I very much enjoyed this episode! While I’m a fan of WinterGarden, I’m actually relieved that there’s not much emphasis on their relationship in this episode. I’m okay with just the first scene at the cafe counter and Jeong-won’s revelation to his friends.
The general theme of loss (different kinds) is very much evident here: loss of the baby (Seok-Hyong), losing patience/temper (Ik-Jun) and lack of confidence (Songhwa being mistaken as a resident) are realities that every doctor face.
I particularly liked that Ik-Jun lost his patience in this episode. He has been shown as an easygoing, fun-loving and breezy guy. Even when he found out that his wife was cheating on him and when Songhwa friend zoned him, he was always calm, cool and collected.
Ik-Jung refusing to treat his transplant patient shows us that there’s a limit to his patience and that he can definitely put his foot down when the situation calls for it.
I’m also glad that it appears Ik-Jun and Songhwa have moved past the “non-confession.” Gone is the awkwardness and it seems they’re back to being best friends. If they are meant to be together in the future, I look forward to seeing how it would develop.
Then, there’s Jeong-Won. You can see the subtle changes in his demeanor. JW resting his head on Jun-Wan’s shoulder (cafe counter) was a hoot. He’s just like a teenage boy happily in love and not afraid to show it (although he and Gyeo-UL continue to act professionally in the hospital). He also doesn’t care if her girlfriend sees him pranking Ik-Jun. And true to form, Gyeo-ul is as stoic as always.
Jeong-Won also bought strawberries for his friends to make his announcement. Sure, it was on sale but being the stingy one, it’s quite a treat to see him buy something for them.
Then, there’s Gyeo-ul. I love that the show continues to show her as plain-looking and not dolled up. Yes, she’s wearing the hair clips that Yeon-un’s mom gave her but nothing really changed. Even with a new boyfriend, she didn’t change her appearance. If anything, she wears even less makeup (her lips were very pale).
Finally, I see Ik-Jun’s wheels are turning. I wonder if he will act as Chu Min-ha’s manager this season, the way he did with Gyeo-ul.
This episode is so refreshing despite the theme of loss. I look forward to the next episode.
I enjoyed the episode too and I think it's appropriate for the show to showcase other departments and characters. Romance isn't the main thing but I think sometimes the HP fandom get bogged down by romance to the exclusion I think of the friendships and the patients of the week. I'm pretty happy with the little crumbs of WG we got, it's no worse than what happen last season anyhow.
It was great seeing them hoe into the strawbs. as it is strawb season here and we've got some good stuff locally.
I think Jeong-won's stinginess comes from the fact that he gave much of his money to the Daddy Long Legs scheme. But at least he's not stingy with his girl.
Oh, there’s one repeated element I’m curious to know and if it’s connected to something.
In season 1, there was a scene (where Father Ahn was supposed to treat them to dinner but Seon-hyeong ended up paying for) where Songhwa laughed at Ik-Jung’s joke and she said she likes his jokes.
In this episode, this was repeated when she laughed at Ik-Sung’s inference that she’s short and therefore should not be called Daddy Long Legs. Jeong-won asked Songhwa if she likes his jokes and she affirmed.
It might be a coincidence but it was a nice touch to their friendship.
I don't know about Song-hwa but I laugh at Ik-jun's jokes as well. I thought the Daddy Long Legs joke was pretty good. Maybe it reminds me of all the bad jokes I hear at home!
To me, this episode was somehow even better than the first one.
The song the band rehearsed, Autumn Outside the Post Office, has made its way to my personal playlist. Btw, it is in D and has the same succession of chords as Pachelbel's Canon (Seok-hyung's theme song), which is a bit more prominent in the BTS cover. Kim Dae-myung's version just made my heart squeeze in the right way.
Also, I stopped the vid several times because I'm just a hopeless fan of the angles the cameramen use. :) I had to make a ton of screenshots. It's an art how they make small windows in doors work as picture frames. Art!
A round of applause for the cast too. This time, I could feel the surgeons' physical exhaustion after spending hours in the OR, the frustration, and the toil. When you watch medical dramas, you sometimes get used to doctors being heroic and always saving lives... guess what, it doesn't happen ALL the time. The highlight of the episode for me was Ik-jun and Seok-hyong's talk in the garden under the rays of setting sun. They are very different in character, temperament and experience. But they were filmed in such a way that we could clearly see that they are doing the same job, have the same ideals and struggles.
