Assessment: When The Telephone Rings

THE SHORT VERDICT:

When Present is at its finest, it’s cracktastically good.

A good narrative; sparky, smoldering OTP pressure; cliffhangers that stored me on the sting of my seat; it felt like Present had all of it. 🥲

Sadly, when Present is not at its finest, it’s fairly disappointing certainly.

Present makes some perplexing narrative selections in its finale stretch, which I discovered disappointing not due to their makjang taste, however due to how these selections missed the mark of what had made Present so compelling to start with.

Nonetheless, Present’s nonetheless price a search for its incredible first half, for my part. 🔥

THE LONG VERDICT:

that saying, “It’s not the vacation spot, it’s the journey,” the place the concept is that the experiences alongside the best way are simply as vital, if no more so, than the ultimate vacation spot?

Effectively. If there ever was a drama software to that saying, this wouldn’t it, I believe.

As a result of, like I’ve alluded to earlier, this drama’s ending isn’t a powerful one, for my part (and in most different viewers’ opinions, so far as I can inform).

And but, I discover Present’s cracky stretch to be breathlessly compelling sufficient, to nonetheless advocate that you simply take into account having a look at this one.

Simply.. perhaps restrict your watch to Present’s first half? That is perhaps one of the simplest ways of getting Present’s finest, with out getting sucked into Present’s, uh, not-best. 😅

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Right here’s the OST album, in case you’d prefer to take heed to it whereas studying the overview.

General, I did benefit from the OST on this present; I felt that the tracks appropriately amped up the feels in numerous scenes.

The tune that sticks in my thoughts probably the most, is Monitor 1, See The Mild; I discover that I actually just like the rock-edged groove of the refrain – I really feel like I may pay attention to only the refrain on repeat, and be a contented camper. 😁

Right here is See The Mild by itself as nicely, in case you’d desire to take heed to that on repeat. Excellent-click on the video and choose “Loop.”

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll speak about find out how to handle your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens could be most useful.

After that, I speak about stuff I favored on a extra macro stage, earlier than I give the highlight to chose characters and relationships, in a separate part. Lastly, I spend a while speaking about my ideas on the penultimate and finale episodes.

For those who’re excited by my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the assorted Patreon members’ feedback throughout the course of our watch, you may like to take a look at my episode notes on Patreon right here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Listed here are some issues that I believe could be useful to remember, to maximise your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Present is a makjang at coronary heart

It’s true that Present’s been largely promoted as a mystery-thriller, and it’s true that Present does have mystery-thriller parts in its story, however I’d say that Present is extra  a makjang with a aspect of mystery-thriller, fairly than a mystery-thriller with a aspect of makjang.

Adjusting your expectations round that may be useful, I believe.

2. Suspension of disbelief is required

Together with accepting Present’s makjang core, I believe it’s helpful, and even fairly crucial, to regulate your logic lens to a intentionally blurrier setting.

This may make it easier to to not really feel too fussed when stuff doesn’t make logical sense – as they often don’t, on this drama world.

STUFF I LIKED

When Present is stunning

It didn’t take me very lengthy, to get the concept that Present is sort of a magician working with a number of smoke and mirrors, and mayyybe the underlying truths won’t be as spectacular as we think about, however – and that’s an enormous BUT – Present does such job with all of the reveals, whereas working the smoke and mirrors, that I discovered myself principally fortunately consuming out of its hand, by its complete efficiency. 😋

How Present works all its twists and turns, serving up shock after shock, was undoubtedly one of many large hooks for me, throughout my watch.

Right here’s a sampling from episodes 1-2, of the assorted instances I discovered Present to be stunning.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. One of many first issues to shock me, is the truth that Chae Soo Bin’s character Hee Joo, is launched as non-verbal; somebody who makes use of signal language to speak.

I hadn’t come throughout any point out of Hee Joo having a incapacity, in Present’s promos, and seeing her be an indication language interpreter, in itself was a shock to me.

I naturally then questioned if she was deaf, as a result of that’s usually the case, when somebody makes use of signal language to speak.

However then, I spotted that she appeared to have the ability to reply to vocal cues, so I questioned if she may hear, and that’s when Present acknowledged that Hee Joo has selective mutism.

That was the primary time I’d come throughout the time period, so I appeared it up, and the web tells me that selective mutism is an nervousness dysfunction that makes it tough for an individual to talk in sure social conditions.

..Which made me assume that one thing traumatic had occurred to Hee Joo, to trigger her to endure from selective mutism.

It’s solely a lot later within the episodes, when Hee Joo visits her father (Park Gained Sang) on the nursing residence, that it dawned on me that Hee Joo was actually solely pretending to have selective mutism (as a result of she blurts it out, to Dad). Like, what?

All this time, I’d additionally been considerably puzzled over the best way Mom Dearest (Oh Hyun Kyung) appears to haven’t any actual affection for Hee Joo, and it’s solely at this level, when Dad re-enacts his earnest request to Mom Dearest, in his dementia, that it comes collectively in my head that Hee Joo isn’t Mom Dearest’s daughter all.

Actually, it appears that evidently Dad had despatched Hee Joo to Mom Dearest, in a bid to provide Hee Joo one of the best future that she may have, that he couldn’t give her.

Placing that along with the supposed selective mutism, it seems to be like Mom Dearest had seemingly made Hee Joo fake to have selective mutism, for the sake of defending.. household secrets and techniques, maybe?

All that to say, it actually appears like nothing is because it seems, on this drama world, which makes for a really absorbing, fairly trippy kind of watch expertise, a minimum of thus far.

E1-2. The large twist in episode 1 – that Hee Joo’s acquired Attacker Dude’s cellphone, and is now calling Sa Eon, pretending to be Attacker Dude – completely took me abruptly.

I used to be like, Wait. WHAT. 😱🤯

I completely hadn’t seen that coming! 😅

And but, when Present places it in context, that Hee Joo had virtually misplaced her thoughts with anger, on the issues that Sa Eon (Yoo Yeon Seok) had mentioned to Attacker Dude (Park Jae Yun), after which had managed to take Attacker Dude’s cellphone, I can see why she may assume that this was her probability to get out of a really sad, suffocating state of affairs.

Altogether very, very stunning, in one of the simplest ways doable.

[END SPOILER]

The dealing with of the OTP connection [BROAD SPOILERS]

A part of Present’s enchantment is the precise mystery-thriller a part of our story, the place there are many unknowns for us to determine.

Principally, although, to be brutally trustworthy, I used to be far more invested within the sluggish however particular, very deliberate reveal, that Sa Eon is deeply and hopelessly in love with Hee Joo, and the rising urgency that he feels, in direction of wanting to guard her. 🥲

It’s simply very satisfying, to know and see that beneath all that sternness and businesslike exterior, he’s a helpless pile of heart-eyes for Hee Joo – and that he would do something to maintain her protected. 😁

I simply cherished watching Sa Eon’s emotions for Hee Joo develop into extra obvious to us as viewers, step by inevitable step, amid all the strain.

I discovered this all to be very scrumptious certainly, particularly with how intensely broody Yoo Yeon Seok performs Sa Eon. 🔥

I additionally assume that Present is kind of sensible to discover a solution to maintain a way of hazard and uncertainty within the OTP relationship, even after the connection is minted at Present’s midway mark.

I believe that does assist to maintain the OTP adrenalin alive, for us as viewers – a minimum of for a stretch.

When Present performs its playing cards nicely

Very often, Present does this factor, the place it tells us issues – and but, I discovered that I used to be no higher off than earlier than, when it comes to understanding what was actually occurring.

I believed that was well-played, on Present’s half. Like, positive, I’ll let you know – with out truly telling you something actually.

[SPOILER ALERT]

For instance, for lengthy stretch, I couldn’t work out 406’s identification, regardless of Present giving us bits of knowledge, and even displaying us his face, and letting us know that there’s somebody whom he works with, whom he addresses as “Grasp.”

I nonetheless felt like I used to be no nearer to truly figuring out who he was, and what he was about – which I truly discovered fairly trippy, in a great way.

[END SPOILER]

STUFF THAT WAS OK

When Present freaks me out 😅

This isn’t a dangerous factor, truly, however since I’m a little bit of a wuss, I can’t say that it’s a good factor both, that Present might be very efficient at freaking me out. 😅

Which is why I made a decision to park it right here, within the impartial zone. 😁

Listed here are a few key instances when Present freaked me out, and freaked me out good, heh.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Fairly shortly, we get to the a part of episode 1, the place Hee Joo will get attacked, and I’ve to inform ya, I used to be completely creeped out with the best way Attacker Dude had her complete automotive beneath management.

Like, eep, this seems to be and seems like a believable actual hazard, with how sensible vehicles are these days, and the way that implies that they are often hacked, similar to every other pc.

I discovered the concept that somebody may doubtlessly management my automotive, such that I had no means to regulate the place my automotive took me, and even whether or not I may unlock the doorways to get out, totally unsettling, and I can solely think about how terrifying it have to be, to be in Hee Joo’s sneakers.

