho portrays them.
This is mainly the reason why I love this blog because it respects what PD is trying to do.
I share the same thoughts! I was completely surprised by the negative energy after last night’s episode because I have been enjoying each ep so far. I think I will be hanging out in this blog more often ❤️
Please do post more often! Spread the positivity! Oh, I enjoy S2 WG immensely, they make me so happy! Especially Gyeo-ul - turns out, she has so many different smiles... and miser tendencies of her own. The scene where she pretends to get an emergency phone call to avoid partying with her dolls... I laughed like a lunatic at her holding the phone screen up. Like uri ahjumma says, she's so very relatable. And she couldn't be more perfect for Jeong-won. Too bad people want more drama or serious conversations from them. This comedy is gold.
Anne, that fake emergency call was hilarious! Hahahahaha! If we were still watching season 1, we wouldn't have guessed that side of her, right? She barely smiled in season 1. Her character has really grown a lot because of her relationship. <3
Yes! thank u so much 😊 I also love seeing Gyeoul happy! Her micro expressions are gold 😂 Wingar is the treat I give myself after a long week so I’ll take whatever ShinLee serves. ❤️
i know! i logged off as soon as i read that 🥲 personally wingar is my comfort ship so i might be biased but drawing from my own experiences, it is completely normal to change when you’re in love, no? I just don’t see how gyeoul can be ooc when she smiles more often because of jeongwon or when she chooses to wear her contact lens instead of her glasses when she goes on dates. Also, i just cannot see a disconnect between jeongwon’s persona in s1 and s2? I’ve read your post about jeongwon’s dating behavior and I completely agree. We’ve seen how boyish he is with his close ones so why can’t he be the same to gyeoul? Sorry for dumping my feelings here but I just really feel that the enragement about wingar is uncalled for 😭 especially since their screen time is so little as compared to the entirety of hp 2. i also feel that it is still too early to judge their story.
The reality too is that falling in love can change people or at the very least show another side to them. So the charge that Gyeo-ul is out of character doesn't really make sense because we've never seen her in a dating relationship before until now.
That was also my confusion when I saw the comments in twt. There was not really a precedence for comparison in S1 to dictate how WG should or should not act when they are in an actual, secure, loving, and mutual relationship. Neither of them appeared to have dated prior to the kiss. And even if they had, in my experience, each relationship hits each person differently, esp with the ones that are significant enough to completely change your life trajectories. So, I do not find them OOC at all.
One may say that we did see them "in love" as they both had feelings for each other in S1, but I do not see that as any indicator for S2. What they had was not a relationship, one was repressed thinking that he should never crossing the line, and the other believed that she was nobody to him. A future together was probably the farthest thing from possibility for them.
How they behaved under those mindsets, in my opinion, should naturally be very different from now, when they know and feel that their love has been reciprocated, when they can actually see a very likely future with each other building a family and lifelong plans together - if I were them, I think I would be more than "possessed", LOL!
And one more personal point, I might have been more "rational" in my 20s / 30s thinking that a strong relationship has to continue produce deep convos, endure harsh weathers, and spiritual connection should always be more important than sweet talks / physical touch. But after going thru all that and now being where I am age and life stage wise, I really find all the clinginess, aegyos, affection, and physical touches WG (esp W :P) continue to shower each other really refreshing and delightful to see. Those outward expressions can be, and should be valued as equally essential to relationships. We all have different and crave different love languages. There is nothing wrong for a 40+ professor to want to hug and touch, or just be a carefree child in front of his significant other, esp when they are off work, and there is nothing wrong for a normally stoic resident to be smiling lovingly towards the one whose presence energizes her, or playing with the freebie plushies from him like a 2-yr old.
Thank you again for all your posts; I always look forward to reading them after every episode!
“What they had was not a relationship, one was repressed thinking that he should never crossing the line, and the other believed that she was nobody to him. A future together was probably the farthest thing from possibility for them.“
I loved how you phrased this! YOU WRITE SO BEAUTIFULLY! ❤️😭
I've been waiting for hours for your post! Hahahahah! :D
This was a tough and heavy episode for me. I felt so bad for Jun-wan. Kudos to Kyungho for giving such a nuanced performance. I was much surprised that Ik-Sun fell in love with someone. In my previous comment, I said that I felt this was a red herring.