Song-hwa is a beauty. I agree with you, dear author, that at this point of her life, she doesn't need a man to be complete or fulfilled. She's basking in being able to do her job well, in serving people. But, despite what some fans may and do say, she and Ik-jun are probably the end game. The very amount of the scenes they share together since Season 1, and the contents of those... You have to be blind not to see how special he is to her, despite all the differences. He makes her laugh. He makes her look and behave like a real person in general, because of all the Lacking Five, her character is the least transparent. Yes, she's smart, talented, wise, gracious, all-around perfect. We are even shown some of her flaws, like eating like a vacuum cleaner or being tone-deaf - but those are cute flaws. The real Song-hwa is hidden. But it feels like Ik-jun knows the real Song-hwa. That's why I'm interested in seeing this relationship develop.
I also loved the cafeteria scene. We usually see this kind of childish behaviour and banter inside the 99z group, behind closed doors. This time, Dr Jang was a participant in the skit. I wonder if she would ever trust Jun Wan with relaying anything to Ik-jun again. I'd like to see more interactions between Thanos and Winter.
The best part about Song-hwa for me is that she is portrayed to be a well-respected, highly professional single woman. It's really rare in K dramaland and that's why I wouldn't mind it if she ends up with no one. It's a minority opinion but I hold it with the knowledge that S2 could end with her saying to Ik-jun... "let's give it a shot" especially if all the others in their friendship group find their own life partners. It's true that Ik-jun goes that extra mile for her which is one of the reasons why I defended WG vociferously against detractors and he is of all of the guys the most likely to end up with her. But I can't call myself Ik-Song shipper. I lack conviction. :D
I don't think she's necessarily perfect but she's certainly written as a role model or archetype so she comes across as perfect. She has her own quirks and habits to be sure as we all do but I have my suspicion that she wouldn't mind being looked after especially if things start to get tough for her. She looked really exhausted. I'm not sure I would characterize her as being enigma but more that she doesn't like to show her weaknesses and needs to project strength at all times especially because so many people rely on her. I can see how that could wear her down.
Yeah, I see your point, and personally, I don't mind Song-hwa staying single, because I can't picture her and Ik-jun "together" together at the moment, or at all...
It's just I did a rewatch of S1 this week (I skipped a lot the first time), and the sheer amount of scenes they share is somewhat telling. Also, the writer got rid of Captain Ahn. :(
But I still trust the writer. Let them surprise us in a good way!
I agree with your observations that Ik-Jun is very special to Songhwa and vice versa. There are very few instances shown but it’s there. Songhwa calling her mom to ask about how to treat Uju’s fever is very telling. Subsequently, Songhwa asking Ik-Jun if he has treated himself recently shows her care for him.
Ik-Jun definitely gets Songhwa. He knows the small things that Songhwa likes like rain, coffee, etc.
I believe that Ik-Song is the end game but it’s probably going to happen in season 3. But I look forward to seeing how this would develop.
Imagine if you had colleagues like Ikjun and Songhwa. Honestly, do you believe they have never dated? (This was what Chihong asked at Dr Bong's salon in Season 1, and the other residents found it incredulous). They are just so comfortable and natural with each other. I'm all for clpse male-female friends, but those 2 are something else. They feel like... family (and not the sibling sort).
It’s shown a bit in season 1 that indeed Songhwa liked Ik-Jun. On her birthday when she rejected Seok-Hyeong’s confession, we saw that Songhwa texted Ik-Jun if they can meet. The assumption is this happened after band practice. But Ik-Jun was already drinking with Seok-Hyeong so he said he had other plans.
It’s going to be a long road ahead of for Ik-Jung and Songhwa but I’m willing to wait for season 3 for the end game.