After which that second, when Attacker Dude truly will get into the automotive, regardless of her effort to lock the doorways, felt much more terrifying than anything that had gone earlier than, and I used to be fully horrified and terrified, on Hee Joo’s behalf. 🫣🙈

E3-4. I proceed to be freaked out by the assorted acts of terror towards Hee Joo.

I discovered that scene the place she’s trapped in her automotive, and the automotive elevator doorways shut on her, taking her automotive again up into the constructing, actually freaky.

Ackk. The vicarious stress and horror is not any joke. 😱

It actually made me really feel like 406 and whomever he’s working with, know wayyy an excessive amount of about Hee Joo, each previously and the current, and have wayyy an excessive amount of in the best way of means to forcibly take management. 😱😱

After which what about the best way 406 takes Hee Joo’s father hostage, and reveals her that image of bloody tooth???

I discovered that extremely freaky too, no lie. 🙈

[END SPOILER]

When Present leans into the makjang

Present’s rendition of makjang labored out to be a blended bag for me, which is why it’s right here on this part.

I do like a nicely accomplished, juicy makjang once in a while (like Excellent Marriage Revenge, for instance – overview right here! Ooh, and the way may I overlook the wonderful, elegant Cash Flower – overview right here and Open Threads right here!), however I really feel like there was one thing lacking right here, when Present decides to lean more durable into its makjang core.

It felt a little bit too aggressive, and due to this fact, fairly hole, in execution, a minimum of to my eyes.

Nonetheless, I did just like the sprinkling of makjang parts that Present drops in our earlier episodes. I believed these labored very nicely.

Right here’s an instance of Present dropping a makjang nugget in our earlier episodes, that helped so as to add quantity of taste to our total story.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E3-4. I’ve to confess, that casually offhanded reveal by Present, through the flashback, that Sa Eon isn’t Chairman Paik’s actual son, actually threw me for a loop.

I used to be like, Wait, WHAT. 😱

So we’ve a faux son marrying a faux daughter..?!?? Effectively if that’s not makjang, I don’t know what’s. 😁

I actually need a minute to wrap my mind round the concept that each Chairman Paik and Chairman Hong have determined to cosplay that Sa Eon and Hee Joo are their actual youngsters, though they know that their actual youngsters are now not round.

And, so as to keep the phantasm, Sa Eon has to fake to love fish, whereas Hee Joo has to fake to be mute??

That’s fairly makjang, and that additionally modifications.. numerous issues.

[END SPOILER]

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

When Present is cringey

It is a minor factor, however I believed that I’d simply state for the file, that I did often discover Present to be fairly cringey.

This instance from episode 1 stands out in my reminiscence, so right here it’s, as an example what I imply.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I’ve to say, the scene on the social gathering, on the British Embassy, the place Sa Eon and Hee Joo speak with the Ambassador and his spouse, was fairly cringey. 😅

For one factor, I’d have anticipated that somebody like Sa Eon, who clearly would have numerous worldwide interactions as a part of his work, would have higher spoken English, and wouldn’t want a translator to translate his Korean into English.

Additionally, I do know it’s fairly regular in dramas, however I did discover his spoken English painfully awkward. 😅 Which, I suppose, necessitated the translator. 🤷🏻‍♀️

One other factor that I personally discovered cringey, is that I believed the tone of the dialog between Hee Joo and the Ambassador’s spouse was odd; it was weirdly private, and never one thing I’d count on of an official interplay.

General, this whole scene felt very stilted and awkward to my eyes. 😅

[END SPOILER]

When Present stretches logic / leaves unfastened ends

I do know I’ve mentioned that it’s vital to droop disbelief whereas watching this present, however I simply wished to placed on file, that Present does stretch logic a good bit, and listed here are two examples of when Present does that, simply to, y’know, provide you with a taste for it.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. We’re by no means informed what occurred to Attacker Dude, the evening of the assault.

I imply, we see that he’d suffered a knock to the pinnacle and handed out in Hee Joo’s automotive, bu we don’t know what had occurred to him after that.

Clearly, she hadn’t referred to as the police, and so he hadn’t been arrested or something, however.. he additionally wouldn’t simply conveniently vanish into skinny air, proper?

I believed that was a little bit of a unfastened finish.

E3-4. A giant fats logic stretch is definitely served up virtually immediately, on the prime of episode 3, as a result of after what seems to be like a reasonably main explosion, Sa Eon, who’s the furthest away from the precise bomb, is the one which had gotten knocked out, whereas his righthand man, Park Do Jae (Choi Woo Jin) who’d truly gotten extra of the immediacy of the explosion, is the one all alert and standing over him.

We’re informed that the remainder of the crew members are all getting handled on the ER, and fortunately nobody was severely injured, however that appears fairly unlikely, give the magnitude of the explosion we’re proven, doesn’t it? 😁

[END SPOILER]

Present’s dealing with of the finale

I felt that I needed to a minimum of make point out of the finale right here, as a result of its dealing with does account for chunk of the issues that I didn’t like a lot, on this present.

I’ll completely speak extra about this later, within the part devoted to Present’s finale episodes, however on the coronary heart of it, for me, all of it boils all the way down to writer-nim lacking the purpose, when it comes to understanding what made Present’s early episodes so cracky for many people, as viewers.

SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTERS / RELATIONSHIPS

Yoo Yoon Seok as Sa Eon

I’ve come to the conclusion that probably the most compelling model of Yoo Yeon Seok is tortured, angsty Yoo Yeon Seok, and Present serves this up in spades, particularly in Present’s first half.

On that observe, I have to give props to Yoo Yeon Seok; there are variety of tough scenes, the place I felt that he did actually, very well, notably in showcasing Sa Eon’s extra painful, determined feelings.

On the similar time, I discover that candy Yoo Yeon Seok, along with his ooey-gooey tender aspect displaying, works out to be so much much less compelling for me personally, so I used to be much less sucked in by his supply of Sa Eon’s sweeter scenes.

General, although, I’d say that Yoo Yeon Seok gave us a really sturdy efficiency, and that for chunk of the present, he carried the majority of the burden, when it comes to getting me sucked into this present.

Chae Soo Bin as Hee Joo

With Hee Joo written to be such a quiet, reserved kind of individual, and with Yoo Yeon Seok written to be a fairly sturdy, brusque kind of character, it might be straightforward to dismiss Hee Joo as a wallflower foil to Yoo Yeon Seok’s character.

Nonetheless, Hee Joo does present constant flashes of energy and resilience, and a steely dedication, that demonstrates to these paying consideration, that she’s very a lot her personal individual, and never only a foil for another person.

Listed here are two fast examples as an example what I imply.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. I used to be truthfully each impressed and bemused, that Hee Joo would have the ability to behave in such a traditional method, upon reaching residence.

I imply, Attacker Dude had not solely tried to strangle her with a rope, he’d additionally stabbed wildly at her headrest (which in itself is terrifying), and had left a gash on her neck.

Ack. The stuff of nightmares, really.

Hee Joo’s composure after this terrifying incident actually makes me marvel what different horrors she’s needed to endure in her life, to have the ability to stay so calm, after going by one thing like that. 💔

E5-6. When In Ah returns and tells Hee Joo that it’s okay for her to speak once more, I can respect Hee Joo’s anger and response to In Ah.

After being victimized for thus lengthy due to In Ah, I can think about that Hee Joo would reject the concept of merely doing no matter In Ah tells her to do, even when it’s to inform her that she will communicate.

For Hee Joo, this isn’t about talking anymore; it’s about establishing her private company.

[END SPOILER]

Sa Eon and Hee Joo

Like I alluded to earlier, the event of this OTP relationship was an enormous think about my private enjoyment of this present.

At the very least for the primary half of the present, I discovered the deliberate peeling again of the layers of angst and distance between them, to disclose the sincerity and vulnerability beneath, to be very compelling certainly.

In a phrase, it was all very tantalizing, and I lapped up each OTP morsel that Present served up, with nice relish.

Right here’s a sprawling revisit of the entire early OTP moments that made my watch of this present so memorable.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-2. Present establishes in a short time, the sort of relationship that Hee Joo has with Sa Eon – or a minimum of the sort of opinion she has of him – through the best way she disgustedly provides his picture onscreen the finger, whereas her colleague Yu Ri basks in fangirl admiration.

The factor with Attacker Dude calling Sa Eon and making calls for of him, whereas holding Hee Joo hostage, is that Sa Eon has each motive to be suspicious, as a result of I’m positive he comes throughout all kinds of potential scammers and different threats, notably in his line of labor.

Heck, any common individual dwelling on this planet at present, will get spammed with all types of rip-off messages, too, sure?

And so, after Sa Eon hears from Mom Dearest the (faux) data, that Hee Joo is safely with Mom Dearest, having dinner, it makes full sense that he would act robust with Attacker Dude, and be all unbending and provocative, in response to Attacker Dude’s calls for.