The overall theme of being alone is palpable: Jun-Wan being alone with his struggles, the paraplegic, Eun-jin's mom waiting for a donor. Even Heo Seon-Bin had her "being alone" moment (cold war with Yeok Song-min and being alone in trying to protect the patient).
I guessed right when I commented that this would be mainly a Jun-wan. We get a much better idea on who this man is. Behind that tough facade is a man who easily gets lonely and who doesn't want to be alone. Jeong-won explaining that he hasn't moved out because Jun-wan was always sad when he brings up the topic accomplishes two things 1) Jeong-won is not really stingy or a moocher and 2) an explanation why Jun-wan is a serial dater (or at least used to be).
I agree with what you said that Jun-wan (and the rest of the Lacking Five) is a consummate professional. The social media post was brilliant! And as you mentioned in your previous post, the show is about the hospital and the lives of the patients and doctors. Despite his own struggles, he chose to rise above it and still give his all to his patients.
Tteokbokki club! Hahahaha! "Gyeo-ul beat God" was comedy gold! I'm a devout Catholic myself so I know what you meant when you said God used Gyeo-ul to stop Jeong-won. We will never seriously say somebody beat God but yeah, that line was hilarious!
I loved that you astutely observed two different answers from Jeong-Won when asked if he has kids. In the workplace setting, he answered more formally "All the patients I treated are my kids" versus "I am not married yet" in an informal setting (in the bank). Jeong-won trying to balance being the doctor and being the boyfriend is cute especially since Gyeo-ul was behind him when the nurse asked him if he had kids.
Then, there's IkSong. The song Song-hwa sang ("Couple") can't even be more obvious. The lyrics feel like their near future. Even their discussion is sending the message that this ship will sail. I mean, Ik-Jun listening (albeit slightly embarrassed) to Song-Hwa's out-of-tune singing and Song-Hwa singing her heart out will give any shipper a reason to hope. I also felt there's something about Song-Hwa's question whether Uju loves the rain (like she does) has any meaning. I've come to believe you when you said that everything in PD Wonho's universe has a meaning and a reason.
More reasons to believe for IkSong shippers are 1) the two coffee breaks, 2) the side neck hug (the wow scene) 3) repeat of scenes that Song-Hwa find Ik-Jun really funny, and 4) Song-Hwa initiating get-togethers with Ik-Jun. Since season 1, it has always been Ik-Jun who goes to Song-Hwa's office, gives her coffee, invites him to dinner. But in the last two episodes, it was Song-Hwa initiating the invite. In episode 3, Song-Hwa dropped by Ik-Jun's outpatient room to invite him to have dinner. In this episode, Song-Hwa called Ik-Jun to say that there's chicken drumsticks for lunch. It seems the audience is being prepped for the sailing.
My fearless forecast is that when the IkSong ship finally sails, it would be Song-Hwa who will initiate it. She will pose a hypothetical question to Ik-Jun about liking a long-time friend. I don't think Ik-Jun will initiate this because 1) Song-Hwa told him in episode 1 never to ask that type of question again and 2) Ik-Jun respected Song-Hwa's decision to stay best friends.
Having said all these, I'm waiting and I hope to read more of your in-depth analysis of episode 4. No pressure, though! I just love reading your insights! <3
While we are waiting for the said in-depth analysis - Roche, I appreciate your IkSong takes a lot :) And also the theme of loneliness and connection throughout the episode you mentioned - that was such a spot-on observation! I think everyone can see that and empathize with that easily.
And Jeong-won's explanation of why he chose to live together with Jun-wan solidified that theme. Of course, he, being an empath, would feel this unspoken need of his friend of not being lonely and oblige him. (So, to see the rich heir of Yuljee getting a place of his own, we need to marry Jun-wan first... okay. :) I actually thought that Jeong-won came to the bank to take a loan for moving out... turns out, he's a much less shallow person than me.)