Maybe because of my anticipation of Season 2, the sheer length of the premiere episode or because I really didn't like the violinist's mom, but Ep 2 took a while to sink in for me. Literally 3 watches :) But yes, it is signature Hospital Playlist. I love the themes in every episode, the friendship and interaction between the characters and how it feels so real to see life and death ticking in a hospital through the stories of each character. I love how the characters aren't pinning their lives away for romance to happen. They have real jobs and man, do they put in all their best for those jobs. I would love my doctors and nurses to be like that if I was ill and being treated at a hospital! And, despite how I disliked the violinist's mom, she was doing what every mom would do - worrying about and protecting her child. It was the same for the other moms in the story this week - the one who lost her baby at 23 weeks (sob), the young patient's mom and even the wife of Ik Jun's alcoholic patient. Which mom wouldn't get mad when 2 of her daughters risked their lives to save her husband, only for him to return to the bottle? I love that it is the first time we see Ik Jun get mad at his patient. Makes him human and more likeable.
I want Ik Jun to be cupid for our Bear-Bear couple in OB&G, but I also want a cupid for Ik Jun. Maybe Uju will be his dad's cupid - after all, he is asking for a camping trip in the preview for Ep 3, and who is a better camping expert than Chae Songhwa?
I don't mind mothers being protective and fighting for their kids but the thing that put me off the violinist's mother was her snobbery and bad manners. She's wealthy and can afford to pay for the VIP suite but she didn't even ask Song-hwa for her name. It's common courtesy. Yeah, she's worried but what does that say about her relationship with the director? Doesn't she trust him to do the right thing? I'm sure there are people like this where they think the world revolves around them. :D But that was hard to stomach.
At least the expectant mother who lost her baby and Seung-won's mother were both conscious of the imposition they were to the doctors. A bit of respect goes a long way.
I wondered about that too. Do you think she might have been trying to prank the mother? Because it was certainly satisfying watching the mother squirm when Song-hwa revealed who she was.
I don't think Songhwa would prank. She genuinely looked surprised when the mother asked why Prof Chae isn't here yet. Remember, during Dr Bong's salon, they said Songhwa is pure-hearted. I think she really didn't think the mother didn't know she is the professor, since Seonbin (who is the resident) has been filling the mom in on the case the whole week. Songhwa probably just assumed the mom would know who she is.
I very much enjoyed this episode! While I’m a fan of WinterGarden, I’m actually relieved that there’s not much emphasis on their relationship in this episode. I’m okay with just the first scene at the cafe counter and Jeong-won’s revelation to his friends.
The general theme of loss (different kinds) is very much evident here: loss of the baby (Seok-Hyong), losing patience/temper (Ik-Jun) and lack of confidence (Songhwa being mistaken as a resident) are realities that every doctor face.
I particularly liked that Ik-Jun lost his patience in this episode. He has been shown as an easygoing, fun-loving and breezy guy. Even when he found out that his wife was cheating on him and when Songhwa friend zoned him, he was always calm, cool and collected.
Ik-Jung refusing to treat his transplant patient shows us that there’s a limit to his patience and that he can definitely put his foot down when the situation calls for it.
I’m also glad that it appears Ik-Jun and Songhwa have moved past the “non-confession.” Gone is the awkwardness and it seems they’re back to being best friends. If they are meant to be together in the future, I look forward to seeing how it would develop.
Then, there’s Jeong-Won. You can see the subtle changes in his demeanor. JW resting his head on Jun-Wan’s shoulder (cafe counter) was a hoot. He’s just like a teenage boy happily in love and not afraid to show it (although he and Gyeo-UL continue to act professionally in the hospital). He also doesn’t care if her girlfriend sees him pranking Ik-Jun. And true to form, Gyeo-ul is as stoic as always.
Jeong-Won also bought strawberries for his friends to make his announcement. Sure, it was on sale but being the stingy one, it’s quite a treat to see him buy something for them.
Then, there’s Gyeo-ul. I love that the show continues to show her as plain-looking and not dolled up. Yes, she’s wearing the hair clips that Yeon-un’s mom gave her but nothing really changed. Even with a new boyfriend, she didn’t change her appearance. If anything, she wears even less makeup (her lips were very pale).
Finally, I see Ik-Jun’s wheels are turning. I wonder if he will act as Chu Min-ha’s manager this season, the way he did with Gyeo-ul.
This episode is so refreshing despite the theme of loss. I look forward to the next episode.