It’s really unlucky although, that Hee Joo hears each heartless phrase that Sa Eon says to Attacker Dude, as a result of I can solely think about how a lot worse her impression of him will get, and the way distressed, shocked and enraged she should really feel, to listen to him act like he doesn’t care about her security, to the purpose that he would even dare her attacker to solely name him, when he has a corpse.

Ugh. I actually really feel for Hee Joo, as a result of all of these items put collectively – the stress of being in a present marriage, the shock and trauma of being held for ransom, and the shock and horror that Sa Eon would devalue her very life – is actually sufficient to make her lose her thoughts.

E1-2. The factor that intrigues me about Sa Eon, is that he does appear to care about Hee Joo’s security – however he appears intent on not displaying it?

Like, he makes association for her safety and safety, however then is curt and businesslike when he tells her about that he’s organized for her to attend the occasion on the British Embassy as an indication language interpreter.

On this second, there’s even a fast second the place he tenses his jaw after saying his piece, proper earlier than he turns to stroll away, and that tensing of his jaw, vibes like annoyance to my eyes.

I’m relieved, although, that a minimum of Hee Joo finds out from Mom Dearest, that Sa Eon had been beneath the impression that Hee Joo had been with Mom Dearest.

At the very least this manner, she has some perception into why Sa Eon may say such horrible issues, with out regard for her security?

The curious factor, although, is that we do get a touch that Hee Joo won’t have all the time felt so negatively in direction of Sa Eon.

In that scene on the workplace, when her director Jin Yi (Yang Jo Ah wanting verrryy totally different from her current outing in Romance within the Home; eyeliner makes such an enormous distinction! 🤯) walks in on her practising to a video, and reminds her that she’d used to love Sa Eon’s briefing movies, saying that they had been like textbooks to her, and that she wished to be onscreen with Sa Eon, even when it was only for a short second.

That makes me assume that there was a time when Hee Joo had truly favored Sa Eon, and had wished to win his coronary heart. 🥲

E1-2. The entire level of the scene with the Ambassador and his spouse, was to indicate us that Sa Eon will get flustered when he realizes that Hee Joo’s informed the Ambassador’s spouse that she has no private relationship with Sa Eon in any respect.

So sure, we do get just a few glimpses at cracks in Sa Eon’s armor; he undoubtedly cares extra about Hee Joo than he’d prefer to admit.

It’s actually fairly arresting to see how incensed Sa Eon is, when he hears of how Hee Joo had truly been at risk, the evening of the assault.

The truth that Sa Eon punches the wall so onerous that his knuckles get all bloody, and the best way he can barely management his voice, whereas the colour’s drained from his face, say so much, truly, about how Sa Eon feels.

That mentioned, it’s fairly complicated, the place this anger is coming from, notably given how businesslike and virtually terse we’ve seen him be, with Hee Joo.

As Hee Joo rationalizes, it may be a territorial factor; like, how dare you lay a finger on one thing – somebody – that’s mine.

On the similar time, it is also indicative of Sa Eon’s emotions for Hee Joo, which, from the assorted clues that we’ve been given, are there; we simply don’t understand how sturdy these emotions are, but.

No matter it’s, although, all of that emotion makes for a really electrical scene, when Sa Eon pulls Hee Joo into that darkened room, and asks her, voice low and quivering, in regards to the accident.

All that emotion costs all the scene, and that interprets into sooo a lot pressure that I’m holding my breath, as he undoes Hee Joo’s neck sash, to verify her wounds.

Dang. I felt like I may minimize by the strain with a knife. 🔥

After this, for chunk of episode 2, I used to be on tenterhooks each time Hee Joo makes use of that cellphone to name Sa Eon, as a result of Sa Eon’s decided to trace down the caller, and is pulling out all of the stops with a crew working to hint the decision each time it occurs, and I’m sooo nervous that he’s going to search out out that it’s Hee Joo. 🙈

As it’s, Hee Joo hasn’t informed Sa Eon something about Attacker Dude taking management of her automotive, and so, it’s even attending to the purpose that Sa Eon’s arriving on the fully inaccurate conclusion that Hee Joo may need let Attacker Dude into the automotive, for the reason that CCTV footage reveals Attacker Dude getting into the automotive so simply.

E1-2. I do love that Sa Eon will get all unsettled and jealous on the thought of Hee Joo smiling with one other man, heh. Sure, your Jealous Husband aspect is displaying, Sa Eon. 🤭

After which we get that complete factor the place Hee Joo takes that image of her naked thigh and sends it to Sa Eon, whereas saying issues to impress him, about Sa Eon perhaps not recognizing his spouse’s thigh, as a result of he’s by no means seen it.

That is clearly not very rational considering on Hee Joo’s half, particularly the half the place she dares Sa Eon to confirm it by checking his spouse’s thigh, so clearly, Hee Joo’s transferring in a way more emotional kind of house right here.

She retains pushing Sa Eon to agree to depart his spouse, so as to get herself out of this faux marriage, however on the similar time, she’s additionally taunting him and getting him riled up – thus placing herself in a precarious state of affairs, the place Sa Eon would seemingly enter her room and rise up shut and private together with her, which she supposedly doesn’t need.

Additionally, can I simply say, the strain between Sa Eon and Hee Joo is constantly sparky, however after we get moments of hyper-awareness and hyper-proximity, it’s constructive electrical.

Like when Sa Eon enters her room, presumably to attempt to verify the mole on her thigh, and he or she resists his pull on the covers, and he finally ends up thrown ahead, hovering over her, eyes blazing, breath ragged.

Ahem. 🔥 It’s all very tantalizing, not gonna lie. 😅

It’s fairly fascinating, truthfully, to think about the place Hee Joo’s coming from, and attempt to decipher precisely what she’s considering and feeling.

Proper now, it looks as if there’s part of her which smarts from being rejected by Sa Eon, and perhaps even kinda needs him to appreciate what a catch she is, and what he’s lacking out on, by rejecting her.

I additionally discover it fascinating, that Sa Eon would deal with Hee Joo in such a chilly, distant, brusque kind of method, when, within the flashback, we clearly see him smiling on the manner she’s fallen asleep on the eating desk whereas ready for him.

Is it as a result of he doesn’t belief her household and thinks that forming a real connection together with her would jeopardize his profession plans..?

However.. within the current, he nonetheless cares sufficient to make her breakfast. Innnteresting. 😁

E3-4. Beneath the entire prickliness, it’s beginning to develop into clear, that Sa Eon actually does care about Hee Joo, and needs to respect her boundaries.

I imagine that’s why he refrains from checking her thigh on the prime of episode 3, though he’s burning to know whether or not 406 had been proper in regards to the mole, and whether or not the photograph had actually been of Hee Joo’s naked thigh.

I believe that claims an incredible deal about how strongly Sa Eon feels for Hee Joo, as a result of though he’s burning with curiosity, he’s keen to forego satisfying that curiosity (and even any clues that the verify may give him, as to 406’s identification), as a result of Hee Joo clearly isn’t comfy with him attempting to raise her skirt.

The factor about Sa Eon asking to verify Hee Joo’s cellphone for doable indicators of hacking, is true and correct, however on the similar time, I’m sort of amused that he can’t assist however look by her messages, particularly her messages with Sang Woo (Heo Nam Jun), as a result of he’s jealous. 🤭

Truthfully, the truth that Sa Eon goes to such nice lengths, as to arrange a lunch appointment with Yu Ri on the similar restaurant on the similar time, in order that he’ll have an excuse to indicate up at Hee Joo’s lunch appointment with Sang Woo, is de facto fairly amusing to me.

Your jealousy is soooo displaying, Sa Eon. 😉

And, Sa Eon’s complete focus, as soon as there, is to check Sang Woo.

When he asks, “Do you want (Object)?” it’s not clear who or what he’s referring to (as a result of he doesn’t specify the Object in his query.

I’m positive the impact Present’s going for, is that Sa Eon’s truly curious to know if Sang Woo likes Hee Joo, however in the case of specifying what he’s asking about, he chooses to deflect by pretending that he’d been asking about seafood.

E3-4. A silver lining, is that as a result of 406 calls for that Hee Joo proceed to name Sa Eon, our OTP truly finally ends up sharing extra dialog than they in any other case would – and these conversations, as they improve in frequency and familiarity, truly supply Hee Joo perception into how Sa Eon truly feels about her.

Like his refusal to provide in to the demand to divorce Hee Joo, it doesn’t matter what “406” says.

Moreover, there’s the truth that Sa Eon and Hee Joo are spending extra time collectively, because of all this, and this provides moments of interplay that they wouldn’t in any other case have.

Like that second when Sa Eon wipes that beer foam off Hee Joo’s lip, whereas casually remarking that she’s all the time so clumsy.