Anne, I squealed in delight when Jeong-won said he's taking out a housing loan. I thought he was moving out. Damn that misdirect! Hahaha! :D But I think Jeong-won will be moving out soon. Song-Hwa made the reference that he should find his own place (when they were eating together with Ik-Jun and Seok-Hyeong). We're all excited for that one.
I love what you wrote about the PICU mothers! That's how I feel exactly! So so happy that Eunji's has a new heart. I bawled with the two moms. Was telling a friend who is also HP fan that in other dramas there could have been makjang played out with Minchan getting his transplant first. But not in Hosplay thank goodness. People in this dramaverse mostly have good hearts.
I love how Wintergarden, Gom-Gom and even Iksong dynamics are playing out. Slowly slowly. Jeongwon's Daddy Long Legs dreams are big, and oh so exciting!
Junwan and Iksun: i dont think Iksun has fallen in love with someone else. But i think she has PTSD from her previous relationship, and has a flight syndrome when she feels the relationship is slowly become burdensome for Junwan (because he is concealing his true feelings). I don't like what she did but logically I can understand. These two have to sort things out. Being in a relationship is about showing not just your good side and being considerate, but also being honest with each other. So they need to learn that in order to grow.
I too did not think she did it out of noble idiocy. But couldn't wrap my head around why else would she have done that other than to seemingly think that breaking up with Junwan would add less stress to his life. Your thoughts on her acting out of PTSD from her previous relationship makes so much sense!
On reddit and twitter, majority of the comments were bashing Iksun for doing what she did, calling her selfish and how since season 1, Junwan is seen to be more invested in the relationship. I think people need to remember that relationships are made up of imperfect humans with their own set of baggage and trauma. It is not to say that what Iksun did was justifiable but as her character has gone through a traumatic breakup, her instinct of flight instead of fight makes sense for her self-preservation. Yes, Junwan has been nothing but kind and loving towards her but I'm sure it was the same for her former partner until he lied to her about his mother being against their marriage. Especially since she was actually willing to go against her own wishes (not wanting to get married but since her former partner wanted to, she relented). I am guessing that in her head, Iksun is thinking how if he is hiding his true feelings now, what else later on? Better get out of it before I get burnt. The reality is, to break that destructive relationship behaviour that she learnt from her past trauma, it will take ALOT of communication, patience, and trust between Iksun and Junwan.
I’ll put it here because Twitter is too toxic. Hahahaha!
My guess in next week’s episode is that the DV guy (season 1 episode 5) will make an appearance. The preview of Gyeo-ul saying “I can’t promise I won’t do it again” refers to her running after the DV guy and she will do it again if need be.
Jeong-won asking whether there’s something he needs to know probably refers to Gyeo-ul being kicked in the face by the DV guy in episode 5. He likely didn’t know that Gyeo-ul was hurt from that encounter.
I’m feeling so much better reading your comments. I feel that every couple has their own style of being together. And given this is their first relationship, it’s suit them. Every couples go through their up and down and different stages. I love EP 1 when they can talk about going to a movie and talk about work. Jeongwon can coach Gyeoul and passed on his wisdom. The other episodes are just reassuring that the couple is still going strong. I can fell another arch coming in the developing relationship and I can’t wait to see the story play out.
Yessss, I can't wait too! I watched some S1 today, and I can't agree with the opinion that WG should necessarily be awkward with each other. First, they worked together for a long time, and they worked really well, especially in the OR. And we actually had had a glimpse of how they could be even before the relationship started when they sat in the garden after Gyeo-ul's solo surgery. Totally comfortable around each other. Secondly, there were a lot of scenes when they didn't need so many words to communicate. Jeong-won would give her a look, and she would give him an answer. This skill could be easily transferred from a working relationship to a personal one. Third, by episode 12, they were standing side by side in the PICU with their forearms touching, and it didn't make them awkward. Fourth, Jeong-won is an extroverted person who easily connects with strangers and Gyeo-ul is not some withering daisy either. She took her first rejection in stride, and she came to confess fully expecting a second one. Knowing that Jeong-won actually likes her back, she wouldn't ponder much about his previous behavior but forge on to the future. She took time to learn about him, observe him with patients and friends alike, and the only thing that stopped her was not even his being set on becoming a priest (she asked him directly to abandon this dream, you know), but the fact that he didn't like her. So, while many people want to see the post-kiss conversation or some other flashback, it's all pretty logical to me so far. I would rather see the upcoming arch you mention than to dwell on the previous one. :)
Oh I love this. I would also like to see the conversation post kiss but I've come to accept at this point that they may not show it. And I'm totally okay with it. To me everything is still cohesive so far and I'm with y'all that they are not ooc. I'm just enjoying all the fluff because all of us, including the wg couple deserve all these after what they've gone through the past year.