I enjoyed the episode too and I think it's appropriate for the show to showcase other departments and characters. Romance isn't the main thing but I think sometimes the HP fandom get bogged down by romance to the exclusion I think of the friendships and the patients of the week. I'm pretty happy with the little crumbs of WG we got, it's no worse than what happen last season anyhow.
It was great seeing them hoe into the strawbs. as it is strawb season here and we've got some good stuff locally.
I think Jeong-won's stinginess comes from the fact that he gave much of his money to the Daddy Long Legs scheme. But at least he's not stingy with his girl.
I love that HP isn't about romance :) so refreshing.
Oh, there’s one repeated element I’m curious to know and if it’s connected to something.
In season 1, there was a scene (where Father Ahn was supposed to treat them to dinner but Seon-hyeong ended up paying for) where Songhwa laughed at Ik-Jung’s joke and she said she likes his jokes.
In this episode, this was repeated when she laughed at Ik-Sung’s inference that she’s short and therefore should not be called Daddy Long Legs. Jeong-won asked Songhwa if she likes his jokes and she affirmed.
It might be a coincidence but it was a nice touch to their friendship.
I don't know about Song-hwa but I laugh at Ik-jun's jokes as well. I thought the Daddy Long Legs joke was pretty good. Maybe it reminds me of all the bad jokes I hear at home!
We love dad jokes! 😂
Thanks for the review!
To me, this episode was somehow even better than the first one.
The song the band rehearsed, Autumn Outside the Post Office, has made its way to my personal playlist. Btw, it is in D and has the same succession of chords as Pachelbel's Canon (Seok-hyung's theme song), which is a bit more prominent in the BTS cover. Kim Dae-myung's version just made my heart squeeze in the right way.
Also, I stopped the vid several times because I'm just a hopeless fan of the angles the cameramen use. :) I had to make a ton of screenshots. It's an art how they make small windows in doors work as picture frames. Art!
A round of applause for the cast too. This time, I could feel the surgeons' physical exhaustion after spending hours in the OR, the frustration, and the toil. When you watch medical dramas, you sometimes get used to doctors being heroic and always saving lives... guess what, it doesn't happen ALL the time. The highlight of the episode for me was Ik-jun and Seok-hyong's talk in the garden under the rays of setting sun. They are very different in character, temperament and experience. But they were filmed in such a way that we could clearly see that they are doing the same job, have the same ideals and struggles.
Song-hwa is a beauty. I agree with you, dear author, that at this point of her life, she doesn't need a man to be complete or fulfilled. She's basking in being able to do her job well, in serving people. But, despite what some fans may and do say, she and Ik-jun are probably the end game. The very amount of the scenes they share together since Season 1, and the contents of those... You have to be blind not to see how special he is to her, despite all the differences. He makes her laugh. He makes her look and behave like a real person in general, because of all the Lacking Five, her character is the least transparent. Yes, she's smart, talented, wise, gracious, all-around perfect. We are even shown some of her flaws, like eating like a vacuum cleaner or being tone-deaf - but those are cute flaws. The real Song-hwa is hidden. But it feels like Ik-jun knows the real Song-hwa. That's why I'm interested in seeing this relationship develop.
I also loved the cafeteria scene. We usually see this kind of childish behaviour and banter inside the 99z group, behind closed doors. This time, Dr Jang was a participant in the skit. I wonder if she would ever trust Jun Wan with relaying anything to Ik-jun again. I'd like to see more interactions between Thanos and Winter.
The best part about Song-hwa for me is that she is portrayed to be a well-respected, highly professional single woman. It's really rare in K dramaland and that's why I wouldn't mind it if she ends up with no one. It's a minority opinion but I hold it with the knowledge that S2 could end with her saying to Ik-jun... "let's give it a shot" especially if all the others in their friendship group find their own life partners. It's true that Ik-jun goes that extra mile for her which is one of the reasons why I defended WG vociferously against detractors and he is of all of the guys the most likely to end up with her. But I can't call myself Ik-Song shipper. I lack conviction. :D
I don't think she's necessarily perfect but she's certainly written as a role model or archetype so she comes across as perfect. She has her own quirks and habits to be sure as we all do but I have my suspicion that she wouldn't mind being looked after especially if things start to get tough for her. She looked really exhausted. I'm not sure I would characterize her as being enigma but more that she doesn't like to show her weaknesses and needs to project strength at all times especially because so many people rely on her. I can see how that could wear her down.