Doesn’t that land as sort of affectionate..? 😱

After which there’s additionally the best way Sa Eon insists on sleeping in the identical room – and on the identical mattress! – as Hee Joo.

It’s admittedly fairly weird that he climbs into mattress nonetheless in his gown shirt and every thing, however by no means thoughts about that, as a result of it’s truly fairly touching, that his actual motive for sleeping within the room, is to provide Hee Joo a way of security and safety, due to how 406 has invaded a lot of their lives. 🥲

And Hee Joo does sleep, and fairly soundly, after that, and I simply felt the entire thing was fairly candy, regardless of the fairly baiting, brusque phrases.

And naturally, there’s additionally how Sa Eon rushes to the nursing residence when he hears that Hee Joo’s father had been kidnapped for some time.

Initially, it’s a kind of “hidden candy” issues, that Sa Eon would have left his cellphone quantity with the nurse, within the occasion of an emergency, when Hee Joo believes that Sa Eon by no means even knew of Dad’s existence.

Secondly, I did discover all of it fairly swoony, when Sa Eon stops that entourage, and walks as much as the cops who’re with Hee Joo, and says, matter-of-factly, that he’s Hee Joo’s household; that Hee Joo is his spouse.

Ahhh! There’s one thing fairly discombobulating about the concept that Sa Eon is principally selecting to not care about his household’s choice to maintain Hee Joo a secret, and is declaring so brazenly, that Hee Joo is his spouse. 🫠🫠🫠

Not solely that, he’s taking issues into his personal palms, and transferring Hee Joo’s dad to a a lot nicer nursing residence, in a reasonably protecting kind of manner, and I dig it. 🥲

ALSO. Sa Eon’s response when he realizes that Hee Joo could make sounds, like when she cries, is one among real marvel, and the grins that he leaks, as he chews on that new discovery, are so gratifying to witness. 🥹

He’s HAPPY, that she has extra sound-making means than he’d imagined; isn’t that fairly pretty?

And on the similar time, he’s delicate sufficient to the truth that Hee Joo may actually use cry, and that’s why he tells her that she will cry as a lot as she needs. Aw. 🥲

After that, he will get her a resort room, in order that she will wash up and relaxation and get well, with that dainty tower of various sorts of snacks, and insists that she keep there and relaxation, whereas he goes off to take care of his mother and father?

After which, when Chairman Dad will get all insulting in direction of Hee Joo, Sa Eon’s intuition is to face as much as Chairman Dad, protect Hee Joo when Dad throws that wine glass, after which get Hee Joo outta there.

AND HE REFUSES TO LET GO OF HER HANDDD. 🥹 Whereas telling her what terrible folks his mother and father are, and to not take heed to them or take something to coronary heart. Aww.

Critically, how does he handle to be so brusque and businesslike, and but, leak a lot care and tenderness, all of sudden? 🥹

Truthfully, I did get a kick out of seeing Sa Eon so fixated on Hee Joo, throughout the signal language interpreter interview.

A part of it’s the truth that he’d underestimated her, sure, as a result of she’s manner higher and far more ready than he’d ever imagined.

However there’s additionally the factor the place he learns that she’d wished so badly to be an indication language interpreter for a authorities company, that she’d studied all of his briefings obsessively.

How discombobulating it have to be for him – who cares a lot about Hee Joo – to know that she’d spent hours upon hours obsessively learning him. 🤯

E3-4. As we shut out episode 4, it appears like our OTP has inched that a lot nearer to one another – however are, as soon as once more, at risk of being pushed aside, presumably, because of the return of In Ah, who had been Sa Eon’s initially meant bride.

It’s a scene stuffed with so many tantalizing feelings, as a result of Hee Joo’s nervous about In Ah’s return, and what that may imply to Sa Eon, whereas Sa Eon is resolute in staying married to Hee Joo.

It’s truthfully all types of swoony to listen to him defend Hee Joo, to Hee Joo’s personal self-deprecating phrases; that she doesn’t lack social abilities, however is observing her environment; that she didn’t succumb to cash, however she’d simply acted out of affection for her mom.

That, at a time when he’d hated consuming or talking along with his personal mouth, he’d discovered consolation and launch by her.

That she’s not supplementary pages, however a model new language.

AUGH. How stunning is that??? 🫠🫠🫠

However Hee Joo’s questions are completely legitimate – why HAD he informed her to not have any illusions about them being an actual couple?? I need to know too!

..And that’s the second when Sa Eon walks onto that roof, and sees Hee Joo standing on that bench, close to the ledge, on the cellphone. Ahhhh!!! 😱😱😱😱

What does this meaannn??

I’m wondering if Sa Eon is making the connection, that the individual he’s been speaking to, had been Hee Joo???

AND ALSO. How about that epilogue flashback, the place we see how Sa Eon had discovered, unintentionally, that Hee Joo’s truly capable of communicate!

In that final scene, there’s numerous emotion in his eyes, and I actually marvel if Sa Eon’s managing to piece collectively the rationale Hee Joo’s needed to fake to be mute, all these years?

In any case, he’s aware of the idea of performing the a part of the misplaced organic baby himself..?

I’m sooo curious to see what Sa Eon will say to Hee Joo, now that he has, at a minimal, caught her talking on the cellphone, and at a most, found out that she’s been masquerading as 406.

I’m on tenterhooks on the prospects!

E5-6. Backing as much as the highest of episode 5, I’m truthfully in no way shocked that this isn’t the purpose the place Sa Eon realizes that Hee Joo is, in reality, 406.

It feels completely acceptable for Present to increase that individual tantalizing risk for an additional episode, in order that we get to see the items slowly fall into place, for Sa Eon.

In any case, there are a number of levels to Sa Eon’s realization, from Hee Joo having the ability to communicate in any respect, to the truth that Hee Joo is definitely calling him, and demanding that he divorce her.

There are such a lot of sides to that, that I completely don’t begrudge Sa Eon the additional time, to analyze every thing, and truly confirm the wild concept that slowly however absolutely units in: that Hee Joo may very well be 406.

I’ve to provide Sa Eon credit score although; he doesn’t take lengthy to succeed in the proper conclusion, about why Hee Joo isn’t talking – that she’d been pressured to behave like she couldn’t communicate, out of deference to In Ah, when In Ah had misplaced her listening to.

Which is such a wild factor in itself, that I believe it says so much about what Sa Eon himself has been by, that he would truly have the ability to deduce, accurately, what had occurred to Hee Joo.

I do discover it satisfying to observe Sa Eon’s constructing urgency, in the case of defending Hee Joo.

First, there’s that second on the roof, when he seems to be decidedly nervous to see Hee Joo standing so precariously on that bench close to the sting of the constructing, and there’s additionally how he rushes ahead to catch her, when she loses her footing.

After which, there’s how he actually runs down the steps in a panic, when he hears that 406 is in the identical constructing, as a result of he naturally reaches for the chance that Hee Joo could be at risk.

The satisfaction right here, I believe, is how Sa Eon’s virtually all the time so managed and in charge of his state of affairs and environment, however he can’t assist however lose management, in the case of Hee Joo.

I imply, these episodes, we even see Sa Eon fully distracted at work, as a result of he can’t cease enthusiastic about Hee Joo.

That’s how a lot he cares about her, and the way a lot she’s gotten beneath his pores and skin – and that thought is swoony. 🫠

On that observe, can I simply say, it was fairly hilarious to see Sa Eon’s response, when Hee Joo unintentionally sends that heart-eyes emoji. He actually doesn’t know what to do, and I used to be very amused. 🤭

I favored watching him angst over what to say in response, and I’m fairly happy along with his selection, to congratulate her on her new job, fairly than to query her use of the emoji, which had been his first intuition.

It’s performed for laughs, how Sa Eon is so clueless about relationships, that he would maintain asking his workers for enter and ideas, however I give Sa Eon credit score for selecting a reasonably nice reward with which to congratulate Hee Joo on her new job.

Getting her a glossy, skilled wanting swimsuit to mark the event, is a superb selection, and I approve. 😁

I additionally love that Sa Eon appears naturally inclined to look out for fairly issues for Hee Joo; that’s a really boyfriend/husband factor to do, and I have to say that that gown that he finally ends up selecting out for her, fits her fantastically.

Greater than that, although, I like what he says to her, about the truth that she’s all the time underestimating herself, and that he needs to assist her overcome that.

Aw. I like this concept, that he sees her worth, greater than she sees her personal worth, and that he needs to assist her see what he sees. 🥲

I additionally assume it’s cute that when Hee Joo needs to take him to an costly restaurant so as to have fun her new job, he balks on the excessive costs, and states that he needs jjajangmyeon as an alternative.

Aw. Take a look at him attempting to assist her lower your expenses. Cute! 🤩

It’s getting more and more awkward to see Sa Eon attempting to stay subsequent to Hee Joo as a lot as doable, and but, not reveal that they’re married.

Like that complete factor the place he says that she will go meet Sang Woo and Yu Ri for drinks, on the situation that he will get to tag alongside too.