I read all the comments and posts so far and i think ill move here from twt as now it has gotten out the hand. Everything about hosplay, wg and iksun and junwan i totally aree what you all says here.. specially WG like i cant believe there's people who find them ooc and different. Like we didn't know how they will be when in love with eachother. I was quite disappointed that we didnt get wg after kiss talk but now it makes sense to me that its not necessary after reading your comment! Iam more excited for how they will explore wg in the future!
Right?! A lot of people in twt is demanding for depth for wg and I was like... we're in episode 4 of a multi-lead drama and wg is not the only couple here. Couldn't they give the couple a break after all the repression in Season 1 and let them enjoy being happy together first? I'm sure ShinLee has more to tell in the remaining episodes so I am just waiting for that too and I'm also excited on what else to come for every characters here.
Aaaaand I press "heart" with a very satisfied smile on my face... Seriously, I'm waiting for your reviews with the same bated breath I save for the show itself.
And I'm sorry that I'm yet again adding a long-winded meandering comment to these succinct and well-rounded observations of yours, but I just have to. :) This show makes my head burst with thoughts, and I have to share them... somewhere. (Not on Twitter for sure. Hosplay Twitter is in the sulk rn.)
So, despite this episode is somewhat heavy, I like where things are going... except for the Ik-sun's line. I totally share your detest toward noble idiocy. Except, in this case, it's not even noble. It's the sort of crisis situation when you are so scared and overwhelmed that you get rid of the ballast. And Jun-wan is not that, dear! I was gutted when we found out that she's been lying to him over the phone too. Gutted. Theirs was such a beautiful mature relationship in S1, and it suddenly came to THIS point... why? Because no matter how old you are and how experienced you are, you sort of regress to a more childish state when it comes to really stressful situations... But Jun-wan didn't. He took the news of the male chingu, and her lie about the exam, and even the sudden breakup like a class act. Ugh, I love this man, and I want to give him a hug.
Another notable thing for me was that his friends, seeing him most stressed out ever, didn't try to coddle him or trespass his boundaries. They offered help and support, each in their own way, but they didn't push it on him. And Ik-jun's call to his sister... do you think he knows about them? I got the feeling that he does, but the show keeps being very ambiguous about them. If he didn't know, he wouldn't probably discuss Jun-wan's gf with Ik-sun (that's not funny or amusing). But if he did, why did he say what he said to her? That was pretty hurtful. I need to rewatch this, but with each episode, I just love Ik-jun more. SO. MANY. LAYERS in this onion-like man.
As the WG expert, what do you think about the preview? What's your take on the issue they are going to explore with them this time?
Have the nicest day! <3 Write moooooore!
my god i agree! i am contemplating leaving hosplay stan twitter because it has gotten a bit toxic :( people seem to have these grand expectations about how the show should be :(
I just want to see where the writers take me. I might enjoy it, I might not, but it's their work, and I don't want to dictate to them what to do. (At the same time, I don't want to dictate to fans what they should feel, so here we are, in this brilliant blog, contemplating ;)
Anne, I love your insights. Like you, I'm confused whether Ik-Jun knows that Ik-Sun is the girlfriend before her phone call.
At first watch, I felt that Ik-Jun knows. He has always been an astute observer so it doesn't make sense to me that he wouldn't suspect this. But Ik-Jun saying the girlfriend is selfish is also not like Ik-Jun. He's not the type to badmouth anyone. And he wouldn't say it to his sister if he knows that she's the girlfriend. Aigoo! I'm confused! Hahahaha!
Regarding the preview, sigh, I don't trust it. Hahahaha! I don't think there will be a serious issue with WG. PD Wonho's previews have always been a trap. It edits lines and places it in a different scene.