Yeah, I see your point, and personally, I don't mind Song-hwa staying single, because I can't picture her and Ik-jun "together" together at the moment, or at all...
It's just I did a rewatch of S1 this week (I skipped a lot the first time), and the sheer amount of scenes they share is somewhat telling. Also, the writer got rid of Captain Ahn. :(
But I still trust the writer. Let them surprise us in a good way!
I agree with your observations that Ik-Jun is very special to Songhwa and vice versa. There are very few instances shown but it’s there. Songhwa calling her mom to ask about how to treat Uju’s fever is very telling. Subsequently, Songhwa asking Ik-Jun if he has treated himself recently shows her care for him.
Ik-Jun definitely gets Songhwa. He knows the small things that Songhwa likes like rain, coffee, etc.
I believe that Ik-Song is the end game but it’s probably going to happen in season 3. But I look forward to seeing how this would develop.
Imagine if you had colleagues like Ikjun and Songhwa. Honestly, do you believe they have never dated? (This was what Chihong asked at Dr Bong's salon in Season 1, and the other residents found it incredulous). They are just so comfortable and natural with each other. I'm all for clpse male-female friends, but those 2 are something else. They feel like... family (and not the sibling sort).
It’s shown a bit in season 1 that indeed Songhwa liked Ik-Jun. On her birthday when she rejected Seok-Hyeong’s confession, we saw that Songhwa texted Ik-Jun if they can meet. The assumption is this happened after band practice. But Ik-Jun was already drinking with Seok-Hyeong so he said he had other plans.
It’s going to be a long road ahead of for Ik-Jung and Songhwa but I’m willing to wait for season 3 for the end game.
Maybe because of my anticipation of Season 2, the sheer length of the premiere episode or because I really didn't like the violinist's mom, but Ep 2 took a while to sink in for me. Literally 3 watches :) But yes, it is signature Hospital Playlist. I love the themes in every episode, the friendship and interaction between the characters and how it feels so real to see life and death ticking in a hospital through the stories of each character. I love how the characters aren't pinning their lives away for romance to happen. They have real jobs and man, do they put in all their best for those jobs. I would love my doctors and nurses to be like that if I was ill and being treated at a hospital! And, despite how I disliked the violinist's mom, she was doing what every mom would do - worrying about and protecting her child. It was the same for the other moms in the story this week - the one who lost her baby at 23 weeks (sob), the young patient's mom and even the wife of Ik Jun's alcoholic patient. Which mom wouldn't get mad when 2 of her daughters risked their lives to save her husband, only for him to return to the bottle? I love that it is the first time we see Ik Jun get mad at his patient. Makes him human and more likeable.
I want Ik Jun to be cupid for our Bear-Bear couple in OB&G, but I also want a cupid for Ik Jun. Maybe Uju will be his dad's cupid - after all, he is asking for a camping trip in the preview for Ep 3, and who is a better camping expert than Chae Songhwa?
I don't mind mothers being protective and fighting for their kids but the thing that put me off the violinist's mother was her snobbery and bad manners. She's wealthy and can afford to pay for the VIP suite but she didn't even ask Song-hwa for her name. It's common courtesy. Yeah, she's worried but what does that say about her relationship with the director? Doesn't she trust him to do the right thing? I'm sure there are people like this where they think the world revolves around them. :D But that was hard to stomach.
At least the expectant mother who lost her baby and Seung-won's mother were both conscious of the imposition they were to the doctors. A bit of respect goes a long way.
Actually, I was wondering why Songhwa didn't introduce herself (do doctors not do that when they see the patient for the first time?)
I wondered about that too. Do you think she might have been trying to prank the mother? Because it was certainly satisfying watching the mother squirm when Song-hwa revealed who she was.
I don't think Songhwa would prank. She genuinely looked surprised when the mother asked why Prof Chae isn't here yet. Remember, during Dr Bong's salon, they said Songhwa is pure-hearted. I think she really didn't think the mother didn't know she is the professor, since Seonbin (who is the resident) has been filling the mom in on the case the whole week. Songhwa probably just assumed the mom would know who she is.