I don’t blame Sang Woo for wanting so quizzical at the truth that Sa Eon is even there, heh. But in addition, I weirdly need Sa Eon to only come proper out and state for the file that Hee Joo is his spouse. 😁

It’s so uncomfortable that I’m not shocked Hee Joo finally ends up excusing herself, and naturally, if Hee Joo leaves, naturally, Sa Eon would observe – which is how we find yourself having Hee Joo dashing ahead, to avoid wasting Sa Eon from that oncoming Truck of Doom (which we later discover out is being pushed by 406).

Probably the most thrilling factor about this beat, after all, is the truth that Hee Joo reflexively shouts out Sa Eon’s title in panic, when she realizes that he’s at risk of being mowed over.

Ahh! Not solely does he get to listen to her voice, nevertheless it’s her voice, expressing concern for him! Very momentous certainly, I’d say. 🥲

Regardless that Hee Joo denies having referred to as out his title, I actually just like the regular depth in Sa Eon’s gaze and voice, as he tells her that he needs to listen to her voice once more.

That in itself could be very swoony, as a result of Hee Joo’s complete world as she is aware of it, needs her to maintain quiet and by no means communicate once more, and but, right here he’s, so hungry to listen to her voice.

It appears like he needs extra of her, and this need has been constructing over time, and is lastly now coming to a boil.

I do assume that that’s the driving motive behind Sa Eon saying that he needs to study signal language.

Sure, it’s positive taken him lengthy sufficient, provided that they’ve been married for 3 years, however with the rationale that we’re given, these episodes, that it was all as a result of Sa Eon hadn’t wished to get hooked up to her, it is smart, notably throughout the context that it is a makjang story at its coronary heart.

On that observe, I’m additionally processing this in relation to Sa Eon being so distant and brusque with Hee Joo all this time, in the identical vein.

My logical mind protests that that’s not the way you deal with somebody that you simply love, and absolutely your affection for them would leak out in spots, over the three years which have handed?

However within the context of this being a makjang story, I’m keen to only roll with it, and purchase that Sa Eon was that distant and chilly in direction of Hee Joo, so as to make it simpler to let her go, which he’d believed he’d should do, inevitably, so as to set her free.

Proper now, seeing Sa Eon taking steps to study signal language from Hee Joo, could be very satisfying, as a result of it’s a sensible manner for him to truly have extra of her in his life.

He needs to listen to her voice, however she gained’t communicate; the opposite manner, is for him to study the language that she does communicate.

The primary time they really have an trade in signal language, appears like a extremely significant second, as a result of they’re lastly talking the identical language to one another. 🥲

In fact, with Sa Eon slowly however absolutely coming to the belief that Hee Joo is the 406 whom he’s been talking with, and with In Ah coming again to Korea and making her presence identified to Hee Joo, these sluggish steps to a greater connection get thrown into disarray.

Actually, on hindsight, it looks as if Hee Joo may need truly been on the verge of telling Sa Eon that he’d mentioned that he’d favored her, whereas in his drunken state – which is when Sa Eon will get the decision from Park Do Jae, that confirms that the voice of the 406 with whom Sa Eon’s been talking, is a 99.99% match with Hee Joo’s voice.

Ack. I felt dangerous for Sa Eon, since this have to be such a shock to him, to have affirmation that Hee Joo needs to divorce him. It’s little marvel that Sa Eon will get so distracted.

To his credit score, he doesn’t ever take into account the chance that Hee Joo is in precise cahoots with 406, solely that she’s in some way blended up with him; he by no means truly thinks that Hee Joo is perhaps out to hurt him.

That’s a present of belief that I actually do like.

Sure, he’s undoubtedly harm and offended, so the truth that he even tries to forgive Hee Joo, says so much about how a lot she means to him, I really feel.

E5-6. Truthfully, I actually just like the tantalizing impact that we get, when Hee Joo calls Sa Eon as 406 – however Sa Eon now is aware of that it’s her.

It provides a complete different layer of nuance and which means to their dialog, and I believed this was very well accomplished. 🤩

We lastly get some truths on the market between them, and I can’t assist however clock that the very first thing Sa Eon needs to know, is that if Hee Joo’s being threatened.

See, he trusts herrr. 🥲

Importantly, he lastly tells Hee Joo why he’d requested to marry her within the first place – and the way he’s greater than prepared to indicate her the entire sincerity, concern, understanding and affection, if that’s what she truly needs.

Much more importantly, in response to Hee Joo’s pushback, he lastly explains why he’d been distant – as a result of he’d believed that she hadn’t wished the wedding, and he’d been making ready to set her free, principally.

I actually like that Sa Eon makes an express promise to Hee Joo, that he’ll work to alter issues together with her, as a result of this undoubtedly helps to border issues for her, going ahead.

He does make an effort, although I’d additionally say that numerous that effort is performed for comedy throughout the entire workshop factor, like how he principally ejects that different dude from his seat subsequent to Hee Joo, in order that Sa Eon can sit subsequent to Hee Joo.

It’s foolish and ridiculous, and appears extremely inappropriate to everybody else, since no one is aware of that they’re married to one another, pfft.

Similar factor with how he forces the crew pairings throughout the video games portion of the workshop, and instantly chooses Hee Joo as his accomplice.

It’s dorky solely as a result of we all know he’s her husband; to everybody else, this should look alarmingly inappropriate. 😅

After which how about the best way he tries to impress Hee Joo with the jumprope factor, however fails? I kinda love that Hee Joo principally takes cost, after which leads them to victory. 🤭

It’s candy, although, that the factor that Sa Eon asks for, as their prize, is a photograph.

Aw. Seems to be like they’ve by no means taken a photograph collectively earlier than this, then.

It’s actually fairly candy that this issues to Sa Eon, and that he needs to repair it, as quickly as doable.

I additionally thought it was considerate of him, to provide Hee Joo his jacket, when he notices that she’s very frivolously dressed, whereas they’re mountain climbing up the mountain.

It’s very affecting certainly, to see how Sa Eon reacts, as soon as he learns that Hee Joo’s fallen from the lookout, and is lacking.

The mounting fear and concern in his eyes is unmistakeable, and I discover it touching to see that he would throw himself into looking for her, even when it means taking private dangers, like climbing all the way down to search for her on his personal, earlier than the rescue crew arrives.

He’s so dogged and so determined, and you may completely see his coronary heart leap, when Hee Joo lastly calls, utilizing 406’s cellphone, as a result of her personal cellphone is lifeless.

And but, even in his panicked, nervous state, he catches himself when he solutions the cellphone calling her title; he instantly modifications tack, to ease her thoughts, and speaks of Hee Joo as an alternative of to her.

This, when he’s so desperately nervous for her, that he begins rambling about how she must drink water, as a result of she will’t get dehydrated.

YET. He does urgently inform her in regards to the flare that he’d put in her backpack, and in addition, asks if she’s scared – after which tells her how terrified he’s.

It’s true; from Sa Eon’s eyes sheening with tears, to the best way his voice trembles with each syllable, to the best way his complete physique is drenched with chilly sweat, we are able to actually see him enveloped in terror. 😭

When he thinks he’s misplaced her on the road, his voice rises a number of octaves, as he asks if she’s nonetheless there, and to please reply him.

After which when he hears her say that she will hear him, you may sense the wave of reduction that washes over him, to nonetheless be related to her. 🥲

I had literal tears in my eyes, in our final minutes, when Hee Joo units off the flare, and Sa Eon simply begins racing to her, whereas yelling into the cellphone to 406, as he runs, to inform Hee Joo to not fear, that he’ll be proper there.

AUGH. So, SO affecting. Simply, SO MUCH emotion, within the scene. 🥹🥹🥹

I’m truthfully a little bit bereft, afterwards; the emotion stranglehold is so nicely accomplished, that I’m all breathless and on the sting of my seat, though I do know that Hee Joo shall be okay.

E7-8. I believed that the best way we’ve Hee Joo wanting again on key factors in her life, and having regrets at not talking up extra, for herself, was fairly cleverly accomplished.

Like, sure, I can imagine that as she’s hovering out and in of consciousness, whereas in a state of affairs the place her life has been at risk, she would have that “my life flashed earlier than my eyes” kind of expertise.

And it feels important, that it’s on this state, that she remembers that Sa Eon had all the time been there for her, serving to her and defending her, even when she hadn’t spoken up for herself to ask for assist.

That’s one of many mini arcs that I’m having fun with; Hee Joo coming to appreciate the depth and extent of Sa Eon’s love for her.

Though, the sight of him, all ragged and tearful, so desperately nervous about her, upon her opening her eyes on the hospital, could be a really important clue, sure? 😁

On that observe, I’ve to say, I actually purchased into Sa Eon’s complete matted, bereft kind of aura; actually nicely accomplished. 🤩🥲

It was so satisfying, to listen to Hee Joo eke out the phrases – audibly! – “Don’t go,” whereas greedy Sa Eon’s arm.