Example: In S2 ep 2 preview for ep3, we saw Gyeo-ul hugging Jeong-won, saying "What if people see us?" But in ep 3, that line was uttered by Gyeo-ul while they were in the car. Hahahahaha! I should stop watching the previews. I get annoyed with the trap! Hahahaha!
I admit they trapped me this time... too many angsty faces *sigh* I have a hunch that they might continue the story with the Ik-jun's patient Gyeo-ul observed in E4. The one with the enema, where her people component glitched again. She might feel frustrated because of this. (I know I would.) Guess, we will just have to wait and see...
I was just telling myself last night that I must stop watching all Hospital Playlist previews hahah! But gosh I must say their preview making skills are great since it reels in people to watch the next episode. So many questions! We need answers!!!
I'll have to make this quick because I've got company tonight.
I used to think that Ik-jun knew about Jun-wan and Ik-sun but after the last episode, I'm not so sure. That reaction at the end threw me for a six. Plus he said that the girlfriend was inconsiderate and selfish. Apparently all that trolling was just trolling. Which is odd because Ik-jun is a bit of a busybody and yet he didn't want Jun-wan to talk about his girlfriend. I thought it was because he didn't want Jun-wan to tell him that he's dating his sister.
I have learnt better than to trust HP previews. Especially when they're decontexualized this way. They tell me nothing. But if I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that Gyeo-ul did something that she's embarrassed for Jeong-won to know about or that she is worried about something that she did that would make him think less of her.
I was waiting for your review! I agree with you that WG is not really cringey. I read a lot of complaints on twitter about how S1 gyeoul and jeongwon are possessed in S2. I really do not see how it is OOC for them to act in love. I believe that there is more to come in their relationship dynamics so I am really excited for the next episode. Thanks again for your thoughts!
Sam, Hosplay Twitter is fertile ground for fanfics. I don't mind the recaps and the analysis on Twitter but when they start projecting their own feelings and dictating how WG should be portrayed, then that's where I draw the line. WG is a creation of PD Wonho and we need to accept how PD Wonho portrays them.
This is mainly the reason why I love this blog because it respects what PD is trying to do.
I share the same thoughts! I was completely surprised by the negative energy after last night’s episode because I have been enjoying each ep so far. I think I will be hanging out in this blog more often ❤️
Please do post more often! Spread the positivity! Oh, I enjoy S2 WG immensely, they make me so happy! Especially Gyeo-ul - turns out, she has so many different smiles... and miser tendencies of her own. The scene where she pretends to get an emergency phone call to avoid partying with her dolls... I laughed like a lunatic at her holding the phone screen up. Like uri ahjumma says, she's so very relatable. And she couldn't be more perfect for Jeong-won. Too bad people want more drama or serious conversations from them. This comedy is gold.
Anne, that fake emergency call was hilarious! Hahahahaha! If we were still watching season 1, we wouldn't have guessed that side of her, right? She barely smiled in season 1. Her character has really grown a lot because of her relationship. <3
Yes! thank u so much 😊 I also love seeing Gyeoul happy! Her micro expressions are gold 😂 Wingar is the treat I give myself after a long week so I’ll take whatever ShinLee serves. ❤️
You're very welcome to do so.
"Possessed" is a new one for me!
i know! i logged off as soon as i read that 🥲 personally wingar is my comfort ship so i might be biased but drawing from my own experiences, it is completely normal to change when you’re in love, no? I just don’t see how gyeoul can be ooc when she smiles more often because of jeongwon or when she chooses to wear her contact lens instead of her glasses when she goes on dates. Also, i just cannot see a disconnect between jeongwon’s persona in s1 and s2? I’ve read your post about jeongwon’s dating behavior and I completely agree. We’ve seen how boyish he is with his close ones so why can’t he be the same to gyeoul? Sorry for dumping my feelings here but I just really feel that the enragement about wingar is uncalled for 😭 especially since their screen time is so little as compared to the entirety of hp 2. i also feel that it is still too early to judge their story.
The reality too is that falling in love can change people or at the very least show another side to them. So the charge that Gyeo-ul is out of character doesn't really make sense because we've never seen her in a dating relationship before until now.
