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. I am of course referring to the two PICU mothers whose stories have unfolded and intersected in these last 4 episodes. You can imagine my relief and joy, equal to that of Jun-wan, when Eun-ji gets her heart. We’ve been on this journey of fear, frustration, camaraderie with them for some time and privy to all the emotions. The ladies who play the mothers give wonderful, relatable performances eliciting a great deal of sympathy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There’s something magical about the Shin-Lee collaboration that has been so effective in being able to tug at the heart strings from casting out mere snapshots of people who walk the corridors of the hospital no matter how briefly. We come to care deeply for these women and want the best for them. Eun-ji’s mother who was determined at the start, mentoring the newbie, Min-chan’s mum is in possibly the biggest fight of her life. A battle of the mind. She’s beginning to lose hope and faith because others have come and left the PICU and she’s still a fixture. It’s an all too human state to be in. And a very lonely one too. When you’re facing something of this magnitude, it feels that you’re all alone. Things aren’t happening according to plan and it seems unfair that someone who came later got picked first. Needless to say, it’s a joyous occasion when Eun-ji’s mother gets the good news and Min-chan’s mother comes along to congratulate her. The two women embrace and I am sitting in front of the iPad bawling my eyes out. The waiting game is finally over.
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?
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!
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
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’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.
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!
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!
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
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’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. 😂
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.