Ahhh!!! This feels so important, after she’s been silent with him for thus lengthy. 🥲🥲

I like Sa Eon’s look of shock and tentative marvel, as he turns again in direction of her, upon listening to her voice. And we know how deeply Sa Eon’s longed to listen to her voice!

So, for him to listen to her communicate now, on this context, should really feel so particular to him, sure? 🥲

Augh. This whole scene is so emotional; I used to be floundering my feels, y’all. Floundering. 🫠🫠🫠

It does really feel a bit pointless for Sa Eon to nonetheless sustain the pretense that he doesn’t know that Hee Joo’s 406, however positive.

I get that Present needs to attract out the narrative pressure from this for so long as doable, and since I’m a direct beneficiary from narrative pressure, I’m keen to roll with it.

Plus, it’s true that we are inclined to get some glorious beats of honesty between Sa Eon and Hee Joo throughout these masked conversations, so it does really feel like these cellphone calls, with Hee Joo performing as 406, are a useful crutch, in a manner?

And, I’m additionally rationalizing that Sa Eon doesn’t need to power Hee Joo to confront her ruse, till she’s prepared, and that’s why he retains up the pretense. I should buy that.

I’m undoubtedly consuming up any and all OTP skinship, like the best way Sa Eon princess-carries Hee Joo out of her wheelchair, to tuck her into the hospital mattress; he’s so light, deliberate and tender, as he takes off her slippers and pulls the covers over her. 🫠

With Sa Eon being like this, it’s not onerous to grasp why Hee Joo would get increasingly more comfy with him, over the course of those episodes.

Effectively, that, and the way he’s develop into her protected haven.

That scene on the finish of episode 7, the place Hee Joo panics, considering that it’s 406 on the opposite aspect of the hospital door, after which crumples into Sa Eon’s arms, when she realizes that it’s him and never 406, says so much, I do assume.

She’s relieved that it’s not 406, however she’s additionally relieved that it’s Sa Eon; she’s come to belief him now, and he or she’s come to affiliate him with security, which appears like an enormous step ahead. 🥲

Her burgeoning sexual consciousness of him is performed for laughs, together with her getting all antsy about the truth that he’s operating water within the hospital toilet, however on hindsight, I do assume that it provides a pleasant foundational layer to the kiss that we ultimately get, on the finish of episode 7.

Within the meantime, although, I do very a lot respect the best way Sa Eon’s quietly and thoroughly tending to Hee Joo, and asking her to get extra sleep; it’s such a husbandly factor to do, I really feel like. 🥲

I rolled my eyes and chuckled on the half the place Sa Eon teases Hee Joo by pretending to flirt with 406, by asking if she’s fairly (Hee Joo’s discombobulated perplexed response face is kind of priceless 😂), however I determine Sa Eon’s most likely attempting to impress Hee Joo a little bit bit, to attempt to get to her true emotions about him.

I do actually like how, when Hee Joo’s all rattled and scared, Sa Eon merely climbs into mattress together with her, to carry her, which helps to calm her down. 🥲

The entire amusement park expertise factor, main as much as the kiss at Namsan Tower, feels fairly further, even when, as we see in episode 8, that Sa Eon had been impressed by Hee Joo’s childhood photograph.

However like I mentioned, this present is makjanging, and logic stretches are greater than permissible, in a makjang world.

I’m simply homing in on the tearful tenderness with which Sa Eon lastly approaches Hee Joo, whereas letting her know, lastly, that he’s identified for some time, that she’s 406.

The entire scene could be very affecting.

First, there’s Hee Joo’s tearful shock and rising disbelief, as Sa Eon doesn’t develop offended or solid her apart, however begins to truly confess his love for her, after which there’s Sa Eon’s pent-up emotions, lastly eked out and given voice, previous his stoic facade.

“How may I not love you?” – as he leans in to kiss her, the best way he’s seemingly all the time dreamed of, however by no means although he would ever have the ability to kiss her.

The kiss is deep, and hungry, and but additionally tortured, because it carries with it, waves upon waves.. upon waves, of pent-up emotions, lastly given expression.

It virtually appears like that kiss takes over Sa Eon, and he’s powerless to cease it, as a result of he’s that consumed by these waves of pent-up love and want.

Daze. Flail. Faint. 🫠🔥🫠🔥🫠

Afterwards, I rolled my eyes a little bit bit on the kimchi PPL 🤭, however I just like the candy coupley vibes of Sa Eon cooking for Hee Joo, and Hee Joo smiling approvingly, as she takes her first chunk of Sa Eon’s cooking. 🥰

Importantly, I like that Sa Eon lastly explains why he’d been so chilly and distant in direction of Hee Joo, after they’d first gotten married.

It happens to me that numerous Hee Joo’s emotions in direction of Sa Eon have a basis in security, the place she begins to see him as her protected haven.

Apart from what I’ve already described these episodes, we’ve that flashback to when Hee Joo feels that she’d first began dreaming of an atypical life for the each of them, and that had been when he’d appeared as her rescuer, like a knight in shining armor, when she’d been having that panic assault along with the street.

And there’s additionally the best way she has that nightmare, that he’s deserted her, after which how he pulls her into his arms, the place she lastly relaxes – in her protected haven.

I discover this imagery fairly.. comforting, truthfully.

And given how Hee Joo’s been rejected a lot by her personal mom, I can perceive why Sa Eon’s acceptance of her means a lot to her. 🥲

And so, later in episode 8, when Sa Eon stops Sang Woo’s automotive and calls for that Hee Joo get out, I can completely see why Hee Joo would open the door with out hesitation, though Sang Woo tells her to not open the door.

She trusts Sa Eom implicitly now, and I actually like that thought.

I additionally actually like that we’re beginning to get extra communication between Sa Eon and Hee Joo, the place they’ll speak head to head, with out having to depend on the ruse that she’s 406.

Like when Sa Eon asks if she hadn’t requested him in regards to the threats as a result of she’d been afraid, and he or she solutions sure; that as a result of she is aware of what it appears like, and the way it had made her need to run away, she’d been afraid to ask.

AW. Communication and empathy?? That’s so nice. 🥹

After which there’s a lot quivering, trustworthy emotion, as Hee Joo tells Sa Eon how she’s felt extraordinarily uneasy, as a result of she’s afraid that their new relationship is all a dream; that this type of happiness would by no means occur to her; that nobody would love her this simply.

Augh. Our Hee Joo is being brutally trustworthy, in tearing open her coronary heart to Sa Eon, and I’m so glad that he responds by taking her into his arms, and simply holding her.

I’m with Hee Joo, when she requests that he inform her every thing, in order that there are not any extra secrets and techniques between them; it’s too dangerous that Sa Eon doesn’t really feel that it’s the fitting time to inform her every thing.

However, he does supply up a clue, in the best way he asks her to do not forget that even when he loses every thing – each title and identification that now belongs to him – that she’ll do not forget that the one Paik Sa Eon that he needs to depart behind on this planet, is the Paik Sa Eon who belongs to her.

Foreshadowing a lot? 😅

E7-8. As we shut out these episodes, we’ve acquired Sa Eon handed out in a hearth, whereas attempting to avoid wasting Fisherman Dad, and that’s simply so poignant but in addition sort of distracting, that Present would layer on the scene of Hee Joo wanting by the workshop pictures, and realizing that Sa Eon’s eyes are all the time on her, in each single one.

He’s all the time solely had eyes for her, which is so very touching – however my mind is protesting that now isn’t the time to get sentimental, BECAUSE SA EON’S PASSED OUT IN A BURNING HOUSE, EXCUSE ME?!?? 😅😅

I’m positive Sa Eon will survive (as a result of he has to! 😅), however I’m curious to see how Present manages to avoid wasting him – after which I’m curious to see what different truths Present will allow us to in on, in our subsequent episodes.

All in all, I’m nonetheless very a lot engaged, if there ever was any doubt. 😁

[END SPOILER]

Heo Nam Jun as Sang Woo [BROAD SPOILERS]

Truthfully, I believe Present was very intelligent to solid Heo Nam Jun within the position of Sang Woo.

I imply, it’s true that Sang Woo appears to be a genuinely regular man, who simply occurs to have a comfortable spot for Hee Joo, from their time collectively in class.

I’ve to confess although, that after seeing Heo Nam Jun play a fairly unhinged kind of character in Your Honor (overview right here!), I couldn’t assist eyeing Sang Woo with some suspicion.

Because of this, by chunk of my watch, whereas Present stored me guessing on the reality round 406, I couldn’t assist questioning if Sang Woo was concerned in some way – though there was truly no proof to that impact. 😅

Clearly, Heo Nam Jun left a really deep impression on me, in Your Honor. 🤭

Jang Gyu Ri as Yu Ri

I simply wished to say that I discovered Jang Gyu Ri very nice as Yu Ri.