That was also my confusion when I saw the comments in twt. There was not really a precedence for comparison in S1 to dictate how WG should or should not act when they are in an actual, secure, loving, and mutual relationship. Neither of them appeared to have dated prior to the kiss. And even if they had, in my experience, each relationship hits each person differently, esp with the ones that are significant enough to completely change your life trajectories. So, I do not find them OOC at all.
One may say that we did see them "in love" as they both had feelings for each other in S1, but I do not see that as any indicator for S2. What they had was not a relationship, one was repressed thinking that he should never crossing the line, and the other believed that she was nobody to him. A future together was probably the farthest thing from possibility for them.
How they behaved under those mindsets, in my opinion, should naturally be very different from now, when they know and feel that their love has been reciprocated, when they can actually see a very likely future with each other building a family and lifelong plans together - if I were them, I think I would be more than "possessed", LOL!
And one more personal point, I might have been more "rational" in my 20s / 30s thinking that a strong relationship has to continue produce deep convos, endure harsh weathers, and spiritual connection should always be more important than sweet talks / physical touch. But after going thru all that and now being where I am age and life stage wise, I really find all the clinginess, aegyos, affection, and physical touches WG (esp W :P) continue to shower each other really refreshing and delightful to see. Those outward expressions can be, and should be valued as equally essential to relationships. We all have different and crave different love languages. There is nothing wrong for a 40+ professor to want to hug and touch, or just be a carefree child in front of his significant other, esp when they are off work, and there is nothing wrong for a normally stoic resident to be smiling lovingly towards the one whose presence energizes her, or playing with the freebie plushies from him like a 2-yr old.
Thank you again for all your posts; I always look forward to reading them after every episode!
“What they had was not a relationship, one was repressed thinking that he should never crossing the line, and the other believed that she was nobody to him. A future together was probably the farthest thing from possibility for them.“
I loved how you phrased this! YOU WRITE SO BEAUTIFULLY! ❤️😭
People blossom when they are happy and in love. Why are all these netizens getting worked up? Sour grapes? Haha
I've been waiting for hours for your post! Hahahahah! :D
This was a tough and heavy episode for me. I felt so bad for Jun-wan. Kudos to Kyungho for giving such a nuanced performance. I was much surprised that Ik-Sun fell in love with someone. In my previous comment, I said that I felt this was a red herring.
The overall theme of being alone is palpable: Jun-Wan being alone with his struggles, the paraplegic, Eun-jin's mom waiting for a donor. Even Heo Seon-Bin had her "being alone" moment (cold war with Yeok Song-min and being alone in trying to protect the patient).
I guessed right when I commented that this would be mainly a Jun-wan. We get a much better idea on who this man is. Behind that tough facade is a man who easily gets lonely and who doesn't want to be alone. Jeong-won explaining that he hasn't moved out because Jun-wan was always sad when he brings up the topic accomplishes two things 1) Jeong-won is not really stingy or a moocher and 2) an explanation why Jun-wan is a serial dater (or at least used to be).
I agree with what you said that Jun-wan (and the rest of the Lacking Five) is a consummate professional. The social media post was brilliant! And as you mentioned in your previous post, the show is about the hospital and the lives of the patients and doctors. Despite his own struggles, he chose to rise above it and still give his all to his patients.
Tteokbokki club! Hahahaha! "Gyeo-ul beat God" was comedy gold! I'm a devout Catholic myself so I know what you meant when you said God used Gyeo-ul to stop Jeong-won. We will never seriously say somebody beat God but yeah, that line was hilarious!
I loved that you astutely observed two different answers from Jeong-Won when asked if he has kids. In the workplace setting, he answered more formally "All the patients I treated are my kids" versus "I am not married yet" in an informal setting (in the bank). Jeong-won trying to balance being the doctor and being the boyfriend is cute especially since Gyeo-ul was behind him when the nurse asked him if he had kids.
