The Problematic of the Unproblematic

kakashi: This is somehow the longest drama I've ever watched and this would basically only be episode 12. Maybe it's really special? It enthralls by being extremely boring? Yes, Jo, am selling this really well! JoAnne: You sure are! I think it feels long because we're making no attempt to keep up with the episodes, though. I'm finding that it's easy to lose interest that way, but then again, when I do watch an episode I find some little thing, sometimes. Don't know how we used to do this - keep up with episodes!!!  

kakashi: This is the face of a man who doesn't get it. It's an ugly face. JoAnne:  I am still on the fence but I'm leaning toward the dark side.

kakashi: Yay! A birth secret!!!! JoAnne: There had to be at least one or if they have to turn in their KDrama Weekender union card.

kakashi: Yeah, well... anything I should say about this episode JoAnne apart from the fact that if you're still watching this show, just skip it? JoAnne: Not really.  If you're having a busy week, you can save 30 minutes here.

kakashi: In case you have not yet noticed, this show is about family and making money. And working hard (=good) / not working hard (=bad). JoAnne:  But maybe also about the value of work in other ways than money, by the end?  Perhaps?

kakashi: Finally, I thought, Tae-il is becoming interesting and dark! But no, he's just throwing empty beer cans against the wall. JoAnne:  I do like thinking about what trajectory he might have, though.  It could go several different ways, and we see flashes of resentment  more this week, so I'm leaning dark right now.

kakashi: Many editing issues aside, things happen in this episode even though they happen slowly and I can't believe this is only episode 16 of 100. JoAnne:  Well, would it help to think of it as the end of episode 8?

kakashi: I present to you... Kim Ji-hoon's bed hair! JoAnne: I'm more interested in Kim Ji-hoon's bed shoulders.

kakashi: Boring, boring, boring, then, something happens to finally move the story along. Hooray. JoAnne: Psst...if you keep saying it's boring above the break, no one will bother opening the post, and then we'll be bored because no one comes to visit and chat! What! But our recaps are NEVER boring. In fact, they get better the more boring the material we're recapping is. Come READ THIS!  

kakashi: Kim Dad rages on. Nothing else happens. JoAnne: Way to reel them in, Sensei!

kakashi: This, my friends, is the face of a loser. JoAnne: But I think he starts to realize that he's a loser, this episode?  Maybe?

kakashi: In good Kdrama fashion, lies come to hunt our OTP. Or at least soon. JoAnne: I do love a good lie.

kakashi: Amaaaazing stuff happens, totally amazing. JoAnne: Don't worry, folks. I can't always tell when she's being sarcastic either.

kakashi: We get to know this uncle Jong-Yong for a bit. He's a real sleazebag! JoAnne: He seems so sloppy and naturally broke, there's no way he can be husband of the other daughter-in-law. There must be three brothers, right?

kakashi: Well. I wonder who the biggest fool in this really is. Tae-il? I'm voting for Tae-il. Sorry, Trot, I don't like him at all. Trotwood: I know. You didn't like him before. Jo doesn't either. That's not true! No one does but me. He will turn evil because his heart will be broken even though he clearly has jumped in front of a train here thinking there was a possibility even though she has only ever admired him as a mentor and friend. Sigh. Personality wise though, I like him better than our cutie Golden retriever lead, who, as you know I find annoying enough to want to punch in the face, but clearly I'm in the minority. They are really setting up this second lead to be really boring from the beginning and not even a challenge to anyone. What is his point really in this plot then but to turn evil later? Sigh again. Can I still hold out for bromance? Because these two (2nd and Golden Retriever) are the only two who seem to care about the step mom at all. Br...

kakashi: It's funny, this is my first KDrama of this genre in a long time, but unlike so many of my friends, I don't hate it at all... I don't even dislike people a lot. Okay, maybe a little. JoAnne:  I don't hate it either, and every time I watch an episode I am surprised by that all over again - not because the episode is bad but because I'm just so used to him being in incredibly makjang stories that don't really get good until half way through, if ever. Trotwood: Hmm. Maybe that should be my plan. I remember not joining Jang Bori until episode 30 or so. I'm not going to have a lot of time anyway in the next month or so. Maybe I'll leave and rejoin later. Maybe then I won't dislike everyone so much and stop being the cranky ahjumma of the recaps. I know you're busy so I won't attempt to sway your decision, but just know that I tend to love the cranky ahjumma voice in our recaps, no matter who is playing the part.

kakashi: Hot kisses. Isn't this a family show? JoAnne:  Let's be fair.  That kiss was awkward AF but ended up okay. Trotwood: You have all drunk the Kim Ji Hoon kool aid. You wouldn't put up with his shenanigans if it were any other actor pulling this stuff. 😉 Stick around.  If history repeats itself I will end up spending most of the drama raging, and that tends to be amusing.

kakashi: Kim Ji-hoon is SO CUTE. That is all. JoAnne:  Well, I suppose it's better to be cute and have his career than ugly and have his career, eh? Trotwood: Trying not to bang my head into things because I'm tired of him wasting his talents in these mediocre shows. The daily I'm watching is crazier plotwise but is still better. Should I hope that he chooses one of them next if he is going to insist on doing this kind of thing? I don't think it's a choice at all, sadly. He just doesn't get offered things, Trot .  WHY?!?!? WHYYYYY?!!? (shaking my fist at the universe)

kakashi: One of the mothers starts getting on my nerves and we finally get a glimpse of why Nam Soo-Hee seems so sad all the time. JoAnne: I hope she stays nice, though. Trotwood: I hope she stays nice, too. We have enough annoying moms. Why am I annoyed at so many people in this show? One of the few people I like in this show will also probably turn bad, too. (stops jinxing Tae-il, kakashi!)

kakashi: We get some important backstory and realize that Gwang-Jae is still massively in love with Young-Ha. But wow, he is spoiled rotten, this man. JoAnne: We're going to fall hard for this guy as he changes, I can feel it. He always makes us love him, damn it. Trotwood: He'd better because I'm not liking him very much at all right now. I always love him .