I’d imagined that Yu Ri could be a extra.. I dunno, manipulative character, given Present’s core makjang nature, however I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out that Yu Ri was a genuinely good individual.

And her mild, heat kind of vitality labored out to be a pleasant steadiness to the angstier notes in our story world.

Yu Ri and Sang Woo [BROAD SPOILERS]

Given the meet-cute between Sang Woo and Yu Ri in our opening episodes, a part of my fangirl mind instantly went to the potential of a loveline between them, however Present doesn’t actually do a complete lot with this loveline, for nearly the whole lot of its run.

There are little snippets of Sang Woo and Yu Ri spending time collectively, within the title of labor, however no overt romantic progress.

In the long run, although, Present does give them a romantic completely happy ending, and I simply wished to say that I believed they made a cute couple. 😁

Father and Mom Paik

I additionally simply wished to say that in a drama world with a number of terrible mother and father, I in some way disliked Father and Mom Paik (Yoo Sung Joo and Chu Sang Mi) much more than the common Terrible Mother or father.

Simply take a look at these smug faces; dontcha simply need to smack ’em? 😅

Park Jae Yun as 406 [SPOILERS]

I simply wished to provide a fast shout-out to Park Jae Yun, for his portrayal of 406.

Sure, his rendition of 406 was very OTT, however given Present’s makjang nature, I believed that match properly.

General, I believed he did a extremely good job of delivering 406’s particular model of wild-eyed unhinged instability; there have been instances after I legit felt frightened of him. And but, there was additionally a tiny piece of my coronary heart that felt sorry for him as nicely, in direction of the top.

I believed it was a really strong outing, all in all.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES [SPOILERS]

E9-10. Ha. Bear in mind after I mentioned final week, that the makjang on this present is makjanging?

Effectively. It appears like Present noticed that and mentioned, “Maintain my beer. Lemme present you what actual makjang is!” – which is how we ended up with this week’s episodes. 😂

The humorous factor is, the extra Present leans into the makjang this week, the extra I discover myself dropping curiosity, though I do benefit from the odd juicy makjang.

I don’t dislike the present, to be clear; it’s simply that Present’s misplaced its magnetic pull on me, and I’m sorry, however I do assume it’s as a result of, for me, all of the magnetic pull had been to do with the will-they-or-won’t-they push-pull of our OTP, when their actual emotions hadn’t fairly been established.

Now that that’s been established, I discover that even the truckload of makjang that Present’s serving up, doesn’t fairly add as much as that breathless magnetic pull that had had me beneath Present’s spell, for a stretch.

I do assume that your mileage is prone to range, and I do assume that the variable actually has to do with how stunning you discover the developments of those episodes.

Personally, I discovered myself having the ability to guess fairly just a few of the developments forward of their respective reveals, which undoubtedly dampened the shock issue of the particular reveals themselves.

However for those who actually had been taken abruptly, I can think about these episodes being a reasonably nice rollercoaster expertise. 😁

One of many issues I did genuinely take pleasure in, these episodes, is the tone of the conversations between In Ah and Hee Joo.

With In Ah having been painted as a little bit of a baddie, in the best way that her disappearance had pressured Hee Joo right into a political marriage that she hadn’t wished, and the best way she’d talked about the way it was okay for Hee Joo to talk, now that she herself had regained her listening to, it actually got here as a shock to me, that we’d get such amicable conversations between the 2 of them.

I truly respect that a part of In Ah’s agenda, is to free Hee Joo from a wedding that In Ah believes Hee Joo doesn’t need.

I additionally actually favored that second when Hee Joo speaks, and In Ah remarks that she likes the sound of Hee Joo’s voice, and had, in reality, fairly favored it, when Hee Joo had used to name her “Unnie.”

Aw. That’s actually fairly pretty, I believed. 🥲

Afterwards, I actually favored that we get to see In Ah and Hee Joo on the identical aspect, like after they have that speak with Father Hong, to ask him what he’d gained and misplaced, on this take care of the Paiks.

That is one thing that I discovered genuinely stunning, as a result of it had by no means occurred to me, that In Ah may presumably be on Hee Joo’s aspect, notably after making it such that Hee Joo had had no selection however to face in for her, in that organized marriage.

One other factor that I did respect about these episodes, is that we get to see Hee Joo’s dedication to guard Sa Eon.

Sure, generally her means are restricted, however I do like this concept in precept, that she doesn’t simply need to be a damsel whom Sa Eon rescues; she needs to guard him too.

And so, the concept of her coolly and firmly demanding that her in-laws file a report that Sa Eon is lacking, after which simply strolling outta there, appeals to me fairly a bit.

I additionally respect that Present makes it make sense, that Sang Woo could be the one to rescue Sa Eon and Fishing Dad from the hearth, as a result of he’d been there to see Fishing Dad in regards to the lacking orphans case, after which had turned again, when he’d seen Sa Eon heading in direction of Fishing Dad’s store.

Yay. Good job, Sang Woo. I’m sorry I used to be suspicious of you and thought you is perhaps one of many dangerous guys.

I’m considering that they’d had solid Heo Nam Jun, principally as a purple herring – and that had labored very well, as a result of all this time, I’ve been like, “However would they really solid Heo Nam Jun as a innocent good man???” 😆😅

After which after all, we even have some particulars being revealed, that lastly shed some correct mild on the reality of what had occurred.

It’s very wild to me, that Grandpa Paik had personally tried to drown Authentic Sa Eon; usually, aren’t this stuff that get delegated to black-suited righthand males who don’t query their orders?

Primarily based on Grandpa Paik’s phrases to Sa Eon, it turns into clear that Authentic Sa Eon had taken to killing youngsters youthful than himself, after getting began by killing animals.

That’s when it had dawned on me that that’s what had develop into of all the kids who’d gone lacking from the orphanage; they’d been killed for sport, by Authentic Sa Eon.

And Grandpa Paik would fairly kill his personal grandson and have him changed, than have Authentic Sa Eon handled by the legislation, as a result of he didn’t need the hit to his household’s status.

Moreover, that factor that Grandpa Paik says, that that is the rationale he hadn’t given Sa Eon a reputation, truly leads me to assume that Sa Eon is definitely Grandpa Paik’s hidden son, and that Grandpa Paik had entrusted him to Fishing Dad, till such a time as this, when Grandpa Paik had a necessity for a alternative grandson.

..Which then leads me to the conclusion that Mom Paik makes, in episode 10, that Father Paik isn’t his father’s son – as a result of that’s the one solution to clarify the truth that the DNA take a look at reveals that Sa Eon isn’t associated to Father Paik.

Ha. The irony, that the “outsider” whom Father Paik’s been disdaining all these years, is the precise son of Grandpa Paik, and Father Paik himself isn’t even associated to Grandpa Paik, and had seemingly been the results of some affair that Grandma Paik had had. 😅

It’s truly even wilder to me, that Grandpa Paik would have Father Hong’s son killed in that “accident,” as a result of the boy had seen the face of Authentic Sa Eon – after which Grandpa Paik had referred to as it even, telling Father Hong that he’d had his personal grandson killed too.

That is completely the sort of weird logic that I’ve come to count on of makjangs. 😂

Mom Paik tailing Authentic Sa Eon to his hideout, after which tearfully telling him that she gained’t lose him once more, is principally her agreeing to be an adjunct in his felony exercise, isn’t it?

In any case, when she sees him hanging across the memorial service for Grandpa Paik, she would know, immediately, that he’s not there for something constructive, enjoyable or protected. However she simply turns a blind eye, and lets him be.

Uh. Is that this actually the fitting solution to love your son? I dunno, Ma’am. I believe you’ve gotten all of it blended up.

And naturally, there’s Park Do Jae, whom everybody watching, has been suspicious of for some time now.

Because it seems, everybody was proper, and Present principally provides the sport away, proper earlier than the reveal, by that significant further shot of his face, when Sa Eon’s crew is questioning which hospital Sa Eon’s in.

That’s actually the affirmation that informed me that everybody had been proper about Park Do Jae, fairly than the precise reveal, heh.

And naturally, like we’d been speculating, Park Do Jae is the surviving twin, and now that we all know that Authentic Sa Eon had killed all these lacking orphans, it’s little marvel that Park Do Jae’s made it his mission in life to get revenge on Sa Eon.

He simply hadn’t factored within the risk that the unique Sa Eon had been swopped out for a alternative, which is how we find yourself with this weird state of affairs, the place Park Do Jae’s been working with the individual whom he actually ought to have been focusing on, to go towards somebody who’d had nothing to do along with his twin brother’s disappearance.

And, if I perceive it accurately, Park Do Jae had solely actually realized the weird irony, proper earlier than Authentic Sa Eon had set Fishing Dad’s store on hearth.

I respect that Park Do Jae jumps in to avoid wasting Sa Eon from being stabbed by Authentic Sa Eon, and that he ultimately makes peace with Sa Eon, after a while within the hospital.