Then, there's IkSong. The song Song-hwa sang ("Couple") can't even be more obvious. The lyrics feel like their near future. Even their discussion is sending the message that this ship will sail. I mean, Ik-Jun listening (albeit slightly embarrassed) to Song-Hwa's out-of-tune singing and Song-Hwa singing her heart out will give any shipper a reason to hope. I also felt there's something about Song-Hwa's question whether Uju loves the rain (like she does) has any meaning. I've come to believe you when you said that everything in PD Wonho's universe has a meaning and a reason.
More reasons to believe for IkSong shippers are 1) the two coffee breaks, 2) the side neck hug (the wow scene) 3) repeat of scenes that Song-Hwa find Ik-Jun really funny, and 4) Song-Hwa initiating get-togethers with Ik-Jun. Since season 1, it has always been Ik-Jun who goes to Song-Hwa's office, gives her coffee, invites him to dinner. But in the last two episodes, it was Song-Hwa initiating the invite. In episode 3, Song-Hwa dropped by Ik-Jun's outpatient room to invite him to have dinner. In this episode, Song-Hwa called Ik-Jun to say that there's chicken drumsticks for lunch. It seems the audience is being prepped for the sailing.
My fearless forecast is that when the IkSong ship finally sails, it would be Song-Hwa who will initiate it. She will pose a hypothetical question to Ik-Jun about liking a long-time friend. I don't think Ik-Jun will initiate this because 1) Song-Hwa told him in episode 1 never to ask that type of question again and 2) Ik-Jun respected Song-Hwa's decision to stay best friends.
Having said all these, I'm waiting and I hope to read more of your in-depth analysis of episode 4. No pressure, though! I just love reading your insights! <3
While we are waiting for the said in-depth analysis - Roche, I appreciate your IkSong takes a lot :) And also the theme of loneliness and connection throughout the episode you mentioned - that was such a spot-on observation! I think everyone can see that and empathize with that easily.
And Jeong-won's explanation of why he chose to live together with Jun-wan solidified that theme. Of course, he, being an empath, would feel this unspoken need of his friend of not being lonely and oblige him. (So, to see the rich heir of Yuljee getting a place of his own, we need to marry Jun-wan first... okay. :) I actually thought that Jeong-won came to the bank to take a loan for moving out... turns out, he's a much less shallow person than me.)
Anne, I squealed in delight when Jeong-won said he's taking out a housing loan. I thought he was moving out. Damn that misdirect! Hahaha! :D But I think Jeong-won will be moving out soon. Song-Hwa made the reference that he should find his own place (when they were eating together with Ik-Jun and Seok-Hyeong). We're all excited for that one.
I thought he was really planning for marriage! Then he wowed me with his Daddy Long Legs dreams. I wowed along with Ik Jun and Song Hwa, haha
I positively howled when Ikjun made Song Hwa do the WOW with him. Gosh those two
I love what you wrote about the PICU mothers! That's how I feel exactly! So so happy that Eunji's has a new heart. I bawled with the two moms. Was telling a friend who is also HP fan that in other dramas there could have been makjang played out with Minchan getting his transplant first. But not in Hosplay thank goodness. People in this dramaverse mostly have good hearts.
I love how Wintergarden, Gom-Gom and even Iksong dynamics are playing out. Slowly slowly. Jeongwon's Daddy Long Legs dreams are big, and oh so exciting!
Junwan and Iksun: i dont think Iksun has fallen in love with someone else. But i think she has PTSD from her previous relationship, and has a flight syndrome when she feels the relationship is slowly become burdensome for Junwan (because he is concealing his true feelings). I don't like what she did but logically I can understand. These two have to sort things out. Being in a relationship is about showing not just your good side and being considerate, but also being honest with each other. So they need to learn that in order to grow.
I too did not think she did it out of noble idiocy. But couldn't wrap my head around why else would she have done that other than to seemingly think that breaking up with Junwan would add less stress to his life. Your thoughts on her acting out of PTSD from her previous relationship makes so much sense!
On reddit and twitter, majority of the comments were bashing Iksun for doing what she did, calling her selfish and how since season 1, Junwan is seen to be more invested in the relationship. I think people need to remember that relationships are made up of imperfect humans with their own set of baggage and trauma. It is not to say that what Iksun did was justifiable but as her character has gone through a traumatic breakup, her instinct of flight instead of fight makes sense for her self-preservation. Yes, Junwan has been nothing but kind and loving towards her but I'm sure it was the same for her former partner until he lied to her about his mother being against their marriage. Especially since she was actually willing to go against her own wishes (not wanting to get married but since her former partner wanted to, she relented). I am guessing that in her head, Iksun is thinking how if he is hiding his true feelings now, what else later on? Better get out of it before I get burnt. The reality is, to break that destructive relationship behaviour that she learnt from her past trauma, it will take ALOT of communication, patience, and trust between Iksun and Junwan.
I’ll put it here because Twitter is too toxic. Hahahaha!
My guess in next week’s episode is that the DV guy (season 1 episode 5) will make an appearance. The preview of Gyeo-ul saying “I can’t promise I won’t do it again” refers to her running after the DV guy and she will do it again if need be.
Jeong-won asking whether there’s something he needs to know probably refers to Gyeo-ul being kicked in the face by the DV guy in episode 5. He likely didn’t know that Gyeo-ul was hurt from that encounter.
But that’s just a guess. 😂
5 more dayssss... But I'm sure we'll have a lot to discuss!!!
Some knets say that it might have something to do with Iksun's surgery and Gyeoul has to keep it a secret from Jeongwon too.
We just have to wait and see.
That’s a good theory! Ik-Jun probably asked Gyeo-ul to keep Ik-sun’s confinement a secret. Gyeo-ul appeared to have procured an organ in the preview.
I’m feeling so much better reading your comments. I feel that every couple has their own style of being together. And given this is their first relationship, it’s suit them. Every couples go through their up and down and different stages. I love EP 1 when they can talk about going to a movie and talk about work. Jeongwon can coach Gyeoul and passed on his wisdom. The other episodes are just reassuring that the couple is still going strong. I can fell another arch coming in the developing relationship and I can’t wait to see the story play out.
Yessss, I can't wait too! I watched some S1 today, and I can't agree with the opinion that WG should necessarily be awkward with each other. First, they worked together for a long time, and they worked really well, especially in the OR. And we actually had had a glimpse of how they could be even before the relationship started when they sat in the garden after Gyeo-ul's solo surgery. Totally comfortable around each other. Secondly, there were a lot of scenes when they didn't need so many words to communicate. Jeong-won would give her a look, and she would give him an answer. This skill could be easily transferred from a working relationship to a personal one. Third, by episode 12, they were standing side by side in the PICU with their forearms touching, and it didn't make them awkward. Fourth, Jeong-won is an extroverted person who easily connects with strangers and Gyeo-ul is not some withering daisy either. She took her first rejection in stride, and she came to confess fully expecting a second one. Knowing that Jeong-won actually likes her back, she wouldn't ponder much about his previous behavior but forge on to the future. She took time to learn about him, observe him with patients and friends alike, and the only thing that stopped her was not even his being set on becoming a priest (she asked him directly to abandon this dream, you know), but the fact that he didn't like her. So, while many people want to see the post-kiss conversation or some other flashback, it's all pretty logical to me so far. I would rather see the upcoming arch you mention than to dwell on the previous one. :)
Oh I love this. I would also like to see the conversation post kiss but I've come to accept at this point that they may not show it. And I'm totally okay with it. To me everything is still cohesive so far and I'm with y'all that they are not ooc. I'm just enjoying all the fluff because all of us, including the wg couple deserve all these after what they've gone through the past year.
I read all the comments and posts so far and i think ill move here from twt as now it has gotten out the hand. Everything about hosplay, wg and iksun and junwan i totally aree what you all says here.. specially WG like i cant believe there's people who find them ooc and different. Like we didn't know how they will be when in love with eachother. I was quite disappointed that we didnt get wg after kiss talk but now it makes sense to me that its not necessary after reading your comment! Iam more excited for how they will explore wg in the future!
Right?! A lot of people in twt is demanding for depth for wg and I was like... we're in episode 4 of a multi-lead drama and wg is not the only couple here. Couldn't they give the couple a break after all the repression in Season 1 and let them enjoy being happy together first? I'm sure ShinLee has more to tell in the remaining episodes so I am just waiting for that too and I'm also excited on what else to come for every characters here.