As for the thriller of the sender of the DNA take a look at, it solely hit me proper as In Ah and Hong Joo had been puzzling over it, nevertheless it does make good sense to me, that Sa Eon would have been the one to ship it to In Ah – in order that he may ask for Hee Joo as her alternative.

That was sensible, though I’m nonetheless side-eying Sa Eon a little bit bit, for being so distant and chilly to the girl he loves, however positive. I’ll speak myself into shopping for the logic that he’d been steeling himself for the second he must let her go – or so he thought.

The primary theme that I see in our OTP relationship, these episodes, is Hee Joo constantly and repeatedly telling Sa Eon that it’s her flip to guard him.

From the time she calls on her in-laws to file the lacking individuals report, to when she tries to show herself in on the police station, for her half within the 406 calls, we see that Hee Joo is critical and adamant about wanting to guard Sa Eon.

On hindsight, I see that as Present ramping up this concept, in order that when Hee Joo drives off the aspect of the cliff, whereas being held hostage by Authentic Sa Eon, it appears like one thing we’ve kind of been ready for.

I’ll say although, it actually was transferring, to see Hee Joo unhesitatingly stroll the speak, and select to surrender her life, so as to defend Sa Eon.

That’s love, really. 🥲

Poor Sa Eon. How totally horrifying it will need to have been, to be on the opposite finish of the road, and truly hear the automotive crash into the guard rails, earlier than the road went lifeless. 🙈

Afterwards, I did just like the scene of Sa Eon making his assertion, after which earnestly telling the world at massive about his spouse, Hee Joo. He’s lastly telling the world about Hee Joo, and it’s what I’d wished, however beneath the worst circumstances. 😅

Although I’ll say that I did get a little bit of a kick watching the assorted teams of individuals in our drama world having mind implosions on the revelation that Interpreter Hong Hee Joo and Spokesperson Paik Sa Eon had been married all alongside. 😁

I’m sorry. I do know that’s not the purpose, and I do know that the purpose is how damaged and nervous Sa Eon is, and the way Hee Joo’s life is perhaps at risk.

In my feeble protection, I’m very, very positive that Hee Joo shall be okay, even when Present has to stretch logic to make it so. 😅

Now I’m simply ready for the reveal, that Sa Eon’s truly Grandpa Paik’s son – and the fallout that should include. 😁

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E11-12. I suppose I ought to preface this part by saying that I do know that this finale is extraordinarily divisive; I’ve seen people specific that they find it irresistible, and I’ve seen people specific how a lot they hate it.

I don’t assume I hate this finale as a lot as some viewers, however I’ve to admit that this finale was not my favourite factor that Present’s accomplished. 😅

First, let’s speak makjang.

After Present had leaned so onerous into the makjang in our penultimate episodes, I used to be not shocked that it might lean even more durable into the makjang, in our finale week.

And since, one of many elementary guidelines with makjang, is that logic can and shall be stretched, generally to extremes, I used to be truly moderately completely happy to roll with all of the developments in episode 11.

However then episode 12 occurred, and halfway by it, I actually mentioned out loud, “What the heck am I watching..?” 😂😂

Yup, you guessed it; that’s the half the place we see Hee Joo wandering across the jungles of Argan on her personal, and promptly getting kidnapped.

After which we get that large rescue scene (which, truthfully, what the heck is Sa Eon doing, combating the insurgents..? 😅), and the large reunion scene in the midst of the jungle, the place they’re imagined to be hiding from mentioned insurgents – however don’t trouble to maintain it down, or maintain it brief. 😂

Seems that whereas I like having a way of determined urgency between our OTP, I do additionally like issues to make some sort of sense. 😅

Right here’s what I consider the entire thing: I really feel like writer-nim acquired the concept that we viewers love angsty, tortured Sa Eon (as a result of sure, he was 🔥 in earlier episodes), and was searching for , dramatic solution to give us precisely that.

HOWEVER.

I do assume that writer-nim didn’t really perceive what we had been loving a lot, about Present’s earlier episodes.

As a result of, YES, I’ve to confess that angsty, tortured Sa Eon was undoubtedly a part of the equation.

And naturally, there was the will-they-or-won’t-they push-pull of the OTP, however for the reason that OTP’s lengthy been minted, writer-nim reached for a reboot of kinds, by separating Sa Eon and Hee Joo, first through Hee Joo’s abduction, after which through Sa Eon’s disappearance.

I perceive the precept of that, and y’know, that may have labored, in concept, besides that writer-nim missed one final essential a part of the equation, which, arguably, is the most vital piece, when it comes to why we – nicely, I – had discovered Present’s earlier episodes so compelling.

And that’s, the ardent love that Sa Eon has, beneath all of that angst, and the deep want to like and defend Hee Joo, regardless of the circumstances stacked towards him.

The will to respect her and honor her, over and above the facade of chilly aloofness that he’s chosen, and the determined want to guard her, whereas holding onto his final shred of sanity and dignity – as a result of she doesn’t realize it, however she is his complete world.

THAT was the factor that basically made each little bit of tortured angst and distance between our OTP pop a lot, for me, that it had felt like Present was serving up a one-two punch each episode, whereas reaching by my display screen to seize my coronary heart out of my chest.

And I really feel like that’s the one factor we didn’t get, in our finale.

Sure, Sa Eon’s tortured and angsty, however time and time once more, he says and does issues that go towards what I’d come to grasp of him; that he wished to place Hee Joo first, and defend her, and be tender towards her, and respect her.

ALL of that went out the window, with OG Sa Eon’s whispered phrases to him, in episode 12; that Grandpa Paik had killed Hee Joo’s little brother.

All of a sudden, we’ve Sa Eon disappearing on Hee Joo with no phrase, and staying fully out of attain for months on finish, and when Hee Joo tracks him down in Argan, of all locations, armed with nothing however a headband – the place he’s gone in order that he can watch the sundown (😂😂) – he says to her, “I TOLD YOU TO WAIT FOR ME!”

You. Have. Acquired. To. Be. Kidding. Me. 🤯

That’s fairly presumably probably the most weird, egocentric factor to have ever come out of Sa Eon’s mouth, even when Present couches this as him eager to punish himself, and I discovered this perplexing sufficient, that I discovered myself not really caring in regards to the spicy sexytimes scene that Present then serves up quickly after, to attempt to distract me.

Sure, I’d discovered the sooner skinship within the present fairly electrical, but when the muse’s wonky, it simply.. doesn’t work the identical manner, y’know?

Then, after every thing is returned to regular, Sa Eon goes off to be Chief Negotiator in some harmful state of affairs – and lets Hee Joo discover out about it whereas she’s doing signal language translation on the information..??

Say, what?

And when Hee Joo lastly will get to speak to him on the cellphone, as an alternative of being apologetic, he makes use of a chilly tone together with her, to impress her to speak extra like she’d accomplished, when she’d been “406”??

Okay, positive, I should buy that he’s simply teasing her right here, and his total message is a extra constructive one, that he needs her to precise herself extra freely round him.

BUT, let’s not overlook that that is within the context of him jetting off to be Chief Negotiator with out telling her, and these are principally his first phrases to her, after the actual fact.

It simply.. doesn’t sit proper, if you already know what I imply?

General, I’m nonetheless perplexed on the lack of communication round all of the vital stuff, like his choice to punish himself by eradicating himself from Hee Joo’s presence – with out a lot as a phrase to Hee Joo.

What occurred to respecting her? Why not put your self in her palms, to punish or forgive, as she sees match?

And, why not truly inform your spouse that you simply’re occurring an vital and harmful task, in order that she doesn’t discover out about it on the information, whereas she herself is on the air??

In the long run, the OTP that we get on the finish of those finale episodes kinda-sorta look just like the OTP that I’d been so smitten with in Present’s earlier stretch, however on the coronary heart of it, I can’t shake the niggling feeling that body-snatchers have been at work, and all I’m seeing right here, is a hole reflection of their likeness – with out the guts that had grabbed my coronary heart, to start with.

And so, as I end my watch of this present, I discover that the sentiments that I’ve remaining for this OTP, are, likewise, a hole reflection of what they’d was once.

Ah, the may’ve beens. 🥲 However there’s no denying that when Present was at its finest, it had me breathlessly by the guts. 🥹

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Disappointing within the final stretch, however price a search for the electrical first half.

FINAL GRADE: B+

TRAILER:

MV:

PATREON UPDATE!

The following drama I’m protecting on Patreon, rather than When The Telephone Rings, is Motel California [Korea].

You’ll be able to take a look at my episode 1-2 notes on Motel California on Patreon right here.

Right here’s an outline of what I’m protecting on Patreon proper now (Tier advantages are cumulative)!

Basis Tier (US$1): Leisure Drop (Sundays) + the primary set notes of all reveals coated on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Entry (US$5): +Blossom [China]

Early Entry Plus (US$10): +Motel California [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +Love Scout [Korea]

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